A Romance of Billy-Goat Hill

								

care of his grandson.”
“But if he is cleared,” began Miss Lady, “that throws the guilt on--”
“Now see here,” interrupted the Colonel, “you stop bothering your little
head about that trial. Go over there and play me a couple of good old
tunes, and then we'll both trot to bed.”
Miss Lady's soft untrained voice began bravely enough. She described
with feeling the charms of Annie Laurie, and was half way through Robin
Adair before she faltered, started anew, stumbled again, then came to an
ignominious halt.
“Tut! tut!” said the Colonel fussily, getting himself out of his chair
in an incredibly short time for so stout a gentleman. “This won't do,
you know; this ain't right!”
“It's that silly old piece!” said Miss Lady petulantly. “It always works
on my feelings.”
“But it wouldn't make you cry like this. Come, tell me.”
“There's nothing to tell--that is--”
“Well, never mind then. Just cry it out. That's right. Don't mind
me. Just your old Dad.” And with much fussing and petting and foolish
assurances that he was her Daddy, he got her over to the sofa.
Sitting on the floor with her arms across his knees, she wept with the
abandonment of a child, while his short, stubby fingers tenderly stroked
her shining hair. At last when the storm had subsided and she was able
to look up, he took her face between his hands.
“Out with it, kitten!” he demanded. “What's troubling you? Don Morley
business?”
She kissed his nearest hand.
“Thought so. You--you got to like him pretty well, eh?”
She nodded between her sobs.
“Better 'n most anybody?” he asked it jealously, but unflinchingly.
“Except you, Daddy.” It was a faint whisper, but it was reassuring.
“And what about him?” the Colonel continued.
Another burst of tears, then a resolute effort at self-control.
“He meant to do what's right. I know he did! He promised to give up
drinking and gambling and go to work.”
“He made a good start!” The Colonel knocked the ashes from his pipe.
“And after he got into the fracas, what in thunder did he run away
for? Why didn't he stay and face it out? Any fool would know that if
Dillingham is cleared, the suspicion would all be on him.”
“But, Daddy, we haven't heard his side yet. If I could just hear from
him, or see him.”
“See him!” he exploded. “What in the name of the devil do you want to
see him for? No siree! Not while Bob Carsey's got any buckshot left in
his gun! Do you think there's any chance of his prowling 'round here
while I'm gone? That settles it! I'll not budge an inch. Tell Jimpson!
Tell Caroline! Unpack my things.”
“But, Daddy, wait! He is probably out at the coast by this time.
Besides, he hasn't written or sent any word. How do we know that... that
he wants to come back?”
“He'll try it all right. I saw how things were going. I saw how he
looked at you. The impudent young hound!”