The Romance of Gilbert Holmes: An Historical NovelKirkman, Marshall M. (Marshall Monroe)
General
The Romance of Gilbert Holmes: An Historical Novel
Kirkman, Marshall M. (Marshall Monroe)
Black Hawk War, 1832 -- Fiction
"I’ll not accept it, Davis. It is his, and the more scoundrel I for
risking it and ruining my family. No, he won, and that is the end of
it." Saying which he sank down and buried his face in his arms as
before.
"Very well," Mr. Davis answered, curtly, and placing the money in his
pocket without saying more, proceeded to the cabin set apart for ladies.
Here finding Mrs. Singleton, he called her aside, and after telling her
as much as he thought proper of what had occurred, leaving out indeed
all reference to the encounter, I thought, he handed her the package.
When she was able finally to comprehend that the fortune of her children
had thus been restored, she burst into a flood of tears, and would have
fallen had he not supported her. Recovering herself after a while, she
sought to kneel to him in gratitude, but he, lifting her up, made such
light of the affair that she was able presently to resume in a measure
her natural cheerfulness of manner. Then, and as if in remembrance of
her husband’s dignity, she said, tears dimming her eyes:
"Will you not oblige me, Jefferson, by giving the money to Mr.
Singleton. Please do this for me."
"I have already offered it to him, dear lady," Mr. Davis, answered, "but
he will by no means accept it. So there is nothing for you to do but
take charge of it, for Burke has left the boat and will not return."
"God will surely bless you for your kindness in saving my husband and
protecting my children," Mrs. Singleton responded, her emotion again
overcoming her. Upon this ending, Mr. Davis stooping down with grave
respect took her hand and kissed it, saying:
"I have a favor to ask of you in return, dear lady, and it is that I may
present the gentlemen who have acted with me, and without whom I could
have done nothing. You already know and admire them, and they are every
way worthy of your high regard."
Saying which, and without waiting for a reply, he went forward, and
finding Mr. Lincoln and Uncle Job, presented them to her with every
expression of regard and friendship that one can in speaking of another.
Taking the hand of each in turn, Mrs. Singleton pressed it between both
her own, but overcome so that she could not speak. Then inclining her
head and smiling upon them her tender thanks, she went to her husband,
and seating herself beside him, put her arm about his neck in loving
embrace.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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