He has two sides to him.
When I come upon that strange side, the one I never knew, he's like a
man I never saw.
"I want to be a good and loving daughter. I want to help him fight his
battles. But he doesn't--he doesn't _satisfy_ me. He's grown impatient
and wants me to go back to Louisiana. That gives me a feeling of
mystery. Oh, it's _all_ mystery!"
"True, you're right," I replied, my heart aching for her. "It's all
mystery--and trouble for you, too. Perhaps you'd do well to go home."
"Russ, you suggest I leave here--leave my father?" she asked.
"I advise it. You struck a--a rather troublesome time. Later you might
return if--"
"Never. I came to stay, and I'll stay," she declared, and there her
temper spoke.
"Miss Sampson," I began again, after taking a long, deep breath, "I
ought to tell you one thing more about Steele."
"Well, go on."
"Doesn't he strike you now as being the farthest removed from a ranting,
brutal Ranger?"
"I confess he was at least a gentleman."
"Rangers don't allow anything to interfere with the discharge of their
duty. He was courteous after you defamed him. He respected your wish. He
did not break up the dance.
"This may not strike you particularly.
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