My Lady of Doubt

  CHAPTER XXIII

  WORDS OF LOVE

  In spite of the fact that he was armed the advantage was all with me. Hisgrip on the girl dragged her to the ground with him, but she rolled asideas we grappled like two wild beasts, my fingers at his throat. I knew thestrength of the man, but my first blow had sent his brain reeling, whilethe surprise of my unexpected assault gave me the grip sought. Hestruggled to one knee, wrenching his arms free, but went down again as myfist cracked against his jaw. Then it was arm to arm, muscle to muscle,every sinew strained as we clung to each other, striving for mastery. Hefought like a fiend, gouging and snapping to make me break my hold, but Ionly clung the closer, twisting one hand free, and driving my fist intohis face. At last I gripped his pistol, wrenched it forth, and struckwith the butt. He sank back, limp and breathless, and I rose to my kneeslooking down into the upturned face. Almost at the moment her handtouched my shoulder.

  "Is he dead? Have you killed him?"

  "Far from it," I answered gladly. "He is merely stunned, and will revivepresently, but with a sad headache. I would not have hit him, but he is astronger man than I."

  "Oh, you were justified. It was done to protect me. I knew you must besomewhere near."

  "You were waiting for me?"

  "Yes--no; not exactly that. I was in the summer house; I did not mean youshould see me, but I wished to be sure of your escape; I--I--of course Iwas anxious."

  "I can easily understand that, for you have assumed much risk--evenventured the life of the devoted Peter."

  "Oh, no; you rate my devotion too high by far. Peter's life has not beenendangered."

  "But the guard told me he was the direct cause of all that firing beyondthe ravine."

  The starlight revealed the swift merriment in her eyes.

  "I--I--well, I believe he was originally responsible, but--well, you seeI know Peter, Major Lawrence, and really there is no danger that he willget hurt. I cannot imagine what they could have found to fire at so long,but it is certainly not Peter. 'Twould be my guess that he is even now inthe house, calmly eating supper, not even wasting a smile on the racketwithout. You may have observed he is not of an emotional disposition."

  "My attention has, indeed, been called to that fact. Yet that does notexplain how he could be in two places at one and the same time."

  "Nothing that Peter pleases to do is explainable. His ways are not ourways, nor his thoughts our thoughts. He is simply Peter. He started allthis, but was never in front of those guns long. They must be shooting atshadows. But, Major, we forget where we are, the perils about us, and thenecessity of your immediate escape. We must not stand talking here."

  She was close beside me, looking up into my face, her eyes filled withanxiety. Grant lay motionless upon the grass, a mere darker shadow. Tolinger there, however strong the temptation, was to expose her to evengreater peril. Already Seldon's men must be returning toward the house.There were words upon my lips I longed to speak, questions I desired toask, but I held these sternly back, restrained by the pleading in thoseeyes.

  "No, for your sake I must go at once," I answered soberly. "Seldon mustnot find you here, nor must Grant suspect your connection with my assaultupon him. I doubt if he recognized my face in this darkness, although hewill surely realize the truth when he learns of my escape. But how can Ileave you here unprotected? When this man returns to consciousness--andthat can mean but a few moments--he will be furious."

  "I shall be safe enough. He will have no opportunity to find me aloneagain. To-night I had no conception that he was near, and was not evenarmed. I--I have been afraid of him for months; he has acted like acrazed man. But you must go!" She caught my arm, urging me toward thethicket where the horse was concealed; then suddenly paused with a newthought. "Take his hat and coat," she whispered swiftly. "There areBritish patrols between here and the Delaware. Quick, and I will haveyour horse untied."

  I did as directed, feeling the value of the suggestion, and, a momentlater, to all appearance an officer of Queen's Rangers, slipped throughthe thicket of trees, and took the reins from her hands.

  "You will go straight back into the house?"

  "Yes," she said obediently; then extended her hand. "Good-bye, MajorLawrence. I suppose this ends our acquaintance."

  "Not if I can avoid such a fate," I replied, holding her fingers closely."If I believed that I am not sure but I would return to the cell. It hasbeen a strange intimacy into which we have been thrown; three days havemade us old friends. Surely you cannot believe me so ungrateful as yourwords would seem to imply."

  "But I deserve no gratitude," making no effort to draw away, yet lookinginto my face frankly. "Perhaps you have misunderstood. Is it not possiblefor the women of these Colonies to sacrifice as well as the men in thecause of patriotism? You must not believe that I have done this merelyfor your sake, Major Lawrence."

  "Yet I would like to believe so," I insisted warmly. "You are thedaughter of a loyalist."

  "And Eric is the son of a loyalist," laughingly, "and wears a Continentaluniform. I am not privileged to go so far, restrained by the limitationsof sex, yet I may be equally a rebel."

  "Which would seem to mean that all your kindness toward me would havebeen similarly given to any patriot soldier."

  "Why--why, yes; I--I think so."

  "And I do not, Mistress Claire; I refuse to so believe." Her eyes flashedup at me, and I lost all restraint in their swift challenge. "I am goingto speak--just a word, yet I must give it utterance before I ride outinto the dark, away from you. I love you. It makes no difference to mewhere your sympathies may be in this struggle, you have won my heart.Look up, dear, and listen. I am going back to the camp, back to thecampaign. I know not what the night, what the morrow may bring. But Iknow forever I love you, and that if I live I shall surely come back.Will you be glad? Will you promise me welcome?"

  I could feel her tremble, yet there was no shrinking in her face, noalarm.

  "Oh, why were you compelled to say that! I tried so hard not to let you.I--I cannot make the promise, it would not be right."

  "Not right!"

  "No, you do not know me. I told you before I was a sham, a fraud, notwhat I appeared to be. I will not explain even to you, and you must notask me. Only it hurts me to hear you say what you have, and be compelledto return this answer."

  "You care then--you do not disguise that?"

  She threw her head back proudly, making no attempt to withdraw her hands.

  "Yes, I care; any woman would. It is not true that I have served youmerely because you were a soldier of the Colonies. I think it was true,perhaps, at first, but--but later it was different. Oh! why do I saythis! Why do I delay your departure by consenting to remain here inconversation! Major Lawrence, cannot you realize that my only desire isto have you get away safely?"

  "But that is not my only desire," I protested. "It must be weeks, months,before I can hope to see you again. I am a servant of the Colonies, andmust go where I am sent; we are upon the verge of a campaign involvingexposure and battle. I may not even come forth alive. Must I go without aword, without a hope? Claire, Claire, sweetheart, you have no right toturn me away, because of some phantom of imagination--"

  "But it is not, it is terribly real."

  "I care not; I would still love you in spite of all; you may be a spy--aBritish spy--but the fact would mean nothing to me. I would trust you,Claire, your womanhood; I should know that whatever you did was inaccordance with your conscience, and be content--if you but love me. And,thank God! I know you do."

  "I--I--no! You cannot mean that!"

  "Ay, but I do. Have you supposed I could not read the message of thoseeyes? Oh, it may be dark, dear, but there is a star-gleam, and when thelashes lift--they confess a thousand times more than your lipsacknowledge. Yet I insist on the lips! Now tell me," and I held her tome, "tell me!"

  "What--oh, Major, please!"

  "There are but three words to speak; whisper them, dear, and I go."

 
"Three words!"

  "Such easy words; they are trembling on your lips now--_I love you_."

  "But if I do not; if they are false. Hush! There is some one on theveranda--Seldon must have returned."

  "All the more reason why you should speak quickly," I whispered, withoutreleasing her.

  "Will you go, then? At once?"

  "I pledge my word."

  She drew a deep breath, her eyes shadowed, but I could hear the swiftpulsing of her heart.

  "It--it will mean nothing--nothing."

  "Of course; only a memory to dream over."

  Her lashes lifted, her head tilted back upon my shoulder. For a bareinstant I gazed down into the depths.

  "Then--then I will--_I love you_!"

  With the words I kissed her, pressing my lips to hers; an instant theyclung, and I felt the pressure of her arm, the hot blood rioting throughmy veins.

  "Sweetheart," I whispered, "sweetheart."

  "No, no!" and she thrust me from her. "You forget. I am not that. Youmust not think it even. See, that man is coming down the steps. He willdiscover Captain Grant, and it will be too late--Oh, go, Major, pleasego!"

  I turned without another word, fully realizing the danger, the necessityof action. Her hand touched mine as I grasped the rein.

  "We part friends," she said softly. "Some day you may understand andforgive me."

  "I understand now more than you think," I returned swiftly, "and I amcoming back to learn all."