Bridge was given first aid by members of the hospital corps,
who assured Billy that his friend would not die. Mr. Harding
and Barbara were taken in by the wife of an officer, and it
was at the quarters of the latter that Billy Byrne found her
alone in the sitting-room.
The girl looked up as he entered, a sad smile upon her face.
She was about to ask him of his wound; but he gave her no
opportunity.
"I've come for you," he said. "I gave you up once when I
thought it was better for you to marry a man in your own
class. I won't give you up again. You're mine--you're my girl,
and I'm goin' to take you with me. Were goin' to Galveston
as fast as we can, and from there we're goin' to Rio. You
belonged to me long before Bridge saw you. He can't have
you. Nobody can have you but me, and if anyone tries to
keep me from taking you they'll get killed."
He took a step nearer that brought him close to her. She
did not shrink--only looked up into his face with wide eyes
filled with wonder. He seized her roughly in his arms.
"You are my girl!" he cried hoarsely. "Kiss me!"
"Wait!" she said. "First tell me what you meant by saying
that Bridge couldn't have me. I never knew that Bridge
wanted me, and I certainly have never wanted Bridge.
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