Leech had been in the upper end of the County looking after witnesses, when he met Miss Welch, who was on her way home from Dr. Cary’s. She gave him a cold bow, and was passing on; but Leech stopped her with an inquiry after her father.
“He is very well,” said the girl, coldly.
“I suppose he, like all loyal men, is rejoicing over the capture at last of the head of all the trouble that has been going on down here?” Leech’s face wore a soft smile.
“I was not aware that Captain Allen was captured. I thought he surrendered.” Ruth’s color deepened in spite of herself.
“Well, we have him safe at last, anyhow,” smiled Leech, “and I guess we’ll keep him. No doubt your father is as much pleased as anyone. It puts an end to the outrages down here, and your father, of all men, should rejoice. He is too good a citizen not to.”
“He is too good a man to rejoice in anyone’s misfortunes,” said Ruth, warmly; “and Captain Allen has had nothing to do with the outrages you refer to. He never had anything to do with the Ku Klux except once or twice. I have his own word for it.”
Leech’s eyes were resting on her face.
“Ah! You have it on good authority.” His tone was most polite.
But Ruth fired up.