“When you dare to come out—when they-all let you stay out—then ask me again, Burke Lawson. I’m not going to sweetheart with one who dare not show his head.”
Her one desire was to get Lawson away; she must be free!
“Nella-Rose, I’ll come out o’ this.”
“No! no!” the girl gasped, “they’re not after you to shoot you, Burke; Jed Martin is for putting you in jail!”
“Good God—the sneaking coward.”
“And Jim White is off raising a posse, he means to—to see fair play. Wait until Jim comes back; then give yourself up.”
“And then—then, Nella-Rose?”
The young, keen face among the dead leaves glowed with a light that sent the blood from Nella-Rose’s heart.
“See”—she said inconsequently—“I have” (she counted them out), “I have a dozen eggs; give them to Miss Lois Ann!”
“Let me touch you, Nella-Rose! Just let me touch your lil’ hand.”