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diff --git a/36629-h/36629-h.htm b/36629-h/36629-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..cdb06a9 --- /dev/null +++ b/36629-h/36629-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,11734 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<!-- $Id: header.txt 236 2009-12-07 18:57:00Z vlsimpson $ --> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Hope Hathaway, by Frances Parker. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + h1 { text-align:center; line-height:1.5; } + p.title { text-align:center; text-indent:0; + font-weight:bold; + line-height:1.4; margin-bottom:3em; } + small { font-size:60%; } + big { font-size:140%; } + + h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + + + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; +} /* page numbers */ + +/* Images */ +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; +} + +blockquote,.blockquot { + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 5%; + font-size: 90%;} + + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Hope Hathaway, by Frances Parker + +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: Hope Hathaway + A Story of Western Ranch Life + +Author: Frances Parker + +Release Date: July 5, 2011 [EBook #36629] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HOPE HATHAWAY *** + + + + +Produced by Peter Vachuska, Pat McCoy, Stephen Hope and +the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + + + +<p class="title"><big>HOPE<br /> +HATHAWAY</big></p> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<a href="images/001.png"> +<img src="images/001.png" alt="" title="" /> +</a></div> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + + +<h1> +<i>HOPE<br /> +HATHAWAY</i><br /> +<br /> +A Story of<br /> +Western Ranch Life</h1> + +<p class="title"><i>BY<br /> +FRANCES PARKER</i></p> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<a href="images/002.png"> +<img src="images/002.png" alt="" title="" /> +</a></div> + +<p class="title">BOSTON, MASS.<br /> +C. M. CLARK PUBLISHING CO. (Inc.)<br /> +1904<br /> +</p> + + + + +<p class="title"> +<i>COPYRIGHT, 1904<br /> +by +C. M. CLARK PUBLISHING CO. (Inc.) +BOSTON, MASS., U. S. A.</i></p> + +<p class="title"><i>Entered at Stationers Hall, London</i><br /> +<br /> +<i>Rights of Translation, Public Reading and<br /> +Dramatization Reserved</i></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<!-- Autogenerated TOC. Modify or delete as required. --> +<p> +<a href="#CHAPTER_I"><b>CHAPTER I</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_II"><b>CHAPTER II</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_III"><b>CHAPTER III</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IV"><b>CHAPTER IV</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_V"><b>CHAPTER V</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VI"><b>CHAPTER VI</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VII"><b>CHAPTER VII</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VIII"><b>CHAPTER VIII</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IX"><b>CHAPTER IX</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_X"><b>CHAPTER X</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XI"><b>CHAPTER XI</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XII"><b>CHAPTER XII</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIII"><b>CHAPTER XIII</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIV"><b>CHAPTER XIV</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XV"><b>CHAPTER XV</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVI"><b>CHAPTER XVI</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVII"><b>CHAPTER XVII</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII"><b>CHAPTER XVIII</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIX"><b>CHAPTER XIX</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XX"><b>CHAPTER XX</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXI"><b>CHAPTER XXI</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXII"><b>CHAPTER XXII</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII"><b>CHAPTER XXIII</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV"><b>CHAPTER XXIV</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXV"><b>CHAPTER XXV</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI"><b>CHAPTER XXVI</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII"><b>CHAPTER XXVII</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII"><b>CHAPTER XXVIII</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX"><b>CHAPTER XXIX</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXX"><b>CHAPTER XXX</b></a><br /> +</p> +<!-- End Autogenerated TOC. --> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>HOPE HATHAWAY</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2> + + +<p>Hathaway's home-ranch spread +itself miles over an open valley on the +upper Missouri. As far as the eye +reached not a fence could be seen, yet four +barbed-wires, stretched upon good cotton-wood +posts, separated the ranch from the open +country about.</p> + +<p>Jim Hathaway was an old-time cattle-man. +He still continued each summer to turn out +upon the range great droves of Texas steers +driven north by his cowboys, though at this +time it was more profitable to ship in Western +grown stock. He must have known that this +was so, for every year his profits became less, +yet it was the nature of the man to keep in the +old ruts, to cling to old habits.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span></p> + +<p>The old-time cowboy was fast disappearing, +customs of the once wild West were giving +way before an advancing civilization. He had +seen its slow, steady approach year after year, +dreading—abhorring it. Civilization was coming +surely. What though his lands extended +beyond his good eyesight, were not these interlopers +squatting on every mile of creek in the +surrounding country? The open range would +some time be a thing of the past. That green +ridge of mountains to the west,—<i>his</i> mountains, +his and the Indians, where he had enjoyed +unmolested reign for many years,—were +they not filling them as bees fill a hive, so filling +them with their offensive bands of sheep and +small cow-ranches that his cattle had all they +could do to obtain a footing?</p> + +<p>On one of his daily rides he had come home +tired and out of humor. The discovery of a +new fence near his boundary line had opened +up an unpleasant train of thought, and not +even the whisky, placed beside him by a +placid-faced Chinese servant, could bring him +into his usual jovial spirits. After glancing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> +through a week-old newspaper and finding in +it no solace for his ugly mood, he threw himself +down upon his office lounge, spreading the +paper carefully over him. The Chinaman, by +rare intuition, divined his state of mind and +stole cautiously into the room to remove the +empty glasses, at the same time keeping his +eyes fixed upon the large man under the newspaper.</p> + +<p>Hathaway generally took a nap in the forenoon +after returning from his ride, for he was +an early riser, and late hours at night made this +habit imperative. This day his mood brought +him into a condition where he felt no desire to +sleep, so he concluded, but he must have fallen +into a doze, for the sharp tones of a girl's voice +directly outside his window brought him to his +feet with a start.</p> + +<p>"If that's what you're driving at you may as +well roll up your bedding and move on!" It +was spoken vehemently, with all the distinctness +of a clear-toned voice. A man replied, +but in more guarded tone, so that Hathaway +went to the window to catch his words.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You don't know what you're talking +about," he was saying. "This is my home as +well as yours, and I'd have small chance to +carry out my word if I went away, so I intend +to stay right here. Do you know, Hope, +when you get mad like that you're so devilish +pretty that I almost hate you! Look at those +eyes! You'd kill me if you could, wouldn't +you? But you'll love me yet, and marry me, +too, don't forget that!"</p> + +<p>"How can you talk to me so," demanded the +girl, stepping back from him, "after all my +father has done,—made you his son,—given +you everything he would have given a son? +Oh!" she cried passionately, "I can't <i>bear</i> you +in this new rôle! It is terrible, and I've looked +upon you as a <i>brother</i>! Now what are you? +You've got no right to talk to me so—to insist!"</p> + +<p>"But your mother——" he interrupted.</p> + +<p>"My <i>mother</i>!" weariedly. "Yes, of course! +It would be all right there. You have money—enough. +A good enough match, no doubt; +and she would be freer to go,—would feel bet<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span>ter +to know that she had no more responsibility +here. You know your ground well enough +<i>there</i>." Then with growing anger: "Don't +you ring in my mother on me! I tell you I +wouldn't marry you if I <i>never</i> got married! +I'm strong enough to fight my own battles, and +I will, and you'd better forget what you've +said to me and change the subject forever!" +She walked away, her strong, lithe body erect.</p> + +<p>"But you're handsome, you brown devil!" +he cried, taking one step and clasping her +roughly to him. She tore herself loose, her +eyes blazing with sudden fire, as Hathaway, +white with anger, came suddenly around the +corner of his office and grasped the offender +by the coat collar. Then the slim young man +was lifted, kicked, and tossed alternately from +off the earth, while the girl stood calmly to one +side and watched the performance, which did +not cease until the infuriated man became exhausted. +Then the boy picked himself up and +walked unsteadily toward the building, against +which he leaned to regain his breath while +Hathaway stood panting.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Here, hold on a minute," roared the angry +father as the young man moved away. "I +ain't done with you yet! Get your horse and +get off this ranch or I'll break every bone in +your damn body! You will treat my girl like +that, will you? You young puppy!" The +young fellow was whipped undoubtedly, but +gracefully, for he turned toward Hathaway +and said between swollen lips:</p> + +<p>"You don't want to blame me too much, +Uncle Jim. Just look at the girl! Any man +would find it worth risking his neck for her!" +Then he moved slowly away, while the girl's +eyes changed from stern to merry. Her father +choked with rage.</p> + +<p>"You—you—you——Get away from +here, and don't talk back to me!" he roared at +the retreating figure.</p> + +<p>The girl moved forward a few steps, calling: +"That's right, Sydney, keep your nerve! +When you're ready to call it off we'll try to be +friends again." Without waiting for her +cousin's reply she ran into the house, while he +lost no time in leaving the ranch, riding at a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> +rapid gait toward the nearest town. Hathaway +watched him out of sight, then with a +nervous, bewildered shake of the head joined +his wife and daughter at luncheon.</p> + +<p>"At last your father has come," sighed Mrs. +Hathaway, as he appeared. "Hope, ring for +the chocolate; I'm almost famished. It seems +to me, James," turning to her husband with +some impatience, "that you might <i>try</i> to be a +little more prompt in getting to your meals—here +we've been waiting ages! You know I +can't bear to wait for anyone!" She sighed +properly and unfolded her napkin.</p> + +<p>"My dear," said Hathaway blandly, "I'm +sorry to have kept you waiting, but I've been +somewhat occupied—somewhat."</p> + +<p>"But you should always consider that your +meals come first, even if your wife and family +do not," continued the lady. "Where is Sydney? +The dear boy is generally so very +prompt."</p> + +<p>The effect of her words was not apparent. +Her husband appeared absent-minded and the +meal began.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span></p> + +<p>The daughter, Hope, with quiet dignity befitting +a matron, occupied the head of the table, +as she had done ever since her mother shifted +the responsibilities of the household to her +young shoulders. When this question was +asked she gave her father a quick glance. +Would he acknowledge the truth? Evidently +not, for he began immediately to talk about the +new fence near his boundary line. It was a +shame, he said, that these people were settling +in around him.</p> + +<p>"The land's no good," he declared. "Nearly +all the water around here that's any account is +on my place. All on earth these hobos are taking +it up for is in expectation that I'll buy +them out. Well, maybe I will, and again +maybe I won't. I'd do most anything to get +rid of them, but I can't buy the earth." At +this Hope smiled, showing a flash of strong, +white teeth.</p> + +<p>"And if you could buy the earth, what would +you do with these people?" she asked, her face +settling into its natural quiet. Her mother +gave her the usual look of amazement.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Hope, I must ask you not to say impertinent +things to your father. You no doubt +meant to be witty, but you were none the less +rude. Why do you allow her to say such +things to you, James? You have succeeded in +spoiling her completely. Now if <i>I</i> had been +allowed to send her away to school she would +have grown up with better manners."</p> + +<p>Hathaway passed his cup to be refilled, making +no answer to his wife's outburst. Perhaps +he had learned in his years of experience +that the less said the better. At any rate he +made no effort to defend his daughter—his +only child, and dear to him, too. If she had +expected that he would defend her it was only +for a passing instant, then she returned to her +natural gravity. Her face had few expressions. +Its chief charm lay in its unchanging +immobility, its utter quiet, behind which +gleamed something of the girl's soul. When +her rare smile came, lighting it up wonderfully, +she was irresistible—in her anger, magnificent.</p> + +<p>Ordinarily she would not have been noticed at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> +first glance, except, perhaps, for the exceptionally +fine poise of her strong, slim body. She +was a true daughter of the West, tanned +almost as brown as an Indian maid, and easily +might have passed for a half-breed, with her +blue-black eyes and hair of the darkest brown. +But if she had Indian blood she did not know +it. Her mother, during the season, a flitting +butterfly of New York society, a Daughter +of the Revolution by half a dozen lines of +descent, would have been horrified at the mere +thought.</p> + +<p>The girl herself would not have cared had +she been born and raised in an Indian camp. +She had what Mrs. Hathaway termed queer +ideas, due, as she always took occasion to explain +to her friends who visited the ranch, to +the uncivilized life that she had insisted upon +living.</p> + +<p>Hope had been obstinate in refusing to leave +the ranch. Threats and punishments were unavailing. +When a young child she had resolved +never to go away to school, and had set +her small foot down so firmly that her mother<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> +was obliged to yield. Hathaway was secretly +glad of this, for the ranch was home to him, +and he would not leave it for any length of +time.</p> + +<p>The little girl was great company to him, +for his wife was away months at a time, +preferring the gayety of her New York home +to the quiet, isolated ranch on the prairie. +Some people were unkind enough to say that it +was a relief to Hathaway to have the place to +himself, and certain it is that he never made +any objections to the arrangement. Their +only child, Hope, was educated on the ranch +by the best instructors procurable, and readily +acquired all the education that was necessary +to her happiness.</p> + +<p>At Mrs. Hathaway's outburst the girl made +no effort to defend herself, and was well aware +from former experiences that her father would +not come to her aid. That he was afraid of +her mother she would not admit. It seemed so +weak and foolish. She had exalted ideas of +what a man should be. That her father fell +below her standard she would not acknowledge.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> +She loved him so, was proud of his good points, +and in many ways he was a remarkable man, +his greatest weakness, if it could be called that, +being his apparent fear of his wife. Her dominion +over him, during her occasional visits +at the ranch, was absolute. Hope shut her +eyes to this, telling herself that it was caused +by his desire to make her happy during these +rare opportunities.</p> + +<p>Hathaway did not respond to his wife's +somewhat uncalled-for remarks, but after a +moment of silence adroitly changed the subject +by inquiring of Hope who it was that had +ridden up to the ranch just as he left that +morning.</p> + +<p>"It must have been Joe Harris, from the +mountains," she replied, "for he was here +shortly after you rode away. I thought he +was out hunting those cattle of his that I saw +over on Ten Mile the other day, but he informed +me that it was not cattle he was hunting +this time, but a <i>school-teacher</i>. They have +some sort of a country school up there in his +neighborhood, and I think, from what he said,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> +and what some of the boys told me, that he +must be the whole school board—clerk, trustees, +and everything. He was on his way over +to the Cross Bar ranch to see if he could secure +that young fellow who came out from the East +last fall. One of the boys told him that this +young man had given up his calling indefinitely +and was going on the round-up instead, +but Harris rode on to try what persuasion +would do."</p> + +<p>"That <i>dreadful</i> man," sighed Mrs. Hathaway. +"He is that <i>squaw-man</i> with those +<i>terrible</i> children! Hope, I wish you wouldn't +talk so intimately with such people; it's below +your dignity. If Sydney were here he would +agree with me. Where <i>is</i> Sydney? Do you +know where he went? He will miss his luncheon +entirely, the poor boy!"</p> + +<p>Hope looked searchingly at her father, but +he ignored her glance. Surely he would say +something now! The question trembled upon +the air, but she waited involuntarily for him to +speak.</p> + +<p>"I've asked you a question, Hope. Why<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> +don't you answer; are you dumb?" said her +mother, with a show of impatience. "Where +<i>is</i> Sydney?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know <i>just</i> where he is," replied the +girl at length, "but I think it would be safe to +say that he is riding toward town; at least +he was heading that way the last I saw of +him."</p> + +<p>"Toward town!" gasped her mother. +"Why, he was going to drive in for the Cresmonds +to-morrow! You must be mistaken. +Please do not include me in your jokes!" +Then, turning to Hathaway, continued: +"James, where <i>did</i> he go?"</p> + +<p>Hathaway moved uneasily under the direct +gaze of his daughter. "I haven't the least +idea," he finally answered. "I can't keep +track of everyone on the ranch." The girl's +face turned pale under her tan. She rose +from the table and stood tall and straight behind +her chair, her clear eyes direct upon her +father.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you tell her," she cried with passion. +Then the usual calm settled over her face.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> +She turned to her mother. "I may as well tell +you that we had a little scene this morning, +Sydney and I. He proposed to me." She +hesitated an instant, turned and caught her +father's nervous, anxious look direct. He +was watching her uneasily. She continued +deliberately: "I refused him—and sent him +away from the ranch. You may as well know +all about it."</p> + +<p>"<i>You</i> sent him away from the ranch," +gasped Mrs. Hathaway.</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered the girl quietly. It was +her first lie.</p> + +<p>"You <i>dared</i> send him away—away from his +own home!" almost screamed Mrs. Hathaway, +her rage increasing with every word. "<i>You +dared!</i> <i>You</i>, my own daughter—ungrateful, +inconsiderate——You <i>know</i> how I love +that boy, my poor Jennie's son! What business +had you sending him away, or even refusing +him, I'd like to know! What if he is your +cousin—your second cousin? Oh, you have no +consideration for me, <i>none</i>—you never had! +How can I ever endure it here on this ranch<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> +three whole months without Sydney! It was +bad enough before!" She wrung her hands +and rose sobbing from the table. "James, do +go after that poor boy. Say that I am willing +he should marry Hope if he is so foolish +as to want her. Tell him not to mind anything +she says, but that he <i>must</i> come home. +You will go at once, won't you?"</p> + +<p>She placed both hands imploringly on his +arm.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'll go after him to-morrow, so stop +your worrying," he answered soothingly. +"Hope, fetch your mother a glass of wine, +don't you see she's all upset?"</p> + +<p>The girl brought the wine and handed it to +her father, but his eyes shifted uneasily from +her clear, steady ones. He led his unhappy +wife from the room, leaving Hope alone with +the empty wine glass in her hand. She stood +so for a moment, then walked to the table and +set the tiny glass down, but, oddly, raised it up +again and looked at it closely.</p> + +<p>"As empty as my life is now," she thought. +"As empty as this home is for me. I have no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> +one—father, mother—no one." A queer look +crossed her face; determination settled over +her, as with a sudden, vehement motion she +shattered the frail glass upon the floor. A +single thought, and a new life had opened before +her.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2> + + +<p>Upon the slope of a great grass-covered +hill, among other hills, larger +and grass-covered also, stood a small +log school-house. A hundred yards away, between +this isolated building and the dingy road +stretched through the mountain valley, grew a +scrubby clump of choke-cherry brush. Some +boys crouched low upon the ground behind +these bushes, screened from sight of possible +passers-by, and three pairs of eyes looked +through the budding branches, intently scanning +the road at the crest of hill to the left. +Finally a dark speck appeared upon its gray +surface. The youngest boy shivered, a tightening +of expression came over the leader's face. +He drew his shotgun closer to him, resting it +upon his knees. Suddenly he laughed unpleasantly +and kicked the child who had +shivered.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You ninny, quit your shakin'! Can't you +tell a steer from a man? You'll make a nice +feller when you grow up, 'fraid of your own +shadow! You'd better git into the school-house +an' hide under a bench, if you're goin' to +be scared out of your skin. Baby! Umph, a +<i>steer</i>, too! That blame black one that won't +stay with the bunch!" The big boy brought +his awkward length down upon the ground, +continuing in a lower tone: "I'd a darn sight +ruther be on my horse drivin' him back on the +range than waitin' here for any fool school-teacher! +But we've got this job on hand. No +schoolin' for me—I'm too old. It'll do for +babies that shiver at a steer, but I've got other +business, an' so's Dan. I'm thinkin' if the old +man wants school up here he'll have to teach it +himself! What does he think we'd go to the +trouble of running away from the Mission for +if we wanted to go to school? Umph, he must +think we're plumb locoed!"</p> + +<p>"If father catches us in this he'll lick us to +death," interposed the youngest boy.</p> + +<p>"Not much, he won't. He'll have to ride a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> +faster horse than mine or Dan's if he catches +us! We'll ride over to the Indian camp, an' +you can stay here an' take the lickin'! He'll +be glad enough to see us come back in a month +or two, I'll bet! And he's goin' to find out +right now that it ain't no use to bring any doggoned +teacher up here to teach this outfit. +Ain't that so, Dan? We know enough of +learnin'. I bet this new fellow won't stay +long enough to catch his breath!"</p> + +<p>A boy, who in looks and size was the exact +counterpart of the speaker, asked in a sweet, +soft-toned voice: "What if the old man takes +a notion to come along to the school-house with +him—what'll we do then, Dave?"</p> + +<p>"Do! why, what do you suppose we'll do?" +answered his twin, settling down closer to the +ground. "Why, we'll hide these here guns +an' walk up to the school-house like little sheep, +and <i>then</i> lay low and watch our chance when +the old man <i>ain't</i> around. I ain't figurin' on +any lickin' to-day, you can bet your boots on +that, but I'll take a darn good one before any +more schoolin'! We've got the medicine to fix<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> +school-teachers for him this year, I reckon!" +And patting his gun, the breed boy gave a +satisfied grunt and settled down nearer to the +ground.</p> + +<p>"You bet we have," softly assented his twin. +"But what if the fellow don't scare at them +blank cartridges?"</p> + +<p>"Then we'll try duck-shot on him," answered +the first readily. "What'd you think—we're +a lot of babies? I reckon we've got +fight in us! You've got to stick to us, Ned, +even if you ain't as old as Dan and me. Ain't +that so, Dan?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, unless he wants to get whaled half +to death," sweetly answered the soft-voiced +twin.</p> + +<p>"I'm no coward," exclaimed the sturdy little +fellow. "If you boys <i>dare</i> lick me I'll shoot +the two of you!" His small black eyes flashed +ominously. For an instant he glared at the +older boys, all the savagery in his young soul +expressed in his countenance. The soft-voiced +twin gave a short laugh. Something +like admiration shone in his eyes for the young<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> +lad, but he retorted sweetly: "You shivered! +Don't you go an' do it again!" At that instant +his sharp eyes sighted an object just appearing +at the top of the hill. He punched the +leader vigorously: "Now down on your +knees, he's comin' sure this time!"</p> + +<p>"And he's alone," said the bold leader joyfully. +"We won't have no trouble with him. +He rides like a tenderfoot, all right. Wait till +he gets down by that rock there, then let him +have it, one after the other—first me, then +Dan, then you, Ned. I'll bet my horse an' +saddle that he'll go back quicker'n he's +comin'!"</p> + +<p>"What if that ain't the feller we want?" +gently asked Dan.</p> + +<p>"We'll wait till he turns in here, an' then +we'll know. They ain't nobody else goin' to +come along this way just now. Lord, don't he +ride slow, though! Now I'll shoot first, don't +forget."</p> + +<p>"His saddle blanket's flying on this side, and +he's got a red shirt on," said the other twin. +"He's lookin' over this way. Yes, he's comin'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> +here all right. Let him have it, Dave, before +he gits any closer!"</p> + +<p>As he spoke, the approaching rider left the +main road and turned up the dimly marked +trail toward the school-house. The forward +twin waited an instant, then, aiming his shotgun +carelessly toward the stranger, fired. At +the signal a volley rang out from behind the +bushes. As quickly the horse took fright, +stopped stock still, then wheeled, and bolted +with utmost speed directly toward the patch of +brush, passing so near that the boys drew in +their legs and crawled snake-like under the +protection of the branches.</p> + +<p>"Good Lord," gasped the leader, as the +horse raced past, on up the grassy slope of a +hill, "it's a girl!"</p> + +<p>Two minutes later the bushes were quickly +parted over three very uncomfortable boys, +and a red shirt-waisted girl looked sternly in at +them.</p> + +<p>"You boys come out of there this minute! +Who did you take me for that you were trying +to frighten me to death? Or is that the way<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> +you treat ladies up here in the mountains? +Come out immediately and explain yourselves!"</p> + +<p>The soft-voiced twin crept out first, and before +scrambling to his feet began apologizing: +"We didn't know it was <i>you</i>. We thought it +was a man. Don't hurt us! We wouldn't a +done it for nothin' if we'd thought it was you. +We were layin' for a school-teacher that father +got to teach this school, an' we took you for +him." Then more hopefully as he regained his +feet: "But our guns wasn't loaded with +nothing but blank cartridges. We was just +goin' to frighten him away so that we wouldn't +have no school this summer. It's too fine +weather to be in school, anyway." He looked +up into the girl's uncompromising face. "But +now I reckon our hides are cooked, for you'll +tell your father." This last questioningly.</p> + +<p>"And you wouldn't like my father to know +about this—or <i>your</i> father either, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"We'd do most anything if you wouldn't +tell on us, Miss Hathaway!"</p> + +<p>"Do I look like a girl that would tell<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> +things?" she flashed back. "I usually fight +my own battles; if necessary, I can use <i>this</i>." +A quick movement and she placed before their +faces a reliable looking six-shooter.</p> + +<p>"We know all about that! You ain't a-goin' +to hurt us, are you?" exclaimed Dave.</p> + +<p>"You know all about <i>that</i>, do you? Well, +that's good. Now tell me your names."</p> + +<p>"We're the Harris kids," answered Dave +quickly.</p> + +<p>"I know you're the Harris kids, but I want +your first names. <i>Yours</i>," she commanded, +looking at the soft-voiced twin and absently +fingering the weapon.</p> + +<p>"Mine's Dan. <i>He's</i> Dave, an' that one's +Ned," answered the boy in one soft, quick +breath; then added: "We know all about how +you can shoot. You're a dead one!" His +face took on a certain shrewd look and he continued +divertingly: "I'll throw up my cap +an' you shoot at it. I'd like to have the hole +in it."</p> + +<p>Miss Hathaway seemed suddenly amused.</p> + +<p>"You are a very bright boy! And your<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> +name is Dan—Daniel. You want a souvenir? +Well, all right, but not just now. I've got +other business. I came to teach your school." +She hesitated, looking keenly at their astonished +faces. "Yes, your father has engaged +me—hired me, so I think we'd better go +inside and begin work, don't you? We'll +overlook this shooting affair. I don't know as +I blame you very much for not wanting a man +teacher, but of course the shooting was very +wrong, and you shouldn't have tried to frighten +anyone; but we'll forget all about it. But you +are not going to have a man teacher, and I am +different. I am going to live at your house, +too, so of course we'll be good friends—ride +together, hunt, and have great times, <i>after +school</i>. During school we <i>work</i>, remember +that! Now one of you boys please stake out +my horse for me and then we will go inside and +start school. You boys must help me get +things to working."</p> + +<p>Before she had finished speaking the soft-voiced +twin caught her horse, which was grazing +near. Dave, more clumsily built, fol<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span>lowed +him, while the girl took the small boy by +the hand and started toward the school-house. +At the door she turned in time to see the twins +struggling at her horse's head. They were +about ready to come to blows.</p> + +<p>"I'll take care of that horse myself," said +Dave gruffly, attempting to force the other +boy's hand from the bridle.</p> + +<p>"Don't fight, boys, or <i>I</i> will take care of the +horse," called the new school-teacher severely; +thereupon the soft-voiced twin released his hold +and walked demurely up to the school-house.</p> + +<p>"Anyway," he explained as he went inside, +"Dave's the youngest, and so I let him have +the horse."</p> + +<p>"I never was so frightened in my life," +thought the girl, as she arranged the small +school for the day. "But the only way to +manage these little devils is to bluff them."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2> + + +<p>A group composed principally of +cowboys, squaw-men, and breeds +squatted and lounged outside of Joe +Harris' house. Numerous tousley-headed +boys, with worn overalls and bare feet, played +noisily on the outskirts, dogs and pigs scurried +about everywhere, while in the doorway of the +dingy, dirt-covered kitchen in the rear hovered +a couple of Indian women and several +small dark-skinned children. Somewhere out +of sight, probably over the cook-stove, were +two or three nearly grown girls. Such, at +supper time, was the usual aspect of Joe +Harris' cabins, varied occasionally by more or +less Indians, whose tepees stood at one side, or +more or less dogs, but always the same extraordinary +amount of squealing pigs and children.</p> + +<p>The huge figure of Joe Harris, squaw-man,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> +cattle-man, and general progressive-man, was +prominent in the center of the group. He was +by all odds the greatest and most feared man +in that portion of the country. His judgment +as well as his friendship was sought after by +all the small ranchers about, and also, it was +rumored, by a certain class of cattle owners +commonly called rustlers. To be Joe Harris' +friend meant safety, if nothing more; to be his +enemy meant, sooner or later, a search for a new +country, or utter ruination. He brought with +him, years before from the north, a weird record, +no tangible tale of which got about, but +the mysterious rumor, combined with the man's +striking personality, his huge form, bearded +face, piercing blue eyes, and great voice, all +combined to make people afraid of him. He +was considered a dangerous man. At this +date he possessed one thousand head of good +cattle, a squaw, and fifteen strong, husky children, +and, being a drinking man, possessed also +an erratic disposition. He was very deferential +to his Indian wife, a good woman, but he +ruled his offspring with a rod of iron. His<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> +children feared him. Some of them possessed +his nature to such a marked degree that they +hated him more than they feared him, which is +saying considerable. Even as they played +about the group of men they watched him +closely, as they had learned by instinct at their +mother's breast.</p> + +<p>In the midst of loud talk from the assorted +group, a tiny girl, the great man's favorite +child, was sent out from the kitchen to tell them +that supper was ready. The little thing pulled +timidly at the large man's coat. He stooped +and picked her up in his arms, leading the +hungry throng into the house, where a rude +supper was eaten in almost absolute silence. +Occasionally a pig would venture into the +room, to be immediately kicked out by the +man who sat nearest the door. Then the +children that played about the house would +chase the offending animal with sticks and +shrill cries.</p> + +<p>In a room adjoining this one a girl sat alone +in dejected attitude, her face buried between +two very brown hands. As the men tramped<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> +into the house she rose from the trunk upon +which she had been sitting and crossed to the +farther side of the room. There, with difficulty, +she forced up a small dingy window +looking out upon the mountains at the back of +the ranch—a clear view, unobstructed by +scurrying dogs, pigs, or children. She leaned +far out, drawing in deep, sweet breaths, and +wondering if she would follow the impulse to +climb out and run to the top of the nearest hill. +She thought not, then fell again to wondering +how she should ever accustom herself to this +place, these new surroundings. She heard the +men tramp out of the house, followed soon by +a timid rap upon her door, then moved quickly +across the room, an odd contrast to her rude +surroundings.</p> + +<p>"You can have supper now," said a tall girl +in a timid voice. "The men are through. We +ain't got much, Miss Hathaway."</p> + +<p>"A little is enough for me," said the girl, +smiling. "Don't call me <i>Miss</i>, please. It +doesn't seem just right—<i>here</i>. Call me Hope. +It will make me feel more at home, you know.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> +You're <i>Mary</i>, aren't you? <i>You</i> haven't been +to supper, have you?"</p> + +<p>"Mother said you were to eat alone," answered +the breed girl.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, surely I may eat with you girls! +I'd much prefer it. You know it would be +lonely all by myself, don't you think so?"</p> + +<p>"We ain't going to eat just yet, not till +after the boys get theirs," said the Harris girl +a trifle less timidly.</p> + +<p>"Then I will wait, too," Hope decided. +"Come in, Mary, and stay till I unpack some +of these things. Just a few waists and extra +riding skirts. I suppose I am to hang them +up here on these nails, am I not?" When she +had finished unpacking she turned to the breed +girl, who had become quite friendly and was +watching her interestedly, and explained: +"Just a few things that I thought would be +suitable to wear up here, for teaching; but, +do you know, I'd feel lots better if I had a +dress like yours—a calico one. But I have this—this +old buck-skin one. See, it has bead-work +on it. Isn't it pretty?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh!" exclaimed the girl, as Hope held it +up for inspection. "<i>Isn't</i> it lovely!"</p> + +<p>"Very old and dingy-looking, but I'll put +it on and wear it," she decided.</p> + +<p>A few minutes later, when they had arranged +the small, barren room somewhat more +comfortably, Hope Hathaway, attired in her +dress of Indian make, joined the Harris girls +at their frugal meal. Her dark hair was parted +in the center and hung in two long braids down +her back. That, combined with the beaded +dress, fringed properly, her black eyes, and +quiet expressionless face, made a very picturesque +representation of an Indian girl. Truly +she was one of them. The breed girls must +have thought something of the same, for they +became at their ease, talking very much as +girls talk the world over. There were three of +them between the ages of fourteen and eighteen, +and Hope soon found herself well entertained +and almost contented. The loneliness +soon wore away, and before realizing it she +began to feel at home—almost one of them, +true to her spirit of adaptability. But yet<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> +for her supper she ate only two hard boiled +eggs.</p> + +<p>After the meal the breed girls walked with +her down to the spring-house where the milk +and butter was kept. From underneath the +small log building a large spring crept lazily +out, spreading itself as it went into a miniature +lake which lay between the house buildings and +the stables. It was the only thing on the ranch +worthy of notice, and, in a country barren of +water excepting in the form of narrow winding +creeks, it was pleasing to the eye.</p> + +<p>The men and boys had disappeared, the +younger children were with their mother, and +even the pigs had drowsily gone to their sleeping +quarters. The place seemed strangely +quiet after its recent noise and commotion.</p> + +<p>Finally the girls returned to the house to +help with the small children, while in the deepening +twilight Hope remained alone beside the +lake. The water into which she looked and +dreamed was shallow, but the deepening +shadows concealed that fact. To her fancy it +might have been bottomless. Someone rode<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> +up on horseback, but she paid no attention +until a pleasant voice close beside her startled +her from her reverie.</p> + +<p>"Can I trouble you for a drink of that +water, please? I have often wished for one +as I rode past; it looks so clear and cold." She +bowed her head in assent, and, bringing a cup +from the spring-house, stooped and filled it for +him. He thanked her and drank the water +eagerly.</p> + +<p>"It is good, just as I thought, and cold as +ice," he said; then, noticing the girl more +closely, continued: "I have been talking with +your father over there at the corral, and am returning +home."</p> + +<p>"With my <i>father</i>," emphasized the girl. +The young man noted with wonderment the +richness of her voice, the soft, alluring grace +of every movement. Someone had jokingly +told him before he left his old-country home +that he would bring back an Indian wife, as +one of historical fame had done centuries before. +He laughed heartily at the time—he +smiled now, but thought of it. He thought<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> +of it again many times that evening and +cursed himself for such folly. Perhaps there +was Indian medicine in the cup she gave him, +or perhaps he looked an instant too long into +those dark, unfathomable eyes. He found +himself explaining:</p> + +<p>"Yes; your father has agreed to sell me that +team I have been wanting. I am coming back +for the horses to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"My <i>father</i>," she began again. "Oh, yes, +of course. I thought——Would you like +another drink of the water?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, if you please." It seemed good to +stand there in the growing darkness, and another +drink would give him fully a minute. He +watched her supple figure as she stooped to refill +the tin cup. What perfect physiques some +of these Indian girls possessed! He did not +wonder so much now that some men forgot +their families and names for these dark-skinned +women.</p> + +<p>"I am coming to-morrow for the horses—in +the morning," he repeated foolishly, returning +the cup. She did not speak again, so bid<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span>ding +her a courteous good-night he mounted +his horse and rode slowly into the gathering +dusk.</p> + +<p>Hope stood there for a moment, returning +to her study of the water; then two of the breed +girls came toward her. One of them was giggling +audibly.</p> + +<p>"We heard him," said Mary. "He thought +you was one of us. It'll be fun to fool him. +He's new out here, and don't know much, anyhow. +He's Edward Livingston, an Englishman, +an' has got a sheep ranch about three +miles over there."</p> + +<p>"A <i>sheep-man</i>!" exclaimed Hope, "Isn't +that too bad!"</p> + +<p>"You hate sheep-men, too?" asked the older +girl.</p> + +<p>"No, I don't know that I <i>hate</i> them, but +there's a feeling—a sort of something one can't +get over, something that grows in the air if +you're raised among cattle. I despise sheep, +detest them. They spoil our cattle range." +Then after a short pause: "It's too bad he +isn't a cattle-man!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That's what I think," said Mary, "because +the men are all gettin' down on him. He runs +his sheep all over their range, an' they're +makin' a big talk."</p> + +<p>"You shouldn't tell things, Mary, they're +only talkin', anyway," reproved the older girl.</p> + +<p>"<i>Talkin'!</i> Well, I should say so, an' you bet +they mean business! But Miss Hathaway—Hope—don't +care, an' I don't care neither, if +he gets into a scrape; only he's got such a nice, +pleasant face, an' he ain't on to the ways out +here yet, neither—an' I don't care <i>what</i> the +men say! Tain't as if he meant anything +through real meanness."</p> + +<p>"That's so," replied the older girl, "but +maybe she don't want to hear such talk. It's +bedtime, anyway; let's go in."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'm tired," said Hope wearily, adding +as she bade Mary good-night at her door: +"I do hope he won't get into any trouble."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2> + + +<p>The three months' school had begun in +earnest. Each day Hope found new +interest in her small class and in her +surroundings. She readily learned to dispense +with all the comforts and luxuries to +which she had been born, substituting instead +a rare sense of independence, an expansion of +her naturally wild spirit. She dispensed also +with conventionalities, except such as were ingrained +with her nature, yet she was far from +happy in the squaw-man's family. She could +have ridden home in a few hours, but remembered +too keenly her mother's anger and her +father's parting words. He said to her:</p> + +<p>"You have hurt your mother and spoiled +her summer by the stand you have taken. You +are leaving here against my wishes and against +your own judgment. The only thing I've got +to say is this: don't come back here till you've<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> +finished your contract up there, till you've +kept your word to the letter. No one of my +blood is going back on their word. A few +rough knocks will do you good."</p> + +<p>He probably discovered in a very few hours +how much he loved his girl, how she had grown +into his life, for the next day after she had left +he drove to the distant town and hunted up +his wife's nephew, who had caused all this +trouble.</p> + +<p>"You deserve another thrashing," he said +when he had found him, "but now you've got +to turn to and do what you can to bring things +back to where they were. Hope's left home +and 's gone to teaching school up in the mountains +at Harris'. Now, what in thunder am I +going to do about it? She can't live there with +those breeds. Lord, I slept there once and +the fleas nearly ate me up!"</p> + +<p>The boy's face turned a trifle pale. "I'm +sorry, uncle, about this. I never thought she +would do such a thing, on my account—not +after I left. And she's gone to Joe Harris' +place! I know all about that, a regular nest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> +of low breeds and rustlers. She can't stay +there!"</p> + +<p>"But she will, just the same," announced the +man, "because when she told me that she'd +promised Harris, and that she was going, anyway, +I told her to go and take her medicine till +the school term was ended."</p> + +<p>"But surely you won't allow her to stay, to +<i>live</i> at Joe Harris'! There are other people +up there, white people, with whom she could +live. Why, uncle, you can't allow her to stay +there!"</p> + +<p>"Why not? She's made her nest, let her +lie in it for awhile—fleas and all. It won't +hurt her any. But I'm going to keep a close +eye on her just the same. I couldn't go up +there myself on account of your aunt's being +here, but I was thinking about it all last night, +and I finally concluded to send a bunch of cattle +up there, beef cattle, and hold 'em for shipment. +Now I came here to town to tell you +that your aunt wants you to come back to the +ranch, but you're not going to come back, see? +You're going up there and hold those cattle<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> +for a spell, and keep your eye on my girl. I +don't give a damn about the steers—it's the +girl; but you've got to have an excuse for being +there. Your aunt's got to have an excuse, +too. These cattle—there's two hundred head +of 'em—they're <i>yours</i>—see? I'll have 'em all +vented to-morrow, for in case Hope thought +they wasn't yours she might catch on. You +can ship 'em in the fall for your trouble. She +won't think anything of you holding cattle up +there, because the range is so good. So you +look out for her, see how she is every day, and +send me word by McCullen, who I'll send +along with you. You can take a cook and +another man if you need one. And now don't +let her catch on that I had a hand in this! Seen +anything of them blame New Yorkers yet?" +Young Carter shook his head absent-mindedly. +He was filled with delight at this clever +scheme of his uncle's. "No? Well, mebbe +there's a telegram. Your aunt expected me +to take them back to the ranch to-morrow. +Never mind thanking me for the cattle. You +do your part to the letter. Send me word<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> +every day and don't forget. And another +thing, just quit your thinking about marrying +that girl, and keep your hands off of her! +Remember she's in a wild country up there, +among tough customers, and she probably +knows it by now, and the <i>chances are</i> she's got +a gun buckled onto her!"</p> + +<p>He was right. Hope found herself among +too many rough characters to feel safe without +a gun concealed beneath her blouse or +jacket, yet rough as the men were, they treated +this quiet-faced girl with the utmost respect, +perhaps fearing her. Her reputation as a +phenomenal shot was not far-fetched, and had +reached the remotest corners of the country. +She had played with a gun as a baby, had been +allowed to use one when a wee child, and had +grown up with the passion for firearms strong +within her. Shooting was a gift with her, +perfected by daily practice. In one of her +rooms at the ranch the girl had such a collection +of firearms as would have filled the heart +of many an old connoisseur with longing. It +was her one passion, perhaps not a more ex<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span>pensive +one than most women possess; yet, for +a girl, unique. Her father gratified her in +this, just as other fathers gratify their girls in +their desire for music, art, fine clothes, or all, +as the case may be. But the things that most +girls love so well had small place in the life of +Hope Hathaway. She cared little for music, +and less for fine clothes. Society she detested, +declaring that a full season in New York +would kill her. Perhaps if she had not been +filled with the determination to stay away from +it, its excitement might finally have won her; +but she was of the West. Its vastness filled her +with a love that was part of her nature. Its +boundless prairies, its freedom, were greater +than all civilization had to offer her.</p> + +<p>She brought with her to the mountains a +long-distance rifle and a brace of six-shooters. +A shotgun she seldom used, for the reason that +to her quick, accurate eye a rifle did better, +more varied work, and answered every purpose +of a shotgun. It was said that each bird she +marked on the wing dropped at her feet in two +pieces, its head severed smoothly. This may<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> +not have been true always, but the fact remains +that the birds dropped when she touched +the trigger.</p> + +<p>She was an odd character for a girl, reserved +and quiet even with her most intimate friends, +rough and impulsive as a boy sometimes, in +speech and actions, again as dignified as the +proudest queen. Her friends never knew how +to take her, because they never understood her. +She left, so far along her trail in life, nothing +but shattered ideals and delusions, but she had +not become cynical or embittered, only wiser. +After her first week's stay at Harris' she began +to realize that perhaps she had always expected +too much of people. Here were people of +whom she had expected nothing opening up +new side lights on life that she had never +thought to explore. Life seemed full of possibilities +to her now, at least, immediate possibilities.</p> + +<p>She had not met again the courteous, +smooth-faced young man who had mistaken +her for an Indian girl, though he had come the +next morning for the horses, and had ridden<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> +past the ranch more than once. Yet she had +not forgotten the incident, or what the Harris +girls had told her, for daily as she passed the +group of loungers on her return from school +she heard his name gruffly spoken, intermixed +with oaths. They certainly meant mischief, +and she was curious to know what it was.</p> + +<p>The first school week had ended. On Friday +night she wondered how she could manage to +exist through Saturday and Sunday, but Saturday +morning found her in the saddle, accompanied +by the three largest Harris boys, en +route for the highest peaks of the mountains.</p> + +<p>"This is something like living," she exclaimed, +pulling in her horse after the first few +miles. "How pretty all of this is! What +people call scenery, I suppose. But give me +the prairie, smooth and level as far as the eye +can reach! There's nothing like it in all the +world! The open prairie, a cool, spring day +like this, and a horse that will go till it's ready +to fall dead—that is life! Who is it that lives +over there?" she asked, pointing toward some +ranch buildings, nestled in a low, green valley.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That's the Englishman's place," answered +the soft-voiced twin.</p> + +<p>"Sheep-man," explained Dave disgustedly. +"See them sheds?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, the new man by the name of Livingston. +Do you boys know him?" asked the girl +curiously.</p> + +<p>"Nope! Don't want to, neither. Seen him +lots of times, though," answered Dave.</p> + +<p>"He's come in here without bein' asked, an' +thinks he can run the whole country," explained +the soft-voiced twin.</p> + +<p>"Is he trying to run the whole country?" +asked Hope.</p> + +<p>"Well, he's runnin' his sheep over everybody's +range, an' they ain't goin' to stand for +it," replied the boy.</p> + +<p>"But what can they do about it? Have they +asked him to move his sheep?"</p> + +<p>"No. What's the use after they've been over +the range—spoiled it, anyhow. No, you bet +they ain't goin' to ask him nothing!"</p> + +<p>The girl thought for a moment, absently +pulling the "witches' knots" from her horse's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> +mane, while it climbed a hill at a swinging +gait, then continued as though talking to +herself:</p> + +<p>"Once upon a time a young man took what +money he had in the world, and going into a +far-away, wild country started in business for +himself. He had heard, probably, that there +was more money in sheep than in cattle. A +great many people do hear that, so he bought +sheep, thinking, perhaps, to make a pile of +money in a few years, and then go back to his +home and marry some nice, good girl of his +choice. It takes money to get married and +make a home, and to do mostly anything, they +say, and so this young man bought sheep, for +no one goes into the sheep business or any other +kind of business unless they want to make +money. They don't generally do it for fun. +And, of course, he thought, as they all do, to +get rich immediately. He made a great mistake +in the beginning, being extremely ignorant. +He brought his sheep to a cattle country, +where there were no other sheep near his own. +All the men around him hated sheep, as men<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> +who own cattle always do, and hating the +sheep, they thought they hated the sheep-man +also, who really was a very harmless young +man, and wouldn't have offended them for +anything. But these men's dislike for the +sheep grew daily, and so their fancied dislike +for the young man grew in proportion.</p> + +<p>"The men in the country would meet together +in little groups, and every day some +man would have some new grievance to tell +the others. It finally got on their brains, +until all they could think or talk about was this +new man and his sheep. The more they +thought and talked, the more angry they became, +until finally they forgot that he was another +man like themselves—in all likelihood a +good, honest man, who would not have done +them wrong knowingly. They forgot a great +many things, and all they could think about +night or day was how they could do something +to injure his business or himself. They got so +after awhile that they talked only in low +whispers about him, taking great pains that +their families, children, and even their big <i>boys</i>,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> +should not know their plans. They made a +great mistake in not taking their boys into +their confidence, because <i>boys</i> are very often +more reliable than men, and can always keep +a secret a whole lot better. But perhaps the +fathers knew that the boys had very good sense +and would not go into anything like that without +a better reason than they had, which was no +reason at all.</p> + +<p>"I never heard just what they planned to do +to this newcomer to get rid of him and his +sheep, but I know how it had to end." She +looked up, searching each boy's intent, astonished +face.</p> + +<p>"Say, what're you drivin' at, anyway? You +can't fool me—it's <i>him</i>!" exclaimed Dave, +pointing toward the sheep-ranch. "You're +makin' up a story about him!"</p> + +<p>"How'd you know all that?" asked the +quicker, soft-voiced twin.</p> + +<p>"Know all that. Why, how did you boys +know all that? I suppose that I have ears, +too—and I've heard of such things before," +she replied.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But you don't know how the end'll be. +That's one thing you don't know," declared the +soft-voiced twin. "You can't know that."</p> + +<p>"She might be a fortune-teller like grandmother +White Blanket," laughed the other.</p> + +<p>"Is that old squaw in the farthest tepee +from the house your own grandmother?" +asked the girl.</p> + +<p>"Yep, an' she ain't no squaw, either! She's +a French half-breed," he said, with an unconscious +proud uplifting of the shoulders.</p> + +<p>Hope laughed slightly. "What's the other +half?" she asked. The boy gave her a look of +deep commiseration.</p> + +<p>"I thought you had more learnin' than that! +Why, the other half's white, of course."</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon!" gasped the girl. "My +education along those lines must have been +somewhat neglected. I had an idea that those +were Indians camped down at your place. But +French half-breeds,—a mixture of <i>white</i> and +<i>French</i>,—that's a different matter!" She +stopped her horse and laughed with the immoderation +of a boy. "That is rich," she cried.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> +"If ever I go to New York again I shall +spring that on the Prince. '<i>Mon Dieu!</i>' he will +exclaim. 'What then are we, Mademoiselle, +<i>we</i>, the <i>aristocracy</i>—the great nation of the +<i>French</i>?'" Her face sobered. "But this is +not the question. <i>I</i> do know how this will end, +and I am not a fortune-teller, either. I know +that the ones who are in the wrong about this +matter will get the worst of it. Sometimes it +means states prison, sometimes death—at all +events, something not expected. I tell you, +boys, I wouldn't want to be on the wrong side +of this for anything! And do you know, I +am real glad that your father doesn't need +your help. We will take a little side of our +own and watch things—what do you say? It +will be lots of fun, and we'll know all the time +that we are in the right, and maybe we can +prevent them from doing any real wrong to +themselves." She watched them closely to see +how they accepted the suggestion. Her inspiration +might be considered a reckless one, +but their young minds lent themselves readily +to her influence.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span></p> + +<p>"The old man licked me this mornin'," +growled Dave. "An' he can go straight to the +hot place now, for all o' me! I'm goin' off on +the round-up, anyway, next year."</p> + +<p>"You boys know, don't you, that if your +father ever found out that <i>I</i> knew anything +about this thing, he would probably give me a +licking, too—and send me out of the country?" +This for effect.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to see him lay hands on you," +roared Dave. "I'd fill him so full of lead that—that——"</p> + +<p>Words failed him.</p> + +<p>"I'd kill him if he did, Miss Hathaway," +exclaimed the small boy, Ned, with quiet assurance +that brought a hint of laughter to the +girl's face. The soft-voiced twin rode up very +close to her.</p> + +<p>"He ain't goin' to find it out, an' don't you +worry; we'll all stand by you while there's one +of us left!"</p> + +<p>"All right, boys, we're comrades now. I'll +tell you what we'll do; we'll form a band—brigade—all +by ourselves. I am commanding<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> +officer and you are my faithful scouts. How's +that?" Hope's fancy was leading her away. +"Come on," she cried, "let's race this flat!"</p> + +<p>The self-appointed commanding officer +reached the smooth valley far in advance of her +faithful scouts, who yelled in true Indian +fashion as they rode up with her.</p> + +<p>"I'll run you a mile an' beat you all hollow," +declared Dave. "But on a two hundred yard +stretch like this here place my horse don't have +no chance to get started."</p> + +<p>"I'll bet my quirt against yourn that you +lose," said the soft-voiced twin.</p> + +<p>"Keep your quirt! I don't want it, nohow. +One's enough fur me. But I <i>can</i> beat her just +the same!" Dave was stubbornly positive.</p> + +<p>"You'll have to ride my horse if you do beat +her," continued the soft-voiced twin. Dave +grew furious.</p> + +<p>"Now, see here, that raw-boned, loose-jointed, +watch-eyed cayuse o' yourn couldn't +run a good half mile without fallin' dead in his +tracks! What'er you a-givin' me, anyhow?" +At that instant his attention was fortunately<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> +taken. "Where'd all them cattle come from?" +he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>They had turned up a narrow gulch, the +youngest boy and Hope taking the lead, and +had traveled it for perhaps fifty yards when +they found themselves at a stand-still before a +drove of cattle that were making their way +slowly down the narrow trail.</p> + +<p>"We won't go back," called the girl. "Come +on up here and wait till they pass." And +followed by the boys she guided her horse up +the steep, rocky side of a high bank, and waited +while the cattle came slowly on. They counted +them as they passed in twos and threes down +the narrow valley. When nearly two hundred +had gone by a rider came in sight around the +bend of the hill. Hope's horse whinnied, and +the man's answered back, then the girl gave +a scream of delight, and, unmindful of the +rocky bank, or of the appearance of two other +riders, rushed down, nearly unseating the +old cow-puncher in her demonstrations of +welcome.</p> + +<p>"<i>Jim! Dear old Jim! Where</i> did you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> +come from? I am so glad to see you! Why, +Jim, I'd rather see you than anyone in the +world! How glad I am! Boys," she called, +"come down here. This is Jim, my dear old +father Jim!" Old Jim McCullen's eyes were +dimmed with tears as he looked from the girl's +happy, flushed face to the last of the cattle that +were going out of sight around the bend of the +gulch. "Where did you come from, Jim, and +what brings you up here? Whose cattle? +Why, they're ours, and rebranded! What are +you doing with them?" Just then the two +riders, whom in her excitement she had failed +to notice, rode up. "Why, Syd, hello," she +said. "And you're here, too! I thought Jim +was alone."</p> + +<p>She changed instantly from her glad excitement, +speaking with the careless abruptness of +a boy. Her cousin rode alongside. She gave +one glance at his companion, then wheeled her +horse about and stationed herself a short distance +away beside the breed boys.</p> + +<p>"This is a happy surprise, Hope," exclaimed +her cousin. "What are you doing up here so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> +far away from home?" She regarded him a +trifle more friendly.</p> + +<p>"Is it possible you don't know? Didn't +you tell him, Jim, that I had gone away? Oh, +I forgot, you weren't at the ranch when I left, +so you couldn't tell him. Well, I am here, as +you can see, Sydney—partly because I wanted +a change, partly because they wanted a +school-teacher up here. I am staying at Joe +Harris'. What are you doing here with those +cattle?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, thought I'd go to work for a change. +Just some cattle that I bought to hold for fall +shipment." He turned to the man at his side, +apologizing, then proceeded to introduce him +to his cousin. The girl cut it short by a peculiar +brief nod.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I've met Mr. Livingston before!"</p> + +<p>"Indeed?" said Carter in surprise, looking +from one to the other.</p> + +<p>"At Harris'" explained the sheep-man. +"She gave me one of the sweetest, most refreshing +drinks of water it has ever been my +privilege to enjoy." He spoke easily, yet was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> +much perturbed. Here was his shy Indian +maid, a remarkably prepossessed, up-to-date +young woman. It took a little time to get it +straightened out in his mind.</p> + +<p>"Of course I might have known that you +two would have met. There are so few people +here." Carter tried to speak indifferently.</p> + +<p>"Well, good-by," said the girl, moving +away.</p> + +<p>"Don't be in a hurry! Where are you going, +Hope?" called her cousin.</p> + +<p>"Sorry, but can't wait any longer. We're +off for a day's exploring. Good-by."</p> + +<p>"I'll see you this evening. We're going to +camp near Harris'," said Carter.</p> + +<p>"No, not this evening," she called back to +him as she rode on up the gulch. "I won't be +back till late, and then I'll be too tired to see +anyone. Good-by, Jim—I'll see <i>you</i> to-morrow." +Old Jim watched her until she was lost +to sight in the turn of the gulch. Livingston +also watched her until she was out of sight. +She rode astride, wearing a neat divided skirt, +and sat her horse with all the ease and perfec<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span>tion +of a young cowboy. Old Jim McCullen +went on in trail of the cattle, while young Carter +and Livingston followed leisurely.</p> + +<p>"Rather a cool greeting from a girl one +expects to marry," said Carter, under his +breath.</p> + +<p>"Is it possible—your fiancée!" Livingston's +face became thoughtful. "You are to +be congratulated," he said.</p> + +<p>Carter laughed nervously. "I can scarcely +say she is <i>that</i>, yet—but it is her mother's wish. +We have grown up together. Miss Hathaway +is my cousin, my second cousin. I can +see no reason why we will not be married—some +time."</p> + +<p>"<i>Miss Hathaway</i>," mused his companion. +"And you love her?" he asked quietly.</p> + +<p>"Certainly," answered Carter, wondering at +the other's abrupt way of speaking.</p> + +<p>"And may I ask if she loves you?" The +sheep-man's tone was quiet and friendly. Carter +wished that it might have been insolent. +As it was he could only laugh uneasily.</p> + +<p>"It would seem not," he answered. "To-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span>day +she is like an icicle—to-morrow she will be +a most devoted girl. That is Hope—as +changeable as the wind. One never knows +what to expect. One day loving—the next, +cold and indifferent. But then, you see, I am +used to her little ways."</p> + +<p>"I wish you all the happiness you deserve, +Mr. Carter," said Livingston a little later, as +he rode off, taking a short cut to his ranch.</p> + +<p>"<i>Hope</i>—<i>Hope Hathaway</i>; Carter's cousin. +What an idiot I've been to think of her +as an Indian girl! An odd name—Hope. +<i>Hope Hath a way</i>," he mused as he rode homeward. +"If only I had the right to hope!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2> + + +<p>"I wish there was a shorter cut to get +home," said the girl wearily. "I'm just +about tired. Climbing mountains is a +little out of my line. I wonder how long it will +take to get used to it."</p> + +<p>"There is a shorter way, Miss Hathaway," +said one of the breed boys. "It's through that +sheep-ranch there. We always used to go that +way before they fenced it in, but there's gates +to it if we can find 'em."</p> + +<p>"Let's go through that way, then, if it's +shorter. Of course it is shorter—I can see +that, and we'll trust to luck to be able to see the +gates. I suppose they're wire gates."</p> + +<p>"Yes, just regular wire gates, an' it's gettin' +dark pretty blame fast, but mebbe we can find +'em all right."</p> + +<p>So they followed the fence, searching in the +dim light for the almost invisible gate—the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> +girl who had that day appointed herself commanding +officer and her three brave scouts.</p> + +<p>Alongside the wire fence they followed a +narrow cow-trail for nearly a quarter of a mile, +then the path disappeared inside the field, and +the side-hills along which they were obliged to +travel were rough and dangerous. It was late, +and darkness settled down around them, cutting +from their vision everything but a small +line of fence and the nearby hills.</p> + +<p>They made slow headway over the rocky +banks. Hope, tired with the day's exploring +and hungry after her long ride and the somewhat +slender diet of the past week, was sorry +they had not gone the road, which, though +longer, would not have taken such a length of +time to travel. The boys were good scouts, +yet it became evident that they had never followed +the new line of fence before. Their +horses slipped upon the sides of steep inclines +which became more rocky and dangerous as +they proceeded. Darkness increased rapidly. +One horse in the rear fell down, but the rider +was upon his feet in an instant; then they dis<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span>mounted +and led their horses, traveling along +very slowly in Indian file. Some time later +they found the wire gate, much to the girl's +relief. It was then quite dark. The moon +had risen, but showed itself fitfully behind +black, stormy looking clouds. Without difficulty +they discovered a trail leading somewhere, +and followed it until they rounded a +point from which they could see the light in +the sheep-man's house.</p> + +<p>"Why, we're almost up to his <i>house</i>!" exclaimed +Hope. "This isn't the way. We +don't want to go there!"</p> + +<p>"I reckon we'll have to get pretty close up to +it to find the road that goes to the other gate," +said the soft-voiced twin.</p> + +<p>"How foolish we've been," sighed the girl.</p> + +<p>"Yep, a pack o' idiots," agreed Dave.</p> + +<p>"But it's too dark for anyone to see us—or +notice us," she said with relief. "I think we +might go right up to the house and look +through the windows without anyone seeing +us."</p> + +<p>"Let's do it," suggested Dave.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well I should say not!" exclaimed the girl. +"It's the last thing on earth I would do—<i>peek</i> +into anyone's window! I am not so curious to +see the interior of <i>his</i> house—or anyone's else."</p> + +<p>"I'll bet they're just eatin' supper," said +Ned hungrily.</p> + +<p>"All the better," replied Hope; "there will +be no one around to see us then. I wonder +how much closer we'll have to go?"</p> + +<p>"Not much further," answered the soft-voiced +twin wisely. "See, there's the barns, +an' the road ain't a great ways off." He led +the way, while Hope and the boy, Dave, followed +close, and the youngest boy trailed along +somewhere in the rear. They passed between +the stables and the house, then, aided by the fitful +moon, found the road, along which they +made better time.</p> + +<p>Hope felt a great relief as they began to +leave the house in the distance, though why, +she could scarcely have explained. She said to +herself that she was in a hurry to reach home, +but as they neared the huge, flat-roofed sheep-sheds +she slowed up her horse, which had gone<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> +on ahead of the others, and glanced back at +her approaching scouts. The twins came up +with her, then she stopped and looked behind.</p> + +<p>"Where's Ned?" she asked sharply, a sudden +suspicion entering her head. "What's +keeping him?"</p> + +<p>"He went up to the house to see what's +goin' on," replied Dave. "I saw him start for +that way."</p> + +<p>"How dared he do it! He will be seen and +then what will they think! We will wait for +him here." Then angrily to the boy: "If +you knew he was going to do that Indian trick +why didn't you stop him?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't know nothin' till I missed him," +replied the boy.</p> + +<p>"No, we didn't know he was goin', but when +we saw he was gone for sure it wouldn't 'a' done +no good to 'a' gone after him. Anyway, we +wouldn't 'a' left <i>you</i> alone!" The soft-voiced +twin was a genius at finding explanations. He +was never at a loss.</p> + +<p>The girl recovered her temper instantly.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> +"You did quite right, my brave scout," she +cried. "I see you have learned the first and +greatest principle of your vocation. <i>Never +desert a lady, no matter what danger she may be +in.</i> But what a temptation it must have been +to you to follow him and bring him back to +me!" There is no doubt but that the sarcasm +was wasted upon the breed boys, who waited +stolidly with her near some sheltering brush +for the truant Ned, whose mischievousness had +led him off the trail.</p> + +<p>At last he rode up with them, surprised out +of breath to find them there waiting for him. +The girl took him by the sleeve. "You're a +bad boy. Next time ask me when you have an +inclination to do anything like that. Now +give an account of yourself. What did you +see?"</p> + +<p>"I just wanted to see what they had to eat, +so I peeked in," apologized the youngster. +"There was two men eatin' their supper. The +boss wasn't there. I heard old Morris tell another +fellow that he was out helpin' put in the +sheep."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But here are the sheds, and surely there are +no sheep here," she exclaimed anxiously.</p> + +<p>"They're keepin' 'em in the open corrals +down the road a piece," explained the soft-voiced +twin. "They don't keep no sheep here +in the sheds now."</p> + +<p>The commanding officer breathed easier. +"That's good; come on then," she said, riding +ahead. They had not proceeded fifty yards +when the low tones of men's voices reached +them. Simultaneously they stopped their +horses and listened, but nothing save an indistinct +murmur could be heard. One of the +twins slipped from his horse and handed the +bridle reins to the girl, then crept forward. In +the darkness she could not tell which one it was, +nor did she care. She was filled with excitement +and the longing for adventure which the +time and place aggravated. Had they not +that day formed a band of secrecy—she and +her three brave scouts? It occurred to her that +it might be the sheep-man returning with a +herder, but if so he had no right to stand at +such a distance and talk in guarded tones. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> +very atmosphere of the place felt suspicious. +They drew their horses to one side of the roadway, +waiting in absolute silence for the return +of the scout. The voices reached them occasionally +from the opposite side of a clump of +brush not a stone's throw away.</p> + +<p>They waited several minutes, which seemed +interminable, then a dark form appeared and +a voice whispered softly: "Somethin's up! +Let's get the horses over by the fence so's they +can't hear us." The twin led the way, taking +a wide circuit about the spot from where the +sound of voices came. They reached the fence +quickly without noise, securing their horses +behind a screen of scrubby willows.</p> + +<p>"Now, go on," said the girl. "What did +you hear?"</p> + +<p>"When I crawled up close I saw two men. +One of 'em said, 'Shut up. You're makin' +too much noise! Do you want 'em to hear +you up to the house?' The other said he didn't +give a damn, that they might just as well make +a good job of it an' kill off Livingston while +they were getting rid of his sheep. These two<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> +fellers have just come over to guard the road +from the house to keep the men there from +interferin', but the mob's down there at the +corral waitin' to do the work. I found that +much out an' then I sneaked back. I reckon +they're goin' to drive the sheep over the cut-bank."</p> + +<p>"The devils!" cried Hope, under her breath. +"They're going to pile up the sheep and kill +him if he interferes, are they? <i>We'll show +them!</i>"</p> + +<p>"We can't do anything," said the boy. +"There's more'n a dozen men out there at the +corrals, an' it's darker'n pitch."</p> + +<p>"So we'll just have to stand here and see +that crime committed!" she burst out. "No, +not on your life! You boys have got to stand +by me. Surely you're just as brave as a girl? +We're going over there where we can see what's +going on, and the first man that tries to drive +a sheep out of that corral gets one of these!" +She patted the barrel of her rifle as she pulled +it from its saddle case. "Get your guns and +come along." But they were not far behind<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> +her in getting their weapons. The older boys +had revolvers, and little Ned was armed with +a Winchester repeating shotgun.</p> + +<p>The twins were never seen without their +guns, and had the reputation of sleeping with +them at night. For wildness those two boys +were the terror of the country. Their hearts +sang a heathenish song of joy at this new adventure. +Surely they were as brave as a girl! +Her taunt rankled some. They would show +her that they were not cowards! She had begun +to worry already!</p> + +<p>"Oh, what if it should be too late! What if +we should be too late! Oh, it can't be! Let's +go faster!" she cried.</p> + +<p>The breed boys crept along close to the +ground, making altogether much less noise +than the girl, who seemed to think that speed +and action were all that was necessary.</p> + +<p>"Sh! Keep quieter. You musn't let them +know anyone's 'round. Those fellers by the +road 're just over there, an' they'll hear us," +whispered Dan.</p> + +<p>Then slower, more stealthily, they crept<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> +around the two men who guarded the road, and +with less caution approached the corrals, the +girl meanwhile recovering her composure to a +great degree, though her heart still beat wildly. +The night seemed a trifle lighter now to her +straining eyes. What if the moon should +come out, revealing them to the men waiting +beyond the corrals? She grasped her rifle +firmly, and her heart beat quicker at the +thought. The soft-voiced twin must have felt +the same fear, for he came close and whispered +in her ear: "The corrals ain't more'n a rod, +right over there. We'd better make a run for +that bush there on this side of it, for the moon's +comin' out—see!" He pointed upward. A +rift had come in the black cloud from which the +moon shone dimly, growing momentarily +brighter. Before them the corral loomed up +like a great flat patch of darkness, and to one +side of this dark patch something taller stood +in dim relief—a small clump of brush, toward +which the odd little scouting party ran in all +haste. Safe within its shelter, a fierce joy, +savage in its intensity, filled the girl.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Come on, Moon, come on in all your +glory!" she whispered; then, as if in answer to +her command, it came in full splendor from +behind its veil of black. It might have been a +signal. Back in the hills a coyote called weirdly +to its mate, but before the last wailing note had +died away a sharp report sounded on the still +air, followed by the groans of a man in mortal +agony. Hope, upon her knees in the brush, +clasped her hands to her throat to stifle a +cry.</p> + +<p>"Now drive his damn'd sheep into the +gulch!" commanded a gruff voice.</p> + +<p>Following the pain, a fierce light came into +the girl's eyes. Over tightly closed teeth her +lips parted dryly. Instinctively the breed +boys crept behind her, leaving her upon one +knee before the heap of brush. A man leaped +into the corral among the stupid sheep, and as +he leaped a bullet passed through his hand.</p> + +<p>"God, I'm killed!" he cried, as he sank +limply out of sight among the sheep. For a +few moments not a sound came except the occasional +bleating of a lamb, then the gate of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> +the corral, which was ajar, opened as by some +invisible hand, and the great body of animals +crowded slowly toward the entrance.</p> + +<p>"They think there's only one man here, and +they're not going to be bluffed by one," whispered +Hope. "See, they must be coaxing the +leaders with hay, and there's something going +on back there that will make them stampede +in a moment, and then the cut-bank! But +we'll bluff them; make them think there's a +whole regiment here. There's four of us. +Now get your guns ready. Good; now when I +start, all of you shoot at once as fast as you can +load. Aim high in that direction. Shoot in +the air, not <i>anywhere</i> else. Now do as I tell +you. Now, all together!" For two or three +minutes those four guns made music. The +hills gathered up the noise and flung it back, +making the air ring with a deafening sound. +"Shoot up! Shoot higher, or you'll be hitting +someone," she admonished, as dark forms began +to rise from the ground beyond the corral +and run away.</p> + +<p>"They're crawling away like whipped<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> +dogs," exclaimed a twin in glee. "I'd like to +shoot one for luck!"</p> + +<p>"Shame on you," cried the girl softly. +"That would be downright murder while +they're running."</p> + +<p>"I reckon there's been murder already to-night," +said the soft-voiced twin. Hope turned +upon him fiercely: "That wasn't murder! I +shot him through the hand. Murder? Do you +call it murder to kill one of those beasts? You +mean—you mean that they killed <i>him</i>! I forgot +for a minute! Oh, it couldn't be that they +killed <i>him</i>—Mr. Livingston! Are you sure he +wasn't up at the house, Ned? I must find out." +She started toward the corral. Dave pulled +her back roughly.</p> + +<p>"See there! Those fellers that was on guard +down there 're comin' back. They must have +left their horses down by that rock. They'll +ketch us sure!" She drew back into the brush +again, waiting until the two men, whose voices +first brought suspicion to their minds, had +passed by, skirting the corral in diplomatic +manner.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span></p> + +<p>Hope, who had been so eager to search the +scene of bloodshed, crept from the brush and +took the opposite direction, followed closely by +the breed boys. When they reached their +horses she spoke:</p> + +<p>"Now you boys go home. Go in from the +back coulee and sneak into bed. Don't let +anyone see you, whatever you do, for if this +was ever found out——" She waited for their +imaginations to finish the sentence.</p> + +<p>"We can sneak in all right," exclaimed +Dave. "We know how to do that! They'll +never find it out in ten years!"</p> + +<p>"Then go at once. Ride fast by the Spring +coulee and get there ahead of the men—if there +should be any that belong there. I will come +later. If they ask, say that I'm in bed, or taking +a walk, or anything that comes into your +head. But you won't be questioned. You +mustn't be! Now hurry up!"</p> + +<p>"But why won't you come along with us?" +asked Dave.</p> + +<p>"Because if we should be caught together +they would know who did the shooting. If<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> +they see you alone they will not suspect you, +and if they see me alone they will never think +of such a thing. It is the wisest way, besides +I have other reasons. Now don't stand there +all night talking to me, but go, unless you want +to make trouble." She watched them until +they were lost to sight, then mounted her horse +and rode back over the road that she had come, +straight up to the sheep-man's house.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2> + + +<p>It was fully half a mile to Livingston's +house. The trail showed plainly in the +moonlight, winding in ghostly fashion +through thick underbrush, and crossed in several +places by a small mountain stream through +which the horse plunged, splashing the girl +plentifully. She had an impression that she +ought to go back to the corral and discover just +what mischief had been done, but shivered at +the thought of hunting for dead men in the +darkness. A feeling of weird uneasiness crept +over her. She wished that she had brought +the breed boys with her, though realizing that +the proper thing had been done in sending +them home in order that their secret might be +safe, and so prevent more evil. She knew that +she would find men at the house who could +take lanterns and go to the scene of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> +trouble. The past half hour seemed remote +and unreal, yet the picture of it passed +through her brain again and again before she +reached the house. She could hear the first +shot, so startling and unexpected, and the man's +terrible groans rang in her ears until she cried +out as if to drive them from her. Was he +dead? she wondered. Perhaps he lay there +wounded and helpless! Was it Livingston? +If it should be! She thought that she should be +there, groping over the bloody ground for +him. She shook as with a chill. How helpless +she was, after all—a veritable coward, for +she must go on to the house for assistance!</p> + +<p>She slipped from her horse at some distance, +and walked toward the ray of light that came +from a side window. Her knees were weak, +she felt faint and wearied. At the house her +courage failed, she sank limply beside the window, +and looked into the lighted room beyond. +He was not there! One man was reading a +newspaper while another sat on an end of the +table playing a mouth harp.</p> + +<p>In her mind she could see the body of Liv<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span>ingston +in the corral, trampled upon and mangled +by a multitude of frightened sheep. She +stifled a cry of horror. Why had she not +gone there at once? For no reason except the +hope in her heart that it might not have been +him who had been shot—that she might find +him at the house. But he was not there! Then +it must have been he; his groans she had +heard—that still sounded in her ears. He had +brown hair that waved softly from a brow +broad and white. His face was boyish and +sad in repose. She could see it now as she had +seen it by the spring, and his eyes were gray +and tender. She had noticed them this day. +What was she doing there by the window? +Perhaps after all he was not dead, but suffering +terribly while she lingered!</p> + +<p>She rose quickly with new courage. As she +turned a hand touched her on the shoulder, +and she fell back weak against the house.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon! I did not know—could +scarcely believe that it was you—Miss—Hathaway! +Won't you come into the +house?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span></p> + +<p>"<i>You!</i>" she cried as in a dream. "<i>Where</i> +have you been?"</p> + +<p>His tone, quiet, polite, hid the surprise that +her question caused.</p> + +<p>"I've been back there in the hills hunting +chickens. You see I have been fortunate +enough to get some. I followed them a great +distance, and night overtook me up there so +suddenly that I've had some difficulty in finding +my way back. Now may I ask to what I +owe the honor of this—visit?"</p> + +<p>All fear and weakness had gone. She +stood erect before him, her head thrown back +from her shoulders, her position, as it must +appear to him, driving all else from her +mind.</p> + +<p>"In other words, you want to know why I +was peeking into your window at this time of +the day!"</p> + +<p>"Just so, if you put it that way. At least +I should be pleased to know the nature of +your visit." He threw the prairie chickens +down beside the house, watching meanwhile +the girl's erect figure. The soft, quiet grace<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> +he had seen at the spring had given place to +something different—greater.</p> + +<p>"Not a very dignified position in which to +be caught—and I do not like you any better +for having caught me so!" she finally flashed +back at him. "I have no apologies to offer +you, and wouldn't offer one, anyway—under +the circumstances. I'll tell you what brought +me here, though. While passing by your corral, +down the road, I heard a great commotion, +and some shooting, so I came over here to tell +you. Perhaps I was afraid to pass the corral +after that." She smiled wickedly, but he, innocently +believing, exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Why were you alone? Where were the +boys that I saw with you this morning? It +isn't right that you should be out alone after +night like this."</p> + +<p>"They went on—ahead of me. I rode +slowly," she replied hesitatingly. He did not +notice her nervous manner of speech.</p> + +<p>"They ought to have stayed with you," he +declared. "You should never ride alone, particularly +after dark. Don't do it again."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But the shooting," she interrupted. "I +came to tell you about it. Someone may have +been hurt."</p> + +<p>"It was kind of you to come. There may +be trouble of some sort. I heard shooting, too, +but thought it must be down at Harris'. There +is very often a commotion down there, and +sometimes the air carries sound very clearly. +You are sure it was at the corrals?"</p> + +<p>She became impatient. "Positively! I +not only heard the shots plainly, but saw men +ride away. Please lose no more time, but get +your men and a lantern, and come on. There's +evidently been trouble down there, Mr. Livingston, +and your herder may have been hurt. +They are not all good people in these mountains, +by any means."</p> + +<p>"Is that so? I had not discovered it. Probably +some of them thought they would like +mutton for their Sunday dinner. It seemed +to me there was considerable firing, though. +You are perfectly sure it was at the corrals?"</p> + +<p>"That was my impression, Mr. Livingston," +she replied briefly.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span></p> + +<p>His face suddenly became anxious. "They +may have hurt Fritz. If anything has happened +to that boy there will be something to +pay! But unless something occurred to delay +the sheep they should have been put in +before dark. I will go at once. Will you +come in the house and stay until my return? +It might not be safe for a lady down there."</p> + +<p>"No!" Then, less fiercely: "Have your +men bring their guns and hurry up! I'm going +along with you;" adding: "It's on my +way back."</p> + +<p>She waited outside while Livingston informed +his men, who secured rifles, and started +at once for the corrals; then leading her horse +she walked on ahead with him, followed closely +by the two men, who carried lanterns, which +they decided not to light until they reached +the sheep.</p> + +<p>Hope never could define her feelings when +she found Livingston safe and unhurt, though +she made a careless attempt at doing so that +night, and afterwards. She walked beside +him in absolute silence. They were going to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> +see if the herder had been injured in any way. +She knew that he was not only hurt, but in all +likelihood fatally so. His groans rang continually +in her ears, yet it brought her not the +least pain, only a horror, such as she had experienced +when it happened. It was a relief +to her that it had not been Livingston. She +felt sorry, naturally, that a man had been +shot, but what did it matter to her—one man +more or less? She had never known him.</p> + +<p>When they reached the sheep-corrals the +moon still shone brightly, and Hope was filled +with a new fear lest some of the ruffians had +remained behind, and would pick off Livingston. +After the lanterns were lighted she felt +still more nervous for his safety, and could not +restrain her foolish concern until she had +mounted her horse, and made a complete circuit +of the corrals, riding into every patch of +brush about; then only did this fear, which was +such a stranger to her, depart. She rode in +haste back to the corrals, satisfied that the men +had all left, probably badly frightened.</p> + +<p>To one side of the paneled enclosure the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> +men held their lanterns over an inert figure +stretched upon the ground. Livingston was +kneeling beside it. The girl got down from +her horse, and came near them.</p> + +<p>"Is he dead?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"<i>Dead</i>—yes! The poor boy! May God +have mercy on the brute who committed this +crime! It is terrible—<i>terrible!</i> Poor faithful +Fritz! Scarcely more than a boy, yet +possessing a man's courage and a man's +heart!" He looked up at the girl's face, and +was amazed at her indifference. Then he +spoke to the men: "Go back and get a wagon +and my saddle horse. I will stay here until +you return. Leave one of the lanterns."</p> + +<p>They hurried away, while the man continued +to kneel by the side of the dead herder. Hope +watched him, wondering at his depth of feeling. +Finally she asked: "Was he some relative +of yours?"</p> + +<p>"No, only one of my herders—Fritz, a +bright, good German boy. Why did you +ask, Miss Hathaway?"</p> + +<p>"I thought because you cared so much,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span>—seemed +to feel so badly,—that he must be very +near to you."</p> + +<p>"He is near to me," he replied, "only as all +children of earth should be near to one another. +Are you not also pained at this sight—this +boy, in the very beginning of his manhood, +lying here dead?"</p> + +<p>"Not <i>pained</i>—I can't truthfully say that I +am pained—or care much in that way. He is +dead, so what is the use of caring or worrying +about it. That cannot bring him back to life +again. Of course I would rather he had +lived—that this had never happened, yet I do +not feel pain, only an abhorrence. I couldn't +touch him as you are doing, not for anything!"</p> + +<p>"And you are not pained! <i>You</i>, a woman +with a white soul and a clean heart—one of +God's choicest creations—<i>you</i> stand there +without a pang of sorrow—dry-eyed. +Haven't you a heart, girl?" He rose to his +feet, holding up the lantern until it shone +squarely in her face. "Look at him lying +there! See the blood upon his clothes—the +look on his face! What he suffered! See<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> +what he holds so tightly in his hand,—his last +thought,—a letter from his sweetheart over in +Germany, the girl he was to have married, who +is even now on her way to him. He had been +reading her letter all day. It came this morning, +and he held it in his hand planning their +future with a happy heart, when some brute +sent a bullet here. If it could have been me, +how gladly I would make the exchange, for I +have nothing that this poor boy possessed—mother, +sweetheart—no one. Yet <i>you</i>, a girl, can +see him so, unmoved! Good God, what +are you, <i>stone</i>? See his face, he did not die at +once, and suffering, <i>dying</i>, still held that +letter. If not his story, then does not his suffering +appeal to you? His dying groans, +can you not hear them?"</p> + +<p>"Stop!" she cried, backing away from him +until she leaned against her horse for support. +"Stop! How <i>dare</i> you talk like that to me! +His <i>groans</i>——" She sobbed wildly, her face +buried in her saddle, which she clutched.</p> + +<p>He came close beside her, touching her +lightly, wondering. "I am so sorry, forgive<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> +me! I did not realize what I was doing. I +did not wish to frighten you, believe me!"</p> + +<p>The sobs were hushed instantly. She raised +her head, and looked at him, still dry-eyed.</p> + +<p>"You were right," she said. "I do not +even now <i>feel</i> for him—perhaps some for the +little girl now on her way to him; but it is all +unreal. I have seen men dead like this before, +and I could not feel anything but horror—no +sorrow. I am as I am. It makes no difference +what you say,—what anyone says,—I +cannot change. I am not tender—only please +do not terrify me again!"</p> + +<p>"I was a brute!" he exclaimed, then left +her and returned to the dead man's side.</p> + +<p>The girl stood for some time quietly beside +her horse, then began to loosen the cinch. +Livingston watched her wonderingly as she +drew out the blanket, and secured the saddle +once more into place. He did not realize her +motive until she stood beside him, holding in +her hand the gayly colored saddle blanket. +Kneeling opposite him, beside the body of the +boy, she tenderly lifted the long hair from his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> +forehead, spread over his face a white handkerchief, +then stood up and unfolded the +blanket, covering the rigid form with it.</p> + +<p>"You have a heart!" exclaimed Livingston +softly. "You are thinking of him tenderly, +as a sister might, and of his sweetheart coming +over the water to him!"</p> + +<p>"No, not of that at all," said the girl simply, +"nor of him, as you think; but of one who +might be lying here in his place—one who has +no sweetheart, near or far away, to cover him +with the mantle of her love."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2> + + +<p>She stood up, listening. From the distance +came the low rumble of a wagon. +The men were returning. For some +time she kept her face from him, in attitude +intent upon the distant rumble. She was +thinking hard. She could not be rude to Livingston, +she could not very well explain, yet +she dared not allow him to accompany her +back to Harris' ranch. What should she do? +Naturally he would insist, yet how could she +tell him that she feared for his safety? That +would sound idiotic without a complete explanation, +for she was almost a total stranger to +him. She was concerned, that was the worst +of it; but not without reason. To-night the +men were in a fever of revenge. If he were +seen that would settle it. To-morrow not +one of them but would hesitate a long time before +committing such a crime; so, she argued,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> +she had a right to be concerned. But, after all, +how foolish of her! Surely he was not a baby +that he could not protect himself! Did she +expect to worry about him during the whole +summer? As she stood there gazing into the +darkness, he watched her, speechless, something +that was not sorrow piercing his heart +with a greater pain. In her moment of tenderness +she had become to him a woman divine. +He not only loved her, and knew it, but felt +the hopelessness of ever winning her. It was +not exactly new, only revealed to him, for it +had come upon him gradually since the +evening that she had given him the water at +the spring. He had cursed himself that +night for thinking of an Indian girl, he, a man +with a name to sustain—a name which +counted little in this new country of the West. +He tried to imagine her as married to Carter. +The thought sickened him. Carter might be +all right,—he had met him when he first came +into the country; he undoubtedly was all +right,—but married to this girl! As he +thought, bitterly, forgetting even the dead<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> +young German at his feet, Hope was alternately +calling herself a fool and wondering +what she could do to prevent him from taking +her home. But her fertile brain could not +solve it. She turned toward him with manner +constrained and frigid. It was shyness, +nothing less, yet it affected him unpleasantly.</p> + +<p>"The wagon is coming." Relief sounded +in her tone, giving the lie to her moment of +tenderness. "You can hear it quite plainly. +These corrals should not be so far from the +house. It must be nearly a mile. I suppose +you've not been in the business very long or +you wouldn't have put it here, on the edge of +this cut-bank."</p> + +<p>"You are right, Miss Hathaway, I have +not been long in the business nor in your +country. This is quite new to me. Any +place seemed good enough for a corral, to my +ignorant mind. Are you interested in the +sheep industry?" He spoke pleasantly. She +threw back her head as she always did when +angered or excited.</p> + +<p>"<i>Interested in the sheep industry?</i> Well,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> +I should say not! It never occurred to me +before as an industry, only as a nuisance. I +hate sheep. They ruin our range. One band +can eat off miles and miles in a season, and +spoil all the water in the country. I would go +miles out of my way to avoid a band of +them."</p> + +<p>He began slowly to comprehend. "Your +people have cattle, I understand. Everyone +up here seems to have cattle, too. I have +heard that a strong feeling of antagonism +existed between sheep and cattle owners, but +thought nothing about it. I see that the feeling +is not confined to the men only. Does +that explain this—outrage here to-night?"</p> + +<p>She shrugged her shoulders slightly and +turned away.</p> + +<p>"You can draw your own conclusions. +Why do you ask me? I am neither a cattle-man +nor a sheep-man, yet I could advise that +you look about the place and see, if you can, +what is meant by it all—what damage has +been done. The wagon is still some distance +away." Her shyness was fast disappearing.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> +The ground she trod now was her own. He +smiled down at her, finding her more natural, +more prepossessing in that mood.</p> + +<p>"I should have thought of that myself before +this. After what you have told me of +your dislike for the animals, I can hardly ask +you to go with me, but I do not like to leave +you here alone in the dark, for I must take the +lantern; however, I can wait until the men get +here."</p> + +<p>"You don't need to wait at all," she said +quickly. "I'll go with you, for I am curious +to see what has been done—the cause of all +this."</p> + +<p>"Then come on," said the man briefly, turning +toward the corral. She kept near him, +her eyes following the bright rays of the +lantern that swung in his hand. She feared +that the boys had aimed too low, and was +nervously anxious to see just what mischief +had been done. Almost anything, she +thought, would have been better than permitting +those thousands of sheep to be piled +up at the bottom of the cut-bank and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> +brutes of men to ride away satisfied with their +dirty work.</p> + +<p>Livingston examined the sheep while Hope, +with a glance here and there about the enclosure, +went to one side and looked at the +panels carefully, discovering many bullet +holes which told that her brave scouts, more +bloodthirsty than she suspected, had aimed +too low.</p> + +<p>"I think this one is dead," said Livingston, +dragging out a sheep from the midst of a +number huddled in one corner. "Judging +from the blood, I should say it is shot. A few +are piled up over there from fright, but so +many are sleeping that it will be impossible to +determine the loss until morning. The loss is +small; probably a hundred piled up and hurt, +not more, from the looks of the band. I heard +considerable firing, which lasted about a +minute. I wonder if my friends about here +thought they could kill off a band of sheep so +easily."</p> + +<p>Hope had not been searching for sheep, but +for dead or wounded men, and finding none<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> +breathed easier. She thought of the man +whose hand she had marked and who fell in +such a panic among the sheep. It struck her +as being a very funny incident, and laughed a +little. Livingston heard the laugh and looked +around in wonderment. He could see nothing +amusing. This Western girl was totally different +from any girl that he had known, English +or American. She must possess a sense of +humor out of all proportion with anything of +his conception. He thought a few minutes +before that he loved her, but she seemed far removed +now—an absolute stranger. The boyish +laugh annoyed him. His manner as he +turned to her was quite as formally polite as +ever her own had been. She resented it, naturally.</p> + +<p>"Step outside, please, until I drive in the +ones near the gate, so that I may close it."</p> + +<p>Instinctively she obeyed, with a defiant look +which was lost in the dimness of the night, and +hurrying past him never stopped until she +drew back with a shudder at the blanket-covered +form of the dead herder. A deep roar<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> +of thunder startled her into a half-suppressed +scream. In the lantern's light she had not +noticed the steadily increasing darkness, or the +flashes of lightning. She felt herself shaking +with a nervous excitement which was half +fear.</p> + +<p>Thunderstorms often made her nervous, yet +she would not have acknowledged that she +feared them, or any other thing. But her +nervousness was only the culmination of the +night, every moment of which had been a +strain upon her. Another peal of thunder followed +the first, fairly weakening her. She ran +to her horse and, mounting, rode up near the +corral. At the same instant the wagon came +up, and Livingston, having placed the panel +in position, turned toward it. He was close beside +the girl before he saw her, and she, for an +instant at a loss, sat there speechless; but as he +held up the lantern, looking at her by its light, +she blurted out, in a tone that she had little intention +of using: "I'm going. Hope you +will get along all right. Good-night."</p> + +<p>"Wait!" he exclaimed. "I will accompany<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> +you. My horse is here now. Just a moment——"</p> + +<p>"You don't need to go with me. Someone +is waiting for me down there. I think I hear +a whistle."</p> + +<p>"Then I will go along with you until you +meet the person whose whistle you hear. You +do not imagine that I will allow you to go +alone?"</p> + +<p>She leaned toward him impulsively, placing +her hand down upon his shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Listen," she said softly, "I heard no +whistle. There is no one waiting for me. A +moment ago it seemed easy to lie to you, to +make you believe things that were not absolutely +true, but I can't do it now, nor again—<i>ever</i>. +You think I am heartless, a creature of +stone—indifferent. It isn't so. My heart has +held a little place for aching all these years. +Think of me as half-witted,—idiotic,—but not +<i>that</i>. Listen to me. You have such a heart—such +<i>tenderness</i>—you are good and kind. +You will understand me—or try to, and not +be offended. I want to go home by myself. I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> +<i>must</i> go back <i>alone</i>. There is a reason which I +will tell you—sometime. I ask as a favor—as +a friend to a friend, that you will stay behind."</p> + +<p>"But are you not afraid?"</p> + +<p>She interrupted him. "Afraid? Not I! +Why, I was born here, and am a part of it, +and it of me! Ask your men there, they know. +I want to ride like the wind—alone—ahead of +the storm, to get there soon. I am tired." +Her low, quick speech bewildered him. Her +words were too inconsistent, too hurried, to +convey any real meaning.</p> + +<p>"Will you ride with one of my men?" he +asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh, why <i>can't</i> you let me do as I +wish!" she cried impatiently. "I want to go +alone."</p> + +<p>"It seems quite evident that you do not +want <i>my</i> company, but one of the men must go +and take a lantern. It's too dark to see the +road." His tone was decisive.</p> + +<p>She leaned toward him again. This time +her words fell harshly.</p> + +<p>"You are a man of your word?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I hope so; but that is not the issue just +now."</p> + +<p>"Then promise you will not go with me to-night."</p> + +<p>"No need of that. I have decided to send +one of my men—and I think," he added +briefly, "that there is no necessity of prolonging +this conversation. Good-evening."</p> + +<p>"Then you will not come!" she exclaimed, +relieved. "And never mind telling your man, +for I shall ride like the wind, and will be halfway +home before he can get on his horse." She +turned like a flash. The quick beats of her +horse's hoofs echoed back until the sound was +lost in the distance.</p> + +<p>Livingston stood silent, listening, until he +could no longer hear the dull notes on the dry +earth—his thoughts perturbed as the night.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + + +<p>Captain Bill Henry, foreman +of the Bar O outfit, and head by choice +of the season's round up, had just ridden +into camp. Most of the men were in the +cook-tent when he turned his dripping bay horse +in with the others. Then he picked up his saddle, +bridle, and blanket and carried them up to +the cook-tent, where he threw them down, hitting +one of the stake-ropes with such violence +as to cause the whole tent to quiver, and one of +the boys inside to mutter under his breath:</p> + +<p>"Lord, the Cap's on the prod! What in the +devil's he got in his gizzard now?"</p> + +<p>"Don't know," answered the second, returning +from the stove, where he had loaded his +plate with a wonderful assortment of eatables +and seated himself on a roll of bedding beside +the first speaker. "Too bad he couldn't knock +the roof off'n our heads. He's sure enough<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> +mad, just look at him!" he whispered, as Captain +Bill Henry stooped his tall, lank frame to +come into the tent.</p> + +<p>The men, sitting about inside, glanced up +when he entered. Some of them grinned, +others went on with their supper, but the +"Cap" from under his bushy red eyebrows +hardly noticed them as he took the necessary +dishes from the mess-box and strode over to +the stove, around which old Evans, the cook, +moved in great concern.</p> + +<p>"Now just try some o' them beans. +Regular Boston baked, Cap, they'll melt in +your mouth. An' here's a kidney stew I've +been savin' fer you," taking from the oven a +well concealed stew-pan. "If any o' them +boys 'ud a found it they'd made short work of +it, I reckon."</p> + +<p>He removed the cover and held the dish +under Bill Henry's nose. The "Cap" gave +one sniff. "Phew! Take it away! Don't +like the damn'd stuff, nohow!"</p> + +<p>A dazed look passed over old Evans' face, +giving way to one of mortal injury. Not a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> +man smiled, though several seemed about to +collapse with a sudden spasm which they tried +in vain to control. Away went the contents +of the pan, leaving a streak of kidney-stew +almost down to the horse ropes. "If it ain't +good enough fer you, it ain't fer me," said the +cook, his bald head thrown well back upon thin +shoulders.</p> + +<p>The "Cap" glared at him as he poured out +a generous measure of strong coffee into a +large tin cup, then ran his eye about the tent +for a possible seat.</p> + +<p>A quiet-looking fellow, a youth fresh from +the East, got up, politely offering him the +case of tomatoes upon which he had been sitting. +Bill Henry refused it with a scowl, taking +a seat upon the ground near the front of +the tent, where he crossed his lank legs in front +of him. The cow-puncher sank back upon his +case of tomatoes while the "Cap" ate in great, +hungry mouthfuls, soaking his bread in the +sloppy beans and washing it down with frequent +noisy sips of hot coffee. Finally he began +to speak, with a full Missouri twang:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span></p> + +<p>"This beats hell! Not a dang man around +this part of the country wants to throw in with +this here outfit. Never saw no such luck! Here +we are with two months' steady work before we +make town, an' only ten men to do the work o' +fifteen! I'll hire no more devilish breeds. You +can't trust 'em no more'n you can a rattler, no, +sir! All of 'em quit last night, an' Long Bill +along with 'em! I'd never thought it o' Bill. +Been ridin' all the evenin' an' couldn't find +hair or hide of him. It's enough to make a +man swear a blue streak, yes, sir! Well, I +rounded up one breed limpin' 'round Harris' +shack, an' he said his gun went off by accident +an' give him a scratch on the calf o' the +leg. Bet ten dollars he's been in a fight over +there! Damn'd nest o' drunken louts! I'll +be glad when we're away from these here +parts!"</p> + +<p>At this point one of the cowboys got up, +threw his dishes into the pan, and strode outside.</p> + +<p>"You on night-herd to-night?" asked the +Captain.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yep," answered the cow-puncher. "Going +to relieve Jack."</p> + +<p>"Tell them other fellers to come along in +an' git their chuck; it's mighty nigh time to +turn in now. Got to make Miller's crossing in +the morning."</p> + +<p>"All right," answered the man from outside. +Then putting his head back into the tent, exclaimed +in a loud whisper: "Here comes +Long Bill!"</p> + +<p>"The devil he is! It's about time," growled +Bill Henry. He had no more than got the +words out of his mouth before a man, head and +shoulders above any cow-puncher there, +stalked in.</p> + +<p>"Well, Cap, I've come round to git paid off, +fer I reckon I'm knocked out of the ring fer a +little spell." He stooped and held down for +inspection a hand bandaged in a much-stained +bandanna handkerchief. "One o' them damn'd +dogs o' Harris' run his teeth all the way +through it," he explained.</p> + +<p>The captain grunted, threw his well cleaned +plate over into the dish pan, and rose stiffly to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> +his feet. "What'd you do to the dog?" he +asked.</p> + +<p>"That was his last bite," roared out Long +Bill. "I sent him flyin' into Kingdom Come!"</p> + +<p>"Let's see your hand," demanded his chief; +thereupon the tall cowboy hesitated an instant, +then removed the bandage, and, with an +air of bravado, held out his hand for inspection. +Some of the men crowded about curiously, +throwing careless jokes of condolement at the +sufferer, while others passed by regardless.</p> + +<p>Captain Bill Henry examined the wounded +member carefully, then grunted again, while +his eyelids contracted until only a sparkle of +liquid blue showed beneath his bushy red brows.</p> + +<p>"A mighty bad bite! You'll have a hell of a +time with that hand! What were yo' tryin' to +do, anyhow—makin' a mark out o' it? Was +you holdin' your hand up, or down, or what? +That <i>dog</i> must 'a' had a pretty good eye. Do +you know what that looks like to me? Well, +sir, it looks mighty like you'd held up your +hand to the muzzle of your gun an' pulled the +trigger! Yes, sir, only there ain't no powder<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> +marks; so I calculate the <i>dog</i> must 'a' been +some distance away when he took aim! The +hole's clean through, just as slick as any bullet +could 'a' made it. That dog must 'a' had a +powerful sharp tooth! Well, you ain't goin' +to be able to handle a rope very soon, dog or no +dog, that's plain as the nose on your face. +You'd make a mighty good ornament to have +around camp, but I reckon I'll pay you off." +Later: "Know of any men I can git around +here?"</p> + +<p>"Nary one but them breeds over to +Harris'," replied Long Bill. "They're +drunker'n lords now, but they'll be wantin' a +job in a day or so when they sober up, an' I'll +send 'em 'round here. I'll be huntin' a job myself +in about a month, when this here paw o' +mine gits well. It's mighty painful."</p> + +<p>"You'd better go to town an' see a doctor," +drawled the "Cap." "An' while you're on +your way stop at Hathaway's an' give him or +Jim McCullen a letter fer me. I'll have it +ready in a minute an' it'll save me sendin' a +man over."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span></p> + +<p>Without waiting for a reply from the tall +cow-puncher, Captain Bill Henry stalked over +to his bed, took from the roll a pad of paper, +and was soon lost in the mysteries of letter-writing.</p> + +<p>He was an awkwardly built man, but his +whole appearance gave one the impression that +he meant business—and he was crammed full +of it. Seated astride his tarp-covered bed, +with his back to the few straggling cow-punchers +about the tents, he proceeded in a +determined, business-like way to write the letter. +Before he had finished the difficult operation +some men rode up to the camp—the men +who had been on herd, hungry for their supper, +and two outsiders.</p> + +<p>Around the mess-wagon, which had been +backed into the cook-tent in the usual order, +lounged a group of cowboys whose appetites +had been satisfied and whose duties for the +time being were over. Two of the men who +had just come up on horseback joined these, +while Captain Bill Henry, without looking +around, continued his somewhat difficult task<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> +of composing a letter, which, when accomplished, +he folded carefully.</p> + +<p>"Hello! Where did you'ns drop from?" +he drawled as he approached the newcomers. +"I was just goin' to send word over to have +your wagon join me at west fork o' Stony +Creek. I'm too short o' men to work Stony +Creek country, anyhow. Hathaway's reps all +left me awhile back, an' Long Bill, he's leavin' +to-day—got bit by a mad dog over here. Jackson's +wagon an' the U Bar ain't goin' to join +me till we git down in the Lonesome Prairie +country, so I was just goin' to send a letter over +to your place, for if he wants a good round-up +on this range he'd better send over that extra +wagon o' his'n. You'ns goin' right back?"</p> + +<p>"I'm not," replied Carter. "But McCullen +can take word over to the ranch. He's going +the first thing in the morning."</p> + +<p>"Cert. Got to go, anyway, an' I reckon my +horse can pack your message to the boss if it +ain't too heavy," said McCullen.</p> + +<p>Old Jim McCullen had been Hathaway's +right hand man as long as anyone could re<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span>member. +He had put in many years as wagon-boss, +and finally retired from active life to the +quieter one at the home-ranch, where he drew +the biggest pay of any man in Hathaway's +employ, and practically managed all the details +of the great cattle concern. He saw that +the wagons were properly provisioned, +manned, and started out in the spring, that the +men who brought up the trail-herds were paid +off; he attended to the haying, the small irrigating +plant that had been started, and to all +the innumerable details that go toward the +smooth running of a large ranch. Now the +"boss" had sent him on a mission whose import +he understood perfectly—something altogether +out of the line of his usual duties, but of +greater importance than anything he had ever +undertaken. He was going back to the ranch +in the morning to tell Hathaway that his +daughter was apparently all right. He and +Carter had pitched their tent not far from +where the round-up was camped, and had ridden +over for some beef. One of the men cut +them a liberal piece from a yearling that they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> +had just butchered. Carter tied it upon the +back of his saddle and rode off toward camp, +while old Jim McCullen sat down, lighted a +cigarette, and listened to the gossip of the +round-up.</p> + +<p>"Right smart lot o' dogs round them breeds +down there," remarked Bill Henry, nodding +his head toward Harris' ranch. "Long Bill, +here, he's been unfortunate. Went up there +a-courtin' one o' them pretty Harris girls last +eyenin', an' blamed if she didn't go an' sick the +dogs on him!"</p> + +<p>McCullen sized up his bandaged hand. +"Mighty bad-lookin' fist there," he chuckled. +"Must 'a' bled some by the looks of that rag. +When'd it happen?"</p> + +<p>"This mornin', just as I was startin' to come +over to camp."</p> + +<p>"You don't tell!" condoled the visitor. +"That's mighty bad after sitting up all-night +with your best girl!"</p> + +<p>"Long Bill's pretty intent after them breed +girls," remarked Captain Bill Henry; thereupon +the cowboy flushed angrily.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No breed girls in mine! The new school-marm's +more to my likin'," he boasted. "An' +from the sweet looks she give me, I reckon I +ain't goin' to have no trouble there!"</p> + +<p>The next instant Long Bill lay sprawling in +the dust, while old Jim McCullen rained blow +after blow upon him. When he finished, Long +Bill remained motionless, the blood streaming +from his nose and mouth. Old Jim straightened +up and looked down at the fallen giant +with utmost contempt, then he pulled his disarranged +cartridge belt into shape and glanced +at his hands. They were covered with the cowboy's +blood.</p> + +<p>"Reckon I'd better wash up a bit," he remarked +easily, and went into the cook-tent.</p> + +<p>The men lounged about, apparently indifferent +to the scene which was being enacted. +It might have been an every day occurrence, so +little interest they showed, yet several stalwart +fellows gave old Jim McCullen an admiring +glance as he passed them.</p> + +<p>On the crest of a near divide stood a group +of squaws. After a short conference they pro<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span>ceeded +slowly, shyly toward the round-up +camp. Some distance from it they grouped +together again and waited while a very old +woman wrapped in a dingy white blanket +came boldly up to the group of men, and in a +jargon of French and Indian asked for the +refuse of the newly killed yearling. The foreman +pointed to where it lay, and gruffly told +her to go and get it, but she spied the unconscious +figure of Long Bill stretched out upon +the grassy flat, and with a low cry of woe flung +herself down beside him.</p> + +<p>"Who done this?" she cried in very plain +English, facing the cowboys with a look of +blackest anger. No answer came.</p> + +<p>"Better tell her," suggested a cow-puncher +who was unrolling his bed. "She's a witch, +you know."</p> + +<p>"If she's a witch she don't need no telling," +replied another, at which they all laughed.</p> + +<p>"A witch?" said one. "I sure thought +witches were all burned up!"</p> + +<p>The old squaw was examining the fallen +man, who began to show signs of consciousness.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> +She bristled like a dog at the cowboy's remark.</p> + +<p>"<i>I see beyond!</i> I know the future, the past, +<i>everything</i>!" she cried impressively. "I read +your thoughts! Say what you like, you dogs, +but not one o' you would like me to tell what I +read in your lives. <i>I know! I know! I know +everything!</i>" Her voice reached a high, weird +cry. Her blanket had slipped down, leaving +her hair in wisps about her mummified face. +To all appearances she might have been a genuine +witch as she groveled over Long Bill.</p> + +<p>"Ask her how she tells fortunes—cards or +tea-leaves," said one.</p> + +<p>"Or by the palm of your hand or the stars +above," suggested another.</p> + +<p>"Wonder where she keeps her broomstick," +mused a third.</p> + +<p>Just then McCullen came out of the cook-tent +and faced the spectacle.</p> + +<p>"I see he's found a nurse," he remarked, +and walked over to his horse.</p> + +<p>The old woman stood and gesticulated +wildly, throwing mad, incoherent words at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> +him. Finally her jargon changed into fair +English.</p> + +<p>"You dog, <i>you</i> did this! And why? Ah, +ha, ha! <i>I know!</i> I know all things! Because +of the white girl! So! Ha, ha! Must you +alone love the white girl so that no man can +speak her name? Oh, you can't deny you +love her! <i>You</i>, who ride and hunt with her for +fifteen years. Cannot another man open his +mouth but that you must fly at him? Ha, ha! +<i>I know!</i>"</p> + +<p>"I'll wring your neck, you old——!" said +McCullen at his horse's head.</p> + +<p>"You will stop my tongue, will you! I'll +show you! You are up here to watch that girl—but +where's your eyes? What are you +doing? This is my son-in-law, and you'd like +to wipe him from the face of the earth! You +beat him in the face—him with one hand! See! +How did he get it? Why are some of my +other son-in-laws limping about with bullets +in their legs? Why is a man lying dead up in +the mountains? Why all this at once? Ask +that white girl who teaches little children to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> +good! Ask that devil's child who can put a +bullet straight as her eye! <i>Ask her!</i> She +would destroy my people. Curse her soul, I +say!"</p> + +<p>Suddenly the witch-like spirit in her seemed +to shrivel into the blanket which she wrapped +about her, then with placid, expressionless face +she made her way to where the yearling had +been butchered and hurriedly stuffed the refuse +into a gunny sack which she dragged to +where the other squaws were waiting, then +they all made off.</p> + +<p>Long Bill sat up and looked about him. +"Curse who?" he asked. "Curse me, I +reckon fer not knowin' enough to keep my +mouth shut!"</p> + +<p>McCullen, with face and lips pallid, had +mounted his horse. Long Bill pulled himself +together and walked over toward him.</p> + +<p>"I'll take that back," he said. "I didn't +mean it, nohow."</p> + +<p>"I reckon I was over-hasty," McCullen replied. +"But that was our little girl you were +talkin' about—little Hope; an' no man on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> +earth, let alone a common squaw-man, ain't +goin' to even breathe her name disrespectfully. +She's like my own child. I've almost brought +her up. Learned her little baby fingers to +shoot, an' had her on a horse before she could +talk plain. Don't let her find this out, for I'm +plumb sorry I had to hurt you; but the man +who says more than you did <i>dies</i>!" He rode +away and soon was lost in the deep falling +shadows. The men in the cow-camp unrolled +their bedding, and all was soon one with the +stillness of the night.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2> + + +<p>All the small ranchers and disreputable +stragglers about that immediate +vicinity were of one opinion in regard +to the new sheep-man. This particular section +of the country promised to be soon over-crowded +with cattle and horses. There was no +room in their mountains for sheep. Livingston, +the interloper, must vacate. That was +the unanimous decision of the whole Harris +faction. This gang was a mixture of badness, +a scum of the roughest element from the +face of the globe, which in new countries invariably +drifts close upon the heels of the first +settlers. It is the herald of civilization, but +fortunately goes on before its advance to +other fields or is deeply buried in its midst. +The breeds, pliable to the strong will of Joe +Harris, were not an unimportant factor, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> +among these, old Mother White Blanket was +the ruling spirit.</p> + +<p>She lived in a tepee not a rod to the left of +Harris' squalid log buildings. Her daughter +was the cattle-man's wife, therefore the old +woman had particular rights about the premises, +a mother-in-law's rights, more honored +and considered among Indians than among +civilized whites.</p> + +<p>Her tepee was the usual Indian affair, its +conical, pointed top, dingy with the smoke of +many camp-fires. Back of the old woman's +tepee, at various distances, stood a few ordinary +wall tents. These were occupied by the +families of some breeds who were working for +Harris. The whole, heightened by numerous +dogs and the old squaw stooping over her fire, +presented the appearance of a small Indian +camp, such as may be seen about any reservation. +The old woman's rattle-trap cart stood +beside her lodge, for she had her periods of +wandering, after the manner of her race. The +running gears of a couple of dilapidated +wagons were drawn up between the other tents,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> +and not far away two closely hobbled horses, +unmistakably Indian, for horses resemble +their human associates, fed eagerly upon the +short, new grass.</p> + +<p>At an early hour, when the rising sun cast +rosy lights upon every grass-covered mountain +top, when bird notes from the distant +brush sounded the most melodious, when the +chanticleer in the barnyard became loudest in +his crowing, when the dew of night began to +steam upward in its vitality-giving stream, +when the pigs with a grunt rose lazily upon +their fore-legs, and old Mother White Blanket +bent over the smoke of her newly built camp-fire, +the girl school-teacher came out of her +room and leaned against the smooth rain-washed +logs of the building. She drew in with +every deep breath new vitality to add to her +plentiful fund of it, she saw the rosy glow +upon the mountains, listened in awe and rapture +to the bird notes from the brush, and +finally brought herself back to more material +things; to old Mother White Blanket and the +Indian scene spread out before her.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span></p> + +<p>The old woman was bending over the fire +apparently unconscious of the girl's presence. +From the school children Hope had learned +something of the wonderful perceptive powers +of Mother White Blanket. They had innumerable +stories of witchcraft to tell, as various +as they were astonishing, and, while crediting +nothing, she felt a quickened interest +in the old squaw. But she had so far no opportunity +to cultivate her acquaintance. Generally +the spaces between the tents were filled +with groups of breeds, and these she had no inclination +to approach. Now, quiet pervaded +the place. No one except the old woman and +herself were about. She knew full well that +the squaw had seen her, but on an impulse +walked over beside the tepee, spreading out +her hands to the warmth of the fire.</p> + +<p>"Good-morning!" she exclaimed. Mother +White Blanket made no reply, and turning +her back proceeded to fill a large black kettle +with water.</p> + +<p>"Good-morning!" repeated Hope in +French, to which greeting the old woman<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> +grunted, while she placed the kettle over the +fire.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon," continued Hope. "I +forgot for the moment you were French."</p> + +<p>At this old White Blanket stood up, anger +bristling all over her.</p> + +<p>"What you come here for? You stand +there and make fun. You think I don't know +you make fun at me? Go away, girl, or you be +sorry! You call me French and laugh to yourself. +Go away, I say!"</p> + +<p>"No," said the girl, "I shall not go away +until it pleases me. I have heard that you are +a great woman, a witch, and I want to find out +if it is true." She had not one particle of belief +in the old woman's generally credited +supernatural powers, but she thought she +must possess sharp wit to so deceive the people +and was curious to know more about her. This +she was destined to do.</p> + +<p>"I have heard," she continued, "that you +can bring the wild deer to your side by calling +to them, that a horse or cow will lie down and +die when you command, and that little chil<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span>dren +who annoy you are taken with severe pains +in their stomachs. I have heard that you can +say 'go' to any of your men or women and +they go; that if anyone is sick you can lay your +hand on them and they are well, and that you +can tell the future and the past of anyone. If +all these things are true you must be a very +great, remarkable woman. Is it true that you +can do all these things?" She waited a moment +and, as the old woman offered no reply, +went on: "Whether you can do these things +or not, you still remain, in my eyes, a remarkable +woman in possessing the ability to make +people believe that you can."</p> + +<p>"You shall believe them too, <i>you</i>!" said +the woman, suddenly rising and confronting +the girl.</p> + +<p>As she spoke two yellow fangs of teeth +protruded from her thin lips, and on her +face was the snarl of a dog. She drew up her +mummified face within two inches of the girl's +own. Hope shuddered and involuntarily +moved backward toward the house. With +every step she took the squaw followed, her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> +weazened face and cruel, baneful eyes held +close to hers.</p> + +<p>"You murderer of men, you teacher of little +children, you butcher, I will show you my +power!"</p> + +<p>The girl recoiled from the frenzied woman, +shutting out the sight with her hands and moving +backward step by step until she leaned +against the smooth logs of the building. +There the foolishness of her sudden fright +presented itself. Should the grimaces of a +weazened old squaw frighten her into a fit, or +should she pick up the bony thing and throw +her over the top of the tepee? An impulse to +do the latter came over her—then to her fancy +she could hear the crashing of brittle bones. +What she did do, however, was to take her +hands away from her eyes and look at the old +witch fearlessly. At this old White Blanket +broke into a terrible jargon, not a word of +which was intelligible. Her voice rose to its +utmost pitch. The crisp morning air resounded +with its sharp intonations.</p> + +<p>Hope leaned against the logs of the house,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> +lashing the squaw into greater fury by her cool, +impertinent gaze. She began to be interested +in the performance, speculating to just what +degree of rage the old woman would reach +before she foamed at the mouth, and as to how +much strength she would have to exert to pitch +the frail thing bodily into the top of the tepee.</p> + +<p>At that instant a man, apparently hurriedly +dressed, rushed from the lodge and grasped +the old woman by the arm.</p> + +<p>"What're you doin'? Go over there and git +my breakfast, and don't be all day about it!"</p> + +<p>The old woman's face changed marvelously. +She calmed like a dove, under the hand of her +son-in-law, but before turning away began +muttering what might have been intended for +an apology.</p> + +<p>"I no hurt her. She think I know nothing. +I <i>show</i> her."</p> + +<p>The man laughed good-naturedly.</p> + +<p>"Well, you show me some grub an' that'll be +enough fer one day, I reckon. Wimmen folks +should be seen an' not heard, an' you make as +much noise as an old guinea hen." Meekly the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> +old woman continued her interrupted task, +showing that in spite of his gruff speech she +entertained great respect for her tall son-in-law, +Long Bill.</p> + +<p>"Hope the old woman didn't frighten you, +Miss. She don't mean nothin' by it, only she +gits them spells once in a while," apologized +Long Bill politely. Hope gave a short laugh, +while the man continued: "Seems like all +Hades is turned loose when she does git on the +rampage, though."</p> + +<p>"Probably I aggravated her. If so, I am +sorry. But I wouldn't have missed it—not +for anything. Her rage was perfect—such +gestures, and <i>such</i> expressions!"</p> + +<p>At her words the man smiled, holding up to +his face as he did so a bandaged hand. In an +instant her eyes were riveted upon it. She had +searched for that hand since Saturday evening +among all the men she had chanced to see. +That this great, strong fellow possessed it +eased her conscience, if, indeed, it had greatly +troubled her. She wanted to get him to talk +about the hand, but shifted her eyes from it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> +to the old woman moving slowly before the +tepee.</p> + +<p>"She seems a very interesting woman," +she remarked casually to Long Bill, who +through sheer awkwardness made no attempt +to move away.</p> + +<p>"Oh, she's a little locoed, but barrin' that +she's smarter'n a steel trap. They ain't nothin' +goin' on but she's got her eye peeled. If she +takes a likin' to anyone she'll just about break +her neck to please, but," he added in a lower +voice, "if she ain't a-likin' anyone she's just +about the <i>orneriest</i>, <i>cussedest</i>——" Words +failed, in view of the critical eyes before him.</p> + +<p>"Do you belong to the family?" asked +Hope, observing: "I noticed you came from +the tepee."</p> + +<p>"Well, you see," replied the man awkwardly, +"I sort of do—that is, I did. I married +her youngest girl awhile back, but I ain't +sure now we're goin' to make it a go. You see +I 'lowed to meet her here when the round-up +come 'round to these parts, but here's she's +done run off to Canada with some o' her folks,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> +and I ain't set eyes on her fer nigh on to four +months. But we've been spliced all right +'nough, an' the old woman's mighty fond o' +me."</p> + +<p>"I should think you would be glad of that!" +exclaimed Hope. "It would be too bad if she +didn't like you. I am sorry she is not in a more +amiable mood, for I'd really like to talk with +her; but perhaps I will be permitted to approach +her later in the day."</p> + +<p>"Oh, she'll be all right, now she's had her +spell out," assured Long Bill.</p> + +<p>"You speak of the round-up; why are you +not with it?" queried the girl, with cool intent.</p> + +<p>Long Bill brought his huge bandaged fist +up before him, resting it upon the well one.</p> + +<p>"I had a little accident th' other day," he +explained, "an' hurt my hand powerful bad. +It ain't goin' to be much use fer handlin' a rope +fer quite a spell. Had to let the round-up +move away without me." His voice grew +plaintive.</p> + +<p>She spoke quickly, with great compassion.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> +"I am sorry! It seems too bad to see a great +big fellow like you disabled. How did it +happen?"</p> + +<p>"Well, it was like this: I come over here th' +other night an' got to settin' 'round here doin' +nothin', so I thought I'd improve th' time an' +clean this here gun o' mine. It's been a-needin' +it powerful bad fer awhile back. I didn't +know there was nary load in it until the blame +thing went off an' I felt somethin' kind o' sudden +an' hot piercin' my left hand. It was a +fool trick to do, but it's the gospel truth, Miss."</p> + +<p>"I heard—that is, the boys said something +about a shooting affair up the road." She +pointed toward the sheep-man's ranch. "I +thought for a moment that perhaps you had +been mixed up in that. I'm very glad to +know that you were not, because you know it +wasn't a very nice, manly thing to do to a defenseless +stranger." Her cool eyes watched +his nervous shifting. "You see I can't very +well help hearing a lot of things around here. +The girls hear things and they tell me, and then +I am often forced to overhear the men and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> +boys talking among themselves. It's none of +my business, but yet I am glad to know that +you were not one to set upon an innocent white +man. I scarcely know this Mr. Livingston by +sight, but he is a friend of Sydney's, my cousin, +and they say,"—here she drew out her words +slowly and impressively,—"that over in his +country he has been in the army and is well +versed in firearms; also that he has a small +Gatling gun with him over here that shoots +hundreds of shots a minute. So he really isn't +so defenseless as he seems." This startled the +man into open-mouth astonishment.</p> + +<p>"I thought there was something!—I mean I +thought, when I heard tell about the fracas +over there, that there was somethin' like that +in the wind," stammered the man.</p> + +<p>Apparently Hope had told a deliberate untruth +to force a confession from Long Bill, +but yet it was a fact that she had heard something +very similar. On the day before, Sunday, +Jim McCullen had come to visit her. +From his camp the noise of the shooting had +been plainly heard, and through curiosity<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> +he and Carter had ridden to Livingston's +ranch to inquire into it, but the sheep-man had +been very reticent about the matter. Had told +them only that there had been trouble with +some breeds, and his herder had been killed. +This old Jim repeated to Hope, adding that +Livingston must have a Gatling gun concealed +on his place, judging from the sound of the +firing. So Hope in her effort to impress the +tall cow-puncher had not used her imagination +wholly.</p> + +<p>"I am glad you had nothing to do with it," +she concluded, walking slowly away toward +the kitchen end of the house. "And I hope +your hand will soon be well."</p> + +<p>"That's right," said Long Bill. "I didn't +have nothin' to do with it. No Gatlin' guns +in mine, Miss!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h2> + + +<p>"We'll beat any cow-pony workin' +on the round-up," declared the +soft-voiced twin as he coiled up the +stake-rope and tied it on to his saddle.</p> + +<p>It was four o'clock in the afternoon of the +same day. School had been dismissed and the +dozen children of various sizes were straggling +homeward. Hope stood beside her horse +patiently waiting for the twins to go, but they +seemed in no particular hurry. She listened +absent-mindedly to the boys' conversation.</p> + +<p>"An' another thing about this pony o' mine, +he'll never slack up on a rope," continued +Dan. "Once you've got a rope on a steer +he'll never budge till the cinch busts off the +saddle. He'll just sit right back on his +haunches an' <i>pull</i>. Yes, sir; you'd think he +knew just as much as a man!"</p> + +<p>Dave grunted. "He's all right 'nough, only<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> +he'll bust the bridle if you tie him, an' he won't +stand without bein' tied. He'll buck if he's +cinched too tight or gets too much to eat, an' +he ain't fit for a lady to ride, nohow. He's an +Indian pinto to boot, a regular fool calico +pony! Now <i>my</i> horse is an all 'round good +one, an' so gentle any lady can ride him, just +like any sensible horse ought to be."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's all he's good for, is to stand +'round an' look pretty, like some o' these here +bloods—an' them pretty soldiers over to the +post. I notice when there's any real work to +be done, Mr. Dude ain't in it. Oh, he can +stand 'round an' look pretty all right, but the +pinto's the best all 'round, an's got the most +sense!"</p> + +<p>Their discussion seemed at an end, for the +soft-voiced twin having fastened the rope +securely, walked around to the other side of his +pinto and had just turned the stirrup toward +him, preliminary to mounting, when the other +boy grasped him roughly by the collar, throwing +him backward to the ground.</p> + +<p>"That's my lariat; you hand it over here!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> +he exclaimed gruffly; thereupon the soft-voiced +twin picked himself up, very carefully +brushed the dust from his sleeve, and answered +slowly, in a particularly sweet tone:</p> + +<p>"I ain't a-goin' to fight you here in front of +the teacher. That's my rope. Go an' get it +if you want it! But <i>she's</i> got yourn. I saw +her pick it up by mistake this mornin'. You've +tied up your dude cayuse twice with her'n to-day. +Must have somethin' the matter with +your eyes. I ain't a-goin' to lick you er fight +with you, but I'm goin' to get even with you +for this!"</p> + +<p>"Here's your rope," said Hope, taking it +from her saddle and handing it to the boy. +Dave took it shamefacedly, throwing her rope +on the ground, then hid himself on the opposite +side of his pony. In an instant the soft-voiced +twin picked up the teacher's stake-rope, +coiled it, and tied it on to her saddle.</p> + +<p>The girl stood to one side watching him. +She wondered at his quickness. He must have +inherited something of his grandmother's +acuteness. But her sympathy turned to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> +other boy—big, clumsy, rough Dave. He +was standing out of sight behind his horse, embarrassed +by his own error. Hope felt sorry +for him. She had already found it very difficult +to keep peace between these boys and herself. +Each day brought some new ruffle that +required all her wit to smooth over.</p> + +<p>The soft-voiced twin handed the bridle reins +to her, then turned to his own horse, which +had wandered away toward more tempting +pasture. The girl thanked him, and walked +over to Dave. He looked at her sullenly, a +certain dogged obstinacy in his eyes. She had +intended to say something kind to him, instead +she spoke indifferently, yet to the point.</p> + +<p>"Go home with Dan the same as usual. Say +nothing about it, but get my rifle and meet me +here at the school in two hours—six o'clock. +There is a big flock of chickens that fly over +that point every evening."</p> + +<p>The boy made no reply, but his face changed +noticeably, and he jumped on his horse, calling +his twin to hurry up; but the soft-voiced boy +had no notion of leaving his teacher, so Dave,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> +with a savage whoop, ran his pony to the top +of the hill, leaving the school-house and his +uncomfortable feelings far in the background.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you go with him?" asked the +girl.</p> + +<p>"I'm waitin' for you," replied the boy.</p> + +<p>"But I'm not going just now. You'd better +run along with Dave."</p> + +<p>"I ain't in no hurry."</p> + +<p>"Aren't you? Well, that is good, for I just +happened to think of something. I want you +to go down to Pete La Due's place where they +are branding, and hang around awhile and +keep your ears open. There will be a lot of +breeds there, and some of those men over on +Crow Creek, and maybe something will be said +that we ought to know about. You understand. +You are my faithful scout, you know. +And another thing—don't try to pay Dave +back for what he did. He's sorry enough +about it."</p> + +<p>The boy's face took on a shrewd, determined +expression, causing him at once to look years +older. For an instant Hope imagined that he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> +resembled his aged grandmother, old White +Blanket, the "witch."</p> + +<p>"I'll go over there," he replied, "an' I'll see +what I can find out, but about Dave—I'll get +even with him if it takes me ten years. He +needs teachin'."</p> + +<p>"We all do," said the girl thoughtfully. +"I have begun a series of lessons myself—on +humanity. No, on sympathy, on what is expected +of a womanly woman. We're lucky +when we have a good teacher, aren't we? But +it's pretty hard to learn what doesn't come +natural. Remember Dave isn't like you. He +wasn't made like you, and never will be like +you. Think of this, and don't be hard on him, +that's a good boy."</p> + +<p>The soft-voiced twin smiled sweetly, and +mounting his horse, remarked:</p> + +<p>"I expect I'd better be movin' over there if +I'm goin' to find out anything to-day."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Hope, pleased that he should +leave her at last. "I think you're right. Be +sure to come home before bedtime and +<i>report</i>."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span></p> + +<p>The boy dug his heels into the pinto's sides, +starting off on a bound. She watched him, +absent-mindedly, until he disappeared over the +hill-top, then she rode away at a lively canter +toward the sheep-man's ranch.</p> + +<p>A horseman came rapidly toward her before +she reached Livingston's gate. It was a slender, +boyish figure, who sat his horse with +remarkable ease and grace. The girl frowned +savagely when she saw him, but only for an +instant. He waved his hat above his dark head +and called to her from the distance. His voice +possessed a rich musical ring which might +have stood for honesty and youthful buoyancy.</p> + +<p>When Hope met him she was smiling. In +fun she passed rapidly, seeing which he wheeled +his horse about, caught up with her, and leaning +far over, grasped the bridle, bringing her +horse to a stand-still beside him. It was an old +trick of his boyhood. The girl's ringing +laughter reached a small group of men at work +with shovels upon the rise of a green knoll not +far away. They stopped work and listened,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> +but the notes died away and nothing more +could be heard.</p> + +<p>"That wasn't fair, Syd!" she cried. "I +thought you'd forgotten it. I was going to +run you a race."</p> + +<p>"Rowdy's thin, he couldn't run. A stake-rope +don't agree with him, and I'll bet he +hasn't seen an oat since you've been here," he +answered, growing sober. "Hopie, dear, leave +these breeds and go home, that's a good girl! +I can't bear to have you stay there. You've +been up here a week and you look thin already. +I'll bet you're starving right now! Come, own +up, aren't you hungry?"</p> + +<p>"I hadn't thought of it," replied Hope. +"But now that you remind me, I believe I am—the +least bit. A steady diet of eggs—boiled +in their <i>own</i> shells, is apt to make one hungry +at times for a good dinner. But what's the +difference? I feel fine. It certainly agrees."</p> + +<p>"But that's terrible! Eggs! Eggs only—eggs +in the shell. Haven't you brought yourself +to meat, bread, and potatoes yet? Eggs +only! It's a joke, Hope, but somehow I can't<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> +feel amused. I've eaten eggs for a meal or +two, around those places, but a week of it! +Hope, your father wants you. Go home to +him!"</p> + +<p>"No; you see it's this way, Sydney, I +couldn't if I would, and I wouldn't if I could. +I couldn't because father told me to stay until +the school term ended, and I wouldn't because—I +like it here. It's new and exciting. I feel +just like a boy does in going out into the world +for the first time. You know how that is, Syd, +how you roamed about for months and months. +You had your fling and then you were satisfied."</p> + +<p>"I know," said Carter softly, stroking her +horse's neck. "But you had such a free +'fling' there at the ranch, what else could you +want? You had your choice between the ranch +and New York. You could travel if you +wished. Surely there was nothing left to be +desired. You can't make me believe that you +really like it up here among these breeds, +teaching a handful of stupid children their +A B C's! I can't see the attraction. Clarice<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> +Van Rensselaer with the Cresmonds and that +little jay Englishman, Rosehill, are due at the +ranch this week. You like Clarice; go home, +Hope, and look after things there. You're +needed, and you know it. Do go, that's a good +girlie!"</p> + +<p>"Don't say anything more about it to me, +Sydney. I can't go, I'm not going, and I want +to forget for this one summer about the ranch +and everyone on it."</p> + +<p>"I am wasting my breath, but yet," he +looked at her searchingly, "I don't understand +you in this. I see no attraction here for you. +Why, even the hunting isn't good! I'll not +admit that there is any attraction for you in +this Englishman over here. You've known +dozens of them, and you've always expressed +an aversion to every one. I'm not going to be +scared of one lone Englishman!" He grasped +her hand and his face darkened. "Hope, if I +thought you would ever care for him I'd——"</p> + +<p>She interrupted:</p> + +<p>"You need not finish that! Show a little +manhood! Oh, Syd, a moment ago you were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> +my dear old companion—my brother, and +now——If you knew how I detest you in this! +It is not yourself—your dear self, at all, but +the very devil that has taken possession of you. +Sydney, are you sure there isn't something the +matter with your brain? Do you realize how +awful it seems? Doesn't it make you feel +ashamed of yourself when you think of all the +sweetness of our past life? It makes me, Syd. +Sometimes at night before I go to sleep I +think of the way you've acted lately, and I can +feel a hot flush creep all over my face. It +makes me so ashamed! I've grown up with +you for my brother, I think of you always as +my brother, and this makes a new person out +of you—a person whom I neither love nor +respect. Syd, dear Syd, forget it and I will +never think of it again, for I will have my +brother back. I loved you, Sydney, you and +father, better than anyone else in this world. +And now——" She turned her head away +from him and began to cry quietly. In an +instant he was filled with commiseration and +tenderness.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Don't, Hope!" he exclaimed, bending close +to her. "I can't stand anything like that! +Don't cry. I'm sorry, girlie. I've been a fool, +a brute, a low-lived beggar, but I can't stand +tears from <i>you</i>! Here you're hungry, starving, +living among a lot of breeds, and I've added +more to your misery. It's all a mistake. I +know now when I see you crying—don't do it, +dear! You've never cried since you were a +baby, and now you're such a great big girl. +The other feeling's all gone. I guess it must +have been because you were the only girl out +here and I let myself think of you that way +until it grew on me. But you are my sister—my +dear little pard!"</p> + +<p>He had dismounted and stood beside her. +Now he reached up and took her hands away +from her face. She was ashamed of her tears, +as people are who seldom cry, and hastily +mopped her face with her handkerchief.</p> + +<p>"I'm so glad, Syd, dear!" she exclaimed in +a moment, then reached down and kissed him. +"What a baby you must think I am!"</p> + +<p>"Your tears woke me up, dear; don't be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> +sorry. Maybe some time they'll make a man +out of me."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! you were a man all the time, +only you didn't know it. You don't know how +happy I was all at once when you called me +'pard' again. I knew then I had my brother +back."</p> + +<p>The young fellow mounted his horse again. +His own eyes were suspiciously moist.</p> + +<p>"And I have my sister, which seems better +than anything to me," he said. Then they +both laughed.</p> + +<p>"I was going to the Englishman's," said +Hope, "to see if I could help any about the +poor herder who was shot."</p> + +<p>"They're burying him now," announced +her cousin, "right around the bend of this hill +just inside the fence. Do you want to go over +there?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I think I do," she replied. "I want +to ask Mr. Livingston when the little German +girl is expected to arrive and what is going to +be done about her."</p> + +<p>"The herder's sister?" asked Sydney.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No, his sweetheart. Just think, Sydney, +his little sweetheart, who is on her way to +marry him! Isn't it sad? Who will meet her +and who will tell her, I wonder, and what will +she do? How are such things managed, I +wonder. Isn't it terrible, Syd?"</p> + +<p>"Some beggars around here shot the poor +fellow, Livingston told me. The whole bunch +ought to be hanged for it."</p> + +<p>"It was a cowardly thing to do!" exclaimed +the girl.</p> + +<p>"Sheep in a cattle country, the same old +story. I imagine old Harris is a pretty strong +element here. They've driven out a couple of +bands already. Someone ought to put Livingston +next. But he probably scents the +situation now from this occurrence. He is one +of the kind who trusts everyone. I met him +last fall in town when he first came out here. +He has put a lot of money into this business, +and I'd like to see him make it a go. He'll +have something to learn by experience."</p> + +<p>"Isn't it too bad he didn't invest in cattle?" +deplored Hope.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, though they say there's bigger returns +in sheep." He pointed ahead. "You +can't see the men, but they're just around that +point of rocks, though they must be about +through with the job by now."</p> + +<p>"You'll go along, won't you? Then you +can ride back to the school-house with me. +I'm going to meet one of the twins there at six +o'clock, and we're going to see if we can get +some chickens."</p> + +<p>"If you will promise to bring the chickens +over to the camp and let the cook get you up +a good, square meal," he replied. "Jim will be +back before dark."</p> + +<p>"If I shouldn't happen to get any birds," +she asked, "does the invitation still hold +good?"</p> + +<p>"Pard!" he reproved.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2> + + +<p>Livingston stood alone beside the +fresh mound, hatless, with head bowed +in deep meditation. His men had +returned to their respective duties, having +shown their last kindness toward the young +herder gone on before them to the great, +mysterious Beyond.</p> + +<p>When Hope and her companion rounded +the point of rocks inside the pasture fence +they came directly upon the sheep-man and the +newly made grave. The girl reined in her +horse suddenly.</p> + +<p>"Syd," she said softly, wonderingly, "he's +<i>praying</i>!" She had an impulse to flee before +he should see her, and with a look communicated +the thought to Sydney, but Livingston +turned around and came quickly down +the grassy slope toward them. He greeted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> +them cordially, heartily shaking hands with +each.</p> + +<p>"Is this not a beautiful day? I am glad you +have come, Miss Hathaway. I wanted you to +see this spot. Could any place be prettier? +See this green slope and the gigantic ridge of +rocks beside it."</p> + +<p>"It's magnificent!" she exclaimed. "What +a monument!"</p> + +<p>"I had an idea he would like it if he could +know," he continued. "Day after day he +has stood up there on that point of rocks and +watched his sheep."</p> + +<p>Hope pointed across the valley to where the +grassy slope terminated in a deep cut-bank, +exclaiming:</p> + +<p>"There is the corral!" It came involuntarily. +She shot a quick glance at her +cousin, but he was gazing thoughtfully at the +magnificence of the scene before him, and had +not noticed the words, or her confusion which +followed them, which was fortunate, she +thought.</p> + +<p>If asked she could not have explained why<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> +she felt in this manner about it, and it is certain +that she did ask herself. She had probably +saved Livingston's sheep. Well, what of +it? She only knew that she wanted no one to +find it out, least of all Livingston himself. +She had a half fear that if Sydney ever got +an inkling of it he might sometime tell him, and +Sydney was very quick; so she adroitly eased +her involuntary exclamation by remarking:</p> + +<p>"That is a queer place to put a corral! +Aren't you afraid of a pile up so near the +bank?"</p> + +<p>"I am not using it now," he replied. "I +put it there because Fritz ran his band on +that side and it was more convenient not to +drive them so far. I am using this shed below +here, at present."</p> + +<p>Sydney looked at Hope and began to laugh, +then leaned over toward Livingston and +placed his hand upon his shoulder.</p> + +<p>"She'll be telling you how to run your sheep +next. You mustn't mind her, though, for she's +been teaching school a whole week, and dictating +is getting to be sort of second nature with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> +her, isn't it, Hopie? And besides that she isn't +responsible. A steady diet of hard-boiled eggs +isn't conducive——"</p> + +<p>She stopped him with a gesture, laughing.</p> + +<p>"That's awfully true, only I haven't eaten +even hard-boiled eggs since breakfast, and I'm +famished! It was cruel of you to remind me, +Syd!"</p> + +<p>"You poor youngster!" he exclaimed in +real commiseration. "Is it as bad as that? +I'm going over and start supper at once. The +camp is just over the hill there, up that next +draw." He pointed ahead, then looked at his +watch. "It's after five now. You keep your +appointment with the half-breed, but never +mind the chickens till you've had a square +meal."</p> + +<p>She nodded in answer, smiling at him.</p> + +<p>"They're starving her over there," he explained +to Livingston, who looked at them in +some wonderment. "They don't feed her anything +but boiled eggs. Tell him why you +don't eat anything but eggs, Hope, boiled,—hard +and soft,—in their <i>own shells</i>. Maybe<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> +you can get them to bake you a potato or two +in their <i>own jackets</i>!"</p> + +<p>"What an idea! I never thought of that," +she exclaimed. "You're a genius, Syd. But +go home or I shall famish! I'll meet Dave and +come right over there. I think the chickens +will fly that way to-night, anyway, don't +you?"</p> + +<p>"Of course they will," replied her cousin, +"they fly right over the top of my tent every +evening!" Then he started away, but turned +about quickly as though he had forgotten +something, and asked Livingston if he would +not come over to camp for supper, too.</p> + +<p>Livingston looked up into the dark eyes of +the girl beside him, then accepted.</p> + +<p>"Good!" said Sydney. "Come along with +Hope."</p> + +<p>"Be sure and see that there's enough +cooked," called the girl as he rode away.</p> + +<p>"Don't worry about that, pard," he answered, +then, lifting his hat, waved it high +above his head as he disappeared around the +reef of rocks.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span></p> + +<p>Hope looked after him and was still smiling +when she turned to Livingston. It may +have been something in his face that caused +her own to settle instantly into its natural +quiet.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to go up there for a moment," she +said, then dismounted, and leaving her horse +walked quickly up the grassy hill until she +stood beside the grave. Some sod had been +roughly placed upon the dirt, and scattered +over that was a handful of freshly picked +wild flowers.</p> + +<p>"<i>You</i> picked them!" exclaimed the girl +softly, turning toward him as he came and +stood near her. "And <i>I</i> never even thought +of it! How could you think of it! I had supposed +only women thought of those things—were +expected to think of them, I mean," +she added hastily. "You make me wonder +what——"</p> + +<p>He looked at her curiously.</p> + +<p>"Make you wonder what?" he asked in his +quiet, well modulated voice.</p> + +<p>A flush came over her face. Her eyes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> +shifted from his until they rested upon the +grave at her feet. The breeze threw a loose +strand of dark hair across one eye. She +rapidly drew her hand over her forehead, putting +it away from her vision, then looked full +and straight at the man beside her.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon; I cannot finish what +was in my mind to say. I forgot, Mr. Livingston, +that we are comparative strangers."</p> + +<p>"I am sorry, then, that you remember it," he +replied. "It never seemed to me that we were +strangers, Miss Hathaway. I do not think so +now. There is something, I know not what, +that draws people to each other in this country. +It does not take weeks or months or years to +form a friendship here. Two people meet, +they speak, look into one another's eyes, then +they are friends, comrades—or nothing, as it +sometimes happens. They decide quickly here, +not hampered by stiff conventionalities. It is +instinct guides. Are you different from your +countrymen?"</p> + +<p>"No," she replied quickly. "Not in that +one thing, at least. To be honest, I have never<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> +<i>felt</i> that you were a stranger to me; but a girl, +even a rough Western girl, must sometimes +remember and be restricted by conventionalities. +I know what you are thinking, that +conventionalities include politeness, and I have +been rude to you. Perhaps that is the reason +I wouldn't let you go back to Harris' with me +the other night—I had not known you long +enough."</p> + +<p>He answered her simply: "I am not thinking +of that night, but that you have just told +me you are my friend—that you think kindly +of me." She flashed him a look of surprise.</p> + +<p>"But I <i>never</i> told you that!" she exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Not in just those words, true," he said. +"But it is so. Didn't you say that you had +never felt me to be a <i>stranger</i> to you? If you +had not approved of me—thought kindly of +me in the start, could you have felt so? No. +When two people meet, they are friends, or +they are still strangers—and <i>you have never +felt me to be a stranger</i>. Is that not so?"</p> + +<p>"I cannot deny what I have just said," she +replied. "And I will not deny that I believed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> +what I was saying, but your argument, though +good, doesn't down me, because I honestly +think that a person may see another person +just once, feel that he never could be a +stranger, and yet have no earthly regard or +respect for that person."</p> + +<p>"Have you ever experienced that?" he inquired.</p> + +<p>"N—no. You are trying to corner me; but +that isn't what I came to talk about, and it is +time to go," she said, turning away from the +grave. He walked with her down the hill +toward her horse.</p> + +<p>"I wanted to ask you, Mr. Livingston, +about the little German girl," she said, standing +with her back against the side of her horse, +one arm around the pommel loosely holding the +reins, and the other stretched upon the glossy +back of the gentle animal. "When are you +expecting her, and what are you going to do +about her?"</p> + +<p>"She should be here the last of the week. +Poor girl! My heart bleeds for her. There is +nothing to do except to tell her the sad story,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> +and see that she gets started safely back to her +country and her friends," he answered.</p> + +<p>Hope stood upright, taking a step toward +him.</p> + +<p>"You would not—oh, it would be inhuman +to send her back over the long, terrible +journey with that cruel pain in her heart! +Think how tired she will be, the thousands of +miles of travel through strange lands, and the +multitude of foreigners she will have passed! +Think of the way she has traveled, those close, +packed emigrant cars, and everything. It is +terrible!"</p> + +<p>"I never thought of that. She will be tired. +You are right, it would never do to send her +over that long journey so soon, though she +is not coming through as an emigrant, but +first class, for she is of good family over there. +So was Fritz—a sort of cousin, I believe, but +the poor boy got into some trouble with his +family and came over here penniless. He was +to have met her in town and they expected to +get married at once. He was going to bring +her out here to the ranch to live until he had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> +hunted up a location for a home. If I am +not mistaken she has some money of her own +with which they were going to buy sheep. She +has been well educated, and has had some instruction +in English, as had Fritz.</p> + +<p>"I thought only of getting her back among +her friends again and I never gave a thought +about the long, weary trip and the poor, tired +girl. She must rest for a time. You have +shown me the right way, Miss Hathaway—and +yet, what am I to do? I could bring her +out here to the ranch, but there is no woman +on the place. Perhaps I may be able to secure +a man and his wife who need a situation, but +it is not likely. There may be some good family +about who would keep her for awhile. Do +you know of one?"</p> + +<p>"There are several families around here +who might welcome a boarder, but none with +whom a girl of that kind could be contented, +or even comfortable. If only I were at home, +and could take her there! I <i>might</i> send her +over there. But, no, that would be worse than +anything! There is no other way," she said<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> +suddenly, placing her hand upon his sleeve +with a quick unconscious motion. "You must +let me take care of her, up here, as I am, at +Harris'!" Excitement had flushed her cheeks +scarlet. Her eyes were filled with the light of +inspiration and more than earthly beauty. +She waited, intense, for him to speak, but he +could not. He felt her hand upon his arm, +saw the wonderful light in her face—and was +dumb.</p> + +<p>"Tell me that I may take care of her. I +must—there is no other way," she insisted. +"And it will give me the privilege of doing +one little act of kindness. Say it will be all +right!"</p> + +<p>"If she cannot find comfort and strength +in you, she cannot find it upon earth," he said +softly. "I have no words with which to thank +you!"</p> + +<p>She took her hand from his arm with a little +sigh of content, turned around and stood at +her horse's head a moment, then mounted as +lightly and quickly as a boy.</p> + +<p>"Where's your horse?" she asked, whirling<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> +the animal about until it faced him. The wonderful +light in her face had given place to a +careless, light-hearted look.</p> + +<p>"Up at the stable. Have you the time and +patience to wait for me?" said Livingston.</p> + +<p>"Plenty of patience, but no time," she replied. +"I promised to meet one of the twins +at six o'clock, so I've got to hurry up. I'll +meet you over at Syd's camp in a little while."</p> + +<p>Before he had time to either speak or bow she +was gone. As she disappeared behind the +ledge of rocks a clear boyish whistle of some +popular air floated back to him.</p> + +<p>Walking quickly through the pasture +toward the ranch buildings Edward Livingston +thought of many things—and wondered.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII</h2> + + +<p>At six o'clock on this afternoon in +May the sun was still high above the +mountain tops. By the time Edward +Livingston reached his ranch buildings and +saddled his horse to go to Carter's camp Hope +had ridden the two miles or more between his +fence and the school-house. There she found, +idly waiting beside the isolated building, surrounded +by several gaunt staghounds, not one +of the twins, but both.</p> + +<p>The soft-voiced twin was all smiles, but +Dave with his back against the front of the +building was scowling sullenly, giving vent to +his ugliness by kicking small stones with the +toe of his boot and watching them as they +went sailing high into the air, then down the +sloping stretch of young green below. At one +of those stones Hope's horse shied, but the +girl smiled, knowing full well the young sav<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span>age's +mood. She rode rapidly, and stopped +beside the boys, but did not dismount.</p> + +<p>"Am I late?" she inquired of the scowling +twin. "I see you are on time with the gun like +a good boy, Dave, and you've brought your +own along, too. We won't do a thing to those +chickens if we get sight of them to-night!" +She smiled at the boy, who became a trifle more +amiable; then she turned to his soft-voiced +twin. "How is it you're back so soon?"</p> + +<p>He brushed a speck of dust from his overalls +before replying, and his voice was particularly +sweet.</p> + +<p>"Had to come to report. You see when +I got there they was just quittin', so I came +along back with some o' the fellers. Didn't you +meet Long Bill and Shorty Smith up the road +there a piece when you come along?" The girl +nodded. "Well, I come back with them's far +as home; then I saw Dave getting the guns, so +I thought I'd get mine an' come along, too. +Say, what's a gating gun?" Hope looked perplexed +for an instant, then laughed outright.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you mean a Gatling gun!" She<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> +laughed, then very soberly: "It's a terrible +weapon of war—a wicked thing. Why do +you ask?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I just wanted to know," replied the +boy evasively. "I heard some o' the men +talkin' about one, so I thought I'd ask you. +Must shoot pretty fast, don't they? Long +Bill was tellin' about one that fired two thousand +shots a second."</p> + +<p>"That must have been a terror of one!" +exclaimed the girl. "But they don't shoot +quite as many as that, not even in a minute, +but they are bad enough. A few of them +would simply perforate an army of men. +They're a machine gun," she went on to explain. +"Just a lot of barrels fastened in a +bunch together and turned by a crank which +feeds in the cartridges and fires them, too. +They shoot over a thousand shots a minute."</p> + +<p>"I wish we'd 'a' had one the other night," +exclaimed Dave, waking at last to a new interest +in life. "And I'd 'a' had hold of the +crank!"</p> + +<p>"Wasn't it bad enough!" remonstrated the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> +girl. "Didn't you do enough damage to satisfy +your savage soul for awhile?"</p> + +<p>"Shorty Smith's got a game leg," returned +the boy gleefully, "an' so's old Peter. Long +Bill, he's got his hand all done up in a sling, +too, an' couldn't go back on the round-up!"</p> + +<p>"I wonder how Bill done that," mused the +other twin with a sweet, indrawn breath. Hope +flushed scarlet, which faded instantly, leaving +her face its rich, dark olive.</p> + +<p>"Come on," she cried severely, "if we are to +get any birds to-day!"</p> + +<p>"I know where there's a coyote's den," said +the soft-voiced twin. Dave was all attention +immediately.</p> + +<p>"Where?" he exclaimed eagerly. Hope, +interested, too, leaned forward resting her arm +upon the pommel of the saddle.</p> + +<p>"Well," said the boy, deliberately, sweetly—too +sweetly, thought the girl, who watched +him keenly—"I was goin' to keep it to myself, +an' get 'em all on the quiet, but it's in a kind +of a bad place to get at, so mebbe I can't do it +alone. It's 'bout a half mile back there, be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span>tween +here an' home, up on that ridge behind +old Peter's shack. There's a hole under the +side of the rocks, but it's hard diggin', kind of +sandstone, I reckon. I left a pickax an' shovel +up there."</p> + +<p>"Let's go up there now," cried Dave, +"an' get the whole bloomin' nest of 'em! We +can get the chickens later."</p> + +<p>"Now, look here," said the other quietly. +"The find's mine. If you're in on this here +deal, you'll have to work for your share. If +you'll do the diggin' you can have half of the +bounty on 'em. How's that?"</p> + +<p>Dave grunted. "Supposin' there ain't any +there," he demurred.</p> + +<p>The soft-voiced twin shrugged his shoulders +contemptuously.</p> + +<p>"What'd you suppose <i>I'd</i> be diggin' there +for if there wasn't none? There's a whole +litter o' pups."</p> + +<p>"Come on, then!" exclaimed Dave, convinced +of his good fortune, for the bounty on +coyotes was four dollars for each and every +one.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span></p> + +<p>Hope looked dubiously at the soft-voiced +twin, she thought of the supper at Sydney's +camp, then fired with the fun of the thing rode +gayly away with the boys.</p> + +<p>The hounds leaped after them, clearing the +ground with long, easy bounds. The girl +watched them glide along, yelping, barking, +filling the air with their voices. Her horse +loped neck to neck with the soft-voiced twin's. +She pointed at the dogs, drawing the boy's attention +to them.</p> + +<p>"Why did you bring them?" she asked. +"They'll warn your old ones and they'll be far +away by the time we get there. You're usually +so quick-witted, Dan, I wonder you did not +think of it!"</p> + +<p>The boy made no reply, but gave her a look +filled with cunning, cool intent.</p> + +<p>So this was his revenge—his twin was to dig +into a rocky ledge for an empty coyote's den! +She marveled at the boy's deliberate scheming, +and rode gayly along to see the outcome. To +this sort of revenge she had no actual objection.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span></p> + +<p>They rode up over the top of a high divide, +then followed down a narrow draw until it +widened into a tiny basin, and there, in the +center of vivid green, like a smooth, well-kept +lawn, nestled old Peter's cabin. Surrounding +this pretty basin were steep, high ridges and +hills, smooth-carpeted, too, except the ever narrow +terraced "buffalo trails," and here and +there a broken line where sharp crags of sandstone +jutted out. To the base of one of these +ridges of rock, back of the old hermit's +one-roomed log shack, the soft-voiced twin +led the way, followed closely by his eager +brother.</p> + +<p>The twins left their horses at the foot of the +hill and climbed up about thirty feet to a +narrow ledge, where a shovel and pickax +marked the small entrance of a coyote's den.</p> + +<p>Dave set immediately at work plying the +pickax with vigor, and shoveling out the stones +and the hardened sand about the opening, +while his twin superintended the job and occasionally +offered words of encouragement.</p> + +<p>Hope watched them from below. Evidently<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> +the soft-voiced boy was enjoying himself immensely. +He sat on one end of the ledge, his +blue-overalled legs dangling over the side, +while Dave worked industriously, hopefully +on.</p> + +<p>The hounds evidently had found a trail of +some kind, for after sniffing about busily for +a moment they made a straight line along the +hill, disappearing over the high ridge. Hope +watched them out of sight, feeling an impulse +to follow, but changed her mind and rode +over to old Peter's cabin instead. The old +man limped to the door and peered out cautiously.</p> + +<p>He was a squat-figured, broad-shouldered, +grizzled little man, with unkempt beard and a +shaggy sheaf of iron-gray hair, beneath which +peered bright, shifting blue eyes. He added +to his natural stoop-shouldered posture by a +rude crutch of hasty manufacture much too +short for him, which he leaned heavily upon. +He opened the door only wide enough to put +out his head, which he did cautiously, holding +his hand upon the wooden latch.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span></p> + +<p>"How d'!" he said in a deep, gruff voice +that seemed to come from somewhere between +his shoulders.</p> + +<p>She nodded brightly, remembering to have +seen the old fellow around Harris'.</p> + +<p>"You have no objection to our digging out +a den of coyotes back here, have you?" she +asked.</p> + +<p>"Umph! There ain't no den 'round here +that I know about," he replied, still retaining +his position in the door.</p> + +<p>"But see here," pointing toward the side +hill, "the boys have found one and are at work +up there right now."</p> + +<p>"More fools they, then," declared old Peter, +limping cautiously outside the door. "I cleaned +out that den three year ago, an' I never knowed +a coyote to come an' live in a place that'd been +monkeyed with. Too much sense fer that. I +always said a coyote had more sense 'n them +boys! Better go tell 'em they'd as well dig fer +water on the top o' that peak, Miss!" He +shook his tousled head dubiously, watched the +boys on the hill for a moment, then limped<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> +back again, taking up his first position, half in, +half out the door. His attitude invited her to +be gone, but she held in her uneasy horse and +proceeded in a friendly manner to encourage +some more deep-seated, guttural tones from the +old man.</p> + +<p>"Do you live here all alone?"</p> + +<p>"Humph! I reckon I do."</p> + +<p>"Have you lived here long?"</p> + +<p>"Reckon I have."</p> + +<p>"Are those your cattle up on the divide?"</p> + +<p>"I reckon they be."</p> + +<p>"It must be awful lonesome for you here +all by yourself. Do coyotes or wolves trouble +you much? Whoa, Rowdy!"</p> + +<p>"They're a plumb nuisance, Miss. Better +kill off a few of 'em while you're here. I +reckon you kin use yer gun."</p> + +<p>"I <i>reckon</i> I can, a little," she replied.</p> + +<p>"When I was in the war," he continued, +"they had some sharpshooters along, but they +wan't no wimmen among 'em. I reckon you're +right handy with a gun."</p> + +<p>"Who told you?" she asked suddenly.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I reckon I know from the way you hold +that 'ere gun."</p> + +<p>Just then the soft-voiced twin rode up to +the cabin. Hope accosted him.</p> + +<p>"Did you get the coyotes <i>already</i>?"</p> + +<p>"Nope, Dave's still diggin'. I'm goin' home +er the old man'll be huntin' me with the end of +his rope."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you'd better stay," she coaxed. "Think +of the fun you'll miss when Dave gets into the +den. It's your find; you ought to stay for +the finish."</p> + +<p>"I'll stake you to my share," said the boy. +"He'll soon find all there is. But I guess I'd +better be a-goin'."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you had," Hope replied, thoughtfully; +then she rode over to the industrious +Dave, while the soft-voiced twin wisely took a +straight bee-line across the hills to his father's +ranch.</p> + +<p>This time Hope herself climbed the hill +to the spot where the boy was digging.</p> + +<p>"Dave, I'm afraid there are no coyotes in +there, aren't you?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span></p> + +<p>He stopped work, wiped his brow with something +that had once been a red bandanna +handkerchief, then gravely eyed the girl, who +leaned against the rocks beside him.</p> + +<p>"But he said," pondering in perplexity. +"But he said——" He looked into the ragged +entrance of the hole, then at his shovel, +then up again at the girl. "What makes you +think there ain't no coyotes there?"</p> + +<p>She was filled with sympathy for the boy, +which perhaps he did not deserve, and she had +recollected the supper at Sydney's camp, and +concluded that this foolishness had gone far +enough. She coaxed the boy to leave it until +morning, but he was obdurate.</p> + +<p>"No, I'm goin' to <i>know</i> if there's anything +in here er not, an' if there <i>ain't</i>——" His +silence was ominous; then he set to work again +with renewed energy and grim determination.</p> + +<p>She watched him for awhile, then walked out +to the end of the bulging sand-rocks and +climbed the grassy hill. When at length she +reached the summit, the jagged rocks below +which labored the breed boy seemed but a line<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> +in the smooth green of the mountain, while old +Peter's cabin and the setting of green carpeted +basin looked very small. On the opposite side +a fine view presented itself, showing, in all +of Nature's magnificent display, soft lines of +green ridges, broken chains of gigantic rocks, +narrow valleys traced with winding, silvery +threads of rushing water. Such a picture +would hold the attention of anyone, but this +girl of the West, of freedom and wildness, was +one with it—a part of it, and not the least +beautiful and wonderful in this lavish display +of God's handiwork.</p> + +<p>She stood with bared head upon a high green +ridge. A soft, gentle chinook smoothed back +from her forehead the waving masses of dark +hair. Myriads of wild flowers surrounded her, +and from the millions below and about drifted +and mingled their combined fragrance. The +great orb of setting sun cast its parting rays +full on her face, and lingered, while the valleys +below darkened into shadow. As the last +rays lighted up her hair and departed, the yep! +yep! of the hounds attracted her attention, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> +turning about with quick, alert step she moved +out of this picture—forever.</p> + +<p>Standing upon a rocky ledge a hundred +feet below the summit of the ridge she +watched another scene, not the quiet picture +of Nature's benevolent hand, but a discord in +keeping, yet out of all harmony with it, in +which she blended as naturally and completely +as she had in the first. It was a race between a +little fleet-footed coyote and half a dozen +mongrel staghounds; they came toward her, a +twisting, turning streak, led by a desperate +gray animal, making, to all appearance, for +the very rocks upon which she stood. Not ten +yards behind the coyote a lank, slate-colored +hound, more gray than stag, was closing in +inch by inch. The coyote was doing nobly, so +was the mongrel hound, thought Hope, who +watched the race with breathless interest. The +yellow dogs were falling behind, losing ground +at every step, but the blue mongrel was spurting. +On they came—on—on, and the girl in +a tremor of excitement lay flat down upon the +rocks and watched them. Her heart went out<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> +to the dog. She had seen it kicked around the +yard at Harris', noticed it as it slunk about for +its scanty food, and now how nobly it was +doing! She wondered if any of her thoroughbreds +at home could do as well, and thought +not. The others were straggling far behind, +but now the blue hound was but two lengths +from the coyote, and its chances seemed small, +but on a sudden it turned and made direct for +the rocks from which the girl watched. That +instant the dog saw failure, and the light of +determination, of victory, died from its eyes. +That same instant the coyote saw salvation +from a quick end in the narrow crevices of rock +so near, and the next it lay stone dead with a +bullet through its brain. The gaunt hound +bounded over its body, then stopped short, bewildered, +and eyed its fallen foe. Then with +a savage snarl he seized it by the throat as if +to utterly demolish it, but the girl called him +off, and somehow, in his dog's heart, he understood +that the game was not his.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + + +<p>In the deepening shadows of the evening +Hope and the breed boy rode rapidly +toward the camp, hungry for the long-delayed +supper.</p> + +<p>"Dan staked me to his share of the coyotes, +so you may have them," said the girl.</p> + +<p>"Seven pups an' the old one!" exclaimed +Dave; "that's better'n huntin' chickens."</p> + +<p>"And supper just now is better than anything," +sighed Hope to herself. The boy +heard, but did not reply, his mind being busy +with a mathematical problem.</p> + +<p>"How much is eight times four dollars, an' +seventy-five cents for the hide?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"That's a little example I'll let you work out +for yourself," replied his teacher. "You're +awfully stupid in arithmetic, Dave, and it's +too bad, for in cases of coyotes' bounty and +so forth it would be a pretty good thing for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> +you to know. You hurry up and figure that +out, for to-morrow you're going to get a hard +one. It's this: If a Gatling gun fires two +thousand shots a minute how many can it fire +in half an hour?"</p> + +<p>"Whew! you don't expect anybody to +answer <i>that</i>, do you?" exclaimed the boy.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's easy," she laughed. "If you +can't figure it out yourself you might ask old +Peter or Long Bill, maybe they'd know."</p> + +<p>The boy rode along, his thoughts absorbed +in a brown study. At length he sighed and +looked up.</p> + +<p>"Well, anyway, it'll be enough to buy a +horse or a new saddle with." Then as though +struck with a sudden thought he asked: "Say, +what made Dan give you his share of them +coyotes?" She suppressed a faint inclination +to smile.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he gave up as I did, and thought +there was nothing there. Old Peter said he +knew there wasn't. But it's just possible Dan +wanted to be generous. Don't you think so?"</p> + +<p>"Not Dan!" exclaimed the boy. "There<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> +ain't one chance in a million <i>he'd</i> ever give such +snap as that away! I reckon," he concluded +after some studying, "he must 'a' thought that +den was empty an' was goin' to pay me back. +Ain't I got it on him now, though!"</p> + +<p>"And instead of being paid back you are +getting both shares of the coyote bounty, and +you know you don't deserve it. What are you +going to do about it?"</p> + +<p>"You bet <i>he</i> ain't a-goin' to get none of it!" +was the emphatic reply; to which the girl had +nothing to say.</p> + +<p>In a few moments they came in sight of +Sydney's camp. From out of the small stove-pipe +of the first of the two tents rolled a volume +of smoke, and across the narrow brush-covered +valley came the delicious odor of cooking +food. Simultaneously the two riders +urged on their horses to a faster gait, for Hope +at least was hungry. It is safe to say that the +breed boy was in the same condition, and this +invitation out to supper pleased him mightily. +He was a large, stolidly built lad of fourteen +years, and like all boys of that age, whether<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> +stolidly built or slender as a sapling, was +always hungry.</p> + +<p>"I'll bet I can eat the whole shootin' match," +he declared, actually believing that he spoke +the truth.</p> + +<p>"I think the meal is prepared for hungry +people," replied Hope, heartily agreeing with +the boy's sentiments. "And I hope they have +waited for us. But for goodness' sake be +careful not to make yourself sick, Dave!"</p> + +<p>The camp was pitched in an open flat beside +a small sparkling mountain stream. Upon +one side of the creek was brush-covered bottom +land, through which the riders followed a +winding trail, dim in the semi-darkness. Then +they splashed across the creek, and rode up its +steep bank into the clear, grass-covered government +dooryard of the campers.</p> + +<p>"Well, at last!" called a voice from the +tent. "The posse was just getting ready to go +in search of you. Thought the chickens must +have lured you away. Come right in, the feast +is prepared!"</p> + +<p>"All right, Syd," called the girl happily,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> +dismounting almost in the arms of old Jim +McCullen, her dear "father Jim," to whom +she gave the heartiest handshake he had ever +received.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm so glad you're back!" she exclaimed +as he led her horse away to stake it +out. "How's everything at home—the dogs +and horses, and everything? Never mind the +<i>people</i>! I don't want to hear a single thing +about them! We're late, Syd," she apologized, +as her cousin held open the tent flap for her to +enter, "but oh, we've had such a stack of fun!"</p> + +<p>She greeted the little English cook, an old +acquaintance, who beamed with smiles as she +entered. Then she cast her dark eyes about +the tent and encountered those of Livingston.</p> + +<p>"We were beginning to fear for your +safety, Miss Hathaway," he said to her, then +wondered why she should laugh. And she did +laugh loudly, with a clear, sweet, reverberant +ring that echoed through the little valley. Before +it had died away her face settled back +into its natural quiet. She threw her cowboy's +hat into a far corner, and seated herself on a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> +case of canned goods opposite Livingston, to +whom she immediately devoted herself.</p> + +<p>She was not bold, this slender, well-built girl +of the prairies,—no one who knew her could +conceive such an idea,—but she moved with a +forwardness, a certain freedom of manner that +was her own divine right. Whatever she did, +whatever she said, appeared right in her—in +another less graceful, less charming, less magnetic, +it would in many instances seem gross +boldness. But with her wonderful, forceful +personality whatever she did or said was the +embodiment of grace and right.</p> + +<p>Many of her acquaintances aped her ways +and little peculiarities of speech, to the utter +ruination of any originality or fascination +they may have themselves possessed, for such +originality cannot be imitated.</p> + +<p>She leaned nearer to Livingston.</p> + +<p>"You should have been with us—we've had +a great time! Just think, we got eight coyotes! +Isn't that fine for one evening?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed," he exclaimed, "I think that remarkable! +Your cousin said that something<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> +of the kind was keeping you. I take it that +you are passionately fond of hunting."</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is the greatest sport there is in this +country, and where the hunting is good, as it +is at home along the Missouri River, there is +nothing like it. But up here there is really no +game to speak of, though the mountains at +one time abounded with it. Even chickens are +as hard to find as a needle in a haystack. We +found a den of coyotes, seven little ones, and +one of the old ones we got with the help of the +dogs. You know," she said confidentially, "I +shouldn't have delayed this supper for anything +less than a den of coyotes."</p> + +<p>"There won't be the sign of any kind of +game left up here by the time she leaves," +remarked Sydney, taking a seat on the ground +beside her.</p> + +<p>"I heard tell as how she was tryin' to make +a clearance," said old Jim McCullen from the +entrance.</p> + +<p>She flashed him a quick look of surprise. +He answered it with a barely perceptible +squint, which she understood from years of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> +comradeship to mean that he shared her secret. +It meant more than that. He not only shared +her secret, but his right hand—his life—was at +her disposal, if necessary. Then, in acknowledgment +of his silent message she gave him +one of her rare, glorious smiles.</p> + +<p>"You did make a pretty lively clearing," +said her cousin. "Eight coyotes isn't so bad. +That means numerous calves saved, young +colts, a hundred or so sheep, not to mention +innumerable wild birds and barnyard fowl."</p> + +<p>"Truly, it makes us feel like conquerors, +doesn't it, Dave? But we're famished, Syd!" +Then placing her seat beside the table she +motioned the others to join her, and soon +they were enjoying a remarkably good camp +supper.</p> + +<p>The cook bustled about the tent, pouring +out coffee, apologizing, praising this dish or +that, and urging them to partake of more, all +in one breath.</p> + +<p>Sydney and his friend Livingston kept up +the conversation, to which Hope listened, too +contented and happy with the meal, the hour,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> +and the company to enter it herself. She +finally pushed back her plate, congratulated +the cook upon the success of his supper, and +gave the twin a warning look, which he completely +ignored.</p> + +<p>"Here, take another piece o' this pie," said +the cook, who had intercepted the girl's glance. +At this invitation the boy helped himself with +alacrity, and with a broad smile the cook continued: +"I never knowed a boy yet to kill +himself eatin'. You can fill 'em plumb full to +the brim, an' in a 'alf hour they're lookin' fer +more. All the same, dog er Injun, halways +hungry; an' a boy's just the same."</p> + +<p>"Eat all you want, youngster, you're not in +school now," said Carter. "I have a slight +recollection myself of a time when I had an +appetite."</p> + +<p>"I failed to notice anything wrong with it +to-night, Sydney," remarked the girl.</p> + +<p>"There's nothin' like a happetite," observed +the cook. "Did you's ever hear the meaning +hoff the word? This is how hit was told to +<i>me</i>." He stood before them emphasizing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> +each word with a forward shake of his first +finger. "H-a-p-p-y,—happy,—t-i-t-e, tight,—happy—tite—that's +right, ain't hit? +When you're heatin' hall you want you're +<i>tight</i>, an' then you're happy, ain't you? An' +that's what hit means,—happy-tight."</p> + +<p>Whether this observation of the small English +cook's was original or not those present +had no way of ascertaining. But since this +was but a sample of the many observations he +aired each day, it is reasonable to suppose that +it originated in his fertile brain.</p> + +<p>"I think there's no doubt about that +being the true derivation of the word," said +Hope. "In fact, I am sure it is. Isn't it, +Dave?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know nothin' about it," said the +boy, looking up from his last bite of pie; then +giving a deep sigh he reluctantly moved away +from the table.</p> + +<p>"Well, I can guarantee that you're happy," +said Hope, "and that is a positive demonstration +of the truth of William's observation. +But now we must go," she said, rising<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> +abruptly and picking up her hat from the +corner of the tent.</p> + +<p>"You haven't been here a half hour yet, +Hopie, but I suppose I must be thankful for +small favors," deplored Carter.</p> + +<p>"I've had my supper,—a nice one, too,—and +that's what I came for, Syd, dear," said +the girl. "And if I may, I will come again, +until you and dear old Jim both get tired +of me."</p> + +<p>"<i>Get tired</i>—fiddlesticks!" exclaimed McCullen, +while Sydney laughed a little, and left +the tent to saddle her horse. The breed boy +followed him; then Livingston, too, was about +to leave when McCullen stopped him.</p> + +<p>"Just stay in here by the fire and talk to +Hopie till we get your horses," he said, +abruptly leaving them together.</p> + +<p>The girl drew nearer the stove.</p> + +<p>"It's quite chilly out this evening," she +remarked.</p> + +<p>"That is the beauty of the nights in this +northern country," he replied, coming near to +her.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Why, we're alone," she observed. "I +wonder where William went!"</p> + +<p>"I didn't notice his disappearance," he +replied. "But we are alone—together. Are +you not frightened?"</p> + +<p>"Frightened? No!" she said softly. +"Why?"</p> + +<p>"A senseless remark. Do not notice it—or +anything, I beg of you. I am quite too happy +to weigh my words."</p> + +<p>"Then you have proved the cook's theory +correct; providing you have eaten—sufficiently," +she replied. They both smiled, and +darts of light from the stove played about +their faces.</p> + +<p>"Will you allow me—this night—to ride +home with you?" he asked, watching the fantastic +shadows upon her face and catching +gleams of her deep eyes as they occasionally +sought his own.</p> + +<p>She hesitated a moment before replying.</p> + +<p>"You think me a strange girl," she said. +"I wonder what you will think of me now if I +refuse this."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I think nothing except that you are the +sweetest girl I have ever known—and the +<i>noblest</i>. I thank my Maker for having met +you, and spoken with you, and sat here in the +firelight beside you! Your ways are your +own. I shall not—cannot question you, or +impose myself upon you. Our lives, it seems, +lie far apart. But I cannot help it—the +words burn themselves out—I love you, <i>Hope</i>—I +love you! Forgive me!" He raised her +hand to his lips and left her standing alone +in the firelight.</p> + +<p>"He loves me," she thought, far into the +quiet hours of the night. "He loves me, and +yet he ran away from me!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + + +<p>Late one afternoon during the following +week Livingston drove up to +Harris' ranch and helped from his +buggy a small, fair-haired girl who looked +with wonderment at the squalid log buildings, +the squealing, scurrying pigs and children, +and the usual group of roughly dressed men +waiting for their supper. The pain in her +eyes deepened, and she clasped Livingston's +arm like a frightened child.</p> + +<p>"<i>O</i>, <i>mein Freund</i>, I fear!" she cried, drawing +back.</p> + +<p>"Come," he urged gently. "There is +nothing to fear. You must trust me, for I am +indeed your friend, little girl. We will find +the one who is expecting you—who will love +you and be a sister to you."</p> + +<p>A look of trustful obedience came into her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> +sweet blue eyes, now disfigured by much +weeping, and without hesitation she walked +beside him past the group of rough-looking +men, dirty, barefooted children, scurrying pigs +and dogs, to the kitchen door.</p> + +<p>An Indian woman with a baby in her arms +stood in the shadow of the room and motioned +them to enter.</p> + +<p>"Is Miss Hathaway here?" inquired Livingston.</p> + +<p>At the sound of his voice the door of an +inner room opened and Hope, her slender +form gowned as he had first seen her, came +quickly across the untidy room toward +them.</p> + +<p>"I am Hope," she said to the girl, taking +both of her soft little hands in her own and +looking in wonder at the childish face with its +setting of wavy gold hair. Suddenly the +broken-hearted girl was in her arms sobbing +out her grief upon her shoulder. Hope led +her to a seat, removed her hat and coat, and +uttered words of endearment to her, soothing +her as she would have done a child.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span></p> + +<p>Could this impulsive, loving girl be Hope, +wondered Livingston, who still stood in the +doorway. She smoothed back the bright hair +from the pretty, childish face, exclaiming:</p> + +<p>"How beautiful you are! And what a little +thing to have such a grief! Oh, it is cruel, +<i>cruel</i>! Cry, dear, cry all you want to—it will +do you good, and the pain will sooner be +gone."</p> + +<p>"<i>O, Gott im Himmel</i>," sobbed the German +girl, "<i>gieb mir Muth es zu ertragen!</i>"</p> + +<p>"But you are, oh, so much braver than I. +Look at me, see what a great, big strong thing +I am, and <i>I</i> moaned and cried because the +world wasn't made to my liking! Oh, it makes +me <i>ashamed</i> now, when I see such a little, frail +thing as you suffer such a real sorrow! But I +am your friend—your sister, if you will have +me."</p> + +<p>"How goot you are, <i>meine liebe Freundin</i>!" +sobbed the girl.</p> + +<p>"May you never have reason to change +your opinion," replied Hope slowly, in German.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span></p> + +<p>"She speaks my language!" exclaimed the +German girl, with something like hopefulness +in her voice.</p> + +<p>"But very poorly," apologized Hope, looking +for the first time at the man standing +quietly in the doorway.</p> + +<p>"It will comfort her that you speak it at +all," he replied. "But without any language +you would still be a comfort to her. I will +leave her in your hands, Miss Hathaway. She +has had a long journey and—must be very +tired." He bowed and turned to go, but, +recollecting something, came back into the +room. "I am going now," he said to the +German girl, "but I will come to see you +often. You need have no fear when you are +with—Hope."</p> + +<p>Hope turned to him impulsively.</p> + +<p>"You will do as you say," she begged. +"You will come often to see her." Then +added, "You know she'll be terribly lonely +at first!"</p> + +<p>"It will give me great pleasure, if I may," +he replied.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span></p> + +<p>She held out her hand to him.</p> + +<p>"If you <i>may</i>! Are you not master of your +own actions? Good-by!"</p> + +<p>She took her hand from his firm clasp with +something like a jerk, and found herself blushing +furiously as she turned to the little German +girl.</p> + +<p>As far as anyone could be made comfortable +in the Harris home Hope made her little +charge so. She shared her room, her bed +with her, took her to school each day and kept +her constantly at her side.</p> + +<p>She was a simple, trusting German girl, +bright, and extremely pretty, and her name +was Louisa Schulte. From the first she had +loved Hope with an affection that was as +touching as it was beautiful, and as she came +to know her better, day by day her love and +admiration grew akin to worship. She believed +her to be the most wonderful girl that +ever lived, in some respects fairly superhuman. +She marveled at the skill with which she could +ride and shoot, and her wisdom in Western +lore. And behind every accomplishment,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> +every word and act, Louisa read her heart, +which no one before had ever known.</p> + +<p>So finding in the bereaved girl, who had so +strangely come into her life, the sympathy +and love for which she had vainly searched in +one of her own sex, Hope gave her in return +the true wealth of a sister's heart.</p> + +<p>For some time after Louisa's arrival Hope +was with her almost constantly, but the inactive +life began to tell upon her. Her eyes +would light up with an involuntary longing at +the sight of the breed boys racing over the +hills upon their ponies.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you go?" asked the German +girl, one morning, reading her friend with observant +eyes as the boys started out for a +holiday.</p> + +<p>It was a beautiful warm Saturday morning. +The two girls were sitting on a pile of logs +by the side of the road sunning themselves, +far enough away from the Harris house and +its surroundings to enjoy the beauty of a perfect +day.</p> + +<p>"I would rather stay here with you," re<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span>plied +Hope, arranging a waving lock which +the wind had displaced from Louisa's golden +tresses. "When the horse comes that I have +sent for, and you have learned to ride better, +we will go all over these mountains together. +I will show you Sydney's camp and take you +to old Peter's cabin, and let you see where +we found the den of coyotes. We will go +everywhere then, and have such a good +time!"</p> + +<p>Louisa looked at her tenderly, but her eyes +were filled with the pain of a great sorrow.</p> + +<p>"O, <i>Fräulein</i>, you are goot, so goot to me! +If I may ask, not too much, I wish to see +where lies <i>mein lieber Fritz</i>. I vill weep no +more—then. Ven I sleep the dreams come so +much. If I could see once the place it would +be better, <i>nicht wahr</i>?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Hope, "it is a lovely spot +and you shall see it. Mr. Livingston could +not have found a more beautiful place. Just +now it is all a mass of flowers and green grass +as far as you can see, and behind it is a great +high jagged wall of stone. It is beautiful!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Mr. Livingston is a good, true man," +mused Louisa, lapsing into German, which +Hope followed with some difficulty. "He +was very kind to my poor Fritz, who loved +him dearly. His letters were filled with his +praises. It was of him, of the beautiful country, +and our love of which he always wrote. +He was a good boy, <i>Fräulein</i>."</p> + +<p>"Tell me about him," said Hope, adding +hastily, "if you feel like it. I would love to +hear."</p> + +<p>Hope could not have suggested a wiser +course, for to speak of a grief or trouble wears +off its sharp edges.</p> + +<p>"He was a good boy," replied Louisa. "I +cannot see why God has taken him from this +beautiful place, and from me. It has been +a year, now, since I last saw him. He left in +a hurry. He had never spoken of love until +that day, nor until he told me of it did I +know that it was real love I had so long felt +for him. We grew up together. He was my +cousin. I had other cousins, but he was ever +my best companion—my first thought. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> +came to me that day and said: 'Louisa, I am +going far away from here to the free America. +It breaks my heart to leave you. Will +you promise to some day join me there and +be my wife?' I promised him, and then cried +much because he was going so far. It was +even worse than the army, I thought, and +somehow it held a strange dread for me. But +Fritz would not think of the army. His eldest +brother returned, and as head of the family all +the money went to him. My aunt married +again. Her husband is a wholesale merchant +of wines. He gave Fritz a position in his +warehouse, but very soon they quarreled. He +seemed not to like Fritz. Then there was +nothing for the poor boy but the army, or far +America. I could not blame him when he +chose freedom. The lot of the youngest son +is not always a happy one. A friend who had +been here told all about this great country and +the good opportunities, so he came. His letters +were so beautiful! I used to read them +over and over until the paper was worn and +would break in pieces. For a whole year I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> +waited, and planned, and lived on the letters +and my dreams, then filled with happiness I +started to him. To think that I have come +to the end of this long, strange journey to a +foreign land to see but his grave! Oh, God in +heaven, help me be brave!"</p> + +<p>"There is no death," said Hope, rising +abruptly from the log upon which she had +been sitting and standing erect before Louisa, +her dark commanding eyes forcing the attention +of the grief-stricken girl. "I know there +is no death. I feel it with every throb of my +pulse—in every atom of my being! <i>I</i> and my +<i>body</i>!—<i>I</i> and my <i>body</i>!" she continued impressively. +"How distinct the two! Can the +death of this lump of clay change the <i>I</i> that is +really myself? Can anything exterminate +the living me? Every throb of my whole +being tells me that I am more than this perishable +flesh—that I am more than time or place +or condition or <i>death</i>! I believe, like the +Indians, that when we are freed from this +husk of death—this perishing flesh, that the +we, as we truly are, is like a prisoner turned<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> +loose—that then, only do we realize what <i>life</i> +really means."</p> + +<p>Louisa's innocent eyes were intent upon her +as she strove to grasp the full meaning of the +English words.</p> + +<p>"<i>Ich weiss; es ist wahr</i>," she replied softly, +"<i>aber wenn der Kummer so frisch ist, dann ist +es unmöglich in dem Gedanken Trost zu +finden</i>."</p> + +<p>"I should have said nothing," said Hope in +contrition, seating herself upon the log pile +again.</p> + +<p>"<i>Nein</i>, my dear, dear friend! I have now +dis misery, but I belief you. Somedimes +your vords vill help—vat you calls 'em—vill +<i>soothe</i>, und I vill be better."</p> + +<p>"Then it's all right," said Hope, jumping +from the logs and giving her hand to Louisa +to assist her down. "Let's walk a little."</p> + +<p>They went slowly up the road toward the +school-house, and had not proceeded far when +they met Livingston driving toward them in +an open buggy.</p> + +<p>Hope waved her hand to him and hastened<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> +forward, while Louisa smiled upon him the +faintest of dimpled greetings, then drew +back to the side of the road while the girl +of the prairies stepped up to the side of his +buggy.</p> + +<p>"You haven't kept your word very well," +she said. "We have seen you only twice, and +Louisa has wondered many times what has +been keeping you. Isn't that so, Louisa?" +she nodded at the girl. "I am glad you have +come this morning, because I want to ask you +a favor."</p> + +<p>"I am at your service," he replied.</p> + +<p>"You know Louisa hasn't learned to ride +yet, and Harris' have no other way of conveyance, +so I wanted to ask you to take +her in your buggy—to see Fritz's grave." +The last few words were added below her +breath.</p> + +<p>"I came this morning to ask you if she did +not wish to see it," he replied. "It might be +good for her."</p> + +<p>"Of course <i>you</i> should be the first one to +think of it!" she said quickly, shading her eyes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> +with her hand to look down the long, crooked +stretch of road. "I didn't think of it at all +myself. She has just asked me if she might +see it. All the virtues are yours by right," she +continued, showing, as she again faced him, a +flash of her strong white teeth. "And the +funny part of it is, I think I am getting jealous +of the very virtues you possess!"</p> + +<p>"You should see with my eyes awhile," he +replied, "and you would have no cause for +jealousy."</p> + +<p>"I do not know jealousy in the ordinary +sense of the word—that was entirely left out +of my make-up, but for once I covet the attributes +of thoughtfulness that should be ingrained +in every woman's nature."</p> + +<p>When she had spoken he seemed struggling +for an instant with some strong emotion. +Without replying he stepped from his buggy +and walked to the heads of his horses, presumably +to arrange some part of the harness.</p> + +<p>Livingston struggled to keep back the +words which sprang to his lips. He loved the +girl with all the strength of his nature. Her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> +whole attitude toward him artlessly invited +him to speak, but his manhood forbade it.</p> + +<p>He was a puzzle, she thought, impatiently. +Why did he not make a little effort to woo her, +after having declared his love in no uncertain +manner? She was not sure that she wanted +to receive his advances if he should make any, +but why did he not make them? She knew +that she was interested in him, and she knew, +also, that she was piqued by his apparent indifference. +She knew he was like a smoldering +volcano, and she had all a girl's curiosity +to see it burst forth; but with the thought +came a regret that their acquaintance would +then be at an end.</p> + +<p>"I can take you both up there now, if you +wish," he said, coming around to the side of +the buggy. "The seat is wide and I do not +think you will be uncomfortable."</p> + +<p>Hope had turned her eyes once more down +the narrow, winding stretch of gray toward +the Harris ranch.</p> + +<p>"I think I will not go," she replied, still +peering ahead from under the shade of her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> +hand. "Yes, I am sure now that's Sydney. +See, just going into the corral. Jim was to +have brought me an extra saddle horse to-day, +but Sydney has come instead, so I'll go back. +Louisa can go alone with you." She motioned +to the girl. "Come, Louisa, Mr. Livingston +wants to take you for a little drive. I will be +down there at the house when you come back."</p> + +<p>The girl understood enough of their conversation +to know where she was expected to +go. Obediently, trustfully, with one loving +glance at Hope, she climbed into the buggy +beside Livingston and was soon riding rapidly +up the mountain road to the grave of her +sweetheart.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV</h2> + + +<p>Hope's anxiety to reach the ranch +could not have been great, for she +walked slowly along the dark, gray +stretch of road, vaguely dreaming the while, +and offering excuses to herself for not having +accepted Livingston's invitation. She managed +to find several reasons. First, it would +have been too crowded; second, Sydney had +brought the horse, and was probably waiting +to see her; third, she had no particular desire +to go, because he had so obviously wanted her +to do so. Finally, after weighing all her excuses, +she was obliged to admit that the only +thing that really troubled her was Livingston's +evident unconcern at her refusal to accompany +them.</p> + +<p>She had reached a point in her life where +self-analysis was fast becoming an interesting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> +study. At present it struck her as being amusing.</p> + +<p>The clatter of hoofs and a wild whoop +brought her out of her absorbing study, as +down the nearest side-hill the twins raced pell-mell, +the pinto pony leading the stylish Dude +by half a length. They drew up suddenly in +the road beside her.</p> + +<p>"Now you can see fer yourself that that +Dude cayuse of Dave's ain't in it with my +pinto!" exclaimed the soft-voiced twin.</p> + +<p>"What'er you givin' us!" shouted Dave. +"Just hear him brag about that spotted cayuse +of his'n! 'Twasn't no even race at all. +He had 'bout a mile the start!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, come off your perch!" retorted the +other sweetly.</p> + +<p>"Where are you boys going?" asked Hope.</p> + +<p>"Nowheres. We seen you from the top of +the divide, an' I thought I'd just show you +what was in Pinto. He's all right—you bet! +Ain't you, old man?" said the boy, pulling his +pony's mane affectionately.</p> + +<p>"Oh, <i>I</i> wasn't tryin' to show off!" ex<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span>claimed +Dave. "But just give me a level road +an' I'll beat you all to pieces!"</p> + +<p>"Where have you been?" inquired Hope.</p> + +<p>The boys looked at each other in a sheepish +manner.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to guess," said the girl suspiciously, +"and if I am right you'll have to own +up. In the first place your father sent you out +to bring in those cows and calves over near old +Peter's basin. Instead of that you went on +farther and found a camp. You went in one +of the tents and ate some dried blackberry +pie, instead of bringing in the cattle. Now, +isn't that so?"</p> + +<p>Dave looked dumfounded.</p> + +<p>"I don't see how you knew that when you +wasn't along! Gee, you must know things +like grandmother White Blanket!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>The soft-voiced twin began to laugh. "I +told you that you was gettin' more o' that pie +on your face 'n you was in your mouth!" he +exclaimed, whereupon the other quickly turned +away his besmeared countenance, proceeding<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> +to wipe it vigorously with the sleeve of his +coat.</p> + +<p>"Have you got your bounty yet for the +coyotes you dug out of the hill?" asked Hope, +to allay his discomfort. She glanced sideways +at the soft-voiced twin, who assumed his +most docile, innocent expression, and rode on +ahead. It had become a sore subject with him. +Suddenly giving a wild whoop he spurred up +his pinto and dashed in among the assortment +of tents, bringing to the entrance of her abode +old Mother White Blanket, who hurled +after him numerous blood-curdling, Indian invectives. +Then she covered her yellow prongs +of teeth under a wrinkled lip and scowled +fiercely at Hope as she passed along the road, +causing the breed boy to say:</p> + +<p>"The old woman's got it in fer you, I +reckon. But don't you care, she ain't so all-fired +smart as she makes out to be!"</p> + +<p>"I'm not afraid of her," replied Hope. +"She suspects me of having had a hand in the +shooting that night at the sheep-corrals up +there, and in consequence has a very bad heart<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> +for me. Now how could she think such a thing +as that? I don't believe she's much of a witch, +though, because when she gets in one of her +fits of passion she'd ride off on a broomstick if +she were."</p> + +<p>"She's got eyes like a hawk," said the boy, +"always seem' everything that's goin' on."</p> + +<p>"She don't miss much, that's sure," mused +Hope, as they passed by the house and approached +the corrals. There the soft-voiced +twin was talking with Carter, praising, enthusiastically, +the points of his pinto cayuse, +and comparing it with the blooded saddle +horse which Sydney had just brought from +Hathaway's home-ranch at Hope's request. +The boy never knew just how his statements +were received, for at sight of Hope the young +man went out into the road to meet her.</p> + +<p>She welcomed him with a quick smile, which +a year previous would have been accompanied +by a sisterly kiss. Carter noted its omission +this day with singular impatience. How long, +he wondered, before she would forget his foolishness. +It occurred to him then, that in spite<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> +of her girlishness she was very much a woman, +and his actions toward her, which now he most +heartily regretted, had ignited a spark of self-consciousness +in her nature, raising an effective +barrier between them that only time could +wear away.</p> + +<p>"I expected Jim with the horse instead of +you, Sydney," she said. "How did it happen?"</p> + +<p>"A lot of men are up with the trail herds, +and your father needed Jim to help pay them +off, so I brought the horse instead. Jim will +be back in a couple of days," he explained.</p> + +<p>"You went down to the ranch, then, with +him yesterday evening, I suppose," said Hope. +"What are they all doing there?"</p> + +<p>"It looks just as it did any evening last +summer, if you happened to drop in on them. +Little Freddie Rosehill thumping away at the +piano and singing bass from the soles of his +feet, that tallest Cresmond girl, with the red +hair, yelling falsetto, and the others joining in +when they got the chance. Then down at the +other end of the room the usual card table<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span>—your +father, mother, Clarice, and O'Hara, and +father and mother Cresmond watching the +game and listening to the warbling of their +offspring."</p> + +<p>"Is <i>Larry O'Hara</i> there?" asked Hope in +surprise. "I thought he was not coming this +year."</p> + +<p>"Don't you ever think O'Hara is going to +give you up as easy as that," replied Sydney, +laughing. "He just got there yesterday, and +was in the depths of despair when he discovered +you had flown. He told Clarice he +was coming over here to see you as soon as he +could decently get away. His mother's with +him, which makes that proposition a little more +awkward for him than if he were alone. It +was late when I got there and I didn't have +time to change my clothes, so I just walked in +on them in this outfit. But they seemed pretty +glad to see me."</p> + +<p>"I'll bet they nearly smothered you with +welcome! I can just see them," said Hope. +"That Lily Cresmond with the red hair always +was so demonstrative to you, Syd. I'm<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> +sorry O'Hara is there, and Clarice Van Renssalaer, +too—or rather, I mean, I'm sorry only +because they are there that I am not at home, +for I like them; but I'm not very sorry +either, Syd. I'd rather be up here in the +mountains, free like this, with my poor little +Louisa, and you and Jim camping over the +hills there, than stifling in the atmosphere of +those New York people."</p> + +<p>"You're a queer girl, Hope, but I don't believe +I blame you much. I was glad to leave +this morning and head my horse this way."</p> + +<p>"Did father—ask about me?" she inquired +hesitatingly.</p> + +<p>"He didn't lose any time in getting me off +alone and questioning me for about an hour," +he replied. "He misses you, Hope."</p> + +<p>"Poor father—poor old Dad!" exclaimed +the girl softly. Then with a peculiar motion +of her head and shoulders, as if throwing off +a load, she remarked firmly: "But that makes +no difference. I am glad, anyway, to be here. +I have you and Jim so near, and my dear little +German girl—and perfect freedom!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And you have Livingston to take the place +of O'Hara," he returned, "and there is +nothing lacking, as far as I can see, except a +good cook in the Harris family."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Livingston is nothing to me," replied +Hope quickly, "and he doesn't care anything +for me, if that is what you mean to imply." +Her eyes flashed and she spoke with unusual +sharpness.</p> + +<p>"We can't afford to quarrel, Hope," exclaimed +Carter. Then, putting his hand upon +her shoulder, said very earnestly: "I was just +joking, and didn't mean to imply anything, so +don't be angry with me. Besides, it won't do. +It's near noon and I was going to suggest that +we go over to camp and have William get us +up a good dinner, and then we'll go fishing. +What do you say? You can invite your breed +brigade; they look hungry," pointing to the +two boys sitting on the ground in the shade of +a log barn, their knees drawn up under their +chins.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't mind what you say, Syd, +dear," she said abruptly. "I believe I am get<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span>ting +to be quite as foolish as other people, to +be offended so easily. I should as soon expect +you to turn upon me in wrath if I told you to +look out for little Louisa."</p> + +<p>"Poor little Louisa," he exclaimed. +"Where is she?"</p> + +<p>"We went up the road for a walk, and Mr. +Livingston drove along and took her up to +see her Fritz's grave," she explained.</p> + +<p>"Now then, my girl, <i>you</i> look out for +Louisa! There's nothing like consoling grief +to bring two hearts close together. How did +you ever come to allow him to carry her away +up there and do the consolation act? You'll +sure lose him now! I thought you had more +diplomacy!"</p> + +<p>She laughed a little.</p> + +<p>"Unless a man loved me with every atom of +his being, with his whole life, I couldn't feel +the least attraction for him in <i>that</i> way," she +said. "That is the way I have planned for the +<i>one</i> man to love, my ideal man, Syd. When +such a man comes along I shall love him, but I +very much fear he does not exist."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Then you're doomed to die an old maid, +Hope! But don't you think O'Hara entertains +that kind of affection for you?"</p> + +<p>"Do you know, I have a perfect horror of +being an old maid. Probably I'll outgrow it. +O'Hara? No, indeed! He'll get over it soon +enough, and think just as much of some other +girl. He's a nice boy, a good friend, but he +isn't just my idea of what a man should be."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid you're doomed, Hope," said +her cousin, shaking his head solemnly. +"What will you do, spend your lonely maidenhood +out here on the prairie, or take a life +interest in some Old Ladies' Home?"</p> + +<p>"Did you say something about going up to +camp?" she asked. "But I ought to wait for +Louisa; she should be back now."</p> + +<p>"I've ridden twenty miles this morning, and +the consequence is my appetite is rather annoying," +replied Sydney. He called to the +two boys, sitting drowsily in the shade. +"Here, you boys, if you want to go out and +get some grub with this lady, just run in her +horse for her as fast as you can."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, I should say so!" exclaimed the soft-voiced +twin, who jumped up with wonderful +alacrity, followed more slowly by Dave. +Another moment they were spurring their +ponies across the large, fenced pasture toward +a bunch of horses grazing quietly in the distance.</p> + +<p>"Those boys are all right when there's anything +to eat in sight," remarked Carter.</p> + +<p>"Or any fun," added the girl.</p> + +<p>"How in the world do you tell them apart?" +he inquired. "I look at one and think I've +got him spotted for sure, and then when the +other one turns up I'm all mixed again. You +seem to know them so well, you must have +some kind of a mark to go by."</p> + +<p>"They are so entirely different in their natures," +she said, "that I almost know them +apart without looking at them. Their faces +look different to me, too. Dan has certain expressions +that Dave never had; and their +voices are nothing alike."</p> + +<p>"I've noticed their voices," said her cousin, +watching the boys as they deftly turned the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> +bunch of horses and headed them toward the +corral. "Well, they can sure ride to beat three +of a kind! They're not losing any time with +those horses, either."</p> + +<p>The corral was built in a corner of the pasture +fence, near the stables. It took the breed +boys scarcely five minutes to corral the horses, +rope the saddle animal wanted, throw open the +large gate and lead out the horse. The other +horses followed with a mad dash, kicking up +their heels in very joy for their unexpected +freedom.</p> + +<p>Hope watched the road, as far as she could +see it, looking for the return of her small German +friend.</p> + +<p>"We'll ride along," suggested Sydney, +throwing the saddle upon her horse, "and +we'll probably meet them. I don't think we'll +have any trouble getting Livingston to drive +over to camp, and we'll all go fishing together."</p> + +<p>This seemed to take a load from the mind of +Hope, and light-heartedly she rode away toward +the camp with her cousin and the breed +boys.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + + +<p>They met Livingston and his charge +just as they reached the dimly marked +trail that led up a gulch toward +Sydney's camp. At the invitation extended +for dinner the sheep-man drove up the coulee +and followed the riders.</p> + +<p>William, the cook, greeted his guests with +a generous smile, then proceeded to do a great +amount of hustling about preparing for the +meal, which he promised would be an excellent +one. Being a round-up cook of much experience, +he soon set before them such an assortment +of edibles as would have dumfounded +the uninitiated.</p> + +<p>The afternoon passed off pleasantly. Hope +was unusually vivacious, and Sydney full of +amusing small talk, principally concerning +his sundry adventures and impressions during +his brief absence from camp.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span></p> + +<p>They all felt the grief of the German girl, +and each showed his sympathy in a different +manner. Sydney talked, often in an aimless, +senseless way, but obviously to divert the unhappy +girl. Hope filled each pause, concluded +every description with rich drollery and mimicry, +while Livingston's quiet attentiveness +betokened the deepest compassion. Even William +gave her many smiles and made numerous +witty remarks, which were wholly lost upon +her.</p> + +<p>"You're in a very bad crowd of people, +Miss Louisa," said Sydney. "But after +awhile you'll be so much like us that you won't +notice how bad we are!"</p> + +<p>"Shame on you, Sydney!" exclaimed +Hope. "Louisa never could be bad!" Then +to the girl: "The truth is, <i>he's</i> the only bad +one in the whole outfit, so don't let him make +you think that the rest of us are bad, too!"</p> + +<p>"You are all <i>so</i> goot," said Louisa, in great +earnestness.</p> + +<p>"Now listen to that!" cried Sydney. +"That's the first time anybody ever accused<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> +<i>me</i> of being good! I'll get a gold medal and +hang it about your neck, Miss Louisa, and I'll +be your faithful servant from now on."</p> + +<p>"And you'll bring her fresh flowers every +day, and maybe you could borrow Mr. Livingston's +buggy since you haven't one of your +own. But don't soar too high, Sydney, she +doesn't know you yet!" returned his cousin.</p> + +<p>"But <i>you</i> like him," said Louisa, "and daat +iss—vat you calls 'em—<i>recommend</i> enough!"</p> + +<p>They were all surprised by this first flash +of the real Louisa, the Louisa of sunshine and +mirth, whom Sorrow had so soon branded.</p> + +<p>It was the first time Sydney had heard her +utter anything but the briefest monosyllables. +He looked at her, astonished. For an instant +silence reigned, then Hope, with sudden +abandonment, threw her arms about her, exclaiming:</p> + +<p>"Oh, you're the dearest thing I ever saw! +Isn't she, Syd?" And then, as if ashamed of +her impulsiveness, she jumped up and laughingly +left the tent. A few moments later she +put her head inside, remarking: "The trout<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> +haven't begun to feed yet. I'd like to know +how we are going to put in the time waiting +for them! It's too hot for anything in +there, and it won't be a bit of use to try to +fish for an hour, at least. All of you come +outside."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Carter, rising lazily to his feet. +"I've discovered a small Eden down there under +the willows, along the creek. All green +and mossy and pepperminty, but the snake's +never showed up yet. Come on, we'll all go +down there."</p> + +<p>He led the way along the steep bank of the +small creek and down its opposite side until a +parting in the willow brush revealed one of +Nature's hidden glories, a small glen, shady +and beautiful. From its very center sprang a +tiny spring, forming a clear, glassy pool of +water which narrowed into a tiny trickling rill +that went creeping through the grass-carpeted +arbor to the larger stream beyond.</p> + +<p>It was beautifully inviting, and Hope sank +down upon a mossy cushion with an exclamation +of delight.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Now, how am I for an entertainer?" +asked Sydney gayly. Hope turned her dark +eyes upon him, then about the little arbor.</p> + +<p>"Wait," she said softly, "don't talk for a +minute—don't even breathe. This is glorious!" +Then after a brief pause, continued: +"There, the spell's passed! This place is no +longer enchanting, but lovely and cool, just the +same, and is a whole lot better than that roasting +tent up there. What became of the twins? +Probably they are more attracted by William's +mode of entertainment than yours, +Syd!" She turned to Livingston and smiled. +"William has two regular customers already, +you know. I am afraid to think what will +happen if he camps here all summer."</p> + +<p>"I am inclined to add my name to the list +if he entertains such charming ones every +day," replied the sheep-man.</p> + +<p>"I meant the <i>boys</i>," said Hope in all seriousness.</p> + +<p>Sydney laughed outright.</p> + +<p>"How do you know but what he meant the +boys, too?" he asked. She looked at him with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> +an assumption of surprise. "A girl never +makes such a mistake as that," she said. "It +was a very pretty compliment."</p> + +<p>"Worthy of O'Hara," he put in.</p> + +<p>"Worthy of Mr. Livingston," she declared. +"O'Hara's compliments are not so delicate. +They are beautifully worded, but unconvincing."</p> + +<p>"I believe she's actually giving you credit +for extreme honesty!" exclaimed Carter.</p> + +<p>"I sincerely trust so," replied his friend +heartily. "It would be a most pleasing compliment."</p> + +<p>"Well, I should say it would be the biggest +one <i>she</i> ever paid anyone! You're the first +one Hope ever credited with honesty. You +can sit for an hour and tell her a great long +story and she'll never give you the satisfaction +of knowing for sure whether she believes you +or not. The chances are she don't. She'll take +your assertions, weigh every word, and then +draw her own conclusions."</p> + +<p>"You only know from your own experience," +demurred Hope. "All people haven't<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> +your habit of departing from the truth, you +know." Then to Livingston: "Really, he +can tell a terrible whopper with the straightest +face imaginable! He only proves to you how +well I know him. Last summer he told a girl +a ridiculous story about snakes. It was her +first visit at the ranch, and for several days +I thought something was the matter with her +brain. Every time she heard a grasshopper +buzz anywhere near she would give a shriek +and turn deathly pale. She finally told me +that she feared rattlesnakes because Sydney +had told her that that particular buzz was the +snake's death rattle and that something or +somebody was doomed for sure, that if the +snake couldn't get the human victim it had set +its eyes upon, it crept into a prairie-dog hole +and got one of them. Of course that is only a +sample of his very foolish yarns, which no one +but an ignorant person would think of believing."</p> + +<p>"I remember," laughed Sydney. "That +was that fair Lily Cresmond. She got up +and had breakfast with me at six o'clock this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> +morning. Poor girl! I'm afraid I've put my +foot in it this time!"</p> + +<p>"For goodness' sake, did she propose to +you?" asked Hope, aghast.</p> + +<p>"Not that I'm aware of!" answered Sydney. +"No, it's worse than that. She asked +me to tell her really and truly why <i>you</i> weren't +at home this summer. She crossed her heart, +hoped to die she'd never breathe a word of it +to a living, human creature, so I told her that +it pained me to tell the sad story, but last +season Freddie Rosehill had shown you such +evident admiration that your father had become +thoroughly alarmed and thought it best +to keep you out of his way for the present. +But I suggested that you might face paternal +wrath and come back just for one look at the +dear little boy."</p> + +<p>"Sydney, you never did!" gasped Hope. +"<i>How could you?</i>"</p> + +<p>"Freddie came trotting out for his morning +constitutional just as I was riding away," he +continued, "and he waved his cane in the air +and actually <i>ran</i> down to the corral to say<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> +good-by. I really believe he liked me for once +because I was leaving, and he very gingerly +asked about you, and naturally was visibly relieved +when I assured him that you would +probably not be home while he was there. +Talk about your joshers!" he said to Livingston. +"Hope had the little Englishman so he +didn't know his soul was his own! She'd take +him out on the prairie and lose him, have him +pop away for an hour at a stuffed chicken tied +to the top of a tree, shoot bullets through his +hat by mistake, and about a million other +things too blood-curdling to mention. He +didn't want to refuse my aunt's invitation to +join the party at the ranch every summer, but +his days and nights were spent in mortal terror +of this dignified daughter of the house. And +I must say there wasn't much love lost between +them."</p> + +<p>"A brainless little fop!" commented Hope.</p> + +<p>"Well, it seems he had sense enough to +catch that oldest Cresmond girl, Lily, whose +ears I filled with the pathetic story; but I didn't +know it then, that's the fun of it! He held out<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> +his fat little hand to me when I started out +this morning and said: 'I want your congratulations. +Lily has promised to be my Lady.' +'You don't say so,' I said. 'Lord, but what a +haul you've made, Rosehill!' 'Yes,' said he, +'she's a beauty!' 'And a million or so from +her papa'll set you up in housekeeping in great +shape over in Old England. I certainly congratulate +you!' said I. He didn't seem to have +anything more to say, so I rode off, and do you +know I never once thought of what I'd told +that girl about him liking you until I was +halfway here."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Syd, what have you done!" cried +Hope. "You ought to go right back to the +ranch and fix it up for them. It might be real +serious!"</p> + +<p>"Don't worry; they'll fix it up between +them, just give 'em time," laughed Sydney. +"But then I shouldn't like to be the cause of +breaking up such a match. I sure wouldn't!"</p> + +<p>"I should say not! It would be terrible!" +agreed Hope.</p> + +<p>"No, I wouldn't like it on my conscience,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> +continued Sydney, "to break up such a good +match by my thoughtless words. It would be +too bad to spoil two families!"</p> + +<p>"I quite agree with you, excepting the lady, +whom I do not know," remarked Livingston. +"But I have met Rosehill. He is, in my estimation, +a worthless specimen of English aristocracy."</p> + +<p>"Oh, they're mostly all alike, a mighty poor +outfit all through, from the ones I've known! +But I guess they'll manage to fix it up among +themselves," laughed Hope.</p> + +<p>At this remark Livingston looked oddly at +the girl, then the brush crackled near them, +followed by the appearance of one of the +twins, who, smiling victoriously, held up for +inspection a small string of trout.</p> + +<p>"And here we've been wasting our time +when we might have been fishing instead!" +exclaimed Hope, springing up from her +mossy couch and minutely examining the +string of fish.</p> + +<p>"You'll find fishing tackle, all you want, up +at camp. William'll show you," remarked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> +Sydney. "For my part I shall stay here and +gather strawberry leaves for Miss Louisa to +make into wreaths. Isn't this one a daisy? +It's too warm to fish, anyway," he concluded.</p> + +<p>"You shall not decide for her, Syd," declared +Hope. "Which would you rather do, +Louisa?"</p> + +<p>The German girl shook her head, smiling +a little. "It is very warm," she said.</p> + +<p>"Then you shall stay with Sydney," decided +Hope. "But I am only going to fish a little +while, anyway, because I've got something else +I want to do." She looked up at Livingston, +who had come near her, and laughed. "Yes, +you may go with me if you will show me how +to cast a fly. Sydney says you are an expert +fisherman, but I don't know the first thing +about it. We will walk up the creek and fish +down, because the boys are fishing down here." +She called to the boy, who was walking toward +the stream: "I'll be ready to go home in about +an hour, wait for me!" He nodded in reply. +"Come on," she said to Livingston.</p> + +<p>They had fished in silence some minutes,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> +far up the stream at an open point where several +other smaller streams joined this, forming +a broad group of tiny, gravelly islands.</p> + +<p>"I do think," said the girl finally, "that +this is great sport, though I cannot haul them +out like you do. Now it must be luck—nothing +more, for we both have exactly the same +kind of flies."</p> + +<p>"You leave your fly too long in the water," +said the man. "You should cast more—like +this."</p> + +<p>"But I can't for the life of me get the hang +of it," she exclaimed, making a desperate attempt.</p> + +<p>"Not like that," said Livingston. "Look, +this is the way. There, you've caught yourself!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, how foolish," laughed the girl. "It's +in there to stay, too!"</p> + +<p>"Wait, I will assist you," he said, leaping +across the stream which separated them, and +coming to her side.</p> + +<p>"I think I can get it out all right," she said, +throwing down her pole, and using on the en<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span>tangled +hook more force than discretion. She +laughed in a half-vexed manner at her attempts, +while Livingston stood near watching, +his eyes earnest, intent, his face illumed +by a soft, boyish smile of quiet enjoyment.</p> + +<p>"If I had another hook I'd cut this off +and leave it in there," she said, "but the fishing +is too fine to leave now. No, wait a minute," +motioning him back with the disengaged hand +while she tugged vigorously at the hook with +the other. "I can do it. If only the material +in this waist wasn't so strong, I might tear it +out. How perfectly idiotic of me to do such +a thing, anyway!" Her cheeks were aflame +with the exertion. "You see," she continued, +still twisting her neck and looking down sideways +at the shoulder of her gown where the +hook was imbedded, "I don't want to break +it because we'd have to go way back to the +camp and start in over, and then it would be +too late in the day. I don't see what possessed +that fish to get away with my other hook! But +this goods simply won't tear!"</p> + +<p>"There's no other way," declared Living<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span>ston, +with conviction. "You will have to let +me help you. I'll cut it out. See," he scrutinized +the hook very closely, while Hope +threw down her arms in despair, "it's only held +by a few threads. If you don't mind doing +a little mending, I will perform the operation +in a moment to your entire satisfaction."</p> + +<p>"Well, hurry, please, because we are certainly +wasting good time and lots of fish."</p> + +<p>"If all time were but wasted like this," he +exclaimed softly, prolonging the task.</p> + +<p>She knew that he was taking undue advantage +of the situation and that she was +strangely glad of it, recklessly glad, in her +own fashion. She had never looked at him +so closely before. In this position he could +not see her. She noticed his broad, white forehead, +and felt a strong desire to touch the hair +that dropped over it, then admonished herself +for feeling glad at his slowness.</p> + +<p>From the hillside above them a man on a +piebald horse watched the scene interestedly. +Without warning the girl's eyes lifted suddenly +from the soft, brown hair so near, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> +met those of the rider above. Livingston's +head was bent close to her own, so that he did +not see the leering, grinning face that peered +down at them, but Hope caught the look direct, +and all, and more, than it seemed to imply. +Her eyes glittered with anger. Like a +flash her hand sought her blouse and for an +instant the bright sunlight gleamed upon a +small weapon. As quickly the man wheeled +his horse and disappeared behind the hill. With +a deep flush the girl hid the little revolver as +Livingston, ignorant of the scene, triumphantly +held up for inspection the rescued +fishhook.</p> + +<p>"Making love, by the holy smoke," chuckled +Shorty Smith to himself, spurring up his piebald +horse and heading off a stray calf. "So +that's what she does 'longside o' teachin' kids!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + + +<p>Upon the highest ridge between the +camp and old Peter's basin Hope and +the twins met Ned riding slowly along, +his sturdy little legs drawn up into the straps +of a man's saddle. He had an old, discarded +felt hat of his father's, several sizes too large +for him, pulled down until his ears laid flat +along the brim. From under its wide, dingy +expanse his sharp, little black eyes peered +out inquisitively. In imitation of a certain +French breed whom he greatly admired, a +large red handkerchief was knotted about his +waist.</p> + +<p>He made a picturesque little figure in the +bright sunlight as he rode leisurely toward +them.</p> + +<p>"Where've you all been?" he called at the +top of his boyish treble. "You boys're goin'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> +to catch it if you don't bring in those cows before +dark!"</p> + +<p>"Who told you?" roared Dave.</p> + +<p>"The old man told me to come an' look you +fellers up. Where've you been?" inquired the +child, riding up alongside and swinging his +horse into pace with the others.</p> + +<p>"Now you want to find out something," +said Dan complacently.</p> + +<p>"I don't <i>care</i> where you've been," said +the child indignantly, "but you'd better be +roundin' in them cows or you'll catch it!"</p> + +<p>Hope rode up beside him. "I'm sorry you +weren't home when we left. We've been over +at my cousin's camp. The next time you shall +go along."</p> + +<p>"Let's go to-morrow," suggested the boy +eagerly, to which amusing proposition she immediately +agreed. "Say," he continued, "I +seen Long Bill and some o' them fellers drive +in a bunch of mavericks off'n the range, an' +they're goin' to brand 'em back of old Peter's +this evenin'. There was a cow with an O Bar +brand on her, followed 'em all the way down,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> +bellerin' an' makin' a big fuss, an' they can't +get rid of her. They give me a half a dollar +to drive her back, but she turned so quick I +couldn't do nothin' with her, so I thought I'd +just let 'em take care of her themselves."</p> + +<p>"Are you sure about that brand?" asked +Hope quickly.</p> + +<p>"Sure as anything," replied the boy. +"Why?"</p> + +<p>"I think you must be mistaken," she told +him. "For it would be very queer if one of +my father's cows should be following a stray +maverick up to old Peter's place."</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you something," whispered the +boy, leaning toward her. "They wasn't yearlings +at all, they was bringin' in, only big +calves."</p> + +<p>Her face darkened savagely. "Come," she +exclaimed, "I'm going to see for myself!"</p> + +<p>"Tattle-tale!" cried the sweet-voiced twin. +"Now you'll get us into a scrape for tellin'. +I'll lick you for this!"</p> + +<p>The girl turned her horse sharply about, +stopped it short, facing them fiercely.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You coward!" she exclaimed. "That +child didn't know what he was telling! He's +honest. If either of you touch him, or say +one unkind word to him about this, I'll make +you smart for it!"</p> + +<p>"I didn't mean nothin'," declared the soft-voiced +twin suavely.</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess you didn't if you know +what's good for you!" she exclaimed, still angry. +"Now what are you going to do about +it, go home like babies, or stand by me and do +what I tell you?"</p> + +<p>"You bet I'll stand by you!" roared Dave.</p> + +<p>"I reckon you're our captain, ain't you?" +said the other sweetly.</p> + +<p>"I'm a scout, I am!" exclaimed the boy, +Ned, riding close beside her.</p> + +<p>She mused for a moment with darkening +eyes, putting her elbow upon the saddle's horn +and resting her chin in the hollow of her hand.</p> + +<p>"It's all right," she said at length deliberately. +"Ned will show you where the cow is, +and you boys drive it up to old Peter's corral +just as quickly as you can ride. Don't let any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span>one +see you. When you have done that, go up +to the school-house and wait there for me. Now +hurry, and don't let anyone see you drive in +that cow. Go around this other side of old +Peter's."</p> + +<p>She motioned her hand for them to go, and +waited until they were out of sight, then rode +on to the school coulee which led into old +Peter's basin. It was a long, roundabout +way, but her horse covered the ground rapidly.</p> + +<p>From the hill behind the school-house she +saw Livingston driving back to his ranch. She +stood out in full relief against the green hillside, +and if he had glanced in that direction +must surely have seen her. From that distance +she could not tell if he had done so or not. She +wondered what he would think if he saw her +there alone. Then to get sooner out of sight +she ran her horse at full speed up the school +coulee toward old Peter's basin.</p> + +<p>Livingston saw her quite plainly; from that +distance there was no mistaking her. Then he +proceeded to do a very unwise thing. He put +his horses to their full speed, reached his sta<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span>bles +in a few moments, threw his saddle on his +best horse and set out in the direction the girl +had taken.</p> + +<p>Hope made her way quickly up to the top +of the divide, then skirmished from brush patch +to brush patch, keeping well out of sight until +she reached the brush-covered entrance of Peter's +basin. There she had a plain view of the +small cabin, the rude stable, and corral, without +herself being observed by the occupants +of the place, and there she settled herself to +wait the appearance of the cow, whose queer +actions had been reviewed to her.</p> + +<p>It was difficult to believe that she was actually +in the midst of cattle thieves, though the +suspicion had more than once crossed her mind.</p> + +<p>She held that class of men in the utmost +loathing, and felt herself to be, now, in the +actual discovery of the crime, a righteous instrument +in the arm of justice.</p> + +<p>The unmistakable figure of Long Bill +loafed serenely in the doorway; old Peter +hobbled about, in and out of the house, while +back near the corral a man was carrying an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> +armful of wood. This man the girl watched +with particular interest. He took the sticks +to one side of the corral, and getting down +upon his knees proceeded to arrange them on +the ground in methodical order, into the shape +of a small pyramid. That done to his satisfaction, +he lounged back to the cabin and took +a seat beside Long Bill in the doorway.</p> + +<p>Presently all three men went back to the +corral, and looked over the rails at several +small creatures which were running about the +enclosure.</p> + +<p>"Them ain't bad-lookin' fellers," Long Bill +was saying.</p> + +<p>Hope, from her position in the brush, tried +to imagine what they were talking about, for +the distance was too great to carry the sound +of their voices.</p> + +<p>"I reckon we might as well git 'em branded +an' have it over with," suggested Shorty +Smith, the third man of the party.</p> + +<p>"I reckon we might as well," replied Long +Bill. Old Peter shook his head doubtfully.</p> + +<p>"Go ahead," he grunted. "But remember<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> +I don't know nothin' about these here calves! +You're just usin' my corral here to-day, an' the +devil keep your skins if you git caught!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't know!" drawled Shorty Smith.</p> + +<p>"Well, I know!" roared the old man. +"If you can't take my advice an' put this here +thing off till after dark you kin take the consequences. +Anybody's likely to ride along +here, an' I'd like to know what kind of a yarn +you'd have to tell!"</p> + +<p>"Now you know them calves 're yourn," +drawled Shorty Smith, in an aggravating tone, +as he climbed up and seated himself on the top +pole of the corral. "You know them 're +yourn, every blame one, an' their mothers 're +back in the hills there!"</p> + +<p>"Your cows all had twins, so you picked out +these here ones to wean 'em, if anybody should +ask," said Long Bill, continuing the sport.</p> + +<p>The old man uttered a string of oaths.</p> + +<p>"Not much you don't pan 'em off onto me!" +he exclaimed. "My cows ain't havin' twins +this year!"</p> + +<p>"Some of Harris' has got triplets," mused<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> +Shorty Smith, at which Long Bill laughed, +exclaiming:</p> + +<p>"Been lary ever since them stock-inspectors +was up here last fall, ain't you? Before that +some o' your cows had a half a dozen calves. +I should 'a' thought you had more grit'n that, +Peter!"</p> + +<p>The old man cursed some more. Shorty +Smith jumped down from his high perch and +fetched a long, slender rod of iron from between +two logs of the cow-shed.</p> + +<p>"Might as well git down to business," he +said as he threw the branding iron on the +ground beside the symmetrical pyramid of +fire-wood, which he proceeded to ignite.</p> + +<p>"Let up, old man," growled Long Bill, "I'll +take the blame o' the whole concern an' you +ken rake in your share in the fall without any +interference whatsomever."</p> + +<p>"Don't git scared, Peter, you ain't got long +to live on this here planet, nohow, so you can +finish your days in peace. If there's any time +to be served we'll do it for you," drawled +Shorty.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That's what I call a mighty generous +proposition," remarked Long Bill, as he coiled +up his rope. "We'll just git the orniments on +these innocent creatures an' shut 'em up in the +shed fer a spell."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes! Git the job over with if you +ain't goin' to wait till after sundown," exclaimed +old Peter nervously.</p> + +<p>They set to work at once, roping, throwing, +and putting a running brand on the frightened +calves. As each one was finished to the +satisfaction of the operator it was put into the +cow-shed nearby—a rude sort of stable, +where it was turned loose and the door securely +fastened on the outside with a large wooden +peg.</p> + +<p>They had been working industriously for +perhaps half an hour when old Peter glanced +up from the calf upon which he was sitting and +encountered Hope Hathaway's quiet eyes +watching them interestedly. She stood beside +the cow-shed but a few feet away, and +held her horse by the bridle.</p> + +<p>"Good God!" screamed the old man, nearly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> +losing his balance. "Where did you come +from?"</p> + +<p>The other men, whose backs were toward +her, glanced about quickly, then proceeded in +well assumed unconcern with the work upon +which they were engaged.</p> + +<p>"I hope I'm not intruding," said the girl.</p> + +<p>"Not at all," replied Shorty Smith politely. +"It ain't often we're favored by the company +of wimmen folks."</p> + +<p>"Those are fine-looking calves you've got +there," observed the girl.</p> + +<p>"Pretty fair," replied Shorty Smith, assisting +the animal to its feet.</p> + +<p>The visitor stepped to one side while he +dragged it into the shed and closed the door, +fastening it with the peg. Then Long Bill +proceeded to throw another victim with as +much coolness as though Hope had not been +there with her quiet eyes taking in every detail.</p> + +<p>Old Peter had not uttered a word since his +first involuntary exclamation, and though +visibly agitated, proceeded in a mechanical +manner to assist with the branding, but he kept<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> +his head down and his eyes obstinately averted +from the girl's.</p> + +<p>Nearly a dozen had been branded, and only +one, besides the last victim already thrown to +the ground, remained in the corral.</p> + +<p>Hope's whole attention was apparently +taken up with the branding, which she watched +with great interest. Old Peter gradually regained +his equilibrium, while Long Bill and +Shorty Smith had begun to congratulate themselves +that their spectator was most innocent +and harmless. Yet as Hope moved quietly +back to her position beside the rude stable +building she not only observed the three men +intent upon the branding, but noted the approach +of a large cow which had appeared +from the right-hand coulee about the time she +left her hiding-place in the brush.</p> + +<p>If the men had not been so busy they would +undoubtedly have seen this particular cow +coming on steadily toward the corral, now but +a rod distant. They would have noticed, too, +the girl's hand leave her side like a flash and +remove the large, smooth peg from where<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> +Shorty Smith had hastily inserted it in the +building. They would have seen the stable +door open slowly by its own weight, and then +the peg quickly replaced. What they did notice +was that Miss Hathaway came very near +to them, so close that she leaned over old Peter's +shoulders to observe the smoking, steaming +operation.</p> + +<p>For a moment she stood there quietly, then +all at once exclaimed in some surprise:</p> + +<p>"Why, your calves are all out!" Instantly +the greatest consternation reigned, then old +Peter hobbled to his feet with an oath.</p> + +<p>"Every blamed one," said Shorty Smith. +"How 'n blazes did that happen?"</p> + +<p>"I reckon you didn't put that peg in right," +drawled Long Bill.</p> + +<p>"Look!" screamed old Peter, pointing at +the large cow that had come nearer and had +picked out from the assortment of calves one +of which it claimed absolute possession. It +was at this unfortunate moment that Livingston, +quite unobserved, rode into Peter's basin.</p> + +<p>"I'll help you drive them in," volunteered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> +Hope, instantly mounting her horse and riding +into their midst. Then a queer thing followed. +Old Peter, with a cat-like motion, sprang +toward her and covered her with a six-shooter.</p> + +<p>"Git off'n my place, you she-devil!" he +cried, his face livid with rage and fear.</p> + +<p>"Good God, don't shoot, you fool!" cried +Shorty Smith, while Long Bill made a stride +toward the frenzied old man.</p> + +<p>Livingston's heart stood still. He was +some distance away and, as usual, unarmed. +For an instant he stopped short, paralyzed by +the sight. Then the girl wheeled her horse +suddenly about as if to obey the command. +As she did so a report rang out and old Peter, +with the flesh ripped from wrist to elbow, +rolled over in a convulsed heap. It was all so +sudden that it seemed unreal. Hope sat on +her quivering horse, motionless, serene, holding +in her hand a smoking revolver.</p> + +<p>Long Bill and his companion stood like statues, +dumfounded for the instant, but Livingston, +with a bound, was at the girl's side, +his face white, his whole being shaken.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Thank God!" he cried in great tenderness. +"You are all right!"</p> + +<p>"What made you come here?" she exclaimed +in sudden nervousness, which sounded +more like impatience.</p> + +<p>Then their eyes met. Her own softened, +then dropped, until they rested upon the gun +in her hand. A flush rose to her face and her +heart beat strangely, for in his eyes she had +seen the undisguised love of a great, true soul. +For an instant she was filled with the wild +intoxication of it, then the present situation, +which might now involve him, returned to her +with all its seriousness. The danger must be +averted at once, she decided, before he learned +the actual truth.</p> + +<p>"Poor old man!" she exclaimed. Then +turned to Long Bill and his companion. "I'm +awfully sorry I had to hurt him, but he actually +made me nervous! I had an idea he was crazy, +but I never believed he was perfectly mad. +He ought to be watched constantly and all +dangerous weapons kept away from him. +Didn't you know he was dangerous?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span></p> + +<p>Shorty Smith suddenly rose to meet the +situation.</p> + +<p>"I knowed he was crazy," he said, "but I +didn't know he was as plumb locoed as that."</p> + +<p>"Well, he's out of business for awhile," +remarked the girl. "You boys better bandage +up his arm and carry him into the house. I'll +send over old Mother White Blanket when I +get back. I guess you can get in the calves by +yourselves all right, for really I feel very +shaken and I think I'll go right home. You'll +go with me, won't you, Mr. Livingston. But +the poor old crazy man! You boys will take +good care of him, won't you—and let me know +if I can be of any assistance."</p> + +<p>"Well, what do yo' think?" asked Shorty +Smith, as Hope and her companion disappeared +from the basin.</p> + +<p>"What'd I think?" exclaimed Long Bill. +"I think we've been pretty badly <i>done</i>!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't know," drawled Shorty Smith, +"I reckon she ain't goin' to say nothin' about +<i>me</i>!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + + +<p>"I'll tell you what I'd do 'bout it, if I was +you," said Shorty Smith to the twins, several +days later, as he handed back a folded +sheet of paper. "I'd git your teacher to read +that there letter. There's something in it she +ought to know 'bout. Better not tell her first +where you got it. Let on you don't know +where it come from. There's somethin' there +she'll like to hear 'bout, that you kids ain't old +enough to understand."</p> + +<p>"Oh, is that so!" interposed Dan.</p> + +<p>"I ain't a-goin' to tell you nothin' about it, +but like enough she will, an'll thank you fer +givin' it to her," said Shorty.</p> + +<p>"If that writin' wasn't so funny I'd make +it out myself," replied the soft-voiced twin, +"fer I think you're jobbin' us, Shorty."</p> + +<p>"No, I ain't," he replied. "An' I'll back up +my friendship fer you by givin' you this!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> +He took from his pocket a silver dollar and +handed it to the boy, who pocketed it, and, followed +by his brother, walked away without another +word.</p> + +<p>Shorty Smith also walked away, in the +opposite direction, without a word, but he +chuckled to himself, and his mood was exceedingly +jubilant.</p> + +<p>"She done us all right, an' may play the +devil yet, but I'll git in a little work, er my +name ain't Shorty Smith!" Such was the substance +of his thoughts during the next few +days.</p> + +<p>That afternoon Hope stood in the doorway +of the school-house, watching her little brood +of pupils straggling down the hill.</p> + +<p>Louisa, who came daily to be with her beloved +friend, had started home with the two +eldest Harris girls, for Hope, in her capacity +of teacher, occasionally found work to detain +her for a short time after the others had gone. +This teaching school was not exactly play, +after all.</p> + +<p>The twins lingered behind, seemingly en<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span>gaged +in a quiet discussion. Finally they came +back to the door.</p> + +<p>"Here's somethin' for you to read," said +the soft-voiced boy, handing her a folded paper, +while Dave leaned against the building +with an ugly scowl on his face.</p> + +<p>"To read," asked Hope, turning it over in +her hand. "Who wrote it, and where did you +get it?" She stepped out of the doorway onto +the green grass beside them.</p> + +<p>"Read it," said the breed boy. "It's somethin' +you ought to know."</p> + +<p>"Something I ought to know? But who +wrote it?" insisted the girl.</p> + +<p>"A woman, I reckon," replied the boy. +"You just read it, an' then you'll know all +about it."</p> + +<p>Hope laughed, and slowly opened the much +soiled, creased missive. "Why didn't you tell +me at once that it was for me?" she asked.</p> + +<p>The writing was in a bold, feminine back-hand, +and held her attention for a moment. The +thought occurred to her that Clarice might +have written from the ranch, but there was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> +something unfamiliar about it. She looked +first at the signature. "Your repentant +Helene," it was signed. Helene,—who was +Helene, she wondered; then turned the paper +over. "My darling Boy," it started. In her +surprise she said the words aloud.</p> + +<p>"Why, that's not for me! Where did you +boys get this letter? Now tell me!" She was +very much provoked with them.</p> + +<p>The soft-voiced twin smiled.</p> + +<p>"I thought you'd like to know what was in +it," he remarked, in evident earnestness.</p> + +<p>"That doesn't answer my question," she said +with some impatience. "<i>Where</i> did you get +it?"</p> + +<p>"We found it," replied Dave gruffly, still +scowling.</p> + +<p>"And you boys bring a letter to <i>me</i> that was +intended for someone else, and <i>expect</i> me to +<i>read</i> it!" She folded it up and handed it back +to the boy. "Go and give that to whom it belongs, +and remember it's very wrong to read +another person's letter. Tell me where you +got it. I insist upon knowing."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, we just found it up on the hill last +night," replied the soft-voiced twin evasively.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you tell her the whole shootin' +match!" roared the blunt Dave. "You're a +dandy! We found it up in the spring coulee +last night near where Mr. Livingston's sheep're +camped. He was up there before dark, cuttin' +'em out. This here letter dropped out of his +pocket when he threw his coat on a rock up +there, an' so Dan an' me an' Shorty Smith +came along an' picked it up."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Livingston's," said Hope, suddenly +feeling oddly alarmed. "Not <i>his</i>—you must +be mistaken! Why, it began—it was too—<i>informal</i>—even +for a sister, and he has no sister, +he told me so!"</p> + +<p>"It's for him all right, for here's the envelope." +Dan took it from his pocket and +handed it to her. It left no room for doubt. +It was directed to him, and bore an English +postmark. He had no sister. Then it must +be from his sweetheart—and he told her he +had no sweetheart. A sudden pain consumed +her.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I reckon it's from his wife," said the soft-voiced +twin.</p> + +<p>"He has no wife," said Hope quietly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, he has! That's what they say," +declared the boy.</p> + +<p>"They lie," she replied softly. "I <i>know</i> +he has no wife."</p> + +<p>"I'll bet you he left her in England," said +the boy. "That's what the men say."</p> + +<p>"Your repentant Helene," repeated the girl +over and over to herself.</p> + +<p>Suddenly suspicion, jealousy, rage, entered +her heart, setting her brain on fire. She turned +to the boy like a fury. "Give me that letter!"</p> + +<p>Frightened beyond speech by the storm in +her black eyes, he handed it to her and watched +her as with a set face and strangely brilliant +eyes she began to read. Every word branded +itself upon her heart indelibly.</p> + + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">My Darling Boy</span>: Can it be that you +actually refuse to allow me to come there? +Admitting I have wronged you in the past, +can you not in your greatness of heart find<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> +forgiveness for a weak woman—a pleading +woman——</p></blockquote> + + +<p>There at the foot of the first page the girl +stopped, a sudden terror coming over her.</p> + +<p>"<i>What have I done!</i>" she cried, crushing the +letter in her hand. "<i>What have I done!</i>" +Hysterically she began tearing it into small +pieces, throwing them upon the ground.</p> + +<p>"Now we can't give it back to him," deplored +the twin, recovering from his fright.</p> + +<p>"What have I done?" repeated the girl +again, softly. Then in an agony of remorse +she went down upon her knees in the cool grass +and picked up each tiny scrap of paper, putting +it all back into the envelope. She stood +for a moment looking down the long green +slope below, shamed, disgusted—a world of +misery showing in her dark eyes. "You're a +mighty fine specimen of womanhood!" she +exclaimed aloud; then turning about suddenly +became aware that her small audience was +watching her with some interest.</p> + +<p>"You boys get on your ponies and go right<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> +straight home!" she exclaimed in a burst of +temper. "You're very bad, both of you, and +I've a good notion to punish you!" She went +into the school-house and slammed the door, +while the twins lost no time in leaving the +premises. Not far away they met old Jim McCullen.</p> + +<p>"Where's your teacher?" he asked, stopping +his horse in the road.</p> + +<p>"She's back there," said the soft-voiced +twin, pointing toward the school-house. "But +you'd better stay away, for she's got blood in +her eye to-day!"</p> + +<p>"No wonder, you young devils!" laughed +Jim, riding on.</p> + +<p>He knocked at the school-house door and, +receiving no answer, walked in.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Jim!" exclaimed the girl, rising from +the small table at the end of the room. "I +thought it was some of the children returning. +I'm awfully glad to see you! You've been +gone an age. Come, sit down here in this +chair, I'm afraid those seats aren't large +enough for you."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'll just sit on this here recitation bench," +replied Jim, "that's what you call it, ain't it? +I want to see how it feels to be in school again. +I reckon it'll hold me all right."</p> + +<p>He seated himself with some care, while the +teacher sank back at her table.</p> + +<p>"You don't seem very pert-lookin', Hopie," +he continued, noticing her more carefully. +"What's the matter?"</p> + +<p>She looked down at her papers, then up at +him with something of a smile.</p> + +<p>"I'm twenty years old," she replied, "and +I don't know as much as I did ten years ago."</p> + +<p>"You know too much," replied McCullen. +"You know too much to be happy, an' you +think too much. You wasn't happy at home, +so you come up here, an' now your gittin' the +same way here. You'll have to git married, +Hopie, an' settle down; there ain't no other +way."</p> + +<p>"Mercy!" exclaimed the girl, "that would +settle me sure enough! What a horrible proposition +to consider! Just look at my mother—beset +with nervousness and unrest; look at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> +that poor Mrs. Cresmond and a dozen others—perfect +slaves to their husbands. Look at +Clarice—she never knew a moment's happiness +until Henry Van Rensselaer died! Yes, +I think marriage <i>settles</i> a girl all right! +What terrible mismated failures on every +hand! It's simply appalling, Jim! I've never +yet known one perfectly happy couple, and +how any girl who sees this condition about her, +everywhere, can dream her own ideal love +dream, picture her ideal man, and plan +and believe in an ideal life, while she herself +is surrounded by such pitiful object-lessons, +is a wonder!"</p> + +<p>"I ain't much of a philosopher," said old +Jim, "but it's always been my notion that most +wimmen <i>don't</i> see what's goin' on around 'em. +They think their own troubles is worse'n anybody's +an' 're so taken up whinin' over 'em that +their view is somewhat obstructed. Take the +clear-headed person that <i>can</i> see, an' they ain't +a-goin' to run into any matrimonial fire, no +more'n I'm goin' to head my horse over a cut-bank. +They're goin' straight after the happi<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span>ness +they know exists, an' they ain't goin' to +make no mistake about it neither, if they've +got any judgment, whatever."</p> + +<p>"What made my mother marry my father?" +asked the girl, lifting up her head and +facing old Jim squarely. "That's the worst +specimen of ill-assorted marriages I know of."</p> + +<p>Jim McCullen looked perplexed for an instant.</p> + +<p>"I don't think that was in the beginning," +he replied thoughtfully, "but your mother got +to hankerin' after her city life, her balls an' +theaters an' the like o' that. After she got a +fall from her horse an' couldn't ride no more +she didn't seem to take interest in anything at +the ranch, an' kept gettin' more nervous all the +time. I reckon her health had something to do +with it, an' then she got weaned from the +ranch, bein' away so much. It wasn't her life +any more."</p> + +<p>"And now even her visits there are torture +to her," said Hope bitterly. "She is drunk +with the deadly wine of frivolous uselessness—society!" +Then sadly, "What a wealth of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> +happiness she might have possessed had she +chosen wisely!"</p> + +<p>"But she was like a ship without a rudder; +she didn't have no one to guide her, an' now she +thinks she's happy, I reckon," remarked McCullen, +adding, after a pause, "If she thinks +at all!"</p> + +<p>"And poor Clarice was a baby when <i>she</i> +married," mused the girl.</p> + +<p>"And that Cresmond woman always was a +blame fool," concluded Jim. "So there's +hope for you yet, don't you reckon there is? +That reminds me, here's a letter from O'Hara. +There's a nice fellow for you, Hopie."</p> + +<p>"Yes, he's a good boy, Larry is," she remarked +absently, taking the letter he handed +to her.</p> + +<p>"Why, he says he is coming over here to +stay awhile with Sydney, and he hopes I won't +be——" She smiled a little and tucked the +letter in her belt. "That'll keep," she said. +"Come on, I'm going over to camp with you, +Jim."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + + +<p>"Your horse don't look very tired," remarked +the girl as they rode easily +up the gulch toward Carter's camp. +"When did you start?"</p> + +<p>"Left 'bout noon," replied McCullen. +"No, he ain't tired; ain't even warm, be you, +old man? Just jogged along easy all the way +an' took my time. No great rush, anyhow. +Cattle 're gittin' pretty well located up here +now—good feed, fresh water, an' everything +to attract 'em to the place. Never saw any +stock look better'n that little bunch o' steers is +lookin'. Market's way up now, an' they ought +to be shipped pretty soon."</p> + +<p>"Why <i>don't</i> you ship them, then?" asked +Hope, leaning forward to brush a hornet from +her horse's head.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you see," said the man lamely, "them +cattle ain't in such all-fired good fix but what<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> +they might be better, an' I reckon your cousin +ain't in any hurry to ship, nohow. Pretty good +place to camp up here in summer. Cool—my, +but it was blasted hot down at the ranch +this mornin', an' the misquitoes like to eat me +up! No misquitoes up here to bother, good +water, good fishin', good company,—an' who +under the sun would want to quit such a +camp?"</p> + +<p>"I'm willing," said the girl, looking at him +with fathomless eyes, "I'm perfectly willing +for him to camp here all summer. It's quite +convenient to have you all so near. Of course +I'm getting used to the grub down there—some, +by this time. Don't think I do not appreciate +your being here, dear old Jim! But +you know I understand, just the same, why +you are here! And I think," she added softly, +"I couldn't have stood it if he hadn't showed +that he cared for me just so."</p> + +<p>"Cared!" exclaimed the old fellow. +"Cared <i>for you</i>! Why, Hopie, your father +worships the ground you walk on! He's a +great, good-hearted man, the best in the world,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> +and you mustn't have no hard feelin's agin' +him for any little weaknesses, because the good +in him is more'n the good in most men. There +ain't no one that's perfect, but he's better'n +most of us, I reckon. An' he loves you, an' is +so proud of you, Hopie!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I know it, I know it!" exclaimed the +girl passionately.</p> + +<p>"An' your mother's goin' East next month," +concluded McCullen. "She's very anxious to +get away."</p> + +<p>"My poor father!" said Hope softly. Then +more brightly: "I suppose Sydney's out with +the cattle."</p> + +<p>"Them cattle 're gettin' pretty well located," +replied McCullen. "Don't need much +herdin'. No, I seen him there at Harris' as I +come along. He said he was goin' to take you +an' that little flaxen-haired girl out ridin', but +concluded, as long as you was busy at the +school-house, that he'd just take the little one—providin' +she'd go. He was arguin' the +question with her when I rode by, an' I reckon +he's there talkin' to her yet, er else givin' her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> +a ridin' lesson. He'll make a good horsewoman +out o' her yet, if her heart ain't buried +too deep up there under the rocks."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Jim!" rebuked the girl. "It's <i>dreadful</i> +to talk like that, and her poor heart is just +<i>crushed</i>! It's pitiful!"</p> + +<p>"I reckon that's just what Sydney thinks +about it," replied Jim, his eyes twinkling. +"You ain't goin' to blame him for bein' sympathetic, +be you, Hopie?"</p> + +<p>She laughed, but nervously.</p> + +<p>"Louisa's the sweetest thing I ever saw, +Jim! She's promised to stay and go back +to the ranch with me in the fall when school is +over. Isn't it nice to have a sister like that? +But goodness, she wouldn't look at Syd—not +in ten years!"</p> + +<p>She was so positive in this assertion that it +left Jim without an argument. She slowed +down her horse to a walk, and he watched +her take O'Hara's letter from her belt and +read the lengthy epistle from beginning to +end. Not a change of expression crossed the +usual calm of her face. But for a strange<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> +force of beauty and power, by which she impressed +all with whom she came in contact, her +lack of expression would have been a defect. +This peculiar characteristic was an added +charm to her strange personality. She was +rarely understood by her best friends, who +generally occupied themselves by wondering +what she was going to do next.</p> + +<p>It may be that old Jim McCullen, calmly +contemplating her from his side of the narrow +trail, wondered too, but he had the advantage +of most people, for he knew that whatever she +did do would be the nearest thing to her hand. +There was nothing variable or fitful about +Hope.</p> + +<p>She folded her letter and tucked it back +in her belt, her only comment being, as she +spurred her horse into a faster gait: "Larry +says he is coming over here one of these +days."</p> + +<p>They rode past the camp and on to the flat +beyond, where grazed Sydney's two hundred +head of steers. These they rode around, while +Jim reviewed the news of the ranch and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> +round-up, in which the girl found some interest, +asking numerous questions about the recent +shipment of cattle, the tone of the market, +the prospect for hay, the number of cattle +turned on the range, and many things pertaining +to the work of the ranch, but never a question +concerning the idle New Yorkers who +made up her mother's annual house-party. In +them she took, as usual, no interest.</p> + +<p>She finally left her old friend and turned +her horse's head back toward Harris' still as +much perturbed in heart as when McCullen +knocked at her school-house door. She tormented +herself with unanswerable questions, +arriving always at the same conclusion—that +after all it only seemed reasonable to suppose +Livingston should be married. It explained +his conduct toward her perfectly. She wondered +what the woman, Helene, had done to +deserve such unforgiveness from one who, +above all men, was the most tender and +thoughtful. She concluded that it must have +been something dreadful, and, oddly for her, +began to feel sorry for him. She saw him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> +when she reached the top of the divide, riding +half a mile away toward his ranch buildings. +Then a certain feeling of ownership, of +pride, took possession of her, crowding everything +before it. How well he sat his horse, in +his English fashion, she thought. What a +physique, what grace of strength! Then he +disappeared from her sight as his horse +plunged into the brush of the creek-bottom, +and Hope, drawing a long breath, spurred up +her own horse until she was safely out of sight +of ranch and ranch-buildings. A bend in the +road brought her face to face with Long Bill +and Shorty Smith.</p> + +<p>"Hello," said Shorty Smith, drawing rein +beside her. "I was a lookin' for you."</p> + +<p>"Really," said the girl, stopping beside him +and calmly contemplating both men.</p> + +<p>"Yep," nodded Long Bill politely, "we +was huntin' fer you, Miss Hathaway."</p> + +<p>"You see it's like this," explained Shorty +Smith; "the old man, he ain't a-doin' very well. +I reckon it's his age. That there wound of +his'n won't heal, so we thought mebby you had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> +some arnica salve er something sort o' soothin' +to dope him with."</p> + +<p>"I haven't the salve, but I might go over +there myself if you want an anodyne," replied +Hope, unsmiling at the men's blank faces.</p> + +<p>"I'm goin' to ride to town to-morrow and I +reckoned if you didn't have no salve you could +send in for it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I see!" Hope's exclamation came involuntarily. +"What do you want to get for +him and how much money do you want for +it?"</p> + +<p>"Well, you see, he needs considerable. +Ain't got nothin' comfortable over there; +nothin' to eat, wear—nothin' at all."</p> + +<p>"All right," replied the girl in her cool, even +tone. "I'll see that he is supplied with everything, +but will attend to the matter myself. +Good-evening!" She rode past them rapidly, +and they, outwitted in their little scheme for +whisky-money, rode on their way toward old +Peter's basin.</p> + +<p>Sydney's horse stood outside of Harris'. +He left a group of men who were waiting the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> +call for supper, and came out in the road to +meet the girl when she rode up.</p> + +<p>"I have been waiting for you," he said.</p> + +<p>"And I have been over to camp and around +the cattle with Jim," she replied.</p> + +<p>"Then come on and ride back up the road +with me a ways, I want to see you," said +Carter, picking up the bridle reins from the +ground.</p> + +<p>"But Louisa——" she demurred.</p> + +<p>"Louisa's all right," he answered. "I've +had her out for a ride, and now she's gone in +the house with that breed girl—Mary, I think +she called her. So you see she's in excellent +hands."</p> + +<p>Hope turned her horse about and rode away +with him silently.</p> + +<p>"I want to talk with you, anyway," he said, +when they had gone a short distance. "I +haven't had a chance in a dog's age, you're +always so hemmed in lately."</p> + +<p>"Well, what is it?" she questioned.</p> + +<p>"There's some rumors going around that I +don't exactly understand, Hope. Have you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> +been doing anything since you've been up here +to raise a commotion among these breeds?"</p> + +<p>She turned to him with a shrug of contempt.</p> + +<p>"You'll have to tell me what you're driving +at before I can enlighten you," she replied.</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute," he said, "I want to light +a cigarette." This accomplished, he continued: +"I saw one of the boys from Bill +Henry's outfit yesterday and he told me that +he was afraid you were getting mixed up in +some row up here."</p> + +<p>"<i>Who</i> said so?" she demanded.</p> + +<p>"Well, it was Peterson. You know he'll say +what he's got to say, if he dies for it." He +waited a moment.</p> + +<p>"If it was Peterson, go on. He's a friend, +if he is a fool. What did he have to say about +me?" She flecked some dust from her skirt +with the end of her reins.</p> + +<p>Sydney watched her carefully.</p> + +<p>"He didn't say anything, exactly, about +you," he replied. "That's what I'm going +to try to find out. He said there had been +some kind of a rumpus up here when you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> +first came—that shooting at Livingston's corral, +you remember, and that it was rumored +there had been some sharp-shooting done, and +you had been mixed up in it."</p> + +<p>"Who told Peterson?" demanded the girl.</p> + +<p>"Well, it seems that McCullen laid Long +Bill out one evening over at Bill Henry's +wagon, for something or other, and this old +squaw back here, old Mother White Blanket, +happened along in time to view the fallen +hero, who, it seems, is her son-in-law. She +immediately fell into a rage and denounced +a certain school-ma'am as a deep-dyed villain."</p> + +<p>"Villainess," corrected Hope serenely.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I believe that was it," continued Sydney. +"Anyway, she rated you roundly and +said you had been at the bottom of all the +trouble, that you had shot Long Bill through +the hand, wounded several others, and mentioned +the herder who was killed."</p> + +<p>"She lied!" said the girl with sudden whiteness +of face. "That was a cold-blooded lie +about the herder!"</p> + +<p>"I know that!" assured her cousin. "You<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span> +don't suppose I ever thought for a minute you +were mixed up in it, Hopie, do you? I only +wanted to know how it happened that all these +people are set against you."</p> + +<p>"Because they know I'm on to their deviltry," +she replied savagely. "I'd like to have +that old squaw right here between my hands, +<i>so</i>, and hear her bones crackle. How dare they +say <i>I</i> shot Louisa's poor, poor sweetheart! +Oh, I could exterminate the whole tribe!"</p> + +<p>"But that wouldn't be lawful, Hopie," remarked +Carter.</p> + +<p>She turned to him with a half smile, resting +one hand confidingly upon his arm.</p> + +<p>"Syd, dear, I don't care a bit about the +whole concern, really, but please don't mention +it to anyone, will you?"</p> + +<p>"You mean not to tell Livingston," he +smiled.</p> + +<p>"I mean not <i>anyone</i>. I shouldn't want my +father to hear such talk. Neither would you. +What wouldn't he do!"</p> + +<p>"Of course not," he agreed. "You'd get +special summons, immediately, if not sooner.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> +But there's something more I wanted to ask +you about. How was it you happened to +shoot old Peter?"</p> + +<p>"How did you know?" she asked quickly.</p> + +<p>"Now I promised I wouldn't mention the +matter," he replied.</p> + +<p>She studied for a moment.</p> + +<p>"There's only one way you could have +heard it," she finally decided in some anger. +"That person had no right to tell you."</p> + +<p>"It was told with the best intentions, and +for your own good, Hope, so that I could look +after you more carefully in the future."</p> + +<p>"Look after me!" she retorted. "Well, I +guess he found out there was one time I could +look out for myself, didn't he?"</p> + +<p>"He seemed to think that more a miracle or +an accident than anything else, until I told +him something about how quick you were with +a gun. He told me the old man was crazy, +and had pulled his gun on you, but that you +had in some remarkable manner shot it out of +his hand, shattering the old fellow's arm. I +assured him that I would see that the proper<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> +authorities took care of old Peter, as soon as +he had recovered sufficiently. Now what'll we +do with him, Hope?" She did not reply. +Then he continued: "I knew in a minute that +you'd kept the real facts of the case from Livingston. +But you're not going to keep them +from me."</p> + +<p>"Now that you know as much as you do, I +suppose I've got to tell you or you'll be getting +yourself into trouble, too," she replied. Then +impulsively, "Sydney, they're a lot of cattle +thieves!"</p> + +<p>"Why, of course! What did you expect?" +he laughed.</p> + +<p>"And I actually <i>caught</i> them in the very +act of branding calves that didn't belong to +them!"</p> + +<p>The young man's face paled perceptibly.</p> + +<p>"You didn't do anything as reckless as that, +Hope!" he cried in consternation. "It's a +wonder they didn't kill you outright in self-protection! +Didn't you know that you have +to be blind to those things unless you're backed +up by some good men!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You talk like a coward!" she exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Not much! You know I'm not that," he +replied. "But I talk sense. Now, if they +know that you have positive proof of this, +you'd better watch them!"</p> + +<p>"They all need watching up here. I believe +they're all just the same. And, Syd, I +wanted to know the truth for myself, I +wanted to <i>see</i>." Then she reviewed to him +just what had happened at old Peter's.</p> + +<p>"I'll have them locked up at once," said +Carter decisively. "That's just where they +belong."</p> + +<p>"You won't do anything of the kind, Syd—not +at present, anyway, for I refuse to be +witness against them."</p> + +<p>"You're foolish, then," he replied, "for +they're liable to do something."</p> + +<p>"If they're quicker than I am, all right," +she replied fearlessly. "But they are afraid +of me now, and I've got them <i>just where I +want them</i>."</p> + +<p>He tried to reason with her, but in vain. +She was obstinate in her refusal to have the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> +men arrested, and though Sydney studied the +matter carefully, he could find no plausible +excuse for this foolish decision.</p> + +<p>As Hope rode back once more toward Harris' +the face of Shorty Smith, insinuatingly +leering, as she had seen it at the trout stream, +came again to torment her. She leaned forward +in her saddle, covering her face with her +hands, and felt in her whole being the reason +of her decision.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX</h2> + + +<p>Larry O'Hara rode up to Sydney's +camp late one afternoon, some two or +three weeks later, and finding the place +deserted went in the cook-tent and made himself +at home. It had been a long, hot, dusty +ride from Hathaway's home-ranch. He had +experienced some difficulty in finding the +place, and, having at length reached it, proceeded +with his natural adaptitude to settle +himself for a prolonged stay.</p> + +<p>He was a great, handsome, prepossessing +young fellow, overflowing with high spirits +and good-nature. Though a natural born +American, he was still a typical Irishman, retaining +much of the brogue of his Irish parents, +which, being more of an attraction in him +than otherwise, he never took the trouble to +overcome. All the girls were in love with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span> +Larry O'Hara, and he, in his great generosity +of heart, knew it, and loved them in return.</p> + +<p>His affection for Hope Hathaway was +something altogether different, and dated two +or three years back when he first saw her skimming +across the prairie on an apparently unmanageable +horse. He proceeded to do the +gallant act of rescuing a lady. For miles he +ran the old cow-pony that had been assigned +him, in hot pursuit, and when he had from +sheer exhaustion almost dropped to the ground +she suddenly turned her horse about and +laughed in his face. It was an awkward situation. +The perspiration streamed from his +forehead, his breath came in gasps. She continued +laughing. He mopped his face furiously, +got control of his breath, and exclaimed +in deep emotion:</p> + +<p>"Sure and is ridicule all I get when I have +followed you for ten miles on this baist of a +horse, to offer you a proposition of marriage?"</p> + +<p>Their friendship dated from that moment, +and though Larry had renewed his proposition +of marriage every time he had seen her,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> +yet there had never been a break in their comradeship.</p> + +<p>He looked about the well-appointed camp +with a sigh of contentment. This was something +like living, he thought. His enforced +confinement at the ranch had been slow torture +to him. He missed the presence of Hope +and Sydney, for to him they were the very +spirit of the place, and he was filled with +anxiety to get away from it and join them.</p> + +<p>After washing the dust from his face and +hands he went through the cook's mess-box, +then, having nothing else to do, laid down for a +nap on one of the bunks in the second tent +and was soon sleeping peacefully.</p> + +<p>He never knew just how long he slept, +though he declared he had not closed his eyes, +when a whispered conversation outside the tent +brought him to his feet with a start. It was +suspicious to say the least, and he tore madly +at his roll of belongings in search of his revolver, +which he found in his hip-pocket, after +he had scattered his clothes from one end of the +tent to the other.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was not yet dark. The whispers came +now from the opposite tent. O'Hara's fighting +blood was up. He gloried in the situation. +Here was his opportunity to hold up some +thieving rascals. It was almost as good as being +a real desperado. It flashed upon him that +they might be the real article, but he would not +turn coward. He would show them what one +man could do!</p> + +<p>He peered cautiously out of the tent. Two +horses with rough-looking saddles stood at +the edge of the brush not far away. Larry +O'Hara would not be afraid of two men.</p> + +<p>He moved cautiously up to the front of the +cook-tent, and throwing open the flap called +out in thundering tones: "Throw up your +hands, ye thieving scoundrels, or I'll have +your loives!"</p> + +<p>A pair of arms shot up near him like a flash, +while a choking sound came from the farther +side of the mess-box. Two startled, pie-be-grimed +boys gazed in amazement into the barrel +of Larry's gun, which he suddenly lowered, +overcome with surprise as great as their own.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span></p> + +<p>"May heaven preserve us!" he cried. "I +thought you were murdering thieves! But if +it's only supper you're after, I'll take a hand in +it meself!"</p> + +<p>The soft-voiced twin recovered first.</p> + +<p>"Say, where'd you come from? I thought +that was the cook sleepin' in there an' we wasn't +goin' to disturb him to get our supper. +What're <i>you</i> doin' 'round here, anyhow?"</p> + +<p>"I'm a special officer of the law, on the +lookout for some dangerous criminals," replied +Larry. "But I see I've made a great mistake +this time. It's not kids I'm after! I'll just +put this weapon back in my pocket to show +that I'm friendly inclined. And now let's have +something to eat. You boys must know the +ins and outs of this place pretty well, for I +couldn't find pie here when I came, or anything +that looked loike pie. Where'd you +make the raise?"</p> + +<p>The boys began to breathe easier, although +an "officer of the law" was something of +which they stood in mortal terror. Yet this +particular "officer" seemed quite a jovial sort<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> +of a fellow, and they soon reached the conclusion +that he would be a good one to "stand +in" with. The soft-voiced twin sighed easily, +and settled himself into a familiar position at +the table, remarking as he did so:</p> + +<p>"Oh, we're to home here! This camp belongs +to a friend of ourn." He pulled the +pie toward him. "Here, Dave," he said to +the other, who had also recovered from his surprise, +"throw me a knife from over there. I +reckon I ain't a-goin' to eat this here pie with +my fingers! An' get out some plates for him +an' you. No use waitin' for the cook to come +in an' get our supper. Ain't no tellin' where +he's gone."</p> + +<p>"You're a pretty cool kid," remarked +O'Hara, helping himself to the pie. "I'll take +a piece of pie with you for company's sake, +though I'm inclined to wait for the cook of +this establishment. A good, warm meal is +more to my liking. Where do you fellows +live?"</p> + +<p>"Over here a ways," replied Dan cautiously.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Know of any bad men that wants arresting?" +continued O'Hara. "I'm in the business +at present."</p> + +<p>"I reckon I do," replied the boy, lowering +his voice to a soft, sweet tone. "There's a +mighty dangerous character I can put you +onto if you'll swear you'll never give me +away."</p> + +<p>"I'll never breathe a word of it," declared +O'Hara; "just point out your man to me; I'll +fix him for you!"</p> + +<p>"What'll you do to him?" asked Dan, in +great earnestness. O'Hara laughed.</p> + +<p>"I'll do just whativer you say," he replied. +"What's his crime?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll tell you," said the boy deliberately, +while Dave listened in open-mouthed +wonderment. "He's a bad character, a +tough one! He gits drunker'n a fool and +thinks he runs the earth, an' he licks his children +if they happen to open their heads! I +never seen him steal no horses, er kill anyone, +but he's a bad man, just the same, an' needs +lockin' up for 'bout six months!" Dave,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span> +finally comprehending his twin, jumped up +and down, waving his arms wildly above his +head.</p> + +<p>"You bet you! Lock him up, that's the +checker! Lock the old man in jail, an' we can +do just as we want to!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"But you know," said O'Hara impressively, +his eyes twinkling with suppressed merriment, +"it's like this. There's a law that says if a +man—a <i>family</i> man—be sent to jail for anything +less than cold-blooded murder, his intire +family must go with him to look after him. +Didn't you ever hear of that new law? Now +that would be a bad thing for his boys, poor +things! It would be worse than the beating +they get. But you just give Larry +O'Hara the tip, and the whole family'll get +sent up!"</p> + +<p>"Not much you don't!" roared Dave to his +twin, who for the instant seemed dumfounded +by this piece of news from the "officer of the +law."</p> + +<p>"I reckon," said the soft-voiced schemer +after a quiet pause, "his boys 'ud rather take<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span> +the lickin's than get sent up, so you might as +well let him alone. You're sure there ain't no +mistake 'bout that? Don't seem like that's +quite right."</p> + +<p>"Sure!" replied Larry, enjoying the situation +to its full extent.</p> + +<p>"Well, I ain't," decided the boy finally. +"I'm goin' to ask the teacher. Mebby you're +loadin' us. You bet she'll know!"</p> + +<p>Larry O'Hara became suddenly awake to a +new interest. "Where is she—your teacher?" +he inquired.</p> + +<p>"I dunno," answered the boy. "Mebby +home."</p> + +<p>At this juncture the flap of the tent was +pushed open and in bustled the little English +cook.</p> + +<p>All three of the occupants started guiltily, +while William looked from his visitors to the +remnants of pie upon the table with some astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Well, Hi'll be blowed!" he ejaculated. +Then noticing that O'Hara was not an ordinary +specimen of Westerner, he changed his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> +expression and began wagging his head, offering +excuses for his tardiness.</p> + +<p>"I had orders to get a warm bite at eight +o'clock, so I went out 'untin' a bit on my own +account. Did you come far, sir?"</p> + +<p>"All the way from Hathaway's ranch," +replied Larry. "And the way I took, it +couldn't have been a rod less than a hundred +moiles. Sure, every bone in me body is +complaining!"</p> + +<p>"Too bad, that," condoled William. "Hit's +no easy road to find. I missed hit once, myself. +I think I seen you about the ranch, +didn't I? What's yer name?"</p> + +<p>"I'm O'Hara," he replied. "If you +haven't seen me, you've heard about me, which +amounts to the same thing. I'm glad to see +you, my good man, for I began to suspect that +everyone had deserted camp. I was just going +to question these young natives here, as +to the whereabouts of the owners of this ranch, +when you came in."</p> + +<p>The twins were sidling toward the front +of the tent with a view to hasty retreat<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span> +when the cook fixed his sharp little eyes upon +them.</p> + +<p>"Ain't I good enough to yous but you must +come an' clean out all my pastry when my back +is turned? Hi'll overlook hit this time, if you +get out an' chop me some wood. 'Urry up +now an' get to work! for they'll all be along +directly!" The boys made their escape from +the tent, while the cook continued: "They +all went out 'untin' after some antelope, way +up there on the big mountain. They'll be in +after a bit for a bite to heat, so if you'll excuse +me, Hi'll start things goin'."</p> + +<p>The little cook put on his apron and hustled +about, while O'Hara went out and watched +the boys break up some sticks of wood which +they brought from the nearby brush.</p> + +<p>"Here, give me the job," the young man +finally remarked. "It belongs to me by rights +for keeping you talking so long. If it hadn't +been for me you'd got away without being +seen. Here, hand over your ax, and get +along home with you!"</p> + +<p>"Say, you're all right, if you do belong to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> +the law," said Dave, gladly giving up the ax. +They speedily made their escape, and none too +soon, for as they disappeared a group of riders +came in sight on the opposite side of the brush +and soon surrounded the wood-chopper with +hearty words of welcome.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI</h2> + + +<p>"My dear boy, I'm glad to see you!" +called Sydney.</p> + +<p>"Larry O'Hara chopping wood! +Impossible!" declared Hope, as Carter rode +on past her. "It's an illusion—a vanishing +vision. Our eyes deceive us!"</p> + +<p>"But it is a young man there," said Louisa. +"A big one like Mr. Livingston, not so slim +like Sydney—your cousin."</p> + +<p>"True enough," laughed Hope. "But it is +the occupation—the ax, Louisa, dear. I +never knew Larry to do a stroke of work!"</p> + +<p>"Ach, but he is handsome!" whispered +Louisa.</p> + +<p>"Don't let him know you think so," returned +Hope. "He's spoiled badly enough now." +She turned to the man who rode on her opposite +side. "He's from the ranch—one of the +guests from New York. He's the <i>dearest</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span> +character!" After which exclamation she +rode ahead and greeted the newcomer.</p> + +<p>"It never rains but it pours," said O'Hara, +as he entered the tent with Hope and Louisa, +while Sydney and Livingston remained to +take care of the horses. "I thought awhile +ago that I was stranded in a wilderness, and +here I am surrounded by beautiful ladies and +foine gentlemen!"</p> + +<p>"Right in your natural element," commented +Hope. "That's why I couldn't believe +my eyes when I saw you out there alone +with the ax—Larry O'Hara chopping fire-wood!"</p> + +<p>"Now, what's there funny about that?" +asked Larry.</p> + +<p>"I can't explain just now," laughed the +girl. "But tell me, did you have any trouble +getting over here? Jim started for the ranch +this afternoon. Didn't you meet him on the +road?"</p> + +<p>"Not one living soul," replied Larry. +"For I took a road nobody ever traveled before."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And got lost," said Hope.</p> + +<p>"Yes, about four hundred toimes!"</p> + +<p>"And yet you live to tell the tale! I'm awfully +glad to see you, Larry! Let's have a +light in here, William, it's getting dark," she +said.</p> + +<p>The cook hustled about, and soon two +lanterns, suspended from each end of the ridge +pole, flooded the tent with light.</p> + +<p>"Now I can see you," exclaimed O'Hara to +Hope, who had taken a seat upon a box beside +Louisa. "You're looking foine! The mountains +must agree with you—and your friend +also," he added.</p> + +<p>"Louisa is always fine! Are you not?" +asked Hope.</p> + +<p>Louisa laughed in her quiet little way. +"The young man is very polite!"</p> + +<p>Sydney opened the flap of the tent and +looked in, then turned back again for an +instant.</p> + +<p>"That'll be all right there, Livingston. +There won't a thing touch it up that tree! +Come along in and get some chuck!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span></p> + +<p>"All right!" came the reply from the edge +of the brush. Then Carter came inside and +drew up a seat beside the two girls.</p> + +<p>"What's that you said, Miss Louisa?" he +asked. "I didn't quite catch it. You surely +weren't accusing Larry of <i>politeness</i>!"</p> + +<p>The girl bit her little white teeth into the red +of her lower lip. Her cheeks flushed and the +dimples came and went in the delicate coloring.</p> + +<p>"Was it wrong to say?" she asked hesitatingly.</p> + +<p>"Not if it was true," he replied. "It's +never wrong to tell the truth, even in Montana."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Syd, don't plague her! Larry included +her in a little flattery—a compliment; +and she merely remarked upon his extreme +politeness."</p> + +<p>"And I am completely squelched," said +O'Hara despairingly.</p> + +<p>"Then you shouldn't try to flatter two +people at once," declared Hope.</p> + +<p>"American girls aren't so honest," said Carter, +looking soberly into Louisa's blue eyes.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span></p> + +<p>She regained her composure with a little +toss of her head.</p> + +<p>"An American girl is my best friend—you +shall say nodings about <i>dem</i>! Ah, here comes +Mr. Livingston mit de beautiful horns which +he gif to me!" she cried, clapping her hands.</p> + +<p>"They're beauties, aren't they?" said Livingston, +holding up the antlers to view. "I'll +get some of the Indians around here to fix +them up for you." He took them outside +again, then came in and joined the others +around the camp table.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Livingston was the lucky one to-day," +said Hope to O'Hara; "but we had a +great hunt."</p> + +<p>"I am not at all sure that I got him," said +Livingston, seating himself beside her. "I +am positive another shot was fired at the same +time, but I looked around and saw no one. +You came up a few moments afterward, Miss +Hathaway, and I have had a sort of rankling +suspicion ever since that there was some +mystery about it."</p> + +<p>"Then clear your mind of it at once," re<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span>plied +the girl. "I'll admit that I fired a shot +at the same instant you did, but I was on the +opposite side of the brush from where you +were, and didn't see the antelope at all. What +I aimed at was a large black speck in the sky +above me, and this is my trophy." She drew +from her belt a glossy, dark eagle's feather, +and handed it to him.</p> + +<p>"May I have this?" he asked, taking it from +her.</p> + +<p>"Why, certainly," she answered carelessly.</p> + +<p>O'Hara had been looking at Livingston +closely, as though extremely perplexed by his +appearance. Suddenly he gave a deep laugh, +jumped up from his seat and began shaking +him warmly by the hand.</p> + +<p>"Well, if this isn't——"</p> + +<p>"<i>Edward Livingston</i>," interrupted the +other briefly.</p> + +<p>"But who'd ever dream of seeing <i>you</i> here +in this country!" continued O'Hara. "It was +too dark to see you distinctly when you rode +up, or I'd have known you at once. I'm glad +to see you; indeed, I am, sir!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span></p> + +<p>"How romantic!" exclaimed Hope. +"Where did you ever meet Larry, Mr. Livingston?"</p> + +<p>"I had the privilege of meeting Mr. +O'Hara at the home of an acquaintance near +London two or three years ago. I am very +glad to have the pleasure again." O'Hara +was about to say something in reply to this, +but thought better of it, and remained silent, +while Livingston continued: "I never imagined +that I should meet my Irish-American +friend in this far country, though you Americans +do have a way of appearing in the most +unexpected places. This America is a great +country. I like it—in fact, well enough that +I have now become one of its citizens."</p> + +<p>"But you have not left England for good!" +exclaimed O'Hara.</p> + +<p>"For good, and for all time," replied Livingston, +the youthful expression of his face +settling into maturer lines of sadness. "I +have not one tie left. My friend, Carter here, +will tell you that I have settled down in these +mountains as a respectable sheep-man—re<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span>spectable, +if not dearly beloved. Miss Hathaway +does not believe there can be anything +respectable about the sheep business, but I +have promised to convert her. Is that not so?" +he asked, turning to her.</p> + +<p>"He has promised to give me a pet lamb to +take back to the ranch," she said, laughing. +"I shall put a collar on its neck and lead it by +a blue ribbon! At least it will be as good an +ornament as Clarice Van Rensselaer's poodle. +Horrible little thing!"</p> + +<p>"Now just imagine the beautiful Mrs. +Larry O'Hara trailing that kind of a baist +about the streets of New York! I move that +the animal be rejected with thanks!" exclaimed +Larry. Livingston looked at him in +quiet amazement, then at Hope and Sydney +to see how they took his audacity.</p> + +<p>"Don't worry, Larry, dear," replied Hope. +"The pet lamb hasn't been accepted yet—or +you, either! I shall probably choose the pet +lamb, but rely on my good judgment, that's a +nice boy, and don't let such a little matter +bother you!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span></p> + +<p>Larry heaved an unnaturally deep sigh, at +which little Louisa laughed, and Sydney patted +him upon the shoulder, exclaiming:</p> + +<p>"Cheer up! You have an even chance with +the lamb. You don't need to be afraid of such +a rival!"</p> + +<p>"But she says herself that the animal's +chances are the best," said Larry dismally. +Then with a sudden inspiration: "How +much'll you take for that baist? I'll buy him +of you—<i>Mr.</i> Livingston!"</p> + +<p>"Now's your chance to make some money!" +cried Sydney.</p> + +<p>Livingston quickly entered the mood of the +moment.</p> + +<p>"Miss Hathaway has an option on the +lamb," he said, looking at her. "If she wants +to throw it up I shall be glad to sell it +to you."</p> + +<p>"She wants her supper mostly now," said +Hope. "Come on, let's eat, for we must get +back. See all the fine things William has prepared +for us!"</p> + +<p>After the meal, when the girls rose to de<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span>part, +Larry insisted upon accompanying them +home.</p> + +<p>"I am going along, too," laughed Sydney, +"so I'll see that he gets back to camp all +right! You might as well let him go, Hope."</p> + +<p>"Well, if he is so foolish, after his hard +day's ride," she said, with a shrug of the +shoulders. "But get him a fresh horse, Sydney. +At least we can spare the poor tired +animal!"</p> + +<p>Sydney and O'Hara both went a short distance +away to get the saddle-horse which was +feeding quietly on the hillside. Hope led her +horse down to the water and while it was drinking +Livingston came and stood beside her.</p> + +<p>For a moment they remained there quiet, +side by side, then the man spoke:</p> + +<p>"It is of such as this that life's sweetest +moments are made. It seems almost a sacrilege +to break the spell, but I cannot always +be silent. You know I love you, Hope!"</p> + +<p>"Yes," she replied carelessly, "I believe you +told me so once before." For an instant he +did not speak. "It was here at the camp,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span> +another evening like this, wasn't it?" she continued, +in quite a matter-of-fact tone.</p> + +<p>"I will not believe that you have forgotten +it," he exclaimed softly. "It may have +sounded foolish to you to hear the words, but +I could not help saying them!" He stood so +close to her that he could feel her warm breath. +"It may be wrong to stand here with you now, +alone. How quiet it is! You and I together +in a little world of our own! How I love you, +my girl, <i>love you</i>! I may not have the right +to this much happiness, but there is no moral +law that man or God has made to prevent a +man from saying to the woman he loves, 'I +love you!' Are you—do you care that I have +said it?"</p> + +<p>"You must not—tell me again," she said, in +a voice so forced that it seemed to belong to +some other person. Then she turned abruptly +and led her horse past him, up the bank of the +creek, to Louisa waiting before the tent.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII</h2> + + +<p>In the cool of evening, between dark and +moonrise, the time when night is blackest, +and shadows hang like a pall over mountain +top and crag, a small group of men might +have been seen lounging before old Mother +White Blanket's tepee, absorbing the genial +warmth that came from her camp-fire, over +which the old squaw hovered close.</p> + +<p>In the background, away from the group, +yet still with the light of the fire shining +full upon him, stood the soft-voiced twin. +Suddenly the hawk-like eyes of his grandmother +swept the darkness and fastened themselves +upon his inquisitive face. For an instant +they pierced him through, then the shrill +voice rang out:</p> + +<p>"So! It's only the sneak-dog that dare not +come near! You get out and hunt your bed!"</p> + +<p>"I ain't doin' nothin'!" exclaimed the boy.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No! An' you'll live doin' nothin', an' die +doin' nothin', with a rope about your neck, +<i>so</i>!" She made a quick motion across her +throat, and gurgled heinously, letting her +blanket fall low upon her skinny, calico covered +shoulders, revealing a long, gaunt throat +and stiff wisps of black, unkempt hair.</p> + +<p>"You don't need to think you can scare +<i>me</i>," said the boy, moving boldly forward, impelled +by fear. "I ain't sneakin' 'round here, +neither! You'd better be a little politer er I'll +tell the old man on you when he gets sober +again!"</p> + +<p>"Hear him!" roared Shorty Smith. "Politer! +I reckon the school-ma'am's instillin' +some mighty high-flutin' notions into your +head, ain't she? Politer! Just listen to that +onct, will yous! Say, don't no one dare +breathe loud when <i>Mister</i> Daniel Harris, +<i>esquire</i>, comes round!"</p> + +<p>"You let your betters alone," rebuked the +old woman, shaking a stick at Shorty, preliminary +to throwing it upon the fire. "My +grandson's got more in his head than all of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span> +you!" Then nodding at the boy who, emboldened, +had come up to the fire: "Say what's on +your tongue an' git off to bed with you!"</p> + +<p>The breed boy shook his head. "I ain't +got nothin' to tell," he said. "Hain't been +nowhere except over to Carter's camp awhile. +Dave and me pretty near got nabbed by a +special officer that's over there."</p> + +<p>Shorty Smith raised himself up on his +elbow.</p> + +<p>"A special <i>what</i>!" he demanded, while a +sort of stillness swept the circle.</p> + +<p>"A special officer of the <i>law</i>," replied the +boy, with cool importance. "Dave an' me had +supper with him. He's a pretty good sort of +a feller."</p> + +<p>"Nice company you've been in," observed +Shorty.</p> + +<p>"Your grandmother always said you'd come +to some bad end," drawled Long Bill. An uneasy +laugh went around, then absolute silence +prevailed for several minutes. The old squaw +seemed to be muttering under her breath. +Finally she shifted her savage gaze from the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span> +outer blackness to the faces about her camp-fire.</p> + +<p>"Turn cowards for one man!" she exclaimed +scornfully.</p> + +<p>"Well, Harris is in there dead drunk, and +what're we goin' to do without him, anyhow?" +exclaimed Long Bill.</p> + +<p>"He might not approve," supplemented +Shorty Smith.</p> + +<p>"That's right; I ain't wantin' no such responsibility +on my shoulders, <i>just now</i>," declared +the large fellow.</p> + +<p>"We'll postpone matters," decided Shorty. +"I ain't after such responsibility myself, you +can bet your life!"</p> + +<p>The others agreed by words and grunts. +Suddenly the old woman rose to her feet, +grasping her dingy blanket together in front +with one scrawny hand, while she outstretched +the other, pointing into the night.</p> + +<p>"Git out!" she snarled scornfully. "Git +to your beds, dogs!"</p> + +<p>The men laughed again uneasily.</p> + +<p>"Come on, boys," said Shorty Smith.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span> +"We'll go an' see if the old man's left a drop +in his jug." He moved towards the house, followed +by the others. The soft-voiced twin +still retained his position by the camp-fire.</p> + +<p>"You git too!" snarled his grandmother.</p> + +<p>"I ain't no dog," replied the boy. The +squaw grunted. "You told the dogs to go, +not me! They won't find any demijohn, +neither. I cached it for <i>you</i>!"</p> + +<p>"Good boy," said his grandmother, patting +him upon the head. "Go git it!"</p> + +<p>When Hope and her companions returned +that evening a couple of aged Indians hovered +over the dying embers of old White Blanket's +camp-fire, sociably drinking from a rusty tin +cup what the riders naturally supposed to be +tea. The soft-voiced twin, already curled up +asleep beside his brothers, could have told +them different, for had he not won the old +woman's passing favor by his generous act? +So he slept well.</p> + +<p>So did the "old man" sleep well that night—a +heavy drunken stupor. He had returned +from town that afternoon in his usual condi<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span>tion, +as wild-eyed as the half-broken horses that +he drove, and for awhile made things lively +about the place. At such times he ruled with +a high and mighty hand, and even the little +babies crept out of his way as he approached. +He roused up some of the idle breeds and +started a poker game, which soon broke up, +owing to a financial deficiency among them. +Then he roped a wild-looking stallion and rode +off at a mad gait, without any apparent object, +toward a peacefully feeding bunch of cattle. +He rode around it, driving the cows and calves +into a huddled, frightened group, then left +them to recover their composure, riding, still +as madly as ever, back to the stables. But the +whisky finally got in its work, and Joe Harris, +to the great relief of his Indian wife and +family, laid himself away in a corner of the +kitchen, and peace again reigned supreme.</p> + +<p>Hope and Louisa very fortunately missed +all the excitement.</p> + +<p>The darkness was intense when they rode +up to the ranch. Quiet pervaded the place, +and not a light shone from the house.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span></p> + +<p>"These people must go to bed with the +chickens," remarked O'Hara.</p> + +<p>"Here's some matches, Hope," said Carter, +standing beside her on the ground when she +had dismounted. "Never mind your horses, +I'll take care of them. Run right in. Such a +place for you! Darker'n a stack of black +cats! I'll stand here by the house till I see a +light in your room."</p> + +<p>Just then a group of men, led by Shorty +Smith, came out of the dark passage between +the kitchen and the other part of the house, +and made their way toward the stables. The +ones in the rear did not see the riders, and were +muttering roughly among themselves. They +had been making another fruitless search for +the cattle-man's whisky, and were now going +to bed.</p> + +<p>"Come back here," said Sydney, drawing +both girls toward the horses which O'Hara +was holding. They moved backward under +his grasp and waited until the men had +passed.</p> + +<p>"Hope, you'll either have to change your<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span> +boarding place or go home," announced her +cousin.</p> + +<p>"I'll do neither," replied the girl decisively. +"Don't be foolish, Syd, because of a darkened +house and a handful of harmless men! I'm +not a baby, either. You'll make Larry think +I'm a very helpless sort of person. Don't believe +him, Larry! I'll admit that this isn't +always a safe country for men, but there is no +place on earth where a woman is surer of protection +than among these same wild, dare-devil +characters. I know what I'm talking about. +Home? Well, I guess not! Come on, Louisa. +See, she isn't afraid! Are you? Good-night, +both of you!"</p> + +<p>"Goot-night," called the German girl.</p> + +<p>"It's just as she says," explained Carter, +as he and O'Hara rode homeward. "It is +perfectly safe for a girl out here, in spite of +the tough appearances of things—far safer +than in the streets of New York or Chicago. +There isn't a man in the country that would +dare speak disrespectfully to a girl. Horse-stealing +wouldn't be an instance compared with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span> +what he'd get for that. He'd meet his end so +quick he wouldn't have time to say his prayers! +That's the way we do things in this country, +you know."</p> + +<p>"It's hard to understand this, judging +from appearances," said O'Hara. "I'm not +exactly a coward myself, but I must own it +gave me a chill all down my spine when those +tough-looking specimens began to pour out +from that crack between the buildings. I'd +think it would make a girl feel nervous."</p> + +<p>"But not Hope," replied Carter. "She's +used to it; besides she's not like other girls. +She's as fearless as a lion. You can't scare +<i>her</i>. If she was a little more timid I wouldn't +think about worrying over her, but she's so +blame self-reliant! She knows she's as quick +as chain lightning, and she's chockful of confidence. +For my own part, I wish she'd never +learned to shoot a gun."</p> + +<p>"It strikes me she's pretty able to take care +of herself," said O'Hara. "If I were you I +wouldn't worry over it."</p> + +<p>"Well, I want to get her back to the ranch,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span> +and I'm going to, too!" said Carter. Then to +O'Hara's look of wonder, "I might as well be +in Halifax as any real good I can be to her +here—in case anything should come up. You +see, there's been trouble brewing for months. +All these men around here are down on Livingston, +because he's running sheep on the +range they had begun to think was their own +exclusive property. He's as much right to run +sheep on government land as they have to run +cattle, though sheep are a plumb nuisance in +a cow country. These ranchers around here +haven't any use for his sheep at all, and have +been picking at him ever since he came up +here."</p> + +<p>He then went on to tell what he knew about +the shooting at Livingston's corral.</p> + +<p>"I'm pretty certain now that Hope was +mixed up in it, though Livingston is as ignorant +as can be in regard to the matter. He's +too much a stranger to the ways of the country +to learn everything in a minute. It was funny +about you knowing him, wasn't it? He's a +fine man, all right, and I hope this outfit won't<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span> +bluff him out of the country. Harris is at the +bottom of it. If it wasn't for him there +wouldn't be any trouble. Now it's my opinion +that Hope's trying to stand off the whole outfit +for Livingston's sake, and doesn't want +him to know it."</p> + +<p>O'Hara was silent for a moment, then replied:</p> + +<p>"I'm not the fellow to make a fuss because +a better man than me turns up. I knew in a +minute he was dead in love with her."</p> + +<p>Then he told something to Carter in confidence +which caused him to pull his horse up +suddenly in the trail and exclaim: "You +don't say!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> + + +<p>"It is a long road," observed Mrs. Van +Rensselaer. "I had no idea it was so far. +So these are the foot-hills of the mountains. +Is this Harris place very much farther?"</p> + +<p>"'Bout five mile straight up in the mountains," +replied her companion.</p> + +<p>"Then," said the lady decisively, "I am +going to stop here at this spring, get a drink, +and rest awhile; I'm about half dead!"</p> + +<p>Jim McCullen made no reply, but good-naturedly +headed his horse toward a tiny +stream that trickled down a coulee near by. +Mrs. Van Rensselaer followed, heaving a tired +sigh of relief, as she slipped down upon the +moist, flower-dotted meadows beside the +stream.</p> + +<p>"Oh, this is an awful undertaking," she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span> +declared, wetting her handkerchief in the +water and carefully wiping her forehead.</p> + +<p>"I thought you was pretty brave to venture +it," replied old Jim, from a short distance +below, where he was watering the horses. +"It's a hot day and a dry wind. I told you +just how it'd be."</p> + +<p>"I suppose it is some comfort to you to refer +to that fact, but it doesn't make me any the +less tired or cross. Yes, I'm cross, Mr. McCullen. +It has been downright rude of Hope +to stay away like this all summer. Of course +it's possible she may have her reasons for that, +but <i>I</i> never put in such a pokey time before in +all my life! I couldn't go back to New York +without seeing her, and then Sydney told me +that if I went up there I might be able to coax +her to leave the place. But she's been there +so long now—a couple of months, isn't it?—that +I can't see what difference it would make +if she stayed a little longer. I did want to see +her, though, before I went home, so I decided +I'd undertake this journey. What about this +protégée of hers—this German girl she's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span> +taken to raise? Sydney said she was a pretty +little thing with hair the color of mine," shaking +back her fluff of fair hair, "and eyes like a +'deep blue lake.' That's all I could get out +of him—'eyes like a deep blue lake!' That +settles it! When a fellow begins to rhapsody +over eyes like a deep blue lake, it's a good sign +he's cast his anchor right there. Well, it'll be +a good thing for Sydney."</p> + +<p>"She's a right smart young lady," remarked +McCullen. "Hope thinks a sight of her. +She can ride a little, but she ain't goin' to +learn to shoot worth a cent. Hand ain't +steady 'nough. They ain't many wimmen in +the world can shoot like Hope, though! She +beats 'em all!"</p> + +<p>"You ought to be awfully proud to think +you taught her."</p> + +<p>"Proud!" said old Jim, his voice deep with +emotion; "I reckon I'm proud of her in every +way—not just because she can shoot. They +ain't no one like her! I couldn't think no more +of her if she was my own, ma'am."</p> + +<p>"It must be nice to feel that way toward<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span> +someone," mused the lady, from the grass. +"She thinks everything of you, too. It seems +natural for some people to take a kindly, loving +interest in almost everyone. There are +only two people I have ever known toward +whom I have felt in anything approaching +that manner. Hope and Larry O'Hara. I +have often fancied they would make an ideal +couple." Jim McCullen shook his head +doubtfully, but Mrs. Van Rensselaer, unnoticing, +continued: "And even Larry deserted +the ranch. He's been gone for two weeks. +It's about time I came to look everyone up!" +She pinned back the fluffy hair from her face, +adjusted her hat, unclasped a tiny mirror and +powder puff from her wrist, and carefully +dusted every portion of her pretty face.</p> + +<p>McCullen, who had witnessed the operation +several times before along the road that day, +ceased to stare in wonderment, and very politely +looked across the rolling hills in the opposite +direction. It never occurred to Clarice +Van Rensselaer that anyone could have found +amusement in the proceedings. In fact, she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span> +never thought of it at all, but dabbed the +powder puff quite mechanically from force of +habit.</p> + +<p>After laughing to himself and giving her +time enough to complete her toilet, he led her +horse up, remarking:</p> + +<p>"We'd better be movin', er like enough we +won't get there till after dark."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Van Rensselaer sighed, regained her +feet, and suffered herself to be helped to the +saddle.</p> + +<p>"I reckon you won't find O'Hara up there," +remarked Jim McCullen some time later. +"Two evenings ago he rode over on Fox Creek, +there on the reservation, where them soldiers +are out practicin'. Lieutenant Harvey come +over to camp an' he rode back with him, bein's +he was acquainted. It ain't more'n eight mile +from camp. Mebby you could ride over there +if you wanted." This suggestion was offered +with the faintest smile beneath his gray mustache. +"It's a mighty fine chance to see them +soldiers drillin' 'round the hills, playin' at sham +battles and the like."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It would probably be a pleasing sight to +see them," replied Clarice Van Rensselaer, +"but I prefer an easy chair with plenty of +cushions instead."</p> + +<p>"I don't like to discourage you, but I don't +reckon you'll find many cushions where you're +goin'," said old Jim.</p> + +<p>"How much farther is it?" demanded the +lady.</p> + +<p>"Oh, not very fur, 'bout three mile, er a +little further," replied her companion; thereupon +Mrs. Van Rensselaer rode on for some +time in scornful, silent resignation.</p> + +<p>When they reached the Harris ranch they +found groups of men lounging about everywhere.</p> + +<p>It looked as though most of the inhabitants +of the mountains had congregated there on +this especial evening. Mrs. Van Rensselaer +gasped in astonishment, and even McCullen, +used as he was to seeing men gathered about +the place, looked surprised and wondered +what had been going on to bring such a +crowd.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mrs. Van Rensselaer gathered her skirts +closely about her, as if in fear they would brush +against some of the rough-looking men that +moved back from the path as McCullen led +her to the house. A couple of pigs chased by +a yellow pup ran past her, then an Indian +woman opened wide the main entrance of +the abode and shooed out some squawking +chickens, which flew straight at the visitor. +Mrs. Van Rensselaer hesitated in dismay, +and turned a white, startled face to +McCullen.</p> + +<p>"This ain't nothin' at all," he assured her. +"Go right on in. I reckon we'll find Miss +Hope to home."</p> + +<p>She drew back still farther. "You go first," +she implored fearfully.</p> + +<p>McCullen smiled, and picked his way +into the house, followed closely by his companion, +who clung to his coat.</p> + +<p>Reaching the interior he seated Mrs. Van +Rensselaer upon a bench, and went in search +of the Indian woman, who had disappeared at +the first sight of the visitors.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span></p> + +<p>"She's out," he announced, returning after +a moment. "They say she and the little German +girl went out on their horses some time +ago. I suppose you'll have to wait here till she +gets back. You ain't afraid, be you?"</p> + +<p>"Do you mean that I'll have to wait here +<i>alone</i>?" she inquired, frightened.</p> + +<p>"I'll stay around fer a spell," said McCullen +kindly. "There ain't nothing to get nervous +about." He opened the door of an adjoining +room and beckoned to a breed girl, who was +lulling a child to sleep in an Indian hammock. +"Come in and keep this lady company. She's +come to see Miss Hathaway," he said. The +girl entered the room shyly—reluctantly. Jim +McCullen pulled his hat over his eyes and +turned to the door. "I'll look about a bit an' +see if she's comin'," he said, then went out of +the house.</p> + +<p>The girl was shy, and stood awkwardly in +the doorway with downcast eyes, not daring to +look up at the visitor. Clarice fancied herself +too tired to talk, so sat on the bench and leaned +back against the white-washed logs. Quiet<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span> +pervaded until a pig poked open the door and +looked inquisitively into the room.</p> + +<p>"Oh, drive that animal out!" exclaimed +Clarice, "he's coming straight at me!"</p> + +<p>The girl gave the pig a poke that sent it +grunting away, then closed the door and +placed a box before it to keep it shut.</p> + +<p>"Will you kindly take me to Miss Hathaway's +apartment?" asked Mrs. Van Rensselaer.</p> + +<p>The breed girl looked bewildered. "<i>To +where?</i>" she asked.</p> + +<p>"To her room," requested the lady, less +politely. "I suppose she has a room in this +place, has she not? I should like to rest for a +few moments."</p> + +<p>"It's right there," said the girl shortly, +pointing at a door.</p> + +<p>"Right there!" exclaimed Mrs. Van Rensselaer +crossly. "Why didn't you tell me so +before?"</p> + +<p>Clarice opened the door and gasped in +wonder. A vision of Hope's room at +the ranch, with all its dainty accessories,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span> +came before her, and she thought of the +girl's love of luxury and comfort. Everything +was clean here, she assured herself with +another glance around—spotlessly clean and +neat, which could not be said of the room she +had just left. There was a bed, a chair, a box +and some boards covered with cheese-cloth, +that served as a dressing table. Not a picture +adorned the wall or an ornament of any +description was to be seen.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Van Rensselaer walked all around the +little room to satisfy herself that she had missed +nothing. Some newspapers were fastened to +the wall upon one side, and over them hung a +few garments, which in turn were carefully +covered by a thin shawl, with a view, no doubt, +to keep out the dust. That was probably an +idea of the German girl's, thought Clarice, +and rightly, too, for to Louisa also was due +the well scrubbed boards of the floor, the shining +window panes, and the general neatness +which pervaded the poor chamber.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Van Rensselaer seated herself upon +a box and gazed long and earnestly at her re<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span>flection +in a small hand mirror which hung +over the dressing table.</p> + +<p>"You haven't the features of a fool," she +remarked to herself, "but you've added two +new wrinkles by this tom-foolery to-day, and +you ought to be satisfied by this time that +you're not fit to take care of yourself! But I +suppose it's satisfying to know you're doing +missionary work. Missionary work, indeed, +for a girl who hasn't as much sense for staying +in this place as you have for coming! By the +time you get home you'll have two more +wrinkles, and it'll take a month to get back +your good looks again! Well, you always +were foolish!"</p> + +<p>So saying she turned away from the mirror +and looked longingly at the bed. Just then +her eyes became fastened, wide and terrified, +upon the head of a small gray animal protruding +from the corner of the floor behind the bed. +She watched it, spell-bound by fear, as it drew +its fat body through a hole in the floor and ran +across the room. Suddenly with a terrible +shriek she threw herself upon the bed. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span> +pack-rat ran back to its hole and made its exit +without loss of time, but Clarice sobbed aloud +in hysterical fear. Suddenly the door was +thrown open, and a weather-browned, dark-haired +girl knelt beside the bed and took the +frightened woman in her arms.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> + + +<p>"Clarice, dear," said Hope, "what <i>is</i> +the matter?"</p> + +<p>"Oh," sobbed Mrs. Van Rensselaer, +"<i>did</i> you see it—<i>did you see it</i>? A terrible +thing! A terrible thing!"</p> + +<p>"But <i>what</i>?" asked the girl wonderingly, +"what could have frightened you so, <i>here</i>?"</p> + +<p>Clarice, still hysterical, only sobbed and was +quite incoherent in her explanation. Hope +looked stern, as though facing an unpleasant +problem which baffled her for the time. +Louisa had entered the room and stood quietly +to one side, looking in much surprise from one +to the other. For a moment Mrs. Van Rensselaer's +sobs ceased.</p> + +<p>The German girl touched Hope gently +upon the shoulder.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I tink it vas King Solomon," she said.</p> + +<p>"Why, that was just it," said Hope. "You +must have seen King Solomon, Clarice. It +was only King Solomon; don't be afraid. I +thought we had the hole well plugged up, but +he must have made another one."</p> + +<p>"You forget," interrupted Louisa, laughing +softly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's so!" exclaimed Hope. "We +took the soap out and used it this morning because +we didn't have any other."</p> + +<p>"And who's King Solomon, and what's that +to do with soap?" demanded Clarice, raising +herself upon her elbow to the edge of the bed +with a faint show of interest.</p> + +<p>"King Solomon," explained Hope soberly, +"is a friend who comes to visit us occasionally, +and generally packs off what happens to be in +sight. We named him King Solomon—not +because of his solemn demeanor, but for reason +of his taking ways, and propensity toward +feminine apparel."</p> + +<p>"What are you talking about, Hope? I do +believe this terrible place has gone to your<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span> +head! What makes all the noise in that other +room?"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Van Rensselaer seemed extremely +nervous.</p> + +<p>"That's the men coming in to their supper," +replied Hope. "I think you must have been +nervous before you saw the rat. I'm sorry I +wasn't here when you came, Clarice!"</p> + +<p>"And so that horrible thing I saw was a +rat!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, just a common everyday wood-rat, +for obvious reasons sometimes called a pack-rat. +But how did you happen to come up +here, Clarice?"</p> + +<p>"If I had known how far it was, and what a +dreadful place I should find, I am afraid my +great desire to see you couldn't have induced +me to attempt it. How <i>can</i> you stay here? I +wish you'd go home, Hope!"</p> + +<p>"Is that what you came to tell me?" asked +the girl quietly. "If so, you might just as well +get on your horse and go back. I wrote you +not to come. You might have taken my advice—it +would have been a heap better. You're<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span> +not cut out for this sort of place. I don't +know what in the world I'm going to do with +you to-night! I'll send you back to-morrow, +that's one thing sure. One of us will have to +sleep on the floor, or else we'll be obliged to +sleep three in a bed."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'll make me a bed on the floor," offered +Louisa quickly.</p> + +<p>"You won't do anything of the kind—the +idea!" exclaimed Mrs. Van Rensselaer, aghast. +"Supposing that thing—that <i>rat</i> should +come!"</p> + +<p>"We'll put the soap back in the hole again," +replied Hope. "And King Solomon will +have to keep out. Before Louisa came I used +to let him come in just for company's sake, but +the poor fellow is a hopeless case. Clarice, I +wish you hadn't come!"</p> + +<p>"I wish so, too, if that will help you any," +replied Mrs. Van Rensselaer, lifting her +pretty face dejectedly from her hands and +looking about the room in a woe-begone manner. +"I'm awfully tired, Hope, and hungry, +but I couldn't eat <i>here</i> if I starved to death!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span> +Is that room in there <i>always</i> so grimy and +dirty? and what makes that terrible <i>odor</i> about +the place?"</p> + +<p>"I think you'd better go back to the ranch +to-night," suggested Hope.</p> + +<p>Clarice moaned in deep discouragement: +"Oh, if you knew how tired I am! But I +can't stand it <i>here</i>—<i>I can't do it</i>! Let me get +out in the fresh air, away from the odor of +those pigs and chickens and <i>rats</i>, and sit down +on the side of a mountain—anywhere, so that +I can breathe again!" After a moment's +pause she suddenly exclaimed: "Hope, +there's something biting me! What in the +world is it? I tell you there's an insect on me!"</p> + +<p>"Fleas," said Hope briefly. "The place +is full of them. They don't bite me, and they +don't bother Louisa much either. Poor +Clarice, what trouble you have got yourself +into! I can't send you back to-night, that's +one sure thing, you're too tired." She pondered +a moment, deeply perplexed, then all at +once a solution came to her. Her eyes brightened +and she laughed.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I have it!" she cried. "I'll send one of +the boys after Mr. Livingston's buggy and +drive you over to Sydney's. They've got an +extra tent and a stack of blankets. William +will get you a fine supper, and you can be as +snug as a bug in a rug."</p> + +<p>"Hope, you're the dearest girl that ever +lived!" cried Clarice. "I just dote on camping +out in a nice clean tent!" But Hope had +hurried away to find the twins before the sentence +was finished. When she returned, a few +minutes later, Clarice exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"But you don't intend to send me over there +<i>alone</i>, do you? You girls will go and stay +with me? Come, you must! I'll not think of +going alone. We'll have a regular camping-out +party and I'll chaperon you."</p> + +<p>"Old Father Jim and Sydney are chaperons +enough," said the girl. "But we'll go +along, since you happen to be our guest."</p> + +<p>This decided upon, she made Mrs. Van +Rensselaer lie down upon the bed, bathed her +pretty, tired face with cool water, and com<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span>manded +her to rest until the twins returned +with the conveyance.</p> + +<p>Louisa clapped her hands in joy at the +happy prospect of camping in a tent. She +declared in her pretty broken English that it +had been her one great desire ever since she +had been in the country. Then she became +sober again. Had not her Fritz spent months +at a time in one of those small, white-walled +tents?</p> + +<p>Hope viewed the project with complete indifference. +It mattered little to her where +she spent the night, so that she got her allotted +hours of good, sound sleep. At first she was +greatly perplexed as to how she was going to +make Clarice comfortable, but now that the +matter had adjusted itself so agreeably she became +at once in the lightest of spirits, the effects +of which were quickly felt by both Mrs. +Van Rensselaer and little Louisa.</p> + +<p>By the time the roll of wheels was heard, +announcing the arrival of Edward Livingston's +conveyance, Clarice was fairly rested,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span> +and in a much more amiable mood than previously.</p> + +<p>"The only thing that's the matter with me +now is that I'm hungry," she said.</p> + +<p>"We'll soon fix that, too," replied Hope +brightly. "The boys are back with Mr. Livingston's +team and it won't take us long to +drive over to camp. Get on your things, +Clarice." She threw her own jacket over her +arm and, picking up her hat, hurriedly left +the room. "I'll be back in a moment for +you," she said from the door. "Keep her +company, Louisa, and don't let King Solomon +in!"</p> + +<p>At the entrance of the house she met the +soft-voiced twin just coming in search of her.</p> + +<p>"He's out there hisself with his outfit," he +said disgustedly. "Thought it wasn't safe +fer me to drive his blame horses, I reckon!"</p> + +<p>She looked out and saw Livingston standing +beside his team in the road. He was waiting +for her. When she approached, his fine +eyes brightened, but hers were gloomy—indifferent.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Come," he said, laughing, holding out his +hand to her. "You did not think I would +miss such an opportunity to get to see you! I +haven't pleased you, but this time I thought to +please myself."</p> + +<p>"I was in such a predicament," she cried, +ignoring his hand, but forgetting her momentary +displeasure. "A guest from the ranch, +and no place to put her. Then I thought of +Sydney's, and that new tent, so we're all going +over there. I sent for your buggy, because +Mrs. Van Rensselaer has ridden a long ways, +is all tired out—but I didn't mean to put <i>you</i> +to so much trouble."</p> + +<p>"Is it a <i>trouble</i> to see you?" he asked. "If +it is, I want a great deal of just that kind of +trouble."</p> + +<p>"I'll go in and get her," she said quickly. +"If you will drive her over there, Louisa and I +can go horseback."</p> + +<p>He assented in few words, happy to do her +bidding.</p> + +<p>She started toward the house, then turned +back absent-mindedly, as though she had for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span>gotten +something that she was striving to recall. +Finally she gave a little short laugh, +and held out her hand. "You are very kind," +she said, looking at him squarely.</p> + +<p>He did not reply, but held the proffered +hand, drinking in the language of her eyes. +She withdrew it slowly, as if loath to take it +from his warm clasp, then flashing him one of +her brilliant smiles turned once more and went +quickly back to the house.</p> + +<p>"You will ride over with Mr. Livingston, +Clarice," she announced. "He wouldn't trust +the twins with his team."</p> + +<p>"And who's <i>Mr. Livingston</i>, Hope," inquired +Mrs. Van Rensselaer, adjusting her +veil carefully before the small mirror. "I +didn't suppose you had a <i>Mr.</i> anybody up here +in this terrible country! Why the prefix?"</p> + +<p>"He's a white man," replied the girl, pulling +down her hat to hide the flush that crept into +her face. "An Englishman, Edward Livingston."</p> + +<p>"An Englishman," mused Clarice, pulling +on her gloves. "But what makes you <i>Mister</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span> +him, Hope? <i>Livingston</i>—wonder if he's any +relation to Lord Livingston? <i>Edward</i> Livingston, +did you say?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, such a <i>nice</i> man!" exclaimed Louisa, +clasping her hands in rapture. "He is my +goot, kind friend."</p> + +<p>"And Hope's too, isn't he?" laughed Mrs. +Van Rensselaer, at which remark Hope advised +her to hurry up.</p> + +<p>"But my dear, I <i>am</i> hurrying just as fast +as I can," she exclaimed. "I assure you I am +as anxious to get away from here as you are +to have me. I don't see how you've ever stood +it, Hope! The attraction must be very strong. +Come, own up, is it this <i>Mister</i> Livingston? +Why, I believe you are blushing. You're so +black, though, I can't be certain. But it's a +good name—Livingston. Come on; I'm +ready to see this <i>Mister Edward Livingston</i>!"</p> + +<p>The three passed out of the room and +through the large living room beyond, on out +of doors. The men had eaten their supper +and gone out to the stables, where they congregated +in numerous groups—quiet groups,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span> +that any other time would have seemed suspicious +to Hope.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Van Rensselaer was led safely past +the pigs and dogs without accident, but at the +corner of the house she drew back, filled with +surprise, and forgetful of all danger.</p> + +<p>"Hope, I do believe that <i>is</i> Lord Livingston," +she whispered. "I knew he was out in +this country somewhere. Yes, I'm sure it is +he. His wife lives in New York now," she +rattled on; "but I don't know her except by +sight. She goes in kind of a swift set, anyway, +but he belongs to one of the best families in +England. Isn't it surprising to run across him +like this? I'll go up to him and say—why, how +do you do, Lord——"</p> + +<p>"Come on," said Hope, interrupting and +taking her by the arm. "Lord or no lord, +you'll never get any supper if you don't hurry +up!" Her face had gone from red to white. +She took Clarice by the arm and led her up to +the buggy. "This is Mrs. Van Rensselaer, +Mr. Livingston," she said quickly, before +that lady could speak, then turned abruptly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span> +about and went to the stable for the saddle-horses.</p> + +<p>Livingston helped Mrs. Van Rensselaer +into the buggy, while Louisa ran after Hope, +quickly overtaking her.</p> + +<p>"She says he hass a vife. I don't belief +her!" she exclaimed indignantly, linking her +arm through Hope's. "Don't you belief her +eider!"</p> + +<p>"I must believe it, little Louisa, because it +is true!" said Hope. "But if it were <i>not</i> true, +if it were <i>not</i> true, I think I should be mad +with happiness at this moment!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV</h2> + + +<p>In a short time the horses were saddled and +the two girls dashed past the stable buildings +and the rough assortment of men who +stood silently about, past their watchful, alert +eyes, on after the buggy, which had now become +a mere speck high up on the mountain +road. As they raced by the house and tepees +the boy, Ned, cautiously raised his small body +from behind a pile of logs which edged the +road and beckoned to them frantically. +Hope's quick eye saw him, but only as the +flash of a moving picture across her mind, +leaving no impression and instantly forgotten. +But later, when she had entered the cook-tent +at Sydney's camp and seated herself among +the small company, the memory of the passing +vision came back, annoying, troubling her. +She scented danger more than she felt it. A +sense of uneasiness possessed her. She con<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span>demned +herself roundly for the wild thoughts +that had carried her away from herself, +and would have given much at that moment +to have known what the breed boy had +wanted to commune to her.</p> + +<p>Clarice was chatting volubly to Livingston. +Sydney leaned upon the table, listening attentively. +Outside, old Jim McCullen was staking +out the saddle-horses, while about the stove +and mess-box William, the cook, flitted in +great importance. Sydney jumped up from +the table when the two girls entered and +arranged some extra seats for them, then took +one himself beside Louisa, who flushed prettily +at his attentions.</p> + +<p>"We beat you by fifteen minutes!" exclaimed +Mrs. Van Rensselaer, breaking off +from her conversation abruptly. "But we +just came along spinning. And I must tell +you that I'm perfectly happy now, and don't +regret coming one bit! Just think, isn't this +luck—Mr. Livingston has promised to take +me back to the ranch to-morrow, or whenever I +decide to return! And you should see what a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span> +splendid dinner we are going to have! After +all, I'm coming out the best in the deal—in +spite of Jim's 'didn't I tell you,' and Hope's +'what made you come.' This is a regular taste +of the real West—wild and rugged! You +don't get it at the ranch—luxurious quarters, +Chinese servants everywhere, even the people +especially imported. You might as well be in +New York for everything except the climate. +This is great—this little gulch here and these +fresh, sweet tents; but horrors, that place +back there! Isn't there any way to go around +it when we go back to the ranch, Mr. Livingston? +I don't want even to catch sight of it. I +never saw such a lot of looking men in all my +life!"</p> + +<p>They all laughed at the look of abject +horror which she put upon her face—all with +the exception of Hope, who sat silently in the +shadow of Louisa and Sydney.</p> + +<p>"We've been to supper," said Sydney, turning +around to his cousin, "so this is an extra +one for the special benefit of our guests. +You'd better appreciate it, for it's going to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span> +a jim-dandy one. Livingston's been to supper, +too, so this is just for the ladies."</p> + +<p>"You're a good boy," murmured the girl, +taking off her hat and pushing back the mass +of dark hair from her forehead. "We'll soon +show you our appreciation."</p> + +<p>"I guess we'd better light up, it's getting +dark a little earlier nowadays," he said, leaving +Louisa's side to light the lanterns, which +soon flooded the tent with soft radiance.</p> + +<p>"I like the twilight," said Clarice to Livingston. +"But then I like lots of light, too. +Some people can talk best in the dark, but I +have to see to talk."</p> + +<p>"It's only eight o'clock," continued Sydney, +from where he had left off. "Last month +it was daylight at ten. It beats all how time +flies, anyway!" He hung an extra lantern, +lighted for the momentous occasion, right +where the rays fell full upon Hope's face. +From the far end of the tent Livingston +watched her. He sought her eyes as usual. +They were everywhere, anywhere, but did not +meet his. Lately a new star had risen for him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span>—a +star of hope. O'Hara had told him, quite +unsolicited, that there was no attachment between +Hope and her cousin, much less an +engagement, and suddenly a new world had +opened for him.</p> + +<p>"I don't see why you are lighting the lanterns +now. It isn't dark at all," said the girl, +rising suddenly from her seat. "From the +top of the ridge out there you can see the sunset, +I know."</p> + +<p>"Did you ever see a sunset as beautiful as +the sunrise?" asked Livingston.</p> + +<p>She stopped and pondered an instant, then +glanced at him quickly, and as quickly away.</p> + +<p>"No, I have not," she replied. "A sunrise +is a baptism. It is like being born into a new +world. There is nothing so beautiful, so +grand, so promising, as the vision of a new +day's sun. And to stand in the cool morning +air with the dew beneath your feet and <i>feel</i> all +the promise of that vast, golden glory—to feel +it——" She stopped suddenly, lifting her +eyes to his for one brief instant. "There is no +moment in life when one is so near to God."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Admitting the sublimity and grandeur of +the time," said Clarice. "Yet who ever heard +of an enamored swain offering his heart at the +feet of his fair lady at such an unearthly hour? +It's preposterous!"</p> + +<p>"In such a case he'd probably be sitting up +too late the night before," said Carter. "But +it's a pretty idea, just the same," he declared, +looking at Louisa.</p> + +<p>"I think a sunset is prettier," insisted +Clarice. "I've never been able to rub the sleep +out of my eyes to appreciate the sunrise as +Hope describes it. But I think she is an exception."</p> + +<p>"Would there were more then," said Livingston +fervently.</p> + +<p>His earnestness seemed to amuse Clarice, +for she turned to him and laughed. Hope +swung about quickly, stung for the instant.</p> + +<p>"It is sacred," she cried softly, then opening +the tent-flap with a quick movement she +stepped out into the evening.</p> + +<p>Jim McCullen was putting up a new tent +down near the edge of the stream for the ac<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span>commodation +of the ladies. The girl went over +to where he was at work and assisted him by +steadying one pole while he fastened the canvas +in position.</p> + +<p>"How's the ranch, Jim?" she asked. "Mrs. +Van Rensselaer hasn't had time to tell me +yet."</p> + +<p>"Well, it's about the same as ever," replied +McCullen slowly. "I reckon your father's +gettin' pretty lonesome without you. Feels +like a lost horse by now. That there little +Rosebush—Rosehill, he and them Cresmonds +have gone back East to get ready fer the great +weddin' they're talkin' about. Them folks +seem to think it's a mighty fine thing to catch +a lord er an earl. But it always seemed to me +that the Almighty left out a whole pile in order +to give some o' them fellers a title. Forgot +Rosehill's brains entirely, an' he ain't no +bigger'n a minute, neither."</p> + +<p>"I guess you're right, about him," said +Hope, kneeling beside McCullen as he fashioned +a stake pin more to his liking. "I hope +that outfit won't come out here another year;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span> +I don't like them very well. It's nice and +sweet out here on the grass, isn't it? I don't +mind staying here at all to-night. I don't see +what makes me feel so sleepy and drowsy +though, but I do—sort of tired, as though I +wanted to get away and go to bed. I haven't +ridden far to-day either—only a few miles +after school. Jim, I wish I were back to-night +at the ranch—I wish I could go and say +good-night to my father, and go away to my +own room."</p> + +<p>McCullen looked up from the peg he was +driving, and remarked: "I'll warrent you'll +have as good a night's sleep out here in this +tent as you would at home on the ranch. +Plenty o' fresh air an' no misquitoes to bother. +But I reckon your father'd like to see you just +the same to-night."</p> + +<p>"But he doesn't want me to go home until +I've finished this school up here. I'm earning +fifty dollars a month. How much are you?"</p> + +<p>"A hundred," replied McCullen. "But, +look a-here, your father <i>said</i> that, but he'd be +mighty glad to have you drop in on him one o'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span> +these times. He's the sorriest father you ever +seen!"</p> + +<p>"But I shall stay, Jim, just as long as there +is school here," said Hope decidedly. "So don't +<i>you</i> try to get me to go home. Everyone else +is. Sydney all the time, then Larry O'Hara. +I'm glad he's gone over to camp with the +soldiers. They're farther away than I +thought. Louisa and I rode over in that direction +after school, but only got to the top of the +tall butte over there. We could see them where +they were camped on Fox Creek, but it was too +far to go, so we went back to Harris'. Larry +was all the time urging me to go home while +he was here—and now Clarice has come. But +I won't go, Jim, until the school ends."</p> + +<p>"Well, you just make the best of it," replied +McCullen. "I like your grit. I'm +a-goin' to stay right here so's to be near you +whatever happens."</p> + +<p>"Jim," said the girl suddenly, "were you +ever nervous?"</p> + +<p>"I reckon I've been, a few times," replied +McCullen. "Why, you ain't <i>nervous</i>, be you,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span> +Hopie? There ain't nothin' goin' to bother +you out here to-night. Mebby you ain't feelin' +well."</p> + +<p>She smiled at his consternation. "No, I +don't think I'm nervous, Jim; just a little +restless, that's all."</p> + +<p>"I expect that woman's comin' has sort o' +upset you. I didn't want to bring her, but she +managed to overrule all o' my objections."</p> + +<p>He finished driving the last peg, which +made the tent secure against the strongest +wind, then straightened himself up with his +hands upon the small of his back as though the +movement was a difficult one.</p> + +<p>"Well, I reckon I'll bring in the beddin', +an' you can fix it up to suit yourself," he said, +looking down at the girl, who had seated herself +on the grass before the tent.</p> + +<p>"Listen," she whispered, holding up a +warning hand, "I hear horsebackers."</p> + +<p>"Sure enough," he replied after a moment's +silence. "I reckon it's them breed boys o' +yourn. Hungriest outfit I ever seen!"</p> + +<p>"Yes," she said, rising suddenly to her feet<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span> +and peering into the gathering dusk, "that's +who it is. Go get the blankets, Jim."</p> + +<p>"Where're you goin'!" asked McCullen, as +she moved quickly away down the bank of +the creek toward the dark brush of the +bottom.</p> + +<p>"To tell them school's out," she replied +with a short laugh, then disappeared from his +sight.</p> + +<p>"I reckon she's afraid them boys'll annoy +that Van Rensselaer woman. You'd think +she'd never seen an Injun before, from the +fuss she made back there at Harris'," soliloquized +McCullen as he brought a great armful +of blankets and deposited them inside the new +tent.</p> + +<p>But Hope was not thinking of Mrs. Van +Rensselaer as she stood in the narrow brush +trail holding the bridle of an impatient Indian +pinto, while the soft-voiced twin looked at her +through the semi-darkness.</p> + +<p>"There's a bright moon to-night till three +in the mornin', then it's as dark as pitch," he +was saying.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Who figured out all that?" demanded the +girl.</p> + +<p>The breed boy moved uneasily in his saddle. +"I reckon Shorty Smith er some o' 'em did," +he replied.</p> + +<p>"And they're going to meet in the sheep-shed +at the foot of the big hill," she said deliberately.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Dan reluctantly, "the one +just inside the pasture fence over there on this +side. It's the nearest place to meet."</p> + +<p>"How many men?" demanded Hope.</p> + +<p>"'Bout a dozen, I reckon," replied the twin. +"Mebby not so many." He leaned forward +until his face was close beside the girl's. +"Say," he whispered nervously, "if they ever +found out I put you onto this, they'd finish me +mighty quick."</p> + +<p>"Are they aware you know about it?" she +asked quickly. "Do they know?"</p> + +<p>"You can't never tell," replied the boy deliberately, +sweetly.</p> + +<p>The bushes rattled and another horse pushed +its way alongside the pinto.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</a></span></p> + +<p>"If we only had that Gatlin' gun now we'd +be all right," exclaimed the other twin enthusiastically, +as his horse nosed its way in beside +them. "But if we get behind the big rock +we'll scare 'em to death, so's they won't have +the nerve to do nothin'!"</p> + +<p>"But what are they going to do?" demanded +Hope impatiently. "You seem to know +nothing except that they're going to meet +there for some devilishness."</p> + +<p>"Goin' to make a raid on the shed, I +reckon," replied Dave. The soft-voiced twin +was silent.</p> + +<p>"And you think we can stand off a dozen +men?" she demanded.</p> + +<p>"They can't do a thing to us from the big +rock, anyway, an' we can watch the fun an' +pick off everyone that leaves the shed. We +can do that much," said the soft-voiced twin +eagerly.</p> + +<p>"How you thirst for blood! They deserve +death, every one—<i>the dogs</i>! But I can't do it! +There must be some other way! He must be +warned, and his men too, and the thing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</a></span> +averted. Before, it just happened so—this +time we have a chance and warning."</p> + +<p>"It 'ud never do to tell him," exclaimed the +soft-voiced twin nervously. "He'd put his +own head right into the noose!"</p> + +<p>"Never!" she cried. "You don't know +what courage he has!"</p> + +<p>The soft-voiced twin continued to demur. +Suddenly she held up her hand to him commandingly. +"Not another word! I'll manage +this thing myself! It's for me to command, +and you obey orders. Remember, you're my +scouts—my <i>brave scouts</i>. Surely you want me +to be proud of you!"</p> + +<p>"You bet!" exclaimed Dave.</p> + +<p>"Then do as I say," she commanded in a +voice softly alluring, coaxing. "Go home, +find out what you can, and bring me word here +in an hour. If you are not back here then I +will go down there and face them all, myself—<i>alone</i>."</p> + +<p>"You wouldn't," whispered the soft-voiced +twin excitedly.</p> + +<p>"I <i>would</i>!" replied the girl. "Now go—and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</a></span> +remember I'll expect you back in one hour. +If you fail me, I'll go down there and face +those devils single-handed! I could wipe the +earth with forty such dogs!"</p> + +<p>The breed boys turned away in silent, stolid, +Indian fashion, and the bare-headed girl stood +in the still gloom of the willow-brush listening +to the sound of their horses' quick hoof-beats +until the last dull thud had died in the distance.</p> + +<p>"Chuck-away!" called a voice from the +creek bank.</p> + +<p>"Coming!" answered the girl, turning +about with a start and running back along the +path.</p> + +<p>At the bank she stopped, unnerved with a +rush of thoughts, overwhelming—terrifying. +She knelt down in the long grass, clasped her +hands over her heart as if to tear it from her, +and raised for an instant a strained, white face +to the starlit canopy of heaven.</p> + +<p>"The brave can die but once," her heart +repeated wildly. "But I am a coward—I cannot +bear it! Oh, God,—if you are the great,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</a></span> +good God,—spare him from all harm, from +suffering and death! Spare him now! See, +I offer myself instead—freely, gladly! Take +me, but spare him!"</p> + +<p>A dimly outlined face from the bank above +looked down at her, followed by a soft, mellow +laugh.</p> + +<p>"The bank is so steep," said Livingston +softly. "Here, give me your hand and I will +pull you up."</p> + +<p>She took a quick step upward, then stopped +just below him and looked at him intently.</p> + +<p>"God in heaven," she said wildly to herself, +"I swear they shall not harm a hair of +your head! I'll tear the heart out of every +man of them that comes near you! I'll kill +them all, the hounds, the sneaks, the low +vermin!"</p> + +<p>She looked at him an instant so, then +laughed—an odd, mirthless, reverberant laugh, +that echoed on the hills above.</p> + +<p>"Come, let me help you," he urged gently, +reaching down his hand to her. She laughed +again, this time softly, more naturally.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</a></span></p> + +<p>"My <i>lord</i>," she said with grave emphasis, +"you honor me! I am overwhelmed for the +instant. Forgive my rudeness!"</p> + +<p>"You have heard," he exclaimed regretfully. +"Your friend has told you—I am so sorry! +But then it really doesn't make any difference—only +I thought you might like me better if +you didn't know it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, my lord," she laughed mockingly. +"I must needs <i>adore</i> you now!"</p> + +<p>"Stop your fooling," he exclaimed impatiently. +"And give me your hand and I'll pull +you up here."</p> + +<p>With a sudden movement he stepped down +toward her, grasping her hand firmly, drawing +her up beside him on the bank. She looked +at him in some surprise.</p> + +<p>"I always had an idea," she said, "that you +were a very mild-mannered young man."</p> + +<p>"But you've given me a title that I didn't +want—you've put me out of humor, and now +you must take the consequences," he said.</p> + +<p>"I tried to make you angry. Why aren't +you?" said Hope seriously.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Angry with you!" he exclaimed softly. +"With you, my girl! Look at me closely—in +my eyes and see the reason!" He stood beside +her. His hand grasped hers, his powerful +magnetism drew her until her cheeks +flamed, but not the flicker of downcast eyelids +betrayed more than the faintest, friendliest +indifference.</p> + +<p>"Come on," she said, turning abruptly toward +the tent, "I'm starved for my supper!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[Pg 353]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI</h2> + + +<p>"You bad girl," cried Clarice Van +Rensselaer from the table, "why did +you run away? See this nice dinner +spoiling for you! I've regained my good +nature, which is lucky for you, but you'll have +to give an account of yourself. Actually, I +had to send Mr. Livingston to look you up!" +She glanced with a well-bred look of quizzical +amusement from Hope's brilliant, flushed +face to the man who accompanied her. "Well, +you see that I for one didn't wait for you," +she concluded; "couldn't! I don't think I ever +was so hungry before in my whole life. Everything +tastes <i>perfectly</i> delicious!"</p> + +<p>"William has outdone himself this time," +remarked Sydney, as the girl drew up an +empty box and seated herself at the table, taking +a little food upon her plate and making a +pretense of eating. Everything tasted like<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[Pg 354]</a></span> +wood. She could scarcely swallow. It finally +occurred to her that she must be acting very +unlike herself. She made a violent effort to +appear natural, succeeding fairly well.</p> + +<p>"You haven't given account of yourself, +yet," said Mrs. Van Rensselaer, glancing from +her end of the table to where Hope sat, still in +silence.</p> + +<p>"Don't ask me," said the girl. "My excuse +would sound too trivial to you, Clarice. Perhaps +I wanted to watch the first stars of +evening."</p> + +<p>"Or follow a frog to its nest in the weeds," +supplemented Sydney, "or catch grass-hoppers +that had gone to roost, or listen to the +night-song of the cat bird in the brush or—or +what, Hopie? Maybe you were writing poems +in your mind, or preparing new lessons for +school to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's just it," she replied. "I was +preparing new lessons—for to-morrow!"</p> + +<p>"How funny!" laughed Mrs. Van Rensselaer. +"I had forgotten you were a full-fledged +school-teacher. Of course, I suppose<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[Pg 355]</a></span> +you do have to think about your teaching +some. Goodness, I wouldn't like it at all! It +must be an awful task to bother with a lot of +rough, dirty children! How many pupils have +you?"</p> + +<p>"Seventeen enrolled—but only seven or +eight who attend," replied Hope briefly.</p> + +<p>"Mercy, I thought you must have at least +fifty, from all I saw back there!" gasped Mrs. +Van Rensselaer. "Well, I shouldn't think it +would be much trouble to prepare lessons for +that amount."</p> + +<p>"<i>That many</i>," corrected Hope. "We don't +measure them by the pound."</p> + +<p>"No, we size them up by the cord," laughed +Sydney; "but we don't handle 'em, because +they're like that much dynamite."</p> + +<p>"Dangerous pieces of humanity," said Livingston, +smiling.</p> + +<p>"Hope can handle them all right," declared +Mrs. Van Rensselaer. "She can handle anyone, +for that matter. She's got more tact and +diplomacy than any politician. Trust her to +manage seven or eight children! Why, if she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[Pg 356]</a></span> +can't manage a person any other way, she'll +actually <i>bully</i> him. She can make you believe +black is white every time."</p> + +<p>"Fräulein is so goot!" murmured Louisa, in +rapture.</p> + +<p>"Thank you," replied Hope gratefully. +"You see Louisa knows me <i>last</i>, Clarice, and +her remark should show you that I have +changed for the better."</p> + +<p>"I always told you there was chance for +improvements, didn't I, Hopie?" laughed +Sydney.</p> + +<p>"Yes, you have said something about there +being <i>room</i> for improvement, but I always +supposed you judged me to be a hopeless case. +I'm glad though you think there's a <i>chance</i>! I +always did want to improve!" As she spoke +she pushed back the box upon which she had +been sitting, turning it over to make it lower, +and seated herself near the corner of the tent, +where she was shaded from the direct rays of +the lantern's light.</p> + +<p>More than a half hour had already passed, +she thought nervously. Then she began to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[Pg 357]</a></span> +count the minutes before her messengers +should return. The time seemed endless since +she had decided to wait for more particulars +before informing Livingston of what was +about to take place. The twins had learned of +it only that afternoon, and they, though filled +with the foreboding of a desperate plot, could +tell nothing positive about the actual plans. +These she hoped they would be able to ascertain. +She believed that the soft-voiced twin +knew more than he was willing to divulge when +he advised her so emphatically against informing +Livingston of the plot. This, combined +with a certain anxiety of her own, which she +was unable to define, filled her with vague uneasiness +and decided her instantly to do +nothing until the boys returned with more +particulars.</p> + +<p>"You don't mean to say you've finished +your supper, Hope," exclaimed Mrs. Van +Rensselaer, as the girl settled herself comfortably +in the dark corner. "<i>I</i> never was so +hungry before in all my life!" She turned to +Jim McCullen, who put his head inside the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[Pg 358]</a></span> +tent: "You see, Mr. McCullen, that good, +hard, patient endeavor brings its own reward! +I wouldn't miss this for worlds!"</p> + +<p>"I'm very glad to hear it, ma'am," replied +old Jim politely. "Reckon you'll sleep pretty +well out there to-night, no misquitoes er +nothin' to bother you. The tent's all ready fer +you folks any time. Plenty o' blankets an' +it'll be a warmer night'n usual. Well, so +long!"</p> + +<p>"Why, he's going away!" said Hope in surprise, +as a horse loped down the creek bank and +on through the brush trail. An impulse to run +out and call him back seized her. Sydney's +slow reply caused a delay, the impulse to do so +wavered, and in another moment it was too +late; yet she felt somehow that she had made a +mistake.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Carter, after listening to +Mrs. Van Rensselaer's chatter for a moment, +"he's going over to the round-up. It's +camped about ten or fifteen miles, down at the +foot of the mountains. It's as light as day out +and much pleasanter riding in the cool of even<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[Pg 359]</a></span>ing. +He'll be back early in the morning. Had +some mail from the ranch to take over to the +boys."</p> + +<p>"The poor fellows on the round-up all summer! +I bet they're glad to get their mail," +murmured Clarice.</p> + +<p>"What they get don't hurt them any," remarked +Sydney. "Range riding isn't conducive +to letter writing, and it doesn't take +long before a cow-puncher is about forgotten +by his home people, and his mail consists of an +occasional newspaper, sent by someone who +happens to remember him, and the regular +home letter from his old mother, who never +forgets. By the way, here's a lot of mail for +O'Hara. Have to ride over with it unless he +turns up pretty soon."</p> + +<p>"Dear Larry!" said Clarice. "What +made him leave just when I came up here? +I'd love to see him! He's such a jolly good +fellow. You didn't send him away on some +wild-goose chase, did you, Hope?"</p> + +<p>The girl shaded her eyes with her hand and +answered languidly: "No, there wasn't<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[Pg 360]</a></span> +enough excitement here, so he went over to the +military reservation. They are out on drill +over near here—Colonel Walsh, and a lot of +West Point fellows Larry knows, and so he +pulled stakes, just quit our company entirely, +and turned old Watch Eye toward Fox +Creek."</p> + +<p>She drawled her words out slowly as if to +fill in time. Livingston, whose eyes constantly +sought her face, thought she must be very +tired, and rose suddenly to take his leave. She +was upon her feet in a flash.</p> + +<p>"Sit right down!" she demanded nervously. +"Surely you wouldn't think of leaving us so +early; why, we'd all get stupid and go to +bed immediately, and Clarice wouldn't enjoy +herself at all!" She laid her hand upon +his sleeve entreatingly. "<i>Stay!</i>" she urged +softly.</p> + +<p>"As you say," he replied. "It is a pleasure +to remain, but you must tell me when I am to +go. I thought perhaps you were tired."</p> + +<p>She drew her hand away with a sudden +movement. He seated himself beside Mrs.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[Pg 361]</a></span> +Van Rensselaer, who began immediately to +congratulate him upon his good sense in remaining.</p> + +<p>"But it was compulsory," he returned. "I +didn't dare disobey orders."</p> + +<p>"I should say not," agreed Clarice, laughing +merrily, "we always mind Hope. Everybody +does."</p> + +<p>"She always knows the right," said little +Louisa, looking lovingly at her friend.</p> + +<p>"Why, of course," agreed Mrs. Van Rensselaer, +"that's taken for granted."</p> + +<p>Hope was again in her corner, silent, intent. +Livingston could only conclude that she was +tired. The rest of them took no special notice +of her, nor did they hear the distant splashing +of water which brought into activity all the +blood in her body and fired each nerve. +Clarice was giving an elaborate account of her +day's experience, consequently no attention +was paid to the girl's abrupt departure. She +smiled at Louisa as she passed quietly out and +made some remark about her horse, which gave +the impression that she might have forgotten<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[Pg 362]</a></span> +something. At least Livingston and Louisa +received that impression; as for the others they +were busy, and besides Hope was Hope, who +always followed her own free fancy.</p> + +<p>The girl fairly flew along the trail that +skirted the creek until she grasped the bridle +of a small Indian pony that was nosing its way +cautiously toward her.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's you!" exclaimed its small rider in +a relieved tone, as he slipped to the ground and +stood in the path beside the girl. "I was +mighty scared it might be somebody else." +Hope raised the boy's face so that the moon +shone full upon it.</p> + +<p>"Ned!" she exclaimed under her breath. +"Why are you here? Where are the boys?"</p> + +<p>"The old man's got 'em locked up in the +granary," he announced. Then seeing the look +of alarm that flashed into her face, added assuringly: +"But that's all right, <i>I'm</i> here! +They told me to tell you they'd get out somehow +'fore mornin'. I cached their horses in +the brush for 'em, and they're diggin' themselves +out underneath the barn. Here," he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[Pg 363]</a></span> +said, handing something to her. "I got your +rifle out o' your room an' hid it under the house +soon's ever you left, an' all these cartridges. I +just knew the old man 'ud go an' look fer it."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" exclaimed the girl, suddenly gathering +child, gun, and all into her arms. "What +a little <i>man</i> you are."</p> + +<p>"Yep," said the boy, disengaging himself; +"an' I've got a lot to tell you!"</p> + +<p>"And you're <i>sure</i> about this," questioned +Hope, after the boy had told a story so complete +in detail as to fairly unnerve her. +"You're <i>perfectly</i> sure that these men are +going to meet at the shed—the big shed close +to Fritz's grave, there below the ledge of +rocks?"</p> + +<p>"Sure's anything," replied the boy convincingly. +"There'll be seven er eight from +our place, some from Old Peter's an' some +from up the creek."</p> + +<p>Hope shivered as though it had been a winter's +night.</p> + +<p>"What <i>shall</i> we do! What <i>shall</i> we do!" +she repeated almost frantically.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[Pg 364]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Why, <i>fight 'em</i>, of course!" exclaimed the +boy. "Dave an' Dan'll get out by then, an' +we'll all lay up there behind them rocks an' +just pepper 'em! There's 'bout a million peek-holes +in that wall o' rocks, an' they can't never +hit us. Pooh, I ain't afraid o' twenty men! +We'll make 'em think all the soldiers from the +post is behind there!"</p> + +<p>"The soldiers!" exclaimed the girl, filled +suddenly with a new life, "and they <i>shall be +there</i>! <i>They shall be there!</i>"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[Pg 365]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII</h2> + + +<p>"You must think me rude," apologized +Hope, entering the tent as quickly as +she had left it, and seating herself +directly beside Livingston. "I surely didn't +intend to be gone so long."</p> + +<p>"So <i>long</i>!" exclaimed Mrs. Van Rensselaer. +"Why, I hadn't missed you! Where +in the world have you been?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, <i>now</i> I'll not tell you!" laughed the +girl, while her face flushed deeply.</p> + +<p>"But you were missed," said Livingston. +"You've been gone just ten minutes."</p> + +<p>She looked at him and smiled at her own mistake. +It seemed to her that she had been gone +an hour. He was dazzled by the unusual +brilliancy of her face, the strange light in her +eyes. The smile, he thought, was for himself. +"Did the moonlight transform you?" +he asked. She only laughed in reply. Her +heart was bounding in very joy of life now<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[Pg 366]</a></span> +that she saw her way clear through the grave +difficulty that had confronted her. A great +tragedy would be averted, a lot of unscrupulous +men brought to justice, and more than this—the +boy beside her was safe. What mattered +it to her at this moment that he possessed +somewhere in the universe a wife, which +irrevocably separated her from him by every +social law and moral rule? This was nothing +to her now in view of the great sense of his +personal safety that lifted such a weight of +fear from her heart. Nothing mattered much +since he was safe. How desperate the chance +had seemed, and now how easily the danger +averted!</p> + +<p>Livingston knew little of the thoughts that +played wildly in her brain while she, to all intents, +was listening with eager, brilliant face +to Clarice's light chatter. But Mrs. Van +Rensselaer was tired. Her chatter began to +fag. Outside the shadows settled down about +the tents, until the moon rose above the mountain +like a great ball of fire, casting over +everything the soft radiance of its white light.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[Pg 367]</a></span> +The night was almost as bright as day. Livingston +reluctantly said good-night, and went +out with Sydney to get his horse, which was +staked some little distance away. When they +returned to saddle up a movement on the opposite +side of the brush attracted Sydney's attention, +and borrowing the horse he rode over to +investigate. Livingston, wondering vaguely +what had taken him away so abruptly, +seated himself upon the tongue of the camp +wagon and listened to the soft tones of +women's voices from the white tent near the +bank. Quite without warning a hand was laid +upon his shoulder. "Where did Syd go?" +asked Hope.</p> + +<p>"Over there," replied Livingston, rising +quickly beside her, and pointing across the +brush. "He took my horse to drive out some +cattle, I think, and so I am waiting. I +thought you had retired. Did you come to +say good-night to me?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said the girl softly, "what of it?"</p> + +<p>"Everything! That you should care that +much—that you——"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[Pg 368]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But I wouldn't need to care—so <i>very</i> much—to +come to bid you good-night—would I?" +she interrupted.</p> + +<p>"No—perhaps; but you <i>do</i> care! I seem +to feel that you care for me—Hope!"</p> + +<p>"No! I don't care for you a bit! Not at +all—I mean——You haven't any right to +talk to me like that! Certainly, I don't care +for you, Mr. Livingston. Oh, I didn't mean +to hurt you! I mean——This is no time for +such things!"</p> + +<p>"Hope!"</p> + +<p>"Wait, listen! They will hear. See, Syd +is coming!" She stepped back from him, +pointing.</p> + +<p>"What of it! You shall tell me! Look at +me!" he commanded. "Do you know what +you are making me believe—what you are telling +me?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing!" she insisted. "I am telling +you nothing—only—<i>wait</i>!" She spoke hurriedly, +catching her breath. "Before day-break +I will be on that hill over there between +your ranch and here—there above Fritz's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[Pg 369]</a></span> +grave, to watch the dawn of day—and the sunrise +and——"</p> + +<p>"And I will be waiting for you! God bless +you, dear." He kissed the brown hand, which +was snatched hurriedly from his clasp just as +Sydney rode up beside them.</p> + +<p>"You mustn't believe <i>anything</i>," she gasped +under her breath.</p> + +<p>"<i>Everything!</i>" he insisted.</p> + +<p>"Your horse is loose, pard," said Sydney, +"I thought I caught sight of it over there, but +couldn't see anything of it when I rode over. +You're afoot! Now what are you going to do +about it?"</p> + +<p>"Walk," replied the girl, darting a quick +look at Livingston. "Half a mile is <i>nothing</i>."</p> + +<p>"Half a mile," laughed her cousin. "You +mean two miles and a half, don't you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, the horse isn't far! We'll find it the +first thing in the morning. Good-night, you +two! It's time school-teachers were in bed—and +everyone else. Good-night!" She turned +around and waved her hand at them just before +the flap of the white tent closed upon her.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[Pg 370]</a></span></p> + +<p>Clarice yawned dismally. "Will you never +settle down, Hope? Isn't this lovely and comfortable? +So cool after the hot, fatiguing +day, I just love it! Whom were you talking to—Livingston? +What a shame he's married! +He's such a dear boy, why, I'd almost be +tempted, <i>if</i> he wasn't married——But pshaw! +Lady Helene Livingston is one of those +frizzy-haired blondes that suggest curl papers +and peroxide, and she affects velvet dresses, +black or purple—but always <i>velvet</i>—and a +feather! I've seen her loads of times, but she +doesn't go in our set, because she's taken up +with those Grandons. You know Harriet +married an English peer, with a title, <i>nobody</i> +over there recognizes. She was such a pretty +girl that she might have done something for +her family, but I don't think the poor man +fared as well as he expected, for it's well known +that old Grandon hasn't a half a million in his +own name. But Harriet lives well, and entertains +a lot of English people nobody else +cares to have. Lady Helene Livingston is +pretty enough in spite of her velvet and feath<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[Pg 371]</a></span>ers +to get on anywhere, if only she didn't follow +in the train of Harriet's crowd. I wonder +how it happens that she never comes out +here?"</p> + +<p>"The curl papers and velvet may have something +to do with that," said Hope, settling +down beside Louisa, on the opposite side of +the tent, with a motion as weary as if the only +thought she possessed was to secure a good +night's sleep. "Velvet and feathers," she +yawned. "Clarice, do you know that it's nearly +eleven o'clock?"</p> + +<p>"Really!" exclaimed Mrs. Van Rensselaer. +"I'd never have thought it. See how bright +it is in here—almost like day."</p> + +<p>"Full moon," observed Hope. "It will be +light like this until almost morning, and +then darkness for a little while before daylight."</p> + +<p>"How well you understand such things, +Hope! I should think it would be very difficult +to keep track of the moon."</p> + +<p>"Yes," yawned the girl, "it is. We'd better +go to sleep, Clarice, because as soon as the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[Pg 372]</a></span> +sun is up it will be too warm to stay in here, so +you won't get your morning nap. That's the +worst of a tent."</p> + +<p>"What a shame!" sighed Mrs. Van Rensselaer. +Then after ten minutes of silence: +"Hope, I want you to go back to New York +with me next week. Now, no joking, dear, I +mean it."</p> + +<p>"No," replied Hope. "It's too roasting hot +there at this season. I couldn't think of it, +Clarice."</p> + +<p>"But we're going by way of the Lakes, and +take in a lot of those cool summer resorts. +Then I must get to Newport for the last of +the season, and after that, you know, it will be +decent weather in New York, and we can have +no end of good times. Come now, Hope, just +make up your mind to go!"</p> + +<p>"You forget, I must teach my school for +several weeks yet, so that settles it. Good-night, +Clarice! Go to sleep like a good girl."</p> + +<p>"What does this little school amount to, to +you?" insisted Mrs. Van Rensselaer. "Not +a thing, and you know it! You just don't<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[Pg 373]</a></span> +want to go with us. Come on, please do go, +that's a dear girlie!"</p> + +<p>"Impossible, Clarice," replied Hope. +"There are many good reasons why I really +couldn't. This school up here, and my little +Louisa, and, anyway, I don't want to go. +Aren't you very tired and sleepy, Clarice?" +She thought Mrs. Van Rensselaer bid fair to +remain awake all night, and was devising various +schemes in her mind for getting away +from her. But Mrs. Van Rensselaer had an +object in view, and disliked exceedingly to +give it up.</p> + +<p>"I really don't think you ought to stay up +here, Hope. To be candid, I don't just like +your position. Of course, in this country, +conventionalities don't count for much, but +honestly I think this Livingston is caring for +you."</p> + +<p>"What in the world put such an idea into +your head?" asked the girl, flushing beneath her +cover of blankets.</p> + +<p>"Hope!" reproved Mrs. Van Rensselaer. +"You know it, and I know it, so what's the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[Pg 374]</a></span> +use of denying it? But, of course, if you +think it's right——Really, I have nothing further +to say except that I wish you would return +with me, and bring your little Louisa along."</p> + +<p>The girl was silent for a moment, forgetting +her anxiety to get away, in thoughts +Clarice had suggested.</p> + +<p>"Has he any family?" she suddenly asked. +"I mean—<i>children</i>, Clarice."</p> + +<p>"I don't think so. But what difference +would that make?"</p> + +<p>"No difference in reality—but a heap of +difference in my thoughts. If he had a +family,—children,—it would seem more natural +to think of him as being a married man, a +family man. As it is, I will remember him as +a true-hearted, free young Englishman."</p> + +<p>"I think, Hopie, his being married has +spoiled a very pretty romance. I wish it +might have been different, dear!"</p> + +<p>"You are too sleepy to know what you +think. Go to sleep and dream that I shall +join you in New York as soon as the school +is ended."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[Pg 375]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII</h2> + + +<p>It seemed an interminable time to Hope, +although it was in reality less than an +hour, before the breathing of the two +sleepers assured her that she could leave the +tent in safety.</p> + +<p>When she stood outside, at the edge of the +cut-bank, casting a quick glance over the tents +behind, it seemed to her that the moonlight was +brighter than ever. It was like a soft hazy +day. She made her way toward a dark object +on the opposite side of the brush, the same that +had attracted Sydney an hour before. This +time the small object did not conceal itself, +but stood boldly forth.</p> + +<p>"I thought you wasn't never comin'," said +the boy softly. "It must be 'bout mornin' by +now. Seems all night! We'll haf to ride +like blazes if we get there now in time!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[Pg 376]</a></span> +They're over here," he said, leading the way +along a winding trail around the side of a +wooded hill.</p> + +<p>"You're a good boy," said the girl.</p> + +<p>"You bet I had the awfulest time gettin' +away with your saddle! Every time I'd get +up near it that blame cook'd pop his head +out of the tent. I like to never got it a +tall!"</p> + +<p>"But you did get it," said Hope. "I saw +that it wasn't there."</p> + +<p>"Yep, an' the blanket an' bridle. I've +got 'em all cached up here in the trees—horses +an' everything, an' your horse is saddled. +Somebody rode up while I was waitin' +down there on the bank for you, an' I just had +to lay low, I tell you!"</p> + +<p>"Come, hurry!" whispered the girl. +"We've got to kill our horses to-night!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I've got Dave's pinto, so I don't care," +replied the child. Then after an instant's +pause in which they reached their horses: +"You couldn't kill this pinto, nohow!"</p> + +<p>Perhaps, thought Hope, it would not kill<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[Pg 377]</a></span> +her horse either. She trusted not, for she +loved the animal dearly. But it would be a +ride for their very lives if the soldiers were to +reach there in time to avert the mischief.</p> + +<p>It was a ride for their lives. Ten miles at +night over a rough country, through tangled +underbrush, and deep matted grass, across +stony creek bottoms and rocky hills, ever onward +toward Fox Creek at the speed of the +wind.</p> + +<p>Time and again the horses stumbled to +their knees, but the riders might have been a +part of them, so securely did they keep their +seats. The pinto began to lag, at which the +girl stopped for an instant, rode behind, and +lashed it furiously with her strong quirt. +Then for a time it kept up with the thoroughbred, +but could not long continue the +speed.</p> + +<p>Upon a high knoll the girl reined up, horse +and rider waiting, motionless as a carved +statue, for the pinto, whose easy, graceful running +gait had changed to short rabbit-like +leaps<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[Pg 378]</a></span>.</p> + +<p>"Wish I had another string o' horses!" +gasped the child, as he at length gained the top +of the hill. The girl pointed down the dwindling +foot-hills to something small and white +in the distance.</p> + +<p>"See, there are the tents—a mile away. The +soldiers—two troops of them—out on a pleasure +trip. I will go on—you take your time, +and go back with the men."</p> + +<p>"I want to go with <i>you</i>," declared the boy, +half crying.</p> + +<p>"No," said the girl coaxingly. "You must +be their guide, and lead them to the ledge of +rocks by the sheep-shed. Think how fine it will +be to be a <i>real</i> soldier." Then appalled by a +new thought: "Oh, but if you should get tired +and <i>couldn't</i> lead them there, how would they +ever find the place? <i>What shall I do!</i> I can't +wait for them—I must go back ahead. <i>If</i> +he shouldn't be there! If something should +have warned or detained him! <i>What will +I do!</i>"</p> + +<p>"Oh, shoot it all, <i>I'll</i> take 'em there all +right!" exclaimed the boy, in a very big voice.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[Pg 379]</a></span> +"Don't you worry. I ain't a bit tired, an' I +ain't a-goin' to be, neither!"</p> + +<p>Hope reached over and clasped the child in +her arms, a sob coming with her breath.</p> + +<p>"<i>My little man!</i>" she said softly. Then instructing +him to follow her, spurred up her +horse to a fresh attempt, and so mad was her +ride that she scarcely breathed until she +dropped to the ground beside a sentinel who +commanded her to halt.</p> + +<p>How she roused the camp in the middle of +the night was a story Larry O'Hara often delighted +to relate. It was Larry who really +came to the rescue, who shouldered the responsibility +of the action, and led the troops when +finally equipped to the scene of the disturbance.</p> + +<p>And Hope rode back alone—rode so rapidly +that her horse stopped, exhausted, at the foot +of the big hill where she had planned +the rendezvous with Livingston. There she +left the noble animal and climbed up toward +the summit, sometimes on her hands and knees, +so tired had she become. And the moon still<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[Pg 380]</a></span> +shone brightly along the horizon of the +heavens. An hour of brilliancy, she thought, +then darkness before the dawn. When she +had dragged herself up the mountain side, +hope and fear alternately filling her heart, and +hastening her footsteps, a sudden weakness +came over her as she saw on the summit the +stalwart figure of Livingston. Then it +seemed to her that the night had been a mere +dream, or at least ridiculous. How could such +a strong, brave-looking man require a girl's +assistance? It was preposterous! She seemed +to shrink into herself, in a little cuddled heap +among the rocks.</p> + +<p>Then a clear whistle sounded on the still air. +She knew it was for her. How like a boy, +she thought. She tried to answer it, but could +not make a sound.</p> + +<p>Finally she rose from the rocks and approached +him—not the Hope he had expected, +but a frightened, trembling girl.</p> + +<p>He went to meet her, after the manner of a +boy, and clasped the hands she gave him in his +own, then kissed each one, and gravely led<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[Pg 381]</a></span> +her to the summit upon which he had been +standing.</p> + +<p>"This rock is like a great throne," he said, +"where we are going to wait our crown of +happiness that is to come with the rising of the +sun. Is it not so? See, you shall sit upon +the throne and I here at your feet. How you +are trembling, dear! And those heavy guns, +why did you bring them?"</p> + +<p>"To protect myself, perhaps, from one who +is inclined to be over-bold," she replied, with a +little nervous laugh as she settled herself comfortably +on the throne-like rock.</p> + +<p>"Hope!" he reproved. A red flush dyed +the girl's face.</p> + +<p>"And are you not the man?" she inquired.</p> + +<p>"Tell me then," he said quietly, "who has a +better right!"</p> + +<p>She drew back into the very recess of the +throne, away from his eyes, so convincingly +near to hers.</p> + +<p>"It's a long climb up this steep mountain," +she remarked weariedly.</p> + +<p>"And you are tired! I can see it now. But<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[Pg 382]</a></span> +it was good of you to come to meet me here like +this, Hope—<i>sweetheart</i>!"</p> + +<p>"No, no! you must not talk like that!" +cried the girl.</p> + +<p>"You know I cannot help it when I am with +you. I must tell you over and over that I love +you—<i>love you</i>, Hope! Why not, when my +heart sings it all the time? And have you not +given me the <i>right</i>, dear?"</p> + +<p>"Wait! Not now," she said more softly. +"Talk about something else—<i>anything</i>," she +gasped.</p> + +<p>"And must I humor you, my queen," he +said. "Look down and let me read in your +eyes what I want to find there—then I will +talk about anything, everything, until you +want to hear what is in my heart!"</p> + +<p>"Only daylight can reveal what is in my +eyes," she replied. "The light of the moon is +unreal, deceiving. Tell me how long you have +been here, and where did you leave your +horse?"</p> + +<p>"You are evading me for some reason. If +I did not believe it to be impossible, I should<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[Pg 383]</a></span> +say that I am nervous—and that you are +nervous. Can you not be yourself to me now—at +this time? Why did you want me to meet +you here?"</p> + +<p>"You say you love me. Then aren't you +content to just sit here in silence beside me?"</p> + +<p>"Pardon me, dear, but my love is almost +too great for silence. You will admit that." +Then with a touch of amusement in his voice: +"Tell me, are you angry with me that I should +speak so plainly to you?"</p> + +<p>"No, no! Of course not—only talk about +something else just now. How long have you +been here?"</p> + +<p>"An eternity," he replied. "Or perhaps +longer. I'm not sure. When I left you there +at the camp I went directly back to the ranch. +The men were all in bed. I went in and got +my rifle and started over here. You see we are +both armed!" he laughed, taking a Winchester +from behind the throne of rocks. She took it +from him and examined it minutely.</p> + +<p>"A good gun," she remarked, handing it +back.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[Pg 384]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Then I started over here," he continued, +"but had a brief interruption on the road in +the shape of the old squaw that lives down in +your community—old Mother White Blanket. +She held me up in the road—positively held +my horse so that I couldn't move while she told +a story that would have brought tears to my +eyes if I could have understood a word she +said, and if my mind hadn't been so full +of the most gloriously beautiful girl in the +world.</p> + +<p>"Finally I had sense enough to give her some +money, and after repeating 'yes' innumerable +times to her broken questions she finally gave +me permission to proceed on my way. I left +my horse down at the sheep-shed."</p> + +<p>"Couldn't you understand anything she +said to you?" questioned Hope eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Not much," he admitted, and Hope, with +a relieved little air, which he noticed, sank back +among the rocks again.</p> + +<p>A silence fell over them for a time, then +Livingston raised his head and looked at the +girl intently.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">[Pg 385]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I think she was trying to tell me something," +he said slowly. "She said it was a +warning; but I paid no attention to her delirium. +I believe she tried to impress upon me +that I was in danger. But I was insanely +anxious to meet you. She said something that +I had heard before, that you and the twins had +driven away the men who attacked and killed +poor Fritz that night. And this much more +I think I understand now, that the 'old man,' +whoever she meant, had given her a beating, +that the twins were shut up in the stable +or somewhere, and that you were a good girl +because you had given her all your school +money. That much is clear to me now. And +also that she was very anxious that I should get +out of the country immediately—which seems +to be the sentiment of the majority of the +people out here. The old woman is no doubt +insane."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," agreed the girl, "there's not +a doubt but that she's plumb locoed! I'm +glad you didn't allow anything she said to +trouble your mind. She's a regular old<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">[Pg 386]</a></span> +beggar. The money was probably what she +was after. You can't believe a word she +says!"</p> + +<p>"Yet she spoke convincingly," mused Livingston. +"If I hadn't been so absorbed in the +meeting I would have taken more heed of +what she said. As it was, I passed her off as a +little out of her mind. Of course, I knew you +had no hand in that shooting at the corral, had +you, Hope?" he asked in a somewhat anxious +voice.</p> + +<p>"A ridiculous idea for that old squaw to get +in her head," replied the girl, leaning in a +weary fashion back upon the rock.</p> + +<p>Whatever suspicion Livingston had entertained +vanished for the moment.</p> + +<p>"I am glad," he said. "I don't know exactly +why, but I am glad that it isn't so. I +shouldn't like to think that you had done such +a thing—for me."</p> + +<p>"The moon takes a long time to set, don't +you think?" she remarked. "It must be almost +time for daylight."</p> + +<p>"Are you anxious?" he inquired pointedly.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">[Pg 387]</a></span> +She sat erect in dignified silence and did not +reply.</p> + +<p>"How much longer must you be humored, +dear?" he asked, taking both of her hands +within his own, and drawing her toward him. +"I do not believe that the moonlight will tell +lies. Look at me!"</p> + +<p>She leaped away from him with all her +young strength, and stood upon the throne of +rocks, scornfully erect.</p> + +<p>"How bad you are—how wicked to talk to +me so, to even think that I would care for you +one minute! Surely you must realize that I +know your past, <i>Lord</i> Livingston! <i>Your +past!</i>" she flashed.</p> + +<p>"You know my past, and yet you can condemn +me," he said, pain and wonderment in his +quiet voice. "Perhaps you are right. I +haven't always been perfect. But I am not +bad—Hope! Not <i>that</i>! I am a man—I try +to be, before God. Surely you do not mean +what you say, my girl—<i>Hope</i>!"</p> + +<p>"You know just what I mean," said Hope, +in a voice strained and harsh. "And you know<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_388" id="Page_388">[Pg 388]</a></span> +it would be absolutely <i>impossible</i> for me to love +you!"</p> + +<p>"Then there is nothing more to be said," replied +Livingston, turning away from her. +"We will not wait for the sunrise. I will +go now." He walked from her with long +strides.</p> + +<p>"Wait," she cried in absolute terror. +"<i>Wait!</i> Oh, you wouldn't be so rude as to +leave me here—<i>alone</i>!" He stopped short, his +back still toward her. "Please come back!" +she begged, approaching him, "I should die of +fright!" Somehow she reminded herself of +Clarice. "Surely you will walk back to camp +with me!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, certainly, pardon me," he replied +huskily.</p> + +<p>As they turned, a horse came slowly toward +them. Hope gave a little nervous exclamation.</p> + +<p>"Your horse," said Livingston, reaching +for the bridle. "I thought you walked."</p> + +<p>"No—yes," replied the girl. "I walked +up the hill. The horse must have followed.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_389" id="Page_389">[Pg 389]</a></span> +We will walk down and lead it. It's too steep +to ride down."</p> + +<p>But Livingston had stopped short beside +the animal, his head bowed, almost upon the +saddle.</p> + +<p>"Come, shall we go?" asked the girl nervously.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the man turned to her, sternness +expressed in every line of his figure.</p> + +<p>"Where have you been?" he commanded.</p> + +<p>"For a ride," she replied, feeling for the +first time in her life the desire to scream.</p> + +<p>"<i>For a ride!</i> Yes, it must have been a ride! +Your horse is nearly dead—listen to his breathing! +Crusted with foam from head to foot +and still dripping. You have been——"</p> + +<p>"For the soldiers. To protect your ranch +from the devils who would kill you and get rid +of your sheep—this very hour!"</p> + +<p>"And you have lured me here, away from +danger—away from the side of my men, away +from my <i>duty</i>, with all a woman's cowardice! +<i>But what of them!</i> You have called me bad! +That may be, but I am not bad enough to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_390" id="Page_390">[Pg 390]</a></span> +grateful to you for doing this, that you may, +perhaps, have intended for a kindness! Anything +would have been kinder to me than what +you have done to-night."</p> + +<p>"Where are you going?" she cried from the +rocks where she had thrown herself. But he +was running, with all his speed, down the +mountain side.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_391" id="Page_391">[Pg 391]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX</h2> + + +<p>Then she knew that he was going +straight into the very jaws of death. +If it had been a trap set for him it +could not have been any surer. In a sheep-shed +far below, close to the reef of rocks above +Fritz's grave, a score of men were waiting, +and he was rushing toward them, down the +mountain side, lighted by the white moonlight. +And what was she doing, groveling +there among the rocks? Like a flash she was +after him, but at a speed much less than his +had been.</p> + +<p>Before she was halfway down three shots +rang out. The girl clutched her heart and +listened, but not a sound could be heard save +the long echoes in the valley, which sounded +like a dying breath.</p> + +<p>On she sped from rock to rock, keeping ever +out of sight of the shed, her senses keenly alive<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_392" id="Page_392">[Pg 392]</a></span> +to the one object in view—a bit of white far +below. It might have been a bunch of flowers +along the hillside, but white flowers never grew +there—a heap of bones, then, she thought. +She made a zigzag line along the jagged ridge +of rocks, closer and closer to the white object +below. She wondered if he lay on his face or +his back. How calm she was in the shock and +terror of her grief! The light of the moon was +growing dim, she had reached the very tip of +the rocks, the white object was not twenty feet +away, but out in the open in perfect view of +the sheep-shed and the score of men it hid. +Another shot broke the stillness. The white +object moved, and then a moan followed, so +low that none but the ears of the frenzied girl +could have heard. Like an enraged lioness +she sprang out into the open and dragged the +heavy body up toward the shelter of rocks. +Several bullets rang about her, but the increasing +darkness made her an uncertain target. A +couple of men ventured outside the sheep-shed, +encouraged by the stillness. The girl laughed +savagely, as if in glee, and pulled the man's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_393" id="Page_393">[Pg 393]</a></span> +body close to the side of rocks, covering it with +her own.</p> + +<p>"Come on," she cried to herself. "Come +on, show yourselves! I shall have you all! For +every pang you have made him suffer, you +shall have twenty, and for his death you shall +have a lingering one! Come on, come on!" +Three stood outside. The addition pleased +her. She laughed. Taking deliberate aim she +fired again and again. Three wounded, frightened +men crawled into the shelter of the shed. +Then a score of bullets splashed against the +rocks about her. She lifted the warm bleeding +body closer under the rocks, drawing her own +over it to protect it from all harm and talking +frantically the while.</p> + +<p>"The hounds, the hounds! They murdered +you right in my sight, dear, and I will tear out +their hearts with my hands! See, they are hiding +themselves again! I can wait, yes, I can +wait! <i>My love, my love!</i> For everything +they have made you suffer! Oh, you can't be +<i>dead</i>, dear! You can't be dead! Open your +eyes and let me tell you just once I love you!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_394" id="Page_394">[Pg 394]</a></span> +Only once, dear!" She put her mouth close to +his ear. "<i>I love you, love you, love you!</i> Only +hear me once and know, dear! Know how I +love you! Why didn't I tell you? I don't care +if you are married a thousand times, a <i>million</i> +times! I love you with all my life—my soul! +See, he's trying to get away! But he'll never +reach his horse! See! A hole right through +his knee! Death is too good for them, dear. +My love, speak to me just once—only know +that I love you, that I am mad with love for +you! Tell me that you feel my face against +yours—and my kisses! See, they're crawling +out like flies! and making for their horses—and +now they're crawling back again so that +I cannot get them. Oh, God, let me get them +<i>all</i>! My love, my love, how I love you, and +<i>never told you so</i>!"</p> + +<p>With the first hint of dawn another volley +came from the opposite side, and out of the +gloom a rush of cavalry closed in about the +sheep-shed, and ten men, most of them suffering +from slight wounds, were taken captive. +The man lying against the reef of rocks par<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_395" id="Page_395">[Pg 395]</a></span>tially +opened his eyes as Hope, with one last +kiss upon his face, rose to meet a small group +of riders.</p> + +<p>"I say, Hope, it's a blasted shame we didn't +get here in time to save him!" exclaimed +O'Hara, with grief in his voice. "I'll just +send the doctor over here at once."</p> + +<p>While the surgeon bent over Livingston +the girl stood close by, against the rocks, quiet +as the stone itself.</p> + +<p>"A bad shoulder wound," he commented at +length. "A little of your flask, O'Hara, and +he'll be all right. Why, he's quite conscious! +How do you feel? You're all right, my boy! +A shattered shoulder isn't going to bother you +any, is it? Not much!"</p> + +<p>The girl moved closer.</p> + +<p>"Is he alive and conscious? Will he live?" +she asked.</p> + +<p>"He's all right, madam," replied the surgeon. +As he spoke Livingston turned his face +toward her, his eyes alight with all the love-light +of his heart—answering every prayer she +had breathed upon him. Her own answered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_396" id="Page_396">[Pg 396]</a></span> +his. Then she drew back, farther and farther +away, until she stood outside the group of +riders. O'Hara tried to detain her as she +passed him.</p> + +<p>"Why, you're wounded yourself, girl!" he +exclaimed.</p> + +<p>She looked at her sleeve, and the wet stream +of blood upon her dress, and laughed. It was +true, but she had not felt the wound.</p> + +<p>"Not at all, Larry," she replied. "The +blood came from <i>him</i>," and she pointed back +to the rocks. She started on, but turned back. +"Tell me," she said, "what became of little +Ned."</p> + +<p>"I sent him home," replied Larry. "The +poor little chap was about all in. We met his +uncle, Long Bill, riding like blazes for the +doctor. It seems that those young divils of +twins shot old Harris some time during the +night, which stopped that faction from joining +these fellows here as they had planned. A +pretty lucky shot, I'm thinking! They ought +to have a gold medal for it, bless their souls, +but they'll both dangle from the end of a rope<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_397" id="Page_397">[Pg 397]</a></span> +before they're forty, the devils, or I'll miss my +guess!"</p> + +<p>Larry looked around to speak to an officer, +and before he could realize it Hope had disappeared, +climbing back toward the summit of +the hill where she had left her horse.</p> + +<p>In the gulch on the opposite side she fell +exhausted into the very arms of old Jim McCullen, +who had returned in time to hear the +shooting, and was hastening toward the scene.</p> + +<p>"My poor little Hopie!" he cried, carrying +her to the stream, where the alarmed party +from the camp found them a few minutes +later.</p> + +<p>"You will drown her, Mr. McCullen!" exclaimed +Clarice Van Rensselaer, rushing up +quite white and breathless. "The poor darling, +I just <i>knew</i> she'd get into trouble with all +those dreadful Indians! Someone give me +some whisky, <i>quick</i>! That's right, Sydney, +<i>make</i> her swallow it! Here, give it to me! +<i>There!</i>"</p> + +<p>Louisa, stricken with grief, pointed to the +damp, stiffened sleeve of the girl's shirt-waist.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_398" id="Page_398">[Pg 398]</a></span> +"See," she sobbed, "they have shot her, too, +like my Fritz!"</p> + +<p>Of them all, Mrs. Van Rensselaer was the +most contained, and showed remarkable coolness +and nerve in the way she ripped off the +sleeve and bathed the wound, which was hardly +more than a deep scratch, yet had caused considerable +loss of blood.</p> + +<p>"It's exhaustion, pure and simple," said Jim +McCullen. Then he and Sydney drew away a +short distance, and examined the horse.</p> + +<p>Hope finally looked up into the anxious +faces above her.</p> + +<p>"I think, Clarice," she said, "I'll go back to +New York with you."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_399" id="Page_399">[Pg 399]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX</h2> + + +<p>Hope, a vision in white, leaned back +resignedly in the soft embrace of the +carriage cushions.</p> + +<p>"I thought," she said, "you never visited +the Grandons, Clarice, particularly since Harriet +made her alliance with the titleless duke." +Mrs. Van Rensselaer smiled behind the laces +of her muff. "I didn't suppose you were +going there this afternoon," continued the girl, +with a sweeping look along the solidly built +street. "How does it happen?"</p> + +<p>"Well, you see," replied Clarice, "<i>Larry</i> +wished it; and you know his wish is law to me—<i>until</i> +we're married. That's only right and +as it should be—the <i>dear boy</i>!" Then impulsively: +"I don't know how I've ever lived +without him, Hope! Positively, he is the +<i>dearest</i> thing that ever lived!"</p> + +<p>"And you'll both be tremendously happy, I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_400" id="Page_400">[Pg 400]</a></span> +know. Both of you young and gay, and in +love with life and its frivolities—both the center +of your set, and both rattle-brained enough +to want to keep that center and throw away +your lives in the whirling, rapid stream of +society."</p> + +<p>"You shouldn't ridicule this life, Hope. +Don't you know we are the very pulse of the +world! I had an idea you were taking to it +pretty well. You are certainly making a tremendous +hit. Even mamma smiles upon you +in the most affectionate manner, and is proud +for once of her offspring. You are simply +gorgeous, Hope—a perfect <i>queen</i>!"</p> + +<p>The girl's eyes darkened, her face flushed. +"A <i>queen</i>," she retorted. "A queen! Clarice, +did you ever sit upon a throne and feel the +world slipping out from under you? A +woman is never a queen, except to the <i>one</i> man. +But you are mistaken, Clarice. I simply cannot +adapt myself to this life. If it wasn't for +the continual monotony of it all—the never +changing display of good points and fine +clothes—where even one's own prayers are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_401" id="Page_401">[Pg 401]</a></span> +gilded and framed in consciousness and vanity—and +these streets—the reflection of it all—these +blocks and blocks always the same, like +the people they cover—presenting always the +same money-stamped faces—oh, it is this sameness +that stifles me! It is all grand and wonderful, +but it isn't <i>life</i>." She paused, then +smiled at Clarice's perplexed face. "Leave +me at mamma's when you return, for I've got +stacks of things to do, and I want the evening +all to myself—Louisa and I, you know. And +we'll say, Clarice, that I perfectly love dear old +New York."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't mind, dear, not at all! I know +you are no more fitted in your heart for this +life than I am for the life out there with those +<i>dreadful</i> Indians. But you've certainly been +acting superb these last two months!"</p> + +<p>"You are such a <i>dear</i>, Clarice," said Hope +impulsively, stroking her gloved hand. "I +have you and Louisa, and, of course, I am perfectly +happy! I tell myself so a thousand +times a day. My poor little Louisa! <i>She's</i> +about the happiest girl I ever saw in all my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_402" id="Page_402">[Pg 402]</a></span> +life, but she doesn't know it. Here she is +worrying her head off because Sydney is pressing +his suit too strongly and won't take 'no' +for an answer, and she thinks she ought to be +faithful to poor Fritz, her cousin, who is really +only a sweet, sad memory to her now, while all +the time she is crazy in love with Syd. Isn't it +a fright? But Sydney is way out in Montana, +and his letters serve only as little pricks to her +poor conscience. Her replies are left mostly +to me, so that is what I must do to-night."</p> + +<p>"But your mother entertains this evening. +Had you forgotten?" reminded Mrs. Van +Rensselaer. "So how are you going to get +away?"</p> + +<p>"I suppose I will have to come down for +awhile, but I simply will not remain long."</p> + +<p>"Well, I will see you then. Larry and I +are going to drop in for a little while in the +early evening."</p> + +<p>When they drove away from the Grandons' +a half hour later Clarice searched the girl's +quiet face for some expression of her thoughts, +but found none.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_403" id="Page_403">[Pg 403]</a></span></p> + +<p>"So you have seen the Lady Livingston at +last, Hope! What do you think of her?"</p> + +<p>The girl shrugged her shoulders and looked +into the street. "Your description tallied very +well," she replied.</p> + +<p>That evening Hope met the blond Lady +Helene at her mother's musicale. This time it +was Clarice, again, who brought the meeting +about.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Van Rensselaer was in her gayest, most +voluble mood.</p> + +<p>"I'm <i>so</i> anxious to have you two get acquainted," +she said. "Dear Lady Helene, this +is <i>Hope</i>—Miss Hathaway, and she can tell +you everything you want to know about the +West. Do, Hope, entertain her for a few +moments until I find Larry." This the girl +did in her gracious way, but adroitly kept the +conversation away from the West.</p> + +<p>After a few moments Clarice returned without +Larry. A shadow of disappointment +crossed her face as she joined the conversation.</p> + +<p>"I thought you were going to talk about +the West, Hope," she laughed, "and here you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_404" id="Page_404">[Pg 404]</a></span> +are talking <i>New York</i>—nothing but New +York!"</p> + +<p>"New York is always an entertaining +topic," said Lady Helene. "I do not seem to +fancy the West particularly. You know Lord +Livingston has recently been hurt out there, +and so I do not enjoy a very kindly feeling +toward that country. The poor boy! I have +been so worried about him! Really, don't you +know, I haven't had a good night's sleep since +I heard of his injury! Yes, you know, it's a +wonder he wasn't <i>scalped</i>! It's just fearful, +really! He is so much to me, you know. Ever +since my poor husband died and the title and +estates fell to Edward, I have felt a <i>great</i> +responsibility for him. He is so much younger +than my husband, Lord Henry, and so, well, +really, sort of wild, don't you know." Here +Lady Helene smiled and wiped one eye with a +filmy bit of lace. Perhaps she was saddened +by thoughts of the havoc she had wrought in +the life of the late lord, and his fortunes.</p> + +<p>Hope sat motionless, suddenly paralyzed. +"Do you mean," she asked, in short gasps,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_405" id="Page_405">[Pg 405]</a></span> +"that Edward—Lord Livingston is not +your <i>husband</i>?"</p> + +<p>"Mercy, no," replied Lady Helene, "my +husband's brother! Indeed, Edward is not +married! I doubt very much if he ever will be. +I hope if he does, that it will be to someone at +home, in his own class, don't you know! +Really, he is a great responsibility to me, Mrs. +Van Rensselaer! Why, where did Miss +Hathaway go? She seems to be such a bright, +dashing young woman. Really, one meets few +American girls so royally beautiful! Yes, as +I was saying, Edward is a terrible responsibility +to me. Even now I am obliged to hurry +away because he has just arrived here in town, +and I must meet him at his hotel. That is the +worst of not having a house of your own! To +think of poor, dear Edward stopping at a +<i>hotel</i>!"</p> + +<p>"Which one?" gasped Clarice. Receiving +the information, she abruptly excused herself +from Lady Helene, who immediately decided +that some Americans had very poor +manners.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_406" id="Page_406">[Pg 406]</a></span></p> + +<p>While Clarice drove rapidly toward Livingston's +hotel, Hope, in eager haste, was +literally throwing things in a trunk that had +been pulled into the center of the room. Little +Louisa, no less excited and eager, assisted.</p> + +<p>"To think, my Louisa," laughed the girl, +"that we are going back to our West—<i>home</i>—again, +away from all this fuss and foolishness! +Oh, don't be so particular, dear. Throw +them in any way, just so they get in! Our +train leaves at twelve, and I have telephoned +for tickets, state-room and everything. Isn't +it <i>grand</i>? Mamma will be furious! But dear +old Dad, won't he be glad! He's so lonesome +for me, Louisa. He says he can hardly exist +there without me! And Jim, and Sydney, +and—everyone! Oh, I am wild for my horses +and the prairie again! And you've got to be +nice to Syd! Yes, dear, it's your <i>duty</i>. Can't +you see it? If you don't, the poor boy will go +to the bad <i>altogether</i>, and something <i>dreadful</i> +will happen to him! And it will be all your +fault!" Which statement sent Louisa into a +paroxysm of tears, not altogether sorrowful.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_407" id="Page_407">[Pg 407]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You will spoil dose <i>beautiful</i> clothes!" +she finally exclaimed, looking in dismay +through her tears at the reckless packer.</p> + +<p>"It makes no difference," laughed Hope. +"What are <i>clothes</i>! We will have the rest sent +on after us. I suppose we've forgotten half +what we really need, but that doesn't matter, +either, does it, my Louisa?"</p> + +<p>Louisa dried her tears and assisted until the +trunk was packed and strapped. Then they +took hold of hands and danced like children +around it. Suddenly Hope stopped, her face +growing white and fearful.</p> + +<p>"<i>If he shouldn't forgive me!</i>" she exclaimed +softly.</p> + +<p>"Ah, but he lofs you!" said Louisa.</p> + +<p>At that moment Mrs. Van Rensselaer +opened the door and looked in.</p> + +<p>"My dear," she began, then stopped in +amazement. "What in the world——Why, +you are going away!"</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Hope, putting her head +down upon Clarice's soft evening wrap. "I +am going back to——"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_408" id="Page_408">[Pg 408]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But he has come to you, dear, and he is +waiting right here in the hall!"</p> + +<p>"No, no!" breathed the girl.</p> + +<p>"But he <i>is</i>!" exclaimed Clarice, gently +pushing the girl, still in all her white evening +glory of gown, into the great hall. "And he +carries his arm in a sling, so <i>do</i> be careful!" +she admonished, closing the door upon her.</p> + +<p>From below came the indistinct murmur of +many voices. Under the red glare of the lamp +at the head of the broad staircase Livingston +and Hope met in a happiness too great for +words.</p> + +<p>"Louisa," said Clarice Van Rensselaer, +from her seat upon the trunk, "I hope you see +it your duty to make a man of Sydney."</p> + +<p>"<i>A man</i>," replied Louisa indignantly, "he +is already de greatest man in all de whole +world, and <i>I lof him</i>!"</p> + + +<p class="title"><span class="smcap">Finis.</span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<blockquote><p>TRANSCRIBER NOTES:</p> + +<p>Punctuation corrected without note.</p> + +<p>page 48: "through" changed to "though" (as though talking to herself).</p> + +<p>page 95: "bloodthristy" changed to "bloodthirsty" (more bloodthirsty +than she suspected).</p> + +<p>page 123: "protuded" changed to "protruded" (teeth protruded from her +thin lips).</p> + +<p>page 303: "upon" removed from text as redundant (patting him upon the +head).</p> + +<p>page 369: "close" changed to "closed" (just before the flap of the white +tent closed upon her).</p></blockquote> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Hope Hathaway, by Frances Parker + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HOPE HATHAWAY *** + +***** This file should be named 36629-h.htm or 36629-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/6/6/2/36629/ + +Produced by Peter Vachuska, Pat McCoy, Stephen Hope and +the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net + + +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. 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