The Long Dim Trail

by Forrestine C. Hooker

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  Katherine sat on the porch of her home, watching the road that led totown. It was long after six o'clock and Glendon had promised faithfullyhe would return early in the afternoon. The Circle Cross herd which hadnot been large enough to pay its owner's debts under the most favourablecircumstances, had dwindled through the drouth until Glendon refused totry to save what was left. Juan rode out alone each day, doing the besthe was able, while Glendon puttered about the house and corral, orstretched in a half-drunken stupor on the couch in the tiny living-room.Katherine was spared the knowledge that Alpaugh held a note worth morethan the remnant of their cattle and that the money had been used byGlendon to pay several gambling debts, as well as to keep Panchita in agood humour.

  Her meditations were interrupted as Tatters came to the porch steps andthrust his moist nose into her hand.

  "What do you think is wrong this time, Tatters?" she asked, looking downat the dog's intelligent eyes. Since Donnie had left, the woman and doghad been drawn together by their mutual longing for the boy, andKatherine had fallen unconsciously into the habit of talking to thecollie.

  She slipped an arm about the shaggy neck, and silently watched thetwilight deepen into darkness. Juan hovered anxiously in the doorway,and tried to persuade her to eat supper; but she put him off, saying shewould come soon. A foreboding clutched her; she had no desire for food.Shaking his head dolefully, the Mexican retreated to the kitchen.

  Suddenly the dog stiffened, sniffed the air and gave a low growl. Thenhe sprang from the steps and ran to the gate, where he squatted down,and stared sharply at the road.

  Katherine heard the faint sounds of hoof beats, and confident that itwas her husband returning, she hastened to see if the belated supper wasbeyond hope.

  There was a knock at the door. Surprised, she turned to open it, whenshe heard a man's voice speaking.

  "Don't be frightened, Mrs. Glendon. It's only Limber, I brung a messagefor you from Glendon."

  He entered the room, and blinked in the lamplight, but Katherine, seeingthe expression on his face, was not deceived.

  "What's the matter?" she asked quickly.

  Limber hesitated, cleared his throat and wondered how it would be bestto tell his message. All the way he had been puzzling what to say. If ithad been a man, or any other woman, it would have been easier; but thecowpuncher shrank from adding to the troubles of the woman. It was likestriking her.

  "Why--it's--just--don't be frightened, Mrs. Glendon," floundered Limber,and cursed himself for making matters worse. "It's not so serious--"

  She clutched the back of a chair; her face was white, but her voicesteady. "Tell me, just as you would another man, Limber. I won't breakdown. Is he dead?"

  "Not a bit of it," replied Limber in relieved tones. "He's allright--well as I am. But thar's been trouble in town and Glen shot PaddyLafferty. Dick Alpaugh seen it and says it was self-defence. So Glenwill be acquitted all right; but he's under arrest till the inquest. Hewanted me to come and tell you."

  Limber repeated the meager details, avoiding her eyes as much aspossible, and watching Tatters, whose head he was stroking as he talked.The silence became oppressive after he ceased speaking, and Limberlifted his eyes.

  Katherine, apparently forgetful of his presence, sat staring at thewall, her hands twitching nervously at her kitchen apron. Her face wasdeathly white. Limber wished she would cry, though he dreaded a woman'stears.

  "Don't take it so hard, Mrs. Glendon. It's just a matter of form, himbein' held. Glendon will be home tomorrow night."

  "Did you see him kill Paddy?" her eyes searched Limber's, forcing thereluctant truth from his lips and telling him plainly that she doubtedthe story as he had told it.

  "No, Mrs. Glendon. I got thar afterwards. I heard Alpaugh say whathappened. He was there. Then Glendon ast me to come and tell you. That'sall I know."

  She rose. "Thank you, Limber. I understand. It was good of you to comethe thirty-five miles. After you have supper I will be ready to go backwith you, if your pony can stand the trip. Fox is the only horse I havehere, Jim took the team to town."

  "Peanut is good for the trip," asserted Limber, "but it is a mean rideat night till we strike the flats. Mebbe you'd better wait till mornin'if you think you'd oughter go."

  "I must go tonight;" she replied and Limber made no further protest. Heknew the tension under which she laboured.

  Juan insisted that she make an effort to eat, while Limber swallowed acup of coffee, then necessary articles in a small bundle were tied toher saddle as Fox and Peanut rubbed friendly noses.

  The old Mexican's heart was heavy as he watched them ride away, and thedog's ears drooped dejectedly. Out on the long night ride the poniesswung into a steady lope. The soft breeze fanned the cheeks of theriders like a cool spray. A young moon slipped coyly over the horizon.The air was heavy with the perfume of Yucca that even the drouth couldnot kill, while faint and sweet came the lilt of a mocking-bird.

  Katherine could not make herself believe that out of the beauty andpeace of the night she would find the man she had sworn to 'love, honourand obey' with human blood on his hands--the murderer of an old,defenceless man who had done many an act of kindness for her and herboy.

  Once she turned and spoke. "Where is he?"

  "In the hotel;" answered Limber. "Alpaugh has charge of him till theinquest is over."

  They rode again in silence, each absorbed in thought until, after wearyhours, the lights of the town grew visible. At last the ponies stoppedin front of the Willcox Hotel. A few men loitering about, staredcuriously as Limber helped Katherine from her saddle. It was after twoin the morning. The by-standers who recognized Mrs. Glendon, liftedtheir hats respectfully. One of them spoke her name. She turned her dulleyes on him. Her lips moved but there was no sound. The man understood,and choked an oath.

  Limber untied the bundle from her saddle, and she followed him stifflyinto the hotel, shrinking in the narrow, dimly lighted hallway while thecowboy made arrangements with the sleepy nightman.

  "I'll take you up to the room," said Limber. She nodded silently.

  On the second floor the cowboy paused at the door and knocked.

  "Come in!" called Glendon's voice.

  Limber smiled reassuringly to Katherine; then he turned and left her.She stood biting her lips, trying to control her emotion, and holdingthe doorknob in a nerveless hand that was trembling with exhaustion.

  "What the blazes is the matter? Come in, I say!"

  The door was jerked open violently and Glendon stood staring at hiswife. An oath rose to his lips.

  "What brought you here?" he demanded roughly.

  She passed into the room, turned and held out her hands to him, sayingsimply, "Where else should I be, Jim, when you are in trouble? I thoughtyou wanted me to come."

  "Well, I didn't. I might have known you'd not be able to resist anopportunity to twit and remind me how you've begged me to stay away fromtown, and all that rot! I only asked Limber to go and tell you what hadhappened, and as usual, you go to extremes and come hiking in here inthe middle of the night. You're making a mountain out of a mole hill.I'd been home by this evening. There was not the least excuse for yourcoming here."

  Obeying an impulse, she moved near and laid her hand on his shoulder. Heshook it off roughly and started from the chair into which he hadslumped.

  "For God's sake, Katherine, cut out that rot! I'm sick of your saintlypose, and I don't want any preaching or praying. I had to shoot Laffertyor be shot myself."

  "Was it self-defence, Jim?"

  He noted the undercurrent of doubt and ripped out an oath.

  "I told you once, and I'm not going to keep jabbering about it the restof the night. You go to the inquest and hear Alpaugh's testimony, aslong as you don't believe me."

  He strode across the room to the table and poured out a generous glassof raw whiskey, which he followed by a second, then a third, and at lastthrew himself on the bed. In a few minutes the r
oom was heavy with thefumes of liquor and noisy with snores of the drunken sleeper.

  Softly Katherine lifted the little window, and let the clean pure airblow across her face. Somewhere a clock struck three. The woman, sittingin the darkness, stared with dry aching eyes, thinking of the past,wondering what the future held. It was like looking into a chasm.

  When grey dawn, like a feeble, sick thing, crept through the window,Glendon woke refreshed and buoyant; but his wife was haggered and worn,with great dark rings under her eyes. Her husband looked at hercritically, contrasting her with the flamboyant attractions of Panchita.

  "Can't you fix yourself up a bit?" he demanded in aggrieved tones."You're losing your good looks completely. Anyone would take you fortwice your age. Lot of good you do me, coming here with your glum face!"

  She made no reply, which added to the anger he vented by kicking a chairout of his way. Glendon's hand shook as he poured out a drink of liquorto steady his nerves, while Katherine opened the parcel she had broughtwith her, laying out his razor, a clean shirt and collar. His clotheswere creased and rumpled, as he had slept all night in them. Then shepicked up a small pitcher and went in search of hot water. She finallyobtained it from the Chinese cook in the kitchen, for the hotel braggedno bell-boys or bells.

  The inquisitive glance of the Chinaman and a Mexican whom she passed atthe kitchen door, brought to her the full realization of the ordeal shewas facing. If she could only believe that her husband had acted inself-defence, she would stand unshaken beside him, defying the entireworld; but she could not make herself credit his story. Always when hehad tried to deceive her, some subtle instinct betrayed him to her.Through the night she had reiterated again and again, "It wasself-defence," but louder and louder a chorus of voices kept whisperingin her ears, "He is lying! It was murder!"

  She seized the pitcher of water from the Chinaman's hand and hurried upstairs to her room. Glendon accepted her services as a matter of course,proffering no word of thanks.

  Half an hour later Alpaugh knocked, and the three went to the hoteldining-room for breakfast. Glendon's appetite was excellent. Alpaugh andhe talked casually, occasionally interjecting a joke; but the foodchoked Glendon's wife, and with a feeling of relief she rose andreturned to the bedroom followed by her husband. Alpaugh, as a matter ofform, hovered at the entrance of the hotel.

  "The inquest is at nine," said Glendon as they entered their room. "It'shalf-past eight now," he consulted his watch.

  "Jim," she hesitated, "I think I will stay here in the room. I'm notfeeling quite well this morning."

  He looked at her and a sullen rage consumed him. He realized that shewas not deceived by his story.

  "Going to shirk it, eh?" he asked sneeringly, "Well, you will have tocome, that's all there is to it. Look fine for me when everyone knowsyou rode here last night and then hid away just at the time when you, orany decent wife, should stand by a man. That would be enough to condemnany one in my fix."

  It was not that he desired her company; but he was aware that herpresence would have its influence, in case anything should upsetAlpaugh's testimony. The bartender might have seen more then theythought; besides there was no telling what unexpected snag might bestruck during the inquest. Paddy had many staunch friends.

  As these thoughts beset him, Glendon looked at his wife. "Well, are yougoing to stand by me, or not?"

  Her reply was to pick up her hat which she adjusted. As he opened thedoor, she said imploringly, "It was self-defence, wasn't it, Jim?"

  "Good God, Katherine, you will drive me mad! I said it once. Now you canlisten to Alpaugh and make up your mind about it as you please. Stopnagging me."

  Without further conversation, husband and wife accompanied Alpaugh tothe little office of the Justice of Peace, where the inquest was to beheld. A group of men at the entrance, glanced peculiarly at Glendon;then their expressions changed as they saw the woman at his side.Glendon was quick to notice this and congratulated himself thatKatherine was with him. With assumed solicitude he led her to a chairand stood silently beside her, his eyes on her bowed head, until theproceedings began.

  The inquest fully exonerated Glendon, as the bar-tender had not seenwhat occurred and Alpaugh was the only actual witness. The brokenbuckskin thong was admitted as proof that Paddy had drawn his gun, thusmaking it impossible for any jury to bring in a verdict againstGlendon. There were many witnesses to the quarrel at theshipping-corral, when Paddy had refused to shake hands with Glendonafter the latter had apologized to him; and as no one had heard Glendonutter any threats against Paddy, there was apparently no motive exceptthat of self-defence. On the other hand, the old Irishman had oftenexpressed his dislike for Glendon.

  As soon as the verdict was rendered, Glendon was surrounded andcongratulated by Bentz, Three-fingered Jack, Burks and Alpaugh. Withsmiles and light words he shook their hands; but other men exchangedglances and left the room, talking in subdued voices.

  Katherine saw the doubt in many faces, and shrank at the reflection ofthe fear in her own heart. Glendon's callous indifference, his carelessair, revealed her husband in a new and hideous light.

  With trembling limbs she made her way to his side, placing her hand onhis arm. He looked down in surprise, and an expression of annoyancecrossed his face. He had completely forgotten his wife's presence andhad been about to suggest to the crowd that drinks were in order at themost convenient place.

  She realized it all, and wished that she had remained at the ranch."Jim--I don't feel very well. Will you take me to the hotel?"

  He shrugged his shoulders, but remembering others were watching,answered, "Yes." Husband and wife moved side by side toward the door.

  "See you later, Glen," said Three-fingered Jack, and Alpaugh added:"You're not going out today, are you?"

  Katherine looked up. Glendon, with a sudden sense of shame, replied;"I'll go back with my wife this afternoon when it gets cooler, but I'llsee you both before I leave town."

  Her eyes were grateful. Glendon, conscious of a halo of self-importanceand good intentions, walked down the street, speaking to passers-by,though many of them responded only in deference to the woman at hisside.

  As they passed along the street, several men standing in front of thepost office, watched them disappear into the hotel.

  "Glen's turned over a new leaf," observed one of them.

  "'Twon't last very long. New leaves are awful tender. They get tornmighty quick," laughed another.

  "It'd been all-fired excitin' if Panchita had been in town. There'd beenfur flyin', and I bet Glendon would have vamoosed and let 'em fight itout to a finish. You can get a rise outen Panchita any time you speakabout Mrs. Glendon."

  "If it ever comes to a show down between 'em I bet on the Mexican girlfor a winner. She's got the inside track sure. Glen's wife is toohigh-headed to win the race."

  None of them noticed Limber pausing close by as he heard Mrs. Glendon'sname. The cowboy's eyes glinted, his lips were compressed and his handsclenched.

  "I ain't so sure about Mrs. Glendon losing the race," retorted the firstspeaker. "I noticed that Glen quit prancing mighty quick when his wifeslipped the halter over his head and led him off to the home pasture!"

  The burst of laughter that greeted this witticism was hushed suddenly,as Limber broke through the group and faced them with blazing eyes.

  "You are a fine bunch of things to call yourselves men! You fellersain't fit to wipe the dust off'n Mrs. Glendon's shoes, let alone takin'her name on your dirty tongues. The feller what makes any more remarksabout her has got me to fight just as soon as I hear his name. Ifthere's any one here that don't like what I say, he knows what he kindo."

  Limber waited a reply, but the thoroughly abashed men were silent, andthe cowboy stalked away.

  When he was well out of hearing, one of the men, a recent arrival inArizona, uttered an oath, "I ain't goin' to stand for that sass fromnobody," he blustered.

  Another man grabbed his arm. "Look here! You ain't been ve
ry long inthis section and you won't be here very long if you think you can put itover Limber. He's the best pistol shot in the Territory."

  "And you'd have as much chance against him," warned another bystander,"as a jackrabbit would have, if it smelt the cork of a whiskey bottleand then got brash and slapped a bull-dog in the jaw."

  "Go ahead and try it, if you want to," commented the third man, "Wehaven't had a funeral 'round here for some time now. It'd liven thingsup a bit for all of us--except yourself."

  The new-comer looked after Limber's figure with respectful eyes.