Fiddlefoot Read Online Free Page A

break. That you run, that you hide or dodge from any trouble that doesn’t lie down on its back and roll over when you smile so handsomely.” She hesitated. “I—I guess I’ve said enough.”
    Frank only nodded, and Carrie was appalled by what she had said. All the life had gone out of his face, all the careless, easy vitality was vanished.
    Carrie came to him swiftly then, wrapping her arms around his chest and burying her face in his shirt. “Oh, Frank, don’t you see? I’ve got to know! I’d rather eat my heart out here than have you break it at Saber. I’m not much, but you’ve got to earn me. You’ve got to be that fair!”
    She felt his hand in her hair and heard him say softly, musingly, “Sure.”
    There were footsteps on the stairs now, and Carrie knew her father was coming down for his evening walk. She came away from Frank now, and glanced briefly at him, and he gave her his old quick careless smile before he moved around the table and out into the hall. Remembering the smile, Carrie thought bleakly, It didn’t stick. It never will .
    Moving over to the lamp, she blew it out and heard Frank and her father exchange greetings. She went out into the hall in time to hear her father say, “Had something to eat, Frank?”
    â€œI fed him, Dad,” Carrie said. “Do you want to talk to him?”
    Her father was a spare, gray tall man with a taciturnity in his face that was belied by the mildness of his eyes. He wore a rumpled black suit which was seldom pressed, yet there was an unbending dignity about him that clothes couldn’t alter. He had never by word or gesture been anything but courteous to Frank, but now Carrie saw the brief measuring glance he gave Frank and read the distrust there.
    â€œNo, my business can wait. It’s pretty dull.” To Frank he said, “I suppose Carrie told you you’re Saber’s sole owner now. I’m Rob’s executor, and we’ll have papers to sign.”
    Frank nodded, and asked idly, “Who saw Rob afterwards, Judge?”
    Judge Tavister looked at him sharply. “I didn’t hear. The usual people, I suppose—coroner, sheriff, and jury.” When Frank said nothing, her father looked at her. “Well, I’m going for my walk. Good night, Frank.”
    â€œBe careful of those flowerpots,” Carrie said.
    â€œI know. I’ve been hurdling the damned things for years.”
    Carrie smiled and looked at Frank, but he was watching the Judge’s disappearing back with a sober thoughtfulness. When her father was out of sight, Carrie said, “Why did you ask him about Rob?”
    Frank shrugged, and when he looked at her the old impudence and mockery and fun was back in his face. “Practicing,” he murmured. “I’ll have to talk to my father-in-law about something.” He came over and kissed her and said, “I’ll be back from Saber as soon as I can.”
    She went to the door with him and watched him pick his way through the geraniums, and then she leaned against the door-jamb until he had mounted and ridden out. Afterwards she sorted out the promises he had made her tonight, weighing them against other promises he had made in the past. Presently, she said aloud to the night and to herself, in a discouraged voice, “Maybe,” and went inside.

Chapter 3
    At the corner, Frank turned in the saddle and saw Carrie’s small figure outlined against the light in the hall. When he faced ahead again, he shook his head once in dislike of the gray and troubling thoughts within him. There was no way to explain to her that the words he had used once did not have the same meaning now, that a promise given and broken ten times could be kept the eleventh. No, he had used that coin with her until it had no value, and he must start over, now, and he accepted this tranquilly in the quiet night.
    In the middle of the next block, he saw