Do you stand there, fiend or human, After lending him your hand, First to break an honest spirit, Then to steal away my land?

Must a man who loves a woman Like a devil's imp be driven Through the tortures of d.a.m.nation For a single glimpse of heaven?

Tell me where the cur is hiding-- I've no wish to hurt his bride, But I'll braid a twelve-foot bull whip From his dirty, yaller hide!

37

"Speak to me and tell me, woman, How the G.o.d in heaven above Starts the fires of h.e.l.l a-burning From a spark of human love; Why He ever made a woman Who could play a fickle part; Why He ever made a fellow With his soul tied to his heart; Why He made life just a gamble-- I can't talk the way I feel-- In the game that I've been playing, You know this ain't no square deal!

I will go away and leave you, But 'twould kind o' ease the pain If you'd only tell me, Nancy-- If you'd try--to--just explain.

[Ill.u.s.tration: "Standing there, a pictured G.o.ddess Sketched against a lowering storm."]

38

"If you wouldn't stand there looking With a face of livid white Like the specter of the prairie That I saw one horrid night, Riding through the endless darkness Like a being doomed from birth Just to roam outside of heaven And denied a place on earth.

Say one word to me! Speak, Nancy, If you have a voice and live!

Tell the worst, e'en though you ask me To be patient and forgive.

I will listen--I will suffer-- I will do the best I can; Nancy, sweetheart! hear the pleading Of a broken-hearted man,"

39

"See here, Billy! You gone crazy?

Charging like you got a fit?

Johnson ain't in--just at present-- Won't you stop and rest a bit?

Don't act strange. There's no hard feelings, Though I've never seen before Any man that knocked like you did On a peaceful neighbor's door.

Come right in; now, don't be backward, Like old times to have _you_ 'round!

You look tired, like you'd traveled Over quite a stretch of ground.

Sit right here in this old rocker; Johnson fixed it up one day, Feeling certain you would never Come meandering 'round this way.

40

"Don't get up and act uneasy, Rest yourself, now, if you can, You don't mind me like Jim Johnson-- He's a most obedient man.

You went off and left your eighty, Roaming where the luck-wind blows, Like a tumbleweed in winter, Where you've been, Lord only knows.

While Jim's gone we'll talk together, As we used to, months ago, When I tried to quench the burning Of a love I didn't know.

Listen, Billy, while I tell you All about my 'fickle part'; When I'm done you may know better How G.o.d made a woman's heart.

41

"While you're resting, I'll get supper, Though there ain't much here to eat, 'Cepting bran, to make some m.u.f.fins, And a little rabbit meat.

Wish I had that pinch of coffee I saved up for--oh, so long, Till one day I went and used it, Though I somehow felt 'twas wrong; For I kind o' thought that sometime Some one might be coming here Worn out with a long, long journey, And would crave that kind o' cheer.

Now, then, Billy, draw your stool up; What we've got is scant and plain-- I ain't hungry--honest--Billy, While you eat--why--I'll 'explain.'"

NANCY'S STORY

1

"I went off and left you, Billy, 'Cause I'm used to being free, And I love my dear old daddie-- He has been so good to me.

Ever since I learned to toddle We've been living on the run, And my first and only playthings Were a saddle and a gun.

When I went away with daddie, After trav'ling nigh a week, We were caught up by the posse In the bend on Old Man's Creek.

Think I'd let them take my daddie?

No: I held them all at bay, While the boys. .h.i.tched up the horses, Crossed the creek and got away.

2

"I just told them I would follow After all the fuss was through, But instead, all night I wandered, Thinking all the time of you; For when we were last together You cast over me a spell That just seemed to change my nature, In a way that words can't tell; For it left a fire a-burning Like a live and glowing coal, That at length blazed into longing Till I craved with all my soul To be back, somehow, where you were, And to hear you tell once more That you loved me. That man-story I had never heard before.

3

"Then I trailed back o'er the prairie, Riding steady every night, Picking out the wildest country With my luck to guide me right.

When I'd see the hungry morning Eat the stars up in the East, I would hide in gulch or timber Like a wild and hunted beast.

How I learned to love the darkness As it spread its mighty arm, Close around me, like a lover, Fondly shielding me from harm!

And I knew the sweet caresses Of the earth and sky above, As the night's mysterious voices Soothed me with their tale of love.

4

"Then I'd ride like forty devils Just to catch upon my face All the kisses which the tempest Pressed upon me in the race.

How I thought of poor old daddie, Whom, perhaps, I'd see no more If I went clear back to your place, While he hurried on before!

I could hardly bear the burden When I'd think of--both of you; But that fire you set a-burning, One night told me what to do-- I would see and ask you, Billy, If you wouldn't go with me Where we both could be with daddie, Way out West, where he must be.

5

"Then at last the night that loved me, Turned its pent-up furies loose, Roaring out on me its anger And unpitying abuse.

How the rain beat down upon me!

How the lightning burned its track Through the clouds of storm and thunder As I reached your sod-walled shack!

All was dark within, and quiet, When I rapped upon the door.

Then I saw the flash of matches And the lamplight on the floor; Heard you stomp your heavy boots on, Heard you walk and draw the bar, But the door, when thrown wide open, Showed Jim Johnson standing thar.

6

"'What you doing here?' I shouted, When I saw his hateful leer; 'Tell me what this means, Jim Johnson.

Where is Billy? Ain't he here?'

He was standing on the doorstep, And the light that shone within Seemed to twist his wrinkled features In a sort of wonder-grin.

'Well! well! Nancy! sure's I'm livin'!

Out there in the pouring wet!

Sure I'll care for you, Miss Nancy, I'll protect you, don't you fret!

I'm a friend that you can count on, Does me good to see your face!

Come in, gal, and dry your garments, You have struck the very place!'