Nevada (1995) Page 28

  "So I fixed it. You run out there across the bench," he went on, pointing with eager, trembling finger. "You know. There among the pines where I always find you. Go now. Nevada is watchin'. He'll come. I swore I'd get you there if I had to pack you. An' I will."

  Hettie kissed his brown lean cheek, then ran wildly into the shelter of the pines. First she meant only to escape Marvie and all of them. But an irresistible magnet drew her to the secluded nook where she went so often alone to gaze out under the low cover of green to the purple sage and the changing radiance of the desert.

  Nevada was there--somehow the Nevada of old. Hettie ran into his arms.

  "I--love--you! I love you!" she cried, imploringly. "Forgive me.

  It was my one failure. I was the weak one--not you."

  Hours passed and sunset again widened its golden effulgence down over the sage hills to the rolling slopes. Purple clouds like ships sailed in a sea of gold and rose.

  Hettie and Nevada sat with their backs to the great pine tree, their cheeks together, their hands clinging.

  "Ben sprung somethin' on me," Nevada was saying. "Why not all of us rustle down to San Diego! Shore, it floored me. . . . But I'd like you to get away from heah just now, for a little. . . . So, darlin' Hettie, would I be askin' too much if--if--"

  "No. Ask me anything," murmured Hettie.

  "If I'd ask you to marry me?"

  "If! . . . Do you?"

  "Shore. I reckon I'm darin' to."

  "No," said Hettie.

  He accepted that in startled silence.

  "I mean no--you are NOT asking too much. . . . Oh, Nevada! Yes!

  Yes!"

  The last golden flare of sunset burned from over the darkening range.

  "Arizona is smilin' at us," said Nevada, gazing at the sunset glow upon her rapt face.

  "Nevada is smiling down upon me," she replied, dreamily.

  THE END

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