Do you
think you are in no way responsible?"
He was silent for a moment, but then said stubbornly: "Why--why have you
done it? What's between him and me can't be helped; we are father and
son; but you--you had no call, no responsibility."
"I love Jim. I always loved him, ever since I can remember, as you did.
I see my way ahead. I will not desert him. No one cares what happens to
him, no one but me. Your love wouldn't stand the test; mine will."
"Your folks have disinherited you,--you have almost nothing, and I will
not change my mind. What do you see ahead of you?"
"Jim--only Jim--and God."
Her eyes were shining, her hands were clasped together at her side in the
tenseness of her feeling, her indomitable spirit spoke in her face.
Suddenly the old man brought his fist down on the table with a bang.
"It's a crime--oh, it's a crime, to risk your life so! You ought to have
been locked up. I'd have done it."
"Listen to me," she rejoined quietly. "I know the risk. But do you
think that I could have lived my life out, feeling that I might have
saved Jim, and didn't try? You talk of beauty and power and ruling--you
say what others have said to me.
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