下载辰思小说免费APP
"Uncle，herecomesNell，"saidBo，softly。
"Aw！"Theoldcattle-manbreathedhardasheturned。
Helenhurried。Shehadnotexpectedtorememberthisuncle，butonelookintothebrown，beamingface，withtheblueeyesflashing，yetsad，andsherecognizedhim，atthesameinstantrecallinghermother。
Heheldouthisarmstoreceiveher。
"NellAuchinclossalloveragain！"heexclaimed，indeepvoice，ashekissedher。"I\'dhaveknowedyouanywhere！"
"UncleAl！"murmuredHelen。"Irememberyou——thoughIwasonlyfour。"
"Wal，wal，——that\'sfine，"hereplied。"Irememberyoustraddledmykneeonce，an\'yourhairwasbrighter——an\'
curly。Itain\'tneithernow……Sixteenyears！An\'you\'retwentynow？Whatafine，broad-shoulderedgirlyouare！An\'，Nell，you\'rethehandsomestAuchinclossIeverseen！"
Helenfoundherselfblushing，andwithdrewherhandsfromhisasRoysteppedforwardtopayhisrespects。Hestoodbareheaded，leanandtall，withneitherhiscleareyesnorhisstillface，northeprofferedhandexpressinganythingoftheprovenqualityoffidelity，ofachievement，thatHelensensedinhim。
"Howdy，MissHelen？Howdy，Bo？"hesaid。"Youallbothlookfinean\'brown……IreckonIwasshoreslowrustlin\'
youruncleAluphere。ButIwasfiggerin\'you\'dlikeMilt\'scampforawhile。"
"Wesuredid，"repliedBo，archly。
"Aw！"breathedAuchincloss，heavily。"Lemmesetdown。"
HedrewthegirlstotherusticseatDalehadbuiltforthemunderthebigpine。
"Oh，youmustbetired！How——howareyou？"askedHelen，anxiously。
"Tired！Wal，ifIamit\'sjestthishereminit。WhenJoeBeemanrodeinonmewiththetnewsofyou——wal，IjestfergotIwasaworn-outoldhoss。Haven\'tfeltsogoodinyears。Mebbetwosuchyoungan\'prettynieceswillmakeanewmanofme。"
"UncleAl，youlookstrongandwelltome，"saidBo。"Andyoung，too，and——"
"Haw！Haw！Thet\'lldo，"interruptedAl。"Iseethroughyou。
Whatyou\'lldotoUncleAlwillbeaplenty……Yes，girls，I\'mfeelin\'fine。Butstrange——strange！Mebbethet\'smyjoyatseein\'yousafe——safewhenIfearedsothetdamnedgreaserBeasley——"
InHelen\'sgravegazehisfacechangedswiftly——andalltheserriedyearsoftoilandbattleandprivationshowed，withsomethingthatwasnotage，norresignation，yetastragicasboth。
"Wal，nevermindhim——now，"headded，slowly，andthewarmerlightreturnedtohisface。"Dale——comehere。"
Thehuntersteppedcloser。
"IreckonIoweyoumore\'nIcaneverpay，"saidAuchincloss，withanarmaroundeachniece。
"No，Al，youdon\'towemeanythin\'，"returnedDale，thoughtfully，ashelookedaway。
"A-huh！"gruntedAl。"Youhearhim，girls……Nowlisten，youwildhunter。An\'yougirlslisten……Milt，Ineverthoughtyoumuchgood，\'ceptforthewilds。ButIreckonI\'llhavetoswallowthet。Ido。Comin\'tomeasyoudid——
an\'afterbein\'druvoff——keepin\'yourcouncilan\'savin\'
mygirlsfromthethold-up，wal，it\'sthebiggestdealanymaneverdidforme……An\'I\'mashamedofmyhardfeelin\'s，an\'here\'smyhand。"
"Thanks，Al，"repliedDale，withhisfleetingsmile，andhemettheprofferedhand。"Now，willyoubemakin\'camphere？"
"Wal，no。I\'llrestalittle，an\'youcanpackthegirls\'
outfit——thenwe\'llgo。Sureyou\'regoin\'withus？"
"I\'llcallthegirlstobreakfast，"repliedDale，andhemovedawaywithoutansweringAuchincloss\'squery。
HelendivinedthatDaledidnotmeantogodowntoPinewiththem，andtheknowledgegaveherablankfeelingofsurprise。Hadsheexpectedhimtogo？
"Comehere，Jeff，"calledAl，tooneofhismen。
Ashort，bow-leggedhorsemanwithdustygarbandsun-bleachedfacehobbledforthfromthegroup。Hewasnotyoung，buthehadaboyishgrinandbrightlittleeyes。
Awkwardlyhedoffedhisslouchsombrero。
"Jeff，shakehandswithmynieces，"saidAl。"This\'sHelen，an\'yourbossfromnowon。An\'this\'sBo，fershort。HernamewasNancy，butwhenshelayababyinhercradleI
calledherBo-Peep，an\'thename\'sstuck……Girls，thishere\'smyforeman，JeffMulvey，who\'sbeenwithmetwentyyears。"
Theintroductioncausedembarrassmenttoallthreeprincipals，particularlytoJeff。
"Jeff，throwthepacksan\'saddlesferarest，"wasAl\'sordertohisforeman。
"Nell，reckonyou\'llhavefunbossin\'thetoutfit，"chuckledAl。"Noneof\'em\'sgotawife。Lotofscalawagstheyare；nowomenwouldhavethem！"
"Uncle，IhopeI\'llneverhavetobetheirboss，"repliedHelen。
"Wal，you\'regoin\'tobe，rightoff，"declaredAl。"Theyain\'tabadlot，afterall。An\'Igotalikelynewman。"
WiththatheturnedtoBo，and，afterstudyingherprettyface，heasked，inapparentlyseveretone，"DidyousendacowboynamedCarmichaeltoaskmeforajob？"
Bolookedquitestartled。
"Carmichael！Why，Uncle，Ineverheardthatnamebefore，"
repliedBo，bewilderedly。
"A-huh！Reckonedtheyoungrascalwaslyin\'，"saidAuchincloss。"ButIlikedthefellar\'slooksan\'solethimstay。"
Thentherancherturnedtothegroupofloungingriders。
"LasVegas，comehere，"heordered，inaloudvoice。
Helenthrilledatsightofatall，superblybuiltcowboyreluctantlydetachinghimselffromthegroup。Hehadared-bronzeface，younglikeaboy\'s。Helenrecognizedit，andtheflowingredscarf，andtheswinginggun，andtheslow，spur-clinkinggait。NootherthanBo\'sLasVegascowboyadmirer！
ThenHelenflashedalookatBo，whichlookgaveheradelicious，almostirresistibledesiretolaugh。Thatyoungladyalsorecognizedthereluctantindividualapproachingwithflushedanddowncastface。HelenrecordedherfirstexperienceofBo\'sutterdiscomfiture。Boturnedwhitethenredasarose。
"Say，myniecesaidsheneverheardofthenameCarmichael，"
declaredAl，severely，asthecowboyhaltedbeforehim。
Helenknewherunclehadthereputeofdealinghardwithhismen，buthereshewasreassuredandpleasedatthetwinkleinhiseye。
"Shore，boss，Ican\'thelpthet，"drawledthecowboy。"It\'sgoodoldTexasstock。"
Hedidnotappearshamefacednow，butjustascool，easy，clear-eyed，andlazyasthedayHelenhadlikedhiswarmyoungfaceandintentgaze。
"Texas！YoufellarsfromthePanHandlearealwayshollerin\'
Texas。IneverseenthetTexanshadanyoneelsebeat——sayfromMissouri，"returnedAl，testily。
Carmichaelmaintainedadiscreetsilence，andcarefullyavoidedlookingatthegirls。
"Wal，reckonwe\'llallcallyouLasVegas，anyway，"
continuedtherancher。"Didn\'tyousaymyniecesentyoutomeforajob？"
WhereuponCarmichael\'seasymannervanished。
"Now，boss，shoremymemory\'spore，"hesaid。"Ionlysays——"
"Don\'ttellmethet。Mymemory\'snotp-o-r-e，"repliedAl，mimickingthedrawl。"Whatyousaidwasthetmyniecewouldspeakagoodwordforyou。"
HereCarmichaelstoleatimidglanceatBo，theresultofwhichwastorenderhimutterlycrestfallen。NotimprobablyhehadtakenBo\'sexpressiontomeansomethingitdidnot，forHelenreaditasaminglingofconsternationandfright。
Hereyeswerebigandblazing；aredspotwasgrowingineachcheekasshegatheredstrengthfromhisconfusion。
"Well，didn\'tyou？"demandedAl。
FromtheglancetheoldranchershotfromthecowboytotheothersofhisemployitseemedtoHelenthattheywerehavingfunatCarmichael\'sexpense。
"Yes，sir，Idid，"suddenlyrepliedthecowboy。
"A-huh！Allright，here\'smyniece。Nowseethetshespeaksthegoodword。"
CarmichaellookedatBoandBolookedathim。Theirglanceswerestrange，wondering，andtheygrewshy。Bodroppedhers。
Thecowboyapparentlyforgotwhathadbeendemandedofhim。
Helenputahandontheoldrancher\'sarm。
"Uncle，whathappenedwasmyfault，"shesaid。"ThetrainstoppedatLasVegas。Thisyoungmansawusattheopenwindow。Hemusthaveguessedwewerelonely，homesickgirls，gettinglostintheWest。Forhespoketous——niceandfriendly。Heknewofyou。Andheasked，inwhatItookforfun，ifwethoughtyouwouldgivehimajob。AndIreplied，justtoteaseBo，thatshewouldsurelyspeakagoodwordforhim。"
"Haw！Haw！Sothet\'sit，"repliedAl，andheturnedtoBowithmerryeyes。"Wal，IkeptthishereLasVegasCarmichaelonhissay-so。Comeonwithyourgoodword，unlessyouwanttoseehimlosehisjob。"
Bodidnotgraspheruncle\'sbantering，becauseshewasseriouslygazingatthecowboy。Butshehadgraspedsomething。
"He——hewasthefirstperson——outWest——tospeakkindlytous，"shesaid，facingheruncle。
"Wal，thet\'saprettygoodword，butitain\'tenough，"
respondedAl。
Subduedlaughtercamefromthelisteninggroup。Carmichaelshiftedfromsidetoside。
"He——helooksasifhemightrideahorsewell，"venturedBo。
"BesthossmanIeverseen，"agreedAl，heartily。
"And——andshoot？"addedBo，hopefully。
"Bo，hepacksthetgunlow，likeJimWilsonan\'allthemTexasgun-fighters。Reckonthetain\'tnogoodword。"
"Then——I\'llvouchforhim，"saidBo，withfinality。
"Thetsettlesit。"Auchinclossturnedtothecowboy。"LasVegas，you\'reastrangertous。Butyou\'rewelcometoaplaceintheoutfitan\'Ihopeyouwon\'tneverdisappointus。"
Auchincloss\'stone，passingfromjesttoearnest，betrayedtoHelentheoldrancher\'sneedofnewandtruemen，andhintedoftryingdaystocome。
CarmichaelstoodbeforeBo，sombreroinhand，rollingitroundandround，manifestlyburstingwithwordshecouldnotspeak。Andthegirllookedveryyoungandsweetwithherflushedfaceandshiningeyes。Helensawinthemomentmorethanthatlittleby-playofconfusion。
"Miss——MissRayner——Ishore——amobliged，"hestammered，presently。
"You\'reverywelcome，"shereplied，softly。"I——Igotonthenexttrain，"headded。
WhenhesaidthatBowaslookingstraightathim，butsheseemednottohaveheard。
"What\'syourname？"suddenlysheasked。
"Carmichael。"
"Iheardthat。Butdidn\'tunclecallyouLasVegas？"
"Shore。Butitwasn\'tmyfault。Thetcow-punchin\'outfitsaddleditonme，rightoff。TheyDon\'tknownobetter。
ShoreIjestwon\'tanswertothethandle……Now——MissBo——myrealnameisTom。"
"Isimplycouldnotcallyou——anynamebutLasVegas，"
repliedBo，verysweetly。
"But——beggin\'yourpardon——I——Idon\'tlikethet，"
blusteredCarmichael。
"Peopleoftengetcallednames——theydon\'tlike，"shesaid，withdeepintent。
Thecowboyblushedscarlet。HelenaswellashegotBo\'sinferencetothatlastaudaciousepithethehadboldlycalledoutasthetrainwasleavingLasVegas。ShealsosensedsomethingofthedisasterinstoreforMr。
Carmichael。JustthentheembarrassedyoungmanwassavedbyDale\'scalltothegirlstocometobreakfast。
Thatmeal，thelastforHeleninParadisePark，gaverisetoastrangeandinexplicablerestraint。Shehadlittletosay。
Bowasinthehighestspirits，teasingthepets，jokingwithheruncleandRoy，andevenpokingfunatDale。Thehunterseemedsomewhatsomber。Roywashisusualdry，genialself。
AndAuchincloss，whosatnearby，wasaninterestedspectator。WhenTomputinanappearance，loungingwithhisfelinegraceintothecamp，asifheknewhewasaprivilegedpet，theranchercouldscarcelycontainhimself。
"Dale，it\'sthetdamncougar！"heejaculated。
"Sure，that\'sTom。"
"Heoughttobecorralledorchained。I\'venouseforcougars，"protestedAl。
"Tomisastamean\'safeasakitten。"
"A-huh！Wal，youtellthettothegirlsifyoulike。Butnotme！I\'manoldhoss，Iam。"
"UncleAl，Tomsleepscurledupatthefootofmybed，"saidBo。
"Aw——what？"
"HonestInjun，"sheresponded。"Well，isn\'titso？"
Helensmilinglynoddedhercorroboration。ThenBocalledTomtoherandmadehimliewithhisheadonhisstretchedpaws，rightbesideher，andbegforbitstoeat。
"Wal！I\'dneverhavebelievedthet！"exclaimedAl，shakinghisbighead。"Dale，it\'soneonme。I\'vehadthembigcatsfollermeonthetrails，throughthewoods，moonlightan\'
dark。An\'I\'veheard\'emletoutthetawfulcry。Theyain\'tanywildsoundonearththetcanbeatacougar\'s。DoesthisTomeverletoutoneofthemwails？"
"Sometimesatnight，"repliedDale。
"Wal，excuseme。Hopeyoudon\'tfetchtheyallerrascaldowntoPine。"
"Iwon\'t。"
"What\'llyoudowiththismenagerie？"
Daleregardedtherancherattentively。"Reckon，Al，I\'lltakecareofthem。"
"Butyou\'regoin\'downtomyranch。"
"Whatfor？"
Alscratchedhisheadandgazedperplexedlyatthehunter。
"Wal，ain\'titcustomarytovisitfriends？"
"Thanks，Al。NexttimeIridedownPineway——inthespring，perhaps——I\'llrunoveran\'seehowyouare。"
"Spring！"ejaculatedAuchincloss。Thenheshookhisheadsadlyandafar-awaylookfilmedhiseyes。"Reckonyou\'dcallsomelate。"
"Al，you\'llgetwellnow。These，girls——now——they\'llcureyou。ReckonIneversawyoulooksogood。"
Auchinclossdidnotpresshispointfartheratthattime，butafterthemeal，whentheothermencametoseeDale\'scampandpets，Helen\'squickearscaughttherenewalofthesubject。
"I\'maskin\'you——willyoucome？"Auchinclosssaid，lowandeagerly。
"No。Iwouldn\'tfitindownthere，"repliedDale。
"Milt，talksense。Youcan\'tgoonforeverhuntin\'bearan\'
tamin\'cats，"protestedtheoldrancher。
"Whynot？"askedthehunter，thoughtfully。
Auchinclossstoodupand，shakinghimselfasiftowardoffhistestytemper，heputahandonDale\'sarm。
"Onereasonisyou\'reneededinPine。"
"How？Whoneedsme？"
"Ido。I\'mplayin\'outfast。An\'Beasley\'smyenemy。Theranchan\'allIgotwillgotoNell。Thetranchwillhavetoberunbyamanan\'HELDbyaman。Doyousavvy？It\'sabigjob。An\'I\'mofferin\'tomakeyoumyforemanrightnow。"
"Al，yousortoftakemybreath，"repliedDale。"An\'I\'msuregrateful。Butthefactis，evenifIcouldhandlethejob，I——Idon\'tbelieveI\'dwantto。"
"Makeyourselfwantto，then。Thet\'dsooncome。You\'dgetinterested。Thiscountrywilldevelop。Iseenthetyearsago。Thegovernmentisgoin\'tochasetheApachesoutofhere。Soonhomesteaderswillbeflockin\'in。Bigfuture，Dale。Youwanttogetinnow。An\'——"
HereAuchinclosshesitated，thenspokelower：
"An\'takeyourchancewiththegirl！……I\'llbeonyourside。"
AslightvibratingstartranoverDale\'sstalwartform。
"Al——you\'replumbdotty！"heexclaimed。
"Dotty！Me？Dotty！"ejaculatedAuchincloss。Thenheswore。
"InaminitI\'lltellyouwhatyouare。"
"But，Al，thattalk\'sso——so——likeanoldfool\'s。"
"Huh！An\'whyso？"
"Becausethat——wonderfulgirlwouldneverlookatme，"
Dalereplied，simply。
"Iseenherlookin\'already，"declaredAl，bluntly。
Daleshookhisheadasifarguingwiththeoldrancherwashopeless。
"Nevermindthet，"wentonAl。"MebbeIamadottyoldfool——\'speciallyfortakin\'ashinetoyou。ButIsayagain——
willyoucomedowntoPineandbemyforeman？"
"No，"repliedDale。
"Milt，I\'venoson——an\'I\'m——afraidofBeasley。"Thiswasutteredinanagitatedwhisper。
"Al，youmakemeashamed，"saidDale，hoarsely。"Ican\'tcome。I\'venonerve。"
"You\'venowhat？"
"Al，Idon\'tknowwhat\'swrongwithme。ButI\'mafraidI\'dfindoutifIcamedownthere。"
"A-huh！It\'sthegirl！"
"Idon\'tknow，butI\'mafraidso。An\'Iwon\'tcome。"
"Awyes，youwill——"
Helenrosewithbeatingheartandtinglingears，andmovedawayoutofhearing。Shehadlistenedtoolongtowhathadnotbeenintendedforherears，yetshecouldnotbesorry。
Shewalkedafewrodsalongthebrook，outfromunderthepines，and，standingintheopenedgeofthepark，shefeltthebeautifulscenestillheragitation。Thefollowingmoments，then，werethehappiestshehadspentinParadisePark，andtheprofoundestofherwholelife。
Presentlyherunclecalledher。
"Nell，thisherehunterwantstogiveyouthetblackhoss。
An\'Isayyoutakehim。"
"RangerdeservesbettercarethanIcangivehim，"saidDale。"Herunsfreeinthewoodsmostofthetime。I\'dbeobligedifshe\'dhavehim。An\'thehound，Pedro，too。"
BosweptasaucyglancefromDaletohersister。
"Sureshe\'llhaveRanger。JustofferhimtoME！"
Dalestoodthereexpectantly，holdingablanketinhishand，readytosaddlethehorse。CarmichaelwalkedaroundRangerwiththatappraisingeyesokeenincowboys。
"LasVegas，doyouknowanythingabouthorses？"askedBo。
"Me！Wal，ifyoueverbuyortradeahossyoushorehavemethere，"repliedCarmichael。
"WhatdoyouthinkofRanger？"wentonBo。
"ShoreI\'dbuyhimsudden，ifIcould。"
"Mr。LasVegas，you\'retoolate，"assertedHelen，assheadvancedtolayahandonthehorse。
"Rangerismine。"
Dalesmoothedouttheblanketand，foldingit，hethrewitoverthehorse；andthenwithonepowerfulswinghesetthesaddleinplace。
"Thankyouverymuchforhim，"saidHelen，softly。
"You\'rewelcome，an\'I\'msureglad，"respondedDale，andthen，afterafewdeft，strongpullsatthestraps，hecontinued。"There，he\'sreadyforyou。"
Withthathelaidanarmoverthesaddle，andfacedHelenasshestoodpattingandsmoothingRanger。Helen，strongandcalmnow，infemininepossessionofhersecretandhis，aswellashercomposure，lookedfranklyandsteadilyatDale。
Heseemedcomposed，too，yetthebronzeofhisfinefacewasatriflepale。
"ButIcan\'tthankyou——I\'llneverbeabletorepayyou——
foryourservicetomeandmysister，"saidHelen。
"Ireckonyouneedn\'ttry，"Dalereturned。"An\'myservice，asyoucallit，hasbeengoodforme。"
"AreyougoingdowntoPinewithus？"
"No。"
"Butyouwillcomesoon？"
"Notverysoon，Ireckon，"hereplied，andavertedhisgaze。
"When？"
"Hardlybeforespring。"
"Spring？……Thatisalongtime。Won\'tyoucometoseemesoonerthanthat？"
"IfIcangetdowntoPine。"
"You\'rethefirstfriendI\'vemadeintheWest，"saidHelen，earnestly。
"You\'llmakemanymore——an\'Ireckonsoonforgethimyoucalledthemanoftheforest。"
"Ineverforgetanyofmyfriends。Andyou\'vebeenthe——
thebiggestfriendIeverhad。"
"I\'llbeproudtoremember。"
"Butwillyouremember——willyoupromisetocometoPine？"
"Ireckon。"
"Thankyou。All\'swell，then……Myfriend，goodby。"
"Good-by，"hesaid，claspingherhand。Hisglancewasclear，warm，beautiful，yetitwassad。
Auchincloss\'sheartyvoicebrokethespell。ThenHelensawthattheothersweremounted。Bohadriddenupclose；herfacewasearnestandhappyandgrievedallatonce，asshebadegood-bytoDale。Thepack-burroswerehobblingalongtowardthegreenslope。Helenwasthelasttomount，butRoywasthelasttoleavethehunter。Pedrocamereluctantly。
Itwasamerry，singingtrainwhichclimbedthatbrownodoroustrail，underthedarkspruces。Helenassuredlywashappy，yetapangabidedinherbreast。
Sherememberedthathalf-wayuptheslopetherewasaturninthetrailwhereitcameoutuponanopenbluff。Thetimeseemedlong，butatlastshegotthere。AndshecheckedRangersoastohaveamoment\'sgazedownintothepark。
Ityawnedthere，adark-greenandbright-goldgulf，asleepunderawesteringsun，exquisite，wild，lonesome。ThenshesawDalestandingintheopenspacebetweenthepinesandthespruces。Hewavedtoher。Andshereturnedthesalute。
Roycaughtupwithherthenandhaltedhishorse。HewavedhissombrerotoDaleandletoutapiercingyellthatawokethesleepingechoes，splittingstrangelyfromclifftocliff。
"ShoreMiltneverknowedwhatitwastobelonesome，"saidRoy，asifthinkingaloud。"Buthe\'llknownow。"
Rangersteppedoutofhisownaccordand，turningofftheledge，enteredthespruceforest。HelenlostsightofParadisePark。Forhoursthensherodealongashady，fragranttrail，seeingthebeautyofcolorandwildness，hearingthemurmurandrushandroarofwater，butallthewhilehermindrevolvedthesweetandmomentousrealizationwhichhadthrilledher——thatthehunter，thisstrangemanoftheforest，sodeeplyversedinnatureandsounfamiliarwithemotion，aloofandsimpleandstrongliketheelementswhichhaddevelopedhim，hadfalleninlovewithheranddidnotknowit。
CHAPTERXV
Dalestoodwithfaceandarmupraised，andhewatchedHelenrideofftheledgetodisappearintheforest。Thatvastspruceslopeseemedtohaveswallowedher。Shewasgone！
SlowlyDaleloweredhisarmwithgestureexpressiveofastrangefinality，aneloquentdespair，ofwhichhewasunconscious。
Heturnedtothepark，tohiscamp，andthemanydutiesofahunter。Theparkdidnotseemthesame，norhishome，norhiswork。
"Ireckonthisfeelin\'snatural，"hesoliloquized，resignedly，"butit\'ssurequeerforme。That\'swhatcomesofmakin\'friends。Nellan\'Bo，now，theymadeadifference，an\'adifferenceIneverknewbefore。"
Hecalculatedthatthisdifferencehadbeensimplyoneofresponsibility，andthenthecharmandlivelinessofthecompanionshipofgirls，andfinallyfriendship。Thesewouldpassnowthatthecauseswereremoved。
Beforehehadworkedanhouraroundcampherealizedachangehadcome，butitwasnottheoneanticipated。Alwaysbeforehehadputhismindonhistasks，whatevertheymightbe；nowheworkedwhilehisthoughtswerestrangelyinvolved。
Thelittlebearcubwhinedathisheels；thetamedeerseemedtoregardhimwithdeep，questioningeyes，thebigcougarpaddedsoftlyhereandthereasifsearchingforsomething。
"Youallmissthem——now——Ireckon，"saidDale。"Well，they\'regonean\'you\'llhavetogetalongwithme。"
Somevagueapproachtoirritationwithhispetssurprisedhim。Presentlyhegrewbothirritatedandsurprisedwithhimself——astateofmindtotallyunfamiliar。Severaltimes，asoldhabitbroughtmomentaryabstraction，hefoundhimselfsuddenlylookingaroundforHelenandBo。Andeachtimetheshockgrewstronger。Theyweregone，buttheirpresencelingered。Afterhiscampchoreswerecompletedhewentovertopulldownthelean-towhichthegirlshadutilizedasatent。Thespruceboughshaddriedoutbrownandsear；thewindhadblowntheroofawry；thesideswereleaningin。Astherewasnownofurtheruseforthislittlehabitation，hemightbetterpullitdown。Daledidnotacknowledgethathisgazehadinvoluntarilywanderedtowarditmanytimes。Thereforehestrodeoverwiththeintentionofdestroyingit。
ForthefirsttimesinceRoyandhehadbuiltthelean-tohesteppedinside。Nothingwasmorecertainthanthefactthatheexperiencedastrangesensation，perfectlyincomprehensibletohim。Theblanketslaythereonthespruceboughs，disarrangedandthrownbackbyhurriedhands，yetstillholdingsomethingofroundfoldswheretheslenderformshadnestled。AblackscarfoftenwornbyBolaycoveringthepillowofpine-needles；aredribbonthatHelenhadwornonherhairhungfromatwig。Thesearticleswereallthathadbeenforgotten。Dalegazedatthemattentively，thenattheblankets，andallaroundthefragrantlittleshelter；andhesteppedoutsidewithanuncomfortableknowledgethathecouldnotdestroytheplacewhereHelenandBohadspentsomanyhours。
Whereupon，instudiousmood，Daletookuphisrifleandstrodeouttohunt。Hiswintersupplyofvenisonhadnotyetbeenlaidin。Actionsuitedhismood；heclimbedfarandpassedbymanyawatchingbucktoslaywhichseemedmurder；
atlasthejumpedonethatwaswildandboundedaway。Thisheshot，andsethimselfaHerculeantaskinpackingthewholecarcassbacktocamp。Burdenedthus，bestaggeredunderthetrees，sweatingfreely，manytimeslaboringforbreath，achingwithtoil，untilatlasthehadreachedcamp。
Thereheslidthedeercarcassoffhisshoulders，and，standingoverit，hegazeddownwhilehisbreastlabored。Itwasoneofthefinestyoungbuckshehadeverseen。Butneitherinstalkingit，normakingawonderfulshot，norinpackinghomeaweightthatwouldhaveburdenedtwomen，noringazingdownathisbeautifulquarry，didDaleexperienceanyoftheoldjoyofthehunter。
"I\'malittleoffmyfeed，"hemused，ashewipedsweatfromhisheatedface。"Maybealittledotty，asIcalledAl。Butthat\'llpass。"
Whateverhisstate，itdidnotpass。Asofold，afteralongday\'shunt，hereclinedbesidethecamp-fireandwatchedthegoldensunsetglowschangeontheramparts；asofoldhelaidahandonthesoft，furryheadofthepetcougar；asofoldhewatchedthegoldchangetoredandthentodark，andtwilightfalllikeablanket；asofoldhelistenedtothedreamy，lullingmurmurofthewaterfall。Theoldfamiliarbeauty，wildness，silence，andlonelinesswerethere，buttheoldcontentseemedstrangelygone。
Soberlyheconfessedthenthathemissedthehappycompanyofthegirls。HedidnotdistinguishHelenfromBoinhisslowintrospection。Whenhesoughthisbedhedidnotatoncefalltosleep。Always，afterafewmomentsofwakefulness，whilethesilencesettleddownorthewindmoanedthroughthepines，hehadfallenasleep。Thisnighthefounddifferent。Thoughhewastired，sleepwouldnotsooncome。Thewilderness，themountains，thepark，thecamp——allseemedtohavelostsomething。Eventhedarknessseemedempty。AndwhenatlengthDalefellasleepitwastobetroubledbyrestlessdreams。
Upwiththekeen-edged，steely-brightdawn，hewentatthehistaskswiththespringystrideofthedeer-stalker。
Attheendofthatstrenuousday，whichwassingularlyfulloftheoldexcitementandactionanddanger，andofnewobservations，hewasboundtoconfessthatnolongerdidthechasesufficeforhim。
Manytimesontheheightsthatday，withthewindkeeninhisface，andthevastgreenbillowsofsprucebelowhim，hehadfoundthatbewasgazingwithoutseeing，haltingwithoutobject，dreamingashehadneverdreamedbefore。
Once，whenamagnificentelkcameoutuponarockyridgeand，whistlingachallengetoinvisiblerivals，stoodthereatargettostiranyhunter\'spulse，Daledidnotevenraisehisrifle。IntohisearjustthenrangHelen\'svoice："MiltDale，youarenoIndian。Givingyourselftoahunter\'swildlifeisselfish。Itiswrong。Youlovethislonelylife，butitisnotwork。Workthatdoesnothelpothersisnotarealman\'swork。"
Fromthatmomentconsciencetormentedhim。Itwasnotwhatheloved，butwhatheoughttodo，thatcountedinthesumofgoodachievedintheworld。OldAlAuchinclosshadbeenright。DalewaswastingstrengthandintelligencethatshouldgotodohisshareinthedevelopmentoftheWest。
Nowthathehadreachedmaturity，ifthroughhisknowledgeofnature\'slawhehadcometoseethemeaningofthestrifeofmenforexistence，forplace，forpossession，andtoholdthemincontempt，thatwasnoreasonwhyheshouldkeephimselfalooffromthem，fromsomeworkthatwasneededinanincomprehensibleworld。
Daledidnothatework，buthelovedfreedom。Tobealone，tolivewithnature，tofeeltheelements，tolaboranddreamandidleandclimbandsleepunhamperedbyduty，byworry，byrestriction，bythepettyinterestsofmen——thishadalwaysbeenhisidealofliving。Cowboys，riders，sheep-herders，farmers——thesetoiledonfromoneplaceandonejobtoanotherforthelittlemoneydoledouttothem。
Nothingbeautiful，nothingsignificanthadeverexistedinthatforhim。Hehadworkedasaboyateverykindofrange-work，andofallthathumdrumwasteofefforthehadlikedsawingwoodbest。Oncehehadquitajobofbrandingcattlebecausethesmellofburninghide，thebawloftheterrifiedcalf，hadsickenedhim。Ifmenwerehonesttherewouldbenoneedtoscarcattle。Hehadneverintheleastdesiredtoownlandanddrovesofstock，andmakedealswithranchmen，dealsadvantageoustohimself。Whyshouldamanwanttomakeadealortradeahorseordoapieceofworktoanotherman\'sdisadvantage？Self-preservationwasthefirstlawoflife。Butastheplantsandtreesandbirdsandbeastsinterpretedthatlaw，mercilessandinevitableastheywere，theyhadneithergreednordishonesty。Theylivedbythegrandruleofwhatwasbestforthegreatestnumber。
ButDale\'sphilosophy，coldandclearandinevitable，likenatureitself，begantobepiercedbythehumanappealinHelenRayner\'swords。Whatdidshemean？Notthatheshouldlosehisloveofthewilderness，butthatherealizehimself！Manychancewordsofthatgirlhaddepth。Hewasyoung，strong，intelligent，freefromtaintofdiseaseorthefeverofdrink。Hecoulddosomethingforothers。Who？
Ifthatmattered，there，forinstance，waspooroldMrs。
Cass，agedandlamenow；therewasAlAuchincloss，dyinginhisboots，afraidofenemies，andwistfulforhisbloodandhispropertytoreceivethefruitofhislabors；therewerethetwogirls，HelenandBo，newandstrangetotheWest，abouttobeconfrontedbyabigproblemofranchlifeandrivalinterests。DalethoughtofstillmorepeopleinthelittlevillageofPine——ofotherswhohadfailed，whoseliveswerehard，whocouldhavebeenmadehappierbykindnessandassistance。
What，then，wasthedutyofMiltDaletohimself？Becausemenpreyedononeanotherandontheweak，shouldheturnhisbackuponaso-calledcivilizationorshouldhegrowlikethem？Clearasabellcametheanswerthathisdutywastodoneither。AndthenhesawhowthelittlevillageofPine，aswellasthewholeworld，neededmenlikehim。Hehadgonetonature，totheforest，tothewildernessforhisdevelopment；andallthejudgmentsandeffortsofhisfuturewouldbearesultofthateducation。
ThusDale，lyinginthedarknessandsilenceofhislonelypark，arrivedataconclusionthathedivinedwasbutthebeginningofastruggle。
Ittooklongintrospectiontodeterminetheexactnatureofthatstruggle，butatlengthitevolvedintotheparadoxthatHelenRaynerhadopenedhiseyestohisdutyasaman，thatheacceptedit，yetfoundastrangeobstacleintheperplexing，tumultuous，sweetfearofevergoingnearheragain。
Suddenly，then，allhisthoughtrevolvedaroundthegirl，and，thrownoffhisbalance，hewelteredinawildernessofunfamiliarstrangeideas。
Whenheawokenextdaythefightwasoninearnest。Inhissleephismindhadbeenactive。Theideathatgreetedhim，beautifulasthesunrise，flashedinmemoryofAuchincloss\'ssignificantwords，"Takeyourchancewiththegirl！"
Theoldrancherwasinhisdotage。Hehintedofthingsbeyondtherangeofpossibility。ThatideaofachanceforDaleremainedbeforehisconsciousnessonlyaninstant。
Starswereunattainable；lifecouldnotbefathomed；thesecretofnaturedidnotabidealoneontheearth——thesetheorieswerenotanymoreimpossibleofprovingthanthatHelenRaynermightbeforhim。
Nevertheless，herstrangecomingintohislifehadplayedhavoc，theextentofwhichhehadonlybeguntorealize。
Foramonthhetrampedthroughtheforest。ItwasOctober，astillgolden，fulfillingseasonoftheyear；andeverywhereinthevastdarkgreenagloriousblazeofoakandaspenmadebeautifulcontrast。Hecarriedhisrifle，butheneverusedit。Hewouldclimbmilesandgothiswayandthatwithnoobjectinview。Yethiseyeandearhadneverbeenkeener。Hourshewouldspendonapromontory，watching。thedistance，wherethegoldenpatchesofaspenshonebrightoutofdark-greenmountainslopes。Helovedtoflinghimselfdowninanaspen-groveattheedgeofasenaca，andtherelieinthatradiancelikeaveilofgoldandpurpleandred，withthewhitetree-trunksstripingtheshade。Always，whethertherewerebreezeornot，theaspen-leavesquivered，ceaselessly，wonderfully，likehispulses，beyondhiscontrol。Oftenhereclinedagainstamossyrockbesideamountainstreamtolisten，towatch，tofeelallthatwasthere，whilehismindheldahaunting，dark-eyedvisionofagirl。Onthelonelyheights，likeaneagle，hesatgazingdownintoParadisePark，thatwasmoreandmorebeautiful，butwouldneveragainbethesame，neverfillhimwithcontent，neverbeallandalltohim。
LateinOctoberthefirstsnowfell。Itmeltedatonceonthesouthsideofthepark，butthenorthslopesandtherimsanddomesabovestayedwhite。
Dalehadworkedquickandhardatcuringandstoringhiswintersupplyoffood，andnowhespentdayschoppingandsplittingwoodtoburnduringthemonthshewouldbesnowed-in。Hewatchedforthedark-gray，fast-scuddingstorm-clouds，andwelcomedthemwhentheycame。Oncetherelaytenfeetofsnowonthetrailshewouldbesnowed-inuntilspring。ItwouldbeimpossibletogodowntoPine。Andperhapsduringthelongwinterhewouldbecuredofthisstrange，namelessdisorderofhisfeelings。
Novemberbroughtstormsuponthepeaks。Flurriesofsnowfellintheparkeveryday，butthesunnysouthside，whereDale\'scamplay，retaineditsautumnalcolorandwarmth。Nottilllateinwinterdidthesnowcreepoverthissecludednook。
Themorningcameatlast，piercinglykeenandbright，whenDalesawthattheheightswereimpassable；therealizationbroughthimapoignantregret。HehadnotguessedhowhehadwantedtoseeHelenRayneragainuntilitwastoolate。Thatopenedhiseyes。Aragingfrenzyofactionfollowed，inwhichheonlytiredhimselfphysicallywithouthelpinghimselfspiritually。
Itwassunsetwhenhefacedthewest，lookingupatthepinksnow-domesandthedark-goldenfringeofspruce，andinthatmomenthefoundthetruth。
"Ilovethatgirl！Ilovethatgirl！"hespokealoud，tothedistantwhitepeaks，tothewinds，tothelonelinessandsilenceofhisprison，tothegreatpinesandtothemurmuringstream，andtohisfaithfulpets。Itwashistragicconfessionofweakness，ofamazingtruth，ofhopelessposition，ofpitifulexcuseforthetransformationwroughtinhim。
Dale\'sstruggleendedtherewhenhefacedhissoul。Tounderstandhimselfwastobereleasedfromstrain，worry，ceaselessimportuningdoubtandwonderandfear。Butthefeverofunrest，ofuncertainty，hadbeennothingcomparedtoasuddenupflashingtormentoflove。
Withsomberdeliberationhesetaboutthetasksneedful，andothersthathemightmake——hiscamp-firesandmeals，thecareofhispetsandhorses，themendingofsaddlesandpack-harness，thecuringofbuckskinformoccasinsandhunting-suits。Sohisdayswerenotidle。Butallthisworkwashabitforhimandneedednoapplicationofmind。
AndDale，likesomemenoflonelywildernessliveswhodidnotretrogradetowardthesavage，wasathinker。Lovemadehimasufferer。
Thesurpriseandshameofhisunconscioussurrender，thecertainhopelessnessofit，thelongyearsofcommunionwithallthatwaswild，lonely，andbeautiful，thewonderfullydevelopedinsightintonature\'ssecrets，andthesudden-dawningrevelationthathewasnoomniscientbeingexemptfromtheruthlessordinarydestinyofman——alltheseshowedhimthestrengthofhismanhoodandofhispassion，andthatthelifehehadchosenwasofalllivestheonecalculatedtomakelovesadandterrible。
HelenRaynerhauntedhim。Inthesunlighttherewasnotaplacearoundcampwhichdidnotpictureherlithe，vigorousbody，herdark，thoughtfuleyes，hereloquent，resolutelips，andthesmilethatwassosweetandstrong。Atnightshewastherelikeaslenderspecter，pacingbesidehimunderthemoaningpines。Everycamp-fireheldinitshearttheglowingwhiteradianceofherspirit。
NaturehadtaughtDaletolovesolitudeandsilence，butloveitselftaughthimtheirmeaning。Solitudehadbeencreatedfortheeagleonhiscrag，fortheblastedmountainfir，lonelyandgnarledonitspeak，fortheelkandthewolf。Butithadnotbeenintendedforman。Andtolivealwaysinthesilenceofwildplaceswastobecomeobsessedwithself——tothinkanddream——tobehappy，whichstate，howeverpursuedbyman，wasnotgoodforhim。Manmustbegivenimperiouslongingsfortheunattainable。
Itneeded，then，onlythememoryofanunattainablewomantorendersolitudepassionatelydesiredbyaman，yetalmostunendurable。Dalewasalonewithhissecret；andeverypine，everythinginthatparksawhimshakenandundone。
Inthedark，pitchydeadnessofnight，whentherewasnowindandthecoldonthepeakshadfrozenthewaterfall，thenthesilenceseemedinsupportable。Manyhoursthatshouldhavebeengiventoslumberwerepacedoutunderthecold，white，pitilessstars，underthelonelypines。
Dale\'smemorybetrayedhim，mockedhisrestraint，cheatedhimofanypeace；andhisimagination，sharpenedbylove，createdpictures，fancies，feelings，thatdrovehimfrantic。
HethoughtofHelenRayner\'sstrong，shapelybrownhand。Inathousanddifferentactionsithauntedhim。Howquickanddeftincamp-firetasks！howgracefulandswiftassheplaitedherdarkhair！howtenderandskilfulinitsministrationwhenoneofhispetshadbeeninjured！howeloquentwhenpressedtightagainstherbreastinamomentoffearonthedangerousheights！howexpressiveofunutterablethingswhenlaidonhisarm！
Dalesawthatbeautifulhandslowlycreepuphisarm，acrosshisshoulder，andslideroundhisnecktoclaspthere。Hewaspowerlesstoinhibitthepicture。Andwhathefeltthenwasboundless，unutterable。Nowomanhadeveryetsomuchasclaspedhishand，andheretoforenosuchimaginingshadevercrossedhismind，yetdeepinhim，somewherehidden，hadbeenthiswaiting，sweet，andimperiousneed。Inthebrightdayheappearedtowardoffsuchfancies，butatnighthewashelpless。Andeveryfancylefthimweaker，wilder。
When，attheculminationofthisphaseofhispassion，Dale，whohadneverknownthetouchofawoman\'slips，suddenlyyieldedtotheillusionofHelenRayner\'skisses，hefoundhimselfquitemad，filledwithraptureanddespair，lovingherashehatedhimself。Itseemedasifhehadexperiencedalltheseterriblefeelingsinsomeformerlifeandhadforgottentheminthislife。Hehadnorighttothinkofher，buthecouldnotresistit。Imaginingthesweetsurrenderofherlipswasasacrilege，yethere，inspiteofwillandhonorandshame，hewaslost。
Dale，atlength，wasvanquished，andheceasedtorailathimself，orrestrainhisfancies。Hebecameadreamy，sad-eyed，camp-firegazer，likemanyanotherlonelyman，separated，bychanceorerror，fromwhatthehearthungeredmostfor。Butthisgreatexperience，whenallitssignificancehadclarifiedinhismind，immeasurablybroadenedhisunderstandingoftheprinciplesofnatureappliedtolife。
Lovehadbeeninhimstrongerthaninmostmen，becauseofhiskeen，vigorous，lonelyyearsintheforest，wherehealthofmindandbodywereintensifiedandpreserved。Howsimple，hownatural，howinevitable！Hemighthavelovedanyfine-spirited，healthy-bodiedgirl。Likeatreeshootingitsbranchesandleaves，itswholeentity，towardthesunlight，sohadhegrowntowardawoman\'slove。Why？Becausethethinghereveredinnature，thespirit，theuniversal，thelifethatwasGod，hadcreatedathisbirthorbeforehisbirththethreetremendousinstinctsofnature——tofightforlife，tofeedhimself，toreproducehiskind。Thatwasalltherewastoit。Butoh！themystery，thebeauty，thetorment，andtheterrorofthisthirdinstinct——thishungerforthesweetnessandthegloryofawoman\'slove！
CHAPTERXVI
HelenRaynerdroppedherknittingintoherlapandsatpensivelygazingoutofthewindowoverthebareyellowrangesofheruncle\'sranch。
Thewinterdaywasbright，butsteely，andthewindthatwhippeddownfromthewhite-cappedmountainshadakeen，frostyedge。Ascantsnowlayinprotectedplaces；cattlestoodbunchedintheleeofridges；lowsheetsofdustscurriedacrosstheflats。
Thebigliving-roomoftheranch-housewaswarmandcomfortablewithitsredadobewalls，itshugestonefireplacewherecedarlogsblazed，anditsmany-coloredblankets。BoRaynersatbeforethefire，curledupinanarmchair，absorbedinabook。OnthefloorlaythehoundPedro，hisracy，fineheadstretchedtowardthewarmth。
"Didunclecall？"askedHelen，withastartoutofherreverie。
"Ididn\'thearhim，"repliedBo。
Helenrosetotiptoeacrossthefloor，and，softlypartingsomecurtains，shelookedintotheroomwhereherunclelay。
Hewasasleep。Sometimeshecalledoutinhisslumbers。Forweeksnowhehadbeenconfinedtohisbed，slowlygrowingweaker。WithasighHelenreturnedtoherwindow-seatandtookupherwork。
"Bo，thesunisbright，"shesaid。"Thedaysaregrowinglonger。I\'msoglad。"
"Nell，you\'realwayswishingtimeaway。Formeitpassesquicklyenough，"repliedthesister。
"ButIlovespringandsummerandfall——andIguessIhatewinter，"returnedHelen，thoughtfully。
Theyellowrangesrolledawayuptotheblackridgesandtheyinturnsweptuptothecold，whitemountains。Helen\'sgazeseemedtogobeyondthatsnowybarrier。AndBo\'skeeneyesstudiedhersister\'searnest，sadface。
"Nell，doyoueverthinkofDale？"shequeried，suddenly。
ThequestionstartledHelen。Aslowblushsuffusedneckandcheek。
"Ofcourse，"shereplied，asifsurprisedthatBoshouldasksuchathing。
"I——Ishouldn\'thaveaskedthat，"saidBo，softly，andthenbentagainoverherbook。
Helengazedtenderlyatthatbright，bowedhead。Inthisswift-flying，eventful，busywinter，duringwhichthemanagementoftheranchhaddevolvedwhollyuponHelen，thelittlesisterhadgrownawayfromher。Bohadinsisteduponherownfreewillandshehadfollowedit，totheamusementofheruncle，totheconcernofHelen，tothedismayandbewildermentofthefaithfulMexicanhousekeeper，andtotheundoingofalltheyoungmenontheranch。
Helenhadalwaysbeenhopingandwaitingforafavorablehourinwhichshemightfindthiswilfulsisteroncemoresusceptibletowiseandlovinginfluence。Butwhileshehesitatedtospeak，slowfootstepsandajingleofspurssoundedwithout，andthencameatimidknock。Bolookedupbrightlyandrantoopenthedoor。
"Oh！It\'sonly——YOU！"sheuttered，inwitheringscorn，totheonewhoknocked。
Helenthoughtshecouldguesswhothatwas。
"Howareyou-all？"askedadrawlingvoice。
"Well，MisterCarmichael，ifthatinterestsyou——I\'mquiteill，"repliedBo，freezingly。
"Ill！Awno，now？"
"It\'safact。IfIdon\'tdierightoffI\'llhavetobetakenbacktoMissouri，"saidBo，casually。
"Areyougoin\'toaskmein？"queriedCarmichael，bluntly。
"It\'scold——an\'I\'vegotsomethin\'tosayto——"
"ToME？Well，you\'renotbackward，Ideclare，"retortedBo。
"MissRayner，Ireckonit\'llbestrangetoyou——findin\'
outIdidn\'tcometoseeyou。"
"Indeed！No。ButwhatwasstrangewasthedeludedideaIhad——thatyoumeanttoapologizetome——likeagentleman……Comein，Mr。Carmichael。Mysisterishere。"
ThedoorclosedasHelenturnedround。Carmichaelstoodjustinsidewithhissombreroinhand，andashegazedatBohisleanfaceseemedhard。Inthefewmonthssinceautumnhehadchanged——aged，itseemed，andtheonceyoung，frank，alert，andcarelesscowboytraitshadmergedintothemakingofaman。Helenknewjusthowmuchofamanhereallywas。
Hehadbeenhermainstayduringallthecomplexworkingoftheranchthathadfallenuponhershoulders。
"Wal，Ireckonyouwasdeluded，allright——ifyouthoughtI\'dcrawllikethemotherloversofyours，"hesaid，withcooldeliberation。
Boturnedpale，andhereyesfairlyblazed，yeteveninwhatmusthavebeenherfuryHelensawamazeandpain。
"OTHERlovers？Ithinkthebiggestdelusionhereisthewayyouflatteryourself，"repliedBo，stingingly。
"Meflattermyself？Nope。Youdon\'tsavvyme。I\'mshorehatin\'myselfthesedays。"
"Smallwonder。Icertainlyhateyou——withallmyheart！"
AtthisretortthecowboydroppedhisheadanddidnotseeBoflauntherselfoutoftheroom。Butheheardthedoorclose，andthenslowlycametowardHelen。
"Cheerup，LasVegas，"saidHelen，smiling。"Bo\'shot-tempered。"
"MissNell，I\'mjustlikeadog。ThemeanershetreatsmethemoreIloveher，"hereplied，dejectedly。
ToHelen\'sfirstinstinctoflikingforthiscowboytherehadbeenaddedadmiration，respect，andagrowingappreciationofstrong，faithful，developingcharacter。
Carmichael\'sfaceandhandswereredandchappedfromwinterwinds；theleatherofwrist-bands，belt，andbootswasallwornshinyandthin；littlestreaksofdustfellfromhimashebreathedheavily。Henolongerlookedthedashingcowboy，readyforadanceorlarkorfight。
"Howintheworlddidyouoffendherso？"askedHelen。"Boisfurious。Ineversawhersoangryasthat。"
"MissNell，itwasjestthisway，"beganCarmichael。"ShoreBo\'sknowedIwasinlovewithher。Iaskedhertomarrymean\'shewouldn\'tsayyesorno……An\'，meanasitsounds——sheneverrunawayfromit，thet\'sshore。We\'vehadsomequarrels——twoofthembad，an\'thislast\'stheworst。"
"Botoldmeaboutonequarrel，"saidHelen。"Itwas——
becauseyoudrank——thattime。"
"Shoreitwas。Shetookoneofhercoldspellsan\'Ijestgotdrunk。"
"Butthatwaswrong，"protestedHelen。
"Iain\'tsoshore。Yousee，Iusedtogetdrunkoften——
beforeIcomehere。An\'I\'vebeendrunkonlyonce。BackatLasVegastheoutfitwouldneverbelievethet。Wal，I
promisedBoIwouldn\'tdoitagain，an\'I\'vekeptmyword。"
"Thatisfineofyou。Buttellme，whyissheangrynow？"
"Bomakesuptoallthefellars，"confessedCarmichael，hanginghishead。"Itookhertothedancelastweek——overinthetown-hall。Thet\'sthefirsttimeshe\'dgoneanywherewithme。Ishorewasproud……Butthetdancewashell。
Bocarriedonsomethin\'turrible，an\'I——"
"Tellme。Whatdidshedo？"demandedHelen，anxiously。"I\'mresponsibleforher。I\'vegottoseethatshebehaves。"
"Aw，Iain\'tsayin\'shedidn\'tbehavelikealady，"repliedCarmichael。"Itwas——she——wal，allthemfellarsarefoolsoverher——an\'Bowasn\'ttruetome。"
"Mydearboy，isBoengagedtoyou？"
"Lord——ifsheonlywas！"hesighed。
"Thenhowcanyousayshewasn\'ttruetoyou？Bereasonable。"
"Ireckonnow，MissNell，thetnoonecanbeinlovean\'actreasonable，"rejoinedthecowboy。"Idon\'tknowhowtoexplain，butthefactisIfeelthetBohasplayedthe——
thedevilwithmean\'alltheotherfellars。"
"Youmeanshehasflirted？"
"Ireckon。"
"LasVegas，I\'mafraidyou\'reright，"saidHelen，withgrowingapprehension。"Goon。Tellmewhat\'shappened。"
"Wal，thetTurnerboy，whoridesforBeasley，hewashotafterBo，"returnedCarmichael，andhespokeasifmemoryhurthim。"ReckonI\'venouseforTurner。He\'safine-lookin\'，strappin\'，bigcow-puncher，an\'calculatedtowinthegirls。Hebragsthethecan，an\'Ireckonhe\'sright。Wal，hewasalwayshangin\'roundBo。An\'hestoleoneofmydanceswithBo。Ionlyhadthree，an\'hecomesuptosaythisonewashis；Bo，veryinnocent——oh，she\'sacuteone！——shesays，\'Why，MisterTurner——isitreallyyours？\'An\'shelookedsofullofjoythetwhenhesaystome，\'Excooseus，friendCarmichael，\'Isattherelikealocoedjackassan\'letthemgo。ButIwasn\'tmadatthet。Hewasabetterdancerthanmean\'Iwantedhertohaveagoodtime。WhatstartedthehellwasIseenhimputhisarmroundherwhenitwasn\'tjusttime，accordin\'tothedance，an\'Bo——shedidn\'tbreakanyrecordsgettin\'awayfromhim。Shepushedhimaway——afteralittle——afterIneardied。Wal，onthewayhomeIhadtotellher。Ishoredid。An\'shesaidwhatI\'dlovetoforget。Then——then，MissNell，Igrabbedher——itwasoutsideherebytheporchan\'allbrightmoonlight——Igrabbedheran\'huggedan\'kissedhergood。
WhenIlethergoIsays，sortabrave，butIwasplumbscared——Isays，"Wal，areyougoin\'tomarrymenow？\'"
Heconcludedwithagulp，andlookedatHelenwithwoeinhiseyes。
"Oh！WhatdidBodo？"breathlesslyqueriedHelen。
"Sheslappedme，"hereplied。"An\'thenshesays，Ididlikeyoubest，butNOWIhateyou！\'An\'sheslammedthedoorinmyface。"
"Ithinkyoumadeagreatmistake，"saidHelen，gravely。
"Wal，ifIthoughtsoI\'dbegherforgiveness。ButIreckonIdon\'t。What\'smore，Ifeelbetterthanbefore。I\'monlyacowboyan\'neverwasmuchgoodtillImether。ThenI
braced。Igottohavin\'hopes，studyin\'books，an\'youknowhowI\'vebeenlookin\'intothisranchin\'game。Istoppeddrinkin\'an\'savedmymoney。Wal，sheknowsallthet。Onceshesaidshewasproudofme。Butitdidn\'tseemtocountbigwithher。An\'ifitcan\'tcountbigIdon\'twantittocountatall。IreckonthemadderBoisatmethemorechanceI\'vegot。SheknowsIloveher——thetI\'ddieforher——thetI\'machangedman。An\'sheknowsIneverbeforethoughtofdarin\'totouchherhand。An\'sheknowssheflirtedwithTurner。"
"She\'sonlyachild，"repliedHelen。"Andallthischange——
theWest——thewildness——andyouboysmakingmuchofher——why，it\'sturnedherhead。ButBowillcomeoutofittrueblue。Sheisgood，loving。Herheartisgold。"
"IreckonIknow，an\'myfaithcan\'tbeshook，"rejoinedCarmichael，simply。"Butsheoughttobelievethetshe\'llmakebadbloodouthere。TheWestistheWest。Anykindofgirlsarescarce。An\'onelikeBo——Lord！wecowboysneverseennonetocomparewithher。She\'llmakebadbloodan\'
someofitwillbespilled。"
"UncleAlencouragesher，"saidHelen，apprehensively。"Ittickleshimtohearhowtheboysareafterher。Oh，shedoesn\'ttellhim。Buthehears。AndI，whomuststandinmother\'splacetoher，whatcanIdo？"
"MissNell，areyouonmyside？"askedthecowboy，wistfully。Hewasstrongandelemental，caughtinthetoilsofsomepowerbeyondhim。
YesterdayHelenmighthavehesitatedatthatquestion。Butto-dayCarmichaelbroughtsomeprovenqualityofloyalty，somestrangedepthofruggedsincerity，asifshehadlearnedhisfutureworth。
"Yes，Iam，"Helenreplied，earnestly。Andsheofferedherhand。
"Wal，thenit\'llshoreturnouthappy，"hesaid，squeezingherhand。Hissmilewasgrateful，buttherewasnothinginitofthevictoryhehintedat。Someofhisruddycolorhadgone。"An\'nowIwanttotellyouwhyIcome。"
Hehadloweredhisvoice。"IsAlasleep？"hewhispered。
"Yes，"repliedHelen。"Hewasalittlewhileago。"
"ReckonI\'dbettershuthisdoor。"
Helenwatchedthecowboyglideacrosstheroomandcarefullyclosethedoor，thenreturntoherwithintenteyes。Shesensedeventsinhislook，andshedivinedsuddenlythathemustfeelasifhewereherbrother。
"ShoreI\'mtheonethetfetchesallthebadnewstoyou，"hesaid，regretfully。
Helencaughtherbreath。Therehadindeedbeenmanylittlecalamitiestomarhermanagementoftheranch——lossofcattle，horses，sheep——thedesertionofherderstoBeasley——failureoffreighterstoarrivewhenmostneeded——
fightsamongthecowboys——anddisagreementsoverlong-arrangeddeals。
"YouruncleAlmakesaheapofthishereJeffMulvey，"
assertedCarmichael。
"Yes，indeed。UncleabsolutelyreliesonJeff，"repliedHelen。
"Wal，Ihatetotellyou，MissNell，"saidthecowboy，bitterly，"thetMulveyain\'tthemanheseems。"
"Oh，whatdoyoumean？"
"WhenyourunclediesMulveyisgoin\'overtoBeasleyan\'
he\'sgoin\'totakeallthefellarswho\'llsticktohim。"
"CouldJeffbesofaithless——aftersomanyyearsmyuncle\'sforeman？Oh，howdoyouknow？"
"ReckonIguessedlongago。Butwasn\'tshore。MissNell，there\'salotinthewindlately，aspooroldAlgrowsweaker。Mulveyhasbeenparticularfriendlytomean\'I\'venursedhimalong，\'ceptIwouldn\'tdrink。An\'hispardshavebeenparticularfriendswithme，too，morean\'moreasI
loosenedup。Yousee，theywasshyofmewhenIfirstgothere。To-daythewholedealshowedcleartomelikeahooftrackinsoftground。BudLewis，who\'sbunkedwithme，comeoutan\'triedtowinmeovertoBeasley——soonasAuchinclossdies。IpalaveredwithBudan\'Iwantedtoknow。
ButBudwouldonlysayhewasgoin\'alongwithJeffan\'
othersoftheoutfit。ItoldhimI\'dreckonoveritan\'lethimknow。HethinksI\'llcomeround。"
"Why——whywillthesemenleavemewhen——when——Oh，pooruncle！Theybargainonhisdeath。Butwhy——tellmewhy？"
"Beasleyhasworkedonthem——wonthemover，"repliedCarmichael，grimly。"AfterAldiestheranchwillgotoyou。
Beasleymeanstohaveit。Hean\'Alwaspardsonce，an\'nowBeasleyhasmostfolksherebelievin\'hegottheshortendofthetdeal。He\'llhavepapers——shore——an\'he\'llhavemostofthemen。Sohe\'lljustputyouoffan\'takepossession。Thet\'sall，MissNell，an\'youcanrelyonitsbein\'true。"
"I——Ibelieveyou——butIcan\'tbelievesuch——suchrobberypossible，"gaspedHelen。
"It\'ssimpleastwoan\'two。Possessionislawouthere。
OnceBeasleygetsonthegroundit\'ssettled。Whatcouldyoudowithnomentofightforyourproperty？"
"But，surely，someofthemenwillstaywithme？"
"Ireckon。Butnotenough。"
"ThenIcanhiremore。TheBeemanboys。AndDalewouldcometohelpme。"
"Dalewouldcome。An\'he\'dhelpaheap。Iwishhewashere，"
repliedCarmichael，soberly。"Butthere\'snowaytogethim。
He\'ssnowed-uptillMay。"
"Idarenotconfideinuncle，"saidHelen，withagitation。
"Theshockmightkillhim。Thentotellhimoftheunfaithfulnessofhisoldmen——thatwouldbecruel……
Oh，itcan\'tbesobadasyouthink。"
"Ireckonitcouldn\'tbenoworse。An\'——MissNell，there\'sonlyonewaytogetoutofit——an\'thet\'sthewayoftheWest。"
"How？"queriedHelen，eagerly。
Carmichaellungedhimselferectandstoodgazingdownather。Heseemedcompletelydetachednowfromthatfrank，amiablecowboyofherfirstimpressions。Therednesswastotallygonefromhisface。Somethingstrangeandcoldandsurelookedoutofhiseyes。
"IseenBeasleygointhesaloonasIrodepast。SupposeI
godownthere，pickaquarrelwithhim——an\'killhim？"
Helensatbolt-uprightwithacoldshock。
"Carmichael！you\'renotserious？"sheexclaimed。
"Serious？Ishoream。Thet\'stheonlyway，MissNell。An\'I
reckonit\'swhatAlwouldwant。An\'betweenyouan\'me——itwouldbeeasierthanropin\'acalf。ThesefellarsroundPinedon\'tsavvyguns。Now，Icomefromwheregunsmeansomethin\'。An\'whenItellyouIcanthrowagunslickan\'
fast，whyIshoreain\'tbraggin\'。Youneedn\'tworrynoneaboutme，MissNell。"
Helengraspedthathehadtakenthesignsofhershockedsensibilitytomeanshefearedforhislife。Butwhathadsickenedherwasthemereideaofbloodshedinherbehalf。
"You\'d——killBeasley——justbecausetherearerumorsofhis——treachery？"gaspedHelen。
"Shore。It\'llhavetobedone，anyhow，"repliedthecowboy。
"No！No！It\'stoodreadfultothinkof。Why，thatwouldbemurder。I——Ican\'tunderstandhowyouspeakofit——so——
socalmly。"
"ReckonIain\'tdoin\'itcalmly。I\'masmadashell，"saidCarmichael，witharecklesssmile。
"Oh，ifyouareseriousthen，Isayno——no——no！Iforbidyou。Idon\'tbelieveI\'llberobbedofmyproperty。"
"Wal，supposin\'Beasleydoesputyouoff——an\'takespossession。What\'reyougoin\'tosaythen？"demandedthecowboy，inslow，cooldeliberation。
"I\'dsaythesamethenasnow，"shereplied。
Hebenthisheadthoughtfullywhilehisredhandssmoothedhissombrero。
"Shoreyougirlshaven\'tbeenWestverylong，"bemuttered，asifapologizingforthem。"An\'Ireckonittakestimetolearnthewaysofacountry。"
"WestornoWest，Iwon\'thavefightsdeliberatelypicked，andmenshot，eveniftheydothreatenme，"declaredHelen，positively。
"Allright，MissNell，shoreIrespectyourwishes，"hereturned。"ButI\'lltellyouthis。IfBeasleyturnsyouan\'
Booutofyourhome——wal，I\'lllookhimuponmyownaccount。"
Helencouldonlygazeathimashebackedtothedoor，andshethrilledandshudderedatwhatseemedhisloyaltytoher，hisloveforBo，andthatwhichwasinevitableinhimself。
"Reckonyoumightsaveusallsometrouble——nowifyou\'d——justgetmad——an\'letmegoafterthetgreaser。"
"Greaser！DoyoumeanBeasley？"
"Shore。He\'sahalf-breed。HewasborninMagdalena，whereI
heardfolkssaynaryoneofhisparentswasnogood。"
