'My–heart–is broken,' sobbed Nell, 'for–I–I–can't marry you.'
The boyish brightness faded out of Gale's face. Here, Belding saw, was the stern reality arrayed against his dreams. 'That devil Radford Chase–he'll tell my secret,' panted Nell. 'He swore if you ever came back and married me he'd follow us all over the world to tell it.'
Belding saw Gale grow deathly white and suddenly stand stock-still.
'Chase threatened you, then?' asked Dick; and the forced naturalness of his voice struck Belding.
'Threatened me? He made my life a nightmare,' replied Nell, in a rush of speech. 'At first I wondered how he was worrying mother sick. But she wouldn't tell me. Then when she went away he began to hint things. I hated him all the more. But when he told me–I was frightened, shamed. Still I did not weaken. He was pretty decent when he was sober. But when he was half drunk he was the devil. He laughed at me and my pride. I didn't dare shut the door in his face. After a while he found out that your mother loved me and that I loved her. Then he began to threaten me. If I didn't give in to him he'd see she learned the truth. That made me weaken. It nearly killed me. I simply could not bear the thought of Mrs. Gale kowing. But I couldn't marry him. Besides, he got so half the time, when he was drunk, he didn't want or ask me to be his wife. I was about ready to give up and go mad when you–you came home.'
She ended in a whisper, looking up wistfully and sadly at him. Belding was a raging fire within, cold without. He watched Gale, and believed he could foretell that young man's future conduct. Gale gathered Nell up into his arms and held her to his breast for a long moment.
'Dear Nell, I'm sure the worst of your trouble is over,' he said gently. 'I will not give you up. Now, won't you lie down, try to rest and calm yourself. Don't grieve any more. This thing isn't so bad as you make it. Trust me. I'll shut Mr. Radford Chase's mouth.'
As he released her she glanced quickly up at him, then lifted appealing hands.
'Dick, you won't hunt for him–go after him?'
Gale laughed, and the laugh made Belding jump.
'Dick, I beg of you. Please don't make trouble. The Chases have been hard enough on us. They are rich, powerful. Dick, say you will not make matters worse. Please promise me you'll not go to him.'
'You ask me that?' he demanded.
'Yes. Oh yes!'
'But you know it's useless. What kind of a man do you want me to be?'
'It's only that I'm afraid. Oh, Dick, he'd shoot you in the back.'
'No, Nell, a man of his kind wouldn't have nerve enough even for that.'
'You'll go?' she cried wildly.
Gale smiled, and the smile made Belding cold.
'Dick, I cannot keep you back?'
'No,' he said.
Then the woman in her burst through instinctive fear, and with her eyes blazing black in her white face she lifted parted quivering lips and kissed him.
Gale left the patio, and Belding followed closely at his heels. They went through the sitting-room. Outside upon the porch sat the rangers, Mr. Gale, and Thorne. Dick went into his room without speaking.
'Shore somethin's comin' off,' said Ladd, sharply; and he sat up with keen eyes narrowing.
Belding spoke a few words; and, remembering an impression he had wished to make upon Mr. Gale, he made them strong. But now it was with grim humor that he spoke.
'Better stop that boy,' he concluded, looking at Mr. Gale. 'He'll do some mischief. He's wilder'n hell.'
'Stop him? Why, assuredly,' replied Mr. Gale, rising with nervous haste.
Just then Dick came out of his door. Belding eyed him keenly. The only change he could see was that Dick had put on a hat and a pair of heavy gloves.
'Richard, where are you going?' asked his father.
'I'm going over here to see a man.'
'No. It is my wish that you remain. I forbid you to go,' said Mr. Gale, with a hand on his son's shoulder.
Dick put Mr. Gale aside gently, respectfully, yet forcibly. The old man gasped.
'Dad, I haven't gotten over my bad habit of disobeying you. I'm sorry. Don't interfere with me now. And don't follow me. You might see something unpleasant.'
'But my son! What are you going to do?'
'I'm going to beat a dog.'
Mr. Gale looked helplessly from this strangely calm and cold son to the restless Belding. Then Dick strode off the porch.
'Hold on!' Ladd's voice would have stopped almost any man. 'Dick, you wasn't agoin' without me?'
'Yes, I was. But I'm thoughtless just now, Laddy.'
'Shore you was. Wait a minute, Dick. I'm a sick man, but at that nobody can pull any stunts round here without me.'
