“But I don’t know, and you won’t tell me. So there’s nothing more to be said.”
Suddenly she broke down, turned away with a sob, and through the blindness of her tears groped to the door. She had rushed to him—to tell him that she knew he was innocent, and he had repulsed her, had made a stranger of her. In effect, he had told her that he did not want her help, that he would go through his trouble alone. If he had really loved her—ah, if he had loved her, how differently he would have acted! A great lump filled her throat and choked her.
Rowan watched her go, his fingers biting into the palms of his hands. The hunger of his soul stared out of his eyes.
CHAPTER XVIII
“I RECKON I’LL HANG”
MATSON nodded a pleasant good-morning, offered his prisoner a cigar, and sat down on the bed.
“How’s everything, Mac?”
The cattleman smiled ironically. “Fine as silk, Aleck. How are they a-coming with you?”
“If there’s anything you want, Mac, if the grub don’t suit you or anything, just say the word.”