Disappointed at the request so different from that which he had expected,
the Judge angrily answered, "Stand out of my way; I have no time for
this, sir!"
But quietly, carelessly it seemed, Dan laid one hand on the back of the
nearest horse, almost touching the rein, and moved a step or two closer
to the buggy.
"Sir, I am sure you do not understand. Miss Farwell and I--I had hoped
to make her my wife. We--we parted because of the church."
The Doctor on the fence felt a lump in his throat at the pain in the
boy's voice. Dan continued, "I am telling you, sir, so that you will
understand. Surely you cannot refuse to take back your words under the
circumstances."
"Oh, I see," sneered the Judge. "You lost the girl because of the church
and then you lost the church! A fine mess you made of your pious
interference with other people's business, didn't you?" And then he
laughed. Looking straight into those sad, pleading eyes--he laughed.
"The damned fool," muttered the old Doctor on the fence.
"Am I to understand that you refuse to retract your words after my
explanation?" Dan's tone was mildly doubtful.
The Judge was well pleased at what he had heard.
"I have absolutely nothing to take back, sir." He laughed again. "Now
if that is all, stand aside!"
But suddenly the light in Dan's eyes flashed red.
"No!" he cried, "that is not all!" With a long step he reached the side
of the buggy.
The next moment the Judge found himself on the ground.
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