E-text prepared by Al Haines

THE PURCHASE PRICE

OR, THE CAUSE OF COMPROMISE

EMERSON HOUGH

AUTHOR OFTHE MISSISSIPPI BUBBLE54-40 OR FIGHT

WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY

M. LEONE BRACKER AND EDMUND FREDERICK

1910

TO

HON. ALBERT J. BEVERIDGEA PROGRESSIVE IN THE CAUSE OFACTUAL FREEDOM

Chapter I A LADY IN COMPANY II THE GATEWAY AND SOME WHO PASSED III THE QUESTION IV THE GAME V SPOLIA OPIMA VI THE NEW MASTER VII A CONFUSION IN CHATTELS VIII THE SHADOW CABINET IX TALLWOODS X FREE AND THRALL XI THE GARMENTS OF ANOTHER XII THE NIGHT XIII THE INVASION XIV THE ARGUMENT XV THE ARBITRAMENT XVI THE ADJUDICATION XVII THE LADY AT TALLWOODS XVIII ON PAROLE XIX THE ENEMY XX THE ART OF DOCTOR JAMIESON XXI THE PAYMENT XXII THE WAY OF A MAID XXIII IN WASHINGTON XXIV IN THE NAME OF ALTRUISM XXV THE ARTFUL GENTLEMAN PROM KENTUCKY XXVI THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK XXVII A SPLENDID FAILUREXXVIII IN ACKNOWLEDGMENT XXIX IN OLD ST. GENEVIEVE XXX THE TURNCOAT XXXI THE SPECTER IN THE HOUSE

CHAPTER I

A LADY IN COMPANY

"Madam, you are charming! You have not slept, and yet you smile.
No man could ask a better prisoner."

She turned to him, smiling faintly.

"I thank you. At least we have had breakfast, and for such mercy Iam grateful to my jailer. I admit I was famished. What now?"

With just the turn of a shoulder she indicated the water front,where, at the end of the dock on which they stood, lay the goodship, Mount Vernon, river packet, the black smoke already pouringfrom her stacks. In turn he smiled and also shrugged a shoulder.

"Let us not ask! My dear lady, I could journey on for ever withone so young and pleasant as yourself. I will give you my promisein exchange for your parole."

Now her gesture was more positive, her glance flashed more keenlyat him. "Do not be too rash," she answered. "My parole runs onlywhile we travel together privately. As soon as we reach coach orboat, matters will change. I reserve the right of any prisoner tosecure life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I shallendeavor, believe me—and in my own way."

He frowned as she presently went on to make herself yet more clear."It was well enough when we traveled in our own private express,from Washington here to Pittsburgh for then there was no chance forescape. I gave my parole, because it pleased you and did notjeopardize myself. Here my jailer may perhaps have some troublewith me."

"You speak with the courage and fervor of the true leader of acause. Madam," he rejoined, now smiling. "What evil days arethese on which I have fallen—I, a mere soldier obeying orders!Not that I have found the orders unpleasant; but it is not fair ofyou to bring against mankind double weapons! Such is not the usageof civilized warfare. Dangerous enough you are as woman alone,without bringing to your aid those gifts of mind suited to problemswhich men have been accustomed to arrogate to themselves."

"Arrogate is quite the right word. It is especially fit for ajailer."

This time the shaft went home. The florid countenance of youngCaptain Carlisle flushed yet ruddier ben

...