nt es well take me first as last. I
hain't no heart lef' in me. I don't care fer that thar doctah man
he'pin' me, nohow," he choked.

"Leave me go, and I'll give you promise for promise, Frale. I can't make
out is it sin or not; but if God can forgive and love--when you turn and
seek Him--the Bible do say so, Frale, but--but seem like you don't
repent your deed whilst you look at me like that way." She paused,
trembling. "If you could be sorry like you ought to be, Frale, and turn
your heart--I could die for that."

He still held her, but lifted one shaking hand above his head.

"Before God, I promise--"

"What, Frale? Say what you promise."

He still held his hand high. "All you ask of me, Cass. Tell me word by
word, an' I'll promise fair."

"You will repent, Frale?"

"Yas."

"You will not drink?"

"I will not drink."

"You will heed when your own heart tells you the right way?"

"I will heed when my heart tells me the way: hit will be the way to you,
Cass."

"Oh, don't say it that way, Frale. Now say, 'So help me God,' and don't
think of me whilst you say it."

"Put your hand on mine, Cass. Lift hit up an' say with me that word."
She placed her palm on his uplifted palm. "So help me, God," they said
together. Then, with streaming tears, she put her arms about his neck
and gently drew his face down to her own.

"I'll go back now, Frale, and you do all I've said. Go quick. I'll write
Bishop Towahs, and he'll watch out for you, and find you work. Let
Doctah Thryng help you. He sure is a good man. Oh, if you only could
write!"

"I'll larn."

"You'll have a heap more to learn than you guess. I've been there, and I
know. Don't give up, Frale, and--and stay--"

"I hain't going to give up with your promise here, Cass; kiss me."

She did so, and he slowly released her, looking back as he walked away.

"Oh, hurry, Frale! Don't look back. It's a bad omen." She turned, and
without one backward glance descended the mountain.

CHAPTER VI

IN WHICH DAVID AIDS FRALE TO MAKE HIS ESCAPE

Elated by his talk with Cassandra, Frale walked eagerly forward, but as
he neared Thryng's cabin he moved more slowly. Why should he let that
doctor help him? He could reach Farington some way--travelling by night
and hiding in the daytime. But David was watching for him and strolled
down to meet him.

"Good morning. Your sister says there is no time to lose. Come in here,
and we'll see if we can find a way out o