"No, I ain't goin' to marry 'im," she answered.
Marry Sandy Letts, a man she hated! Of course she couldn't!... She was already married. She couldn't commit such a sin as that, not even if—if—She turned a little and glanced in the direction of Frederick, but dropped her eyes before they found him.
Waldstricker grew intense with suspense, and a sudden determination to test his and Madelene's suspicions came over him.
"Frederick," he cried, "come here and help us force this huzzy to marry the man who betrayed her!"
Frederick rose from his chair as though to obey, and in turning, looked squarely into the girl's eyes.
"My God, Eb, I can't!" he protested, his voice thick with horror. "Let her go, Eb! For God's sake, man, you can't marry her against her will! Let her go!"
He sank down, and rested his head on his arms upon the chair back, his shoulders shaking violently.
The minister came to Tessibel's side. He placed a pitying hand on her head, facing his elders.
"Let her go home, brethren," he entreated. "You can't make her do this thing if she refuses, and the ... business can go on without her."
"She's a wicked girl," snorted Ebenezer, with a bitter twist of his lips.