by H. A. Cody
CHAPTER XXIX
THE OLD TRUE STORY
There was great indignation at Shorty's when the miners heard of thevillainous attempt upon Reynolds' life. At first they would hardlybelieve it, but as they listened to Frontier Samson, whose words wereconfirmed by Glen, and Reynolds, they knew that it must be true. Thenwhen they learned that Curly was guilty of the murder of his partner,Bill Ducett, they became thoroughly aroused.
These miners were the finest men at Big Draw. They worked hard andminded their own business. They were not given to much talk, due, nodoubt, to long years in the wilderness. Neither were they carried awayby any sudden impulse on the spur of the moment. They never hadanything in common with Curly and his gang, although they had oftenlistened to their vapid boastings. So now when they learned of thedespicable affair up the narrow creek, they did not take matters intotheir own hands, and visit upon the miscreants swift and direpunishment. They decided, after a brief consultation with FrontierSamson, to keep close guard upon Curly and hand him over to the MountedPolice, who were expected back the next day. His companions would beallowed their freedom until needed.
"Such actions must be stopped," one big weather-beaten veteran of manytrails declared. "Curly and his bunch, as well as all others of suchbreed, must learn first as last that the Police are here to giveBritish justice, and a fair trial to every man, no matter who he is.It's not for any of us to deal with such brutes as Curly and his gang."
"I agree with you, Tom," another replied. "But it's a pity we didn'thear sooner about what was taking place up the draw. We'd a been therein no time. I can't understand how that Indian Titsla learned thenews. He was here yesterday selling meat, but he never mentioned aword to us."
"I imagine he thought the hull bunch of yez was in the plot," Samsonreplied, "an' so he hit the trail fer Glen West as fast as he could.That's the way with them Injuns." Then he turned suddenly and walkedover to Shorty. "Say, old man," he began, "rustle up some grub ferthem Injuns outside, will ye? I'd like to give 'em a good feed beforethey leave. An' hand out something to the rest of us while yer at it.I'm most starved, an' I guess the rest are, too. I'll foot the bill."
In less than an hour Shorty had the Indians fed, and when Samson hadprovided each with a large plug of tobacco, they all left in the bestof spirits for Glen West.
Reynolds' entire solicitude was for Glen. He thought not of himself,and paid little heed to the miners as they discussed Curly and hiscompanions. His only concern was for her who was sitting in the onearm-chair the room contained with such a weary look in her eyes. Thestern expression had vanished from her face, and she was the real Glenagain. She did not care to talk, although she listened intently toeverything that was said. But after the miners had left, and she satdown to the supper Shorty had prepared, she became more animated.
"Oh, I am so glad that we are alone at last!" and she breathed a deepsigh of relief. "It seems as if I have had a fearful dream."
"You'll be all right, Miss, as soon as ye git a good night's sleep,"Samson replied. "Yer a bit used up at present."
"I suppose so. But where shall I sleep?"
"Here, of course. Shorty's goin' to give ye his best room, an' not asoul will disturb ye until mornin'. Then ye must be up bright an'early. Yer dad wants ye at his cabin."
"Is anything wrong?" Glen anxiously asked.
"Nuthin', Miss. But yer dad wants ye as soon as ye kin git thar."
"How does he know I'm here?" and Glen looked her surprise.
"How does he know?" Samson slowly repeated. "Wall, that's fer you tofind out. I jist come from thar to-day, so I know that he wants ye.What's the use of askin' how Jim Weston finds things out? Why, heseems to know what a man miles off is thinkin' about. Ye'd almostimagine that he has a wireless outfit fixed up in his head."
Glen and Reynolds laughed, and even the old man smiled. He seemed tolike to see them both happy, and when supper was over he told severalhumorous stories in his quaint, droll fashion. For a time Glen forgother exciting experiences of the afternoon, and Samson did not onceallude to them. At length he arose and laid his hand upon Reynolds'shoulder.
"Come, young man, it's time fer us to be goin' if the lassie is to gitany sleep," he reminded. "I know you'd like to sit here all night an'watch. But she'll be as safe as in her own little nest at home. We'llbe around early in the mornin', remember, Miss."
Glen held out her hand as she bade each good night. Reynolds held herhand for a few seconds and looked lovingly into her tired eyes. How helonged to put his arms around her to comfort her and tell her how braveand noble she was. But no, he would not do that now, as she mightresent it. Instead, he merely bent his head, and lifting her handtouched it lightly with his lips, and hurried out of the building.Alone in the little room that night, ere she laid herself down upon therough cot, Glen pressed her hand to her lips and kissed the spot whereher lover's lips had rested. Tired though she was, a sweet peace stoleinto her heart. Forgotten was Curly, and she thought only of him shehad rescued, and of whose love she felt assured.
Frontier Samson made no allusion to Reynolds' presence at Big Draw. Henever even asked what had befallen him when he was lost out in thehills. This did not seem strange to Reynolds for a while, as his mindwas much filled with the stirring events of the night. But when lyingwrapped up in his blankets in his tent he thought it all over, and thesilence of the prospector did seem strange. Then he remembered thatSamson had been at the cabin in the hills, and no doubt Weston had toldhim the whole story.
No reference was made to the matter the next day until they were welladvanced on the trail. Glen was like her former self once more afterher refreshing sleep, and the color had again returned to her cheeks,She was full of spirit and animation, and laughed gaily at Samson'squaint remarks as he rode by her side wherever the trail permitted.
Reynolds, too, was happy, and Glen's buoyant cheerfulness affected himlike magic. To listen to her voice and merry laughter made himperfectly contented. Life was very pleasant to him this morning, withthe dark clouds all rolled away.
Suddenly a moose appeared on the trail ahead, which gazed for aninstant upon the riders, and then bounded off into the woods.
"Like to chase it, eh?" Samson queried, as he looked quizzically atReynolds.
"Not this time," was the laughing reply. "I have learned a lesson."
"In the school of experience, I guess. It's the only school in whichsome people'll ever learn anything."
"Chiefly babies and fools, so I've heard," Reynolds replied. "I wascertainly a fool, all right, for not obeying orders and leaving a moosealone unless one is in need of meat. But, then, things turned out allright after all. If I had not got lost, I would not have reached GlenWest as I did."
"An' not have found the gold, either."
"Why, did you hear about the discovery?" Reynolds eagerly asked.
"Sure. I heard all about it, an' how ye staked a claim fer yer oldpardner, Frontier Samson. It was sartinly kind of ye to think of me."
"But I didn't stake any claim for you," Reynolds confessed, while hisface crimsoned.
"Ye didn't, eh? An' we was pardners, too! Wall, that's queer."
"Oh, I am sorry," the young man acknowledged. "But I staked twoclaims, so you shall have one of them. How will that do?"
"No, thank ye. I've got enough to do me, I guess, to the end of metether. An', besides, mebbe you'll need a hull gold mine to keepa-goin' by the looks of things. Women need a lot these days." Hiseyes twinkled as he turned them upon Glen's face, and noted that shewas blushing, for she understood the meaning of his words. "But, then,it'll all depend upon the woman," he continued, "Now, some wouldn't besatisfied with a dozen gold mines, while others would be perfectlycontented with a little log shack, so long as the place was built oflove. I guess that'd be the way with you, Miss, from what I've seen ofye. But, hello! who's this? Why, it's the rascal Dan, I do believe!He seems to be in a hurry."
And Dan certainly was in a hurry. He was not at all inclined to talk,but anxious to get along as fast as possible.
"What's yer rush?" Samson asked.
"I want to get to Big Draw before night," was the curt reply.
"Where's daddy?" Glen questioned.
"Blamed if I know. He cleared out shortly after you did, and left meto die out there. I haven't seen him since."
Dan's arm was in a sling, and the haggard expression upon his faceshowed that he had suffered a great deal both mentally and bodily. Thethree watched him as he hurried on his way, until a bend in the trailhid him from view.
"An' to think of that critter bein' free!" Samson exclaimed. "Why, heshould be linked up with Curly, an' git the same dose. Thar'ssomething comin' to him, an' he'll git it in time, mark my word."
"What do you suppose has become of daddy?" Glen enquired, as theyresumed their journey. "Did you hear what Dan said?"
"Oh, yer dad's all right, Miss," Samson assured her. "He knows how totake care of himself. Mebbe he's off to that mine. He's sartinly muchinterested in it."
"But where did you see Mr. Weston?" Reynolds unexpectedly asked.
"Whar did I see him?" and Samson ran the fingers of his right handthrough his hair in an abstracted manner. "Wall, let me see. It wassomewhar out in the hills. I've been in so many places that it's hardfer me to tell one from t'other. I do git terribly mixed up thesedays."
No further reference was made to the matter during the rest of the day,although Reynolds was not at all satisfied with the prospector's lameexplanation. He wondered why the old man should have such a suddenlapse of memory as to what had so recently happened. There was somereason for it, he felt quite sure.
It was evening when they at length reached the little cabin in thewilderness. Sconda had ridden on ahead, and had an appetizing supperready by the time the others arrived.
"I wonder where daddy can be," Glen remarked as they sat down to thetable. "I was hoping that he might be here to receive us."
"Oh, he's all right, an' will be back soon," Samson replied. "He'll behere this evenin' fer sure."
The sun had just disappeared beyond the far off mountain peaks as Glenand Reynolds walked down to the shore of the lake. Not a rippledisturbed the water, and the sombre trees along the shore were mirroredin the clear depths. It was a scene of restful peace and quietness.
"Isn't it beautiful here to-night!" Glen exclaimed, while she gave asigh of contentment. "I have no fear now of any danger lurking withinthose dark shadows, such as I had the last time we were here."
"And were you fearful then?" Reynolds asked.
"Indeed I was, for I thought Curly might be lurking around. He washere that day, and I do not mind confessing it now." She then brieflytold of Curly's visit, and how she had guarded him until Sconda arrived.
They were walking along the shore now, about one hundred yards from thecabin. Reynolds was amazed at the story, and when Glen finished hesuddenly stopped.
"Oh, I wish I had known of this sooner," he declared, while his handsclenched hard. "Why didn't you tell me before?"
"I was afraid," Glen confessed in a low voice.
"Afraid! Of what?"
"Of what you might do to Curly."
For an instant Reynolds stared at the girl. Could it be possible thatshe was concerned about the villain's welfare?
"And you thought I might kill him?" he asked.
"Yes; that was it."
"But he deserves to be killed after doing such a contemptible thing.Why, it is as bad as the Huns would do, and you know what we did tothem."
"But that was war," Glen reminded. "If you shot an enemy over there,you were not considered a murderer, and condemned to death, were you?"
"No, certainly not," Reynolds emphatically replied, as the meaning ofthe girl's words dawned upon his mind. "And so you kept silent for mysake?" he asked. "Were you afraid that I might do something desperateto Curly, and become a murderer?"
"Yes, I was," and Glen lifted her shining eyes to his.
"And you really care that much for me?"
"Why shouldn't I? Wouldn't anyone think of a friend, and his welfare?"
Only for an instant did Reynolds hesitate, while his heart beat wildlywith hope. Then he caught the girl's hands in his, and lookedlongingly into her eyes.
"Glen, Glen!" he passionately cried, using her Christian name for thefirst time, "is it possible that you love me? I wanted to tell you ofmy love but I was afraid."
"Why, you did tell me," Glen whispered, making no effort to free herhands.
"I did! When?"
"Don't you remember that night at Glen West when we first sangtogether?"
"But I didn't say a word to you about my love."
"No, but you showed it in your face and manner. You know what you did."
"I kissed you; that was it."
Releasing her hands, he drew the girl close to him, and imprinted afervent kiss upon her burning lips.
"Glen, Glen!" he murmured. "You are mine at last. I know you love me,and are now my very own. Tell me that you love me."
In reply, Glen threw her arms around his neck, while tears of joy stoledown her cheeks.
"I love you. I love you," she whispered. "Oh, I am so happy! Youwill never leave me, will you?"
For some time they stood there, lost to the world around them. It wasthe old true story being repeated by that wilderness lake. It was lovemade perfect by the union of two young hearts, the flowing together oftwo souls, the sudden bursting into bloom of the seed of affection,which had been steadily developing for weeks past.
And as they stood there, whispering of things revealed only to trueardent lovers, and their faces aglow with the light of a great and anew-found joy, the atmosphere suddenly changed. Great clouds hadmassed on the mountains, and the wind was whipping down the valley,ruffling the surface of the lake. The air grew cold, and Glenshivered. Then it was that they first realised the change that hadtaken place, and they both laughed. But Glen's face grew instantlysober.
"What will daddy say?" she breathed. "We must tell him as soon as hecomes home."
"How does he generally punish a thief?" Reynolds smilingly asked asthey walked slowly back to the cabin. "I have stolen the greatesttreasure he possesses, the heart of his only child."
"That remains to be seen," was the laughing reply. "He may punish you,though, by inflicting upon you for life that which you have stolen.Won't that be punishment enough?"