Page:The traitor; a story of the fall of the invisible empire (IA traitorstoryoffa00dixo).pdf/318

 When he returned to Mrs. Wilson's for supper he was struck dumb by the sight of his trunk lying on the sidewalk outside the gate.

Without a word he picked it up, carried it back upstairs and threw it on the floor with a bang in front of the room that had been his.

He sat down on it and refused to stir until Susie answered in person his demand for an interview.

To avoid a scene she finally consented to meet him in the parlour.

Susie's gray eyes were cold and her tall figure rigid.

"In violation of every law that should govern the conduct of a gentleman you have forced yourself into my presence Mr. Ackerman. I trust our interview may be very brief."

"In violation of every law of Southern hospitality, to say nothing of the rules which should govern the temper of a lady, you have thrown me out of your house without rhyme or reason. And before I go I respectfully but firmly ask, why?"

"You have pretended to be a friend of our people I find that you are an enemy—a sneak and a hypocrite."

Ackerman's cheeks blushed redder than usual; he bit his lips and finally burst into laughter.

"Is that all?"

Susie rose with dignity.