下载辰思小说免费APP
AndthenHelenhadherearsfilledwitharapid-fireaccountofrunninghorsesandRiggsandoutlawsandBeasleycalledboldlytohisteeth，andalongrideandanoutlawwhowasahero——afightwithRiggs——bloodanddeath——anotherlongride——awildcampinblackwoods——night——lonely，ghostlysounds——anddayagain——plot——agreatactresslosttotheworld——Ophelia——SnakesandAnsons——
hoodooedoutlaws——mournfulmoansandterriblecries——
cougar——stampede——fightandshots，morebloodanddeath——Wilsonhero——anotherTomCarmichael——falleninlovewithoutlawgun-fighterif——blacknightandDaleandhorseandridesandstarvedand，"Oh，Nell，heWASfromTexas！"
Helengatheredthatwonderfulanddreadfuleventshadhungoverthebrightheadofthisbelovedlittlesister，butthebewildermentoccasionedbyBo\'sfluentandremarkableutteranceleftonlythatlastsentenceclear。
PresentlyHelengotawordintoinformBothatMrs。Casshadknockedtwiceforsupper，andthatwelcomenewscheckedBo\'sflowofspeechwhennothingelseseemedadequate。
ItwasobvioustoHelenthatRoyandDalehadexchangedstories。Roycelebratedthisreunionbysittingattablethefirsttimesincehehadbeenshot；anddespiteHelen\'smisfortuneandthesuspendedwaitingbalanceintheairtheoccasionwasjoyous。OldMrs。Casswasintheheightofherglory。Shesensedaromancehere，and，truetohersex，sheradiatedtoit。
DaylightwasstilllingeringwhenRoygotupandwentoutontheporch。Hiskeenearshadheardsomething。Helenfanciedsheherselfhadheardrapidhoof-beats。
"Dale，comeout！"calledRoy，sharply。
Thehuntermovedwithhisswift，noiselessagility。HelenandBofollowed，haltinginthedoor。
"Thet\'sLasVegas，"whisperedDale。
ToHelenitseemedthatthecowboy\'snamechangedtheveryatmosphere。
Voiceswereheardatthegate；onethat，harshandquick，soundedlikeCarmichael\'s。Andaspiritedhorsewaspoundingandscatteringgravel。Thenalithefigureappeared，stridingupthepath。ItwasCarmichael——yetnottheCarmichaelHelenknew。SheheardBo\'sstrangelittlecry，acorroborationofherownimpression。
Roymightneverhavebeenshot，judgingfromthewayhesteppedout，andDalewasalmostasquick。Carmichaelreachedthem——graspedthemwithswift，hardhands。
"Boys——Ijestrodein。An\'theysaidyou\'dfoundher！"
"Shore，LasVegas。Dalefetchedherhomesafean\'sound……Theresheis。"
Thecowboythrustasidethetwomen，andwithalongstridehefacedtheporch，hispiercingeyesonthedoor。AllthatHelencouldthinkofhislookwasthatitseemedterrible。
BosteppedoutsideinfrontofHelen。ProbablyshewouldhaverunstraightintoCarmichael\'sarmsifsomestrangeinstincthadnotwithheldher。Helenjudgedittobefear；
shefoundherheartliftingpainfully。
"Bo！"heyelled，likeasavage，yethedidnotintheleastresembleone。
"Oh——Tom！"criedBo，falteringly。Shehalfheldoutherarms。
"You，girl？"Thatseemedtobehispiercingquery，likethequiveringbladeinhiseyes。Twomorelongstridescarriedhimcloseuptoher，andhislookchasedtheredoutofBo\'scheek。ThenitwasbeautifultoseehisfacemarvelouslychangeuntilitwasthatofthewellrememberedLasVegasmagnifiedinallhisoldspirit。
"Aw！"Theexclamationwasatremendoussigh。"Ishoreamglad！"
Thatbeautifulflashlefthisfaceashewheeledtothemen。
HewrungDale\'shandlongandhard，andhisgazeconfusedtheolderman。
"RIGGS！"hesaid，andinthejerkofhisframeashewhippedouttheworddisappearedthestrange，fleetingsignsofhiskindlieremotion。
"Wilsonkilledhim，"repliedDale。
"JimWilson——thatoldTexasRanger！……Reckonhelentyouahand？"
"Myfriend，hesavedBo，"repliedDale，withemotion。"Myoldcougaran\'me——wejusthung\'round。"
"YoumadeWilsonhelpyou？"cutinthehardvoice。
"Yes。ButhekilledRiggsbeforeIcomeupan\'Ireckonhe\'ddonewellbyBoifI\'dnevergotthere。"
"Howaboutthegang？"
"Allsnuffedout，Ireckon，exceptWilson。"
"SomebodytoldmeBeasleyhedranMissHelenofftheranch。
Thetso？"
"Yes。Fourofhisgreaserspackedherdownthehill——mosttoreherclothesoff，soRoytellsme。"
"Fourgreasers！……ShoreitwasBeasley\'sdealcleanthrough？"
"Yes。Riggswasled。Hehadanitchforabadname，youknow。ButBeasleymadetheplan。ItwasNelltheywantedinsteadofBo。"
AbruptlyCarmichaelstalkedoffdownthedarkeningpath，hissilverheel-platesringing，hisspursjingling。
"Holdon，Carmichael，"calledDale，takingastep。
"Oh，Tom！"criedBo。
"Shorefolkscallin\'won\'tbenouse，ifanythinwouldbe，"
saidRoy。"LasVegashashedalookatredliquor。"
"He\'sbeendrinking！Oh，thataccounts！……henever——
nevereventouchedme！"
ForonceHelenwasnotreadytocomfortBo。Amightytugatherhearthadsentherwithflying，unevenstepstowardDale。Hetookanotherstridedownthepath，andanother。
"Dale——oh——pleasestop！"shecalled，verylow。
Hehaltedasifhehadrunsharplyintoabaracrossthepath。WhenheturnedHelenhadcomeclose。Twilightwasdeepthereintheshadeofthepeach-trees，butshecouldseehisface，thehungry，flaringeyes。
"I——Ihaven\'tthankedyou——yet——forbringingBohome，"
shewhispered。
"Nell，nevermindthat，"hesaid，insurprise。"Ifyoumust——why，wait。I\'vegottocatchupwiththatcowboy。"
"No。Letmethankyounow，"shewhispered，and，steppingcloser，sheputherarmsup，meaningtoputthemroundhisneck。Thatactionmustbeherself-punishmentfortheothertimeshehaddoneit。Yetitmightalsoservetothankhim。
But，strangely，herhandsgotnofartherthanhisbreast，andflutteredtheretocatchholdofthefringeofhisbuckskinjacket。Shefeltaheaveofhisdeepchest。
"I——Idothankyou——withallmyheart，"shesaid，softly。"Ioweyounow——formyselfandher——morethanI
caneverrepay。"
"Nell，I\'myourfriend，"hereplied，hurriedly。"Don\'ttalkofrepayin\'me。Letmegonow——afterLasVegas。"
"Whatfor？"shequeried，suddenly。
"Imeantolineupbesidehim——atthebar——orwhereverhegoes，"returnedDale。
"Don\'ttellmethat。_I_know。You\'regoingstraighttomeetBeasley。"
"Nell，ifyouholdmeupanylongerIreckonI\'llhavetorun——ornevergettoBeasleybeforethatcowboy。"
Helenlockedherfingersinthefringeofhisjacket——
leanedclosertohim，allherbeingresponsivetoaburstinggustofbloodoverher。
"I\'llnotletyougo，"shesaid。
Helaughed，andputhisgreathandsoverhers。"What\'reyousayin\'，girl？Youcan\'tstopme。"
"Yes，Ican。Dale，Idon\'twantyoutoriskyourlife。"
Hestaredather，andmadeasiftotearherhandsfromtheirhold。
"Listen——please——oh——please！"sheimplored。"IfyougodeliberatelytokillBeasley——anddoit——thatwillbemurder……It\'sagainstmyreligion……Iwouldbeunhappyallmylife。"
"But，child，you\'llberuinedallyourlifeifBeasleyisnotdealtwith——asmenofhisbreedarealwaysdealtwithintheWest，"heremonstrated，andinonequickmovehehadfreedhimselffromherclutchingfingers。
Helen，withamoveasswift，putherarmsroundhisneckandclaspedherhandstight。
"Milt，I\'mfindingmyself，"shesaid。"Theotherday，whenI
did——this——youmadeanexcuseforme……I\'mnottwo-facednow。"
ShemeanttokeephimfromkillingBeasleyifshesacrificedeverylastshredofherpride。Andshestampedthelookofhisfaceonherheartofheartstotreasurealways。Thethrill，thebeatofherpulses，almostobstructedherthoughtofpurpose。
"Nell，justnow——whenyou\'reovercome——rashwithfeelin\'s——don\'tsaytome——aword——a——"
Hebrokedownhuskily。
"Myfirstfriend——my——OhDale，IKNOWyouloveme！shewhispered。Andshehidherfaceonhisbreast，theretofeelatremendoustumult。
"Oh，don\'tyou？"shecried，inlow，smotheredvoice，ashissilencedroveherfartheronthismad，yetgloriouspurpose。
"Ifyouneedtobetold——yes——IreckonIdoloveyou，NellRayner，"hereplied。
ItseemedtoHelenthathespokefromfaroff。Sheliftedherface，herheartonherlips。
"IfyoukillBeasleyI\'llnevermarryyou，"shesaid。
"Who\'sexpectin\'youto？"heasked，withlow，hoarselaugh。
"Doyouthinkyouhavetomarrymetosquareaccounts？
This\'stheonlytimeyoueverhurtme，NellRayner……
I\'m\'shamedyoucouldthinkI\'dexpectyou——outofgratitude——"
"Oh——you——youareasdenseastheforestwhereyoulive，"shecried。Andthensheshuthereyesagain，thebettertorememberthattransfigurationofhisface，thebettertobetrayherself。
"Man——Iloveyou！"Fullanddeep，yettremulous，thewordsburstfromherheartthathadbeenburdenedwiththemformanyaday。
Thenitseemed，inthethrobbingriotofhersenses，thatshewasliftedandswungintohisarms，andhandledwithagreatandterribletenderness，andhuggedandkissedwiththehungerandawkwardnessofabear，andheldwithherfeetofftheground，andrenderedblind，dizzy，rapturous，andfrightened，andutterlytornasunderfromheroldcalm，thinkingself。
Heputherdown——releasedher。
"Nothin\'couldhavemademesohappyaswhatyousaid。"Hefinishedwithastrongsighofunutterable，wonderingjoy。
"Thenyouwillnotgoto——tomeet——"
Helen\'shappyqueryfrozeonherlips。
"I\'vegottogo！"herejoined，withhisold，quietvoice。
"HurryintoBo……An\'don\'tworry。TrytothinkofthingsasItaughtyouupinthewoods。"
Helenheardhissoft，paddedfootfallsswiftlypassaway。
Shewasleftthere，aloneinthedarkeningtwilight，suddenlycoldandstricken，asifturnedtostone。
Thusshestoodanage-longmomentuntiltheupflashingtruthgalvanizedherintoaction。ThensheflewinpursuitofDale。Thetruthwasthat，inspiteofDale\'s\'earlytrainingintheEastandthelongyearsofsolitudewhichhadmadehimwonderfulinthoughtandfeeling，hehadalsobecomeapartofthisraw，bold，andviolentWest。
ItwasquitedarknowandshehadrunquitesomedistancebeforeshesawDale\'stall，darkformagainsttheyellowlightofTurner\'ssaloon。
Somehow，inthatpoignantmoment，whenherflyingfeetkeptpacewithherheart，Helenfeltinherselfaforceopposingitselfagainstthisraw，primitivejusticeoftheWest。Shewasoneofthefirstinfluencesemanatingfromcivilizedlife，fromlawandorder。InthatflashoftruthshesawtheWestasitwouldbesomefuturetime，whenthroughwomenandchildrenthesewildfrontierdayswouldbegoneforever。
Also，justasclearlyshesawthepresentneedofmenlikeRoyBeemanandDaleandthefire-bloodedCarmichael。Beasleyandhiskindmustbekilled。ButHelendidnotwantherlover，herfuturehusband，andtheprobablefatherofherchildrentocommitwhatsheheldtobemurder。
AtthedoorofthesaloonshecaughtupwithDale。
"Milt——oh——wait！\'——wait！"shepanted。
Sheheardhimcurseunderhisbreathasheturned。Theywerealoneintheyellowflareoflight。Horseswerechampingbitsanddroopingbeforetherails。
"Yougoback！"orderedDale，sternly。Hisfacewaspale，hiseyesweregleaming。
"No！Nottill——youtakeme——orcarryme！"shereplied，resolutely，withallawoman\'spositiveandinevitableassurance。
Thenhelaidholdofherwithungentlehands。Hisviolence，especiallythelookonhisface，terrifiedHelen，renderedherweak。Butnothingcouldhaveshakenherresolve。Shefeltvictory。Hersex，herlove，andherpresencewouldbetoomuchforDale。
AsheswungHelenaround，thelowhumofvoicesinsidethesaloonsuddenlyrosetosharp，hoarseroars，accompaniedbyascufflingoffeetandcrashingofviolentlyslidingchairsortables。DaleletgoofHelenandleapedtowardthedoor。
Butasilenceinside，quickerandstrangerthantheroar，haltedhim。Helen\'sheartcontracted，thenseemedtoceasebeating。Therewasabsolutelynotaperceptiblesound。Eventhehorsesappeared，likeDale，tohaveturnedtostatues。
Twothunderingshotsannihilatedthissilence。Thenquicklycamealightershot——thesmashofglass。Daleranintothesaloon。Thehorsesbegantosnort，torear，topound。Alow，muffledmurmurterrifiedHelenevenasitdrewher。Dashingatthedoor，sheswungitinandentered。
Theplacewasdim，blue-hazed，smellingofsmoke。Dalestoodjustinsidethedoor。Onthefloorlaytwomen。Chairsandtableswereoverturned。Amotley，dark，shirt-sleeved，booted，andbeltedcrowdofmenappearedhunchedagainsttheoppositewall，withpale，setfaces，turnedtothebar。
Turner，theproprietor，stoodatoneend，hisfacelivid，hishandsaloftandshaking。Carmichaelleanedagainstthemiddleofthebar。Heheldagunlowdown。Itwassmoking。
WithagaspHelenflashedhereyesbacktoDale。Hehadseenher——wasreachinganarmtowardher。Thenshesawthemanlyingalmostatherfeet。JeffMulvey——heruncle\'soldforeman！Hisfacewasawfultobehold。Asmokinggunlaynearhisinerthand。Theothermanhadfallenonhisface。
HisgarbproclaimedhimaMexican。Hewasnotyetdead。ThenHelen，asshefeltDale\'sarmencircleher，lookedfarther，becauseshecouldnotpreventit——lookedonatthatstrangefigureagainstthebar——thisboywhohadbeensuchafriendinherhourofneed——thisnai；veandfranksweetheartofhersister\'s。
Shesawamannow——wild，white，intenseasfire，withsometerriblecoolkindofdeadlinessinhismien。Hisleftelbowresteduponthebar，andhishandheldaglassofredliquor。Thebiggun，lowdowninhisotherhand，seemedassteadyasifitwereafixture。
"Heah\'stothet——half-breedBeasleyan\'hisoutfit！"
Carmichaeldrank，whilehisflamingeyesheldthecrowd；
thenwithsavageactionofterriblepassionheflungtheglassatthequiveringformofthestilllivingMexicanonthefloor。
Helenfeltherselfslipping。Allseemedtodarkenaroundher。ShecouldnotseeDale，thoughsheknewheheldher。
Thenshefainted。
CHAPTERXXV
LasVegasCarmichaelwasaproductofhisday。
ThePanHandleofTexas，theoldChisholmTrailalongwhichweredriventhegreatcattleherdsnorthward，FortDodge，wherethecowboysconflictedwiththecard-sharps——thesehardplaceshadlefttheirmarksonCarmichael。TocomefromTexaswastocomefromfightingstock。Andacowboy\'slifewasstrenuous，wild，violent，andgenerallybrief。Theexceptionswerethefortunateandtheswiftestmenwithguns；andtheydriftedfromsouthtonorthandwest，takingwiththemthereckless，chivalrous，vitriolicspiritpeculiartotheirbreed。
ThepioneersandranchersofthefrontierwouldneverhavemadetheWesthabitablehaditnotbeenforthesewildcowboys，thesehard-drinking，hard-riding，hard-livingrangersofthebarrens，theseeasy，cool，laconic，simpleyoungmenwhosebloodwastingedwithfireandwhopossessedamagnificentandterribleeffronterytowarddangeranddeath。
LasVegasranhishorsefromWidowCass\'scottagetoTurner\'ssaloon，andthehoofsofthegoadedsteedcrashedinthedoor。LasVegas\'sentrancewasaleap。Thenhestoodstillwiththedoorajarandthehorsepoundingandsnortingback。AllthemeninthatsaloonwhosawtheentranceofLasVegasknewwhatitportended。Nothunderboltcouldhavemorequicklycheckedthedrinking，gambling，talkingcrowd。Theyrecognizedwithkindredsensesthenatureofthemanandhisarrival。Forasecondtheblue-hazedroomwasperfectlyquiet，thenmenbreathed，moved，rose，andsuddenlycausedaquick，slidingcrashofchairsandtables。
Thecowboy\'sglitteringeyesflashedtoandfro，andthenfixedonMulveyandhisMexicancompanion。Thatglancesingledoutthesetwo，andthesuddenrushofnervousmenprovedit。Mulveyandthesheep-herderwereleftaloneinthecenterofthefloor。
"Howdy，Jeff！Where\'syourboss？"askedLasVegas。Hisvoicewascool，friendly；hismannerwaseasy，natural；butthelookofhimwaswhatmadeMulveypaleandtheMexicanlivid。
"Reckonhe\'shome，"repliedMulvey。
"Home？What\'shecallhomenow？"
"He\'shangin\'outhyaratAuchincloss\'s，"repliedMulvey。
Hisvoicewasnotstrong，buthiseyesweresteady，watchful。
LasVegasquiveredalloverasifstung。Aflamethatseemedwhiteandredgavehisfaceasingularhue。
"Jeff，youworkedforoldAlalongtime，an\'I\'veheardofyourdifferences，"saidLasVegas。"Thetain\'tnomixofmine……Butyoudouble-crossedMissHelen！"
Mulveymadenoattempttodenythis。Hegulpedslowly。Hishandsappearedlesssteady，andhegrewpaler。AgainLasVegas\'swordssignifiedlessthanhislook。AndthatlooknowincludedtheMexican。
"Pedro，you\'reoneofBeasley\'soldhands，"saidLasVegas，accusingly。"An\'——youwasoneofthemfourgreasersthet——"
Herethecowboychokedandbitoverhiswordsasiftheywereamaterialpoison。TheMexicanshowedhisguiltandcowardice。Hebegantojabber。
"Shetup！"hissedLasVegas，withasavageandsignificantjerkofhisarm，asifabouttostrike。Butthatactionwasreadforitstruemeaning。Pell-mellthecrowdsplittorusheachwayandleaveanopenspacebehindthethree。
LasVegaswaited。ButMulveyseemedobstructed。TheMexicanlookeddangerousthroughhisfear。Hisfingerstwitchedasifthetendonsrunningupintohisarmswerebeingpulled。
Aninstantofsuspense——morethanlongenoughforMulveytobetriedandfoundwanting——andLasVegas，withlaughandsneer，turnedhisbackuponthepairandsteppedtothebar。HiscallforabottlemadeTurnerjumpandholditoutwithshakinghands。LasVegaspouredoutadrink，whilehisgazewasintentonthescarredoldmirrorhangingbehindthebar。
ThisturninghisbackuponmenhehadjustdaredtodrawshowedwhatkindofaschoolLasVegashadbeentrainedin。
Ifthosemenhadbeenworthyantagonistsofhisclasshewouldneverhavescornedthem。Asitwas，whenMulveyandtheMexicanjerkedattheirguns，LasVegasswiftlywheeledandshottwice。Mulvey\'sgunwentoffashefell，andtheMexicandoubledupinaheaponthefloor。ThenLasVegasreachedaroundwithhislefthandforthedrinkhehadpouredout。
AtthisjunctureDaleburstintothesaloon，suddenlytocheckhisimpetus，toswerveasidetowardthebarandhalt。
Thedoorhadnotceasedswingingwhenagainitwaspropelledinward，thistimetoadmitHelenRayner，whiteandwide-eyed。
InanothermomentthenLasVegashadspokenhisdeadlytoasttoBeasley\'sgangandhadfiercelyflungtheglassatthewrithingMexicanonthefloor。AlsoDalehadgravitatedtowardthereelingHelentocatchherwhenshefainted。
LasVegasbegantocurse，and，stridingtoDale，hepushedhimoutofthesaloon。
"——！What\'reyoudoin\'heah？"heyelled，stridently。
"Hevn\'tyougotthetgirltothinkof？Thendoit，youbigIndian！Lettin\'herrunafteryouheah——riskin\'herselfthetway！Youtakecareofheran\'Boan\'leavethisdealtome！"
Thecowboy，furiousashewasatDale，yethadkeen，swifteyesforthehorsesnearathand，andthemenoutinthedimlight。Daleliftedthegirlintohisarms，and，turningwithoutaword，stalkedawaytodisappearinthedarkness。
LasVegas，holdinghisgunlow，returnedtothebar-room。Iftherehadbeenanychangeinthecrowditwasslight。Thetensionhadrelaxed。Turnernolongerstoodwithhandsup。
"You-allgoonwithyourfun，"calledthecowboy，withasweepofhisgun。"Butit\'dberiskyferanyonetostartleavin\'。"
Withthathebackedagainstthebar，nearwheretheblackbottlestood。Turnerwalkedouttobeginrightingtablesandchairs，andpresentlythecrowd，withsomecautionandsuspense，resumedtheirgamesanddrinking。Itwassignificantthatawideberthlaybetweenthemandthedoor。
FromtimetotimeTurnerservedliquortomenwhocalledforit。
LasVegasleanedwithbackagainstthebar。Afterawhilehesheathedhisgunandreachedaroundforthebottle。Hedrankwithhispiercingeyesuponthedoor。Nooneenteredandnoonewentout。Thegamesofchancethereandthedrinkingwerenotenjoyed。Itwasahardscene——thatsmoky，long，ill-smellingroom，withitsdim，yellowlights，anddark，evilfaces，withthestealthy-steppingTurnerpassingtoandfro，andthedeadMulveystaringinhorriblefixidityattheceiling，andtheMexicanquiveringmoreandmoreuntilheshookviolently，thenlaystill，andwiththedrinking，somber，waitingcowboy，morefieryandmoreflamingwitheverydrink，listeningforastepthatdidnotcome。
Timepassed，andwhatlittlechangeitwroughtwasinthecowboy。Drinkaffectedhim，buthedidnotbecomedrunk。Itseemedthattheliquorhedrankwasconsumedbyamountingfire。Itwasfueltoadrivingpassion。Hegrewmoresullen，somber，brooding，redderofeyeandface，morecrouchingandrestless。Atlast，whenthehourwassolatethattherewasnoprobabilityofBeasleyappearing，LasVegasflunghimselfoutofthesaloon。
Alllightsofthevillagehadnowbeenextinguished。Thetiredhorsesdroopedinthedarkness。LasVegasfoundhishorseandledhimawaydowntheroadandoutalanetoafieldwhereabarnstooddimanddarkinthestarlight。
Morningwasnotfaroff。Heunsaddledthehorseand，turninghimloose，wentintothebarn。Hereheseemedfamiliarwithhissurroundings，forhefoundaladderandclimbedtoaloft，wherebethrewhimselfonthehay。
Herested，butdidnotsleep。Atdaylighthewentdownandbroughthishorseintothebarn。SunrisefoundLasVegaspacingtoandfrotheshortlengthoftheinterior，andpeeringoutthroughwidecracksbetweentheboards。Thenduringthesucceedingcoupleofhourshewatchedtheoccasionalhorsemanandwagonandherderthatpassedonintothevillage。
AboutthebreakfasthourLasVegassaddledhishorseandrodebackthewayhehadcomethenightbefore。AtTurner\'shecalledforsomethingtoeataswellasforwhisky。Afterthathebecamealistening，watchingmachine。Hedrankfreelyforanhour；thenhestopped。Heseemedtobedrunk，butwithadifferentkindofdrunkennessfromthatusualindrinkingmen。Savage，fierce，sullen，hewasonetoavoid。
Turnerwaitedonhiminevidentfear。
AtlengthLasVegas\'sconditionbecamesuchthatactionwasinvoluntary。Hecouldnotstandstillnorsitdown。Stalkingout，hepassedthestore，wheremenslouchedbacktoavoidhim，andhewentdowntheroad，waryandalert，asifheexpectedarifle-shotfromsomehiddenenemy。Uponhisreturndownthatmainthoroughfareofthevillagenotapersonwastobeseen。HewentintoTurner\'s。Theproprietorwasthereathispost，nervousandpale。LasVegasdidnotorderanymoreliquor。
"Turner，IreckonI\'llboreyounexttimeIruninheah，"hesaid，andstalkedout。
Hehadthestores，theroad，thevillage，tohimself；andhepatrolledabeatlikeasentrywatchingforanIndianattack。
Towardnoonasinglemanventuredoutintotheroadtoaccostthecowboy。
"LasVegas，I\'mtellin\'you——allthegreasersairleavin\'
therange，"hesaid。
"Howdy，Abe！"repliedLasVegas。"What\'nhellyoutalkin\'
about？"
Themanrepeatedhisinformation。AndLasVegasspatoutfrightfulcurses。
"Abe——youheahwhatBeasley\'sdoin\'？"
"Yes。He\'swithhismen——upattheranch。Reckonhecan\'tputoffridin\'downmuchlonger。"
ThatwaswheretheWestspoke。Beasleywouldbeforcedtomeettheenemywhohadcomeoutsingle-handedagainsthim。
LongbeforethishourabravermanwouldhavecometofaceLasVegas。Beasleycouldnothireanygangtobearthebruntofthissituation。Thiswasthetestbywhichevenhisownmenmustjudgehim。AllofwhichwastosaythatasthewildnessoftheWesthadmadepossiblehiscrimes，soitnowheldhimresponsibleforthem。
"Abe，ifthet——greaserdon\'trustledownheahI\'mgoin\'
afterhim。"
"Sure。Butdon\'tbeinnohurry，"repliedAbe。
"I\'mwaltzin\'toslowmusic……Gimmeasmoke。"
WithfingersthatslightlytrembledAberolledacigarette，lititfromhisown，andhandedittothecowboy。
"LasVegas，IreckonIhearhosses，"hesaid，suddenly。
"Me，too，"repliedLasVegas，withhisheadhighlikethatofalisteningdeer。Apparentlyheforgotthecigaretteandalsohisfriend。Abehurriedbacktothestore，wherehedisappeared。
LasVegasbeganhisstalkingupanddown，andhisactionnowwasanexaggerationofallhisformermovements。Arational，ordinarymortalfromsomeEasterncommunity，happeningtomeetthisred-facedcowboy，wouldhaveconsideredhimdrunkorcrazy。ProbablyLasVegaslookedboth。Butallthesamehewasamarvelouslykeenandstrungandefficientinstrumenttomeettheportendingissue。Howmanythousandsoftimes，onthetrails，andinthewide-streetedlittletownsallovertheWest，hadthisstalkofthecowboy\'sbeenperpetrated！Violent，bloody，tragicasitwas，ithadanimportanceinthatpioneerdayequaltotheuseofahorseortheneedofaplow。
AtlengthPinewasapparentlyadesertedvillage，exceptforLasVegas，whopatrolledhislongbeatinmanyways——heloungedwhilehewatched；hestalkedlikeamountaineer；hestolealongIndianfashion，stealthily，fromtreetotree，fromcornertocorner；hedisappearedinthesaloontoreappearattheback；heslippedroundbehindthebarnstocomeoutagaininthemainroad；andtimeaftertimeheapproachedhishorseasifdecidingtomount。
ThelastvisithemadeintoTurner\'ssaloonhefoundnoonethere。Savagelyhepoundedonthebarwithhisgun。Hegotnoresponse。Thenthelong-pent-uprageburst。Withwildwhoopshepulledanothergunandshotatthemirror，thelamps。Heshottheneckoffabottleanddranktillbechoked，hisneckcorded，bulging，andpurple。Hisonlyslowanddeliberateactionwasthereloadingofhisgun。Thenhecrashedthroughthedoors，andwithawildyellleapedsheerintothesaddle，haulinghishorseuphighandgoadinghimtoplungeaway。
Menrunningtothedoorandwindowsofthestoresawastreakofdustflyingdowntheroad。Andthentheytroopedouttoseeitdisappear。Thehourofsuspenseendedforthem。LasVegashadliveduptothecodeoftheWest，haddaredhismanout，hadwaitedfarlongerthanneedfultoprovethatmanacoward。Whatevertheissuenow，Beasleywasbrandedforever。Thatmomentsawthedeclineofwhateverpowerhehadwielded。Heandhismenmightkillthecowboywhohadriddenoutalonetofacehim，butthatwouldnotchangethebrand。
TheprecedingnightBeasleybadbeenfinishingalatesupperathisnewlyacquiredranch，whenBuckWeaver，oneofhismen，burstinuponhimwithnewsofthedeathofMulveyandPedro。
"Who\'sintheoutfit？Howmany？"hehadquestioned，quickly。
"It\'saone-manoutfit，boss，"repliedWeaver。
Beasleyappearedastounded。Heandhismenhadpreparedtomeetthefriendsofthegirlwhosepropertyhehadtakenover，andbecauseofthesuperiorityofhisownforcehehadanticipatednobloodyorextendedfeud。Thisamazingcircumstanceputthecaseinverymuchmoredifficultform。
"Oneman！"heejaculated。
"Yep。ThetcowboyLasVegas。An，\'boss，heturnsouttobeagun-slingerfromTexas。IwasinTurner\'s。HedjesthappenedtostepintheotherroomwhenLasVegascomebustin\'inonhisbossan\'jumpedoff……FustthinghecalledJeffan\'
Pedro。Theybothshowedyaller。An\'then，damnifthetcowboydidn\'tturnhisbackontheman\'wenttothebarferadrink。Buthewaslookin\'inthemirroran\'whenJeffan\'
Pedrowentfertheirgunswhyhewhirledquickaslightnin\'
an\'boredthemboth……Isneakedoutan——"
"Whydidn\'tyouborehim？"roaredBeasley。
BuckWeaversteadilyeyedhisbossbeforehereplied。"I
ain\'ttakin\'shotsatanyfellarfrombehinddoors。An\'asfermeetin\'LasVegas——excooseme，boss！I\'vestillahankerin\'fersunshinean\'redliquor。Besides，I\'ain\'tgotnothin\'ag\'in\'LasVegas。Ifhe\'srustledoverhereattheheadofacrowdtoputusoffI\'dfight，jestaswe\'dallfight。Butyouseewefiggeredwrong。It\'sbetweenyouan\'
LasVegas！……YououghterseenhimthrowthethunterDaleoutofTurner\'s。"
"Dale！Didhecome？"queriedBeasley。
"HegottherejustafterthecowboypluggedJeff。An\'thetbig-eyedgirl，shecamerunnin\'in，too。An\'shekeeledoverinDale\'sarms。LasVegasshovedhimout——cussedhimsohardweallheerd……So，Beasley，thereain\'tnofightcomin，offaswefiggeredon。"
BeasleythusheardtheWestspeakoutofthemouthofhisownman。Andgrim，sardonic，almostscornful，indeed，werethewordsofBuckWeaver。ThisriderhadonceworkedforAlAuchinclossandhaddesertedtoBeasleyunderMulvey\'sleadership。Mulveywasdeadandthesituationwasvastlychanged。
BeasleygaveWeaveradark，loweringglance，andwavedhimaway。FromthedoorWeaversentbackadoubtful，scrutinizinggaze，thenslouchedout。ThatgazeBeasleyhadnotencounteredbefore。
Itmeant，asWeaver\'scroniesmeant，asBeasley\'slong-faithfulriders，andthepeopleoftherange，andasthespiritoftheWestmeant，thatBeasleywasexpectedtomarchdownintothevillagetofacehissinglefoe。
ButBeasleydidnotgo。InsteadhepacedtoandfrothelengthofHelenRayner\'slongsitting-roomwiththenervousenergyofamanwhocouldnotrest。Manytimeshehesitated，andatothershemadesuddenmovementstowardthedoor，onlytohalt。Longaftermidnighthewenttobed，butnottosleep。Hetossedandrolledallnight，andatdawnarose，gloomyandirritable。
HecursedtheMexicanserving-womenwhoshowedtheirdispleasureathisauthority。Andtohisamazeandragenotoneofhismencametothehouse。Hewaitedandwaited。Thenhestalkedofftothecorralsandstablescarryingariflewithhim。Themenwerethere，inagroupthatdispersedsomewhatathisadvent。NotaMexicanwasinsight。
Beasleyorderedthehorsestobesaddledandallhandstogodownintothevillagewithhim。Thatorderwasdisobeyed。
Beasleystormedandraged。Hisriderssatorlounged，withloweredfaces。Anunspokenhostilityseemedpresent。Thosewhohadbeenlongestwithhimwereleastdistantandstrange，butstilltheydidnotobey。AtlengthBeasleyroaredforhisMexicans。
"Boss，wegottatellyoutheteverygreaserontheranchhessloped——gonethesetwohours——onthewaytoMagdalena，"
saidBuckWeaver。
Ofallthesesudden-uprisingperplexitiesthislatestwasthemostastounding。Beasleycursedwithhisquestioningwonder。
"Boss，theywassurescaredofthetgun-slingin\'cowboyfromTexas，"repliedWeaver，imperturbably。
Beasley\'sdark，swarthyfacechangeditshue。WhatofthesubtlereflectioninWeaver\'sslowspeech！OneofthemencameoutofacorralleadingBeasley\'ssaddledandbridledhorse。Thisfellowdroppedthebridleandsatdownamonghiscomradeswithoutaword。Noonespoke。Thepresenceofthehorsewassignificant。Withasnarling，mutteredcurse，Beasleytookuphisrifleandstrodebacktotheranch-house。
Inhisrageandpassionhedidnotrealizewhathismenhadknownforhours——thatifhehadstoodanychanceatallfortheirrespectaswellasforhislifethehourwaslongpast。
Beasleyavoidedtheopenpathstothehouse，andwhenhegottherehenervouslypouredoutadrink。Evidentlysomethinginthefieryliquorfrightenedhim，forhethrewthebottleaside。Itwasasifthatbottlecontainedacouragewhichwasfalse。
Againhepacedthelongsitting-room，growingmoreandmorewrought-upasevidentlyhegrewfamiliarwiththesingularstateofaffairs。Twicethepaleserving-womancalledhimtodinner。
Thedining-roomwaslightandpleasant，andthemeal，fragrantandsteaming，wasreadyforhim。Butthewomenhaddisappeared。Beasleyseatedhimself——spreadouthisbighandsonthetable。
Thenaslightrustle——aclinkofspur——startledhim。Hetwistedhishead。
"Howdy，Beasley！"saidLasVegas，whohadappearedasifbymagic。
Beasley\'sframeseemedtoswellasifafloodhadbeenloosedinhisveins。Sweat-dropsstoodoutonhispallidface。
"What——you——want？"heasked，huskily。
"Walnow，myboss，MissHelen，says，seein\'Iamforemanheah，thetit\'dbenicean\'properfermetodropinan\'eatwithyou——THELASTTIME！"repliedthecowboy。Hisdrawlwasslowandcool，histonewasfriendlyandpleasant。Buthislookwasthatofafalconreadytodrivedeepitsbeak。
Beasley\'sreplywasloud，incoherent，hoarse。
LasVegasseatedhimselfacrossfromBeasley。
"Eatornot，it\'sshoreallthesametome，"saidLasVegas，andhebegantoloadhisplatewithhislefthand。Hisrighthandrestedverylightly，withjustthetipsofhisvibratingfingersontheedgeofthetable；andheneverfortheslightestfractionofasecondtookhispiercingeyesoffBeasley。
"Wal，myhalf-breedgreaserguest，itshoreroilsupmybloodtoseeyousittin\'there——thinkin\'you\'veputmyboss，MissHelen，offthisranch，"beganLasVegas，softly。
Andthenhehelpedhimselfleisurelytofoodanddrink。"InmydayI\'veshorestackedupagainstalotofoutlaws，thieves，rustlers，an\'sichlike，butferanoutan\'outdirtylow-downskunk，youshoretakethedough！……I\'mgoin，tokillyouinaminitorso，jestassoonasyoumoveoneofthemdirtypawsofyourn。ButIhopeyou\'llbepolitean\'letmesayafewwords。I\'llneverbehappyagainifyoudon\'t……Ofallthe——yallergreaserdogsIeverseen，you\'retheworst！……Iwasthinkin\'lastnightmebbeyou\'dcomedownan\'meetmelikeaman，so\'sIcouldwashmyhandseverafterwardwithoutgettin\'sicktomystummick。
Butyoudidn\'tcome……Beasley，I\'msoashamedofmyselfthetIgottacallyou——whenIoughttoboreyou，thet——I
ain\'tevensecondcousintomyoldselfwhenIrodeferChisholm。Itdon\'tmeannuthin\'toyoutocallyouliar！
robber！blackleg！asneakin\'coyote！an\'acheatthethiresotherstodohisdirtywork！……ByGawd！——"
"Carmichael，gimmeawordin，"hoarselybrokeoutBeasley。
"You\'reright，itwon\'tdonogoodtocallme……Butlet\'stalk……I\'llbuyyouoff。Tenthousanddollars——"
"Haw！Haw！Haw！"roaredLasVegas。Hewasastenseasastrungcordandhisfacepossessedasingularpaleradiance。
Hisrighthandbegantoquivermoreandmore。
"I\'ll——double——it！"pantedBeasley。"I\'ll——makeover——halftheranch——allthestock——"
"Swallerthet！"yelledLasVegas，withterriblestridentferocity。
"Listen——man！……Itake——itback！……I\'llgiveup——Auchincloss\'sranch！"Beasleywasnowashaking，whispering，frenziedman，ghastlywhite，withrollingeyes。
LasVegas\'sleftfistpoundedhardonthetable。
"GREASER，COMEON！"hethundered。
ThenBeasley，withdesperate，franticaction，jerkedforhisgun。
CHAPTERXXVI
ForHelenRaynerthatbrief，darkperiodofexpulsionfromherhomehadbecomeathingofthepast，almostforgotten。
TwomonthshadflownbyonthewingsofloveandworkandthejoyoffindingherplacethereintheWest。Allheroldmenhadbeenonlytoogladoftheopportunitytocomebacktoher，andunderDaleandRoyBeemanadifferentandprosperousordermarkedthelifeoftheranch。
Helenhadmadechangesinthehousebyalteringthearrangementofroomsandaddinganewsection。Onlyoncehadsheventuredintotheolddining-roomwhereLasVegasCarmichaelhadsatdowntothatfataldinnerforBeasley。
Shemadeastore-roomofit，andaplaceshewouldneveragainenter。
Helenwashappy，almosttoohappy，shethought，andthereforemademorethanneedfuloftheseveralbitterdropsinhersweetcupoflife。CarmichaelhadriddenoutofPine，ostensiblyonthetrailoftheMexicanswhohadexecutedBeasley\'scommands。ThelastseenofhimhadbeenreportedfromShowDown，wherehehadappearedred-eyedanddangerous，likeahoundonascent。Thentwomonthshadflownbywithoutaword。
Dalehadshakenhisheaddoubtfullywheninterrogatedaboutthecowboy\'sabsence。ItwouldbejustlikeLasVegasnevertobeheardofagain。Alsoitwouldbemorelikehimtoremainawayuntilalltraceofhisdrunken，savagespellhaddepartedfromhimandhadbeenforgottenbyhisfriends。BotookhisdisappearanceapparentlylesstoheartthanHelen。
ButBogrewmorerestless，wilder，andmorewilfulthanever。HelenthoughtsheguessedBo\'ssecret；andoncesheventuredahintconcerningCarmichael\'sreturn。
"IfTomdoesn\'tcomebackprettysoonI\'llmarryMiltDale，"
retortedBo，tauntingly。
ThisfiredHelen\'scheekswithred。
"But，child，"sheprotested，halfangry，halfgrave。"MiltandIareengaged。"
"Sure。Onlyyou\'resoslow。There\'smanyaslip——youknow。"
"Bo，ItellyouTomwillcomeback，"repliedHelen，earnestly。"Ifeelit。Therewassomethingfineinthatcowboy。HeunderstoodmebetterthanyouorMilt，either……Andhewasperfectlywildinlovewithyou。"
"Oh！WAShe？"
"Verymuchmorethanyoudeserved，BoRayner。"
ThenoccurredoneofBo\'ssweet，bewildering，unexpectedtransformations。Herdefiance，resentment，rebelliousness，vanishedfromasoftlyagitatedface。
"Oh，Nell，Iknowthat……YoujustwatchmeifIevergetanotherchanceathim！……Then——maybehe\'dneverdrinkagain！"
"Bo，behappy——andbegood。Don\'trideoffanymore——
don\'tteasetheboys。It\'llallcomerightintheend。"
Borecoveredherequanimityquicklyenough。
"Humph！Youcanaffordtobecheerful。You\'vegotamanwhocan\'tlivewhenyou\'reoutofhissight。He\'slikeafishondryland……Andyou——why，onceyouwereanoldpessimist！"
Bowasnottobeconsoledorchanged。Helencouldonlysighandpraythatherconvictionswouldbeverified。
ThefirstdayofJulybroughtanearlythunder-storm，justatsunrise。Itroaredandflaredandrolledaway，leavingagorgeousgoldencloudpageantintheskyandafresh，sweetlysmelling，glisteninggreenrangethatdelightedHelen\'seye。
Birdsweretwitteringinthearborsandbeeswerehummingintheflowers。Fromthefieldsdownalongthebrookcameablendedsongofswamp-blackbirdandmeadow-lark。A
clarion-voicedburrosplittheairwithhiscoarseandhomelybray。Thesheepwerebleating，andasoftbaaoflittlelambscamesweetlytoHelen\'sears。Shewentherusualroundswithmorethanusualzestandthrill。
Everywherewascolor，activity，life。Thewindsweptwarmandpine-scenteddownfromthemountainheights，nowblackandbold，andthegreatgreenslopesseemedtocalltoher。
AtthatverymomentshecamesuddenlyuponDale，inhisshirt-sleeves，dustyandhot，standingmotionless，gazingatthedistantmountains。Helen\'sgreetingstartledhim。
"I——Iwasjustlookingawayyonder，"hesaid，smiling。Shethrilledattheclear，wonderfullightofhiseyes。
"SowasI——amomentago，"shereplied，wistfully。"Doyoumisstheforest——verymuch？"
"Nell，Imissnothing。ButI\'dliketoridewithyouunderthepinesoncemore。"
"We\'llgo，"shecried。
"When？"heasked，eagerly。
"Oh——soon！"Andthenwithflushedfaceanddowncasteyesshepassedon。ForlongHelenhadcherishedafondhopethatshemightbemarriedinParadisePark，whereshehadfalleninlovewithDaleandhadrealizedherself。Butshehadkeptthathopesecret。Dale\'seagertone，hisflashingeyes，hadmadeherfeelthathersecretwasthereinhertelltaleface。
Assheenteredthelaneleadingtothehousesheencounteredoneofthenewstable-boysdrivingapack-mule。
"Jim，whosepackisthat？"sheasked。
"Ma\'am，Idunno，butIheardhimtellRoyhereckonedhisnamewasmud，"repliedtheboy，smiling。
Helen\'sheartgaveaquickthrob。ThatsoundedlikeLasVegas。Shehurriedon，anduponenteringthecourtyardsheespiedRoyBeemanholdingthehalterofabeautiful，wild-lookingmustang。Therewasanotherhorsewithanotherman，whowasintheactofdismountingonthefarside。WhenhesteppedintobetterviewHelenrecognizedLasVegas。Andhesawheratthesameinstant。
Helendidnotlookupagainuntilshewasneartheporch。
Shehaddreadedthismeeting，yetshewassogladthatshecouldhavecriedaloud。
"MissHelen，Ishoreamgladtoseeyou，"hesaid，standingbareheadedbeforeher，thesameyoung，frank-facedcowboyshehadseenfirstfromthetrain。
"Tom！"sheexclaimed，andofferedherhands。
Hewrungthemhardwhilehelookedather。Theswiftwoman\'sglanceHelengaveinreturnseemedtodrivesomethingdarkanddoubtfuloutofherheart。Thiswasthesameboyshehadknown——whomshehadlikedsowell——whohadwonhersister\'slove。Helenimaginedfacinghimthuswaslikeawakeningfromavaguenightmareofdoubt。Carmichael\'sfacewasclean，fresh，young，withitshealthytan；itworetheoldgladsmile，cool，easy，andnatural；hiseyeswerelikeDale\'s——penetrating，clearascrystal，withoutashadow。
Whathadevil，drink，blood，todowiththerealinherentnobilityofthissplendidspecimenofWesternhardihood？
Whereverhehadbeen，whateverhehaddoneduringthatlongabsence，hehadreturnedlongseparatedfromthatwildandsavagecharactershecouldnowforget。Perhapstherewouldneveragainbecallforit。
"How\'smygirl？"heasked，justasnaturallyasifhehadbeengoneafewdaysonsomeerrandofhisemployer\'s。
"Bo？Oh，she\'swell——fine。I——Iratherthinkshe\'llbegladtoseeyou，"repliedHelen，warmly。
"An\'how\'sthetbigIndian，Dale？"hedrawled。
"Well，too——I\'msure。"
"ReckonIgotbackheahintimetoseeyou-allmarried？"
"I——IassureyouI——noonearoundherehasbeenmarriedyet，"repliedHelen，withablush。
"Thetshoreisfine。Wassomeworried，"hesaid，lazily。
"I\'vebeenchasin\'wildhossesoverinNewMexico，an\'Igotafterthisheahblueroan。Hekeptmechasin\'himferaspell。I\'vefetchedhimbackforBo。"
HelenlookedatthemustangRoywasholding，tobeinstantlydelighted。Hewasaroanalmostblueincolor，neitherlargenorheavy，butpowerfullybuilt，clean-limbed，andracy，withalongmaneandtail，blackascoal，andabeautifulheadthatmadeHelenlovehimatonce。
"Well，I\'mjealous，"declaredHelen，archly。"Ineverdidseesuchapony。"
"Ireckonedyou\'dneverrideanyhossbutRanger，"saidLasVegas。
"No，Ineverwill。ButIcanbejealous，anyhow，can\'tI？"
"Shore。AnIreckonifyousayyou\'regoin\'tohavehim——
wal，Bo\'dbefunny，"hedrawled。
"Ireckonshewouldbefunny，"retortedHelen。Shewassohappythatsheimitatedhisspeech。Shewantedtohughim。
Itwastoogoodtobetrue——thereturnofthiscowboy。Heunderstoodher。Hehadcomebackwithnothingthatcouldalienateher。Hehadapparentlyforgottentheterriblerolehehadacceptedandthedoomhehadmetedouttoherenemies。ThatmomentwaswonderfulforHeleninitsrevelationofthestrangesignificanceoftheWestasembodiedinthiscowboy。Hewasgreat。Buthedidnotknowthat。
Thenthedooroftheliving-roomopened，andasweet，highvoicepealedout：
"Roy！Oh，whatamustang！Whoseishe？"
"Wal，Bo，ifallIhearissohebelongstoyou，"repliedRoywithahugegrin。
Boappearedinthedoor。Shesteppedoutupontheporch。Shesawthecowboy。Theexcitedflashofherprettyfacevanishedasshepaled。
"Bo，Ishoreamgladtoseeyou，"drawledLasVegas，ashesteppedforward，sombreroinhand。Helencouldnotseeanysignofconfusioninhim。But，indeed，shesawgladness。
ThensheexpectedtobeholdBorunrightintothecowboys\'sarms。Itappeared，however，thatshewasdoomedtodisappointment。
"Tom，I\'mgladtoseeyou，"shereplied。
Theyshookhandsasoldfriends。
"You\'relookin\'rightfine，"hesaid。
"Oh，I\'mwell……Andhowhaveyoubeenthesesixmonths？"shequeried。
"ReckonIthoughitwaslonger，"hedrawled。"Wal，I\'mprettytip-topnow，butIwaslaidupwithhearttroubleforaspell。"
"Hearttrouble？"sheechoed，dubiously。
"Shore……IatetoomuchoverheahinNewMexico。"
"It\'snonewstome——whereyourheart\'slocated，"laughedBo。Thensheranofftheporchtoseethebluemustang。Shewalkedroundandroundhim，claspingherhandsinsheerdelight。
"Bo，he\'saplumbdandy，"saidRoy。"Neverseenaprettierhoss。He\'llrunlikeastreak。An\'he\'sgotgoodeyes。He\'llbeapetsomeday。ButIreckonhe\'llalwaysbespunky。"
"Boventuredtostepcloser，andatlastgotahandonthemustang，andthenanother。Shesmoothedhisquiveringneckandcalledsoftlytohim，untilhesubmittedtoherhold。
"What\'shisname？"sheasked。
"Bluesomethin\'orother，"repliedRoy。
"Tom，hasmynewmustanganame？"askedBo，turningtothecowboy。
"Shore。"
"Whatthen？"
"Wal，InamedhimBlue-Bo，"answeredLasVegas，withasmile。
"Blue-Boy？"
"Nope。He\'snamedafteryou。An\'Ichasedhim，ropedhim，brokehimallmyself。"
"Verywell。Blue-Boheis，then……Andhe\'sawonderfuldarlinghorse。Oh，Nell，justlookathim……Tom，I
can\'tthankyouenough。"
"ReckonIdon\'twantanythanks，"drawledthecowboy。"Butseeheah，Bo，youshoregottoliveuptoconditionsbeforeyouridehim。"
"What！"exclaimedBo，whowasstartledbyhisslow，cool，meaningtone，ofvoice。
HelendelightedinlookingatLasVegasthen。Hehadneverappearedtobetteradvantage。Socool，careless，andassured！Heseemedmasterofasituationinwhichhistermsmustbeaccepted。YethemighthavebeenactuatedbyacowboymotivebeyondthepowerofHelentodivine。
"BoRayner，"drawledLasVegas，"thetbluemustangwillbeyours，an\'youcanridehim——whenyou\'reMRS。TOM
CARMICHAEL！"
Neverhadhespokenasofter，moredrawlingspeech，norgazedatBomoremildly。Royseemedthunderstruck。Helenendeavoredheroicallytorestrainherdelicious，burstingglee。Bo\'swideeyesstaredatherlover——darkened——
dilated。Suddenlysheleftthemustangtoconfrontthecowboywhereheloungedontheporchsteps。
"Doyoumeanthat？"shecried。
"Shoredo。"
"Bah！It\'sonlyamagnificentbluff，"sheretorted。"You\'reonlyinfun。It\'syour——yourdarnednerve！"
"Why，Bo，"beganLasVegas，reproachfully。"YoushoreknowI\'mnotthefour-flusherkind。Nevergotawaywithabluffinmylife！An\'I\'mjestindaidearnestabootthisheah。"
Allthesame，signswerenotwantinginhismobilefacethathewasalmostunabletorestrainhismirth。
HelenrealizedthenthatBosawthroughthecowboy——thattheultimatumwasonlyoneofhistricks。
"ItISabluffandICALLyou！"declaredBo，ringingly。
LasVegassuddenlyawoketoconsequences。Heessayedtospeak，butshewassowonderfulthen，sowhiteandblazing-eyed，thathewasstrickenmute。
"I\'llrideBlue-Bothisafternoon，"deliberatelystatedthegirl。
LasVegashadwitenoughtograsphermeaning，andheseemedabouttocollapse。
"Verywell，youcanmakemeMrs。TomCarmichaelto-day——
thismorning——justbeforedinner……Gogetapreachertomarryus——andmakeyourselflookamorepresentablebridegroom——UNLESSITWASONLYABLUFF！"
HerimperiousnesschangedasthetremendousportentofherwordsseemedtomakeLasVegasablank，stoneimageofaman。Withawild-rosecolorsuffusingherface，sheswiftlybentoverhim，kissedhim，andflashedawayintothehouse。
Herlaughpealedback，anditthrilledHelen，sodeepandstrangewasitforthewilfulsister，sowildandmerryandfullofjoy。
ItwasthenthatRoyBeemanrecoveredfromhisparalysis，toletoutsucharoarofmirthastofrightenthehorses。
Helenwaslaughing，andcrying，too，butlaughingmostly。
LasVegasCarmichaelwasasightforthegodstobehold。
Bo\'skisshadunclampedwhathadboundhim。Thesuddentruth，undeniable，insupportable，glorious，madehimamadman。
"Bluff——shecalledme——rideBlue-Bosaf\'ternoon！"heraved，reachingwildlyforHelen。"Mrs——Tom——Carmichael——beforedinner——preacher——presentablebridegroom！……Aw！I\'mdrunkagain！I——whosworeoffforever！"
"No，Tom，you\'rejusthappy，"saidHelen。
BetweenherandRoythecowboywasatlengthpersuadedtoacceptthesituationandtoseehiswonderfulopportunity。
"Now——now，MissHelen——what\'dBomeanbypre——
presentablebridegroom？……Presents？Lord，I\'mcleanbustedflat！"
"Shemeantyoumustdressupinyourbest，ofcourse，"
repliedHelen。
"Where\'nearthwillIgetapreacher？……ShowDown\'sfortymiles……Can\'tridethereintime……Roy，I\'vegottahaveapreacher……Lifeordeathdealferme。"
"Wal，oldman，ifyou\'llbraceupI\'llmarryyoutoBo，"
saidRoy，withhisgladgrin。
"Aw！"gaspedLasVegas，asifatthecomingofasuddenbeautifulhope。
"Tom，I\'mapreacher，"repliedRoy，nowearnestly。"Youdidn\'tknowthet，butIam。An\'Icanmarryyouan\'Boasgoodasanyone，an\'tighter\'nmost。"
LasVegasreachedforhisfriendasadrowningmanmighthavereachedforsolidrock。
"Roy，canyoureallymarrythem——withmyBible——andtheserviceofmychurch？"askedHelen，ahappyhopeflushingherface。
"Wal，indeedIcan。I\'vemarriedmore\'nonecouplewhosereligionwasn\'tmine。"
"B-b-before——d-d-din-ner！"burstoutLasVegas，likeastutteringidiot。
"Ireckon。Comeon，now，an\'makeyourselfpre-senttible，"
saidRoy。"MissHelen，youtellBothetit\'sallsettled。"
Hepickedupthehalteronthebluemustangandturnedawaytowardthecorrals。LasVegasputthebridleofhishorseoverhisarm，andseemedtobefollowinginatrance，withhisdazed，raptfaceheldhigh。
"BringDale，"calledHelen，softlyafterthem。
SoitcameaboutasnaturallyasitwaswonderfulthatBorodethebluemustangbeforetheafternoonended。
LasVegasdisobeyedhisfirstordersfromMrs。TomCarmichaelandrodeoutafterhertowardthegreen-risingrange。Helenseemedimpelledtofollow。ShedidnotneedtoaskDalethesecondtime。Theyrodeswiftly，butnevercaughtupwithBoandLasVegas，whoseridingresembledtheirhappiness。
DalereadHelen\'smind，orelsehisownthoughtswereinharmonywithhers，forhealwaysseemedtospeakwhatshewasthinking。Andastheyrodehomewardheaskedherinhisquietwayiftheycouldnotspareafewdaystovisithisoldcamp。
"AndtakeBo——andTom？Oh，ofallthingsI\'dliketo\'"shereplied。
"Yes——an\'Roy，too，"addedDale，significantly。
"Ofcourse，"saidHelen，lightly，asifshehadnotcaughthismeaning。Butsheturnedhereyesaway，whileherheartthumpeddisgracefullyandallherbodywasaglow。"WillTomandBogo？"
"ItwasTomwhogotmetoaskyou，"repliedDale。"Johnan\'
Halcanlookafterthemenwhilewe\'regone。"
"Oh——soTomputitinyourhead？Iguess——maybe——I
won\'tgo。"
"Itisalwaysinmymind，Nell，"hesaid，withhisslowseriousness。"I\'mgoin\'toworkallmylifeforyou。ButI\'llwanttoan\'needtogobacktothewoodsoften……
An\'ifyoueverstooptomarryme——an\'makemetherichestofmen——you\'llhavetomarrymeuptherewhereIfellinlovewithyou。"
"Ah！DidLasVegasTomCarmichaelsaythat，too？"inquiredHelen，softly。
"Nell，doyouwanttoknowwhatLasVegassaid？"
"Byallmeans。"
"Hesaidthis——an\'notanhourago。\'Milt，oldhoss，letmegiveyouahunch。I\'mamanoffamilynow——an\'I\'vebeenadevilwiththewimmeninmyday。Icanseethrough\'em。Don\'tmarryNellRaynerinornearthehousewhereI
killedBeasley。She\'dremember。An\'don\'tletherrememberthetday。Gooffintothewoods。ParadisePark！Boan\'mewillgowithyou。"
Helengavehimherhand，whiletheywalkedthehorseshomewardinthelongsunsetshadows。InthefullnessofthathappyhourshehadtimeforagratefulwonderatthekeenpenetrationofthecowboyCarmichael。Dalehadsavedherlife，butitwasLasVegaswhohadsavedherhappiness。
Notmanydayslater，whenagaintheafternoonshadowswereslantinglow，HelenrodeoutuponthepromontorywherethedimtrailzigzaggedfaraboveParadisePark。
Roywassingingashedrovethepack-burrosdowntheslope；
BoandLasVegasweretryingtoridethetrailtwoabreast，sotheycouldholdhands；DalehaddismountedtostandbesideHelen\'shorse，asshegazeddowntheshaggyblackslopestothebeautifulwildparkwithitsgraymeadowsandshiningribbonsofbrooks。
ItwasJuly，andtherewerenogolden-redgloriousflamesandblazesofcolorsuchaslingeredinHelen\'smemory。
Blackspruceslopesandgreenpinesandwhitestreaksofaspensandlacywaterfalloffoamanddarkoutcroppingsofrock-thesecolorsandformsgreetedhergazewithalltheoldenchantment。Wildness，beauty，andlonelinesswerethere，thesameasever，immutable，likethespiritofthoseheights。
Helenwouldfainhavelingeredlonger，buttheotherscalled，andRangerimpatientlysnortedhissenseofthegrassandwaterfarbelow。Andsheknewthatwhensheclimbedthereagaintothewideoutlookshewouldbeanotherwoman。
"Nell，comeon，"saidDale，asheledon。"It\'sbettertolookup。"
Thesunhadjustsunkbehindtheraggedfringeofmountain-rimwhenthosethreestrongandefficientmenoftheopenhadpitchedcampandhadpreparedabountifulsupper。ThenRoyBeemantookoutthelittlewornBiblewhichHelenhadgivenhimtousewhenhemarriedBo，andasheopeneditalightchangedhisdarkface。
"Come，Helenan\'Dale，"hesaid。
Theyarosetostandbeforehim。Andhemarriedthemthereunderthegreat，statelypines，withthefragrantbluesmokecurlingupward，andthewindsingingthroughthebranches，whilethewaterfallmurmureditslow，soft，dreamymusic，andfromthedarkslopecamethewild，lonelycryofawolf，fullofthehungerforlifeandamate。
"Letuspray，"saidRoy，asheclosedtheBible，andkneltwiththem。
"ThereisonlyoneGod，an\'HimIbeseechinmyhumbleofficeforthewomanan\'manIhavejustweddedinholybonds。Blesstheman\'watchtheman\'keepthemthroughallthecomin\'years。Blessthesonsofthisstrongmanofthewoodsan\'makethemlikehim，withlovean\'understandin\'ofthesourcefromwhichlifecomes。Blessthedaughtersofthiswomanan\'sendwiththemmoreofherlovean\'soul，whichmustbethesoftenin\'an\'thesalvationofthehardWest。0Lord，blazethedim，darktrailforthemthroughtheunknownforestoflife！0Lord，leadthewayacrossthenakedrangeofthefuturenomortalknows！WeaskinThyname！Amen。"
Whenthepreacherstoodupagainandraisedthecouplefromtheirkneelingposture，itseemedthatagraveandsolemnpersonagehadlefthim。Thisyoungmanwasagainthedark-faced，clear-eyedRoy，drollanddry，withtheenigmaticsmileonhislips。
"Mrs。Dale，"hesaid，takingherhands，"Iwishyoujoy……An\'now，afterthishere，mycrownin\'serviceinyourbehalf——IreckonI\'llclaimareward。"
Thenhekissedher。Bocamenextwithherwarmandlovingfelicitations，andthecowboy，withcharacteristicaction，alsomadeatHelen。
"Nell，shoreit\'stheonlychanceI\'lleverhavetokissyou，"hedrawled。"BecausewhenthisheahbigIndianoncefindsoutwhatkissin\'is——！"
LasVegasthenprovedhowswiftandheartyhecouldbeuponoccasions。AllthisleftHelenredandconfusedandunutterablyhappy。SheappreciatedDale\'sstate。Hiseyesreflectedtheprecioustreasurewhichmanifestlyhesaw，butrealizationofownershiphadnotyetbecomedemonstrable。
Thenwithgayspeechandhappylaughandsilentlookthesefivepartookofthesupper。WhenitwasfinishedRoymadeknownhisintentiontoleave。Theyallprotestedandcoaxed，buttonoavail。Heonlylaughedandwentonsaddlinghishorse。
"Roy，pleasestay，"imploredHelen。"Theday\'salmostended。
You\'retired。"
"Nope。I\'llneverbenothirdpartywhenthere\'sonlytwo。"
"Buttherearefourofus。"
"Didn\'tIjustmakeyouan\'Daleone？……An\'，Mrs。Dale，youforgetI\'vebeenmarriedmore\'nonce。"
Helenfoundherselfconfrontedbyanunanswerablesideoftheargument。LasVegasrolledonthegrassinhismirth。
Dalelookedstrange。
"Roy，thenthat\'swhyyou\'resonice，"saidBo，withalittledevilinhereyes。"DoyouknowIhadmymindmadeupifTomhadn\'tcomearoundIwasgoingtomakeuptoyou，Roy……Isurewas。WhatnumberwifewouldIhavebeen？"
ItalwaystookBototurnthetablesonanybody。Roylookedmightilyembarrassed。Andthelaughwasonhim。Hedidnotfacethemagainuntilhehadmounted。
"LasVegas，I\'vedonemybestforyou——hitchedyoutothetblue-eyedgirlthebestIknowhow，"hedeclared。"ButI
shoreain\'tguaranteein\'nothin\'。You\'dbetterbuildacorralforher。"
"Why，Roy，youshoredon\'tsavvythewaytobreakthesewildones，"drawledLasVegas。"Bowillbeeatin\'outofmyhandinaboutaweek。"
Bo\'sblueeyesexpressedaneloquentdoubtastothisextraordinaryclaim。
"Good-by，friends，"saidRoy，androdeawaytodisappearinthespruces。
ThereuponBoandLasVegasforgotRoy，andDaleandHelen，thecampchorestobedone，andeverythingelseexceptthemselves。Helen\'sfirstwifelydutywastoinsistthatsheshouldandcouldandwouldhelpherhusbandwiththeworkofcleaningupafterthesumptuoussupper。Beforetheyhadfinishedasoundstartledthem。ItcamefromRoy，evidentlyhighonthedarkeningslope，andwasalong，mellowpealinghalloo，thatrangonthecoolair，burstthedreamysilence，andrappedacrossfromslopetoslopeandclifftocliff，toloseitspoweranddieawayhauntinglyinthedistantrecesses。
Daleshookhisheadasifhedidnotcaretoattemptareplytothatbeautifulcall。Silenceonceagainenfoldedthepark，andtwilightseemedtobebornoftheair，driftingdownward。
"Nell，doyoumissanythin\'？"askedDale。
"No。Nothinginalltheworld，"shemurmured。"IamhappierthanIeverdaredpraytobe。"
"Idon\'tmeanpeopleorthings。Imeanmypets。"
"Ah！Ihadforgotten……Milt，wherearethey？"
"Gonebacktothewild，"hesaid。"Theyhadtoliveinmyabsence。An\'I\'vebeenawaylong。"
Justthenthebroodingsilence，withitssoftmurmuroffallingwaterandfaintsighofwindinthepines，wasbrokenbyapiercingscream，high，quivering，likethatofawomaninexquisiteagony。
"That\'sTom！"exclaimedDale。
"Oh——Iwasso——sofrightened！"whisperedHelen。
Bocamerunning，withLasVegasatherheels。
"Milt，thatwasyourtamecougar，"criedBo，excitedly。"Oh，I\'llneverforgethim！I\'llhearthosecriesinmydreams！"
"Yes，itwasTom，"saidDale，thoughtfully。"ButIneverheardhimcryjustlikethat。"
"Oh，callhimin！"
Dalewhistledandcalled，butTomdidnotcome。Thenthehunterstalkedoffinthegloomtocallfromdifferentpointsundertheslope。Afterawhilebereturnedwithoutthecougar。Andatthatmoment，fromfarupthedarkravine，drifteddownthesamewildcry，onlychangedbydistance，strangeandtragicinitsmeaning。
"Hescentedus。Heremembers。Buthe\'llnevercomeback，"
saidDale。
HelenfeltstirredanewwiththeconvictionsofDale\'sdeepknowledgeoflifeandnature。Andherimaginationseemedtohavewings。Howfullandperfecthertrust，herhappinessintherealizationthatherloveandherfuture，herchildren，andperhapsgrandchildren，wouldcomeundertheguidanceofsuchaman！Onlyalittlehadshebeguntocomprehendthesecretsofgoodandillintheirrelationtothelawsofnature。Agesbeforemenhadlivedontheearththerehadbeenthecreaturesofthewilderness，andtheholesoftherocks，andthenestsofthetrees，andrain，frost，heat，dew，sunlightandnight，stormandcalm，thehoneyofthewildflowerandtheinstinctofthebee——allthebeautifulandmultipleformsoflifewiththeirinscrutabledesign。Toknowsomethingofthemandtolovethemwastobeclosetothekingdomofearth——perhapstothegreaterkingdomofheaven。Forwhateverbreathedandmovedwasapartofthatcreation。Thecooofthedove，thelichenonthemossyrock，themournofahuntingwolf，andthemurmurofthewaterfall，theever-greenandgrowingtipsofthespruces，andthethunderboltsalongthebattlementsoftheheights——
theseoneandallmustbeactuatedbythegreatspirit——
thatincalculablethingintheuniversewhichhadproducedmanandsoul。
Andthereinthestarlight，underthewide-gnarledpines，sighinglowwiththewind，HelensatwithDaleontheoldstonethatanavalancheofamillionyearspasthadflungfromtherampartabovetoserveascamp-tableandbenchforloversinthewilderness；thesweetscentofsprucemingledwiththefragranceofwood-smokeblownintheirfaces。Howwhitethestars，andcalmandtrue！Howtheyblazedtheirsingletask！Acoyoteyelpedoffonthesouthslope，darknowasmidnight。Abitofweatheredrockrolledandtappedfromshelftoshelf。Andthewindmoaned。Helenfeltallthesadnessandmysteryandnobilityofthislonelyfastness，andfullonherheartrestedthesupremeconsciousnessthatallwouldsomedaybewellwiththetroubledworldbeyond。
"Nell，I\'llhomesteadthispark，"saidDale。"Thenit\'llalwaysbeours。"
"Homestead！What\'sthat？"murmuredHelen，dreamily。Thewordsoundedsweet。
"Thegovernmentwillgivelandtomenwholocatean\'build，"
repliedDale。"We\'llrunupalogcabin。"
"Andcomehereoften……ParadisePark！"whisperedHelen。
Dale\'sfirstkisseswereonherlipsthen，hardandcoolandclean，likethelifeoftheman，singularlyexaltingtoher，completingherwoman\'sstrangeandunutterablejoyofthehour，andrenderinghermute。
Bo\'smelodiouslaugh，andhervoicewithitsoldmockeryoftorment，driftedsoftlyonthenightbreeze。Andthecowboy\'s"Aw，Bo，"drawlinghisreproachandlonging，wasallthatthetranquil，waitingsilenceneeded。
ParadiseParkwaslivingagainoneofitsromances。Lovewasnostrangertothatlonelyfastness。Helenheardinthewhisperofthewindthroughthepinetheold-earthstory，beautiful，evernew，andyeteternal。Shethrilledtoherdepths。Thespar-pointedsprucesstoodupblackandclearagainstthenoblestars。Allthatvastsolitudebreathedandwaited，chargedfullwithitssecret，readytorevealitselftohertremuloussoul。
End
