The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-09
CHAPTER Y.


We left the house with the prisoners as
quickly as possible, the dead being buried
And after continuing with the troop up
the road for some distance, ] turned back
on the excuse Of having left something.
As 1 came near the house again my mind
misgave me. Would she wait? Would she
trust me still? 1t would take the devil him
self to tell her mind. and 1 could not judge.
/ had seen her now bat three or four times.
and yet knew at least twenty different
humors; and heaven knew how many more
she had at her call to do her bidding. Still,
she should not have cause to doubt me- 1,
at least. would keep my word. and so 1
went on UP the walk again to the side door
and into the room where we had captured
the maid and where the light still burned.
Then on into the front hall. Listening
moment and hearing naught, 1 called her
name.
A stified exclamation came to me through
the oak under the stairway, and the panel
slid softly back. There was no light, but
what worked it's way across the back hall
| from the other room. Yet could see her
as she stepped out from the black hole,
saw, too, that she leaned towards me, so
that caught her, or she had been on the
| floor.
What new mood was this? She was lying
| in my arms, her head on my shoulder. sob
| bling with the conclusive gasps of child!
| She chung TO me till the grip hurt my Shout
| der.
What Is It. Deborah?'' I asked. Hush!
What is 1t? There's naught wrong now.
! They're gone, child"
| Yet still she sobbed on. For the life Of me
| I could not help it-she seemed so like a
child-and 1 patted her shoulder softly and
babe her calm herself.
az cannot! 1 cannot" she sobbed. God
help me from such another hour!'
why. how should so brave girl fesr
a dark corner?"
Take me away! an. wilt not take me
| away from here?"
Come now" said I. moving to the back
room.
THAT mani" she cried in terror, looking
up into my face with frightened gaze.
lis he gone2"
Long since" said 1. as soothingly as 1
might
us he dead? Did kill a man?''
"Dost know you saved my life?' asked,
holding her close. There came convulsive
grip on my shoulder again.
| Thank God, Thank Godr she muir
INJURED. But did kill a MANI"
| mo, surely not" said l. Yet the fellow
lay in his new-made grave cold and stiffen-
! ing fast But she had so wild and crazed a
/ look in her eyes dared not add to her ter
| ror And twas well 1 did so, for with a
/ long sigh the nerves relaxed, and 1 lifted
| her in my arms and carried her out of the
| house into the cool morning air and down
| to the road with never a word nor move
| from her.
4 Twas a sweet burden to carry, and. as 1
moved along she sighed again. in her half
/ conscious condition, and reaching up one
! round arm put ii about my neck. SO could
1 have carried her a hundred miles. Was it
not enough to make the warm blood flow
back and forth to your heart? And would
not a man give half his days to feel such
another slowly throbbing against his coat?
For the life of me 1 could not forbear to
take the longest way to the gate-twas
but a paltry step at the longest.
Come TO the roadside, however, and by
the horses, 1 sat down upon the grass and.
still holding her, waited in silence for very
| fear that she might wake and force me to
| let her CO. And then she drew something of
!
TITS quite right here, now" said L. 1--WE
be in the road far from the house." and
she turned her head slowly looking up at
me, her cheek touching my coat. And 1
saw that the fear was gone.
why where are thy nerves, grl?" 1
cried. with a laugh Could not a man laugh
| for very joy of life at such a face, lying
close to him, and looking up at him so with
n,
of trouble in the eyes? If indeed there be
one who could not. let him get him to a
nunnery for he is fool.
"You will not leave me?" she murmured
God forbid!'' said 1. fervently. And she
| moved a bit in my arms and drew another
long sigh.
So 1 sat quiet for space, Roger gazing
| down at me in wonder And after a while
she moved again.
What is it," said 1. softly, for fear of
waking her.
II think can sit up now" she an
swered.
mo. no." 1 insisted. you're much too
weak" And no doubt she was.
IT think that-that 'twere better I
should" said She with a trace OF herself
creeping into her voice.
Nay, child said 1 again. " twill be
your certain death. Lie stil!'
| since when, sir. have you acquired the
authority TO command me?" she asked, yet
never moving TO rise. There she lay close
to me. her face pale the moonlight,
yet giving the hint of the petulant rail-
| Iery in her eye and voice.
According 10 one. Marvin by name, had
! right TO command her. and the
| thought grew in my head held her closer
TO me. and looked down In her eyes. and
| said not word.
"Afr. BaifOrtr'
Aye twas over, There sat Mistress De
borah bolt upright beside me. taking up the
tresses OF her long hair with hands that
| might shake a little. but with no wavering
in her face Still | said not a word In