The Spirit of the Border and the Last Trail Read Free

recognized the challenge conveyed by the broad shoulders. She saw no other person; gave heed to nothing save what was to her, righteous indignation.
    Hearing her footsteps, the young man turned, and, glancing at her admiringly, said:
    â€œGood evening, miss.”
    Nell had not expected such a matter-of-fact greeting from Joe. There was not the slightest trace of repentance in his calm face, and he placidly continued his labor.
    â€œAren’t you sorry you—you treated me so?” burst out Nell.
    His coolness was exasperating. Instead of contrition and apology that she had expected, and which was her due, he evidently intended to tease her, as he had done so often.
    The young man dropped a blanket and stared.
    â€œI don’t understand,” he said gravely. “I never saw you before.”
    This was too much for quick-tempered Nell. She had had some vague idea of forgiving him, after he had sued sufficiently for pardon; but now, forgetting her good intentions in the belief that he was making sport of her when he should have pleaded for forgiveness, she swiftly raised her hand and slapped him smartly.
    The red blood flamed to the young man’s face; as he staggered backward with his hand to his cheek, she heard a smothered exclamation behind her, and then the quick joyous barking of a dog.
    When Nell turned she was amazed to see Joe standing beside the wagon, while a big white dog was leaping upon him. Suddenly she felt faint. Bewildered, she looked from Joe to the man she had just struck; but could not say which was the man who professed to love her.
    â€œJim! So you followed me!” cried Joe, starting forward and flinging his arms around the other.
    â€œYes, Joe, and right glad I am to find you,” answered the young man, while a peculiar expression of pleasure came over his face.
    â€œIt’s good to see you again! And here’s my old dog Mose! But how on earth did you know? Where did you strike my trail? What are you going to do out here on the frontier? Tell me all. What happened after I left—”
    Then Joe saw Nell standing nearby, pale and distressed, and he felt something was amiss. He glanced quickly from her to his brother; she seemed to be dazed, and Jim looked grave.
    â€œNell, this is my brother Jim, the one I told you about. Jim, this is my friend, Miss Wells.”
    â€œI am happy to meet Miss Wells,” said Jim, with a smile, “even though she did slap my face for nothing.”
    â€œSlapped you? What for?” Then the truth dawned on Joe, and he laughed until the tears came into his eyes. “She took you for me! Ha, ha, ha! Oh, this is great!”
    Nell’s face was now rosy red and moisture glistened in her eyes; but she tried bravely to stand her ground. Humiliation had taken the place of anger.
    â€œI—I am sorry, Mr. Downs. I did take you for him. He—he has insulted me.” Then she turned and ran into the cabin.

 
    CHAPTER II
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    Joe and Jim were singularly alike. They were nearly the same size, very tall, but so heavily built as to appear of medium height, while their gray eyes and, indeed, every feature of their clean-cut faces corresponded so exactly as to proclaim them brothers.
    â€œAlready up to your old tricks?” asked Jim, with his hand on Joe’s shoulder, as they both watched Nell’s flight.
    â€œI’m really fond of her, Jim, and didn’t mean to hurt her feelings. But tell me about yourself; what made you come West?”
    â€œTo teach the Indians, and I was, no doubt, strongly influenced by your being here.”
    â€œYou’re going to do as you ever have—make some sacrifice. You are always devoting yourself; if not to me, to some other. Now it’s your life you’re giving up. To try to convert the redskins and influence me for good is in both cases impossible. How often have I said there wasn’t any good in me! My desire is to kill Indians, not preach to them,