"By the right of my love for her! Let everybody know—who cares! Once she forgave you when you had nearly murdered her; she'll not do it again, if she lives."
"She'll not forgive me!" muttered old Dan. "My girl will not forgive me, do you say? She'll hate me—she'll curse me! And she's all I have in the world. Oh, God! then I'll be ready to die!"
Cassie opened her eyes, looked up at him, faintly whispered:
"Pop—poor old pop! He didn't mean to do it! Don't—don't be too hard on him!"
Frank could hold old Dan no longer. With a wild cry he tore himself free, flung himself on his knees, snatched Cassie from Havener's arms, and strained her to his bosom.
CHAPTER XXV. A TREACHEROUS TRICK.
They looked on, not even Havener venturing to take her from him.
"They said ye wouldn't forgive me!" came thickly from the old man. "They said I'd killed you, my sunshine—my little bird! And even if I hadn't killed you, they said you'd hate me!"