CHAPTER X.
A CALIFORNIA WIDOW.
John Miles eyed the woman curiously. There did not seem much that wasfeminine left in her. Life in the wilderness had made her as bold andself-reliant as a man. She was not compelled to plead for woman'srights. She resolutely took a man's rights, and was prepared tomaintain them against all comers.
"I rather think you can take care of yourself, ma'am," he said.
"You can bet your bottom dollar on that, stranger," said the woman,cheerfully. "Brown--that's my husband--knew what I was. We was ekalpartners--Brown and me--and he knew too much to tread on me."
"I'm glad I wasn't Brown," thought John Miles. "When I marry, it'll be awoman, and not a man in petticoats."
"If you're hungry, stranger," said the woman, "just jump off that horseof yours, and come in. I can give you a square meal, and I reckon youhaven't had one lately."
"You are right, Mrs. Brown," said Miles, dismounting with alacrity. "Myprovisions are dry and stale, and I shall enjoy a square meal amazingly.But I ought to tell you that last night I was robbed of a bag ofgold-dust, and I have nothing to pay you."
"Who asks for pay?" returned the woman. "I don't keep a hotel, but I'mtired of eating alone. I want to see how it seems to have a man settingopposite me agin. So come in, and I won't keep you waiting long."
"Thank you, Mrs. Brown. If you don't mind, I'll light my pipe, and sitout here till I've had a smoke."
"You can smoke inside if you want to. I always let Brown. It makes mefeel better, now that he's pegged out, that I didn't deny him any of hislittle comforts."
"Clearly Mrs. Brown was a considerate wife," thought Miles; "but shedoesn't look like a woman to fall in love with."
Tying his horse, he threw himself down on the grass, and enjoyed theluxury of a smoke while Mrs. Brown was heard bustling about inside,preparing the square meal which she had promised to her unexpectedguest.
Presently she reappeared.
"The victuals is ready, if you are, stranger," she said.
"I am ready, Mrs. Brown," said Miles, rising at once, and entering thecabin.
The cabin was rough, and ill-adapted to a fastidious tenant, but itlooked comfortable. What attracted Miles most, however, was a table setin the middle of the floor, covered with a substantial and appetizingmeal. Mrs. Brown was a fair cook--perhaps her only feminineaccomplishment. She placed Miles at the head of the table, and seatedherself opposite him. She watched his attacks upon the fare she hadprovided with evident satisfaction.
"I hope you like it," she said.
"Mrs. Brown, I haven't tasted anything so good for a long time."
She nodded, with a pleased look.
"Brown allus liked my cookin," she said. "He had a good appetite mostgenerally, and it was a pleasure to see him eat. It's kinder lonesomecookin' for yourself. Then, too, it takes away my appetite sittin' downalone to eat."
"You must be very lonely, Mrs. Brown."
"Yes, its lonesome like bein' a widder. I'm kinder used to seein' a manabout the house."
"So I suppose."
"Be you a married man?" asked the lady, pointedly.
"No, ma'am."
"How old be you?"
"Twenty-eight," answered Miles, rather amused.
"Then you're old enough to get married?"
"Oh yes, I am old enough."
"Be you in love with any girl?"
"The old woman's getting curious," thought Miles. "However, I don't mindgratifying her curiosity."
"No, I'm not in love," he replied.
Mrs. Brown eyed him thoughtfully. She seemed to be revolving some planin her mind.
"Take a good look at me, stranger," she said, bracing herself up, as ifon exhibition.
"Certainly," said John Miles, considerably astonished.
"I want to ask you a few questions."
"Go ahead, Mrs. Brown."
"Am I hump-backed?"
"Certainly not. Who said you were?"
"Just attend to my questions, if you please, stranger. Am Isquint-eyed?"
"Mrs. Brown must be crazy," thought Miles. However, he answered in thenegative.
"Am I as homely as a hedge-fence?" pursued the widow.
"Has anybody been calling you so? If so, tell me who it is."
"Never you mind, stranger. Am I old and wrinkled?"
"Certainly she's out of her mind," thought Miles. "I must humor her."
"I think you are a very good-looking woman," he said, soothingly.
"No, I'm not," said the strong-minded lady, "but at the same time Iain't a scarecrow."
"Certainly not."
"Don't talk too much, stranger. I expect you're surprised at myquestions, but I'll come to the p'int at once. I'm tired of livin' herealone. I didn't think I'd miss Brown so much. He wasn't any great shakesof a man, but he was better than nothing. He was company for me, Brownwas, in the long evenin's, and I miss him. I've made up my mind to takeon somebody in his place, and I reckon I'd like to engage you, stranger.Will you marry me?"
Mrs. Brown did not blush when she asked this extraordinary question. Shewas entirely self-possessed, and could not have been cooler, if she hadbeen transacting an ordinary piece of business.
John Miles had never before received a proposal of marriage. He felt asawkward and confused as a young girl, and began to hesitate andstammer.
"Really, Mrs. Brown," he began, "you have taken me by surprise."
"I expect I have," said the widow, "but I'll give you time to think itover. Brown left me I pretty comfortable, though I did more to get theproperty together than he. You wouldn't think it, perhaps, but I've gotfive thousand dollars in gold hid away somewheres near, and there's aclaim not far away, that belongs to me, and will pay for workin'."
"I am glad you are so well off, Mrs. Brown," said Miles.
"If you marry me," continued the widow, "you can work that claim. You'rea strong, able-bodied man, and a year from now, if you want to, we'll goto the city, and settle down. I'm older than you; but a matter of a fewyears don't make much difference. You were robbed, you told me?"
"Yes, of all that I had."
"How much was it?"
"About two hundred dollars."
"That ain't much."
"It's a good deal when it's all you have," answered Miles.
"If you marry me you won't miss it," said Mrs. Brown. "I won't give youmy money right off, for you might run off with it, but at the end of thefirst year you shall have half of it. There's a parson a few miles upthe canon, at Dirt Hole, that will marry us any time we ride over. Whatdo you say, stranger?"
It was an embarrassing moment for John Miles. He had no desire tosucceed the deceased Brown, notwithstanding the little property he hadleft behind him. Mrs. Brown did not in the least resemble the wife ofwhom he had sometimes dreamed. But how could he decline without excitingthe resentment of that singular female? He bore in mind that Mrs. Browncarried a revolver, and she might take a notion to shoot him down. Hemust temporize.
"Your proposal is a very kind and flattering one, Mrs. Brown, but Idon't care to marry just at present. I want to go to the city and trymy fortune. I've only lately arrived in California, and I am not readyto settle down yet."
To his relief Mrs. Brown accepted his objection in good part.
"No offence, stranger," she said. "I didn't know how you might feelabout it. I've made you a fair offer."
"Indeed you have. The time may come when I shall return, and--"
"I won't promise to wait for you, stranger. Somebody else may happenalong that'll take the situation."
"It would be too much to expect you to wait for me, I admit."
"All right, stranger. You've answered fair, and now we'll let the matterdrop."
When Miles left the cabin he carried with him an addition to his stockof provisions, for which he was indebted to Mrs. Brown's liberality. Itwas evident that she bore no malice, notwithstanding her suit had beenrejected.