You will
think better of it in the morning. No one--no one, Winnie, loves you as
I do! I have given you every advantage. You shall not throw yourself
away on any one."
He got up, as if to end the interview.
The room and its belongings seemed swinging wildly round in a crazy
dance before the eyes of Winnie Lee. She grasped at her chair for
support. She seemed unable to lift herself. In her heart there was only
one cry--one wild cry: "Buck! Buck! Buck!"
By a great effort, she at last arose from her chair. Her father saw the
marblelike pallor of her face, and, touched by this sign of distress, he
came over, put his arms about her and kissed her. Her cheek, against
which he pressed his lips, seemed cold as ice.
"Don't be foolish, dear!" he pleaded. "You shouldn't grieve over a man
who is so manifestly unworthy of you. You know that I love you, and that
I haven't said these things to give you pain, but because it is my duty
as your father. Now, good night, dear."
"Good night!" she said, as if in a dream, and blindly walked toward the
door.
In her room, she threw herself across her bed.
"Oh, what shall I do?" she moaned. "Buck! Buck! Buck! Who has told such
terrible lies on you, dear?"
And so she lay there, moaning out a grief that was too great for tears.
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