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The old rule should be rescinded for once, the old discussion in regard to Mornie re-opened, and Rand, having convinced his brother of error, would generously extend his forgiveness. The sun sank redly. Lingering long upon the ledge before their cabin, it at last slipped away almost imperceptibly, leaving Rand still wrapped in revery.
Presently she said, "Give me some brandy or whiskey!" Rand was silent and confused. "I forgot," she added half bitterly. "I know you have not that commonest and cheapest of vices." She lay quite still again. Suddenly she raised herself partly on her elbow, and in a strong, firm voice, said, "Rand!" "Yes, Mornie."
"I ought to have made you carry me up," said the lady, with a little laugh, when they reached the summit; "but you haven't known me as long as you have Mornie, have you?" With this mysterious speech she bade Rand "good-night," and hurried off to the cabin.
Her head dropped wearily on his shoulder; her arm encircled his neck; her hair, as if caressingly, lay across his breast and hands; her grateful eyes were close to his; her breath was upon his cheek: and yet his only consciousness was of the possibly ludicrous figure he might present to his brother, should he meet him with Mornie Nixon in his arms.
He, nevertheless, shrank from meeting Mornie that morning, and was glad that the presence of Mrs. Sol relieved him from that duty. The day passed uneventfully. Rand busied himself in his usual avocations, and constructed a temporary shelter for himself and Sol beside the shaft, besides rudely shaping a few necessary articles of furniture for Mrs. Sol.
"It's in the woods where " He would have added where he met Mornie; but it was a point of honor with the twins, after reconciliation, not to allude to any topic of their recent disagreement. Ruth dropped his brother's hand. "It doesn't smell like the woods," he said slowly. "Smell!" repeated Rand incredulously. "Why, it's twenty miles in a bee-line yonder. Smell, indeed!"
Not a word was spoken by either till they reached the summit. Relieved at finding his brother still absent, he turned not unkindly toward the helpless figure on his arm. "I don't see what makes Ruth so late," he said. "He's always here by sundown. Perhaps " "Perhaps he knows I'm here," said Mornie, with a bitter laugh. "I didn't say that," said Rand, "and I don't think it.
"I was only getting at my purse and my revolver," he said, showing them. "I've got to get some stores at the Ferry by daylight." Mornie sighed. "I'm giving you great trouble, Rand, I know; but it won't be for long." He muttered something, took her hand again, and bade her "good-night." When he reached the door, he looked back.
A deep sense of relief overpowered every other feeling in Rand's breast. It was clear that Ruth had not yet discovered the truth of Mornie's flight: he was on his way to Sacramento, and before he could return, Mornie could be removed. Once despatched in some other direction, with Ruth once more returned and under his brother's guidance, the separation could be made easy and final.
Sol left him with a word of caution: "You'll find her changed and quiet, very quiet. If I was you, I wouldn't say anything to bring back her old self." The change which Rand saw was so great, the face that was turned to him so quiet, that, with a new fear upon him, he would have preferred the savage eyes and reckless mien of the old Mornie whom he hated.
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