riders of the purple sage-第48章

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f　Frank　Erne；　a　man　once　my　best　friend。　Look！　Here's　his　picture　beside　Milly's。　He　was　handsome；　an'　as　fine　an'　gallant　a　Southern　gentleman　as　I　ever　seen。　Frank　came　of　an　old　family。　You　come　of　the　best　of　blood；　lass；　and　blood　tells。〃

Bess　slipped　through　his　arm　to　her　knees　and　hugged　the　locket　to　her　bosom；　and　lifted　wonderful；　yearning　eyes。

〃Itcan'tbetrue！〃

〃Thank　God；　lass；　it　is　true；〃　replied　Lassiter。　〃Jane　an'　Bern　herethey　both　recognize　Milly。　They　see　Milly　in　you。　They're　so　knocked　out　they　can't　tell　you；　that's　all。〃

〃Who　are　you？〃　whispered　Bess。

〃I　reckon　I'm　Milly's　brother　an'　your　uncle！。。。Uncle　Jim！　Ain't　that　fine？〃

〃Oh；　I　can't　believeDon't　raise　me！　Bern；　let　me　kneel。　I　see　truth　in　your　facein　Miss　Withersteen's。　But　let　me　hear　it　allall　on　my　knees。　Tell　me　how　it's　true！〃

〃Well；　Elizabeth；　listen；〃　said　Lassiter。　〃Before　you　was　born　your　father　made　a　mortal　enemy　of　a　Mormon　named　Dyer。　They　was　both　ministers　an'　come　to　be　rivals。　Dyer　stole　your　mother　away　from　her　home。　She　gave　birth　to　you　in　Texas　eighteen　years　ago。　Then　she　was　taken　to　Utah；　from　place　to　place；　an'　finally　to　the　last　border　settlementCottonwoods。　You　was　about　three　years　old　when　you　was　taken　away　from　Milly。　She　never　knew　what　had　become　of　you。　But　she　lived　a　good　while　hopin'　and　prayin'　to　have　you　again。　Then　she　gave　up　an'　died。　An'　I　may　as　well　put　in　here　your　father　died　ten　years　ago。　Well；　I　spent　my　time　tracin'　Milly；　an'　some　months　back　I　landed　in　Cottonwoods。　An'　jest　lately　I　learned　all　about　you。　I　had　a　talk　with　Oldrin'　an'　told　him　you　was　dead；　an'　he　told　me　what　I　had　so　long　been　wantin'　to　know。　It　was　Dyer；　of　course；　who　stole　you　from　Milly。　Part　reason　he　was　sore　because　Milly　refused　to　give　you　Mormon　teachin'；　but　mostly　he　still　hated　Frank　Erne　so　infernally　that　he　made　a　deal　with　Oldrin'　to　take　you　an'　bring　you　up　as　an　infamous　rustler　an'　rustler's　girl。　The　idea　was　to　break　Frank　Erne's　heart　if　he　ever　came　to　Utahto　show　him　his　daughter　with　a　band　of　low　rustlers。　WellOldrin'　took　you；　brought　you　up　from　childhood；　an'　then　made　you　his　Masked　Rider。　He　made　you　infamous。　He　kept　that　part　of　the　contract；　but　he　learned　to　love　you　as　a　daughter　an'　never　let　any　but　his　own　men　know　you　was　a　girl。　I　heard　him　say　that　with　my　own　ears；　an'　I　saw　his　big　eyes　grow　dim。　He　told　me　how　he　had　guarded　you　always；　kept　you　locked　up　in　his　absence；　was　always　at　your　side　or　near　you　on　those　rides　that　made　you　famous　on　the　sage。　He　said　he　an'　an　old　rustler　whom　he　trusted　had　taught　you　how　to　read　an'　write。　They　selected　the　books　for　you。　Dyer　had　wanted　you　brought　up　the　vilest　of　the　vile！　An'　Oldrin'　brought　you　up　the　innocentest　of　the　innocent。　He　said　you　didn't　know　what　vileness　was。　I　can　hear　his　big　voice　tremble　now　as　he　said　it。　He　told　me　how　the　menrustlers　an'　outlawswho　from　time　to　time　tried　to　approach　you　familiarlyhe　told　me　how　he　shot　them　dead。　I'm　tellin'　you　this　'specially　because　you've　showed　such　shamesayin'　you　was　nameless　an'　all　that。　Nothin'　on　earth　can　be　wronger　than　that　idea　of　yours。　An'　the　truth　of　it　is　here。　Oldrin'　swore　to　me　that　if　Dyer　died；　releasin'　the　contract；　he　intended　to　hunt　up　your　father　an'　give　you　back　to　him。　It　seems　Oldrin'　wasn't　all　bad；　en'　he　sure　loved　you。〃

Venters　leaned　forward　in　passionate　remorse。

〃Oh；　Bess！　I　know　Lassiter　speaks　the　truth。　For　when　I　shot　Oldring　he　dropped　to　his　knees　and　fought　with　unearthly　power　to　speak。　And　he　said：　'Manwhydidn'tyouwait？　Bess　was'　Then　he　fell　dead。　And　I've　been　haunted　by　his　look　and　words。　Oh；　Bess；　what　a　strange；　splendid　thing　for　Oldring　to　do！　It　all　seems　impossible。　But；　dear；　you　really　are　not　what　you　thought。〃

〃Elizabeth　Erne！〃　cried　Jane　Withersteen。　〃I　loved　your　mother　and　I　see　her　in　you！〃

What　had　been　incredible　from　the　lips　of　men　became；　in　the　tone；　look；　and　gesture　of　a　woman；　a　wonderful　truth　for　Bess。　With　little　tremblings　of　all　her　slender　body　she　rocked　to　and　fro　on　her　knees。　The　yearning　wistfulness　of　her　eyes　changed　to　solemn　splendor　of　joy。　She　believed。　She　was　realizing　happiness。　And　as　the　process　of　thought　was　slow；　so　were　the　variations　of　her　expression。　Her　eyes　reflected　the　transformation　of　her　soul。　Dark；　brooding；　hopeless　beliefclouds　of　gloomdrifted；　paled；　vanished　in　glorious　light。　An　exquisite　rose　flusha　glowshone　from　her　face　as　she　slowly　began　to　rise　from　her　knees。　A　spirit　uplifted　her。　All　that　she　had　held　as　base　dropped　from　her。

Venters　watched　her　in　joy　too　deep　for　words。　By　it　he　divined　something　of　what　Lassiter's　revelation　meant　to　Bess；　but　he　knew　he　could　only　faintly　understand。　That　moment　when　she　seemed　to　be　lifted　by　some　spiritual　transfiguration　was　the　most　beautiful　moment　of　his　life。　She　stood　with　parted；　quivering　lips；　with　hands　tightly　clasping　the　locket　to　her　heaving　breast。　A　new　conscious　pride　of　worth　dignified　the　old　wild；　free　grace　and　poise。

〃Uncle　Jim！〃　she　said；　tremulously；　with　a　different　smile　from　any　Venters　had　ever　seen　on　her　face。

Lassiter　took　her　into　his　arms。

〃I　reckon。　It's　powerful　fine　to　hear　that；〃　replied　Lassiter；　unsteadily。

Venters；　feeling　his　eyes　grow　hot　and　wet；　turned　away；　and　found　himself　looking　at　Jane　Withersteen。　He　had　almost　forgotten　her　presence。　Tenderness　and　sympathy　were　fast　hiding　traces　of　her　agitation。　Venters　read　her　mindfelt　the　reaction　of　her　noble　heartsaw　the　joy　she　was　beginning　to　feel　at　the　happiness　of　others。　And　suddenly　blinded；　choked　by　his　emotions；　he　turned　from　her　also。　He　knew　what　she　would　do　presently；　she　would　make　some　magnificent　amend　for　her　anger；　she　would　give　some　manifestation　of　her　love；　probably　all　in　a　moment；　as　she　had　loved　Milly　Erne；　so　would　she　love　Elizabeth　Erne。

〃'Pears　to　me；　folks；　that　we'd　better　talk　a　little　serious　now；〃　remarked　Lassiter；　at　length。　〃Time　flies。〃

〃You're　right；〃　replied　Venters；　instantly。　〃I'd　forgotten　timeplace　danger。　Lassiter；　you're　riding　away。　Jane's　leaving　Withersteen　House？〃

〃Forever；〃　replied　Jane。

〃I　fired　Withersteen　House；〃　said　Lassiter。

〃Dyer？〃　questioned　Venters；　sharply。

〃I　reckon　where　Dyer's　gone　there　won't　be　any　kidnappin'　of　girls。〃

〃Ah！　I　knew　it。　I　told　JudkinsAnd　Tull？〃　went　on　Venters；　passionately。

〃Tull　wasn't　around　when　I　broke　loose。　By　now　he's　likely　on　our　trail　with　his　riders。〃

〃Lassiter；　you're　going　into　the　Pass　to　hide　till　all　this　storm　blows　over？〃

〃I　reckon　that's　Jane's　idea。　I'm　thinkin'　the　storm'll　be　a　powerful　long　time　blowin'　over。　I　was　comin'　to　join　you　in　Surprise　Valley。　You'll　go　back　now　with　me？〃

〃No。　I　want　to　take　Bess　out　of　Utah。　Lassiter；　Bess　found　gold　in　the　valley。　We've　a　saddle…bag　full　of　gold。　If　we　can　reach　Sterling〃

〃Man！　how're　you　ever　goin'　to　do　that？　Sterlin'　is　a　hundred　miles。〃

〃My　plan　is　to　ride　on；　keeping　sharp　lookout。　Somewhere　up　the　trail　we'll　take　to　the　sage　and　go　round　Cottonwoods　and　then　hit　the　trail　again。〃

〃It's　a　bad　plan。　You'll　kill　the　burros　in　two　days。〃

〃Then　we'll　walk。〃

〃That's　more　bad　an'　worse。　Better　go　back　down　the　Pass　with　me。〃

〃Lassiter；　this　girl　has　been　hidden　all　her　life　in　that　lonely　place；〃　went　on　Venters。　〃Oldring's　men　are　hunting　me。　We'd　not　be　safe　there　any　longer。　Even　if　we　would　be　I'd　take　this　chance　to　get　her　out。　I　want　to　marry　her。　She　shall　have　some　of　the　pleasures　of　lifesee　cities　and　people。　We've　goldwe'll　be　rich。　Why；　life　opens　sweet　for　both　of　us。　And；　by　Heaven！　I'll　get　her　out　or　lose　my　life　in　the　attempt！〃

〃I　reckon　if　you　go　on　with　them　burros　you'll　lose　your　life　all　right。　Tull　will　have　riders　all　over　this　sage。　You　can't　get　out　on　them　burros。　It's　a　fool　idea。　That's　not　doin'　best　by　the　girl。　Come　with　me　en'　take　chances　on　the　rustlers。〃

Lassiter's　cool　argument　made　Venters　waver；　not　in　determination　to　go；　but　in　hope　of　success。

〃Bess；　I　want　you　to　know。　Lassiter　says　the　trip's　almost　useless　now。　I'm　afraid　he's　right。　We've　got　about　one　chance　in　a　hundred　to　go　through。　Shall　we　take　it？　Shall　we　go　on？〃

〃We'll　go　on；〃　replied　Bess。

〃That　settles　it；　Lassiter。〃

Lassiter　spread　wide　his　hands；　as　if　to　signify　he　could　do　no　more；　and　his　face　clouded。

Venters　felt　a　touch　on　his　elbow。　Jane　stood　beside　him　with　a　hand　on　his　arm。　She　was　smiling。　Something　radiated　from　her；　and　like　an　electric　current　accelerated　the　motion　of　his　blood。

〃Bern；　you'd　be　right　to　die　rather　than　not　take　Elizabeth　out　of　Utahout　of　this　wild　country。　You　must　do　it。　You'll　show　her　the　great　world；　with　all　its　wonders。　Think　how　little　she　has　seen！　Think　what　delight　is　in　store　for　her！　You　have　gold；　You　will　be　free；　you　will　make　her　happy。　What　a　glorious　prospect！　I　share　it　with　you。　I'll　think　of　youdream　of　youpray　for　you。〃

〃Thank　you；　Jane；〃　replied　Venters；　trying　to　steady　his　voice。　〃It　does　look　bright。　Oh；　if　we　were　only　across　that　wide；　open　waste　of　sage！〃

〃Bern；　the　trip's　as　good　as　made。　It'll　be　safeeasy。　It'll　be　a　glorious　ride；〃　she　said；　softly。

Venters　stared。　Had　Jane's　troubles　made　her　insane？　Lassiter；　too；　acted　queerly；　all　at　once　beginning　to　turn　his　sombrero　round　in　hands　that　actually　shook。

〃You　are　a　rider。　She　is　a　rider。　This　will　be　the　ride　of　your　lives；〃　added　Jane；　in　that　same　soft　undertone；　almost　as　if　she　were　musing　to　herself。

〃Jane！〃　he　cried。

〃I　give　you　Black　Star　and　Night！〃

〃Black　Star　and　Night！〃　he　echoed。

〃It's　done。　Lassiter；　put　our　saddle…bags　on　the　burros。〃

Only　when　Lassiter　moved　swiftly　to　execute　her　bidding　did　Venters's　clogged　brain　grasp　at　literal　meanings。　He　leaped　to　catch　Lassiter's　busy　hands。

〃No；　no！　What　are　you　doing？〃　he　demanded；　in　a　kind　of　fury。　〃I　won't　take　her　racers。　What　do　you　think　I　am？　It'd　be　monstrous。　Lassiter！　stop　it；　I　say！。。。You've　got　her　to　save。　You've　miles　and　miles　to　go。　Tull　is　trailing　you。　There　are　rustlers　in　the　Pass。　Give　me　back　that　saddle…bag！〃

〃Soncool　down；〃　returned　Lassiter；　in　a　voice　he　might　have　used　to　a　child。　But　the　grip　with　which　he　tore　away　Venters's　grasping　hands　was　that　of　a　giant。　〃Listenyou　fool　boyl　Jane's　sized　up　the　situation。　The　burros'll　do　for　us。　Well　sneak　along　an'　hide。　I'll　take　your　dogs　an'　your　rifle。　Why；　it's　the　trick。　The　blacks　are　yours；　an'　sure　as　I　can　throw　a　gun　you're　goin'　to　ride　safe　out　of　the　sage。〃

〃Janestop　himplease　stop　him；〃　gasped　Venters。　〃I've　lost　my　strength。　I　can't　doanything。　This　is　hell　for　me！　Can't　you　see　that？　I've　ruined　youit　was　through　me　you　lost　all。　You've　only　Black　Star　and　Night　left。　You　love　these　horses。　Oh！　I　know　how　you　must　love　them　now！　Andyou're　trying　to　give　them　to　me。　To　help　me　out　of　Utah！　To　save　the　girl　I　love！〃

〃That　will　be　my　glory。〃

Then　in　the　white；　rapt　face；　in　the　unfathomable　eyes；　Venters　saw　Jane　Withersteen　in　a　supreme　moment。　This　moment　was　one　wherein　she　reached　up　to　the　height　for　which　her　noble　soul　had　ever　yearned。　He；　after　disrupting　the　calm　tenor　of　her　peace；　after　bringing　down　on　her　head　the　implacable　h