pbell who led
Neale into the restaurant and ordered the meal. Neale's mind was not in
a whirl, nor dazed, but he did not get much further in thought than the
remarkable circumstance of General Lodge sending for him personally.
Meanwhile Campbell rapidly talked about masonry, road-beds, washouts,
and other things that Neale heard but did not clearly understand. Then
Larry returned. He carried Neale's bag, which he deposited carefully on
the bench.

"I reckon you might as well take it along," he drawled.

Neale felt himself being forced along an unknown path.

They indulged in little further conversation while hurriedly eating
breakfast. That finished, they sallied forth toward the station.
Campbell clambered aboard the work-train.

"Come on, Larry," he said.

And Neale joined in the request. "Yes, come," he said.

"Wal, seein' as how I want you-all to get on an' the rail-road built, I
reckon I'd better not go," drawled Larry. His blue eyes shone warm upon
his friend.

"Larry, I'll be back in a day or so," said Neale.

"Aw, now, pard, you stay. Go back on the job an' stick," appealed the
cowboy.

"No. I quit and I'll stay quit. I might help out--for a day--just as a
favor. But--" Neale shook his head.

"I reckon, if you care anythin' aboot me, you'll shore stick."

"Larry, you'll go to the bad if I leave you here alone," protested
Neale.

"Wel, if you stay we'll both go," replied Larry, sharply. He had changed
subtly. "It's in me to go to hell--I reckon I've gone--but that ain't so
for you."

"Two's company," said Neale, with an attempt at lightness. But it was a
pretense. Larry worried him.

"Listen. If you go back on the job--then it 'll be all right for you to
run in heah to see me once in a while. But if you throw up this chance
I'll--"

Larry paused. His ruddy tan had faded slightly.

Neale eyed him, aware of a hard and tense contraction of the cowboy's
throat.

"Well, what 'll you do?" queried Neale, shortly.

Larry threw back his head, and the subtle, fierce tensity seemed to
leave him.

"Wal, the day you come back I'll clean out Stanton's place--jest to
start entertainin' you," he replied, with his slow drawl as marked as
ever it was.

A stir of anger in Neale's breast subsided with the big, warm
realization of this wild cowboy's love for him and the melancholy
certainty that Larry would do exactly as he threatened.

"Suppose I come back and beat you all up?" suggested Neale.

"Wal,