The Stubborn Heart...

***This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1901 edition.***

Excerpt: ...Thank heaven for thai wilderness of wheels, he thought. For the steaming horseflesh that stand between us now and Brooke's sharp eyes there in the shadowed garden. He had gambled on this protection, knowing that every cabdriver in Wilmington usually waited at Lucy's door in the small hours to transport half-conscious officers to their quarters. A capable black hand seized his elbow, steadying him toward the safe depths of a hackney coach. He lifted Jane to the seat in a final burst of bravado, scorning the coachman's aid as he slapped a gold coin into the Negro's hand. "Straight down Market Street. I'll direct you later."

He forced another drunken laugh as he spoke--for the benefit of the watchers who had begun to throng cautiously on Lucy's portico. Hudnall's sergeant could collar me even now, he thought, if he guessed that I'm abducting anyone but my hostess. "Come, love We're late now." It was Jane's voice from the depths of the carriage, and the husky contralto tone mimicked Lucy to perfection. So did the bare white arms that stretched out to encircle his neck, the avid mouth that sought his in the glare of a dozen carriage lamps. throbbing muscle.

The commanding officer of the Wilmington area devoured her with his eyes, and roared his approval as she collapsed in a pair of waiting arms. Julian felt his wife stir at his side and clamped a hard hand on her wrist. "Wait " "We've got to join this orgy," she whispered. "Or pretend to. It's our only chance." She was gone with the words, weaving into the dancing circle with an easy, swinging grace, lifting her rounded white arms in a classic dance pattern. Then she, too, began to dance for Hudnall alone, to woo him with body and flashing eyes....