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Bellamy, Edward, 1850-1898

"The Duke of Stockbridge"

You
make fool promise; no can stop her. Me no make promise. Gal come long
in cart. Show pass. Pass good, but no good for gal to go. Tear up
pass; fetch gal back. Cap'n no break no promise, cause no stop gal.
Abe no break promise, cause no make none. Cap'n be leetle mad with Abe
for tear up pass, but heap more glad for git gal back," and having
thus succinctly stated the matter the Indian retired.
"I beg your pardon, Captain Hamlin," said Desire, with an engaging
smile. "I was too hasty. I suppose I was angry. I see you were not to
blame. If you will now please tell your men that I am not to be
interfered with again, I will make another start for Pittsfield."
"No, not again," he replied slowly.
"But you promised me," she said, with rising apprehension, nervously
clasping the edge of her cloak with her fingers as she spoke. "You
promised me on the word of a duke you know," and she made another
feeble attempt at a smile.
"I promised you," replied he, "I don't know why I was so mad. I was
bewitched. I did not break the promise, but I will not make it again.
God had pity on me, and brought you back. What have I suffered the
last hour, and shall I let you go again? Never! never! None shall
pluck you out of my hand.


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