S44 THE CALL OF THE CUMBERLANDS



  The girl in the calico dress raised her face, and her
eyes were glistening.
  "I'm obleeged ter ye," she faltered. Then, with open
and wondering admiration she stood gazing at the first
"fine lady" upon whom her glance had ever fallen.
  Samson went over and took Sally's hand.
  "Drennie," he said, softly, "is there anything the
matter with her"
  Adrienne Lescott shook her head.
  "I understand," she said.
  "I sent the others on," he went on quietly, "because
I wanted that first we three should meet alone. George
and Wilfred are going to stop at my uncle's house, but,
unless you'd rather have it otherwise, Sally wants you
here."
  "Do I stop now" the girl asked.
  But the man shook his head.
  "I want you to meet my other people first."
  As they rode at a walk along the little shred of road
left to them, the man turned gravely.
  "Drennie," he began, "she waited for me, all those
years. What I was helped to do by such splendid
friends as you and your brother and Wilfred, she was
back here trying to do for herself. I told you back
there the night before I left that I was afraid to let
myself question my feelings toward you. Do you
remember"
  She met his eyes, and her own eyes were frankly
smiling.
  "You were very complimentary, Samson," she told
him. "I warned you then that it was the moon talking."
  "No," he said firmly, "it was not the moon. I have