r you, with as little
feelin' as I would if yo' were a chunk o' dead meat--if you've harmed
that lil' gal."

"Well, I ain't harmed her, Jim. And now let's set down and talk it
over. I want to--to bring her home; I want ter live a decent life 'mong
yo'-all. Jim, don't shoot 'til yo' make sure yo' ought ter shoot."

Thus brought to reason Jim sat down, shared his meal with his reinstated
friend, and gave him the gossip of the hills. Lawson ate because he was
well-nigh starved and he knew he had some rough work ahead; he listened
because he needed all the guiding possible and he shielded the name and
reputation of Nella-Rose with the splendid courage that filled his young
heart and mind. And then he set forth upon his quest with these words:

"As Gawd A'mighty hears me, Jim White, I'll fetch that lil' Nella-Rose
home and live like a man from now on. Wipe off my sins, Jim; make a
place for me, old man, and I'll never shame it--or God blast me!"

White took the strong young hand and felt his eyes grow misty.

"Yo' place is here, Burke," he said, and then Lawson was on his way.

A half hour later he encountered Marg. In his own mind Burke had a
pretty clear idea of what had occurred. Not having heard any suggestion
of Truedale, he was as ignorant of him as though Truedale had never
existed. Jed, then, was the only man to hold guilty. Jed had, in passion
and revenge, wronged Nella-Rose and had after, like the sneak and
coward he was, sought to secure his own safety by marrying Marg. But
what had they done with Nella-Rose? She had, according to White,
disappeared the night that Jed had been tied in the cave. Well, Jed must
confess and pay!--pay to the uttermost. But between him and Jed Marg now
stood!

"You!" cried Marg. "You! What yo' mean coming brazen to us-all?"

"Get out of my way!" commanded Burke, "Where's Jed?"

"What's that to you?"

"You'll find out soon enough. Let me by."

But Marg held her ground and Lawson waited. The look in his eyes awed
Marg, but his presence enraged her.

"What you-all done with Nella-Rose?" Lawson asked.

"You better find out! You've left it long enough."

"Whar is she, I say? And I tell you now, Marg--every one as has wronged
that lil' girl will answer to me. Whar is she?"

"She--she and her young-un are up to Lois Ann's. They've been hid all
winter. No one but me knows; you've time to make good--before--before
father and Jed get yo'."

Lawson took this like a blow between