She still
wore the heavy coat he had put about her, and her eyes were dreamy and
vague.
Truedale strode toward her and took her in his arms.
"My darling," he whispered, "are you able to come with me now--at
once--to the minister? It must be now, sweetheart--now!"
She looked at him like a child trying to understand his mood.
"Oh!" she said presently, "I 'most forgot. The minister has gone to a
burying back in the hills; he'll be gone a right long time. Bill Trim,
who carries all the news, told me to-day."
"Where is he, Nella-Rose?" Something seemed tightening around
Truedale's heart.
"Us-all don't know; he left it written on his door."
"Where is there another minister, Nella-Rose?"
"There is no other."
"This is absurd--of course there is another. We must start at once and
find him."
"Listen!" The face upon Truedale's breast was lifted. "You hear that?"
"Yes. What is it?" Truedale was alarmed.
"It means that the little streams are rivers; it means that the trails
are full of rocks and trees; it means"--the words sank to an awed
whisper--"it means that we must _fight_ for what we-all want to keep."
"Good God! Nella-Rose, but where can I take you?"
"There is no place--but here."
It seemed an hour that the silence lasted while Truedale faced this new
phase and came to his desperate conclusion.
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