Scarcely was all this accomplished when she heard a soft knock at the
outer door, and at the sound her heart leapt; she flushed and paled and
stood a moment striving to stay the quick, heavy throbbing within her
bosom; then breathlessly she hastened along the passage and, opening the
door with trembling hands, beheld Bud M'Ginnis. While she stared, dumb
and amazed, he entered and, closing the door, leaned his broad back
against it.
"Goin' away, Hermy?" he enquired softly, looking her over with his slow
gaze.
"Yes."
"Goin' far, Hermy?"
"I don't know."
"Goin'--alone, Hermy?"
"Why are you here? What do you want?"
"T' save ye from--hell!" he answered, his voice rising loud and harsh on
the last word. "Oh, I know," he went on fiercely, "I know why you're all
dolled up in your best. I know as you mean t' go away to-night with--him.
But you ain't goin', girl--you ain't."
"To-night," she said gently, "is my wedding night."
M'Ginnis lifted a hand and wrenched at the silken neckerchief he wore as
though it choked him.
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