下载辰思小说免费APP
"Thatdoesn\'tmatter。I\'mthinkingofhumanityoflawandorder。Ofwhatisright。"
"Wal，MissNell，I\'llwaittillyougetrealmad——ortillBeasley——"
"But，myfriend，I\'llnotgetmad，"interruptedHelen。"I\'llkeepmytemper。"
"I\'llbetyoudon\'t，"heretorted。"Mebbeyouthinkyou\'venoneofBoinyou。ButI\'llbetyoucouldgetsomad——onceyoustarted——thetyou\'dbeturrible。What\'veyougotthemeyesfor，MissNell，ifyouain\'tanAuchincloss？"
Hewassmiling，yethemeanteveryword。Helenfeltthetruthassomethingshefeared。
"LasVegas，Iwon\'tbet。Butyou——youwillalwayscometome——first——ifthere\'strouble。"
"Ipromise，"hereplied，soberly，andthenwentout。
Helenfoundthatshewastrembling，andthattherewasacommotioninherbreast。Carmichaelhadfrightenedher。Nolongerdidsheholddoubtofthegravityofthesituation。
ShehadseenBeasleyoften，severaltimescloseathand，andonceshehadbeenforcedtomeethim。Thattimehadconvincedherthathehadevincedpersonalinterestinher。
Andonthisaccount，coupledwiththefactthatRiggsappearedtohavenothingelsetodobutshadowher，shehadbeenslowindevelopingherintentionoforganizingandteachingaschoolforthechildrenofPine。Riggshadbecomeratheradoubtfulcelebrityinthesettlements。Yethisbold，apparentbadnesshadmadeitsimpression。Fromallreportshespenthistimegambling，drinking，andbragging。
ItwasnolongernewsinPinewhathisintentionsweretowardHelenRayner。Twicehehadriddenuptotheranch-house，upononeoccasionsecuringaninterviewwithHelen。Inspiteofhercontemptandindifference，hewasactuallyinfluencingherlifethereinPine。Anditbegantoappearthattheotherman，Beasley，mightsoondirectstrongersignificanceuponthelibertyofheractions。
Theresponsibilityoftheranchhadturnedouttobeaheavyburden。Itcouldnotbemanaged，atleastbyher，inthewayAuchinclosswanteditdone。Hewasold，irritable，irrational，andhard。Almostalltheneighborsweresetagainsthim，andnaturallydidnottakekindlytoHelen。
Shehadnotfoundtheslightestevidenceofunfairdealingonthepartofheruncle，buthehadbeenaharddriver。
Thenhisshrewd，far-seeingjudgmenthadmadeallhisdealsfortunateforhim，whichfacthadnotbroughtaprofitoffriendship。
Oflate，sinceAuchinclosshadgrownweakerandlessdominating，Helenhadtakenmanydecisionsuponherself，withgratifyingandhopefulresults。ButthewonderfulhappinessthatshehadexpectedtofindintheWeststillheldaloof。ThememoryofParadiseParkseemedonlyadream，sweeterandmoreintangibleastimepassed，andfullerofvagueregrets。Bowasacomfort，butalsoaveryconsiderablesourceofanxiety。ShemighthavebeenahelptoHelenifshehadnotassimilatedWesternwayssoswiftly。
Helenwishedtodecidethingsinherownway，whichwasasyetquitefarfromWestern。SoHelenhadbeenthrownmoreandmoreuponherownresources，withthecowboyCarmichaeltheonlyonewhohadcomeforwardvoluntarilytoheraid。
ForanhourHelensataloneintheroom，lookingoutofthewindow，andfacingsternrealitywithacolder，graver，keenersenseofintimacythaneverbefore。Toholdherpropertyandtoliveherlifeinthiscommunityaccordingtoherideasofhonesty，justice，andlawmightwellbebeyondherpowers。To-dayshehadbeenconvincedthatshecouldnotdosowithoutfightingforthem，andtofightshemusthavefriends。ThatconvictionwarmedhertowardCarmichael，andathoughtfulconsiderationofallhehaddoneforherprovedthatshehadnotfullyappreciatedhim。Shewouldmakeupforheroversight。
TherewerenoMormonsinheremploy，forthegoodreasonthatAuchinclosswouldnothirethem。Butinoneofhiskindlierhours，growingrarenow，hehadadmittedthattheMormonswerethebestandthemostsober，faithfulworkersontheranges，andthathissoleobjectiontothemwasjustthisfactoftheirsuperiority。HelendecidedtohirethefourBeemansandanyoftheirrelativesorfriendswhowouldcome；andtodothis，ifpossible，withoutlettingheruncleknow。Histempernow，aswellashisjudgment，wasahindrancetoefficiency。ThisdecisionregardingtheBeemans；broughtHelenbacktoCarmichael\'sferventwishforDale，andthentoherown。
Soonspringwouldbeathand，withitsmultiplicityofrangetasks。DalehadpromisedtocometoPinethen，andHelenknewthatpromisewouldbekept。Herheartbeatalittlefaster，inspiteofherbusiness-centeredthoughts。Dalewasthere，overtheblack-sloped，snowy-tippedmountain，shutawayfromtheworld。Helenalmostenviedhim。Nowonderhelovedloneliness，solitude，thesweet，wildsilenceandbeautyofParadisePark！Buthewasselfish，andHelenmeanttoshowhimthat。Sheneededhishelp。Whensherecalledhisphysicalprowesswithanimals，andimaginedwhatitmustbeinrelationtomen，sheactuallysmiledatthethoughtofBeasleyforcingheroffherproperty，ifDalewerethere。
Beasleywouldonlyforcedisasteruponhimself。ThenHelenexperiencedaquickshock。WouldDaleanswertothissituationasCarmichaelhadanswered？Itaffordedherrelieftoassureherselftothecontrary。Thecowboywasoneofablood-lettingbreed；thehunterwasamanofthought，gentleness，humanity。Thissituationwasoneofthekindthathadmadehimdespisethelittlenessofmen。Helenassuredherselfthathewasdifferentfromheruncleandfromthecowboy，inalltherelationsoflifewhichshehadobservedwhilewithhim。Butadoubtlingeredinhermind。
SherememberedhiscalmreferencetoSnakeAnson，andthatcausedarecurrenceofthelittleshiverCarmichaelhadgivenher。WhenthedoubtaugmentedtoapossibilitythatshemightnotbeabletocontrolDale，thenshetriednottothinkofitanymore。Itconfusedandperplexedherthatintohermindshouldflashathoughtthat，thoughitwouldbedreadfulforCarmichaeltokillBeasley，forDaletodoitwouldbeacalamity——aterriblething。Helendidnotanalyzethatstrangethought。ShewasasafraidofitasshewasofthestirinherbloodwhenshevisualizedDale。
HermeditationwasinterruptedbyBo，whoenteredtheroom，rebellious-eyedandverylofty。Hermannerchanged，whichapparentlyoweditscausetothe，factthatHelenwasalone。
"Isthat——cowboygone？"sheasked。
"Yes。Heleftquitesometimeago，"repliedHelen。
"Iwonderedifhemadeyoureyesshine——yourcolorburnso。Nell，you\'rejustbeautiful。"
"Ismyfaceburning？"askedHelen，withalittlelaugh。"Soitis。Well，Bo，you\'venocauseforjealousy。LasVegascan\'tbeblamedformyblushes。"
"Jealous！Me？Ofthatwild-eyed，soft-voiced，two-facedcow-puncher？Iguessnot，NellRayner。What\'dhesayaboutme？"
"Bo，hesaidalot，"repliedHelen，reflectively。"I\'lltellyoupresently。FirstIwanttoaskyou——hasCarmichaelevertoldyouhowhe\'shelpedme？"
"No！WhenIseehim——whichhasn\'tbeenoftenlately——he——I——Well，wefight。Nell，hashehelpedyou？"
Helensmiledinfaintamusement。Shewasgoingtobesincere，butshemeanttokeepherwordtothecowboy。ThefactwasthatreflectionhadacquaintedherwithherindebtednesstoCarmichael。
"Bo，you\'vebeensowildtoridehalf-brokenmustangs——andcarryonwithcowboys——andread——andsew——andkeepyoursecretsthatyou\'vehadnotimeforyoursisterorhertroubles。"
"Nell！"burstoutBo，inamazeandpain。SheflewtoHelenandseizedherhands。"What\'reyousaying？"
"It\'salltrue，"repliedHelen，thrillingandsoftening。
Thissweetsister，oncearoused，wouldbehardtoresist。
Helenimaginedsheshouldholdtohertoneofreproachandseverity。
"Sureit\'strue，"criedBo，fiercely。"Butwhat\'smyfoolinggottodowiththe——therestyousaid？Nell，areyoukeepingthingsfromme？"
"Mydear，Inevergetanyencouragementtotellyoumytroubles。"
"ButI\'ve——I\'venurseduncle——satupwithhim——justthesameasyou，"saidBo，withquiveringlips。
"Yes，you\'vebeengoodtohim。"
"We\'venoothertroubles，havewe，Nell？"
"Youhaven\'t，butIhave，"respondedHelen，reproachfully。
"Why——whydidn\'tyoutellme？"criedBo，passionately。
"Whatarethey？Tellmenow。Youmustthinkmea——aselfish，hatefulcat。"
"Bo，I\'vehadmuchtoworryme——andtheworstisyettocome，"repliedHelen。ThenshetoldBohowcomplicatedandbewilderingwasthemanagementofabigranch——whentheownerwasill，testy，defectiveinmemory，andhardassteel——whenhehadhoardsofgoldandnotes，butcouldnotorwouldnotrememberhisobligations——whentheneighborranchershadjustclaims——whencowboysandsheep-herderswerediscontented，andwrangledamongthemselves——whengreatherdsofcattleandflocksofsheephadtobefedinwinter——whensupplieshadtobecontinuallyfreightedacrossamuddydesertandlastly，whenanenemyrancherwasslowlywinningawaythebesthandswiththeendinviewofdeliberatelytakingoverthepropertywhentheownerdied。
ThenHelentoldhowshehadonlythatdayrealizedtheextentofCarmichael\'sadviceandhelpandlabor——how，indeed，hehadbeenabrothertoher——how——
ButatthisjunctureBoburiedherfaceinHelen\'sbreastandbegantocrywildly。
"I——I——don\'twant——tohear——anymore，"shesobbed。
"Well，you\'vegottohearit，"repliedHelen，inexorably"I
wantyoutoknowhowhe\'sstoodbyme。"
"ButIhatehim。"
"Bo，Isuspectthat\'snottrue。"
"Ido——Ido。"
"Well，youactandtalkverystrangelythen。"
"NellRayner——are——you——youstickingupforthat——
thatdevil？"
"Iam，yes，sofarasitconcernsmyconscience，"rejoinedHelen，earnestly。"Ineverappreciatedhimashedeserved——
notuntilnow。He\'saman，Bo，everyinchofhim。I\'veseenhimgrowuptothatinthreemonths。I\'dneverhavegottenalongwithouthim。Ithinkhe\'sfine，manly，big。I——"
"I\'llbet——he\'smadelove——toyou，too，"repliedBo，woefully。
"Talksense，"saidHelen，sharply。"Hehasbeenabrothertome。But，BoRayner，ifheHADmadelovetomeI——Imighthaveappreciateditmorethanyou。"
Boraisedherface，flushedinpartandalsopale，withtear-wetcheeksandthetelltaleblazeintheblueeyes。
"I\'vebeenwildaboutthatfellow。ButIhatehim，too，"shesaid，withflashingspirit。"AndIwanttogoonhatinghim。
Sodon\'ttellmeanymore。"
WhereuponHelenbrieflyandgraphicallyrelatedhowCarmichaelhadofferedtokillBeasley，astheonlywaytosaveherproperty，andhow，whensherefused，thathethreatenedhewoulddoitanyhow。
BofelloverwithagaspandclungtoHelen。
"Oh——Nell！Oh，nowIlovehimmorethan——ever，"shecried，inmingledrageanddespair。
Helenclaspedhercloselyandtriedtocomfortherasintheolddays，notsoveryfarback，whentroubleswerenotsoseriousasnow。
"Ofcourseyoulovehim，"sheconcluded。"Iguessedthatlongago。AndI\'mglad。Butyou\'vebeenwilful——foolish。
Youwouldn\'tsurrendertoit。Youwantedyourflingwiththeotherboys。You\'re——Oh，Bo，Ifearyouhavebeenasadlittleflirt。"
"I——Iwasn\'tverybadtill——tillhegotbossy。Why，Nell，heacted——rightoff——justasifheOWNEDme。Buthedidn\'t……Andtoshowhim——I——IreallydidflirtwiththatTurnerfellow。Thenhe——heinsultedme……
Oh，Ihatehim！"
"Nonsense，Bo。Youcan\'thateanyonewhileyoulovehim，"
protestedHelen。
"Muchyouknowaboutthat，"flashedBo。"Youjustcan！Lookhere。Didyoueverseeacowboyropeandthrowandtieupameanhorse？"
"Yes，Ihave。"
"Doyouhaveanyideahowstrongacowboyis——howhishandsandarmsarelikeiron？"
"Yes，I\'msureIknowthat，too。"
"Andhowsavageheis？"
"Yes。"
"Andhowhegoesatanythinghewantstodo？"
"Imustadmitcowboysareabrupt，"respondedHelen，withasmile。
"Well，MissRayner，didyouever——whenyouwerestandingquietlikealady——didyoueverhaveacowboydiveatyouwithaterriblelunge——grabyouandholdyousoyoucouldn\'tmoveorbreatheorscream——hugyoutillallyourbonescracked——andkissyousofierceandsohardthatyouwantedtokillhimanddie？
Helenhadgraduallydrawnbackfromthisblazing-eyed，eloquentsister，andwhentheendofthatremarkablequestioncameitwasimpossibletoreply。
"There！Iseeyouneverhadthatdonetoyou，"resumedBo，withsatisfaction。"Sodon\'tevertalktome。"
"I\'veheardhissideofthestory，"saidHelen，constrainedly。
WithastartBosatupstraighter，asifbettertodefendherself。
"Oh！Soyouhave？AndIsupposeyou\'lltakehispart——evenaboutthat——thatbearishtrick。"
"No。Ithinkthatrudeandbold。But，Bo，Idon\'tbelievehemeanttobeeitherrudeorbold。FromwhatheconfessedtomeIgatherthathebelievedhe\'dloseyououtrightorwinyououtrightbythatviolence。Itseemsgirlscan\'tplayatloveouthereinthiswildWest。Hesaidtherewouldbebloodshedoveryou。Ibegintorealizewhathemeant。He\'snotsorryforwhathedid。Thinkhowstrangethatis。Forhehastheinstinctsofagentleman。He\'skind，gentle，chivalrous。Evidentlyhehadtriedeverywaytowinyourfavorexceptanyfamiliaradvance。Hedidthatasalastresort。Inmyopinionhismotivesweretoforceyoutoacceptorrefusehim，andincaseyourefusedhimhe\'dalwayshavethoseforbiddenstolenkissestoassuagehisself-respect——whenhethoughtofTurneroranyoneelsedaringtobefamiliarwithyou。Bo，IseethroughCarmichael，evenifIdon\'tmakehimcleartoyou。You\'vegottobehonestwithyourself。Didthatactofhiswinorloseyou？Inotherwords，doyoulovehimornot？"
Bohidherface。
"Oh，Nell！itmademeseehowIlovedhim——andthatmademeso——sosickIhatedhim……Butnow——thehateisallgone。"
CHAPTERXVII
Whenspringcameatlastandthewillowsdroopedgreenandfreshoverthebrookandtherangerangwithbrayofburroandwhistleofstallion，oldAlAuchinclosshadbeenamonthinhisgrave。
ToHelenitseemedlonger。Themonthhadbeencrowdedwithwork，events，andgrowing，morehopefulduties，sothatitcontainedaworldofliving。Theunclehadnotbeenforgotten，buttheinnumerablerestrictionstodevelopmentandprogresswerenolongermanifest。BeasleyhadnotpresentedhimselforanyclaimuponHelen；andshe，gatheringconfidencedaybyday，begantobelieveallthatpurportoftroublehadbeenexaggerated。
Inthistimeshehadcometoloveherworkandallthatpertainedtoit。Theestatewaslarge。Shehadnoaccurateknowledgeofhowmanyacressheowned，butitwasmorethantwothousand。Thefine，old，ramblingranch-house，setlikeafortonthelastofthefoot-hills，corralsandfieldsandbarnsandmeadows，andtherollinggreenrangebeyond，andinnumerablesheep，horses，cattle——allthesebelongedtoHelen，toherever-wonderingrealizationandever-growingjoy。Still，shewasafraidtoletherselfgoandbeperfectlyhappy。Alwaystherewasthefearthathadbeentoodeepandstrongtoforgetsosoon。
Thisbright，freshmorning，inMarch，Helencameoutupontheporchtorevelalittleinthewarmthofsunshineandthecrisp，pine-scentedwindthatsweptdownfromthemountains。Therewasneveramorningthatshedidnotgazemountainward，tryingtosee，withafollysherealized，ifthesnowhadmeltedmoreperceptiblyawayontheboldwhiteridge。Forallshecouldseeithadnotmeltedaninch，andshewouldnotconfesswhyshesighed。Thedeserthadbecomegreenandfresh，stretchingawaytherefarbelowherrange，growingdarkandpurpleinthedistancewithvaguebuttesrising。Theairwasfullofsound——notesofblackbirdsandthebaasofsheep，andblastsfromthecorrals，andtheclatteroflighthoofsonthecourtbelow。
Bowasridinginfromthestables。Helenlovedtowatchherononeofthosefierylittlemustangs，butthesightwaslikewisegiventorousingapprehensions。ThismorningBoappearedparticularlybentonfrighteningHelen。DownthelaneCarmichaelappeared，wavinghisarms，andHelenatonceconnectedhimwithBo\'smanifestdesiretoflyawayfromthatparticularplace。Sincethatday，amonthback，whenBohadconfessedherloveforCarmichael，sheandHelenhadnotspokenofitorofthecowboy。Theboyandgirlwerestillatodds。ButthisdidnotworryHelen。Bohadchangedmuchforthebetter，especiallyinthatshedevotedherselftoHelenandtoherwork。Helenknewthatallwouldturnoutwellintheend，andsoshehadbeencarefulofherratherprecariouspositionbetweenthesetwoyoungfirebrands。
Boreinedinthemustangattheporchsteps。Sheworeabuckskinriding-suitwhichshehadmadeherself，anditssoftgraywiththetouchesofredbeadswasmightilybecomingtoher。Thenshehadgrownconsiderablyduringthewinterandnowlookedtooflashingandprettytoresembleaboy，yetsingularlyhealthyandstrongandlithe。Redspotsshoneinhercheeksandhereyesheldthatever-dangerousblaze。
"Nell，didyougivemeawaytothatcowboy？"shedemanded。
"Giveyouaway！"exclaimedHelen，blankly。
"Yes。YouknowItoldyou——awhileback——thatIwaswildlyinlovewithhim。Didyougivemeaway——tellonme？
"
Shemighthavebeenfurious，butshecertainlywasnotconfused。
"Why，Bo！Howcouldyou？No。Ididnot，"repliedHelen。
"Nevergavehimahint？"
"Notevenahint。Youhavemywordforthat。Why？What\'shappened？"
"Hemakesmesick。"
Bowouldnotsayanymore，owingtothenearapproachofthecowboy。
"Mawnin\'，MissNell，"hedrawled。"Iwasjusttellin\'thishereMissBo-PeepRayner——"
"Don\'tcallmethat！"brokeinBo，withfireinhervoice。
"Wal，Iwasjusttellin\'herthetshewasn\'tgoin\'offonanymoreofthemlongrides。Honestnow，MissNell，itain\'tsafe，an\'——"
"You\'renotmyboss，"retortedBo。
"Indeed，sister，Iagreewithhim。Youwon\'tobeyme。"
"Reckonsomeone\'sgottobeyourboss，"drawledCarmichael。
"ShoreIain\'thankerin\'forthejob。YoucouldridetoKingdomComeoroffamongtheApaches——oroverhereaways"——atthishegrinnedknowingly——"oranywheres，forallIcared。ButI\'mworkin\'forMissNell，an\'she\'sboss。
An\'ifshesaysyou\'renottotakethemrides——youwon\'t。
Savvythat，miss？"
ItwasatreatforHelentoseeBolookatthecowboy。
"Mis-terCarmichael，mayIaskhowyouaregoingtopreventmefromridingwhereIlike？"
"Wal，ifyou\'regoin\'worselocoedthiswayI\'llkeepyouoff\'nahossifIhavetoropeyouan\'tieyouup。Bygolly，Iwill！"
Hisdryhumorwasgoneandmanifestlyhemeantwhathesaid。
"Wal，"shedrawleditverysoftlyandsweetly，butvenomously，"if——you——ever——touch——meagain！"
Atthisheflushed，thenmadeaquick，passionategesturewithhishand，expressiveofheatandshame。
"Youan\'mewillnevergetalong，"hesaid，withadignityfullofpathos。"Iseenthetamonthbackwhenyouchangedsudden-liketome。Butnothin\'Isaytoyouhasanyreckonin\'ofmine。I\'mtalkin\'foryoursister。It\'sforhersake。An\'yourown……Inevertoldheran\'InevertoldyouthetI\'veseenRiggssneakin\'afteryoutwiceonthemdesertrides。Wal，Itellyounow。"
TheintelligenceapparentlyhadnottheslightesteffectonBo。ButHelenwasastonishedandalarmed。
"Riggs！Oh，Bo，I\'veseenhimmyself——ridingaround。Hedoesnotmeanwell。Youmustbecareful。"
"IfIketchhimagain，"wentonCarmichael，withhismouthlininghard，"I\'mgoin\'afterhim。"
Hegaveheracool，intent，piercinglook，thenhedroppedhisheadandturnedaway，tostridebacktowardthecorrals。
Helencouldmakelittleofthemannerinwhichhersisterwatchedthecowboypassoutofsight。
"Amonthback——whenIchangedsudden-like，"musedBo。"I
wonderwhathemeantbythat……Nell，didIchange——
rightafterthetalkyouhadwithme——abouthim？"
"Indeedyoudid，Bo，"repliedHelen。"Butitwasforthebetter。Onlyhecan\'tseeit。Howproudandsensitiveheis！
Youwouldn\'tguessitatfirst。Bo，yourreservehaswoundedhimmorethanyourflirting。Hethinksit\'sindifference。"
"Maybethat\'llbegoodforhim，"declaredBo。"Doesheexpectmetofallonhisneck？He\'sthatthick-headed！Why，he\'sthelocoedone，notme。"
"I\'dliketoaskyou，Bo，ifyou\'veseenhowhehaschanged？"queriedHelen，earnestly。"He\'solder。He\'sworried。Eitherhisheartisbreakingforyouorelsehefearstroubleforus。Ifearit\'sboth。Howhewatchesyou！
Bo，heknowsallyoudo——whereyougo。ThataboutRiggssickensme。"
"IfRiggsfollowsmeandtriesanyofhisfour-flushdesperadogameshe\'llhavehishandsfull，"saidBo，grimly。
"Andthatwithoutmycowboyprotector！ButIjustwishRiggswoulddosomething。Thenwe\'llseewhatLasVegasTomCarmichaelcares。Thenwe\'llsee！"
Bobitoutthelastwordspassionatelyandjealously，thensheliftedherbridletothespiritedmustang，"Nell，don\'tyoufearforme，"shesaid。"Icantakecareofmyself。"
Helenwatchedherrideaway，allbutwillingtoconfessthattheremightbetruthinwhatBosaid。ThenHelenwentaboutherwork，whichconsistedofroutinedutiesaswellasanearneststudytofamiliarizeherselfwithcontinuallynewandcomplexconditionsofranchlife。Everydaybroughtnewproblems。Shemadenotesofallthatsheobserved，andallthatwastoldher，whichhabitshehadfound，afterafewweeksoftrial，wasgoingtobeexceedinglyvaluabletoher。
Shedidnotintendalwaystobedependentupontheknowledgeofhiredmen，howeverfaithfulsomeofthemmightbe。
Thismorningonherroundsshehadexpecteddevelopments；ofsomekind，owingtothepresenceofRoyBeemanandtwoofhisbrothers，whohadarrivedyesterday。AndshewastodiscoverthatJeffMulvey，accompaniedbysixofhisco-workersandassociates，haddesertedherwithoutawordorevensendingfortheirpay。Carmichaelhadpredictedthis。Helenhadhalfdoubted。Itwasareliefnowtobeconfrontedwithfacts，howeverdisturbing。Shehadfortifiedherselftowithstandagreatdealmoretroublethanhadhappened。Atthegatewayofthemaincorral，ahugeinclosurefencedhighwithpeeledlogs，shemetRoyBeeman，lassoinhand，thesametall，lean，limpingfiguresherememberedsowell。Sightofhimgaveheraninexplicablethrill——aflashingmemoryofanunforgettablenightride。
Roywastohavechargeofthehorsesontheranch，ofwhichtherewereseveralhundred，notcountingmanylostonrangeandmountain，ortheunbrandedcolts。
Roytookoffhissombreroandgreetedher。ThisMormonhadacourtesyforwomenthatspokewellforhim。Helenwishedshehadmoreemployeeslikehim。
"It\'sjestasLasVegastoldusit\'dbe，"hesaid，regretfully。"Mulveyan\'hispardslitoutthismornin\'。I\'msorry，MissHelen。Reckonthet\'sallbecauseIcomeover。"
"Iheardthenews，"repliedHelen。"Youneedn\'tbesorry，Roy，forI\'mnot。I\'mglad。IwanttoknowwhomIcantrust。"
"LasVegassayswe\'reshoreinforitnow。"
"Roy，whatdoyouthink？"
"Ireckonso。Still，LasVegasispowerfulcrossthesedaysan\'alwayslookin\'onthedarkside。Withusboys，now，it\'ssufficientuntothedayistheevilthereof。But，MissHelen，ifBeasleyforcesthedealtherewillbeserioustrouble。I\'veseenthethappen。FourorfiveyearsagoBeasleyrodesomegreasersofftheirfarmsan\'nooneeverknowedifhehadajustclaim。"
"Beasleyhasnoclaimonmyproperty。Myunclesolemnlysworethatonhisdeath-bed。AndIfindnothinginhisbooksorpapersofthoseyearswhenheemployedBeasley。Infact，Beasleywasneveruncle\'spartner。ThetruthisthatmyuncletookBeasleyupwhenhewasapoor，homelessboy。"
"Somyolddadsays，"repliedRoy。"Butwhat\'srightdon\'talwaysprevailintheseparts。"
"Roy，you\'rethekeenestmanI\'vemetsinceIcameWest。
Tellmewhatyouthinkwillhappen。"
Beemanappearedflattered，butbehesitatedtoreply。Helenhadlongbeenawareofthereticenceoftheseoutdoormen。
"Ireckonyoumeancausean\'effect，asMiltDalewouldsay，"respondedRoy，thoughtfully。
"Yes。IfBeasleyattemptstoforcemeoffmyranchwhatwillhappen？"
Roylookedupandmethergaze。Helenrememberedthatsingularstillness，intentnessofhisface。
"Wal，ifDalean\'JohngethereintimeIreckonwecanbluffthetBeasleyoutfit。"
"Youmeanmyfriends——mymenwouldconfrontBeasley——
refusehisdemands——andifnecessaryfighthimoff？"
"Ishoredo，"repliedRoy。
"Butsupposeyou\'renotallhere？Beasleywouldbesmartenoughtochooseanopportunetime。Supposehedidputmeoffandtakepossession？Whatthen？"
"Thenit\'donlybeamatterofhowsoonDaleorCarmichael——orI——gottoBeasley。"
"Roy！Ifearedjustthat。Ithauntsme。CarmichaelaskedmetolethimgopickafightwithBeasley。Askedme，justashewouldaskmeabouthiswork！Iwasshocked。AndnowyousayDale——andyou——"
Helenchokedinheragitation。
"MissHelen，whatelsecouldyoulookfor？LasVegasisinlovewithMissBo。Shorehetoldmeso。An\'Dale\'sinlovewithyou！……Why，youcouldn\'tstopthemanymore\'nyoucouldstopthewindfromblowin\'downapine，whenitgotready……Now，it\'ssomedifferentwithme。I\'maMormonan\'I\'mmarried。ButI\'mDale\'spard，thesemanyyears。An\'
Icareapowerfulsightforyouan\'MissBo。SoIreckonI\'ddrawonBeasleythefirstchanceIgot。"
Helenstroveforutterance，butitwasdeniedher。Roy\'ssimplestatementofDale\'slovehadmagnifiedheremotionbycompletelychangingitsdirection。Sheforgotwhatshehadfeltwretchedabout。ShecouldnotlookatRoy。
"MissHelen，don\'tfeelbad，"hesaid，kindly。"Shoreyou\'renottoblame。Yourcomin\'Westhasn\'tmadeanydifferenceinBeasley\'sfate，exceptmebbetohurryitalittle。Mydadisold，an\'whenhetalksit\'slikehistory。Helooksbackonhappenin\'s。Wal，it\'sthenatureofhappenin\'sthatBeasleypassesawaybeforehisprime。Themofhisbreeddon\'tliveoldintheWest……SoIreckonyouneedn\'tfeelbadorworry。you\'vegotfriends。"
Helenincoherentlythankedhim，and，forgettingherusualroundofcorralsandstables，shehurriedbacktowardthehouse，deeplystirred，throbbinganddim-eyed，withafeelingshecouldnotcontrol。RoyBeemanhadmadeastatementthathadupsetherequilibrium。Itseemedsimpleandnatural，yetmomentousandstaggering。TohearthatDalelovedher——tohearitspokenfrankly，earnestly，byDale\'sbestfriend，wasstrange，sweet，terrifying。Butwasittrue？Herownconsciousnesshadadmittedit。Yetthatwasvastlydifferentfromaman\'sopenstatement。Nolongerwasitadeardream，asecretthatseemedhersalone。Howshehadlivedonthatsecrethiddendeepinherbreast！
Somethingburnedthedimnessfromhereyesasshelookedtowardthemountainsandhersightbecameclear，telescopicwithitsintensity。Magnificentlythemountainsloomed。
Blackinroadsandpatchesontheslopesshowedwhereafewdaysbackallbadbeenwhite。Thesnowwasmeltingfast。
DalewouldsoonbefreetoridedowntoPine。AndthatwasaneventHelenprayedfor，yetfearedasshehadneverfearedanything。
Thenoondaydinner-bellstartledHelenfromareveriethatwasapleasantaftermathofherunrestraint。Howthehourshadflown！Thismorningatleastmustbecreditedtoindolence。
Bowasnotinthedining-room，norinherownroom，norwassheinsightfromwindowordoor。Thisabsencehadoccurredbefore，butnotparticularlytodisturbHelen。Inthisinstance，however，shegrewworried。Hernervespresagedstrain。Therewasanoverchargeofsensibilityinherfeelingsorastrangepressureintheveryatmosphere。Sheatedinneralone，lookingherapprehension，whichwasnotmitigatedbytheexpressivefearsofoldMaria，theMexicanwomanwhoservedher。
AfterdinnershesentwordtoRoyandCarmichaelthattheyhadbetterrideouttolookforBo。ThenHelenappliedherselfresolutelytoherbooksuntilarapidclatterofhoofsoutinthecourtcausedhertojumpupandhurrytotheporch。Roywasridingin。
"Didyoufindher？"queriedHelen，hurriedly。
"Wasn\'tnotrackorsignofherupthenorthrange，"repliedRoy，ashedismountedandthrewhisbridle。"An\'Iwasridin\'backtotakeuphertracksfromthecorralan\'trailher。ButIseenLasVegascomin\'an\'hewavedhissombrero。
Hewascomin\'upfromthesouth。Thereheisnow。"
Carmichaelappearedswingingintothelane。HewasmountedonHelen\'sbigblackRanger，andhemadethedustfly。
"Wal，he\'sseenher，thet\'sshore，"vouchsafedRoy，withrelief，asCarmichaelrodeup。
"MissNeil，she\'scomin\'，"saidthecowboy，ashereinedinandsliddownwithhisgracefulsinglemotion。Theninaviolentaction，characteristicofhim，heslammedhissombrerodownontheporchandthrewupbotharms。"I\'veahunchit\'scomeoff！"
"Oh，what？"exclaimedHelen。
"Now，LasVegas，talksense，"expostulatedRoy。"MissHelenisshorenervousto-day。Hasanythin\'happened？"
"Ireckon，butIdon\'tknowwhat，"repliedCarmichael，drawinga，longbreath。"Folks，Imustbegettin\'old。ForI
shorefeltorfulqueertillIseenBo。Shewasridin\'downtheridgeacrossthevalley。Ridin\'somefast，too，an\'
she\'llbehererightoff，ifshedoesn\'tstopinthevillage。"
"Wal，Ihearhercomin\'now，"saidRoy。"An\'——ifyouaskedmeI\'dsaysheWASridin\'somefast。"
Helenheardthelight，swift，rhythmicbeatofhoofs，andthenoutonthecurveoftheroadthatleddowntoPineshesawBo\'smustang，whitewithlather，comingonadeadrun。
"LasVegas，doyouseeanyApaches？"askedRoy，quizzingly。
Thecowboymadenoreply，buthestrodeoutfromtheporch，directlyinfrontofthemustang。Bowaspullinghardonthebridle，andhadhimslowingdown，butnotcontrolled。WhenhereachedthehouseitcouldeasilybeseenthatBohadpulledhimtothelimitofherstrength，whichwasnotenoughtohalthim。Carmichaellungedforthebridleand，seizingit，hauledhimtoastandstill。
AtclosesightofBoHelenutteredastartledcry。Bowaswhite；hersombrerowasgoneandherhairundone；therewerebloodanddirtonherface，andherriding-suitwastornandmuddy。Shehadevidentlysustainedafall。Roygazedatherinadmiringconsternation，butCarmichaelneverlookedatheratall。Apparentlyhewasexaminingthehorse。"Well，helpmeoff——somebody，"criedBo，peremptorily。Hervoicewasweak，butnotherspirit。
Roysprangtohelpheroff，andwhenshewasdownitdevelopedthatshewaslame。
"Oh，Bo！You\'vehadatumble，"exclaimedHelen，anxiously，andsherantoassistRoy。Theyledheruptheporchandtothedoor。TheresheturnedtolookatCarmichael，whowasstillexaminingthespentmustang。
"Tellhim——tocomein，"shewhispered。
"Hey，there，LasVegas！"calledRoy。"Rustlehyar，willyou？"
WhenBohadbeenledintothesitting-roomandseatedinachairCarmichaelentered。Hisfacewasastudy，asslowlyhewalkeduptoBo。
"Girl，you——ain\'thurt？"heasked，huskily。
"It\'snofaultofyoursthatI\'mnotcrippled——ordeadorworse，"retortedBo。"Yousaidthesouthrangewastheonlysaferideforme。Andthere——I——ithappened。"
Shepantedalittleandherbosomheaved。Oneofhergauntletswasgone，andthebareband，thatwasbruisedandbloody，trembledasshehelditout。
"Dear，tellus——areyoubadlyhurt？"queriedHelen，withhurriedgentleness。
"Notmuch。I\'vehadaspill，"repliedBo。"Butoh！I\'mmad——I\'mboiling！"
Shelookedasifshemighthaveexaggeratedherdoubtofinjuries，butcertainlyshehadnotoverestimatedherstateofmind。AnyblazeHelenhadheretoforeseeninthosequickeyeswastamecomparedtothisone。Itactuallyleaped。Bowasmorethanprettythen。ManifestlyRoywasadmiringherlooks，butCarmichaelsawbeyondhercharm。Andslowlyhewasgrowingpale。
"Irodeoutthesouthrange——asIwastold，"beganBo，breathinghardandtryingtocontrolherfeelings。"That\'stherideyouusuallytake，Nell，andyoubet——ifyou\'dtakenitto-day——you\'dnotbeherenow……AboutthreemilesoutIclimbedofftherangeupthatcedarslope。I
alwayskeeptohighground。WhenIgotupIsawtwohorsemenrideoutofsomebrokenrocksofftotheeast。Theyrodeasiftocomebetweenmeandhome。Ididn\'tlikethat。I
circledsouth。AboutamilefartheronIspiedanotherhorsemanandheshowedupdirectlyinfrontofmeandcamealongslow。ThatIlikedstillless。Itmighthavebeenaccident，butitlookedtomeasifthoseridershadsomeintent。AllIcoulddowasheadofftothesoutheastandride。YoubetIdidride。ButIgotintoroughgroundwhereI\'dneverbeenbefore。Itwasslowgoing。AtlastImadethecedarsandhereIcutloose，believingIcouldcircleaheadofthosestrangeridersandcomeroundthroughPine。Ihaditwrong。"
Hereshehesitated，perhapsforbreath，forshehadspokenrapidly，orperhapstogetbetterholdonhersubject。Notimprobablytheeffectshewascreatingonherlistenersbegantobesignificant。Roysatabsorbed，perfectlymotionless，eyeskeenassteel，hismouthopen。CarmichaelwasgazingoverBo\'shead，outofthewindow，anditseemedthathemustknowtherestofhernarrative。Helenknewthatherownwide-eyedattentionalonewouldhavebeenall-compellinginspirationtoBoRayner。
"SureIhaditwrong，"resumedBo。"Prettysoonheardahorsebehind。Ilookedback。Isawabigbayridingdownonme。Oh，buthewasrunning！Hejusttorethroughthecedars……Iwasscaredhalfoutofmysenses。ButIspurredandbeatmymustang。Thenbeganarace！Roughgoing——thickcedars——washesandgulliesIhadtomakehimrun——tokeepmysaddle——topickmyway。Oh-h-h！butitwasglorious！Toraceforfun——that\'sonething；toraceforyourlifeisanother！Myheartwasinmymouth——chokingme。Icouldn\'thaveyelled。Iwasascoldasice——dizzysometimes——blindothers——thenmystomachturned——andI
couldn\'tgetmybreath。YetthewildthrillsIhad！……
ButIstuckonandheldmyownforseveralmiles——totheedgeofthecedars。Therethebighorsegainedonme。Hecamepoundingcloser——perhapsascloseasahundredyards——Icouldhearhimplainenough。ThenIhadmyspill。Oh，mymustangtripped——threwme\'wayoverhishead。Ihitlight，butslidfar——andthat\'swhatscrapedmeso。Iknowmykneeisraw……WhenIgottomyfeetthebighorsedashedup，throwinggravelalloverme——andhisriderjumpedoff……Nowwhodoyouthinkhewas？"
Helenknew，butshedidnotvoiceherconviction。Carmichaelknewpositively，yethekeptsilent。Roywassmiling，asifthenarrativetolddidnotseemsoalarmingtohim。
"Wal，thefactofyoubein\'here，safean\'sound，sortamakesnodifferencewhothetson-of-a-gunwas，"hesaid。
"Riggs！HarveRiggs！"blazedBo。"TheinstantIrecognizedhimIgotovermyscare。AndsomadIburnedallthroughlikefire。Idon\'tknowwhatIsaid，butitwaswild——anditwasawholelot，youbet。
"Yousurecanride，\'hesaid。
"Idemandedwhyhehaddaredtochaseme，andhesaidhehadanimportantmessageforNell。Thiswasit：\'TellyoursisterthatBeasleymeanstoputheroffan\'taketheranch。
Ifshe\'llmarrymeI\'llblockhisdeal。Ifshewon\'tmarryme，I\'llgoinwithBeasley。\'ThenhetoldmetohurryhomeandnottobreatheawordtoanyoneexceptNell。Well，hereIam——andIseemtohavebeenbreathingratherfast。"
ShelookedfromHelentoRoyandfromRoytoLasVegas。Hersmilewasforthelatter，andtoanyonenotoverexcitedbyherstorythatsmilewouldhavetoldvolumes。
"Wal，I\'llbedoggoned！"ejaculatedRoy，feelingly。
Helenlaughed。
"Indeed，theworkingofthatman\'smindisbeyondme……
Marryhimtosavemyranch？Iwouldn\'tmarryhimtosavemylife！
Carmichaelsuddenlybrokehissilence。
"Bo，didyouseetheothermen？"
"Yes。Iwascomingtothat，"shereplied。"Icaughtaglimpseofthembackinthecedars。Thethreeweretogether，or，atleast，threehorsemenwerethere。Theyhadhaltedbehindsometrees。ThenonthewayhomeIbegantothink。
EveninmyfuryIhadreceivedimpressions。RiggswasSURPRISEDwhenIgotup。I\'llbethehadnotexpectedmetobewhoIwas。HethoughtIwasNELL！……Ilookbiggerinthisbuckskinoutfit。MyhairwasuptillIlostmyhat，andthatwaswhenIhadthetumble。HetookmeforNell。Anotherthing，Iremember——hemadesomesign——somemotionwhileIwascallinghimnames，andIbelievethatwastokeepthoseothermenback……IbelieveRiggshadaplanwiththoseothermentowaylayNellandmakeoffwithher。I
absolutelyknowit。"
"Bo，you\'reso——so——youjumpatwildideasso，"
protestedHelen，tryingtobelieveinherownassurance。Butinwardlyshewastrembling。
"MissHelen，thatain\'tawildidee，"saidRoy，seriously。
"Ireckonyoursisterisprettycloseonthetrail。LasVegas，don\'tyousavvyitthetway？"
Carmichael\'sanswerwastostalkoutoftheroom。
"Callhimback！"criedHelen，apprehensively。
"Holdon，boy！"calledRoy，sharply。
HelenreachedthedoorsimultaneouslywithRoy。Thecowboypickeduphissombrero，jammeditonhishead，gavehisbeltavicioushitchthatmadethegun-sheathjump，andtheninonegiantstephewasastrideRanger。
"Carmichael！Stay！"criedHelen。
Thecowboyspurredtheblack，andthestonesrangunderiron-shodhoofs。
"Bo！Callhimback！Pleasecallhimback！"importunedHelen，indistress。
"Iwon\'t，"declaredBoRayner。Herfaceshonewhiternowandhereyeswerelikefieryflint。Thatwasheranswertoaloving，gentle-heartedsister；thatwasheranswertothecalloftheWest。
"Nouse，"saidRoy，quietly。"An\'IreckonI\'dbettertrailhimup。"
He，too，strodeoutand，mountinghishorse，gallopedswiftlyaway。
ItturnedoutthatBo，wasmorebruisedandscrapedandshakenthanshehadimagined。Onekneewasratherbadlycut，whichinjuryalonewouldhavekeptherfromridingagainverysoon。Helen，whowassomewhatskilledatbandagingwounds，worriedagreatdealoverthesesundryblotchesonBo\'sfairskin，andittookconsiderabletimetowashanddressthem。Longafterthiswasdone，andduringtheearlysupper，andafterward，Bo\'sexcitementremainedunabated。
Thewhitenessstayedonherfaceandtheblazeinhereyes。
Helenorderedandbeggedhertogotobed，forthefactwasBocouldnotstandupandherhandsshook。
"Gotobed？Notmuch，"shesaid。"IwanttoknowwhathedoestoRiggs。"
ItwasthatpossibilitywhichhadHelenindreadfulsuspense。IfCarmichaelkilledRiggs，itseemedtoHelenthatthebottomwoulddropoutofthisstructureofWesternlifeshehadbeguntobuildsoearnestlyandfearfully。Shedidnotbelievethathewoulddoso。Buttheuncertaintywastorturing。
"DearBo，"appealedHelen，"youdon\'twant——Oh！youdowantCarmichaelto——tokillRiggs？"
"No，Idon\'t，butIwouldn\'tcareifhedid，"repliedBo，bluntly。
"Doyouthink——hewill？"
"Nell，ifthatcowboyreallylovesmehereadmymindrightherebeforeheleft，"declaredBo。"AndheknewwhatI
thoughthe\'ddo。"
"Andwhat\'s——that？"falteredHelen。
"IwanthimtoroundRiggsupdowninthevillage——
somewhereinacrowd。IwantRiggsshownupasthecoward，braggart，four-flushthatheis。Andinsulted，slapped，kicked——drivenoutofPine！"
Herpassionatespeechstillrangthroughouttheroomwhentherecamefootstepsontheporch。Helenhurriedtoraisethebarfromthedoorandopenitjustasatapsoundedonthedoor-post。Roy\'sfacestoodwhiteoutofthedarkness。
Hiseyeswerebright。AndhissmilemadeHelen\'sfearfulqueryneedless。
"Howareyou-allthisevenin\'？"hedrawled，ashecamein。
Afireblazedonthehearthandalampburnedonthetable。
BytheirlightBolookedwhiteandeager-eyedasshereclinedinthebigarm-chair。
"What\'dhedo？"sheasked，withallheramazingforce。
"Wal，now，ain\'tyougoin\'totellmehowyouare？"
"Roy，I\'mallbungedup。Ioughttobeinbed，butIjustcouldn\'tsleeptillIhearwhatLasVegasdid。I\'dforgiveanythingexcepthimgettingdrunk。"
"Wal，Ishorecaneaseyourmindonthet，"repliedRoy。"Heneverdrankadrop。"
Roywasdistractinglyslowaboutbeginningthetaleanychildcouldhaveguessedhewaseagertotell。Foroncethehard，intentquietness，thesouloflabor，pain，andendurancesoplaininhisfacewassoftenedbypleasurableemotion。Hepokedattheburninglogswiththetoeofhisboot。Helenobservedthathehadchangedhisbootsandnowworenospurs。ThenhehadgonetohisquartersafterwhateverhadhappeneddowninPine。
"WhereIShe？"askedBo。
"Who？Riggs？Wal，Idon\'tknow。ButIreckonhe\'ssomewhereoutinthewoodsnursin\'himself。"
"NotRiggs。FirsttellmewhereHEis。"
"Shore，then，youmustmeanLasVegas。Ijustlefthimdownatthecabin。Hewasgettin\'readyforbed，earlyasitis。
Alltiredouthewasan\'thetwhiteyouwouldn\'thaveknowedhim。Buthelookedhappyatthet，an\'thelastwordshesaid，moretohimselfthantome，Ireckon，was，\'I\'msomelocoedgent，butifshedoesn\'tcallmeTomnowshe\'snogood！"\'
Boactuallyclappedherhands，notwithstandingthatoneofthemwasbandaged。
"CallhimTom？IshouldsmileIwill，"shedeclared，indelight。"Hurrynow——what\'d——"
"It\'sshorepowerfulstrangehowhehatesthethandleLasVegas，"wentonRoy，imperturbably。
"Roy，tellmewhathedid——whatTOMdid——orI\'llscream，"criedBo。
"MissHelen，didyoueverseethelikesofthetgirl？"askedRoy，appealingtoHelen。
"No，Roy，Ineverdid，"agreedHelen。"Butplease——pleasetelluswhathashappened。"
Roygrinnedandrubbedhishandstogetherinadarkdelight，almostfiendishinitssuddenrevelationofagulfofstrangeemotiondeepwithinhim。WhateverhadhappenedtoRiggshadnotbeentoomuchforRoyBeeman。HelenrememberedhearingherunclesaythatarealWesternerhatednothingsohardastheswaggeringdesperado，themake-believegunmanwhopretendedtosailunderthetrue，wild，andreckoningcolorsoftheWest。
Royleanedhislithe，tallformagainstthestonemantelpieceandfacedthegirls。
"WhenIrodeoutafterLasVegasIseenhim\'waydowntheroad，"beganRoy，rapidly。"An\'Iseenanothermanridin\'
downintoPinefromtheotherside。ThetwasRiggs，onlyI
didn\'tknowitthen。LasVegasrodeuptothestore，wheresomefellarswashangin\'round，an\'hespoketothem。WhenI
comeuptheywasallheadin\'forTurner\'ssaloon。Iseenadozenhosseshitchedtotherails。LasVegasrodeon。ButI
gotoffatTurner\'san\'wentinwiththebunch。WhateveritwasLasVegassaidtothemfellars，shoretheydidn\'tgivehimaway。PrettysoonmoremenstrolledintoTurner\'san\'
theregottobe\'mosttwentyaltogether，Ireckon。JeffMulveywastherewithhispards。Theyhadbeendrinkin\'
sortafree。An\'Ididn\'tlikethewayMulveywatchedme。SoIwentoutan\'intothestore，butkepta-lookin\'forLasVegas。Hewasn\'tinsight。ButIseenRiggsridin\'up。Now，Turner\'siswhereRiggshangsoutan\'doeshisbraggin\'。Helookedpowerfuldeepan\'thoughtful，dismountedslowwithoutseein\'theunusualnumberofhossesthere，an\'thenheslouchesintoTurner\'s。Nomore\'naminuteafterLasVegasrodedowntherelikeastreak。An\'justasquickhewasoffan\'throughthetdoor。"
Roypausedasiftogainforceortochoosehiswords。HistalenowappearedalldirectedtoBo，whogazedathim，spellbound，afascinatedlistener。
"BeforeIgottoTurner\'sdoor——an\'thetwasonlyalittleways——IheardLasVegasyell。Didyoueverhearhim？Wal，he\'sgotthewildestyellofanycow-puncherIeverbeard。
QuicklikeIopenedthedooran\'slippedin。TherewasRiggsan\'LasVegasaloneinthecenterofthebigsaloon，withthecrowdedgin\'tothewallsan\'slidin\'backofthebar。
Riggswaswhiter\'nadeadman。Ididn\'thearan\'Idon\'tknowwhatLasVegasyelledathim。ButRiggsknewan\'sodidthegang。AllofasuddeneverymanthereshoreseeninLasVegaswhatRiggshadalwaysbraggedHEwas。ThettimecomestoeverymanlikeRiggs。
"\'What\'dyoucallme？\'heasked，hisjawshakin\'。
"\'I\'ain\'tcalledyouyet，\'answeredLasVegas。\'Ijustwhooped。\'
"\'Whatd\'yewant？\'
"\'Youscaredmygirl。\'
"\'Thehellyesay！Who\'sshe？\'blusteredRiggs，an\'hebegantotakequicklooks\'round。Buthenevermovedahand。Therewassomethin\'tightaboutthewayhestood。LasVegashadbotharmshalfout，stretchedasifhemeanttoleap。Buthewasn\'t。IneverseenLasVegasdothet，butwhenIseenhimthenIunderstoodit。
"\'Youknow。An\'youthreatenedheran\'hersister。Goforyourgun，\'calledLasVegas，lowan\'sharp。
"Thetputthecrowdrightan\'nobodymoved。Riggsturnedgreenthen。Ialmostfeltsorryforhim。Hebegantoshakesohe\'ddroppedagunifhehadpulledone。
"\'Hyar，you\'reoff——somemistake——I\'ain\'tseennogurls——I——\'
"\'Shutupan\'draw！\'yelledLasVegas。Hisvoicejustpiercedholesintheroof，an\'itmighthavebeenabulletfromthewayRiggscollapsed。EverymanseeninasecondmorethetRiggswouldn\'tan\'couldn\'tdraw。Hewasafraidforhislife。Hewasnotwhathehadclaimedtobe。Idon\'tknowifhehadanyfriendsthere。ButintheWestgoodmenan\'badmen，allalike，havenouseforRiggs\'skind。An\'
thetstonyquietbrokewithhaw——haw。ItshorewasaspitifultoseeRiggsasitwasfinetoseeLasVegas。
"WhenhedroppedhisarmsthenIknowedtherewouldbenogun-play。An\'thenLasVegasgotredintheface。HeslappedRiggswithonehand，thenwiththeother。An\'hebegantocusshim。Ishoreneverknowedthetnice-spokenLasVegasCarmichaelcouldusesuchlanguage。Itwasastreamofthebaddestnamesknownouthere，an\'lotsIneverheardof。Nowan\'thenIcaughtsomethin\'likelow-downan\'sneakan\'
four-flushan\'long-hairedskunk，butforthemostparttheywasjustthecussedestkindofnames。An\'LasVegasspoutedthemtillhewasblackintheface，an\'foamin\'atthemouth，an\'hoarser\'nabawlin\'cow。
"Whenhegotoutofbreathfromcussin\'hepunchedRiggsallaboutthesaloon，threwhimoutdoors，knockedhimdownan\'
kickedhimtillhegotkickin\'himdowntheroadwiththewholehaw-hawedgangbehind。An\'hedrovehimoutoftown！"
CHAPTERXVIII
FortwodaysBowasconfinedtoherbed，sufferingconsiderablepain，andsubjecttofever，duringwhichshetalkedirrationally。SomeofthistalkaffordedHelenasvastanamusementasshewascertainitwouldhaveliftedTomCarmichaeltoaseventhheaven。
Thethirdday，however，Bowasbetter，and，refusingtoremaininbed，shehobbledtothesitting-room，whereshedividedhertimebetweenstaringoutofthewindowtowardthecorralsandpesteringHelenwithquestionsshetriedtomakeappearcasual。ButHelensawthroughhercaseandwasinastateofglee。WhatshehopedmostforwasthatCarmichaelwouldsuddenlydevelopalittlelessinclinationforBo。Itwasthatkindoftreatmenttheyoungladyneeded。
Andnowwasthegreatopportunity。Helenalmostfelttemptedtogivethecowboyahint。
Neitherthisday，northenext，however，didheputinanappearanceatthehouse，thoughHelensawhimtwiceonherrounds。Hewasbusy，asusual，andgreetedherasifnothingparticularhadhappened。
Roycalledtwice，onceintheafternoon，andagainduringtheevening。Hegrewmorelikableuponlongeracquaintance。
ThislastvisitherenderedBospeechlessbyteasingheraboutanothergirlCarmichaelwasgoingtotaketoadance。
Bo\'sfaceshowedthathervanitycouldnotbelievethisstatement，butthatherintelligenceofyoungmencrediteditwithbeingpossible。Royevidentlywasaspenetratingashewaskind。Hemadeadry，casuallittleremarkaboutthesnownevermeltingonthemountainsduringthelatterpartofMarch；andthelookwithwhichbeaccompaniedthisremarkbroughtablushtoHelen\'scheek。
AfterRoyhaddepartedBosaidtoHelen："Confoundthatfellow！Heseesrightthroughme。"
"Mydear，you\'rerathertransparentthesedays，"murmuredHelen。
"Youneedn\'ttalk。Hegaveyouadig，"retortedBo。"Hejustknowsyou\'redyingtoseethesnowmelt。"
"Gracious！IhopeI\'mnotsobadasthat。OfcourseIwantthesnowmeltedandspringtocome，andflowers——"
"HalHa！Ha！"tauntedBo。"NellRayner，doyouseeanygreeninmyeyes？Springtocome！Yes，thepoetsaidinthespringayoungman\'sfancylightlyturnstothoughtsoflove。Butthatpoetmeantayoungwoman。"
Helengazedoutofthewindowatthewhitestars。
"Nell，haveyouseenhim——sinceIwashurt？"continuedBo，withaneffort。
"Him？Who？"
"Oh，whomdoyousuppose？ImeanTom！"sheresponded，andthelastwordcamewithaburst。
"Tom？Who\'she？Ah，youmeanLasVegas。Yes，I\'veseenhim。"
"Well，didheaska-aboutme？"
"Ibelievehedidaskhowyouwere——somethinglikethat。"
"Humph！Nell，Idon\'talwaystrustyou。"Afterthatsherelapsedintosilence，readawhile，anddreamedawhile，lookingintothefire，andthenshelimpedovertokissHelengoodnightandlefttheroom。
Nextdayshewasratherquiet，seeminguponthevergeofoneofthedispiritedspellsshegotinfrequently。Earlyintheevening，justafterthelightshadbeenlitandshehadjoinedHeleninthesitting-room，afamiliarstepsoundedonthelooseboardsoftheporch。
HelenwenttothedoortoadmitCarmichael。Hewasclean-shaven，dressedinhisdarksuit，whichpresentedsuchmarkedcontrastfromhisriding-garb，andheworeaflowerinhisbuttonhole。Nevertheless，despiteallthisstyle，heseemedmorethanusuallythecool，easy，carelesscowboy。
"Evenin\'，MissHelen，"hesaid，ashestalkedin。"Evenin\'，MissBo。Howareyou-all？"
Helenreturnedhisgreetingwithawelcomingsmile。
"Goodevening——TOM，"saidBo，demurely。
ThatassuredlywasthefirsttimeshehadevercalledhimTom。Asshespokeshelookeddistractinglyprettyandtantalizing。ButifshehadcalculatedtofloorCarmichaelwiththeinitial，half-promising，whollymockinguseofhisnameshehadreckonedwithoutcause。Thecowboyreceivedthatgreetingasifhehadheardheruseitathousandtimesorhadnothearditatall。Helendecidedifhewasactingaparthewascertainlyacleveractor。Hepuzzledhersomewhat，butshelikedhislook，andhiseasymanner，andthesomethingabouthimthatmusthavebeenhisunconscioussenseofpride。Hehadgonefarenough，perhapstoofar，inhisoverturestoBo。
"Howareyoufeelin\'？"beasked。
"I\'mbetterto-day，"shereplied，withdowncasteyes。"ButI\'mlameyet。"
"Reckonthatbroncpiledyouup。MissHelensaidthereshorewasn\'tanyjokeaboutthecutonyourknee。Now，afellar\'skneeisabadplacetohurt，ifhehastokeeponridin\'。"
"Oh，I\'llbewellsoon。How\'sSam？Ihopehewasn\'tcrippled。"
"ThetSam——why，he\'ssotoughheneverknowedhehadafall。"
"Tom——I——IwanttothankyouforgivingRiggswhathedeserved。"
Shespokeitearnestly，eloquently，andforonceshehadnoslylittleintonationorpertallurement，suchaswasherwonttouseonthisinfatuatedyoungman。
"Aw，youheardaboutthat，"repliedCarmichael，withawaveofhishandtomakelightofit。"Nothin\'much。Ithadtobedone。An\'shoreIwasafraidofRoy。He\'dbeenbad。An\'sowouldanyoftheotherboys。I\'msortalookin\'outforallofthem，youknow，actin\'asMissHelen\'sforemannow。"
Helenwasunutterablytickled。TheeffectofhisspeechuponBowasstupendous。Hehaddisarmedher。Hehad，withthefinesseandtactandsuavityofadiplomat，removedhimselffromobligation，andthedetachmentofself，thecasualthingbeapparentlymadeoutofhismagnificentchampionship，wasbewilderingandhumiliatingtoBo。ShesatsilentforamomentortwowhileHelentriedtofiteasilyintotheconversation。ItwasnotlikelythatBowouldlongbeatalossforwords，andalsoitwasimmenselyprobablethatwithaflashofherwonderfulspiritshewouldturnthetablesonherperverseloverinatwinkling。Anyway，plainitwasthatalessonhadsunkdeep。Shelookedstartled，hurt，wistful，andfinallysweetlydefiant。
"But——youtoldRiggsIwasyourgirl！"ThusBounmaskedherbattery。AndHelencouldnotimaginehowCarmichaelwouldeverresistthatandthesoft，archglancewhichaccompaniedit。
Helendidnotyetknowthecowboy，anymorethandidBo。
"Shore。Ihadtosaythet。Ihadtomakeitstrongbeforethetgang。Ireckonitwaspresumin\'ofme，an\'Ishoreapologize。"
Bostaredathim，andthen，givingalittlegasp，shedrooped。
"Wal，Ijustrunintosayhowdyan\'toinquireafteryou-all，"saidCarmichael。"I\'mgoin\'tothedance，an\'asFlolivesoutoftownawaysI\'dshorebetterrustle……
Goodnight，MissBo；Ihopeyou\'llberidin\'Samsoon。An\'
goodnight，MissHelen。"
Borousedtoaveryfriendlyandlaconiclittlespeech，muchoverdone。Carmichaelstrodeout，andHelen，biddinghimgood-by，closedthedoorafterhim。
TheinstanthehaddepartedBo\'stransformationwastragic。
"Flo！HemeantFloStubbs——thatugly，cross-eyed，bold，littlefrump！"
"Bo！"expostulatedHelen。"Theyoungladyisnotbeautiful，Igrant，butshe\'sveryniceandpleasant。Ilikedher。"
"NellRayner，menarenogood！Andcowboysaretheworst！"
declaredBo，terribly。
"Whydidn\'tyouappreciateTomwhenyouhadhim？"askedHelen。
Bohadbeengrowingfurious，butnowtheallusion，inpasttense，totheconquestshehadsuddenlyandamazinglyfounddearquitebrokeherspirit。Itwasaverypale，unsteady，andmiserablegirlwhoavoidedHelen\'sgazeandlefttheroom。
NextdayBowasnotapproachablefromanydirection。Helenfoundheravictimtoamultiplicityofmoods，rangingfromwoetodire，darkbroodings，fromthemto\'wistfulness，andatlasttoapridethatsustainedher。
Lateintheafternoon，atHelen\'sleisurehour，whensheandBowereinthesitting-room，horsestrampedintothecourtandfootstepsmountedtheporch。Openingtoaloudknock，HelenwassurprisedtoseeBeasley。Andoutinthecourtwereseveralmountedhorsemen。Helen\'sheartsank。Thisvisit，indeed，hadbeenforeshadowed。
"Afternoon，MissRayner，"saidBeasley，doffinghissombrero。"I\'vecalledonalittlebusinessdeal。Willyouseeme？"
Helenacknowledgedhisgreetingwhileshethoughtrapidly。
Shemightjustaswellseehimandhavethatinevitableinterviewdonewith。
"Comein，"shesaid，andwhenhehadenteredsheclosedthedoor。"Mysister，Mr。Beasley。"
"Howd\'youdo，Miss？"saidtherancher，inbluff，loudvoice。
Boacknowledgedtheintroductionwithafrigidlittlebow。
AtcloserangeBeasleyseemedaforcefulpersonalityaswellasaratherhandsomemanofperhapsthirty-five，heavyofbuild，swarthyofskin，andsloe-blackofeye，likethatoftheMexicanswhosebloodwasreportedtobeinhim。Helookedcrafty，confident，andself-centered。IfHelenhadneverheardofhimbeforethatvisitshewouldhavedistrustedhim。
"I\'dcalledsooner，butIwaswaitin\'foroldJose，theMexicanwhoherdedformewhenIwaspardnertoyouruncle，"
saidBeasley，andhesatdowntoputhishugeglovedhandsonhisknees。
"Yes？"queriedHelen，interrogatively。
"JoserustledoverfromMagdalena，an\'nowIcanbackupmyclaim……MissRayner，thishyarranchoughttobeminean\'ismine。Itwasn\'tsobigorsowellstockedwhenAlAuchinclossbeatmeoutofit。IreckonI\'llallowforthet。
I\'vepapers，an\'oldJoseforwitness。An\'Icalculateyou\'llpaymeeightythousanddollars，orelseI\'lltakeovertheranch。"
Beasleyspokeinanordinary，matter-of-facttonethatcertainlyseemedsincere，andhismannerwasblunt，butperfectlynatural。
"Mr。Beasley，yourclaimisnonewstome，"respondedHelen，quietly。"I\'veheardaboutit。AndIquestionedmyuncle。Hesworeonhisdeath-bedthathedidnotoweyouadollar。
Indeed，heclaimedtheindebtednesswasyourstohim。I
couldfindnothinginhispapers，soImustrepudiateyourclaim。Iwillnottakeitseriously。"
"MissRayner，Ican\'tblameyoufortakin\'Al\'swordagainstmine，"saidBeasley。"An\'yourstandisnatural。Butyou\'reastrangerherean\'youknownothin\'ofstockdealsintheseranges。Itain\'tfairtospeakbadofthedead，butthetruthisthetAlAuchinclossgothisstartbystealin\'sheepan\'unbrandedcattle。ThetwasthestartofeveryrancherI
know。Itwasmine。An\'wenoneofuseverthoughtofitasrustlin\'。"
Helencouldonlystarehersurpriseanddoubtatthisstatement。
"Talk\'scheapanywhere，an\'intheWesttalkain\'tmuchatall，"continuedBeasley。"I\'mnotalker。Ijestwanttotellmycasean\'makeadealifyou\'llhaveit。Icanprovemoreinblackan\'white，an\'withwitness，thanyoucan。Thet\'smycase。ThedealI\'dmakeisthis……Let\'smarryan\'
settleabaddealthetway。"
Theman\'sdirectassumption，absolutelywithoutaqualifyingconsiderationforherwoman\'sattitude，wasamazing，ignorant，andbase；butHelenwassowellpreparedforitthatshehidherdisgust。
"Thankyou，Mr。Beasley，butIcan\'tacceptyouroffer，"shereplied。
"Wouldyoutaketimean\'consider？"heasked，spreadingwidehishugeglovedhands。
"Absolutelyno。"
Beasleyrosetohisfeet。Heshowednodisappointmentorchagrin，buttheboldpleasantnesslefthisface，and，slightasthatchangewas，itstrippedhimoftheonlyredeemingqualityheshowed。
"ThetmeansI\'llforceyoutopaymetheeightythousandorputyouoff，"hesaid。
"Mr。Beasley，evenifIowedyouthat，howcouldIraisesoenormousasum？Idon\'toweit。AndIcertainlywon\'tbeputoffmyproperty。Youcan\'tputmeoff。"
"An\'whycan\'tI\'hedemanded，withlowering，darkgaze。
"Becauseyourclaimisdishonest。AndIcanproveit，"
declaredHelen，forcibly。
"Who\'reyougoin\'toproveitto——thetI\'mdishonest？"
"Tomymen——toyourmen——tothepeopleofPine——toeverybody。There\'snotapersonwhowon\'tbelieveme。"
Heseemedcurious，discomfited，surlilyannoyed，andyetfascinatedbyherstatementorelsebythequalityandappearanceofherasshespiritedlydefendedhercause。
"An\'how\'reyougoin\'toproveallthet？"hegrowled。
"Mr。Beasley，doyourememberlastfallwhenyoumetSnakeAnsonwithhisgangupinthewoods——andhiredhimtomakeoffwithme？"askedHelen，inswift，ringingwords。
ThedarkoliveofBeasley\'sboldfaceshadedtoadirtywhite。
"Wha-at？"hejerkedout，hoarsely。
"Iseeyouremember。Well，MiltDalewashiddenintheloftofthatcabinwhereyoumetAnson。Heheardeverywordofyourdealwiththeoutlaw。"
Beasleyswunghisarminsuddenviolence，sohardthatheflunghisglovetothefloor。Ashestoopedtosnatchitupheutteredasibilanthiss。Then，stalkingtothedoor，hejerkeditopen，andslammeditbehindhim。Hisloudvoice，hoarsewithpassion，precededthescrapeandcrackofhoofs。
Shortlyaftersupperthatday，whenHelenwasjustrecoveringhercomposure，Carmichaelpresentedhimselfattheopendoor。Bowasnotthere。InthedimmingtwilightHelensawthatthecowboywaspale，somber，grim。
"Oh，what\'shappened？"criedHelen。
"Roy\'sbeenshot。ItcomeoffinTurner\'ssaloonButheain\'tdead。WepackedhimovertoWidowCass\'s。An\'hesaidformetotellyouhe\'dpullthrough。"
"Shot！Pullthrough！"repeatedHelen，inslow，unrealizingexclamation。Shewasconsciousofadeepinternaltumultandacoldcheckingofbloodinallherexternalbody。
"Yes，shot，"repliedCarmichael，fiercely。
"An\'，whateverhesays，Ireckonhewon\'tpullthrough。"
"0Heaven，howterrible！"burstoutHelen。"Hewassogood——suchaman！Whatapity！Oh，hemusthavemetthatinmybehalf。Tellme，whathappened？Whoshothim？"
"Wal，Idon\'tknow。An\'thet\'swhat\'smademehoppin\'mad。I
wasn\'ttherewhenitcomeoff。An\'hewon\'ttellme。"
"Whynot？"
"Idon\'tknowthet，either。Ireckonedfirstitwasbecausehewantedtogeteven。But，afterthinkin\'itover，Iguesshedoesn\'twantmelookin\'upanyonerightnowforfearI
mightgethurt。An\'you\'regoin\'toneedyourfriends。
Thet\'sallIcanmakeofRoy。"
ThenHelenhurriedlyrelatedtheeventofBeasley\'scallonherthatafternoonandallthathadoccurred。
"Wal，thehalf-breedson-of-a-greaser！"ejaculatedCarmichael，inutterconfoundment。"Hewantedyoutomarryhim！"
"Hecertainlydid。Imustsayitwasa——aratherabruptproposal。"
Carmichaelappearedtobelaboringwithspeechthathadtobesmotheredbehindhisteeth。Atlastheletoutanexplosivebreath。
"MissNell，I\'veshorefeltinmybonesthetI\'mtheboyslatedtobrandthetbigbull。"
"Oh，hemusthaveshotRoy。Helefthereinarage。"
"IreckonyoucancoaxitoutofRoy。Factis，allIcouldlearnwasthetRoycomeinthesaloonalone。Beasleywasthere，an\'Riggs——"
"Riggs！"interruptedHelen。
"Shore，Riggs。Hecomebackagain。Buthe\'dbetterkeepoutofmyway……An\'JeffMulveywithhisoutfit。Turnertoldmeheheardanargumentan\'thenashot。Thegangclearedout，leavin\'Royonthefloor。Icomeinalittlelater。Roywasstilllayin\'there。Nobodywasdoin\'anythin\'
forhim。An\'nobodyhad。IholdthatagainstTurner。Wal，I
gothelpan\'packedRoyovertoWidowCass\'s。Royseemedallright。Buthewastoobrightan\'talkytosuitme。Thebullethithislung，thet\'sshore。An\'helostasightofbloodbeforewestoppedit。ThetskunkTurnermighthavelentahand。An\'ifRoycroaksIreckonI\'ll——"
"Tom，whymustyoualwaysbereckoningtokillsomebody？"
demandedHelen，angrily。
"\'Causesomebody\'sgottobekilled\'roundhere。Thet\'swhy！"hesnappedback。
"Evenso——shouldyouriskleavingBoandmewithoutafriend？"askedHelen，reproachfully。
AtthatCarmichaelwaveredandlostsomethingofhissullendeadliness。
"Aw，MissNell，I\'monlymad。Ifyou\'lljustbepatientwithme——an\'mebbecoaxme……ButIcan\'tseenootherwayout。"
"Let\'shopeandpray，"saidHelen，earnestly。"YouspokeofmycoaxingRoytotellwhoshothim。WhencanIseehim？"
"To-morrow，Ireckon。I\'llcomeforyou。FetchBoalongwithyou。We\'vegottoplaysafefromnowon。An\'whatdoyousaytomean\'Halsleepin\'hereattheranch-house？"
"IndeedI\'dfeelsafer，"shereplied。"Therearerooms。
Pleasecome。"
"Allright。An\'nowI\'llbegoin\'tofetchHal。ShorewishI
hadn\'tmadeyoupalean\'scaredlikethis。"
Aboutteno\'clocknextmorningCarmichaeldroveHelenandBointoPine，andtieduptheteambeforeWidowCass\'scottage。
