For pity's sake, let me explain," he cried, as the full enormity of his offence dawned upon him.
Betty was deaf to the imploring voice, for she ran into the house and slammed the door.
He called to her, but received no answer.

He knocked on the door, but it remained closed.

He stood still awhile, trying to collect his thoughts, and to find a way to undo the mischief he had wrought.
When the real significance of his act came to him he groaned in spirit.

What a fool he had been! Only a few short hours and he must start on a perilous journey, leaving the girl he loved in ignorance of his real intentions.

Who was to tell her that he loved her?
Who was to tell her that it was because his whole heart and soul had gone to her that he had kissed her?
With bowed head he slowly walked away toward the fort, totally oblivious of the fact that a young girl, with hands pressed tightly over her breast to try to still a madly beating heart, watched him from her window until he disappeared into the shadow of the block-house.
Alfred paced up and down his room the four remaining hours of that eventful day.