It'll break
the heart of me to see you standing there suffering, unless I can take
you in me arms and comfort you. I've sworn never to speak the word;
but, by the saints--"
"You may!" sobbed Ruth, and with a quick, timid little gesture she
laid her hands in his.
For a moment he held her away from him. "It's not pity," he cried,
searching her face, "nor gratitude!"
She lifted her eyes, as honest and clear as her soul.
"It's been love, Sandy," she whispered, "ever since the first."
[Illustration: "'It's been love, Sandy, ... ever since the first'"]
Two hours later, when the permit came, Sandy walked out of the jail
into the court-house square. A crowd had collected, for Ruth had told
her story and the news had spread; public favor was rapidly turning in
his direction.
He looked about vaguely, as a man who has gazed too long at the sun
and is blinded to everything else.
"I've got my buggy," cried Jimmy Reed, touching him on the arm. "Where
do you want to go?"
Sandy hesitated, and a dozen invitations were shouted in one breath.
He stood irresolute, with his foot on the step of the buggy; then he
pulled himself up.
"To Judge Hollis," he said.
CHAPTER XXIV
THE PRIMROSE WAY
Spring and winter, and spring again, and flying rumors fluttered
tantalizing wings over Clayton.
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