"
"I'm giving up this ranch," he told her, "I shan't want them any more.
Please take them, for my sake." He made a gesture, as though they were the
last of his poor possessions.
"I thought you loved it here?" she said.
"I do--in a way."
"Then why are you giving it up?" was the natural question.
He hesitated, not knowing what to answer. "I thought I'd try something else
for awhile. I hate to have to tell you this, Lucia; but the fact is,
I--I've got to leave to-day. I was going to tell you before, only I was
hoping that something might turn up at the last minute, and--well, it
hasn't. That's all."
There was nothing she could say; and they stood looking at each other in
silence--a silence that was far more eloquent than speech. Gilbert went
over and sat on the case, and Lucia finally said:
"Then we won't see each other again?"
He nodded, sorrowfully. Lucia Pell went over to the door and looked out
once more. He watched her, covertly--her every gesture held a new meaning
for him now. The silence continued. At length she turned back and faced
him. He could not stand it, and bent quickly over the rugs and blankets.
"I don't know what to say, Gil." She moved closer to him.
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