Apache Canyon

"Good idea," Brady replied dryly. But he was considering the fact that his contract would run out in two days. He wondered if he ought to risk his neck by riding into Inyo's camp when there were just two days between him and that horse ranch in the Santa Catahnas. And there was another consideration. He looked blandly at Sutherland who was facing the major.

The major said, "Captain, after the noon meal you will take a fourteen-man patrol and swing around the loop from Spanish Flat to Rifle Gap. Under no circumstances are you proceed beyond Rifle Gap. I'll expect you back in four days. You can have Pete Rubio as scout."

Sutherland put his hot glance on Harris. It was plain enough that Sutherland envied the other officer for the job that had been assigned to Harris— a far more dangerous job than a routine scouting patrol—a mission afiFording much more opportunity for gallantry and bold decisiveness.

Sutherland saluted the major stiffly. "Yes, sir," he said, and left. Brady stood a moment longer, dropped his cigarette into the dust and walked away, pushing back his hat and wiping his dusty forehead. His tread was weary. In the east the sun was splashing its first long red rays across the clouds on the horizon.

Early afternoon. Brady was up in time to see Sutherland, all polished and pressed, mounting up and leading his patrol out with a quick downthrust of his arms.

By the time the dust had settled, Brady was crossing the post with determined stride. He felt considerably better now after a shave and a bath and a change of clothes; he didn't particularly care who saw him go up the walk to the Sutherland quarters and knock at the door. The two precious strips of lawn flanked him.

When the door opened the first thing Brady said was, "I don't guess you kissed him goodbye."

"Fu

Dayhght fell in through the doorway, showing the dust in the air, dust that no one could fight. He took his usual seat and accepted a cup of coffee.

Eleanor said, "It must have been a tough night for you."

"Some," he said. He regarded her steadily. She was without a doubt the most beautiful woman he had known. He said, "I came to tell you something."

"I know. You've decided to go into the mountains with Harris."

His eyebrows rose. "So you had that figured out You know me better than I do."

"Perhaps I do," she said, smiling gently.

"Then maybe you had this figured out, too: remember the other day when I told you to think over my offer?"

"Yes."

"I suppose you've thought it over by now."

"Yes," she said again. He could tell nothing by her tone of voice.

Unaccountably his eyes dropped away from her face. He looked at her hands folded quietly in her lap. He said, "I've changed my mind, Eleanor."

If she was surprised, she gave no evidence of it. "I thought that was a woman's perogative."

"I've made it mine."

"I see," she said. "Another attack of honor, Will?"

"I guess maybe that's it."

"Well," she said. Her shoulders moved, a gesture of resignation. "That's it, then."

"I don't like your husband any better than I ever did," he said. "That's not it."

"I didn't think it was. But I've come to know you pretty well-you said so yourself. You don't have to like a man to respect his rights."

"Something like that," he agreed quietly. He was in a morose mood. He got up and took his hat and moved toward the door. When he got there he paused and stood a moment with his back to her, frowning out across the little patches of lawn. He turned and looked at her once more and said, "Just for curiosity, Eleanor-what did you decide?"

"I decided not to go with you, Will." She made it that plain. No excuses, no apologies, no hedging. He nodded with a bitter little smile. He said, "An attack of loyalty, I guess?"

"I'm not sure." She wasn't looking at him. "I suppose perhaps it was."

She did not look at him. He put on his hat and turned. Her voice followed him softly: "Goodbye, Will."

He nodded again, pulled the door shut and walked slowly out into the dust.

Justin Harris climbed the dried boards of the steps, crossed the porch and entered the sutler's store. Sadie Rand was waiting on a trooper. Harris put his back to the wall beside the door and waited there for her. She glanced at him; he saw a break in her expression. Then she returned her attention to the trooper. Her hands, tying up the trooper's parcel, were long-fingered and supple. Her arm5 were round and firm. She wore a simple gingham dress; she nodded politely to the trooper, who smiled at her and went out past Harris with a courteous " 'Afternoon, Captain."

Harris nodded, returned the trooper s salute, and moved forward to the counter. Smells of cloth and fresh wood and paint permeated the place.

He said, "I acted like a damn fool the other day."

Her smile was quick and open. "You don't have to apologize."

"That's a fool thing for you to say," he said, matching her smile.

"Do you want a beer?"

"Sure."

She took a mug down from the shelf, blew dust from it, wiped out the inside with a towel and held it under the barrel faucet. When he took the mug from her his hand rested on hers for a moment. He smiled again and sucked foam off the top of the beer. Sadie said, "Do you mind if I share it?"

He handed the mug back to her, watched her drink from it, and gri

She took on an uncaring air. "Suit yourself. Captain. All I can say is, it's a hot day and a dry one."

"That it is," he said, taking up the mug once more. "Sadie, Usten—there's nothing between me and any other woman."

"All right," she said, as though the subject didn't interest her. She turned away to put up the bar towel.

"Do you beheve that?"

She faced him quickly. "Of course I do." She had to lean forward to grasp his hand; she pulled it forward and held it, looking at the ridges of vein and tendon. Her eyes were wistful. "Justin—"

"No," he said. "No promises, Sadie. Not today. Tm just about to leave with Will Brady and Sergeant Tucker. We're going up to Inyo's camp."

"I see," she said in a small voice. She looked up.

"You understand me, don't you?"

"Yes," she said. "Til be here when you get back, Justin. Right here."

He nodded. That was what he had come to hear her say. When he raised his eyes again he said, "Come around here."

She walked around the end of the counter, paused a moment to touch the wood—a curious expression passed over her—and crossed the space between them, into his arms. His grasp encircled her; his lips dropped and found her moutL "Just that way," he murmured. "Wait for me just that way."

"I will," she breathed. He stepped back and pushed her jaw gently aside with his big fist, and left the room quickly to avoid seeing the moisture that would rise to her eyes.

He went up to the post under a hot midaftemoon sun and met Brady and Tucker in the stables. "All set?"

"Any time, Captain," Tucker said. "Want me to get that Indian out of the guardhouse?"