The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-01-22
CHAPTER XIX (continued.)

CHAPTER XIX (Continued.)
Last night Gavin came to me and
begged me to plead with you to marry
him. He loves you honestly, think.
He is rough, and not what you might
have had.
ION the other hand, your brother in
forms me that Mr.. Welmer has spoken
for your hand. Now. between these
two 1 have no desire to choose or to
influence your own choice. But before
/ go back home 1 want to feel sure
that in some way you will soon be set
tied in life. Have you thought of this?
Hzve you considered this Welmer at all
in the light of a future husband? Which
shall it be?'
For a moment it seemed as if all the
strength had gone from the girl and
that she would fall helpless heap at
the judges feet.
But her nerve was not exhausted
Her eyes suddenly blaZed with wrath
Her bosom heaved with emotion Her
face was white, but determined. Hard
lines showed around the mouth that
was usually so sweet and winsome
$50, Judge Gordon, it has come TO
that, has it, / am no longer woman
to be loved and spoken to with tender
words. / am goods and chaftels 10 be
disposed of as it seems to those who
should be my friends. but are banded
with my enemies
$50 the man who has insuited me, and
shot the man endeavored to protect
from his cowardly hand, is chosen as
my husband. with the alternative, If
do not like him. os taking my brother S
pal, man smooth of tongue, but of no
moral character. This is what / have
sunk to because / would not permit a
wrong to be done if / could help it.
II have not resisted the law, and
YOU know it. I have resisted the unlaw-
full application of power and authority.
1t was my plan to save Cayright from
Gavin before you returned from McCas-
satt 1t was through me, in response
TO my command, that he hid himself IN
a dugeut on my sheep range left him
there in ignorance of what was COINS
on. till | heard the plan of Gavin tc
search the ranch.
--I knew if Gavin found him he would
be killed. II was not to vindicate the
law that Gavin wanted him. 1t was to
kill a rival Gavin thought he was
my lover Gavin was wrong No wore
of love ever passed between us. But ht
was a man.
He was tender as q woman when
was suffering from exposure to the cold
When Gavin arrested him he made ne
resistance, confident in his innocence
But he did not know the depths OF cum
ming and evil to which Gavin could go
81 sent old Crooked Ears to get him
from, the lookup Crooked Ears killed
Ye half breed to still his tongue
gr eiiled Crooked Ears-not becaus'
Nose but because ne knew tbs
Make ont
Then you will know the righ
of it if you do not believe me-
..Rut-but-' faltered the judge
stirred by the girls frmness. That ]:
rot the question now. Which of these
do you think you will marry
Neither, as God protects me-, came
the ringing reply Il will go my OWL
wav. and rely upon my God for protec
ton. not that of rogues. l am thu
owner of this ranch, and this day
shall order all these people on II an
to be deserted in my lonliness by all
then all shall know my will and Zee
my hate
tut. tut" rejoined the judge, bu
she would not allow him TO proceed
There is still some law In Montana,
she said And If that law will aid M
will rid nv possessions of these IN
of them. Alone with my cattle and m.
herds will 1 live, trying to do my dnt.
and trusting to God to do me Justice
thing I am denied by the human
friends"
She swept past him TO the hous
where Welmer and Deckton were wait
ing for the Judges return
Your she said 10 Deckton, her eye
abIaze. And your'-to Welmer-"leav'
my house My house, do you hear. AM
you, Kate Deckton, go with them! Aion
will I stay. and not as the slave TO b
solo TO the highest bidder. That IS al
need say. Simply CO.
She stepped into her room, gave wa.
under the reaction, and when the judg
reached the house, after a slow ant
thoughtful walk, he found the household
IN excitement and the girl in delirium.
well, leave it to me" he said in
solemn voice Just now she needs
doctor, not a husband. i. awe Thorn
I'D this afternoon. Meantime, ma
Deckton, If you have any of that home
" knowledge common to women Of tn
West. do the best you can till he ar
rives''
AS the judge mounted his horse to &
his face was grave and thoughtful
II wonder" he said to himself, as h
hurried his steed toward Hubbickse-''
wonder If. after all, 1 am not the big
gest fool in Montana and Jim Gavii
the biggest rogue"