It was never enforced. We never
were married, because that contract was never signed by us both. Here it
is. Examine it."
It lay there before us. I saw its words again stare up at me. I saw
again the old pictures of the great mountains; and the cloudless sky,
and the cities of peace wavering on the far horizon. I gazed once more
upon that different and more happy world, when I saw, blurring before my
eyes, the words--_"I, John Cowles--I, Ellen Meriwether--take thee--take
thee--for better, for worse--till death do us part."_ I saw her name,
"_E-l-l-e-n_."
"Harry," said I, turning on him swiftly. "Your father is old. This is
for you and me, I think. I shall be at your service soon."
His face paled. But that of his father was now gray, very old and gray.
"Treachery!" he murmured. "Treachery! You slighted my girl. My God, sir,
she should not marry you though she died! This--" he put out his hand
toward the hide scroll.
"No," I said to him. "This is mine. The record of my fault belongs to
me. The question for you is only in regard to the punishment.
"We are four men here," I added, presently, "and it seems to me that
first of all we owe protection to the woman who needs it.
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