THE CONFESSION
Denslow was a service which he was willing to repay. Previous to my appearance the love between these two was hopeless, the girl's father favoring Dunn's suit, and forcing her to immediate marriage. I had blocked that by pure accident. Delay was inevitable, for the form of a divorce would have to be gone through with before Dunn could again claim her. All this was to the advantage of Donald. His only immediate desire would be to get rid of me, leaving him in possession of the field. It was not pleasant to think about; to realize that the girl was being played with in this manner; and that I was utterly helpless. If she cared for me the situation would be different, but my love was of no service while her heart belonged to another. Played with? Beyond question she was part of the play, acting her role at Donald's dictation, as anxious as he was, that I should disappear from the stage.
I had reached this gloomy conclusion when the man himself came in, closing the door behind him, and crossing the room to stand with his back toward me, looking out of the window. Finally he turned and looked me, his own face in the shadow.
"King." he said gravely, "as a Confederate officer it is no doubt my duty to hold you as a prisoner of war. I suppose that when Dunn recovers from his present shock, and his old nature returns, he will make some sort of report of this matter and endeavor to get me into trouble. The fellow dislikes you cordially, and from all I hear, with good reason. However, what he thinks does n't affect me. and I am going to give you a horse and
[ 357 ]
