The band in the Hall over their heads ended the music in a triumphant crash and he listened mechanically to the chairman while he announced the temporary absence of the guest of honor:
"And while he is out of the Hall for a few minutes, ladies and gentlemen," he added facetiously, "we can say a lot of fine things behind his back we would have blushed to tell him to his face----"
Another burst of applause and the hum and chatter and laughter came through the open window.
With a cry of anguish, the man turned again on the girl:
"Why do you stand there grinning at me? Why did you do this fiendish thing? What have you to say?"
"Nothing"--there was a ring of exultation in her voice--"I did it because I had to."
Norton leaned against the oak, placed his hands on his temples and groaned:
"Screamed, called me a liar, jumped on me like a wild-cat, dug her nails in my neck and went into hysterics."
"I picked her up, carried her to bed and sent for the doctor. As quick as he came I ran here to tell you."
The speaker upstairs was again announcing his name as the next Governor and Senator and the crowd were cheering. He felt the waves of Death roll over and engulf him. His knees grew weak and in spite of all effort he sank to a stone that lay against the gnarled trunk of the tree.
"She may be dead now," he said to himself in a dazed whisper.
"I don't think so!" the soft voice purred with the slightest suggestion of a sneer. She bit her lips and actually laughed. It was more than he could bear. With a sudden leap his hands closed on her throat and forced her trembling form back into the shadows.
"May--God--hurl--you--into--everlasting--hell--for--this!" he cried in anguish and his grip suddenly relaxed.
The girl had not struggled. Her own hand had simply been raised instinctively and grasped his.
The calm accents maddened him to uncontrollable fury:
"And if you ever put your foot into my house again or cross my path, I'll not be responsible for what happens!"
His face was livid and his fists closed with an unconscious strength that cut the blood from the palms of his hands.
"I'm not afraid!" she repeated, her voice rising with clear assurance, a strange smile playing about her full lips.
The girl turned without a word and walked into the bright light that streamed from the windows of the banquet hall, paused and looked at him, the white rows of teeth shining with a smile: