had almost overwhelmed her. She had not the strength to bite her
tongue. Suggestion alone would have drawn her then--and Kells's
passionate force was hypnotic.

"Yes," she whispered.

He appeared to control a developing paroxysm of rage.

"That settles you," he declared darkly. "But I'll do one more decent
thing by you. I'll marry you." Then he wheeled to his men. "Blicky,
there's a parson down in camp. Go on the run. Fetch him back if you
have to push him with a gun."

Blicky darted through the door and his footsteps thudded out of
hearing.

"You can't force me to marry you," said Joan. "I--I won't open my
lips."

"That's your affair. I've no mind to coax you," he replied,
bitterly. "But if you don't I'll try Gulden's way with a woman. ...
You remember. Gulden's way! A cave and a rope!"

Joan's legs gave out under her and she sank upon a pile of blankets.
Then beyond Kells she saw Jim Cleve. With all that was left of her
spirit she flashed him a warning--a meaning--a prayer not to do the
deed she divined was his deadly intent. He caught it and obeyed. And
he flashed back a glance which meant that, desperate as her case
was, it could never be what Kells threatened.