you.
He war a-tryin' to get your name out'n my heart, that's what he war
tryin', fer he knowed I'd go bad right quick ef he could. Hit war your
name kep' my hands off'n that doctah man thar on the rock. Give me your
promise now, Cass. Hit'll save me."

"Then why didn't it save you from killing Ferd?" she asked.

"O Gawd!" he moaned, and was silent.

"Listen, Frale," she said at last. "Can't you see it's sin for you and
me to sit here like this--like we dared to be sweethearts, when you have
shed blood for this? Take your hands off me, and let me go down to
mothah."

Slowly his hold relaxed and his head drooped, but he did not move his
arms. She pushed them gently from her and stood a moment looking down at
him. His arms dropped upon the stone at his side, listless and empty,
and again her pitying soul reached out to him and enveloped him.

"Frale, there is just one way that I can give you my promise," she said.
He held out his arms to her. "No, I can't sit that way; you can see
that. The good book says, 'Ye must repent and be born again.'" He
groaned and covered his face with his hands. "Then you would be a new
man, without sin. I reckon you have suffered a heap, and repented a
heap--since you did that, Frale?"

"I'm 'feared--I'm 'feared ef he war here an' riled me agin like he done
that time--I'm 'feared I'd do hit agin--like he war talkin' 'bouts you,
Cass." He rose and stood close to her.

The soft dusk was wrapping them about, and she began to fear lest she
lose her control over him. She took up the bundle of food and placed it
in his hand.

"Here, take this, and the coat, too, Frale. Come down and have suppah
with mothah and me to-night, and sleep in your own bed. They won't
search here for one while, I reckon, and you'll be safah than hiding in
Wild Cat Hole. Hoyle heard them say they reckoned you'd lit off down
the mountain, and were hiding in some near-by town. They'll hunt you
there first; come."

She walked on, and he obediently followed. "When we get nigh the house,
I'll go first and see if the way is clear. You wait back. If I want you
to run, I'll call twice, quick and sharp, but if I want you to come
right in, I'll call once, low and long."

After that no word was spoken. They clambered down the steep, winding
path, and not far from the house she left him. She wondered Nig did not
bound out to greet her, but supposed he must be curled up near the
hearth in comfort. Frale also thought of the do