"Richard, you may think me foolish and fanciful, but I distrust that man. It is impressed upon my mind that he will some day do us harm."
"That is foolish and fanciful in good truth, Mamy. Now Wolverton seems to me a--well, not exactly an attractive man, but good natured and friendly. When I needed three thousand dollars last spring, on account of a poor crop and some extra expenses, he seemed not only willing, but really glad to lend it to me."
"He took a mortgage on the ranch," said Mary Burton dryly.
"Why, of course. He is a man of business, you know. You wouldn't expect him to lend the money without security, would you?"
"There isn't much friendship in lending money on good security at ten per cent., Richard."
"Oh, you put things in a wrong way, Mary. Money is worth ten per cent. out here, and of course I didn't want Wolverton to lose money by me. He could get that interest elsewhere."
"You are very unsuspecting, Richard. You credit everybody with your own true, unselfish nature."
"Why, that's a compliment, Mary," laughed the husband, "and deserves a kiss."
He bent over and touched his wife's cheek with his lips.
Mary Burton had reached the age of thirty-six, and was no longer in her first youth, but her face seemed even more lovelier than when he married her, so Richard Burton thought. He too was a man of fine presence, with a frank, open face, that invariably won the favor of those who met him for the first time. He was in the full vigor of manhood, and when he and his wife attended the Methodist church on Sundays, many eyes were attracted by the handsome couple. They had one son, Bob, who will soon receive attention.
"I have a great mind, Richard, to tell you why I distrust and fear Aaron Wolverton," said his wife after a slight pause.
"I wish you would, Mary. Perhaps, when I know, I can talk you out of your apprehension."
"Did you ever know that Aaron Wolverton was once a suitor for my hand?"
Richard Burton burst into an explosive laugh.
"What! That dried-up old mummy had the presumption to offer you his hand!"
"He actually did, Richard," said Mrs. Burton, smiling.
"I wonder you did not laugh in his face. Why, the man is fifteen years older than I am, twenty years older than you."