CHAPTER XXVII
EMOLUMENTS AND REWARDS
Lambert took off his hat at the door and smoothed his hair with hispalm, tightened up his necktie, looked himself over from chest to toes.He drew a deep breath then, like a man fortifying himself for a trialthat called for the best that was in him to come forward. He knocked onthe door.
He was wearing a brown duck coat with a sheepskin collar, the wool ofwhich had been dyed a mottled saffron, and corduroy breeches as roomy ofleg as Taterleg's state pair. These were laced within the tall bootswhich he had bought in Chicago, and in which he took a singular pride onaccount of their novelty on the range.
It was not a very handsome outfit, but there was a ruggedpicturesqueness in it that the pistol belt and chafed scabbard enhanced,and he carried it like a man who was not ashamed of it, and graced itby the worth that it contained.
The Duke's hair had grown long; shears had not touched his head sincehis fight with Kerr's men. Jim Wilder's old scar was blue on his thincheek that day, for the wind had been cold to face. He was so solemn andsevere as he stood waiting at the door that it would seem to be atriumph to make him smile.
Vesta came to the door herself, with such promptness that seemed to tellshe must have been near it from the moment his foot fell on the porch.
"I've come to settle up with you on our last deal, Vesta," he said.
She took him to the room in which they always transacted business, whichwas a library in fact as well as name. It had been Philbrook's office inhis day. Lambert once had expressed his admiration for the room, a longand narrow chamber with antlers on the walls above the bookcases, abroad fireplace flanked by leaded casement windows. It was furnishedwith deep leather chairs and a great, dark oak table, which looked as ifit had stood in some English manor in the days of other kings. Thewindows looked out upon the river.
A pleasant place on a winter night, Lambert thought, with a log fire onthe dogs, somebody sitting near enough that one could reach out and findher hand without turning his eyes from the book, the last warm touch tocrown the comfort of his happy hour.
"You mean our latest deal, not our last, I hope, Duke," she said,sitting at the table, with him at the head of it like a baron returnedto his fireside after a foray in the field.
"I'm afraid it will be our last; there's nothing left to sell but thefence."
She glanced at him with relief in her eyes, a quick smile coming happilyto her lips. He was busy with the account of calves and grown stockwhich he had drawn from his wallet, the check lying by his hand. Hisface taken as an index to it, there was not much lightness in his heart.Soon he had acquitted himself of his stewardship and given the checkinto her hand. Then he rose to leave her. For a moment he stood silent,as if turning his thoughts.
"I'm going away," he said, looking out of the window down upon the topsof the naked cottonwoods along the river.
Just around the corner of the table she was standing, half facing him,looking at him with what seemed almost compassionate tenderness, sosympathetic were her eyes. She touched his hand where it lay withfingers on his hat-brim.
"Is it so hard for you to forget her, Duke?"
He looked at her frankly, no deceit in his eyes, but a mild surprise tohear her chide him so.
"If I could forget of her what no forgiving soul should remember, I'dfeel more like a man," he said.
"I thought--I thought--" she stammered, bending her head, her voice softand low, "you were grieving for her, Duke. Forgive me."
"Taterleg is leaving tonight," he said, overlooking her soft appeal. "Ithought I'd go at the same time."
"It will be so lonesome here on the ranch without you, Duke--lonesome asit never was lonesome before."
"Even if there was anything I could do around the ranch any longer, withthe cattle all gone and nobody left to cut the fence, I wouldn't be anyuse, dodging in for every blizzard that came along, as the doctor says Imust."
"I've come to depend on you as I never depended on anybody in my life."
"And I couldn't do that, you know, any more than I'd be content to liearound doing nothing."
"You've been square with me on everything, from the biggest to theleast. I never knew before what it was to lie down in security and getup in peace. You've fought and suffered for me here in a measure far inexcess of anything that common loyalty demanded of you, and I've givenyou nothing in return. It will be like losing my right hand, Duke, tosee you go."
"Taterleg's going to Wyoming to marry a girl he used to know back inKansas. We can travel together part of the way."
"If it hadn't been for you they'd have robbed me of everything bynow--killed me, maybe--for I couldn't have fought them alone, and therewas no other help."
"I thought maybe in California an old half-invalid might pick up and getsome blood put into him again."
"You came out of the desert, as if God sent you, when my load washeavier than I could bear. It will be like losing my right eye, Duke, tosee you go."
"A man that's a fool for only a little while, even, is bound to leavefalse impressions and misunderstandings of himself, no matter how widehis own eyes have been opened, or how long. So I've resigned my job onthe ranch here with you, Vesta, and I'm going away."
"There's no misunderstanding, Duke--it's all clear to me now. When Ilook in your eyes and hear you speak I know you better than you knowyourself. It will be like losing the whole world to have you go!"
"A man couldn't sit around and eat out of a woman's hand in idleness andever respect himself any more. My work's finished----"
"All I've got is yours--you saved it to me, you brought it home."
"The world expects a man that hasn't got anything to go out and make itbefore he turns around and looks--before he lets his tongue betray hisheart and maybe be misunderstood by those he holds most dear."
"It's none of the world's business--there isn't any world but ours!"
"I thought with you gone away, Vesta, and the house dark nights, and menot hearing you around any more, it would be so lonesome and bleak herefor an old half-invalid----"
"I wasn't going, I couldn't have been driven away! I'd have stayed aslong as you stayed, till you found--till you knew! Oh, it willtear--tear--my heart--my heart out of--my breast--to see you go!"
* * * * *
Taterleg was singing his old-time steamboat song when Lambert went downto the bunkhouse an hour before sunset. There was an aroma of coffeemingling with the strain:
Oh, I bet my money on a bob-tailed hoss, An' a hoo-dah, an' a hoo-dah; I bet my money on a bob-tailed hoss, An' a hoo-dah bet on the bay.
Lambert smiled, standing beside the door until Taterleg had finished.Taterleg came out with his few possessions in a bran sack, givingLambert a questioning look up and down.
"It took you a long time to settle up," he said.
"Yes. There was considerable to dispose of and settle," Lambert replied.
"Well, we'll have to be hittin' the breeze for the depot in a littlewhile. Are you ready?"
"No. Changed my mind; I'm going to stay."
"Goin' in pardners with Vesta?"
"Pardners."
"_The Books You Like to Read at the Price You Like to Pay_"
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PETER B. KYNE'S NOVELS
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=THE PRIDE OF PALOMAR=
When two strong men clash and the under-dog has Irish blood in hisveins--there's a tale that Kyne can tell! And "the girl" is also verymuch in evidence.
=KINDRED OF THE DUST=
Donald McKay, son of Hector McKay, millionaire lumber king, falls inlove with "Nan of the Sawdust Pile," a charming girl who has beenostracized by her townsfolk.
=THE VALLEY OF THE GIANTS=
The fight of the Cardigans, father and son, to hold the Valley of theGiants against treachery. The reader finishes with a sense of havinglived with big men and women in a big country.
=CAPPY RICKS=
The story of old Cappy Ricks and of Matt Peasley, the boy he tried tobreak because he knew the acid test was good for his soul.
=WEBSTER: MAN'S MAN=
In a little Jim Crow Republic in Central America, a man and a woman,hailing from the "States," met up with a revolution and for a whileadventures and excitement came so thick and fast that their love affairhad to wait for a lull in the game.
=CAPTAIN SCRAGGS=
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=THE LONG CHANCE=
A story fresh from the heart of the West, of San Pasqual, a sun-bakeddesert town, of Harley P. Hennage, the best gambler, the best and worstman of San Pasqual and of lovely Donna.
=JACKSON GREGORY'S NOVELS=
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=THE EVERLASTING WHISPER=
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=DESERT VALLEY=
A college professor sets out with his daughter to find gold. They meet arancher who loses his heart, and become involved in a feud. An intenselyexciting story.
=MAN TO MAN=
Encircled with enemies, distrusted, Steve defends his rights. How he wonhis game and the girl he loved is the story filled with breathlesssituations.
=THE BELLS OF SAN JUAN=
Dr. Virginia Page is forced to go with the sheriff on a night journeyinto the strongholds of a lawless band. Thrills and excitement sweep thereader along to the end.
=JUDITH OF BLUE LAKE RANCH=
Judith Sanford part owner of a cattle ranch realizes she is being robbedby her foreman. How, with the help of Bud Lee, she checkmates Trevor'sscheme makes fascinating reading.
=THE SHORT CUT=
Wayne is suspected of killing his brother after a violent quarrel.Financial complications, villains, a horse-race and beautiful Wanda, allgo to make up a thrilling romance.
=THE JOYOUS TROUBLE MAKER=
A reporter sets up housekeeping close to Beatrice's Ranch much to herchagrin. There is "another man" who complicates matters, but all turnsout as it should in this tale of romance and adventure.
=SIX FEET FOUR=
Beatrice Waverly is robbed of $5,000 and suspicion fastens upon BuckThornton, but she soon realizes he is not guilty. Intensely exciting,here is a real story of the Great Far West.
=WOLF BREED=
No Luck Drennan had grown hard through loss of faith in men he hadtrusted. A woman hater and sharp of tongue, he finds a match in Ygernewhose clever fencing wins the admiration and love of the "Lone Wolf."
EDGAR RICE BURROUGH'S NOVELS
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=AT THE EARTH'S CORE=
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=THE WARLORD OF MARS=
Old acquaintances, made in two other stories, reappear, Tars Tarkas,Tardos Mors and others.
=THUVIA, MAID OF MARS=
The story centers around the adventures of Carthoris, the son of JohnCarter and Thuvia, daughter of a Martian Emperor.
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In its solving of this particular variety of triangle "A BachelorHusband" will particularly interest, and strangely enough, without oneshock to the most conventional minded.
=THE SCAR=
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=THE MARRIAGE OF BARRY WICKLOW=
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=THE UPHILL ROAD=
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=WINDS OF THE WORLD=
Jill, a poor little typist, marries the great Henry Sturgess andinherits millions, but not happiness. Then at last--but we must leavethat to Ruby M. Ayres to tell you as only she can.
=THE SECOND HONEYMOON=
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=THE PHANTOM LOVER=
Have you not often heard of someone being in love with love rather thanthe person they believed the object of their affections? That wasEsther! But she passes through the crisis into a deep and profoundlove.
ETHEL M. DELL'S NOVELS
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=THE TOP OF THE WORLD=
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=THE LAMP IN THE DESERT=
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=GREATHEART=
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=THE HUNDREDTH CHANCE=
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The story of a "bad man's" soul revealed by a woman's faith.
=THE TIDAL WAVE=
Tales of love and of women who learned to know the true from the false.
=THE SAFETY CURTAIN=
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ELEANOR H. P
ORTER'S NOVELS
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=JUST DAVID=
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=THE ROAD TO UNDERSTANDING=
A compelling romance of love and marriage.
=OH, MONEY! MONEY!=
Stanley Fulton, a wealthy bachelor, to test the dispositions of hisrelatives, sends them each a check for $100,000, and then as plain JohnSmith comes among them to watch the result of his experiment.
=SIX STAR RANCH=
A wholesome story of a club of six girls and their summer on Six StarRanch.
=DAWN=
The story of a blind boy whose courage leads him through the gulf ofdespair into a final victory gained by dedicating his life to theservice of blind soldiers.
=ACROSS THE YEARS=
Short stories of our own kind and of our own people. Contains some ofthe best writing Mrs. Porter has done.
=THE TANGLED THREADS=
In these stories we find the concentrated charm and tenderness of allher other books.
=THE TIE THAT BINDS=
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FLORENCE L. BARCLAY'S NOVELS
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=THE WHITE LADIES OF WORCESTER= THE WHITE LADIES OF WORCESTER
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=THE UPAS TREE=
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=THROUGH THE POSTERN GATE=
The story of a seven day courtship, in which the discrepancy in agesvanished into insignificance before the convincing demonstration ofabiding love.
=THE ROSARY=
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=THE MISTRESS OF SHENSTONE=
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=THE BROKEN HALO=
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=THE FOLLOWING OF THE STARM=
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BOOTH TARKINGTON'S NOVELS
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=SEVENTEEN.= Illustrated by Arthur William Brown.
No one but the creator of Penrod could have portrayed the immortal youngpeople of this story. Its humor is irresistible and reminiscent of thetime when the reader was Seventeen.
=PENROD.= Illustrated by Gordon Grant.
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=PENROD AND SAM.= Illustrated by Worth Brehm.
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=THE TURMOIL.= Illustrated by C. E. Chambers.
Bibbs Sheridan is a dreamy, imaginative youth, who revolts against hisfather's plans for him to be a servitor of big business. The love of afine girl turns Bibb's life from failure to success.
=THE GENTLEMAN FROM INDIANA.= Frontispiece.
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=THE FLIRT.= Illustrated by Clarence F. Underwood.
The "Flirt," the younger of two sisters, breaks one girl's engagement,drives one man to suicide, causes the murder of another, leads anotherto lose his fortune, and in the end marries a stupid and unpromisingsuitor, leaving the really worthy one to marry her sister.
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=SISTERS.= Frontispiece by Frank Street.
The California Redwoods furnish the background for this beautiful storyof sisterly devotion and sacrifice.
=POOR, DEAR, MARGARET KIRBY.=
Frontispiece by George Gibbs.
A collection of delightful stories, including "Bridging the Years" and"The Tide-Marsh." This story is now shown in moving pictures.
=JOSSELYN'S WIFE.= Frontispiece by C. Allan Gilbert.
The story of a beautiful woman who fought a bitter fight for happinessand love.
=MARTIE, THE UNCONQUERED.=
Illustrated by Charles E. Chambers.
The triumph of a dauntless spirit over adverse conditions.
=THE HEART OF RACHAEL.=
Frontispiece by Charles E. Chambers.
An interesting story of divorce and the problems that come with a secondmarriage.
=THE STORY OF JULIA PAGE.= Frontispiece by C. Allan Gilbert.
A sympathetic portrayal of the quest of a normal girl, obscure andlonely, for the happiness of life.
=SATURDAY'S CHILD.= Frontispiece by F. Graham Cootes.
Can a girl, born in rather sordid conditions, lift herself through sheerdetermination to the better things for which her soul hungered?
=MOTHER.= Illustrated by F. C. Yohn.
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STORIES OF RARE CHARM BY GENE STRATTON-PORTER
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=HER FATHER'S DAUGHTER.= Illustrated.
This story is of California and tells of that charming girl, LindaStrong, otherwise known as "Her Father's Daughter."
=A DAUGHTER OF THE LAND.= Illustrated.
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=MICHAEL O'HALLORAN.= Illustrated by Frances Rogers.
Michael is a quick-witted little Irish newsboy, living in NorthernIndiana. He adopts a deserted little girl, a cripple. He also aspires tolead the entire rural community upward and onward.
=LADDIE.= Illustrated by Herman Pfeifer.
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=THE HARVESTER.= Illustrated by W. L. Jacobs.
"The Harvester," is a man of the woods and fields, and is well worthknowing, but when the Girl comes to his "Medicine Woods," there begins aromance of the rarest idyllic quality.
=FRECKLES.= Illustrated.
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>
=AT THE FOOT OF THE RAINBOW.= Illustrations in colors.
The scene of this charming love story is laid in Central Indiana. It isone of devoted friendship, and tender self-sacrificing love.
=THE SONG OF THE CARDINAL.= Profusely Illustrated.
A love ideal of the Cardinal bird and his mate, told with delicacy andhumor.
ZANE GREY'S NOVELS
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=TO THE LAST MAN==THE MYSTERIOUS RIDER==THE MAN OF THE FOREST==THE DESERT OF WHEAT==THE U. P. TRAIL==WILDFIRE==THE BORDER LEGION==THE RAINBOW TRAIL==THE HERITAGE OF THE DESERT==RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE==THE LIGHT OF WESTERN STARS==THE LAST OF THE PLAINSMEN==THE LONE STAR RANGER==DESERT GOLD==BETTY ZANE=
* * * * *
=LAST OF THE GREAT SCOUTS=
The life story of "Buffalo Bill" by his sister Helen Cody Wetmore, withForeword and conclusion by Zane Grey.
ZANE GREY'S BOOKS FOR BOYS
=KEN WARD IN THE JUNGLE==THE YOUNG LION HUNTER==THE YOUNG FORESTER==THE YOUNG PITCHER==THE SHORT STOP==THE RED-HEADED OUTFIELD AND OTHER BASEBALL STORIES=
JAMES OLIVER CURWOOD'S STORIES OF ADVENTURE
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=THE RIVER'S END=
A story of the Royal Mounted Police.
=THE GOLDEN SNARE=
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=NOMADS OF THE NORTH=
The story of a bear-cub and a dog.
=KAZAN=
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=BAREE, SON OF KAZAN=
The story of the son of the blind Grey Wolf and the gallant part heplayed in the lives of a man and a woman.
=THE COURAGE OF CAPTAIN PLUM=
The story of the King of Beaver Island, a Mormon colony, and his battlewith Captain Plum.
=THE DANGER TRAIL=
A tale of love, Indian vengeance, and a mystery of the North.
=THE HUNTED WOMAN=
A tale of a great fight in the "valley of gold" for a woman.
=THE FLOWER OF THE NORTH=
The story of Fort o' God, where the wild flavor of the wilderness isblended with the courtly atmosphere of France.
=THE GRIZZLY KING=
The story of Thor, the big grizzly.
=ISOBEL=
A love story of the Far North.
=THE WOLF HUNTERS=
A thrilling tale of adventure in the Canadian wilderness.
=THE GOLD HUNTERS=
The story of adventure in the Hudson Bay wilds.
=THE COURAGE OF MARGE O'DOONE=
Filled with exciting incidents in the land of strong men and women.
=BACK TO GOD'S COUNTRY=
A thrilling story of the Far North. The great Photoplay was made fromthis book.
GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
+-----------------------------------------------+ | Transcriber's Note: | | | | Typographical errors corrected in the text: | | | | Page 120 tight changed to right | | Page 177 new changed to anew | | Page 352 let changed to lit | | Page 385 wierdest changed to weirdest | +-----------------------------------------------+
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