hat,
and I said that I didn't think that he was as smart as you, Bill; I
wanted to take credit for a friendship I had formed, you see? But a
moment later I was sorry, for I was afraid that she might say something
against you, but she didn't. She said that you were a smart man--a
distinguished-looking man, and that she liked you ever so much. At first
I was pleased, but a second afterward I was jealous of you, Bill. Did
you ever see as blamed a fool as I am? But I didn't hate you, Bill. No,
my heart was warm toward you even while she was praising you--even while
I was jealous. I again asked her what she thought of Dan Stuart, and she
looked up at me and wanted to know if I knew what he thought of her. I
told her that everybody loved her, and that I didn't suppose he was mean
enough not to love her. She said that she knew people who didn't love
her, and I told her that if she would show them to me I would butt
their heads together for being such idiots. We were now almost within
sight of the General's home and I was not getting along very fast. I was
determined to make a break. We were on a hill, where the trees were
tall, almost over-lapping the road. To the right ran a path through the
briars, a nearer way home. I asked her to wait and she stopped. The sun
was down and it was now almost dark. And it was then that I told her
that I loved her. I don't know how I acted or what I said, but I know
that I was down in the dust at her feet. She stood there, pale and
trembling, looking around as if she would call for help. I asked her to
marry me, and she laughed, Bill--laughed at me and darted down the path.
Then I went into the woods and roamed about I don't know where; and that
is the reason I wasn't at the gathering to-night. I'm bruised and
crippled, Bill--my heart is sore, but I want to tell you that when she's
standing on the floor with that fellow Stuart, with the preacher in
front of her, I'll be there, putting in my plea. I won't give up as long
as there is a fighting chance left. Don't say a word about it. Forgive
me for dragging you off down here. God knows you've got a deep trouble
of your own. And I wish my word could settle it--I'd speak it, though it
might hurt my chances at the General's. Well, let's go to the house."

CHAPTER XI.

Guinea and Chyd, old Lim and his wife went to church the next day,
leaving Alf and me alone. Alf held himself in reasonable restraint until
the old people were gone, and then