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