“I always wanted to go up in one of those things,” he protested, as they sat down, “and I’m all right. Last time you-all came to see us, the doctor said that--” “I don’t care what the doctor said. You shouldn’t--” “Honey, don’t jump on the old man that-a-way while he’s plumb dizzy. You-all be a good--” “What did you call me?” demanded Elaine, her lips tightening. “Darlin’, how can I tell what I’m callin’ anyone, after gettin’ rolled around and around way up yonder?” asked Bud sorrowfully. “Ask me sometime when I’ve right good sense. All I know is that I’m sittin’ here with you. A jasper told me one time that when a man gets as dizzy as the dickens, he always says what he thinks.” Elaine eyed him with a good deal of hostile suspicion. “You’re a fraud,” she declared, “and--” “No, I am not,” interrupted Bud. “My head is clearing right fast now, and I remember. I came all the way over to tell you that after you’d been to the hospital the second time, I decided that you were.” “I was what?” asked Elaine. “What I called you when I was dizzy,” explained Bud with a grin. “Well,” said Elaine grimly. “I can still see that you are as dizzy as the dickens, like you say. You better come right up to John’s with me, and let Chi-sui make you something cool to drink. You are still awfully dizzy, Mr. Bud Yancey. Come on.” And she slipped her slender little hand in his, much to the disgust of several young officers hovering around in the background. On the way she asked: “That day in Wirton--what did those men do, that you--were they trying to rob the bank?” “No, they were some of Garcia’s men from across the line. Reckon they had a deal on with old ’Pache Brown. He’s more or less tied in with those jaspers. I mean he was,” amended Bud, with a grin. “Then why did they try to kill him?” “Well suh, I don’t figure they did aim to do that. Maybe-so it was the other way around. Old ’Pache was right apt to reach for a gun if he got fussed up, and it never took much to start him that-a-way. He may have thought they was holding out on him.” “Well, wont this Garcia try and--and do something to you and Sam Earp, Bud?” “Yessum,” answered Bud cheerfully, “I reckon he will. He’s been trying to do something to us for a long time. Not only us, but the Border Patrol gents also.” “You seem to think it’s funny,” said Elaine hotly. “My goodness, don’t you care at all whether you get killed or not?” “Darn’ right I do,” said Bud promptly. “I don’t want to get killed a-tall. Especially now.” “Why especially now?” asked Elaine, as they started up the veranda steps. If she had thought to embarrass Mr. Buford Yancey with that question, she woefully failed. Mr. Yancey was always ready to give a direct truthful answer to an equally direct question. “Because,” he said, halting on the top step and turning so as to face the very pretty little Miss Webb, “I’ve fallen in love with you, and want to live a long time after we are married.”