"I reckon you never took notice of the waggon that was under the bluff thar by the turn, but that was my waggon, and I was a-settin' on it. I wheeled myse'f round, when I seed 'twas Bonbright, and follered you two down to Garyville, and put up my mules." Again he peered sharply at her. "Jude," as she still sat silent, "I won't tell the boys what kept me--I won't tell them nary thing about you. I'll just let on that I happened to see Bonbright at Garyville." "You tell what you're a mind to," said Judith bitterly. "I don't keer what you say." Blatchley took the retort coolly. But his light grey eyes narrowed under the black brows. "Bonbright seemed mightily upsot," he commented. "Went off on the train an' left his mule a-standin'." _Went off on the train!_ Judith's heart leaped, then stood still. "Ye needn't werry about it--I had Scomp put it up, 'long o' my other 'n. He'll send 'em both up a Wednesday. I reckon it ain't to be wondered at Bonbright was flustered. Who do you 'low he went with on the railroad train? Jude, air you so easy fooled as to think it was a new notion for him to go to Garyville? Didn't he name it to you that it was a better place than Double Springs?" Leaning close and watching her face, he saw in it confirmation. "Shore. They was a little somebody on the railroad train waitin' to go on with him--after he'd done kissed you good-bye--and _left_ you!" Judith sat, head up, staring at him. Her less worthy nature was always instantly roused by this man's approach. Savage resentment, jealousy, hate, stirred in her crushed spirit; they raised their heads; their movement crowded out grief and humiliation. It must be true--she had proposed Double Springs, and he had said Garyville would be better. He had refused in so many words her offer of herself. He had kissed her---- "No!--no!--no!" she cried to the man before her, "don't you look at me--don't you speak to me." "Why, Judith," he protested, hanging on Selim's flank and talking to her as she whirled the sorrel into the road and put him at the slope at a pace which that petted animal very much resented, "why Judith, ef one feller goes back on you thataway you be mad at him--he's the one to be mad at. Here's me, I stand willin' to make it up. Creed Bonbright has shamed you--he's left you; but you could make him look like a fool if you would only say the word--and you and me would----" "Now you go back!" Judith turned upon him as one speaks to a dog who is determined to follow. "I ain't nary 'nother word to say to you. Leave me alone!" "But Judith, hit ain't safe for you to be ridin' up here in the night time, thisaway," Blatch insisted. "Lemme jest go along with you----" "I'll be a mighty heap safer alone than I'd be with you," Judith told him, urging Selim ahead, "and anybody that knows you well will say so. You--go--back." Chapter XIX Cast Out