It told her that the usury of life was beyond all belief. It
told her that the interest demanded for every pledged moment was
without pity, or mercy, or justice. Now she knew how she had pawned,
and, oh God, the interest which was being torn from her!
Her gaze remained upon the angle of the barn around which her husband
had vanished. She was waiting for him to reappear. She was waiting to
see if he would ride off in spite of her warning. But she was unaware
of the thought prompting her. All she knew, all she felt, was the
contempt, the scorn, the distrust he had hurled at her.
The western sky had faded to a pallid yellow. The distance was losing
itself in the rising purple shadows. Already the dark patches of
woodlands were assuming that ghostly vagueness which belongs to
twilight. The ranch was wrapped in a deep repose. A sense of rest had
fallen upon the great valley. All life seemed satisfied with its long
day's effort and desired only the peace of night.
But the quiet suddenly gave way before a fresh clatter of movement.
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