第30章 A JOURNEY IN SEARCH OF CHRISTMAS(3)

"Why,you and Santa Claus weren't putting up any scheme on my stocking?""Well--"

"I believe you're in earnest!"cried his Excellency."That's simply rich!"Here was a thing to relish!The Frontier comes to town "heeled for a big time,"finds that presents are all the rage,and must immediately give somebody something.Oh,childlike,miscellaneous Frontier!So thought the good-hearted Governor;and it seems a venial misconception.

"My dear fellow,"he added,meaning as well as possible,"I don't want you to spend your money on me.""I've got plenty all right,"said Lin,shortly.

"Plenty's not the point.I'll take as many drinks as you please with you.You didn't expect anything from me?"

"That ain't--that don't--"

"There!Of course you didn't.Then,what are you getting proud about?

Here's our shop."They stepped in from the street to new crowds and counters."Now,"pursued the Governor,"this is for a very particular friend of mine.Here they are.Now,which of those do you like best?"They were sets of Tennyson in cases holding little volumes equal in number,but the binding various,and Mr.McLean reached his decision after one look."That,"said he,and laid a large muscular hand upon the Laureate.The young lady behind the counter spoke out acidly,and Lin pulled the abject hand away.His taste,however,happened to be sound,or,at least,it was at one with the Governor's;but now they learned that there was a distressing variance in the matter of price.

The Governor stared at the delicate article of his choice."I know that Tennyson is what she--is what's wanted,"he muttered;and,feeling himself nudged,looked around and saw Lin's extended fist.This gesture he took for a facetious sympathy,and,dolorously grasping the hand,found himself holding a lump of bills.Sheer amazement relaxed him,and the cow-puncher's matted wealth tumbled on the floor in sight of all people.Barker picked it up and gave it back."No,no,no!"he said,mirthful over his own inclination to be annoyed;"you can't do that.I'm just as much obliged,Lin,"he added.

"Just as a loan,Doc--some of it.I'm grass-bellied with spot-cash."A giggle behind the counter disturbed them both,but the sharp young lady was only dusting.The Governor at once paid haughtily for Tennyson's expensive works,and the cow-puncher pushed his discountenanced savings back into his clothes.Making haste to leave the book department of this shop,they regained a mutual ease,and the Governor became waggish over Lin's concern at being too rich.He suggested to him the list of delinquent taxpayers and the latest census from which to select indigent persons.He had patients,too,whose inveterate pennilessness he could swear cheerfully to--"since you want to bolt from your own money,"he remarked.

"Yes,I'm a green horse,"assented Mr.McLean,gallantly;"ain't used to the looks of a twenty-dollar bill,and I shy at 'em."From his face--that jocular mask--one might have counted him the most serene and careless of vagrants,and in his words only the ordinary voice of banter spoke to the Governor.A good woman,it may well be,would have guessed before this the sensitive soul in the blundering body,but Barker saw just the familiar,whimsical,happy-go-lucky McLean of old days,and so he went gayly and innocently on,treading upon holy ground.

"I've got it!"he exclaimed;"give your wife something."The ruddy cow-puncher grinned.He had passed through the world of woman with but few delays,rejoicing in informal and transient entanglements,and he welcomed the turn which the conversation seemed now to be taking.

"If you'll give me her name and address,"said he,with the future entirely in his mind.

"Why,Laramie!"and the Governor feigned surprise.

"Say,Doc,"said Lin,uneasily,"none of 'em ain't married me since I saw yu'last.""Then she hasn't written from Laramie,"said the hilarious Governor,and Mr.McLean understood and winced in his spirit deep down."Gee whiz!"went on Barker,"I'll never forget you and Lusk that day!"But the mask fell now."You're talking of his wife,not mine,"said the cow-puncher very quietly,and smiling no more;"and,Doc,I'm going to say a word to yu',for I know yu've always been my good friend.I'll never forget that day myself--but I don't want to be reminded of it.""I'm a fool,Lin,"said the Governor,generous instantly."I never supposed--""I know yu'didn't,Doc.It ain't you that's the fool.And in a way--in a way--"Lin's speech ended among his crowding memories,and Barker,seeing how wistful his face had turned,waited."But I ain't quite the same fool I was before that happened to me,"the cow-puncher resumed,"though maybe my actions don't show to be wiser.I know that there was better luck than a man like me had any call to look for."The sobered Barker said,simply,"Yes,Lin."He was put to thinking by these words from the unsuspected inner man.