"
As he spoke he took her by the arm and drew the girl toward the carriage
in waiting.
What was there about her lover that seemed so changed to the girl, that
caused the love to suddenly die out of her heart?
"Lester," she cried, drawing back, "oh--oh, please do not be angry with
me, but I've changed my mind. It seemed such a terrible thing to do. Let
us not be married to-night."
Something like an imprecation rose to his lips, but he chopped it off
quickly, uttering again that laugh, so hard, so cruel, so
blood-curdling, that it sent a chill of terror to her young heart.
"It's too late to change your mind now," he exclaimed. "It's only
natural you should feel this way; girls always do. Here is the coach and
the horses. The driver and my friend will be impatient to be off."
Either the excitement of his coming triumph or the brandy he had taken
had made him recklessly wild.
He drew her along, heedless of her struggles, her passionate protest.
His face was flushed, his dark eyes gleamed; he was ready at that moment
to face and defy devils and men.
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