第19章

Therangercaptainstooddumb，motionless。ButhesawLongstreth’sinstantaction，andawkwardlyhereachedfortheoutstretchedhand。

"Anyofyourmendownhere？"queriedDuane，sharply。

"No。They’reup—town。"

"Come。MacNelly，youwalkwithhim。We’veladiesintheparty。

I’llcomebehindwiththem。"

Theysetoffup—town。Longstrethwalkedasifhewerewithfriendsonthewaytodinner。Thegirlsweremute。MacNellywalkedlikeamaninatrance。Therewasnotawordspokeninfourblocks。

PresentlyDuaneespiedastonebuildingonacornerofthebroadstreet。Therewasabigsign，"Rancher’sBank。"

"There’sthehotel，"saidMacNelly。"Someofmymenarethere。

We’vescatteredaround。"

Theycrossedthestreet，wentthroughofficeandlobby，andthenDuaneaskedMacNellytotakethemtoaprivateroom。

WithoutawordtheCaptaincomplied。WhentheywereallinsideDuaneclosedthedoor，and，drawingadeepbreathasifofrelief，hefacedthemcalmly。

"MissLongstreth，youandMissRuthtrytomakeyourselvescomfortablenow，"hesaid。"Anddon’tbedistressed。"Thenheturnedtohiscaptain。"MacNelly，thisgirlisthedaughterofthemanI’vebroughttoyou，andthisoneishisniece。"

ThenDuanebrieflyrelatedLongstreth’sstory，and，thoughhedidnotsparetherustlerchief，hewasgenerous。

"WhenIwentafterLongstreth，"concludedDuane，"itwaseithertokillhimorofferhimfreedomonconditions。SoIchosethelatterforhisdaughter’ssake。Hehasalreadydisposedofallhisproperty。Ibelievehe’llliveuptotheconditions。He’stoleaveTexasnevertoreturn。ThenameCheseldinehasbeenamystery，andnowit’llfade。"

AfewmomentslaterDuanefollowedMacNellytoalargeroom，likeahall，andhereweremenreadingandsmoking。Duaneknewthem——rangers！

MacNellybeckonedtohismen。

"Boys，hereheis。"

"Howmanymenhaveyou？"askedDuane。

"Fifteen。"

MacNellyalmostembracedDuane，wouldprobablyhavedonesobutforthedarkgrimnessthatseemedtobecomingovertheman。

Insteadheglowed，hesputtered，hetriedtotalk，towavehishands。Hewasbesidehimself。Andhisrangerscrowdedcloser，eager，likehoundsreadytorun。Theyalltalkedatonce，andthewordmostsignificantandfrequentintheirspeechwas"outlaws。"

MacNellyclappedhisfistinhishand。

"This’llmaketheadjutantsickwithjoy。Maybewewon’thaveitontheGovernor！We’llshowthemabouttherangerservice。

Duane！how’dyoueverdoit？"

"Now，Captain，notthehalfnorthequarterofthisjob’sdone。

Thegang’scomingdowntheroad。Isawthemfromthetrain。

They’llrideintotownonthedot——two—thirty。"

"Howmany？"askedMacNelly。

"Poggin，BlossomKane，PanhandleSmith，Boldt，JimFletcher，andanothermanIdon’tknow。ThesearethepickedmenofCheseldine’sgang。I’llbetthey’llbethefastest，hardestbunchyourangerseverfaced。"

"Poggin——that’sthehardnuttocrack！I’veheardtheirrecordssinceI’vebeeninValVerde。Where’sKnell？Theysayhe’saboy，buthellandblazes！"

"Knell’sdead。"

"Ah！"exclaimedMacNelly，softly。Thenhegrewbusinesslike，cool，andofharderaspect。"Duane，it’syourgameto—day。I’monlyarangerunderorders。We’reallunderyourorders。We’veabsolutefaithinyou。Makeyourplanquick，soIcangoaroundandposttheboyswho’renothere。"

"Youunderstandthere’snosenseintryingtoarrestPoggin，Kane，andthatlot？"queriedDuane。

"No，Idon’tunderstandthat，"repliedMacNelly，bluntly。

"Itcan’tbedone。Thedropcan’tbegotonsuchmen。Ifyoumeetthemtheyshoot，andmightyquickandstraight。Poggin！

Thatoutlawhasnoequalwithagun——unless——He’sgottobekilledquick。They’llallhavetobekilled。They’reallbad，desperate，knownofear，arelightninginaction。"

"Verywell，Duane;thenit’safight。That’llbeeasier，perhaps。Theboysarespoilingforafight。Outwithyourplan，now。"

"Putonemanateachendofthisstreet，justattheedgeoftown。Lethimhidetherewitharifletoblocktheescapeofanyoutlawthatwemightfailtoget。Ihadagoodlookatthebankbuilding。It’swellsituatedforourpurpose。Putfourmenupinthatroomoverthebank——fourmen，twoateachopenwindow。Letthemhidetillthegamebegins。Theywanttobetheresoincasethesefoxyoutlawsgetwisebeforethey’redownonthegroundorinsidethebank。Therestofyourmenputinsidebehindthecounters，wherethey’llhide。Nowgoovertothebank，springthethingonthebankofficials，anddon’tletthemshutupthebank。Youwanttheiraid。Letthemmakesureoftheirgold。ButtheclerksandcashieroughttobeattheirdesksorwindowwhenPogginridesup。He’llglanceinbeforehegetsdown。Theymakenomistakes，thesefellows。Wemustbeslickerthantheyare，orlose。Whenyougetthebankpeoplewise，sendyourmenoveronebyone。Nohurry，noexcitement，nounusualthingtoattractnoticeinthebank。"

"Allright。That’sgreat。Tellme，wheredoyouintendtowait？"

DuaneheardMacNelly’squestion，anditstruckhimpeculiarly。

Hehadseemedtobeplanningandspeakingmechanically。Ashewasconfrontedbythefactitnonplussedhimsomewhat，andhebecamethoughtful，withloweredhead。

"Where’llyouwait，Duane？"insistedMacNelly，withkeeneyesspeculating。

"I’llwaitinfront，justinsidethedoor，"repliedDuane，withaneffort。

"Why？"demandedtheCaptain。

"Well，"beganDuane，slowly，"Pogginwillgetdownfirstandstartin。Buttheotherswon’tbefarbehind。They’llnotgetswifttillinside。Thethingis——theyMUSTN’Tgetclearinside，becausetheinstanttheydothey’llpullguns。Thatmeansdeathtosomebody。Ifwecanwewanttostopthemjustatthedoor。"

"Butwillyouhide？"askedMacNelly。

"Hide！"TheideahadnotoccurredtoDuane。

"There’sawide—opendoorway，asortofroundhall，avestibule，withstepsleadinguptothebank。There’sadoorinthevestibule，too。Itleadssomewhere。Wecanputmeninthere。Youcanbethere。"

Duanewassilent。

"Seehere，Duane，"beganMacNelly，nervously。"Youshan’ttakeanyundueriskhere。You’llhidewiththerestofus？"

"No！"ThewordwaswrenchedfromDuane。

MacNellystared，andthenastrange，comprehendinglightseemedtoflitoverhisface。

"Duane，Icangiveyounoordersto—day，"hesaid，distinctly。

"I’monlyofferingadvice。Needyoutakeanymorerisks？You’vedoneagrandjobfortheservice——already。You’vepaidmeathousandtimesforthatpardon。You’veredeemedyourself。——TheGovernor，theadjutant—general——thewholestatewillriseupandhonoryou。Thegame’salmostup。We’llkilltheseoutlaws，orenoughofthemtobreakforevertheirpower。Isay，asaranger，needyoutakemoreriskthanyourcaptain？"

StillDuaneremainedsilent。Hewaslockedbetweentwoforces。

Andone，atidethatwasburstingatitsbounds，seemedabouttooverwhelmhim。Finallythatsideofhim，theretreatingself，theweaker，foundavoice。

"Captain，youwantthisjobtobesure？"heasked。

"Certainly。"

"I’vetoldyoutheway。Ialoneknowthekindofmentobemet。

JustWHATI’lldoorWHEREI’llbeIcan’tsayyet。Inmeetingslikethisthemomentdecides。ButI’llbethere！"

MacNellyspreadwidehishands，lookedhelplesslyathiscuriousandsympatheticrangers，andshookhishead。

"Nowyou’vedoneyourwork——laidthetrap——isthisstrangemoveofyoursgoingtobefairtoMissLongstreth？"askedMacNelly，insignificantlowvoice。

LikeagreattreechoppedattherootsDuanevibratedtothat。

Helookedupasifhehadseenaghost。

Mercilesslytherangercaptainwenton:"Youcanwinher，Duane！Oh，youcan’tfoolme。Iwaswiseinaminute。Fightwithusfromcover——thengobacktoher。YouwillhaveservedtheTexasRangersasnoothermanhas。I’llacceptyourresignation。You’llbefree，honored，happy。Thatgirllovesyou！Isawitinhereyes。She’s——"

ButDuanecuthimshortwithafiercegesture。Helungeduptohisfeet，andtherangersfellback。Dark，silent，grimashehadbeen，stilltherewasatransformationsingularlymoresinister，stranger。

"Enough。I’mdone，"hesaid，somberly。"I’veplanned。Doweagree——orshallImeetPogginandhisgangalone？"

MacNellycursedandagainthrewuphishands，thistimeinbaffledchagrin。TherewasdeepregretinhisdarkeyesastheyresteduponDuane。

Duanewasleftalone。

Neverhadhismindbeensoquick，soclear，sowonderfulinitsunderstandingofwhathadheretoforebeenintricateandelusiveimpulsesofhisstrangenature。HisdeterminationwastomeetPoggin;meethimbeforeanyoneelsehadachance——Pogginfirst——andthentheothers！Hewasasunalterableinthatdecisionasifontheinstantofitsacceptancehehadbecomestone。

Why？Thencamerealization。Hewasnotarangernow。Hecarednothingforthestate。Hehadnothoughtoffreeingthecommunityofadangerousoutlaw，ofriddingthecountryofanobstacletoitsprogressandprosperity。HewantedtokillPoggin。Itwassignificantnowthatheforgottheotheroutlaws。Hewasthegunman，thegun—thrower，thegun—fighter，passionateandterrible。Hisfather’sblood，thatdarkandfiercestrain，hismother’sspirit，thatstrongandunquenchablespiritofthesurvivingpioneer——thesehadbeeninhim;andthekillings，oneafteranother，thewildandhauntedyears，hadmadehim，absolutelyinspiteofhiswill，thegunman。Herealizeditnow，bitterly，hopelessly。Thethinghehadintelligenceenoughtohatehehadbecome。Atlastheshudderedunderthedriving，ruthlessinhumanblood—lustofthegunman。Longagohehadseemedtosealinatombthathorrorofhiskind——theneed，inordertoforgetthehaunting，sleeplesspresenceofhislastvictim，togooutandkillanother。Butitwasstillthereinhismind，andnowitstalkedout，worse，morepowerful，magnifiedbyitsrest，augmentedbytheviolentpassionspeculiarandinevitabletothatstrange，wildproductoftheTexasfrontier——thegun—fighter。Andthosepassionsweresoviolent，soraw，sobase，somuchlowerthanwhatoughttohaveexistedinathinkingman。Actualprideofhisrecord！

Actualvanityinhisspeedwithagun。Actualjealousyofanyrival！

Duanecouldnotbelieveit。Buttherehewas，withoutachoice。

Whathehadfearedforyearshadbecomeamonstrousreality。

Respectforhimself，blindness，acertainhonorthathehadclungtowhileinoutlawry——all，likescales，seemedtofallawayfromhim。Hestoodstrippedbare，hissoulnaked——thesoulofCain。Alwayssincethefirstbrandhadbeenforcedandburneduponhimhehadbeenruined。Butnowwithconscienceflayedtothequick，yetutterlypowerlessoverthistigerinstinct，hewaslost。Hesaidit。Headmittedit。AndattheutterabasementthesoulhedespisedsuddenlyleapedandquiveredwiththethoughtofRayLongstreth。

Thencameagony。Ashecouldnotgovernallthechancesofthisfatalmeeting——asallhisswiftanddeadlygeniusmustbeoccupiedwithPoggin，perhapsinvain——ashard—shootingmenwhomhecouldnotwatchwouldbeclosebehind，thisalmostcertainlymustbetheendofBuckDuane。Thatdidnotmatter。

Buthelovedthegirl。Hewantedher。Allhersweetness，herfire，andpleadingreturnedtotorturehim。

Atthatmomentthedooropened，andRayLongstrethentered。

"Duane，"shesaid，softly。"CaptainMacNellysentmetoyou。"

"Butyoushouldn’thavecome，"repliedDuane。

"AssoonashetoldmeIwouldhavecomewhetherhewisheditornot。Youleftme——allofus——stunned。Ihadnotimetothankyou。Oh，Ido—withallmysoul。Itwasnobleofyou。Fatherisovercome。Hedidn’texpectsomuch。Andhe’llbetrue。But，Duane，Iwastoldtohurry，andhereI’mselfishlyusingtime。"

"Go，then——andleaveme。Youmustn’tunnervemenow，whenthere’sadesperategametofinish。"

"Needitbedesperate？"shewhispered，comingclosetohim。

"Yes;itcan’tbeelse。"

MacNellyhadsenthertoweakenhim;ofthatDuanewassure。

Andhefeltthatshehadwantedtocome。Hereyesweredark，strained，beautiful，andtheyshedalightuponDuanehehadneverseenbefore。

"You’regoingtotakesomemadrisk，"shesaid。"Letmepersuadeyounotto。Yousaid——youcaredforme——andI——oh，Duane——don’tyou——know——？"

Thelowvoice，deep，sweetasanoldchord，falteredandbrokeandfailed。

Duanesustainedasuddenshockandaninstantofparalyzedconfusionofthought。

Shemoved，shesweptoutherhands，andthewonderofhereyesdimmedinafloodoftears。

"MyGod！Youcan’tcareforme？"hecried，hoarsely。

Thenshemethim，handsoutstretched。

"ButIdo—Ido！"

SwiftaslightDuanecaughtherandheldhertohisbreast。Hestoodholdinghertight，withthefeelofherwarm，throbbingbreastandtheclaspofherarmsasfleshandbloodrealitiestofightaterriblefear。Hefelther，andforthemomentthemightofitwasstrongerthanallthedemonsthatpossessedhim。Andheheldherasifshehadbeenhissoul，hisstrengthonearth，hishopeofHeaven，againsthislips。

Thestrifeofdoubtallpassed。Hefoundhissightagain。Andthererushedoverhimatideofemotionunutterablysweetandfull，stronglikeanintoxicatingwine，deepashisnature，somethinggloriousandterribleastheblazeofthesuntoonelongindarkness。Hehadbecomeanoutcast，awanderer，agunman，avictimofcircumstances;hehadlostandsufferedworsethandeathinthatloss;hehadgonedowntheendlessbloodytrail，akillerofmen，afugitivewhosemindslowlyandinevitablyclosedtoallexcepttheinstincttosurviveandablackdespair;andnow，withthiswomaninhisarms，herswellingbreastagainsthis，inthismomentalmostofresurrection，hebentunderthestormofpassionandjoypossibleonlytohimwhohadenduredsomuch。

"Doyoucare——alittle？"hewhispered，unsteadily。

Hebentoverher，lookingdeepintothedarkweteyes。

Sheutteredalowlaughthatwashalfsob，andherarmsslippeduptohisneck。

"AlittlerOh，Duane——Duane——agreatdeal！"

Theirlipsmetintheirfirstkiss。Thesweetness，thefireofhermouthseemedsonew，sostrange，soirresistibletoDuane。

Hissoreandhungryheartthrobbedwiththickandheavybeats。

Hefelttheoutcast’sneedoflove。Andhegaveuptotheenthrallingmoment。Shemethimhalf—way，returnedkissforkiss，claspforclasp，herfacescarlet，hereyesclosed，till，herpassionandstrengthspent，shefellbackuponhisshoulder。

Duanesuddenlythoughtshewasgoingtofaint。Hedivinedthenthatshehadunderstoodhim，wouldhavedeniedhimnothing，notevenherlife，inthatmoment。Butshewasovercome，andhesufferedapangofregretathisunrestraint。

Presentlysherecovered，andshedrewonlythecloser，andleaneduponhimwithherfaceupturned。Hefeltherhandsonhis，andtheyweresoft，clinging，strong，likesteelundervelvet。Hefelttheriseandfall，thewarmthofherbreast。A

tremorranoverhim。Hetriedtodrawback，andifhesucceededalittleherformswayedwithhim，pressingcloser。Sheheldherfaceup，andhewascompelledtolook。Itwaswonderfulnow:white，yetglowing，withtheredlipsparted，anddarkeyesalluring。Butthatwasnotall。Therewaspassion，unquenchablespirit，woman’sresolvedeepandmighty。

"Iloveyou，Duane！"shesaid。"Formysakedon’tgoouttomeetthisoutlawfacetoface。It’ssomethingwildinyou。

Conqueritifyouloveme。"

Duanebecamesuddenlyweak，andwhenhedidtakeherintohisarmsagainhescarcelyhadstrengthtolifthertoaseatbesidehim。Sheseemedmorethanadeadweight。Hercalmnesshadfled。Shewasthrobbing，palpitating，quivering，withhotwetcheeksandarmsthatclungtohimlikevines。Sheliftedhermouthtohis，whispering，"Kissme！"Shemeanttochangehim，holdhim。

Duanebentdown，andherarmswentroundhisneckanddrewhimclose。Withhislipsonhersheseemedtofloataway。Thatkissclosedhiseyes，andhecouldnotlifthishead。Hesatmotionlessholdingher，blindandhelpless，wrappedinasweetdarkglory。Shekissedhim——onelongendlesskiss——orelseathousandtimes。Herlips，herwetcheeks，herhair，thesoftness，thefragranceofher，thetenderclaspofherarms，theswellofherbreast——alltheseseemedtoinclosehim。

Duanecouldnotputherfromhim。Heyieldedtoherlipsandarms，watchingher，involuntarilyreturninghercaresses，surenowofherintent，fascinatedbythesweetnessofher，bewildered，almostlost。Thiswaswhatitwastobelovedbyawoman。Hisyearsofoutlawryhadblottedoutanyboyishlovehemighthaveknown。Thiswaswhathehadtogiveup——allthiswonderofhersweetperson，thisstrangefirehefearedyetloved，thismatehisdeepandtorturedsoulrecognized。Neveruntilthatmomenthadhedivinedthemeaningofawomantoaman。Thatmeaningwasphysicalinasmuchthathelearnedwhatbeautywas，whatmarvelinthetouchofquickeningflesh;anditwasspiritualinthathesawtheremighthavebeenforhim，underhappiercircumstances，alifeofnobledeedslivedforsuchawoman。

"Don’tgo！Don’tgo！"shecried，ashestartedviolently。

"Imust。Dear，good—by！RememberIlovedyour"

Hepulledherhandsloosefromhis，steppedback。

"Ray，dearest——Ibelieve——I’llcomeback！"hewhispered。

Theselastwordswerefalsehood。

Hereachedthedoor，gaveheronelastpiercingglance，tofixforeverinmemorythatwhitefacewithitsdark，staring，tragiceyes。

"DUANE！"

Hefledwiththatmoanlikethunder，death，hellinhisears。

Toforgether，togetbackhisnerve，heforcedintomindtheimageofPoggin—Poggin，thetawny—haired，theyellow—eyed，likeajaguar，withhisripplingmuscles。Hebroughtbackhissenseoftheoutlaw’swonderfulpresence，hisownunaccountablefearandhate。Yes，Pogginhadsentthecoldsicknessoffeartohismarrow。Why，sincehehatedlifeso？Pogginwashissupremetest。Andthisabnormalandstupendousinstinct，nowdeepastheveryfoundationofhislife，demandeditswildandfatalissue。TherewasahorriblethrillinhissuddenremembrancethatPogginlikewisehadbeentauntedinfearofhim。

SothedarktideoverwhelmedDuane，andwhenhelefttheroomhewasfierce，implacable，steeledtoanyoutcome，quicklikeapanther，somberasdeath，inthethrallofhisstrangepassion。

Therewasnoexcitementinthestreet。Hecrossedtothebankcorner。Aclockinsidepointedthehouroftwo。Hewentthroughthedoorintothevestibule，lookedaround，passedupthestepsintothebank。Theclerkswereattheirdesks，apparentlybusy。

Buttheyshowednervousness。ThecashierpaledatsightofDuane。Thereweremen——therangers——crouchingdownbehindthelowpartition。Allthewindowshadbeenremovedfromtheirongratingbeforethedesks。Thesafewasclosed。Therewasnomoneyinsight。Acustomercamein，spoketothecashier，andwastoldtocometo—morrow。

Duanereturnedtothedoor。Hecouldseefardownthestreet，outintothecountry。Therehewaited，andminuteswereeternities。Hesawnopersonnearhim;heheardnosound。Hewasinsulatedinhisunnaturalstrain。

Atafewminutesbeforehalfpasttwoadark，compactbodyofhorsemenappearedfardown，turningintotheroad。Theycameatasharptrot——agroupthatwouldhaveattractedattentionanywhereatanytime。Theycamealittlefasterastheyenteredtown;thenfasterstill;nowtheywerefourblocksaway，nowthree，nowtwo。Duanebackeddownthemiddleofthevestibule，upthesteps，andhaltedinthecenterofthewidedoorway。

Thereseemedtobearushinginhisearsthroughwhichpiercedsharp，ringingclip—clopofironhoofs。Hecouldseeonlythecornerofthestreet。Butsuddenlyintothatshotlean—limbeddustybayhorses。Therewasaclatteringofnervoushoofspulledtoahalt。

DuanesawthetawnyPogginspeaktohiscompanions。Hedismountedquickly。Theyfollowedsuit。Theyhadthemannerofranchersabouttoconductsomebusiness。Nogunsshowed。Pogginstartedleisurelyforthebankdoor，quickeningstepalittle。

Theothers，closetogether，camebehindhim。BlossomKanehadabaginhislefthand。JimFletcherwasleftatthecurb，andhehadalreadygatheredupthebridles。

Pogginenteredthevestibulefirst，withKaneononeside，Boldtontheother，alittleinhisrear。

AshestrodeinhesawDuane。

"HELL’SFIRE！"hecried。

SomethinginsideDuaneburst，piercingallofhimwithcold。

Wasitthatfear？

"BUCKDUANE！"echoedKane。

OneinstantPogginlookedupandDuanelookeddown。

LikeastrikingjaguarPogginmoved。AlmostasquicklyDuanethrewhisarm。

Thegunsboomedalmosttogether。

Duanefeltablowjustbeforehepulledtrigger。Histhoughtscamefast，likethestrangedotsbeforehiseyes。Hisrisinggunhadloosenedinhishand。Pogginhaddrawnquicker！A

tearingagonyencompassedhisbreast。Hepulled——pulled——atrandom。Thunderofboomingshotsallabouthim！Redflashes，jetsofsmoke，shrillyells！Hewassinking。Theend;yes，theend！WithfadingsighthesawKanegodown，thenBoldt。Butsupremetorture，bittererthandeath，Pogginstood，manelikealion’s，backtothewall，bloody—faced，grand，withhisgunsspoutingred！

Allfaded，darkened。Thethunderdeadened。Duanefell，seemedfloating。Thereitdrifted——RayLongstreth’ssweetface，white，withdark，tragiceyes，fadingfromhissight……fading……fading……

CHAPTERXXV

LightshonebeforeDuane’seyes——thick，strangelightthatcameandwent。Foralongtimedullandboomingsoundsrushedby，fillingall。Itwasadreaminwhichtherewasnothing;adriftingunderaburden;darkness，light，sound，movement;andvague，obscuresenseoftime——timethatwasverylong。Therewasfire——creeping，consumingfire。Adarkcloudofflameenvelopedhim，rolledhimaway。

Hesawthen，dimly，aroomthatwasstrange，strangepeoplemovingaboutoverhim，withfaintvoices，faraway，thingsinadream。Hesawagain，clearly，andconsciousnessreturned，stillunreal，stillstrange，fullofthosevagueandfar—awaythings。

Thenhewasnotdead。Helaystiff，likeastone，withaweightponderousasamountainuponhimandallhisboundbodyrackedinslow，dull—beatingagony。

Awoman’sfacehoveredoverhim，whiteandtragic—eyed，likeoneofhisoldhauntingphantoms，yetsweetandeloquent。Thenaman’sfacebentoverhim，lookeddeepintohiseyes，andseemedtowhisperfromadistance:"Duane——Duane！Ah，heknewme！"

Afterthattherewasanotherlongintervalofdarkness。Whenthelightcameagain，clearerthistime，thesameearnest—facedmanbentoverhim。ItwasMacNelly。Andwithrecognitionthepastfloodedback。

Duanetriedtospeak。Hislipswereweak，andhecouldscarcelymovethem。

"Poggin！"hewhispered。HisfirstrealconsciousthoughtwasforPoggin。Rulingpassion——eternalinstinct！

"Pogginisdead，Duane;shottopieces，"repliedMacNelly，solemnly。"Whatafighthemade！Hekilledtwoofmymen，woundedothers。God！hewasatiger。Heusedupthreegunsbeforewedownedhim。"

"Who—got——away？"

"Fletcher，themanwiththehorses。Wedownedalltheothers。

Duane，thejob’sdone——it’sdone！Why，man，you’re——"

"Whatof——of——HER？"

"MissLongstrethhasbeenalmostconstantlyatyourbedside。

Shehelpedthedoctor。Shewatchedyourwounds。And，Duane，theothernight，whenyousanklow——solow——Ithinkitwasherspiritthatheldyoursback。Oh，she’sawonderfulgirl。Duane，shenevergaveup，neverlosthernerveforamoment。Well，we’regoingtotakeyouhome，andshe’llgowithus。ColonelLongstrethleftforLouisianarightafterthefight。Iadvisedit。Therewasgreatexcitement。Itwasbestforhimtoleave。"

"HaveI——a——chance——torecover？"

"Chance？Why，man，"exclaimedtheCaptain，"you’llgetwell！

You’llpackasightofleadallyourlife。Butyoucanstandthat。Duane，thewholeSouthwestknowsyourstory。YouneedneveragainbeashamedofthenameBuckDuane。Thebrandoutlawiswashedout。Texasbelievesyou’vebeenasecretrangerallthetime。You’reahero。Andnowthinkofhome，yourmother，ofthisnoblegirl——ofyourfuture。"

TherangerstookDuanehometoWellston。

ArailroadhadbeenbuiltsinceDuanehadgoneintoexile。

Wellstonhadgrown。Anoisycrowdsurroundedthestation，butitstilledasDuanewascarriedfromthetrain。

Aseaoffacespressedclose。Somewerefacesheremembered——schoolmates，friends，oldneighbors。Therewasanupflingingofmanyhands。Duanewasbeingwelcomedhometothetownfromwhichhehadfled。Adeadnesswithinhimbroke。Thiswelcomehurthimsomehow，quickenedhim;andthroughhiscoldbeing，hiswearymind，passedachange。Hissightdimmed。

Thentherewasawhitehouse，hisoldhome。Howstrange，yethowreal！Hisheartbeatfast。Hadsomany，manyyearspassed？

Familiaryetstrangeitwas，andallseemedmagnified。

Theycarriedhimin，theserangercomrades，andlaidhimdown，andliftedhisheaduponpillows。Thehousewasstill，thoughfullofpeople。Duane’sgazesoughttheopendoor。

Someoneentered——atallgirlinwhite，withdark，weteyesandalightuponherface。Shewasleadinganoldlady，gray—haired，austere—faced，somberandsad。Hismother！Shewasfeeble，butshewalkederect。Shewaspale，shaking，yetmaintainedherdignity。

ThesomeoneinwhiteutteredalowcryandkneltbyDuane’sbed。Hismotherflungwideherarmswithastrangegesture。

"Thisman！They’venotbroughtbackmyboy。Thisman’shisfather！Whereismyson？Myson——oh，myson！"

WhenDuanegrewstrongeritwasapleasuretoliebythewestwindowandwatchUncleJimwhittlehisstickandlistentohistalk。Theoldmanwasbrokennow。HetoldmanyinterestingthingsaboutpeopleDuanehadknown——peoplewhohadgrownupandmarried，failed，succeeded，goneaway，anddied。ButitwashardtokeepUncleJimoffthesubjectofguns，outlaws，fights。HecouldnotseemtodivinehowmentionofthesethingshurtDuane。UncleJimwaschildishnow，andhehadagreatprideinhisnephew。HewantedtohearofallofDuane’sexile。

AndiftherewasonethingmorethananotherthatpleasedhimitwastotalkaboutthebulletswhichDuanecarriedinhisbody。

"Fivebullets，ain’tit？"heasked，forthehundredthtime。

"Fiveinthatlastscrap！Bygum！Andyouhadsixbefore？"

"Yes，uncle，"repliedDuane。

"Fiveandsix。Thatmakeseleven。Bygum！Aman’saman，tocarryallthatlead。But，Buck，youcouldcarrymore。There’sthatniggerEdwards，righthereinWellston。He’sgotatonofbulletsinhim。Doesn’tseemtomindthemnone。Andthere’sColeMiller。I’veseenhim。Beenabadmaninhisday。Theysayhepackstwenty—threebullets。Buthe’sbiggerthanyou——gotmoreflesh……Funny，wasn’tit，Buck，aboutthedoctoronlybein’abletocutonebulletoutofyou——thatoneinyourbreastbone？Itwasaforty—onecaliber，anunusualcartridge。I

sawit，andIwantedit，butMissLongstrethwouldn’tpartwithit。Buck，therewasabulletleftinoneofPoggin’sguns，andthatbulletwasthesamekindastheonecutoutofyou。Bygum！Boy，it’dhavekilledyouifit’dstayedthere。"

"Itwouldindeed，uncle，"repliedDuane，andtheold，haunting，sombermoodreturned。

ButDuanewasnotoftenatthemercyofchildisholdhero—worshipingUncleJim。MissLongstrethwastheonlypersonwhoseemedtodivineDuane’sgloomymood，andwhenshewaswithhimshewardedoffallsuggestion。

Oneafternoon，whileshewasthereatthewestwindow，amessagecameforhim。Theyreadittogether。

YouhavesavedtherangerservicetotheLoneStarStateMACNELLEY。

Raykneltbesidehimatthewindow，andhebelievedshemeanttospeakthenofthethingtheyhadshunned。Herfacewasstillwhite，butsweeternow，warmwithrichlifebeneaththemarble;

andherdarkeyeswerestillintent，stillhauntedbyshadows，butnolongertragic。

"I’mgladforMacNelly’ssakeaswellasthestate’s，"saidDuane。

Shemadenoreplytothatandseemedtobethinkingdeeply。

Duaneshrankalittle。

"Thepain——Isitanyworseto—day？"sheasked，instantly。

"No;it’sthesame。Itwillalwaysbethesame。I’mfulloflead，youknow。ButIdon’tmindalittlepain。"

"Then——it’stheoldmood——thefear？"shewhispered。"Tellme。"

"Yes。Ithauntsme。I’llbewellsoon——abletogoout。Thenthat——thathellwillcomeback！"

"No，no！"shesaid，withemotion。

"Somedrunkencowboy，somefoolwithagun，willhuntmeoutineverytown，whereverIgo，"hewenton，miserably。"BuckDuane！

TokillBuckDuane！"

"Hush！Don’tspeakso。Listen。YourememberthatdayinValVerde，whenIcametoyou——pleadwithyounottomeetPoggin？

Oh，thatwasaterriblehourforme。Butitshowedmethetruth。Isawthestrugglebetweenyourpassiontokillandyourloveforme。IcouldhavesavedyouthenhadIknownwhatI

knownow。NowIunderstandthat——thatthingwhichhauntsyou。

Butyou’llneverhavetodrawagain。You’llneverhavetokillanotherman，thankGod！"

Likeadrowningmanhewouldhavegraspedatstraws，buthecouldnotvoicehispassionatequery。

Sheputtenderarmsroundhisneck。"Becauseyou’llhavemewithyoualways，"shereplied。"BecausealwaysIshallbebetweenyouandthat——thatterriblething。"

Itseemedwiththespokenthoughtabsoluteassuranceofherpowercametoher。Duanerealizedinstantlythathewasinthearmsofastrongerwomanthatshewhohadpleadwithhimthatfatalday。

"We’ll——we’llbemarriedandleaveTexas，"shesaid，softly，withtheredbloodrisingrichanddarkinhercheeks。

"Ray！"

"Yeswewill，thoughyou’relaggardinaskingme，sir。"

"But，dear——suppose，"hereplied，huskily，"supposetheremightbe——bechildren——aboy。Aboywithhisfather’sblood！"

"IprayGodtherewillbe。Idonotfearwhatyoufear。Butevenso——he’llbehalfmyblood。"

Duanefeltthestormriseandbreakinhim。Andhisterrorwasthatofjoyquellingfear。Theshininggloryofloveinthiswoman’seyesmadehimweakasachild。Howcouldshelovehim——howcouldshesobravelyfaceafuturewithhim？Yetsheheldhiminherarms，twiningherhandsroundhisneck，andpressingclosetohim。Herfaithandloveandbeauty——theseshemeanttothrowbetweenhimandallthatterriblepast。Theywereherpower，andshemeanttousethemall。Hedarednotthinkofacceptinghersacrifice。

"ButRay——youdear，noblegirl——I’mpoor。Ihavenothing。AndI’macripple。"

"Oh，you’llbewellsomeday，"shereplied。"Andlisten。Ihavemoney。Mymotherleftmewelloff。Allshehadwasherfather’s——Doyouunderstand？We’lltakeUncleJimandyourmother。We’llgotoLouisiana——tomyoldhome。It’sfarfromhere。There’saplantationtowork。Therearehorsesandcattle——agreatcypressforesttocut。Oh，you’llhavemuchtodo。You’llforgetthere。You’lllearntolovemyhome。It’sabeautifuloldplace。Therearegroveswherethegraymossblowsalldayandthenightingalessingallnight。"

"Mydarling！"criedDuane，brokenly。"No，no，no！"

Yetheknewinhisheartthathewasyieldingtoher，thathecouldnotresistheramomentlonger。Whatwasthismadnessoflove？

"We’llbehappy，"shewhispered。"Oh，Iknow。

Come！——come！—come！"

Hereyeswereclosing，heavy—lidded，andsheliftedsweet，tremulous，waitinglips。

WithburstingheartDuanebenttothem。Thenheheldher，closepressedtohim，whilewithdimeyeshelookedoutoverthelineoflowhillsinthewest，downwherethesunwassettinggoldandred，downovertheNuecesandthewildbrakesoftheRioGrandewhichhewasnevertoseeagain。

ItwasinthissolemnandexaltedmomentthatDuaneacceptedhappinessandfacedanewlife，trustingthisbraveandtenderwomantobestrongerthanthedarkandfatefulpassionthathadshadowedhispast。

Itwouldcomeback——thatwindofflame，thatmadnesstoforget，thatdriving，relentlessinstinctforblood。Itwouldcomebackwiththosepale，drifting，hauntingfacesandtheaccusingfadingeyes，butallhislife，alwaysbetweenthemandhim，renderingthempowerless，wouldbethefaithandloveandbeautyofthisnoblewoman。