ThenthemanytrailsleadingawayfromtheJorthranch——thesegrewtohaveafascinationforEllen;andthetimecamewhensherodeoutonthemtoseeforherselfwheretheyled。ThesheepranchofDaggs，supposedtobeonlyafewmilesacrosstheridges，downinBearCanyon，nevermaterializedatallforEllen。ThiscircumstancesointerestedherthatshewentuptoseeherfriendSpragueandgothimtodirecthertoBearCanyon，sothatshewouldbesurenottomissit。Andsherodefromthenarrow，maple—thicketedheadofitneartheRimdownallitslength。Shefoundnoranch，nocabin，notevenacorralinBearCanyon。Spraguesaidtherewasonlyonecanyonbythatname。Daggshadassuredheroftheexactlocationonhisplace，andsohadherfather。Hadtheylied？Weretheymistakeninthecanyon？Thereweremanycanyons，allheadingupneartheRim，allrunningandwideningdownformilesthroughthewoodedmountain，andvastlydifferentfromthedeep，short，yellow—walledgorgesthatcutintotheRimfromtheBasinside。
　　Elleninvestigatedthecanyonswithinsixoreightmilesofherhome，bothtoeastandtowest。Allshediscoveredwasacoupleofoldlogcabins，longdeserted。Still，shedidnotfollowoutallthetrailstotheirends。Severalofthemledfarintothedeepest，roughest，wildestbrakesofgorgeandthicketthatshehadseen。Nocattleorsheephadeverbeendrivenoverthesetrails。
　　ThisridingaroundofEllen’satlengthgottoherfather’sears。
　　Ellenexpectedthatabitterquarrelwouldensue，forshecertainlywouldrefusetobeconfinedtothecamp;butherfatheronlyaskedhertolimitherridingtothemeadowvalley，andstraightwayforgotallaboutit。Infact，hisabstractiononemoment，hisintensenervousnessthenext，hisharderdrinkingandfiercerharangueswiththemen，grewtobedistressingforEllen。Theypresagedhisfurtherdeteriorationandtheever—presentevilofthegrowingfeud。
　　OnedayJorthrodehomeintheearlymorning，afteranabsenceoftwonights。Ellenheardtheclip—clopof，horseslongbeforeshesawthem。
　　"Hey，Ellen！Comeoutheah，"calledherfather。
　　Ellenleftherworkandwentoutside。Astrangerhadriddeninwithherfather，ayounggiantwhosesharp—featuredfaceappearedmarkedbyferret—likeeyesandafine，light，fuzzybeard。Hewaslong，loosejointed，notheavyofbuild，andhehadthelargesthandsandfeetEllenbadeverseen。NextEllenespiedablackhorsetheyhadevidentlybroughtwiththem。Herfatherwasholdingaropehalter。AtoncetheblackhorsestruckEllenasbeingabeautyandathoroughbred。
　　"Ellen，heah’sahorseforyou，"saidJorth，withsomethingofpride。
　　"Imadeatrade。ReckonIwantedhimmyself，buthe’stoogentleformean’maybealittlesmallformyweight。"
　　DelightvisitedEllenforthefirsttimeinmanydays。Seldomhadsheownedagoodhorse，andneveronelikethis。
　　"Oh，dad！"sheexclaimed，inhergratitude。
　　"Shorehe’syoursononecondition，"saidherfather。
　　"What’sthat？"askedEllen，asshelaidcaressinghandsontherestlesshorse。
　　"You’renottoridehimoutofthecanyon。"
　　"Agreed……Alldaidblack，isn’the，exceptthatwhiteface？
　　What’shisname，dad？
　　"Iforgottoask，"repliedJorth。ashebeganunsaddlinghisownhorse。
　　"Slater，what’sthisheahblack’sname？"
　　Thelankygiantgrinned。"IreckonitwasSpades。"
　　"Spades？"ejaculatedEllen，blankly。"Whataname！……Well，Iguessit’sasgoodasany。He’sshoreblack。"
　　"Ellen，keephimhobbledwhenyou’renotridin’him，"washerfather’spartingadviceashewalkedoffwiththestranger。
　　Spadeswaswetanddustyandhissatinyskinquivered。Hehadfine，dark，intelligenteyesthatwatchedEllen’severymove。Sheknewhowherfatherandhisfriendsdraggedandjammedhorsesthroughthewoodsandovertheroughtrails。Itdidnottakeherlongtodiscoverthatthishorsehadbeenapet。Ellencleanedhiscoatandbrushedhimandfedhim。Thenshefittedherbridletosuithisheadandsaddledhim。
　　Hisevidentresponsetoherkindnessassuredherthathewasgentle，soshemountedandrodehim，todiscoverhehadtheeasiestgaitshehadeverexperienced。Hewalkedandtrottedtosuitherwill，butwhenlefttochoosehisowngaithefellintoagracefullittlepacethatwasveryeasyforher。Heappearedquitereadytobreakintoarunatherslightestbidding，butEllensatisfiedherselfonthisfirstridewithhisslowergaits。
　　"Spades，y’u’veshorecutoutmyburroJinny，"saidEllen，regretfully。
　　"Well，Ireckonwomenarefickle。"
　　NextdaysherodeupthecanyontoshowSpadestoherfriendJohnSprague。Theoldburrobreederwasnotathome。Ashisdoorwasopen，however，andafiresmoldering，Ellenconcludedhewouldsoonreturn。
　　Soshewaited。Dismounting，sheleftSpadesfreetograzeonthenewgreengrassthatcarpetedtheground。Thecabinandlittlelevelclearingaccentuatedthelonelinessandwildnessoftheforest。
　　Ellenalwayslikedithereandhadoncebeeninthehabitofvisitingtheoldmanoften。Butoflateshehadstayedaway，forthereasonthatSprague’stalkandhisnewsandhispoorlyhiddenpitydepressedher。
　　Presentlysheheardhoofbeatsonthehard，packedtrailleadingdownthecanyoninthedirectionfromwhichshehadcome。ScarcelylikelywasitthatSpragueshouldreturnfromthisdirection。Ellenthoughtherfatherhadsentoneoftheherdersforher。Butwhenshecaughtaglimpseoftheapproachinghorseman，downintheaspens，shefailedtorecognizehim。Afterhehadpassedoneoftheopeningssheheardhishorsestop。Probablythemanhadseenher;atleastshecouldnototherwiseaccountforhisstopping。Theglimpseshehadofhimhadgivenhertheimpressionthathewasbendingover，peeringaheadinthetrail，lookingfortracks。Thensheheardtheridercomeonagain，moreslowlythistime。Atlengththehorsetrottedoutintotheopening，tobehauledupshort。Ellenrecognizedthebuckskin—cladfigure，thebroadshoulders，thedarkfaceofJeanIsbel。
　　Ellenfeltpreytothestrangestquakingsensationshehadeversuffered。
　　Ittookviolenceofhernew—bornspirittosubduethatfeeling。
　　Isbelrodeslowlyacrosstheclearingtowardher。ForEllenhisapproachseemedsingularlyswift——soswiftthathersurprise，dismay，conjecture，andangerobstructedherwill。TheoutwardlycalmandcoldEllenJorthwasatravestythatmockedher——thatshefelthewoulddiscern。
　　ThemomentIsbeldrewcloseenoughforEllentoseehisfacesheexperiencedastrong，shudderingrepetitionofherfirstshockofrecognition。Hewasnotthesame。Thelight，theyouthwasgone。
　　This，however，didnotcauseheremotion。Wasitnotasuddentransitionofhernaturetothedominanceofhate？Ellenseemedtofeeltheshadowofherunknownselfstandingwithher。
　　Isbelhaltedhishorse。Ellenhadbeenstandingnearthetrunkofafallenpineandsheinstinctivelybackedagainstit。Howherlegstrembled！Isbeltookoffhiscapandcrusheditnervouslyinhisbare，brownhand。
　　"Goodmornin’，MissEllen！"hesaid。
　　Ellendidnotreturnhisgreeting，butqueried，almostbreathlessly，"Didy’ucomebyourranch？"
　　"No。Icircled，"hereplied。
　　"JeanIsbel！Whatdoy’uwantheah？"shedemanded。
　　"Don’tyouknow？"hereturned。Hiseyeswereintenselyblackandpiercing。TheyseemedtosearchEllen’sverysoul。Tomeettheirgazewasanordealthatonlyherrousingfurysustained。
　　Ellenfeltonherlipsascornfulallusiontohishalf—breedIndiantraitsandthereputationthathadprecededhim。Butshecouldnotutterit。
　　"No"shereplied。
　　"It’shardtocallawomanaliar，"hereturned，bitterly。Butyoumustbe——seein’you’reaJorth。
　　"Liar！Nottoy’u，JeanIsbel，"sheretorted。"I’dnotlietoy’utosavemylife。"
　　Hestudiedherwithkeen，sober，moodyintent。Thedarkfireofhiseyesthrilledher。
　　"Ifthat’strue，I’mglad，"hesaid。
　　"Shoreit’strue。I’venoideawhyy’ucameheah。"
　　Ellendidhaveadawningideathatshecouldnotforceintooblivion。
　　Butifsheeveradmittedittoherconsciousness，shemustfailinthecontemptandscornandfearlessnessshechosetothrowinthisman’sface。
　　"DoesoldSpraguelivehere？"askedIsbel。
　　"Yes。Iexpecthimbacksoon……Didy’ucometoseehim？"
　　"No……DidSpraguetellyouanythin’abouttherowhesawmein？"
　　"He——didnot，"repliedEllen，lyingwithstifflips。Shewhohadswornshecouldnotlie！Shefeltthehotbloodleavingherheart，mountinginawave。Allherconsciouswillseemedimpelledtodeceive。WhathadshetohidefromJeanIsbel？Andastill，smallvoicerepliedthatshehadtohidetheEllenJorthwhohadwaitedforhimthatday，whohadspieduponhim，whohadtreasuredagiftshecouldnotdestroy，whohadhuggedtohermiserableheartthefactthathehadfoughtforhername。
　　"I’mgladofthat，"Isbelwassaying，thoughtfully。
　　"Didyoucomeheahtoseeme？"interruptedEllen。Shefeltthatshecouldnotendurethisreiteratedsuggestionoffineness，ofconsiderationinhim。Shewouldbetrayherself——betraywhatshedidnotevenrealizeherself。Shemustforceotherfooting——andthatshouldbetheoneofstrifebetweentheJorthsandIsbels。
　　"No——honest，Ididn’t，MissEllen，"herejoined，humbly。"I’lltellyou，presently，whyIcame。Butitwasn’ttoseeyou……Idon’tdenyIwanted……butthat’snomatter。Youdidn’tmeetmethatdayontheRim。"
　　"Meety’u！"sheechoed，coldly。"Shorey’uneverexpectedme？"
　　"SomehowIdid，"hereplied，withthosepenetratingeyesonher。
　　"Iputsomethin’inyourtentthatday。Didyoufindit？"
　　"Yes，"shereplied，withthesamecasualcoldness。
　　"Whatdidyoudowithit？"
　　"Ikickeditout，ofcourse，"shereplied。
　　Shesawhimflinch。
　　"Andyouneveropenedit？"
　　"Certainlynot，"sheretorted，asifforced。"Doon’ty’uknowanythin’
　　about——aboutpeople？……Shoreevenify’uareanIsbely’uneverwereborninTexas。"
　　"ThankGodIwasn’t！"hereplied。"Iwasborninabeautifulcountryofgreenmeadowsanddeepforestsandwhiterivers，notinabarrendesertwheremenlivedryandhardasthecactus。WhereIcomefrommendon’tliveonhate。Theycanforgive。"
　　"Forgive！……Couldy’uforgiveaJorth？"
　　"Yes，Icould。"
　　"Shorethat’seasytosay——withthewrongsallonyourside，"
　　shedeclared，bitterly。
　　"EllenJorth，thefirstwrongwasonyour，side，"retortedJean，hisvoicefall。"Yourfatherstolemyfather’ssweetheart——bylies，byslander，bydishonor，bymakin’terriblelovetoherinhisabsence。"
　　"It’salie，"criedEllen，passionately。
　　"Itisnot，"hedeclared，solemnly。
　　"JeanIsbel，Isayy’ulie！"
　　"No！Isayyou’vebeenliedto，"hethundered。
　　ThetremendousforceofhisspiritseemedtoflingtruthatEllen。
　　Itweakenedher。
　　"But——motherloveddad——best。"
　　"Yes，afterward。Nowonder，poorwoman！……Butitwastheactionofyourfatherandyourmotherthatruinedalltheselives。You’vegottoknowthetruth，EllenJorth……Alltheyearsofhatehavebornetheirfruit。GodAlmightycanneversaveusnow。Bloodmustbespilled。TheJorthsandtheIsbelscan’tliveonthesameearth……Andyou’vegottoknowthetruthbecausetheworstofthishellfallsonyouandme。"
　　Thehatethathespokeofaloneupheldher。
　　"Never，JeanIsbel！"shecried。"I’llneverknowtruthfromy’u……I’llnevershareanythin’withy’u——notevenhell。"
　　Isbeldismountedandstoodbeforeher，stillholdinghisbridlereins。
　　Thebayhorsechampedhisbitandtossedhishead。
　　"Whydoyouhatemeso？"heasked。"Ijusthappentobemyfather’sson。
　　Ineverharmedyouoranyofyourpeople。Imetyou……fellinlovewithyouinaflash——thoughIneverknewittillafter……Whydoyouhatemesoterribly？"
　　Ellenfeltaheavy，stiflingpressurewithinherbreast。"Y’u’reanIsbel……Doon’tspeakoflovetome。"
　　"Ididn’tintendto。Butyour——yourhateseemsunnatural。Andwe’llprobablynevermeetagain……Ican’thelpit。Iloveyou。Loveatfirstsight！JeanIsbelandEllenJorth！Strange，isn’tit？……
　　Itwasallsostrange。Mymeetin’yousolonelyandunhappy，myseein’
　　yousosweetandbeautiful，mythinkin’yousogoodinspiteof——"
　　"Shoreitwasstrange，"interruptedEllen，withscornfullaugh。
　　Shehadfoundherdefense。Inhurtinghimshecouldhideherownhurt。
　　"Thinkingmesogoodinspiteof——Ha—ha！AndIsaidI’dbeenkissedbefore！"
　　"Yes，inspiteofeverything，"hesaid。
　　Ellencouldnotlookathimasheloomedoverher。Shefeltawildtumultinherheart。Allthatcrowdedtoherlipsforutterancewasfalse。
　　"Yes——kissedbeforeImetyou——andsince，"shesaid，mockingly。
　　"AndIlaughatwhaty’ucalllove，JeanIsbel。"
　　"Laughifyouwant——butbelieveitwassweet，honorable——thebestinme，"
　　hereplied，indeepearnestness。
　　"Bah！"criedEllen，withalltheforceofherpainandshameandhate。
　　"ByHeaven，youmustbedifferentfromwhatIthought！"exclaimedIsbel，huskily。
　　"ShoreifIwasn’t，I’dmakemyself……Now，MisterJeanIsbel，getonyourhorsean’go！"
　　SomethingofcomposurecametoEllenwiththesewordsofdismissal，andsheglancedupathimwithhalf—veiledeyes。Hischangedaspectpreparedherforsomeblow。
　　"That’saprettyblackhorse。"
　　"Yes，"repliedEllen，blankly。
　　"Doyoulikehim？"
　　"I——Ilovehim。"
　　"Allright，I’llgivehimtoyouthen。He’llhavelessworkandkindertreatmentthanifIusedhim。I’vegotsomeprettyhardridesaheadofme。"
　　"Y’u——y’ugive——"whisperedEllen，slowlystiffening。"Yes。He’smine，"
　　repliedIsbel。Withthatheturnedtowhistle。Spadesthrewuphishead，snorted，andstartedforwardatatrot。Hecamefasterthecloserhegot，andifeverEllensawthejoyofahorseatsightofabelovedmastershesawitthen。Isbellaidahandontheanimal’sneckandcaressedhim，then，turningbacktoEllen，hewentonspeaking:"Ipickedhimfromalotoffinehorsesofmyfather’s。Wegotalongwell。MysisterAnnrodehimagooddeal……Hewasstolenfromourpasturedaybeforeyesterday。Itookhistrailandtrackedhimuphere。NeverlosthistrailtillIgottoyourranch，whereIhadtocircletillIpickeditupagain。"
　　"Stolen——pasture——trackedhimupheah？"echoedEllen，withoutanyevidenceofemotionwhatever。Indeed，sheseemedtohavebeenturnedtostone。
　　"Trackin’him。waseasy。Iwishforyoursakeit’dbeenimpossible，"
　　hesaid，bluntly。
　　"Formysake？"sheechoed，inpreciselythesametone，ManifestlythattoneirritatedIsbelbeyondcontrol。Hemisunderstoodit。Withahandfarfromgentlehepushedherbentheadbacksohecouldlookintoherface。
　　"Yes，foryoursake！"hedeclared，harshly。"Haven’tyousenseenoughtoseethat？……Whatkindofagamedoyouthinkyoucanplaywithme？"
　　"GameI……Gameofwhat？"sheasked。
　　"Why，a——agameofignorance——innocence——anyoldgametofoolamanwho’stryin’tobedecent。"
　　ThistimeEllenmutelylookedherdull，blankquestioning。AnditinflamedIsbel。
　　"Youknowyourfather’sahorsethief！"hethundered。
　　OutwardlyEllenremainedthesame。Shehadbeenpreparedforanunknownandaterribleblow。Ithadfallen。Andherface，herbody，herhands，lockedwiththesupremefortitudeofprideandsustainedbyhate，gavenobetrayalofthecrashing，thunderingruinwithinhermindandsoul。Motionlesssheleanedthere，meetingthepiercingfireofIsbel’seyes，seeinginthemarighteousandterriblescorn。Inoneflashthenakedtruthseemedblazedather。Thefaithshehadfostereddiedasuddendeath。Athousandperplexingproblemsweresolvedinasecondofwhirling，revealingthought。
　　"EllenJorth，youknowyourfather’sinwiththisHashKnifeGangofrustlers，"thunderedIsbel。
　　"Shore，"shereplied，withthecool，easy，carelessdefianceofaTexan。
　　"Youknowhe’sgotthisDaggstoleadhisfactionagainsttheIsbels？"
　　"Shore。"
　　Youknowthistalkofsheepmenbuckin’thecattlemenisallablind？"
　　"Shore，"reiteratedEllen。
　　Isbelgazeddarklydownuponher。Withhisangerspentforthemoment，heappearedreadytoendtheinterview。Butheseemedfascinatedbythestrangelookofher，bytheincomprehensiblesomethingsheemanated。
　　Havocgleamedinhispale，setface。Heshookhisdarkheadandhisbroadhandwenttohisbreast。
　　"TothinkIfellinlovewithsuchasyou！"heexclaimed，andhisotherhandsweptoutinatragicgestureofhelplesspathosandimpotence。
　　ThehellIsbelhadhintedatnowpossessedEllen——body，mind，andsoul。
　　Disgraced，scornedbyanIsbel！Yetlovedbyhim！Inthatdivinationthereflamedupawild，fiercepassiontohurt，torend，toflay，toflingbackuponhimastingingagony。Herthoughtflewuponherlikewhips。PrideoftheJorths！PrideoftheoldTexanblueblood！Itlaydeadatherfeet，killedbythescornfulwordsofthelastofthatfamilytowhomsheowedherdegradation。Daughterofahorsethiefandrustler！Darkandevilandgrimsettheforceswithinher，acceptingherfate，damningherenemies，truetothebloodoftheJorths。Thesinsofthefathermustbevisiteduponthedaughter。
　　"Shorey’umighthavehadme——thatdayontheRim——ify’uhadn’ttoldyourname，"shesaid，mockingly，andshegazedintohiseyeswithallthemysteryofawoman’snature。
　　Isbel’spowerfulframeshookaswithanague。"Girl，whatdoyoumean？"
　　"Shore，I’dhavebeenplumbfondofhavin’y’umakeuptome，"shedrawled。Itpossessedhernowwithirresistiblepower，thisfactofthelovehecouldnothelp。Somefiendishwoman’ssatisfactiondweltinherconsciousnessofherpowertokillthenoble，thefaithful，thegoodinhim。
　　"EllenJorth，youlie！"heburstout，hoarsely。
　　"Jean，shoreI’dbeenatoyandaragfortheserustlerslongenough。
　　Iwastiredofthem……Iwantedanewlover……Andify’uhadn’tgiveyourselfaway——"
　　Isbelmovedsoswiftlythatshedidnotrealizehisintentionuntilhishardhandsmotehermouth。Instantlyshetastedthehot，saltybloodfromacutlip。
　　"Shutup，youhussy！"heordered，roughly。"Haveyounoshame？……
　　MysisterAnnspokewellofyou。Shemadeexcuses——shepitiedyou。"
　　ThatforEllenseemedtheculminatingblowunderwhichshealmostsank。
　　Butonemomentlongercouldshemaintainthisunnaturalandterriblepoise。
　　"JeanIsbel——goalongwithy’u，"shesaid，impatiently。"I’mwaitingheahforSimmBruce！"
　　Atlastitwasasifshestruckhisheart。Becauseofdoubtofhimselfandastubbornfaithinher，hispassionandjealousywerenotproofagainstthislaststab。InstinctivesubtletyinherentinEllenhadpromptedthespeechthattorturedIsbel。Howtheshocktohimreboundedonher！Shegaspedashelungedforher，tooswiftforhertomoveahand。Onearmcrushedroundherlikeasteelband;theother，hardacrossherbreastandneck，forcedherheadback。Thenshetriedtowrestleaway。Butshewasutterlypowerless。Hisdarkfacebentdowncloserandcloser。SuddenlyEllenceasedtryingtostruggle。Shewaslikeastrickencreatureparalyzedbythepiercing，hypnoticeyesofasnake。Yetinspiteofherterror，ifhemeantdeathbyher，shewelcomedit。
　　"EllenJorth，I’mthinkin’yet——youlie！"hesaid，lowandtensebetweenhisteeth。
　　"No！No！"shescreamed，wildly。Hernervebrokethere。Shecouldnolongermeetthoseterribleblackeyes。Herpassionatedenialwasnotonlythelastofhershamefuldeceit;itwasthewomanofher，repudiatingherselfandhim，andallthissickening，miserablesituation。
　　Isbeltookherliterally。Shehadconvincedhim。AndtheinstantheldblankhorrorforEllen。
　　"ByGod——thenI’llhavesomethin’——ofyouanyway！"mutteredIsbel，thickly。
　　Ellensawthebloodbulgeinhispowerfulneck。Shesawhisdark，hardface，strangenow，fearfultobehold，comelowerandlower，tillitblurredandobstructedhergaze。Shefelttheswellandrippleandstretch——thenthebindofhismuscles，likehugecoilsofelasticrope。
　　Thenwithsavagerudeforcehismouthclosedonhers。AllEllen’ssensesreeled，asifshewereswooning。Shewassuffocating。Thespasmpassed，andaburstingspurtofbloodrevivedhertoacuteandterribleconsciousness。Fortheendlessperiodofonemomentheheldhersothatherbreastseemedcrushed。Hiskissesburnedandbraisedherlips。Andthen，shiftingviolentlytoherneck，theypressedsohardthatshechokedunderthem。Itwasasifahugebathadfasteneduponherthroat。
　　Suddenlytheremorselessbindingembraces——thehotandsavagekisses——
　　fellawayfromher。Isbelhadletgo。Shesawhimthrowuphishands，andstaggerbackalittle，allthewhilewithhispiercinggazeonher。
　　Hisfacehadbeendarkpurple:nowitwaswhite。
　　"No——EllenJorth，"hepanted，"Idon’t——wantanyofyou——thatway。"
　　Andsuddenlyhesankonthelogandcoveredhisfacewithhishands。
　　"WhatIlovedinyou——waswhatIthought——youwere。"
　　LikeawildcatEllenspranguponhim，beatinghimwithherfists，tearingathishair，scratchinghisface，inablindfury。Isbelmadenomovetostopher，andherviolencespentitselfwithherstrength。Sheswayedbackfromhim，shakingsothatshecouldscarcelystand。
　　"Y’u——damned——Isbel！"shegasped，withhoarsepassion。"Y’uinsultedme！"
　　"Insultedyou？……"laughedIsbel，inbitterscorn。"Itcouldn’tbedone。"
　　"Oh！……I’llKILLy’u！"shehissed。
　　Isbelstoodupandwipedtheredscratchesonhisface。"Goahead。
　　There’smygun，"hesaid，pointingtohissaddlesheath。"Somebody’sgottobeginthisJorth—Isbelfeud。It’llbeadirtybusiness。I’msickofitalready……Killme！……FirstbloodforEllenJorth！"
　　SuddenlythedarkgrimtidethathadseemedtoengulfEllen’sverysoulcooledandreceded，leavingherwithoutitsfalsestrength。Shebegantosag。ShestaredatIsbel’sgun。"Killhim，"whisperedtheretreatingvoicesofherhate。ButshewasaspowerlessasifshewerestillheldinJeanIsbel’sgiantembrace。
　　"I——Iwantto——killy’u，"shewhispered，"butIcain’t……
　　Leaveme。"
　　"You’renoJorth——thesameasI’mnoIsbel。Weoughtn’tbemixedinthisdeal，"hesaid，somberly。"I’msorrierforyouthanIamformyself……You’reagirl……Youoncehadagoodmother——adecenthome。Andthislifeyou’veledhere——meanasit’sbeen——isnothin’towhatyou’llfacenow。Damnthementhatbroughtyoutothis！I’mgoin’
　　tokillsomeofthem。"