But she was, at
times, filled with a strange longing to see her sister and touch that
wonderful thing that lay on the guilty mother-breast.
Was Nella-Rose forever to have the glory even in her shame, while she,
Marg, with all the rights of womanhood, could hold no hope of maternity?
For one reason or another Marg often stole to the woods as near the
Hollow as she dared to go. She hoped for news but none came; and it was
late August when, one sunny noon, she confronted Burke Lawson!
Lawson's face was strange and awful to look on. Marg drew away from him
in fear. She could not know but Burke had had a terrific experience that
day and he was on the path for revenge and any one in his way must
suffer. Freed at last from his captivity, he had travelled across the
range and straight to Jim White. And the sheriff, ready for the
recreant, greeted him without mercy, judging him guilty until he proved
himself otherwise.
"What you done with Nella-Rose?" he asked, standing before Burke with
slow fire in his deep eyes.
Lawson could never have been the man he was if he were not capable of
holding his own council and warding off attack.
"What makes you think I've done anything with her?" he asked.
"None o' that, Burke Lawson," Jim warned. "I've been yo' friend, but I
swear I'll toss yo' ter the dogs, as is after you, with as little
feelin' as I would if yo' were a chunk o' dead meat--if you've harmed
that lil' gal.
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