Page:Mehalah 1920.djvu/18

8 I will pull the red cap off her head and lay it on my heart to keep it warm. None shall say me nay. Tell me, mistress, what are you, what is she, without house and bed and clothing? I will take her gun, I will swamp her boat. I will trample down your garden. I will drive you both down with my dogs upon the saltings at the spring tide, at the full of moon. You shall not shelter here, on my island, if you will not pay. I tell you, I have bought the Ray. I gave for it eight hundred pounds."

"But Elijah," protested the old woman, "do not be so angry. We are sure to pay."

"We will pay him, mother, and then he cannot open his mouth against us." At that moment the door flew open, and two men entered, one young, the other old.

"There is the money," said the girl, as the latter laid a canvas bag on the table.

"We've sold the sheep—at least Abraham has," said the young man joyously, as he held out his hand. "Sold them well, too, Glory!"

The girl's entire face was transformed. The cloud that had hung over it cleared, the hard eyes softened, and a kindly light beamed from them. The set lips became flexible and smiled. Elijah noted the change, and his brow grew darker, his eye more threatening.

Mehalah strode forward, and held out her hand to clasp that offered her. Elijah swung his musket suddenly about, and unless she had hastily recoiled, the barrel would have struck, perhaps broken, her wrist.

"You refused my hand," he said, "although you are mine. I bought the Ray for eight hundred pounds." Then turning to the young man with sullenness, he asked, "George De Witt, what brings you here?"

"Why cousin, I've a right to be here as well as you."

"No, you have not. I have bought the Ray, and no man sets foot on this island against my will."

The young man laughed good-humouredly.

"You won't keep me off your property then, Elijah, so long as Glory is here?"

Elijah made a motion as though he would speak angrily, but restrained himself with an effort. He said nothing, but his eyes followed every movement of Mehalah Sharland.