Now I'm scared. You've surprised and shocked me."
"Nonsense, dear!" he pleaded.
She looked at him with quick, eager yearning.
"You love me?" she asked.
"Can you doubt it?"
"With every beat of your heart?"
"Yes."
"Will you do something for me?" she begged.
"What is it?"
"Just for me, because I ask it, John, and you love me?"
"If I can."
"I want you to resign immediately from McClellan's staff, report at the
War Department and let the President give you new duties----"
The man shot her a look of angry amazement:
"You can't mean this?"
Again the soft, warm hand that had slipped its glove grasped his. He
could feel her slim, little fingers tremble. She had turned very pale:
"I'm in dead earnest. I love you, dear, with my whole heart, and it's my
love that asks this. I can't think of you betraying a solemn trust. The
very thought of it cuts me to the quick. If this is true, General
McClellan should be court-martialed."
The man's square jaws closed with a snap:
"Let them try it if they dare----"
"The President will dare if he believes it his duty."
"Then he'll hear something from the hundred and fifty thousand soldiers
who have served under McClellan."
The little hand pressed harder.
"Won't you, for my sake, dear,--just because I'm your sweetheart and you
love me?"
The stalwart figure suddenly stiffened:
"And you could respect a man who would do a thing like that?"
"For my sake?--Yes.
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