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 her. "Well," he demanded, when Sally's lips closed over the hot words she longed to hurl at him, "well, how did I reward ye?"

"Ye know!"

"Nay, I prithee, tell me!"

"The maid be play-acting!" interrupted Stockton impatiently. "Come, let us decide what to do wi' her!"

"How did I reward ye?" Inexorably Jerry's voice repeated his question.

Stockton, ignored, fell to muttering.

"Ye rewarded me by stealing Mary Todd, that IS what ye did!" burst out Sally. "A varlet thou art—a rogue, I dub ye! Ungrateful wretch! What did the poor Todds do to ye that ye should ha' taken little Mary wi' ye!"

"But wait!" Jerry's voice was bewildered. "I take Mary wi' me, ye say?"

"Aye, you!" Sally's voice was scornful. "Do not play-act in your turn and affect not to know her whereabouts. Master Lawrence!" she added. "Where is she? Where is little Mary?"

Before Stockton could guess her intention, Sally had slipped out of his grasp to go on to her knees before Jerry, who was standing stock still in the darkness before her. "Oh, please let me take Mary home!" implored the girl, a sob in her voice. "Surely the war be cruel enow without stealing her away from her home and her father and mother!"