My wife was sobbing. "So soon--so soon? I--Hammond, give me a
little time!"
"I cannot, Elsie. My chief orders me to join him. You must
prepare to accompany me."
"No, no!" murmured Elsie. "He loves me so! And I love him. Our
child, too--how can I rob him of our unborn babe?"
"Another sheep for our flock," answered Brake solemnly. "Elsie, do
you forget your oath? Are you one of us, or are you a common
hypocrite, who will be of us until the hour of self-sacrifice, and
then fly like a coward? Elsie, you must leave to-night."
"Ah! my husband, my husband!" sobbed the unhappy woman.
"You have no husband, woman," cried Brake harshly. "I promised
Dayton not to speak to you as long as you were his wife, but the
vow was annulled before it was made. Your husband in God yet
awaits you. You will yet be blessed with the true spouse."
"I feel as if I were going to die," cried Elsie. "How can I ever
forsake him--he who was so good to me?"
"Nonsense! no weakness. He is not worthy of you. Go home and
prepare for your journey. You know where to meet me. I will have
everything ready, and by daybreak there shall be no trace of us
left.
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