Part 17 (1/2)

”I have had word that my uncle is dead. I must go at once, my dear, and you--you must come with me. Would you let a little thing like a--a dress weigh against our love, and honour?”

Above the native's horror of being dragged from her moorings was that subtle understanding of honour that had come to Nella-Rose by devious ways from a source that held it sacred.

”Honour?” she repeated softly; ”honour? If I thought I had to go in rags to make you sure; if I thought I needed to--I'd--”

Truedale saw his mistake. Realizing that if in the little time yet his he made her comprehend, he might lose more than he could hope to gain, he let her free while he took a card and pen from his pocket. He wrote clearly and exactly his address, giving his uncle's home as his.

”Nella-Rose,” he said calmly, ”I shall be back in two or three weeks at the latest, but if at any moment you want me, send word here--telegraph from the station--_you_ come first, always! You are wiser than I, my sweet; our honour and love are our own. Wait for me, my doney-gal and--trust me.”

She was all joy again--all sweetness. He kissed her, turned, then came back.

”Where will you go, my darling?” he asked.

”Since they-all do not know”--she was lying against his breast, her eyes heavy now with grief at the parting--”I reckon I will go home--to wait.”

Solemnly Truedale kissed her and turned dejectedly away. Once again he paused and looked back. She stood against the tree, small and shabby, but the late afternoon sun transfigured her. In the gloomy setting of the woods, that fair, little face shone like a gleaming star and so Truedale remembered her and took her image with him on his lonely way.

Nella-Rose watched him out of sight and then she turned and did something that well might make one wonder if a wise G.o.d or a cruel demon controls our fates--she ran away from the home path and took the trail leading far back to the cabin of old Lois Ann!

There was safety; there were compa.s.sion and comprehension. The old woman could tell marvellous tales and so could beguile the waiting days.

Nella-Rose meant to confide in her and ask her to hide her until Truedale came for her. It was a sudden inspiration and it brought relief.

And that night--it was past midnight and cold as the north land--Burke Lawson came face to face with Jed Martin! Lawson was issuing from his cranny behind the old still and Martin was nosing about alone. He, like a hungry thing of the wilds, had found his foe's trail and meant to bag him unaided and have full vengeance and glory. But so unexpectedly, and alarmingly unconcerned, did Burke materialize in the emptiness that Jed's gun was a minute too late in getting into position. Lawson had the drop on him! They were both very quiet for a moment, then Lawson laughed and did it so boldly that Jed shrank back.

”Coming to make a friendly call, Martin?”

”Something like that!”

”Well, come in, come right in!”

”I reckon you an' me can settle what we've got ter settle in the open!”

Jed stuttered. It seemed a hideous, one-sided settlement.

”As yo' please, Jed, as yo' please. I have a leanin' to the open myself.

I'd just decided ter come out; I was going up ter Jim White's and help him mete out justice, but maybe you and me can save him the trouble.”

”You--goin' ter shoot me, Burke--like a--like a--hedgehog?”

”No. I'm goin' ter do unto yo' as yo' would have--” Here Burke laughed--he was enjoying himself hugely.

”What yo' mean?”

”Well, I'm goin' ter put yer in my quarters and tie yer to a chair.

Yo'll be able to wiggle out in time, but it will take yer long enough fur me to do what I'm set about doin'. Yo' torn down traitor!--yo' were 'lowing to put me behind bars, wasn't yer? Yo' meant to let outsiders take the life out o' me--yo' skunk! Well, instead, Jed--I'm goin' on my weddin' trip--me and lil' Nella-Rose. I've seen her; she done promised to have me, when I come out o' hidin'. I'm coming out now! Nella-Rose an' me are goin' to find a bigger place than Pine Cone Settlement. Yo'll wiggle yer blasted hide loose by mornin' maybe; but then her an' me'll be where you-all can't ketch us! Go in there, now, you green lizard; turn about an' get on yer belly like the crawlin' thing yo' are! That's it--go! the way opens up.”

Jed was crawling through the bushes, Lawson after him with levelled gun.

”Now, then, take a seat an' make yerself ter home!” Jed got to the chair and turned a green-white face upon his tormentor.