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He had belonged to her for years; and the sweet thought that she belonged to him, and that it was her God-given privilege to give herself to him and to no other, pressed upon her heart, and she cried out in the darkness: "I will not give him up! I will not! If he will forgive me, I will fall upon my knees and beg him to try me once again." Christmas was a long, wretched day for Dic.
As he did so Dic's mother entered from the adjoining room, and Billy greeted her with "Howdy," but was too busy to make explanations. "Now face me," said that little gentleman, speaking in tones of command to Rita and Dic. "Clasp your right hands." The hands were clasped. "Now listen to me. Diccon Bright, do you take this woman whom you hold by the hand to be your wedded wife?"
He shall pay dearly for his " "I have your promise, your oath," said the girl, interrupting him. "But, Rita " "I trusted you, Dic, and I know you will faithfully keep your promise. Father owes Williams a large sum of money, and Tom has been stealing from him." Here she began to weep. "He will ruin father and send Tom to the penitentiary if he learns that I have told you this.
Dic did not remain long with the tempting little remedy. While his hand was on the latch she detained him with many questions, and danced about him in pretty impatience. "Why do you go?" she asked poutingly. "You said Bob Kaster was coming," replied Dic. "Oh, well, you stay and I'll send him about his business quickly enough," she returned. "Would you, Sukey?" asked Dic, laughing.
What cared she about the Romans? Dic was not a Roman. Conversation upon books wearied her, and subjects that a few months ago held her rapt attention, now threw her into revery. I am sorry to say she was a silly, love-lorn young woman, and not in the least entitled to the respect of strong-minded persons.
Tuesday's stage brought a letter from Rita, and it is needless to speak of its electrifying effect on Dic. There was a great deal of "I" and "me" and "you" in the letter, together with frequent repetitions; but tautology, under proper conditions, may have beauties of its own, not at all to be despised.
"But you are not in trouble?" "N-o " she answered hesitatingly, "but but this is what I want to say. Tell me, Billy Little, do you think anything can come between Dic and me? That is the thought that haunts me all the time and makes me unhappy." "Do you feel sure of Dic?" asked Billy. "Indeed, I do," she replied; "I am as sure of him as I am of myself."
The direct road was becoming too smooth for Rita, and she began to fear she would not be able to stop. "Let us make this bargain," said Dic. "When you want to say anything unkind, say it to me. I'll not misunderstand." "Very well," she replied laughingly, "the privilege may be a great comfort to me at times. I, of course, dare not scold mother.
She who saw others through the clear lens of her own conscience did not doubt Dic and Sukey, but notwithstanding her trustfulness, a dim suspicion passed through her mind that something might be wrong if Dic had really "taken hold" of Sukey. Where the evil was, she could not determine; and to connect the straightforward, manly fellow with anything dishonorable or wicked was impossible to her.
Williams was waiting, and Dic found him carefully examining his gun. The gun contained a bullet which, Dic thought, with small satisfaction, might within a short time end his worldly troubles, and the troubles seemed more endurable than ever before. Sleep had cooled his brain since his conversation with Billy, and he could not work himself into a murderous state of mind.
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