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Updated: June 14, 2025
Had Randerson, standing near the chuck wagon on the night of the shooting of Kelso, known what effect the news would have on Ruth? "I reckon she would have wanted it different," he had reflected, then. And he had been entirely correct, for the news had destroyed something that had been growing and flourishing in her heart.
So great was Owen's excitement over this discovery that he was forced to lie down and turn his back to the fire for fear that Kelso might look at him and thus discover that he was recognized. As he lay there, his brain yielded to a riot of speculation. What was Kelso doing here? Why had he come, minus the mustache, assuming the name, Dorgan? What meant his glances at Randerson?
The blows landed, but seemingly had no effect, for Randerson merely gritted his teeth and pressed forward. In his mind was a picture of a girl whom he had "dawdled" on his knee a "kid" that he had played with, as a brother might have played with a younger sister.
He'd sooner shoot a foot off than bore you. 'Cause why? 'Cause if he bored you he'd never have no chance to get next to Ruth. She's some opposed to him killin' folks promiscuous. You lay low, that's all. An' I'll rustle up a guy one of these days which will put a crimp in Randerson. If he comes snoopin' around here, why, there's a rifle handy. Let him have it, sudden before he can git set!"
"Shucks!" said Uncle Jepson derisively, but more gently now, for he saw that the girl was badly hurt. "The whole country is talkin' about it, Ruth, an' wonderin' why Randerson don't salivate that durned dude! An' the country expects him to do it, girl! They'll fun him out of here, if he don't! Why, girl," he went on, "you don't know how much of a sneak a man can be when he's got it in him!"
This time it stood motionless, merely trembling a little. The fear of the rope had seized it; this man-made instrument was a thing that could not be successfully fought. That, it seemed to the girl, was the lesson the steer had been taught from its experience. That it was the lesson Randerson had set out to teach the animal, the girl was certain.
I cal'late, if you was to ask her, she'd be able to tell you a heap more about Masten, Ruth." Ruth got up, pale and terribly calm, disengaging herself from Aunt Martha and standing before Uncle Jepson. He too got to his feet. Ruth's voice quavered. "You wouldn't, oh, you couldn't lie to me, Uncle, because you like Rex Randerson? Is it true?"
With the memory of Randerson's threat always before him, "if I ever lay eyes on you ag'in, I'll go gunnin' for you," Masten rode slowly and watchfully. For he had felt that the words had not been idle ones, and it had been because of them that he had hired Kelso. And he went toward the ranchhouse warily, much relieved when he passed the bunkhouse, to find that Randerson was apparently absent.
For though no word had been spoken at least the girl heard none the pony kept the rope taut, bracing against its burden as Randerson slid out of the saddle. The girl's interest left the pony and centered on its rider.
An' accordin' to what dad says, Kelso pulled first. Rex ain't lettin' nobody perforate him, you bet!" "He is too ready with his pistol." The girl caught the repugnance in Ruth's voice. "I thought you kind of liked Randerson," she said. Ruth blushed. "What made you think that?" she demanded. "I've heard that you've gone ridin' with him a lot. I just reckoned it." "You are mistaken, Hagar.
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