Page:Randall Parrish--My Lady of the South.djvu/339

DANIELS AND DONALD MEET In despair, and, naturally enough, believing some of our faction must have been concerned in the outrage, he came here, stealing in through the tunnel. Me chanced to meet first with lieutenant King, and learned of the mysterious woman who has been living such horrible things in this house. His first thought was that it might be his wife, crazed by her sufferings and seeking vengeance. Discovering that I had seen this strange woman's face, and knowing that I had also met his wife, he was persuaded to come here and talk to me, in hope of learning the truth. It was a brave act, and proves the loyalty of the man's heart. I have given him no pledge of safety, but I do now: he is going from here unharmed, on my word of honor."

Donald stepped aside, leaving the door partially open and unguarded; his eyes were no longer on the mountaineer, but upon the face of the girl.

"I respect his purpose, and your implied pledge," he said gravely. "Was the woman Mrs. Daniels?"

"No," her eyes falling before his gaze, and the whole expression of her face softening. "It was a face I had never seen before."

For a long moment no one of us spoke, the silence impressive, the very air seemingly charged with possibilities of evil. I could perceive the doubt in Daniels's face, the vague suspicion of treachery. Before he could move, however, the girl, excited under the strain, broke forth impulsively.

"I—I don't want this to go on! There has been blood enough shed in these mountains over a forgotten [ 319 ]