"Grey, Zane - Betty Zane" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grey Zane)

for her to think clearly. But after a time one thing forced itself upon her.
She could not help being conscious that she had wronged some one to whom she
would be forever indebted. Nothing could alter that. She was under an eternal
obligation to the man who had saved the life she loved best on earth. She had
unjustly scorned and insulted the man to whom she owed the life of her
brother.

Betty was passionate and quick-tempered, but she was generous and
tender-hearted as well, and when she realized how unkind and cruel she kind
been she felt very miserable. Her position admitted of no retreat. No matter
how much pride rebelled; no matter how much she disliked to retract anything
she had said, she knew no other course lay open to her. She would have to
apologize to Mr. Clarke. How could she? What would she say? She remembered how
cold and stern his face had been as he turned from her to Lydia. Perplexed and
unhappy, Betty did what any girl in her position would have done: she resorted
to the consoling and unfailing privilege of her sex--a good cry.

When she became composed again she got up and bathed her hot cheeks, brushed
her hair, and changed her gown for a becoming one of white. She tied a red
ribbon about her throat and put a rosette in her hair. She had forgotten all
about the Indians. By the time Mrs. Zane called her for supper she had her
mind made up to ask Mr. Clarke's pardon, tell him she was sorry, and that she
hoped they might be friends.

Isaac Zane's fame had spread from the Potomac to Detroit and Louisville. Many
an anxious mother on the border used the story of his captivity as a means to
frighten truant youngsters who had evinced a love for running wild in the
woods. The evening of Isaac's return every one in the settlement called to
welcome home the wanderer. In spite of the troubled times and the dark cloud
hanging over them they made the occasion one of rejoicing.

Old John Bennet, the biggest and merriest man in the colony, came in and
roared his appreciation of Isaac's return. He was a huge man, and when he
stalked into the room he made the floor shake with his heavy tread. His honest
face expressed his pleasure as he stood over Isaac and nearly crushed his
hand.

"Glad to see you, Isaac. Always knew you would come back. Always said so.
There are not enough damn redskins on the river to keep you prisoner."

"I think they managed to keep him long enough," remarked Silas Zane.

"Well, here comes the hero," said Colonel Zane, as Clarke entered, accompanied
by Captain Boggs, Major McColloch and Jonathan. "Any sign of Wetzel or the
Indians?"

Jonathan had not yet seen his brother, and he went over and seized Isaac's
hand and wrung it without speaking.

"There are no Indians on this side of the river," said Major McColloch, in