The Border Legion

And when she left her cabin she was in a mood to force an issue.

Kells was sitting at the table and being served by Bate Wood.

"Hello, Dandy!" he greeted her, in surprise and pleasure. "This's

early for you."

Joan returned his greeting and said that she could not sleep all the

time.

"You're coming round. I'll bet you hold up a stage before a month is

out."

"Hold up a stage?" echoed Joan.

"Sure. It'll be great fun," replied Kells, with a laugh. "Here--sit

down and eat with me. ... Bate, come along lively with breakfast. ...

It's fine to see you there. That mask changes you, though. No

one can see how pretty you are. ... Joan, your admirer, Gulden, has

been incapacitated for the present."

Then in evident satisfaction Kells repeated the story that Joan had

heard Red Pearce tell the night before; and in the telling Kells

enlarged somewhat upon Jim Cleve.

"I've taken a liking to Cleve," said Kells. "He's a strange

youngster. But he's more man than boy. I think he's broken-hearted

over some rotten girl who's been faithless or something. Most women

are no good, Joan. A while ago I'd have said ALL women were that,

but since I've known you I think--I know different. Still, one girl

out of a million doesn't change a world."

"What will this J--jim C--cleve do--when he sees--me?" asked Joan,

and she choked over the name.

"Don't eat so fast, girl," said Kells. "You're only seventeen years

old and you've plenty of time. ... Well, I've thought some about

Cleve. He's not crazy like Gulden, but he's just as dangerous. He's

dangerous because he doesn't know what he's doing--has absolutely no

fear of death--and then he's swift with a gun. That's a bad

combination. Cleve will kill a man presently. He's shot three

already, and in Gulden's case he meant to kill. If once he kills a

man--that'll make him a gun-fighter. I've worried a little about his

seeing you. But I can manage him, I guess. He can't be scared or

driven. But he may be led. I've had Red Pearce tell him you are my

wife. I hope he believes it, for none of the other fellows believe

it. Anyway, you'll meet this Cleve soon, maybe to-day, and I want

you to be friendly. If I can steady him--stop his drinking--he'll be

the best man for me on this border."

"I'm to help persuade him to join your band?" asked Joan, and she

could not yet control her voice.