He was full of enthusiasm for
the country, loved the outdoor life. "Mr. Jones has had hard luck, though,"
he said, as they whirled along the road on an afternoon of unbelievable
heat.
"Jones!" Lucia said.
"Yes--Gilbert Jones," Giddings replied. "Ever hear of him?"
For an instant Lucia could hardly see the valley that spread around them.
But it couldn't be possible! It was a common name; there could easily be
two Gilberts--fifty, for that matter. Was this the reason Morgan had asked
her to come? Had he discovered the man with whom she had once been in love,
and was this to be one of his subtle punishments? He had told her not to
bring her maid, and he had been mysterious, she remembered now, as to their
exact destination. But Sturgis had made it clear, on the contrary, that he
had accidentally learned of Jones's ranch. Maybe that was part of the
trick. But what good would come of such a scheme? She and Jones had
loved--and parted. Moreover, perhaps she was giving herself needless cause
for worry. This might not be the Gilbert Jones of her dreams. And what if
Morgan did know? There was nothing to conceal.
"How--long has he been here?" Lucia wanted to know.
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