CHAPTER XXIV
FOR A WOMAN
Seated before the cold stove in Peter Blunt's hut, Jim Thorpe was lostin moody thought. His day had been long and wearying. He had risenbefore sun-up with little enough hope in his heart to cheer his day inthe saddle, and now he was contemplating his blankets at night witheven less.
Search, search. That had been his day. A fruitless search for the oneman whom he now believed to be the only person who could lift theblight of suspicion from his overburdened shoulders.
Yes, where most Eve had sought to shield, she had most surely betrayedby her woman's weakness and fear. For the truth had been forced uponJim's unsuspicious mind even against himself. Eve's terror, during herlong talk with him on his return from McLagan's ranch, had done thevery thing she had most sought to prevent. Her whole attitude had toldhim its own story of her anxiety for some one, and that some one couldonly have been her husband. And the rest had been brought about by thearguments of his own common sense.
At first her fear had only suggested the anxiety of a friend forhimself, at the jeopardy in which public suspicion had placed him. Nowhe laughed at the conceit of the thought, although, at the time, ithad seemed natural enough. Then the intensity of her fears had becomeso great, and the personal, selfish note in her attitude sopronounced, that his suspicion was aroused, and he found himselfgroping for its meaning, its necessity.
Her terror seemed absurd. It could not be for him. It was out of allproportion. No, it was not for him. Was it for herself? He could seeno reason. Then, why? For whom? And in a flash, as such realizationssometimes do come, even to the most unsuspicious, the whole thingleaped into his focus. If she had nothing to fear for herself, forwhom did she fear? There was but one person--her husband.
If she feared for her husband, then she must suspect him. If shesuspected, then there must be reason. But once this key was put intohis hand, it needed little argument to make the whole thing plain.Point after point occurred to his mind carrying with each a convictionthat was beyond the necessity of any argument that he could offer. Hesaw the whole thing with much the same instinctive conviction withwhich the wife had seen it.
Will had calculated his revenge on him carefully. He saw now what Evehad missed. The using of the "[double star]" brand,--which he musthave stolen from Jim's implement shed--the running of the small bunchof McLagan's cattle with his, Jim's; these things had been wellthought out, a carefully calculated revenge for his interference onthe night Will had come so near to killing his own wife. He meant tothrow suspicion upon him, suspicion which, in such a country ofhot-headed cattlemen, was so narrowly removed from conviction.
So he had set out on his solitary quest to find this man, and hadfailed. He felt that he must find him, yet he hardly knew how it couldserve him to do so. For there was that in the back of his mind whichsorely troubled him.
He was thinking of Eve. Poor Eve! With Will found, or suspiciondirected upon him, her troubles would be a hundred times magnified.The man was her husband, and there was no doubt in his mind, that,whatever his faults, she still loved him. If he needed confirmation ofhis belief there was her anxiety, her terrible dread when talking tohim. The position was one to tax a far more subtle mind than his. Whatwas to be done?
Clear himself he must, but every way he looked seemed to be barred bythe certainty of bringing disgrace and unhappiness upon Eve. Thethought revolted him, and yet--and yet, why should he take the blame?Why should he leave his name stinking in the mire of such a crime? Itwas maddening. What devilish luck! Was there no end to the cruelty ofhis fate?
Suddenly, he laughed. He had to, or the thing would drive him tosomething desperate. Fate had such refreshing ways of getting at aman. She brought about his disgrace through no fault of his own, andthen refused him the only means of clearing himself. Fortune certainlycould be a jade when she chose. Clear himself at the expense of theone woman in the world he loved? No, he couldn't do that. Perhaps thatwas why he was given such a cruel chance.
But his whimsical moment was quickly gone. The tragedy of his positionwas all too harsh for such levity, and he frowned down at the coldiron of Peter's stove. What must he do? He could see no way out. Forperhaps the hundredth time that day his question remained unanswered.One thing he had made up his mind to, although he could not see how itwas to help him in his dilemma. He must find Will Henderson.
He rose from his seat, stretched his aching limbs, and turned to hisblankets.
But he did not unroll them. The heavy step of some one approachingstartled him. Who could it be? Peter was away--and yet--and yet---- Helistened intently, and suddenly his eyes lit. It was like Peter'sstep. He went to the door and threw it open, and in a moment wasgreeting the one man whose coming at such a moment could have made himfeel glad.
"Say, Peter, this is bully," he cried, shaking the big man's hand. "Ididn't guess you'd be coming along in. Who's that with you? Eh? Oh,Elia."
Peter nodded. But his usual smile was lacking.
"Yes. Eve's just coming along. Ah, here she is," he added, as the girlsuddenly appeared in the doorway. "Come in, my dear," he went onkindly. "Guess we caught Jim before he got down for the night."
Jim offered the girl no greeting. All thought of formalities wasdriven from his mind at the sight of her expression. The hunted lookin her eyes was even greater than it had been two days ago, and hewondered what fresh development had brought it about. He was not longleft in doubt. Peter eyed him ruefully, and then glanced at the doorwhich was still open.
"It's trouble, Jim, fresh trouble, so--I guess I'll shut this doortight."
While he was doing so, Jim pushed the chair toward Eve, into which shealmost fell. Then he glanced at Elia, speculating. As Peter returnedto the group he dropped back and seated himself on the rough bed,waiting for enlightenment. Peter leaned himself against the table, hisgrizzled face frowning thoughtfully.
"I'm needing a horse to-night--now," he said. "An' he's got to dosixty miles between this and sundown to-morrow. I want yours. Can Ihave it?"
The man's shrewd blue eyes were steadily fixed on Jim's face. He wasputting all his knowledge of the ranchman to the test in his ownsubtle way. He was asking this man to help him against himself. He wasasking this man to help him prevent his removing the unmeritedsuspicion with which he was branded. But he intended to do it openly,frankly. And his reason was because he understood a good deal of humannature, and of Jim Thorpe particularly.
"You can have him. What for?"
"No, no," Eve cried, starting up to prevent Peter answering.
But the big man motioned her to calm herself.
"Don't worry, Eve, my dear," he said. "This thing's between Jim an'me. And I don't think there's going to be much explanation needed."
Jim nodded, and his glance fell on Elia. He was wondering what partthe boy was playing in the scene.
"It's Will," said Peter. "We've got to get him warned--for her sake."He nodded in Eve's direction, but turned away quickly as her facedropped into her two hands and remained hidden.
"You don't need to tell me any more, Peter," said Jim, huskily. "Justgive me the other details. You see, I fancy I know all about him,except his whereabouts."
Eve looked up startled.
"You know," she whispered in awe.
Jim nodded.
"I've thought things out this last two days," he said quietly. Then heturned to Peter. "But this warning. What's made it necessary? Haveothers been--thinking?"
"No. They've been put wise." Peter's eyes sought the unsmiling face ofElia. "You see, Elia hunted him out. He's told Doc where he'll findthe rustlers. But mercifully he didn't say who the rustler was."
"Ah, Elia hates Will," Jim said thoughtfully.
"Doc's setting out to-night to--find him," Peter added.
Jim glanced from Eve to the grizzled man. Just for a second hemarveled at him. Then the feeling passed as recollections flew throughhis mind of a dozen and one kindnesses of heart which this quaintEnglishman had performed. Thi
s was just the sort of thing Peter woulddo. He would simply, and unconcernedly, thrust his head into thelion's jaws to help anybody.
"You're going to take the warning?" he inquired.
"Sure." Then Peter added apologetically, with a swift glance in Eve'sdirection, "You see, we can't let 'em--find him."
A shadowy smile grew into Jim's eyes. Peter wanted his horse for apurpose. And that very purpose would inevitably drive the brand whichwas already upon him deeper and deeper into his flesh. He was calmlyasking him to sacrifice himself for Eve. He glanced in the girl'sdirection, and all the old love was uppermost in his simple heart.
"When did you get in?" he asked Peter, abruptly.
"Just now."
"Been in the saddle all day?"
"Yep. But that's no con----"
"No. Only I was thinking."
Jim's eyes were still on Eve. The girl was looking straight before herat the stove. She could only wait. These men, she felt, wereshouldering her burden. But she was anxious. Somehow she hadn't thesame knowledge of Jim that Peter had. But then, how should she? Herpoint of view was so different.
Suddenly Jim started up.
"No, Peter, old friend, you can't have the horse--I need it."
Peter started forward. He was startled out of his belief in the man.
"What in----"
But Jim cut him short.
"Hold up, Peter. Eve's here," he said. Then he glanced at Elia. "I'llcarry that warning. And I'll tell you why. Oh, no," as Eve suddenlystarted to protest, "I'm only going to speak common sense. Here's thefacts which you, old friend, with all your wisdom, seem to haveoverlooked." He smiled up into Peter's face. "First, the man who goesmust ride light. You can't be accused of that. You see, we've sure gotto get there first. My plug's been out all day, and has only had aboutfour hours' rest. I can get the most out of him the easiest. Then, yousee, you're known to be in town, and if you pike the trail to-nightfolks'll get guessing. Then, you see, it's my business to be out--theyexpect it of me. Then--if things go wrong--which I don't guess theywill--my name stinks a bit around here, and, well, a bit more or lessdon't cut any ice. Then there's another thing--Elia. You've got tokeep a close eye on him, sure. If they get at him--well---- Anyway,that's what I can't do under the circumstances."
Peter's face grew almost stern as he listened to the marshaling of theman's arguments. Jim saw his look and understood. But he had clearlymade up his mind.
"It's no use, Peter. You can't have that horse. I'm going to get thesaddle on."
He rose to go. But the big man suddenly barred his way. His face wasstern and set--something like a thunder-cloud seemed to have settledupon his kindly brow.
"Hold on. I'll allow your arguments are mostly clear. Guess you'llhave to go. But I want to tell you this, Jim. If things go wrong,I'll--I'll shoot the man that lays hands on you. I'll shoot himdead!"
But Eve was on her feet at Jim's side, and her soft hands weregripping his arm with a nervous clutch.
"No, no, Jim," she cried, with tears in her eyes. "You--you mustn'tgo. I see it now. I didn't see it before. You--you are branded now,and--and you're going to help him. Oh, Jim, you mustn't! We had noright to ask for your horse. Indeed, indeed we hadn't. You mustn't go.Neither of you must. No, please, please stay. It means hanging if youare----"
"Don't you say anything more, Eve," Jim said, gently but firmlyreleasing himself from her hold. "I've thought of all those things.Besides, you must never forget that Will--is my cousin."
But Peter could stand no more.
"Come on," he said, almost roughly. "It's late enough already. Maybethey'll be starting directly. Here, Elia, you tell us just whereWill's in hiding, and mind you don't miss anything."
It took barely five minutes for Elia to give the required directionsagain, which he did ungraciously enough. But Peter verified hisaccount with the original story, and was satisfied.
Then the two men went out and saddled the horse. In three minutes Jimwas in the saddle, and Peter gripped him by the hand.
"The good God'll help you out for this, Jim. So long."
"So long."
As the horseman passed the hut Eve and Elia were standing before theclosed door. Jim saw them, but he would not pause. However, his keenears heard the whispered "God bless you" which the woman threw afterhim. And somehow he felt that nothing else in his life much mattered.
A few moments later Eve was at her gate, fumbling for the latch. Eliawas at her side, looking out at the lights of the village. Suddenly heturned and raised his beautiful face to hers.
"Say, sis, you're a fule woman," he declared sharply. He was listeningto the sounds of bustle down at the saloon. "Can't you hear? That'sthe boys. They've come in, and they're gettin' ready to start withDoc. If they get him--they'll hang him."
"Him? Who? What d'you mean?"
The terrified woman was staring down into his calm eyes.
"Why--Jim."
"Oh, God, no! They can't! They won't! He's too good--too brave! Godwill never let them. It would be too cruel."
"Say, I guess you'd be sorry some?"
"Sorry?"
But Eve was fumbling again at the gate. Nor could the boy extractanother word from her.
The One-Way Trail: A story of the cattle country Page 26