And there isn't a man in the Army, married
or single, that wouldn't challenge you if you breathed a word of what
has gone between you and her."
I looked at him and made no motion. It seemed to me go unspeakably sad,
so incredible, that one should be so unbelievably underestimated.
"Now, finally," resumed Colonel Meriwether, after a time, ceasing his
walking up and down, "I must close up what remains between you and me.
My daughter said to me that you wanted to see me on some business
matter. Of course you had some reason for coming out here."
"That was my only reason for coming," I rejoined. "I wanted to see you
upon an important business matter. I was sent here by the last message
my father gave any one--by the last words he spoke in his life. He told
me I should come to you."
"Well, well, if you have any favor to ask of me, out with it, and let us
end it all at one sitting."
"Sir," I said, "I would see you damned in hell before I would ask a
crust or a cup of water of you, though I were starving and burning. I
have heard enough."
"Orderly!" he called out. "Show this man to the gate."
CHAPTER XXXVI
THE GOAD
It was at last borne in upon me that I must leave without any word from
Ellen.
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