Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1934-10-04
ROOST

11
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 to protect you
from men worse than myself" he
went on, huskily. Il hope this will be
a lesson to you. Your brother was
crazy to come here-crazier to let you
come. Go homel 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.
"You-did that-to brighten me?'
she presently whispered. In 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. II you
do ~ kill him |"
She left a glove lying on the ground.
Jim made no effort to recover 1t. His
horse had grazed a few PAGES away,
and when he had reached him and
mounted Miss Herrick was In her sad
die. Jim let her get a few rods In
advance before he followed.
The excess OF his emotion wore off,
leaving him composed, and sterniy
glad the issue had developed as 1t had.
The situation had become intolerable
for him. 1t Knocked him that he had
actually desired to appear well In the
eyes of this girl. How ridiculous that
one of a 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. 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
Herrick saw 1t and halted a moment,
to let Jim catch up with her.
Can you be gentleman enough to
tell me the truth" she asked.
Il have not lied to you" replied Jim.
"That-that first time you kissed me
was 1t honestly unpremeditatedT
Miss Herriek. don't know what to
swear by. But. yes, | have. My
mother | swear by memory OF her
that | eve dreamed of insulting you
i looked up. There your face was
close. Your lips red And | kissed
Them"
They went on for perhaps ten PAGES,
as far as the road. before she spoke
again. Il believe you.'' she said, with
out a tremor of the rich, low voice,
though 1t was evident her emotion was
deeply stirred. "Your action was In
excusable. unforgivable. But / should
not have struck you with the whip.
-. That, and your passion to brighten
me, perhaps justified your brutality.
.. I shall not tell. . Don't leave
Star ranch.a
For an instant Jim felt as If he were
upon the verge OF a precipice. But
her change from revulsion to In
scrutable generosity called to all that
was good within him.
Miss Herrick, I'm sorry. but |
must leave" he replied. sadly. I'm
only a wandering rider-a gunslinger
and-a member of a gang OF robbers.
And ! was mad enough to fall In love
with you. Forget It j. 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
the brook. Suddenly he espied a com
pact group OF mounted riders coming
down the road beyond Hays cabin.
They bestrode bays and blacks. and
there was that about them which drew
Jim sharply up with a fiery thrill.
Smoky's outfit
Hays stood out In front OF the cabin,
bareheaded, his legs spread apart as
II to anchor himself solidly. his hands
at his hips, his sandy hair standing
up ruifled like a name.
"Huhi The boss isn't mad. Oh,
no !" s~oliloquized Jim. Small won
der. Smoky's outfit has busted loose,
or Is going to-Well. now, I've a bunch
there's luck In this for me-"
Jim made for the bridge and, cross
Ing, looked up to see the horses OF
Smoky's outfit standing, brides down,
and the riders up on the porch. Jim
mounted the steps.
Hank Hays sat upon the bench, his
shaggy head against the wall, his pale
eyes blazing at the row of men lean
ing on the porch rail.
Smoky was lighting a cigarette, not
in the least perturbed, but his eyes had
a hard, steely CLEAN. Brad Lincoln
sat back on the rail, cycling the chief
with a sardonic grin. Mac appeared
more than usually ghoulish; Bridges
and Sparrowhawk Latimer betrayed
extreme nervousness.
Hello, men. What's the mix7 Am
In or out7" returned Jim, sharply.
II reckon you're In" replied Slocum.