Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-20
BY ZANE GREY

! Without thought, in a flash. he kissed
them. and then drew back. stricken.
How dare you'll" she cried in In
credulous amazement and anger.
1T just happened. II don't
She swung her leather quirt and
struck him across the mouth. The
blood spurted. The leap OF Jim's fury
was as swift. He half intercepted a
second blow. which Stung his neck. and
snatching the Quirt from her hand he
flung it away. Then his iron clutch
fastened in her blouse. One lunge
dragged her out of the saddle. He
wrapped his other arm around her and
| bent her back so quickly that when
she began a furious struggle 1t was too
late.
His mouth hard pressed on hers
sttlled any but smothered cries. There
was a moments wrestling. She was no
weakling, but she was in the arms of a
maddened giant. Repeatedly he kissed
her lips, long. hard. passionate kisses.
Suddenly she collapsed heavily in his
arms. The shock of that--its mean
ing-pierced Wall with something inf
nitely more imperious and staggering
than bitter wrath. He let go of her.
There was blood on her lips and cheeks
otherwise her face was like alabaster.
Il think must have been in love
with you-and wanted 10 protect you--
from men worse than myself" he went
on, huskily, Il hope this will be les
son to you. Your brother was
crazy to come here-craSier to let you
come. Go home! Go before it's too
late. Make him 60. He will be ruined
shortly"
She wiped the blood from her cheeks,
and then Shudderingly from her lips
aXnal-did fhRk-fA fF{e
she presently whispered. m horror, yet
as If fascinated by something looming.
Get on your horse and ride ahead
of me-" he ordered, CURLY. Now, Miss
Helen Herrick, one last word: Don't
tell your brother what did to you till
after I'm gone. :. If you do Ill
kill him.
She left q glove lying on the ground
Jim made no effort to recover It, His
horse had graSed a few PAGES away. and
when he had reached him and mounted
Miss Herrick was in her saddle. Jim
let her get a few rods in advance before
he followed.
The excess OF his emotion wore of.
leaving him composed, and sternly glad
the issue had developed as it had. The
situation had become intolerable for
him. 1t Knocked him that he had actu-
ally desired to appear well In the eyes
of this girl. How ridiculous that one
Of Q robber gang should be vain! But
he was not conscious that being a thief
made any difference in a mans feeling
about women. He knew that he could
not command respect or love; but that
In no wise inhibited his own feelings.
Strange to realize, he had indeed fallen
In love with Helen Herrick.
She rode on slowly down the ridge
without looking to right or left. Her
gaze appeared to be lowered.
The ranch-houSe came In sight. Miss
Herick saw 1t and halted moment,
TO let Jim catch up with her.
Can you be gentleman enough 10
tell me the TRUTH" she asked.
az have not lied TO you" replied Jim.
"That-that first time you kissed
me-was 1t honestly unprecedented"
Miss Herrick, don't know what to
swear by. But. yes, have. My moth
er! I swear by memory Of her that I
looked up. There your face was close.
Your lips red! And kissed them"
They went on for perhaps 10 PAGES.
as far as the road, before she spoke
again. Il believe you" she said, with1
out a tremor of the rich. low voice,
though it was evident her emotion was
deeply stirred. Your action was in
excuSaDte, un1orRlVaDle. But i ShOulo
not have struck you with the whip. -.
That and your passion to frighten me,
perhaps justified your brutality
I shall not tell. Don't leave Star
Ranch"
For an instant Jim felt as II he were
upon the verge Of precipice. But her
change from revulsion to inscrutable
generosity called TO all that was good
within him.
Miss Herrick, I'm sorry, but I must
leave" he replied, sadly. I'm only
wandering rider-=a gunslinger-a men,
Der of q gang Of robbers. And I was
mad enough to fall in love with
you. Forget IT, Go home
TO England. But II you won't do that
never ride out alone again"
He spurred his horse and galloped
down the road, by the barns and across
the court, into the lane that led along