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"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.
Round about Lone Dome they call Nella-Rose the doney-gal that meaning 'sweetheart'; she's responsible for more trouble than a b'ar with a sore head, or Burke Lawson on a tear." Conning was becoming vitally interested and showed it, to Jim's delight; this was a dangerous state for White, he was likely, once started and flattered, to tell more than was prudent.
"Of what are you thinking, Nella-Rose?" "Thinking? I'm not thinking; I'm happy!" "My sweetheart!" Again Truedale pressed his lips to hers. "Us-all calls sweetheart 'doney-gal'!" "My my doney-gal, then!" "And" the words came muffled, for Truedale was holding her still "and always I shall see your face, now. It came to-day like it came long ago. It will always come and make me glad."
So she watched for a chance to send a letter that she had carefully and painfully written. "I'm to Miss Lois Ann's in Devil-may-come Hollow. I'm trusting and loving you, but Miss Lois Ann don't believe! So please, Mister Man come and tell her and then go back and I will wait most truly Your Nella-Rose." then she crossed the name out and scribbled "Your doney-gal."
"You you trust me?" "I oh! yes; yes." "Then come, my doney-gal! For life or death, it is you and I, little woman, from now on!" Like a flash his gloom departed. He was gay, desperate, and free of all hampering doubts.
Come down the Big Road, letting me lead you, and you must trust me and oh! my doney-gal, by your blessed sweetness and power you must win for me for us both what I, alone, can never win."
Lawson had pounced upon Jed and had him pinioned. "I ain't goin' ter turn a key on yer like yo' was aimin' ter do on me! It's up to yo' an' yer wigglin' powers, when yo' get free. The emptier yer belly is, the more room ye'll have fer wiggling. God bless yer! yer dog-gone hound! Bless yer an' curse yer! I'm off with the doney-gal!" And off he was he and his cruel but gay laugh.
"I sho' will!" he said, and then tucked the letter and dollar bill in the breast of his shirt. "And now, lil' doney-gal, let me touch yo' hand," he pleaded, "this er way." And like a poor frayed, battered knight he pressed his lips to the small, brown hand of the one person who had always been kind to him. At sunset Bill halted to eat his supper and warm his stiffened body.
'Twas you as brought me back I had to come. If you will oh! my doney-gal " "Stop! stop, Burke. Some one might be near. No, no; I couldn't leave the hills I'd die from the longing, you know that!" "If I dared them all could you take me, Nella-Rose? I'd run my chances with you! Night and day you tug and pull at the heart o' me, Nella-Rose."
After the days just past days of anxiety, relief, and the proving of his love and hers no doubt remained in Truedale's heart; he was of the hills, now and forever! "No one can now!" This came passionately from Nella-Rose as she watched him. "They might make trouble until they found that out. They're too free with their guns. There's a lot to explain, little doney-gal."
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