The Border Legion

The weary, dusty cavalcade halted on the level bench before the

bandit's cabin. Gulden boomed a salute to Kells. The other men

shouted greeting. In the wild exultation of triumph they still held

him as chief. But Kells was not deceived. He even passed by that

heavily laden, gold-weighted saddle. He had eyes only for Joan.

"Girl, I never was so glad to see any one!" he exclaimed in husky

amaze. "How did it happen? I never--"

Jim Cleve leaned over to interrupt Kells. "It was great, Kells--that

idea of yours putting us in the stagecoach you meant to hold up,"

said Cleve, with a swift, meaning glance. "But it nearly was the end

of us. You didn't catch up. The gang didn't know we were inside, and

they shot the old stage full of holes."

"Aha! So that's it," replied Kells, slowly. "But the main point is--

you brought her through. Jim, I can't ever square that."

"Oh, maybe you can," laughed Cleve, as he dismounted.

Suddenly Kells became aware of Joan's exhaustion and distress.

"Joan, you're not hurt?" he asked in swift anxiety.

"No, only played out."

"You look it. Come." He lifted her out of the saddle and, half

carrying, half leading her, took her into the cabin, and through the

big room to her old apartment. How familiar it seemed to Joan! A

ground-squirrel frisked along a chink between the logs, chattering

welcome. The place was exactly as Joan had left it.

Kells held Joan a second, as if he meant to embrace her, but he did

not. "Lord, it's good to see you! I never expected to again. ... But

you can tell me all about yourself after you rest. ... I was just

having breakfast. I'll fetch you some."

"Were you alone here?" asked Joan.

"Yes. I was with Bate and Handy--"

"Hey, Kells!" roared the gang, from the outer room.

Kells held aside the blanket curtain so that Joan was able to see

through the door. The men were drawn up in a half-circle round the

table, upon which were the bags of gold.

Kells whistled low. "Joan, there'll be trouble now," he said, "but

don't you fear. I'll not forget you."

Despite his undoubted sincerity Joan felt a subtle change in him,

and that, coupled with the significance of his words, brought a

return of the strange dread. Kells went out and dropped the curtain

behind him. Joan listened.

"Share and share alike!" boomed the giant Gulden.