the man of the forest-第37章

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got　to　be　honest　with　yourself。　　Did　that　act　of　his　win　or
lose　you？　　In　other　words；　do　you　love　him　or　not？〃

Bo　hid　her　face。

〃Oh；　Nell！　　it　made　me　see　how　I　loved　him　　and　that　made
me　so　　so　sick　I　hated　him。　。　。　。　　But　now　　the　hate　is
all　gone。〃



CHAPTER　XVII

When　spring　came　at　last　and　the　willows　drooped　green　and
fresh　over　the　brook　and　the　range　rang　with　bray　of　burro
and　whistle　of　stallion；　old　Al　Auchincloss　had　been　a　month
in　his　grave。

To　Helen　it　seemed　longer。　　The　month　had　been　crowded　with
work；　events；　and　growing；　more　hopeful　duties；　so　that　it
contained　a　world　of　living。　　The　uncle　had　not　been
forgotten；　but　the　innumerable　restrictions　to　development
and　progress　were　no　longer　manifest。　　Beasley　had　not
presented　himself　or　any　claim　upon　Helen；　and　she；
gathering　confidence　day　by　day；　began　to　believe　all　that
purport　of　trouble　had　been　exaggerated。

In　this　time　she　had　come　to　love　her　work　and　all　that
pertained　to　it。　　The　estate　was　large。　　She　had　no　accurate
knowledge　of　how　many　acres　she　owned；　but　it　was　more　than
two　thousand。　　The　fine；　old；　rambling　ranch…house；　set　like
a　fort　on　the　last　of　the　foot…hills；　corrals　and　fields　and
barns　and　meadows；　and　the　rolling　green　range　beyond；　and
innumerable　sheep；　horses；　cattle　　all　these　belonged　to
Helen；　to　her　ever…wondering　realization　and　ever…growing
joy。　　Still；　she　was　afraid　to　let　herself　go　and　be
perfectly　happy。　　Always　there　was　the　fear　that　had　been　too
deep　and　strong　to　forget　so　soon。

This　bright；　fresh　morning；　in　March；　Helen　came　out　upon
the　porch　to　revel　a　little　in　the　warmth　of　sunshine　and
the　crisp；　pine…scented　wind　that　swept　down　from　the
mountains。　　There　was　never　a　morning　that　she　did　not　gaze
mountainward；　trying　to　see；　with　a　folly　she　realized；　if
the　snow　had　melted　more　perceptibly　away　on　the　bold　white
ridge。　　For　all　she　could　see　it　had　not　melted　an　inch；　and
she　would　not　confess　why　she　sighed。　　The　desert　had　become
green　and　fresh；　stretching　away　there　far　below　her　range；
growing　dark　and　purple　in　the　distance　with　vague　buttes
rising。　　The　air　was　full　of　sound　　notes　of　blackbirds　and
the　baas　of　sheep；　and　blasts　from　the　corrals；　and　the
clatter　of　light　hoofs　on　the　court　below。

Bo　was　riding　in　from　the　stables。　　Helen　loved　to　watch　her
on　one　of　those　fiery　little　mustangs；　but　the　sight　was
likewise　given　to　rousing　apprehensions。　　This　morning　Bo
appeared　particularly　bent　on　frightening　Helen。　　Down　the
lane　Carmichael　appeared；　waving　his　arms；　and　Helen　at　once
connected　him　with　Bo's　manifest　desire　to　fly　away　from
that　particular　place。　　Since　that　day；　a　month　back；　when　Bo
had　confessed　her　love　for　Carmichael；　she　and　Helen　had　not
spoken　of　it　or　of　the　cowboy。　　The　boy　and　girl　were　still
at　odds。　　But　this　did　not　worry　Helen。　　Bo　had　changed　much
for　the　better；　especially　in　that　she　devoted　herself　to
Helen　and　to　her　work。　　Helen　knew　that　all　would　turn　out
well　in　the　end；　and　so　she　had　been　careful　of　her　rather
precarious　position　between　these　two　young　firebrands。

Bo　reined　in　the　mustang　at　the　porch　steps。　　She　wore　a
buckskin　riding…suit　which　she　had　made　herself；　and　its
soft　gray　with　the　touches　of　red　beads　was　mightily
becoming　to　her。　　Then　she　had　grown　considerably　during　the
winter　and　now　looked　too　flashing　and　pretty　to　resemble　a
boy；　yet　singularly　healthy　and　strong　and　lithe。　　Red　spots
shone　in　her　cheeks　and　her　eyes　held　that　ever…dangerous
blaze。

〃Nell；　did　you　give　me　away　to　that　cowboy？〃　she　demanded。

〃Give　you　away！〃　exclaimed　Helen；　blankly。

〃Yes。　　You　know　I　told　you　　awhile　back　　that　I　was
wildly　in　love　with　him。　　Did　you　give　me　away　　tell　on　me？
〃

She　might　have　been　furious；　but　she　certainly　was　not
confused。

〃Why；　Bo！　　How　could　you？　　No。　　I　did　not；〃　replied　Helen。

〃Never　gave　him　a　hint？〃

〃Not　even　a　hint。　　You　have　my　word　for　that。　　Why？　　What's
happened？〃

〃He　makes　me　sick。〃

Bo　would　not　say　any　more；　owing　to　the　near　approach　of　the
cowboy。

〃Mawnin'；　Miss　Nell；〃　he　drawled。　　〃I　was　just　tellin'　this
here　Miss　Bo…Peep　Rayner　〃

〃Don't　call　me　that！〃　broke　in　Bo；　with　fire　in　her　voice。

〃Wal；　I　was　just　tellin'　her　thet　she　wasn't　goin'　off　on
any　more　of　them　long　rides。　　Honest　now；　Miss　Nell；　it　ain't
safe；　an'　〃

〃You're　not　my　boss；〃　retorted　Bo。

〃Indeed；　sister；　I　agree　with　him。　　You　won't　obey　me。〃

〃Reckon　some　one's　got　to　be　your　boss；〃　drawled　Carmichael。
〃Shore　I　ain't　hankerin'　for　the　job。　　You　could　ride　to
Kingdom　Come　or　off　among　the　Apaches　　or　over　here　a
ways〃　　at　this　he　grinned　knowingly　　〃or　anywheres；　for
all　I　cared。　　But　I'm　workin'　for　Miss　Nell；　an'　she's　boss。
An'　if　she　says　you're　not　to　take　them　rides　　you　won't。
Savvy　that；　miss？〃

It　was　a　treat　for　Helen　to　see　Bo　look　at　the　cowboy。

〃Mis…ter　Carmichael；　may　I　ask　how　you　are　going　to　prevent
me　from　riding　where　I　like？〃

〃Wal；　if　you're　goin'　worse　locoed　this　way　I'll　keep　you
off'n　a　hoss　if　I　have　to　rope　you　an'　tie　you　up。　　By　golly；
I　will！〃

His　dry　humor　was　gone　and　manifestly　he　meant　what　he　said。

〃Wal；〃　she　drawled　it　very　softly　and　sweetly；　but
venomously；　〃if　　you　　ever　　touch　　me　again！〃

At　this　he　flushed；　then　made　a　quick；　passionate　gesture
with　his　hand；　expressive　of　heat　and　shame。

〃You　an'　me　will　never　get　along；〃　he　said；　with　a　dignity
full　of　pathos。　　〃I　seen　thet　a　month　back　when　you　changed
sudden…like　to　me。　　But　nothin'　I　say　to　you　has　any
reckonin'　of　mine。　　I'm　talkin'　for　your　sister。　　It's　for　her
sake。　　An'　your　own。　。　。　。　　I　never　told　her　an'　I　never　told
you　thet　I've　seen　Riggs　sneakin'　after　you　twice　on　them
desert　rides。　　Wal；　I　tell　you　now。〃

The　intelligence　apparently　had　not　the　slightest　effect　on
Bo。　　But　Helen　was　astonished　and　alarmed。

〃Riggs！　　Oh；　Bo；　I've　seen　him　myself　　riding　around。　　He
does　not　mean　well。　　You　must　be　careful。〃

〃If　I　ketch　him　again；〃　went　on　Carmichael；　with　his　mouth
lining　hard；　〃I'm　goin'　after　him。〃

He　gave　her　a　cool；　intent；　piercing　look；　then　he　dropped
his　head　and　turned　away；　to　stride　back　toward　the　corrals。

Helen　could　make　little　of　the　manner　in　which　her　sister
watched　the　cowboy　pass　out　of　sight。

〃A　month　back　　when　I　changed　sudden…like；〃　mused　Bo。　　〃I
wonder　what　he　meant　by　that。　。　。　。　　Nell；　did　I　change　
right　after　the　talk　you　had　with　me　　about　him？〃

〃Indeed　you　did；　Bo；〃　replied　Helen。　　〃But　it　was　for　the
better。　　Only　he　can't　see　it。　　How　proud　and　sensitive　he　is！
You　wouldn't　guess　it　at　first。　　Bo；　your　reserve　has　wounded
him　more　than　your　flirting。　　He　thinks　it's　indifference。〃

〃Maybe　that　'll　be　good　for　him；〃　declared　Bo。　　〃Does　he
expect　me　to　fall　on　his　neck？　　He's　that　thick…headed！　　Why；
he's　the　locoed　one；　not　me。〃

〃I'd　like　to　ask　you；　Bo；　if　you've　seen　how　he　has
changed？〃　queried　Helen；　earnestly。　　〃He's　older。　　He's
worried。　　Either　his　heart　is　breaking　for　you　or　else　he
fears　trouble　for　us。　　I　fear　it's　both。　　How　he　watches　you！
Bo；　he　knows　all　you　do　　where　you　go。　　That　about　Riggs
sickens　me。〃

〃If　Riggs　follows　me　and　tries　any　of　his　four…flush
desperado　games　he'll　have　his　hands　full；〃　said　Bo；　grimly。
〃And　that　without　my　cowboy　protector！　　But　I　just　wish　Riggs
would　do　something。　　Then　we'll　see　what　Las　Vegas　Tom
Carmichael　cares。　　Then　we'll　see！〃

Bo　bit　out　the　last　words　passionately　and　jealously；　then
she　lifted　her　bridle　to　the　spirited　mustang；

〃Nell；　don't　you　fear　for　me；〃　she　said。　　〃I　can　take　care　of
myself。〃

Helen　watched　her　ride　away；　all　but　willing　to　confess　that
there　might　be　truth　in　what　Bo　said。　　Then　Helen　went　about
her　work；　which　consisted　of　routine　duties　as　well　as　an
earnest　study　to　familiarize　herself　with　continually　new
and　complex　conditions　of　ranch　life。　　Every　day　brought　new
problems。　　She　made　notes　of　all　that　she　observed；　and　all
that　was　told　her；　which　habit　she　had　found；　after　a　few
weeks　of　trial；　was　going　to　be　exceedingly　valuable　to　her。
She　did　not　intend　always　to　be　dependent　upon　the　knowledge
of　hired　men；　however　faithful　some　of　them　might　be。

This　morning　on　her　rounds　she　had　expected　developments；　of
some　kind；　owing　to　the　presence　of　Roy　Beeman　and　two　of
his　brothers；　who　had　arrived　yesterday。　　And　she　was　to
discover　that　Jeff　Mulvey；　accompanied　by　six　of　his
co…workers　and　associates；　had　deserted　her　without　a　word
or　even　sending　for　their　pay。　　Carmichael　had　predicted
this。　　Helen　had　half　doubted。　　It　was　a　relief　now　to　be
confronted　with　facts；　however　disturbing。　　She　had　fortified
herself　to　withstand　a　great　deal　more　trouble　than　had
happened。　　At　the　gateway　of　the　main　corral；　a　huge
inclosure　fenced　high　with　peeled　logs；　she　met　Roy　Beeman；
lasso　in　hand；　the　same　tall；　lean；　limping　figure　she
remembered　so　well。　　Sight　of　him　gave　her　an　inexplicable
thrill　　a　flashing　memory　of　an　unforgettable　night　ride。
Roy　was　to　have　charge　of　the　horses　on　the　ranch；　of　which
there　were　several　hundred；　not　counting　many　lost　on　range
and　mountain；　or　the　unbranded　colts。

Roy　took　off　his　sombrero　and　greeted　her。　　This　Mormon　had　a
courtesy　for　women　that　spoke　well　for　him。　　Helen　wished　she
had　more　employees　like　him。

〃It's　jest　as　Las　Vegas　told　us　it　'd　be；〃　he　said；
regretfully。　　〃Mulvey　an'　his　pards　lit　out　this　mornin'。　　I'm
sorry；　Miss　Helen。　　Reckon　thet's　all　because　I　come　over。〃

〃I　heard　the　news；〃　replied　Helen。　　〃You　needn't　be　sorry；
Roy；　for　I'm　not。　　I'm　glad。　　I　want　to　know　whom　I　can
trust。〃

〃Las　Vegas　says　we're　shore　in　for　it　now。〃

〃Roy；　what　do　you　think？〃

〃I　reckon　so。　　Still；　Las　Vegas　is　powerful　cross　these　days
an'　always　lookin'　on　the　dark　side。　　With　us　boys；　now；　it's
sufficient　unto　the　day　is　the　evil　thereof。　　But；　Miss
Helen；　if　Beasley　forces　the　deal　there　will　be　serious
trouble。　　I've　seen　thet　happen。　　Four　or　five　years　ago
Beasley　rode　some　greasers　off　their　farms　an'　no　one　ever
knowed　if　he　had　a　just　claim。〃

〃Beasley　has　no　claim　on　my　property。　　My　uncle　solemnly
swore　that　on　his　death…bed。　　And　I　find　nothing　in　his　books
or　papers　of　those　years　when　he　employed　Beasley。　　In　fact；
Beasley　was　never　uncle's　partner。　　The　truth　is　that　my
uncle　took　Beasley　up　when　he　was　a　poor；　homeless　boy。〃

〃So　my　old　dad　says；〃　replied　Roy。　　〃But　what's　right　don't
always　prevail　in　these　parts。〃

〃Roy；　you're　the　keenest　man　I've　met　since　I　came　West。
Tell　me　what　you　think　will　happen。〃

Beeman　appeared　flattered；　but　be　hesitated　to　reply。　　Helen
had　long　been　aware　of　the　reticence　of　these　outdoor　men。

〃I　reckon　you　mean　cause　an'　effect；　as　Milt　Dale　would
say；〃　responded　Roy；　thoughtfully。

〃Yes。　　If　Beasley　attempts　to　force　me　off　my　ranch　what　will
happen？〃

Roy　looked　up　and　met　her　gaze。　　Helen　remembered　that
singular　stillness；　intentness　of　his　face。

〃Wal；　if　Dale　an'　John　get　here　in　time　I　reckon　we　can
bluff　thet　Beasley　outfit。〃

〃You　mean　my　friends　　my　men　would　confront　Beasley　
refuse　his　demands　　and　if　necessary　fight　him　off？〃