I--I feared you knew."
Trembling violently the girl dropped to her knees with a soft crash of
satin and buried her face in her hands. She was crying wildly.
Carl gently raised her to her feet again and squarely met her eyes.
"Red-winged Blackbird," he said quietly, "there is much that I must
tell you before I may honorably face this love of yours and mine--"
Keela's black eyes blazed in sudden loyalty.
"There is nothing I do not know," she flung back proudly. "Philip told
me. And for every wild error you made, he gave a reason. He loves and
trusts you utterly. May I not do that too?"
"He told you!"
"Some that night in the storm when he and I were saddling the horses to
ride to Mic-co's. Some later. He pledged me to kindness and
understanding."
For every break in the thread there had always been Philip's strong and
kindly hand to mend it. A little shaken by the memory of the night in
Philip's wigwam, Carl walked restlessly about the court.
"But there is more," he said, coloring. "There was passion and
dishonor in my heart, Keela, until, one night, I fought and won--"
"Is it not enough for me that you won?" asked Keela gently and broke
off, wild color staining her cheeks and forehead.
Mic-co stood in the doorway.
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