Conversation which had been loud and excited,eager calls from street corners that had punctuated the many-tongued argument and exposition,dimmed to silence.There was a forward movement of the men,not a rush but a vibratory swell of the human tide,pushing toward the steps of the hotel.The two riderless horses danced sidewise--Brick Willock had jumped upon the unpainted floor of the veranda,and Wilfred had sprung lightly to his side.
I'll just keep on my horse,muttered Bill,resting one leg stiffly over the pommel.I can't get up as I used to,and I expect to stay with ye,Brick,to the jail door.
Willock did not turn his shaggy head to answer.He had seen the sheriff at the other end of the piazza,and he made straight for him,not even condescending to a grin when the other,mistaking his intentions,whipped out his revolver.
Put it up,pard,Brick said gruffly.When you come to me in the cove,a few years ago,I give you a warm welcome,but now I ain't a-coming to you,I'm a-coming to the Law.Where's that there warrant?
The crowd that had been listening to the sheriff's discourse before the arrival of the highwayman,scattered at sight of the drawn weapon--all except Lahoma.
Brick!she cried,oh,Brick,Brick!
There was something in her voice he could not understand,but he dared not turn to examine her face;he could not trust himself if he once looked at her.
Get out your warrant,he cried savagely,and get it out quick if you want ME!His great breast heaved with the conflict of powerful emotions.I'm sure sorry to see you,old man,Mizzoo declared.We know Red Feather done what we was charging up against you.But I guess there's no other course open to me.As my aunt used to say (Miss Sue of Missouri)'I got a duty--do it,I must.'He thrust his hairy hand into his bosom and drew forth the fateful paper.
Lahoma laughed.Read it,Mizzoo,read it aloud--read all of it!she cried gleefully.Wilfred looked at her,bewildered.The crowd stared also,knowing her love for Brick,therefore dazed at the sound of mirthful music.Brick turned his head at last;he looked,also,not reproachfully but with a question in his hard stern eyes.
Mizzoo turned red.Well,yes,I'll read it,he said,defiantly.Sure!I guess as sheriff of Greer County I'll make shift to get through with it alive.
He began to read,slowly,doggedly;Brick,without movement save for that heaving of his bosom,facing him with a mingling on his face of supreme defiance for the reader and superstitious awe for the legal instrument.
That's all,Mizzoo at last announced.You'll have to come with me,Willock.
Hold on!came voices from the crowd.During the reading,they had been watching Lahoma,and her expression promised more than fruitless laughter.Hold on,Mizzoo,Lahoma's got something up her sleeve!
Lahoma spoke clearly,that her voice might carry to the confines of the crowd:Mizzoo,I think you read in that warrant,'county of Greer,state of Texas'?Didn't you?
That's what I done.Here's the words.
But,you see,returned Lahoma,that warrant's no good!
Mizzoo stared at her a moment,then exclaimed violently,By--Propriety forbade the completion of his phrase.
The crowd instantly caught her meaning;a shout rose,shrill,tumultuous,broken with laughter.She had reminded them of the subject which a short time ago had engaged all minds.
It's no good,cried Lahoma triumphantly.She took it from Mizzoo's lax fingers and deliberately tore it from top to bottom.
I guess I'm a-getting old,sure enough,said Bill.This is beyond me.
Wilfred looked at Lahoma questioningly.Brick,stupefied by violence done that sacred instrument of civilization,stood rooted to the spot.
Mizzoo was grinning now.You see,he explained,word come today that the Supreme Court has at last turned in its decision.Prairie Dog Fork is now Red River,and 'Red River'is only the North Fork of Red River--and that means that Greer County don't belong to Texas,and never did belong to her,but is a part of Oklahoma.
And you'll never have an Oklahoma writ served on you,cried Lahoma,not while I'm living!And you'll go with us to our farm and live with us,you and Bill and...
Lahoma had expected to be very calm and logical,for she knew she had all the advantage on her side.But when she saw the change in Brick's eyes,she forgot her rights;she forgot all that watching crowd;she forgot even Wilfred--and with a spring she was in Brick's arms,sobbing for joy.
He tried to say something about her Boston kin,but he could not express the thought coherently,for giant as he was,he was sobbing,too.
If there's ever a meeting,she said,between tears and laughter,the East will have to come to the West!
Those Boston folks,cried Bill,with a sudden upheaval of unwonted humor,can simply go to--beans!I'm a-getting down,he added,cautiously lowering himself from his pony;I guess I'm in this,too.
You're in it,growled Brick,but you're on the outskirts.Don't come no nearer.He stroked the head that rested on his breast,his great hand moving with exceeding gentleness.He gazed over her brown glory,at the sympathetic crowd.
Fellows,he cried,just look what I've raised!
Boys,exclaimed Mizzoo,what do you say?Let's give three cheers for Lahoma.
Wilfred's voice cut across the last word,proud and happy:Make it Lahoma of Oklahoma!
