A low cry greeted me. The room was light. I saw Sally Langdon sitting on her bed in her dressing1 gown. Shaking my gun at her with a fierce warning gesture to be silent, I turned to close the door. It was a heavy door, without bolt or bar, and when I had shut it I felt safe only for the moment. Then I gazed around the room. There was one window with blind closely drawn2. I listened and seemed to hear footsteps retreating, dying away. Then I turned to Sally. She had slipped off the bed to her knees and was holding out trembling hands as if both to supplicate3 mercy and to ward4 me off. She was as white as the pillow on her bed. She was terribly frightened. Again with warning hand commanding silence I stepped softly forward, meaning to reassure5 her.
"Russ! Russ!" she whispered wildly, and I thought she was going to faint. When I got close and looked into her eyes I understood the strange dark expression in them. She was terrified because she believed I meant to kill her, or do worse, probably worse. She had believed many a hard story about me and had cared for me in spite of them. I remembered, then, that she had broken her promise, she had tempted6 me, led me to kiss her, made a fool out of me. I remembered, also how I had threatened her. This intrusion of mine was the wild cowboy's vengeance7.
I verily believed she thought I was drunk. I must have looked pretty hard and fierce, bursting into her room with that big gun in hand. My first action then was to lay the gun on her bureau.
"You poor kid!" I whispered, taking her hands and trying to raise her. But she stayed on her knees and clung to me.
"Russ! It was vile8 of me," she whispered. "I know it. I deserve anything—anything! But I am only a kid. Russ, I didn't break my word—I didn't make you kiss me just for, vanity's sake. I swear I didn't. I wanted you to. For I care, Russ, I can't help it. Please forgive me. Please let me off this time. Don't—don't—"
"Will you shut up!" I interrupted, half beside myself. And I used force in another way than speech. I shook her and sat her on the bed. "You little fool, I didn't come in here to kill you or do some other awful thing, as you think. For God's sake, Sally, what do you take me for?"
"Russ, you swore you'd do something terrible if I tempted you anymore," she faltered9. The way she searched my face with doubtful, fearful eyes hurt me.
"Listen," and with the word I seemed to be pervaded11 by peace. "I didn't know this was your room. I came in here to get away—to save my life. I was pursued. I was spying on Sampson and his men. They heard me, but did not see me. They don't know who was listening. They're after me now. I'm Special United States Deputy Marshal Sittell—Russell Archibald Sittell. I'm a Ranger12. I'm here as secret aid to Steele."
Sally's eyes changed from blank gulfs to dilating13, shadowing, quickening windows of thought. "Russ-ell Archi-bald Sittell," she echoed. "Ranger! Secret aid to Steele!"
"Yes."
"Then you're no cowboy?"
"No."
"Only a make-believe one?"
"Yes."
"And the drinking, the gambling14, the association with those low men—that was all put on?"
"Part of the game, Sally. I'm not a drinking man. And I sure hate those places I had to go in, and all that pertains15 to them."
"Oh, so that's it! I knew there was something. How glad—how glad I am!" Then Sally threw her arms around my neck, and without reserve or restraint began to kiss me and love me. It must have been a moment of sheer gladness to feel that I was not disreputable, a moment when something deep and womanly in her was vindicated16. Assuredly she was entirely17 different from what she had ever been before.
There was a little space of time, a sweet confusion of senses, when I could not but meet her half-way in tenderness. Quite as suddenly, then she began to cry. I whispered in her ear, cautioning her to be careful, that my life was at stake; and after that she cried silently, with one of her arms round my neck, her head on my breast, and her hand clasping mine. So I held her for what seemed a long time. Indistinct voices came to me and footsteps seemingly a long way off. I heard the wind in the rose-bush outside. Some one walked down the stony18 court. Then a shrill19 neigh of a horse pierced the silence. A rider was mounting out there for some reason. With my life at stake I grasped all the sweetness of that situation. Sally stirred in my arms, raised a red, tear-stained yet happy face, and tried to smile. "It isn't any time to cry," she whispered. "But I had to. You can't understand what it made me feel to learn you're no drunkard, no desperado, but a man—a man like that Ranger!" Very sweetly and seriously she kissed me again. "Russ, if I didn't honestly and truly love you before, I do now."
Then she stood up and faced me with the fire and intelligence of a woman in her eyes. "Tell me now. You were spying on my uncle?"
Briefly20 I told her what had happened before I entered her room, not omitting a terse21 word as to the character of the men I had watched.
"My God! So it's Uncle Roger! I knew something was very wrong here—with him, with the place, the people. And right off I hated George Wright. Russ, does Diane know?"
"She knows something. I haven't any idea how much."
"This explains her appeal to Steele. Oh, it'll kill her! You don't know how proud, how good Diane is. Oh, it'll kill her!"
"Sally, she's no baby. She's got sand, that girl—"
The sound of soft steps somewhere near distracted my attention, reminded me of my peril22, and now, what counted more with me, made clear the probability of being discovered in Sally's room. "I'll have to get out of here," I whispered.
"Wait," she replied, detaining me. "Didn't you say they were hunting for you?"
"They sure are," I returned grimly.
"Oh! Then you mustn't go. They might shoot you before you got away. Stay. If we hear them you can hide under my bed. I'll turn out the light. I'll meet them at the door. You can trust me. Stay, Russ. Wait till all quiets down, if we have to wait till morning. Then you can slip out."
"Sally, I oughtn't to stay. I don't want to—I won't," I replied perplexed23 and stubborn.
"But you must. It's the only safe way. They won't come here."
"Suppose they should? It's an even chance Sampson'll search every room and corner in this old house. If they found me here I couldn't start a fight. You might be hurt. Then—the fact of my being here—" I did not finish what I meant, but instead made a step toward the door.
Sally was on me like a little whirlwind, white of face and dark of eye, with a resoluteness24 I could not have deemed her capable of. She was as strong and supple26 as a panther, too. But she need not have been either resolute25 or strong, for the clasp of her arms, the feel of her warm breast as she pressed me back were enough to make me weak as water. My knees buckled27 as I touched the chair, and I was glad to sit down. My face was wet with perspiration28 and a kind of cold ripple29 shot over me. I imagined I was losing my nerve then. Proof beyond doubt that Sally loved me was so sweet, so overwhelming a thing, that I could not resist, even to save her disgrace.
"Russ, the fact of your being here is the very thing to save you—if they come," Sally whispered softly. "What do I care what they think?" She put her arms round my neck. I gave up then and held her as if she indeed were my only hope. A noise, a stealthy sound, a step, froze that embrace into stone.
"Up yet, Sally?" came Sampson's clear voice, too strained, too eager to be natural.
"No. I'm in bed, reading. Good night, Uncle," instantly replied Sally, so calmly and naturally that I marveled at the difference between man and woman. Perhaps that was the difference between love and hate.
"Are you alone?" went on Sampson's penetrating30 voice, colder now.
"Yes," replied Sally.
The door swung inward with a swift scrape and jar. Sampson half entered, haggard, flaming-eyed. His leveled gun did not have to move an inch to cover me. Behind him I saw Wright and indistinctly, another man.
"Well!" gasped31 Sampson. He showed amazement32. "Hands up, Russ!"
I put up my hands quickly, but all the time I was calculating what chance I had to leap for my gun or dash out the light. I was trapped. And fury, like the hot teeth of a wolf, bit into me. That leveled gun, the menace in Sampson's puzzled eyes, Wright's dark and hateful face, these loosened the spirit of fight in me. If Sally had not been there I would have made some desperate move.
Sampson barred Wright from entering, which action showed control as well as distrust.
"You lied!" said Sampson to Sally. He was hard as flint, yet doubtful and curious, too.
"Certainly I lied," snapped Sally in reply. She was cool, almost flippant. I awakened33 to the knowledge that she was to be reckoned with in this situation. Suddenly she stepped squarely between Sampson and me.
"Move aside," ordered Sampson sternly.
"I won't! What do I care for your old gun? You shan't shoot Russ or do anything else to him. It's my fault he's here in my room. I coaxed34 him to come."
"You little hussy!" exclaimed Sampson, and he lowered the gun.
If I ever before had occasion to glory in Sally I had it then. She betrayed not the slightest fear. She looked as if she could fight like a little tigress. She was white, composed, defiant35.
"How long has Russ been in here?" demanded Sampson.
"All evening. I left Diane at eight o'clock. Russ came right after that."
"But you'd undressed for bed!" ejaculated the angry and perplexed uncle.
"Yes." That simple answer was so noncommittal, so above subterfuge36, so innocent, and yet so confounding in its provocation37 of thought that Sampson just stared his astonishment38. But I started as if I had been struck.
"See here Sampson—" I began, passionately39.
Like a flash Sally whirled into my arms and one hand crossed my lips. "It's my fault. I will take the blame," she cried, and now the agony of fear in her voice quieted me. I realized I would be wise to be silent. "Uncle," began Sally, turning her head, yet still clinging to me, "I've tormented40 Russ into loving me. I've flirted41 with him—teased him—tempted him. We love each other now. We're engaged. Please—please don't—" She began to falter10 and I felt her weight sag42 a little against me.
"Well, let go of him," said Sampson. "I won't hurt him. Sally, how long has this affair been going on?"
"For weeks—I don't know how long."
"Does Diane know?"
"She knows we love each other, but not that we met—did this—" Light swift steps, the rustle43 of silk interrupted Sampson, and made my heart sink like lead.
"Is that you, George?" came Miss Sampson's deep voice, nervous, hurried. "What's all this commotion44? I hear—"
"Diane, go on back," ordered Sampson.
Just then Miss Sampson's beautiful agitated45 face appeared beside Wright. He failed to prevent her from seeing all of us.
"Papa! Sally!" she exclaimed, in consternation46. Then she swept into the room. "What has happened?"
Sampson, like the devil he was, laughed when it was too late. He had good impulses, but they never interfered47 with his sardonic48 humor. He paced the little room, shrugging his shoulders, offering no explanation. Sally appeared about ready to collapse49 and I could not have told Sally's lie to Miss Sampson to save my life.
"Diane, your father and I broke in on a little Romeo and Juliet scene," said George Wright with a leer. Then Miss Sampson's dark gaze swept from George to her father, then to Sally's attire50 and her shamed face, and finally to me. What effect the magnificent wrath51 and outraged52 trust in her eyes had upon me!
"Russ, do they dare insinuate53 you came to Sally's room?" For myself I could keep silent, but for Sally I began to feel a hot clamoring outburst swelling54 in my throat.
"Sally confessed it, Diane," replied Wright.
"Sally!" A shrinking, shuddering55 disbelief filled Miss Sampson's voice.
"Diane, I told you I loved him—didn't I?" replied Sally. She managed to hold up her head with a ghost of her former defiant spirit.
"Miss Sampson, it's a—" I burst out.
Then Sally fainted. It was I who caught her. Miss Sampson hurried to her side with a little cry of distress56.
"Russ, your hand's called," said Sampson. "Of course you'll swear the moon's green cheese. And I like you the better for it. But we know now, and you can save your breath. If Sally hadn't stuck up so gamely for you I'd have shot you. But at that I wasn't looking for you. Now clear out of here." I picked up my gun from the bureau and dropped it in its sheath. For the life of me I could not leave without another look at Miss Sampson. The scorn in her eyes did not wholly hide the sadness. She who needed friends was experiencing the bitterness of misplaced trust. That came out in the scorn, but the sadness—I knew what hurt her most was her sorrow.
I dropped my head and stalked out.
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1
dressing
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| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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supplicate
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| v.恳求；adv.祈求地，哀求地，恳求地 | |
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ward
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| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
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reassure
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| v.使放心，使消除疑虑 | |
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tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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7
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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9
faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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falter
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| vi.(嗓音)颤抖，结巴地说；犹豫；蹒跚 | |
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11
pervaded
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| v.遍及，弥漫( pervade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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12
ranger
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| n.国家公园管理员，护林员；骑兵巡逻队员 | |
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13
dilating
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| v.（使某物）扩大，膨胀，张大( dilate的现在分词 ) | |
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14
gambling
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| n.赌博；投机 | |
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15
pertains
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| 关于( pertain的第三人称单数 )； 有关； 存在； 适用 | |
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16
vindicated
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| v.澄清（某人/某事物）受到的责难或嫌疑( vindicate的过去式和过去分词 )；表明或证明（所争辩的事物）属实、正当、有效等；维护 | |
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17
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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18
stony
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| adj.石头的，多石头的，冷酷的，无情的 | |
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19
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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20
briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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terse
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| adj.(说话，文笔)精炼的，简明的 | |
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peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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resoluteness
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resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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26
supple
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| adj.柔软的，易弯的，逢迎的，顺从的，灵活的；vt.使柔软，使柔顺，使顺从；vi.变柔软，变柔顺 | |
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27
buckled
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| a. 有带扣的 | |
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28
perspiration
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| n.汗水；出汗 | |
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29
ripple
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| n.涟波，涟漪，波纹，粗钢梳；vt.使...起涟漪，使起波纹； vi.呈波浪状，起伏前进 | |
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30
penetrating
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| adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的 | |
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31
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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32
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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33
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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34
coaxed
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| v.哄，用好话劝说( coax的过去式和过去分词 )；巧言骗取；哄劝，劝诱 | |
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35
defiant
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| adj.无礼的，挑战的 | |
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36
subterfuge
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| n.诡计；藉口 | |
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37
provocation
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| n.激怒，刺激，挑拨，挑衅的事物，激怒的原因 | |
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38
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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39
passionately
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| ad.热烈地，激烈地 | |
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40
tormented
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| 饱受折磨的 | |
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41
flirted
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| v.调情，打情骂俏( flirt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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42
sag
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| v.下垂，下跌，消沉；n.下垂，下跌，凹陷，[航海]随风漂流 | |
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43
rustle
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| v.沙沙作响；偷盗(牛、马等)；n.沙沙声声 | |
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44
commotion
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| n.骚动，动乱 | |
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45
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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46
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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47
interfered
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| v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 )；调停；妨碍；干涉 | |
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48
sardonic
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| adj.嘲笑的，冷笑的，讥讽的 | |
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49
collapse
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| vi.累倒；昏倒；倒塌；塌陷 | |
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50
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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51
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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52
outraged
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| a.震惊的，义愤填膺的 | |
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53
insinuate
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| vt.含沙射影地说，暗示 | |
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54
swelling
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| n.肿胀 | |
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55
shuddering
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| v.战栗( shudder的现在分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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56
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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