第6章

ButforonceEllenseemedsingularlyunresponsivetothispanoramaofwildnessandgrandeur。Herearswerelikethoseofalisteningdeer，andhereyescontinuallyrevertedtotheopenplacesalongtheRim。

Atfirst，inherexcitement，timeflewby。Gradually，however，asthesunmovedwestward，shebegantoberestless。Thesoftthudofdroppingpinecones，therustlingofsquirrelsupanddowntheshaggy—barkedspruces，thecrackingofweatheredbitsofrock，thesecaughtherkeenearsmanytimesandbroughtheruperectandthrilling。Finallysheheardasoundwhichresembledthatofanunshodhoofonstone。Stealthilythenshetookherrifleandslippedbackthroughthepinethickettothespotshehadchosen。Thelittlepinesweresoclosetogetherthatshehadtocrawlbetweentheirtrunks。

Thegroundwascoveredwithasoftbedofpineneedles，brownandfragrant。Inherhurrysheprickedherunglovedhandonasharppineconeanddrewtheblood。Shesuckedthetinywound。"ShoreI’mwonderin’ifthat’sabadomen，"shemuttered，darklythoughtful。

Thensheresumedhersinuousapproachtotheedgeofthethicket，andpresentlyreachedit。

Ellenlayflatamomenttorecoverherbreath，thenraisedherselfonherelbows。ThroughanopeninginthefringeofbuckbrushshecouldplainlyseethepromontorywhereshehadstoodwithJeanIsbel，andalsotheapproachesbywhichhemightcome。Rathernervouslysherealizedthathercovertwashardlymorethanahundredfeetfromthepromontory。Itwasimperativethatshebeabsolutelysilent。

HereyessearchedtheopeningsalongtheRim。Thegrayformofadeercrossedoneofthese，andsheconcludedithadmadethesoundshehadheard。Thenshelaydownmorecomfortablyandwaited。

Resolutelysheheld，asmuchaspossible，tohersensorialperceptions。

ThemeaningofEllenJorthlyinginambushjusttoseeanIsbelwasaconundrumsherefusedtoponderinthepresent。Shewasdoingit，andthephysicalacthaditsfascination。Herears，attunedtoallthesoundsofthelonelyforest，caughtthemandarrangedthemaccordingtoherknowledgeofwoodcraft。

Alonghourpassedby。Thesunhadslantedtoapointhalfwaybetweenthezenithandthehorizon。SuddenlyathoughtconfrontedEllenJorth:

"He’snotcomin’，"shewhispered。Theinstantthatideapresenteditselfshefeltablanksenseofloss，avagueregret——somethingthatmusthavebeendisappointment。Unpreparedforthis，shewasheldbysurpriseforamoment，andthenshewasstunned。Herspirit，swiftandrebellious，hadnotimetoriseinherdefense。Shewasalonely，guilty，miserablegirl，tooweakforpridetouphold，toofluctuatingtoknowherrealself。Shestretchedthere，buryingherfaceinthepineneedles，diggingherfingersintothem，wantingnothingsomuchasthattheymighthideher。ThemomentwasincomprehensibletoEllen，andutterlyintolerable。Thesharppineneedles，piercingherwristsandcheeks，andherhotheavingbreast，seemedtogiveherexquisiterelief。

Theshrillsnortofahorsesoundednearathand。WithashockEllen’sbodystiffened。Thenshequiveredalittleandherfeelingsunderwentswiftchange。Cautiouslyandnoiselesslysheraisedherselfuponherelbowsandpeepedthroughtheopeninginthebrush。ShesawamantyingahorsetoabushsomewhatbackfromtheRim。Drawingariflefromitssaddlesheathhethrewitinthehollowofhisarmandwalkedtotheedgeoftheprecipice。HegazedawayacrosstheBasinandappearedlostincontemplationorthought。Thenheturnedtolookbackintotheforest，asifheexpectedsomeone。

Ellenrecognizedthelithefigure，thedarkfacesolikeanIndian’s。

ItwasIsbel。Hehadcome。Somehowhiscomingseemedwonderfulandterrible。Ellenshookassheleanedonherelbows。JeanIsbel，truetohisword，inspiteofherscorn，hadcomebacktoseeher。Thefactseemedmonstrous。Hewasanenemyofherfather。Longhadrangerumorbeenbandiedfromliptolip——oldGassIsbelhadsentforhisIndiansontofighttheJorths。JeanIsbel——sonofaTexan——unerringshot——

peerlesstracker——abadanddangerousman！ThenthereflashedoverEllenaburningthought——ifitweretrue，ifhewasanenemyofherfather’s，ifafightbetweenJorthandIsbelwasinevitable，sheoughttokillthisJeanIsbelrightthereinhistracksasheboldlyandconfidentlywaitedforher。Foolhewastothinkshewouldcome。

Ellensankdownanddroppedherheaduntilthestrangetremorofherarmsceased。Thatdarkandgrimflashofthoughtretreated。Shehadnotcometomurderamanfromambush，butonlytowatchhim，totrytoseewhathemeant，whathethought，toallayastrangecuriosity。

Afterawhileshelookedagain。IsbelwassittingonanupheavedsectionoftheRim，inacomfortablepositionfromwhichhecouldwatchtheopeningsintheforestandgazeaswellacrossthewestcurveoftheBasintotheMazatzals。Hehadcomposedhimselftowait。

Hewascladinabuckskinsuit，rathernew，anditcertainlyshowedofftoadvantage，comparedwiththeraggedandsoiledapparelEllenremembered。Hedidnotlooksolarge。Ellenwasusedtothelong，lean，rangyArizoniansandTexans。Thismanwasbuiltdifferently。

Hehadthewidestshouldersofanymanshehadeverseen，andtheymadehimappearrathershort。Buthislithe，powerfullimbsprovedhewasnotshort。Wheneverhemovedthemusclesrippled。Hishandswereclaspedroundaknee——brown，sinewyhands，verybroad，andfittingthethickmuscularwrists。Hiscollarwasopen，andhedidnotwearascarf，asdidthemenEllenknew。ThenherintensecuriosityatlastbroughthersteadygazetoJeanIsbel’sheadandface。Heworeacap，evidentlyofsomethinfur。Hishairwasstraightandshort，andincoloradeadravenblack。Hiscomplexionwasdark，cleartan，withnotraceofred。Hedidnothavetheprominentcheekbonesnorthehigh—bridgednoseusualwithwhitemenwhowerepartIndian。StillhehadtheIndianlook。Ellencaughtthatinthedark，intent，piercingeyes，inthewide，level，thoughtfulbrows，inthesternimpassivenessofhissmoothface。Hehadastraight，sharp—cutprofile。

Ellenwhisperedtoherself:"Isawhimrighttheotherday。Only，I’dnotadmitit……Thefinest—lookin’manIeversawinmylifeisadamnedIsbel！WasthatwhatIcomeoutheahfor？"

Sheloweredherselfoncemoreand，foldingherarmsunderherbreast，shereclinedcomfortablyonthem，andsearchedoutasmallerpeepholefromwhichshecouldspyuponIsbel。Andasshewatchedhimthenewandperplexingsideofhermindwaxedbusier。Whyhadhecomeback？

Whatdidhewantofher？Acquaintance，friendship，wasimpossibleforthem。Hehadbeenrespectful，deferentialtowardher，inawaythathadstrangelypleased，untilthesurprisingmomentwhenhehadkissedher。Thathadonlydisruptedherratherdreamypleasureinasituationshehadnotexperiencedbefore。Allthemenshehadmetinthiswildcountrywereroughandbold;mostofthemhadwantedtomarryher，and，failingthat，theyhadpersistedinamorousattentionsnotparticularlyflatteringorhonorable。Theywereabadlot。Andcontactwiththemhaddulledsomeofhersensibilities。ButthisJeanIsbelhadseemedagentleman。Shestruggledtobefair，tryingtoforgetherantipathy，asmuchtounderstandherselfastogivehimduecredit。True，hehadkissedher，crudelyandforcibly。Butthatkisshadnotbeenaninsult。Ellen’sfinerfeelingforcedhertobelievethis。Sherememberedthehonestamazeandshameandcontritionwithwhichbehadfacedher，tryingawkwardlytoexplainhisboldact。

Likewisesherecalledthesubtleswiftchangeinhimatherwords，"Oh，I’vebeenkissedbefore！"Shewasgladshehadsaidthat。Still——wassheglad，afterall？

Shewatchedhim。Everylittlewhileheshiftedhisgazefromthebluegulfbeneathhimtotheforest。Whenheturnedthusthesunshoneonhisfaceandshecaughtthepiercinggleamofhisdarkeyes。

Shesaw，too，thathewaslistening。Watchingandlisteningforher！

Ellenhadtostillatumultwithinher。Itmadeherfeelveryyoung，veryshy，verystrange。Allthewhileshehatedhimbecausehemanifestlyexpectedhertocome。Severaltimesheroseandwalkedalittlewayintothewoods。Thelasttimehelookedatthewesteringsunandshookhishead。Hisconfidencehadgone。Thenhesatandgazeddownintothevoid。ButEllenknewhedidnotseeanythingthere。HeseemedanimagecarvedinthestoneoftheRim，andhegaveEllenasingularimpressionoflonelinessandsadness。Washethinkingofthemiserablebattlehisfatherhadsummonedhimtolead——

ofwhatitwouldcost——ofitsuselesspainandhatred？Ellenseemedtodivinehisthoughts。Inthatmomentshesoftenedtowardhim，andinhersoulquiveredandstirredanintangiblesomethingthatwaslikepain，thatwastoodeepforherunderstanding。ButshefeltsorryforanIsbeluntiltheoldprideresurged。Whatifheadmiredher？Sherememberedhisinterest，thewonderandadmiration，thegrowinglightinhiseyes。Andithadnotbeenrepugnanttoheruntilhedisclosedhisname。"What’sinaname？"shemused，recallingpoetrylearnedinhergirlhood。"’Arosebyanyothernamewouldsmellassweet’……

He’sanIsbel——yethemightbesplendid——noble……Bah！he’snot——

andI’dhatehimanyhow。" I

AllatonceEllenfeltcoldshiversstealoverher。Isbel’spiercinggazewasdirectedstraightatherhidingplace。Herheartstoppedbeating。Ifhediscoveredherthereshefeltthatshewoulddieofshame。Thenshebecameawarethatabluejaywasscreechinginapineaboveher，andaredsquirrelsomewherenearwaschatteringhisshrillannoyance。Thesetwodenizensofthewoodscouldbedependedupontoespythewariesthunterandmakeknownhispresencetotheirkind。Ellenhadamomentofmorethandread。Thiskeen—eyed，keen—earedIndianmightseerightthroughherbrushycovert，mighthearthethrobbingofherheart。Itrelievedherimmeasurablytoseehimturnawayandtaketopacingthepromontory，withhisheadbowedandhishandsbehindhisback。Hehadstoppedlookingoffintotheforest。Presentlyhewheeledtothewest，andbythelightuponhisfaceEllensawthatthetimewasnearsunset。Turkeyswerebeginningtogobblebackontheridge。

Isbelwalkedtohishorseandappearedtobeuntyingsomethingfromthebackofhissaddle。WhenhecamebackEllensawthathecarriedasmallpackageapparentlywrappedinpaper。WiththisunderhisarmhestrodeoffinthedirectionofEllen’scampandsoondisappearedintheforest。

ForalittlewhileEllenlaythereinbewilderment。Ifshehadmadeconjecturesbefore，theywerenowmultiplied。WherewasJeanIsbelgoing？Ellensatupsuddenly。"Well，shorethisheahbeatsme，"

shesaid。"Whatdidhehaveinthatpackage？Whatwashegoin’

todowithit？"

Ittooknolittlewillpowertoholdhertherewhenshewantedtostealafterhimthroughthewoodsandfindoutwhathemeant。Buthisreputationinfluencedevenherandsherefusedtopithercunningintheforestagainsthis。Itwouldbebettertowaituntilhereturnedtohishorse。Thusdecided，shelaybackagaininhercovertandgavehermindovertoponderingcuriosity。SoonerthansheexpectedsheespiedIsbelapproachingthroughtheforest，emptyhanded。Hehadnottakenhisrifle。Ellenavertedherglanceamomentandthrilledtoseetherifleleaningagainstarock。VerilyJeanIsbelhadbeenfarremovedfromhostileintentthatday。Shewatchedhimstrideswiftlyuptohishorse，untiethehalter，andmount。Ellenhadanimpressionofhisarrowlikestraightfigure，andsinuousgraceandease。Thenhelookedbackatthepromontory，asiftofixapictureofitinhismind，androdeawayalongtheRim。Shewatchedhimoutofsight。Whatailedher？

Somethingwaswrongwithher，butsherecognizedonlyrelief。

WhenIsbelhadbeengonelongenoughtoassureEllenthatshemightsafelyventureforthshecrawledthroughthepinethickettotheRimontheothersideofthepoint。ThesunwassettingbehindtheBlackRange，sheddingagoldengloryovertheBasin。WestwardthezigzagRimreachedlikeastreameroffireintothesun。Thevastpromontoriesjuttedoutwithblazingbeaconlightsupontheirstone—walledfaces。

Deepdown，theBasinwasturningshadowydarkblue，goingtosleepforthenight。

Ellenbentswiftstepstowardhercamp。Longshaftsofgoldprecededherthroughtheforest。Thentheypaledandvanished。Thetipsofpinesandsprucesturnedgold。Ahoarse—voicedoldturkeygobblerwasboominghischug—a—lugfromthehighestground，andthesofterchickofhenturkeysansweredhim。Ellenwasalmostbreathlesswhenshearrived。

Twopacksandacoupleoflop—earedburrosattestedtothefactofAntonio’sreturn。ThiswasgoodnewsforEllen。Sheheardthebleatoflambsandtinkleofbellscomingnearerandnearer。AndshewasgladtofeelthatifIsbelhadvisitedhercamp，mostprobablyitwasduringtheabsenceoftheherders。

TheinstantsheglancedintohertentshesawthepackageIsbelhadcarried。Itlayonherbed。Ellenstaredblankly。"The——theimpudenceofhim！"sheejaculated。Thenshekickedthepackageoutofthetent。

Wordsandactionseemedtoliberateadammed—uphotfury。Shekickedthepackageagain，andthoughtshewouldkickitintothesmolderingcamp—fire。Butsomehowshestoppedshortofthat。Sheleftthethingthereontheground。

PepeandAntoniohoveinsight，drivinginthetumblingwoollyflock。

Ellendidnotwantthemtoseethepackage，sowithcontemptforherself，andsomewhatlesseninganger，shekickeditbackintothetent。Whatwasinit？Shepeepedinsidethetent，devouredbycuriosity。Neat，wellwrappedandtiedpackageslikethatwerenotoftenseenintheTontoBasin。Ellendecidedshewouldwaituntilaftersupper，andatafavorablemomentlayitunopenedonthefire。Whatdidshecarewhatitcontained？Manifestlyitwasagift。ShearguedthatshewashighlyincensedwiththisinsolentIsbelwhohadtheeffronterytoapproachherwithsomesortofpresent。

ItdevelopedthattheusuallycheerfulAntoniohadreturnedtaciturnandgloomy。AllEllencouldgetoutofhimwasthatthejobofsheepherderhadtakenonhazardsinimicaltopeace—lovingMexicans。Hehadheardsomethinghewouldnottell。Ellenhelpedpreparethesupperandsheateinsilence。Shehadherownbroodingtroubles。Antoniopresentlytoldherthatherfatherhadsaidshewasnottostartbackhomeafterdark。Aftersuppertheherdersrepairedtotheirowntents，leavingEllenthefreedomofhercamp—fire。Wherewithshesecuredthepackageandbroughtitforthtoburn。Femininecuriosityrankledstronginherbreast。Yieldingsofarastoshaketheparcelandpressit，andfinallytearacomeroffthepaper，shesawsomewordswritteninleadpencil。Bendingnearertheblaze，sheread，"FormysisterAnn。"

Ellengazedatthebig，boldhand—writing，quitelegibleandfairlywelldone。Suddenlyshetoretheoutsidewrappercompletelyoff。FromprintedwordsontheinsideshegatheredthatthepackagehadcomefromastoreinSanFrancisco。"Reckonhefetchedhomealotofpresentsforhisfolks——thekids——andhissister，"mutteredEllen。

"Thatwasniceofhim。WhateverthisisheshoremeantitforsisterAnn……AnnIsbel。Why，shemustbethatblack—eyedgirlImetandlikedsowellbeforeIknewshewasanIsbel……Hissister！"

WhereuponforthesecondtimeEllendepositedthefascinatingpackageinhertent。Shecouldnotburnitupjustthen。Shehadotheremotionsbesidesscornandhate。Andmemoryofthatsoft—voiced，kind—hearted，beautifulIsbelgirlcheckedherresentment。"Iwonderifheislikehissister，？’shesaid，thoughtfully。Itappearedtobeanunfortunatethought。JeanIsbelcertainlyresembledhissister。

"Toobadtheybelongtothefamilythatruineddad。"

Ellenwenttobedwithoutopeningthepackageorwithoutburningit。

Andtoherannoyance，whateverwayshelaysheappearedtotouchthisstrangepackage。Therewasnotmuchroominthelittletent。Firstsheputitatherheadbesideherrifle，butwhensheturnedoverhercheekcameincontactwithit。Thenshefeltasifshehadbeenstung。

Shemoveditagain，onlytotouchitpresentlywithherhand。Nextsheflungittothebottomofherbed，whereitfelluponherfeet，andwhateverwayshemovedthemshecouldnotescapethepressureofthisundesirableandmysteriousgift。

Byandbyshefellasleep，onlytodreamthatthepackagewasacaressinghandstealingabouther，feelingforhers，andholdingitwithsoft，strongclasp。Whensheawokeshehadthestrangestsensationinherrightpalm。Itwasmoist，throbbing，hot，andthefeelofitonhercheekwasstrangelythrillingandcomforting。

Shelayawakethen。Thenightwasdarkandstill。Onlyalowmoanofwindinthepinesandthefainttinkleofasheepbellbroketheserenity。Shefeltverysmallandlonelylyingthereinthedeepforest，and，tryhowshewould，itwasimpossibletothinkthesamethenasshedidintheclearlightofday。Resentment，pride，anger——theseseemedabatednow。Iftheeventsofthedayhadnotchangedher，theyhadatleastbroughtupsofterandkindermemoriesandemotionsthanshehadknownforlong。Nothinghurtandsaddenedhersomuchastorememberthegay，happydaysofherchildhood，hersweetmother，her，oldhome。ThenherthoughtreturnedtoIsbelandhisgift。Ithadbeenyearssinceanyonehadmadeheragift。

Whatcouldthisonebe？Itdidnotmatter。ThewonderwasthatJeanIsbelshouldbringittoherandthatshecouldbeperturbedbyitspresence。"Hemeantitforhissisterandsohethoughtwellofme，"shesaid，infinality。

MorningbroughtEllenfurthervacillation。Atlengthsherolledtheobnoxiouspackageinsideherblankets，sayingthatshewouldwaituntilshegothomeandthenconsignitcheerfullytotheflames。

Antoniotiedherpackonaburro。Shedidnothaveahorse，andthereforehadtowalktheseveralmiles，toherfather’sranch。

Shesetoffatabriskpace，leadingtheburroandcarryingherrifle。Andsoonshewasdeepinthefragrantforest。Themorningwasclearandcool，withjustenoughfrosttomakethesunlitgrasssparkleasifwithdiamonds。Ellenfeltfresh，buoyant，singularlyfullof，life。Heryouthwouldnotbedenied。Itwaspulsing，yearning。ShehummedanoldSoutherntuneandeverystepseemedoneofpleasureinaction，ofadvancetowardsomeintangiblefuturehappiness。Alltheunknownoflifebeforehercalled。Herheartbeathighinherbreastandshewalkedasoneinadream。Herthoughtswereswift—changing，intimate，deep，andvague，notofyesterdayorto—day，norofreality。

Thebig，gray，white—tailedsquirrelscrossedaheadofheronthetrail，scamperedoverthepinygroundtohopontreetrunks，andtheretheypausedtowatchherpass。Thevociferouslittleredsquirrelsbarkedandchatteredather。Fromeverythicketsoundedthegobbleofturkeys。

Thebluejayssqualledinthetreetops。Adeerlifteditsheadfrombrowsingandstoodmotionless，withlongearserect，watchinghergoby。

Thushappilyanddreamilyabsorbed，EllencoveredtheforestmilesandsoonreachedthetrailthatleddownintothewildbrakesofChevelonCanyon。Itwasroughgoingandlessconducivetosweetwanderingsofmind。Ellenslowlylostthem。Andthenafamiliarfeelingassailedher，onesheneverfailedtohaveuponreturningtoherfather’sranch——areluctance，abitterdissatisfactionwithherhome，aloyalstruggleagainstthevaguesensethatallwasnotasitshouldbe。

Attheheadofthiscanyoninalittle，level，grassymeadowstoodarudeone—roomlogshack，withaleaningred—stonechimneyontheoutside。

Thiswastheabodeofastrangeoldmanwhohadlonglivedthere。HisnamewasJohnSpragueandhisoccupationwasraisingburros。Nosheeporcattleorhorsesdidheown，notevenadog。RumorhadsaidSpraguewasaprospector，oneofthemanywhohadsearchedthatcountryfortheLostDutchmangoldmine。SpragueknewmoreabouttheBasinandRimthananyofthesheepmenorranchers。FromBlackButtetotheCibiqueandfromChevelonButtetoRenoPasshekneweverytrail，canyon，ridge，andspring，andcouldfindhiswaytothemonthedarkestnight。Hisfame，however，dependedmostlyuponthefactthathedidnothingbutraiseburros，andwouldraisenonebutblackburroswithwhitefaces。

TheseburroswerethefinestbredinailtheBasinandwereingreatdemand。Spraguesoldafeweveryyear。HehadmadeapresentofonetoEllen，althoughhehatedtopartwiththem。ThisoldmanwasEllen’soneandonlyfriend。

UponhertripouttotheRimwiththesheep，UncleJohn，asEllencalledhim，hadbeenawayononeofhisinfrequentvisitstoGrassValley。Itpleasedhernowtoseeabluecolumnofsmokelazilyliftingfromtheoldchimneyandtohearthediscordantbrayofburros。

AssheenteredtheclearingSpraguesawherfromthedoorofhisshack。

"Hello，UncleJohn！"shecalled。

"Wal，ifitain’tEllen！"hereplied，heartily。"WhenIseenthetwhite—facedjinnyIknowedwhowasleadin’her。Whereyoubeen，girl？"

Spraguewasalittle，stoop—shoulderedoldman，withgrizzledheadandface，andshrewdgrayeyesthatbeamedkindlyonheroverhisruddycheeks。Ellendidnotlikethetobaccostainonhisgrizzledbeardnorthedirty，motley，ragged，ill—smellinggarbhewore，butshehadceasedheruselessattemptstomakehimmorecleanly。

"I’vebeenherdin’sheep，"repliedEllen。"Andwherehavey’ubeen，uncle？Imissedy’uonthewayover。"

"Beenpackin’insomegrub。An’IreckonIstayedlongerinGrassValleythanIrecollect。Butthetwasonlynatural，considerin’——"

"What？"askedEllen，bluntly，astheoldmanpaused。

Spraguetookablackpipeoutofhisvestpocketandbeganrimmingthebowlwithhisfingers。TheglancehebentonEllenwasthoughtfulandearnest，andsokindthatshefeareditwaspity。Ellensuddenlyburnedfornewsfromthevillage。

Wal，comeinan’setdown，won’tyou？"heasked。

"No，thanks，"repliedEllen，andshetookaseatonthechoppingblock。

"Tellme，uncle，what’sgoin’ondownintheValley？"

"Nothin’muchyet——excepttalk。An’there’saheapofthet。"

"Humph！Therealwayswastalk，"declaredEllen，contemptuously。

"Anasty，gossipy，cattyhole，thatGrassValley！"

"Ellen，thar’sgoin’tobewar——abloodywarintheoleTontoBasin，"

wentonSprague，seriously。

"War！……Betweenwhom？"

"TheIsbelsan’theirenemies。Ireckonmostpeopledownthar，an’

sureallthecattlemen，aironoldGass’sside。Blaisdell，Gordon，Fredericks，Blue——they’llallbeinit。"

"Whoaretheygoin’tofight？"queriedEllen，sharply。

"Wal，theopentalkisthetthesheepmenareforcin’thiswar。Butthar’stalknotsoopen，an’Ireckonnotveryhealthyforanymantowhisperhyarbouts。"

"UncleJohn，y’uneedn’tbeafraidtotellmeanythin’，saidEllen。

"I’dnevergivey’uaway。Y’u’vebeenagoodfriendtome。"

"ReckonIwanttobe，Ellen，"hereturned，noddinghisshaggyhead。

"Itain’teasytobefondofyouasIaman’keepmymouthshet……I’dliketoknowsomethin’。Hevyouanyrelativesawayfromhyarthetyoucouldgototillthisfight’sover？"

"No。AllIhave，sofarasIknow，arerightheah。"

"Howabootfriends？"

"UncleJohn，Ihavenone，"shesaid，sadly，withbowedhead。

"Wal，wal，I’msorry。Iwashopin’youmightgitaway。"

Sheliftedherface。"Shorey’udon’tthinkI’drunoffifmydadgotinafight？"sheflashed。

"Ihopeyouwill。"

"I’maJorth，"shesaid，darkly，anddroppedherheadagain。

Spraguenoddedgloomily。Evidentlyhewasperplexedandworried，andstronglyswayedbyaffectionforher。

"Wouldyougoawaywithme？"heasked。"WecouldpackovertotheMazatzalsan’livethartillthisblowsover。"

"Thanky’u，UncleJohn。Y’u’rekindandgood。ButI’llstaywithmyfather。Histroublesaremine。"

"Ahuh！……Wal，Imighthevreckonedso……Ellen，howdoyoustandonthishyarsheepan’cattlequestion？"

"Ithinkwhat’sfairforoneisfairforanother。Idon’tlikesheepasmuchasIlikecattle。Butthat’snotthepoint。Therangeisfree。

Supposey’uhadcattleandIhadsheep。I’dfeelasfreetorunmysheepanywhereasy’uweretoranyourcattle。"

"Right。Butwhatifyouthrowedyoursheeproundmyrangean’sheepedoffthegrasssomycattlewouldhevtomoveorstarve？"

"ShoreIwouldn’tthrowmysheeproundy’urrange，"shedeclared，stoutly。

"Wal，you’veansweredhalfofthequestion。An’nowsupposin’alotofmycattlewasstolenbyrustlers，butnotasingleoneofyoursheep。

What’dyouthinkthen？"

"I’dshorethinkrustlerschosetostealcattlebecausetherewasnoprofitinstealin’sheep。"

"Egzactly。Butwouldn’tyouhevaqueerideeabootit？"

"Idon’tknow。Whyqueer？What’rey’udrivin’at，UncleJohn？"

"Wal，wouldn’tyougitkindofahunchthettherustlerswas——sayaleetlefriendlytowardthesheepmen？

Ellenfeltasuddenvibratingshock。Thebloodrushedtohertemples。

Tremblingallover，sherose。

"UncleJohn！"shecried。

"Now，girl，youneedn’tfireupthetway。Setdownan’don’t——"

"Darey’uinsinuatemyfatherhas——"

"Ellen，Iain’tinsinuatin’nothin’，"interruptedtheoldman。"I’mjestaskin’youtothink。Thet’sall。You’re，mostgrownintoayoungwomannow。An’you’vegotsense。Thar’sbadtimesahead，Ellen。

An’Ihatetoseeyoumixinthem。"

"Oh，y’udomakemethink，"repliedEllen，withsmartingtearsinhereyes。"Y’umakemeunhappy。Oh，Iknowmydadisnotlikedinthiscattlecountry。Butit’sunjust。Hehappenedtogoinforsheepraising。Iwishhehadn’t。Itwasamistake。Dadalwayswasacattlemantillwecameheah。Hemadeenemies——who——whoruinedhim。

Andeverywheremisfortunecrossedhistrail……But，oh，UncleJohn，mydadisanhonestman。"

"Wal，child，I——Ididn’tmeanto——tomakeyoucry，"saidtheoldman，feelingly，andheavertedhistroubledgaze。"NevermindwhatIsaid。

I’manoldmeddler。Ireckonnothin’Icoulddoorsaywouldeverchangewhat’sgoin’tohappen。Ifonlyyouwasn’tagirl！……

TharIgoag’in。Ellen，faceyourfuturean’fightyourway。Allyoungstershevtodothet。An’it’stherightkindoffightthetmakestherightkindofmanorwoman。Onlyyoumustbesuretofindyourself。An’bythetImeantofindthereal，true，honest—to—Godbestinyouan’sticktoitan’diefightin’forit。You’reayoungwoman，almost，an’ablamedhandsomeone。Whichmeansyou’llhevmoretroublean’aharderfight。Thiscountryain’teasyonawomanwhenonceslanderhasmarkedher。

"WhatdoIcareforthetalkdowninthatBasin？"returnedEllen。

"IknowtheythinkI’mahussy。I’veletthemthinkit。

I’vehelpedthemto。"

"You’rewrong，child，"saidSprague，earnestly。"Pridean，temper！

Youmustneverletanyonethinkbadofyou，muchlesshelpthemto。"

"Ihateeverybodydownthere，"criedEllen，passionately。"IhatethemsoI’dgloryintheirthinkin’mebad……MymotherbelongedtothebestbloodinTexas。Iamherdaughter。IknowWHOANDWHAT

IAM。ThatupliftsmewheneverImeetthesneaky，slysuspicionsoftheseBasinpeople。Itshowsmethedifferencebetweenthemandme。

That’swhatIgloryin。"

"Ellen，you’reawild，headstrongchild，"rejoinedtheoldman，inseveretones。"Wordhasbeenpassedag’in’yourgoodname——yourhonor……An’hevn’tyougivencauseferthet？"

Ellenfeltherfaceblanchandallherbloodrushbacktoherheartinsickeningforce。Theshockofhiswordswaslikeastabfromacoldblade。Iftheirmeaningandthestem，justlightoftheoldman’sglancedidnotkillherprideandvanitytheysurelykilledhergirlishness。Shestoodmute，staringathim，withherbrown，tremblinghandsstealinguptowardherbosom，asiftowardoffanotherandamortalblow。

"Ellen！"burstoutSprague，hoarsely。"Youmistookme。Aw，Ididn’tmean——whatyouthink，Iswear……Ellen，I’moldan’blunt。Iain’tusedtowimmen。ButI’veloveforyou，child，an’respect，jestthesameasifyouwasmyown……An’IKNOWyou’regood……

Forgiveme……Imeantonlyhevn’tyoubeen，say，sortof——

careless？"

"Care—less？"queriedEllen，bitterlyandlow。

"An’powerfulthoughtlessan’——an’blind——lettin’menkissyouan’

fondleyou——whenyou’rereallyagrowed—upwomannow？"

"Yes——Ihave，"whisperedEllen。

"Wal，then，whydidyouletthem？

"I——Idon’tknow……Ididn’tthink。Themenneverletmealone——

never——never！Igottiredeverlastinglypushin’themaway。Andsometimes——whentheywerekind——andIwaslonelyforsomethingI——I

didn’tmindifoneoranotherfooledroundme。Ineverthought。

Itneverlookedasy’uhavemadeitlook……Then——thosefewtimesridin’thetrailtoGrassValley——whenpeoplesawme——thenI

guessIencouragedsuchattentions……Oh，Imustbe——Iamashamelesslittlehussy！"

"Hushthetkindoftalk，"saidtheoldman，ashetookherhand。