He looked so gray, grim, and terrible. But
she could resist neither his strength nor his spirit. She lay quiet
and met the clear, strange fire of his eyes. In a few swift moments
he had changed utterly.
"Larry--aren't--you--drunk?" she faltered.
"I was, but now I'm sober.... Girl, kiss me again!"
In wonder and fear Allie complied, now flushing scarlet.
"I--I was never so happy," she whispered. "But Larry--you--you
frighten me.... I--"
"Happy!" ejaculated Larry. Then he let her go and stood up,
breathing hard. "There's a hell of a lie heah somewheres--but it
ain't in you."
"Larry, talk sense. I'm weak from long waiting. Oh, tell me of
Neale!"
What a strange, curious, incomprehensible glance he gave her!
"Allie--Neale's heah in Benton. I can take you to him in ten
minutes. Do you want me to?"
"Want you to! ... Reddy! I'll die if you don't take me--at once!"
she cried, in anguish.
Again Larry loomed over her. This time he took her hands. "How long
had you been heah--before I came?" he asked.
"Half an hour, perhaps; maybe less. But it seemed long."
"Do you--know--what kind of a house you're in--this heah room--what
it means?" he went on, very low and huskily.
"No, I don't," she replied, instantly, with sudden curiosity.
Questions and explanations rushed to her lips.
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