Page:Randall Parrish--My Lady of the South.djvu/344

MY LADY OF THE SOUTH "I appreciate your generosity," I said, but not so heartily as I had intended, the suspicion coming to me that, perhaps, he was only too delighted to get me away from the girl so easily, "and I should have disappeared more promptly, but for the reappearance of that crazy creature, and my fear of leaving Miss Jean unprotected. If the same arrangements exist, I will now say good-bye to you both."

"Not quite so swiftly," his voice pleasant, yet with a touch of command in it. "You forget I am in the Confederate service, an irregular, it is true, and yet amenable to discipline. I like you, King, and you have served both myself and the lass well on several occasions. I wish to repay her debt, as well as my own, but, at the same time, feel no desire to face a court martial. Give me ten minutes first, and then the coast will be clear."

He bent down, kissed her tenderly, and faced me with extended hand. There was a lump in my throat which would not permit speech, yet I returned his firm clasp. He was a fine fellow; I could envy him, but I could neither dislike nor quarrel. Had it been Dunn I should have refused to accept freedom from him, but I understood Donald's motives, and respected the man.

"All right, old fellow, best of luck," he continued heartily. "Good-bye, Jean girl," and was gone.

Without word or glance, she moved across to the open window, holding aside the drapery of curtain while she gazed without. Apparently I was not in her thought, and she was watching for him, her head bent forward [ 324 ]