“Did you ever!” said she, staring at what was Greek to her—as it is to most Americans. “And so if you had a sister back East, and she and you were all there was of you any more, and she hadn't seen you since—not since you first took to staying out nights, and she started to visit you, you'd not tell her 'Fie for shame'?”
“I'd travel my money's length to meet her!” said I.
A wave of pain crossed her face. “Nate didn't know,” she said then, lightly. “You see, Nate's only a boy, and regular thoughtless about writing.”
Ah! So this Nate never wrote, and his sister loved and championed him! Many such stray Nates and Bobs and Bills galloped over Wyoming, lost and forgiven.
“I'm starting for him in the Buffalo stage,” continued the girl.
“Then I'll have your company on a weary road,” said I; for my journey was now to that part of the cattle country.
“To Buffalo?” she said, quickly. “Then maybe you—maybe—My brother is Nate Buckner.” She paused. “Then you're not acquainted with him?”
“I may have seen him,” I answered, slowly. “But faces and names out here come and go.”
I knew him well enough. He was in jail, convicted of forgery last week, waiting to go to the penitentiary for five years. And even this wild border community that hated law courts and punishments had not been sorry, for he had cheated his friends too often, and the wide charity of the sage-brush does not cover that sin. Beneath his pretty looks and daring skill with horses they had found vanity and a cold, false heart; but his sister could not. Here she was, come to find him after lonely years, and to this one soul that loved him in the world how was I to tell the desolation and the disgrace? I was glad to hear her ask me if the stage went soon after supper.
“Now isn't that a bother?” said she, when I answered that it did not start till morning. She glanced with rueful gayety at the hotel. “Never mind,” she continued, briskly; “I'm used to things. I'll just sit up somewhere. Maybe the agent will let me stay in the office. You're sure all that shooting's only jollification?”