Page:Mehalah 1920.djvu/289

 "take the pledge again, I give it you with my whole heart once more. I believe it saved you once, it may save you again. At all events, it is a token to you that my heart is the same, that I care for and love none but you in the whole wide world."

He took it and suspended it round his neck.

"I will keep it for your sake," he said; "you may be sure it will be treasured by me."

"Keep it better than you did before."

"Certainly I will. I shall value it inexpressibly."

"George!" she went on, trembling in all her limbs, and rising to her feet. "George! my first and only love! as I give it you back now, I make you the same promise that I made you before. I will love—love—love you and you only, eternally. I swore then to be true to you, and I have been true. Swear again to me the same."

"Certainly. I shall always love you, Glory! I'm damned if it is possible for a fellow not to, you are so handsome with those flashing eyes and glowing cheeks. A fellow must be made of ice not to love you."

"Be true to me, as I to you,"

"To be sure I will, Glory!" and added in an undertone, "rum sort of truth hers, to go and marry another chap."

"What is that you say, George?"

"Take care. Glory!" exclaimed the sailor; "here comes the old prophet with a pair of tongs over his shoulder, staggering along the wall towards us. I had better sheer off. He don't look amiable. Good-bye, Glory!"

"Oh, George! I must see you again."

"I will come again. You will see me often enough. Sailors can no more keep away from handsome girls than bees from clover."

"George, George!"

Elijah came up, his face black with passion.

"Mehalah!" he roared, as he swung his iron pincers.

She caught his wrist and disarmed him.

"I could bite you, and tear your flesh with my teeth," he raged. "All was so peaceful and beautiful, and then he came from the dead and broke it into shivers. Where are you?" He put out his hands to grasp her.

"Do not touch me!" she cried, loathing in her voice. 10