"I--I told her everything I could think of," replied Dave,
despondently; "even what you said."
"What I said? Dave, what did you tell her I said?"
"Why, you know--about she cared for me--that you were sure of it,
and that you didn't want her---"
"Jackass!" roared George, rising out of his meekness like a lion
roused from slumber.
"Didn't you--say so?" inquired Dave, weakly.
"No! No! No! Idiot!"
As one possessed, George rushed out of the cabin, and a moment later
stood disheveled and frantic before Kate.
"Did that fool say I didn't love you?" he demanded.
Kate looked up, startled; but as an understanding of George's wild
aspect and wilder words dawned upon her, she resumed her usual calm
demeanor. Looking again to see if this passionate young man was
indeed George, she turned her face as she said:
"If you mean Mr. Edwards, yes; I believe he did say as much. Indeed,
from his manner, he seemed to have monopolized all the love near the
Village of Peace."
"But it's not true. I do love you. I love you to distraction. I have
loved you ever since I first saw you. I told Dave that. Heckewelder
knows it; even the Indians know it," cried George, protesting
vehemently against the disparaging allusion to his affections. He
did not realize he was making a most impassioned declaration of
love.
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