Part 79 (1/2)

The girl laughed.

”And I'll demand of him an explanation--”

Before he could protest Socola walked into the room and grasped Jennie's hand.

”Captain Welford,” she laughed, ”has just accused you of hobn.o.bbing with the enemy on the streets--what explanation can you offer?”

”Need I explain?” he asked lightly.

”Miss Van Lew _is_ a suspicious character.”

”That's my excuse, I fear. She is a character. I've been curious to know if she is really sane. I stopped her on the street and asked her a question. Is it forbidden in Richmond?”

He spoke with easy convincing carelessness.

Jennie smiled.

”Captain Welford evidently thinks so--”

”And you?”

”I am quite satisfied with your explanation--”

d.i.c.k took a step closer and faced his enemy.

”Well, I'm not Signor Socola--if that's your name--”

”d.i.c.k!” Jennie interrupted angrily.

The Captain ignored the interruption, holding the eye of the man he hated.

”You spoke to that woman in low quick tones--”

”Your imagination is vivid, Captain--”

d.i.c.k squared his jaw into Socola's face.

”It's vivid enough to see through you. I'm going to wring your neck before we're through with this thing--”

Jennie thrust her trembling figure between the two men and confronted d.i.c.k.

[Ill.u.s.tration: ”Jennie thrust her trembling little figure between the two men and confronted d.i.c.k.”]

”How dare you insult the man I love in my presence, d.i.c.k Welford?”

”Because I love the South better than my life and you do, too, Jennie Barton--”

The girl's eyes flashed with rage.