riders of the purple sage-第26章

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　duplicity。　Jane　broke　out　once　and　caught　them　in　strange；　stone…faced；　unhesitating　falsehood。　Thereafter　she　broke　out　no　more。　She　forgave　them　because　they　were　driven。　Poor；　fettered；　and　sealed　Hagars；　how　she　pitied　them！　What　terrible　thing　bound　them　and　locked　their　lips；　when　they　showed　neither　consciousness　of　guilt　toward　their　benefactress　nor　distress　at　the　slow　wearing　apart　of　long…established　and　dear　ties？

〃The　blindness　again！〃　cried　Jane　Withersteen。　〃In　my　sisters　as　in　me！。。。O　God！〃

There　came　a　time　when　no　words　passed　between　Jane　and　her　women。　Silently　they　went　about　their　household　duties；　and　secretly　they　went　about　the　underhand　work　to　which　they　had　been　bidden。　The　gloom　of　the　house　and　the　gloom　of　its　mistress；　which　darkened　even　the　bright　spirit　of　little　Fay；　did　not　pervade　these　women。　Happiness　was　not　among　them；　but　they　were　aloof　from　gloom。　They　spied　and　listened；　they　received　and　sent　secret　messengers；　and　they　stole　Jane's　books　and　records；　and　finally　the　papers　that　were　deeds　of　her　possessions。　Through　it　all　they　were　silent；　rapt　in　a　kind　of　trance。　Then　one　by　one；　without　leave　or　explanation　or　farewell；　they　left　Withersteen　House；　and　never　returned。

Coincident　with　this　disappearance　Jane's　gardeners　and　workers　in　the　alfalfa　fields　and　stable　men　quit　her；　not　even　asking　for　their　wages。　Of　all　her　Mormon　employees　about　the　great　ranch　only　Jerd　remained。　He　went　on　with　his　duty；　but　talked　no　more　of　the　change　than　if　it　had　never　occurred。

〃Jerd；〃　said　Jane；　〃what　stock　you　can't　take　care　of　turn　out　in　the　sage。　Let　your　first　thought　be　for　Black　Star　and　Night。　Keep　them　in　perfect　condition。　Run　them　every　day　and　watch　them　always。〃

Though　Jane　Withersteen　gave　them　such　liberality；　she　loved　her　possessions。　She　loved　the　rich；　green　stretches　of　alfalfa；　and　the　farms；　and　the　grove；　and　the　old　stone　house；　and　the　beautiful；　ever…faithful　amber　spring；　and　every　one　of　a　myriad　of　horses　and　colts　and　burros　and　fowls　down　to　the　smallest　rabbit　that　nipped　her　vegetables；　but　she　loved　best　her　noble　Arabian　steeds。　In　common　with　all　riders　of　the　upland　sage　Jane　cherished　two　material　thingsthe　cold；　sweet；　brown　water　that　made　life　possible　in　the　wilderness　and　the　horses　which　were　a　part　of　that　life。　When　Lassiter　asked　her　what　Lassiter　would　be　without　his　guns　he　was　assuming　that　his　horse　was　part　of　himself。　So　Jane　loved　Black　Star　and　Night　because　it　was　her　nature　to　love　all　beautiful　creaturesperhaps　all　living　things；　and　then　she　loved　them　because　she　herself　was　of　the　sage　and　in　her　had　been　born　and　bred　the　rider's　instinct　to　rely　on　his　four…footed　brother。　And　when　Jane　gave　Jerd　the　order　to　keep　her　favorites　trained　down　to　the　day　it　was　a　half…conscious　admission　that　presaged　a　time　when　she　would　need　her　fleet　horses。

Jane　had　now；　however；　no　leisure　to　brood　over　the　coils　that　were　closing　round　her。　Mrs。　Larkin　grew　weaker　as　the　August　days　began；　she　required　constant　care；　there　was　little　Fay　to　look　after；　and　such　household　work　as　was　imperative。　Lassiter　put　Bells　in　the　stable　with　the　other　racers；　and　directed　his　efforts　to　a　closer　attendance　upon　Jane。　She　welcomed　the　change。　He　was　always　at　hand　to　help；　and　it　was　her　fortune　to　learn　that　his　boast　of　being　awkward　around　women　had　its　root　in　humility　and　was　not　true。

His　great；　brown　hands　were　skilled　in　a　multiplicity　of　ways　which　a　woman　might　have　envied。　He　shared　Jane's　work；　and　was　of　especial　help　to　her　in　nursing　Mrs。　Larkin。　The　woman　suffered　most　at　night；　and　this　often　broke　Jane's　rest。　So　it　came　about　that　Lassiter　would　stay　by　Mrs。　Larkin　during　the　day；　when　she　needed　care；　and　Jane　would　make　up　the　sleep　she　lost　in　night…watches。　Mrs。　Larkin　at　once　took　kindly　to　the　gentle　Lassiter；　and；　without　ever　asking　who　or　what　he　was；　praised　him　to　Jane。　〃He's　a　good　man　and　loves　children；〃　she　said。　How　sad　to　hear　this　truth　spoken　of　a　man　whom　Jane　thought　lost　beyond　all　redemption！　Yet　ever　and　ever　Lassiter　towered　above　her；　and　behind　or　through　his　black；　sinister　figure　shone　something　luminous　that　strangely　affected　Jane。　Good　and　evil　began　to　seem　incomprehensibly　blended　in　her　judgment。　It　was　her　belief　that　evil　could　not　come　forth　from　good；　yet　here　was　a　murderer　who　dwarfed　in　gentleness；　patience；　and　love　any　man　she　had　ever　known。

She　had　almost　lost　track　of　her　more　outside　concerns　when　early　one　morning　Judkins　presented　himself　before　her　in　the　courtyard。

Thin；　hard；　burnt；　bearded；　with　the　dust　and　sage　thick　on　him；　with　his　leather　wrist…bands　shining　from　use；　and　his　boots　worn　through　on　the　stirrup　side；　he　looked　the　rider　of　riders。　He　wore　two　guns　and　carried　a　Winchester。

Jane　greeted　him　with　surprise　and　warmth；　set　meat　and　bread　and　drink　before　him；　and　called　Lassiter　out　to　see　him。　The　men　exchanged　glances；　and　the　meaning　of　Lassiter's　keen　inquiry　and　Judkins's　bold　reply；　both　unspoken；　was　not　lost　upon　Jane。

〃Where's　your　hoss？〃　asked　Lassiter；　aloud。

〃Left　him　down　the　slope；〃　answered　Judkins。　〃I　footed　it　in　a　ways；　an'　slept　last　night　in　the　sage。　I　went　to　the　place　you　told　me　you　'moss　always　slept；　but　didn't　strike　you。〃

〃I　moved　up　some；　near　the　spring；　an'　now　I　go　there　nights。〃

〃Judkinsthe　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。　But　it's　begun　aginthet　flashin'　of　lights　over　ridge　tips；　an'　queer　puffin'　of　smoke；　en'　then　at　night　strange　whistles　en'　noises。　But　the　herd's　acted　magnificent。　An'　my　boys；　say；　Miss　Withersteen；　they're　only　kids；　but　I　ask　no　better　riders。　I　got　the　laugh　in　the　village　fer　takin'　them　out。　They're　a　wild　lot；　an'　you　know　boys　hev　more　nerve　than　grown　men；　because　they　don't　know　what　danger　is。

〃I'm　not　denyin'　there's　danger。　But　they　glory　in　it；　an'　mebbe　I　like　it　myselfanyway；　we'll　stick。　We're　goin'　to　drive　the　herd　on　the　far　side　of　the　first　break　of　Deception　Pass。　There's　a　great　round　valley　over　there；　an'　no　ridges　or　piles　of　rocks　to　aid　these　stampeders。　The　rains　are　due。　We'll　hev　plenty　of　water　fer　a　while。　An'　we　can　hold　thet　herd　from　anybody　except　Oldrin'。　I　come　in　fer　supplies。　I'll　pack　a　couple　of　burros　an'　drive　out　after　dark　to…night。〃

〃Judkins；　take　what　you　want　from　the　store…room。　Lassiter　will　help　you。　II　can't　thank　you　enough。。。butwait。〃

Jane　went　to　the　room　that　had　once　been　her　father's；　and　from　a　secret　chamber　in　the　thick　stone　wall　she　took　a　bag　of　gold；　and；　carrying　it　back　to　the　court；　she　gave　it　to　the　rider。

〃There；　Judkins；　and　understand　that　I　regard　it　as　little　for　your　loyalty。　Give　what　is　fair　to　your　boys；　and　keep　the　rest。　Hide　it。　Perhaps　that　would　be　wisest。〃

〃Oh。。。Miss　Withersteen！〃　ejaculated　the　rider。　〃I　couldn't　earn　so　much　inin　ten　years。　It's　not　rightI　oughtn't　take　it。〃

〃Judkins；　you　know　I'm　a　rich　woman。　I　tell　you　I've　few　faithful　friends。　I've　fallen　upon　evil　days。　God　only　knows　what　will　become　of　me　and　mine！　So　take　the　gold。〃

She　smiled　in　understanding　of　his　speechless　gratitude；　and　left　him　with　Lassiter。　Presently　she　heard　him　speaking　low　at　first；　then　in　louder　accents　emphasized　by　the　thumping　of　his　rifle　on　the　stones。

〃As　infernal　a　job　as　even　you；　Lassiter；　ever　heerd　of。〃

〃Why；　son；〃　was　Lassiter's　reply；　〃this　breakin'　of　Miss　Withersteen　may　seem　bad　to　you；　but　it　ain't　badyet。　Some　of　these　wall…eyed　fellers　who　look　jest　as　if　they　was　walkin'　in　the　shadow　of　Christ　himself；　right　down　the　sunny　road；　now　they　can　think　of　things　en'　do　things　that　are　really　hell…bent。〃

Jane　covered　her　ears　and　ran　to　her　own　room；　and　there　like　caged　lioness　she　paced　to　and　fro　till　the　coming　of　little　Fay　reversed　her　dark　thoughts。

The　following　day；　a　warm　and　muggy　one　threatening　rain　awhile　Jane　was　resting　in　the　court；　a　horseman　clattered　through　he　grove　and　up　to　the　hitching…rack。　He　leaped　off　and　approached　Jane　with　the　manner　of　a　man　determined　to　execute　difficult　mission；　yet　fearful　of　its　reception。　In　the　gaunt；　wiry　figure　and　the　lean；　brown　face　Jane　recognized　one　of　her　Mormon　riders；　Blake。　It　was　he　of　whom　Judkins　had　long　since　spoken。　Of　all　the　riders　ever　in　her　employ　Blake　owed　her　the　most；　and　as　he　stepped　before　her；　removing　his　hat　and　making　manly　efforts　to　subdue　his　emotion；　he　showed　that　he　remembered。

〃Miss　Withersteen；　mother's　dead；〃　he　said。

〃OhBlake！〃　exclaimed　Jane；　and　she　could　say　no　more。

〃She　died　free　from　pain　in　the　end；　and　she's　buriedresting　at　last；　thank　God！。。。I've　come　to　ride　for　you　again；　if　you'll　have　me。　Don't　think　I　mentioned　mother　to　get　your　sympathy。　When　she　was　living　and　your　riders　quit；　I　had　to　also。　I　was　afraid　of　what　might　be　done…　…said　to　her。。。。Miss　Withersteen；　we　can't　talk　ofof　what's　going　on　now〃

〃Blake；　do　you　know？〃

〃I　know　a　great　deal。　You　understand；　my　lips　are　shut。　But　without　explanation　or　excuse　I　offer　my　services。　I'm　a　MormonI　hope　a　good　one。　Butthere　are　some　things！。。。It's　no　use；　Miss　Withersteen；　I　can't　say　any　morewhat　I'd　like　to。　But　will　you　take　me　back？〃

〃Blake！。。。You　know　what　it　means？〃

〃I　don't　care。　I'm　sick　ofofI'll　show　you　a　Mormon　who'll　be　true　to　you！〃

〃But；　Blakehow　terribly　you　might　suffer　for　that！〃

〃Maybe。　Aren't　you　suffering　now？〃

〃God　knows　indeed　I　am！〃

〃Miss　Withersteen；　it's　a　liberty　on　my　part　to　speak　so；　but　I　know　you　pretty　wellknow　you'll　never　give　in。　I　wouldn't　if　I　were　you。　And　II　mustSomething　makes　me　tell　you　the　worst　is　yet　to　come。　That's　all。　I　absolutely　can't　say　more。　Will　you　take　me　backlet　me　ride　for　youshow　everybody　what　I　mean？〃

〃Blake；　it　makes　me　happy　to　hear　you。　How　my　riders　hurt　me　when　they　quit！〃　Jane　felt　the　hot　tears　well　to　her　eyes　and　splash　down　upon　her　hands。　〃I　thought　so　much　of　themtried　so　hard　to　be　good　to　them。　And　not　one　was　true。　You've　made　it　easy　to　forgive。　Perhaps　many　of　them　really　feel　as　you　do；　but　dare　not　return　to　me。　Still；　Blake；　I　hesitate　to　take　you　back。　Yet　I　want　you　so　much。〃

〃Do　it；　then。　If　you're　going　to　make　your　life　a　lesson　to　Mormon　women；　let　me　make　mine　a　lesson　to　the　men。　Right　is　right。　I　believe　in　you；　and　here's　my　life　to　prove　it。〃

〃You　hint　it　may　mean　your　life！〃　said　Jane；　breathless　and　low。

〃We　won't　speak　of　that。　I　want　to　come　back。　I　want　to　do　what　every　rider　aches　in　his　secret　heart　to　do　for　you。。。。Miss　Withersteen；　I　hoped　it'd　not　be　necessary　to　tell　you　that　my　mother　on　her　deathbed　told　me　to　have　courage。　She　knew　how　the　thing　galled　meshe　told　me　to　come　back。。。。Will　you　take　me？〃

〃God　bless　you；　Blake！　Yes；　I'll　take　you　back。　And　will　youwill　you　accept　gold　from　me？〃

〃Miss　Withersteen！〃

〃I　just　gave　Judkins　a　bag　of　gold。　I'll　give　you　one。　If　you　will　not　take　it　you　must　not　come　back。　You　might　ride　for　me　a　few　months　weeksdays　till　the　storm　breaks。　Then　you'd　have　nothing；　and　be　in　disgrace　with　your　people。　We'll　forearm　you　against　p