His action caused a breaking of the strange, vise-like clutch—the mute and motionless spell—that had fallen upon Allie. She felt the gathering of tremendous forces in her; in an instant she would show these stupid men the tumult of a woman’s heart.
“Lee, be generous,” spoke up General Lodge, feelingly. “Let Neale see the girl.”
“I said no!” snapped Lee.
“But why not, in Heaven’s name?”
“Why? I told you why,” declared Lee, passionately.
“But, Lee—that implication may not be true. We didn’t read all that letter,” protested General Lodge.
“Ask him.”
Then the general turned to Neale. “Boy—tell me—did this Stanton woman love you—did you strike her? Did you—” The general’s voice failed.
Neale faced about with a tragic darkening of his face. “To my shame—it is true,” he said, clearly.
Then Allie Lee swept forward. “Oh, Neale!”