"She was not worth loving or fighting for," said Carley, with agitation.
"Ah! now you've said something," he declared. "If I can only hold to
that truth! What does one girl amount to? I do not count. It is the sum
that counts. We love America--our homes--our women!... Carley, I've had
comfort and strength come to me through you. Glenn will have his reward
in your love. Somehow I seem to share it, a little. Poor Glenn! He got
his, too. Why, Carley, that guy wouldn't let you do what he could do for
you. He was cut to pieces--"
"Please--Rust--don't say any more. I am unstrung," she pleaded.
"Why not? It's due you to know how splendid Glenn was.... I tell you,
Carley, all the boys here love you for the way you've stuck to Glenn.
Some of them knew him, and I've told the rest. We thought he'd never
pull through. But he has, and we know how you helped. Going West to see
him! He didn't write it to me, but I know.... I'm wise. I'm happy for
him--the lucky dog. Next time you go West--"
"Hush!" cried Carley. She could endure no more. She could no longer be a
lie.
"You're white--you're shaking," exclaimed Rust, in concern. "Oh, I--what
did I say? Forgive me--"
"Rust, I am no more worth loving and fighting for than your Nell."
"What!" he ejaculated.
"I have not told you the truth," she said, swiftly. "I have let you
believe a lie.... I shall never marry Glenn. I broke my engagement to
him."
Slowly Rust sank back upon the pillow, his large luminous eyes
piercingly fixed upon her, as if he would read her soul.
"I went West--yes--" continued Carley. "But it was selfishly. I wanted
Glenn to come back here.... He had suffered as you have. He nearly died.
But he fought--he fought--Oh! he went through hell! And after a long,
slow, horrible struggle he began to mend. He worked. He went to raising
hogs. He lived alone. He worked harder and harder.... The West and his
work saved him, body and soul.... He had learned to love both the West
and his work. I did not blame him. But I could not live out there. He
needed me. But I was too little--too selfish. I could not marry him. I
gave him up. ... I left--him--alone!"
Carley shrank under the scorn in Rust's eyes.
"And there's another man," he said, "a clean, straight, unscarred fellow
who wouldn't fight!"