A moment later they
heard a scream from Miss Baker in the kitchen: "'Lisha Warren, what ails
you? Are you crazy?" There was no answer, but the back door closed with
a tremendous bang.
Half an hour after his dramatic exit Captain Elisha was pacing up and
down the floor of the barn. It was an old refuge of his, a place where
he was accustomed to go when matters requiring deliberation and thought
oppressed him. He was alone. Dan had taken the horse to the blacksmith's
to be shod.
The captain strode across the floor, turned and strode back again. Every
few moments he looked at his watch. It was a long way to two o'clock,
but each additional moment was another weight piled upon his soul. As
he turned in his stride he saw a shadow move across the sill of the big,
open door. He caught his breath and stopped.
Caroline entered the barn. She came straight to him and put her hands
upon the lapels of his coat. Her eyes were wet and shining.
"Caroline?" he faltered, eagerly.
"You good man!" she breathed, softly. "Oh, you GOOD man!"
"Caroline!" his voice shook, but there was hope in it. "Caroline, you're
goin' to take the money?"
"Yes, Uncle Elisha. Mr. Sylvester has shown me that I must. He says you
will do something desperate if I refuse.
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