CHAPTER XIX
INASMUCH
While the Clayton party were journeying from Clifton, John Harding wason guard, vigilant, watchful. In the Post Office that morning, hechanced to hear some one repeat a boast Lord Kelwin had made in regardto Carla Earle, whom he had heretofore treated with patronizingcondescension.
John Harding returned to Clayton Ranch, and invented excuses to beabout the house, saying, as he went off to do some chores, that ifthey needed him, just to call him, adding that he'd be within hearing.
Carla and Edith joked a little about his solicitude, and went abouttheir daily tasks, planning surprises for the hungry company, on theirreturn that night. Carla seemed happier this day than usual, and beganto make a soft music in her throat like the warbling of a bird. Shehad been alone in the room for some time, when she heard a step. Shestopped warbling when she recognized the voice of Lord Kelwin, whomshe instinctively feared.
He had entered the house unannounced, and now walked into the diningroom.
"Aha, my beauty!" he said, stepping toward her. "Aha, my bird! Caughtat last!"
She saw that he was intoxicated.
"So you are alone at last, bird."
He flung himself between her and the door. Something in his facefilled her with disgust and alarm. He kept coming towards her,uttering words of insolent familiarity, and she kept backing away.Finally he lunged forward, grasped her by the arm, and tried to holdher. Evidently, he had not counted on opposition from her; and when hefound his will thwarted, all the beast in him seemed roused. He struckher in the mouth, calling her vile names as he did so. In an instant,her shrieks of terror went ringing through the house. They broughtEdith, in sudden alarm, and John Harding. The latter, recognizing thesituation at a glance, sprang forward, and clutched the Irishman bythe throat.
"Let her go," he said, "you blankety blanked coward. Let her go, Isay!" As he spoke, he gripped Kelwin's throat tightly, shaking him asif he were a rat. Then he grew dangerously white.
The visitor, enraged at this unexpected interference, grew violent. Heturned upon Jack Harding, and drew his gun; but Jack, sober and alert,knocked the gun from his hand; and, closing with him, dealt terrificblows in his face. All the brute in the drunken man roused. The soberman had the advantage. The struggle lasted but a few moments, thoughit seemed an eternity to the frightened girls. Finally, Jack Hardingplaced his knees on Kelwin's chest and arms, his hand on his throat,choking him until he gasped for mercy. Then the cowboy let him rise.As soon as he was free, he began to curse Carla Earle. Jack Hardingpromptly knocked him down. Partly sobered, the man rose, and staggeredfrom the room.
Carla stood trembling, her face white with fear.
Harding saw her distress, and said with unusual gentleness:
"Don't ye care, Miss Carla. 'Tain't so, anyway. He lied. He'll pay forit."
"Oh, don't meddle with him, I beg you," she said with sudden alarm."He might shoot you."
"Shoot? Let him. But he can't insult any decent woman, while I'm nearto protect her. Mark that."
Carla turned to resume her duties, but fell in a limp heap on thefloor. Then Edith and Jack Harding worked to bring her to. At last hereyes opened. She looked around, dazed, bewildered. When she realizedwhat had happened, she asked:
"Has that dreadful man gone?"
On being assured that he was at a safe distance, she tried to rise,but her knees gave way, and she sank to the floor again.
So Jack and Edith prepared the evening meal, and waited. At last theyheard the sound of the returning carriage, and, a few moments later,welcomed the party at the gate.
When John Clayton heard what had happened, he seemed dumfounded.
"How dared he? How dared he?" he repeated, indignantly.
But Kenneth's mouth set hard, and it did not augur well for LordKelwin.
For one thing, all were thankful during the ensuing weeks,--the Irishnobleman no longer came to Clayton Ranch, socially, or otherwise. Hemanaged to keep himself in the background, and was seldom heard ofsave as he figured in some drunken brawl. But Jack Harding, whounderstood him best of all, and who knew the venom of his tongue,hounded him day by day. And there grew up in Lord Kelwin's mind adeepening fear and hate of Jack Harding.