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In the meantime letters had been flying forth between Laura and her warm friend, Belle Endicott, who was still at Star Ranch, as Mr. Endicott's place was called. It may be said in passing that Mr. Endicott was a rich railroad president, and the ranch, while it paid well, was merely a hobby with him, and he and his family resided upon it only when it suited their fancy to do so.
This triumph he would have enjoyed the more could he have seen the effect which the gradual change in his personality had produced on Monsignor O'Donnell, for whom the Endicott episode proved the most curious experience of his career. Its interest was discounted by the responsibility imposed upon him.
Even had Little Jim wanted to talk, he would not have been allowed to do so. Among the New Englanders in Exham the old maxim still obtained, "Children are to be seen and not heard." But Little Jim always listened eagerly. Endicott looked excited tonight. But he had no news about the tariff. "There's a boy at my house!" he exclaimed. "He just came. Nine pounds! Annie is doing fine."
She stood looking at him steadily for a full moment, then with a graceful toss of her lovely head, she said haughtily: "I must decline to accede to your request, Mr. Endicott. You will excuse me, I have a luncheon engagement now." She stood aside for him to go out the door, but as he rose with pleading still in his eyes, he said: "You will write to your father and tell him what I have said?
"Holy Virgin!" she murmured, so low as not to be overheard, "forgive me this half lie. Not for my own sake do my lips utter it, and my heart abhors it." The answer seemed to take Endicott by surprise. "Have heed to thy words," he said. "We are well advised that this runnigadoe and thyself were, until of late at least, at Rome."
Come to think of it I believe old Endicott introduced Michael into our office. Maybe she hasn't seen him in a long time and has forgotten him." "No one who had once known Michael could ever forget him," said Hester with conviction. "No, I suppose that's so," sighed Will, looking at her a trifle wistfully.
Endicott, glancing toward his daughter, caught the look, and was reminded of the time when he had found the two children in his own drawing room being made a show for his wife's guests, and sighed half in pleasure, half in foreboding. What a beautiful pair they were to be sure, and what had the future in store for his little girl?
In front rode Bat Lajune with Purdy's horse snubbed to his saddle-horn, and immediately following him were the girl and Endicott riding side by side. Tex saw that the girl was crying, and that Endicott's hands were manacled, and that he rode the missing horse.
Frantically he dug his spurless heels into the labouring sides of his mount. "Mebbe-so you kill um good," the man had said at parting, and as Endicott rode he knew that he would kill, and for him the knowledge held nothing of repugnance only a wild fierce joy. He looked at the revolver in his hand.
Then when the ghastly work was completed and the unconscious bridegroom lying in state in his coffin amid the debris of the table, they drowned the horror of their deed in deeper drinking. Mr. Endicott turned from the scene, his soul filled with loathing and horror. He had reached home to find the house in a tumult and Starr gone.
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