"I know exactly what I have done," replied Spurlock. "She is my lawful wife."
"I should have opened that letter in the beginning," said the doctor. "But I happen to be an honest man myself. Had you died, I should have fully obeyed the instructions on that envelope. You will make her suffer."
"For every hurt she has, I shall have two. I did not lay any traps for her. I asked her to marry me, and she consented."
"Ah, yes; that's all very well. But when she learns that you are a fugitive from justice…."
"What proof have you that I am?"—was the return bolt.
"A knowledge of the ways of men. I don't know what you have done; I don't want to know now. But God will punish you for what you have done this day."
"As for that, I don't say. But I shall take care of Ruth, work for her and fight for her." A prophecy which was to be fulfilled in a singular way. "Given a chance, I can make bread and butter. I'm no mollycoddle. I have only one question to ask you."
"And what might that be?"
"Will McClintock take us both?"
"You took that chance. There has never been a white woman at
McClintock's."