第10章

Herguestsreportedanarduousridedownthemountain，withonlyoneincidenttolendexcitement。OnthedescenttheyhadfalleninwithSheriffHaweandseveralofhisdeputies，whowereconsiderablyundertheinfluenceofdrinkandverygreatlyenragedbytheescapeoftheMexicangirlBonita。Hawehadusedinsultinglanguagetotheladiesand，accordingtoAmbrose，wouldhaveinconveniencedthepartyonsomepretextorotherifhehadnotbeensharplysilencedbythecowboys。

Madeline\'sguestsweretwodaysinrecoveringfromthehardride。

Onthethirddaytheyleisurelybegantopreparefordeparture。

ThisperiodwasdoublytryingforMadeline。Shehadherownphysicalneedofrest，and，moreover，hadtofaceamentalconflictthatcouldscarcelybepostponedfurther。HersisterandfriendswerekindlyandearnestlypersistentintheirentreatiesthatshegobackEastwiththem。Shedesiredtogo。

Itwasnotgoingthatmattered；itwashowandwhenandunderwhatcircumstancesshewastoreturnthatrousedinherdisturbingemotion。BeforeshewentEastshewantedtohavefixedinmindherfuturerelationtotheranchandtheWest。

WhenthecrucialhourarrivedshefoundthattheWesthadnotclaimedheryet。Theseoldfriendshadwarmedcoldties。

Itturnedout，however，thatthereneedbenohurryaboutmakingthedecision。Madelinewouldhavewelcomedanyexcusetoprocrastinate；but，asithappened，aletterfromAlfredmadeherdepartureoutofthequestionforthepresent。HewrotethathistriptoCaliforniahadbeenveryprofitable，thathehadapropositionforMadelinefromalargecattlecompany，and，particularly，thathewantedtomarryFlorencesoonafterhisarrivalhomeandwouldbringaministerfromDouglasforthatpurpose。

Madelinewentsofar，however，astopromiseHelenandherfriendsthatshewouldgoEastsoon，attheverylatestbyThanksgiving。Withthatpromisetheywerereluctantlycontenttosaygood-bytotheranchandtoher。Atthelastmomentthereseemedagreatlikelihoodofahitchinplansforthefirststageofthathomewardjourney。AllofMadeline\'sguestshelduptheirhands，Westernfashion，whenLinkStevensappearedwiththebigwhitecar。Linkprotestedinnocently，solemnly，thathewoulddriveslowlyandsafely；butitwasnecessaryforMadelinetoguaranteeLink\'swordandtoaccompanythembeforetheywouldenterthecar。Atthestationgood-byswerespokenandrepeated，andMadeline\'spromisewasexactedforthehundredthtime。

DorothyCoombs\'slastwordswere："GivemylovetoMontyPrice。

TellhimI\'m——I\'mgladhekissedme！"

Helen\'seyeshadasweet，grave，yetmockinglightasshesaid：

"Majesty，bringStewartwithyouwhenyoucome。He\'llbetherage。"

Madelinetreatedtheremarkwiththesamemerrylightnesswithwhichitwasreceivedbytheothers；butafterthetrainhadpulledoutandshewasonherwayhomesherememberedHelen\'swordsandlookswithsomethingalmostamountingtoashock。AnymentionofStewart，anythoughtofhim，displeasedher。

"WhatdidHelenmean？"musedMadeline。Andshepondered。ThatmockinglightinHelen\'seyeshadbeensimplyanironicalglint，acynicalgleamfromthatworldlyexperiencesosuspiciousandtolerantinitswisdom。ThesweetgravityofHelen\'slookhadbeenadeeperandmoresubtlething。Madelinewantedtounderstandit，todivineinitanewrelationbetweenHelenandherself，somethingfineandsisterlythatmightleadtolove。

Thethought，however，revolvingaroundastrangesuggestionofStewart，waspoisonedatitsinception，andshedismissedit。

Uponthedriveintotheranch，asshewaspassingthelowerlake，shesawStewartwalkinglistlesslyalongtheshore。Whenhebecameawareoftheapproachofthecarhesuddenlyawakenedfromhisaimlesssaunteringanddisappearedquicklyintheshadeoftheshrubbery。ThiswasnotbyanymeansthefirsttimeMadelinehadseenhimavoidapossiblemeetingwithher。Somehowtheacthadpainedher，thoughaffordingherarelief。Shedidnotwanttomeethimfacetoface。

ItwasannoyingforhertoguessthatStillwellhadsomethingtosayinStewart\'sdefense。Theoldcattlemanwasevidentlydistressed。SeveraltimeshehadtriedtoopenaconversationwithMadelinerelatingtoStewart；shehadevadedhimuntilthelasttime，whenhispersistencehadbroughtacoldandfinalrefusaltohearanotherwordabouttheforeman。Stillwellhadbeencrushed。

AsdayspassedStewartremainedattheranchwithouthisoldfaithfulnesstohiswork。Madelinewasnotmovedtoakinderframeofmindtoseehimwanderingdejectedlyaround。Ithurther，andbecauseithurthershegrewalltheharder。ThenshecouldnothelphearingsnatchesofconversationwhichstrengthenedhersuspicionsthatStewartwaslosinghisgriponhimself，thathewouldsoontakethedownwardcourseagain。

Verificationofherownsuspicionmadeitabelief，andbeliefbroughtaboutasharpconflictbetweenhergenerosityandsomefeelingthatshecouldnotname。Itwasnotaquestionofjusticeormercyorsympathy。IfasinglewordcouldhavesavedStewartfromsinkinghissplendidmanhoodintothebruteshehadrecoiledfromatChiricahua，shewouldnothavespokenit。Shecouldnotrestorehimtohisformerplaceinherregard；shereallydidnotwanthimattheranchatall。Once，consideringinwonderherknowledgeofmen，sheinterrogatedherselftoseejustwhyshecouldnotoverlookStewart\'stransgression。Sheneverwantedtospeaktohimagain，orseehim，orthinkofhim。

Insomeway，throughherinterestinStewart，shehadcometofeelforherselfaninexplicablethingclosetoscorn。

AtelegramfromDouglas，heraldingthecomingofAlfredandaminister，putanendtoMadeline\'sbrooding，andshesharedsomethingofFlorenceKingsley\'sexcitement。Thecowboyswereaseagerandgossipyasgirls。ItwasarrangedtohavetheweddingceremonyperformedinMadeline\'sgreathall-chamber，andthedinnerinthecool，flower-scentedpatio。

Alfredandhisministerarrivedattheranchinthebigwhitecar。Theyappearedconsiderablywind-blown。Infact，theministerwasbreathless，almostsightless，andcertainlyhatless。

Alfred，usedashewastowindandspeed，remarkedthathedidnotwonderatNels\'saversiontoridingafleetingcannon-ball。

TheimperturbableLinktookoffhiscapandgogglesand，consultinghiswatch，madehisusualapologeticreporttoMadeline，deploringthefactthatateamsterandafewstraycattleontheroadhadheldhimdowntothemananatimeofonlyamileaminute。

ArrangementsfortheweddingbroughtAlfred\'sdelightedapproval。

WhenhehadlearnedallFlorenceandMadelinewouldtellhimheexpressedadesiretohavethecowboysattend；andthenhewentontotalkaboutCalifornia，wherehewasgoingtakeFlorenceonashorttrip。HewascuriouslyinterestedtofindoutallaboutMadeline\'sguestsandwhathadhappenedtothem。HiskeenglanceatMadelinegrewsofterasshetalked。

"Ibreatheagain，"hesaid，andlaughed。"Iwasafraid。Well，I

musthavemissedsomesport。IcanjustfancywhatMontyandNelsdidtothatEnglishman。Soyouwentuptothecrags。

That\'sawildplace。I\'mnotsurprisedatguerrillasfallinginwithyouupthere。ThecragswereafamousrendezvousforApaches——it\'sneartheborder——almostinaccessible——goodwaterandgrass。IwonderwhattheU。S。cavalrywouldthinkiftheyknewtheseguerrillascrossedtheborderrightundertheirnoses。

Well，it\'spracticallyimpossibletopatrolsomeofthatborder-line。It\'sdesert，mountain，andcanon，exceedinglywildandbroken。I\'msorrytosaythatthereseemstobemoretroubleinsightwiththeseguerrillasthanatanytimeheretofore。

Orozco，therebelleader，hasfailedtowithstandMadero\'sarmy。

TheFederalsareoccupyingChihuahuanow，andaredrivingtherebelsnorth。Orozcohasbrokenuphisarmyintoguerrillabands。

Theyaremovingnorthandwest，intendingtocarryonguerrillawarfareinSonora。Ican\'tsayjusthowthiswillaffectushere。Butwe\'retooclosetotheborderforcomfort。Theseguerrillasarenight-ridinghawks；theycancrosstheborder，raidushere，andgetbackthesamenight。Fighting，Iimagine，willnotberestrictedtonorthernMexico。Withtherevolutionafailuretheguerrillaswillbemorenumerous，bolder，andhungrier。Unfortunately，wehappentobefavorablysituatedforthemdownhereinthiswildernesscornerofthestate。"

OnthefollowingdayAlfredandFlorenceweremarried。Florence\'ssisterandseveralfriendsfromElCajonwerepresent，besidesMadeline，Stillwell，andhismen。ItwasAlfred\'sexpresswishthatStewartattendtheceremony。Madelinewasamusedwhenshenoticedthepainfullysuppressedexcitementofthecowboys。Forthemaweddingmusthavebeenanunusualandimpressiveevent。

Shebegantohaveabetterunderstandingofthenatureofitwhentheycastoffrestraintandpressedforwardtokissthebride。

InallherlifeMadelinehadneverseenabridekissedsomuchandsoheartily，noronesoflushedanddisheveledandhappy。

Thisindeedwasajoyfuloccasion。Therewasnothingofthe"effeteEast"aboutAlfredHammond；hemighthavebeenaWesternerallhisdays。WhenMadelinemanagedtogetthroughthepressofcowboystoofferhercongratulationsAlfredgaveherabearhugandakiss。Thisappearedtofascinatethecowboys。

Withshiningeyesandfacesaglow，withsmiling，boyishboldness，theymadearushatMadeline。Foroneinstantherheartleapedtoherthroat。Theylookedasiftheycouldmostshamelesslykissandmaulher。Thatlittle，ugly-faced，soft-eyed，rude，tender-heartedruffian，MontyPrice，wasinthelead。Heresembledadragonactuatedbysentiment。AllatonceMadeline\'sinstinctiveantagonismtobeingtouchedbystrangehandsorlipsbattledwithareal，warm，andfun-lovingdesiretoletthecowboysworktheirwillwithher。ButshesawStewarthangingatthebackofthecrowd，andsomething——somefierce，darkexpressionofpain——amazedher，whileitfrozeherdesiretobekind。Thenshedidnotknowwhatchangemusthavecometoherfaceandbearing；butshesawMontyfallbacksheepishlyandtheothercowboysdrawasidetoletherleadthewayintothepatio。

Thedinnerbeganquietlyenoughwiththecowboysdividedbetweenembarrassmentandvoraciousappetitesthattheyevidentlyfearedtoindulge。Wine，however，loosenedtheirtongues，andwhenStillwellgotuptomakethespeecheverybodyseemedtoexpectofhimtheygreetedhimwitharoar。

Stillwellwasnowonehuge，mountainoussmile。Hewassohappythatheappearedonthevergeoftears。Herambledonecstaticallytillhecametoraisehisglass。

"An\'now，girlsan\'boys，let\'salldrinktothebridean\'groom；

totheirsincerean\'lastin\'love；totheirhappinessan\'

prosperity；totheirgoodhealthan\'longlife。Let\'sdrinktotheunitin\'oftheEastwiththeWest。Nomanfullofredbloodan\'therealbreathoflifecouldresistaWesterngirlan\'agoodhossan\'God\'sfreehand——thatopencountryoutthere。SoweclaimAlHammond，an\'maywebetruetohim。An\'，friends，I

thinkitfittin\'thatwedrinktohissisteran\'toourhopes。

Heah\'stotheladywehopetomakeourMajesty！Heah\'stothemanwho\'llcomeridin\'outoftheWest，afine，big-heartedmanwithafasthossan\'astrongrope，an\'mayhewinan\'holdher！

Come，friends，drink。"

Aheavypoundofhorses\'hoofsandayelloutsidearrestedStillwell\'svoiceandhaltedhishandinmidair。

Thepatiobecameassilentasanunoccupiedroom。

ThroughtheopendoorsandwindowsofMadeline\'schamberburstthesoundsofhorsesstampingtoahalt，thenharshspeechofmen，andalowcryofawomaninpain。

Rapidstepscrossedtheporch，enteredMadeline\'sroom。Nelsappearedinthedoorway。Madelinewassurprisedtoseethatbehadnotbeenatthedinner-table。Shewasdisturbedatsightofhisface。

"Stewart，you\'rewantedoutdoors，"calledNels，bluntly。"Monty，youslopeoutherewithme。You，Nick，an\'Stillwell——Ireckontherestofyouhedbettershutthedoorsan\'stayinside。"

Nelsdisappeared。QuickasacatMontyglidedout。Madelinebeardhissoft，swiftstepspassfromherroomintoheroffice。

Hebadlefthisgunsthere。Madelinetrembled。ShesawStewartgetupquietlyandwithoutanychangeofexpressiononhisdark，sadfaceleavethepatio。NickSteelefollowedhim。Stillwelldroppedhiswine-glass。Asitbroke，shiveringthesilence，hishugesmilevanished。Hisfacesetintotheoldcragginessandtheredslowlythickenedintoblack。Stillwellwentoutandclosedthedoorbehindhim。

Thentherewasablanksilence。Theenjoymentofthemomenthadbeenrudelydisrupted。Madelineglanceddownthelinesofbrownfacestoseethepleasurefadeintotheoldfamiliarhardness。

"What\'swrong？"askedAlfred，ratherstupidly。Thechangeofmoodhadbeentoorapidforhim。Suddenlyheawakened，thoroughlyarousedattheinterruption。"I\'mgoingtoseewho\'sbuttedinheretospoilourdinner，"hesaid，andstrodeout。

Hereturnedbeforeanyoneatthetablehadspokenormoved，andnowthedullredofangermottledhisforehead。

"It\'sthesheriffofElCajon！"heexclaimed，contemptuously。

"PatHawewithsomeofhistoughdeputiescometoarrestGeneStewart。They\'vegotthatpoorlittleMexicangirlouttheretiedonahorse。Confoundthatsheriff！"

Madelinecalmlyrosefromthetable，eludingFlorence\'sentreatinghand，andstartedforthedoor。Thecowboysjumpedup。Alfredbarredherprogress。

"Alfred，Iamgoingout，"shesaid。

"No，Iguessnot，"hereplied。"That\'snoplaceforyou。"

"Iamgoing。"Shelookedstraightathim。

"Madeline！Why，whatisit？Youlook——Dear，there\'sprettysuretobetroubleoutside。Maybethere\'llbeafight。Youcandonothing。Youmustnotgo。"

"PerhapsIcanpreventtrouble，"shereplied。

AssheleftthepatioshewasawarethatAlfred，withFlorenceathissideandthecowboysbehind，werestartingtofollowher。

Whenshegotoutofherroomupontheporchsheheardseveralmeninloud，angrydiscussion。Then，atsightofBonitahelplesslyandcruellybounduponahorse，paleanddisheveledandsuffering，Madelineexperiencedthethrillthatsightormentionofthisgirlalwaysgaveher。Ityieldedtoahotpanginherbreast——thatlivepainwhichsoshamedher。Butalmostinstantly，asasecondglanceshowedanagonyinBonita\'sface，herbruisedarmswheretheropebitdeepintotheflesh，herlittlebrownhandsstainedwithblood，Madelinewasovercomebypityfortheunfortunategirlandawoman\'srighteouspassionatsuchbarbaroustreatmentofoneofherownsex。

ThemanholdingthebridleofthehorseonwhichBonitahadbeenboundwasatoncerecognizedbyMadelineasthebig-bodied，bullet-headedguerrillawhohadfoundthebasketofwineinthespringatcamp。Redderofface，blackerofbeard，coarserofaspect，evidentlyundertheinfluenceofliquor，hewasasfierce-lookingasagorillaandasrepulsive。Besideshimtherewerethreeothermenpresent，allmountedonwearyhorses。Theoneintheforeground，gaunt，sharp-featured，red-eyed，withapointedbeard，sherecognizedasthesheriffofElCajon。

Madelinehesitated，thenstoppedinthemiddleoftheporch。

Alfred，Florence，andseveralothersfollowedherout；therestofthecowboysandguestscrowdedthewindowsanddoors。

StillwellsawMadeline，and，throwinguphishands，roaredtobeheard。Thisquietedthegesticulating，quarrelingmen。

"Walnow，PatHawe，what\'sdrivin\'youlikealocoedsteerontherampage？"demandedStillwell。

"Keepinthetraces，Bill，"repliedHawe。"YousavvywhatIcomefer。I\'vebeenbidin\'mytime。ButI\'mreadynow。I\'mhyartoarrestacriminal。"

Thehugeframeoftheoldcattlemanjerkedasifhehadbeenstabbed。Hisfaceturnedpurple。

"Whatcriminal？"heshouted，hoarsely。

Thesheriffflickedhisquirtagainsthisdirtyboot，andhetwistedhisthinlipsintoaleer。Thesituationwasagreeabletohim。

"Why，Bill，Iknowedyouhedano-goodoutfitridin\'thisrange；

butIwasn\'twisethetyouhedmore\'nonecriminal。"

"Cutthattalk！Whichcowboyareyouwantin\'toarrest？"

Hawe\'smanneraltered。

"GeneStewart，"hereplied，curtly。

"Onwhatcharge？"

"Ferkillin\'aGreaseronenightlastfall。"

"Soyou\'restillharpin\'onthat？Pat，you\'reonthewrongtrail。Youcan\'tlaythatkillin\'ontoStewart。Thething\'sancientbynow。Butifyouinsistonbringin\'himtocourt，letthearrestgoto-day——we\'rehevin\'somefiestahyar——an\'I\'llfetchGeneintoElCajon。"

"Nope。IreckonI\'lltakehimwhenIgotthechance，beforeheslopes。"

"I\'mgivin\'youmyword，"thunderedStillwell。

"IreckonIdon\'thevtotakeyourword，Bill，oranybodyelse\'s。"

Stillwell\'sgreatbulkquiveredwithhisrage，yethemadeasuccessfulefforttocontrolit。

"Seehyar，PatHawe，Iknowwhat\'sreasonable。Lawislaw。Butinthiscountrytherealwayshasbeenan\'isnowasafean\'sanewaytoproceedwiththelaw。Mebbeyou\'veforgotthat。Thelawasinvestedinonemaninawildcountryisliable，owin\'tothatman\'sweaknessesan\'onlimitedauthority，tobedisputedevenbyadecentolecattlemanlikemyself。I\'ma-goin\'togiveyouahunch。Pat，you\'renotoverlikedintheseparts。You\'veridtoomuchwithahighhand。Someofyourdealshevbeenshady，an\'

don\'tyouoverlookwhatI\'msayin\'。Butyou\'rethesheriff，an\'

I\'mrespectin\'youroffice。I\'mrespectin\'itthismuch。Ifthemilkofhumandecencyissosouredinyourbreastthatyoucan\'thevakindfeelin\'，thentrytoavoidtheonpleasantnessthat\'llresultfromanycontrarymoveonyourpartto-day。Doyougetthathunch？"

"Stillwell，you\'rethreatenin\'anofficer，"repliedHawe，angrily。

"Willyouhitthetrailquickoutofhyar？"queriedStillwell，instrainedvoice。"IguaranteeStewart\'sappearanceinElCajonanydayyousay。"

"No。Icometoarresthim，an\'I\'mgoin\'to。"

"Sothat\'syourgame！"shoutedStillwell。"We-allaregladtogetyoustraight，Pat。Nowlisten，youcheap，red-eyedcoyoteofasheriff！Youdon\'tcarehowmanyenemiesyoumake。Youknowyou\'llnevergetofficeagaininthiscounty。Whatdoyoucarenow？It\'samazin\'strangehowearnestyouaretohuntdownthemanwhokilledthatparticularGreaser。Ireckonthere\'sbeensomedozenormorekillin\'sofGreasersinthelastyear。Whydon\'tyoutaketotrailin\'someofthemkillin\'s？I\'lltellyouwhy。You\'reafraidtogoneartheborder。An\'yourhateofGeneStewartmakesyouwanttohoundhiman\'puthimwherehe\'sneverbeenyet——injail。Youwanttospitehisfriends。Wal，listen，youlean-jawed，skunk-bittencoyote！Goaheadan\'trytoarresthim！"

Stillwelltookonemightystrideofftheporch。Hislastwordshadbeencold。HisrageappearedtohavebeentransferredtoHawe。ThesheriffhadbeguntostutterandshakealankyredhandatthecattlemanwhenStewartsteppedout。

"Here，youfellows，givemeachancetosayaword。"

AsStewartappearedtheMexicangirlsuddenlyseemedvitalizedoutofherstupor。Shestrainedatherbonds，asiftoliftherhandsbeseechingly。Aflushanimatedherhaggardface，andherbigdarkeyeslighted。

"SenorGene！"shemoaned。"Helpme！Isoseek。Theybeatme，ropeme，\'mos\'keelme。Oh，helpme，SenorGene！"

"Shutup，erI\'llgagyou，"saidthemanwhoheldBonita\'shorse。

"Muzzleher，Sneed，ifsheblabsagain，"calledHawe。Madelinefeltsomethingtenseandstrainedworkingintheshortsilence。

Wasitonlyaphaseofherthrillingexcitement？HerswiftglanceshowedthefacesofNelsandMontyandNicktobebrooding，cold，watchful。ShewonderedwhyStewartdidnotlooktowardBonita。He，too，wasnowdark-faced，cool，quiet，withsomethingominousabouthim。

"Hawe，I\'llsubmittoarrestwithoutanyfuss，"hesaid，slowly，"ifyou\'lltaketheropesoffthatgirl。"

"Nope，"repliedthesheriff。"Shegotawayfrommeonct。She\'shawg-tiednow，an\'she\'llstayhawg-tied。"

MadelinethoughtshesawStewartgiveaslightstart。Butanunaccountabledimnesscameoverhereyes，atbriefintervalsobscuringherkeensight。Vaguelyshewasconsciousofacloggedandbeatingtumultinherbreast。

"Allright，let\'shurryoutofhere，"saidStewart。"You\'vemadeannoyanceenough。Ridedowntothecorralwithme。I\'llgetmyhorseandgowithyou。"

"Holdon！"yelledHawe，asStewartturnedaway。"Notsofast。

Who\'sdoin\'this？Youdon\'tcomenoElCapitanstuntsonme。

You\'llrideoneofmypack-horses，an\'you\'llgoinirons。"

"Youwanttohandcuffme？"queriedStewart，withsuddenswiftstartofpassion。

"Wantto？Haw，haw！Nope，Stewart，thet\'sjestmywaywithhoss-thieves，raiders，Greasers，murderers，an\'sich。Seehyar，youSneed，gitoffan\'puttheironsonthisman。"

TheguerrillacalledSneedslidoffhishorseandbegantofumbleinhissaddle-bags。

"Yousee，Bill，"wentonHawe，"Isworeinanewdepootyferthisparticularjob。Sneedissomehandy。HeroundedupthetlittleMexicancatferme。"

Stillwelldidnothearthesheriff；hewasgazingatStewartinakindofimploringamaze。

"Gene，youain\'tgoin\'tostandferthemhandcuffs？"hepleaded。

"Yes，"repliedthecowboy。"Bill，oldfriend，I\'manoutsiderhere。There\'snocallforMissHammondand——andherbrotherandFlorencetobeworriedfurtheraboutme。Theirhappydayhasalreadybeenspoiledonmyaccount。Iwanttogetoutquick。"

"Wal，youmightbetoodamnconsiderateofMissHammond\'ssensitivefeelin\'s。"Therewasnownotraceofthecourteous，kindlyoldrancher。Helookedharderthanstone。"Howaboutmyfeelin\'s？Iwanttoknowifyou\'regoin\'toletthissneakin\'

coyote，thislastgaspoftheoldrum-guzzlin\'frontiersheriffs，putyouinironsan\'hawg-tieyouan\'driveyouofftojail？"

"Yes，"repliedStewart，steadily。

"Wal，byGawd！You，GeneStewart！What\'scomeoveryou？Why，man，gointhehouse，an\'I\'ll\'tendtothisfeller。Thento-morrowyoucanrideinan\'giveyourselfuplikeagentleman。"

"No。I\'llgo。Thanks，Bill，forthewayyouandtheboyswouldsticktome。Hurry，Hawe，beforemymindchanges。"

Hisvoicebrokeatthelast，betrayingthewonderfulcontrolhehadkeptoverhispassions。Asheceasedspeakingheseemedsuddenlytobecomespiritless。Hedroppedhishead。

Madelinesawinhimthenasemblancetothehopeless，shamedStewartofearlierdays。Thevagueriotinherbreastleapedintoconsciousfury——awoman\'spassionaterepudiationofStewart\'sbrokenspirit。Itwasnotthatshewouldhavehimbealawbreaker；itwasthatshecouldnotbeartoseehimdenyhismanhood。Onceshehadentreatedhimtobecomeherkindofacowboy——amaninwhomreasontemperedpassion。Shehadlethimseehowpainfulandshockinganyviolencewastoher。Andtheideahadobsessedhim，softenedhim，hadgrownlikeastultifyinglichenuponhiswill，hadshornhimofawild，boldspiritshenowstrangelylongedtoseehimfeel。WhenthemanSneedcameforward，jinglingtheironfetters，Madeline\'sbloodturnedtofire。ShewouldhaveforgivenStewartthenforlapsingintothekindofcowboyithadbeenherblindandsicklysentimenttoabhor。Thiswasaman\'sWest——aman\'sgame。Whatrighthadawomanrearedinasoftermoldtouseherbeautyandherinfluencetochangeamanwhowasboldandfreeandstrong？Atthatmoment，withherbloodhotandracing，shewouldhavegloriedintheviolencewhichshehadsodeplored：shewouldhavewelcomedtheactionthathadcharacterizedStewart\'streatmentofDonCarlos；shehadinherthesuddendawningtemperofawomanwhohadbeenassimilatingthelifeandnaturearoundherandwhowouldnothaveturnedhereyesawayfromaharshandbloodydeed。

ButStewartheldforthhishandstobemanacled。ThenMadelineheardherownvoiceburstoutinaringing，imperious"Wait！"

Inthetimeittookhertomakethefewstepstotheedgeoftheporch，facingthemen，shenotonlyfeltherangerandjusticeandpridesummoningforcestohercommand，buttherewassomethingelsecalling——adeep，passionate，mysteriousthingnotbornofthemoment。

Sneeddroppedthemanacles。Stewart\'sfacetookonachalkywhiteness。Hawe，inaslow，stupidembarrassmentbeyondhiscontrol，removedhissombreroinarespectthatseemedwrenchedfromhim。

"Mr。Hawe，IcanprovetoyouthatStewartwasnotconcernedinanywaywhateverwiththecrimeforwhichyouwanttoarresthim。"

Thesheriff\'sstareunderwentablinkingchange。Hecoughed，stammered，andtriedtospeak。Manifestly，hehadbeenthrowncompletelyoffhisbalance。Astonishmentslowlymergedintodiscomfiture。

"ItwasabsolutelyimpossibleforStewarttohavebeenconnectedwiththatassault，"wentonMadeline，swiftly，"forhewaswithmeinthewaiting-roomofthestationatthemomenttheassaultwasmadeoutside。IassureyouIhaveadistinctandvividrecollection。Thedoorwasopen。Iheardthevoicesofquarrelingmen。Theygrewlouder。ThelanguagewasSpanish。

Evidentlythesemenhadleftthedance-halloppositeandwereapproachingthestation。Iheardawoman\'svoiceminglingwiththeothers。It，too，wasSpanish，andIcouldnotunderstand。

Butthetonewasbeseeching。ThenIheardfootstepsonthegravel。IknewStewartheardthem。Icouldseefromhisfacethatsomethingdreadfulwasabouttohappen。Justoutsidethedoorthentherewerehoarse，furiousvoices，ascuffle，amuffledshot，awoman\'scry，thethudofafallingbody，andrapidfootstepsofamanrunningaway。Next，thegirlBonitastaggeredintothedoor。Shewaswhite，trembling，terror-stricken。SherecognizedStewart，appealedtohim。Stewartsupportedherandendeavoredtocalmher。Hewasexcited。HeaskedherifDannyMainshadbeenshot，orifhehaddonetheshooting。Thegirlsaidno。ShetoldStewartthatshehaddancedalittle，flirtedalittlewithvaqueros，andtheyhadquarreledoverher。ThenStewarttookheroutsideandputheruponhishorse。Isawthegirlridethathorsedownthestreettodisappearinthedarkness。"

WhileMadelinespokeanotherchangeappearedtobeworkinginthemanHawe。Hewasnotlongdisconcerted，buthisdiscomfitureworetoasullenfury，andhissharpfeaturesfixedinanexpressionofcraft。

"Thet\'smightyinterestin\'，MissHammond，\'mostasinterestin\'asastory-book，"hesald。"Now，sinceyou\'resoobligin\'awitness，I\'dsureliketoputaquestionortwo。WhattimedidyouarriveatElCajonthetnight？"

"Itwasaftereleveno\'clock，"repliedMadeline。

"Nobodytheretomeetyou？"

"No。"

"Thestationagentan\'operatorbothgone？"

"Yes。"

"Wal，howsoondidthisfellerStewartshowup？"Hawecontinued，withawrysmile。

"Verysoonaftermyarrival。Ithink——perhapsfifteenminutes，possiblyalittlemore。"

"Somedarkan\'lonesomearoundthetstation，wasn\'tit？"

"Indeedyes。"

"An\'whattimewastheGreasershot？"queriedHawe，withhislittleeyesgleaminglikecoals。

"Probablyclosetohalfpastone。Itwastwoo\'clockwhenI

lookedatmywatchatFlorenceKingsley\'shouse。DirectlyafterStewartsentBonitaawayhetookmetoMissKingsley\'s。So，allowingforthewalkandafewminutes\'conversationwithher，I

canprettydefinitelysaytheshootingtookplaceatabouthalfpastone。"

Stillwellheavedhisbigframeastepclosertothesheriff。

"What\'reyoudrivin\'at？"heroared，hisfaceblackagain。

"Evidence，"snappedHawe。

Madelinemarveledatthisinterruption；andasStewartirresistiblydrewherglanceshesawhimgray-facedasashes，shaking，utterlyunnerved。

"Ithankyou，MissHammond，"hesaid，huskily。"Butyouneedn\'tansweranymoreofHawe\'squestions。He\'s——he\'s——It\'snotnecessary。I\'llgowithhimnow，underarrest。Bonitawillcorroborateyourtestimonyincourt，andthatwillsavemefromthis——thisman\'sspite。"

Madeline，lookingatStewart，seeingahumilitysheatfirsttookforcowardice，suddenlydivinedthatitwasnotfearforhimselfwhichmadehimdreadfurtherdisclosuresofthatnight，butfearforher——fearofshameshemightsufferthroughhim。

PatHawecockedhisheadtooneside，likeavultureabouttostrikewithhisbeak，andcunninglyeyedMadeline。

"Consideredastestimony，whatyou\'vesaidissureimportantan\'

conclusive。ButI\'mcalculatin\'thetthecourtwillwanttohevexplainedwhyyoustayedfromeleven-thirtytillone-thirtyinthetwaitin\'-roomalonewithStewart。"

HisdeliberatespeechmetwithwhatMadelineimaginedaremarkablereceptionfromStewart，whogaveatigerishstart；

fromStillwell，whosebighandstoreattheneckofhisshirt，asifhewaschoking；fromAlfred，whonowstrodehotlyforward，tobestoppedbythecoldandsilentNels；fromMontyPrice，whoutteredaviolent"Aw！"whichwasbothahissandaroar。

IntherushofherthoughtMadelinecouldnotinterpretthemeaningofthesethingswhichseemedsostrangeatthatmoment。

Buttheywereportentous。EvenasshewasformingareplytoHawe\'sspeechshefeltachillcreepoverher。

"Stewartdetainedmeinthewaiting-room，"shesaid，clear-voicedasabell。"Butwewerenotalone——allthetime。"

ForamomenttheonlysoundfollowingherwordswasagaspfromStewart。Hawe\'sfacebecametransformedwithahideousamazeandjoy。

"Detained？"hewhispered，craninghisleanandcordedneck。

"How\'sthet？"

"Stewartwasdrunk。He——"

WithsuddenpassionategestureofdespairStewartappealedtoher：

\'\'Oh，MissHammond，don\'t！don\'t！DON\'T！……"

Thenheseemedtosinkdown，headlowereduponhisbreast，inuttershame。Stillwell\'sgreathandswepttothebowedshoulder，andheturnedtoMadeline。

"MissMajesty，Ireckonyou\'dbewisetotellall，"saidtheoldcattleman，gravely。"Thereain\'toneofuswhocouldmisunderstandanymotiveoractofyours。Mebbeastrokeoflightnin\'mightclearthismurkyair。WhateverGeneStewartdidthatonluckynight——youtellit。"

Madeline\'sdignityandself-possessionhadbeendisturbedbyStewart\'simportunity。Shebrokeintoswift，disconnectedspeech：

"Hecameintothestation——afewminutesafterIgotthere。I

asked-tobeshowntoahotel。Hesaidtherewasn\'tanythatwouldaccommodatemarriedwomen。Hegraspedmyhand——lookedforawedding-ring。ThenIsawhewas——hewasintoxicated。Hetoldmehewouldgoforahotelporter。Buthecamebackwithapadre——PadreMarcos。Thepoorpriestwas——terriblyfrightened。

SowasI。Stewarthadturnedintoadevil。Hefiredhisgunatthepadre\'sfeet。Hepushedmeintoabench。Againheshot——

rightbeforemyface。I——Inearlyfainted。ButIheardhimcursingthepadre——heardthepadreprayingorchanting——Ididn\'tknowwhat。StewarttriedtomakemesaythingsinSpanish。Allatonceheaskedmyname。Itoldhim。Hejerkedatmyveil。I

tookitoff。Thenhethrewhisgundown——pushedthepadreoutofthedoor。ThatwasjustbeforethevaquerosapproachedwithBonita。PadreMarcosmusthaveseenthem——musthaveheardthem。

AfterthatStewartgrewquicklysober。Hewasmortified——

distressed——strickenwithshame。Hetoldmehehadbeendrinkingatawedding——Iremember，itwasEdLinton\'swedding。Thenheexplained——theboyswerealwaysgambling——hewageredhewouldmarrythefirstgirlwhoarrivedatElCajon。Ihappenedtobethefirstone。Hetriedtoforcemetomarryhim。Therest——

relatingtotheassaultonthevaquero——Ihavealreadytoldyou。"

Madelineended，outofbreathandpanting，withherhandspresseduponherheavingbosom。Revelationofthatsecretliberatedemotion；thosehurriedoutspokenwordshadmadeherthrobandtrembleandburn。StrangelythenshethoughtofAlfredandhiswrath。Buthestoodmotionless，asifdazed。StillwellwastryingtoholsterupthecrushedStewart。

Hawerolledhisredeyesandthrewbackhishead。

"Ho，ho，ho！Ho，ho，ho！Say，Sneed，youdidn\'tmissanyofit，didye？Haw，haw！BestIeverheerdinallmyborndays。Ho，ho！"

Thenheceasedlaughing，andwithglintinggazeuponMadeline，insolentandviciousandsavage，hebegantodrawl：

"Walnow，mylady，Ireckonyourstory，ifittallieswithBonita\'san\'PadreMarcos\'s，willclearGeneStewartintheeyesofthecourt。"Herehegrewslower，morebiting，sharperandharderofface。"Butyouneedn\'texpectPatHaweorthecourttoswallerthetpartofyourstory——aboutbein\'detainedunwillin\'！"

Madelinehadnottimetograspthesenseofhislastwords。

Stewarthadconvulsivelysprungupward，whiteaschalk。AsheleapedatHaweStillwellinterposedhishugebulkandwrappedhisarmsaroundStewart。Therewasabrief，whirling，wrestlingstruggle。Stewartappearedtobebestingtheoldcattleman。

"Help，boys，help！"yelledStillwell。"Ican\'tholdhim。Hurry，orthere\'sgoin\'tobebloodspilled！"

NickSteeleandseveralcowboysleapedtoStillwell\'sassistance。

Stewart，gettingfree，tossedoneasideandthenanother。Theyclosedinonhim。Foraninstantafuriousstrainingwrestleofpowerfulbodiesmaderaspandshockandblow。OnceStewartheavedthemfromhim。Buttheyplungedbackuponhim——conqueredhim。

"Gene！Why，Gene！"pantedtheoldcattleman。"Sureyou\'relocoed——toactthisway。Cooldown！Cooldown！Why，boy，it\'sallright。Jeststandstill——giveusachancetotalktoyou。

It\'sonlyoleBill，youknow——yourolepalwho\'striedtobeadaddytoyou。He\'sonlywantin\'youtohevsense——tobecool——towait。"

"Letmego！Letmego！"criedStewart；andthepoignancyofthatcrypiercedMadeline\'sheart。"Letmego，Bill，ifyou\'remyfriend。Isavedyourlifeonce——overinthedesert。Yousworeyou\'dneverforget。Boys，makehimletmego！Oh，Idon\'tcarewhatHawe\'ssaidordonetome！Itwasthatabouther！AreyouallalotofGreasers？Howcanyoustandit？Damnyouforalotofcowards！There\'salimit，Itellyou。"Thenhisvoicebroke，felltoawhisper。"Bill，dearoldBill，letmego。I\'llkillhim！YouknowI\'llkillhim！"

"Gene，Iknowyou\'dkillhimifyouhedanevenbreak，"repliedStillwell，soothingly。"But，Gene，why，youain\'tevenpackin\'agun！An\'there\'sPatlookin\'nasty，withhishandnervous-like。

Heseenyouhednogun。He\'djumpatthechancetoplugyounow，an\'thenholleraboutoppositiontothelaw。Cooldown，son；

it\'llallcomeright。"

SuddenlyMadelinewastransfixedbyaterriblesound。

HerstartledglanceshiftedfromtheanxiousgrouproundStewarttoseethatMontyPricehadleapedofftheporch。Hecroucheddownwithhisbandsbelowhiships，wherethebiggunsswung。

FromhisdistortedlipsissuedthatwhichwascombinedroarandbellowandIndianwar-whoop，and，morethanall，ahorriblewarningcry。Heresembledahunchbackabouttomaketheleapofademon。Hewasquivering，vibrating。Hiseyes，blackandhot，werefastenedwithmostpiercingintentnessuponHaweandSneed。

"Gitback，Bill，gitback！"heroared。"Git\'emback！"WithonelungeStillwellshovedStewartandNickandtheothercowboysupontheporch。ThenhecrowdedMadelineandAlfredandFlorencetothewall，triedtoforcethemfarther。Hismotionswererapidandstern。Butfailingtogetthemthroughdoorandwindows，heplantedhiswidepersonbetweenthewomenanddanger。Madelinegraspedhisarm，heldon，andpeeredfearfullyfrombehindhisbroadshoulder。

"You，Hawe！You，Sneed！"calledMonty，inthatsamewildvoice。

"Don\'tyoumoveafingeroraneyelash！"

Madeline\'sfacultiesnervedtokeen，thrillingdivination。ShegraspedtherelationbetweenMonty\'sterriblecryandthestrangehunchedposturehehadassumed。Stillwell\'shasteandsilence，too，werepregnantofcatastrophe。

"Nels，gitinthis！"yelledMonty；andallthetimehenevershiftedhisintentgazeasmuchasahair\'s-breadthfromHaweandhisdeputy。"Nels，chaseawaythemtwofellershangin\'backthere。Chase\'em，quick！"

Thesemen，thetwodeputieswhohadremainedinthebackgroundwiththepack-horses，didnotwaitforNels。Theyspurredtheirmounts，wheeled，andgallopedaway。

"Now，Nels，cutthegurlloose，"orderedMonty。

Nelsranforward，jerkedthehalteroutofSneed\'shand，andpulledBonita\'shorseinclosetotheporch。Asheslittheropewhichboundhershefellintohisarms。

"Hawe，gitdown！"wentonMonty。"Facefrontan\'stiff！"

Thesheriffswunghisleg，and，nevermovinghishands，withhisfacenowadeathly，sickeningwhite，heslidtotheground。

"Lineuptherebesideyourguerrillapard。There！Youtwomakeadamnfinepictoor，adamnfineteamofpizenedcoyotean\'acrossbetweenawildmulean\'aGreaser。Nowlisten！"

Montymadealongpause，inwhichhisbreathingwasplainlyaudible。

Madeline\'seyeswereriveteduponMonty。Hermind，swiftaslightning，hadgatheredthesubtletiesinactionandwordsucceedinghisdominationofthemen。Violence，terribleviolence，thethingshehadfelt，thethingshehadfeared，thethingshehadsoughttoeliminatefromamonghercowboys，was，aftermanymonths，abouttobeenactedbeforehereyes。Ithadcomeatlast。ShehadsoftenedStillwell，shehadinfluencedNels，shehadchangedStewart；butthislittleblack-faced，terribleMontyPricenowrose，asitwere，outofhispastwildyears，andnopoweronearthorinheavencouldstayhishand。Itwasthehardlifeofwildmeninawildcountrythatwasabouttostrikethisblowather。Shedidnotshudder；shedidnotwishtoblotoutfromsightthislittleman，terribleinhismoodofwildjustice。ShesufferedaflashofhorrorthatMonty，blindanddeadtoherauthority，coldassteeltowardherpresence，understoodthedeepsofawoman\'ssoul。Forinthismomentofstrife，ofinsulttoher，oftorturetothemanshehadupliftedandthenbroken，thepassionofherreacheddeeptowardprimitivehate。Witheyesslowlyhazingred，shewatchedMontyPrice；shelistenedwiththrummingears；shewaited，slowlysaggingagainstStillwell。

"Hawe，ifyouan\'yourdirtypardhevlovedthesoundofhumanvoice，thenlistenan\'listenhard，"saidMonty。"FerI\'vebeengoin\'contrarytomyolestylejesttohevatalkwithyou。Youallbutgotawayonyournerve，didn\'tyou？\'Causewhy？Yourollinherelikeamadsteeran\'flashyerbadgean\'talkmean，thenalmostbluffawaywithit。YouheerdallaboutMissHammond\'scowboyoutfitstoppin\'drinkin\'an\'cussin\'an\'packin\'guns。

They\'vetookonreligionan\'decentlivin\'，an\'surethey\'llbeeasytohobblean\'drivetojail。Hawe，listen。Therewasagoodan\'nobleanbe-ootifulwomancomeoutoftheEastsomewheres，an\'shebroughtalotofsunshinean\'happinessan\'newideesintothetoughlivesofcowboys。Ireckonit\'sbeyondyoutoknowwhatshecometomeantothem。Wal，I\'lltellyou。

They-allwentcleanoutoftheirheads。They-allgotsoftan\'

easyan\'sweet-tempered。Theygotsotheycouldn\'tkillacoyote，acrippledcalfinamud-hole。Theytooktobooks，an\'writin\'

hometomotheran\'sister，an\'tosavin\'money，an\'togittin\'

married。Oncttheywasonlyalotofpoorcowboys，an\'thensudden-liketheywashumanbein\'s，livin\'inabigworldthethedsomethin\'sweetevenferthem。Evenferme——anole，worn-out，hobble-legged，burned-upcowmanlikeme！Doyougitthet？An\'

you，MisterHawe，youcomealong，notsatisfiedwithropin\'an\'

beatin\'，an\'Gawknowswhatelse，ofthetfriendlesslittleBonita；youcomealongan\'facetheladywefellershonoran\'

lovean\'reverence，an\'you——you——Hell\'sfire！"

Withwhistlingbreath，foamingatthemouth，MontyPricecrouchedlower，handsathiships，andheedgedinchbyinchfartheroutfromtheporch，closertoHaweandSneed。Madelinesawthemonlyintheblurredfringeofhersight。Theyresembledspecters。SheheardtheshrillwhistleofahorseandrecognizedMajestycallingherfromthecorral。

"Thet\'sall！"roaredMonty，inavoicenowstrangling。Lowerandlowerhebent，aterriblefigureofferocity。"Now，bothyouarmedocifersofthelaw，comeon！Flashyourguns！Throw\'em，an\'bequick！MontyPriceisdone！There\'llbedaylightthroughyoubothbeforeyoufanahammer！ButI\'mgivin\'youachansttostingme。Youhollerlaw，an\'mywayistheolelaw。"

Hisbreathcamequicker，hisvoicegrewhoarser，andhecrouchedlower。Allhisbodyexcepthisrigidarmsquiveredwithawonderfulmuscularconvulsion。

"Dogs！Skunks！Buzzards！Flashthemguns，erI\'llflashmine！

Aha！"

ToMadelineitseemedthethreestiff，crouchingmenleapedintoinstantandunitedaction。Shesawstreaksoffire——streaksofsmoke。Thenacrashingvolleydeafenedher。Itceasedasquickly。Smokeveiledthescene。Slowlyitdriftedawaytodisclosethreefallenmen，oneofwhom，Monty，leanedonhislefthand，asmokingguninhisright。Hewatchedforamovementfromtheothertwo。Itdidnotcome。Then，withaterriblesmile，heslidbackandstretchedout。

XXIUnbridledInwakingandsleepinghoursMadelineHammondcouldnotreleaseherselffromthethrallingmemoryofthattragedy。ShewashauntedbyMontyPrice\'sterriblesmile。Onlyinactionofsomekindcouldsheescape；andtothatendsheworked，shewalkedandrode。Sheevenovercameastrongfeeling，whichshefearedwasunreasonabledisgust，fortheMexicangirlBonita，wholayillattheranch，bruisedandfeverish，inneedofskilfulnursing。

Madelinefelttherewassomethinginscrutablechanginghersoul。

Thatstrife——thestruggletodecideherdestinyforEastorWest——

heldstillfurtheraloof。Shewasneverspirituallyalone。

Therewasasteponhertrail。Indoorsshewasoppressed。Sherequiredtheopen——thelightandwind，thesightofendlessslope，thesoundsofcorralandpondandfield，physicalthings，naturalthings。

Oneafternoonsherodedowntothealfalfa-fields，roundthem，andbackuptothespillwayofthelowerlake，whereagroupofmesquite-trees，owingtothewaterthatseepedthroughthesandtotheirroots，hadtakenonbloomandbeautyofrenewedlife。

Underthesetreestherewasshadeenoughtomakeapleasantplacetolinger。Madelinedismounted，desiringtorestalittle。Shelikedthisquiet，lonelyspot。Itwasreallytheonlysecludednooknearthehouse。Ifsherodedownintothevalleyorouttothemesaoruponthefoothillsshecouldnotgoalone。ProbablynowStillwellorNelsknewherwhereabouts。Butasshewascomparativelyhiddenhere，sheimaginedasolitudethatwasnotactuallyhers。

Herhorse，Majesty，tossedhisheadandflunghismaneandswitchedhistailattheflies。Hewouldratherhavebeencuttingthewinddownthevalleyslope。Madelinesatwithherbackagainstatree，andtookoffhersombrero。Thesoftbreeze，fanningherhotface，blowingstrandsofherhair，wasrefreshinglycool。Sheheardtheslowtrampofcattlegoingintodrink。Thatsoundceased，andthegroveofmesquitesappearedtobelifeless，exceptforherandherhorse。Itwas，however，onlyaftermomentsofattentionthatshefoundtheplacewasfarfrombeingdead。Keeneyesandearsbroughtreward。Desertquail，asgrayasthebareearth，weredustingthemselvesinashadyspot。Abee，swiftaslight，hummedby。Shesawahornedtoad，thecolorofstone，squattinglow，hidingfearfullyinthesandwithinreachofherwhip。Sheextendedthepointofthewhip，andthetoadquiveredandswelledandhissed。Itwasinstinctwithfight。Thewindfaintlystirredthethinfoliageofthemesquites，makingamournfulsigh。Fromfarupinthefoothills，barelydistinguishable，camethescreamofaneagle。

Thebrayofaburrobroughtabrief，discordantbreak。Thenabrownbirddarteddownfromanunseenperchandmadeaswift，irregularflightafteraflutteringwingedinsect。Madelineheardthesharpsnappingofamercilessbeak。Indeed，therewasmorethanlifeintheshadeofthemesquites。

SuddenlyMajestypickeduphislongearsandsnorted。ThenMadelineheardaslowpadofhoofs。Ahorsewasapproachingfromthedirectionofthelake。Madelinehadlearnedtobewary，and，mountingMajesty，sheturnedhimtowardtheopen。Amomentlatershefeltgladofhercaution，for，lookingbackbetweenthetrees，shesawStewartleadingahorseintothegrove。Shewouldasliefhavemetaguerrillaasthiscowboy。

Majestyhadbrokenintoatrotwhenashrillwhistlerenttheair。Thehorseleapedand，wheelingsoswiftlythathenearlyunseatedMadeline，hechargedbackstraightforthemesquites。

Madelinespoketohim，criedangrilyathim，pulledwithallherstrengthuponthebridle，butwashelplesslyunabletostophim。

Hewhistledapiercingblast。MadelinerealizedthenthatStewart，hisoldmaster，hadcalledhimandthatnothingcouldturnhim。Shegaveuptrying，andattendedtotheurgentneedofinterceptingmesquiteboughsthatMajestythrashedintomotion。

Thehorsethumpedintoanaislebetweenthetreesand，stoppingbeforeStewart，whinniedeagerly。

Madeline，notknowingwhattoexpect，hadnottimeforanyfeelingbutamaze。AquickglanceshowedherStewartinroughgarb，dressedforthetrail，andleadingawiryhorse，saddledandpacked。WhenStewart，withoutlookingather，puthisarmaroundMajesty\'sneckandlaidhisfaceagainsttheflowingmaneMadeline\'sheartsuddenlybegantobeatwithunwontedquickness。

Stewartseemedoblivioustoherpresence。Hiseyeswereclosed。

Hisdarkfacesoftened，lostitshardnessandfiercenessandsadness，andforaninstantbecamebeautiful。

Madelineinstantlydivinedwhathisactionmeant。Hewasleavingtheranch；thiswashisgood-bytohishorse。Howstrange，sad，finewasthislovebetweenmanandbeast！AdimnessconfusedMadeline\'seyes；shehurriedlybrusheditaway，anditcamehackwetandblurring。Sheavertedherface，ashamedofthetearsStewartmightsee。Shewassorryforhim。Hewasgoingaway，andthistime，judgingfromthenatureofhisfarewelltohishorse，itwastobeforever。LikeastabfromacoldbladeapainshotthroughMadeline\'sheart。Thewonderofit，theincomprehensibilityofit，theutternewnessandstrangenessofthissharppainthatnowleftbehindadullpang，madeherforgetStewart，hersurroundings，everythingexcepttosearchherheart。

Maybeherewasthesecretthathadeludedher。Shetrembledonthebrinkofsomethingunknown。Insomestrangewaytheemotionbroughtbackhergirlhood。Hermindrevolvedswiftqueriesandreplies；shewasliving，feeling，learning；happinessmockedatherfrombehindabarreddoor，andthebarofthatdoorseemedtobeaninexplicablepain。Thenlikelightningstrokesshotthequestions：Whyshouldpainhideherhappiness？Whatwasherhappiness？Whatrelationhadittothisman？Whyshouldshefeelstrangelyabouthisdeparture？Andthevoiceswithinherweresilenced，stunned，unanswered。

"Iwanttotalktoyou，"saidStewart。

Madelinestarted，turnedtohim，andnowshesawtheearlierStewart，themanwhoremindedheroftheirfirstmeetingatElCajon，ofthatmemorablemeetingatChiricahua。

"Iwanttoaskyousomething，"hewenton。"I\'vebeenwantingtoknowsomething。That\'swhyI\'vehungonhere。Youneverspoketome，nevernoticedme，nevergavemeachancetoaskyou。ButnowI\'mgoingover——overtheborder。AndIwanttoknow。Whydidyourefusetolistentome？"

Athislastwordsthathotshame，tenfoldmorestiflingthanwhenithadbeforehumiliatedMadeline，rushedoverher，sendingthescarletinawavetohertemples。Itseemedthathiswordsmadeherrealizeshewasactuallyfacetofacewithhim，thatsomehowashameshewouldratherhavediedthanrevealedwasbeingliberated。Bitingherlipstoholdbackspeech，shejerkedonMajesty\'sbridle，struckhimwithherwhip，spurredhim。

Stewart\'sironarmheldthehorse。ThenMadeline，inaflashofpassion，struckatStewart\'sface，missedit，struckagain，andhit。Withonepull，almostdrawingherfromthesaddle，hetorethewhipfromherhands。Itwasnotthatactiononhispart，orthesuddenstrongmasterfulnessofhislook，somuchasthelividmarkonhisfacewherethewhiphadlashedthatquieted，ifitdidnotcheck，herfury。

That\'snothing，"hesaid，withsomethingofhisoldaudacity。

"That\'snothingtohowyou\'vehurtme。"

Madelinebattledwithherselfforcontrol。Thismanwouldnotbedenied。Neverbeforehadthehardnessofhisface，theflintyhardnessofthesedesert-bredmen，sostruckherwithitsrevelationoftheunbridledspirit。Helookedstern，haggard，bitter。Thedarkshadewaschangingtogray——thegraytoash-colorofpassion。Abouthimnowtherewasonlytheghostofthatfiner，gentlermanshehadhelpedtobringintobeing。Thepiercingdarkeyeshebentuponherburnedher，wentthroughherasifhewerelookingintohersoul。ThenMadeline\'squicksightcaughtafleetingdoubt，awistfulness，asurprisedandsaddenedcertaintyinhiseyes，sawitshadeandpassaway。Herwoman\'sintuition，askeenashersight，toldherStewartinthatmomenthadsustainedashockofbitter，finaltruth。

Forthethirdtimeherepeatedhisquestiontoher。Madelinedidnotanswer；shecouldnotspeak。

"Youdon\'tknowIloveyou，doyou？"hecontinued，passionately。

"ThateversinceyoustoodbeforemeinthatholeatChiricahuaI\'velovedyou？Youcan\'tseeI\'vebeenanotherman，lovingyou，workingforyou，livingforyou？Youwon\'tbelieveI\'veturnedmybackontheoldwildlife，thatI\'vebeendecentandhonorableandhappyanduseful——yourkindofacowboy？Youcouldn\'ttell，thoughIlovedyou，thatIneverwantedyoutoknowit，thatI

neverdaredtothinkofyouexceptasmyangel，myholyVirgin？

Whatdoyouknowofaman\'sheartandsoul？Howcouldyoutellofthelove，thesalvationofamanwho\'slivedhislifeinthesilenceandloneliness？Whocouldteachyoutheactualtruth——

thatawildcowboy，faithlesstomotherandsister，exceptinmemory，ridingahard，drunkentrailstraighttohell；hadlookedintotheface，theeyesofabeautifulwomaninfinitelybeyondhim，abovehim，andhadsolovedherthathewassaved——thathebecamefaithfulagain——thathesawherfaceineveryflowerandhereyesintheblueheaven？Whocouldtellyou，whenatnightI

stoodaloneundertheseWesternstars，howdeepinmysoulIwasgladjusttobealive，tobeabletodosomethingforyou，tobenearyou，tostandbetweenyouandworry，trouble，danger，tofeelsomehowthatIwasapart，justalittlepartoftheWestyouhadcometolove？"

Madelinewasmute。Sheheardherheartthunderinginherears。

Stewartleapedather。Hispowerfulhandclosedonherarm。Shetrembled。Hisactionpresagedtheoldinstinctiveviolence。

"No；butyouthinkIkeptBonitaupinthemountains，thatIwentsecretlytomeether，thatallthewhileIservedyouIwas——Oh，Iknowwhatyouthink！Iknownow。IneverknewtillImadeyoulookatme。Now，sayit！Speak！"

White-hot，blinded，utterlyinthefierygraspofpassion，powerlesstostemtherushofawordbothshamefulandrevealingandfatal，Madelinecried：

"YES！"

Hehadwrenchedthatwordfromher，buthewasnotsubtleenough，notversedinthemysteryofwoman\'smotiveenough，todivinethedeepsignificanceofherreply。

Forhimthewordhadonlyliteralmeaningconfirmingthedishonorinwhichsheheldhim。Droppingherarm，heshrankback，astrangeactionforthesavageandcrudemanshejudgedhimtobe。

"ButthatdayatChiricahuayouspokeoffaith，"heburstout。

"Yousaidthegreatestthingintheworldwasfaithinhumannature。Yousaidthefinestmenhadbeenthosewhohadfallenlowandhadrisen。Yousaidyouhadfaithinme！Youmademehavefaithinmyself！"

Hisreproach，withoutbitternessorscorn，wasalashtoheroldegoisticbeliefinherfairness。Shehadpreachedabeautifulprinciplethatshehadfailedtoliveupto。Sheunderstoodhisrebuke，shewonderedandwavered，buttheaffronttoherpridehadbeentoogreat，thetumultwithinherbreasthadbeentoostartlinglyfierce；shecouldnotspeak，themomentpassed，andwithithisbrief，ruggedsplendorofsimplicity。

"YouthinkIamvile，"hesaid。"YouthinkthataboutBonita！

AndallthetimeI\'vebeen……Icouldmakeyouashamed——I

couldtellyou——"

Hispassionateutteranceceasedwithasnapofhisteeth。Hislipssetinathin，bitterline。Theagitationofhisfaceprecededaconvulsivewrestlingofhisshoulders。Allthisswiftactiondenotedaninnercombat，anditnearlyoverwhelmedhim。

"No，no！"hepanted。Wasithisanswertosomemightytemptation？Then，likeabentsaplingreleased，hesprangerect。

"ButI\'llbetheman——thedog——youthinkme！"

Helaidholdofherarmwithrude，powerfulclutch。Onepulldrewherslidinghalfoutofthesaddleintohisarms。Shefellwithherbreastagainsthis，notwhollyfreeofstirrupsorhorse，andthereshehung，utterlypowerless。Maddened，writhing，shetoretoreleaseherself。Allshecouldaccomplishwastotwistherself，raiseherselfhighenoughtoseehisface。Thatalmostparalyzedher。Didhemeantokillher？Thenhewrappedhisarmsaroundherandcrushedhertighter，closertohim。Shefeltthepoundofhisheart；herownseemedtohavefrozen。Thenhepressedhisburninglipstohers。Itwasalong，terriblekiss。

Shefelthimshake。

"Oh，Stewart！I——implore——you——let——me——go！"shewhispered。

Hiswhitefaceloomedoverhers。Sheclosedhereyes。Herainedkissesuponherface，butnomoreuponhermouth。Onherclosedeyes，herhair，hercheeks，herneckhepressedswiftlips——lipsthatlosttheirfireandgrewcold。Thenhereleasedher，and，liftingandrightingherinthesaddle，hestillheldherarmtokeepherfromfalling。

ForamomentMadelinesatonherhorsewithshuteyes。Shedreadedthelight。

"Nowyoucan\'tsayyou\'veneverbeenkissed，"Stewartsaid。Hisvoiceseemedalongwayoff。"Butthatwascomingtoyou，sobegame。Here！"

Shefeltsomethinghardandcoldandmetallicthrustintoherhand。Hemadeherfingerscloseoverit，holdit。Thefeelofthethingrevivedher。Sheopenedhereyes。Stewarthadgivenherhisgun。Hestoodwithhisbroadbreastagainstherknee，andshelookeduptoseethatoldmockingsmileonhisface。

"Goahead！Throwmygunonme！Beathoroughbred！"

Madelinedidnotyetgrasphismeaning。

"Youcanputmedowninthatquietplaceonthehill——besideMontyPrice。"

Madelinedroppedthegunwithashudderingcryofhorror。Thesenseofhiswords，thememoryofMonty，thecertaintythatshewouldkillStewartifsheheldthegunaninstantlonger，torturedtheself-accusingcryfromher。

Stewartstoopedtopickuptheweapon。

"Youmighthavesavedmeahellofalotoftrouble，"hesaid，withanotherflashofthemockingsmile。"You\'rebeautifulandsweetandproud，butyou\'renothoroughbred！MajestyHammond，adios！"

Stewartleapedforthesaddleofhishorse，andwiththeflyingmountcrashedthroughthemesquitestodisappear。

XXIITheSecretToldIntheshadedseclusionofherroom，buriedfacedowndeepamongthesoftcushionsonhercouch，MadelineHammondlayprostrateandquiveringundertheoutrageshehadsuffered。

Theafternoonworeaway；twilightfell；nightcame；andthenMadelinerosetositbythewindowtoletthecoolwindblowuponherhotface。Shepassedthroughhoursofunintelligibleshameandimpotentrageandfutilestrivingtoreasonawayherdefilement。

Thetrainofbrighteningstarsseemedtomockherwiththeirunattainablepassionlessserenity。Shehadlovedthem，andnowsheimaginedshehatedthemandeverythingconnectedwiththiswild，fateful，andabruptWest。

Shewouldgohome。

EdithWaynehadbeenright；theWestwasnoplaceforMadelineHammond。Thedecisiontogohomecameeasily，naturally，shethought，astheresultofevents。Itcausedhernomentalstrife。Indeed，shefanciedshefeltrelief。Thegreatstars，blinkingwhiteandcoldoverthedarkcrags，lookeddownuponher，and，asalways，aftershehadwatchedthemforawhiletheyenthralledher。"UnderWesternstars，"shemused，thinkingalittlescornfullyoftheromanticdestinytheyhadblazedforheridlesentiment。Buttheywerebeautiful；theywerespeaking；

theyweremocking；theydrewher。"Ah！"shesighed。"Itwillnotbesoveryeasytoleavethem，afterall。"

Madelineclosedanddarkenedthewindow。Shestruckalight。Itwasnecessarytotelltheanxiousservantswhoknockedthatshewaswellandrequirednothing。Asoftsteponthewalkoutsidearrestedher。Whowasthere——NelsorNickSteeleorStillwell？

Whosharedtheguardianshipoverher，nowthatMontyPricewasdeadandthatother——thatsavage——？Itwasmonstrousandunfathomablethatsheregrettedhim。

Thelightannoyedher。Completedarknessfittedherstrangemood。Sheretiredandtriedtocomposeherselftosleep。Sleepforherwasnotamatterofwill。Hercheeksburnedsohotlythatsherosetobathethem。Coldwaterwouldnotalleviatethisburn，andthen，despairingofforgetfulness，shelaydownagainwithashamefulgratitudeforthecloakofnight。Stewart\'skisseswerethere，scorchingherlips，herclosedeyes，herswellingneck。Theypenetrateddeeperanddeeperintoherblood，intoherheart，intohersoul——theterriblefarewellkissesofapassionate，hardenedman。Despitehisbaseness，hehadlovedher。

LateinthenightMadelinefellasleep。Inthemorningshewaspaleandlanguid，butinamentalconditionthatpromisedcomposure。

ItwasconsiderablyafterherregularhourthatMadelinerepairedtoheroffice。Thedoorwasopen，andjustoutside，tippedbackinachair，satStillwell。

"Mawnin\'，MissMajesty，"hesaid，asherosetogreetherwithhisusualcourtesy。Thereweresignsoftroubleinhislinedface。Madelineshrankinwardly，fearinghisoldlamentationsaboutStewart。Thenshesawadusty，raggedponyintheyardandalittleburrodroopingunderaheavypack。Bothanimalsboreevidenceoflong，arduoustravel。

"Towhomdotheybelong？"askedMadeline。

"Themcritters？Why，DannyMains，"repliedStillwell，withacoughthatbetrayedembarrassment。

"DannyMains？"echoedMadeline，wonderingly。

"Wal，Isaidso。"

Stillwellwasindeednothimself。

IsDannyMainshere？"sheasked，insuddencuriosity。

Theoldcattlemannoddedgloomily。

"Yep，he\'shyar，allright。Slopedinfromthehills，an\'heholleredtoseeBonita。He\'slocoed，too，aboutthatlittleblack-eyedhussy。Why，hehardlysaid，\'Howdy，Bill，\'beforehebeguntoaskwildan\'eagerquestions。ItookhimintoseeBonita。He\'sbeentheremore\'nahalf-hournow。"

EvidentlyStillwell\'ssensitivefeelingshadbeenruffled，Madeline\'scuriositychangedtoblankastonishment，whichleftherwithathrillingpremonition。Shecaughtherbreath。A

thousandthoughtsseemedthrongingforclearconceptioninhermind。