“Afraid?” he echoed, a deep flush mantling his brow. “I, Clifford Owen, afraid?”
“Then thee had better put on those boots, and be about thy departure,” said Sally calmly. “Peggy, if we don’t take in those conserves the supper will be over. Hurry, friend. Keep thy cloak well about thee to hide that uniform, and on no account venture into the hall. Thee will not have to wait for me. Come, Peggy.”
But before Peggy followed her she ran to Clifford and clasped his hand.
“’Tis the only way, my cousin,” she whispered. “And oh, do be quick.”
“I will, Peggy,” he replied. “Fear nothing. I will carry out my part.”
With palpitating heart Peggy went with Sally into the dining-room, and resumed her task of waiting on the table. Sally reseated herself and joined merrily in the conversation. It seemed a long time ere the great knocker on the front door sounded. In reality it was but a few moments after the girls left the kitchen. Sukey entered the hall to answer it before Peggy could reach the door. The darkey reëntered the room almost immediately.
“A pusson has come fer Miss Sally,” she announced. “He say he am come ter take her home.”
“He?” Sheriff Will looked up with a laugh. “Come, come! that sounds interesting. Let’s have him in, Miss Sally, and see what he looks like.”
“Yes, my dear,” spoke Mrs. Owen. “Thee has not finished thy supper. Sit down, and thy escort shall come in, and have supper too.”