Brand Blotters

"No man alive can say that to me and live!" he told her. "Cur I may be;

but you're my wife, 'Lissie MacQueen. Don't forget that."

"Go! Go!" she choked. "I hope to God I'll never see your face again!"

She flew along the grass-bordered walk, whipped open the front door, and

disappeared within. She turned the key in the lock, and stood trembling in

the darkness. She half expected him to follow, to attempt to regain

possession of her.

But the creak of his quick step on the porch did not come. Only her

hammering heart stirred in the black silence. She drew a long breath of

relief, and sank down on the stairs. It was over at last, the horrible

nightmare through which she had been living.

Gradually she fought down her fears and took hold of herself. She must

find her father and relieve his anxiety. Quietly she opened the door of

the hall into the living room.

A man sat at the table, with his back to her, in an attitude of utter

dejection. He was leaning forward, with his head buried in his arms. It

was her father. She stepped forward, and put her hands on his bowed

shoulders.

"Daddy," she said softly.

At her touch the haggard, hopeless, unshaven face was lifted toward her.

For a moment Lee looked at her as if she had been a wraith. Then, with a

hoarse cry, he arose and caught her in his arms.

Neither of them could speak for emotion. He tried it twice before he could

get out: "Baby! Honey!"

He choked back the sobs in his throat. "Where did you come from? I thought

sure MacQueen had you."

"He had. He took me to Dead Man's Cache with him."

"And you escaped. Praise the Lord, honey!"

"No--he brought me back."

"MacQueen did! Goddlemighty--he knows what's best for him!"

"He brought me back to--to----" She broke down, and buried her head in his

shoulder.

Long, dry sobs racked her. The father divined with alarm that he did not

know the worst.

"Tell me--tell me, 'Lissie! Brought you back to do what, honey?" He held

her back from him, his hands on her shoulders.

"To marry me."

"What!"

"To marry me. And he did--fifteen minutes ago, I am Black MacQueen's

wife."

"Black MacQueen's wife! My God, girl!" Big Beauchamp Lee stared at her in

a horror of incredulity.

She told him the whole story, from beginning to end.