Page:Mehalah 1920.djvu/22

12 and the whole world may know. This!" She produced an Indian red silk kerchief, which she flung over her shoulders and knotted under her chin. With her rich complexion, hazel eyes, dark hair and scarlet cap, lit by the red fire flames, she looked a gipsy, and splendid in her beauty. Rebow dropped his gun, thrust her aside with a sort of mad fury, and flung himself out of the door.

"He is gone at last!" said the girl with a gay laugh.

Rebow put his head in again. His lips were drawn back and his white teeth glistened.

"You will pay the rent next Thursday. I give no grace."

Then he was gone.

CHAPTER II

THE RHYN

"," said Mehalah, "are you better now?"

"Yes, the fit is off me, but I am left terribly weak."

"Mother, will you give me the medal?"

"What? Your grandmother's charm? You cannot want it!"

"It brings luck, and saves from sudden death. I wish to give it to George."

"No, Mehalah! This will not do. You must keep it yourself."

"It is mine, is it not?"

"No, child; it is promised you, but it is not yours yet. You shall have it some future day."

"I want it at once, that I may give it to George. He has made me a present of this red kerchief for my neck, and he has given me many another remembrance, but I have made him no return. I have nothing that I can give him save that medal. Let me have it."

"It must not go out of the family, Mehalah."

"It will not. You know what is between George and me."

The old woman hesitated and excused herself, but was so much in the habit of yielding to her daughter, that she was unable to maintain her opposition.