when he was half drunk he was the devil.  He laughed at me and my pride.  I didn’t dare shut the door in his face.  After a while he found out that your mother loved me and that I loved her.  Then he began to threaten me.  If I didn’t give in to him he’d see she learned the truth.  That made me weaken.  It nearly killed me.  I simply could not bear the thought of Mrs. Gale kowing.  But I couldn’t marry him.  Besides, he got so half the time, when he was drunk, he didn’t want or ask me to be his wife.  I was about ready to give up and go mad when you—­you came home.”

She ended in a whisper, looking up wistfully and sadly at him.  Belding was a raging fire within, cold without.  He watched Gale, and believed he could foretell that young man’s future conduct.  Gale gathered Nell up into his arms and held her to his breast for a long moment.

“Dear Nell, I’m sure the worst of your trouble is over,” he said gently.  “I will not give you up.  Now, won’t you lie down, try to rest and calm yourself.  Don’t grieve any more.  This thing isn’t so bad as you make it.  Trust me.  I’ll shut Mr. Radford Chase’s mouth.”

As he released her she glanced quickly up at him, then lifted appealing hands.

“Dick, you won’t hunt for him—­go after him?”

Gale laughed, and the laugh made Belding jump.

“Dick, I beg of you.  Please don’t make trouble.  The Chases have been hard enough on us.  They are rich, powerful.  Dick, say you will not make matters worse.  Please promise me you’ll not go to him.”

“You ask me that?” he demanded.

“Yes.  Oh yes!”

“But you know it’s useless.  What kind of a man do you want me to be?”

“It’s only that I’m afraid.  Oh, Dick, he’d shoot you in the back.”

“No, Nell, a man of his kind wouldn’t have nerve enough even for that.”

“You’ll go?” she cried wildly.

Gale smiled, and the smile made Belding cold.

“Dick, I cannot keep you back?”

“No,” he said.

Then the woman in her burst through instinctive fear, and with her eyes blazing black in her white face she lifted parted quivering lips and kissed him.

Gale left the patio, and Belding followed closely at his heels.  They went through the sitting-room.  Outside upon the porch sat the rangers, Mr. Gale, and Thorne.  Dick went into his room without speaking.

“Shore somethin’s comin’ off,” said Ladd, sharply; and he sat up with keen eyes narrowing.

Belding spoke a few words; and, remembering an impression he had wished to make upon Mr. Gale, he made them strong.  But now it was with grim humor that he spoke.

“Better stop that boy,” he concluded, looking at Mr. Gale.  “He’ll do some mischief.  He’s wilder’n hell.”

“Stop him?  Why, assuredly,” replied Mr. Gale, rising with nervous haste.

Just then Dick came out of his door.  Belding eyed him keenly.  The only change he could see was that Dick had put on a hat and a pair of heavy gloves.