“I want you to promise me something,” Miss Braxton said, suddenly stopping and looking up at him. “I want you to promise me,” she continued, not waiting for his reply, “that you will not quarrel with my father. He is the best father in the world. My mother died when I was a child, and since then he has been father and mother and the whole world to me. I could never forgive myself if you exchanged a harsh word with him.”
“If all the stories I hear are true,” replied the Colonel, with a good-humored laugh, “your father is the one for you to see.”
“My father says a great deal which he frequently regrets the moment afterwards,” she responded, earnestly. “He is a warm-hearted and an impulsive man, and the dearest and best father in the world.” The Colonel gave the desired promise, and they walked on in silence. When they reached the Elms, and her hand was on the big iron gate, she turned to him, an appealing look in her eyes. “Must you really go to-morrow?” she asked.
“I am compelled to go,” he replied, sadly. “I have already remained here too long. I must start to-morrow night.”
“I cannot tell you how sorry I am that you are going away,” she said, softly, extending her hand. He caught it up passionately.
“I must see you again!” he cried. “I can't go away until I do. It is hard enough to leave even then. I won't ask you to come away from your father's house to meet me, but you could be here, couldn't you?”
“When shall I come?” she asked, simply.
“The train leaves to-morrow night at twelve. Could you be here at eleven?”
“I will be here at eleven,” she said; and then, with a brave attempt to smile, she turned away. Just at that moment General Braxton rounded the neighboring corner and came straight towards them.
In the hotel across the way the loungers leaning back in their cane-bottomed chairs straightened up with keenest interest and delight. Jule Chinn in the Blue-grass Club up-stairs, happening to glance out of the window, turned his box over, and remarked that if any gentleman cared to bet, he would lay any part of $5000 on Bill. When the General was directly opposite him Colonel Bill gravely and courteously lifted his hat. For an instant the old man hesitated, and then, with a glance at his daughter, he lifted his own hat and passed through the gate.