close. "You've got to hear me. I've loved you since the first
moment I rested my eyes on you--and, by God, you shall love me in
return!" He felt her struggle to free herself from his grasp
with a sense of savage triumph. It was the brute force within
him that conquered with women just as it conquered with men.

Bruce Carrington, on his way back to Fayetteville from the Forks,
came about a turn in the road. Betty saw a tall, handsome fellow
in the first flush of manhood; Carrington, an angry girl, very
beautiful and very indignant, struggling in a man's grasp.

At sight of the new-comer, Murrell, with an oath, released Betty,
who, striking her horse with the whip galloped down the road
toward the Barony. As she fled past Carrington she bent low in
her saddle.

"Don't let him follow me!" she gasped, and Carrington, striding
forward, caught Murrell's horse by the bit.

"Not so fast, you!" he said coolly. The two men glared at each
other for a brief instant.

"Take your hand off my horse!" exclaimed Murrell hoarsely, his
mouth hot and dry with a sense of defeat.

"Can't you see she'd rather be alone?" said Carrington.

"Let go!" roared Murrell, and a murderous light shot from his
eyes.