" Westerfelt spoke through tight lips. "I've
no claim on her."
"Well, then, it's as fair for one of us as the other." Bates was half
angry. "We both want her; let's have it over with. Let's speak out
now an' let her take her choice. If she takes you, you may drive her
home; ef it's me--well, you bet it'll make a man of me. She is the
finest girl on God's green earth. Here they come! What do you say?"
Westerfelt drew his arm from Bates's grasp, and stared at him with eyes
which seemed paralyzed.
"Don't mention me to her," he demanded, coldly. "I'll manage my own
affairs."
"All right," Bates lowered his voice, for the two girls were now quite
near; "you may be sure of your case, and I may be making a blamed fool
of myself, but she's worth it."
"What are you two confabbin' about?" cried Jennie, in a merry voice.
Neither of the men answered. Harriet looked curiously at them, her
glance resting last and longer on the lawyer. That encouraged him to
speak.
"I want to see you a minute, Miss Harriet," he said, reaching out for
her sunshade. "May I?"
"Certainly," she said, looking at him in slow surprise.
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