oon pull myself together?
Since she came we've none of us been right. And the gang has put up a
holler. No, Longstreth, we've got to settle things to-night."

"Well, we can settle what Ray's concerned in, right now," replied
Longstreth, rising. "Come on; we'll ask her. See where you stand."

They went out, leaving the door open. Duane dropped down to rest himself
and to wait. He would have liked to hear Miss Longstreth's answer. But
he could guess what it would be. Lawson appeared to be all Duane had
thought him, and he believed he was going to find out presently that he
was worse.

The men seemed to be absent a good while, though that feeling might have
been occasioned by Duane's thrilling interest and anxiety. Finally
he heard heavy steps. Lawson came in alone. He was leaden-faced,
humiliated. Then something abject in him gave place to rage. He strode
the room; he cursed. Then Longstreth returned, now appreciably calmer.
Duane could not but decide that he felt relief at the evident rejection
of Lawson's proposal.

"Don't fuss about it, Floyd," he said. "You see I can't help it. We're
pretty wild out here, but I can't rope my daughter and give her to you
as I would an unruly steer."

"Longstreth, I can MAKE her marry me," declared Lawson, thickly.

"How?"

"You know the hold I got on you--the deal that made you boss of this
rustler gang?"

"It isn't likely I'd forget," replied Longstreth, grimly.

"I can go to Ray, tell her that, make her believe I'd tell it
broadcast--tell this ranger--unless she'd marry me."

Lawson spoke breathlessly, with haggard face and shadowed eyes. He had
no shame. He was simply in the grip of passion. Longstreth gazed with
dark, controlled fury at this relative. In that look Duane saw a strong,
unscrupulous man fallen into evil ways, but still a man. It betrayed
Lawson to be the wild and passionate weakling. Duane seemed to see also
how during all the years of association this strong man had upheld
the weak one. But that time had gone for ever, both in intent on
Longstreth's part and in possibility. Lawson, like the great majority
of evil and unrestrained men on the border, had reached a point where
influence was futile. Reason had degenerated. He saw only himself.

"But, Floyd, Ray's the one person on earth who must never know I'm a
rustler, a thief, a red-handed ruler of the worst gang on the border,"
replied Longstreth, impressively.

Floyd bowed his head at that, as if the