Therangercaptainstooddumb，motionless。ButhesawLongstreth’sinstantaction，andawkwardlyhereachedfortheoutstretchedhand。
　　"Anyofyourmendownhere？"queriedDuane，sharply。
　　"No。They’reup—town。"
　　"Come。MacNelly，youwalkwithhim。We’veladiesintheparty。
　　I’llcomebehindwiththem。"
　　Theysetoffup—town。Longstrethwalkedasifhewerewithfriendsonthewaytodinner。Thegirlsweremute。MacNellywalkedlikeamaninatrance。Therewasnotawordspokeninfourblocks。
　　PresentlyDuaneespiedastonebuildingonacornerofthebroadstreet。Therewasabigsign，"Rancher’sBank。"
　　"There’sthehotel，"saidMacNelly。"Someofmymenarethere。
　　We’vescatteredaround。"
　　Theycrossedthestreet，wentthroughofficeandlobby，andthenDuaneaskedMacNellytotakethemtoaprivateroom。
　　WithoutawordtheCaptaincomplied。WhentheywereallinsideDuaneclosedthedoor，and，drawingadeepbreathasifofrelief，hefacedthemcalmly。
　　"MissLongstreth，youandMissRuthtrytomakeyourselvescomfortablenow，"hesaid。"Anddon’tbedistressed。"Thenheturnedtohiscaptain。"MacNelly，thisgirlisthedaughterofthemanI’vebroughttoyou，andthisoneishisniece。"
　　ThenDuanebrieflyrelatedLongstreth’sstory，and，thoughhedidnotsparetherustlerchief，hewasgenerous。
　　"WhenIwentafterLongstreth，"concludedDuane，"itwaseithertokillhimorofferhimfreedomonconditions。SoIchosethelatterforhisdaughter’ssake。Hehasalreadydisposedofallhisproperty。Ibelievehe’llliveuptotheconditions。He’stoleaveTexasnevertoreturn。ThenameCheseldinehasbeenamystery，andnowit’llfade。"
　　AfewmomentslaterDuanefollowedMacNellytoalargeroom，likeahall，andhereweremenreadingandsmoking。Duaneknewthem——rangers！
　　MacNellybeckonedtohismen。
　　"Boys，hereheis。"
　　"Howmanymenhaveyou？"askedDuane。
　　"Fifteen。"
　　MacNellyalmostembracedDuane，wouldprobablyhavedonesobutforthedarkgrimnessthatseemedtobecomingovertheman。
　　Insteadheglowed，hesputtered，hetriedtotalk，towavehishands。Hewasbesidehimself。Andhisrangerscrowdedcloser，eager，likehoundsreadytorun。Theyalltalkedatonce，andthewordmostsignificantandfrequentintheirspeechwas"outlaws。"
　　MacNellyclappedhisfistinhishand。
　　"This’llmaketheadjutantsickwithjoy。Maybewewon’thaveitontheGovernor！We’llshowthemabouttherangerservice。
　　Duane！how’dyoueverdoit？"
　　"Now，Captain，notthehalfnorthequarterofthisjob’sdone。
　　Thegang’scomingdowntheroad。Isawthemfromthetrain。
　　They’llrideintotownonthedot——two—thirty。"
　　"Howmany？"askedMacNelly。
　　"Poggin，BlossomKane，PanhandleSmith，Boldt，JimFletcher，andanothermanIdon’tknow。ThesearethepickedmenofCheseldine’sgang。I’llbetthey’llbethefastest，hardestbunchyourangerseverfaced。"
　　"Poggin——that’sthehardnuttocrack！I’veheardtheirrecordssinceI’vebeeninValVerde。Where’sKnell？Theysayhe’saboy，buthellandblazes！"
　　"Knell’sdead。"
　　"Ah！"exclaimedMacNelly，softly。Thenhegrewbusinesslike，cool，andofharderaspect。"Duane，it’syourgameto—day。I’monlyarangerunderorders。We’reallunderyourorders。We’veabsolutefaithinyou。Makeyourplanquick，soIcangoaroundandposttheboyswho’renothere。"
　　"Youunderstandthere’snosenseintryingtoarrestPoggin，Kane，andthatlot？"queriedDuane。
　　"No，Idon’tunderstandthat，"repliedMacNelly，bluntly。
　　"Itcan’tbedone。Thedropcan’tbegotonsuchmen。Ifyoumeetthemtheyshoot，andmightyquickandstraight。Poggin！
　　Thatoutlawhasnoequalwithagun——unless——He’sgottobekilledquick。They’llallhavetobekilled。They’reallbad，desperate，knownofear，arelightninginaction。"
　　"Verywell，Duane;thenit’safight。That’llbeeasier，perhaps。Theboysarespoilingforafight。Outwithyourplan，now。"
　　"Putonemanateachendofthisstreet，justattheedgeoftown。Lethimhidetherewitharifletoblocktheescapeofanyoutlawthatwemightfailtoget。Ihadagoodlookatthebankbuilding。It’swellsituatedforourpurpose。Putfourmenupinthatroomoverthebank——fourmen，twoateachopenwindow。Letthemhidetillthegamebegins。Theywanttobetheresoincasethesefoxyoutlawsgetwisebeforethey’redownonthegroundorinsidethebank。Therestofyourmenputinsidebehindthecounters，wherethey’llhide。Nowgoovertothebank，springthethingonthebankofficials，anddon’tletthemshutupthebank。Youwanttheiraid。Letthemmakesureoftheirgold。ButtheclerksandcashieroughttobeattheirdesksorwindowwhenPogginridesup。He’llglanceinbeforehegetsdown。Theymakenomistakes，thesefellows。Wemustbeslickerthantheyare，orlose。Whenyougetthebankpeoplewise，sendyourmenoveronebyone。Nohurry，noexcitement，nounusualthingtoattractnoticeinthebank。"
　　"Allright。That’sgreat。Tellme，wheredoyouintendtowait？"
　　DuaneheardMacNelly’squestion，anditstruckhimpeculiarly。
　　Hehadseemedtobeplanningandspeakingmechanically。Ashewasconfrontedbythefactitnonplussedhimsomewhat，andhebecamethoughtful，withloweredhead。
　　"Where’llyouwait，Duane？"insistedMacNelly，withkeeneyesspeculating。
　　"I’llwaitinfront，justinsidethedoor，"repliedDuane，withaneffort。
　　"Why？"demandedtheCaptain。
　　"Well，"beganDuane，slowly，"Pogginwillgetdownfirstandstartin。Buttheotherswon’tbefarbehind。They’llnotgetswifttillinside。Thethingis——theyMUSTN’Tgetclearinside，becausetheinstanttheydothey’llpullguns。Thatmeansdeathtosomebody。Ifwecanwewanttostopthemjustatthedoor。"
　　"Butwillyouhide？"askedMacNelly。
　　"Hide！"TheideahadnotoccurredtoDuane。
　　"There’sawide—opendoorway，asortofroundhall，avestibule，withstepsleadinguptothebank。There’sadoorinthevestibule，too。Itleadssomewhere。Wecanputmeninthere。Youcanbethere。"
　　Duanewassilent。
　　"Seehere，Duane，"beganMacNelly，nervously。"Youshan’ttakeanyundueriskhere。You’llhidewiththerestofus？"
　　"No！"ThewordwaswrenchedfromDuane。
　　MacNellystared，andthenastrange，comprehendinglightseemedtoflitoverhisface。
　　"Duane，Icangiveyounoordersto—day，"hesaid，distinctly。
　　"I’monlyofferingadvice。Needyoutakeanymorerisks？You’vedoneagrandjobfortheservice——already。You’vepaidmeathousandtimesforthatpardon。You’veredeemedyourself。——TheGovernor，theadjutant—general——thewholestatewillriseupandhonoryou。Thegame’salmostup。We’llkilltheseoutlaws，orenoughofthemtobreakforevertheirpower。Isay，asaranger，needyoutakemoreriskthanyourcaptain？"
　　StillDuaneremainedsilent。Hewaslockedbetweentwoforces。
　　Andone，atidethatwasburstingatitsbounds，seemedabouttooverwhelmhim。Finallythatsideofhim，theretreatingself，theweaker，foundavoice。
　　"Captain，youwantthisjobtobesure？"heasked。
　　"Certainly。"
　　"I’vetoldyoutheway。Ialoneknowthekindofmentobemet。
　　JustWHATI’lldoorWHEREI’llbeIcan’tsayyet。Inmeetingslikethisthemomentdecides。ButI’llbethere！"
　　MacNellyspreadwidehishands，lookedhelplesslyathiscuriousandsympatheticrangers，andshookhishead。
　　"Nowyou’vedoneyourwork——laidthetrap——isthisstrangemoveofyoursgoingtobefairtoMissLongstreth？"askedMacNelly，insignificantlowvoice。
　　LikeagreattreechoppedattherootsDuanevibratedtothat。
　　Helookedupasifhehadseenaghost。
　　Mercilesslytherangercaptainwenton:"Youcanwinher，Duane！Oh，youcan’tfoolme。Iwaswiseinaminute。Fightwithusfromcover——thengobacktoher。YouwillhaveservedtheTexasRangersasnoothermanhas。I’llacceptyourresignation。You’llbefree，honored，happy。Thatgirllovesyou！Isawitinhereyes。She’s——"
　　ButDuanecuthimshortwithafiercegesture。Helungeduptohisfeet，andtherangersfellback。Dark，silent，grimashehadbeen，stilltherewasatransformationsingularlymoresinister，stranger。
　　"Enough。I’mdone，"hesaid，somberly。"I’veplanned。Doweagree——orshallImeetPogginandhisgangalone？"
　　MacNellycursedandagainthrewuphishands，thistimeinbaffledchagrin。TherewasdeepregretinhisdarkeyesastheyresteduponDuane。
　　Duanewasleftalone。
　　Neverhadhismindbeensoquick，soclear，sowonderfulinitsunderstandingofwhathadheretoforebeenintricateandelusiveimpulsesofhisstrangenature。HisdeterminationwastomeetPoggin;meethimbeforeanyoneelsehadachance——Pogginfirst——andthentheothers！Hewasasunalterableinthatdecisionasifontheinstantofitsacceptancehehadbecomestone。
　　Why？Thencamerealization。Hewasnotarangernow。Hecarednothingforthestate。Hehadnothoughtoffreeingthecommunityofadangerousoutlaw，ofriddingthecountryofanobstacletoitsprogressandprosperity。HewantedtokillPoggin。Itwassignificantnowthatheforgottheotheroutlaws。Hewasthegunman，thegun—thrower，thegun—fighter，passionateandterrible。Hisfather’sblood，thatdarkandfiercestrain，hismother’sspirit，thatstrongandunquenchablespiritofthesurvivingpioneer——thesehadbeeninhim;andthekillings，oneafteranother，thewildandhauntedyears，hadmadehim，absolutelyinspiteofhiswill，thegunman。Herealizeditnow，bitterly，hopelessly。Thethinghehadintelligenceenoughtohatehehadbecome。Atlastheshudderedunderthedriving，ruthlessinhumanblood—lustofthegunman。Longagohehadseemedtosealinatombthathorrorofhiskind——theneed，inordertoforgetthehaunting，sleeplesspresenceofhislastvictim，togooutandkillanother。Butitwasstillthereinhismind，andnowitstalkedout，worse，morepowerful，magnifiedbyitsrest，augmentedbytheviolentpassionspeculiarandinevitabletothatstrange，wildproductoftheTexasfrontier——thegun—fighter。Andthosepassionsweresoviolent，soraw，sobase，somuchlowerthanwhatoughttohaveexistedinathinkingman。Actualprideofhisrecord！
　　Actualvanityinhisspeedwithagun。Actualjealousyofanyrival！
　　Duanecouldnotbelieveit。Buttherehewas，withoutachoice。
　　Whathehadfearedforyearshadbecomeamonstrousreality。
　　Respectforhimself，blindness，acertainhonorthathehadclungtowhileinoutlawry——all，likescales，seemedtofallawayfromhim。Hestoodstrippedbare，hissoulnaked——thesoulofCain。Alwayssincethefirstbrandhadbeenforcedandburneduponhimhehadbeenruined。Butnowwithconscienceflayedtothequick，yetutterlypowerlessoverthistigerinstinct，hewaslost。Hesaidit。Headmittedit。AndattheutterabasementthesoulhedespisedsuddenlyleapedandquiveredwiththethoughtofRayLongstreth。
　　Thencameagony。Ashecouldnotgovernallthechancesofthisfatalmeeting——asallhisswiftanddeadlygeniusmustbeoccupiedwithPoggin，perhapsinvain——ashard—shootingmenwhomhecouldnotwatchwouldbeclosebehind，thisalmostcertainlymustbetheendofBuckDuane。Thatdidnotmatter。
　　Buthelovedthegirl。Hewantedher。Allhersweetness，herfire，andpleadingreturnedtotorturehim。
　　Atthatmomentthedooropened，andRayLongstrethentered。
　　"Duane，"shesaid，softly。"CaptainMacNellysentmetoyou。"
　　"Butyoushouldn’thavecome，"repliedDuane。
　　"AssoonashetoldmeIwouldhavecomewhetherhewisheditornot。Youleftme——allofus——stunned。Ihadnotimetothankyou。Oh，Ido—withallmysoul。Itwasnobleofyou。Fatherisovercome。Hedidn’texpectsomuch。Andhe’llbetrue。But，Duane，Iwastoldtohurry，andhereI’mselfishlyusingtime。"
　　"Go，then——andleaveme。Youmustn’tunnervemenow，whenthere’sadesperategametofinish。"
　　"Needitbedesperate？"shewhispered，comingclosetohim。
　　"Yes;itcan’tbeelse。"
　　MacNellyhadsenthertoweakenhim;ofthatDuanewassure。
　　Andhefeltthatshehadwantedtocome。Hereyesweredark，strained，beautiful，andtheyshedalightuponDuanehehadneverseenbefore。
　　"You’regoingtotakesomemadrisk，"shesaid。"Letmepersuadeyounotto。Yousaid——youcaredforme——andI——oh，Duane——don’tyou——know——？"
　　Thelowvoice，deep，sweetasanoldchord，falteredandbrokeandfailed。
　　Duanesustainedasuddenshockandaninstantofparalyzedconfusionofthought。
　　Shemoved，shesweptoutherhands，andthewonderofhereyesdimmedinafloodoftears。
　　"MyGod！Youcan’tcareforme？"hecried，hoarsely。
　　Thenshemethim，handsoutstretched。
　　"ButIdo—Ido！"
　　SwiftaslightDuanecaughtherandheldhertohisbreast。Hestoodholdinghertight，withthefeelofherwarm，throbbingbreastandtheclaspofherarmsasfleshandbloodrealitiestofightaterriblefear。Hefelther，andforthemomentthemightofitwasstrongerthanallthedemonsthatpossessedhim。Andheheldherasifshehadbeenhissoul，hisstrengthonearth，hishopeofHeaven，againsthislips。
　　Thestrifeofdoubtallpassed。Hefoundhissightagain。Andthererushedoverhimatideofemotionunutterablysweetandfull，stronglikeanintoxicatingwine，deepashisnature，somethinggloriousandterribleastheblazeofthesuntoonelongindarkness。Hehadbecomeanoutcast，awanderer，agunman，avictimofcircumstances;hehadlostandsufferedworsethandeathinthatloss;hehadgonedowntheendlessbloodytrail，akillerofmen，afugitivewhosemindslowlyandinevitablyclosedtoallexcepttheinstincttosurviveandablackdespair;andnow，withthiswomaninhisarms，herswellingbreastagainsthis，inthismomentalmostofresurrection，hebentunderthestormofpassionandjoypossibleonlytohimwhohadenduredsomuch。
　　"Doyoucare——alittle？"hewhispered，unsteadily。
　　Hebentoverher，lookingdeepintothedarkweteyes。
　　Sheutteredalowlaughthatwashalfsob，andherarmsslippeduptohisneck。
　　"AlittlerOh，Duane——Duane——agreatdeal！"
　　Theirlipsmetintheirfirstkiss。Thesweetness，thefireofhermouthseemedsonew，sostrange，soirresistibletoDuane。
　　Hissoreandhungryheartthrobbedwiththickandheavybeats。
　　Hefelttheoutcast’sneedoflove。Andhegaveuptotheenthrallingmoment。Shemethimhalf—way，returnedkissforkiss，claspforclasp，herfacescarlet，hereyesclosed，till，herpassionandstrengthspent，shefellbackuponhisshoulder。
　　Duanesuddenlythoughtshewasgoingtofaint。Hedivinedthenthatshehadunderstoodhim，wouldhavedeniedhimnothing，notevenherlife，inthatmoment。Butshewasovercome，andhesufferedapangofregretathisunrestraint。
　　Presentlysherecovered，andshedrewonlythecloser，andleaneduponhimwithherfaceupturned。Hefeltherhandsonhis，andtheyweresoft，clinging，strong，likesteelundervelvet。Hefelttheriseandfall，thewarmthofherbreast。A
　　tremorranoverhim。Hetriedtodrawback，andifhesucceededalittleherformswayedwithhim，pressingcloser。Sheheldherfaceup，andhewascompelledtolook。Itwaswonderfulnow:white，yetglowing，withtheredlipsparted，anddarkeyesalluring。Butthatwasnotall。Therewaspassion，unquenchablespirit，woman’sresolvedeepandmighty。
　　"Iloveyou，Duane！"shesaid。"Formysakedon’tgoouttomeetthisoutlawfacetoface。It’ssomethingwildinyou。
　　Conqueritifyouloveme。"
　　Duanebecamesuddenlyweak，andwhenhedidtakeherintohisarmsagainhescarcelyhadstrengthtolifthertoaseatbesidehim。Sheseemedmorethanadeadweight。Hercalmnesshadfled。Shewasthrobbing，palpitating，quivering，withhotwetcheeksandarmsthatclungtohimlikevines。Sheliftedhermouthtohis，whispering，"Kissme！"Shemeanttochangehim，holdhim。
　　Duanebentdown，andherarmswentroundhisneckanddrewhimclose。Withhislipsonhersheseemedtofloataway。Thatkissclosedhiseyes，andhecouldnotlifthishead。Hesatmotionlessholdingher，blindandhelpless，wrappedinasweetdarkglory。Shekissedhim——onelongendlesskiss——orelseathousandtimes。Herlips，herwetcheeks，herhair，thesoftness，thefragranceofher，thetenderclaspofherarms，theswellofherbreast——alltheseseemedtoinclosehim。
　　Duanecouldnotputherfromhim。Heyieldedtoherlipsandarms，watchingher，involuntarilyreturninghercaresses，surenowofherintent，fascinatedbythesweetnessofher，bewildered，almostlost。Thiswaswhatitwastobelovedbyawoman。Hisyearsofoutlawryhadblottedoutanyboyishlovehemighthaveknown。Thiswaswhathehadtogiveup——allthiswonderofhersweetperson，thisstrangefirehefearedyetloved，thismatehisdeepandtorturedsoulrecognized。Neveruntilthatmomenthadhedivinedthemeaningofawomantoaman。Thatmeaningwasphysicalinasmuchthathelearnedwhatbeautywas，whatmarvelinthetouchofquickeningflesh;anditwasspiritualinthathesawtheremighthavebeenforhim，underhappiercircumstances，alifeofnobledeedslivedforsuchawoman。
　　"Don’tgo！Don’tgo！"shecried，ashestartedviolently。
　　"Imust。Dear，good—by！RememberIlovedyour"
　　Hepulledherhandsloosefromhis，steppedback。
　　"Ray，dearest——Ibelieve——I’llcomeback！"hewhispered。
　　Theselastwordswerefalsehood。
　　Hereachedthedoor，gaveheronelastpiercingglance，tofixforeverinmemorythatwhitefacewithitsdark，staring，tragiceyes。
　　"DUANE！"
　　Hefledwiththatmoanlikethunder，death，hellinhisears。
　　Toforgether，togetbackhisnerve，heforcedintomindtheimageofPoggin—Poggin，thetawny—haired，theyellow—eyed，likeajaguar，withhisripplingmuscles。Hebroughtbackhissenseoftheoutlaw’swonderfulpresence，hisownunaccountablefearandhate。Yes，Pogginhadsentthecoldsicknessoffeartohismarrow。Why，sincehehatedlifeso？Pogginwashissupremetest。Andthisabnormalandstupendousinstinct，nowdeepastheveryfoundationofhislife，demandeditswildandfatalissue。TherewasahorriblethrillinhissuddenremembrancethatPogginlikewisehadbeentauntedinfearofhim。
　　SothedarktideoverwhelmedDuane，andwhenhelefttheroomhewasfierce，implacable，steeledtoanyoutcome，quicklikeapanther，somberasdeath，inthethrallofhisstrangepassion。
　　Therewasnoexcitementinthestreet。Hecrossedtothebankcorner。Aclockinsidepointedthehouroftwo。Hewentthroughthedoorintothevestibule，lookedaround，passedupthestepsintothebank。Theclerkswereattheirdesks，apparentlybusy。
　　Buttheyshowednervousness。ThecashierpaledatsightofDuane。Thereweremen——therangers——crouchingdownbehindthelowpartition。Allthewindowshadbeenremovedfromtheirongratingbeforethedesks。Thesafewasclosed。Therewasnomoneyinsight。Acustomercamein，spoketothecashier，andwastoldtocometo—morrow。
　　Duanereturnedtothedoor。Hecouldseefardownthestreet，outintothecountry。Therehewaited，andminuteswereeternities。Hesawnopersonnearhim;heheardnosound。Hewasinsulatedinhisunnaturalstrain。
　　Atafewminutesbeforehalfpasttwoadark，compactbodyofhorsemenappearedfardown，turningintotheroad。Theycameatasharptrot——agroupthatwouldhaveattractedattentionanywhereatanytime。Theycamealittlefasterastheyenteredtown;thenfasterstill;nowtheywerefourblocksaway，nowthree，nowtwo。Duanebackeddownthemiddleofthevestibule，upthesteps，andhaltedinthecenterofthewidedoorway。
　　Thereseemedtobearushinginhisearsthroughwhichpiercedsharp，ringingclip—clopofironhoofs。Hecouldseeonlythecornerofthestreet。Butsuddenlyintothatshotlean—limbeddustybayhorses。Therewasaclatteringofnervoushoofspulledtoahalt。
　　DuanesawthetawnyPogginspeaktohiscompanions。Hedismountedquickly。Theyfollowedsuit。Theyhadthemannerofranchersabouttoconductsomebusiness。Nogunsshowed。Pogginstartedleisurelyforthebankdoor，quickeningstepalittle。
　　Theothers，closetogether，camebehindhim。BlossomKanehadabaginhislefthand。JimFletcherwasleftatthecurb，andhehadalreadygatheredupthebridles。
　　Pogginenteredthevestibulefirst，withKaneononeside，Boldtontheother，alittleinhisrear。
　　AshestrodeinhesawDuane。
　　"HELL’SFIRE！"hecried。
　　SomethinginsideDuaneburst，piercingallofhimwithcold。
　　Wasitthatfear？
　　"BUCKDUANE！"echoedKane。
　　OneinstantPogginlookedupandDuanelookeddown。
　　LikeastrikingjaguarPogginmoved。AlmostasquicklyDuanethrewhisarm。
　　Thegunsboomedalmosttogether。
　　Duanefeltablowjustbeforehepulledtrigger。Histhoughtscamefast，likethestrangedotsbeforehiseyes。Hisrisinggunhadloosenedinhishand。Pogginhaddrawnquicker！A
　　tearingagonyencompassedhisbreast。Hepulled——pulled——atrandom。Thunderofboomingshotsallabouthim！Redflashes，jetsofsmoke，shrillyells！Hewassinking。Theend;yes，theend！WithfadingsighthesawKanegodown，thenBoldt。Butsupremetorture，bittererthandeath，Pogginstood，manelikealion’s，backtothewall，bloody—faced，grand，withhisgunsspoutingred！
　　Allfaded，darkened。Thethunderdeadened。Duanefell，seemedfloating。Thereitdrifted——RayLongstreth’ssweetface，white，withdark，tragiceyes，fadingfromhissight……fading……fading……
　　CHAPTERXXV
　　LightshonebeforeDuane’seyes——thick，strangelightthatcameandwent。Foralongtimedullandboomingsoundsrushedby，fillingall。Itwasadreaminwhichtherewasnothing;adriftingunderaburden;darkness，light，sound，movement;andvague，obscuresenseoftime——timethatwasverylong。Therewasfire——creeping，consumingfire。Adarkcloudofflameenvelopedhim，rolledhimaway。
　　Hesawthen，dimly，aroomthatwasstrange，strangepeoplemovingaboutoverhim，withfaintvoices，faraway，thingsinadream。Hesawagain，clearly，andconsciousnessreturned，stillunreal，stillstrange，fullofthosevagueandfar—awaythings。
　　Thenhewasnotdead。Helaystiff，likeastone，withaweightponderousasamountainuponhimandallhisboundbodyrackedinslow，dull—beatingagony。
　　Awoman’sfacehoveredoverhim，whiteandtragic—eyed，likeoneofhisoldhauntingphantoms，yetsweetandeloquent。Thenaman’sfacebentoverhim，lookeddeepintohiseyes，andseemedtowhisperfromadistance:"Duane——Duane！Ah，heknewme！"
　　Afterthattherewasanotherlongintervalofdarkness。Whenthelightcameagain，clearerthistime，thesameearnest—facedmanbentoverhim。ItwasMacNelly。Andwithrecognitionthepastfloodedback。
　　Duanetriedtospeak。Hislipswereweak，andhecouldscarcelymovethem。
　　"Poggin！"hewhispered。HisfirstrealconsciousthoughtwasforPoggin。Rulingpassion——eternalinstinct！
　　"Pogginisdead，Duane;shottopieces，"repliedMacNelly，solemnly。"Whatafighthemade！Hekilledtwoofmymen，woundedothers。God！hewasatiger。Heusedupthreegunsbeforewedownedhim。"
　　"Who—got——away？"
　　"Fletcher，themanwiththehorses。Wedownedalltheothers。
　　Duane，thejob’sdone——it’sdone！Why，man，you’re——"
　　"Whatof——of——HER？"
　　"MissLongstrethhasbeenalmostconstantlyatyourbedside。
　　Shehelpedthedoctor。Shewatchedyourwounds。And，Duane，theothernight，whenyousanklow——solow——Ithinkitwasherspiritthatheldyoursback。Oh，she’sawonderfulgirl。Duane，shenevergaveup，neverlosthernerveforamoment。Well，we’regoingtotakeyouhome，andshe’llgowithus。ColonelLongstrethleftforLouisianarightafterthefight。Iadvisedit。Therewasgreatexcitement。Itwasbestforhimtoleave。"
　　"HaveI——a——chance——torecover？"
　　"Chance？Why，man，"exclaimedtheCaptain，"you’llgetwell！
　　You’llpackasightofleadallyourlife。Butyoucanstandthat。Duane，thewholeSouthwestknowsyourstory。YouneedneveragainbeashamedofthenameBuckDuane。Thebrandoutlawiswashedout。Texasbelievesyou’vebeenasecretrangerallthetime。You’reahero。Andnowthinkofhome，yourmother，ofthisnoblegirl——ofyourfuture。"
　　TherangerstookDuanehometoWellston。
　　ArailroadhadbeenbuiltsinceDuanehadgoneintoexile。
　　Wellstonhadgrown。Anoisycrowdsurroundedthestation，butitstilledasDuanewascarriedfromthetrain。
　　Aseaoffacespressedclose。Somewerefacesheremembered——schoolmates，friends，oldneighbors。Therewasanupflingingofmanyhands。Duanewasbeingwelcomedhometothetownfromwhichhehadfled。Adeadnesswithinhimbroke。Thiswelcomehurthimsomehow，quickenedhim;andthroughhiscoldbeing，hiswearymind，passedachange。Hissightdimmed。
　　Thentherewasawhitehouse，hisoldhome。Howstrange，yethowreal！Hisheartbeatfast。Hadsomany，manyyearspassed？
　　Familiaryetstrangeitwas，andallseemedmagnified。
　　Theycarriedhimin，theserangercomrades，andlaidhimdown，andliftedhisheaduponpillows。Thehousewasstill，thoughfullofpeople。Duane’sgazesoughttheopendoor。
　　Someoneentered——atallgirlinwhite，withdark，weteyesandalightuponherface。Shewasleadinganoldlady，gray—haired，austere—faced，somberandsad。Hismother！Shewasfeeble，butshewalkederect。Shewaspale，shaking，yetmaintainedherdignity。
　　ThesomeoneinwhiteutteredalowcryandkneltbyDuane’sbed。Hismotherflungwideherarmswithastrangegesture。
　　"Thisman！They’venotbroughtbackmyboy。Thisman’shisfather！Whereismyson？Myson——oh，myson！"
　　WhenDuanegrewstrongeritwasapleasuretoliebythewestwindowandwatchUncleJimwhittlehisstickandlistentohistalk。Theoldmanwasbrokennow。HetoldmanyinterestingthingsaboutpeopleDuanehadknown——peoplewhohadgrownupandmarried，failed，succeeded，goneaway，anddied。ButitwashardtokeepUncleJimoffthesubjectofguns，outlaws，fights。HecouldnotseemtodivinehowmentionofthesethingshurtDuane。UncleJimwaschildishnow，andhehadagreatprideinhisnephew。HewantedtohearofallofDuane’sexile。
　　AndiftherewasonethingmorethananotherthatpleasedhimitwastotalkaboutthebulletswhichDuanecarriedinhisbody。
　　"Fivebullets，ain’tit？"heasked，forthehundredthtime。
　　"Fiveinthatlastscrap！Bygum！Andyouhadsixbefore？"
　　"Yes，uncle，"repliedDuane。
　　"Fiveandsix。Thatmakeseleven。Bygum！Aman’saman，tocarryallthatlead。But，Buck，youcouldcarrymore。There’sthatniggerEdwards，righthereinWellston。He’sgotatonofbulletsinhim。Doesn’tseemtomindthemnone。Andthere’sColeMiller。I’veseenhim。Beenabadmaninhisday。Theysayhepackstwenty—threebullets。Buthe’sbiggerthanyou——gotmoreflesh……Funny，wasn’tit，Buck，aboutthedoctoronlybein’abletocutonebulletoutofyou——thatoneinyourbreastbone？Itwasaforty—onecaliber，anunusualcartridge。I
　　sawit，andIwantedit，butMissLongstrethwouldn’tpartwithit。Buck，therewasabulletleftinoneofPoggin’sguns，andthatbulletwasthesamekindastheonecutoutofyou。Bygum！Boy，it’dhavekilledyouifit’dstayedthere。"
　　"Itwouldindeed，uncle，"repliedDuane，andtheold，haunting，sombermoodreturned。
　　ButDuanewasnotoftenatthemercyofchildisholdhero—worshipingUncleJim。MissLongstrethwastheonlypersonwhoseemedtodivineDuane’sgloomymood，andwhenshewaswithhimshewardedoffallsuggestion。
　　Oneafternoon，whileshewasthereatthewestwindow，amessagecameforhim。Theyreadittogether。
　　YouhavesavedtherangerservicetotheLoneStarStateMACNELLEY。
　　Raykneltbesidehimatthewindow，andhebelievedshemeanttospeakthenofthethingtheyhadshunned。Herfacewasstillwhite，butsweeternow，warmwithrichlifebeneaththemarble;
　　andherdarkeyeswerestillintent，stillhauntedbyshadows，butnolongertragic。
　　"I’mgladforMacNelly’ssakeaswellasthestate’s，"saidDuane。
　　Shemadenoreplytothatandseemedtobethinkingdeeply。
　　Duaneshrankalittle。
　　"Thepain——Isitanyworseto—day？"sheasked，instantly。
　　"No;it’sthesame。Itwillalwaysbethesame。I’mfulloflead，youknow。ButIdon’tmindalittlepain。"
　　"Then——it’stheoldmood——thefear？"shewhispered。"Tellme。"
　　"Yes。Ithauntsme。I’llbewellsoon——abletogoout。Thenthat——thathellwillcomeback！"
　　"No，no！"shesaid，withemotion。
　　"Somedrunkencowboy，somefoolwithagun，willhuntmeoutineverytown，whereverIgo，"hewenton，miserably。"BuckDuane！
　　TokillBuckDuane！"
　　"Hush！Don’tspeakso。Listen。YourememberthatdayinValVerde，whenIcametoyou——pleadwithyounottomeetPoggin？
　　Oh，thatwasaterriblehourforme。Butitshowedmethetruth。Isawthestrugglebetweenyourpassiontokillandyourloveforme。IcouldhavesavedyouthenhadIknownwhatI
　　knownow。NowIunderstandthat——thatthingwhichhauntsyou。
　　Butyou’llneverhavetodrawagain。You’llneverhavetokillanotherman，thankGod！"
　　Likeadrowningmanhewouldhavegraspedatstraws，buthecouldnotvoicehispassionatequery。
　　Sheputtenderarmsroundhisneck。"Becauseyou’llhavemewithyoualways，"shereplied。"BecausealwaysIshallbebetweenyouandthat——thatterriblething。"
　　Itseemedwiththespokenthoughtabsoluteassuranceofherpowercametoher。Duanerealizedinstantlythathewasinthearmsofastrongerwomanthatshewhohadpleadwithhimthatfatalday。
　　"We’ll——we’llbemarriedandleaveTexas，"shesaid，softly，withtheredbloodrisingrichanddarkinhercheeks。
　　"Ray！"
　　"Yeswewill，thoughyou’relaggardinaskingme，sir。"
　　"But，dear——suppose，"hereplied，huskily，"supposetheremightbe——bechildren——aboy。Aboywithhisfather’sblood！"
　　"IprayGodtherewillbe。Idonotfearwhatyoufear。Butevenso——he’llbehalfmyblood。"
　　Duanefeltthestormriseandbreakinhim。Andhisterrorwasthatofjoyquellingfear。Theshininggloryofloveinthiswoman’seyesmadehimweakasachild。Howcouldshelovehim——howcouldshesobravelyfaceafuturewithhim？Yetsheheldhiminherarms，twiningherhandsroundhisneck，andpressingclosetohim。Herfaithandloveandbeauty——theseshemeanttothrowbetweenhimandallthatterriblepast。Theywereherpower，andshemeanttousethemall。Hedarednotthinkofacceptinghersacrifice。
　　"ButRay——youdear，noblegirl——I’mpoor。Ihavenothing。AndI’macripple。"
　　"Oh，you’llbewellsomeday，"shereplied。"Andlisten。Ihavemoney。Mymotherleftmewelloff。Allshehadwasherfather’s——Doyouunderstand？We’lltakeUncleJimandyourmother。We’llgotoLouisiana——tomyoldhome。It’sfarfromhere。There’saplantationtowork。Therearehorsesandcattle——agreatcypressforesttocut。Oh，you’llhavemuchtodo。You’llforgetthere。You’lllearntolovemyhome。It’sabeautifuloldplace。Therearegroveswherethegraymossblowsalldayandthenightingalessingallnight。"
　　"Mydarling！"criedDuane，brokenly。"No，no，no！"
　　Yetheknewinhisheartthathewasyieldingtoher，thathecouldnotresistheramomentlonger。Whatwasthismadnessoflove？
　　"We’llbehappy，"shewhispered。"Oh，Iknow。
　　Come！——come！—come！"
　　Hereyeswereclosing，heavy—lidded，andsheliftedsweet，tremulous，waitinglips。
　　WithburstingheartDuanebenttothem。Thenheheldher，closepressedtohim，whilewithdimeyeshelookedoutoverthelineoflowhillsinthewest，downwherethesunwassettinggoldandred，downovertheNuecesandthewildbrakesoftheRioGrandewhichhewasnevertoseeagain。
　　ItwasinthissolemnandexaltedmomentthatDuaneacceptedhappinessandfacedanewlife，trustingthisbraveandtenderwomantobestrongerthanthedarkandfatefulpassionthathadshadowedhispast。
　　Itwouldcomeback——thatwindofflame，thatmadnesstoforget，thatdriving，relentlessinstinctforblood。Itwouldcomebackwiththosepale，drifting，hauntingfacesandtheaccusingfadingeyes，butallhislife，alwaysbetweenthemandhim，renderingthempowerless，wouldbethefaithandloveandbeautyofthisnoblewoman。