the man of the forest-第55章

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〃Four　greasers　　packed　me　down　　the　hill　　threw　me　off
my　ranch　　into　the　road！〃　panted　Helen。

She　seemed　to　tell　this　also　to　her　own　consciousness　and　to
realize　the　mighty　wave　of　danger　that　shook　her　whole　body。

〃If　I'd　known　　I　would　have　killed　them！〃

She　exclaimed　that；　full…voiced　and　hard；　with　dry；　hot　eyes
on　her　friends。　　Roy　reached　out　to　take　her　hand；　speaking
huskily。　　Helen　did　not　distinguish　what　he　said。　　The
frightened　old　woman　knelt；　with　unsteady　fingers　fumbling
over　the　rents　in　Helen's　dress。　　The　moment　came　when
Helen's　quivering　began　to　subside；　when　her　blood　quieted
to　let　her　reason　sway；　when　she　began　to　do　battle　with　her
rage；　and　slowly　to　take　fearful　stock　of　this　consuming
peril　that　had　been　a　sleeping　tigress　in　her　veins。

〃Oh；　Miss　Helen；　you　looked　so　turrible；　I　made　sure　you　was
hurted；〃　the　old　woman　was　saying。

Helen　gazed　strangely　at　her　bruised　wrists；　at　the　one
stocking　that　hung　down　over　her　shoe…top；　at　the　rent　I
which　had　bared　her　shoulder　to　the　profane　gaze　of　those
grinning；　beady…eyed　Mexicans。

〃My　body's　　not　hurt；〃　she　whispered。

Roy　had　lost　some　of　his　whiteness；　and　where　his　eyes　had
been　fierce　they　were　now　kind。

〃Wal；　Miss　Nell；　it's　lucky　no　harm's　done。　。　。　。　　Now　if
you'll　only　see　this　whole　deal　clear！　　。　。　。　　Not　let　it
spoil　your　sweet　way　of　lookin'　an'　hopin'！　　If　you　can　only
see　what's　raw　in　this　West　　an'　love　it　jest　the　same！〃

Helen　only　half　divined　his　meaning；　but　that　was　enough　for
a　future　reflection。　　The　West　was　beautiful；　but　hard。　　In
the　faces　of　these　friends　she　began　to　see　the　meaning　of
the　keen；　sloping　lines；　and　shadows　of　pain；　of　a　lean；
naked　truth；　cut　as　from　marble。

〃For　the　land's　sakes；　tell　us　all　about　it；〃　importuned
Mrs。　　Cass。

Whereupon　Helen　shut　her　eyes　and　told　the　brief　narrative
of　her　expulsion　from　her　home。

〃Shore　we…all　expected　thet；〃　said　Roy。　　〃An'　it's　jest　as
well　you're　here　with　a　whole　skin。　　Beasley's　in　possession
now　an'　I　reckon　we'd　all　sooner　hev　you　away　from　thet
ranch。〃

〃But；　Roy；　I　won't　let　Beasley　stay　there；〃　cried　Helen。

〃Miss　Nell；　shore　by　the　time　this　here　Pine　has　growed　big
enough　fer　law　you'll　hev　gray　in　thet　pretty　hair。　　You
can't　put　Beasley　off　with　your　honest　an'　rightful　claim。
Al　Auchincloss　was　a　hard　driver。　　He　made　enemies　an'　he
made　some　he　didn't　kill。　　The　evil　men　do　lives　after　them。
An'　you've　got　to　suffer　fer　Al's　sins；　though　Al　was　as
good　as　any　man　who　ever　prospered　in　these　parts。〃

〃Oh；　what　can　I　do？　　I　won't　give　up。　　I've　been　robbed。　　Can't
the　people　help　me？　　Must　I　meekly　sit　with　my　hands　crossed
while　that　half…breed　thief　　Oh；　it's　unbelievable！〃

〃I　reckon　you'll　jest　hev　to　be　patient　fer　a　few　days；〃
said　Roy；　calmly。　　〃It'll　all　come　right　in　the　end。〃

〃Roy！　　You've　had　this　deal；　as　you　call　it；　all　worked　out
in　mind　for　a　long　time！〃　exclaimed　Helen。

〃Shore；　an'　I　'ain't　missed　a　reckonin'　yet。〃

〃Then　what　will　happen　　in　a　few　days？〃

〃Nell　Rayner；　are　you　goin'　to　hev　some　spunk　an'　not　lose
your　nerve　again　or　go　wild　out　of　your　head？〃

〃I'll　try　to　be　brave；　but　　but　I　must　be　prepared；〃　she
replied；　tremulously。

〃Wal；　there's　Dale　an'　Las　Vegas　an'　me　fer　Beasley　to
reckon　with。　　An'；　Miss　Nell；　his　chances　fer　long　life　are
as　pore　as　his　chances　fer　heaven！〃

〃But；　Roy；　I　don't　believe　in　deliberate　taking　of　life；〃
replied　Helen；　shuddering。　　〃That's　against　my　religion。　　I
won't　allow　it。　。　。　。　　And　　then　　think；　Dale；　all　of　you
　in　danger！〃

〃Girl；　how　're　you　ever　goin'　to　help　yourself　？　　Shore　you
might　hold　Dale　back；　if　you　love　him；　an'　swear　you　won't
give　yourself　to　him。　。　。　。　　An'　I　reckon　I'd　respect　your
religion；　if　you　was　goin'　to　suffer　through　me。　。　。　。　　But
not　Dale　nor　you　　nor　Bo　　nor　love　or　heaven　or　hell　can
ever　stop　thet　cowboy　Las　Vegas！〃

〃Oh；　if　Dale　brings　Bo　back　to　me　　what　will　I　care　for　my
ranch？〃　murmured　Helen。

〃Reckon　you'll　only　begin　to　care　when　thet　happens。　　Your
big　hunter　has　got　to　be　put　to　work；〃　replied　Roy；　with　his
keen　smile。


Before　noon　that　day　the　baggage　Helen　had　packed　at　home
was　left　on　the　porch　of　Widow　Cass's　cottage；　and　Helen's
anxious　need　of　the　hour　was　satisfied。　　She　was　made
comfortable　in　the　old　woman's　one　spare　room；　and　she　set
herself　the　task　of　fortitude　and　endurance。

To　her　surprise；　many　of　Mrs。　　Cass's　neighbors　came
unobtrusively　to　the　back　door　of　the　little　cottage　and
made　sympathetic　inquiries。　　They　appeared　a　subdued　and
apprehensive　group；　and　whispered　to　one　another　as　they
left。　　Helen　gathered　from　their　visits　a　conviction　that　the
wives　of　the　men　dominated　by　Beasley　believed　no　good　could
come　of　this　high…handed　taking　over　of　the　ranch。　　Indeed；
Helen　found　at　the　end　of　the　day　that　a　strength　had　been
borne　of　her　misfortune。

The　next　day　Roy　informed　her　that　his　brother　John　had　come
down　the　preceding　night　with　the　news　of　Beasley's　descent
upon　the　ranch。　　Not　a　shot　had　been　fired；　and　the　only
damage　done　was　that　of　the　burning　of　a　hay…filled　barn。
This　had　been　set　on　fire　to　attract　Helen's　men　to　one
spot；　where　Beasley　had　ridden　down　upon　them　with　three
times　their　number。　　He　had　boldly　ordered　them　off　the　land；
unless　they　wanted　to　acknowledge　him　boss　and　remain　there
in　his　service。　　The　three　Beemans　had　stayed；　having　planned
that　just　in　this　event　they　might　be　valuable　to　Helen's
interests。　　Beasley　had　ridden　down　into　Pine　the　same　as
upon　any　other　day。　　Roy　reported　also　news　which　had　come　in
that　morning；　how　Beasley's　crowd　had　celebrated　late　the
night　before。

The　second　and　third　and　fourth　days　endlessly　wore　away；
and　Helen　believed　they　had　made　her　old。　　At　night　she　lay
awake　most　of　the　time；　thinking　and　praying；　but　during　the
afternoon　she　got　some　sleep。　　She　could　think　of　nothing　and
talk　of　nothing　except　her　sister；　and　Dale's　chances　of
saving　her。

〃Well；　shore　you　pay　Dale　a　pore　compliment；〃　finally
protested　the　patient　Roy。　　〃I　tell　you　　Milt　Dale　can　do
anythin'　he　wants　to　do　in　the　woods。　　You　can　believe　thet。
。　。　。　　But　I　reckon　he'll　run　chances　after　he　comes　back。〃

This　significant　speech　thrilled　Helen　with　its　assurance　of
hope；　and　made　her　blood　curdle　at　the　implied　peril
awaiting　the　hunter。

On　the　afternoon　of　the　fifth　day　Helen　was　abruptly
awakened　from　her　nap。　　The　sun　had　almost　set。　　She　heard
voices　　the　shrill；　cackling　notes　of　old　Mrs。　　Cass；　high
in　excitement；　a　deep　voice　that　made　Helen　tingle　all　over；
a　girl's　laugh；　broken　but　happy。　　There　were　footsteps　and
stamping　of　hoofs。　　Dale　had　brought　Bo　back！　　Helen　knew　it。
She　grew　very　weak；　and　had　to　force　herself　to　stand　erect。
Her　heart　began　to　pound　in　her　very　ears。　　A　sweet　and
perfect　joy　suddenly　flooded　her　soul。　　She　thanked　God　her
prayers　had　been　answered。　　Then　suddenly　alive　with　sheer
mad　physical　gladness；　she　rushed　out。

She　was　just　in　time　to　see　Roy　Beeman　stalk　out　as　if　he
had　never　been　shot；　and　with　a　yell　greet　a　big；　gray…clad；
gray…faced　man　　Dale。

〃Howdy；　Roy！　　Glad　to　see　you　up；〃　said　Dale。　　How　the　quiet
voice　steadied　Helen！　　She　beheld　Bo。　　Bo；　looking　the　same；
except　a　little　pale　and　disheveled！　　Then　Bo　saw　her　and
leaped　at　her；　into　her　arms。

〃Nell！　　I'm　here！　　Safe　　all　right！　　Never　was　so　happy　in　my
life。　。　。　。　　Oh…h！　　talk　about　your　adventures！　　Nell；　you　dear
old　mother　to　me　　I've　had　e…enough　forever！〃

Bo　was　wild　with　joy；　and　by　turns　she　laughed　and　cried。
But　Helen　could　not　voice　her　feelings。　　Her　eyes　were　so　dim
that　she　could　scarcely　see　Dale　when　he　loomed　over　her　as
she　held　Bo。　　But　he　found　the　hand　she　put　shakily　out。

〃Nell！　　。　。　。　　Reckon　it's　been　harder　　on　you。〃　His　voice
was　earnest　and　halting。　　She　felt　his　searching　gaze　upon
her　face。　　〃Mrs。　　Cass　said　you　were　here。　　An'　I　know　why。〃

Roy　led　them　all　indoors。

〃Milt；　one　of　the　neighbor　boys　will　take　care　of　thet
hoss；〃　he　said；　as　Dale　turned　toward　the　dusty　and　weary
Ranger。　　〃Where'd　you　leave　the　cougar？〃

〃I　sent　him　home；〃　replied　Date。

〃Laws　now；　Milt；　if　this　ain't　grand！〃　cackled　Mrs。　　Cass。
〃We've　worried　some　here。　　An'　Miss　Helen　near　starved
a…hopin'　fer　you。〃

〃Mother；　I　reckon　the　girl　an'　I　are　nearer　starved　than
anybody　you　know；〃　replied　Dale；　with　a　grim　laugh。

〃Fer　the　land's　sake！　　I'll　be　fixin'　supper　this　minit。〃

〃Nell；　why　are　you　here？〃　asked　Bo；　suspiciously。

For　answer　Helen　led　her　sister　into　the　spare　room　and
closed　the　door。　　Bo　saw　the　baggage。　　Her　expression　changed。
The　old　blaze　leaped　to　the　telltale　eyes。

〃He's　done　it！〃　she　cried；　hotly。

〃Dearest　　thank　God。　　I've　got　you　　back　again！〃　murmured
Helen；　finding　her　voice。　　〃Nothing　else　matters！　　。　。　。　　I've
prayed　only　for　that！〃

〃Good　old　Nell！〃　whispered　Bo；　and　she　kissed　and　embraced
Helen。　　〃You　really　mean　that；　I　know。　　But　nix　for　yours
truly！　　I'm　back　alive　and　kicking；　you　bet。　。　。　。　　Where's　my
　where's　Tom？〃

〃Bo；　not　a　word　has　been　heard　of　him　for　five　days。　　He's
searching　for　you；　of　course。〃

〃And　you've　been　　been　put　off　the　ranch？〃

〃Well；　rather；〃　replied　Helen；　and　in　a　few　trembling　words
she　told　the　story　of　her　eviction。

Bo　uttered　a　wild　word　that　had　more　force　than　elegance；
but　it　became　her　passionate　resentment　of　this　outrage　done
her　sister。

〃Oh！　　。　。　。　　Does　Tom　Carmichael　know　this？〃　she　added；
breathlessly。

〃How　could　he？〃

〃When　he　finds　out；　then　　Oh；　won't　there　be　hell？　　I'm
glad　I　got　here　first。　。　。　。　　Nell；　my　boots　haven't　been　off
the　whole　blessed　time。　　Help　me。　　And　oh；　for　some　soap　and
hot　water　and　some　clean　clothes！　　Nell；　old　girl；　I　wasn't
raised　right　for　these　Western　deals。　　Too　luxurious！〃

And　then　Helen　had　her　ears　filled　with　a　rapid…fire　account
of　running　horses　and　Riggs　and　outlaws　and　Beasley　called
boldly　to　his　teeth；　and　a　long　ride　and　an　outlaw　who　was　a
hero　　a　fight　with　Riggs　　blood　and　death　　another
long　ride　　a　wild　camp　in　black　woods　　night　　lonely；
ghostly　sounds　　and　day　again　　plot　　a　great　actress
lost　to　the　world　　Ophelia　　Snakes　and　Ansons　
hoodooed　outlaws　　mournful　moans　and　terrible　cries　
cougar　　stampede　　fight　and　shots；　more　blood　and　death
　Wilson　hero　　another　Tom　Carmichael　　fallen　in　love
with　outlaw　gun…fighter　if　　black　night　and　Dale　and　horse
and　rides　and　starved　and；　〃Oh；　Nell；　he　WAS　from　Texas！〃

Helen　gathered　that　wonderful　and　dreadful　events　had　hung
over　the　bright　head　of　this　beloved　little　sister；　but　the
bewilderment　occasioned　by　Bo's　fluent　and　remarkable
utterance　left　only　that　last　sentence　clear。

Presently　Helen　got　a　word　in　to　inform　Bo　that　Mrs。　　Cass
had　knocked　twice　for　supper；　and　that　welcome　news　checked
Bo's　flow　of　speech　when　nothing　else　seemed　adequate。

It　was　obvious　to　Helen　that　Roy　and　Dale　had　exchanged
stories。　　Roy　celebrated　this　reunion　by　sitting　at　table　the
first　time　since　he　had　been　shot；　and　despite　Helen's
misfortune　and　the　suspended　waiting　balance　in　the　air　the
occasion　was　joyous。　　Old　Mrs。　　Cass　was　in