I got an answer--about what you would expect.They'd give her a home--I told them what a respectable girl she is--fairly creditable appearance--intelligent enough...But they couldn't stand those people she lives with--criminals,you know,Annabel,highwaymen--murderers!Imagine Brick Willock in a Boston drawing-room...But you couldn't.
No,Annabel agreed.Poor Lahoma!And I know she'd never give him up.
That's it--she's immovable.She'd insist on taking him along.But he belongs to another age--a different country.He couldn't understand.He thinks when you've anything against a man,the proper move is to kill 'im.He's just like an Indian--a wild beast.Wouldn't know what we meant if we talked about civilization.His religion is the knife.Well--you see;if he were out of the way,Lahoma would have her chance.
But couldn't he be arrested?
That's my only hope.If he were hanged,or locked up for a certain number of years,Lahoma'd go East.But as long as he's at large,she'll wait for him to turn up.She'll stay right there in the cove till she dies of old age,if he's free to visit her at odd moments.It's her idea of fidelity,and it's true that he did take her in when she needed somebody.There's a move on foot now,to arrest him for an old crime--a murder.I witnessed the deed--I'll testify,if called on.Lahoma will hate me for that--but it'll be the greatest favor I could possibly do her.She knows I mean to appear against him,and she thinks me a brute.But if I can convict Willock,it'll place Lahoma in a family of wealth and refinement--
He broke off with,Wonder why that old deaf boatman doesn't come?He walked impatiently to the head of the steps and stared out over the lake.Somebody out there now,he exclaimed.Oh,--it's Edgerton,rowing about!
He returned to the bench,but did not sit down.Annabel,he said abruptly,you promised me to name the day,this morning.
Yes,she responded very faintly.
And I am sure,dear,he added in a deep resonant voice,that in time you will come to care for me as I care for you now--you,the only woman I
have ever loved.I understand about Edgerton,but you see,you couldn't marry him--in fact,he couldn't marry anybody for years;he has nothing....And these earlier attachments that we think the biggest things in our lives--well,they just dwindle,Annabel,they dwindle as we get the true perspective.I know your happiness depends upon me,and it rejoices me to know it.I can give you all you want--all you can dream of--and I'm man-of-the-world enough to understand that happiness depends just on that--getting what you want.
Annabel started up abruptly.I think I heard the boat scraping outside.
Yes,he's there.Come,dear,and before the ride is ended you must name the day--
DON'T!she exclaimed sharply.He--
He's as deaf as a post,my dear,Gledware murmured gently.That's why I selected him.I knew we'd want to talk--I knew you'd name the day.
He helped her down the rattling boards.
Brick Willock rose softly and stole toward the opening,his eyes filled with a strange light.They no longer glared with the blood-lust of a wild beast,but showed gloomy and perplexed;the words spoken concerning himself had sunk deep.
The boatman sat with his back to Gledware and Annabel.He wore a long dingy coat of light gray and a huge battered straw hat,whose wide brim hid his hair and almost eclipsed his face.Willock,careful not to show himself,stared at the skiff as it shot out from the landing,his brow wrinkled in anxious thought.He felt strange and dizzy,and at first fancied it was because of the resolution that had taken possession of him--the resolution to return to Greer County and give himself up.This purpose,as unreasoning as his plan to kill Gledware,grew as fixed in his mind as half an hour before his other plan had been.
To go voluntarily to the sheriff,unresistingly to hold out his wrists for the handcuffs--that would indeed mark a new era in his life.A wild Indian wouldn't do that,he mused,nor a wild beast.I guess I understand,after all.And if that's the way to make Lahoma happy....
No wonder he felt queer;but his light-headedness did not rise,as a matter of fact,entirely from subjective storm-threatenings.There was something about that boatman--now,when he tilted up his head slightly,and the hat failed to conceal--was it possible?...
My God!whispered Willock;it's Red Feather!
And Gledware,with eyes only for Annabel,finding nothing beyond her but a long gray coat,a big straw hat and two rowing arms--did not suspect the truth!
In a flash,Willock comprehended all.The Indian had dropped the pin in Kimball's path,and Kimball,finding it,had carried it to Gledware as if Red Feather were dead.The Indian had led his braves against the stage-coach--Kimball had fallen under his knife.Yonder man in the corner,bound and gagged,was doubtless the old deaf boatman engaged by Gledware.Red Feather had taken his place that he might row Gledware far out on the lake....
But Annabel was in the boat.If the Indian...
Far away toward the east,Edgerton Compton was rowing,not near enough to intervene in case the Indian attempted violence,but better able than himself to lend assistance if the boat were overturned.Willock could,in truth,do nothing,except shout a warning,and this he forebore lest it hasten the impending catastrophe.He remained,therefore,half-hidden,crouching at the doorway,his eyes glued to the rapidly gliding boat,with its three figures clear-cut against the first faint sun-glow.
