RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE
or Milly, or Fay. It's not because of anythin' that ever happened in the past, but for what is happenin' right now. It's for you! . . . An' listen. Since I was a boy I've never thanked God for anythin'. If there is a God—an' I've come to believe it—I thank Him now for the years that made me Lassiter! . . . I can reach down an' feel these big guns, an' know what I can do with them. An', Jane, only one of the miracles Dyer professes to believe in can save him!"
Again for Jane Withersteen came the spinning of her brain in darkness, and as she whirled in endless chaos she seemed to be falling at the feet of a luminous figure—a man—Lassiter—who had saved her from herself, who could not be changed, who would slay rightfully. Then she slipped into utter blackness.
When she recovered from her faint she became aware that she was lying on a couch near the window in her sitting-room. Her brow felt damp and cold and wet; some one was chafing her hands; she recognized Judkins, and then saw that his lean, hard face wore the hue and look of excessive agitation.
"Judkins!" Her voice broke weakly.
"Aw, Miss Withersteen, you're comin' round fine. Now jest lay still a little. You're all right; everythin's all right."
"Where is—he?"
"Who?"
"Lassiter!"
"You needn't worry none about him."
"Where is he? Tell me—instantly."
"Wal, he's in the other room patchin' up a few triflin' bullet-holes."
"Ah! . . . Bishop Dyer?"
"When I seen him last—a matter of half an hour ago, he was on his knees. He was some busy, but he wasn't prayin'!"
"How strangely you talk! I'll sit up. I'm—well,
288
