The Colonel's Wife — page 61: what you’re looking at

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

54 FATE WEAVES THE FABRIC, | Apparently John was making progress, and ‘could not be compared with the same rather cynical bachelor who approached the Ridgeway manse on the preceding night, and found himself safely landed in the toils of matrimony. Given time he would probably come out of the affair with credit. This aroused and growing interest in Mollie could easily be accounted for. First of all she was a charming girl, full of spirit, and ready at repartee. Then again fortune had caused him to assume the role of an emergency husband, an appendage taken for the purpose of saving her lovely home it is true, but none the less binding. He believed there was more connected with Mol- lie’s visit to the house than she had confessed—per- haps it had some connection with his recent arrival on the scene; but he was too much of a diplomat to uncover his inner convictions. Besides, she indig- nantly denied feeling the least interest in him. They came in sight-of her home. She showed some confusion, perhaps at the prospect of her father’s frown, but said nothing. ‘The Federals were already in charge, thanks, to the shrewd plan which the: squire had manipulated—it was their duty to protect a place belonging to the wife of a Union soldier. These guards consisted of a detachment belonging to John’s own regiment. Perhaps there was some- _ thing more than accident in this. ‘The colonel was high up in Sherman’s regard, and able to secure especial favors. Once Mollie stopped and looked straight into his face while she said, deliberately: ‘You are a gentleman—you gave a solemn promise last night—I trust you mean to keep it.’’ : -‘°To the letter, until Iam absolved by permission from Bue own lips to refer to the subject.’’ ~ €omicbooks.com