Could such as she be singer and dancer in a frontier concert hall?
And if so, what strange conditions ever drove her into that sort of life?
"Is--is Fred with you ?" she questioned, doubtfully.
"No; he's with another party riding farther west," the man's eyes surveying her with manifest approval.

"You are certainly looking fine to-night, my girl.

It's difficult to understand how I ever managed to keep away from you so long." She flushed to the hair, her lips trembling at the open boldness of his tone.
"I--I prefer you would not speak like that," she protested.
"And why not ?" with a light laugh.

"Come, Christie, such fine airs are a trifle out of place.

If I didn't know you were a concert hall artist, I might be more deeply impressed.