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Updated: June 7, 2025
One day, as the time for Neale's departure grew closer, Slingerland's quiet and peaceful valley was violated by a visit from four rough-looking men. They rode in without packs. It was significant to Neale that Larry swore at sight of them, and then in his cool, easy way sauntered between them and the cabin door, where Allie stood with astonishment fixed on her beautiful face.
But Neale did not see any humor in Slingerland's perplexity or in the cowboy's facetiousness. It was the girl's serious condition that worried him, not her future comfort. "Run out thar!" called Slingerland, sharply. Neale, who was the nearest to the door, bolted outside, to see the girl sitting up, her hair disheveled, her manner wild in the extreme.
She felt the same violent start in him. He held her a moment longer. Then, when he let go of her and stepped back Allie saw the cowboy as of old, cool and easy, yet somehow menacing, as he had been that day the strangers rode into Slingerland's camp. "Allie thet woman Stanton locked you in heah?" queried Larry. "Yes. Then she " Larry's quick gesture enjoined silence.
Within his breast was a full uneasy sensation of imminent catastrophe. Something was rising in him great terrible precious. It bewildered him to try to think of himself, of his strange emotions, when his mind seemed to hold only Allie. What then had happened? After a long absence up in the mountains he had returned to Slingerland's valley home, and to the little girl he had rescued and left there.
The cowboy flushed and looked insulted. "If any one but you said thet to me he'd hev to eat it." "I beg your pardon, old man. But I'm surprised. It doesn't seem like you.... And then Lord! I'll miss you." "No more 'n I'll miss you, pard," replied Larry. Suddenly Neale had a happy thought. "Red, you go back to Slingerland's and help take care of Allie. I'd feel she was safer."
"Wal, good luck, an' come back soon," was Slingerland's last word. So they parted. The cowboy led the way with the steady, easy, trotting walk that saved a horse yet covered distance; in three hours they were hailed by a trooper outpost, and soon they were in camp. Shortly after their arrival the engineers returned, tired, dusty, work-stained, and yet in unusually good spirits.
"Wal, I reckon somethin' abbot this heah place of Slingerland's draws on a fellar," admitted Larry, resignedly. Allie did not long stay embarrassed by their sallies. "Neale, tell me " "See heah, Allie, if you call me Reddy an' him only Neale why he's a-goin' to pitch into me," interrupted Larry, with twinkling eyes. "An' he's shore a bad customer when he's r'iled." "Only Neale?
He doubted himself and dismissed the thought. Perhaps the companionship of his old friends and the anticipation of action would effect a change in him. Neale and Larry spent the night in Slingerland's tent.
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