My Lady of Doubt

by Randall Parrish

  CHAPTER XXXIV

  A THREATENED MARRIAGE

  Fagin heard them coming and took his boots from the table, and sat upstraight in his chair; the preacher pushed his back until half concealedbehind the door; Grant never looked around. Jones came into view first,and behind him walked Claire, her cheeks flushed, her head held high. Atthe door she paused, refusing to enter, her eyes calmly surveying theoccupants.

  "You sent for me, sir," she said coldly. "May I ask for what purpose?"

  Even Fagin's cool insolence was unable to withstand unmoved her beautyand her calmness of demeanor. Apparently he had never met her before,for, with face redder than ever, he got to his feet, half bowing, andstammering slightly.

  "My name is Fagin, Mistress," he said, striving to retain his accustomedroughness. "I reckon you have heard of me."

  "I have," proudly, her eyes meeting his, "and, therefore, wonder whatyour purpose may be in ordering me here. I wish to return to my fatherwho requires my services."

  The guerilla laughed, now angered by her manner.

  "Well, I thought I'd tell you who I was so you wouldn't try any high andmighty business," he said coarsely, and eying her fiercely. "That ain'tthe sort o' thing that goes with me, an' yer ain't the first one I'vetaken down a peg or two. However, I don't mean you no harm, only you'dbetter behave yourself. Yer know that man over there, don't yer?"

  He indicated with a nod of the head, and Claire glanced in thatdirection, but without speaking.

  "Well, can't you answer?"

  "I recognize Captain Grant, if that is what you mean."

  "I was speaking English, wasn't I? Yer ought ter know him--yer engagedter him, ain't yer?"

  "Certainly not," indignantly.

  Grant turned about, his face twitching.

  "This is not my fault, Claire," he exclaimed swiftly. "Don't blame me forit. I am also a prisoner, and helpless."

  She never looked at him, never answered, her entire attentionconcentrated on Fagin, who was grinning with enjoyment.

  "That's sure right, young lady," he said grimly. "The Captain is onlyobeyin' orders ter save his own neck. There's no love lost atween us, letme tell yer. But we're not so blame merciless after all, an', I reckon,we've got about all thar is in the house worth cartin' away. Now we'regoin' to have some fun, an' leave two happy hearts behind. Ain't that it,Jones? Clinton's licked; Washington has his hands full up north; an' thishull blame country is ours. Somewhere, Mistress, I've heard tell that youan' this Captain was pretty thick--how is it?"

  Her eyes exhibited indignant surprise, but, after an instant'shesitation, her lips answered.

  "I hardly know what you mean, sir. We were children together."

  "An' engaged ter be married--eh?"

  "There was an arrangement of that nature between our parents. But whyshould this interest you?"

  He ignored the question, but his eyes hardened.

  "I heard it this way. You were engaged until a few weeks ago. Then youmet a damned Continental, a spy, an' imagined yer fell in love with him.Now do yer know what interest I've got? I'm with the Red-coats, an' if Ican turn a trick fer that side I'm a-goin' ter do it. You'll be blessin'me fer it some day. Now, see here, girl, I'm a-goin' ter marry yer offbefore leavin' this house. I reckon yer ain't intendin' to make no fussabout it, are yer?"

  She did not appear to comprehend, to realize the man was in earnest; sheeven smiled slightly.

  "Is this some joke, sir, that I fail to grasp?" she asked. "Will you notexplain?"

  "Explain, hell!" and Fagin clapped his hat on his head, uttering a roughoath. "I spoke plain enough. Yer a-goin' ter marry Grant, here an' now,an' there's the parson, waitin' ter do the job."

  She partly turned, and as she recognized Jenks, the color deserted hercheeks, and her hands grasped the side of the door for support.

  "Marry Captain Grant! I?" she exclaimed, horrified. "No, never!"

  "Oh, I guess yer will, my beauty. Good Lord, why not? He's not so bad;there's many a girl would jump at the chance. Your plantations join, an'he's a King's officer."

  "Listen to me, sir," she broke in, now cool and determined. "I'll giveyou my answer. I have already given it to Captain Grant. I will not marryhim--not even to save this house from destruction; not even to release mybrother from your hands. We can suffer, if necessary, for we are of afighting race, but I shall never yield to threats."

  "Let me pass, sir! This is my father's house"]

  She swept past him, around the end of the table, and confronted Grant,who drew back a step, scowling.

  "So this is your way, is it, to win a woman you cannot gain by fairmeans? No, there is no need of your answering; I understand the wholedespicable scheme. You masquerading as a prisoner of this creature! Youare his puppet. I've known it for months. I learned the truth from Eric,and from that moment I despised you. While I believed you an honorablesoldier I was able to treat you with outward respect, but no longer. Youthreatened me with a forced marriage once before, and failed. Now youendeavor to succeed with the help of this outlaw. But you never shall!No, do not speak! do not hold out your hands to me! You are not aprisoner. These men are here at your instigation; you are concerned intheir infamy. I would rather die than have you touch me!"

  She turned her back upon him, her face white, her eyes blazing, but Faginstood between her and the entrance, grinning savagely.

  "Let me pass, sir; this is my father's house."

  "Not while I am here, Mistress," he snarled, without moving. "The old manisn't ridin' after me with a squadron of cavalry to-day. This happens tobe my turn to give orders, and yer to obey! Do yer hear--yer'll obey!Those weren't pretty words yer spoke to Grant, but they don't hurt menone. You damned little spitfire, I'd marry yer myself if I could, justto break yer spirit. As it is, I'll show yer yer master fer once. So it'sthe spy yer want, is it?"

  She stared at him without a word, a depth of hatred but no fear in herlevel eyes.

  "Lost yer tongue, have yer? Well, we'll find it fer yer fast enough.What's the fellow's name?"

  "To whom do you refer?" she asked, her passage blocked.

  "The Continental who's put Grant out of the running?"

  "I presume you mean Major Lawrence, although no one has authority tocouple my name with his."

  "Oh, indeed! I'll show yer authority in plenty, Mistress. Come, now, I'mdone discussing this matter. As long as yer father isn't able ter attendter this affair I am a-goin' ter act in his place. We'll have a loyalistmarriage, by God! an' have it now. Step out here, Jenks, an' get busy!Come, move, you coyote--Jones, hustle him along. Now, Captain, there's agood place ter stand, in between those windows. Mistress Claire--"

  I was all ready, pistol in hand, burning with a determination to shootFagin down, yet her voice halted him.

  "Wait!" she cried, standing erect and scornful. "I will not consent tothis. I am going to leave this room."

  "Oh, I reckon not," and he leered into her eyes. "Don't rouse me, oryer'll find out I'm a wolf ter bite. Yer get back there beside Grant, orI'll make yer."

  "You will? You dare not!"

  "Don't I, Mistress?" he cried savagely, "I'll show yer."

  He reached forth one great hand, the fingers gripping her sleeve, but shewrenched away, the cloth tearing as she sprang back.

  "Fagin, I know you, but I am not afraid of you. I know you for a cruel,cold-blooded murderer, an outrager of women, a thief, and an outlaw. No,you cannot stop me now. You are a low-down cowardly cur, making war onwomen and children, sneaking around in the paths of armies, plunderingand looting the helpless. I despise you and every man associated withyou. Neither you, nor all your company, can make me marry Captain Grant.I will die first. No, don't move, and don't think you are dealing with afrightened girl. I am desperate enough, but I can act--"

  "Hell! Jones, take that hell-cat by the arms!"

  "Jones will do nothing of the kind--and you--stand back, Fagin; don'tdare to lay a hand on me again!"

  Her face was white, her
lips set, her eyes blazing, but Fagin, assured ofher helplessness, laughed, and stepped forward. From what hiddenconcealment it came I know not, but there was the flash of a polishedbarrel, a sharp report, the whirl of smoke, and the brute went backwardover a chair, crashing to the floor, with hands flung high over his head.I was aware of the swift rush of a body past me, of steps going up thestairs, and then, with a yell, my men poured out from the library intothe hall.