"Oh no--I never did--I never did!" wailed Columbine.
"Then you'll think before it's too late?" he implored, wildly. "Dearest Collie, think! You won't ruin yourself! You won't? Say you won't!"
"But--Oh, Wilson, what can I say? I've got to marry him."
"Collie, I'll kill him before he gets you."
"You mustn't talk so. If you fought again--if anything terrible happened, it'd kill me."
"You'd be better off!" he flashed, white as a sheet.
Columbine leaned against Wade for support. She was fast weakening in strength, although her spirit held. She knew what was inevitable. But Wilson's agony was rending her.
"Listen," began the cowboy again. "It's your life--your happiness--your soul.... Belllounds is crazy over that spoiled boy. He thinks the sun rises and sets in him.... But Jack Belllounds is no good on this earth! Collie dearest, don't think that's my jealousy. I am horribly jealous. But I know him. He's not worth you! No man is--and he the least. He'll break your heart, drag you down, ruin your health--kill you, as sure as you stand there. I want you to know I could prove to you what he is. But don't make me. Trust me, Collie. Believe me."
"Wilson, I do believe you," cried Columbine. "But it doesn't make any difference. It only makes my duty harder."
"He'll treat you like he treats a horse or a dog. He'll beat you--"