Fledra uttered a cry and half-rose to her feet; but, as Horace continued speaking, she sank down.
"I think it probable that we shall have to go to law, for Mr. Cronk looks like a very determined man; but he'll find that I will fight his claim every inch of the way." Shellington bent toward her and rested a hand on the papers he had been sorting. "I'm very glad you didn't go to school today, and you must not go again until it is over. This man may try to kidnap you." He found it impossible to call Lon her father.
Fledra reached out and grasped his hands. At her touch, Horace flushed to the roots of his hair. Loosening his own fingers, he took hers into his. Finally he drew her slowly round the corner of the desk, close into his arms.
"Fledra, for God's sake, tell me what has made you so unhappy! Will you, child? Isn't it something that I ought to know? Poor little girly, don't cry that way! It breaks my heart to hear you!"
There was inexplicable weariness on the fair young face.
"I want to stay here," moaned Flea; "but what I have that hurts me is here." She drew his fingers close over her heart. "It isn't anything anybody can help--just yet."
"I could help you, Fledra," Horace insisted. "Every man has the power to help the woman he loves, and you are a woman, Fledra."
"I want to be your woman."
Young as she was, Fledra was an enigma to him. There was but one way to make her his woman,--his wife,--that was to force her confidence, and, once obtained, keep it. But his longing to caress her was stronger than his desire to conquer her,--the warmth and softness of her lips he would not exchange for the world's wealth!
"Sweetheart, Sweetheart!" he said, reddening. "I'm sorry that I spoke as I did last night,--I was angry,--but I've had such awful moods lately! Sometimes I've felt as if I could whip you to make you tell me!"
A thrill ran over Fledra from head to foot.
"Beat me--will you beat me?" she murmured, drawing his hand across her moist lips. "I'd love to have you beat me! Pappy Lon always said that a woman needed beatin' to make her stand around. Then, when I saw you, I thought as how princes never beat their women; but now I know you have to."