her tell me you love
me or that you never can. Will you come on those terms, Ruth?"
"I cannot!"
"It will end fear, uncertainty, and work, until you are strong and well.
It will give you home, rest, and love, that you will find is worth your
consideration. I will keep my word; of that you may be sure."
"No," she cried. "No! But take back this money! Keep it until I tell you
to whom to pay it."
She started toward him holding out the envelope.
Henry Jameson, with a dreadful oath, sprang for it, his contorted face
a drawn snarl. The Harvester caught him in air and sent him reeling. He
snatched the revolver from the Girl and put the money in his pocket.
"Ruth, I can't leave you here," he said. "Oh my Dream Girl! Are you
afraid of me yet? Won't you trust me? Won't you come?"
"No."
"You are right about that, my lady; you will come back to the house,
that's what you'll do," said Henry Jameson, starting toward her.
"No!" cried the Girl retreating. "Oh Heaven help me! What am I to do?"
"Ruth, you must come with me," said the Harvester. "I don't dare leave
you here."
She stood between them and gave Henry Jameson one long, searching look.
Then she turned to the Harvester.
"I am far less afraid of you. I will accept your offer," she said.
"Thank you!" said the Harvester. "I will keep my word and you shall have
no regrets. Is there anything here you wish to take with you?"
"I want a little trunk of my mother's. It contains some things of hers."
"Will you show me where it is?"
She started toward the house; he followed, and Henry Jameson fell in
line. The Harvester turned on him. "You remain where you are," he said.
"I will take nothing but the trunk. I know what you are thinking,
but you will not get your gun just now. I will return this revolver
to-morrow."
"And the first thing I do with it will be to use it on you," said Henry
Jameson.
"I'll report that threat to the police, so that they can see you
properly hanged if you do," retorted the Harvester, as he followed the
girl.
"Where is his gun?" he asked as he overtook her. When he reached the
house he told her to watch the door. He went inside, broke the lock from
the gun in the corner, found the trunk, and swinging it to his shoulder,
passed Henry Jameson and went back through the woods. The Harvester set
the trunk in the wagon, helped the Girl in, and returned for the load
he had dropped at her call. Then he took the lines and started for
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