diff options
Diffstat (limited to '1908-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 1908-h/1908-h.htm | 5481 |
1 files changed, 5481 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/1908-h/1908-h.htm b/1908-h/1908-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1c425e2 --- /dev/null +++ b/1908-h/1908-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,5481 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Her Prairie Knight, by B.M. Sinclair, Aka B. M. Bower + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +Project Gutenberg's Her Prairie Knight, by B.M. Sinclair, AKA B. M. Bower + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Her Prairie Knight + +Author: B.M. Sinclair, AKA B. M. Bower + +Release Date: October 10, 2008 [EBook #1908] +Last Updated: March 9, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HER PRAIRIE KNIGHT *** + + + + +Produced by Mary Starr, and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + HER PRAIRIE KNIGHT + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By B.M. Sinclair, AKA B. M. Bower + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <h3> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> HER PRAIRIE KNIGHT </a> + </h3> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto"> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER 1. Stranded on the Prairie. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER 2. A Handsome Cowboy to the Rescue. + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER 3. A Tilt With Sir Redmond. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER 4. Beatrice Learns a New Language. + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER 5. The Search for Dorman. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER 6. Mrs. Lansell's Lecture. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER 7. Beatrice's Wild Ride. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER 8. Dorman Plays Cupid. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER 9. What It Meant to Keith. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER 10. Pine Ridge Range Ablaze. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER 11. Sir Redmond Waits His Answer. + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER 12. Held Up by Mr. Kelly. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER 13. Keith's Masterful Wooing. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER 14. Sir Redmond Gets His answer. + </a> + </p> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h1> + HER PRAIRIE KNIGHT + </h1> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 1. Stranded on the Prairie. + </h2> + <p> + “By George, look behind us! I fancy we are going to have a storm.” Four + heads turned as if governed by one brain; four pairs of eyes, of varied + color and character, swept the wind-blown wilderness of tender green, and + gazed questioningly at the high-piled thunderheads above. A small boy, + with an abundance of yellow curls and white collar, almost precipitated + himself into the prim lap of a lady on the rear seat. + </p> + <p> + “Auntie, will God have fireworks? Say, auntie, will He? Can I say prayers + widout kneelin' down'? Uncle Redmon' crowds so. I want to pray for + fireworks, auntie. Can I?” + </p> + <p> + “Do sit down, Dorman. You'll fall under the wheel, and then auntie would + not have any dear little boy. Dorman, do you hear me? Redmond, do take + that child down! How I wish Parks were here. I shall have nervous + prostration within a fortnight.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Redmond Hayes plucked at the white collar, and the small boy retired + between two masculine forms of no mean proportions. His voice, however, + rose higher. + </p> + <p> + “You'll get all the fireworks you want, young man, without all that + hullabaloo,” remarked the driver, whom Dorman had been told, at the depot + twenty miles back, he must call his Uncle Richard. + </p> + <p> + “I love storms,” came cheerfully from the rear seat—but the voice + was not the prim voice of “auntie.” “Do you have thunder and lightning out + here, Dick?” + </p> + <p> + “We do,” assented Dick. “We don't ship it from the East in refrigerator + cars, either. It grows wild.” + </p> + <p> + The cheerful voice was heard to giggle. + </p> + <p> + “Richard,” came in tired, reproachful accents from a third voice behind + him, “you were reared in the East. I trust you have not formed the + pernicious habit of speaking slightingly of your birthplace.” + </p> + <p> + That, Dick knew, was his mother. She had not changed appreciably since she + had nagged him through his teens. Not having seen her since, he was + certainly in a position to judge. + </p> + <p> + “Trix asked about the lightning,” he said placatingly, just as he was + accustomed to do, during the nagging period. “I was telling her.” + </p> + <p> + “Beatrice has a naturally inquiring mind,” said the tired voice, laying + reproving stress upon the name. + </p> + <p> + “Are you afraid of lightning, Sir Redmond?” asked the cheerful girl-voice. + </p> + <p> + Sir Redmond twisted his neck to smile back at her. “No, so long as it + doesn't actually chuck me over.” + </p> + <p> + After that there was silence, so far as human voices went, for a time. + </p> + <p> + “How much farther is it, Dick?” came presently from the girl. + </p> + <p> + “Not more than ten—well, maybe twelve—miles. You'll think it's + twenty, though, if the rain strikes 'Dobe Flat before we do. That's just + what it's going to do, or I'm badly mistaken. Hawk! Get along, there!” + </p> + <p> + “We haven't an umbrella with us,” complained the tired one. “Beatrice, + where did you put my raglan?” + </p> + <p> + “In the big wagon, mama, along with the trunks and guns and saddles, and + Martha and Katherine and James.” + </p> + <p> + “Dear me! I certainly told you, Beatrice—” + </p> + <p> + “But, mama, you gave it to me the last thing, after the maids were in the + wagon, and said you wouldn't wear it. There isn't room here for another + thing. I feel like a slice of pressed chicken.” + </p> + <p> + “Auntie, I want some p'essed chicken. I'm hungry, auntie! I want some + chicken and a cookie—and I want some ice-cream.” + </p> + <p> + “You won't get any,” said the young woman, with the tone of finality. “You + can't eat me, Dorman, and I'm the only thing that looks good enough to + eat.” + </p> + <p> + “Beatrice!” This, of course, from her mother, whose life seemed + principally made up of a succession of mental shocks, brought on by her + youngest, dearest, and most irrepressible. + </p> + <p> + “I have Dick's word for it, mama; he said so, at the depot.” + </p> + <p> + “I want some chicken, auntie.” + </p> + <p> + “There is no chicken, dear,” said the prim one. “You must be a patient + little man.” + </p> + <p> + “I won't. I'm hungry. Mens aren't patient when dey're hungry.” A small, + red face rose, like a tiny harvest moon, between the broad, masculine + backs on the front seat. + </p> + <p> + “Dorman, sit down! Redmond!” + </p> + <p> + A large, gloved hand appeared against the small moon and it set + ignominiously and prematurely, in the place where it had risen. Sir + Redmond further extinguished it with the lap robe, for the storm, whooping + malicious joy, was upon them. + </p> + <p> + First a blinding glare and a deafening crash. Then rain—sheets of + it, that drenched where it struck. The women huddled together under the + doubtful protection of the light robe and shivered. After that, wind that + threatened to overturn the light spring wagon; then hail that bounced and + hopped like tiny, white rubber balls upon the ground. + </p> + <p> + The storm passed as suddenly as it came, but the effect remained. The road + was sodden with the water which had fallen, and as they went down the hill + to 'Dobe Flat the horses strained at the collar and plodded like a plow + team. The wheels collected masses of adobe, which stuck like glue and + packed the spaces between the spokes. Twice Dick got out and poked the + heavy mess from the wheels with Sir Redmond's stick—which was not + good for the stick, but which eased the drag upon the horses wonderfully—until + the wheels accumulated another load. + </p> + <p> + “Sorry to dirty your cane,” Dick apologized, after the second halt. “You + can rinse it off, though, in the creek a few miles ahead.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't mention it!” said Sir Redmond, somewhat dubiously. It was his + favorite stick, and he had taken excellent care of it. It was finely + polished, and it had his name and regiment engraved upon the silver knob—and + a date which the Boers will not soon forget, nor the English, for that + matter. + </p> + <p> + “We'll soon be over the worst,” Dick told them, after a time. “When we + climb that hill we'll have a hard, gravelly trail straight to the ranch. + I'm sorry it had to storm; I wanted you to enjoy this trip.” + </p> + <p> + “I am enjoying it,” Beatrice assured him. “It's something new, at any + rate, and anything is better than the deadly monotony of Newport.” + </p> + <p> + “Beatrice!” cried her mother “I'm ashamed of you!” + </p> + <p> + “You needn't be, mama. Why won't you just be sorry for yourself, and let + it end there? I know you hated to come, poor dear; but you wouldn't think + of letting me come alone, though I'm sure I shouldn't have minded. This is + going to be a delicious summer—I feel it in my bones.” + </p> + <p> + “Be-atrice!” + </p> + <p> + “Why, mama? Aren't young ladies supposed to have bones?” + </p> + <p> + “Young ladies are not supposed to make use of unrefined expressions. Your + poor sister.” + </p> + <p> + “There, mama. Dear Dolly didn't live upon stilts, I'm sure. Even when she + married.” + </p> + <p> + “Be-atrice!” + </p> + <p> + “Dear me, mama! I hope you are not growing peevish. Peevish elderly people—” + </p> + <p> + “Auntie! I want to go home!” the small boy wailed. + </p> + <p> + “You cannot go home now, dear,” sighed his guardian angel. “Look at the + pretty—” She hesitated, groping vaguely for some object to which she + might conscientiously apply the adjective. + </p> + <p> + “Mud,” suggested Beatrice promptly “Look at the wheels, Dorman; they're + playing patty-cake. See, now they say, 'Roll 'em, and roll 'em,' and now, + 'Toss in the oven to bake!' And now—” + </p> + <p> + “Auntie, I want to get out an' play patty-cake, like de wheels. I want to + awf'lly!” + </p> + <p> + “Beatrice, why did you put that into his head?” her mother demanded, + fretfully. + </p> + <p> + “Never mind, honey,” called Beatrice cheeringly. “You and I will make + hundreds of mud pies when we get to Uncle Dick's ranch. Just think, hon, + oodles of beautiful, yellow mud just beside the door!” + </p> + <p> + “Look here, Trix! Seems to me you're promising a whole lot you can't make + good. I don't live in a 'dobe patch.” + </p> + <p> + “Hush, Dick; don't spoil everything. You don't know Dorman.' + </p> + <p> + “Beatrice! What must Miss Hayes and Sir Redmond think of you? I'm sure + Dorman is a sweet child, the image of poor, dear Dorothea, at his age.” + </p> + <p> + “We all think Dorman bears a strong resemblance to his father,” said his + Aunt Mary. + </p> + <p> + Beatrice, scenting trouble, hurried to change the subject. “What's this, + Dick—the Missouri River?” + </p> + <p> + “Hardly. This is the water that didn't fall in the buggy. It isn't deep; + it makes bad going worse, that's all.” + </p> + <p> + Thinking to expedite matters, he struck Hawk sharply across the flank. It + was a foolish thing to do, and Dick knew it when he did it; ten seconds + later he knew it better. + </p> + <p> + Hawk reared, tired as he was, and lunged viciously. + </p> + <p> + The double-trees snapped and splintered; there was a brief interval of + plunging, a shower of muddy water in that vicinity, and then two draggled, + disgusted brown horses splashed indignantly to shore and took to the hills + with straps flying. + </p> + <p> + “By George!” ejaculated Sir Redmond, gazing helplessly after them. “But + this is a beastly bit of luck, don't you know!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you Hawk—” Dick, in consideration of his companions, finished + the remark in the recesses of his troubled soul, where the ladies could + not overhear. + </p> + <p> + “What comes next, Dick?” The voice of Beatrice was frankly curious. + </p> + <p> + “Next, I'll have to wade out and take after those—” This sentence, + also, was rounded out mentally. + </p> + <p> + “In the meantime, what shall we do?” + </p> + <p> + “You'll stay where you are—and thank the good Lord you were not + upset. I'm sorry,”—turning so that he could look deprecatingly at + Miss Hayes—“your welcome to the West has been so—er—strenuous. + I'll try and make it up to you, once you get to the ranch. I hope you + won't let this give you a dislike of the country.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no,” said the spinster politely. “I'm sure it is a—a very nice + country, Mr. Lansell.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, there's nothing to be done sitting here.” Dick climbed down over + the dashboard into the mud and water. + </p> + <p> + Sir Redmond was not the man to shirk duty because it happened to be + disagreeable, as the regiment whose name was engraved upon his cane could + testify. He glanced regretfully at his immaculate leggings and followed. + </p> + <p> + “I fancy you ladies won't need any bodyguard,” he said. Looking back, he + caught the light of approval shining in the eyes of Beatrice, and after + that he did not mind the mud, but waded to shore and joined in the chase + quite contentedly. The light of approval, shining in the eyes of Beatrice, + meant much to Sir Redmond. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 2. A Handsome Cowboy to the Rescue. + </h2> + <p> + Beatrice took immediate possession of the front seat, that she might + comfort her heartbroken young nephew. + </p> + <p> + “Never mind, honey. They'll bring the horses back in a minute, and we'll + make them run every step. And when you get to Uncle Dick's ranch you'll + see the nicest things—bossy calves, and chickens, and, maybe, some + little pigs with curly tails.” + </p> + <p> + All this, though alluring, failed of its purpose; the small boy continued + to weep, and his weeping was ear-splitting. + </p> + <p> + “Be still, Dorman, or you'll certainly scare all the coyotes to death.” + </p> + <p> + “Where are dey?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, all around. You keep watch, hon, and maybe you'll see one put the tip + of his nose over a hill.” + </p> + <p> + “What hill?” Dorman skipped a sob, and scoured his eyes industriously with + both fists. + </p> + <p> + “M-m—that hill. That little one over there. Watch close, or you'll + miss him.” + </p> + <p> + The dove of peace hovered over them, and seemed actually about to alight. + Beatrice leaned back with a relieved breath. + </p> + <p> + “It is good of you, my dear, to take so much trouble,” sighed his Aunt + Mary. “How I am to manage without Parks I'm sure I cannot tell.” + </p> + <p> + “You are tired, and you miss your tea.” soothed Beatrice, optimistic as to + tone. “When we all have a good rest we will be all right. Dorman will find + plenty to amuse him. We are none of us exactly comfortable now.” + </p> + <p> + “Comfortable!” sniffed her mother. “I am half dead. Richard wrote such + glowing letters home that I was misled. If I had dreamed of the true + conditions, Miss Hayes, I should never have sanctioned this wild idea of + Beatrice's to come out and spend the summer with Richard.” + </p> + <p> + “It's coming, Be'trice! There it is! Will it bite, auntie? Say, will it + bite?” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice looked. A horseman came over the hill and was galloping down the + long slope toward them. His elbows were lifted contrary to the mandates of + the riding-school, his long legs were encased in something brown and + fringed down the sides. His gray hat was tilted rakishly up at the back + and down in front, and a handkerchief was knotted loosely around his + throat. Even at that distance he struck her as different from any one she + had ever seen. + </p> + <p> + “It's a highwayman!” whispered Mrs. Lansell “Hide your purse, my dear!” + </p> + <p> + “I—I—where?” Miss Hayes was all a-flutter with fear. + </p> + <p> + “Drop it down beside the wheel, into the water. Quick! I shall drop my + watch.” + </p> + <p> + “He—he is coming on this side! He can see!” Her whisper was full of + entreaty and despair. + </p> + <p> + “Give them here. He can't see on both sides of the buggy at once.” Mrs. + Lansell, being an American—a Yankee at that—was a woman of + resource. + </p> + <p> + “Beatrice, hand me your watch quick!” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice paid no attention, and there was no time to insist upon + obedience. The horseman had slowed at the water's edge, and was regarding + them with some curiosity. Possibly he was not accustomed to such a sight + as the one that met his eyes. He came splashing toward them, however, as + though he intended to investigate the cause of their presence, alone upon + the prairie, in a vehicle which had no horses attached in the place + obviously intended for such attachment. When he was close upon them he + stopped and lifted the rakishly tilted gray hat. + </p> + <p> + “You seem to be in trouble. Is there anything I can do for you?” His + manner was grave and respectful, but his eyes, Beatrice observed, were + having a quiet laugh of their own. + </p> + <p> + “You can't get auntie's watch, nor gran'mama's. Gran'mama frowed 'em all + down in the mud. She frowed her money down in the mud, too,” announced + Dorman, with much complacency. “Be'trice says you is a coyote. Is you?” + </p> + <p> + There was a stunned interval, during which nothing was heard but the wind + whispering things to the grass. The man's eyes stopped laughing; his jaw + set squarely; also, his brows drew perceptibly closer together. It was + Mrs. Lansell's opinion that he looked murderous. + </p> + <p> + Then Beatrice put her head down upon the little, blue velvet cap of Dorman + and laughed. There was a rollicking note in her laughter that was + irresistible, and the eyes of the man relented and joined in her mirth. + His lips forgot they were angry and insulted, and uncovered some very nice + teeth. + </p> + <p> + “We aren't really crazy,” Beatrice told him, sitting up straight and + drying her eyes daintily with her handkerchief. “We were on our way to Mr. + Lansell's ranch, and the horses broke something and ran away, and Dick—Mr. + Lansell—has gone to catch them. We're waiting until he does.” + </p> + <p> + “I see.” From the look in his eyes one might guess that what he saw + pleased him. “Which direction did they take?” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice waved a gloved hand vaguely to the left, and, without another + word, the fellow touched his hat, turned and waded to shore and galloped + over the ridge she indicated; and the clucketycluck of his horse's hoofs + came sharply across to them until he dipped out of sight. + </p> + <p> + “You see, he wasn't a robber,” Beatrice remarked, staring after him + speculatively. “How well he rides! One can see at a glance that he almost + lives in the saddle. I wonder who he is.” + </p> + <p> + “For all you know, Beatrice, he may be going now to murder Richard and Sir + Redmond in cold blood. He looks perfectly hardened.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, do you think it possible?” cried Miss Hayes, much alarmed. + </p> + <p> + “No!” cried Beatrice hotly. “One who did not know your horror of novels, + mama, might suspect you of feeding your imagination upon 'penny + dreadfuls.' I'm sure he is only a cowboy, and won't harm anybody.” + </p> + <p> + “Cowboys are as bad as highwaymen,” contended her mother, “or worse. I + have read how they shoot men for a pastime, and without even the excuse of + robbery.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it possible?” quavered Miss Hayes faintly. + </p> + <p> + “No, it isn't!” Beatrice assured her indignantly. + </p> + <p> + “He has the look of a criminal,” declared Mrs. Lansell, in the positive + tone of one who speaks from intimate knowledge of the subject under + discussion. “I only hope he isn't going to murder—” + </p> + <p> + “They're coming back, mama,” interrupted Beatrice, who had been watching + closely the hilltop. “No, it's that man, and he is driving the horses.” + </p> + <p> + “He's chasing them,” corrected her mother testily. “A horse thief, no + doubt. He's going to catch them with his snare—” + </p> + <p> + “Lasso, mama.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, lasso. Where can Richard be? To think the fellow should be so bold! + But out here, with miles upon miles of open, and no police protection + anything is possible. We might all be murdered, and no one be the wiser + for days—perhaps weeks. There, he has caught them.” She leaned back + and clasped her hands, ready to meet with fortitude whatever fate might + have in store. + </p> + <p> + “He's bringing them out to us, mama. Can't you see the man is only trying + to help us?” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lansell, beginning herself to suspect him of honest intentions, + sniffed dissentingly and let it go at that. The fellow was certainly + leading the horses toward them, and Sir Redmond and Dick, appearing over + the hill just then, proved beyond doubt that neither had been murdered in + cold blood, or in any other unpleasant manner. + </p> + <p> + “We're all right now, mother,” Dick called, the minute he was near enough. + </p> + <p> + His mother remarked skeptically that she hoped possibly she had been in + too great haste to conceal her valuables—that Miss Hayes might not + feel grateful for her presence of mind, and was probably wondering if mud + baths were not injurious to fine, jeweled time-pieces. Mrs. Lansell was + uncomfortable, mentally and physically, and her manner was frankly chilly + when her son presented the stranger as his good friend and neighbor, Keith + Cameron. She was still privately convinced that he looked a criminal—though, + if pressed, she must surely have admitted that he was an uncommonly + good-looking young outlaw. It would seem almost as if she regarded his + being a decent, law-abiding citizen as pure effrontery. + </p> + <p> + Miss Hayes greeted him with a smile of apprehension which plainly amused + him. Beatrice was frankly impersonal in her attitude; he represented a new + species of the genus man, and she, too, evidently regarded him in the + light of a strange animal, viewed unexpectedly at close range. + </p> + <p> + While he was helping Dick mend the double-tree with a piece of rope, she + studied him curiously. He was tall—taller even than Sir Redmond, and + more slender. Sir Redmond had the straight, sturdy look of the soldier who + had borne the brunt of hard marches and desperate fighting; Mr. Cameron, + the lithe, unconscious grace and alertness of the man whose work demands + quick movement and quicker eye and brain. His face was tanned to a clear + bronze which showed the blood darkly beneath; Sir Redmond's year of peace + had gone far toward lightening his complexion. Beatrice glanced briefly at + him and admired his healthy color, and was glad he did not have the look + of an Indian. At the same time, she caught herself wishing that Sir + Redmond's eyes were hazel, fringed with very long, dark lashes and topped + with very straight, dark brows—eyes which seemed always to have some + secret cause for mirth, and to laugh quite independent of the rest of the + face. Still, Sir Redmond had very nice eyes—blue, and kind, and + steadfast, and altogether dependable—and his lashes were quite nice + enough for any one. In just four seconds Beatrice decided that, after all, + she did not like hazel eyes that twinkle continually; they make one feel + that one is being laughed at, which is not comfortable. In six seconds she + was quite sure that this Mr. Cameron thought himself handsome, and + Beatrice detested a man who was proud of his face or his figure; such a + man always tempted her to “make faces,” as she used to do over the back + fence when she was little. + </p> + <p> + She mentally accused him of trying to show off his skill with his rope + when he leaned and fastened it to the rig, rode out ahead and helped drag + the vehicle to shore; and it was with some resentment that she observed + the ease with which he did it, and how horse and rope seemed to know + instinctively their master's will, and to obey of their own accord. + </p> + <p> + In all that he had done—and it really seemed as if he did everything + that needed to be done, while Dick pottered around in the way—he had + not found it necessary to descend into the mud and water, to the ruin of + his picturesque, fringed chaps and high-heeled boots. He had worked at + ease, carelessly leaning from his leathern throne upon the big, roan horse + he addressed occasionally as Redcloud. Beatrice wondered where he got the + outlandish name. But, with all his imperfections, she was glad she had met + him. He really was handsome, whether he knew it or not; and if he had a + good opinion of himself, and overrated his actions—all the more fun + for herself! Beatrice, I regret to say, was not above amusing herself with + handsome young men who overrate their own charms; in fact, she had the + reputation among her women acquaintances of being a most outrageous flirt. + </p> + <p> + In the very middle of these trouble-breeding meditations, Mr. Cameron + looked up unexpectedly and met keenly her eyes; and for some reason—let + us hope because of a guilty conscience—Beatrice grew hot and + confused; an unusual experience, surely, for a girl who had been out three + seasons, and has met calmly the eyes of many young men. Until now it had + been the young men who grew hot and confused; it had never been herself. + </p> + <p> + Beatrice turned her shoulder toward him, and looked at Sir Redmond, who + was surreptitiously fishing for certain articles beside the rear wheel, at + the whispered behest of Mrs. Lansell, and was certainly a sight to behold. + He was mud to his knees and to his elbows, and he had managed to plaster + his hat against the wheel and to dirty his face. Altogether, he looked an + abnormally large child who has been having a beautiful day of it in + somebody's duck-pond; but Beatrice was nearer, at that moment, to loving + him than she had been at any time during her six weeks' acquaintance with + him—and that is saying much, for she had liked him from the start. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Cameron followed her glance, and his eyes did not have the laugh all + to themselves; his voice joined them, and Beatrice turned upon him and + frowned. It was not kind of him to laugh at a man who is proving his heart + to be much larger than his vanity; Beatrice was aware of Sir Redmond's + immaculateness of attire on most occasions. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Dick, gathering up the reins, “you've helped us out of a bad + scrape, Keith. Come over and take dinner with us to-morrow night. I expect + we'll be kept riding the rim-rocks, over at the Pool, this summer. Unless + this sister of mine has changed a lot, she won't rest till she's been over + every foot of country for forty miles around. It will just about keep our + strings rode down to a whisper keeping her in sight.” + </p> + <p> + “Dear me, Richard!” said his mother. “What Jargon is this you speak?” + </p> + <p> + “That's good old Montana English, mother. You'll learn it yourself before + you leave here. I've clean forgot how they used the English language at + Yale, haven't you, Keith?” + </p> + <p> + “Just about,” Keith agreed. “I'm afraid we'll shock the ladies terribly, + Dick. We ought to get out on a pinnacle with a good grammar and practice.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, maybe. We'll look for you to-morrow, sure. I want you to help map + out a circle or two for Trix. About next week she'll want to get out and + scour the range.” + </p> + <p> + “Dear me, Richard! Beatrice is not a charwoman!” This, you will + understand, was from his mother; perhaps you will also understand that she + spoke with the rising inflection which conveys a reproof. + </p> + <p> + When Keith Cameron left them he was laughing quietly to himself, and + Beatrice's chin was set rather more than usual. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 3. A Tilt With Sir Redmond. + </h2> + <p> + Beatrice, standing on the top of a steep, grassy slope, was engaged in the + conventional pastime of enjoying the view. It was a fine view, but it was + not half as good to look upon as was Beatrice herself, in her fresh white + waist and brown skirt, with her brown hair fluffing softly in the breeze + which would grow to a respectable wind later in the day, and with her + cheeks pink from climbing. + </p> + <p> + She was up where she could see the river, a broad band of blue in the + surrounding green, winding away for miles through the hills. The far bank + stood a straight two hundred feet of gay-colored rock, chiseled, by time + and stress of changeful weather, into fanciful turrets and towers. Above + and beyond, where the green began, hundreds of moving dots told where the + cattle were feeding quietly. Far away to the south, heaps of hazy blue and + purple slept in the sunshine; Dick had told her those were the Highwoods. + And away to the west, a jagged line of blue-white glimmered and stood upon + tip-toes to touch the swimming clouds—touched them and pushed above + proudly; those were the Rockies. The Bear Paws stood behind her; nearer + they were—so near they lost the glamour of mysterious blue shadows, + and became merely a sprawling group of huge, pine-covered hills, with + ranches dotted here and there in sheltered places, with squares of fresh, + dark green that spoke of growing crops. + </p> + <p> + Ten days, and the metropolitan East had faded and become as hazy and vague + as the Highwoods. Ten days, and the witchery of the West leaped in her + blood and held her fast in its thralldom. + </p> + <p> + A sound of scrambling behind her was immediately followed by a smothered + epithet. Beatrice turned in time to see Sir Redmond pick himself up. + </p> + <p> + “These grass slopes are confounded slippery, don't you know,” he explained + apologetically. “How did you manage that climb?” + </p> + <p> + “I didn't.” Beatrice smiled. “I came around the end, where the ascent is + gradual; there's a good path.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” Sir Redmond sat down upon a rock and puffed. “I saw you up here—and + a fellow doesn't think about taking a roundabout course to reach his + heart's—” + </p> + <p> + “Isn't it lovely?” Beatrice made haste to inquire. + </p> + <p> + “Lovely isn't half expressive enough,” he told her. “You look—” + </p> + <p> + “The river is so very blue and dignified. I've been wondering if it has + forgotten how it must have danced through those hills, away off there. + When it gets down to the cities—this blue water—it will be + muddy and nasty looking. The 'muddy Missouri' certainly doesn't apply + here. And that farther shore is simply magnificent. I wish I might stay + here forever.” + </p> + <p> + “The Lord forbid!” cried he, with considerable fervor. “There's a dear + nook in old England where I hope—” + </p> + <p> + “You did get that mud off your leggings, I see,” Beatrice remarked + inconsequentially. “James must have worked half the time we've been here. + They certainly were in a mess the last time I saw them.” + </p> + <p> + “Bother the leggings! But I take it that's a good sign, Miss Lansell—your + taking notice of such things.” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice returned to the landscape. “I wonder who originated that phrase, + 'The cattle grazing on a thousand hills'? He must have stood just here + when he said it.” + </p> + <p> + “Wasn't it one of your American poets? Longfellow, or—er—” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice simply looked at him a minute and said “Pshaw!” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” he retorted, “you don't know yourself who it was.” + </p> + <p> + “And to think,” Beatrice went on, ignoring the subject, “some of those + grazing cows and bossy calves are mine—my very own. I never cared + before, or thought much about it, till I came out and saw where they live, + and Dick pointed to a cow and the sweetest little red and white calf, and + said: 'That's your cow and calf, Trix.' They were dreadfully afraid of me, + though—I'm afraid they didn't recognize me as their mistress. I + wanted to get down and pet the calf—it had the dearest little snub + nose but they bolted, and wouldn't let me near them.” + </p> + <p> + “I fancy they were not accustomed to meeting angels unawares.” + </p> + <p> + “Sir Redmond, I wish you wouldn't. You are so much nicer when you're not + trying to be nice.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll act a perfect brute,” he offered eagerly, “if that will make you + love me.” + </p> + <p> + “It's hardly worth trying. I think you would make a very poor sort of + villain, Sir Redmond. You wouldn't even be picturesque.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Redmond looked rather floored. He was a good fighter, was Sir Redmond, + but he was clumsy at repartee—or, perhaps, he was too much in + earnest to fence gracefully. Just now he looked particularly foolish. + </p> + <p> + “Don't you think my brand is pretty? You know what it is, don't you?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm afraid not,” he owned. “I fancy I need a good bit of coaching in the + matter of brands.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” agreed Beatrice, “I fancy you do. My brand is a Triangle Bar—like + this.” With a sharp pointed bit of rock she drew a more or less exact + diagram in the yellow soil. “There are ever so many different brands + belonging to the Northern Pool; Dick pointed them out to me, but I can't + remember them. But whenever you see a Triangle Bar you'll be looking at my + individual property. I think it was nice of Dick to give me a brand all my + own. Mr. Cameron has a pretty brand, too—a Maltese Cross. The + Maltese Cross was owned at one time by President Roosevelt. Mr. Cameron + bought it when he left college and went into the cattle business. He + 'plays a lone hand,' as he calls it; but his cattle range with the + Northern Pool, and he and Dick work together a great deal. I think he has + lovely eyes, don't you?” The eyes of Beatrice were intent upon the Bear + Paws when she said it—which brought her shoulder toward Sir Redmond + and hid her face from him. + </p> + <p> + “I can't say I ever observed Mr. Cameron's eyes,” said Sir Redmond + stiffly. + </p> + <p> + Beatrice turned back to him, and smiled demurely. When Beatrice smiled + that very demure smile, of which she was capable, the weather-wise + generally edged toward their cyclone-cellars. Sir Redmond was not + weather-wise—he was too much in love with her—and he did not + possess a cyclone cellar; he therefore suffered much at the hands of + Beatrice. + </p> + <p> + “But surely you must have noticed that deep, deep dimple in his chin?” she + questioned innocently. Keith Cameron, I may say, did not have a dimple in + his chin at all; there was, however, a deep crease in it. + </p> + <p> + “I did not.” Sir Redmond rubbed his own chin, which was so far from + dimpling that is was rounded like half an apricot. + </p> + <p> + “Dear me! And you sat opposite to him at dinner yesterday, too! I suppose, + then, you did not observe that his teeth are the whitest, evenest.” + </p> + <p> + “They make them cheaply over here, I'm told,” he retorted, setting his + heel emphatically down and annihilating a red and black caterpillar. + </p> + <p> + “Now, why did you do that? I must say you English are rather brutal?” + </p> + <p> + “I can't abide worms.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, neither can I. And I think it would be foolish to quarrel about a + man's good looks,” Beatrice said, with surprising sweetness. + </p> + <p> + Sir Redmond hunched his shoulders and retreated to the comfort of his + pipe. “A bally lot of good looks!” he sneered. “A woman is never + convinced, though.” + </p> + <p> + “I am.” Beatrice sat down upon a rock and rested her elbows on her knees + and her chin in her hands—and an adorable picture she made, I assure + you. “I'm thoroughly convinced of several things. One is Mr. Cameron's + good looks; another is that you're cross.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, come, now!” protested Sir Redmond feebly, and sucked furiously at his + pipe. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” reiterated Beatrice, examining his perturbed face judicially; “you + are downright ugly.” + </p> + <p> + The face of Sir Redmond grew redder and more perturbed; just as Beatrice + meant that it should; she seemed to derive a keen pleasure from goading + this big, good-looking Englishman to the verge of apoplexy. + </p> + <p> + “I'm sure I never meant to be rude; but a fellow can't fall down and + worship every young farmer, don't you know—not even to please you!” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice smiled and threw a pebble down the slope, watching it bound and + skip to the bottom, where it rolled away and hid in the grass. + </p> + <p> + “I love this wide country,” she observed, abandoning her torture with a + suddenness that was a characteristic of her nature. When Beatrice had made + a man look and act the fool she was ready to stop; one cannot say that of + every woman. “One can draw long, deep breaths without robbing one's + neighbor of oxygen. Everything is so big, and broad, and generous, out + here. One can ride for miles and miles through the grandest, wildest + places,—and—there aren't any cigar and baking-powder and + liver-pill signs plastered over the rocks, thank goodness! If man has + traveled that way before, you do not have the evidence of his passing + staring you in the face. You can make believe it is all your own—by + right of discovery. I'm afraid your England would seem rather little and + crowded after a month or two of this.” She swept her hand toward the + river, and the grass-land beyond, and the mountains rimming the world. + </p> + <p> + “You should see the moors!” cried Sir Redmond, brightening under this + peaceful mood of hers. “I fancy you would not find trouble in drawing long + breaths there. Moor Cottage, where your sister and Wiltmar lived, is + surrounded by wide stretches of open—not like this, to be sure, but + not half-bad in its way, either.” + </p> + <p> + “Dolly grew to love that place, though she did write homesick letters at + first. I was going over, after my coming out—and then came that + awful accident, when she and Wiltmar were both drowned—and, of + course, there was nothing to go for. I should have hated the place then, I + think. But I should like—” Her voice trailed off dreamily, her eyes + on the hazy Highwoods. + </p> + <p> + Sir Redmond watched her, his eyes a-shine; Beatrice in this mood was + something to worship. He was almost afraid to speak, for fear she would + snuff out the tiny flame of hope which her half-finished sentence had + kindled. He leaned forward, his face eager. + </p> + <p> + “Beatrice, only say you will go—with me, dear!” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice started; for the moment she had forgotten him. Her eyes kept to + the hills. “Go—to England? One trip at a time, Sir Redmond. I have + been here only ten days, and we came for three months. Three months of + freedom in this big, glorious place.” + </p> + <p> + “And then?” His voice was husky. + </p> + <p> + “And then—freckle lotions by the quart, I expect.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Redmond got upon his feet, and he was rather white around the mouth. + </p> + <p> + “We Englishmen are a stubborn lot, Miss Beatrice. We won't stop fighting + until we win.” + </p> + <p> + “We Yankees,” retorted she airily, “value our freedom above everything + else. We won't surrender it without fighting for it first.” + </p> + <p> + He caught eagerly at the lack of finality in her tones. “I don't want to + take your freedom, Beatrice. I only want the right to love you.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, as for that, I suppose you may love me as much as you please—only + so you don't torment me to death talking about it.” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice, not looking particularly tormented, waved answer to Dick, who + was shouting something up at her, and went blithely down the hill, with + Sir Redmond following gloomily, several paces behind. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 4. Beatrice Learns a New Language. + </h2> + <p> + “D'you want to see the boys work a bunch of cattle, Trix?” Dick said to + her, when she came down to where he was leaning against a high board + fence, waiting for her. + </p> + <p> + “'Deed I do, Dicky—only I've no idea what you mean.” + </p> + <p> + “The boys are going to cut out some cattle we've contracted to the + government—for the Indians, you know. They're holding the bunch over + in Dry Coulee; it's only three or four miles. I've got to go over and see + the foreman, and I thought maybe you'd like to go along.” + </p> + <p> + “There's nothing I can think of that I would like better. Won't it be + fine, Sir Redmond?” + </p> + <p> + Sir Redmond did not say whether he thought it would be fine or not. He + still had the white streak around his mouth, and he went through the gate + and on to the house without a word—which was undoubtedly a rude + thing to do. Sir Redmond was not often rude. Dick watched him + speculatively until he was beyond hearing them. Then, “What have you done + to milord, Trix?” he wanted to know. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing,” said Beatrice. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” Dick said, with decision, “he looks to me like a man that has been + turned down—hard. I can tell by the back of his neck.” + </p> + <p> + This struck Beatrice, and she began to study the retreating neck of her + suitor. “I can't see any difference,” she announced, after a brief + scrutiny. + </p> + <p> + “It's rather sunburned and thick.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll gamble his mind is a jumble of good English oaths—with maybe a + sprinkling of Boer maledictions. What did you do?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing—unless, perhaps, he objects to being disciplined a bit. But + I also object to being badgered into matrimony—even with Sir + Redmond.” + </p> + <p> + “Even with Sir Redmond!” Dick whistled. “He's 'It,' then, is he?” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice had nothing to say. She walked beside Dick and looked at the + ground before her. + </p> + <p> + “He doesn't seem a bad sort, sis, and the title will be nice to have in + the family, if one cares for such things. Mother does. She was + disappointed, I take it, that Wiltmar was a younger son.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, she was. She used to think that Sir Redmond might get killed down + there fighting the Boers, and then Wiltmar would be next in line. But he + didn't, and it was Wiltmar who went first. And now oh, it's humiliating, + Dick! To be thrown at a man's head—” Tears were not far from her + voice just then. + </p> + <p> + “I can see she wants you to nab the title. Well, sis, if you don't care + for the man—” + </p> + <p> + “I never said I didn't care for him. But I just can't treat him decently, + with mama dinning that title in my ears day and night. I wish there wasn't + any title. Oh, it's abominable! Things have come to that point where an + American girl with money is not supposed to care for an Englishman, no + matter how nice he may be, if he has a title, or the prospect of one. + Every one laughs and thinks it's the title she wants; they'd think it of + me, and they'd say it. They would say Beatrice Lansell took her + half-million and bought her a lord. And, after a while, perhaps Sir + Redmond himself would half-believe it—and I couldn't bear that! And + so I am—unbearably flippant and—I should think he'd hate me!” + </p> + <p> + “So you reversed the natural order of things, and refused him on account + of the title?” Dick grinned surreptitiously. + </p> + <p> + “No, I didn't—not quite. I'm afraid he's dreadfully angry with me, + though. I do wish he wasn't such a dear.” + </p> + <p> + “You're the same old Trix. You've got to be held back from the trail + you're supposed to take, or you won't travel it; you'll bolt the other + way. If everybody got together and fought the notion, you would probably + elope with milord inside a week. Mother means well, but she isn't on to + her job a little bit. She ought to turn up her nose at the title.” + </p> + <p> + “No fear of that! I've had it before my eyes till I hate the very thought + of it. I—I wish I could hate him.” Beatrice sighed deeply, and gave + her hand to Dorman, who scurried up to her. + </p> + <p> + “I'll have the horses saddled right away,” said Dick, and left them. + </p> + <p> + “Where you going, Be'trice? You going to ride a horse? I want to, + awf'lly.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm afraid you can't, honey; it's too far.” Beatrice pushed a yellow curl + away from his eyes with tender, womanly solicitude. + </p> + <p> + “Auntie won't care, 'cause I'm a bother. Auntie says she's goin' to send + for Parks. I don't want Parks; 'sides, Parks is sick. I want a pony, and + some ledder towsers wis fringes down 'em, and I want some little wheels on + my feet. Mr. Cam'ron says I do need some little wheels, Be'trice.” + </p> + <p> + “Did he, honey?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, he did. I like Mr. Cam'ron, Be'trice; he let me ride his big, high + pony. He's a berry good pony. He shaked hands wis me, Be'trice—he + truly did.” + </p> + <p> + “Did he, hon?” Beatrice, I am sorry to say, was not listening. She was + wondering if Sir Redmond was really angry with her—too angry, for + instance, to go over where the cattle were. He really ought to go, for he + had come West in the interest of the Eastern stockholders in the Northern + Pool, to investigate the actual details of the work. He surely would not + miss this opportunity, Beatrice thought. And she hoped he was not angry. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, he truly did. Mr. Cam'ron interduced us, Be'trice. He said, + 'Redcloud, dis is Master Dorman Hayes. Shake hands wis my frien' Dorman.' + And he put up his front hand, Be'trice, and nod his head, and I shaked his + hand. I dess love that big, high pony, Be'trice. Can I buy him, Be'trice?” + </p> + <p> + “Maybe, kiddie.” + </p> + <p> + “Can I buy him wis my six shiny pennies, Be'trice?” + </p> + <p> + “Maybe.” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Cam'ron lives right over that hill, Be'trice. He told me.” + </p> + <p> + “Did he, hon?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, he did. He 'vited me over, Be'trice. He's my friend, and I've got to + buy my big, high pony. I'll let you shake hands wis him, Be'trice. I'll + interduce him to you. And I'll let you ride on his back, Be'trice. Do you + want to ride on his back?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, honey.” + </p> + <p> + Before Beatrice had time to commit herself they reached the house, and she + let go Dorman's hand and hurried away to get into her riding-habit. + </p> + <p> + Dorman straightway went to find his six precious, shiny pennies, which + Beatrice had painstakingly scoured with silver polish one day to please + the little tyrant, and which increased their value many times—so + many times, in fact, that he hid them every night in fear of burglars. + Since he concealed them each time in a different place, he was obliged to + ransack his auntie's room every morning, to the great disturbance of + Martha, the maid, who was an order-loving person. + </p> + <p> + Martha appeared just when he had triumphantly pounced upon his treasure + rolled up in the strings of his aunt's chiffon opera-bonnet. + </p> + <p> + “Mercy upon us, Master Dorman! Whatever have you been doing?” + </p> + <p> + “I want my shiny pennies,” said the young gentleman, composedly unwinding + the roll, “to buy my big, high pony.” + </p> + <p> + “Naughty, naughty boy, to muss my lady's fine bonnet like that! Look at + things scattered over the floor, and my lady's fine handkerchiefs and + gloves—” Martha stopped and meditated whether she might dare to + shake him. + </p> + <p> + Dorman was laboriously counting his wealth, with much wrinkling of stubby + nose and lifting of eyebrows. Having satisfied himself that they were + really all there, he deigned to look around, with a fine masculine disdain + of woman's finery. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, dose old things!” he sniffed. “I always fordet where I put my shiny + pennies. Robbers might find them if I put them easy places. I'm going to + buy my big, high pony, and you can't shake his hand a bit, Martha.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I'm sure I don't want to!” Martha snapped back at him, and went + down on all fours to gather up the things he had thrown down. “Whatever + Parks was thinking of, to go and get fever, when she was the only one that + could manage you, I don't know! And me picking up after you till I'm fair + sick!” + </p> + <p> + “I'm glad you is sick,” he retorted unfeelingly, and backed to the door. + “I hopes you get sicker so your stummit makes you hurt. You can't ride on + my big, high pony.” + </p> + <p> + “Get along with you and your high pony!” cried the exasperated Martha, + threatening with a hairbrush. Dorman, his six shiny pennies held fast in + his damp little fist, fled down the stairs and out into the sunlight. + </p> + <p> + Dick and Beatrice were just ready to ride away from the porch. “I want to + go wis you, Uncle Dick.” Dorman had followed the lead of Beatrice, his + divinity; he refused to say Richard, though grandmama did object to + nicknames. + </p> + <p> + “Up you go, son. You'll be a cow-puncher yourself one of these days. I'll + not let him fall, and this horse is gentle.” This last to satisfy Dorman's + aunt, who wavered between anxiety and relief. + </p> + <p> + “You may ride to the gate, Dorman, and then you'll have to hop down and + run back to your auntie and grandma. We're going too far for you to-day.” + Dick gave him the reins to hold, and let the horse walk to prolong the joy + of it. + </p> + <p> + Dorman held to the horn with one hand, to the reins with the other, and + let his small body swing forward and back with the motion of the horse, in + exaggerated imitation of his friend, Mr. Cameron. At the gate he allowed + himself to be set down without protest, smiled importantly through the + bars, and thrust his arm through as far as it would reach, that he might + wave good-by. And his divinity smiled back at him, and threw him a kiss, + which pleased him mightily. + </p> + <p> + “You must have hurt milord's feelings pretty bad,” Dick remarked. “I + couldn't get him to come. He had to write a letter first, he said.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish, Dick,” Beatrice answered, a bit petulantly, “you would stop + calling him milord.” + </p> + <p> + “Milord's a good name,” Dick contended. “It's bad enough to 'Sir' him to + his face; I can't do it behind his back, Trix. We're not used to fancy + titles out here, and they don't fit the country, anyhow. I'm like you—I'd + think a lot more of him if he was just a plain, everyday American, so I + could get acquainted enough to call him 'Red Hayes.' I'd like him a whole + lot better.” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice was in no mood for an argument—on that subject, at least. + She let Rex out and raced over the prairie at a gait which would have + greatly shocked her mother, who could not understand why Beatrice was not + content to drive sedately about in the carriage with the rest of them. + </p> + <p> + When they reached the round-up Keith Cameron left the bunch and rode out + to meet them, and Dick promptly shuffled responsibility for his sister's + entertainment to the square shoulders of his neighbor. + </p> + <p> + “Trix wants to wise up on the cattle business, Keith. I'll just turn her + over to you for a-while, and let you answer her questions; I can't, half + the time. I want to look through the bunch a little.” + </p> + <p> + Keith's face spoke gratitude, and spoke it plainly. The face of Beatrice + was frankly inattentive. She was watching the restless, moving mass of red + backs and glistening horns, with horsemen weaving in and out among them in + what looked to her a perfectly aimless fashion—until one would wheel + and dart out into the open, always with a fleeing animal lumbering before. + Other horsemen would meet him and take up the chase, and he would turn and + ride leisurely back into the haze and confusion. It was like a + kaleidoscope, for the scene shifted constantly and was never quite the + same. + </p> + <p> + Keith, secure in her absorption, slid sidewise in the saddle and studied + her face, knowing all the while that he was simply storing up trouble for + himself. But it is not given a man to flee human nature, and the fellow + who could sit calmly beside Beatrice and not stare at her if the + opportunity offered must certainly have the blood of a fish in his veins. + I will tell you why. + </p> + <p> + Beatrice was tall, and she was slim, and round, and tempting, with the + most tantalizing curves ever built to torment a man. Her hair was soft and + brown, and it waved up from the nape of her neck without those short, + straggling locks and thin growth at the edge which mar so many feminine + heads; and the sharp contrast of shimmery brown against ivory white was + simply irresistible. Had her face been less full of charm, Keith might + have been content to gaze and gaze at that lovely hair line. As it was, + his eyes wandered to her brows, also distinctly marked, as though outlined + first with a pencil in the fingers of an artist who understood. And there + were her lashes, dark and long, and curled up at the ends; and her cheek, + with its changing, come-and-go coloring; her mouth, with its upper lip + creased deeply in the middle—so deeply that a bit more would have + been a defect—and with an odd little dimple at one corner; luckily, + it was on the side toward him, so that he might look at it all he wanted + to for once; for it was always there, only growing deeper and wickeder + when she spoke or laughed. He could not see her eyes, for they were turned + away, but he knew quite well the color; he had settled that point when he + looked up from coiling his rope the day she came. They were big, baffling, + blue-brown eyes, the like of which he had never seen before in his life—and + he had thought he had seen every color and every shade under the sun. + Thinking of them and their wonderful deeps and shadows, he got hungry for + a sight of them. And suddenly she turned to ask a question, and found him + staring at her, and surprised a look in his eyes he did not know was + there. + </p> + <p> + For ten pulse-beats they stared, and the cheeks of Beatrice grew red as + healthy young blood could paint them; Keith's were the same, only that his + blood showed darkly through the tan. What question had been on her tongue + she forgot to ask. Indeed, for the time, I think she forgot the whole + English language, and every other—but the strange, wordless language + of Keith's clear eyes. + </p> + <p> + And then it was gone, and Keith was looking away, and chewing a corner of + his lip till it hurt. His horse backed restlessly from the tight-gripped + rein, and Keith was guilty of kicking him with his spur, which did not + better matters. Redcloud snorted and shook his outraged head, and Keith + came to himself and eased the rein, and spoke remorseful, soothing words + that somehow clung long in the memory of Beatrice. + </p> + <p> + Just after that Dick galloped up, his elbows flapping like the wings of a + frightened hen. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I suppose you could run a cow outfit all by yourself, with the + knowledge you've got from Keith,” he greeted, and two people became even + more embarrassed than before. If Dick noticed anything, he must have been + a wise young man, for he gave no sign. + </p> + <p> + But Beatrice had not queened it in her set, three seasons, for nothing, + even if she was capable of being confused by a sweet, new language in a + man's eyes. She answered Dick quietly. + </p> + <p> + “I've been so busy watching it all that I haven't had time to ask many + questions, as Mr. Cameron can testify. It's like a game, and it's very + fascinating—and dusty. I wonder if I might ride in among them, + Dick?” + </p> + <p> + “Better not, sis. It isn't as much fun as it looks, and you can see more + out here. There comes milord; he must have changed his mind about the + letter.” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice did not look around. To see her, you would swear she had set + herself the task of making an accurate count of noses in that seething + mass of raw beef below her. After a minute she ventured to glance + furtively at Keith, and, finding his eyes turned her way, blushed again + and called herself an idiot. After that, she straightened in the saddle, + and became the self-poised Miss Lansell, of New York. + </p> + <p> + Keith rode away to the far side of the herd, out of temptation; queer a + man never runs from a woman until it is too late to be a particle of use. + Keith simply changed his point of view, and watched his Heart's Desire + from afar. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 5. The Search for Dorman. + </h2> + <p> + “Oh, I say,” began Sir Redmond, an hour after, when he happened to stand + close to Beatrice for a few minutes, “where is Dorman? I fancied you + brought him along.” + </p> + <p> + “We didn't,” Beatrice told him. “He only rode as far as the gate, where + Dick left him, and started him back to the house.” + </p> + <p> + “Mary told me he came along. She and your mother were congratulating each + other upon a quiet half-day, with you and Dorman off the place together. + I'll wager their felicitations fell rather flat.” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice laughed. “Very likely. I know they were mourning because their + lace-making had been neglected lately. What with that trip to Lost Canyon + to-morrow, and to the mountains Friday, I'm afraid the lace will continue + to suffer. What do you think of a round-up, Sir Redmond?” + </p> + <p> + “It's deuced nasty,” said he. “Such a lot of dust and noise. I fancy the + workmen don't find it pleasant.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, they do; they like it,” she declared. “Dick says a cowboy is never + satisfied off the range. And you mustn't call them workmen, Sir Redmond. + They'd resent it, if they knew. They're cowboys, and proud of it. They + seem rather a pleasant lot of fellows, on the whole. I have been talking + to one or two.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, we're all through here,” Dick announced, riding up. “I'm going to + ride around by Keith's place, to see a horse I'm thinking of buying. Want + to go along, Trix? Or are you tired?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm never tired,” averred his sister, readjusting a hat-pin and gathering + up her reins. “I always want to go everywhere that you'll take me, Dick. + Consider that point settled for the summer. Are you coming, Sir Redmond?” + </p> + <p> + “I think not, thank you,” he said, not quite risen above his rebuff of the + morning. “I told Mary I would be back for lunch.” + </p> + <p> + “I was wiser; I refused even to venture an opinion as to when I should be + back. Well, 'so-long'!” + </p> + <p> + “You're learning the lingo pretty fast, Trix,” Dick chuckled, when they + were well away from Sir Redmond. “Milord almost fell out of the saddle + when you fired that at him. Where did you pick it up?” + </p> + <p> + “I've heard you say it a dozen times since I came. And I don't care if he + is shocked—I wanted him to be. He needn't be such a perfect bear; + and I know mama and Miss Hayes don't expect him to lunch, without us. He + just did it to be spiteful.” + </p> + <p> + “Jerusalem, Trix! A little while ago you said he was a dear! You shouldn't + snub him, if you want him to be nice to you.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't want him to be nice,” flared Beatrice. “I don't care how he acts. + Only, I must say, ill humor doesn't become him. Not that it matters, + however.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I guess we can get along without him, if he won't honor us with his + company. Here comes Keith. Brace up, sis, and be pleasant.” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice glanced casually at the galloping figure of Dick's neighbor, and + frowned. + </p> + <p> + “You mustn't flirt with Keith,” Dick admonished gravely. “He's a good + fellow, and as square a man as I know; but you ought to know he's got the + reputation of being a hard man to know. Lots of girls have tried to flirt + and make a fool of him, and wound up with their feelings hurt worse than + his were.” + </p> + <p> + “Is that a dare?” Beatrice threw up her chin with a motion Dick knew of + old. + </p> + <p> + “Not on your life! You better leave him alone; one or the other of you + would get the worst of it, and I'd hate to see either of you feeling bad. + As I said before, he's a bad man to fool with.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't consider him particularly dangerous—or interesting. He's + not half as nice as Sir Redmond.” Beatrice spoke as though she meant what + she said, and Dick had no chance to argue the point, for Keith pulled up + beside them at that moment. + </p> + <p> + Beatrice seemed inclined to silence, and paid more attention to the + landscape than she did to the conversation, which was mostly about range + conditions, and the scanty water supply, and the drought. + </p> + <p> + She was politely interested in Keith's ranch, and if she clung + persistently to her society manner, why, her society manner was very + pleasing, if somewhat unsatisfying to a fellow fairly drunk with her + winsomeness. Keith showed her where she might look straight up the coulee + to her brother's ranch, two miles away, and when she wished she might see + what they were doing up there, he went in and got his field-glass. She + thanked him prettily, and impersonally, and focused the glass upon Dick's + house—which gave Keith another chance to look at her without being + caught in the act. + </p> + <p> + “How plain everything is! I can see mama, out on the porch, and Miss + Hayes.” She could also see Sir Redmond, who had just ridden up, and was + talking to the ladies, but she did not think it necessary to mention him, + for some reason; she kept her eyes to the glass, however, and appeared + much absorbed. Dick rolled himself a cigarette and watched the two, and + there was a twinkle in his eyes. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder—Dick, I do think—I'm afraid—” Beatrice hadn't + her society manner now; she was her unaffected, girlish self; and she was + growing excited. + </p> + <p> + “What's the matter?” Dick got up, and came and stood at her elbow. + </p> + <p> + “They're acting queerly. The maids are running about, and the cook is out, + waving a large spoon, and mama has her arm around Miss Hayes, and Sir + Redmond.” + </p> + <p> + “Let's see.” Dick took the glass and raised it to his eyes for a minute. + “That's right,” he said. “They're making medicine over something. See what + you make of it, Keith.” + </p> + <p> + Keith took the glass and looked through it. It was like a moving picture; + one could see, but one wanted the interpretation of sound. + </p> + <p> + “We'd better ride over,” he said quietly. “Don't worry, Miss Lansell; it + probably isn't anything serious. We can take the short cut up the coulee, + and find out.” He put the glass into its leathern case and started to the + gate, where the horses were standing. He did not tell Beatrice that Miss + Hayes had just been carried into the house in a faint, or that her mother + was behaving in an undignified fashion strongly suggesting hysterics. But + Dick knew, from the look on his face, that it was serious. He hurried + before them with long strides, leaving Beatrice, for the second time that + morning, to the care of his neighbor. + </p> + <p> + So it was Keith who held his hand down for the delicious pressure of her + foot, and arranged her habit with painstaking care, considering the hurry + they were in. Dick was in the saddle, and gone, before Keith had finished, + and Keith was not a slow young man, as a rule. They ran the two miles + without a break, except twice, where there were gates to close. Dick, + speeding a furlong before, had obligingly left them open; and a stockman + is hard pressed indeed—or very drunk—when he fails to close + his gates behind him. It is an unwritten law which becomes second nature. + </p> + <p> + Almost within sound of the place, Dick raced back and met them, and his + face was white. + </p> + <p> + “It's Dorman!” he cried. “He's lost. They haven't seen him since we left. + You know, Trix, he was standing at the gate.” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice went white as Dick; whiter, for she was untanned. An overwhelming + sense of blame squeezed her heart tight. Keith, seeing her shoulders droop + limply, reined close, to catch her in his arms if there was the slightest + excuse. However, Beatrice was a healthy young woman, with splendid command + of her nerves, and she had no intention of fainting. The sickening + weakness passed in a moment. + </p> + <p> + “It's my fault,” she said, speaking rapidly, her eyes seeking Dick's for + comfort. “I said 'yes' to everything he asked me, because I was thinking + of something else, and not paying attention. He was going to buy your + horse, Mr. Cameron, and now he's lost!” + </p> + <p> + This, though effective, was not particularly illuminating. Dick wanted + details, and he got them—for Beatrice, having remorse to stir the + dregs of memory, repeated nearly everything Dorman had said, even telling + how the big, high pony put up his front hand, and he shaked it, and how + Dorman truly needed some little wheels on his feet. + </p> + <p> + “Poor little devil,” Keith muttered, with wet eyes. + </p> + <p> + “He—he said you lived over there,” Beatrice finished, pointing, as + Dorman had pointed—which was not toward the “Cross” ranch at all, + but straight toward the river. + </p> + <p> + Keith wheeled Redcloud; there was no need to hear more. He took the hill + at a pace which would have killed any horse but one bred to race over this + rough country. Near the top, the forced breathing of another horse at his + heels made him look behind. It was Beatrice following, her eyes like black + stars. I do not know if Keith was astonished, but I do know that he was + pleased. + </p> + <p> + “Where's Dick?” was all he said then. + </p> + <p> + “Dick's going to meet the men—the cowboys. Sir Redmond went after + them, when they found Dorman wasn't anywhere about the place.” + </p> + <p> + Keith nodded understandingly, and slowed to let her come alongside. + </p> + <p> + “It's no use riding in bunches,” he remarked, after a little. “On circle + we always go in pairs. We'll find him, all right.” + </p> + <p> + “We must,” said Beatrice, simply, and shaded her eyes with her hand. For + they had reached the top, and the prairie land lay all about them and + below, lazily asleep in the sunshine. + </p> + <p> + Keith halted and reached for his glass. “It's lucky I brought it along,” + he said. “I wasn't thinking, at the time; I just slung it over my shoulder + from habit.” + </p> + <p> + “It's a good habit, I think,” she answered, trying to smile; but her lips + would only quiver, for the thought of her blame tortured her. “Can you see—anything?” + she ventured wistfully. + </p> + <p> + Keith shook his head, and continued his search. “There are so many little + washouts and coulees, down there, you know. That's the trouble with a + glass—it looks only on a level. But we'll find him. Don't you worry + about that. He couldn't go far.” + </p> + <p> + “There isn't any real danger, is there?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no,” Keith said. “Except—” He bit his lip angrily. + </p> + <p> + “Except what?” she demanded. “I'm not silly, Mr. Cameron—tell me.” + </p> + <p> + Keith took the glass from his eyes, looked at her, and paid her the + compliment of deciding to tell her, just as if she were a man. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing, only—he might run across a snake,” he said. “Rattlers.” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice drew her breath hard, but she was plucky. Keith thought he had + never seen a pluckier girl, and the West can rightfully boast brave women. + </p> + <p> + She touched Rex with the whip. “Come,” she commanded. “We must not stand + here. It has been more than three hours.” + </p> + <p> + Keith put away the glass, and shot ahead to guide her. + </p> + <p> + “We must have missed him, somewhere.” The eyes of Beatrice were heavy with + the weariness born of anxiety and suspense. They stood at the very edge of + the steep bluff which rimmed the river. “You don't think he could have—” + Her eyes, shuddering down at the mocking, blue-gray ripples, finished the + thought. + </p> + <p> + “He couldn't have got this far,” said Keith. “His legs would give out, + climbing up and down. We'll go back by a little different way, and look.” + </p> + <p> + “There's something moving, off there.” Beatrice pointed with her whip. + </p> + <p> + “That's a coyote,” Keith told her; and then, seeing the look on her face: + “They won't hurt any one. They're the rankest cowards on the range.” + </p> + <p> + “But the snakes—” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, well, he might wander around for a week, and not run across one. We + won't borrow trouble, anyway.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” she agreed languidly. The sun was hot, and she had not had anything + to eat since early breakfast, and the river mocked her parched throat with + its cool glimmer below. She looked down at it wistfully, and Keith, + watchful of every passing change in her face, led her back to where a + cold, little spring crept from beneath a rock; there, lifting her down, he + taught her how to drink from her hand. + </p> + <p> + For himself, he threw himself down, pushed back his hat, and drank long + and leisurely. A brown lock of hair, clinging softly together with + moisture, fell from his forehead and trailed in the clear water, and + Beatrice felt oddly tempted to push it back where it belonged. Standing + quietly watching his picturesque figure, she forgot, for the moment, that + a little boy was lost among these peaceful, sunbathed hills; she + remembered only the man at her feet, drinking long, satisfying drafts, + while the lock of hair floated in the spring. + </p> + <p> + “Now we'll go on.” He stood up and pushed back the wet lock, which + trickled a tiny stream down his cheek, and settled his gray hat in place. + </p> + <p> + Again that day he felt her foot in his palm, and the touch went over him + in thrills. She was tired, he knew; her foot pressed heavier than it had + before. He would have liked to take her in his arms and lift her bodily + into the saddle, but he hardly dared think of such a blissful proceeding. + </p> + <p> + He set the pace slower, however, and avoided the steepest places, and he + halted often on the higher ground, to scan sharply the coulees. And so + they searched, these two, together, and grew to know each other better + than in a month of casual meetings. And the grass nodded, and the winds + laughed, and the stern hills looked on, quizzically silent. If they knew + aught of a small boy with a wealth of yellow curls and white collar, they + gave no sign, and the two rode on, always seeking hopefully. + </p> + <p> + A snake buzzed sharply on a gravelly slope, and Keith, sending Beatrice + back a safe distance, took down his rope and gave battle, beating the + sinister, gray-spotted coil with the loop until it straightened and was + still. He dismounted then, and pinched off the rattles—nine, there + were, and a “button”—and gave them to Beatrice, who handled them + gingerly, and begged Keith to carry them for her. He slipped them into his + pocket, and they went on, saying little. + </p> + <p> + Back near the ranch they met Dick and Sir Redmond. They exchanged sharp + looks, and Dick shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “We haven't found him—yet. The boys are riding circle around the + ranch; they're bound to find him, some of them, if we don't.” + </p> + <p> + “You had better go home,” Sir Redmond told her, with a note of authority + in his voice which set Keith's teeth on edge. “You look done to death; + this is men's work.” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice bit her lip, and barely glanced at him. “I'll go—when + Dorman is found. What shall we do now, Dick?” + </p> + <p> + “Go down to the house and get some hot coffee, you two. We all snatched a + bite to eat, and you need it. After that, you can look along the south + side of the coulee, if you like.” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice obediently turned Rex toward home, and Keith followed. The ranch + seemed very still and lonesome. Some chickens were rolling in the dust by + the gate, and scattered, cackling indignantly, when they rode up. Off to + the left a colt whinnied wistfully in a corral. Beatrice, riding + listlessly to the house, stopped her horse with a jerk. + </p> + <p> + “I heard—where is he?” + </p> + <p> + Keith stopped Redcloud, and listened. Came a thumping noise, and a wail, + not loud, but unmistakable. + </p> + <p> + “Aunt-ie!” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice was on the ground as soon as Keith, and together they ran to the + place—the bunk-house. The thumping continued vigorously; evidently a + small boy was kicking, with all his might, upon a closed door; it was not + a new sound to the ears of Beatrice, since the arrival in America of her + young nephew. Keith flung the door wide open, upsetting the small boy, who + howled. + </p> + <p> + Beatrice swooped down upon him and gathered him so close she came near + choking him. “You darling. Oh, Dorman!” + </p> + <p> + Dorman squirmed away from her. “I los' one shiny penny, Be'trice—and + I couldn't open de door. Help me find my shiny penny.” + </p> + <p> + Keith picked him up and set him upon one square shoulder. “We'll take you + up to your auntie, first thing, young man.” + </p> + <p> + “I want my one shiny penny. I want it!” Dorman showed symptoms of howling + again. + </p> + <p> + “We'll come back and find it. Your auntie wants you now, and grandmama.” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice, following after, was treated to a rather unusual spectacle; that + of a tall, sun-browned fellow, with fringed chaps and brightly gleaming + spurs, racing down the path; upon his shoulder, the wriggling form of an + extremely disreputable small boy, with cobwebs in his curls, and his once + white collar a dirty rag streaming out behind. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 6. Mrs. Lansell's Lecture. + </h2> + <p> + When the excitement had somewhat abated, and Miss Hayes was convinced that + her idol was really there, safe, and with his usual healthy appetite, and + when a messenger had been started out to recall the searchers, Dorman was + placed upon a chair before a select and attentive audience, and invited to + explain, which he did. + </p> + <p> + He had decided to borrow some little wheels from the bunkhouse, so he + could ride his big, high pony home. Mr. Cameron had little wheels on his + feet, and so did Uncle Dick, and all the mens. (The audience gravely + nodded assent.) Well, and the knob wasn't too high when he went in, but + when he tried to open the door to go out, it was away up there! (Dorman + measured with his arm.) And he fell down, and all his shiny pennies rolled + and rolled. And he looked and looked where they rolled, and when he + counted, one was gone. So he looked and looked for the one shiny penny + till he was tired to death. And so he climbed up high, into a funny bed on + a shelf, and rested. And when he was rested he couldn't open the door, and + he kicked and kicked, and then Be'trice came, and Mr. Cam'ron. + </p> + <p> + “And you said you'd help me find my one penny,” he reminded Keith, + blinking solemnly at him from the chair. “And I want to shake hands wis + your big, high pony. I'm going to buy him wis my six pennies. Be'trice + said I could.” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice blushed, and Keith forgot where he was, for a minute, looking at + her. + </p> + <p> + “Come and find my one shiny penny,” Dorman commanded, climbing down. “And + I want Be'trice to come. Be'trice can always find things.” + </p> + <p> + “Beatrice cannot go,” said his grandmother, who didn't much like the way + Keith hovered near Beatrice, nor the look in his eyes. “Beatrice is + tired.” + </p> + <p> + “I want Be'trice!” Dorman set up his everyday howl, which started the dogs + barking outside. His guardian angel attempted to soothe him, but he would + have none of her; he only howled the louder, and kicked. + </p> + <p> + “There, there, honey, I'll go. Where's your hat?” + </p> + <p> + “Beatrice, you had better stay in the house; you have done quite enough + for one day.” The tone of the mother suggested things. + </p> + <p> + “It is imperative,” said Beatrice, “for the peace and the well-being of + this household, that Dorman find his penny without delay.” When Beatrice + adopted that lofty tone her mother was in the habit of saying nothing—and + biding her time. Beatrice was so apt, if mere loftiness did not carry the + day, to go a step further and flatly refuse to obey. Mrs. Lansell + preferred to yield, rather than be openly defied. + </p> + <p> + So the three went off to find the shiny penny—and in exactly + thirty-five minutes they found it. I will not say that they could not have + found it sooner, but, at any rate, they didn't, and they reached the house + about two minutes behind Dick and Sir Redmond, which did not improve Sir + Redmond's temper to speak of. + </p> + <p> + After that, Keith did not need much urging from Dick to spend the rest of + the afternoon at the “Pool” ranch. When he wanted to, Keith could be very + nice indeed to people; he went a long way, that afternoon, toward making a + friend of Miss Hayes; but Mrs. Lansell, who was one of those women who + adhere to the theory of First Impressions, in capitals, continued to + regard him as an incipient outlaw, who would, in time and under favorable + conditions, reveal his true character, and vindicate her keen insight into + human nature. There was one thing which Mrs. Lansell never forgave Keith + Cameron, and that was the ruin of her watch, which refused to run while + she was in Montana. + </p> + <p> + That night, when Beatrice was just snuggling down into the delicious + coolness of her pillow, she heard someone rap softly, but none the less + imperatively, on her door. She opened one eye stealthily, to see her + mother's pudgy form outlined in the feeble moonlight. + </p> + <p> + “Beatrice, are you asleep?” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice did not say yes, but she let her breath out carefully in a + slumbrous sigh. It certainly sounded as if she were asleep. + </p> + <p> + “Be-atrice!” The tone, though guarded, was insistent. + </p> + <p> + The head of Beatrice moved slightly, and settled back into its little + nest, for all the world like a dreaming, innocent baby. + </p> + <p> + If she had not been the mother of Beatrice, Mrs. Lansell would probably + have gone back to her room, and continued to bide her time; but the mother + of Beatrice had learned a few things about the ways of a wilful girl. She + went in, and closed the door carefully behind her. She did not wish to + keep the whole house awake. Then she went straight to the bed, laid hand + upon a white shoulder that gleamed in the moonlight, and gave a shake. + </p> + <p> + “Beatrice, I want you to answer me when I speak.” + </p> + <p> + “M-m—did you—m-m—speak, mama?” Beatrice opened her eyes + and closed them, opened them again for a minute longer, yawned daintily, + and by these signs and tokens wandered back from dreamland obediently. + </p> + <p> + Her mother sat down upon the edge of the bed, and the bed creaked. Also, + Beatrice groaned inwardly; the time of reckoning was verily drawing near. + She promptly closed her eyes again, and gave a sleepy sigh. + </p> + <p> + “Beatrice, did you refuse Sir Redmond again?” + </p> + <p> + “M-m—were you speaking—mama?” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Lansell, endeavoring to keep her temper, repeated the question. + </p> + <p> + Beatrice began to feel that she was an abused girl. She lifted herself to + her elbow, and thumped the pillow spitefully. + </p> + <p> + “Again? Dear me, mama! I've never refused him once!” + </p> + <p> + “You haven't accepted him once, either,” her mother retorted; and Beatrice + lay down again. + </p> + <p> + “I do wish, Beatrice, you would look at the matter in a sensible light I'm + sure I never would ask you to marry a man you could not care for. But Sir + Redmond is young, and good-looking, and has birth and breeding, and money—no + one can accuse him of being a fortune-hunter, I'm sure. I was asking + Richard to-day, and he says Sir Redmond holds a large interest in the + Northern Pool, and other English investors pay him a salary, besides, to + look after their interests. I wouldn't be surprised if the holdings of + both of you would be sufficient to control the business.” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice, not caring anything for business anyway, said nothing. + </p> + <p> + “Any one can see the man's crazy for you. His sister says he never cared + for a woman before in his life.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course,” put in Beatrice sarcastically. “His sister followed him down + to South Africa, and all around, and is in a position to know.” + </p> + <p> + “Any one can see he isn't a lady's man.” + </p> + <p> + “No—” Beatrice smiled reminiscently; “he certainly isn't.” + </p> + <p> + “And so he's in deadly earnest. And I'm positive he will make you a model + husband.” + </p> + <p> + “Only think of having to live, all one's life, with a model husband!” + shuddered Beatrice hypocritically. + </p> + <p> + “Be-atrice! And then, it's something to marry a title.” + </p> + <p> + “That's the worst of it,” remarked Beatrice. + </p> + <p> + “Any other girl in America would jump at the chance. I do believe, + Beatrice, you are hanging back just to be aggravating. And there's another + thing, Beatrice. I don't approve of the way this Keith Cameron hangs + around you.” + </p> + <p> + “He doesn't!” denied Beatrice, in an altogether different tone. “Why, + mama!” + </p> + <p> + “I don't approve of flirting, Beatrice, and you know it. The way you + gadded around over the hills with him—a perfect stranger—was + disgraceful; perfectly disgraceful. You don't know any thing about the + fellow, whether he's a fit companion or not—a wild, uncouth cowboy—” + </p> + <p> + “He graduated from Yale, a year after Dick. And he was halfback, too.” + </p> + <p> + “That doesn't signify,” said her mother, “a particle. I know Miss Hayes + was dreadfully shocked to see you come riding up with him, and Sir Redmond + forced to go with Richard, or ride alone.” + </p> + <p> + “Dick is good company,” said Beatrice. “And it was his own fault. I asked + him to go with us, when Dick and I left the cattle, and he wouldn't. Dick + will tell you the same. And after that I did not see him until just before + we—I came home, Really, mama, I can't have a leading-string on Sir + Redmond. If he refuses to come with me, I can hardly insist.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you must have done something. You said something, or did something, + to make him very angry. He has not been himself all day. What did you + say?” + </p> + <p> + “Dear me, mama, I am not responsible for all Sir Redmond's ill-humor.” + </p> + <p> + “I did not ask you that, Beatrice.” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice thumped her pillow again. “I don't remember anything very + dreadful, mama. I—I think he has indigestion.” + </p> + <p> + “Be-atrice! I do wish you would try to conquer that habit of flippancy. It + is not ladylike. And I warn you, Sir Redmond is not the man to dangle + after you forever. He will lose patience, and go back to England without + you—and serve you right! I am only talking for your own good, + Beatrice. I am not at all sure that you want him to leave you alone.” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice was not at all sure, either. She lay still, and wished her mother + would stop talking for her good. Talking for her good had meant, as far + back as Beatrice could remember, saying disagreeable things in a + disagreeable manner. + </p> + <p> + “And remember, Beatrice, I want this flirting stopped.” + </p> + <p> + “Flirting, mama?” To hear the girl, you would think she had never heard + the word before. + </p> + <p> + “That's what I said, Beatrice. I shall speak to Richard in the morning + about this fellow Cameron. He must put a stop to his being here two-thirds + of the time. It is unendurable.” + </p> + <p> + “He and Dick are chums, mama, and have been for years. And to-morrow we + are going to Lost Canyon, you know, and Mr. Cameron is to go along. And + there are several other trips, mama, to which he is already invited. Dick + cannot recall those invitations.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, it must end there. Richard must do something. I cannot see what he + finds about the fellow to like—or you, either, Beatrice. Just + because he rides like a—a wild Indian, and has a certain daredevil + way—” + </p> + <p> + “I never said I liked him, mama,” Beatrice protested, somewhat hastily. “I—of + course, I try to treat him well—” + </p> + <p> + “I should say you did!” exploded her mother angrily. “You would be much + better employed in trying to treat Sir Redmond half as well. It is + positively disgraceful, the way you behave toward him—as fine a man + as I ever met in my life. I warn you, Beatrice, you must have more regard + for propriety, or I shall take you back to New York at once. I certainly + shall.” + </p> + <p> + With that threat, which she shrewdly guessed would go far toward bringing + this wayward girl to time, Mrs. Lansell got up off the bed, which creaked + its relief, and groped her way to her own room. + </p> + <p> + The pillow of Beatrice received considerable thumping during the next hour—a + great deal more, in fact, than it needed. Two thoughts troubled her more + than she liked. What if her mother was right, and Sir Redmond lost + patience with her and went home? That possibility was unpleasant, to say + the least. Again, would he give her up altogether if she showed Dick she + was not afraid of Keith Cameron, for all his good looks, and at the same + time taught that young man a much-needed lesson? The way he had stared at + her was nothing less than a challenge and Beatrice was sorely tempted. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 7. Beatrice's Wild Ride. + </h2> + <p> + “Well, are we all ready?” Dick gathered up his reins, and took critical + inventory of the load. His mother peered under the front seat to be doubly + sure that there were at least four umbrellas and her waterproof raglan in + the rig; Mrs. Lansell did not propose to be caught unawares in a storm + another time. Miss Hayes straightened Dorman's cap, and told him to sit + down, dear, and then called upon Sir Redmond to enforce the command. Sir + Redmond repeated her command, minus the dear, and then rode on ahead to + overtake Beatrice and Keith, who had started. Dick climbed up over the + front wheel, released the brake, chirped at the horses, and they were off + for Lost Canyon. + </p> + <p> + Beatrice was behaving beautifully, and her mother only hoped to heaven it + would last the day out; perhaps Sir Redmond would be able to extract some + sort of a promise from her in that mood, Mrs. Lansell reflected, as she + watched Beatrice chatting to her two cavaliers, with the most decorous + impartiality. Sir Redmond seemed in high spirits, which argued well; Mrs. + Lansell gave herself up to the pleasure of the drive with a heart free + from anxiety. Not only was Beatrice at her best; Dorman's mood was nothing + short of angelic, and as the weather was simply perfect, the day surely + promised well. + </p> + <p> + For a mile Keith had showed signs of a mind not at ease, and at last he + made bold to speak. + </p> + <p> + “I thought Rex was to be your saddle-horse?” he said abruptly to Beatrice. + </p> + <p> + “He was; but when Dick brought Goldie home, last night, I fell in love + with him on sight, and just teased Dick till he told me I might have him + to ride.” + </p> + <p> + “I thought Dick had some sense,” Keith said gloomily. + </p> + <p> + “He has. He knew there would be no peace till he surrendered.” + </p> + <p> + “I didn't know you were going to ride him, when I sold him to Dick. He's + not safe for a woman.” + </p> + <p> + “Does he buck, Mr. Cameron? Dick said he was gentle.” Beatrice had seen a + horse buck, one day, and had a wholesome fear of that form of equine + amusement. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no. I never knew him to.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I don't mind anything else. I'm accustomed to horses,” said + Beatrice, and smiled welcome to Sir Redmond, who came up with them at that + moment. + </p> + <p> + “You want to ride him with a light rein,” Keith cautioned, clinging to the + subject. “He's tenderbitted, and nervous. He won't stand for any jerking, + you see.” + </p> + <p> + “I never jerk, Mr. Cameron.” Keith discovered that big, baffling, + blue-brown eyes can, if they wish, rival liquid air for coldness. “I rode + horses before I came to Montana.” + </p> + <p> + Of course, when a man gets frozen with a girl's eyes, and scorched with a + girl's sarcasm, the thing for him to do is to retreat until the atmosphere + becomes normal. Keith fell behind just as soon as he could do so with some + show of dignity, and for several miles tried to convince himself that he + would rather talk to Dick and “the old maid” than not. + </p> + <p> + “Don't you know,” Sir Redmond remarked sympathetically, “some of these + Western fellows are inclined to be deuced officious and impertinent.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Redmond got a taste of the freezing process that made him change the + subject abruptly. + </p> + <p> + The way was rough and lonely; the trail wound over sharp-nosed hills and + through deep, narrow coulees, with occasional, tantalizing glimpses of the + river and the open land beyond, that kept Beatrice in a fever of + enthusiasm. From riding blithely ahead, she took to lagging far behind + with her kodak, getting snap-shots of the choicest bits of scenery. + </p> + <p> + “Another cartridge, please, Sir Redmond,” she said, and wound + industriously on the finished roll. + </p> + <p> + “It's a jolly good thing I brought my pockets full.” Sir Redmond fished + one out for her. “Was that a dozen?” + </p> + <p> + “No; that had only six films. I want a larger one this time. It is a + perfect nuisance to stop and change. Be still, Goldie!” + </p> + <p> + “We're getting rather a long way behind—but I fancy the road is + plain.” + </p> + <p> + “We'll hurry and overtake them. I won't take any more pictures.” + </p> + <p> + “Until you chance upon something you can't resist. I understand all that, + you know.” Sir Redmond, while he teased, was pondering whether this was an + auspicious time and place to ask Beatrice to marry him. He had tried so + many times and places that seemed auspicious, that the man was growing + fearful. It is not pleasant to have a girl smile indulgently upon you and + deftly turn your avowals aside, so that they fall flat. + </p> + <p> + “I'm ready,” she announced, blind to what his eyes were saying. + </p> + <p> + “Shall we trek?” Sir Redmond sighed a bit. He was not anxious to overtake + the others. + </p> + <p> + “We will. Only, out here people never 'trek,' Sir Redmond. They 'hit the + trail'.” + </p> + <p> + “So they do. And the way these cowboys do it, one would think they were + couriers, by Jove! with the lives of a whole army at stake. So I fancy we + had better hit the trail, eh?” + </p> + <p> + “You're learning,” Beatrice assured him, as they started on. “A year out + here, and you would be a real American, Sir Redmond.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Redmond came near saying, “The Lord forbid!” but he thought better of + it. Beatrice was intensely loyal to her countrymen, unfortunately, and + would certainly resent such a remark; but, for all that, he thought it. + </p> + <p> + For a mile or two she held to her resolve, and then, at the top of a long + hill overlooking the canyon where they were to eat their lunch, out came + her kodak again. + </p> + <p> + “This must be Lost Canyon, for Dick has stopped by those trees. I want to + get just one view from here. Steady, Goldie! Dear me, this horse does + detest standing still!” + </p> + <p> + “I fancy he is anxious to get down with the others. Let me hold him for + you. Whoa, there!” He put a hand upon the bridle, a familiarity Goldie + resented. He snorted and dodged backward, to the ruin of the picture + Beatrice was endeavoring to get. + </p> + <p> + “Now you've frightened him. Whoa, pet! It's of no use to try; he won't + stand.” + </p> + <p> + “Let me have your camera. He's getting rather an ugly temper, I think.” + Sir Redmond put out his hand again, and again Goldie dodged backward. + </p> + <p> + “I can do better alone, Sir Redmond.” The cheeks of Beatrice were red. She + managed to hold the horse in until her kodak was put safely in its case, + but her temper, as well as Goldie's, was roughened. She hated spoiling a + film, which she was perfectly sure she had done. + </p> + <p> + Goldie felt the sting of her whip when she brought him back into the road, + and, from merely fretting, he took to plunging angrily. Then, when + Beatrice pulled him up sharply, he thrust out his nose, grabbed the bit in + his teeth, and bolted down the hill, past all control. + </p> + <p> + “Good God, hold him!” shouted Sir Redmond, putting his horse to a run. + </p> + <p> + The advice was good, and Beatrice heard it plainly enough, but she neither + answered nor looked back. How, she thought, resentfully, was one to hold a + yellow streak of rage, with legs like wire springs and a neck of iron? + Besides, she was angrily alive to the fact that Keith Cameron, watching + down below, was having his revenge. She wondered if he was enjoying it. + </p> + <p> + He was not. Goldie, when he ran, ran blindly in a straight line, and Keith + knew it. He also knew that the Englishman couldn't keep within gunshot of + Goldie, with the mount he had, and half a mile away—Keith shut his + teeth hard together, and went out to meet her. Redcloud lay along the + ground in great leaps, but Keith, bending low over his neck, urged him + faster and faster, until the horse, his ears laid close against his neck, + did the best there was in him. From the tail of his eye, Keith saw Sir + Redmond's horse go down upon his knees, and get up limping—and the + sight filled him with ungenerous gladness; Sir Redmond was out of the + race. It was Keith and Redcloud—they two; and Keith could smile over + it. + </p> + <p> + He saw Beatrice's hat loosen and lift in front, flop uncertainly, and then + go sailing away into the sage-brush, and he noted where it fell, that he + might find it, later. Then he was close enough to see her face, and + wondered that there was so little fear written there. Beatrice was plucky, + and she rode well, her weight upon the bit; but her weight was nothing to + the clinched teeth of the horse; and, though she had known it from the + start, she was scarcely frightened. There was a good deal of the daredevil + in Beatrice; she trusted a great deal to blind luck. + </p> + <p> + Just there the land was level, and she hoped to check him on the slope of + the hill before them. She did not know it was moated like a castle, with a + washout ten feet deep and twice that in width, and that what looked to her + quite easy was utterly impossible. + </p> + <p> + Keith gained, every leap. In a moment he was close behind. + </p> + <p> + “Take your foot out of the stirrup,” he commanded, harshly, and though + Beatrice wondered why, something in his voice made her obey. + </p> + <p> + Now Redcloud's nose was even with her elbow; the breath from his + wide-flaring nostrils rose hotly in her face. Another bound, and he had + forged ahead, neck and neck with Goldie, and it was Keith by her side, + keen-eyed and calm. + </p> + <p> + “Let go all hold,” he said. Reaching suddenly, he caught her around the + waist and pulled her from the saddle, just as Redcloud, scenting danger, + plowed his front feet deeply into the loose soil and stopped dead still. + </p> + <p> + It was neatly done, and quickly; so quickly that before Beatrice had more + than gasped her surprise, Keith lowered her to the ground and slid out of + the saddle. Beatrice looked at him, and wondered at his face, and at the + way he was shaking. He leaned weakly against the horse and hid his face on + his arm, and trembled at what had come so close to the girl—the + girl, who stood there panting a little, with her wonderful, waving hair + cloaking her almost to her knees, and her blue-brown eyes wide and bright, + and full of a deep amazement. She forgot Goldie, and did not even look to + see what had become of him; she forgot nearly everything, just then, in + wonder at this tall, clean-built young fellow, who never had seemed to + care what happened, leaning there with his face hidden, his hat far hack + on his head and little drops standing thickly upon his forehead. She + waited a moment, and when he did not move, her thoughts drifted to other + things. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder,” she said abstractedly, “if I broke my kodak.” + </p> + <p> + Keith lifted his head and looked at her. “Your kodak—good Lord!” He + looked hard into her eyes, and she returned the stare. + </p> + <p> + “Come here,” he commanded, hoarsely, catching her arm. “Your kodak! Look + down there!” He led her to the brink, which was close enough to set him + shuddering anew. “Look! There's Goldie, damn him! It's a wonder he's on + his feet; I thought he'd be dead—and serve him right. And you—you + wonder if you broke your kodak!” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice drew back from him, and from the sight below, and if she were + frightened, she tried not to let him see. “Should I have fainted?” She was + proud of the steadiness of her voice. “Really, I am very much obliged to + you, Mr. Cameron, for saving me from an ugly fall. You did it very neatly, + I imagine, and I am grateful. Still, I really hope I didn't break my + kodak. Are you very disappointed because I can't faint away? There doesn't + seem to be any brook close by, you see—and I haven't my er—lover's + arms to fall into. Those are the regulation stage settings, I believe, and—” + </p> + <p> + “Don't worry, Miss Lansell. I didn't expect you to faint, or to show any + human feelings whatever. I do pity your horse, though.” + </p> + <p> + “You didn't a minute ago,” she reminded him. “You indulged in a bit of + profanity, if I remember.” + </p> + <p> + “For which I beg Goldie's pardon,” he retorted, his eyes unsmiling. + </p> + <p> + “And mine, I hope.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly.” + </p> + <p> + “I think it's rather absurd to stand here sparring, Mr. Cameron. You'll + begin to accuse me of ingratitude, and I'm as grateful as possible for + what you did. Sir Redmond's horse was too slow to keep up, or he would + have been at hand, no doubt.” + </p> + <p> + “And could have supplied part of the stage setting. Too bad he was + behind.” Keith turned and readjusted the cinch on his saddle, though it + was not loose enough to matter, and before he had finished Sir Redmond + rode up. + </p> + <p> + “Are you hurt, Beatrice?” His face was pale, and his eyes anxious. + </p> + <p> + “Not at all. Mr. Cameron kindly helped me from the saddle in time to + prevent an accident. I wish you'd thank him, Sir Redmond. I haven't the + words.” + </p> + <p> + “You needn't trouble,” said Keith hastily, getting into the saddle. “I'll + go down after Goldie. You can easily find the camp, I guess, without a + pilot.” Then he galloped away and left them, and would not look back; if + he had done so, he would have seen Beatrice's eyes following him + remorsefully. Also, he would have seen Sir Redmond glare after him + jealously; for Sir Redmond was not in a position to know that their + tete-a-tete had not been a pleasant one, and no man likes to have another + fellow save the life of a woman he loves, while he himself is limping + painfully up from the rear. + </p> + <p> + However, the woman he loved was very gracious to him that day, and for + many days, and Keith Cameron held himself aloof during the rest of the + trip, which should have contented Sir Redmond. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 8. Dorman Plays Cupid. + </h2> + <p> + Dorman toiled up the steps, his straw hat perilously near to slipping down + his back, his face like a large, red beet, and his hands vainly trying to + reach around a baking-powder can which the Chinaman cook had given him. + </p> + <p> + He marched straight to where Beatrice was lying in the hammock. If she had + been older, or younger, or a plain young woman, one might say that + Beatrice was sulking in the hammock, for she had not spoken anything but + “yes” and “no” to her mother for an hour, and she had only spoken those + two words occasionally, when duty demanded it. For one thing, Sir Redmond + was absent, and had been for two weeks, and Beatrice was beginning to miss + him dreadfully. To beguile the time, she had ridden, every day, long miles + into the hills. Three times she had met Keith Cameron, also riding alone + in the hills, and she had endeavored to amuse herself with him, after her + own inimitable fashion, and with more or less success. The trouble was, + that sometimes Keith seemed to be amusing himself with her, which was not + pleasing to a girl like Beatrice. At any rate, he proved himself quite + able to play the game of Give and Take, so that the conscience of Beatrice + was at ease; no one could call her pastime a slaughter of the innocents, + surely, when the fellow stood his ground like that. It was more a + fencing-bout, and Beatrice enjoyed it very much; she told herself that the + reason she enjoyed talking with Keith was because he was not always + getting hurt, like Sir Redmond—or, if he did, he kept his feelings + to himself, and went boldly on with the game. Item: Beatrice had reversed + her decision that Keith was vain, though she still felt tempted, at times, + to resort to “making faces”—when she was worsted, that was. + </p> + <p> + To return to this particular day of sulking; Rex had cast a shoe, and + lamed himself just enough to prevent her riding, and so Beatrice was + having a dull day of it in the house. Besides, her mother had just + finished talking to her for her good, which was enough to send an angel + into the sulks—and Beatrice lacked a good deal of being an angel. + </p> + <p> + Dorman laid his baking-powder can confidingly in his divinity's lap. + “Be'trice, I did get some grasshoppers; you said I couldn't. And you + wouldn't go fishin', 'cause you didn't like to take Uncle Dick's + make-m'lieve flies, so I got some really ones, Be'trice, that'll wiggle + dere own self.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, dear me! It's too hot, Dorman.” + </p> + <p> + “'Tisn't, Be'trice It's dest as cool—and by de brook it's awf-lly + cold. Come, Be'trice!” He pulled at the smart little pink ruffles on her + skirt. + </p> + <p> + “I'm too sleepy, hon.” + </p> + <p> + “You can sleep by de brook, Be'trice. I'll let you,” he promised + generously, “'cept when I need anudder grasshopper; nen I'll wake you up.” + </p> + <p> + “Wait till to-morrow. I don't believe the fish are hungry to-day. Don't + tear my skirt to pieces, Dorman!” + </p> + <p> + Dorman began to whine. He had never found his divinity in so unlovely a + mood. “I want to go now! Dey are too hungry, Be'trice! Looey Sam is goin' + to fry my fishes for dinner, to s'prise auntie. Come, Be'trice!” + </p> + <p> + “Why don't you go with the child, Beatrice? You grow more selfish every + day.” Mrs. Lansell could not endure selfishness—in others. “You know + he will not give us any peace until you do.” + </p> + <p> + Dorman instantly proceeded to make good his grandmother's prophecy, and + wept so that one could hear him a mile. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, dear me! Be still, Dorman—your auntie has a headache. Well, get + your rod, if you know where it is—which I doubt.” Beatrice flounced + out of the hammock and got her hat, one of those floppy white things, + fluffed with thin, white stuff, till they look like nothing so much as a + wisp of cloud, with ribbons to moor it to her head and keep it from + sailing off to join its brothers in the sky. + </p> + <p> + Down by the creek, where the willows nodded to their own reflections in + the still places, it was cool and sweet scented, and Beatrice forgot her + grievances, and was not sorry she had come. + </p> + <p> + (It was at about this time that a tall young fellow, two miles down the + coulee, put away his field glass and went off to saddle his horse.) + </p> + <p> + “Don't run ahead so, Dorman,” Beatrice cautioned. To her had been given + the doubtful honor of carrying the baking-powder can of grasshoppers. Even + divinities must make themselves useful to man. + </p> + <p> + “Why, Be'trice?” Dorman swished his rod in unpleasant proximity to his + divinity's head. + </p> + <p> + “Because, honey”—Beatrice dodged—“you might step on a snake, a + rattlesnake, that would bite you.” + </p> + <p> + “How would it bite, Be'trice?” + </p> + <p> + “With its teeth, of course; long, wicked teeth, with poison on them.” + </p> + <p> + “I saw one when I was ridin' on a horse wis Uncle Dick. It kept windin' up + till it was round, and it growled wis its tail, Be'trice. And Uncle Dick + chased it, and nen it unwinded itself and creeped under a big rock. It + didn't bite once—and I didn't see any teeth to it.” + </p> + <p> + “Carry your rod still, Dorman. Are you trying to knock my hat off my head? + Rattlesnakes have teeth, hon, whether you saw them or not. I saw a great, + long one that day we thought you were lost. Mr. Cameron killed it with his + rope. I'm sure it had teeth.” + </p> + <p> + “Did it growl, Be'trice? Tell me how it went.” + </p> + <p> + “Like this, hon.” Beatrice parted her lips ever so little, and a snake + buzzed at Dorman's feet. He gave a yell of terror, and backed + ingloriously. + </p> + <p> + “You see, honey, if that had been really a snake, it would have bitten + you. Never mind, dear—it was only I.” + </p> + <p> + Dorman was some time believing this astonishing statement. “How did you + growl by my feet, Be'trice? Show me again.” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice, who had learned some things at school which were not included in + the curriculum, repeated the performance, while Dorman watched her with + eyes and mouth at their widest. Like some older members of his sex, he was + discovering new witcheries about his divinity every day. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Be'trice!” He gave a long gasp of ecstasy. “I don't see how can you + do it? Can't I do it, Be'trice?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm afraid not, honey—you'd have to learn. There was a queer French + girl at school, who could do the strangest things, Dorman—like fairy + tales, almost. And she taught me to throw my voice different places, and + mimic sounds, when we should have been at our lessons. Listen, hon. This + is how a little lamb cries, when he is lost.... And this is what a hungry + kittie says, when she is away up in a tree, and is afraid to come down.” + </p> + <p> + Dorman danced all around his divinity, and forgot about the fish—until + Beatrice found it in her heart to regret her rash revelation of hitherto + undreamed-of powers of entertainment. + </p> + <p> + “Not another sound, Dorman,” she declared at length, with the firmness of + despair. “No, I will not be a lost lamb another once. No, nor a hungry + kittie, either—nor a snake, or anything. If you are not going to + fish, I shall go straight back to the house.” + </p> + <p> + Dorman sighed heavily, and permitted his divinity to fasten a small + grasshopper to his hook. + </p> + <p> + “We'll go a bit farther, dear, down under those great trees. And you must + not speak a word, remember, or the fish will all run away.” + </p> + <p> + When she had settled him in a likely place, and the rapt patience of the + born angler had folded him close, she disposed herself comfortably in the + thick grass, her back against a tree, and took up the shuttle of fancy to + weave a wonderful daydream, as beautiful, intangible as the lacy, summer + clouds over her head. + </p> + <p> + A man rode quietly over the grass and stopped two rods away, that he might + fill his hungry eyes with the delicious loveliness of his Heart's Desire. + </p> + <p> + “Got a bite yet?” + </p> + <p> + Dorman turned and wrinkled his nose, by way of welcome, and shook his head + vaguely, as though he might tell of several unimportant nibbles, if it + were worth the effort. + </p> + <p> + Beatrice sat a bit straighter, and dexterously whisked some pink ruffles + down over two distracting ankles, and hoped Keith had not taken notice of + them. He had, though; trust a man for that! + </p> + <p> + Keith dismounted, dropped the reins to the ground, and came and laid + himself down in the grass beside his Heart's Desire, and Beatrice noticed + how tall he was, and slim and strong. + </p> + <p> + “How did you know we were here?” she wanted to know, with lifted eyebrows. + </p> + <p> + Keith wondered if there was a welcome behind that sweet, indifferent face. + He never could be sure of anything in Beatrice's face, because it never + was alike twice, it seemed to him—and if it spoke welcome for a + second, the next there was only raillery, or something equally + unsatisfying. + </p> + <p> + “I saw you from the trail,” he answered promptly, evidently not thinking + it wise to mention the fieldglass. And then: “Is Dick at home?” Not that + he wanted Dick—but a fellow, even when he is in the last stages of + love, feels need of an excuse sometimes. + </p> + <p> + “No—we women are alone to-day. There isn't a man on the place, + except Looey Sam, and he doesn't count.” + </p> + <p> + Dorman squirmed around till he could look at the two, and his eyebrows + were tied in a knot. “I wish, Be'trice, you wouldn't talk, 'less you + whisper. De fishes won't bite a bit.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, honey—we won't.” + </p> + <p> + Dorman turned back to his fishing with a long breath of relief. His + divinity never broke a promise, if she could help it. + </p> + <p> + If Dorman Hayes had been Cupid himself, he could not have hit upon a more + impish arrangement than that. To place a girl like Beatrice beside a + fellow like Keith—a fellow who is tall, and browned, and extremely + good-looking, and who has hazel eyes with a laugh in them always—a + fellow, moreover, who is very much in love and very much in earnest about + it—and condemn him to silence, or to whispers! + </p> + <p> + Keith took advantage of the edict, and moved closer, so that he could + whisper in comfort—and be nearer his Heart's Desire. He lay with his + head propped upon his hand, and his elbow digging into the sod and getting + grass-stains on his shirt sleeve, for the day was too warm for a coat. + Beatrice, looking down at him, observed that his forearm, between his + glove and wrist-band, was as white and smooth as her own. It is + characteristic of a cowboy to have a face brown as an Indian, and hands + girlishly white and soft. + </p> + <p> + “I haven't had a glimpse of you for a week—not since I met you down + by the river. Where have you been?” he whispered. + </p> + <p> + “Here. Rex went lame, and Dick wouldn't let me ride any other horse, since + that day Goldie bolted—and so the hills have called in vain. I've + stayed at home and made quantities of Duchesse lace—I almost + finished a love of a center piece—and mama thinks I have reformed. + But Rex is better, and tomorrow I'm going somewhere.” + </p> + <p> + “Better help me hunt some horses that have been running down Lost Canyon + way. I'm going to look for them to-morrow,” Keith suggested, as calmly as + was compatible with his eagerness and his method of speech. I doubt if any + man can whisper things to a girl he loves, and do it calmly. I know + Keith's heart was pounding. + </p> + <p> + “I shall probably ride in the opposite direction,” Beatrice told him + wickedly. She wondered if he thought she would run at his beck. + </p> + <p> + “I never saw you in this dress before,” Keith murmured, his eyes + caressing. + </p> + <p> + “No? You may never again,” she said. “I have so many things to wear out, + you know.” + </p> + <p> + “I like it,” he declared, as emphatically as he could, and whisper. “It is + just the color of your cheeks, after the wind has been kissing them a + while.” + </p> + <p> + “Fancy a cowboy saying pretty things like that!” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice's cheeks did not wait for the wind to kiss them pink. + </p> + <p> + “Ya-as, only fawncy, ye knaw.” His eyes were daringly mocking. + </p> + <p> + “For shame, Mr. Cameron! Sir Redmond would not mimic your speech.” + </p> + <p> + “Good reason why; he couldn't, not if he tried a thousand years.” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice knew this was the truth, so she fell back upon dignity. + </p> + <p> + “We will not discuss that subject, I think.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't want to, anyway. I know another subject a million times more + interesting than Sir Redmond.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed!” Beatrice's eyebrows were at their highest. “And what is it, + then?” + </p> + <p> + “You!” Keith caught her hand; his eyes compelled her. + </p> + <p> + “I think,” said Beatrice, drawing her hand away, “we will not discuss that + subject, either.” + </p> + <p> + “Why?” Keith's eyes continued to woo. + </p> + <p> + “Because.” + </p> + <p> + It occurred to Beatrice that an unsophisticated girl might easily think + Keith in earnest, with that look in his eyes. + </p> + <p> + Dorman, scowling at them over his shoulder, unconsciously did his divinity + a service. Beatrice pursed her lips in a way that drove Keith nearly wild, + and took up the weapon of silence. + </p> + <p> + “You said you women are alone—where is milord?” Keith began again, + after two minutes of lying there watching her. + </p> + <p> + “Sir Redmond is in Helena, on business. He's been making arrangements to + lease a lot of land.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah-h!” Keith snapped a twig off a dead willow. + </p> + <p> + “We look for him home to-day, and Dick drove in to meet the train.” + </p> + <p> + “So the Pool has gone to leasing land?” The laugh had gone out of Keith's + eyes; they were clear and keen. + </p> + <p> + “Yes—the plan is to lease the Pine Ridge country, and fence it. I + suppose you know where that is.” + </p> + <p> + “I ought to,” Keith said quietly. “It's funny Dick never mentioned it.” + </p> + <p> + “It isn't Dick's idea,” Beatrice told him. “It was Sir Redmond's. Dick is + rather angry, I think, and came near quarreling with Sir Redmond about it. + But English capital controls the Pool, you know, and Sir Redmond controls + the English capital, so he can adopt whatever policy he chooses. The way + he explained the thing to me, it seems a splendid plan—don't you + think so?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” Keith's tone was not quite what he meant it to be; he did not + intend it to be ironical, as it was. “It's a snap for the Pool, all right. + It gives them a cinch on the best of the range, and all the water. I + didn't give milord credit for such business sagacity.” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice leaned over that she might read his eyes, but Keith turned his + face away. In the shock of what he had just learned, he was, at the + moment, not the lover; he was the small cattleman who is being forced out + of the business by the octopus of combined capital. It was not less bitter + that the woman he loved was one of the tentacles reaching out to crush + him. And they could do it; they—the whole affair resolved itself + into a very simple scheme, to Keith. The gauntlet had been thrown down—because + of this girl beside him. It was not so much business acumen as it was the + antagonism of a rival that had prompted the move. Keith squared his + shoulders, and mentally took up the gauntlet. He might lose in the range + fight, but he would win the girl, if it were in the power of love to do + it. + </p> + <p> + “Why that tone? I hope it isn't—will it inconvenience you?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no. No, not at all. No—” Keith seemed to forget that a + superabundance of negatives breeds suspicion of sincerity. + </p> + <p> + “I'm afraid that means that it will. And I'm sure Sir Redmond never meant—” + </p> + <p> + “I believe that kid has got a bite at last,” Keith interrupted, getting + up. “Let me take hold, there, Dorman; you'll be in the creek yourself in a + second.” He landed a four-inch fish, carefully rebaited the hook, cast the + line into a promising eddy, gave the rod over to Dorman, and went back to + Beatrice, who had been watching him with troubled eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Cameron, if I had known—” Beatrice was good-hearted, if she was + fond of playing with a man's heart. + </p> + <p> + “I hope you're not letting that business worry you, Miss Lansell. You + remind me of a painting I saw once in Boston. It was called June.” + </p> + <p> + “But this is August, so I don't apply. Isn't there some way you—” + </p> + <p> + “Did you hear about that train-robbery up the line last week?” Keith + settled himself luxuriously upon his back, with his hands clasped under + his head, and his hat tipped down over his eyes—but not enough to + prevent him from watching his Heart's Desire. And in his eyes laughter—and + something sweeter—lurked. If Sir Redmond had wealth to fight with, + Keith's weapon was far and away more dangerous, for it was the + irresistible love of a masterful man—the love that sweeps obstacles + away like straws. + </p> + <p> + “I am not interested in train-robberies,” Beatrice told him, her eyes + still clouded with trouble. “I want to talk about this lease.” + </p> + <p> + “They got one fellow the next day, and another got rattled and gave + himself up; but the leader of the gang, one of Montana's pet outlaws, is + still ranging somewhere in the hills. You want to be careful about riding + off alone; you ought to let some one—me, for instance—go along + to look after you.” + </p> + <p> + “Pshaw!” said his Heart's Desire, smiling reluctantly. “I'm not afraid. Do + you suppose, if Sir Redmond had known—” + </p> + <p> + “Those fellows made quite a haul—almost enough to lease the whole + country, if they wanted to. Something over fifty thousand dollars—and + a strong box full of sand, that the messenger was going to fool them with. + He did, all right; but they weren't so slow. They hustled around and got + the money, and he lost his sand into the bargain.” + </p> + <p> + “Was that meant for a pun?” Beatrice blinked her big eyes at him. “If + you're quite through with the train-robbers, perhaps you will tell me how—” + </p> + <p> + “I'm glad old Mother Nature didn't give every woman an odd dimple beside + the mouth,” Keith observed, reaching for her hat, and running a ribbon + caressingly through his fingers. + </p> + <p> + “Why?” Beatrice smoothed the dimple complacently with her finger-tips. + </p> + <p> + “Why? Oh, it would get kind of monotonous, wouldn't it?” + </p> + <p> + “This from a man known chiefly for his pretty speeches!” Beatrice's laugh + had a faint tinge of chagrin. + </p> + <p> + “Wouldn't pretty speeches get monotonous, too?” Keith's eyes were laughing + at her. + </p> + <p> + “Yours wouldn't,” she retorted, spitefully, and immediately bit her lip + and hoped he would not consider that a bid for more pretty speeches. + </p> + <p> + “Be'trice, dis hopper is awf-lly wilted!” came a sepulchral whisper from + Dorman. + </p> + <p> + Keith sighed, and went and baited the hook again. When he returned to + Beatrice, his mood had changed. + </p> + <p> + “I want you to promise—” + </p> + <p> + “I never make promises of any sort, Mr. Cameron.” Beatrice had fallen back + upon her airy tone, which was her strongest weapon of defense—unless + one except her liquid-air smile. + </p> + <p> + “I wasn't thinking of asking much,” Keith went on coolly. “I only wanted + to ask you not to worry about that leasing business.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you worrying about it, Mr. Cameron?” + </p> + <p> + “That isn't the point. No, I can't say I expect to lose sleep over it. I + hope you will dismiss anything I may have said from your mind.” + </p> + <p> + “But I don't understand. I feel that you blame Sir Redmond, when I'm sure + he—” + </p> + <p> + “I did not say I blamed anybody. I think we'll not discuss it.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I think we shall. You'll tell me all about it, if I want to know.” + Beatrice adopted her coaxing tone, which never had failed her. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no!” Keith laughed a little. “A girl can't always have her own way + just because she wants it, even if she—” + </p> + <p> + “I've got a fish, Mr. Cam'ron!” Dorman squealed, and Keith was obliged to + devote another five minutes to diplomacy. + </p> + <p> + “I think you have fished long enough, honey,” Beatrice told Dorman + decidedly. “It's nearly dinner time, and Looey Sam won't have time to fry + your fish if you don't hurry home. Shall I tell Dick you wished to see + him, Mr. Cameron?” + </p> + <p> + “It's nothing important, so I won't trouble you,” Keith replied, in a tone + that matched hers for cool courtesy. “I'll see him to-morrow, probably.” + He helped Dorman reel in his line, cut a willow-wand and strung the three + fish upon it by the gills, washed his hands leisurely in the creek, and + dried them on his handkerchief, just as if nothing bothered him in the + slightest degree. Then he went over and smoothed Redcloud's mane and + pulled a wisp of forelock from under the brow-band, and commanded him to + shake hands, which the horse did promptly. + </p> + <p> + “I want to shake hands wis your pony, too,” Dorman cried, and dropped pole + and fish heedlessly into the grass. + </p> + <p> + “All right, kid.” + </p> + <p> + Dorman went up gravely and clasped Redcloud's raised fetlock solemnly, + while the tall cow-puncher smiled down at him. + </p> + <p> + “Kiss him, Redcloud,” he said softly; and then, when the horse's nose was + thrust in his face: “No, not me—kiss the kid.” He lifted the child + up in his arms, and when Redcloud touched his soft nose to Dorman's cheek + and lifted his lip for a dainty, toothless nibble, Dorman was speechless + with fright and rapture thrillingly combined. + </p> + <p> + “Now run home with your fish; it lacks only two hours and forty minutes to + dinner time, and it will take at least twenty minutes for the fish to fry—so + you see you'll have to hike.” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice flushed and looked at him sharply, but Keith was getting into the + saddle and did not appear to remember she was there. The fingers that were + tying her hat-ribbons under her chin fumbled awkwardly and trembled. + Beatrice would have given a good deal at that moment to know just what + Keith Cameron was thinking; and she was in a blind rage with herself to + think that it mattered to her what he thought. + </p> + <p> + When he lifted his hat she only nodded curtly. She mimicked every beast + and bird she could think of on the way home, to wipe him and his horse + from the memory of Dorman, whose capacity for telling things best left + untold was simply marvelous. + </p> + <p> + It is saying much for Beatrice's powers of entertainment that Dorman quite + forgot to say anything about Mr. Cameron and his pony, and chattered to + his auntie and grandmama about kitties up in a tree, and lost lambs and + sleepy birds, until he was tucked into bed that night. It was not until + then that Beatrice felt justified in drawing a long breath. Not that she + cared whether any one knew of her meeting Keith Cameron, only that her + mother would instantly take alarm and preach to her about the wickedness + of flirting; and Beatrice was not in the mood for sermons. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 9. What It Meant to Keith. + </h2> + <p> + “Dick, I wish you'd tell me about this leasing business. There are points + which I don't understand.” Beatrice leaned over and smoothed Rex's sleek + shoulder with her hand. + </p> + <p> + “What do you want to understand it for? The thing is done now. We've got + the fence-posts strung, and a crew hired to set them.” + </p> + <p> + “You needn't snap your words like that, Dick. It doesn't matter—only + I was wondering why Mr. Cameron acted so queer yesterday when I told him + about it.” + </p> + <p> + “You told Keith? What did he say?” + </p> + <p> + “He didn't say anything. He just looked things.” + </p> + <p> + “Where did you see him?” Dick wanted to know. + </p> + <p> + “Well, dear me! I don't see that it matters where I saw him. You're + getting as inquisitive as mama. If you think it concerns you, why, I met + him accidentally when I was fishing with Dorman. He was coming to see you, + but you were gone, so he stopped and talked for a few minutes. Was there + anything so strange about that? And I told him you were leasing the Pine + Ridge country, and he looked—well, peculiar. But he wouldn't say + anything.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, he had good reason for looking peculiar. But you needn't have told + him I did it, Trix. Lay that at milord's door, where it belongs. I don't + want Keith to blame me.” + </p> + <p> + “But why should he blame anybody? It isn't his land, is it?” + </p> + <p> + “No, it isn't. But—you see, Trix, it's this way: A man goes + somewhere and buys a ranch—or locates on a claim—and starts + into the cattle business. He may not own more than a few hundred acres of + land, but if he has much stock he needs miles of prairie country, with + water, for them to range on. It's an absolute necessity, you see. He takes + care to locate where there is plenty of public land that is free to + anybody's cattle. + </p> + <p> + “Take the Pool outfit, for instance. We don't own land enough to feed + one-third of our cattle. We depend on government land for range for them. + The Cross outfit is the same, only Keith's is on a smaller scale. He's got + to have range outside his own land, which is mostly hay land. This part of + the State is getting pretty well settled up with small ranchers, and then + the sheep men keep crowding in wherever they can get a show—and + sheep will starve cattle to death; they leave a range as bare as a + prairie-dog town. So there's only one good bit of range left around here, + and that's the Pine Ridge country, as it's called. That's our main + dependence for winter range; and now when this drought has struck us, and + everything is drying up, we've had to turn all our cattle down there on + account of water. + </p> + <p> + “Ever since I took charge of the Pool, Keith and I threw in together and + used the same range, worked our crews together, and fought the sheepmen + together. There was a time when they tried to gobble the Pine Ridge range, + but it didn't go. Keith and I made up our minds that we needed it worse + than they did—and we got it. Our punchers had every sheep herder + bluffed out till there wasn't a mutton-chewer could keep a bunch of sheep + on that range over-night. + </p> + <p> + “Now, this lease law was made by stockmen, for stockmen. They can lease + land from the government, fence it—and they've got a cinch on it as + long as the lease lasts. A cow outfit can corral a heap of range that way. + There's the trick of leasing every other section or so, and then running a + fence around the whole chunk; and that's what the Pool has done to the + Pine Ridge. But you mustn't repeat that, Trix. + </p> + <p> + “Milord wasn't long getting on to the leasing graft; in fact, it turns out + the company got wind of it over in England, and sent him over here to see + what could be done in that line. He's done it, all right enough! + </p> + <p> + “And there's the Cross outfit, frozen out completely. The Lord only knows + what Keith will do with his cattle now, for we'll have every drop of water + under fence inside of a month. He's in a hole, for sure. I expect he feels + pretty sore with me, too, but I couldn't help it. I explained how it was + to milord, but—you can't persuade an Englishman, any more than you + can a—” + </p> + <p> + “I think,” put in Beatrice firmly, “Sir Redmond did quite right. It isn't + his fault that Mr. Cameron owns more cattle than he can feed. If he was + sent over here to lease the land, it was his duty to do so. Still, I + really am sorry for Mr. Cameron.” + </p> + <p> + “Keith won't sit down and take his medicine if he can help it,” Dick said + moodily. “He could sell out, but I don't believe he will. He's more apt to + fight.” + </p> + <p> + “I can't see how fighting will help him,” Beatrice returned spiritedly. + </p> + <p> + “Well, there's one thing,” retorted Dick. “If milord wants that fence to + stand he'd better stay and watch it. I'll bet money he won't more than + strike Liverpool till about forty miles, more or less, of Pool fence will + need repairs mighty bad—which it won't get, so far as I'm + concerned.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean that Keith Cameron would destroy our fencing?” + </p> + <p> + Dick grinned. “He'll be a fool if he don't, Trix. You can tell milord he'd + better send for all his traps, and camp right here till that lease runs + out. My punchers will have something to do beside ride fence.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall certainly tell Sir Redmond,” Beatrice threatened. “You and Mr. + Cameron hate him just because he's English. You won't see what a splendid + fellow he is. It's your duty to stand by him in this business, instead of + taking sides with Keith Cameron. Why didn't he lease that land himself, if + he wanted to?” + </p> + <p> + “Because he plays fair.” + </p> + <p> + “Meaning, I suppose, that Sir Redmond doesn't. I didn't think you would be + so unjust. Sir Redmond is a perfect gentleman.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you've got a chance to marry your 'perfect gentleman,” Dick + retorted, savagely. “It's a wonder you don't take him if you think so + highly of him.” + </p> + <p> + “I probably shall. At any rate, he isn't a male flirt.” + </p> + <p> + “You don't seem to fancy a fellow that can give you as good as you send,” + Dick rejoined. “I thought you wouldn't find Keith such easy game, even if + he does live on a cattle ranch. You can't rope him into making a fool of + himself for your amusement, and I'm glad of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't do your shouting too soon. If you could overhear some of the things + he says you wouldn't be so sure—” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose you take them all for their face value,” grinned Dick + ironically. + </p> + <p> + “No, I don't! I'm not a simple country girl, let me remind you. Since you + are so sure of him, I'll have the pleasure of saying, 'No, thank you, + sir,' to your Keith Cameron—just to convince you I can.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you will! Well, you just tell me when you do, Trix, and I'll give you + your pick of all the saddle horses on the ranch.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll take Rex, and you may as well consider him mine. Oh, you men! A few + smiles, judiciously dispensed, and—” Beatrice smiled most + exasperatingly at her brother, and Dick went moody and was very poor + company the rest of the way home. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 10. Pine Ridge Range Ablaze. + </h2> + <p> + At dusk that night a glow was in the southern sky, and the wind carried + the pungent odor of burning grass. Dick went out on the porch after + dinner, and sniffed the air uneasily. + </p> + <p> + “I don't much like the look of it,” he admitted to Sir Redmond. “It smells + pretty strong, to be across the river. I sent a couple of the boys out to + look a while ago. If it's this side of the river we'll have to get a move + on.” + </p> + <p> + “It will be the range land, I take it, if it's on this side,” Sir Redmond + remarked. + </p> + <p> + Just then a man thundered through the lane and up to the very steps of the + porch, and when he stopped the horse he was riding leaned forward and his + legs shook with exhaustion. + </p> + <p> + “The Pine Ridge Range is afire, Mr. Lansell,” the man announced quietly. + </p> + <p> + Dick took a long pull at his cigar and threw it away. “Have the boys throw + some barrels and sacks into a wagon—and git!” He went inside and + grabbed his hat, and when he turned Sir Redmond was at his elbow. + </p> + <p> + “I'm going, too, Dick,” cried Beatrice, who always seemed to hear anything + that promised excitement. “I never saw a prairie-fire in my life.” + </p> + <p> + “It's ten miles off,” said Dick shortly, taking the steps at a jump. + </p> + <p> + “I don't care if it's twenty—I'm going. Sir Redmond, wait for me!” + </p> + <p> + “Be-atrice!” cried her mother detainingly; but Beatrice was gone to get + ready. A quick job she made of it; she threw a dark skirt over her thin, + white one, slipped into the nearest jacket, snatched her riding-gauntlets + off a chair where she had thrown them, and then couldn't find her hat. + That, however, did not trouble her. Down in the hall she appropriated one + of Dick's, off the hall tree, and announced herself ready. Sir Redmond + laughed, caught her hand, and they raced together down to the stables + before her mother had fully grasped the situation. + </p> + <p> + “Isn't Rex saddled, Dick?” + </p> + <p> + Dick, his foot in the stirrup, stopped long enough to glance over his + shoulder at her. “You ready so soon? Jim, saddle Rex for Miss Lansell.” He + swung up into the saddle. + </p> + <p> + “Aren't you going to wait, Dick?” + </p> + <p> + “Can't. Milord can bring you.” And Dick was away on the run. + </p> + <p> + Men were hurrying here and there, every move counting something done. + While she stood there a wagon rattled out from the shadow of a haystack, + with empty water-barrels dancing a mad jig behind the high seat, where the + driver perched with feet braced and a whip in his hand. After him dashed + four or five riders, silent and businesslike. In a moment they were mere + fantastic shadows galloping up the hill through the smothery gloom. + </p> + <p> + Then came Jim, leading Rex and a horse for himself; Sir Redmond had + saddled his gray and was waiting. Beatrice sprang into the saddle and took + the lead, with nerves a-tingle. The wind that rushed against her face was + hot and reeking with smoke. Her nostrils drank greedily the tang it + carried. + </p> + <p> + “You gipsy!” cried Sir Redmond, peering at her through the murky gloom. + </p> + <p> + “This—is living!” she laughed, and urged Rex faster. + </p> + <p> + So they raced recklessly over the hills, toward where the night was aglow. + Before them the wagon pounded over untrailed prairie sod, with shadowy + figures fleeing always before. + </p> + <p> + Here, wild cattle rushed off at either side, to stop and eye them + curiously as they whirled past. There, a coyote, squatting unseen upon a + distant pinnacle, howled, long-drawn and quavering, his weird protest + against the solitudes in which he wandered. + </p> + <p> + The dusk deepened to dark, and they could no longer see the racing + shadows. The rattle of the wagon came mysteriously back to them through + the black. + </p> + <p> + Once Rex stumbled over a rock and came near falling, but Beatrice only + laughed and urged him on, unheeding Sir Redmond's call to ride slower. + </p> + <p> + They splashed through a shallow creek, and came upon the wagon, halted + that the cowboys might fill the barrels with water. Then they passed by, + and when they heard them following the wagon no longer rattled glibly + along, but chuckled heavily under its load. + </p> + <p> + The dull, red glow brightened to orange. Then, breasting at last a long + hill, they came to the top, and Beatrice caught her breath at what lay + below. + </p> + <p> + A jagged line of leaping flame cut clean through the dark of the coulee. + The smoke piled rosily above and before, and the sullen roar of it + clutched the senses—challenging, sinister. Creeping stealthily, + relentlessly, here a thin gash of yellow hugging close to the earth, there + a bold, bright wall of fire, it swept the coulee from rim to rim. + </p> + <p> + “The wind is carrying it from us,” Sir Redmond was saying in her ear. “Are + you afraid to stop here alone? I ought to go down and lend a hand.” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice drew a long gasp. “Oh, no, I'm not afraid. Go; there is Dick, + down there.” + </p> + <p> + “You're sure you won't mind?” He hesitated, dreading to leave her. + </p> + <p> + “No, no! Go on—they need you.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Redmond turned and rode down the ridge toward the flames. His straight + figure was silhouetted sharply against the glow. + </p> + <p> + Beatrice slipped off her horse and sat down upon a rock, dead to + everything but the fiendish beauty of the scene spread out below her. + Millions of sparks danced in and out among the smoke wreaths which curled + upward—now black, now red, now a dainty rose. Off to the left a + coyote yapped shrilly, ending with his mournful howl. + </p> + <p> + Beatrice shivered from sheer ecstasy. This was a world she had never + before seen—a world of hot, smoke-sodden wind, of dead-black shadows + and flame-bright light; of roar and hoarse bellowing and sharp crackles; + of calm, star-sprinkled sky above—and in the distance the uncanny + howling of a coyote. + </p> + <p> + Time had no reckoning there. She saw men running to and fro in the glare, + disappearing in a downward swirl of smoke, coming to view again in the + open beyond. Always their arms waved rhythmically downward, beating the + ragged line of yellow with water-soaked sacks. The trail they left was a + wavering, smoke-traced rim of sullen black, where before had been gay, + dancing, orange light. In places the smolder fanned to new life behind + them and licked greedily at the ripe grass like hungry, red tongues. One + of these Beatrice watched curiously. It crept slyly into an unburned + hollow, and the wind, veering suddenly, pushed it out of sight from the + fighters and sent it racing merrily to the south. The main line of fire + beat doggedly up against the wind that a minute before had been friendly, + and fought bravely two foes instead of one. It dodged, ducked, and leaped + high, and the men beat upon it mercilessly. + </p> + <p> + But the little, new flame broadened and stood on tiptoes defiantly, proud + of the wide, black trail that kept stretching away behind it; and Beatrice + watched it, fascinated by its miraculous growth. It began to crackle and + send up smoke wreaths of its own, with sparks dancing through; then its + voice deepened and coarsened, till it roared quite like its mother around + the hill. + </p> + <p> + The smoke from the larger fire rolled back with the wind, and Beatrice + felt her eyes sting. Flakes of blackened grass and ashes rained upon the + hilltop, and Rex moved uneasily and pawed at the dry sod. To him a + prairie-fire was not beautiful—it was an enemy to run from. He + twitched his reins from Beatrice's heedless fingers and decamped toward + home, paying no attention whatever to the command of his mistress to stop. + </p> + <p> + Still Beatrice sat and watched the new fire, and was glad she chanced to + be upon the south end of a sharp-nosed hill, so that she could see both + ways. The blaze dove into a deep hollow, climbed the slope beyond, leaped + exultantly and bellowed its challenge. And, of a sudden, dark forms sprang + upon it and beat it cruelly, and it went black where they struck, and only + thin streamers of smoke told where it had been. Still they beat, and + struck, and struck again, till the fire died ingloriously and the hillside + to the south lay dark and still, as it had been at the beginning. + </p> + <p> + Beatrice wondered who had done it. Then she came back to her surroundings + and realized that Rex had left her, and she was alone. She shivered—this + time not in ecstasy, but partly from loneliness—and went down the + hill toward where Dick and Sir Redmond and the others were fighting + steadily the larger fire, unconscious of the younger, new one that had + stolen away from them and was beaten to death around the hill. + </p> + <p> + Once in the coulee, she was compelled to take to the burnt ground, which + crisped hotly under her feet and sent up a rank, suffocating smell of + burned grass into her nostrils. The whole country was alight, and down + there the world seemed on fire. At times the smoke swooped blindingly, and + half strangled her. Her skirts, in passing, swept the black ashes from + grass roots which showed red in the night. + </p> + <p> + Picking her way carefully around the spots that glowed warningly, + shielding her face as well as she could from the smoke, she kept on until + she was close upon the fighters. Dick and Sir Redmond were working side by + side, the sacks they held rising and falling with the regularity of a + machine for minutes at a time. A group of strange horsemen galloped up + from the way she had come, followed by a wagon of water-barrels, careering + recklessly over the uneven ground. The horsemen stopped just inside the + burned rim, the horses sidestepping gingerly upon the hot turf. + </p> + <p> + “I guess you want some help here. Where shall we start in?” Beatrice + recognized the voice. It was Keith Cameron. + </p> + <p> + “Sure, we do!” Dick answered, gratefully. “Start in any old place.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm not sure we want your help,” spoke the angry voice of Sir Redmond. “I + take it you've already done a devilish sight too much.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean by that?” Keith demanded; and then, by the silence, it + seemed that every one knew. Beatrice caught her breath. Was this one of + the ways Dick meant that Keith could fight? + </p> + <p> + “Climb down, boys, and get busy,” Keith called to his men, after a few + breaths. “This is for Dick. Wait a minute! Pete, drive the wagon ahead, + there. I guess we'd better begin on the other end and work this way. Come + on—there's too much hot air here.” They clattered on across the + coulee, kicking hot ashes up for the wind to seize upon. Beatrice went + slowly up to Dick, feeling all at once very tired and out of heart with it + all. + </p> + <p> + “Dick,” she called, in an anxious little voice, “Rex has run away from me. + What shall I do?” + </p> + <p> + Dick straightened stiffly, his hands upon his aching loins, and peered + through the smoke at her. + </p> + <p> + “I guess the only thing to do, then, is to get into the wagon over there. + You can drive, Trix, if you want to, and that will give us another man + here. I was just going to have some one take you home; now—the Lord + only knows!—you're liable to have to stay till morning. Rex will go + home, all right; you needn't worry about him.” + </p> + <p> + He bent to the work again, and she could hear the wet sack thud, thud upon + the ground. Other sacks and blankets went thud, thud, and down here at + close range the fire was not so beautiful as it had been from the hilltop. + Down here the glamour was gone. She climbed up to the high wagon seat and + took the reins from the man, who immediately seized upon a sack and went + off to the fight. She felt that she was out of touch. She was out on the + prairie at night, miles away from any house, driving a water-wagon for the + men to put out a prairie fire. She had driven a coaching-party once on a + wager; but she had never driven a lumber-wagon with barrels of water + before. She could not think of any girl she knew who had. + </p> + <p> + It was a new experience, certainly, but she found no pleasure in it; she + was tired and sleepy, and her eyes and throat smarted cruelly with the + smoke. She looked back to the hill she had just left, and it seemed a + long, long time since she sat upon a rock up there and watched the little, + new fire grow and grow, and the strange shadows spring up from nowhere and + beat it vindictively till it died. + </p> + <p> + Again she wondered vaguely who had done it; not Keith Cameron, surely, for + Sir Redmond had all but accused him openly of setting the range afire. + Would he stamp out a blaze that was just reaching a size to do mischief, + if left a little longer? No one would have seen it for hours, probably. He + would undoubtedly have let it run, unless—But who else could have + set the fire? Who else would want to see the Pine Ridge country black and + barren? Dick said Keith Cameron would not sit down and take his medicine—perhaps + Dick knew he would do this thing. + </p> + <p> + As the fighters moved on across the coulee she drove the wagon to keep + pace with them. Often a man would run up to the wagon, climb upon a wheel + and dip a frayed gunny sack into a barrel, lift it out and run with it, + all dripping, to the nearest point of the fire. Her part was to keep the + wagon at the most convenient place. She began to feel the importance of + her position, and to take pride in being always at the right spot. From + the calm appreciation of the picturesque side, she drifted to the keen + interest of the one who battles against heavy odds. The wind had veered + again, and the flames rushed up the long coulee like an express train. But + the path it left was growing narrower every moment. Keith Cameron was + doing grand work with his crew upon the other side, and the space between + them was shortening perceptibly. + </p> + <p> + Beatrice found herself watching the work of the Cross men. If they were + doing it for effect, they certainly were acting well their part. She + wondered what would happen when the two crews met, and the danger was + over. Would Sir Redmond call Keith Cameron to account for what he had + done? If he did, what would Keith say? And which side would Dick take? + Very likely, she thought, he would defend Keith Cameron, and shield him if + he could. + </p> + <p> + Beatrice found herself crying quietly, and shivering, though the air was + sultry with the fire. For the life of her, she could not tell why she + cried, but she tried to believe it was the smoke in her eyes. Perhaps it + was. + </p> + <p> + The sky was growing gray when the two crews met. The orange lights were + gone, and Dick, with a spiteful flop of the black rag which had been a + good, new sack, stamped out the last tiny red tongue of the fire. The men + stood about in awkward silence, panting with heat and weariness. Sir + Redmond was ostentatiously filling his pipe. Beatrice knew him by his + straight, soldierly pose. In the drab half-light they were all mere black + outlines of men, and, for the most part, she could not distinguish one + from another. Keith Cameron she knew; instinctively by his slim height, + and by the way he carried his head. Unconsciously, she leaned down from + the high seat and listened for what would come next. + </p> + <p> + Keith seemed to be making a cigarette. A match flared and lighted his face + for an instant, then was pinched out, and he was again only a black shape + in the half-darkness. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I'm waiting for what you've got to say, Sir Redmond.” His voice cut + sharply through the silence. If he had known Beatrice was out there in the + wagon he would have spoken lower, perhaps. + </p> + <p> + “I fancy I said all that is necessary just now,” Sir Redmond answered + calmly. “You know what I think. From now on I shall act.” + </p> + <p> + “And what are you going to do, then?” Keith's voice was clear and + unperturbed, as though he asked for the sake of being polite. + </p> + <p> + “That,” retorted Sir Redmond, “is my own affair. However, since the matter + concerns you rather closely, I will say that when I have the evidence I am + confident I shall find, I shall seek the proper channels for retribution. + There are laws in this country, aimed to protect a man's property, I take + it. I warn you that I shall not spare—the guilty.” + </p> + <p> + “Dick, it's up to you next. I want to know where you stand.” + </p> + <p> + “At your back, Keith, right up to the finish. I know you; you fight fair.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, then. I didn't think you'd go back on a fellow. And I tell you + straight up, Sir Redmond Hayes, I'm not out touching matches to range land—not + if it belonged to the devil himself. I've got some feeling for the dumb + brutes that would have to suffer. You can get right to work hunting + evidence, and be damned! You're dead welcome to all you can find; and in + this part of the country you won't be able to buy much! You know very well + you deserve to get your rope crossed, or you wouldn't be on the lookout + for trouble. Come, boys; let's hit the trail. So long, Dick!” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice watched them troop off to their horses, heard them mount and go + tearing off across the burned coulee bottom toward home. Dick came slowly + over to her. + </p> + <p> + “I expect you're good and tired, sis. You've made a hand, all right, and + helped us a whole lot, I can tell you. I'll drive now, and we'll hit the + high places.” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice smiled wanly. Not one of her Eastern acquaintances would have + recognized Beatrice Lansell, the society beauty, in this + remarkable-looking young woman, attired in a most haphazard fashion, with + a face grimed like a chimney sweep, red eyelids drooping over tired, + smarting eyes, and disheveled, ash-filled hair topped by a man's gray felt + hat. When she smiled her teeth shone dead white, like a negro's. + </p> + <p> + Dick regarded her critically, one foot on the wheel hub. “Where did you + get hold of Keith Cameron's hat?” he inquired. + </p> + <p> + Beatrice snatched the hat from her head with childish petulance, and + looked as if she were going to throw it viciously upon the ground. If her + face had been clean Dick might have seen how the blood had rushed into her + cheeks; as it was, she was safe behind a mask of soot. She placed the hat + back upon her head, feeling, privately, a bit foolish. + </p> + <p> + “I supposed it was yours. I took it off the halltree.” The dignity of her + tone was superb, but, unfortunately, it did not match her appearance of + rakish vagabondage. + </p> + <p> + Dick grinned through a deep layer of soot “Well, it happens to be Keith's. + He lost it in the wind the other day, and I found it and took it home. + It's too bad you've worn his hat all night and didn't know it. You ought + to see yourself. Your own mother won't know you, Trix.” + </p> + <p> + “I can't look any worse than you do. A negro would be white by comparison. + Do get in, so we can start! I'm tired to death, and half-starved.” After + these unamiable remarks, she refused to open her lips. + </p> + <p> + They drove silently in the gray of early morning, and the empty barrels + danced monotonously their fantastic jig in the back of the wagon. + Sootyfaced cowboys galloped wearily over the prairie before them, and Sir + Redmond rode moodily alongside. + </p> + <p> + Of a truth, the glamour was gone. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 11. Sir Redmond Waits His Answer. + </h2> + <p> + Beatrice felt distinctly out of sorts the next day, and chose an hour for + her ride when she felt reasonably secure from unwelcome company. But when + she went out into the sunshine there was Sir Redmond waiting with Rex and + his big gray. Beatrice was not exactly elated at the sight, but she saw + nothing to do but smile and make the best of it. She wanted to be alone, + so that she could dream along through the hills she had learned to love, + and think out some things which troubled her, and decide just how she had + best go about winning Rex for herself; it had become quite necessary to + her peace of mind that she should teach Dick and Keith Cameron a + much-needed lesson. + </p> + <p> + “It has been so long since we rode together,” he apologized. “I hope you + don't mind my coming along.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no! Why should I mind?” Beatrice smiled upon him in friendly fashion. + She liked Sir Redmond very much—only she hoped he was not going to + make love. Somehow, she did not feel in the mood for love-making just + then. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know why, I'm sure. But you seem rather fond of riding about + these hills by yourself. One should never ask why women do things, I + fancy. It seems always to invite disaster.” + </p> + <p> + “Does it?” Beatrice was not half-listening. They were passing, just then, + the suburbs of a “dog town,” and she was never tired of watching the + prairie-dogs stand upon their burrows, chip-chip defiance until fear + overtook their impertinence, and then dive headlong deep into the earth. + “I do think a prairie-dog is the most impudent creature alive and the most + shrewish. I never pass but I am scolded by these little scoundrels till my + ears burn. What do you think they say?” + </p> + <p> + “They're probably inviting you to stop with them and be their queen, and + are scolding because your heart is hard and you only laugh and ride on.” + </p> + <p> + “Queen of a prairie-dog town! Dear me! Why this plaintive mood?” + </p> + <p> + “Am I plaintive? I do not mean to be, I'm sure.” + </p> + <p> + “You don't appear exactly hilarious,” she told him. “I can't see what is + getting the matter with us all. Mama and your sister are poor company, + even for each other, and Dick is like a bear. One can't get a civil word + out of him. I'm not exactly amiable, myself, either; but I relied upon you + to keep the mental temperature up to normal, Sir Redmond.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps it's a good thing we shall not stop here much longer. I must + confess I don't fancy the country—and Mary is downright homesick. + She wants to get back to her parish affairs; she's afraid some rheumatic + old woman needs coddling with jelly and wine, and that sort of thing. I've + promised to hurry through the business here, and take her home. But I mean + to see that Pine Ridge fence in place before I go; or, at least, see it + well under way.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm sure Dick will attend to it properly,” Beatrice remarked, with pink + cheeks. If she remembered what she had threatened to tell Sir Redmond, she + certainly could not have asked for a better opportunity. She was reminding + herself at that moment that she always detested a tale bearer. + </p> + <p> + “Your brother Dick is a fine fellow, and I have every confidence in him; + but you must see yourself that he is swayed, more or less, by his + friendship for—his neighbors. It is only a kindness to take the + responsibility off his shoulders till the thing is done. I'm sure he will + feel better to have it so.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” she agreed; “I think you're right. Dick always was very + soft-hearted, and, right or wrong, he clings to his friends.” Then, rather + hastily, as though anxious to change the trend of the conversation: “Of + course, your sister will insist on keeping Dorman with her. I shall miss + that little scamp dreadfully, I'm afraid.” The next minute she saw that + she had only opened a subject she dreaded even more. + </p> + <p> + “It is something to know that there is even one of us that you will miss,” + Sir Redmond observed. Something in his tone hurt. + </p> + <p> + “I shall miss you all,” she said hastily. “It has been a delightful + summer.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish I might know just what element made it delightful. I wish—” + </p> + <p> + “I scarcely think it has been any particular element,” she broke in, + trying desperately to stave off what she felt in his tone. “I love the + wild, where I can ride, and ride, and never meet a human being—where + I can dream and dally and feast my eyes on a landscape man has not + touched. I have lived most of my life in New York, and I love nature so + well that I'm inclined to be jealous of her. I want her left free to work + out all her whims in her own way. She has a keen sense of humor, I think. + The way she modeled some of these hills proves that she loves her little + jokes. I have seen where she cut deep, fearsome gashes, with sides + precipitous, as though she had some priceless treasure hidden away in the + deep, where man cannot despoil it. And if you plot and plan, and try very + hard, you may reach the bottom at last and find the treasure—nothing. + Or, perhaps, a tiny little stream, as jealously guarded as though each + drop were priceless.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Richmond rode for a few minutes in silence. When he spoke, it was + abruptly. + </p> + <p> + “And is that all? Is there nothing to this delightful summer, after all, + but your hills?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, of course, I—it has all been delightful. I shall hate to go + back home, I think.” Beatrice was a bit startled to find just how much she + would hate to go back and wrap herself once more in the conventions of + society life. For the first time since she could remember, she wanted her + world to stand still. + </p> + <p> + Sir Redmond went doggedly to the point he had in mind and heart. + </p> + <p> + “I hoped, Beatrice, you would count me, too. I've tried to be patient. You + know, don't you, that I love you?” + </p> + <p> + “You've certainly told me often enough,” she retorted, in a miserable + attempt at her old manner. + </p> + <p> + “And you've put me off, and laughed at me, and did everything under heaven + but answer me fairly. And I've acted the fool, no doubt. I know it. I've + no courage before a woman. A curl of your lip, and I was ready to cut and + run. But I can't go on this way forever—I've got to know. I wish I + could talk as easy as I can fight; I'd have settled the thing long ago. + Where other men can plead their cause, I can say just the one thing—I + love you, Beatrice. When I saw you first, in the carriage I loved you + then. You had some fur—brown fur—snuggled under your chin, and + the pink of your cheeks, and your dear, brown eyes shining and smiling + above—Good God! I've always loved you! From the beginning of the + world, I think! I'd be good to you, Beatrice, and I believe I could make + you happy—if you give me the chance.” + </p> + <p> + Something in Beatrice's throat ached cruelly. It was the truth, and she + knew it. He did love her, and the love of a brave man is not a thing to be + thrust lightly aside. But it demanded such a lot in return! More, perhaps, + than she could give. A love like that—a love that gives everything—demands + everything in return. Anything less insults it. + </p> + <p> + She stole a glance at him. Sir Redmond was looking straight before him, + with the fixed gaze that sees nothing. There was the white line around his + mouth which Beatrice had seen once before. Again that griping ache was in + her throat, till she could have cried out with the pain of it. She wanted + to speak, to say something—anything—which would drive that + look from his face. + </p> + <p> + While her mind groped among the jumble of words that danced upon her + tongue, and that seemed, all of them, so pitifully weak and inadequate, + she heard the galloping hoofs of a horse pounding close behind. A choking + cloud of dust swept down upon them, and Keith, riding in the midst, reined + out to pass. He lifted his hat. His eyes challenged Beatrice, swept coldly + the face of her companion, and turned again to the trail. He swung his + heels backward, and Redcloud broke again into the tireless lope that + carried him far ahead, until there was only a brown dot speeding over the + prairie. + </p> + <p> + Sir Redmond waited until Keith was far beyond hearing, then he filled his + lungs deeply and looked at Beatrice. “Don't you feel you could trust me—and + love me a little?” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice was deadly afraid she was going to cry, and she hated weeping + women above all things. “A little wouldn't do,” she said, with what + firmness she could muster. “I should want to love you as much—quite + as much as you deserve, Sir Redmond, or not at all. I'm afraid I can't. I + wish I could, though. I—I think I should like to love you; but + perhaps I haven't much heart. I like you very much—better than I + ever liked any one before; but oh, I wish you wouldn't insist on an + answer! I don't know, myself, how I feel. I wish you had not asked me—yet. + I tried not to let you.” + </p> + <p> + “A man can keep his heart still for a certain time, Beatrice, but not for + always. Some time he will say what his heart commands, if the chance is + given him; the woman can't hold him back. I did wait and wait, because I + thought you weren't ready for me to speak. And—you don't care for + anybody else?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course I don't. But I hate to give up my freedom to any one, Sir + Redmond. I want to be free—free as the wind that blows here always, + and changes and changes, and blows from any point that suits its whim, + without being bound to any rule.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you think I'm an ogre, that will lock you in a dungeon, Beatrice? + Can't you see that I am not threatening your freedom? I only want the + right to love you, and make you happy. I should not ask you to go or stay + where you did not please, and I'd be good to you, Beatrice!” + </p> + <p> + “I don't think it would matter,” cried Beatrice, “if you weren't. I should + love you because I couldn't help myself. I hate doing things by rule, I + tell you. I couldn't care for you because you were good to me, and I ought + to care; it must be because I can't help myself. And I—” She stopped + and shut her teeth hard together; she felt sure she should cry in another + minute if this went on. + </p> + <p> + “I believe you do love me, Beatrice, and your rebellious young American + nature dreads surrender.” He tried to look into her eyes and smile, but + she kept her eyes looking straight ahead. Then Sir Redmond made the + biggest blunder of his life, out of the goodness of his heart, and because + he hated to tease her into promising anything. + </p> + <p> + “I won't ask you to tell me now, Beatrice,” he said gently. “I want you to + be sure; I never could forgive myself if you ever felt you had made a + mistake. A week from to-night I shall ask you once more—and it will + be for the last time. After that—But I won't think—I daren't + think what it would be like if you say no. Will you tell me then, + Beatrice?” + </p> + <p> + The heart of Beatrice jumped into her throat. At that minute she was very + near to saying yes, and having done with it. She was quite sure she knew, + then, what her answer would be in a week. The smile she gave him started + Sir Redmond's blood to racing exultantly. Her lips parted a little, as if + a word were there, ready to be spoken; but she caught herself back from + the decision. Sir Redmond had voluntarily given her a week; well, then, + she would take it, to the last minute. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I'll tell you a week from to-night, after dinner. I'll race you + home, Sir Redmond—the first one through the big gate by the stable + wins!” She struck Rex a blow that made him jump, and darted off down the + trail that led home, and her teasing laugh was the last Sir Redmond heard + of her that day; for she whipped into a narrow gulch when the first turn + hid her from him, and waited until he had thundered by. After that she + rode complacently, deep into the hills, wickedly pleased at the trick she + had played him. + </p> + <p> + Every day during the week that followed she slipped away from him and rode + away by herself, resolved to enjoy her freedom to the full while she had + it; for after that, she felt, things would never be quite the same. + </p> + <p> + Every day, when Dick had chance for a quiet word with her, he wanted to + know who owned Rex—till at last she lost her temper and told him + plainly that, in her opinion, Keith Cameron had left the country for two + reasons, instead of one. (For Keith, be it known, had not been seen since + the day he passed her and Sir Redmond on the trail.) Beatrice averred that + she had a poor opinion of a man who would not stay and face whatever was + coming. + </p> + <p> + There was just one day left in her week of freedom, and Dick still owned + Rex, with the chances all in his favor for continuing to do so. Still, + Beatrice was vindictively determined upon one point. Let Keith Cameron + cross her path, and she would do something she had never done before; she + would deliberately lead him on to propose—if the fellow had nerve + enough to do so, which, she told Dick, she doubted. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 12. Held Up by Mr. Kelly. + </h2> + <p> + “'Traveler, what lies over the hill?'” questioned a mischievous voice. + </p> + <p> + Keith, dreaming along a winding, rock-strewn trail in the canyon, looked + up quickly and beheld his Heart's Desire sitting calmly upon her horse, + ten feet before Redcloud's nose, watching him amusedly. Redcloud must have + been dreaming also, or he would have whinnied warning and welcome, with + the same breath. + </p> + <p> + “'Traveler, tell to me,'” she went on, seeing Keith only stared. + </p> + <p> + Keith, not to be outdone, searched his memory hurriedly for the reply + which should rightly follow; secretly he was amazed at her sudden + friendliness. + </p> + <p> + “'Child, there's a valley over there'—but it isn't 'pretty and + wooded and shy'—not what you can notice. And there isn't any 'little + town,' either, unless you go a long way. Why?” Keith rested his gloved + hands, one above the other, on the saddle horn, and let his eyes riot with + the love that was in him. He had not seen his Heart's Desire for a week. A + week? It seemed a thousand years! And here she was before him, unusually + gracious. + </p> + <p> + “Why? I discovered that hill two hours ago, it seems to me, and it wasn't + more than a mile off. I want to see what lies on the other side. I feel + sure no man ever stood upon the top and looked down. It is my hill—mine + by the right of discovery. But I've been going, and going, and I think + it's rather farther away, if anything, than it was before.” + </p> + <p> + “Good thing I met you'” Keith declared, and he looked as if he meant it. + “You're probably lost, right now, and don't know it. Which way is home?” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice smiled a superior smile, and pointed. + </p> + <p> + “I thought so,” grinned Keith joyously. “You're pointing straight toward + Claggett.” + </p> + <p> + “It doesn't matter,” said Beatrice, “since you know, and you're here. The + important thing is to get to the top of that hill.” + </p> + <p> + “What for?” Keith questioned. + </p> + <p> + “Why, to be there!” Beatrice opened her big eyes at him. “That,” she + declared whimsically, “is the top of the world, and it is mine. I found + it. I want to go up there and look down.” + </p> + <p> + “It's an unmerciful climb,” Keith demurred hypocritically, to strengthen + her resolution. + </p> + <p> + “All the better. I don't value what comes easily.” + </p> + <p> + “You won't see anything, except more hills.” + </p> + <p> + “I love hills—and more hills.” + </p> + <p> + “You're a long way from home, and it's after one o'clock.” + </p> + <p> + “I have a lunch with me, and I often stay out until dinner time.” + </p> + <p> + Keith gave a sigh that shook the saddle, making up, in volume, what it + lacked in sincerity. The blood in him was a-jump at the prospect of + leading his Heart's Desire up next the clouds—up where the world was + yet young. A man in love is fond of self-torture. + </p> + <p> + “I have not said you must go.” Beatrice answered with the sigh. + </p> + <p> + “You don't have to,” he retorted. “It is a self evident fact. Who wants to + go prowling around these hills by night, with a lantern that smokes an' + has an evil smell, losing sleep and yowling like a bunch of coyotes, + hunting a misguided young woman who thinks north is south, and can't point + straight up?” + </p> + <p> + “You draw a flattering picture, Mr. Cameron.” + </p> + <p> + “It's realistic. Do you still insist upon getting up there, for the + doubtful pleasure of looking down?” Secretly, he hoped so. + </p> + <p> + “Certainly.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I shall go with you.” + </p> + <p> + “You need not. I can go very well by myself, Mr. Cameron.” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice was something of a hypocrite herself. + </p> + <p> + “I shall go where duty points the way.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope it points toward home, then.” + </p> + <p> + “It doesn't, though. It takes the trail you take.” + </p> + <p> + “I never yet allowed my wishes to masquerade as Disagreeable Duty, with + two big D's,” she told him tartly, and started off. + </p> + <p> + “Say! If you're going up that hill, this is the trail. You'll bump up + against a straight cliff if you follow that path.” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice turned with seeming reluctance and allowed him to guide her, just + as she had intended he should do. + </p> + <p> + “Dick tells me you have been away,” she began suavely. + </p> + <p> + “Yes. I've just got back from Fort Belknap,” he explained quietly, though + he must have known his absence had been construed differently. “I've + rented pasturage on the reservation for every hoof I own. Great grass over + there—the whole prairie like a hay meadow, almost, and little + streams everywhere.” + </p> + <p> + “You are very fortunate,” Beatrice remarked politely. + </p> + <p> + “Luck ought to come my way once in a while. I don't seem to get more than + my share, though.” + </p> + <p> + “Dick will be glad to know you have a good range for your cattle, Mr. + Cameron.” + </p> + <p> + “I expect he will. You may tell him, for me, that Jim Worthington—he's + the agent over there, and was in college with us—says I can have my + cattle there as long as he's running the place.” + </p> + <p> + “Why not tell him yourself?” Beatrice asked. + </p> + <p> + “I don't expect to be over to the Pool ranch for a while.” Keith's tone + was significant, and Beatrice dropped the subject. + </p> + <p> + “Been fishing lately?” he asked easily, as though he had not left her that + day in a miff. “No. Dorman is fickle, like all male creatures. Dick + brought him two little brown puppies the other day, and now he can hardly + be dragged from the woodshed to his meals. I believe he would eat and + sleep with them if his auntie would allow him to.” + </p> + <p> + The trail narrowed there, and they were obliged to ride single file, which + was not favorable to conversation. Thus far, Beatrice thought, she was a + long way from winning her wager; but she did not worry—she looked up + to where the hill towered above them, and smiled. + </p> + <p> + “We'll have to get off and lead our horses over this spur,” he told her, + at last. “Once on the other side, we can begin to climb. Still in the + humor to tackle it?” + </p> + <p> + “To be sure I am. After all this trouble I shall not turn back.” + </p> + <p> + “All right,” said Keith, inwardly shouting. If his Heart's Desire wished + to take a climb that would last a good two hours, he was not there to + object. He led her up a steep, rock-strewn ridge and into a hollow. From + there the hill sloped smoothly upward. + </p> + <p> + “I'll just anchor these cayuses to a rock, to make dead-sure of them,” + Keith remarked. “It wouldn't be fun to be set afoot out here; now, would + it? How would you like the job of walking home, eh?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't think I'd enjoy it much,” Beatrice said, showing her one dimple + conspicuously. “I'd rather ride.” + </p> + <p> + “Throw up your hands!” growled a voice from somewhere. + </p> + <p> + Keith wheeled toward the sound, and a bullet spatted into the yellow clay, + two inches from the toe of his boot. Also, a rifle cracked sharply. He + took the hint, and put his hands immediately on a level with his hat + crown. + </p> + <p> + “No use,” he called out ruefully. “I haven't anything to return the + compliment with.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I've got t' have the papers fur that, mister,” retorted the voice, + and a man appeared from the shelter of a rock and came slowly down to them—a + man, long-legged and lank, with haggard, unshaven face and eyes that had + hunger and dogged endurance looking out. He picked his way carefully with + his feet, his eyes and the rifle fixed unswervingly at the two. Beatrice + was too astonished to make a sound. + </p> + <p> + “What sort of a hold-up do you call this?” demanded Keith hotly, his hands + itching to be down and busy. “We don't carry rolls of money around in the + hills, you fool!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, damn your money!” the man said roughly. “I've got money t' burn. I + want t' trade horses with yuh. That roan, there, looks like a stayer. I'll + take him.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, seeing you seem to be head push here, I guess it's a trade,” Keith + answered. “But I'll thank you for my own saddle.” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice, whose hands were up beside her ears, and not an inch higher, + changed from amazed curiosity to concern. “Oh, you mustn't take Redcloud + away from Mr. Cameron!” she protested. “You don't know—he's so fond + of that horse! You may take mine; he's a good horse—he's a perfectly + splendid horse, but I—I'm not so attached to him.” + </p> + <p> + The fellow stopped and looked at her—not, however, forgetting Keith, + who was growing restive. Beatrice's cheeks were very pink, and her eyes + were bright and big and earnest. He could not look into them without + letting some of the sternness drop out of his own. + </p> + <p> + “I wish you'd please take Rex—I'd rather trade than not,” she + coaxed. When Beatrice coaxed, mere man must yield or run. The fellow was + but human, and he was not in a position to run, so he grinned and wavered. + </p> + <p> + “It's fair to say you'll get done,” he remarked, his eyes upon the odd + little dimple at the corner of her mouth, as if he had never seen anything + quite so fetching. + </p> + <p> + “Your horse won't cr—buck, will he?” she ventured doubtfully. This + was her first horse trade, and it behooved her to be cautious, even at the + point of a rifle. + </p> + <p> + “Well, no,” said the man laconically; “he won't. He's dead.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” Beatrice gasped and blushed. She might have known, she thought, that + the fellow would not take all this trouble if his horse was in a condition + to buck. Then: “My elbows hurt. I—I think I should like to sit + down.” + </p> + <p> + “Sure,” said the man politely. “Make yourself comfortable. I ain't used t' + dealin' with ladies. But you got t' set still, yuh know, and not try any + tricks. I can put up a mighty swift gun play when I need to—and your + bein' a lady wouldn't cut no ice in a case uh that kind.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you.” Beatrice sat down upon the nearest rock, folded her hands + meekly and looked from him to Keith, who seethed to claim a good deal of + the man's attention. She observed that, at a long breath from Keith, his + captor was instantly alert. + </p> + <p> + “Maybe your elbows ache, too,” he remarked dryly. “They'll git over it, + though; I've knowed a man t' grab at the clouds upwards of an hour, an' no + harm done.” + </p> + <p> + “That's encouraging, I'm sure.” Keith shifted to the other foot. + </p> + <p> + “How's that sorrel?” demanded the man. “Can he go?” + </p> + <p> + Keith hesitated a second. + </p> + <p> + “Indeed he can go!” put in Beatrice eagerly. “He's every bit as good as + Redcloud.” + </p> + <p> + “Is that sorrel yours?” The man's eyes shifted briefly to her face. + </p> + <p> + “No-o.” Beatrice, thinking how she had meant to own him, blushed. + </p> + <p> + “That accounts for it.” He laughed unpleasantly. “I wondered why you was + so dead anxious t' have me take him.” + </p> + <p> + The eyes of Beatrice snapped sparks at him, but her manner was demure, not + to say meek. “He belongs to my brother,” she explained, “and my brother + has dozens of good saddle-horses. Mr. Cameron's horse is a pet. It's + different when a horse follows you all over the place and fairly talks to + you. He'll shake hands, and—” + </p> + <p> + “Uh-huh, I see the point, I guess. What d'yuh say, kid?” + </p> + <p> + Keith might seem boyish, but he did not enjoy being addressed as “kid.” He + was twenty-eight years old, whether he looked it or not. + </p> + <p> + “I say this: If you take my horse, I'll kill you. I'll have twenty-five + cow-punchers camping on your trail before sundown. If you take this girl's + horse, I'll do the same.” + </p> + <p> + The man shut his lips in a thin line. + </p> + <p> + “No, he won't!” cried Beatrice, leaning forward. “Don't mind a thing he + says! You can't expect a man to keep his temper with his hands up in the + air like that. You take Rex, and I'll promise for Mr. Cameron.” + </p> + <p> + “Trix—Miss Lansell!”—sternly. + </p> + <p> + “I promise you he won't do a thing,” she went on firmly. “He—he + isn't half as fierce, really, as—as he looks.” + </p> + <p> + Keith's face got red. + </p> + <p> + The man laughed a little. Evidently the situation amused him, whether the + others could see the humor of it or not. “So I'm to have your cayuse, eh?” + </p> + <p> + Keith saw two big tears tipping over her lower lids, and gritted his + teeth. + </p> + <p> + “Well, it ain't often I git a chance t' please a lady,” the fellow + decided. “I guess Rex'll do, all right. Go over and change saddles, + youngster—and don't git gay. I've got the drop, and yuh notice I'm + keeping it.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you going to take his saddle?” Beatrice stood up and clenched her + hands, looking very much as if she would like to pull his hair. Keith in + trouble appealed to her strangely. + </p> + <p> + “Sure thing. It's a peach, from the look of it. Mine's over the hill a + piece. Step along there, kid! I want t' be movin'.” + </p> + <p> + “You'll need to go some!” flared Keith, over his shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “I expect t' go some,” retorted the man. “A fellow with three sheriff's + posses campin' on his trail ain't apt t' loiter none.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” Beatrice sat down and stared. “Then you must be—” + </p> + <p> + “Yep,” the fellow laughed recklessly. “You ca, tell your maw yuh met up + with Kelly, the darin' train-robber. I wouldn't be s'prised if she close + herded yuh fer a spell till her scare wears off. Bu I've hung around these + parts long enough. I fooled them sheriffs a-plenty, stayin' here. Gee! + you'r' swift—I don't think!” This last sentence was directed at + Keith, who was putting a snail to shame, and making it appear he was in a + hurry. + </p> + <p> + “Git a move on!” commanded Kelly, threatening with his eyes. + </p> + <p> + Keith wisely made no reply—nor did he show any symptoms of haste, + despite the menacing tone Slowly he pulled his saddle off Redcloud, and + carefully he placed it upon the ground. When a fellow lives in his saddle, + almost, he comes to think a great deal of it, and he is reluctant under + any circumstances, to surrender it to another; to have a man deliberately + confiscate it with the authority which lies in a lump of lead the size of + a child thumb is not pleasant. + </p> + <p> + Through Keith's brain flashed a dozen impracticable plans, and one that + offered a slender—very slender—chance of success. If he could + get a little closer! He moved over beside Rex an unbuckling the cinch of + Beatrice's saddle, pulled it sullenly off. + </p> + <p> + “Now, put your saddle on that there Rex horse, and cinch it tight!” + </p> + <p> + Keith picked up the saddle—his saddle, and threw it across Rex's + back, raging inwardly at his helplessness. To lose his saddle worse, to + let Beatrice lose her horse. Lord! a pretty figure he must cut in her + eyes! + </p> + <p> + “Dry weather we're havin',” Kelly remarked politely to Beatrice; without, + however, looking in her direction. “Prairie fires are gittin' t' be the + regular thing, I notice.” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice studied his face, and found no ulterior purpose for the words. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” she agreed, as pleasantly as she could, in view of the disquieting + circumstances. “I helped fight a prairie-fire last week over this way. We + were out all night.” + </p> + <p> + “Prairie-fires is mean things t' handle, oncet they git started. I always + hate t' see 'em git hold of the grass. What fire was that you mention?” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice glanced toward Keith, and was thankful his back was turned to + her. But a quick suspicion had come to her, and she went steadily on with + the subject. + </p> + <p> + “It was the Pine Ridge country. It started very mysteriously.” + </p> + <p> + “It wasn't no mystery t' me.” Kelly laughed grimly. “I started that there + blaze myself accidentally. I throwed a cigarette down, thinkin' it had + gone out. After a while I seen a blaze where I'd jest left, but I didn't + have no license t' go back an' put it out—my orders was to git out + uh that. I seen the sky all lit up that night. Kid, are yuh goin' t' + sleep?” + </p> + <p> + Keith started. He had been listening, and thanking his lucky star that + Beatrice was listening also. If she had suspected him of setting the range + afire, she knew better now. A weight lifted off Keith's shoulders, and he + stood a bit straighter; those chance words meant a great deal to him, and + he felt that he would not grudge his saddle in payment. But Rex—that + was another matter. Beatrice should not lose him if he could prevent it; + still, what could he do? + </p> + <p> + He might turn and spring upon Kelly, but in the meantime Kelly would not + be idle; he would probably be pumping bullets out of the rifle into + Keith's body—and he would still have the horse. He stole a glance at + Beatrice, and went hot all over at what he thought he read in her eyes. + For once he was not glad to be near his Heart's Desire; he wished her + elsewhere—anywhere but sitting on that rock, over there, with her + little, gloved hands folded quietly in her lap, and that adorable, demure + look on her face—the look which would have put her mother instantly + upon the defensive—and a gleam in her eyes Keith read for scorn. + </p> + <p> + Surely he might do something! Barely six feet now separated him from + Kelly. If one of those lumps of rock that strewed the ground was in his + hand—he stooped to reach under Rex's body for the cinch, and could + almost feel Kelly's eyes boring into his back. A false move—well, + Keith had heard of Kelly a good many times; if this fellow was really the + man he claimed to be, Keith did not need to guess what would follow a + suspicious move; he knew. He looked stealthily toward him, and Kelly's + eyes met his with a gleam sinister. + </p> + <p> + Kelly grinned. “I wouldn't, kid,” he said softly. + </p> + <p> + Keith swore in a whisper, and his fingers closed upon the cinch. It was no + use to fight the devil with cunning, he thought, bitterly. + </p> + <p> + Just then Beatrice gave an unearthly screech, that made the horses' knees + bend under them. When Keith whirled to see what it was, she was standing + upon the rock, with her skirts held tightly around her, like the pictures + of women when a mouse gets into the room. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Mr. Cameron! A sn-a-a-ke!” + </p> + <p> + Came a metallic br-r-r, the unmistakable war cry of the rattler. Into + Kelly's eyes came a look of fear, and he sidled gingerly. The buzz had + sounded unpleasantly close to his heels. For one brief instant the cold + eye of his rifle regarded harmlessly the hillside. During that instant a + goodly piece of sandstone whinged under his jaw, and he went down, with + Keith upon him like a mountain lion. The latter snatched the rifle and got + up hurriedly, for he had not forgotten the rattler. Kelly lay looking up + at him in a dazed way that might have been funny at any other time. + </p> + <p> + “I wondered if you were good at grasping opportunities,” said Beatrice. + When he looked, there she was, sitting down on the rock, with her little, + gloved hands folded in her lap, and that adorable demure look on her face; + and a gleam in her eyes he knew was not scorn, though he could not rightly + tell what it really did mean. + </p> + <p> + Keith wondered at her vaguely, but a man can't have his mind on a dozen + things at once. It was important that he keep a sharp watch on Kelly, and + his eyes were searching for a gleaming, gray spotted coil which he felt to + be near. + </p> + <p> + “You needn't look, Mr. Cameron. There isn't any snake. It—it was I.” + </p> + <p> + “You!” Keith's jaw dropped. + </p> + <p> + “Look out, Mr. Cameron. It wouldn't work a second time, I'm afraid.” + </p> + <p> + Keith turned back before Kelly had more than got to his elbow; plainly + Kelly was not feeling well just then. He looked unhappy, and rather sick. + </p> + <p> + “If you'll hand me the gun, Mr. Cameron, I think I can hold it steady + while you fix the saddles. And then we'll go home. I—I don't think I + really care to climb the hill.” + </p> + <p> + What Keith wanted to do was to take her in his arms and kiss her till he + was tired. What he did do was back toward her, and let her take the rifle + quickly and deftly from his hands. She rested the gun upon her knee, and + brought it to bear upon Mr. Kelly with a composure not assuring to that + gentleman, and she tried to look as if she really and truly would shoot a + man—and managed to look only the more kissable. + </p> + <p> + “Don't squirm, Mr. Kelly. I won't bite, if I do buzz sometimes.” + </p> + <p> + Kelly stared at her meditatively a minute, and said: “Well, I'll be + damned!” + </p> + <p> + Keith looked at her also, but he did not say anything. + </p> + <p> + The way he slapped his saddle back upon Redcloud and cinched it, and + saddled Rex, was a pretty exhibition of precision and speed, learned in + roundup camps. Kelly watched him grimly. + </p> + <p> + “I knowed you wasn't as swift as yuh knew how 't be, a while back,” he + commented. “I've got this t' say fur you two: You're a little the toughest + proposition I ever run up ag'inst—and I've been up ag'inst it good + and plenty.” + </p> + <p> + “Thanks,” Keith said cheerfully. “You'd better take Rex now and go ahead, + Miss Lansell. I'll take that gun and look after this fellow. Get up, + Kelly.” + </p> + <p> + “What are you going to do with him?” + </p> + <p> + Kelly got unsteadily upon his feet. Beatrice looked at him, and then at + Keith. She asked a question. + </p> + <p> + “March him home, and send him in to the nearest sheriff.” Keith was + businesslike, and his tone was crisp. + </p> + <p> + Beatrice's eyes turned again to Kelly. He did not whine, or beg, or even + curse. He stood looking straight before him, at something only his memory + could see, and in his face was weariness, and a deep loneliness, and a + certain, grim despair. There was an ugly bruise where the rock had struck, + but the rest of his face was drawn and white. + </p> + <p> + “If you do that,” cried Beatrice, in a voice hardly more than a fierce + whisper, “I shall hate you always. You are not a man-hunter. Let him stay + here, and take his chance in the hills.” + </p> + <p> + Keith was not a hard man to persuade into being merciful. “It's easy + enough to say yes, Miss Lansell. I always was chicken-hearted when a + fellow seemed down on his luck. You can stay here, Kelly—I don't + want you, anyway.” He laughed boyishly and irresponsibly, for he felt that + Kelly had done him a service that day. + </p> + <p> + Beatrice flashed him a smile that went to his head and made him dizzy, and + took up Rex's bridle rein. She hesitated, looked doubtfully at Kelly, who + stood waiting stoically, and turned to her saddle. She untied a bundle and + went quickly over to him. + </p> + <p> + “You—I don't want my lunch, after all. I'm going home now. I—I + want you to take it, please. There are some sandwiches—with veal + loaf, that Looey Sam makes deliciously—and some cake. I—I wish + it was more. I know you'll like the veal loaf.” + </p> + <p> + Kelly looked down at her, and God knows what thoughts were in his mind. He + did not answer her with words; he just swallowed hard. + </p> + <p> + “Poor devil!” was what Keith said to himself, and the gun he was holding + threatened, for a minute, to wing a cloud. + </p> + <p> + Beatrice laid the package in Kelly's unresisting hand, looked up into his + averted face and said simply: “Good-by, Mr. Kelly.” + </p> + <p> + After that she hurried Rex up the steep ridge much faster than she had + gone down it, endangering his bones and putting herself very empty lunged. + </p> + <p> + At the top of the ridge Keith stopped and looked down. + </p> + <p> + “Hi, Kelly!” + </p> + <p> + Kelly showed that he heard. + </p> + <p> + “Here's your gun, on this rock. You can come up and get it, if you want + to. And—say! I've got a few broke horses ranging down here + somewhere. VN brand, on left shoulder. I won't scour the hills, very bad, + if I should happen to miss a cayuse. So long!” + </p> + <p> + Kelly waved his hand for farewell. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 13. Keith's Masterful Wooing. + </h2> + <p> + Keith faced toward home, with Redcloud following at his heels like a pet + dog. For some reason, which he did not try to analyze, he was feeling + light of heart—as though something very nice had happened to him. It + might have been the unexpected clearing up of the mystery of the + prairie-fire, though he was not dwelling particularly upon that. He was + thinking a great deal more of Beatrice's blue-brown eyes, which had never + been more baffling, so far as he knew. And his blood was still dancing + with the smile she had given him; it hardly seemed possible that a girl + could smile just like that and not mean anything. + </p> + <p> + When he reached the level, where she was waiting for him, he saw that she + had her arms around the neck of her horse, and that she was crying + dismally, heart-brokenly, with an abandon that took no thought of his + presence. Keith had never seen a girl cry like that before. He had seen + them dab at their eyes with their handkerchief, and smile the next breath—but + this was different. For a minute he didn't quite know what to do; he could + hear the blood hammering against his temples while he stood dumbly + watching her. He went hesitatingly up, and laid a gloved hand + deprecatingly upon her shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “Don't do that, Miss Lansell! The fellow isn't worth it. He's only living + the life he chose for himself, and he doesn't mind, not half as much as + you imagine. I know how you feel—I felt sorry for him myself—but + he doesn't deserve it, you know.” He stopped; not being able, just at the + moment, to think of anything more to say about Kelly. Beatrice, who had + not been thinking of Kelly at all, but remorsefully of a fellow she had + persisted in misjudging, only cried the harder. + </p> + <p> + “Don't—don't cry like that! I—Miss Lansell—Trix—darling!” + Keith's self-control snapped suddenly, like a rope when the strain becomes + too great. He caught her fiercely in his arms, and crushed her close + against him. + </p> + <p> + Beatrice stopped crying, and gasped. + </p> + <p> + “Trixie, if you must cry, I wish you'd cry for me. I'm about as miserable + a man—I want you so! God made you for me, and I'm starving for the + feel of your lips on mine.” Then Keith, who was nothing if not daring, + once he was roused, bent and kissed her without waiting to see if he might—and + not only once, but several times. + </p> + <p> + Beatrice made a half-hearted attempt to get free of his arms, but Keith + was not a fool—he held her closer, and laughed from pure, primitive + joy. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Cameron!” It was Beatrice's voice, but it had never been like that + before. + </p> + <p> + “I think you might call me Keith,” he cut in. “You've got to begin some + time, and now is as good a time as any.” + </p> + <p> + “You—you're taking a good deal for granted,” she said, wriggling + unavailingly in his arms. + </p> + <p> + “A man's got to, with a girl like you. You're so used to turning a fellow + down I believe you'd do it just from habit.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed?” She was trying to be sarcastic and got kissed for her pains. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, 'indeed.'” He mimicked her tone. “I want you. I want you! I wanted + you long before I ever saw you. And so I'm not taking any chances—I + didn't dare, you see. I just had to take you first, and ask you + afterward.” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice laughed a little, with tears very close to her lashes, and gave + up. What was the use of trying to resist this masterful fellow, who would + not even give her a chance to refuse him? She did not know quite how to + say no to a man who did not ask her to say yes. But the queer part, to + her, was the feeling that she would have hated to say no, anyway. It never + occurred to her, till afterward, that she might have stood upon a pedestal + of offended dignity and cried, “Unhand me, villain!”—and that, if + she had, Keith would undoubtedly have complied instantly. As it was, she + just laughed softly, and blushed a good deal. + </p> + <p> + “I believe mama is right about you, after all,” she said wickedly. “At + heart, you're a bold highwayman.” + </p> + <p> + “Maybe. I know I'd not stand and see some other fellow walk off with my + Heart's Desire, without putting up a fight. It did look pretty blue for + me, though, and I was afraid—but it's all right now, isn't it? + Possession is nine points in law, they say, and I've got you now! I'm + going to keep you, too. When are you going to come over and take charge of + the Cross ranch?” + </p> + <p> + “Dear me!” said Beatrice, snuggling against his shoulder, and finding it + the best place in the world to be. “I never said I was going to take + charge at all!” Then the impulse of confession seized her. “Will you hate + me, if I tell you something?” + </p> + <p> + “I expect I will,” Keith assented, his eyes positively idolatrous. “What + is it, girlie?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I—it was Dick's fault; I never would have thought of such a + thing if he hadn't goaded me into it—but—well, I was going to + make you propose, on a wager—” The brown head of Beatrice went down + out of sight, on his arm. “I was going to refuse you—and get Rex—” + </p> + <p> + “I know.” Keith held her closer than ever. “Dick rode over and told me + that day. And I wasn't going to give you a chance, missy. If you hadn't + started to cry, here— Oh! what's the use? You didn't refuse me—and + you're not going to, either, are you, girlie?” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice intimated that there was no immediate danger of such a thing + happening. + </p> + <p> + “You see, Dick and I felt that you belonged to me, by rights. I fell in + love with a picture of you, that you sent him—that one taken in your + graduation gown—and I told Dick I was going to take the next train + East, and carry you off by force, if I couldn't get you any other way. But + Dick thought I'd stand a better show to wait till he'd coaxed you out + here. We had it all fixed, that you'd come and find a prairie knight that + was ready to fight for you, and he'd make you like him, whether you wanted + to or not; and then he'd keep you here, and we'd all be happy ever after. + And Dick would pull out of the Northern Pool—and of course you would—and + we'd have a company of our own. Oh! we had some great castles built out + here on the prairie, let me tell you! And then, when you finally came + here, you had milord tagging along—and you thinking you were in love + with him! Maybe you think I wasn't shaky, girlie! The air castles got + awfully wobbly, and it looked like they were going to cave in on us. But I + was bound to stay in the game if I could, and Dick did all he could to get + you to looking my way—and it's all right, isn't it, Trixie?” Keith + kept recurring to the ecstatic realization that it was all right. + </p> + <p> + Beatrice meditated for a minute. + </p> + <p> + “I never dreamed—Dick never even mentioned you in any of his + letters,” she said, in a rather dazed tone. “And when I came he made me + believe you were a horrible flirt, and I never can resist the temptation + to measure lances.” + </p> + <p> + “And take a fall out of a male flirt,” Keith supplemented. “Dick,” he went + on sententiously and slangily, “was dead onto his job.” After that he + helped her into the saddle, and they rode blissfully homeward. + </p> + <p> + Near the ranch they met Dick, who pulled up and eyed them anxiously at + first, and then with a broad smile. + </p> + <p> + “Say, Trix,” he queried slyly, “who does Rex belong to?” + </p> + <p> + Keith came to the rescue promptly, just as a brave knight should. “You,” + he retorted. “But I tell you right now, he won't very long. You're going + to do the decent thing and give him to Trixie—for a wedding + present.” + </p> + <p> + Dick looked as though Trix was welcome to any thing he possessed. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 14. Sir Redmond Gets His answer. + </h2> + <p> + “Before long, dear, we shall get on the great ship, and ride across the + large, large ocean, and be at home. You will be delighted to see Peggy, + and Rupert, and the dogs, won't you, dear?” Miss Hayes, her cheeks + actually getting some color into them at the thought of going home, + buttered a fluffy biscuit for her idol. + </p> + <p> + Dorman took two bites while he considered. “Rupert'll want my little + wheels, for my feet, what Mr. Cam'ron gave me—but he can't have 'em, + dough. I 'spect he'll be mad. I wonder what'll Peggy say bout my two + puppies. I've got to take my two puppies wis me. Will dey get sick riding + on de water, auntie? Say, will dey?” + </p> + <p> + “I—I think not, dear,” ventured his auntie cautiously. His auntie + was a conscientious woman, and she knew very little about puppies. + </p> + <p> + “Be'trice will help me take care of dem if dey're sick,” he remarked + comfortably. + </p> + <p> + Then something in his divinity's face startled his assurance. “You's going + wis us, isn't you, Be'trice? I want you to help take care of my two + puppies. Martha can't, 'cause she slaps dere ears. Is you going wis us, + Be'trice?” + </p> + <p> + This, at the dinner table, was, to say the least, embarrassing—especially + on this especial evening, when Beatrice was trying to muster courage to + give Sir Redmond the only answer it was possible to give him now. It was + an open secret that, in case she had accepted him, the home-going of Miss + Hayes would be delayed a bit, when they would all go together. Beatrice + had overheard her mother and Miss Hayes discussing this possibility only + the day before. She undertook the impossible, and attempted to head Dorman + off. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you'll see a whale, honey. The puppies never saw a whale, I'm + sure. What do you suppose they'd think?” + </p> + <p> + “Is you going?” + </p> + <p> + “You'd have to hold them up high, you know, so they could see, and show + them just where to look, and—” + </p> + <p> + “Is you going, Be'trice?” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice sent a quick, despairing glance around the table. Four pairs of + eyes were fixed upon her with varying degrees of interest and anxiety. The + fifth pair—Dick's—were trying to hide their unrighteous glee + by glaring down at the chicken wing on his plate. Beatrice felt a strong + impulse to throw something at him. She gulped and faced the inevitable. It + must come some time, she thought, and it might as well be now—though + it did seem a pity to spoil a good dinner for every one but Dick, who was + eating his with relish. + </p> + <p> + “No, honey”—her voice was clear and had the note of finality—“I'm + not going—ever.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Redmond's teeth went together with a click, and he picked up the + pepper shaker mechanically and peppered his salad until it was perfectly + black, and Beatrice wondered how he ever expected to eat it. Mrs. Lansell + dropped her fork on the floor, and had to have a clean one brought. Miss + Hayes sent a frightened glance at her brother. Dick sat and ate fried + chicken. + </p> + <p> + “Why, Be'trice? I wants you to—and de puppies'll need you—and + auntie, and—” Dorman gathered himself for the last, crushing + argument—“and Uncle Redmon' wants you awf'lly!” + </p> + <p> + Beatrice took a sip of ice water, for she needed it. + </p> + <p> + “Why, Be'trice? Gran-mama'll let you go, guess. Can't she go, gran'mama?” + </p> + <p> + It was Mrs. Lansell's turn to test the exquisite torture of that prickly + chill along the spine. Like Beatrice, she dodged. + </p> + <p> + “Little boys,” she announced weakly, “should not speak until they're + spoken to.” + </p> + <p> + Dick came near strangling on a shred of chicken. + </p> + <p> + “Can't she go, gran'mama? Say, can't she? Tell Be'trice to go home wis us, + gran'mama!” + </p> + <p> + “Beatrice”—Mrs. Lansell swallowed—“is not a little child any + longer, Dorman. She is a woman and can do as she likes. I”—she was + speaking to the whole group—“I can only advise her.” + </p> + <p> + Dorman gave a squeal of triumph. “See? You can go, Be'trice! Gran'mama + says you can go. You will go, won't you, Be'trice? Say yes!” + </p> + <p> + “No!” said Beatrice, with desperate emphasis. “I won't.” + </p> + <p> + “I want—Be'trice—to go-o!” Dorman slid down upon his shoulder + blades, gave a squeal which was not triumph, but temper, and kicked the + table till every dish on it danced. + </p> + <p> + “Dorman sit up!” commanded his auntie. “Dorman, stop, this instant! I'm + ashamed of you; where is my good little man? Redmond.” + </p> + <p> + Sir Redmond seemed glad of the chance to do something besides sit quietly + in his place and look calm. He got up deliberately, and in two minutes, or + less, Dorman was in the woodshed with him, making sounds that frightened + his puppies dreadfully and put the coyotes to shame. + </p> + <p> + Beatrice left the table hurriedly to escape the angry eyes of her mother. + The sounds in the woodshed had died to a subdued sniffling, and she + retreated to the front porch, hoping to escape observation. There she + nearly ran against Sir Redmond, who was staring off into the dusk to where + the moon was peering redly over a black pinnacle of the Bear Paws. + </p> + <p> + She would have slipped back into the house, but he did not give her the + chance. He turned and faced her steadily, as he had more than once faced + the Boers, when he knew that before him was nothing but defeat. + </p> + <p> + “So you're not going to England ever?” + </p> + <p> + Pride had squeezed every shade of emotion from his voice. + </p> + <p> + “No.” Beatrice gripped her fingers together tightly. + </p> + <p> + “Are you sure you won't be sorry—afterward?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I'm sure.” Beatrice had never done anything she hated more. + </p> + <p> + Sir Redmond, looking into her eyes, wondered why those much-vaunted + sharpshooters, the Boers, had blundered and passed him by. + </p> + <p> + “I don't suppose it matters much now—but will you tell me why? I + believed you would decide differently.” He was holding his voice down to a + dead level, and it was not easy. + </p> + <p> + “Because—” Beatrice faced the moon, which threw a soft glow upon her + face, and into her wonderful, deep eyes a golden light. “Oh, I'm sorry, + Sir Redmond! But you see, I didn't know. I—I just learned to-day + what it means to—to love. I—I am going to stay here. A new + company—is about to be formed, Sir Redmond. The Maltese Cross and + the—Triangle Bar—are going to cast their lot together.” The + golden glow deepened and darkened, and blended with the red blood which + flushed cheek and brow and throat. + </p> + <p> + It took Sir Redmond a full minute to comprehend. When he did, he breathed + deep, shut his lips upon words that would have frightened her, and went + down the steps into the gloom. + </p> + <p> + Beatrice watched him stride away into the dusky silence, and her heart + ached with sympathy for him. Then she looked beyond, to where the lights + of the Cross ranch twinkled joyously, far down the coulee, and the sweet + egotism of happiness enfolded her, shutting him out. After that she forgot + him utterly. She looked up at the moon, sailing off to meet the stars, + smiled good-fellowship and then went in to face her mother. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Her Prairie Knight, by +B.M. Sinclair, AKA B. M. Bower + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HER PRAIRIE KNIGHT *** + +***** This file should be named 1908-h.htm or 1908-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/9/0/1908/ + +Produced by Mary Starr, and David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project +Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the Foundation” + or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the phrase “Project +Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase “Project Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +“Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, “Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.” + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +“Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right +of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + </body> +</html> |