Jerry frowningly regarded the objects in her lap. Not one cent of money. "Being marooned on a desert island has nothing on being marooned on a ranch without a penny," she mused under her breath. She hastily stuffed her belongings back into her bag as she heard an approaching whistle. It was Steve. The queer merry-go-round of fortune had accomplished one thing, it had restored Steve's spirits. Since leaving New York he had been a different person from the morose, touchy individual she had known since her engagement to him. He had been companionable, sympathetic in a fraternal sort of way which had made her wish fervently that Fate had given her a brother instead of a husband.
"Won't you come in?" she asked as Courtlandt stopped at the open door, then as he entered, "Is it time to get on my coat?"
"Not for half an hour." He seated himself opposite her. There was a new expression in his eyes which set the girl's heart to beating uncomfortably. She couldn't define it, she couldn't meet it long enough to define it.
"Jerry," there was an "'tention company" note in his voice which brought her chin up defiantly, "I suppose--if you complied with the terms of Uncle Nick's will you must be rather down and out financially--yes?" She succumbed to the lure of his smile and the laughter in his eyes.
"Thought telepathy," she responded gayly. "I was taking account of stock when you appeared. I have in this bag, one pencil, one handkerchief, one perfectly good club-membership card--good, that is, until January first--and a book of two-cent stamps. Those stamps won't imperil our hopes of the inheritance, will they?" she asked with exaggerated anxiety. "Caleb Lawson held me up before I boarded the train. I had to sign a paper and show him my empty purse to prove that I was really the Beggar-maid, bare-pursed instead of barefooted, following my King Cophetua out into the cold, cold world."
"Your simile is faulty. As I remember it the Beggar-maid loved the King."
"Also the King loved the Beggar-maid. You're right, the similarity ceases with my lack of funds."
"I shall open an account for you in the bank at Slippy Bend. Until then----" his hand went to his pocket. The girl's face whitened.
"Don't offer me money, Steve," she commanded tensely.