“Yes.” Her voice was so low he could hardly hear it.
“Then I won’t have it! The thing is infamous. I can’t hide behind the skirts of a girl, least of all you. I can die, but, by God, I’ll keep my self-respect.”
“It’s all arranged,” Melissy answered in a whisper. 303
Flatray laughed harshly. “I guess not. You can’t pay my debts by giving yourself to life-long misery.”
“You’re right pessimistic, sheriff,” sneered MacQueen.
“What do you take me for? I won’t have it. I won’t have it.” The sheriff’s voice was rough and hoarse. “I’d rather die fifty times.”
“It’s not up to you to choose, as it happens,” the leader of the outlaws suggested suavely.
“You villain! You damned white-livered coward!” The look of the young sheriff scorched.
“Speaks right out in meeting, don’t he?” grinned Lane.
“I know what he is, Jack,” Melissy cried. “And he knows I think he’s the lowest thing that crawls. But I’ve got to save you. Don’t you see, I’ve got to do it?”