Page:Randall Parrish - The Red Mist.djvu/169

 Rh to me she was no longer the girl who ran and laughed—she had changed into a woman; and my heart throbbed to the glance of her eye, my blood stirred to the touch of her hand. The very ease with which she appeared to resume the old careless relationship brought to me a pang of regret. I was not a boy, nor content that she should regard me from that standpoint.

"It sounds as though the storm was harder than ever," she said. "Where shall we go?"

"My choice would be to hide in one of these rooms, for the present, at least. We could scarcely hope to get the horse out of the stable unseen, and, even if we did, we would be likely to ride into some of the gang."

"But they will return to the house."

"Before they leave—yes; but it is hardly probable they will search up here again. Anse will be in ill-humor enough when he decides we have really escaped, but will never imagine that our hiding place is in the house. They will give up by daylight, and then the way will be clear."

"And where will you go?"

"Why," in surprise. "I could not leave you alone until I placed you in the care of friends."

"At Lewisburg, you mean?"

"If that is where you wish to go."