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Horace shot a glance of inquiry at his sister. "We prayed every morning, Dear," she said simply, "that our little girl might be protected from harm." "She shall be protected, and I will protect her! Where's the deputy?" "They called him away the morning Fledra left." "May I read your letter, Floyd?" "Sure!" replied the boy wearily. Shellington's eyes sought the paper in his hand: "Floyd love.
Lem was there, arranging the boat for her reception in his crude, homely way. She was sure the scowman would not give her up. The thought brought Ann more vividly into her mind. If Everett came for her, and Lem held to his desire, Miss Shellington's happiness would be assured. The handsome young lawyer would return to Tarrytown, back to the woman who loved him.
She could only hold her peace and let matters take their course. At any rate, she did not intend to go to school. Now she cast a quick glance at Ann; but kept her eyes studiously from Horace. Noting Miss Shellington's entreating face, Fledra flung out her hands. "I didn't want to be mean," she said quickly; "but I want you to let me stay home today. Can I? Please, can I?" "There!
His fears were quieted by this thought, and he asked gently: "What motives could I have other than that justice should be done the father? I took the case, first, because it came to me; then, because I think the man ought to have his children." Miss Shellington's face darkened. "Oh, Everett, you can't be so hard-hearted as to want those poor little things misused!
You will both have your money, and our business together will be at an end." Lem laughed, but with no sound. "Just how to get this girl is more than I have figured out," Everett continued; "but it might be well for me to try and get a letter to her. I have been a steady visitor at Shellington's home for many years.
She was making rapid strides in English, and Miss Shellington's patience went far toward keeping her mind concentrated upon her work. At first some of the girls at the school were inclined to smile at her endeavors; but her sad face and questioning eyes drew many of them into firm friends.
Suddenly she heard a rapid step upon the road and crept back again to the corner of the building. Everett Brimbecomb was passing under the arc light, and Fledra could see his handsome face plainly in its rays. He stopped a moment and looked at Shellington's house, with a shrug of his shoulders. Again he resumed his way; but halted as Fledra called his name softly.
The servant opened it, and he heard Miss Shellington's voice without. In a moment Ann entered, white and flurried. "I want you to pardon me, Floyd," she begged, "but that boy of ours insisted upon coming to see you. He would have come alone, had I refused to accompany him. Will you be kind to him for my sake? He is so miserable over his sister!"
She came of a stock like himself, of blood in which there was no good. Everett forgot the dripping woman before him as a dark thought leaped into his mind. He could now be at ease with his conscience! Of a sudden, he felt himself sink from the radius of Horace Shellington's life down to the birth level of the boy and girl next door.
I couldn't go I'd ruther die, I would! He'd make me go to Lem's scow! Ye can see I can't go, can't you?" She wheeled around and looked at Horace, her eyes filled with a frightened appeal. Shellington's glance was compassionate and tender. "I not only see that you can't go," said he; "but I will see to it that you don't go. Mr. Cronk, I shall have to ask you to leave my house."
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