"But when a man has been bit by a rattler an' has sort of give up hope an' has had his life saved by a girl, he's to be excused if he feels that he's some acquainted with the girl.

An' then when he finds that she's some different from the girls he's been used to seein', I don't see why he hadn't ought to take a lot of interest in her." "Oh!" she exclaimed, her eyes drooping.

And then, her eyes dancing as they shot a swift glance at him--"I should call that a pretty speech." He reddened with embarrassment.

"I expect you are laughin' at me now, ma'am," he said.

"But I wasn't thinkin' to make any pretty speeches.
I was tellin' you the truth." She soberly plied her needle, and he sat back, watching her.
"I expect you are a stranger around here yourself," she said presently, her eyes covered with drooping lashes.