“All the same it's true. And that makes me feel more the trouble my coming caused you.” “You will not fight my father?” “Not if I can help it. I'm trying to get out of his way.' “But you spied upon him.” “I am a ranger, Miss Longstreth.” “And oh! I am a rustler's daughter,” she cried. “That's so much more terrible than I'd suspected. It was tricky cattle deals I imagined he was engaged in. But only to-night I had strong suspicions aroused.” “How? Tell me.” “I overheard Floyd say that men were coming to-night to arrange a meeting for my father at a rendezvous near Ord. Father did not want to go. Floyd taunted him with a name.” “What name?” queried Duane. “It was Cheseldine.” “CHESELDINE! My God! Miss Longstreth, why did you tell me that?” “What difference does that make?” “Your father and Cheseldine are one and the same,” whispered Duane, hoarsely. “I gathered so much myself,” she replied, miserably. “But Longstreth is father's real name.” Duane felt so stunned he could not speak at once. It was the girl's part in this tragedy that weakened him. The instant she betrayed the secret Duane realized perfectly that he did love her. The emotion was like a great flood. “Miss Longstreth, all this seems so unbelievable,” he whispered. “Cheseldine is the rustler chief I've come out here to get. He's only a name. Your father is the real man. I've sworn to get him. I'm bound by more than law or oaths. I can't break what binds me. And I must disgrace you--wreck your lifer Why, Miss Longstreth, I believe I--I love you. It's all come in a rush. I'd die for you if I could. How fatal--terrible--this is! How things work out!” She slipped to her knees, with her hands on his. “You won't kill him?” she implored. “If you care for me--you won't kill him?” “No. That I promise you.” With a low moan she dropped her head upon the bed. Duane opened the door and stealthily stole out through the corridor to the court. When Duane got out into the dark, where his hot face cooled in the wind, his relief equaled his other feelings. The night was dark, windy, stormy, yet there was no rain. Duane hoped as soon as he got clear of the ranch to lose something of the pain he felt. But long after he had tramped out into the open there was a lump in his throat and an ache in his breast. All his thought centered around Ray Longstreth. What a woman she had turned out to be! He seemed to have a vague, hopeless hope that there might be, there must be, some way he could save her. CHAPTER XXI