A Man Is Born, Part Iii

“...But you are my wife, and I made a vow, even though I was a half-drunk young lout, you belong by my side, and I by yours, the rest of it we’ll somehow figure out.” She still looked pale, and shook her head, saying,”I don’t think you know what you ask.” She ducked to a side room, and then returned, with a cute, bundled-up, sleeping lass. Luther looked at the child, not even two, and felt his soul surge hot with fire, then forced it all back, he’d been gone four years, and in this place, he knew what transpired. He looked at the girl, caressed her forehead, said,”She mustn’t know how she came to this world. From this day forward, she is my daughter, my little one, my own precious pearl.” At these words tears streamed from Shelly’s eyes, she nodded, then quickly packed up her things, as they strode outside he looked at her clothes, said,”We better go buy you nicer things.” Weeks went by, they lived on his dad’s ranch, Luther riding every day with the herds, when out one day, a rider came to him, said some old friends of his wanted a ‘word.’ Luther rode in, both his pistols cocked, and saw six mounted men by the gate, Two he didn’t know, the other four he did, especially his old pard, Thevin’ Nate. Nate smiled as he rode up on his pale mount, said,”My friend it has been a long time.” Luther said,”Yes, and it would be much better If all of you just kept on riding by.” Nate looked shocked, then shook his head, “Now where’s the Luther that I used to know?" Luther said,”He died back in state prison, and the man who remains is telling you to go!” Now Nate’s anger came to his dirty face, and his hand slipped low towards his piece, Luther said,”Nate, you know you’re too slow, do you want to die just to get at me?” The big man hesitated, then saw the cowboys of the ranch sidling closer to them, He roared,”Come on, boys. He ain’t worth the lead!” Then trotted out, followed by the gang. That was the last Luther ever saw of them, two months later all six were shot down, when they tried to rob an army payroll, the boys-in-blue put them in the ground. Luther remained many years on that ranch, doubled its size and trebled the herd, and neither he, his wife, nor his twelve kids heard the townsfolk speak an unkind word. From that day, and for the rest of his days, many folks would go ride for his brand, they all did agree, that loud, drunken fool, had grown into one hell of a man.