Читать книгу The Ark of 1803. A Story of Louisiana Purchase Times онлайн

43 страница из 46

“No, Milly. I can’t wait. I’ve got to get away. I guess I wasn’t made for civilization. I guess I don’t fit.”

They were entering the clearing about the Ayers’ cabin. Light came through the window, showing that the fire was being kept up and that those within were astir.

“I’ll watch you inside the door,” Jimmy said, halting in the path.

“Won’t you come in?” she begged. “You can sleep in Mose’s shake-down in the loft.”

A little shiver passed through him. “In Mose’s shake-down?” he repeated. “No, I’m obliged to you just as much. I’ll trouble you to keep this gun for Marion. It’s his. I won’t have a chance to return it.”

“Why, Jimmy, you aren’t going into the woods to-night?”

“Why not?” he asked. “Haven’t I been in the woods at night before this? Run in, now. Good night, Milly.”

The girl stood, helpless against the bitterness in his guarded voice.

“Good night, Milly.”

“Good night,” she faltered. “Oh, Jimmy, it’s perfectly terrible for you to go——.”

She moved slowly towards the door. He watched her indistinct figure blend into the shadow of the cabin wall. Then the door opened, letting a flood of light across the snow. Mrs. Ayer stood in the doorway a moment while Milly said something to her, and then she called: