Page:Randall Parrish--My Lady of the South.djvu/364

MY LADY OF THE SOUTH Before me dangled a rope with a noose at the end. I heard a bird singing on the branch above, yet I saw nothing but a maze of faces, and that dangling noose, which was intended to choke out my life. For the Instant I reeled giddily, held erect only by the grip on either arm, a strange red mist before my eyes. This then was the end—the end of all ambition, of all life, of all love I seemed unable to grasp the thought, and yet earth and sky were but misty unrealities, the sharp voice of Dunn indistinct. Some one struck me, and the blow broke the spell. I looked into Connors's face: then beyond him into the eyes of Dunn.

"You infernal curl!" I said coldly, "if you think this wins you the woman, you'll learn your mistake."

An oath broke from his lips, but the stockily built Sergeant stood between us. Then a hand reached over my shoulder, grasped the rope, and I felt the noose settle about my neck and tighten. The touch of the hemp sent a chill to the heart, but I stood firm, my eyes still on Dunn's. The fellow should read no fear in my face; nor would I ask mercy of him.

I know not from whence she came, or how. In that first second I thought it a dream, a vision, but there was no doubting the voice or the words.

"What are you doing? What does this mean?"

Apparently as startled at her unexpected appearance as I, the Lieutenant failed to answer. Besides, she ignored him, looking directly at the Sergeant, and the latter stammered an explanation. [ 344 ]