And oh, Burke, Mister Merrivale hasn't forgot--the
fever and your goodness. He won't give you up."
"He won't need to. I'm right safe, 'cept for food. There's an old hole,
back of a deserted still--I can even have a bit of fire. The devil
himself couldn't find me. After a time I'm going--"
"Where? Where, Burke?"
"Nella-Rose, would you come with me? 'Twas you as brought me back--I had
to come. If you will--oh! my doney-gal--"
"Stop! stop, Burke. Some one might be near. No, no; I couldn't leave the
hills--I'd die from the longing, you know that!"
"If I--dared them all--could you take me, Nella-Rose? I'd run my chances
with you! Night and day you tug and pull at the heart o' me,
Nella-Rose."
Fear, and a deeper understanding, drove Nella-Rose to the wrong course.
"When you dare to come out--when they-all let you stay out--then ask me
again, Burke Lawson. I'm not going to sweetheart with one who dare not
show his head."
Her one desire was to get Lawson away; she must be free!
"Nella-Rose, I'll come out o' this."
"No! no!" the girl gasped, "they're not after you to shoot you, Burke;
Jed Martin is for putting you in jail!"
"Good God--the sneaking coward."
"And Jim White is off raising a posse, he means to--to see fair play.
Wait until Jim comes back; then give yourself up."
"And then--then, Nella-Rose?"
The young, keen face among the dead leaves glowed with a light that sent
the blood from Nella-Rose's heart.
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