I did not
expect the present state of affairs to come about, but since it has, I
tell you frankly that I have never thought of doing anything else
than what you have asked."
And he told the truth, for he had already asked himself that
question. Why should he not marry her? He must in all
probability stay in the mountains for years, and after that time he
would not be ashamed to take her home, so strong was his belief in
her quickness and adaptibility.
Raines seemed scarcely to believe what he heard. He had not
expected such ready acquiescence. He had almost begun to fear
from Clayton's silence that he was going to refuse, and then-God
knows what he would have done.
Instantly he stretched out his hand.
"I hev done ye great wrong, 'n' I ax yer par-din," he said, huskily.
"I want to say that I bear ye no gredge, 'n' thet I wish ye well. I
hope ye won't think hard on me," he continued; "I he had a hard
fight with the devil as long as I can ricolect. I hev turned back
time 'n' ag'in, but thar hain't nothin' ter keep me from goin' straight
ahead now."
As Clayton left the cabin, the mountaineer stopped him for a
moment on the threshold.
"Thar's another thing I reckon I ought to tell ye," he said; " Easter's
dad air powerfully sot ag'in ye. He thought ye was an officer at
fust, 'n' hit was hard to git him out o' the idee thet ye was spyin' fer
him; 'n' when he seed ye goin' to the house, he got it inter his head
that ye mought be meanin' harm to Easter, who air the only thing
alive thet he keers fer much.
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