I
perceive there has been some villainy practised upon you, and a promise
extorted, which I shall not ask you to break; but rest assured, I shall
keep guard over my precious one."
"And Mr. Travilla!" she gasped. "Oh, papa, if I only knew he was safe!"
"Perhaps the note may set your mind at rest on that point. Shall I read it
for you?"
"Yes, sir," she said, putting it into his hand with a slight blush, "he
never writes what I should be ashamed or afraid to have my father see."
It was but short, written merely to explain his absence, and dated from a
neighboring plantation, where he had gone to assist in nursing a sick
friend whom he should not be able to leave for some days. There were words
of deep, strong affection, but as she had foreseen, nothing that she need
care to have her father know or see.
"Does not this news allay your fears for him?" Mr. Dinsmore asked
tenderly.
"Yes, papa," she answered, the tears streaming from her eyes. "Oh, how
good God is to me! I will trust Him, trust Him for you both, as well as
myself." She covered her face with her hands while shudder after shudder
shook her whole frame.
Mr. Dinsmore was much perplexed, and deeply concerned. "Shall I send for
Dr. Barton?" he asked.
"No, no, papa! I am not ill; only my nerves have had a great, a terrible
shock; they seem all unstrung, and my temples are throbbing with pain.
Pages:
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124