For she knew that the Circle L men had sworn to square their account with the outlaws--and, knowing the circumstances of the fight on the plains the previous spring, she could not blame them for what they had done.
And yet she wanted to get away from the scene--anywhere.
She halted in front of the Wolf, and saw a number of men on the street--and others running toward the building.

She moved down the street toward the station, and as she passed a group of men she saw a man running toward her, shouting loudly: "Lawler's here! What in hell is comin' off?
Lawler just got off a special train! He looks like he looked that day he rode into town lookin' for Gary Warden!" Far down the street Ruth saw him coming.

He was running, and she leaped to meet him, unaware that Shorty and the other Circle L men had emerged from the front door of the Wolf and were listening to the man who had brought the news of Lawler's arrival.
She was aware of nothing but the fact that Lawler was coming.

And when, running toward him, she saw him stop dead short, she cried aloud with joy: "O Kane! Kane!" And then his big arms went around her, and she nestled close to him, shuddering, sobbing, laughing.
Excitedly, rapidly, as he held her, she related the story of the night's adventure.

Then Shorty and the others came up.