Part 12 (2/2)
”Sh.o.r.e I'm a first-rate cook, miss, when I've somethin' to cook,” he said with a smile that changed his hard face.
She returned the smile with her thanks. Evidently Kells had a well-filled larder, and as Joan had fared on coa.r.s.e and hard food for long, this supper was a luxury and exceedingly appetizing. While she was eating, the blanket curtain moved aside and Kells appeared. He dropped it behind him, but did not step up into the room. He was in his s.h.i.+rt-sleeves, had been clean shaven, and looked a different man.
”How do you like your--home?” he inquired, with a hint of his former mockery.
”I'm grateful for the privacy,” she replied.
”You think you could be worse off, then?”
”I know it.”
”Suppose Gulden kills me--and rules the gang--and takes you?... There's a story about him, the worst I've heard on this border. I'll tell you some day when I want to scare you bad.”
”Gulden!” Joan s.h.i.+vered as she p.r.o.nounced the name. ”Are you and he enemies?”
”No man can have a friend on this border. We flock together like buzzards. There's safety in numbers, but we fight together, like buzzards over carrion.”
”Kells, you hate this life?”
”I've always hated my life, everywhere. The only life I ever loved was adventure.... I'm willing to try a new one, if you'll go with me.”
Joan shook her head.
”Why not? I'll marry you,” he went on, speaking lower. ”I've got gold; I'll get more.”
”Where did you get the gold?” she asked
”I've relieved a good many overburdened travelers and prospectors,” he replied.
”Kells, you're a--a villain!” exclaimed Joan, unable to contain her sudden heat. ”You must be utterly mad--to ask me to marry you.”
”No, I'm not mad,” he rejoined, with a laugh. ”Gulden's the mad one.
He's crazy. He's got a twist in his brain. I'm no fool.... I've only lost my head over you. But compare marrying me, living and traveling among decent people and comfort, to camps like this. If I don't get drunk I'll be half decent to you. But I'll get shot sooner or later.
Then you'll be left to Gulden.”
”Why do you say HIM?” she queried, in a shudder of curiosity.
”Well, Gulden haunts me.”
”He does me, too. He makes me lose my sense of proportion. Beside him you and the others seem good. But you ARE wicked.”
”Then you won't marry me and go away somewhere?... Your choice is strange. Because I tell you the truth.”
”Kells! I'm a woman. Something deep in me says you won't keep me here--you can't be so base. Not now, after I saved your life! It would be horrible--inhuman. I can't believe any man born of a woman could do it.”
”But I want you--I love you!” he said, low and hard.
”Love! That's not love,” she replied in scorn. ”G.o.d only knows what it is.”
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