Wilderness Trek (1988) Read online

  "But--but it was only a play!" flashed Beryl. Then Red kissed her lips with a passion of tenderness and violence commingled.

  "Wal, wife, it was about time," drawled Red.

  That word unstrung Beryl. "Wife?" she echoed, almost inaudibly. "Red! You--you married me--really? Father! Have I been made a--fool of?" cried Beryl, tragically.

  "My daughter, compose yourself," returned Dann. "We thought to have a little fun at your expense. I am still an ordained clergyman. But you are Mrs. Krehl! I'll have marriage certificates somewhere in my luggage!"

  She swayed back to Red. She could not stand without support. She lifted frail brown hands that could not cling to Red's sleeves.

  "Red!--You never asked me!"

  "Wal, honey, the fact was I didn't have the nerve. So Sterl an' I went to yore Dad an' fixed it up. Beryl, he's one grand guy." He snatched the swaying girl to his breast. Her eyelids had fallen.

  "Beryl!" he shouted, in fear and remorse. "Don't you dare faint! Not heah an' now of all times in our lives! I did it thet way because I've always been dyin' of love for you. Since thet--thet orful time I've been shore you cared for me, but I never risked you outwittin' me. I swore I'd fool you once an' go on my knees to you the rest of my life!"

  Suddenly she was shot through and through with revivified life. She did not see any others there. And when she lifted her lips to Red's, it was something--the look of both of them then--that dimmed Sterl's eyes.

  "Come, Sterl and Leslie," boomed Dann. "I require more practice. Here, before me, and join hands. Our bride and groom there may stand as witnesses." And almost before Sterl was sensible of anything except the shy and bedazzled girl beside him, clutching his hand, he was married!

  Friday wrung Sterl's hand. No intelligence could have exaggerated what shone in his eyes.

  "Me stotum alonga you an' missy. Me be good black fella. No home, no fadder, no mudder, no brudder, no lubra. Imm stay alonga you, boss."

  Sterl and Red walked by the river alone.

  "Pard, it's done," said Red. "We're Australians. Who would ever have thunk it? But it's great. All this for two no-good gunslingin' cowboys!"

  "Red, it is almost too wonderful to be true!"

  It was as Stanley Dann had said of them all: "We have fought the good fight." In that moment Sterl saw with marvelous clarity. It had taken a far country and an incomparable adventure with hardy souls to make men out of two wild cowboys.

  THE END