I hate him!' she cried fiercely.
'But is he _willin'_ t' marry ye?'
'I don't know ... I don't care ... he said so before he went
away ... But I'd kill myself sooner than live with him.'
He let her hands fall and stepped back from her. She could only see his
figure, like a sombre cloud, standing before her. The whole fell-side
seemed still and dark and lonely. Presently she heard his voice again:
'I reckon what there's one road oot o' yer distress.'
She shook her head drearily.
'There's none. I'm a lost woman.'
'An' ef ye took me instead?' he said eagerly.
'I--I don't understand--'
'Ef ye married me instead of Luke Stock?'
'But that's impossible--the--the--'
'Ay, t' child. I know. But I'll tak t' child as mine.'
She remained silent. After a moment he heard her voice answer in a
queer, distant tone:
'You mean that--that ye're ready to marry me, and adopt the child?'
'I do,' he answered doggedly.
'But people--your mother--?'
'Folks 'ull jest know nought about it. It's none o' their business. T'
child 'ull pass as mine. Ye'll accept that?'
'Yes,' she answered, in a low, rapid voice.
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