"
He got to his feet, and faced her. "You--you are a woman, by heaven!" he
said. "You are finer even than I thought you. I am not worthy to ask you
what I had in my mind to ask you; but there is no man in God's universe
who would prize you as I do. I may be a poor man before sundown. If that
happens, though, I shall remember the place where I had the biggest
moment of my life, and the woman who made that moment possible."
Now she also rose. There was a brave high look in her face; but her voice
shook a little as she said: "You have never been a coward, why be a
coward now?"
Smiling, he slowly answered: "I wouldn't if I were sure about my
dollars."
She did not reply, but glanced down, not with coquetry, but because she
could not stand the furnace of his eyes.
"You said a moment ago," she ventured, "that you have had one big moment
in your life. Oughtn't it to bring you good fortune?"
"It will--it will," he said, reaching his hand towards hers.
"No, no," she rejoined archly. "I am going. Please do not follow me."
Then, over her shoulder, as she left him: "If you have luck, I shall want
a subscription for my hospital."
"As many thousands as you like," he answered: then, as she sped away: "I
will have her, and the millions too!" adding reminiscently: "Yes, Lady
Lawless, this is my biggest deal."
He tramped to the stables, asked for and got a horse, and rode away to
the railway station.
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