The Bell-Ringer of Angels | Page 7

understand what I mean--of
stoppin' in passing. You and me, you see, are sorter alike; we don't
seem to jibe in with the gin'ral gait o' the camp. You understand what I
mean? We ain't in the game, eh? You see what I'm after?"
Madison Wayne glanced half mechanically at McGee's revolver.
McGee's clear eyes at once took in the glance.
"That's it! You understand? You with them books of yours, and me
with my shootin' iron--we're sort o' different from the rest, and ought to
be kinder like partners. You understand what I mean? We keep this
camp in check. We hold a full hand, and don't stand no bluffing."
"If you mean there is some effect in Christian example and the life of a
God-fearing man"--began Madison gravely.

"That's it! God-fearin' or revolver-fearin', it amounts to the same when
you come down to the hard pan and bed-rock," interrupted McGee. "I
ain't expectin' you to think much of my style, but I go a heap on yours,
even if I can't play your game. And I sez to my wife, 'Safie'--her that
trots around with me sometimes--I sez, 'Safie, I oughter know that man,
and shall. And I WANT YOU to know him.' Hol' on," he added quickly,
as Madison rose with a flushed face and a perturbed gesture. "Ye don't
understand! I see wot's in your mind--don't you see? When I married
my wife and brought her down here, knowin' this yer camp, I sez: 'No
flirtin', no foolin', no philanderin' here, my dear! You're young and
don't know the ways o' men. The first man I see you talking with, I
shoot. You needn't fear, my dear, for accidents. I kin shoot all round
you, under your arm, across your shoulders, over your head and
between your fingers, my dear, and never start skin or fringe or ruffle.
But I don't miss HIM. You sorter understand what I mean,' sez I,'so
don't!' Ye noticed how my wife is respected, Mr. Wayne? Queen
Victoria sittin' on her throne ain't in it with my Safie. But when I see
YOU not herdin' with that cattle, never liftin' your eyes to me or Safie
as we pass, never hangin' round the saloons and jokin', nor winkin', nor
slingin' muddy stories about women, but prayin' and readin' Scripter
stories, here along with your brother, I sez to myself, I sez, 'Sandy, ye
kin take off your revolver and hang up your shot gun when HE'S
around. For 'twixt HIM and your wife ain't no revolver, but the fear of
God and hell and damnation and the world to come!' You understand
what I mean, don't ye? Ye sorter follow my lead, eh? Ye can see what
I'm shootin' round, don't ye? So I want you to come up neighborly like,
and drop in to see my wife."
Madison Wayne's face became set and hard again, but he advanced
towards McGee with the book against his breast, and his finger
between the leaves. "I already know your wife, Mr. McGee! I saw her
before YOU ever met her. I was engaged to her; I loved her, and--as far
as man may love the wife of another and keep the commands of this
book--I love her still!"
To his surprise, McGee, whose calm eyes had never dimmed or
blenched, after regarding him curiously, took the volume from him,

laid it on the table, opened it, turned its leaves critically, said earnestly,
"That's the law here, is it?" and then held out his hand.
"Shake!"
Madison Wayne hesitated--and then grasped his hand.
"Ef I had known this," continued McGee, "I reckon I wouldn't have
been so hard on Safie and so partikler. She's better than I took her
for--havin' had you for a beau! You understand what I mean. You
follow me--don't ye? I allus kinder wondered why she took me, but
sens you've told me that YOU used to spark her, in your God- fearin'
way, I reckon it kinder prepared her for ME. You understand? Now you
come up, won't ye?"
"I will call some evening with my brother," said Wayne embarrassedly.
"With which?" demanded McGee.
"My brother Arthur. We usually spend the evenings together."
McGee paused, leaned against the doorpost, and, fixing his clear eyes
on Wayne, said: "Ef it's all the same to you, I'd rather you did not bring
him. You understand what I mean? You follow me; no other man but
you and me. I ain't sayin' anything agin' your brother, but you see how
it is, don't you? Just me and you."
"Very well, I will come," said Wayne gloomily. But as McGee backed
out of the door, he followed him, hesitatingly. Then, with an effort he
seemed to recover himself, and said almost harshly: "I ought to