Page:Randall Parrish--My Lady of the South.djvu/171

RELEASED FOR A PURPOSE You may feel this strange, perhaps unwomanly, but women brought up in these mountains, breathing the atmosphere of a feud from childhood, learn early to assume responsibility, and perform strange duties. I am going to tell you the truth, because I trust you. I have been left here as your jailor, with no one but negroes to help me to guard you. Miss Dunn has given way to her nerves, and locked herself in her room; Judge Dunn, as you know, is comparatively helpless. I am, therefore, practically alone."

"Alone!" mystified as to her purpose in such confession, "you mean, but for you, I could walk out of that door. What has become of Calvert Dunn and Donald?"

She stepped aside, again uplifting her eyes as as she did so.

"Yes," she said simply. "there is no strength here to prevent your escape. I merely appeal to your honor."

Breathing hard, I looked at her, scarcely knowing what to say. The expression of her face, pleading, questioning, decided me.

"That will have greater weight with me than a barred door."

The quick ﬂash of her eyes appeared to light up her entire face.

"I believed so: your words justify my conﬁdence. If I ask you to serve me, and yet hold yourself a prisoner, will you pledge me your word?"

I hesitated, but only for an instant, the strangeness [ 161 ]