rowdy of the cross l-第2章

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〃This　looks　to　me　like　a　lane；〃　he　said　diplomatically。　〃We　must　be　getting
somewhere；　don't　you　recognize　any　landmarks？〃

Miss　Conroy　leaned　forward　and　peered　through　the　clouds　of　snow　dust。
Already　the　night　was　creeping　down　upon　the　land；　stealthily　turning　the
blank　white　of　the　blizzard　into　as　blank　a　graywhich　was　as　near　darkness
as　it　could　get；　because　of　the　snow　which　fell　and　fell；　and　yet　seemed
never　to　find　an　abiding…place；　but　danced　and　swirled　giddily　in　the　wind
as　the　cold　froze　it　dry。　There　would　be　no　more　damp；　clinging　masses　that
night；　it　was　sifting　down　like　flour　from　a　giant　sieve；　and
of　the　supply　there　seemed　no　end。

〃I　don't　know　of　any　lanes　around　here；〃　she　began　dubiously；　〃unless
it's〃

Vaughan　looked　sharply　at　her　muffled　figure　and　wondered　why　she　broke　off
so　suddenly。　She　was　staring　hard　at　the　few；　faint　traces　of　landmarks；
and；　bundled　in　the　red…and…yellow　Navajo　blanket；　with　her　bright；　dark
eyes；　she　might　easily　have　passed　for　a　slim　young　squaw。

Out　ahead；　a　dog　began　barking　vaguely；　and　Rowdy　turned　eagerly　to　the
sound。　Dixie；　scenting　human　habitation；　stepped　out　more　briskly　through
the　snow；　and　even　Chub　lifted　an　ear　briefly　to　show　he　heard。

〃It　may　not　be　any　one　you　know；〃　Vaughan　remarked；　and　his　voice　showed　his
longing；　〃but　it'll　be　shelter　and　a　warm　fireand　supper。　Can　you
appreciate　such　blessings；　Miss　Conroy？　I　can。　I've　been　in　the　saddle　since
sunrise；　and　I　was　so　sure　I'd　strike　the　Cross　L　by　dinner…time　that　I
didn't　bring　a　bite　to　eat。　It　was　a　sheep…camp　where　I　stopped；　and　the
grub　didn't　look　good　to　me；　anywayI've　called　myself　bad　names　all　the
afternoon　for　being　more　dainty　than　sensible。　But　it's　all　right　now；　I
guess。〃

CHAPTER　2

Miss　Conroy　Refuses　Shelter。

The　storm　lifted　suddenly；　as　storms　have　a　way　of　doing；　and　a　low；　squat
ranch…house　stood　dimly　revealed　against　the　bleak　expanse　of　wind…tortured
prairie。　Rowdy　gave　an　exultant　little　whoop　and　made　for　the　gate；　leaned
and　swung　it　open　and　rode　through；　dragging　Chub　after　him　by　main
strength；　as　usual。　When　he　turned　to　close　the　gate　after　Miss　Conroy　he
found　her　standing　still　in　the　lane。

〃Come　on　in；〃　he　called；　with　a　trace　of　impatience　born　of　his　weariness
and　hunger。

〃Thank　you；　no。〃　Miss　Conroy's　voice　was　as　crisply　cold　as　the　wind　which
fluttered　the　Navajo　blanket　around　her　face。　〃I　much　prefer　the　blizzard。〃


For　a　moment　Rowdy　found　nothing　to　say；　he　just　stared。　Miss　Conroy　shifted
uneasily　in　the　saddle。

〃This　is　old　Bill　Brown's　place；〃　she　explained　reluctantly。　〃HeI'd　rather
freeze　than　go　in！〃

〃Well；　I　guess　that　won't　be　hard　to　do；〃　he　retorted　curtly；　〃if　you　stay
out　much　longer。〃

The　dog　was　growing　hysterical　over　their　presence；　and　Bill　Brown　himself
came　out　to　see　what　it　was　all　about。　He　could　see　two　dim　figures　at　the
gate。

〃Hello！〃　he　shouted。　〃Why　don't　yuh　come　on　in？　What　yuh　standing　there
chewing　the　rag　for？〃

Vaughan　hesitated；　his　eyes　upon　Miss　Conroy。

〃Go　in；〃　she　commanded　imperiously；　quite　as　if　he　were　a　refractory　pupil。
〃You're　tired　out；　and　hungry。　I'm　neither。　Besides；　I　know　where　I　am　now。
I　can　find　my　way　without　any　trouble。　Go　in；　I　tell　you！〃

But　Rowdy　stayed　where　he　was；　with　the　gate　creaking　to　and　fro　between
them。　Dixie　circled　till　his　back　was　to　the　wind。　〃I　hope　you　don't　think
you're　going　to　mill　around　out　here　alone；〃　Rowdy　said　tartly。

〃I　can　manage　very　well。　I'm　not　lost　now；　I　tell　you。　Rodway's　is　only
three　miles　from　here；　and　I　know　the　direction。〃

Bill　Brown　waded　out　to　them；　wondering　what　weighty　discussion　was　keeping
them　there　in　the　cold。　Vaughan　he　passed　by　with　the　cursory　glance　of　a
disinterested　stranger；　and　went　on　to　where　Miss　Conroy　waited　stubbornly
in　the　lane。

〃Oh；　it's　you！〃　he　said　grimly。　〃Well；　come　in　and　thaw　out；　I　hope　yuh
didn't　think　yuh　wouldn't　be　welcome　yuh　knew　better。　You　got　lost；　I
reckon。　Come　on〃

Miss　Conroy　struck　Badger　sharply　across　the　flank　and　disappeared　into　the
night。　〃When　I　ask　shelter　of　you；〃　she　flung　back；　〃you'll　know　it。〃

Rowdy　started　after；　and　met　Bill　Brown　squarely　in　the　gate。　Bill　eyed　him
sharply。　〃Say；　young　fellow；　how'd　you　come　by　that　packhorse？〃　he　demanded；
as　Chub　brushed　past　him。

〃None　of　your　damn'　business；〃　snapped　Rowdy；　and　drove　the　spurs　into
Dixie's　ribs。　But　Chub　was　a　handicap　at　any　time；　now；　when　he　was　tired；
there　was　no　getting　anything　like　speed　out　of　him；　he　clung　to　his
shuffling　trot；　which　was　really　no　better　than　a　walk。　After　five　minutes
spent　alternately　in　spurring　Dixie　and　yanking　at　Chub's　lead…rope；　Rowdy
grew　frightened　and　took　to　shouting。　While　they　were　in　the　lane　Miss
Conroy　must　perforce　ride　straight　ahead；　but　the　lane　would　not　last
always。　As　though　with　malicious　intent；　the　snow　swooped　down　again　and　the
world　became　an　unreal；　nightmare　world；　wherein　was　nothing　save
shifting；　blinding　snowfloury　and　wind　and　bitter；　numbing　cold。

Rowdy　stood　in　his　stirrups；　cupped　his　chilled　fingers　around　his　numbed
lips；　and　sent　a　longdrawn　〃Who…ee！〃　shrilling　weirdly　into　the　night。

It　seemed　to　him；　after　long　listening；　that　from　the　right　came　faint
reply；　and　he　turned　and　rode　recklessly；　swearing　at　Chub　for　his　slowness。
He　called　again；　and　the　answer；　though　faint；　was　unmistakable。　He　settled
heavily　into　the　saddletoo　weak；　from　sheer　relief；　to　call　again。　He　had
not　known　till　then　just　how　frightened　he　had　been；　and　he　was　somewhat
disconcerted　at　the　discovery。　In　a　minute　the　reaction　passed　and　he
shouted　a　loud　hello。

〃Hello？〃　came　the　voice　of　Miss　Conroy；　tantalizingly　calm；　and　as　superior
as　the　greeting　of　Central。　〃Were　you　looking　for　me；　Mr。　Vaughan？〃

She　was　close　to　himso　close　that　she　had　not　needed　to　raise　her　voice
perceptibly。　Rowdy　rode　up　alongside；　remembering　uncomfortably　his
prolonged　shouting。

〃I　sure　was；〃　he　admitted。　And　then：　〃You　rode　off　with　my　blanket　on。〃　He
was　very　proud　of　his　matter…of…fact　tone。

〃Oh！〃　Miss　Conroy　was　almost　deceived；　and　a　bit　disappointed。　〃I'll　give　it
to　you　now；　and　you　can　go　backif　you　know　the　way。〃

〃No　hurry；〃　said　Rowdy　politely。　〃I'll　go　on　and　see　if　you　can　find　a　place
that　looks　good　to　you。　You　seem　pretty　particular。〃

Miss　Conroy　may　have　blushed；　in　the　shelter　of　the　blanket。　〃I　suppose　it
did　look　strange　to　you；〃　she　confessed；　but　defiantly。　〃Bill　Brown　is　an
enemy　toHarry。　Hebecause　he　lost　a　horse　or　two　out　of　a　field；　one
time；　hehe　actually　accused　Harry　of　taking　them！　He　lied；　of　course；　and
nobody　believed　him；　nobody　could　believe　a　thing　like　that　about　Harry。　It
was　perfectly　absurd。　But　he　did　his　best　to　hurt　Harry's　name；　and　I　would
rather　freeze　than　ask　shelter　of　him。　Wouldn't　youin　my　place；　I　mean？〃

〃I　always　stand　up　for　my　friends；〃　evaded　Rowdy。　〃And　if　I　had　a　brother〃

〃Of　course　you'd　be　loyal；〃　approved　Miss　Conroy　warmly。　〃But　I　didn't　want
you　to　come　on；　it　isn't　your　quarrel。　And　I　know　the　way　now。　You　needn't
have　come　any　farther　〃

〃You　forgot　the　blanket；〃　Rowdy　reminded　wickedly。　〃I　think　a　lot　of　that
Navajo。〃

〃You　insisted　upon　my　taking　it；〃　she　retorted；　and　took　refuge　in　silence。

For　a　long　hour　they　plodded　blindly。　Rowdy　beat　his　hands　often　about　his
body　to　start　the　blood；　and　meditated　yearnigly　upon　hot　coffee　and　the
things　he　liked　best　to　eat。　Also；　a　good　long　pull　at　a　flask　wouldn't　be
had；　either；　he　thought。　And　he　hoped　this　little　schoolma'am　knew　where　she
was　goingtruth　to　tell；　he　doubted　it。

After　a　while；　it　seemed　that　Miss　Conroy　doubted　it　also。　She　took　to
leaning　forward　and　straining　her　eyes　to　see　through　the　gray　wall　before。

〃There　should　be　a　gate　here；〃　she　said　dubiously；　at　last。

〃It　seems　to　me；〃　Rowdy　ventured　mildly；　〃if　there　were　a　gate；　it　would
have　some　kind　of　a　fence　hitched　to　it；　wouldn't　it？〃

Miss　Conroy　was　in　no　mood　for　facetiousness；　and　refused　to　answer　his
question。　〃I　surely　can't　have　made　a　mistake；〃　she　observed　uneasily。

〃It　would　be　a　wonder　if　you　didn't；　such　a　night　as　this；〃　he　consoled。　〃I
wouldn't　bank　on　traveling　straight　myself；　even　if　I　knew　the
countrywhich　I　don't。　And　I've　been　in　more　blizzards　than　I'm　years　old。〃

〃Rodway's　place　can't　be　far　away；〃　she　said；　brightening。　〃It　may　be
farther　to　the　east；　shall　we　try　that　wayif　you　know　which　is　east？〃

〃Sure；　we'll　try。　It's　all　we　can　do。　My　packhorse　is　about　all　in；　from　the
way　he　hangs　back；　if　we　don't　strike　something　pretty　soon　I'll　have　to
turn　him　loose。〃

〃Oh；　don't　do　that；〃　she　begged。　〃It　would　be　too　cruel。　We're　sure　to　reach
Rodway's　very　soon。〃

More　plodding　through　drifts　high　and　drifts　low；　more　leaning　from　saddles
to　search　anxiously　for　trace　of　something　besides　snow　and　wind　and　biting
cold。　Then；　far　to　the　right；　a　yellow　eye　glowed　briefly　when　the　storm
paused　to　take　breath。　Miss　Conroy　gave　a　glad　little　cry　and　turned　Badger
sharply。

〃Did　you　see？　It　was　the　light　from　a　window。　We　were　going　the　wrong　way。
I'm　sure　that　is　Rodway's。〃

Rowdy　thanked　the　Lord　and　followed　her。　They　came　up　against　a　fence；　found
a　gate；　and　passed　through。　While　they　hurried　toward　it；　the　light　winked
welcome；　as　they　drew　near；　some　one　stirred　the　fire　and　sent　sparks　and
rose…hued　smoke　rushing　up　into　the　smother　of　snow。　Rowdy　watched　them
wistfully；　and　wondered　if　there　would　be　supper；　and　strong；　hot　coffee。　He
lifted　Miss　Conroy　out　of　the　saddle；　carried　her　two　long　strides；　and
deposited　her　upon　the　door…step；　rapped　imperatively；　and　when　a　voice
replied；　lifted　the　latch　and　pushed　her　in　before　him。

For　a　minute　they　stood　blinking；　just　within　the　door。　The　change　from
numbing　cold　and　darkness　to　the　light　of　the　overheated　room　was
stupefying。

Then　Miss　Conroy　went　over　and　held　her　little；　gloved　hands　to　the　heat　of
the　stove；　but　she　did　not　take　the　chair　which　some　one　pushed　toward　her。
She　stood；　the　blanket　shrouding　her　face　and　her　slim　young　figure；　and
looked　about　her　curiously。　It　was　not　Rodway's　house；　after　all。　She
thought　she　knew　what　place　it　wasthe　shack　where　Rodway's　hay…balers
bached。

From　the　first；　Rowdy　did　not　like　the　look　of　thingsthough　for　himself　it
did　not　matter；　he　was　used　to　such　scenes。　It　was　the　presence　of　the　girl
which　made　him　uncomfortable。　He　unbuttoned　his　coat　that　the　warmth　might
reach　his　chilled　body；　and　frowned。

Four　men　sat　around　a　small；　dirty　table；　evidently　the　arrivals　had
interrupted　an　exciting　game　of　seven…up。　A　glance　told　Rowdy；　even　if　his
nose　had　not；　that　the　four　round；　ribbed　bottles　had　not　been　nearly
emptied　without　effect。

〃Have　one　on　the　house；〃　the　man　nearest　him　cried；　and　shoved　a　bottle
toward　him。

Involuntarily　Rowdy　reached　for　it。　Now　that　he　was　inside；　he　realized　all
at　once　how　weary　he　was；　and　cold　and　hungry。　Each　abused　muscle　and　nerve
seemed　to　have　a　distinct　grievance　against　him。　His　fingers　closed　around
the　bottle　before　he　remembered　and　dropped　it。　He　looked　up；　hoping　Miss
Conroy　had　not　observed　the　action