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Colonel Starbottle's Client by Bret Harte
page 48 of 193 (24%)

"Joseph," she said more gently, laying her trembling hand on his arm,
"Joseph, fly--and--take me with you. For I was wrong, and I want you to
forgive me. I knew your heart was not in this, and I ought not to have
asked you. Joseph--listen! I never wanted to avenge myself nor HIM when
I spat on your face. I wanted to avenge myself on HER. I hated her,
because I thought she wanted to work upon you and use you for herself."

"Your mother," he said, looking at her.

"No," she said, with widely opened eyes, "you know who I mean--Miss
Sally."

He looked at her wonderingly for a moment, but quickly bent his
head again in the direction of the road. "They are coming," he said,
starting. "YOU must go. This is no place for you. Stop! it's too
late; you cannot go now until they have passed. Come here--crouch down
here--over this grave--so."

He almost forced her--kneeling down--upon the mound below the level of
the shrubs, and then ran quickly himself a few paces lower down the
hill to a more exposed position. She understood it. He wished to attract
attention to himself. He was successful--a few hurried shots followed
from the road, but struck above him.

He clambered back quickly to where she was still crouching.

"They were the vedettes," he said, "but they have fallen back on the
main skirmish line and will be here in force in a moment. Go--while you
can." She had not moved. He tried to raise her--her hat fell off---he
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