The Colonel's Wife — page 59: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

52 : FATE WEAVES THE FABRIC, covered the house to be on fire. That is the story in brief, sir. You have no concern with other particu- lars.” He knew there was more to it, yet would not pre- - sume to ask quéstions. This haughty girl aroused his interest—just as the hunter’s keenest enthusiasm is awakened by the. game that gives him the most trouble, so this man who all his life had fought shy of the gentler sex had met his fate in a way never known of menu— forced to wed to save his life, hated by the. girl who took his name in order to save the old plantation home, he now found himself actually swearing under his breath that in due time, sooner or later, he would hear from the lips of Mollie Granger the sweet con- ~fession of love. Thus, her very expression of dislike only served to arouse his determination. This man could carry a forlorn hope with his en- thusiasm—it would be strange if he were unable to storm the fortress of a girl’s heart, and compel a surrender, especially when fortune had in the start eiven him such an advantage as that of matrimony. ‘fAllow me the privilege of seeing you home,’’ he said, courteously, but firmly. She opened her lips to refuse. “TI shall go whether you say yes or no, so please don’t put yourself to the trouble. Your nerves have received a shock from this experience. Besides, the smoke has served to disguise you, so that the lady of Granger plantation might not be recognized. Just now the safest place for you is at home. Your shrewd ~ father has seen to it that a guard will be thrown around his grounds. Come, let us go, Miss Mollie.’’ He gave a few orders to his men who mounted and ‘went around by the main road. The two made use of the shorter path. In the dividing fence was a turnstile that had seen much ~ te os) re af ‘ ~~ i 7 be FP ee 3 P = >. a: - > “— Pad 7 Th / ° » be’ |