The stage,which was built after the manner of the old-fashioned omnibus,afforded no opportunity of moving to and fro in the selection of seats,hence,when Red Kimball discovered Lahoma's identity--the exact moment of the discovery was marked by his violent start--she was safeguarded from his approach by her proximity to a very large woman flanked by a thin spinster.These were two sisters,going to the evening's station where the coach would stop for supper,and Lahoma discussed with them their plans and hopes with bright cheerfulness and ready friendship.
Wilfred watched Red Kimball as he glared in that direction,and guessed his thoughts.Although Kimball knew Lahoma,he was not sure that she knew him;and though he was convinced at once that she was on a mission of warning,that might be true without her knowing that he had left Kansas City.Red Kimball was burning to find out if he were a stranger to her,but at the same time fearful of disclosing himself.He muttered to his companions hoarsely,careful that Wilfred,whom he regarded askance,should overhear nothing that he said.
The situation was such as could not very well continue during the days it would take the coach to reach Mangum but although Wilfred was conscious of the strain,he felt excitedly happy.Very little of his attention was given to Kimball,and a great deal to Lahoma.She was talking to the sisters about the baby of the one and the chickens of the other,offering advice on both subjects from the experience of a certain Mrs.Featherby whom she had known as a child.
Mrs.Featherby was a very wonderful woman,Lahoma announced with conviction,and the first woman I ever knew.And when her baby was teething...The very large lady listened with great attention.
She told me this when I was a small girl,Wilfred presently heard Lahoma saying.And I treasured it in my mind.I stored myself with her experience about everything there is.It came to me,then,that if she moved away from Headquarters Mountain--that's my mountain--maybe no other woman would ever come there to live;so I stored myself,because I was determined to learn the business of being a woman.
The large woman gazed upon her admiringly.I guess you learned,all right.
They had not gone five miles before the large woman and her younger sister were in love with Lahoma--but it hadn't taken Wilfred five miles.As he listened to her bright suggestions,and noted her living eyes,her impulsive gestures--for she could not talk without making little movements with her hands--and her flexible sympathetic voice,he saw her moving about a well-ordered household....It was on his farm,of course;and the house was his,--and she was his Lahoma....
Red Kimball watched her with the same sidewise attention,but his face was brooding,his half-veiled eyes were red and threatening.What would happen in the nighttime as the stage pursued its lonely way across the bleak prairie?Since Red Kimball meant to appeal to the law in his revenge against Brick,there was no danger of his transgressing it openly.But in the darkness with two unscrupulous companions under his command,he would most probably execute some scheme to prevent Lahoma from reaching her destination.
The evening shadows were stretching far toward the east from the few trees that marked the dried bed of a stream,when the coach stopped among a collection of hovels and tents.As the horses were led away,the passengers dismounted,and both Wilfred and Red Kimball hurriedly drew close to Lahoma.
Lahoma,however,appeared unaware of their presence.The sisters had been met by the husband of the older,and as they gathered about the big wagon,Lahoma was urged to go home with them to supper.We're only a little ways out,she was told,and we'll sure get you back before the stage leaves--the victuals at the station ain't fit to eat.
