Hearts and Hands (O.Henry)

At Denver there was an influx of passengers into the coaches on the east terminus ad quem B. & M. express. In maven coach there sat a very pretty offspring woman dressed in tasteful taste and surrounded by on the whole the luxurious comforts of an experience traveler. Among the newcomers were two young men, one of handsome presence with a bold, candid go for and manner the other a ruffled, glum-faced person, heavily built and round dressed. The two were handcuffed together. As they passed down the aisle of the coach the only lazy seat offered was a reversed one facing the attractive young woman.Here the linked couple seated themselves. The young womans glance fell upon them with a distant, swift disinterest then with a lovely smile brightening her get and a tender pink tingeing her rounded cheeks, she held out a elflike gray-gloved hand. When she spoke her voice, full, sweet, and deliberate, proclaimed that its owner was accustomed to speak and be heard. Well, Mr. Easton, if you willing make me speak first, I suppose I must. Dont vou ever roll in the hay old friends when you meet them in the West? The younger man roused himself sharply at the sound of her voice, seemed to struggle with a slight embarrassment which he threw off instantly, and then clasped her fingers with his left hand. Its Miss F nisuschild, he said, with a smile. Ill implore you to excuse the other hand its otherwise engaged just at present. He slightly raised his right hand, bound at the carpus by the shiny bracelet to the left one of his companion. The glad envision in the girls eyes slowly changed to a bewildered horror. The glow thinned from her cheeks.Her lips parted in a vague, relaxing distress. Easton, with a little laugh, as if amused, was about to speak again when the other forestalled him. The glum-faced man had been watching the girls countenance with veiled glances from his keen, shrewd eyes. Youll excuse me for speaking, miss, but, I see youre acquainted with the marshall here. If youll ask him to speak a word for me when we get to the pen hell do it, and itll make things easier for me there. Hes taking me to Leavenworth prison. Its seven years for counterfeiting. Oh said the girl, with a secret breath and returning color. So that is what you ar doing out here? A marshal My dear Miss Fairchild, said Easton, calmly, I had to do something. bullion has a way of taking wings unto itself, and you receive it takes money to support step with our crowd in majuscule. I saw this opening in the West, andwell, a marshalship isnt quite as high a position as that of ambassador, but The ambassador, said the girl, warmly, doesnt call any more. He neednt ever confirm done so. You ought to know that.And so now you argon one of these brisk Western heroes, and you ride and shoot and go into all kinds of dangers. Thats different from the Washington life. You have been missed from the old crowd. The girls eyes, fascinated, went back, widening a li ttle, to rest upon the glisten handcuffs. Dont you worry about them, miss, said the other man. All marshals handcuff themselves to their prisoners to keep them from getting away. Mr. Easton knows his business. Will we see you again soon in Washington? asked the girl. Not soon, I think, said Easton. My butterfly days are over, I fear. I love the West, said the girl irrelevantly. Her eyes were shining softly. She looked away out the car window. She began to speak truly and simply without the footnote of style and manner Mamma and I spent the summer in Denver. She went home a week ago because father was slightly ill. I could live and be happy in the West. I think the air here agrees with me.Money isnt everything. But people always misunderstand things and remain dense Say, Mr. Marshal, growled the glum-faced man. This isnt quite fair. Im needing a drink, and havent had a smoke all day. Havent you talked long bounteous? Take me in the smoker now, wont you? Im half dead for a pipe . The bound travelers rose to their feet, Easton with the same slow smile on his face. I cant forswear a petition for tobacco, he said, lightly. Its the one friend of the unfortunate. Good-bye, Miss Fairchild. avocation calls, you know. He held out his hand for a farewell. Its too bad you are not going East, she said, reclothing herself with manner and style. But you must go on to Leavenworth, I suppose? Yes, said Easton, I must go on to Leavenworth. The two men sidled down the aisle into the smoker. The two passengers in a seat near by had heard most of the conversation. Said one of them That marshals a good sort of chap. Some of these Western fellows are all right. Pretty young to hold an office like that, isnt he? asked the other. two-year-old exclaimed the first speaker, WhyOh Didnt you catch on? SayDid you ever know an officer to handcuff a prisoner to his right hand?