riders of the purple sage-第35章

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s　loyal　friend；　Jane　Withersteen。

But；　he　kept　continually　recalling；　when　he　had　stood　once　more　face　to　face　with　her　and　had　been　shocked　at　the　change　in　her　and　had　heard　the　details　of　her　adversity；　he　had　not　had　the　heart　to　tell　her　of　the　closer　interest　which　had　entered　his　life。　He　had　not　lied；　yet　he　had　kept　silence。

Bess　was　in　transports　over　the　stores　of　supplies　and　the　outfit　he　had　packed　from　Cottonwoods。　He　had　certainly　brought　a　hundred　times　more　than　he　had　gone　for；　enough；　surely；　for　years；　perhaps　to　make　permanent　home　in　the　valley。　He　saw　no　reason　why　he　need　ever　leave　there　again。

After　a　day　of　rest　he　recovered　his　strength　and　shared　Bess's　pleasure　in　rummaging　over　the　endless　packs；　and　began　to　plan　for　the　future。　And　in　this　planning；　his　trip　to　Cottonwoods；　with　its　revived　hate　of　Tull　and　consequent　unleashing　of　fierce　passions；　soon　faded　out　of　mind。　By　slower　degrees　his　friendship　for　Jane　Withersteen　and　his　contrition　drifted　from　the　active　preoccupation　of　his　present　thought　to　a　place　in　memory；　with　more　and　more　infrequent　recalls。

And　as　far　as　the　state　of　his　mind　was　concerned；　upon　the　second　day　after　his　return；　the　valley；　with　its　golden　hues　and　purple　shades；　the　speaking　west　wind　and　the　cool；　silent　night；　and　Bess's　watching　eyes　with　their　wonderful　light；　so　wrought　upon　Venters　that　he　might　never　have　left　them　at　all。

That　very　afternoon　he　set　to　work。　Only　one　thing　hindered　him　upon　beginning；　though　it　in　no　wise　checked　his　delight；　and　that　in　the　multiplicity　of　tasks　planned　to　make　a　paradise　out　of　the　valley　he　could　not　choose　the　one　with　which　to　begin。　He　had　to　grow　into　the　habit　of　passing　from　one　dreamy　pleasure　to　another；　like　a　bee　going　from　flower　to　flower　in　the　valley；　and　he　found　this　wandering　habit　likely　to　extend　to　his　labors。　Nevertheless；　he　made　a　start。

At　the　outset　he　discovered　Bess　to　be　both　a　considerable　help　in　some　ways　and　a　very　great　hindrance　in　others。　Her　excitement　and　joy　were　spurs；　inspirations；　but　she　was　utterly　impracticable　in　her　ideas；　and　she　flitted　from　one　plan　to　another　with　bewildering　vacillation。　Moreover；　he　fancied　that　she　grew　more　eager；　youthful；　and　sweet；　and　he　marked　that　it　was　far　easier　to　watch　her　and　listen　to　her　than　it　was　to　work。　Therefore　he　gave　her　tasks　that　necessitated　her　going　often　to　the　cave　where　he　had　stored　his　packs。

Upon　the　last　of　these　trips；　when　he　was　some　distance　down　the　terrace　and　out　of　sight　of　camp；　he　heard　a　scream；　and　then　the　sharp　barking　of　the　dogs。

For　an　instant　he　straightened　up；　amazed。　Danger　for　her　had　been　absolutely　out　of　his　mind。　She　had　seen　a　rattlesnakeor　a　wildcat。　Still　she　would　not　have　been　likely　to　scream　at　sight　of　either；　and　the　barking　of　the　dogs　was　ominous。　Dropping　his　work；　he　dashed　back　along　the　terrace。　Upon　breaking　through　a　clump　of　aspens　he　saw　the　dark　form　of　a　man　in　the　camp。　Cold；　then　hot；　Venters　burst　into　frenzied　speed　to　reach　his　guns。　He　was　cursing　himself　for　a　thoughtless　fool　when　the　man's　tall　form　became　familiar　and　he　recognized　Lassiter。　Then　the　reversal　of　emotions　changed　his　run　to　a　walk；　he　tried　to　call　out；　but　his　voice　refused　to　carry；　when　he　reached　camp　there　was　Lassiter　staring　at　the　white…faced　girl。　By　that　time　Ring　and　Whitie　had　recognized　him。

〃Hello；　Venters！　I'm　makin'　you　a　visit；〃　said　Lassiter；　slowly。　〃An'　I'm　some　surprised　to　see　you've　aa　young　feller　for　company。〃

One　glance　had　sufficed　for　the　keen　rider　to　read　Bess's　real　sex；　and　for　once　his　cool　calm　had　deserted　him。　He　stared　till　the　white　of　Bess's　cheeks　flared　into　crimson。　That；　if　it　were　needed；　was　the　concluding　evidence　of　her　femininity；　for　it　went　fittingly　with　her　sun…tinted　hair　and　darkened；　dilated　eyes；　the　sweetness　of　her　mouth；　and　the　striking　symmetry　of　her　slender　shape。

〃Heavens！　Lassiter！〃　panted　Venters；　when　he　caught　his　breath。　〃What　reliefit's　only　you！　Howin　the　name　of　all　that's　wonderfuldid　you　ever　get　here？〃

〃I　trailed　you。　WeI　wanted　to　know　where　you　was；　if　you　had　a　safe　place。　So　I　trailed　you。〃

〃Trailed　me；〃　cried　Venters；　bluntly。

〃I　reckon。　It　was　some　of　a　job　after　I　got　to　them　smooth　rocks。　I　was　all　day　trackin'　you　up　to　them　little　cut　steps　in　the　rock。　The　rest　was　easy。〃

〃Where's　your　hoss？　I　hope　you　hid　him。〃

〃I　tied　him　in　them　queer　cedars　down　on　the　slope。　He　can't　be　seen　from　the　valley。〃

〃That's　good。　Well；　well！　I'm　completely　dumfounded。　It　was　my　idea　that　no　man　could　track　me　in　here。〃

〃I　reckon。　But　if　there's　a　tracker　in　these　uplands　as　good　as　me　he　can　find　you。〃

〃That's　bad。　That'll　worry　me。　But；　Lassiter；　now　you're　here　I'm　glad　to　see　you。　Andand　my　companion　here　is　not　a　young　fellow！。。。Bess；　this　is　a　friend　of　mine。　He　saved　my　life　once。〃

The　embarrassment　of　the　moment　did　not　extend　to　Lassiter。　Almost　at　once　his　manner；　as　he　shook　hands　with　Bess；　relieved　Venters　and　put　the　girl　at　ease。　After　Venters's　words　and　one　quick　look　at　Lassiter；　her　agitation　stilled；　and；　though　she　was　shy；　if　she　were　conscious　of　anything　out　of　the　ordinary　in　the　situation；　certainly　she　did　not　show　it。

〃I　reckon　I'll　only　stay　a　little　while；〃　Lassiter　was　saying。　〃An'　if　you　don't　mind　troublin'；　I'm　hungry。　I　fetched　some　biscuits　along；　but　they're　gone。　Venters；　this　place　is　sure　the　wonderfullest　ever　seen。　Them　cut　steps　on　the　slope！　That　outlet　into　the　gorge！　An'　it's　like　climbin'　up　through　hell　into　heaven　to　climb　through　that　gorge　into　this　valley！　There's　a　queer…lookin'　rock　at　the　top　of　the　passage。　I　didn't　have　time　to　stop。　I'm　wonderin'　how　you　ever　found　this　place。　It's　sure　interestin'。〃

During　the　preparation　and　eating　of　dinner　Lassiter　listened　mostly；　as　was　his　wont；　and　occasionally　he　spoke　in　his　quaint　and　dry　way。　Venters　noted；　however；　that　the　rider　showed　an　increasing　interest　in　Bess。　He　asked　her　no　questions；　and　only　directed　his　attention　to　her　while　she　was　occupied　and　had　no　opportunity　to　observe　his　scrutiny。　It　seemed　to　Venters　that　Lassiter　grew　more　and　more　absorbed　in　his　study　of　Bess；　and　that　he　lost　his　coolness　in　some　strange；　softening　sympathy。　Then；　quite　abruptly；　he　arose　and　announced　the　necessity　for　his　early　departure。　He　said　good…by　to　Bess　in　a　voice　gentle　and　somewhat　broken；　and　turned　hurriedly　away。　Venters　accompanied　him；　and　they　had　traversed　the　terrace；　climbed　the　weathered　slope；　and　passed　under　the　stone　bridge　before　either　spoke　again。

Then　Lassiter　put　a　great　hand　on　Venters's　shoulder　and　wheeled　him　to　meet　a　smoldering　fire　of　gray　eyes。

〃Lassiter；　I　couldn't　tell　Jane！　I　couldn't；〃　burst　out　Venters；　reading　his　friend's　mind。　〃I　tried。　But　I　couldn't。　She　wouldn't　understand；　and　she　has　troubles　enough。　And　I　love　the　girl！〃

〃Venters；　I　reckon　this　beats　me。　I've　seen　some　queer　things　in　my　time；　too。　This　girlwho　is　she？〃

〃I　don't　know。〃

〃Don't　know！　What　is　she；　then？〃

〃I　don't　know　that；　either。　Oh；　it's　the　strangest　story　you　ever　heard。　I　must　tell　you。　But　you'll　never　believe。〃

〃Venters；　women　were　always　puzzles　to　me。　But　for　all　that；　if　this　girl　ain't　a　child；　an'　as　innocent；　I'm　no　fit　person　to　think　of　virtue　an'　goodness　in　anybody。　Are　you　goin'　to　be　square　with　her？〃

〃I　amso　help　me　God！〃

〃I　reckoned　so。　Mebbe　my　temper　oughtn't　led　me　to　make　sure。　But；　man；　she's　a　woman　in　all　but　years。　She's　sweeter　'n　the　sage。〃

〃Lassiter；　I　know；　I　know。　And　the　hell　of　it　is　that　in　spite　of　her　innocence　and　charm　she'sshe's　not　what　she　seems！〃

〃I　wouldn't　want　toof　course；　I　couldn't　call　you　a　liar；　Venters；〃　said　the　older　man。

〃What's　more；　she　was　Oldring's　Masked　Rider！〃

Venters　expected　to　floor　his　friend　with　that　statement；　but　he　was　not　in　any　way　prepared　for　the　shock　his　words　gave。　For　an　instant　he　was　astounded　to　see　Lassiter　stunned；　then　his　own　passionate　eagerness　to　unbosom　himself；　to　tell　the　wonderful　story；　precluded　any　other　thought。

〃Son；　tell　me　all　about　this；〃　presently　said　Lassiter　as　he　seated　himself　on　a　stone　and　wiped　his　moist　brow。

Thereupon　Venters　began　his　narrative　at　the　point　where　he　had　shot　the　rustler　and　Oldring's　Masked　Rider；　and　he　rushed　through　it；　telling　all；　not　holding　back　even　Bess's　unreserved　avowal　of　her　love　or　his　deepest　emotions。

〃That's　the　story；〃　he　said；　concluding。　〃I　love　her；　though　I've　never　told　her。　If　I　did　tell　her　I'd　be　ready　to　marry　her；　and　that　seems　impossible　in　this　country。　I'd　be　afraid　to　risk　taking　her　anywhere。　So　I　intend　to　do　the　best　I　can　for　her　here。〃

〃The　longer　I　live　the　stranger　life　is；〃　mused　Lassiter；　with　downcast　eyes。　〃I'm　reminded　of　somethin'　you　once　said　to　Jane　about　hands　in　her　game　of　life。　There's　that　unseen　hand　of　power；　an'　Tull's　black　hand；　an'　my　red　one；　an'　your　indifferent　one；　an'　the　girl's　little　brown；　helpless　one。　An'；　Venters　there's　another　one　that's　all…wise　an'　all…wonderful。　That's　the　hand　guidin'　Jane　Withersteen's　game　of　life！。。。Your　story's　one　to　daze　a　far　clearer　head　than　mine。　I　can't　offer　no　advice；　even　if　you　asked　for　it。　Mebbe　I　can　help　you。　Anyway；　I'll　hold　Oldrin'　up　when　he　comes　to　the　village　an'　find　out　about　this　girl。　I　knew　the　rustler　years　ago。　He'll　remember　me。〃

〃Lassiter；　if　I　ever　meet　Oldring　I'll　kill　him！〃　cried　Venters；　with　sudden　intensity。

〃I　reckon　that'd　be　perfectly　natural；〃　replied　the　rider。

〃Make　him　think　Bess　is　deadas　she　is　to　him　and　that　old　life。〃

〃Sure；　sure；　son。　Cool　down　now。　If　you're　goin'　to　begin　pullin'　guns　on　Tull　an'　Oldin'　you　want　to　be　cool。　I　reckon；　though；　you'd　better　keep　hid　here。　Well；　I　must　be　leavin'。〃

〃One　thing；　Lassiter。　You'll　not　tell　Jane　about　Bess？　Please　don't！〃

〃I　reckon　not。　But　I　wouldn't　be　afraid　to　bet　that　after　she'd　got　over　anger　at　your　secrecyVenters；　she'd　be　furious　once　in　her　life！she'd　think　more　of　you。　I　don't　mind　sayin'　for　myself　that　I　think　you're　a　good　deal　of　a　man。〃

In　the　further　ascent　Venters　halted　several　times　with　the　intention　of　saying　good…by；　yet　he　changed　his　mind　and　kept　on　climbing　till　they　reached　Balancing　Rock。　Lassiter　examined　the　huge　rock；　listened　to　Venters's　idea　of　its　position　and　suggestion；　and　curiously　placed　a　strong　hand　upon　it。

〃Hold　on！〃　cried　Venters。　〃I　heaved　at　it　once　and　have　never　gotten　over　my　scare。〃

〃Well；　you　do　seem　uncommon　nervous；〃　replied　Lassiter；　much　amused。　〃Now；　as　for　me；　why　I　always　had　the　funniest　notion　to　roll　stones！　When　I　was　a　kid　I　did　it；　an'　the　bigger　I　got　the　bigger　stones　I'd　roll。　Ain't　that　funny？　Honesteven　now　I　often　get　off　my　hoss　just　to　tumble　a　big　stone　over　a　precipice；　en'　watch　it　drop；　en'　listen　to　it　bang　an'　boom。　I've　started　some　slides　in　my　time；　an'　don't　you　forget　it。　I　never　seen　a　rock　I　wanted　to　roll　as　bad　as　this　one！　Wouldn't　there　jest　be　roarin'；　crashin'　hell　down　that　trail？〃

〃You'd　close　the　outlet　forever！〃　exclaimed　Venters。　〃Well；　good…by；　Lassiter。　Keep　my　secret　and　don't　forget　me。　And　be　mighty　careful　how　you　get　out　of　the　valley　below。　The　rustlers'　can