"Yes, you bet we are. We don't worship any law unless, by grab, it's right. Why, there used to be a law, a hundred years ago, to hang a man if he stole. They used to hang them by the dozen, right over there in England, and put their heads on a spike. Could you worship that law? Why, no; you know better. But there's a hundred more laws on our statute books to-day that date clear back to that time, and lots of them are just as unreasonable. I believe in justice, and every man for his own rights, and some day I believe you'll agree with me." "That isn't necessary," she said, smiling slightly, "we can proceed very nicely without." "Aw, now, that's what I mean," he went on appealingly. "We can proceed, but I want more than that. I want you to like me--and approve of what I do--and love and marry me, too." He poured it out hurriedly and reached blindly to catch her, but she rose up and slipped way. "No, Rimrock," she said as she gazed back at him from a distance, "you want too much--all at once. To love and to marry are serious things, they make or mar a woman's whole life. I didn't come out here with the intention of marrying and I have no such intention yet. And to win a woman's love--may I tell you something? It can never be done by violence. You may take that big pistol and win a mountain of copper that is worth two hundred million dollars, but love doesn't come that way. You say you want me now, but to-morrow may be different. And you must remember, you are likely to be rich." "Yes, and that's why I want you!" burst out Rimrock impulsively. "You can keep me from blowing my money." "Absolutely convincing--from the man's point of view. But what about the woman's? And if that's all you want you don't have to have me. You'll find lots of other girls just as capable." "No, but look! I mean it! I've got to have you--we can throw in our stock together!" There was a startled pause, in which each stared at the other as if wondering what had happened, and then Mary Fortune smiled. It was a very nice smile, with nothing of laughter in it, but it served to recall Rimrock to his senses. "I think I know what you mean," she said at last, "but don't you think you've said enough? I like you just as much; but really, Rimrock, you're not very good at explaining." CHAPTER XV A GAME FOR BIG STAKES