She tried to take the lines, but he held her hands. Then she declared she would walk. He helped her out of the buggy and watched her start angrily forth. In a few minutes she came rushing back.
"Sandy, you know I can't g-go by myself; I am afraid. Take me home."
"And you promise?"
She looked appealingly at him, but found no mercy. "You are the very m-meanest boy I ever knew. Get me home before d-dad finds out, and I'll promise anything. But this is the last word I'll ever s-speak to you as long as I live."
At half-past seven they drove into town. The streets were full of people and great excitement prevailed.
"They've found out about me!" wailed Annette, breaking her long silence. "Oh, Sandy, what m-must I do?"
Sandy looked anxiously about him. He knew that an elopement would not cause the present commotion. "Jimmy!" He leaned out of the buggy and called to a boy who was running past. "Jimmy Reed! What's the matter?"
Jimmy, breathless and hatless, his whole figure one huge question-mark, exploded like a bunch of fire-crackers.
"That you, Sandy? Ricks Wilson's broke jail and shot Judge Hollis. It was at
half-past five. Dr. Fenton's been out there ever since. They say the judge can't live till midnight. We're getting up a crowd to go after Wilson."