The Victim: A romance of the Real Jefferson Davis Part 26

He grinned sheepishly and clung to her hand.

"Yes--Jennie--"

"Do you know what you are doing?"

"No--but--I know--what--I'm--trying--to--do--and--I'm--going--to--do--it--"

Again his big hand crushed hers.

"You're trying to break every bone in my hand as near as I can make out--I'd like it back when you're through with it--"

He found his tongue at last:

"I--I--can't let you have it back, Jennie, I'm going to keep it forever--"

"Really?"

"Yes--I am. I--I love you--Jennie--don't you love me--just--a--little bit?"

The girl laughed.

"No!"

"Not the least--little--tiny--bit?"

"I don't think so--"

The hand slipped through his limp fingers and he stared at her in a hopeless, pitiful way.

Her heart went out in a wave of tender sympathy. She put her hand back in his in a wistful touch.

"I'm sorry, d.i.c.k dear, I didn't think you loved me in that way--"

"What did you think I was hanging round you so much for?"

"I knew you liked me, of course. And I like you--but I've never thought seriously about love."

"There's no other fellow?"

"Of course, not--"

"You liked that Socola, didn't you?"

"I liked him--yes--"

"I thought so."

"He's cultured, handsome, interesting--"

"He's a sissy!"

"d.i.c.k!"

"A little wizened-faced rat--the spider-snake! I could break his long neck. Yes--you do like him! I saw it when you met him. You're throwing me down because you met him!"

"d.i.c.k!"

"But he shan't have you, I tell you--I'll show him I could lick a thousand such sissies with one hand tied behind me."

The girl rose with dignity.

"Don't you dare to speak to me like that, sir--"

"You're going to see that fellow again--I'll bet you've got an engagement with him now--to-night--to-day!"

The slender figure rose.

"I'll see him if I please--when I please and where I please and I'll not consult you about it, d.i.c.k Welford--Good day!"

Trembling with anger the big, awkward boy turned and stumbled out of the house.

CHAPTER VI

G.o.d'S WILL

d.i.c.k Welford had played directly into the hands of his enemy. When Socola called at the Barton home to pay his respects to Miss Jennie and wish them health and happiness and success in their new and dangerous enterprise, he found the girl in a receptive mood. The accusation of interest had stimulated her to her first effort to entertain the self-poised and gentlemanly foreigner.

He turned to Jennie with a winning appeal in his modulated voice:

"Will you do me a very great favor, Miss Barton?"

"If I can--certainly," was the quick answer.

"I wish to meet your distinguished father. He is a great Southern leader. I have been commissioned by the Sardinian Ministry to cultivate the acquaintance of the leaders of the Confederacy. I am to make a report direct to the Court of King Emmanuel on the prospects of the South."

Jennie rose with a smile.

"With pleasure. I'll call father at once."

Barton was delighted at the announcement.

"Invite him to spend a week with us at Fairview," Jennie suggested.

"Good idea--we'll show him what Southern hospitality means!"