Therangercaptainstooddumb，motionless。ButhesawLongstreth’sinstantaction，andawkwardlyhereachedfortheoutstretchedhand。
\"Anyofyourmendownhere？\"queriedDuane，sharply。
\"No。They’reup—town。\"
\"Come。MacNelly，youwalkwithhim。We’veladiesintheparty。
I’llcomebehindwiththem。\"
Theysetoffup—town。Longstrethwalkedasifhewerewithfriendsonthewaytodinner。Thegirlsweremute。MacNellywalkedlikeamaninatrance。Therewasnotawordspokeninfourblocks。
PresentlyDuaneespiedastonebuildingonacornerofthebroadstreet。Therewasabigsign，\"Rancher’sBank。\"
\"There’sthehotel，\"saidMacNelly。\"Someofmymenarethere。
We’vescatteredaround。\"
Theycrossedthestreet，wentthroughofficeandlobby，andthenDuaneaskedMacNellytotakethemtoaprivateroom。
WithoutawordtheCaptaincomplied。WhentheywereallinsideDuaneclosedthedoor，and，drawingadeepbreathasifofrelief，hefacedthemcalmly。
\"MissLongstreth，youandMissRuthtrytomakeyourselvescomfortablenow，\"hesaid。\"Anddon’tbedistressed。\"Thenheturnedtohiscaptain。\"MacNelly，thisgirlisthedaughterofthemanI’vebroughttoyou，andthisoneishisniece。\"
ThenDuanebrieflyrelatedLongstreth’sstory，and，thoughhedidnotsparetherustlerchief，hewasgenerous。
\"WhenIwentafterLongstreth，\"concludedDuane，\"itwaseithertokillhimorofferhimfreedomonconditions。SoIchosethelatterforhisdaughter’ssake。Hehasalreadydisposedofallhisproperty。Ibelievehe’llliveuptotheconditions。He’stoleaveTexasnevertoreturn。ThenameCheseldinehasbeenamystery，andnowit’llfade。\"
AfewmomentslaterDuanefollowedMacNellytoalargeroom，likeahall，andhereweremenreadingandsmoking。Duaneknewthem——rangers！
MacNellybeckonedtohismen。
\"Boys，hereheis。\"
\"Howmanymenhaveyou？\"askedDuane。
\"Fifteen。\"
MacNellyalmostembracedDuane，wouldprobablyhavedonesobutforthedarkgrimnessthatseemedtobecomingovertheman。
Insteadheglowed，hesputtered，hetriedtotalk，towavehishands。Hewasbesidehimself。Andhisrangerscrowdedcloser，eager，likehoundsreadytorun。Theyalltalkedatonce，andthewordmostsignificantandfrequentintheirspeechwas\"outlaws。\"
MacNellyclappedhisfistinhishand。
\"This’llmaketheadjutantsickwithjoy。Maybewewon’thaveitontheGovernor！We’llshowthemabouttherangerservice。
Duane！how’dyoueverdoit？\"
\"Now，Captain，notthehalfnorthequarterofthisjob’sdone。
Thegang’scomingdowntheroad。Isawthemfromthetrain。
They’llrideintotownonthedot——two—thirty。\"
\"Howmany？\"askedMacNelly。
\"Poggin，BlossomKane，PanhandleSmith，Boldt，JimFletcher，andanothermanIdon’tknow。ThesearethepickedmenofCheseldine’sgang。I’llbetthey’llbethefastest，hardestbunchyourangerseverfaced。\"
\"Poggin——that’sthehardnuttocrack！I’veheardtheirrecordssinceI’vebeeninValVerde。Where’sKnell？Theysayhe’saboy，buthellandblazes！\"
\"Knell’sdead。\"
\"Ah！\"exclaimedMacNelly，softly。Thenhegrewbusinesslike，cool，andofharderaspect。\"Duane，it’syourgameto—day。I’monlyarangerunderorders。We’reallunderyourorders。We’veabsolutefaithinyou。Makeyourplanquick，soIcangoaroundandposttheboyswho’renothere。\"
\"Youunderstandthere’snosenseintryingtoarrestPoggin，Kane，andthatlot？\"queriedDuane。
\"No，Idon’tunderstandthat，\"repliedMacNelly，bluntly。
\"Itcan’tbedone。Thedropcan’tbegotonsuchmen。Ifyoumeetthemtheyshoot，andmightyquickandstraight。Poggin！
Thatoutlawhasnoequalwithagun——unless——He’sgottobekilledquick。They’llallhavetobekilled。They’reallbad，desperate，knownofear，arelightninginaction。\"
\"Verywell，Duane;thenit’safight。That’llbeeasier，perhaps。Theboysarespoilingforafight。Outwithyourplan，now。\"
\"Putonemanateachendofthisstreet，justattheedgeoftown。Lethimhidetherewitharifletoblocktheescapeofanyoutlawthatwemightfailtoget。Ihadagoodlookatthebankbuilding。It’swellsituatedforourpurpose。Putfourmenupinthatroomoverthebank——fourmen，twoateachopenwindow。Letthemhidetillthegamebegins。Theywanttobetheresoincasethesefoxyoutlawsgetwisebeforethey’redownonthegroundorinsidethebank。Therestofyourmenputinsidebehindthecounters，wherethey’llhide。Nowgoovertothebank，springthethingonthebankofficials，anddon’tletthemshutupthebank。Youwanttheiraid。Letthemmakesureoftheirgold。ButtheclerksandcashieroughttobeattheirdesksorwindowwhenPogginridesup。He’llglanceinbeforehegetsdown。Theymakenomistakes，thesefellows。Wemustbeslickerthantheyare，orlose。Whenyougetthebankpeoplewise，sendyourmenoveronebyone。Nohurry，noexcitement，nounusualthingtoattractnoticeinthebank。\"
\"Allright。That’sgreat。Tellme，wheredoyouintendtowait？\"
DuaneheardMacNelly’squestion，anditstruckhimpeculiarly。
Hehadseemedtobeplanningandspeakingmechanically。Ashewasconfrontedbythefactitnonplussedhimsomewhat，andhebecamethoughtful，withloweredhead。
\"Where’llyouwait，Duane？\"insistedMacNelly，withkeeneyesspeculating。
\"I’llwaitinfront，justinsidethedoor，\"repliedDuane，withaneffort。
\"Why？\"demandedtheCaptain。
\"Well，\"beganDuane，slowly，\"Pogginwillgetdownfirstandstartin。Buttheotherswon’tbefarbehind。They’llnotgetswifttillinside。Thethingis——theyMUSTN’Tgetclearinside，becausetheinstanttheydothey’llpullguns。Thatmeansdeathtosomebody。Ifwecanwewanttostopthemjustatthedoor。\"
\"Butwillyouhide？\"askedMacNelly。
\"Hide！\"TheideahadnotoccurredtoDuane。
\"There’sawide—opendoorway，asortofroundhall，avestibule，withstepsleadinguptothebank。There’sadoorinthevestibule，too。Itleadssomewhere。Wecanputmeninthere。Youcanbethere。\"
Duanewassilent。
\"Seehere，Duane，\"beganMacNelly，nervously。\"Youshan’ttakeanyundueriskhere。You’llhidewiththerestofus？\"
\"No！\"ThewordwaswrenchedfromDuane。
MacNellystared，andthenastrange，comprehendinglightseemedtoflitoverhisface。
\"Duane，Icangiveyounoordersto—day，\"hesaid，distinctly。
\"I’monlyofferingadvice。Needyoutakeanymorerisks？You’vedoneagrandjobfortheservice——already。You’vepaidmeathousandtimesforthatpardon。You’veredeemedyourself。——TheGovernor，theadjutant—general——thewholestatewillriseupandhonoryou。Thegame’salmostup。We’llkilltheseoutlaws，orenoughofthemtobreakforevertheirpower。Isay，asaranger，needyoutakemoreriskthanyourcaptain？\"
StillDuaneremainedsilent。Hewaslockedbetweentwoforces。
Andone，atidethatwasburstingatitsbounds，seemedabouttooverwhelmhim。Finallythatsideofhim，theretreatingself，theweaker，foundavoice。
\"Captain，youwantthisjobtobesure？\"heasked。
\"Certainly。\"
\"I’vetoldyoutheway。Ialoneknowthekindofmentobemet。
JustWHATI’lldoorWHEREI’llbeIcan’tsayyet。Inmeetingslikethisthemomentdecides。ButI’llbethere！\"
MacNellyspreadwidehishands，lookedhelplesslyathiscuriousandsympatheticrangers，andshookhishead。
\"Nowyou’vedoneyourwork——laidthetrap——isthisstrangemoveofyoursgoingtobefairtoMissLongstreth？\"askedMacNelly，insignificantlowvoice。
LikeagreattreechoppedattherootsDuanevibratedtothat。
Helookedupasifhehadseenaghost。
Mercilesslytherangercaptainwenton:\"Youcanwinher，Duane！Oh，youcan’tfoolme。Iwaswiseinaminute。Fightwithusfromcover——thengobacktoher。YouwillhaveservedtheTexasRangersasnoothermanhas。I’llacceptyourresignation。You’llbefree，honored，happy。Thatgirllovesyou！Isawitinhereyes。She’s——\"
ButDuanecuthimshortwithafiercegesture。Helungeduptohisfeet，andtherangersfellback。Dark，silent，grimashehadbeen，stilltherewasatransformationsingularlymoresinister，stranger。
\"Enough。I’mdone，\"hesaid，somberly。\"I’veplanned。Doweagree——orshallImeetPogginandhisgangalone？\"
MacNellycursedandagainthrewuphishands，thistimeinbaffledchagrin。TherewasdeepregretinhisdarkeyesastheyresteduponDuane。
Duanewasleftalone。
Neverhadhismindbeensoquick，soclear，sowonderfulinitsunderstandingofwhathadheretoforebeenintricateandelusiveimpulsesofhisstrangenature。HisdeterminationwastomeetPoggin;meethimbeforeanyoneelsehadachance——Pogginfirst——andthentheothers！Hewasasunalterableinthatdecisionasifontheinstantofitsacceptancehehadbecomestone。
Why？Thencamerealization。Hewasnotarangernow。Hecarednothingforthestate。Hehadnothoughtoffreeingthecommunityofadangerousoutlaw，ofriddingthecountryofanobstacletoitsprogressandprosperity。HewantedtokillPoggin。Itwassignificantnowthatheforgottheotheroutlaws。Hewasthegunman，thegun—thrower，thegun—fighter，passionateandterrible。Hisfather’sblood，thatdarkandfiercestrain，hismother’sspirit，thatstrongandunquenchablespiritofthesurvivingpioneer——thesehadbeeninhim;andthekillings，oneafteranother，thewildandhauntedyears，hadmadehim，absolutelyinspiteofhiswill，thegunman。Herealizeditnow，bitterly，hopelessly。Thethinghehadintelligenceenoughtohatehehadbecome。Atlastheshudderedunderthedriving，ruthlessinhumanblood—lustofthegunman。Longagohehadseemedtosealinatombthathorrorofhiskind——theneed，inordertoforgetthehaunting，sleeplesspresenceofhislastvictim，togooutandkillanother。Butitwasstillthereinhismind，andnowitstalkedout，worse，morepowerful，magnifiedbyitsrest，augmentedbytheviolentpassionspeculiarandinevitabletothatstrange，wildproductoftheTexasfrontier——thegun—fighter。Andthosepassionsweresoviolent，soraw，sobase，somuchlowerthanwhatoughttohaveexistedinathinkingman。Actualprideofhisrecord！
Actualvanityinhisspeedwithagun。Actualjealousyofanyrival！
Duanecouldnotbelieveit。Buttherehewas，withoutachoice。
Whathehadfearedforyearshadbecomeamonstrousreality。
Respectforhimself，blindness，acertainhonorthathehadclungtowhileinoutlawry——all，likescales，seemedtofallawayfromhim。Hestoodstrippedbare，hissoulnaked——thesoulofCain。Alwayssincethefirstbrandhadbeenforcedandburneduponhimhehadbeenruined。Butnowwithconscienceflayedtothequick，yetutterlypowerlessoverthistigerinstinct，hewaslost。Hesaidit。Headmittedit。AndattheutterabasementthesoulhedespisedsuddenlyleapedandquiveredwiththethoughtofRayLongstreth。
Thencameagony。Ashecouldnotgovernallthechancesofthisfatalmeeting——asallhisswiftanddeadlygeniusmustbeoccupiedwithPoggin，perhapsinvain——ashard—shootingmenwhomhecouldnotwatchwouldbeclosebehind，thisalmostcertainlymustbetheendofBuckDuane。Thatdidnotmatter。
Buthelovedthegirl。Hewantedher。Allhersweetness，herfire，andpleadingreturnedtotorturehim。
Atthatmomentthedooropened，andRayLongstrethentered。
\"Duane，\"shesaid，softly。\"CaptainMacNellysentmetoyou。\"
\"Butyoushouldn’thavecome，\"repliedDuane。
\"AssoonashetoldmeIwouldhavecomewhetherhewisheditornot。Youleftme——allofus——stunned。Ihadnotimetothankyou。Oh，Ido—withallmysoul。Itwasnobleofyou。Fatherisovercome。Hedidn’texpectsomuch。Andhe’llbetrue。But，Duane，Iwastoldtohurry，andhereI’mselfishlyusingtime。\"
\"Go，then——andleaveme。Youmustn’tunnervemenow，whenthere’sadesperategametofinish。\"
\"Needitbedesperate？\"shewhispered，comingclosetohim。
\"Yes;itcan’tbeelse。\"
MacNellyhadsenthertoweakenhim;ofthatDuanewassure。
Andhefeltthatshehadwantedtocome。Hereyesweredark，strained，beautiful，andtheyshedalightuponDuanehehadneverseenbefore。
\"You’regoingtotakesomemadrisk，\"shesaid。\"Letmepersuadeyounotto。Yousaid——youcaredforme——andI——oh，Duane——don’tyou——know——？\"
Thelowvoice，deep，sweetasanoldchord，falteredandbrokeandfailed。
Duanesustainedasuddenshockandaninstantofparalyzedconfusionofthought。
Shemoved，shesweptoutherhands，andthewonderofhereyesdimmedinafloodoftears。
\"MyGod！Youcan’tcareforme？\"hecried，hoarsely。
Thenshemethim，handsoutstretched。
\"ButIdo—Ido！\"
SwiftaslightDuanecaughtherandheldhertohisbreast。Hestoodholdinghertight，withthefeelofherwarm，throbbingbreastandtheclaspofherarmsasfleshandbloodrealitiestofightaterriblefear。Hefelther，andforthemomentthemightofitwasstrongerthanallthedemonsthatpossessedhim。Andheheldherasifshehadbeenhissoul，hisstrengthonearth，hishopeofHeaven，againsthislips。
Thestrifeofdoubtallpassed。Hefoundhissightagain。Andthererushedoverhimatideofemotionunutterablysweetandfull，stronglikeanintoxicatingwine，deepashisnature，somethinggloriousandterribleastheblazeofthesuntoonelongindarkness。Hehadbecomeanoutcast，awanderer，agunman，avictimofcircumstances;hehadlostandsufferedworsethandeathinthatloss;hehadgonedowntheendlessbloodytrail，akillerofmen，afugitivewhosemindslowlyandinevitablyclosedtoallexcepttheinstincttosurviveandablackdespair;andnow，withthiswomaninhisarms，herswellingbreastagainsthis，inthismomentalmostofresurrection，hebentunderthestormofpassionandjoypossibleonlytohimwhohadenduredsomuch。
\"Doyoucare——alittle？\"hewhispered，unsteadily。
Hebentoverher，lookingdeepintothedarkweteyes。
Sheutteredalowlaughthatwashalfsob，andherarmsslippeduptohisneck。
\"AlittlerOh，Duane——Duane——agreatdeal！\"
Theirlipsmetintheirfirstkiss。Thesweetness，thefireofhermouthseemedsonew，sostrange，soirresistibletoDuane。
Hissoreandhungryheartthrobbedwiththickandheavybeats。
Hefelttheoutcast’sneedoflove。Andhegaveuptotheenthrallingmoment。Shemethimhalf—way，returnedkissforkiss，claspforclasp，herfacescarlet，hereyesclosed，till，herpassionandstrengthspent，shefellbackuponhisshoulder。
Duanesuddenlythoughtshewasgoingtofaint。Hedivinedthenthatshehadunderstoodhim，wouldhavedeniedhimnothing，notevenherlife，inthatmoment。Butshewasovercome，andhesufferedapangofregretathisunrestraint。
Presentlysherecovered，andshedrewonlythecloser，andleaneduponhimwithherfaceupturned。Hefeltherhandsonhis，andtheyweresoft，clinging，strong，likesteelundervelvet。Hefelttheriseandfall，thewarmthofherbreast。A
tremorranoverhim。Hetriedtodrawback，andifhesucceededalittleherformswayedwithhim，pressingcloser。Sheheldherfaceup，andhewascompelledtolook。Itwaswonderfulnow:white，yetglowing，withtheredlipsparted，anddarkeyesalluring。Butthatwasnotall。Therewaspassion，unquenchablespirit，woman’sresolvedeepandmighty。
\"Iloveyou，Duane！\"shesaid。\"Formysakedon’tgoouttomeetthisoutlawfacetoface。It’ssomethingwildinyou。
Conqueritifyouloveme。\"
Duanebecamesuddenlyweak，andwhenhedidtakeherintohisarmsagainhescarcelyhadstrengthtolifthertoaseatbesidehim。Sheseemedmorethanadeadweight。Hercalmnesshadfled。Shewasthrobbing，palpitating，quivering，withhotwetcheeksandarmsthatclungtohimlikevines。Sheliftedhermouthtohis，whispering，\"Kissme！\"Shemeanttochangehim，holdhim。
Duanebentdown，andherarmswentroundhisneckanddrewhimclose。Withhislipsonhersheseemedtofloataway。Thatkissclosedhiseyes，andhecouldnotlifthishead。Hesatmotionlessholdingher，blindandhelpless，wrappedinasweetdarkglory。Shekissedhim——onelongendlesskiss——orelseathousandtimes。Herlips，herwetcheeks，herhair，thesoftness，thefragranceofher，thetenderclaspofherarms，theswellofherbreast——alltheseseemedtoinclosehim。
Duanecouldnotputherfromhim。Heyieldedtoherlipsandarms，watchingher，involuntarilyreturninghercaresses，surenowofherintent，fascinatedbythesweetnessofher，bewildered，almostlost。Thiswaswhatitwastobelovedbyawoman。Hisyearsofoutlawryhadblottedoutanyboyishlovehemighthaveknown。Thiswaswhathehadtogiveup——allthiswonderofhersweetperson，thisstrangefirehefearedyetloved，thismatehisdeepandtorturedsoulrecognized。Neveruntilthatmomenthadhedivinedthemeaningofawomantoaman。Thatmeaningwasphysicalinasmuchthathelearnedwhatbeautywas，whatmarvelinthetouchofquickeningflesh;anditwasspiritualinthathesawtheremighthavebeenforhim，underhappiercircumstances，alifeofnobledeedslivedforsuchawoman。
\"Don’tgo！Don’tgo！\"shecried，ashestartedviolently。
\"Imust。Dear，good—by！RememberIlovedyour\"
Hepulledherhandsloosefromhis，steppedback。
\"Ray，dearest——Ibelieve——I’llcomeback！\"hewhispered。
Theselastwordswerefalsehood。
Hereachedthedoor，gaveheronelastpiercingglance，tofixforeverinmemorythatwhitefacewithitsdark，staring，tragiceyes。
\"DUANE！\"
Hefledwiththatmoanlikethunder，death，hellinhisears。
Toforgether，togetbackhisnerve，heforcedintomindtheimageofPoggin—Poggin，thetawny—haired，theyellow—eyed，likeajaguar，withhisripplingmuscles。Hebroughtbackhissenseoftheoutlaw’swonderfulpresence，hisownunaccountablefearandhate。Yes，Pogginhadsentthecoldsicknessoffeartohismarrow。Why，sincehehatedlifeso？Pogginwashissupremetest。Andthisabnormalandstupendousinstinct，nowdeepastheveryfoundationofhislife，demandeditswildandfatalissue。TherewasahorriblethrillinhissuddenremembrancethatPogginlikewisehadbeentauntedinfearofhim。
SothedarktideoverwhelmedDuane，andwhenhelefttheroomhewasfierce，implacable，steeledtoanyoutcome，quicklikeapanther，somberasdeath，inthethrallofhisstrangepassion。
Therewasnoexcitementinthestreet。Hecrossedtothebankcorner。Aclockinsidepointedthehouroftwo。Hewentthroughthedoorintothevestibule，lookedaround，passedupthestepsintothebank。Theclerkswereattheirdesks，apparentlybusy。
Buttheyshowednervousness。ThecashierpaledatsightofDuane。Thereweremen——therangers——crouchingdownbehindthelowpartition。Allthewindowshadbeenremovedfromtheirongratingbeforethedesks。Thesafewasclosed。Therewasnomoneyinsight。Acustomercamein，spoketothecashier，andwastoldtocometo—morrow。
Duanereturnedtothedoor。Hecouldseefardownthestreet，outintothecountry。Therehewaited，andminuteswereeternities。Hesawnopersonnearhim;heheardnosound。Hewasinsulatedinhisunnaturalstrain。
Atafewminutesbeforehalfpasttwoadark，compactbodyofhorsemenappearedfardown，turningintotheroad。Theycameatasharptrot——agroupthatwouldhaveattractedattentionanywhereatanytime。Theycamealittlefasterastheyenteredtown;thenfasterstill;nowtheywerefourblocksaway，nowthree，nowtwo。Duanebackeddownthemiddleofthevestibule，upthesteps，andhaltedinthecenterofthewidedoorway。
Thereseemedtobearushinginhisearsthroughwhichpiercedsharp，ringingclip—clopofironhoofs。Hecouldseeonlythecornerofthestreet。Butsuddenlyintothatshotlean—limbeddustybayhorses。Therewasaclatteringofnervoushoofspulledtoahalt。
DuanesawthetawnyPogginspeaktohiscompanions。Hedismountedquickly。Theyfollowedsuit。Theyhadthemannerofranchersabouttoconductsomebusiness。Nogunsshowed。Pogginstartedleisurelyforthebankdoor，quickeningstepalittle。
Theothers，closetogether，camebehindhim。BlossomKanehadabaginhislefthand。JimFletcherwasleftatthecurb，andhehadalreadygatheredupthebridles。
Pogginenteredthevestibulefirst，withKaneononeside，Boldtontheother，alittleinhisrear。
AshestrodeinhesawDuane。
\"HELL’SFIRE！\"hecried。
SomethinginsideDuaneburst，piercingallofhimwithcold。
Wasitthatfear？
\"BUCKDUANE！\"echoedKane。
OneinstantPogginlookedupandDuanelookeddown。
LikeastrikingjaguarPogginmoved。AlmostasquicklyDuanethrewhisarm。
Thegunsboomedalmosttogether。
Duanefeltablowjustbeforehepulledtrigger。Histhoughtscamefast，likethestrangedotsbeforehiseyes。Hisrisinggunhadloosenedinhishand。Pogginhaddrawnquicker！A
tearingagonyencompassedhisbreast。Hepulled——pulled——atrandom。Thunderofboomingshotsallabouthim！Redflashes，jetsofsmoke，shrillyells！Hewassinking。Theend;yes，theend！WithfadingsighthesawKanegodown，thenBoldt。Butsupremetorture，bittererthandeath，Pogginstood，manelikealion’s，backtothewall，bloody—faced，grand，withhisgunsspoutingred！
Allfaded，darkened。Thethunderdeadened。Duanefell，seemedfloating。Thereitdrifted——RayLongstreth’ssweetface，white，withdark，tragiceyes，fadingfromhissight……fading……fading……
CHAPTERXXV
LightshonebeforeDuane’seyes——thick，strangelightthatcameandwent。Foralongtimedullandboomingsoundsrushedby，fillingall。Itwasadreaminwhichtherewasnothing;adriftingunderaburden;darkness，light，sound，movement;andvague，obscuresenseoftime——timethatwasverylong。Therewasfire——creeping，consumingfire。Adarkcloudofflameenvelopedhim，rolledhimaway。
Hesawthen，dimly，aroomthatwasstrange，strangepeoplemovingaboutoverhim，withfaintvoices，faraway，thingsinadream。Hesawagain，clearly，andconsciousnessreturned，stillunreal，stillstrange，fullofthosevagueandfar—awaythings。
Thenhewasnotdead。Helaystiff，likeastone，withaweightponderousasamountainuponhimandallhisboundbodyrackedinslow，dull—beatingagony。
Awoman’sfacehoveredoverhim，whiteandtragic—eyed，likeoneofhisoldhauntingphantoms，yetsweetandeloquent。Thenaman’sfacebentoverhim，lookeddeepintohiseyes，andseemedtowhisperfromadistance:\"Duane——Duane！Ah，heknewme！\"
Afterthattherewasanotherlongintervalofdarkness。Whenthelightcameagain，clearerthistime，thesameearnest—facedmanbentoverhim。ItwasMacNelly。Andwithrecognitionthepastfloodedback。
Duanetriedtospeak。Hislipswereweak，andhecouldscarcelymovethem。
\"Poggin！\"hewhispered。HisfirstrealconsciousthoughtwasforPoggin。Rulingpassion——eternalinstinct！
\"Pogginisdead，Duane;shottopieces，\"repliedMacNelly，solemnly。\"Whatafighthemade！Hekilledtwoofmymen，woundedothers。God！hewasatiger。Heusedupthreegunsbeforewedownedhim。\"
\"Who—got——away？\"
\"Fletcher，themanwiththehorses。Wedownedalltheothers。
Duane，thejob’sdone——it’sdone！Why，man，you’re——\"
\"Whatof——of——HER？\"
\"MissLongstrethhasbeenalmostconstantlyatyourbedside。
Shehelpedthedoctor。Shewatchedyourwounds。And，Duane，theothernight，whenyousanklow——solow——Ithinkitwasherspiritthatheldyoursback。Oh，she’sawonderfulgirl。Duane，shenevergaveup，neverlosthernerveforamoment。Well，we’regoingtotakeyouhome，andshe’llgowithus。ColonelLongstrethleftforLouisianarightafterthefight。Iadvisedit。Therewasgreatexcitement。Itwasbestforhimtoleave。\"
\"HaveI——a——chance——torecover？\"
\"Chance？Why，man，\"exclaimedtheCaptain，\"you’llgetwell！
You’llpackasightofleadallyourlife。Butyoucanstandthat。Duane，thewholeSouthwestknowsyourstory。YouneedneveragainbeashamedofthenameBuckDuane。Thebrandoutlawiswashedout。Texasbelievesyou’vebeenasecretrangerallthetime。You’reahero。Andnowthinkofhome，yourmother，ofthisnoblegirl——ofyourfuture。\"
TherangerstookDuanehometoWellston。
ArailroadhadbeenbuiltsinceDuanehadgoneintoexile。
Wellstonhadgrown。Anoisycrowdsurroundedthestation，butitstilledasDuanewascarriedfromthetrain。
Aseaoffacespressedclose。Somewerefacesheremembered——schoolmates，friends，oldneighbors。Therewasanupflingingofmanyhands。Duanewasbeingwelcomedhometothetownfromwhichhehadfled。Adeadnesswithinhimbroke。Thiswelcomehurthimsomehow，quickenedhim;andthroughhiscoldbeing，hiswearymind，passedachange。Hissightdimmed。
Thentherewasawhitehouse，hisoldhome。Howstrange，yethowreal！Hisheartbeatfast。Hadsomany，manyyearspassed？
Familiaryetstrangeitwas，andallseemedmagnified。
Theycarriedhimin，theserangercomrades，andlaidhimdown，andliftedhisheaduponpillows。Thehousewasstill，thoughfullofpeople。Duane’sgazesoughttheopendoor。
Someoneentered——atallgirlinwhite，withdark，weteyesandalightuponherface。Shewasleadinganoldlady，gray—haired，austere—faced，somberandsad。Hismother！Shewasfeeble，butshewalkederect。Shewaspale，shaking，yetmaintainedherdignity。
ThesomeoneinwhiteutteredalowcryandkneltbyDuane’sbed。Hismotherflungwideherarmswithastrangegesture。
\"Thisman！They’venotbroughtbackmyboy。Thisman’shisfather！Whereismyson？Myson——oh，myson！\"
WhenDuanegrewstrongeritwasapleasuretoliebythewestwindowandwatchUncleJimwhittlehisstickandlistentohistalk。Theoldmanwasbrokennow。HetoldmanyinterestingthingsaboutpeopleDuanehadknown——peoplewhohadgrownupandmarried，failed，succeeded，goneaway，anddied。ButitwashardtokeepUncleJimoffthesubjectofguns，outlaws，fights。HecouldnotseemtodivinehowmentionofthesethingshurtDuane。UncleJimwaschildishnow，andhehadagreatprideinhisnephew。HewantedtohearofallofDuane’sexile。
AndiftherewasonethingmorethananotherthatpleasedhimitwastotalkaboutthebulletswhichDuanecarriedinhisbody。
\"Fivebullets，ain’tit？\"heasked，forthehundredthtime。
\"Fiveinthatlastscrap！Bygum！Andyouhadsixbefore？\"
\"Yes，uncle，\"repliedDuane。
\"Fiveandsix。Thatmakeseleven。Bygum！Aman’saman，tocarryallthatlead。But，Buck，youcouldcarrymore。There’sthatniggerEdwards，righthereinWellston。He’sgotatonofbulletsinhim。Doesn’tseemtomindthemnone。Andthere’sColeMiller。I’veseenhim。Beenabadmaninhisday。Theysayhepackstwenty—threebullets。Buthe’sbiggerthanyou——gotmoreflesh……Funny，wasn’tit，Buck，aboutthedoctoronlybein’abletocutonebulletoutofyou——thatoneinyourbreastbone？Itwasaforty—onecaliber，anunusualcartridge。I
sawit，andIwantedit，butMissLongstrethwouldn’tpartwithit。Buck，therewasabulletleftinoneofPoggin’sguns，andthatbulletwasthesamekindastheonecutoutofyou。Bygum！Boy，it’dhavekilledyouifit’dstayedthere。\"
\"Itwouldindeed，uncle，\"repliedDuane，andtheold，haunting，sombermoodreturned。
ButDuanewasnotoftenatthemercyofchildisholdhero—worshipingUncleJim。MissLongstrethwastheonlypersonwhoseemedtodivineDuane’sgloomymood，andwhenshewaswithhimshewardedoffallsuggestion。
Oneafternoon，whileshewasthereatthewestwindow，amessagecameforhim。Theyreadittogether。
YouhavesavedtherangerservicetotheLoneStarStateMACNELLEY。
Raykneltbesidehimatthewindow，andhebelievedshemeanttospeakthenofthethingtheyhadshunned。Herfacewasstillwhite，butsweeternow，warmwithrichlifebeneaththemarble;
andherdarkeyeswerestillintent，stillhauntedbyshadows，butnolongertragic。
\"I’mgladforMacNelly’ssakeaswellasthestate’s，\"saidDuane。
Shemadenoreplytothatandseemedtobethinkingdeeply。
Duaneshrankalittle。
\"Thepain——Isitanyworseto—day？\"sheasked，instantly。
\"No;it’sthesame。Itwillalwaysbethesame。I’mfulloflead，youknow。ButIdon’tmindalittlepain。\"
\"Then——it’stheoldmood——thefear？\"shewhispered。\"Tellme。\"
\"Yes。Ithauntsme。I’llbewellsoon——abletogoout。Thenthat——thathellwillcomeback！\"
\"No，no！\"shesaid，withemotion。
\"Somedrunkencowboy，somefoolwithagun，willhuntmeoutineverytown，whereverIgo，\"hewenton，miserably。\"BuckDuane！
TokillBuckDuane！\"
\"Hush！Don’tspeakso。Listen。YourememberthatdayinValVerde，whenIcametoyou——pleadwithyounottomeetPoggin？
Oh，thatwasaterriblehourforme。Butitshowedmethetruth。Isawthestrugglebetweenyourpassiontokillandyourloveforme。IcouldhavesavedyouthenhadIknownwhatI
knownow。NowIunderstandthat——thatthingwhichhauntsyou。
Butyou’llneverhavetodrawagain。You’llneverhavetokillanotherman，thankGod！\"
Likeadrowningmanhewouldhavegraspedatstraws，buthecouldnotvoicehispassionatequery。
Sheputtenderarmsroundhisneck。\"Becauseyou’llhavemewithyoualways，\"shereplied。\"BecausealwaysIshallbebetweenyouandthat——thatterriblething。\"
Itseemedwiththespokenthoughtabsoluteassuranceofherpowercametoher。Duanerealizedinstantlythathewasinthearmsofastrongerwomanthatshewhohadpleadwithhimthatfatalday。
\"We’ll——we’llbemarriedandleaveTexas，\"shesaid，softly，withtheredbloodrisingrichanddarkinhercheeks。
\"Ray！\"
\"Yeswewill，thoughyou’relaggardinaskingme，sir。\"
\"But，dear——suppose，\"hereplied，huskily，\"supposetheremightbe——bechildren——aboy。Aboywithhisfather’sblood！\"
\"IprayGodtherewillbe。Idonotfearwhatyoufear。Butevenso——he’llbehalfmyblood。\"
Duanefeltthestormriseandbreakinhim。Andhisterrorwasthatofjoyquellingfear。Theshininggloryofloveinthiswoman’seyesmadehimweakasachild。Howcouldshelovehim——howcouldshesobravelyfaceafuturewithhim？Yetsheheldhiminherarms，twiningherhandsroundhisneck，andpressingclosetohim。Herfaithandloveandbeauty——theseshemeanttothrowbetweenhimandallthatterriblepast。Theywereherpower，andshemeanttousethemall。Hedarednotthinkofacceptinghersacrifice。
\"ButRay——youdear，noblegirl——I’mpoor。Ihavenothing。AndI’macripple。\"
\"Oh，you’llbewellsomeday，\"shereplied。\"Andlisten。Ihavemoney。Mymotherleftmewelloff。Allshehadwasherfather’s——Doyouunderstand？We’lltakeUncleJimandyourmother。We’llgotoLouisiana——tomyoldhome。It’sfarfromhere。There’saplantationtowork。Therearehorsesandcattle——agreatcypressforesttocut。Oh，you’llhavemuchtodo。You’llforgetthere。You’lllearntolovemyhome。It’sabeautifuloldplace。Therearegroveswherethegraymossblowsalldayandthenightingalessingallnight。\"
\"Mydarling！\"criedDuane，brokenly。\"No，no，no！\"
Yetheknewinhisheartthathewasyieldingtoher，thathecouldnotresistheramomentlonger。Whatwasthismadnessoflove？
\"We’llbehappy，\"shewhispered。\"Oh，Iknow。
Come！——come！—come！\"
Hereyeswereclosing，heavy—lidded，andsheliftedsweet，tremulous，waitinglips。
WithburstingheartDuanebenttothem。Thenheheldher，closepressedtohim，whilewithdimeyeshelookedoutoverthelineoflowhillsinthewest，downwherethesunwassettinggoldandred，downovertheNuecesandthewildbrakesoftheRioGrandewhichhewasnevertoseeagain。
ItwasinthissolemnandexaltedmomentthatDuaneacceptedhappinessandfacedanewlife，trustingthisbraveandtenderwomantobestrongerthanthedarkandfatefulpassionthathadshadowedhispast。
Itwouldcomeback——thatwindofflame，thatmadnesstoforget，thatdriving，relentlessinstinctforblood。Itwouldcomebackwiththosepale，drifting，hauntingfacesandtheaccusingfadingeyes，butallhislife，alwaysbetweenthemandhim，renderingthempowerless，wouldbethefaithandloveandbeautyofthisnoblewoman。