Perhaps
because she wanted her to forget Wambush, who was certainly a man no
sensible woman would like to have in her family.
Bates's round red face appeared in a blur before him. Bates said
something, but it sounded far off, and he did not catch its import.
There was a long silence, and then the lawyer spoke again:
"What do you say? Why are you so devilish grum?" He took off his hat,
and wiped his brow with a red bandanna. Westerfelt stared into his
face. He was unable to collect his senses. It was an awful moment for
him. If he intended to marry her, and forget all, he must propose to
her at once, or, urged by her mother, she might marry Bates and be lost
to him forever. Bates caught his arm firmly.
"I'm no fool," he said, impatiently. "Dad burn it, you _do_ love her.
I see it! You are trying to throw me off the track! Look heer! If
you've lied to me--" Voices were heard in the bushes up the road.
Jennie Wynn and Harriet were approaching. "There they are now!"
exclaimed Bates, in another tone; "you have not been open with me; for
God's sake, don't keep me in suspense! Is she _yours_? Answer that!"
"I have never asked her.
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