United States or Guyana ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"What did I come to this country for?" he asked, suddenly, in ringing, powerful voice. "To find a girl," she whispered. "I've found her!" She began to shake. He saw a white hand go to her breast. "Where is Surprise Valley?... How were you taken from Jane Withersteen and Lassiter?... I know they're alive. But where?" She seemed to turn to stone. "Fay! FAY LARKIN!... I KNOW YOU!" he cried, brokenly.
"I know a great deal. You understand, my lips are shut. But without explanation or excuse I offer my services. I'm a Mormon I hope a good one. But there are some things!... It's no use, Miss Withersteen, I can't say any more what I'd like to. But will you take me back?" "Blake!... You know what it means?" "I don't care. I'm sick of of I'll show you a Mormon who'll be true to you!"
Jane Withersteen saw Fay's play and her beauty and her love as most powerful allies to her own woman's part in a game that suddenly had acquired a strange zest and a hint of danger. And as for the rider, he appeared to have forgotten Jane in the wonder of this lovely child playing about him. At first he was much the shyer of the two.
We can't get away from them." Jane Withersteen was silent, but Fay uttered a low cry. Shefford did not look at either of them. The Indian began swiftly to tighten the saddle-cinches of his roan, and Shefford did likewise for Nack-yal. Then Shefford drew his rifle out of the saddle-sheath and Joe Lake's big guns from the saddle-bag.
"You might have saved some of your breath. See here, Blake, cinch this in your mind. Lassiter has met some square Mormons! An' mebbe " "Blake," interrupted Jane, nervously anxious to terminate a colloquy that she perceived was an ordeal for him. "Go at once and fetch me a report of my horses." "Miss Withersteen!... You mean the big drove down in the sage-cleared fields?"
But soon they would be wheeling. Then, when Lassiter had the circle formed, how would he escape? With Jane Withersteen prayer was as ready as praise; and she prayed for this man's safety. A circle of dust began to collect. Dimly, as through a yellow veil, Jane saw Lassiter press the leaders inward to close the gap in the sage.
"I moved up some, near the spring, an' now I go there nights." "Judkins the white herd?" queried Jane, hurriedly. "Miss Withersteen, I make proud to say I've not lost a steer. Fer a good while after thet stampede Lassiter milled we hed no trouble. Why, even the sage dogs left us.
"I reckon this meetin's the luckiest thing that ever happened to you an' to me an' to Jane an' to Bess," said Lassiter, coolly. "Bess!" cried Jane, with a sudden leap of blood to her pale cheek. It was entirely beyond Venters to see any luck in that meeting. Jane Withersteen took one flashing, woman's glance at Bess's scarlet face, at her slender, shapely form.
It ain't so easy to find an' lose a pretty niece all in one hour! Elizabeth good-by!" "Oh, Uncle Jim!... Good-by!" "Elizabeth Erne, be happy! Good-by," said Jane. "Good-by oh good-by!" In lithe, supple action Bess swung up to Black Star's saddle. "Jane Withersteen!... Good-by!" called Venters hoarsely. "Bern Bess riders of the purple sage good-by!"
In fettering the hands of this Lassiter she was accomplishing the greatest good of her life, and to do good even in a small way rendered happiness to Jane Withersteen. She had attended the regular Sunday services of her church; otherwise she had not gone to the village for weeks.
Word Of The Day