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

as suddenly, lay quietly in his arms. His anger changed to self-reproach as he
realized what a light burden she made. He looked down at the dark head lying
on his shoulder. Her face was hidden by the dusky rippling hair, which tumbled
over his breast, brushed against his cheek, and blew across his lips. The
touch of those fragrant tresses was a soft caress. Almost unconsciously he
pressed her closer to his heart. And as a sweet mad longing grew upon him he
was blind to all save that he held her in his arms, that uncertainty was gone
forever, and that he loved her. With these thoughts running riot in his brain
he carried her down the hill to Colonel Zane's house.

The negro, Sam, who came out of the kitchen, dropped the bucket he had in his
hand and ran into the house when he saw them. When Alfred reached the gate
Colonel Zane and Isaac were hurrying out to meet him.

"For Heaven's sake! What has happened? Is she badly hurt? I have always looked
for this," said the Colonel, excitedly.

"You need not look so alarmed," answered Alfred. "She has only sprained her
ankle, and trying to walk afterward hurt her so badly that she became faint
and I had to carry her."

"Dear me, is that all?" said Mrs. Zane, who had also come out. "We were
terribly frightened. Sam came running into the house with some kind of a wild
story. Said he knew you would be the death of Betty."

"How ridiculous! Colonel Zane, that servant of yours never fails to say
something against me," said Alfred, as he carried Betty into the house.

"He doesn't like you. But you need not mind Sam. He is getting old and we
humor him, perhaps too much. We are certainly indebted to you," returned the
Colonel.

Betty was laid on the couch and consigned to the skillful hands of Mrs. Zane,
who pronounced the injury a bad sprain

"Well, Betty, this will keep you quiet for a few days," said she, with a touch
of humor, as she gently felt the swollen ankle.

"Alfred, you have been our good angel so often that I don't see how we shall
ever reward you," said Isaac to Alfred.

"Oh, that time will come. Don't worry about that," said Alfred, jestingly, and
then, turning to the others he continued, earnestly. "I will apologize for the
manner in which I disregarded Miss Zane's wish not to help her. I am sure I
could do no less. I believe my rudeness has spared her considerable
suffering."

"What did he mean, Betts?" asked Isaac, going back to his sister after he had
closed the door. "Didn't you want him to help you?"