Chapter XI

The next day, Richard Wain, when riding past, Heard Ruth's bird-voice trilling in the lane, And caught a glimpse of her between the trees, A picture, for an instant, in a frame. He thought, "The prize I coveted is near; She will be mine before the set of sun." Returning soon, toward the house he went, Strode to the door, calling for Dalton Earl, And told him for what merchandise he came. The girl was not for sale, the other said. "You talk at random now," said Richard Wain, "You know I hold the deed of all your lands, And so, unless you let the woman go, Your whole estate shall have a sheriff's sale." The planter turned a coward at the threat, And knowing well what blood ran in the veins Of her he sold, reluctant gave consent.

Above his wine he told Ruth of her fate, And to the floor she fell, and swooned away. Recovering, she rose upon her knees, And begged, and prayed, that she might still remain. At this he told her how the lands were held, And if she went not he must starve or beg. "Then let the lands be sold, and sold again; If his, they are not yours. What good will come If I do go to him? then all is his. Last night I gave my hand to Karagwe. O, it will break my heart to go away." Lightly his mustache twirled Dalton Earl.

At dusk, in tears to Karagwe's low roof, Ruth passed, and uttered, with wild, angry words, The hard conditions that had been imposed. She wept; he comforted: "There yet was hope: There was a Hero, in a Book he read, Who said that those who suffered would be blessed." Then for the last, toward the planter's house They walked, and o'er them saw the spider moon Weaving the storm upon its web of cloud.

XII.

But Karagwe, when once he turned again, Smote wildly his infuriated breast. His fierce eyes flashed; he thirsted for revenge. Then came a calmer mood, and far away Sped the expelled thoughts like shuddering gusts of wind. He wept that this injustice should be done; Yet knew that in God's hand the scale was set, And though His poor, down-trodden, waited long, They waited surely, for His hour would come.