第5章

Hesawhisownpalefacegoingawayfromthisolder，grimmerman。

"Son，ifIcouldhavelookedforwardtoanythin’butbloodspillin’

I’dneverhavegivenyousuchanametouphold，"continuedtherancher。

"WhatI’mgoin’totellyounowismysecret。Myothersonsan’Annhaveneverheardit。JimBlaisdellsuspectsthere’ssomethin’strange，buthedoesn’tknow。I’llshorenevertellanyoneelsebutyou。

An’youmustpromisetokeepmysecretnowan’afterIamgone。"

"Ipromise，"saidJean。

"Wal，an’nowtogetitout，"beganhisfather，breathinghard。

Hisfacetwitchedandhishandsclenched。"ThesheepmanheahI

havetoreckonwithisLeeJorth，alifelongenemyofmine。Wewereborninthesametown，playedtogetheraschildren，an’foughtwitheachotherasboys。Wenevergotalongtogether。An’webothfellinlovewiththesamegirl。Itwasnipan’tuckforawhile。

EllenSuttonbelongedtooneoftheoldfamiliesoftheSouth。

Shewasabeauty，an’muchcourted，an’Ireckonitwashardforhertochoose。ButIwonheran’webecameengaged。Thenthewarbrokeout。IenlistedwithmybrotherJean。HeadvisedmetomarryEllenbeforeIleft。ButIwouldnot。Thatwastheblunderofmylife。

Soonafterourpartin’herlettersceasedtocome。ButIdidn’tdistrusther。Thatwasaterribletimean’allwasconfusion。

ThenIgotcrippledan’putinahospital。An’inabootayearIwassentbackhome。"

AtthisjunctureJeanrefrainedfromfurthergazeathisfather’sface。

LeeJorthhadgottenoutofgoin’towar，"wentontherancher，inlower，thickervoice。"He’dmarriedmysweetheart，Ellen……

IknewthestorylongbeforeIgotwell。Hehadrunafterherlikeahoundafterahare……An’Ellenmarriedhim。Wal，whenIwasabletogetabootIwenttoseeJorthan’Ellen。Iconfrontedthem。

Ihadtoknowwhyshehadgonebackonme。LeeJorthhadn’tchangedanywithallhisgoodfortune。He’dmadeEllenbelieveinmydishonor。

But，Ireckon，liesornolies，EllenSuttonwasfaithless。Inmyabsencehehadwonherawayfromme。An’Isawthatshelovedhimassheneverhadme。Ireckonthatkilledallmygenerosity。Ifshe’dbeenimposeduponan’weanedawaybyhisliesan’hadregrettedmealittleI’dhaveforgiven，perhaps。Butsheworshipedhim。Shewashisslave。An’I，wal，Ilearnedwhathatewas。

"ThewarruinedtheSuttons，sameassomanySoutherners。LeeJorthwentinforraisin’cattle。He’dgottentheSuttonrangean’afterafewyearshebegantoaccumulatestock。Inthosedayseverycattlemanwasalittlebitofathief。Everycattlemandroveinan’brandedcalveshecouldn’tswearwashis。Wal，theIsbelswerethestrongestcattleraisersinthatcountry。An’IlaidatrapforLeeJorth，caughthimintheactofbrandin’calvesofmineI’dmarked，an’I

provedhimathief。Imadehimarustler。Iruinedhim。Wemetonce。

ButJorthwasoneTexannotstrongonthedraw，atleastagainstanIsbel。Heleftthecountry。Hehadfriendsan’relativesan’theystartedhimatstockraisin’again。Buthebegantogamblean’hegotinwithashadycrowd。Hewentfrombadtoworsean’thenhecamebackhome。WhenIsawthechangeinproud，beautifulEllenSutton，an’howshestillworshipedJorth，itshoredrovemenearmadbetweenpityan’hate……Wal，IreckoninaTexanhateoutlivesanyotherfeelin’。Therecameastrangeturnofthewheelan’myfortuneschanged。

Likemostyoungbloodsoftheday，Idrankan’gambled。An’onenightIrunacrossJorthan’acard—sharpfriend。Hefleecedme。Wequarreled。

Gunswerethrown。Ikilledmyman……AbootthatperiodtheTexasRangershadcomeintoexistence……An’，son，whenIsaidIneverwasrunoutofTexasIwasn’tholdin’tostricttruth。Irodeoutonahoss。

"IwenttoOregon。ThereImarriedsoon，an’thereBillan’Guywereborn。Theirmotherdidnotlivelong。An’nextImarriedyourmother，Jean。ShehadsomeIndianblood，which，forallIcouldsee，madeheronlythefiner。Shewasawonderfulwomanan’gavemetheonlyhappinessIeverknew。Yourememberher，ofcourse，an’thosehomedaysinOregon。IreckonImadeanothergreatblunderwhenImovedtoArizona。Butthecattlecountryhadalwayscalledme。IhadheardofthiswildTontoBasinan’howTexansweresettlin’there。An’JimBlaisdellsentmewordtocome——thatthisshorewasagardenspotoftheWest。Wal，itis。An’yourmotherwasgone——

"ThreeyearsagoLeeJorthdriftedintotheTonto。An’，strangetome，alongabootayearorsoafterhiscomin’theHashKnifeGangrodeupfromTexas。Jorthwentinforraisin’sheep。AlongwithsomeothersheepmenhelivesupintheRimcanyons。Somewherebackinthewildbrakesisthehidin’placeoftheHashKnifeGang。Nobodybutme，Ireckon，associatesColonelJorth，ashe’scalled，withDaggsan’

hisgang。MaybeBlaisdellan’afewothershaveahunch。Butthat’snomatter。AsasheepmanJorthhasalegitimategrievancewiththecattlemen。Butwhatcouldbesettledbyasquareconsiderationforthegoodofallan’thefutureJorthwillneversettle。He’llneversettlebecauseheisnownolongeranhonestman。He’sinwithDaggs。

Icain’tprovethis，son，butIknowit。IsawitinJorth’sfacewhenImethimthatdaywithGreaves。Isawmore。Ishoresawwhatheisupto。He’dnevermeetmeatanevenbreak。He’sdeadsetonusin’thissheepan’cattlefeudtoruinmyfamilyan’me，evenasI

ruinedhim。Buthemeansmore，Jean。ThiswillbeawarbetweenTexans，an’abloodywar。TherearebadmeninthisTonto——someoftheworstthatdidn’tgetshotinTexas。Jorthwillhavesomeofthesefellows……Now，arewegoin’towaittobesheepedoffourrangean’tobemurderedfromambush？"

"No，wearenot，"repliedJean，quietly。

"Wal，comedowntothehouse，"saidtherancher，andledthewaywithoutspeakinguntilhehaltedbythedoor。Thereheplacedhisfingeronasmallholeinthewoodatabouttheheightofaman’shead。

Jeansawitwasabulletholeandthatafewgrayhairsstucktoitsedges。Theranchersteppedclosertothedoor—post，sothathisheadwaswithinaninchofthewood。ThenhelookedatJeanwitheyesinwhichthereglinteddancingspecksoffire，likewildsparks。

"Son，thissneakin’shotatmewasmadethreemawnin’sago。Irecollectmovin’myhaidjustwhenIheardthecrackofarifle。Shorewassurprised。ButIgotinsidequick。"

Jeanscarcelyheardthelatterpartofthisspeech。Heseemeddoubledupinwardly，inhotandcoldconvulsionsofchangingemotion。A

terribleholduponhisconsciousnesswasabouttobreakandletgo。

ThefirstshothadbeenfiredandhewasanIsbel。Indeed，hisfatherhadmadehimtentimesanIsbel。Bloodwasthick。Hisfatherdidnotspeaktodullears。Thisstrifeofrisingtumultinhimseemedtheeffectofyearsofcalm，ofpeaceinthewoods，ofdreamywaitingforheknewnotwhat。Itwasthepassionateprimitivelifeinhimthathadawakenedtothecallofbloodties。

"That’sabootall，son，"concludedtherancher。"YouunderstandnowwhyIfeelthey’regoin’tokillme。Ifeelitheah。"Withsolemngestureheplacedhisbroadhandoverhisheart。"An’，Jean，strangewhisperscometomeatnight。Itseemslikeyourmotherwascallin’

ortryin’towarnme。Icain’texplainthesequeerwhispers。ButI

knowwhatIknow。"

"Jorthhashisfollowers。Youmusthaveyours，"repliedJean，tensely。

"Shore，son，an’Icantakemychoiceofthebestmenheah，"repliedtherancher，withpride。"ButI’llnotdothat。I’lllaythedealbeforetheman’letthemchoose。Ireckonit’llnotbealong—windedfight。It’llbeshortanbloody，afterthewayofTexans。I’mlookin’

toyou，Jean，toseethatanIsbelisthelastman！"

"MyGod——dad！istherenootherway？ThinkofmysisterAnn——ofmybrothers’wives——of——ofotherwomen！Dad，thesedamnedTexasfeudsarecruel，horrible！"burstoutJean，inpassionateprotest。

"Jean，woulditbeanyeasierforourwomenifweletthesemenshootusdownincoldblood？"

"Ohno——no，Isee，there’snohopeof——of……But，dad，Iwasn’tthinkin’aboutmyself。Idon’tcare。OncestartedI’ll——I’llbewhatyoubraggedIwas。Onlyit’ssohardto—togivein。"

Jeanleanedanarmagainstthesideofthecabinand，bowinghisfaceoverit，hesurrenderedtotheirresistiblecontentionwithinhisbreast。Andasifwithawrenchthatstrangeinwardholdbroke。

Heletdown。Hewentback。Somethingthatwasboyishandhopeful——andinitsplaceslowlyrosethedarktideofhisinheritance，thesavageinstinctofself—preservationbequeathedbyhisIndianmother，andthefierce，feudalbloodlustofhisTexanfather。

Thenasheraisedhimself，grippedbyasickeningcoldnessinhisbreast，herememberedEllenJorth’sfaceasshehadgazeddreamilydownofftheRim——sosoft，sodifferent，withtremulouslips，sad，musing，withfar—seeingstareofdarkeyes，peeringintotheunknown，theinstinctoflifestillunlived。WithconfusedvisionandnamelesspainJeanthoughtofher。

"Dad，it’shardon——the——theyoungfolks，"hesaid，bitterly。"Thesinsofthefather，youknow。An’theotherside。HowaboutJorth？

Hasheanychildren？"

WhatacuriousgleamofsurpriseandconjectureJeanencounteredinhisfather’sgaze！

"Hehasadaughter。EllenJorth。Namedafterhermother。ThefirsttimeIsawEllenJorthIthoughtshewasaghostofthegirlIhadlovedan’lost。Sightofherwaslikeabladeinmyside。Butthelooksofheran’whatsheis——theydon’tgibe。OldasIam，myheart——Bah！EllenJorthisadamnedhussy！"

JeanIsbelwentoffaloneintothecedars。Surrenderandresignationtohisfather’screedshouldhaveendedhisperplexityandworry。

Hisinstantandburningresolvetobeashisfatherhadrepresentedhimshouldhaveopenedhismindtoslowcunning，tothecraftoftheIndian，tothedevelopmentofhate。Butthereseemedtobeanobstacle。

Acloudinthewayofvision。Afacelimnedonhismemory。

Thosedamningwordsofhisfather’shadbeenashock——howlittleorgreathecouldnottell。WasitonlyadaysincehehadmetEllenJorth？Whathadmadeallthedifference？Suddenlylikeabreaththefragranceofherhaircamebacktohim。Thenthesweetcoolnessofherlips！Jeantrembled。Helookedaroundhimasifhewerepursuedorsurroundedbyeyes，byinstincts，byfears，byincomprehensiblethings。

"Ahuh！Thatmustbewhatailsme，"hemuttered。"Thelookofher——an’

thatkiss——they’vegonehardme。Ishouldneverhavestoppedtotalk。

An’I’mtokillherfatheran’leavehertoGodknowswhat。"

Somethingwaswrongsomewhere。Jeanabsolutelyforgotthatwithinthehourhehadpledgedhismanhood，hislifetoafeudwhichcouldbeblottedoutonlyinblood。Ifhehadunderstoodhimselfhewouldhaverealizedthatthepledgewasnomorethrillingandunintelligibleinitspossibilitiesthanthisinstinctwhichdrewhimirresistibly。

"EllenJorth！So——mydadcallsheradamnedhussy！So——thatexplainsthe——thewaysheacted——whysheneverhitmewhenIkissedher。An’

herwords，soeasyan’cool—like。Hussy？Thatmeansshe’sbad——bad！

Scornfulofme——maybedisappointedbecausemykisswasinnocent！

Itwas，Iswear。An’allshesaid:’Oh，I’vebeenkissedbefore。’"

Jeangrewfuriouswithhimselfforthespreadingofanewsensationinhisbreastthatseemednowtoache。Hadhebecomeinfatuated，allinaday，withthisEllenJorth？Washejealousofthemenwhohadtheprivilegeofherkisses？No！Buthisreplywashotwithshame，withuncertainty。Thethingthatseemedwrongwasoutsideofhimself。

Ablunderwasnocrime。Tobeattractedbyaprettygirlinthewoods——toyieldtoanimpulsewasnodisgrace，norwrong。Hehadbeenfoolishoveragirlbefore，thoughnottosucharashextent。EllenJorthhadstuckinhisconsciousness，andwithherasenseofregret。

Thenswiftlyranghisfather’sbitterwords，therevealing:"Butthelooksofheran’whatsheis——theydon’tgibe！"Intheimportofthesewordshidthemeaningofthewrongthattroubledhim。

Broodinglyheponderedoverthem。

"Thelooksofher。Yes，shewaspretty。Butitdidn’tdawnonmeatfirst。I——Iwassortofexcited。Ilikedtolookather，butdidn’tthink。"Andnowconsciouslyherfacewascalledup，infinitelysweetandmoreimpellingforthedeliberatememory。Flashofbrownskin，smoothandclear;levelgazeofdark，wideeyes，steady，bold，unseeing;

redcurvedlips，sadandsweet;herstrong，clean，finefacerosebeforeJean，eagerandwistfulonemoment，softenedbydreamymusingthought，andthenextstormilypassionate，fullofhate，fulloflonging，butthemoremysteriousandbeautiful。

Shelookslikethat，butshe’sbad，"concludedJean，withbitterfinality。"ImighthavefalleninlovewithEllenJorthif——ifshe’dbeendifferent。"

ButtheconvictionforceduponJeandidnotdispelthehauntingmemoryofherfacenordiditwhollysilencethedeepandstubbornvoiceofhisconsciousness。Laterthatafternoonhesoughtamomentwithhissister。

"Ann，didyouevermeetEllenJorth？"heasked。

"Yes，butnotlately，"repliedAnn。

"Well，ImetherasIwasridin’alongyesterday。Shewasherdin’

sheep，"wentonJean，rapidly。"IaskedhertoshowmethewaytotheRim。An’shewalkedwithmeamileorso。Ican’tsaythemeetin’

wasnotinterestin’，atleasttome……Willyoutellmewhatyouknowabouther？"

"Sure，Jean，"repliedhissister，withherdarkeyesfixedwonderinglyandkindlyonhistroubledface。"I’veheardagreatdeal，butinthisTontoBasinIdon’tbelieveallIhear。WhatIknowI’lltellyou。

IfirstmetEllenJorthtwoyearsago。Wedidn’tknoweachother’snamesthen。ShewastheprettiestgirlIeversaw。Ilikedher。

Shelikedme。Sheseemedunhappy。Thenexttimewemetwasataround—up。Therewereothergirlswithmeandtheysnubbedher。

ButIleftthemandwentaroundwithher。Thatsnubcuthertotheheart。Shewaslonely。Shehadnofriends。Shetalkedaboutherself——howshehatedthepeople，butlovedArizona。Shehadnothin’

fittowear。Ididn’tneedtobetoldthatshe’dbeenusedtobetterthings。Justwhenitlookedasifweweregoin’tobefriendsshetoldmewhoshewasandaskedmemyname。Itoldher。Jean，I

couldn’thavehurthermoreifI’dslappedherface。Sheturnedwhite。Shegasped。Andthensheranoff。ThelasttimeIsawherwasaboutayearago。Iwasridin’ashort—cuttrailtotheranchwhereafriendlived。AndImetEllenJorthridin’withamanI’dneverseen。Thetrailwasovergrownandshady。Theywereridin’

closeanddidn’tseemerightoff。Themanhadhisarmroundher。

Shepushedhimaway。Isawherlaugh。Thenhegotholdofheragainandwaskissin’herwhenhishorseshiedatsightofmine。Theyrodebymethen。EllenJorthheldherheadhighandneverlookedatme。"

"Ann，doyouthinkshe’sabadgirl？"demandedJean，bluntly。

"Bad？Oh，Jean！"exclaimedAnn，insurpriseandembarrassment。

"Dadsaidshewasadamnedhussy。"

"Jean，dadhatestheJorths。"

"Sister，I’maskin’youwhatyouthinkofEllenJorth。Wouldyoubefriendswithherifyoucould？"

"Yes。"

"Thenyoudon’tbelieveshe’sbad。"

"No。EllenJorthislonely，unhappy。Shehasnomother。Shelivesaloneamongroughmen。Suchagirlcan’tkeepmenfromhandlin’herandkissin’her。Maybeshe’stoofree。Maybeshe’swild。Butshe’shonest，Jean。Youcantrustawomantotell。Whensherodepastmethatdayherfacewaswhiteandproud。ShewasaJorthandIwasanIsbel。Shehatedherself——shehatedme。Butnobadgirlcouldlooklikethat。Sheknowswhat’ssaidofherallaroundthevalley。

Butshedoesn’tcare。She’dencouragegossip。"

"Thankyou，Ann，"repliedJean，huskily。"Pleasekeepthis——thismeetin’ofminewithheralltoyourself，won’tyou？"

"Why，Jean，ofcourseIwill。"

Jeanwanderedawayagain，peculiarlygratefultoAnnforrevivingandupholdingsomethinginhimthatseemedawaveringpartofthebestofhim——achivalrythathaddemandedtobekilledbyjudgmentofarighteouswoman。Hewasconsciousofanuplift，agladdeningofhisspirit。Yettheacheremained。Morethanthat，hefoundhimselfplungeddeeperintoconjecture，doubt。HadnottheEllenJorthincidentended？Hedeniedhisfather’sindictmentofherandacceptedthefaithofhissister。"Reckonthat’sabootall，asdadsays，"hesoliloquized。Yetwasthatall？Hepacedunderthecedars。

Hewatchedthesunset。Helistenedtothecoyotes。Helingeredthereafterthecallforsupper;untiloutofthetumultofhisconflictingemotionsandponderingsthereevolvedthestaggeringconsciousnessthathemustseeEllenJorthagain。

CHAPTERIV

EllenJorthhurriedbackintotheforest，hotlyresentfuloftheaccidentthathadthrownherincontactwithanIsbel。

Disgustfilledher——disgustthatshehadbeenamiabletoamemberofthehatedfamilythathadruinedherfather。Thesurpriseofthismeetingdidnotcometoherwhileshewasunderthespellofstrongerfeeling。Shewalkedunderthetrees，swiftly，withheaderect，lookingstraightbeforeher，andeverystepseemedarelief。

Uponreachingcamp，herattentionwasdistractedfromherself。Pepe，theMexicanboy，withthetwoshepherddogs，wastryingtodrivesheepintoacloserbunchtosavethelambsfromcoyotes。Ellenlovedthefleecy，totteringlittlelambs，andatthisseasonshehatedalltheprowlingbeastoftheforest。Fromthistimeonforweekstheflockwouldbebesiegedbywolves，lions，bears，thelastofwhichwereoftenboldanddangerous。Theoldgrizzliesthatkilledtheewestoeatonlythemilk—bagswereparticularlydreadedbyEllen。Shewasagoodshotwitharifle，buthadordersfromherfathertoletthebearsalone。Fortunately，suchsheep—killingbearswerebutfew，andwerelefttobehuntedbymenfromtheranch。Mexicansheepherderscouldnotbedependedupontoprotecttheirflocksfrombears。

EllenhelpedPepedriveinthestragglers，andshetookseveralshotsatcoyotesskulkingalongtheedgeofthebrush。Theopengladeintheforestwasfavorableforherdingthesheepatnight，andthedogscouldbedependedupontoguardtheflock，andinmostcasestodrivepredatorybeastsaway。

Afterthistask，whichbroughtthetimetosunset，Ellenhadsuppertocookandeat。Darknesscame，andacoolnightwindsetin。

Hereandtherealambbleatedplaintively。Withherworkdonefortheday，Ellensatbeforearuddycampfire，andfoundherthoughtsagaincenteringaroundthesingularadventurethathadbefallenher。

Disdainfullyshestrovetothinkofsomethingelse。ButtherewasnothingthatcoulddispeltheinterestofhermeetingwithJeanIsbel。

Thereuponsheimpatientlysurrenderedtoit，andrecalledeverywordandactionwhichshecouldremember。Andintheprocessofthismeditationshecametoanactionofhers，recollectionofwhichbroughtthebloodtinglingtoherneckandcheeks，sounusuallyandburninglythatshecoveredthemwithherhands。"Whatdidhethinkofme？"shemused，doubtfully。Itdidnotmatterwhathethought，butshecouldnothelpwondering。Andwhenshecametothememoryofhiskissshesufferedmorethanthesensationofthrobbingscarletcheeks。Scornfullyandbitterlysheburstout，"Shorehecouldn’thavethoughtmuchgoodofme。"

Thehalfhourfollowingthisreminiscencewasfarfrombeingpleasant。

Proud，passionate，strong—willedEllenJorthfoundherselfavictimofconflictingemotions。Theeventofthedaywastooclose。Shecouldnotunderstandit。DisgustanddisdainandscorncouldnotmakethismeetingwithJeanIsbelasifithadneverbeen。Pridecouldnoteffaceitfromhermind。Themoreshereflected，thehardershetriedtoforget，thestrongergrewasignificanceofinterest。Andwhenahintofthisdawneduponherconsciousnesssheresenteditsoforciblythatshelosthertemper，scatteredthecampfire，andwentintothelittleteepeetenttorollinherblankets。

Thussettledsnugandwarmforthenight，withashepherddogcurledattheopeningofhertent，sheshuthereyesandconfidentlybadesleependherperplexities。Butsleepdidnotcomeatherinvitation。

Shefoundherselfwideawake，keenlysensitivetothesputteringofthecampfire，thetinklingofbellsontherams，thebleatingoflambs，thesoughofwindinthepines，andthehungrysharpbarkofcoyotesoffinthedistance。Darknesswasnorespecterofherpride。Thelonesomenightwithitsemphasisofsolitudeseemedtoinduceclamoringandstrangethoughts，aconfusingensembleofallthosethathadannoyedherduringthedaytime。Notforlonghoursdidsheerwearinessbringhertoslumber。

Ellenawakenedlateandfailedofherusualalacrity。BothPepeandtheshepherddogappearedtoregardherwithsurpriseandsolicitude。

Ellen’sspiritwaslowthismorning;herbloodransluggishly;shehadtofightamournfultendencytofeelsorryforherself。Andatfirstshewasnotverysuccessful。Thereseemedtobesomekindofpleasureinrevelinginmelancholywhichhercommonsensetoldherhadnoreasonforexistence。Butstatesofmindpersistedinspiteofcommonsense。

"Pepe，whenisAntoniocomin’back？"sheasked。

Theboycouldnotgiveherasatisfactoryanswer。Ellenhadwillinglytakenthesheepherder’splaceforafewdays，butnowshewasimpatienttogohome。Shelookeddownthegreen—and—brownaislesoftheforestuntilshewastired。Antoniodidnotreturn。Ellenspentthedaywiththesheep;andinthemanifoldtaskofcaringforathousandnew—bornlambssheforgotherself。Thisdaysawtheendoflambing—timeforthatseason。Theforestresoundedtoababelofbaasandbleats。Whennightcameshewasgladtogotobed，forwhatwithlossofsleep，andwearinessshecouldscarcelykeephereyesopen。

Thefollowingmorningsheawakenedearly，bright，eager，expectant，fullofboundinglife，strangelyawareofthebeautyandsweetnessofthescentedforest，strangelyconsciousofsomenamelessstimulustoherfeelings。

NotlongwasElleninassociatingthisnewanddelightfulvarietyofsensationswiththefactthatJeanIsbelhadsetto—dayforhisrideuptotheRimtoseeher。Ellen’sjoyousnessfled;hersmilesfaded。

Thespringmorninglostitsmagicradiance。

"Shorethere’snosenseinmylyin’tomyself，"shesoliloquized，thoughtfully。"It’squeerofme——feelin’gladaboothim——withoutknowin’。Lord！Imustbelonesome！Tobegladofseein’anIsbel，evenifheisdifferent！"

Soberlysheacceptedtheastoundingreality。Herconfidencediedwithhergayety;hervanitybegantosuffer。AndshecaughtatheradmissionthatJeanIsbelwasdifferent;sheresenteditinamaze;

sheridiculedit;shelaughedathernaiveconfession。Shecouldarriveatnoconclusionotherthanthatshewasaweak—minded，fluctuating，inexplicablelittlefool。

Butforallthatshefoundhermindhadbeenmadeupforher，withoutconsentordesire，beforeherwillhadbeenconsulted;andthatinevitablyandunalterablyshemeanttoseeJeanIsbelagain。

Longshebattledwiththisstrangedecree。Onemomentshewonavictoryover，thisnewcuriousself，onlytoloseitthenext。

Andatlastoutofherconflictthereemergedafewconvictionsthatleftherwithsomeshredsofpride。ShehatedallIsbels，shehatedanyIsbel，andparticularlyshehatedJeanIsbel。Shewasonlycurious——intenselycurioustoseeifhewouldcomeback，andifhedidcomewhathewoulddo。Shewantedonlytowatchhimfromsomecovert。Shewouldnotgonearhim，notlethimseeherorguessofherpresence。

Thussheassuagedherhurtvanity——thusshestifledhermiserabledoubts。

Longbeforethesunhadbeguntoslantwestwardtowardthemid—afternoonJeanIsbelhadsetasameetingtimeEllendirectedherstepsthroughtheforesttotheRim。Shefeltashamedofhereagerness。Shehadaguiltyconsciencethatnostrangethrillscouldsilence。Itwouldbefuntoseehim，towatchhim，tolethimwaitforher，tofoolhim。

LikeanIndian，shechosethesoftpine—needlematstotreadupon，andherlight—moccasinedfeetleftnotrace。LikeanIndianalsoshemadeawidedetour，andreachedtheRimaquarterofamilewestofthespotwhereshehadtalkedwithJeanIsbel;andhere，turningeast，shetookcaretosteponthebarestones。Thiswasanadventure，seeminglythefirstshehadeverhadinherlife。AssuredlyshehadneverbeforecomedirectlytotheRimwithouthaltingtolook，towonder，toworship。

Thistimeshescarcelyglancedintotheblueabyss。Allabsorbedwassheinhidinghertracks。Notonechanceinathousandwouldsherisk。

TheJorthprideburnedevenwhilethefemininesideofherdominatedheractions。Shehadsomedifficultrockypointstocross，thenwindfallstoround，andatlengthreachedthecovertshedesired。

AruggedyellowpointoftheRimstoodsomewhathigherthanthespotEllenwantedtowatch。Adensethicketofjackpinesgrewtotheveryedge。ItaffordedanambushthateventheIndianeyesJeanIsbelwascreditedwithcouldneverpenetrate。Moreover，ifbyaccidentshemadeanoiseandexcitedsuspicion，shecouldretreatunobservedandhideinthehugerocksbelowtheRim，whereaferretcouldnotlocateher。

Withherplandecidedupon，Ellenhadnothingtodobutwait，sosherepairedtotheothersideofthepinethicketandtotheedgeoftheRimwhereshecouldwatchandlisten。SheknewthatlongbeforeshesawIsbelshewouldhearhishorse。Itwasaltogetherunlikelythathewouldcomeonfoot。

"Shore，EllenJorth，y’u’reaqueergirl，"shemused。"IreckonI

wasn’twellacquaintedwithy’u。"

Beneathheryawnedawonderfuldeepcanyon，ruggedandrockywithbutfewpinesonthenorthslope，thickwithdarkgreentimberonthesouthslope。Yellowandgraycrags，liketurretedcastles，stoodupoutoftheslopingforestonthesideoppositeher。Thetreeswereallsharp，spearpointed。Patchesoflightgreenaspensshowedstrikinglyagainstthedenseblack。ThegreatslopebeneathEllenwasserratedwithnarrow，deepgorges，almostcanyonsinthemselves。

Shadowsalternatedwithclearbrightspaces。Themile—widemouthofthecanyonopenedupontheBasin，downintoaworldofwildtimberedrangesandravines，valleysandhills，thatrolledandtumbledindark—greenwavestotheSierraAnchas。