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