The Border Legion

Toward sunset she grew tired of waiting, and hungry, besides, so

she went into the cabin and prepared her own meal. About dark Kells

strode in, and it took but a glance for Joan to see that matters had

not gone to his liking. The man seemed to be burning inwardly. Sight

of Joan absolutely surprised him. Evidently in the fever of this

momentous hour he had forgotten his prisoner. Then, whatever his

obsession, he looked like a man whose eyes were gladdened at sight

of her and who was sorry to behold her there. He apologized that her

supper had not been provided for her and explained that he had

forgotten. The men had been crazy--hard to manage--the issue was not

yet settled. He spoke gently. Suddenly he had that thoughtful mien

which Joan had become used to associating with weakness in him.

"I wish I hadn't dragged you here," he said, taking her hands. "It's

too late. I CAN'T lose you. ... But the--OTHER WAY--isn't too late!"

"What way? What do you mean?" asked Joan.

"Girl, will you ride off with me to-night?" he whispered, hoarsely.

"I swear I'll marry you--and become an honest man. To-morrow will be

too late! ... Will you?"

Joan shook her head. She was sorry for him. When he talked like this

he was not Kells, the bandit. She could not resist a strange

agitation at the intensity of his emotion. One moment he had

entered--a bandit leader, planning blood, murder; the next, as his

gaze found her, he seemed weakened, broken in the shaking grip of a

hopeless love for her.

"Speak, Joan!" he said, with his hands tightening and his brow

clouding.

"No, Kells," she replied.

"Why? Because I'm a red-handed bandit?"

"No. Because I--I don't love you."

"But wouldn't you rather be my wife--and have me honest--than become

a slave here, eventually abandoned to--to Gulden and his cave and

his rope?" Kells's voice rose as that other side of him gained

dominance.

"Yes, I would. ... But I KNOW you'll never harm me--or abandon me

to--to that Gulden."

"HOW do you know?" he cried, with the blood thick at his temples.

"Because you're no beast any more. ... And you--you do love me."

Kells thrust her from him so fiercely that she nearly fell.

"I'll get over it. ... Then--look out!" he said, with dark

bitterness.

With that he waved her back, apparently ordering her to her cabin,

and turned to the door, through which the deep voices of men sounded

nearer and nearer.