For her sake,
and in her name, I ask you to go back to Mrs. Herndon."
He could perceive the gathering tears in her eyes, and his hand closed
tightly about her own. It was not one soul alone that struggled.
"You will go?"
"O Bob, I wish you wasn't a gambler!"
A moment he remained silent. "But unfortunately I am," he admitted,
soberly, "and it is best for you to go back. Won't you?"
Her gaze was fastened upon the open locket, the fair face pictured
there smiling up at her as though in pleading also.
"You truly think she would wish it?"
"I know she would."
The girl gave utterance to a quick, startled breath, as if the vision
frightened her. "Then I will go," she said, her voice a mere whisper,
"I will go."
He led her down the steps, out into the jostling crowd below, as if she
had been some fairy princess. Men occasionally spoke to him, but
seemingly he heard nothing, pressing his way through the mass of moving
figures in utter unconsciousness of their presence. Her locket hung
dangling, and he slipped it back into its place and drew her slender
form yet closer against his own, as they stepped forth into the black,
deserted road.
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