Part 36 (1/2)
When she asked him how he could have saved the thousand dollars demanded for the stable out of his salary of forty dollars a month, he replied:
”By economizin'. I've cut off my chawin-tobacco.”
”That cost you two bits a week, an' you've taken up cigarettes at a dime a day,” said observant Polly. ”I know what you've been doin', you've been gamblin'.”
”Cross my heart, Polly, I haven't,” said Bud, and Polly, who had no great objection to using money won at cards, so long as she did not positively know the fact, discontinued her objections, and resumed the delightful occupation of castle-building. The home she had in view consisted of three rooms over the livery-stable.
”I want a red carpet in the front room, and wallpaper like that at Bowen's store, with hosses jumpin' gates on it--”
”Don't you think there will be a leetle too much hoss there, Polly, with the stable under us, an' the smell a-comin' up--”
”Sho, Bud, you can't have too much hoss. Why, it was the hoss smell about your clothes that made me fall in love with you,” exclaimed the enthusiastic horsewoman. She continued:
”An' I want a yellow plush furniture set, an' a photograph-alb.u.m to match, an' a center-table, an' a Rock-of-Ages picture, an' a boudoir--”
A boudoir was beyond the ken of Bud. He knew nothing of housekeeping.
This must be one of those strange articles, the mystery of which he would have to solve before he could feel that he was really a married man.
”What the devil is a boudoir?” he asked.
”I don't know what it is, but all rich women have them.”
Bud took both of Polly's hands in his. Looking her fondly in the eyes, he said: ”Then, by thunder, I'll get you two of 'em. We'll raise the limit when we furnish that shack. I'm the happiest man in the country.”
”Well you ought to be,” laughed Polly. ”Just see what you are gettin'.”
”I've got to chase myself back to the house. You're ridin' night herd to-night, ain't you?” she added.
”Yes. I'm on the c.o.c.ktail to-night. I am goin' to bunk down here.
I'll be up to the house at sunup, and we can go over to Florence together.”
”I'll have breakfast ready for you. Rope my pony for me, will you?”
Bud was smiling and happy again. All of his troubles were forgotten.
”All right!” he cried, as he started to mount.
”Say, you're awful forgetful, aren't you?” asked Polly demurely.
Bud looked about him slightly bewildered. Then he realized his oversight. He ran to Polly's and tried to kiss her, but she motioned him aside, saying: ”Too late--you lose.”
”But I didn't know,” stammered Bud.
”Next time you'll know. On your way,” airily commanded the girl.
Bud's face darkened. ”Oh, well, good-by.”
Polly looked after him perplexed and angry. His surrender to her whims without a fight nettled her.
”Good-by, yourself,” she snapped. ”He's the most forgetful man I ever loved. If I thought he was a gamblin'-man, I'd get a divorce from him before I married him. I would sure,” murmured Polly, as Bud disappeared toward the corral.
Polly's musing was interrupted by the return of Buck McKee.