Page:The leopard's spots - a romance of the white man's burden-1865-1900 (IA leopardsspotsrom00dixo).pdf/496

 never see me again. You shall not humiliate me or him another hour."

The General looked at her as though stunned, his voice trembled as he replied,

"Would you leave me so in an hour, dear?"

"Yes, Charlie is waiting there on the porch for me now, and his carriage is outside. I will not subject him to another insult, nor allow any one else to do it."

The General sank heavily into a chair, and stretched out his hands toward her in a gesture of tender entreaty.

"Come child and kiss me,—you know I can't live without you! Forgive all the foolish things I've said in anger and pride. Your happiness is more to me than all else."

She was crying now in his arms.

"Go, bring Charlie. The youngster has beaten me. I've fought a foeman worthy of my steel. It's no disgrace to surrender to him."

In a moment she led Gaston into the room, and the General grasped his hand.

"Young man, for the last time I welcome you to this house. Now, it is yours. You can run this place to suit yourself. I've worked all my life for Sallie. I give up the ship to you."

"General, let me assure you of my warmest love. I have never said an unkind thing or harboured a harsh thought toward you. I shall be proud of you as my father. I have loved you and Mrs. Worth since the first day I looked into Sallie's face."

The invitations stood. Gaston returned immediately to Hambright, and on the morning of the inauguration, accompanied by Bob St. Clare, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, he entered the grand old mansion with its stately pillars and claimed his bride. The Chief Justice performed a civil ceremony, and the party started on