The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-10-25
back and see met 1 hardly appreciate

AA sSo AaSA 1 AhIuly ~dppTSClHle
the honor"
oh, suppose not" his tone grown
suddenly bitter. But / am here just
the same, and propose carrying out
my Intention. What do you think
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
a merry chase all winter in Philadel.
ph1a, but now you have even dared
TO Haunt 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 | came
back alone for, to find out"
She a upon her feet, and | could
even see her hand c~lasping a lattice
of the summer house.
why do you ask this? What right
have you? There was never a prom
Use between U.S." ..s
1.-THE understanding has existed for
ten years; ave denied until now," he
protested hotly. you knew loved
you; I've fought a 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
respect would revolt at such methods.
Whatever affection l may have felt
for you as a boy has been driven from
me by these actions. You wanted a
slave, a servant, not q companion, and
1t is not in Mortimer blood to yield
to every whim. to every crack of the
whip. l new loved you, never con.
fessed | did. l 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 l 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"
Eyes, indeed; It's that damned Con-
tinental spy" -,
ut has been some one all along,
according to your t~heory-any gentle
man who has shown me ordinary kind
ness. You have called out Captain
Kincade, Lieutenant Mathleson, Major
Lang, and others, Just to prove your
ownership Of me. You have made me
the laughing stock of Philadelphia.
Now it pleases you to select Major
Lawrence with whom to associate my
name. Because he danced with me
once you feel justified In quarreling
with him in my presence, in goading
him into fighting you. 1t was the act
of a cowardly bully. Whatever respect
| may once have had for you, Captain
Grant, has been dissipated this past
winter"
Can you tell me IT is not Law.
rence?"
Il could tell you, and very plainly,
but l refuse to be questioned"
well, by Cad! l know without ask
and he sprang to his feet, grip.
ping her hand. You've helped that
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. | meant to
give you a chance, and, by heaven!
have. Do you think | am the sort Of
you can play with? If | can have
you only by force then 1t is going to
be that. Oh, don't try to pull awayi
I've got you now Just as / wanted you
alone! Your father is not here, and
that fool Seldom Is busy enough out
There is not even a guard
to interfere. Do you know what l
mean to do?"
She made no answer, but her silence
to fan his anger.
"Sulky, are you? Well. I'll tell you
lust the same. There's Q preacher liv-
ing at the crossroads-you know him,
hat ~sniveling. ~longfaced jerks. He's
! ranting rebel all right. but he'll do
what / say, or I'll cut his heart out.
You are going there with me tonight
o be married. I'll put an end to these
.antrums, and by tomorrow youTl have
,ome to your senses Now will you
70 quietly, or shall | make your"
She wrenched away from him; and
here was a moments struggle. and
hen her white-robed figure sprang
orth into the starlight. saw him
,rasp her, tearing the shoulder of her
Iress with the fierce grip of his fin
,ers. was already upon my feet.
!rouched behind the bush, prepared
o spring. She drew back, her face
White as marble. 1
"You coward! You curl"
Hold your temper. mistress" with
snarling laugh. Il know how to con !
uer you"
That moment | reached him.
CHAPTER XXI, {