Oh, Jack, now I can tell you
the truth. I loathe him with all my heart; but I fear him also.
I fear him for myself; but above all I fear him for father. I
know that some great sorrow would come upon us if I dared to say
what I really felt. That is why I have put him off with
half-promises. It was in real truth our only hope. But if you
would fly with me, Jack, we could take father with us and live
forever far from the power of these wicked men."
Again there was the struggle upon McMurdo's face, and again it
set like granite. "No harm shall come to you, Ettie--nor to your
father either. As to wicked men, I expect you may find that I am
as bad as the worst of them before we're through."
"No, no, Jack! I would trust you anywhere."
McMurdo laughed bitterly. "Good Lord! how little you know of me!
Your innocent soul, my darling, could not even guess what is
passing in mine. But, hullo, who's the visitor?"
The door had opened suddenly, and a young fellow came swaggering
in with the air of one who is the master. He was a handsome,
dashing young man of about the same age and build as McMurdo
himself.
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