THE LETTER DAVE WROTE
"Dear Old Jonthy:
"I heard you out under the trees. Don't you go. I am going as Mallory. If I'm to be saved I'd rather save myself—and thank myself for it. I won't do any more harm down there than I have to do to fill Evelyn's contract. Now, then, Jonthy, dear, she must love you. And you must marry her. Why, if I should hear, some day, that you were married, I'd go crazy with joy—so maybe you better not if you don't want a crazy brother. And if, further, I should hear—and I shall hear everything that goes on!—that there were a lot of lovely little dark-eyed Vonners running about the old place—the more the better—I should go more crazy—so perhaps you'd better not—unless you want a double-crazy brother. Anyhow, I shall never come back. Honest, Jonthy, I couldn't after this. Could I? Would you? And the minute I am out of sight I'll give up the dear old name. Maybe you'll hear of the prodigious deeds of Lucas Mallory some day. I wish you wouldn't go. But, if you must, go for your country, and for no woman—even Evelyn. Fight under the glorious old stars and stripes! Bring back honor enough to cover up the dishonor I shall bring—if they find out who I am. And then, for God's sake, come back safe. Evelyn needs you. Make her keep out of the spy business. Hoop la! It is
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