Page:Jackson Gregory--joyous trouble maker.djvu/340

324 with the passion gripping her, her voice coming harsh and uncertain.

"I'd choose disgrace, yes, and death, before you!" she cried wildly.

Behind her her hand had closed upon the broken ax handle, her only weapon. In another instant she might have launched herself at him, striking with all of the fierceness of her sex when awakened to utter loathing and terror. And, then, at her moment of greatest need, there came to her from without a sound which set her heart to leaping, her pulses bounding.

It was Bill Steele's voice, like some glorious trumpet, shouting cheerily:

"Coming, Trixie girl! Coming!"