"He tried to
protect me."
Then Mr. Divine understood the trend of her thoughts. He
tried to find some excuse for his cowardly act; but with the
realization of the true cowardliness and treachery of it that the
girl didn't even guess he understood the futility of seeking to
extenuate it. He saw that the chances were excellent that after
all he would be compelled to resort to force or threats to win
her hand at the last.
"Billy would have done better to have bowed to the inevitable
as I did," he said. "Living I am able to help you now.
Dead I could not have prevented them carrying out their
intentions any more than Billy has, nor could I have been
here to aid you now any more than he is. I cannot see that
his action helped you to any great extent, brave as it was."
"The memory of it and him will always help me," she
answered quietly. "They will help me to bear whatever is
before me bravely, and, when the time comes, to die bravely;
for I shall always feel that upon the other side a true, brave
heart is awaiting me."
The man was silent. After a moment the girl spoke again.
"I think I would rather be alone, Larry," she said. "I am
very unhappy and nervous. Possibly I could sleep now."
With a bow he turned and left the cabin.
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