Page:The leopard's spots - a romance of the white man's burden-1865-1900 (IA leopardsspotsrom00dixo).pdf/382

 stances to come until conditions were more favourable. He got this letter the day before he was to start.

"I'll go and I'll see him if I have to fight my way into his house, that's all there is to it!" he exclaimed.

When he reached Independence, St. Clare met him at the depot, and gave him an eager welcome.

"I've been expecting you, you hard-headed fool!" he said impulsively.

"Well, your words are not equal to your handshake. What's the matter?" asked Gaston.

"You know what's the matter. Miss Sallie has been to see me this afternoon, and begged me to chain you at my house if you came to town to-day."

"Well, you'll need handcuffs, and help to get them on," replied Gaston with quiet decision.

"Look here, old boy, you're not going down to that house to-night with the old man threatening to kill you on sight, and your girl bordering on collapse!"

"I am. I've been bordering on collapse for some time myself. I'm getting used to it."

"You're a fool."

"Granted, but I'll risk it."

"But, man, I tell you Miss Sallie will be furious with you if you go after all the messages she has sent you."

"I'll risk her fury too."

"Gaston, let me beg you not to do it."

"I'm going, Bob. It isn't any use for you to waste your breath."

"You know where my heart is, old chum," said Bob, yielding reluctantly. "I couldn't go down to that house to-night under the conditions you are going for the world."

"Why not? It's the manly thing to do."

"It's a dangerous thing to do. Fathers have killed men under such conditions."