The Springfield herald., 1912-12-20
| bnck and see met hardly appreciate

bnck and see me? ] hardly appreciate
the honor"
"oh. suppose not" his tone grown
suddenly bitter. but I am here just
the same. and propose carrying out
my intention. What do you think I
am made of-wood? You treat me as
though possessed no feelings to be
hurt. See here, Claire. don't draw
away from me like that. What has
got into. you lately? You have led me
merry chase all winter in Philadel-
phia. but now you have even dared
to flaunt me to my face, and in the
presence of your father. Do you sup
pose am the kind to stand for that?
What Is the matter. girl? Who has
come between US? Is 1t that rascally
rebel? No: you stay where you are.
and answer me. That is what l came
back alone for. to find out"
She was upon her feet. and could
even see her hand clasping a lattice
of the summer house.
why do you ask this? What right
have you? There was never a prom
Use between u.s."
"The understanding has existed for
ten years; never denied until now" he
protested holly. You knew l loved
you; I've fought q. dozen men on your
account"
True enough" she broke in. you
have challenged every gentleman who
has dared address me. Did you think
such swashbuckling was going to win
my heart? Any girl possessing self
Whatever affection l may have felt
for you as boy has been driven from
me by these actions. You wanted a
slave. a servant, not companion. and
1t is not in Mortimer blood to yield
to every whim. to every crack of the
whip. I never loved you. never CON
fessed / did. tried to be obedient.
endeavored to like you to please my
father, but this past winter has 80
thoroughly revealed your real charac-
ter that ! will pretend no longer"
my character! We have known
each other from childhood. / know
well enough what has made the DIFF
ference in you"
"Indeed!"
Yes. indeed; it's that damned Con-
tinental spy"
1T has been some one all along.
according to your theory-any gentle
man who has showp me ordinary kind
ness. You have called out Captain
Kincade. Lieutenant Mathieson. Major
Lang, and others. Just to prove your
ownership of me. You have made me
the laughing stock of Philadelphia.
Now 1t pleases you to select Major
Lawrence with whom to associate my
name. Because he danced with me
once you feel justified in quarreling
him into fighting you. It was the act
of cowardly bully. Whatever respect
may once have had for you. Captain
Grant, has been dissipated this past
winter"
Can you tell me 1t is not Law
rence?"
81 could tell you. and very plainly.
but l refuse to be questioned"
well, by Cad! l know without ask.
ing" and he sprang to his feet, grip
ping her hand. You've helped that
fellow against me from the first. I'll
put up with 1t no longer. came back
here tonight desperate, prepared to re-
sort to any measures. l meant to
give you a chance. and. by heaven!
have. Do you think am the sort OF
man you can play with? II can have
you only by force then 1t is going to
be that. Oh. don't try to pull away!
I've got you now Just as l wanted you
alone! Your father Is not here, and
that fool Seldom is busy enough out
yonder. There is not even a guard
to interfere. Do you know what
mean to do?"
She made no answer but her silence
seemed to fan his anger.
"Sulky. are you? Well, I'll tell you
Just the same. There's a preacher liv-
ing at the crossroads-you know him.
that sniveling. long-faced jerks. He's
a ranting rebel all right, but he'll do
what l say. or I'll cut his heart out.
You are going there with me tonight
to be married. I'll put an end to these
tantrums. and by tomorrow you'll have
come to your senses. Now will you
go quietly, or shall make you?"
She wrenched away from him; and
there was a moments struggle, and
then her white-robed figure sprang
forth into the starlight. I saw him
graGp her, tearing the shoulder Of her
dress with the fierce grip of his fin
gers. l was already upon my feet.
crouched behind the bush, prepared
to spring. She drew back, her face
white as marble.
you coward! You curl"
Hold your temper, mistress" with
snarling laugh. II know how to con-
quer you"
That moment reached him.