“Then, you can take it,” I called out, after her.
Man can be brutal at such times.
Mrs. Pennoyer came back and tried to move me. Who could, after Jeanie
Bruce had failed? Moreover, I thought she thought she would have done
like me.
I fear Jeanie cried most of that journey home. But I, as is the way of
man, was happy.
We got back to Knoxville in the early morning. They did not wish me to
go home with them from the station; so I put them in a carriage, and
sat upon the box. We drove up to the piazza of the little house upon
which sat a man in a black frock-coat, smoking a cigar. He threw it
away, and took off his hat to the ladies. We both assisted them out;
and Jeanie ran quickly into the house, Mrs. Judge Pennoyer following. I
paid the carriage, and it drove away.
“Now, sir,” said Mr. Kirk Bruce.
“Now, sir,” said I.
“I will request you, sir, for to give me that ring that is on your
finger.”
“That ring does not belong to me.”
“That is why, sir, I ask you as a gentleman, fo’ to give it up.”
“That is why, sir, I am compelled as a gentleman, fo’ to refuse.”
Insults to one’s diction come next to those that touch the heart. Mr.
Bruce had me, forthwith, “covered” with his revolver.
“Are you engaged to Miss Jeanie Bruce?”
“I am not.”
“Then, sir, as a gentleman, you have no right to wear that ring.”
I had heard vague stories of firing through one’s coat pocket; and
I felt in mine for the little revolver Jeanie had given me. But the
miserable little toy was turned the wrong way, and I could not twist it
about.
“He is engaged to me--he is,” cried Jeanie, bursting out from the front
door. “He asked me on the train.”
“And you refused me,” I said, turning my eyes for one moment away from
Bruce to look at her.
“I did not--I only----”
How it happened, I do not know; but at that instant the confounded
revolver went off in my pocket. With a cry, Jeanie threw up her arms
and fell upon the floor of the piazza. Bruce and I were at her feet
instantly. Mrs. Pennoyer rushed out. The neighbors rushed across from
over the way.
“Is she killed?” said Bruce and I, together.
As we spoke Jeanie made a dart, and picking up Bruce’s revolver, which
he had dropped upon the grass, threw it over a high board fence into
the neighboring lot. Then turning, “Give me your ring,” said she.