It was a struggle to decide between love and
duty. Now he looked up the road in the direction of his home, and
advanced a few steps. Again he paused and looked up enquiringly at the
house. The old boatman had told him that Chapman lived there, when all
the embers of that love he had so long cherished for Mattie seemed to
kindle again into a living fire. And yet what changes might have taken
place since he left? If, however, she still loved him, and was true to
him, how could he pass the house, even at that late hour, without at
least letting her know he was in Nyack?
It was indeed late, and there was still a mile before he reached the
home of his parents. He could have more time in the morning to meet
Mattie, to unfold his heart to her, and to give her an account of the
many strange things that had happened to him since he left.
There was a bright light in two of the upper windows, but below the
house was nearly dark, and Bright was in his bar-room, settling up the
business of the day. Suddenly the light in the windows became brighter,
then the shadow of a female figure was seen crossing and recrossing the
room every few seconds.
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