ate
him--"

"Dear Dan!"

"I didn't hate him--I jest nacherally wanted to kill him--and wantin'
to do that made me glad. Isn't that funny, Kate?"

He spoke of it as a chance traveller might point out a striking
feature of the landscape to a companion.

"Dan, if you really care for me you must drop the thought of him."

His hand slipped away.

"How can I do that? That writin' I was tellin' you about--"

"Yes?"

"It's about him!"

"Ah!"

"When he hit me the first time--"

"I won't hear you tell of it!"

"The blood come down my chin--jest a little trickle of it. It was
warm, Kate. That was what made me hot all through."

Her hands fell limp, cold, lifeless.

"It's as clear as the print in a book. I've got to finish him. That's
the only way I can forget the taste of my own blood."

"Dan, listen to me!"

He laughed again, in the new way. She remembered that her father had
dreaded the very thing that had come to Dan--this first taste of his
own powers--this first taste (she shuddered) of blood!

"Dan, you've told me that you like me. You have to make a choice now,
between pursuing this man, and me."

"You don't understand," he explained carefully. "I _got_ to follow
him. I can't help it no more'n Black Bart can help howlin' when he
sees the moon."

He fell silent, listening. Far across the hills came the plaintive
wail of a coyote--that shrill bodiless sound. Kate trembled.

"Dan!"

Outside, Satan whinnied softly like a call. She leaned and her lips
touched his. He thrust her away almost roughly.

"They's blood on my lips, Kate! I can't kiss you till they're clean."

He turned his head.

"You must listen to me, Dan!"

"Kate, would you talk to the wind?"

"Yes, if I loved the wind!"

He turned his head.

She pleaded: "Here are my hands to cover your eyes and shut out the
thoughts of this man you hate. Here are my lips, dear, to tell you
that I love you unless this thirst for killing carries you away from
me. Stay with me! Give me your heart to keep gentle!"

He said nothing, but even through the dark she was aware of a struggle
in his face, and then, through the gloom, she began to see his
eyes more clearly. They seemed to be illuminated by a light from
within--they changed--there was a hint of yellow in the brown. And she
spoke again, blindly, passionately.

"Give me your promise! It is so easy to do. One little word will make
you safe. It will save you from yourself."

Still he ans