Page:Randall Parrish--My Lady of the South.djvu/85

THE ACCIDENT going away now, the very moment I can feel assured you are in the care of friends. It is not at all probable we shall ever meet again, and any court will give you instant release. But first I desire to say this: Amid all the trials of to-night you have appealed to me, have won my deepest admiration and respect. I cannot bear to feel, however much it might be deserved, that you utterly despise me."

"I acknowledge I do not; I believe what you have told me, that you merely yielded to circumstances in the hope of saving yourself, and thus gaining opportunity to perform what you consider an imperative duty."

"I thank you from the bottom of my heart for saying that. Before we finally part would you accept my hand?"

I knew she straightened stiffly back in the saddle, her hands pressed against the pommel.

"Oh, no, I could not do that. You have no right to ask such a thing; not while you continue to wear falsely that uniform; not while you intend riding directly away from here planning to do injury to my people."

I bowed, and turned away, hat in hand, toward the steps. Her voice halted me.

"Be—before you knock," she questioned doubtfully, "would you tell me your name?"

"Certainly, you will need to know that; I had forgotten. I am Elbert King."

"An—an officer?"

"Not commissioned; merely a sergeant of artillery."

Whatever her secret thoughts might have been, they were securely hidden in silence and darkness. Young as [ 77 ]