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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/20548-0.txt b/20548-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f212e68 --- /dev/null +++ b/20548-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,15425 @@ +Project Gutenberg's The Secret of the Storm Country, by Grace Miller White + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Secret of the Storm Country + +Author: Grace Miller White + +Illustrator: Lucius W. Hitchcock + +Release Date: February 8, 2007 [EBook #20548] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SECRET OF THE STORM COUNTRY *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + +[Illustration: "I CAST THE FIRST STONE," HE SAID SWIFTLY] + +----------------------------------------------------------------------- + +THE SECRET OF THE STORM COUNTRY + +BY +GRACE MILLER WHITE + +AUTHOR OF +TESS OF THE STORM COUNTRY, +ROSE O' PARADISE, ETC. + +ILLUSTRATED BY +LUCIUS W. HITCHCOCK + +NEW YORK +GROSSET & DUNLAP +PUBLISHERS + +Made in the United States of America + +----------------------------------------------------------------------- + +Copyright, 1916, by +Woman's World. + +Copyright, 1917, by +Woman's World. + +Copyright, 1917, by +The H. K. Fly Company. + +----------------------------------------------------------------------- + +I Lovingly Dedicate this Book to +Lil And Arthur Miller + +----------------------------------------------------------------------- + +CONTENTS + + Chapter Page + + I. The Squatter Folk 9 + II. The Coming of Andy Bishop 16 + III. Tessibel Meets Waldstricker 25 + IV. Tess and Frederick 33 + V. A Gossip With "Satisfied" 38 + VI. Waldstricker Makes a Proposal 44 + VII. Waldstricker and Mother Moll 53 + VIII. Tessibel's Marriage 58 + IX. The Musicale 64 + X. A Victim of Circumstances 72 + XI. Frederick Intimidated 80 + XII. Making Ready for the Warden 86 + XIII. Sandy Proposes to Tess 94 + XIV. The Warden's Coming 99 + XV. The Search 105 + XVI. Tessibel's Secret 112 + XVII. Tessibel's Prayer 124 + XVIII. A Letter 131 + XIX. Its Answer 137 + XX. Madelene Complains to Ebenezer 144 + XXI. The End of the Honeymoon 149 + XXII. The Repudiation 152 + XXIII. The Quarrel 159 + XXIV. Waldstricker Interferes 164 + XXV. The Summons 168 + XXVI. The Churching 171 + XXVII. Daddy Skinner's Death 182 + XXVIII. Young Discovers Andy 189 + XXIX. The Vigil 195 + XXX. Sandy Comes to Grief 202 + XXXI. Waldstricker's Threat 207 + XXXII. Helen's Message 211 + XXXIII. Hands Stronger Than Waldstricker's 215 + XXXIV. Love Air Everywhere the Hull Time 222 + XXXV. Boy Skinner 227 + XXXVI. Deforrest Decides 232 + XXXVII. The New Home 238 + XXXVIII. Dinner at Waldstricker's 244 + XXXIX. Father and Son 250 + XL. Husband and Wife 256 + XLI. Tessibel's Discovery 261 + XLII. A Man's Arm at the Window 266 + XLIII. Sandy's Job 271 + XLIV. Sandy's Visit 276 + XLV. Andy Vindicated 279 + XLVI. Sandy's Courting 286 + XLVII. Waldstricker's Anger 294 + XLVIII. The Sins of the Parents 302 + XLIX. Tessibel and Elsie 311 + L. Tessibel's Vision 321 + LI. The Christmas Guest 328 + LII. The Storm 334 + LIII. The Happy Day 339 + +----------------------------------------------------------------------- + +ILLUSTRATIONS. + + Page. + +"I cast the first stone," he said swiftly Frontispiece + +"I will," gritted Waldstricker, in spite of himself interested + in the old woman's revelations 30 + +"I was wonderin' little one, when you say your prayers, + if you'd pipe one for me?" 111 + +"Hush!" he cried, "Haven't you any heart?" 157 + +----------------------------------------------------------------------- + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE SQUATTER FOLK + + +The lazy warmth of a May afternoon, the spring following Orn Skinner's +release from Auburn Prison, was reflected in the attitudes of three men +lounging on the shore in front of "Satisfied" Longman's shack. At their +feet, the waters of Cayuga Lake dimpled under the rays of the western +sun. Like a strip of burnished silver, the inlet wound its way through +the swamp from the elevators and railroad stations near the foot of +south hill. Across the lake rose the precipitous slopes of East Hill, +tapestried in green, etched here and there by stretches of winding white +road, and crowned by the buildings on the campus of Cornell University. +Stretched from the foot of State Street on either side of the Lehigh +Valley track lay the Silent City, its northern end spreading several +miles up the west shore of the Lake. Its inhabitants were canalers, +fishermen and hunters, uneducated, rough and superstitious. They built +their little huts in the simplest manner out of packing boxes and rough +lumber and roofed them with pieces of tin and sheet iron. Squatters they +were appropriately named, because they paid no attention to land titles, +but stuck their shacks wherever fancy indicated or convenience dictated. +The people of the Silent City slept by day and went very quietly about +their work under the cover of darkness, for the game laws compelled the +fishermen to pull their nets at night, and the farmers' chickens were +more easily caught, his fruit more easily picked when the sun was +warming China. + +Summers, their lives were comparatively free from hardships. Fish were +plentiful and easy to take; the squatter women picked flowers and +berries in the woods and sold them in the city and the men worked +occasionally, as the fit struck them. But the winters were bitter and +cruel. The countryside, buried deep in snow, made travel difficult. +When the mercury shrank timidly into the bulb and fierce winds howled +down the lake, the Silent City seemed, indeed, the Storm Country. + +"I were up to the Graves' place yesterday, helpin' Professor Young," +said Jake Brewer, the youngest and most active of the three men. + +"Never had no use fer that duffer, Dominie Graves, myself," answered +Longman. The speaker turned a serious face to the third member of the +party. "Ner you nuther, eh, Orn?" + +Orn Skinner was an enormous man, some six and a half feet tall. Two +great humps on his shoulders accentuated the breadth and thickness of +his chest while they tended to conceal the length of his arms. A few +months before he'd been in the death house at Auburn. Through the +efforts of Deforrest Young, the dean of the Law College at Cornell, he'd +been pardoned and sent home. + +The gigantic squatter removed his pipe from his mouth and smoothed the +thready white beard, straggling over his chin. + +"Nope, I hated 'im," he muttered. "He done me dirt 'nough. If it hadn't +been fer Tess an' Lawyer Young, he'd a hung me sure." + +"Ye didn't git the deed to yer shack land afore he died, did ye, Orn?" +interrupted "Satisfied" Longman. "Tessibel told ma the preacher promised +it to ye." + +A moody expression settled in Skinner's eyes. "So he did promise it," he +explained. "He writ Tess a letter. He said as how he were sorry for his +meanness an' would give me the deed. But he didn't!" + +A shrill voice calling his name brought "Satisfied" Longman to his feet, +and he hobbled away toward the shack. + +"'Pears like 'Satisfied' ain't got much strength any more," said +Skinner. "He ain't been worth much of anythin' sence I got back." + +"Him an' Ma Longman've failed a lot sence Myry an' Ezry died," agreed +Jake. "An' no wonder! Them two didn't amount to much to my way o' +thinkin', but their pa an' ma set considerable store by 'em ... Ben +Letts were a bad 'un, too. It used to make me plumb ugly to see 'im +botherin' Tess when ye was shet up, Orn, an' him all the time the daddy +of Myry's brat." + +"Yep, Ben were bad," agreed Skinner. "I were sure he done the shootin', +but 'tweren't till Ezry swore he saw 'im that the lawyer could prove I +didn't do it. But Tess says Myry loved Ben. Women air queer critters, +ain't they?" + +"Myry sure was," assented Brewer, thoughtfully. "In spite of Ezry's +tellin' her, Ben'd most drowned him, an' done the killin' they was goin' +to hang you fer, up she gits an' takes the brat an' goes off with Ben. +It were the worst storm of the year. No wonder him, Myry an' their brat +all was drowned." + +Longman, coming out of the shack, overheard the last remark. The other +two fell silent. After he'd sat down again, he dissipated their +embarrassment by saying, + +"But Tess says Myry air happy now 'cause she air got Ben. Fer myself, I +dunno, though. But, if Myry air satisfied, me an' ma air satisfied, +too." + +The other two nodded in solemn sympathy. After a moment, Jake took out +his pipe and filled it. Holding the lighted match above the bowl, he +glanced at Skinner. + +"Where air Tess?" he asked. + +"She air up to Young's. He air learnin' her book stuff, an' his sister +air helpin' the brat sing. It air astonishin' how the brat takes to it. +Jest like a duck to water." + +"Tess air awful smart," sighed Longman, "an' she air awful good, too. +She sings fer ma 'most every day. I heard her only yesterday, somethin' +'bout New Jerusylem. Ma loves Tessibel's singin'." + +Then, for perhaps the space of three minutes, they lapsed into silence. +At length, Jake Brewer spoke, + +"Be ye goin' to let her marry the Student Graves, Orn?" he asked. + +"I dunno," Skinner muttered, "but I know this much, I don't like high +born pups like him hangin' 'round my girl. 'Tain't fittin' an' I told +Tess so!" + +Orn knocked the ashes out of his pipe and rose slowly. + +"Guess I'll be moseyin' 'long, pals," he smiled. "The brat'll be back +'fore long." + +"Wait a minute, Orn," Longman broke in. "Ma's got some pork an' beans +she wants to send up to Mother Moll. She thought, mebbe, Tess'd take 'em +to 'er." + +"Sure, 'Satisfied,' I'll take 'em home an' the brat'll take 'em up the +ravine next time she goes to the professor's." + +"Mother Moll were the only one of us all," Jake told Skinner, while +Longman was in the shack, "what stood by Tess. She allers says Tess air +a goin' to surprise us all. She says as how the brat'll be rich an' have +a fine home. I dunno--but old Moll do tell the future right good when +she looks in the pot." + +"She told the brat I were comin' home from Auburn," added Skinner, "when +it looked certain I were goin' to hang." + +Longman came out of the shack with a pan in his hands. + +"Yep," he corroborated. "An' she told ma years ago she'd lose her brats +in a storm. Old Moll air a wise woman, all right." + +The dish of beans in his hand, the Bible-backed fisherman directed his +steps toward his own home, some distance away beyond the ragged rocks. + +The old squatter walked slowly. His health had broken in prison and his +strength seemed hardly sufficient to move the big body. The path, an +outcropping ledge of the precipitous cliff, was very narrow because of +the unusually high level of the water in the lake. Picking his way +slowly, he considered reminiscently the events which had almost +destroyed him. + +He recalled the long years of monotonous existence in the shack, the +hard nights pulling the nets and the varied scrapes Tess had tumbled +into. Then, suddenly, came the shooting of the game keeper, his own +arrest, trial and conviction. The white glare of hateful publicity had +been thrown, without warning, upon him and his motherless brat. He'd +been torn away from his quiet haunts at the lake side and shut up in the +narrow confines of a fetid cell. The enforced separation from his +daughter, at the critical period between girl and womanhood, had left +her alone in the shanty and exposed her to countless perils and +hardships. Unmitigated calamities, especially the long imprisonment, +they had seemed at the time, but the event proved otherwise. + +Friends had arisen and helped him establish his innocence and win his +pardon. The responsibilities thrown upon the squatter girl had been met +with love and courage and had disciplined her high temper and awakened +her ambition. The dirt and disorder that had formerly obtained in the +shack had disappeared. Her housewifely arts had transformed the hut into +a comfortable home, rough to be sure, small and inadequate, but +immaculate and satisfactory. + +The shanty stood on a little point of land projecting into the lake. +Huge weeping willows shrouded it from the sun in summer. They mourned +and murmured of the past, when the breezes of morning and evening +stirred their whispering leaves. Their bare limbs thrashed and pounded +the tin roof when the storm winds tore down the lake. In front and to +one side, Tessibel's new privet hedge shone a dark, dusky green, and the +flower beds were beginning to show orderly life through the blackish +mold. The shack itself was rather more pretentious than most of the +squatter shanties. It had two rooms and was thoroughly battened against +the storms. + +Coming into the path, Orn met his daughter and went with her to the +house. + +The greatest change the year had brought was in the girl herself. She +had ripened into the early maturity common to the squatter woman. She +was no longer the red-haired tatterdemalion who had romped over the +rocks and quarreled with the boys of the Silent City. Her tom-boy days, +amid the ceaseless struggles against the hardships of the Storm Country, +gave to her slender body strength and lent to it poise and grace. +Bright brown eyes lighted by loving intelligence illumined her face, +tanned by sun and wind, but very sweet and winsome, especially when the +curving red lips melted into a smile. A profusion of burnished red +curls, falling about her shoulders almost to her hips, completed the +vivid picture. Tess of the Storm Country, the animate expression of the +joy and beauty of the lake side in spring, was the boast of the Silent +City. + + * * * * * + +Late that same night, Tessibel lay asleep in the front room of the +shanty. Four miles to the south, Ithaca, too, slept,--the wholesome +sleep of a small country town, while Cayuga Lake gleamed and glistened +in the moonlight, as if fairies were tumbling it with powdered fingers. +Above both town and span of water, Cornell University loomed darkly on +the hill, the natural skyline sharply cut by its towers and spires. + +An unusual sound awakened her. She lifted her lids and glanced about +drowsily, then propped herself on one elbow. Her sleep-laden eyes fell +upon the white light slanting across the rough shanty floor. Suddenly, +like a dark ghost, a shadow darted into it--the shadow of a human head. + +At the first glimpse at it, Tessibel looked cautiously toward the +window, and there, as in a frame, was a face--a man's face. Tess dropped +on her pillow. For possibly two minutes, she lay quietly waiting, while +the shadow moved curiously to and fro on the floor. Twice the head +disappeared, and as suddenly returned, poised a moment, then, like an +image moving across a screen, was gone. Instantly Tess sat straight up +in bed. Perhaps one of the squatters needed her. She crept to the floor, +yawning, tiptoed to the door, and unbarred it. Without pausing to cover +her feet, she stepped outside, the fresh scent of May blossoms sweeping +sweet to her nostrils. The warm night-wind, full of elusive odors, +brushed her face like thready cobwebs, that broke at her touch, only to +caress her anew. + +Midnight held no fear for Tessibel, for she loved every living creature, +those traveling by day being no dearer than those flying by night. She +felt no deeper thrills for the bright-winged birds singing in the sun +than for yonder owl who screeched at her, now, from the weeping willow +tree. + +After picking her way to the front of the shanty, she made a tour of the +house and encircled the mud cellar, calling softly the while. No one +appeared; no voice, either of friend or stranger, answered the +persuasive importunity of Tessibel. But, after she was again in the +doorway, she heard north of the shanty the crackling of twigs as if some +stealthy animal were crawling over them. If there were an intruder, he'd +gone, and the girl, satisfied, went back into the house and once more +lay down to sleep. + +When she woke again, Daddy Skinner was moving softly near the stove, +kindling the fire, and Tessibel lay in languid silence. She watched him +yearningly until he felt her gaze and looked at her. His twisted smile +of greeting brought an exclamation of love from the girl. All the +inhabitants of the Silent City knew this crippled old man could play on +the emotions of his lovely young daughter as the morning sun plays upon +the sensibilities of the lark. How she adored him, in spite of his great +humps and his now hobbling legs! + +Soon, her father went to the lake for a pail of water, and she sprang +from the cot and dressed hastily. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE COMING OF ANDY BISHOP + + +Later in the forenoon, when Tessibel returned home from an errand to +Kennedys', she found Daddy Skinner on the bench at the side of the +shanty, one horny hand clutching the bowl of a pipe in which the ashes +were dead. It took but one sharp glance from the red-brown eyes for Tess +to note that his face was white, almost grey; she saw, too, with a +quiver of loving sympathy, that his lower lip hung away from his dark +teeth as though he suffered. She sprang toward him, and dropped to her +knees, at his side. + +"Daddy Skinner!" she exclaimed. "Daddy Skinner, ye're sick! Ye're sick, +darlin'!... Tell me, Daddy, what air the matter? Tell Tessibel." + +She laid her hand tenderly on his chest. His heart was beating a heavy +tattoo against the blue gingham shirt. + +"Ye hurt here?" she queried breathlessly. + +The pipe dropped to the soft sand, and Skinner's crooked fingers fell +upon the profusion of red curls. Then he slowly tilted up her face. + +"Yep, I hurt in there!" he muttered brokenly. + +And as ashen and more ashen grew the wrinkled old countenance, Tessibel +cried out sharply in protest. + +"Why, Daddy, what d'ye mean by yer heart's hurtin' ye?... What do ye +mean, Daddy?... I thought the doctor'd fixed yer heart so it wouldn't +pain ye no more." + +The man considered the appealing young face an instant. + +"I want to talk to ye about somethin'," said he, presently, "and I know +ye'll never tell anythin' Daddy tells ye." + +With a little shake of her head that set the tawny curls a-tremble, +Tessibel squatted back on her feet. + +"'Course I won't tell nobody, but if ye've got a pain in yer heart, +daddy, the doctor--" + +"I don't need no doctor, brat. I jest--jest got to talk to ye, that air +all." + +A slender girlish figure cuddled between Daddy Skinner's knees, and warm +young lips met his. Never had Tess seen him look just that way, not even +when he had been taken from her to prison. The expression on his face +was hopeless, forlornly hopeless, and to wait until he began to speak +took all the patience the eager girl-soul could muster. + +"Brat, dear," he sighed at length, "I ain't needin' to tell ye again +what I went through in Auburn, hev I?" + +Brown eyes, frightened and fascinated, sought and found the faded greys. + +"'Course not, Daddy Skinner! But what fer air ye talkin' about Auburn +Prison?... Ye promised me, Daddy, ye'd forgit all about them days, an' +now what're ye rememberin' 'em fer?" + +Skinner's face blanched, and drops of sweat formed in the spaces behind +his ears and trickled in little streams down his neck. + +"I got to remember 'em, child," he groaned. + +"What fer I want to know? Ye'd best make a hustle an' tell me or, in a +minute, I'll be gettin' awful mad." + +The pleading, sorrowful face belied the threat, and a pair of red lips +touched Skinner's hand between almost every word. + +"Do ye bring to mind my tellin' ye about any of the fellers up there, +Tessibel?" came at length from the man's shaking lips. + +Tess stroked his arm lovingly. + +"Sure, Daddy, I remember 'bout lots of 'em, an' how good they be, an' +how kind, an' how none of 'em be guilty." + +"Ye bet none of 'em be guilty," muttered Daddy Skinner. "Nobody air ever +guilty who gets in jail.... Folks be mostly guilty that air out o' +prison to my mind." + +"That air true, Daddy Skinner," she assented, smiling. "Sure it air +true, but it ain't no good reason fer you to be yappin' 'bout Auburn, +air it?... Now git that look out of yer eyes, an' tell Tessibel what air +troublin' ye!" + +But Daddy Skinner's grave old face still kept its set expression. The +haunted look, born in his eyes in the Ithaca Jail, had returned after +all these happy months. Tess was frantic with apprehension and dread. + +"Ye know well's ye're born, Daddy, nobody can hurt ye," she told him +strenuously. "Ye've got Tessibel, and ye've got--" She was about to say, +"Frederick," but substituted, "Professor Young." + +The girl lovingly slipped her fingers over her father's heavy hand and +drew it from her curls. + +"Ye're goin' to peel it off to me now, ain't ye?" she coaxed. + +"Let's go inside the shanty," said the fisherman, in a thick voice. + +With the door closed and barred, the father and daughter sat for some +time in troubled silence. + +"I asked if ye remembered some of my pals in Auburn Prison, an' ye said +ye did, didn't ye, Tessibel?" asked Skinner, suddenly. + +Tess gave an impatient twist of her shoulders. + +"An' I told ye I did, Daddy," she replied. "'Course I do. I ain't never +forgot nobody who were good to you, honey." + +"An' ye're pretty well satisfied, ain't ye, brat, most of 'em there air +innercent?" + +"Ye bet, Daddy darlin', I air that!" + +"Well, what if one of them men who were good to yer old father'd come +an' ask ye to do somethin' for 'im?" + +With an upward movement of her head, Tessibel scrambled to her feet. + +"Why, I'd help 'im!" she cried in one short, quick breath. "I'd help +'im; 'course I would." + +"An' ye'd always keep it a secret?" + +"Keep what a secret?" + +Daddy Skinner's face grew furtive with fear. + +"Why--well now, s'posin' Andy Bishop--ye remember Andy, the little man I +told ye about, the weenty, little dwarf who squatted near Glenwood?" + +Tess nodded, and the fisherman went on, hesitant. + +"He--were accused--of murderin'--" + +"Waldstricker--Ebenezer Waldstricker's father?" interjected Tess. "Sure, +I remember!" Her eyes widened in anxiety. "Andy were sent up there fer +all his life, weren't he? An' weren't he the one Sandy Letts swore +agin?... 'Satisfied' Longman says Waldstricker give Sandy money for +tellin' the jury what he did." + +"Like as not," answered Skinner. "Anyhow, Bishop were there fer life! He +air been there five years a innercent man.... My God, _Auburn fer five +years_!" + +The last four words were wailed forth, the look of hopeless horror +deepening in his old eyes. Then he threw back his shoulders and spoke +directly to Tess. + +"Well, what if he skipped out o' jail, an' what if he'd come here an' +say, 'Kid, 'cause what I done fer yer dad, now you do somethin' fer +me!'" + +Tess was trembling with excitement as she stood before her father. The +generosity of her loving nature instinctively responded to his apparent +need. She was instantly eager to show her love and loyalty. + +"I'd do it, Daddy!" she exploded. "I'd do it quick!" + +"But what if--if--if--if--it made ye lots of trouble an'--an'--mebbe +some of yer friends--if they found it out--wouldn't think 'twere right?" + +A queer, obstinate expression lived a moment in the girl's eyes. Then +she smiled. + +"I ain't got no friends who'd say it were wrong to help somebody what'd +helped my darlin' old daddy." + +Skinner bent his heavy brows in a troubled frown over stern eyes. + +"But ye couldn't tell yer friends about it, kid," he cautioned. + +A mist shone around the girl's thick lashes. + +"Daddy, ye know I never blat things I hadn't ought to.... Slide yer arms +'round yer brat's neck, look 'er straight in the eye, an' tell 'er 'bout +Andy; an' if she can help, she sure will." + +A noise in the vicinity of the cot gave Tessibel an involuntary start. +She turned her head slowly and saw two feet protruding from under her +bed. Clinging to Daddy Skinner, she watched, with widening lids, a +dwarfed figure crawl slowly into full view, and Tess found herself +staring into a pair of beautiful, boyish, blue eyes. + +A slow smile broke over the dwarf's face. + +"Yer brat's the right sort, Orn," he cried, in the sweetest tenor voice +Tess ever heard. "Ye don't need to make her promise no more.... Her word +air good's God's law." + +"So it air, Andy," replied Orn. "Tessibel, this air my friend, Andy +Bishop, an' he were a good pal, as good as any man ever had." + +For one single, tensely-strung moment, Tessibel contemplated the ugly +little figure and the upraised, appealing face. Then as a sudden sense +of protection spurred her to immediate action, she sent back a welcoming +smile. Two or three quick steps took her to the dwarf's side. + +"I air going' to help ye, Andy," she announced brokenly. "Ye was in +prison fer life, wasn't ye, huh?" + +"Yep, an'--an' I broke out, kid.... An' I ain't able to tell how I done +it." + +"Oh, never mind that!" soothed Tessibel. "Ye was lookin' in the window +last night, wasn't ye?" + +The dwarf rolled his eyes at the squatter, then back to the girl. + +"Yep, that were me, but I didn't do no murder, brat; that air the main +thing an' Sandy Letts lied when he told the jury I done it." + +"He said as how ye gunned Ebenezer Waldstricker's father, eh?" Tess +interrupted. "Eb air the richest man in Ithaca, an' him an' his sister +air been to Europe, but they come back early in the spring. I see 'em +every Sunday at Hayt's when I go there to sing. He air goin' to marry +Mr. Young's sister, Helen, an' he air gittin' some pink peach when he +gets her, ye can bet on that." + +"But he'll get me by my neck if he can," lamented the dwarf, in despair. +"Waldstricker air a mean duffer--a mighty mean duffer." + +"He air awful religious," reflected Tess, soberly. "I s'posed he were +awful good." + +The dwarf made a gesture of disgust with his hand. + +"Well, good or bad, I never killed his daddy," he returned. "I saw Owen +Bennett when he done it, but him an' Sandy socked it off on me. I got +life an' Owen got ten years.... There ain't no makin' him own up he done +it, air there, Orn?" + +"Nope," mumbled the fisherman. "Most men won't take life sentence by +confessin' when by keepin' still they c'n git off with ten years." + +"Mr. Waldstricker air a awful big, handsome lookin' man," asserted Tess, +thoughtfully. "Folks says he air good to the poor, too. He air the +biggest, fattest, elegantest elder in our church." + +Andy flipped his fingers in the air and summed up what he thought of the +last statement in five words. + +"Shucks! That fer the church," mocked he. + +"It air just like Sandy Letts to lie about ye," remarked Tess, changing +the subject abruptly. "There ain't a hatefuller man in the Silent City +'n him. He makes a pile of money, though.... Once last fall he dragged +the lake fer two students an' got a thousand apiece fer handin' 'em over +to their folks, dead." + +"He'd git five thousand fer handin' me over to Waldstricker, alive," +replied Andy, solemnly. "I wouldn't a gone up if 't 'adn't been fer him. +He can lie faster'n a horse can trot." + +Heaving a deep sigh, Orn turned to his daughter. + +"What we goin' to do with my pal, Tess?" he asked. "He's got to keep out +of sight of folks.... Eb Waldstricker's five thousand bucks fer gettin' +'im back to Auburn will be settin' men like Sandy flyin' all over the +state." + +The dwarf shivered from the top of his head to the soles of his feet. + +"I don't want 'em to git me," he whimpered disconsolately. "Ye won't let +'em git me, will ye, Orn?... Will ye, kid?" + +Tess cheered the dwarf's despairing mood by a reassuring smile and +confident nods of the shining curls. + +"Nope," she promptly promised. + +And, "Nope," repeated Orn, grimly. "Git back under the bed, now, old +man. Any minute Sandy might be comin' in. Ye can't depend on that +squatter. He'd steal the pennies off'n his dead mammy's eyes." + +As was her habit when thinking, Tess threaded her fingers through +several red curls, while her eyes followed Andy Bishop crawling feet +first under her cot. + +"I bet ye didn't do nothin' wicked, ye poor little shaver," she +remarked. + +"Bet I didn't do no Waldstricker murder," answered the dwarf. + +"I know where I can hide 'im," she then said, with a satisfied smile. +"I'll fix up the garret fer 'im. 'Tain't very big, but no one but me +ever goes up there. You, there, under the bed, ye ain't 'fraid of bats +or owls, air ye?" + +"Nope," came forth a sweet voice. "I ain't 'fraid of nothin' nor nobody +but Ed Waldstricker and Sandy Letts." + +Tess giggled in glee. + +"Well, they nuther one of 'em gits in my garret if I see 'em first," +said she, "an' the owls air as tame as cats, an' 'll be company when +ye're lonely nights. Deacon air the speckled one an' he loves every inch +of Daddy an' me. If ye're good to 'im, he'll love you, too, Andy." +Turning to her father, "The person what'll help Andy air Professor +Young, I bet." + +Daddy Skinner's face fell perceptibly, and two long lines marked off the +sides of his nose. + +"Who's he?" came from under the bed in a stifled breath. + +"He air a awful nice man," explained Tess. "He lives in Graves' old +place on the hill, an' he learns me new things out of books every +day.... His sister's teachin' me to sew, too. I told ye she air goin' to +marry--" + +"Tessibel," interrupted Skinner, gravely fearful. "Ye said jest now +Waldstricker were a goin' to marry Young's sister. That makes them two +families kinda like one. Ye bet Young'd stand by his sister's man.... +See?... Besides that, Young air a lawyer, an' if ye tell 'im about Andy, +it'll sure be 'is duty to pinch 'im an' put 'im back where he were." + +"He helped you once, Daddy!" the girl rebuked him. + +"But I were in jail all the time, don't ye see the difference, brat?... +Till 'twere proved Ben Letts done the murder, I were kept in jail, too, +an' they'll put Andy back if ye say anythin' to Young 'bout it." + +"They sure will," came the dwarf's sobbing tones. + +Tessibel sighed. + +"Well, us uns'll have to keep our clacks shut 'bout 'is bein' here, +then," she acquiesced, "an'--an'--Andy'll have to keep in the garret +till the man in Auburn coughs up, that air all, huh?... He can come down +sometimes when it air a rainin' hard or dark nights when there ain't +nobody around, an'--an'--darlin', ye can offen chat with 'im when I air +outside watchin' fer folks.... Now, can't ye, Daddy?" + +The young speaker went close to her father, smiling. She wanted to chase +that hunted look from his eyes, to make him feel a little more secure +about his prison friend. + +"Please don't be lookin' like that, sweety," she pleaded. "Ye're just +like ye was goin' dead.... I tell ye nobody'll hurt the poor little +feller in the garret.... I'll see to that.... I'll fix it up all comfy +fer 'im." + +With this idea of future protection for the little man, Tessibel began +to reconstruct the shanty. Dark curtains were hung at the square little +windows, for it was quite a daily occurrence for Sandy Letts to peek +through them before entering the door. Tessibel didn't wish to shut out +the sunshine and moonbeams, but then there was Andy Bishop to think of, +and Andy already had a warmer place in the squatter girl's heart than +even the sun or moon. Tessibel was beginning to love him, not only +because he'd been a friend to Daddy, but on his own account, because he +was a soul in torment and needed her. + +It took quite three hours to arrange the garret for the dwarf's +occupancy. There were many pieces of fishing tackle to be sorted and +hung in the kitchen rafters. The nuts that had been spread out on the +floor to dry, now had to be gathered in sacks and stored in the mud +cellar. The cobwebs must come down, and a cotton tick filled with new, +fresh straw to be put in the garret. It was about three o'clock when +Tessibel ushered the little man up the ladder and displayed the clean +attic. + +"'Tain't high 'nough fer me to stand up in," she told him, "but ye'll +get along all right, an' I air goin' to fix ye somethin' so ye can see +to read.... Can ye read?" + +"Sure, I can read." Andy's voice rang with pride. "My ma, she's dead +now, she learned me how, she did!" + +"Then I'll get ye lots of books," replied Tess, "an' ye'd best always +keep hid less'n I let ye down, 'cause Sandy might catch onto yer bein' +here. Waldstricker's money'll set loose a lot of sneaks like him lookin' +fer ye!" + +Late that afternoon the dwarf ate his first meal in the garret, and +Tessibel and Orn Skinner ate theirs at the table, but the conversation +of the father and daughter intermingled now and then with a soft +statement or a question from above, and there was happiness in the +Skinner hut. + +As soon as they finished supper, Tess went to the foot of the ladder and +called softly. + +"I air goin' to tell ye somethin', Andy,--ye listenin'?" + +"Yep, brat. Sure, I air listenin'." + +"I air a goin' somewheres to find out somethin'," announced the girl +mysteriously. "Mebbe when I get back I'll tell ye what ye'll like to +hear.... Ye'll stay hid, won't ye?" + +"Sure so," agreed Andy. + +After bending to kiss her father affectionately, the girl said to him, + +"Now, Daddy, I air goin' out a little while, an' you two be awful +careful how loud ye talk.... Somebody might hear ye!" + +And for a short moment after the girl had gone there was silence in the +shack. Then a prolonged sigh drifted from the garret. + +"My God, Orn, but she air a fine young thing fer ye to be fatherin', +huh? Ain't she?" + +Andy's voice, though but little more than a whisper, expressed his +wonder and admiration. + +"God's best," muttered Orn, and once more they lapsed into the +companionable silence of good friends. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +TESSIBEL MEETS WALDSTRICKER + + +The shanty door closed behind Tessibel, and her hand still on the knob, +she hesitated a moment before starting for Mother Moll's. The girl had +kept her promise of the year before, for every week she had caught and +cleaned a mess of fish and carried them up the ravine to the woman's +shanty. But today, Tess wanted to consult the seeress about Andy. She +believed implicitly in the fortune-pot. Hadn't the old, old hag told +her, long ago, when Daddy Skinner was in prison, that the state couldn't +hurt him, and other things, too? + +Turning into the lane up the hill, she met Sandy Letts carrying his drag +and a great coil of rope. + +"Hello, kid," he greeted her. "How air yer Daddy?" + +He eased his load to the ground and straightened up, slowly stretched +his mighty arms, and shrugged the stiffness out of his powerful +shoulders. Sandy and his burden filled most of the path. + +Tess, desiring to avoid contact with him, stopped a few paces away. + +"Daddy ain't so well these days, Sandy," she answered. "His heart hurts +'im." + +"Ain't that too bad?" the man sympathized. "But, then, brat, yer daddy +ain't so young as he were once. Reckon he air not long fer this world. +When yer Daddy croaks, what'll you do, Tess? Ye'll need a home. Ye ought +to be gettin' a man." + +The squatter'd stepped forward directly in front of her while he was +urging his suit. + +"My daddy ain't old an' he ain't goin' to die, uther," flared Tess, an +angry light in her brown eyes. Oh, how she loathed and hated this fellow +who blocked her way! "You shan't say such things about my daddy! I don't +want any man but 'im." Noting his unshaven cheeks, loose hanging lips, +the lips and his large irregular teeth discolored with tobacco, the girl +drew back with a gesture of instinctive repulsion. "I wouldn't take you +anyway." + +Instead of answering her, the squatter placed his great hands upon her +shoulders, and holding her thus at arm's length, looked down at her. Her +straight young figure, glowing face, and flaming eyes under the ruddy +aureole of her hair made a picture of grace, beauty and passion that +would have fascinated a more fastidious observer than Sandy Letts. + +"God, girl, but ye air a beauty!" he cried, enraptured. + +Tessibel's struggles to get away from the grip of the heavy hands +aroused the evil passions of the man's nature into insistent activity. + +"Here, brat, give yer man a kiss," he commanded, and at the words, his +hands slipped from her shoulders, and his strong arms began to close +around her body. His face was so close she had to force her hand in +between his lips and hers. Then she made a desperate struggle. Rearing +the red head backward, she succeeded only in freeing herself partially. + +"You let me go, you Sandy!" she cried out sharply. "I'll tell my Daddy +on you. Let me go!" + +Then she went at him, kicking his shins with her feet, poking him with +her knees, and gouging his eyes and digging his face with her nails. As +well might Sandy try to make love to a cornered wildcat. He threw her +from him, and Tess, springing up, uninjured, raced up the hill. Sandy's +words, broken by fierce oaths, overtook her, + +"You just wait! I'll tame ye yet, ye devilish brat, ye!" + +At the top of the lane, Tess stopped to get breath. The familiar sounds +of the early summer evening assailed her ears. The narrow lake shone in +the clear light of the dying day like a broad strip of silver set in the +bosom of the hills. Her eyes rejoiced in its calm beauty, and a feeling +of peace and security grew in her thought. + +Tess was about to cross the ravine when a step behind her caused her to +turn. Ebenezer Waldstricker, riding whip in hand, was coming toward her. +At his unexpected appearance, the blood fled from her face, leaving her +quite pale and trembling. This was the man who was seeking Andy Bishop +as at one time Dominie Graves had sought her father. How lordly he +seemed, looking down upon her unsmilingly from his great height. +Arrogantly he surveyed her from head to foot. + +"You're the little church singer, aren't you?" he questioned after a +while. + +Tess noticed with fascination that one corner of his mouth curled up as +if smiling, while the other was rigidly drawn down. She'd never seen an +expression just like that before. + +"Yep," she murmured, dropping her lids. + +"Where are you going?" asked the man, tersely. + +Tess glanced about. She wanted to turn and run, anywhere to escape from +the brilliant dark eyes and the unmatched lips. + +"I were goin' to see Mother Moll," she stammered, slowly. "She lives +over there in the gully." She hesitated, pointing to Moll's shack. +"Sometimes she reads out of the fortune-pot fer me." + +Waldstricker glanced first at the little hut, then back at Tess. + +"You don't mean you have faith in witchcraft?" he ejaculated, +incredulously. "Why, girl, that's positively against the Bible +commandments." + +"Air it? Well I swan!" She nodded her head as though digesting a new +idea. "Anyway, Mother Moll always tells me the truth. She can see things +comin' years and years." + +Waldstricker contemplated the grave young face for an instant, noting +involuntarily the abundance and beauty of the wind-blown hair. He turned +about on the path. + +"I shall go with you," he said. + +Her desire to forbid the proposed visit, struggling with her awe of the +powerful man at her side, confused her. She couldn't think clearly. She +twisted her fingers into her red curls. + +"I'd ruther ye wouldn't," she explained. "Ma Moll hates strangers +worser'n she does the old nick!" + +Waldstricker ignored the girl's speech except that the frown deepened on +his brow. + +"Nevertheless I'm going," he returned, sternly. "I can't realize that +God-fearing men and women have such iniquity among them. Come on; I'll +go with you!" + +Tess would gladly have deferred her visit until another day, and +returned home, but she feared he'd follow her there. Here was a man of +whom she was heartily afraid, and as she dared not defy him, she +obediently walked across the gully bridge, and hurried along the path. + +Then she paused, looking at Mother Moll's shack, snuggled in a jut in +the ravine. It was quite close now. Tess knew the witch was at home, for +a thin line of smoke drifted zig-zag from the toppling chimney. + +She looked back and found Waldstricker eyeing her. She noted both +corners of his lips were down now. + +"I came from Ithaca purposely to see you and your father," said he. + +Tess was so startled she took two sudden steps backward. + +"My daddy ain't very well!" she exclaimed, nervously. "He don't like +strange folks comin' around, Daddy don't." + +Waldstricker shrugged his shoulders indifferently. + +"However, I must see him," he responded. + +Tessibel felt a surging anger against this man. He had the same +imperious bearing she remembered in Dominie Graves. + +"What fer? What d'ye want to see Daddy fer?" Her voice was compelling. + +"About a matter that may make him a lot of money," the man explained, +pompously. "When may I come?" + +She considered a moment before replying. This put a different face on +the matter. + +"Could ye come tomorrow?" she demanded finally. + +"Yes, at two, then. Tell your father, please." + +"All right," muttered Tess. + +Waldstricker's whip cut a cluster of wild flowers and nipped clean the +stems of their upraised heads. + +"Oh!" cried Tess, sharply, hurt to the quick. + +As if reading her thoughts, he retorted, "A flower hasn't a soul, so +what does it matter?" + +Tess turned tear-dimmed eyes from him to Mother Moll's shack. Shocked at +his brutality, his arrogant cruelty to the flowers she cherished so +tenderly left her dumb. That his statement was false, she knew. To her +the flowers expressed Love's sweetness and beauty, but she couldn't +explain her faith to this haughty, dictatorial millionaire at her side. + +She was all of a tremble as she mounted the narrow shanty steps. + +An aged voice croaked, "Come in," in response to her knock. Before +pulling the latch string, Tessibel paused and said to Waldstricker, + +"Wait a minute! I'll go first, an' tell Mother Moll you're here." + +She crossed the threshold and saw the old woman swaying to and fro in a +wooden rocker. + +"It air Tessibel, Mother Moll," she said gently. "I want to see what's +in the pot." + +Mother Moll smiled a withered, joyous smile. + +"Come in, my pretty," she clacked. "Yer Moll's allers glad to see yer +shinin' eyes. Come in, my love." + +Tess advanced into the kitchen. + +"That duffer Waldstricker's come along with me," she told her in a low +tone. + +The old woman struggled to her feet with the aid of her cane. Her watery +eyes glared at the tall man in the doorway, and he as angrily stared +back at her. The woman hobbled two steps forward. + +"If ye've come for me to tell ye somethin', it won't be nothin' very +pleasant," she growled at him. "Git me the pot, brat, dear!" + +Tessibel went to the grate and lifted the iron kettle from the fire. It +was steaming hot, and she brought it over, placing it at the woman's +feet. + +"Set down," the hag commanded Waldstricker. "I'll tell ye what's doin' +in the pot, an' then git out! I hate ye!" + +Waldstricker, with the peculiar down twist of his mouth, glanced darkly +at Tessibel, but the girl's unresponsive, serious face turned his +attention again to the witch. + +"You're a wicked old woman," he said grimly. "The county should care for +such as you." + +But Mother Moll did not catch his words. She was crooning over the pot +inarticulately. The seams in the skin around her eyes netted together, +almost closing the flaming red lids. Through the narrow slits she was +following the steam as it rose and disappeared in the air. Then slowly +her finger began to trace shadow outlines in and about the pot. + +"Mister, I see ye crowin' like a barnyard cock," she croaked, "and ye +think ye're awful smart and awful rich. An' so ye be, but some day--" +She stopped, sank back, then looked again into the steaming kettle. "I +see a wee leetle man like this--" She raised the cane beside her, and +Waldstricker, startled, leaned nearer the ragged grey head. "I see ye +huntin' the leetle man--like a dog hunts a rat." + +"Yes, yes!" from Waldstricker, "and what else, woman?" + +Lowering her stick again to the floor, Mother Moll rested her weight +upon its crooked handle and for a time muttered over the pot with raven +hoarseness. + +"Ye think ye're smart, but ye ain't as smart as ye think ye air. The +leetle man sets on yer head--" + +The hag paused, cracked forth a gurgling scream, then proceeded. "He +sets on yer head and lays on yer heart, an' with all yer money, ye can't +find 'im." + +"I will!" gritted Waldstricker through his teeth, now, in spite of +himself, intensely interested in the old woman's revelations. + +"Ye won't," rapped out the seeress. "Not till it air too late. I see--I +see--" Lifting one hand, the bony old finger made rapid gyrations above +the pot. + +"What do you see?" burst forth the man impatiently. + +"Hair," cried Mother Moll, swaying nearer him, "hair stranglin' yer +throat till ye can't speak, curls weavin' round yer neck like a +hangman's rope." + +Waldstricker glanced backward at the squatter girl. She stood in rigid +silence, listening intently. Her hair, copper-colored in the light from +the window at her side, framed in its shining curls a face rapt and +absorbed. Waldstricker leaned forward again, the better to see the +rising steam wraiths. + +"I see all ye love best sufferin'." Letting the cane fall clattering to +the floor, Mother Moll continued, doubled-fists outstretched to the man +before her. "I see the shadow of shame gathering about ye, I see a +girl--a little girl--yer sister--holdin' out her hands pleadin' to some +other man--" Again the aged voice trailed into that chattering laugh. +"An' I air seein' somethin' else." The old woman rubbed the palms of her +horny hands together and pitched forward on her toes. She lifted her +shaking, wizened face and thrust it so near the man that he drew back +with a rough ejaculation. Then smiling a wide, toothless smile, she laid +her finger on her lips. Drawing it away again, she mumbled. + +"Hair stranglin' 'em both, same as you, long curls like snakes +stranglin' all of ye. God! _what hair!_" + +Waldstricker, with flashing eyes, suddenly got to his feet. + +"Come out of here," he ordered Tess, roughly. "That hateful hag! The +hateful wicked old woman!" + +A wild, exultant yell left Mother Moll's lips. + +"_Yep_, get out o' here!" she shrieked. "Get out quick, both of ye! Yer +lives'll twine like this, an' this, an' this." Tensely she locked +together her bony fingers. "An' hair'll strangle ye, wretched man, an' +may ye never breathe a fine breath after it touches yer proud throat!" + +Moved by a kind of superstitious horror of the prophecies of the old +witch, Waldstricker pushed her roughly aside, seized Tess by the arm and +dragged her out of the house. On the path he let her go and stood +transfixed, as though the length and abundance of the red curls, falling +in disordered confusion to her hips, fascinated him. Then he lifted his +great shoulders, and a tense breath slipped through his teeth. + +"What an awful old woman!" he flung out disgusted. "If there's any power +in law or money, I'll root her out of that shanty as I will the rest of +her tribe." + +Tess was thoroughly frightened. His ruthless roughness hurt her and his +threats against Mother Moll and the squatters terrified her. Would he +try and root Daddy Skinner and herself from their shanty? No, he +couldn't! He couldn't! Neither would his long, powerful hands place +their grip upon the life of the dwarf. Mother Moll had said so, and she +believed--oh, how she believed it! + +Waldstricker started to speak again, but unable to bear longer the cruel +corner-curl of his lips, Tess of the Storm Country turned and fled +swift-footed away toward the lake. The man watched the flying figure +bounding along toward the span of blue water. Then with another flip of +his whip, which struck the heads from the flower stems, he wheeled about +and walked swiftly up the hill. + +[Illustration: "I WILL!" GRITTED WALDSTRICKER THROUGH HIS TEETH, IN +SPITE OF HIMSELF, INTENSELY INTERESTED IN THE OLD WOMAN'S REVELATIONS] + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +TESS AND FREDERICK + + +Tessibel left Waldstricker with but one idea buzzing in her active +brain; to reach Daddy Skinner--to tell him all that had just happened. +She fled around the mud cellar and opened the door with swift-coming +breath. When she entered the kitchen, her father was seated on her cot. +He raised his eyes and greeted her. + +"Daddy," panted the girl, closing the door, "I jest seen Waldstricker +an' he air a comin' down here tomorrow. I don't know what he wants, but +Andy mustn't come out of the garret, not fer anythin'. An', Daddy!" She +paused with a sudden sob, "He says he air a goin' to root Mother Moll +off'n her place. But don't let 'im turn us out of our shanty, will ye, +Daddy?" + +"Nope," answered Skinner, grimly. "I ain't held it all these years to +let it go now fer a duffer like him." + +"An', Daddy dear," blurted Tess, "Mother Moll told old Waldstricker's +fortune out of the pot, an' she says as how he ain't never goin' to git +Andy back to Auburn till it air too late, even if he uses up all the +money he air got. What d'ye think o' that?" + +A little groan came from the garret. It no sooner fell on Tessibel's +ears than she scurried, nimble-footed, up the ladder. Poking her head +through the hole in the ceiling, she peered around. It was very dark, +and even straining her eyes, she could see nothing. + +"Andy!" she whispered. "Andy, dear!" + +"I air here, kid," murmured the dwarf from a dark corner. + +"Don't be worrin'," encouraged Tess, softly. "I air begun to love ye, +Andy, an' you bet nobody durst touch ye. Whatever ye hear, be mum. Daddy +and me'll take care of ye, an' God will too." + +Later she left the shanty in deep thought, and by the time she had +wended her way to the ragged rocks to meet Frederick Graves, she had +uttered many tense little prayers for the suffering dwarf in her attic. + +These rocks were a bower of delight to the sentimental girl. It was here +in the gloom that in every expression of nature Tess heard Frederick's +voice; his clear tones came swiftly on the wings of the wind, in the +sonorous clap of the chimes as they spread their chant over the lake. + +She was now seated on a broad, grey rock-slab, bending slightly forward, +listening for her lover's step. + +"Frederick!" she breathed in delight as a tall form loomed from the +shadowy path. + +In another moment she felt herself gathered into strong arms, and for a +while the boy and girl were silent in their mutual happiness. The +lakeside was quiet except for the sound of the tumbling waves and the +intermittent rumble of a train on the tracks above. + +Now and then, far back in the forest, an owl whoo-whooed in croaking +tones, and in a nearby tree a family of baby birds twittered +continuously in their sleep. + +All the daisies in the meadows, all the nodding buttercups in the +fields, seemed to be blossoming in Tessibel's heart at one time. She was +in Frederick's arms, and the whole world could offer her nothing more. + +"Tessibel, my little love," began Frederick, between caresses, "you +remember what I begged you to consent to early in the spring?" + +Tess made a movement to sit up. + +"Ye mean--?" she stammered, confused. + +Frederick drew her close. + +"I want you to marry me right away," he murmured, entreatingly. + +The words were whispered in passionate sighing out of the darkness into +her ear. Tess drew back a little. + +"Right away?" she repeated, gulping. "What do ye mean by right away, +darlin'?... Now?" + +Again strong arms evidenced strong affection. + +"Yes--now," answered Frederick, earnestly. "You must! You must!... I +can't be happy unless you do--Oh, Tessibel! Won't you, Tess?" + +Never had anything thrilled her as his halting insistence. + +"An' Daddy Skinner--air he to know?" she stammered, chokingly. + +"No, no!" + +"An'--yer mother?" + +"Well, not--not quite yet, dear." + +Two slender hands covered a scarlet face, and tears trickled between +tense fingers. + +"Then I can't!" Tess caught her breath in a sob. "I jest can't! Oh, why +couldn't Daddy know--an' yer mother, too?" + +Frederick strained her against his breast. + +"Because they can't--not yet," he whispered. "Not a soul must know. Just +you and I, darling. It'll be all right, dear, and I need you more and +more--every day." + +The deepening tones in his voice frightened, while they thrilled her. +She pressed him back to look into his eyes, but even through the growing +gloom she could see the blue-veined lids were closed. + +"Frederick," she murmured, drawing her face backward. "Frederick, let me +tell ye somethin'. Everybody had ought to know when a girl gets married. +Oh, they ought to know, so they ought. Daddy Skinner an' yer mother, +too." + +Then of a sudden she was attacked by a strange tugging in her own heart. +She tried to free herself from his arms, but her resistance only made +him the more determined to bend her to his wish. She had always been +submissive, and he'd worshiped her for her womanly acquiescence to his +will. Trembling fingers forced her face upward and hot lips sought and +found hers. She shivered under the strong masculine pressure. + +"Now listen to me, my love," he continued between fierce kisses. "Come +with me tomorrow night, and we'll get married and--and--" + +Tess was trying heroically to hold to the principle she knew was right, +even though her heart directed otherwise. + +"Not less'n I tell Daddy," she breathed back. + +Her low denial served only to lock Frederick's arms more tightly around +her. + +"You've got to come and you mustn't tell him, either," he urged. "You +mustn't!" + +Succeeding at last in releasing herself, Tessibel sighed. She wanted to +be firm with him, to impress lovingly upon him her reason for refusing +him; but when he reached forth and folded her again in his arms, that +fine firmness gave way. She burst into wild weeping, holding him close +as he held her, trying through broken sobs to tell him what was +burdening her heart. + +"It air like this, dear," she wailed, dismally. "Oh, I want to marry ye +more'n anything, but I've never deceived Daddy a bit in all my life. I +never done nothin' less'n I told 'im, and, Oh, I want to tell him, +Frederick! I do want to tell 'im!" + +Frederick hadn't anticipated this resistance on Tessibel's part. + +"Tess," he said, almost angrily, "I wouldn't ask you to do anything +wrong." Then softening, he pleaded accusingly, "You don't love me well +enough to be my wife." + +"It'd be wicked," whispered Tess, falteringly. + +"It would be right!" cried Frederick, in quick contradiction. "Tess, you +will, you will!" + +The red curls shook slowly a mute negation. + +"I don't believe you love me at all," groaned Frederick. Then taking a +long breath, "You want me to be unhappy, I know you do." + +She lay limply in his arms while through the sensitive, honest mind +raced all the objections against his desire. There were his powerful +friends--his college--his-- + +"Yer mother--don't want ye to marry me," she cried, suffering. + +"I know it," returned Frederick, promptly. "Still a man can't _always_ +please his mother. Why, darling, what kind of a world would this be if +mothers picked out their sons' wives? A poor place! I can tell you." + +"But yer mother air awful good and loves ye just like Daddy loves me," +argued Tessibel, "an' when ye don't do right, everything goes wrong. If +Daddy Skinner ain't to know--" + +"Nor anybody else," cut in the boy, growing moody after his sharp +retort. "I won't have any one know about it. Tessibel, I want this more +than anything else in the world. I love you--I love you, and you love +me. Then why not? You do love me, don't you?" + +"That air why--I do what--ye want me to, I s'pose." + +And as the halting words fell from her lips, the student crushed her to +him. + +"I want you, dear," he breathed warm in her ear, "and it won't have to +be a secret over a year, not much over a year, darling, and +I'll----I'll----Oh! You will, Tessibel? You will?" + +"Frederick!" she acquiesced, weakly. "Oh, Frederick darlin'!" + +And for some time after her sudden consent, they sat on the rocks close +in spirit--close in thrilling nearness. Perhaps twenty minutes later, +Tess drew from the boy's arms. + +"Daddy air callin' me," she said, softly. + +And she went back to the shanty with the words, "I'm goin' to be married +tomorrow," ringing in her heart. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +A GOSSIP WITH "SATISFIED" + + +The next day, directly after the midday meal, Tessibel went to see Mrs. +Longman, whose triple tragedy had made the woman an invalid, with broken +nerves and useless hands. Every few days since the drowning of Myra +Longman and Ben Letts and the baby, the squatter girl had carried to the +sick woman some little offering to gladden her lonely existence. As Tess +walked along the rocks, the image of Frederick Graves persistently +pervaded her thoughts. Before the going down of another sun he would be +her husband. Of course, just now she couldn't leave Daddy Skinner and +Andy Bishop, but by the time Frederick had a home ready, Andy would be +free from the charge of murder, and Daddy would live with them. + +Tess never paused on the rocks between her home and the Longman shanty +that she did not think of Myra, and thinking of Myra brought the vision +of Teola Graves. A lonely little heart twist followed for the dead baby +who had been born in her hut. This day she did not hesitate as long as +usual. She must return quickly to Daddy Skinner and help keep guard over +Andy Bishop. Waldstricker was coming at two o'clock! + +Rounding the lake point, on which stood the hut of her squatter friends, +she spied "Satisfied" seated on the bench near the doorway. Tess waved +her hand, and the old fisherman signaled in return. + +"Ma thought ye'd be comin' soon, brat," was Longman's greeting. + +"I air brung her some salt-risin' bread," Tess announced, sitting down +beside the fisherman. + +Longman moved his pipe to one corner of his mouth. + +"It air good o' ye, Tess," he thanked her, puffing. "Me an' ma air +lonesome--me an' ma air." + +Tessibel touched him with affectionate assurance. + +"I love ye, an' Mammy Longman, too," she smiled. "I air glad to bring +somethin' when I can." + +For a few moments they sat quietly, the man smoking his pipe. Then he +slowly knocked the ashes from its bowl, giving it a final rap in the +hollow of his hand. + +"Every day me an' ma miss Myry an' Ezry more," said he, stolidly. "Us +uns just plumb lately made up our minds both them kids was too good to +live, but us uns'd be awful satisfied to know if they air happy." + +Tessibel brightened. She flashed a radiant smile at the sad-faced man. + +"Sure, they be happy!" she ejaculated. "Everybody air happy in Heaven; +Ben Letts air a singin' 'round the throne jest the same's the rest of +'em air." + +In open disbelief Longman slowly shook his head. + +"Myry never could sing--Myry couldn't," he answered, moodily, and his +voice sank on the last two words. + +Tess knew that, too, for she had heard the young mother try many times +to quiet the brat with the uneven, discordant tones of her voice; but +she knew, too, the great difference between Heaven and earth. She gazed +out over the lake dreamily. + +"But ye see, 'Satisfied' darlin'--" she began. + +"An' once, when Ben were soused," interrupted Longman, hoarsely, "I +heard 'im singin', 'Did ye ever go into an Irishman's shanty?' It were +more like a frog croakin' than a man singin'." + +"But folks don't never get soused in Heaven," Tessibel imparted, +reverently, "an' they got a mess o' angels up there--" She looked +upward, a solemn expression on her young face--"angels what Jesus keeps +jest to learn folks how to sing. The brat's singin' too, as much as a +little kid can, 'Satisfied'." + +She edged a little nearer and slipped an arm around the fisherman's +shoulders. + +"It air just like this, honey, down here there air such a lot of work +jest to get fish an' beans. Up in Heaven they don't do nothin' but dance +around the throne an' sing all day. So everybody's got to learn how or +he wouldn't have nothin' to do." + +"Well, I swan!" ejaculated "Satisfied," smiling wryly. "Will ye tell ma +about it like ye did me, Tessie? Ma air been worryin' fearin' Myry +weren't comf'table." + +Tess bobbed her curly head. + +"I'll tell 'er in a minute," she assured him; "but, 'Satisfied,' I were +a goin' to ask ye somethin'." + +Longman nodded. + +"An' I were goin' to ask you somethin' too, brat," he said. "How air the +singin' goin' in church?" + +Tessibel sparkled like the morning dew. + +"Oh, it air goin' fine, 'Satisfied.' I love it more'n more. Miss Young +helps me with my songs an' she's learnin' me to sew, too. Why, I git my +five dollars every Sunday jest as reg'lar as Sunday comes. I ain't never +knew how far a fiver could go afore. We won't be needin' nothin' this +winter, Daddy and me won't, dear." + +She gave a delicious giggle to which Longman added a chuckle. + +"That air good, brat," he replied. "There ain't nothin' like home +comfort in this world." + +"An' ye see, 'Satisfied,' I ain't lettin' my Daddy fish much now, only +'nough fer us an' fer Professor Young an' Ma Moll.... Daddy ain't very +well." + +"He air gettin' old," sighed Longman, taking up his pipe. + +"No, he ain't," contradicted Tessibel, quickly. "He air got somethin' +the matter with 'is heart. Mr. Young had a doctor fer him, an' he says +he mustn't work. Now I got my singin' he don't have to.... Why, +'Satisfied,' I air savin' 'nough money to get a new bed an' a overcoat +for Daddy. A bran new overcoat, too! Nothin' second-hand, ye bet! He +ain't goin' to git no cold this winter, bless 'im!" + +Longman allowed one of his thin arms to fall around the straight young +figure. + +"That air nice, Tessie," he returned admiringly. "Ye be a pert brat, you +be!" + +Tess paused a moment or two. + +"'Satisfied,'" she hesitated, going back mentally to her former unspoken +query, "do ye know the Waldstrickers?" + +Longman nodded. + +"I knowed the old man who was murdered--young Eb's father. Made some +stir in town when he got shot!" + +"Eb's been home quite a while now," observed Tess thoughtfully. + +Longman's head and shoulders moved several times in affirmation. + +"So ma read out'n the paper," he then said, "an' Bishop's lit out from +the coop, too, ain't he?... Funny how he done it!... Bigger men'n him +stay there all their days.... They'll find 'im, though, them prison +folks will, poor little duffer!" + +Tess caught the sympathy in the squatter's voice. + +"I air hopin' they don't," she sighed quickly. + +An inquisitive, almost furtive expression shot into the fisherman's +face. + +"When ye goin' to git married, Tess?" he hesitated. + +Tessibel shook her red curls, flushing. + +"Oh, I ain't knowin' jest the time yet," she parried. "Ye know, +'Satisfied,'--" + +"Don't ye ever see much of the student nowadays, eh?" the squatter cut +in. + +Because of its sudden palpitation, Tess laid her hand over her heart. +Oh, if she could only tell her old friend that that very night she'd +belong to Frederick forever! Passion leapt alive into her eyes, and her +cheeks flushed. + +"I air a lovin' him, 'Satisfied,'" she murmured. + +Longman made a nervous movement with one hand and shook his head. + +"Tess, I been goin' to tell ye somethin' fer a long time," he stammered, +almost inaudibly. "Ye won't git miffed with a old friend, will ye?" + +"Sure not, 'Satisfied'," asserted Tess, gently. + +"It air 'bout Student Graves," explained Longman. + +A glint of gold flashed from under her lowered lids and a slow, deep +scarlet ran in waves upward from her chin. + +"What 'bout the student?" she demanded, dropping again to the bench and +placing the basket at her feet. + +The squatter looked down. It was hard to say what he must with the young +face so confidently questioning. + +"He air a goin' round with a nuther girl," he barked presently. "I been +hearin' an' so air ma--" + +Tessibel rose, startled, and once more took up the basket. Some +gossiping tongue had been reviling her dear one. + +"It air a big lie, 'Satisfied'," she uttered breathlessly. "I don't want +to hear nothin' against 'im uther. What tongue told ye that only wanted +to make ye feel sad fer me." She paused, then turned, but whirled back. +"When ye love a person an' love 'im hard, lies told about 'im don't set +well. Ye know they don't, Daddy Longman." + +"Sure, I know it," replied the squatter, in quick-spoken sympathy. "Only +ma and me thought as how ye ought to know the things we heard." + +Tess was standing rigid, gazing stormily defiant into the weather-beaten +old face. Wasn't she going to be married to the student that night! And +how many, many times Frederick had told her he loved but her; that no +other woman could ever take her place! + +"I ain't goin' to believe it, if the hull hellish world tells me so," +she flashed forth tempestuously. "Now I air goin' to give the bread to +Mammy Longman, 'Satisfied'." + +Longman stayed her with a word. + +"Ye ain't mad at me, brat, be ye?" + +Tess stretched forth impetuous fingers. + +"Nope, only I love the student, that air all! An', 'Satisfied,' I air a +cussed brat to be swearin' when Frederick says as how it air wicked. I +keep forgettin' when I git mad." + +The squatter sighed, making a quick shake of his head and several weird +clicks with his tongue. Moodily he watched the bounding youthful figure +until it disappeared through the shanty doorway. Fully ten minutes +passed before Tess reappeared. + +"Ma were satisfied with the bread, eh, brat?" asked Longman, in a +cuddling tone. "Ain't she likin' it, honey?" + +Tessibel choked suddenly. There was something in the quavering tones of +the old fisherman, of the lonely, bereaved old man, that saddened her +loving heart. She went to him and touched him impulsively. + +"Yep, she liked it, 'Satisfied'," she murmured, "an' I told 'er all +about the singin' in Heaven. She hadn't thought Ben Letts might be there +with Myry an' the brat.... Most folks ain't knowin' how awful long the +forgivin' arm of Jesus air." + +And kissing the old squatter once more, Tessibel started homeward. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +WALDSTRICKER MAKES A PROPOSAL + + +While Tess was making her call at Longman's, Helen Young was +entertaining her fiance, Ebenezer Waldstricker. + +"I shall never be satisfied until Bishop is back in Auburn, Helen," said +he, snipping the end from a long cigar. + +The girl held up her needle and deftly shot the thread through the eye +of it. + +"He's sure to be, dear," she soothed. "Here's Deforrest!" She hesitated, +laid down her work and stood up. + +Professor Young shook hands with Waldstricker as his sister went to his +side smilingly. + +"Ebenezer wants me to go down to Skinner's with him," she explained. +"Won't you come along, too, Forrie?" + +The lawyer threw an interrogative glance at the churchman. + +"Certainly," he answered. "Why? Anything particular?" + +The question was asked of Waldstricker, who lifted his shoulder with a +long breath. + +"Yes," he replied. "I've a little plan to get hold of Bishop! I'm +certain sooner or later he'll land back here among his own people. If I +can whet their appetites with money, they'll turn him over the moment he +appears." + +"No doubt," observed Young. "But the Skinners--What have the Skinners to +do with him?" + +Waldstricker thought a moment, inhaling the smoke the while. + +"The girl, Tessibel, who sings at church might be of great assistance to +me," he said presently. + +"How?" interjected Deforrest. + +"Why, she goes among the squatters daily and would be likely to know if +Bishop sneaked into any of their huts. If I can interest her in the +reward--I've an idea she'll be of service to me." + +"Perhaps," responded Young, in a meditative manner. + +Waldstricker looked at Helen smilingly. "I think I started to give you +an account of what happened yesterday," he said. "Did I tell you I came +to see you, dear?" + +Helen sat down and resumed her work. + +"Yes, Ebenezer, but I was out!" she smilingly nodded. "I'm so sorry. If +I'd known, I wouldn't have gone to town!" + +"It didn't matter at all." Then he laughed, coloring a little. "Of +course, I always hate missing you." + +A loving look passed between the two, and Waldstricker proceeded, "But +as long as I was here, I thought I'd speak to Skinner. On the way down +the hill I met his daughter coming up. Rather startling personality, +that girl! But she's woefully ignorant!" + +"She hasn't had much chance, poor little thing," excused Helen. "She +really has a beautiful voice, though." + +"So I've noticed on Sundays." + +"And she studies every minute," Professor Young thrust in, "and is so +eager to learn; she's advanced amazingly!" He laughed in a reminiscent +manner. + +"One day," he proceeded, much amused, "she ran up the hill after me. I +didn't notice her until she was at my side, all out of breath. 'Well, +some little girl's been running,' I said." + +"I want to learn things," she panted. + +"Then I asked, 'What things?' and she answered, 'Oh, all about readin' +and writin' and the things big rich folks know. If I had books, I'd +learn 'em too.' ... Naturally I bought the books." + +"Naturally," laughed Waldstricker. + +"Well, I stopped to ask where she was going and if her father was at +home. Then she told me that she was on her way to a seeress, Mother +Moll, she called her, wasn't it?" + +"Yes," assented Young, nodding his head. "The old woman lives on the +north side of the gully." + +Waldstricker bent forward and pursued. "I went into the hut with the +girl." He stopped and his lip took an upward curve. "The old hag tells +fortunes from a pot, a steaming pot full of boiling water, I think." + +Here he turned suddenly on Deforrest. "That's got to stop, Young. It's +against the Bible, prophesying and the like." + +"She's really a harmless old thing, though," replied the lawyer +sententiously, "and every squatter on Cayuga Lake loves her. Believe me, +Eb, she's absolutely harmless." + +"Not harmless if she's disobeying God's law," contradicted Waldstricker, +seriously. "Isn't there some way by which she can be turned out of the +shack?" + +Deforrest shook his head. "Not that I know of as long as she holds her +squatter rights. Her people take care of her, and she tells their +fortunes to pay for food." He broke off the explanation, only to take it +up again, "No, there isn't any way to oust her. Frederick Graves' father +tried to get the Skinners off, but failed." + +"Oh, I didn't know," observed Waldstricker. "I must have been away at +the time." He drew out his watch and looked at it. "Shall we go on down, +Helen? It's a little early. I told the girl I'd come at two, but a half +an hour doesn't matter.... I can't rest until I get hold of that dwarf." + +During the interval in which Helen went for her garden hat, Waldstricker +said to Deforrest, + +"I may need you, Young, in this Bishop case. I'm privileged to call upon +you, of course?" + +"I'll do anything I can, Ebenezer," agreed Young. + +So it happened that when Tess rounded the mud cellar, she glanced up the +hill and saw the three making their way leisurely toward the lake. She +gave one bound and literally hurled herself through the shanty door into +the kitchen. + +"Walderstricker air comin!" she hissed through her teeth in quivering +excitement. "Scoot under the tick, Andy! An', Daddy, get on my cot, an' +don't say no word less'n they ask ye something face to face.... Let me +do the talkin'." + +She had no more than settled her father on the cot and heard the last of +the dwarf's burrowing in the attic when a long shadow fell across the +threshold. Stepping forward, she met Deforrest Young, who held out his +hand to her. + +She greeted her friend with a dubious smile, and taking his hand, bowed +awkwardly to his sister. In her confusion she ignored Waldstricker +entirely. Their presence in the squatter's hut was so portentous and the +time for the preparations to receive them so short, Tessibel's wits +almost deserted her. + +"Come in, all of ye," she stammered, at last, and stepped backward +across the uneven kitchen floor toward the cot at the further side of +the room. + +Then she placed chairs for them, and when all were seated, settled +herself on the floor near Daddy Skinner, and shaking her curls back from +her face, looked with grave brown eyes from one to the other of the +ominous group. + +"I'm very glad to see you, Tessibel," said Helen graciously. + +"I air awful glad to see you, too, Ma'am," returned Tess, still +embarrassed. + +Miss Young smiled toward Ebenezer, then back at the girl. + +"You remember Mr. Waldstricker, don't you, Tess, dear?" + +Tessibel allowed her gaze to rest on the elder. Of course she remembered +him. What did he desire of Daddy Skinner? That was all she wanted to +know. + +"Yep," she answered, more calmly. "I remember 'im, sure I do! He--" + +Waldstricker interrupted her with a quick interrogation. + +"We had a little meeting yesterday, didn't we, Miss Tessibel? You didn't +wait for me to tell you what I wanted." He delivered this most affably, +and Tess counted him very handsome, indeed, when both corners of his +mouth went up, but she knew that other trick of those lips. Not knowing +how to explain her flight, she kept silent. Deforrest noted the shadow +that clouded the lovely face and ascribed it to embarrassment. Thinking +to put her at her ease, he asked, + +"Have you been studying today, my dear?" + +"Well I guess I have!" The girl sent him a radiant, grateful smile. "I +studies every day, an' air learnin' my Daddy a lot of things now, ain't +I, Daddy?" She looked backward at the man on the cot as she asked the +last question. + +"Yep," affirmed Skinner, faintly. + +"Daddy air sick," she explained. "You'll be excusin' 'im if he don't +talk. I'll do all the gabbin' if ye don't mind." + +Tessibel had regained her self-control. She knew that Waldstricker's +presence meant danger to her loved ones, Daddy and Andy Bishop. In their +defense, eager to hinder him, her quick thought sought his purpose in +coming to the shack. Could it be about Mother Moll, she wondered. She +would ask him. Looking up at Waldstricker, she addressed him timidly, + +"I hope, sir, ye ain't mad at Mother Moll any more?" + +Waldstricker, intent upon his idea of interesting her in the search for +his father's murderer, waived her question aside. He would attend to the +witch and her fantastic mummeries later. + +"Never mind the old woman now," he began pompously. "I came here today +on purpose to see you about another matter." + +Why, yesterday he had said he wanted to talk to Daddy; now today he +wanted to speak to her. She sat up a little straighter, each shoulder +carrying its load of red curls, the ends of which lay in a bronze +tangle. + +"I'd do anything I could," she answered shyly, a lovely red dyeing her +face. + +"I knew you would! Mr. Young has told me how anxious you are to learn +and to improve your condition.... Isn't that so?" + +Tess nodded, looking from the speaker to Deforrest, who threw her his +ever-ready smile. Her gaze returned to the churchman and he continued, + +"Now, I've a plan which, if it succeeds, will give you lots of money! +You could do almost anything you'd want to then." + +Tess didn't move, only stared back at the handsome, swarthy face +incredulously. + +"I couldn't earn much," she ventured, gulping. "I get five bucks every +Sunday fer singin' at the church, but--" + +"Oh, I don't mean a few dollars," Waldstricker told her. "I was talking +about a lot--thousands." + +Daddy Skinner straightened out on the cot and Tess tried to swallow, but +couldn't. She knew now that he referred to the reward for Andy. + +"Lordy massy!" she got out at last, huskily. + +Deforrest Young coughed, and Waldstricker's hand went quickly to his +face. + +"I'll explain about it," he said, "and then you can decide if you wish +to do it." + +"All right," replied Tess, leaning her chin on her hand. "Gowan an' blat +it out." + +"I suppose you know my good old father was murdered," the visitor asked +her after a slight period of silence on his part. + +Andy and what he had told her about the brawl in the saloon raced +through Tessibel's mind. + +"I heard 'bout it," she replied, nodding. + +"And you've heard, too, probably, the man who murdered him escaped from +Auburn a little while ago?" + +Tess wanted to say "No," but she feared a long explanation would follow +which might trouble Daddy and the wee man in the garret, so she +acquiesced by bowing her head. "I guess he were the man Daddy were +talkin' 'bout, weren't he, Daddy?" + +She turned toward her father, but his red lids were closed, and he was +breathing heavily. + +"Daddy goes to sleep awful easy!" she excused to all three. Then she +told Waldstricker, "Yep, Daddy said the man broke out o' jail." + +The man she spoke to looked keenly at her. + +"The officers feel pretty sure he'll make his way down the lake side," +he explained, "eventually landing among his own people." + +A flash of the brown eyes and a quick stiffening of the supple body +under the red curls expressed the girl's resentment at the slur implied +in the speaker's statement. + +"Among us squatters, I s'pose ye mean?" demanded Tess, belligerently. + +"Yes," nodded the elder, with a contemptuous smile at the angry young +face. + +Tess hated that tone in people's voices when they talked about +squatters. + +"And I was wondering if you wouldn't like to earn the reward offered for +Bishop's capture," Waldstricker finished abruptly. + +Tessibel's foresight had discounted the effect of this announcement. To +save Andy, she must deceive Waldstricker and persuade him to leave the +search of the Silent City in her hands. Her brown eyes were bright with +her purpose; she smiled slowly up at him showing every white tooth. + +"You bet I would!" she exclaimed, shaking her curls as she tossed her +head. "How much air it, huh?" + +"Five thousand dollars," replied Waldstricker. + +"Jeedy!" gasped Tess. "That air a pile of money. I bet I earn it!... +What'd ye bet?" + +She turned impetuously to Deforrest Young, and he laughed. + +"I hope you may!" was all he said. + +Tess was all eagerness now, her cheeks flaming and her eyes dancing. + +"But I wouldn't know the man if I seen 'im in any of the squatter's +huts, huh?" + +She flung this at Waldstricker, more of a question than a statement. + +"He's a dwarf," he answered immediately, "and very small--like this. +Sandy Letts knows him and is looking for him, too." + +At his statement, Tessibel's quick imagination pictured Sandy's brutal +face and greedy eyes, and for a moment her flaming courage almost +faltered. + +"If a dwarf sneaks down here," she observed with a sweep of her hand +toward the door, "I'd get 'im easy. I know everybody." + +"But would I have to halve up with Sandy, eh?" she continued, as though +struck with a new thought. + +"Not unless Sandy helped you find him," Ebenezer replied genially. "You +could do as you pleased about that." + +"Oh, Sandy couldn't help me, not a bit," Tess argued earnestly. "Sandy +ain't liked any too well 'round here." + +"Well, manage it as you choose." + +Waldstricker smiled at his success with the girl. "I don't care for +Sandy myself," he continued. "All I want is to get Andy Bishop." His +face hardened with hate as he pronounced the dwarf's name. + +Tess put her hands under the curls over each shoulder and drew them +together beneath her chin. + +"Five thousand dollars!" she ruminated. "I'd have a bully time a +spendin' it, wouldn't I?... I'd buy my Daddy a new overcoat every day +fer a year, an' I'd git 'im four new beds--one fer every corner of this +here kitchen, an' I'd git 'im a flannel shirt thick as a board to keep +the pains from 'is bones.... Then, I'd buy me a cow an' a calf an' a +horse an' a little baby pig an' a few cats an' a lot of dogs, an' I'd +let all the squatter brats play in my flower garden--" + +Helen broke off this chatter with an amused laugh. + +"Then mebbe I'd go to school a while," Tess kept on, "an' learn myself a +lot out o' books, an' after that I'd take singin' lessons an' I'd sing +to everybody what asked me--Then mebbe--" She dropped back for lack of +words. "I wonder if that'd take the hull of the five thousand." + +Waldstricker stood up. + +"You've got the right idea of spending money," he laughed. "And now, +young lady, we'll leave you, and if you hear that this dwarf is in any +of your friends' huts, you let me know, and I'll come right down." + +"Sure," said Tess, heartily. "Ye bet I will." + +Scrambling to her feet, she lifted the ruddy curls and flung them back +on her shoulders. To Ebenezer, watching her, came like a haunting memory +the witch's cry, "Hair, stranglin' ye--God, what hair!" + +But he dismissed the suggestion easily and turned to Helen, smiling. + +"Why not bring Miss Skinner to the next musicale and have her sing?... +Wouldn't you like that, Tess?" + +"I'd get scared stiff," gasped Tessibel, terrified. + +"But, Tess, dear," Helen thrust in, "I'd teach you the songs, and--" + +The girl was looking down upon her dress, her face gathering a deep red. + +Miss Young divined what was going on in the girlish mind. + +"And I'd help you make a new dress," she went on. + +"A hull lot of money folks'd be there, eh?" Tess demanded. Oh, how +afraid she always was of a crowd of those--different people! + +Her words directed Waldstricker's attention to the contrast between this +squatter girl in the bare shack and the fashionable folk who'd throng +his spacious drawing room. + +"Well, a few," he answered, "but you come along with Miss Young just the +same, will you?" + +Tessibel took the outstretched hand awkwardly enough and as quickly +dropped it and began to fumble with her own fingers. She looked down at +the floor while she traced a line on it with her toe. + +"Mebbe," she replied in a very subdued voice. + +She stood in the door and watched them walk slowly up the hill. Then she +turned back into the kitchen. + +"My God, brat!" sobbed a voice through the hole in the ceiling. "Wasn't +that a nice list of beautiful things ye was goin' to buy? Oh, kid, I air +bettin' Waldstricker gits me." + +Tess chuckled low, as she turned her face upward. + +"Andy," she said, "ye needn't be worryin' 'bout me an' Jesus handin' ye +over to that old elder. Why, Him an' me air goin' to stick to you like +pitch to a nigger." + +She turned to go, but hearing a sigh, took four steps up the ladder and +finished, + +"Why, honey, Waldstricker air got as much chance a ketchin' you as a +tallow dog has chasin' an asbestos cat through hell." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +WALDSTRICKER AND MOTHER MOLL + + +"Deforrest is so interested in the little Skinner girl," Helen Young +explained to Ebenezer Waldstricker when they were alone after supper. +"Ever since he helped to get her father out of Auburn, he's done all he +could for her." + +"He's a philanthropist at heart, I imagine," remarked Ebenezer, +agreeably. + +"Yes, and so good to everybody. Dear Forrie! I wish he'd meet the right +woman and marry her. He'd be so happy in a home of his own. When I think +of leaving him alone--" + +The tender face flushed crimson, and happy eyes dropped under the man's +bright gaze. He reached over and took a slender hand in his. + +"But you're not sorry you're coming with me, are you, dear?" he chided +gently, and Helen lifted her head with a glad cry. + +"Oh, no, no, darling!... I'm the happiest woman in the world!" + +"And I'll keep you so," replied Ebenezer, in earnest. + +"I was thinking, though," observed Helen, after a moment, "that +Deforrest might come with us if he hasn't made other arrangements." + +Waldstricker contemplatively kissed each pink finger of the small hand +he held, then pressed his lips to the soft palm. + +"I should like very much to have him, Helen," said he. "I'm very proud +of your brother, you know." + +"You can't make me happier than to praise him," she smiled. + +For several minutes no more was said. Then Waldstricker spoke as though +thinking aloud, + +"I wonder if that little Skinner girl will be of any assistance in the +matter of locating Bishop?" + +"Perhaps," replied Helen. "She seemed very eager to get the money! Don't +you think so?" + +"Yes, I think she did, but I've been wondering if she's trustworthy. Is +she, Helen?" + +Miss Young made a hasty affirmation. + +"Yes, indeed, she's more than that!" she exclaimed. "She wouldn't +deceive any one she loves for anything in the world, so Deforrest tells +me." + +"I sincerely hope so," sighed Ebenezer. "I've quite set my heart on her +helping me. Money is no object in a matter like this." + +"Of course not," murmured Helen, sympathetically. + +"Letts also is doing some good work," Ebenezer continued. "He's been +through nearly every hut on the Rhine." + +Helen shivered. "I can't tolerate that man around," she replied. "Once +in a while he comes here to see Deforrest or to sell something, and I +can't get him away quickly enough." + +"He's a good spy, though. That's all I want. He and the Skinner girl +ought to produce that dwarf between them." + +"I hope so for your sake, dear," murmured Helen. + +Waldstricker took out his watch and glanced at it hurriedly. + +"It's time for me to go, sweetheart," said he. "I want to get home +before dark. Come as far as the lane with me--do!" + +"The twilight is lovely, isn't it?" whispered the girl, when they were +traversing the pear orchard. + +"Made more lovely because of you," replied Waldstricker, sentimentally. + +"How romantic you are tonight, dearest!" Helen laughed. + +They had turned slowly up the hill, when suddenly Helen stopped and +slipped her hand into Ebenezer's arm. + +"There is that old woman you heard read from the fortune pot!" she +exclaimed. "Let's step one side until she's passed us? She rarely lets a +person go by without speaking." + +Waldstricker threw up his head arrogantly. + +"I'm not afraid of the hag," he replied pompously. + +Together they advanced up the hill. Mother Moll, leaning on her cane, +crept slowly down toward them. When her faded, nearsighted eyes caught +sight of the two approaching figures, she halted in the middle of the +road until they were almost upon her. She stared at Waldstricker fully +fifteen seconds, while he looked steadily back at her. Then her withered +lips spread wide in a sneering, cackling laugh. + +"So he air aready been settin' on yer head an' layin' on yer heart, +mister," she greeted him, "the leetle man like this, huh, ain't he?" + +She shook her cane at the tall man and clacked at him again. Helen was +conscious that at Moll's insults, Ebenezer's anger was rising by the +minute. She was herself greatly moved by a kind of superstitious awe of +the old woman's cryptic utterances. But seeking to avoid any further +unpleasantness, she smiled in a friendly manner and asked, + +"How do you do, Mother Moll?" + +The hag thrust forward her face and raised one withered arm, + +"I air fine, young lady," she screamed, crooking her fingers at the +girl, "an' feel finer'n you can do this day, or ye'll ever with him." +She pointed her cane at the scowling, dark-faced man; and slowly bobbed +her head back to Helen. "Yer life'll draw out long an' terrible, till +ye'll wish ye hadn't never seen 'im. He'll set up a knot hole an' drag +ye livin' through it. Then he'll turn yer heart inside out an' haul ye +back again." + +She paused, while Waldstricker's face grew darker and darker. The frown +on his brow roused Helen to action. + +"Let's go on, dear," she whispered. "Don't pay any attention to her +foolish talk." + +"Not yet," returned Waldstricker, ominously. "Not yet!" + +Moll laughed discordantly, shaking her head until the wisps of gray hair +fell in strings about her face. + +"He knows I ain't done tellin' ye what'll happen if ye line yer life +with his'n," she croaked. "Lady, he air wicked, awful wicked, an' +nothin' but misery, deep an' plentiful, air a goin' to make him any +better. Every one he loves--" + +Incoherently, she rambled on and the man's countenance took on an +expression of such rage that Helen Young uttered a cry of dismay. She +had never seen Ebenezer in one of his savage moods. Before she could +draw him away, he had lifted his riding whip and a sudden twist of his +arm brought it sharply down on the grandam's thin bent shoulders. + +"Ebenezer!" screamed Helen, horrified. + +"Drat ye, ye brute!" cried Moll, tottering back, "an' twice drat ye!" +She swayed forward on her cane. "Ye can lick me till I die, an' 'twon't +change yer own life any. It'll only add to the sufferin' ye got to go +through yerself." + +Waldstricker's arm went up again, but Helen grasped it frantically. + +"Ebenezer, don't!... Don't strike her any more. Please!... Go home, +Mother Moll.... Please go! Oh, do!" + +The old woman leaned heavily on her stick, tearless sobs shaking her +emaciated frame. For a space of sixty seconds her watery, faded eyes +stared into Waldstricker's flashing dark ones--then she drew a long, +convulsive breath. + +"It air like ye to hit the awful young an' the awful old," she shrilled +at him, "but, 'twon't do ye no good. Curls'll bring yer to yer knees, +hair'll make yer heart bleed blood redder'n the sun, an' the leetle +man'll jerk 'em tight 'bout yer throat till ye thunder out fer mercy." + +"Come along," muttered Ebenezer, roughly, to Helen. "If she torments me +any more, I fear I'll kill her." + +His words were not so low but they caught the quick ear of the old +woman. + +"Kill me, yep, kill me, ye proud whelp! Go 'long; do it, ye big coward! +Before ye're done with life, ye'll hate yerself worse'n uther folks hate +ye." + +She hobbled a little distance, reaching backward to rub her shoulders. +Then she twisted completely around, facing the other two. + +"Mind my word, pretty miss," she croaked in half grunt, half yelp. "Let +'im go like ye would a snake; like ye would a slimy worm a crawlin' at +yer feet." Still snarling in pain, she lifted one shaking arm and +pointed a crooked forefinger at Waldstricker. "She won't always stay +with ye, ye skunk ye!" Then she staggered away, Helen and Ebenezer +staring after her until she was lost in the gloom of the gully. + +"Isn't she dreadful?" Ebenezer said, with a rueful laugh. + +"She's so old," was Helen's gentle reproof. "She's not accountable for +anything. Deforrest says she's very good to the other squatters." + +"They're an unseemly mess." The man struck at an overhanging bough +savagely. "And your brother has power enough to remove the worst of them +if he wanted to. That old hag, for instance--" + +"Deforrest wouldn't do it," interjected Helen. + +"He may if I make it worth his while," replied Waldstricker. "But there, +I was foolish to let 'er get on my nerves so. I beg your pardon, dear. +My only excuse is I dislike to see the laws of God broken in such an +iniquitous way. Why, I felt when I struck her the righteous indignation +the Master must have felt when he drove the money changers from the +temple." + +Helen looked at him, startled. She was shocked at his words, as she had +been terrified by his act.... A dreadful doubt darted into her mind. Was +Mother Moll right? Could she be? Instantly she dismissed the suggestion, +condemning herself for paying any attention to the empty vaporings of +the half-witted, childish, old woman. She was sorry for Moll, of course, +and grieved and hurt because Ebenezer had lost his temper and struck +her. But her loving heart excused him. Certainly the provocation had +been great. Old Moll was unusually impertinent. + +Intent to repair the momentary disloyalty of her doubt, she pressed his +arm lovingly. + +"There, dear, let's not speak of it again. It's over now and we'll +forget all about it." + +A little later, when Waldstricker was moodily riding toward Ithaca, +Mother Moll's hateful prophecies repeated themselves in his mind. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +TESSIBEL'S MARRIAGE + + +During the few hours after the departure of Waldstricker, Professor +Young and Helen, Tessibel Skinner was preparing for her marriage. For +the present she had dismissed her fear for Andy Bishop and had turned +her attention to her own wonderful secret, her marriage to Frederick +that evening. She went so nervously from one thing to another that when +she stood fully dressed before her father, he scrutinized her +inquiringly; but he confined his curiosity to the simple question, + +"Goin' out, brat?" + +"Yep, Daddy," admitted Tess, confused for an instant, "an' darlin', +don't worry if I ain't back fer quite a little while. I air goin' to +ride with Frederick." She leaned over him and cupped his bearded face +with her hands, her eyes like stars, first shining, then shadowing. "Ye +trust yer Tessibel, don't ye, Daddy Skinner?" + +Since the first instant she'd been placed in his arms, a wee baby, the +squatter had never ceased to marvel at her loveliness. An expression of +adoring affection settled over his face. + +"Sure, I air a trustin' ye, child," he assured her huskily, "or I +wouldn't be lettin' ye run 'round wild on the rocks like ye're doin'.... +Ye won't be gone too long, honey?" + +"Nope," answered Tess, kissing him, "bar up, darlin', an' don't open to +any knock lessen ye know who 'tis," and she ran out of the shanty and +closed the door behind her. + +"Fine lookin', yer girl, eh, pal?" remarked Andy, presently, from the +ceiling. + +"Yep," agreed Orn, morosely. + +"She air got a beau, now, ain't she, old horse?" + +The fisherman's face darkened with anger. + +"Yep, an' I hate 'im like I hated his pa. But when a girl air fell in +love with some feller, that air all there air to it." + +"I hope he won't never hurt her," sighed the dwarf. + +"He better hadn't!" mumbled Skinner. + +During the silence that followed between the squatter and his prison +pal, Tessibel was climbing the hill to meet Frederick. Many conflicting +emotions took possession of her as she neared the summit. After tonight +she would no longer be Tessibel Skinner, but Frederick's wife, and he, +her husband, her own forever and forever. This night-ride would be her +cherished secret until Frederick gave her permission to tell Daddy +Skinner--until the whole world should know. Her mind was busy with the +events of the last thirty-six hours. She was cogitating upon the +happiness of her future, when she saw the waiting vehicle ahead of her, +and Frederick's dark figure silhouetted in the moonlight. Faster and +faster fluttered her heart, and faster and faster moved her feet. She +reached the carriage without the student's realizing it. + +"Frederick!" was all she had breath to say. + +At the whispering of his name, the young man sprang to the ground. In +another moment he had Tessibel in his arms. + +"You've come!" he murmured low, kissing her. "Oh, my dearest, you're +here!" + +Then he lifted the slender figure into the buggy. Even in the pale +light, Tessibel noticed his face gleamed white, and his eyes shone +darker than usual. She sat very quiet as he gathered up the reins, and +it was not until they were well on their way along the Trumansburg road +that the boy turned to her. How beautiful she looked, her shoulders +completely covered with dusky-dark curls and her head bowed in maidenly +shyness! All his doubts as to the expediency of his act were set at +rest. She was deeply essential to his happiness, to his progress. To +know she was his wife, married to him, so that none could separate them, +would make his absences from Tessibel much easier to bear. He had in the +past feared Deforrest Young. Now that fear was being set at rest. He +never had worried that Sandy Letts would win Tess any more than he had +been apprehensive of Ben Letts before the drowning of the squatter. The +one person he stood in awe of was his mother. Again his eyes sought the +silent girl at his side. She had ever been a hallowing influence in his +life, and to lose her would be worse than death. After tonight the glory +in those unreadable brown eyes would ever shine for him. He threw one +arm across her shoulder, and drew her closer. "My little moonlight +girl!" he breathed in ecstasy, his cheek against hers. "Are you happy, +my sweet?" + +Tessibel couldn't have spoken if she had so desired. Her heart seemed +filling her throat. Happiness hushed her voice, and gratitude to God for +giving her Heaven's best prevented her expression of it. + +The next twelve miles were passed in silence. And ever after, when +Tessibel in imagination recalled the white road, winding its way into +the hills, the quietude of the countryside, the shimmering moonlight, it +seemed like nothing real. And she remembered, as in a daze, Frederick +taking her in his arms after the minister had married them--how he had +called her over and over his wife, his darling, and other whisperings +divinely sweet.... In memory all those hours were like strangely +mysterious dreams. + + * * * * * + +Daddy Skinner was waiting for Tessibel. He had sat listening for hours, +mostly in silence, a deep brooding expression bending his ragged brows +together in a stern frown. + +From his position in the attic, Andy Bishop could see the fisherman's +face. The dwarf was quick to recognize that something was wrong with his +friend. + +"The world air waggin' yet, Orn," he remarked soothingly. + +"Sure, but 'tain't much of a world," grunted Skinner, sighing. + +Andy bent his head a little farther through the hole. + +"It air a lot, while we got Tess," he answered. "We got Tessibel, ain't +we, pal?" + +The squatter's mouth wrinkled at each corner. + +"Yep, I guess we got 'er all right, but I wish to God she'd come home." + +"She'll be along soon," assured Andy, with a smile. + +For a few minutes they remained silent. Then Orn Skinner burst forth +again, + +"I ain't got as much use for that feller Tess loves as a dog has for a +million fleas, an' I never liked 'is pa, uther...." + +"Ye wouldn't wish she'd be lovin' Sandy Letts, even if he does make +money, eh, Orn?" asked Andy. + +"Thunder, no!" snorted Skinner. "I'd ruther she'd be dead 'n married to +Sandy. But that ain't sayin' a honest squatter airn't better'n a high +born pup.... I wish Tess loved a decent chap." + +At that moment the speaker's daughter was standing alone on a small +country inn porch, some miles from Trumansburg, waiting for her husband. + +Frederick had gone to get the rig to take them back to the squatter +settlement. There was absolute stillness, absolute calm everywhere but +within herself. Her heart fluttered with new emotions, new desires, +ambitions to make herself worthy of the man she'd married. Her eyes were +on the sky, her soul among the stars, her own stars that had crept out +one by one, each to look lovingly down upon her happiness. + +What a glorious night it was! More wonderful than yesterday even! Or any +of her many yesterdays! This hour, the climax of her love, had +transported her through the mystery of immeasurable joy. She would never +again be the old Tessibel. She was Frederick's wife! Her breath came in +sudden, quick, happy sighs, for just then she heard his voice from out +of the darkness. Ah, his tones, too, were deeper, richer than yesterday! + +Even in the shadow, Frederick saw her distinctly as he came toward the +house. + +"My own little wife!" he whispered tumultuously. "How happy I am!" + +"Won't ye take me home now?" murmured Tess. "It air late an' Daddy'll be +worried." + +"We'll start at once," promised Frederick tenderly, leading her down the +steps. + + * * * * * + +Daddy Skinner heard the horse coming down the hill, heard Frederick as +he said his low, "Good-night, my darling," and unbarring the door, the +fisherman waited impatiently for his daughter to enter the shanty. + +One glance and he stretched out his hand. + +"Ye're sick, brat," he stammered. "Be ye sick, my pretty?" + +Dropping her eyes, Tessibel shook her head. + +"Nope, I ain't sick," she faltered. "But--but--" + +She wanted to throw herself upon her father's broad shielding breast and +sob out her joy. But she couldn't do that so she stood hesitantly, her +lips quivering. + +"I air wantin' to be hugged in yer arms, Daddy Skinner," she told him. +"Tell yer brat ye love her awful much." + +And according to his custom in his daughter's sentimental moments, the +fisherman, after dropping the door-bar, seated himself in the wooden +rocking-chair, and held out his arms. + +"I were just a sayin' to Andy, I wished ye'd come home," said he. "Love +ye, kid?... I love ye better'n all the world, and everythin' in it.... +Well! If my pretty brat ain't cryin'.... Sandy ain't been chasin' ye, +has he?" + +"Mebbe she air been a fightin' with her beau," piped the dwarf, from the +ceiling. + +The girl's mind traveled back through the events of the evening. + +"Nope, I didn't fight with 'im, Andy," she smiled through her tears. + +Daddy Skinner's beard rubbed lovingly over the dishevelled curly head. + +"There! There! My little 'un!" he singsonged. "I'll rock my babe a bit. +Ye stayed out too late, I air a thinkin'." + +Oh, to tell him everything that had happened in the past few hours. But +she had promised Frederick, and Tessibel would rather have died of grief +than betray her trust. She put her lips close to the fisherman's ear. + +"I air lovin' the student, Daddy," she whispered. "I didn't see Sandy +tonight. I jest been with Frederick." + +The squatter's only answer was to press her lovingly to him and for a +long time he swayed back and forth slowly. Suddenly he ceased rocking. + +"Ye'd best git to bed, baby," said he. "Crawl back, Andy, and let the +brat undress." + +Andy's shining face disappeared with a "Good night, brat," and "Good +night, old horse." + +The father and daughter heard him settle himself on the straw tick, and +soon all was quiet above. And later by half an hour, Tessibel was +dreaming of the young husband who that day had opened a new world to +her, who had led her from girlhood into the immensity of womanhood. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE MUSICALE + + +Tessibel, arrayed in her new dress and slippers, a roll of songs under +her arm, stood in the shanty kitchen. Neither Daddy Skinner nor Andy had +made any comment when she told them she had really consented to sing at +the home of the dwarf's enemy. Now she craved their commendation. A +little doubtful, she went to the ladder, and glanced upward. The dwarf +was nowhere to be seen. + +"Andy," she called softly. + +"Huh?" drifted from somewhere above in the darkness. + +"Crawl to the hole, dear, an' squint down at my dress." + +A little scramble and a face peered down upon her, + +"Ye been a cryin', Andy," said Tess, a break in her voice. "What ye been +a cryin' fer, honey?" + +"Seem's if Waldstricker air goin' to take ye away from my pal an' me." + +Daddy Skinner gave a grunt with no articulate word in it. Tess whirled +around on him and fastened her bright eyes upon her father's bent head. + +"Daddy," she began tremulously, "air you an' Andy thinkin' things ye +hadn't ought to of Tessibel?" + +Skinner shook his head. + +"Me an' Andy hates Waldstricker, that air all," he said. + +Tess shrugged her shoulders. + +"I ain't et up with love fer him uther," she offered in defense, "but +Miss Young wanted me to--oh, daddy, why didn't you tell me I couldn't go +right at first--" + +"Of course, ye be goin'," broke in Daddy Skinner, "but don't ye forgit +us, my pretty!" + +Tess gurgled in joy. She went to her father's side and gathered the dear +head into her arms. + +"If that air all what air worryin' ye, then kiss yer brat," said she. "I +air goin' to sing an' mebbe I'll only see Waldstricker to speak to 'im. +If he says anythin' 'bout Andy--" + +"What'll ye tell 'im, kid?" gasped the dwarf. + +"Oh, I'll string 'im like I allers does," returned Tess. "Now you're +done squallin' like a baby, look at me!" + +"Ain't she swell?" enthused Andy. "Orn, have ye looked 'er over?" + +"Sure," mumbled the Squatter, "an' she air finer'n silk." + +Tessibel hugged her father again, fluttered a kiss from the tips of her +fingers to the little man above, and repeating her usual admonition to +them, not to talk aloud, she started for Young's with palpitating heart. +Deforrest met her as she ascended the front porch. Smiling he took her +hand. His eyes expressed his approval of the winsome face and the trim +figure in the new dress. + +"Prompt as usual," he greeted. "How beautiful you are tonight, my dear!" + +The color swept to Tessibel's face in great waves. She loved everything +beautiful, the roses, the violets, the blue of the sky! Even the night +things were beautiful, too. Did Professor Young think her beautiful like +all these wonders? She smiled, her face shining in its mantling crimson. +Deforrest took her arm, leading her into the living room, where Helen +stood at the table, drawing on a long white glove. + +"Gaze upon your handiwork," laughed her brother. "Quite a surprise for +Ebenezer and his friends, eh?" + +Helen examined Tessibel from the top of her head to the tip of her +pretty boots with critical, gratified eyes. + +"Yes," she decided, "you're all very satisfactory, Tess." Then to her +brother, "Now, let's go, dear." + +When Deforrest drove his horses up the long roadway leading to the +Waldstricker mansion, Tessibel noticed the house was lighted from cellar +to garret, that a long line of vehicles was making its slow way to the +porch. Her heart fluttered with embarrassment. As they drew up to the +stone veranda, Tess reached spontaneously for Helen Young's hand. + +"It seem's if I jest couldn't sing afore such a awful lot of folks," she +murmured helplessly. + +Helen returned the pressure of the cold fingers. + +"Try to imagine you're in church," she suggested. "You won't break down, +my dear, I feel quite sure." + +"I--I--air goin' to try to be awful careful anyhow," replied Tess, +hopefully, but she heaved a deep sigh as Deforrest Young lifted her +quite into his arms and placed her on the low, broad porch-stone. + +Amid a crowd of laughing people, they passed into the house, and while +they were removing their wraps, Helen took the opportunity to give her +little protege a few last admonitions. + +"Don't forget to put the 'g's' on your 'ing's,' and remember always to +say 'your' quite plainly," she whispered. + +"I will," Tessibel promised. + +By this time, they had entered the crowded reception hall, and the +squatter girl's heart leapt into her throat when Ebenezer Waldstricker +came forward to meet them. He welcomed Helen Young tenderly, taking her +hands in his. Tess noticed both corners of his mouth were up. + +"I'm so happy to have you here, Helen, my darling," he murmured, bending +over the hands he held. + +A flushed face smiled into the speaker's. + +"And I'm happy to be here, too, dear." Then turning, Helen announced +"Here's Miss Skinner ... Tessibel, Mr. Waldstricker." + +Until then the Elder had not seemed to be aware of the girl's presence, +but at the introduction he extended his hand, formally polite. When, in +shy greeting, Tess lifted her eyes, one corner of his mouth drew down +rigidly. She was more at ease when Deforrest Young joined them. Her +welcoming smile caused that gentleman's heart to bound in delight. They +made their way slowly and with difficulty down the long hall, Tessibel +growing more and more conscious of the curious glances directed at them +from all sides. When they reached the drawing room door, her agitation +grew perceptibly, having noticed that Waldstricker was detaining Helen. +Deforrest held her arm with an encouraging pressure. + +"Don't be afraid, dear," he whispered in her ear. "You'll stay near +sister and me the entire evening. There!" They had crossed the room and +neared a row of chairs arranged against the wall. "Sit down by this open +window. My sister will be here soon.... Why!--Why! childie, you mustn't +tremble so!" + +A mist gathered under Tessibel's lowered lids. Each moment she grew more +frightened, and from the corner of her eye measured the distance between +their place and the piano. Oh, how thankful she was when Miss Young took +a seat beside her. Near the door she recognized Madelene Waldstricker. +Across the distance Tess studied the girl a moment. How pretty her gown +was! + +Tessibel glanced down at her own dress; at her rounded arms shining +white under the little ruffle of fine lace. Her dress was pretty, the +prettiest she'd ever had, and gratitude toward the woman at her side +overcame for the moment her embarrassment. Presently Waldstricker came +to them with the request for a song, and Deforrest Young escorted Tess +to the piano. He pitied her from the bottom of his heart, as she +clutched frantically at his arm. + +"You've only to be yourself and sing as you do for us, my dear," he bent +to whisper, "everybody will love you then." + +That magic word "Love!" It always thrilled Tess into doing her best, and +she must do no less tonight for her friends' sake. She sank down quite +helplessly into the chair to which Deforrest led her and watched +Ebenezer escort Helen to the piano. Her muscles grew taut with fright. +How she wished to be back with Daddy Skinner and Andy! But she took the +song Deforrest handed her, and through a veil of embarrassment, saw his +smiling face close to hers. + +"Sit here," he said, in low tones. "I shall be near you." + +In one melodious touch of ivory keys, Helen started the prelude and +every one in the room grew silent and attentive. Then from the side of +the instrument there suddenly appeared before the quiet audience a +radiant vision, a girl with tawny, glittering curls hanging in a golden +fire-shower about her slender figure. The unfathomable brown eyes swept +over the throng a quick glance, then dropped to the sheet of music in +her hand. + +A spontaneous murmur of admiration fell from many lips. For an instant +Helen Young's hands poised above the keyboard, then descended; and as +spontaneously as a bird begins its love song to the blue, so Tessibel +Skinner began to sing. + +The powerful voice rose up and up in seeming unending volume,--up and up +until Deforrest Young sank against the wall and locked his fingers +together. How had his sister dared to risk such a song with such a +child!... Then he took a long satisfied breath, for he saw the little +singer sang as a lark sings, without fear or self-consciousness, without +knowledge of limitation to her thrilling harmony. + +When Tess ceased on a high note, held until it drifted softly to the +furthermost corner of the room, a round of applause went up to the high +ceiling, and Miss Young, glancing around proudly at Tess, smiled and +nodded. The girl felt another song thrust into her hands. This time she +was less tremulous and sent back to Deforrest Young a charming, youthful +smile. Helen's fingers rippled over the keys softly for a minute or two, +and once more Tess began to sing. + +"That I may know the largeness of God's love, teach me the fullness of +thine own," she thrilled forth. + +A groan forced its way almost to Deforrest Young's lips. What a child +she was! Yet she sang that song with the abandonment of passion known +only to a woman. How beautifully, lithely young she looked, standing +there with those flowing, shimmering curls and the tender, throbbing +voice pleading to be taught the fullness of human love, that she might +find the largeness of the Infinite. Turning swiftly to the window, he +pressed his lips together to stifle his emotion. He could no longer bear +the stab at his heart, nor risk the mist rising in his eyes. Tessibel, +wholly unconscious of the stir she was making, sang on and on, her gaze +on the sheet in her hand. Suddenly she raised her eyes and there near +the door was Frederick Graves, his face waxen white, his dark gaze bent +upon her. Close beside him stood Madelene Waldstricker. But a single +instant Tess faltered in her song. Then again, passionately, +insistently, and tempestuously she sang, "That I may know the largeness +of God's love, teach me the fullness of thine own!" + +She saw his lids droop as she carefully pronounced each beautiful word, +and saw him, without a glimmer of recognition for her, turn to the girl +at his side. He hadn't even welcomed her with his eyes. Never before had +he failed to greet her smilingly. She chilled to the bone, nor dared +look again. When the song was finished, she sat down limply. Deforrest +Young, strangely stirred, took her hand. + +"Sweet child," he murmured, "it was delightful! Lovely!" + +At the same moment Waldstricker was bending over Helen Young. + +"My dear, how ambitious you are for so young a pupil!" he laughed. + +"There's nothing she can't sing," she replied, rising. "Hasn't she a +wonderful range?" + +"Very," replied Waldstricker, and he, too, turned to look at the +squatter girl. + +Tess was striving to listen to Deforrest Young, but her disturbed mind +was where Frederick stood with Madelene Waldstricker. Her whole loving +heart desired him to come and speak to her. + +"I never heard her sing like that before," Madelene was saying to +Frederick. "I believe you know her quite well, don't you?" + +"I know who she is," stammered the student, flushing, "but as to saying +I know her well--" + +"She's very beautiful!" interjected Madelene. + +Frederick lowered his head flatteringly, "Not as beautiful as another +girl I know," he whispered, and Madelene dropped her eyes with a happy +sigh. + +"Let's go and speak to her," she suggested. "I feel I must, I'm the +hostess, you know." + +Frederick reluctantly fell into step with her, and together they crossed +the room, a striking picture of entrancing youth. Tessibel's heart ached +at the unusual sight. For one burning moment she wanted to scream, to +spring up and do some terrible thing to the small girl walking so +familiarly at her husband's side. Then she looked away miserably. She +could not bear the sight, nor did she turn again until she heard a +strange, rather high, girl's voice say, + +"It was very lovely, Helen! Such a surprise to every one! I'm ever so +grateful to you." + +"Tessibel, this is Miss Waldstricker," introduced Helen. + +Tess raised a scarlet face at the sound of her name. + +For one moment the two girls gazed into each other's eyes. Each had in +her panting heart a feeling of proprietorship for the tall, dark boy +standing moodily behind Madelene. Tess knew he was there, yet did not +look at him. + +"You've a beautiful voice," observed Miss Waldstricker, with a shade of +condescension in her manner. + +Tessibel could feel the blood pulsing even to her finger tips. What did +she care for compliments from Madelene Waldstricker? She wanted to hear +them from Frederick! Miss Waldstricker whirled suddenly to bring him +into the conversation. + +"Mr. Graves.... Ah, yes, of course, you know Miss Young, and this--and +this is--Miss Skinner, Mr. Graves." + +Then Frederick bent over Tessibel's hand, and her fingers shook in his. +She raised her eyes slowly and he was looking upon her as if she were a +thing apart from him now and ever would be. A crimson wave flew to her +face--a flood tide of humiliation. + +"I've met Miss Skinner," she heard in a low, unfamiliar tone. "Your +voice, Miss Skinner, as Miss Waldstricker says, is very beautiful." + +The accent of the ice in his words caused her to withdraw her hand from +his instantly. She was stung to the quick by his coldness and +indifference. She could not answer him. Was this her Frederick--this the +boy who had so often knelt at her feet in ardent adoration? He had gazed +at her as if she'd been a stranger, had praised her singing only by +repeating what another girl had said. Her head burned like fire, and her +heart gave a rebellious, defiant twist. She was his wife. All the +passion within her tempestuous soul raged in stout protest against his +treatment of her. Couldn't--oh, he could have said--have said--just a +little something! Then anger fell from her in a trice. Desolation like +an ash encompassed her. Of course, she was but a squatter; Frederick was +ashamed of her, ashamed he even knew her. It was just at that moment she +saw her husband place Madelene's fingers on his arm and laughingly move +away with her. Tess started out of her jealous agony as some one touched +her arm. Deforrest Young was smiling down upon her. + +"Let's go to supper," he invited. + +The girl made an effort to master her confusion. Slowly she rose and +took the professor's arm. The unfamiliar, embarrassing formality helped +to hide her anger and consternation. She found herself positively unable +to eat. When had she ever been capable of taking food when her heart +filled her throat? She was conscious every moment of the presence of her +husband and Madelene a little farther down the table, and that +Frederick's attention was wholly taken up with his companion. She had +but to raise her eyes to see Madelene's face beaming with pleasure. + +Suddenly the voice of a stranger roused Tessibel from her bitter +meditation. + +"I heard, Mr. Waldstricker, you've located Andrew Bishop. It's true, I +hope." + +If it hadn't been for the queer feeling in her legs, Tessibel would have +stood up. Located Andy Bishop--where? Why in her shanty, of course,--up +in the garret under the straw tick. If they had found him, it must have +been there. When? Tonight, since she'd left home. She bent over and +searched the table for Waldstricker. He was seated next to Helen Young, +and his gaze was directed toward his questioner. + +"Well," he replied, "that's not quite right, but we hope--" he +hesitated, swept his flashing eyes to Tessibel and smiled, "we hope to +have him back in Auburn soon. I have two good detectives working for +me." + +Taking a deep breath of relief, Tess subsided in her chair, and she was +not sorry when the signal was given for the company to leave the table. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +A VICTIM OF CIRCUMSTANCES + + +Frederick Graves had just left Tess at the shanty door. He had found it +difficult to explain away his conduct on the evening of the musicale at +Waldstricker's. + +"It were awful," sobbed Tess, after Frederick had mollified her anger +somewhat. "I wanted to die! Ye looked like some big man I didn't know 't +all." + +"Silly baby," laughed the student. "There were so many people there who +know my mother--" He paused and kissed the upraised, tearful face +passionately. "I didn't think you'd care. I supposed of course you'd +understand. I'm awfully sorry you didn't. You'll forgive me, darling, +won't you?" + +Tess snuggled nearer him. She wanted to forget how unhappy she'd been. + +"Sure, I don't care now,--such a awful lot," she sighed. + +Later in the evening, when he came into the hall of his home in Ithaca, +he was greeted by his young sister, Babe. + +"Fred," she called softly, "come on up, mother wants you." + +For some minutes after taking off his hat, he remained in the lower hall +considering just what to say to his mother. Shaking his head dismally, +he mounted the stairs and went reluctantly to the front room. He hated +scenes with his mother. He hated everything about the house, hated even +the thought of going back to school. He wanted to take Tess away from +the lake--make a home for her--to be with her always. How dear she had +grown day by day since he'd married her! His very being fired at the +memory of her clinging sweetness. + +When he opened his mother's bedroom door and walked self-consciously +forward to turn up the light, a fretful voice from the bed halted him. + +"Fred, if you're going to make the room bright, please bring the screen +forward." + +He dropped his hand from the gas jet. + +"It doesn't matter," said he, sulkily, and he moved to the foot of the +bed. "Let it stay as it is.... Babe said you wanted me." + +Mrs. Graves settled her glasses on the bridge of her nose and looked at +him. + +"Yes! I did tell her to send you in. What's the matter? Anything?" + +"No." The answer was brutal in its curtness. + +"You've been with that Skinner girl again." The woman sat up in bed and +exclaimed angrily. "I can tell by the way you act." + +A sudden fury took possession of the student. + +"Of course, I haven't been to Skinner's," he contradicted roughly. +"Didn't I tell you I wouldn't go and see her any more? What do you want +now?" + +Relieved by his words in spite of the ugly way in which they were +uttered, Mrs. Graves sank back on the pillows. "Sit down," she invited. + +He was too nervous and angry willingly to grant even so small a request +just then. + +"I can listen as well standing here," he answered crossly. + +"But I can't talk as well when you stand," insisted Mrs. Graves, +peevishly. "Frederick! What's happened to you since your father died? +That squatter girl's turned your head. I know it. She's completely +spoiled you." + +Tessibel and all her girlish sweetness came vividly across the boy's +mind. It was ridiculous to blame Tess. Ah, if he were as good as Tess +desired him to be, his life would be the most exemplary. + +"Please leave her name out of it, will you?" he rasped rudely. "Even if +I can't see her, I won't hear anything against her." + +Mrs. Graves sat up in bed, throwing back wisps of gray hair, that +persisted in falling over her nose. + +"Oh, you won't, eh?" she shrilled loudly. "Well, now, you listen to +me.... You'll hear what I please to say to you, young man. It's a good +thing you don't go to Skinner's any more. It's time you were interested +in a decent girl. You've got to marry sometime. It's just as easy to +love a rich girl as a poor one. Why don't you propose to Madelene +Waldstricker?" + +"Madelene's all right, I suppose," the boy answered "but I don't want to +marry her." + +"You better want to," his mother rejoined tartly. "You've got to do just +that very thing." + +"You're crazy, Mother. I won't do it. What do you take me for, anyhow? +Get that idea out of your head and keep it out." + +"If your father were here, you wouldn't dare to say such things to +me.... I want you to sit down, do you hear?" + +Frederick dropped into a chair wearily. The time had come to tell his +mother that Tessibel Skinner was his wife. After that was done, there +could be no such arguments. He started to speak, but his mother +interrupted him. + +"Madelene Waldstricker's wild over you," she explained. "You can't deny +you've shown her open attention, at the same time you've been stealing +down to that Skinner girl's hut.... Oh, don't deny it any more! But +Madelene doesn't know very much about that, and she has lots of money. +It's your duty to Babe and me." + +"I won't marry her, or anyone else," Frederick repeated. + +His voice was very low but every word was distinct. + +Mrs. Graves lifted her pillow, turned it over, patted, and sank back +upon it. + +"Why?" she demanded, searching his face with accusing eyes. "Because of +that fisherman's--" + +Now he would tell her; now he would explain! He coughed, took out his +handkerchief and wiped his lips. + +"I shouldn't think you'd say anything against Tessibel Skinner," was +what he said at last, "considering what she did for us." + +Mrs. Graves uttered a scream, and covered her face with her hands. + +"Now throw that in my face, will you?" she cried. "Can't you let me +forget my shame and disgrace? Can't you see that girl coming into my +life would bring constantly before me my daughter's downfall and death?" + +Her voice was tragic, and Frederick's heart always had been tender +toward his mother. He saw as vividly as if it had happened but yesterday +Teola dying in the church. It had been such a dreadful experience for +all of them. Frederick had never doubted for one moment that that +terrible ordeal had been the cause of his father's death. He went +quickly forward and slipped one arm about her shoulders. + +"I'm sorry, mater," he murmured. "There, forgive me!--There!--Don't +cry!... Now don't get nervous--the doctor said you mustn't cry." + +Mrs. Graves shivered in the strong arms. + +"I've reason enough to cry," she whimpered brokenly. "You won't do +anything to help me, and you're the one who should." + +"I'll go to work," he said eagerly. He sat down on the edge of the bed. +"I'm tired of college anyway!" + +"Go to work!" echoed his mother. "What could you do? You wouldn't get +ten dollars a week. Nor anything like it. You haven't any profession, +and what is there in Ithaca to do anyway?... Oh, if your father'd only +lived!" + +She broke into a fresh burst of tears. + +"Hush, please, dear," said Frederick, smoothing back the grey hair. "Go +on and tell me what you want. There, see, now, I'm listening." + +Mrs. Graves used her handkerchief vigorously. + +"I said I wanted you to marry Madelene Waldstricker," she responded in +ruffled tones. "You've but to ask her, and she'll jump. Babe says she +talks of you all the time, and is frightfully jealous of you." + +A fair, lovely face, glorious glistening brown eyes, and shrouding red +curls passed between Frederick's vision and his mother's face, and he +groaned. + +"Don't! I said not to talk of Tess." + +"But I can't help it," snapped Mrs. Graves. "I've got to tell you about +Madelene, haven't I? You must ask her now.... She's staying here +tonight." + +Frederick withdrew his arms from under his mother and dropped his face +hopelessly into his hands. + +"Oh, God, help me!" he groaned between his fingers. "I can't do that, +Mother! I can't!" + +A tender hand went out slowly and touched him. He lifted his face with a +sharp gesture and grasped his mother's fingers in his. + +"Don't ask me to do that, oh, don't, darling mater, don't!" he moaned. +"Anything else--I'd do _anything_ else." + +The feminine fingers closed over the masculine ones. + +"I must ask you, my son," insisted Mrs. Graves, gently. "It's the only +hope I have.... I've kept so many things from you, but now I'll tell you +why. The lake place is mortgaged to Ebenezer Waldstricker for more than +it's worth, and I've borrowed a lot of money from him and from +Madelene." + +Frederick's hands fell from his face. + +"Good God! My God!" he exclaimed hoarsely. "Why didn't you tell me +before?" + +"I couldn't--I couldn't, Fred, but now you see why you must do this for +all our sakes. I haven't any money at all only what they let me have. +Babe and I won't have any place to go if you don't help. Oh, Fred, you +will think of it, dear, you will?" + +The boy got up feeling as if something worse than death had happened to +him. He saw no way out. + +"Yes, I'll think of it," he temporized. + +Mrs. Graves sank deeper into her pillow and closed her eyes with a long +sigh. Frederick said no more, but turned quickly and went out of the +room. + +He staggered downstairs like a drunken man. He ought to have told his +mother he was married to Tessibel Skinner. He couldn't marry any other +woman!... How could he, when he was already married--married to the +sweetest girl in the world? Oh, to get away somewhere to think quietly! +To get something to stop the throbbing in his head! This new horror +facing him was more than he could bear. He'd go back now and tell his +mother he was married to Tess.... No, he'd wait until morning! He opened +the library door and stepped in, crossed the room slowly and drew down +the curtain. Turning, he saw a girl rise from the divan. Madelene +Waldstricker reached out two rounded arms with an impatient gesture. + +"Ah, you've come," she said, smiling into his eyes. + +Frederick gazed at the small girlish figure curiously. The new interest +in her awakened by the talk he'd just had with his mother, contended +with the image of Tess in his mind--radiant, loving, splendid Tess. + +He walked to the table and feigned interest in a book. + +"I've been with my mother," he said hesitatingly. + +"Yes, I know," asserted Madelene, coming to his side, "and she's awfully +ill, isn't she?" + +"More nervous than anything," replied the boy, impatiently. + +"The doctor told your sister and me this afternoon she must have perfect +rest if she ever recovers," explained Madelene. "He says she ought to be +in a good health resort.... I wish I could help her." + +"She tells me you have," blurted Frederick. + +"But not so much as I'd like to," Madelene assured him softly. + +There was deep sympathy in her voice, and Frederick looked at her +critically. This small brown girl had taken on new significance to him. +She had come into his life suddenly as a large part of it, that +deadening financial part that tied him hand and foot and made him feel +like a galley slave. But he could never marry her, never! He belonged to +Tessibel Skinner by all the rights of Heaven and earth. He studied the +eager girl again--for so long a time that she dropped her lids, +blushing. Truly, Tess and Madelene formed a strange contrast--his bride +with the red gold of her curls and eyes holding him a willing captive, +and this bright-eyed, brown-skinned, little creature, before him with +that eloquent, calling appeal of money for his mother. + +Never before had he thought any one could for any reason whatever come +between him and Tessibel Skinner. He did not concede it now in its +fullness, but Madelene was looking pleadingly into his face and had +spoken of his mother with tender sympathy. He suddenly reached out and +took her hand. He would tell her of his young wife. He would take her +into his confidence right then, and all would be well for them +both--and for Tess. + +"Listen, Madelene," the boy said earnestly. "I have something to say to +you." + +At the touch of his fingers, Madelene went white and swayed toward him. +Her head fell forward on his chest, and his arms closed around her, as +if to keep her from falling. Of a sudden, a flushed face was lifted to +his, and a smile flashed around a rosy mouth. + +"Oh, I'm so happy, oh, so happy!" whispered pursed lips. + +And Madelene sighed as she dropped her head against him once more. For +the moment Frederick's mind went blank, but the girl's voice drew him +back. + +"Oh, I was afraid you loved that girl who sings in the church," she was +saying. "I've heard so often you did. I just couldn't bear the thought +of it, Frederick. Your mother and Babe kept telling me you didn't, but I +suppose I was a little jealous." + +She laughed and snuggled nearer him. But a short hour before another +girl, the girl he adored, his wife, had been in the same tender +position. He was so dazed that for the moment he could not find words +for an answer. Then slowly he led her forward to the divan. + +"I want to talk to you," he ventured hesitatingly. + +"Oh, I love to hear you talk," Madelene babbled with joy. + +Frederick flushed. He'd have to tell her of his marriage with Tessibel +before she really admitted anything that would afterwards make her +sorry. + +"What I've got to tell you is very serious," he said at length. "You'll +listen to me, Madelene?" + +Five small fingers touched his lips. + +"Nothing is serious now," came the interruption, "not now that I know +you love me. It's all I want in the world to make me supremely happy," +and she sighed. + +Frederick shuddered. Why, he hadn't told her he loved her! He was as far +from loving her at that moment as the very stranger on the street. + +"But it's something you must know," he thrust in desperately. + +"I know what it is," averred the girl smiling. "I know all about it.... +It's just money, that horrid old money your mother borrowed of brother +and me.... But what does money matter? I've lots of it, bunches of it, +and more than enough for us all, and so has Ebenezer." + +Frederick shook himself impatiently. She must listen while he explained +the impossibility of their ever being anything to each other. + +"I couldn't take--" + +"I'm not asking you to take anything but me," laughed the girl. "Just +me, see? There, dearest! Now don't talk of anything disagreeable +tonight. I just want to be happy." + +And like a contented, purring kitten, she once more settled herself +against him. Somehow Frederick couldn't tell her of Tessibel just then. +The right moment had come and gone. In the morning he would! By the +light of the day it would be easier. Then he would explain everything to +her and his mother. + +"Put your arms around me," whispered Madelene. + +Thrusting Tessibel from his mind, he drew the little figure close into +his arms. + +"Kiss me," she breathed, and two hours later, when Frederick Graves shut +his bedroom door, he had promised to marry Madelene Waldstricker. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +FREDERICK INTIMIDATED + + +Confused and angry with himself and Madelene, Frederick crossed the room +slowly. + +What an awful mess! Married to Tessibel and engaged to marry Madelene! +His mother sick and head over heels in debt to the Waldstrickers! The +situation was becoming more complicated by the hour. He sat down by the +open window to think. The simple thing, and what he really wanted to do, +was to announce his marriage and let himself and the others take the +consequences. He didn't intend to give up Tess, and for a few minutes +his memory was alive with all the suffering of his brave young wife +during the past two years. What she had done for his sister Teola made +him shudder with grief. There was no other woman in the world like Tess, +and the sweetness of his intimate experiences since his marriage touched +him to tears. + +"I won't give her up," he groaned aloud, "whatever happens, I'll stand +by Tess. She's worth all the rest--I love her better than life itself. +In the morning I'll tell mother and Madelene the truth." + +But no sooner had he reached this conclusion, than the many embarrassing +consequences his confession entailed presented themselves. He could hear +his mother's querulous complaints. She hated Tess, blaming the little +squatter girl for the trouble which had made her an invalid and taken +her husband from her. Would he be compelled to choose between his +affection for his mother and his love for Tess? No, surely not that! + +Yet there was Madelene! How could he face her, after all that had +happened. He bitterly regretted his weakness in permitting the girl to +avow her love for him, in engaging himself to her. + +And worst of all, that harrowing debt! He groaned at the thought of it. + +Madelene had told him, "Your mother won't have to worry any more, dear. +We can send her away for a nice, long rest, and when Professor Young's +lease is up, we'll fix the lake place for a summer home." + +"If I could marry Madelene," he thought, "the debts--" + +He got up, lighted a cigarette, his fingers shaking so he almost dropped +the match. He couldn't marry Madelene! + +Yet to acknowledge his relation to the squatter girl meant a certain and +final break with the Waldstrickers, the financial ruin of himself and +his mother. + +Even at that cost, he must do it. Tessibel was his wife, his dear little +wife. He had promised to make a home for her. But how? Could they get +along at all, and what would he do with her impossible father? As his +mother had said, he had no ability to earn anything. Bitter tears of +discouragement filled his eyes. + +Suddenly, a thought found its way into his brain and seemed to clear the +situation completely. + +"If I could explain it to Tess," he whispered, "and she would consent, +everything would be easy. I know she'd help me!" + +Again and again, and from many different angles, the argument repeated +itself. + +He lay wakeful in bed, his mind a confused jumble of diversified +thoughts, in which his mother, then Tess, and again the Waldstrickers +demanded his attention and sought to influence him. Worn out, at length +he fell into a troubled sleep. + +He was late in rising the next morning. When he finally went into his +mother's room, he found Madelene seated by the invalid's side, holding +her hand. Frederick knew by the expression on their faces, that the girl +had confided to his mother the agreement made in the drawing room the +evening before. Smiling a little uncertainly, he crossed the room. + +"Good morning, mater! Good morning, Madelene!" said he. + +Madelene smiled shyly, stood up and moved a little away. Frederick bent +over his mother, who kissed him and murmured, "I'm so pleased and +happy." + +He straightened up and took Madelene's outstretched hand, very much +inclined to tell them both then how impossible it was for him to carry +out his engagement. But his mother, ostentatiously turning on her +pillow, cried laughingly. + +"Don't mind me, children, dear!... Kiss your sweetheart, if you want to, +Frederick!" + +Snuggling to his side, Madelene threw her arms around his neck, and +whispered, + +"You do love me, dear, don't you?" + +Smiling into her eyes, he kissed her. + +"Of course I do," he lied promptly. "Don't you know it, little girl?" + +After breakfast, Mrs. Graves summoned them to her room again. Relieved +of her pressing anxieties, and excited by the sudden fruition of her +cherished plans, she looked and acted much better. She talked gaily to +the young people of their future, laughed at the girl's blushes, and +chaffed her son about his coming responsibilities. + +"Frederick," she suddenly said more soberly. "I think you should go +right away now and see Ebenezer, and ask him properly for Madelene's +hand." + +Feeling that such a course would commit him irrevocably, the boy +hesitated. + +"Don't be afraid, Fred dear," Madelene broke in. "I know Eb likes you, +and," blushingly, "I think he will not be much surprised, either." + +If he could only summon courage enough to tell Madelene before they met +her brother! Perhaps if he could get the girl alone he might. + +"Come along with me," he said spontaneously. "We'll go together." + +"Then wait until I get my hat," and she danced away, the happiest girl +in Ithaca. + +On the way down the street, although he responded with dutiful +tenderness to his companion's conversation, his mind was busy with the +same old question: What should he do about Tess? If he could tell +Madelene, or perhaps it would be easier to make Ebenezer understand his +position. + +But before he came to a decision, they met Mr. Waldstricker coming out +of the First National Bank on Tioga Street. He looked very prosperous, +very powerful, as he stood smilingly waiting for them. + +"We were just coming to see you, Eb," said Madelene, blushing. +"Frederick--well, we both wanted to speak to you." + +"All right, little girl," Waldstricker said pleasantly. "If it is +something special, we can go to the office; or perhaps you can tell me +here." + +Hoping to gain courage by further respite Frederick suggested, + +"We'd better go to the office, I think." + +But Madelene was too full of her new happiness to brook any more delay. + +"Oh, you men!" she exclaimed. "Don't be so formal and business-like!" +She took hold of one of her brother's hands, while she held Frederick +possessively by the arm. "We came to make an announcement and receive +your congratulations, and I want them now." + +"So that's it?" chuckled her brother, smiling into her shining eyes. +"Well, I _am_ pleased! And I do congratulate you both, heartily. Fred, +run into the office in about an hour, I want to talk to you." + +Frederick brightened. + +"And I want to talk to you," he answered. + +He swung to Madelene's side, drew a long breath and made a quick +resolution that before long he would make his confession to Ebenezer. + +At the appointed time, Frederick entered Waldstricker's office. He'd +resolved to make a clean breast of his marriage to Tess. But without +giving him a chance to say anything more than "Hello, Ebenezer," that +gentleman began, + +"Glad to see you! Sit down.... So you think you want to join my family, +do you? I suppose you know you're asking a great deal, when you haven't +any money or any profession, either. But then, my sister's fond of you, +and that means a lot. Fortunately, she has enough money so that you need +not worry about that. The question is, can you make her happy?" + +He paused. Frederick fingered his hat, let it slide to the floor, and +picked it up before answering. + +"Mr. Waldstricker, I think ... I want first ... I can't ... You see...." +He wanted desperately to tell the powerful man at the table that he +couldn't marry his sister, but somehow the words wouldn't come. + +The older man thought he knew the cause of the young man's hesitation. + +"There, there, my boy!" he laughed, pleased at his own insight. "Don't +try to explain anything. I know it's been hard for you. Frederick," he +continued more soberly, "as you know, I'm Madelene's only near relative. +Her mother has been dead many years, and since father ... was killed, +she has only me left. I want her to be happy, ... to have everything +that makes life worth while. She's chosen you, and I feel sure she's +wise in her choice." He stood up, his great height towering above the +boy, who also rose. Ebenezer thrust forth his hand and took Frederick's. +"I'm giving her to you," he went on. "Make her happy and there's nothing +I won't do for you." + +Of course Frederick couldn't just then tell this man, who trusted him, +that he was already married to a squatter girl. Perhaps later--yes, +later he would. He hung his head in shame and the elder man, again +mistaking the emotion, ascribed it to diffidence. + +"Mr. Waldstricker," began Frederick, "you were so kind to my mother and +so was Madelene. I'm not fit to marry your sister." + +"Pshaw, boy, you're too modest!" Waldstricker laughed good-naturedly. +"If she's satisfied, that's all there is to it." + +Turning back to the desk, he seated himself. + +"Sit down again, Fred," he continued. "Have you planned to get married +immediately?" + +Frederick shuddered. It seemed as if a great gulf were opening under his +feet and he were about to be swallowed up. + +"Well, we hadn't considered that," he hesitated embarrassedly. "Probably +not for two years yet, until I get through college." + +Here was a ray of hope. Lots of things could happen in two years. + +"Nonsense!" was Waldstricker's prompt rejoinder. "Why should you bother +with college? You'd better get married right along and go to Europe for +your honeymoon. Then when you come back, take your place in my business +and help me. I need some smart young fellow, and there's no sense in +wasting your time at college. It isn't as though you had your own way to +make." + +Frederick sought to make objections to these plans, but Waldstricker +impatiently got to his feet and stood looking down at the boy in the +chair. + +"It's settled then, isn't it? Say no more about it," he said with +finality. "Run along and hunt up Madelene and tell her what I've said." + +In parting, Waldstricker shook hands with Frederick, and placing his +hand on the boy's shoulder said with genuine emotion in his voice, "Make +her happy, my boy, and there's nothing in the world too good for you." + +Frederick went into the sunshine, his head in a whirl. Waldstricker's +promises unfolded visions of ease and success surpassing in splendor his +wildest dreams. He had not meant to betray Tessibel nor to deceive +Madelene. Yet since these things were forced upon him, he would see what +he could do, but he took a long, deep breath when he thought of how +difficult it would be to explain his action to Tessibel. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +MAKING READY FOR THE WARDEN + + +The next day, while Frederick was studying over the problems relating to +his engagement to Madelene Waldstricker, Tessibel Skinner was sitting +with Helen Young on the veranda of the latter's home. The young squatter +girl was receiving a lesson in sewing. + +"It air goin' to be pretty, ain't it?" she asked, holding up a blue +chambray dress. + +"Yes, very," replied Helen. "You're doing nicely. I'm very proud of you, +dear!" + +A shadow crept into Tessibel's eyes. + +"I'll be a missin' ye awful after--after--" + +"But you may come as often as you like to--our--home after we're +married," said Helen, affectionately. "Mr. Waldstricker will soon grow +fond of you, too, and the distance is only a little over a mile, short +cut." + +"But you'll be so rich," sighed Tess, "an' mebbe'll be awful busy." + +"Never too busy to see my friends," Helen smiled. "There! Now you've +been sewing an hour.... Let me hear you read.... By the way, I meant to +tell you last night's paper said they're trailing the man who killed Mr. +Waldstricker's father down here. The offer of five thousand dollars' +reward is stirring a lot of men to hunt for him." + +"I thought as how they'd lost 'im, sure," remarked Tess, inwardly +quaking. + +She forced her voice to say this in a tone as nearly natural as +possible. + +"Yes, I think the paper says they did lose track of him," replied Helen, +"but they've suddenly found his trail again.... He must be somewhere +near here. A deputy warden by the name of Burnett is coming to +Ithaca.... Mr. Waldstricker will be very much pleased if they find +him." + +Tessibel's questioning gaze prompted Helen to proceed. + +"The paper says, too, the men up there in Auburn are pretty sure he's +somewhere among his own people." + +A scarlet wave dyed Tessibel's face, and then receded. Her eyes drew +down a little at the corners. + +"Ye mean 'mong the squatters, don't ye?" she queried sharply. "Squatters +air jest as good as any one else, Miss Young." + +"Well, now, dear, I didn't mean they weren't," Helen laughed pleasantly; +"and I'm sure if they're all like you, Tessibel, they're very nice +indeed." + +The memory of Teola Graves, the small, sickly baby, and the sudden death +of Minister Graves passed through Tessibel's mind. The promise to her of +the deed to the land on which their shanty stood was also in that +procession of ghosts belonging to the past. + +"Daddy and me was goin' to own our hut ground," she confided +thoughtfully, "but--but--the dominie died afore we got it--so we air +squatters yet jest the same as the rest. Squatters be awful nice folks! +Most of 'em air better'n me." + +"Well, anyway," took up Helen, wishing to keep off dangerous ground, +"the paper says the warden's going to start from the head of Cayuga Lake +and search every house and cabin until he--" + +Tessibel rose to her feet unsteadily. In her vivid imagination she saw +the strong arm of the law reach out from Auburn Prison and drag from her +care and protection the wee, twisted little man chanting over the verses +and prayers she'd taught him. + +"I ain't a goin' to read today,--I got to go now," she gulped. "Good +bye, Miss Young." + +Daddy Skinner unbarred the door when he heard Tessibel call his name. At +the sight of his young daughter's agitated face, the fisherman slid into +his chair, beckoning her to a place on his knee. + +"What air doin', Tess?" he questioned swiftly. "Ye're as white as +bleached starch." + +Tess placed her finger on her lips, glancing in the direction of the +garret. Getting up, she barred the door and crept back to her father's +side. + +"Burnett air a scootin' down here after Andy," she murmured, too low for +the dwarf to hear. "Miss Young says it air in the paper. I got to tell +the poor little feller now so he won't die o' fright when the warden +comes." + +She went to the ladder and looked up through the hole. Then she set one +foot on the lower rung and began to sing softly, + + "Rescue the Perishin'; + Care for the Dyin'." + +And on and on she sang, in throbbing melody, to the end of the hymn. +Tess had long ago discovered the fear-dissipating qualities of "Rescue +the Perishin'." A long happy sigh in the attic told her the dwarf had +enjoyed her song. + +"Andy," she called in a low tone, "come down an' set beside the cot. I +has to talk to ye." + +Andy needed no second invitation. His legs were stiff but his heart full +of good cheer, as he scrambled down the ladder with the Bible in his +hand. Crawling across the floor, he propped his bent little body against +the cot, and looked inquiringly at Daddy Skinner, and Daddy Skinner +stared moodily back at him. + +"Andy," Tess began, squatting beside him. "Ye remember how slick Daddy +Skinner hopped out o' jail an' right back to me?" + +Andy bobbed his head. + +"Yep, I remember, brat," he responded. "I were glad fer him, but I sure +were sorry fer myself when he left Auburn." + +"An' I were that happy I nearly died," replied Tess, musingly. "Well, I +air goin' to show ye a verse in the Bible what hauled 'im smack out o' +prison." Tess took up the holy book and opened it. "There! now read +it.... Right where my finger air! See?" + +For several seconds Andy studied the words under Tessibel's pointing +finger, and Daddy Skinner evinced his interest by bending nearer in a +questioning attitude. + +"If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed," Andy spelled haltingly, +and then glanced up, mystified. "Why, it air talkin' about movin' +mountains.... Ain't it, Tess?" + +"Sure!" agreed Tess, displaying her white teeth in smiling affirmation. +"See?" + +Andy shook his head. + +"No, I don't see, brat," he replied. "I ain't wantin' to move no +mountains, I ain't." + +Tess flung back her curls impatiently. + +"Oh, Andy, yer head air all bone. Now look at me." + +Misty, eager eyes were raised to the girl's. + +"Can't ye see, Andy dear," she proceeded solemnly, "it air harder to get +a mountain out of yer way than 'tis to stay out of prison." + +"Mebbe 'tis," conceded Andy, brightening. "I never thought of it like +that." + +"But ye must begin thinkin' quick," ordered Tess. "Now every minute of +the day ye air to say over an' over verses I show ye. And the man who +helps folks move mountains'll keep ye right in this shack.... I air +thinkin' that'd suit ye some, huh?" + +Andy looked at her meltingly. + +"I'd ruther be here than any place in the hull world," he murmured in +reverent humility. + +"Then," avowed Tess, "I air a goin'--Oh, Andy, I got to tell ye +somethin', honey, an' I--" + +"What?" gasped Andy, faintly. + +Tess paused an instant. + +"Burnett's pell-mellin' down from Auburn after ye," she blurted. "I just +heard it at Young's." + +Andy's face blanched to the hue of death. He had been so satisfied--so +secure in the little garret under the protection of his friends, and now +he would have to go back after all. + +"Burnett?" he repeated almost inaudibly. "Burnett's comin' after me?" + +Tess reached out and touched him. + +"But he ain't knowing ye air here," she asserted hastily. "An' he ain't +a goin' to know it uther. An' I tell ye, Andy, if ye'll learn yerself +that verse 'bout the mustard seed, it'll keep ye here." + +"I'll learn it, brat," promised Andy, but he seemed as if turned to +stone. + +"But what be we goin' to do, kid?" asked Skinner, a look of helplessness +wrinkling his face. + +"I dunno," replied Tess, with her hand still on the dwarf's arm. + +And that was true, too! Tessibel didn't know just at that moment what +she could do to save Andy from the officers, but of one thing she was +certain; that beyond where the birds flew, and above the fast-moving +clouds, and over all and under all, was an arm and a love upon which she +had leaned and trusted, and they had never failed her. With this thought +deepening the red-brown eyes, she turned and looked first at her +Bible-backed father and then at the little dwarf. + +"There air one thing ye both got to do," she instructed them. "Ye got to +stop yer worryin' an' ye got to stop bein' 'fraid." + +Andy's jaw dropped. + +"Stop bein' 'fraid!" he muttered. "Stop bein' 'fraid! God, Tessibel, ye +don't know what it means to allers be in the shadow of the prison, you +don't." + +"Oh, yep I do," interposed Tess, blandly, "'course I do. Weren't Daddy +Skinner there? An' Daddy never'd got out in this world if it hadn't been +for a helpin' hand; the same'll help you, Andy." + +"She's talkin' of Professor Young," grunted Orn, glancing at the dwarf. + +Tess turned to her parent impatiently. + +"I ain't nuther talkin' about Professor Young, Daddy. I ain't goin' to +tell him Andy's here 't all! I'll tell you both who I mean right now." + +The men leaned forward, the dwarf's head shooting out like a turtle's. + +"Who d'ye mean?" he entreated brokenly. + +The color mantled Tessibel's brow and swept in rich waves over the +lovely, earnest face. + +"Jesus," she breathed radiantly, flashing her eyes from one to the +other. "Jesus jest air a dotin' on ye, Andy, ye poor little dub ye! He +allers dotes on folks in trouble." + +"Shucks!" grunted Andy, and "Holy thunderin' Moses!" fell from Daddy +Skinner. + +Tessibel stood up, an angry glint in her eyes. + +"Ye can say, 'Shucks!' if ye want to, Andy, 'cause you don't know +nothin'; but, Daddy Skinner, _you_ ought to be ashamed of yerself. Why, +he's the man what got ye out of jail! I couldn't a done nothin', an' +Professor Young couldn't a done nothin' uther if Jesus hadn't helped +him. An' now ye're saying, 'Holy thunderin' Moses,' just's if ye didn't +believe it." + +The fisherman drew a shaking hand across his shaggy chin whiskers. + +"I s'pose I do believe it, brat," he groaned, "but it air all so kind a +mysterious like, an' Young, ye know--Young fought like the devil to git +me back home." + +"I know he did, Daddy," affirmed the girl, "but can't ye see ye'd a gone +to the rope if--" + +A shrill cry broke from the dwarf, interrupting Tessibel's explanation. +Those ominous words recalled his own terror of Auburn Prison. Tears +gathered thick in his eyes and ran down his cheeks. The sight of the +little man's misery so affected Tessibel that she wound one arm about +his neck. + +"Andy, darlin'," she comforted, "don't blubber like that. Don't I say! +There, put yer head on Tessibel's shoulder! I air a goin' to mother ye a +bit." + +She took up her skirt, wiped away the dwarf's fast-falling tears, and +then her own. + +"Now ye mustn't snivel," she faltered, trying to be courageous. "Why, if +ye keep it up, I don't know what Daddy an' me'll do. Listen, Andy, +listen to Tess." + +Placing a slender finger under his chin, Tess drew the wry face up until +his tearful eyes were directed into hers. + +"Andy," she imparted, "there ain't a deputy in this hull world can get +ye, an' don't ye be worryin' 'bout it. Jesus'd butt in an' help ye afore +the man could get his nippers on ye. He'll fix it so they can't get ye, +I bet." + +And of a truth, Tessibel knew whereof she spoke. + +"But Burnett'll be here most any time, now," shivered the little man, +his chest rising and falling with emotion, "an' I tell ye, Tess--" Here +he straightened up, his eyes glistening. "I tell ye, once let 'im git +after a house he thinks a feller air in an' he'd turn it topsy-turvy, +tissel end up. Why, Burnett can smell a man from prison a mile. I know +him, I do! Hain't I seen,--and you have too, Orn,--many a poor cuss get +away just like I did, mebbe over the river, mebbe a hundred miles or +two, or he might even git in another state, but Burnett'll haul him back +by his neck, jest the same." + +Andy wilted at the end of his long speech like a hothouse plant in the +frost. + +"But he ain't a goin' to git _you_, Andy dear," Tess interposed, hugging +the bent little figure. "Me an' Daddy loves ye, an' we'll hide ye, we +will. Be glad ye're little, honey. If ye was big, it'd be harder to +sneak ye out of sight." + +"I don't see where ye're goin' to hide 'im, Tess?" remarked Skinner, +making the statement a question by the rising inflection in his voice. +"It air jest like Andy says, if Burnett gits on 'is scent, he'll find +'im all right, all right, an' five thousand dollars'd spur any man on to +hunt 'im down." + +The squatter girl smiled in sudden decision. + +"They won't find 'im where I put 'im," said she, decisively. + +"Tell us about it, brat," urged her father, wistfully. + +Tess thought a minute, and hummed a minute. + +"He air goin' to get put in my straw tick! That air where ye're goin', +Andy," she explained presently. "An' I air got to be awful sick an' git +in bed an' stay there. I don't know anything else to do! Oh dear! I +can't look sick to save my life, can I?" + +She got up and went to the glass and considered minutely her own rosy +reflection. After contemplating it for some time, she came back and sat +down, leaning a dimpled chin on the palm of one hand. + +"I guess as how I don't need to be sick anywhere inside me," she +decided. Then a smile smoothed away the slight pucker on her brow. "I +know! I could hurt my foot, couldn't I? I guess as how that air best.... +I'll hurt my foot.... Mebbe I'll sprain my ankle. I dunno yet, but I'll +be a bed all right, an' I'll have Deacon with me. I bet when that warden +sees me spread on that cot an' a owl starin' at 'im, he won't even think +o' askin' me to git up." + +The dwarf uttered a weird cry in chorus with a groan from the squatter. + +"What'll ye do, if he tries to take ye offen the bed?" Orn questioned. + +Tess tossed the profusion of curls over her shoulder, and her smile +showed two rows of white teeth. + +"I'll grin at him first, like this," she laughed, "an' if that don't do +no good, I'll sing at 'im. I air bettin' he won't touch me then. But if +he goes to haul me off, I'll holler an' make such a fuss I bet he'll be +glad to let me alone." + +With this statement, Tessibel rose and finished, "Get off'n that bed, +Daddy. I air goin' to begin rippin' the tick now. If them deputies be +comin' down the lake, us uns got to be ready.... It's only straw, ye +know, Andy, an' awful soft. I'll fix yer head so it'll hang out a +little. Then ye can breathe." + +Before the shadow of the willow trees went to sleep in their soft earth +bed late that afternoon, Tessibel had fitted the dwarf into the space +she had made vacant in her straw tick. At the top of the springs, which +consisted of taut ropes, she made a comfortable pillow for the little +man's head. And then they waited, the hearts of the two men heavy with +bitter fear, and the heart of the girl vibrant with faith that all would +be well with her friend. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +SANDY PROPOSES TO TESS + + +Andy Bishop was stretched out in the middle of Tessibel's straw tick, +while the girl measured her length on the cot to assure her father that +the dwarf would be fully concealed from prying eyes. + +"Does he seem all hid, Daddy Skinner?" queried she. + +The squatter walked to the head of the cot and peered from all points of +vantage. + +"He sure air, kid," he chuckled. "I can't see nothin' but a row of red +curls a mile long. Andy'll git back in the garret all right if Burnett +don't pull you off'n that bed." + +"He won't do that," said Tess. "Jesus'll see I stay on it, I bet." + +"There's some un a comin' now," hissed Skinner between his teeth, +startled. Tess had no more than cuddled under the blanket when a loud +knock resounded throughout the shanty. Daddy Skinner lifted the bar and +opened the door, his large form filling the narrow door-frame. At the +sight of Sandy Letts' smiling face, he stepped back, relieved. + +"God, Sandy," he grinned, "ye might as well kill a man as scare him to +death. Come in an' set." + +Lysander stepped into the kitchen, and his eyes fell upon Tess. + +"What air the matter with the brat?" he asked, looking from Orn to the +girl lying there so languidly. + +"She air kind a hurt--" began the fisherman. + +"My foot air all packed up in a rag," interjected Tess. "I air always +doin' something to myself. The next time I come jumpin' down the lane, I +hope I won't be hurtin' my ankle." + +She smiled wanly at Sandy, and he grinned back at her. + +"If I knowed ye was sick, Tess, I'd a brought ye some candy," said he, +good-naturedly. + +"Candy ain't good for a girl's teeth," sighed Tess. "Don't never bother +'bout bringin' it, Sandy." + +"A pound or two won't hurt ye," asserted Letts. "An' when I likes a +girl, I allers bring 'er sweets. I say kid, ye do look awful pretty, +layin' there with your curls all stretched out that way. Now, my cousin +Ben, he wanted to marry ye, too, but he never liked yer hair; I love +it." + +"Daddy were jest a sayin'," put in Tess, with a fleeting glance at her +father, "that it air mighty good for my curls to get spread out like +this. Wasn't you, Daddy?" + +Daddy Skinner stared at her, and her warm, glowing smile gave strength +to the old man's heart. Without waiting for his reply, Tess turned to +Letts. + +"Where ye been, Sandy, an' what ye been doin'?" she asked, simulating an +interest she did not feel. + +Lysander, pleased at the attention, thrust his thumbs into the armholes +of his vest and spread out all his fingers, giving a little important +twist to each. + +"I been down to Riker's a searchin' their shack fer Andy Bishop," +bragged he, "an' now I air goin' to Longman's." + +A little groan fell from Tessibel's lips. + +"I air ashamed of ye, Sandy," she said slowly. "Longmans wouldn't have +no murderer in their hut.... They be awful good folks.... Ye know they +be, Sandy." + +"Sure I know it, Tessie, but I've said as how I air goin' to search all +the squatters' huts an' I air goin' to do it, I can tell ye that." + +Tess smiled at him wistfully, pleadingly. + +"I'd hate ye all my life, Sandy Letts," she vowed, winking one eye at +the burly squatter, "if ye'd come in my house and butt 'round. Course ye +can do it if ye want to, but I'd never speak to ye again in the hull +world." + +Sandy threw back his head and guffawed. + +"I wouldn't do nothin' like that to you, pretty kid," he answered with +pride in his tones, "'cause I know if ye had that dwarf in this hut +ye'd pass him up to me quick.... Five thousand ain't to be got off'n +every bush these days. I air after that Waldstricker reward, an' I air +goin' to get it!" + +Tess spread a little wider a few of the dusky, shining curls. + +"It's a lot o' money," she said thoughtfully. + +Letts hitched his chair nearer the cot and bent over eagerly. + +"Sure it air, Tessie," he said, "an' I air here today a purpose to tell +ye somethin'. I want you an' yer pa to listen wise to me fer a minute. I +air goin' to git that there five thousand an' I air goin' to marry you." + +Tess started to speak, but Lysander stopped her with a wag of his head +and a wave of his hand. + +"I said for ye to listen," he cried brusquely. "Ye ain't havin' offers +like mine every day, miss, an' yer Daddy won't never have no chances +like I air givin' 'im. I said listen, an' here air what I say. + +"It won't be more'n a week afore I hand that dwarf over to the warden. +Burnett air comin' down from Auburn. He air almost here by this time. +Then when I git the money, I air a goin' to put yer Daddy in a nice +place where he'll get rid of 'is rheumatiz, an' after that I air goin' +to fix my shack up with a lot of new stuff, an' ye can have the choosin' +of it, brat, an' there air my word, by God." + +Sandy gazed from father to daughter with a broad smile. He had delivered +his speech in pompous pride, his voice rising higher and louder with +each word. + +"What do ye say, Orn?" he demanded. + +Skinner looked at Tess out of the corner of his eye. He could see her +lips moving ever so slightly, and he knew she was murmuring a prayer for +the little man in the straw. His own eyes felt stinging tears around +their lids. + +"Ye'll have to settle it with the brat," said he at length, wiping his +lips with the back of his hand. "I've allers said 's how if Tess wanted +to git married, I wouldn't say nothin' 'gainst it, as long as she got a +good man." + +"An' I air that," Sandy affirmed positively. "'Course I been in jail +more'n fifty times, an' mebbe I'll git in fifty times more, but that +don't do a man no harm as I knows of. I'd allers leave a little money +home for my fambly." + +He threw his bold, black eyes upon the little figure in the bed, and the +girl dropped her lids. + +"How about it, Tessie?" he wheedled in low tones. + +Tess wriggled. She didn't know just what answer to give. She wanted to +keep the big squatter good-natured, yet desired that he should go away. +She was sorry for the little man beneath her. + +Prompted by instinct, she turned her solemn brown eyes upon Letts. + +"I'll say this to ye, Sandy," she began. "If ye'll let me alone, an' not +be tryin' always to kiss me--" + +Lysander cracked his knee with one large fist. + +"I ain't never got a kiss from ye yet, brat," he chuckled. + +"'Course not," she responded; "but 'tain't because ye ain't fit fer one, +now air it, Sandy?" + +"No, ye can bet on that," laughed the man, "an' I got marks on my shins +to this day you put on 'em the last time I tried it. But I like to see +ye fight, brat, I swear I do.... Now, how about gettin' married to me, +huh?" + +Tessibel contemplated the heavy face a moment. She was going to drive a +hard bargain with Lysander if she had to drive any at all. + +"Ben used to make me awful mad teasin' for kisses," she exclaimed. "I +told him an' I air tellin' you, Sandy, I ain't goin' to give any man my +kisses less'n I marry him." + +Letts puffed out his chest and struck it with a loud resounding whack. + +"I air glad of that," he grinned. "It sounds good to me, you bet. I +don't want no other man palaverin' over my woman. I got--" + +"An' you been makin' me mad lately, too, Sandy," Tess interrupted, "what +with runnin' after me an' makin' me fight to keep my own kisses, I don't +have no peace. Now, I'll tell ye what I'll do. You get busy an' find +Andy Bishop, an' git that five thousand, then ye come here again an' +ask me what ye just did, an' ye see what I say to ye. Eh? How'd that +suit ye?" + +A scarlet flush rushed over Lett's swarthy skin. + +"But ye got to promise me ye won't ever try fer no more kisses, till I +git married to ye, Sandy," Tess continued. "You said what you wanted; +now, I've said somethin', an' I mean it too." + +Letts shifted one large boot along a crack in the floor. He was thinking +deeply. + +"That's pretty tough on a feller when he air lovin' a girl the way I +love you, brat," he said after a while. + +"But ye got to promise what I want ye to, Sandy, or mebbe I'll git +married to some 'un else." + +"Ye'd better not, kid," he muttered darkly, "if ye don't want to git +yerself an' the other fellow into trouble." + +"Then ye'd best promise 'bout the kisses," returned Tess, decidedly. + +"I'd kiss ye now fer a two cent piece," he undertoned passionately, but +Daddy Skinner had his hand on the other man's arm before he could move +toward the cot. + +"I wouldn't do nothin' like that, Sandy," he said, ominously. "No man +don't kiss my brat less'n she air wantin' his kisses. Tessibel said as +how when ye git Bishop an' the five thousand, ye can come back.... +Today, she ain't feelin' well, an' I air goin' to ask ye to go along +home, or wherever ye were pointed fer when ye stopped 'ere." + +Then Daddy Skinner opened the door. + +"The leaves won't be fallin' from the trees, brat," he flung back +sulkily, "afore I come fer ye, an' don't forgit it!" + +Daddy Skinner closed the door and dropped the bar after his departed +guest, and there was silence in the shanty until the sound of Lysander's +footsteps faded away. + +Then Tess crawled off the dwarf and stood up. + +"Landy," she groaned, "wouldn't that crack yer ribs! Now I got to be +prayin' to beat the band every minute to keep Andy in the garret an' to +save me from bein' married to the hatefullest old squatter devil in the +hull world." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE WARDEN'S COMING + + +At ten o'clock in the morning, the day after Andy Bishop was fitted into +Tessibel's straw tick, a covered runabout wound its way along the lower +boulevard running to Glenwood. Two men were seated in it, solemn, +dark-browed men, with dull eyes and heavy faces. The man holding the +reins was heavy set, square shouldered, and more sternly visaged than +his companion. Some one had said of Howard Burnett, that the Powers, in +setting him up, had used steel cables for his muscles and iron for his +bones; and surely there was a grim grip to his jaw that presaged evil to +those opposing him. + +"Devilish queer," he muttered, after a long silence, "how that little +dwarf ever disappeared the way he has, isn't it, Todd?" + +"Not so strange after all," protested Todd. "Andy Bishop could crawl +into a rabbit hole and still give the rabbit room to sleep." + +"That's true, too, but you'd think his deformity would prevent his +getting very far.... Now wouldn't you?" + +"Well, I don't know about that, either." The speaker struck a match +under the lapel of his coat, and cupping the tiny flame in his hand, +held it up to the dead cigar in his mouth, and added between puffs, +"Human nature's a funny thing!... Now Andy's got a kind a pleasin' way +with him ... even if he is deformed, ... and he's got a peach of a +voice. Why, he speaks as soft as a woman.... I wouldn't want him to ask +me to do anything I was set against if I didn't want to do it." + +"Rotten rubbish!" spat out Burnett. "I don't give a tinker's damn about +his voice. It's up to me to run the dwarf to earth, and I'm goin' to do +it." + +After a very long silence, Todd turned to Burnett. + +"But what does get me is why the five thousand Waldstricker's put up, +ain't been bait to catch Bishop before this," he said ruminatively. + +"Well, it hain't, that's evident," growled Burnett, setting his teeth. + +As a rabbit lifts its head, frightened at unusual sights and sounds, so +Jake Brewer lifted a startled face as Howard Burnett pulled up his horse +suddenly at the squatter's side. The warden stopped the man's progress +by lifting his hand. + +"Say, you, wait a minute there," he added to his imperative gesture. + +Jake paused, curious and attentive. + +"Haven't seen a dwarf, anywhere, named Bishop, have you?" Burnett shot +forth, leaning toward Brewer. + +The squatter shook his head. "There be some Bishops round here," he +retorted surlily, "but there ain't no dwarf as I know of by that name." + +"Where's the road leadin' down to that row of shacks by the lake?" +demanded Burnett. "Ain't there a lot of squatters living there?" + +Brewer assented by a wag of his head. + +"No end of 'em," said he, "but there ain't no very easy way gettin' down +with a horse.... Still, mebbe ye could.... Might tie yer wagon an' walk +down." + +"Who're you?" shouted the warden, gruffly. + +Jake cringed as if the questioner had struck him. + +"Jake Brewer," was the unsteady response. + +"What's your business?" + +"I ain't got no real business," replied the other apologetically. "I +fishes an' hunts an' things like that." + +"A squatter--eh?" + +"Yep, I air a squatter all right," Jake admitted, "but I air a decent +man, an' allers been decent. I don't do nothin' I hadn't ought to." + +"Who's sayin' you do?" snapped Burnett. "Now, I want to ask you a few +questions. I'm from Auburn Prison, and if you lie to me, I'll put you +where the dogs won't bite you.... Do you get me?" + +Jake's jaw dropped, but he stood still, and looked at the officer +anxiously. + +"Yep, I get ye," he returned submissively, "an' I ain't a goin' to lie +to ye nuther.... What do ye want?" + +Burnett's fierce eyes bent a compelling glance on the man in the road. + +"How many squatters 're living down by the lake?" he demanded harshly. + +Brewer thought a minute. + +"I calc'late mebbe there air fifty, mebbe a hundred," he answered. "I +ain't never counted 'em, mister." + +Jake moved on a little, but the warden stopped him peremptorily. + +"Any jail birds down there?" he thrust at him. + +Brewer made a negative gesture. + +"Not's I know of," he stammered. + +"Ain't nobody down there been in jail? Anybody ever been to Auburn?" + +Jake's crooked fingers mounted from his hair line to the back of his +skull, lifting the soft cap partly from his head. Then he scratched his +chin thoughtfully. + +"Well, there ain't no guilty man down there," he said, at last. "There +air Orn Skinner--" + +Burnett gave an exultant cry. + +"My God, I'd forgotten he came from this part of the country! So +Skinner's here among this set of squatters, eh? What luck! I'll bet--" + +"Ye won't find no dwarf in Skinner's shanty," expostulated Brewer with +conviction. + +"That's up to me to find out!" growled the warden. "Where does Skinner +live? Near here?" + +Brewer's fingers directed south. + +"First turn to the left, 'bout a mile ahead," he pointed out. "Skinner's +shack air close to the lake. A hedge and lots of flowers air growin' +'round it." + +Burnett tightened his lines, chirruped to the horse, and drove on, the +squatter staring open-mouthed after him. + + * * * * * + +The summer sun bathed the hillside and warmed the Skinner shanty. +Tessibel's hedge lifted its green head upward as if to catch the golden +rays. The flower beds rimmed the hut like a bewildering, gorgeous +rainbow. Everything belonging to Tess seemed at absolute peace with +itself and the world. + +Orn Skinner, his head sunken between the two humps on his shoulders, was +lazily whittling a stick when the sound of a horse's hoofs in the lane +near Young's barn arrested his attention. It was the one sound the +squatter expected that day, yet dreaded. Furtively, he leaned back near +the partly open door. + +"Some 'un's coming, Tess," he warned. + +Evidently, the fisherman did not expect an answer, for he straightened +up once more and proceeded to whittle. The pitter-patter of the trotting +horse, and the clatter of the wheels upon the flinty road, broke rudely +upon the familiar little noises of the quiet summer morning. One +sidewise glance satisfied Orn that the men in the vehicle were from +Auburn prison. He stopped whittling but a moment when Burnett drew up. + +"Hello, Orn," called the officer, stentorian-voiced. + +"Hello," and the squatter made a polite salute with his stick. + +Burnett tossed the reins to the man at his side and climbed to the +ground, advancing toward the fisherman. + +"This your hut, Skinner?" he interrogated. + +Orn Skinner's tongue clove to the roof of his mouth. He endeavored to +speak, but apprehension and dread had apparently paralyzed his vocal +organs. He hadn't fully realized until that moment how desperate the +venture to which he had committed himself and Tess. Between Andy Bishop +and this formidable giant from Auburn was but the brave little daughter +inside the hut. Would she be able to carry through the hazardous task +she'd undertaken? + +"You remember me, don't you, Skinner?" + +It took several seconds before the fisherman could clear his throat +enough to speak. + +"Yep," he succeeded at length in muttering. "I remember ye all right.... +Ye air Burnett from Auburn, ain't ye?... What do ye want around here?" + +Suddenly there came to the powerful officer a wild desire to throttle +the heavy-headed squatter. He had a feeling that this man knew more than +he could be forced to tell, perhaps. + +"Better hold a civil tongue in your head, old fellow," he threatened, +"if you know what's best for you." + +Orn lifted one great shoulder. + +"Ye ain't got nothin' on me, Burnett," he snarled defiantly, "but I know +ye wouldn't be comin' 'round here if ye didn't have somethin' to come +fer." + +The warden shoved his grim face so close to the speaker's that he drew +back, intimidated. + +"Sure, I come for something," snorted Burnett, viciously. + +"Then peel it off," answered Skinner, deep in his throat. "I air +listenin'." + +He was bending so far back now that his shaggy head rested against the +shanty boards. Burnett was piercing him with a strange, mesmeric gaze. + +"Where's Andy Bishop?" boomed like thunder from the warden. + +That name, though he knew his questioner's errand, so suddenly falling +on Orn's ears, congealed his blood and knotted his muscles with fear. + +"Andy Bishop?" he echoed irresolutely. "Andy Bishop? Who air Andy +Bishop?" + +Burnett lifted a huge fist, but dropped it again. The time hadn't +arrived to punch from Skinner the knowledge he wanted. Later, perhaps-- + +"Now none of that, Skinner," he barked savagely. "None of that, you +hump-backed brute. You know perfectly well who I mean, and you know +where the dwarf is, and we want him and we want him quick.... He made +his getaway from Auburn.... Now give him up, see?" + +Second by second, and minute by minute, Orn Skinner was gathering his +courage and strength. All through his life he had been used to brutal +officials like Burnett; so swallowing hard, he raised his great gray +head and looked straight into the other's dark face. + +"If ye mean that little dwarf who were up to Auburn when I were there, I +don't know nothin' about him," he said. "I ain't never heard he come +from this end of the lake." + +The warden's fist knotted once more. + +"You're a liar, Skinner," he scraped from his throat. "Now look here! I +know confounded well you know where he is. If you don't want me to hand +you trouble by the bushel, you'd better cough up that little dwarf. Get +me? Eh?" + +The fingers holding the broad-bladed knife sank to the fisherman's knee, +and for a moment the stick Orn had been cutting poised in the air. Then +a slow, broad smile showed his discolored teeth. + +"It air the truth I been tellin' you," he declared deliberately. "I +don't know nothin' about Bishop, an' I don't want to know nothin'.... Ye +ain't got anything on me, Burnett. I air a livin' here peaceful with my +kid." + +"Well, I'm goin' to search your shanty, anyhow," Burnett growled +menacingly, his under jaw sticking out like a bull dog's. + +"Well, search it, I ain't carin'," consented Orn. "But my kid air sick +in there, an' I don't want ye to scare her." + +Without waiting for further parley, Burnett, like an enraged lion, +bounded to the shanty threshold and one long stride took him well on his +way across the kitchen. Suddenly he stopped, staring straight ahead of +him, as if some shining spectre from another world had appeared in his +path. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +THE SEARCH + + +Burnett wiped his hand across his eyes to efface the vision which so +unexpectedly impeded his official progress. It was the sight of a girl, +nestled on a cot, and over the pillow upon which her head rested was +strewn in a wild, magnificent disarray, a profusion of tawny curls, such +as he never had seen. For a moment the corpulent deputy from Auburn, the +terror of all the criminals in the country around, forgot his delegated +obligation to the state. Tessibel Skinner's two slender arms huddled a +small, speckled hoot owl; and as in a dream, Burnett noted the girl's +red lips touched the bird affectionately in a hasty little caress. +Another thing he noted was the unflinching and prolonged questioning +glance with which the red-brown eyes met his. Tess couldn't speak a word +at first, now that she was actually face to face with the man after +Andy. He was even sterner than she had imagined he would be. + +Quite gravely she considered his big frame from head to foot, took hasty +account of the firm setting of his jaw, and the deep, clean-cut lines +from his eyes to his chin. Then, she smiled a rare, enchanting smile, +the deepening dimples around the red moist lips suffusing the deputy +warden with a warm, welcoming glow. + +"I heard ye talkin' to Daddy, mister," she said, gulping. "I air awful +glad ye came in to see me too. I'd a been hurt if ye'd gone without my +gettin' a peep at ye." + +During each infinitesimal space of time, Burnett stood in the sunshine +of Tessibel's smile, his austere churlishness was slipping from him like +a loosened garment. As if forced by an unseen hand, he took one step +nearer her. + +"Set down, sir," invited Tess, clutching the owl with one hand, and +making an elaborate sweep with the other. "That air Daddy's chair--ye +air awful handsome and big, but the chair'll hold ye all right." + +Burnett caught his breath and sank into the indicated seat. He'd +intended to turn that shanty over from top to bottom, to rip it almost +to the ground. But the sight of the red-headed sprite on the cot +fondling a woodland owl, and the effect of her smile upon the beating of +his heart, dissolved his rage and stayed his action. + +"Well, I'll be damned!" was all he said, and Tess smiled again. She +didn't mind if he swore. The one thing she desired was to get rid of him +as soon as possible. She was conscious of the gyrations of Andy Bishop +curled in the straw under her slender body, and she knew her curls were +shrouding a face distorted with anxiety. + +"Are you sick, kid?" questioned Burnett, when he could draw a natural +breath. + +"Well, ye see," acknowledged Tess, "I ain't 'xactly sick, but I got my +ankle all packed up. Sometimes girls hurt their ankles an' they have to +put a rag 'round 'em." + +Tessibel was very careful not to say she'd hurt hers in this explanation +to Burnett's question. + +"An' then ye see, sir," she pursued, "if ye turn yer foot over an' can't +walk, ye have to go to bed a spell, huh?" + +"Well, I should say so!" asseverated Burnett, mustering the manner he +always used with ladies. "Say, by George, I didn't know Orn Skinner had +a pretty kid like you." + +"My, didn't ye?" gurgled Tess, with shy lids drooping and her color +mounting. "I thought everybody in the hull world knew I were Daddy's +brat. He air had me fer ever so long. I been growed up for a lot of +years." She shifted the owl in her arms. "This owl air named Deacon.... +Want to pet 'im a minute, huh?" + +The warden threw back his head and roared. He felt as if he'd been hung +up for days by the thumbs--that this girl had mercifully cut the ropes +and let him down once more to peace and happiness. + +"No, thanks, I'll let you keep your pet," he laughed good-humoredly. +"Queer play fellow for a girl, that's my opinion." + +After a few more compliments, through which Tessibel flirted her way +into the big man's regard, the officer rose to his feet. + +"Little lady, I came here for a specific reason," he announced. +Unquenchable mischief shone upon him from smiling, enquiring eyes. + +"Oh," giggled Tess, "anyway, I air awful glad ye come." + +The grim lips of the deputy curled upward again. Tess adored his mouth +twisted at the corners like that. + +"I might as well get it over first as last," ventured Burnett. "But I'm +more'n anxious you shouldn't be mad at me. The fact is we've traced a +man down from Auburn--" + +Tessibel interrupted him, startled; at least she acted so. + +"From Auburn!" she gasped. + +"Yes, ma'am, a murderer! Andy Bishop. Little man like this," the warden +explained, measuring a short space from the floor. "By some means or +other he wriggled his way out of prison--" + +Tessibel's lips trembled and she turned her eyes away. Old memories +rushed over her, memories of the cold winter when she'd been alone in +the shack. + +"An' ye thought 'cause Daddy'd been up there once, the man must a run +right straight here, huh?" she accused, with a sob in her voice. + +"Well, I'll admit till I saw you I thought--I thought, but now--," a +negative gesture with his hand finished his answer. + +Tessibel turned withering, tear-wet eyes on her visitor. + +"I 'spose ye air thinkin' my Daddy even had something to do with his +flyin' the coop?" she flared up. "Air that it?" + +"No! No! I didn't think that at all," the under-warden made haste to +deny. "I just couldn't think that about _your_ father." + +Tessibel dimpled, suddenly glowing like a vivid poppy. + +"Thank ye," she whispered, wiping away the tears. "Why! My Daddy +wouldn't do nothin' bad for anythin' in the world. He's the best old +Daddy livin'." + +"Of course he is," vouched the warden, placatingly, "but what I want to +know is would you mind, or would it hurt your feelings--The fact is, I +came to search this house." + +Tess had expected this, and without demurring, flashed forth, + +"Ye mean ye want to go 'round it, don't ye, lookin' in all the corners +an' places; air that it, sir?" + +Burnett acknowledged this by a nod. + +"Sure, search it if ye want to, I don't mind. Ye'll 'scuse me not +gettin' up, won't ye? There ain't much to search, but ye can go in the +garret if ye want to. It air only a cubby hole; even the weest man in +the hull world couldn't stand up in it." + +Andy stirred perceptibly beneath her. + +"Then there air Daddy's room," Tess continued, "an' this room air the +kitchen an' the dinin' room an' the parlor, an' all the other rooms.... +An'--an' it air my room, too." + +"My God, but you're a cute kid!" he chuckled. + +Tessibel's laugh rang out deliciously fresh and free, and Burnett caught +it up and sent it back in one loud guffaw. Then the girl lifted one of +her curls and spread it out to its extreme length. Tess had been born +possessing all the arts of her sex, and used them effectively, upon an +occasion like this. + +"I wish my ankle wasn't wrapped up," she smiled hospitably. "I'd show ye +'round the shanty myself. Ye noticed the hedge when ye come in, didn't +ye? Well--I planted that an' all the flowers--and this owl belongs to me +an' I keep 'im in the garret,--an'--I almost got a dog once, but not +quite! Job Kennedy owns 'im, an his name air Pete, but he likes to live +here better'n he does to Job's." Tess gasped for breath and flushed +rosily. "But I air keepin' ye, sir," she excused, "an I mustn't do that. +You go on and look in Daddy Skinner's room an'--then ye go up in the +garret, an' then ye can look behind the chairs an' behind the stove, an' +ye can look under the bed--" + +She paused dramatically and held up a warning finger. + +"Please don't scare none of my bats nor my uther owls in the garret. +They be awful nice bats an' awful nice owls too! Ye wouldn't hurt 'em, +would ye, mister?" + +"I won't do anything you don't want me to, kid," the infatuated man +promised. "Honest, I won't search the house if you say not." + +"Oh, sure, search it," insisted Tess. "Then ye'll be pretty sure there +ain't nobody hidin' 'round." + +Burnett walked toward Daddy Skinner's room. + +"I wouldn't mind havin' a daughter like you," he vowed, looking back. "I +got two nice boys to home, but I tell you a man misses a lot in the +world, if he doesn't have a girl. Why, kiddie, I've had a better time in +the past five minutes than I've had in the past five years." He paused, +his hand on the latch of the door into Daddy Skinner's room. + +Tessibel gurgled and giggled, and giggled and gurgled, as if she hadn't +a care in the world although she felt a paralyzing pain in her heart for +the dwarf beneath her. Then she threw a mischievous glance into the +man's face and offered, + +"While ye air searchin' the shanty, I'll sing to ye, huh?" + +"Now, can ye sing?" interrogated Burnett, smilingly. + +"Oh, Golly, sir, I been singin' since I weren't no bigger'n this owl," +replied Tess. "I'll begin now." + +She knew Andy must be numb with fright and the weight of her body, and +remembered how many times when he had been kept in the garret long +periods together, while people were coming and going, and danger ran +high, she had sung to him--it had soothed his pains, allayed his agony. + +So as Burnett disappeared from sight into the little back room, Tessibel +began to sing the old, but ever newly encouraging song, + + "Rescue the Perishin'; + Care for the Dyin'." + +And in the fleeting moment during which the officer from Auburn was +searching Daddy's room, her hand went backward quickly and reassuring +fingers touched the dwarf's face concealed by her curls, and still she +sang, + + "Rescue the Perishin'; + Care for the Dyin'." + +Then Tess felt Andy's body relax and heard the faintest possible sigh. + +When Burnett came forth unsuccessful but cheerful, her fingers were +toying with her curls, and she broke off her song, question him with her +eyes. + +"There ain't a soul in there," laughed the man. "I might a'known Bishop +wasn't around here; in fact, I did know it the minute I looked at you, +kid. Now, just as a matter of law and order, I'll take a peep in the +garret and under the bed, and then I'm done ... Say, you got some voice, +ain't you, kid?" + +"It can holler good and loud," grinned Tess. + +"And you're some religious, I bet, according to the hymn you've been +singin'," went on the warden. "Now ain't you?" + +Tess sobered instantly. She was always very careful not to be irreverent +about sacred things. + +"You can bet your boots, I air some _awful_ religious," she acquisced +earnestly. "I've knowed about God and Jesus ever so long." + +"That's nice," responded Burnett, becoming grave in his turn. + +Oh, would he never go! Would he never finish? + +When Burnett walked toward the ladder, she sighed dolefully. + +"Does your foot hurt you, kid?" he asked, glancing over his shoulder. + +"Nope," faltered Tess. "I guess I were a thinkin' what'd happen to the +little man when ye get 'im." + +The warden was trying the strength of the ladder. + +"Oh, I'll hike him back up state quicker'n scat when I get my fingers on +'im," said he, his head disappearing in the hole in the ceiling. + +In less than thirty seconds he was down again and had taken a squint +under the bed. + +"There isn't any dwarf under there either," he said, amusement in his +tones. He stretched forth his hand, reaching down to the girl on the +cot. + +"Now, don't hold nothing against me, kiddie, for comin' here, will ye? +Just shake hands with a feller and say it's all right, eh?" + +Tessibel lifted the owl high in the air and opened her fingers. There +was a small ghostly flutter and in another instant Deacon had +disappeared into the garret. + +She gave the warden both her hands, and for the little minute Burnett +stood by the bed holding them in his and assuring her of his good will. +Tessibel sent up a prayer of thanksgiving. Her little Andy, Daddy +Skinner's friend, was saved! + +When Burnett reached the door, he looked back at her. The girl's lips +were parted in a brilliant, farewell smile. He whirled about and came +toward her again. + +"Kid," he said huskily, "I'm a hard-headed old cuss, harder'n brass +tacks. I been made so by just such men as Andy Bishop--" He paused, and +during his short hesitation, pregnant with meaning, Tessibel kept her +eyes on him. "I was wonderin', little one," he finished, shame-faced, +"when you say your prayers, if you'd pipe one for me. I need it, so help +me God, I do." + +In another moment he was at the door, and in response to the hasty +glance he sent her, Tess flung him a misty, loving smile. + +"Sure, sir, sure I will," she called, "an' thank ye for bein' so kind." + +Burnett strode out; Tessibel rolled off the dwarf's body to one side of +the cot, and Andy gave an audible grunt. + +"I air gee-danged glad that air over," sighed Tess. And as she lay very +still, the warden's hearty voice came floating to her. + +"That's a mighty fine girl you got, Skinner." + +Tess also heard her father's husky reply. "Bet yer life, she air.... +Good day to ye, sir." + +Shortly after, the anxious listeners in the shanty heard the click of +the horse's shoes and the rumble of the departing wheels on the stones +amid the wagon's creaking complaints against the steepness of the hill. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +TESSIBEL'S SECRET + + +Tessibel Skinner had been married to Frederick Graves for six long +weeks: She had become somewhat accustomed to the deception practiced on +Daddy Skinner, and Frederick was constantly allaying her fears and +misgivings by telling her that she belonged to him now; that she was his +darling, his joy, the better part of his life. Many times he assured her +between kisses that it wouldn't be necessary to keep the marriage secret +long. Each day, each hour, each minute, the girl-wife basked in the +thought of her young husband's love. She unfolded the hidden beauties of +her nature to him as spontaneously as the opening flower responds to the +genial warmth of the rising sun. + +Early one morning Tessibel arose, a new light shining in her eyes. +Because Daddy Skinner was still abed, she started to the shore for +water. It was a glad, shining, diamond-studded earth that greeted the +view of the expectant girl; there was wonderful stillness everywhere, +and for some minutes she stood contemplating the scene before her. South +from the Hog Hole to the northern curve at Lansing, the lake was +dappled, its surface broken here and there by little capfuls of breeze, +which dimpled in the light, while the smooth spots reflected the blazing +glory of the morning sun. The leaves of the weeping willow tree swept +the rapt, upraised face, and Tess drew down about her head and shoulders +one of the thickest branches. These century-old trees were really a +vital part of her life--old loves to Tessibel, loves that had kept watch +over her since the day of her birth in the shanty. + +[Illustration: "I WAS WONDERIN', LITTLE ONE, WHEN YOU SAY YOUR PRAYERS, +IF YOU'D PIPE ONE FOR ME"] + +A brilliant flame flooded her face.... Frederick stood with her in +spirit nearness. What she would tell him that evening would be whispered +so low that not even the nesting birds could hear. She imagined the +tenderness with which he'd clasp her in his arms, and thrilled, +visualizing the darkening of his eyes. Tessibel was painting +pictures--her exalted soul running the gamut of joy. + +What a wonder-world it was! What a glad, peaceful, new day, her first +real day of living--the beginning of life itself; Frederick's life and +her life! Now, of course, he would tell his mother they were +married--would take her to Daddy Skinner, and--and--She could plan no +farther just then. Her whole being was God-lifted. Even the waves +lapping at her feet seemed to speak the language of a world to come. + +She dipped the pail into the lake slowly, filling it with water. Then +with a last sweeping glance over the golden-tinted waves, she returned +to the shanty. Daddy Skinner by this time was seated in his chair, his +grey face wearing an expression of misery. + +"Ye air sicker this morning, honey, huh?" asked Tess anxiously, lifting +the pail to the table. + +"Yep, brat, awful sick, but mebbe I'll feel better after a while." + +"Yer coffee'll be ready quicker'n scat, dear," said the girl. "Flop on +my bed an' stretch out a minute. Tessibel'll get her daddy's breakfast." + +Five minutes later she had fried the fish and made the coffee. + +"I air goin' to give Daddy his eatin's first, Andy," she called up +through the hole in the ceiling. + +"All right; sure, do, kid," assented the dwarf. + + * * * * * + +Daddy Skinner gradually felt better, and during the morning Tessibel's +youthful spirits rose by leaps and bounds. All through the day she +warbled out her happiness, lovingly bantering the two crippled men. Thus +the minutes crept on to eventide, to that hour on the ragged rocks with +Frederick. + +She left the shanty early, that she might commune undisturbed for a time +with her dear wild world. Through the gloaming the dull sound of the cow +bells came distinctly from Kennedy's farm. The roosters were crowing a +last good-night to the sun. The monstrous shadows of the great forest +trees were going to sleep in the earth for another night. While the +daylight was fading, the girl sat relaxed against the rocks, her +unfathomable eyes contemplating the purple-spanned lake. She had drifted +into a reverie ... blissfully dreaming, with Frederick the foremost +figure of her dreams. The solemn descent of night ever signified the +mystery of his love to her. Now, from the fullness of her unalloyed joy, +she glanced up at the sky and blessed the whole world. In imagination +she deciphered the words the stars were forming. Stretched from pole to +pole, they lettered the heavens with the wonders of infinitude. In a +diadem of gold, "God is love" was written; from the unsearchable north +to the south where in their turn the slender rimming clouds sent it on +to the world beyond. "God is love," whispered the swaying trees, and +"God is love" came softly to the ear of the sensitive girl, as an echo +is flung back from the rocks and is sent home to its maker. + +And even as Tess dreamed, the passion stars in their invisible courses +bent toward her. Impulsively she lifted her arms upward toward those +twinkling participants of her secret, emblems of the immeasurable glory +of her love for Frederick. By a simple turn, she could see the tree of +her old-time fancies, the familiar figure in the tall pine, with +swaying, majestic head and beckoning arms. + +At that moment, she perceived Frederick making his way along the ragged +rocks. She could hear her heart's blood pulsing madly, striking at her +wrists, throbbing at her temples, making a race the length of her +quivering body. Now, she could see him plainly in the dim light, and a +smile deepened the dimple at each corner of her mouth. An indefinable +shyness kept her from running to him to tell her glad tidings. But what +made him walk so slowly and with hanging head? It wasn't like Frederick. +Something unusual had happened or he would not lag so in coming to her. + +She was even more mystified at the peculiarity of his greeting. With +nerves as tautly drawn as fiddle strings, she remained very still. In +his own time he would tell her all about it. She lifted her arms, but +Frederick, unheeding, sank to the rocks beside her. She laid her hand +on his, expressing her love to him by the simple contact. + +"Don't!" he said shortly. He drew away from the caressing fingers +impatiently. "I've come to tell you something." + +"Well, here I air," answered Tess, quietly. + +There was an exquisite tenderness in the young voice. In the white light +of the early evening Tessibel could see Frederick's brows fiercely drawn +together. Probably his mother was worse and that accounted for the +change in him. She became instantly all devotion. + +"Air ye goin' to tell me about it, honey?" she entreated softly. "It'll +make ye feel better.... Tell Tessibel." + +He turned away, and moved nervously until his shoulders were fitted into +a rock cavity; then, he dropped his head back with a prolonged sigh. It +was even more difficult than he had imagined. + +"Of course I needn't tell you ... that I love you, need I, Tess?" he +stammered, after a while. + +He could not assure her too many times of his affection. She leaned +against him, adoring, wrapped in the delight of his love as a water lily +is wrapped in its green sepals. + +"I know it, dearest!" she murmured, much moved. "Ye tell me that every +day. But what else air ye--" + +"You'll forgive me, and not be ... too unhappy?" Frederick interrupted +her anxiously. + +Unhappy, while her whole being was transfused with ecstasy! Unhappy, +when his life and hers intermingled in one glad, glorious song of +inseparable unity! There never could be a diminution of her joy. +Frederick loved her! That was enough. + +"There ain't nothin' I wouldn't forgive," she vowed, misty-eyed. + +"But, Tess, I feel as though you won't forgive me this," sighed +Frederick. "But if you'll promise me--" + +"I do--I will," she interjected, sitting up. "Why, of course, I'd +forgive ye anything." + +Frederick dared not look at her. Even in the twilight he could feel her +eyes searching his face for an explanation. + +"I need you to help me, Tessibel," he said at length. + +Help him! Hadn't she ever been ready to help him? He had but to ask her. +She dropped her head against his arm again. + +"Tell Tessibel," she urged, smiling. + +One slender, girlish arm slipped lovingly about him. A set of small +fingers took his cold hand in a firm grasp. + +"Tess loves ye, dear," came soothingly. "Now tell 'er, an' then ye'll be +happier." + +Shame rose rampant in the boy's breast. + +"I can't do it," he muttered under his breath. + +But he knew all the time he would. The events of yesterday, culminating +with Waldstricker's brilliant offer, closed every other path. He +groaned, catching his lips tensely between his teeth. Some one had to +suffer, but the sacrifice must not touch his mother nor estrange the +Waldstrickers. That Madelene would be wronged by his action gave him +little concern. But at that moment to hurt the girl at his side; oh, how +he hated the bitter necessity! Conscious of the despicable part he was +playing, but having really decided, he drew himself from the girl's +arms. To gain a little more time, he thrust his fingers several times +through his damp hair. + +"Tess," he hesitated, "you've promised you'd never tell about our being +married." + +An encouraging touch turned the boy's twitching face to hers. + +"An' I ain't never goin' to till ye let me," she asserted soothingly. +"Ye ain't lettin' that worry ye, darlin', eh?" + +She encouraged him to answer by the tender cadence on the end of her +question. + +"No, no, Tess!" Then desperately, "Oh, in God's name, how am I ever +going to get it out?" + +Tessibel became suddenly terror-stricken. It must be something very +serious to force from him such language in such heart-rending tones. She +shivered nervously. + +"You mustn't think for a moment, Tess," the boy burst forth, with +renewed courage, "that I don't love you! I shall love you always, +always." + +"Always," echoed Tess, reassured. If Frederick loved her, nothing else +mattered. Perhaps his mother was--Her thought snapped in two at an +ejaculation from Frederick. + +"And what I do is because--well, because--I must," he stammered. "You +understand that, don't you, sweetheart?" + +"Sure," agreed Tess, puzzled. + +"And nothing will ever be changed between you and me--" + +"Nothin' can ever hurt us, Frederick," she interrupted quickly. + +And Tess believed this to be the eternal truth. Faith the size of a +grain of mustard seed had piloted her through severe storms. Since Daddy +Skinner had been restored to her, that faith had grown to the size of +the mountain itself. + +"I won't let it," went on the student, swiftly. "Neither must you. You +must trust me--you must believe! No, don't put your arms around my neck +till I've finished!... And then, oh, my little girl, I shan't let you +out of my arms, ever! ever!" + +Greatly moved, he suddenly reached forth and drew her unresistingly to +him, smothering her hair, her eyes with kisses, clinging to her, as if +he would never, never let her go. + +Her heart beat wildly against his.... And she loved him more than all +the world, and loved God more because of him. + +But he released her almost immediately, and Tessibel sank back, sighing. +She was no longer nervously eager to divulge her secret. She waited +almost mechanically, as one waits for an advancing joy--as a hungry man +watches abundant preparation for the appeasing of his hunger. Hearing +him groan, she turned troubled eyes up to his. + +"Daddy always says for to tell bad things quick!" + +But this only served to call forth another deep breath of misery. After +a lapse of what seemed ages to the waiting girl, Frederick gathered +courage, and began, + +"Tess, I've told you how very ill my mother is, haven't I?" + +"Yes, an' I air awful sorry, dearie," she murmured. + +The compassion he aroused subdued her voice to a whisper. + +"And she's asked me to do something for her and I've--got to do it, +Tessibel," faltered Frederick. + +"Sure ye have," Tess agreed. + +"I didn't decide to do it, honey,"--Frederick was avoiding the vital +part--"until I saw how I could not let it make any difference to us. It +won't make any difference, dear heart!" + +And Tess, already living in some distant day with full heart and full +arms, breathed. + +"No, darlin', no difference to us.... 'Course not!" + +"Oh, I'm glad, so glad to hear you say that!" said Frederick, relief in +his voice. "It won't be so dreadful, my sweet, if you trust me. And it +won't be long--perhaps a year, perhaps two years--" + +Tessibel's muscles grew suddenly rigid. + +"Years, ye say?" she repeated, stupefied. "What years? Why years?" + +The resigned and submissive Tess changed instantly to an intense, +resolute woman, with compelling, fear-clouded eyes. Frederick, alarmed, +hastened to explain. + +"You remember Madelene Waldstricker, don't you?" + +Did she remember Madelene Waldstricker? Would she ever forget that one +night when he had treated her, his own wife, as though she were a +stranger? + +"Sure, I remember 'er," she admitted, flushing. "What about 'er?" + +Before replying, Frederick snatched her hand and kissed it. + +"My mother.... Oh, Tessibel, it'll be all right--" He paused, then +finished despairingly, "My mother wants me to marry her!" + +Tess caught the picture his words suggested; then recoiled as if death +in monstrous guise had appeared before her, open-armed. Incredulous +horror leapt alive in her eyes. He had said, "My mother wants me to +marry Madelene Waldstricker." But even though his mother had demanded +it, he couldn't! He wouldn't.... But he'd said he must! + +Tess clenched her hands until the nails pressed into the flesh of her +palms. Her throat refused to yield a speaking voice, but something +screamed aloud within her as if a giant hand had clutched and torn her +soul. + +"But ye air married to me," she got out at last, piteously. + +Frederick put his arms about her. + +"I know it, girlie dear!... I'm not denying that, but no one knows it +but us, just you and me, and I'm afraid ... I've got to do ... this ... +Mother ..." + +"Oh, God, no!" shuddered Tess. + +Oh, he couldn't mean to desert her now when she needed him so--needed +him more than she had even in those days when the shadow of the hateful +rope hung over her beloved father; even when Teola's child had been +thrust upon her, and Ben Letts had daily menaced her desolate life. + +She was still for so long a time Frederick feared she'd fainted. + +"Tess!" he spoke sharply. + +"What?" + +But it didn't sound like Tessibel's voice answering. + +"Will you hear me out, dearest?" he pleaded. "Oh, won't you listen to +me?" + +Surely she was listening intently. He had never spoken when she had not +given loving heed, if she were within the sound of his voice. Frederick +attempted to raise her face to his, but with a pathetic little word of +protest, she slipped from his arms, and fell face downward to the rocks. +The tortured boy would rather have had her scream, strike at him, +anything, than sink into that accusing, forlorn prostration! + +"Tessibel! Tess!" he cried. "Whatever I do can't separate you and me. It +can't! I swear not to let it!" + +He stooped and drew her gently to a sitting posture. + +"No, I won't let it!" he reiterated excitedly. "I won't! No other woman +_could_ ever take your place. Can't you see, Tessibel? Can't you +understand what I'm telling you?" + +"Nope," whispered Tess. "I ain't able to understand. Oh--" She lifted a +white, twitching face. "Oh, don't go 'way an' leave me! Not now--not +just yet!" + +"But you said," he entreated, "you've always said, honey, you'd stand by +me, and you will, won't you? This is the only way you can help. You +will, dear, please!" + +"I 'spose I air got to," she stammered, shivering. "Course I do +everything ye want me to. But--but--tell me ... why." + +"It's just like this," Frederick explained reluctantly. "My mother +needs--money. She's got to have it. She's already borrowed a lot of +Waldstricker and ... even our lake place is mortgaged to him. His sister +loves me--" + +The speaker felt the slender body recoil as from a blow. + +"Tess!" he cried, "I don't love her. Oh, can't I get you to understand +anything? If you tremble that way, you'll drive me mad. I'm only going +to marry her.... Well, to pay the money, that's all." + +He cut and clipped the words as though he hated them, yet finished his +explanation determinedly. As keenly as a darting flame, it burned into +Tessibel's soul. + +"Tell me ... more," she breathed dizzily. + +"It'll only mean you and I will be apart for a little while, Tess," +stated Frederick. "When I get back home, I'm coming straight to you, +and--" + +"She air lovin' ye, ye said?" interrupted Tess, huskily. + +"But I don't love _her_, Tess!... I love only you!... You know that, +sweetheart!... You hear me, darling?" + +"Yep, I hear," whispered the girl. + +Frederick settled back against the rocks, drawing her into his arms. + +"My father," he proceeded more calmly, "left us without any money. I +suppose I didn't realize how hard it's been for mother. She's only just +told me she'd mortgaged the lake place to Waldstricker and had borrowed +money from him. In a way I've been awfully selfish.... I've only thought +of you, dear." + +Of course, now she couldn't tell him that intimate secret! If he knew, +he couldn't, he just couldn't do the thing his mother demanded; and she +had promised to help him. He had said it was the only way she could be +of any service, and her great love rose up and demanded the sacrifice. +Tess scarcely recognized her own voice when she next spoke. + +"Did ye tell Madelene--I mean Miss Waldstricker--ye'd marry her?" she +asked. + +"Well ... yes," stammered Frederick. + +"And ye--ye--ye kissed 'er?... Oh, say ye didn't kiss 'er!... Ye didn't, +did ye?" + +It was a plea to which Frederick would have given worlds to truthfuly +answer, "No." But his conscience, evidently sensitive in small matters, +compelled an almost inaudible, "Yes." + +Raging jealousy, unendurable pain, arose within her. + +"But ye couldn't--be married--to 'er, Frederick. It ain't possible, it +ain't!" + +"I know I'm married to you," the boy assured her, swiftly. "I'd only be +married to her in the eyes of the world!" + +The eyes of the world, the world through which she had so far walked +with proudly lifted head! Her dearly cherished love seemed to be +tumbling in ignominious ruins, and that very love had left her +defenseless. No one would ever know he belonged to her; that she +belonged to him. She would have to creep with bowed head in assumed +shame and disgrace even among the squatters. + +"I'll die," she shivered, thinking of the coming spring. + +His burning kisses stung her lips, through which his words tumbled one +over the other. + +"You can't!... You shan't die!... Tess, you shan't! I'm only going away +for a little while.... You're mine, Tess, do you hear?... You've got to +live and love me always! You're mine! Oh, my love! Don't cry like +that!..." + +The crushing strength of his arms hurt her. Suddenly another picture +shot across her brain, like a searing rocket. She clung to his arm as if +she feared that minute would snatch him from her. Then suppliantly she +lifted not only her face, but also her hands. + +"Oh, she won't be like I air been to ye--like--like--" + +Frederick heard the anguish in the agonized, girlish voice. + +"Not like--not like I air been to ye, darlin'. Oh, God, not that!" she +cried again. + +She waited in panting suspense for a fierce denial. Then she struggled +frantically in his embrace. All that was alive within her--all the +super-vitalized part of her soul--seemed scorched by the picture his +significant silence had painted. + +"Let me go!" she demanded. + +Frederick tightened his arms about her. + +"Not yet, not yet! Stay here, rest here, my sweet." + +But again seeing that image of the small woman in her place, Tess +struggled and freed herself. + +"I air goin' to Daddy now," she whispered. "An' you can go home too, +please." + +But he caught her again to his breast. + +"You belong to me!" he cried intensely. "I won't go!--I'm going to stay, +Tessibel! I will--I will stay!" + +Tess wrenched herself free. + +"Ye c'n come again," she promised. "Some other time afore--" + +Frederick caught her broken sentence and finished it. + +"Yes, yes, Tessibel," he exclaimed. "I'll come back soon, very soon!" + +"Sure, soon," quivered Tess, swaying, "go on, please!" + +She flung up her hands, crying low in suppressed agony, as Frederick +whirled from her and walked rapidly away. He had not taken ten steps +before he was moved to go back, to take her again in his arms, but +thinking over all that had happened, of how hard it had been to flounder +through his explanation, he shut his teeth and went on. + +With super-hearing, Tess listened until the sound of his footsteps died +in the lane. + +He had gone--Frederick--her husband! Gone to another woman! No, that +couldn't be! He was hers always and forever. She sank down on the +rocks--on the dear, ragged rocks, where she had watched for him and +prayed for him, where life had been at its highest and best. + +She tried to recall all he had said. Oh, yes, he was coming back. What +did he mean by coming back? When? She dully wondered if it would be +tomorrow, or the day after, or the day after that. Three days, perhaps, +three long, interminable days to think of him and to long for him. Could +she live three days? She sprang to her feet. She must see him +again--now--this minute; hear him unsay that awful thing. Why, he +couldn't belong to Madelene Waldstricker! Like a deer, Tess sped along +the rocks in the direction of the lane. A night bird brushed a slender +wing against her curls as he shot by her. To him she paid no heed save +to swerve a little. + +Wildly, twice, three times she cried, "Frederick!" + +An owl hooted a mocking response from the willow tree nearby. + +"Frederick! Frederick!" rang through the night, out over the lake, +unanswered. He was gone! The realization of this brought the girl +crouching, shivering to the shore, where her feet were lapped by the +incoming waves. And there she lay, until as in a dream, a bewildered +dream, she heard Daddy Skinner's voice calling her. By a supreme effort +she gathered her senses together. + +"I air comin', Daddy." + +She stumbled through the night back to the shanty, her secret locked in +her breast. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +TESSIBEL'S PRAYER + + +For four lingering days, hour after hour, Tess of the Storm Country +waited for Frederick. He had promised to return, and so each day when +her household duties were completed, she hastened to the ragged rocks at +the edge of the forest. But her eager hope passed into sick apprehension +as the lingering twilights of successive evenings deepened into the +darkness of night and he did not come. Tess grew paler and more +dejected, so that even Daddy Skinner's fading sight remarked it. + +"Ain't feelin' quite pert, be ye, brat?" he inquired. + +Tessibel started nervously.... It was habitual now if any one spoke to +her quickly. + +"I ain't sick, daddy," she assured him. "I guess it air the hot day +makin' me tired." + +"Nuff to bake the hair off a cast iron pup," observed Andy, from the +garret hole. + +"I'll bet it air some warm up there, pal," sympathized Orn. + +"Ye bet yer neck," agreed Andy cheerfully. + +Then Tessibel hopefully started for the rocks in search of the sunshine +which had left her life with Frederick four days before. + + * * * * * + +Deforrest Young, too, had noticed the change in his little friend ... +had observed her extreme nervousness and unusual shyness when she +recited her lessons. Today, moreover, she had not appeared at all. Late +that afternoon he called at the Skinner home to find the reason. + +Daddy Skinner occupied his customary seat on the bench in front of the +shack, watching with listless, dull eyes the restless waves. He greeted +the professor with his twisted smile, as the latter called to him from +the lane. + +"Where's Tessibel?" asked Young, after they had remarked upon the +weather and the health of themselves and their friends. + +"Well, I don't know just where she air gone," replied Orn, "but seems to +me's if she went off toward the rocks. Shall I call her, eh?" + +"No, no! I'll go look for her," answered the professor. + +He found her sitting pensively on the rocks, her hand resting on the +head of Kennedy's brindle bulldog, and in the moment he stood there +gazing at the girl, he felt unaccountably saddened. + +When Tess became conscious of his presence, she gave him a shadowy, +fleeting smile, which vanished almost before it had fully appeared. Her +eyes were heavy and dim with unshed tears, and she was as pale as the +mist clouds that drifted slowly across the sky and away over the eastern +hills. Perhaps it was the melancholy of that smile appealing to his deep +love that made Professor Young hurry toward her, holding out his hands. + +Pete greeted him with a welcoming whine, wagging his whole body, in +default of the tail he had lost. + +"Your father said you were here, child," Young said in a low voice. "May +I sit down?" + +Tess acquiesced by a nod of her head, and he settled himself comfortably +on the rock. Crouching down on the other side of her, Pete put his head +in the girl's lap. Her hands rested upon his broad back, while the man +played with him, pulling and poking his heavy jowls and hanging lips, +and the dog uttered delighted growls at the attention. + +"I'm afraid my little girl hasn't been quite well of late," Young began +presently. + +The red-brown eyes fell and a flushed, lovely face bent beneath a shower +of bronze curls. + +"Has she?" he queried again, with tender sympathy. + +Lower and lower bent the auburn head until the man could no longer see +the troubled face. + +"I knew there was something wrong with my little pupil," said he softly. +"Now tell me about it." + +"I can't," whispered Tessibel. "I ain't able." + +Oh, if she only could! At that moment it seemed that all of her +troubles would take wing if this thoughtful, solemn-eyed friend shared +the burden of her heart. When she lifted her face again and repeated, "I +can't tell," Deforrest Young placed his fingers under her chin and kept +his eyes steadily upon her until the transparent lids drooped and the +long lashes rested on her cheeks. + +"Is it something you'll tell me some time?" he asked. + +Tessibel shuddered, and made no reply, although there was a slight +negative shake of her head. + +"Then I'll ask you another question, Tess dear," insisted Young. "Isn't +there something I can do to help you?" + +Tessibel shook her head, a violent blush suffusing her face. Tears +gathered thickly in the brown eyes. To see her thus was agony.... His +great love sought to share and bear her suffering, yet he could not +force her confidence. + +"I'm going to exact one promise from you," he continued, much moved. + +"I'll be awful glad to promise what I can," she murmured humbly. + +"Then it's this." Compassion for her abject misery was expressed in the +very tones of his deep voice. "If at any time in the future you need +me ... for anything, no matter what, will you--will you come to me and +tell me? Will you let me help you?" + +Impetuous appreciation of his sincerity caused Tess to touch his arm. + +"Nobody were ever so good to me in all the world," she said brokenly. + +Never had Deforrest Young so keenly desired the right to care for her as +he did then. The impulse to take her in his arms, to tell her, as he had +once, that he loved her, almost unnerved him; but he could not. Tess +seemed of late to have grown away from him, to be no longer the +light-hearted child she had been, even in that dark time when her father +was in prison. + +"You haven't promised me yet, Tessibel," he insisted seriously. + +"I promise ... sure!" said Tess, swallowing hard. + +In the silence that followed, Pete, as though conscious that all was +not well with his adored mistress, rose on his haunches, and tried to +kiss her face. The dog's sympathy was sweet. She wanted Frederick so +badly! Oh, she thought, if she dared ask Deforrest. She would! She could +not bear another night of this uncertainty, this suspense. + +"I air wishin' to ask ye somethin'," she stammered. "Don't tell anybody, +will ye?" + +"Certainly not," declared Young, quickly. + +"Do ye--do ye happen to know where--the student Graves air--today?" + +Young considered the long curls falling over each shoulder and the +anxious eyes. She was staring fixedly at him. Was the student somehow +connected with her present distress? Frederick's marked attention of +late to Madelene Waldstricker was, he supposed, generally known. He had +not seen him with Tess for a long time. He had concluded the young man's +interest in the squatter girl had passed. Was it possible that Tess +still cared for him? + +"Well, that's hard to tell," he told her presently, looking out over the +lake. "But if they've had good luck, I suppose the young people are +quite well on their way to Paris by now. The ceremony, one of those +hasty affairs, was performed yesterday. They took the night train to New +York." + +Tessibel's breath caught in her throat.... The heavens seemed to tumble +into the lake.... An awful booming sounded in her ears. She grew limp, +sick at heart, ... dizzy, but she made no outcry, only, unconscious of +its pain, bit her lip until it bled. The hope she had nursed, that he +would not do this awful thing was lost. + +Pete stirred uneasily. Restrained by Tessibel's hand on his head, he +laid down again making whining noises in his throat, inarticulate +expressions of his love for the suffering girl. + +"Didn't you know he was going to marry Miss Waldstricker?" asked Young. + +"Yep,--I knew," whispered Tess, when she could breathe, "but--tell +me--about it." + +"There's not much to tell," explained the Professor, reluctant to +distress her. "It seems the young lady didn't want a large wedding and +did want to start abroad immediately, so they had a private affair--no +one present but the relatives." + +Tess made an effort to control herself. + +"Graves won't go back to college any more," went on Young. "He's going +into business with his brother-in-law, Mr. Waldstricker. I understand +when they return from abroad they will live with my sister the rest of +the winter." + +There was no response from the drooping little figure at his side. + +Tess was thinking of the winter without Frederick. She sickened as she +pictured him away off in that foreign land. It seemed he must be at the +very end of the world. It bewildered her to think of his being with +another woman than herself. She could not think of them as married--He +was her husband. She was silent so long that Young spoke to her softly. +"Shall I take you home, my dear?" + +Numb and dazed, she sat dumbly enduring the hurt. + +"Nope, I air goin' to stay here awhile." 'Twas only a trembling breath +that wafted the man his answer. + +Young hesitated. Then rising he walked away along the rocks, leaving +Tess and the brindle dog amid the falling shadows. + +Spent with emotion, the squatter girl heard the retreating footsteps of +her friend die away in the twilight. Then she pushed the dog gently from +her lap and laid herself down upon the rocks and pillowed her aching +head upon his body. + +Gradually the tender melancholy of the dying day touched her mood with +subtle sympathy and soothed her troubled spirit. Rapt in rueful revery, +she followed mechanically the flight of a flock of birds. Like swift +shadows flitting over the water, they dipped and winged upward and away, +out of her vision. + +Frederick had gone from her life almost as completely and as suddenly as +those birds had disappeared from her sight. How mercilessly short had +been her days of happiness, those days threaded and inter-threaded with +her husband's love. + +The sun had set and the purples and reds were fading from the fleecy +clouds in the eastern sky. The gloaming grew in caressing cadences up +from the limpid lake to the ragged rocks. The night winds blew gently +down the hill side, the swaying leaves were whispering "hush, hush," and +the surface of the lake, shimmering in the mellow light of the rising +moon, was flecked here and there into silvery sparkles. The airs of +evening fluttered the ringlets upon her forehead and enveloped her hot +body in cooling comfort. Responsive to the quiet beauty about her, the +turmoil of her thoughts subsided. The sharp anguish which had at first +stunned her was becoming but a dull ache, permitting her to think +connectedly. + +This place and this hour held the most vital associations of her young +life. Here in the gathering gloom, Frederick had wooed and won her, and +had spent with her many of the too few hours of her wedded bliss. Upon +such another evening, she had made him the promises that had led to her +only deceptions of Daddy Skinner, and here, four short days ago, her +husband had murdered her joy. + +Reflecting upon her plight, its hopelessness well nigh overwhelmed her. +Through the utter desolution of her life rang the haunting, words of the +Cantata she'd heard sung last Eastertide in the Big Ithaca Church. + +"Oh, was there ever loneliness like this?" + +Over and over the melody repeated itself, insistently recalling the +Master's agony in the garden, and lifting her thoughts slowly upward +away from herself to His ultimate triumph and glory. + +Betrayed and deserted by the man that loved her, she fixed her attention +instinctively upon the Divine Love "with whom is no variableness, +neither shadow of turning" and sought courage from the words of Him "who +spake as never man spake." His command, "Love your enemies, do good to +them that hate you and pray for them which despitefully use you," came +to her tortured heart, a healing inspiration. + +Immediately she got to her feet. The dog, tired of the enforced +inactivity, jumped up and ran to and fro on the rocks, barking. She had +given her husband up to another woman--he had said it was all she could +do for him. But she loved him and her love rejoiced in giving. Pete, +puzzled that the girl did not join him in his play as usual, came back +and stood in front of her and looked up into her face. She turned to the +old pine tree, her familiar friend, and extended her arms to the God of +her exalted faith. + +"Goddy, dear, goodest Goddy," she prayed, "bless my Frederick wherever +he air--an'--help Tessibel to die--in--in the spring." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +A LETTER + + +A great deal had happened during the three weeks Frederick had been +gone. Helen Young had married Ebenezer Waldstricker, and they had been +away now nearly two weeks on their honeymoon. Deforrest Young, too, had +spent most of the time out of Ithaca. Tessibel Skinner heard from him +frequently, and through his good letters, she had been able to keep up +her studies. + +One Monday morning while Tess was doing the simple chores around the +shack, she had the door open to admit the vagrant breezes of the summer +day. Andy, as his custom was on such occasions, lay quietly upon the +attic floor, secure from the observation of any chance passer-by. +Stepping to the door to shake her dust rag, Tess saw Jake Brewer coming +up the path. + +"Hello, Jake," she called, a little loudly to warn Andy, "how air ye?" + +"Pretty tol'able, thank ye, Tess," Brewer answered politely, "how air +you, and how's yer pa?" + +"Daddy's pretty bad this mornin'," she told him, a reluctant smile +appearing for a moment at the corners of her mouth. + +"Pshaw! Tessie, ye don't tell me. It air the heat, ain't it? But Tess, I +air got somethin' for you," he sniggered. "Bet ye can't guess what it +air." + +"Sure, I can't, Jake." The girl tried to match his cheerful manner. + +She wished she might greet her squatter friends as of yore, but her +heart was sad and lay stonelike in her breast. Of late, Jake had been +very kind, running many errands for her. Daddy Skinner was a favorite +with the inhabitants of the Silent City, and now that he was so ill, all +the other squatters did what they could for his sorrowing daughter. + +"Come in, Jake," invited Tess. "Mebbe Daddy'd like to see ye.... He +ain't up yet.... Wait a minute.... I'll ask 'im!" + +Jake stayed her with a chuckle and a beckoning motion of his forefinger. + +"First I'll give ye what I brung ye, Tess," he said, while he fumbled in +his pocket. "Here! Look! It air a letter with a big ship up in the +corner of it.... Ain't it cute?" + +Tessibel held out a trembling hand for the square envelope Brewer +proffered her. How many times within the past weeks had she visualized a +ship as it took its rapid way to the other side of the world! How many +times had she seen her husband with Madelene Waldstricker on that +pictured steamer! Now here it was before her very eyes, more stately +even than her mind had portrayed it. She stared at the letter, her face +going very white. + +"Ye don't seem to be tickled, brat," said the squatter, grinning. + +"I air, though, Jake," she replied, "awful tickled.... Come on in an' +see Daddy!" + +She slipped the letter into her pocket and led the way to the back room. + +She bent over the bed and roused her father. + +"Jake air here to see ye, Daddy," she said. "Sit down, Jake! He can't +talk very loud, but ye can see he air awful glad to have ye here.... +Daddy dear, Jake Brewer air tryin' to shake hands with ye." + +Orn's great hand lifted slowly. + +"Glad to see ye, Jake," he mumbled. "I ain't the best this mornin'!" + +"Ye'll get better with the goin' of the warm weather," consoled Jake. +"These days be hot now for the wellest of us." + +"Yep," murmured Daddy Skinner, drowsily. + +Tessibel left the two men alone, and went back to the kitchen. Her +throat was filled with longing, her lips drawn a little closer together. +She sat down near the door, looking out upon the lake. She dared not +open the letter then, not until Jake had gone and Daddy was asleep. + +Brewer came out quietly, his cheerful manner subdued somewhat. + +Tess got to her feet. She tried to smile, but the serious expression on +the squatter's face brought her quickly to his side. + +"Jake," she murmured, quick-breathed, "ye think he air awful sick, eh?" + +Brewer shifted his gaze out through the door. The sight of the girl's +pleading face hurt him. + +"He ain't real pert; that air a fact," was his reply. + +"We air doin' everythin' we can think of," Tess told him. "Mr. Young's +doctor comes awful often, an' he says Daddy air got heart trouble." + +"He do seem to have a hard time breathin'," answered Jake, trying to be +cheerful; "but if I was you, Tessie, I wouldn't worry. He'll be gettin' +well. He air stronger'n a horse." + +Tess wanted to believe her father was better. She couldn't allow her +mind to take any other view of it. + +"He air always been right rugged," she said, nodding, "an' if his +heart'd only stop beatin' so hard--" She hesitated and touched Brewer's +arm. "Thank ye fer bringin' my letter," she interrupted herself +irrelevantly. + +"That air all right, Tess," smiled Brewer. "Ye see when I go to the +Postoffice fer our mail, I ask fer your'n an' fer Longman's, an' I most +allers get some fer one or t'other.... Nice day, eh, ain't it?" + +"Yep," affirmed Tess, dully. She bade the fisherman good-bye and stood +watching him take his way along the lakeside until he had disappeared. + +When she turned she caught sight of Andy's glistening eyes looking at +her. + +"Jake air a good feller, ain't he, brat?" he asked. + +Tess came directly under the ceiling hole. + +"Yep, he sure air," she answered. "Andy, I air a feelin' so bad today. +Will ye listen for Daddy if I go out a spell?" + +"Course I will, go long," he urged. "Close the door when ye go out. I'll +keep my ears open." + +Tess walked slowly along the lake shore path, her head drooping wearily. +She knew the letter in her pocket was from Frederick. To have opened it +even before Andy's loving eyes, or in the presence of any other person, +would have been, in her opinion, a desecration. + +Against the high gray shoulder of a ragged rock, she sat down pensively. +It was here she and Frederick had spent so many happy hours and, now, +alone, she had come to read his letter. She took it slowly from her +pocket, studied the picture of the ship in the corner, and whispered +over and over the name under it. It seemed almost impossible to tear it +open. What had he told her? She pressed the envelope to her lips. Her +darling's hands had touched it, his fingers had written her name upon +it. Ripping it slowly along the edge, she took out the contents, and +there fluttered to the rock a yellow backed bill. Tess picked it up and +examined it carefully. Frederick had sent her some money. Tess laid it +down again and placed a small stone upon it. Then she took up the +letter. + +For a few seconds her eyes misted so profusely she could not read. She +dashed the back of her hand across her lids, choking down hard sobs that +rose insistently. When she could control her emotions enough to read, +she fixed her eyes upon the first words: "My own darling:" + +Crunching the paper between her fingers, she dropped her head and wept +wildly for several minutes. She wanted Frederick then as she had never +wanted a soul in all the living world. + +"I am here alone in the writing room," Tess read on, wiping her eyes. +"Oh, Tessibel, when I think of you there without me, I go almost mad! +What I've done seems the very worst thing in the world, and it grows +worse as the hours go by. Forgive me, my darling. I dared not come back +after that night; I was afraid some one would see me and tell my mother +or some of the Waldstrickers. Tessibel, if I could only jump into the +sea and get back to you, I should be the happiest fellow in the world. I +love you more and more, and I'm perfectly miserable without you." + +Her fingers on her lips, and her eyes on the letter, Tess wept softly. +Oh, how she loved him, too, her husband. + +"I won't stay away very long, my dearest," the letter continued. "I'm +coming back to you and shall never leave you again. I'm sending you some +money which I want you to use, and I'll send more very soon. This will +make you comfortable for a little while." + +Tess picked up the bill and looked at it once more. Then she put it down +again and went on reading the letter. + +"I shall always love you better than any one else in the world, +Tessibel ... when I return we shall be together most of the time. I shall, +I hope, get over my fear of Ebenezer Waldstricker. I'm studying in my mind +a way to make it possible for us to have a home together, of which no +one shall know. Believe that I love you ... always and always, my +darling. + Your + Frederick." + +Tess lifted her head with a long-drawn sigh. But there was something +more to read, a line or two tacked on the end of the letter. + +"P. S. My darling, I want you to burn this! I fear some one might get +hold of it. + F." + +After reading over and over the letter, until she had almost learned it +by heart, she went back to the shanty, to do as Frederick had bidden +her. Kissing the pages again and again and weeping softly so as not to +disturb Andy, Tess burned the letter. + +That night when Daddy Skinner was sleeping, his laboring breath heard +plainly through the shanty, a red-brown head bent over the kitchen +table. Around the flickering light fluttered the summer moths, and once +in a while one of Tessibel's beloved night things dashed in at the +window, took a zig-zag course about the lamp, and flew out again into the +shadowy weeping willows. A long, sobbing sigh from the girl brought the +dwarf's eager face to the hole in the ceiling. + +"Air ye sick, brat?" he whispered. + +Tess lifted her eyes from the table. + +"Nope, Andy, I were thinkin', that's all," she answered, low-toned. + +And perhaps fifteen minutes later, when she had written a name on +several envelopes and had torn them up in seeming disapproval, Andy +ventured again. + +"Ye act awful sad, brat dear. Can't ye tell me about it?" + +Tessibel rose to her feet, the gleam of the night light radiating upon +the red-brown of her eyes. She swallowed the lump in her throat before +she could speak. + +"I air a little sad, Andy dear," she murmured. + +"What were ye doin', honey?" asked the dwarf. + +Without answering at that moment, Tess took up the envelope she'd +sealed. Two steps took her to the mantel, where she placed the letter +against the clock, standing a minute to gaze at it. The next instant she +explained to the little man leaning above her. + +"I were writin' a little, Andy, darlin'." + +Then she went softly into Daddy Skinner's room and closed the door. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +ITS ANSWER + + +While Tessibel Skinner, lonely and despondent, was grieving in the +squatter country, Frederick Graves arrived in Paris with his young wife. +There had been for him but few hours since that last evening upon the +ragged rocks, during which Tessibel's face had not haunted him, the +brown eyes, sometimes smiling, more frequently shadowed with tears. +Impotent remorse possessed his days and filled his wakeful nights with +anguish. At such times when life seemed intolerable, the thought of the +comfort he had supplied for his mother and sister was balm to his +troubled soul. + +He regretted, too, that he had not gone to the squatter settlement to +see Tess again before his marriage to Madelene. He had thought, then, +that the sight of her pleading pain would be more than he could bear. He +had already vowed to himself over and over with clenched teeth that he +would stay but a short time away from America. He must see Tess. He did +not worry over her keeping the secret of their clandestine marriage ... +he had implicit confidence in her promise. + +Madelene's keen enjoyment in displaying the many sights, already +familiar to her, bored him to distraction, and they had been in France +but a few days before she discovered his indifference to the wonders +which seemed of such importance to her. On the way over she had noticed +his spells of abstraction. She had seen how quickly the shadows +descended upon her husband's face when it was in repose. With an +intuition characteristically feminine, she concluded rightly that +Frederick's interest was not in her, that his attention was really +concentrated upon something quite apart from his wife and their +honeymoon. She determined to find out the reason. + +One morning, breakfasting in their charming room, Madelene started a +bright conversation, which Frederick met with but a chilly response. + +"What's the matter with you, Fred?" she demanded curiously. "You haven't +spoken a pleasant word for two days." + +A faint smile sketched itself about the corners of Frederick's lips. + +"Aren't you stretching that a little, my dear?" he evaded +half-playfully. + +"Well, perhaps a wee bit," laughed Madelene, ruefully. "But honestly, +dear, you look as if you'd lost your last friend instead of being on +your--honeymoon." + +She sprang up, rounded the table and perched daintily on the arm of his +chair. + +"I do want to make you happy, darling," she urged. "What's the trouble?" + +Frederick made a slightly impatient gesture with one shoulder. + +"I'm happy enough, Madelene! But it's this beastly weather! I suppose +that's the reason I feel so lackadaisical. If you don't mind, I don't +believe I'll go out today." + +Madelene uttered a little cry of disappointment. + +"Now, I _am_ vexed!" she pouted prettily. + +"Oh, then I'll go with you, of course," Frederick hastily cut in. "It +doesn't make any difference to me." + +The young wife felt an impulse to anger. + +"But it ought to make a difference, Fred dear," she pointed out to him. +"Why, you make me feel so small ... so insignificant.... I don't want to +drag you about if you don't want to go." + +Absorbed in his self-centered meditations his wife's sightseeing +excursions seemed to him a perfect nuisance. + +"I didn't mean to hurt you, dear," he apologized hurriedly. + +Madelene got up and went to the window and gazed down upon the street. + +"I know what we'll do," she stated, dancing back to the table. "Let's go +to some quiet, cool place for a week or two. I hate Paris in the hot +weather, anyway. And it'll be fun to be by ourselves ... and we'll have +long walks.... Would you like that?" + +The dark wave of blood surging into Frederick's temples made her look +curiously at him. Why should he be embarrassed at such a suggestion? + +"As you please, my dear," he interrupted her thought. + +Madelene sighed. He did look ill. It might be the hot weather, but he +had such a strange, detached manner most of the time ... as if he were +far away ... or she was. Her mind was busy with the problem. She could +not eat. + +Frederick, too, was but toying with his breakfast. He was wondering just +what Madelene was planning to do in the country. It would be even harder +for him there than in the city. With Tessibel's face always between +them, he could not make a lover's love to her anywhere. + +An hour or so later, while Frederick had gone to smoke under the trees, +his wife stood critically studying her reflection in the glass ... with +but few misgivings. She was pretty, surely so, and very rich! What more +could a man want? In the coolness of the country, Frederick would be +better. He would lose his moroseness and give his undivided attention to +her. She would make all the arrangements for the change without +disturbing him. He should not be bothered a little bit; and Madelene +grew quite happy again with the thought of having Frederick all to +herself in some romantic country spot. + +She summoned her maid, and for a while with the aid of the hotel +officials, she sought for a place near Paris, yet far enough away to +escape its harassing heat and noises. By night Madelene had decided upon +a farm near the village of Epernon. + +"We can get in to the city to shop, Marie," she told her maid. "But Mr. +Graves simply can't stand the hot weather in town." + +"He does look sick and worried, ma'am, doesn't he?" agreed the maid. + +Twenty-four hours later Frederick and Madelene were settled in a pretty +villa nestled at the edge of the forest. Nature in its noblest +expression surrounded them. At the going down of the sun, Madelene stood +beside her husband on the porch, and pressed her cheek fondly against +his shoulder. + +"It's so beautiful, isn't it, dear?" she whispered coaxingly. + +Out of his wife's words and the gentle gloaming, came a deadly sense of +loneliness. A shiver shook Frederick from head to foot. His only answer +was an ejaculated affirmative in a hoarse voice. The weird sighing of +the trees took him back to Ithaca, back to the ragged rocks ... to +Tessibel. For a moment he was so agonized that tears stung his lids to a +deep hurt. + +If in noisy Paris he had been carried in spirit to the squatter country, +where a girl stood and gazed at him with red-brown eyes, how much more +did she haunt him in the quiet spot where the leaves sang the same old +tunes they sang in her world, where the wind played among them as it did +in the Silent City! Now and then from yonder clump of trees a bird +twittered; an owl screeched from the tall tree at the right, and farther +on a brook chanted its purling song like Tessibel's brook under the +mudcellar. Oh, his dear little girl! His Tess of the Storm Country! If +in those olden days he had desired her, now that desire was a hundred +times more poignant. In all his willful life he had never suffered like +this. Tess with her clinging arms, her sweet, winning ways! He sighed a +deep, long sigh. Yet soon he would hear something from her. He had +written her, ... had sent her money for the necessities of her simple +life ... his heart throbbed at the thought of a letter from her. + +Madelene's conversation he had not heard, and it was not until she spoke +directly to him that he remembered her presence. + +"Don't you think so, Fred?" she was asking. + +He heaved another sigh as he left Ithaca and came back to France after +that flight of fancy. + +"Don't I think what? I really didn't hear what you said, Madelene," he +admitted guiltily. + +Madelene experienced a hot flash of indignation. + +"Do you mean to say you've allowed me to talk all this time and you +haven't heard a word I've said?" she demanded in a thin, rasping voice. + +"I'm sorry," murmured Frederick. "Pardon." + +Then the girl lapsed into a sulky silence, and Frederick, too sick at +heart, too indifferent to her likes and dislikes to care, did not +encourage her to repeat what she had said. + +It was perhaps a week later when young Mrs. Graves felt her first real +jealousy. In the happiness of her hasty marriage, she had almost +forgotten the story told her by the gossips of Ithaca. It was only when +her husband's eyes were encircled and darkened by a far-away expression +that Tess entered her mind. But even then, after a glance in the mirror, +she dismissed the little singer contemptuously. + +One morning just before breakfast, they were standing under the trees. +On Frederick's face was that dreary look of discontent. Madelene +contemplated him steadily. She had watched and studied, but had not yet +solved the problem that occupied her mind. Was the squatter girl the +obstacle? she wondered. It didn't seem possible. Frederick was so +fastidious. Why, the girl could scarcely speak a word of good English! +But it would do no harm to make sure. She decided to speak to her +husband of Tessibel Skinner. But how? + +Frederick owed her some consideration, and Madelene deeply desired he +should be more attentive to her. Suddenly she laughed aloud. Frederick +turned, the cloud partially lifting from his eyes. + +"A happy thought, I dare say?" he inquired. + +"Not very," answered Madelene flippantly. "I was wondering how long it +would take that Skinner girl to earn enough money to pay for a trip like +this." + +Had a bomb gone off in his face, Frederick couldn't have been more +appalled. His brows drew together in a dark frown; his face grew livid +and tensely lined. Madelene noted the effect of her words. Her suspicion +was confirmed,--the problem solved! It was the squatter girl who stood +between her and her husband! + +"I forbid you," said Frederick in a low, angry voice, "ever to mention +that name again." + +Then he whirled about and walked away through the trees. In alarm, +Madelene sped after him. + +"Frederick!" she implored. "I'm awfully sorry I said that.... I didn't +mean to hurt you." + +He shook her from his arm. + +"Very well," he replied savagely, "but just please don't speak of her +again." + +Tears blinded the girl's vision.... An enraged feeling rose in her +heart. Never in all her spoiled life had any one spoken to her in such a +way. If Ebenezer had been there, Frederick would never have dared! + +By this time, having stood mute for several seconds, she was thoroughly +indignant. This was her first real conflict with Frederick, and she +began to feel ill as well as incensed. + +"It's dreadfully disagreeable of you to get angry over a little thing +like that," she said impetuously. "One would think you loved that girl +and not me. I was told lots of times you were crazy about her, but of +course,--" + +She hesitated now. She wanted to say cruel things about the squatter +girl back in Ithaca, but she dared not. She was overwrought with anger, +but her husband's threatening face forced her to silence. + +"Are you determined to keep harping on a subject I wish to forget?" His +words carried an ominous meaning, which quickened her already awakened +jealousy. Determined to probe the matter to the bottom she demanded. + +"Why should you wish to forget her? Does she disturb your memory as much +as that?" + +"Perhaps," replied Frederick gloomily. + +He saw the danger involved in the discussion and curbed his tongue. Then +he left her and walked quickly into the house. Madelene followed, angry +and rebellious, and found him seated at the table, white-faced, with the +morning mail unnoticed before him. Still enraged, she glanced over the +letters indifferently. + +"They're all for me with the exception of one," she said sulkily, "and +it's an Ithaca letter.... May I open it?" + +Frederick took it from her and looked at the envelope. His name was +staring back at him as if every cramped letter were an accusing eye, and +the writing was in the hand of Tessibel Skinner! He studied it a +minute.... + +"You have mail of your own to read, my dear," he said quite kindly. +"Let's have breakfast." + +When during the morning Frederick found a moment to himself, he took +from his pocket the letter that had been searing through his clothing to +his heart. Gazing upon it, he shook as if he had the ague. Trembling +hands held it up to the light. Several times he turned it over. What had +Tess written to him? Had she told him, as he had her, that she loved him +better than all the rest of the world? He uttered a desperate +ejaculation and stretched out his arms. If he could have spanned the +world that separated them, he would have dragged her to him by the +terrible force of his desire. Again he turned the letter over. + +Something kept him from ripping it open. He longed to delay the +happiness of reading it, and while he waited, he lifted it to his lips +and passionately kissed the crude writing. It ran up hill a little, but +that only made him smile and love it the more. It brought memories of +past joys, memories of Tessibel's endeavor to learn. Poor little child! +Suddenly he slipped the paper knife into the envelope and slowly dragged +it across the top.... Then he inserted his fingers and pulled out--the +bill he had sent her. In a sudden passion he looked frantically into the +empty envelope.... Nothing!... Absolute emptiness! + +The money fluttered from his hand to the floor, where it lay like a +sentient thing, staring back as if mocking him. He stood half-blindly +gazing upon it. When he looked more closely, he stooped and picked it +up. There written across its yellow back was the one little line, + +"Darlin', I air a prayin' for you every day. Tessibel." + +In a storm of remorse, he collapsed to the floor with his face in his +hands. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +MADELENE COMPLAINS TO EBENEZER + + +"Read that letter; then you'll see why I'm angry," said Ebenezer +Waldstricker to Helen one morning after he had frowningly perused a +letter from Madelene. "Her last two have had a touch of this thing in +them, too. If I find--" + +He stopped because his wife had dropped her eyes and begun to read. + +"Dear Eb:-- + +"Your letters have come along one after another, but they haven't made +me feel happier. I do dislike to act as if I were telling tales; but I'm +so miserable, and you're the only one in the world I can call on in my +distress. You will forgive me, I know, dear Ebenezer. We've been here +now such a long time, that I really feel as if we ought to come home, +but I simply dread it more and more I think of it. + +"You can't imagine how doleful Fred is, and I know it's the Skinner girl +who's causing it." + +Helen uttered an anxious exclamation. She knew her husband's dislike of +the squatters. Her quick glance at his face called from his stern lips +the cold question. + +"Have you finished?" + +"No." + +"Then do!" he snarled, opening and closing his hands impatiently. + +"You may ask me what proof I have," Helen read on, a slight pucker +between her brows, "and I will say this: Fred has two or three times +called me by her name, nearly dying of embarrassment when I asked him to +account for it. Then once in his sleep he called out quite sharply, +'Tessibel!' He flies into all kinds of rages when I ask him questions +about her. He won't admit he's ever cared anything for her--" + +Helen looked up again and paused momentarily. + +"Well, Ebenezer, he used to like Tessibel!" + +Waldstricker waved his hand angrily. + +"What's past is past!" he roared. "And now he's got to treat my sister +decently, or I'll know the reason why.... The young pup! Why, here I've +given him the chance of his life!... But finish the letter!" + +Helen sighed as she again allowed her eyes to rest on the page in her +hand. + +"But I feel sure his interest in her isn't because of what she did for +his sister," Madelene's letter continued. "Will you take some pains to +find out all you can for me, Eb dear? It might be well for you to see +her yourself, and perhaps you could make her admit something. I don't +want you to worry about me, though. If I can make Fred act like a human +being, I'll be happy enough. Tell Helen I shall bring her a lot of +pretties from Paris, and will be awfully glad to see you both. Love to +all. + Madelene." + +"P. S. Perhaps you can make that girl tell you whether she's had a +letter from Fred or not, and make her give it to you if you can. I think +he's written her, but he says not." + +"I'm very sorry about it," Helen murmured. She laid the letter on the +table and looked across at the dark-faced man opposite, "but really I +don't think Tess cares for him at all now. Deforrest has repeatedly said +she never speaks of him, and that as far as he can make out, she has +quite forgotten him." + +"I'll make it my business to find out," muttered Waldstricker. "If I +discover she has any hold on that young--" + +"They may just've been romantic," excused Helen. "Why don't you ask +Deforrest to find out for you?" + +Ebenezer shook his head. + +"I'm going down first myself," said he. + +Helen rose and went to her husband's side. Her eyes were misty with +unshed tears. She so desired Ebenezer to be himself again. She felt a +little rebellious when she considered Madelene's turning her peaceful +home into such a turmoil. + +"You won't be stern with her, dear?" she pleaded. + +"I'll treat her as she deserves," snapped Waldstricker.... "If Deforrest +weren't so stubborn and hadn't rented Graves' place for the next four +years, I'd do my best to oust the Skinners from that property.... One +thing is certain, the old witch has got to go." + +Helen sighed, exasperated. Her husband's face was crimson and the cords +in his neck as rigid as taut ropes. + +"Ebenezer dear, why will you get yourself into such a state of +excitement over a set of people who'll never come into your life at +all?" she begged of him. + +There was gentle reproof in her tones. Ebenezer glanced at her sharply. + +"Never come into my life at all!" he repeated. "Does this look as if +they never came into my life, eh?" He leaned over and tapped Madelene's +letter. "Am I going to see my sister--" + +"Madelene is probably mistaken," interjected Helen, hopefully. + +"It'll be better for the squatter girl if she is," answered Ebenezer, +whirling and going out. + +Now it happened that Tessibel was standing outside the cottage clipping +her hedge when she heard the sound of horses' hoofs coming down the +lane. She stepped to the shanty door, gave the sound which warned Andy +of a stranger's approach, and was back again when Waldstricker's great +black horse came in sight. Opposite her, he drew his steed to a +standstill and bowed curtly. Tess had never seen his lips so sternly +set, not even when he had dragged her from Mother Moll's hut. She made +no move to go to him. + +"I came to speak to you, Miss Skinner," he called. "Come here?" + +Then Tessibel went a few steps nearer, without laying down her shears. +Looking up into his face, she asked, + +"What do ye want, Mr. Waldstricker?" + +It was hard for Waldstricker to tell just what he did want when that +pair of red-brown eyes were gazing at him. + +"I think I'll dismount," he said suddenly. + +Throwing one leg over the broad back of the horse, he slipped to the +ground. The bridle over his arm, he walked toward the girl until she +was standing but a step away. + +"You haven't any news of Bishop for me, I suppose?" he asked. + +Tess grew suddenly intuitive. Immediately she knew he had not come to +ask her about Andy. She shook her head, her tongue cleaving to the roof +of her mouth. + +"Have you done anything to locate him?" persisted Waldstricker. + +He was feeling his way to bring in the other matter, and looking more +closely at the girl, he reluctantly admitted to himself she was +beautiful. + +"My daddy's been awful sick," said Tess quickly. "I ain't much time to +do anything but take care of 'im an' sing in the church." + +Waldstricker was not interested in the sick squatter, so he gave no sign +of sympathy. Rather, he wanted to come to the crucial point immediately, +but Tess was so unapproachable that he remained quiet a few embarrassing +moments to think of the right thing to say. + +"You must be a little lonely now Mr. Graves is married," he stated +presently. + +Tessibel grew deathly pale, and took one backward step. Had he come to +talk of Frederick? Had he found out the secret she had kept religiously +so many weeks? + +"Mr. Graves?" she repeated, and then again in almost a whisper, "Mr. +Graves?" + +It was the first time in ever so long she'd pronounced that loved name +aloud. + +"Yes," said Waldstricker, darkly, "and I came down today to see the +letters you've received from him." + +Tess lifted her head and looked him straight in the eyes. Did he know +she had had that one precious letter? Who'd told him about it? But she +couldn't give it to him,--it was burned. Neither would she admit +receiving it. + +"What letters?" she asked, when she could speak. + +"Those Mr. Graves sent you from France!" responded Waldstricker, in very +decided tones. + +Tess thought quickly. Frederick had told her he was afraid of +Waldstricker. So was she! He was the man who had been instrumental in +taking her husband away from her. She felt a cold rage growing into +active life within her. How dared he come here. + +She was looking at him so steadily that the powerful churchman lowered +his eyes, and for a moment pretended to be arranging the horse's bridle. +Then, he centered his bold, black eyes upon her until her nerves +tingled. + +"I wish to see what he's written you," he repeated, this time rather +lamely. + +"I ain't got any letters," Tess told him. + +"Haven't you received any from him?" demanded Waldstricker. + +The girl shook her head so decidedly that her curls vibrated to the very +ends. It was as though every bit of her loving body would shield the +dear one way off in France from this compelling, mesmeric man. + +Waldstricker felt she was not telling the truth. He grew enraged, the +blood flying purple to his face. + +"I said I wanted you to give them to me," he repeated emphatically, +going nearer her. + +"An' I says as how I didn't have none," evaded Tess, growing angrier by +the minute. "An' if I did, I wouldn't give 'em to you. 'Tain't none of +yer business if I get letters, I'll have ye know!" She took several +backward steps toward the shanty. Her rising temper stirred up the +impudence she used in her conflicts with the rude fishermen. "Jump on +yer horse an' trot home," she finished tauntingly. + +Waldstricker's mingled surprise and anger showed in his exclamation. +What an impertinent little huzzy she was! In his heart he believed +Madelene was right, but the defiant squatter girl baffled him. He would +go home more than ever satisfied Tess Skinner was keeping from him +something about his young brother-in-law. He mounted his horse, his +muscles working with rage. + +"I'll make you confess sooner or later," he muttered ominously, "or I'll +know the reason why." + +"Scoot!" was all Tess said, and she waved her hand and snapped the +pruning shears together derisively. + +Waldstricker whirled his horse up the lane, and striking the animal with +a spur, bounded away. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +THE END OF THE HONEYMOON + + +Helen Waldstricker walked nervously up and down the library. Many times +during the past hour she had gone to the window and stared out into the +night. It was almost impossible to read or work with her mind in such a +state of perturbation. Every sound caused her to lay aside her book. She +was waiting for Ebenezer to return from the station with Madelene and +Frederick. + +Helen dreaded the home-coming of the newly married pair. Ebenezer was +all upset over the letters his sister had written him from abroad, and +as Deforrest was obliged to be away so much, she had spent many hours of +mental worry by herself. + +The sound of a carriage took her into the hall, where she stood until +Ebenezer threw open the door. + +The first sight of her young sister-in-law showed Mrs. Waldstricker that +the girl was not at all contented and happy. Madelene's face was pale, +but not more so than Frederick's. Ebenezer looked like a thunder cloud. +Helen, with her usual tact and sweetness greeted the young people in a +sisterly manner. + +"I'm so glad to have you both back," she purred, kissing first one, then +the other. "Now, dear,"--to Madelene, "come along up with me and get off +your wraps and then we'll have dinner." + +The two women went upstairs together in silence, and it was not until +Helen had closed the door and Madelene had removed her wraps that Mrs. +Graves turned upon her brother's wife. + +"I suppose you noticed from Ebbie's letters that I've been awfully +unhappy?" + +"Yes," admitted Helen, "but I was in hopes it had passed over." + +"It's worse now than it was before," answered Madelene, "I'm perfectly +certain he doesn't care for me--" + +"Then why did he marry you?" interrupted Helen. + +"For my money! That's why!" + +Helen's answering ejaculation brought a short, bitter laugh from the +girl. + +"Oh, no, dear," protested Mrs. Waldstricker. "You must be mistaken. I'm +positive, he's an honorable young man." + +Madelene flung herself impatiently into a chair. + +"Sit down," she said. "Don't stand up!... Oh, I'm so tired! It seems +years since we left France. And Fred's been like a death's house all the +time. I can't for the life of me see why he should act the way he does. +Why, Helen, he goes days without as much as ever starting to speak to +me. If he talks at all, I simply have to drag the words from him." + +"That's dreadful," sympathized Helen, "but perhaps he isn't well, dear. +Why don't you get him to see a doctor?" + +Madelene shrugged her shoulders disdainfully. + +"It's not a doctor he wants, it's that Skinner girl, I can see that +plainly enough." + +Helen dropped on the arm of the girl's chair and slipped her arm around +her neck. + +"Well, now you're home," she soothed. "Ebenezer'll help you if he can, +and I know Deforrest will. I'm perfectly certain though, Tessibel +Skinner would do nothing to make Frederick swerve from his loyalty to +you." + +"Do you know whether Eb went down there to see her?" asked the girl, +wearily. + +"I think he did. He asked Tess for Frederick's letters, but she said she +hadn't received any from him. And really, I don't believe she did, for +she tells everything to Deforrest and she'd tell him that, I'm sure." + +Madelene shook her head incredulously. + +"I feel perfectly positive he wrote her," she asserted. + +"Well, perhaps!--" said Helen. + +Then they were silent a few moments. + +"I suppose you haven't guessed something I have to tell you," stammered +Helen, presently. + +Madelene turned her eyes upon her sister-in-law. Then she smiled. + +"Helen, dearest, aren't you glad about it?" + +Helen blushed and radiated a smile. + +"Yes, very, and so is Ebenezer! We both feel as if we have much to be +thankful for--and now if you were only happy--" + +"Oh, Helen, I know I've upset Ebbie a whole lot,--but who else could I +go to?... Do tell me when--" + +"In May, dear," whispered Helen. "I wish you were as happy as I.... But +there's the dinner bell. Let's go down." + +When they entered the dining room, Ebenezer was standing alone, his back +to the grate. + +"Did you say anything to him, Eb?" demanded Madelene. + +"Certainly, child, but he insists he scarcely knows her. He rehearsed +the trouble his sister had before she died--" + +"Oh, he's told me that, too," interjected Madelene, tartly, "but that +wouldn't make him mix her name up with mine, would it, and make him get +mad every time I mention her?" + +"He seems to be very much incensed that any one should accuse him of +caring for her," observed Ebenezer. "And Madelene--" + +Helen went quickly to her sister-in-law. + +"Dear," she interrupted her husband, "if I were you, I wouldn't say +anything more about it to Frederick until you're certain.... Here he +comes, now. Do be pleasant to him, both of you." + +But in spite of Helen's good offices, the first dinner at home was +anything but a happy one for the young couple. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +THE REPUDIATION + + +A week after the arrival of Frederick and Madelene Graves in Ithaca, +Tessibel Skinner sat sewing near the kitchen stove and talking to Andy +Bishop in the shanty garret. Outside the wind gusted over the lake, the +snow birds making shrill, protesting twitters against the coming +blizzard. + +"You ain't mournin' 'bout somethin', kiddie, be ye?" whispered the dwarf +from the hole in the ceiling. + +"A little," she confessed, glancing up at the dwarf, while she knotted +the thread. "I air jest thinking how awful it air fer Daddy to sleep so +hard. That medicine he takes must be awful strong." + +"So it air, brat, but he don't suffer," comforted Andy. + +"Get back, Andy," warned Tess, getting up. "Some one air walkin' in the +lane." + +She could hear the steps plainly, now. Whoever it was paused in front of +the shack. When the knock came, she placed her sewing on the chair. With +a glance at the attic, she walked forward and took down the bar. The +opening door revealed Frederick Graves standing in the falling snow. + +"I've come back, Tess," he breathed brokenly. + +The girl staggered back speechless to the middle of the room. Dismayed +eyes sought Frederick's, eloquently demanding a reason for his coming. +The boy followed her swiftly in and closed the door. How ill she looked! +God, could it have been his own conduct that had made Tessibel so +fragile! He had promised to love and cherish her forever. The thought +that he could revivify her by the very strength of his overflowing love +took him forward a step. Tess looked helplessly about and retreated a +little. + +"Daddy's sick," she murmured. + +"I'm sorry. I'm very sorry, dear.... I had to see you, Tessibel," cried +Frederick, passionately. "I hurried back from abroad because of you, my +darling.... Oh, Tess dear--" + +Tessibel made a dissenting gesture. + +"Please go away," said she, in agitation. "Go away, please." + +Instead of obeying her, the boy came nearer. + +"I can't go!" he answered hoarsely, running his fingers through his +thick hair. "I've suffered horribly for what I've done.... Tess, don't +make me suffer any more--Oh, darling, please understand--" + +"I air understandin'," interrupted Tess, steadying herself. "Ye can't do +nothin' now.... Won't ye please go?" + +"No," replied Frederick, setting his teeth sharply. "No, I won't! I came +to tell you what I want you to do." + +Tessibel sank into the chair, her legs refusing to hold her up any +longer. Frederick was looking down at her sorrowfully. How could he ever +have left her? His excuse about his mother's needing money now seemed +small and unimportant. How like a glorious golden mantle her curls +encompassed her! A spasmodic desire to twine them again around his +fingers gripped him. He wanted to take her in his arms, to love her, to +be loved in return, as she had loved him on the ragged rocks. How +beautiful she was--yet how frail and worn! It seemed as if the ice that +had warped and frozen his heart to a hard, unresponsive mass, during the +months with Madelene, was melting in the presence of the girl he loved. +His soul had thirsted for the sight of her, his arms yearned to hold and +press her close. He stood a moment undecided, then suddenly bent forward +and drew her forcibly to him. Groaning deeply, he dropped his hot lips +upon her neck, and Tessibel started back as if he'd stung her. + +"If you look at me so cold and white, Tess," he moaned, "I +shall--I'll--" + +Then he sought for her lips and found them, kissing her stormily until +she felt a keen sense of terror and physical pain. His passionate +insistence carried her completely out of herself for the instant. + +"Tess, Tess!" he murmured, "nothing matters now! Don't send me away from +you again, sweet." + +Tess lay in his arms, mute and unresponsive. + +"Say one little kind word to me, Tess," he implored again, brokenly. + +But Tess couldn't speak. She felt her tongue burn as if infinitesimal +sparks had touched each groove upon it. She could not stay in his arms! +Before the world he belonged to another woman. She pushed him away, drew +herself from his embrace, and sat down again. Her action brought a +fierce ejaculation from the boy's lips. + +When Frederick ordered his horse that morning, Madelene had slipped her +hand into his. + +"May I go with you, dear?" she begged. "Do order my horse, too, won't +you?" + +He colored to the roots of his hair and shrugged his shoulders +impatiently. + +"I'd rather go by myself," he returned so curtly that Madelene bit her +lips to keep back the tears. + +Stung with jealousy, the young wife watched her husband ride out under +the bare trees to the road beyond. Then she ordered her own horse, and +dressed herself quickly. + +Affairs between the young couple had reached a crucial point. Madelene's +suspicions of Frederick were unusually active. She had it clearly in +mind that he had gone to the Skinner hut. All the distance to the lake +her face burned. She knew well enough she was doing something +unpardonable, but how could she stay calmly at home when stinging +jealousy goaded her to action? + +She cantered past Kennedy's farm and on down the hill, her thoughts in a +turmoil. If Frederick were not with the squatter girl, how happy she'd +be! She hadn't formulated an excuse for Tessibel if she found her +suspicions incorrect. She'd have to tell her something reasonable. Ah, +she would pretend she'd come about the church singing. + +Beyond and below the lake lay grey and somber, shadowed by the winter +sky. The wind stung her face and tweaked her fingers through her warm +gloves. Directly in front of the Young house, she reined in her horse +and contemplated it. How much had happened since she had married +Frederick, and Ebenezer had married Helen Young--how much to her and to +him! + +Frederick's conduct had destroyed her illusions about marriage. She +could be supremely happy if he would treat her a little more as if she +were his wife, more as the husbands of her friends treated them. She +rode on again slowly until through the willow trees she saw the smoke +curling upward from the chimney of the Skinner shanty. Her heart beat +furiously when she slipped from her horse and tied him to a fence post. +Intuitively, she felt she'd find her husband with Tessibel Skinner. She +walked the rest of the way down the hill, stopped before the hut and +looked it over. All without lay dressed in its winter garb, and the +small house, save for the smoke, appeared uninhabited. + +Then as a human sound from a tomb, came Frederick's voice. Madelene +staggered back. She realized that not for one single instant had she +doubted she would find her husband there. And he was there! She'd heard +his voice passionately insisting something. Red fire flashed in front of +her eyes. + +Without thought of consequences, she flung open the door and stood on +the threshold, breathless and crimson, in all her indignant wifehood. +Frederick stood near the chair in which sat Tessibel. In one single +moment Madelene sent an appraising glance over the girl huddled in the +wooden rocker--a woman's glance, mercilessly discovering her condition. +Then her blazing eyes came back to Frederick. He had not spoken at her +appearance--he had only reeled backward a few steps. + +"You see I followed you," said Madelene in cold, metallic tones. "I knew +you were coming here when you left home." + +Tessibel got up slowly, went forward, and closed the door. Once more the +man she loved had brought humiliation upon her. + +"He were just a goin' to go!" she whispered, and she went back and +dropped into her chair. + +"Oh, he was, eh?" Madelene laughed harshly. "It's very good of you to +let him go. I'll give you to understand my husband--" + +She made a rapid step toward Tess, whose head went up instantly. The +red-brown eyes battled an instant with the blue, stopping Madelene's +progress. Frederick, stung to action, reached forth and grasped his +wife's arm. + +"Madelene!" he exclaimed. His tone brought flashing eyes upon him. + +"You think I'm going to stand tamely by and watch you come here to see +her?... You both think I'm a fool, I suppose. Well, I'm not such a fool +as I look!" + +Defiantly, the speaker surveyed her husband up and down. "I knew very +well you intended coming here. That's why I asked--you to take me today +and why I--followed you. I've had hard work to make myself believe you'd +leave me for--" + +Her scintillating look swept again over Tess from head to foot. Her eyes +drew down at the corners; so did her lips. It dawned dazedly on Tess how +much Madelene looked like her brother. Then, suddenly Mrs. Graves +laughed, a note of triumph riding in her tones. She faced Frederick and +throwing out both hands, disdainfully, at the squatter girl huddled in +the chair, cried, + +"My God, look at her! If you've any eyes, you'll see ..." and turning +upon Tessibel, "Were you trying to pass off on my husband a spurious--" +The scorn in the contemptuous tones of the shrill voice stung like a +whip lash. + +The appeal gathering slowly in Tess' eyes was but a dumb response to the +other woman's taunting, bitter words. She could not have spoken had her +life been at stake. She crouched down in terrified shame. + +Then like a flash the meaning of his wife's words rushed over the almost +stupefied man! God! and he had not known! Tessibel, her new light of +coming motherhood, cowered before him like a stricken thing. He sprang +forward during Madelene's hesitation and grasped his wife's arm again. +He was so furiously angry his tightening fingers brought a cry of pain +from her. + +"Hush!" he cried peremptorily. "Hush!... You're crazy!... Haven't you +any heart?... You've gone mad!" + +Madelene shook off his hand. + +"Yes, I'm mad half crazy. And you've made me so. Ever since I married +you, you've had this girl in your mind morning, noon and night.... Now I +know it! Oh, what a fool I was! I--I suppose possibly the next thing +we'll know you'll be claiming the--" + +Frederick shook her roughly. + +"I said to stop it," he gritted. "Come away this minute." + +Madelene, crying now, was struggling to pull herself from Frederick's +grasp. + +"I want to talk to that woman before I go," she screamed in desperation. +"Let me go, Fred! I _will_ speak to her." + +"You'll not if I can help it," answered Frederick. "Come out of here, I +say!" + +By main strength he was drawing his wife toward the door. Tess was +staring at them as if they were creatures from another world. + +"I'm sorry," Frederick said directly over Madelene's head to her. +"Dreadfully sorry." + +"Sorry!" shrieked Madelene. "Sorry for such a woman! Look what you've +done to me, both of you!" She wrenched herself from the strong fingers +and flung back to the squatter girl. "I want to know if my husband is +the father--" + +Frederick had hold of her once more. The anger in his white face was +terrible to see. + +"If you speak to her again," he said murderously, "I'll--I'll--" + +"I suppose you'll kill me," shrilled his wife. "Well, go ahead! The only +way you'll ever get her will be when I'm dead!" Then she thrust her +white working face close to his. "If she won't speak, will you? You're +my husband, and I find you here with this--this--.... Are you the father +of her baby?" + +"No," said Frederick, dropping his eyes. "No, of course not!" + +Tessibel bent her head to receive the last brutal stroke he had to give. +She moved but uttered no sound. + +"Well, do you love her then?" demanded Madelene. + +And Frederick, not daring to look at Tess, repeated, "No, of course +not.... Don't be a fool!" + +"Then, what do you want of him, girl?" Madelene cried hoarsely to +Tessibel. "You've heard what he said." + +Tess thought she was going to die. All the awful hurt which had lain +dormant for so many weeks rose up with ten thousand times the vigor. It +was as if Heaven had belched out flames to consume her, and she knew +there was no escape from this thing that had come upon her. Frederick +had not only repudiated his love for her, but his baby too. She threw +back her curls with a proud gesture. + +"I don't want 'im," she said straight to Madelene. "Take 'im away an' +don't let 'im come here any more." + +When Madelene started to speak again, Frederick shoved her from the hut +into the gray day. He turned once and looked at Tess. She was just where +he'd left her, her eyes brimmed with sorrow and her teeth locked tightly +together. + +Then the door banged shut and she was alone in the kitchen. A little +later she heard as in a dream the sound of horses' hoofs retreating far +up the lane. Then all the powers of darkness closed in about her, and +malicious elfin voices chattered her shame in her ears. Frederick had +repudiated her and his child and had gone! Tess staggered forward, and a +few minutes afterward, when Andy slipped down the ladder, he found her +curled up on the cot insensible, her face shrouded in red curls. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE QUARREL + + +When Frederick Graves closed the door of the Skinner hut, he wheeled +furiously upon his young wife. + +"Come home," he said gruffly. "You've done enough harm for today." + +"If I've done more than you have," retorted Madelene, tartly, "then I'm +some little harm maker!" Suffering intensely from jealousy, she whirled +about, crying, "That's what's been the matter with you all the time +we've been abroad! And I know very well Tessibel Skinner sent for you to +come home." + +"That's a lie," interrupted Frederick, fiercely. + +Madelene paused in her ascent of the hill lane. + +"What made you come down here today, then, if you didn't want to see her +yourself?" + +Frederick was silent. He hated scenes like this. If he spoke his real +mind, he'd plunge himself into hot water at once. And he was always +careful not to do that. Silence at the present moment was better than +speech. Besides, his late contact with Tessibel Skinner had left him +aquiver. Oh, how he loved her! Every nerve in his body called out for +sight of his beloved. He would have gone back to the shack if he'd +dared. + +"Where did you leave your horse?" snapped Madelene, when they'd nearly +reached her own. + +"In the lower stable at my father's old place,--over there." + +"I'll help you mount and then get my horse," said he. "Do you wish to +ride on without me?" + +Mrs. Graves made a dissenting gesture. + +"No, of course, I don't. I want you to come with me directly. I won't +let you out of my sight so near that girl. I think it's perfectly +outrageous! I somehow believe you lied to me about--" + +"Keep your opinions to yourself," growled Frederick. "I've no wish to +hear them." + +Madelene was about to put her foot into the stirrup. Instead, she stood +while fresh tears gathered under her lids. + +"Frederick, you're cruel and awfully ugly to me," she said plaintively. +"How can you do such things after _all_ the money I've given you?" + +Frederick expressed his feeling by a cynical little laugh. + +"Perhaps if you didn't throw up your confounded benevolence so often, I +might show more gratitude," he snapped back. + +Then he lifted her to the saddle, gave her the bridle, and walked beside +her to the barn. + +His thoughts were busy until, when they reached home, the silence +between them was appalling. Thankful to be a few minutes by himself, the +young man went away to stable the horses and his wife entered the house. +Madelene found her brother sitting before the grate fire. Helen looked +up and smiled at her sweetly. + +"Come and get warm, dear," she said. "You've had a long ride, haven't +you?... Why, what's the matter, Madelene?" + +Mrs. Graves dropped into a chair. + +"I'm so awfully unhappy," she cried, "and Frederick's as mean as he can +be.... I hate that Skinner girl!" + +Mrs. Waldstricker dropped her work into her lap. + +Ebenezer looked at his sister critically. + +"What's she done to you now?" he asked, without waiting for his wife to +speak. + +Madelene flung up an angry, flushed face. + +"She's done enough! I hate her and always shall. She sent for Frederick +to come down there--and he went--" + +"Are you sure?" asked Mrs. Waldstricker, in a shocked voice. + +"Of course I'm sure! I'm not in the habit of saying things I'm not sure +of, Helen. I might have known when people told me he was in love with +that squatter it was true." + +[Illustration: "HUSH!" HE CRIED, "HAVEN'T YOU ANY HEART?"] + +Her loud, angry voice reached Frederick as he entered the room. The +frown deepened on his brow. He looked at his brother-in-law for a +minute. He never remembered being so angry before. + +"Madelene has told a direct falsehood when she says Tessibel Skinner +sent for me," he said. "She did not!" + +"But I found him in her shanty, Ebenezer dear," thrust in Madelene, "and +she's a wicked, little huzzy." + +"Hush!" cried Frederick, white-lipped. + +"I won't hush, so there!" screamed his wife. "I won't! I won't!... And, +Ebenezer, she's bad, she is! She's going to have a--" + +Frederick wheeled around desperately. Madelene was placing him at the +extreme of his endurance. Human nature could bear no more. + +"Oh, my God, such a woman!" he exclaimed. + +"There, you see!" gasped Madelene. "He won't listen to a thing against +her, and he's been acting as guilty as he could all the way home.... No +wonder I don't believe a word he says!" + +Mrs. Waldstricker picked up her work, folded it, and laid it on the +table. + +"But, Madelene, it's so bewildering," she exclaimed. "Tell us, dear, +just what happened." + +Between sobs and tears Madelene went over the trial she had passed +through, and continued, "While we were abroad, I thought there was +something the matter with him, and I know one day he got a letter. He +wouldn't let me see it, though I begged him to. Now, I know it was from +her!" The speaker flung about upon her sister-in-law. "If you could have +seen her today, Helen, the shameless thing! She didn't even have the +grace to say she was sorry for anything she'd done." + +"She probably wasn't," monotoned Waldstricker. Then he looked directly +at his wife. "I've often argued with your brother about those squatters. +They're a pest to the county. Deforrest--" + +"Oh, don't blame Deforrest, Ebenezer," Helen interjected agitatedly. +"He's so good at heart, and he did all he could for the little Skinner +girl. I know there's some mistake. I'll go down and see her tomorrow." + +Waldstricker got up heavily. + +"You'll do no such thing," he retorted. "_Don't dare_ go near--her!" + +Helen flushed at her husband's tone. + +"But Deforrest is away," she argued timidly. "I feel I ought to do +something." + +Madelene went hastily to her brother's side. + +"Don't let her go, Ebbie," she gasped. "It's an awful place; a little +bit of a hut--" + +"I've been in it many times," interrupted Helen, with dignity, "and I do +feel, Ebenezer--" + +"I want no argument about the matter," said Waldstricker, sternly. "If +she's in the condition Madelene says she is, then her home is no place +for my wife.... It's shameful, absolutely shameful!" + +"But, Ebenezer, she's probably been unfortunate. Poor little child! I +wish you'd--" + +Waldstricker cut her plea in two with an angry gesture. + +"I command you not to go there," said he, sharply. + +"Very well," sighed Helen. "Of course, I'll do as you wish." + +Then she got up quietly and went upstairs. Indeed, had she her way, +she'd have gone to Tessibel Skinner without hesitation. She knew her +brother would be grieved to his heart's core, if this awful thing had +happened to the little red-headed squatter girl. But she had no choice +in the matter. + +Frightened, too, she wondered what Ebenezer's plans were. He was so +relentless in his desire to punish sinners. Bye and bye, when she was +less nervous, she'd ask him to wait until Deforrest returned before +doing anything. + +Her head was throbbing with excitement. Her heart, too, ached for +Tessibel. She lay down on the bed and closed her eyes. Presently, she +heard Ebenezer's slow tread coming upstairs. When he entered the room, +she raised her lids and smiled. + +"Come here, dear," she murmured. + +He came directly to her side. + +"What is it, my darling?" he asked tenderly. + +"I feel so unhappy about the little Skinner girl," sobbed Helen. + +"I'm sorry, dear, but you must not go against my wishes. As a good and +obedient wife, you should realize I know best. I can't allow you to go +down into that cabin." + +"I won't go, dearest, but will you please promise me one thing--" + +Ebenezer bent upon her a look so stern she dared not finish. "Oh, I do +wish Deforrest were here!" she ended irrelevantly. + +"I do, too; but as long as he is not, you must trust me to do what I +think best." + +He went out abruptly, and Helen Waldstricker cried herself to sleep. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +WALDSTRICKER INTERFERES + + +That evening Frederick Graves shook in his shoes when he returned home +and received Waldstricker's message to meet him in the library at nine +o'clock. If there was one person in the world he didn't want to see just +then, it was his dictatorial brother-in-law. He stood in his room +considering the situation, when he heard the grandfather's clock on the +stairs slowly strike the hour of nine. + +"Well, it won't help any to keep him waiting," he muttered. + +Unwillingly, he walked down the stairs to the library door. Pausing, he +saw Ebenezer seated at the table reading the Bible. + +"Come in and sit down," greeted the latter, curtly. + +"Thanks," said Frederick, taking a chair. "Mind if I smoke?" + +The man thus addressed made no answer. He read a verse or two partly +aloud as if to himself, then closed the book and laid it on the table. + +"What's the matter between you and Madelene?" he inquired presently, +fixing Frederick with a steady gaze. + +"Nothing.... Nothing, that I'm to blame for. Madelene followed me to the +lake and found me in Skinner's shack. That's all the row was about." + +"Why were you there?" Waldstricker did not change his tone. + +Frederick threw his cigarette into the smoldering grate and shrugged his +shoulders impatiently. + +"Can't a fellow stop in a shanty without the whole town gossiping about +it?" he demanded peevishly. + +"That's just it, Frederick. I don't want people talking about my +sister's husband and a squatter girl," the older man explained. "I must +know why you were there." + +"Look at here, Eb," exclaimed the boy, "why don't you let Madelene and +me fight out our own quarrels? I don't interfere with you and Helen." + +"Huh! I should hope not!" growled Waldstricker. "But quarrels are not +what we're talking about.... Why were you in the Skinner hut?... Are you +in love with that girl?" + +"God! No! Are you mad? What's the matter with everybody?" + +"There's nothing the matter, my boy, only I want to warn you I won't +have my sister unhappy." + +"She makes herself unhappy," growled Frederick, selecting another +cigarette from his case. + +"I can't see any use of your going down there at all," Ebenezer went on, +turning to poke the fire. "It doesn't look well after the things that +happened in your family." + +"That's just it," said Frederick, using the elder's words as an excuse; +"our trouble makes it quite proper some one of my family should go +there. The girl did enough for us, God knows." + +Waldstricker gave a decided negative shake of his head. + +"It's your mother's place to go, not yours. You don't want a scandal, do +you?... Let her go there if any one does." + +Again Frederick found an excuse. + +"She can't go when she's out of Ithaca, and I took Miss Skinner a +message from my mother today. If Madelene hadn't acted so abominably, +I'd have told her about it." + +Waldstricker looked keenly at the other man. + +"I didn't notice you tried very hard to explain matters this afternoon! +Now, did you?" + +"I was mad," retorted Frederick, sulkily. + +"May I see the message your mother sent?" came quickly from +Waldstricker. + +Frederick started. Evidently his brother-in-law didn't believe his +story. + +"If Miss Skinner'll give it to you, you can!" said he. "... I say, Eb, +let Madelene and me get out of this the best way we can, won't you? Tell +Maddie to behave herself and leave the Skinner girl's name out of her +rages at me.... That's all I ask." + +"No," thundered Ebenezer, wrathfully. "I won't have my sister in tears +all the time over a squatter girl. Madelene says you received letters +from her abroad." + +"Well, I didn't," snapped back Frederick. + +"That's past, anyhow! Now, then, I'm going to tell you something. I need +a man to go to San Francisco to our office there, and as Madelene wants +a change, I'm going to send you." + +Frederick shuddered. Had he dared, he would have rebelled at this +wholesale delivering him over, tied hand and foot, to his tempestuous +young wife. If he were sent away, what would become of Tessibel? His +heart turned sick with apprehension. He had had no time to explain his +plans to her. + +"You have no objections to going, I suppose?" Ebenezer broke in on his +harassing thoughts. + +"No! If Madelene's satisfied, I am," replied Frederick, flipping the ash +from his cigarette. + +"Then be ready to get away by, let me see, early in March," his +brother-in-law announced. + +Early in March, and this was but December! He had that much grace then. +He could do something for Tess if the family relaxed its vigilance upon +him a little. + +"And there's something else," proceeded Waldstricker. "It's--it's this!" + +Then he deliberately made a statement that brought a red fire into +Frederick's eyes. He staggered to his feet. + +"You wouldn't, you couldn't do that, Ebenezer," he groaned. + +"Oh, ho!... That gets you on the raw, does it, young man?" sneered the +elder, one lip-corner rising to an unusual height. "So you do care that +much, eh?... A while ago you made the statement she was nothing to you." + +"I want to be human," Frederick managed to get out. + +"Human, eh? No, that's not it! What you want is a few other women on +your staff besides your wife. But you won't as long as you're married to +my sister, and I'm running things. I'll see that none of the members of +my family disobey my law or God's law either." + +The big man got to his feet, slipped his hands into his pocket, and +stared at his white-faced, young brother-in-law. + +"How does my little scheme suit you?" he demanded grimly. + +"I think it perfectly devilish, by God, I do," cried Frederick. + +"Oh, you do, eh? So you swear with your other faults?... Does my sister +approve of that?" + +"I've never asked her," snapped Frederick, "and if you're through with +me, I'd like to go." + +"Have a little talk with Madelene before you go to bed--and, oh, Fred--" +he called after the young man hurrying up the stairs. + +Frederick paused, his hand on the banister. + +"By the way, I shall want your assistance in the little matter I spoke +of." + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +THE SUMMONS + + +Jake Brewer paused in the lane opposite Skinner's home. The shanty was +almost snowed in. A thin curl of smoke trailed up from the chimney and +drifted among the leafless branches of the willow trees. + +Brewer dropped a pair of dead rabbits to the deep snow at his side, and +shifted the gun he held in his right hand to his left. Then, he fumbled +in his overcoat pockets. Discovering what he wanted, he picked up the +rabbits and walked through the path to the hut. + +Tess took down the bar at his rap. + +"Lot o' snow, Tessie," smiled Brewer. "Here, I brought ye some letters." + +Tessibel took the two letters the fisherman handed her. + +"They got yer name writ on 'em, brat," said he, knocking the snow from +his boots against the clap boards. "That's how I knowed they was +your'n." + +A shadowy smile flitted over the squatter girl's face. + +"Sure, they be fer me," she replied. She turned the letters over in her +hands. "Thank ye, Jake, fer bringin' 'em.... Come in a minute, won't +ye?" + +"Sure, an' I air always glad to do somethin' fer ye, kid.... How's yer +pa this mornin'?" + +Brewer stepped into the hut, placed his gun and the rabbits in the +corner, and spread his hands over the stove. + +"He ain't so well today, Jake! Poor Daddy, he suffers somethin' awful +with his heart, Daddy does.... It air rheumatism." + +"Ever try eel skins, brat?" asked Brewer, sitting down. "My grandma wore +a eel skin for rheumatiz for twenty-five years, an' Holy Moses, the +sufferin' that woman had durin' 'em times my tongue ain't able to +tell!" + +Tess glanced at the letters in her hand half-heartedly. + +"We've tried 'em, too, Jake," she answered. "Daddy's been wrapped in 'em +night after night. But they don't seem to do no good." + +"D'ye ever have Ma Moll incant over him, Tessie?" + +Tessibel nodded her head. + +"Yep, I give 'er three dollars for ten incants an' they didn't do no +good uther." She went a step nearer Brewer. "But I air prayin' hard, +Jake, every day for 'im," she confided softly. + +Brewer nodded his head. + +"I guess that air better'n incants any time if ye can do it, kid," he +smiled. + +"I guess so, too," agreed the girl. "Tell Miss Brewer I'll be to see her +soon as the weather gits better." + +Jake got up, scratched his head, and thought a moment. + +"I might leave ye a rabbit, seein' yer daddy ain't well 'nough to do no +gunnin'," said he. + +"Ye're awful good, Jake," murmured Tessibel, following the man to the +door. "Stop in any day." + +"All right," and Jake struck out toward the rock path. + +Tess closed the door and put up the bar. Andy was eyeing her from the +ceiling. + +"What ye got, kid?" he whispered. + +Tess held up the letters. + +"Two of 'em, an' this one air from Mr. Young. Shall I read it to ye, +Andy?" she asked, looking up. + +The little man chuckled with joy. + +"I'd like to hear it," said he. + +Tess drew a chair under the boyish face peering upon her, and sat down. + +"Dear Tessibel," she read. + +"I hoped to be home this week, but find my work won't be finished. +Please keep at your books and study hard. Get the doctor any time you +need him for your father. I know you're trying to be a brave little +girl, and may God bless you. + Affectionately, + Deforrest Young." + +Tessibel choked on the last word. + +"It air awful hard to be brave, Andy," she faltered, brushing away a +tear. + +The dwarf made a dash at his own eyes. + +"Ye got another letter," he cut in irrelevantly. + +"Yep," said Tess. + +After pulling forth the second sheet, she spread it out and read it +through without looking up. + +"Miss Tessibel Skinner: + +"It is necessary for you to attend a church meeting next Wednesday +afternoon at three o'clock in the chapel. Please oblige, + + "SILANDER GRIGGS, _Pastor_." + +"Anything much?" demanded the dwarf, interestedly. + +"Nope, Andy, only a note askin' me to come to church tomorrow afternoon, +but I jest can't go, Andy!... I can't! I ain't been fer two Sundays, +now, 'cause I been feelin' so bad." + +She raised her eyes full of misery to meet Andy's sympathetic gaze. How +could she go after that awful scene nearly three weeks before with +Madelene and Frederick? She never could face the Waldstricker family +again. + +"I won't never go to church, ever any more," she mourned presently. + +"Mebbe not, dear," returned the dwarf, smothered in his throat. "An' the +church'll be worser off'n you!" + +Troubled in spirit, Tess considered the letter a few minutes. + +"I s'pose they be gittin' up somethin' fer Christmas, an' I ought to go +an' tell 'em I can't sing. I said as how I would over three months ago +if Miss Waldstricker'd help me; but I can't.... Will ye look after Daddy +while I air gone, Andy?" + +"Sure," agreed the dwarf. "I'll slide under his bed an' talk the pains +right out o' 'im." + +"I wish the meetin' was in the mornin'," Tess sighed. "It gits dark so +early, an' Mr. Young ain't home! He'd come an' git me an' bring me back +if he were. It air a long walk," and she sighed again. + +"Mebbe 'twon't be so cold tomorrow as it air today," cheered Andy and +they lapsed into silence. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +THE CHURCHING + + +The dawning of Wednesday brought one of those drab days so frequent in +the lake-country. The daylight, dim even at high noon, hardly suggested +a possible sun shining anywhere. Misty sheets of stinging ice-particles +drove from the northern skyline to the hill south of Ithaca. + +The snow crunched sharply under Tessibel's feet as she picked her way +from the shanty to the lane. Kennedy's brindle bull, leaping and +barking, invited her to a frolic. The girl called the dog to her, and +petted him. + +"No, no, Pete, Tess ain't able to run an' play with ye any more," she +told him, sadly, "but ye can go with me to Hayt's." + +Nuzzling her hand, the great dog walked soberly by her side, as though +he understood. Tess shivered a little as the frost-laden air bit +nippingly at her ears. The winter birds between her and the lake lifted +their wings and mounted against the wind, some driving in flocks, others +now and then by twos and threes. Tess followed their flight through the +storm.... How strong and happy they seemed! + +For an instant she paused at the gate in front of Deforrest Young's +empty house. The snow had drifted until the path could no longer be +discerned. A little twinge of loneliness touched Tessibel's heart. Her +friend would not be at the church that day. + +When she came within sight of the chapel, she bent and petted Pete. She +took his head between her gloved hands and looked into the lovely eyes +shining out of his ugly face. + +"Go home, Petey dearie," she said. "Tessibel air goin' to church. They +don't let dogs in God's house, honey." + +Obediently the dog turned and trotted off. + +Tess opened the chapel door and stepped in. Buffeted, as she had been by +the storm, she met the warmth within with a grateful little sigh. + +Half-way to the stove in the middle of the room, she stopped, arrested +by the unusual group beyond. Ebenezer Waldstricker stood there, +surrounded by the elders of the church. In all she counted five men: the +minister, Silander Griggs, and three elders. At one side sat Frederick +Graves. + +Puzzled and embarrassed by Frederick's presence and appearance, +half-conscious of something menacing in the stern faces turned toward +her, she was tempted, weary as she was, to turn back into the blizzard +raging without. As she awkwardly scraped the snow from her shoes, Pastor +Griggs came to her and led her to a seat near the fire. + +Waldstricker gazed at her critically, but didn't bow his head. Tessibel +didn't mind if people failed to speak to her, and she didn't like +Waldstricker anyway. She did not look at Frederick after that first +fleeting glance, but bowed her head on the pew-back in front from sheer +weariness. The memory of that scene in the cabin three weeks previous +recurred with renewed clearness. Madelene's insulting words, re-echoing +in her ears, made her grow faint from stinging humiliation. Oh, how +sorry she was she'd come to church! She could have asked Jake Brewer to +bring up a note explaining that she could not take part in the Christmas +doings. + +The sound of moving feet told her the time had arrived for opening the +meeting. If she thought at all of the absence of the female members of +the church, she sought for no other reason than the steadily increasing +blizzard. + +One by one she heard the men take their places. Then, the pastor cleared +his throat loudly and began to pray. Perfect silence save for his +droning voice filled the small chapel. Tess heard him praying for the +members of the congregation, for the mothers at home with their +children, and as usual for all earthly sinners. + +"And particularly, dear Lord," continued the deep voice, "may thy tender +mercy and loving kindness visit the heart of our sinning sister here +present and soften it, making her obedient to these thy servants, to +whom Thou hast committed the government of thy church." + +Why! What had he said? "Sinning sister ... here present." Why, they were +all men but her! The pastor finished his prayer with a resounding +"Amen," in which the elders joined reverently. Confused, Tessibel sat +back in the pew, puzzled and frightened. + +"I have before me here on my desk," Griggs announced, "a letter from +Deforrest Young. In answer to a letter from the church, asking him to be +with us this afternoon, he has requested that Brother Ebenezer +Waldstricker be instructed to vote in his name.... I do so instruct you, +Brother Waldstricker." + +Ebenezer moved in his seat as if in consent. + +"It's a delicate matter which we have to consider," observed the +minister, looking from pale face to pale face. + +Tessibel glanced at the speaker. He, too, was ashen in the dim afternoon +light. + +"Come to the point, please," commanded Waldstricker, curtly. + +The minister bowed his head in silent prayer. + +"Tessibel Skinner," he said, "I ask you to stand up." + +The girl got up obediently, but sank down again, her trembling legs +refused to support her. She did not, however, turn her startled brown +eyes from her pastor's face. + +"It is charged against you, Tessibel Skinner," he read from a paper +before him, "that you have broken the laws of God and violated the +discipline of this church; that you, an unmarried woman, are now +pregnant. Are you guilty or not guilty?" + +As the accusing voice ceased, the stern eyes of the dark-faced men, who +had watched her closely during the reading, seemed to pierce her through +and through, ... to lay bare her most intimate secrets. + +What should she say? She wasn't unmarried, as the pastor had charged, +but the rest was true. Without Frederick's consent, she couldn't +explain; she couldn't deny the charge. Surely, Frederick would stand +forth and defend her now. She listened intently for a sound from him. +She dared not turn toward him, for fear she might break her promise by +some look or word. But nothing except the storm-sounds disturbed the +silence of the little church. Frederick had failed her again! + +Unable alike to plead guilty or not guilty, she sat head bowed and eyes +downcast before her judges. + +Waldstricker broke the appalling hush. + +"Speak up, girl," he ordered harshly. "You're guilty, aren't you?" + +The forlorn child struggled to her feet and raised her eyes to the +speaker's face. + +"Oh, sirs, don't ask me 'bout it," she begged with outstretched hands. +"I can't tell ye nothing 'bout it 'cept ... I air goin' to have a baby +in the spring." + +Waldstricker glanced significantly at the other elders who nodded in +acquiescence. Then he turned to the minister, still in the pulpit. + +"It is enough," he decided sternly. "She has confessed her sin." + +Dropping again into the pew, Tessibel cast a quick glance toward +Frederick, who stared set-faced out into the storm. + +"We find, Tessibel Skinner," continued the minister, as though reciting +a carefully rehearsed speech, "you have sinned grievously. Your silence +convicts you. You are no longer worthy of membership in this church, of +communion with Christian people. But it is not right that you should +suffer alone. For your soul's welfare and in the interest of justice, I +ask you the name of the man--" + +Tess got up again and faced them ... disgraced and outcast might be, but +she must be loyal to her promise. + +"Don't ask me that, sir," she pleaded, bewildered, flinging a terrified +glance toward the door. "I air goin' now, an'll never come no more, but +don't ask me to say nothin', please." + +She turned into the aisle as Griggs stepped from the platform. She +directed an appealing glance toward him that cut the man's heart through +like a knife. + +"I want to go," she repeated. "Please!" + +"Not yet," broke in Waldstricker, grim-jawed. "It's the duty of this +church to teach you a lesson if it can." + +Tess looked helplessly at the row of stern men. What did they intend to +do to her? Oh, if they'd but let her go back to Daddy Skinner! + +"Please let me go home to my daddy," she pleaded faintly. "I'll never +come no more, but I can't--I can't talk." + +Waldstricker walked toward her menacingly. + +"You've got to talk," he gritted, grasping her arm. "You've simply got +to answer what the pastor just asked you." + +Tess flashed him a look of abhorrence. Oh, how she hated this man!... It +seemed to her that he killed for the sake of killing ... tortured for +the pure joy of it. She set her teeth hard on her under lip, shaking his +hand from her arm. + +"I won't talk!" she cried. "You let go of me! See? You touch me again +an'--an'--I'll--I'll--" + +She paused for some fitting threat. Would no one help her? No, not a +friendly face met her searching gaze. If she could get to the door--out +into the snow, under God's grey sky! But as if divining her intention, +the elders gathered in an accusing squad in front of her. Frederick +remained in his chair by the window, apparently oblivious to the tragedy +being enacted in his presence. + +"I wish ye'd let me go home to my Daddy Skinner," she prayed again. + +Her curls fell in a cluster over either shoulder as she sank to her +knees in the aisle. + +Waldstricker whirled upon Griggs. + +"_Make_ her tell us what we must know," he insisted, "or by the God that +rules this house, I'll have her sent to some place where incorrigible +girls go!" + +Incorrigible girls! He had said incorrigible girls of her, Tessibel +Skinner, who obeyed even a glance from any one she loved. Desperately, +she made a direct appeal to him. + +"My daddy's near dead, Mr. Waldstricker. Please don't send me away from +him, not yet--not just yet." + +"Then answer what we ask of you, child," interjected the minister. "I +think Brother Waldstricker has some questions to ask you." + +Waldstricker drew a paper from his pocket. + +"How old are you, Tessibel Skinner?" he demanded. + +"Over half past sixteen," whispered the girl's white lips. + +She _was_ over half past sixteen. There was no harm in telling that. It +wouldn't hurt Frederick for the church people to know her age. + +"Are you a member of this church?" + +Tessibel lifted her head. "Ye all know I air." + +"Then answer this," shouted Eb. "Who is the man that made you unfit for +decent people to speak to?" + +The wobegone face hid its crimson tide in two quivering hands. The end +of the shining red curls swept the floor. Frederick made no sound. + +"Who is he?" insisted Waldstricker once more. + +"I can't tell," moaned the girl. + +"I'll make you tell," he threatened, infuriated. + +"I won't!" reiterated Tess, raising her head. "I can't." + +Madelene's sad, tearful face flashed through Waldstricker's mind with +the suspicions she had aroused against Frederick. Like an angry horse, +his nostrils lifted and sniffed the air. Fury against this girl rode in +his heart. + +"You needn't tell us the man's name," he taunted triumphantly. "We +already know it." + +Up struggled Tess to her feet and thrust back the tawny curls +feverishly. If they knew, then Frederick had told them. + +"And you've got to marry him," Waldstricker's hoarse voice came to her +ears. + +Why, she was married to him!... that long ago night. If he had told them +anything, why had he not told them all? She dared not look around, but +waited breathlessly. + +"We've decided," Ebenezer proceeded, "that if you consent to our plans, +you will suffer no further disgrace. You can go away with your husband +and have your home--" + +Tess grew dizzy ... this time with joy. She had been given back her +husband, her Frederick! Waldstricker had used the word "home." A home +with--with--His voice broke in upon her dreams brusquely, creating +grotesque figures in her brain. What was he saying? She turned dilating +eyes toward him. + +"Lysander Letts! Lysander Letts!" Waldstricker shouted again. + +The door at the side of the pulpit swung open and Sandy slouched in and +came forward. + +"Here's your woman," the elder continued, looking from Tess to the +squatter. "Take her, and may God forgive you both for the sin you've +committed." + +Tess stood rigidly waiting. She didn't turn her head toward the oncoming +man; rather she centered a prolonged gaze upon her persecutor. When she +felt some one pause at her side, she moved away, still without speaking. + +"Parson Griggs, marry the man and woman," roared Waldstricker. + +Excitedly he tossed the damp hair from his forehead, his cheek muscles +working involuntarily. His scheme was near its fruition. Tessibel +Skinner was almost married. Already Ebenezer could see, in his mind's +eye, how happy Madelene would be when he brought her the news. + +The big, dark-faced squatter was standing beside the red-headed girl, +and Silander Griggs was hurriedly hunting through a book for the +marriage ceremony. + +"Make it short," gritted Waldstricker to the minister. + +Tess stood as if she had died standing, her face devoid of blood even to +the lips. Misery, deep and unutterable, rested upon the white face. When +she raised her eyes and saw Letts at her side, and Griggs with an open +book in front of her, she wheeled away without a word. + +"Marry him!" cried Waldstricker. + +"No," said Tess. + +"Letts, take hold of her hand," commanded the elder. + +Sandy, rage working alive in his eyes, tried to obey the churchman. But +the girl took another step away. + +"Gimme yer hand," growled Sandy. + +All he wanted was to get the squatter girl into his possession. He had +not forgotten the threats he had made in other days, and in another +hour, he would wring from her the name he wanted. + +"No," said Tess again. + +"You mean you're not going to marry Mr. Letts?" asked Griggs. + +Tessibel caught her breath, swayed, but shook her head. + +"No, I ain't goin' to marry 'im," she answered. + +Marry Sandy Letts, a man she hated! Of course she couldn't!... She was +already married. She couldn't commit such a sin as that, not even +if--if--She turned a little and glanced in the direction of Frederick, +but dropped her eyes before they found him. + +Waldstricker grew intense with suspense, and a sudden determination to +test his and Madelene's suspicions came over him. + +"Frederick," he cried, "come here and help us force this huzzy to marry +the man who betrayed her!" + +Frederick rose from his chair as though to obey, and in turning, looked +squarely into the girl's eyes. + +"My God, Eb, I can't!" he protested, his voice thick with horror. "Let +her go, Eb! For God's sake, man, you can't marry her against her will! +Let her go!" + +He sank down, and rested his head on his arms upon the chair back, his +shoulders shaking violently. + +The minister came to Tessibel's side. He placed a pitying hand on her +head, facing his elders. + +"Let her go home, brethren," he entreated. "You can't make her do this +thing if she refuses, and the ... business can go on without her." + +"She's a wicked girl," snorted Ebenezer, with a bitter twist of his +lips. + +"I say to let her go," repeated Griggs. + +"And I say she shall be punished," Waldstricker glared from the minister +to the elders and then rested his gaze on Frederick, who was by this +time sobbing in great gulps. + +Pastor Griggs considered his parishioner's angry face. Griggs was young +and stood in awe of some members of his flock--Waldstricker most of all, +but the sight of the girl in such anguish overcame his timidity, and he +cried: + +"Let him that is without sin among you first cast a stone at her." + +Tessibel sank sobbing to the floor, and her pastor stood by her side, +hand uplifted, waiting. + +Then over Ebenezer's countenance flashed a look of self-righteous +fanaticism, which made large the pupils of his dark eyes and inflamed +his swarthy skin deepest crimson. He strode to the stove, picked from +the scuttle a ragged chunk of coal, and when he turned again, he had +changed from red to white. Crazed, he took two steps toward the kneeling +girl. + +"I can cast the first stone," he said swiftly. + +He lifted his arm and before any man could stay his hand, something +whirled through the intervening space and struck the kneeling squatter +girl. High pandemonium broke loose. Voices, some censorious, some +approving, contended. + +"I have first cast a stone at her," cried Waldstricker, above the din. +"Let others follow if they dare!" + +Tessibel crouched lower to the floor, a bleeding wound in her neck. She +had made no outcry when the missile met and lacerated her flesh. Dully, +she wondered if they intended to kill her, and for a moment a sickening +dread took possession of her when she thought of Daddy and Andy. She was +growing faint and dizzy, but struggled to her feet as Griggs took her +arm. He led her through the Chapel aisle, pushing aside the other men. +At the door, Tess caught one glimpse of Sandy Letts' dark, passionate +face. + +"Go home," the minister said hoarsely; "and may God forgive us all." + + * * * * * + +How Tessibel found her way home, she could never afterwards tell. Spent +by the struggle with the storm, she staggered into the shanty. It took +almost the last atom of her strength to close the door against the +howling blizzard. Leaning against the wall, she looked up and saw Andy +staring at her from the hole in ceiling, his fingers on his lips. + +"It were awful cold under the bed," he told her. "Yer Daddy air asleep, +so I came up here to keep warm!" + +When he noticed the girl's unusual appearance, he scurried down the +ladder, waddled across the kitchen, and stood in front of his friend. + +"What air the matter, brat?" he quivered. + +Solicitous, he helped her into a chair near the fire and took off her +hat and coat. The blood from the neck wound had made crimson blotches on +her white waist. + +"Ye're hurt, honey," he cried, alarmed. "How'd it happen?" + +"I air hurt a little," said she, faintly. "Fetch me some water, dear, +an' don't--don't tell Daddy!" + +"Get on the cot, kid," said he, "an' I'll put up the bar." + +In another moment he was leaning over her. He brushed back the tousled +hair from the girl's forehead, and pulled away the long curls seeped +with blood. + +"I air yer friend, brat," he whispered. "Tell me 'bout it." + +Tessibel had to confide in somebody. + +"I'll get a rag first an' wipe ye off," said the dwarf. "My, but ye did +get a cut, didn't ye?... What did it?" + +Gently he began to wash away the crimson stain from her face and neck. + +"Somebody hit ye?" he demanded presently. + +"Yep." + +"Who?... Who dared do it?" The dwarf's face darkened with rage. "Where +were the brute that done it?" + +"Andy," sobbed Tess, "I air goin' to tell ye somethin'; ye may think I +air awful wicked, but--but--Andy, don't tell Daddy, but in the spring I +air goin' to--" + +"Yep, I know, Tess," he murmured. "I heard the woman yellin' at ye the +uther day way through my blankets. But 'tain't nothin' to cry over. +God'll bless ye, brat, and God'll bless--it!" + +Her sobbing slowly subsided, and in halting words Tess told the dwarf +the story of the afternoon's dreadful experience. + +"And, Andy, it were awful. Mr. Griggs wanted to let me go home, but the +uther men wouldn't, an' then the minister says like Jesus did to the men +who were goin' to stone the poor woman, 'Let him that ain't a sinner +throw the first stone,' an' Waldstricker picked up a great hunk o' coal +and hit me with it. Do ye suppose he air so awful good an' I air so +awful wicked he had a right to strike me?" + +"Sure he didn't, Tess," Andy comforted. "Course not!" + +The willows moaned their weird song to the night, the wind shrieked in +battling anger over the tin on the roof, while the snowflakes came +against the window like pale eyes looking in upon the squatter girl and +the dwarf on his knees beside the cot bed. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +DADDY SKINNER'S DEATH + + +It was Saturday evening, three days after Tessibel Skinner had been +churched from Hayt's Chapel. The night wind called forth moaning +complaints from the willow trees. The rasping of their bare limbs +against the tin roof of the cottage did not disturb Daddy Skinner +struggling for breath in the room below. All the familiar night-noises +kept a death vigil with the squatter girl. + +A sound outside made her lift her head. Kennedy's brindle bull was +scratching to come in. She rose, went to the door and opened it. Pete +ambled over the threshold and curled down by the stove. + +"Anythin' the matter, brat?" whispered Andy. + +"No, I were lettin' in the dog," explained Tess, resuming her seat +beside Daddy Skinner who was stretched, dying, on her cot. She had moved +him from the back room into the warm kitchen, and at that moment he was +sleeping restlessly. The sight of his working face brought a quick hand +to Tessibel's lips, and her white teeth set deeply into the upraised +knuckles to help stifle the groans. Every trouble of her own sank into +insignificance before the calamity facing her. Many times Tess had +viewed death afar off, but not until the past three days had it +threatened her own loved ones. In that hour she was experiencing the +extremity of sorrow, and each aching nerve in her body seemed to possess +a stabbing volition of its own, for again and again the torturing points +stung her flesh like whips. + +For three long days she had managed somehow to uphold the dear, dying +father. No word had come from Deforrest Young, and Tess felt sure he had +returned twenty-four hours before. Perhaps Waldstricker had robbed her +of her dearest friend. Bitterly pained, the girl realized what the loss +would mean to her. Yet she had no censure in her heart for Deforrest +Young; indeed no bitterness for Frederick Graves; only a deep, deep +gratitude to the one, and a great, overwhelming love for the other. And +while thinking of what an empty void her life was becoming, Tess saw her +father's head turn and his lids lift heavily. + +"Daddy!" she murmured, but if he heard, he did not heed. He was gazing +steadily at something over and beyond her head, and then he smiled at +it. In superstitious dread, the squatter girl glanced where the faded +eyes were directed. What had he seen? A face, perhaps, or the passing +shade that always haunted a squatter shanty when some one was dying, but +then, many times she, too, had seen faces in the rafters up there among +the dry nets. + +"My pretty brat," were the words that brought her startled eyes back to +her father. Her throat filling with heavy sobs, she went over and kissed +him stormily. The horny, stiff fingers gathered a few of her red curls +and drew them slowly upward until parched lips touched them, while tears +stole from under withered lids, and Tess cried out in sharp anguish. + +"Daddy Skinner, I can't live without ye!" she moaned, cupping his face +with her hands. "Take Tessibel with ye; take 'er, please!" + +She cuddled at his side, lifted one of his heavy arms and put it around +her in pleading anguish. Just then it seemed as if it would put off the +approach of death if she insisted on staying within the broad grasp of +Daddy Skinner's arms. + +She was wiping away his tears, tenderly touching the dying face with +faltering fingers. + +"I saw yer ma," choked Skinner thickly, and he smiled again. + +Tess turned her head, a dreadful sinking in her soul. Her mother's face, +then, was what Daddy had seen away off up there among the rafters. The +mother who had died so long ago had come after her dear one. Drawing one +tense set of fingers backward across her cheek, Tess stood up quickly. +Perhaps--perhaps-- + +She threw a glance at the ceiling. Daddy Skinner had seen her mother. +They were going away together. If they would but take her with them! +She turned unsteadily to go she knew not where, but the sound of her +father's voice brought her quickly back. + +"Brat," he faltered, "lean down--I want to tell ye somethin'." + +Tess bent her ear close to the thick blue lips. + +"I air here, Daddy! Tess air here," she mourned. + +Long, laboring breaths moved the red curls hanging about the girl's +rigid face. + +"I said as how I air here, Daddy," she murmured again, touching him. + +But Daddy Skinner was once more gazing into the dark rafters, his jaws +apart, the greyness of death settling about his mouth. + +"Daddy! Daddy!" screamed Tess. "Don't look like that! Don't go away--oh, +Daddy, please!... Andy! Andy!" + +The dwarf slipped down the ladder, and dropped at the side of the bed. +The dog roused from his nap by the stove was already there, nuzzling his +tawny head against his distressed friend, while he made inarticulate +sounds of sympathy in his deep throat. + +"Pal Skinner!" Andy cried, white with apprehension. "Give us a word, old +horse." + +Placing his hand upon Pete's collar, the dwarf drew him, with a word of +command, to the floor beside him. + +The dying fisherman looked from his prison friend to his daughter. He +lifted a limp hand, and it rested upon the girl's bowed head. The other +he dropped heavily on Andy Bishop's shoulder. It was as if he were +giving to them both his parting benediction. In mechanical sequence the +dwarf counted the dying man's mouth open and shut five times before the +struggling voice came forth. + +"I were goin' to say somethin' to ye, Tess," he then gasped, moistening +his lips. "Gimme a--drink--of water." + +Andy held the cup while Orn drank. He struggled to swallow, belching +forth hot breath. + +"When I air gone, brat dear," he articulated huskily, "stay in the +shanty an' take care of Andy till there ain't no more danger fer 'im. +Ye'll promise me, Tess?" + +She enclosed his hand in hers and held it to her lips. + +"I were a wantin' to go with you and Mummy, Daddy," she sobbed. "I air +always lonely in the shanty without ye--but if ye say, 'Stay with Andy,' +then I stays." + +"That air what I says, brat, darlin'," panted Skinner. + +Then for many minutes he was lost in the terrible struggle of strong +life against the grip of death. Tess wound her arms about his neck and +lifted the great head to her breast. She stared at his changing face as +at an advancing ghost. + +He seemed to be slipping slowly into the great beyond, and she was +powerless to hold him back. + +How many times had Daddy Skinner spoken of dying! How many times had she +heard him agree with Andy that death was better than life any day! But +at those times she had beaten back the muttered words of her father and +the dwarf. Ah, in those days, death had been far away, kept off by +happiness unsurpassed! + +"It air hard fer some folks to die," wailed the fisherman. "An' so easy +fer uthers. Me--now me--Oh, God, oh, brat-love, let me go! I hurt so! I +hurt awful--let me go!" + +The heart of the tortured, sobbing girl seemed to be bursting from its +pain and suspense. Her beloved father wanted to go away--to follow the +wraith mother beckoning from the rafters. How could she open her arms +and allow him to leave her alone in the shanty! + +"Help me, brat-love," sighed Daddy Skinner once more. "Help yer old sick +daddy!" + +Help him! How could she? Hitherto Tessibel's faith had loyally responded +to every demand upon her. But she couldn't help her daddy die! She knew +not how! Then, as if drawn by some invisible power, her eyes lifted, +piercing the shadows among the time-dried nets. And there, for one small +moment, she saw--she saw a face, a young, girlish face, infinitely +sweet, smiling down upon her. + +"It air the Mummy!" she cried, her voice vibrant with love. "I air goin' +to help 'im, darlin'." + +Buoyantly her mind gripped the old-time faith, the redoubtable faith +that had opened wide Auburn Prison, that had restored to her arms this +same adored father. She had helped him then--and oh, to help him now! +His great cry, "God, Tessibel, let me be goin'!" rang in her ears. Her +gaze was glued to his face. Terror and pain were strangling his throat +until his eyes grew death-dark in the struggle. Tessibel lifted her +ashen face, wildly working in entreaty. Oh, for a little faith! Faith +the size of a grain of mustard seed! And Daddy Skinner would be gone to +that place beyond the clouds and the blue, where suffering is not. Did +he, could he, believe? Did she, could she, believe, too? Then in a +blinding flash, she remembered the mysterious dawning of her own faith. +Enduring sublime suffering, she bent once more and drew her father's +heavy head to her breast. + +"Daddy! Darlin' old, good Daddy, look at yer dear brat, an' listen to +'er." + +"I air a listenin', my girl," he said between set teeth. She put her +head directly in line with her father's vision. + +"Look at me, Daddy," she craved tremulously, "an' listen to me. Can't ye +remember how ye came back from Auburn like the innercent man ye were?" + +"Yep," whispered Skinner. + +"'Twere the Christ on the cross helped ye, Daddy. Ye air wishin' to go +away now with my mummy, huh?" + +"Yep," groaned Skinner. "God, aw kind, merciful God, let me go!" + +Tess laid him gently back on the pillow. A bright light flashed into her +soul. The red in her eyes turning almost to black. + +"Then go, my darlin'! Go, Daddy," she moaned, rising and looking upward. +"Take 'im, Mummy, little love-mummy, take 'im back to Heaven with ye." + +Inspired by that smiling face in the rafters, Tessibel opened her lips +and began to sing, + + "Rescue the Perishin'; + Care for the Dyin'." + +It was a glorious strain that echoed and reechoed around and around the +shanty kitchen. It gathered within its heavenly power the moaning of the +wind and the haunting noises of the tin-rusted roof. Even the weeping +willows, bowing their mournful heads in sympathy, could no longer be +heard in their endless chant. + +Strangely stirred, Pete struggled up, disregarding the dwarf's desire to +detain him. He placed his forefeet on the edge of the bed, lifting his +head to the girl's shoulder. Responsive to the pressure of his body, she +threw her arm around him. Gravely the golden eyes of the great dog +regarded his suffering master on the cot as the tender melody of the +song continued to fill the shanty. + +Tessibel ever afterwards remembered Daddy Skinner's eyes as for those +last few moments he lay looking at her. They were kindly, tender, +smiling, as he watched her lips moving in the song he'd always loved to +hear her sing. + +He seemed to realize that she was singing him into the very presence of +the Savior of the world--into the presence of Him who was leading +Tessibel Skinner and her squatter father through their garden of +Gethsemane. + + "Rescue the Perishin'; + Care for the Dyin'." + +On and on she sang, and on and on the dying man gropingly felt his way +to Eternity. Sometimes he smiled at her; sometimes at the wraith in the +rafters. But not for one moment did the voice of the little singer cease +its insistent cry for a complete rescue. + +The dwarf was silent, his shining face reflecting the peace and security +of which the squatter girl sang. + + "Rescue the Perishin'; + Care for the Dyin'." + +The beautiful voice did not falter. Suddenly the powerful lungs of the +fisherman gathered in one long, last breath, and when it came forth to +meet Tessibel's song, the broad shoulders dropped back, the chest +receded, the smile faded from the gray eyes--and Daddy Skinner was dead. + +He had died listening to those appealing, melodious words, "Rescue the +Perishin'; Care for the Dyin'." That sudden collapsing change in the +gaunt figure seemed to freeze the very song on Tessibel's lips. Her +voice trailed to a limp wail, as if an icy hand had caught her throat. +Silence succeeded silence. Even the storm seemed for an instant to still +its raging roar, then Pete threw back his head and howled his grief. As +his resonant cries filled the shack and mingled with the turmoil of the +elements, Tess clung to the dog, staring with horrified eyes at the huge +beloved form crushed and crumpled upon the cot. Death had come and gone. +The mystery in the shadowy rafters had taken Daddy Skinner away. + +The dwarf raised his head and looked at Tess. Slowly he leaned over and +pressed his lips to Orn Skinner's brow, and as he rose, he lifted the +girl's rigid arm from the tawny back and seized the dog by the collar to +quiet him. + +Then came one of those unthinkable, weird cries, a nightmarish cry from +the girl's throat, and--as God tempereth the wind to the shorn lamb, so +in Divine pity he covered Tess of the Storm Country with mental +oblivion. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +YOUNG DISCOVERS ANDY + + +During the minutes Daddy Skinner lay grappling with death, Ebenezer +Waldstricker sat in his handsome drawing room with an open Bible on his +knee, talking to his wife. + +"I've explained to you time and time again, Helen," said he impatiently, +"why I struck her and I'm not sorry I did it." + +"It seems awful, though," replied his wife, reflectively. + +Waldstricker frowned into the wistful face. + +"Why awful when the Bible ordered me to do it? I've given you the +Master's own words to verify it. Didn't he say, 'Let the man without sin +first cast a stone?'" + +Mrs. Waldstricker raised her eyes to her husband's face. + +"But Ebenezer--" + +"There's no argument, my dear," the man interrupted. "I tell you I know +whereof I speak. It came to me like a flash on Wednesday in the +church ... I had to show the world a man--a man without sin." + +Helen stared back at him in amazement. Her husband had never before +expressed himself in quite such bombastic terms, and, oh, dear, she knew +he was good; but for any human being to claim to be without sin! She'd +never heard of such a thing. + +"But, dearest," she argued pleadingly and partly rising, "are you sure?" + +"I have no doubt about it," interpolated Ebenezer, striking his chest +emphatically. "As I said, I know whereof I speak." + +Helen sank down again. + +"I'm glad you can explain it, dear," she murmured dubiously. "It'll be +easier for you to make Deforrest understand about it when he comes. He's +so wrapped up in that girl.... He'll be here in a few minutes, I think, +if the train's on time." + +"I'll make him understand all right," answered Ebenezer. + +The words had scarcely left his lips before both husband and wife heard +the approach of sleigh-bells. + +"He's coming now," said Mrs. Waldstricker, and she rose and started to +the window. + +"Sit down and don't look as if you were going to die," her husband +commanded. "But perhaps you'd better go to your room while I'm +explaining the thing to him." + +When Deforrest Young opened the door and walked in, his face was +wreathed in smiles. + +"Well, hello, everybody," he cried heartily. "It's an awful night." + +Ebenezer rose and extended his hand. + +"So 'tis," he agreed. + +Helen went forward quickly and helped slip the snow-covered coat from +Deforrest's shoulders. At the same time she lifted her lips for a kiss. +How she adored this brother of hers, and how anxiously she desired he +should be satisfied with Ebenezer's account of the church proceedings. + +"I'm lucky to be home for Sunday," remarked Deforrest. "I was afraid the +case wouldn't close before day after tomorrow. But the jury came in last +night, and everything was quickly closed up." + +"We read about it in the paper," said his sister sympathetically. "It +must have been a harrowing thing to go through." + +"It certainly was! But the acquittal helped. The woman is very young and +without friends, and I was glad to get it for her." + +"But she's bad!" cut in Waldstricker. "Every paper said she was guilty." + +"But the jury pronounced her innocent," exclaimed the lawyer, "so that +puts an end to the argument!" + +Ebenezer fingered the leaves of the book he held. + +"I've the happenings of a week to tell you, Deforrest," he stated +deliberately, as if dismissing the former subject. + +Professor Young bent down and slipped off his overshoes. + +"I'm awfully tired, old chap," said he. "Won't they keep till morning? +I'd like a bite to eat, and then--then bed." He smiled at his sister. +"How about something to eat, sis, dear?" + +"Helen, go see about supper for your brother," ordered Ebenezer. + +Mrs. Waldstricker, seemingly glad to escape, left the room quickly. + +"Fire ahead, Eb," said Young. "I suppose I might as well hear it now as +any time." + +"You sent Parson Griggs a letter for me to vote in your name?" + +"Of course," responded Young. "I knew Helen was interested in the +Christmas festival, and I thought you'd do as well as I." + +"And so I did, brother," replied Ebenezer, pompously, "and your vote +turned the tide into the channel God wanted it. Some members allowed +their human feelings to run away with 'em." + +Ebenezer's mysterious words suddenly awakened Deforrest's interest. + +"Has something out of the ordinary occurred?" he queried. + +"Yes," assured Eb, "but I've attended to it all right!" + +Professor Young sighed. + +"That's good! There, now, I'll sit by the grate and warm up while you +tell me about it." + +He dropped into a large chair, and extended his feet to the cheerful +blaze. Waldstricker paused before making his explanation. At length: + +"We put a member out of the church last Wednesday," said he, steadily. + +Deforrest Young turned completely around and stared at his +brother-in-law. + +"Put a member out of the church!" he repeated, thunder-struck. "Why +church a member?... That _is_ out of the ordinary, I should say. What'd +he do?" + +"It wasn't a man, 'twas a woman." + +"Well, for God's sake!" Deforrest's voice was low, deep, and filled +with disgust. "I hope you men didn't make a mess of yourselves.... What +happened?... Some girl kissed her sweetheart under the pine trees?" + +The elder glanced over the top of his brother-in-law's head. + +"Worse than that!" said he. "Much worse than that!... We churched a +Magdalene!" + +It took an appreciable length of time for Young's tall figure to rise +from the chair. He turned around and stood with his back to the fire. + +"I didn't know we had a Magdalene in the church," he commented drily, +and then more impetuously, "Oh, Lord, why don't you spit it out and not +beat all around the bush telling me?" + +There was something about Ebenezer's slow manner of approaching the +point that made Young impatient. In the meantime his mind was rapidly +running over the women in the Hayt's congregation. + +Waldstricker got up, too, drawing his big frame to its full height. + +"We churched--Well, the fact is,--We churched Tessibel Skinner." + +When the name fell upon Deforrest Young's ears, every muscle in his body +became rigid, making him taller by inches. + +"Tessibel Skinner?" he repeated mechanically, as if he'd heard awry. +"Did you say Tessibel Skinner?" + +Waldstricker took a long breath. Deforrest was receiving the action of +the church with better grace than he had anticipated. + +"Yes, Tessibel Skinner!" he repeated. "She's with child." + +In the awful minute after the torturing words had fallen from the other +man's lips, Deforrest Young felt as if he must tear the lie from the +speaker's throat. For it was a lie! God! What a lie! A lie told against +Heaven's best--the best girl in all the world. Without a word, he +reached for his overcoat. + +"What're you going to do?" demanded Ebenezer, a little perturbed. "You +needn't see her.... She's been justly dealt with." + +There was no answer from the tall lawyer. Only one thing was in +Deforrest Young's mind--to go to Tessibel Skinner. He gave no thought to +the wild night, no care for his own fatigue and hunger. Disdaining +another glance at Ebenezer, he whirled to go. Helen's pale face +appearing in the doorway made him pause. + +"Deforrest," she quivered. "Deforrest, dear, oh, don't go out tonight! +Stay and let Ebenezer tell you about it, do please! The church has done +all it could--it must be all right if the church did it, Forrie." + +Then Young's wrath broke loose.... + +"All right? All right?" he thundered. "The church has done all it can, +eh? Well, by God!" He turned a livid face from one to the other. "What a +cursed outrage!" + +Waldstricker cried out, horrified. + +"Man, man, what are you saying!... How _dare_ you provoke the wrath of +God!... How dare you question the decision of the church! Besides, I +tell you she's a Magdalene. She's been justly punished. I attended to it +myself." + +Then Young saw clearly that the church action had but expressed his +brother-in-law's will. He knew his implacable hatred of the squatters +and particularly of Tessibel. He recognized that revenge had prompted +him. Pushing the protesting elder aside, he ejaculated: + +"You pious hypocrite! Get out of my way," and was gone. + +The bitter winter wind nipped at Young as he strode down the steps and +battled his way to the stables. Waldstricker's words were pounding at +his brain like a hammer. What had they done to Tess? He remembered +Ebenezer had said that his vote--his own delegated vote--had turned the +tide against his pretty child! + +He had no mercy for the stumbling horse as he spurred down the long +drive, into the public thoroughfare, and thence to the shore road. When +he came opposite to his own closed, uninhabited house, he could see by +straining his eyes the dusky shadow of the willow trees shrouding the +Skinner home. + +A glimmer of light struggled from the curtained window of the hut. With +desperate haste he tied his horse to the fence post. He could scarcely +stop to spread over the animal the blanket he'd brought for the purpose. + +Then as he waded through the snow and rounded the mud cellar a dog's +mournful howling, pierced and punctuated by a girl's shrill, +heart-broken cry, fell upon his startled ears. In another minute he had +flung himself against the shanty door and forced it open. Kennedy's +bulldog greeted him, growling, and beyond him, stretched out upon the +body of her dead father, lay Tess. Hovering over her, chattering, was +Andy Bishop, the dwarf, the condemned murderer of Ebenezer Waldstricker, +Sr. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +THE VIGIL + + +During Professor Young's instant of hesitation on the threshold, the +wind gusted sheets of snow into the Skinner shanty. Quieting the dog by +a low-spoken word, Deforrest stepped in and closed the door against the +storm. The acrid smoke drawn from the stove by the back-draft, filled +the room,--a choking cloud. + +Andy stared at the intruder for an instant, and then turned again to the +girl lying unconscious upon the body of her father. + +Young's vision comprehended the whole tragedy. He pulled off his cap and +gloves and shook the snow from his shoulders. Advanced to the bedside, a +glance satisfied him that the squatter was dead and that Tess had +fainted. He had recognized the dwarf the minute he saw him, and +heartsick with apprehension, he wondered what he was doing there. + +"Get up," said he. "Let me look at her." + +The dwarf moved aside hesitatingly. + +"Air she dead, too?" he whimpered. + +"Bring me some water," commanded Young. + +Andy went to the pail, dipped a portion of water into a small basin, and +waddled back with it. + +"Her daddy air dead," he offered. "Ye can see he air dead." + +"Yes!" nodded Young, taking the dish. + +He did not speak again until Tess groaned, and opened her eyes. She made +a half struggle to sit up, and Young lifted her to her feet. + +"Lean on me," he said gently. + +Tess stared at him, incredulously. He had come after all! Relief +crumpled her up in his arms. + +"Daddy air dead," she whispered. + +"Yes, dear," soothed Young. "There, lean your head on my shoulder, poor +little broken baby." + +His tones were so tender, so soft! They went to the heart of the +stricken dwarf, and like a hurt child he burst into tears. Professor +Young turned and looked at him. + +"Don't do that," he said huskily. "Sit down--don't cry!" + +Without moving from her position, Tess said, "Andy, Andy, dear, git on +up in the garret a few minutes, will ye?" + +The dwarf crept to the ladder, and Deforrest let him go. A dozen +questions leapt to the lawyer's lips at the same time, but the girl +against his breast looked so desperately ill he had no heart to ply +them. Tess lifted her lids heavily. + +"Ye won't tell nobody he air here?" she gulped. + +"How long has he been here?" asked Young, instead of answering her +question. + +"Ever since spring," sighed Tessibel. + +"Was he here that day when Mr. Waldstricker and my sister--" + +"Yep." The girl's whisper was very low. + +"And when Burnett came too, I suppose?" + +"Yep, I hid 'im ... Daddy loved 'im, Daddy did." + +She began to cry softly. Her confession had taken her mind back to the +huge figure on the bed. + +"I wanted to go with Daddy," she sobbed. "I didn't know--I thought I +couldn't live without 'im." + +Stooping, Deforrest gathered the mourning little one into his arms, and +seating himself in the big rocker, pressed his cheek against her hair in +sympathy. Patiently he waited, holding her thus while the mercy of her +flowing tears dulled the first sharp edge of her grief. + +Bye and bye the sobs ceased, and a faint, catchy little voice struggled +up through the red curls to the man's ears. + +"Ye air awful good to me, you air. Oh, I needed ye so, and I feared--I +feared mebbe ye wasn't never comin' again!" + +"My dear, my dear," Young soothed, much moved. Then he rose and placed +her in the chair. "You sit here and tell me about it." + +Bravely she looked into the friendly face, a doleful smile quivering on +her lips. + +"The first thing I want to know," she asked, "what air ye goin' to do +'bout Andy?" + +Professor Young had anticipated this question. + +"Until I've had more time to think about it, and until after the funeral +anyway, I'll keep your secret," he reassured her kindly. + +"An' ye won't say anythin' to nobody 'bout 'im till ye talk with me +again?" she queried, fearfully. + +"That's what I mean, Tess," Young answered. + +"Ye air so good to me, ye air," sighed Tess, satisfied. + +"Child," began Young a moment later, "can you bear to tell me about it, +now?" + +"About Daddy?" asked Tess, "or about the other--" + +The lawyer's nod, responsive to the latter half of her question, +reawakened the suffering girl's memory of the horror of the church +meeting. + +"It were so awful," she said after a pregnant pause. "I mean--Mr. +Waldstricker--" + +"What about it? Tell me," Young interrupted, as the gentle voice +hesitated. + +"See ... this!" she murmured, turning her head. + +Young's eyes caught the red of the wound on her neck. + +"He did that!... How?" he ejaculated fiercely. + +"He hit me with a piece of--coal!" answered Tess, sinking back, very +white. + +"No, no; God, no!" he cried desperately. "He couldn't have done that!" + +"He said I were ... bad," interrupted Tess, very low. She bowed her +head, and the man, stunned, made no move toward her. His muscles seemed +powerless, and he had no volition to comfort her. He could not erase +from his mind that horrid picture her few direct words had brought +before him. "But ... _you_ air trustin' me!" was the way Tess brought +him back to himself. + +"Then it's true what--what--" + +His tongue grew parched. + +"Yep, but trust me, please!" cried Tess. + +Trust her! Believe in her with her confession ringing in his ears. God, +if he did not love her, it wouldn't be so hard to believe, to trust, to +help. But with this fierce jealousy stabbing at his heart, he felt he +must know more--all. His mind went back to that time when she had come +to him with a child in a basket, and her plea had been the same, "Oh, +trust me! Please trust me!" + +"If you could only ... tell me ... something," he groaned. + +"It air true what Mr. Waldstricker hit me fer," bowed Tess, swallowing +hard, "but I can't say nothin' 'bout it, I can't! I ain't able to tell +nothin' more'n that!" + +Young still stood several feet from her. + +"I must do something to help you," he implored. "Won't you even tell me +when it--it will be, Tessibel?" + +Through her tense fingers the girl murmured a stifled "March." + +March--scarce three months away! He would have given five years of his +life to have had her tell him the truth about this thing that had +crushed her. He made a nervous movement with his fingers to his hair. + +"You are bound by a promise?" he demanded sharply. + +A white, uplifted, pained face was his answer. + +"You'll tell me some day, if you can," he said, going swiftly to her. + +"Yes," whispered Tess. + +And then for a long time nothing was heard in the hut but the winter +without, the growls and mutterings of the bulldog in his sleep by the +stove, and a sob now and then from the dwarf in the garret. + +The healing silence of a common love in the presence of a common grief +settled upon the strangely matched couple. The little squatter girl, +with her shameful secret, and the great lawyer and teacher, kept solemn +vigil over the body of Daddy Skinner. + + * * * * * + +Daddy Skinner was buried. All the arrangement in connection with the +obsequies devolved upon Professor Young. It was he who brought the girl +back to the shanty in her simple, clinging, black gown, and after the +carriage had delivered them at the hut door, carried her, almost +unconscious, into the house and laid her gently upon her bed. Then he +closed the door and sat down beside her. It was perhaps an hour later +when she lifted her eyes appealingly. + +"I air awful glad ye stayed with me," she choked. + +"Tess,"--Young's voice shook.... "Will you let me talk to you a little +and not feel I'm intruding upon your sorrows or your secrets?" + +"Ye wouldn't do anythin' what wasn't right," murmured the girl, under +her breath. + +For some moments he smoothed her burning forehead. Then he lifted her +hand and held it in his. + +"Tessibel," he began. + +"What?" + +"First, tell me about the little man in the garret." + +"There ain't nothin' much to tell," she responded, shaking her head. +"When he got out of Auburn, he come here and asked me an' Daddy to take +care of 'im, an' we done it, that air all." + +"I see, dear--and--and you didn't think the law required you to give him +up?" + +Tess moved her head negatively on the pillow. + +"Sure not, or I'd a done it long ago. The law--what do I care 'bout the +law?... It air always puttin' innercent men in jail. That air all the +law air fer." + +"But this man is a murderer," Young tried to explain to her. + +But Tessibel's gesture, both hands raised, palms outward, expressed her +dissent. + +"They said as how Daddy were a murderer, too," she retorted, "but you +found out he weren't, didn't ye?" + +Young, not able to gainsay this, nodded his head. + +"How long are you going to keep him here?" he asked presently. + +Tess sent him a glance pathetically sad and discouraged. + +"I don't know. The poor little duffer hain't no friends. He ain't no +other place to go where old Eb won't git 'im." + +Young thought of his brother-in-law. He realized immediately with what +joy that stern disciplinarian would snatch the little man back into +Auburn prison. Doubtless, too, he would visit his rage on the girl +who'd shielded him. + +"Ye helped Daddy git out o' jail," Tess whispered. "Couldn't ye keep +Andy out?" + +Deforrest Young turned his face to the ceiling. A pair of gleaming eyes +were staring down upon him from the square hole. + +"Come down here, you," he said peremptorily. + +Andy slid down the ladder and squatted himself beside the cot. Young +considered the boyish face some time in silence. + +"What made you kill Waldstricker?" he demanded. + +Andy shook his head. + +"I never done it, mister," he denied positively. + +"Tell me how it happened! If I'm going to help you, you must tell me the +truth." + +This wasn't what Young had intended to say at all. + +"Andy ain't a liar," came from Tess. + +"Tell me every word," urged Young. + +The dwarf curled himself into a little ball and began. + +"Well, us was all in a saloon at the Inlet, an' old Waldstricker, he +come in with a nuther man, an' they both got a drink an' t'uther man +went out. Me an' Owen Bennet were settin' at the table, ... Waldstricker +he says somethin' nasty 'bout squatters an' ... Owen went fer 'im. +Waldstricker pulled 'is gun. I knocked it out o' his hand an' Owen +grabbed it up offen the floor an' sent a bullet right through +Waldstricker's heart. Then us uns beat it, I mean me an' Owen, an' when +they caught us ... he put the shootin' on me. I didn't do it, an' Owen +knows I didn't." + +Young was very quiet during this recital. He was considering the eager, +boyish, upraised face. + +"I hope ye believe me, mister--sir--please do," Andy pleaded. + +Deforrest Young crossed his legs, smoothed his hair with one hand, and +sat back in his chair. + +"I think I do," he nodded presently. "Only I am placed in a very +peculiar position. By rights I ought to send you back--then help you +afterward if I can." + +Tessibel sat up, her eyes wildly frightened. + +"Ye couldn't do that!" she cried. "Ye couldn't do that! Don't ye +remember a day on the rocks, when I was awful sad, an' you said, 'Tess, +if ye ever want me to do anything for ye, come and tell me.' Didn't ye +say it?" + +Young bowed his head. + +"I air askin' it now," said Tess, throwing out her hand. "I air beggin' +ye not to send Andy back. Let 'im stay with me. I promised Daddy I'd +take care of 'im." + +"Lie down again and be quiet, child," urged Deforrest, sadly. "You don't +want to make yourself sick.... Hush, you mustn't cry!... Oh, child dear, +will you please stop shaking that way?" + +He had forgotten that when Tess loved any one, she would battle until +her death before she gave him up. + +"Then don't send little Andy back, an' I'll be awful good," she pleaded. + +Young sat for some time, one hand on Tessibel's, the other beating a +tatoo on the arm of Daddy's wooden rocker. + +"I suppose," he said at length, as if speaking to himself, "I'll be +highly criticized if any one finds out about this irregular proceeding. +Nevertheless--" He turned to Tess. "I'll go quietly to work and see what +I can do. In the meantime, dear child, you can't stay here in this +house." + +"But I promised Daddy I'd take care of Andy here, an' I air goin' to. +Him and me can live here all right." + +Young sighed. There was the same stubborn tone in her voice she had used +in those days when her father was away in prison, and he had argued with +her to leave the settlement. + +"Well, at any rate," he said after a while, "I'll take time to consider +it, and then we'll decide something." + +Ten minutes later he was riding slowly up the hill, and as the past +panoramied across his mind ... and evolved itself into the present, he +shook his head. Tessibel had separated him from his family, had made him +a stranger to his best friends. Would she now, by holding to +Waldstricker's convicted murderer, deprive him of his honor? + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +SANDY COMES TO GRIEF + + +The Skinner home was resting in its winter calm. Daddy Skinner was gone. +Andy still crept about the dark garret, and Tessibel passed her days in +study, performing the few duties the small shack required. + +When Deforrest Young had gone away a few days after Daddy's funeral, +he'd smiled into her eyes and had bidden her to be of good courage. +Henceforth, he said, she was to be his charge. She felt a little lighter +hearted. It made her happier, too, to think he knew about Andy Bishop +and was going to help him. + +The only person she feared was Sandy Letts. She'd not seen him since +that day in the church when he had tried to draw her nearer the +minister. Bitterly angry, she knew he must be. That he had delayed his +revenge so long seemed to her rather menacing than comforting. + +Her mind was drifting back over all the events of the past few months, +when a shadow passed over the curtain at the window. She stole to the +door and placed her ear to the latch. From that position she could +plainly hear creeping footsteps crawling closer. + +With her ear glued to the crack, she listened. There was no sound now of +walking. The outsider was listening, too. Suddenly, he knocked heavily. +Tess glanced to the garret. The dwarf's face was not in sight. Then the +knock came again. + +"Who air there?" Tess called, her breath catching. + +There was no answer, save another knock. + +Tessibel spoke once more. After a pause, Sandy Letts' voice came gruffly +to her. + +"Open the door, Tess. It air me, Sandy." + +"What do ye want?" demanded Tess. + +Sandy growled inarticulately, gave a kick to the floor, and rattled the +latch. + +"I want to come in, I said. I air goin' to talk to ye!" + +Tessibel thought of Ben Letts and of how he, too, had demanded entrance +to her home in just such a manner as his cousin was doing now. She +glanced about for something with which to protect herself if needed. She +wished with all her soul the brindle bull were with her then in the +shanty. + +Sandy gave another rough pull at the latch-string. + +"Open the door, Tess," he growled again, "or I'll bust it down." + +Tess knew Sandy would carry out his threat, and, if he broke down the +door, his temper would be worse than now. She muttered a prayer to quiet +the terror in her heart, and slipped up the bar. Sandy, gun in hand, +stepped into the kitchen, and Tess closed the door. + +"What do ye want, Sandy?" she questioned. + +"I want to talk to ye, what do ye 'spose I want?" he flung out, +swaggering his shoulders. + +"Well, sit down," invited Tess, seeking to propitiate. "Ye knowed Daddy +was dead, didn't ye, Sandy?" + +"I can set down without bein' asked," grunted the squatter, dropping +into a chair. "Sure I knowed yer pa's flew the coop." + +"What'd ye want?" Tess asked again after a moment. + +"I've come to settle with ye for somethin'," said Letts. + +"I ain't done nothin'," replied Tess. + +Sandy threw out an angry hand. + +"Ye have, too, ye have, too! Didn't I want ye for my woman, and didn't +ye go an'--" + +"I said ye couldn't have me," interrupted the girl. "Folks ain't havin' +everythin' they want in this world, Sandy." + +"Then ye turned me down in the church afore Waldstricker," went on +Sandy. "Ye might've been glad to marry a decent man after what ye'd +done. But ye ups and says, 'I won't!' An' I've come to ask the reason +why." + +Tess walked across the shanty kitchen and sat on the edge of the cot. +Sandy followed her with his eyes, his face growing crimson as he gazed +at her. + +"I air here for two things," he continued. "To find out the name of that +man Waldstricker asked ye 'bout--" + +Tessibel's low voice stopped his impudent speech. + +"I couldn't tell ye that, Sandy, not even if ye killed me," she +murmured. "What was t'uther thing?" + +"I air goin' to take ye away with me fer my woman. But ye needn't think +I air goin' to marry ye decent like I would in the church t'uther day, +fer I won't." + +Tessibel, weary and aching, grew cold with fear. She knew the squatter +would keep his word, if he could. He would abuse her as Ben had tried to +when her father was in Auburn unless help came. Then remembering all the +days she had lived and suffered and still'd been saved from Sandy and +his like, she breathed a deep sigh. + +"I couldn't go with ye, Sandy," she explained. + +A cruel expression set Sandy's large, sensuous mouth. + +"Ye'll be glad to go with me when I git done with ye." He placed his gun +against the chair and stood up. "First, I want to know what made ye act +like that in the church fer. Don't ye know me well 'nough to think I'd +get ye sooner or later. Ye knowed yer Daddy couldn't always live in the +shack. Ye might better took me while ye could. I would jest have beat ye +a bit fer yer cussedness, then mebbe after a while I'd fergive ye. But +now--" + +Tessibel's struggling to her feet broke off the man's volubility. She +was so frightened that almost without thought she circled toward the +door. Sandy got up and placed himself directly in front of her. + +"No, ye don't git out o' here," he sneered, "not till I git through with +ye. Jest make up yer mind to that." + +Sandy was moving toward her, his eyes gleaming with rage. What could she +do? She threw a hasty glance about the shanty. She knew Andy was under +the straw tick in the garret and could not hear the low conversation +going on in the kitchen. + +As if in answer to her agonized prayer, another shadow passed the +curtained window. Sandy had not seen it or he would not have thrust +forth his great arms and snatched her to him. Tess uttered a scream. In +another moment Jake Brewer sprang into the kitchen and was looking from +Tessibel to the angry squatter. + +Sandy pushed the girl roughly on to the cot--took two steps toward +Brewer, his manner threatening. + +"What ye sneakin' 'bout here fer?" he growled out. + +Jake grinned slowly. + +"I allers come in to see Tess," he replied. "What were ye doin', Sandy?" + +"I air goin' to take Tessibel to be my woman," muttered Letts. + +Jake glanced at the pallid girl. + +"Oh, well, I swan! So that air it, eh?" + +"Nope," Tess got out through her chattering teeth. Then all the pent-up +rage in her body broke loose. "I ain't wantin' to be his woman. I want +to be let alone in my shack! Oh, Jake, won't ye make Sandy go away and +let me be?" + +Sandy laughed evilly. + +"It'd take a bigger man'n Jake," he remarked. + +Brewer, unruffled, seated himself with the slow manner of a squatter. + +"I don't say as how I air very big," replied Jake, crossing his legs, +"but I guess no man'll take Tess long's she don't want to go, when I air +here, Sandy." + +Letts shook a threatening fist. + +"Get out o' here, Jake," he growled, going toward the other man. "If ye +don't, I'll make it worse fer ye! Git out, I say!" + +"Shan't do it. Now, Sandy, I ain't no woman to be 'fraid of you, so just +hold yer horses till us uns talk this out. Ye say ye want Tess fer +your'n, an' Tess, she don't want ye, now what ye goin' to do?" + +"I air a goin' to take her jest the same," snarled Letts. + +But thinking better of placing his hands on the other man, he went to +his chair and sat down. Tess, too, drew a little sigh of relief. Then +the three sat for several quiet seconds looking from one to the other. +At length, Tess broke out. + +"Sandy said he'd keep away an' wait till he caught Andy Bishop afore he +come to git me." + +Sandy glared at her. + +"But I told ye if ye had a nuther man hangin' round I'd fix both of ye, +an' I'm goin' to keep my word," he snapped back. + +"Ye can't fix any one but me, Sandy, 'cause ye don't know nobody else +to hurt, do ye," she interrupted him. + +"It air easy fer a man like me to choke the name out of ye, brat," +replied Letts, blinking his eyes at her. "I'd be likin' nothin' better." + +Jake moved his big boots back and forth several times. + +"I wouldn't try it if I was you, Sandy," he cautioned, "'cause ye know +uther folks might be interferin' with ye." + +Sandy's throat emitted a deep, doglike growl as he clambered to his +feet. + +"I'll do it now, dam ye both," he barked back in ugly defiance. + +Jake was on his feet before Letts could take a forward step and had +placed himself between the big squatter and the girl. + + * * * * * + +That afternoon when Jake came back to see Tessibel, she threw a quick +question at him. + +"Air he dead, Jake?" + +"Lordy, no, Tess, 'course not! He's tougher'n cow's tripe.... Sit down, +brat, an' I'll tell ye about it.... Don't be shakin' so. It were like +this! I was stoppin' Sandy from tryin' to git ye an' when I pushed 'im +back, he kicked his own gun an' got a bullet in his big, fat leg, that +air all." + +"It was awful," cried Tess, wiping away her tears. + +A slight smile played around Jake's lips, and showed a few of his dark +teeth. + +"Brat," he chuckled, "Sandy ain't done to his death by no means, an' you +didn't have nothin' to do with it, nuther did I. 'Twere his own +cussedness that put that bullet in his leg. There air one blessed thing, +he won't be comin' round here for a long time yet botherin' you; so +cheer up, an' be glad ye air a livin'." + +Then Jake went away, leaving the girl and the little man in the garret, +comforted and happier than they had been in many a day. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +WALDSTRICKER'S THREAT + + +Something had happened in the house of Waldstricker. Since the churching +of Tessibel Skinner, everything had been topsy turvy. The criticism +heaped on Ebenezer for his part in it had only served to make him more +arrogant at home and abroad. + +One morning at breakfast, Frederick being absent, Madelene was alone +with Ebenezer and his wife. + +"Put down your paper a minute, Eb," said Madelene, "will you?" + +Scowling, Waldstricker let the paper rattle to the floor. + +"What do you want now?... I can't have a minute's peace. What is it?... +More money?" + +"_No_, nor nothing to do with it, Ebenezer. I want to ask you something, +and do be quite frank with me. Does Fred ever go to see that Skinner +girl?" + +The man's heavy brows drew into a straight dark line above his eyes. + +"He'd better not," he gritted between his teeth. + +"That isn't the point," answered Madelene. "Does he?" + +"I don't believe I'd give myself much concern about that if I were you," +he said presently. "I understand that man Letts, Sandy Letts, who is +working for me on the Bishop matter, still wants to marry her." + +"Of course she won't as long as Frederick--" + +Waldstricker interrupted her. + +"If Frederick does go there, he won't long when Letts finds it out." + +Madelene's eager glance brought the unmatched lips aslant of each other. + +"I don't think he'll go often," he repeated. "I'll see to it myself. She +can marry Lysander Letts or--" + +"Or what?" Madelene's elbows came to the table, a hand on each cheek. +"Oh, Ebbie, do tell me! I'm so miserable about her. I wish she was +dead!" + +"But, Ebenezer," said Helen, "it seems awful for such a refined girl to +marry such a man!" + +The elder's uplifted hand came down on the table with a bang, and higher +mounted his proud lip. He ignored his wife's pleading speech, but +answered his sister's. + +"So will Miss Skinner wish she were dead before I'm done with her," said +he. + +"Why?" + +Waldstricker leaned over the table, looking first at his wife, then at +Madelene. Helen shuddered. How relentless he looked when his mouth +turned down at both corners! She had grown so afraid of him of late. + +"I've an effective way to keep him from her," said he. + +"Goody!" exclaimed Madelene, and "How, dear?" asked Helen. + +The man spoke only two words in a low, husky voice, but each woman heard +them. + +"Good!" gasped Madelene, standing quickly. "How perfectly glorious!" + +"How perfectly awful!" groaned Helen. "Ebenezer, don't do anything so +dreadful." + +Waldstricker looked across the table with that strange glitter in his +eyes. + +"Helen, must we go over again the same painful ground that women should +not interfere!" + +Mrs. Waldstricker rose to her feet. + +"No, Ebenezer, no, no! Only I was thinking of Deforrest!" + +"Deforrest will not know of it until it's too late," said Waldstricker, +rising too. + +"Does he know of Letts' trying to force her to marry him?" asked Helen. + +"I've never told him. Possibly the girl has." + +"I think not," answered Helen, gravely. "He'd have mentioned it to me, I +think!" + +As her brother passed Madelene, he tweaked her ear. + +"Just clear your pretty head of further worry, little kitten ... See?" + +Madelene caught his hand affectionately in hers. + +"Kiss me, best of good brothers," she smiled. "You've made me perfectly +happy! Isn't it dreadful to have to keep tabs on one's husband?" + +"You won't have to long," Waldstricker assured her. + +Then he kissed her and followed his wife into the library. Mrs. +Waldstricker walked to the window and looked out, her eyes full of +tears. + +"Helen," said Ebenezer, gravely, taking her by the shoulders and turning +her face toward him. "You displease me very much." + +The drops hanging on the long lashes fell suddenly. + +"I'm sorry, dear, but I can't see why you always antagonize Deforrest. +You remember how angry he was after that church affair." + +"Your brother's anger doesn't affect me in the slightest," returned +Ebenezer coldly. "When I see my duty to God, I do it, that's all." + +"And you're really determined--Oh, Eb dear, for my sake, please--" + +The husband made an impatient movement. + +"Helen, how many times have I got to forbid your crying this way. You're +always in tears. You'll make yourself sick." + +"Lately you've been so cross to me," sobbed Helen, burying her face in +her handkerchief. + +Waldstricker put his arm about her. + +"I don't want to be cross.... There!... Now lie down here on the +divan.... I'm going out for an hour or two." + +Then he put on his cap, took up his riding whip, and went away to the +stables. + +A few minutes later Helen Waldstricker sat up straight, and rang the +bell. To the servant who appeared, she said, + +"Find Mr. Graves and send him to me immediately." + +When Frederick received the message, cold chills chased each other up +and down his back. Dismayed, he desired to disobey but dared not, +besides Helen was the least dangerous of the three. What could she want, +he considered queruously. He hadn't had a minute's peace since he came +home. Madelene was in a state of tears nearly all the time; his +brother-in-law, dictatorial, difficult even in his milder moods, seemed +secretive and suspicious. As far as he was concerned, he kept from the +house as much as possible, but this only provoked to a greater degree +his young wife's tears and complaints. Only this morning, he had been +treated to a spell of hysterics the like of which Madelene had never +before equalled. + +His wife would not believe his oft-repeated assertions that he had not +been to the Skinner cabin since the day she had surprised him there. +Frederick had spoken truly. His fear of his powerful brother-in-law and +his own lack of moral courage allowed the days to drift along until now +he felt he could not go into the presence of the girl he had thus +neglected. + +He watched until his brother-in-law drove from the stables and +disappeared. Then he turned and went into the library. Helen beckoned to +him to come near her. + +"I must tell you something," she breathed. + +She pointed to a chair near the divan. For a time she talked in an +undertone, telling him something which sent the blood flying from the +young man's face, and left him faint and sick at heart. + +And later by an hour, Frederick Graves was walking the railroad tracks +toward the Skinner shanty. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +HELEN'S MESSAGE + + +Tessibel Skinner was sitting in the shanty kitchen. She had a book in +her lap but her mind was far from her surroundings. Andy had been quiet +so long she'd almost forgotten him. Suddenly, his slight cough brought +her back to the present. + +"Ye look awful peeked, brat, dear," he said. "I think ye'd ought to see +Young's doctor, hadn't ye?" + +A vague smile crossed the girl's face, and she shook her head. + +"No, Andy," she answered, "I don't need no doctor, yet." + +"I wish ye felt better," sighed the dwarf. "An' the days is gettin' +awful blizzardy for ye to go outdoors." + +"But I got to go out, dear, fer wood an' other things. Hark!" She got up +swiftly. "There air some one comin'." + +In another instant the little man had crawled away from the ceiling hole +and was under the tick. The garret was as silent as the frozen lake and +the kitchen below, where Tess stood in anxious expectation. Tessibel, +knowing it couldn't be Sandy, put aside her first impulse not to heed +the rap. An instant later, she opened the door. That it might be +Frederick was farthest from her mind, until she saw him standing there +so thin and tired. Surprised and shocked at seeing him, the stress of +her feeling found her faint. She would have fallen if he had not +suddenly seized her. + +"Tessibel!... Tess, darling!" he cried, sharply. Lifting her up, he +carried her into the room. She clung to him, crying, her confusion +calmed by his caresses. He placed her in a chair and sat down beside +her. Suddenly, she sat back in her seat, roused from her revery by +mocking memories of her wrongs. + +"Couldn't ye let me alone?" she breathed hoarsely, covering her face +with her hands. "Ye might a let me be." + +"I had to come, dear," Frederick told her. "I want you to do something +for both our sakes.... Oh, Tess, what terrible days have passed since I +saw you last!" + +After a short pause, she dropped both hands and glanced up at him. Then +knitting her fingers together, she pressed them hard until they looked +like the veined stems of a pale flower. He had come to make another +demand of her--and she was so tired--so sick! + +"I want you to make me a promise, Tessibel," urged Frederick. + +"I said as how I'd help ye all I could," murmured Tess. "Ye're wantin' +me to do somethin' awful hard, huh?" + +Her soul in her eyes, she looked at him, but his gaze was on the gloves +he was twisting back and forth between his fingers. + +"Ain't ye goin' to tell me?" groaned Tess. + +She dropped her chin into her hands with a touching gesture of pathos. +Frederick bent nearer. + +"Tess, Mrs. Waldstricker sent me with a message--and you've got to do +what I want you to." + +His strangely persistent reiteration that she should do his will served +only to produce another, "Why don't ye tell me, then?" from Tess. + +"You must do something to save yourself!" he cried. + +To save herself? What did he mean by saving herself? What did any one +intend to do? She'd stayed so alone no one could intrude upon her now. +And then, there was Andy, poor forlorn little man! + +"Is anyone goin' to hurt me?" she faltered, faint and frightened. + +"Yes, dearest, yes, and you must--" + +He was on his feet and Tess struggled up, too. + +"What've I got to do?" she breathed miserably. + +"Tess," he groaned, "can't you understand how much I love you; that I +would save you if I could?" + +With uplifted hand, he tried to raise her face to his. + +"Don't!" she cried, pushing him away. "_Tell_ me what Mrs. Waldstricker +said!" + +"You've got to do it, dear," urged Frederick, "or they'll take you +away." + +"What do ye mean by takin' me away?" she implored, moving a frightened +step backward. "Who's goin' to try to take me any place?" + +"Why--why--Mrs. Waldstricker says--" + +He paused so long Tess could not bear the suspense. + +"Oh, tell me!" she gasped. "Can't ye see ye air killin' me?" + +Frederick began again. + +"Mr. Ebenezer Waldstricker--" + +Tess swayed on her feet. + +"What air he goin' to do?" she panted. + +Had her enemy discovered she was protecting Andy? + +"He's going to take you to a--a--" stammered Frederick. + +Tessibel grew faint and dizzy. She uttered a sharp scream. + +"A reform school!" she cried. + +"Yes." + +The blow had fallen at last! She would be dragged from her home, up +before the eyes of the world in all her illness and shame. Then she sank +to the floor in abandoned misery. + +"Oh, Frederick, save me!" she wailed. "Don't let him take me away, and +I'll promise never to go outside the shanty. Oh, make him let me stay! +Why can't I stay, oh, why can't I?" + +"Waldstricker says you've got to go," said Frederick, sadly. + +Tess sat up and flung back her curls. + +"Well, he don't own the hull world, does he.... Couldn't you, well +couldn't _you_ say somethin' to make him let me be?" + +"I don't know what to say," the boy mumbled. + +"Couldn't ye tell 'em?" entreated Tess. "Please listen. Couldn't +ye--couldn't ye tell Mr. Waldstricker 'bout our little baby--our baby, +Frederick?" + +He refused by a negative gesture of head and hand. + +"Oh, don't shake your head, Frederick!" cried Tess, frantically. +"Please!... Please!... Me an' the baby won't be any bother to you!... +We'll jest love ye always an' forever, me an' the baby will.... + +"Ye could save us that way! Ye needn't tell 'em anythin' but that!" + +Suddenly another thought took possession of her. + +"What else did Mrs. Waldstricker say?" she demanded. "What were ye both +wantin' me to do?" + +"Mr. Waldstricker told his wife and my--I mean Madelene--that you'll +either be sent away or must marry--marry Lysander Letts." + +Tess stared at him wildly as though he were going mad. Or _was_ she +losing her reason! What awful thing had he said. Lysander Letts--surely +she had not heard straight. + +"Ye weren't tellin' me what were true, Frederick," she whimpered +overwhelmed. "Oh, ye scared me so!" + +"But I am telling you the truth!" he exclaimed miserably. His voice +broke. "I can't save you, Tessibel. Waldstricker can do anything he +wants. Why--why--Waldstricker's hands're stronger--are stronger than +God's." + +She heard his words as if in a dream. "Stronger'n God's," echoed through +the recesses of her brain in fearful mockery. She was lost, engulfed in +the hatred of Waldstricker. She saw through the mist over her eyes, +Lysander Letts leering menacingly at her. She sat very still and held +her breath. If she let it go, her heart would break. + +"Stronger'n God's," were the only words she remembered. Then, if that +were true, and Frederick had said it--then--then, nothing--nobody--could +take from her this brimming cup of disgrace and destruction. She +struggled to her feet, walked to the door and opened it. Her eyes sought +the dejected looking man. + +"I air askin' ye to go now, please, right now," she said quietly. "Tell +Mrs. Waldstricker, I air much obliged." + +"And haven't you something to say to me, Tess?... Oh, God, don't send me +away like this!" + +She laid one hand on her heart. "Only go," she whispered, "an' never, +never come again!" + +Frederick stepped over the threshold, and Tess shut the door behind +him. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII + +HANDS STRONGER THAN WALDSTRICKER'S + + +Tess stood with swift-coming breath, her back to the door, waiting. +Frederick must leave before she dared speak to Andy. It seemed an +eternity ere the sound of the retreating footsteps died away, and she +knew he was gone. + +Then she started across the room, haltingly. Strange, how difficult it +was to walk, and how giddy her head felt! What was it that had happened? +What was going to happen a thousand times worse? Frederick's brutality +left her bruised and broken. His threats twisted themselves through the +tangled tumult of her thoughts and his sinister suggestions stunned and +stupefied her. + +Frederick had come and gone! She remembered that. Her skin still burned +where his hot lips had touched her. He had told her he loved her, had +begged her to say she loved him! Love? Yes, she had loved him--she did +love him, but her love lay low, its structure, like a squatter's hut, +she had seen, shattered on the sand by a storm. + +Tess put a stick of wood in the stove, and a second later forgot she'd +done it. + +Ebenezer Waldstricker came into her mind vaguely ... vindictive and +violent. Her hand went suddenly to her face. He was going to send her to +a reform school, going to take her from the shanty for years! How +powerful he was! Frederick had said Waldstricker's hands were stronger +than God's. What strong hands he must have--those hands descending upon +her defenseless, desolate life. + +Andy was peering through the hole. Tessibel collapsed into Daddy +Skinner's chair. + +"Brat," he said in a whisper, "I'm comin' down!" + +Tess mechanically got up and barred the door.... Then she returned to +her seat. The dwarf was already squatted beside it, his eyes fastened on +the girl in eloquent silence. His chin sank between his knees. Then the +two of them sat.... The crackling of the freshly burning wood and the +ticking of the clock were the only sounds in the room. + +"I heard what the man said 'bout Waldstricker's hands bein' stronger'n +God's," reflected Andy, aloud, presently. Then he raised his body a +little from the floor that he might look into the girl's face. "Say, +brat, has old Eb got any marks on his hands?" + +Tess shook her head, brown eyes sombrous with suffering. + +"No," she denied. "His hands are big an' white an' long an' soft." + +Andy pondered a minute. + +"They ain't no marks of nails on 'em, air there, kid?" he demanded, +solemnly. + +The pursed, hurt lines around Tessibel's mouth softened a little. + +"No," she murmured wearily, again. "No, Andy." + +The dwarf reached and took one of the girl's hands. It lay on his own +quite limply. + +"Look at me, brat, dear." + +The red-brown eyes moved toward the upturned face. + +"Tessibel, will ye think of this one little thing? + +"The Christ's holdin' his hands over the hull world, givin' everybody +peace; you an' me, too, brat-kid. Waldstricker's hands ain't dragged me +back to Auburn, an' God's hands has kept me here.... You showed me that +from the beginnin', eh, brat?... It's sure, ain't it?" + +He hunched himself nearer her, his face beautiful with faith. + +"Ain't it true, kid?" + +"Sure! Sure, it air true!" faltered Tessibel. + +"Then if God's hands kept me here in the shanty 'gainst all Waldstricker +could do, can't they keep you here, huh?" + +Tessibel's head lifted suddenly. What was Andy saying about +hands--Waldstricker's and--and--With her free fingers she brushed the +dampened curls from her forehead. Waldstricker's hands! Oh, +incomparable memory! How could she have forgotten the hands of the +Christ! They had brought Daddy Skinner from the shadow of the rope. She +had forgotten the power of those hands.... Hands of peace--hands of +love! As shadows fade before the majestic advance of the sun, so under +the inrush of divine light did the agonized expression fade from +Tessibel's eyes. The menacing figure of Waldstricker slipped away like a +gliding night-serpent, and Tess got to her feet. + +"Andy," she breathed, bending over him. "Oh, Andy, darling! Ye're +telling me Jesus can keep me from bein' sent to that awful place? Ain't +that what ye're tryin' to show me?" + +The dwarf scrambled up, reaching forth his hands. + +"And he sure can, brat," he made answer. "Waldstricker can't pull ye out +of this hut when God's holdin' ye in." + +Andy was smiling his rare, boyish smile. A large lump rose in Tessibel's +throat. + +"I air goin' to ask God to hold me here, Andy," she choked brokenly. + +So when night closed the grey eyes of the winter day, and darkness +descended on the Skinner shanty, a red-haired squatter girl and a wee +dwarf knelt in the glow of the hut lamp and petitioning lips framed in +whispers a simple prayer for their protection. + + * * * * * + +The next day passed, quiet in the shanty and over the shining span of +frozen water. Waldstricker had not come. Tess crept into bed sighing +with relief. Andy rolled himself in his blankets and slept. + +The morning arrived crisply cold, bleakly grey. Tess shivered as she +broke the ice for water. Would this day bring Waldstricker? Then, as +that harrowing thought flitted through her mind, another exultant, +smiling flash took its place. Tessibel's head reared with a proud +uplift. No human power could set aside the majestic promise of Heaven +that she might stay in the hut. Smilingly, she opened the shanty door +and cheerfully answered the dwarf's, "How d'y' do, brat dear?" + +But the next few hours were laden with a sense of approaching calamity, +that sense which ties the tongue in apprehension. Andy was perched on +the ladder while Tess sat just below in the wooden rocker. + +Suddenly, from far up the lane, the sound of wheels grating on the snow, +could be heard plainly. Both man and girl stared white-faced at each +other for perhaps thirty seconds. + +"They're comin', but they can't take ye, Brat," muttered Andy. "You'll +stay in this shanty the same 's if you was nailed to the floor." + +Then, he sought his place under the straw tick, and as nearer and louder +came the clatter of the horses hoofs, the more quiet grew the Skinner +hut. + +Tessibel stood in the middle of the kitchen, her hand pressing down the +beatings of her heart. Somebody was approaching! There were footsteps on +the dry snow! + +Directly the crunching sound ceased, a loud knock fell on the door. +Tessibel lifted the bar, and at her faint, "Come in," the door flung +back on its hinges and Ebenezer Waldstricker stepped over the threshold. +Another man, seemingly by common consent, waited outside. Waldstricker +came to a halt at the sight of the squatter girl. Even in her mourning, +and ashen pale, she looked glorious. Her burnished, unmanageable hair +clung like a golden mantle about her. She had lifted heavy lashes and +was looking him straight in the face. + +Ebenezer, suddenly, felt a wild desire to strike, but he dared not touch +her, nor dared he go forward one step. Her advancing motherhood crowned +her with unapproachable dignity, and the man muttered an imprecation +under his breath. To have her appear in court so austerely lovely would +be to lose his case. He had expected she would plead, cry, perhaps +scream. What should he say to break that steady calm? He did not know +what a day and night of communion with the Infinite had done for the +squatter girl. He did not understand that beneath her were everlasting +arms, that her life was held in the hollow of a hand more powerful than +his own. + +"I believe, my girl," said he, without preliminaries, "I told you when +the church took action against you, you'd be sent to some place where +girls of your class go, didn't I?" + +Tess didn't move by so much as a wink. She seemed simply to have grown +deaf and dumb. How could she answer when she had not heard? She was +staring back into the man's bold, dark eyes. Her silence was like a +spark to his inflammatory temper. + +"Aren't you going to answer me, Miss?" His rasping voice aroused Tess +from her trance. + +"I didn't hear what you said," she told him, still very calm. + +"I said," replied Ebenezer, arrogantly, "you're going to be sent to a +reform school." + +"Today?" asked Tess, breathing deeply, now fully possessed of her +senses. + +"Yes, today." Then he remembered Madelene.... he had made her a promise. +"But I'll help you to get out after a while, if you tell me who--who +brought you to this condition." He threw out both hands disdainfully +toward her. Waldstricker's white hands, hands stronger than God's! Who +had dared say it? + +The girl cast her eyes to the rafters. There, the nets hung in strings +and mingled their tassled ends with the dry herbs. There, somewhere, +were that other pair of hands upholding her. She lowered her eyes again +to the man. + +"Don't you hear me talkin' to you?" he grated. "I said you were going +today--but if you tell me--" + +He bit off his words, her apparent helplessness shaming him to silence. +Then the import of what he had said flashed over Tessibel and she swayed +backward. This small break in that superb calm brought Waldstricker +forward the step the girl had yielded. + +"Are you going to tell me?" he demanded again. + +"Nope," said Tess rigidly, "Air I to go with ye now, this minute?" + +He inclined his head with a bitter nod. "Yes," he snarled. He strode to +the door, and addressed the officer. "Come in! Come in! She's a hardened +huzzy.... Serve the warrant on her." + +Tessibel took the paper but dropped it to the floor without glancing at +it. She didn't care what it contained, for minute by minute came the +sweet assurance from up there among the nets that God had heard and +would answer. + +The officer was staring at her, askance. He remembered distinctly when +she had climbed up the ivy on the county jail to see her father. Then +she had been a child. Now she was a woman. Being a good-hearted man, he +hated his task, and a moment later hated it worse than ever. She sent +him one pleading, heart-rending glance, then dropped her lids. + +"Ye couldn't let me stay till after March?" she whispered. "If ye only +would--" + +It had been an effort to say it; an effort to both inclination and +voice. It was as if her throat were filled with ashes ... nor could she +finish the appeal. + +"You can't stay even one day," thrust in Waldstricker, "I told you long +ago what to expect.... Get your things together." + +Tess made no move to obey. She was waiting for an answer from out of the +dry nets, even from far behind the snow clouds where the blue slept. + +"Get your things on," commanded the man, once more. + +Oh, yes, she could do that! Putting on her things didn't say she was +going. She turned mechanically, took down her coat and scarf. These she +put on and went for her rubbers. She stood very near the wall as she +bent dizzily to slip them on. All the time her soul was looking upward +for the eternal answer, an answer from a power stronger than +Waldstricker's. + +Then she went slowly to the little box where she kept her hat. After +brushing her hair back, she pinned it on in front of the mirror. +Today--well, now she was dressed, ready to go. She turned and came +forward. The constable stared from Waldstricker back to her. Was this +the girl who had stamped and screamed when Daddy Skinner had been taken +to Auburn? + +"Are you goin' without any fuss, miss?" he asked dully. + +"If I go at all," was all Tess said. + +At the door she flung back her head, her eyes searching the rafters. +Straight as knife cuts hung the broken strings of the unused nets, +threaded here and there with wheels of silken cobwebs. Up through these +Tessibel stared. Up and up, above the curling of the chimney smoke, up +among the stars, up where the hands of love--God's hands, were ever +spread in benediction over her own wild, beautiful world. She smiled as +if responding to a smile. Waldstricker touching her made her turn +suddenly. + +The cold wind from the door just opened by the officer, swept her hot +face. She flashed her eyes past him to the vast open stretches of +winter, and there, standing in the lane, smiling directly back at her, +was Deforrest Young. God in his own good time had sent her hands +stronger than Waldstricker's. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV + +LOVE AIR EVERYWHERE THE HULL TIME + + +The moment the red-brown eyes fell upon Professor Young, the pale face +of the girl lit with a radiant smile. + +"Oh, ye've come!... God sent ye, didn't He?" + +At the sight of the tall, commanding lawyer, the officer and his +powerful principal stepped each to one side of the path in front of the +house and left Tess standing in the doorway, with trembling arms +outstretched to her approaching friend. Young came directly to her, +ignoring his brother-in-law. + +"My dear," he murmured, snatching her hands, "you needed me! Poor child, +you certainly did!" + +"Are you coming in," pausing on the threshold, he spoke to Waldstricker, +"or are you going on to Ithaca, Ebenezer?" + +A smile passed over the elder's lips. He was secretly much amused at the +professor's assumption of authority. + +"I'm coming in," said he. "I've something to show you." + +Evidently not impressed by his brother-in-law's statement, Deforrest led +the passive girl back from the threshold of the shanty into the kitchen. + +"Let me take off your wraps, dear child," he said tenderly. + +Waldstricker's growing amusement found audible expression in a +condescending laugh. + +"Wait a minute, Forrie," he commanded, spreading his feet pompously. +"She can't take 'em off. She's coming with us." + +"And why with you?" Young asked, in simulated surprise. + +Waldstricker fairly gloated with joy. Never had he felt so righteous and +uplifted. By his brother-in-law's actions, he was assured he did not +know of the warrant for Tessibel Skinner. But the girl's attitude +amazed him. To the quiet dignity with which she had submitted to arrest, +there had succeeded an air of complete detachment as though her +responsibility, even her interest in the matter, had wholly ceased. +Mutely watching the two strong men, she seemed like some small prey over +which fierce forces fought. Young began to remove the hat from her +bronze curls. + +"We're going to take her away," cut in Waldstricker, putting one hand in +his pocket. + +"Where to?" demanded Young, laying the hat on the table. + +"To a--to a--" Waldstricker hesitated. + +The frown on Young's brow deepened. He had paused for the other's +explanation, his under lip gathered between his teeth. Then, he laid his +hand protectingly on that of the silent, white-faced girl. Tessibel's +fingers turned upward and closed over his, and they stood thus a moment, +Waldstricker contemplating them through half-closed lids, one corner of +his mouth superciliously curled. + +"You haven't told me where you were going to take her," Deforrest +insisted. + +Bitter anger rose in Eb's throat. He had been balked at every turn he'd +taken against this red-headed girl, and instead of helping him, +Deforrest was aiding her. He did not intend that Madelene should suffer +any more, and he imagined his own home life would be more peaceful when +Tessibel Skinner was wiped from its horizon. + +"If you'll have it plain," he cried triumphantly, "she's going to be +sent to a reform school! If ever a girl needed correcting, she does. +She's already been served with the warrant." + +Young muttered under his breath. Holding out his hand, he said, + +"Let me see the warrant." + +Ebenezer pointed to the paper on the floor where Tess had dropped it. +Stooping, he picked it up. + +"Look that over!" he said and handed it to the lawyer. + +Professor Young took the paper, and before reading it, looked +reassuringly at Tess with that wide, white-toothed smile of his that +always cheered her heart. + +"Sit down," he told her. "You do look tired, child." + +With one swift glance at Waldstricker's face, she obeyed him. + +Deforrest merely glanced at the paper in his hand. + +"Oh, is that all you have?" he asked the constable. + +"Yes, sir," the officer replied obsequiously. + +"You're sure you haven't anything else?" + +"Quite sure, sir," was the answer. + +"That being the case," said Deforrest, quietly, "I'll match it +with--with this." + +He drew from his pocket another paper which he tendered the officer. +After the man scanned it, he handed it without a word to Waldstricker. +The elder in his turn read it through. It was an order from the court +recalling the warrant obtained by Ebenezer Waldstricker for Tessibel +Skinner's arrest. The constable grinned sheepishly at Waldstricker. + +"I guess that ends my usefulness here," he said, smiling admiringly at +Professor Young. "Good afternoon, miss! Goodday, gentlemen!" + +Waldstricker, murder in his heart, took one stride toward Young, as the +door closed behind the departing man. + +"How'd you find out this was to happen today?" he gritted through his +teeth. "I insist upon knowing." + +"A little bird told me," grinned Professor Young. Then, glancing at +Tess, and seeing how white she was, there rose within him a righteous +indignation, and he went on, "You might employ your time to better +advantage than torturing--" + +For a moment he didn't know what to call Tessibel. She was no longer a +child, no longer a little girl, although she looked deplorably young and +sick as she sat huddled in the chair. + +"Tormenting women," he finished, sharply. "And, Ebenezer, unless you +want to make an enemy of me, you better let Tess alone. You can't do +anything to harm her, for I won't let you. I may as well tell you, too, +that the day after her father's death I constituted myself her guardian, +and I'll move Heaven and earth to prevent any one harming her. Just +remember that when you plot against her next time.... Now go home and +forget there are such people as squatters.... You'll be happier, and so +will I." + +"Deforrest," Waldstricker appealed, changing his belligerent tactics, +"if you keep this thing up, you'll rue it! You know very well Bishop is +hidden somewhere in this squatter settlement. I can only get him by +rooting his people out one by one; if you'll have that court order +rescinded and let me send the girl away, I'll make it possible for you +to run for Governor next fall." + +For one minute, the lawyer surveyed Waldstricker critically. He reached +one hand toward Tess. She got to her feet, grasping his fingers with +hers. + +"Ebenezer," Young said with great deliberation, "if I crawled across +this girl's body into the Governor's chair, I'd be the basest cur alive. +And furthermore, you promise too much! You can't deliver the goods! +What! _You_ name the next Governor! Why you can't even remove this +little squatter girl from her lonely hut!" + +Waldstricker shrank from the scorn in his brother-in-law's voice, opened +the door and strode out. + +"Tess," Deforrest said, putting an arm around her, "when are you going +to let me take you away from such things as this? I shudder to think +what might have happened if I hadn't come today, and I've got to go away +again." + +Tess smiled up at the big man. Drawing herself erect and lifting her +head proudly, she looked into his face, exultantly, full of buoyant joy +at the tremendous proof of Love's protecting power in the hour of her +great need. + +"I jest knowed old Eb couldn't get me," she asserted. "Jesus sent ye +jest in the nick of time, didn't he, huh?" + +"But, my dear, listen," Young argued, his love making him apprehensive. +"It's awful for you to be here alone and unprotected. Let me take you +away somewhere." + +"I ain't alone," Tess insisted confidently, serene courage resounded in +the sweet voice. "Jesus air here an' He keeps me safe all the time. He +got Daddy out of Auburn an' kept Andy an' me in the shanty. Why, He sent +you today. I know He won't let nothin' bad happen to me." + +Untroubled, the brave eyes looked into his, conveying a message of +courage and perfect peace that somehow uplifted the man's anxious +thought to catch a glimpse of her exalted faith. + +"But you know, Tess," he continued, "you are not so well this winter and +you ought to have some one here to look after you." + +Tess shook her head, the bronze curls twisting and falling over her +shoulders and upon the arms embracing her. + +"No, siree," she answered. "I can't have any one here, on 'count of +Andy. Oh, ye mustn't worry 'bout me. I air all right an' will be every +minute." + +"At least, dear," Deforrest insisted, "let me get a doctor and nurse +when--when--" + +The brilliant head suddenly bowed itself forward against Young's rough +coat. For a moment, her high courage faltered, but not for long. Surely, +the same power that had cared for her today would see her through this +other trial. + +"Nope, not any doctor or nurse," she refused. "I'll have Mother Moll. +She knows what to do an' she air safe." + +Withdrawing herself from Young's arms, she took his hand and kissed it. + +"God sure air good to Tessibel," she murmured. + +A moment they stood there. Then the lawyer took up his hat and turned to +the door. + +"You know, Tess, I love you and want to help you always." + +In the doorway, he paused and with bared head heard the girl's parting +speech. + +"Sure, ye're lovin' me an' I air lovin' you, too. I know Mr. Young, love +air here an' everywhere the hull time." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV + +BOY SKINNER + + +A pale winter moon nestled among the snow clouds in the storm country. +The shacks of the squatter settlement were dark and silent, save for a +slender little light glimmering from the side of the curtains of the +Skinner shanty. Inside, all was quiet. The squatter girl had been in the +valley of shadows, and had struggled back from its depths, bringing with +her that miracle of miracles, a son, a little son not much bigger than +the hand of a man; and, now, pillowed on her arm, very near her heart, +lay a small head, a baby's head, covered with soft, damp curls. + +Mother Moll had come and gone. When the old, old woman had looked down +upon the girl, she'd smiled that senile smile of age that split her lips +like a knife cut. + +"Ha! So it air another brat comin' to the shanty," she shrilled. "Holy +Mary! It air the way of the world, the way of woman." + +And now she'd gone, leaving the boy baby under the coverlet with +Tessibel. + +A weary apathy had settled over the young mother. Strange dreams filled +the small room with haunting, tangible things which she could reach out +and touch if she dared. The rafters, too, were peopled with faces partly +hidden in the dry nets. But she seemed to be staring at something out +and beyond--as Daddy Skinner, too, had stared that never-to-be-forgotten +night. + +The past months, where the grey days and sun days had all been the same, +moved vaguely in silent procession before her. She had lived through +them like a pale ghost indifferent alike to sunshine or shadow, and this +night she had drained to the last drop the bitter cup Frederick Graves +had given her to drink. Frederick, her husband, her beloved! She thought +of him indifferently. Even his babe at her breast seemed unimportant. +She considered them without emotion. But the ghostly faces, hovering +among the nets, interested her. + +Then, distinctly from among them advanced a figure, a dear, familiar +figure. Daddy Skinner ... the same old adorable daddy--his shaggy, +thready beard hanging over his chest. For one single instant he bent +over her, lovingly laid his hand upon the bronze curls and smiled in the +way he had of doing before he had gone away with mummy. Tess flung up +her hands. + +"Daddy! Daddy Skinner!" she cried. + +The movement startled the babe from his sleep. The dwarf, roused by the +cries scrambled to the open hole. + +"Tessibel--Tess," he called brokenly. + +The girl lifted heavy lids. + +"Daddy was here, Andy," she wailed in misery. "My own Daddy Skinner. I +want to go with him.... I can't live any longer without him." + +"Can I come down, brat?" begged the dwarf, huskily. + +"Yep," whispered Tess. "Mother Moll air gone." + +"I heard 'er when she went," said Andy, and he slipped down the ladder. + +The babe's shrill cry continued as the dwarf went to the bed. + +"Yer daddy don't need ye as much as me an' the little feller. Let me +take 'im--I ain't seen 'im yet, ye know." + +Andy bent over the cot. Gently he lifted the infant and carried him +nearer the lamp's dim rays. He stood gazing intently into the rosy face. +Then, he raised a tiny hand and spread first one finger, then each baby +fellow out in his own palm. + +"Why he's real handsome," he decided at last. "Brat, he air the most +beautifulest in the world!" + +At the last words he turned shining eyes toward Tessibel. She lay +gazing, not at Andy or the babe in his arms, but up into and beyond the +nets in the rafters, seeking another glimpse of her father's dear face. +Alarmed by her strange silence, the little man bore his precious burden +back to the cot and knelt beside the passive figure. Holding the baby +close, he breathed, + +"Don't, brat, dear! Look at me. I been feelin' yer daddy round all day, +too. He'll always be near to help you an' the little kid." + +A pathetic trembling of her lips hushed the flow of his words. + +"It seems's if I couldn't live, Andy. I dunno how I can, I dunno how!" + +Her voice trailed away into a plaintive moan. + +"Let me take hold of yer hand, brat," murmured Andy. "I want to tell ye +somethin'." + +He clasped one of her hands in his, while her free fingers shaded her +eyes. + +"You got three folks standin' by you, kid," continued Andy, earnestly. +"Me, Young an' Jesus. While I been alone in the garret, all this time, I +been readin' an' a reasonin' out things. Don't ye remember when Mr. +Young come that night how he said he didn't blame ye fer nothin' ye'd +done?" + +Beneath the tense fingers, she breathed a simple, "Yes." + +"An' me--why me--I know yer heart's if I'd made it, honey, an' +Jesus--Air ye listening Tess?" + +"Sure," assented Tess. + +"Then I'll tell ye a story. Once a woman loved a man awful much, an' she +loved 'im like all women love men folks. An' a hull lot of righteous +ones dragged 'er right up to Jesus an' says, 'She air a sinner, sir, +what'll we do with 'er?' An' he says, 'Go away an' leave 'er with me.'" + +Tessibel's hand clutched at the fingers holding hers. + +"An' when he were alone with 'er," went on the dwarf, "an' she were a +kneelin' at 'is feet, he jest touched her lovin' like, an' says--" + +"Don't, Andy, you--you hurt me ..." moaned Tess. "Don't!" + +"An' I wanted to help ye, sweet," insisted Andy. "But still, I air +askin' ye to listen to the rest. Will ye?" + +Tess acquiesced silently, her hand falling away from her white, drawn +face. + +"An' Jesus says to the woman in baby trouble like yours, he says, 'Poor +soul, I ain't blamin' ye this day, I ain't!'" + +The little man's eyes shone with the sublimity of the truth he was +imparting, and an uplifted expression of faith settled on his features. +The baby whimpered in his arms, and loosening his hold upon the girl's +hand, he rose to his feet carefully. Tessibel was crying now, in low +caught breaths that wrenched and tore at Andy's heart cruelly. + +To soothe the child, he pattered to and fro upon the shanty floor; and +when he began to chant in a low, sweet voice that old, old precious +hymn, "Rescue the Perishin';" Tess cried out again. Andy Bishop, the +dwarf, was impressing upon Tessibel Skinner's heart that mysterious +faith she'd known so long, that same sense of God's love which she'd +taught him in those days when the dark doors of Auburn Prison yawned +wide for him. + +The state had branded him a murderer, but here, with glistening eyes, he +preached the Christ and Him crucified. In the solitude of the garret, he +had learned his lesson well ... by the dim attic light, he had studied +the story of the forgiveness of sin. Suddenly, he ceased his song, and +as he trotted back and forth, swaying the little child in his arms, +Tessibel caught murmured words, "'Nuther do I condemn thee," said Jesus. +"Nuther do I condemn thee," said he. + +And in that next pulsing minute through the eyes of her soul, the +watching girl saw above the squat dwarf the shadowy image of the smiling +Christ, and unspeakable peace descended upon her like a benediction. The +lines of suffering vanished from about her pursed mouth. The hurt within +her heart gave way to the "still waters." + +"'Nuther do I condemn thee,' said Jesus Christ," whispered Andy over the +boy's face, and "neither do I condemn thee" sank into the very being of +the squatter girl as warm rain sinks to the heart of a parched flower. + +She followed the waddling figure, a gleam of gratitude beaming in her +eyes. Surely, the bread Tessibel Skinner had cast upon the waters of +Andy Bishop's stormy life was returning after many weary days! + +"Andy," she called. "Andy, dear, bring me my baby." + +The dwarf laid the sleeping child within its mother's arms. + +"The man on the cross, your man an' mine, brat," he whispered, "said, +'If ye have burdens, come an' I'll rest ye.' Didn't he say it, kid?" + +"Yes, yes, Andy," whispered Tessibel. "Everything'll be all right +fer--you an' me an' the baby," and she ended, ... "Get back in the +garret an' pray for my brat's daddy, too, Andy. He air needin' it +worser'n me an' you." + +Then the squatter girl turned her face to the wall, drew the baby under +the coverlet, and the dwarf scuttled up the ladder. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI + +DEFORREST DECIDES + + +Deforrest Young sat alone in his bachelor apartments, which he'd +obtained after the quarrel with Waldstricker over the churching of +Tessibel Skinner. He was in Ithaca in response to a letter from Mrs. +Waldstricker, stating that she would meet him in his rooms this +afternoon. + +His mind was busily at work with many problems. For the past week he had +had no word from Tessibel Skinner. Her silence was significant. +Mischief-making anxiety, which always pictures the worst side of a +situation, tormented him cruelly. He hoped Helen might have news from +the shanty by the lakeside. + +When Mrs. Waldstricker finally appeared, his first impulse was to ask +about the squatter girl, but the troubled expression of his sister's +face checked the question on his lips. He drew her tenderly into his +arms, and attempted to comfort her with reassuring pats and caresses. + +"You shouldn't have ventured out, dear," he chided. "Sit down here!... +There! Now tell me what's the matter." + +"I'm so miserable, Forrie," she wept. "I can't do a thing with +Ebenezer.... He's in such a state of temper all the time!" + +"Don't try to talk for a moment, dearest," soothed the lawyer, much +moved. + +"But I must--I want to! It seems as if my whole life has been upset in +some unaccountable manner. And it isn't any better since Frederick and +Madelene went away. I was in hopes after they'd gone, I might have some +peace." + +"Is it still--" Young's inquiry was broken off by his auditor's +exclamation. + +"Yes, it's Tessibel Skinner! He seems perfectly possessed about her. I +can't understand why, either. I always tell him she's nothing to us. He +has even gone so far--Oh, Forrie, dear, tell me it isn't so!" + +"What isn't so?" asked Deforrest, puzzled. + +"Ebenezer says--he says you'd marry--" The inquisitor's courage oozed +away before she finished her sentence. Her brother turned and strode up +and down the room, while Mrs. Waldstricker's eyes, full of questioning +anguish, followed his tall figure. + +"I suppose he said I'd marry Tessibel Skinner. Is that it?" His voice +was low, deep and intense. Wheeling about he looked across at his +sister. + +She got up from her chair and went to him. Her desire to placate her +brother supported her determination to know his precise attitude toward +her husband. She placed her hand on his arm and replied hurriedly, + +"Yes, that's what he said. I told him it was no such thing; that you did +what you could for the lonely child without a thought--" + +Deforrest's hand closed over the speaker's. + +"You were mistaken, then," he asserted quietly. "I'd have married +Tessibel Skinner long ago, if she'd consented." + +"Forrie, dear, you wouldn't! You couldn't! Especially now! Oh, darling, +you're all I've got in the world.... Can't you see it would break my +heart?" + +"You needn't worry about it, sister mine." A sad shake of his head +emphasized his reply. "Tess won't marry me. She knows I love her and +want to care for her, but she won't let me. She sticks there in that +wretched shanty, alone with her trouble and refuses every offer I make. +Her courage is splendid. I love her for it, although I'm torn to pieces +with anxiety." + +"And I never knew," Helen mused. "I thought--I thought it was--just you +were charitable and kind." + +"No, it wasn't that. I've loved her since the first, but she couldn't +love me, that's all. Then this awful thing happened." The deepening +lines in his face and his twitching lips revealed the intensity of his +solicitude. "Have you heard anything about her?" + +"Yes. A man by the name of Brewer, one of the squatters, brought me a +message." + +"Yes, yes!" interrupted the man, very impatiently. + +Helen pressed her face against his arm. She divined the pain he was +suffering. How was she to soften the hurt her answer would inflict, even +her loving heart couldn't imagine. + +"She has a baby boy," she whispered. + +"God!" groaned Deforrest. + +"The baby was born a few days ago, and every day the squatter's been at +our house, ostensibly to sell something, but really to tell me about +her.... I saw him this morning, and he says they are both doing nicely. +Forrie, don't you think--" There was something in her brother's stricken +face that broke off her question. + +"Don't I think what, dear?" He got up and resumed his restless pacing up +and down. + +"Oh, I want you to be happy. Couldn't you possibly--forget you've loved +her?" + +"No, I can't," and he came to a standstill in front of her. "I might as +well be truthful, dear, as long as you know this much.... If Tessibel +will marry me, I'll take her and the boy--" he choked, paused a few +seconds and went on. "I'll take them both away from Ithaca. It's the +only happiness in store for me, and I believe I could make her happy, +too." + +"I can't bear the thought of it," cried Helen, desperately. "Please +don't think I'm meddling, but has she told you anything?" + +"No. Some one has mistreated the child shamefully, but she won't tell +anything about it." + +"Poor little girl!" sighed Mrs. Waldstricker. "How I wish now I'd done +more for her! I might have, you know." + +The lawyer raised his hand deprecatingly. + +"What's past, is done with," he answered gloomily. "I don't know how +much she'll let me do, but I am going to help her in spite of herself. +That shack by the lake is an awful place. I swear I'll give her decent +surroundings and a chance to live.... I'm going down today." + +"But, Forrie," his sister objected, "I want you to come home with me to +dinner. You haven't been to our house in a long time, not since the +night you came from Binghamton and went off to Skinner's in the storm." + +"Helen, dear," Young explained, apologetically, "I can't come to your +house as long as Ebenezer feels toward me the way he does. You see, +don't you?" + +"Oh, I suppose I do, but I just can't stand it. Eb has acted badly and +tried to shoulder it all off on you. But can't you overlook it, honey?" + +"Why, Helen, how can I? I don't feel any too pleasant toward him, and he +doesn't want to be friends, either. He pays no attention to my wishes +but tries to ride rough shod over me. He regards my interest in Tess as +a personal affront. He persecutes her because he thinks he's annoying +me. But there, don't cry any more. You'll only make yourself ill! I +think you ought to go home and lie down. You've some one else besides +yourself and Eb to think of, dear girl." + +"I know it," she sobbed, "and I've tried to show Ebenezer how happy we'd +be if he'd forget those people down the lake and let you do what you +want to. Sometimes I think he's lost his mind. I really don't know what +to do." + +Helen rose from her chair. + +"Nor do I," replied Young. + +"But, Deforrest, don't you think if you talked to Ebenezer, he'd see +things differently?" + +"I'm afraid not," said he, adjusting Mrs. Waldstricker's furs. "You see, +Eb's always had his own way in most things, and I can't take any other +position about Tess, and I won't." + +"I wish you would come home with me," sighed Mrs. Waldstricker, when her +brother was tucking the sleigh robe about her. + +"I'm sorry I can't, Helen. You'll hear from me soon," he promised, as +the sleigh moved away. + +Half an hour later found the lawyer astride his horse, his fine face +clouded in sorrowful thought. + +He cantered along the hard packed road. Here he noted the shimmering +veil of ice over some brooklet waterfall in a cleft of the hill side. +There the precise punctures of a rabbit track dotted the level snow of +the woods. Beyond a herd of cattle standing placidly around a +straw-stack blew clouds of vapor from their steaming nostrils. The +silent beauty of the hills, glistening in their frosty covering, set off +to advantage the silvery sheen of the ice-laden lake. Through the trees, +he caught occasional glimpses of East Hill winter-wrapped in its white +mantle. Just north of the city shone the resplendence of the ice-cloaked +rocks and waterfalls of Fall Creek Gorge, like a massive garniture +emblazoned on the mantle's skirt. The unbroken calm of the quiet winter +afternoon touched the rider's overwrought heart and awoke in him a sense +of the peace and the dignity of the visible creation. The untroubled +serenity and repose which all nature presented, soothed his troubled +spirit. Something of the unruffled confidence expressed by Tessibel, +when he'd last left her, penetrated his revery. Her words, "I know +Love's everywhere the hull time," had comforted him many times, and now +they came again upon their healing mission. + + * * * * * + +Tessibel's baby was one week old. This afternoon she lay partially +dressed on the cot while Andy was plying his noiseless way about the +kitchen. He stopped a moment on the journey to the stove and smiled at +the young mother. + +"I bet he comes today," said he. "You'd better be gettin' that sorrow +offen yer face, brat." + +"I ain't right sorryful, Andy," she answered. "I was jest thinkin' of +all the good things Mr. Young air done for me, an' hopin' he'd get you +free, too. Mebbe when Spring comes, Andy, you can run in the woods with +me!" + +"I air prayin' for it every day, kid." + +"When you ain't afeered of Auburn any more," said the girl, after a +moment's silence, "we'll go away from this shanty, an' mebbe we can both +work. That'd be nice, eh, Andy?" + +"Anything'd be nice if I air with you, an' the baby, brat," he choked. + +"Oh, you'll stay with us all right," smiled Tessibel. "Daddy left me to +take care of you an' I air goin' to do it!" + +Conversation lagged for a time. The dwarf poured out a cup of tea, and +placed a large slice of bread on a plate with some potatoes and meat. +These he took to the bedside. + +"I don't know what we'd a done without Jake," he observed, drawing his +chair to the table. + +Tess was beginning to eat a late dinner. Between bites she smilingly +assented. + +"Jake air a awful good man.... Andy, ain't the baby stirrin' on the +chair?" + +The dwarf went to the improvised cradle and carefully drew away the +blanket. + +"He wants turnin' on 'is other side, that air all." With deft fingers he +rolled the baby boy over, placed the sugar rag between the twisting +lips, and went back to his dinner. + +"Jake was tellin' me this morning," she continued, "Sandy Letts got +three years and a half in Auburn." + +"That'll be dreadful for him," the little man responded, thinking of his +lonely years in prison. "But body-snatchin' air an awful thing. Reckon +he won't try it again when he gets out.... Eh, kid?" + +"At any rate, he won't be after us for a while," she replied, sighing +contentedly. + +"Well, I must slick up a bit," Andy announced presently. "I want to get +the shanty fixed. Young'd think I weren't doin' right by ye, if 'tain't +red up, brat." + +"When I tell him all ye've done," she smiled affectionately, "I bet +he'll be praisin' ye." + +Then they were silent until the little man'd gathered and washed the few +dishes. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII + +THE NEW HOME + + +WHEN Professor Young arrived at the end of the lane near the Skinner's +shack, he dismounted, blanketed the horse and hitched him to the fence. +The approach to the hut had been shovelled recently and the snow was +banked high on either side. He hurried along the path and knocked at the +door. + +A stir in the shanty told the lawyer the dwarf was seeking the attic. +After an instant of quiet, he heard Tessibel's voice. + +"Who air there?" + +The man's nerves throbbed quick response to the clear young tones that +came sure and strong through the shack boards. + +"It's I, Tessibel," he answered. + +And at his answer the bar raised from its holder and Young opened the +door and stepped in. The change from the brilliant glare of the almost +horizontal beams of the declining sun on the sparkling snow to the +half-light of the closely curtained room, obscured his vision for a +moment. But by the time he'd removed his cap and rebarred the door, he +could discern the familiar outlines of the shanty kitchen. He saw Tess, +half-risen on the cot. She rested on one elbow and stretched the other +arm out to him. Her face, wreathed in smiles, shone a cordial welcome. +When he'd gone to her and snatched the extended hand in both his own, +she bent moist lips and touched the back of the fingers. + +Her spontaneous joy brought him a sudden hope that tingled through his +blood and warmed it. To see her so well, so sparkling and joyous, lifted +his burden of anxiety and warmed in him a glow of profound thanksgiving. + +"Tessibel!" he greeted her, relief and yearning compressed into the one +word. + +It was some time before either spoke. In Tessibel's heart swelled an +affection such as she held for no other person. In Young's, in spite of +his self-communion on the way, surged the insistent call of the man for +his mate, a hopeless longing which might never be satisfied. + +"I'm glad it's over, child," he said softly. "My sister told me--" + +"I got my baby!" she broke in. "He air over there. Take a peep at 'im." + +There was no embarrassment in the bright smile she sent him, no sense of +shame in showing her friend the dear little being who had come to her +out of the Infinite to be worked for and loved. Young smothered a groan +but he turned obediently and went to the chair in which the baby was +cradled. + +Folding back the blanket, he gazed at the sleeping infant. Manlike, he +was experiencing the passionate wish that this small boy were his own. +Jealousy, sudden and violent, assailed him. Hardly could he restrain the +words of interrogation and denunciation that demanded utterance. + +The mother's question brought him back to the cot. + +"He air beautiful, ain't he?" she breathed, a misty gleam on her lashes. + +"Yes," said Young, and he sat down in Daddy Skinner's big rocker. + +"Wouldn't ye like to hold him?" Tess hoped he would. + +"Not yet," replied the lawyer. "I want to know more about him. You must +tell me now whose son he is, and let me help you decide what to do about +it.... Won't you trust me a little, Tess, dear?" + +He hitched his chair nearer the cot and looked earnestly into the dear, +brown eyes she turned fearlessly and unashamed up to his own. + +"He air mine," Tessibel told him, and a tender smile played about her +lips, "but I can't tell ye any more.... There ain't nothin' to do about +it. It air all right--huh?" + +"Oh, my dear," sighed the man. "I hoped you'd relieve my mind a little. +But--but I'll not speak about it again till you come of your own accord +and tell me.... I've been thinking about something else, though--" + +"Air it about Andy?" interrupted Tessibel. + +Young looked up and discovered a boyish face smiling down upon him from +the attic. + +"Come down," he said to the dwarf. + +Andy descended the ladder and trudged across the floor. + +The lawyer stood up and extended his hand. "How are you, Andy?" he +enquired pleasantly. "Pretty well, I hope?" + +Andy shook hands gravely. + +"Yep, thank ye, professor, I air that," he assented. "Hope ye're the +same." + +"Andy's been more'n good to me," Tess confided. "Please sit down again, +Mr. Young.... Set on the floor, Andy!" + +Obediently the dwarf curled up on the floor and turned eagerly to Young +who had resumed his chair. + +"Ain't Tess got the fine baby?" he queried, and as though not expecting +an answer, added, "And she air awful happy." + +A fugitive smile trembled on Young's face. + +Awful happy! Awful happy! Was it possible? He looked into Tessibel's +joyous eyes and pondered. Yes, she was happy. He could see that! Happy +in a squatter's hut! Happy in the companionship of a condemned murderer, +and happy with a nameless child! His eyes went to the little one on the +chair. Yes, the three of them were happy. Tessibel's love was bound up +in Andy and the baby, and the dwarf had forgotten his own danger to +serve the other two. To help in the same loyal and unselfish way would +be his future work. At that moment Deforrest Young buried deep in his +heart the passion which hurt like nothing else hurts on earth, and +something very like happiness took its place. + +He leaned back and crossed his legs. Then he reached into his coat +pocket and produced his cigar case. He bent forward and offered it to +Andy. + +"Smoke, Andy?" he queried. + +"Nope, thank ye, sir. Hain't smoked since Pal Skinner got sick. Couldn't +smell up the shanty with a pipe, ye see, eh?" + +When the cigar was glowing and the fragrant smoke drifted in eddying +clouds through the kitchen, the smoker rocked a few minutes +contemplatively. + +"I've seen Owen Bennet," he began presently. "He sticks to the story +that you did the shooting, Bishop, but I knew all the time he was +lying." + +"Yep, he lied," interpolated Andy, bobbing his head. + +"But as long as he won't tell the truth," Young stated "you're liable to +be taken back to Auburn." + +The dwarf cringed as from a blow. Fear of going back to prison killed +the joy in his face instantly, but the speaker's quick assurance +straightened the bent shoulders. + +"But no one knows where you are, and perhaps something can be done to +bring a confession from Bennet. Just at this time, though," looking from +the little man to the girl on the cot, "I'm more concerned about your +futures." + +Tess didn't speak. She knew wherein her confidence lay and was willing +to await her friend's suggestion. She sat up, punched the pillow, turned +it over, and lay down again. + +"It's perfectly evident you can't stay here, either one of you," said +Young, after a pause, "and if you'll be guided by me--" + +"We'll do what ye want," murmured Tess, "if ye'll let us stay together +an' keep the baby." + +"Yes, that is my plan," he replied. + +Andy folded his short legs under him nervously. + +"We want to stay together, me an' Tess does," he echoed, "an' the baby's +awful glad to live with us." + +Young's lips curled an instant into a smile responsive to the quaint +statement. + +"You remember, Tess," he resumed, "I have a lease of the house where +Graves used to live." + +She answered only by a little forward bend of her head. + +"My idea is this: I'll open the house, and you, Tess, can come there +with the baby. You can keep house in a little way for us all." + +"Ye said Andy could live with--" + +"Wait," interrupted the lawyer. "There're two nice rooms on the top +floor. You can arrange them for Bishop and he will be as snug as a bug +in a rug." + +A sharp cry of joy broke from the young mother. She sat up straight. She +threw back the tangled curls, and leaning forward grasped the hand the +speaker thrust out to support her. + +"Oh, what a good, good man!" she rejoiced. "An' me an' the baby'll love +ye forever, me an' the baby will." + +Tessibel didn't remember she'd made the same promise to another man when +she'd begged him in vain to help her. She only knew that Deforrest Young +was offering herself and her little child a home, and a safe refuge for +Andy Bishop. + +"It won't be all for you, you understand, child," said Deforrest. +"Think! I'll have a home, too, and you can study and work." + +"An' some day when I'm earnin' money, and Andy's free, we'll pay you all +back," the girl interjected. + +"Well, we won't worry about that now!... As soon as you're well enough, +I'll move you all up to the house. Tomorrow I'll see that coal and +things're sent down from town!" + +The reply to his offer was a tighter squeeze from the squatter girl's +hand, and a sob from the dwarf. Unable to restrain his joy, the wee man +bounded from the floor and fled up the ladder into the garret. For a +time the man and girl in the room below sat silent, and all was quiet in +the shanty save the voice of Andy Bishop giving forth a thanksgiving +such as he had never expressed before. + + * * * * * + +Two weeks later a light filtered through the closed shutters of Young's +residence on the hill. The old Graves house creaked in the blustery +March gale. The hurtling snow-particles rattled upon the blinds and +against the clapboards like small shot. Deforrest Young came out of the +house and fought his way against the blizzard's buffeting down the hill +to the Skinner shack. + +Stumbling, he fell against the door. + +"It's I, Tess," he shouted. + +The girl lifted the bar and admitted him. Dressed in her outer wraps, +she stood in the kitchen, anxious and expectant. This minute to Tess was +the changing point of her life. Young as she was, she understood what it +would mean to the three of them to leave the shanty, to take up their +abode in a real home. + +"Ye said we was to take the baby first," she greeted him, reaching for +the shawl on a peg in the door post. + +"Yes, but it's so bad I'll have to take you first, child," the lawyer +replied. "Come down, Andy, and after we're gone, bar the door and stand +by the boy.... I'll come back after you in a few minutes." + +Then he flung an arm about Tess and drew her into the winter night. +Wind-blown and snow-covered, Young almost carried the shivering girl up +the steps into her new home. How luxurious the comfortable furnishings +seemed compared to the poverty of the shack! Young helped her off with +her coat and rubbers. + +"Get the baby and Andy, quick," she panted. + +Left alone her imagination followed her champion out under the +frost-laden trees into the drifted lane. She knew his call would raise +the bar and let him into the shanty. She could see the dwarf's beautiful +face smiling his welcome. The thought that Deforrest would wrap up her +baby, protect him from the keen blasts, thrilled her. + +She went to the window in the north room and pressed her face to the +pane. Ah, yes, there in the little path were two figures, one little and +one big, struggling through the drifts. Her two friends! Presently, in +the arms of the tall figure, she could discern a bundle, a small bundle. +She watched them until she heard their steps on the porch. When +Deforrest placed the baby in her arms, and she noted Andy's happy face, +Tessibel's joy was complete. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII + +DINNER AT WALDSTRICKER'S + + +Three years and a half had passed since the birth of Tessibel's baby, a +period of growth and security for the squatter girl and Andy Bishop. + +Just before Boy Skinner's birth, Frederick and Madelene had gone to San +Francisco. A place had been made for him in Waldstricker's office there +and Madelene felt the continent none too wide to put between her husband +and the Skinner girl, but her efforts to win his affection had been a +complete failure. + +Lysander Letts, convicted of grave robbing, had been sentenced to prison +and was still confined at Auburn. + +During the weeks after Frederick's departure, Ebenezer Waldstricker had +been unusually busy. In May, just as the tardy promises of the Storm +Country spring, were beginning to be fulfilled by the full leaved +glories of early summer, little Elsie Waldstricker was born. A few weeks +later, the three of them had left Ithaca for a long period of travel. +Mr. Waldstricker had visited all his business friends and correspondents +and established many new connections. Proceeding leisurely around the +world, they'd returned to Ithaca not long after Elsie's third birthday. + +During their absence abroad, except for the caretaker, the great house +above Hayt's had been closed. Affairs at the lake side had run along in +their usual way. Tessibel had been able to ameliorate the conditions of +her squatter neighbors and was regarded by the inhabitants of that end +of the Silent City, as their lady bountiful. They put her in a niche by +herself. None prouder than they of the evidences of culture and +refinement she showed, while with characteristic independence, they +called her "Brat" just as in the days, when she ran bare-legged and +dirty on the lake side. + +Andy Bishop had occupied the room on the top floor of Young's home. He'd +devoted himself to the same studies Tess pursued and by greater +application had been able to overcome the handicap of the girl's +quickness and greater natural ability. Not so readily had he learned to +speak correctly. The idioms of his boyhood days still slipped out of his +mouth. But no suspicion of uncouth English marred the girl's speech. + +Forlorn and abandoned, the Skinner shanty lay moldering under the +weeping willows. Summer heat and winter storms had worked their will +upon it. Thick grasses and tall weeds had driven out the squatter girl's +flowers and the hedge had grown into a tangled thicket. + +The brilliant sun of a hot June morning found no more home-like place +than the old Graves house, where Deforrest Young lived with his squatter +friends. On the porch stood Tessibel Skinner. The girl's ruddy curls +fell in the same profusion as of old and shrouded a smiling, happy face. +Professor Young had caught her one day doing up the red hair in a great +ball on her head. + +"Tess, it's a sacrilege," he protested sharply, "like wadding up the +petals of a rose or the leaves of a fern. Keep the curls, won't you?" + +Below, from the pear orchard, came a joyous shout, the free, careless, +laughing response to the girl's call. + +"I'm coming mummy," cried a child's voice. + +Tess leaned forward, the better to watch the small boy lightly climb the +terrace. Her face evinced the joy which she found in her baby, and in +the quiet, happy life under Professor Young's care. She held out her +hand to the little one. He danced to her side and she bent and kissed +him. + +"Mummy's boy, oh, mummy's little boy! Didn't I tell you, darling, not to +soil your blouse? Uncle Deforrest'll be here soon." + +"Boy rolled down the hill," pouted the child. "Boy loves to roll down +the hill, mummy." + +His mother kissed him again, diverted by his words, which recalled her +own girlhood frolics. Hadn't she many times tumbled the length of the +lane, while Daddy Skinner had stood and watched her indulgently? Her +arms about the boy, she allowed her eyes to rest for a moment on the hut +at the lake side. Tessibel loved the shanty and always would love it, +but more did she love the home in which she now lived. Her fingers +played idly with the child's dark curls. All that Deforrest Young had +done for her in the past years swept before her mind like a panorama. + +How safe he'd made it for Andy! How the little man had improved! How +delightful their studies together! They constantly looked forward to +that day when they should be able to return to their friend some of the +generosity he had shown them. + +Now he was coming home after an absence of many weeks, and the three +were awaiting his arrival. + +"Run up to Andy, darling," Tess said to the child, "and let him wash +your face and hands, and put on another blouse, my pet. Oh, there 're +grass stains on this one, too." + +A trembling, rosy mouth turned up to the speaker. She kissed it quickly +and passionately. + +"Never mind, honey, just run along. Mummy doesn't care.... There, kiss +me again." + +Two loving arms went quickly around the mother's neck. + +"Boy loves his pretty mummy," was whispered in her ear. + +"And mummy loves her pretty boy. There! Run along to Andy. I want to +gather some flowers for Uncle Forrie." + +Andy was studying at a table, when the door opened and the dark-faced +boy popped into the room. + +"Mummy says wash Boy's face and put on clean blouse," said he. "Please, +Andy. I forgot to say 'please'!" + +Andy pushed back his chair and waddled to the child. The dwarf was the +same ungainly figure that had moved about the hut four years before. His +face had lost all its tightly strung misery and his expression was more +thoughtful and he seemed more manly. + +Boy was a continual joy to him. The little fellow supplied an outlet for +his overflowing love. True, he adored Tessibel, but his care of the +little one had drawn them together so intimately that he and the baby +boy thoroughly understood each other. + +He'd have liked to romp with the child under the trees and to row him up +and down the quiet span of blue water, but grateful for the love and +protection he'd found in Young's home, he seldom permitted his mind to +dwell upon the hardships necessarily incident to his secluded life. Just +now a little sense of discouragement touched his thought and clouded his +face. While he was washing Boy's chubby fingers, the little one observed +him closely. + +"There's tears in your eyes," he burst out suddenly. "What for, Andy?" + +"I was just thinkin,' pet." + +The child thrust his feet apart and flung up an entreating face. + +"I don't want you to think if it makes you cry." + +"All right, sir!" Andy replied promptly, tickling the youngster till he +laughed and shouted, "I won't think any more if you don't like it." + +When Deforrest Young came around the corner of the house, Tessibel was +standing on the lower step of the porch, her hands full of flowers. To +his adoring eyes, the girl typified the unfolding life of the spring. +Strong was she, like the sturdy trees, dainty as the flowers she held in +her hands. To his passionate desire as unresponsive as the sullen lake +on dark days, yet grateful for his kindness as the field flowers to the +sun after a hard rain. She was a child with a woman's heart, but the +woman's heart closed to him by the secret of Boy's paternity. Her +smiling lips greeted him. She dropped the flowers and two arms stole +around his neck. Young drew her very close. How dear, how very dear, she +had grown in these last studious years! + +"It seems ages since you went away," she said, and pointing to the +flowers, "I hoped to get these all on the table." + +"My dear," interjected Young, "you're the rarest blossom of them all." + +Tess was used to his compliments, and she loved them, as she loved the +birds and the friendly sunshine. + +"For that, sir," she laughed, "you'll have to help me pick 'em up." + +While they were gathering together the scattered bouquet, they heard a +stamping down the stairs. + +"Boy couldn't hardly stand it till you came," smiled Tess, opening the +hall door. + +A small avalanche of concentrated eagerness piled out of the house. + +"Uncle Forrie! Uncle Forrie!" cried Boy, swarming upon him. "I'm awful +glad you're home." + + * * * * * + +"Now, then," said the lawyer after dinner, "I think our little mister +here ought to crawl into bed.... Well, one more romp, then bye-bye. Eh?" + +"One more romp!" screamed the child. + +His mother carried him away half an hour later, and when she went to +Andy's room, she found Young there talking to the dwarf. + +"I've such a lot to tell you two," said he. "Now we're all comfy, I'll +begin." + +"Will it please Andy?" asked Tess. + +Deforrest shook his head. + +"I'm afraid not!... Bennet won't have to stay long in prison and he +still insists he didn't do the shooting and that Andy did." + +The latter groaned, and a shadow fell over Tessibel's face. + +"I wish something could be done," said she. + +The lawyer considered the end of his cigar. + +"Well, I can't think of anything right now," he sighed.... "I suppose +you've heard Lysander Letts is out of prison?" + +Young asked the question as though it amounted to little, but he knew by +the sharp cry from the girl and the upward lift of the dwarf's head that +they both dreaded Sandy's return to Ithaca. + +"But I don't want you to worry. I'll send him back if he comes around +here." + +Tess shook her head despondently. + +"Oh, I hope he'll let me alone!" + +"I'll see that he does," said the professor, rising and straightening +up. "Well, I'm going down to write some letters. Cheer up, Andy! Maybe +something'll turn up." + +"Kid," began Andy, when the lawyer had gone. "I been thinking, we don't +have to worry 'bout Sandy Letts. Ye know the lots of times when we +didn't have Boy's Uncle Forrie to do things for us, how we prayed for a +helpin' hand and got it?" + +"Yes, Andy dear," Tess answered, thoughtfully. + +"Then let's do it now. Let's get busy prayin' so Sandy can't hurt ye an' +I get out of my pickle.... Huh?" + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIX + +FATHER AND SON + + +After an absence from his native city of three years and a half, +Frederick Graves was returning to Ithaca, a very sick man. He had +learned from Helen's letters to Madelene that Tessibel Skinner had a +small son. His brother-in-law's exasperation at Young for giving the +squatter girl and her little son a home at the lake had also been +reflected in the correspondence. He had been able to glean but the bare +outlines of the story, because Ebenezer and Helen had been abroad most +of the time, and his impatient spirit chafed to know the intimate +particulars of Tessibel's life. Jealousy of Young tormented him. +Hopeless brooding over his situation, and Madelene's continual nagging +had made him a neurasthenic wreck. Worn by insomnia and almost starved +by a nervous dyspepsia, he could no longer maintain even a pretense of +usefulness in the business. Madelene, thoroughly disillusioned, herself +worn out by his sullen and savage temper, had brought him back to +Ithaca, hoping the familiar sights and sounds of the home-land might +help him. + +They arrived one rainy night at the station, where Ebenezer met them +with the carriage. He greeted both effusively, and his manner perhaps +was more cordial because of his brother-in-law's death-stricken face. + +"You'll buck up now you're home, Fred," he said, after he had kissed his +sister and helped them into the carriage. + +"Maybe, but I doubt it," the invalid replied wearily. + +"Nonsense, Fred," his wife broke out. "You make me tired. You're always +whining. Of course, you're going to get well." + +Too fatigued to argue, Frederick leaned back upon the cushions. Except +for an occasional word, they were silent during the long drive through +the rain. + +Home at last, they found Helen waiting in the great hall. To Madelene, +who preceded the men into the house, she looked much older, more +dignified. Lines of worry around her eyes and mouth told the girl that +her sister-in-law's life with Ebenezer had not been entirely easy. + +After kissing Madelene, Helen extended her hand to Frederick. + +"I hope you'll be better soon, Fred," she encouraged. "Our country +fare'll put some flesh on your bones.... You look after the invalid, +Ebenezer, and I'll take Madelene upstairs." + +The two women walked upstairs together. Waldstricker gazed after them, +pride and joy in his eyes. His wife and his sister reunited brought him +a feeling of content. Frederick, fussing with his coat and rubbers, +seemed hardly aware of their going. + +"I'm glad to have you back, Fred," began Waldstricker, anxious to +express the gratification he felt. + +"We're glad to get back, of course," Frederick responded coldly. He +followed the elder into the library and threw himself on a lounge to +rest until dinner. + +In the room above, Helen helped Madelene off with her things and +listened to her chatter about the journey. She could detect a sullen +dissatisfaction with Frederick running like a dark thread through the +current of her talk. It was clear to Helen that Madelene had lost her +regard for her husband. Apparently, she cared so little that she didn't +feel it necessary to hide or explain her feelings. + +"And, now I want to see little Elsie," gushed Madelene. "I've been crazy +to see her ever since she was born." + +"She's such a darling," smiled Helen, "and is the very joy of her +father's heart.... Come on in the nursery." + +For a few seconds Madelene leaned over the sleeping child, a rosy child +with thick blonde curls. A keen sense of the emptiness of her own arms +stirred in her an envy of the complacent young matron standing at the +foot of the little white bed. Perhaps Fred would've been different if +they'd had a little one. + +"I'd love to have a baby," she breathed discontentedly. "But--" + +During the significant pause, Helen linked her arm through the +speaker's. + +"Let's go down to dinner," she suggested. "You must be famished after +your long ride." + +At the table, the conversation touched many matters relating to the +happenings in the lives of the long separated families. Madelene plied +her knife and fork industriously, and jumped from topic to topic, +expressing a lively interest in all the events in Ithaca. + +"And your brother, dear?" she asked her hostess. "Is he still at the +lake place?" + +Helen threw a quick glance at her husband, whose lips sank at the +corners, his face coloring to a deep red. + +When his sister asked the question, the glass from which the elder had +been drinking struck the table sharply, as though he wished to emphasize +his displeasure. + +"Yes, he lives there," he broke in. "In your father's old place, Fred. +His lease is not up for almost a year." + +"Helen wrote me he had the Skinner girl and her baby with him," said +Mrs. Graves. "Wasn't that a funny thing for him to do, Ebbie?" + +Waldstricker pushed back angrily. + +"Funny! Funny!" he ejaculated. "It isn't decent, and I've told him so, +too." + +Frederick's face flushed, and he toyed nervously with the silver at the +side of his plate. + +"But, Ebenezer, you don't mean she's living with him, do you?" he +faltered, leaning forward. + +"They live there together, Young and the girl and her--" Ebenezer's +anger almost made him forget the conventional respect he owed his wife +and sister, "--her son," he concluded lamely. "That's all I know, and +it's enough. He's had the best houses in Ithaca closed to him on her +account." + +Indignation at her husband's injustice burnt a red spot in Helen's +cheeks and kindled a flame of unusual animation in her placid blue eyes. + +"You know better, Ebenezer," she retorted. "Forrie's given her a +father's care, and every one worth while honors him for it." + +Frederick, kept in his attitude of tense attention by a sudden revival +of his jealousy of Young, sighed audibly and settled back in his chair. + +"I'm glad to hear you say that, Helen," he said earnestly. + +"Oh, are you, Fred?" cried Madelene. "So your old interest in that girl +isn't dead, yet? Well, all I can say is, I am sorry she didn't get you, +but I'll bet she's glad, now, she didn't." + +Waldstricker looked keenly from the speaker to her husband. But +Frederick had again put on his mask of apathetic indifference and +answered his wife's gibe only by a shrug of his shoulders. Noting her +brother's scowling face, she went on maliciously. + +"You'd better keep away from the lake place, my dear husband, or you'll +have both Ebbie and Forrie after you." + +"Will you have your tea now, Madelene?" Helen was alarmed at the +threatened tempest, and hoped to change the subject. + +"Yes, thanks, dear," and to her brother, "After all, Ebbie, Forrie +probably knows his own business best. You know he's quite partial to the +squatters and always did things for 'em." + +Mrs. Waldstricker summoned the servant, and while the dishes were being +removed, Ebenezer sat and glowered from Frederick, white and distrait, +to his wife, who was explaining to Madelene the way she'd made the salad +dressing. When the servant had gone, Waldstricker began again. + +"I'm out of patience with Deforrest! If he'd let me alone, I'd had all +the squatters off the lake side before this and probably would have +located Bishop." + +"You've heard nothing of him, Ebbie, I suppose?" asked Madelene. "It +does seem queer a dwarf could disappear like that and not a word about +him from any part of the world." + +Waldstricker's powerful hand clenched the teaspoon in his fingers so +violently as to bend the handle. + +"No, I haven't," he growled. "I've a notion he's being harbored by some +of the squatters. But I want Deforrest to understand this--" + +"Oh, let's talk of something else besides squatters," cried Madelene. +"Helen, your salad was divine.... Tell me, Ebbie, how you enjoy little +Elsie. I think she's lovely." + +"Lovely!" he repeated in a very different tone. "Lovely is no word for +that child. She's an angel, isn't she, Helen?" + +Helen smiled dubiously. + +"An angel, very much spoiled, I fear." + +"No such thing," argued Waldstricker, glad of an opportunity to air his +favorite theory. "Now Helen thinks the child's spoiled because she drops +on the floor and kicks and cries until she gets what she wants. I tell +her it's human nature, and perfectly right for my child to have her own +way. Thank God, there's nothing in the world she can't have." + +Then looking from Frederick to his sister, he made a heavy attempt to be +humorous. + +"What's the matter of you two? You've been married longer than Helen and +I. When are you going to start your family?" + +Frederick maintained his pose of bored unconcern and an angry flush +mounted to Madelene's face. + +"You think you're smart, Eb," she retorted. "Fred's all the baby I can +look after, and goodness knows he's trouble enough!" + +"But, now, you're here, dear," Mrs. Waldstricker extended the olive +branch again, "we'll help you look after him.... I do hope the +weather'll clear so we can get out. The lake's been simply beautiful +this summer." + +"Just after I returned from Europe, I tried to dispossess Deforrest," +Ebenezer told Fred, "but he beat me in court. I wanted to clean up the +scandalous mess. I felt he was breaking God's law in harboring a woman +of that kind. But I'm only biding my time." His voice sank as he cast +his eyes slowly from one to another, at last, fixing them ominously upon +his wife. "Biding my time," he growled deeply, laying his napkin on the +table. + +The gloom of his manner spread over the diners like a cloud. Helen's +face expressed consternation; Frederick's discouragement, and Madelene's +impatience. + +"I must say this is pleasant," snapped Mrs. Graves. "Ebbie, I forbid you +to speak of those people again tonight." + +Helen made a little move as though to rise. In her capacity as +peacemaker, it seemed advisable to change the scene of hostilities. + +"Let's go to the drawing room," she invited.... "Fred, don't you think +you'd better go to bed?" + +"Yes, I'm all tired out. I think I will." + +At the drawing room door, he turned to the stairs. + +"Good-night, all," he added, and went slowly up to his room. + +Reclining in a big chair, Frederick recalled the talk at the supper +table and let his fancy rove in dreams of Tessibel and his son. + +What a cruel persecutor Ebenezer was! How Helen had suffered during his +outrageous harangue! The young man ground his teeth. So Ebenezer was but +biding his time to do some terrible harm to Tessibel and her little boy, +his boy! Frederick breathed deeply, and pressed his hand upon his heart. +Would the thing never stop beating that way! Would it never in this +world quit that awful hurt when he thought of the squatter country! He +undressed hastily and went to bed, nor did he speak when Madelene crept +softly in beside him. + + + + +CHAPTER XL + +HUSBAND AND WIFE + + +The next morning found Frederick Graves more nervous than ever. The +weather had cleared. The air, washed by yesterday's downpour, came +through the open window sweet to his nostrils. The countryside sparkled +in the morning sun and the greens of the woods and fields were deeper +and richer; but the beauty of the landscape touched him not. He'd +scarcely slept, and when weariness had at last overcome him, his dreams +had been filled with visions of a red haired girl, and a sturdy, +handsome boy playing about upon the ragged rocks. When he came down to +breakfast, Ebenezer told him he'd better see the doctor that day. + +"You might go while Madelene and I are out this morning," suggested +Helen. "Ah," hearing a child's voice in the hall, "here comes my baby!" + +When the door opened, a little girl of three bounded in. Ebenezer held +out his arms and Elsie sprang into them. + +"Listen to Mrs. Waldstricker," he laughed. "She said, 'my baby,' and I +say, she's mine.... Aren't you my baby, pet?" + +Helen smiled indulgently. This wee bit of femininity was the one +creature who could keep her father amiable from one end of the day to +the other. + +"My girlie wants to eat with daddy?" Ebenezer went on, his face buried +in the flaxen hair. "Then she shall." + +"Elsie wants to eat with daddy," parroted the child. + +"That's why I say she's spoiled," offered Helen, shrugging her +shoulders. "Now her place is in the nursery, but what can I do?" + +"Her place is right here on her father's knee," replied Waldstricker, +"where I always want her, bless her." + +During the discussion about the child, Frederick got up from the table +and went out of doors. + +As he left the dining room, he had no definite plan; but no sooner had +he walked across the front lawn and taken a view of the long road--the +way that led to Tessibel and his boy--than his feet, seemingly of their +own volition, led him along the grassy path up the hill. If he could +only see the two of them without his family knowing! One kiss from his +boy, one loving look from Tess, and he felt he could start again to +live! + +To the sick man the distance was considerable, but minute by minute he +grew stronger, restored by revivifying hope. An hour, only a short hour, +only a little distance further and he would be at the lake; in sight of +the willow trees around the shack. He went down the hill to the top of +the lane. Here Tess had come to him that long ago night he'd married +her. Every familiar spot stung him with bitter memories of the squatter +girl. + +He went slowly down and stopped under a great tree opposite the house +where he'd formerly lived. Young had the place now, and Tess lived there +and his boy. Ebenezer's insinuations hurt him. His jealousy of Deforrest +revived. Remorse for his criminal selfishness burned him, an +unquenchable fire. + +Shaken by conflicting emotions, he went on by the deserted hut under the +willows to the lake shore. He'd go out to the ragged rocks and rest, and +then he'd try to see Tessibel and the boy. + +He came to the great gray slab where he'd left Tess the night he told +her of Madelene, and sank down in the shade of the overhanging rocks. +Screened from the blazing sun, his hot skin rejoiced in the coolness of +the damp grotto. With unseeing eyes, he glanced out over the glassy +mirror of the placid water. Unheeding, he heard none of the bird-calls, +and paid no attention to the intimate little sounds of the lake side. + +What should he do when at last he saw Tess and the boy? Would he dare +claim them? + +Suddenly, something made him sit up straight and listen. It was a +child's laugh. He got up and stepped behind the hanging shoulder of the +rock and waited. He looked cautiously around the jutting-rock, and +there, racing toward him through the brilliant sunshine, was a little +boy, a handsome, sturdy boy, and bounding along beside him, Kennedy's +bulldog. + +Then, instinctively, Frederick knew this was his son. He would speak, he +must speak! He stepped from his hiding place and came face to face with +the little fellow and his companion. The dog, uttering a great growl, +crouched on his hind quarters in rage. A stranger had ventured upon +ground belonging to his dear ones, and Pete was demanding, in his +doglike way, the reason thereof. + +"Pete, Pete," called Frederick, soothingly, and Pete dropped his head +and came forward, as if to a friend. The boy stood, feet wide-spread, +staring fixedly at this man whom Pete knew and he had never seen before. + +Frederick patted the dog and smiled ingratiatingly at the boy. He was +looking down into a pair of dark eyes, eyes like his own, into the grave +face of a child asking why he was there. + +The dog nuzzled the man's hand and fawned upon him, making in his throat +little noises of welcome. + +Frederick held out his other hand. + +"Won't you come, too, little boy?" + +"I can't!... Mummy wouldn't like it. I don't know you." + +"She won't mind, I'm sure," replied Frederick, his heart beating so hard +he could hear it. "Pete knows me, and I know your mother. Her name +is--is Tessibel.... Isn't it?" + +The man could scarcely get that beloved name from between his lips. + +"Yes, Tessibel is my mummy," said the boy. "You know my mummy, and my +Uncle Forrie?" + +"Yes," assented Frederick, sitting down. "Come here and let me tell you +all about your mother's beautiful curls." + +Boy hitched nearer the tall stranger. He was drawn in some unknown way +toward this man whose arms were out-held to him. Then, suddenly, he +walked straight into them, his eyes still very grave, still very +questioning. + +The moment Frederick touched the little one he felt the world was his. +He forgot Waldstricker, forgot Madelene, forgot everything, but his +elf-like son within his cuddling grasp. He touched his lips to the +little face. + +"Oh, I've wanted to see you so," he murmured. + +"Why didn't you come, then?" demanded Boy. + +"I was away," said Frederick. + +"My Uncle Forrie goes away, too. When he came home yesterday, he brought +me a beautiful engine--it goes on wheels. I love my Uncle Forrie." + +"Could you love me, dear?" breathed Frederick. + +"Yes, oh, yes. I love everybody. God, too. So does Mummy. And Deacon, +he's my owl, and An--" + +Boy's lips closed on the nearly spoken word. He suddenly remembered the +daily lessons he'd had from his mother never to mention Andy's name to +any one; that, if he did, a big man would come and take his darling Andy +away. No, Boy couldn't stand that. He wouldn't say anything about Andy, +not even to this strangely attractive man. + +"What were you going to say, boy?" petitioned Frederick. + +"Nothin'. Just nothin'." + +And the father was satisfied, satisfied not to talk, glad to have his +son so heavenly close. The long years of his exile were slipping away. +The nerve-racking yearning of tedious days and yet more tedious, +sleepless nights was partially quieted. His son, so long, merely, the +pulseless image of his dreams, had become a breathing reality, and the +child was the living link between its mother and himself. The longer he +held the little one, the more intense grew his desire for Tess. At +length this demand urged him to ask, + +"Where's your mother?" + +"She's home, just up there in that house. She's working." + +"You haven't any father?" the man queried at last. A lump rose in his +throat and choked him. What had the child been told about him, he +wondered. + +"Oh, yes, I have somewhere's, but I got another up in the sky, away back +in the clouds, Mummy says. And he's awful glad when I'm good, and he +cries like anything, when I'm bad. So I try to be good, and sometimes +I'm gooder'n gold." + +To hear a name from the child's lips, the name he had dreamed of, was +the one thought filling his mind. + +"Let me be your father?" he said, his voice breaking. + +"Sure I will," he answered. "There's my mummy, now!" + +Around the jutting rocks came Tess. The red curls hung about her +shoulders like a vivid velvet mantle, just as Frederick always dreamed +of them. But her figure, in her simple morning dress, was fuller and +more womanly. Upon her face was an expression of serenity and peace. Ah! +The woman was even more lovely than the girl he'd married, and to the +love-hungry man, on the great, gray slab of rock, she was infinitely +desirable. + +"Mummy," shouted the child, joyfully, "I've found a daddy for us. Petey +and me found him." + +Tess stared at the man, undisguised horror and dismay written in her +eyes. She'd not seen Frederick since that day he'd urged her to marry +Sandy Letts to escape Waldstricker, whose hands, he'd described, as +stronger'n God's. She'd hardly heard of him after he and Madelene had +gone West. She had long ago ceased to feel any desire for him. Indeed, +she scarcely thought of him. During the full happy years since she left +the shanty, under the loving tuition of Deforrest Young, the disgrace +this man on the rocks had heaped upon her had covered its claws and +lacerated her no more. But, at the sight of him, visions of the past +reared themselves in her imaginative mind. Memory, suddenly, flung all +the cruelties of his treatment of her into a kaleidoscopic jumble, and +meddlesome fear presented numerous suggestions of calamity. A moment she +stood as if turned to stone. + +"Come on, come," Boy cried, tugging at her dress. + +Frederick struggled to his feet, and held out his arms. + +"Tessibel, oh, my Tess, be kind," he supplicated. + +But she'd taken the child's hand and without answering, was making her +way swiftly backward to the rock-path. + + + + +CHAPTER XLI + +TESSIBEL'S DISCOVERY + + +Frederick stood for one tense minute watching Tessibel hurry over the +rocks. Many times he had pictured this interview, ... even framed the +sentences in which he would express his remorse and win her forgiveness. +It had never occurred to his brooding thought that the years of absence +which had increased his own ardor, might have lessened the squatter +girl's regard for him. But the meeting wasn't working out as he'd +planned. He'd been almost paralyzed at her coming, speechless except for +the few halting words of entreaty. Now, it dawned upon him that she was +going away without a word, that she was taking the child with her, and +that he might never see either of them again. + +"Tessibel," he called hoarsely. "Stop, or ... I'll tell Waldstricker." + +His words brought Tess to a standstill. The threat filled her with fear, +for well she knew the elder's power. Still keeping hold of Boy's hand, +she retraced her steps. + +"Why did you come here?" she asked, fear and distaste making her voice +cold and hard. + +"To see you and ... him." Frederick pointed to the child, who was now +hiding behind his mother's skirts. + +"Well, now you've seen us." + +Frederick stared at the speaker, his lips pursed with surprise. Was this +Tess Skinner, the squatter girl? The voice was hers, but its tones were +resonant with contempt! Face and form he recognized, but not the new +poise, the dignity of her motherhood. The brown eyes he remembered as +lighted by love, now expressed unutterable abhorrence. + +"Tess, dear Tess," he pleaded, "let me talk to you." + +Tess stooped over the child, rearranged his little waist, and pushed +back the curly hair. + +"Boy go home now, and mother'll come directly." + +She kissed the bewildered upturned face. The baby couldn't understand +what was going on.... Mummy seemed sad, and the nice man, who was so +white and sick looking, had spoken angrily to his beautiful mother. + +"I'd rather stay wif you," he lisped. + +"But Mummy asks Boy to go," said Tess, and to the dog, "Here, Petey, go +home with Boy." + +Placing his hand on the dog's collar, the child turned slowly and +unwillingly toward the house. He'd taken but a few halting steps along +the rocks before Frederick's voice rang out. + +"Tess, Tessibel, let me hold him ... kiss him once more. Don't shake +your head! Don't say no! I've wanted him so all these years. Oh, +Tessibel!" + +His pitiful pleading touched the listening girl. At last, face to face +with the man whose cowardice and selfishness had brought her so much +trouble, her one desire was to escape ... to run away. But he was +begging for her to be kind, to allow him to hold her baby!... What right +had he to kiss him?... To be sure, the child was his, too, but--but-- + +"Oh, No! No! I don't want you to!" she cried, protesting. "You can never +be anything in his life. Why don't you let us alone?" + +Frederick had walked very close to her side by this time, his white face +twitching. + +"I must kiss him once more," he persisted. + +Tess turned to the loitering child. She could see that at a word of +assent from her, Boy would rush into the outstretched arms Frederick +held toward him. The mother, with a twist at her heart, recognized the +tie which drew together this man and her son. A dreadful fear clutched +her. Would Frederick do as he had threatened, hoping that he might thus +come in contact with his son? Her mind flew to Deforrest Young.... He +must never know the name of Boy's father. She could feel the blood +coursing madly through her temples, and her head ached dully. + +Nevertheless, she went back and took hold of the child's hand. + +"You may kiss the gentleman ... good-bye," she said in a constrained +voice. + +"The pretty man was goin' to be my faver," said the child, pleadingly. +"I want a daddy awful bad." + +"Yes, yes, I know," Tess returned tremulously. "Now hurry, dear, and +then run home." + +Only too gladly did the child jump away and bound into his father's +extended arms. + +"Mummy says I has to go home," he whispered. + +While the tall man silently caressed the dark curls of her boy, Tess of +the Storm Country endured such pain as she'd never known before. The +mutual attraction between the two, so differently related to her, seemed +anomalous and impossible. + +Frederick unwillingly allowed the child to slip to the rocks and after +Tess'd started Boy and the dog on their homeward way, she stood before +him, her lips quivering. She knew he, too, suffered, and she waited +quietly as he dried his eyes and recovered his choking breath. + +She was sorry he'd come. She'd hoped never to see him again. But, now, +she must be assured that he would continue the deception in regard to +the past. As anxious as she had once been to have him claim her as his +own, to tell the world she belonged to him, she, now, wanted to keep +silent. + +"It was useless for you to come," she chided presently. + +Frederick made an impetuous movement with his hand. + +"Oh, no, it wasn't.... Won't you let me atone, let me make up for all +the things I've done ... and haven't done? I want--oh, how I want--" + +"It's too late," interrupted the girl. "Much too late." + +"But, Tessibel, I know you love me. You can't have forgotten. And I'll +make the boy love me. He does now! Didn't you hear him call me father?" + +"He has no father," she responded coldly. "And I--I haven't any love +left for you." + +The words were low but distinctly spoken. + +"I don't believe it!... I won't!... You shall love me!... I won't have +you with Young. ... He can see my boy every day ... be with you hour +after hour.... I hate him!" + +"You hate him!" Tessibel's eyes burned and flashed with indignation. +"When you should be grateful, because he's done everything you should've +done.... You've said all you can. You can't make up to us ... the baby +and me.... Won't you please go?" + +Frederick felt he was losing his reason. The love he'd nursed in secret, +the passion that had wasted him away, shook his frail frame. He wouldn't +be denied! + +"God help me, I won't go!" he gritted, the words carrying on his +thought. + +With one sweep of his arms, he encircled Tess in a close embrace. She +made frantic efforts to free herself, but Frederick, strong under the +emotion consuming him, only hugged her closer. + +"Let me go!" Tess almost screamed the words. Then, her voice changed to +a tense whisper, hoarse with loathing. "How can ... oh, how dare you!" + +But she could not protect her face from the searching mouth. Violently, +Frederick twisted her around and for one moment his lips fell upon hers. +Deep groans came between the kisses he thrust upon her. + +A moment later the sound of advancing steps lifted Frederick's face from +hers. Muttering an oath, he threw Tess forcibly from him, for there in +the path was Ebenezer Waldstricker, about whose sagging lips played a +supercilious smile. + +"So I was not mistaken," he sneered, looking his brother-in-law full in +the face. "If Madelene doesn't care, I do." + +"Well?" growled Frederick. "You've found me here, now do what you cursed +want to, I don't care." + +"Perhaps you'll care before I finish," said the elder grimly, and he +included the girl in his baleful glare. "I think you both will." + +Tessibel's mind flew to Boy. What could these two men do to her darling? + +She went forward toward Waldstricker, her eyes raised appealingly to +his. + +"Won't you make Mr.... Mr. Graves keep away?" she petitioned. "I don't +want him here." + +"Yes, it looked, when I came around the corner, as if you didn't want +him, miss," scoffed the elder. Then he laughed, and the laugh cut the +throbbing girl to the quick. "Very much as if you wanted him to go.... +Now, then, sir, what's this girl to you?" + +"I'm nothing to him, Mr. Waldstricker," she asserted, without giving +Frederick a chance to speak. + +Graves still felt that maddening passion, that demand for his own. + +"She lies," he said in low tones. + +Tess turned to him passionately. + +"You know what I say is true. You came here without my desiring it! I +don't want anything to do with you.... Haven't you both harmed me +enough?... Do I ever come around and hurt you?... Why don't you tell the +truth?" + +"All right," he shouted, his irritation at her resistance overcoming his +fear of the elder. "If you want the truth, here it is. I'm----" + +"Don't! Don't!" screamed Tess. + +"Ah!" hissed Waldstricker's lips like a jet of steam. + +He'd caught within his powerful net the girl he wanted. He'd bring to +light the secret that'd preyed upon his sister's spirits so long. For +the squatter girl he felt no pity, for Frederick only contempt. They +were both weaklings that he'd sweep away in his pursuit of Young and the +squatters. + +"He's sick," said Tessibel, trying to discount Frederick's confession. +"Your brother-in-law's sick. You can see that!... He thinks ... why, +he's mad!" + +"I'm not mad!" Frederick turned upon her fiercely, then back to the big +man whose eagerness bent him forward. "I'm the father of her boy." + +The blood left Waldstricker's face, so that it looked like carved +marble. + +"So 'tis so," he got out, "and you admit it, you cur, and you dared to +marry my sister? Now, as God lets me live, you'll both suffer for this, +and as for you, Tessibel Skinner, look out for that bastard of yours!" + +The squatter girl uttered a heart-broken cry, and turning, fled around +the rocks into the lane and up the hill. + + + + +CHAPTER XLII + +A MAN'S ARM AT THE WINDOW + + +It seemed to Tess that her feet were leaden, as if she could never +traverse the distance between the ragged rocks and the house. The +interview with Frederick had been a terrible ordeal, and she was sick +with disgust from his odious kisses. Waldstricker's untimely appearance +and his stinging taunts hurt and frightened her. She knew he would do +his worst and that Frederick wouldn't or couldn't help it. The desire to +get Boy into her arms, to keep him from the men below urged her on. +Wildly, she fled through the orchard, crying as she went. + +"Boy! Mummy's Boy! Where's Mummy's Boy?" + +Gasping for breath, her voice ejected the words explosively. Exhausted, +she sank upon the top step of the porch. The long run up the hill had +been almost too much, but in a moment, she lifted herself, still calling +and panting, and stumbled into the house. + +"He's upstairs with Andy," said Young, looking up from his book. Then, +alarmed by her appearance, he jumped up and hurried to her. "What's the +matter, Tess? Tell me." + +"Where's the baby?" she demanded hysterically, clinging to him.... "Tell +me where my baby is." + +Drawing her into an easy chair, Deforrest attempted to quiet her. + +"Boy's upstairs with Andy. Hush, hush, child! Don't cry like that!... +Oh, my little girl!... What is it?... What's happened? Tell me ... +quick!" + +But Tess couldn't speak. She only clung to his arms, trying to stifle +her gasping cries. + +Just then Boy's clear laugh came pealing down the stairway, a conclusive +comfort to his mother's heart. When her extreme agitation had subsided. +Professor Young sat down and called her to him. As of old, when first +he had heard her lessons in his home, she dropped at his feet, resting +her curly head against his knee. + +"Now I want to know what's frightened you," said he, softly. + +The girl made a gesture of refusal. "I can't tell it," she replied, +under her breath. "It's too terrible! It's too awful!" + +"There's nothing too terrible for me to know," answered Young. "What +happened while you were out?" + +"Don't ask me to tell you, Uncle Forrie," pleaded Tess. "I can't! I +can't!" + +"Tessibel," demanded the lawyer, "was it Sandy Letts?" + +"Oh, no, no, not him!" + +The man pondered a moment. + +"Was it--" + +"Please don't ask me any more questions." She lifted a crimson face. "I +was foolish, I suppose, but I thought, I thought the baby--" + +"Some one threatened Boy! Was that it, Tessibel?" he cross-questioned. + +"Yes." The murmured answer was scarcely audible. + +"One of the squatters, then?" + +The red head sank again. This time a decided shake of the shining curls +made the denial. + +Hoping to avoid further examination, the girl tried to rise to her feet, +but the questioner's hand pressed her back. + +"Don't ask me," she entreated. "I'm better now." + +She tried to smile, but the sweet lips trembled. Young hadn't seen her +so stirred in all the years of her residence in his house. He'd been +able to hold his love in check while he saw her happy and content, but +her present pitiful state broke down the barriers he'd erected and +hardly conscious of the change in his attitude, he kissed her. + +Tess drew away sharply. The strange new quality in his caress aroused an +answering thrill the length of her body. In that moment she discovered +how deeply she loved Deforrest Young. + +"Don't ... don't kiss me! Never, never kiss me again." + +What was it she had said? The man felt his heart contract with a +shooting pain. + +"Why, child, I've kissed you since you were a little girl.... Why +shouldn't I?" + +"I don't know, I don't know," she faltered. "Somehow it's different, +now." + +Something in her tones, some dejection in the bowed head brought the +man's hand from the shrouding curls. His heart began to live again, to +come forth from beneath his stern will and make known its own desire. + +"Tess," his voice tense with emotion, "will you marry me?... Will you, +Tess?" + +The girl got to her feet, swaying. Marry him? Her fingers twisted +together as her eyes dropped before the expression of his. He, too, was +on his feet, holding out his arms. + +"I'd ... marry you," she confessed haltingly, "but I can't." + +"Is it Boy?" demanded Young. "Why, child, don't you know I love him +almost as if he were my own?" + +"I can't," wailed Tess, again. "How I wish I could!" + +"You saw some one today, didn't you, Tessibel?" + +She nodded affirmatively, but volunteered nothing further. + +"I must know," cried the man. "Don't you see, child, you've just told +me--Tess, look at me." + +The drooping lids raised slowly. + +"Tess, when you said you desired to marry me, did you mean--oh, you +meant you love me, child dear, didn't you?" + +"Yes," she breathed. + +"Then, can't you see your love for me and mine for you makes it +necessary I should know everything? Some one today--tell me, dear." + +"Waldstricker came down--" Tess paused, but trembled on. "I was talking +to--" + +"Who?" ejaculated Young, fiercely. "Who?" + +"The baby's father." + +Shocked by her unexpected answer, he dropped into his chair and covered +his face with his hands. + +"Don't feel that way," she whispered. "Listen, I'll tell you about +it.... Boy ran to the rocks with Pete, and I went after him. I found him +there with--with--" + +"Oh, Tess," groaned Young. + +"His father's been away a long time," the girl went on, "and now he's +back, and he wanted to see the baby, and then I sent Boy home and +Waldstricker came--" + +"My God! won't you ever tell me who was there with you?" + +Boy's mother bowed her head, and through the red hair came two trembling +words, just one whispered name that seared the man's heart like flames. + +"Frederick Graves." + +Only one long shudder showed the listener's agony. Tess, too, remained +quiet, her veins bursting with pulsing blood. She could not tell him the +rest, Frederick hadn't told, neither could she. Her promise on the +rocks, so many years ago, still bound her. + +The lawyer lowered his hands, and the whiteness of his face drew +Tessibel to her knees beside him. + +"I've always made you sad," she murmured. "I'm sorry, forgive me." + +"Just tell me ... all," he insisted. + +Then she began at the beginning and told him over again how Boy had gone +to the rocks with Pete and she went after him. At the part where +Frederick had taken her in his arms, she faltered. In the light of the +wonderful, new love for Deforrest, she couldn't go on! + +"Won't you let me ... keep the rest?" she implored. + +"No, I will not!" groaned the man. "I will not!" + +"Then, let me stand up." + +She got up slowly and stood looking out of the window. + +"He kissed and kissed me," she said, choking, "and just then +Waldstricker came and ... saw." + +"Oh, God help me!" the heavy voice pleaded. + +Tess knelt again. His supplicating cry aroused her faith to vivid +activity. Deforrest had prayed, "God help me!" and, oh, so differently +than the same words used by Frederick a short time previous. He was +bearing pain for her. Hadn't she suffered, too, and time and again +called into the heart of the Infinite for help? And always at the times +needed, it had come. God would surely help her friend. Tess forgot +herself in her ardent desire to comfort him. + +"He will help you, dear," she whispered. "He'll always help when you ask +Him. Didn't He get Daddy Skinner out of Auburn and He kept Andy with me +in the shanty till we came to you? Oh, I know He'll help you and me, +Uncle Forrie." + +The loving appellation, taught Boy when first he could lisp, roused the +man as perhaps nothing else would have done. The three of them still +needed him, needed him more than ever. He was there at their sides like +a wall of stone, to defend, to love and protect. And whatever happened, +Tess loved him! + +He drew her to her feet and smiled a twisted smile into the lovely face. +This day had started another epoch in their lives. She had said God +would help, and he had learned many lessons from the squatter girl. For +the first time in his life he understood something of the overwhelming +faith of Tessibel Skinner. Yes, he would be helped! + +The girl's next words cut off his thought. + +"Waldstricker said he'd hurt Boy," she said, flushing, "but, but--" + +"But you have faith he can't, haven't you, Tess?" + +"Of course!" she nodded. "I know he can't! You remember the day +Waldstricker tried to get me and you came and stopped him, how I told +you I knew he couldn't," and more softly, "do you remember what I said +when you went away that day?" + +"Yes, indeed, I do, dear! I've often thought of it. 'Love is everywhere, +the hull time,'" and, he smiled. + +Radiantly she told him, "And, now, somehow, I know that Love will let me +be all yours some day." + +Young turned swiftly, and going to the door, swung out without another +word, and Tess hurried upstairs to Boy. + + + + +CHAPTER XLIII + +SANDY'S JOB + + +Tessibel Skinner's flight left Ebenezer Waldstricker and Graves together +on the ragged rocks. The bigger man turned and surveyed the other, +scorn, anger and disgust struggling for expression in his face. The +latter, paying no apparent attention to the enraged elder, leaned +against an outcropping gray rock and fixed his gaze on the lake, noting +mechanically the play of sunshine and shadow upon its dazzling bosom. + +Through the elder's seething mind thoughts tumbled tumultuously. Could +this moody, pale-faced man be the same nice young fellow that had +married Madelene? How had he dared to marry her, and having done so, +what had compelled him, after all this time, to acknowledge the Skinner +brat? + +He walked forward a step or two, coughed and began to speak. Frederick +seemed not to hear him. + +"I said," repeated Waldstricker, "I've discovered what I've suspected +for four years." + +Frederick allowed his eyes to rest an instant on his brother-in-law's +dark, passionate face. Then, again, he turned his attention to the lake. + +"And I don't intend to allow my sister to suffer by this," went on the +elder. + +"I suppose you'll tell her, won't you?" questioned the other, foreseeing +unpleasant complications and already regretting the rashness that'd +betrayed him. + +"She won't learn it from me," promised Ebenezer. + +"Nor from me," agreed Frederick. "I've no wish to have a whining woman +hanging to my neck." + +Waldstricker muttered an oath under his breath. + +"Well, of all the contemptible pups in the world!" he snorted. "Talk of +ingratitude! Here's a girl, a good girl, too, and Madelene's that--" + +"No one said she wasn't," snapped Graves. "But her goodness doesn't keep +her from nagging, my dear Ebenezer." + +"Shut up!" snarled his opponent, the last atom of his patience exhausted +by the speaker's flippant criticism. "You cur, you deserve a good +thrashing, and I'm going to give it to you, now!" + +Jumping for him, he lifted his arm to strike, but before the mighty fist +descended, Frederick, outworn by his long walk and the excitement of the +morning, slumped upon the rocks, a limp form at his assailant's feet. +Stunned, the tall man gazed down at the crumpled figure, and +mechanically lowered his arm. Then, he stooped, examined his fallen foe +and stretched him out upon the rocks. Leaving him there, Waldstricker +hurried to the lake and filled his hat with water, and returning, bathed +the stricken man's face and neck. In a few moments, the faintness +passed, and Frederick drew himself to a sitting posture against the +rocks. + +"You great brute! It's like you to strike a sick man," the white lips +taunted, as soon as their owner could speak. + +The slurring words brought a hot blush of shame to Ebenezer's face. + +"I'm sorry, Fred," he stammered at length. "I was so angry I must've +forgotten you're not well. I'm glad I didn't strike you. But what are we +going to do, now?... If we don't tell Madelene, how about the Skinner +girl?... Won't she make trouble for us?" + +"No, she won't say anything, I'm sure!" Frederick's voice was low, but +positive. "She doesn't want to have anything more to do with me. What +she said about not wanting me was true. She wouldn't stop to speak to +me, even, until I threatened to tell you.... I suppose Young's made her +so happy she's glad to forget me." + +"What gets me is how you and Young, decent fellows, got mixed up with +such a girl," Ebenezer growled meditatively. + +"If you knew Tess as I do, ... you'd understand," wailed Frederick. +"She's the dearest, bravest, sweetest girl in the world." + +"Bosh!... Now, the question is about getting you home. My buggy's up in +the road. Do you think you can walk there?" + +"I guess so." + +With his brother-in-law's help, Frederick got to his feet. Slowly, +leaning on the big man's supporting arm, he made his way, with many +pauses for rest, to the waiting vehicle. + +Waldstricker put his companion into the carriage and unhitched the +horse. Instead of getting in beside him, he handed him the reins, saying +as he did so, + +"You can drive all right, can't you? Old Ned knows the way back and will +go home if you let him alone. I want to see Young." + +Before turning away, the speaker chirruped to the horse, which started +obediently up the hill toward Ithaca, drawing after him what cowardly +selfishness had left of Frederick Graves. + +The elder walked slowly up the path to Young's house, turning over in +his mind to what advantage he could best use his newly acquired +knowledge. + +Coming out of the door hurriedly, Deforrest Young met his brother-in-law +face to face as the latter rounded the corner of the house. At the sight +of this pompous person, whose meddling threatened so much trouble to his +dear ones, the indignation which Tessibel's words had in a measure +quieted, flared up anew. He wanted to fight, to pound, and if possible +to kill with his hands the man in front of him. + +"You'd better come no farther," he said between set teeth. "Just stay +where you are!... I shan't be responsible for my acts if you don't." + +"So she's told you," said Waldstricker, laughing loudly. "And it hurts, +eh? Now, you know what you're keeping?" + +Trembling with suppressed passion, the lawyer walked deliberately to the +steps, his face waxen-white. + +"I told you to come no nearer. I'd advise you to go away," said he. His +low voice, contrasting sharply with his flushed cheeks and blazing eyes, +testified eloquently of the tremendous curb imposed upon his temper. + +"Yes, she told me, ..." he continued in the same tone, "and the more she +told me, the more heartily I pitied her. She told me of your threats, +too, but I want you to understand, the moment you turn your hands +against her, I'll fix you." + +"Don't forget my wife's your sister. I'll see our family's honor upheld +even if you've forgotten it." Waldstricker simulated a confidence he +didn't quite feel. + +Young's fists knotted. + +"You mind your business, Ebenezer, and let my house alone." + +Waldstricker, kicking uneasily at a stone in his path, thought a moment. +At last he looked up. + +"I'll let your house alone all right, if you'll get rid of that girl, +and that--" + +He didn't use the word he'd intended. Deforrest didn't give him time. + +"My house is my own," he interjected. "If you watch yours, you'll have +all you can 'tend to." + +"I'll go," said the big man, hoarsely, "but I don't say I won't come +again, and I warn you, as I warned that squatter girl, when the time +comes--" + +"Get out!" snarled Deforrest, starting down the steps, "and get quick." + +And the elder, not daring to stay, turned and went toward the pear +orchard. It was then, that he glanced up and saw Tessibel and her little +one at an upper window, watching with startled eyes for his departure. +The baby turned from the window and raised his arms to some one within, +and a hand below a man's rough coat sleeve clasped the boy and lifted +him up out of Waldstricker's sight. + +Walking along the road to Ithaca, he reviewed the exciting events of the +morning and tried to consider and determine the complications they +involved. He was unable to find a motive for Frederick's dramatic +announcement, although he did not for a moment doubt its truth. It was +queer though that, after having kept still so long, he should blurt out +his secret in that fashion. He considered his promise not to tell +Madelene and concluded he'd been wise. Probably Frederick wouldn't live +long anyway, and in the natural course of things, Madelene would soon be +free and the Graves chapter ended. He wondered what had kept Tess silent +all these years. How had she withstood his persecution even in her +betrayer's presence and made no sign? He was glad she had, but he +couldn't understand why. Evidently the girl's disclosure to Young wasn't +going to make any difference in his brother-in-law's conduct. Suddenly, +like a bolt shot into the midst of his revery, rose the question. Whose +arm was that? Young was on the porch, the girl and the baby in plain +sight at the window. But there was some one else, a man. He had seen his +arm and coat sleeve. + +"That's certainly peculiar," he ruminated. "I didn't know Young had any +one else there. It may be all right, of course, but it seems mighty +suspicious." + +All the way home and all the evening, the thing bothered him. In every +way imaginable he tried to account for that other man in Young's house. +He canvassed the neighborhood. A chance visitor wouldn't be upstairs, +and anyhow he'd have looked out to see the row with Young. But this man +kept away from the window. He'd only shown his hand and arm. Whoever he +was, he was hiding in Young's home. + +Was his brother-in-law a party to it? A man couldn't be kept for any +length of time in the house without his knowing it. Young and Tess were +hiding someone! At bed time he decided that the next day he would find +out who was the other man in Young's house. It might give him a hold on +his obstreperous brother-in-law and the hateful squatter girl. + + + + +CHAPTER XLIV + +SANDY'S VISIT + + +The next day, Ebenezer Waldstricker met Lysander Letts, just back from +Auburn, loitering along Buffalo Street near the Lehigh Valley station. +The prison-pallor of the squatter's face and hands and the ill-fitting, +cheap prison clothes on his big body made him conspicuous among the men +on the street. Waldstricker pulled up his team. + +"Sandy," he called, "come to the office when you're uptown. I want to +see you." + +An hour or so later, the squatter slouched into Waldstricker's private +room. + +The elder rose and greeted him. + +"So you're out again?" The question was really a statement. + +"Yes," assented Letts, sitting down on the edge of the chair, "an' I +wouldn't a been if I hadn't been let out on good behavior. I made up my +mind I wouldn't stay a minute longer'n I had to." + +"I guess after this you won't be stealing dead bodies, will you?" asked +the rich man. + +"Nope, you bet I won't! I've enough of Auburn. It ain't like the Ithaca +jail!... Heard anythin' of Tess Skinner?" + +"Yes, she's got a boy over three years old." + +Lysander nodded his head slowly, as if he'd received confirmation of a +conclusion previously formed. + +"Thought likely," he muttered. "Where air she livin'? I met Jake Brewer +on the street an' he says she air left the shack." + +"So she has, but not very far away.... Letts, I want you to do something +for me. Are--or I might put it--do you still want to make up to the +Skinner girl?" + +Sandy's face grew dark with uncontrollable anger. + +"I want to rip the skin offen her inch by inch," he snarled. + +The other man gave a low, mirthless laugh. The picture of the girl he +disliked so intensely, writhing in the great hands of the brute opposite +him, appealed to the elder's sardonic humor. + +"That wouldn't be a bad idea," he averred. "But she's got some one who +won't see her hurt." + +Letts jumped up and stepped close to the desk where the other was +sitting. Here was a complication he hadn't anticipated. He moistened his +dry lips with a tobacco stained tongue and demanded, + +"Who air he?... Air she married?" + +"No, she's living in Graves' old place, the house I, now, own, with +Deforrest Young." + +"Ye mean, your wife's brother, the lawyer?" + +Waldstricker nodded. + +"An' ye say she air livin' with him?" + +"Well not exactly that, I suppose, but she's keeping house for him. +She's got her child there, too." + +"Has, eh?" said Sandy, dryly. + +A wicked look came over his face and he slouched back into his chair. +Ebenezer went to his office window and looked into the street. + +"Want to earn some money, Letts?" he demanded, without turning around. + +"You bet! Ye bet I do!" + +Ebenezer returned to his desk and sat down again facing his visitor. + +"You'll have to go about this business carefully." + +"Trust me," promised the squatter. + +"I am. There's a mystery about Young's house--I mean, there's some one +in it beside my brother-in-law, the Skinner girl, and the boy." + +"Who air it?" The question was no perfunctory expression of interest. +Anything relating to Tess was vitally important. + +"That's what I want you to find out. It's a man!" + +"Mebbe it's the brat's pa," offered the other. + +"No, it isn't, and by the way, you let up trying to find out about +that." + +"What do ye mean?" interjected Sandy, sullenly. + +"I mean I want that matter dropped." + +Letts merely grunted, for to acquire that information was one of the +first things he intended to do, but there was no use telling the elder +so. + +"What ye want?" he muttered. + +"I'll give you a hundred dollars to find out the name of the other man +living at Young's." + +"Done!" cried the squatter. "Do I get any of the dough, now?" + +"Part of it, if you like," replied Waldstricker, slipping his hand into +his pocket. "But listen to me. You're to come directly back here and +tell me, when you find out. Discover his name, if you don't know the +man. Do you understand?" + +"I does that. You leave it to me. Then, I'll settle with Tess Skinner." + +"As you please about her," consented Waldstricker. "Go along now. I'm +busy." + + + + +CHAPTER XLV + +ANDY VINDICATED + + +Lysander Letts left Waldstricker's office highly pleased. He was going +to see Tess, and he had twenty-five dollars in his pocket. In the long +hours of silent meditation in prison, he'd tried to outline that +meeting, and to figure out how he could work Waldstricker. His errand +provided for both contingencies. + +He swaggered along the street, bumped into people roughly, and for his +rudeness gave them oaths instead of apologies. At an inlet saloon, he +displayed his money ostentatiously, and bought many drinks for himself +and the "setters." The squatter's capacity for the Rhine whiskey had +been impaired by his imprisonment, and it was not long before he began +to feel the effects of his liquor. A full pint in his hip pocket, Sandy, +finally, broke away from his companions and started up the railroad +tracks for the Silent City. Staggering a little, he meditated with +drunken seriousness what he had done and was going to do. + +Famished by his detention in prison, he hungered for the sight of Tess. +All the fierce passion of his undisciplined nature clamored for her. And +when he had her, he'd carry out all the brutalities conceived in the +long nights in his cell. He'd find out the father of her boy. If that +duffer, Waldstricker, could discover it, he could. He'd make Tess tell. +He'd show Young, too. He'd get even with the lawyer for helping send him +to Auburn. His grievance grew more active every step he carried his load +of liquor through the broiling sun, the long four miles from Ithaca. + +"Wait till I get 'em," he muttered over and over, "I'll show 'em what's +what." + +Before he reached the lane leading past Young's place to the Skinner +shack, he left the tracks and climbed the fence. Throwing his legs over +the top, he sat down to enjoy the breeze which blew from the green +lake, and, vibrating the leaves and bowing the shrubs and grasses, swept +up and over the hill into the illimitable space beyond. Sandy wanted +another drink, and reached back to his hip for it. The bottle stuck in +the pocket and he jerked at it savagely. He pulled it out, but he, also, +lost his balance, and in his efforts to save himself from falling, +smashed the bottle on the top rail of the fence. The whiskey ran down to +the ground and the thirsty moss drank it up. + +Letts gazed at the jagged-edged glass in his hand, stupefied by the +magnitude of his calamity. Then he drew a long breath and cursed his +luck. He cursed the bottle, the fence, the whiskey, Waldstricker, who'd +sent him, and Tess and the unknown man, on whose account he'd been sent. +His maledictions included everything except his own drunken clumsiness. + +Bye and bye, he got down from the fence, muttering and grumbling to +himself. Cautiously, in spite of his inflamed temper, he worked his way +through the trees. There was no sign of life about the house, but large +hammocks swung in the breeze on the porch. The squatter walked around +and around, keeping far enough away so his movements could not be +noticed. He stopped under a large tree to look up at the windows +Waldstricker had described. + +Attracted by a sound to his right, he wheeled about and saw Tessibel +coming down the hill. His breath came sharply through his dark teeth. +Never had the girl been so desirable, and for the instant, he felt +possessed to rush upon her, to take her in his arms, to hold her close. +Then, Waldstricker came into his mind. Before he worked his will on the +squatter girl, he must find out the name of the unknown man. He had to +please the elder to get the rest of the money. But to speak to her would +be all right. He might discover something. He walked stealthily through +the trees and placed himself so that when the girl turned toward the +house, she would meet him face to face. + +Tess was humming happily. When her eyes rested upon Lysander Letts, she +stopped. + +"Hello, brat!" grinned Sandy. + +The girl didn't answer. His prison pallor fascinated her. It contrasted +so sharply with the wind-tanned brown of the swarthy skin she +remembered. All the accumulated horror of him, which had been forgotten +while he was safely restrained at Auburn, swept over her. + +"I said hello!" sniggered the other, once more. "Ain't ye glad to see +me?" + +Ignoring his question, the frightened girl assumed a haughtiness quite +unusual, and in her turn questioned coldly, + +"What do you want?" + +"What do I want?" mocked Letts, not a whit disturbed by her manner. "I +want you!" + +Tessibel stepped to one side, but the squatter put himself in front of +her, again. + +"Now none of yer foolin'," he growled, and he added to his remarks a +collection of sulphurous epithets. + +"Sandy," commanded the young woman, still in her grand manner, "step out +of my way! Right now! Do you hear?" + +Unmoved, her drunken tormentor flung up his arms, hands open in assumed +disgust. + +"Well, hark to the way the squatter girl's talkin', will ye?" he +sneered. "I'll take that outten ye, kid, afore I've had ye long. Where +air yer brat?" + +The brown eyes, responsive to his suggestion, glanced toward the house. +There was Boy coming slowly up the little path toward her. He dearly +enjoyed the rare occasions when visitors came, and his face lighted up +when he saw the man talking to his mother. + +"Boy, run back home," she called. + +Sandy made a dash down the hill toward the child, shouting curses and +commands to him. + +"Wait, kid! Don't ye move! I want ye." + +The young mother instantly flew after him. Her swift feet took her on +and on, up to and past the squatter whose speed was impaired by his +years of confinement and the whiskey he'd swallowed. Then, she flung +herself in front of the child and held out her arms. + +"Stop, Sandy! Wait!" she panted. "I'll talk to you. Let the baby go +home." + +The race which had flushed the girl's cheeks and deepened her breathing, +left the fat squatter wind-broken and exhausted. + +"Let 'im go, then," gasped Sandy. + +"Go back, Boy dear," urged Tess. + +Boy didn't move. He seemed mesmerized by the strangely white face of the +drunken man. + +"Mummy, come home, too," he hesitated. + +"Yer mummy can't. Git out, ye beggar, afore I kick ye!" threatened +Sandy. + +His breathing was easier but the discomfort he felt aggravated his ugly +mood. He reached forth one of his great arms and, seizing the child by +the shoulder, threw him roughly to the ground. The little one, more +frightened than hurt, cried loudly. His shrill shriek of terror reached +the ears of the dwarf. Alarmed, Andy sprang to the window and looked +out. + +The scene on the lawn below petrified him. Tess was picking up the +child, and standing over her, fists doubled menacingly, was--Lysander +Letts. Andy thought the enraged squatter was going to kill her and Boy. +Wholly forgetful of his own danger, he continued to watch. + +His small boyish face was still at the pane, when Lysander looked up. +Andy saw the upturned glance and flung himself back out of sight. Had +Letts seen him? Impelled to look out again, he drew a long breath of +relief. Tess and the child were slowly coming, hand in hand, toward the +house, and the man they feared was making his way through the orchard. + +"I saw Sandy," was the dwarf's greeting. "What was he a botherin' you +about, honey?" + +"I thought he was going to kill Boy. But suddenly he said good-bye and +went away. Were you at the window, Andy?" + +"For just a minute, kid. I don't think he saw me. I heard Boy cry, an' +that's why I went." + +A frightened feeling took possession of the girl. + +"I hope he didn't see you. Did he, Andy?" + +"Sure not. I was watching him all the time. I dodged back before he +looked up." + +Tess considered the little man a minute. + +"If you saw him look up," she argued, "maybe he saw you looking down. +Oh, I hope he didn't, but I'm afraid he did," and she sighed. + + * * * * * + +Sandy Letts had recognized the dwarf. The shock of the discovery sobered +him. He couldn't bother with Tess and her brat any longer. He had +business in Ithaca! Waldstricker's five thousand dollars, so long sought +and so eagerly desired, summoned him. All the way to town, he built +castles in Spain with the money. Through every dream, like a thread of +hate, ran the purpose to get Tess, and when he had the girl, to torture +her through her child. + +When he arrived at Waldstricker's office, he found the elder absent. An +evil leer on his face, he swaggered up and down the street, his hands +thrust deep into his pockets. + +He had made the great discovery of his life. He had lined his pockets +with gold, and more than that, he had made a lifelong friend of one of +the powerful men in Ithaca. + +He saw Waldstricker when he turned the corner from State and made his +way down Tioga. The squatter turned into the large building, slunk in an +alcove, and waited. He heard the heavy tread of the elder on the stairs, +heard him pass and go higher up. A few minutes later, he followed. + +When he opened the door, Waldstricker greeted him. + +"Back again?" + +"Yep," chuckled Letts. + +"With news, I hope," stated the other. + +"Sure," replied Sandy. + +"Then tell me," answered Waldstricker, peremptorily. "I'm busy today." + +"Did ye ever hear anything of Bishop?" asked the squatter. + +"No, I never did." + +"Want to?" + +"Yes." + +"Air that reward up, yet?" + +"Certainly. But why all this talk? If you know anything speak out!" + +Sandy walked very near the rich man, lowered his voice, and said, + +"I found 'im, mister." + +Ebenezer's nose was offended by the rank odor of liquor Sandy exuded. + +"You're not telling me the truth," he asserted. "You've been drinking. +You're drunk now." + +"Yep, I air drunk some, but I air tellin' ye what's so," insisted Letts. +"Andy Bishop air the man ye saw t'other day." + +"In my brother-in-law's house!" gasped Waldstricker, beginning to +comprehend all that Sandy's discovery meant. + +"Yep, that air it," replied Sandy. + +"My God, oh, I thank thee!" ejaculated the elder, falling into his +chair. + +"How long he air been there, I don't know," continued Sandy. + +"And that doesn't matter.... Now, then, to get him back to Auburn. I +want it fixed to hustle him there quick, so Young can't put a stay on +the proceedings." + +Breathing hard, he took out his watch. + +"It's half past four. Do those people have the least idea you saw +Bishop?" + +"Nope, but I saw 'im all right," said Letts, an expression of satisfied +malice animating his ugly white face. "Maybe we can't make it hot for +that dum lawyer who air got my girl, now." + +Towering over Waldstricker's desire to lock up his father's murderer, +was the wish to get even with Deforrest Young and Tessibel Skinner. If +they'd had the dwarf all this time, they were all in his power. Now, he +would wring their hearts! He'd show them no mercy. + +"We'll even up some old scores, eh, Sandy?" he agreed.... "You get sober +and be here tomorrow morning at nine o'clock, sober--cold sober, +understand?" + +"Sure, Mr. Waldstricker, sure, I get ye. I ain't tight now, not real +soused." + +Moving to the door, he stopped. "But I air not goin' to swig any more +booze till we gets Andy Bishop an' I finger that reward." + +More intoxicated by his dreams of affluence than by the liquor he'd had, +the pale-faced graduate of Auburn swung out of the room and clattered +down the stairs. + +After Waldstricker'd written and despatched a letter and a telegram, he +closed the office and went home. + +Helen met him smilingly. + +"Elsie's asleep," she announced, taking his hat. + +He snatched it from her slender fingers, and his wife moved back. She +looked more closely into his face and the exaltation shining in his eyes +frightened her. + +She followed him into the drawing room and closed the door. Patiently, +she waited until her husband had thrown himself into a chair and was +looking at her. + +"What is it, dear?" she murmured. + +"I have your brother just where I want him," fell from his lips. + +"Now, what's Deforrest done to displease you?" + +"I've found Andy Bishop in his house!" + +The woman couldn't believe her ears. It could not be! She mustn't take +him seriously. + +"Oh, how perfectly ridiculous!" she said, relieved. + +"It's true enough," replied Ebenezer, getting up. "There's no doubt +about it, and the prison yawns for him and for that Skinner girl, +too.... No! no!... You needn't beg for 'em. I won't hear it!... They've +done enough to me.... Now, it's my turn!" + +"Ebenezer," gasped Helen, "don't do anything you'll be sorry for. If +Forrie has had the dwarf there, let him tell you why. If you put him in +prison for it, I couldn't--I couldn't live with you!... Can't you +understand that?" + +"As you please, madam. I shall do my duty, even if the criminal is your +brother." + +"But you couldn't get along without Elsie and me." + +She was very near him now, having taken little steps while she was +speaking. + +"Without Elsie!" he mocked. "I don't have to live without Elsie. You can +do as you please, but my daughter stays with me, and your brother, my +dear, and the woman he's living with--go to jail." + + + + +CHAPTER XLVI + +SANDY'S COURTING + + +Sitting on the porch late that afternoon, Professor Young heard from +Tess of the coming of Sandy Letts. + +"And, Uncle Forrie," she continued. "I can't understand why he went away +so quickly." + +"Perhaps he thought I was around somewhere." + +"Perhaps," meditated Tess. "But I don't think so. You see, Andy was +looking out of the window. Oh, dear, I've told him not to, but he's +always trying to see what Boy's doing. You don't think Sandy saw him, do +you?" + +The unpleasant consequences of Andy's discovery rushed through the +lawyer's mind. To be sure, he'd lived with this possibility ever since +he'd brought the squatters from the shack, but the lapse of time had +developed a sense of security which the girl's question rudely +shattered. + +"I hope not. What time did you say that Letts was here?" + +"About dinner time," said Tess. + +"Well, now it's after five. If he'd seen him, they'd have been back +before this. What does Bishop think about it?" + +"Oh, Andy's quite sure Sandy didn't see him, ..." Tess explained, +shaking her head. + +"Anyhow, it's no use to worry, honey," smiled Young. + + * * * * * + +The next morning three men in a wagon passed the Kennedy farm. Ebenezer +Waldstricker was driving and beside him sat Lysander Letts. Alone on the +back seat sprawled the big sheriff, a half-smoked cigar between his +teeth. + +When they reached Young's barn, they left their rig and walked quietly +toward the house. + +"You don't want to give 'em any chance to get the dwarf out of the way, +sir," said the sheriff. "We'd better get in without their knowing we're +here." + +"Yes," agreed Waldstricker. + +They'd rounded the porch and were in the living room before Deforrest +Young and Tessibel Skinner were aware of their coming. The officer held +a revolver in his hand. Leering triumphantly, Waldstricker spoke to +Young. + +"We want Andy Bishop." + +The lawyer turned to the sheriff. + +"Put up your gun, Brown, you won't need it," he ejaculated. "Here, +child," to Tessibel, who had risen from her chair and started for the +stairs. "Wait a minute. Sit down." + +Tess sank into a chair, white-lipped and silent. + +"I suppose there's no use trying to hide him any longer?" continued +Deforrest, turning back to the officer. + +"No, I reckon not, Mr. Young.... Where's the dwarf, Professor?" + +"Upstairs. I'll call him," replied the lawyer.... Then glancing at the +girl, "You go and get him, Tess." + +"Let me git 'im, sheriff," Sandy thrust in. "I'd like the job, sir. Eh?" + +"Mebbe I better myself. It's my duty to take him." + +Tess smiled at the speaker and getting up moved a step toward him. + +"Let me bring 'im, sir," she entreated. "I'll get 'im. Please let me!" + +Charmed by her beauty and the sweetness of her voice, the sheriff +glanced doubtfully from the frowning elder to the lawyer. + +"Mebbe it isn't quite regular, but if Mr. Young says it'll be alright, +I'm willing," he decided finally. + +Young nodded, and Tess rose and started toward the stairs. Passing Sandy +and Waldstricker, she had to draw aside her skirts to avoid touching +them. + +The dwarf, seated on the floor beside Boy, was mending a train of cars +when Tessibel's white face appeared at the door. + +"Andy," she said, trying to speak calmly. "Remember about the hands +stronger'n Waldstricker's? Nobody can hurt you. But--but--" + +At her hesitation the little man scrambled to his feet. He'd heard men's +voices from the room below but had paid no particular attention. Now, he +knew the long-dreaded calamity'd happened. He looked pitifully up at the +speaker. + +"They've come for me?" he gasped. + +"Yes, dear, and you must go. But remember all the time, God's hands're +stronger'n Waldstricker's," repeated Tess. "Nothing can hurt you.... +Come, dear." + +A few moments later, the three of them entered the living room, but +stopped short at the sound of the elder's angry voice. + +"I'll send you and your squatter woman to Auburn with him, if you don't +look out," he said. + +"Do what you please," snapped the lawyer. + +Holding the dwarf's hand, Tess went directly to the sheriff. + +"Here's Andy, sir," she faltered. "Be awful kind to him, please, sir. +He's so little!" + +Still dry-eyed and showing a quiet dignity, she stepped to Young's side +while the sheriff adjusted the handcuffs to himself and to Andy and led +him out into the sunshine. + +At the door, Waldstricker allowed Letts to precede him, then turned. + +Shaking his fist, he threatened, "I'll get you two, next." + +"Very well," Young answered. "Do anything you like, only get out ... +now." + +The sound of retreating footsteps had hardly died away when Tess dropped +into a chair and began to cry, the baby wailing in sympathy. Deforrest +put his hands on her shoulders. + +"There, there, Tess, you musn't do that! Dress yourself and Boy quickly. +We're going to Auburn, too." + + * * * * * + +The gates of Auburn Prison swung slowly back and admitted a party of +six people and, clanging, closed together again. Large-eyed with wonder, +Boy clung to Professor Young's right hand, at whose other side walked +Tessibel Skinner. In front of them between two officers was little Andy. +Once, Tess caught his eyes and smiled at him. Both were certain that +somewhere up and beyond were the hands stronger'n Waldstricker's, but +they'd hoped those pitying hands would have lifted them up before this. +Still they clung to their faith and all the long ride from Ithaca had +bolstered each other up with wan smiles and comforting promises. + +The business in the warden's office was simple and quickly dispatched. +Once in the room, Andy was permitted to stand with his friends. The +officers made their report and the clerk wrote some entries in his books +and gave them a receipt. Then, he rang a bell. + +Professor Young was talking to the warden when a guard came through the +iron door from the interior of the prison. + +"Take Bishop in," the clerk directed briefly, without looking up from +his books. + +Andy turned to Professor Young, took his hand and tried to stammer out +some words of gratitude. + +"There, there, old man, brace up!" said the lawyer, patting him on the +shoulder. "Hope it won't be for long!... Here, Boy, say good-bye to +Andy." + +Troubled, the baby clung to his friend. + +"I don't want Andy to go. I want 'im to come home," insisted the child. + +Kissing the little fellow passionately, the dwarf gave him to Deforrest +and turned to Tessibel. She took his hands firmly in her strong ones and +looked earnestly into his face. + +"Remember the hands stronger'n Waldstricker's," she whispered. "They'll +bring you right back home, dear. They did Daddy Skinner, Andy, darling." + +Shaken by suppressed emotion, the little man sank to the floor. + +"Oh, God help me to come back to ye!" he moaned dully.... "God help me!" + +A moment, Tess fought the uprushing tears. + +"You are coming back, Andy, remember that," she said quickly. Then, she +lifted her friend to his feet and kissed him. + +"Here, sir," she said to the officer, "take him!" + +Infected by Tessibel's faith, Andy ceased to weep. He flashed a last +loving glance at her and the boy, and preceded the guard through the +iron door into the prison. + + * * * * * + +Some time later, after what seemed an eternity of waiting, the warden +came to Professor Young. + +"The lady can see Bennet now," he said. + +Silently, an attendant conducted Tessibel through the long stone +corridors to the prison hospital. + +As she passed, eager eyes watched her from the rows of cots against the +wall. She was piloted to a bed near the end of the room. + +"Here's your company, Bennet," said the officer. + +The figure on the bed turned and pain-ridden eyes peered up. Tess felt +her throat throb with sympathy. + +"What do ye want, miss?" growled a weak voice. + +Tess smiled and bent over the bed. "I want to talk to you," she said. +"May I?" + +Bennet's face softened immediately. He thought a beautiful angel had +dropped from Heaven to the side of his prison bed. + +"Yep," he whispered, blinking at her. "There air somethin' under the bed +to set on, ma'am." + +Drawing forth a stool, Tess raised the lowered back and sat down. + +In the presence of such misery, she had almost forgotten her little +friend in the cell outside. Just then, she wanted to comfort Owen +Bennet, to say something which would take away that writhing expression +of suffering. + +"You're very sick," she murmured. "Poor man, I'm sorry!" + +Bennet kept his watery eyes on the pleading young face. + +"Yep, I'm sick enough," he muttered. + +"What can I do for you?" asked Tess. "Can't I do anything to make you +feel easier?" + +"Nope," was the answer. "I'll be dead, soon. Mebbe, I'll get out time +nuff to die." + +Then, Tessibel _did_ forget Andy. And, even, Deforrest and the baby left +her mind. She stretched forth her hand and touched the man's arm. + +"Would you like me to sing to you, a little?" + +Bennet bobbed his head. + +"I like singin'," he mumbled. + +In a low voice, Tessibel began to sing; nor did she take her hand from +the thin arm lying inertly on the sheet. + + "Rescue the Perishin'; + Care for the Dyin'." + +came forth like the chanting of the chimes. + +When the words, "Jesus is merciful," followed, Bennet put up his hand +and touched the girl's fingers. Tessibel closed her own over his. There +was no thought then of her errand, no remembrance that the man before +her was a murderer and had sworn his crime on little Andy. + +"Jesus is merciful, Jesus is kind," sang Tess, and Bennet began to cry +in low sobs that made the singer finish her song in tears. + +"Oh, He _is_ kind," she whispered. "He is merciful. Won't you believe +that?" + +"Sing it again," entreated Bennet, huskily.... "Sing it again, will ye?" + +Tess scarcely heard the words they were so low, so sobbingly spoken. She +cleared the tears from her voice, and "Rescue the Perishin'," and "Jesus +is kind," echoed once more through the long room. From here and there, +suppressed weeping came to the girl's ear; but she did not turn to look +at the weepers. Here, before her, was a man who was watching as Daddy +Skinner had watched the slowly opening gates of eternal life, through +which he must pass, alone and afraid. Ah, if she could make him less so! +If she could give him a little faith to grope on and on and up and up +into the freedom of the life beyond. + +Bennet's hand was clasped in Tessibel's; the other covered his eyes. + +Suddenly, he dropped his fingers. + +"Ye say he's kind?" he gasped. "Jesus air kind, ye say?" + +"Yes, yes," breathed Tess. + +"But I air such a wicked man, awful wicked. I've done things God'll +never forgive." + +"But he will," murmured Tess. "Don't you remember what I sang?" and +again, + +"Jesus is merciful," brought a fresh rush of tears from the dying +squatter. + +A hoarse rattle sounded, suddenly, in his throat. + +"Be ye knowin' Andy Bishop, missy?" he muttered, when he could speak. + +"Yes," said Tessibel, aghast. She'd forgotten Andy! + +"Yes!" she said again, almost in a query. + +"He were up here five years ... innercent," wailed Bennet, "an' they +just telled me he air been brought back again for shootin' Waldstricker. +I were glad at first, but, now, I--" + +He coughed spasmodically, and Tessibel closed her fingers more tightly +over the thin hand. + +"Tell me about it," she implored. "Don't you want to?" + +"Yep, an' I air wantin' to write it.... Bring a paper." Bennet gave the +last order to the silent attendant. The latter left the room but almost +immediately returned with the warden. Tess relinquished the stool and +stood near the head of the bed. In silence the officer wrote the story +Bennet told them. + +"It were like this," he stumbled. "Andy didn't have nothin' to do with +shootin' Waldstricker. He were a tryin' to stop me from doin' it.... I +done it!... Let Andy go!... Don't keep him in the coop." + +The sunken eyes closed wearily. + +"Sing about Him bein' kind, miss," he whispered. + +Low, solemn and beautiful, the sweet soprano brought him back from the +brink of the grave. + +Leaning over him, Tess whispered, "Jesus is always kind." + +"I done the murder," repeated Bennet. "Let Andy go, and tell 'im I'm +sorry.... Here, let me write my name to the paper." + +It took many efforts for the cramped fingers to scrawl the words, but +"Owen Bennet" was legibly written when the man dropped back, exhausted. + +The warden folded the paper and, smiling, put it into his pocket. + +"I've always believed he did it, Miss Skinner," he confided to Tess. +"Now, come away." + +Bennet's ears caught the last words. In dying effort, he lifted an +imploring hand. + +"Don't go, lady!" he mourned. "Stay a minute!... I air a needin' ye.... +I air afraid, so awful alone!" + +Tess spoke to the warden. + +"Tell Mr. Young I'm staying for a while," said she, "and will you please +let Andy know about it?" And she sat down again. + +Through the rest of the afternoon, until the long shadows of Auburn +Prison were lost in the gathering gloom, Tessibel sat beside the dying +man. Sometimes, she whispered to him, sometimes, she sang very softly, +and, when Deforrest Young and the warden came through the hospital ward +to her side, Tessibel had piloted Owen Bennet through the darkness into +a marvelous light. + + + + +CHAPTER XLVII. + +WALDSTRICKER'S ANGER + + +Lysander Letts wanted to get married and settle down in a home of his +own. He had received and banked the five thousand dollars for +discovering the dwarf, and was, now, looking forward confidently to his +marriage with Tessibel Skinner. He was quite sure his wealth would +overcome the objections the squatter girl had hitherto opposed to his +suit. + +He grew quite sentimental thinking of her. He'd buy a real house, and +put some fancy furniture in it, plush sofas in the parlor and lace +curtains at the windows,--not any squatter's shack or pecking-box hut on +the Rhine for him. His face darkened at a disturbing thought. He'd make +the girl give up that kid! He wouldn't tolerate another man's brat in +his home. But Lysander had a wholesome fear of Deforrest Young, and he +didn't venture down the lake until the second day after he'd heard Tess +had returned from Auburn. + +On his way along the railroad tracks, he concluded he'd better go to +Brewer's and find out just how the land lay. The talk in the Rhine +saloons, the night before, had been that the dwarf'd returned from +Auburn, pardoned. He wanted to know the details, and was sure Jake +Brewer would be able to tell him. He passed through the woods and +scrambled down the steps the fisherman had cut roughly in the cliff +side. Mrs. Brewer answered his knock and invited him into the house. +Recognizing Sandy's voice, Jake shouted from the back room: + +"Heard about Andy Bishop gettin' free?" + +When Brewer came into the kitchen a moment later, Letts had taken a +seat. Beside him on the floor lay a large tissue-wrapped package and in +his hands he held a shiny new hat. + +"Sure, I've heard he's back," he grinned, brushing a little +flower-pollen from a very loud trouser leg. "How'd it happen?" + +Sandy handed Brewer a cigar and stuck one, jauntily, in his own mouth. + +"Smoke that, while ye're tellin' me 'bout Andy," he suggested. "It air +the best money'd buy." + +When the cigars were burning satisfactorily, Brewer sat down on the +doorstep and cleared his throat loudly. His news was the biggest thing +that'd happened in the Silent City since Orn Skinner escaped the rope. +Glad of another opportunity to recount the story of the dwarf's +liberation, he began: + +"Well, ye see, Sandy, in the first place, yer tellin' old Eb, an' +gettin' the little feller sent back to Auburn air the best thing ever +happened to the kid. Tess and the Professor went with 'im. When they got +to the prison, Owen Bennet were dyin' in the horspitle. The brat seen +'im, an' sung to 'im an' talked to 'im, an' he confessed; said Andy +didn't do the shootin' but was tryin' to stop it, just as the kid allers +claimed." + +"Yep," interrupted Letts, earnestly. "That air the way it were." + +Jake nodded and continued: + +"Sure, Sandy, us-uns all knowed ye swore false on the trial.... Well, +next day, Young an' the brat went to Albany to see the guvener." + +The ex-convict's eyes widened at the thought of the squatter girl in +such august company. + +"He were fine to Tess. Seemed kind a stuck on her, the Professor says. +The brat told 'im all about how she'd looked after Andy, an' how he were +in prison five years innercent, an' then, he give 'er a free pardon for +'im. Day before yesterday, they brought 'im home. Some happy they air, I +tell ye!" + +"Well," commented Sandy, "I air glad he's out. I never did feel jest +right 'bout his bein' shet up, but I were needin' the money." + +Jake rose, and coming into the room, took up a broken fishing tackle and +sat down again. + +"That ain't all the news, nuther, Sandy. While the Professor was to +Auburn, some skunks tore down old Moll's shack. She come down here in +the rain madder'n a settin' hen. The old woman's going to stay with +us-uns." + +"It air a fine thing fer old Moll," added Mrs. Brewer. "I been thinkin' +fer a long time as how she were too far 'long in years to be alone in +the shanty." + +"Well," said Sandy. "I'm glad to hear it." + +"What air ye doin' down here, Sandy?" inquired Mrs. Brewer. + +"Me? oh, me!" He paused to choose his words. "I got some news for you +folks. I air goin' to get married." + +"Air that why ye're all togged up?" Jake queried. "Gosh, but ye air some +beau, Sandy.... Ain't he, ma?" + +"Yep, I air on my way to get my girl. I been waitin' over three years +for this here day, an' now--I air got flowers in this bundle." + +"Who ye goin' to marry, Sandy?" demanded Mrs. Brewer. + +Letts grinned again, straightened his shoulders pompously, and lined his +feet together on a crack in the floor. + +"Tess Skinner," he answered, looking from the man to the woman. + +Mrs. Brewer dropped on a stool, and her husband's jaws fell apart in +astonishment. + +"Tess Skinner?" he repeated dully. "Pretty little Tess Skinner?" + +"Well, I swan!" gasped the squatter woman. "Did she say she'd have ye, +Sandy?" + +"Well, it air like this. I been askin' 'er to marry me ever since she +were sixteen year old, but she wouldn't while her daddy were alive. Then +once she says to me, 'Sandy, you go git Andy Bishop an' git that five +thousand, an' come back here.' Now I got the cash. I air a goin' to git +the girl." + +"Mebbe she's foolin' ye," suggested Brewer. "Ye see, she had the dwarf +the hull time! Looks to me as if she'd put one over on ye." + +"She'd better not try anythin' on me," returned Letts, snapping his +teeth. + +"I heard 'er tell ye once," put in Brewer, "she wouldn't marry ye ... +the day ye shot yer leg up." + +Sandy cocked the new hat on the side of his head, picked up his bundle, +and went to the open door. + +"I'd a had 'er afore now if ye'd kept yer hands to hum, Jake," he +stated. "But I ain't holdin' up anythin' against ye for what ye done. +Now I got money, Tess'll be all the gladder. I air goin' to take 'er +over to Seneca Lake. I got a job on there. Good-bye, folks. Mebbe me an' +my woman'll drop in an' see ye some day." + +The husband and wife watched the big squatter going down the rock path, +the tissue-wrapped flowers in his hand, then looked at each other and +laughed in perfect comprehension. + +"I wonder if he gets 'er," chuckled Mrs. Brewer. + +"I'll bet a bullhead he don't," grinned Jake. + + * * * * * + +Sandy Letts wasn't anxious to meet Deforrest Young, but just how to +avoid it he hadn't figured out. It took him a long time to consider just +what was best to do. Perhaps the lawyer had gone to Ithaca. He hoped so. +At any rate, he could go to the house and if the professor were there +he'd give the flowers to Tess, and if he had to, come another day when +she was alone. + +Strutting along, supported by his fine clothes, and the consciousness of +doing the right thing in the right way, the newly-rich man walked up the +path to Young's house and ascended the steps quietly. The door stood +open. Without knocking, he stepped across the threshold into the sitting +room. + +Tessibel was working at a little table, cutting out a blouse for Boy. +She looked up, and recognizing her visitor, got quickly to her feet. + +"Hello, Tess," said Sandy, coming forward a little. "Nice day, ain't +it?" + +Tessibel's fear of him since his roughness to Boy was very active. She +had suffered in anticipation, for he'd threatened to come again, and she +knew he would. Now he was here she didn't know what to do. Deforrest +wasn't home and Andy was out with Boy. + +"Yes, it's a nice day," she assented. + +"Ain't ye goin' to ask me to set down?" demanded Sandy, at the same time +helping himself to a rocking chair. "I brought ye somethin', brat." He +unwrapped the bundle and took out a huge bunch of flowers. + +"Ye want to nurse 'em a long time, 'cause they cost money, them flowers +did. They ain't no wild posies!" + +"They're awful pretty," she thanked him. "I'll put them in water right +away." + +While she was arranging the flowers, Sandy got up. + +"How do ye like my new togs, kid?" he asked, pivoting around and around +on one heel. + +"You look very nice," replied Tessibel, gathering courage from his good +nature. + +"Ye bet I do," grinned Letts. "I air some guy when I air all flashed out +in new things. Got all this with Waldstricker's money. Lord, brat--" +Here the man reseated himself. "Ye ought to hear that bloke bluster when +he found out ye'd got Andy back. Now for me--I were glad, for I knowed +all along the dwarf didn't kill Eb's daddy. But in this world I find ye +got to look out for yerself first. That air how I got the five +thousand." + +"I see!" flared Tess, her disapproval of his spying getting the better +of her fear. "But your blood money won't do you any good." + +"Won't do me no good? My five thousand won't do me no good? What do ye +mean, brat? 'Course it'll do me lots of good. I air a rich man, I air. +It's goin' to buy us a real home, kid, frame house with plastered walls +an' shingled roof, painted red an' yeller. All what I want now air my +woman, an' I've come fer ye, Tess." + +The girl's heart sank. She glanced about helplessly. What could she say +or do? There was no other human being within call. In hasty +retrospection, her mind swept back to Ben Letts. She shuddered as she +remembered the many times he'd made the same demand upon her. And then, +she as suddenly remembered how, during those days, she had been saved +from men like Ben and Sandy, and courage came again in response to her +silent call for help. + +"Ye heard what I said, brat, didn't ye?" demanded Sandy, leaning back +and throwing one leg over the other. "I air here fer ye." + +"Yes, I heard." + +"An' ye're comin', ain't ye, kid?" ... His voice was deep and persuasive +by reason of the passion that surged through him.... "I air a little +sorry fer bein' mean to ye afore, brat, an' now I air rich ye can +forgive it, can't ye?" + +He bent forward and held out his heavy hands, palms up, ingratiatingly. + +"Yes, I forgive you, Sandy, certainly. But--but--" + +"Now, there ain't no 'buts' in this matter, kid! Ye said as how ye'd +marry me when I got Andy's reward money. Now I got it ye got to keep yer +word." + +Tessibel shook her head. + +"I didn't say I'd marry you," she answered. "I said, away back there, +when I was only a little kid, you could come back and ask me again. But +I'm a woman, now, and I'm never going to marry anyone." + +The squatter leaned his elbows on his knees, cupped his white face in +his hands, and glared at the girl steadily. + +"Ye're goin' to git married to me today," he growled. "Ye can't play +fast and loose with me, kid, an' don't ye think ye can, uther. Get on +yer togs. I air goin' to give ye the time of yer life." + +Tessibel stood very still. She could hear plainly, through the silence, +the lap of the waves on the shore below, and the soft chug-chug of a +lake steamer. A bee flew in at the door, lighted on the lace curtain and +clung there, making sprawly motions with his thread-like legs. She +remembered without effort the day the squatter alluded to--remembered +also Daddy Skinner's telling him to go. Perhaps he _had_ thought she +meant to marry him if he were rich. + +"Sandy," she said, dragging her eyes to the man's face. "When I tell you +I can't marry you, I mean it. Please don't ask me any more.... Would you +like a piece of cake?" + +"Cake?..." snarled Letts. "Hell! What do I want with cake? No, ma'am, I +don't want no cake nor nothin' but you, an' I air goin' to have ye, +too!" + +He got up slowly, as if to make more effective his menacing words. + +"If ye put on yer things like I says," he continued, "there won't be no +trouble, brat. But if ye don't--" he moved toward her, "ye'll wish ye +had." + +To this Tessibel couldn't reply. Insistent, in her panting heart, was a +constant call for rescue. She looked steadily at Lysander and he glared +back at her. + +"Tess," he threatened, "ye know me well 'nough not to come any monkey +shines on me. I says again, get yer hat, fer I'm goin' to take ye one +way or t'other." + +"I told you I couldn't," she answered. "I'm not any longer a little +girl. I've got to work. I want to learn things and take care of my +baby." + +She couldn't have said anything that would have fired the squatter's +rage any quicker. Her baby! What did he care about the brat? + +"Ye don't have to work no more fer Young," he retorted. "I ain't goin' +to have my woman keepin' house fer no professor, an' ye can make up yer +mind to it 'out no further clack." In one bound, Sandy rounded the +table. "If ye won't do what I tell ye, then, I'll make ye wish ye had. +Ye throwed up at me once, ye brat, ye, I never had no kisses from ye! +After today ye won't be able to say that." + +A strong hand shot out, guided by a powerful arm. Fingers clutched for +her, but Tess, eluding them, slipped to the window. + +"Sandy!" she implored. "Sandy, don't touch me, don't! Wait!" + +"I won't wait," snarled Letts. "I air waited years an' years, an' I +won't wait no longer." + +At that moment there seemed no escape for the girl, who was holding out +her hands to keep off the brute facing her. The very quiet of the day, +the singing of the birds, and the shrill chirping of the crickets, only +added to her sense of isolation. She glanced hopelessly from the huge +squatter out into the summer air. + +"Ye can't get no help," said Sandy. "Ye might's well give up!... God, +ye're all the sweeter fer havin' to fight like I been doin'!" + +By a motion, extraordinarily quick for so big a man, he clutched her +bodily, and dragged her to him. She lowered her face against his chest +and buried it under her curls. + +"I air goin' to kiss ye, my pretty wench," muttered Letts. "Gimme yer +lips, gimme--" + +In the scuffle neither heard the step on the porch and neither saw the +tall form loom in the doorway. Sandy wrenched at the red hair, drawing +Tessibel's face upward. Then Deforrest Young grappled with him, and in +the one blow he landed under the squatter's chin, the angry lawyer +concentrated the vim of years of exasperated waiting. Sandy slumped to +the floor. Kneeling beside him, Young's leg pressed against something +round and hard in Letts' pocket. + +A quick investigation brought forth a small revolver. + +"Are you hurt, child?" he inquired, getting up. "Did he hurt you?" + +"Not a bit, Uncle Forrie, but he scared me awful." + +The prostrate man groaned, moved his limbs and sat up, slowly. He +glanced around as though trying to figure out what'd happened. The sight +of Young, holding the gun Waldstricker's money bought, told Sandy the +whole story of his downfall. + +"Get up, Letts, and get out of here quick!" Young ordered, prodding him +with his foot. + +Sandy scrambled to his feet unsteadily. + +"Now, take your hat and get out," said Young, "and don't stay in Ithaca, +or I'll have you locked up again." + +Sandy didn't wait for any further advice. He grabbed his hat and flung +out of the door. Deforrest followed him down through the pear orchard to +the lane, and there he stood for a long time watching the ex-convict +struggle up the hill to the railroad tracks. + +When he returned to Tess he found her leaning on the table, her face +buried in her hands. She did not lift her head, nor make a move at +Deforrest's entrance. + +"Child," he said, taking a chair at her side, "Letts won't bother you +any more. If he doesn't go away, I shall have him arrested tomorrow.... +I won't have you insulted like this.... And, dear, I believe I'd better +send you and the boy away for a spell. A change will do you both good." + +"Yes, yes, do!" pleaded Tess. She snatched his hand and pressed it to +her cheek hysterically. "Let me go somewhere, please!" + + + + +CHAPTER XLVIII. + +THE SINS OF THE PARENTS + + +A few days after Sandy's tempestuous courting, Tessibel Skinner and her +son left Ithaca to spend the remaining part of the summer in the North +Woods. In September Young joined them for a few days and then brought +them back to the hillside above Cayuga Lake. + +Later in the fall, when the cold winds and driving rains of the lake +began to find out the cracks in the shanties, Tessibel asked, and the +lawyer consented, that old Mother Moll come from Brewer's to them. Tess +gave her one of Andy's rooms. The dwarf had entered a school on College +Hill and lived in the city most of the time, but was home now for the +Christmas vacation. + +The day after his return dawned bright and cold--one of those beautiful +winter days occasionally seen in the Storm Country. Heavy snows had +already fallen and made certain a white Christmas. Andy was helping +Tessibel in order that she might have time to complete her Yuletide +preparations. She'd filled her son's heart with delightful anticipations +of the holiday, now but a few days distant, and he was eagerly looking +forward to the Santa Claus who came to visit good little boys and fill +their stockings with goodies. + +At the north of the house Deforrest had made a little snow-hill for Boy. +Many a happy hour the little fellow spent upon it with his sled. Oftimes +his mother joined him in the sport, and the joyous laughter of the two +children of nature rose high and clear in the winter air. + +The morning's work finished, Tessibel wrapped up Boy and sent him out to +play. She stood for some moments on the porch watching the sturdy little +figure arrange the sled at the top of the hill. + +How she loved him, and how good he was! Never since the day of his birth +had he given her one sorrowful moment. She turned her eyes from Boy to +the lake, and allowed them to rest upon the shanty near the shore. A +disturbing thought pressed into her mind. They would not be long there +now. + +Deforrest had told her that his lease of the house expired the first of +January, and Waldstricker had refused to renew it. If they moved away, +she'd be lonely for the sight of her old friends and all the dear, +familiar things that had met her eyes every day since she could +remember. + +She hoped her new home might be in the Storm Country. She loved the lake +in its every mood. Dark and sullen, visitors had called it. But she'd +seen it on summer days, a band of burnished blue cementing the harmonies +of greens and browns into a picture of perfect beauty. She knew its +deep, brooding peace when the light was fading and the evening breeze +gently ruffled its surface. She'd skated over its shining bosom in the +blinding glare of the unclouded sun and in the soft radiance of the +shadow-filled moonlight. She knew the soft spots in the ice caused by +flowing springs in the lake-bottom and had drunk their pure, cold water. +Her lifelong intimacy had wooed from rockbound lake its inmost secrets. +Today the water lay a gleaming jewel, huge by contrast to the myriad +sparkles the sunbeams pricked out of the snow. She looked across to East +Hill at the frosty veil of a ravine waterfall and sighed. + +At a shout from Boy, she went to the far edge of the porch to watch him +slide swiftly through the pear orchard toward the lane. Glancing along +the line of his flight, she saw Waldstricker on his horse directly in +Boy's path. Fear and horror held her dumb and motionless. Evidently the +rider hadn't seen the swift-coming sled--but the horse had. + +He reared and attempted to turn. At that point the ditches were deep and +the rounded crown of the road covered with ice. The animal slipped and +fell. At the proper moment the horseman jumped off and pulled the bridle +rein over his mount's head. + +Her muscles taut with fright, Tess jumped from the porch and ran down +the hill to the scene of the accident. When she arrived Waldstricker was +jerking his steed savagely. + +"Get out of the way you little imp," he shouted, in the midst of his +struggles with the animal. "What do you mean by riding in a public road +scaring horses this way?" + +"Mummy said Boy could ride down hill," answered the child, holding his +ground staunchly. + +"I'll mummy you!" The man's exasperation was increased by the child's +resistance. "Get out of the way!" + +"Boy, come straight here to me," Tess called, trying to pass the excited +animal. + +The child picked up the rope fastened to his sled, gave it a jerk and +started toward his mother. Frightened by the flash of the sled in the +snow, the horse reared and plunged anew. + +"Drop that sled and get out of here!" Ebenezer thundered. "How many +times must I tell you? Get out!" + +Tess called again, but Boy flung up a red, angry face to the elder. + +"Mummy said I could slide," he repeated stubbornly. + +"I'll teach you to argue with me," snapped Waldstricker, and before Tess +could reach him, he'd raised his arm and given the child a sharp cut +with his riding whip. "Get out, I tell you!" + +"Mover!" screamed Boy, jumping back and falling over the sled. "Oh, +Mover! Mover!" + +Like an enraged tigress, Tess threw herself upon Waldstricker, and tore +at the upraised whip in his hand. The frantic horse, fairly beside +himself with fear and excitement, pulled them both down the hill through +the snow. By a strenuous effort Ebenezer threw off the girl's grip, and +when he finally conquered the steed he was below the top of the lane +near the Skinner hut. + +Before Waldstricker could mount and ride back up the lane, Tess had +picked up the boy from the snow where he had fallen. Without waiting an +instant, she fled frantically toward the house. + +"Andy! Andy!" she screamed. + +Andy came downstairs as fast as his little legs could carry him. + +"Waldstricker's killed Boy!" gasped Tess. "Andy, get something.... Tell +Mother Moll.... Some water!" + +She laid the baby on the divan in the sitting room and stood over him +until old Moll came. + +"He air got a spasm," croaked the old woman. "Poor little brat! Get some +hot water." + +For hours the child passed from one convulsion into another. When +Deforrest came home, Tess was in a state of frantic despair. + +"Waldstricker struck him," she explained. "He's going to die." + +In response to his questions, the girl gave him the details, and hotter +and hotter grew the listener's anger. He attempted to quiet Tessibel's +fears while he got ready to go for the doctor, but she persisted in her +claim that Boy wouldn't recover. + + * * * * * + +On his way home, the elder tried to make peace with himself. He was +rather sorry he'd struck the boy; that he'd hurt the little imp, he +poofed at. Anyway, he had taught Tess Skinner to keep her brat out of +his way. His efforts to discipline her had resulted in an open breach +with his brother-in-law and caused discord between himself and his wife. +His disputes with Deforrest about the squatters had not turned out to +his satisfaction. His efforts to drive the old witch off his lake-land +by tearing down her shack had opened to her the house that he himself +owned. He had had to pay Sandy Letts the $5,000 reward for the capture +of Andy Bishop, and the whole city had laughed at the price paid for the +little man's short imprisonment. He'd tried every way he knew to put an +end to the situation. Helen ought to be able to do something with her +brother. She should have saved her husband from the gossip Forrie was +causing. + +When he entered his home, Helen perceived that he'd acquired a new +grievance and discreetly remained silent while he was preparing himself +for dinner. + +After a quiet meal, when they had seated themselves by the log fire in +the library, Mrs. Waldstricker took up a doll's dress she was finishing +for Elsie's Christmas. Her husband, stretched in an easy chair, glowered +sullenly into the grate flames. The meditations of husband and wife were +quite different. Helen wondered what was bothering Ebenezer now. She +wished they were more companionable; that things were pleasanter, more +as it used to be when they were abroad. Since their return, he'd sit for +hours in gloomy meditation. His fits of complete abstraction filled her +with dread. + +She brought back in sequenced retrospection the happy years of +travel--how proud she'd always been of her handsome husband and of his +courtly deference to her. She had never ceased to be grateful that +Heaven had given her this man to love and cherish her. She couldn't tell +how or when the change had come, but somehow they weren't happy together +any more. He was so moody and quarrelsome lately. She missed her +brother, too. Why those two men should get by the ears over the +inhabitants of the Silent City she couldn't understand. But her thoughts +were soon concentrated upon the work at hand and contemplating the joy +she would have in Elsie's pleasure, she began to hum to herself. + +Two or three times she peered at Ebenezer through her lashes. How +moodily quiet he was! She wished Elsie were awake--the little girl +always succeeded in dissipating the frown from her father's brows. + +Suddenly, she held up the doll in all its newly-adjusted festive attire. + +"There, now, dear, isn't the doll baby pretty?" she smiled. + +Ebenezer didn't take his gaze from the burning logs. + +"I'm not interested in dolls tonight." His tone was harsh and his manner +studiously rude. Then, as though he'd finally determined to say +something else, he looked around at her. + +"I taught Tess Skinner a lesson today I don't believe she'll forget," he +burst forth savagely. + +The doll dropped from Helen's hands, its head striking sharply against +the arm of her chair. + +"What do you mean?" she gasped. + +"You needn't get that expression on your face, my lady--" + +"Oh, Ebenezer!" interjected Helen, drearily. "What makes you act so? One +would think you spent your whole time trying to get even with +somebody." + +"I got even with my lady Skinner," smiled Waldstricker. "I gave her brat +a whipping." The words came slowly, and the man watched their effect. + +Helen was not able to sense the full meaning of his statement at first. +Mechanically, she rescued the doll and laid it on the table. Beginning +to see the picture he'd suggested, she opened her mouth, closed it again +and at the next attempt spoke. + +"Why, Ebenezer, Tessibel's baby is only a month or so older than Elsie!" + +"Well, what of it! He's an impudent little whelp. Takes after his +mother, I suppose." + +"But you don't really mean you whipped him!" Helen exclaimed, still +incredulous. + +"That's just what I do. With my riding whip. What do you think of that?" + +His words brought to Helen's recollection that other time he'd used his +riding whip. Then it had been upon Mother Moll, and the old woman had +screamed at him, "It air like ye to hit the awful young and the awful +old." She recalled, too, the other mysterious words the witch woman had +uttered. "Curls'll bring yer to yer knees--the little man air a settin' +on yer chest!" The prophecy addressed to herself, that he'd make her +life unhappy and that she'd leave him, she'd never before taken +seriously. But the question hammered at her consciousness. Could it be +that Moll had a second sight or something of the sort? Ebenezer's +trouble about the squatters centered about Andy Bishop and the Skinner +girl; the dwarf was certainly a little man and Tessibel had wonderful +red curls. Her husband had made her life unhappy and his mood tonight +was unusually ugly. She was touched with a superstitious half-conviction +that the old woman's words would be fulfilled. + +"I asked you a question, Mrs. Waldstricker," the wrathful voice +interrupted her meditations. "Answer me, if you please." + +Perhaps it was the recollection of Mother Moll's sibylline utterance; +perhaps merely that her husband's hostile attitude aroused a +corresponding feeling of animosity. At any rate, she sat erect in her +chair and fixed her eyes upon his scowling face. Never had he seen her +rounded chin so squarely set; never the red lips drawn into such +determined lines. + +"I think you're a brute, that's what I think!" she responded +deliberately, as though stating a conclusion arrived at after due +consideration. "Yes, worse than a brute!" The answer was as unexpected +to the elder as though a lump of ice had suddenly boiled over. A quick +fury took possession of him. + +"Think I'm a brute, do you?... What's the matter with you? Are you +getting soft on the squatters, too?" + +Helen made a hasty gesture, indicative of denial. + +"Well, you better not!" warned Ebenezer, angrily. "Your brother's +conduct is disgraceful enough. I'm sick and tired of having my own +townsfolk winking at each other every time his name's mentioned. Lawyer +Young and his squatter women! Sounds nice, doesn't it?" + +To be loyal to herself and Deforrest, she could not help but disagree +with him. + +"Now, Ebenezer, you oughtn't to say such a thing," she expostulated. + +A flame of anger shot into the elder's steady stare. + +"Don't you 'Now Ebenezer' me!" he snorted. "Young's making my lake +property a disorderly house. It's positively indecent! I won't stand it +any longer. I won't have those squatters there, and your brother can +make up his mind to that!" + +Helen tried to interrupt but her husband waved her to silence. + +"Mother Moll and Andy Bishop!" he mocked. "An old witch and a jail-bird! +Wouldn't it make a man tired?" + +Helen leaned forward. An angry red spot burned on either cheek and her +eyes flashed. Her gentle temper didn't take fire easily, but even to her +endurance there were limits. + +"You seem to forget, Mr. Waldstricker," she retorted sharply, "that your +men tore down the old woman's home and your money procured the perjury +that sent the dwarf to Auburn. It strikes me you'd better not throw +stones at Forrie." + +Waldstricker jumped to his feet and rushed to his wife's side. + +"What!" he roared. "You dare that to my face! Some more of Deforrest's +influence, I suppose. Nice family I married into, I must say." + +Helen got up from her chair. The one thing that stirred her quickest was +an attack upon her brother. + +"Ebenezer Waldstricker, you ought to be ashamed of yourself. Forrie +minds his own business and you should mind yours." An hysterical sob +brought her to a pause, but she struggled on. "I don't know how I've +stood your temper so long. You must have lost your mind." + +In view of the grievances he'd been nursing, his wife's sudden rebellion +seemed almost too unreasonable to be credited. She'd joined his enemies! +She was making common cause with her notorious brother and the +squatters! Very well, he'd use her the same as he would them. + +"You think rather well of me, don't you Mrs. Waldstricker?" he rasped. +"Nice names you call me. Brute! Home destroyer! Procurer of perjury! +Liar! Crazy!" His voice grew louder as he hurled the epithets at her and +broke into a shriek upon the last one. "Get out of here before I teach +you the same lesson I taught Tess Skinner!" He lifted his arm above his +head; the great fist was clenched, and the cruel mouth was drawn at both +corners. "Get out of here before I hit you!" + +Helen stood petrified. The blow had fallen. Mother Moll was right! She +retreated before his menacing gestures, but stopped near the door and +held up her hand in entreaty. She'd make one more effort. + +"But, Ebenezer," she began, "where shall I go?" + +Advancing toward her, he fairly shouted: + +"I don't know and I don't care. Go down and help your brother take care +of his squatter baggage!" + +He seemed fairly beside himself. Helen realized the hopelessness of +further resistance. + +"Then I'll go and take my baby," she cried. "Perhaps when we're gone--" + +Her words only added fuel to the flame of his wrath. + +"You'll not touch my daughter," he interrupted. "She'll stay with me." + +He rushed at her, pushed her rudely aside, and hurried up the stairs to +the nursery. + +His wife followed as quickly as possible. At the nursery door Ebenezer +met her and blocked her way. + +"You needn't wake her up," he hissed. "Go on! Get out of here! You're +worse than the Skinner woman!" + +She could not go into the nursery. The angry man on the threshold +effectually prevented her. Mrs. Waldstricker turned down the hall and +went to her own room. She could hardly comprehend the untoward disaster +that had destroyed the whole fabric of her life at one stroke. The blood +was throbbing at her temples and pounding through her body. Her ears +rang; her face burned and she was trembling all over. Mechanically, she +fumbled for the matches on a nearby table, found one and struck it. She +attempted to light the lamp but dropped the chimney and it rolled away +under the bed. + +Drearily, she tried to consider her course. Ebenezer had ordered her to +go. Then she must go. She'd always done as he directed. But where? Her +cheeks burned more fiercely as she recalled the brutal answer he'd given +that question. No, she wouldn't go to Forrie! It would only make +Ebenezer more angry and make more trouble for her brother. It didn't +make much difference where she went anyway. Life without her husband and +her baby wouldn't be life at all. She couldn't visualize her days +without Elsie, the little one they'd both longed for and prayed over. +Slowly, because each little act required a separate effort of volition, +she dressed herself. Prepared at last to depart, she took a long look +through the rooms. Past events went in giddy rapidity across her vision. +How she'd loved and still loved Ebenezer! They'd been so happy together. +She sighed and went through the hall to the nursery. Her movements had +evidently been heard. When she approached the door, her husband stepped +out and pulled the door to behind him. For a moment their eyes met. In +his she saw the dull smoldering coals of hate. She bowed her head and +silently went through the baleful glare he cast upon her down the stairs +and out of the mansion to which she had been brought a happy bride. + + + + +CHAPTER XLIX + +TESSIBEL AND ELSIE + + +Gloom lay over the Silent City. Bitter hatred burned in the simple heart +of every squatter. Waldstricker's open enmity had expressed itself in a +series of injuries, calculated to enrage them. The shanty folk resented +his cruelty to Mother Moll. The destruction of her shack promised a +similar fate to their homes. When the story of Waldstricker's attack +upon Boy Skinner spread among them, fierce threats were muttered at the +fishing holes and by the firesides. The wintry winds of the Storm +Country, shrieking over the desolate masses of ice and snow, were not +more fierce and cruel than the squatters' demand for vengeance. The +daily bulletins of the little one's illness kept the interest alive and +added to the growing excitement and indignation. + +Day after day, the doctor had come to the Young home, each time shaking +his head more gravely. To Deforrest, the helpless witness of the +unfolding tragedy, the days and nights were but a continuing torture. +Andy Bishop stole about the house like a small white ghost, waiting upon +Tessibel and Mother Moll. One morning, a few days before Christmas, the +doctor told Deforrest Young he considered Boy beyond earthly help. And +now it devolved upon the lawyer to tell Tessibel she must lose her baby. + +He went softly to the sick room. Whiter than the pillow upon which his +cheek rested, Boy lay relaxed, breathing rapidly. Tess stood at the foot +of the bed, her hands clasped loosely in front of her. Anxious eyes +turned to greet Young. At the bedside the man stopped a moment and +looked down upon the little figure. Shocked by the imminent signs of +approaching dissolution, he went over and placed an arm around the girl. + +"He's awful sick," Tess whispered. "What'd the doctor say?" + +"I'm afraid, Tess--I'm afraid," he answered, unable to frame the medical +man's decision. + +Dawning comprehension and dismay struggled in the young mother's eyes, +for the agonized tones of the well-loved voice and the tender solicitude +of the supporting arms had put into Young's halting words the dread +import of his message. + +"You mean--you mean--?" she questioned. + +"Tess, darling; my pretty child," Young murmured helplessly. + +The red head dropped upon his chest and for a moment Tess clung to him +as though to find protection from the menacing horror. Then she freed +herself, dropped on her knees by the bedside, and rested her head on +Boy's little hand. During the hours of watching she had striven to steel +herself against this possibility. But she couldn't understand. Boy, her +cherished bit of living joy and sunshine! What would become of him? +Separation? Yes, but where was he going? She didn't know. She couldn't +think. A sudden shudder, a kind of voiceless sob shook her. + +Young stood quietly by the bedside, watching and waiting. His love for +mother and son centered all his thoughts in them. He shared his +darling's grief and desired above everything to console her; but the +very depth of his sympathy prevented him. Hopeless himself, in this grim +crisis, every human effort seemed futile. + +Placing a tender hand on her shaking shoulder, he bent down. + +"My poor little girl!" he breathed. "I wish I could help you some way." + +"Nobody ... can." The hopeless despair of her voice made vocal the utter +desolation she felt. + +A gentle movement of the little hand against her face commanded +Tessibel's immediate attention. She smoothed the pillow the while she +whispered softly little words of love to Boy. Then she looked around at +Young. + +"Please tell Andy to fix the kitchen fire," she said, even at this time +mindful of her domestic duties. + +"I'll see to it myself," and he went out softly and down the stairs. + +He found Andy in the sitting room. + +"The doctor--what'd the doctor say?" the dwarf demanded. + +"Go to 'er," trembled Young. "Brace her up all you can." + +The little man went slowly upstairs and entered the sick chamber. +Through the tears in his eyes, he saw the dying babe in the white bed +and the young mother kneeling on the floor, the flaming red of the +clustering curls an incongruous note of brilliant color. + +Andy waddled across the room and knelt down beside Tessibel. Lifting his +arm he let it fall across the girl's shoulders. His silent sympathy, +always unselfish, never intruded. Tess stared at Andy a moment, and then +buried her face in her hands upon the coverlet. + +"He's going away," she got out through her fingers. "Andy, I can't let +'im go!" + +"I've been prayin' for 'im, Tess," choked the dwarf. + +The girl made no response, but to show her friend she'd heard, one of +her hands sought and held his. + +"If it air right for 'im to stay, dear," murmured Andy, "the good God'll +help 'im.... Don't ye think so, Tess?" + +"I don't know, Andy.... I'm afraid!... It's too awful!" + +"Kid, ye know it air true. You've only to ask him," Andy insisted. + +A hopeless shake of the bowed head accompanied the whispered answer. + +"I can't, Andy! I can't!... I'm so afraid!" + +"What you 'fraid of, brat, dear? Jesus air loving you same's He did in +the shack. He got Daddy Skinner out of prison, an' he took care of me, +didn't he, huh?" + +Maddened by suffering, she drew herself impatiently, away from the +dwarf. + +"Don't, Andy! I don't want to hear! He let Waldstricker whip my baby." + +Although the young mother could hear the muttered prayers of the dwarf, +no answering faith came into her soul. Hot hatred of the man who'd +struck her son surged through her. Never again would she think of him +without the raging cry within her for revenge. Her anger barbed the +shafts of his rancor and dulled her own understanding of Life and Love. +Resentment inhibited every constructive effort. The courage, even the +desire to fight against death's coming, was wanting. + +"I hate 'im worse than anything in the world," she muttered. + +"Yes, darlin'," soothed the dwarf. + +"I'd like to kill him. Oh, I must do something--" She tried to get to +her feet, but Andy held her tightly. + +"Stay here!" was all he said, and Tess ceased to resist. + +At midnight Boy died. He went away very quietly, without a cry or +struggle. At the very last, he turned upon his side, looked into his +mother's face, his eyes unshadowed and joyous. He smiled a little, +sighed with the passing breath, "Mummy," and sank to sleep. So dazed was +Tessibel that without protest she allowed Deforrest to pick her from her +knees and carry her out of the room. + +Mother Moll and Andy performed the necessary services to the mortal clay +that'd been their darling. Loving fingers, tenderly touching the +delicate body, made Boy ready for the grave. Through the stillness of +the night, the sighing of the ceaseless wind of the Storm Country, +soughing of death and desolation, called to their minds the weird +superstitions of squatter lore. The old witch mumbled of signs, portends +and warnings, and uttered dire prophecies in which her wrath at +Waldstricker found expression. + + * * * * * + +While Tess and her squatter friends were carrying Boy through the sullen +cold to God's wind-swept half-acre, Ebenezer Waldstricker sat before the +glowing hickory logs in his sumptuous library. Several letters in his +morning mail required his presence in the city. On the table before him +lay a list of things he intended to buy for little Elsie's Christmas. + +Since the day he'd whipped Tessibel's son and forced his wife from his +home he'd devoted himself to the little girl. In spite of his best +efforts, the child's grief for her mother had driven him almost to his +wits' end. He'd made up his mind to spare no expense to bring joy back +to his darling. + +Whenever his mind reverted to the scene at the lake he tried to justify +his act in striking the little fellow, but the news of Boy's death had, +for a moment, given him an uncomfortable turn. He hadn't intended +anything like that. He wasn't to blame! Probably the little imp would +have died anyway! + +Helen had sent every day to ask after Elsie, and the thought of his +wife's anxiety pleased the elder. Perhaps, after a while, the squatters, +as well as the members of his own household, would learn his word was +law; that he would not allow any of them to go against his will. Again +and again the corner curl of his lips showed his satisfaction. + +Hearing the jingle of sleigh bells at the door, he rose from his chair +and slipped on his great coat and cap. + +"Daddy, bring mover back," quivered Elsie, when he kissed her good-bye. + +Waldstricker stooped and gathered her into his arms. + +"Daddy'll bring Elsie lots of pretty things, and so will Santa Claus. +He's coming down the chimney tonight--" + +"Elsie wants mover," sobbed the little one. + +Ebenezer surrendered her to the nurse. + +"Get her mind off crying," he said morosely. "Give her everything she +asks for." + +"I can't," muttered the woman, and when the door had closed, "There, +there, child, don't cry! Your mother'll be comin' back some of these +days." + + * * * * * + +In the early afternoon Waldstricker bought and packed into the sleigh +all kinds of presents for his daughter. His spirits rose when he thought +that her demands for her mother would be quieted on Christmas Day. + +It was quite dark when his powerful team fought their way through the +storm up to the porch of the house. While the man was coming for the +horses he took the bundles from the sleigh. At the door he met several +white-faced servants. + +"What's the matter?" he queried, relieving his arms of their load. + +"The baby!... We can't find her.... She's gone," said a voice. + +"Gone! Gone where?" roared Waldstricker. + +"Nobody knows, sir," gasped the nurse. "She was in the library looking +at the pictures--" + +Waldstricker brushed past the speaker. He rushed through the house +calling his child frantically. In his wife's sitting room he stopped, +arrested by an illuminating thought. + +Helen had stolen the baby! He drew a long breath that hissed through his +teeth. Of course, that was what had happened. Instant anger filled his +mind. He'd show her. He wouldn't stand it. He went below and called the +servants into his presence. + +"Who was here this morning?" he questioned. + +"Nobody." Not one of them had seen a person. + +"Mrs. Waldstricker was here, wasn't she?" he insisted. + +"No, Mrs. Waldstricker hasn't been home today." + +The elder set his grim lips and went out again. Elsie was with her +mother! That Helen hadn't been to the house didn't prove anything. She'd +sent some one. Elsie wouldn't have gone away of her own accord. + +When Ebenezer appeared at Madelene's home he was fuming with fury. His +sister greeted him cordially and ushered him into the drawing room. + +"I'm glad you've come, Ebenezer. Helen's been crying ever since she's +been here." + +"I'll make her cry more before I'm done with her," gritted Waldstricker. + +"But, Ebenezer, she's sick. And you were so cruel to send her away like +that." + +Waldstricker turned savagely upon the speaker, hands working +convulsively and face and eyes ugly from fear and anger. + +"Never mind about that now--Where's Elsie?" he demanded. "I want her and +I want her right away." + +Madelene fell back a step, wax-white. + +"Elsie!" she echoed. "Isn't she home?" + +"Madelene," Ebenezer began in a deadening voice, "you know me well +enough not to play with me like this. Where's my daughter?" + +Madelene's hands came together. + +"She's not here!... She's home, Ebbie, dear, she must be!" + +"She's not!" fell from Waldstricker. "Call Helen!" + +"Helen can't come down, Ebbie, she's in bed!" + +"I'll see her." Low thunder rolled in his tones. His sister grasped his +arm. + +"Be kind to her, Ebbie, dear--" + +"I'll see her," repeated Ebenezer, not changing the tone of his voice. + +Without another word, Madelene whirled and went toward the stairs, the +church elder following his sister with slow tread. + +Helen turned her tired, white face to the visitors. At the sight of her +husband she sat up straight. + +"Where's Elsie?" the man shouted harshly from the door. + +Something had happened to her little girl! Her husband was asking for +the child! Mrs. Waldstricker jumped out of bed quickly. + +"I haven't seen her," she answered. "Isn't she home?" + +Then Waldstricker believed. Elsie had disappeared. She was not with her +mother! + +"She's gone," was all he said, and, wheeling, went out. + + * * * * * + +Not one of the servants could tell Madelene or the distracted mother any +more than they had told the father. + +The search began without the slightest clue of the child's whereabouts. +Elsie had disappeared, as if she had been snatched into the sky. The +storm, already very severe, had thickened the early twilight into dense +darkness. The light snow that had fallen earlier in the day to the +depth of several inches drove in swirling clouds before the wind and +piled in deep drifts, while the congealed air pelted icy particles of +frozen moisture into the confused uproar upon forest and field. Fear +that the child had started out to find her mother and had been overtaken +by the blizzard obsessed Waldstricker. He sent messengers in all +directions, and himself rode furiously through the snow inquiring +everywhere. Finding no trace of her at the neighboring houses, he +instituted a systematic search of the locality. + + * * * * * + +All the afternoon Young had sat with Tessibel, most of the time in +silence. She showed no desire to talk, and he knew not what to say. +Watching from the sitting room window, Tess seemed to find diversion in +the wind-driven snow, as though the blizzard's riot met and matched the +aching bewilderment in her own breast. + +Nor did she pay any attention to a knock which resounded above the +beating of the storm. Deforrest went to the door and carried on an +undertoned conversation with some one outside. Then after dispatching +the caller, he went back to the girl. + +"Tess," he hesitated, but his voice broke and he was unable to complete +his sentence. In responsive inquiry, she turned from the window and +looked up at him. The deep dejection of her attitude depicted her +despondency and despair. The brown eyes, dull and lustreless, staring +out of the drawn white face, expressed the hopeless wonderment the man +had seen in the glazing orbs of a stricken deer. A great wave of pity +welled up in him. How could he break this frozen composure and bring to +the overwrought heart the healing blessing of flowing tears? + +"Tessibel," he continued, sitting down, "what were you thinking about?" + +"I was wondering what I could do to ... hurt Waldstricker," she replied, +gripping the arms of her chair. Then she rose suddenly, throwing up her +head. The intensity of her emotion fanned the dull coals of hate in her +eyes to a hard brilliance and touched her white cheeks with vermilion. +Vivid, active, her beautiful face, passion-drawn and cruel, red curls +writhing and twisting upon her shoulders, Tess seemed a veritable fury +crying for vengeance. She lifted clenched hands. + +"I'll hurt Waldstricker," she vowed. "God help me to do it!" + +Springing to his feet, Young ejaculated: + +"Don't, Tess! You mustn't!" + +Turning away, she paced up and down the room, muttering imprecations. +Her companion stood silent, unable to assuage her agony or rebuke her +vindictive words. + +At length Tess stopped directly in front of him. + +"I know you don't like me to feel that way about Waldstricker, but I +can't help it. I hate him so!" + +Then she went to the window and stared out into the storm again. + +After a moment's hesitation, Young touched her. Drawing her back, he +held her in his arms, attempting to soothe and quiet her by murmured +endearments. + +"I'm awfully sorry, dear," he explained. "I must go to town. Helen's +sent for me." + +Tess nodded indifferently. It was all one to her now. She'd lost Boy, +and she was willing to be alone to plan how she could punish his +murderer. + +"I'll send Andy to you," said Young, leading her to a chair. + +He went in search of the dwarf and found the little man in his room +huddled on the bed. + +"Andy," said Deforrest, "come here." + +Without a word the dwarf went to the lawyer. + +"I'm going to Ithaca. Go down and stay with Tess until I get back." + +He turned and went out, and Andy, silent and sick at heart, followed him +down the stairs. + + * * * * * + +Andy was not able to persuade Tess to talk with him, but obeying +Professor Young, he stayed very near her. The blizzard howled and banged +outside, adding by its noisy commotion an element of dread to the grief +within. + +About nine in the evening footsteps sounded on the porch; the dwarf got +up and went to the door. Jake Brewer entered and closed the door against +the storm. The squatter took off his hat and shook the snow from the top +of it. He looked, alternately, from the girl in the chair near the +window to the little man staring up at him. + +"I come to speak to the brat," he said. + +"She ain't very well," answered Andy. + +Tessibel looked around. + +"Sit down, Jake," she invited. "The night's dreadful, isn't it?" + +Brewer coughed and remained silent. + +"Can I do anything, Jake?" inquired the dwarf, softly. + +"Nope, it air only Tess can do it," replied the squatter. + +Tessibel heard but remained in the same position. + +"Tess air the only one can help," repeated Brewer. + +The girl sank back in her chair, allowing her hands to drop in her lap. + +"What is it?" she asked listlessly. + +"Ma Brewer air sick," said the squatter. "She air knowin' ye air in +trouble, but--but--" + +It seemed to the girl as if this Christmas-tide had brought sorrow to +everyone. + +She rose to her feet, stiff from sitting in the same position for so +long a time. + +"I'll get her something, Jake," she said quickly. + +"Ma an' me know ye got a lot of sorrow, brat," choked the man, "but Ma +were a wonderin' if ye'd run to the shack fer a minute." Noticing the +girl's hesitation, "She's awful sick an' mebbe if ye'd come, she'd feel +better.'" + +"I'll get your wraps, brat," Andy offered. + +Both men helped Tessibel into her things. She stood very quiet until +Andy held out her mittens. + +"I'll only be gone a few minutes," she promised the dwarf. "Come on, +Jake!" + +And together they went out into the storm. + + + + +CHAPTER L + +TESSIBEL'S VISION + + +Tessibel and Jake Brewer made their way through the bleak, dark, pear +orchard to the lane. The night held no terrors for the girl. All her +winters, she'd battled with the cold and winds of the Storm Country. +Now, through the lane to the lake, they struggled, heads bent against +the blinding blizzard. Under the weeping willow trees stood the empty +shanty which had housed her childhood days, and, mechanically, she +turned her eyes toward it. She recalled, dully, the strange sequence of +events that had transformed her from a squatter's brat and lifted her +out of the bleak barrenness of life in the shack. She'd escaped the +squalor, the horrid cold and the hardships, common to the women of the +Silent City. She lived more comfortably and decently than the +fishermen's wives. She'd learned many things, but all her efforts to +improve herself had been centered in her ambitions for Boy. Now it was +all wasted! She'd won for him nothing but Waldstricker's enmity. Her +aspirations for him and for herself were buried in the little grave on +the storm-swept hillside by Daddy Skinner. Like a borrowed mantle, the +culture she'd gained under Professor Young's loving tuition slipped from +her and the elemental passions of the primitive people that produced her +assumed their sway. Subconsciously, the squatter's standards +re-established themselves, and she hugged to her heart the hate she'd +been cherishing. + +On the ice-covered rocks, where they were sheltered from the wind, Jake +began to talk. + +"I wouldn't have asked ye to come, Tess," he apologized, "if we hadn't +needed ye bad." + +"I wasn't doing anything at home," the girl answered tonelessly. + +"Mr. Young weren't there, were he?" asked Brewer. + +"No," replied Tess. "His sister's sick and sent for him." + +"I guess she air sick, all right," commented Jake, ominously. + +If Tess heard, she didn't heed the sinister suggestion in the squatter's +speech. She was busy, her whole attention devoted to plans for revenge +upon Waldstricker. + +The light from Brewer's hut, which was set back a little from the lake +shore, in a frost-riven and water-worn niche in the precipitous cliff, +shone mistily through the storm. Cut by slanting lines of driving +snow-crystals, its milky radiance obscured rather than defined the +drifted path. Breathless, from the blizzard's buffeting, they gained, at +last, the hut door. + +The fisherman lifted the latch and they stepped into the hut. Seated in +chairs around the bare little room were several men, squatter friends of +the neighborhood. Near the stove stood Ma Brewer, white-faced and +anxious. As soon as she recognized the girl, she began to weep and +gesticulate hysterically. Tess went to her and seized her hands. + +"Why! Ma Brewer, what's the matter? What'd you want of me?" + +Before she could answer, a rough voice broke the silence. + +"We all wanted ye, Tess." + +She wheeled about and looked from one to the other. + +Jake was still standing near the door. The triumphant leer on his face +was reflected in the several expressions of the other men. + +"Then, Ma Brewer wasn't sick?" Tess demanded slowly. + +"Nope," said Jake, "but I'll bet someone else air." + +Tessibel allowed her eyes to rove about the shack. A slight movement in +the corner attracted her attention. There, like a forlorn little lamb, a +tight rag about her mouth, her curls matted and damp, crouched Elsie +Waldstricker. Instantly, Tess recognized her and her heart pumped with +joy. Surely, her prayer had been answered! Here was her opportunity! The +child was suffering, she could see that, but the very extremity of +torture could hardly repay for the pain Boy'd endured. While Tess was +pondering the penalties she'd inflict, a smile touched her lips. The +frightened blue eyes searched the hard brown ones, but the child found +no comfort or encouragement in the frowning face of the squatter girl. + +"It's Waldstricker's brat," declared Jake, exultantly. "I were a +snoopin' 'round Eb's place an' run on 'er down near the road by that +there bunch of tamaracks. I says, 'What air the matter, Kid,' an' she +says, 'I want my ma.' I says, 'Come along an' I'll git 'er fer ye,' an' +the kid come jest like a lamb goes to the slaughterhouse." And Jake +threw back his head and roared. + +The other men joined in the grim laughter. After a minute, another voice +sounded above the last ugly chuckles. + +"Now, we got 'er, Tess, ye air to do anythin' ye want to with 'er." + +Still, the blue eyes looked into the brown, and, still, Tessibel's heart +raged its satisfaction. What were the squatters going to do with +Waldstricker's daughter? The girl turned her head slowly and glanced at +the row of dark men in their chairs against the wall. She cared nothing +for the child on the floor, except that she was the one thing that +Waldstricker loved best. Surely, to injure her would injure him! The +little feet were tied and so were the small hands. This pleased Tess, +too, for she remembered how they'd held Boy when he was imploring them +to keep the big man away. + +Waldstricker! Ungodly, wicked Waldstricker! His time had come! She'd go +and leave the little girl with the squatters. Well she knew that a word +from her and the baby would be seen no more. + +"I guess when old Eb found out his kid were gone," grated Jake Brewer, +"he got a wrench or two hisself." + +The heavy voice brought Tess about. + +"What'll we do with her?" She flung her hand toward the child in the +corner. + +"Yer say'll go, brat," put in Longman. "That rich duffer air had his way +too long. Us squatters're a goin' to show 'im 'tain't so safe to ride +rough shod over everybody." + +"You're going to kill her?" asked Tessibel, dully. + +"Yep," flung in Brewer, "if ye say so." + +Mrs. Brewer was crying softly. Her husband turned fiercely upon her. + +"Ma, here," said he, "air makin' some awful fuss over nothin'. She wants +the kid took out of the state an' put some'ers. Us men says it air got +to die." + +"It air too awful, Tessie," sobbed Mrs. Brewer. "The baby ain't done +nothin'." + +Tessibel refrained from looking at the speaker. Her heart bled afresh at +the woman's words. Boy hadn't done anything, either, but Waldstricker'd +killed him. It was just, he should give his daughter for her son. It +wouldn't bring Boy back, but surely he'd rest easier if Elsie joined +him. The thought that her enemy would know the ache that tore her heart, +was balm to her own heart. Yet something within her tugged her eyes to +the baby on the floor. How Boy'd cried when the convulsive pain had tied +his little limbs into cruel knots! She wanted to hear Elsie cry, too. +The wails of her enemy's child might drive the shrieks of her own little +one from memory. + +"Take the rag off her mouth," said she, quickly. + +"She'll cry like a sick cat, if ye do," warned a man. + +Tess crossed the room to the corner where Elsie lay and kneeling by her, +unfastened the cloth about her mouth. The baby held up her bound hands, +blue and swollen from the tight ligature, and whimpered, + +"Elsie's hands hurt." + +The squatter girl had never voluntarily hurt a living thing. All her +life quick sympathy had responded instinctively to helplessness and +misery. Even the toads and bats knew her tender care. Waldstricker's +child was to her, then, the most loathsome of breathing creatures. She +might let the squatters kill her; she might even do it herself. But this +was another thing! Face to face with the concrete case of pinching a +baby's wrists, her instinct sent her fingers to the tight cords about +the uplifted hands. Without conscious purpose, she, also, loosened the +plump ankles. Elsie rolled in a whimpering, little heap on the floor. + +"I want my Daddy," she whined. + +"You can't have your Daddy," answered Tess. Lifting the child to her +feet, she noted how like to Deforrest Young's were the little one's +eyes. + +"Your daddy air a dirty duffer," said Jake. "Give 'er a whack in the +face, Tess." + +He came forward from his place by the door and stopped near the two +girls. The fisherman raised his own fist, and Tessibel moved a little +aside. She regretted, now, that she'd loosened the little one's bonds or +had done anything to relieve her suffering. She didn't care what they +did to Waldstricker's girl. If they wanted to strike her, what affair +was it of hers? + +She turned her eyes upward, and, there, from among the rafters, she +seemed to see Boy's face smiling down upon her. Love, shining from the +dear eyes, radiated bliss and joy. How very sweet and peaceful he +appeared! Then, Brewer's voice penetrated her consciousness. He was +leaning over the rigid little girl. + +"Brat," he was saying, "you air goin' to get the lickin' of yer life, +an' don't ye ferget it." + +"Pretty lady, help baby," mourned Elsie. + +Tessibel shoved the squatter aside. + +"Don't touch 'er yet," she said in low, distinct tones. + +Jake took something from his pockets and thrust it into the girl's +hands. It was a small, wiry, riding whip. + +"It air the one her pa used on Boy," he muttered. "I stole it from 'is +stable." + +Tessibel uttered a cry and dropped the whip. The terrible scene in the +lane, invoked by the speaker's words and the sight of the whip, poured +into her mind a new flood of hate. + +Yes! Elsie should be treated as her father had treated Boy! She stooped +and picked up the whip. The men leaned forward, watching intently. Their +heavy breathing and Ma Brewer's sobs mingled with the ticking of the +clock and the storm's racket against the hut sides. + +She studied the whip and tested its hissing pliability. That tip had +stung Boy beyond endurance. The length of it had put him in his grave. +Waldstricker's hands had tortured her son. She would make his daughter +pay the reckoning. She drew a deep breath and raised her arm. + +Elsie had crept unnoticed to her side, and as Tess glanced down, the +child touched her hand with little fingers, marble-cold. The girl drew +away from the suppliant touch, then, lowered the whip and stood +considering the baby face. + +"I hate you worse'n anyone in the whole world," she spat out. + +"Then, lick 'er," growled Longman, and the other squatters muttered +their approval. + +Elsie dropped her head against Tessibel, and clung to her skirt. + +"I want my--mover," she burst out, crying. + +"Get even with Waldstricker, brat," said another voice. + +Tess raised her arm and glancing along the uplifted whip, again, she +looked into Boy's eyes, and, as she gazed, the little face in the +rafters receded, grew dimmer. + +She dropped the whip, and unmindful of the squatters, lifted her hands. + +"Mummy's baby boy!" she called. The happy eyes faded last from her sight +and it seemed to her they summoned her thence. A moment more, she stood +shivering, staring into the shadows, and, then, she turned upon the +dark-browed men. + +"You said I could do anything I wanted to with 'er, eh?" + +"Yep," Brewer assented. "Beat 'er, kill 'er, the more the better for +us-uns." + +"Then give me a blanket to wrap her in. I'll take her home +where--where--Boy--died." + +Brewer's lips fell apart and he laughed evilly. + +"Good idee, brat," he said. "Ye can make it a thousand times worser for +the kid if ye do.... Get a blanket, Ma." + +Carefully, the girl wrapped the blanket around and around the little +one. Elsie whimpered disconsolately but made no objection. Anything was +better than being left with the men who tied her up. Lifting the bulky +bundle, Tess started for the door, Jake picked up the whip from the +floor, handed it to her. + +"Ye're forgettin' somethin' ain't ye, brat? Ye'll be wantin' this, I'm +thinkin'," he chuckled. + +"I can't ever thank you all enough," she flung back hoarsely, tucking +the whip into her coat pocket, "for giving me this chance at +Waldstricker." + +Longman got up and opened the door and Tess stepped out into the storm, +carrying Waldstricker's daughter. + + * * * * * + +Deforrest Young was trying to calm his sister. Her frantic cries for her +baby contrasted strangely with the icy despair of the other mother he'd +tried to comfort. His heart, still sore from Boy's loss, bled in ready +sympathy to his sister's mourning. He grasped Helen's hands which were +tearing her hair. + +"Don't!" he said. "We'll find her soon. By morning she'll be back home +again. Ebenezer has nearly every man around looking for her, ... +searching every barn and asking at every house.... Darling, do you think +you could stay here with Madelene and let me go out, too?" + +"Yes, yes, go, but Oh, God, I shall die if you don't find her!" + +Hour after hour men on horseback and men on foot hunted through the +hills and gullies for little Elsie Waldstricker. + +It was almost twelve, when one by one Ebenezer's friends rode +sorrowfully home after a useless search. + + + + +CHAPTER LI + +THE CHRISTMAS GUEST + + +When Tessibel carried Elsie into the living room, she looked furtively +about to assure herself that Professor Young had not returned during her +absence. Only Andy should know! He would help her--he, too, loved Boy +with all his soul. The little girl still in her arms, she hurried up the +stairs to her own room, and after removing the blanket, placed her in a +chair. Elsie stared about, too frightened and tired even to whimper. The +whip fell to the floor and Tess picked it up. For a long time, she held +it in her hand, meditatively trying its strength and suppleness while +she glared at the child. Then she slipped quietly into the hall, still +carrying the riding crop at her side. + +"Andy," she called softly. "Is Mother Moll asleep?" + +Andy came out of his own room. + +"Yes, she's asleep. I been singin' to her most ever since you been gone. +The old woman sure does like my singin', Tess." He waddled toward the +girl and when he noticed the expression on her face, + +"Somethin's happened," he ejaculated, "Anything the matter with Ma +Brewer?" + +Tessibel backed into her room and beckoned the dwarf onward by a +movement of her head. After she'd shut the door, she pointed to the +child with a hissing swish of the whip. + +"Waldstricker's," she announced briefly. "The squatters stole her and +gave her to me." + +The sight of the little girl stopped Andy near the door. Instantly his +alert mind pictured Waldstricker's present anxiety and the awful +retribution he'd exact when he learned of her abduction. He had no idea +as yet what Tess intended to do and her attitude revealed no hint. +Personally, he was powerless because, to his physical weakness, the +storm presented an unsurmountable obstacle. Except for Mother Moll, he +was alone in the house with Tess and the Waldstricker child. Here was a +terrible predicament. He'd already lost many years of his life, because +he was present when Waldstricker's father was killed. He'd done what he +could to avert that crime and paid a heavy penalty, for his +interference. What to do, now, he didn't know. How to save the little +one and protect Tess he couldn't guess. Casting frightened eyes first on +the girl, then on the silent child, he crouched against the wall. + +"What ye goin' to do with 'er?" he mumbled at last.... "What's the whip +for?" + +"I don't know yet," replied Tess, and she balanced the raw-hide in her +hand. "This is the whip Waldstricker used.... Jake says to beat 'er like +he beat Boy." + +The cruel look on her face and the fire in her eyes frightened the +dwarf. To him, she seemed almost insane. + +"What'd ye tell 'em you'd do, Tess? Air you goin' to lick 'er?" + +"I guess so. I didn't tell 'em for sure what I'd do." + +She dropped the whip on a table and walked across the room to the window +where she stood looking out into the night with unseeing eyes. Then, +whirling on Andy, she clenched her fists and burst forth. + +"She's the only thing Waldstricker loves! If I hurt her, don't I hurt +him?" + +"Sure, dear," the little man acquiesced. "Sure, it'd make 'im ... think +a bit ... mebbe." + +Elsie stirred uneasily, making the chair rock back and forth. + +"Baby's hungry," she whimpered. + +Tess threw off her wraps and flung out of the room. In the kitchen she +stirred the fire and heated some milk and broke bread into it. + +While she was gone, the dwarf made up his mind that now, if ever, he +must prove the power of the faith Tess'd taught him. Motionless, but +watching the baby, he reviewed the proofs he'd had in the shack and +during his years with Tessibel on the hill. Surely, the hands stronger'n +Waldstricker's had lost none of their protective power! So absorbed did +he become, he hardly noticed when the girl came back, but he heard her +say to Elsie, + +"Here, cat! I hate you so, I could strangle you with it!" + +Tess was kneeling beside the chair and he noted that her fingers fed the +child carefully, and when a few warm drops of milk ran down the shaking +baby chin, Tess took out her handkerchief and wiped the little face +gently. + +"Uncle Forrie won't be back tonight," he observed, after a while. + +"Don't talk about him," gasped Tess. "I don't want to think of 'im." + +"I don't see what we're goin' to do, brat," returned Andy miserably. + +"I'll never give her back to Waldstricker, that's certain," Tess +gritted. "I'll throw her out in the snow first. Let 'im find her, then, +if he can." + +Hunger satisfied, warm and snug, the tired baby smiled her thanks and +fell asleep. After placing the bowl on the table, Tess drew the blankets +about the little figure and stood up. + +"Don't tell me not to do it," she said fiercely. + +"I weren't going to, brat, dear," sighed the little man. + +Then, the girl went to the window again. For what seemed hours to the +dwarf, she stared silently into the winter night. + +In her mind's eye she could see the high waves of the lake rolling and +tumbling from hill to hill, and could outline the forest opposing its +rugged weight to the tempest. Under the successive attacks of the gale, +the loosened old joints of the house creaked their protests at the +blizzard's roughness. The shrieking of the wind, the sharp rattle of the +storm-driven snow against the glass, everything in the wild night +without, responded to the conflict in her own breast. + +She felt sorry, now, she hadn't left Elsie to the mercy of the +squatters; but the thought of what they would have done to the child +made her shudder. + +"No, not that!" she groaned aloud. + +"What'd ye say, brat?" asked Andy, without moving. + +"Nothing," muttered the girl, and she maintained her position at the +window. It was as though she were waiting for something she knew not +what. In a sudden hush of the storm, she heard, faintly, the chimes in +the library tower on College Hill. + +Ah, yes, it was Christmas Eve! How Boy had looked forward to Santa +Claus! How many little things she'd made for his stocking! She drew a +long, sobbing breath. Boy wouldn't want any of her love-things any more. + +She knew the chimes were playing, + +"Peace on earth, good will to men." + +Every Christmas Eve, at midnight, the bells rang out the sacred chorus. +For many years, the music had completed her Christmas preparations. The +annual message had always brought her inspiration and spiritual uplift. +A brick, torn from its place in the chimney, tumbled down the roof. Its +clatter rudely broke in upon the joyous refrain. So had Waldstricker +destroyed her peace. No peace for her, no peace for him! She tried to +fit the words to the chiming notes but without success. + +"Peace on earth, good will to men." + +Straining her eyes into the darkness, while the angels' message tugged +at her heart strings, the overwrought girl saw another vision. Boy +smiled upon her out of the storm. Ineffable happiness shone in the +lovely face and steady eyes. Freed from mortal chance and change, she +beheld him safe and secure in the everlasting now of eternity. The +apprehension of Life's unalterable continuity--unfolding to her uplifted +thought--destroyed the hopeless sense of separation and banished hate +and anger from her heart. The compelling light of reawakened Love +penetrated the inmost recesses of her spirit, and dissipated the shadows +of discord and resentment. Peace possessed her. While the wonder of her +healing held her motionless a little longer, the song she'd often sung +to Boy at twilight came bubbling to her lips. + + "In heavenly love abiding, + No change my heart shall fear." + +Amazed, Andy stepped to her side. Gratitude for his darling's +deliverance filled his heart. Turning to him, she put one arm around his +shoulders. His throaty tenor joined the caroling soprano. + + "The storm may roar without me, + My heart may low be laid," + +Above the raging of the wind, they lifted the triumphant refrain, + + "But God is round about me, + How can I be dismayed?" + +Moving into the brighter light of the shaded lamp, she seemed +transfigured. All the strained hurt look was gone. The brown eyes +expressed a deep brooding content and the bright face glowed with love. + +"Tess, dear Tess," cried Andy, "you found 'im, didn't ye, Tess? It air +wonderful." + +"Boy lives forever!" the smiling lips ejaculated. + +A tiny snore directed their attention to the little girl in the big +rocking chair. + +"Wrap her up, Andy," Tess directed. "I'm going to take her home." + +Andy's shaking hands could hardly do the girl's bidding. + +"It's an awful night, brat. Can you do it?" + +"I'll get her back, all right," promised Tess, and she went out and down +the stairs. + +When she came back, Andy viewed her with amazement. She stood tall and +slender before him, dressed like a stripling youth in one of Deforrest +Young's riding suits, boots on her feet and a cap in her hand. + +"I couldn't walk in a dress," she explained simply. "Help me wrap up my +hair. I've got to go cross-lots." + +Quickly, Andy fastened the shining curls under the big cap. Elsie was +still asleep in the blankets. Tess picked her up and went out into the +hall and down the stairs. When the dwarf opened the outside door, the +stinging gale slashed at the open portal. + +"God help my brat!" prayed Andy. Tess looked into his face a moment, and +then strode away with her burden. + +The lane was even harder to reach than it had been when she came from +Brewer's. She labored to the tracks, and struck off across the fields. +The wind stung her face with particles of ice, that cut like needles. A +snow owl dropped from the gloom of a tree, poised a moment on wing, and +stared at her with glittering, hungry eyes. Then, he fluttered upward +and was gone. To force her way along took all her skill and experience +with snow and storm. Unable to wade through the deep drifts by the +fences, she had to roll over and over the tops of them. At such times, +she put down the warmly wrapped baby and as she rolled, jerked her along +through the snow. The bitter gale contested every inch of the way. The +wind blew with such tremendous power in the cleared spaces that she +could not face the biting blast, but again and again was compelled to +creep over the icy crust, and pull the blanketed baby behind her. + +When she reached the Trumansburg road, she could hardly breathe. The icy +winds froze the sweat upon her toiling body and chilled the very marrow +of her aching bones. The little one lay a dead weight in her arms. The +ceaseless attacks of the cruel wind sapped her strength. She wanted to +rest, but she remembered it wouldn't do to stop. Every step was a +nightmare of impossible effort. + +Suddenly down the road but a little way, a white light spread before her +like a beckoning hand. Gathering her remaining strength for a final +effort, she staggered toward it. + + + + +CHAPTER LII + +THE STORM + + +The blizzard that raged in the Storm Country, the day before Christmas, +was general through the East. Frederick Graves, on his way home for the +Yuletide festivities, had been hampered and delayed by the storm. +Indeed, the Lehigh train almost lost its way among the drifts, and +instead of arriving about supper time, it came limping in late in the +evening. When the much married man stepped off the train at the Ithaca +depot, he moved slowly down the long platform toward the carriage stand. +Waldstricker's coachman met him near the end of the station and relieved +him of his suit case. One glance at the newcomer's emaciated face, +bearing the tell-tale spots of hectic red, told the man why Graves had +been in the mountains. + +"Mr. Waldstricker sent me down to meet you, sir," the servant told +Frederick. "Your wife is up to our house and I'm to take you there. It's +a bad night, but I'll get you through all right." + +Frederick hesitated a moment before getting into the covered sleigh. He +hadn't calculated to go to Waldstricker's. But the servant's next words +decided him. + +"You see, sir, Miss Elsie's lost. She went out this afternoon and hasn't +been seen since; at least, hadn't been found when I left there about +seven o'clock. Mr. Waldstricker's tearing around through the snow like a +wild man and every one at Hayt's is out hunting for her." + +Warmly wrapped, Frederick leaned back in the sleigh. While the horses +plodded slowly against the storm up the long hill, he renewed his +meditations and reviewed the course of action he'd determined to follow. +His unsatisfied passion for Tess had grown more insistent during the +months spent alone in the mountains. He'd written her many letters +which had not been answered or returned to him. Indeed, he hadn't heard +of or from her, directly or indirectly, for many weeks. Her failure to +reply to his letters, as well as her hostile attitude, the last time +he'd seen her, he ascribed to Young's influence. That Tessibel had +become actually indifferent to him, he couldn't comprehend at all. +Surely, the love she'd shown him couldn't die! The separation had only +made his passion the greater. It might be that, through his neglect, her +love had grown dormant, but nothing could destroy it. Freed from the +lawyer's control, and in new surroundings, the well remembered sweetness +of their short honeymoon would become a present experience. + +He'd been able to secrete, when he'd been in charge of the California +office, considerable sums of money. By careful management, he had +increased his takings to an amount that would be a comfortable fortune +for himself and the squatter girl. There had been no break between him +and Madelene, but he had persuaded himself she would be glad to separate +from him. It was too late to do anything about it tonight, though. +Tomorrow, or the next day, he'd take his dear ones away. + +As soon as they were settled in some distant city and were secure from +the elder's wrath, he'd write Madelene. He chuckled grimly to himself at +the thought of their rage when they learned of her anomalous position as +his unmarried wife. + +Then, his fancy played about the home he'd have. He pictured Tess moving +through the rooms in the intimacies of domestic life. Almost, so vivid +the picture his passion painted, he held her in his arms. He'd do +wonderful things for the boy. He should have the best education +possible! Lost in his dreams, the time slipped rapidly away, and he +found himself, all at once, in front of his brother-in-law's brilliantly +lighted home. + +When he came into the great hall, Madelene hurried out of the library to +meet him. She presented a cool cheek for the customary kiss of greeting +and helped him out of his extra wraps. + +"Take off your coat, dear, and come into the library," she urged. "The +man told you about Elsie? But Eb's sure to find her. I'll see about +something to eat while you're getting thawed out." + +She bustled off to the kitchen and her husband went into the library and +dropped into a chair before the grate. + +When Madelene came back, she stopped by the table impressed, suddenly, +by the pathetic weariness of his appearance. The change in him startled +her and reawakened all the love she'd ever felt for him. In addition, +there was, in her affection for the sick man, an element of maternal +devotion, as though the unsatisfied desires of her empty arms demanded +him. She crossed the room and seated herself on the arm of his chair. + +"Fred, dear," she said, "you must have had an awful trip. Now, that I +have you home again, I'm going to look after you, myself." + +One after another, she noted the symptoms of decay and dissolution +presented. His clothes no longer fitted but hung, bag-like, upon his +emaciated frame. His shoulders were stooped and his chest sunken. The +high linen collar he'd always been so particular about, no longer set +close to a shapely neck, but sagged away from the taut cords below his +bony jaw and chin. She lifted one of his hands and stared, through the +tears that welled into her eyes, at the claw-like fingers resting in +hers. Her husband's pitiful plight completely softened her heart and +wiped away the memory of her jealousy and dissatisfaction with him. He +needed her, now, and everything that love could do for him, she'd give +him. + +Lifting his fingers to her lips, they sat, thus, in silence, before the +log fire until Frederick withdrew his hand and let it fall into his lap. +Madelene shifted her position a little and slipped one arm around his +neck. Although somewhat amazed at the demonstration, Frederick submitted +to the caresses and found in them something of peace. + +"I'm awfully sorry, Fred," she whispered, after the lapse of a few +moments. "Let's begin again and do better. I do love you, so. Put your +arms around me and tell me you'll forgive and forget." + +Convinced that it was easier to humor his wife's soft mood than to risk +the strain of repulsing her, Frederick slipped his arms around her and +held her close. + +"There's nothing to forgive, Madie," he muttered. "I've been awful +selfish and I'm paying the penalty, that's all. You better let me go and +forget me." + +Supposing he referred to his approaching death, Madelene cried out +sharply, in protest. + +"No, no, Fred, you mustn't say such things. You make me feel like a +murderess." + +She wound her arms tightly around him and kissed him stormily. + +"I love you and you love me," she continued. "That's all there is to it. +We'll be happy, yet!" + +For a few moments, she rested in his embrace, happier than she'd been in +many a long day. Then, she disengaged herself and stood up. + +"Come, dear," she smiled, "your supper is ready." + +After he was seated at the table, she told him of the quarrel between +her brother and his wife, of the loss of Elsie and the search then going +on. + +"Helen's most crazy," she concluded. "She's lying down, now. I gave her +a powder and I think she's sleeping." + +Frederick toyed with the food before him. He made occasional +monosyllabic comments that kept the running fire of his wife's chatter +going. Unable to pretend to eat more, he leaned back in his chair. + +"I'm not much of an eater," he smiled, "but I've enjoyed your lunch very +much." + +The sound of steps on the stairs interrupted him. + +"Hark, Fred!" his wife exclaimed. "That's Helen, now." + +Together they left the dining room and went to the library, where Mrs. +Waldstricker had preceded them. + +Helen's distraught manner prevented anything like a conventional welcome +to her brother-in-law. After Frederick had expressed his sympathy for +her anxiety about Elsie and tried to quiet her fears, Madelene carried +him off to his room. When she had seen to the details for his comfort, +she returned to the library to share Mrs. Waldstricker's vigil. + +Frederick found, when he was left alone, that he was in no mood for bed. +He was too tired to sleep, too nervous to be quiet anywhere. It seemed +to him as though there were some unusual quality in the air, some +mysterious whispering to his inner consciousness. He felt vaguely +excited. He tried to read but the words conveyed to him no meaning. To +an extent never before experienced, possibly because he was again in the +Storm Country, he wanted Tess. After a time, he heard the banging of the +front door downstairs and confused cries in the hall, but paid little +attention to them. In the silence that succeeded, the narrow walls of +the bedroom became unbearably close. He'd go downstairs to the library. +It might be he'd be able to rest in a chair before the log fire. + + + + +CHAPTER LIII + +THE HAPPY DAY + + +Like the kindly eyes of a welcoming friend, the two great lights upon +the posts of Waldstricker's gateway met Tessibel Skinner as she +struggled between the tall stone pillars to the private driveway. In +sheer fatigue, she allowed Elsie to slip to the snow and sank down +beside her. Her heart sang with joy and thanksgiving. She was going to +give Helen her dear, golden-haired baby. There was no thought, now, of +her hatred for Ebenezer, only wondrous anticipation of his joy at +receiving his little girl out of the storm. Through the white light, +Tess could outline the rounded figure in the snow. Rhythmical breathing +assured her the little one slept in security. Once more, Tess got to her +feet and, once more, she gathered up the living bundle. She was almost +at the end of her journey. The short rest had given her new strength, +and when she got to the stone porch she was able to mount the steps, and +move laboriously, almost breathlessly, to the door. Memories keenly +bitter-sweet rushed over her. The last time she was on that spot she was +going to sing for the master's friends. What numberless happenings +loomed before her mental vision, happenings to her and to Waldstricker. +She was too dazed, too cold, to consider them in sequence. In the +confusion of her soul, only two things stood out distinctly. Her +marriage to Frederick Graves and Boy's shining face when the assurance +had come to her that he lived and would ever live. Then Deforrest +Young--Ah, yes, she had forgotten him! In a little while she would see +him, and he would take her back to Mother Moll and Andy. + +She was directly in front of the heavy portal, now, and with one stiff +set of fingers she laid hold of the handle and twisted the knob. The +door opened under her pressure and displayed the long reception hall. A +rush of warm air welcomed her, and she uttered one little cry and +staggered across the threshold. + + * * * * * + +Helen Waldstricker and Madelene Graves were waiting wearily for some +message from the searching party. Hours had passed that seemed like +centuries strung into eternities, hours that had brought no word of the +lost baby. Suddenly, Helen sat up as an unusual sound came to her ear. + +"Did I hear something?" she asked. "I thought it was a voice." + +"Only the wind," answered Madelene, drowsily. + +The girl was thinking of Frederick and dreaming what their life might +be, now that they were beginning again. Of course, he was ill--very ill, +but she'd take him away and nurse him back to health again. + +Then, another hoarse little sound forced its way through the closed +door, and Helen got up and opened it. In that moment, when she looked +the length of her spacious hall, the whole world took on a gladness +unsurpassed. True, the door was open and the blizzard battled in and +flung its snowflakes to her very feet; but across the doorway was a +human body--Tessibel Skinner, and at her side, a rosebud face from which +the blanket had fallen. Mrs. Waldstricker gave a glad cry and sprang +forward. Tess tried to get up but failed. All she could do was to +whisper, + +"I've brought you back your baby." Then, she crumpled forward over Elsie +Waldstricker in a forlorn, snow-covered heap. + +By that time, Madelene was in the hall. She recognized Tessibel, and +felt a keen thrill of biting pain. She had suffered much from this +beautiful squatter girl, but she, also, realized that Tess had brought +the child back to her distracted parents. Between them, the two women +managed to carry the girl and baby into the library. Both were crying, +and Elsie, too, now awake, was insisting that her mother "Rock baby." + +To answer their hysterical questions, when her throat was so hoarse, was +impossible for Tessibel. + +"Let her rest right here, then," said Helen. "Mercy me! If the child +hasn't some of Deforrest's clothes on. Let's take the baby upstairs, +and, Madelene, you bring down some dry things for Tess.... Here, Tess, +dear, let me wrap you in this for a few minutes." + +Tessibel sank into the warm woolen robe Mrs. Waldstricker placed about +her. Then, the two women went upstairs with wee Elsie. Tessibel felt the +warmth from the fire permeate her whole being. She had suddenly grown so +sleepy! It was delightful to be able to close her eyes and watch in +perfect peace the figures of her dreams! Memories, deep and entrancing, +engulfed her. Many forms passed to and fro across her vision. There were +the dark faces of her squatter friends, then Ebenezer Waldstricker. Her +lids lifted heavily, her eyes centering upon another face--a face which +made her cry out and struggle to her feet with trembling desire to get +away. Frederick Graves closed the door behind him softly and the girl +noted how thin and sick he looked and that his twitching lips tried to +smile her a welcome. + +"Tessibel," was all he said. She sank back into the great chair, white +and weak, her face strung with terror. + +Frederick didn't pause to ask why she was there. It was enough to know +she was near him, and he forgot all else; his recent promises to +Madelene,--Ebenezer and his mother. Only, did he remember that his young +squatter wife, the mother of his baby son, was near enough for him to +take her in his arms. Ah, yes, he'd take her away, right then, just as +he had planned to do so many, many times. He bent over her, his breath +coming in labored, explosive gusts. + +"Tess, darling," he murmured, much moved. "How wonderful you should be +here tonight. Say something to me, sweetheart." + +Tess attempted to push him from her. The touch of her hand thrilled him +to his toes. How he would care for her--take her away from her squatter +world, that stormy world filled with sorrow and pain! His world should +know of her goodness, her loyalty and strength. + +"I'll tell Ebenezer I'm your husband, Tessibel," he breathed in her ear. +"Oh, my darling, what joy there is in store for us, what wonderful +happiness--" + +"No, no," cried Tess. + +Then, again, he seized her hand, murmuring, + +"Yes, yes, my love! I know it's hard to forgive me, but I've never loved +any one but you. I didn't even try to care for Madelene. I couldn't. +And, now, my precious--" + +"Please, don't say such things," cried Tess. "I only came--" + +She wrenched her fingers loose from his and through her own +interruption, he went on quickly. + +"Oh, my dearest, be a little kind to me. Forgive all I've done. No, I +shan't let you go until you promise me something--you must listen!" + +Driven on by the passion dominating his weak body, Frederick dragged her +to him. Deforrest Young came into the girl's mind. How she loved him! +She would not tolerate Graves' hateful embrace. She made a frantic +struggle against the arms holding her. + +"Frederick, Frederick!" she gasped. + +"No, I won't listen, Tess," he cried. "I'm sorry enough for all I've +done and I won't go away from you any more." + +He crushed his mouth against her cheek. She should not baffle him thus. +Now, that she was in his arms, his hot breath mingling with the warmth +of hers, he was sure she could not resist him. Suddenly, she ceased to +struggle--Limply, she lay against his breast. How he loved her! +Frederick remembered with a thrilling, cutting desire that in those +dear, olden days, she had been the sweeter and better part of himself. +He had come back to fight for her, to take her and the boy away. Between +passionate kisses, new resolves raced through his fevered mind. He told +himself no barrier was strong enough to keep him from her. But he had +forgotten Ebenezer Waldstricker. It was not until he heard a short, +sharp ejaculation that he turned partly around. His brother-in-law was +standing in the open door, clad in a long fur garment, his handsome face +dark with terrible anger. Frederick dropped one arm, but tightened the +other about the squatter girl. + +Waldstricker could feel himself growing hot to the edge of his collar. +At the sight of the girl he hated, a sudden fury took possession of him. + +Tess became aware that the crimson churchman was looking her over from +head to foot. She flushed painfully as she realized her masculine attire +and thrust one hand behind her to loosen Frederick's arm, while with the +other she steadied herself against a chair. She could not force herself +to speak. + +Waldstricker cleared his throat. + +"How long has it been considered good taste, Mr. Graves," he demanded +icily, "for a man to bring his mistress into his wife's home?" + +Every word was perfectly articulated. Frederick grew deathly sick and +sat down quickly, making a violent gesture with his hand. He wanted to +deny Waldstricker's deadly insult, but he, suddenly, had no strength. +How Tess came into the house he did not know. But he did know she was +not there at his instigation. He could see that Waldstricker had hurt +her beyond expression, too. She was staring at his brother-in-law, +silent, as if frozen by his cold contempt. + +Looking from one to the other, Ebenezer went on. + +"It is my painful duty to ask Miss Skinner to leave this house ... now," +said he. + +Frederick managed to stand up and fling one protecting arm about the +pale girl. + +"Not in this terrible storm, Ebbie," he got out hoarsely. + +"She came in the storm," returned the elder, "and I see no reason why +she can't go back in it. She seems nicely dressed for such weather." + +He went forward and seized her arm and quickly swung the slender form +from Frederick's embrace. The girl was so dazed and weary she made no +resistance. The powerful elder snatched up her coat and cap and roughly +put them on her. Then, he pushed her ahead of him through the long +reception hall. Tessibel had not spoken a word, nor did she speak when +Waldstricker pulled open the door and, with a low growl, shoved her out +into the darkness. When he returned to the library, he found Frederick +stretched out upon the divan. A look of death had spread over his face, +and the appeal in his eyes brought the elder forward quickly. + +"Fred, what possessed you to bring that girl here?" + +"I didn't. I found her here," murmured Frederick. "She'll die in the +storm. Call her back, Eb, she'll die--" + +"No, she won't," replied Waldstricker, gruffly, "and what's more I won't +have her here. How she had a nerve to come at all, I can't see.... +Where's Helen?" + +"Upstairs with Madie, I guess," sighed Frederick. + +"Poor Helen," groaned Ebenezer, moodily. "If I could only give her some +news of Elsie. But I feel sure we'll have her home by morning." + +"I hope so!" answered Frederick. Then, he raised on one elbow and spoke +with difficulty. "Eb,--Ebenezer, I've something to tell you." The effort +made him gasp for breath, and fall back. + +"I guess I'm done for," he muttered. + +"I'll call Madelene," said Waldstricker, turning quickly. + +"No, no, Ebenezer. Come here. There, now, let me tell it. I--I--married +Tessibel Skinner before I married Madelene." + +Waldstricker staggered back. He was appalled at the death-stricken face +opposite. He knew Frederick was dying, and had no doubt he was telling +the simple truth. The world seemed turned upside down. Now, in the light +of this new knowledge, he could see many things. He shuddered when he +thought of Tessibel. He and his were in the squatter girl's power. What +mercy could he or Madelene expect at her hands? The shame and disgrace +would kill his sister. Had the Skinner girl come to his house to claim +her husband? + +At that moment, he heard Mrs. Graves' step on the stairs. He turned, +intending to ask Frederick not to tell Madelene of his secret marriage, +but quickly changed his mind. Frederick was too ill; the first thing was +to relieve his suffering. + +"Get some water," the elder commanded when she appeared in the doorway. +"Fred's sick." + +Madelene dropped the armful of clothes she held and fled to obey. When +she came back, the young wife tenderly ministered to the dying man. +Never before had he seemed so dear! + +"I think we'd better call a doctor," said Ebenezer, and he went out. + +For a moment, he felt impelled to go to his wife, to tell her how sorry +he was for all his ugly moods. He blamed himself bitterly for Elsie's +disappearance. If her mother had been home, the little girl would not +have gone away. + +In the servant's quarters, he gave orders that a doctor should be sent +for. As he came back to the reception hall, he saw Helen looking down up +him,--and she was smiling. How could she smile when the world was no +longer glad, no longer beautiful? But a few hours before he had left her +in tears, almost insane. Now she stood quietly, happily, as if joy +unlimited were hers. + +Mrs. Waldstricker placed her fingers on her lips. + +"Come up, dear heart," she whispered. + +Ebenezer mounted the stairs. + +"I'm so miserable, Helen," he said. "I don't know what to say." + +Helen stood on tiptoe and put one arm around his neck. She drew the +massive head down and pressed her face to her husband's cheek. + +"I don't think there's anything much to say," she said softly, "but to +thank her for bringing her back." + +Waldstricker straightened himself impatiently. + +"Brought who back?" he demanded. "What do you mean? My God, Helen, the +whole house has gone mad." + +"Didn't you see Tessibel in the library?" Helen asked. "She--" + +"Well, I should say I did," Ebenezer snorted, "and I cleared her out of +there. How dare the impudent huzzy come to my house?" + +"Great Heavens! Ebenezer!" exclaimed Helen. "She carried Elsie all the +way from the lake!" + +When these words fell upon Waldstricker's ears, he couldn't comprehend +their import entirely. Elsie was found! But--Then, the full horror of +his impetuous action burst upon him. The squatter girl had brought her +back! Oh! Brute and fool that he was! He groaned and started to speak +but his wife's voice interrupted him. + +"Elsie's in here. Come see her! Won't you come, dear?" + +The husband followed his wife through the nursery door, and as he +centered his eyes upon the little bed in which his baby lay, life turned +over for Ebenezer Waldstricker. He bent down and placed a reverent kiss +upon the flushed, sleeping face. Then, he turned to Helen. + +"I'm going to find Tessibel Skinner," he said, and, abruptly turning, +went out. + + * * * * * + +Deforrest Young forced his foaming horse into Waldstricker's gateway and +galloped up to the porch. It took him but one brief moment to fling +himself to the ground, and up the steps into the house. Andy had told +him Tess had gone to Ebenezer's with little Elsie. To know his darling +was out in such a night nearly drove him mad. It hadn't taken him long +to decide to go after her. + +Meeting Ebenezer coming down the stairs, the lawyer's first demand was, + +"Where's Tessibel--" and Waldstricker's reply came low and +self-accusing. + +"I sent her home, but, Deforrest, I didn't know about her bringing +Elsie, then." + +The lawyer didn't wait to ask anything more. Sick at heart and +apprehensive, he went from the mansion and into his saddle and once more +out between the great stone gate posts. + + * * * * * + +When the church elder pushed her through the doorway, into the winter +night, Tessibel stood one moment swaying, back and forth, in an effort +to steady her mind enough to plan her next action. She knew the long, +wintry road to the lake must again be traversed before she could lie +down and rest. A sob came to her lips. She was so tired, so wearily +unable to think. She had wanted to stay where it was warm, to wait +until Deforrest came after her; but Mr. Waldstricker had almost thrown +her into the snow. He had told her she couldn't stay, so, of course, she +couldn't go back. How cruel he had looked and how strong his hands were! +Once, some one had said Waldstricker's hands were stronger than God's. +But, no, that wasn't true! She and Andy had proved it false. It was just +that Waldstricker didn't like her; he didn't like any of the squatters, +that's why he made her go away. Probably, he wasn't as glad as she +thought he'd be to get his baby back. She drew her coat closer about her +shoulders and stepped from the porch. The snow had ceased to fall, and +the wind had quieted its turbulent raging. Very cold and quiet, the +whole white night-world seemed. Of a sudden, the solitude was pierced by +a hoarse sound from a sleepy fowl in the great barn below in the +meadows. A night bird uttered a shrill, belligerent cry and sank to +silence in his tree top. Tess turned her head sharply. These life-sounds +out of the dusky beyond came from her friends. She wasn't afraid, only +cold and chilled to her body's depths. Slowly, she went down the drifted +driveway to the Trumansburg road and turned lakeward. She wondered if it +was safe to return home cross-lots when she was so tired. It was shorter +through the fields, but her legs seemed almost unable to bear up her +weight in the deep snow. + +At the top of the hill, opposite the Stebbins' homestead, she crouched +down to rest a moment. Once, she thought she heard a horse. It might +have been, but if so, the animal had passed, for no longer could she +hear the thud of hoofs upon the snow road. Then, something touched her, +and she turned her eyes upward. There, in the sky, was a moon--Was it +her moon, that pale riding thing, taking its way through the white +clouds? How cold it looked, and how cold it was! She shivered, settled a +little in her coat and closed her eyes. A moment later, something +brushed her hand. Slowly, the long red-brown lashes lifted and the +red-brown eyes settled upon a figure bending over her, a figure, white +like one of Mother Moll's conjured ghosts. Tessibel wanted to go to +sleep. Why had the night stranger touched her, just then? Oh, she was +out in the snow. A person ought never to lie down in the snow. Daddy +Skinner had told her so many times. She mustn't sleep. She must get up +instantly--but--her legs were too stiff, too difficult to move. Then, +the figure faded slowly from her vision. How heavy her chest felt. A +moonbeam lay slant-wise across it. That couldn't be so heavy, just a bit +of the moonlight. Why, of course, something else was cradled in the +white beam. Tess looked closer. A babe, as fair as an unblemished rose +leaf, lay straight across her breast and considered her with +unfathomable, interested eyes.... It was Boy--her Boy--she had him back +again. Then, he hadn't been put in a little box in the ground beside +Daddy Skinner. She managed to raise one arm and drop it across the small +body. How lovely he was, this moonbeam babe, so white, so gentle and +dark-haired. + +Tessibel was warmer since he had come to her; her arms no longer +trembled, but her legs seemed to have lost their desire to walk. She +felt glad of that, too, because she was too tired to walk, anyway, and +the baby was very sweet. Then, once more, a long shadow came between her +and the moon and someone bent over her. Ah, 'twas Daddy Skinner, the +same beloved, heavy humped-shoulders--the same precious face, and he was +fondling the moon baby, and twice kissed _her_ with tender, twitching +lips. She smiled happily and moved a little in the snow. She tried to +catch Daddy's hand, tried to call his dear name, but only a little sound +came from her tightened, frozen throat. Then, smiling, Daddy Skinner +went back to the moon, and Tess, drowsily, cuddled the white babling +closer, and went to sleep. + + * * * * * + +Deforrest Young brought his horse to an abrupt standstill. Had he heard +a faint sound off there in the path? With a sudden spring, he +dismounted. Over near the fence, he thought he had seen through the +streak of light a human hand move upward and then sink into the snow. He +paused a moment and shuddered. Had he lost his senses through the +suffering the week had brought him? He shook himself and turned to his +horse again. No silly vision should drag him across a snowdrift on such +a night. He was going home to Tessibel. In hesitant quandary, he still +stood staring west to the rail fence. Then, something impelled him to do +the very thing he had decided would be fruitless. + +One bound took him through the piles of snow at the side of the road. +The lawyer bent down, his heart tightening with fear. A human being lay +close to the fence. Young quickly pulled the face into the moonlight. +The quiet, death-like form was Tessibel Skinner. + +A huge sob tore its way from the lawyer's throat, and burst fiercely +through his teeth. Was she dead, his dearest who had received evil, +perhaps death, for the good she had done? + +Above his head the limbs of a great tree sang their song of winter to +the night. Deforrest remembered Tess had always loved the whispering of +the wind. A low cry followed by words fell from his lips. + +"Love air everywhere the hull time," he sobbed. "Oh, Love, Divine, +merciful Love, protect my pretty child!" + +In another sixty seconds he was pounding through the snow road toward +the lake with a sleeping red-haired girl in his arms. + + * * * * * + +It was broad day when Tessibel opened her eyes. She lay for some time +looking at the ceiling, then around her. She was alone in the room, yes, +in her own room at the lake. Something had hurt her dreadfully, for even +her arms ached so she couldn't move them. She wondered where Andy was, +and Mother Moll, and if Deforrest were home. + +She tried to sit up, but the pains shooting through her body made her +content to be quiet. + +Later, by a few moments, when Deforrest Young opened the door and stole +in, she smiled wanly at him. + +"My little girl's had a good sleep," he said softly, coming forward. +Then, he took her hand and stood looking down upon her, his whole soul +in his eyes. + +"Tessibel," he hesitated, "do you remember what happened last night?" + +Tess stared at him, a little pucker between her eyes. Last night? What +about last night? + +Oh, yes, she did remember. Elsie Waldstricker at the squatters; her own +struggle through the snow to the mansion on the hill; how Waldstricker +had turned her away. + +"Yes, I remember," she whispered. "Did you find me, Uncle Forrie?" + +Sudden tears swept away Young's vision. He nodded his head. + +"And my brother-in-law's downstairs and wants to speak to you, +Tessibel," said he. + +Tess made a negative shake with her head, and a look of fear crept into +her eyes. + +Through Waldstricker's baby she had measured the height of God's love +and forgiveness, and through his own unrighteous arrogancy she had +plumbed the depths of human woe. She thrilled at the thought of little +Elsie, of Helen's joy this birthday of Jesus, the tender teacher of her +youth. She would have welcomed them, but she didn't want to see +Waldstricker. By the crack of his whip, he had destroyed her love-life, +as a bubble from a child's pipe is broken by a gust of wind. But before +she could frame her refusal, Ebenezer Waldstricker appeared in the +doorway. He came forward to the bed and held out his hand. + +"Tessibel," he said huskily, "I'm bowed with shame before you. Child, I +cannot tell you how sorry I am." + +Tess took his hand without the slightest show of hesitation. + +"I'm glad you've got your baby home," she murmured brokenly, and that +was all. + +A great emotion shook Ebenezer's soul as a giant oak is shaken in a +mighty wind. + +"Last night when I sent you away," he explained tensely, "I didn't know +about your bringing her back. I appreciate, child, that's no excuse for +me. Nor did I know, then, that you were married--" + +He stopped, the bitter pain in his throat aching his voice into silence. + +"Mr. Graves is dead," he whispered, "and my sister--" + +"Oh, I'm so sorry for her, Mr. Waldstricker," cried Tess, struggling up. + +Deforrest stepped forward to Ebenezer's side and supported her. + +"Yes, you would be," the elder asserted. "Your heart is so tender.... My +poor little Madelene--I fear the shock will kill her. She doesn't know +yet that she really had no husband." + +Tessibel's eyes grew large with astonishment. Then, Frederick had +exonerated her to Waldstricker. Her eyes sought Deforrest Young's. + +"Mr. Waldstricker told me downstairs about it, my darling," he said +tenderly. "My brave little girl!" + +Tess flashed a sudden look at Ebenezer. + +"Mr. Waldstricker, I never want your sister to know she wasn't Fred--I +mean Mr. Graves' wife," she told him. "It won't do any good and I'd +rather you wouldn't tell her." + +Then, surely, did Tess win from her proud enemy all the respect and +reverence he could bestow on any human being. Ebenezer Waldstricker +lowered his lips and pressed them to the slender hand he held. + +"My dear, my dear," he moaned. "If I could only undo some of it." + +Oh, how Tessibel wanted some of it undone, too. Her red head bowed +slowly over his strong white hand. + +"Oh, Mr. Waldstricker," she burst forth with sobs, "I want my little +baby so bad, so awful bad." + +Ebenezer uttered a groan and wheeling quickly went from the room. + + * * * * * + +Later in the day, when they were alone together, Deforrest sat down +beside Tessibel. + +"Now, you can tell me all about it, child," he said. + +"Yes," whispered Tess; and she did. It was difficult to go back to those +long, terrible years through which she had stumbled in shame and +disgrace, but Deforrest Young upheld her by sympathy and encouragement. +When the pitiful tale was finished, he bent forward and drew her into +his arms. + +"This Christmas is the happiest of my life," he murmured. + +Hearing Andy on the stairs, they'd just taken more conventional +attitudes when he burst into the room. + +"Mother Moll's been havin' a seance all to herself," he grinned, "an' +she says, there's a wedding ring hanging over the brat's head, an' she +said to tell you, Uncle Forrie--" He paused, giggled a little and +ended--"Red curls'll twist around your heart so close ye won't ever get +away." + +Then the dwarf toddled back upstairs, chuckling to himself. + +"Mother Moll's right," whispered Deforrest into the small ear. "I'm the +happiest man in all the world, Tessibel." + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Secret of the Storm Country, by +Grace Miller White + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SECRET OF THE STORM COUNTRY *** + +***** This file should be named 20548.txt or 20548.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/0/5/4/20548/ + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/20548-0.zip b/20548-0.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0b441c5 --- /dev/null +++ b/20548-0.zip diff --git a/20548-h.zip b/20548-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..97e11ff --- /dev/null +++ b/20548-h.zip diff --git a/20548-h/20548-h.htm b/20548-h/20548-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..73f9ec4 --- /dev/null +++ b/20548-h/20548-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,15696 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" +"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" /> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Secret of the Storm Country, by Grace Miller White</title> + +<style type="text/css"> + + p {margin-top: .75em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: .75em;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 {text-align: center; clear: both;} + a {text-decoration: none;} + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + body {margin-left: 11%; margin-right: 10%;} + .pagenum {right: 1%; font-size: x-small; background-color: inherit; color: gray; + text-indent: 0em; text-align: right; position: absolute; + border: 1px solid silver; padding: 1px 3px; font-style: normal; + font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;} + .blockquot {margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + /* horizontal rules present in text */ + hr.full {width: 100%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em;} + hr.major {width: 75%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em;} + hr.minor {width: 30%; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em;} + /* title block present in text */ + td.pr {padding-right: 10px; vertical-align: top;} + p.titleblock {margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; text-indent: 0; text-align: center;} + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + .caption {font-size: smaller;} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's The Secret of the Storm Country, by Grace Miller White + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Secret of the Storm Country + +Author: Grace Miller White + +Illustrator: Lucius W. Hitchcock + +Release Date: February 8, 2007 [EBook #20548] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SECRET OF THE STORM COUNTRY *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="illus-001" id="illus-001"></a> +<img src="images/illus-fpc.jpg" alt=""I CAST THE FIRST STONE," HE SAID SWIFTLY" title="" width="450" height="290" /><br /> +<span class="caption">"I CAST THE FIRST STONE," HE SAID SWIFTLY</span> +</div> + +<hr class="major" /> + +<table width="450" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="" border="1"><tr><td> +<p class="titleblock" style="margin-top: 30px; font-size: 220%;">THE</p> +<p class="titleblock" style="font-size: 220%;">SECRET OF THE</p> +<p class="titleblock" style="font-size: 220%; margin-bottom: 60px;">STORM COUNTRY</p> +<p class="titleblock" style="font-size: 100%;">BY</p> +<p class="titleblock" style="font-size: 140%; margin-bottom: 20px;">GRACE MILLER WHITE</p> +<p class="titleblock" style="font-size: 80%; margin-bottom: 10px;">AUTHOR OF</p> +<p class="titleblock" style="font-size: 80%;">TESS OF THE STORM COUNTRY,</p> +<p class="titleblock" style="font-size: 80%; margin-bottom: 60px;">ROSE O' PARADISE, ETC.</p> +<p class="titleblock" style="font-size: 80%;">ILLUSTRATED BY</p> +<p class="titleblock" style="font-size: 120%; margin-bottom: 60px;">LUCIUS W. HITCHCOCK</p> +<p class="center"><img src="images/illus-emb.png" alt="" width="80" height="77" /></p> +<p class="titleblock" style="font-size: 80%; margin-top: 30px;">NEW YORK</p> +<p class="titleblock" style="font-size: 120%;">GROSSET & DUNLAP</p> +<p class="titleblock" style="font-size: 80%; margin-bottom: 60px;">PUBLISHERS</p> +</td></tr></table> +<p class="center" style="font-size: 80%;">Made in the United States of America</p> + +<hr class="major" /> + +<p class="center" style="font-size:smaller;"> +Copyright, 1916, by<br /> +Woman's World.<br /> +<br /> +Copyright, 1917, by<br /> +Woman's World.<br /> +<br /> +Copyright, 1917, by<br /> +The H. K. Fly Company.<br /> +</p> + +<hr class="major" /> + +<p class="center"> +I Lovingly Dedicate this Book to<br /> +LIL and ARTHUR MILLER<br /> +</p> + +<hr class="major" /> + +<h2><a name="Contents" id="Contents"></a>Contents</h2> +<div class="smcap"> +<table border="0" width="500" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> +<col style="width:20%;" /> +<col style="width:70%;" /> +<col style="width:10%;" /> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right"><span style="font-size: smaller">Chapter</span></td> + <td></td> + <td align="right"><span style="font-size: smaller">Page</span></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">I</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Squatter Folk</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">9</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">II</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Coming of Andy Bishop</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">16</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">III</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">Tessibel Meets Waldstricker</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">25</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">IV</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">Tess and Frederick</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">33</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">V</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">A Gossip With "Satisfied"</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">38</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">VI</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">Waldstricker Makes a Proposal</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">44</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">VII</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">Waldstricker and Mother Moll</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">53</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">VIII</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">Tessibel's Marriage</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">58</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">IX</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Musicale</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">64</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">X</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">A Victim of Circumstances</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">72</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XI</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">Frederick Intimidated</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">80</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XII</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">Making Ready for the Warden</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">86</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XIII</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">Sandy Proposes to Tess</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">94</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XIV</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Warden's Coming</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">99</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XV</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Search</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">105</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XVI</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">Tessibel's Secret</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">112</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XVII</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">Tessibel's Prayer</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">124</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XVIII</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">A Letter</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">131</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XIX</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">Its Answer</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">137</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XX</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">Madelene Complains to Ebenezer</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">144</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXI</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">The End of the Honeymoon</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">149</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXII</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Repudiation</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">152</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXIII</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Quarrel</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">159</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXIV</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">Waldstricker Interferes</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">164</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXV</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Summons</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">168</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXVI</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Churching</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">171</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXVII</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">Daddy Skinner's Death</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">182</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXVIII</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">Young Discovers Andy</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">189</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXIX</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Vigil</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">195</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXX</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">Sandy Comes to Grief</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">202</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXXI</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">Waldstricker's Threat</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI">207</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXXII</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">Helen's Message</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXII">211</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXXIII</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">Hands Stronger Than Waldstricker's</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIII">215</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXXIV</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">Love Air Everywhere the Hull Time</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIV">222</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXXV</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">Boy Skinner</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXV">227</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXXVI</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">Deforrest Decides</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVI">232</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXXVII</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">The New Home</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVII">238</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXXVIII</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">Dinner at Waldstricker's</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVIII">244</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XXXIX</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">Father and Son</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIX">250</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XL</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">Husband and Wife</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XL">256</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XLI</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">Tessibel's Discovery</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLI">261</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XLII</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">A Man's Arm at the Window</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLII">266</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XLIII</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">Sandy's Job</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLIII">271</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XLIV</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">Sandy's Visit</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLIV">276</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XLV</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">Andy Vindicated</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLV">279</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XLVI</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">Sandy's Courting</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLVI">286</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XLVII.</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">Waldstricker's Anger</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLVII.">294</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XLVIII.</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Sins of the Parents</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLVIII.">302</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">XLIX</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">Tessibel and Elsie</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLIX">311</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">L</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">Tessibel's Vision</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_L">321</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">LI</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Christmas Guest</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_LI">328</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">LII</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Storm</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_LII">334</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="pr" align="right">LIII</td> + <td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Happy Day</span></td> + <td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_LIII">339</a></td> +</tr> +</table> +</div> + +<hr class="major" /> + +<h2><a name="Illustrations" id="Illustrations"></a>Illustrations</h2> +<table border="0" width="500" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Illustrations"> +<col style="width:80%;" /> +<col style="width:20%;" /> +<tr><td align="left">"I cast the first stone," he said swiftly</td><td align="right" valign="top"><a href="#illus-001">Frontispiece</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">"I will!" gritted Waldstricker through his teeth, in spite of himself, intensely interested in the old woman's revelations</td><td align="right" valign="top"><a href="#illus-002">32</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">"I was wonderin', little one, when you say your prayers, if you'd pipe one for me"</td><td align="right" valign="top"><a href="#illus-003">112</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">"Hush!" he cried, "haven't you any heart?"</td><td align="right" valign="top"><a href="#illus-004">160</a></td></tr> +</table> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">9</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2><h3><span class="smcap">The Squatter Folk</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>The lazy warmth of a May afternoon, the spring following Orn Skinner's +release from Auburn Prison, was reflected in the attitudes of three men +lounging on the shore in front of "Satisfied" Longman's shack. At their +feet, the waters of Cayuga Lake dimpled under the rays of the western +sun. Like a strip of burnished silver, the inlet wound its way through +the swamp from the elevators and railroad stations near the foot of +south hill. Across the lake rose the precipitous slopes of East Hill, +tapestried in green, etched here and there by stretches of winding white +road, and crowned by the buildings on the campus of Cornell University. +Stretched from the foot of State Street on either side of the Lehigh +Valley track lay the Silent City, its northern end spreading several +miles up the west shore of the Lake. Its inhabitants were canalers, +fishermen and hunters, uneducated, rough and superstitious. They built +their little huts in the simplest manner out of packing boxes and rough +lumber and roofed them with pieces of tin and sheet iron. Squatters they +were appropriately named, because they paid no attention to land titles, +but stuck their shacks wherever fancy indicated or convenience dictated. +The people of the Silent City slept by day and went very quietly about +their work under the cover of darkness, for the game laws compelled the +fishermen to pull their nets at night, and the farmers' chickens were +more easily caught, his fruit more easily picked when the sun was +warming China.</p> + +<p>Summers, their lives were comparatively free from hardships. Fish were +plentiful and easy to take; the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">10</a></span> squatter women picked flowers and +berries in the woods and sold them in the city and the men worked +occasionally, as the fit struck them. But the winters were bitter and +cruel. The countryside, buried deep in snow, made travel difficult. +When the mercury shrank timidly into the bulb and fierce winds howled +down the lake, the Silent City seemed, indeed, the Storm Country.</p> + +<p>"I were up to the Graves' place yesterday, helpin' Professor Young," +said Jake Brewer, the youngest and most active of the three men.</p> + +<p>"Never had no use fer that duffer, Dominie Graves, myself," answered +Longman. The speaker turned a serious face to the third member of the +party. "Ner you nuther, eh, Orn?"</p> + +<p>Orn Skinner was an enormous man, some six and a half feet tall. Two +great humps on his shoulders accentuated the breadth and thickness of +his chest while they tended to conceal the length of his arms. A few +months before he'd been in the death house at Auburn. Through the +efforts of Deforrest Young, the dean of the Law College at Cornell, he'd +been pardoned and sent home.</p> + +<p>The gigantic squatter removed his pipe from his mouth and smoothed the +thready white beard, straggling over his chin.</p> + +<p>"Nope, I hated 'im," he muttered. "He done me dirt 'nough. If it hadn't +been fer Tess an' Lawyer Young, he'd a hung me sure."</p> + +<p>"Ye didn't git the deed to yer shack land afore he died, did ye, Orn?" +interrupted "Satisfied" Longman. "Tessibel told ma the preacher promised +it to ye."</p> + +<p>A moody expression settled in Skinner's eyes. "So he did promise it," he +explained. "He writ Tess a letter. He said as how he were sorry for his +meanness an' would give me the deed. But he didn't!"</p> + +<p>A shrill voice calling his name brought "Satisfied" Longman to his feet, +and he hobbled away toward the shack.</p> + +<p>"'Pears like 'Satisfied' ain't got much strength any more," said +Skinner. "He ain't been worth much of anythin' sence I got back."</p> + +<p>"Him an' Ma Longman've failed a lot sence Myry<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">11</a></span> an' Ezry died," agreed +Jake. "An' no wonder! Them two didn't amount to much to my way o' +thinkin', but their pa an' ma set considerable store by 'em ... Ben +Letts were a bad 'un, too. It used to make me plumb ugly to see 'im +botherin' Tess when ye was shet up, Orn, an' him all the time the daddy +of Myry's brat."</p> + +<p>"Yep, Ben were bad," agreed Skinner. "I were sure he done the shootin', +but 'tweren't till Ezry swore he saw 'im that the lawyer could prove I +didn't do it. But Tess says Myry loved Ben. Women air queer critters, +ain't they?"</p> + +<p>"Myry sure was," assented Brewer, thoughtfully. "In spite of Ezry's +tellin' her, Ben'd most drowned him, an' done the killin' they was goin' +to hang you fer, up she gits an' takes the brat an' goes off with Ben. +It were the worst storm of the year. No wonder him, Myry an' their brat +all was drowned."</p> + +<p>Longman, coming out of the shack, overheard the last remark. The other +two fell silent. After he'd sat down again, he dissipated their +embarrassment by saying,</p> + +<p>"But Tess says Myry air happy now 'cause she air got Ben. Fer myself, I +dunno, though. But, if Myry air satisfied, me an' ma air satisfied, +too."</p> + +<p>The other two nodded in solemn sympathy. After a moment, Jake took out +his pipe and filled it. Holding the lighted match above the bowl, he +glanced at Skinner.</p> + +<p>"Where air Tess?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"She air up to Young's. He air learnin' her book stuff, an' his sister +air helpin' the brat sing. It air astonishin' how the brat takes to it. +Jest like a duck to water."</p> + +<p>"Tess air awful smart," sighed Longman, "an' she air awful good, too. +She sings fer ma 'most every day. I heard her only yesterday, somethin' +'bout New Jerusylem. Ma loves Tessibel's singin'."</p> + +<p>Then, for perhaps the space of three minutes, they lapsed into silence. +At length, Jake Brewer spoke,</p> + +<p>"Be ye goin' to let her marry the Student Graves, Orn?" he asked.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">12</a></span></p> + +<p>"I dunno," Skinner muttered, "but I know this much, I don't like high +born pups like him hangin' 'round my girl. 'Tain't fittin' an' I told +Tess so!"</p> + +<p>Orn knocked the ashes out of his pipe and rose slowly.</p> + +<p>"Guess I'll be moseyin' 'long, pals," he smiled. "The brat'll be back +'fore long."</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute, Orn," Longman broke in. "Ma's got some pork an' beans +she wants to send up to Mother Moll. She thought, mebbe, Tess'd take 'em +to 'er."</p> + +<p>"Sure, 'Satisfied,' I'll take 'em home an' the brat'll take 'em up the +ravine next time she goes to the professor's."</p> + +<p>"Mother Moll were the only one of us all," Jake told Skinner, while +Longman was in the shack, "what stood by Tess. She allers says Tess air +a goin' to surprise us all. She says as how the brat'll be rich an' have +a fine home. I dunno—but old Moll do tell the future right good when +she looks in the pot."</p> + +<p>"She told the brat I were comin' home from Auburn," added Skinner, "when +it looked certain I were goin' to hang."</p> + +<p>Longman came out of the shack with a pan in his hands.</p> + +<p>"Yep," he corroborated. "An' she told ma years ago she'd lose her brats +in a storm. Old Moll air a wise woman, all right."</p> + +<p>The dish of beans in his hand, the Bible-backed fisherman directed his +steps toward his own home, some distance away beyond the ragged rocks.</p> + +<p>The old squatter walked slowly. His health had broken in prison and his +strength seemed hardly sufficient to move the big body. The path, an +outcropping ledge of the precipitous cliff, was very narrow because of +the unusually high level of the water in the lake. Picking his way +slowly, he considered reminiscently the events which had almost +destroyed him.</p> + +<p>He recalled the long years of monotonous existence in the shack, the +hard nights pulling the nets and the varied scrapes Tess had tumbled +into. Then, suddenly, came the shooting of the game keeper, his own +arrest, trial and conviction. The white glare of hateful<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">13</a></span> publicity had +been thrown, without warning, upon him and his motherless brat. He'd +been torn away from his quiet haunts at the lake side and shut up in the +narrow confines of a fetid cell. The enforced separation from his +daughter, at the critical period between girl and womanhood, had left +her alone in the shanty and exposed her to countless perils and +hardships. Unmitigated calamities, especially the long imprisonment, +they had seemed at the time, but the event proved otherwise.</p> + +<p>Friends had arisen and helped him establish his innocence and win his +pardon. The responsibilities thrown upon the squatter girl had been met +with love and courage and had disciplined her high temper and awakened +her ambition. The dirt and disorder that had formerly obtained in the +shack had disappeared. Her housewifely arts had transformed the hut into +a comfortable home, rough to be sure, small and inadequate, but +immaculate and satisfactory.</p> + +<p>The shanty stood on a little point of land projecting into the lake. +Huge weeping willows shrouded it from the sun in summer. They mourned +and murmured of the past, when the breezes of morning and evening +stirred their whispering leaves. Their bare limbs thrashed and pounded +the tin roof when the storm winds tore down the lake. In front and to +one side, Tessibel's new privet hedge shone a dark, dusky green, and the +flower beds were beginning to show orderly life through the blackish +mold. The shack itself was rather more pretentious than most of the +squatter shanties. It had two rooms and was thoroughly battened against +the storms.</p> + +<p>Coming into the path, Orn met his daughter and went with her to the +house.</p> + +<p>The greatest change the year had brought was in the girl herself. She +had ripened into the early maturity common to the squatter woman. She +was no longer the red-haired tatterdemalion who had romped over the +rocks and quarreled with the boys of the Silent City. Her tom-boy days, +amid the ceaseless struggles against the hardships of the Storm Country, +gave to her slender body strength and lent to it poise and grace.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">14</a></span> +Bright brown eyes lighted by loving intelligence illumined her face, +tanned by sun and wind, but very sweet and winsome, especially when the +curving red lips melted into a smile. A profusion of burnished red +curls, falling about her shoulders almost to her hips, completed the +vivid picture. Tess of the Storm Country, the animate expression of the +joy and beauty of the lake side in spring, was the boast of the Silent +City.</p> + +<hr class="minor" /> + +<p>Late that same night, Tessibel lay asleep in the front room of the +shanty. Four miles to the south, Ithaca, too, slept,—the wholesome +sleep of a small country town, while Cayuga Lake gleamed and glistened +in the moonlight, as if fairies were tumbling it with powdered fingers. +Above both town and span of water, Cornell University loomed darkly on +the hill, the natural skyline sharply cut by its towers and spires.</p> + +<p>An unusual sound awakened her. She lifted her lids and glanced about +drowsily, then propped herself on one elbow. Her sleep-laden eyes fell +upon the white light slanting across the rough shanty floor. Suddenly, +like a dark ghost, a shadow darted into it—the shadow of a human head.</p> + +<p>At the first glimpse at it, Tessibel looked cautiously toward the +window, and there, as in a frame, was a face—a man's face. Tess dropped +on her pillow. For possibly two minutes, she lay quietly waiting, while +the shadow moved curiously to and fro on the floor. Twice the head +disappeared, and as suddenly returned, poised a moment, then, like an +image moving across a screen, was gone. Instantly Tess sat straight up +in bed. Perhaps one of the squatters needed her. She crept to the floor, +yawning, tiptoed to the door, and unbarred it. Without pausing to cover +her feet, she stepped outside, the fresh scent of May blossoms sweeping +sweet to her nostrils. The warm night-wind, full of elusive odors, +brushed her face like thready cobwebs, that broke at her touch, only to +caress her anew.</p> + +<p>Midnight held no fear for Tessibel, for she loved every living creature, +those traveling by day being no dearer than those flying by night. She +felt no deeper thrills for the bright-winged birds singing in the sun<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">15</a></span> +than for yonder owl who screeched at her, now, from the weeping willow +tree.</p> + +<p>After picking her way to the front of the shanty, she made a tour of the +house and encircled the mud cellar, calling softly the while. No one +appeared; no voice, either of friend or stranger, answered the +persuasive importunity of Tessibel. But, after she was again in the +doorway, she heard north of the shanty the crackling of twigs as if some +stealthy animal were crawling over them. If there were an intruder, he'd +gone, and the girl, satisfied, went back into the house and once more +lay down to sleep.</p> + +<p>When she woke again, Daddy Skinner was moving softly near the stove, +kindling the fire, and Tessibel lay in languid silence. She watched him +yearningly until he felt her gaze and looked at her. His twisted smile +of greeting brought an exclamation of love from the girl. All the +inhabitants of the Silent City knew this crippled old man could play on +the emotions of his lovely young daughter as the morning sun plays upon +the sensibilities of the lark. How she adored him, in spite of his great +humps and his now hobbling legs!</p> + +<p>Soon, her father went to the lake for a pail of water, and she sprang +from the cot and dressed hastily.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">16</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2><h3><span class="smcap">The Coming of Andy Bishop</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>Later in the forenoon, when Tessibel returned home from an errand to +Kennedys', she found Daddy Skinner on the bench at the side of the +shanty, one horny hand clutching the bowl of a pipe in which the ashes +were dead. It took but one sharp glance from the red-brown eyes for Tess +to note that his face was white, almost grey; she saw, too, with a +quiver of loving sympathy, that his lower lip hung away from his dark +teeth as though he suffered. She sprang toward him, and dropped to her +knees, at his side.</p> + +<p>"Daddy Skinner!" she exclaimed. "Daddy Skinner, ye're sick! Ye're sick, +darlin'!... Tell me, Daddy, what air the matter? Tell Tessibel."</p> + +<p>She laid her hand tenderly on his chest. His heart was beating a heavy +tattoo against the blue gingham shirt.</p> + +<p>"Ye hurt here?" she queried breathlessly.</p> + +<p>The pipe dropped to the soft sand, and Skinner's crooked fingers fell +upon the profusion of red curls. Then he slowly tilted up her face.</p> + +<p>"Yep, I hurt in there!" he muttered brokenly.</p> + +<p>And as ashen and more ashen grew the wrinkled old countenance, Tessibel +cried out sharply in protest.</p> + +<p>"Why, Daddy, what d'ye mean by yer heart's hurtin' ye?... What do ye +mean, Daddy?... I thought the doctor'd fixed yer heart so it wouldn't +pain ye no more."</p> + +<p>The man considered the appealing young face an instant.</p> + +<p>"I want to talk to ye about somethin'," said he, presently, "and I know +ye'll never tell anythin' Daddy tells ye."</p> + +<p>With a little shake of her head that set the tawny curls a-tremble, +Tessibel squatted back on her feet.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">17</a></span></p> + +<p>"'Course I won't tell nobody, but if ye've got a pain in yer heart, +daddy, the doctor—"</p> + +<p>"I don't need no doctor, brat. I jest—jest got to talk to ye, that air +all."</p> + +<p>A slender girlish figure cuddled between Daddy Skinner's knees, and warm +young lips met his. Never had Tess seen him look just that way, not even +when he had been taken from her to prison. The expression on his face +was hopeless, forlornly hopeless, and to wait until he began to speak +took all the patience the eager girl-soul could muster.</p> + +<p>"Brat, dear," he sighed at length, "I ain't needin' to tell ye again +what I went through in Auburn, hev I?"</p> + +<p>Brown eyes, frightened and fascinated, sought and found the faded greys.</p> + +<p>"'Course not, Daddy Skinner! But what fer air ye talkin' about Auburn +Prison?... Ye promised me, Daddy, ye'd forgit all about them days, an' +now what're ye rememberin' 'em fer?"</p> + +<p>Skinner's face blanched, and drops of sweat formed in the spaces behind +his ears and trickled in little streams down his neck.</p> + +<p>"I got to remember 'em, child," he groaned.</p> + +<p>"What fer I want to know? Ye'd best make a hustle an' tell me or, in a +minute, I'll be gettin' awful mad."</p> + +<p>The pleading, sorrowful face belied the threat, and a pair of red lips +touched Skinner's hand between almost every word.</p> + +<p>"Do ye bring to mind my tellin' ye about any of the fellers up there, +Tessibel?" came at length from the man's shaking lips.</p> + +<p>Tess stroked his arm lovingly.</p> + +<p>"Sure, Daddy, I remember 'bout lots of 'em, an' how good they be, an' +how kind, an' how none of 'em be guilty."</p> + +<p>"Ye bet none of 'em be guilty," muttered Daddy Skinner. "Nobody air ever +guilty who gets in jail.... Folks be mostly guilty that air out o' +prison to my mind."</p> + +<p>"That air true, Daddy Skinner," she assented, smiling. "Sure it air +true, but it ain't no good reason fer<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">18</a></span> you to be yappin' 'bout Auburn, +air it?... Now git that look out of yer eyes, an' tell Tessibel what air +troublin' ye!"</p> + +<p>But Daddy Skinner's grave old face still kept its set expression. The +haunted look, born in his eyes in the Ithaca Jail, had returned after +all these happy months. Tess was frantic with apprehension and dread.</p> + +<p>"Ye know well's ye're born, Daddy, nobody can hurt ye," she told him +strenuously. "Ye've got Tessibel, and ye've got—" She was about to say, +"Frederick," but substituted, "Professor Young."</p> + +<p>The girl lovingly slipped her fingers over her father's heavy hand and +drew it from her curls.</p> + +<p>"Ye're goin' to peel it off to me now, ain't ye?" she coaxed.</p> + +<p>"Let's go inside the shanty," said the fisherman, in a thick voice.</p> + +<p>With the door closed and barred, the father and daughter sat for some +time in troubled silence.</p> + +<p>"I asked if ye remembered some of my pals in Auburn Prison, an' ye said +ye did, didn't ye, Tessibel?" asked Skinner, suddenly.</p> + +<p>Tess gave an impatient twist of her shoulders.</p> + +<p>"An' I told ye I did, Daddy," she replied. "'Course I do. I ain't never +forgot nobody who were good to you, honey."</p> + +<p>"An' ye're pretty well satisfied, ain't ye, brat, most of 'em there air +innercent?"</p> + +<p>"Ye bet, Daddy darlin', I air that!"</p> + +<p>"Well, what if one of them men who were good to yer old father'd come +an' ask ye to do somethin' for 'im?"</p> + +<p>With an upward movement of her head, Tessibel scrambled to her feet.</p> + +<p>"Why, I'd help 'im!" she cried in one short, quick breath. "I'd help +'im; 'course I would."</p> + +<p>"An' ye'd always keep it a secret?"</p> + +<p>"Keep what a secret?"</p> + +<p>Daddy Skinner's face grew furtive with fear.</p> + +<p>"Why—well now, s'posin' Andy Bishop—ye remember Andy, the little man I +told ye about, the weenty, little dwarf who squatted near Glenwood?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">19</a></span></p> + +<p>Tess nodded, and the fisherman went on, hesitant.</p> + +<p>"He—were accused—of murderin'—"</p> + +<p>"Waldstricker—Ebenezer Waldstricker's father?" interjected Tess. "Sure, +I remember!" Her eyes widened in anxiety. "Andy were sent up there fer +all his life, weren't he? An' weren't he the one Sandy Letts swore +agin?... 'Satisfied' Longman says Waldstricker give Sandy money for +tellin' the jury what he did."</p> + +<p>"Like as not," answered Skinner. "Anyhow, Bishop were there fer life! He +air been there five years a innercent man.... My God, <i>Auburn fer five +years</i>!"</p> + +<p>The last four words were wailed forth, the look of hopeless horror +deepening in his old eyes. Then he threw back his shoulders and spoke +directly to Tess.</p> + +<p>"Well, what if he skipped out o' jail, an' what if he'd come here an' +say, 'Kid, 'cause what I done fer yer dad, now you do somethin' fer +me!'"</p> + +<p>Tess was trembling with excitement as she stood before her father. The +generosity of her loving nature instinctively responded to his apparent +need. She was instantly eager to show her love and loyalty.</p> + +<p>"I'd do it, Daddy!" she exploded. "I'd do it quick!"</p> + +<p>"But what if—if—if—if—it made ye lots of trouble an'—an'—mebbe +some of yer friends—if they found it out—wouldn't think 'twere right?"</p> + +<p>A queer, obstinate expression lived a moment in the girl's eyes. Then +she smiled.</p> + +<p>"I ain't got no friends who'd say it were wrong to help somebody what'd +helped my darlin' old daddy."</p> + +<p>Skinner bent his heavy brows in a troubled frown over stern eyes.</p> + +<p>"But ye couldn't tell yer friends about it, kid," he cautioned.</p> + +<p>A mist shone around the girl's thick lashes.</p> + +<p>"Daddy, ye know I never blat things I hadn't ought to.... Slide yer arms +'round yer brat's neck, look 'er straight in the eye, an' tell 'er 'bout +Andy; an' if she can help, she sure will."</p> + +<p>A noise in the vicinity of the cot gave Tessibel an involuntary start. +She turned her head slowly and saw two feet protruding from under her +bed. Clinging to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">20</a></span> Daddy Skinner, she watched, with widening lids, a +dwarfed figure crawl slowly into full view, and Tess found herself +staring into a pair of beautiful, boyish, blue eyes.</p> + +<p>A slow smile broke over the dwarf's face.</p> + +<p>"Yer brat's the right sort, Orn," he cried, in the sweetest tenor voice +Tess ever heard. "Ye don't need to make her promise no more.... Her word +air good's God's law."</p> + +<p>"So it air, Andy," replied Orn. "Tessibel, this air my friend, Andy +Bishop, an' he were a good pal, as good as any man ever had."</p> + +<p>For one single, tensely-strung moment, Tessibel contemplated the ugly +little figure and the upraised, appealing face. Then as a sudden sense +of protection spurred her to immediate action, she sent back a welcoming +smile. Two or three quick steps took her to the dwarf's side.</p> + +<p>"I air going' to help ye, Andy," she announced brokenly. "Ye was in +prison fer life, wasn't ye, huh?"</p> + +<p>"Yep, an'—an' I broke out, kid.... An' I ain't able to tell how I done +it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, never mind that!" soothed Tessibel. "Ye was lookin' in the window +last night, wasn't ye?"</p> + +<p>The dwarf rolled his eyes at the squatter, then back to the girl.</p> + +<p>"Yep, that were me, but I didn't do no murder, brat; that air the main +thing an' Sandy Letts lied when he told the jury I done it."</p> + +<p>"He said as how ye gunned Ebenezer Waldstricker's father, eh?" Tess +interrupted. "Eb air the richest man in Ithaca, an' him an' his sister +air been to Europe, but they come back early in the spring. I see 'em +every Sunday at Hayt's when I go there to sing. He air goin' to marry +Mr. Young's sister, Helen, an' he air gittin' some pink peach when he +gets her, ye can bet on that."</p> + +<p>"But he'll get me by my neck if he can," lamented the dwarf, in despair. +"Waldstricker air a mean duffer—a mighty mean duffer."</p> + +<p>"He air awful religious," reflected Tess, soberly. "I s'posed he were +awful good."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">21</a></span></p> + +<p>The dwarf made a gesture of disgust with his hand.</p> + +<p>"Well, good or bad, I never killed his daddy," he returned. "I saw Owen +Bennett when he done it, but him an' Sandy socked it off on me. I got +life an' Owen got ten years.... There ain't no makin' him own up he done +it, air there, Orn?"</p> + +<p>"Nope," mumbled the fisherman. "Most men won't take life sentence by +confessin' when by keepin' still they c'n git off with ten years."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Waldstricker air a awful big, handsome lookin' man," asserted Tess, +thoughtfully. "Folks says he air good to the poor, too. He air the +biggest, fattest, elegantest elder in our church."</p> + +<p>Andy flipped his fingers in the air and summed up what he thought of the +last statement in five words.</p> + +<p>"Shucks! That fer the church," mocked he.</p> + +<p>"It air just like Sandy Letts to lie about ye," remarked Tess, changing +the subject abruptly. "There ain't a hatefuller man in the Silent City +'n him. He makes a pile of money, though.... Once last fall he dragged +the lake fer two students an' got a thousand apiece fer handin' 'em over +to their folks, dead."</p> + +<p>"He'd git five thousand fer handin' me over to Waldstricker, alive," +replied Andy, solemnly. "I wouldn't a gone up if 't 'adn't been fer him. +He can lie faster'n a horse can trot."</p> + +<p>Heaving a deep sigh, Orn turned to his daughter.</p> + +<p>"What we goin' to do with my pal, Tess?" he asked. "He's got to keep out +of sight of folks.... Eb Waldstricker's five thousand bucks fer gettin' +'im back to Auburn will be settin' men like Sandy flyin' all over the +state."</p> + +<p>The dwarf shivered from the top of his head to the soles of his feet.</p> + +<p>"I don't want 'em to git me," he whimpered disconsolately. "Ye won't let +'em git me, will ye, Orn?... Will ye, kid?"</p> + +<p>Tess cheered the dwarf's despairing mood by a reassuring smile and +confident nods of the shining curls.</p> + +<p>"Nope," she promptly promised.</p> + +<p>And, "Nope," repeated Orn, grimly. "Git back under the bed, now, old +man. Any minute Sandy might<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">22</a></span> be comin' in. Ye can't depend on that +squatter. He'd steal the pennies off'n his dead mammy's eyes."</p> + +<p>As was her habit when thinking, Tess threaded her fingers through +several red curls, while her eyes followed Andy Bishop crawling feet +first under her cot.</p> + +<p>"I bet ye didn't do nothin' wicked, ye poor little shaver," she +remarked.</p> + +<p>"Bet I didn't do no Waldstricker murder," answered the dwarf.</p> + +<p>"I know where I can hide 'im," she then said, with a satisfied smile. +"I'll fix up the garret fer 'im. 'Tain't very big, but no one but me +ever goes up there. You, there, under the bed, ye ain't 'fraid of bats +or owls, air ye?"</p> + +<p>"Nope," came forth a sweet voice. "I ain't 'fraid of nothin' nor nobody +but Ed Waldstricker and Sandy Letts."</p> + +<p>Tess giggled in glee.</p> + +<p>"Well, they nuther one of 'em gits in my garret if I see 'em first," +said she, "an' the owls air as tame as cats, an' 'll be company when +ye're lonely nights. Deacon air the speckled one an' he loves every inch +of Daddy an' me. If ye're good to 'im, he'll love you, too, Andy." +Turning to her father, "The person what'll help Andy air Professor +Young, I bet."</p> + +<p>Daddy Skinner's face fell perceptibly, and two long lines marked off the +sides of his nose.</p> + +<p>"Who's he?" came from under the bed in a stifled breath.</p> + +<p>"He air a awful nice man," explained Tess. "He lives in Graves' old +place on the hill, an' he learns me new things out of books every +day.... His sister's teachin' me to sew, too. I told ye she air goin' to +marry—"</p> + +<p>"Tessibel," interrupted Skinner, gravely fearful. "Ye said jest now +Waldstricker were a goin' to marry Young's sister. That makes them two +families kinda like one. Ye bet Young'd stand by his sister's man.... +See?... Besides that, Young air a lawyer, an' if ye tell 'im about Andy, +it'll sure be 'is duty to pinch 'im an' put 'im back where he were."</p> + +<p>"He helped you once, Daddy!" the girl rebuked him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">23</a></span></p> + +<p>"But I were in jail all the time, don't ye see the difference, brat?... +Till 'twere proved Ben Letts done the murder, I were kept in jail, too, +an' they'll put Andy back if ye say anythin' to Young 'bout it."</p> + +<p>"They sure will," came the dwarf's sobbing tones.</p> + +<p>Tessibel sighed.</p> + +<p>"Well, us uns'll have to keep our clacks shut 'bout 'is bein' here, +then," she acquiesced, "an'—an'—Andy'll have to keep in the garret +till the man in Auburn coughs up, that air all, huh?... He can come down +sometimes when it air a rainin' hard or dark nights when there ain't +nobody around, an'—an'—darlin', ye can offen chat with 'im when I air +outside watchin' fer folks.... Now, can't ye, Daddy?"</p> + +<p>The young speaker went close to her father, smiling. She wanted to chase +that hunted look from his eyes, to make him feel a little more secure +about his prison friend.</p> + +<p>"Please don't be lookin' like that, sweety," she pleaded. "Ye're just +like ye was goin' dead.... I tell ye nobody'll hurt the poor little +feller in the garret.... I'll see to that.... I'll fix it up all comfy +fer 'im."</p> + +<p>With this idea of future protection for the little man, Tessibel began +to reconstruct the shanty. Dark curtains were hung at the square little +windows, for it was quite a daily occurrence for Sandy Letts to peek +through them before entering the door. Tessibel didn't wish to shut out +the sunshine and moonbeams, but then there was Andy Bishop to think of, +and Andy already had a warmer place in the squatter girl's heart than +even the sun or moon. Tessibel was beginning to love him, not only +because he'd been a friend to Daddy, but on his own account, because he +was a soul in torment and needed her.</p> + +<p>It took quite three hours to arrange the garret for the dwarf's +occupancy. There were many pieces of fishing tackle to be sorted and +hung in the kitchen rafters. The nuts that had been spread out on the +floor to dry, now had to be gathered in sacks and stored in the mud +cellar. The cobwebs must come down, and a cotton tick filled with new, +fresh straw to be put in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">24</a></span> garret. It was about three o'clock when +Tessibel ushered the little man up the ladder and displayed the clean +attic.</p> + +<p>"'Tain't high 'nough fer me to stand up in," she told him, "but ye'll +get along all right, an' I air goin' to fix ye somethin' so ye can see +to read.... Can ye read?"</p> + +<p>"Sure, I can read." Andy's voice rang with pride. "My ma, she's dead +now, she learned me how, she did!"</p> + +<p>"Then I'll get ye lots of books," replied Tess, "an' ye'd best always +keep hid less'n I let ye down, 'cause Sandy might catch onto yer bein' +here. Waldstricker's money'll set loose a lot of sneaks like him lookin' +fer ye!"</p> + +<p>Late that afternoon the dwarf ate his first meal in the garret, and +Tessibel and Orn Skinner ate theirs at the table, but the conversation +of the father and daughter intermingled now and then with a soft +statement or a question from above, and there was happiness in the +Skinner hut.</p> + +<p>As soon as they finished supper, Tess went to the foot of the ladder and +called softly.</p> + +<p>"I air goin' to tell ye somethin', Andy,—ye listenin'?"</p> + +<p>"Yep, brat. Sure, I air listenin'."</p> + +<p>"I air a goin' somewheres to find out somethin'," announced the girl +mysteriously. "Mebbe when I get back I'll tell ye what ye'll like to +hear.... Ye'll stay hid, won't ye?"</p> + +<p>"Sure so," agreed Andy.</p> + +<p>After bending to kiss her father affectionately, the girl said to him,</p> + +<p>"Now, Daddy, I air goin' out a little while, an' you two be awful +careful how loud ye talk.... Somebody might hear ye!"</p> + +<p>And for a short moment after the girl had gone there was silence in the +shack. Then a prolonged sigh drifted from the garret.</p> + +<p>"My God, Orn, but she air a fine young thing fer ye to be fatherin', +huh? Ain't she?"</p> + +<p>Andy's voice, though but little more than a whisper, expressed his +wonder and admiration.</p> + +<p>"God's best," muttered Orn, and once more they lapsed into the +companionable silence of good friends.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">25</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2><h3><span class="smcap">Tessibel Meets Waldstricker</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>The shanty door closed behind Tessibel, and her hand still on the knob, +she hesitated a moment before starting for Mother Moll's. The girl had +kept her promise of the year before, for every week she had caught and +cleaned a mess of fish and carried them up the ravine to the woman's +shanty. But today, Tess wanted to consult the seeress about Andy. She +believed implicitly in the fortune-pot. Hadn't the old, old hag told +her, long ago, when Daddy Skinner was in prison, that the state couldn't +hurt him, and other things, too?</p> + +<p>Turning into the lane up the hill, she met Sandy Letts carrying his drag +and a great coil of rope.</p> + +<p>"Hello, kid," he greeted her. "How air yer Daddy?"</p> + +<p>He eased his load to the ground and straightened up, slowly stretched +his mighty arms, and shrugged the stiffness out of his powerful +shoulders. Sandy and his burden filled most of the path.</p> + +<p>Tess, desiring to avoid contact with him, stopped a few paces away.</p> + +<p>"Daddy ain't so well these days, Sandy," she answered. "His heart hurts +'im."</p> + +<p>"Ain't that too bad?" the man sympathized. "But, then, brat, yer daddy +ain't so young as he were once. Reckon he air not long fer this world. +When yer Daddy croaks, what'll you do, Tess? Ye'll need a home. Ye ought +to be gettin' a man."</p> + +<p>The squatter'd stepped forward directly in front of her while he was +urging his suit.</p> + +<p>"My daddy ain't old an' he ain't goin' to die, uther," flared Tess, an +angry light in her brown eyes. Oh, how she loathed and hated this fellow +who blocked her way! "You shan't say such things about my daddy! I don't +want any man but 'im." Noting his unshaven cheeks, loose hanging lips, +the lips and his large irregular teeth discolored with tobacco, the girl +drew back with a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">26</a></span> gesture of instinctive repulsion. "I wouldn't take you +anyway."</p> + +<p>Instead of answering her, the squatter placed his great hands upon her +shoulders, and holding her thus at arm's length, looked down at her. Her +straight young figure, glowing face, and flaming eyes under the ruddy +aureole of her hair made a picture of grace, beauty and passion that +would have fascinated a more fastidious observer than Sandy Letts.</p> + +<p>"God, girl, but ye air a beauty!" he cried, enraptured.</p> + +<p>Tessibel's struggles to get away from the grip of the heavy hands +aroused the evil passions of the man's nature into insistent activity.</p> + +<p>"Here, brat, give yer man a kiss," he commanded, and at the words, his +hands slipped from her shoulders, and his strong arms began to close +around her body. His face was so close she had to force her hand in +between his lips and hers. Then she made a desperate struggle. Rearing +the red head backward, she succeeded only in freeing herself partially.</p> + +<p>"You let me go, you Sandy!" she cried out sharply. "I'll tell my Daddy +on you. Let me go!"</p> + +<p>Then she went at him, kicking his shins with her feet, poking him with +her knees, and gouging his eyes and digging his face with her nails. As +well might Sandy try to make love to a cornered wildcat. He threw her +from him, and Tess, springing up, uninjured, raced up the hill. Sandy's +words, broken by fierce oaths, overtook her,</p> + +<p>"You just wait! I'll tame ye yet, ye devilish brat, ye!"</p> + +<p>At the top of the lane, Tess stopped to get breath. The familiar sounds +of the early summer evening assailed her ears. The narrow lake shone in +the clear light of the dying day like a broad strip of silver set in the +bosom of the hills. Her eyes rejoiced in its calm beauty, and a feeling +of peace and security grew in her thought.</p> + +<p>Tess was about to cross the ravine when a step behind her caused her to +turn. Ebenezer Waldstricker, riding whip in hand, was coming toward her. +At his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">27</a></span> unexpected appearance, the blood fled from her face, leaving her +quite pale and trembling. This was the man who was seeking Andy Bishop +as at one time Dominie Graves had sought her father. How lordly he +seemed, looking down upon her unsmilingly from his great height. +Arrogantly he surveyed her from head to foot.</p> + +<p>"You're the little church singer, aren't you?" he questioned after a +while.</p> + +<p>Tess noticed with fascination that one corner of his mouth curled up as +if smiling, while the other was rigidly drawn down. She'd never seen an +expression just like that before.</p> + +<p>"Yep," she murmured, dropping her lids.</p> + +<p>"Where are you going?" asked the man, tersely.</p> + +<p>Tess glanced about. She wanted to turn and run, anywhere to escape from +the brilliant dark eyes and the unmatched lips.</p> + +<p>"I were goin' to see Mother Moll," she stammered, slowly. "She lives +over there in the gully." She hesitated, pointing to Moll's shack. +"Sometimes she reads out of the fortune-pot fer me."</p> + +<p>Waldstricker glanced first at the little hut, then back at Tess.</p> + +<p>"You don't mean you have faith in witchcraft?" he ejaculated, +incredulously. "Why, girl, that's positively against the Bible +commandments."</p> + +<p>"Air it? Well I swan!" She nodded her head as though digesting a new +idea. "Anyway, Mother Moll always tells me the truth. She can see things +comin' years and years."</p> + +<p>Waldstricker contemplated the grave young face for an instant, noting +involuntarily the abundance and beauty of the wind-blown hair. He turned +about on the path.</p> + +<p>"I shall go with you," he said.</p> + +<p>Her desire to forbid the proposed visit, struggling with her awe of the +powerful man at her side, confused her. She couldn't think clearly. She +twisted her fingers into her red curls.</p> + +<p>"I'd ruther ye wouldn't," she explained. "Ma Moll hates strangers +worser'n she does the old nick!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">28</a></span></p> + +<p>Waldstricker ignored the girl's speech except that the frown deepened on +his brow.</p> + +<p>"Nevertheless I'm going," he returned, sternly. "I can't realize that +God-fearing men and women have such iniquity among them. Come on; I'll +go with you!"</p> + +<p>Tess would gladly have deferred her visit until another day, and +returned home, but she feared he'd follow her there. Here was a man of +whom she was heartily afraid, and as she dared not defy him, she +obediently walked across the gully bridge, and hurried along the path.</p> + +<p>Then she paused, looking at Mother Moll's shack, snuggled in a jut in +the ravine. It was quite close now. Tess knew the witch was at home, for +a thin line of smoke drifted zig-zag from the toppling chimney.</p> + +<p>She looked back and found Waldstricker eyeing her. She noted both +corners of his lips were down now.</p> + +<p>"I came from Ithaca purposely to see you and your father," said he.</p> + +<p>Tess was so startled she took two sudden steps backward.</p> + +<p>"My daddy ain't very well!" she exclaimed, nervously. "He don't like +strange folks comin' around, Daddy don't."</p> + +<p>Waldstricker shrugged his shoulders indifferently.</p> + +<p>"However, I must see him," he responded.</p> + +<p>Tessibel felt a surging anger against this man. He had the same +imperious bearing she remembered in Dominie Graves.</p> + +<p>"What fer? What d'ye want to see Daddy fer?" Her voice was compelling.</p> + +<p>"About a matter that may make him a lot of money," the man explained, +pompously. "When may I come?"</p> + +<p>She considered a moment before replying. This put a different face on +the matter.</p> + +<p>"Could ye come tomorrow?" she demanded finally.</p> + +<p>"Yes, at two, then. Tell your father, please."</p> + +<p>"All right," muttered Tess.</p> + +<p>Waldstricker's whip cut a cluster of wild flowers and nipped clean the +stems of their upraised heads.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" cried Tess, sharply, hurt to the quick.</p> + +<p>As if reading her thoughts, he retorted,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">29</a></span> "A flower hasn't a soul, so +what does it matter?"</p> + +<p>Tess turned tear-dimmed eyes from him to Mother Moll's shack. Shocked at +his brutality, his arrogant cruelty to the flowers she cherished so +tenderly left her dumb. That his statement was false, she knew. To her +the flowers expressed Love's sweetness and beauty, but she couldn't +explain her faith to this haughty, dictatorial millionaire at her side.</p> + +<p>She was all of a tremble as she mounted the narrow shanty steps.</p> + +<p>An aged voice croaked, "Come in," in response to her knock. Before +pulling the latch string, Tessibel paused and said to Waldstricker,</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute! I'll go first, an' tell Mother Moll you're here."</p> + +<p>She crossed the threshold and saw the old woman swaying to and fro in a +wooden rocker.</p> + +<p>"It air Tessibel, Mother Moll," she said gently. "I want to see what's +in the pot."</p> + +<p>Mother Moll smiled a withered, joyous smile.</p> + +<p>"Come in, my pretty," she clacked. "Yer Moll's allers glad to see yer +shinin' eyes. Come in, my love."</p> + +<p>Tess advanced into the kitchen.</p> + +<p>"That duffer Waldstricker's come along with me," she told her in a low +tone.</p> + +<p>The old woman struggled to her feet with the aid of her cane. Her watery +eyes glared at the tall man in the doorway, and he as angrily stared +back at her. The woman hobbled two steps forward.</p> + +<p>"If ye've come for me to tell ye somethin', it won't be nothin' very +pleasant," she growled at him. "Git me the pot, brat, dear!"</p> + +<p>Tessibel went to the grate and lifted the iron kettle from the fire. It +was steaming hot, and she brought it over, placing it at the woman's +feet.</p> + +<p>"Set down," the hag commanded Waldstricker. "I'll tell ye what's doin' +in the pot, an' then git out! I hate ye!"</p> + +<p>Waldstricker, with the peculiar down twist of his mouth, glanced darkly +at Tessibel, but the girl's unresponsive, serious face turned his +attention again to the witch.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">30</a></span></p> + +<p>"You're a wicked old woman," he said grimly. "The county should care for +such as you."</p> + +<p>But Mother Moll did not catch his words. She was crooning over the pot +inarticulately. The seams in the skin around her eyes netted together, +almost closing the flaming red lids. Through the narrow slits she was +following the steam as it rose and disappeared in the air. Then slowly +her finger began to trace shadow outlines in and about the pot.</p> + +<p>"Mister, I see ye crowin' like a barnyard cock," she croaked, "and ye +think ye're awful smart and awful rich. An' so ye be, but some day—" +She stopped, sank back, then looked again into the steaming kettle. "I +see a wee leetle man like this—" She raised the cane beside her, and +Waldstricker, startled, leaned nearer the ragged grey head. "I see ye +huntin' the leetle man—like a dog hunts a rat."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes!" from Waldstricker, "and what else, woman?"</p> + +<p>Lowering her stick again to the floor, Mother Moll rested her weight +upon its crooked handle and for a time muttered over the pot with raven +hoarseness.</p> + +<p>"Ye think ye're smart, but ye ain't as smart as ye think ye air. The +leetle man sets on yer head—"</p> + +<p>The hag paused, cracked forth a gurgling scream, then proceeded. "He +sets on yer head and lays on yer heart, an' with all yer money, ye can't +find 'im."</p> + +<p>"I will!" gritted Waldstricker through his teeth, now, in spite of +himself, intensely interested in the old woman's revelations.</p> + +<p>"Ye won't," rapped out the seeress. "Not till it air too late. I see—I +see—" Lifting one hand, the bony old finger made rapid gyrations above +the pot.</p> + +<p>"What do you see?" burst forth the man impatiently.</p> + +<p>"Hair," cried Mother Moll, swaying nearer him, "hair stranglin' yer +throat till ye can't speak, curls weavin' round yer neck like a +hangman's rope."</p> + +<p>Waldstricker glanced backward at the squatter girl. She stood in rigid +silence, listening intently. Her hair, copper-colored in the light from +the window at her side, framed in its shining curls a face rapt and +absorbed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">31</a></span> Waldstricker leaned forward again, the better to see the +rising steam wraiths.</p> + +<p>"I see all ye love best sufferin'." Letting the cane fall clattering to +the floor, Mother Moll continued, doubled-fists outstretched to the man +before her. "I see the shadow of shame gathering about ye, I see a +girl—a little girl—yer sister—holdin' out her hands pleadin' to some +other man—" Again the aged voice trailed into that chattering laugh. +"An' I air seein' somethin' else." The old woman rubbed the palms of her +horny hands together and pitched forward on her toes. She lifted her +shaking, wizened face and thrust it so near the man that he drew back +with a rough ejaculation. Then smiling a wide, toothless smile, she laid +her finger on her lips. Drawing it away again, she mumbled.</p> + +<p>"Hair stranglin' 'em both, same as you, long curls like snakes +stranglin' all of ye. God! <i>what hair!</i>"</p> + +<p>Waldstricker, with flashing eyes, suddenly got to his feet.</p> + +<p>"Come out of here," he ordered Tess, roughly. "That hateful hag! The +hateful wicked old woman!"</p> + +<p>A wild, exultant yell left Mother Moll's lips.</p> + +<p>"<i>Yep</i>, get out o' here!" she shrieked. "Get out quick, both of ye! Yer +lives'll twine like this, an' this, an' this." Tensely she locked +together her bony fingers. "An' hair'll strangle ye, wretched man, an' +may ye never breathe a fine breath after it touches yer proud throat!"</p> + +<p>Moved by a kind of superstitious horror of the prophecies of the old +witch, Waldstricker pushed her roughly aside, seized Tess by the arm and +dragged her out of the house. On the path he let her go and stood +transfixed, as though the length and abundance of the red curls, falling +in disordered confusion to her hips, fascinated him. Then he lifted his +great shoulders, and a tense breath slipped through his teeth.</p> + +<p>"What an awful old woman!" he flung out disgusted. "If there's any power +in law or money, I'll root her out of that shanty as I will the rest of +her tribe."</p> + +<p>Tess was thoroughly frightened. His ruthless roughness hurt her and his +threats against Mother Moll and the squatters terrified her. Would he +try and root<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">32</a></span> Daddy Skinner and herself from their shanty? No, he +couldn't! He couldn't! Neither would his long, powerful hands place +their grip upon the life of the dwarf. Mother Moll had said so, and she +believed—oh, how she believed it!</p> + +<p>Waldstricker started to speak again, but unable to bear longer the cruel +corner-curl of his lips, Tess of the Storm Country turned and fled +swift-footed away toward the lake. The man watched the flying figure +bounding along toward the span of blue water. Then with another flip of +his whip, which struck the heads from the flower stems, he wheeled about +and walked swiftly up the hill.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="illus-002" id="illus-002"></a> +<img src="images/illus-030.jpg" alt=""I WILL!" GRITTED WALDSTRICKER THROUGH HIS TEETH, IN SPITE OF HIMSELF, INTENSELY INTERESTED IN THE OLD WOMAN'S REVELATIONS" title="" width="450" height="295" /><br /> +<span class="caption">"I WILL!" GRITTED WALDSTRICKER THROUGH HIS TEETH, IN SPITE OF HIMSELF, INTENSELY INTERESTED IN THE OLD WOMAN'S REVELATIONS</span> +</div> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">33</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2><h3><span class="smcap">Tess and Frederick</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>Tessibel left Waldstricker with but one idea buzzing in her active +brain; to reach Daddy Skinner—to tell him all that had just happened. +She fled around the mud cellar and opened the door with swift-coming +breath. When she entered the kitchen, her father was seated on her cot. +He raised his eyes and greeted her.</p> + +<p>"Daddy," panted the girl, closing the door, "I jest seen Waldstricker +an' he air a comin' down here tomorrow. I don't know what he wants, but +Andy mustn't come out of the garret, not fer anythin'. An', Daddy!" She +paused with a sudden sob, "He says he air a goin' to root Mother Moll +off'n her place. But don't let 'im turn us out of our shanty, will ye, +Daddy?"</p> + +<p>"Nope," answered Skinner, grimly. "I ain't held it all these years to +let it go now fer a duffer like him."</p> + +<p>"An', Daddy dear," blurted Tess, "Mother Moll told old Waldstricker's +fortune out of the pot, an' she says as how he ain't never goin' to git +Andy back to Auburn till it air too late, even if he uses up all the +money he air got. What d'ye think o' that?"</p> + +<p>A little groan came from the garret. It no sooner fell on Tessibel's +ears than she scurried, nimble-footed, up the ladder. Poking her head +through the hole in the ceiling, she peered around. It was very dark, +and even straining her eyes, she could see nothing.</p> + +<p>"Andy!" she whispered. "Andy, dear!"</p> + +<p>"I air here, kid," murmured the dwarf from a dark corner.</p> + +<p>"Don't be worrin'," encouraged Tess, softly. "I air begun to love ye, +Andy, an' you bet nobody durst touch ye. Whatever ye hear, be mum. Daddy +and me'll take care of ye, an' God will too."</p> + +<p>Later she left the shanty in deep thought, and by the time she had +wended her way to the ragged rocks to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">34</a></span> meet Frederick Graves, she had +uttered many tense little prayers for the suffering dwarf in her attic.</p> + +<p>These rocks were a bower of delight to the sentimental girl. It was here +in the gloom that in every expression of nature Tess heard Frederick's +voice; his clear tones came swiftly on the wings of the wind, in the +sonorous clap of the chimes as they spread their chant over the lake.</p> + +<p>She was now seated on a broad, grey rock-slab, bending slightly forward, +listening for her lover's step.</p> + +<p>"Frederick!" she breathed in delight as a tall form loomed from the +shadowy path.</p> + +<p>In another moment she felt herself gathered into strong arms, and for a +while the boy and girl were silent in their mutual happiness. The +lakeside was quiet except for the sound of the tumbling waves and the +intermittent rumble of a train on the tracks above.</p> + +<p>Now and then, far back in the forest, an owl whoo-whooed in croaking +tones, and in a nearby tree a family of baby birds twittered +continuously in their sleep.</p> + +<p>All the daisies in the meadows, all the nodding buttercups in the +fields, seemed to be blossoming in Tessibel's heart at one time. She was +in Frederick's arms, and the whole world could offer her nothing more.</p> + +<p>"Tessibel, my little love," began Frederick, between caresses, "you +remember what I begged you to consent to early in the spring?"</p> + +<p>Tess made a movement to sit up.</p> + +<p>"Ye mean—?" she stammered, confused.</p> + +<p>Frederick drew her close.</p> + +<p>"I want you to marry me right away," he murmured, entreatingly.</p> + +<p>The words were whispered in passionate sighing out of the darkness into +her ear. Tess drew back a little.</p> + +<p>"Right away?" she repeated, gulping. "What do ye mean by right away, +darlin'?... Now?"</p> + +<p>Again strong arms evidenced strong affection.</p> + +<p>"Yes—now," answered Frederick, earnestly. "You must! You must!... I +can't be happy unless you do—Oh, Tessibel! Won't you, Tess?"</p> + +<p>Never had anything thrilled her as his halting insistence.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">35</a></span></p> + +<p>"An' Daddy Skinner—air he to know?" she stammered, chokingly.</p> + +<p>"No, no!"</p> + +<p>"An'—yer mother?"</p> + +<p>"Well, not—not quite yet, dear."</p> + +<p>Two slender hands covered a scarlet face, and tears trickled between +tense fingers.</p> + +<p>"Then I can't!" Tess caught her breath in a sob. "I jest can't! Oh, why +couldn't Daddy know—an' yer mother, too?"</p> + +<p>Frederick strained her against his breast.</p> + +<p>"Because they can't—not yet," he whispered. "Not a soul must know. Just +you and I, darling. It'll be all right, dear, and I need you more and +more—every day."</p> + +<p>The deepening tones in his voice frightened, while they thrilled her. +She pressed him back to look into his eyes, but even through the growing +gloom she could see the blue-veined lids were closed.</p> + +<p>"Frederick," she murmured, drawing her face backward. "Frederick, let me +tell ye somethin'. Everybody had ought to know when a girl gets married. +Oh, they ought to know, so they ought. Daddy Skinner an' yer mother, +too."</p> + +<p>Then of a sudden she was attacked by a strange tugging in her own heart. +She tried to free herself from his arms, but her resistance only made +him the more determined to bend her to his wish. She had always been +submissive, and he'd worshiped her for her womanly acquiescence to his +will. Trembling fingers forced her face upward and hot lips sought and +found hers. She shivered under the strong masculine pressure.</p> + +<p>"Now listen to me, my love," he continued between fierce kisses. "Come +with me tomorrow night, and we'll get married and—and—"</p> + +<p>Tess was trying heroically to hold to the principle she knew was right, +even though her heart directed otherwise.</p> + +<p>"Not less'n I tell Daddy," she breathed back.</p> + +<p>Her low denial served only to lock Frederick's arms more tightly around +her.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">36</a></span></p> + +<p>"You've got to come and you mustn't tell him, either," he urged. "You +mustn't!"</p> + +<p>Succeeding at last in releasing herself, Tessibel sighed. She wanted to +be firm with him, to impress lovingly upon him her reason for refusing +him; but when he reached forth and folded her again in his arms, that +fine firmness gave way. She burst into wild weeping, holding him close +as he held her, trying through broken sobs to tell him what was +burdening her heart.</p> + +<p>"It air like this, dear," she wailed, dismally. "Oh, I want to marry ye +more'n anything, but I've never deceived Daddy a bit in all my life. I +never done nothin' less'n I told 'im, and, Oh, I want to tell him, +Frederick! I do want to tell 'im!"</p> + +<p>Frederick hadn't anticipated this resistance on Tessibel's part.</p> + +<p>"Tess," he said, almost angrily, "I wouldn't ask you to do anything +wrong." Then softening, he pleaded accusingly, "You don't love me well +enough to be my wife."</p> + +<p>"It'd be wicked," whispered Tess, falteringly.</p> + +<p>"It would be right!" cried Frederick, in quick contradiction. "Tess, you +will, you will!"</p> + +<p>The red curls shook slowly a mute negation.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe you love me at all," groaned Frederick. Then taking a +long breath, "You want me to be unhappy, I know you do."</p> + +<p>She lay limply in his arms while through the sensitive, honest mind +raced all the objections against his desire. There were his powerful +friends—his college—his—</p> + +<p>"Yer mother—don't want ye to marry me," she cried, suffering.</p> + +<p>"I know it," returned Frederick, promptly. "Still a man can't <i>always</i> +please his mother. Why, darling, what kind of a world would this be if +mothers picked out their sons' wives? A poor place! I can tell you."</p> + +<p>"But yer mother air awful good and loves ye just like Daddy loves me," +argued Tessibel, "an' when ye don't do right, everything goes wrong. If +Daddy Skinner ain't to know—"</p> + +<p>"Nor anybody else," cut in the boy, growing moody<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">37</a></span> after his sharp +retort. "I won't have any one know about it. Tessibel, I want this more +than anything else in the world. I love you—I love you, and you love +me. Then why not? You do love me, don't you?"</p> + +<p>"That air why—I do what—ye want me to, I s'pose."</p> + +<p>And as the halting words fell from her lips, the student crushed her to +him.</p> + +<p>"I want you, dear," he breathed warm in her ear, "and it won't have to +be a secret over a year, not much over a year, darling, and +I'll——I'll——Oh! You will, Tessibel? You will?"</p> + +<p>"Frederick!" she acquiesced, weakly. "Oh, Frederick darlin'!"</p> + +<p>And for some time after her sudden consent, they sat on the rocks close +in spirit—close in thrilling nearness. Perhaps twenty minutes later, +Tess drew from the boy's arms.</p> + +<p>"Daddy air callin' me," she said, softly.</p> + +<p>And she went back to the shanty with the words, "I'm goin' to be married +tomorrow," ringing in her heart.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">38</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER V</h2><h3><span class="smcap">A Gossip With "Satisfied"</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>The next day, directly after the midday meal, Tessibel went to see Mrs. +Longman, whose triple tragedy had made the woman an invalid, with broken +nerves and useless hands. Every few days since the drowning of Myra +Longman and Ben Letts and the baby, the squatter girl had carried to the +sick woman some little offering to gladden her lonely existence. As Tess +walked along the rocks, the image of Frederick Graves persistently +pervaded her thoughts. Before the going down of another sun he would be +her husband. Of course, just now she couldn't leave Daddy Skinner and +Andy Bishop, but by the time Frederick had a home ready, Andy would be +free from the charge of murder, and Daddy would live with them.</p> + +<p>Tess never paused on the rocks between her home and the Longman shanty +that she did not think of Myra, and thinking of Myra brought the vision +of Teola Graves. A lonely little heart twist followed for the dead baby +who had been born in her hut. This day she did not hesitate as long as +usual. She must return quickly to Daddy Skinner and help keep guard over +Andy Bishop. Waldstricker was coming at two o'clock!</p> + +<p>Rounding the lake point, on which stood the hut of her squatter friends, +she spied "Satisfied" seated on the bench near the doorway. Tess waved +her hand, and the old fisherman signaled in return.</p> + +<p>"Ma thought ye'd be comin' soon, brat," was Longman's greeting.</p> + +<p>"I air brung her some salt-risin' bread," Tess announced, sitting down +beside the fisherman.</p> + +<p>Longman moved his pipe to one corner of his mouth.</p> + +<p>"It air good o' ye, Tess," he thanked her, puffing. "Me an' ma air +lonesome—me an' ma air."</p> + +<p>Tessibel touched him with affectionate assurance.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">39</a></span></p> + +<p>"I love ye, an' Mammy Longman, too," she smiled. "I air glad to bring +somethin' when I can."</p> + +<p>For a few moments they sat quietly, the man smoking his pipe. Then he +slowly knocked the ashes from its bowl, giving it a final rap in the +hollow of his hand.</p> + +<p>"Every day me an' ma miss Myry an' Ezry more," said he, stolidly. "Us +uns just plumb lately made up our minds both them kids was too good to +live, but us uns'd be awful satisfied to know if they air happy."</p> + +<p>Tessibel brightened. She flashed a radiant smile at the sad-faced man.</p> + +<p>"Sure, they be happy!" she ejaculated. "Everybody air happy in Heaven; +Ben Letts air a singin' 'round the throne jest the same's the rest of +'em air."</p> + +<p>In open disbelief Longman slowly shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Myry never could sing—Myry couldn't," he answered, moodily, and his +voice sank on the last two words.</p> + +<p>Tess knew that, too, for she had heard the young mother try many times +to quiet the brat with the uneven, discordant tones of her voice; but +she knew, too, the great difference between Heaven and earth. She gazed +out over the lake dreamily.</p> + +<p>"But ye see, 'Satisfied' darlin'—" she began.</p> + +<p>"An' once, when Ben were soused," interrupted Longman, hoarsely, "I +heard 'im singin', 'Did ye ever go into an Irishman's shanty?' It were +more like a frog croakin' than a man singin'."</p> + +<p>"But folks don't never get soused in Heaven," Tessibel imparted, +reverently, "an' they got a mess o' angels up there—" She looked +upward, a solemn expression on her young face—"angels what Jesus keeps +jest to learn folks how to sing. The brat's singin' too, as much as a +little kid can, 'Satisfied'."</p> + +<p>She edged a little nearer and slipped an arm around the fisherman's +shoulders.</p> + +<p>"It air just like this, honey, down here there air such a lot of work +jest to get fish an' beans. Up in Heaven they don't do nothin' but dance +around the throne an' sing all day. So everybody's got to learn how or +he wouldn't have nothin' to do."</p> + +<p>"Well, I swan!" ejaculated "Satisfied," smiling wryly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">40</a></span> "Will ye tell ma +about it like ye did me, Tessie? Ma air been worryin' fearin' Myry +weren't comf'table."</p> + +<p>Tess bobbed her curly head.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell 'er in a minute," she assured him; "but, 'Satisfied,' I were +a goin' to ask ye somethin'."</p> + +<p>Longman nodded.</p> + +<p>"An' I were goin' to ask you somethin' too, brat," he said. "How air the +singin' goin' in church?"</p> + +<p>Tessibel sparkled like the morning dew.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it air goin' fine, 'Satisfied.' I love it more'n more. Miss Young +helps me with my songs an' she's learnin' me to sew, too. Why, I git my +five dollars every Sunday jest as reg'lar as Sunday comes. I ain't never +knew how far a fiver could go afore. We won't be needin' nothin' this +winter, Daddy and me won't, dear."</p> + +<p>She gave a delicious giggle to which Longman added a chuckle.</p> + +<p>"That air good, brat," he replied. "There ain't nothin' like home +comfort in this world."</p> + +<p>"An' ye see, 'Satisfied,' I ain't lettin' my Daddy fish much now, only +'nough fer us an' fer Professor Young an' Ma Moll.... Daddy ain't very +well."</p> + +<p>"He air gettin' old," sighed Longman, taking up his pipe.</p> + +<p>"No, he ain't," contradicted Tessibel, quickly. "He air got somethin' +the matter with 'is heart. Mr. Young had a doctor fer him, an' he says +he mustn't work. Now I got my singin' he don't have to.... Why, +'Satisfied,' I air savin' 'nough money to get a new bed an' a overcoat +for Daddy. A bran new overcoat, too! Nothin' second-hand, ye bet! He +ain't goin' to git no cold this winter, bless 'im!"</p> + +<p>Longman allowed one of his thin arms to fall around the straight young +figure.</p> + +<p>"That air nice, Tessie," he returned admiringly. "Ye be a pert brat, you +be!"</p> + +<p>Tess paused a moment or two.</p> + +<p>"'Satisfied,'" she hesitated, going back mentally to her former unspoken +query, "do ye know the Waldstrickers?"</p> + +<p>Longman nodded.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">41</a></span></p> + +<p>"I knowed the old man who was murdered—young Eb's father. Made some +stir in town when he got shot!"</p> + +<p>"Eb's been home quite a while now," observed Tess thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>Longman's head and shoulders moved several times in affirmation.</p> + +<p>"So ma read out'n the paper," he then said, "an' Bishop's lit out from +the coop, too, ain't he?... Funny how he done it!... Bigger men'n him +stay there all their days.... They'll find 'im, though, them prison +folks will, poor little duffer!"</p> + +<p>Tess caught the sympathy in the squatter's voice.</p> + +<p>"I air hopin' they don't," she sighed quickly.</p> + +<p>An inquisitive, almost furtive expression shot into the fisherman's +face.</p> + +<p>"When ye goin' to git married, Tess?" he hesitated.</p> + +<p>Tessibel shook her red curls, flushing.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I ain't knowin' jest the time yet," she parried. "Ye know, +'Satisfied,'—"</p> + +<p>"Don't ye ever see much of the student nowadays, eh?" the squatter cut +in.</p> + +<p>Because of its sudden palpitation, Tess laid her hand over her heart. +Oh, if she could only tell her old friend that that very night she'd +belong to Frederick forever! Passion leapt alive into her eyes, and her +cheeks flushed.</p> + +<p>"I air a lovin' him, 'Satisfied,'" she murmured.</p> + +<p>Longman made a nervous movement with one hand and shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Tess, I been goin' to tell ye somethin' fer a long time," he stammered, +almost inaudibly. "Ye won't git miffed with a old friend, will ye?"</p> + +<p>"Sure not, 'Satisfied'," asserted Tess, gently.</p> + +<p>"It air 'bout Student Graves," explained Longman.</p> + +<p>A glint of gold flashed from under her lowered lids and a slow, deep +scarlet ran in waves upward from her chin.</p> + +<p>"What 'bout the student?" she demanded, dropping again to the bench and +placing the basket at her feet.</p> + +<p>The squatter looked down. It was hard to say what he must with the young +face so confidently questioning.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">42</a></span></p> + +<p>"He air a goin' round with a nuther girl," he barked presently. "I been +hearin' an' so air ma—"</p> + +<p>Tessibel rose, startled, and once more took up the basket. Some +gossiping tongue had been reviling her dear one.</p> + +<p>"It air a big lie, 'Satisfied'," she uttered breathlessly. "I don't want +to hear nothin' against 'im uther. What tongue told ye that only wanted +to make ye feel sad fer me." She paused, then turned, but whirled back. +"When ye love a person an' love 'im hard, lies told about 'im don't set +well. Ye know they don't, Daddy Longman."</p> + +<p>"Sure, I know it," replied the squatter, in quick-spoken sympathy. "Only +ma and me thought as how ye ought to know the things we heard."</p> + +<p>Tess was standing rigid, gazing stormily defiant into the weather-beaten +old face. Wasn't she going to be married to the student that night! And +how many, many times Frederick had told her he loved but her; that no +other woman could ever take her place!</p> + +<p>"I ain't goin' to believe it, if the hull hellish world tells me so," +she flashed forth tempestuously. "Now I air goin' to give the bread to +Mammy Longman, 'Satisfied'."</p> + +<p>Longman stayed her with a word.</p> + +<p>"Ye ain't mad at me, brat, be ye?"</p> + +<p>Tess stretched forth impetuous fingers.</p> + +<p>"Nope, only I love the student, that air all! An', 'Satisfied,' I air a +cussed brat to be swearin' when Frederick says as how it air wicked. I +keep forgettin' when I git mad."</p> + +<p>The squatter sighed, making a quick shake of his head and several weird +clicks with his tongue. Moodily he watched the bounding youthful figure +until it disappeared through the shanty doorway. Fully ten minutes +passed before Tess reappeared.</p> + +<p>"Ma were satisfied with the bread, eh, brat?" asked Longman, in a +cuddling tone. "Ain't she likin' it, honey?"</p> + +<p>Tessibel choked suddenly. There was something in the quavering tones of +the old fisherman, of the lonely,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">43</a></span> bereaved old man, that saddened her +loving heart. She went to him and touched him impulsively.</p> + +<p>"Yep, she liked it, 'Satisfied'," she murmured, "an' I told 'er all +about the singin' in Heaven. She hadn't thought Ben Letts might be there +with Myry an' the brat.... Most folks ain't knowin' how awful long the +forgivin' arm of Jesus air."</p> + +<p>And kissing the old squatter once more, Tessibel started homeward.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">44</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2><h3><span class="smcap">Waldstricker Makes a Proposal</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>While Tess was making her call at Longman's, Helen Young was +entertaining her fiance, Ebenezer Waldstricker.</p> + +<p>"I shall never be satisfied until Bishop is back in Auburn, Helen," said +he, snipping the end from a long cigar.</p> + +<p>The girl held up her needle and deftly shot the thread through the eye +of it.</p> + +<p>"He's sure to be, dear," she soothed. "Here's Deforrest!" She hesitated, +laid down her work and stood up.</p> + +<p>Professor Young shook hands with Waldstricker as his sister went to his +side smilingly.</p> + +<p>"Ebenezer wants me to go down to Skinner's with him," she explained. +"Won't you come along, too, Forrie?"</p> + +<p>The lawyer threw an interrogative glance at the churchman.</p> + +<p>"Certainly," he answered. "Why? Anything particular?"</p> + +<p>The question was asked of Waldstricker, who lifted his shoulder with a +long breath.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he replied. "I've a little plan to get hold of Bishop! I'm +certain sooner or later he'll land back here among his own people. If I +can whet their appetites with money, they'll turn him over the moment he +appears."</p> + +<p>"No doubt," observed Young. "But the Skinners—What have the Skinners to +do with him?"</p> + +<p>Waldstricker thought a moment, inhaling the smoke the while.</p> + +<p>"The girl, Tessibel, who sings at church might be of great assistance to +me," he said presently.</p> + +<p>"How?" interjected Deforrest.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">45</a></span></p> + +<p>"Why, she goes among the squatters daily and would be likely to know if +Bishop sneaked into any of their huts. If I can interest her in the +reward—I've an idea she'll be of service to me."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps," responded Young, in a meditative manner.</p> + +<p>Waldstricker looked at Helen smilingly. "I think I started to give you +an account of what happened yesterday," he said. "Did I tell you I came +to see you, dear?"</p> + +<p>Helen sat down and resumed her work.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Ebenezer, but I was out!" she smilingly nodded. "I'm so sorry. If +I'd known, I wouldn't have gone to town!"</p> + +<p>"It didn't matter at all." Then he laughed, coloring a little. "Of +course, I always hate missing you."</p> + +<p>A loving look passed between the two, and Waldstricker proceeded, "But +as long as I was here, I thought I'd speak to Skinner. On the way down +the hill I met his daughter coming up. Rather startling personality, +that girl! But she's woefully ignorant!"</p> + +<p>"She hasn't had much chance, poor little thing," excused Helen. "She +really has a beautiful voice, though."</p> + +<p>"So I've noticed on Sundays."</p> + +<p>"And she studies every minute," Professor Young thrust in, "and is so +eager to learn; she's advanced amazingly!" He laughed in a reminiscent +manner.</p> + +<p>"One day," he proceeded, much amused, "she ran up the hill after me. I +didn't notice her until she was at my side, all out of breath. 'Well, +some little girl's been running,' I said."</p> + +<p>"I want to learn things," she panted.</p> + +<p>"Then I asked, 'What things?' and she answered, 'Oh, all about readin' +and writin' and the things big rich folks know. If I had books, I'd +learn 'em too.' ... Naturally I bought the books."</p> + +<p>"Naturally," laughed Waldstricker.</p> + +<p>"Well, I stopped to ask where she was going and if her father was at +home. Then she told me that she was on her way to a seeress, Mother +Moll, she called her, wasn't it?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">46</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes," assented Young, nodding his head. "The old woman lives on the +north side of the gully."</p> + +<p>Waldstricker bent forward and pursued. "I went into the hut with the +girl." He stopped and his lip took an upward curve. "The old hag tells +fortunes from a pot, a steaming pot full of boiling water, I think."</p> + +<p>Here he turned suddenly on Deforrest. "That's got to stop, Young. It's +against the Bible, prophesying and the like."</p> + +<p>"She's really a harmless old thing, though," replied the lawyer +sententiously, "and every squatter on Cayuga Lake loves her. Believe me, +Eb, she's absolutely harmless."</p> + +<p>"Not harmless if she's disobeying God's law," contradicted Waldstricker, +seriously. "Isn't there some way by which she can be turned out of the +shack?"</p> + +<p>Deforrest shook his head. "Not that I know of as long as she holds her +squatter rights. Her people take care of her, and she tells their +fortunes to pay for food." He broke off the explanation, only to take it +up again, "No, there isn't any way to oust her. Frederick Graves' father +tried to get the Skinners off, but failed."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I didn't know," observed Waldstricker. "I must have been away at +the time." He drew out his watch and looked at it. "Shall we go on down, +Helen? It's a little early. I told the girl I'd come at two, but a half +an hour doesn't matter.... I can't rest until I get hold of that dwarf."</p> + +<p>During the interval in which Helen went for her garden hat, Waldstricker +said to Deforrest,</p> + +<p>"I may need you, Young, in this Bishop case. I'm privileged to call upon +you, of course?"</p> + +<p>"I'll do anything I can, Ebenezer," agreed Young.</p> + +<p>So it happened that when Tess rounded the mud cellar, she glanced up the +hill and saw the three making their way leisurely toward the lake. She +gave one bound and literally hurled herself through the shanty door into +the kitchen.</p> + +<p>"Walderstricker air comin!" she hissed through her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">47</a></span> teeth in quivering +excitement. "Scoot under the tick, Andy! An', Daddy, get on my cot, an' +don't say no word less'n they ask ye something face to face.... Let me +do the talkin'."</p> + +<p>She had no more than settled her father on the cot and heard the last of +the dwarf's burrowing in the attic when a long shadow fell across the +threshold. Stepping forward, she met Deforrest Young, who held out his +hand to her.</p> + +<p>She greeted her friend with a dubious smile, and taking his hand, bowed +awkwardly to his sister. In her confusion she ignored Waldstricker +entirely. Their presence in the squatter's hut was so portentous and the +time for the preparations to receive them so short, Tessibel's wits +almost deserted her.</p> + +<p>"Come in, all of ye," she stammered, at last, and stepped backward +across the uneven kitchen floor toward the cot at the further side of +the room.</p> + +<p>Then she placed chairs for them, and when all were seated, settled +herself on the floor near Daddy Skinner, and shaking her curls back from +her face, looked with grave brown eyes from one to the other of the +ominous group.</p> + +<p>"I'm very glad to see you, Tessibel," said Helen graciously.</p> + +<p>"I air awful glad to see you, too, Ma'am," returned Tess, still +embarrassed.</p> + +<p>Miss Young smiled toward Ebenezer, then back at the girl.</p> + +<p>"You remember Mr. Waldstricker, don't you, Tess, dear?"</p> + +<p>Tessibel allowed her gaze to rest on the elder. Of course she remembered +him. What did he desire of Daddy Skinner? That was all she wanted to +know.</p> + +<p>"Yep," she answered, more calmly. "I remember 'im, sure I do! He—"</p> + +<p>Waldstricker interrupted her with a quick interrogation.</p> + +<p>"We had a little meeting yesterday, didn't we, Miss Tessibel? You didn't +wait for me to tell you what I wanted." He delivered this most affably, +and Tess counted him very handsome, indeed, when both corners<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">48</a></span> of his +mouth went up, but she knew that other trick of those lips. Not knowing +how to explain her flight, she kept silent. Deforrest noted the shadow +that clouded the lovely face and ascribed it to embarrassment. Thinking +to put her at her ease, he asked,</p> + +<p>"Have you been studying today, my dear?"</p> + +<p>"Well I guess I have!" The girl sent him a radiant, grateful smile. "I +studies every day, an' air learnin' my Daddy a lot of things now, ain't +I, Daddy?" She looked backward at the man on the cot as she asked the +last question.</p> + +<p>"Yep," affirmed Skinner, faintly.</p> + +<p>"Daddy air sick," she explained. "You'll be excusin' 'im if he don't +talk. I'll do all the gabbin' if ye don't mind."</p> + +<p>Tessibel had regained her self-control. She knew that Waldstricker's +presence meant danger to her loved ones, Daddy and Andy Bishop. In their +defense, eager to hinder him, her quick thought sought his purpose in +coming to the shack. Could it be about Mother Moll, she wondered. She +would ask him. Looking up at Waldstricker, she addressed him timidly,</p> + +<p>"I hope, sir, ye ain't mad at Mother Moll any more?"</p> + +<p>Waldstricker, intent upon his idea of interesting her in the search for +his father's murderer, waived her question aside. He would attend to the +witch and her fantastic mummeries later.</p> + +<p>"Never mind the old woman now," he began pompously. "I came here today +on purpose to see you about another matter."</p> + +<p>Why, yesterday he had said he wanted to talk to Daddy; now today he +wanted to speak to her. She sat up a little straighter, each shoulder +carrying its load of red curls, the ends of which lay in a bronze +tangle.</p> + +<p>"I'd do anything I could," she answered shyly, a lovely red dyeing her +face.</p> + +<p>"I knew you would! Mr. Young has told me how anxious you are to learn +and to improve your condition.... Isn't that so?"</p> + +<p>Tess nodded, looking from the speaker to Deforrest, who threw her his +ever-ready smile. Her gaze returned to the churchman and he continued,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">49</a></span></p> + +<p>"Now, I've a plan which, if it succeeds, will give you lots of money! +You could do almost anything you'd want to then."</p> + +<p>Tess didn't move, only stared back at the handsome, swarthy face +incredulously.</p> + +<p>"I couldn't earn much," she ventured, gulping. "I get five bucks every +Sunday fer singin' at the church, but—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't mean a few dollars," Waldstricker told her. "I was talking +about a lot—thousands."</p> + +<p>Daddy Skinner straightened out on the cot and Tess tried to swallow, but +couldn't. She knew now that he referred to the reward for Andy.</p> + +<p>"Lordy massy!" she got out at last, huskily.</p> + +<p>Deforrest Young coughed, and Waldstricker's hand went quickly to his +face.</p> + +<p>"I'll explain about it," he said, "and then you can decide if you wish +to do it."</p> + +<p>"All right," replied Tess, leaning her chin on her hand. "Gowan an' blat +it out."</p> + +<p>"I suppose you know my good old father was murdered," the visitor asked +her after a slight period of silence on his part.</p> + +<p>Andy and what he had told her about the brawl in the saloon raced +through Tessibel's mind.</p> + +<p>"I heard 'bout it," she replied, nodding.</p> + +<p>"And you've heard, too, probably, the man who murdered him escaped from +Auburn a little while ago?"</p> + +<p>Tess wanted to say "No," but she feared a long explanation would follow +which might trouble Daddy and the wee man in the garret, so she +acquiesced by bowing her head. "I guess he were the man Daddy were +talkin' 'bout, weren't he, Daddy?"</p> + +<p>She turned toward her father, but his red lids were closed, and he was +breathing heavily.</p> + +<p>"Daddy goes to sleep awful easy!" she excused to all three. Then she +told Waldstricker, "Yep, Daddy said the man broke out o' jail."</p> + +<p>The man she spoke to looked keenly at her.</p> + +<p>"The officers feel pretty sure he'll make his way down the lake side," +he explained, "eventually landing among his own people."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">50</a></span></p> + +<p>A flash of the brown eyes and a quick stiffening of the supple body +under the red curls expressed the girl's resentment at the slur implied +in the speaker's statement.</p> + +<p>"Among us squatters, I s'pose ye mean?" demanded Tess, belligerently.</p> + +<p>"Yes," nodded the elder, with a contemptuous smile at the angry young +face.</p> + +<p>Tess hated that tone in people's voices when they talked about +squatters.</p> + +<p>"And I was wondering if you wouldn't like to earn the reward offered for +Bishop's capture," Waldstricker finished abruptly.</p> + +<p>Tessibel's foresight had discounted the effect of this announcement. To +save Andy, she must deceive Waldstricker and persuade him to leave the +search of the Silent City in her hands. Her brown eyes were bright with +her purpose; she smiled slowly up at him showing every white tooth.</p> + +<p>"You bet I would!" she exclaimed, shaking her curls as she tossed her +head. "How much air it, huh?"</p> + +<p>"Five thousand dollars," replied Waldstricker.</p> + +<p>"Jeedy!" gasped Tess. "That air a pile of money. I bet I earn it!... +What'd ye bet?"</p> + +<p>She turned impetuously to Deforrest Young, and he laughed.</p> + +<p>"I hope you may!" was all he said.</p> + +<p>Tess was all eagerness now, her cheeks flaming and her eyes dancing.</p> + +<p>"But I wouldn't know the man if I seen 'im in any of the squatter's +huts, huh?"</p> + +<p>She flung this at Waldstricker, more of a question than a statement.</p> + +<p>"He's a dwarf," he answered immediately, "and very small—like this. +Sandy Letts knows him and is looking for him, too."</p> + +<p>At his statement, Tessibel's quick imagination pictured Sandy's brutal +face and greedy eyes, and for a moment her flaming courage almost +faltered.</p> + +<p>"If a dwarf sneaks down here," she observed with a sweep of her hand +toward the door, "I'd get 'im easy. I know everybody."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">51</a></span></p> + +<p>"But would I have to halve up with Sandy, eh?" she continued, as though +struck with a new thought.</p> + +<p>"Not unless Sandy helped you find him," Ebenezer replied genially. "You +could do as you pleased about that."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Sandy couldn't help me, not a bit," Tess argued earnestly. "Sandy +ain't liked any too well 'round here."</p> + +<p>"Well, manage it as you choose."</p> + +<p>Waldstricker smiled at his success with the girl. "I don't care for +Sandy myself," he continued. "All I want is to get Andy Bishop." His +face hardened with hate as he pronounced the dwarf's name.</p> + +<p>Tess put her hands under the curls over each shoulder and drew them +together beneath her chin.</p> + +<p>"Five thousand dollars!" she ruminated. "I'd have a bully time a +spendin' it, wouldn't I?... I'd buy my Daddy a new overcoat every day +fer a year, an' I'd git 'im four new beds—one fer every corner of this +here kitchen, an' I'd git 'im a flannel shirt thick as a board to keep +the pains from 'is bones.... Then, I'd buy me a cow an' a calf an' a +horse an' a little baby pig an' a few cats an' a lot of dogs, an' I'd +let all the squatter brats play in my flower garden—"</p> + +<p>Helen broke off this chatter with an amused laugh.</p> + +<p>"Then mebbe I'd go to school a while," Tess kept on, "an' learn myself a +lot out o' books, an' after that I'd take singin' lessons an' I'd sing +to everybody what asked me—Then mebbe—" She dropped back for lack of +words. "I wonder if that'd take the hull of the five thousand."</p> + +<p>Waldstricker stood up.</p> + +<p>"You've got the right idea of spending money," he laughed. "And now, +young lady, we'll leave you, and if you hear that this dwarf is in any +of your friends' huts, you let me know, and I'll come right down."</p> + +<p>"Sure," said Tess, heartily. "Ye bet I will."</p> + +<p>Scrambling to her feet, she lifted the ruddy curls and flung them back +on her shoulders. To Ebenezer, watching her, came like a haunting memory +the witch's cry, "Hair, stranglin' ye—God, what hair!"</p> + +<p>But he dismissed the suggestion easily and turned to Helen, smiling.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">52</a></span></p> + +<p>"Why not bring Miss Skinner to the next musicale and have her sing?... +Wouldn't you like that, Tess?"</p> + +<p>"I'd get scared stiff," gasped Tessibel, terrified.</p> + +<p>"But, Tess, dear," Helen thrust in, "I'd teach you the songs, and—"</p> + +<p>The girl was looking down upon her dress, her face gathering a deep red.</p> + +<p>Miss Young divined what was going on in the girlish mind.</p> + +<p>"And I'd help you make a new dress," she went on.</p> + +<p>"A hull lot of money folks'd be there, eh?" Tess demanded. Oh, how +afraid she always was of a crowd of those—different people!</p> + +<p>Her words directed Waldstricker's attention to the contrast between this +squatter girl in the bare shack and the fashionable folk who'd throng +his spacious drawing room.</p> + +<p>"Well, a few," he answered, "but you come along with Miss Young just the +same, will you?"</p> + +<p>Tessibel took the outstretched hand awkwardly enough and as quickly +dropped it and began to fumble with her own fingers. She looked down at +the floor while she traced a line on it with her toe.</p> + +<p>"Mebbe," she replied in a very subdued voice.</p> + +<p>She stood in the door and watched them walk slowly up the hill. Then she +turned back into the kitchen.</p> + +<p>"My God, brat!" sobbed a voice through the hole in the ceiling. "Wasn't +that a nice list of beautiful things ye was goin' to buy? Oh, kid, I air +bettin' Waldstricker gits me."</p> + +<p>Tess chuckled low, as she turned her face upward.</p> + +<p>"Andy," she said, "ye needn't be worryin' 'bout me an' Jesus handin' ye +over to that old elder. Why, Him an' me air goin' to stick to you like +pitch to a nigger."</p> + +<p>She turned to go, but hearing a sigh, took four steps up the ladder and +finished,</p> + +<p>"Why, honey, Waldstricker air got as much chance a ketchin' you as a +tallow dog has chasin' an asbestos cat through hell."</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">53</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2><h3><span class="smcap">Waldstricker and Mother Moll</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>"Deforrest is so interested in the little Skinner girl," Helen Young +explained to Ebenezer Waldstricker when they were alone after supper. +"Ever since he helped to get her father out of Auburn, he's done all he +could for her."</p> + +<p>"He's a philanthropist at heart, I imagine," remarked Ebenezer, +agreeably.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and so good to everybody. Dear Forrie! I wish he'd meet the right +woman and marry her. He'd be so happy in a home of his own. When I think +of leaving him alone—"</p> + +<p>The tender face flushed crimson, and happy eyes dropped under the man's +bright gaze. He reached over and took a slender hand in his.</p> + +<p>"But you're not sorry you're coming with me, are you, dear?" he chided +gently, and Helen lifted her head with a glad cry.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, no, darling!... I'm the happiest woman in the world!"</p> + +<p>"And I'll keep you so," replied Ebenezer, in earnest.</p> + +<p>"I was thinking, though," observed Helen, after a moment, "that +Deforrest might come with us if he hasn't made other arrangements."</p> + +<p>Waldstricker contemplatively kissed each pink finger of the small hand +he held, then pressed his lips to the soft palm.</p> + +<p>"I should like very much to have him, Helen," said he. "I'm very proud +of your brother, you know."</p> + +<p>"You can't make me happier than to praise him," she smiled.</p> + +<p>For several minutes no more was said. Then Waldstricker spoke as though +thinking aloud,</p> + +<p>"I wonder if that little Skinner girl will be of any assistance in the +matter of locating Bishop?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">54</a></span></p> + +<p>"Perhaps," replied Helen. "She seemed very eager to get the money! Don't +you think so?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I think she did, but I've been wondering if she's trustworthy. Is +she, Helen?"</p> + +<p>Miss Young made a hasty affirmation.</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed, she's more than that!" she exclaimed. "She wouldn't +deceive any one she loves for anything in the world, so Deforrest tells +me."</p> + +<p>"I sincerely hope so," sighed Ebenezer. "I've quite set my heart on her +helping me. Money is no object in a matter like this."</p> + +<p>"Of course not," murmured Helen, sympathetically.</p> + +<p>"Letts also is doing some good work," Ebenezer continued. "He's been +through nearly every hut on the Rhine."</p> + +<p>Helen shivered. "I can't tolerate that man around," she replied. "Once +in a while he comes here to see Deforrest or to sell something, and I +can't get him away quickly enough."</p> + +<p>"He's a good spy, though. That's all I want. He and the Skinner girl +ought to produce that dwarf between them."</p> + +<p>"I hope so for your sake, dear," murmured Helen.</p> + +<p>Waldstricker took out his watch and glanced at it hurriedly.</p> + +<p>"It's time for me to go, sweetheart," said he. "I want to get home +before dark. Come as far as the lane with me—do!"</p> + +<p>"The twilight is lovely, isn't it?" whispered the girl, when they were +traversing the pear orchard.</p> + +<p>"Made more lovely because of you," replied Waldstricker, sentimentally.</p> + +<p>"How romantic you are tonight, dearest!" Helen laughed.</p> + +<p>They had turned slowly up the hill, when suddenly Helen stopped and +slipped her hand into Ebenezer's arm.</p> + +<p>"There is that old woman you heard read from the fortune pot!" she +exclaimed. "Let's step one side until she's passed us? She rarely lets a +person go by without speaking."</p> + +<p>Waldstricker threw up his head arrogantly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">55</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'm not afraid of the hag," he replied pompously.</p> + +<p>Together they advanced up the hill. Mother Moll, leaning on her cane, +crept slowly down toward them. When her faded, nearsighted eyes caught +sight of the two approaching figures, she halted in the middle of the +road until they were almost upon her. She stared at Waldstricker fully +fifteen seconds, while he looked steadily back at her. Then her withered +lips spread wide in a sneering, cackling laugh.</p> + +<p>"So he air aready been settin' on yer head an' layin' on yer heart, +mister," she greeted him, "the leetle man like this, huh, ain't he?"</p> + +<p>She shook her cane at the tall man and clacked at him again. Helen was +conscious that at Moll's insults, Ebenezer's anger was rising by the +minute. She was herself greatly moved by a kind of superstitious awe of +the old woman's cryptic utterances. But seeking to avoid any further +unpleasantness, she smiled in a friendly manner and asked,</p> + +<p>"How do you do, Mother Moll?"</p> + +<p>The hag thrust forward her face and raised one withered arm,</p> + +<p>"I air fine, young lady," she screamed, crooking her fingers at the +girl, "an' feel finer'n you can do this day, or ye'll ever with him." +She pointed her cane at the scowling, dark-faced man; and slowly bobbed +her head back to Helen. "Yer life'll draw out long an' terrible, till +ye'll wish ye hadn't never seen 'im. He'll set up a knot hole an' drag +ye livin' through it. Then he'll turn yer heart inside out an' haul ye +back again."</p> + +<p>She paused, while Waldstricker's face grew darker and darker. The frown +on his brow roused Helen to action.</p> + +<p>"Let's go on, dear," she whispered. "Don't pay any attention to her +foolish talk."</p> + +<p>"Not yet," returned Waldstricker, ominously. "Not yet!"</p> + +<p>Moll laughed discordantly, shaking her head until the wisps of gray hair +fell in strings about her face.</p> + +<p>"He knows I ain't done tellin' ye what'll happen if ye line yer life +with his'n," she croaked. "Lady, he air wicked, awful wicked, an' +nothin' but misery, deep an'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">56</a></span> plentiful, air a goin' to make him any +better. Every one he loves—"</p> + +<p>Incoherently, she rambled on and the man's countenance took on an +expression of such rage that Helen Young uttered a cry of dismay. She +had never seen Ebenezer in one of his savage moods. Before she could +draw him away, he had lifted his riding whip and a sudden twist of his +arm brought it sharply down on the grandam's thin bent shoulders.</p> + +<p>"Ebenezer!" screamed Helen, horrified.</p> + +<p>"Drat ye, ye brute!" cried Moll, tottering back, "an' twice drat ye!" +She swayed forward on her cane. "Ye can lick me till I die, an' 'twon't +change yer own life any. It'll only add to the sufferin' ye got to go +through yerself."</p> + +<p>Waldstricker's arm went up again, but Helen grasped it frantically.</p> + +<p>"Ebenezer, don't!... Don't strike her any more. Please!... Go home, +Mother Moll.... Please go! Oh, do!"</p> + +<p>The old woman leaned heavily on her stick, tearless sobs shaking her +emaciated frame. For a space of sixty seconds her watery, faded eyes +stared into Waldstricker's flashing dark ones—then she drew a long, +convulsive breath.</p> + +<p>"It air like ye to hit the awful young an' the awful old," she shrilled +at him, "but, 'twon't do ye no good. Curls'll bring yer to yer knees, +hair'll make yer heart bleed blood redder'n the sun, an' the leetle +man'll jerk 'em tight 'bout yer throat till ye thunder out fer mercy."</p> + +<p>"Come along," muttered Ebenezer, roughly, to Helen. "If she torments me +any more, I fear I'll kill her."</p> + +<p>His words were not so low but they caught the quick ear of the old +woman.</p> + +<p>"Kill me, yep, kill me, ye proud whelp! Go 'long; do it, ye big coward! +Before ye're done with life, ye'll hate yerself worse'n uther folks hate +ye."</p> + +<p>She hobbled a little distance, reaching backward to rub her shoulders. +Then she twisted completely around, facing the other two.</p> + +<p>"Mind my word, pretty miss," she croaked in half<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">57</a></span> grunt, half yelp. "Let +'im go like ye would a snake; like ye would a slimy worm a crawlin' at +yer feet." Still snarling in pain, she lifted one shaking arm and +pointed a crooked forefinger at Waldstricker. "She won't always stay +with ye, ye skunk ye!" Then she staggered away, Helen and Ebenezer +staring after her until she was lost in the gloom of the gully.</p> + +<p>"Isn't she dreadful?" Ebenezer said, with a rueful laugh.</p> + +<p>"She's so old," was Helen's gentle reproof. "She's not accountable for +anything. Deforrest says she's very good to the other squatters."</p> + +<p>"They're an unseemly mess." The man struck at an overhanging bough +savagely. "And your brother has power enough to remove the worst of them +if he wanted to. That old hag, for instance—"</p> + +<p>"Deforrest wouldn't do it," interjected Helen.</p> + +<p>"He may if I make it worth his while," replied Waldstricker. "But there, +I was foolish to let 'er get on my nerves so. I beg your pardon, dear. +My only excuse is I dislike to see the laws of God broken in such an +iniquitous way. Why, I felt when I struck her the righteous indignation +the Master must have felt when he drove the money changers from the +temple."</p> + +<p>Helen looked at him, startled. She was shocked at his words, as she had +been terrified by his act.... A dreadful doubt darted into her mind. Was +Mother Moll right? Could she be? Instantly she dismissed the suggestion, +condemning herself for paying any attention to the empty vaporings of +the half-witted, childish, old woman. She was sorry for Moll, of course, +and grieved and hurt because Ebenezer had lost his temper and struck +her. But her loving heart excused him. Certainly the provocation had +been great. Old Moll was unusually impertinent.</p> + +<p>Intent to repair the momentary disloyalty of her doubt, she pressed his +arm lovingly.</p> + +<p>"There, dear, let's not speak of it again. It's over now and we'll +forget all about it."</p> + +<p>A little later, when Waldstricker was moodily riding toward Ithaca, +Mother Moll's hateful prophecies repeated themselves in his mind.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">58</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2><h3><span class="smcap">Tessibel's Marriage</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>During the few hours after the departure of Waldstricker, Professor +Young and Helen, Tessibel Skinner was preparing for her marriage. For +the present she had dismissed her fear for Andy Bishop and had turned +her attention to her own wonderful secret, her marriage to Frederick +that evening. She went so nervously from one thing to another that when +she stood fully dressed before her father, he scrutinized her +inquiringly; but he confined his curiosity to the simple question,</p> + +<p>"Goin' out, brat?"</p> + +<p>"Yep, Daddy," admitted Tess, confused for an instant, "an' darlin', +don't worry if I ain't back fer quite a little while. I air goin' to +ride with Frederick." She leaned over him and cupped his bearded face +with her hands, her eyes like stars, first shining, then shadowing. "Ye +trust yer Tessibel, don't ye, Daddy Skinner?"</p> + +<p>Since the first instant she'd been placed in his arms, a wee baby, the +squatter had never ceased to marvel at her loveliness. An expression of +adoring affection settled over his face.</p> + +<p>"Sure, I air a trustin' ye, child," he assured her huskily, "or I +wouldn't be lettin' ye run 'round wild on the rocks like ye're doin'.... +Ye won't be gone too long, honey?"</p> + +<p>"Nope," answered Tess, kissing him, "bar up, darlin', an' don't open to +any knock lessen ye know who 'tis," and she ran out of the shanty and +closed the door behind her.</p> + +<p>"Fine lookin', yer girl, eh, pal?" remarked Andy, presently, from the +ceiling.</p> + +<p>"Yep," agreed Orn, morosely.</p> + +<p>"She air got a beau, now, ain't she, old horse?"</p> + +<p>The fisherman's face darkened with anger.</p> + +<p>"Yep, an' I hate 'im like I hated his pa. But when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">59</a></span> a girl air fell in +love with some feller, that air all there air to it."</p> + +<p>"I hope he won't never hurt her," sighed the dwarf.</p> + +<p>"He better hadn't!" mumbled Skinner.</p> + +<p>During the silence that followed between the squatter and his prison +pal, Tessibel was climbing the hill to meet Frederick. Many conflicting +emotions took possession of her as she neared the summit. After tonight +she would no longer be Tessibel Skinner, but Frederick's wife, and he, +her husband, her own forever and forever. This night-ride would be her +cherished secret until Frederick gave her permission to tell Daddy +Skinner—until the whole world should know. Her mind was busy with the +events of the last thirty-six hours. She was cogitating upon the +happiness of her future, when she saw the waiting vehicle ahead of her, +and Frederick's dark figure silhouetted in the moonlight. Faster and +faster fluttered her heart, and faster and faster moved her feet. She +reached the carriage without the student's realizing it.</p> + +<p>"Frederick!" was all she had breath to say.</p> + +<p>At the whispering of his name, the young man sprang to the ground. In +another moment he had Tessibel in his arms.</p> + +<p>"You've come!" he murmured low, kissing her. "Oh, my dearest, you're +here!"</p> + +<p>Then he lifted the slender figure into the buggy. Even in the pale +light, Tessibel noticed his face gleamed white, and his eyes shone +darker than usual. She sat very quiet as he gathered up the reins, and +it was not until they were well on their way along the Trumansburg road +that the boy turned to her. How beautiful she looked, her shoulders +completely covered with dusky-dark curls and her head bowed in maidenly +shyness! All his doubts as to the expediency of his act were set at +rest. She was deeply essential to his happiness, to his progress. To +know she was his wife, married to him, so that none could separate them, +would make his absences from Tessibel much easier to bear. He had in the +past feared Deforrest Young. Now that fear was being set at rest. He +never had worried that Sandy Letts would win Tess any more than he had +been apprehensive<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">60</a></span> of Ben Letts before the drowning of the squatter. The +one person he stood in awe of was his mother. Again his eyes sought the +silent girl at his side. She had ever been a hallowing influence in his +life, and to lose her would be worse than death. After tonight the glory +in those unreadable brown eyes would ever shine for him. He threw one +arm across her shoulder, and drew her closer. "My little moonlight +girl!" he breathed in ecstasy, his cheek against hers. "Are you happy, +my sweet?"</p> + +<p>Tessibel couldn't have spoken if she had so desired. Her heart seemed +filling her throat. Happiness hushed her voice, and gratitude to God for +giving her Heaven's best prevented her expression of it.</p> + +<p>The next twelve miles were passed in silence. And ever after, when +Tessibel in imagination recalled the white road, winding its way into +the hills, the quietude of the countryside, the shimmering moonlight, it +seemed like nothing real. And she remembered, as in a daze, Frederick +taking her in his arms after the minister had married them—how he had +called her over and over his wife, his darling, and other whisperings +divinely sweet.... In memory all those hours were like strangely +mysterious dreams.</p> + +<hr class="minor" /> + +<p>Daddy Skinner was waiting for Tessibel. He had sat listening for hours, +mostly in silence, a deep brooding expression bending his ragged brows +together in a stern frown.</p> + +<p>From his position in the attic, Andy Bishop could see the fisherman's +face. The dwarf was quick to recognize that something was wrong with his +friend.</p> + +<p>"The world air waggin' yet, Orn," he remarked soothingly.</p> + +<p>"Sure, but 'tain't much of a world," grunted Skinner, sighing.</p> + +<p>Andy bent his head a little farther through the hole.</p> + +<p>"It air a lot, while we got Tess," he answered. "We got Tessibel, ain't +we, pal?"</p> + +<p>The squatter's mouth wrinkled at each corner.</p> + +<p>"Yep, I guess we got 'er all right, but I wish to God she'd come home."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">61</a></span></p> + +<p>"She'll be along soon," assured Andy, with a smile.</p> + +<p>For a few minutes they remained silent. Then Orn Skinner burst forth +again,</p> + +<p>"I ain't got as much use for that feller Tess loves as a dog has for a +million fleas, an' I never liked 'is pa, uther...."</p> + +<p>"Ye wouldn't wish she'd be lovin' Sandy Letts, even if he does make +money, eh, Orn?" asked Andy.</p> + +<p>"Thunder, no!" snorted Skinner. "I'd ruther she'd be dead 'n married to +Sandy. But that ain't sayin' a honest squatter airn't better'n a high +born pup.... I wish Tess loved a decent chap."</p> + +<p>At that moment the speaker's daughter was standing alone on a small +country inn porch, some miles from Trumansburg, waiting for her husband.</p> + +<p>Frederick had gone to get the rig to take them back to the squatter +settlement. There was absolute stillness, absolute calm everywhere but +within herself. Her heart fluttered with new emotions, new desires, +ambitions to make herself worthy of the man she'd married. Her eyes were +on the sky, her soul among the stars, her own stars that had crept out +one by one, each to look lovingly down upon her happiness.</p> + +<p>What a glorious night it was! More wonderful than yesterday even! Or any +of her many yesterdays! This hour, the climax of her love, had +transported her through the mystery of immeasurable joy. She would never +again be the old Tessibel. She was Frederick's wife! Her breath came in +sudden, quick, happy sighs, for just then she heard his voice from out +of the darkness. Ah, his tones, too, were deeper, richer than yesterday!</p> + +<p>Even in the shadow, Frederick saw her distinctly as he came toward the +house.</p> + +<p>"My own little wife!" he whispered tumultuously. "How happy I am!"</p> + +<p>"Won't ye take me home now?" murmured Tess. "It air late an' Daddy'll be +worried."</p> + +<p>"We'll start at once," promised Frederick tenderly, leading her down the +steps.</p> + +<hr class="minor" /> + +<p>Daddy Skinner heard the horse coming down the hill,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">62</a></span> heard Frederick as +he said his low, "Good-night, my darling," and unbarring the door, the +fisherman waited impatiently for his daughter to enter the shanty.</p> + +<p>One glance and he stretched out his hand.</p> + +<p>"Ye're sick, brat," he stammered. "Be ye sick, my pretty?"</p> + +<p>Dropping her eyes, Tessibel shook her head.</p> + +<p>"Nope, I ain't sick," she faltered. "But—but—"</p> + +<p>She wanted to throw herself upon her father's broad shielding breast and +sob out her joy. But she couldn't do that so she stood hesitantly, her +lips quivering.</p> + +<p>"I air wantin' to be hugged in yer arms, Daddy Skinner," she told him. +"Tell yer brat ye love her awful much."</p> + +<p>And according to his custom in his daughter's sentimental moments, the +fisherman, after dropping the door-bar, seated himself in the wooden +rocking-chair, and held out his arms.</p> + +<p>"I were just a sayin' to Andy, I wished ye'd come home," said he. "Love +ye, kid?... I love ye better'n all the world, and everythin' in it.... +Well! If my pretty brat ain't cryin'.... Sandy ain't been chasin' ye, +has he?"</p> + +<p>"Mebbe she air been a fightin' with her beau," piped the dwarf, from the +ceiling.</p> + +<p>The girl's mind traveled back through the events of the evening.</p> + +<p>"Nope, I didn't fight with 'im, Andy," she smiled through her tears.</p> + +<p>Daddy Skinner's beard rubbed lovingly over the dishevelled curly head.</p> + +<p>"There! There! My little 'un!" he singsonged. "I'll rock my babe a bit. +Ye stayed out too late, I air a thinkin'."</p> + +<p>Oh, to tell him everything that had happened in the past few hours. But +she had promised Frederick, and Tessibel would rather have died of grief +than betray her trust. She put her lips close to the fisherman's ear.</p> + +<p>"I air lovin' the student, Daddy," she whispered. "I didn't see Sandy +tonight. I jest been with Frederick."</p> + +<p>The squatter's only answer was to press her lovingly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">63</a></span> to him and for a +long time he swayed back and forth slowly. Suddenly he ceased rocking.</p> + +<p>"Ye'd best git to bed, baby," said he. "Crawl back, Andy, and let the +brat undress."</p> + +<p>Andy's shining face disappeared with a "Good night, brat," and "Good +night, old horse."</p> + +<p>The father and daughter heard him settle himself on the straw tick, and +soon all was quiet above. And later by half an hour, Tessibel was +dreaming of the young husband who that day had opened a new world to +her, who had led her from girlhood into the immensity of womanhood.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">64</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2><h3><span class="smcap">The Musicale</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>Tessibel, arrayed in her new dress and slippers, a roll of songs under +her arm, stood in the shanty kitchen. Neither Daddy Skinner nor Andy had +made any comment when she told them she had really consented to sing at +the home of the dwarf's enemy. Now she craved their commendation. A +little doubtful, she went to the ladder, and glanced upward. The dwarf +was nowhere to be seen.</p> + +<p>"Andy," she called softly.</p> + +<p>"Huh?" drifted from somewhere above in the darkness.</p> + +<p>"Crawl to the hole, dear, an' squint down at my dress."</p> + +<p>A little scramble and a face peered down upon her,</p> + +<p>"Ye been a cryin', Andy," said Tess, a break in her voice. "What ye been +a cryin' fer, honey?"</p> + +<p>"Seem's if Waldstricker air goin' to take ye away from my pal an' me."</p> + +<p>Daddy Skinner gave a grunt with no articulate word in it. Tess whirled +around on him and fastened her bright eyes upon her father's bent head.</p> + +<p>"Daddy," she began tremulously, "air you an' Andy thinkin' things ye +hadn't ought to of Tessibel?"</p> + +<p>Skinner shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Me an' Andy hates Waldstricker, that air all," he said.</p> + +<p>Tess shrugged her shoulders.</p> + +<p>"I ain't et up with love fer him uther," she offered in defense, "but +Miss Young wanted me to—oh, daddy, why didn't you tell me I couldn't go +right at first—"</p> + +<p>"Of course, ye be goin'," broke in Daddy Skinner, "but don't ye forgit +us, my pretty!"</p> + +<p>Tess gurgled in joy. She went to her father's side and gathered the dear +head into her arms.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">65</a></span></p> + +<p>"If that air all what air worryin' ye, then kiss yer brat," said she. "I +air goin' to sing an' mebbe I'll only see Waldstricker to speak to 'im. +If he says anythin' 'bout Andy—"</p> + +<p>"What'll ye tell 'im, kid?" gasped the dwarf.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'll string 'im like I allers does," returned Tess. "Now you're +done squallin' like a baby, look at me!"</p> + +<p>"Ain't she swell?" enthused Andy. "Orn, have ye looked 'er over?"</p> + +<p>"Sure," mumbled the Squatter, "an' she air finer'n silk."</p> + +<p>Tessibel hugged her father again, fluttered a kiss from the tips of her +fingers to the little man above, and repeating her usual admonition to +them, not to talk aloud, she started for Young's with palpitating heart. +Deforrest met her as she ascended the front porch. Smiling he took her +hand. His eyes expressed his approval of the winsome face and the trim +figure in the new dress.</p> + +<p>"Prompt as usual," he greeted. "How beautiful you are tonight, my dear!"</p> + +<p>The color swept to Tessibel's face in great waves. She loved everything +beautiful, the roses, the violets, the blue of the sky! Even the night +things were beautiful, too. Did Professor Young think her beautiful like +all these wonders? She smiled, her face shining in its mantling crimson. +Deforrest took her arm, leading her into the living room, where Helen +stood at the table, drawing on a long white glove.</p> + +<p>"Gaze upon your handiwork," laughed her brother. "Quite a surprise for +Ebenezer and his friends, eh?"</p> + +<p>Helen examined Tessibel from the top of her head to the tip of her +pretty boots with critical, gratified eyes.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she decided, "you're all very satisfactory, Tess." Then to her +brother, "Now, let's go, dear."</p> + +<p>When Deforrest drove his horses up the long roadway leading to the +Waldstricker mansion, Tessibel noticed the house was lighted from cellar +to garret, that a long line of vehicles was making its slow way to the +porch. Her heart fluttered with embarrassment. As they drew up to the +stone veranda, Tess reached spontaneously for Helen Young's hand.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">66</a></span></p> + +<p>"It seem's if I jest couldn't sing afore such a awful lot of folks," she +murmured helplessly.</p> + +<p>Helen returned the pressure of the cold fingers.</p> + +<p>"Try to imagine you're in church," she suggested. "You won't break down, +my dear, I feel quite sure."</p> + +<p>"I—I—air goin' to try to be awful careful anyhow," replied Tess, +hopefully, but she heaved a deep sigh as Deforrest Young lifted her +quite into his arms and placed her on the low, broad porch-stone.</p> + +<p>Amid a crowd of laughing people, they passed into the house, and while +they were removing their wraps, Helen took the opportunity to give her +little protege a few last admonitions.</p> + +<p>"Don't forget to put the 'g's' on your 'ing's,' and remember always to +say 'your' quite plainly," she whispered.</p> + +<p>"I will," Tessibel promised.</p> + +<p>By this time, they had entered the crowded reception hall, and the +squatter girl's heart leapt into her throat when Ebenezer Waldstricker +came forward to meet them. He welcomed Helen Young tenderly, taking her +hands in his. Tess noticed both corners of his mouth were up.</p> + +<p>"I'm so happy to have you here, Helen, my darling," he murmured, bending +over the hands he held.</p> + +<p>A flushed face smiled into the speaker's.</p> + +<p>"And I'm happy to be here, too, dear." Then turning, Helen announced +"Here's Miss Skinner ... Tessibel, Mr. Waldstricker."</p> + +<p>Until then the Elder had not seemed to be aware of the girl's presence, +but at the introduction he extended his hand, formally polite. When, in +shy greeting, Tess lifted her eyes, one corner of his mouth drew down +rigidly. She was more at ease when Deforrest Young joined them. Her +welcoming smile caused that gentleman's heart to bound in delight. They +made their way slowly and with difficulty down the long hall, Tessibel +growing more and more conscious of the curious glances directed at them +from all sides. When they reached the drawing room door, her agitation +grew perceptibly, having noticed that Waldstricker was detaining Helen. +Deforrest held her arm with an encouraging pressure.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">67</a></span></p> + +<p>"Don't be afraid, dear," he whispered in her ear. "You'll stay near +sister and me the entire evening. There!" They had crossed the room and +neared a row of chairs arranged against the wall. "Sit down by this open +window. My sister will be here soon.... Why!—Why! childie, you mustn't +tremble so!"</p> + +<p>A mist gathered under Tessibel's lowered lids. Each moment she grew more +frightened, and from the corner of her eye measured the distance between +their place and the piano. Oh, how thankful she was when Miss Young took +a seat beside her. Near the door she recognized Madelene Waldstricker. +Across the distance Tess studied the girl a moment. How pretty her gown +was!</p> + +<p>Tessibel glanced down at her own dress; at her rounded arms shining +white under the little ruffle of fine lace. Her dress was pretty, the +prettiest she'd ever had, and gratitude toward the woman at her side +overcame for the moment her embarrassment. Presently Waldstricker came +to them with the request for a song, and Deforrest Young escorted Tess +to the piano. He pitied her from the bottom of his heart, as she +clutched frantically at his arm.</p> + +<p>"You've only to be yourself and sing as you do for us, my dear," he bent +to whisper, "everybody will love you then."</p> + +<p>That magic word "Love!" It always thrilled Tess into doing her best, and +she must do no less tonight for her friends' sake. She sank down quite +helplessly into the chair to which Deforrest led her and watched +Ebenezer escort Helen to the piano. Her muscles grew taut with fright. +How she wished to be back with Daddy Skinner and Andy! But she took the +song Deforrest handed her, and through a veil of embarrassment, saw his +smiling face close to hers.</p> + +<p>"Sit here," he said, in low tones. "I shall be near you."</p> + +<p>In one melodious touch of ivory keys, Helen started the prelude and +every one in the room grew silent and attentive. Then from the side of +the instrument there suddenly appeared before the quiet audience a +radiant vision, a girl with tawny, glittering curls hanging in a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">68</a></span> golden +fire-shower about her slender figure. The unfathomable brown eyes swept +over the throng a quick glance, then dropped to the sheet of music in +her hand.</p> + +<p>A spontaneous murmur of admiration fell from many lips. For an instant +Helen Young's hands poised above the keyboard, then descended; and as +spontaneously as a bird begins its love song to the blue, so Tessibel +Skinner began to sing.</p> + +<p>The powerful voice rose up and up in seeming unending volume,—up and up +until Deforrest Young sank against the wall and locked his fingers +together. How had his sister dared to risk such a song with such a +child!... Then he took a long satisfied breath, for he saw the little +singer sang as a lark sings, without fear or self-consciousness, without +knowledge of limitation to her thrilling harmony.</p> + +<p>When Tess ceased on a high note, held until it drifted softly to the +furthermost corner of the room, a round of applause went up to the high +ceiling, and Miss Young, glancing around proudly at Tess, smiled and +nodded. The girl felt another song thrust into her hands. This time she +was less tremulous and sent back to Deforrest Young a charming, youthful +smile. Helen's fingers rippled over the keys softly for a minute or two, +and once more Tess began to sing.</p> + +<p>"That I may know the largeness of God's love, teach me the fullness of +thine own," she thrilled forth.</p> + +<p>A groan forced its way almost to Deforrest Young's lips. What a child +she was! Yet she sang that song with the abandonment of passion known +only to a woman. How beautifully, lithely young she looked, standing +there with those flowing, shimmering curls and the tender, throbbing +voice pleading to be taught the fullness of human love, that she might +find the largeness of the Infinite. Turning swiftly to the window, he +pressed his lips together to stifle his emotion. He could no longer bear +the stab at his heart, nor risk the mist rising in his eyes. Tessibel, +wholly unconscious of the stir she was making, sang on and on, her gaze +on the sheet in her hand. Suddenly she raised her eyes and there near +the door was Frederick Graves, his face waxen white, his dark gaze bent +upon her. Close beside<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">69</a></span> him stood Madelene Waldstricker. But a single +instant Tess faltered in her song. Then again, passionately, +insistently, and tempestuously she sang, "That I may know the largeness +of God's love, teach me the fullness of thine own!"</p> + +<p>She saw his lids droop as she carefully pronounced each beautiful word, +and saw him, without a glimmer of recognition for her, turn to the girl +at his side. He hadn't even welcomed her with his eyes. Never before had +he failed to greet her smilingly. She chilled to the bone, nor dared +look again. When the song was finished, she sat down limply. Deforrest +Young, strangely stirred, took her hand.</p> + +<p>"Sweet child," he murmured, "it was delightful! Lovely!"</p> + +<p>At the same moment Waldstricker was bending over Helen Young.</p> + +<p>"My dear, how ambitious you are for so young a pupil!" he laughed.</p> + +<p>"There's nothing she can't sing," she replied, rising. "Hasn't she a +wonderful range?"</p> + +<p>"Very," replied Waldstricker, and he, too, turned to look at the +squatter girl.</p> + +<p>Tess was striving to listen to Deforrest Young, but her disturbed mind +was where Frederick stood with Madelene Waldstricker. Her whole loving +heart desired him to come and speak to her.</p> + +<p>"I never heard her sing like that before," Madelene was saying to +Frederick. "I believe you know her quite well, don't you?"</p> + +<p>"I know who she is," stammered the student, flushing, "but as to saying +I know her well—"</p> + +<p>"She's very beautiful!" interjected Madelene.</p> + +<p>Frederick lowered his head flatteringly, "Not as beautiful as another +girl I know," he whispered, and Madelene dropped her eyes with a happy +sigh.</p> + +<p>"Let's go and speak to her," she suggested. "I feel I must, I'm the +hostess, you know."</p> + +<p>Frederick reluctantly fell into step with her, and together they crossed +the room, a striking picture of entrancing youth. Tessibel's heart ached +at the unusual sight. For one burning moment she wanted to scream,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">70</a></span> to +spring up and do some terrible thing to the small girl walking so +familiarly at her husband's side. Then she looked away miserably. She +could not bear the sight, nor did she turn again until she heard a +strange, rather high, girl's voice say,</p> + +<p>"It was very lovely, Helen! Such a surprise to every one! I'm ever so +grateful to you."</p> + +<p>"Tessibel, this is Miss Waldstricker," introduced Helen.</p> + +<p>Tess raised a scarlet face at the sound of her name.</p> + +<p>For one moment the two girls gazed into each other's eyes. Each had in +her panting heart a feeling of proprietorship for the tall, dark boy +standing moodily behind Madelene. Tess knew he was there, yet did not +look at him.</p> + +<p>"You've a beautiful voice," observed Miss Waldstricker, with a shade of +condescension in her manner.</p> + +<p>Tessibel could feel the blood pulsing even to her finger tips. What did +she care for compliments from Madelene Waldstricker? She wanted to hear +them from Frederick! Miss Waldstricker whirled suddenly to bring him +into the conversation.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Graves.... Ah, yes, of course, you know Miss Young, and this—and +this is—Miss Skinner, Mr. Graves."</p> + +<p>Then Frederick bent over Tessibel's hand, and her fingers shook in his. +She raised her eyes slowly and he was looking upon her as if she were a +thing apart from him now and ever would be. A crimson wave flew to her +face—a flood tide of humiliation.</p> + +<p>"I've met Miss Skinner," she heard in a low, unfamiliar tone. "Your +voice, Miss Skinner, as Miss Waldstricker says, is very beautiful."</p> + +<p>The accent of the ice in his words caused her to withdraw her hand from +his instantly. She was stung to the quick by his coldness and +indifference. She could not answer him. Was this her Frederick—this the +boy who had so often knelt at her feet in ardent adoration? He had gazed +at her as if she'd been a stranger, had praised her singing only by +repeating what another girl had said. Her head burned like fire, and her +heart gave a rebellious, defiant twist. She was his wife. All<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">71</a></span> the +passion within her tempestuous soul raged in stout protest against his +treatment of her. Couldn't—oh, he could have said—have said—just a +little something! Then anger fell from her in a trice. Desolation like +an ash encompassed her. Of course, she was but a squatter; Frederick was +ashamed of her, ashamed he even knew her. It was just at that moment she +saw her husband place Madelene's fingers on his arm and laughingly move +away with her. Tess started out of her jealous agony as some one touched +her arm. Deforrest Young was smiling down upon her.</p> + +<p>"Let's go to supper," he invited.</p> + +<p>The girl made an effort to master her confusion. Slowly she rose and +took the professor's arm. The unfamiliar, embarrassing formality helped +to hide her anger and consternation. She found herself positively unable +to eat. When had she ever been capable of taking food when her heart +filled her throat? She was conscious every moment of the presence of her +husband and Madelene a little farther down the table, and that +Frederick's attention was wholly taken up with his companion. She had +but to raise her eyes to see Madelene's face beaming with pleasure.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the voice of a stranger roused Tessibel from her bitter +meditation.</p> + +<p>"I heard, Mr. Waldstricker, you've located Andrew Bishop. It's true, I +hope."</p> + +<p>If it hadn't been for the queer feeling in her legs, Tessibel would have +stood up. Located Andy Bishop—where? Why in her shanty, of course,—up +in the garret under the straw tick. If they had found him, it must have +been there. When? Tonight, since she'd left home. She bent over and +searched the table for Waldstricker. He was seated next to Helen Young, +and his gaze was directed toward his questioner.</p> + +<p>"Well," he replied, "that's not quite right, but we hope—" he +hesitated, swept his flashing eyes to Tessibel and smiled, "we hope to +have him back in Auburn soon. I have two good detectives working for +me."</p> + +<p>Taking a deep breath of relief, Tess subsided in her chair, and she was +not sorry when the signal was given for the company to leave the table.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">72</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER X</h2><h3><span class="smcap">A Victim of Circumstances</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>Frederick Graves had just left Tess at the shanty door. He had found it +difficult to explain away his conduct on the evening of the musicale at +Waldstricker's.</p> + +<p>"It were awful," sobbed Tess, after Frederick had mollified her anger +somewhat. "I wanted to die! Ye looked like some big man I didn't know 't +all."</p> + +<p>"Silly baby," laughed the student. "There were so many people there who +know my mother—" He paused and kissed the upraised, tearful face +passionately. "I didn't think you'd care. I supposed of course you'd +understand. I'm awfully sorry you didn't. You'll forgive me, darling, +won't you?"</p> + +<p>Tess snuggled nearer him. She wanted to forget how unhappy she'd been.</p> + +<p>"Sure, I don't care now,—such a awful lot," she sighed.</p> + +<p>Later in the evening, when he came into the hall of his home in Ithaca, +he was greeted by his young sister, Babe.</p> + +<p>"Fred," she called softly, "come on up, mother wants you."</p> + +<p>For some minutes after taking off his hat, he remained in the lower hall +considering just what to say to his mother. Shaking his head dismally, +he mounted the stairs and went reluctantly to the front room. He hated +scenes with his mother. He hated everything about the house, hated even +the thought of going back to school. He wanted to take Tess away from +the lake—make a home for her—to be with her always. How dear she had +grown day by day since he'd married her! His very being fired at the +memory of her clinging sweetness.</p> + +<p>When he opened his mother's bedroom door and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">73</a></span> walked self-consciously +forward to turn up the light, a fretful voice from the bed halted him.</p> + +<p>"Fred, if you're going to make the room bright, please bring the screen +forward."</p> + +<p>He dropped his hand from the gas jet.</p> + +<p>"It doesn't matter," said he, sulkily, and he moved to the foot of the +bed. "Let it stay as it is.... Babe said you wanted me."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Graves settled her glasses on the bridge of her nose and looked at +him.</p> + +<p>"Yes! I did tell her to send you in. What's the matter? Anything?"</p> + +<p>"No." The answer was brutal in its curtness.</p> + +<p>"You've been with that Skinner girl again." The woman sat up in bed and +exclaimed angrily. "I can tell by the way you act."</p> + +<p>A sudden fury took possession of the student.</p> + +<p>"Of course, I haven't been to Skinner's," he contradicted roughly. +"Didn't I tell you I wouldn't go and see her any more? What do you want +now?"</p> + +<p>Relieved by his words in spite of the ugly way in which they were +uttered, Mrs. Graves sank back on the pillows. "Sit down," she invited.</p> + +<p>He was too nervous and angry willingly to grant even so small a request +just then.</p> + +<p>"I can listen as well standing here," he answered crossly.</p> + +<p>"But I can't talk as well when you stand," insisted Mrs. Graves, +peevishly. "Frederick! What's happened to you since your father died? +That squatter girl's turned your head. I know it. She's completely +spoiled you."</p> + +<p>Tessibel and all her girlish sweetness came vividly across the boy's +mind. It was ridiculous to blame Tess. Ah, if he were as good as Tess +desired him to be, his life would be the most exemplary.</p> + +<p>"Please leave her name out of it, will you?" he rasped rudely. "Even if +I can't see her, I won't hear anything against her."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Graves sat up in bed, throwing back wisps of gray hair, that +persisted in falling over her nose.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you won't, eh?" she shrilled loudly. "Well,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">74</a></span> now, you listen to +me.... You'll hear what I please to say to you, young man. It's a good +thing you don't go to Skinner's any more. It's time you were interested +in a decent girl. You've got to marry sometime. It's just as easy to +love a rich girl as a poor one. Why don't you propose to Madelene +Waldstricker?"</p> + +<p>"Madelene's all right, I suppose," the boy answered "but I don't want to +marry her."</p> + +<p>"You better want to," his mother rejoined tartly. "You've got to do just +that very thing."</p> + +<p>"You're crazy, Mother. I won't do it. What do you take me for, anyhow? +Get that idea out of your head and keep it out."</p> + +<p>"If your father were here, you wouldn't dare to say such things to +me.... I want you to sit down, do you hear?"</p> + +<p>Frederick dropped into a chair wearily. The time had come to tell his +mother that Tessibel Skinner was his wife. After that was done, there +could be no such arguments. He started to speak, but his mother +interrupted him.</p> + +<p>"Madelene Waldstricker's wild over you," she explained. "You can't deny +you've shown her open attention, at the same time you've been stealing +down to that Skinner girl's hut.... Oh, don't deny it any more! But +Madelene doesn't know very much about that, and she has lots of money. +It's your duty to Babe and me."</p> + +<p>"I won't marry her, or anyone else," Frederick repeated.</p> + +<p>His voice was very low but every word was distinct.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Graves lifted her pillow, turned it over, patted, and sank back +upon it.</p> + +<p>"Why?" she demanded, searching his face with accusing eyes. "Because of +that fisherman's—"</p> + +<p>Now he would tell her; now he would explain! He coughed, took out his +handkerchief and wiped his lips.</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't think you'd say anything against Tessibel Skinner," was +what he said at last, "considering what she did for us."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Graves uttered a scream, and covered her face with her hands.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">75</a></span></p> + +<p>"Now throw that in my face, will you?" she cried. "Can't you let me +forget my shame and disgrace? Can't you see that girl coming into my +life would bring constantly before me my daughter's downfall and death?"</p> + +<p>Her voice was tragic, and Frederick's heart always had been tender +toward his mother. He saw as vividly as if it had happened but yesterday +Teola dying in the church. It had been such a dreadful experience for +all of them. Frederick had never doubted for one moment that that +terrible ordeal had been the cause of his father's death. He went +quickly forward and slipped one arm about her shoulders.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry, mater," he murmured. "There, forgive me!—There!—Don't +cry!... Now don't get nervous—the doctor said you mustn't cry."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Graves shivered in the strong arms.</p> + +<p>"I've reason enough to cry," she whimpered brokenly. "You won't do +anything to help me, and you're the one who should."</p> + +<p>"I'll go to work," he said eagerly. He sat down on the edge of the bed. +"I'm tired of college anyway!"</p> + +<p>"Go to work!" echoed his mother. "What could you do? You wouldn't get +ten dollars a week. Nor anything like it. You haven't any profession, +and what is there in Ithaca to do anyway?... Oh, if your father'd only +lived!"</p> + +<p>She broke into a fresh burst of tears.</p> + +<p>"Hush, please, dear," said Frederick, smoothing back the grey hair. "Go +on and tell me what you want. There, see, now, I'm listening."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Graves used her handkerchief vigorously.</p> + +<p>"I said I wanted you to marry Madelene Waldstricker," she responded in +ruffled tones. "You've but to ask her, and she'll jump. Babe says she +talks of you all the time, and is frightfully jealous of you."</p> + +<p>A fair, lovely face, glorious glistening brown eyes, and shrouding red +curls passed between Frederick's vision and his mother's face, and he +groaned.</p> + +<p>"Don't! I said not to talk of Tess."</p> + +<p>"But I can't help it," snapped Mrs. Graves. "I've got to tell you about +Madelene, haven't I? You must ask her now.... She's staying here +tonight."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">76</a></span></p> + +<p>Frederick withdrew his arms from under his mother and dropped his face +hopelessly into his hands.</p> + +<p>"Oh, God, help me!" he groaned between his fingers. "I can't do that, +Mother! I can't!"</p> + +<p>A tender hand went out slowly and touched him. He lifted his face with a +sharp gesture and grasped his mother's fingers in his.</p> + +<p>"Don't ask me to do that, oh, don't, darling mater, don't!" he moaned. +"Anything else—I'd do <i>anything</i> else."</p> + +<p>The feminine fingers closed over the masculine ones.</p> + +<p>"I must ask you, my son," insisted Mrs. Graves, gently. "It's the only +hope I have.... I've kept so many things from you, but now I'll tell you +why. The lake place is mortgaged to Ebenezer Waldstricker for more than +it's worth, and I've borrowed a lot of money from him and from +Madelene."</p> + +<p>Frederick's hands fell from his face.</p> + +<p>"Good God! My God!" he exclaimed hoarsely. "Why didn't you tell me +before?"</p> + +<p>"I couldn't—I couldn't, Fred, but now you see why you must do this for +all our sakes. I haven't any money at all only what they let me have. +Babe and I won't have any place to go if you don't help. Oh, Fred, you +will think of it, dear, you will?"</p> + +<p>The boy got up feeling as if something worse than death had happened to +him. He saw no way out.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'll think of it," he temporized.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Graves sank deeper into her pillow and closed her eyes with a long +sigh. Frederick said no more, but turned quickly and went out of the +room.</p> + +<p>He staggered downstairs like a drunken man. He ought to have told his +mother he was married to Tessibel Skinner. He couldn't marry any other +woman!... How could he, when he was already married—married to the +sweetest girl in the world? Oh, to get away somewhere to think quietly! +To get something to stop the throbbing in his head! This new horror +facing him was more than he could bear. He'd go back now and tell his +mother he was married to Tess.... No, he'd wait until morning! He opened +the library door and stepped in, crossed the room slowly and drew<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">77</a></span> down +the curtain. Turning, he saw a girl rise from the divan. Madelene +Waldstricker reached out two rounded arms with an impatient gesture.</p> + +<p>"Ah, you've come," she said, smiling into his eyes.</p> + +<p>Frederick gazed at the small girlish figure curiously. The new interest +in her awakened by the talk he'd just had with his mother, contended +with the image of Tess in his mind—radiant, loving, splendid Tess.</p> + +<p>He walked to the table and feigned interest in a book.</p> + +<p>"I've been with my mother," he said hesitatingly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know," asserted Madelene, coming to his side, "and she's awfully +ill, isn't she?"</p> + +<p>"More nervous than anything," replied the boy, impatiently.</p> + +<p>"The doctor told your sister and me this afternoon she must have perfect +rest if she ever recovers," explained Madelene. "He says she ought to be +in a good health resort.... I wish I could help her."</p> + +<p>"She tells me you have," blurted Frederick.</p> + +<p>"But not so much as I'd like to," Madelene assured him softly.</p> + +<p>There was deep sympathy in her voice, and Frederick looked at her +critically. This small brown girl had taken on new significance to him. +She had come into his life suddenly as a large part of it, that +deadening financial part that tied him hand and foot and made him feel +like a galley slave. But he could never marry her, never! He belonged to +Tessibel Skinner by all the rights of Heaven and earth. He studied the +eager girl again—for so long a time that she dropped her lids, +blushing. Truly, Tess and Madelene formed a strange contrast—his bride +with the red gold of her curls and eyes holding him a willing captive, +and this bright-eyed, brown-skinned, little creature, before him with +that eloquent, calling appeal of money for his mother.</p> + +<p>Never before had he thought any one could for any reason whatever come +between him and Tessibel Skinner. He did not concede it now in its +fullness, but Madelene was looking pleadingly into his face and had +spoken of his mother with tender sympathy. He suddenly reached out and +took her hand. He would tell her of his young wife. He would take her +into his confidence right then,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">78</a></span> and all would be well for them +both—and for Tess.</p> + +<p>"Listen, Madelene," the boy said earnestly. "I have something to say to +you."</p> + +<p>At the touch of his fingers, Madelene went white and swayed toward him. +Her head fell forward on his chest, and his arms closed around her, as +if to keep her from falling. Of a sudden, a flushed face was lifted to +his, and a smile flashed around a rosy mouth.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm so happy, oh, so happy!" whispered pursed lips.</p> + +<p>And Madelene sighed as she dropped her head against him once more. For +the moment Frederick's mind went blank, but the girl's voice drew him +back.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I was afraid you loved that girl who sings in the church," she was +saying. "I've heard so often you did. I just couldn't bear the thought +of it, Frederick. Your mother and Babe kept telling me you didn't, but I +suppose I was a little jealous."</p> + +<p>She laughed and snuggled nearer him. But a short hour before another +girl, the girl he adored, his wife, had been in the same tender +position. He was so dazed that for the moment he could not find words +for an answer. Then slowly he led her forward to the divan.</p> + +<p>"I want to talk to you," he ventured hesitatingly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I love to hear you talk," Madelene babbled with joy.</p> + +<p>Frederick flushed. He'd have to tell her of his marriage with Tessibel +before she really admitted anything that would afterwards make her +sorry.</p> + +<p>"What I've got to tell you is very serious," he said at length. "You'll +listen to me, Madelene?"</p> + +<p>Five small fingers touched his lips.</p> + +<p>"Nothing is serious now," came the interruption, "not now that I know +you love me. It's all I want in the world to make me supremely happy," +and she sighed.</p> + +<p>Frederick shuddered. Why, he hadn't told her he loved her! He was as far +from loving her at that moment as the very stranger on the street.</p> + +<p>"But it's something you must know," he thrust in desperately.</p> + +<p>"I know what it is," averred the girl smiling. "I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">79</a></span> know all about it.... +It's just money, that horrid old money your mother borrowed of brother +and me.... But what does money matter? I've lots of it, bunches of it, +and more than enough for us all, and so has Ebenezer."</p> + +<p>Frederick shook himself impatiently. She must listen while he explained +the impossibility of their ever being anything to each other.</p> + +<p>"I couldn't take—"</p> + +<p>"I'm not asking you to take anything but me," laughed the girl. "Just +me, see? There, dearest! Now don't talk of anything disagreeable +tonight. I just want to be happy."</p> + +<p>And like a contented, purring kitten, she once more settled herself +against him. Somehow Frederick couldn't tell her of Tessibel just then. +The right moment had come and gone. In the morning he would! By the +light of the day it would be easier. Then he would explain everything to +her and his mother.</p> + +<p>"Put your arms around me," whispered Madelene.</p> + +<p>Thrusting Tessibel from his mind, he drew the little figure close into +his arms.</p> + +<p>"Kiss me," she breathed, and two hours later, when Frederick Graves shut +his bedroom door, he had promised to marry Madelene Waldstricker.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">80</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2><h3><span class="smcap">Frederick Intimidated</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>Confused and angry with himself and Madelene, Frederick crossed the room +slowly.</p> + +<p>What an awful mess! Married to Tessibel and engaged to marry Madelene! +His mother sick and head over heels in debt to the Waldstrickers! The +situation was becoming more complicated by the hour. He sat down by the +open window to think. The simple thing, and what he really wanted to do, +was to announce his marriage and let himself and the others take the +consequences. He didn't intend to give up Tess, and for a few minutes +his memory was alive with all the suffering of his brave young wife +during the past two years. What she had done for his sister Teola made +him shudder with grief. There was no other woman in the world like Tess, +and the sweetness of his intimate experiences since his marriage touched +him to tears.</p> + +<p>"I won't give her up," he groaned aloud, "whatever happens, I'll stand +by Tess. She's worth all the rest—I love her better than life itself. +In the morning I'll tell mother and Madelene the truth."</p> + +<p>But no sooner had he reached this conclusion, than the many embarrassing +consequences his confession entailed presented themselves. He could hear +his mother's querulous complaints. She hated Tess, blaming the little +squatter girl for the trouble which had made her an invalid and taken +her husband from her. Would he be compelled to choose between his +affection for his mother and his love for Tess? No, surely not that!</p> + +<p>Yet there was Madelene! How could he face her, after all that had +happened. He bitterly regretted his weakness in permitting the girl to +avow her love for him, in engaging himself to her.</p> + +<p>And worst of all, that harrowing debt! He groaned at the thought of it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">81</a></span></p> + +<p>Madelene had told him, "Your mother won't have to worry any more, dear. +We can send her away for a nice, long rest, and when Professor Young's +lease is up, we'll fix the lake place for a summer home."</p> + +<p>"If I could marry Madelene," he thought, "the debts—"</p> + +<p>He got up, lighted a cigarette, his fingers shaking so he almost dropped +the match. He couldn't marry Madelene!</p> + +<p>Yet to acknowledge his relation to the squatter girl meant a certain and +final break with the Waldstrickers, the financial ruin of himself and +his mother.</p> + +<p>Even at that cost, he must do it. Tessibel was his wife, his dear little +wife. He had promised to make a home for her. But how? Could they get +along at all, and what would he do with her impossible father? As his +mother had said, he had no ability to earn anything. Bitter tears of +discouragement filled his eyes.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, a thought found its way into his brain and seemed to clear the +situation completely.</p> + +<p>"If I could explain it to Tess," he whispered, "and she would consent, +everything would be easy. I know she'd help me!"</p> + +<p>Again and again, and from many different angles, the argument repeated +itself.</p> + +<p>He lay wakeful in bed, his mind a confused jumble of diversified +thoughts, in which his mother, then Tess, and again the Waldstrickers +demanded his attention and sought to influence him. Worn out, at length +he fell into a troubled sleep.</p> + +<p>He was late in rising the next morning. When he finally went into his +mother's room, he found Madelene seated by the invalid's side, holding +her hand. Frederick knew by the expression on their faces, that the girl +had confided to his mother the agreement made in the drawing room the +evening before. Smiling a little uncertainly, he crossed the room.</p> + +<p>"Good morning, mater! Good morning, Madelene!" said he.</p> + +<p>Madelene smiled shyly, stood up and moved a little away. Frederick bent +over his mother, who kissed him and murmured, "I'm so pleased and +happy."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">82</a></span></p> + +<p>He straightened up and took Madelene's outstretched hand, very much +inclined to tell them both then how impossible it was for him to carry +out his engagement. But his mother, ostentatiously turning on her +pillow, cried laughingly.</p> + +<p>"Don't mind me, children, dear!... Kiss your sweetheart, if you want to, +Frederick!"</p> + +<p>Snuggling to his side, Madelene threw her arms around his neck, and +whispered,</p> + +<p>"You do love me, dear, don't you?"</p> + +<p>Smiling into her eyes, he kissed her.</p> + +<p>"Of course I do," he lied promptly. "Don't you know it, little girl?"</p> + +<p>After breakfast, Mrs. Graves summoned them to her room again. Relieved +of her pressing anxieties, and excited by the sudden fruition of her +cherished plans, she looked and acted much better. She talked gaily to +the young people of their future, laughed at the girl's blushes, and +chaffed her son about his coming responsibilities.</p> + +<p>"Frederick," she suddenly said more soberly. "I think you should go +right away now and see Ebenezer, and ask him properly for Madelene's +hand."</p> + +<p>Feeling that such a course would commit him irrevocably, the boy +hesitated.</p> + +<p>"Don't be afraid, Fred dear," Madelene broke in. "I know Eb likes you, +and," blushingly, "I think he will not be much surprised, either."</p> + +<p>If he could only summon courage enough to tell Madelene before they met +her brother! Perhaps if he could get the girl alone he might.</p> + +<p>"Come along with me," he said spontaneously. "We'll go together."</p> + +<p>"Then wait until I get my hat," and she danced away, the happiest girl +in Ithaca.</p> + +<p>On the way down the street, although he responded with dutiful +tenderness to his companion's conversation, his mind was busy with the +same old question: What should he do about Tess? If he could tell +Madelene, or perhaps it would be easier to make Ebenezer understand his +position.</p> + +<p>But before he came to a decision, they met Mr. Waldstricker<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">83</a></span> coming out +of the First National Bank on Tioga Street. He looked very prosperous, +very powerful, as he stood smilingly waiting for them.</p> + +<p>"We were just coming to see you, Eb," said Madelene, blushing. +"Frederick—well, we both wanted to speak to you."</p> + +<p>"All right, little girl," Waldstricker said pleasantly. "If it is +something special, we can go to the office; or perhaps you can tell me +here."</p> + +<p>Hoping to gain courage by further respite Frederick suggested,</p> + +<p>"We'd better go to the office, I think."</p> + +<p>But Madelene was too full of her new happiness to brook any more delay.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you men!" she exclaimed. "Don't be so formal and business-like!" +She took hold of one of her brother's hands, while she held Frederick +possessively by the arm. "We came to make an announcement and receive +your congratulations, and I want them now."</p> + +<p>"So that's it?" chuckled her brother, smiling into her shining eyes. +"Well, I <i>am</i> pleased! And I do congratulate you both, heartily. Fred, +run into the office in about an hour, I want to talk to you."</p> + +<p>Frederick brightened.</p> + +<p>"And I want to talk to you," he answered.</p> + +<p>He swung to Madelene's side, drew a long breath and made a quick +resolution that before long he would make his confession to Ebenezer.</p> + +<p>At the appointed time, Frederick entered Waldstricker's office. He'd +resolved to make a clean breast of his marriage to Tess. But without +giving him a chance to say anything more than "Hello, Ebenezer," that +gentleman began,</p> + +<p>"Glad to see you! Sit down.... So you think you want to join my family, +do you? I suppose you know you're asking a great deal, when you haven't +any money or any profession, either. But then, my sister's fond of you, +and that means a lot. Fortunately, she has enough money so that you need +not worry about that. The question is, can you make her happy?"</p> + +<p>He paused. Frederick fingered his hat, let it slide to the floor, and +picked it up before answering.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">84</a></span></p> + +<p>"Mr. Waldstricker, I think ... I want first ... I can't ... You see...." +He wanted desperately to tell the powerful man at the table that he +couldn't marry his sister, but somehow the words wouldn't come.</p> + +<p>The older man thought he knew the cause of the young man's hesitation.</p> + +<p>"There, there, my boy!" he laughed, pleased at his own insight. "Don't +try to explain anything. I know it's been hard for you. Frederick," he +continued more soberly, "as you know, I'm Madelene's only near relative. +Her mother has been dead many years, and since father ... was killed, +she has only me left. I want her to be happy, ... to have everything +that makes life worth while. She's chosen you, and I feel sure she's +wise in her choice." He stood up, his great height towering above the +boy, who also rose. Ebenezer thrust forth his hand and took Frederick's. +"I'm giving her to you," he went on. "Make her happy and there's nothing +I won't do for you."</p> + +<p>Of course Frederick couldn't just then tell this man, who trusted him, +that he was already married to a squatter girl. Perhaps later—yes, +later he would. He hung his head in shame and the elder man, again +mistaking the emotion, ascribed it to diffidence.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Waldstricker," began Frederick, "you were so kind to my mother and +so was Madelene. I'm not fit to marry your sister."</p> + +<p>"Pshaw, boy, you're too modest!" Waldstricker laughed good-naturedly. +"If she's satisfied, that's all there is to it."</p> + +<p>Turning back to the desk, he seated himself.</p> + +<p>"Sit down again, Fred," he continued. "Have you planned to get married +immediately?"</p> + +<p>Frederick shuddered. It seemed as if a great gulf were opening under his +feet and he were about to be swallowed up.</p> + +<p>"Well, we hadn't considered that," he hesitated embarrassedly. "Probably +not for two years yet, until I get through college."</p> + +<p>Here was a ray of hope. Lots of things could happen in two years.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">85</a></span></p> + +<p>"Nonsense!" was Waldstricker's prompt rejoinder. "Why should you bother +with college? You'd better get married right along and go to Europe for +your honeymoon. Then when you come back, take your place in my business +and help me. I need some smart young fellow, and there's no sense in +wasting your time at college. It isn't as though you had your own way to +make."</p> + +<p>Frederick sought to make objections to these plans, but Waldstricker +impatiently got to his feet and stood looking down at the boy in the +chair.</p> + +<p>"It's settled then, isn't it? Say no more about it," he said with +finality. "Run along and hunt up Madelene and tell her what I've said."</p> + +<p>In parting, Waldstricker shook hands with Frederick, and placing his +hand on the boy's shoulder said with genuine emotion in his voice, "Make +her happy, my boy, and there's nothing in the world too good for you."</p> + +<p>Frederick went into the sunshine, his head in a whirl. Waldstricker's +promises unfolded visions of ease and success surpassing in splendor his +wildest dreams. He had not meant to betray Tessibel nor to deceive +Madelene. Yet since these things were forced upon him, he would see what +he could do, but he took a long, deep breath when he thought of how +difficult it would be to explain his action to Tessibel.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">86</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2><h3><span class="smcap">Making Ready for the Warden</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>The next day, while Frederick was studying over the problems relating to +his engagement to Madelene Waldstricker, Tessibel Skinner was sitting +with Helen Young on the veranda of the latter's home. The young squatter +girl was receiving a lesson in sewing.</p> + +<p>"It air goin' to be pretty, ain't it?" she asked, holding up a blue +chambray dress.</p> + +<p>"Yes, very," replied Helen. "You're doing nicely. I'm very proud of you, +dear!"</p> + +<p>A shadow crept into Tessibel's eyes.</p> + +<p>"I'll be a missin' ye awful after—after—"</p> + +<p>"But you may come as often as you like to—our—home after we're +married," said Helen, affectionately. "Mr. Waldstricker will soon grow +fond of you, too, and the distance is only a little over a mile, short +cut."</p> + +<p>"But you'll be so rich," sighed Tess, "an' mebbe'll be awful busy."</p> + +<p>"Never too busy to see my friends," Helen smiled. "There! Now you've +been sewing an hour.... Let me hear you read.... By the way, I meant to +tell you last night's paper said they're trailing the man who killed Mr. +Waldstricker's father down here. The offer of five thousand dollars' +reward is stirring a lot of men to hunt for him."</p> + +<p>"I thought as how they'd lost 'im, sure," remarked Tess, inwardly +quaking.</p> + +<p>She forced her voice to say this in a tone as nearly natural as +possible.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I think the paper says they did lose track of him," replied Helen, +"but they've suddenly found his trail again.... He must be somewhere +near here. A deputy warden by the name of Burnett is coming to +Ithaca.... Mr. Waldstricker will be very much pleased if they find +him."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">87</a></span></p> + +<p>Tessibel's questioning gaze prompted Helen to proceed.</p> + +<p>"The paper says, too, the men up there in Auburn are pretty sure he's +somewhere among his own people."</p> + +<p>A scarlet wave dyed Tessibel's face, and then receded. Her eyes drew +down a little at the corners.</p> + +<p>"Ye mean 'mong the squatters, don't ye?" she queried sharply. "Squatters +air jest as good as any one else, Miss Young."</p> + +<p>"Well, now, dear, I didn't mean they weren't," Helen laughed pleasantly; +"and I'm sure if they're all like you, Tessibel, they're very nice +indeed."</p> + +<p>The memory of Teola Graves, the small, sickly baby, and the sudden death +of Minister Graves passed through Tessibel's mind. The promise to her of +the deed to the land on which their shanty stood was also in that +procession of ghosts belonging to the past.</p> + +<p>"Daddy and me was goin' to own our hut ground," she confided +thoughtfully, "but—but—the dominie died afore we got it—so we air +squatters yet jest the same as the rest. Squatters be awful nice folks! +Most of 'em air better'n me."</p> + +<p>"Well, anyway," took up Helen, wishing to keep off dangerous ground, +"the paper says the warden's going to start from the head of Cayuga Lake +and search every house and cabin until he—"</p> + +<p>Tessibel rose to her feet unsteadily. In her vivid imagination she saw +the strong arm of the law reach out from Auburn Prison and drag from her +care and protection the wee, twisted little man chanting over the verses +and prayers she'd taught him.</p> + +<p>"I ain't a goin' to read today,—I got to go now," she gulped. "Good +bye, Miss Young."</p> + +<p>Daddy Skinner unbarred the door when he heard Tessibel call his name. At +the sight of his young daughter's agitated face, the fisherman slid into +his chair, beckoning her to a place on his knee.</p> + +<p>"What air doin', Tess?" he questioned swiftly. "Ye're as white as +bleached starch."</p> + +<p>Tess placed her finger on her lips, glancing in the direction of the +garret. Getting up, she barred the door and crept back to her father's +side.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">88</a></span></p> + +<p>"Burnett air a scootin' down here after Andy," she murmured, too low for +the dwarf to hear. "Miss Young says it air in the paper. I got to tell +the poor little feller now so he won't die o' fright when the warden +comes."</p> + +<p>She went to the ladder and looked up through the hole. Then she set one +foot on the lower rung and began to sing softly,</p> + +<p style="margin-left: 5em;"> +"Rescue the Perishin';<br /> +Care for the Dyin'."<br /> +</p> + +<p>And on and on she sang, in throbbing melody, to the end of the hymn. +Tess had long ago discovered the fear-dissipating qualities of "Rescue +the Perishin'." A long happy sigh in the attic told her the dwarf had +enjoyed her song.</p> + +<p>"Andy," she called in a low tone, "come down an' set beside the cot. I +has to talk to ye."</p> + +<p>Andy needed no second invitation. His legs were stiff but his heart full +of good cheer, as he scrambled down the ladder with the Bible in his +hand. Crawling across the floor, he propped his bent little body against +the cot, and looked inquiringly at Daddy Skinner, and Daddy Skinner +stared moodily back at him.</p> + +<p>"Andy," Tess began, squatting beside him. "Ye remember how slick Daddy +Skinner hopped out o' jail an' right back to me?"</p> + +<p>Andy bobbed his head.</p> + +<p>"Yep, I remember, brat," he responded. "I were glad fer him, but I sure +were sorry fer myself when he left Auburn."</p> + +<p>"An' I were that happy I nearly died," replied Tess, musingly. "Well, I +air goin' to show ye a verse in the Bible what hauled 'im smack out o' +prison." Tess took up the holy book and opened it. "There! now read +it.... Right where my finger air! See?"</p> + +<p>For several seconds Andy studied the words under Tessibel's pointing +finger, and Daddy Skinner evinced his interest by bending nearer in a +questioning attitude.</p> + +<p>"If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed," Andy spelled haltingly, +and then glanced up, mystified. "Why, it air talkin' about movin' +mountains.... Ain't it, Tess?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">89</a></span></p> + +<p>"Sure!" agreed Tess, displaying her white teeth in smiling affirmation. +"See?"</p> + +<p>Andy shook his head.</p> + +<p>"No, I don't see, brat," he replied. "I ain't wantin' to move no +mountains, I ain't."</p> + +<p>Tess flung back her curls impatiently.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Andy, yer head air all bone. Now look at me."</p> + +<p>Misty, eager eyes were raised to the girl's.</p> + +<p>"Can't ye see, Andy dear," she proceeded solemnly, "it air harder to get +a mountain out of yer way than 'tis to stay out of prison."</p> + +<p>"Mebbe 'tis," conceded Andy, brightening. "I never thought of it like +that."</p> + +<p>"But ye must begin thinkin' quick," ordered Tess. "Now every minute of +the day ye air to say over an' over verses I show ye. And the man who +helps folks move mountains'll keep ye right in this shack.... I air +thinkin' that'd suit ye some, huh?"</p> + +<p>Andy looked at her meltingly.</p> + +<p>"I'd ruther be here than any place in the hull world," he murmured in +reverent humility.</p> + +<p>"Then," avowed Tess, "I air a goin'—Oh, Andy, I got to tell ye +somethin', honey, an' I—"</p> + +<p>"What?" gasped Andy, faintly.</p> + +<p>Tess paused an instant.</p> + +<p>"Burnett's pell-mellin' down from Auburn after ye," she blurted. "I just +heard it at Young's."</p> + +<p>Andy's face blanched to the hue of death. He had been so satisfied—so +secure in the little garret under the protection of his friends, and now +he would have to go back after all.</p> + +<p>"Burnett?" he repeated almost inaudibly. "Burnett's comin' after me?"</p> + +<p>Tess reached out and touched him.</p> + +<p>"But he ain't knowing ye air here," she asserted hastily. "An' he ain't +a goin' to know it uther. An' I tell ye, Andy, if ye'll learn yerself +that verse 'bout the mustard seed, it'll keep ye here."</p> + +<p>"I'll learn it, brat," promised Andy, but he seemed as if turned to +stone.</p> + +<p>"But what be we goin' to do, kid?" asked Skinner, a look of helplessness +wrinkling his face.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">90</a></span></p> + +<p>"I dunno," replied Tess, with her hand still on the dwarf's arm.</p> + +<p>And that was true, too! Tessibel didn't know just at that moment what +she could do to save Andy from the officers, but of one thing she was +certain; that beyond where the birds flew, and above the fast-moving +clouds, and over all and under all, was an arm and a love upon which she +had leaned and trusted, and they had never failed her. With this thought +deepening the red-brown eyes, she turned and looked first at her +Bible-backed father and then at the little dwarf.</p> + +<p>"There air one thing ye both got to do," she instructed them. "Ye got to +stop yer worryin' an' ye got to stop bein' 'fraid."</p> + +<p>Andy's jaw dropped.</p> + +<p>"Stop bein' 'fraid!" he muttered. "Stop bein' 'fraid! God, Tessibel, ye +don't know what it means to allers be in the shadow of the prison, you +don't."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yep I do," interposed Tess, blandly, "'course I do. Weren't Daddy +Skinner there? An' Daddy never'd got out in this world if it hadn't been +for a helpin' hand; the same'll help you, Andy."</p> + +<p>"She's talkin' of Professor Young," grunted Orn, glancing at the dwarf.</p> + +<p>Tess turned to her parent impatiently.</p> + +<p>"I ain't nuther talkin' about Professor Young, Daddy. I ain't goin' to +tell him Andy's here 't all! I'll tell you both who I mean right now."</p> + +<p>The men leaned forward, the dwarf's head shooting out like a turtle's.</p> + +<p>"Who d'ye mean?" he entreated brokenly.</p> + +<p>The color mantled Tessibel's brow and swept in rich waves over the +lovely, earnest face.</p> + +<p>"Jesus," she breathed radiantly, flashing her eyes from one to the +other. "Jesus jest air a dotin' on ye, Andy, ye poor little dub ye! He +allers dotes on folks in trouble."</p> + +<p>"Shucks!" grunted Andy, and "Holy thunderin' Moses!" fell from Daddy +Skinner.</p> + +<p>Tessibel stood up, an angry glint in her eyes.</p> + +<p>"Ye can say, 'Shucks!' if ye want to, Andy, 'cause you don't know +nothin'; but, Daddy Skinner, <i>you</i> ought<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">91</a></span> to be ashamed of yerself. Why, +he's the man what got ye out of jail! I couldn't a done nothin', an' +Professor Young couldn't a done nothin' uther if Jesus hadn't helped +him. An' now ye're saying, 'Holy thunderin' Moses,' just's if ye didn't +believe it."</p> + +<p>The fisherman drew a shaking hand across his shaggy chin whiskers.</p> + +<p>"I s'pose I do believe it, brat," he groaned, "but it air all so kind a +mysterious like, an' Young, ye know—Young fought like the devil to git +me back home."</p> + +<p>"I know he did, Daddy," affirmed the girl, "but can't ye see ye'd a gone +to the rope if—"</p> + +<p>A shrill cry broke from the dwarf, interrupting Tessibel's explanation. +Those ominous words recalled his own terror of Auburn Prison. Tears +gathered thick in his eyes and ran down his cheeks. The sight of the +little man's misery so affected Tessibel that she wound one arm about +his neck.</p> + +<p>"Andy, darlin'," she comforted, "don't blubber like that. Don't I say! +There, put yer head on Tessibel's shoulder! I air a goin' to mother ye a +bit."</p> + +<p>She took up her skirt, wiped away the dwarf's fast-falling tears, and +then her own.</p> + +<p>"Now ye mustn't snivel," she faltered, trying to be courageous. "Why, if +ye keep it up, I don't know what Daddy an' me'll do. Listen, Andy, +listen to Tess."</p> + +<p>Placing a slender finger under his chin, Tess drew the wry face up until +his tearful eyes were directed into hers.</p> + +<p>"Andy," she imparted, "there ain't a deputy in this hull world can get +ye, an' don't ye be worryin' 'bout it. Jesus'd butt in an' help ye afore +the man could get his nippers on ye. He'll fix it so they can't get ye, +I bet."</p> + +<p>And of a truth, Tessibel knew whereof she spoke.</p> + +<p>"But Burnett'll be here most any time, now," shivered the little man, +his chest rising and falling with emotion, "an' I tell ye, Tess—" Here +he straightened up, his eyes glistening. "I tell ye, once let 'im git +after a house he thinks a feller air in an' he'd turn it topsy-turvy, +tissel end up. Why, Burnett can smell a man from prison a mile. I know +him, I do! Hain't I seen,—and you have too, Orn,—many a poor cuss<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">92</a></span> get +away just like I did, mebbe over the river, mebbe a hundred miles or +two, or he might even git in another state, but Burnett'll haul him back +by his neck, jest the same."</p> + +<p>Andy wilted at the end of his long speech like a hothouse plant in the +frost.</p> + +<p>"But he ain't a goin' to git <i>you</i>, Andy dear," Tess interposed, hugging +the bent little figure. "Me an' Daddy loves ye, an' we'll hide ye, we +will. Be glad ye're little, honey. If ye was big, it'd be harder to +sneak ye out of sight."</p> + +<p>"I don't see where ye're goin' to hide 'im, Tess?" remarked Skinner, +making the statement a question by the rising inflection in his voice. +"It air jest like Andy says, if Burnett gits on 'is scent, he'll find +'im all right, all right, an' five thousand dollars'd spur any man on to +hunt 'im down."</p> + +<p>The squatter girl smiled in sudden decision.</p> + +<p>"They won't find 'im where I put 'im," said she, decisively.</p> + +<p>"Tell us about it, brat," urged her father, wistfully.</p> + +<p>Tess thought a minute, and hummed a minute.</p> + +<p>"He air goin' to get put in my straw tick! That air where ye're goin', +Andy," she explained presently. "An' I air got to be awful sick an' git +in bed an' stay there. I don't know anything else to do! Oh dear! I +can't look sick to save my life, can I?"</p> + +<p>She got up and went to the glass and considered minutely her own rosy +reflection. After contemplating it for some time, she came back and sat +down, leaning a dimpled chin on the palm of one hand.</p> + +<p>"I guess as how I don't need to be sick anywhere inside me," she +decided. Then a smile smoothed away the slight pucker on her brow. "I +know! I could hurt my foot, couldn't I? I guess as how that air best.... +I'll hurt my foot.... Mebbe I'll sprain my ankle. I dunno yet, but I'll +be a bed all right, an' I'll have Deacon with me. I bet when that warden +sees me spread on that cot an' a owl starin' at 'im, he won't even think +o' askin' me to git up."</p> + +<p>The dwarf uttered a weird cry in chorus with a groan from the squatter.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">93</a></span></p> + +<p>"What'll ye do, if he tries to take ye offen the bed?" Orn questioned.</p> + +<p>Tess tossed the profusion of curls over her shoulder, and her smile +showed two rows of white teeth.</p> + +<p>"I'll grin at him first, like this," she laughed, "an' if that don't do +no good, I'll sing at 'im. I air bettin' he won't touch me then. But if +he goes to haul me off, I'll holler an' make such a fuss I bet he'll be +glad to let me alone."</p> + +<p>With this statement, Tessibel rose and finished, "Get off'n that bed, +Daddy. I air goin' to begin rippin' the tick now. If them deputies be +comin' down the lake, us uns got to be ready.... It's only straw, ye +know, Andy, an' awful soft. I'll fix yer head so it'll hang out a +little. Then ye can breathe."</p> + +<p>Before the shadow of the willow trees went to sleep in their soft earth +bed late that afternoon, Tessibel had fitted the dwarf into the space +she had made vacant in her straw tick. At the top of the springs, which +consisted of taut ropes, she made a comfortable pillow for the little +man's head. And then they waited, the hearts of the two men heavy with +bitter fear, and the heart of the girl vibrant with faith that all would +be well with her friend.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">94</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2><h3><span class="smcap">Sandy Proposes to Tess</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>Andy Bishop was stretched out in the middle of Tessibel's straw tick, +while the girl measured her length on the cot to assure her father that +the dwarf would be fully concealed from prying eyes.</p> + +<p>"Does he seem all hid, Daddy Skinner?" queried she.</p> + +<p>The squatter walked to the head of the cot and peered from all points of +vantage.</p> + +<p>"He sure air, kid," he chuckled. "I can't see nothin' but a row of red +curls a mile long. Andy'll git back in the garret all right if Burnett +don't pull you off'n that bed."</p> + +<p>"He won't do that," said Tess. "Jesus'll see I stay on it, I bet."</p> + +<p>"There's some un a comin' now," hissed Skinner between his teeth, +startled. Tess had no more than cuddled under the blanket when a loud +knock resounded throughout the shanty. Daddy Skinner lifted the bar and +opened the door, his large form filling the narrow door-frame. At the +sight of Sandy Letts' smiling face, he stepped back, relieved.</p> + +<p>"God, Sandy," he grinned, "ye might as well kill a man as scare him to +death. Come in an' set."</p> + +<p>Lysander stepped into the kitchen, and his eyes fell upon Tess.</p> + +<p>"What air the matter with the brat?" he asked, looking from Orn to the +girl lying there so languidly.</p> + +<p>"She air kind a hurt—" began the fisherman.</p> + +<p>"My foot air all packed up in a rag," interjected Tess. "I air always +doin' something to myself. The next time I come jumpin' down the lane, I +hope I won't be hurtin' my ankle."</p> + +<p>She smiled wanly at Sandy, and he grinned back at her.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">95</a></span></p> + +<p>"If I knowed ye was sick, Tess, I'd a brought ye some candy," said he, +good-naturedly.</p> + +<p>"Candy ain't good for a girl's teeth," sighed Tess. "Don't never bother +'bout bringin' it, Sandy."</p> + +<p>"A pound or two won't hurt ye," asserted Letts. "An' when I likes a +girl, I allers bring 'er sweets. I say kid, ye do look awful pretty, +layin' there with your curls all stretched out that way. Now, my cousin +Ben, he wanted to marry ye, too, but he never liked yer hair; I love +it."</p> + +<p>"Daddy were jest a sayin'," put in Tess, with a fleeting glance at her +father, "that it air mighty good for my curls to get spread out like +this. Wasn't you, Daddy?"</p> + +<p>Daddy Skinner stared at her, and her warm, glowing smile gave strength +to the old man's heart. Without waiting for his reply, Tess turned to +Letts.</p> + +<p>"Where ye been, Sandy, an' what ye been doin'?" she asked, simulating an +interest she did not feel.</p> + +<p>Lysander, pleased at the attention, thrust his thumbs into the armholes +of his vest and spread out all his fingers, giving a little important +twist to each.</p> + +<p>"I been down to Riker's a searchin' their shack fer Andy Bishop," +bragged he, "an' now I air goin' to Longman's."</p> + +<p>A little groan fell from Tessibel's lips.</p> + +<p>"I air ashamed of ye, Sandy," she said slowly. "Longmans wouldn't have +no murderer in their hut.... They be awful good folks.... Ye know they +be, Sandy."</p> + +<p>"Sure I know it, Tessie, but I've said as how I air goin' to search all +the squatters' huts an' I air goin' to do it, I can tell ye that."</p> + +<p>Tess smiled at him wistfully, pleadingly.</p> + +<p>"I'd hate ye all my life, Sandy Letts," she vowed, winking one eye at +the burly squatter, "if ye'd come in my house and butt 'round. Course ye +can do it if ye want to, but I'd never speak to ye again in the hull +world."</p> + +<p>Sandy threw back his head and guffawed.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't do nothin' like that to you, pretty kid," he answered with +pride in his tones, "'cause I know<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">96</a></span> if ye had that dwarf in this hut +ye'd pass him up to me quick.... Five thousand ain't to be got off'n +every bush these days. I air after that Waldstricker reward, an' I air +goin' to get it!"</p> + +<p>Tess spread a little wider a few of the dusky, shining curls.</p> + +<p>"It's a lot o' money," she said thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>Letts hitched his chair nearer the cot and bent over eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Sure it air, Tessie," he said, "an' I air here today a purpose to tell +ye somethin'. I want you an' yer pa to listen wise to me fer a minute. I +air goin' to git that there five thousand an' I air goin' to marry you."</p> + +<p>Tess started to speak, but Lysander stopped her with a wag of his head +and a wave of his hand.</p> + +<p>"I said for ye to listen," he cried brusquely. "Ye ain't havin' offers +like mine every day, miss, an' yer Daddy won't never have no chances +like I air givin' 'im. I said listen, an' here air what I say.</p> + +<p>"It won't be more'n a week afore I hand that dwarf over to the warden. +Burnett air comin' down from Auburn. He air almost here by this time. +Then when I git the money, I air a goin' to put yer Daddy in a nice +place where he'll get rid of 'is rheumatiz, an' after that I air goin' +to fix my shack up with a lot of new stuff, an' ye can have the choosin' +of it, brat, an' there air my word, by God."</p> + +<p>Sandy gazed from father to daughter with a broad smile. He had delivered +his speech in pompous pride, his voice rising higher and louder with +each word.</p> + +<p>"What do ye say, Orn?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>Skinner looked at Tess out of the corner of his eye. He could see her +lips moving ever so slightly, and he knew she was murmuring a prayer for +the little man in the straw. His own eyes felt stinging tears around +their lids.</p> + +<p>"Ye'll have to settle it with the brat," said he at length, wiping his +lips with the back of his hand. "I've allers said 's how if Tess wanted +to git married, I wouldn't say nothin' 'gainst it, as long as she got a +good man."</p> + +<p>"An' I air that," Sandy affirmed positively.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">97</a></span> "'Course I been in jail +more'n fifty times, an' mebbe I'll git in fifty times more, but that +don't do a man no harm as I knows of. I'd allers leave a little money +home for my fambly."</p> + +<p>He threw his bold, black eyes upon the little figure in the bed, and the +girl dropped her lids.</p> + +<p>"How about it, Tessie?" he wheedled in low tones.</p> + +<p>Tess wriggled. She didn't know just what answer to give. She wanted to +keep the big squatter good-natured, yet desired that he should go away. +She was sorry for the little man beneath her.</p> + +<p>Prompted by instinct, she turned her solemn brown eyes upon Letts.</p> + +<p>"I'll say this to ye, Sandy," she began. "If ye'll let me alone, an' not +be tryin' always to kiss me—"</p> + +<p>Lysander cracked his knee with one large fist.</p> + +<p>"I ain't never got a kiss from ye yet, brat," he chuckled.</p> + +<p>"'Course not," she responded; "but 'tain't because ye ain't fit fer one, +now air it, Sandy?"</p> + +<p>"No, ye can bet on that," laughed the man, "an' I got marks on my shins +to this day you put on 'em the last time I tried it. But I like to see +ye fight, brat, I swear I do.... Now, how about gettin' married to me, +huh?"</p> + +<p>Tessibel contemplated the heavy face a moment. She was going to drive a +hard bargain with Lysander if she had to drive any at all.</p> + +<p>"Ben used to make me awful mad teasin' for kisses," she exclaimed. "I +told him an' I air tellin' you, Sandy, I ain't goin' to give any man my +kisses less'n I marry him."</p> + +<p>Letts puffed out his chest and struck it with a loud resounding whack.</p> + +<p>"I air glad of that," he grinned. "It sounds good to me, you bet. I +don't want no other man palaverin' over my woman. I got—"</p> + +<p>"An' you been makin' me mad lately, too, Sandy," Tess interrupted, "what +with runnin' after me an' makin' me fight to keep my own kisses, I don't +have no peace. Now, I'll tell ye what I'll do. You get busy an' find +Andy Bishop, an' git that five thousand, then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">98</a></span> ye come here again an' +ask me what ye just did, an' ye see what I say to ye. Eh? How'd that +suit ye?"</p> + +<p>A scarlet flush rushed over Lett's swarthy skin.</p> + +<p>"But ye got to promise me ye won't ever try fer no more kisses, till I +git married to ye, Sandy," Tess continued. "You said what you wanted; +now, I've said somethin', an' I mean it too."</p> + +<p>Letts shifted one large boot along a crack in the floor. He was thinking +deeply.</p> + +<p>"That's pretty tough on a feller when he air lovin' a girl the way I +love you, brat," he said after a while.</p> + +<p>"But ye got to promise what I want ye to, Sandy, or mebbe I'll git +married to some 'un else."</p> + +<p>"Ye'd better not, kid," he muttered darkly, "if ye don't want to git +yerself an' the other fellow into trouble."</p> + +<p>"Then ye'd best promise 'bout the kisses," returned Tess, decidedly.</p> + +<p>"I'd kiss ye now fer a two cent piece," he undertoned passionately, but +Daddy Skinner had his hand on the other man's arm before he could move +toward the cot.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't do nothin' like that, Sandy," he said, ominously. "No man +don't kiss my brat less'n she air wantin' his kisses. Tessibel said as +how when ye git Bishop an' the five thousand, ye can come back.... +Today, she ain't feelin' well, an' I air goin' to ask ye to go along +home, or wherever ye were pointed fer when ye stopped 'ere."</p> + +<p>Then Daddy Skinner opened the door.</p> + +<p>"The leaves won't be fallin' from the trees, brat," he flung back +sulkily, "afore I come fer ye, an' don't forgit it!"</p> + +<p>Daddy Skinner closed the door and dropped the bar after his departed +guest, and there was silence in the shanty until the sound of Lysander's +footsteps faded away.</p> + +<p>Then Tess crawled off the dwarf and stood up.</p> + +<p>"Landy," she groaned, "wouldn't that crack yer ribs! Now I got to be +prayin' to beat the band every minute to keep Andy in the garret an' to +save me from bein' married to the hatefullest old squatter devil in the +hull world."</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">99</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2><h3><span class="smcap">The Warden's Coming</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>At ten o'clock in the morning, the day after Andy Bishop was fitted into +Tessibel's straw tick, a covered runabout wound its way along the lower +boulevard running to Glenwood. Two men were seated in it, solemn, +dark-browed men, with dull eyes and heavy faces. The man holding the +reins was heavy set, square shouldered, and more sternly visaged than +his companion. Some one had said of Howard Burnett, that the Powers, in +setting him up, had used steel cables for his muscles and iron for his +bones; and surely there was a grim grip to his jaw that presaged evil to +those opposing him.</p> + +<p>"Devilish queer," he muttered, after a long silence, "how that little +dwarf ever disappeared the way he has, isn't it, Todd?"</p> + +<p>"Not so strange after all," protested Todd. "Andy Bishop could crawl +into a rabbit hole and still give the rabbit room to sleep."</p> + +<p>"That's true, too, but you'd think his deformity would prevent his +getting very far.... Now wouldn't you?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't know about that, either." The speaker struck a match +under the lapel of his coat, and cupping the tiny flame in his hand, +held it up to the dead cigar in his mouth, and added between puffs, +"Human nature's a funny thing!... Now Andy's got a kind a pleasin' way +with him ... even if he is deformed, ... and he's got a peach of a +voice. Why, he speaks as soft as a woman.... I wouldn't want him to ask +me to do anything I was set against if I didn't want to do it."</p> + +<p>"Rotten rubbish!" spat out Burnett. "I don't give a tinker's damn about +his voice. It's up to me to run the dwarf to earth, and I'm goin' to do +it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">100</a></span></p> + +<p>After a very long silence, Todd turned to Burnett.</p> + +<p>"But what does get me is why the five thousand Waldstricker's put up, +ain't been bait to catch Bishop before this," he said ruminatively.</p> + +<p>"Well, it hain't, that's evident," growled Burnett, setting his teeth.</p> + +<p>As a rabbit lifts its head, frightened at unusual sights and sounds, so +Jake Brewer lifted a startled face as Howard Burnett pulled up his horse +suddenly at the squatter's side. The warden stopped the man's progress +by lifting his hand.</p> + +<p>"Say, you, wait a minute there," he added to his imperative gesture.</p> + +<p>Jake paused, curious and attentive.</p> + +<p>"Haven't seen a dwarf, anywhere, named Bishop, have you?" Burnett shot +forth, leaning toward Brewer.</p> + +<p>The squatter shook his head. "There be some Bishops round here," he +retorted surlily, "but there ain't no dwarf as I know of by that name."</p> + +<p>"Where's the road leadin' down to that row of shacks by the lake?" +demanded Burnett. "Ain't there a lot of squatters living there?"</p> + +<p>Brewer assented by a wag of his head.</p> + +<p>"No end of 'em," said he, "but there ain't no very easy way gettin' down +with a horse.... Still, mebbe ye could.... Might tie yer wagon an' walk +down."</p> + +<p>"Who're you?" shouted the warden, gruffly.</p> + +<p>Jake cringed as if the questioner had struck him.</p> + +<p>"Jake Brewer," was the unsteady response.</p> + +<p>"What's your business?"</p> + +<p>"I ain't got no real business," replied the other apologetically. "I +fishes an' hunts an' things like that."</p> + +<p>"A squatter—eh?"</p> + +<p>"Yep, I air a squatter all right," Jake admitted, "but I air a decent +man, an' allers been decent. I don't do nothin' I hadn't ought to."</p> + +<p>"Who's sayin' you do?" snapped Burnett. "Now, I want to ask you a few +questions. I'm from Auburn Prison, and if you lie to me, I'll put you +where the dogs won't bite you.... Do you get me?"</p> + +<p>Jake's jaw dropped, but he stood still, and looked at the officer +anxiously.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">101</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yep, I get ye," he returned submissively, "an' I ain't a goin' to lie +to ye nuther.... What do ye want?"</p> + +<p>Burnett's fierce eyes bent a compelling glance on the man in the road.</p> + +<p>"How many squatters 're living down by the lake?" he demanded harshly.</p> + +<p>Brewer thought a minute.</p> + +<p>"I calc'late mebbe there air fifty, mebbe a hundred," he answered. "I +ain't never counted 'em, mister."</p> + +<p>Jake moved on a little, but the warden stopped him peremptorily.</p> + +<p>"Any jail birds down there?" he thrust at him.</p> + +<p>Brewer made a negative gesture.</p> + +<p>"Not's I know of," he stammered.</p> + +<p>"Ain't nobody down there been in jail? Anybody ever been to Auburn?"</p> + +<p>Jake's crooked fingers mounted from his hair line to the back of his +skull, lifting the soft cap partly from his head. Then he scratched his +chin thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"Well, there ain't no guilty man down there," he said, at last. "There +air Orn Skinner—"</p> + +<p>Burnett gave an exultant cry.</p> + +<p>"My God, I'd forgotten he came from this part of the country! So +Skinner's here among this set of squatters, eh? What luck! I'll bet—"</p> + +<p>"Ye won't find no dwarf in Skinner's shanty," expostulated Brewer with +conviction.</p> + +<p>"That's up to me to find out!" growled the warden. "Where does Skinner +live? Near here?"</p> + +<p>Brewer's fingers directed south.</p> + +<p>"First turn to the left, 'bout a mile ahead," he pointed out. "Skinner's +shack air close to the lake. A hedge and lots of flowers air growin' +'round it."</p> + +<p>Burnett tightened his lines, chirruped to the horse, and drove on, the +squatter staring open-mouthed after him.</p> + +<hr class="minor" /> + +<p>The summer sun bathed the hillside and warmed the Skinner shanty. +Tessibel's hedge lifted its green head upward as if to catch the golden +rays. The flower beds rimmed the hut like a bewildering, gorgeous +rainbow.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">102</a></span> Everything belonging to Tess seemed at absolute peace with +itself and the world.</p> + +<p>Orn Skinner, his head sunken between the two humps on his shoulders, was +lazily whittling a stick when the sound of a horse's hoofs in the lane +near Young's barn arrested his attention. It was the one sound the +squatter expected that day, yet dreaded. Furtively, he leaned back near +the partly open door.</p> + +<p>"Some 'un's coming, Tess," he warned.</p> + +<p>Evidently, the fisherman did not expect an answer, for he straightened +up once more and proceeded to whittle. The pitter-patter of the trotting +horse, and the clatter of the wheels upon the flinty road, broke rudely +upon the familiar little noises of the quiet summer morning. One +sidewise glance satisfied Orn that the men in the vehicle were from +Auburn prison. He stopped whittling but a moment when Burnett drew up.</p> + +<p>"Hello, Orn," called the officer, stentorian-voiced.</p> + +<p>"Hello," and the squatter made a polite salute with his stick.</p> + +<p>Burnett tossed the reins to the man at his side and climbed to the +ground, advancing toward the fisherman.</p> + +<p>"This your hut, Skinner?" he interrogated.</p> + +<p>Orn Skinner's tongue clove to the roof of his mouth. He endeavored to +speak, but apprehension and dread had apparently paralyzed his vocal +organs. He hadn't fully realized until that moment how desperate the +venture to which he had committed himself and Tess. Between Andy Bishop +and this formidable giant from Auburn was but the brave little daughter +inside the hut. Would she be able to carry through the hazardous task +she'd undertaken?</p> + +<p>"You remember me, don't you, Skinner?"</p> + +<p>It took several seconds before the fisherman could clear his throat +enough to speak.</p> + +<p>"Yep," he succeeded at length in muttering. "I remember ye all right.... +Ye air Burnett from Auburn, ain't ye?... What do ye want around here?"</p> + +<p>Suddenly there came to the powerful officer a wild desire to throttle +the heavy-headed squatter. He had a feeling that this man knew more than +he could be forced to tell, perhaps.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">103</a></span></p> + +<p>"Better hold a civil tongue in your head, old fellow," he threatened, +"if you know what's best for you."</p> + +<p>Orn lifted one great shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Ye ain't got nothin' on me, Burnett," he snarled defiantly, "but I know +ye wouldn't be comin' 'round here if ye didn't have somethin' to come +fer."</p> + +<p>The warden shoved his grim face so close to the speaker's that he drew +back, intimidated.</p> + +<p>"Sure, I come for something," snorted Burnett, viciously.</p> + +<p>"Then peel it off," answered Skinner, deep in his throat. "I air +listenin'."</p> + +<p>He was bending so far back now that his shaggy head rested against the +shanty boards. Burnett was piercing him with a strange, mesmeric gaze.</p> + +<p>"Where's Andy Bishop?" boomed like thunder from the warden.</p> + +<p>That name, though he knew his questioner's errand, so suddenly falling +on Orn's ears, congealed his blood and knotted his muscles with fear.</p> + +<p>"Andy Bishop?" he echoed irresolutely. "Andy Bishop? Who air Andy +Bishop?"</p> + +<p>Burnett lifted a huge fist, but dropped it again. The time hadn't +arrived to punch from Skinner the knowledge he wanted. Later, perhaps—</p> + +<p>"Now none of that, Skinner," he barked savagely. "None of that, you +hump-backed brute. You know perfectly well who I mean, and you know +where the dwarf is, and we want him and we want him quick.... He made +his getaway from Auburn.... Now give him up, see?"</p> + +<p>Second by second, and minute by minute, Orn Skinner was gathering his +courage and strength. All through his life he had been used to brutal +officials like Burnett; so swallowing hard, he raised his great gray +head and looked straight into the other's dark face.</p> + +<p>"If ye mean that little dwarf who were up to Auburn when I were there, I +don't know nothin' about him," he said. "I ain't never heard he come +from this end of the lake."</p> + +<p>The warden's fist knotted once more.</p> + +<p>"You're a liar, Skinner," he scraped from his throat.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">104</a></span> "Now look here! I +know confounded well you know where he is. If you don't want me to hand +you trouble by the bushel, you'd better cough up that little dwarf. Get +me? Eh?"</p> + +<p>The fingers holding the broad-bladed knife sank to the fisherman's knee, +and for a moment the stick Orn had been cutting poised in the air. Then +a slow, broad smile showed his discolored teeth.</p> + +<p>"It air the truth I been tellin' you," he declared deliberately. "I +don't know nothin' about Bishop, an' I don't want to know nothin'.... Ye +ain't got anything on me, Burnett. I air a livin' here peaceful with my +kid."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm goin' to search your shanty, anyhow," Burnett growled +menacingly, his under jaw sticking out like a bull dog's.</p> + +<p>"Well, search it, I ain't carin'," consented Orn. "But my kid air sick +in there, an' I don't want ye to scare her."</p> + +<p>Without waiting for further parley, Burnett, like an enraged lion, +bounded to the shanty threshold and one long stride took him well on his +way across the kitchen. Suddenly he stopped, staring straight ahead of +him, as if some shining spectre from another world had appeared in his +path.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">105</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2><h3><span class="smcap">The Search</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>Burnett wiped his hand across his eyes to efface the vision which so +unexpectedly impeded his official progress. It was the sight of a girl, +nestled on a cot, and over the pillow upon which her head rested was +strewn in a wild, magnificent disarray, a profusion of tawny curls, such +as he never had seen. For a moment the corpulent deputy from Auburn, the +terror of all the criminals in the country around, forgot his delegated +obligation to the state. Tessibel Skinner's two slender arms huddled a +small, speckled hoot owl; and as in a dream, Burnett noted the girl's +red lips touched the bird affectionately in a hasty little caress. +Another thing he noted was the unflinching and prolonged questioning +glance with which the red-brown eyes met his. Tess couldn't speak a word +at first, now that she was actually face to face with the man after +Andy. He was even sterner than she had imagined he would be.</p> + +<p>Quite gravely she considered his big frame from head to foot, took hasty +account of the firm setting of his jaw, and the deep, clean-cut lines +from his eyes to his chin. Then, she smiled a rare, enchanting smile, +the deepening dimples around the red moist lips suffusing the deputy +warden with a warm, welcoming glow.</p> + +<p>"I heard ye talkin' to Daddy, mister," she said, gulping. "I air awful +glad ye came in to see me too. I'd a been hurt if ye'd gone without my +gettin' a peep at ye."</p> + +<p>During each infinitesimal space of time, Burnett stood in the sunshine +of Tessibel's smile, his austere churlishness was slipping from him like +a loosened garment. As if forced by an unseen hand, he took one step +nearer her.</p> + +<p>"Set down, sir," invited Tess, clutching the owl with one hand, and +making an elaborate sweep with the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">106</a></span> other. "That air Daddy's chair—ye +air awful handsome and big, but the chair'll hold ye all right."</p> + +<p>Burnett caught his breath and sank into the indicated seat. He'd +intended to turn that shanty over from top to bottom, to rip it almost +to the ground. But the sight of the red-headed sprite on the cot +fondling a woodland owl, and the effect of her smile upon the beating of +his heart, dissolved his rage and stayed his action.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll be damned!" was all he said, and Tess smiled again. She +didn't mind if he swore. The one thing she desired was to get rid of him +as soon as possible. She was conscious of the gyrations of Andy Bishop +curled in the straw under her slender body, and she knew her curls were +shrouding a face distorted with anxiety.</p> + +<p>"Are you sick, kid?" questioned Burnett, when he could draw a natural +breath.</p> + +<p>"Well, ye see," acknowledged Tess, "I ain't 'xactly sick, but I got my +ankle all packed up. Sometimes girls hurt their ankles an' they have to +put a rag 'round 'em."</p> + +<p>Tessibel was very careful not to say she'd hurt hers in this explanation +to Burnett's question.</p> + +<p>"An' then ye see, sir," she pursued, "if ye turn yer foot over an' can't +walk, ye have to go to bed a spell, huh?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I should say so!" asseverated Burnett, mustering the manner he +always used with ladies. "Say, by George, I didn't know Orn Skinner had +a pretty kid like you."</p> + +<p>"My, didn't ye?" gurgled Tess, with shy lids drooping and her color +mounting. "I thought everybody in the hull world knew I were Daddy's +brat. He air had me fer ever so long. I been growed up for a lot of +years." She shifted the owl in her arms. "This owl air named Deacon.... +Want to pet 'im a minute, huh?"</p> + +<p>The warden threw back his head and roared. He felt as if he'd been hung +up for days by the thumbs—that this girl had mercifully cut the ropes +and let him down once more to peace and happiness.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">107</a></span></p> + +<p>"No, thanks, I'll let you keep your pet," he laughed good-humoredly. +"Queer play fellow for a girl, that's my opinion."</p> + +<p>After a few more compliments, through which Tessibel flirted her way +into the big man's regard, the officer rose to his feet.</p> + +<p>"Little lady, I came here for a specific reason," he announced. +Unquenchable mischief shone upon him from smiling, enquiring eyes.</p> + +<p>"Oh," giggled Tess, "anyway, I air awful glad ye come."</p> + +<p>The grim lips of the deputy curled upward again. Tess adored his mouth +twisted at the corners like that.</p> + +<p>"I might as well get it over first as last," ventured Burnett. "But I'm +more'n anxious you shouldn't be mad at me. The fact is we've traced a +man down from Auburn—"</p> + +<p>Tessibel interrupted him, startled; at least she acted so.</p> + +<p>"From Auburn!" she gasped.</p> + +<p>"Yes, ma'am, a murderer! Andy Bishop. Little man like this," the warden +explained, measuring a short space from the floor. "By some means or +other he wriggled his way out of prison—"</p> + +<p>Tessibel's lips trembled and she turned her eyes away. Old memories +rushed over her, memories of the cold winter when she'd been alone in +the shack.</p> + +<p>"An' ye thought 'cause Daddy'd been up there once, the man must a run +right straight here, huh?" she accused, with a sob in her voice.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll admit till I saw you I thought—I thought, but now—," a +negative gesture with his hand finished his answer.</p> + +<p>Tessibel turned withering, tear-wet eyes on her visitor.</p> + +<p>"I 'spose ye air thinkin' my Daddy even had something to do with his +flyin' the coop?" she flared up. "Air that it?"</p> + +<p>"No! No! I didn't think that at all," the under-warden made haste to +deny. "I just couldn't think that about <i>your</i> father."</p> + +<p>Tessibel dimpled, suddenly glowing like a vivid poppy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">108</a></span></p> + +<p>"Thank ye," she whispered, wiping away the tears. "Why! My Daddy +wouldn't do nothin' bad for anythin' in the world. He's the best old +Daddy livin'."</p> + +<p>"Of course he is," vouched the warden, placatingly, "but what I want to +know is would you mind, or would it hurt your feelings—The fact is, I +came to search this house."</p> + +<p>Tess had expected this, and without demurring, flashed forth,</p> + +<p>"Ye mean ye want to go 'round it, don't ye, lookin' in all the corners +an' places; air that it, sir?"</p> + +<p>Burnett acknowledged this by a nod.</p> + +<p>"Sure, search it if ye want to, I don't mind. Ye'll 'scuse me not +gettin' up, won't ye? There ain't much to search, but ye can go in the +garret if ye want to. It air only a cubby hole; even the weest man in +the hull world couldn't stand up in it."</p> + +<p>Andy stirred perceptibly beneath her.</p> + +<p>"Then there air Daddy's room," Tess continued, "an' this room air the +kitchen an' the dinin' room an' the parlor, an' all the other rooms.... +An'—an' it air my room, too."</p> + +<p>"My God, but you're a cute kid!" he chuckled.</p> + +<p>Tessibel's laugh rang out deliciously fresh and free, and Burnett caught +it up and sent it back in one loud guffaw. Then the girl lifted one of +her curls and spread it out to its extreme length. Tess had been born +possessing all the arts of her sex, and used them effectively, upon an +occasion like this.</p> + +<p>"I wish my ankle wasn't wrapped up," she smiled hospitably. "I'd show ye +'round the shanty myself. Ye noticed the hedge when ye come in, didn't +ye? Well—I planted that an' all the flowers—and this owl belongs to me +an' I keep 'im in the garret,—an'—I almost got a dog once, but not +quite! Job Kennedy owns 'im, an his name air Pete, but he likes to live +here better'n he does to Job's." Tess gasped for breath and flushed +rosily. "But I air keepin' ye, sir," she excused, "an I mustn't do that. +You go on and look in Daddy Skinner's room an'—then ye go up in the +garret, an' then ye can look behind the chairs an' behind the stove, an' +ye can look under the bed—"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">109</a></span></p> + +<p>She paused dramatically and held up a warning finger.</p> + +<p>"Please don't scare none of my bats nor my uther owls in the garret. +They be awful nice bats an' awful nice owls too! Ye wouldn't hurt 'em, +would ye, mister?"</p> + +<p>"I won't do anything you don't want me to, kid," the infatuated man +promised. "Honest, I won't search the house if you say not."</p> + +<p>"Oh, sure, search it," insisted Tess. "Then ye'll be pretty sure there +ain't nobody hidin' 'round."</p> + +<p>Burnett walked toward Daddy Skinner's room.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't mind havin' a daughter like you," he vowed, looking back. "I +got two nice boys to home, but I tell you a man misses a lot in the +world, if he doesn't have a girl. Why, kiddie, I've had a better time in +the past five minutes than I've had in the past five years." He paused, +his hand on the latch of the door into Daddy Skinner's room.</p> + +<p>Tessibel gurgled and giggled, and giggled and gurgled, as if she hadn't +a care in the world although she felt a paralyzing pain in her heart for +the dwarf beneath her. Then she threw a mischievous glance into the +man's face and offered,</p> + +<p>"While ye air searchin' the shanty, I'll sing to ye, huh?"</p> + +<p>"Now, can ye sing?" interrogated Burnett, smilingly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Golly, sir, I been singin' since I weren't no bigger'n this owl," +replied Tess. "I'll begin now."</p> + +<p>She knew Andy must be numb with fright and the weight of her body, and +remembered how many times when he had been kept in the garret long +periods together, while people were coming and going, and danger ran +high, she had sung to him—it had soothed his pains, allayed his agony.</p> + +<p>So as Burnett disappeared from sight into the little back room, Tessibel +began to sing the old, but ever newly encouraging song,</p> + +<p style="margin-left: 5em;"> +"Rescue the Perishin';<br /> +Care for the Dyin'."<br /> +</p> + +<p>And in the fleeting moment during which the officer from Auburn was +searching Daddy's room, her hand<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">110</a></span> went backward quickly and reassuring +fingers touched the dwarf's face concealed by her curls, and still she +sang,</p> + +<p style="margin-left: 5em;"> +"Rescue the Perishin';<br /> +Care for the Dyin'."<br /> +</p> + +<p>Then Tess felt Andy's body relax and heard the faintest possible sigh.</p> + +<p>When Burnett came forth unsuccessful but cheerful, her fingers were +toying with her curls, and she broke off her song, question him with her +eyes.</p> + +<p>"There ain't a soul in there," laughed the man. "I might a'known Bishop +wasn't around here; in fact, I did know it the minute I looked at you, +kid. Now, just as a matter of law and order, I'll take a peep in the +garret and under the bed, and then I'm done ... Say, you got some voice, +ain't you, kid?"</p> + +<p>"It can holler good and loud," grinned Tess.</p> + +<p>"And you're some religious, I bet, according to the hymn you've been +singin'," went on the warden. "Now ain't you?"</p> + +<p>Tess sobered instantly. She was always very careful not to be irreverent +about sacred things.</p> + +<p>"You can bet your boots, I air some <i>awful</i> religious," she acquisced +earnestly. "I've knowed about God and Jesus ever so long."</p> + +<p>"That's nice," responded Burnett, becoming grave in his turn.</p> + +<p>Oh, would he never go! Would he never finish?</p> + +<p>When Burnett walked toward the ladder, she sighed dolefully.</p> + +<p>"Does your foot hurt you, kid?" he asked, glancing over his shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Nope," faltered Tess. "I guess I were a thinkin' what'd happen to the +little man when ye get 'im."</p> + +<p>The warden was trying the strength of the ladder.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'll hike him back up state quicker'n scat when I get my fingers on +'im," said he, his head disappearing in the hole in the ceiling.</p> + +<p>In less than thirty seconds he was down again and had taken a squint +under the bed.</p> + +<p>"There isn't any dwarf under there either," he said,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">111</a></span> amusement in his +tones. He stretched forth his hand, reaching down to the girl on the +cot.</p> + +<p>"Now, don't hold nothing against me, kiddie, for comin' here, will ye? +Just shake hands with a feller and say it's all right, eh?"</p> + +<p>Tessibel lifted the owl high in the air and opened her fingers. There +was a small ghostly flutter and in another instant Deacon had +disappeared into the garret.</p> + +<p>She gave the warden both her hands, and for the little minute Burnett +stood by the bed holding them in his and assuring her of his good will. +Tessibel sent up a prayer of thanksgiving. Her little Andy, Daddy +Skinner's friend, was saved!</p> + +<p>When Burnett reached the door, he looked back at her. The girl's lips +were parted in a brilliant, farewell smile. He whirled about and came +toward her again.</p> + +<p>"Kid," he said huskily, "I'm a hard-headed old cuss, harder'n brass +tacks. I been made so by just such men as Andy Bishop—" He paused, and +during his short hesitation, pregnant with meaning, Tessibel kept her +eyes on him. "I was wonderin', little one," he finished, shame-faced, +"when you say your prayers, if you'd pipe one for me. I need it, so help +me God, I do."</p> + +<p>In another moment he was at the door, and in response to the hasty +glance he sent her, Tess flung him a misty, loving smile.</p> + +<p>"Sure, sir, sure I will," she called, "an' thank ye for bein' so kind."</p> + +<p>Burnett strode out; Tessibel rolled off the dwarf's body to one side of +the cot, and Andy gave an audible grunt.</p> + +<p>"I air gee-danged glad that air over," sighed Tess. And as she lay very +still, the warden's hearty voice came floating to her.</p> + +<p>"That's a mighty fine girl you got, Skinner."</p> + +<p>Tess also heard her father's husky reply. "Bet yer life, she air.... +Good day to ye, sir."</p> + +<p>Shortly after, the anxious listeners in the shanty heard the click of +the horse's shoes and the rumble of the departing wheels on the stones +amid the wagon's creaking complaints against the steepness of the hill.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">112</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2><h3><span class="smcap">Tessibel's Secret</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>Tessibel Skinner had been married to Frederick Graves for six long +weeks: She had become somewhat accustomed to the deception practiced on +Daddy Skinner, and Frederick was constantly allaying her fears and +misgivings by telling her that she belonged to him now; that she was his +darling, his joy, the better part of his life. Many times he assured her +between kisses that it wouldn't be necessary to keep the marriage secret +long. Each day, each hour, each minute, the girl-wife basked in the +thought of her young husband's love. She unfolded the hidden beauties of +her nature to him as spontaneously as the opening flower responds to the +genial warmth of the rising sun.</p> + +<p>Early one morning Tessibel arose, a new light shining in her eyes. +Because Daddy Skinner was still abed, she started to the shore for +water. It was a glad, shining, diamond-studded earth that greeted the +view of the expectant girl; there was wonderful stillness everywhere, +and for some minutes she stood contemplating the scene before her. South +from the Hog Hole to the northern curve at Lansing, the lake was +dappled, its surface broken here and there by little capfuls of breeze, +which dimpled in the light, while the smooth spots reflected the blazing +glory of the morning sun. The leaves of the weeping willow tree swept +the rapt, upraised face, and Tess drew down about her head and shoulders +one of the thickest branches. These century-old trees were really a +vital part of her life—old loves to Tessibel, loves that had kept watch +over her since the day of her birth in the shanty.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="illus-003" id="illus-003"></a> +<img src="images/illus-111.jpg" alt=""I WAS WONDERIN', LITTLE ONE, WHEN YOU SAY YOUR PRAYERS, IF YOU'D PIPE ONE FOR ME"" title="" width="450" height="287" /><br /> +<span class="caption">"I WAS WONDERIN', LITTLE ONE, WHEN YOU SAY YOUR PRAYERS, IF YOU'D PIPE ONE FOR ME"</span> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">113</a></span>A brilliant flame flooded her face.... Frederick stood with her in +spirit nearness. What she would tell him that evening would be whispered +so low that not even the nesting birds could hear. She imagined the +tenderness with which he'd clasp her in his arms, and thrilled, +visualizing the darkening of his eyes. Tessibel was painting +pictures—her exalted soul running the gamut of joy.</p> + +<p>What a wonder-world it was! What a glad, peaceful, new day, her first +real day of living—the beginning of life itself; Frederick's life and +her life! Now, of course, he would tell his mother they were +married—would take her to Daddy Skinner, and—and—She could plan no +farther just then. Her whole being was God-lifted. Even the waves +lapping at her feet seemed to speak the language of a world to come.</p> + +<p>She dipped the pail into the lake slowly, filling it with water. Then +with a last sweeping glance over the golden-tinted waves, she returned +to the shanty. Daddy Skinner by this time was seated in his chair, his +grey face wearing an expression of misery.</p> + +<p>"Ye air sicker this morning, honey, huh?" asked Tess anxiously, lifting +the pail to the table.</p> + +<p>"Yep, brat, awful sick, but mebbe I'll feel better after a while."</p> + +<p>"Yer coffee'll be ready quicker'n scat, dear," said the girl. "Flop on +my bed an' stretch out a minute. Tessibel'll get her daddy's breakfast."</p> + +<p>Five minutes later she had fried the fish and made the coffee.</p> + +<p>"I air goin' to give Daddy his eatin's first, Andy," she called up +through the hole in the ceiling.</p> + +<p>"All right; sure, do, kid," assented the dwarf.</p> + +<hr class="minor" /> + +<p>Daddy Skinner gradually felt better, and during the morning Tessibel's +youthful spirits rose by leaps and bounds. All through the day she +warbled out her happiness, lovingly bantering the two crippled men. Thus +the minutes crept on to eventide, to that hour on the ragged rocks with +Frederick.</p> + +<p>She left the shanty early, that she might commune undisturbed for a time +with her dear wild world. Through the gloaming the dull sound of the cow +bells came distinctly from Kennedy's farm. The roosters were crowing a +last good-night to the sun. The monstrous shadows of the great forest +trees were going to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">114</a></span> sleep in the earth for another night. While the +daylight was fading, the girl sat relaxed against the rocks, her +unfathomable eyes contemplating the purple-spanned lake. She had drifted +into a reverie ... blissfully dreaming, with Frederick the foremost +figure of her dreams. The solemn descent of night ever signified the +mystery of his love to her. Now, from the fullness of her unalloyed joy, +she glanced up at the sky and blessed the whole world. In imagination +she deciphered the words the stars were forming. Stretched from pole to +pole, they lettered the heavens with the wonders of infinitude. In a +diadem of gold, "God is love" was written; from the unsearchable north +to the south where in their turn the slender rimming clouds sent it on +to the world beyond. "God is love," whispered the swaying trees, and +"God is love" came softly to the ear of the sensitive girl, as an echo +is flung back from the rocks and is sent home to its maker.</p> + +<p>And even as Tess dreamed, the passion stars in their invisible courses +bent toward her. Impulsively she lifted her arms upward toward those +twinkling participants of her secret, emblems of the immeasurable glory +of her love for Frederick. By a simple turn, she could see the tree of +her old-time fancies, the familiar figure in the tall pine, with +swaying, majestic head and beckoning arms.</p> + +<p>At that moment, she perceived Frederick making his way along the ragged +rocks. She could hear her heart's blood pulsing madly, striking at her +wrists, throbbing at her temples, making a race the length of her +quivering body. Now, she could see him plainly in the dim light, and a +smile deepened the dimple at each corner of her mouth. An indefinable +shyness kept her from running to him to tell her glad tidings. But what +made him walk so slowly and with hanging head? It wasn't like Frederick. +Something unusual had happened or he would not lag so in coming to her.</p> + +<p>She was even more mystified at the peculiarity of his greeting. With +nerves as tautly drawn as fiddle strings, she remained very still. In +his own time he would tell her all about it. She lifted her arms, but +Frederick, unheeding, sank to the rocks beside her. She<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">115</a></span> laid her hand +on his, expressing her love to him by the simple contact.</p> + +<p>"Don't!" he said shortly. He drew away from the caressing fingers +impatiently. "I've come to tell you something."</p> + +<p>"Well, here I air," answered Tess, quietly.</p> + +<p>There was an exquisite tenderness in the young voice. In the white light +of the early evening Tessibel could see Frederick's brows fiercely drawn +together. Probably his mother was worse and that accounted for the +change in him. She became instantly all devotion.</p> + +<p>"Air ye goin' to tell me about it, honey?" she entreated softly. "It'll +make ye feel better.... Tell Tessibel."</p> + +<p>He turned away, and moved nervously until his shoulders were fitted into +a rock cavity; then, he dropped his head back with a prolonged sigh. It +was even more difficult than he had imagined.</p> + +<p>"Of course I needn't tell you ... that I love you, need I, Tess?" he +stammered, after a while.</p> + +<p>He could not assure her too many times of his affection. She leaned +against him, adoring, wrapped in the delight of his love as a water lily +is wrapped in its green sepals.</p> + +<p>"I know it, dearest!" she murmured, much moved. "Ye tell me that every +day. But what else air ye—"</p> + +<p>"You'll forgive me, and not be ... too unhappy?" Frederick interrupted +her anxiously.</p> + +<p>Unhappy, while her whole being was transfused with ecstasy! Unhappy, +when his life and hers intermingled in one glad, glorious song of +inseparable unity! There never could be a diminution of her joy. +Frederick loved her! That was enough.</p> + +<p>"There ain't nothin' I wouldn't forgive," she vowed, misty-eyed.</p> + +<p>"But, Tess, I feel as though you won't forgive me this," sighed +Frederick. "But if you'll promise me—"</p> + +<p>"I do—I will," she interjected, sitting up. "Why, of course, I'd +forgive ye anything."</p> + +<p>Frederick dared not look at her. Even in the twilight he could feel her +eyes searching his face for an explanation.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">116</a></span></p> + +<p>"I need you to help me, Tessibel," he said at length.</p> + +<p>Help him! Hadn't she ever been ready to help him? He had but to ask her. +She dropped her head against his arm again.</p> + +<p>"Tell Tessibel," she urged, smiling.</p> + +<p>One slender, girlish arm slipped lovingly about him. A set of small +fingers took his cold hand in a firm grasp.</p> + +<p>"Tess loves ye, dear," came soothingly. "Now tell 'er, an' then ye'll be +happier."</p> + +<p>Shame rose rampant in the boy's breast.</p> + +<p>"I can't do it," he muttered under his breath.</p> + +<p>But he knew all the time he would. The events of yesterday, culminating +with Waldstricker's brilliant offer, closed every other path. He +groaned, catching his lips tensely between his teeth. Some one had to +suffer, but the sacrifice must not touch his mother nor estrange the +Waldstrickers. That Madelene would be wronged by his action gave him +little concern. But at that moment to hurt the girl at his side; oh, how +he hated the bitter necessity! Conscious of the despicable part he was +playing, but having really decided, he drew himself from the girl's +arms. To gain a little more time, he thrust his fingers several times +through his damp hair.</p> + +<p>"Tess," he hesitated, "you've promised you'd never tell about our being +married."</p> + +<p>An encouraging touch turned the boy's twitching face to hers.</p> + +<p>"An' I ain't never goin' to till ye let me," she asserted soothingly. +"Ye ain't lettin' that worry ye, darlin', eh?"</p> + +<p>She encouraged him to answer by the tender cadence on the end of her +question.</p> + +<p>"No, no, Tess!" Then desperately, "Oh, in God's name, how am I ever +going to get it out?"</p> + +<p>Tessibel became suddenly terror-stricken. It must be something very +serious to force from him such language in such heart-rending tones. She +shivered nervously.</p> + +<p>"You mustn't think for a moment, Tess," the boy burst forth, with +renewed courage, "that I don't love you! I shall love you always, +always."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">117</a></span></p> + +<p>"Always," echoed Tess, reassured. If Frederick loved her, nothing else +mattered. Perhaps his mother was—Her thought snapped in two at an +ejaculation from Frederick.</p> + +<p>"And what I do is because—well, because—I must," he stammered. "You +understand that, don't you, sweetheart?"</p> + +<p>"Sure," agreed Tess, puzzled.</p> + +<p>"And nothing will ever be changed between you and me—"</p> + +<p>"Nothin' can ever hurt us, Frederick," she interrupted quickly.</p> + +<p>And Tess believed this to be the eternal truth. Faith the size of a +grain of mustard seed had piloted her through severe storms. Since Daddy +Skinner had been restored to her, that faith had grown to the size of +the mountain itself.</p> + +<p>"I won't let it," went on the student, swiftly. "Neither must you. You +must trust me—you must believe! No, don't put your arms around my neck +till I've finished!... And then, oh, my little girl, I shan't let you +out of my arms, ever! ever!"</p> + +<p>Greatly moved, he suddenly reached forth and drew her unresistingly to +him, smothering her hair, her eyes with kisses, clinging to her, as if +he would never, never let her go.</p> + +<p>Her heart beat wildly against his.... And she loved him more than all +the world, and loved God more because of him.</p> + +<p>But he released her almost immediately, and Tessibel sank back, sighing. +She was no longer nervously eager to divulge her secret. She waited +almost mechanically, as one waits for an advancing joy—as a hungry man +watches abundant preparation for the appeasing of his hunger. Hearing +him groan, she turned troubled eyes up to his.</p> + +<p>"Daddy always says for to tell bad things quick!"</p> + +<p>But this only served to call forth another deep breath of misery. After +a lapse of what seemed ages to the waiting girl, Frederick gathered +courage, and began,</p> + +<p>"Tess, I've told you how very ill my mother is, haven't I?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">118</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, an' I air awful sorry, dearie," she murmured.</p> + +<p>The compassion he aroused subdued her voice to a whisper.</p> + +<p>"And she's asked me to do something for her and I've—got to do it, +Tessibel," faltered Frederick.</p> + +<p>"Sure ye have," Tess agreed.</p> + +<p>"I didn't decide to do it, honey,"—Frederick was avoiding the vital +part—"until I saw how I could not let it make any difference to us. It +won't make any difference, dear heart!"</p> + +<p>And Tess, already living in some distant day with full heart and full +arms, breathed.</p> + +<p>"No, darlin', no difference to us.... 'Course not!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm glad, so glad to hear you say that!" said Frederick, relief in +his voice. "It won't be so dreadful, my sweet, if you trust me. And it +won't be long—perhaps a year, perhaps two years—"</p> + +<p>Tessibel's muscles grew suddenly rigid.</p> + +<p>"Years, ye say?" she repeated, stupefied. "What years? Why years?"</p> + +<p>The resigned and submissive Tess changed instantly to an intense, +resolute woman, with compelling, fear-clouded eyes. Frederick, alarmed, +hastened to explain.</p> + +<p>"You remember Madelene Waldstricker, don't you?"</p> + +<p>Did she remember Madelene Waldstricker? Would she ever forget that one +night when he had treated her, his own wife, as though she were a +stranger?</p> + +<p>"Sure, I remember 'er," she admitted, flushing. "What about 'er?"</p> + +<p>Before replying, Frederick snatched her hand and kissed it.</p> + +<p>"My mother.... Oh, Tessibel, it'll be all right—" He paused, then +finished despairingly, "My mother wants me to marry her!"</p> + +<p>Tess caught the picture his words suggested; then recoiled as if death +in monstrous guise had appeared before her, open-armed. Incredulous +horror leapt alive in her eyes. He had said, "My mother wants me to +marry Madelene Waldstricker." But even though his mother had demanded +it, he couldn't! He wouldn't.... But he'd said he must!</p> + +<p>Tess clenched her hands until the nails pressed into<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">119</a></span> the flesh of her +palms. Her throat refused to yield a speaking voice, but something +screamed aloud within her as if a giant hand had clutched and torn her +soul.</p> + +<p>"But ye air married to me," she got out at last, piteously.</p> + +<p>Frederick put his arms about her.</p> + +<p>"I know it, girlie dear!... I'm not denying that, but no one knows it +but us, just you and me, and I'm afraid ... I've got to do ... this ... +Mother ..."</p> + +<p>"Oh, God, no!" shuddered Tess.</p> + +<p>Oh, he couldn't mean to desert her now when she needed him so—needed +him more than she had even in those days when the shadow of the hateful +rope hung over her beloved father; even when Teola's child had been +thrust upon her, and Ben Letts had daily menaced her desolate life.</p> + +<p>She was still for so long a time Frederick feared she'd fainted.</p> + +<p>"Tess!" he spoke sharply.</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>But it didn't sound like Tessibel's voice answering.</p> + +<p>"Will you hear me out, dearest?" he pleaded. "Oh, won't you listen to +me?"</p> + +<p>Surely she was listening intently. He had never spoken when she had not +given loving heed, if she were within the sound of his voice. Frederick +attempted to raise her face to his, but with a pathetic little word of +protest, she slipped from his arms, and fell face downward to the rocks. +The tortured boy would rather have had her scream, strike at him, +anything, than sink into that accusing, forlorn prostration!</p> + +<p>"Tessibel! Tess!" he cried. "Whatever I do can't separate you and me. It +can't! I swear not to let it!"</p> + +<p>He stooped and drew her gently to a sitting posture.</p> + +<p>"No, I won't let it!" he reiterated excitedly. "I won't! No other woman +<i>could</i> ever take your place. Can't you see, Tessibel? Can't you +understand what I'm telling you?"</p> + +<p>"Nope," whispered Tess. "I ain't able to understand. Oh—" She lifted a +white, twitching face. "Oh, don't go 'way an' leave me! Not now—not +just yet!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">120</a></span></p> + +<p>"But you said," he entreated, "you've always said, honey, you'd stand by +me, and you will, won't you? This is the only way you can help. You +will, dear, please!"</p> + +<p>"I 'spose I air got to," she stammered, shivering. "Course I do +everything ye want me to. But—but—tell me ... why."</p> + +<p>"It's just like this," Frederick explained reluctantly. "My mother +needs—money. She's got to have it. She's already borrowed a lot of +Waldstricker and ... even our lake place is mortgaged to him. His sister +loves me—"</p> + +<p>The speaker felt the slender body recoil as from a blow.</p> + +<p>"Tess!" he cried, "I don't love her. Oh, can't I get you to understand +anything? If you tremble that way, you'll drive me mad. I'm only going +to marry her.... Well, to pay the money, that's all."</p> + +<p>He cut and clipped the words as though he hated them, yet finished his +explanation determinedly. As keenly as a darting flame, it burned into +Tessibel's soul.</p> + +<p>"Tell me ... more," she breathed dizzily.</p> + +<p>"It'll only mean you and I will be apart for a little while, Tess," +stated Frederick. "When I get back home, I'm coming straight to you, +and—"</p> + +<p>"She air lovin' ye, ye said?" interrupted Tess, huskily.</p> + +<p>"But I don't love <i>her</i>, Tess!... I love only you!... You know that, +sweetheart!... You hear me, darling?"</p> + +<p>"Yep, I hear," whispered the girl.</p> + +<p>Frederick settled back against the rocks, drawing her into his arms.</p> + +<p>"My father," he proceeded more calmly, "left us without any money. I +suppose I didn't realize how hard it's been for mother. She's only just +told me she'd mortgaged the lake place to Waldstricker and had borrowed +money from him. In a way I've been awfully selfish.... I've only thought +of you, dear."</p> + +<p>Of course, now she couldn't tell him that intimate secret! If he knew, +he couldn't, he just couldn't do the thing his mother demanded; and she +had promised<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">121</a></span> to help him. He had said it was the only way she could be +of any service, and her great love rose up and demanded the sacrifice. +Tess scarcely recognized her own voice when she next spoke.</p> + +<p>"Did ye tell Madelene—I mean Miss Waldstricker—ye'd marry her?" she +asked.</p> + +<p>"Well ... yes," stammered Frederick.</p> + +<p>"And ye—ye—ye kissed 'er?... Oh, say ye didn't kiss 'er!... Ye didn't, +did ye?"</p> + +<p>It was a plea to which Frederick would have given worlds to truthfuly +answer, "No." But his conscience, evidently sensitive in small matters, +compelled an almost inaudible, "Yes."</p> + +<p>Raging jealousy, unendurable pain, arose within her.</p> + +<p>"But ye couldn't—be married—to 'er, Frederick. It ain't possible, it +ain't!"</p> + +<p>"I know I'm married to you," the boy assured her, swiftly. "I'd only be +married to her in the eyes of the world!"</p> + +<p>The eyes of the world, the world through which she had so far walked +with proudly lifted head! Her dearly cherished love seemed to be +tumbling in ignominious ruins, and that very love had left her +defenseless. No one would ever know he belonged to her; that she +belonged to him. She would have to creep with bowed head in assumed +shame and disgrace even among the squatters.</p> + +<p>"I'll die," she shivered, thinking of the coming spring.</p> + +<p>His burning kisses stung her lips, through which his words tumbled one +over the other.</p> + +<p>"You can't!... You shan't die!... Tess, you shan't! I'm only going away +for a little while.... You're mine, Tess, do you hear?... You've got to +live and love me always! You're mine! Oh, my love! Don't cry like +that!..."</p> + +<p>The crushing strength of his arms hurt her. Suddenly another picture +shot across her brain, like a searing rocket. She clung to his arm as if +she feared that minute would snatch him from her. Then suppliantly she +lifted not only her face, but also her hands.</p> + +<p>"Oh, she won't be like I air been to ye—like—like—"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">122</a></span></p> + +<p>Frederick heard the anguish in the agonized, girlish voice.</p> + +<p>"Not like—not like I air been to ye, darlin'. Oh, God, not that!" she +cried again.</p> + +<p>She waited in panting suspense for a fierce denial. Then she struggled +frantically in his embrace. All that was alive within her—all the +super-vitalized part of her soul—seemed scorched by the picture his +significant silence had painted.</p> + +<p>"Let me go!" she demanded.</p> + +<p>Frederick tightened his arms about her.</p> + +<p>"Not yet, not yet! Stay here, rest here, my sweet."</p> + +<p>But again seeing that image of the small woman in her place, Tess +struggled and freed herself.</p> + +<p>"I air goin' to Daddy now," she whispered. "An' you can go home too, +please."</p> + +<p>But he caught her again to his breast.</p> + +<p>"You belong to me!" he cried intensely. "I won't go!—I'm going to stay, +Tessibel! I will—I will stay!"</p> + +<p>Tess wrenched herself free.</p> + +<p>"Ye c'n come again," she promised. "Some other time afore—"</p> + +<p>Frederick caught her broken sentence and finished it.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, Tessibel," he exclaimed. "I'll come back soon, very soon!"</p> + +<p>"Sure, soon," quivered Tess, swaying, "go on, please!"</p> + +<p>She flung up her hands, crying low in suppressed agony, as Frederick +whirled from her and walked rapidly away. He had not taken ten steps +before he was moved to go back, to take her again in his arms, but +thinking over all that had happened, of how hard it had been to flounder +through his explanation, he shut his teeth and went on.</p> + +<p>With super-hearing, Tess listened until the sound of his footsteps died +in the lane.</p> + +<p>He had gone—Frederick—her husband! Gone to another woman! No, that +couldn't be! He was hers always and forever. She sank down on the +rocks—on the dear, ragged rocks, where she had watched for him<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">123</a></span> and +prayed for him, where life had been at its highest and best.</p> + +<p>She tried to recall all he had said. Oh, yes, he was coming back. What +did he mean by coming back? When? She dully wondered if it would be +tomorrow, or the day after, or the day after that. Three days, perhaps, +three long, interminable days to think of him and to long for him. Could +she live three days? She sprang to her feet. She must see him +again—now—this minute; hear him unsay that awful thing. Why, he +couldn't belong to Madelene Waldstricker! Like a deer, Tess sped along +the rocks in the direction of the lane. A night bird brushed a slender +wing against her curls as he shot by her. To him she paid no heed save +to swerve a little.</p> + +<p>Wildly, twice, three times she cried, "Frederick!"</p> + +<p>An owl hooted a mocking response from the willow tree nearby.</p> + +<p>"Frederick! Frederick!" rang through the night, out over the lake, +unanswered. He was gone! The realization of this brought the girl +crouching, shivering to the shore, where her feet were lapped by the +incoming waves. And there she lay, until as in a dream, a bewildered +dream, she heard Daddy Skinner's voice calling her. By a supreme effort +she gathered her senses together.</p> + +<p>"I air comin', Daddy."</p> + +<p>She stumbled through the night back to the shanty, her secret locked in +her breast.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">124</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2><h3><span class="smcap">Tessibel's Prayer</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>For four lingering days, hour after hour, Tess of the Storm Country +waited for Frederick. He had promised to return, and so each day when +her household duties were completed, she hastened to the ragged rocks at +the edge of the forest. But her eager hope passed into sick apprehension +as the lingering twilights of successive evenings deepened into the +darkness of night and he did not come. Tess grew paler and more +dejected, so that even Daddy Skinner's fading sight remarked it.</p> + +<p>"Ain't feelin' quite pert, be ye, brat?" he inquired.</p> + +<p>Tessibel started nervously.... It was habitual now if any one spoke to +her quickly.</p> + +<p>"I ain't sick, daddy," she assured him. "I guess it air the hot day +makin' me tired."</p> + +<p>"Nuff to bake the hair off a cast iron pup," observed Andy, from the +garret hole.</p> + +<p>"I'll bet it air some warm up there, pal," sympathized Orn.</p> + +<p>"Ye bet yer neck," agreed Andy cheerfully.</p> + +<p>Then Tessibel hopefully started for the rocks in search of the sunshine +which had left her life with Frederick four days before.</p> + +<hr class="minor" /> + +<p>Deforrest Young, too, had noticed the change in his little friend ... +had observed her extreme nervousness and unusual shyness when she +recited her lessons. Today, moreover, she had not appeared at all. Late +that afternoon he called at the Skinner home to find the reason.</p> + +<p>Daddy Skinner occupied his customary seat on the bench in front of the +shack, watching with listless, dull eyes the restless waves. He greeted +the professor with his twisted smile, as the latter called to him from +the lane.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">125</a></span></p> + +<p>"Where's Tessibel?" asked Young, after they had remarked upon the +weather and the health of themselves and their friends.</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't know just where she air gone," replied Orn, "but seems to +me's if she went off toward the rocks. Shall I call her, eh?"</p> + +<p>"No, no! I'll go look for her," answered the professor.</p> + +<p>He found her sitting pensively on the rocks, her hand resting on the +head of Kennedy's brindle bulldog, and in the moment he stood there +gazing at the girl, he felt unaccountably saddened.</p> + +<p>When Tess became conscious of his presence, she gave him a shadowy, +fleeting smile, which vanished almost before it had fully appeared. Her +eyes were heavy and dim with unshed tears, and she was as pale as the +mist clouds that drifted slowly across the sky and away over the eastern +hills. Perhaps it was the melancholy of that smile appealing to his deep +love that made Professor Young hurry toward her, holding out his hands.</p> + +<p>Pete greeted him with a welcoming whine, wagging his whole body, in +default of the tail he had lost.</p> + +<p>"Your father said you were here, child," Young said in a low voice. "May +I sit down?"</p> + +<p>Tess acquiesced by a nod of her head, and he settled himself comfortably +on the rock. Crouching down on the other side of her, Pete put his head +in the girl's lap. Her hands rested upon his broad back, while the man +played with him, pulling and poking his heavy jowls and hanging lips, +and the dog uttered delighted growls at the attention.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid my little girl hasn't been quite well of late," Young began +presently.</p> + +<p>The red-brown eyes fell and a flushed, lovely face bent beneath a shower +of bronze curls.</p> + +<p>"Has she?" he queried again, with tender sympathy.</p> + +<p>Lower and lower bent the auburn head until the man could no longer see +the troubled face.</p> + +<p>"I knew there was something wrong with my little pupil," said he softly. +"Now tell me about it."</p> + +<p>"I can't," whispered Tessibel. "I ain't able."</p> + +<p>Oh, if she only could! At that moment it seemed that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">126</a></span> all of her +troubles would take wing if this thoughtful, solemn-eyed friend shared +the burden of her heart. When she lifted her face again and repeated, "I +can't tell," Deforrest Young placed his fingers under her chin and kept +his eyes steadily upon her until the transparent lids drooped and the +long lashes rested on her cheeks.</p> + +<p>"Is it something you'll tell me some time?" he asked.</p> + +<p>Tessibel shuddered, and made no reply, although there was a slight +negative shake of her head.</p> + +<p>"Then I'll ask you another question, Tess dear," insisted Young. "Isn't +there something I can do to help you?"</p> + +<p>Tessibel shook her head, a violent blush suffusing her face. Tears +gathered thickly in the brown eyes. To see her thus was agony.... His +great love sought to share and bear her suffering, yet he could not +force her confidence.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to exact one promise from you," he continued, much moved.</p> + +<p>"I'll be awful glad to promise what I can," she murmured humbly.</p> + +<p>"Then it's this." Compassion for her abject misery was expressed in the +very tones of his deep voice. "If at any time in the future you need +me ... for anything, no matter what, will you—will you come to me and +tell me? Will you let me help you?"</p> + +<p>Impetuous appreciation of his sincerity caused Tess to touch his arm.</p> + +<p>"Nobody were ever so good to me in all the world," she said brokenly.</p> + +<p>Never had Deforrest Young so keenly desired the right to care for her as +he did then. The impulse to take her in his arms, to tell her, as he had +once, that he loved her, almost unnerved him; but he could not. Tess +seemed of late to have grown away from him, to be no longer the +light-hearted child she had been, even in that dark time when her father +was in prison.</p> + +<p>"You haven't promised me yet, Tessibel," he insisted seriously.</p> + +<p>"I promise ... sure!" said Tess, swallowing hard.</p> + +<p>In the silence that followed, Pete, as though conscious<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">127</a></span> that all was +not well with his adored mistress, rose on his haunches, and tried to +kiss her face. The dog's sympathy was sweet. She wanted Frederick so +badly! Oh, she thought, if she dared ask Deforrest. She would! She could +not bear another night of this uncertainty, this suspense.</p> + +<p>"I air wishin' to ask ye somethin'," she stammered. "Don't tell anybody, +will ye?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly not," declared Young, quickly.</p> + +<p>"Do ye—do ye happen to know where—the student Graves air—today?"</p> + +<p>Young considered the long curls falling over each shoulder and the +anxious eyes. She was staring fixedly at him. Was the student somehow +connected with her present distress? Frederick's marked attention of +late to Madelene Waldstricker was, he supposed, generally known. He had +not seen him with Tess for a long time. He had concluded the young man's +interest in the squatter girl had passed. Was it possible that Tess +still cared for him?</p> + +<p>"Well, that's hard to tell," he told her presently, looking out over the +lake. "But if they've had good luck, I suppose the young people are +quite well on their way to Paris by now. The ceremony, one of those +hasty affairs, was performed yesterday. They took the night train to New +York."</p> + +<p>Tessibel's breath caught in her throat.... The heavens seemed to tumble +into the lake.... An awful booming sounded in her ears. She grew limp, +sick at heart, ... dizzy, but she made no outcry, only, unconscious of +its pain, bit her lip until it bled. The hope she had nursed, that he +would not do this awful thing was lost.</p> + +<p>Pete stirred uneasily. Restrained by Tessibel's hand on his head, he +laid down again making whining noises in his throat, inarticulate +expressions of his love for the suffering girl.</p> + +<p>"Didn't you know he was going to marry Miss Waldstricker?" asked Young.</p> + +<p>"Yep,—I knew," whispered Tess, when she could breathe, "but—tell +me—about it."</p> + +<p>"There's not much to tell," explained the Professor,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">128</a></span> reluctant to +distress her. "It seems the young lady didn't want a large wedding and +did want to start abroad immediately, so they had a private affair—no +one present but the relatives."</p> + +<p>Tess made an effort to control herself.</p> + +<p>"Graves won't go back to college any more," went on Young. "He's going +into business with his brother-in-law, Mr. Waldstricker. I understand +when they return from abroad they will live with my sister the rest of +the winter."</p> + +<p>There was no response from the drooping little figure at his side.</p> + +<p>Tess was thinking of the winter without Frederick. She sickened as she +pictured him away off in that foreign land. It seemed he must be at the +very end of the world. It bewildered her to think of his being with +another woman than herself. She could not think of them as married—He +was her husband. She was silent so long that Young spoke to her softly. +"Shall I take you home, my dear?"</p> + +<p>Numb and dazed, she sat dumbly enduring the hurt.</p> + +<p>"Nope, I air goin' to stay here awhile." 'Twas only a trembling breath +that wafted the man his answer.</p> + +<p>Young hesitated. Then rising he walked away along the rocks, leaving +Tess and the brindle dog amid the falling shadows.</p> + +<p>Spent with emotion, the squatter girl heard the retreating footsteps of +her friend die away in the twilight. Then she pushed the dog gently from +her lap and laid herself down upon the rocks and pillowed her aching +head upon his body.</p> + +<p>Gradually the tender melancholy of the dying day touched her mood with +subtle sympathy and soothed her troubled spirit. Rapt in rueful revery, +she followed mechanically the flight of a flock of birds. Like swift +shadows flitting over the water, they dipped and winged upward and away, +out of her vision.</p> + +<p>Frederick had gone from her life almost as completely and as suddenly as +those birds had disappeared from her sight. How mercilessly short had +been her days of happiness, those days threaded and inter-threaded with +her husband's love.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">129</a></span></p> + +<p>The sun had set and the purples and reds were fading from the fleecy +clouds in the eastern sky. The gloaming grew in caressing cadences up +from the limpid lake to the ragged rocks. The night winds blew gently +down the hill side, the swaying leaves were whispering "hush, hush," and +the surface of the lake, shimmering in the mellow light of the rising +moon, was flecked here and there into silvery sparkles. The airs of +evening fluttered the ringlets upon her forehead and enveloped her hot +body in cooling comfort. Responsive to the quiet beauty about her, the +turmoil of her thoughts subsided. The sharp anguish which had at first +stunned her was becoming but a dull ache, permitting her to think +connectedly.</p> + +<p>This place and this hour held the most vital associations of her young +life. Here in the gathering gloom, Frederick had wooed and won her, and +had spent with her many of the too few hours of her wedded bliss. Upon +such another evening, she had made him the promises that had led to her +only deceptions of Daddy Skinner, and here, four short days ago, her +husband had murdered her joy.</p> + +<p>Reflecting upon her plight, its hopelessness well nigh overwhelmed her. +Through the utter desolution of her life rang the haunting, words of the +Cantata she'd heard sung last Eastertide in the Big Ithaca Church.</p> + +<p>"Oh, was there ever loneliness like this?"</p> + +<p>Over and over the melody repeated itself, insistently recalling the +Master's agony in the garden, and lifting her thoughts slowly upward +away from herself to His ultimate triumph and glory.</p> + +<p>Betrayed and deserted by the man that loved her, she fixed her attention +instinctively upon the Divine Love "with whom is no variableness, +neither shadow of turning" and sought courage from the words of Him "who +spake as never man spake." His command, "Love your enemies, do good to +them that hate you and pray for them which despitefully use you," came +to her tortured heart, a healing inspiration.</p> + +<p>Immediately she got to her feet. The dog, tired of the enforced +inactivity, jumped up and ran to and fro on the rocks, barking. She had +given her husband up<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">130</a></span> to another woman—he had said it was all she could +do for him. But she loved him and her love rejoiced in giving. Pete, +puzzled that the girl did not join him in his play as usual, came back +and stood in front of her and looked up into her face. She turned to the +old pine tree, her familiar friend, and extended her arms to the God of +her exalted faith.</p> + +<p>"Goddy, dear, goodest Goddy," she prayed, "bless my Frederick wherever +he air—an'—help Tessibel to die—in—in the spring."</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">131</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2><h3><span class="smcap">A Letter</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>A great deal had happened during the three weeks Frederick had been +gone. Helen Young had married Ebenezer Waldstricker, and they had been +away now nearly two weeks on their honeymoon. Deforrest Young, too, had +spent most of the time out of Ithaca. Tessibel Skinner heard from him +frequently, and through his good letters, she had been able to keep up +her studies.</p> + +<p>One Monday morning while Tess was doing the simple chores around the +shack, she had the door open to admit the vagrant breezes of the summer +day. Andy, as his custom was on such occasions, lay quietly upon the +attic floor, secure from the observation of any chance passer-by. +Stepping to the door to shake her dust rag, Tess saw Jake Brewer coming +up the path.</p> + +<p>"Hello, Jake," she called, a little loudly to warn Andy, "how air ye?"</p> + +<p>"Pretty tol'able, thank ye, Tess," Brewer answered politely, "how air +you, and how's yer pa?"</p> + +<p>"Daddy's pretty bad this mornin'," she told him, a reluctant smile +appearing for a moment at the corners of her mouth.</p> + +<p>"Pshaw! Tessie, ye don't tell me. It air the heat, ain't it? But Tess, I +air got somethin' for you," he sniggered. "Bet ye can't guess what it +air."</p> + +<p>"Sure, I can't, Jake." The girl tried to match his cheerful manner.</p> + +<p>She wished she might greet her squatter friends as of yore, but her +heart was sad and lay stonelike in her breast. Of late, Jake had been +very kind, running many errands for her. Daddy Skinner was a favorite +with the inhabitants of the Silent City, and now that he was so ill, all +the other squatters did what they could for his sorrowing daughter.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">132</a></span></p> + +<p>"Come in, Jake," invited Tess. "Mebbe Daddy'd like to see ye.... He +ain't up yet.... Wait a minute.... I'll ask 'im!"</p> + +<p>Jake stayed her with a chuckle and a beckoning motion of his forefinger.</p> + +<p>"First I'll give ye what I brung ye, Tess," he said, while he fumbled in +his pocket. "Here! Look! It air a letter with a big ship up in the +corner of it.... Ain't it cute?"</p> + +<p>Tessibel held out a trembling hand for the square envelope Brewer +proffered her. How many times within the past weeks had she visualized a +ship as it took its rapid way to the other side of the world! How many +times had she seen her husband with Madelene Waldstricker on that +pictured steamer! Now here it was before her very eyes, more stately +even than her mind had portrayed it. She stared at the letter, her face +going very white.</p> + +<p>"Ye don't seem to be tickled, brat," said the squatter, grinning.</p> + +<p>"I air, though, Jake," she replied, "awful tickled.... Come on in an' +see Daddy!"</p> + +<p>She slipped the letter into her pocket and led the way to the back room.</p> + +<p>She bent over the bed and roused her father.</p> + +<p>"Jake air here to see ye, Daddy," she said. "Sit down, Jake! He can't +talk very loud, but ye can see he air awful glad to have ye here.... +Daddy dear, Jake Brewer air tryin' to shake hands with ye."</p> + +<p>Orn's great hand lifted slowly.</p> + +<p>"Glad to see ye, Jake," he mumbled. "I ain't the best this mornin'!"</p> + +<p>"Ye'll get better with the goin' of the warm weather," consoled Jake. +"These days be hot now for the wellest of us."</p> + +<p>"Yep," murmured Daddy Skinner, drowsily.</p> + +<p>Tessibel left the two men alone, and went back to the kitchen. Her +throat was filled with longing, her lips drawn a little closer together. +She sat down near the door, looking out upon the lake. She dared not +open the letter then, not until Jake had gone and Daddy was asleep.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">133</a></span></p> + +<p>Brewer came out quietly, his cheerful manner subdued somewhat.</p> + +<p>Tess got to her feet. She tried to smile, but the serious expression on +the squatter's face brought her quickly to his side.</p> + +<p>"Jake," she murmured, quick-breathed, "ye think he air awful sick, eh?"</p> + +<p>Brewer shifted his gaze out through the door. The sight of the girl's +pleading face hurt him.</p> + +<p>"He ain't real pert; that air a fact," was his reply.</p> + +<p>"We air doin' everythin' we can think of," Tess told him. "Mr. Young's +doctor comes awful often, an' he says Daddy air got heart trouble."</p> + +<p>"He do seem to have a hard time breathin'," answered Jake, trying to be +cheerful; "but if I was you, Tessie, I wouldn't worry. He'll be gettin' +well. He air stronger'n a horse."</p> + +<p>Tess wanted to believe her father was better. She couldn't allow her +mind to take any other view of it.</p> + +<p>"He air always been right rugged," she said, nodding, "an' if his +heart'd only stop beatin' so hard—" She hesitated and touched Brewer's +arm. "Thank ye fer bringin' my letter," she interrupted herself +irrelevantly.</p> + +<p>"That air all right, Tess," smiled Brewer. "Ye see when I go to the +Postoffice fer our mail, I ask fer your'n an' fer Longman's, an' I most +allers get some fer one or t'other.... Nice day, eh, ain't it?"</p> + +<p>"Yep," affirmed Tess, dully. She bade the fisherman good-bye and stood +watching him take his way along the lakeside until he had disappeared.</p> + +<p>When she turned she caught sight of Andy's glistening eyes looking at +her.</p> + +<p>"Jake air a good feller, ain't he, brat?" he asked.</p> + +<p>Tess came directly under the ceiling hole.</p> + +<p>"Yep, he sure air," she answered. "Andy, I air a feelin' so bad today. +Will ye listen for Daddy if I go out a spell?"</p> + +<p>"Course I will, go long," he urged. "Close the door when ye go out. I'll +keep my ears open."</p> + +<p>Tess walked slowly along the lake shore path, her head drooping wearily. +She knew the letter in her pocket was from Frederick. To have opened it +even<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">134</a></span> before Andy's loving eyes, or in the presence of any other person, +would have been, in her opinion, a desecration.</p> + +<p>Against the high gray shoulder of a ragged rock, she sat down pensively. +It was here she and Frederick had spent so many happy hours and, now, +alone, she had come to read his letter. She took it slowly from her +pocket, studied the picture of the ship in the corner, and whispered +over and over the name under it. It seemed almost impossible to tear it +open. What had he told her? She pressed the envelope to her lips. Her +darling's hands had touched it, his fingers had written her name upon +it. Ripping it slowly along the edge, she took out the contents, and +there fluttered to the rock a yellow backed bill. Tess picked it up and +examined it carefully. Frederick had sent her some money. Tess laid it +down again and placed a small stone upon it. Then she took up the +letter.</p> + +<p>For a few seconds her eyes misted so profusely she could not read. She +dashed the back of her hand across her lids, choking down hard sobs that +rose insistently. When she could control her emotions enough to read, +she fixed her eyes upon the first words: "My own darling:"</p> + +<p>Crunching the paper between her fingers, she dropped her head and wept +wildly for several minutes. She wanted Frederick then as she had never +wanted a soul in all the living world.</p> + +<p>"I am here alone in the writing room," Tess read on, wiping her eyes. +"Oh, Tessibel, when I think of you there without me, I go almost mad! +What I've done seems the very worst thing in the world, and it grows +worse as the hours go by. Forgive me, my darling. I dared not come back +after that night; I was afraid some one would see me and tell my mother +or some of the Waldstrickers. Tessibel, if I could only jump into the +sea and get back to you, I should be the happiest fellow in the world. I +love you more and more, and I'm perfectly miserable without you."</p> + +<p>Her fingers on her lips, and her eyes on the letter, Tess wept softly. +Oh, how she loved him, too, her husband.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">135</a></span></p> + +<p>"I won't stay away very long, my dearest," the letter continued. "I'm +coming back to you and shall never leave you again. I'm sending you some +money which I want you to use, and I'll send more very soon. This will +make you comfortable for a little while."</p> + +<p>Tess picked up the bill and looked at it once more. Then she put it down +again and went on reading the letter.</p> + +<p style="margin-bottom: 0;">"I shall always love you better than any one else in the world, +Tessibel ... when I return we shall be together most of the time. I shall, +I hope, get over my fear of Ebenezer Waldstricker. I'm studying in my mind +a way to make it possible for us to have a home together, of which no +one shall know. Believe that I love you ... always and always, my +darling.</p> + +<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; text-indent: 60%;">Your</p> +<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; text-indent: 0; text-align: right;">Frederick."</p> + +<p>Tess lifted her head with a long-drawn sigh. But there was something +more to read, a line or two tacked on the end of the letter.</p> + +<p style="margin-bottom: 0;">"P. S. My darling, I want you to burn this! I fear some one might get +hold of it.</p> + +<p style="margin-top: 0; text-indent: 0; text-align: right;">F."</p> + +<p>After reading over and over the letter, until she had almost learned it +by heart, she went back to the shanty, to do as Frederick had bidden +her. Kissing the pages again and again and weeping softly so as not to +disturb Andy, Tess burned the letter.</p> + +<p>That night when Daddy Skinner was sleeping, his laboring breath heard +plainly through the shanty, a red-brown head bent over the kitchen +table. Around the flickering light fluttered the summer moths, and once +in a while one of Tessibel's beloved night things dashed in at the +window, took a zig-zag course about the lamp, and flew out again into the +shadowy weeping willows. A long, sobbing sigh from the girl brought the +dwarf's eager face to the hole in the ceiling.</p> + +<p>"Air ye sick, brat?" he whispered.</p> + +<p>Tess lifted her eyes from the table.</p> + +<p>"Nope, Andy, I were thinkin', that's all," she answered, low-toned.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">136</a></span></p> + +<p>And perhaps fifteen minutes later, when she had written a name on +several envelopes and had torn them up in seeming disapproval, Andy +ventured again.</p> + +<p>"Ye act awful sad, brat dear. Can't ye tell me about it?"</p> + +<p>Tessibel rose to her feet, the gleam of the night light radiating upon +the red-brown of her eyes. She swallowed the lump in her throat before +she could speak.</p> + +<p>"I air a little sad, Andy dear," she murmured.</p> + +<p>"What were ye doin', honey?" asked the dwarf.</p> + +<p>Without answering at that moment, Tess took up the envelope she'd +sealed. Two steps took her to the mantel, where she placed the letter +against the clock, standing a minute to gaze at it. The next instant she +explained to the little man leaning above her.</p> + +<p>"I were writin' a little, Andy, darlin'."</p> + +<p>Then she went softly into Daddy Skinner's room and closed the door.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">137</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2><h3><span class="smcap">Its Answer</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>While Tessibel Skinner, lonely and despondent, was grieving in the +squatter country, Frederick Graves arrived in Paris with his young wife. +There had been for him but few hours since that last evening upon the +ragged rocks, during which Tessibel's face had not haunted him, the +brown eyes, sometimes smiling, more frequently shadowed with tears. +Impotent remorse possessed his days and filled his wakeful nights with +anguish. At such times when life seemed intolerable, the thought of the +comfort he had supplied for his mother and sister was balm to his +troubled soul.</p> + +<p>He regretted, too, that he had not gone to the squatter settlement to +see Tess again before his marriage to Madelene. He had thought, then, +that the sight of her pleading pain would be more than he could bear. He +had already vowed to himself over and over with clenched teeth that he +would stay but a short time away from America. He must see Tess. He did +not worry over her keeping the secret of their clandestine marriage ... +he had implicit confidence in her promise.</p> + +<p>Madelene's keen enjoyment in displaying the many sights, already +familiar to her, bored him to distraction, and they had been in France +but a few days before she discovered his indifference to the wonders +which seemed of such importance to her. On the way over she had noticed +his spells of abstraction. She had seen how quickly the shadows +descended upon her husband's face when it was in repose. With an +intuition characteristically feminine, she concluded rightly that +Frederick's interest was not in her, that his attention was really +concentrated upon something quite apart from his wife and their +honeymoon. She determined to find out the reason.</p> + +<p>One morning, breakfasting in their charming room,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">138</a></span> Madelene started a +bright conversation, which Frederick met with but a chilly response.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter with you, Fred?" she demanded curiously. "You haven't +spoken a pleasant word for two days."</p> + +<p>A faint smile sketched itself about the corners of Frederick's lips.</p> + +<p>"Aren't you stretching that a little, my dear?" he evaded +half-playfully.</p> + +<p>"Well, perhaps a wee bit," laughed Madelene, ruefully. "But honestly, +dear, you look as if you'd lost your last friend instead of being on +your—honeymoon."</p> + +<p>She sprang up, rounded the table and perched daintily on the arm of his +chair.</p> + +<p>"I do want to make you happy, darling," she urged. "What's the trouble?"</p> + +<p>Frederick made a slightly impatient gesture with one shoulder.</p> + +<p>"I'm happy enough, Madelene! But it's this beastly weather! I suppose +that's the reason I feel so lackadaisical. If you don't mind, I don't +believe I'll go out today."</p> + +<p>Madelene uttered a little cry of disappointment.</p> + +<p>"Now, I <i>am</i> vexed!" she pouted prettily.</p> + +<p>"Oh, then I'll go with you, of course," Frederick hastily cut in. "It +doesn't make any difference to me."</p> + +<p>The young wife felt an impulse to anger.</p> + +<p>"But it ought to make a difference, Fred dear," she pointed out to him. +"Why, you make me feel so small ... so insignificant.... I don't want to +drag you about if you don't want to go."</p> + +<p>Absorbed in his self-centered meditations his wife's sightseeing +excursions seemed to him a perfect nuisance.</p> + +<p>"I didn't mean to hurt you, dear," he apologized hurriedly.</p> + +<p>Madelene got up and went to the window and gazed down upon the street.</p> + +<p>"I know what we'll do," she stated, dancing back to the table. "Let's go +to some quiet, cool place for a week or two. I hate Paris in the hot +weather, anyway. And it'll be fun to be by ourselves ... and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">139</a></span> we'll have +long walks.... Would you like that?"</p> + +<p>The dark wave of blood surging into Frederick's temples made her look +curiously at him. Why should he be embarrassed at such a suggestion?</p> + +<p>"As you please, my dear," he interrupted her thought.</p> + +<p>Madelene sighed. He did look ill. It might be the hot weather, but he +had such a strange, detached manner most of the time ... as if he were +far away ... or she was. Her mind was busy with the problem. She could +not eat.</p> + +<p>Frederick, too, was but toying with his breakfast. He was wondering just +what Madelene was planning to do in the country. It would be even harder +for him there than in the city. With Tessibel's face always between +them, he could not make a lover's love to her anywhere.</p> + +<p>An hour or so later, while Frederick had gone to smoke under the trees, +his wife stood critically studying her reflection in the glass ... with +but few misgivings. She was pretty, surely so, and very rich! What more +could a man want? In the coolness of the country, Frederick would be +better. He would lose his moroseness and give his undivided attention to +her. She would make all the arrangements for the change without +disturbing him. He should not be bothered a little bit; and Madelene +grew quite happy again with the thought of having Frederick all to +herself in some romantic country spot.</p> + +<p>She summoned her maid, and for a while with the aid of the hotel +officials, she sought for a place near Paris, yet far enough away to +escape its harassing heat and noises. By night Madelene had decided upon +a farm near the village of Epernon.</p> + +<p>"We can get in to the city to shop, Marie," she told her maid. "But Mr. +Graves simply can't stand the hot weather in town."</p> + +<p>"He does look sick and worried, ma'am, doesn't he?" agreed the maid.</p> + +<p>Twenty-four hours later Frederick and Madelene were settled in a pretty +villa nestled at the edge of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">140</a></span> forest. Nature in its noblest +expression surrounded them. At the going down of the sun, Madelene stood +beside her husband on the porch, and pressed her cheek fondly against +his shoulder.</p> + +<p>"It's so beautiful, isn't it, dear?" she whispered coaxingly.</p> + +<p>Out of his wife's words and the gentle gloaming, came a deadly sense of +loneliness. A shiver shook Frederick from head to foot. His only answer +was an ejaculated affirmative in a hoarse voice. The weird sighing of +the trees took him back to Ithaca, back to the ragged rocks ... to +Tessibel. For a moment he was so agonized that tears stung his lids to a +deep hurt.</p> + +<p>If in noisy Paris he had been carried in spirit to the squatter country, +where a girl stood and gazed at him with red-brown eyes, how much more +did she haunt him in the quiet spot where the leaves sang the same old +tunes they sang in her world, where the wind played among them as it did +in the Silent City! Now and then from yonder clump of trees a bird +twittered; an owl screeched from the tall tree at the right, and farther +on a brook chanted its purling song like Tessibel's brook under the +mudcellar. Oh, his dear little girl! His Tess of the Storm Country! If +in those olden days he had desired her, now that desire was a hundred +times more poignant. In all his willful life he had never suffered like +this. Tess with her clinging arms, her sweet, winning ways! He sighed a +deep, long sigh. Yet soon he would hear something from her. He had +written her, ... had sent her money for the necessities of her simple +life ... his heart throbbed at the thought of a letter from her.</p> + +<p>Madelene's conversation he had not heard, and it was not until she spoke +directly to him that he remembered her presence.</p> + +<p>"Don't you think so, Fred?" she was asking.</p> + +<p>He heaved another sigh as he left Ithaca and came back to France after +that flight of fancy.</p> + +<p>"Don't I think what? I really didn't hear what you said, Madelene," he +admitted guiltily.</p> + +<p>Madelene experienced a hot flash of indignation.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to say you've allowed me to talk all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">141</a></span> this time and you +haven't heard a word I've said?" she demanded in a thin, rasping voice.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry," murmured Frederick. "Pardon."</p> + +<p>Then the girl lapsed into a sulky silence, and Frederick, too sick at +heart, too indifferent to her likes and dislikes to care, did not +encourage her to repeat what she had said.</p> + +<p>It was perhaps a week later when young Mrs. Graves felt her first real +jealousy. In the happiness of her hasty marriage, she had almost +forgotten the story told her by the gossips of Ithaca. It was only when +her husband's eyes were encircled and darkened by a far-away expression +that Tess entered her mind. But even then, after a glance in the mirror, +she dismissed the little singer contemptuously.</p> + +<p>One morning just before breakfast, they were standing under the trees. +On Frederick's face was that dreary look of discontent. Madelene +contemplated him steadily. She had watched and studied, but had not yet +solved the problem that occupied her mind. Was the squatter girl the +obstacle? she wondered. It didn't seem possible. Frederick was so +fastidious. Why, the girl could scarcely speak a word of good English! +But it would do no harm to make sure. She decided to speak to her +husband of Tessibel Skinner. But how?</p> + +<p>Frederick owed her some consideration, and Madelene deeply desired he +should be more attentive to her. Suddenly she laughed aloud. Frederick +turned, the cloud partially lifting from his eyes.</p> + +<p>"A happy thought, I dare say?" he inquired.</p> + +<p>"Not very," answered Madelene flippantly. "I was wondering how long it +would take that Skinner girl to earn enough money to pay for a trip like +this."</p> + +<p>Had a bomb gone off in his face, Frederick couldn't have been more +appalled. His brows drew together in a dark frown; his face grew livid +and tensely lined. Madelene noted the effect of her words. Her suspicion +was confirmed,—the problem solved! It was the squatter girl who stood +between her and her husband!</p> + +<p>"I forbid you," said Frederick in a low, angry voice, "ever to mention +that name again."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">142</a></span></p> + +<p>Then he whirled about and walked away through the trees. In alarm, +Madelene sped after him.</p> + +<p>"Frederick!" she implored. "I'm awfully sorry I said that.... I didn't +mean to hurt you."</p> + +<p>He shook her from his arm.</p> + +<p>"Very well," he replied savagely, "but just please don't speak of her +again."</p> + +<p>Tears blinded the girl's vision.... An enraged feeling rose in her +heart. Never in all her spoiled life had any one spoken to her in such a +way. If Ebenezer had been there, Frederick would never have dared!</p> + +<p>By this time, having stood mute for several seconds, she was thoroughly +indignant. This was her first real conflict with Frederick, and she +began to feel ill as well as incensed.</p> + +<p>"It's dreadfully disagreeable of you to get angry over a little thing +like that," she said impetuously. "One would think you loved that girl +and not me. I was told lots of times you were crazy about her, but of +course,—"</p> + +<p>She hesitated now. She wanted to say cruel things about the squatter +girl back in Ithaca, but she dared not. She was overwrought with anger, +but her husband's threatening face forced her to silence.</p> + +<p>"Are you determined to keep harping on a subject I wish to forget?" His +words carried an ominous meaning, which quickened her already awakened +jealousy. Determined to probe the matter to the bottom she demanded.</p> + +<p>"Why should you wish to forget her? Does she disturb your memory as much +as that?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps," replied Frederick gloomily.</p> + +<p>He saw the danger involved in the discussion and curbed his tongue. Then +he left her and walked quickly into the house. Madelene followed, angry +and rebellious, and found him seated at the table, white-faced, with the +morning mail unnoticed before him. Still enraged, she glanced over the +letters indifferently.</p> + +<p>"They're all for me with the exception of one," she said sulkily, "and +it's an Ithaca letter.... May I open it?"</p> + +<p>Frederick took it from her and looked at the envelope.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">143</a></span> His name was +staring back at him as if every cramped letter were an accusing eye, and +the writing was in the hand of Tessibel Skinner! He studied it a +minute....</p> + +<p>"You have mail of your own to read, my dear," he said quite kindly. +"Let's have breakfast."</p> + +<p>When during the morning Frederick found a moment to himself, he took +from his pocket the letter that had been searing through his clothing to +his heart. Gazing upon it, he shook as if he had the ague. Trembling +hands held it up to the light. Several times he turned it over. What had +Tess written to him? Had she told him, as he had her, that she loved him +better than all the rest of the world? He uttered a desperate +ejaculation and stretched out his arms. If he could have spanned the +world that separated them, he would have dragged her to him by the +terrible force of his desire. Again he turned the letter over.</p> + +<p>Something kept him from ripping it open. He longed to delay the +happiness of reading it, and while he waited, he lifted it to his lips +and passionately kissed the crude writing. It ran up hill a little, but +that only made him smile and love it the more. It brought memories of +past joys, memories of Tessibel's endeavor to learn. Poor little child! +Suddenly he slipped the paper knife into the envelope and slowly dragged +it across the top.... Then he inserted his fingers and pulled out—the +bill he had sent her. In a sudden passion he looked frantically into the +empty envelope.... Nothing!... Absolute emptiness!</p> + +<p>The money fluttered from his hand to the floor, where it lay like a +sentient thing, staring back as if mocking him. He stood half-blindly +gazing upon it. When he looked more closely, he stooped and picked it +up. There written across its yellow back was the one little line,</p> + +<p>"Darlin', I air a prayin' for you every day. Tessibel."</p> + +<p>In a storm of remorse, he collapsed to the floor with his face in his +hands.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">144</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2><h3><span class="smcap">Madelene Complains to Ebenezer</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>"Read that letter; then you'll see why I'm angry," said Ebenezer +Waldstricker to Helen one morning after he had frowningly perused a +letter from Madelene. "Her last two have had a touch of this thing in +them, too. If I find—"</p> + +<p>He stopped because his wife had dropped her eyes and begun to read.</p> + +<p>"Dear Eb:—</p> + +<p>"Your letters have come along one after another, but they haven't made +me feel happier. I do dislike to act as if I were telling tales; but I'm +so miserable, and you're the only one in the world I can call on in my +distress. You will forgive me, I know, dear Ebenezer. We've been here +now such a long time, that I really feel as if we ought to come home, +but I simply dread it more and more I think of it.</p> + +<p>"You can't imagine how doleful Fred is, and I know it's the Skinner girl +who's causing it."</p> + +<p>Helen uttered an anxious exclamation. She knew her husband's dislike of +the squatters. Her quick glance at his face called from his stern lips +the cold question.</p> + +<p>"Have you finished?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Then do!" he snarled, opening and closing his hands impatiently.</p> + +<p>"You may ask me what proof I have," Helen read on, a slight pucker +between her brows, "and I will say this: Fred has two or three times +called me by her name, nearly dying of embarrassment when I asked him to +account for it. Then once in his sleep he called out quite sharply, +'Tessibel!' He flies into all kinds of rages when I ask him questions +about her. He won't admit he's ever cared anything for her—"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">145</a></span></p> + +<p>Helen looked up again and paused momentarily.</p> + +<p>"Well, Ebenezer, he used to like Tessibel!"</p> + +<p>Waldstricker waved his hand angrily.</p> + +<p>"What's past is past!" he roared. "And now he's got to treat my sister +decently, or I'll know the reason why.... The young pup! Why, here I've +given him the chance of his life!... But finish the letter!"</p> + +<p>Helen sighed as she again allowed her eyes to rest on the page in her +hand.</p> + +<p>"But I feel sure his interest in her isn't because of what she did for +his sister," Madelene's letter continued. "Will you take some pains to +find out all you can for me, Eb dear? It might be well for you to see +her yourself, and perhaps you could make her admit something. I don't +want you to worry about me, though. If I can make Fred act like a human +being, I'll be happy enough. Tell Helen I shall bring her a lot of +pretties from Paris, and will be awfully glad to see you both. Love to +all.</p> + +<p> +Madelene."<br /> +</p> + +<p>"P. S. Perhaps you can make that girl tell you whether she's had a +letter from Fred or not, and make her give it to you if you can. I think +he's written her, but he says not."</p> + +<p>"I'm very sorry about it," Helen murmured. She laid the letter on the +table and looked across at the dark-faced man opposite, "but really I +don't think Tess cares for him at all now. Deforrest has repeatedly said +she never speaks of him, and that as far as he can make out, she has +quite forgotten him."</p> + +<p>"I'll make it my business to find out," muttered Waldstricker. "If I +discover she has any hold on that young—"</p> + +<p>"They may just've been romantic," excused Helen. "Why don't you ask +Deforrest to find out for you?"</p> + +<p>Ebenezer shook his head.</p> + +<p>"I'm going down first myself," said he.</p> + +<p>Helen rose and went to her husband's side. Her eyes were misty with +unshed tears. She so desired Ebenezer to be himself again. She felt a +little rebellious when she considered Madelene's turning her peaceful +home into such a turmoil.</p> + +<p>"You won't be stern with her, dear?" she pleaded.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">146</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'll treat her as she deserves," snapped Waldstricker.... "If Deforrest +weren't so stubborn and hadn't rented Graves' place for the next four +years, I'd do my best to oust the Skinners from that property.... One +thing is certain, the old witch has got to go."</p> + +<p>Helen sighed, exasperated. Her husband's face was crimson and the cords +in his neck as rigid as taut ropes.</p> + +<p>"Ebenezer dear, why will you get yourself into such a state of +excitement over a set of people who'll never come into your life at +all?" she begged of him.</p> + +<p>There was gentle reproof in her tones. Ebenezer glanced at her sharply.</p> + +<p>"Never come into my life at all!" he repeated. "Does this look as if +they never came into my life, eh?" He leaned over and tapped Madelene's +letter. "Am I going to see my sister—"</p> + +<p>"Madelene is probably mistaken," interjected Helen, hopefully.</p> + +<p>"It'll be better for the squatter girl if she is," answered Ebenezer, +whirling and going out.</p> + +<p>Now it happened that Tessibel was standing outside the cottage clipping +her hedge when she heard the sound of horses' hoofs coming down the +lane. She stepped to the shanty door, gave the sound which warned Andy +of a stranger's approach, and was back again when Waldstricker's great +black horse came in sight. Opposite her, he drew his steed to a +standstill and bowed curtly. Tess had never seen his lips so sternly +set, not even when he had dragged her from Mother Moll's hut. She made +no move to go to him.</p> + +<p>"I came to speak to you, Miss Skinner," he called. "Come here?"</p> + +<p>Then Tessibel went a few steps nearer, without laying down her shears. +Looking up into his face, she asked,</p> + +<p>"What do ye want, Mr. Waldstricker?"</p> + +<p>It was hard for Waldstricker to tell just what he did want when that +pair of red-brown eyes were gazing at him.</p> + +<p>"I think I'll dismount," he said suddenly.</p> + +<p>Throwing one leg over the broad back of the horse, he slipped to the +ground. The bridle over his arm, he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">147</a></span> walked toward the girl until she +was standing but a step away.</p> + +<p>"You haven't any news of Bishop for me, I suppose?" he asked.</p> + +<p>Tess grew suddenly intuitive. Immediately she knew he had not come to +ask her about Andy. She shook her head, her tongue cleaving to the roof +of her mouth.</p> + +<p>"Have you done anything to locate him?" persisted Waldstricker.</p> + +<p>He was feeling his way to bring in the other matter, and looking more +closely at the girl, he reluctantly admitted to himself she was +beautiful.</p> + +<p>"My daddy's been awful sick," said Tess quickly. "I ain't much time to +do anything but take care of 'im an' sing in the church."</p> + +<p>Waldstricker was not interested in the sick squatter, so he gave no sign +of sympathy. Rather, he wanted to come to the crucial point immediately, +but Tess was so unapproachable that he remained quiet a few embarrassing +moments to think of the right thing to say.</p> + +<p>"You must be a little lonely now Mr. Graves is married," he stated +presently.</p> + +<p>Tessibel grew deathly pale, and took one backward step. Had he come to +talk of Frederick? Had he found out the secret she had kept religiously +so many weeks?</p> + +<p>"Mr. Graves?" she repeated, and then again in almost a whisper, "Mr. +Graves?"</p> + +<p>It was the first time in ever so long she'd pronounced that loved name +aloud.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Waldstricker, darkly, "and I came down today to see the +letters you've received from him."</p> + +<p>Tess lifted her head and looked him straight in the eyes. Did he know +she had had that one precious letter? Who'd told him about it? But she +couldn't give it to him,—it was burned. Neither would she admit +receiving it.</p> + +<p>"What letters?" she asked, when she could speak.</p> + +<p>"Those Mr. Graves sent you from France!" responded Waldstricker, in very +decided tones.</p> + +<p>Tess thought quickly. Frederick had told her he was afraid of +Waldstricker. So was she! He was the man who had been instrumental in +taking her husband<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">148</a></span> away from her. She felt a cold rage growing into +active life within her. How dared he come here.</p> + +<p>She was looking at him so steadily that the powerful churchman lowered +his eyes, and for a moment pretended to be arranging the horse's bridle. +Then, he centered his bold, black eyes upon her until her nerves +tingled.</p> + +<p>"I wish to see what he's written you," he repeated, this time rather +lamely.</p> + +<p>"I ain't got any letters," Tess told him.</p> + +<p>"Haven't you received any from him?" demanded Waldstricker.</p> + +<p>The girl shook her head so decidedly that her curls vibrated to the very +ends. It was as though every bit of her loving body would shield the +dear one way off in France from this compelling, mesmeric man.</p> + +<p>Waldstricker felt she was not telling the truth. He grew enraged, the +blood flying purple to his face.</p> + +<p>"I said I wanted you to give them to me," he repeated emphatically, +going nearer her.</p> + +<p>"An' I says as how I didn't have none," evaded Tess, growing angrier by +the minute. "An' if I did, I wouldn't give 'em to you. 'Tain't none of +yer business if I get letters, I'll have ye know!" She took several +backward steps toward the shanty. Her rising temper stirred up the +impudence she used in her conflicts with the rude fishermen. "Jump on +yer horse an' trot home," she finished tauntingly.</p> + +<p>Waldstricker's mingled surprise and anger showed in his exclamation. +What an impertinent little huzzy she was! In his heart he believed +Madelene was right, but the defiant squatter girl baffled him. He would +go home more than ever satisfied Tess Skinner was keeping from him +something about his young brother-in-law. He mounted his horse, his +muscles working with rage.</p> + +<p>"I'll make you confess sooner or later," he muttered ominously, "or I'll +know the reason why."</p> + +<p>"Scoot!" was all Tess said, and she waved her hand and snapped the +pruning shears together derisively.</p> + +<p>Waldstricker whirled his horse up the lane, and striking the animal with +a spur, bounded away.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">149</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXI</h2><h3><span class="smcap">The End of the Honeymoon</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>Helen Waldstricker walked nervously up and down the library. Many times +during the past hour she had gone to the window and stared out into the +night. It was almost impossible to read or work with her mind in such a +state of perturbation. Every sound caused her to lay aside her book. She +was waiting for Ebenezer to return from the station with Madelene and +Frederick.</p> + +<p>Helen dreaded the home-coming of the newly married pair. Ebenezer was +all upset over the letters his sister had written him from abroad, and +as Deforrest was obliged to be away so much, she had spent many hours of +mental worry by herself.</p> + +<p>The sound of a carriage took her into the hall, where she stood until +Ebenezer threw open the door.</p> + +<p>The first sight of her young sister-in-law showed Mrs. Waldstricker that +the girl was not at all contented and happy. Madelene's face was pale, +but not more so than Frederick's. Ebenezer looked like a thunder cloud. +Helen, with her usual tact and sweetness greeted the young people in a +sisterly manner.</p> + +<p>"I'm so glad to have you both back," she purred, kissing first one, then +the other. "Now, dear,"—to Madelene, "come along up with me and get off +your wraps and then we'll have dinner."</p> + +<p>The two women went upstairs together in silence, and it was not until +Helen had closed the door and Madelene had removed her wraps that Mrs. +Graves turned upon her brother's wife.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you noticed from Ebbie's letters that I've been awfully +unhappy?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," admitted Helen, "but I was in hopes it had passed over."</p> + +<p>"It's worse now than it was before," answered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">150</a></span> Madelene, "I'm perfectly +certain he doesn't care for me—"</p> + +<p>"Then why did he marry you?" interrupted Helen.</p> + +<p>"For my money! That's why!"</p> + +<p>Helen's answering ejaculation brought a short, bitter laugh from the +girl.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, dear," protested Mrs. Waldstricker. "You must be mistaken. I'm +positive, he's an honorable young man."</p> + +<p>Madelene flung herself impatiently into a chair.</p> + +<p>"Sit down," she said. "Don't stand up!... Oh, I'm so tired! It seems +years since we left France. And Fred's been like a death's house all the +time. I can't for the life of me see why he should act the way he does. +Why, Helen, he goes days without as much as ever starting to speak to +me. If he talks at all, I simply have to drag the words from him."</p> + +<p>"That's dreadful," sympathized Helen, "but perhaps he isn't well, dear. +Why don't you get him to see a doctor?"</p> + +<p>Madelene shrugged her shoulders disdainfully.</p> + +<p>"It's not a doctor he wants, it's that Skinner girl, I can see that +plainly enough."</p> + +<p>Helen dropped on the arm of the girl's chair and slipped her arm around +her neck.</p> + +<p>"Well, now you're home," she soothed. "Ebenezer'll help you if he can, +and I know Deforrest will. I'm perfectly certain though, Tessibel +Skinner would do nothing to make Frederick swerve from his loyalty to +you."</p> + +<p>"Do you know whether Eb went down there to see her?" asked the girl, +wearily.</p> + +<p>"I think he did. He asked Tess for Frederick's letters, but she said she +hadn't received any from him. And really, I don't believe she did, for +she tells everything to Deforrest and she'd tell him that, I'm sure."</p> + +<p>Madelene shook her head incredulously.</p> + +<p>"I feel perfectly positive he wrote her," she asserted.</p> + +<p>"Well, perhaps!—" said Helen.</p> + +<p>Then they were silent a few moments.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you haven't guessed something I have to tell you," stammered +Helen, presently.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">151</a></span></p> + +<p>Madelene turned her eyes upon her sister-in-law. Then she smiled.</p> + +<p>"Helen, dearest, aren't you glad about it?"</p> + +<p>Helen blushed and radiated a smile.</p> + +<p>"Yes, very, and so is Ebenezer! We both feel as if we have much to be +thankful for—and now if you were only happy—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Helen, I know I've upset Ebbie a whole lot,—but who else could I +go to?... Do tell me when—"</p> + +<p>"In May, dear," whispered Helen. "I wish you were as happy as I.... But +there's the dinner bell. Let's go down."</p> + +<p>When they entered the dining room, Ebenezer was standing alone, his back +to the grate.</p> + +<p>"Did you say anything to him, Eb?" demanded Madelene.</p> + +<p>"Certainly, child, but he insists he scarcely knows her. He rehearsed +the trouble his sister had before she died—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, he's told me that, too," interjected Madelene, tartly, "but that +wouldn't make him mix her name up with mine, would it, and make him get +mad every time I mention her?"</p> + +<p>"He seems to be very much incensed that any one should accuse him of +caring for her," observed Ebenezer. "And Madelene—"</p> + +<p>Helen went quickly to her sister-in-law.</p> + +<p>"Dear," she interrupted her husband, "if I were you, I wouldn't say +anything more about it to Frederick until you're certain.... Here he +comes, now. Do be pleasant to him, both of you."</p> + +<p>But in spite of Helen's good offices, the first dinner at home was +anything but a happy one for the young couple.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">152</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXII</h2><h3><span class="smcap">The Repudiation</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>A week after the arrival of Frederick and Madelene Graves in Ithaca, +Tessibel Skinner sat sewing near the kitchen stove and talking to Andy +Bishop in the shanty garret. Outside the wind gusted over the lake, the +snow birds making shrill, protesting twitters against the coming +blizzard.</p> + +<p>"You ain't mournin' 'bout somethin', kiddie, be ye?" whispered the dwarf +from the hole in the ceiling.</p> + +<p>"A little," she confessed, glancing up at the dwarf, while she knotted +the thread. "I air jest thinking how awful it air fer Daddy to sleep so +hard. That medicine he takes must be awful strong."</p> + +<p>"So it air, brat, but he don't suffer," comforted Andy.</p> + +<p>"Get back, Andy," warned Tess, getting up. "Some one air walkin' in the +lane."</p> + +<p>She could hear the steps plainly, now. Whoever it was paused in front of +the shack. When the knock came, she placed her sewing on the chair. With +a glance at the attic, she walked forward and took down the bar. The +opening door revealed Frederick Graves standing in the falling snow.</p> + +<p>"I've come back, Tess," he breathed brokenly.</p> + +<p>The girl staggered back speechless to the middle of the room. Dismayed +eyes sought Frederick's, eloquently demanding a reason for his coming. +The boy followed her swiftly in and closed the door. How ill she looked! +God, could it have been his own conduct that had made Tessibel so +fragile! He had promised to love and cherish her forever. The thought +that he could revivify her by the very strength of his overflowing love +took him forward a step. Tess looked helplessly about and retreated a +little.</p> + +<p>"Daddy's sick," she murmured.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">153</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'm sorry. I'm very sorry, dear.... I had to see you, Tessibel," cried +Frederick, passionately. "I hurried back from abroad because of you, my +darling.... Oh, Tess dear—"</p> + +<p>Tessibel made a dissenting gesture.</p> + +<p>"Please go away," said she, in agitation. "Go away, please."</p> + +<p>Instead of obeying her, the boy came nearer.</p> + +<p>"I can't go!" he answered hoarsely, running his fingers through his +thick hair. "I've suffered horribly for what I've done.... Tess, don't +make me suffer any more—Oh, darling, please understand—"</p> + +<p>"I air understandin'," interrupted Tess, steadying herself. "Ye can't do +nothin' now.... Won't ye please go?"</p> + +<p>"No," replied Frederick, setting his teeth sharply. "No, I won't! I came +to tell you what I want you to do."</p> + +<p>Tessibel sank into the chair, her legs refusing to hold her up any +longer. Frederick was looking down at her sorrowfully. How could he ever +have left her? His excuse about his mother's needing money now seemed +small and unimportant. How like a glorious golden mantle her curls +encompassed her! A spasmodic desire to twine them again around his +fingers gripped him. He wanted to take her in his arms, to love her, to +be loved in return, as she had loved him on the ragged rocks. How +beautiful she was—yet how frail and worn! It seemed as if the ice that +had warped and frozen his heart to a hard, unresponsive mass, during the +months with Madelene, was melting in the presence of the girl he loved. +His soul had thirsted for the sight of her, his arms yearned to hold and +press her close. He stood a moment undecided, then suddenly bent forward +and drew her forcibly to him. Groaning deeply, he dropped his hot lips +upon her neck, and Tessibel started back as if he'd stung her.</p> + +<p>"If you look at me so cold and white, Tess," he moaned, "I +shall—I'll—"</p> + +<p>Then he sought for her lips and found them, kissing her stormily until +she felt a keen sense of terror and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">154</a></span> physical pain. His passionate +insistence carried her completely out of herself for the instant.</p> + +<p>"Tess, Tess!" he murmured, "nothing matters now! Don't send me away from +you again, sweet."</p> + +<p>Tess lay in his arms, mute and unresponsive.</p> + +<p>"Say one little kind word to me, Tess," he implored again, brokenly.</p> + +<p>But Tess couldn't speak. She felt her tongue burn as if infinitesimal +sparks had touched each groove upon it. She could not stay in his arms! +Before the world he belonged to another woman. She pushed him away, drew +herself from his embrace, and sat down again. Her action brought a +fierce ejaculation from the boy's lips.</p> + +<p>When Frederick ordered his horse that morning, Madelene had slipped her +hand into his.</p> + +<p>"May I go with you, dear?" she begged. "Do order my horse, too, won't +you?"</p> + +<p>He colored to the roots of his hair and shrugged his shoulders +impatiently.</p> + +<p>"I'd rather go by myself," he returned so curtly that Madelene bit her +lips to keep back the tears.</p> + +<p>Stung with jealousy, the young wife watched her husband ride out under +the bare trees to the road beyond. Then she ordered her own horse, and +dressed herself quickly.</p> + +<p>Affairs between the young couple had reached a crucial point. Madelene's +suspicions of Frederick were unusually active. She had it clearly in +mind that he had gone to the Skinner hut. All the distance to the lake +her face burned. She knew well enough she was doing something +unpardonable, but how could she stay calmly at home when stinging +jealousy goaded her to action?</p> + +<p>She cantered past Kennedy's farm and on down the hill, her thoughts in a +turmoil. If Frederick were not with the squatter girl, how happy she'd +be! She hadn't formulated an excuse for Tessibel if she found her +suspicions incorrect. She'd have to tell her something reasonable. Ah, +she would pretend she'd come about the church singing.</p> + +<p>Beyond and below the lake lay grey and somber,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">155</a></span> shadowed by the winter +sky. The wind stung her face and tweaked her fingers through her warm +gloves. Directly in front of the Young house, she reined in her horse +and contemplated it. How much had happened since she had married +Frederick, and Ebenezer had married Helen Young—how much to her and to +him!</p> + +<p>Frederick's conduct had destroyed her illusions about marriage. She +could be supremely happy if he would treat her a little more as if she +were his wife, more as the husbands of her friends treated them. She +rode on again slowly until through the willow trees she saw the smoke +curling upward from the chimney of the Skinner shanty. Her heart beat +furiously when she slipped from her horse and tied him to a fence post. +Intuitively, she felt she'd find her husband with Tessibel Skinner. She +walked the rest of the way down the hill, stopped before the hut and +looked it over. All without lay dressed in its winter garb, and the +small house, save for the smoke, appeared uninhabited.</p> + +<p>Then as a human sound from a tomb, came Frederick's voice. Madelene +staggered back. She realized that not for one single instant had she +doubted she would find her husband there. And he was there! She'd heard +his voice passionately insisting something. Red fire flashed in front of +her eyes.</p> + +<p>Without thought of consequences, she flung open the door and stood on +the threshold, breathless and crimson, in all her indignant wifehood. +Frederick stood near the chair in which sat Tessibel. In one single +moment Madelene sent an appraising glance over the girl huddled in the +wooden rocker—a woman's glance, mercilessly discovering her condition. +Then her blazing eyes came back to Frederick. He had not spoken at her +appearance—he had only reeled backward a few steps.</p> + +<p>"You see I followed you," said Madelene in cold, metallic tones. "I knew +you were coming here when you left home."</p> + +<p>Tessibel got up slowly, went forward, and closed the door. Once more the +man she loved had brought humiliation upon her.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">156</a></span></p> + +<p>"He were just a goin' to go!" she whispered, and she went back and +dropped into her chair.</p> + +<p>"Oh, he was, eh?" Madelene laughed harshly. "It's very good of you to +let him go. I'll give you to understand my husband—"</p> + +<p>She made a rapid step toward Tess, whose head went up instantly. The +red-brown eyes battled an instant with the blue, stopping Madelene's +progress. Frederick, stung to action, reached forth and grasped his +wife's arm.</p> + +<p>"Madelene!" he exclaimed. His tone brought flashing eyes upon him.</p> + +<p>"You think I'm going to stand tamely by and watch you come here to see +her?... You both think I'm a fool, I suppose. Well, I'm not such a fool +as I look!"</p> + +<p>Defiantly, the speaker surveyed her husband up and down. "I knew very +well you intended coming here. That's why I asked—you to take me today +and why I—followed you. I've had hard work to make myself believe you'd +leave me for—"</p> + +<p>Her scintillating look swept again over Tess from head to foot. Her eyes +drew down at the corners; so did her lips. It dawned dazedly on Tess how +much Madelene looked like her brother. Then, suddenly Mrs. Graves +laughed, a note of triumph riding in her tones. She faced Frederick and +throwing out both hands, disdainfully, at the squatter girl huddled in +the chair, cried,</p> + +<p>"My God, look at her! If you've any eyes, you'll see ..." and turning +upon Tessibel, "Were you trying to pass off on my husband a spurious—" +The scorn in the contemptuous tones of the shrill voice stung like a +whip lash.</p> + +<p>The appeal gathering slowly in Tess' eyes was but a dumb response to the +other woman's taunting, bitter words. She could not have spoken had her +life been at stake. She crouched down in terrified shame.</p> + +<p>Then like a flash the meaning of his wife's words rushed over the almost +stupefied man! God! and he had not known! Tessibel, her new light of +coming motherhood, cowered before him like a stricken thing. He sprang +forward during Madelene's hesitation and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">157</a></span> grasped his wife's arm again. +He was so furiously angry his tightening fingers brought a cry of pain +from her.</p> + +<p>"Hush!" he cried peremptorily. "Hush!... You're crazy!... Haven't you +any heart?... You've gone mad!"</p> + +<p>Madelene shook off his hand.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'm mad half crazy. And you've made me so. Ever since I married +you, you've had this girl in your mind morning, noon and night.... Now I +know it! Oh, what a fool I was! I—I suppose possibly the next thing +we'll know you'll be claiming the—"</p> + +<p>Frederick shook her roughly.</p> + +<p>"I said to stop it," he gritted. "Come away this minute."</p> + +<p>Madelene, crying now, was struggling to pull herself from Frederick's +grasp.</p> + +<p>"I want to talk to that woman before I go," she screamed in desperation. +"Let me go, Fred! I <i>will</i> speak to her."</p> + +<p>"You'll not if I can help it," answered Frederick. "Come out of here, I +say!"</p> + +<p>By main strength he was drawing his wife toward the door. Tess was +staring at them as if they were creatures from another world.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry," Frederick said directly over Madelene's head to her. +"Dreadfully sorry."</p> + +<p>"Sorry!" shrieked Madelene. "Sorry for such a woman! Look what you've +done to me, both of you!" She wrenched herself from the strong fingers +and flung back to the squatter girl. "I want to know if my husband is +the father—"</p> + +<p>Frederick had hold of her once more. The anger in his white face was +terrible to see.</p> + +<p>"If you speak to her again," he said murderously, "I'll—I'll—"</p> + +<p>"I suppose you'll kill me," shrilled his wife. "Well, go ahead! The only +way you'll ever get her will be when I'm dead!" Then she thrust her +white working face close to his. "If she won't speak, will you? You're +my husband, and I find you here with this—this—.... Are you the father +of her baby?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">158</a></span></p> + +<p>"No," said Frederick, dropping his eyes. "No, of course not!"</p> + +<p>Tessibel bent her head to receive the last brutal stroke he had to give. +She moved but uttered no sound.</p> + +<p>"Well, do you love her then?" demanded Madelene.</p> + +<p>And Frederick, not daring to look at Tess, repeated, "No, of course +not.... Don't be a fool!"</p> + +<p>"Then, what do you want of him, girl?" Madelene cried hoarsely to +Tessibel. "You've heard what he said."</p> + +<p>Tess thought she was going to die. All the awful hurt which had lain +dormant for so many weeks rose up with ten thousand times the vigor. It +was as if Heaven had belched out flames to consume her, and she knew +there was no escape from this thing that had come upon her. Frederick +had not only repudiated his love for her, but his baby too. She threw +back her curls with a proud gesture.</p> + +<p>"I don't want 'im," she said straight to Madelene. "Take 'im away an' +don't let 'im come here any more."</p> + +<p>When Madelene started to speak again, Frederick shoved her from the hut +into the gray day. He turned once and looked at Tess. She was just where +he'd left her, her eyes brimmed with sorrow and her teeth locked tightly +together.</p> + +<p>Then the door banged shut and she was alone in the kitchen. A little +later she heard as in a dream the sound of horses' hoofs retreating far +up the lane. Then all the powers of darkness closed in about her, and +malicious elfin voices chattered her shame in her ears. Frederick had +repudiated her and his child and had gone! Tess staggered forward, and a +few minutes afterward, when Andy slipped down the ladder, he found her +curled up on the cot insensible, her face shrouded in red curls.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">159</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIII</h2><h3><span class="smcap">The Quarrel</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>When Frederick Graves closed the door of the Skinner hut, he wheeled +furiously upon his young wife.</p> + +<p>"Come home," he said gruffly. "You've done enough harm for today."</p> + +<p>"If I've done more than you have," retorted Madelene, tartly, "then I'm +some little harm maker!" Suffering intensely from jealousy, she whirled +about, crying, "That's what's been the matter with you all the time +we've been abroad! And I know very well Tessibel Skinner sent for you to +come home."</p> + +<p>"That's a lie," interrupted Frederick, fiercely.</p> + +<p>Madelene paused in her ascent of the hill lane.</p> + +<p>"What made you come down here today, then, if you didn't want to see her +yourself?"</p> + +<p>Frederick was silent. He hated scenes like this. If he spoke his real +mind, he'd plunge himself into hot water at once. And he was always +careful not to do that. Silence at the present moment was better than +speech. Besides, his late contact with Tessibel Skinner had left him +aquiver. Oh, how he loved her! Every nerve in his body called out for +sight of his beloved. He would have gone back to the shack if he'd +dared.</p> + +<p>"Where did you leave your horse?" snapped Madelene, when they'd nearly +reached her own.</p> + +<p>"In the lower stable at my father's old place,—over there."</p> + +<p>"I'll help you mount and then get my horse," said he. "Do you wish to +ride on without me?"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Graves made a dissenting gesture.</p> + +<p>"No, of course, I don't. I want you to come with me directly. I won't +let you out of my sight so near that girl. I think it's perfectly +outrageous! I somehow believe you lied to me about—"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">160</a></span></p> + +<p>"Keep your opinions to yourself," growled Frederick. "I've no wish to +hear them."</p> + +<p>Madelene was about to put her foot into the stirrup. Instead, she stood +while fresh tears gathered under her lids.</p> + +<p>"Frederick, you're cruel and awfully ugly to me," she said plaintively. +"How can you do such things after <i>all</i> the money I've given you?"</p> + +<p>Frederick expressed his feeling by a cynical little laugh.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps if you didn't throw up your confounded benevolence so often, I +might show more gratitude," he snapped back.</p> + +<p>Then he lifted her to the saddle, gave her the bridle, and walked beside +her to the barn.</p> + +<p>His thoughts were busy until, when they reached home, the silence +between them was appalling. Thankful to be a few minutes by himself, the +young man went away to stable the horses and his wife entered the house. +Madelene found her brother sitting before the grate fire. Helen looked +up and smiled at her sweetly.</p> + +<p>"Come and get warm, dear," she said. "You've had a long ride, haven't +you?... Why, what's the matter, Madelene?"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Graves dropped into a chair.</p> + +<p>"I'm so awfully unhappy," she cried, "and Frederick's as mean as he can +be.... I hate that Skinner girl!"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Waldstricker dropped her work into her lap.</p> + +<p>Ebenezer looked at his sister critically.</p> + +<p>"What's she done to you now?" he asked, without waiting for his wife to +speak.</p> + +<p>Madelene flung up an angry, flushed face.</p> + +<p>"She's done enough! I hate her and always shall. She sent for Frederick +to come down there—and he went—"</p> + +<p>"Are you sure?" asked Mrs. Waldstricker, in a shocked voice.</p> + +<p>"Of course I'm sure! I'm not in the habit of saying things I'm not sure +of, Helen. I might have known when people told me he was in love with +that squatter it was true."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 346px; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="illus-004" id="illus-004"></a> +<img src="images/illus-157.jpg" alt=""HUSH!" HE CRIED, "HAVEN'T YOU ANY HEART?"" title="" width="346" height="450" /><br /> +<span class="caption">"HUSH!" HE CRIED, "HAVEN'T YOU ANY HEART?"</span> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">161</a></span>Her loud, angry voice reached Frederick as he entered the room. The +frown deepened on his brow. He looked at his brother-in-law for a +minute. He never remembered being so angry before.</p> + +<p>"Madelene has told a direct falsehood when she says Tessibel Skinner +sent for me," he said. "She did not!"</p> + +<p>"But I found him in her shanty, Ebenezer dear," thrust in Madelene, "and +she's a wicked, little huzzy."</p> + +<p>"Hush!" cried Frederick, white-lipped.</p> + +<p>"I won't hush, so there!" screamed his wife. "I won't! I won't!... And, +Ebenezer, she's bad, she is! She's going to have a—"</p> + +<p>Frederick wheeled around desperately. Madelene was placing him at the +extreme of his endurance. Human nature could bear no more.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my God, such a woman!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"There, you see!" gasped Madelene. "He won't listen to a thing against +her, and he's been acting as guilty as he could all the way home.... No +wonder I don't believe a word he says!"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Waldstricker picked up her work, folded it, and laid it on the +table.</p> + +<p>"But, Madelene, it's so bewildering," she exclaimed. "Tell us, dear, +just what happened."</p> + +<p>Between sobs and tears Madelene went over the trial she had passed +through, and continued, "While we were abroad, I thought there was +something the matter with him, and I know one day he got a letter. He +wouldn't let me see it, though I begged him to. Now, I know it was from +her!" The speaker flung about upon her sister-in-law. "If you could have +seen her today, Helen, the shameless thing! She didn't even have the +grace to say she was sorry for anything she'd done."</p> + +<p>"She probably wasn't," monotoned Waldstricker. Then he looked directly +at his wife. "I've often argued with your brother about those squatters. +They're a pest to the county. Deforrest—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't blame Deforrest, Ebenezer," Helen interjected agitatedly. +"He's so good at heart, and he did all he could for the little Skinner +girl. I know there's some mistake. I'll go down and see her tomorrow."</p> + +<p>Waldstricker got up heavily.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">162</a></span></p> + +<p>"You'll do no such thing," he retorted. "<i>Don't dare</i> go near—her!"</p> + +<p>Helen flushed at her husband's tone.</p> + +<p>"But Deforrest is away," she argued timidly. "I feel I ought to do +something."</p> + +<p>Madelene went hastily to her brother's side.</p> + +<p>"Don't let her go, Ebbie," she gasped. "It's an awful place; a little +bit of a hut—"</p> + +<p>"I've been in it many times," interrupted Helen, with dignity, "and I do +feel, Ebenezer—"</p> + +<p>"I want no argument about the matter," said Waldstricker, sternly. "If +she's in the condition Madelene says she is, then her home is no place +for my wife.... It's shameful, absolutely shameful!"</p> + +<p>"But, Ebenezer, she's probably been unfortunate. Poor little child! I +wish you'd—"</p> + +<p>Waldstricker cut her plea in two with an angry gesture.</p> + +<p>"I command you not to go there," said he, sharply.</p> + +<p>"Very well," sighed Helen. "Of course, I'll do as you wish."</p> + +<p>Then she got up quietly and went upstairs. Indeed, had she her way, +she'd have gone to Tessibel Skinner without hesitation. She knew her +brother would be grieved to his heart's core, if this awful thing had +happened to the little red-headed squatter girl. But she had no choice +in the matter.</p> + +<p>Frightened, too, she wondered what Ebenezer's plans were. He was so +relentless in his desire to punish sinners. Bye and bye, when she was +less nervous, she'd ask him to wait until Deforrest returned before +doing anything.</p> + +<p>Her head was throbbing with excitement. Her heart, too, ached for +Tessibel. She lay down on the bed and closed her eyes. Presently, she +heard Ebenezer's slow tread coming upstairs. When he entered the room, +she raised her lids and smiled.</p> + +<p>"Come here, dear," she murmured.</p> + +<p>He came directly to her side.</p> + +<p>"What is it, my darling?" he asked tenderly.</p> + +<p>"I feel so unhappy about the little Skinner girl," sobbed Helen.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">163</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'm sorry, dear, but you must not go against my wishes. As a good and +obedient wife, you should realize I know best. I can't allow you to go +down into that cabin."</p> + +<p>"I won't go, dearest, but will you please promise me one thing—"</p> + +<p>Ebenezer bent upon her a look so stern she dared not finish. "Oh, I do +wish Deforrest were here!" she ended irrelevantly.</p> + +<p>"I do, too; but as long as he is not, you must trust me to do what I +think best."</p> + +<p>He went out abruptly, and Helen Waldstricker cried herself to sleep.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">164</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIV</h2><h3><span class="smcap">Waldstricker Interferes</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>That evening Frederick Graves shook in his shoes when he returned home +and received Waldstricker's message to meet him in the library at nine +o'clock. If there was one person in the world he didn't want to see just +then, it was his dictatorial brother-in-law. He stood in his room +considering the situation, when he heard the grandfather's clock on the +stairs slowly strike the hour of nine.</p> + +<p>"Well, it won't help any to keep him waiting," he muttered.</p> + +<p>Unwillingly, he walked down the stairs to the library door. Pausing, he +saw Ebenezer seated at the table reading the Bible.</p> + +<p>"Come in and sit down," greeted the latter, curtly.</p> + +<p>"Thanks," said Frederick, taking a chair. "Mind if I smoke?"</p> + +<p>The man thus addressed made no answer. He read a verse or two partly +aloud as if to himself, then closed the book and laid it on the table.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter between you and Madelene?" he inquired presently, +fixing Frederick with a steady gaze.</p> + +<p>"Nothing.... Nothing, that I'm to blame for. Madelene followed me to the +lake and found me in Skinner's shack. That's all the row was about."</p> + +<p>"Why were you there?" Waldstricker did not change his tone.</p> + +<p>Frederick threw his cigarette into the smoldering grate and shrugged his +shoulders impatiently.</p> + +<p>"Can't a fellow stop in a shanty without the whole town gossiping about +it?" he demanded peevishly.</p> + +<p>"That's just it, Frederick. I don't want people talking about my +sister's husband and a squatter girl," the older man explained. "I must +know why you were there."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">165</a></span></p> + +<p>"Look at here, Eb," exclaimed the boy, "why don't you let Madelene and +me fight out our own quarrels? I don't interfere with you and Helen."</p> + +<p>"Huh! I should hope not!" growled Waldstricker. "But quarrels are not +what we're talking about.... Why were you in the Skinner hut?... Are you +in love with that girl?"</p> + +<p>"God! No! Are you mad? What's the matter with everybody?"</p> + +<p>"There's nothing the matter, my boy, only I want to warn you I won't +have my sister unhappy."</p> + +<p>"She makes herself unhappy," growled Frederick, selecting another +cigarette from his case.</p> + +<p>"I can't see any use of your going down there at all," Ebenezer went on, +turning to poke the fire. "It doesn't look well after the things that +happened in your family."</p> + +<p>"That's just it," said Frederick, using the elder's words as an excuse; +"our trouble makes it quite proper some one of my family should go +there. The girl did enough for us, God knows."</p> + +<p>Waldstricker gave a decided negative shake of his head.</p> + +<p>"It's your mother's place to go, not yours. You don't want a scandal, do +you?... Let her go there if any one does."</p> + +<p>Again Frederick found an excuse.</p> + +<p>"She can't go when she's out of Ithaca, and I took Miss Skinner a +message from my mother today. If Madelene hadn't acted so abominably, +I'd have told her about it."</p> + +<p>Waldstricker looked keenly at the other man.</p> + +<p>"I didn't notice you tried very hard to explain matters this afternoon! +Now, did you?"</p> + +<p>"I was mad," retorted Frederick, sulkily.</p> + +<p>"May I see the message your mother sent?" came quickly from +Waldstricker.</p> + +<p>Frederick started. Evidently his brother-in-law didn't believe his +story.</p> + +<p>"If Miss Skinner'll give it to you, you can!" said he. "... I say, Eb, +let Madelene and me get out of this the best way we can, won't you? Tell +Maddie to behave<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">166</a></span> herself and leave the Skinner girl's name out of her +rages at me.... That's all I ask."</p> + +<p>"No," thundered Ebenezer, wrathfully. "I won't have my sister in tears +all the time over a squatter girl. Madelene says you received letters +from her abroad."</p> + +<p>"Well, I didn't," snapped back Frederick.</p> + +<p>"That's past, anyhow! Now, then, I'm going to tell you something. I need +a man to go to San Francisco to our office there, and as Madelene wants +a change, I'm going to send you."</p> + +<p>Frederick shuddered. Had he dared, he would have rebelled at this +wholesale delivering him over, tied hand and foot, to his tempestuous +young wife. If he were sent away, what would become of Tessibel? His +heart turned sick with apprehension. He had had no time to explain his +plans to her.</p> + +<p>"You have no objections to going, I suppose?" Ebenezer broke in on his +harassing thoughts.</p> + +<p>"No! If Madelene's satisfied, I am," replied Frederick, flipping the ash +from his cigarette.</p> + +<p>"Then be ready to get away by, let me see, early in March," his +brother-in-law announced.</p> + +<p>Early in March, and this was but December! He had that much grace then. +He could do something for Tess if the family relaxed its vigilance upon +him a little.</p> + +<p>"And there's something else," proceeded Waldstricker. "It's—it's this!"</p> + +<p>Then he deliberately made a statement that brought a red fire into +Frederick's eyes. He staggered to his feet.</p> + +<p>"You wouldn't, you couldn't do that, Ebenezer," he groaned.</p> + +<p>"Oh, ho!... That gets you on the raw, does it, young man?" sneered the +elder, one lip-corner rising to an unusual height. "So you do care that +much, eh?... A while ago you made the statement she was nothing to you."</p> + +<p>"I want to be human," Frederick managed to get out.</p> + +<p>"Human, eh? No, that's not it! What you want is a few other women on +your staff besides your wife. But you won't as long as you're married to +my sister, and I'm running things. I'll see that none of the members<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">167</a></span> of +my family disobey my law or God's law either."</p> + +<p>The big man got to his feet, slipped his hands into his pocket, and +stared at his white-faced, young brother-in-law.</p> + +<p>"How does my little scheme suit you?" he demanded grimly.</p> + +<p>"I think it perfectly devilish, by God, I do," cried Frederick.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you do, eh? So you swear with your other faults?... Does my sister +approve of that?"</p> + +<p>"I've never asked her," snapped Frederick, "and if you're through with +me, I'd like to go."</p> + +<p>"Have a little talk with Madelene before you go to bed—and, oh, Fred—" +he called after the young man hurrying up the stairs.</p> + +<p>Frederick paused, his hand on the banister.</p> + +<p>"By the way, I shall want your assistance in the little matter I spoke +of."</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">168</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXV</h2><h3><span class="smcap">The Summons</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>Jake Brewer paused in the lane opposite Skinner's home. The shanty was +almost snowed in. A thin curl of smoke trailed up from the chimney and +drifted among the leafless branches of the willow trees.</p> + +<p>Brewer dropped a pair of dead rabbits to the deep snow at his side, and +shifted the gun he held in his right hand to his left. Then, he fumbled +in his overcoat pockets. Discovering what he wanted, he picked up the +rabbits and walked through the path to the hut.</p> + +<p>Tess took down the bar at his rap.</p> + +<p>"Lot o' snow, Tessie," smiled Brewer. "Here, I brought ye some letters."</p> + +<p>Tessibel took the two letters the fisherman handed her.</p> + +<p>"They got yer name writ on 'em, brat," said he, knocking the snow from +his boots against the clap boards. "That's how I knowed they was +your'n."</p> + +<p>A shadowy smile flitted over the squatter girl's face.</p> + +<p>"Sure, they be fer me," she replied. She turned the letters over in her +hands. "Thank ye, Jake, fer bringin' 'em.... Come in a minute, won't +ye?"</p> + +<p>"Sure, an' I air always glad to do somethin' fer ye, kid.... How's yer +pa this mornin'?"</p> + +<p>Brewer stepped into the hut, placed his gun and the rabbits in the +corner, and spread his hands over the stove.</p> + +<p>"He ain't so well today, Jake! Poor Daddy, he suffers somethin' awful +with his heart, Daddy does.... It air rheumatism."</p> + +<p>"Ever try eel skins, brat?" asked Brewer, sitting down. "My grandma wore +a eel skin for rheumatiz for twenty-five years, an' Holy Moses, the +sufferin' that woman had durin' 'em times my tongue ain't able to +tell!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">169</a></span></p> + +<p>Tess glanced at the letters in her hand half-heartedly.</p> + +<p>"We've tried 'em, too, Jake," she answered. "Daddy's been wrapped in 'em +night after night. But they don't seem to do no good."</p> + +<p>"D'ye ever have Ma Moll incant over him, Tessie?"</p> + +<p>Tessibel nodded her head.</p> + +<p>"Yep, I give 'er three dollars for ten incants an' they didn't do no +good uther." She went a step nearer Brewer. "But I air prayin' hard, +Jake, every day for 'im," she confided softly.</p> + +<p>Brewer nodded his head.</p> + +<p>"I guess that air better'n incants any time if ye can do it, kid," he +smiled.</p> + +<p>"I guess so, too," agreed the girl. "Tell Miss Brewer I'll be to see her +soon as the weather gits better."</p> + +<p>Jake got up, scratched his head, and thought a moment.</p> + +<p>"I might leave ye a rabbit, seein' yer daddy ain't well 'nough to do no +gunnin'," said he.</p> + +<p>"Ye're awful good, Jake," murmured Tessibel, following the man to the +door. "Stop in any day."</p> + +<p>"All right," and Jake struck out toward the rock path.</p> + +<p>Tess closed the door and put up the bar. Andy was eyeing her from the +ceiling.</p> + +<p>"What ye got, kid?" he whispered.</p> + +<p>Tess held up the letters.</p> + +<p>"Two of 'em, an' this one air from Mr. Young. Shall I read it to ye, +Andy?" she asked, looking up.</p> + +<p>The little man chuckled with joy.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to hear it," said he.</p> + +<p>Tess drew a chair under the boyish face peering upon her, and sat down.</p> + +<p>"Dear Tessibel," she read.</p> + +<p>"I hoped to be home this week, but find my work won't be finished. +Please keep at your books and study hard. Get the doctor any time you +need him for your father. I know you're trying to be a brave little +girl, and may God bless you.</p> + +<p> +Affectionately,<br /> +<br /> +"Deforrest Young."<br /> +</p> + +<p>Tessibel choked on the last word.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">170</a></span></p> + +<p>"It air awful hard to be brave, Andy," she faltered, brushing away a +tear.</p> + +<p>The dwarf made a dash at his own eyes.</p> + +<p>"Ye got another letter," he cut in irrelevantly.</p> + +<p>"Yep," said Tess.</p> + +<p>After pulling forth the second sheet, she spread it out and read it +through without looking up.</p> + +<p> +"Miss Tessibel Skinner:<br /> +</p> + +<p>"It is necessary for you to attend a church meeting next Wednesday +afternoon at three o'clock in the chapel. Please oblige,</p> + +<p> +<span class="smcap">"Silander Griggs</span>, <i>Pastor</i>."<br /> +</p> + +<p>"Anything much?" demanded the dwarf, interestedly.</p> + +<p>"Nope, Andy, only a note askin' me to come to church tomorrow afternoon, +but I jest can't go, Andy!... I can't! I ain't been fer two Sundays, +now, 'cause I been feelin' so bad."</p> + +<p>She raised her eyes full of misery to meet Andy's sympathetic gaze. How +could she go after that awful scene nearly three weeks before with +Madelene and Frederick? She never could face the Waldstricker family +again.</p> + +<p>"I won't never go to church, ever any more," she mourned presently.</p> + +<p>"Mebbe not, dear," returned the dwarf, smothered in his throat. "An' the +church'll be worser off'n you!"</p> + +<p>Troubled in spirit, Tess considered the letter a few minutes.</p> + +<p>"I s'pose they be gittin' up somethin' fer Christmas, an' I ought to go +an' tell 'em I can't sing. I said as how I would over three months ago +if Miss Waldstricker'd help me; but I can't.... Will ye look after Daddy +while I air gone, Andy?"</p> + +<p>"Sure," agreed the dwarf. "I'll slide under his bed an' talk the pains +right out o' 'im."</p> + +<p>"I wish the meetin' was in the mornin'," Tess sighed. "It gits dark so +early, an' Mr. Young ain't home! He'd come an' git me an' bring me back +if he were. It air a long walk," and she sighed again.</p> + +<p>"Mebbe 'twon't be so cold tomorrow as it air today," cheered Andy and +they lapsed into silence.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">171</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVI</h2><h3><span class="smcap">The Churching</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>The dawning of Wednesday brought one of those drab days so frequent in +the lake-country. The daylight, dim even at high noon, hardly suggested +a possible sun shining anywhere. Misty sheets of stinging ice-particles +drove from the northern skyline to the hill south of Ithaca.</p> + +<p>The snow crunched sharply under Tessibel's feet as she picked her way +from the shanty to the lane. Kennedy's brindle bull, leaping and +barking, invited her to a frolic. The girl called the dog to her, and +petted him.</p> + +<p>"No, no, Pete, Tess ain't able to run an' play with ye any more," she +told him, sadly, "but ye can go with me to Hayt's."</p> + +<p>Nuzzling her hand, the great dog walked soberly by her side, as though +he understood. Tess shivered a little as the frost-laden air bit +nippingly at her ears. The winter birds between her and the lake lifted +their wings and mounted against the wind, some driving in flocks, others +now and then by twos and threes. Tess followed their flight through the +storm.... How strong and happy they seemed!</p> + +<p>For an instant she paused at the gate in front of Deforrest Young's +empty house. The snow had drifted until the path could no longer be +discerned. A little twinge of loneliness touched Tessibel's heart. Her +friend would not be at the church that day.</p> + +<p>When she came within sight of the chapel, she bent and petted Pete. She +took his head between her gloved hands and looked into the lovely eyes +shining out of his ugly face.</p> + +<p>"Go home, Petey dearie," she said. "Tessibel air goin' to church. They +don't let dogs in God's house, honey."</p> + +<p>Obediently the dog turned and trotted off.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">172</a></span></p> + +<p>Tess opened the chapel door and stepped in. Buffeted, as she had been by +the storm, she met the warmth within with a grateful little sigh.</p> + +<p>Half-way to the stove in the middle of the room, she stopped, arrested +by the unusual group beyond. Ebenezer Waldstricker stood there, +surrounded by the elders of the church. In all she counted five men: the +minister, Silander Griggs, and three elders. At one side sat Frederick +Graves.</p> + +<p>Puzzled and embarrassed by Frederick's presence and appearance, +half-conscious of something menacing in the stern faces turned toward +her, she was tempted, weary as she was, to turn back into the blizzard +raging without. As she awkwardly scraped the snow from her shoes, Pastor +Griggs came to her and led her to a seat near the fire.</p> + +<p>Waldstricker gazed at her critically, but didn't bow his head. Tessibel +didn't mind if people failed to speak to her, and she didn't like +Waldstricker anyway. She did not look at Frederick after that first +fleeting glance, but bowed her head on the pew-back in front from sheer +weariness. The memory of that scene in the cabin three weeks previous +recurred with renewed clearness. Madelene's insulting words, re-echoing +in her ears, made her grow faint from stinging humiliation. Oh, how +sorry she was she'd come to church! She could have asked Jake Brewer to +bring up a note explaining that she could not take part in the Christmas +doings.</p> + +<p>The sound of moving feet told her the time had arrived for opening the +meeting. If she thought at all of the absence of the female members of +the church, she sought for no other reason than the steadily increasing +blizzard.</p> + +<p>One by one she heard the men take their places. Then, the pastor cleared +his throat loudly and began to pray. Perfect silence save for his +droning voice filled the small chapel. Tess heard him praying for the +members of the congregation, for the mothers at home with their +children, and as usual for all earthly sinners.</p> + +<p>"And particularly, dear Lord," continued the deep voice, "may thy tender +mercy and loving kindness visit<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">173</a></span> the heart of our sinning sister here +present and soften it, making her obedient to these thy servants, to +whom Thou hast committed the government of thy church."</p> + +<p>Why! What had he said? "Sinning sister ... here present." Why, they were +all men but her! The pastor finished his prayer with a resounding +"Amen," in which the elders joined reverently. Confused, Tessibel sat +back in the pew, puzzled and frightened.</p> + +<p>"I have before me here on my desk," Griggs announced, "a letter from +Deforrest Young. In answer to a letter from the church, asking him to be +with us this afternoon, he has requested that Brother Ebenezer +Waldstricker be instructed to vote in his name.... I do so instruct you, +Brother Waldstricker."</p> + +<p>Ebenezer moved in his seat as if in consent.</p> + +<p>"It's a delicate matter which we have to consider," observed the +minister, looking from pale face to pale face.</p> + +<p>Tessibel glanced at the speaker. He, too, was ashen in the dim afternoon +light.</p> + +<p>"Come to the point, please," commanded Waldstricker, curtly.</p> + +<p>The minister bowed his head in silent prayer.</p> + +<p>"Tessibel Skinner," he said, "I ask you to stand up."</p> + +<p>The girl got up obediently, but sank down again, her trembling legs +refused to support her. She did not, however, turn her startled brown +eyes from her pastor's face.</p> + +<p>"It is charged against you, Tessibel Skinner," he read from a paper +before him, "that you have broken the laws of God and violated the +discipline of this church; that you, an unmarried woman, are now +pregnant. Are you guilty or not guilty?"</p> + +<p>As the accusing voice ceased, the stern eyes of the dark-faced men, who +had watched her closely during the reading, seemed to pierce her through +and through, ... to lay bare her most intimate secrets.</p> + +<p>What should she say? She wasn't unmarried, as the pastor had charged, +but the rest was true. Without Frederick's consent, she couldn't +explain; she couldn't deny the charge. Surely, Frederick would stand +forth and defend her now. She listened intently for a sound<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">174</a></span> from him. +She dared not turn toward him, for fear she might break her promise by +some look or word. But nothing except the storm-sounds disturbed the +silence of the little church. Frederick had failed her again!</p> + +<p>Unable alike to plead guilty or not guilty, she sat head bowed and eyes +downcast before her judges.</p> + +<p>Waldstricker broke the appalling hush.</p> + +<p>"Speak up, girl," he ordered harshly. "You're guilty, aren't you?"</p> + +<p>The forlorn child struggled to her feet and raised her eyes to the +speaker's face.</p> + +<p>"Oh, sirs, don't ask me 'bout it," she begged with outstretched hands. +"I can't tell ye nothing 'bout it 'cept ... I air goin' to have a baby +in the spring."</p> + +<p>Waldstricker glanced significantly at the other elders who nodded in +acquiescence. Then he turned to the minister, still in the pulpit.</p> + +<p>"It is enough," he decided sternly. "She has confessed her sin."</p> + +<p>Dropping again into the pew, Tessibel cast a quick glance toward +Frederick, who stared set-faced out into the storm.</p> + +<p>"We find, Tessibel Skinner," continued the minister, as though reciting +a carefully rehearsed speech, "you have sinned grievously. Your silence +convicts you. You are no longer worthy of membership in this church, of +communion with Christian people. But it is not right that you should +suffer alone. For your soul's welfare and in the interest of justice, I +ask you the name of the man—"</p> + +<p>Tess got up again and faced them ... disgraced and outcast might be, but +she must be loyal to her promise.</p> + +<p>"Don't ask me that, sir," she pleaded, bewildered, flinging a terrified +glance toward the door. "I air goin' now, an'll never come no more, but +don't ask me to say nothin', please."</p> + +<p>She turned into the aisle as Griggs stepped from the platform. She +directed an appealing glance toward him that cut the man's heart through +like a knife.</p> + +<p>"I want to go," she repeated. "Please!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">175</a></span></p> + +<p>"Not yet," broke in Waldstricker, grim-jawed. "It's the duty of this +church to teach you a lesson if it can."</p> + +<p>Tess looked helplessly at the row of stern men. What did they intend to +do to her? Oh, if they'd but let her go back to Daddy Skinner!</p> + +<p>"Please let me go home to my daddy," she pleaded faintly. "I'll never +come no more, but I can't—I can't talk."</p> + +<p>Waldstricker walked toward her menacingly.</p> + +<p>"You've got to talk," he gritted, grasping her arm. "You've simply got +to answer what the pastor just asked you."</p> + +<p>Tess flashed him a look of abhorrence. Oh, how she hated this man!... It +seemed to her that he killed for the sake of killing ... tortured for +the pure joy of it. She set her teeth hard on her under lip, shaking his +hand from her arm.</p> + +<p>"I won't talk!" she cried. "You let go of me! See? You touch me again +an'—an'—I'll—I'll—"</p> + +<p>She paused for some fitting threat. Would no one help her? No, not a +friendly face met her searching gaze. If she could get to the door—out +into the snow, under God's grey sky! But as if divining her intention, +the elders gathered in an accusing squad in front of her. Frederick +remained in his chair by the window, apparently oblivious to the tragedy +being enacted in his presence.</p> + +<p>"I wish ye'd let me go home to my Daddy Skinner," she prayed again.</p> + +<p>Her curls fell in a cluster over either shoulder as she sank to her +knees in the aisle.</p> + +<p>Waldstricker whirled upon Griggs.</p> + +<p>"<i>Make</i> her tell us what we must know," he insisted, "or by the God that +rules this house, I'll have her sent to some place where incorrigible +girls go!"</p> + +<p>Incorrigible girls! He had said incorrigible girls of her, Tessibel +Skinner, who obeyed even a glance from any one she loved. Desperately, +she made a direct appeal to him.</p> + +<p>"My daddy's near dead, Mr. Waldstricker. Please don't send me away from +him, not yet—not just yet."</p> + +<p>"Then answer what we ask of you, child," interjected<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">176</a></span> the minister. "I +think Brother Waldstricker has some questions to ask you."</p> + +<p>Waldstricker drew a paper from his pocket.</p> + +<p>"How old are you, Tessibel Skinner?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>"Over half past sixteen," whispered the girl's white lips.</p> + +<p>She <i>was</i> over half past sixteen. There was no harm in telling that. It +wouldn't hurt Frederick for the church people to know her age.</p> + +<p>"Are you a member of this church?"</p> + +<p>Tessibel lifted her head. "Ye all know I air."</p> + +<p>"Then answer this," shouted Eb. "Who is the man that made you unfit for +decent people to speak to?"</p> + +<p>The wobegone face hid its crimson tide in two quivering hands. The end +of the shining red curls swept the floor. Frederick made no sound.</p> + +<p>"Who is he?" insisted Waldstricker once more.</p> + +<p>"I can't tell," moaned the girl.</p> + +<p>"I'll make you tell," he threatened, infuriated.</p> + +<p>"I won't!" reiterated Tess, raising her head. "I can't."</p> + +<p>Madelene's sad, tearful face flashed through Waldstricker's mind with +the suspicions she had aroused against Frederick. Like an angry horse, +his nostrils lifted and sniffed the air. Fury against this girl rode in +his heart.</p> + +<p>"You needn't tell us the man's name," he taunted triumphantly. "We +already know it."</p> + +<p>Up struggled Tess to her feet and thrust back the tawny curls +feverishly. If they knew, then Frederick had told them.</p> + +<p>"And you've got to marry him," Waldstricker's hoarse voice came to her +ears.</p> + +<p>Why, she was married to him!... that long ago night. If he had told them +anything, why had he not told them all? She dared not look around, but +waited breathlessly.</p> + +<p>"We've decided," Ebenezer proceeded, "that if you consent to our plans, +you will suffer no further disgrace. You can go away with your husband +and have your home—"</p> + +<p>Tess grew dizzy ... this time with joy. She had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">177</a></span> been given back her +husband, her Frederick! Waldstricker had used the word "home." A home +with—with—His voice broke in upon her dreams brusquely, creating +grotesque figures in her brain. What was he saying? She turned dilating +eyes toward him.</p> + +<p>"Lysander Letts! Lysander Letts!" Waldstricker shouted again.</p> + +<p>The door at the side of the pulpit swung open and Sandy slouched in and +came forward.</p> + +<p>"Here's your woman," the elder continued, looking from Tess to the +squatter. "Take her, and may God forgive you both for the sin you've +committed."</p> + +<p>Tess stood rigidly waiting. She didn't turn her head toward the oncoming +man; rather she centered a prolonged gaze upon her persecutor. When she +felt some one pause at her side, she moved away, still without speaking.</p> + +<p>"Parson Griggs, marry the man and woman," roared Waldstricker.</p> + +<p>Excitedly he tossed the damp hair from his forehead, his cheek muscles +working involuntarily. His scheme was near its fruition. Tessibel +Skinner was almost married. Already Ebenezer could see, in his mind's +eye, how happy Madelene would be when he brought her the news.</p> + +<p>The big, dark-faced squatter was standing beside the red-headed girl, +and Silander Griggs was hurriedly hunting through a book for the +marriage ceremony.</p> + +<p>"Make it short," gritted Waldstricker to the minister.</p> + +<p>Tess stood as if she had died standing, her face devoid of blood even to +the lips. Misery, deep and unutterable, rested upon the white face. When +she raised her eyes and saw Letts at her side, and Griggs with an open +book in front of her, she wheeled away without a word.</p> + +<p>"Marry him!" cried Waldstricker.</p> + +<p>"No," said Tess.</p> + +<p>"Letts, take hold of her hand," commanded the elder.</p> + +<p>Sandy, rage working alive in his eyes, tried to obey the churchman. But +the girl took another step away.</p> + +<p>"Gimme yer hand," growled Sandy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">178</a></span></p> + +<p>All he wanted was to get the squatter girl into his possession. He had +not forgotten the threats he had made in other days, and in another +hour, he would wring from her the name he wanted.</p> + +<p>"No," said Tess again.</p> + +<p>"You mean you're not going to marry Mr. Letts?" asked Griggs.</p> + +<p>Tessibel caught her breath, swayed, but shook her head.</p> + +<p>"No, I ain't goin' to marry 'im," she answered.</p> + +<p>Marry Sandy Letts, a man she hated! Of course she couldn't!... She was +already married. She couldn't commit such a sin as that, not even +if—if—She turned a little and glanced in the direction of Frederick, +but dropped her eyes before they found him.</p> + +<p>Waldstricker grew intense with suspense, and a sudden determination to +test his and Madelene's suspicions came over him.</p> + +<p>"Frederick," he cried, "come here and help us force this huzzy to marry +the man who betrayed her!"</p> + +<p>Frederick rose from his chair as though to obey, and in turning, looked +squarely into the girl's eyes.</p> + +<p>"My God, Eb, I can't!" he protested, his voice thick with horror. "Let +her go, Eb! For God's sake, man, you can't marry her against her will! +Let her go!"</p> + +<p>He sank down, and rested his head on his arms upon the chair back, his +shoulders shaking violently.</p> + +<p>The minister came to Tessibel's side. He placed a pitying hand on her +head, facing his elders.</p> + +<p>"Let her go home, brethren," he entreated. "You can't make her do this +thing if she refuses, and the ... business can go on without her."</p> + +<p>"She's a wicked girl," snorted Ebenezer, with a bitter twist of his +lips.</p> + +<p>"I say to let her go," repeated Griggs.</p> + +<p>"And I say she shall be punished," Waldstricker glared from the minister +to the elders and then rested his gaze on Frederick, who was by this +time sobbing in great gulps.</p> + +<p>Pastor Griggs considered his parishioner's angry face. Griggs was young +and stood in awe of some members of his flock—Waldstricker most of all, +but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">179</a></span> the sight of the girl in such anguish overcame his timidity, and he +cried:</p> + +<p>"Let him that is without sin among you first cast a stone at her."</p> + +<p>Tessibel sank sobbing to the floor, and her pastor stood by her side, +hand uplifted, waiting.</p> + +<p>Then over Ebenezer's countenance flashed a look of self-righteous +fanaticism, which made large the pupils of his dark eyes and inflamed +his swarthy skin deepest crimson. He strode to the stove, picked from +the scuttle a ragged chunk of coal, and when he turned again, he had +changed from red to white. Crazed, he took two steps toward the kneeling +girl.</p> + +<p>"I can cast the first stone," he said swiftly.</p> + +<p>He lifted his arm and before any man could stay his hand, something +whirled through the intervening space and struck the kneeling squatter +girl. High pandemonium broke loose. Voices, some censorious, some +approving, contended.</p> + +<p>"I have first cast a stone at her," cried Waldstricker, above the din. +"Let others follow if they dare!"</p> + +<p>Tessibel crouched lower to the floor, a bleeding wound in her neck. She +had made no outcry when the missile met and lacerated her flesh. Dully, +she wondered if they intended to kill her, and for a moment a sickening +dread took possession of her when she thought of Daddy and Andy. She was +growing faint and dizzy, but struggled to her feet as Griggs took her +arm. He led her through the Chapel aisle, pushing aside the other men. +At the door, Tess caught one glimpse of Sandy Letts' dark, passionate +face.</p> + +<p>"Go home," the minister said hoarsely; "and may God forgive us all."</p> + +<hr class="minor" /> + +<p>How Tessibel found her way home, she could never afterwards tell. Spent +by the struggle with the storm, she staggered into the shanty. It took +almost the last atom of her strength to close the door against the +howling blizzard. Leaning against the wall, she looked up and saw Andy +staring at her from the hole in ceiling, his fingers on his lips.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">180</a></span></p> + +<p>"It were awful cold under the bed," he told her. "Yer Daddy air asleep, +so I came up here to keep warm!"</p> + +<p>When he noticed the girl's unusual appearance, he scurried down the +ladder, waddled across the kitchen, and stood in front of his friend.</p> + +<p>"What air the matter, brat?" he quivered.</p> + +<p>Solicitous, he helped her into a chair near the fire and took off her +hat and coat. The blood from the neck wound had made crimson blotches on +her white waist.</p> + +<p>"Ye're hurt, honey," he cried, alarmed. "How'd it happen?"</p> + +<p>"I air hurt a little," said she, faintly. "Fetch me some water, dear, +an' don't—don't tell Daddy!"</p> + +<p>"Get on the cot, kid," said he, "an' I'll put up the bar."</p> + +<p>In another moment he was leaning over her. He brushed back the tousled +hair from the girl's forehead, and pulled away the long curls seeped +with blood.</p> + +<p>"I air yer friend, brat," he whispered. "Tell me 'bout it."</p> + +<p>Tessibel had to confide in somebody.</p> + +<p>"I'll get a rag first an' wipe ye off," said the dwarf. "My, but ye did +get a cut, didn't ye?... What did it?"</p> + +<p>Gently he began to wash away the crimson stain from her face and neck.</p> + +<p>"Somebody hit ye?" he demanded presently.</p> + +<p>"Yep."</p> + +<p>"Who?... Who dared do it?" The dwarf's face darkened with rage. "Where +were the brute that done it?"</p> + +<p>"Andy," sobbed Tess, "I air goin' to tell ye somethin'; ye may think I +air awful wicked, but—but—Andy, don't tell Daddy, but in the spring I +air goin' to—"</p> + +<p>"Yep, I know, Tess," he murmured. "I heard the woman yellin' at ye the +uther day way through my blankets. But 'tain't nothin' to cry over. +God'll bless ye, brat, and God'll bless—it!"</p> + +<p>Her sobbing slowly subsided, and in halting words Tess told the dwarf +the story of the afternoon's dreadful experience.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">181</a></span></p> + +<p>"And, Andy, it were awful. Mr. Griggs wanted to let me go home, but the +uther men wouldn't, an' then the minister says like Jesus did to the men +who were goin' to stone the poor woman, 'Let him that ain't a sinner +throw the first stone,' an' Waldstricker picked up a great hunk o' coal +and hit me with it. Do ye suppose he air so awful good an' I air so +awful wicked he had a right to strike me?"</p> + +<p>"Sure he didn't, Tess," Andy comforted. "Course not!"</p> + +<p>The willows moaned their weird song to the night, the wind shrieked in +battling anger over the tin on the roof, while the snowflakes came +against the window like pale eyes looking in upon the squatter girl and +the dwarf on his knees beside the cot bed.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">182</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVII</h2><h3><span class="smcap">Daddy Skinner's Death</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>It was Saturday evening, three days after Tessibel Skinner had been +churched from Hayt's Chapel. The night wind called forth moaning +complaints from the willow trees. The rasping of their bare limbs +against the tin roof of the cottage did not disturb Daddy Skinner +struggling for breath in the room below. All the familiar night-noises +kept a death vigil with the squatter girl.</p> + +<p>A sound outside made her lift her head. Kennedy's brindle bull was +scratching to come in. She rose, went to the door and opened it. Pete +ambled over the threshold and curled down by the stove.</p> + +<p>"Anythin' the matter, brat?" whispered Andy.</p> + +<p>"No, I were lettin' in the dog," explained Tess, resuming her seat +beside Daddy Skinner who was stretched, dying, on her cot. She had moved +him from the back room into the warm kitchen, and at that moment he was +sleeping restlessly. The sight of his working face brought a quick hand +to Tessibel's lips, and her white teeth set deeply into the upraised +knuckles to help stifle the groans. Every trouble of her own sank into +insignificance before the calamity facing her. Many times Tess had +viewed death afar off, but not until the past three days had it +threatened her own loved ones. In that hour she was experiencing the +extremity of sorrow, and each aching nerve in her body seemed to possess +a stabbing volition of its own, for again and again the torturing points +stung her flesh like whips.</p> + +<p>For three long days she had managed somehow to uphold the dear, dying +father. No word had come from Deforrest Young, and Tess felt sure he had +returned twenty-four hours before. Perhaps Waldstricker had robbed her +of her dearest friend. Bitterly pained, the girl realized what the loss +would mean to her. Yet she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">183</a></span> had no censure in her heart for Deforrest +Young; indeed no bitterness for Frederick Graves; only a deep, deep +gratitude to the one, and a great, overwhelming love for the other. And +while thinking of what an empty void her life was becoming, Tess saw her +father's head turn and his lids lift heavily.</p> + +<p>"Daddy!" she murmured, but if he heard, he did not heed. He was gazing +steadily at something over and beyond her head, and then he smiled at +it. In superstitious dread, the squatter girl glanced where the faded +eyes were directed. What had he seen? A face, perhaps, or the passing +shade that always haunted a squatter shanty when some one was dying, but +then, many times she, too, had seen faces in the rafters up there among +the dry nets.</p> + +<p>"My pretty brat," were the words that brought her startled eyes back to +her father. Her throat filling with heavy sobs, she went over and kissed +him stormily. The horny, stiff fingers gathered a few of her red curls +and drew them slowly upward until parched lips touched them, while tears +stole from under withered lids, and Tess cried out in sharp anguish.</p> + +<p>"Daddy Skinner, I can't live without ye!" she moaned, cupping his face +with her hands. "Take Tessibel with ye; take 'er, please!"</p> + +<p>She cuddled at his side, lifted one of his heavy arms and put it around +her in pleading anguish. Just then it seemed as if it would put off the +approach of death if she insisted on staying within the broad grasp of +Daddy Skinner's arms.</p> + +<p>She was wiping away his tears, tenderly touching the dying face with +faltering fingers.</p> + +<p>"I saw yer ma," choked Skinner thickly, and he smiled again.</p> + +<p>Tess turned her head, a dreadful sinking in her soul. Her mother's face, +then, was what Daddy had seen away off up there among the rafters. The +mother who had died so long ago had come after her dear one. Drawing one +tense set of fingers backward across her cheek, Tess stood up quickly. +Perhaps—perhaps—</p> + +<p>She threw a glance at the ceiling. Daddy Skinner had seen her mother. +They were going away together.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">184</a></span> If they would but take her with them! +She turned unsteadily to go she knew not where, but the sound of her +father's voice brought her quickly back.</p> + +<p>"Brat," he faltered, "lean down—I want to tell ye somethin'."</p> + +<p>Tess bent her ear close to the thick blue lips.</p> + +<p>"I air here, Daddy! Tess air here," she mourned.</p> + +<p>Long, laboring breaths moved the red curls hanging about the girl's +rigid face.</p> + +<p>"I said as how I air here, Daddy," she murmured again, touching him.</p> + +<p>But Daddy Skinner was once more gazing into the dark rafters, his jaws +apart, the greyness of death settling about his mouth.</p> + +<p>"Daddy! Daddy!" screamed Tess. "Don't look like that! Don't go away—oh, +Daddy, please!... Andy! Andy!"</p> + +<p>The dwarf slipped down the ladder, and dropped at the side of the bed. +The dog roused from his nap by the stove was already there, nuzzling his +tawny head against his distressed friend, while he made inarticulate +sounds of sympathy in his deep throat.</p> + +<p>"Pal Skinner!" Andy cried, white with apprehension. "Give us a word, old +horse."</p> + +<p>Placing his hand upon Pete's collar, the dwarf drew him, with a word of +command, to the floor beside him.</p> + +<p>The dying fisherman looked from his prison friend to his daughter. He +lifted a limp hand, and it rested upon the girl's bowed head. The other +he dropped heavily on Andy Bishop's shoulder. It was as if he were +giving to them both his parting benediction. In mechanical sequence the +dwarf counted the dying man's mouth open and shut five times before the +struggling voice came forth.</p> + +<p>"I were goin' to say somethin' to ye, Tess," he then gasped, moistening +his lips. "Gimme a—drink—of water."</p> + +<p>Andy held the cup while Orn drank. He struggled to swallow, belching +forth hot breath.</p> + +<p>"When I air gone, brat dear," he articulated huskily, "stay in the +shanty an' take care of Andy till there ain't no more danger fer 'im. +Ye'll promise me, Tess?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">185</a></span></p> + +<p>She enclosed his hand in hers and held it to her lips.</p> + +<p>"I were a wantin' to go with you and Mummy, Daddy," she sobbed. "I air +always lonely in the shanty without ye—but if ye say, 'Stay with Andy,' +then I stays."</p> + +<p>"That air what I says, brat, darlin'," panted Skinner.</p> + +<p>Then for many minutes he was lost in the terrible struggle of strong +life against the grip of death. Tess wound her arms about his neck and +lifted the great head to her breast. She stared at his changing face as +at an advancing ghost.</p> + +<p>He seemed to be slipping slowly into the great beyond, and she was +powerless to hold him back.</p> + +<p>How many times had Daddy Skinner spoken of dying! How many times had she +heard him agree with Andy that death was better than life any day! But +at those times she had beaten back the muttered words of her father and +the dwarf. Ah, in those days, death had been far away, kept off by +happiness unsurpassed!</p> + +<p>"It air hard fer some folks to die," wailed the fisherman. "An' so easy +fer uthers. Me—now me—Oh, God, oh, brat-love, let me go! I hurt so! I +hurt awful—let me go!"</p> + +<p>The heart of the tortured, sobbing girl seemed to be bursting from its +pain and suspense. Her beloved father wanted to go away—to follow the +wraith mother beckoning from the rafters. How could she open her arms +and allow him to leave her alone in the shanty!</p> + +<p>"Help me, brat-love," sighed Daddy Skinner once more. "Help yer old sick +daddy!"</p> + +<p>Help him! How could she? Hitherto Tessibel's faith had loyally responded +to every demand upon her. But she couldn't help her daddy die! She knew +not how! Then, as if drawn by some invisible power, her eyes lifted, +piercing the shadows among the time-dried nets. And there, for one small +moment, she saw—she saw a face, a young, girlish face, infinitely +sweet, smiling down upon her.</p> + +<p>"It air the Mummy!" she cried, her voice vibrant with love. "I air goin' +to help 'im, darlin'."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">186</a></span></p> + +<p>Buoyantly her mind gripped the old-time faith, the redoubtable faith +that had opened wide Auburn Prison, that had restored to her arms this +same adored father. She had helped him then—and oh, to help him now! +His great cry, "God, Tessibel, let me be goin'!" rang in her ears. Her +gaze was glued to his face. Terror and pain were strangling his throat +until his eyes grew death-dark in the struggle. Tessibel lifted her +ashen face, wildly working in entreaty. Oh, for a little faith! Faith +the size of a grain of mustard seed! And Daddy Skinner would be gone to +that place beyond the clouds and the blue, where suffering is not. Did +he, could he, believe? Did she, could she, believe, too? Then in a +blinding flash, she remembered the mysterious dawning of her own faith. +Enduring sublime suffering, she bent once more and drew her father's +heavy head to her breast.</p> + +<p>"Daddy! Darlin' old, good Daddy, look at yer dear brat, an' listen to +'er."</p> + +<p>"I air a listenin', my girl," he said between set teeth. She put her +head directly in line with her father's vision.</p> + +<p>"Look at me, Daddy," she craved tremulously, "an' listen to me. Can't ye +remember how ye came back from Auburn like the innercent man ye were?"</p> + +<p>"Yep," whispered Skinner.</p> + +<p>"'Twere the Christ on the cross helped ye, Daddy. Ye air wishin' to go +away now with my mummy, huh?"</p> + +<p>"Yep," groaned Skinner. "God, aw kind, merciful God, let me go!"</p> + +<p>Tess laid him gently back on the pillow. A bright light flashed into her +soul. The red in her eyes turning almost to black.</p> + +<p>"Then go, my darlin'! Go, Daddy," she moaned, rising and looking upward. +"Take 'im, Mummy, little love-mummy, take 'im back to Heaven with ye."</p> + +<p>Inspired by that smiling face in the rafters, Tessibel opened her lips +and began to sing,</p> + +<p style="margin-left: 5em;"> +"Rescue the Perishin';<br /> +Care for the Dyin'."<br /> +</p> + +<p>It was a glorious strain that echoed and reechoed around and around the +shanty kitchen. It gathered within its heavenly power the moaning of the +wind and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">187</a></span> the haunting noises of the tin-rusted roof. Even the weeping +willows, bowing their mournful heads in sympathy, could no longer be +heard in their endless chant.</p> + +<p>Strangely stirred, Pete struggled up, disregarding the dwarf's desire to +detain him. He placed his forefeet on the edge of the bed, lifting his +head to the girl's shoulder. Responsive to the pressure of his body, she +threw her arm around him. Gravely the golden eyes of the great dog +regarded his suffering master on the cot as the tender melody of the +song continued to fill the shanty.</p> + +<p>Tessibel ever afterwards remembered Daddy Skinner's eyes as for those +last few moments he lay looking at her. They were kindly, tender, +smiling, as he watched her lips moving in the song he'd always loved to +hear her sing.</p> + +<p>He seemed to realize that she was singing him into the very presence of +the Savior of the world—into the presence of Him who was leading +Tessibel Skinner and her squatter father through their garden of +Gethsemane.</p> + +<p style="margin-left: 5em;"> +"Rescue the Perishin';<br /> +Care for the Dyin'."<br /> +</p> + +<p>On and on she sang, and on and on the dying man gropingly felt his way +to Eternity. Sometimes he smiled at her; sometimes at the wraith in the +rafters. But not for one moment did the voice of the little singer cease +its insistent cry for a complete rescue.</p> + +<p>The dwarf was silent, his shining face reflecting the peace and security +of which the squatter girl sang.</p> + +<p style="margin-left: 5em;"> +"Rescue the Perishin';<br /> +Care for the Dyin'."<br /> +</p> + +<p>The beautiful voice did not falter. Suddenly the powerful lungs of the +fisherman gathered in one long, last breath, and when it came forth to +meet Tessibel's song, the broad shoulders dropped back, the chest +receded, the smile faded from the gray eyes—and Daddy Skinner was dead.</p> + +<p>He had died listening to those appealing, melodious words, "Rescue the +Perishin'; Care for the Dyin'." That sudden collapsing change in the +gaunt figure seemed to freeze the very song on Tessibel's lips. Her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">188</a></span> +voice trailed to a limp wail, as if an icy hand had caught her throat. +Silence succeeded silence. Even the storm seemed for an instant to still +its raging roar, then Pete threw back his head and howled his grief. As +his resonant cries filled the shack and mingled with the turmoil of the +elements, Tess clung to the dog, staring with horrified eyes at the huge +beloved form crushed and crumpled upon the cot. Death had come and gone. +The mystery in the shadowy rafters had taken Daddy Skinner away.</p> + +<p>The dwarf raised his head and looked at Tess. Slowly he leaned over and +pressed his lips to Orn Skinner's brow, and as he rose, he lifted the +girl's rigid arm from the tawny back and seized the dog by the collar to +quiet him.</p> + +<p>Then came one of those unthinkable, weird cries, a nightmarish cry from +the girl's throat, and—as God tempereth the wind to the shorn lamb, so +in Divine pity he covered Tess of the Storm Country with mental +oblivion.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">189</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVIII</h2><h3><span class="smcap">Young Discovers Andy</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>During the minutes Daddy Skinner lay grappling with death, Ebenezer +Waldstricker sat in his handsome drawing room with an open Bible on his +knee, talking to his wife.</p> + +<p>"I've explained to you time and time again, Helen," said he impatiently, +"why I struck her and I'm not sorry I did it."</p> + +<p>"It seems awful, though," replied his wife, reflectively.</p> + +<p>Waldstricker frowned into the wistful face.</p> + +<p>"Why awful when the Bible ordered me to do it? I've given you the +Master's own words to verify it. Didn't he say, 'Let the man without sin +first cast a stone?'"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Waldstricker raised her eyes to her husband's face.</p> + +<p>"But Ebenezer—"</p> + +<p>"There's no argument, my dear," the man interrupted. "I tell you I know +whereof I speak. It came to me like a flash on Wednesday in the +church ... I had to show the world a man—a man without sin."</p> + +<p>Helen stared back at him in amazement. Her husband had never before +expressed himself in quite such bombastic terms, and, oh, dear, she knew +he was good; but for any human being to claim to be without sin! She'd +never heard of such a thing.</p> + +<p>"But, dearest," she argued pleadingly and partly rising, "are you sure?"</p> + +<p>"I have no doubt about it," interpolated Ebenezer, striking his chest +emphatically. "As I said, I know whereof I speak."</p> + +<p>Helen sank down again.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you can explain it, dear," she murmured dubiously. "It'll be +easier for you to make Deforrest understand about it when he comes. He's +so wrapped<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">190</a></span> up in that girl.... He'll be here in a few minutes, I think, +if the train's on time."</p> + +<p>"I'll make him understand all right," answered Ebenezer.</p> + +<p>The words had scarcely left his lips before both husband and wife heard +the approach of sleigh-bells.</p> + +<p>"He's coming now," said Mrs. Waldstricker, and she rose and started to +the window.</p> + +<p>"Sit down and don't look as if you were going to die," her husband +commanded. "But perhaps you'd better go to your room while I'm +explaining the thing to him."</p> + +<p>When Deforrest Young opened the door and walked in, his face was +wreathed in smiles.</p> + +<p>"Well, hello, everybody," he cried heartily. "It's an awful night."</p> + +<p>Ebenezer rose and extended his hand.</p> + +<p>"So 'tis," he agreed.</p> + +<p>Helen went forward quickly and helped slip the snow-covered coat from +Deforrest's shoulders. At the same time she lifted her lips for a kiss. +How she adored this brother of hers, and how anxiously she desired he +should be satisfied with Ebenezer's account of the church proceedings.</p> + +<p>"I'm lucky to be home for Sunday," remarked Deforrest. "I was afraid the +case wouldn't close before day after tomorrow. But the jury came in last +night, and everything was quickly closed up."</p> + +<p>"We read about it in the paper," said his sister sympathetically. "It +must have been a harrowing thing to go through."</p> + +<p>"It certainly was! But the acquittal helped. The woman is very young and +without friends, and I was glad to get it for her."</p> + +<p>"But she's bad!" cut in Waldstricker. "Every paper said she was guilty."</p> + +<p>"But the jury pronounced her innocent," exclaimed the lawyer, "so that +puts an end to the argument!"</p> + +<p>Ebenezer fingered the leaves of the book he held.</p> + +<p>"I've the happenings of a week to tell you, Deforrest," he stated +deliberately, as if dismissing the former subject.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">191</a></span></p> + +<p>Professor Young bent down and slipped off his overshoes.</p> + +<p>"I'm awfully tired, old chap," said he. "Won't they keep till morning? +I'd like a bite to eat, and then—then bed." He smiled at his sister. +"How about something to eat, sis, dear?"</p> + +<p>"Helen, go see about supper for your brother," ordered Ebenezer.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Waldstricker, seemingly glad to escape, left the room quickly.</p> + +<p>"Fire ahead, Eb," said Young. "I suppose I might as well hear it now as +any time."</p> + +<p>"You sent Parson Griggs a letter for me to vote in your name?"</p> + +<p>"Of course," responded Young. "I knew Helen was interested in the +Christmas festival, and I thought you'd do as well as I."</p> + +<p>"And so I did, brother," replied Ebenezer, pompously, "and your vote +turned the tide into the channel God wanted it. Some members allowed +their human feelings to run away with 'em."</p> + +<p>Ebenezer's mysterious words suddenly awakened Deforrest's interest.</p> + +<p>"Has something out of the ordinary occurred?" he queried.</p> + +<p>"Yes," assured Eb, "but I've attended to it all right!"</p> + +<p>Professor Young sighed.</p> + +<p>"That's good! There, now, I'll sit by the grate and warm up while you +tell me about it."</p> + +<p>He dropped into a large chair, and extended his feet to the cheerful +blaze. Waldstricker paused before making his explanation. At length:</p> + +<p>"We put a member out of the church last Wednesday," said he, steadily.</p> + +<p>Deforrest Young turned completely around and stared at his +brother-in-law.</p> + +<p>"Put a member out of the church!" he repeated, thunder-struck. "Why +church a member?... That <i>is</i> out of the ordinary, I should say. What'd +he do?"</p> + +<p>"It wasn't a man, 'twas a woman."</p> + +<p>"Well, for God's sake!" Deforrest's voice was low,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">192</a></span> deep, and filled +with disgust. "I hope you men didn't make a mess of yourselves.... What +happened?... Some girl kissed her sweetheart under the pine trees?"</p> + +<p>The elder glanced over the top of his brother-in-law's head.</p> + +<p>"Worse than that!" said he. "Much worse than that!... We churched a +Magdalene!"</p> + +<p>It took an appreciable length of time for Young's tall figure to rise +from the chair. He turned around and stood with his back to the fire.</p> + +<p>"I didn't know we had a Magdalene in the church," he commented drily, +and then more impetuously, "Oh, Lord, why don't you spit it out and not +beat all around the bush telling me?"</p> + +<p>There was something about Ebenezer's slow manner of approaching the +point that made Young impatient. In the meantime his mind was rapidly +running over the women in the Hayt's congregation.</p> + +<p>Waldstricker got up, too, drawing his big frame to its full height.</p> + +<p>"We churched—Well, the fact is,—We churched Tessibel Skinner."</p> + +<p>When the name fell upon Deforrest Young's ears, every muscle in his body +became rigid, making him taller by inches.</p> + +<p>"Tessibel Skinner?" he repeated mechanically, as if he'd heard awry. +"Did you say Tessibel Skinner?"</p> + +<p>Waldstricker took a long breath. Deforrest was receiving the action of +the church with better grace than he had anticipated.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Tessibel Skinner!" he repeated. "She's with child."</p> + +<p>In the awful minute after the torturing words had fallen from the other +man's lips, Deforrest Young felt as if he must tear the lie from the +speaker's throat. For it was a lie! God! What a lie! A lie told against +Heaven's best—the best girl in all the world. Without a word, he +reached for his overcoat.</p> + +<p>"What're you going to do?" demanded Ebenezer, a little perturbed. "You +needn't see her.... She's been justly dealt with."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">193</a></span></p> + +<p>There was no answer from the tall lawyer. Only one thing was in +Deforrest Young's mind—to go to Tessibel Skinner. He gave no thought to +the wild night, no care for his own fatigue and hunger. Disdaining +another glance at Ebenezer, he whirled to go. Helen's pale face +appearing in the doorway made him pause.</p> + +<p>"Deforrest," she quivered. "Deforrest, dear, oh, don't go out tonight! +Stay and let Ebenezer tell you about it, do please! The church has done +all it could—it must be all right if the church did it, Forrie."</p> + +<p>Then Young's wrath broke loose....</p> + +<p>"All right? All right?" he thundered. "The church has done all it can, +eh? Well, by God!" He turned a livid face from one to the other. "What a +cursed outrage!"</p> + +<p>Waldstricker cried out, horrified.</p> + +<p>"Man, man, what are you saying!... How <i>dare</i> you provoke the wrath of +God!... How dare you question the decision of the church! Besides, I +tell you she's a Magdalene. She's been justly punished. I attended to it +myself."</p> + +<p>Then Young saw clearly that the church action had but expressed his +brother-in-law's will. He knew his implacable hatred of the squatters +and particularly of Tessibel. He recognized that revenge had prompted +him. Pushing the protesting elder aside, he ejaculated:</p> + +<p>"You pious hypocrite! Get out of my way," and was gone.</p> + +<p>The bitter winter wind nipped at Young as he strode down the steps and +battled his way to the stables. Waldstricker's words were pounding at +his brain like a hammer. What had they done to Tess? He remembered +Ebenezer had said that his vote—his own delegated vote—had turned the +tide against his pretty child!</p> + +<p>He had no mercy for the stumbling horse as he spurred down the long +drive, into the public thoroughfare, and thence to the shore road. When +he came opposite to his own closed, uninhabited house, he could see by +straining his eyes the dusky shadow of the willow trees shrouding the +Skinner home.</p> + +<p>A glimmer of light struggled from the curtained<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">194</a></span> window of the hut. With +desperate haste he tied his horse to the fence post. He could scarcely +stop to spread over the animal the blanket he'd brought for the purpose.</p> + +<p>Then as he waded through the snow and rounded the mud cellar a dog's +mournful howling, pierced and punctuated by a girl's shrill, +heart-broken cry, fell upon his startled ears. In another minute he had +flung himself against the shanty door and forced it open. Kennedy's +bulldog greeted him, growling, and beyond him, stretched out upon the +body of her dead father, lay Tess. Hovering over her, chattering, was +Andy Bishop, the dwarf, the condemned murderer of Ebenezer Waldstricker, +Sr.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">195</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIX</h2><h3><span class="smcap">The Vigil</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>During Professor Young's instant of hesitation on the threshold, the +wind gusted sheets of snow into the Skinner shanty. Quieting the dog by +a low-spoken word, Deforrest stepped in and closed the door against the +storm. The acrid smoke drawn from the stove by the back-draft, filled +the room,—a choking cloud.</p> + +<p>Andy stared at the intruder for an instant, and then turned again to the +girl lying unconscious upon the body of her father.</p> + +<p>Young's vision comprehended the whole tragedy. He pulled off his cap and +gloves and shook the snow from his shoulders. Advanced to the bedside, a +glance satisfied him that the squatter was dead and that Tess had +fainted. He had recognized the dwarf the minute he saw him, and +heartsick with apprehension, he wondered what he was doing there.</p> + +<p>"Get up," said he. "Let me look at her."</p> + +<p>The dwarf moved aside hesitatingly.</p> + +<p>"Air she dead, too?" he whimpered.</p> + +<p>"Bring me some water," commanded Young.</p> + +<p>Andy went to the pail, dipped a portion of water into a small basin, and +waddled back with it.</p> + +<p>"Her daddy air dead," he offered. "Ye can see he air dead."</p> + +<p>"Yes!" nodded Young, taking the dish.</p> + +<p>He did not speak again until Tess groaned, and opened her eyes. She made +a half struggle to sit up, and Young lifted her to her feet.</p> + +<p>"Lean on me," he said gently.</p> + +<p>Tess stared at him, incredulously. He had come after all! Relief +crumpled her up in his arms.</p> + +<p>"Daddy air dead," she whispered.</p> + +<p>"Yes, dear," soothed Young. "There, lean your head on my shoulder, poor +little broken baby."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">196</a></span></p> + +<p>His tones were so tender, so soft! They went to the heart of the +stricken dwarf, and like a hurt child he burst into tears. Professor +Young turned and looked at him.</p> + +<p>"Don't do that," he said huskily. "Sit down—don't cry!"</p> + +<p>Without moving from her position, Tess said, "Andy, Andy, dear, git on +up in the garret a few minutes, will ye?"</p> + +<p>The dwarf crept to the ladder, and Deforrest let him go. A dozen +questions leapt to the lawyer's lips at the same time, but the girl +against his breast looked so desperately ill he had no heart to ply +them. Tess lifted her lids heavily.</p> + +<p>"Ye won't tell nobody he air here?" she gulped.</p> + +<p>"How long has he been here?" asked Young, instead of answering her +question.</p> + +<p>"Ever since spring," sighed Tessibel.</p> + +<p>"Was he here that day when Mr. Waldstricker and my sister—"</p> + +<p>"Yep." The girl's whisper was very low.</p> + +<p>"And when Burnett came too, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"Yep, I hid 'im ... Daddy loved 'im, Daddy did."</p> + +<p>She began to cry softly. Her confession had taken her mind back to the +huge figure on the bed.</p> + +<p>"I wanted to go with Daddy," she sobbed. "I didn't know—I thought I +couldn't live without 'im."</p> + +<p>Stooping, Deforrest gathered the mourning little one into his arms, and +seating himself in the big rocker, pressed his cheek against her hair in +sympathy. Patiently he waited, holding her thus while the mercy of her +flowing tears dulled the first sharp edge of her grief.</p> + +<p>Bye and bye the sobs ceased, and a faint, catchy little voice struggled +up through the red curls to the man's ears.</p> + +<p>"Ye air awful good to me, you air. Oh, I needed ye so, and I feared—I +feared mebbe ye wasn't never comin' again!"</p> + +<p>"My dear, my dear," Young soothed, much moved. Then he rose and placed +her in the chair. "You sit here and tell me about it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">197</a></span></p> + +<p>Bravely she looked into the friendly face, a doleful smile quivering on +her lips.</p> + +<p>"The first thing I want to know," she asked, "what air ye goin' to do +'bout Andy?"</p> + +<p>Professor Young had anticipated this question.</p> + +<p>"Until I've had more time to think about it, and until after the funeral +anyway, I'll keep your secret," he reassured her kindly.</p> + +<p>"An' ye won't say anythin' to nobody 'bout 'im till ye talk with me +again?" she queried, fearfully.</p> + +<p>"That's what I mean, Tess," Young answered.</p> + +<p>"Ye air so good to me, ye air," sighed Tess, satisfied.</p> + +<p>"Child," began Young a moment later, "can you bear to tell me about it, +now?"</p> + +<p>"About Daddy?" asked Tess, "or about the other—"</p> + +<p>The lawyer's nod, responsive to the latter half of her question, +reawakened the suffering girl's memory of the horror of the church +meeting.</p> + +<p>"It were so awful," she said after a pregnant pause. "I mean—Mr. +Waldstricker—"</p> + +<p>"What about it? Tell me," Young interrupted, as the gentle voice +hesitated.</p> + +<p>"See ... this!" she murmured, turning her head.</p> + +<p>Young's eyes caught the red of the wound on her neck.</p> + +<p>"He did that!... How?" he ejaculated fiercely.</p> + +<p>"He hit me with a piece of—coal!" answered Tess, sinking back, very +white.</p> + +<p>"No, no; God, no!" he cried desperately. "He couldn't have done that!"</p> + +<p>"He said I were ... bad," interrupted Tess, very low. She bowed her +head, and the man, stunned, made no move toward her. His muscles seemed +powerless, and he had no volition to comfort her. He could not erase +from his mind that horrid picture her few direct words had brought +before him. "But ... <i>you</i> air trustin' me!" was the way Tess brought +him back to himself.</p> + +<p>"Then it's true what—what—"</p> + +<p>His tongue grew parched.</p> + +<p>"Yep, but trust me, please!" cried Tess.</p> + +<p>Trust her! Believe in her with her confession ringing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">198</a></span> in his ears. God, +if he did not love her, it wouldn't be so hard to believe, to trust, to +help. But with this fierce jealousy stabbing at his heart, he felt he +must know more—all. His mind went back to that time when she had come +to him with a child in a basket, and her plea had been the same, "Oh, +trust me! Please trust me!"</p> + +<p>"If you could only ... tell me ... something," he groaned.</p> + +<p>"It air true what Mr. Waldstricker hit me fer," bowed Tess, swallowing +hard, "but I can't say nothin' 'bout it, I can't! I ain't able to tell +nothin' more'n that!"</p> + +<p>Young still stood several feet from her.</p> + +<p>"I must do something to help you," he implored. "Won't you even tell me +when it—it will be, Tessibel?"</p> + +<p>Through her tense fingers the girl murmured a stifled "March."</p> + +<p>March—scarce three months away! He would have given five years of his +life to have had her tell him the truth about this thing that had +crushed her. He made a nervous movement with his fingers to his hair.</p> + +<p>"You are bound by a promise?" he demanded sharply.</p> + +<p>A white, uplifted, pained face was his answer.</p> + +<p>"You'll tell me some day, if you can," he said, going swiftly to her.</p> + +<p>"Yes," whispered Tess.</p> + +<p>And then for a long time nothing was heard in the hut but the winter +without, the growls and mutterings of the bulldog in his sleep by the +stove, and a sob now and then from the dwarf in the garret.</p> + +<p>The healing silence of a common love in the presence of a common grief +settled upon the strangely matched couple. The little squatter girl, +with her shameful secret, and the great lawyer and teacher, kept solemn +vigil over the body of Daddy Skinner.</p> + +<hr class="minor" /> + +<p>Daddy Skinner was buried. All the arrangement in connection with the +obsequies devolved upon Professor Young. It was he who brought the girl +back to the shanty in her simple, clinging, black gown, and after the +carriage had delivered them at the hut door, carried her, almost +unconscious, into the house and laid her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">199</a></span> gently upon her bed. Then he +closed the door and sat down beside her. It was perhaps an hour later +when she lifted her eyes appealingly.</p> + +<p>"I air awful glad ye stayed with me," she choked.</p> + +<p>"Tess,"—Young's voice shook.... "Will you let me talk to you a little +and not feel I'm intruding upon your sorrows or your secrets?"</p> + +<p>"Ye wouldn't do anythin' what wasn't right," murmured the girl, under +her breath.</p> + +<p>For some moments he smoothed her burning forehead. Then he lifted her +hand and held it in his.</p> + +<p>"Tessibel," he began.</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"First, tell me about the little man in the garret."</p> + +<p>"There ain't nothin' much to tell," she responded, shaking her head. +"When he got out of Auburn, he come here and asked me an' Daddy to take +care of 'im, an' we done it, that air all."</p> + +<p>"I see, dear—and—and you didn't think the law required you to give him +up?"</p> + +<p>Tess moved her head negatively on the pillow.</p> + +<p>"Sure not, or I'd a done it long ago. The law—what do I care 'bout the +law?... It air always puttin' innercent men in jail. That air all the +law air fer."</p> + +<p>"But this man is a murderer," Young tried to explain to her.</p> + +<p>But Tessibel's gesture, both hands raised, palms outward, expressed her +dissent.</p> + +<p>"They said as how Daddy were a murderer, too," she retorted, "but you +found out he weren't, didn't ye?"</p> + +<p>Young, not able to gainsay this, nodded his head.</p> + +<p>"How long are you going to keep him here?" he asked presently.</p> + +<p>Tess sent him a glance pathetically sad and discouraged.</p> + +<p>"I don't know. The poor little duffer hain't no friends. He ain't no +other place to go where old Eb won't git 'im."</p> + +<p>Young thought of his brother-in-law. He realized immediately with what +joy that stern disciplinarian would snatch the little man back into +Auburn prison.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">200</a></span> Doubtless, too, he would visit his rage on the girl +who'd shielded him.</p> + +<p>"Ye helped Daddy git out o' jail," Tess whispered. "Couldn't ye keep +Andy out?"</p> + +<p>Deforrest Young turned his face to the ceiling. A pair of gleaming eyes +were staring down upon him from the square hole.</p> + +<p>"Come down here, you," he said peremptorily.</p> + +<p>Andy slid down the ladder and squatted himself beside the cot. Young +considered the boyish face some time in silence.</p> + +<p>"What made you kill Waldstricker?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>Andy shook his head.</p> + +<p>"I never done it, mister," he denied positively.</p> + +<p>"Tell me how it happened! If I'm going to help you, you must tell me the +truth."</p> + +<p>This wasn't what Young had intended to say at all.</p> + +<p>"Andy ain't a liar," came from Tess.</p> + +<p>"Tell me every word," urged Young.</p> + +<p>The dwarf curled himself into a little ball and began.</p> + +<p>"Well, us was all in a saloon at the Inlet, an' old Waldstricker, he +come in with a nuther man, an' they both got a drink an' t'uther man +went out. Me an' Owen Bennet were settin' at the table, ... Waldstricker +he says somethin' nasty 'bout squatters an' ... Owen went fer 'im. +Waldstricker pulled 'is gun. I knocked it out o' his hand an' Owen +grabbed it up offen the floor an' sent a bullet right through +Waldstricker's heart. Then us uns beat it, I mean me an' Owen, an' when +they caught us ... he put the shootin' on me. I didn't do it, an' Owen +knows I didn't."</p> + +<p>Young was very quiet during this recital. He was considering the eager, +boyish, upraised face.</p> + +<p>"I hope ye believe me, mister—sir—please do," Andy pleaded.</p> + +<p>Deforrest Young crossed his legs, smoothed his hair with one hand, and +sat back in his chair.</p> + +<p>"I think I do," he nodded presently. "Only I am placed in a very +peculiar position. By rights I ought to send you back—then help you +afterward if I can."</p> + +<p>Tessibel sat up, her eyes wildly frightened.</p> + +<p>"Ye couldn't do that!" she cried. "Ye couldn't do<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">201</a></span> that! Don't ye +remember a day on the rocks, when I was awful sad, an' you said, 'Tess, +if ye ever want me to do anything for ye, come and tell me.' Didn't ye +say it?"</p> + +<p>Young bowed his head.</p> + +<p>"I air askin' it now," said Tess, throwing out her hand. "I air beggin' +ye not to send Andy back. Let 'im stay with me. I promised Daddy I'd +take care of 'im."</p> + +<p>"Lie down again and be quiet, child," urged Deforrest, sadly. "You don't +want to make yourself sick.... Hush, you mustn't cry!... Oh, child dear, +will you please stop shaking that way?"</p> + +<p>He had forgotten that when Tess loved any one, she would battle until +her death before she gave him up.</p> + +<p>"Then don't send little Andy back, an' I'll be awful good," she pleaded.</p> + +<p>Young sat for some time, one hand on Tessibel's, the other beating a +tatoo on the arm of Daddy's wooden rocker.</p> + +<p>"I suppose," he said at length, as if speaking to himself, "I'll be +highly criticized if any one finds out about this irregular proceeding. +Nevertheless—" He turned to Tess. "I'll go quietly to work and see what +I can do. In the meantime, dear child, you can't stay here in this +house."</p> + +<p>"But I promised Daddy I'd take care of Andy here, an' I air goin' to. +Him and me can live here all right."</p> + +<p>Young sighed. There was the same stubborn tone in her voice she had used +in those days when her father was away in prison, and he had argued with +her to leave the settlement.</p> + +<p>"Well, at any rate," he said after a while, "I'll take time to consider +it, and then we'll decide something."</p> + +<p>Ten minutes later he was riding slowly up the hill, and as the past +panoramied across his mind ... and evolved itself into the present, he +shook his head. Tessibel had separated him from his family, had made him +a stranger to his best friends. Would she now, by holding to +Waldstricker's convicted murderer, deprive him of his honor?</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">202</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXX</h2><h3><span class="smcap">Sandy Comes to Grief</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>The Skinner home was resting in its winter calm. Daddy Skinner was gone. +Andy still crept about the dark garret, and Tessibel passed her days in +study, performing the few duties the small shack required.</p> + +<p>When Deforrest Young had gone away a few days after Daddy's funeral, +he'd smiled into her eyes and had bidden her to be of good courage. +Henceforth, he said, she was to be his charge. She felt a little lighter +hearted. It made her happier, too, to think he knew about Andy Bishop +and was going to help him.</p> + +<p>The only person she feared was Sandy Letts. She'd not seen him since +that day in the church when he had tried to draw her nearer the +minister. Bitterly angry, she knew he must be. That he had delayed his +revenge so long seemed to her rather menacing than comforting.</p> + +<p>Her mind was drifting back over all the events of the past few months, +when a shadow passed over the curtain at the window. She stole to the +door and placed her ear to the latch. From that position she could +plainly hear creeping footsteps crawling closer.</p> + +<p>With her ear glued to the crack, she listened. There was no sound now of +walking. The outsider was listening, too. Suddenly, he knocked heavily. +Tess glanced to the garret. The dwarf's face was not in sight. Then the +knock came again.</p> + +<p>"Who air there?" Tess called, her breath catching.</p> + +<p>There was no answer, save another knock.</p> + +<p>Tessibel spoke once more. After a pause, Sandy Letts' voice came gruffly +to her.</p> + +<p>"Open the door, Tess. It air me, Sandy."</p> + +<p>"What do ye want?" demanded Tess.</p> + +<p>Sandy growled inarticulately, gave a kick to the floor, and rattled the +latch.</p> + +<p>"I want to come in, I said. I air goin' to talk to ye!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">203</a></span></p> + +<p>Tessibel thought of Ben Letts and of how he, too, had demanded entrance +to her home in just such a manner as his cousin was doing now. She +glanced about for something with which to protect herself if needed. She +wished with all her soul the brindle bull were with her then in the +shanty.</p> + +<p>Sandy gave another rough pull at the latch-string.</p> + +<p>"Open the door, Tess," he growled again, "or I'll bust it down."</p> + +<p>Tess knew Sandy would carry out his threat, and, if he broke down the +door, his temper would be worse than now. She muttered a prayer to quiet +the terror in her heart, and slipped up the bar. Sandy, gun in hand, +stepped into the kitchen, and Tess closed the door.</p> + +<p>"What do ye want, Sandy?" she questioned.</p> + +<p>"I want to talk to ye, what do ye 'spose I want?" he flung out, +swaggering his shoulders.</p> + +<p>"Well, sit down," invited Tess, seeking to propitiate. "Ye knowed Daddy +was dead, didn't ye, Sandy?"</p> + +<p>"I can set down without bein' asked," grunted the squatter, dropping +into a chair. "Sure I knowed yer pa's flew the coop."</p> + +<p>"What'd ye want?" Tess asked again after a moment.</p> + +<p>"I've come to settle with ye for somethin'," said Letts.</p> + +<p>"I ain't done nothin'," replied Tess.</p> + +<p>Sandy threw out an angry hand.</p> + +<p>"Ye have, too, ye have, too! Didn't I want ye for my woman, and didn't +ye go an'—"</p> + +<p>"I said ye couldn't have me," interrupted the girl. "Folks ain't havin' +everythin' they want in this world, Sandy."</p> + +<p>"Then ye turned me down in the church afore Waldstricker," went on +Sandy. "Ye might've been glad to marry a decent man after what ye'd +done. But ye ups and says, 'I won't!' An' I've come to ask the reason +why."</p> + +<p>Tess walked across the shanty kitchen and sat on the edge of the cot. +Sandy followed her with his eyes, his face growing crimson as he gazed +at her.</p> + +<p>"I air here for two things," he continued. "To find out the name of that +man Waldstricker asked ye 'bout—"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">204</a></span></p> + +<p>Tessibel's low voice stopped his impudent speech.</p> + +<p>"I couldn't tell ye that, Sandy, not even if ye killed me," she +murmured. "What was t'uther thing?"</p> + +<p>"I air goin' to take ye away with me fer my woman. But ye needn't think +I air goin' to marry ye decent like I would in the church t'uther day, +fer I won't."</p> + +<p>Tessibel, weary and aching, grew cold with fear. She knew the squatter +would keep his word, if he could. He would abuse her as Ben had tried to +when her father was in Auburn unless help came. Then remembering all the +days she had lived and suffered and still'd been saved from Sandy and +his like, she breathed a deep sigh.</p> + +<p>"I couldn't go with ye, Sandy," she explained.</p> + +<p>A cruel expression set Sandy's large, sensuous mouth.</p> + +<p>"Ye'll be glad to go with me when I git done with ye." He placed his gun +against the chair and stood up. "First, I want to know what made ye act +like that in the church fer. Don't ye know me well 'nough to think I'd +get ye sooner or later. Ye knowed yer Daddy couldn't always live in the +shack. Ye might better took me while ye could. I would jest have beat ye +a bit fer yer cussedness, then mebbe after a while I'd fergive ye. But +now—"</p> + +<p>Tessibel's struggling to her feet broke off the man's volubility. She +was so frightened that almost without thought she circled toward the +door. Sandy got up and placed himself directly in front of her.</p> + +<p>"No, ye don't git out o' here," he sneered, "not till I git through with +ye. Jest make up yer mind to that."</p> + +<p>Sandy was moving toward her, his eyes gleaming with rage. What could she +do? She threw a hasty glance about the shanty. She knew Andy was under +the straw tick in the garret and could not hear the low conversation +going on in the kitchen.</p> + +<p>As if in answer to her agonized prayer, another shadow passed the +curtained window. Sandy had not seen it or he would not have thrust +forth his great arms and snatched her to him. Tess uttered a scream. In +another moment Jake Brewer sprang into the kitchen and was looking from +Tessibel to the angry squatter.</p> + +<p>Sandy pushed the girl roughly on to the cot—took two steps toward +Brewer, his manner threatening.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">205</a></span></p> + +<p>"What ye sneakin' 'bout here fer?" he growled out.</p> + +<p>Jake grinned slowly.</p> + +<p>"I allers come in to see Tess," he replied. "What were ye doin', Sandy?"</p> + +<p>"I air goin' to take Tessibel to be my woman," muttered Letts.</p> + +<p>Jake glanced at the pallid girl.</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, I swan! So that air it, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Nope," Tess got out through her chattering teeth. Then all the pent-up +rage in her body broke loose. "I ain't wantin' to be his woman. I want +to be let alone in my shack! Oh, Jake, won't ye make Sandy go away and +let me be?"</p> + +<p>Sandy laughed evilly.</p> + +<p>"It'd take a bigger man'n Jake," he remarked.</p> + +<p>Brewer, unruffled, seated himself with the slow manner of a squatter.</p> + +<p>"I don't say as how I air very big," replied Jake, crossing his legs, +"but I guess no man'll take Tess long's she don't want to go, when I air +here, Sandy."</p> + +<p>Letts shook a threatening fist.</p> + +<p>"Get out o' here, Jake," he growled, going toward the other man. "If ye +don't, I'll make it worse fer ye! Git out, I say!"</p> + +<p>"Shan't do it. Now, Sandy, I ain't no woman to be 'fraid of you, so just +hold yer horses till us uns talk this out. Ye say ye want Tess fer +your'n, an' Tess, she don't want ye, now what ye goin' to do?"</p> + +<p>"I air a goin' to take her jest the same," snarled Letts.</p> + +<p>But thinking better of placing his hands on the other man, he went to +his chair and sat down. Tess, too, drew a little sigh of relief. Then +the three sat for several quiet seconds looking from one to the other. +At length, Tess broke out.</p> + +<p>"Sandy said he'd keep away an' wait till he caught Andy Bishop afore he +come to git me."</p> + +<p>Sandy glared at her.</p> + +<p>"But I told ye if ye had a nuther man hangin' round I'd fix both of ye, +an' I'm goin' to keep my word," he snapped back.</p> + +<p>"Ye can't fix any one but me, Sandy, 'cause ye don't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">206</a></span> know nobody else +to hurt, do ye," she interrupted him.</p> + +<p>"It air easy fer a man like me to choke the name out of ye, brat," +replied Letts, blinking his eyes at her. "I'd be likin' nothin' better."</p> + +<p>Jake moved his big boots back and forth several times.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't try it if I was you, Sandy," he cautioned, "'cause ye know +uther folks might be interferin' with ye."</p> + +<p>Sandy's throat emitted a deep, doglike growl as he clambered to his +feet.</p> + +<p>"I'll do it now, dam ye both," he barked back in ugly defiance.</p> + +<p>Jake was on his feet before Letts could take a forward step and had +placed himself between the big squatter and the girl.</p> + +<hr class="minor" /> + +<p>That afternoon when Jake came back to see Tessibel, she threw a quick +question at him.</p> + +<p>"Air he dead, Jake?"</p> + +<p>"Lordy, no, Tess, 'course not! He's tougher'n cow's tripe.... Sit down, +brat, an' I'll tell ye about it.... Don't be shakin' so. It were like +this! I was stoppin' Sandy from tryin' to git ye an' when I pushed 'im +back, he kicked his own gun an' got a bullet in his big, fat leg, that +air all."</p> + +<p>"It was awful," cried Tess, wiping away her tears.</p> + +<p>A slight smile played around Jake's lips, and showed a few of his dark +teeth.</p> + +<p>"Brat," he chuckled, "Sandy ain't done to his death by no means, an' you +didn't have nothin' to do with it, nuther did I. 'Twere his own +cussedness that put that bullet in his leg. There air one blessed thing, +he won't be comin' round here for a long time yet botherin' you; so +cheer up, an' be glad ye air a livin'."</p> + +<p>Then Jake went away, leaving the girl and the little man in the garret, +comforted and happier than they had been in many a day.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XXXI" id="CHAPTER_XXXI"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">207</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXI</h2><h3><span class="smcap">Waldstricker's Threat</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>Something had happened in the house of Waldstricker. Since the churching +of Tessibel Skinner, everything had been topsy turvy. The criticism +heaped on Ebenezer for his part in it had only served to make him more +arrogant at home and abroad.</p> + +<p>One morning at breakfast, Frederick being absent, Madelene was alone +with Ebenezer and his wife.</p> + +<p>"Put down your paper a minute, Eb," said Madelene, "will you?"</p> + +<p>Scowling, Waldstricker let the paper rattle to the floor.</p> + +<p>"What do you want now?... I can't have a minute's peace. What is it?... +More money?"</p> + +<p>"<i>No</i>, nor nothing to do with it, Ebenezer. I want to ask you something, +and do be quite frank with me. Does Fred ever go to see that Skinner +girl?"</p> + +<p>The man's heavy brows drew into a straight dark line above his eyes.</p> + +<p>"He'd better not," he gritted between his teeth.</p> + +<p>"That isn't the point," answered Madelene. "Does he?"</p> + +<p>"I don't believe I'd give myself much concern about that if I were you," +he said presently. "I understand that man Letts, Sandy Letts, who is +working for me on the Bishop matter, still wants to marry her."</p> + +<p>"Of course she won't as long as Frederick—"</p> + +<p>Waldstricker interrupted her.</p> + +<p>"If Frederick does go there, he won't long when Letts finds it out."</p> + +<p>Madelene's eager glance brought the unmatched lips aslant of each other.</p> + +<p>"I don't think he'll go often," he repeated. "I'll see to it myself. She +can marry Lysander Letts or—"</p> + +<p>"Or what?" Madelene's elbows came to the table, a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">208</a></span> hand on each cheek. +"Oh, Ebbie, do tell me! I'm so miserable about her. I wish she was +dead!"</p> + +<p>"But, Ebenezer," said Helen, "it seems awful for such a refined girl to +marry such a man!"</p> + +<p>The elder's uplifted hand came down on the table with a bang, and higher +mounted his proud lip. He ignored his wife's pleading speech, but +answered his sister's.</p> + +<p>"So will Miss Skinner wish she were dead before I'm done with her," said +he.</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>Waldstricker leaned over the table, looking first at his wife, then at +Madelene. Helen shuddered. How relentless he looked when his mouth +turned down at both corners! She had grown so afraid of him of late.</p> + +<p>"I've an effective way to keep him from her," said he.</p> + +<p>"Goody!" exclaimed Madelene, and "How, dear?" asked Helen.</p> + +<p>The man spoke only two words in a low, husky voice, but each woman heard +them.</p> + +<p>"Good!" gasped Madelene, standing quickly. "How perfectly glorious!"</p> + +<p>"How perfectly awful!" groaned Helen. "Ebenezer, don't do anything so +dreadful."</p> + +<p>Waldstricker looked across the table with that strange glitter in his +eyes.</p> + +<p>"Helen, must we go over again the same painful ground that women should +not interfere!"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Waldstricker rose to her feet.</p> + +<p>"No, Ebenezer, no, no! Only I was thinking of Deforrest!"</p> + +<p>"Deforrest will not know of it until it's too late," said Waldstricker, +rising too.</p> + +<p>"Does he know of Letts' trying to force her to marry him?" asked Helen.</p> + +<p>"I've never told him. Possibly the girl has."</p> + +<p>"I think not," answered Helen, gravely. "He'd have mentioned it to me, I +think!"</p> + +<p>As her brother passed Madelene, he tweaked her ear.</p> + +<p>"Just clear your pretty head of further worry, little kitten ... See?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">209</a></span></p> + +<p>Madelene caught his hand affectionately in hers.</p> + +<p>"Kiss me, best of good brothers," she smiled. "You've made me perfectly +happy! Isn't it dreadful to have to keep tabs on one's husband?"</p> + +<p>"You won't have to long," Waldstricker assured her.</p> + +<p>Then he kissed her and followed his wife into the library. Mrs. +Waldstricker walked to the window and looked out, her eyes full of +tears.</p> + +<p>"Helen," said Ebenezer, gravely, taking her by the shoulders and turning +her face toward him. "You displease me very much."</p> + +<p>The drops hanging on the long lashes fell suddenly.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry, dear, but I can't see why you always antagonize Deforrest. +You remember how angry he was after that church affair."</p> + +<p>"Your brother's anger doesn't affect me in the slightest," returned +Ebenezer coldly. "When I see my duty to God, I do it, that's all."</p> + +<p>"And you're really determined—Oh, Eb dear, for my sake, please—"</p> + +<p>The husband made an impatient movement.</p> + +<p>"Helen, how many times have I got to forbid your crying this way. You're +always in tears. You'll make yourself sick."</p> + +<p>"Lately you've been so cross to me," sobbed Helen, burying her face in +her handkerchief.</p> + +<p>Waldstricker put his arm about her.</p> + +<p>"I don't want to be cross.... There!... Now lie down here on the +divan.... I'm going out for an hour or two."</p> + +<p>Then he put on his cap, took up his riding whip, and went away to the +stables.</p> + +<p>A few minutes later Helen Waldstricker sat up straight, and rang the +bell. To the servant who appeared, she said,</p> + +<p>"Find Mr. Graves and send him to me immediately."</p> + +<p>When Frederick received the message, cold chills chased each other up +and down his back. Dismayed, he desired to disobey but dared not, +besides Helen was the least dangerous of the three. What could she want, +he considered queruously. He hadn't had a minute's peace since he came +home. Madelene was in a state of tears<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">210</a></span> nearly all the time; his +brother-in-law, dictatorial, difficult even in his milder moods, seemed +secretive and suspicious. As far as he was concerned, he kept from the +house as much as possible, but this only provoked to a greater degree +his young wife's tears and complaints. Only this morning, he had been +treated to a spell of hysterics the like of which Madelene had never +before equalled.</p> + +<p>His wife would not believe his oft-repeated assertions that he had not +been to the Skinner cabin since the day she had surprised him there. +Frederick had spoken truly. His fear of his powerful brother-in-law and +his own lack of moral courage allowed the days to drift along until now +he felt he could not go into the presence of the girl he had thus +neglected.</p> + +<p>He watched until his brother-in-law drove from the stables and +disappeared. Then he turned and went into the library. Helen beckoned to +him to come near her.</p> + +<p>"I must tell you something," she breathed.</p> + +<p>She pointed to a chair near the divan. For a time she talked in an +undertone, telling him something which sent the blood flying from the +young man's face, and left him faint and sick at heart.</p> + +<p>And later by an hour, Frederick Graves was walking the railroad tracks +toward the Skinner shanty.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XXXII" id="CHAPTER_XXXII"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">211</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXII</h2><h3><span class="smcap">Helen's Message</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>Tessibel Skinner was sitting in the shanty kitchen. She had a book in +her lap but her mind was far from her surroundings. Andy had been quiet +so long she'd almost forgotten him. Suddenly, his slight cough brought +her back to the present.</p> + +<p>"Ye look awful peeked, brat, dear," he said. "I think ye'd ought to see +Young's doctor, hadn't ye?"</p> + +<p>A vague smile crossed the girl's face, and she shook her head.</p> + +<p>"No, Andy," she answered, "I don't need no doctor, yet."</p> + +<p>"I wish ye felt better," sighed the dwarf. "An' the days is gettin' +awful blizzardy for ye to go outdoors."</p> + +<p>"But I got to go out, dear, fer wood an' other things. Hark!" She got up +swiftly. "There air some one comin'."</p> + +<p>In another instant the little man had crawled away from the ceiling hole +and was under the tick. The garret was as silent as the frozen lake and +the kitchen below, where Tess stood in anxious expectation. Tessibel, +knowing it couldn't be Sandy, put aside her first impulse not to heed +the rap. An instant later, she opened the door. That it might be +Frederick was farthest from her mind, until she saw him standing there +so thin and tired. Surprised and shocked at seeing him, the stress of +her feeling found her faint. She would have fallen if he had not +suddenly seized her.</p> + +<p>"Tessibel!... Tess, darling!" he cried, sharply. Lifting her up, he +carried her into the room. She clung to him, crying, her confusion +calmed by his caresses. He placed her in a chair and sat down beside +her. Suddenly, she sat back in her seat, roused from her revery by +mocking memories of her wrongs.</p> + +<p>"Couldn't ye let me alone?" she breathed hoarsely,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">212</a></span> covering her face +with her hands. "Ye might a let me be."</p> + +<p>"I had to come, dear," Frederick told her. "I want you to do something +for both our sakes.... Oh, Tess, what terrible days have passed since I +saw you last!"</p> + +<p>After a short pause, she dropped both hands and glanced up at him. Then +knitting her fingers together, she pressed them hard until they looked +like the veined stems of a pale flower. He had come to make another +demand of her—and she was so tired—so sick!</p> + +<p>"I want you to make me a promise, Tessibel," urged Frederick.</p> + +<p>"I said as how I'd help ye all I could," murmured Tess. "Ye're wantin' +me to do somethin' awful hard, huh?"</p> + +<p>Her soul in her eyes, she looked at him, but his gaze was on the gloves +he was twisting back and forth between his fingers.</p> + +<p>"Ain't ye goin' to tell me?" groaned Tess.</p> + +<p>She dropped her chin into her hands with a touching gesture of pathos. +Frederick bent nearer.</p> + +<p>"Tess, Mrs. Waldstricker sent me with a message—and you've got to do +what I want you to."</p> + +<p>His strangely persistent reiteration that she should do his will served +only to produce another, "Why don't ye tell me, then?" from Tess.</p> + +<p>"You must do something to save yourself!" he cried.</p> + +<p>To save herself? What did he mean by saving herself? What did any one +intend to do? She'd stayed so alone no one could intrude upon her now. +And then, there was Andy, poor forlorn little man!</p> + +<p>"Is anyone goin' to hurt me?" she faltered, faint and frightened.</p> + +<p>"Yes, dearest, yes, and you must—"</p> + +<p>He was on his feet and Tess struggled up, too.</p> + +<p>"What've I got to do?" she breathed miserably.</p> + +<p>"Tess," he groaned, "can't you understand how much I love you; that I +would save you if I could?"</p> + +<p>With uplifted hand, he tried to raise her face to his.</p> + +<p>"Don't!" she cried, pushing him away. "<i>Tell</i> me what Mrs. Waldstricker +said!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">213</a></span></p> + +<p>"You've got to do it, dear," urged Frederick, "or they'll take you +away."</p> + +<p>"What do ye mean by takin' me away?" she implored, moving a frightened +step backward. "Who's goin' to try to take me any place?"</p> + +<p>"Why—why—Mrs. Waldstricker says—"</p> + +<p>He paused so long Tess could not bear the suspense.</p> + +<p>"Oh, tell me!" she gasped. "Can't ye see ye air killin' me?"</p> + +<p>Frederick began again.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Ebenezer Waldstricker—"</p> + +<p>Tess swayed on her feet.</p> + +<p>"What air he goin' to do?" she panted.</p> + +<p>Had her enemy discovered she was protecting Andy?</p> + +<p>"He's going to take you to a—a—" stammered Frederick.</p> + +<p>Tessibel grew faint and dizzy. She uttered a sharp scream.</p> + +<p>"A reform school!" she cried.</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>The blow had fallen at last! She would be dragged from her home, up +before the eyes of the world in all her illness and shame. Then she sank +to the floor in abandoned misery.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Frederick, save me!" she wailed. "Don't let him take me away, and +I'll promise never to go outside the shanty. Oh, make him let me stay! +Why can't I stay, oh, why can't I?"</p> + +<p>"Waldstricker says you've got to go," said Frederick, sadly.</p> + +<p>Tess sat up and flung back her curls.</p> + +<p>"Well, he don't own the hull world, does he.... Couldn't you, well +couldn't <i>you</i> say somethin' to make him let me be?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know what to say," the boy mumbled.</p> + +<p>"Couldn't ye tell 'em?" entreated Tess. "Please listen. Couldn't +ye—couldn't ye tell Mr. Waldstricker 'bout our little baby—our baby, +Frederick?"</p> + +<p>He refused by a negative gesture of head and hand.</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't shake your head, Frederick!" cried Tess, frantically. +"Please!... Please!... Me an' the baby won't be any bother to you!... +We'll jest<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">214</a></span> love ye always an' forever, me an' the baby will....</p> + +<p>"Ye could save us that way! Ye needn't tell 'em anythin' but that!"</p> + +<p>Suddenly another thought took possession of her.</p> + +<p>"What else did Mrs. Waldstricker say?" she demanded. "What were ye both +wantin' me to do?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Waldstricker told his wife and my—I mean Madelene—that you'll +either be sent away or must marry—marry Lysander Letts."</p> + +<p>Tess stared at him wildly as though he were going mad. Or <i>was</i> she +losing her reason! What awful thing had he said. Lysander Letts—surely +she had not heard straight.</p> + +<p>"Ye weren't tellin' me what were true, Frederick," she whimpered +overwhelmed. "Oh, ye scared me so!"</p> + +<p>"But I am telling you the truth!" he exclaimed miserably. His voice +broke. "I can't save you, Tessibel. Waldstricker can do anything he +wants. Why—why—Waldstricker's hands're stronger—are stronger than +God's."</p> + +<p>She heard his words as if in a dream. "Stronger'n God's," echoed through +the recesses of her brain in fearful mockery. She was lost, engulfed in +the hatred of Waldstricker. She saw through the mist over her eyes, +Lysander Letts leering menacingly at her. She sat very still and held +her breath. If she let it go, her heart would break.</p> + +<p>"Stronger'n God's," were the only words she remembered. Then, if that +were true, and Frederick had said it—then—then, nothing—nobody—could +take from her this brimming cup of disgrace and destruction. She +struggled to her feet, walked to the door and opened it. Her eyes sought +the dejected looking man.</p> + +<p>"I air askin' ye to go now, please, right now," she said quietly. "Tell +Mrs. Waldstricker, I air much obliged."</p> + +<p>"And haven't you something to say to me, Tess?... Oh, God, don't send me +away like this!"</p> + +<p>She laid one hand on her heart. "Only go," she whispered, "an' never, +never come again!"</p> + +<p>Frederick stepped over the threshold, and Tess shut the door behind +him.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XXXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXXIII"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">215</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXIII</h2><h3><span class="smcap">Hands Stronger Than Waldstricker's</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>Tess stood with swift-coming breath, her back to the door, waiting. +Frederick must leave before she dared speak to Andy. It seemed an +eternity ere the sound of the retreating footsteps died away, and she +knew he was gone.</p> + +<p>Then she started across the room, haltingly. Strange, how difficult it +was to walk, and how giddy her head felt! What was it that had happened? +What was going to happen a thousand times worse? Frederick's brutality +left her bruised and broken. His threats twisted themselves through the +tangled tumult of her thoughts and his sinister suggestions stunned and +stupefied her.</p> + +<p>Frederick had come and gone! She remembered that. Her skin still burned +where his hot lips had touched her. He had told her he loved her, had +begged her to say she loved him! Love? Yes, she had loved him—she did +love him, but her love lay low, its structure, like a squatter's hut, +she had seen, shattered on the sand by a storm.</p> + +<p>Tess put a stick of wood in the stove, and a second later forgot she'd +done it.</p> + +<p>Ebenezer Waldstricker came into her mind vaguely ... vindictive and +violent. Her hand went suddenly to her face. He was going to send her to +a reform school, going to take her from the shanty for years! How +powerful he was! Frederick had said Waldstricker's hands were stronger +than God's. What strong hands he must have—those hands descending upon +her defenseless, desolate life.</p> + +<p>Andy was peering through the hole. Tessibel collapsed into Daddy +Skinner's chair.</p> + +<p>"Brat," he said in a whisper, "I'm comin' down!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">216</a></span></p> + +<p>Tess mechanically got up and barred the door.... Then she returned to +her seat. The dwarf was already squatted beside it, his eyes fastened on +the girl in eloquent silence. His chin sank between his knees. Then the +two of them sat.... The crackling of the freshly burning wood and the +ticking of the clock were the only sounds in the room.</p> + +<p>"I heard what the man said 'bout Waldstricker's hands bein' stronger'n +God's," reflected Andy, aloud, presently. Then he raised his body a +little from the floor that he might look into the girl's face. "Say, +brat, has old Eb got any marks on his hands?"</p> + +<p>Tess shook her head, brown eyes sombrous with suffering.</p> + +<p>"No," she denied. "His hands are big an' white an' long an' soft."</p> + +<p>Andy pondered a minute.</p> + +<p>"They ain't no marks of nails on 'em, air there, kid?" he demanded, +solemnly.</p> + +<p>The pursed, hurt lines around Tessibel's mouth softened a little.</p> + +<p>"No," she murmured wearily, again. "No, Andy."</p> + +<p>The dwarf reached and took one of the girl's hands. It lay on his own +quite limply.</p> + +<p>"Look at me, brat, dear."</p> + +<p>The red-brown eyes moved toward the upturned face.</p> + +<p>"Tessibel, will ye think of this one little thing?</p> + +<p>"The Christ's holdin' his hands over the hull world, givin' everybody +peace; you an' me, too, brat-kid. Waldstricker's hands ain't dragged me +back to Auburn, an' God's hands has kept me here.... You showed me that +from the beginnin', eh, brat?... It's sure, ain't it?"</p> + +<p>He hunched himself nearer her, his face beautiful with faith.</p> + +<p>"Ain't it true, kid?"</p> + +<p>"Sure! Sure, it air true!" faltered Tessibel.</p> + +<p>"Then if God's hands kept me here in the shanty 'gainst all Waldstricker +could do, can't they keep you here, huh?"</p> + +<p>Tessibel's head lifted suddenly. What was Andy saying about +hands—Waldstricker's and—and—With her free fingers she brushed the +dampened curls<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">217</a></span> from her forehead. Waldstricker's hands! Oh, +incomparable memory! How could she have forgotten the hands of the +Christ! They had brought Daddy Skinner from the shadow of the rope. She +had forgotten the power of those hands.... Hands of peace—hands of +love! As shadows fade before the majestic advance of the sun, so under +the inrush of divine light did the agonized expression fade from +Tessibel's eyes. The menacing figure of Waldstricker slipped away like a +gliding night-serpent, and Tess got to her feet.</p> + +<p>"Andy," she breathed, bending over him. "Oh, Andy, darling! Ye're +telling me Jesus can keep me from bein' sent to that awful place? Ain't +that what ye're tryin' to show me?"</p> + +<p>The dwarf scrambled up, reaching forth his hands.</p> + +<p>"And he sure can, brat," he made answer. "Waldstricker can't pull ye out +of this hut when God's holdin' ye in."</p> + +<p>Andy was smiling his rare, boyish smile. A large lump rose in Tessibel's +throat.</p> + +<p>"I air goin' to ask God to hold me here, Andy," she choked brokenly.</p> + +<p>So when night closed the grey eyes of the winter day, and darkness +descended on the Skinner shanty, a red-haired squatter girl and a wee +dwarf knelt in the glow of the hut lamp and petitioning lips framed in +whispers a simple prayer for their protection.</p> + +<hr class="minor" /> + +<p>The next day passed, quiet in the shanty and over the shining span of +frozen water. Waldstricker had not come. Tess crept into bed sighing +with relief. Andy rolled himself in his blankets and slept.</p> + +<p>The morning arrived crisply cold, bleakly grey. Tess shivered as she +broke the ice for water. Would this day bring Waldstricker? Then, as +that harrowing thought flitted through her mind, another exultant, +smiling flash took its place. Tessibel's head reared with a proud +uplift. No human power could set aside the majestic promise of Heaven +that she might stay in the hut. Smilingly, she opened the shanty door +and cheerfully answered the dwarf's, "How d'y' do, brat dear?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">218</a></span></p> + +<p>But the next few hours were laden with a sense of approaching calamity, +that sense which ties the tongue in apprehension. Andy was perched on +the ladder while Tess sat just below in the wooden rocker.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, from far up the lane, the sound of wheels grating on the snow, +could be heard plainly. Both man and girl stared white-faced at each +other for perhaps thirty seconds.</p> + +<p>"They're comin', but they can't take ye, Brat," muttered Andy. "You'll +stay in this shanty the same 's if you was nailed to the floor."</p> + +<p>Then, he sought his place under the straw tick, and as nearer and louder +came the clatter of the horses hoofs, the more quiet grew the Skinner +hut.</p> + +<p>Tessibel stood in the middle of the kitchen, her hand pressing down the +beatings of her heart. Somebody was approaching! There were footsteps on +the dry snow!</p> + +<p>Directly the crunching sound ceased, a loud knock fell on the door. +Tessibel lifted the bar, and at her faint, "Come in," the door flung +back on its hinges and Ebenezer Waldstricker stepped over the threshold. +Another man, seemingly by common consent, waited outside. Waldstricker +came to a halt at the sight of the squatter girl. Even in her mourning, +and ashen pale, she looked glorious. Her burnished, unmanageable hair +clung like a golden mantle about her. She had lifted heavy lashes and +was looking him straight in the face.</p> + +<p>Ebenezer, suddenly, felt a wild desire to strike, but he dared not touch +her, nor dared he go forward one step. Her advancing motherhood crowned +her with unapproachable dignity, and the man muttered an imprecation +under his breath. To have her appear in court so austerely lovely would +be to lose his case. He had expected she would plead, cry, perhaps +scream. What should he say to break that steady calm? He did not know +what a day and night of communion with the Infinite had done for the +squatter girl. He did not understand that beneath her were everlasting +arms, that her life was held in the hollow of a hand more powerful than +his own.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">219</a></span></p> + +<p>"I believe, my girl," said he, without preliminaries, "I told you when +the church took action against you, you'd be sent to some place where +girls of your class go, didn't I?"</p> + +<p>Tess didn't move by so much as a wink. She seemed simply to have grown +deaf and dumb. How could she answer when she had not heard? She was +staring back into the man's bold, dark eyes. Her silence was like a +spark to his inflammatory temper.</p> + +<p>"Aren't you going to answer me, Miss?" His rasping voice aroused Tess +from her trance.</p> + +<p>"I didn't hear what you said," she told him, still very calm.</p> + +<p>"I said," replied Ebenezer, arrogantly, "you're going to be sent to a +reform school."</p> + +<p>"Today?" asked Tess, breathing deeply, now fully possessed of her +senses.</p> + +<p>"Yes, today." Then he remembered Madelene.... he had made her a promise. +"But I'll help you to get out after a while, if you tell me who—who +brought you to this condition." He threw out both hands disdainfully +toward her. Waldstricker's white hands, hands stronger than God's! Who +had dared say it?</p> + +<p>The girl cast her eyes to the rafters. There, the nets hung in strings +and mingled their tassled ends with the dry herbs. There, somewhere, +were that other pair of hands upholding her. She lowered her eyes again +to the man.</p> + +<p>"Don't you hear me talkin' to you?" he grated. "I said you were going +today—but if you tell me—"</p> + +<p>He bit off his words, her apparent helplessness shaming him to silence. +Then the import of what he had said flashed over Tessibel and she swayed +backward. This small break in that superb calm brought Waldstricker +forward the step the girl had yielded.</p> + +<p>"Are you going to tell me?" he demanded again.</p> + +<p>"Nope," said Tess rigidly, "Air I to go with ye now, this minute?"</p> + +<p>He inclined his head with a bitter nod. "Yes," he snarled. He strode to +the door, and addressed the officer. "Come in! Come in! She's a hardened +huzzy.... Serve the warrant on her."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">220</a></span></p> + +<p>Tessibel took the paper but dropped it to the floor without glancing at +it. She didn't care what it contained, for minute by minute came the +sweet assurance from up there among the nets that God had heard and +would answer.</p> + +<p>The officer was staring at her, askance. He remembered distinctly when +she had climbed up the ivy on the county jail to see her father. Then +she had been a child. Now she was a woman. Being a good-hearted man, he +hated his task, and a moment later hated it worse than ever. She sent +him one pleading, heart-rending glance, then dropped her lids.</p> + +<p>"Ye couldn't let me stay till after March?" she whispered. "If ye only +would—"</p> + +<p>It had been an effort to say it; an effort to both inclination and +voice. It was as if her throat were filled with ashes ... nor could she +finish the appeal.</p> + +<p>"You can't stay even one day," thrust in Waldstricker, "I told you long +ago what to expect.... Get your things together."</p> + +<p>Tess made no move to obey. She was waiting for an answer from out of the +dry nets, even from far behind the snow clouds where the blue slept.</p> + +<p>"Get your things on," commanded the man, once more.</p> + +<p>Oh, yes, she could do that! Putting on her things didn't say she was +going. She turned mechanically, took down her coat and scarf. These she +put on and went for her rubbers. She stood very near the wall as she +bent dizzily to slip them on. All the time her soul was looking upward +for the eternal answer, an answer from a power stronger than +Waldstricker's.</p> + +<p>Then she went slowly to the little box where she kept her hat. After +brushing her hair back, she pinned it on in front of the mirror. +Today—well, now she was dressed, ready to go. She turned and came +forward. The constable stared from Waldstricker back to her. Was this +the girl who had stamped and screamed when Daddy Skinner had been taken +to Auburn?</p> + +<p>"Are you goin' without any fuss, miss?" he asked dully.</p> + +<p>"If I go at all," was all Tess said.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">221</a></span></p> + +<p>At the door she flung back her head, her eyes searching the rafters. +Straight as knife cuts hung the broken strings of the unused nets, +threaded here and there with wheels of silken cobwebs. Up through these +Tessibel stared. Up and up, above the curling of the chimney smoke, up +among the stars, up where the hands of love—God's hands, were ever +spread in benediction over her own wild, beautiful world. She smiled as +if responding to a smile. Waldstricker touching her made her turn +suddenly.</p> + +<p>The cold wind from the door just opened by the officer, swept her hot +face. She flashed her eyes past him to the vast open stretches of +winter, and there, standing in the lane, smiling directly back at her, +was Deforrest Young. God in his own good time had sent her hands +stronger than Waldstricker's.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XXXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXXIV"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">222</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXIV</h2><h3><span class="smcap">Love Air Everywhere the Hull Time</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>The moment the red-brown eyes fell upon Professor Young, the pale face +of the girl lit with a radiant smile.</p> + +<p>"Oh, ye've come!... God sent ye, didn't He?"</p> + +<p>At the sight of the tall, commanding lawyer, the officer and his +powerful principal stepped each to one side of the path in front of the +house and left Tess standing in the doorway, with trembling arms +outstretched to her approaching friend. Young came directly to her, +ignoring his brother-in-law.</p> + +<p>"My dear," he murmured, snatching her hands, "you needed me! Poor child, +you certainly did!"</p> + +<p>"Are you coming in," pausing on the threshold, he spoke to Waldstricker, +"or are you going on to Ithaca, Ebenezer?"</p> + +<p>A smile passed over the elder's lips. He was secretly much amused at the +professor's assumption of authority.</p> + +<p>"I'm coming in," said he. "I've something to show you."</p> + +<p>Evidently not impressed by his brother-in-law's statement, Deforrest led +the passive girl back from the threshold of the shanty into the kitchen.</p> + +<p>"Let me take off your wraps, dear child," he said tenderly.</p> + +<p>Waldstricker's growing amusement found audible expression in a +condescending laugh.</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute, Forrie," he commanded, spreading his feet pompously. +"She can't take 'em off. She's coming with us."</p> + +<p>"And why with you?" Young asked, in simulated surprise.</p> + +<p>Waldstricker fairly gloated with joy. Never had he felt so righteous and +uplifted. By his brother-in-law's actions, he was assured he did not +know of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">223</a></span> warrant for Tessibel Skinner. But the girl's attitude +amazed him. To the quiet dignity with which she had submitted to arrest, +there had succeeded an air of complete detachment as though her +responsibility, even her interest in the matter, had wholly ceased. +Mutely watching the two strong men, she seemed like some small prey over +which fierce forces fought. Young began to remove the hat from her +bronze curls.</p> + +<p>"We're going to take her away," cut in Waldstricker, putting one hand in +his pocket.</p> + +<p>"Where to?" demanded Young, laying the hat on the table.</p> + +<p>"To a—to a—" Waldstricker hesitated.</p> + +<p>The frown on Young's brow deepened. He had paused for the other's +explanation, his under lip gathered between his teeth. Then, he laid his +hand protectingly on that of the silent, white-faced girl. Tessibel's +fingers turned upward and closed over his, and they stood thus a moment, +Waldstricker contemplating them through half-closed lids, one corner of +his mouth superciliously curled.</p> + +<p>"You haven't told me where you were going to take her," Deforrest +insisted.</p> + +<p>Bitter anger rose in Eb's throat. He had been balked at every turn he'd +taken against this red-headed girl, and instead of helping him, +Deforrest was aiding her. He did not intend that Madelene should suffer +any more, and he imagined his own home life would be more peaceful when +Tessibel Skinner was wiped from its horizon.</p> + +<p>"If you'll have it plain," he cried triumphantly, "she's going to be +sent to a reform school! If ever a girl needed correcting, she does. +She's already been served with the warrant."</p> + +<p>Young muttered under his breath. Holding out his hand, he said,</p> + +<p>"Let me see the warrant."</p> + +<p>Ebenezer pointed to the paper on the floor where Tess had dropped it. +Stooping, he picked it up.</p> + +<p>"Look that over!" he said and handed it to the lawyer.</p> + +<p>Professor Young took the paper, and before reading<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">224</a></span> it, looked +reassuringly at Tess with that wide, white-toothed smile of his that +always cheered her heart.</p> + +<p>"Sit down," he told her. "You do look tired, child."</p> + +<p>With one swift glance at Waldstricker's face, she obeyed him.</p> + +<p>Deforrest merely glanced at the paper in his hand.</p> + +<p>"Oh, is that all you have?" he asked the constable.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," the officer replied obsequiously.</p> + +<p>"You're sure you haven't anything else?"</p> + +<p>"Quite sure, sir," was the answer.</p> + +<p>"That being the case," said Deforrest, quietly, "I'll match it +with—with this."</p> + +<p>He drew from his pocket another paper which he tendered the officer. +After the man scanned it, he handed it without a word to Waldstricker. +The elder in his turn read it through. It was an order from the court +recalling the warrant obtained by Ebenezer Waldstricker for Tessibel +Skinner's arrest. The constable grinned sheepishly at Waldstricker.</p> + +<p>"I guess that ends my usefulness here," he said, smiling admiringly at +Professor Young. "Good afternoon, miss! Goodday, gentlemen!"</p> + +<p>Waldstricker, murder in his heart, took one stride toward Young, as the +door closed behind the departing man.</p> + +<p>"How'd you find out this was to happen today?" he gritted through his +teeth. "I insist upon knowing."</p> + +<p>"A little bird told me," grinned Professor Young. Then, glancing at +Tess, and seeing how white she was, there rose within him a righteous +indignation, and he went on, "You might employ your time to better +advantage than torturing—"</p> + +<p>For a moment he didn't know what to call Tessibel. She was no longer a +child, no longer a little girl, although she looked deplorably young and +sick as she sat huddled in the chair.</p> + +<p>"Tormenting women," he finished, sharply. "And, Ebenezer, unless you +want to make an enemy of me, you better let Tess alone. You can't do +anything to harm her, for I won't let you. I may as well tell you, too, +that the day after her father's death I constituted myself her guardian, +and I'll move Heaven and earth<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">225</a></span> to prevent any one harming her. Just +remember that when you plot against her next time.... Now go home and +forget there are such people as squatters.... You'll be happier, and so +will I."</p> + +<p>"Deforrest," Waldstricker appealed, changing his belligerent tactics, +"if you keep this thing up, you'll rue it! You know very well Bishop is +hidden somewhere in this squatter settlement. I can only get him by +rooting his people out one by one; if you'll have that court order +rescinded and let me send the girl away, I'll make it possible for you +to run for Governor next fall."</p> + +<p>For one minute, the lawyer surveyed Waldstricker critically. He reached +one hand toward Tess. She got to her feet, grasping his fingers with +hers.</p> + +<p>"Ebenezer," Young said with great deliberation, "if I crawled across +this girl's body into the Governor's chair, I'd be the basest cur alive. +And furthermore, you promise too much! You can't deliver the goods! +What! <i>You</i> name the next Governor! Why you can't even remove this +little squatter girl from her lonely hut!"</p> + +<p>Waldstricker shrank from the scorn in his brother-in-law's voice, opened +the door and strode out.</p> + +<p>"Tess," Deforrest said, putting an arm around her, "when are you going +to let me take you away from such things as this? I shudder to think +what might have happened if I hadn't come today, and I've got to go away +again."</p> + +<p>Tess smiled up at the big man. Drawing herself erect and lifting her +head proudly, she looked into his face, exultantly, full of buoyant joy +at the tremendous proof of Love's protecting power in the hour of her +great need.</p> + +<p>"I jest knowed old Eb couldn't get me," she asserted. "Jesus sent ye +jest in the nick of time, didn't he, huh?"</p> + +<p>"But, my dear, listen," Young argued, his love making him apprehensive. +"It's awful for you to be here alone and unprotected. Let me take you +away somewhere."</p> + +<p>"I ain't alone," Tess insisted confidently, serene courage resounded in +the sweet voice. "Jesus air here<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">226</a></span> an' He keeps me safe all the time. He +got Daddy out of Auburn an' kept Andy an' me in the shanty. Why, He sent +you today. I know He won't let nothin' bad happen to me."</p> + +<p>Untroubled, the brave eyes looked into his, conveying a message of +courage and perfect peace that somehow uplifted the man's anxious +thought to catch a glimpse of her exalted faith.</p> + +<p>"But you know, Tess," he continued, "you are not so well this winter and +you ought to have some one here to look after you."</p> + +<p>Tess shook her head, the bronze curls twisting and falling over her +shoulders and upon the arms embracing her.</p> + +<p>"No, siree," she answered. "I can't have any one here, on 'count of +Andy. Oh, ye mustn't worry 'bout me. I air all right an' will be every +minute."</p> + +<p>"At least, dear," Deforrest insisted, "let me get a doctor and nurse +when—when—"</p> + +<p>The brilliant head suddenly bowed itself forward against Young's rough +coat. For a moment, her high courage faltered, but not for long. Surely, +the same power that had cared for her today would see her through this +other trial.</p> + +<p>"Nope, not any doctor or nurse," she refused. "I'll have Mother Moll. +She knows what to do an' she air safe."</p> + +<p>Withdrawing herself from Young's arms, she took his hand and kissed it.</p> + +<p>"God sure air good to Tessibel," she murmured.</p> + +<p>A moment they stood there. Then the lawyer took up his hat and turned to +the door.</p> + +<p>"You know, Tess, I love you and want to help you always."</p> + +<p>In the doorway, he paused and with bared head heard the girl's parting +speech.</p> + +<p>"Sure, ye're lovin' me an' I air lovin' you, too. I know Mr. Young, love +air here an' everywhere the hull time."</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XXXV" id="CHAPTER_XXXV"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">227</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXV</h2><h3><span class="smcap">Boy Skinner</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>A pale winter moon nestled among the snow clouds in the storm country. +The shacks of the squatter settlement were dark and silent, save for a +slender little light glimmering from the side of the curtains of the +Skinner shanty. Inside, all was quiet. The squatter girl had been in the +valley of shadows, and had struggled back from its depths, bringing with +her that miracle of miracles, a son, a little son not much bigger than +the hand of a man; and, now, pillowed on her arm, very near her heart, +lay a small head, a baby's head, covered with soft, damp curls.</p> + +<p>Mother Moll had come and gone. When the old, old woman had looked down +upon the girl, she'd smiled that senile smile of age that split her lips +like a knife cut.</p> + +<p>"Ha! So it air another brat comin' to the shanty," she shrilled. "Holy +Mary! It air the way of the world, the way of woman."</p> + +<p>And now she'd gone, leaving the boy baby under the coverlet with +Tessibel.</p> + +<p>A weary apathy had settled over the young mother. Strange dreams filled +the small room with haunting, tangible things which she could reach out +and touch if she dared. The rafters, too, were peopled with faces partly +hidden in the dry nets. But she seemed to be staring at something out +and beyond—as Daddy Skinner, too, had stared that never-to-be-forgotten +night.</p> + +<p>The past months, where the grey days and sun days had all been the same, +moved vaguely in silent procession before her. She had lived through +them like a pale ghost indifferent alike to sunshine or shadow, and this +night she had drained to the last drop the bitter cup Frederick Graves +had given her to drink. Frederick, her husband, her beloved! She thought +of him<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">228</a></span> indifferently. Even his babe at her breast seemed unimportant. +She considered them without emotion. But the ghostly faces, hovering +among the nets, interested her.</p> + +<p>Then, distinctly from among them advanced a figure, a dear, familiar +figure. Daddy Skinner ... the same old adorable daddy—his shaggy, +thready beard hanging over his chest. For one single instant he bent +over her, lovingly laid his hand upon the bronze curls and smiled in the +way he had of doing before he had gone away with mummy. Tess flung up +her hands.</p> + +<p>"Daddy! Daddy Skinner!" she cried.</p> + +<p>The movement startled the babe from his sleep. The dwarf, roused by the +cries scrambled to the open hole.</p> + +<p>"Tessibel—Tess," he called brokenly.</p> + +<p>The girl lifted heavy lids.</p> + +<p>"Daddy was here, Andy," she wailed in misery. "My own Daddy Skinner. I +want to go with him.... I can't live any longer without him."</p> + +<p>"Can I come down, brat?" begged the dwarf, huskily.</p> + +<p>"Yep," whispered Tess. "Mother Moll air gone."</p> + +<p>"I heard 'er when she went," said Andy, and he slipped down the ladder.</p> + +<p>The babe's shrill cry continued as the dwarf went to the bed.</p> + +<p>"Yer daddy don't need ye as much as me an' the little feller. Let me +take 'im—I ain't seen 'im yet, ye know."</p> + +<p>Andy bent over the cot. Gently he lifted the infant and carried him +nearer the lamp's dim rays. He stood gazing intently into the rosy face. +Then, he raised a tiny hand and spread first one finger, then each baby +fellow out in his own palm.</p> + +<p>"Why he's real handsome," he decided at last. "Brat, he air the most +beautifulest in the world!"</p> + +<p>At the last words he turned shining eyes toward Tessibel. She lay +gazing, not at Andy or the babe in his arms, but up into and beyond the +nets in the rafters, seeking another glimpse of her father's dear face. +Alarmed by her strange silence, the little man bore his precious burden +back to the cot and knelt beside the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">229</a></span> passive figure. Holding the baby +close, he breathed,</p> + +<p>"Don't, brat, dear! Look at me. I been feelin' yer daddy round all day, +too. He'll always be near to help you an' the little kid."</p> + +<p>A pathetic trembling of her lips hushed the flow of his words.</p> + +<p>"It seems's if I couldn't live, Andy. I dunno how I can, I dunno how!"</p> + +<p>Her voice trailed away into a plaintive moan.</p> + +<p>"Let me take hold of yer hand, brat," murmured Andy. "I want to tell ye +somethin'."</p> + +<p>He clasped one of her hands in his, while her free fingers shaded her +eyes.</p> + +<p>"You got three folks standin' by you, kid," continued Andy, earnestly. +"Me, Young an' Jesus. While I been alone in the garret, all this time, I +been readin' an' a reasonin' out things. Don't ye remember when Mr. +Young come that night how he said he didn't blame ye fer nothin' ye'd +done?"</p> + +<p>Beneath the tense fingers, she breathed a simple, "Yes."</p> + +<p>"An' me—why me—I know yer heart's if I'd made it, honey, an' +Jesus—Air ye listening Tess?"</p> + +<p>"Sure," assented Tess.</p> + +<p>"Then I'll tell ye a story. Once a woman loved a man awful much, an' she +loved 'im like all women love men folks. An' a hull lot of righteous +ones dragged 'er right up to Jesus an' says, 'She air a sinner, sir, +what'll we do with 'er?' An' he says, 'Go away an' leave 'er with me.'"</p> + +<p>Tessibel's hand clutched at the fingers holding hers.</p> + +<p>"An' when he were alone with 'er," went on the dwarf, "an' she were a +kneelin' at 'is feet, he jest touched her lovin' like, an' says—"</p> + +<p>"Don't, Andy, you—you hurt me ..." moaned Tess. "Don't!"</p> + +<p>"An' I wanted to help ye, sweet," insisted Andy. "But still, I air +askin' ye to listen to the rest. Will ye?"</p> + +<p>Tess acquiesced silently, her hand falling away from her white, drawn +face.</p> + +<p>"An' Jesus says to the woman in baby trouble like<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">230</a></span> yours, he says, 'Poor +soul, I ain't blamin' ye this day, I ain't!'"</p> + +<p>The little man's eyes shone with the sublimity of the truth he was +imparting, and an uplifted expression of faith settled on his features. +The baby whimpered in his arms, and loosening his hold upon the girl's +hand, he rose to his feet carefully. Tessibel was crying now, in low +caught breaths that wrenched and tore at Andy's heart cruelly.</p> + +<p>To soothe the child, he pattered to and fro upon the shanty floor; and +when he began to chant in a low, sweet voice that old, old precious +hymn, "Rescue the Perishin';" Tess cried out again. Andy Bishop, the +dwarf, was impressing upon Tessibel Skinner's heart that mysterious +faith she'd known so long, that same sense of God's love which she'd +taught him in those days when the dark doors of Auburn Prison yawned +wide for him.</p> + +<p>The state had branded him a murderer, but here, with glistening eyes, he +preached the Christ and Him crucified. In the solitude of the garret, he +had learned his lesson well ... by the dim attic light, he had studied +the story of the forgiveness of sin. Suddenly, he ceased his song, and +as he trotted back and forth, swaying the little child in his arms, +Tessibel caught murmured words, "'Nuther do I condemn thee," said Jesus. +"Nuther do I condemn thee," said he.</p> + +<p>And in that next pulsing minute through the eyes of her soul, the +watching girl saw above the squat dwarf the shadowy image of the smiling +Christ, and unspeakable peace descended upon her like a benediction. The +lines of suffering vanished from about her pursed mouth. The hurt within +her heart gave way to the "still waters."</p> + +<p>"'Nuther do I condemn thee,' said Jesus Christ," whispered Andy over the +boy's face, and "neither do I condemn thee" sank into the very being of +the squatter girl as warm rain sinks to the heart of a parched flower.</p> + +<p>She followed the waddling figure, a gleam of gratitude beaming in her +eyes. Surely, the bread Tessibel Skinner had cast upon the waters of +Andy Bishop's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">231</a></span> stormy life was returning after many weary days!</p> + +<p>"Andy," she called. "Andy, dear, bring me my baby."</p> + +<p>The dwarf laid the sleeping child within its mother's arms.</p> + +<p>"The man on the cross, your man an' mine, brat," he whispered, "said, +'If ye have burdens, come an' I'll rest ye.' Didn't he say it, kid?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, Andy," whispered Tessibel. "Everything'll be all right +fer—you an' me an' the baby," and she ended, ... "Get back in the +garret an' pray for my brat's daddy, too, Andy. He air needin' it +worser'n me an' you."</p> + +<p>Then the squatter girl turned her face to the wall, drew the baby under +the coverlet, and the dwarf scuttled up the ladder.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XXXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXXVI"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">232</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXVI</h2><h3><span class="smcap">Deforrest Decides</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>Deforrest Young sat alone in his bachelor apartments, which he'd +obtained after the quarrel with Waldstricker over the churching of +Tessibel Skinner. He was in Ithaca in response to a letter from Mrs. +Waldstricker, stating that she would meet him in his rooms this +afternoon.</p> + +<p>His mind was busily at work with many problems. For the past week he had +had no word from Tessibel Skinner. Her silence was significant. +Mischief-making anxiety, which always pictures the worst side of a +situation, tormented him cruelly. He hoped Helen might have news from +the shanty by the lakeside.</p> + +<p>When Mrs. Waldstricker finally appeared, his first impulse was to ask +about the squatter girl, but the troubled expression of his sister's +face checked the question on his lips. He drew her tenderly into his +arms, and attempted to comfort her with reassuring pats and caresses.</p> + +<p>"You shouldn't have ventured out, dear," he chided. "Sit down here!... +There! Now tell me what's the matter."</p> + +<p>"I'm so miserable, Forrie," she wept. "I can't do a thing with +Ebenezer.... He's in such a state of temper all the time!"</p> + +<p>"Don't try to talk for a moment, dearest," soothed the lawyer, much +moved.</p> + +<p>"But I must—I want to! It seems as if my whole life has been upset in +some unaccountable manner. And it isn't any better since Frederick and +Madelene went away. I was in hopes after they'd gone, I might have some +peace."</p> + +<p>"Is it still—" Young's inquiry was broken off by his auditor's +exclamation.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's Tessibel Skinner! He seems perfectly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">233</a></span> possessed about her. I +can't understand why, either. I always tell him she's nothing to us. He +has even gone so far—Oh, Forrie, dear, tell me it isn't so!"</p> + +<p>"What isn't so?" asked Deforrest, puzzled.</p> + +<p>"Ebenezer says—he says you'd marry—" The inquisitor's courage oozed +away before she finished her sentence. Her brother turned and strode up +and down the room, while Mrs. Waldstricker's eyes, full of questioning +anguish, followed his tall figure.</p> + +<p>"I suppose he said I'd marry Tessibel Skinner. Is that it?" His voice +was low, deep and intense. Wheeling about he looked across at his +sister.</p> + +<p>She got up from her chair and went to him. Her desire to placate her +brother supported her determination to know his precise attitude toward +her husband. She placed her hand on his arm and replied hurriedly,</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's what he said. I told him it was no such thing; that you did +what you could for the lonely child without a thought—"</p> + +<p>Deforrest's hand closed over the speaker's.</p> + +<p>"You were mistaken, then," he asserted quietly. "I'd have married +Tessibel Skinner long ago, if she'd consented."</p> + +<p>"Forrie, dear, you wouldn't! You couldn't! Especially now! Oh, darling, +you're all I've got in the world.... Can't you see it would break my +heart?"</p> + +<p>"You needn't worry about it, sister mine." A sad shake of his head +emphasized his reply. "Tess won't marry me. She knows I love her and +want to care for her, but she won't let me. She sticks there in that +wretched shanty, alone with her trouble and refuses every offer I make. +Her courage is splendid. I love her for it, although I'm torn to pieces +with anxiety."</p> + +<p>"And I never knew," Helen mused. "I thought—I thought it was—just you +were charitable and kind."</p> + +<p>"No, it wasn't that. I've loved her since the first, but she couldn't +love me, that's all. Then this awful thing happened." The deepening +lines in his face and his twitching lips revealed the intensity of his +solicitude. "Have you heard anything about her?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. A man by the name of Brewer, one of the squatters, brought me a +message."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">234</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, yes!" interrupted the man, very impatiently.</p> + +<p>Helen pressed her face against his arm. She divined the pain he was +suffering. How was she to soften the hurt her answer would inflict, even +her loving heart couldn't imagine.</p> + +<p>"She has a baby boy," she whispered.</p> + +<p>"God!" groaned Deforrest.</p> + +<p>"The baby was born a few days ago, and every day the squatter's been at +our house, ostensibly to sell something, but really to tell me about +her.... I saw him this morning, and he says they are both doing nicely. +Forrie, don't you think—" There was something in her brother's stricken +face that broke off her question.</p> + +<p>"Don't I think what, dear?" He got up and resumed his restless pacing up +and down.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I want you to be happy. Couldn't you possibly—forget you've loved +her?"</p> + +<p>"No, I can't," and he came to a standstill in front of her. "I might as +well be truthful, dear, as long as you know this much.... If Tessibel +will marry me, I'll take her and the boy—" he choked, paused a few +seconds and went on. "I'll take them both away from Ithaca. It's the +only happiness in store for me, and I believe I could make her happy, +too."</p> + +<p>"I can't bear the thought of it," cried Helen, desperately. "Please +don't think I'm meddling, but has she told you anything?"</p> + +<p>"No. Some one has mistreated the child shamefully, but she won't tell +anything about it."</p> + +<p>"Poor little girl!" sighed Mrs. Waldstricker. "How I wish now I'd done +more for her! I might have, you know."</p> + +<p>The lawyer raised his hand deprecatingly.</p> + +<p>"What's past, is done with," he answered gloomily. "I don't know how +much she'll let me do, but I am going to help her in spite of herself. +That shack by the lake is an awful place. I swear I'll give her decent +surroundings and a chance to live.... I'm going down today."</p> + +<p>"But, Forrie," his sister objected, "I want you to come home with me to +dinner. You haven't been to our<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">235</a></span> house in a long time, not since the +night you came from Binghamton and went off to Skinner's in the storm."</p> + +<p>"Helen, dear," Young explained, apologetically, "I can't come to your +house as long as Ebenezer feels toward me the way he does. You see, +don't you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I suppose I do, but I just can't stand it. Eb has acted badly and +tried to shoulder it all off on you. But can't you overlook it, honey?"</p> + +<p>"Why, Helen, how can I? I don't feel any too pleasant toward him, and he +doesn't want to be friends, either. He pays no attention to my wishes +but tries to ride rough shod over me. He regards my interest in Tess as +a personal affront. He persecutes her because he thinks he's annoying +me. But there, don't cry any more. You'll only make yourself ill! I +think you ought to go home and lie down. You've some one else besides +yourself and Eb to think of, dear girl."</p> + +<p>"I know it," she sobbed, "and I've tried to show Ebenezer how happy we'd +be if he'd forget those people down the lake and let you do what you +want to. Sometimes I think he's lost his mind. I really don't know what +to do."</p> + +<p>Helen rose from her chair.</p> + +<p>"Nor do I," replied Young.</p> + +<p>"But, Deforrest, don't you think if you talked to Ebenezer, he'd see +things differently?"</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid not," said he, adjusting Mrs. Waldstricker's furs. "You see, +Eb's always had his own way in most things, and I can't take any other +position about Tess, and I won't."</p> + +<p>"I wish you would come home with me," sighed Mrs. Waldstricker, when her +brother was tucking the sleigh robe about her.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry I can't, Helen. You'll hear from me soon," he promised, as +the sleigh moved away.</p> + +<p>Half an hour later found the lawyer astride his horse, his fine face +clouded in sorrowful thought.</p> + +<p>He cantered along the hard packed road. Here he noted the shimmering +veil of ice over some brooklet waterfall in a cleft of the hill side. +There the precise punctures of a rabbit track dotted the level snow of +the woods. Beyond a herd of cattle standing placidly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">236</a></span> around a +straw-stack blew clouds of vapor from their steaming nostrils. The +silent beauty of the hills, glistening in their frosty covering, set off +to advantage the silvery sheen of the ice-laden lake. Through the trees, +he caught occasional glimpses of East Hill winter-wrapped in its white +mantle. Just north of the city shone the resplendence of the ice-cloaked +rocks and waterfalls of Fall Creek Gorge, like a massive garniture +emblazoned on the mantle's skirt. The unbroken calm of the quiet winter +afternoon touched the rider's overwrought heart and awoke in him a sense +of the peace and the dignity of the visible creation. The untroubled +serenity and repose which all nature presented, soothed his troubled +spirit. Something of the unruffled confidence expressed by Tessibel, +when he'd last left her, penetrated his revery. Her words, "I know +Love's everywhere the hull time," had comforted him many times, and now +they came again upon their healing mission.</p> + +<hr class="minor" /> + +<p>Tessibel's baby was one week old. This afternoon she lay partially +dressed on the cot while Andy was plying his noiseless way about the +kitchen. He stopped a moment on the journey to the stove and smiled at +the young mother.</p> + +<p>"I bet he comes today," said he. "You'd better be gettin' that sorrow +offen yer face, brat."</p> + +<p>"I ain't right sorryful, Andy," she answered. "I was jest thinkin' of +all the good things Mr. Young air done for me, an' hopin' he'd get you +free, too. Mebbe when Spring comes, Andy, you can run in the woods with +me!"</p> + +<p>"I air prayin' for it every day, kid."</p> + +<p>"When you ain't afeered of Auburn any more," said the girl, after a +moment's silence, "we'll go away from this shanty, an' mebbe we can both +work. That'd be nice, eh, Andy?"</p> + +<p>"Anything'd be nice if I air with you, an' the baby, brat," he choked.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you'll stay with us all right," smiled Tessibel. "Daddy left me to +take care of you an' I air goin' to do it!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">237</a></span></p> + +<p>Conversation lagged for a time. The dwarf poured out a cup of tea, and +placed a large slice of bread on a plate with some potatoes and meat. +These he took to the bedside.</p> + +<p>"I don't know what we'd a done without Jake," he observed, drawing his +chair to the table.</p> + +<p>Tess was beginning to eat a late dinner. Between bites she smilingly +assented.</p> + +<p>"Jake air a awful good man.... Andy, ain't the baby stirrin' on the +chair?"</p> + +<p>The dwarf went to the improvised cradle and carefully drew away the +blanket.</p> + +<p>"He wants turnin' on 'is other side, that air all." With deft fingers he +rolled the baby boy over, placed the sugar rag between the twisting +lips, and went back to his dinner.</p> + +<p>"Jake was tellin' me this morning," she continued, "Sandy Letts got +three years and a half in Auburn."</p> + +<p>"That'll be dreadful for him," the little man responded, thinking of his +lonely years in prison. "But body-snatchin' air an awful thing. Reckon +he won't try it again when he gets out.... Eh, kid?"</p> + +<p>"At any rate, he won't be after us for a while," she replied, sighing +contentedly.</p> + +<p>"Well, I must slick up a bit," Andy announced presently. "I want to get +the shanty fixed. Young'd think I weren't doin' right by ye, if 'tain't +red up, brat."</p> + +<p>"When I tell him all ye've done," she smiled affectionately, "I bet +he'll be praisin' ye."</p> + +<p>Then they were silent until the little man'd gathered and washed the few +dishes.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XXXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXXVII"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">238</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXVII</h2><h3><span class="smcap">The New Home</span></h3> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">When</span> Professor Young arrived at the end of the lane near the Skinner's +shack, he dismounted, blanketed the horse and hitched him to the fence. +The approach to the hut had been shovelled recently and the snow was +banked high on either side. He hurried along the path and knocked at the +door.</p> + +<p>A stir in the shanty told the lawyer the dwarf was seeking the attic. +After an instant of quiet, he heard Tessibel's voice.</p> + +<p>"Who air there?"</p> + +<p>The man's nerves throbbed quick response to the clear young tones that +came sure and strong through the shack boards.</p> + +<p>"It's I, Tessibel," he answered.</p> + +<p>And at his answer the bar raised from its holder and Young opened the +door and stepped in. The change from the brilliant glare of the almost +horizontal beams of the declining sun on the sparkling snow to the +half-light of the closely curtained room, obscured his vision for a +moment. But by the time he'd removed his cap and rebarred the door, he +could discern the familiar outlines of the shanty kitchen. He saw Tess, +half-risen on the cot. She rested on one elbow and stretched the other +arm out to him. Her face, wreathed in smiles, shone a cordial welcome. +When he'd gone to her and snatched the extended hand in both his own, +she bent moist lips and touched the back of the fingers.</p> + +<p>Her spontaneous joy brought him a sudden hope that tingled through his +blood and warmed it. To see her so well, so sparkling and joyous, lifted +his burden of anxiety and warmed in him a glow of profound thanksgiving.</p> + +<p>"Tessibel!" he greeted her, relief and yearning compressed into the one +word.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">239</a></span></p> + +<p>It was some time before either spoke. In Tessibel's heart swelled an +affection such as she held for no other person. In Young's, in spite of +his self-communion on the way, surged the insistent call of the man for +his mate, a hopeless longing which might never be satisfied.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad it's over, child," he said softly. "My sister told me—"</p> + +<p>"I got my baby!" she broke in. "He air over there. Take a peep at 'im."</p> + +<p>There was no embarrassment in the bright smile she sent him, no sense of +shame in showing her friend the dear little being who had come to her +out of the Infinite to be worked for and loved. Young smothered a groan +but he turned obediently and went to the chair in which the baby was +cradled.</p> + +<p>Folding back the blanket, he gazed at the sleeping infant. Manlike, he +was experiencing the passionate wish that this small boy were his own. +Jealousy, sudden and violent, assailed him. Hardly could he restrain the +words of interrogation and denunciation that demanded utterance.</p> + +<p>The mother's question brought him back to the cot.</p> + +<p>"He air beautiful, ain't he?" she breathed, a misty gleam on her lashes.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Young, and he sat down in Daddy Skinner's big rocker.</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't ye like to hold him?" Tess hoped he would.</p> + +<p>"Not yet," replied the lawyer. "I want to know more about him. You must +tell me now whose son he is, and let me help you decide what to do about +it.... Won't you trust me a little, Tess, dear?"</p> + +<p>He hitched his chair nearer the cot and looked earnestly into the dear, +brown eyes she turned fearlessly and unashamed up to his own.</p> + +<p>"He air mine," Tessibel told him, and a tender smile played about her +lips, "but I can't tell ye any more.... There ain't nothin' to do about +it. It air all right—huh?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, my dear," sighed the man. "I hoped you'd relieve my mind a little. +But—but I'll not speak<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">240</a></span> about it again till you come of your own accord +and tell me.... I've been thinking about something else, though—"</p> + +<p>"Air it about Andy?" interrupted Tessibel.</p> + +<p>Young looked up and discovered a boyish face smiling down upon him from +the attic.</p> + +<p>"Come down," he said to the dwarf.</p> + +<p>Andy descended the ladder and trudged across the floor.</p> + +<p>The lawyer stood up and extended his hand. "How are you, Andy?" he +enquired pleasantly. "Pretty well, I hope?"</p> + +<p>Andy shook hands gravely.</p> + +<p>"Yep, thank ye, professor, I air that," he assented. "Hope ye're the +same."</p> + +<p>"Andy's been more'n good to me," Tess confided. "Please sit down again, +Mr. Young.... Set on the floor, Andy!"</p> + +<p>Obediently the dwarf curled up on the floor and turned eagerly to Young +who had resumed his chair.</p> + +<p>"Ain't Tess got the fine baby?" he queried, and as though not expecting +an answer, added, "And she air awful happy."</p> + +<p>A fugitive smile trembled on Young's face.</p> + +<p>Awful happy! Awful happy! Was it possible? He looked into Tessibel's +joyous eyes and pondered. Yes, she was happy. He could see that! Happy +in a squatter's hut! Happy in the companionship of a condemned murderer, +and happy with a nameless child! His eyes went to the little one on the +chair. Yes, the three of them were happy. Tessibel's love was bound up +in Andy and the baby, and the dwarf had forgotten his own danger to +serve the other two. To help in the same loyal and unselfish way would +be his future work. At that moment Deforrest Young buried deep in his +heart the passion which hurt like nothing else hurts on earth, and +something very like happiness took its place.</p> + +<p>He leaned back and crossed his legs. Then he reached into his coat +pocket and produced his cigar case. He bent forward and offered it to +Andy.</p> + +<p>"Smoke, Andy?" he queried.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">241</a></span></p> + +<p>"Nope, thank ye, sir. Hain't smoked since Pal Skinner got sick. Couldn't +smell up the shanty with a pipe, ye see, eh?"</p> + +<p>When the cigar was glowing and the fragrant smoke drifted in eddying +clouds through the kitchen, the smoker rocked a few minutes +contemplatively.</p> + +<p>"I've seen Owen Bennet," he began presently. "He sticks to the story +that you did the shooting, Bishop, but I knew all the time he was +lying."</p> + +<p>"Yep, he lied," interpolated Andy, bobbing his head.</p> + +<p>"But as long as he won't tell the truth," Young stated "you're liable to +be taken back to Auburn."</p> + +<p>The dwarf cringed as from a blow. Fear of going back to prison killed +the joy in his face instantly, but the speaker's quick assurance +straightened the bent shoulders.</p> + +<p>"But no one knows where you are, and perhaps something can be done to +bring a confession from Bennet. Just at this time, though," looking from +the little man to the girl on the cot, "I'm more concerned about your +futures."</p> + +<p>Tess didn't speak. She knew wherein her confidence lay and was willing +to await her friend's suggestion. She sat up, punched the pillow, turned +it over, and lay down again.</p> + +<p>"It's perfectly evident you can't stay here, either one of you," said +Young, after a pause, "and if you'll be guided by me—"</p> + +<p>"We'll do what ye want," murmured Tess, "if ye'll let us stay together +an' keep the baby."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that is my plan," he replied.</p> + +<p>Andy folded his short legs under him nervously.</p> + +<p>"We want to stay together, me an' Tess does," he echoed, "an' the baby's +awful glad to live with us."</p> + +<p>Young's lips curled an instant into a smile responsive to the quaint +statement.</p> + +<p>"You remember, Tess," he resumed, "I have a lease of the house where +Graves used to live."</p> + +<p>She answered only by a little forward bend of her head.</p> + +<p>"My idea is this: I'll open the house, and you,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">242</a></span> Tess, can come there +with the baby. You can keep house in a little way for us all."</p> + +<p>"Ye said Andy could live with—"</p> + +<p>"Wait," interrupted the lawyer. "There're two nice rooms on the top +floor. You can arrange them for Bishop and he will be as snug as a bug +in a rug."</p> + +<p>A sharp cry of joy broke from the young mother. She sat up straight. She +threw back the tangled curls, and leaning forward grasped the hand the +speaker thrust out to support her.</p> + +<p>"Oh, what a good, good man!" she rejoiced. "An' me an' the baby'll love +ye forever, me an' the baby will."</p> + +<p>Tessibel didn't remember she'd made the same promise to another man when +she'd begged him in vain to help her. She only knew that Deforrest Young +was offering herself and her little child a home, and a safe refuge for +Andy Bishop.</p> + +<p>"It won't be all for you, you understand, child," said Deforrest. +"Think! I'll have a home, too, and you can study and work."</p> + +<p>"An' some day when I'm earnin' money, and Andy's free, we'll pay you all +back," the girl interjected.</p> + +<p>"Well, we won't worry about that now!... As soon as you're well enough, +I'll move you all up to the house. Tomorrow I'll see that coal and +things're sent down from town!"</p> + +<p>The reply to his offer was a tighter squeeze from the squatter girl's +hand, and a sob from the dwarf. Unable to restrain his joy, the wee man +bounded from the floor and fled up the ladder into the garret. For a +time the man and girl in the room below sat silent, and all was quiet in +the shanty save the voice of Andy Bishop giving forth a thanksgiving +such as he had never expressed before.</p> + +<hr class="minor" /> + +<p>Two weeks later a light filtered through the closed shutters of Young's +residence on the hill. The old Graves house creaked in the blustery +March gale. The hurtling snow-particles rattled upon the blinds and +against the clapboards like small shot. Deforrest Young came out of the +house and fought his way<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">243</a></span> against the blizzard's buffeting down the hill +to the Skinner shack.</p> + +<p>Stumbling, he fell against the door.</p> + +<p>"It's I, Tess," he shouted.</p> + +<p>The girl lifted the bar and admitted him. Dressed in her outer wraps, +she stood in the kitchen, anxious and expectant. This minute to Tess was +the changing point of her life. Young as she was, she understood what it +would mean to the three of them to leave the shanty, to take up their +abode in a real home.</p> + +<p>"Ye said we was to take the baby first," she greeted him, reaching for +the shawl on a peg in the door post.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but it's so bad I'll have to take you first, child," the lawyer +replied. "Come down, Andy, and after we're gone, bar the door and stand +by the boy.... I'll come back after you in a few minutes."</p> + +<p>Then he flung an arm about Tess and drew her into the winter night. +Wind-blown and snow-covered, Young almost carried the shivering girl up +the steps into her new home. How luxurious the comfortable furnishings +seemed compared to the poverty of the shack! Young helped her off with +her coat and rubbers.</p> + +<p>"Get the baby and Andy, quick," she panted.</p> + +<p>Left alone her imagination followed her champion out under the +frost-laden trees into the drifted lane. She knew his call would raise +the bar and let him into the shanty. She could see the dwarf's beautiful +face smiling his welcome. The thought that Deforrest would wrap up her +baby, protect him from the keen blasts, thrilled her.</p> + +<p>She went to the window in the north room and pressed her face to the +pane. Ah, yes, there in the little path were two figures, one little and +one big, struggling through the drifts. Her two friends! Presently, in +the arms of the tall figure, she could discern a bundle, a small bundle. +She watched them until she heard their steps on the porch. When +Deforrest placed the baby in her arms, and she noted Andy's happy face, +Tessibel's joy was complete.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XXXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXXVIII"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">244</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXVIII</h2><h3><span class="smcap">Dinner at Waldstricker's</span></h3> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Three</span> years and a half had passed since the birth of Tessibel's baby, a +period of growth and security for the squatter girl and Andy Bishop.</p> + +<p>Just before Boy Skinner's birth, Frederick and Madelene had gone to San +Francisco. A place had been made for him in Waldstricker's office there +and Madelene felt the continent none too wide to put between her husband +and the Skinner girl, but her efforts to win his affection had been a +complete failure.</p> + +<p>Lysander Letts, convicted of grave robbing, had been sentenced to prison +and was still confined at Auburn.</p> + +<p>During the weeks after Frederick's departure, Ebenezer Waldstricker had +been unusually busy. In May, just as the tardy promises of the Storm +Country spring, were beginning to be fulfilled by the full leaved +glories of early summer, little Elsie Waldstricker was born. A few weeks +later, the three of them had left Ithaca for a long period of travel. +Mr. Waldstricker had visited all his business friends and correspondents +and established many new connections. Proceeding leisurely around the +world, they'd returned to Ithaca not long after Elsie's third birthday.</p> + +<p>During their absence abroad, except for the caretaker, the great house +above Hayt's had been closed. Affairs at the lake side had run along in +their usual way. Tessibel had been able to ameliorate the conditions of +her squatter neighbors and was regarded by the inhabitants of that end +of the Silent City, as their lady bountiful. They put her in a niche by +herself. None prouder than they of the evidences of culture and +refinement she showed, while with characteristic independence, they +called her "Brat" just as in the days, when she ran bare-legged and +dirty on the lake side.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">245</a></span></p> + +<p>Andy Bishop had occupied the room on the top floor of Young's home. He'd +devoted himself to the same studies Tess pursued and by greater +application had been able to overcome the handicap of the girl's +quickness and greater natural ability. Not so readily had he learned to +speak correctly. The idioms of his boyhood days still slipped out of his +mouth. But no suspicion of uncouth English marred the girl's speech.</p> + +<p>Forlorn and abandoned, the Skinner shanty lay moldering under the +weeping willows. Summer heat and winter storms had worked their will +upon it. Thick grasses and tall weeds had driven out the squatter girl's +flowers and the hedge had grown into a tangled thicket.</p> + +<p>The brilliant sun of a hot June morning found no more home-like place +than the old Graves house, where Deforrest Young lived with his squatter +friends. On the porch stood Tessibel Skinner. The girl's ruddy curls +fell in the same profusion as of old and shrouded a smiling, happy face. +Professor Young had caught her one day doing up the red hair in a great +ball on her head.</p> + +<p>"Tess, it's a sacrilege," he protested sharply, "like wadding up the +petals of a rose or the leaves of a fern. Keep the curls, won't you?"</p> + +<p>Below, from the pear orchard, came a joyous shout, the free, careless, +laughing response to the girl's call.</p> + +<p>"I'm coming mummy," cried a child's voice.</p> + +<p>Tess leaned forward, the better to watch the small boy lightly climb the +terrace. Her face evinced the joy which she found in her baby, and in +the quiet, happy life under Professor Young's care. She held out her +hand to the little one. He danced to her side and she bent and kissed +him.</p> + +<p>"Mummy's boy, oh, mummy's little boy! Didn't I tell you, darling, not to +soil your blouse? Uncle Deforrest'll be here soon."</p> + +<p>"Boy rolled down the hill," pouted the child. "Boy loves to roll down +the hill, mummy."</p> + +<p>His mother kissed him again, diverted by his words, which recalled her +own girlhood frolics. Hadn't she many times tumbled the length of the +lane, while Daddy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">246</a></span> Skinner had stood and watched her indulgently? Her +arms about the boy, she allowed her eyes to rest for a moment on the hut +at the lake side. Tessibel loved the shanty and always would love it, +but more did she love the home in which she now lived. Her fingers +played idly with the child's dark curls. All that Deforrest Young had +done for her in the past years swept before her mind like a panorama.</p> + +<p>How safe he'd made it for Andy! How the little man had improved! How +delightful their studies together! They constantly looked forward to +that day when they should be able to return to their friend some of the +generosity he had shown them.</p> + +<p>Now he was coming home after an absence of many weeks, and the three +were awaiting his arrival.</p> + +<p>"Run up to Andy, darling," Tess said to the child, "and let him wash +your face and hands, and put on another blouse, my pet. Oh, there 're +grass stains on this one, too."</p> + +<p>A trembling, rosy mouth turned up to the speaker. She kissed it quickly +and passionately.</p> + +<p>"Never mind, honey, just run along. Mummy doesn't care.... There, kiss +me again."</p> + +<p>Two loving arms went quickly around the mother's neck.</p> + +<p>"Boy loves his pretty mummy," was whispered in her ear.</p> + +<p>"And mummy loves her pretty boy. There! Run along to Andy. I want to +gather some flowers for Uncle Forrie."</p> + +<p>Andy was studying at a table, when the door opened and the dark-faced +boy popped into the room.</p> + +<p>"Mummy says wash Boy's face and put on clean blouse," said he. "Please, +Andy. I forgot to say 'please'!"</p> + +<p>Andy pushed back his chair and waddled to the child. The dwarf was the +same ungainly figure that had moved about the hut four years before. His +face had lost all its tightly strung misery and his expression was more +thoughtful and he seemed more manly.</p> + +<p>Boy was a continual joy to him. The little fellow supplied an outlet for +his overflowing love. True, he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">247</a></span> adored Tessibel, but his care of the +little one had drawn them together so intimately that he and the baby +boy thoroughly understood each other.</p> + +<p>He'd have liked to romp with the child under the trees and to row him up +and down the quiet span of blue water, but grateful for the love and +protection he'd found in Young's home, he seldom permitted his mind to +dwell upon the hardships necessarily incident to his secluded life. Just +now a little sense of discouragement touched his thought and clouded his +face. While he was washing Boy's chubby fingers, the little one observed +him closely.</p> + +<p>"There's tears in your eyes," he burst out suddenly. "What for, Andy?"</p> + +<p>"I was just thinkin,' pet."</p> + +<p>The child thrust his feet apart and flung up an entreating face.</p> + +<p>"I don't want you to think if it makes you cry."</p> + +<p>"All right, sir!" Andy replied promptly, tickling the youngster till he +laughed and shouted, "I won't think any more if you don't like it."</p> + +<p>When Deforrest Young came around the corner of the house, Tessibel was +standing on the lower step of the porch, her hands full of flowers. To +his adoring eyes, the girl typified the unfolding life of the spring. +Strong was she, like the sturdy trees, dainty as the flowers she held in +her hands. To his passionate desire as unresponsive as the sullen lake +on dark days, yet grateful for his kindness as the field flowers to the +sun after a hard rain. She was a child with a woman's heart, but the +woman's heart closed to him by the secret of Boy's paternity. Her +smiling lips greeted him. She dropped the flowers and two arms stole +around his neck. Young drew her very close. How dear, how very dear, she +had grown in these last studious years!</p> + +<p>"It seems ages since you went away," she said, and pointing to the +flowers, "I hoped to get these all on the table."</p> + +<p>"My dear," interjected Young, "you're the rarest blossom of them all."</p> + +<p>Tess was used to his compliments, and she loved<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">248</a></span> them, as she loved the +birds and the friendly sunshine.</p> + +<p>"For that, sir," she laughed, "you'll have to help me pick 'em up."</p> + +<p>While they were gathering together the scattered bouquet, they heard a +stamping down the stairs.</p> + +<p>"Boy couldn't hardly stand it till you came," smiled Tess, opening the +hall door.</p> + +<p>A small avalanche of concentrated eagerness piled out of the house.</p> + +<p>"Uncle Forrie! Uncle Forrie!" cried Boy, swarming upon him. "I'm awful +glad you're home."</p> + +<hr class="minor" /> + +<p>"Now, then," said the lawyer after dinner, "I think our little mister +here ought to crawl into bed.... Well, one more romp, then bye-bye. Eh?"</p> + +<p>"One more romp!" screamed the child.</p> + +<p>His mother carried him away half an hour later, and when she went to +Andy's room, she found Young there talking to the dwarf.</p> + +<p>"I've such a lot to tell you two," said he. "Now we're all comfy, I'll +begin."</p> + +<p>"Will it please Andy?" asked Tess.</p> + +<p>Deforrest shook his head.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid not!... Bennet won't have to stay long in prison and he +still insists he didn't do the shooting and that Andy did."</p> + +<p>The latter groaned, and a shadow fell over Tessibel's face.</p> + +<p>"I wish something could be done," said she.</p> + +<p>The lawyer considered the end of his cigar.</p> + +<p>"Well, I can't think of anything right now," he sighed.... "I suppose +you've heard Lysander Letts is out of prison?"</p> + +<p>Young asked the question as though it amounted to little, but he knew by +the sharp cry from the girl and the upward lift of the dwarf's head that +they both dreaded Sandy's return to Ithaca.</p> + +<p>"But I don't want you to worry. I'll send him back if he comes around +here."</p> + +<p>Tess shook her head despondently.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I hope he'll let me alone!"</p> + +<p>"I'll see that he does," said the professor, rising and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">249</a></span> straightening +up. "Well, I'm going down to write some letters. Cheer up, Andy! Maybe +something'll turn up."</p> + +<p>"Kid," began Andy, when the lawyer had gone. "I been thinking, we don't +have to worry 'bout Sandy Letts. Ye know the lots of times when we +didn't have Boy's Uncle Forrie to do things for us, how we prayed for a +helpin' hand and got it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Andy dear," Tess answered, thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"Then let's do it now. Let's get busy prayin' so Sandy can't hurt ye an' +I get out of my pickle.... Huh?"</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XXXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXXIX"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">250</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXIX</h2><h3><span class="smcap">Father and Son</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>After an absence from his native city of three years and a half, +Frederick Graves was returning to Ithaca, a very sick man. He had +learned from Helen's letters to Madelene that Tessibel Skinner had a +small son. His brother-in-law's exasperation at Young for giving the +squatter girl and her little son a home at the lake had also been +reflected in the correspondence. He had been able to glean but the bare +outlines of the story, because Ebenezer and Helen had been abroad most +of the time, and his impatient spirit chafed to know the intimate +particulars of Tessibel's life. Jealousy of Young tormented him. +Hopeless brooding over his situation, and Madelene's continual nagging +had made him a neurasthenic wreck. Worn by insomnia and almost starved +by a nervous dyspepsia, he could no longer maintain even a pretense of +usefulness in the business. Madelene, thoroughly disillusioned, herself +worn out by his sullen and savage temper, had brought him back to +Ithaca, hoping the familiar sights and sounds of the home-land might +help him.</p> + +<p>They arrived one rainy night at the station, where Ebenezer met them +with the carriage. He greeted both effusively, and his manner perhaps +was more cordial because of his brother-in-law's death-stricken face.</p> + +<p>"You'll buck up now you're home, Fred," he said, after he had kissed his +sister and helped them into the carriage.</p> + +<p>"Maybe, but I doubt it," the invalid replied wearily.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, Fred," his wife broke out. "You make me tired. You're always +whining. Of course, you're going to get well."</p> + +<p>Too fatigued to argue, Frederick leaned back upon the cushions. Except +for an occasional word, they were silent during the long drive through +the rain.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">251</a></span></p> + +<p>Home at last, they found Helen waiting in the great hall. To Madelene, +who preceded the men into the house, she looked much older, more +dignified. Lines of worry around her eyes and mouth told the girl that +her sister-in-law's life with Ebenezer had not been entirely easy.</p> + +<p>After kissing Madelene, Helen extended her hand to Frederick.</p> + +<p>"I hope you'll be better soon, Fred," she encouraged. "Our country +fare'll put some flesh on your bones.... You look after the invalid, +Ebenezer, and I'll take Madelene upstairs."</p> + +<p>The two women walked upstairs together. Waldstricker gazed after them, +pride and joy in his eyes. His wife and his sister reunited brought him +a feeling of content. Frederick, fussing with his coat and rubbers, +seemed hardly aware of their going.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad to have you back, Fred," began Waldstricker, anxious to +express the gratification he felt.</p> + +<p>"We're glad to get back, of course," Frederick responded coldly. He +followed the elder into the library and threw himself on a lounge to +rest until dinner.</p> + +<p>In the room above, Helen helped Madelene off with her things and +listened to her chatter about the journey. She could detect a sullen +dissatisfaction with Frederick running like a dark thread through the +current of her talk. It was clear to Helen that Madelene had lost her +regard for her husband. Apparently, she cared so little that she didn't +feel it necessary to hide or explain her feelings.</p> + +<p>"And, now I want to see little Elsie," gushed Madelene. "I've been crazy +to see her ever since she was born."</p> + +<p>"She's such a darling," smiled Helen, "and is the very joy of her +father's heart.... Come on in the nursery."</p> + +<p>For a few seconds Madelene leaned over the sleeping child, a rosy child +with thick blonde curls. A keen sense of the emptiness of her own arms +stirred in her an envy of the complacent young matron standing at the +foot of the little white bed. Perhaps Fred would've been different if +they'd had a little one.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">252</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'd love to have a baby," she breathed discontentedly. "But—"</p> + +<p>During the significant pause, Helen linked her arm through the +speaker's.</p> + +<p>"Let's go down to dinner," she suggested. "You must be famished after +your long ride."</p> + +<p>At the table, the conversation touched many matters relating to the +happenings in the lives of the long separated families. Madelene plied +her knife and fork industriously, and jumped from topic to topic, +expressing a lively interest in all the events in Ithaca.</p> + +<p>"And your brother, dear?" she asked her hostess. "Is he still at the +lake place?"</p> + +<p>Helen threw a quick glance at her husband, whose lips sank at the +corners, his face coloring to a deep red.</p> + +<p>When his sister asked the question, the glass from which the elder had +been drinking struck the table sharply, as though he wished to emphasize +his displeasure.</p> + +<p>"Yes, he lives there," he broke in. "In your father's old place, Fred. +His lease is not up for almost a year."</p> + +<p>"Helen wrote me he had the Skinner girl and her baby with him," said +Mrs. Graves. "Wasn't that a funny thing for him to do, Ebbie?"</p> + +<p>Waldstricker pushed back angrily.</p> + +<p>"Funny! Funny!" he ejaculated. "It isn't decent, and I've told him so, +too."</p> + +<p>Frederick's face flushed, and he toyed nervously with the silver at the +side of his plate.</p> + +<p>"But, Ebenezer, you don't mean she's living with him, do you?" he +faltered, leaning forward.</p> + +<p>"They live there together, Young and the girl and her—" Ebenezer's +anger almost made him forget the conventional respect he owed his wife +and sister, "—her son," he concluded lamely. "That's all I know, and +it's enough. He's had the best houses in Ithaca closed to him on her +account."</p> + +<p>Indignation at her husband's injustice burnt a red spot in Helen's +cheeks and kindled a flame of unusual animation in her placid blue eyes.</p> + +<p>"You know better, Ebenezer," she retorted. "Forrie's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">253</a></span> given her a +father's care, and every one worth while honors him for it."</p> + +<p>Frederick, kept in his attitude of tense attention by a sudden revival +of his jealousy of Young, sighed audibly and settled back in his chair.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad to hear you say that, Helen," he said earnestly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, are you, Fred?" cried Madelene. "So your old interest in that girl +isn't dead, yet? Well, all I can say is, I am sorry she didn't get you, +but I'll bet she's glad, now, she didn't."</p> + +<p>Waldstricker looked keenly from the speaker to her husband. But +Frederick had again put on his mask of apathetic indifference and +answered his wife's gibe only by a shrug of his shoulders. Noting her +brother's scowling face, she went on maliciously.</p> + +<p>"You'd better keep away from the lake place, my dear husband, or you'll +have both Ebbie and Forrie after you."</p> + +<p>"Will you have your tea now, Madelene?" Helen was alarmed at the +threatened tempest, and hoped to change the subject.</p> + +<p>"Yes, thanks, dear," and to her brother, "After all, Ebbie, Forrie +probably knows his own business best. You know he's quite partial to the +squatters and always did things for 'em."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Waldstricker summoned the servant, and while the dishes were being +removed, Ebenezer sat and glowered from Frederick, white and distrait, +to his wife, who was explaining to Madelene the way she'd made the salad +dressing. When the servant had gone, Waldstricker began again.</p> + +<p>"I'm out of patience with Deforrest! If he'd let me alone, I'd had all +the squatters off the lake side before this and probably would have +located Bishop."</p> + +<p>"You've heard nothing of him, Ebbie, I suppose?" asked Madelene. "It +does seem queer a dwarf could disappear like that and not a word about +him from any part of the world."</p> + +<p>Waldstricker's powerful hand clenched the teaspoon in his fingers so +violently as to bend the handle.</p> + +<p>"No, I haven't," he growled. "I've a notion he's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">254</a></span> being harbored by some +of the squatters. But I want Deforrest to understand this—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, let's talk of something else besides squatters," cried Madelene. +"Helen, your salad was divine.... Tell me, Ebbie, how you enjoy little +Elsie. I think she's lovely."</p> + +<p>"Lovely!" he repeated in a very different tone. "Lovely is no word for +that child. She's an angel, isn't she, Helen?"</p> + +<p>Helen smiled dubiously.</p> + +<p>"An angel, very much spoiled, I fear."</p> + +<p>"No such thing," argued Waldstricker, glad of an opportunity to air his +favorite theory. "Now Helen thinks the child's spoiled because she drops +on the floor and kicks and cries until she gets what she wants. I tell +her it's human nature, and perfectly right for my child to have her own +way. Thank God, there's nothing in the world she can't have."</p> + +<p>Then looking from Frederick to his sister, he made a heavy attempt to be +humorous.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter of you two? You've been married longer than Helen and +I. When are you going to start your family?"</p> + +<p>Frederick maintained his pose of bored unconcern and an angry flush +mounted to Madelene's face.</p> + +<p>"You think you're smart, Eb," she retorted. "Fred's all the baby I can +look after, and goodness knows he's trouble enough!"</p> + +<p>"But, now, you're here, dear," Mrs. Waldstricker extended the olive +branch again, "we'll help you look after him.... I do hope the +weather'll clear so we can get out. The lake's been simply beautiful +this summer."</p> + +<p>"Just after I returned from Europe, I tried to dispossess Deforrest," +Ebenezer told Fred, "but he beat me in court. I wanted to clean up the +scandalous mess. I felt he was breaking God's law in harboring a woman +of that kind. But I'm only biding my time." His voice sank as he cast +his eyes slowly from one to another, at last, fixing them ominously upon +his wife. "Biding my time," he growled deeply, laying his napkin on the +table.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">255</a></span></p> + +<p>The gloom of his manner spread over the diners like a cloud. Helen's +face expressed consternation; Frederick's discouragement, and Madelene's +impatience.</p> + +<p>"I must say this is pleasant," snapped Mrs. Graves. "Ebbie, I forbid you +to speak of those people again tonight."</p> + +<p>Helen made a little move as though to rise. In her capacity as +peacemaker, it seemed advisable to change the scene of hostilities.</p> + +<p>"Let's go to the drawing room," she invited.... "Fred, don't you think +you'd better go to bed?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'm all tired out. I think I will."</p> + +<p>At the drawing room door, he turned to the stairs.</p> + +<p>"Good-night, all," he added, and went slowly up to his room.</p> + +<p>Reclining in a big chair, Frederick recalled the talk at the supper +table and let his fancy rove in dreams of Tessibel and his son.</p> + +<p>What a cruel persecutor Ebenezer was! How Helen had suffered during his +outrageous harangue! The young man ground his teeth. So Ebenezer was but +biding his time to do some terrible harm to Tessibel and her little boy, +his boy! Frederick breathed deeply, and pressed his hand upon his heart. +Would the thing never stop beating that way! Would it never in this +world quit that awful hurt when he thought of the squatter country! He +undressed hastily and went to bed, nor did he speak when Madelene crept +softly in beside him.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XL" id="CHAPTER_XL"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">256</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XL</h2><h3><span class="smcap">Husband and Wife</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>The next morning found Frederick Graves more nervous than ever. The +weather had cleared. The air, washed by yesterday's downpour, came +through the open window sweet to his nostrils. The countryside sparkled +in the morning sun and the greens of the woods and fields were deeper +and richer; but the beauty of the landscape touched him not. He'd +scarcely slept, and when weariness had at last overcome him, his dreams +had been filled with visions of a red haired girl, and a sturdy, +handsome boy playing about upon the ragged rocks. When he came down to +breakfast, Ebenezer told him he'd better see the doctor that day.</p> + +<p>"You might go while Madelene and I are out this morning," suggested +Helen. "Ah," hearing a child's voice in the hall, "here comes my baby!"</p> + +<p>When the door opened, a little girl of three bounded in. Ebenezer held +out his arms and Elsie sprang into them.</p> + +<p>"Listen to Mrs. Waldstricker," he laughed. "She said, 'my baby,' and I +say, she's mine.... Aren't you my baby, pet?"</p> + +<p>Helen smiled indulgently. This wee bit of femininity was the one +creature who could keep her father amiable from one end of the day to +the other.</p> + +<p>"My girlie wants to eat with daddy?" Ebenezer went on, his face buried +in the flaxen hair. "Then she shall."</p> + +<p>"Elsie wants to eat with daddy," parroted the child.</p> + +<p>"That's why I say she's spoiled," offered Helen, shrugging her +shoulders. "Now her place is in the nursery, but what can I do?"</p> + +<p>"Her place is right here on her father's knee," replied Waldstricker, +"where I always want her, bless her."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">257</a></span></p> + +<p>During the discussion about the child, Frederick got up from the table +and went out of doors.</p> + +<p>As he left the dining room, he had no definite plan; but no sooner had +he walked across the front lawn and taken a view of the long road—the +way that led to Tessibel and his boy—than his feet, seemingly of their +own volition, led him along the grassy path up the hill. If he could +only see the two of them without his family knowing! One kiss from his +boy, one loving look from Tess, and he felt he could start again to +live!</p> + +<p>To the sick man the distance was considerable, but minute by minute he +grew stronger, restored by revivifying hope. An hour, only a short hour, +only a little distance further and he would be at the lake; in sight of +the willow trees around the shack. He went down the hill to the top of +the lane. Here Tess had come to him that long ago night he'd married +her. Every familiar spot stung him with bitter memories of the squatter +girl.</p> + +<p>He went slowly down and stopped under a great tree opposite the house +where he'd formerly lived. Young had the place now, and Tess lived there +and his boy. Ebenezer's insinuations hurt him. His jealousy of Deforrest +revived. Remorse for his criminal selfishness burned him, an +unquenchable fire.</p> + +<p>Shaken by conflicting emotions, he went on by the deserted hut under the +willows to the lake shore. He'd go out to the ragged rocks and rest, and +then he'd try to see Tessibel and the boy.</p> + +<p>He came to the great gray slab where he'd left Tess the night he told +her of Madelene, and sank down in the shade of the overhanging rocks. +Screened from the blazing sun, his hot skin rejoiced in the coolness of +the damp grotto. With unseeing eyes, he glanced out over the glassy +mirror of the placid water. Unheeding, he heard none of the bird-calls, +and paid no attention to the intimate little sounds of the lake side.</p> + +<p>What should he do when at last he saw Tess and the boy? Would he dare +claim them?</p> + +<p>Suddenly, something made him sit up straight and listen. It was a +child's laugh. He got up and stepped behind the hanging shoulder of the +rock and waited.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">258</a></span> He looked cautiously around the jutting-rock, and +there, racing toward him through the brilliant sunshine, was a little +boy, a handsome, sturdy boy, and bounding along beside him, Kennedy's +bulldog.</p> + +<p>Then, instinctively, Frederick knew this was his son. He would speak, he +must speak! He stepped from his hiding place and came face to face with +the little fellow and his companion. The dog, uttering a great growl, +crouched on his hind quarters in rage. A stranger had ventured upon +ground belonging to his dear ones, and Pete was demanding, in his +doglike way, the reason thereof.</p> + +<p>"Pete, Pete," called Frederick, soothingly, and Pete dropped his head +and came forward, as if to a friend. The boy stood, feet wide-spread, +staring fixedly at this man whom Pete knew and he had never seen before.</p> + +<p>Frederick patted the dog and smiled ingratiatingly at the boy. He was +looking down into a pair of dark eyes, eyes like his own, into the grave +face of a child asking why he was there.</p> + +<p>The dog nuzzled the man's hand and fawned upon him, making in his throat +little noises of welcome.</p> + +<p>Frederick held out his other hand.</p> + +<p>"Won't you come, too, little boy?"</p> + +<p>"I can't!... Mummy wouldn't like it. I don't know you."</p> + +<p>"She won't mind, I'm sure," replied Frederick, his heart beating so hard +he could hear it. "Pete knows me, and I know your mother. Her name +is—is Tessibel.... Isn't it?"</p> + +<p>The man could scarcely get that beloved name from between his lips.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Tessibel is my mummy," said the boy. "You know my mummy, and my +Uncle Forrie?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," assented Frederick, sitting down. "Come here and let me tell you +all about your mother's beautiful curls."</p> + +<p>Boy hitched nearer the tall stranger. He was drawn in some unknown way +toward this man whose arms were out-held to him. Then, suddenly, he +walked straight into them, his eyes still very grave, still very +questioning.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">259</a></span></p> + +<p>The moment Frederick touched the little one he felt the world was his. +He forgot Waldstricker, forgot Madelene, forgot everything, but his +elf-like son within his cuddling grasp. He touched his lips to the +little face.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I've wanted to see you so," he murmured.</p> + +<p>"Why didn't you come, then?" demanded Boy.</p> + +<p>"I was away," said Frederick.</p> + +<p>"My Uncle Forrie goes away, too. When he came home yesterday, he brought +me a beautiful engine—it goes on wheels. I love my Uncle Forrie."</p> + +<p>"Could you love me, dear?" breathed Frederick.</p> + +<p>"Yes, oh, yes. I love everybody. God, too. So does Mummy. And Deacon, +he's my owl, and An—"</p> + +<p>Boy's lips closed on the nearly spoken word. He suddenly remembered the +daily lessons he'd had from his mother never to mention Andy's name to +any one; that, if he did, a big man would come and take his darling Andy +away. No, Boy couldn't stand that. He wouldn't say anything about Andy, +not even to this strangely attractive man.</p> + +<p>"What were you going to say, boy?" petitioned Frederick.</p> + +<p>"Nothin'. Just nothin'."</p> + +<p>And the father was satisfied, satisfied not to talk, glad to have his +son so heavenly close. The long years of his exile were slipping away. +The nerve-racking yearning of tedious days and yet more tedious, +sleepless nights was partially quieted. His son, so long, merely, the +pulseless image of his dreams, had become a breathing reality, and the +child was the living link between its mother and himself. The longer he +held the little one, the more intense grew his desire for Tess. At +length this demand urged him to ask,</p> + +<p>"Where's your mother?"</p> + +<p>"She's home, just up there in that house. She's working."</p> + +<p>"You haven't any father?" the man queried at last. A lump rose in his +throat and choked him. What had the child been told about him, he +wondered.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I have somewhere's, but I got another up in the sky, away back +in the clouds, Mummy says.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">260</a></span> And he's awful glad when I'm good, and he +cries like anything, when I'm bad. So I try to be good, and sometimes +I'm gooder'n gold."</p> + +<p>To hear a name from the child's lips, the name he had dreamed of, was +the one thought filling his mind.</p> + +<p>"Let me be your father?" he said, his voice breaking.</p> + +<p>"Sure I will," he answered. "There's my mummy, now!"</p> + +<p>Around the jutting rocks came Tess. The red curls hung about her +shoulders like a vivid velvet mantle, just as Frederick always dreamed +of them. But her figure, in her simple morning dress, was fuller and +more womanly. Upon her face was an expression of serenity and peace. Ah! +The woman was even more lovely than the girl he'd married, and to the +love-hungry man, on the great, gray slab of rock, she was infinitely +desirable.</p> + +<p>"Mummy," shouted the child, joyfully, "I've found a daddy for us. Petey +and me found him."</p> + +<p>Tess stared at the man, undisguised horror and dismay written in her +eyes. She'd not seen Frederick since that day he'd urged her to marry +Sandy Letts to escape Waldstricker, whose hands, he'd described, as +stronger'n God's. She'd hardly heard of him after he and Madelene had +gone West. She had long ago ceased to feel any desire for him. Indeed, +she scarcely thought of him. During the full happy years since she left +the shanty, under the loving tuition of Deforrest Young, the disgrace +this man on the rocks had heaped upon her had covered its claws and +lacerated her no more. But, at the sight of him, visions of the past +reared themselves in her imaginative mind. Memory, suddenly, flung all +the cruelties of his treatment of her into a kaleidoscopic jumble, and +meddlesome fear presented numerous suggestions of calamity. A moment she +stood as if turned to stone.</p> + +<p>"Come on, come," Boy cried, tugging at her dress.</p> + +<p>Frederick struggled to his feet, and held out his arms.</p> + +<p>"Tessibel, oh, my Tess, be kind," he supplicated.</p> + +<p>But she'd taken the child's hand and without answering, was making her +way swiftly backward to the rock-path.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XLI" id="CHAPTER_XLI"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">261</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XLI</h2><h3><span class="smcap">Tessibel's Discovery</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>Frederick stood for one tense minute watching Tessibel hurry over the +rocks. Many times he had pictured this interview, ... even framed the +sentences in which he would express his remorse and win her forgiveness. +It had never occurred to his brooding thought that the years of absence +which had increased his own ardor, might have lessened the squatter +girl's regard for him. But the meeting wasn't working out as he'd +planned. He'd been almost paralyzed at her coming, speechless except for +the few halting words of entreaty. Now, it dawned upon him that she was +going away without a word, that she was taking the child with her, and +that he might never see either of them again.</p> + +<p>"Tessibel," he called hoarsely. "Stop, or ... I'll tell Waldstricker."</p> + +<p>His words brought Tess to a standstill. The threat filled her with fear, +for well she knew the elder's power. Still keeping hold of Boy's hand, +she retraced her steps.</p> + +<p>"Why did you come here?" she asked, fear and distaste making her voice +cold and hard.</p> + +<p>"To see you and ... him." Frederick pointed to the child, who was now +hiding behind his mother's skirts.</p> + +<p>"Well, now you've seen us."</p> + +<p>Frederick stared at the speaker, his lips pursed with surprise. Was this +Tess Skinner, the squatter girl? The voice was hers, but its tones were +resonant with contempt! Face and form he recognized, but not the new +poise, the dignity of her motherhood. The brown eyes he remembered as +lighted by love, now expressed unutterable abhorrence.</p> + +<p>"Tess, dear Tess," he pleaded, "let me talk to you."</p> + +<p>Tess stooped over the child, rearranged his little waist, and pushed +back the curly hair.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">262</a></span></p> + +<p>"Boy go home now, and mother'll come directly."</p> + +<p>She kissed the bewildered upturned face. The baby couldn't understand +what was going on.... Mummy seemed sad, and the nice man, who was so +white and sick looking, had spoken angrily to his beautiful mother.</p> + +<p>"I'd rather stay wif you," he lisped.</p> + +<p>"But Mummy asks Boy to go," said Tess, and to the dog, "Here, Petey, go +home with Boy."</p> + +<p>Placing his hand on the dog's collar, the child turned slowly and +unwillingly toward the house. He'd taken but a few halting steps along +the rocks before Frederick's voice rang out.</p> + +<p>"Tess, Tessibel, let me hold him ... kiss him once more. Don't shake +your head! Don't say no! I've wanted him so all these years. Oh, +Tessibel!"</p> + +<p>His pitiful pleading touched the listening girl. At last, face to face +with the man whose cowardice and selfishness had brought her so much +trouble, her one desire was to escape ... to run away. But he was +begging for her to be kind, to allow him to hold her baby!... What right +had he to kiss him?... To be sure, the child was his, too, but—but—</p> + +<p>"Oh, No! No! I don't want you to!" she cried, protesting. "You can never +be anything in his life. Why don't you let us alone?"</p> + +<p>Frederick had walked very close to her side by this time, his white face +twitching.</p> + +<p>"I must kiss him once more," he persisted.</p> + +<p>Tess turned to the loitering child. She could see that at a word of +assent from her, Boy would rush into the outstretched arms Frederick +held toward him. The mother, with a twist at her heart, recognized the +tie which drew together this man and her son. A dreadful fear clutched +her. Would Frederick do as he had threatened, hoping that he might thus +come in contact with his son? Her mind flew to Deforrest Young.... He +must never know the name of Boy's father. She could feel the blood +coursing madly through her temples, and her head ached dully.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, she went back and took hold of the child's hand.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">263</a></span></p> + +<p>"You may kiss the gentleman ... good-bye," she said in a constrained +voice.</p> + +<p>"The pretty man was goin' to be my faver," said the child, pleadingly. +"I want a daddy awful bad."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, I know," Tess returned tremulously. "Now hurry, dear, and +then run home."</p> + +<p>Only too gladly did the child jump away and bound into his father's +extended arms.</p> + +<p>"Mummy says I has to go home," he whispered.</p> + +<p>While the tall man silently caressed the dark curls of her boy, Tess of +the Storm Country endured such pain as she'd never known before. The +mutual attraction between the two, so differently related to her, seemed +anomalous and impossible.</p> + +<p>Frederick unwillingly allowed the child to slip to the rocks and after +Tess'd started Boy and the dog on their homeward way, she stood before +him, her lips quivering. She knew he, too, suffered, and she waited +quietly as he dried his eyes and recovered his choking breath.</p> + +<p>She was sorry he'd come. She'd hoped never to see him again. But, now, +she must be assured that he would continue the deception in regard to +the past. As anxious as she had once been to have him claim her as his +own, to tell the world she belonged to him, she, now, wanted to keep +silent.</p> + +<p>"It was useless for you to come," she chided presently.</p> + +<p>Frederick made an impetuous movement with his hand.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, it wasn't.... Won't you let me atone, let me make up for all +the things I've done ... and haven't done? I want—oh, how I want—"</p> + +<p>"It's too late," interrupted the girl. "Much too late."</p> + +<p>"But, Tessibel, I know you love me. You can't have forgotten. And I'll +make the boy love me. He does now! Didn't you hear him call me father?"</p> + +<p>"He has no father," she responded coldly. "And I—I haven't any love +left for you."</p> + +<p>The words were low but distinctly spoken.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe it!... I won't!... You shall love me!... I won't have +you with Young.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">264</a></span> ... He can see my boy every day ... be with you hour +after hour.... I hate him!"</p> + +<p>"You hate him!" Tessibel's eyes burned and flashed with indignation. +"When you should be grateful, because he's done everything you should've +done.... You've said all you can. You can't make up to us ... the baby +and me.... Won't you please go?"</p> + +<p>Frederick felt he was losing his reason. The love he'd nursed in secret, +the passion that had wasted him away, shook his frail frame. He wouldn't +be denied!</p> + +<p>"God help me, I won't go!" he gritted, the words carrying on his +thought.</p> + +<p>With one sweep of his arms, he encircled Tess in a close embrace. She +made frantic efforts to free herself, but Frederick, strong under the +emotion consuming him, only hugged her closer.</p> + +<p>"Let me go!" Tess almost screamed the words. Then, her voice changed to +a tense whisper, hoarse with loathing. "How can ... oh, how dare you!"</p> + +<p>But she could not protect her face from the searching mouth. Violently, +Frederick twisted her around and for one moment his lips fell upon hers. +Deep groans came between the kisses he thrust upon her.</p> + +<p>A moment later the sound of advancing steps lifted Frederick's face from +hers. Muttering an oath, he threw Tess forcibly from him, for there in +the path was Ebenezer Waldstricker, about whose sagging lips played a +supercilious smile.</p> + +<p>"So I was not mistaken," he sneered, looking his brother-in-law full in +the face. "If Madelene doesn't care, I do."</p> + +<p>"Well?" growled Frederick. "You've found me here, now do what you cursed +want to, I don't care."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you'll care before I finish," said the elder grimly, and he +included the girl in his baleful glare. "I think you both will."</p> + +<p>Tessibel's mind flew to Boy. What could these two men do to her darling?</p> + +<p>She went forward toward Waldstricker, her eyes raised appealingly to +his.</p> + +<p>"Won't you make Mr.... Mr. Graves keep away?" she petitioned. "I don't +want him here."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">265</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, it looked, when I came around the corner, as if you didn't want +him, miss," scoffed the elder. Then he laughed, and the laugh cut the +throbbing girl to the quick. "Very much as if you wanted him to go.... +Now, then, sir, what's this girl to you?"</p> + +<p>"I'm nothing to him, Mr. Waldstricker," she asserted, without giving +Frederick a chance to speak.</p> + +<p>Graves still felt that maddening passion, that demand for his own.</p> + +<p>"She lies," he said in low tones.</p> + +<p>Tess turned to him passionately.</p> + +<p>"You know what I say is true. You came here without my desiring it! I +don't want anything to do with you.... Haven't you both harmed me +enough?... Do I ever come around and hurt you?... Why don't you tell the +truth?"</p> + +<p>"All right," he shouted, his irritation at her resistance overcoming his +fear of the elder. "If you want the truth, here it is. I'm——"</p> + +<p>"Don't! Don't!" screamed Tess.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" hissed Waldstricker's lips like a jet of steam.</p> + +<p>He'd caught within his powerful net the girl he wanted. He'd bring to +light the secret that'd preyed upon his sister's spirits so long. For +the squatter girl he felt no pity, for Frederick only contempt. They +were both weaklings that he'd sweep away in his pursuit of Young and the +squatters.</p> + +<p>"He's sick," said Tessibel, trying to discount Frederick's confession. +"Your brother-in-law's sick. You can see that!... He thinks ... why, +he's mad!"</p> + +<p>"I'm not mad!" Frederick turned upon her fiercely, then back to the big +man whose eagerness bent him forward. "I'm the father of her boy."</p> + +<p>The blood left Waldstricker's face, so that it looked like carved +marble.</p> + +<p>"So 'tis so," he got out, "and you admit it, you cur, and you dared to +marry my sister? Now, as God lets me live, you'll both suffer for this, +and as for you, Tessibel Skinner, look out for that bastard of yours!"</p> + +<p>The squatter girl uttered a heart-broken cry, and turning, fled around +the rocks into the lane and up the hill.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XLII" id="CHAPTER_XLII"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">266</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XLII</h2><h3><span class="smcap">A Man's Arm at the Window</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>It seemed to Tess that her feet were leaden, as if she could never +traverse the distance between the ragged rocks and the house. The +interview with Frederick had been a terrible ordeal, and she was sick +with disgust from his odious kisses. Waldstricker's untimely appearance +and his stinging taunts hurt and frightened her. She knew he would do +his worst and that Frederick wouldn't or couldn't help it. The desire to +get Boy into her arms, to keep him from the men below urged her on. +Wildly, she fled through the orchard, crying as she went.</p> + +<p>"Boy! Mummy's Boy! Where's Mummy's Boy?"</p> + +<p>Gasping for breath, her voice ejected the words explosively. Exhausted, +she sank upon the top step of the porch. The long run up the hill had +been almost too much, but in a moment, she lifted herself, still calling +and panting, and stumbled into the house.</p> + +<p>"He's upstairs with Andy," said Young, looking up from his book. Then, +alarmed by her appearance, he jumped up and hurried to her. "What's the +matter, Tess? Tell me."</p> + +<p>"Where's the baby?" she demanded hysterically, clinging to him.... "Tell +me where my baby is."</p> + +<p>Drawing her into an easy chair, Deforrest attempted to quiet her.</p> + +<p>"Boy's upstairs with Andy. Hush, hush, child! Don't cry like that!... +Oh, my little girl!... What is it?... What's happened? Tell me ... +quick!"</p> + +<p>But Tess couldn't speak. She only clung to his arms, trying to stifle +her gasping cries.</p> + +<p>Just then Boy's clear laugh came pealing down the stairway, a conclusive +comfort to his mother's heart. When her extreme agitation had subsided. +Professor<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">267</a></span> Young sat down and called her to him. As of old, when first +he had heard her lessons in his home, she dropped at his feet, resting +her curly head against his knee.</p> + +<p>"Now I want to know what's frightened you," said he, softly.</p> + +<p>The girl made a gesture of refusal. "I can't tell it," she replied, +under her breath. "It's too terrible! It's too awful!"</p> + +<p>"There's nothing too terrible for me to know," answered Young. "What +happened while you were out?"</p> + +<p>"Don't ask me to tell you, Uncle Forrie," pleaded Tess. "I can't! I +can't!"</p> + +<p>"Tessibel," demanded the lawyer, "was it Sandy Letts?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, no, not him!"</p> + +<p>The man pondered a moment.</p> + +<p>"Was it—"</p> + +<p>"Please don't ask me any more questions." She lifted a crimson face. "I +was foolish, I suppose, but I thought, I thought the baby—"</p> + +<p>"Some one threatened Boy! Was that it, Tessibel?" he cross-questioned.</p> + +<p>"Yes." The murmured answer was scarcely audible.</p> + +<p>"One of the squatters, then?"</p> + +<p>The red head sank again. This time a decided shake of the shining curls +made the denial.</p> + +<p>Hoping to avoid further examination, the girl tried to rise to her feet, +but the questioner's hand pressed her back.</p> + +<p>"Don't ask me," she entreated. "I'm better now."</p> + +<p>She tried to smile, but the sweet lips trembled. Young hadn't seen her +so stirred in all the years of her residence in his house. He'd been +able to hold his love in check while he saw her happy and content, but +her present pitiful state broke down the barriers he'd erected and +hardly conscious of the change in his attitude, he kissed her.</p> + +<p>Tess drew away sharply. The strange new quality in his caress aroused an +answering thrill the length of her body. In that moment she discovered +how deeply she loved Deforrest Young.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">268</a></span></p> + +<p>"Don't ... don't kiss me! Never, never kiss me again."</p> + +<p>What was it she had said? The man felt his heart contract with a +shooting pain.</p> + +<p>"Why, child, I've kissed you since you were a little girl.... Why +shouldn't I?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, I don't know," she faltered. "Somehow it's different, +now."</p> + +<p>Something in her tones, some dejection in the bowed head brought the +man's hand from the shrouding curls. His heart began to live again, to +come forth from beneath his stern will and make known its own desire.</p> + +<p>"Tess," his voice tense with emotion, "will you marry me?... Will you, +Tess?"</p> + +<p>The girl got to her feet, swaying. Marry him? Her fingers twisted +together as her eyes dropped before the expression of his. He, too, was +on his feet, holding out his arms.</p> + +<p>"I'd ... marry you," she confessed haltingly, "but I can't."</p> + +<p>"Is it Boy?" demanded Young. "Why, child, don't you know I love him +almost as if he were my own?"</p> + +<p>"I can't," wailed Tess, again. "How I wish I could!"</p> + +<p>"You saw some one today, didn't you, Tessibel?"</p> + +<p>She nodded affirmatively, but volunteered nothing further.</p> + +<p>"I must know," cried the man. "Don't you see, child, you've just told +me—Tess, look at me."</p> + +<p>The drooping lids raised slowly.</p> + +<p>"Tess, when you said you desired to marry me, did you mean—oh, you +meant you love me, child dear, didn't you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," she breathed.</p> + +<p>"Then, can't you see your love for me and mine for you makes it +necessary I should know everything? Some one today—tell me, dear."</p> + +<p>"Waldstricker came down—" Tess paused, but trembled on. "I was talking +to—"</p> + +<p>"Who?" ejaculated Young, fiercely. "Who?"</p> + +<p>"The baby's father."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">269</a></span></p> + +<p>Shocked by her unexpected answer, he dropped into his chair and covered +his face with his hands.</p> + +<p>"Don't feel that way," she whispered. "Listen, I'll tell you about +it.... Boy ran to the rocks with Pete, and I went after him. I found him +there with—with—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Tess," groaned Young.</p> + +<p>"His father's been away a long time," the girl went on, "and now he's +back, and he wanted to see the baby, and then I sent Boy home and +Waldstricker came—"</p> + +<p>"My God! won't you ever tell me who was there with you?"</p> + +<p>Boy's mother bowed her head, and through the red hair came two trembling +words, just one whispered name that seared the man's heart like flames.</p> + +<p>"Frederick Graves."</p> + +<p>Only one long shudder showed the listener's agony. Tess, too, remained +quiet, her veins bursting with pulsing blood. She could not tell him the +rest, Frederick hadn't told, neither could she. Her promise on the +rocks, so many years ago, still bound her.</p> + +<p>The lawyer lowered his hands, and the whiteness of his face drew +Tessibel to her knees beside him.</p> + +<p>"I've always made you sad," she murmured. "I'm sorry, forgive me."</p> + +<p>"Just tell me ... all," he insisted.</p> + +<p>Then she began at the beginning and told him over again how Boy had gone +to the rocks with Pete and she went after him. At the part where +Frederick had taken her in his arms, she faltered. In the light of the +wonderful, new love for Deforrest, she couldn't go on!</p> + +<p>"Won't you let me ... keep the rest?" she implored.</p> + +<p>"No, I will not!" groaned the man. "I will not!"</p> + +<p>"Then, let me stand up."</p> + +<p>She got up slowly and stood looking out of the window.</p> + +<p>"He kissed and kissed me," she said, choking, "and just then +Waldstricker came and ... saw."</p> + +<p>"Oh, God help me!" the heavy voice pleaded.</p> + +<p>Tess knelt again. His supplicating cry aroused her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">270</a></span> faith to vivid +activity. Deforrest had prayed, "God help me!" and, oh, so differently +than the same words used by Frederick a short time previous. He was +bearing pain for her. Hadn't she suffered, too, and time and again +called into the heart of the Infinite for help? And always at the times +needed, it had come. God would surely help her friend. Tess forgot +herself in her ardent desire to comfort him.</p> + +<p>"He will help you, dear," she whispered. "He'll always help when you ask +Him. Didn't He get Daddy Skinner out of Auburn and He kept Andy with me +in the shanty till we came to you? Oh, I know He'll help you and me, +Uncle Forrie."</p> + +<p>The loving appellation, taught Boy when first he could lisp, roused the +man as perhaps nothing else would have done. The three of them still +needed him, needed him more than ever. He was there at their sides like +a wall of stone, to defend, to love and protect. And whatever happened, +Tess loved him!</p> + +<p>He drew her to her feet and smiled a twisted smile into the lovely face. +This day had started another epoch in their lives. She had said God +would help, and he had learned many lessons from the squatter girl. For +the first time in his life he understood something of the overwhelming +faith of Tessibel Skinner. Yes, he would be helped!</p> + +<p>The girl's next words cut off his thought.</p> + +<p>"Waldstricker said he'd hurt Boy," she said, flushing, "but, but—"</p> + +<p>"But you have faith he can't, haven't you, Tess?"</p> + +<p>"Of course!" she nodded. "I know he can't! You remember the day +Waldstricker tried to get me and you came and stopped him, how I told +you I knew he couldn't," and more softly, "do you remember what I said +when you went away that day?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed, I do, dear! I've often thought of it. 'Love is everywhere, +the hull time,'" and, he smiled.</p> + +<p>Radiantly she told him, "And, now, somehow, I know that Love will let me +be all yours some day."</p> + +<p>Young turned swiftly, and going to the door, swung out without another +word, and Tess hurried upstairs to Boy.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XLIII" id="CHAPTER_XLIII"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">271</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XLIII</h2><h3><span class="smcap">Sandy's Job</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>Tessibel Skinner's flight left Ebenezer Waldstricker and Graves together +on the ragged rocks. The bigger man turned and surveyed the other, +scorn, anger and disgust struggling for expression in his face. The +latter, paying no apparent attention to the enraged elder, leaned +against an outcropping gray rock and fixed his gaze on the lake, noting +mechanically the play of sunshine and shadow upon its dazzling bosom.</p> + +<p>Through the elder's seething mind thoughts tumbled tumultuously. Could +this moody, pale-faced man be the same nice young fellow that had +married Madelene? How had he dared to marry her, and having done so, +what had compelled him, after all this time, to acknowledge the Skinner +brat?</p> + +<p>He walked forward a step or two, coughed and began to speak. Frederick +seemed not to hear him.</p> + +<p>"I said," repeated Waldstricker, "I've discovered what I've suspected +for four years."</p> + +<p>Frederick allowed his eyes to rest an instant on his brother-in-law's +dark, passionate face. Then, again, he turned his attention to the lake.</p> + +<p>"And I don't intend to allow my sister to suffer by this," went on the +elder.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you'll tell her, won't you?" questioned the other, foreseeing +unpleasant complications and already regretting the rashness that'd +betrayed him.</p> + +<p>"She won't learn it from me," promised Ebenezer.</p> + +<p>"Nor from me," agreed Frederick. "I've no wish to have a whining woman +hanging to my neck."</p> + +<p>Waldstricker muttered an oath under his breath.</p> + +<p>"Well, of all the contemptible pups in the world!" he snorted. "Talk of +ingratitude! Here's a girl, a good girl, too, and Madelene's that—"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">272</a></span></p> + +<p>"No one said she wasn't," snapped Graves. "But her goodness doesn't keep +her from nagging, my dear Ebenezer."</p> + +<p>"Shut up!" snarled his opponent, the last atom of his patience exhausted +by the speaker's flippant criticism. "You cur, you deserve a good +thrashing, and I'm going to give it to you, now!"</p> + +<p>Jumping for him, he lifted his arm to strike, but before the mighty fist +descended, Frederick, outworn by his long walk and the excitement of the +morning, slumped upon the rocks, a limp form at his assailant's feet. +Stunned, the tall man gazed down at the crumpled figure, and +mechanically lowered his arm. Then, he stooped, examined his fallen foe +and stretched him out upon the rocks. Leaving him there, Waldstricker +hurried to the lake and filled his hat with water, and returning, bathed +the stricken man's face and neck. In a few moments, the faintness +passed, and Frederick drew himself to a sitting posture against the +rocks.</p> + +<p>"You great brute! It's like you to strike a sick man," the white lips +taunted, as soon as their owner could speak.</p> + +<p>The slurring words brought a hot blush of shame to Ebenezer's face.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry, Fred," he stammered at length. "I was so angry I must've +forgotten you're not well. I'm glad I didn't strike you. But what are we +going to do, now?... If we don't tell Madelene, how about the Skinner +girl?... Won't she make trouble for us?"</p> + +<p>"No, she won't say anything, I'm sure!" Frederick's voice was low, but +positive. "She doesn't want to have anything more to do with me. What +she said about not wanting me was true. She wouldn't stop to speak to +me, even, until I threatened to tell you.... I suppose Young's made her +so happy she's glad to forget me."</p> + +<p>"What gets me is how you and Young, decent fellows, got mixed up with +such a girl," Ebenezer growled meditatively.</p> + +<p>"If you knew Tess as I do, ... you'd understand," wailed Frederick. +"She's the dearest, bravest, sweetest girl in the world."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">273</a></span></p> + +<p>"Bosh!... Now, the question is about getting you home. My buggy's up in +the road. Do you think you can walk there?"</p> + +<p>"I guess so."</p> + +<p>With his brother-in-law's help, Frederick got to his feet. Slowly, +leaning on the big man's supporting arm, he made his way, with many +pauses for rest, to the waiting vehicle.</p> + +<p>Waldstricker put his companion into the carriage and unhitched the +horse. Instead of getting in beside him, he handed him the reins, saying +as he did so,</p> + +<p>"You can drive all right, can't you? Old Ned knows the way back and will +go home if you let him alone. I want to see Young."</p> + +<p>Before turning away, the speaker chirruped to the horse, which started +obediently up the hill toward Ithaca, drawing after him what cowardly +selfishness had left of Frederick Graves.</p> + +<p>The elder walked slowly up the path to Young's house, turning over in +his mind to what advantage he could best use his newly acquired +knowledge.</p> + +<p>Coming out of the door hurriedly, Deforrest Young met his brother-in-law +face to face as the latter rounded the corner of the house. At the sight +of this pompous person, whose meddling threatened so much trouble to his +dear ones, the indignation which Tessibel's words had in a measure +quieted, flared up anew. He wanted to fight, to pound, and if possible +to kill with his hands the man in front of him.</p> + +<p>"You'd better come no farther," he said between set teeth. "Just stay +where you are!... I shan't be responsible for my acts if you don't."</p> + +<p>"So she's told you," said Waldstricker, laughing loudly. "And it hurts, +eh? Now, you know what you're keeping?"</p> + +<p>Trembling with suppressed passion, the lawyer walked deliberately to the +steps, his face waxen-white.</p> + +<p>"I told you to come no nearer. I'd advise you to go away," said he. His +low voice, contrasting sharply with his flushed cheeks and blazing eyes, +testified eloquently of the tremendous curb imposed upon his temper.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">274</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, she told me, ..." he continued in the same tone, "and the more she +told me, the more heartily I pitied her. She told me of your threats, +too, but I want you to understand, the moment you turn your hands +against her, I'll fix you."</p> + +<p>"Don't forget my wife's your sister. I'll see our family's honor upheld +even if you've forgotten it." Waldstricker simulated a confidence he +didn't quite feel.</p> + +<p>Young's fists knotted.</p> + +<p>"You mind your business, Ebenezer, and let my house alone."</p> + +<p>Waldstricker, kicking uneasily at a stone in his path, thought a moment. +At last he looked up.</p> + +<p>"I'll let your house alone all right, if you'll get rid of that girl, +and that—"</p> + +<p>He didn't use the word he'd intended. Deforrest didn't give him time.</p> + +<p>"My house is my own," he interjected. "If you watch yours, you'll have +all you can 'tend to."</p> + +<p>"I'll go," said the big man, hoarsely, "but I don't say I won't come +again, and I warn you, as I warned that squatter girl, when the time +comes—"</p> + +<p>"Get out!" snarled Deforrest, starting down the steps, "and get quick."</p> + +<p>And the elder, not daring to stay, turned and went toward the pear +orchard. It was then, that he glanced up and saw Tessibel and her little +one at an upper window, watching with startled eyes for his departure. +The baby turned from the window and raised his arms to some one within, +and a hand below a man's rough coat sleeve clasped the boy and lifted +him up out of Waldstricker's sight.</p> + +<p>Walking along the road to Ithaca, he reviewed the exciting events of the +morning and tried to consider and determine the complications they +involved. He was unable to find a motive for Frederick's dramatic +announcement, although he did not for a moment doubt its truth. It was +queer though that, after having kept still so long, he should blurt out +his secret in that fashion. He considered his promise not to tell +Madelene and concluded he'd been wise. Probably Frederick<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">275</a></span> wouldn't live +long anyway, and in the natural course of things, Madelene would soon be +free and the Graves chapter ended. He wondered what had kept Tess silent +all these years. How had she withstood his persecution even in her +betrayer's presence and made no sign? He was glad she had, but he +couldn't understand why. Evidently the girl's disclosure to Young wasn't +going to make any difference in his brother-in-law's conduct. Suddenly, +like a bolt shot into the midst of his revery, rose the question. Whose +arm was that? Young was on the porch, the girl and the baby in plain +sight at the window. But there was some one else, a man. He had seen his +arm and coat sleeve.</p> + +<p>"That's certainly peculiar," he ruminated. "I didn't know Young had any +one else there. It may be all right, of course, but it seems mighty +suspicious."</p> + +<p>All the way home and all the evening, the thing bothered him. In every +way imaginable he tried to account for that other man in Young's house. +He canvassed the neighborhood. A chance visitor wouldn't be upstairs, +and anyhow he'd have looked out to see the row with Young. But this man +kept away from the window. He'd only shown his hand and arm. Whoever he +was, he was hiding in Young's home.</p> + +<p>Was his brother-in-law a party to it? A man couldn't be kept for any +length of time in the house without his knowing it. Young and Tess were +hiding someone! At bed time he decided that the next day he would find +out who was the other man in Young's house. It might give him a hold on +his obstreperous brother-in-law and the hateful squatter girl.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XLIV" id="CHAPTER_XLIV"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">276</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XLIV</h2><h3><span class="smcap">Sandy's Visit</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>The next day, Ebenezer Waldstricker met Lysander Letts, just back from +Auburn, loitering along Buffalo Street near the Lehigh Valley station. +The prison-pallor of the squatter's face and hands and the ill-fitting, +cheap prison clothes on his big body made him conspicuous among the men +on the street. Waldstricker pulled up his team.</p> + +<p>"Sandy," he called, "come to the office when you're uptown. I want to +see you."</p> + +<p>An hour or so later, the squatter slouched into Waldstricker's private +room.</p> + +<p>The elder rose and greeted him.</p> + +<p>"So you're out again?" The question was really a statement.</p> + +<p>"Yes," assented Letts, sitting down on the edge of the chair, "an' I +wouldn't a been if I hadn't been let out on good behavior. I made up my +mind I wouldn't stay a minute longer'n I had to."</p> + +<p>"I guess after this you won't be stealing dead bodies, will you?" asked +the rich man.</p> + +<p>"Nope, you bet I won't! I've enough of Auburn. It ain't like the Ithaca +jail!... Heard anythin' of Tess Skinner?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, she's got a boy over three years old."</p> + +<p>Lysander nodded his head slowly, as if he'd received confirmation of a +conclusion previously formed.</p> + +<p>"Thought likely," he muttered. "Where air she livin'? I met Jake Brewer +on the street an' he says she air left the shack."</p> + +<p>"So she has, but not very far away.... Letts, I want you to do something +for me. Are—or I might put it—do you still want to make up to the +Skinner girl?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">277</a></span></p> + +<p>Sandy's face grew dark with uncontrollable anger.</p> + +<p>"I want to rip the skin offen her inch by inch," he snarled.</p> + +<p>The other man gave a low, mirthless laugh. The picture of the girl he +disliked so intensely, writhing in the great hands of the brute opposite +him, appealed to the elder's sardonic humor.</p> + +<p>"That wouldn't be a bad idea," he averred. "But she's got some one who +won't see her hurt."</p> + +<p>Letts jumped up and stepped close to the desk where the other was +sitting. Here was a complication he hadn't anticipated. He moistened his +dry lips with a tobacco stained tongue and demanded,</p> + +<p>"Who air he?... Air she married?"</p> + +<p>"No, she's living in Graves' old place, the house I, now, own, with +Deforrest Young."</p> + +<p>"Ye mean, your wife's brother, the lawyer?"</p> + +<p>Waldstricker nodded.</p> + +<p>"An' ye say she air livin' with him?"</p> + +<p>"Well not exactly that, I suppose, but she's keeping house for him. +She's got her child there, too."</p> + +<p>"Has, eh?" said Sandy, dryly.</p> + +<p>A wicked look came over his face and he slouched back into his chair. +Ebenezer went to his office window and looked into the street.</p> + +<p>"Want to earn some money, Letts?" he demanded, without turning around.</p> + +<p>"You bet! Ye bet I do!"</p> + +<p>Ebenezer returned to his desk and sat down again facing his visitor.</p> + +<p>"You'll have to go about this business carefully."</p> + +<p>"Trust me," promised the squatter.</p> + +<p>"I am. There's a mystery about Young's house—I mean, there's some one +in it beside my brother-in-law, the Skinner girl, and the boy."</p> + +<p>"Who air it?" The question was no perfunctory expression of interest. +Anything relating to Tess was vitally important.</p> + +<p>"That's what I want you to find out. It's a man!"</p> + +<p>"Mebbe it's the brat's pa," offered the other.</p> + +<p>"No, it isn't, and by the way, you let up trying to find out about +that."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">278</a></span></p> + +<p>"What do ye mean?" interjected Sandy, sullenly.</p> + +<p>"I mean I want that matter dropped."</p> + +<p>Letts merely grunted, for to acquire that information was one of the +first things he intended to do, but there was no use telling the elder +so.</p> + +<p>"What ye want?" he muttered.</p> + +<p>"I'll give you a hundred dollars to find out the name of the other man +living at Young's."</p> + +<p>"Done!" cried the squatter. "Do I get any of the dough, now?"</p> + +<p>"Part of it, if you like," replied Waldstricker, slipping his hand into +his pocket. "But listen to me. You're to come directly back here and +tell me, when you find out. Discover his name, if you don't know the +man. Do you understand?"</p> + +<p>"I does that. You leave it to me. Then, I'll settle with Tess Skinner."</p> + +<p>"As you please about her," consented Waldstricker. "Go along now. I'm +busy."</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XLV" id="CHAPTER_XLV"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">279</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XLV</h2><h3><span class="smcap">Andy Vindicated</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>Lysander Letts left Waldstricker's office highly pleased. He was going +to see Tess, and he had twenty-five dollars in his pocket. In the long +hours of silent meditation in prison, he'd tried to outline that +meeting, and to figure out how he could work Waldstricker. His errand +provided for both contingencies.</p> + +<p>He swaggered along the street, bumped into people roughly, and for his +rudeness gave them oaths instead of apologies. At an inlet saloon, he +displayed his money ostentatiously, and bought many drinks for himself +and the "setters." The squatter's capacity for the Rhine whiskey had +been impaired by his imprisonment, and it was not long before he began +to feel the effects of his liquor. A full pint in his hip pocket, Sandy, +finally, broke away from his companions and started up the railroad +tracks for the Silent City. Staggering a little, he meditated with +drunken seriousness what he had done and was going to do.</p> + +<p>Famished by his detention in prison, he hungered for the sight of Tess. +All the fierce passion of his undisciplined nature clamored for her. And +when he had her, he'd carry out all the brutalities conceived in the +long nights in his cell. He'd find out the father of her boy. If that +duffer, Waldstricker, could discover it, he could. He'd make Tess tell. +He'd show Young, too. He'd get even with the lawyer for helping send him +to Auburn. His grievance grew more active every step he carried his load +of liquor through the broiling sun, the long four miles from Ithaca.</p> + +<p>"Wait till I get 'em," he muttered over and over, "I'll show 'em what's +what."</p> + +<p>Before he reached the lane leading past Young's place to the Skinner +shack, he left the tracks and climbed the fence. Throwing his legs over +the top, he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">280</a></span> sat down to enjoy the breeze which blew from the green +lake, and, vibrating the leaves and bowing the shrubs and grasses, swept +up and over the hill into the illimitable space beyond. Sandy wanted +another drink, and reached back to his hip for it. The bottle stuck in +the pocket and he jerked at it savagely. He pulled it out, but he, also, +lost his balance, and in his efforts to save himself from falling, +smashed the bottle on the top rail of the fence. The whiskey ran down to +the ground and the thirsty moss drank it up.</p> + +<p>Letts gazed at the jagged-edged glass in his hand, stupefied by the +magnitude of his calamity. Then he drew a long breath and cursed his +luck. He cursed the bottle, the fence, the whiskey, Waldstricker, who'd +sent him, and Tess and the unknown man, on whose account he'd been sent. +His maledictions included everything except his own drunken clumsiness.</p> + +<p>Bye and bye, he got down from the fence, muttering and grumbling to +himself. Cautiously, in spite of his inflamed temper, he worked his way +through the trees. There was no sign of life about the house, but large +hammocks swung in the breeze on the porch. The squatter walked around +and around, keeping far enough away so his movements could not be +noticed. He stopped under a large tree to look up at the windows +Waldstricker had described.</p> + +<p>Attracted by a sound to his right, he wheeled about and saw Tessibel +coming down the hill. His breath came sharply through his dark teeth. +Never had the girl been so desirable, and for the instant, he felt +possessed to rush upon her, to take her in his arms, to hold her close. +Then, Waldstricker came into his mind. Before he worked his will on the +squatter girl, he must find out the name of the unknown man. He had to +please the elder to get the rest of the money. But to speak to her would +be all right. He might discover something. He walked stealthily through +the trees and placed himself so that when the girl turned toward the +house, she would meet him face to face.</p> + +<p>Tess was humming happily. When her eyes rested upon Lysander Letts, she +stopped.</p> + +<p>"Hello, brat!" grinned Sandy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">281</a></span></p> + +<p>The girl didn't answer. His prison pallor fascinated her. It contrasted +so sharply with the wind-tanned brown of the swarthy skin she +remembered. All the accumulated horror of him, which had been forgotten +while he was safely restrained at Auburn, swept over her.</p> + +<p>"I said hello!" sniggered the other, once more. "Ain't ye glad to see +me?"</p> + +<p>Ignoring his question, the frightened girl assumed a haughtiness quite +unusual, and in her turn questioned coldly,</p> + +<p>"What do you want?"</p> + +<p>"What do I want?" mocked Letts, not a whit disturbed by her manner. "I +want you!"</p> + +<p>Tessibel stepped to one side, but the squatter put himself in front of +her, again.</p> + +<p>"Now none of yer foolin'," he growled, and he added to his remarks a +collection of sulphurous epithets.</p> + +<p>"Sandy," commanded the young woman, still in her grand manner, "step out +of my way! Right now! Do you hear?"</p> + +<p>Unmoved, her drunken tormentor flung up his arms, hands open in assumed +disgust.</p> + +<p>"Well, hark to the way the squatter girl's talkin', will ye?" he +sneered. "I'll take that outten ye, kid, afore I've had ye long. Where +air yer brat?"</p> + +<p>The brown eyes, responsive to his suggestion, glanced toward the house. +There was Boy coming slowly up the little path toward her. He dearly +enjoyed the rare occasions when visitors came, and his face lighted up +when he saw the man talking to his mother.</p> + +<p>"Boy, run back home," she called.</p> + +<p>Sandy made a dash down the hill toward the child, shouting curses and +commands to him.</p> + +<p>"Wait, kid! Don't ye move! I want ye."</p> + +<p>The young mother instantly flew after him. Her swift feet took her on +and on, up to and past the squatter whose speed was impaired by his +years of confinement and the whiskey he'd swallowed. Then, she flung +herself in front of the child and held out her arms.</p> + +<p>"Stop, Sandy! Wait!" she panted. "I'll talk to you. Let the baby go +home."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">282</a></span></p> + +<p>The race which had flushed the girl's cheeks and deepened her breathing, +left the fat squatter wind-broken and exhausted.</p> + +<p>"Let 'im go, then," gasped Sandy.</p> + +<p>"Go back, Boy dear," urged Tess.</p> + +<p>Boy didn't move. He seemed mesmerized by the strangely white face of the +drunken man.</p> + +<p>"Mummy, come home, too," he hesitated.</p> + +<p>"Yer mummy can't. Git out, ye beggar, afore I kick ye!" threatened +Sandy.</p> + +<p>His breathing was easier but the discomfort he felt aggravated his ugly +mood. He reached forth one of his great arms and, seizing the child by +the shoulder, threw him roughly to the ground. The little one, more +frightened than hurt, cried loudly. His shrill shriek of terror reached +the ears of the dwarf. Alarmed, Andy sprang to the window and looked +out.</p> + +<p>The scene on the lawn below petrified him. Tess was picking up the +child, and standing over her, fists doubled menacingly, was—Lysander +Letts. Andy thought the enraged squatter was going to kill her and Boy. +Wholly forgetful of his own danger, he continued to watch.</p> + +<p>His small boyish face was still at the pane, when Lysander looked up. +Andy saw the upturned glance and flung himself back out of sight. Had +Letts seen him? Impelled to look out again, he drew a long breath of +relief. Tess and the child were slowly coming, hand in hand, toward the +house, and the man they feared was making his way through the orchard.</p> + +<p>"I saw Sandy," was the dwarf's greeting. "What was he a botherin' you +about, honey?"</p> + +<p>"I thought he was going to kill Boy. But suddenly he said good-bye and +went away. Were you at the window, Andy?"</p> + +<p>"For just a minute, kid. I don't think he saw me. I heard Boy cry, an' +that's why I went."</p> + +<p>A frightened feeling took possession of the girl.</p> + +<p>"I hope he didn't see you. Did he, Andy?"</p> + +<p>"Sure not. I was watching him all the time. I dodged back before he +looked up."</p> + +<p>Tess considered the little man a minute.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">283</a></span></p> + +<p>"If you saw him look up," she argued, "maybe he saw you looking down. +Oh, I hope he didn't, but I'm afraid he did," and she sighed.</p> + +<hr class="minor" /> + +<p>Sandy Letts had recognized the dwarf. The shock of the discovery sobered +him. He couldn't bother with Tess and her brat any longer. He had +business in Ithaca! Waldstricker's five thousand dollars, so long sought +and so eagerly desired, summoned him. All the way to town, he built +castles in Spain with the money. Through every dream, like a thread of +hate, ran the purpose to get Tess, and when he had the girl, to torture +her through her child.</p> + +<p>When he arrived at Waldstricker's office, he found the elder absent. An +evil leer on his face, he swaggered up and down the street, his hands +thrust deep into his pockets.</p> + +<p>He had made the great discovery of his life. He had lined his pockets +with gold, and more than that, he had made a lifelong friend of one of +the powerful men in Ithaca.</p> + +<p>He saw Waldstricker when he turned the corner from State and made his +way down Tioga. The squatter turned into the large building, slunk in an +alcove, and waited. He heard the heavy tread of the elder on the stairs, +heard him pass and go higher up. A few minutes later, he followed.</p> + +<p>When he opened the door, Waldstricker greeted him.</p> + +<p>"Back again?"</p> + +<p>"Yep," chuckled Letts.</p> + +<p>"With news, I hope," stated the other.</p> + +<p>"Sure," replied Sandy.</p> + +<p>"Then tell me," answered Waldstricker, peremptorily. "I'm busy today."</p> + +<p>"Did ye ever hear anything of Bishop?" asked the squatter.</p> + +<p>"No, I never did."</p> + +<p>"Want to?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Air that reward up, yet?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly. But why all this talk? If you know anything speak out!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">284</a></span></p> + +<p>Sandy walked very near the rich man, lowered his voice, and said,</p> + +<p>"I found 'im, mister."</p> + +<p>Ebenezer's nose was offended by the rank odor of liquor Sandy exuded.</p> + +<p>"You're not telling me the truth," he asserted. "You've been drinking. +You're drunk now."</p> + +<p>"Yep, I air drunk some, but I air tellin' ye what's so," insisted Letts. +"Andy Bishop air the man ye saw t'other day."</p> + +<p>"In my brother-in-law's house!" gasped Waldstricker, beginning to +comprehend all that Sandy's discovery meant.</p> + +<p>"Yep, that air it," replied Sandy.</p> + +<p>"My God, oh, I thank thee!" ejaculated the elder, falling into his +chair.</p> + +<p>"How long he air been there, I don't know," continued Sandy.</p> + +<p>"And that doesn't matter.... Now, then, to get him back to Auburn. I +want it fixed to hustle him there quick, so Young can't put a stay on +the proceedings."</p> + +<p>Breathing hard, he took out his watch.</p> + +<p>"It's half past four. Do those people have the least idea you saw +Bishop?"</p> + +<p>"Nope, but I saw 'im all right," said Letts, an expression of satisfied +malice animating his ugly white face. "Maybe we can't make it hot for +that dum lawyer who air got my girl, now."</p> + +<p>Towering over Waldstricker's desire to lock up his father's murderer, +was the wish to get even with Deforrest Young and Tessibel Skinner. If +they'd had the dwarf all this time, they were all in his power. Now, he +would wring their hearts! He'd show them no mercy.</p> + +<p>"We'll even up some old scores, eh, Sandy?" he agreed.... "You get sober +and be here tomorrow morning at nine o'clock, sober—cold sober, +understand?"</p> + +<p>"Sure, Mr. Waldstricker, sure, I get ye. I ain't tight now, not real +soused."</p> + +<p>Moving to the door, he stopped. "But I air not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">285</a></span> goin' to swig any more +booze till we gets Andy Bishop an' I finger that reward."</p> + +<p>More intoxicated by his dreams of affluence than by the liquor he'd had, +the pale-faced graduate of Auburn swung out of the room and clattered +down the stairs.</p> + +<p>After Waldstricker'd written and despatched a letter and a telegram, he +closed the office and went home.</p> + +<p>Helen met him smilingly.</p> + +<p>"Elsie's asleep," she announced, taking his hat.</p> + +<p>He snatched it from her slender fingers, and his wife moved back. She +looked more closely into his face and the exaltation shining in his eyes +frightened her.</p> + +<p>She followed him into the drawing room and closed the door. Patiently, +she waited until her husband had thrown himself into a chair and was +looking at her.</p> + +<p>"What is it, dear?" she murmured.</p> + +<p>"I have your brother just where I want him," fell from his lips.</p> + +<p>"Now, what's Deforrest done to displease you?"</p> + +<p>"I've found Andy Bishop in his house!"</p> + +<p>The woman couldn't believe her ears. It could not be! She mustn't take +him seriously.</p> + +<p>"Oh, how perfectly ridiculous!" she said, relieved.</p> + +<p>"It's true enough," replied Ebenezer, getting up. "There's no doubt +about it, and the prison yawns for him and for that Skinner girl, +too.... No! no!... You needn't beg for 'em. I won't hear it!... They've +done enough to me.... Now, it's my turn!"</p> + +<p>"Ebenezer," gasped Helen, "don't do anything you'll be sorry for. If +Forrie has had the dwarf there, let him tell you why. If you put him in +prison for it, I couldn't—I couldn't live with you!... Can't you +understand that?"</p> + +<p>"As you please, madam. I shall do my duty, even if the criminal is your +brother."</p> + +<p>"But you couldn't get along without Elsie and me."</p> + +<p>She was very near him now, having taken little steps while she was +speaking.</p> + +<p>"Without Elsie!" he mocked. "I don't have to live without Elsie. You can +do as you please, but my daughter stays with me, and your brother, my +dear, and the woman he's living with—go to jail."</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XLVI" id="CHAPTER_XLVI"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">286</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XLVI</h2><h3><span class="smcap">Sandy's Courting</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>Sitting on the porch late that afternoon, Professor Young heard from +Tess of the coming of Sandy Letts.</p> + +<p>"And, Uncle Forrie," she continued. "I can't understand why he went away +so quickly."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he thought I was around somewhere."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps," meditated Tess. "But I don't think so. You see, Andy was +looking out of the window. Oh, dear, I've told him not to, but he's +always trying to see what Boy's doing. You don't think Sandy saw him, do +you?"</p> + +<p>The unpleasant consequences of Andy's discovery rushed through the +lawyer's mind. To be sure, he'd lived with this possibility ever since +he'd brought the squatters from the shack, but the lapse of time had +developed a sense of security which the girl's question rudely +shattered.</p> + +<p>"I hope not. What time did you say that Letts was here?"</p> + +<p>"About dinner time," said Tess.</p> + +<p>"Well, now it's after five. If he'd seen him, they'd have been back +before this. What does Bishop think about it?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Andy's quite sure Sandy didn't see him, ..." Tess explained, +shaking her head.</p> + +<p>"Anyhow, it's no use to worry, honey," smiled Young.</p> + +<hr class="minor" /> + +<p>The next morning three men in a wagon passed the Kennedy farm. Ebenezer +Waldstricker was driving and beside him sat Lysander Letts. Alone on the +back seat sprawled the big sheriff, a half-smoked cigar between his +teeth.</p> + +<p>When they reached Young's barn, they left their rig and walked quietly +toward the house.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">287</a></span></p> + +<p>"You don't want to give 'em any chance to get the dwarf out of the way, +sir," said the sheriff. "We'd better get in without their knowing we're +here."</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed Waldstricker.</p> + +<p>They'd rounded the porch and were in the living room before Deforrest +Young and Tessibel Skinner were aware of their coming. The officer held +a revolver in his hand. Leering triumphantly, Waldstricker spoke to +Young.</p> + +<p>"We want Andy Bishop."</p> + +<p>The lawyer turned to the sheriff.</p> + +<p>"Put up your gun, Brown, you won't need it," he ejaculated. "Here, +child," to Tessibel, who had risen from her chair and started for the +stairs. "Wait a minute. Sit down."</p> + +<p>Tess sank into a chair, white-lipped and silent.</p> + +<p>"I suppose there's no use trying to hide him any longer?" continued +Deforrest, turning back to the officer.</p> + +<p>"No, I reckon not, Mr. Young.... Where's the dwarf, Professor?"</p> + +<p>"Upstairs. I'll call him," replied the lawyer.... Then glancing at the +girl, "You go and get him, Tess."</p> + +<p>"Let me git 'im, sheriff," Sandy thrust in. "I'd like the job, sir. Eh?"</p> + +<p>"Mebbe I better myself. It's my duty to take him."</p> + +<p>Tess smiled at the speaker and getting up moved a step toward him.</p> + +<p>"Let me bring 'im, sir," she entreated. "I'll get 'im. Please let me!"</p> + +<p>Charmed by her beauty and the sweetness of her voice, the sheriff +glanced doubtfully from the frowning elder to the lawyer.</p> + +<p>"Mebbe it isn't quite regular, but if Mr. Young says it'll be alright, +I'm willing," he decided finally.</p> + +<p>Young nodded, and Tess rose and started toward the stairs. Passing Sandy +and Waldstricker, she had to draw aside her skirts to avoid touching +them.</p> + +<p>The dwarf, seated on the floor beside Boy, was mending a train of cars +when Tessibel's white face appeared at the door.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">288</a></span></p> + +<p>"Andy," she said, trying to speak calmly. "Remember about the hands +stronger'n Waldstricker's? Nobody can hurt you. But—but—"</p> + +<p>At her hesitation the little man scrambled to his feet. He'd heard men's +voices from the room below but had paid no particular attention. Now, he +knew the long-dreaded calamity'd happened. He looked pitifully up at the +speaker.</p> + +<p>"They've come for me?" he gasped.</p> + +<p>"Yes, dear, and you must go. But remember all the time, God's hands're +stronger'n Waldstricker's," repeated Tess. "Nothing can hurt you.... +Come, dear."</p> + +<p>A few moments later, the three of them entered the living room, but +stopped short at the sound of the elder's angry voice.</p> + +<p>"I'll send you and your squatter woman to Auburn with him, if you don't +look out," he said.</p> + +<p>"Do what you please," snapped the lawyer.</p> + +<p>Holding the dwarf's hand, Tess went directly to the sheriff.</p> + +<p>"Here's Andy, sir," she faltered. "Be awful kind to him, please, sir. +He's so little!"</p> + +<p>Still dry-eyed and showing a quiet dignity, she stepped to Young's side +while the sheriff adjusted the handcuffs to himself and to Andy and led +him out into the sunshine.</p> + +<p>At the door, Waldstricker allowed Letts to precede him, then turned.</p> + +<p>Shaking his fist, he threatened, "I'll get you two, next."</p> + +<p>"Very well," Young answered. "Do anything you like, only get out ... +now."</p> + +<p>The sound of retreating footsteps had hardly died away when Tess dropped +into a chair and began to cry, the baby wailing in sympathy. Deforrest +put his hands on her shoulders.</p> + +<p>"There, there, Tess, you musn't do that! Dress yourself and Boy quickly. +We're going to Auburn, too."</p> + +<hr class="minor" /> + +<p>The gates of Auburn Prison swung slowly back and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">289</a></span> admitted a party of +six people and, clanging, closed together again. Large-eyed with wonder, +Boy clung to Professor Young's right hand, at whose other side walked +Tessibel Skinner. In front of them between two officers was little Andy. +Once, Tess caught his eyes and smiled at him. Both were certain that +somewhere up and beyond were the hands stronger'n Waldstricker's, but +they'd hoped those pitying hands would have lifted them up before this. +Still they clung to their faith and all the long ride from Ithaca had +bolstered each other up with wan smiles and comforting promises.</p> + +<p>The business in the warden's office was simple and quickly dispatched. +Once in the room, Andy was permitted to stand with his friends. The +officers made their report and the clerk wrote some entries in his books +and gave them a receipt. Then, he rang a bell.</p> + +<p>Professor Young was talking to the warden when a guard came through the +iron door from the interior of the prison.</p> + +<p>"Take Bishop in," the clerk directed briefly, without looking up from +his books.</p> + +<p>Andy turned to Professor Young, took his hand and tried to stammer out +some words of gratitude.</p> + +<p>"There, there, old man, brace up!" said the lawyer, patting him on the +shoulder. "Hope it won't be for long!... Here, Boy, say good-bye to +Andy."</p> + +<p>Troubled, the baby clung to his friend.</p> + +<p>"I don't want Andy to go. I want 'im to come home," insisted the child.</p> + +<p>Kissing the little fellow passionately, the dwarf gave him to Deforrest +and turned to Tessibel. She took his hands firmly in her strong ones and +looked earnestly into his face.</p> + +<p>"Remember the hands stronger'n Waldstricker's," she whispered. "They'll +bring you right back home, dear. They did Daddy Skinner, Andy, darling."</p> + +<p>Shaken by suppressed emotion, the little man sank to the floor.</p> + +<p>"Oh, God help me to come back to ye!" he moaned dully.... "God help me!"</p> + +<p>A moment, Tess fought the uprushing tears.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">290</a></span></p> + +<p>"You are coming back, Andy, remember that," she said quickly. Then, she +lifted her friend to his feet and kissed him.</p> + +<p>"Here, sir," she said to the officer, "take him!"</p> + +<p>Infected by Tessibel's faith, Andy ceased to weep. He flashed a last +loving glance at her and the boy, and preceded the guard through the +iron door into the prison.</p> + +<hr class="minor" /> + +<p>Some time later, after what seemed an eternity of waiting, the warden +came to Professor Young.</p> + +<p>"The lady can see Bennet now," he said.</p> + +<p>Silently, an attendant conducted Tessibel through the long stone +corridors to the prison hospital.</p> + +<p>As she passed, eager eyes watched her from the rows of cots against the +wall. She was piloted to a bed near the end of the room.</p> + +<p>"Here's your company, Bennet," said the officer.</p> + +<p>The figure on the bed turned and pain-ridden eyes peered up. Tess felt +her throat throb with sympathy.</p> + +<p>"What do ye want, miss?" growled a weak voice.</p> + +<p>Tess smiled and bent over the bed. "I want to talk to you," she said. +"May I?"</p> + +<p>Bennet's face softened immediately. He thought a beautiful angel had +dropped from Heaven to the side of his prison bed.</p> + +<p>"Yep," he whispered, blinking at her. "There air somethin' under the bed +to set on, ma'am."</p> + +<p>Drawing forth a stool, Tess raised the lowered back and sat down.</p> + +<p>In the presence of such misery, she had almost forgotten her little +friend in the cell outside. Just then, she wanted to comfort Owen +Bennet, to say something which would take away that writhing expression +of suffering.</p> + +<p>"You're very sick," she murmured. "Poor man, I'm sorry!"</p> + +<p>Bennet kept his watery eyes on the pleading young face.</p> + +<p>"Yep, I'm sick enough," he muttered.</p> + +<p>"What can I do for you?" asked Tess. "Can't I do anything to make you +feel easier?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">291</a></span></p> + +<p>"Nope," was the answer. "I'll be dead, soon. Mebbe, I'll get out time +nuff to die."</p> + +<p>Then, Tessibel <i>did</i> forget Andy. And, even, Deforrest and the baby left +her mind. She stretched forth her hand and touched the man's arm.</p> + +<p>"Would you like me to sing to you, a little?"</p> + +<p>Bennet bobbed his head.</p> + +<p>"I like singin'," he mumbled.</p> + +<p>In a low voice, Tessibel began to sing; nor did she take her hand from +the thin arm lying inertly on the sheet.</p> + +<p style="margin-left: 5em;"> +"Rescue the Perishin';<br /> +Care for the Dyin'."<br /> +</p> + +<p>came forth like the chanting of the chimes.</p> + +<p>When the words, "Jesus is merciful," followed, Bennet put up his hand +and touched the girl's fingers. Tessibel closed her own over his. There +was no thought then of her errand, no remembrance that the man before +her was a murderer and had sworn his crime on little Andy.</p> + +<p>"Jesus is merciful, Jesus is kind," sang Tess, and Bennet began to cry +in low sobs that made the singer finish her song in tears.</p> + +<p>"Oh, He <i>is</i> kind," she whispered. "He is merciful. Won't you believe +that?"</p> + +<p>"Sing it again," entreated Bennet, huskily.... "Sing it again, will ye?"</p> + +<p>Tess scarcely heard the words they were so low, so sobbingly spoken. She +cleared the tears from her voice, and "Rescue the Perishin'," and "Jesus +is kind," echoed once more through the long room. From here and there, +suppressed weeping came to the girl's ear; but she did not turn to look +at the weepers. Here, before her, was a man who was watching as Daddy +Skinner had watched the slowly opening gates of eternal life, through +which he must pass, alone and afraid. Ah, if she could make him less so! +If she could give him a little faith to grope on and on and up and up +into the freedom of the life beyond.</p> + +<p>Bennet's hand was clasped in Tessibel's; the other covered his eyes.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, he dropped his fingers.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">292</a></span></p> + +<p>"Ye say he's kind?" he gasped. "Jesus air kind, ye say?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes," breathed Tess.</p> + +<p>"But I air such a wicked man, awful wicked. I've done things God'll +never forgive."</p> + +<p>"But he will," murmured Tess. "Don't you remember what I sang?" and +again,</p> + +<p>"Jesus is merciful," brought a fresh rush of tears from the dying +squatter.</p> + +<p>A hoarse rattle sounded, suddenly, in his throat.</p> + +<p>"Be ye knowin' Andy Bishop, missy?" he muttered, when he could speak.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Tessibel, aghast. She'd forgotten Andy!</p> + +<p>"Yes!" she said again, almost in a query.</p> + +<p>"He were up here five years ... innercent," wailed Bennet, "an' they +just telled me he air been brought back again for shootin' Waldstricker. +I were glad at first, but, now, I—"</p> + +<p>He coughed spasmodically, and Tessibel closed her fingers more tightly +over the thin hand.</p> + +<p>"Tell me about it," she implored. "Don't you want to?"</p> + +<p>"Yep, an' I air wantin' to write it.... Bring a paper." Bennet gave the +last order to the silent attendant. The latter left the room but almost +immediately returned with the warden. Tess relinquished the stool and +stood near the head of the bed. In silence the officer wrote the story +Bennet told them.</p> + +<p>"It were like this," he stumbled. "Andy didn't have nothin' to do with +shootin' Waldstricker. He were a tryin' to stop me from doin' it.... I +done it!... Let Andy go!... Don't keep him in the coop."</p> + +<p>The sunken eyes closed wearily.</p> + +<p>"Sing about Him bein' kind, miss," he whispered.</p> + +<p>Low, solemn and beautiful, the sweet soprano brought him back from the +brink of the grave.</p> + +<p>Leaning over him, Tess whispered, "Jesus is always kind."</p> + +<p>"I done the murder," repeated Bennet. "Let Andy go, and tell 'im I'm +sorry.... Here, let me write my name to the paper."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">293</a></span></p> + +<p>It took many efforts for the cramped fingers to scrawl the words, but +"Owen Bennet" was legibly written when the man dropped back, exhausted.</p> + +<p>The warden folded the paper and, smiling, put it into his pocket.</p> + +<p>"I've always believed he did it, Miss Skinner," he confided to Tess. +"Now, come away."</p> + +<p>Bennet's ears caught the last words. In dying effort, he lifted an +imploring hand.</p> + +<p>"Don't go, lady!" he mourned. "Stay a minute!... I air a needin' ye.... +I air afraid, so awful alone!"</p> + +<p>Tess spoke to the warden.</p> + +<p>"Tell Mr. Young I'm staying for a while," said she, "and will you please +let Andy know about it?" And she sat down again.</p> + +<p>Through the rest of the afternoon, until the long shadows of Auburn +Prison were lost in the gathering gloom, Tessibel sat beside the dying +man. Sometimes, she whispered to him, sometimes, she sang very softly, +and, when Deforrest Young and the warden came through the hospital ward +to her side, Tessibel had piloted Owen Bennet through the darkness into +a marvelous light.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XLVII." id="CHAPTER_XLVII."></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">294</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XLVII.</h2><h3><span class="smcap">Waldstricker's Anger</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>Lysander Letts wanted to get married and settle down in a home of his +own. He had received and banked the five thousand dollars for +discovering the dwarf, and was, now, looking forward confidently to his +marriage with Tessibel Skinner. He was quite sure his wealth would +overcome the objections the squatter girl had hitherto opposed to his +suit.</p> + +<p>He grew quite sentimental thinking of her. He'd buy a real house, and +put some fancy furniture in it, plush sofas in the parlor and lace +curtains at the windows,—not any squatter's shack or pecking-box hut on +the Rhine for him. His face darkened at a disturbing thought. He'd make +the girl give up that kid! He wouldn't tolerate another man's brat in +his home. But Lysander had a wholesome fear of Deforrest Young, and he +didn't venture down the lake until the second day after he'd heard Tess +had returned from Auburn.</p> + +<p>On his way along the railroad tracks, he concluded he'd better go to +Brewer's and find out just how the land lay. The talk in the Rhine +saloons, the night before, had been that the dwarf'd returned from +Auburn, pardoned. He wanted to know the details, and was sure Jake +Brewer would be able to tell him. He passed through the woods and +scrambled down the steps the fisherman had cut roughly in the cliff +side. Mrs. Brewer answered his knock and invited him into the house. +Recognizing Sandy's voice, Jake shouted from the back room:</p> + +<p>"Heard about Andy Bishop gettin' free?"</p> + +<p>When Brewer came into the kitchen a moment later, Letts had taken a +seat. Beside him on the floor lay a large tissue-wrapped package and in +his hands he held a shiny new hat.</p> + +<p>"Sure, I've heard he's back," he grinned, brushing a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">295</a></span> little +flower-pollen from a very loud trouser leg. "How'd it happen?"</p> + +<p>Sandy handed Brewer a cigar and stuck one, jauntily, in his own mouth.</p> + +<p>"Smoke that, while ye're tellin' me 'bout Andy," he suggested. "It air +the best money'd buy."</p> + +<p>When the cigars were burning satisfactorily, Brewer sat down on the +doorstep and cleared his throat loudly. His news was the biggest thing +that'd happened in the Silent City since Orn Skinner escaped the rope. +Glad of another opportunity to recount the story of the dwarf's +liberation, he began:</p> + +<p>"Well, ye see, Sandy, in the first place, yer tellin' old Eb, an' +gettin' the little feller sent back to Auburn air the best thing ever +happened to the kid. Tess and the Professor went with 'im. When they got +to the prison, Owen Bennet were dyin' in the horspitle. The brat seen +'im, an' sung to 'im an' talked to 'im, an' he confessed; said Andy +didn't do the shootin' but was tryin' to stop it, just as the kid allers +claimed."</p> + +<p>"Yep," interrupted Letts, earnestly. "That air the way it were."</p> + +<p>Jake nodded and continued:</p> + +<p>"Sure, Sandy, us-uns all knowed ye swore false on the trial.... Well, +next day, Young an' the brat went to Albany to see the guvener."</p> + +<p>The ex-convict's eyes widened at the thought of the squatter girl in +such august company.</p> + +<p>"He were fine to Tess. Seemed kind a stuck on her, the Professor says. +The brat told 'im all about how she'd looked after Andy, an' how he were +in prison five years innercent, an' then, he give 'er a free pardon for +'im. Day before yesterday, they brought 'im home. Some happy they air, I +tell ye!"</p> + +<p>"Well," commented Sandy, "I air glad he's out. I never did feel jest +right 'bout his bein' shet up, but I were needin' the money."</p> + +<p>Jake rose, and coming into the room, took up a broken fishing tackle and +sat down again.</p> + +<p>"That ain't all the news, nuther, Sandy. While the Professor was to +Auburn, some skunks tore down old Moll's shack. She come down here in +the rain madder'n<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">296</a></span> a settin' hen. The old woman's going to stay with +us-uns."</p> + +<p>"It air a fine thing fer old Moll," added Mrs. Brewer. "I been thinkin' +fer a long time as how she were too far 'long in years to be alone in +the shanty."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Sandy. "I'm glad to hear it."</p> + +<p>"What air ye doin' down here, Sandy?" inquired Mrs. Brewer.</p> + +<p>"Me? oh, me!" He paused to choose his words. "I got some news for you +folks. I air goin' to get married."</p> + +<p>"Air that why ye're all togged up?" Jake queried. "Gosh, but ye air some +beau, Sandy.... Ain't he, ma?"</p> + +<p>"Yep, I air on my way to get my girl. I been waitin' over three years +for this here day, an' now—I air got flowers in this bundle."</p> + +<p>"Who ye goin' to marry, Sandy?" demanded Mrs. Brewer.</p> + +<p>Letts grinned again, straightened his shoulders pompously, and lined his +feet together on a crack in the floor.</p> + +<p>"Tess Skinner," he answered, looking from the man to the woman.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Brewer dropped on a stool, and her husband's jaws fell apart in +astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Tess Skinner?" he repeated dully. "Pretty little Tess Skinner?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I swan!" gasped the squatter woman. "Did she say she'd have ye, +Sandy?"</p> + +<p>"Well, it air like this. I been askin' 'er to marry me ever since she +were sixteen year old, but she wouldn't while her daddy were alive. Then +once she says to me, 'Sandy, you go git Andy Bishop an' git that five +thousand, an' come back here.' Now I got the cash. I air a goin' to git +the girl."</p> + +<p>"Mebbe she's foolin' ye," suggested Brewer. "Ye see, she had the dwarf +the hull time! Looks to me as if she'd put one over on ye."</p> + +<p>"She'd better not try anythin' on me," returned Letts, snapping his +teeth.</p> + +<p>"I heard 'er tell ye once," put in Brewer, "she wouldn't marry ye ... +the day ye shot yer leg up."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">297</a></span></p> + +<p>Sandy cocked the new hat on the side of his head, picked up his bundle, +and went to the open door.</p> + +<p>"I'd a had 'er afore now if ye'd kept yer hands to hum, Jake," he +stated. "But I ain't holdin' up anythin' against ye for what ye done. +Now I got money, Tess'll be all the gladder. I air goin' to take 'er +over to Seneca Lake. I got a job on there. Good-bye, folks. Mebbe me an' +my woman'll drop in an' see ye some day."</p> + +<p>The husband and wife watched the big squatter going down the rock path, +the tissue-wrapped flowers in his hand, then looked at each other and +laughed in perfect comprehension.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if he gets 'er," chuckled Mrs. Brewer.</p> + +<p>"I'll bet a bullhead he don't," grinned Jake.</p> + +<hr class="minor" /> + +<p>Sandy Letts wasn't anxious to meet Deforrest Young, but just how to +avoid it he hadn't figured out. It took him a long time to consider just +what was best to do. Perhaps the lawyer had gone to Ithaca. He hoped so. +At any rate, he could go to the house and if the professor were there +he'd give the flowers to Tess, and if he had to, come another day when +she was alone.</p> + +<p>Strutting along, supported by his fine clothes, and the consciousness of +doing the right thing in the right way, the newly-rich man walked up the +path to Young's house and ascended the steps quietly. The door stood +open. Without knocking, he stepped across the threshold into the sitting +room.</p> + +<p>Tessibel was working at a little table, cutting out a blouse for Boy. +She looked up, and recognizing her visitor, got quickly to her feet.</p> + +<p>"Hello, Tess," said Sandy, coming forward a little. "Nice day, ain't +it?"</p> + +<p>Tessibel's fear of him since his roughness to Boy was very active. She +had suffered in anticipation, for he'd threatened to come again, and she +knew he would. Now he was here she didn't know what to do. Deforrest +wasn't home and Andy was out with Boy.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's a nice day," she assented.</p> + +<p>"Ain't ye goin' to ask me to set down?" demanded Sandy, at the same time +helping himself to a rocking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">298</a></span> chair. "I brought ye somethin', brat." He +unwrapped the bundle and took out a huge bunch of flowers.</p> + +<p>"Ye want to nurse 'em a long time, 'cause they cost money, them flowers +did. They ain't no wild posies!"</p> + +<p>"They're awful pretty," she thanked him. "I'll put them in water right +away."</p> + +<p>While she was arranging the flowers, Sandy got up.</p> + +<p>"How do ye like my new togs, kid?" he asked, pivoting around and around +on one heel.</p> + +<p>"You look very nice," replied Tessibel, gathering courage from his good +nature.</p> + +<p>"Ye bet I do," grinned Letts. "I air some guy when I air all flashed out +in new things. Got all this with Waldstricker's money. Lord, brat—" +Here the man reseated himself. "Ye ought to hear that bloke bluster when +he found out ye'd got Andy back. Now for me—I were glad, for I knowed +all along the dwarf didn't kill Eb's daddy. But in this world I find ye +got to look out for yerself first. That air how I got the five +thousand."</p> + +<p>"I see!" flared Tess, her disapproval of his spying getting the better +of her fear. "But your blood money won't do you any good."</p> + +<p>"Won't do me no good? My five thousand won't do me no good? What do ye +mean, brat? 'Course it'll do me lots of good. I air a rich man, I air. +It's goin' to buy us a real home, kid, frame house with plastered walls +an' shingled roof, painted red an' yeller. All what I want now air my +woman, an' I've come fer ye, Tess."</p> + +<p>The girl's heart sank. She glanced about helplessly. What could she say +or do? There was no other human being within call. In hasty +retrospection, her mind swept back to Ben Letts. She shuddered as she +remembered the many times he'd made the same demand upon her. And then, +she as suddenly remembered how, during those days, she had been saved +from men like Ben and Sandy, and courage came again in response to her +silent call for help.</p> + +<p>"Ye heard what I said, brat, didn't ye?" demanded Sandy, leaning back +and throwing one leg over the other. "I air here fer ye."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I heard."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">299</a></span></p> + +<p>"An' ye're comin', ain't ye, kid?" ... His voice was deep and persuasive +by reason of the passion that surged through him.... "I air a little +sorry fer bein' mean to ye afore, brat, an' now I air rich ye can +forgive it, can't ye?"</p> + +<p>He bent forward and held out his heavy hands, palms up, ingratiatingly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I forgive you, Sandy, certainly. But—but—"</p> + +<p>"Now, there ain't no 'buts' in this matter, kid! Ye said as how ye'd +marry me when I got Andy's reward money. Now I got it ye got to keep yer +word."</p> + +<p>Tessibel shook her head.</p> + +<p>"I didn't say I'd marry you," she answered. "I said, away back there, +when I was only a little kid, you could come back and ask me again. But +I'm a woman, now, and I'm never going to marry anyone."</p> + +<p>The squatter leaned his elbows on his knees, cupped his white face in +his hands, and glared at the girl steadily.</p> + +<p>"Ye're goin' to git married to me today," he growled. "Ye can't play +fast and loose with me, kid, an' don't ye think ye can, uther. Get on +yer togs. I air goin' to give ye the time of yer life."</p> + +<p>Tessibel stood very still. She could hear plainly, through the silence, +the lap of the waves on the shore below, and the soft chug-chug of a +lake steamer. A bee flew in at the door, lighted on the lace curtain and +clung there, making sprawly motions with his thread-like legs. She +remembered without effort the day the squatter alluded to—remembered +also Daddy Skinner's telling him to go. Perhaps he <i>had</i> thought she +meant to marry him if he were rich.</p> + +<p>"Sandy," she said, dragging her eyes to the man's face. "When I tell you +I can't marry you, I mean it. Please don't ask me any more.... Would you +like a piece of cake?"</p> + +<p>"Cake?..." snarled Letts. "Hell! What do I want with cake? No, ma'am, I +don't want no cake nor nothin' but you, an' I air goin' to have ye, +too!"</p> + +<p>He got up slowly, as if to make more effective his menacing words.</p> + +<p>"If ye put on yer things like I says," he continued,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">300</a></span> "there won't be no +trouble, brat. But if ye don't—" he moved toward her, "ye'll wish ye +had."</p> + +<p>To this Tessibel couldn't reply. Insistent, in her panting heart, was a +constant call for rescue. She looked steadily at Lysander and he glared +back at her.</p> + +<p>"Tess," he threatened, "ye know me well 'nough not to come any monkey +shines on me. I says again, get yer hat, fer I'm goin' to take ye one +way or t'other."</p> + +<p>"I told you I couldn't," she answered. "I'm not any longer a little +girl. I've got to work. I want to learn things and take care of my +baby."</p> + +<p>She couldn't have said anything that would have fired the squatter's +rage any quicker. Her baby! What did he care about the brat?</p> + +<p>"Ye don't have to work no more fer Young," he retorted. "I ain't goin' +to have my woman keepin' house fer no professor, an' ye can make up yer +mind to it 'out no further clack." In one bound, Sandy rounded the +table. "If ye won't do what I tell ye, then, I'll make ye wish ye had. +Ye throwed up at me once, ye brat, ye, I never had no kisses from ye! +After today ye won't be able to say that."</p> + +<p>A strong hand shot out, guided by a powerful arm. Fingers clutched for +her, but Tess, eluding them, slipped to the window.</p> + +<p>"Sandy!" she implored. "Sandy, don't touch me, don't! Wait!"</p> + +<p>"I won't wait," snarled Letts. "I air waited years an' years, an' I +won't wait no longer."</p> + +<p>At that moment there seemed no escape for the girl, who was holding out +her hands to keep off the brute facing her. The very quiet of the day, +the singing of the birds, and the shrill chirping of the crickets, only +added to her sense of isolation. She glanced hopelessly from the huge +squatter out into the summer air.</p> + +<p>"Ye can't get no help," said Sandy. "Ye might's well give up!... God, +ye're all the sweeter fer havin' to fight like I been doin'!"</p> + +<p>By a motion, extraordinarily quick for so big a man, he clutched her +bodily, and dragged her to him. She lowered her face against his chest +and buried it under her curls.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">301</a></span></p> + +<p>"I air goin' to kiss ye, my pretty wench," muttered Letts. "Gimme yer +lips, gimme—"</p> + +<p>In the scuffle neither heard the step on the porch and neither saw the +tall form loom in the doorway. Sandy wrenched at the red hair, drawing +Tessibel's face upward. Then Deforrest Young grappled with him, and in +the one blow he landed under the squatter's chin, the angry lawyer +concentrated the vim of years of exasperated waiting. Sandy slumped to +the floor. Kneeling beside him, Young's leg pressed against something +round and hard in Letts' pocket.</p> + +<p>A quick investigation brought forth a small revolver.</p> + +<p>"Are you hurt, child?" he inquired, getting up. "Did he hurt you?"</p> + +<p>"Not a bit, Uncle Forrie, but he scared me awful."</p> + +<p>The prostrate man groaned, moved his limbs and sat up, slowly. He +glanced around as though trying to figure out what'd happened. The sight +of Young, holding the gun Waldstricker's money bought, told Sandy the +whole story of his downfall.</p> + +<p>"Get up, Letts, and get out of here quick!" Young ordered, prodding him +with his foot.</p> + +<p>Sandy scrambled to his feet unsteadily.</p> + +<p>"Now, take your hat and get out," said Young, "and don't stay in Ithaca, +or I'll have you locked up again."</p> + +<p>Sandy didn't wait for any further advice. He grabbed his hat and flung +out of the door. Deforrest followed him down through the pear orchard to +the lane, and there he stood for a long time watching the ex-convict +struggle up the hill to the railroad tracks.</p> + +<p>When he returned to Tess he found her leaning on the table, her face +buried in her hands. She did not lift her head, nor make a move at +Deforrest's entrance.</p> + +<p>"Child," he said, taking a chair at her side, "Letts won't bother you +any more. If he doesn't go away, I shall have him arrested tomorrow.... +I won't have you insulted like this.... And, dear, I believe I'd better +send you and the boy away for a spell. A change will do you both good."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, do!" pleaded Tess. She snatched his hand and pressed it to +her cheek hysterically. "Let me go somewhere, please!"</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XLVIII." id="CHAPTER_XLVIII."></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">302</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XLVIII.</h2><h3><span class="smcap">The Sins of the Parents</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>A few days after Sandy's tempestuous courting, Tessibel Skinner and her +son left Ithaca to spend the remaining part of the summer in the North +Woods. In September Young joined them for a few days and then brought +them back to the hillside above Cayuga Lake.</p> + +<p>Later in the fall, when the cold winds and driving rains of the lake +began to find out the cracks in the shanties, Tessibel asked, and the +lawyer consented, that old Mother Moll come from Brewer's to them. Tess +gave her one of Andy's rooms. The dwarf had entered a school on College +Hill and lived in the city most of the time, but was home now for the +Christmas vacation.</p> + +<p>The day after his return dawned bright and cold—one of those beautiful +winter days occasionally seen in the Storm Country. Heavy snows had +already fallen and made certain a white Christmas. Andy was helping +Tessibel in order that she might have time to complete her Yuletide +preparations. She'd filled her son's heart with delightful anticipations +of the holiday, now but a few days distant, and he was eagerly looking +forward to the Santa Claus who came to visit good little boys and fill +their stockings with goodies.</p> + +<p>At the north of the house Deforrest had made a little snow-hill for Boy. +Many a happy hour the little fellow spent upon it with his sled. Oftimes +his mother joined him in the sport, and the joyous laughter of the two +children of nature rose high and clear in the winter air.</p> + +<p>The morning's work finished, Tessibel wrapped up Boy and sent him out to +play. She stood for some moments on the porch watching the sturdy little +figure arrange the sled at the top of the hill.</p> + +<p>How she loved him, and how good he was! Never since the day of his birth +had he given her one sorrowful moment. She turned her eyes from Boy to +the lake,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">303</a></span> and allowed them to rest upon the shanty near the shore. A +disturbing thought pressed into her mind. They would not be long there +now.</p> + +<p>Deforrest had told her that his lease of the house expired the first of +January, and Waldstricker had refused to renew it. If they moved away, +she'd be lonely for the sight of her old friends and all the dear, +familiar things that had met her eyes every day since she could +remember.</p> + +<p>She hoped her new home might be in the Storm Country. She loved the lake +in its every mood. Dark and sullen, visitors had called it. But she'd +seen it on summer days, a band of burnished blue cementing the harmonies +of greens and browns into a picture of perfect beauty. She knew its +deep, brooding peace when the light was fading and the evening breeze +gently ruffled its surface. She'd skated over its shining bosom in the +blinding glare of the unclouded sun and in the soft radiance of the +shadow-filled moonlight. She knew the soft spots in the ice caused by +flowing springs in the lake-bottom and had drunk their pure, cold water. +Her lifelong intimacy had wooed from rockbound lake its inmost secrets. +Today the water lay a gleaming jewel, huge by contrast to the myriad +sparkles the sunbeams pricked out of the snow. She looked across to East +Hill at the frosty veil of a ravine waterfall and sighed.</p> + +<p>At a shout from Boy, she went to the far edge of the porch to watch him +slide swiftly through the pear orchard toward the lane. Glancing along +the line of his flight, she saw Waldstricker on his horse directly in +Boy's path. Fear and horror held her dumb and motionless. Evidently the +rider hadn't seen the swift-coming sled—but the horse had.</p> + +<p>He reared and attempted to turn. At that point the ditches were deep and +the rounded crown of the road covered with ice. The animal slipped and +fell. At the proper moment the horseman jumped off and pulled the bridle +rein over his mount's head.</p> + +<p>Her muscles taut with fright, Tess jumped from the porch and ran down +the hill to the scene of the accident. When she arrived Waldstricker was +jerking his steed savagely.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">304</a></span></p> + +<p>"Get out of the way you little imp," he shouted, in the midst of his +struggles with the animal. "What do you mean by riding in a public road +scaring horses this way?"</p> + +<p>"Mummy said Boy could ride down hill," answered the child, holding his +ground staunchly.</p> + +<p>"I'll mummy you!" The man's exasperation was increased by the child's +resistance. "Get out of the way!"</p> + +<p>"Boy, come straight here to me," Tess called, trying to pass the excited +animal.</p> + +<p>The child picked up the rope fastened to his sled, gave it a jerk and +started toward his mother. Frightened by the flash of the sled in the +snow, the horse reared and plunged anew.</p> + +<p>"Drop that sled and get out of here!" Ebenezer thundered. "How many +times must I tell you? Get out!"</p> + +<p>Tess called again, but Boy flung up a red, angry face to the elder.</p> + +<p>"Mummy said I could slide," he repeated stubbornly.</p> + +<p>"I'll teach you to argue with me," snapped Waldstricker, and before Tess +could reach him, he'd raised his arm and given the child a sharp cut +with his riding whip. "Get out, I tell you!"</p> + +<p>"Mover!" screamed Boy, jumping back and falling over the sled. "Oh, +Mover! Mover!"</p> + +<p>Like an enraged tigress, Tess threw herself upon Waldstricker, and tore +at the upraised whip in his hand. The frantic horse, fairly beside +himself with fear and excitement, pulled them both down the hill through +the snow. By a strenuous effort Ebenezer threw off the girl's grip, and +when he finally conquered the steed he was below the top of the lane +near the Skinner hut.</p> + +<p>Before Waldstricker could mount and ride back up the lane, Tess had +picked up the boy from the snow where he had fallen. Without waiting an +instant, she fled frantically toward the house.</p> + +<p>"Andy! Andy!" she screamed.</p> + +<p>Andy came downstairs as fast as his little legs could carry him.</p> + +<p>"Waldstricker's killed Boy!" gasped Tess. "Andy, get something.... Tell +Mother Moll.... Some water!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">305</a></span></p> + +<p>She laid the baby on the divan in the sitting room and stood over him +until old Moll came.</p> + +<p>"He air got a spasm," croaked the old woman. "Poor little brat! Get some +hot water."</p> + +<p>For hours the child passed from one convulsion into another. When +Deforrest came home, Tess was in a state of frantic despair.</p> + +<p>"Waldstricker struck him," she explained. "He's going to die."</p> + +<p>In response to his questions, the girl gave him the details, and hotter +and hotter grew the listener's anger. He attempted to quiet Tessibel's +fears while he got ready to go for the doctor, but she persisted in her +claim that Boy wouldn't recover.</p> + +<hr class="minor" /> + +<p>On his way home, the elder tried to make peace with himself. He was +rather sorry he'd struck the boy; that he'd hurt the little imp, he +poofed at. Anyway, he had taught Tess Skinner to keep her brat out of +his way. His efforts to discipline her had resulted in an open breach +with his brother-in-law and caused discord between himself and his wife. +His disputes with Deforrest about the squatters had not turned out to +his satisfaction. His efforts to drive the old witch off his lake-land +by tearing down her shack had opened to her the house that he himself +owned. He had had to pay Sandy Letts the $5,000 reward for the capture +of Andy Bishop, and the whole city had laughed at the price paid for the +little man's short imprisonment. He'd tried every way he knew to put an +end to the situation. Helen ought to be able to do something with her +brother. She should have saved her husband from the gossip Forrie was +causing.</p> + +<p>When he entered his home, Helen perceived that he'd acquired a new +grievance and discreetly remained silent while he was preparing himself +for dinner.</p> + +<p>After a quiet meal, when they had seated themselves by the log fire in +the library, Mrs. Waldstricker took up a doll's dress she was finishing +for Elsie's Christmas. Her husband, stretched in an easy chair, glowered +sullenly into the grate flames. The meditations of husband and wife were +quite different. Helen wondered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">306</a></span> what was bothering Ebenezer now. She +wished they were more companionable; that things were pleasanter, more +as it used to be when they were abroad. Since their return, he'd sit for +hours in gloomy meditation. His fits of complete abstraction filled her +with dread.</p> + +<p>She brought back in sequenced retrospection the happy years of +travel—how proud she'd always been of her handsome husband and of his +courtly deference to her. She had never ceased to be grateful that +Heaven had given her this man to love and cherish her. She couldn't tell +how or when the change had come, but somehow they weren't happy together +any more. He was so moody and quarrelsome lately. She missed her +brother, too. Why those two men should get by the ears over the +inhabitants of the Silent City she couldn't understand. But her thoughts +were soon concentrated upon the work at hand and contemplating the joy +she would have in Elsie's pleasure, she began to hum to herself.</p> + +<p>Two or three times she peered at Ebenezer through her lashes. How +moodily quiet he was! She wished Elsie were awake—the little girl +always succeeded in dissipating the frown from her father's brows.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, she held up the doll in all its newly-adjusted festive attire.</p> + +<p>"There, now, dear, isn't the doll baby pretty?" she smiled.</p> + +<p>Ebenezer didn't take his gaze from the burning logs.</p> + +<p>"I'm not interested in dolls tonight." His tone was harsh and his manner +studiously rude. Then, as though he'd finally determined to say +something else, he looked around at her.</p> + +<p>"I taught Tess Skinner a lesson today I don't believe she'll forget," he +burst forth savagely.</p> + +<p>The doll dropped from Helen's hands, its head striking sharply against +the arm of her chair.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" she gasped.</p> + +<p>"You needn't get that expression on your face, my lady—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Ebenezer!" interjected Helen, drearily. "What makes you act so? One +would think you spent your whole time trying to get even with +somebody."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">307</a></span></p> + +<p>"I got even with my lady Skinner," smiled Waldstricker. "I gave her brat +a whipping." The words came slowly, and the man watched their effect.</p> + +<p>Helen was not able to sense the full meaning of his statement at first. +Mechanically, she rescued the doll and laid it on the table. Beginning +to see the picture he'd suggested, she opened her mouth, closed it again +and at the next attempt spoke.</p> + +<p>"Why, Ebenezer, Tessibel's baby is only a month or so older than Elsie!"</p> + +<p>"Well, what of it! He's an impudent little whelp. Takes after his +mother, I suppose."</p> + +<p>"But you don't really mean you whipped him!" Helen exclaimed, still +incredulous.</p> + +<p>"That's just what I do. With my riding whip. What do you think of that?"</p> + +<p>His words brought to Helen's recollection that other time he'd used his +riding whip. Then it had been upon Mother Moll, and the old woman had +screamed at him, "It air like ye to hit the awful young and the awful +old." She recalled, too, the other mysterious words the witch woman had +uttered. "Curls'll bring yer to yer knees—the little man air a settin' +on yer chest!" The prophecy addressed to herself, that he'd make her +life unhappy and that she'd leave him, she'd never before taken +seriously. But the question hammered at her consciousness. Could it be +that Moll had a second sight or something of the sort? Ebenezer's +trouble about the squatters centered about Andy Bishop and the Skinner +girl; the dwarf was certainly a little man and Tessibel had wonderful +red curls. Her husband had made her life unhappy and his mood tonight +was unusually ugly. She was touched with a superstitious half-conviction +that the old woman's words would be fulfilled.</p> + +<p>"I asked you a question, Mrs. Waldstricker," the wrathful voice +interrupted her meditations. "Answer me, if you please."</p> + +<p>Perhaps it was the recollection of Mother Moll's sibylline utterance; +perhaps merely that her husband's hostile attitude aroused a +corresponding feeling of animosity. At any rate, she sat erect in her +chair and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">308</a></span> fixed her eyes upon his scowling face. Never had he seen her +rounded chin so squarely set; never the red lips drawn into such +determined lines.</p> + +<p>"I think you're a brute, that's what I think!" she responded +deliberately, as though stating a conclusion arrived at after due +consideration. "Yes, worse than a brute!" The answer was as unexpected +to the elder as though a lump of ice had suddenly boiled over. A quick +fury took possession of him.</p> + +<p>"Think I'm a brute, do you?... What's the matter with you? Are you +getting soft on the squatters, too?"</p> + +<p>Helen made a hasty gesture, indicative of denial.</p> + +<p>"Well, you better not!" warned Ebenezer, angrily. "Your brother's +conduct is disgraceful enough. I'm sick and tired of having my own +townsfolk winking at each other every time his name's mentioned. Lawyer +Young and his squatter women! Sounds nice, doesn't it?"</p> + +<p>To be loyal to herself and Deforrest, she could not help but disagree +with him.</p> + +<p>"Now, Ebenezer, you oughtn't to say such a thing," she expostulated.</p> + +<p>A flame of anger shot into the elder's steady stare.</p> + +<p>"Don't you 'Now Ebenezer' me!" he snorted. "Young's making my lake +property a disorderly house. It's positively indecent! I won't stand it +any longer. I won't have those squatters there, and your brother can +make up his mind to that!"</p> + +<p>Helen tried to interrupt but her husband waved her to silence.</p> + +<p>"Mother Moll and Andy Bishop!" he mocked. "An old witch and a jail-bird! +Wouldn't it make a man tired?"</p> + +<p>Helen leaned forward. An angry red spot burned on either cheek and her +eyes flashed. Her gentle temper didn't take fire easily, but even to her +endurance there were limits.</p> + +<p>"You seem to forget, Mr. Waldstricker," she retorted sharply, "that your +men tore down the old woman's home and your money procured the perjury +that sent the dwarf to Auburn. It strikes me you'd better not throw +stones at Forrie."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">309</a></span></p> + +<p>Waldstricker jumped to his feet and rushed to his wife's side.</p> + +<p>"What!" he roared. "You dare that to my face! Some more of Deforrest's +influence, I suppose. Nice family I married into, I must say."</p> + +<p>Helen got up from her chair. The one thing that stirred her quickest was +an attack upon her brother.</p> + +<p>"Ebenezer Waldstricker, you ought to be ashamed of yourself. Forrie +minds his own business and you should mind yours." An hysterical sob +brought her to a pause, but she struggled on. "I don't know how I've +stood your temper so long. You must have lost your mind."</p> + +<p>In view of the grievances he'd been nursing, his wife's sudden rebellion +seemed almost too unreasonable to be credited. She'd joined his enemies! +She was making common cause with her notorious brother and the +squatters! Very well, he'd use her the same as he would them.</p> + +<p>"You think rather well of me, don't you Mrs. Waldstricker?" he rasped. +"Nice names you call me. Brute! Home destroyer! Procurer of perjury! +Liar! Crazy!" His voice grew louder as he hurled the epithets at her and +broke into a shriek upon the last one. "Get out of here before I teach +you the same lesson I taught Tess Skinner!" He lifted his arm above his +head; the great fist was clenched, and the cruel mouth was drawn at both +corners. "Get out of here before I hit you!"</p> + +<p>Helen stood petrified. The blow had fallen. Mother Moll was right! She +retreated before his menacing gestures, but stopped near the door and +held up her hand in entreaty. She'd make one more effort.</p> + +<p>"But, Ebenezer," she began, "where shall I go?"</p> + +<p>Advancing toward her, he fairly shouted:</p> + +<p>"I don't know and I don't care. Go down and help your brother take care +of his squatter baggage!"</p> + +<p>He seemed fairly beside himself. Helen realized the hopelessness of +further resistance.</p> + +<p>"Then I'll go and take my baby," she cried. "Perhaps when we're gone—"</p> + +<p>Her words only added fuel to the flame of his wrath.</p> + +<p>"You'll not touch my daughter," he interrupted. "She'll stay with me."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">310</a></span></p> + +<p>He rushed at her, pushed her rudely aside, and hurried up the stairs to +the nursery.</p> + +<p>His wife followed as quickly as possible. At the nursery door Ebenezer +met her and blocked her way.</p> + +<p>"You needn't wake her up," he hissed. "Go on! Get out of here! You're +worse than the Skinner woman!"</p> + +<p>She could not go into the nursery. The angry man on the threshold +effectually prevented her. Mrs. Waldstricker turned down the hall and +went to her own room. She could hardly comprehend the untoward disaster +that had destroyed the whole fabric of her life at one stroke. The blood +was throbbing at her temples and pounding through her body. Her ears +rang; her face burned and she was trembling all over. Mechanically, she +fumbled for the matches on a nearby table, found one and struck it. She +attempted to light the lamp but dropped the chimney and it rolled away +under the bed.</p> + +<p>Drearily, she tried to consider her course. Ebenezer had ordered her to +go. Then she must go. She'd always done as he directed. But where? Her +cheeks burned more fiercely as she recalled the brutal answer he'd given +that question. No, she wouldn't go to Forrie! It would only make +Ebenezer more angry and make more trouble for her brother. It didn't +make much difference where she went anyway. Life without her husband and +her baby wouldn't be life at all. She couldn't visualize her days +without Elsie, the little one they'd both longed for and prayed over. +Slowly, because each little act required a separate effort of volition, +she dressed herself. Prepared at last to depart, she took a long look +through the rooms. Past events went in giddy rapidity across her vision. +How she'd loved and still loved Ebenezer! They'd been so happy together. +She sighed and went through the hall to the nursery. Her movements had +evidently been heard. When she approached the door, her husband stepped +out and pulled the door to behind him. For a moment their eyes met. In +his she saw the dull smoldering coals of hate. She bowed her head and +silently went through the baleful glare he cast upon her down the stairs +and out of the mansion to which she had been brought a happy bride.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XLIX" id="CHAPTER_XLIX"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">311</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER XLIX</h2><h3><span class="smcap">Tessibel and Elsie</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>Gloom lay over the Silent City. Bitter hatred burned in the simple heart +of every squatter. Waldstricker's open enmity had expressed itself in a +series of injuries, calculated to enrage them. The shanty folk resented +his cruelty to Mother Moll. The destruction of her shack promised a +similar fate to their homes. When the story of Waldstricker's attack +upon Boy Skinner spread among them, fierce threats were muttered at the +fishing holes and by the firesides. The wintry winds of the Storm +Country, shrieking over the desolate masses of ice and snow, were not +more fierce and cruel than the squatters' demand for vengeance. The +daily bulletins of the little one's illness kept the interest alive and +added to the growing excitement and indignation.</p> + +<p>Day after day, the doctor had come to the Young home, each time shaking +his head more gravely. To Deforrest, the helpless witness of the +unfolding tragedy, the days and nights were but a continuing torture. +Andy Bishop stole about the house like a small white ghost, waiting upon +Tessibel and Mother Moll. One morning, a few days before Christmas, the +doctor told Deforrest Young he considered Boy beyond earthly help. And +now it devolved upon the lawyer to tell Tessibel she must lose her baby.</p> + +<p>He went softly to the sick room. Whiter than the pillow upon which his +cheek rested, Boy lay relaxed, breathing rapidly. Tess stood at the foot +of the bed, her hands clasped loosely in front of her. Anxious eyes +turned to greet Young. At the bedside the man stopped a moment and +looked down upon the little figure. Shocked by the imminent signs of +approaching dissolution, he went over and placed an arm around the girl.</p> + +<p>"He's awful sick," Tess whispered. "What'd the doctor say?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">312</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'm afraid, Tess—I'm afraid," he answered, unable to frame the medical +man's decision.</p> + +<p>Dawning comprehension and dismay struggled in the young mother's eyes, +for the agonized tones of the well-loved voice and the tender solicitude +of the supporting arms had put into Young's halting words the dread +import of his message.</p> + +<p>"You mean—you mean—?" she questioned.</p> + +<p>"Tess, darling; my pretty child," Young murmured helplessly.</p> + +<p>The red head dropped upon his chest and for a moment Tess clung to him +as though to find protection from the menacing horror. Then she freed +herself, dropped on her knees by the bedside, and rested her head on +Boy's little hand. During the hours of watching she had striven to steel +herself against this possibility. But she couldn't understand. Boy, her +cherished bit of living joy and sunshine! What would become of him? +Separation? Yes, but where was he going? She didn't know. She couldn't +think. A sudden shudder, a kind of voiceless sob shook her.</p> + +<p>Young stood quietly by the bedside, watching and waiting. His love for +mother and son centered all his thoughts in them. He shared his +darling's grief and desired above everything to console her; but the +very depth of his sympathy prevented him. Hopeless himself, in this grim +crisis, every human effort seemed futile.</p> + +<p>Placing a tender hand on her shaking shoulder, he bent down.</p> + +<p>"My poor little girl!" he breathed. "I wish I could help you some way."</p> + +<p>"Nobody ... can." The hopeless despair of her voice made vocal the utter +desolation she felt.</p> + +<p>A gentle movement of the little hand against her face commanded +Tessibel's immediate attention. She smoothed the pillow the while she +whispered softly little words of love to Boy. Then she looked around at +Young.</p> + +<p>"Please tell Andy to fix the kitchen fire," she said, even at this time +mindful of her domestic duties.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">313</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'll see to it myself," and he went out softly and down the stairs.</p> + +<p>He found Andy in the sitting room.</p> + +<p>"The doctor—what'd the doctor say?" the dwarf demanded.</p> + +<p>"Go to 'er," trembled Young. "Brace her up all you can."</p> + +<p>The little man went slowly upstairs and entered the sick chamber. +Through the tears in his eyes, he saw the dying babe in the white bed +and the young mother kneeling on the floor, the flaming red of the +clustering curls an incongruous note of brilliant color.</p> + +<p>Andy waddled across the room and knelt down beside Tessibel. Lifting his +arm he let it fall across the girl's shoulders. His silent sympathy, +always unselfish, never intruded. Tess stared at Andy a moment, and then +buried her face in her hands upon the coverlet.</p> + +<p>"He's going away," she got out through her fingers. "Andy, I can't let +'im go!"</p> + +<p>"I've been prayin' for 'im, Tess," choked the dwarf.</p> + +<p>The girl made no response, but to show her friend she'd heard, one of +her hands sought and held his.</p> + +<p>"If it air right for 'im to stay, dear," murmured Andy, "the good God'll +help 'im.... Don't ye think so, Tess?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, Andy.... I'm afraid!... It's too awful!"</p> + +<p>"Kid, ye know it air true. You've only to ask him," Andy insisted.</p> + +<p>A hopeless shake of the bowed head accompanied the whispered answer.</p> + +<p>"I can't, Andy! I can't!... I'm so afraid!"</p> + +<p>"What you 'fraid of, brat, dear? Jesus air loving you same's He did in +the shack. He got Daddy Skinner out of prison, an' he took care of me, +didn't he, huh?"</p> + +<p>Maddened by suffering, she drew herself impatiently, away from the +dwarf.</p> + +<p>"Don't, Andy! I don't want to hear! He let Waldstricker whip my baby."</p> + +<p>Although the young mother could hear the muttered prayers of the dwarf, +no answering faith came<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">314</a></span> into her soul. Hot hatred of the man who'd +struck her son surged through her. Never again would she think of him +without the raging cry within her for revenge. Her anger barbed the +shafts of his rancor and dulled her own understanding of Life and Love. +Resentment inhibited every constructive effort. The courage, even the +desire to fight against death's coming, was wanting.</p> + +<p>"I hate 'im worse than anything in the world," she muttered.</p> + +<p>"Yes, darlin'," soothed the dwarf.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to kill him. Oh, I must do something—" She tried to get to +her feet, but Andy held her tightly.</p> + +<p>"Stay here!" was all he said, and Tess ceased to resist.</p> + +<p>At midnight Boy died. He went away very quietly, without a cry or +struggle. At the very last, he turned upon his side, looked into his +mother's face, his eyes unshadowed and joyous. He smiled a little, +sighed with the passing breath, "Mummy," and sank to sleep. So dazed was +Tessibel that without protest she allowed Deforrest to pick her from her +knees and carry her out of the room.</p> + +<p>Mother Moll and Andy performed the necessary services to the mortal clay +that'd been their darling. Loving fingers, tenderly touching the +delicate body, made Boy ready for the grave. Through the stillness of +the night, the sighing of the ceaseless wind of the Storm Country, +soughing of death and desolation, called to their minds the weird +superstitions of squatter lore. The old witch mumbled of signs, portends +and warnings, and uttered dire prophecies in which her wrath at +Waldstricker found expression.</p> + +<hr class="minor" /> + +<p>While Tess and her squatter friends were carrying Boy through the sullen +cold to God's wind-swept half-acre, Ebenezer Waldstricker sat before the +glowing hickory logs in his sumptuous library. Several letters in his +morning mail required his presence in the city. On the table before him +lay a list of things he intended to buy for little Elsie's Christmas.</p> + +<p>Since the day he'd whipped Tessibel's son and forced<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">315</a></span> his wife from his +home he'd devoted himself to the little girl. In spite of his best +efforts, the child's grief for her mother had driven him almost to his +wits' end. He'd made up his mind to spare no expense to bring joy back +to his darling.</p> + +<p>Whenever his mind reverted to the scene at the lake he tried to justify +his act in striking the little fellow, but the news of Boy's death had, +for a moment, given him an uncomfortable turn. He hadn't intended +anything like that. He wasn't to blame! Probably the little imp would +have died anyway!</p> + +<p>Helen had sent every day to ask after Elsie, and the thought of his +wife's anxiety pleased the elder. Perhaps, after a while, the squatters, +as well as the members of his own household, would learn his word was +law; that he would not allow any of them to go against his will. Again +and again the corner curl of his lips showed his satisfaction.</p> + +<p>Hearing the jingle of sleigh bells at the door, he rose from his chair +and slipped on his great coat and cap.</p> + +<p>"Daddy, bring mover back," quivered Elsie, when he kissed her good-bye.</p> + +<p>Waldstricker stooped and gathered her into his arms.</p> + +<p>"Daddy'll bring Elsie lots of pretty things, and so will Santa Claus. +He's coming down the chimney tonight—"</p> + +<p>"Elsie wants mover," sobbed the little one.</p> + +<p>Ebenezer surrendered her to the nurse.</p> + +<p>"Get her mind off crying," he said morosely. "Give her everything she +asks for."</p> + +<p>"I can't," muttered the woman, and when the door had closed, "There, +there, child, don't cry! Your mother'll be comin' back some of these +days."</p> + +<hr class="minor" /> + +<p>In the early afternoon Waldstricker bought and packed into the sleigh +all kinds of presents for his daughter. His spirits rose when he thought +that her demands for her mother would be quieted on Christmas Day.</p> + +<p>It was quite dark when his powerful team fought<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">316</a></span> their way through the +storm up to the porch of the house. While the man was coming for the +horses he took the bundles from the sleigh. At the door he met several +white-faced servants.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" he queried, relieving his arms of their load.</p> + +<p>"The baby!... We can't find her.... She's gone," said a voice.</p> + +<p>"Gone! Gone where?" roared Waldstricker.</p> + +<p>"Nobody knows, sir," gasped the nurse. "She was in the library looking +at the pictures—"</p> + +<p>Waldstricker brushed past the speaker. He rushed through the house +calling his child frantically. In his wife's sitting room he stopped, +arrested by an illuminating thought.</p> + +<p>Helen had stolen the baby! He drew a long breath that hissed through his +teeth. Of course, that was what had happened. Instant anger filled his +mind. He'd show her. He wouldn't stand it. He went below and called the +servants into his presence.</p> + +<p>"Who was here this morning?" he questioned.</p> + +<p>"Nobody." Not one of them had seen a person.</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Waldstricker was here, wasn't she?" he insisted.</p> + +<p>"No, Mrs. Waldstricker hasn't been home today."</p> + +<p>The elder set his grim lips and went out again. Elsie was with her +mother! That Helen hadn't been to the house didn't prove anything. She'd +sent some one. Elsie wouldn't have gone away of her own accord.</p> + +<p>When Ebenezer appeared at Madelene's home he was fuming with fury. His +sister greeted him cordially and ushered him into the drawing room.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you've come, Ebenezer. Helen's been crying ever since she's +been here."</p> + +<p>"I'll make her cry more before I'm done with her," gritted Waldstricker.</p> + +<p>"But, Ebenezer, she's sick. And you were so cruel to send her away like +that."</p> + +<p>Waldstricker turned savagely upon the speaker, hands working +convulsively and face and eyes ugly from fear and anger.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">317</a></span></p> + +<p>"Never mind about that now—Where's Elsie?" he demanded. "I want her and +I want her right away."</p> + +<p>Madelene fell back a step, wax-white.</p> + +<p>"Elsie!" she echoed. "Isn't she home?"</p> + +<p>"Madelene," Ebenezer began in a deadening voice, "you know me well +enough not to play with me like this. Where's my daughter?"</p> + +<p>Madelene's hands came together.</p> + +<p>"She's not here!... She's home, Ebbie, dear, she must be!"</p> + +<p>"She's not!" fell from Waldstricker. "Call Helen!"</p> + +<p>"Helen can't come down, Ebbie, she's in bed!"</p> + +<p>"I'll see her." Low thunder rolled in his tones. His sister grasped his +arm.</p> + +<p>"Be kind to her, Ebbie, dear—"</p> + +<p>"I'll see her," repeated Ebenezer, not changing the tone of his voice.</p> + +<p>Without another word, Madelene whirled and went toward the stairs, the +church elder following his sister with slow tread.</p> + +<p>Helen turned her tired, white face to the visitors. At the sight of her +husband she sat up straight.</p> + +<p>"Where's Elsie?" the man shouted harshly from the door.</p> + +<p>Something had happened to her little girl! Her husband was asking for +the child! Mrs. Waldstricker jumped out of bed quickly.</p> + +<p>"I haven't seen her," she answered. "Isn't she home?"</p> + +<p>Then Waldstricker believed. Elsie had disappeared. She was not with her +mother!</p> + +<p>"She's gone," was all he said, and, wheeling, went out.</p> + +<hr class="minor" /> + +<p>Not one of the servants could tell Madelene or the distracted mother any +more than they had told the father.</p> + +<p>The search began without the slightest clue of the child's whereabouts. +Elsie had disappeared, as if she had been snatched into the sky. The +storm, already very severe, had thickened the early twilight into dense +darkness. The light snow that had fallen earlier in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">318</a></span> the day to the +depth of several inches drove in swirling clouds before the wind and +piled in deep drifts, while the congealed air pelted icy particles of +frozen moisture into the confused uproar upon forest and field. Fear +that the child had started out to find her mother and had been overtaken +by the blizzard obsessed Waldstricker. He sent messengers in all +directions, and himself rode furiously through the snow inquiring +everywhere. Finding no trace of her at the neighboring houses, he +instituted a systematic search of the locality.</p> + +<hr class="minor" /> + +<p>All the afternoon Young had sat with Tessibel, most of the time in +silence. She showed no desire to talk, and he knew not what to say. +Watching from the sitting room window, Tess seemed to find diversion in +the wind-driven snow, as though the blizzard's riot met and matched the +aching bewilderment in her own breast.</p> + +<p>Nor did she pay any attention to a knock which resounded above the +beating of the storm. Deforrest went to the door and carried on an +undertoned conversation with some one outside. Then after dispatching +the caller, he went back to the girl.</p> + +<p>"Tess," he hesitated, but his voice broke and he was unable to complete +his sentence. In responsive inquiry, she turned from the window and +looked up at him. The deep dejection of her attitude depicted her +despondency and despair. The brown eyes, dull and lustreless, staring +out of the drawn white face, expressed the hopeless wonderment the man +had seen in the glazing orbs of a stricken deer. A great wave of pity +welled up in him. How could he break this frozen composure and bring to +the overwrought heart the healing blessing of flowing tears?</p> + +<p>"Tessibel," he continued, sitting down, "what were you thinking about?"</p> + +<p>"I was wondering what I could do to ... hurt Waldstricker," she replied, +gripping the arms of her chair. Then she rose suddenly, throwing up her +head. The intensity of her emotion fanned the dull coals of hate in her +eyes to a hard brilliance and touched her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">319</a></span> white cheeks with vermilion. +Vivid, active, her beautiful face, passion-drawn and cruel, red curls +writhing and twisting upon her shoulders, Tess seemed a veritable fury +crying for vengeance. She lifted clenched hands.</p> + +<p>"I'll hurt Waldstricker," she vowed. "God help me to do it!"</p> + +<p>Springing to his feet, Young ejaculated:</p> + +<p>"Don't, Tess! You mustn't!"</p> + +<p>Turning away, she paced up and down the room, muttering imprecations. +Her companion stood silent, unable to assuage her agony or rebuke her +vindictive words.</p> + +<p>At length Tess stopped directly in front of him.</p> + +<p>"I know you don't like me to feel that way about Waldstricker, but I +can't help it. I hate him so!"</p> + +<p>Then she went to the window and stared out into the storm again.</p> + +<p>After a moment's hesitation, Young touched her. Drawing her back, he +held her in his arms, attempting to soothe and quiet her by murmured +endearments.</p> + +<p>"I'm awfully sorry, dear," he explained. "I must go to town. Helen's +sent for me."</p> + +<p>Tess nodded indifferently. It was all one to her now. She'd lost Boy, +and she was willing to be alone to plan how she could punish his +murderer.</p> + +<p>"I'll send Andy to you," said Young, leading her to a chair.</p> + +<p>He went in search of the dwarf and found the little man in his room +huddled on the bed.</p> + +<p>"Andy," said Deforrest, "come here."</p> + +<p>Without a word the dwarf went to the lawyer.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to Ithaca. Go down and stay with Tess until I get back."</p> + +<p>He turned and went out, and Andy, silent and sick at heart, followed him +down the stairs.</p> + +<hr class="minor" /> + +<p>Andy was not able to persuade Tess to talk with him, but obeying +Professor Young, he stayed very near her. The blizzard howled and banged +outside, adding by its noisy commotion an element of dread to the grief +within.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">320</a></span></p> + +<p>About nine in the evening footsteps sounded on the porch; the dwarf got +up and went to the door. Jake Brewer entered and closed the door against +the storm. The squatter took off his hat and shook the snow from the top +of it. He looked, alternately, from the girl in the chair near the +window to the little man staring up at him.</p> + +<p>"I come to speak to the brat," he said.</p> + +<p>"She ain't very well," answered Andy.</p> + +<p>Tessibel looked around.</p> + +<p>"Sit down, Jake," she invited. "The night's dreadful, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>Brewer coughed and remained silent.</p> + +<p>"Can I do anything, Jake?" inquired the dwarf, softly.</p> + +<p>"Nope, it air only Tess can do it," replied the squatter.</p> + +<p>Tessibel heard but remained in the same position.</p> + +<p>"Tess air the only one can help," repeated Brewer.</p> + +<p>The girl sank back in her chair, allowing her hands to drop in her lap.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" she asked listlessly.</p> + +<p>"Ma Brewer air sick," said the squatter. "She air knowin' ye air in +trouble, but—but—"</p> + +<p>It seemed to the girl as if this Christmas-tide had brought sorrow to +everyone.</p> + +<p>She rose to her feet, stiff from sitting in the same position for so +long a time.</p> + +<p>"I'll get her something, Jake," she said quickly.</p> + +<p>"Ma an' me know ye got a lot of sorrow, brat," choked the man, "but Ma +were a wonderin' if ye'd run to the shack fer a minute." Noticing the +girl's hesitation, "She's awful sick an' mebbe if ye'd come, she'd feel +better.'"</p> + +<p>"I'll get your wraps, brat," Andy offered.</p> + +<p>Both men helped Tessibel into her things. She stood very quiet until +Andy held out her mittens.</p> + +<p>"I'll only be gone a few minutes," she promised the dwarf. "Come on, +Jake!"</p> + +<p>And together they went out into the storm.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_L" id="CHAPTER_L"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">321</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER L</h2><h3><span class="smcap">Tessibel's Vision</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>Tessibel and Jake Brewer made their way through the bleak, dark, pear +orchard to the lane. The night held no terrors for the girl. All her +winters, she'd battled with the cold and winds of the Storm Country. +Now, through the lane to the lake, they struggled, heads bent against +the blinding blizzard. Under the weeping willow trees stood the empty +shanty which had housed her childhood days, and, mechanically, she +turned her eyes toward it. She recalled, dully, the strange sequence of +events that had transformed her from a squatter's brat and lifted her +out of the bleak barrenness of life in the shack. She'd escaped the +squalor, the horrid cold and the hardships, common to the women of the +Silent City. She lived more comfortably and decently than the +fishermen's wives. She'd learned many things, but all her efforts to +improve herself had been centered in her ambitions for Boy. Now it was +all wasted! She'd won for him nothing but Waldstricker's enmity. Her +aspirations for him and for herself were buried in the little grave on +the storm-swept hillside by Daddy Skinner. Like a borrowed mantle, the +culture she'd gained under Professor Young's loving tuition slipped from +her and the elemental passions of the primitive people that produced her +assumed their sway. Subconsciously, the squatter's standards +re-established themselves, and she hugged to her heart the hate she'd +been cherishing.</p> + +<p>On the ice-covered rocks, where they were sheltered from the wind, Jake +began to talk.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't have asked ye to come, Tess," he apologized, "if we hadn't +needed ye bad."</p> + +<p>"I wasn't doing anything at home," the girl answered tonelessly.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Young weren't there, were he?" asked Brewer.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">322</a></span></p> + +<p>"No," replied Tess. "His sister's sick and sent for him."</p> + +<p>"I guess she air sick, all right," commented Jake, ominously.</p> + +<p>If Tess heard, she didn't heed the sinister suggestion in the squatter's +speech. She was busy, her whole attention devoted to plans for revenge +upon Waldstricker.</p> + +<p>The light from Brewer's hut, which was set back a little from the lake +shore, in a frost-riven and water-worn niche in the precipitous cliff, +shone mistily through the storm. Cut by slanting lines of driving +snow-crystals, its milky radiance obscured rather than defined the +drifted path. Breathless, from the blizzard's buffeting, they gained, at +last, the hut door.</p> + +<p>The fisherman lifted the latch and they stepped into the hut. Seated in +chairs around the bare little room were several men, squatter friends of +the neighborhood. Near the stove stood Ma Brewer, white-faced and +anxious. As soon as she recognized the girl, she began to weep and +gesticulate hysterically. Tess went to her and seized her hands.</p> + +<p>"Why! Ma Brewer, what's the matter? What'd you want of me?"</p> + +<p>Before she could answer, a rough voice broke the silence.</p> + +<p>"We all wanted ye, Tess."</p> + +<p>She wheeled about and looked from one to the other.</p> + +<p>Jake was still standing near the door. The triumphant leer on his face +was reflected in the several expressions of the other men.</p> + +<p>"Then, Ma Brewer wasn't sick?" Tess demanded slowly.</p> + +<p>"Nope," said Jake, "but I'll bet someone else air."</p> + +<p>Tessibel allowed her eyes to rove about the shack. A slight movement in +the corner attracted her attention. There, like a forlorn little lamb, a +tight rag about her mouth, her curls matted and damp, crouched Elsie +Waldstricker. Instantly, Tess recognized her and her heart pumped with +joy. Surely, her prayer had been answered! Here was her opportunity! The +child was suffering, she could see that, but the very<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">323</a></span> extremity of +torture could hardly repay for the pain Boy'd endured. While Tess was +pondering the penalties she'd inflict, a smile touched her lips. The +frightened blue eyes searched the hard brown ones, but the child found +no comfort or encouragement in the frowning face of the squatter girl.</p> + +<p>"It's Waldstricker's brat," declared Jake, exultantly. "I were a +snoopin' 'round Eb's place an' run on 'er down near the road by that +there bunch of tamaracks. I says, 'What air the matter, Kid,' an' she +says, 'I want my ma.' I says, 'Come along an' I'll git 'er fer ye,' an' +the kid come jest like a lamb goes to the slaughterhouse." And Jake +threw back his head and roared.</p> + +<p>The other men joined in the grim laughter. After a minute, another voice +sounded above the last ugly chuckles.</p> + +<p>"Now, we got 'er, Tess, ye air to do anythin' ye want to with 'er."</p> + +<p>Still, the blue eyes looked into the brown, and, still, Tessibel's heart +raged its satisfaction. What were the squatters going to do with +Waldstricker's daughter? The girl turned her head slowly and glanced at +the row of dark men in their chairs against the wall. She cared nothing +for the child on the floor, except that she was the one thing that +Waldstricker loved best. Surely, to injure her would injure him! The +little feet were tied and so were the small hands. This pleased Tess, +too, for she remembered how they'd held Boy when he was imploring them +to keep the big man away.</p> + +<p>Waldstricker! Ungodly, wicked Waldstricker! His time had come! She'd go +and leave the little girl with the squatters. Well she knew that a word +from her and the baby would be seen no more.</p> + +<p>"I guess when old Eb found out his kid were gone," grated Jake Brewer, +"he got a wrench or two hisself."</p> + +<p>The heavy voice brought Tess about.</p> + +<p>"What'll we do with her?" She flung her hand toward the child in the +corner.</p> + +<p>"Yer say'll go, brat," put in Longman. "That rich duffer air had his way +too long. Us squatters're a goin' to show 'im 'tain't so safe to ride +rough shod over everybody."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">324</a></span></p> + +<p>"You're going to kill her?" asked Tessibel, dully.</p> + +<p>"Yep," flung in Brewer, "if ye say so."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Brewer was crying softly. Her husband turned fiercely upon her.</p> + +<p>"Ma, here," said he, "air makin' some awful fuss over nothin'. She wants +the kid took out of the state an' put some'ers. Us men says it air got +to die."</p> + +<p>"It air too awful, Tessie," sobbed Mrs. Brewer. "The baby ain't done +nothin'."</p> + +<p>Tessibel refrained from looking at the speaker. Her heart bled afresh at +the woman's words. Boy hadn't done anything, either, but Waldstricker'd +killed him. It was just, he should give his daughter for her son. It +wouldn't bring Boy back, but surely he'd rest easier if Elsie joined +him. The thought that her enemy would know the ache that tore her heart, +was balm to her own heart. Yet something within her tugged her eyes to +the baby on the floor. How Boy'd cried when the convulsive pain had tied +his little limbs into cruel knots! She wanted to hear Elsie cry, too. +The wails of her enemy's child might drive the shrieks of her own little +one from memory.</p> + +<p>"Take the rag off her mouth," said she, quickly.</p> + +<p>"She'll cry like a sick cat, if ye do," warned a man.</p> + +<p>Tess crossed the room to the corner where Elsie lay and kneeling by her, +unfastened the cloth about her mouth. The baby held up her bound hands, +blue and swollen from the tight ligature, and whimpered,</p> + +<p>"Elsie's hands hurt."</p> + +<p>The squatter girl had never voluntarily hurt a living thing. All her +life quick sympathy had responded instinctively to helplessness and +misery. Even the toads and bats knew her tender care. Waldstricker's +child was to her, then, the most loathsome of breathing creatures. She +might let the squatters kill her; she might even do it herself. But this +was another thing! Face to face with the concrete case of pinching a +baby's wrists, her instinct sent her fingers to the tight cords about +the uplifted hands. Without conscious purpose, she, also, loosened the +plump ankles. Elsie rolled in a whimpering, little heap on the floor.</p> + +<p>"I want my Daddy," she whined.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">325</a></span></p> + +<p>"You can't have your Daddy," answered Tess. Lifting the child to her +feet, she noted how like to Deforrest Young's were the little one's +eyes.</p> + +<p>"Your daddy air a dirty duffer," said Jake. "Give 'er a whack in the +face, Tess."</p> + +<p>He came forward from his place by the door and stopped near the two +girls. The fisherman raised his own fist, and Tessibel moved a little +aside. She regretted, now, that she'd loosened the little one's bonds or +had done anything to relieve her suffering. She didn't care what they +did to Waldstricker's girl. If they wanted to strike her, what affair +was it of hers?</p> + +<p>She turned her eyes upward, and, there, from among the rafters, she +seemed to see Boy's face smiling down upon her. Love, shining from the +dear eyes, radiated bliss and joy. How very sweet and peaceful he +appeared! Then, Brewer's voice penetrated her consciousness. He was +leaning over the rigid little girl.</p> + +<p>"Brat," he was saying, "you air goin' to get the lickin' of yer life, +an' don't ye ferget it."</p> + +<p>"Pretty lady, help baby," mourned Elsie.</p> + +<p>Tessibel shoved the squatter aside.</p> + +<p>"Don't touch 'er yet," she said in low, distinct tones.</p> + +<p>Jake took something from his pockets and thrust it into the girl's +hands. It was a small, wiry, riding whip.</p> + +<p>"It air the one her pa used on Boy," he muttered. "I stole it from 'is +stable."</p> + +<p>Tessibel uttered a cry and dropped the whip. The terrible scene in the +lane, invoked by the speaker's words and the sight of the whip, poured +into her mind a new flood of hate.</p> + +<p>Yes! Elsie should be treated as her father had treated Boy! She stooped +and picked up the whip. The men leaned forward, watching intently. Their +heavy breathing and Ma Brewer's sobs mingled with the ticking of the +clock and the storm's racket against the hut sides.</p> + +<p>She studied the whip and tested its hissing pliability. That tip had +stung Boy beyond endurance. The length of it had put him in his grave. +Waldstricker's hands had tortured her son. She would make his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">326</a></span> daughter +pay the reckoning. She drew a deep breath and raised her arm.</p> + +<p>Elsie had crept unnoticed to her side, and as Tess glanced down, the +child touched her hand with little fingers, marble-cold. The girl drew +away from the suppliant touch, then, lowered the whip and stood +considering the baby face.</p> + +<p>"I hate you worse'n anyone in the whole world," she spat out.</p> + +<p>"Then, lick 'er," growled Longman, and the other squatters muttered +their approval.</p> + +<p>Elsie dropped her head against Tessibel, and clung to her skirt.</p> + +<p>"I want my—mover," she burst out, crying.</p> + +<p>"Get even with Waldstricker, brat," said another voice.</p> + +<p>Tess raised her arm and glancing along the uplifted whip, again, she +looked into Boy's eyes, and, as she gazed, the little face in the +rafters receded, grew dimmer.</p> + +<p>She dropped the whip, and unmindful of the squatters, lifted her hands.</p> + +<p>"Mummy's baby boy!" she called. The happy eyes faded last from her sight +and it seemed to her they summoned her thence. A moment more, she stood +shivering, staring into the shadows, and, then, she turned upon the +dark-browed men.</p> + +<p>"You said I could do anything I wanted to with 'er, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Yep," Brewer assented. "Beat 'er, kill 'er, the more the better for +us-uns."</p> + +<p>"Then give me a blanket to wrap her in. I'll take her home +where—where—Boy—died."</p> + +<p>Brewer's lips fell apart and he laughed evilly.</p> + +<p>"Good idee, brat," he said. "Ye can make it a thousand times worser for +the kid if ye do.... Get a blanket, Ma."</p> + +<p>Carefully, the girl wrapped the blanket around and around the little +one. Elsie whimpered disconsolately but made no objection. Anything was +better than being left with the men who tied her up. Lifting the bulky +bundle, Tess started for the door, Jake picked up the whip from the +floor, handed it to her.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">327</a></span></p> + +<p>"Ye're forgettin' somethin' ain't ye, brat? Ye'll be wantin' this, I'm +thinkin'," he chuckled.</p> + +<p>"I can't ever thank you all enough," she flung back hoarsely, tucking +the whip into her coat pocket, "for giving me this chance at +Waldstricker."</p> + +<p>Longman got up and opened the door and Tess stepped out into the storm, +carrying Waldstricker's daughter.</p> + +<hr class="minor" /> + +<p>Deforrest Young was trying to calm his sister. Her frantic cries for her +baby contrasted strangely with the icy despair of the other mother he'd +tried to comfort. His heart, still sore from Boy's loss, bled in ready +sympathy to his sister's mourning. He grasped Helen's hands which were +tearing her hair.</p> + +<p>"Don't!" he said. "We'll find her soon. By morning she'll be back home +again. Ebenezer has nearly every man around looking for her, ... +searching every barn and asking at every house.... Darling, do you think +you could stay here with Madelene and let me go out, too?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, go, but Oh, God, I shall die if you don't find her!"</p> + +<p>Hour after hour men on horseback and men on foot hunted through the +hills and gullies for little Elsie Waldstricker.</p> + +<p>It was almost twelve, when one by one Ebenezer's friends rode +sorrowfully home after a useless search.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_LI" id="CHAPTER_LI"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">328</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER LI</h2><h3><span class="smcap">The Christmas Guest</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>When Tessibel carried Elsie into the living room, she looked furtively +about to assure herself that Professor Young had not returned during her +absence. Only Andy should know! He would help her—he, too, loved Boy +with all his soul. The little girl still in her arms, she hurried up the +stairs to her own room, and after removing the blanket, placed her in a +chair. Elsie stared about, too frightened and tired even to whimper. The +whip fell to the floor and Tess picked it up. For a long time, she held +it in her hand, meditatively trying its strength and suppleness while +she glared at the child. Then she slipped quietly into the hall, still +carrying the riding crop at her side.</p> + +<p>"Andy," she called softly. "Is Mother Moll asleep?"</p> + +<p>Andy came out of his own room.</p> + +<p>"Yes, she's asleep. I been singin' to her most ever since you been gone. +The old woman sure does like my singin', Tess." He waddled toward the +girl and when he noticed the expression on her face,</p> + +<p>"Somethin's happened," he ejaculated, "Anything the matter with Ma +Brewer?"</p> + +<p>Tessibel backed into her room and beckoned the dwarf onward by a +movement of her head. After she'd shut the door, she pointed to the +child with a hissing swish of the whip.</p> + +<p>"Waldstricker's," she announced briefly. "The squatters stole her and +gave her to me."</p> + +<p>The sight of the little girl stopped Andy near the door. Instantly his +alert mind pictured Waldstricker's present anxiety and the awful +retribution he'd exact when he learned of her abduction. He had no idea +as yet what Tess intended to do and her attitude revealed no hint. +Personally, he was powerless because, to his physical weakness, the +storm presented an unsurmountable<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">329</a></span> obstacle. Except for Mother Moll, he +was alone in the house with Tess and the Waldstricker child. Here was a +terrible predicament. He'd already lost many years of his life, because +he was present when Waldstricker's father was killed. He'd done what he +could to avert that crime and paid a heavy penalty, for his +interference. What to do, now, he didn't know. How to save the little +one and protect Tess he couldn't guess. Casting frightened eyes first on +the girl, then on the silent child, he crouched against the wall.</p> + +<p>"What ye goin' to do with 'er?" he mumbled at last.... "What's the whip +for?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know yet," replied Tess, and she balanced the raw-hide in her +hand. "This is the whip Waldstricker used.... Jake says to beat 'er like +he beat Boy."</p> + +<p>The cruel look on her face and the fire in her eyes frightened the +dwarf. To him, she seemed almost insane.</p> + +<p>"What'd ye tell 'em you'd do, Tess? Air you goin' to lick 'er?"</p> + +<p>"I guess so. I didn't tell 'em for sure what I'd do."</p> + +<p>She dropped the whip on a table and walked across the room to the window +where she stood looking out into the night with unseeing eyes. Then, +whirling on Andy, she clenched her fists and burst forth.</p> + +<p>"She's the only thing Waldstricker loves! If I hurt her, don't I hurt +him?"</p> + +<p>"Sure, dear," the little man acquiesced. "Sure, it'd make 'im ... think +a bit ... mebbe."</p> + +<p>Elsie stirred uneasily, making the chair rock back and forth.</p> + +<p>"Baby's hungry," she whimpered.</p> + +<p>Tess threw off her wraps and flung out of the room. In the kitchen she +stirred the fire and heated some milk and broke bread into it.</p> + +<p>While she was gone, the dwarf made up his mind that now, if ever, he +must prove the power of the faith Tess'd taught him. Motionless, but +watching the baby, he reviewed the proofs he'd had in the shack and +during his years with Tessibel on the hill. Surely, the hands stronger'n +Waldstricker's had lost none of their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">330</a></span> protective power! So absorbed did +he become, he hardly noticed when the girl came back, but he heard her +say to Elsie,</p> + +<p>"Here, cat! I hate you so, I could strangle you with it!"</p> + +<p>Tess was kneeling beside the chair and he noted that her fingers fed the +child carefully, and when a few warm drops of milk ran down the shaking +baby chin, Tess took out her handkerchief and wiped the little face +gently.</p> + +<p>"Uncle Forrie won't be back tonight," he observed, after a while.</p> + +<p>"Don't talk about him," gasped Tess. "I don't want to think of 'im."</p> + +<p>"I don't see what we're goin' to do, brat," returned Andy miserably.</p> + +<p>"I'll never give her back to Waldstricker, that's certain," Tess +gritted. "I'll throw her out in the snow first. Let 'im find her, then, +if he can."</p> + +<p>Hunger satisfied, warm and snug, the tired baby smiled her thanks and +fell asleep. After placing the bowl on the table, Tess drew the blankets +about the little figure and stood up.</p> + +<p>"Don't tell me not to do it," she said fiercely.</p> + +<p>"I weren't going to, brat, dear," sighed the little man.</p> + +<p>Then, the girl went to the window again. For what seemed hours to the +dwarf, she stared silently into the winter night.</p> + +<p>In her mind's eye she could see the high waves of the lake rolling and +tumbling from hill to hill, and could outline the forest opposing its +rugged weight to the tempest. Under the successive attacks of the gale, +the loosened old joints of the house creaked their protests at the +blizzard's roughness. The shrieking of the wind, the sharp rattle of the +storm-driven snow against the glass, everything in the wild night +without, responded to the conflict in her own breast.</p> + +<p>She felt sorry, now, she hadn't left Elsie to the mercy of the +squatters; but the thought of what they would have done to the child +made her shudder.</p> + +<p>"No, not that!" she groaned aloud.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">331</a></span></p> + +<p>"What'd ye say, brat?" asked Andy, without moving.</p> + +<p>"Nothing," muttered the girl, and she maintained her position at the +window. It was as though she were waiting for something she knew not +what. In a sudden hush of the storm, she heard, faintly, the chimes in +the library tower on College Hill.</p> + +<p>Ah, yes, it was Christmas Eve! How Boy had looked forward to Santa +Claus! How many little things she'd made for his stocking! She drew a +long, sobbing breath. Boy wouldn't want any of her love-things any more.</p> + +<p>She knew the chimes were playing,</p> + +<p>"Peace on earth, good will to men."</p> + +<p>Every Christmas Eve, at midnight, the bells rang out the sacred chorus. +For many years, the music had completed her Christmas preparations. The +annual message had always brought her inspiration and spiritual uplift. +A brick, torn from its place in the chimney, tumbled down the roof. Its +clatter rudely broke in upon the joyous refrain. So had Waldstricker +destroyed her peace. No peace for her, no peace for him! She tried to +fit the words to the chiming notes but without success.</p> + +<p>"Peace on earth, good will to men."</p> + +<p>Straining her eyes into the darkness, while the angels' message tugged +at her heart strings, the overwrought girl saw another vision. Boy +smiled upon her out of the storm. Ineffable happiness shone in the +lovely face and steady eyes. Freed from mortal chance and change, she +beheld him safe and secure in the everlasting now of eternity. The +apprehension of Life's unalterable continuity—unfolding to her uplifted +thought—destroyed the hopeless sense of separation and banished hate +and anger from her heart. The compelling light of reawakened Love +penetrated the inmost recesses of her spirit, and dissipated the shadows +of discord and resentment. Peace possessed her. While the wonder of her +healing held her motionless a little longer, the song she'd often sung +to Boy at twilight came bubbling to her lips.</p> + +<p style="margin-left: 5em;"> +"In heavenly love abiding,<br /> +No change my heart shall fear."<br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">332</a></span></p> + +<p>Amazed, Andy stepped to her side. Gratitude for his darling's +deliverance filled his heart. Turning to him, she put one arm around his +shoulders. His throaty tenor joined the caroling soprano.</p> + +<p style="margin-left: 5em;"> +"The storm may roar without me,<br /> +My heart may low be laid,"<br /> +</p> + +<p>Above the raging of the wind, they lifted the triumphant refrain,</p> + +<p style="margin-left: 5em;"> +"But God is round about me,<br /> +How can I be dismayed?"<br /> +</p> + +<p>Moving into the brighter light of the shaded lamp, she seemed +transfigured. All the strained hurt look was gone. The brown eyes +expressed a deep brooding content and the bright face glowed with love.</p> + +<p>"Tess, dear Tess," cried Andy, "you found 'im, didn't ye, Tess? It air +wonderful."</p> + +<p>"Boy lives forever!" the smiling lips ejaculated.</p> + +<p>A tiny snore directed their attention to the little girl in the big +rocking chair.</p> + +<p>"Wrap her up, Andy," Tess directed. "I'm going to take her home."</p> + +<p>Andy's shaking hands could hardly do the girl's bidding.</p> + +<p>"It's an awful night, brat. Can you do it?"</p> + +<p>"I'll get her back, all right," promised Tess, and she went out and down +the stairs.</p> + +<p>When she came back, Andy viewed her with amazement. She stood tall and +slender before him, dressed like a stripling youth in one of Deforrest +Young's riding suits, boots on her feet and a cap in her hand.</p> + +<p>"I couldn't walk in a dress," she explained simply. "Help me wrap up my +hair. I've got to go cross-lots."</p> + +<p>Quickly, Andy fastened the shining curls under the big cap. Elsie was +still asleep in the blankets. Tess picked her up and went out into the +hall and down the stairs. When the dwarf opened the outside door, the +stinging gale slashed at the open portal.</p> + +<p>"God help my brat!" prayed Andy. Tess looked into his face a moment, and +then strode away with her burden.</p> + +<p>The lane was even harder to reach than it had been when she came from +Brewer's. She labored to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">333</a></span> tracks, and struck off across the fields. +The wind stung her face with particles of ice, that cut like needles. A +snow owl dropped from the gloom of a tree, poised a moment on wing, and +stared at her with glittering, hungry eyes. Then, he fluttered upward +and was gone. To force her way along took all her skill and experience +with snow and storm. Unable to wade through the deep drifts by the +fences, she had to roll over and over the tops of them. At such times, +she put down the warmly wrapped baby and as she rolled, jerked her along +through the snow. The bitter gale contested every inch of the way. The +wind blew with such tremendous power in the cleared spaces that she +could not face the biting blast, but again and again was compelled to +creep over the icy crust, and pull the blanketed baby behind her.</p> + +<p>When she reached the Trumansburg road, she could hardly breathe. The icy +winds froze the sweat upon her toiling body and chilled the very marrow +of her aching bones. The little one lay a dead weight in her arms. The +ceaseless attacks of the cruel wind sapped her strength. She wanted to +rest, but she remembered it wouldn't do to stop. Every step was a +nightmare of impossible effort.</p> + +<p>Suddenly down the road but a little way, a white light spread before her +like a beckoning hand. Gathering her remaining strength for a final +effort, she staggered toward it.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_LII" id="CHAPTER_LII"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">334</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER LII</h2><h3><span class="smcap">The Storm</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>The blizzard that raged in the Storm Country, the day before Christmas, +was general through the East. Frederick Graves, on his way home for the +Yuletide festivities, had been hampered and delayed by the storm. +Indeed, the Lehigh train almost lost its way among the drifts, and +instead of arriving about supper time, it came limping in late in the +evening. When the much married man stepped off the train at the Ithaca +depot, he moved slowly down the long platform toward the carriage stand. +Waldstricker's coachman met him near the end of the station and relieved +him of his suit case. One glance at the newcomer's emaciated face, +bearing the tell-tale spots of hectic red, told the man why Graves had +been in the mountains.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Waldstricker sent me down to meet you, sir," the servant told +Frederick. "Your wife is up to our house and I'm to take you there. It's +a bad night, but I'll get you through all right."</p> + +<p>Frederick hesitated a moment before getting into the covered sleigh. He +hadn't calculated to go to Waldstricker's. But the servant's next words +decided him.</p> + +<p>"You see, sir, Miss Elsie's lost. She went out this afternoon and hasn't +been seen since; at least, hadn't been found when I left there about +seven o'clock. Mr. Waldstricker's tearing around through the snow like a +wild man and every one at Hayt's is out hunting for her."</p> + +<p>Warmly wrapped, Frederick leaned back in the sleigh. While the horses +plodded slowly against the storm up the long hill, he renewed his +meditations and reviewed the course of action he'd determined to follow. +His unsatisfied passion for Tess had grown more insistent during the +months spent alone in the mountains.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">335</a></span> He'd written her many letters +which had not been answered or returned to him. Indeed, he hadn't heard +of or from her, directly or indirectly, for many weeks. Her failure to +reply to his letters, as well as her hostile attitude, the last time +he'd seen her, he ascribed to Young's influence. That Tessibel had +become actually indifferent to him, he couldn't comprehend at all. +Surely, the love she'd shown him couldn't die! The separation had only +made his passion the greater. It might be that, through his neglect, her +love had grown dormant, but nothing could destroy it. Freed from the +lawyer's control, and in new surroundings, the well remembered sweetness +of their short honeymoon would become a present experience.</p> + +<p>He'd been able to secrete, when he'd been in charge of the California +office, considerable sums of money. By careful management, he had +increased his takings to an amount that would be a comfortable fortune +for himself and the squatter girl. There had been no break between him +and Madelene, but he had persuaded himself she would be glad to separate +from him. It was too late to do anything about it tonight, though. +Tomorrow, or the next day, he'd take his dear ones away.</p> + +<p>As soon as they were settled in some distant city and were secure from +the elder's wrath, he'd write Madelene. He chuckled grimly to himself at +the thought of their rage when they learned of her anomalous position as +his unmarried wife.</p> + +<p>Then, his fancy played about the home he'd have. He pictured Tess moving +through the rooms in the intimacies of domestic life. Almost, so vivid +the picture his passion painted, he held her in his arms. He'd do +wonderful things for the boy. He should have the best education +possible! Lost in his dreams, the time slipped rapidly away, and he +found himself, all at once, in front of his brother-in-law's brilliantly +lighted home.</p> + +<p>When he came into the great hall, Madelene hurried out of the library to +meet him. She presented a cool cheek for the customary kiss of greeting +and helped him out of his extra wraps.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">336</a></span></p> + +<p>"Take off your coat, dear, and come into the library," she urged. "The +man told you about Elsie? But Eb's sure to find her. I'll see about +something to eat while you're getting thawed out."</p> + +<p>She bustled off to the kitchen and her husband went into the library and +dropped into a chair before the grate.</p> + +<p>When Madelene came back, she stopped by the table impressed, suddenly, +by the pathetic weariness of his appearance. The change in him startled +her and reawakened all the love she'd ever felt for him. In addition, +there was, in her affection for the sick man, an element of maternal +devotion, as though the unsatisfied desires of her empty arms demanded +him. She crossed the room and seated herself on the arm of his chair.</p> + +<p>"Fred, dear," she said, "you must have had an awful trip. Now, that I +have you home again, I'm going to look after you, myself."</p> + +<p>One after another, she noted the symptoms of decay and dissolution +presented. His clothes no longer fitted but hung, bag-like, upon his +emaciated frame. His shoulders were stooped and his chest sunken. The +high linen collar he'd always been so particular about, no longer set +close to a shapely neck, but sagged away from the taut cords below his +bony jaw and chin. She lifted one of his hands and stared, through the +tears that welled into her eyes, at the claw-like fingers resting in +hers. Her husband's pitiful plight completely softened her heart and +wiped away the memory of her jealousy and dissatisfaction with him. He +needed her, now, and everything that love could do for him, she'd give +him.</p> + +<p>Lifting his fingers to her lips, they sat, thus, in silence, before the +log fire until Frederick withdrew his hand and let it fall into his lap. +Madelene shifted her position a little and slipped one arm around his +neck. Although somewhat amazed at the demonstration, Frederick submitted +to the caresses and found in them something of peace.</p> + +<p>"I'm awfully sorry, Fred," she whispered, after the lapse of a few +moments. "Let's begin again and do<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">337</a></span> better. I do love you, so. Put your +arms around me and tell me you'll forgive and forget."</p> + +<p>Convinced that it was easier to humor his wife's soft mood than to risk +the strain of repulsing her, Frederick slipped his arms around her and +held her close.</p> + +<p>"There's nothing to forgive, Madie," he muttered. "I've been awful +selfish and I'm paying the penalty, that's all. You better let me go and +forget me."</p> + +<p>Supposing he referred to his approaching death, Madelene cried out +sharply, in protest.</p> + +<p>"No, no, Fred, you mustn't say such things. You make me feel like a +murderess."</p> + +<p>She wound her arms tightly around him and kissed him stormily.</p> + +<p>"I love you and you love me," she continued. "That's all there is to it. +We'll be happy, yet!"</p> + +<p>For a few moments, she rested in his embrace, happier than she'd been in +many a long day. Then, she disengaged herself and stood up.</p> + +<p>"Come, dear," she smiled, "your supper is ready."</p> + +<p>After he was seated at the table, she told him of the quarrel between +her brother and his wife, of the loss of Elsie and the search then going +on.</p> + +<p>"Helen's most crazy," she concluded. "She's lying down, now. I gave her +a powder and I think she's sleeping."</p> + +<p>Frederick toyed with the food before him. He made occasional +monosyllabic comments that kept the running fire of his wife's chatter +going. Unable to pretend to eat more, he leaned back in his chair.</p> + +<p>"I'm not much of an eater," he smiled, "but I've enjoyed your lunch very +much."</p> + +<p>The sound of steps on the stairs interrupted him.</p> + +<p>"Hark, Fred!" his wife exclaimed. "That's Helen, now."</p> + +<p>Together they left the dining room and went to the library, where Mrs. +Waldstricker had preceded them.</p> + +<p>Helen's distraught manner prevented anything like a conventional welcome +to her brother-in-law. After Frederick had expressed his sympathy for +her anxiety about Elsie and tried to quiet her fears, Madelene<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">338</a></span> carried +him off to his room. When she had seen to the details for his comfort, +she returned to the library to share Mrs. Waldstricker's vigil.</p> + +<p>Frederick found, when he was left alone, that he was in no mood for bed. +He was too tired to sleep, too nervous to be quiet anywhere. It seemed +to him as though there were some unusual quality in the air, some +mysterious whispering to his inner consciousness. He felt vaguely +excited. He tried to read but the words conveyed to him no meaning. To +an extent never before experienced, possibly because he was again in the +Storm Country, he wanted Tess. After a time, he heard the banging of the +front door downstairs and confused cries in the hall, but paid little +attention to them. In the silence that succeeded, the narrow walls of +the bedroom became unbearably close. He'd go downstairs to the library. +It might be he'd be able to rest in a chair before the log fire.</p> + +<hr class="major" /> +<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em"> +<a name="CHAPTER_LIII" id="CHAPTER_LIII"></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">339</a></span> +<h2>CHAPTER LIII</h2><h3><span class="smcap">The Happy Day</span></h3> +</div> + +<p>Like the kindly eyes of a welcoming friend, the two great lights upon +the posts of Waldstricker's gateway met Tessibel Skinner as she +struggled between the tall stone pillars to the private driveway. In +sheer fatigue, she allowed Elsie to slip to the snow and sank down +beside her. Her heart sang with joy and thanksgiving. She was going to +give Helen her dear, golden-haired baby. There was no thought, now, of +her hatred for Ebenezer, only wondrous anticipation of his joy at +receiving his little girl out of the storm. Through the white light, +Tess could outline the rounded figure in the snow. Rhythmical breathing +assured her the little one slept in security. Once more, Tess got to her +feet and, once more, she gathered up the living bundle. She was almost +at the end of her journey. The short rest had given her new strength, +and when she got to the stone porch she was able to mount the steps, and +move laboriously, almost breathlessly, to the door. Memories keenly +bitter-sweet rushed over her. The last time she was on that spot she was +going to sing for the master's friends. What numberless happenings +loomed before her mental vision, happenings to her and to Waldstricker. +She was too dazed, too cold, to consider them in sequence. In the +confusion of her soul, only two things stood out distinctly. Her +marriage to Frederick Graves and Boy's shining face when the assurance +had come to her that he lived and would ever live. Then Deforrest +Young—Ah, yes, she had forgotten him! In a little while she would see +him, and he would take her back to Mother Moll and Andy.</p> + +<p>She was directly in front of the heavy portal, now, and with one stiff +set of fingers she laid hold of the handle and twisted the knob. The +door opened under her pressure and displayed the long reception hall.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">340</a></span> A +rush of warm air welcomed her, and she uttered one little cry and +staggered across the threshold.</p> + +<hr class="minor" /> + +<p>Helen Waldstricker and Madelene Graves were waiting wearily for some +message from the searching party. Hours had passed that seemed like +centuries strung into eternities, hours that had brought no word of the +lost baby. Suddenly, Helen sat up as an unusual sound came to her ear.</p> + +<p>"Did I hear something?" she asked. "I thought it was a voice."</p> + +<p>"Only the wind," answered Madelene, drowsily.</p> + +<p>The girl was thinking of Frederick and dreaming what their life might +be, now that they were beginning again. Of course, he was ill—very ill, +but she'd take him away and nurse him back to health again.</p> + +<p>Then, another hoarse little sound forced its way through the closed +door, and Helen got up and opened it. In that moment, when she looked +the length of her spacious hall, the whole world took on a gladness +unsurpassed. True, the door was open and the blizzard battled in and +flung its snowflakes to her very feet; but across the doorway was a +human body—Tessibel Skinner, and at her side, a rosebud face from which +the blanket had fallen. Mrs. Waldstricker gave a glad cry and sprang +forward. Tess tried to get up but failed. All she could do was to +whisper,</p> + +<p>"I've brought you back your baby." Then, she crumpled forward over Elsie +Waldstricker in a forlorn, snow-covered heap.</p> + +<p>By that time, Madelene was in the hall. She recognized Tessibel, and +felt a keen thrill of biting pain. She had suffered much from this +beautiful squatter girl, but she, also, realized that Tess had brought +the child back to her distracted parents. Between them, the two women +managed to carry the girl and baby into the library. Both were crying, +and Elsie, too, now awake, was insisting that her mother "Rock baby."</p> + +<p>To answer their hysterical questions, when her throat was so hoarse, was +impossible for Tessibel.</p> + +<p>"Let her rest right here, then," said Helen. "Mercy me! If the child +hasn't some of Deforrest's clothes on.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">341</a></span> Let's take the baby upstairs, +and, Madelene, you bring down some dry things for Tess.... Here, Tess, +dear, let me wrap you in this for a few minutes."</p> + +<p>Tessibel sank into the warm woolen robe Mrs. Waldstricker placed about +her. Then, the two women went upstairs with wee Elsie. Tessibel felt the +warmth from the fire permeate her whole being. She had suddenly grown so +sleepy! It was delightful to be able to close her eyes and watch in +perfect peace the figures of her dreams! Memories, deep and entrancing, +engulfed her. Many forms passed to and fro across her vision. There were +the dark faces of her squatter friends, then Ebenezer Waldstricker. Her +lids lifted heavily, her eyes centering upon another face—a face which +made her cry out and struggle to her feet with trembling desire to get +away. Frederick Graves closed the door behind him softly and the girl +noted how thin and sick he looked and that his twitching lips tried to +smile her a welcome.</p> + +<p>"Tessibel," was all he said. She sank back into the great chair, white +and weak, her face strung with terror.</p> + +<p>Frederick didn't pause to ask why she was there. It was enough to know +she was near him, and he forgot all else; his recent promises to +Madelene,—Ebenezer and his mother. Only, did he remember that his young +squatter wife, the mother of his baby son, was near enough for him to +take her in his arms. Ah, yes, he'd take her away, right then, just as +he had planned to do so many, many times. He bent over her, his breath +coming in labored, explosive gusts.</p> + +<p>"Tess, darling," he murmured, much moved. "How wonderful you should be +here tonight. Say something to me, sweetheart."</p> + +<p>Tess attempted to push him from her. The touch of her hand thrilled him +to his toes. How he would care for her—take her away from her squatter +world, that stormy world filled with sorrow and pain! His world should +know of her goodness, her loyalty and strength.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell Ebenezer I'm your husband, Tessibel," he breathed in her ear. +"Oh, my darling, what joy there<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">342</a></span> is in store for us, what wonderful +happiness—"</p> + +<p>"No, no," cried Tess.</p> + +<p>Then, again, he seized her hand, murmuring,</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, my love! I know it's hard to forgive me, but I've never loved +any one but you. I didn't even try to care for Madelene. I couldn't. +And, now, my precious—"</p> + +<p>"Please, don't say such things," cried Tess. "I only came—"</p> + +<p>She wrenched her fingers loose from his and through her own +interruption, he went on quickly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my dearest, be a little kind to me. Forgive all I've done. No, I +shan't let you go until you promise me something—you must listen!"</p> + +<p>Driven on by the passion dominating his weak body, Frederick dragged her +to him. Deforrest Young came into the girl's mind. How she loved him! +She would not tolerate Graves' hateful embrace. She made a frantic +struggle against the arms holding her.</p> + +<p>"Frederick, Frederick!" she gasped.</p> + +<p>"No, I won't listen, Tess," he cried. "I'm sorry enough for all I've +done and I won't go away from you any more."</p> + +<p>He crushed his mouth against her cheek. She should not baffle him thus. +Now, that she was in his arms, his hot breath mingling with the warmth +of hers, he was sure she could not resist him. Suddenly, she ceased to +struggle—Limply, she lay against his breast. How he loved her! +Frederick remembered with a thrilling, cutting desire that in those +dear, olden days, she had been the sweeter and better part of himself. +He had come back to fight for her, to take her and the boy away. Between +passionate kisses, new resolves raced through his fevered mind. He told +himself no barrier was strong enough to keep him from her. But he had +forgotten Ebenezer Waldstricker. It was not until he heard a short, +sharp ejaculation that he turned partly around. His brother-in-law was +standing in the open door, clad in a long fur garment, his handsome face +dark with terrible anger. Frederick dropped one arm, but tightened the +other about the squatter girl.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">343</a></span></p> + +<p>Waldstricker could feel himself growing hot to the edge of his collar. +At the sight of the girl he hated, a sudden fury took possession of him.</p> + +<p>Tess became aware that the crimson churchman was looking her over from +head to foot. She flushed painfully as she realized her masculine attire +and thrust one hand behind her to loosen Frederick's arm, while with the +other she steadied herself against a chair. She could not force herself +to speak.</p> + +<p>Waldstricker cleared his throat.</p> + +<p>"How long has it been considered good taste, Mr. Graves," he demanded +icily, "for a man to bring his mistress into his wife's home?"</p> + +<p>Every word was perfectly articulated. Frederick grew deathly sick and +sat down quickly, making a violent gesture with his hand. He wanted to +deny Waldstricker's deadly insult, but he, suddenly, had no strength. +How Tess came into the house he did not know. But he did know she was +not there at his instigation. He could see that Waldstricker had hurt +her beyond expression, too. She was staring at his brother-in-law, +silent, as if frozen by his cold contempt.</p> + +<p>Looking from one to the other, Ebenezer went on.</p> + +<p>"It is my painful duty to ask Miss Skinner to leave this house ... now," +said he.</p> + +<p>Frederick managed to stand up and fling one protecting arm about the +pale girl.</p> + +<p>"Not in this terrible storm, Ebbie," he got out hoarsely.</p> + +<p>"She came in the storm," returned the elder, "and I see no reason why +she can't go back in it. She seems nicely dressed for such weather."</p> + +<p>He went forward and seized her arm and quickly swung the slender form +from Frederick's embrace. The girl was so dazed and weary she made no +resistance. The powerful elder snatched up her coat and cap and roughly +put them on her. Then, he pushed her ahead of him through the long +reception hall. Tessibel had not spoken a word, nor did she speak when +Waldstricker pulled open the door and, with a low growl, shoved her out +into the darkness. When he returned to the library, he found Frederick +stretched out upon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">344</a></span> the divan. A look of death had spread over his face, +and the appeal in his eyes brought the elder forward quickly.</p> + +<p>"Fred, what possessed you to bring that girl here?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't. I found her here," murmured Frederick. "She'll die in the +storm. Call her back, Eb, she'll die—"</p> + +<p>"No, she won't," replied Waldstricker, gruffly, "and what's more I won't +have her here. How she had a nerve to come at all, I can't see.... +Where's Helen?"</p> + +<p>"Upstairs with Madie, I guess," sighed Frederick.</p> + +<p>"Poor Helen," groaned Ebenezer, moodily. "If I could only give her some +news of Elsie. But I feel sure we'll have her home by morning."</p> + +<p>"I hope so!" answered Frederick. Then, he raised on one elbow and spoke +with difficulty. "Eb,—Ebenezer, I've something to tell you." The effort +made him gasp for breath, and fall back.</p> + +<p>"I guess I'm done for," he muttered.</p> + +<p>"I'll call Madelene," said Waldstricker, turning quickly.</p> + +<p>"No, no, Ebenezer. Come here. There, now, let me tell it. I—I—married +Tessibel Skinner before I married Madelene."</p> + +<p>Waldstricker staggered back. He was appalled at the death-stricken face +opposite. He knew Frederick was dying, and had no doubt he was telling +the simple truth. The world seemed turned upside down. Now, in the light +of this new knowledge, he could see many things. He shuddered when he +thought of Tessibel. He and his were in the squatter girl's power. What +mercy could he or Madelene expect at her hands? The shame and disgrace +would kill his sister. Had the Skinner girl come to his house to claim +her husband?</p> + +<p>At that moment, he heard Mrs. Graves' step on the stairs. He turned, +intending to ask Frederick not to tell Madelene of his secret marriage, +but quickly changed his mind. Frederick was too ill; the first thing was +to relieve his suffering.</p> + +<p>"Get some water," the elder commanded when she appeared in the doorway. +"Fred's sick."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">345</a></span></p> + +<p>Madelene dropped the armful of clothes she held and fled to obey. When +she came back, the young wife tenderly ministered to the dying man. +Never before had he seemed so dear!</p> + +<p>"I think we'd better call a doctor," said Ebenezer, and he went out.</p> + +<p>For a moment, he felt impelled to go to his wife, to tell her how sorry +he was for all his ugly moods. He blamed himself bitterly for Elsie's +disappearance. If her mother had been home, the little girl would not +have gone away.</p> + +<p>In the servant's quarters, he gave orders that a doctor should be sent +for. As he came back to the reception hall, he saw Helen looking down up +him,—and she was smiling. How could she smile when the world was no +longer glad, no longer beautiful? But a few hours before he had left her +in tears, almost insane. Now she stood quietly, happily, as if joy +unlimited were hers.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Waldstricker placed her fingers on her lips.</p> + +<p>"Come up, dear heart," she whispered.</p> + +<p>Ebenezer mounted the stairs.</p> + +<p>"I'm so miserable, Helen," he said. "I don't know what to say."</p> + +<p>Helen stood on tiptoe and put one arm around his neck. She drew the +massive head down and pressed her face to her husband's cheek.</p> + +<p>"I don't think there's anything much to say," she said softly, "but to +thank her for bringing her back."</p> + +<p>Waldstricker straightened himself impatiently.</p> + +<p>"Brought who back?" he demanded. "What do you mean? My God, Helen, the +whole house has gone mad."</p> + +<p>"Didn't you see Tessibel in the library?" Helen asked. "She—"</p> + +<p>"Well, I should say I did," Ebenezer snorted, "and I cleared her out of +there. How dare the impudent huzzy come to my house?"</p> + +<p>"Great Heavens! Ebenezer!" exclaimed Helen. "She carried Elsie all the +way from the lake!"</p> + +<p>When these words fell upon Waldstricker's ears, he couldn't comprehend +their import entirely. Elsie was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">346</a></span> found! But—Then, the full horror of +his impetuous action burst upon him. The squatter girl had brought her +back! Oh! Brute and fool that he was! He groaned and started to speak +but his wife's voice interrupted him.</p> + +<p>"Elsie's in here. Come see her! Won't you come, dear?"</p> + +<p>The husband followed his wife through the nursery door, and as he +centered his eyes upon the little bed in which his baby lay, life turned +over for Ebenezer Waldstricker. He bent down and placed a reverent kiss +upon the flushed, sleeping face. Then, he turned to Helen.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to find Tessibel Skinner," he said, and, abruptly turning, +went out.</p> + +<hr class="minor" /> + +<p>Deforrest Young forced his foaming horse into Waldstricker's gateway and +galloped up to the porch. It took him but one brief moment to fling +himself to the ground, and up the steps into the house. Andy had told +him Tess had gone to Ebenezer's with little Elsie. To know his darling +was out in such a night nearly drove him mad. It hadn't taken him long +to decide to go after her.</p> + +<p>Meeting Ebenezer coming down the stairs, the lawyer's first demand was,</p> + +<p>"Where's Tessibel—" and Waldstricker's reply came low and +self-accusing.</p> + +<p>"I sent her home, but, Deforrest, I didn't know about her bringing +Elsie, then."</p> + +<p>The lawyer didn't wait to ask anything more. Sick at heart and +apprehensive, he went from the mansion and into his saddle and once more +out between the great stone gate posts.</p> + +<hr class="minor" /> + +<p>When the church elder pushed her through the doorway, into the winter +night, Tessibel stood one moment swaying, back and forth, in an effort +to steady her mind enough to plan her next action. She knew the long, +wintry road to the lake must again be traversed before she could lie +down and rest. A sob came to her lips. She was so tired, so wearily +unable to think.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">347</a></span> She had wanted to stay where it was warm, to wait +until Deforrest came after her; but Mr. Waldstricker had almost thrown +her into the snow. He had told her she couldn't stay, so, of course, she +couldn't go back. How cruel he had looked and how strong his hands were! +Once, some one had said Waldstricker's hands were stronger than God's. +But, no, that wasn't true! She and Andy had proved it false. It was just +that Waldstricker didn't like her; he didn't like any of the squatters, +that's why he made her go away. Probably, he wasn't as glad as she +thought he'd be to get his baby back. She drew her coat closer about her +shoulders and stepped from the porch. The snow had ceased to fall, and +the wind had quieted its turbulent raging. Very cold and quiet, the +whole white night-world seemed. Of a sudden, the solitude was pierced by +a hoarse sound from a sleepy fowl in the great barn below in the +meadows. A night bird uttered a shrill, belligerent cry and sank to +silence in his tree top. Tess turned her head sharply. These life-sounds +out of the dusky beyond came from her friends. She wasn't afraid, only +cold and chilled to her body's depths. Slowly, she went down the drifted +driveway to the Trumansburg road and turned lakeward. She wondered if it +was safe to return home cross-lots when she was so tired. It was shorter +through the fields, but her legs seemed almost unable to bear up her +weight in the deep snow.</p> + +<p>At the top of the hill, opposite the Stebbins' homestead, she crouched +down to rest a moment. Once, she thought she heard a horse. It might +have been, but if so, the animal had passed, for no longer could she +hear the thud of hoofs upon the snow road. Then, something touched her, +and she turned her eyes upward. There, in the sky, was a moon—Was it +her moon, that pale riding thing, taking its way through the white +clouds? How cold it looked, and how cold it was! She shivered, settled a +little in her coat and closed her eyes. A moment later, something +brushed her hand. Slowly, the long red-brown lashes lifted and the +red-brown eyes settled upon a figure bending over her, a figure, white +like one of Mother Moll's conjured ghosts. Tessibel wanted to go to +sleep. Why<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">348</a></span> had the night stranger touched her, just then? Oh, she was +out in the snow. A person ought never to lie down in the snow. Daddy +Skinner had told her so many times. She mustn't sleep. She must get up +instantly—but—her legs were too stiff, too difficult to move. Then, +the figure faded slowly from her vision. How heavy her chest felt. A +moonbeam lay slant-wise across it. That couldn't be so heavy, just a bit +of the moonlight. Why, of course, something else was cradled in the +white beam. Tess looked closer. A babe, as fair as an unblemished rose +leaf, lay straight across her breast and considered her with +unfathomable, interested eyes.... It was Boy—her Boy—she had him back +again. Then, he hadn't been put in a little box in the ground beside +Daddy Skinner. She managed to raise one arm and drop it across the small +body. How lovely he was, this moonbeam babe, so white, so gentle and +dark-haired.</p> + +<p>Tessibel was warmer since he had come to her; her arms no longer +trembled, but her legs seemed to have lost their desire to walk. She +felt glad of that, too, because she was too tired to walk, anyway, and +the baby was very sweet. Then, once more, a long shadow came between her +and the moon and someone bent over her. Ah, 'twas Daddy Skinner, the +same beloved, heavy humped-shoulders—the same precious face, and he was +fondling the moon baby, and twice kissed <i>her</i> with tender, twitching +lips. She smiled happily and moved a little in the snow. She tried to +catch Daddy's hand, tried to call his dear name, but only a little sound +came from her tightened, frozen throat. Then, smiling, Daddy Skinner +went back to the moon, and Tess, drowsily, cuddled the white babling +closer, and went to sleep.</p> + +<hr class="minor" /> + +<p>Deforrest Young brought his horse to an abrupt standstill. Had he heard +a faint sound off there in the path? With a sudden spring, he +dismounted. Over near the fence, he thought he had seen through the +streak of light a human hand move upward and then sink into the snow. He +paused a moment and shuddered. Had he lost his senses through the +suffering<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">349</a></span> the week had brought him? He shook himself and turned to his +horse again. No silly vision should drag him across a snowdrift on such +a night. He was going home to Tessibel. In hesitant quandary, he still +stood staring west to the rail fence. Then, something impelled him to do +the very thing he had decided would be fruitless.</p> + +<p>One bound took him through the piles of snow at the side of the road. +The lawyer bent down, his heart tightening with fear. A human being lay +close to the fence. Young quickly pulled the face into the moonlight. +The quiet, death-like form was Tessibel Skinner.</p> + +<p>A huge sob tore its way from the lawyer's throat, and burst fiercely +through his teeth. Was she dead, his dearest who had received evil, +perhaps death, for the good she had done?</p> + +<p>Above his head the limbs of a great tree sang their song of winter to +the night. Deforrest remembered Tess had always loved the whispering of +the wind. A low cry followed by words fell from his lips.</p> + +<p>"Love air everywhere the hull time," he sobbed. "Oh, Love, Divine, +merciful Love, protect my pretty child!"</p> + +<p>In another sixty seconds he was pounding through the snow road toward +the lake with a sleeping red-haired girl in his arms.</p> + +<hr class="minor" /> + +<p>It was broad day when Tessibel opened her eyes. She lay for some time +looking at the ceiling, then around her. She was alone in the room, yes, +in her own room at the lake. Something had hurt her dreadfully, for even +her arms ached so she couldn't move them. She wondered where Andy was, +and Mother Moll, and if Deforrest were home.</p> + +<p>She tried to sit up, but the pains shooting through her body made her +content to be quiet.</p> + +<p>Later, by a few moments, when Deforrest Young opened the door and stole +in, she smiled wanly at him.</p> + +<p>"My little girl's had a good sleep," he said softly, coming forward. +Then, he took her hand and stood looking down upon her, his whole soul +in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Tessibel," he hesitated, "do you remember what happened last night?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">350</a></span></p> + +<p>Tess stared at him, a little pucker between her eyes. Last night? What +about last night?</p> + +<p>Oh, yes, she did remember. Elsie Waldstricker at the squatters; her own +struggle through the snow to the mansion on the hill; how Waldstricker +had turned her away.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I remember," she whispered. "Did you find me, Uncle Forrie?"</p> + +<p>Sudden tears swept away Young's vision. He nodded his head.</p> + +<p>"And my brother-in-law's downstairs and wants to speak to you, +Tessibel," said he.</p> + +<p>Tess made a negative shake with her head, and a look of fear crept into +her eyes.</p> + +<p>Through Waldstricker's baby she had measured the height of God's love +and forgiveness, and through his own unrighteous arrogancy she had +plumbed the depths of human woe. She thrilled at the thought of little +Elsie, of Helen's joy this birthday of Jesus, the tender teacher of her +youth. She would have welcomed them, but she didn't want to see +Waldstricker. By the crack of his whip, he had destroyed her love-life, +as a bubble from a child's pipe is broken by a gust of wind. But before +she could frame her refusal, Ebenezer Waldstricker appeared in the +doorway. He came forward to the bed and held out his hand.</p> + +<p>"Tessibel," he said huskily, "I'm bowed with shame before you. Child, I +cannot tell you how sorry I am."</p> + +<p>Tess took his hand without the slightest show of hesitation.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you've got your baby home," she murmured brokenly, and that +was all.</p> + +<p>A great emotion shook Ebenezer's soul as a giant oak is shaken in a +mighty wind.</p> + +<p>"Last night when I sent you away," he explained tensely, "I didn't know +about your bringing her back. I appreciate, child, that's no excuse for +me. Nor did I know, then, that you were married—"</p> + +<p>He stopped, the bitter pain in his throat aching his voice into silence.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Graves is dead," he whispered, "and my sister—"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">351</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm so sorry for her, Mr. Waldstricker," cried Tess, struggling up.</p> + +<p>Deforrest stepped forward to Ebenezer's side and supported her.</p> + +<p>"Yes, you would be," the elder asserted. "Your heart is so tender.... My +poor little Madelene—I fear the shock will kill her. She doesn't know +yet that she really had no husband."</p> + +<p>Tessibel's eyes grew large with astonishment. Then, Frederick had +exonerated her to Waldstricker. Her eyes sought Deforrest Young's.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Waldstricker told me downstairs about it, my darling," he said +tenderly. "My brave little girl!"</p> + +<p>Tess flashed a sudden look at Ebenezer.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Waldstricker, I never want your sister to know she wasn't Fred—I +mean Mr. Graves' wife," she told him. "It won't do any good and I'd +rather you wouldn't tell her."</p> + +<p>Then, surely, did Tess win from her proud enemy all the respect and +reverence he could bestow on any human being. Ebenezer Waldstricker +lowered his lips and pressed them to the slender hand he held.</p> + +<p>"My dear, my dear," he moaned. "If I could only undo some of it."</p> + +<p>Oh, how Tessibel wanted some of it undone, too. Her red head bowed +slowly over his strong white hand.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mr. Waldstricker," she burst forth with sobs, "I want my little +baby so bad, so awful bad."</p> + +<p>Ebenezer uttered a groan and wheeling quickly went from the room.</p> + +<hr class="minor" /> + +<p>Later in the day, when they were alone together, Deforrest sat down +beside Tessibel.</p> + +<p>"Now, you can tell me all about it, child," he said.</p> + +<p>"Yes," whispered Tess; and she did. It was difficult to go back to those +long, terrible years through which she had stumbled in shame and +disgrace, but Deforrest Young upheld her by sympathy and encouragement. +When the pitiful tale was finished, he bent forward and drew her into +his arms.</p> + +<p>"This Christmas is the happiest of my life," he murmured.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">352</a></span></p> + +<p>Hearing Andy on the stairs, they'd just taken more conventional +attitudes when he burst into the room.</p> + +<p>"Mother Moll's been havin' a seance all to herself," he grinned, "an' +she says, there's a wedding ring hanging over the brat's head, an' she +said to tell you, Uncle Forrie—" He paused, giggled a little and +ended—"Red curls'll twist around your heart so close ye won't ever get +away."</p> + +<p>Then the dwarf toddled back upstairs, chuckling to himself.</p> + +<p>"Mother Moll's right," whispered Deforrest into the small ear. "I'm the +happiest man in all the world, Tessibel."</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Secret of the Storm Country, by +Grace Miller White + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SECRET OF THE STORM COUNTRY *** + +***** This file should be named 20548-h.htm or 20548-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/0/5/4/20548/ + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5b6813d --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #20548 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/20548) diff --git a/old/20548.txt b/old/20548.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..745695d --- /dev/null +++ b/old/20548.txt @@ -0,0 +1,15425 @@ +Project Gutenberg's The Secret of the Storm Country, by Grace Miller White + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Secret of the Storm Country + +Author: Grace Miller White + +Illustrator: Lucius W. Hitchcock + +Release Date: February 8, 2007 [EBook #20548] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SECRET OF THE STORM COUNTRY *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + +[Illustration: "I CAST THE FIRST STONE," HE SAID SWIFTLY] + +----------------------------------------------------------------------- + +THE SECRET OF THE STORM COUNTRY + +BY +GRACE MILLER WHITE + +AUTHOR OF +TESS OF THE STORM COUNTRY, +ROSE O' PARADISE, ETC. + +ILLUSTRATED BY +LUCIUS W. HITCHCOCK + +NEW YORK +GROSSET & DUNLAP +PUBLISHERS + +Made in the United States of America + +----------------------------------------------------------------------- + +Copyright, 1916, by +Woman's World. + +Copyright, 1917, by +Woman's World. + +Copyright, 1917, by +The H. K. Fly Company. + +----------------------------------------------------------------------- + +I Lovingly Dedicate this Book to +Lil And Arthur Miller + +----------------------------------------------------------------------- + +CONTENTS + + Chapter Page + + I. The Squatter Folk 9 + II. The Coming of Andy Bishop 16 + III. Tessibel Meets Waldstricker 25 + IV. Tess and Frederick 33 + V. A Gossip With "Satisfied" 38 + VI. Waldstricker Makes a Proposal 44 + VII. Waldstricker and Mother Moll 53 + VIII. Tessibel's Marriage 58 + IX. The Musicale 64 + X. A Victim of Circumstances 72 + XI. Frederick Intimidated 80 + XII. Making Ready for the Warden 86 + XIII. Sandy Proposes to Tess 94 + XIV. The Warden's Coming 99 + XV. The Search 105 + XVI. Tessibel's Secret 112 + XVII. Tessibel's Prayer 124 + XVIII. A Letter 131 + XIX. Its Answer 137 + XX. Madelene Complains to Ebenezer 144 + XXI. The End of the Honeymoon 149 + XXII. The Repudiation 152 + XXIII. The Quarrel 159 + XXIV. Waldstricker Interferes 164 + XXV. The Summons 168 + XXVI. The Churching 171 + XXVII. Daddy Skinner's Death 182 + XXVIII. Young Discovers Andy 189 + XXIX. The Vigil 195 + XXX. Sandy Comes to Grief 202 + XXXI. Waldstricker's Threat 207 + XXXII. Helen's Message 211 + XXXIII. Hands Stronger Than Waldstricker's 215 + XXXIV. Love Air Everywhere the Hull Time 222 + XXXV. Boy Skinner 227 + XXXVI. Deforrest Decides 232 + XXXVII. The New Home 238 + XXXVIII. Dinner at Waldstricker's 244 + XXXIX. Father and Son 250 + XL. Husband and Wife 256 + XLI. Tessibel's Discovery 261 + XLII. A Man's Arm at the Window 266 + XLIII. Sandy's Job 271 + XLIV. Sandy's Visit 276 + XLV. Andy Vindicated 279 + XLVI. Sandy's Courting 286 + XLVII. Waldstricker's Anger 294 + XLVIII. The Sins of the Parents 302 + XLIX. Tessibel and Elsie 311 + L. Tessibel's Vision 321 + LI. The Christmas Guest 328 + LII. The Storm 334 + LIII. The Happy Day 339 + +----------------------------------------------------------------------- + +ILLUSTRATIONS. + + Page. + +"I cast the first stone," he said swiftly Frontispiece + +"I will," gritted Waldstricker, in spite of himself interested + in the old woman's revelations 30 + +"I was wonderin' little one, when you say your prayers, + if you'd pipe one for me?" 111 + +"Hush!" he cried, "Haven't you any heart?" 157 + +----------------------------------------------------------------------- + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE SQUATTER FOLK + + +The lazy warmth of a May afternoon, the spring following Orn Skinner's +release from Auburn Prison, was reflected in the attitudes of three men +lounging on the shore in front of "Satisfied" Longman's shack. At their +feet, the waters of Cayuga Lake dimpled under the rays of the western +sun. Like a strip of burnished silver, the inlet wound its way through +the swamp from the elevators and railroad stations near the foot of +south hill. Across the lake rose the precipitous slopes of East Hill, +tapestried in green, etched here and there by stretches of winding white +road, and crowned by the buildings on the campus of Cornell University. +Stretched from the foot of State Street on either side of the Lehigh +Valley track lay the Silent City, its northern end spreading several +miles up the west shore of the Lake. Its inhabitants were canalers, +fishermen and hunters, uneducated, rough and superstitious. They built +their little huts in the simplest manner out of packing boxes and rough +lumber and roofed them with pieces of tin and sheet iron. Squatters they +were appropriately named, because they paid no attention to land titles, +but stuck their shacks wherever fancy indicated or convenience dictated. +The people of the Silent City slept by day and went very quietly about +their work under the cover of darkness, for the game laws compelled the +fishermen to pull their nets at night, and the farmers' chickens were +more easily caught, his fruit more easily picked when the sun was +warming China. + +Summers, their lives were comparatively free from hardships. Fish were +plentiful and easy to take; the squatter women picked flowers and +berries in the woods and sold them in the city and the men worked +occasionally, as the fit struck them. But the winters were bitter and +cruel. The countryside, buried deep in snow, made travel difficult. +When the mercury shrank timidly into the bulb and fierce winds howled +down the lake, the Silent City seemed, indeed, the Storm Country. + +"I were up to the Graves' place yesterday, helpin' Professor Young," +said Jake Brewer, the youngest and most active of the three men. + +"Never had no use fer that duffer, Dominie Graves, myself," answered +Longman. The speaker turned a serious face to the third member of the +party. "Ner you nuther, eh, Orn?" + +Orn Skinner was an enormous man, some six and a half feet tall. Two +great humps on his shoulders accentuated the breadth and thickness of +his chest while they tended to conceal the length of his arms. A few +months before he'd been in the death house at Auburn. Through the +efforts of Deforrest Young, the dean of the Law College at Cornell, he'd +been pardoned and sent home. + +The gigantic squatter removed his pipe from his mouth and smoothed the +thready white beard, straggling over his chin. + +"Nope, I hated 'im," he muttered. "He done me dirt 'nough. If it hadn't +been fer Tess an' Lawyer Young, he'd a hung me sure." + +"Ye didn't git the deed to yer shack land afore he died, did ye, Orn?" +interrupted "Satisfied" Longman. "Tessibel told ma the preacher promised +it to ye." + +A moody expression settled in Skinner's eyes. "So he did promise it," he +explained. "He writ Tess a letter. He said as how he were sorry for his +meanness an' would give me the deed. But he didn't!" + +A shrill voice calling his name brought "Satisfied" Longman to his feet, +and he hobbled away toward the shack. + +"'Pears like 'Satisfied' ain't got much strength any more," said +Skinner. "He ain't been worth much of anythin' sence I got back." + +"Him an' Ma Longman've failed a lot sence Myry an' Ezry died," agreed +Jake. "An' no wonder! Them two didn't amount to much to my way o' +thinkin', but their pa an' ma set considerable store by 'em ... Ben +Letts were a bad 'un, too. It used to make me plumb ugly to see 'im +botherin' Tess when ye was shet up, Orn, an' him all the time the daddy +of Myry's brat." + +"Yep, Ben were bad," agreed Skinner. "I were sure he done the shootin', +but 'tweren't till Ezry swore he saw 'im that the lawyer could prove I +didn't do it. But Tess says Myry loved Ben. Women air queer critters, +ain't they?" + +"Myry sure was," assented Brewer, thoughtfully. "In spite of Ezry's +tellin' her, Ben'd most drowned him, an' done the killin' they was goin' +to hang you fer, up she gits an' takes the brat an' goes off with Ben. +It were the worst storm of the year. No wonder him, Myry an' their brat +all was drowned." + +Longman, coming out of the shack, overheard the last remark. The other +two fell silent. After he'd sat down again, he dissipated their +embarrassment by saying, + +"But Tess says Myry air happy now 'cause she air got Ben. Fer myself, I +dunno, though. But, if Myry air satisfied, me an' ma air satisfied, +too." + +The other two nodded in solemn sympathy. After a moment, Jake took out +his pipe and filled it. Holding the lighted match above the bowl, he +glanced at Skinner. + +"Where air Tess?" he asked. + +"She air up to Young's. He air learnin' her book stuff, an' his sister +air helpin' the brat sing. It air astonishin' how the brat takes to it. +Jest like a duck to water." + +"Tess air awful smart," sighed Longman, "an' she air awful good, too. +She sings fer ma 'most every day. I heard her only yesterday, somethin' +'bout New Jerusylem. Ma loves Tessibel's singin'." + +Then, for perhaps the space of three minutes, they lapsed into silence. +At length, Jake Brewer spoke, + +"Be ye goin' to let her marry the Student Graves, Orn?" he asked. + +"I dunno," Skinner muttered, "but I know this much, I don't like high +born pups like him hangin' 'round my girl. 'Tain't fittin' an' I told +Tess so!" + +Orn knocked the ashes out of his pipe and rose slowly. + +"Guess I'll be moseyin' 'long, pals," he smiled. "The brat'll be back +'fore long." + +"Wait a minute, Orn," Longman broke in. "Ma's got some pork an' beans +she wants to send up to Mother Moll. She thought, mebbe, Tess'd take 'em +to 'er." + +"Sure, 'Satisfied,' I'll take 'em home an' the brat'll take 'em up the +ravine next time she goes to the professor's." + +"Mother Moll were the only one of us all," Jake told Skinner, while +Longman was in the shack, "what stood by Tess. She allers says Tess air +a goin' to surprise us all. She says as how the brat'll be rich an' have +a fine home. I dunno--but old Moll do tell the future right good when +she looks in the pot." + +"She told the brat I were comin' home from Auburn," added Skinner, "when +it looked certain I were goin' to hang." + +Longman came out of the shack with a pan in his hands. + +"Yep," he corroborated. "An' she told ma years ago she'd lose her brats +in a storm. Old Moll air a wise woman, all right." + +The dish of beans in his hand, the Bible-backed fisherman directed his +steps toward his own home, some distance away beyond the ragged rocks. + +The old squatter walked slowly. His health had broken in prison and his +strength seemed hardly sufficient to move the big body. The path, an +outcropping ledge of the precipitous cliff, was very narrow because of +the unusually high level of the water in the lake. Picking his way +slowly, he considered reminiscently the events which had almost +destroyed him. + +He recalled the long years of monotonous existence in the shack, the +hard nights pulling the nets and the varied scrapes Tess had tumbled +into. Then, suddenly, came the shooting of the game keeper, his own +arrest, trial and conviction. The white glare of hateful publicity had +been thrown, without warning, upon him and his motherless brat. He'd +been torn away from his quiet haunts at the lake side and shut up in the +narrow confines of a fetid cell. The enforced separation from his +daughter, at the critical period between girl and womanhood, had left +her alone in the shanty and exposed her to countless perils and +hardships. Unmitigated calamities, especially the long imprisonment, +they had seemed at the time, but the event proved otherwise. + +Friends had arisen and helped him establish his innocence and win his +pardon. The responsibilities thrown upon the squatter girl had been met +with love and courage and had disciplined her high temper and awakened +her ambition. The dirt and disorder that had formerly obtained in the +shack had disappeared. Her housewifely arts had transformed the hut into +a comfortable home, rough to be sure, small and inadequate, but +immaculate and satisfactory. + +The shanty stood on a little point of land projecting into the lake. +Huge weeping willows shrouded it from the sun in summer. They mourned +and murmured of the past, when the breezes of morning and evening +stirred their whispering leaves. Their bare limbs thrashed and pounded +the tin roof when the storm winds tore down the lake. In front and to +one side, Tessibel's new privet hedge shone a dark, dusky green, and the +flower beds were beginning to show orderly life through the blackish +mold. The shack itself was rather more pretentious than most of the +squatter shanties. It had two rooms and was thoroughly battened against +the storms. + +Coming into the path, Orn met his daughter and went with her to the +house. + +The greatest change the year had brought was in the girl herself. She +had ripened into the early maturity common to the squatter woman. She +was no longer the red-haired tatterdemalion who had romped over the +rocks and quarreled with the boys of the Silent City. Her tom-boy days, +amid the ceaseless struggles against the hardships of the Storm Country, +gave to her slender body strength and lent to it poise and grace. +Bright brown eyes lighted by loving intelligence illumined her face, +tanned by sun and wind, but very sweet and winsome, especially when the +curving red lips melted into a smile. A profusion of burnished red +curls, falling about her shoulders almost to her hips, completed the +vivid picture. Tess of the Storm Country, the animate expression of the +joy and beauty of the lake side in spring, was the boast of the Silent +City. + + * * * * * + +Late that same night, Tessibel lay asleep in the front room of the +shanty. Four miles to the south, Ithaca, too, slept,--the wholesome +sleep of a small country town, while Cayuga Lake gleamed and glistened +in the moonlight, as if fairies were tumbling it with powdered fingers. +Above both town and span of water, Cornell University loomed darkly on +the hill, the natural skyline sharply cut by its towers and spires. + +An unusual sound awakened her. She lifted her lids and glanced about +drowsily, then propped herself on one elbow. Her sleep-laden eyes fell +upon the white light slanting across the rough shanty floor. Suddenly, +like a dark ghost, a shadow darted into it--the shadow of a human head. + +At the first glimpse at it, Tessibel looked cautiously toward the +window, and there, as in a frame, was a face--a man's face. Tess dropped +on her pillow. For possibly two minutes, she lay quietly waiting, while +the shadow moved curiously to and fro on the floor. Twice the head +disappeared, and as suddenly returned, poised a moment, then, like an +image moving across a screen, was gone. Instantly Tess sat straight up +in bed. Perhaps one of the squatters needed her. She crept to the floor, +yawning, tiptoed to the door, and unbarred it. Without pausing to cover +her feet, she stepped outside, the fresh scent of May blossoms sweeping +sweet to her nostrils. The warm night-wind, full of elusive odors, +brushed her face like thready cobwebs, that broke at her touch, only to +caress her anew. + +Midnight held no fear for Tessibel, for she loved every living creature, +those traveling by day being no dearer than those flying by night. She +felt no deeper thrills for the bright-winged birds singing in the sun +than for yonder owl who screeched at her, now, from the weeping willow +tree. + +After picking her way to the front of the shanty, she made a tour of the +house and encircled the mud cellar, calling softly the while. No one +appeared; no voice, either of friend or stranger, answered the +persuasive importunity of Tessibel. But, after she was again in the +doorway, she heard north of the shanty the crackling of twigs as if some +stealthy animal were crawling over them. If there were an intruder, he'd +gone, and the girl, satisfied, went back into the house and once more +lay down to sleep. + +When she woke again, Daddy Skinner was moving softly near the stove, +kindling the fire, and Tessibel lay in languid silence. She watched him +yearningly until he felt her gaze and looked at her. His twisted smile +of greeting brought an exclamation of love from the girl. All the +inhabitants of the Silent City knew this crippled old man could play on +the emotions of his lovely young daughter as the morning sun plays upon +the sensibilities of the lark. How she adored him, in spite of his great +humps and his now hobbling legs! + +Soon, her father went to the lake for a pail of water, and she sprang +from the cot and dressed hastily. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE COMING OF ANDY BISHOP + + +Later in the forenoon, when Tessibel returned home from an errand to +Kennedys', she found Daddy Skinner on the bench at the side of the +shanty, one horny hand clutching the bowl of a pipe in which the ashes +were dead. It took but one sharp glance from the red-brown eyes for Tess +to note that his face was white, almost grey; she saw, too, with a +quiver of loving sympathy, that his lower lip hung away from his dark +teeth as though he suffered. She sprang toward him, and dropped to her +knees, at his side. + +"Daddy Skinner!" she exclaimed. "Daddy Skinner, ye're sick! Ye're sick, +darlin'!... Tell me, Daddy, what air the matter? Tell Tessibel." + +She laid her hand tenderly on his chest. His heart was beating a heavy +tattoo against the blue gingham shirt. + +"Ye hurt here?" she queried breathlessly. + +The pipe dropped to the soft sand, and Skinner's crooked fingers fell +upon the profusion of red curls. Then he slowly tilted up her face. + +"Yep, I hurt in there!" he muttered brokenly. + +And as ashen and more ashen grew the wrinkled old countenance, Tessibel +cried out sharply in protest. + +"Why, Daddy, what d'ye mean by yer heart's hurtin' ye?... What do ye +mean, Daddy?... I thought the doctor'd fixed yer heart so it wouldn't +pain ye no more." + +The man considered the appealing young face an instant. + +"I want to talk to ye about somethin'," said he, presently, "and I know +ye'll never tell anythin' Daddy tells ye." + +With a little shake of her head that set the tawny curls a-tremble, +Tessibel squatted back on her feet. + +"'Course I won't tell nobody, but if ye've got a pain in yer heart, +daddy, the doctor--" + +"I don't need no doctor, brat. I jest--jest got to talk to ye, that air +all." + +A slender girlish figure cuddled between Daddy Skinner's knees, and warm +young lips met his. Never had Tess seen him look just that way, not even +when he had been taken from her to prison. The expression on his face +was hopeless, forlornly hopeless, and to wait until he began to speak +took all the patience the eager girl-soul could muster. + +"Brat, dear," he sighed at length, "I ain't needin' to tell ye again +what I went through in Auburn, hev I?" + +Brown eyes, frightened and fascinated, sought and found the faded greys. + +"'Course not, Daddy Skinner! But what fer air ye talkin' about Auburn +Prison?... Ye promised me, Daddy, ye'd forgit all about them days, an' +now what're ye rememberin' 'em fer?" + +Skinner's face blanched, and drops of sweat formed in the spaces behind +his ears and trickled in little streams down his neck. + +"I got to remember 'em, child," he groaned. + +"What fer I want to know? Ye'd best make a hustle an' tell me or, in a +minute, I'll be gettin' awful mad." + +The pleading, sorrowful face belied the threat, and a pair of red lips +touched Skinner's hand between almost every word. + +"Do ye bring to mind my tellin' ye about any of the fellers up there, +Tessibel?" came at length from the man's shaking lips. + +Tess stroked his arm lovingly. + +"Sure, Daddy, I remember 'bout lots of 'em, an' how good they be, an' +how kind, an' how none of 'em be guilty." + +"Ye bet none of 'em be guilty," muttered Daddy Skinner. "Nobody air ever +guilty who gets in jail.... Folks be mostly guilty that air out o' +prison to my mind." + +"That air true, Daddy Skinner," she assented, smiling. "Sure it air +true, but it ain't no good reason fer you to be yappin' 'bout Auburn, +air it?... Now git that look out of yer eyes, an' tell Tessibel what air +troublin' ye!" + +But Daddy Skinner's grave old face still kept its set expression. The +haunted look, born in his eyes in the Ithaca Jail, had returned after +all these happy months. Tess was frantic with apprehension and dread. + +"Ye know well's ye're born, Daddy, nobody can hurt ye," she told him +strenuously. "Ye've got Tessibel, and ye've got--" She was about to say, +"Frederick," but substituted, "Professor Young." + +The girl lovingly slipped her fingers over her father's heavy hand and +drew it from her curls. + +"Ye're goin' to peel it off to me now, ain't ye?" she coaxed. + +"Let's go inside the shanty," said the fisherman, in a thick voice. + +With the door closed and barred, the father and daughter sat for some +time in troubled silence. + +"I asked if ye remembered some of my pals in Auburn Prison, an' ye said +ye did, didn't ye, Tessibel?" asked Skinner, suddenly. + +Tess gave an impatient twist of her shoulders. + +"An' I told ye I did, Daddy," she replied. "'Course I do. I ain't never +forgot nobody who were good to you, honey." + +"An' ye're pretty well satisfied, ain't ye, brat, most of 'em there air +innercent?" + +"Ye bet, Daddy darlin', I air that!" + +"Well, what if one of them men who were good to yer old father'd come +an' ask ye to do somethin' for 'im?" + +With an upward movement of her head, Tessibel scrambled to her feet. + +"Why, I'd help 'im!" she cried in one short, quick breath. "I'd help +'im; 'course I would." + +"An' ye'd always keep it a secret?" + +"Keep what a secret?" + +Daddy Skinner's face grew furtive with fear. + +"Why--well now, s'posin' Andy Bishop--ye remember Andy, the little man I +told ye about, the weenty, little dwarf who squatted near Glenwood?" + +Tess nodded, and the fisherman went on, hesitant. + +"He--were accused--of murderin'--" + +"Waldstricker--Ebenezer Waldstricker's father?" interjected Tess. "Sure, +I remember!" Her eyes widened in anxiety. "Andy were sent up there fer +all his life, weren't he? An' weren't he the one Sandy Letts swore +agin?... 'Satisfied' Longman says Waldstricker give Sandy money for +tellin' the jury what he did." + +"Like as not," answered Skinner. "Anyhow, Bishop were there fer life! He +air been there five years a innercent man.... My God, _Auburn fer five +years_!" + +The last four words were wailed forth, the look of hopeless horror +deepening in his old eyes. Then he threw back his shoulders and spoke +directly to Tess. + +"Well, what if he skipped out o' jail, an' what if he'd come here an' +say, 'Kid, 'cause what I done fer yer dad, now you do somethin' fer +me!'" + +Tess was trembling with excitement as she stood before her father. The +generosity of her loving nature instinctively responded to his apparent +need. She was instantly eager to show her love and loyalty. + +"I'd do it, Daddy!" she exploded. "I'd do it quick!" + +"But what if--if--if--if--it made ye lots of trouble an'--an'--mebbe +some of yer friends--if they found it out--wouldn't think 'twere right?" + +A queer, obstinate expression lived a moment in the girl's eyes. Then +she smiled. + +"I ain't got no friends who'd say it were wrong to help somebody what'd +helped my darlin' old daddy." + +Skinner bent his heavy brows in a troubled frown over stern eyes. + +"But ye couldn't tell yer friends about it, kid," he cautioned. + +A mist shone around the girl's thick lashes. + +"Daddy, ye know I never blat things I hadn't ought to.... Slide yer arms +'round yer brat's neck, look 'er straight in the eye, an' tell 'er 'bout +Andy; an' if she can help, she sure will." + +A noise in the vicinity of the cot gave Tessibel an involuntary start. +She turned her head slowly and saw two feet protruding from under her +bed. Clinging to Daddy Skinner, she watched, with widening lids, a +dwarfed figure crawl slowly into full view, and Tess found herself +staring into a pair of beautiful, boyish, blue eyes. + +A slow smile broke over the dwarf's face. + +"Yer brat's the right sort, Orn," he cried, in the sweetest tenor voice +Tess ever heard. "Ye don't need to make her promise no more.... Her word +air good's God's law." + +"So it air, Andy," replied Orn. "Tessibel, this air my friend, Andy +Bishop, an' he were a good pal, as good as any man ever had." + +For one single, tensely-strung moment, Tessibel contemplated the ugly +little figure and the upraised, appealing face. Then as a sudden sense +of protection spurred her to immediate action, she sent back a welcoming +smile. Two or three quick steps took her to the dwarf's side. + +"I air going' to help ye, Andy," she announced brokenly. "Ye was in +prison fer life, wasn't ye, huh?" + +"Yep, an'--an' I broke out, kid.... An' I ain't able to tell how I done +it." + +"Oh, never mind that!" soothed Tessibel. "Ye was lookin' in the window +last night, wasn't ye?" + +The dwarf rolled his eyes at the squatter, then back to the girl. + +"Yep, that were me, but I didn't do no murder, brat; that air the main +thing an' Sandy Letts lied when he told the jury I done it." + +"He said as how ye gunned Ebenezer Waldstricker's father, eh?" Tess +interrupted. "Eb air the richest man in Ithaca, an' him an' his sister +air been to Europe, but they come back early in the spring. I see 'em +every Sunday at Hayt's when I go there to sing. He air goin' to marry +Mr. Young's sister, Helen, an' he air gittin' some pink peach when he +gets her, ye can bet on that." + +"But he'll get me by my neck if he can," lamented the dwarf, in despair. +"Waldstricker air a mean duffer--a mighty mean duffer." + +"He air awful religious," reflected Tess, soberly. "I s'posed he were +awful good." + +The dwarf made a gesture of disgust with his hand. + +"Well, good or bad, I never killed his daddy," he returned. "I saw Owen +Bennett when he done it, but him an' Sandy socked it off on me. I got +life an' Owen got ten years.... There ain't no makin' him own up he done +it, air there, Orn?" + +"Nope," mumbled the fisherman. "Most men won't take life sentence by +confessin' when by keepin' still they c'n git off with ten years." + +"Mr. Waldstricker air a awful big, handsome lookin' man," asserted Tess, +thoughtfully. "Folks says he air good to the poor, too. He air the +biggest, fattest, elegantest elder in our church." + +Andy flipped his fingers in the air and summed up what he thought of the +last statement in five words. + +"Shucks! That fer the church," mocked he. + +"It air just like Sandy Letts to lie about ye," remarked Tess, changing +the subject abruptly. "There ain't a hatefuller man in the Silent City +'n him. He makes a pile of money, though.... Once last fall he dragged +the lake fer two students an' got a thousand apiece fer handin' 'em over +to their folks, dead." + +"He'd git five thousand fer handin' me over to Waldstricker, alive," +replied Andy, solemnly. "I wouldn't a gone up if 't 'adn't been fer him. +He can lie faster'n a horse can trot." + +Heaving a deep sigh, Orn turned to his daughter. + +"What we goin' to do with my pal, Tess?" he asked. "He's got to keep out +of sight of folks.... Eb Waldstricker's five thousand bucks fer gettin' +'im back to Auburn will be settin' men like Sandy flyin' all over the +state." + +The dwarf shivered from the top of his head to the soles of his feet. + +"I don't want 'em to git me," he whimpered disconsolately. "Ye won't let +'em git me, will ye, Orn?... Will ye, kid?" + +Tess cheered the dwarf's despairing mood by a reassuring smile and +confident nods of the shining curls. + +"Nope," she promptly promised. + +And, "Nope," repeated Orn, grimly. "Git back under the bed, now, old +man. Any minute Sandy might be comin' in. Ye can't depend on that +squatter. He'd steal the pennies off'n his dead mammy's eyes." + +As was her habit when thinking, Tess threaded her fingers through +several red curls, while her eyes followed Andy Bishop crawling feet +first under her cot. + +"I bet ye didn't do nothin' wicked, ye poor little shaver," she +remarked. + +"Bet I didn't do no Waldstricker murder," answered the dwarf. + +"I know where I can hide 'im," she then said, with a satisfied smile. +"I'll fix up the garret fer 'im. 'Tain't very big, but no one but me +ever goes up there. You, there, under the bed, ye ain't 'fraid of bats +or owls, air ye?" + +"Nope," came forth a sweet voice. "I ain't 'fraid of nothin' nor nobody +but Ed Waldstricker and Sandy Letts." + +Tess giggled in glee. + +"Well, they nuther one of 'em gits in my garret if I see 'em first," +said she, "an' the owls air as tame as cats, an' 'll be company when +ye're lonely nights. Deacon air the speckled one an' he loves every inch +of Daddy an' me. If ye're good to 'im, he'll love you, too, Andy." +Turning to her father, "The person what'll help Andy air Professor +Young, I bet." + +Daddy Skinner's face fell perceptibly, and two long lines marked off the +sides of his nose. + +"Who's he?" came from under the bed in a stifled breath. + +"He air a awful nice man," explained Tess. "He lives in Graves' old +place on the hill, an' he learns me new things out of books every +day.... His sister's teachin' me to sew, too. I told ye she air goin' to +marry--" + +"Tessibel," interrupted Skinner, gravely fearful. "Ye said jest now +Waldstricker were a goin' to marry Young's sister. That makes them two +families kinda like one. Ye bet Young'd stand by his sister's man.... +See?... Besides that, Young air a lawyer, an' if ye tell 'im about Andy, +it'll sure be 'is duty to pinch 'im an' put 'im back where he were." + +"He helped you once, Daddy!" the girl rebuked him. + +"But I were in jail all the time, don't ye see the difference, brat?... +Till 'twere proved Ben Letts done the murder, I were kept in jail, too, +an' they'll put Andy back if ye say anythin' to Young 'bout it." + +"They sure will," came the dwarf's sobbing tones. + +Tessibel sighed. + +"Well, us uns'll have to keep our clacks shut 'bout 'is bein' here, +then," she acquiesced, "an'--an'--Andy'll have to keep in the garret +till the man in Auburn coughs up, that air all, huh?... He can come down +sometimes when it air a rainin' hard or dark nights when there ain't +nobody around, an'--an'--darlin', ye can offen chat with 'im when I air +outside watchin' fer folks.... Now, can't ye, Daddy?" + +The young speaker went close to her father, smiling. She wanted to chase +that hunted look from his eyes, to make him feel a little more secure +about his prison friend. + +"Please don't be lookin' like that, sweety," she pleaded. "Ye're just +like ye was goin' dead.... I tell ye nobody'll hurt the poor little +feller in the garret.... I'll see to that.... I'll fix it up all comfy +fer 'im." + +With this idea of future protection for the little man, Tessibel began +to reconstruct the shanty. Dark curtains were hung at the square little +windows, for it was quite a daily occurrence for Sandy Letts to peek +through them before entering the door. Tessibel didn't wish to shut out +the sunshine and moonbeams, but then there was Andy Bishop to think of, +and Andy already had a warmer place in the squatter girl's heart than +even the sun or moon. Tessibel was beginning to love him, not only +because he'd been a friend to Daddy, but on his own account, because he +was a soul in torment and needed her. + +It took quite three hours to arrange the garret for the dwarf's +occupancy. There were many pieces of fishing tackle to be sorted and +hung in the kitchen rafters. The nuts that had been spread out on the +floor to dry, now had to be gathered in sacks and stored in the mud +cellar. The cobwebs must come down, and a cotton tick filled with new, +fresh straw to be put in the garret. It was about three o'clock when +Tessibel ushered the little man up the ladder and displayed the clean +attic. + +"'Tain't high 'nough fer me to stand up in," she told him, "but ye'll +get along all right, an' I air goin' to fix ye somethin' so ye can see +to read.... Can ye read?" + +"Sure, I can read." Andy's voice rang with pride. "My ma, she's dead +now, she learned me how, she did!" + +"Then I'll get ye lots of books," replied Tess, "an' ye'd best always +keep hid less'n I let ye down, 'cause Sandy might catch onto yer bein' +here. Waldstricker's money'll set loose a lot of sneaks like him lookin' +fer ye!" + +Late that afternoon the dwarf ate his first meal in the garret, and +Tessibel and Orn Skinner ate theirs at the table, but the conversation +of the father and daughter intermingled now and then with a soft +statement or a question from above, and there was happiness in the +Skinner hut. + +As soon as they finished supper, Tess went to the foot of the ladder and +called softly. + +"I air goin' to tell ye somethin', Andy,--ye listenin'?" + +"Yep, brat. Sure, I air listenin'." + +"I air a goin' somewheres to find out somethin'," announced the girl +mysteriously. "Mebbe when I get back I'll tell ye what ye'll like to +hear.... Ye'll stay hid, won't ye?" + +"Sure so," agreed Andy. + +After bending to kiss her father affectionately, the girl said to him, + +"Now, Daddy, I air goin' out a little while, an' you two be awful +careful how loud ye talk.... Somebody might hear ye!" + +And for a short moment after the girl had gone there was silence in the +shack. Then a prolonged sigh drifted from the garret. + +"My God, Orn, but she air a fine young thing fer ye to be fatherin', +huh? Ain't she?" + +Andy's voice, though but little more than a whisper, expressed his +wonder and admiration. + +"God's best," muttered Orn, and once more they lapsed into the +companionable silence of good friends. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +TESSIBEL MEETS WALDSTRICKER + + +The shanty door closed behind Tessibel, and her hand still on the knob, +she hesitated a moment before starting for Mother Moll's. The girl had +kept her promise of the year before, for every week she had caught and +cleaned a mess of fish and carried them up the ravine to the woman's +shanty. But today, Tess wanted to consult the seeress about Andy. She +believed implicitly in the fortune-pot. Hadn't the old, old hag told +her, long ago, when Daddy Skinner was in prison, that the state couldn't +hurt him, and other things, too? + +Turning into the lane up the hill, she met Sandy Letts carrying his drag +and a great coil of rope. + +"Hello, kid," he greeted her. "How air yer Daddy?" + +He eased his load to the ground and straightened up, slowly stretched +his mighty arms, and shrugged the stiffness out of his powerful +shoulders. Sandy and his burden filled most of the path. + +Tess, desiring to avoid contact with him, stopped a few paces away. + +"Daddy ain't so well these days, Sandy," she answered. "His heart hurts +'im." + +"Ain't that too bad?" the man sympathized. "But, then, brat, yer daddy +ain't so young as he were once. Reckon he air not long fer this world. +When yer Daddy croaks, what'll you do, Tess? Ye'll need a home. Ye ought +to be gettin' a man." + +The squatter'd stepped forward directly in front of her while he was +urging his suit. + +"My daddy ain't old an' he ain't goin' to die, uther," flared Tess, an +angry light in her brown eyes. Oh, how she loathed and hated this fellow +who blocked her way! "You shan't say such things about my daddy! I don't +want any man but 'im." Noting his unshaven cheeks, loose hanging lips, +the lips and his large irregular teeth discolored with tobacco, the girl +drew back with a gesture of instinctive repulsion. "I wouldn't take you +anyway." + +Instead of answering her, the squatter placed his great hands upon her +shoulders, and holding her thus at arm's length, looked down at her. Her +straight young figure, glowing face, and flaming eyes under the ruddy +aureole of her hair made a picture of grace, beauty and passion that +would have fascinated a more fastidious observer than Sandy Letts. + +"God, girl, but ye air a beauty!" he cried, enraptured. + +Tessibel's struggles to get away from the grip of the heavy hands +aroused the evil passions of the man's nature into insistent activity. + +"Here, brat, give yer man a kiss," he commanded, and at the words, his +hands slipped from her shoulders, and his strong arms began to close +around her body. His face was so close she had to force her hand in +between his lips and hers. Then she made a desperate struggle. Rearing +the red head backward, she succeeded only in freeing herself partially. + +"You let me go, you Sandy!" she cried out sharply. "I'll tell my Daddy +on you. Let me go!" + +Then she went at him, kicking his shins with her feet, poking him with +her knees, and gouging his eyes and digging his face with her nails. As +well might Sandy try to make love to a cornered wildcat. He threw her +from him, and Tess, springing up, uninjured, raced up the hill. Sandy's +words, broken by fierce oaths, overtook her, + +"You just wait! I'll tame ye yet, ye devilish brat, ye!" + +At the top of the lane, Tess stopped to get breath. The familiar sounds +of the early summer evening assailed her ears. The narrow lake shone in +the clear light of the dying day like a broad strip of silver set in the +bosom of the hills. Her eyes rejoiced in its calm beauty, and a feeling +of peace and security grew in her thought. + +Tess was about to cross the ravine when a step behind her caused her to +turn. Ebenezer Waldstricker, riding whip in hand, was coming toward her. +At his unexpected appearance, the blood fled from her face, leaving her +quite pale and trembling. This was the man who was seeking Andy Bishop +as at one time Dominie Graves had sought her father. How lordly he +seemed, looking down upon her unsmilingly from his great height. +Arrogantly he surveyed her from head to foot. + +"You're the little church singer, aren't you?" he questioned after a +while. + +Tess noticed with fascination that one corner of his mouth curled up as +if smiling, while the other was rigidly drawn down. She'd never seen an +expression just like that before. + +"Yep," she murmured, dropping her lids. + +"Where are you going?" asked the man, tersely. + +Tess glanced about. She wanted to turn and run, anywhere to escape from +the brilliant dark eyes and the unmatched lips. + +"I were goin' to see Mother Moll," she stammered, slowly. "She lives +over there in the gully." She hesitated, pointing to Moll's shack. +"Sometimes she reads out of the fortune-pot fer me." + +Waldstricker glanced first at the little hut, then back at Tess. + +"You don't mean you have faith in witchcraft?" he ejaculated, +incredulously. "Why, girl, that's positively against the Bible +commandments." + +"Air it? Well I swan!" She nodded her head as though digesting a new +idea. "Anyway, Mother Moll always tells me the truth. She can see things +comin' years and years." + +Waldstricker contemplated the grave young face for an instant, noting +involuntarily the abundance and beauty of the wind-blown hair. He turned +about on the path. + +"I shall go with you," he said. + +Her desire to forbid the proposed visit, struggling with her awe of the +powerful man at her side, confused her. She couldn't think clearly. She +twisted her fingers into her red curls. + +"I'd ruther ye wouldn't," she explained. "Ma Moll hates strangers +worser'n she does the old nick!" + +Waldstricker ignored the girl's speech except that the frown deepened on +his brow. + +"Nevertheless I'm going," he returned, sternly. "I can't realize that +God-fearing men and women have such iniquity among them. Come on; I'll +go with you!" + +Tess would gladly have deferred her visit until another day, and +returned home, but she feared he'd follow her there. Here was a man of +whom she was heartily afraid, and as she dared not defy him, she +obediently walked across the gully bridge, and hurried along the path. + +Then she paused, looking at Mother Moll's shack, snuggled in a jut in +the ravine. It was quite close now. Tess knew the witch was at home, for +a thin line of smoke drifted zig-zag from the toppling chimney. + +She looked back and found Waldstricker eyeing her. She noted both +corners of his lips were down now. + +"I came from Ithaca purposely to see you and your father," said he. + +Tess was so startled she took two sudden steps backward. + +"My daddy ain't very well!" she exclaimed, nervously. "He don't like +strange folks comin' around, Daddy don't." + +Waldstricker shrugged his shoulders indifferently. + +"However, I must see him," he responded. + +Tessibel felt a surging anger against this man. He had the same +imperious bearing she remembered in Dominie Graves. + +"What fer? What d'ye want to see Daddy fer?" Her voice was compelling. + +"About a matter that may make him a lot of money," the man explained, +pompously. "When may I come?" + +She considered a moment before replying. This put a different face on +the matter. + +"Could ye come tomorrow?" she demanded finally. + +"Yes, at two, then. Tell your father, please." + +"All right," muttered Tess. + +Waldstricker's whip cut a cluster of wild flowers and nipped clean the +stems of their upraised heads. + +"Oh!" cried Tess, sharply, hurt to the quick. + +As if reading her thoughts, he retorted, "A flower hasn't a soul, so +what does it matter?" + +Tess turned tear-dimmed eyes from him to Mother Moll's shack. Shocked at +his brutality, his arrogant cruelty to the flowers she cherished so +tenderly left her dumb. That his statement was false, she knew. To her +the flowers expressed Love's sweetness and beauty, but she couldn't +explain her faith to this haughty, dictatorial millionaire at her side. + +She was all of a tremble as she mounted the narrow shanty steps. + +An aged voice croaked, "Come in," in response to her knock. Before +pulling the latch string, Tessibel paused and said to Waldstricker, + +"Wait a minute! I'll go first, an' tell Mother Moll you're here." + +She crossed the threshold and saw the old woman swaying to and fro in a +wooden rocker. + +"It air Tessibel, Mother Moll," she said gently. "I want to see what's +in the pot." + +Mother Moll smiled a withered, joyous smile. + +"Come in, my pretty," she clacked. "Yer Moll's allers glad to see yer +shinin' eyes. Come in, my love." + +Tess advanced into the kitchen. + +"That duffer Waldstricker's come along with me," she told her in a low +tone. + +The old woman struggled to her feet with the aid of her cane. Her watery +eyes glared at the tall man in the doorway, and he as angrily stared +back at her. The woman hobbled two steps forward. + +"If ye've come for me to tell ye somethin', it won't be nothin' very +pleasant," she growled at him. "Git me the pot, brat, dear!" + +Tessibel went to the grate and lifted the iron kettle from the fire. It +was steaming hot, and she brought it over, placing it at the woman's +feet. + +"Set down," the hag commanded Waldstricker. "I'll tell ye what's doin' +in the pot, an' then git out! I hate ye!" + +Waldstricker, with the peculiar down twist of his mouth, glanced darkly +at Tessibel, but the girl's unresponsive, serious face turned his +attention again to the witch. + +"You're a wicked old woman," he said grimly. "The county should care for +such as you." + +But Mother Moll did not catch his words. She was crooning over the pot +inarticulately. The seams in the skin around her eyes netted together, +almost closing the flaming red lids. Through the narrow slits she was +following the steam as it rose and disappeared in the air. Then slowly +her finger began to trace shadow outlines in and about the pot. + +"Mister, I see ye crowin' like a barnyard cock," she croaked, "and ye +think ye're awful smart and awful rich. An' so ye be, but some day--" +She stopped, sank back, then looked again into the steaming kettle. "I +see a wee leetle man like this--" She raised the cane beside her, and +Waldstricker, startled, leaned nearer the ragged grey head. "I see ye +huntin' the leetle man--like a dog hunts a rat." + +"Yes, yes!" from Waldstricker, "and what else, woman?" + +Lowering her stick again to the floor, Mother Moll rested her weight +upon its crooked handle and for a time muttered over the pot with raven +hoarseness. + +"Ye think ye're smart, but ye ain't as smart as ye think ye air. The +leetle man sets on yer head--" + +The hag paused, cracked forth a gurgling scream, then proceeded. "He +sets on yer head and lays on yer heart, an' with all yer money, ye can't +find 'im." + +"I will!" gritted Waldstricker through his teeth, now, in spite of +himself, intensely interested in the old woman's revelations. + +"Ye won't," rapped out the seeress. "Not till it air too late. I see--I +see--" Lifting one hand, the bony old finger made rapid gyrations above +the pot. + +"What do you see?" burst forth the man impatiently. + +"Hair," cried Mother Moll, swaying nearer him, "hair stranglin' yer +throat till ye can't speak, curls weavin' round yer neck like a +hangman's rope." + +Waldstricker glanced backward at the squatter girl. She stood in rigid +silence, listening intently. Her hair, copper-colored in the light from +the window at her side, framed in its shining curls a face rapt and +absorbed. Waldstricker leaned forward again, the better to see the +rising steam wraiths. + +"I see all ye love best sufferin'." Letting the cane fall clattering to +the floor, Mother Moll continued, doubled-fists outstretched to the man +before her. "I see the shadow of shame gathering about ye, I see a +girl--a little girl--yer sister--holdin' out her hands pleadin' to some +other man--" Again the aged voice trailed into that chattering laugh. +"An' I air seein' somethin' else." The old woman rubbed the palms of her +horny hands together and pitched forward on her toes. She lifted her +shaking, wizened face and thrust it so near the man that he drew back +with a rough ejaculation. Then smiling a wide, toothless smile, she laid +her finger on her lips. Drawing it away again, she mumbled. + +"Hair stranglin' 'em both, same as you, long curls like snakes +stranglin' all of ye. God! _what hair!_" + +Waldstricker, with flashing eyes, suddenly got to his feet. + +"Come out of here," he ordered Tess, roughly. "That hateful hag! The +hateful wicked old woman!" + +A wild, exultant yell left Mother Moll's lips. + +"_Yep_, get out o' here!" she shrieked. "Get out quick, both of ye! Yer +lives'll twine like this, an' this, an' this." Tensely she locked +together her bony fingers. "An' hair'll strangle ye, wretched man, an' +may ye never breathe a fine breath after it touches yer proud throat!" + +Moved by a kind of superstitious horror of the prophecies of the old +witch, Waldstricker pushed her roughly aside, seized Tess by the arm and +dragged her out of the house. On the path he let her go and stood +transfixed, as though the length and abundance of the red curls, falling +in disordered confusion to her hips, fascinated him. Then he lifted his +great shoulders, and a tense breath slipped through his teeth. + +"What an awful old woman!" he flung out disgusted. "If there's any power +in law or money, I'll root her out of that shanty as I will the rest of +her tribe." + +Tess was thoroughly frightened. His ruthless roughness hurt her and his +threats against Mother Moll and the squatters terrified her. Would he +try and root Daddy Skinner and herself from their shanty? No, he +couldn't! He couldn't! Neither would his long, powerful hands place +their grip upon the life of the dwarf. Mother Moll had said so, and she +believed--oh, how she believed it! + +Waldstricker started to speak again, but unable to bear longer the cruel +corner-curl of his lips, Tess of the Storm Country turned and fled +swift-footed away toward the lake. The man watched the flying figure +bounding along toward the span of blue water. Then with another flip of +his whip, which struck the heads from the flower stems, he wheeled about +and walked swiftly up the hill. + +[Illustration: "I WILL!" GRITTED WALDSTRICKER THROUGH HIS TEETH, IN +SPITE OF HIMSELF, INTENSELY INTERESTED IN THE OLD WOMAN'S REVELATIONS] + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +TESS AND FREDERICK + + +Tessibel left Waldstricker with but one idea buzzing in her active +brain; to reach Daddy Skinner--to tell him all that had just happened. +She fled around the mud cellar and opened the door with swift-coming +breath. When she entered the kitchen, her father was seated on her cot. +He raised his eyes and greeted her. + +"Daddy," panted the girl, closing the door, "I jest seen Waldstricker +an' he air a comin' down here tomorrow. I don't know what he wants, but +Andy mustn't come out of the garret, not fer anythin'. An', Daddy!" She +paused with a sudden sob, "He says he air a goin' to root Mother Moll +off'n her place. But don't let 'im turn us out of our shanty, will ye, +Daddy?" + +"Nope," answered Skinner, grimly. "I ain't held it all these years to +let it go now fer a duffer like him." + +"An', Daddy dear," blurted Tess, "Mother Moll told old Waldstricker's +fortune out of the pot, an' she says as how he ain't never goin' to git +Andy back to Auburn till it air too late, even if he uses up all the +money he air got. What d'ye think o' that?" + +A little groan came from the garret. It no sooner fell on Tessibel's +ears than she scurried, nimble-footed, up the ladder. Poking her head +through the hole in the ceiling, she peered around. It was very dark, +and even straining her eyes, she could see nothing. + +"Andy!" she whispered. "Andy, dear!" + +"I air here, kid," murmured the dwarf from a dark corner. + +"Don't be worrin'," encouraged Tess, softly. "I air begun to love ye, +Andy, an' you bet nobody durst touch ye. Whatever ye hear, be mum. Daddy +and me'll take care of ye, an' God will too." + +Later she left the shanty in deep thought, and by the time she had +wended her way to the ragged rocks to meet Frederick Graves, she had +uttered many tense little prayers for the suffering dwarf in her attic. + +These rocks were a bower of delight to the sentimental girl. It was here +in the gloom that in every expression of nature Tess heard Frederick's +voice; his clear tones came swiftly on the wings of the wind, in the +sonorous clap of the chimes as they spread their chant over the lake. + +She was now seated on a broad, grey rock-slab, bending slightly forward, +listening for her lover's step. + +"Frederick!" she breathed in delight as a tall form loomed from the +shadowy path. + +In another moment she felt herself gathered into strong arms, and for a +while the boy and girl were silent in their mutual happiness. The +lakeside was quiet except for the sound of the tumbling waves and the +intermittent rumble of a train on the tracks above. + +Now and then, far back in the forest, an owl whoo-whooed in croaking +tones, and in a nearby tree a family of baby birds twittered +continuously in their sleep. + +All the daisies in the meadows, all the nodding buttercups in the +fields, seemed to be blossoming in Tessibel's heart at one time. She was +in Frederick's arms, and the whole world could offer her nothing more. + +"Tessibel, my little love," began Frederick, between caresses, "you +remember what I begged you to consent to early in the spring?" + +Tess made a movement to sit up. + +"Ye mean--?" she stammered, confused. + +Frederick drew her close. + +"I want you to marry me right away," he murmured, entreatingly. + +The words were whispered in passionate sighing out of the darkness into +her ear. Tess drew back a little. + +"Right away?" she repeated, gulping. "What do ye mean by right away, +darlin'?... Now?" + +Again strong arms evidenced strong affection. + +"Yes--now," answered Frederick, earnestly. "You must! You must!... I +can't be happy unless you do--Oh, Tessibel! Won't you, Tess?" + +Never had anything thrilled her as his halting insistence. + +"An' Daddy Skinner--air he to know?" she stammered, chokingly. + +"No, no!" + +"An'--yer mother?" + +"Well, not--not quite yet, dear." + +Two slender hands covered a scarlet face, and tears trickled between +tense fingers. + +"Then I can't!" Tess caught her breath in a sob. "I jest can't! Oh, why +couldn't Daddy know--an' yer mother, too?" + +Frederick strained her against his breast. + +"Because they can't--not yet," he whispered. "Not a soul must know. Just +you and I, darling. It'll be all right, dear, and I need you more and +more--every day." + +The deepening tones in his voice frightened, while they thrilled her. +She pressed him back to look into his eyes, but even through the growing +gloom she could see the blue-veined lids were closed. + +"Frederick," she murmured, drawing her face backward. "Frederick, let me +tell ye somethin'. Everybody had ought to know when a girl gets married. +Oh, they ought to know, so they ought. Daddy Skinner an' yer mother, +too." + +Then of a sudden she was attacked by a strange tugging in her own heart. +She tried to free herself from his arms, but her resistance only made +him the more determined to bend her to his wish. She had always been +submissive, and he'd worshiped her for her womanly acquiescence to his +will. Trembling fingers forced her face upward and hot lips sought and +found hers. She shivered under the strong masculine pressure. + +"Now listen to me, my love," he continued between fierce kisses. "Come +with me tomorrow night, and we'll get married and--and--" + +Tess was trying heroically to hold to the principle she knew was right, +even though her heart directed otherwise. + +"Not less'n I tell Daddy," she breathed back. + +Her low denial served only to lock Frederick's arms more tightly around +her. + +"You've got to come and you mustn't tell him, either," he urged. "You +mustn't!" + +Succeeding at last in releasing herself, Tessibel sighed. She wanted to +be firm with him, to impress lovingly upon him her reason for refusing +him; but when he reached forth and folded her again in his arms, that +fine firmness gave way. She burst into wild weeping, holding him close +as he held her, trying through broken sobs to tell him what was +burdening her heart. + +"It air like this, dear," she wailed, dismally. "Oh, I want to marry ye +more'n anything, but I've never deceived Daddy a bit in all my life. I +never done nothin' less'n I told 'im, and, Oh, I want to tell him, +Frederick! I do want to tell 'im!" + +Frederick hadn't anticipated this resistance on Tessibel's part. + +"Tess," he said, almost angrily, "I wouldn't ask you to do anything +wrong." Then softening, he pleaded accusingly, "You don't love me well +enough to be my wife." + +"It'd be wicked," whispered Tess, falteringly. + +"It would be right!" cried Frederick, in quick contradiction. "Tess, you +will, you will!" + +The red curls shook slowly a mute negation. + +"I don't believe you love me at all," groaned Frederick. Then taking a +long breath, "You want me to be unhappy, I know you do." + +She lay limply in his arms while through the sensitive, honest mind +raced all the objections against his desire. There were his powerful +friends--his college--his-- + +"Yer mother--don't want ye to marry me," she cried, suffering. + +"I know it," returned Frederick, promptly. "Still a man can't _always_ +please his mother. Why, darling, what kind of a world would this be if +mothers picked out their sons' wives? A poor place! I can tell you." + +"But yer mother air awful good and loves ye just like Daddy loves me," +argued Tessibel, "an' when ye don't do right, everything goes wrong. If +Daddy Skinner ain't to know--" + +"Nor anybody else," cut in the boy, growing moody after his sharp +retort. "I won't have any one know about it. Tessibel, I want this more +than anything else in the world. I love you--I love you, and you love +me. Then why not? You do love me, don't you?" + +"That air why--I do what--ye want me to, I s'pose." + +And as the halting words fell from her lips, the student crushed her to +him. + +"I want you, dear," he breathed warm in her ear, "and it won't have to +be a secret over a year, not much over a year, darling, and +I'll----I'll----Oh! You will, Tessibel? You will?" + +"Frederick!" she acquiesced, weakly. "Oh, Frederick darlin'!" + +And for some time after her sudden consent, they sat on the rocks close +in spirit--close in thrilling nearness. Perhaps twenty minutes later, +Tess drew from the boy's arms. + +"Daddy air callin' me," she said, softly. + +And she went back to the shanty with the words, "I'm goin' to be married +tomorrow," ringing in her heart. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +A GOSSIP WITH "SATISFIED" + + +The next day, directly after the midday meal, Tessibel went to see Mrs. +Longman, whose triple tragedy had made the woman an invalid, with broken +nerves and useless hands. Every few days since the drowning of Myra +Longman and Ben Letts and the baby, the squatter girl had carried to the +sick woman some little offering to gladden her lonely existence. As Tess +walked along the rocks, the image of Frederick Graves persistently +pervaded her thoughts. Before the going down of another sun he would be +her husband. Of course, just now she couldn't leave Daddy Skinner and +Andy Bishop, but by the time Frederick had a home ready, Andy would be +free from the charge of murder, and Daddy would live with them. + +Tess never paused on the rocks between her home and the Longman shanty +that she did not think of Myra, and thinking of Myra brought the vision +of Teola Graves. A lonely little heart twist followed for the dead baby +who had been born in her hut. This day she did not hesitate as long as +usual. She must return quickly to Daddy Skinner and help keep guard over +Andy Bishop. Waldstricker was coming at two o'clock! + +Rounding the lake point, on which stood the hut of her squatter friends, +she spied "Satisfied" seated on the bench near the doorway. Tess waved +her hand, and the old fisherman signaled in return. + +"Ma thought ye'd be comin' soon, brat," was Longman's greeting. + +"I air brung her some salt-risin' bread," Tess announced, sitting down +beside the fisherman. + +Longman moved his pipe to one corner of his mouth. + +"It air good o' ye, Tess," he thanked her, puffing. "Me an' ma air +lonesome--me an' ma air." + +Tessibel touched him with affectionate assurance. + +"I love ye, an' Mammy Longman, too," she smiled. "I air glad to bring +somethin' when I can." + +For a few moments they sat quietly, the man smoking his pipe. Then he +slowly knocked the ashes from its bowl, giving it a final rap in the +hollow of his hand. + +"Every day me an' ma miss Myry an' Ezry more," said he, stolidly. "Us +uns just plumb lately made up our minds both them kids was too good to +live, but us uns'd be awful satisfied to know if they air happy." + +Tessibel brightened. She flashed a radiant smile at the sad-faced man. + +"Sure, they be happy!" she ejaculated. "Everybody air happy in Heaven; +Ben Letts air a singin' 'round the throne jest the same's the rest of +'em air." + +In open disbelief Longman slowly shook his head. + +"Myry never could sing--Myry couldn't," he answered, moodily, and his +voice sank on the last two words. + +Tess knew that, too, for she had heard the young mother try many times +to quiet the brat with the uneven, discordant tones of her voice; but +she knew, too, the great difference between Heaven and earth. She gazed +out over the lake dreamily. + +"But ye see, 'Satisfied' darlin'--" she began. + +"An' once, when Ben were soused," interrupted Longman, hoarsely, "I +heard 'im singin', 'Did ye ever go into an Irishman's shanty?' It were +more like a frog croakin' than a man singin'." + +"But folks don't never get soused in Heaven," Tessibel imparted, +reverently, "an' they got a mess o' angels up there--" She looked +upward, a solemn expression on her young face--"angels what Jesus keeps +jest to learn folks how to sing. The brat's singin' too, as much as a +little kid can, 'Satisfied'." + +She edged a little nearer and slipped an arm around the fisherman's +shoulders. + +"It air just like this, honey, down here there air such a lot of work +jest to get fish an' beans. Up in Heaven they don't do nothin' but dance +around the throne an' sing all day. So everybody's got to learn how or +he wouldn't have nothin' to do." + +"Well, I swan!" ejaculated "Satisfied," smiling wryly. "Will ye tell ma +about it like ye did me, Tessie? Ma air been worryin' fearin' Myry +weren't comf'table." + +Tess bobbed her curly head. + +"I'll tell 'er in a minute," she assured him; "but, 'Satisfied,' I were +a goin' to ask ye somethin'." + +Longman nodded. + +"An' I were goin' to ask you somethin' too, brat," he said. "How air the +singin' goin' in church?" + +Tessibel sparkled like the morning dew. + +"Oh, it air goin' fine, 'Satisfied.' I love it more'n more. Miss Young +helps me with my songs an' she's learnin' me to sew, too. Why, I git my +five dollars every Sunday jest as reg'lar as Sunday comes. I ain't never +knew how far a fiver could go afore. We won't be needin' nothin' this +winter, Daddy and me won't, dear." + +She gave a delicious giggle to which Longman added a chuckle. + +"That air good, brat," he replied. "There ain't nothin' like home +comfort in this world." + +"An' ye see, 'Satisfied,' I ain't lettin' my Daddy fish much now, only +'nough fer us an' fer Professor Young an' Ma Moll.... Daddy ain't very +well." + +"He air gettin' old," sighed Longman, taking up his pipe. + +"No, he ain't," contradicted Tessibel, quickly. "He air got somethin' +the matter with 'is heart. Mr. Young had a doctor fer him, an' he says +he mustn't work. Now I got my singin' he don't have to.... Why, +'Satisfied,' I air savin' 'nough money to get a new bed an' a overcoat +for Daddy. A bran new overcoat, too! Nothin' second-hand, ye bet! He +ain't goin' to git no cold this winter, bless 'im!" + +Longman allowed one of his thin arms to fall around the straight young +figure. + +"That air nice, Tessie," he returned admiringly. "Ye be a pert brat, you +be!" + +Tess paused a moment or two. + +"'Satisfied,'" she hesitated, going back mentally to her former unspoken +query, "do ye know the Waldstrickers?" + +Longman nodded. + +"I knowed the old man who was murdered--young Eb's father. Made some +stir in town when he got shot!" + +"Eb's been home quite a while now," observed Tess thoughtfully. + +Longman's head and shoulders moved several times in affirmation. + +"So ma read out'n the paper," he then said, "an' Bishop's lit out from +the coop, too, ain't he?... Funny how he done it!... Bigger men'n him +stay there all their days.... They'll find 'im, though, them prison +folks will, poor little duffer!" + +Tess caught the sympathy in the squatter's voice. + +"I air hopin' they don't," she sighed quickly. + +An inquisitive, almost furtive expression shot into the fisherman's +face. + +"When ye goin' to git married, Tess?" he hesitated. + +Tessibel shook her red curls, flushing. + +"Oh, I ain't knowin' jest the time yet," she parried. "Ye know, +'Satisfied,'--" + +"Don't ye ever see much of the student nowadays, eh?" the squatter cut +in. + +Because of its sudden palpitation, Tess laid her hand over her heart. +Oh, if she could only tell her old friend that that very night she'd +belong to Frederick forever! Passion leapt alive into her eyes, and her +cheeks flushed. + +"I air a lovin' him, 'Satisfied,'" she murmured. + +Longman made a nervous movement with one hand and shook his head. + +"Tess, I been goin' to tell ye somethin' fer a long time," he stammered, +almost inaudibly. "Ye won't git miffed with a old friend, will ye?" + +"Sure not, 'Satisfied'," asserted Tess, gently. + +"It air 'bout Student Graves," explained Longman. + +A glint of gold flashed from under her lowered lids and a slow, deep +scarlet ran in waves upward from her chin. + +"What 'bout the student?" she demanded, dropping again to the bench and +placing the basket at her feet. + +The squatter looked down. It was hard to say what he must with the young +face so confidently questioning. + +"He air a goin' round with a nuther girl," he barked presently. "I been +hearin' an' so air ma--" + +Tessibel rose, startled, and once more took up the basket. Some +gossiping tongue had been reviling her dear one. + +"It air a big lie, 'Satisfied'," she uttered breathlessly. "I don't want +to hear nothin' against 'im uther. What tongue told ye that only wanted +to make ye feel sad fer me." She paused, then turned, but whirled back. +"When ye love a person an' love 'im hard, lies told about 'im don't set +well. Ye know they don't, Daddy Longman." + +"Sure, I know it," replied the squatter, in quick-spoken sympathy. "Only +ma and me thought as how ye ought to know the things we heard." + +Tess was standing rigid, gazing stormily defiant into the weather-beaten +old face. Wasn't she going to be married to the student that night! And +how many, many times Frederick had told her he loved but her; that no +other woman could ever take her place! + +"I ain't goin' to believe it, if the hull hellish world tells me so," +she flashed forth tempestuously. "Now I air goin' to give the bread to +Mammy Longman, 'Satisfied'." + +Longman stayed her with a word. + +"Ye ain't mad at me, brat, be ye?" + +Tess stretched forth impetuous fingers. + +"Nope, only I love the student, that air all! An', 'Satisfied,' I air a +cussed brat to be swearin' when Frederick says as how it air wicked. I +keep forgettin' when I git mad." + +The squatter sighed, making a quick shake of his head and several weird +clicks with his tongue. Moodily he watched the bounding youthful figure +until it disappeared through the shanty doorway. Fully ten minutes +passed before Tess reappeared. + +"Ma were satisfied with the bread, eh, brat?" asked Longman, in a +cuddling tone. "Ain't she likin' it, honey?" + +Tessibel choked suddenly. There was something in the quavering tones of +the old fisherman, of the lonely, bereaved old man, that saddened her +loving heart. She went to him and touched him impulsively. + +"Yep, she liked it, 'Satisfied'," she murmured, "an' I told 'er all +about the singin' in Heaven. She hadn't thought Ben Letts might be there +with Myry an' the brat.... Most folks ain't knowin' how awful long the +forgivin' arm of Jesus air." + +And kissing the old squatter once more, Tessibel started homeward. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +WALDSTRICKER MAKES A PROPOSAL + + +While Tess was making her call at Longman's, Helen Young was +entertaining her fiance, Ebenezer Waldstricker. + +"I shall never be satisfied until Bishop is back in Auburn, Helen," said +he, snipping the end from a long cigar. + +The girl held up her needle and deftly shot the thread through the eye +of it. + +"He's sure to be, dear," she soothed. "Here's Deforrest!" She hesitated, +laid down her work and stood up. + +Professor Young shook hands with Waldstricker as his sister went to his +side smilingly. + +"Ebenezer wants me to go down to Skinner's with him," she explained. +"Won't you come along, too, Forrie?" + +The lawyer threw an interrogative glance at the churchman. + +"Certainly," he answered. "Why? Anything particular?" + +The question was asked of Waldstricker, who lifted his shoulder with a +long breath. + +"Yes," he replied. "I've a little plan to get hold of Bishop! I'm +certain sooner or later he'll land back here among his own people. If I +can whet their appetites with money, they'll turn him over the moment he +appears." + +"No doubt," observed Young. "But the Skinners--What have the Skinners to +do with him?" + +Waldstricker thought a moment, inhaling the smoke the while. + +"The girl, Tessibel, who sings at church might be of great assistance to +me," he said presently. + +"How?" interjected Deforrest. + +"Why, she goes among the squatters daily and would be likely to know if +Bishop sneaked into any of their huts. If I can interest her in the +reward--I've an idea she'll be of service to me." + +"Perhaps," responded Young, in a meditative manner. + +Waldstricker looked at Helen smilingly. "I think I started to give you +an account of what happened yesterday," he said. "Did I tell you I came +to see you, dear?" + +Helen sat down and resumed her work. + +"Yes, Ebenezer, but I was out!" she smilingly nodded. "I'm so sorry. If +I'd known, I wouldn't have gone to town!" + +"It didn't matter at all." Then he laughed, coloring a little. "Of +course, I always hate missing you." + +A loving look passed between the two, and Waldstricker proceeded, "But +as long as I was here, I thought I'd speak to Skinner. On the way down +the hill I met his daughter coming up. Rather startling personality, +that girl! But she's woefully ignorant!" + +"She hasn't had much chance, poor little thing," excused Helen. "She +really has a beautiful voice, though." + +"So I've noticed on Sundays." + +"And she studies every minute," Professor Young thrust in, "and is so +eager to learn; she's advanced amazingly!" He laughed in a reminiscent +manner. + +"One day," he proceeded, much amused, "she ran up the hill after me. I +didn't notice her until she was at my side, all out of breath. 'Well, +some little girl's been running,' I said." + +"I want to learn things," she panted. + +"Then I asked, 'What things?' and she answered, 'Oh, all about readin' +and writin' and the things big rich folks know. If I had books, I'd +learn 'em too.' ... Naturally I bought the books." + +"Naturally," laughed Waldstricker. + +"Well, I stopped to ask where she was going and if her father was at +home. Then she told me that she was on her way to a seeress, Mother +Moll, she called her, wasn't it?" + +"Yes," assented Young, nodding his head. "The old woman lives on the +north side of the gully." + +Waldstricker bent forward and pursued. "I went into the hut with the +girl." He stopped and his lip took an upward curve. "The old hag tells +fortunes from a pot, a steaming pot full of boiling water, I think." + +Here he turned suddenly on Deforrest. "That's got to stop, Young. It's +against the Bible, prophesying and the like." + +"She's really a harmless old thing, though," replied the lawyer +sententiously, "and every squatter on Cayuga Lake loves her. Believe me, +Eb, she's absolutely harmless." + +"Not harmless if she's disobeying God's law," contradicted Waldstricker, +seriously. "Isn't there some way by which she can be turned out of the +shack?" + +Deforrest shook his head. "Not that I know of as long as she holds her +squatter rights. Her people take care of her, and she tells their +fortunes to pay for food." He broke off the explanation, only to take it +up again, "No, there isn't any way to oust her. Frederick Graves' father +tried to get the Skinners off, but failed." + +"Oh, I didn't know," observed Waldstricker. "I must have been away at +the time." He drew out his watch and looked at it. "Shall we go on down, +Helen? It's a little early. I told the girl I'd come at two, but a half +an hour doesn't matter.... I can't rest until I get hold of that dwarf." + +During the interval in which Helen went for her garden hat, Waldstricker +said to Deforrest, + +"I may need you, Young, in this Bishop case. I'm privileged to call upon +you, of course?" + +"I'll do anything I can, Ebenezer," agreed Young. + +So it happened that when Tess rounded the mud cellar, she glanced up the +hill and saw the three making their way leisurely toward the lake. She +gave one bound and literally hurled herself through the shanty door into +the kitchen. + +"Walderstricker air comin!" she hissed through her teeth in quivering +excitement. "Scoot under the tick, Andy! An', Daddy, get on my cot, an' +don't say no word less'n they ask ye something face to face.... Let me +do the talkin'." + +She had no more than settled her father on the cot and heard the last of +the dwarf's burrowing in the attic when a long shadow fell across the +threshold. Stepping forward, she met Deforrest Young, who held out his +hand to her. + +She greeted her friend with a dubious smile, and taking his hand, bowed +awkwardly to his sister. In her confusion she ignored Waldstricker +entirely. Their presence in the squatter's hut was so portentous and the +time for the preparations to receive them so short, Tessibel's wits +almost deserted her. + +"Come in, all of ye," she stammered, at last, and stepped backward +across the uneven kitchen floor toward the cot at the further side of +the room. + +Then she placed chairs for them, and when all were seated, settled +herself on the floor near Daddy Skinner, and shaking her curls back from +her face, looked with grave brown eyes from one to the other of the +ominous group. + +"I'm very glad to see you, Tessibel," said Helen graciously. + +"I air awful glad to see you, too, Ma'am," returned Tess, still +embarrassed. + +Miss Young smiled toward Ebenezer, then back at the girl. + +"You remember Mr. Waldstricker, don't you, Tess, dear?" + +Tessibel allowed her gaze to rest on the elder. Of course she remembered +him. What did he desire of Daddy Skinner? That was all she wanted to +know. + +"Yep," she answered, more calmly. "I remember 'im, sure I do! He--" + +Waldstricker interrupted her with a quick interrogation. + +"We had a little meeting yesterday, didn't we, Miss Tessibel? You didn't +wait for me to tell you what I wanted." He delivered this most affably, +and Tess counted him very handsome, indeed, when both corners of his +mouth went up, but she knew that other trick of those lips. Not knowing +how to explain her flight, she kept silent. Deforrest noted the shadow +that clouded the lovely face and ascribed it to embarrassment. Thinking +to put her at her ease, he asked, + +"Have you been studying today, my dear?" + +"Well I guess I have!" The girl sent him a radiant, grateful smile. "I +studies every day, an' air learnin' my Daddy a lot of things now, ain't +I, Daddy?" She looked backward at the man on the cot as she asked the +last question. + +"Yep," affirmed Skinner, faintly. + +"Daddy air sick," she explained. "You'll be excusin' 'im if he don't +talk. I'll do all the gabbin' if ye don't mind." + +Tessibel had regained her self-control. She knew that Waldstricker's +presence meant danger to her loved ones, Daddy and Andy Bishop. In their +defense, eager to hinder him, her quick thought sought his purpose in +coming to the shack. Could it be about Mother Moll, she wondered. She +would ask him. Looking up at Waldstricker, she addressed him timidly, + +"I hope, sir, ye ain't mad at Mother Moll any more?" + +Waldstricker, intent upon his idea of interesting her in the search for +his father's murderer, waived her question aside. He would attend to the +witch and her fantastic mummeries later. + +"Never mind the old woman now," he began pompously. "I came here today +on purpose to see you about another matter." + +Why, yesterday he had said he wanted to talk to Daddy; now today he +wanted to speak to her. She sat up a little straighter, each shoulder +carrying its load of red curls, the ends of which lay in a bronze +tangle. + +"I'd do anything I could," she answered shyly, a lovely red dyeing her +face. + +"I knew you would! Mr. Young has told me how anxious you are to learn +and to improve your condition.... Isn't that so?" + +Tess nodded, looking from the speaker to Deforrest, who threw her his +ever-ready smile. Her gaze returned to the churchman and he continued, + +"Now, I've a plan which, if it succeeds, will give you lots of money! +You could do almost anything you'd want to then." + +Tess didn't move, only stared back at the handsome, swarthy face +incredulously. + +"I couldn't earn much," she ventured, gulping. "I get five bucks every +Sunday fer singin' at the church, but--" + +"Oh, I don't mean a few dollars," Waldstricker told her. "I was talking +about a lot--thousands." + +Daddy Skinner straightened out on the cot and Tess tried to swallow, but +couldn't. She knew now that he referred to the reward for Andy. + +"Lordy massy!" she got out at last, huskily. + +Deforrest Young coughed, and Waldstricker's hand went quickly to his +face. + +"I'll explain about it," he said, "and then you can decide if you wish +to do it." + +"All right," replied Tess, leaning her chin on her hand. "Gowan an' blat +it out." + +"I suppose you know my good old father was murdered," the visitor asked +her after a slight period of silence on his part. + +Andy and what he had told her about the brawl in the saloon raced +through Tessibel's mind. + +"I heard 'bout it," she replied, nodding. + +"And you've heard, too, probably, the man who murdered him escaped from +Auburn a little while ago?" + +Tess wanted to say "No," but she feared a long explanation would follow +which might trouble Daddy and the wee man in the garret, so she +acquiesced by bowing her head. "I guess he were the man Daddy were +talkin' 'bout, weren't he, Daddy?" + +She turned toward her father, but his red lids were closed, and he was +breathing heavily. + +"Daddy goes to sleep awful easy!" she excused to all three. Then she +told Waldstricker, "Yep, Daddy said the man broke out o' jail." + +The man she spoke to looked keenly at her. + +"The officers feel pretty sure he'll make his way down the lake side," +he explained, "eventually landing among his own people." + +A flash of the brown eyes and a quick stiffening of the supple body +under the red curls expressed the girl's resentment at the slur implied +in the speaker's statement. + +"Among us squatters, I s'pose ye mean?" demanded Tess, belligerently. + +"Yes," nodded the elder, with a contemptuous smile at the angry young +face. + +Tess hated that tone in people's voices when they talked about +squatters. + +"And I was wondering if you wouldn't like to earn the reward offered for +Bishop's capture," Waldstricker finished abruptly. + +Tessibel's foresight had discounted the effect of this announcement. To +save Andy, she must deceive Waldstricker and persuade him to leave the +search of the Silent City in her hands. Her brown eyes were bright with +her purpose; she smiled slowly up at him showing every white tooth. + +"You bet I would!" she exclaimed, shaking her curls as she tossed her +head. "How much air it, huh?" + +"Five thousand dollars," replied Waldstricker. + +"Jeedy!" gasped Tess. "That air a pile of money. I bet I earn it!... +What'd ye bet?" + +She turned impetuously to Deforrest Young, and he laughed. + +"I hope you may!" was all he said. + +Tess was all eagerness now, her cheeks flaming and her eyes dancing. + +"But I wouldn't know the man if I seen 'im in any of the squatter's +huts, huh?" + +She flung this at Waldstricker, more of a question than a statement. + +"He's a dwarf," he answered immediately, "and very small--like this. +Sandy Letts knows him and is looking for him, too." + +At his statement, Tessibel's quick imagination pictured Sandy's brutal +face and greedy eyes, and for a moment her flaming courage almost +faltered. + +"If a dwarf sneaks down here," she observed with a sweep of her hand +toward the door, "I'd get 'im easy. I know everybody." + +"But would I have to halve up with Sandy, eh?" she continued, as though +struck with a new thought. + +"Not unless Sandy helped you find him," Ebenezer replied genially. "You +could do as you pleased about that." + +"Oh, Sandy couldn't help me, not a bit," Tess argued earnestly. "Sandy +ain't liked any too well 'round here." + +"Well, manage it as you choose." + +Waldstricker smiled at his success with the girl. "I don't care for +Sandy myself," he continued. "All I want is to get Andy Bishop." His +face hardened with hate as he pronounced the dwarf's name. + +Tess put her hands under the curls over each shoulder and drew them +together beneath her chin. + +"Five thousand dollars!" she ruminated. "I'd have a bully time a +spendin' it, wouldn't I?... I'd buy my Daddy a new overcoat every day +fer a year, an' I'd git 'im four new beds--one fer every corner of this +here kitchen, an' I'd git 'im a flannel shirt thick as a board to keep +the pains from 'is bones.... Then, I'd buy me a cow an' a calf an' a +horse an' a little baby pig an' a few cats an' a lot of dogs, an' I'd +let all the squatter brats play in my flower garden--" + +Helen broke off this chatter with an amused laugh. + +"Then mebbe I'd go to school a while," Tess kept on, "an' learn myself a +lot out o' books, an' after that I'd take singin' lessons an' I'd sing +to everybody what asked me--Then mebbe--" She dropped back for lack of +words. "I wonder if that'd take the hull of the five thousand." + +Waldstricker stood up. + +"You've got the right idea of spending money," he laughed. "And now, +young lady, we'll leave you, and if you hear that this dwarf is in any +of your friends' huts, you let me know, and I'll come right down." + +"Sure," said Tess, heartily. "Ye bet I will." + +Scrambling to her feet, she lifted the ruddy curls and flung them back +on her shoulders. To Ebenezer, watching her, came like a haunting memory +the witch's cry, "Hair, stranglin' ye--God, what hair!" + +But he dismissed the suggestion easily and turned to Helen, smiling. + +"Why not bring Miss Skinner to the next musicale and have her sing?... +Wouldn't you like that, Tess?" + +"I'd get scared stiff," gasped Tessibel, terrified. + +"But, Tess, dear," Helen thrust in, "I'd teach you the songs, and--" + +The girl was looking down upon her dress, her face gathering a deep red. + +Miss Young divined what was going on in the girlish mind. + +"And I'd help you make a new dress," she went on. + +"A hull lot of money folks'd be there, eh?" Tess demanded. Oh, how +afraid she always was of a crowd of those--different people! + +Her words directed Waldstricker's attention to the contrast between this +squatter girl in the bare shack and the fashionable folk who'd throng +his spacious drawing room. + +"Well, a few," he answered, "but you come along with Miss Young just the +same, will you?" + +Tessibel took the outstretched hand awkwardly enough and as quickly +dropped it and began to fumble with her own fingers. She looked down at +the floor while she traced a line on it with her toe. + +"Mebbe," she replied in a very subdued voice. + +She stood in the door and watched them walk slowly up the hill. Then she +turned back into the kitchen. + +"My God, brat!" sobbed a voice through the hole in the ceiling. "Wasn't +that a nice list of beautiful things ye was goin' to buy? Oh, kid, I air +bettin' Waldstricker gits me." + +Tess chuckled low, as she turned her face upward. + +"Andy," she said, "ye needn't be worryin' 'bout me an' Jesus handin' ye +over to that old elder. Why, Him an' me air goin' to stick to you like +pitch to a nigger." + +She turned to go, but hearing a sigh, took four steps up the ladder and +finished, + +"Why, honey, Waldstricker air got as much chance a ketchin' you as a +tallow dog has chasin' an asbestos cat through hell." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +WALDSTRICKER AND MOTHER MOLL + + +"Deforrest is so interested in the little Skinner girl," Helen Young +explained to Ebenezer Waldstricker when they were alone after supper. +"Ever since he helped to get her father out of Auburn, he's done all he +could for her." + +"He's a philanthropist at heart, I imagine," remarked Ebenezer, +agreeably. + +"Yes, and so good to everybody. Dear Forrie! I wish he'd meet the right +woman and marry her. He'd be so happy in a home of his own. When I think +of leaving him alone--" + +The tender face flushed crimson, and happy eyes dropped under the man's +bright gaze. He reached over and took a slender hand in his. + +"But you're not sorry you're coming with me, are you, dear?" he chided +gently, and Helen lifted her head with a glad cry. + +"Oh, no, no, darling!... I'm the happiest woman in the world!" + +"And I'll keep you so," replied Ebenezer, in earnest. + +"I was thinking, though," observed Helen, after a moment, "that +Deforrest might come with us if he hasn't made other arrangements." + +Waldstricker contemplatively kissed each pink finger of the small hand +he held, then pressed his lips to the soft palm. + +"I should like very much to have him, Helen," said he. "I'm very proud +of your brother, you know." + +"You can't make me happier than to praise him," she smiled. + +For several minutes no more was said. Then Waldstricker spoke as though +thinking aloud, + +"I wonder if that little Skinner girl will be of any assistance in the +matter of locating Bishop?" + +"Perhaps," replied Helen. "She seemed very eager to get the money! Don't +you think so?" + +"Yes, I think she did, but I've been wondering if she's trustworthy. Is +she, Helen?" + +Miss Young made a hasty affirmation. + +"Yes, indeed, she's more than that!" she exclaimed. "She wouldn't +deceive any one she loves for anything in the world, so Deforrest tells +me." + +"I sincerely hope so," sighed Ebenezer. "I've quite set my heart on her +helping me. Money is no object in a matter like this." + +"Of course not," murmured Helen, sympathetically. + +"Letts also is doing some good work," Ebenezer continued. "He's been +through nearly every hut on the Rhine." + +Helen shivered. "I can't tolerate that man around," she replied. "Once +in a while he comes here to see Deforrest or to sell something, and I +can't get him away quickly enough." + +"He's a good spy, though. That's all I want. He and the Skinner girl +ought to produce that dwarf between them." + +"I hope so for your sake, dear," murmured Helen. + +Waldstricker took out his watch and glanced at it hurriedly. + +"It's time for me to go, sweetheart," said he. "I want to get home +before dark. Come as far as the lane with me--do!" + +"The twilight is lovely, isn't it?" whispered the girl, when they were +traversing the pear orchard. + +"Made more lovely because of you," replied Waldstricker, sentimentally. + +"How romantic you are tonight, dearest!" Helen laughed. + +They had turned slowly up the hill, when suddenly Helen stopped and +slipped her hand into Ebenezer's arm. + +"There is that old woman you heard read from the fortune pot!" she +exclaimed. "Let's step one side until she's passed us? She rarely lets a +person go by without speaking." + +Waldstricker threw up his head arrogantly. + +"I'm not afraid of the hag," he replied pompously. + +Together they advanced up the hill. Mother Moll, leaning on her cane, +crept slowly down toward them. When her faded, nearsighted eyes caught +sight of the two approaching figures, she halted in the middle of the +road until they were almost upon her. She stared at Waldstricker fully +fifteen seconds, while he looked steadily back at her. Then her withered +lips spread wide in a sneering, cackling laugh. + +"So he air aready been settin' on yer head an' layin' on yer heart, +mister," she greeted him, "the leetle man like this, huh, ain't he?" + +She shook her cane at the tall man and clacked at him again. Helen was +conscious that at Moll's insults, Ebenezer's anger was rising by the +minute. She was herself greatly moved by a kind of superstitious awe of +the old woman's cryptic utterances. But seeking to avoid any further +unpleasantness, she smiled in a friendly manner and asked, + +"How do you do, Mother Moll?" + +The hag thrust forward her face and raised one withered arm, + +"I air fine, young lady," she screamed, crooking her fingers at the +girl, "an' feel finer'n you can do this day, or ye'll ever with him." +She pointed her cane at the scowling, dark-faced man; and slowly bobbed +her head back to Helen. "Yer life'll draw out long an' terrible, till +ye'll wish ye hadn't never seen 'im. He'll set up a knot hole an' drag +ye livin' through it. Then he'll turn yer heart inside out an' haul ye +back again." + +She paused, while Waldstricker's face grew darker and darker. The frown +on his brow roused Helen to action. + +"Let's go on, dear," she whispered. "Don't pay any attention to her +foolish talk." + +"Not yet," returned Waldstricker, ominously. "Not yet!" + +Moll laughed discordantly, shaking her head until the wisps of gray hair +fell in strings about her face. + +"He knows I ain't done tellin' ye what'll happen if ye line yer life +with his'n," she croaked. "Lady, he air wicked, awful wicked, an' +nothin' but misery, deep an' plentiful, air a goin' to make him any +better. Every one he loves--" + +Incoherently, she rambled on and the man's countenance took on an +expression of such rage that Helen Young uttered a cry of dismay. She +had never seen Ebenezer in one of his savage moods. Before she could +draw him away, he had lifted his riding whip and a sudden twist of his +arm brought it sharply down on the grandam's thin bent shoulders. + +"Ebenezer!" screamed Helen, horrified. + +"Drat ye, ye brute!" cried Moll, tottering back, "an' twice drat ye!" +She swayed forward on her cane. "Ye can lick me till I die, an' 'twon't +change yer own life any. It'll only add to the sufferin' ye got to go +through yerself." + +Waldstricker's arm went up again, but Helen grasped it frantically. + +"Ebenezer, don't!... Don't strike her any more. Please!... Go home, +Mother Moll.... Please go! Oh, do!" + +The old woman leaned heavily on her stick, tearless sobs shaking her +emaciated frame. For a space of sixty seconds her watery, faded eyes +stared into Waldstricker's flashing dark ones--then she drew a long, +convulsive breath. + +"It air like ye to hit the awful young an' the awful old," she shrilled +at him, "but, 'twon't do ye no good. Curls'll bring yer to yer knees, +hair'll make yer heart bleed blood redder'n the sun, an' the leetle +man'll jerk 'em tight 'bout yer throat till ye thunder out fer mercy." + +"Come along," muttered Ebenezer, roughly, to Helen. "If she torments me +any more, I fear I'll kill her." + +His words were not so low but they caught the quick ear of the old +woman. + +"Kill me, yep, kill me, ye proud whelp! Go 'long; do it, ye big coward! +Before ye're done with life, ye'll hate yerself worse'n uther folks hate +ye." + +She hobbled a little distance, reaching backward to rub her shoulders. +Then she twisted completely around, facing the other two. + +"Mind my word, pretty miss," she croaked in half grunt, half yelp. "Let +'im go like ye would a snake; like ye would a slimy worm a crawlin' at +yer feet." Still snarling in pain, she lifted one shaking arm and +pointed a crooked forefinger at Waldstricker. "She won't always stay +with ye, ye skunk ye!" Then she staggered away, Helen and Ebenezer +staring after her until she was lost in the gloom of the gully. + +"Isn't she dreadful?" Ebenezer said, with a rueful laugh. + +"She's so old," was Helen's gentle reproof. "She's not accountable for +anything. Deforrest says she's very good to the other squatters." + +"They're an unseemly mess." The man struck at an overhanging bough +savagely. "And your brother has power enough to remove the worst of them +if he wanted to. That old hag, for instance--" + +"Deforrest wouldn't do it," interjected Helen. + +"He may if I make it worth his while," replied Waldstricker. "But there, +I was foolish to let 'er get on my nerves so. I beg your pardon, dear. +My only excuse is I dislike to see the laws of God broken in such an +iniquitous way. Why, I felt when I struck her the righteous indignation +the Master must have felt when he drove the money changers from the +temple." + +Helen looked at him, startled. She was shocked at his words, as she had +been terrified by his act.... A dreadful doubt darted into her mind. Was +Mother Moll right? Could she be? Instantly she dismissed the suggestion, +condemning herself for paying any attention to the empty vaporings of +the half-witted, childish, old woman. She was sorry for Moll, of course, +and grieved and hurt because Ebenezer had lost his temper and struck +her. But her loving heart excused him. Certainly the provocation had +been great. Old Moll was unusually impertinent. + +Intent to repair the momentary disloyalty of her doubt, she pressed his +arm lovingly. + +"There, dear, let's not speak of it again. It's over now and we'll +forget all about it." + +A little later, when Waldstricker was moodily riding toward Ithaca, +Mother Moll's hateful prophecies repeated themselves in his mind. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +TESSIBEL'S MARRIAGE + + +During the few hours after the departure of Waldstricker, Professor +Young and Helen, Tessibel Skinner was preparing for her marriage. For +the present she had dismissed her fear for Andy Bishop and had turned +her attention to her own wonderful secret, her marriage to Frederick +that evening. She went so nervously from one thing to another that when +she stood fully dressed before her father, he scrutinized her +inquiringly; but he confined his curiosity to the simple question, + +"Goin' out, brat?" + +"Yep, Daddy," admitted Tess, confused for an instant, "an' darlin', +don't worry if I ain't back fer quite a little while. I air goin' to +ride with Frederick." She leaned over him and cupped his bearded face +with her hands, her eyes like stars, first shining, then shadowing. "Ye +trust yer Tessibel, don't ye, Daddy Skinner?" + +Since the first instant she'd been placed in his arms, a wee baby, the +squatter had never ceased to marvel at her loveliness. An expression of +adoring affection settled over his face. + +"Sure, I air a trustin' ye, child," he assured her huskily, "or I +wouldn't be lettin' ye run 'round wild on the rocks like ye're doin'.... +Ye won't be gone too long, honey?" + +"Nope," answered Tess, kissing him, "bar up, darlin', an' don't open to +any knock lessen ye know who 'tis," and she ran out of the shanty and +closed the door behind her. + +"Fine lookin', yer girl, eh, pal?" remarked Andy, presently, from the +ceiling. + +"Yep," agreed Orn, morosely. + +"She air got a beau, now, ain't she, old horse?" + +The fisherman's face darkened with anger. + +"Yep, an' I hate 'im like I hated his pa. But when a girl air fell in +love with some feller, that air all there air to it." + +"I hope he won't never hurt her," sighed the dwarf. + +"He better hadn't!" mumbled Skinner. + +During the silence that followed between the squatter and his prison +pal, Tessibel was climbing the hill to meet Frederick. Many conflicting +emotions took possession of her as she neared the summit. After tonight +she would no longer be Tessibel Skinner, but Frederick's wife, and he, +her husband, her own forever and forever. This night-ride would be her +cherished secret until Frederick gave her permission to tell Daddy +Skinner--until the whole world should know. Her mind was busy with the +events of the last thirty-six hours. She was cogitating upon the +happiness of her future, when she saw the waiting vehicle ahead of her, +and Frederick's dark figure silhouetted in the moonlight. Faster and +faster fluttered her heart, and faster and faster moved her feet. She +reached the carriage without the student's realizing it. + +"Frederick!" was all she had breath to say. + +At the whispering of his name, the young man sprang to the ground. In +another moment he had Tessibel in his arms. + +"You've come!" he murmured low, kissing her. "Oh, my dearest, you're +here!" + +Then he lifted the slender figure into the buggy. Even in the pale +light, Tessibel noticed his face gleamed white, and his eyes shone +darker than usual. She sat very quiet as he gathered up the reins, and +it was not until they were well on their way along the Trumansburg road +that the boy turned to her. How beautiful she looked, her shoulders +completely covered with dusky-dark curls and her head bowed in maidenly +shyness! All his doubts as to the expediency of his act were set at +rest. She was deeply essential to his happiness, to his progress. To +know she was his wife, married to him, so that none could separate them, +would make his absences from Tessibel much easier to bear. He had in the +past feared Deforrest Young. Now that fear was being set at rest. He +never had worried that Sandy Letts would win Tess any more than he had +been apprehensive of Ben Letts before the drowning of the squatter. The +one person he stood in awe of was his mother. Again his eyes sought the +silent girl at his side. She had ever been a hallowing influence in his +life, and to lose her would be worse than death. After tonight the glory +in those unreadable brown eyes would ever shine for him. He threw one +arm across her shoulder, and drew her closer. "My little moonlight +girl!" he breathed in ecstasy, his cheek against hers. "Are you happy, +my sweet?" + +Tessibel couldn't have spoken if she had so desired. Her heart seemed +filling her throat. Happiness hushed her voice, and gratitude to God for +giving her Heaven's best prevented her expression of it. + +The next twelve miles were passed in silence. And ever after, when +Tessibel in imagination recalled the white road, winding its way into +the hills, the quietude of the countryside, the shimmering moonlight, it +seemed like nothing real. And she remembered, as in a daze, Frederick +taking her in his arms after the minister had married them--how he had +called her over and over his wife, his darling, and other whisperings +divinely sweet.... In memory all those hours were like strangely +mysterious dreams. + + * * * * * + +Daddy Skinner was waiting for Tessibel. He had sat listening for hours, +mostly in silence, a deep brooding expression bending his ragged brows +together in a stern frown. + +From his position in the attic, Andy Bishop could see the fisherman's +face. The dwarf was quick to recognize that something was wrong with his +friend. + +"The world air waggin' yet, Orn," he remarked soothingly. + +"Sure, but 'tain't much of a world," grunted Skinner, sighing. + +Andy bent his head a little farther through the hole. + +"It air a lot, while we got Tess," he answered. "We got Tessibel, ain't +we, pal?" + +The squatter's mouth wrinkled at each corner. + +"Yep, I guess we got 'er all right, but I wish to God she'd come home." + +"She'll be along soon," assured Andy, with a smile. + +For a few minutes they remained silent. Then Orn Skinner burst forth +again, + +"I ain't got as much use for that feller Tess loves as a dog has for a +million fleas, an' I never liked 'is pa, uther...." + +"Ye wouldn't wish she'd be lovin' Sandy Letts, even if he does make +money, eh, Orn?" asked Andy. + +"Thunder, no!" snorted Skinner. "I'd ruther she'd be dead 'n married to +Sandy. But that ain't sayin' a honest squatter airn't better'n a high +born pup.... I wish Tess loved a decent chap." + +At that moment the speaker's daughter was standing alone on a small +country inn porch, some miles from Trumansburg, waiting for her husband. + +Frederick had gone to get the rig to take them back to the squatter +settlement. There was absolute stillness, absolute calm everywhere but +within herself. Her heart fluttered with new emotions, new desires, +ambitions to make herself worthy of the man she'd married. Her eyes were +on the sky, her soul among the stars, her own stars that had crept out +one by one, each to look lovingly down upon her happiness. + +What a glorious night it was! More wonderful than yesterday even! Or any +of her many yesterdays! This hour, the climax of her love, had +transported her through the mystery of immeasurable joy. She would never +again be the old Tessibel. She was Frederick's wife! Her breath came in +sudden, quick, happy sighs, for just then she heard his voice from out +of the darkness. Ah, his tones, too, were deeper, richer than yesterday! + +Even in the shadow, Frederick saw her distinctly as he came toward the +house. + +"My own little wife!" he whispered tumultuously. "How happy I am!" + +"Won't ye take me home now?" murmured Tess. "It air late an' Daddy'll be +worried." + +"We'll start at once," promised Frederick tenderly, leading her down the +steps. + + * * * * * + +Daddy Skinner heard the horse coming down the hill, heard Frederick as +he said his low, "Good-night, my darling," and unbarring the door, the +fisherman waited impatiently for his daughter to enter the shanty. + +One glance and he stretched out his hand. + +"Ye're sick, brat," he stammered. "Be ye sick, my pretty?" + +Dropping her eyes, Tessibel shook her head. + +"Nope, I ain't sick," she faltered. "But--but--" + +She wanted to throw herself upon her father's broad shielding breast and +sob out her joy. But she couldn't do that so she stood hesitantly, her +lips quivering. + +"I air wantin' to be hugged in yer arms, Daddy Skinner," she told him. +"Tell yer brat ye love her awful much." + +And according to his custom in his daughter's sentimental moments, the +fisherman, after dropping the door-bar, seated himself in the wooden +rocking-chair, and held out his arms. + +"I were just a sayin' to Andy, I wished ye'd come home," said he. "Love +ye, kid?... I love ye better'n all the world, and everythin' in it.... +Well! If my pretty brat ain't cryin'.... Sandy ain't been chasin' ye, +has he?" + +"Mebbe she air been a fightin' with her beau," piped the dwarf, from the +ceiling. + +The girl's mind traveled back through the events of the evening. + +"Nope, I didn't fight with 'im, Andy," she smiled through her tears. + +Daddy Skinner's beard rubbed lovingly over the dishevelled curly head. + +"There! There! My little 'un!" he singsonged. "I'll rock my babe a bit. +Ye stayed out too late, I air a thinkin'." + +Oh, to tell him everything that had happened in the past few hours. But +she had promised Frederick, and Tessibel would rather have died of grief +than betray her trust. She put her lips close to the fisherman's ear. + +"I air lovin' the student, Daddy," she whispered. "I didn't see Sandy +tonight. I jest been with Frederick." + +The squatter's only answer was to press her lovingly to him and for a +long time he swayed back and forth slowly. Suddenly he ceased rocking. + +"Ye'd best git to bed, baby," said he. "Crawl back, Andy, and let the +brat undress." + +Andy's shining face disappeared with a "Good night, brat," and "Good +night, old horse." + +The father and daughter heard him settle himself on the straw tick, and +soon all was quiet above. And later by half an hour, Tessibel was +dreaming of the young husband who that day had opened a new world to +her, who had led her from girlhood into the immensity of womanhood. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE MUSICALE + + +Tessibel, arrayed in her new dress and slippers, a roll of songs under +her arm, stood in the shanty kitchen. Neither Daddy Skinner nor Andy had +made any comment when she told them she had really consented to sing at +the home of the dwarf's enemy. Now she craved their commendation. A +little doubtful, she went to the ladder, and glanced upward. The dwarf +was nowhere to be seen. + +"Andy," she called softly. + +"Huh?" drifted from somewhere above in the darkness. + +"Crawl to the hole, dear, an' squint down at my dress." + +A little scramble and a face peered down upon her, + +"Ye been a cryin', Andy," said Tess, a break in her voice. "What ye been +a cryin' fer, honey?" + +"Seem's if Waldstricker air goin' to take ye away from my pal an' me." + +Daddy Skinner gave a grunt with no articulate word in it. Tess whirled +around on him and fastened her bright eyes upon her father's bent head. + +"Daddy," she began tremulously, "air you an' Andy thinkin' things ye +hadn't ought to of Tessibel?" + +Skinner shook his head. + +"Me an' Andy hates Waldstricker, that air all," he said. + +Tess shrugged her shoulders. + +"I ain't et up with love fer him uther," she offered in defense, "but +Miss Young wanted me to--oh, daddy, why didn't you tell me I couldn't go +right at first--" + +"Of course, ye be goin'," broke in Daddy Skinner, "but don't ye forgit +us, my pretty!" + +Tess gurgled in joy. She went to her father's side and gathered the dear +head into her arms. + +"If that air all what air worryin' ye, then kiss yer brat," said she. "I +air goin' to sing an' mebbe I'll only see Waldstricker to speak to 'im. +If he says anythin' 'bout Andy--" + +"What'll ye tell 'im, kid?" gasped the dwarf. + +"Oh, I'll string 'im like I allers does," returned Tess. "Now you're +done squallin' like a baby, look at me!" + +"Ain't she swell?" enthused Andy. "Orn, have ye looked 'er over?" + +"Sure," mumbled the Squatter, "an' she air finer'n silk." + +Tessibel hugged her father again, fluttered a kiss from the tips of her +fingers to the little man above, and repeating her usual admonition to +them, not to talk aloud, she started for Young's with palpitating heart. +Deforrest met her as she ascended the front porch. Smiling he took her +hand. His eyes expressed his approval of the winsome face and the trim +figure in the new dress. + +"Prompt as usual," he greeted. "How beautiful you are tonight, my dear!" + +The color swept to Tessibel's face in great waves. She loved everything +beautiful, the roses, the violets, the blue of the sky! Even the night +things were beautiful, too. Did Professor Young think her beautiful like +all these wonders? She smiled, her face shining in its mantling crimson. +Deforrest took her arm, leading her into the living room, where Helen +stood at the table, drawing on a long white glove. + +"Gaze upon your handiwork," laughed her brother. "Quite a surprise for +Ebenezer and his friends, eh?" + +Helen examined Tessibel from the top of her head to the tip of her +pretty boots with critical, gratified eyes. + +"Yes," she decided, "you're all very satisfactory, Tess." Then to her +brother, "Now, let's go, dear." + +When Deforrest drove his horses up the long roadway leading to the +Waldstricker mansion, Tessibel noticed the house was lighted from cellar +to garret, that a long line of vehicles was making its slow way to the +porch. Her heart fluttered with embarrassment. As they drew up to the +stone veranda, Tess reached spontaneously for Helen Young's hand. + +"It seem's if I jest couldn't sing afore such a awful lot of folks," she +murmured helplessly. + +Helen returned the pressure of the cold fingers. + +"Try to imagine you're in church," she suggested. "You won't break down, +my dear, I feel quite sure." + +"I--I--air goin' to try to be awful careful anyhow," replied Tess, +hopefully, but she heaved a deep sigh as Deforrest Young lifted her +quite into his arms and placed her on the low, broad porch-stone. + +Amid a crowd of laughing people, they passed into the house, and while +they were removing their wraps, Helen took the opportunity to give her +little protege a few last admonitions. + +"Don't forget to put the 'g's' on your 'ing's,' and remember always to +say 'your' quite plainly," she whispered. + +"I will," Tessibel promised. + +By this time, they had entered the crowded reception hall, and the +squatter girl's heart leapt into her throat when Ebenezer Waldstricker +came forward to meet them. He welcomed Helen Young tenderly, taking her +hands in his. Tess noticed both corners of his mouth were up. + +"I'm so happy to have you here, Helen, my darling," he murmured, bending +over the hands he held. + +A flushed face smiled into the speaker's. + +"And I'm happy to be here, too, dear." Then turning, Helen announced +"Here's Miss Skinner ... Tessibel, Mr. Waldstricker." + +Until then the Elder had not seemed to be aware of the girl's presence, +but at the introduction he extended his hand, formally polite. When, in +shy greeting, Tess lifted her eyes, one corner of his mouth drew down +rigidly. She was more at ease when Deforrest Young joined them. Her +welcoming smile caused that gentleman's heart to bound in delight. They +made their way slowly and with difficulty down the long hall, Tessibel +growing more and more conscious of the curious glances directed at them +from all sides. When they reached the drawing room door, her agitation +grew perceptibly, having noticed that Waldstricker was detaining Helen. +Deforrest held her arm with an encouraging pressure. + +"Don't be afraid, dear," he whispered in her ear. "You'll stay near +sister and me the entire evening. There!" They had crossed the room and +neared a row of chairs arranged against the wall. "Sit down by this open +window. My sister will be here soon.... Why!--Why! childie, you mustn't +tremble so!" + +A mist gathered under Tessibel's lowered lids. Each moment she grew more +frightened, and from the corner of her eye measured the distance between +their place and the piano. Oh, how thankful she was when Miss Young took +a seat beside her. Near the door she recognized Madelene Waldstricker. +Across the distance Tess studied the girl a moment. How pretty her gown +was! + +Tessibel glanced down at her own dress; at her rounded arms shining +white under the little ruffle of fine lace. Her dress was pretty, the +prettiest she'd ever had, and gratitude toward the woman at her side +overcame for the moment her embarrassment. Presently Waldstricker came +to them with the request for a song, and Deforrest Young escorted Tess +to the piano. He pitied her from the bottom of his heart, as she +clutched frantically at his arm. + +"You've only to be yourself and sing as you do for us, my dear," he bent +to whisper, "everybody will love you then." + +That magic word "Love!" It always thrilled Tess into doing her best, and +she must do no less tonight for her friends' sake. She sank down quite +helplessly into the chair to which Deforrest led her and watched +Ebenezer escort Helen to the piano. Her muscles grew taut with fright. +How she wished to be back with Daddy Skinner and Andy! But she took the +song Deforrest handed her, and through a veil of embarrassment, saw his +smiling face close to hers. + +"Sit here," he said, in low tones. "I shall be near you." + +In one melodious touch of ivory keys, Helen started the prelude and +every one in the room grew silent and attentive. Then from the side of +the instrument there suddenly appeared before the quiet audience a +radiant vision, a girl with tawny, glittering curls hanging in a golden +fire-shower about her slender figure. The unfathomable brown eyes swept +over the throng a quick glance, then dropped to the sheet of music in +her hand. + +A spontaneous murmur of admiration fell from many lips. For an instant +Helen Young's hands poised above the keyboard, then descended; and as +spontaneously as a bird begins its love song to the blue, so Tessibel +Skinner began to sing. + +The powerful voice rose up and up in seeming unending volume,--up and up +until Deforrest Young sank against the wall and locked his fingers +together. How had his sister dared to risk such a song with such a +child!... Then he took a long satisfied breath, for he saw the little +singer sang as a lark sings, without fear or self-consciousness, without +knowledge of limitation to her thrilling harmony. + +When Tess ceased on a high note, held until it drifted softly to the +furthermost corner of the room, a round of applause went up to the high +ceiling, and Miss Young, glancing around proudly at Tess, smiled and +nodded. The girl felt another song thrust into her hands. This time she +was less tremulous and sent back to Deforrest Young a charming, youthful +smile. Helen's fingers rippled over the keys softly for a minute or two, +and once more Tess began to sing. + +"That I may know the largeness of God's love, teach me the fullness of +thine own," she thrilled forth. + +A groan forced its way almost to Deforrest Young's lips. What a child +she was! Yet she sang that song with the abandonment of passion known +only to a woman. How beautifully, lithely young she looked, standing +there with those flowing, shimmering curls and the tender, throbbing +voice pleading to be taught the fullness of human love, that she might +find the largeness of the Infinite. Turning swiftly to the window, he +pressed his lips together to stifle his emotion. He could no longer bear +the stab at his heart, nor risk the mist rising in his eyes. Tessibel, +wholly unconscious of the stir she was making, sang on and on, her gaze +on the sheet in her hand. Suddenly she raised her eyes and there near +the door was Frederick Graves, his face waxen white, his dark gaze bent +upon her. Close beside him stood Madelene Waldstricker. But a single +instant Tess faltered in her song. Then again, passionately, +insistently, and tempestuously she sang, "That I may know the largeness +of God's love, teach me the fullness of thine own!" + +She saw his lids droop as she carefully pronounced each beautiful word, +and saw him, without a glimmer of recognition for her, turn to the girl +at his side. He hadn't even welcomed her with his eyes. Never before had +he failed to greet her smilingly. She chilled to the bone, nor dared +look again. When the song was finished, she sat down limply. Deforrest +Young, strangely stirred, took her hand. + +"Sweet child," he murmured, "it was delightful! Lovely!" + +At the same moment Waldstricker was bending over Helen Young. + +"My dear, how ambitious you are for so young a pupil!" he laughed. + +"There's nothing she can't sing," she replied, rising. "Hasn't she a +wonderful range?" + +"Very," replied Waldstricker, and he, too, turned to look at the +squatter girl. + +Tess was striving to listen to Deforrest Young, but her disturbed mind +was where Frederick stood with Madelene Waldstricker. Her whole loving +heart desired him to come and speak to her. + +"I never heard her sing like that before," Madelene was saying to +Frederick. "I believe you know her quite well, don't you?" + +"I know who she is," stammered the student, flushing, "but as to saying +I know her well--" + +"She's very beautiful!" interjected Madelene. + +Frederick lowered his head flatteringly, "Not as beautiful as another +girl I know," he whispered, and Madelene dropped her eyes with a happy +sigh. + +"Let's go and speak to her," she suggested. "I feel I must, I'm the +hostess, you know." + +Frederick reluctantly fell into step with her, and together they crossed +the room, a striking picture of entrancing youth. Tessibel's heart ached +at the unusual sight. For one burning moment she wanted to scream, to +spring up and do some terrible thing to the small girl walking so +familiarly at her husband's side. Then she looked away miserably. She +could not bear the sight, nor did she turn again until she heard a +strange, rather high, girl's voice say, + +"It was very lovely, Helen! Such a surprise to every one! I'm ever so +grateful to you." + +"Tessibel, this is Miss Waldstricker," introduced Helen. + +Tess raised a scarlet face at the sound of her name. + +For one moment the two girls gazed into each other's eyes. Each had in +her panting heart a feeling of proprietorship for the tall, dark boy +standing moodily behind Madelene. Tess knew he was there, yet did not +look at him. + +"You've a beautiful voice," observed Miss Waldstricker, with a shade of +condescension in her manner. + +Tessibel could feel the blood pulsing even to her finger tips. What did +she care for compliments from Madelene Waldstricker? She wanted to hear +them from Frederick! Miss Waldstricker whirled suddenly to bring him +into the conversation. + +"Mr. Graves.... Ah, yes, of course, you know Miss Young, and this--and +this is--Miss Skinner, Mr. Graves." + +Then Frederick bent over Tessibel's hand, and her fingers shook in his. +She raised her eyes slowly and he was looking upon her as if she were a +thing apart from him now and ever would be. A crimson wave flew to her +face--a flood tide of humiliation. + +"I've met Miss Skinner," she heard in a low, unfamiliar tone. "Your +voice, Miss Skinner, as Miss Waldstricker says, is very beautiful." + +The accent of the ice in his words caused her to withdraw her hand from +his instantly. She was stung to the quick by his coldness and +indifference. She could not answer him. Was this her Frederick--this the +boy who had so often knelt at her feet in ardent adoration? He had gazed +at her as if she'd been a stranger, had praised her singing only by +repeating what another girl had said. Her head burned like fire, and her +heart gave a rebellious, defiant twist. She was his wife. All the +passion within her tempestuous soul raged in stout protest against his +treatment of her. Couldn't--oh, he could have said--have said--just a +little something! Then anger fell from her in a trice. Desolation like +an ash encompassed her. Of course, she was but a squatter; Frederick was +ashamed of her, ashamed he even knew her. It was just at that moment she +saw her husband place Madelene's fingers on his arm and laughingly move +away with her. Tess started out of her jealous agony as some one touched +her arm. Deforrest Young was smiling down upon her. + +"Let's go to supper," he invited. + +The girl made an effort to master her confusion. Slowly she rose and +took the professor's arm. The unfamiliar, embarrassing formality helped +to hide her anger and consternation. She found herself positively unable +to eat. When had she ever been capable of taking food when her heart +filled her throat? She was conscious every moment of the presence of her +husband and Madelene a little farther down the table, and that +Frederick's attention was wholly taken up with his companion. She had +but to raise her eyes to see Madelene's face beaming with pleasure. + +Suddenly the voice of a stranger roused Tessibel from her bitter +meditation. + +"I heard, Mr. Waldstricker, you've located Andrew Bishop. It's true, I +hope." + +If it hadn't been for the queer feeling in her legs, Tessibel would have +stood up. Located Andy Bishop--where? Why in her shanty, of course,--up +in the garret under the straw tick. If they had found him, it must have +been there. When? Tonight, since she'd left home. She bent over and +searched the table for Waldstricker. He was seated next to Helen Young, +and his gaze was directed toward his questioner. + +"Well," he replied, "that's not quite right, but we hope--" he +hesitated, swept his flashing eyes to Tessibel and smiled, "we hope to +have him back in Auburn soon. I have two good detectives working for +me." + +Taking a deep breath of relief, Tess subsided in her chair, and she was +not sorry when the signal was given for the company to leave the table. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +A VICTIM OF CIRCUMSTANCES + + +Frederick Graves had just left Tess at the shanty door. He had found it +difficult to explain away his conduct on the evening of the musicale at +Waldstricker's. + +"It were awful," sobbed Tess, after Frederick had mollified her anger +somewhat. "I wanted to die! Ye looked like some big man I didn't know 't +all." + +"Silly baby," laughed the student. "There were so many people there who +know my mother--" He paused and kissed the upraised, tearful face +passionately. "I didn't think you'd care. I supposed of course you'd +understand. I'm awfully sorry you didn't. You'll forgive me, darling, +won't you?" + +Tess snuggled nearer him. She wanted to forget how unhappy she'd been. + +"Sure, I don't care now,--such a awful lot," she sighed. + +Later in the evening, when he came into the hall of his home in Ithaca, +he was greeted by his young sister, Babe. + +"Fred," she called softly, "come on up, mother wants you." + +For some minutes after taking off his hat, he remained in the lower hall +considering just what to say to his mother. Shaking his head dismally, +he mounted the stairs and went reluctantly to the front room. He hated +scenes with his mother. He hated everything about the house, hated even +the thought of going back to school. He wanted to take Tess away from +the lake--make a home for her--to be with her always. How dear she had +grown day by day since he'd married her! His very being fired at the +memory of her clinging sweetness. + +When he opened his mother's bedroom door and walked self-consciously +forward to turn up the light, a fretful voice from the bed halted him. + +"Fred, if you're going to make the room bright, please bring the screen +forward." + +He dropped his hand from the gas jet. + +"It doesn't matter," said he, sulkily, and he moved to the foot of the +bed. "Let it stay as it is.... Babe said you wanted me." + +Mrs. Graves settled her glasses on the bridge of her nose and looked at +him. + +"Yes! I did tell her to send you in. What's the matter? Anything?" + +"No." The answer was brutal in its curtness. + +"You've been with that Skinner girl again." The woman sat up in bed and +exclaimed angrily. "I can tell by the way you act." + +A sudden fury took possession of the student. + +"Of course, I haven't been to Skinner's," he contradicted roughly. +"Didn't I tell you I wouldn't go and see her any more? What do you want +now?" + +Relieved by his words in spite of the ugly way in which they were +uttered, Mrs. Graves sank back on the pillows. "Sit down," she invited. + +He was too nervous and angry willingly to grant even so small a request +just then. + +"I can listen as well standing here," he answered crossly. + +"But I can't talk as well when you stand," insisted Mrs. Graves, +peevishly. "Frederick! What's happened to you since your father died? +That squatter girl's turned your head. I know it. She's completely +spoiled you." + +Tessibel and all her girlish sweetness came vividly across the boy's +mind. It was ridiculous to blame Tess. Ah, if he were as good as Tess +desired him to be, his life would be the most exemplary. + +"Please leave her name out of it, will you?" he rasped rudely. "Even if +I can't see her, I won't hear anything against her." + +Mrs. Graves sat up in bed, throwing back wisps of gray hair, that +persisted in falling over her nose. + +"Oh, you won't, eh?" she shrilled loudly. "Well, now, you listen to +me.... You'll hear what I please to say to you, young man. It's a good +thing you don't go to Skinner's any more. It's time you were interested +in a decent girl. You've got to marry sometime. It's just as easy to +love a rich girl as a poor one. Why don't you propose to Madelene +Waldstricker?" + +"Madelene's all right, I suppose," the boy answered "but I don't want to +marry her." + +"You better want to," his mother rejoined tartly. "You've got to do just +that very thing." + +"You're crazy, Mother. I won't do it. What do you take me for, anyhow? +Get that idea out of your head and keep it out." + +"If your father were here, you wouldn't dare to say such things to +me.... I want you to sit down, do you hear?" + +Frederick dropped into a chair wearily. The time had come to tell his +mother that Tessibel Skinner was his wife. After that was done, there +could be no such arguments. He started to speak, but his mother +interrupted him. + +"Madelene Waldstricker's wild over you," she explained. "You can't deny +you've shown her open attention, at the same time you've been stealing +down to that Skinner girl's hut.... Oh, don't deny it any more! But +Madelene doesn't know very much about that, and she has lots of money. +It's your duty to Babe and me." + +"I won't marry her, or anyone else," Frederick repeated. + +His voice was very low but every word was distinct. + +Mrs. Graves lifted her pillow, turned it over, patted, and sank back +upon it. + +"Why?" she demanded, searching his face with accusing eyes. "Because of +that fisherman's--" + +Now he would tell her; now he would explain! He coughed, took out his +handkerchief and wiped his lips. + +"I shouldn't think you'd say anything against Tessibel Skinner," was +what he said at last, "considering what she did for us." + +Mrs. Graves uttered a scream, and covered her face with her hands. + +"Now throw that in my face, will you?" she cried. "Can't you let me +forget my shame and disgrace? Can't you see that girl coming into my +life would bring constantly before me my daughter's downfall and death?" + +Her voice was tragic, and Frederick's heart always had been tender +toward his mother. He saw as vividly as if it had happened but yesterday +Teola dying in the church. It had been such a dreadful experience for +all of them. Frederick had never doubted for one moment that that +terrible ordeal had been the cause of his father's death. He went +quickly forward and slipped one arm about her shoulders. + +"I'm sorry, mater," he murmured. "There, forgive me!--There!--Don't +cry!... Now don't get nervous--the doctor said you mustn't cry." + +Mrs. Graves shivered in the strong arms. + +"I've reason enough to cry," she whimpered brokenly. "You won't do +anything to help me, and you're the one who should." + +"I'll go to work," he said eagerly. He sat down on the edge of the bed. +"I'm tired of college anyway!" + +"Go to work!" echoed his mother. "What could you do? You wouldn't get +ten dollars a week. Nor anything like it. You haven't any profession, +and what is there in Ithaca to do anyway?... Oh, if your father'd only +lived!" + +She broke into a fresh burst of tears. + +"Hush, please, dear," said Frederick, smoothing back the grey hair. "Go +on and tell me what you want. There, see, now, I'm listening." + +Mrs. Graves used her handkerchief vigorously. + +"I said I wanted you to marry Madelene Waldstricker," she responded in +ruffled tones. "You've but to ask her, and she'll jump. Babe says she +talks of you all the time, and is frightfully jealous of you." + +A fair, lovely face, glorious glistening brown eyes, and shrouding red +curls passed between Frederick's vision and his mother's face, and he +groaned. + +"Don't! I said not to talk of Tess." + +"But I can't help it," snapped Mrs. Graves. "I've got to tell you about +Madelene, haven't I? You must ask her now.... She's staying here +tonight." + +Frederick withdrew his arms from under his mother and dropped his face +hopelessly into his hands. + +"Oh, God, help me!" he groaned between his fingers. "I can't do that, +Mother! I can't!" + +A tender hand went out slowly and touched him. He lifted his face with a +sharp gesture and grasped his mother's fingers in his. + +"Don't ask me to do that, oh, don't, darling mater, don't!" he moaned. +"Anything else--I'd do _anything_ else." + +The feminine fingers closed over the masculine ones. + +"I must ask you, my son," insisted Mrs. Graves, gently. "It's the only +hope I have.... I've kept so many things from you, but now I'll tell you +why. The lake place is mortgaged to Ebenezer Waldstricker for more than +it's worth, and I've borrowed a lot of money from him and from +Madelene." + +Frederick's hands fell from his face. + +"Good God! My God!" he exclaimed hoarsely. "Why didn't you tell me +before?" + +"I couldn't--I couldn't, Fred, but now you see why you must do this for +all our sakes. I haven't any money at all only what they let me have. +Babe and I won't have any place to go if you don't help. Oh, Fred, you +will think of it, dear, you will?" + +The boy got up feeling as if something worse than death had happened to +him. He saw no way out. + +"Yes, I'll think of it," he temporized. + +Mrs. Graves sank deeper into her pillow and closed her eyes with a long +sigh. Frederick said no more, but turned quickly and went out of the +room. + +He staggered downstairs like a drunken man. He ought to have told his +mother he was married to Tessibel Skinner. He couldn't marry any other +woman!... How could he, when he was already married--married to the +sweetest girl in the world? Oh, to get away somewhere to think quietly! +To get something to stop the throbbing in his head! This new horror +facing him was more than he could bear. He'd go back now and tell his +mother he was married to Tess.... No, he'd wait until morning! He opened +the library door and stepped in, crossed the room slowly and drew down +the curtain. Turning, he saw a girl rise from the divan. Madelene +Waldstricker reached out two rounded arms with an impatient gesture. + +"Ah, you've come," she said, smiling into his eyes. + +Frederick gazed at the small girlish figure curiously. The new interest +in her awakened by the talk he'd just had with his mother, contended +with the image of Tess in his mind--radiant, loving, splendid Tess. + +He walked to the table and feigned interest in a book. + +"I've been with my mother," he said hesitatingly. + +"Yes, I know," asserted Madelene, coming to his side, "and she's awfully +ill, isn't she?" + +"More nervous than anything," replied the boy, impatiently. + +"The doctor told your sister and me this afternoon she must have perfect +rest if she ever recovers," explained Madelene. "He says she ought to be +in a good health resort.... I wish I could help her." + +"She tells me you have," blurted Frederick. + +"But not so much as I'd like to," Madelene assured him softly. + +There was deep sympathy in her voice, and Frederick looked at her +critically. This small brown girl had taken on new significance to him. +She had come into his life suddenly as a large part of it, that +deadening financial part that tied him hand and foot and made him feel +like a galley slave. But he could never marry her, never! He belonged to +Tessibel Skinner by all the rights of Heaven and earth. He studied the +eager girl again--for so long a time that she dropped her lids, +blushing. Truly, Tess and Madelene formed a strange contrast--his bride +with the red gold of her curls and eyes holding him a willing captive, +and this bright-eyed, brown-skinned, little creature, before him with +that eloquent, calling appeal of money for his mother. + +Never before had he thought any one could for any reason whatever come +between him and Tessibel Skinner. He did not concede it now in its +fullness, but Madelene was looking pleadingly into his face and had +spoken of his mother with tender sympathy. He suddenly reached out and +took her hand. He would tell her of his young wife. He would take her +into his confidence right then, and all would be well for them +both--and for Tess. + +"Listen, Madelene," the boy said earnestly. "I have something to say to +you." + +At the touch of his fingers, Madelene went white and swayed toward him. +Her head fell forward on his chest, and his arms closed around her, as +if to keep her from falling. Of a sudden, a flushed face was lifted to +his, and a smile flashed around a rosy mouth. + +"Oh, I'm so happy, oh, so happy!" whispered pursed lips. + +And Madelene sighed as she dropped her head against him once more. For +the moment Frederick's mind went blank, but the girl's voice drew him +back. + +"Oh, I was afraid you loved that girl who sings in the church," she was +saying. "I've heard so often you did. I just couldn't bear the thought +of it, Frederick. Your mother and Babe kept telling me you didn't, but I +suppose I was a little jealous." + +She laughed and snuggled nearer him. But a short hour before another +girl, the girl he adored, his wife, had been in the same tender +position. He was so dazed that for the moment he could not find words +for an answer. Then slowly he led her forward to the divan. + +"I want to talk to you," he ventured hesitatingly. + +"Oh, I love to hear you talk," Madelene babbled with joy. + +Frederick flushed. He'd have to tell her of his marriage with Tessibel +before she really admitted anything that would afterwards make her +sorry. + +"What I've got to tell you is very serious," he said at length. "You'll +listen to me, Madelene?" + +Five small fingers touched his lips. + +"Nothing is serious now," came the interruption, "not now that I know +you love me. It's all I want in the world to make me supremely happy," +and she sighed. + +Frederick shuddered. Why, he hadn't told her he loved her! He was as far +from loving her at that moment as the very stranger on the street. + +"But it's something you must know," he thrust in desperately. + +"I know what it is," averred the girl smiling. "I know all about it.... +It's just money, that horrid old money your mother borrowed of brother +and me.... But what does money matter? I've lots of it, bunches of it, +and more than enough for us all, and so has Ebenezer." + +Frederick shook himself impatiently. She must listen while he explained +the impossibility of their ever being anything to each other. + +"I couldn't take--" + +"I'm not asking you to take anything but me," laughed the girl. "Just +me, see? There, dearest! Now don't talk of anything disagreeable +tonight. I just want to be happy." + +And like a contented, purring kitten, she once more settled herself +against him. Somehow Frederick couldn't tell her of Tessibel just then. +The right moment had come and gone. In the morning he would! By the +light of the day it would be easier. Then he would explain everything to +her and his mother. + +"Put your arms around me," whispered Madelene. + +Thrusting Tessibel from his mind, he drew the little figure close into +his arms. + +"Kiss me," she breathed, and two hours later, when Frederick Graves shut +his bedroom door, he had promised to marry Madelene Waldstricker. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +FREDERICK INTIMIDATED + + +Confused and angry with himself and Madelene, Frederick crossed the room +slowly. + +What an awful mess! Married to Tessibel and engaged to marry Madelene! +His mother sick and head over heels in debt to the Waldstrickers! The +situation was becoming more complicated by the hour. He sat down by the +open window to think. The simple thing, and what he really wanted to do, +was to announce his marriage and let himself and the others take the +consequences. He didn't intend to give up Tess, and for a few minutes +his memory was alive with all the suffering of his brave young wife +during the past two years. What she had done for his sister Teola made +him shudder with grief. There was no other woman in the world like Tess, +and the sweetness of his intimate experiences since his marriage touched +him to tears. + +"I won't give her up," he groaned aloud, "whatever happens, I'll stand +by Tess. She's worth all the rest--I love her better than life itself. +In the morning I'll tell mother and Madelene the truth." + +But no sooner had he reached this conclusion, than the many embarrassing +consequences his confession entailed presented themselves. He could hear +his mother's querulous complaints. She hated Tess, blaming the little +squatter girl for the trouble which had made her an invalid and taken +her husband from her. Would he be compelled to choose between his +affection for his mother and his love for Tess? No, surely not that! + +Yet there was Madelene! How could he face her, after all that had +happened. He bitterly regretted his weakness in permitting the girl to +avow her love for him, in engaging himself to her. + +And worst of all, that harrowing debt! He groaned at the thought of it. + +Madelene had told him, "Your mother won't have to worry any more, dear. +We can send her away for a nice, long rest, and when Professor Young's +lease is up, we'll fix the lake place for a summer home." + +"If I could marry Madelene," he thought, "the debts--" + +He got up, lighted a cigarette, his fingers shaking so he almost dropped +the match. He couldn't marry Madelene! + +Yet to acknowledge his relation to the squatter girl meant a certain and +final break with the Waldstrickers, the financial ruin of himself and +his mother. + +Even at that cost, he must do it. Tessibel was his wife, his dear little +wife. He had promised to make a home for her. But how? Could they get +along at all, and what would he do with her impossible father? As his +mother had said, he had no ability to earn anything. Bitter tears of +discouragement filled his eyes. + +Suddenly, a thought found its way into his brain and seemed to clear the +situation completely. + +"If I could explain it to Tess," he whispered, "and she would consent, +everything would be easy. I know she'd help me!" + +Again and again, and from many different angles, the argument repeated +itself. + +He lay wakeful in bed, his mind a confused jumble of diversified +thoughts, in which his mother, then Tess, and again the Waldstrickers +demanded his attention and sought to influence him. Worn out, at length +he fell into a troubled sleep. + +He was late in rising the next morning. When he finally went into his +mother's room, he found Madelene seated by the invalid's side, holding +her hand. Frederick knew by the expression on their faces, that the girl +had confided to his mother the agreement made in the drawing room the +evening before. Smiling a little uncertainly, he crossed the room. + +"Good morning, mater! Good morning, Madelene!" said he. + +Madelene smiled shyly, stood up and moved a little away. Frederick bent +over his mother, who kissed him and murmured, "I'm so pleased and +happy." + +He straightened up and took Madelene's outstretched hand, very much +inclined to tell them both then how impossible it was for him to carry +out his engagement. But his mother, ostentatiously turning on her +pillow, cried laughingly. + +"Don't mind me, children, dear!... Kiss your sweetheart, if you want to, +Frederick!" + +Snuggling to his side, Madelene threw her arms around his neck, and +whispered, + +"You do love me, dear, don't you?" + +Smiling into her eyes, he kissed her. + +"Of course I do," he lied promptly. "Don't you know it, little girl?" + +After breakfast, Mrs. Graves summoned them to her room again. Relieved +of her pressing anxieties, and excited by the sudden fruition of her +cherished plans, she looked and acted much better. She talked gaily to +the young people of their future, laughed at the girl's blushes, and +chaffed her son about his coming responsibilities. + +"Frederick," she suddenly said more soberly. "I think you should go +right away now and see Ebenezer, and ask him properly for Madelene's +hand." + +Feeling that such a course would commit him irrevocably, the boy +hesitated. + +"Don't be afraid, Fred dear," Madelene broke in. "I know Eb likes you, +and," blushingly, "I think he will not be much surprised, either." + +If he could only summon courage enough to tell Madelene before they met +her brother! Perhaps if he could get the girl alone he might. + +"Come along with me," he said spontaneously. "We'll go together." + +"Then wait until I get my hat," and she danced away, the happiest girl +in Ithaca. + +On the way down the street, although he responded with dutiful +tenderness to his companion's conversation, his mind was busy with the +same old question: What should he do about Tess? If he could tell +Madelene, or perhaps it would be easier to make Ebenezer understand his +position. + +But before he came to a decision, they met Mr. Waldstricker coming out +of the First National Bank on Tioga Street. He looked very prosperous, +very powerful, as he stood smilingly waiting for them. + +"We were just coming to see you, Eb," said Madelene, blushing. +"Frederick--well, we both wanted to speak to you." + +"All right, little girl," Waldstricker said pleasantly. "If it is +something special, we can go to the office; or perhaps you can tell me +here." + +Hoping to gain courage by further respite Frederick suggested, + +"We'd better go to the office, I think." + +But Madelene was too full of her new happiness to brook any more delay. + +"Oh, you men!" she exclaimed. "Don't be so formal and business-like!" +She took hold of one of her brother's hands, while she held Frederick +possessively by the arm. "We came to make an announcement and receive +your congratulations, and I want them now." + +"So that's it?" chuckled her brother, smiling into her shining eyes. +"Well, I _am_ pleased! And I do congratulate you both, heartily. Fred, +run into the office in about an hour, I want to talk to you." + +Frederick brightened. + +"And I want to talk to you," he answered. + +He swung to Madelene's side, drew a long breath and made a quick +resolution that before long he would make his confession to Ebenezer. + +At the appointed time, Frederick entered Waldstricker's office. He'd +resolved to make a clean breast of his marriage to Tess. But without +giving him a chance to say anything more than "Hello, Ebenezer," that +gentleman began, + +"Glad to see you! Sit down.... So you think you want to join my family, +do you? I suppose you know you're asking a great deal, when you haven't +any money or any profession, either. But then, my sister's fond of you, +and that means a lot. Fortunately, she has enough money so that you need +not worry about that. The question is, can you make her happy?" + +He paused. Frederick fingered his hat, let it slide to the floor, and +picked it up before answering. + +"Mr. Waldstricker, I think ... I want first ... I can't ... You see...." +He wanted desperately to tell the powerful man at the table that he +couldn't marry his sister, but somehow the words wouldn't come. + +The older man thought he knew the cause of the young man's hesitation. + +"There, there, my boy!" he laughed, pleased at his own insight. "Don't +try to explain anything. I know it's been hard for you. Frederick," he +continued more soberly, "as you know, I'm Madelene's only near relative. +Her mother has been dead many years, and since father ... was killed, +she has only me left. I want her to be happy, ... to have everything +that makes life worth while. She's chosen you, and I feel sure she's +wise in her choice." He stood up, his great height towering above the +boy, who also rose. Ebenezer thrust forth his hand and took Frederick's. +"I'm giving her to you," he went on. "Make her happy and there's nothing +I won't do for you." + +Of course Frederick couldn't just then tell this man, who trusted him, +that he was already married to a squatter girl. Perhaps later--yes, +later he would. He hung his head in shame and the elder man, again +mistaking the emotion, ascribed it to diffidence. + +"Mr. Waldstricker," began Frederick, "you were so kind to my mother and +so was Madelene. I'm not fit to marry your sister." + +"Pshaw, boy, you're too modest!" Waldstricker laughed good-naturedly. +"If she's satisfied, that's all there is to it." + +Turning back to the desk, he seated himself. + +"Sit down again, Fred," he continued. "Have you planned to get married +immediately?" + +Frederick shuddered. It seemed as if a great gulf were opening under his +feet and he were about to be swallowed up. + +"Well, we hadn't considered that," he hesitated embarrassedly. "Probably +not for two years yet, until I get through college." + +Here was a ray of hope. Lots of things could happen in two years. + +"Nonsense!" was Waldstricker's prompt rejoinder. "Why should you bother +with college? You'd better get married right along and go to Europe for +your honeymoon. Then when you come back, take your place in my business +and help me. I need some smart young fellow, and there's no sense in +wasting your time at college. It isn't as though you had your own way to +make." + +Frederick sought to make objections to these plans, but Waldstricker +impatiently got to his feet and stood looking down at the boy in the +chair. + +"It's settled then, isn't it? Say no more about it," he said with +finality. "Run along and hunt up Madelene and tell her what I've said." + +In parting, Waldstricker shook hands with Frederick, and placing his +hand on the boy's shoulder said with genuine emotion in his voice, "Make +her happy, my boy, and there's nothing in the world too good for you." + +Frederick went into the sunshine, his head in a whirl. Waldstricker's +promises unfolded visions of ease and success surpassing in splendor his +wildest dreams. He had not meant to betray Tessibel nor to deceive +Madelene. Yet since these things were forced upon him, he would see what +he could do, but he took a long, deep breath when he thought of how +difficult it would be to explain his action to Tessibel. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +MAKING READY FOR THE WARDEN + + +The next day, while Frederick was studying over the problems relating to +his engagement to Madelene Waldstricker, Tessibel Skinner was sitting +with Helen Young on the veranda of the latter's home. The young squatter +girl was receiving a lesson in sewing. + +"It air goin' to be pretty, ain't it?" she asked, holding up a blue +chambray dress. + +"Yes, very," replied Helen. "You're doing nicely. I'm very proud of you, +dear!" + +A shadow crept into Tessibel's eyes. + +"I'll be a missin' ye awful after--after--" + +"But you may come as often as you like to--our--home after we're +married," said Helen, affectionately. "Mr. Waldstricker will soon grow +fond of you, too, and the distance is only a little over a mile, short +cut." + +"But you'll be so rich," sighed Tess, "an' mebbe'll be awful busy." + +"Never too busy to see my friends," Helen smiled. "There! Now you've +been sewing an hour.... Let me hear you read.... By the way, I meant to +tell you last night's paper said they're trailing the man who killed Mr. +Waldstricker's father down here. The offer of five thousand dollars' +reward is stirring a lot of men to hunt for him." + +"I thought as how they'd lost 'im, sure," remarked Tess, inwardly +quaking. + +She forced her voice to say this in a tone as nearly natural as +possible. + +"Yes, I think the paper says they did lose track of him," replied Helen, +"but they've suddenly found his trail again.... He must be somewhere +near here. A deputy warden by the name of Burnett is coming to +Ithaca.... Mr. Waldstricker will be very much pleased if they find +him." + +Tessibel's questioning gaze prompted Helen to proceed. + +"The paper says, too, the men up there in Auburn are pretty sure he's +somewhere among his own people." + +A scarlet wave dyed Tessibel's face, and then receded. Her eyes drew +down a little at the corners. + +"Ye mean 'mong the squatters, don't ye?" she queried sharply. "Squatters +air jest as good as any one else, Miss Young." + +"Well, now, dear, I didn't mean they weren't," Helen laughed pleasantly; +"and I'm sure if they're all like you, Tessibel, they're very nice +indeed." + +The memory of Teola Graves, the small, sickly baby, and the sudden death +of Minister Graves passed through Tessibel's mind. The promise to her of +the deed to the land on which their shanty stood was also in that +procession of ghosts belonging to the past. + +"Daddy and me was goin' to own our hut ground," she confided +thoughtfully, "but--but--the dominie died afore we got it--so we air +squatters yet jest the same as the rest. Squatters be awful nice folks! +Most of 'em air better'n me." + +"Well, anyway," took up Helen, wishing to keep off dangerous ground, +"the paper says the warden's going to start from the head of Cayuga Lake +and search every house and cabin until he--" + +Tessibel rose to her feet unsteadily. In her vivid imagination she saw +the strong arm of the law reach out from Auburn Prison and drag from her +care and protection the wee, twisted little man chanting over the verses +and prayers she'd taught him. + +"I ain't a goin' to read today,--I got to go now," she gulped. "Good +bye, Miss Young." + +Daddy Skinner unbarred the door when he heard Tessibel call his name. At +the sight of his young daughter's agitated face, the fisherman slid into +his chair, beckoning her to a place on his knee. + +"What air doin', Tess?" he questioned swiftly. "Ye're as white as +bleached starch." + +Tess placed her finger on her lips, glancing in the direction of the +garret. Getting up, she barred the door and crept back to her father's +side. + +"Burnett air a scootin' down here after Andy," she murmured, too low for +the dwarf to hear. "Miss Young says it air in the paper. I got to tell +the poor little feller now so he won't die o' fright when the warden +comes." + +She went to the ladder and looked up through the hole. Then she set one +foot on the lower rung and began to sing softly, + + "Rescue the Perishin'; + Care for the Dyin'." + +And on and on she sang, in throbbing melody, to the end of the hymn. +Tess had long ago discovered the fear-dissipating qualities of "Rescue +the Perishin'." A long happy sigh in the attic told her the dwarf had +enjoyed her song. + +"Andy," she called in a low tone, "come down an' set beside the cot. I +has to talk to ye." + +Andy needed no second invitation. His legs were stiff but his heart full +of good cheer, as he scrambled down the ladder with the Bible in his +hand. Crawling across the floor, he propped his bent little body against +the cot, and looked inquiringly at Daddy Skinner, and Daddy Skinner +stared moodily back at him. + +"Andy," Tess began, squatting beside him. "Ye remember how slick Daddy +Skinner hopped out o' jail an' right back to me?" + +Andy bobbed his head. + +"Yep, I remember, brat," he responded. "I were glad fer him, but I sure +were sorry fer myself when he left Auburn." + +"An' I were that happy I nearly died," replied Tess, musingly. "Well, I +air goin' to show ye a verse in the Bible what hauled 'im smack out o' +prison." Tess took up the holy book and opened it. "There! now read +it.... Right where my finger air! See?" + +For several seconds Andy studied the words under Tessibel's pointing +finger, and Daddy Skinner evinced his interest by bending nearer in a +questioning attitude. + +"If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed," Andy spelled haltingly, +and then glanced up, mystified. "Why, it air talkin' about movin' +mountains.... Ain't it, Tess?" + +"Sure!" agreed Tess, displaying her white teeth in smiling affirmation. +"See?" + +Andy shook his head. + +"No, I don't see, brat," he replied. "I ain't wantin' to move no +mountains, I ain't." + +Tess flung back her curls impatiently. + +"Oh, Andy, yer head air all bone. Now look at me." + +Misty, eager eyes were raised to the girl's. + +"Can't ye see, Andy dear," she proceeded solemnly, "it air harder to get +a mountain out of yer way than 'tis to stay out of prison." + +"Mebbe 'tis," conceded Andy, brightening. "I never thought of it like +that." + +"But ye must begin thinkin' quick," ordered Tess. "Now every minute of +the day ye air to say over an' over verses I show ye. And the man who +helps folks move mountains'll keep ye right in this shack.... I air +thinkin' that'd suit ye some, huh?" + +Andy looked at her meltingly. + +"I'd ruther be here than any place in the hull world," he murmured in +reverent humility. + +"Then," avowed Tess, "I air a goin'--Oh, Andy, I got to tell ye +somethin', honey, an' I--" + +"What?" gasped Andy, faintly. + +Tess paused an instant. + +"Burnett's pell-mellin' down from Auburn after ye," she blurted. "I just +heard it at Young's." + +Andy's face blanched to the hue of death. He had been so satisfied--so +secure in the little garret under the protection of his friends, and now +he would have to go back after all. + +"Burnett?" he repeated almost inaudibly. "Burnett's comin' after me?" + +Tess reached out and touched him. + +"But he ain't knowing ye air here," she asserted hastily. "An' he ain't +a goin' to know it uther. An' I tell ye, Andy, if ye'll learn yerself +that verse 'bout the mustard seed, it'll keep ye here." + +"I'll learn it, brat," promised Andy, but he seemed as if turned to +stone. + +"But what be we goin' to do, kid?" asked Skinner, a look of helplessness +wrinkling his face. + +"I dunno," replied Tess, with her hand still on the dwarf's arm. + +And that was true, too! Tessibel didn't know just at that moment what +she could do to save Andy from the officers, but of one thing she was +certain; that beyond where the birds flew, and above the fast-moving +clouds, and over all and under all, was an arm and a love upon which she +had leaned and trusted, and they had never failed her. With this thought +deepening the red-brown eyes, she turned and looked first at her +Bible-backed father and then at the little dwarf. + +"There air one thing ye both got to do," she instructed them. "Ye got to +stop yer worryin' an' ye got to stop bein' 'fraid." + +Andy's jaw dropped. + +"Stop bein' 'fraid!" he muttered. "Stop bein' 'fraid! God, Tessibel, ye +don't know what it means to allers be in the shadow of the prison, you +don't." + +"Oh, yep I do," interposed Tess, blandly, "'course I do. Weren't Daddy +Skinner there? An' Daddy never'd got out in this world if it hadn't been +for a helpin' hand; the same'll help you, Andy." + +"She's talkin' of Professor Young," grunted Orn, glancing at the dwarf. + +Tess turned to her parent impatiently. + +"I ain't nuther talkin' about Professor Young, Daddy. I ain't goin' to +tell him Andy's here 't all! I'll tell you both who I mean right now." + +The men leaned forward, the dwarf's head shooting out like a turtle's. + +"Who d'ye mean?" he entreated brokenly. + +The color mantled Tessibel's brow and swept in rich waves over the +lovely, earnest face. + +"Jesus," she breathed radiantly, flashing her eyes from one to the +other. "Jesus jest air a dotin' on ye, Andy, ye poor little dub ye! He +allers dotes on folks in trouble." + +"Shucks!" grunted Andy, and "Holy thunderin' Moses!" fell from Daddy +Skinner. + +Tessibel stood up, an angry glint in her eyes. + +"Ye can say, 'Shucks!' if ye want to, Andy, 'cause you don't know +nothin'; but, Daddy Skinner, _you_ ought to be ashamed of yerself. Why, +he's the man what got ye out of jail! I couldn't a done nothin', an' +Professor Young couldn't a done nothin' uther if Jesus hadn't helped +him. An' now ye're saying, 'Holy thunderin' Moses,' just's if ye didn't +believe it." + +The fisherman drew a shaking hand across his shaggy chin whiskers. + +"I s'pose I do believe it, brat," he groaned, "but it air all so kind a +mysterious like, an' Young, ye know--Young fought like the devil to git +me back home." + +"I know he did, Daddy," affirmed the girl, "but can't ye see ye'd a gone +to the rope if--" + +A shrill cry broke from the dwarf, interrupting Tessibel's explanation. +Those ominous words recalled his own terror of Auburn Prison. Tears +gathered thick in his eyes and ran down his cheeks. The sight of the +little man's misery so affected Tessibel that she wound one arm about +his neck. + +"Andy, darlin'," she comforted, "don't blubber like that. Don't I say! +There, put yer head on Tessibel's shoulder! I air a goin' to mother ye a +bit." + +She took up her skirt, wiped away the dwarf's fast-falling tears, and +then her own. + +"Now ye mustn't snivel," she faltered, trying to be courageous. "Why, if +ye keep it up, I don't know what Daddy an' me'll do. Listen, Andy, +listen to Tess." + +Placing a slender finger under his chin, Tess drew the wry face up until +his tearful eyes were directed into hers. + +"Andy," she imparted, "there ain't a deputy in this hull world can get +ye, an' don't ye be worryin' 'bout it. Jesus'd butt in an' help ye afore +the man could get his nippers on ye. He'll fix it so they can't get ye, +I bet." + +And of a truth, Tessibel knew whereof she spoke. + +"But Burnett'll be here most any time, now," shivered the little man, +his chest rising and falling with emotion, "an' I tell ye, Tess--" Here +he straightened up, his eyes glistening. "I tell ye, once let 'im git +after a house he thinks a feller air in an' he'd turn it topsy-turvy, +tissel end up. Why, Burnett can smell a man from prison a mile. I know +him, I do! Hain't I seen,--and you have too, Orn,--many a poor cuss get +away just like I did, mebbe over the river, mebbe a hundred miles or +two, or he might even git in another state, but Burnett'll haul him back +by his neck, jest the same." + +Andy wilted at the end of his long speech like a hothouse plant in the +frost. + +"But he ain't a goin' to git _you_, Andy dear," Tess interposed, hugging +the bent little figure. "Me an' Daddy loves ye, an' we'll hide ye, we +will. Be glad ye're little, honey. If ye was big, it'd be harder to +sneak ye out of sight." + +"I don't see where ye're goin' to hide 'im, Tess?" remarked Skinner, +making the statement a question by the rising inflection in his voice. +"It air jest like Andy says, if Burnett gits on 'is scent, he'll find +'im all right, all right, an' five thousand dollars'd spur any man on to +hunt 'im down." + +The squatter girl smiled in sudden decision. + +"They won't find 'im where I put 'im," said she, decisively. + +"Tell us about it, brat," urged her father, wistfully. + +Tess thought a minute, and hummed a minute. + +"He air goin' to get put in my straw tick! That air where ye're goin', +Andy," she explained presently. "An' I air got to be awful sick an' git +in bed an' stay there. I don't know anything else to do! Oh dear! I +can't look sick to save my life, can I?" + +She got up and went to the glass and considered minutely her own rosy +reflection. After contemplating it for some time, she came back and sat +down, leaning a dimpled chin on the palm of one hand. + +"I guess as how I don't need to be sick anywhere inside me," she +decided. Then a smile smoothed away the slight pucker on her brow. "I +know! I could hurt my foot, couldn't I? I guess as how that air best.... +I'll hurt my foot.... Mebbe I'll sprain my ankle. I dunno yet, but I'll +be a bed all right, an' I'll have Deacon with me. I bet when that warden +sees me spread on that cot an' a owl starin' at 'im, he won't even think +o' askin' me to git up." + +The dwarf uttered a weird cry in chorus with a groan from the squatter. + +"What'll ye do, if he tries to take ye offen the bed?" Orn questioned. + +Tess tossed the profusion of curls over her shoulder, and her smile +showed two rows of white teeth. + +"I'll grin at him first, like this," she laughed, "an' if that don't do +no good, I'll sing at 'im. I air bettin' he won't touch me then. But if +he goes to haul me off, I'll holler an' make such a fuss I bet he'll be +glad to let me alone." + +With this statement, Tessibel rose and finished, "Get off'n that bed, +Daddy. I air goin' to begin rippin' the tick now. If them deputies be +comin' down the lake, us uns got to be ready.... It's only straw, ye +know, Andy, an' awful soft. I'll fix yer head so it'll hang out a +little. Then ye can breathe." + +Before the shadow of the willow trees went to sleep in their soft earth +bed late that afternoon, Tessibel had fitted the dwarf into the space +she had made vacant in her straw tick. At the top of the springs, which +consisted of taut ropes, she made a comfortable pillow for the little +man's head. And then they waited, the hearts of the two men heavy with +bitter fear, and the heart of the girl vibrant with faith that all would +be well with her friend. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +SANDY PROPOSES TO TESS + + +Andy Bishop was stretched out in the middle of Tessibel's straw tick, +while the girl measured her length on the cot to assure her father that +the dwarf would be fully concealed from prying eyes. + +"Does he seem all hid, Daddy Skinner?" queried she. + +The squatter walked to the head of the cot and peered from all points of +vantage. + +"He sure air, kid," he chuckled. "I can't see nothin' but a row of red +curls a mile long. Andy'll git back in the garret all right if Burnett +don't pull you off'n that bed." + +"He won't do that," said Tess. "Jesus'll see I stay on it, I bet." + +"There's some un a comin' now," hissed Skinner between his teeth, +startled. Tess had no more than cuddled under the blanket when a loud +knock resounded throughout the shanty. Daddy Skinner lifted the bar and +opened the door, his large form filling the narrow door-frame. At the +sight of Sandy Letts' smiling face, he stepped back, relieved. + +"God, Sandy," he grinned, "ye might as well kill a man as scare him to +death. Come in an' set." + +Lysander stepped into the kitchen, and his eyes fell upon Tess. + +"What air the matter with the brat?" he asked, looking from Orn to the +girl lying there so languidly. + +"She air kind a hurt--" began the fisherman. + +"My foot air all packed up in a rag," interjected Tess. "I air always +doin' something to myself. The next time I come jumpin' down the lane, I +hope I won't be hurtin' my ankle." + +She smiled wanly at Sandy, and he grinned back at her. + +"If I knowed ye was sick, Tess, I'd a brought ye some candy," said he, +good-naturedly. + +"Candy ain't good for a girl's teeth," sighed Tess. "Don't never bother +'bout bringin' it, Sandy." + +"A pound or two won't hurt ye," asserted Letts. "An' when I likes a +girl, I allers bring 'er sweets. I say kid, ye do look awful pretty, +layin' there with your curls all stretched out that way. Now, my cousin +Ben, he wanted to marry ye, too, but he never liked yer hair; I love +it." + +"Daddy were jest a sayin'," put in Tess, with a fleeting glance at her +father, "that it air mighty good for my curls to get spread out like +this. Wasn't you, Daddy?" + +Daddy Skinner stared at her, and her warm, glowing smile gave strength +to the old man's heart. Without waiting for his reply, Tess turned to +Letts. + +"Where ye been, Sandy, an' what ye been doin'?" she asked, simulating an +interest she did not feel. + +Lysander, pleased at the attention, thrust his thumbs into the armholes +of his vest and spread out all his fingers, giving a little important +twist to each. + +"I been down to Riker's a searchin' their shack fer Andy Bishop," +bragged he, "an' now I air goin' to Longman's." + +A little groan fell from Tessibel's lips. + +"I air ashamed of ye, Sandy," she said slowly. "Longmans wouldn't have +no murderer in their hut.... They be awful good folks.... Ye know they +be, Sandy." + +"Sure I know it, Tessie, but I've said as how I air goin' to search all +the squatters' huts an' I air goin' to do it, I can tell ye that." + +Tess smiled at him wistfully, pleadingly. + +"I'd hate ye all my life, Sandy Letts," she vowed, winking one eye at +the burly squatter, "if ye'd come in my house and butt 'round. Course ye +can do it if ye want to, but I'd never speak to ye again in the hull +world." + +Sandy threw back his head and guffawed. + +"I wouldn't do nothin' like that to you, pretty kid," he answered with +pride in his tones, "'cause I know if ye had that dwarf in this hut +ye'd pass him up to me quick.... Five thousand ain't to be got off'n +every bush these days. I air after that Waldstricker reward, an' I air +goin' to get it!" + +Tess spread a little wider a few of the dusky, shining curls. + +"It's a lot o' money," she said thoughtfully. + +Letts hitched his chair nearer the cot and bent over eagerly. + +"Sure it air, Tessie," he said, "an' I air here today a purpose to tell +ye somethin'. I want you an' yer pa to listen wise to me fer a minute. I +air goin' to git that there five thousand an' I air goin' to marry you." + +Tess started to speak, but Lysander stopped her with a wag of his head +and a wave of his hand. + +"I said for ye to listen," he cried brusquely. "Ye ain't havin' offers +like mine every day, miss, an' yer Daddy won't never have no chances +like I air givin' 'im. I said listen, an' here air what I say. + +"It won't be more'n a week afore I hand that dwarf over to the warden. +Burnett air comin' down from Auburn. He air almost here by this time. +Then when I git the money, I air a goin' to put yer Daddy in a nice +place where he'll get rid of 'is rheumatiz, an' after that I air goin' +to fix my shack up with a lot of new stuff, an' ye can have the choosin' +of it, brat, an' there air my word, by God." + +Sandy gazed from father to daughter with a broad smile. He had delivered +his speech in pompous pride, his voice rising higher and louder with +each word. + +"What do ye say, Orn?" he demanded. + +Skinner looked at Tess out of the corner of his eye. He could see her +lips moving ever so slightly, and he knew she was murmuring a prayer for +the little man in the straw. His own eyes felt stinging tears around +their lids. + +"Ye'll have to settle it with the brat," said he at length, wiping his +lips with the back of his hand. "I've allers said 's how if Tess wanted +to git married, I wouldn't say nothin' 'gainst it, as long as she got a +good man." + +"An' I air that," Sandy affirmed positively. "'Course I been in jail +more'n fifty times, an' mebbe I'll git in fifty times more, but that +don't do a man no harm as I knows of. I'd allers leave a little money +home for my fambly." + +He threw his bold, black eyes upon the little figure in the bed, and the +girl dropped her lids. + +"How about it, Tessie?" he wheedled in low tones. + +Tess wriggled. She didn't know just what answer to give. She wanted to +keep the big squatter good-natured, yet desired that he should go away. +She was sorry for the little man beneath her. + +Prompted by instinct, she turned her solemn brown eyes upon Letts. + +"I'll say this to ye, Sandy," she began. "If ye'll let me alone, an' not +be tryin' always to kiss me--" + +Lysander cracked his knee with one large fist. + +"I ain't never got a kiss from ye yet, brat," he chuckled. + +"'Course not," she responded; "but 'tain't because ye ain't fit fer one, +now air it, Sandy?" + +"No, ye can bet on that," laughed the man, "an' I got marks on my shins +to this day you put on 'em the last time I tried it. But I like to see +ye fight, brat, I swear I do.... Now, how about gettin' married to me, +huh?" + +Tessibel contemplated the heavy face a moment. She was going to drive a +hard bargain with Lysander if she had to drive any at all. + +"Ben used to make me awful mad teasin' for kisses," she exclaimed. "I +told him an' I air tellin' you, Sandy, I ain't goin' to give any man my +kisses less'n I marry him." + +Letts puffed out his chest and struck it with a loud resounding whack. + +"I air glad of that," he grinned. "It sounds good to me, you bet. I +don't want no other man palaverin' over my woman. I got--" + +"An' you been makin' me mad lately, too, Sandy," Tess interrupted, "what +with runnin' after me an' makin' me fight to keep my own kisses, I don't +have no peace. Now, I'll tell ye what I'll do. You get busy an' find +Andy Bishop, an' git that five thousand, then ye come here again an' +ask me what ye just did, an' ye see what I say to ye. Eh? How'd that +suit ye?" + +A scarlet flush rushed over Lett's swarthy skin. + +"But ye got to promise me ye won't ever try fer no more kisses, till I +git married to ye, Sandy," Tess continued. "You said what you wanted; +now, I've said somethin', an' I mean it too." + +Letts shifted one large boot along a crack in the floor. He was thinking +deeply. + +"That's pretty tough on a feller when he air lovin' a girl the way I +love you, brat," he said after a while. + +"But ye got to promise what I want ye to, Sandy, or mebbe I'll git +married to some 'un else." + +"Ye'd better not, kid," he muttered darkly, "if ye don't want to git +yerself an' the other fellow into trouble." + +"Then ye'd best promise 'bout the kisses," returned Tess, decidedly. + +"I'd kiss ye now fer a two cent piece," he undertoned passionately, but +Daddy Skinner had his hand on the other man's arm before he could move +toward the cot. + +"I wouldn't do nothin' like that, Sandy," he said, ominously. "No man +don't kiss my brat less'n she air wantin' his kisses. Tessibel said as +how when ye git Bishop an' the five thousand, ye can come back.... +Today, she ain't feelin' well, an' I air goin' to ask ye to go along +home, or wherever ye were pointed fer when ye stopped 'ere." + +Then Daddy Skinner opened the door. + +"The leaves won't be fallin' from the trees, brat," he flung back +sulkily, "afore I come fer ye, an' don't forgit it!" + +Daddy Skinner closed the door and dropped the bar after his departed +guest, and there was silence in the shanty until the sound of Lysander's +footsteps faded away. + +Then Tess crawled off the dwarf and stood up. + +"Landy," she groaned, "wouldn't that crack yer ribs! Now I got to be +prayin' to beat the band every minute to keep Andy in the garret an' to +save me from bein' married to the hatefullest old squatter devil in the +hull world." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE WARDEN'S COMING + + +At ten o'clock in the morning, the day after Andy Bishop was fitted into +Tessibel's straw tick, a covered runabout wound its way along the lower +boulevard running to Glenwood. Two men were seated in it, solemn, +dark-browed men, with dull eyes and heavy faces. The man holding the +reins was heavy set, square shouldered, and more sternly visaged than +his companion. Some one had said of Howard Burnett, that the Powers, in +setting him up, had used steel cables for his muscles and iron for his +bones; and surely there was a grim grip to his jaw that presaged evil to +those opposing him. + +"Devilish queer," he muttered, after a long silence, "how that little +dwarf ever disappeared the way he has, isn't it, Todd?" + +"Not so strange after all," protested Todd. "Andy Bishop could crawl +into a rabbit hole and still give the rabbit room to sleep." + +"That's true, too, but you'd think his deformity would prevent his +getting very far.... Now wouldn't you?" + +"Well, I don't know about that, either." The speaker struck a match +under the lapel of his coat, and cupping the tiny flame in his hand, +held it up to the dead cigar in his mouth, and added between puffs, +"Human nature's a funny thing!... Now Andy's got a kind a pleasin' way +with him ... even if he is deformed, ... and he's got a peach of a +voice. Why, he speaks as soft as a woman.... I wouldn't want him to ask +me to do anything I was set against if I didn't want to do it." + +"Rotten rubbish!" spat out Burnett. "I don't give a tinker's damn about +his voice. It's up to me to run the dwarf to earth, and I'm goin' to do +it." + +After a very long silence, Todd turned to Burnett. + +"But what does get me is why the five thousand Waldstricker's put up, +ain't been bait to catch Bishop before this," he said ruminatively. + +"Well, it hain't, that's evident," growled Burnett, setting his teeth. + +As a rabbit lifts its head, frightened at unusual sights and sounds, so +Jake Brewer lifted a startled face as Howard Burnett pulled up his horse +suddenly at the squatter's side. The warden stopped the man's progress +by lifting his hand. + +"Say, you, wait a minute there," he added to his imperative gesture. + +Jake paused, curious and attentive. + +"Haven't seen a dwarf, anywhere, named Bishop, have you?" Burnett shot +forth, leaning toward Brewer. + +The squatter shook his head. "There be some Bishops round here," he +retorted surlily, "but there ain't no dwarf as I know of by that name." + +"Where's the road leadin' down to that row of shacks by the lake?" +demanded Burnett. "Ain't there a lot of squatters living there?" + +Brewer assented by a wag of his head. + +"No end of 'em," said he, "but there ain't no very easy way gettin' down +with a horse.... Still, mebbe ye could.... Might tie yer wagon an' walk +down." + +"Who're you?" shouted the warden, gruffly. + +Jake cringed as if the questioner had struck him. + +"Jake Brewer," was the unsteady response. + +"What's your business?" + +"I ain't got no real business," replied the other apologetically. "I +fishes an' hunts an' things like that." + +"A squatter--eh?" + +"Yep, I air a squatter all right," Jake admitted, "but I air a decent +man, an' allers been decent. I don't do nothin' I hadn't ought to." + +"Who's sayin' you do?" snapped Burnett. "Now, I want to ask you a few +questions. I'm from Auburn Prison, and if you lie to me, I'll put you +where the dogs won't bite you.... Do you get me?" + +Jake's jaw dropped, but he stood still, and looked at the officer +anxiously. + +"Yep, I get ye," he returned submissively, "an' I ain't a goin' to lie +to ye nuther.... What do ye want?" + +Burnett's fierce eyes bent a compelling glance on the man in the road. + +"How many squatters 're living down by the lake?" he demanded harshly. + +Brewer thought a minute. + +"I calc'late mebbe there air fifty, mebbe a hundred," he answered. "I +ain't never counted 'em, mister." + +Jake moved on a little, but the warden stopped him peremptorily. + +"Any jail birds down there?" he thrust at him. + +Brewer made a negative gesture. + +"Not's I know of," he stammered. + +"Ain't nobody down there been in jail? Anybody ever been to Auburn?" + +Jake's crooked fingers mounted from his hair line to the back of his +skull, lifting the soft cap partly from his head. Then he scratched his +chin thoughtfully. + +"Well, there ain't no guilty man down there," he said, at last. "There +air Orn Skinner--" + +Burnett gave an exultant cry. + +"My God, I'd forgotten he came from this part of the country! So +Skinner's here among this set of squatters, eh? What luck! I'll bet--" + +"Ye won't find no dwarf in Skinner's shanty," expostulated Brewer with +conviction. + +"That's up to me to find out!" growled the warden. "Where does Skinner +live? Near here?" + +Brewer's fingers directed south. + +"First turn to the left, 'bout a mile ahead," he pointed out. "Skinner's +shack air close to the lake. A hedge and lots of flowers air growin' +'round it." + +Burnett tightened his lines, chirruped to the horse, and drove on, the +squatter staring open-mouthed after him. + + * * * * * + +The summer sun bathed the hillside and warmed the Skinner shanty. +Tessibel's hedge lifted its green head upward as if to catch the golden +rays. The flower beds rimmed the hut like a bewildering, gorgeous +rainbow. Everything belonging to Tess seemed at absolute peace with +itself and the world. + +Orn Skinner, his head sunken between the two humps on his shoulders, was +lazily whittling a stick when the sound of a horse's hoofs in the lane +near Young's barn arrested his attention. It was the one sound the +squatter expected that day, yet dreaded. Furtively, he leaned back near +the partly open door. + +"Some 'un's coming, Tess," he warned. + +Evidently, the fisherman did not expect an answer, for he straightened +up once more and proceeded to whittle. The pitter-patter of the trotting +horse, and the clatter of the wheels upon the flinty road, broke rudely +upon the familiar little noises of the quiet summer morning. One +sidewise glance satisfied Orn that the men in the vehicle were from +Auburn prison. He stopped whittling but a moment when Burnett drew up. + +"Hello, Orn," called the officer, stentorian-voiced. + +"Hello," and the squatter made a polite salute with his stick. + +Burnett tossed the reins to the man at his side and climbed to the +ground, advancing toward the fisherman. + +"This your hut, Skinner?" he interrogated. + +Orn Skinner's tongue clove to the roof of his mouth. He endeavored to +speak, but apprehension and dread had apparently paralyzed his vocal +organs. He hadn't fully realized until that moment how desperate the +venture to which he had committed himself and Tess. Between Andy Bishop +and this formidable giant from Auburn was but the brave little daughter +inside the hut. Would she be able to carry through the hazardous task +she'd undertaken? + +"You remember me, don't you, Skinner?" + +It took several seconds before the fisherman could clear his throat +enough to speak. + +"Yep," he succeeded at length in muttering. "I remember ye all right.... +Ye air Burnett from Auburn, ain't ye?... What do ye want around here?" + +Suddenly there came to the powerful officer a wild desire to throttle +the heavy-headed squatter. He had a feeling that this man knew more than +he could be forced to tell, perhaps. + +"Better hold a civil tongue in your head, old fellow," he threatened, +"if you know what's best for you." + +Orn lifted one great shoulder. + +"Ye ain't got nothin' on me, Burnett," he snarled defiantly, "but I know +ye wouldn't be comin' 'round here if ye didn't have somethin' to come +fer." + +The warden shoved his grim face so close to the speaker's that he drew +back, intimidated. + +"Sure, I come for something," snorted Burnett, viciously. + +"Then peel it off," answered Skinner, deep in his throat. "I air +listenin'." + +He was bending so far back now that his shaggy head rested against the +shanty boards. Burnett was piercing him with a strange, mesmeric gaze. + +"Where's Andy Bishop?" boomed like thunder from the warden. + +That name, though he knew his questioner's errand, so suddenly falling +on Orn's ears, congealed his blood and knotted his muscles with fear. + +"Andy Bishop?" he echoed irresolutely. "Andy Bishop? Who air Andy +Bishop?" + +Burnett lifted a huge fist, but dropped it again. The time hadn't +arrived to punch from Skinner the knowledge he wanted. Later, perhaps-- + +"Now none of that, Skinner," he barked savagely. "None of that, you +hump-backed brute. You know perfectly well who I mean, and you know +where the dwarf is, and we want him and we want him quick.... He made +his getaway from Auburn.... Now give him up, see?" + +Second by second, and minute by minute, Orn Skinner was gathering his +courage and strength. All through his life he had been used to brutal +officials like Burnett; so swallowing hard, he raised his great gray +head and looked straight into the other's dark face. + +"If ye mean that little dwarf who were up to Auburn when I were there, I +don't know nothin' about him," he said. "I ain't never heard he come +from this end of the lake." + +The warden's fist knotted once more. + +"You're a liar, Skinner," he scraped from his throat. "Now look here! I +know confounded well you know where he is. If you don't want me to hand +you trouble by the bushel, you'd better cough up that little dwarf. Get +me? Eh?" + +The fingers holding the broad-bladed knife sank to the fisherman's knee, +and for a moment the stick Orn had been cutting poised in the air. Then +a slow, broad smile showed his discolored teeth. + +"It air the truth I been tellin' you," he declared deliberately. "I +don't know nothin' about Bishop, an' I don't want to know nothin'.... Ye +ain't got anything on me, Burnett. I air a livin' here peaceful with my +kid." + +"Well, I'm goin' to search your shanty, anyhow," Burnett growled +menacingly, his under jaw sticking out like a bull dog's. + +"Well, search it, I ain't carin'," consented Orn. "But my kid air sick +in there, an' I don't want ye to scare her." + +Without waiting for further parley, Burnett, like an enraged lion, +bounded to the shanty threshold and one long stride took him well on his +way across the kitchen. Suddenly he stopped, staring straight ahead of +him, as if some shining spectre from another world had appeared in his +path. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +THE SEARCH + + +Burnett wiped his hand across his eyes to efface the vision which so +unexpectedly impeded his official progress. It was the sight of a girl, +nestled on a cot, and over the pillow upon which her head rested was +strewn in a wild, magnificent disarray, a profusion of tawny curls, such +as he never had seen. For a moment the corpulent deputy from Auburn, the +terror of all the criminals in the country around, forgot his delegated +obligation to the state. Tessibel Skinner's two slender arms huddled a +small, speckled hoot owl; and as in a dream, Burnett noted the girl's +red lips touched the bird affectionately in a hasty little caress. +Another thing he noted was the unflinching and prolonged questioning +glance with which the red-brown eyes met his. Tess couldn't speak a word +at first, now that she was actually face to face with the man after +Andy. He was even sterner than she had imagined he would be. + +Quite gravely she considered his big frame from head to foot, took hasty +account of the firm setting of his jaw, and the deep, clean-cut lines +from his eyes to his chin. Then, she smiled a rare, enchanting smile, +the deepening dimples around the red moist lips suffusing the deputy +warden with a warm, welcoming glow. + +"I heard ye talkin' to Daddy, mister," she said, gulping. "I air awful +glad ye came in to see me too. I'd a been hurt if ye'd gone without my +gettin' a peep at ye." + +During each infinitesimal space of time, Burnett stood in the sunshine +of Tessibel's smile, his austere churlishness was slipping from him like +a loosened garment. As if forced by an unseen hand, he took one step +nearer her. + +"Set down, sir," invited Tess, clutching the owl with one hand, and +making an elaborate sweep with the other. "That air Daddy's chair--ye +air awful handsome and big, but the chair'll hold ye all right." + +Burnett caught his breath and sank into the indicated seat. He'd +intended to turn that shanty over from top to bottom, to rip it almost +to the ground. But the sight of the red-headed sprite on the cot +fondling a woodland owl, and the effect of her smile upon the beating of +his heart, dissolved his rage and stayed his action. + +"Well, I'll be damned!" was all he said, and Tess smiled again. She +didn't mind if he swore. The one thing she desired was to get rid of him +as soon as possible. She was conscious of the gyrations of Andy Bishop +curled in the straw under her slender body, and she knew her curls were +shrouding a face distorted with anxiety. + +"Are you sick, kid?" questioned Burnett, when he could draw a natural +breath. + +"Well, ye see," acknowledged Tess, "I ain't 'xactly sick, but I got my +ankle all packed up. Sometimes girls hurt their ankles an' they have to +put a rag 'round 'em." + +Tessibel was very careful not to say she'd hurt hers in this explanation +to Burnett's question. + +"An' then ye see, sir," she pursued, "if ye turn yer foot over an' can't +walk, ye have to go to bed a spell, huh?" + +"Well, I should say so!" asseverated Burnett, mustering the manner he +always used with ladies. "Say, by George, I didn't know Orn Skinner had +a pretty kid like you." + +"My, didn't ye?" gurgled Tess, with shy lids drooping and her color +mounting. "I thought everybody in the hull world knew I were Daddy's +brat. He air had me fer ever so long. I been growed up for a lot of +years." She shifted the owl in her arms. "This owl air named Deacon.... +Want to pet 'im a minute, huh?" + +The warden threw back his head and roared. He felt as if he'd been hung +up for days by the thumbs--that this girl had mercifully cut the ropes +and let him down once more to peace and happiness. + +"No, thanks, I'll let you keep your pet," he laughed good-humoredly. +"Queer play fellow for a girl, that's my opinion." + +After a few more compliments, through which Tessibel flirted her way +into the big man's regard, the officer rose to his feet. + +"Little lady, I came here for a specific reason," he announced. +Unquenchable mischief shone upon him from smiling, enquiring eyes. + +"Oh," giggled Tess, "anyway, I air awful glad ye come." + +The grim lips of the deputy curled upward again. Tess adored his mouth +twisted at the corners like that. + +"I might as well get it over first as last," ventured Burnett. "But I'm +more'n anxious you shouldn't be mad at me. The fact is we've traced a +man down from Auburn--" + +Tessibel interrupted him, startled; at least she acted so. + +"From Auburn!" she gasped. + +"Yes, ma'am, a murderer! Andy Bishop. Little man like this," the warden +explained, measuring a short space from the floor. "By some means or +other he wriggled his way out of prison--" + +Tessibel's lips trembled and she turned her eyes away. Old memories +rushed over her, memories of the cold winter when she'd been alone in +the shack. + +"An' ye thought 'cause Daddy'd been up there once, the man must a run +right straight here, huh?" she accused, with a sob in her voice. + +"Well, I'll admit till I saw you I thought--I thought, but now--," a +negative gesture with his hand finished his answer. + +Tessibel turned withering, tear-wet eyes on her visitor. + +"I 'spose ye air thinkin' my Daddy even had something to do with his +flyin' the coop?" she flared up. "Air that it?" + +"No! No! I didn't think that at all," the under-warden made haste to +deny. "I just couldn't think that about _your_ father." + +Tessibel dimpled, suddenly glowing like a vivid poppy. + +"Thank ye," she whispered, wiping away the tears. "Why! My Daddy +wouldn't do nothin' bad for anythin' in the world. He's the best old +Daddy livin'." + +"Of course he is," vouched the warden, placatingly, "but what I want to +know is would you mind, or would it hurt your feelings--The fact is, I +came to search this house." + +Tess had expected this, and without demurring, flashed forth, + +"Ye mean ye want to go 'round it, don't ye, lookin' in all the corners +an' places; air that it, sir?" + +Burnett acknowledged this by a nod. + +"Sure, search it if ye want to, I don't mind. Ye'll 'scuse me not +gettin' up, won't ye? There ain't much to search, but ye can go in the +garret if ye want to. It air only a cubby hole; even the weest man in +the hull world couldn't stand up in it." + +Andy stirred perceptibly beneath her. + +"Then there air Daddy's room," Tess continued, "an' this room air the +kitchen an' the dinin' room an' the parlor, an' all the other rooms.... +An'--an' it air my room, too." + +"My God, but you're a cute kid!" he chuckled. + +Tessibel's laugh rang out deliciously fresh and free, and Burnett caught +it up and sent it back in one loud guffaw. Then the girl lifted one of +her curls and spread it out to its extreme length. Tess had been born +possessing all the arts of her sex, and used them effectively, upon an +occasion like this. + +"I wish my ankle wasn't wrapped up," she smiled hospitably. "I'd show ye +'round the shanty myself. Ye noticed the hedge when ye come in, didn't +ye? Well--I planted that an' all the flowers--and this owl belongs to me +an' I keep 'im in the garret,--an'--I almost got a dog once, but not +quite! Job Kennedy owns 'im, an his name air Pete, but he likes to live +here better'n he does to Job's." Tess gasped for breath and flushed +rosily. "But I air keepin' ye, sir," she excused, "an I mustn't do that. +You go on and look in Daddy Skinner's room an'--then ye go up in the +garret, an' then ye can look behind the chairs an' behind the stove, an' +ye can look under the bed--" + +She paused dramatically and held up a warning finger. + +"Please don't scare none of my bats nor my uther owls in the garret. +They be awful nice bats an' awful nice owls too! Ye wouldn't hurt 'em, +would ye, mister?" + +"I won't do anything you don't want me to, kid," the infatuated man +promised. "Honest, I won't search the house if you say not." + +"Oh, sure, search it," insisted Tess. "Then ye'll be pretty sure there +ain't nobody hidin' 'round." + +Burnett walked toward Daddy Skinner's room. + +"I wouldn't mind havin' a daughter like you," he vowed, looking back. "I +got two nice boys to home, but I tell you a man misses a lot in the +world, if he doesn't have a girl. Why, kiddie, I've had a better time in +the past five minutes than I've had in the past five years." He paused, +his hand on the latch of the door into Daddy Skinner's room. + +Tessibel gurgled and giggled, and giggled and gurgled, as if she hadn't +a care in the world although she felt a paralyzing pain in her heart for +the dwarf beneath her. Then she threw a mischievous glance into the +man's face and offered, + +"While ye air searchin' the shanty, I'll sing to ye, huh?" + +"Now, can ye sing?" interrogated Burnett, smilingly. + +"Oh, Golly, sir, I been singin' since I weren't no bigger'n this owl," +replied Tess. "I'll begin now." + +She knew Andy must be numb with fright and the weight of her body, and +remembered how many times when he had been kept in the garret long +periods together, while people were coming and going, and danger ran +high, she had sung to him--it had soothed his pains, allayed his agony. + +So as Burnett disappeared from sight into the little back room, Tessibel +began to sing the old, but ever newly encouraging song, + + "Rescue the Perishin'; + Care for the Dyin'." + +And in the fleeting moment during which the officer from Auburn was +searching Daddy's room, her hand went backward quickly and reassuring +fingers touched the dwarf's face concealed by her curls, and still she +sang, + + "Rescue the Perishin'; + Care for the Dyin'." + +Then Tess felt Andy's body relax and heard the faintest possible sigh. + +When Burnett came forth unsuccessful but cheerful, her fingers were +toying with her curls, and she broke off her song, question him with her +eyes. + +"There ain't a soul in there," laughed the man. "I might a'known Bishop +wasn't around here; in fact, I did know it the minute I looked at you, +kid. Now, just as a matter of law and order, I'll take a peep in the +garret and under the bed, and then I'm done ... Say, you got some voice, +ain't you, kid?" + +"It can holler good and loud," grinned Tess. + +"And you're some religious, I bet, according to the hymn you've been +singin'," went on the warden. "Now ain't you?" + +Tess sobered instantly. She was always very careful not to be irreverent +about sacred things. + +"You can bet your boots, I air some _awful_ religious," she acquisced +earnestly. "I've knowed about God and Jesus ever so long." + +"That's nice," responded Burnett, becoming grave in his turn. + +Oh, would he never go! Would he never finish? + +When Burnett walked toward the ladder, she sighed dolefully. + +"Does your foot hurt you, kid?" he asked, glancing over his shoulder. + +"Nope," faltered Tess. "I guess I were a thinkin' what'd happen to the +little man when ye get 'im." + +The warden was trying the strength of the ladder. + +"Oh, I'll hike him back up state quicker'n scat when I get my fingers on +'im," said he, his head disappearing in the hole in the ceiling. + +In less than thirty seconds he was down again and had taken a squint +under the bed. + +"There isn't any dwarf under there either," he said, amusement in his +tones. He stretched forth his hand, reaching down to the girl on the +cot. + +"Now, don't hold nothing against me, kiddie, for comin' here, will ye? +Just shake hands with a feller and say it's all right, eh?" + +Tessibel lifted the owl high in the air and opened her fingers. There +was a small ghostly flutter and in another instant Deacon had +disappeared into the garret. + +She gave the warden both her hands, and for the little minute Burnett +stood by the bed holding them in his and assuring her of his good will. +Tessibel sent up a prayer of thanksgiving. Her little Andy, Daddy +Skinner's friend, was saved! + +When Burnett reached the door, he looked back at her. The girl's lips +were parted in a brilliant, farewell smile. He whirled about and came +toward her again. + +"Kid," he said huskily, "I'm a hard-headed old cuss, harder'n brass +tacks. I been made so by just such men as Andy Bishop--" He paused, and +during his short hesitation, pregnant with meaning, Tessibel kept her +eyes on him. "I was wonderin', little one," he finished, shame-faced, +"when you say your prayers, if you'd pipe one for me. I need it, so help +me God, I do." + +In another moment he was at the door, and in response to the hasty +glance he sent her, Tess flung him a misty, loving smile. + +"Sure, sir, sure I will," she called, "an' thank ye for bein' so kind." + +Burnett strode out; Tessibel rolled off the dwarf's body to one side of +the cot, and Andy gave an audible grunt. + +"I air gee-danged glad that air over," sighed Tess. And as she lay very +still, the warden's hearty voice came floating to her. + +"That's a mighty fine girl you got, Skinner." + +Tess also heard her father's husky reply. "Bet yer life, she air.... +Good day to ye, sir." + +Shortly after, the anxious listeners in the shanty heard the click of +the horse's shoes and the rumble of the departing wheels on the stones +amid the wagon's creaking complaints against the steepness of the hill. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +TESSIBEL'S SECRET + + +Tessibel Skinner had been married to Frederick Graves for six long +weeks: She had become somewhat accustomed to the deception practiced on +Daddy Skinner, and Frederick was constantly allaying her fears and +misgivings by telling her that she belonged to him now; that she was his +darling, his joy, the better part of his life. Many times he assured her +between kisses that it wouldn't be necessary to keep the marriage secret +long. Each day, each hour, each minute, the girl-wife basked in the +thought of her young husband's love. She unfolded the hidden beauties of +her nature to him as spontaneously as the opening flower responds to the +genial warmth of the rising sun. + +Early one morning Tessibel arose, a new light shining in her eyes. +Because Daddy Skinner was still abed, she started to the shore for +water. It was a glad, shining, diamond-studded earth that greeted the +view of the expectant girl; there was wonderful stillness everywhere, +and for some minutes she stood contemplating the scene before her. South +from the Hog Hole to the northern curve at Lansing, the lake was +dappled, its surface broken here and there by little capfuls of breeze, +which dimpled in the light, while the smooth spots reflected the blazing +glory of the morning sun. The leaves of the weeping willow tree swept +the rapt, upraised face, and Tess drew down about her head and shoulders +one of the thickest branches. These century-old trees were really a +vital part of her life--old loves to Tessibel, loves that had kept watch +over her since the day of her birth in the shanty. + +[Illustration: "I WAS WONDERIN', LITTLE ONE, WHEN YOU SAY YOUR PRAYERS, +IF YOU'D PIPE ONE FOR ME"] + +A brilliant flame flooded her face.... Frederick stood with her in +spirit nearness. What she would tell him that evening would be whispered +so low that not even the nesting birds could hear. She imagined the +tenderness with which he'd clasp her in his arms, and thrilled, +visualizing the darkening of his eyes. Tessibel was painting +pictures--her exalted soul running the gamut of joy. + +What a wonder-world it was! What a glad, peaceful, new day, her first +real day of living--the beginning of life itself; Frederick's life and +her life! Now, of course, he would tell his mother they were +married--would take her to Daddy Skinner, and--and--She could plan no +farther just then. Her whole being was God-lifted. Even the waves +lapping at her feet seemed to speak the language of a world to come. + +She dipped the pail into the lake slowly, filling it with water. Then +with a last sweeping glance over the golden-tinted waves, she returned +to the shanty. Daddy Skinner by this time was seated in his chair, his +grey face wearing an expression of misery. + +"Ye air sicker this morning, honey, huh?" asked Tess anxiously, lifting +the pail to the table. + +"Yep, brat, awful sick, but mebbe I'll feel better after a while." + +"Yer coffee'll be ready quicker'n scat, dear," said the girl. "Flop on +my bed an' stretch out a minute. Tessibel'll get her daddy's breakfast." + +Five minutes later she had fried the fish and made the coffee. + +"I air goin' to give Daddy his eatin's first, Andy," she called up +through the hole in the ceiling. + +"All right; sure, do, kid," assented the dwarf. + + * * * * * + +Daddy Skinner gradually felt better, and during the morning Tessibel's +youthful spirits rose by leaps and bounds. All through the day she +warbled out her happiness, lovingly bantering the two crippled men. Thus +the minutes crept on to eventide, to that hour on the ragged rocks with +Frederick. + +She left the shanty early, that she might commune undisturbed for a time +with her dear wild world. Through the gloaming the dull sound of the cow +bells came distinctly from Kennedy's farm. The roosters were crowing a +last good-night to the sun. The monstrous shadows of the great forest +trees were going to sleep in the earth for another night. While the +daylight was fading, the girl sat relaxed against the rocks, her +unfathomable eyes contemplating the purple-spanned lake. She had drifted +into a reverie ... blissfully dreaming, with Frederick the foremost +figure of her dreams. The solemn descent of night ever signified the +mystery of his love to her. Now, from the fullness of her unalloyed joy, +she glanced up at the sky and blessed the whole world. In imagination +she deciphered the words the stars were forming. Stretched from pole to +pole, they lettered the heavens with the wonders of infinitude. In a +diadem of gold, "God is love" was written; from the unsearchable north +to the south where in their turn the slender rimming clouds sent it on +to the world beyond. "God is love," whispered the swaying trees, and +"God is love" came softly to the ear of the sensitive girl, as an echo +is flung back from the rocks and is sent home to its maker. + +And even as Tess dreamed, the passion stars in their invisible courses +bent toward her. Impulsively she lifted her arms upward toward those +twinkling participants of her secret, emblems of the immeasurable glory +of her love for Frederick. By a simple turn, she could see the tree of +her old-time fancies, the familiar figure in the tall pine, with +swaying, majestic head and beckoning arms. + +At that moment, she perceived Frederick making his way along the ragged +rocks. She could hear her heart's blood pulsing madly, striking at her +wrists, throbbing at her temples, making a race the length of her +quivering body. Now, she could see him plainly in the dim light, and a +smile deepened the dimple at each corner of her mouth. An indefinable +shyness kept her from running to him to tell her glad tidings. But what +made him walk so slowly and with hanging head? It wasn't like Frederick. +Something unusual had happened or he would not lag so in coming to her. + +She was even more mystified at the peculiarity of his greeting. With +nerves as tautly drawn as fiddle strings, she remained very still. In +his own time he would tell her all about it. She lifted her arms, but +Frederick, unheeding, sank to the rocks beside her. She laid her hand +on his, expressing her love to him by the simple contact. + +"Don't!" he said shortly. He drew away from the caressing fingers +impatiently. "I've come to tell you something." + +"Well, here I air," answered Tess, quietly. + +There was an exquisite tenderness in the young voice. In the white light +of the early evening Tessibel could see Frederick's brows fiercely drawn +together. Probably his mother was worse and that accounted for the +change in him. She became instantly all devotion. + +"Air ye goin' to tell me about it, honey?" she entreated softly. "It'll +make ye feel better.... Tell Tessibel." + +He turned away, and moved nervously until his shoulders were fitted into +a rock cavity; then, he dropped his head back with a prolonged sigh. It +was even more difficult than he had imagined. + +"Of course I needn't tell you ... that I love you, need I, Tess?" he +stammered, after a while. + +He could not assure her too many times of his affection. She leaned +against him, adoring, wrapped in the delight of his love as a water lily +is wrapped in its green sepals. + +"I know it, dearest!" she murmured, much moved. "Ye tell me that every +day. But what else air ye--" + +"You'll forgive me, and not be ... too unhappy?" Frederick interrupted +her anxiously. + +Unhappy, while her whole being was transfused with ecstasy! Unhappy, +when his life and hers intermingled in one glad, glorious song of +inseparable unity! There never could be a diminution of her joy. +Frederick loved her! That was enough. + +"There ain't nothin' I wouldn't forgive," she vowed, misty-eyed. + +"But, Tess, I feel as though you won't forgive me this," sighed +Frederick. "But if you'll promise me--" + +"I do--I will," she interjected, sitting up. "Why, of course, I'd +forgive ye anything." + +Frederick dared not look at her. Even in the twilight he could feel her +eyes searching his face for an explanation. + +"I need you to help me, Tessibel," he said at length. + +Help him! Hadn't she ever been ready to help him? He had but to ask her. +She dropped her head against his arm again. + +"Tell Tessibel," she urged, smiling. + +One slender, girlish arm slipped lovingly about him. A set of small +fingers took his cold hand in a firm grasp. + +"Tess loves ye, dear," came soothingly. "Now tell 'er, an' then ye'll be +happier." + +Shame rose rampant in the boy's breast. + +"I can't do it," he muttered under his breath. + +But he knew all the time he would. The events of yesterday, culminating +with Waldstricker's brilliant offer, closed every other path. He +groaned, catching his lips tensely between his teeth. Some one had to +suffer, but the sacrifice must not touch his mother nor estrange the +Waldstrickers. That Madelene would be wronged by his action gave him +little concern. But at that moment to hurt the girl at his side; oh, how +he hated the bitter necessity! Conscious of the despicable part he was +playing, but having really decided, he drew himself from the girl's +arms. To gain a little more time, he thrust his fingers several times +through his damp hair. + +"Tess," he hesitated, "you've promised you'd never tell about our being +married." + +An encouraging touch turned the boy's twitching face to hers. + +"An' I ain't never goin' to till ye let me," she asserted soothingly. +"Ye ain't lettin' that worry ye, darlin', eh?" + +She encouraged him to answer by the tender cadence on the end of her +question. + +"No, no, Tess!" Then desperately, "Oh, in God's name, how am I ever +going to get it out?" + +Tessibel became suddenly terror-stricken. It must be something very +serious to force from him such language in such heart-rending tones. She +shivered nervously. + +"You mustn't think for a moment, Tess," the boy burst forth, with +renewed courage, "that I don't love you! I shall love you always, +always." + +"Always," echoed Tess, reassured. If Frederick loved her, nothing else +mattered. Perhaps his mother was--Her thought snapped in two at an +ejaculation from Frederick. + +"And what I do is because--well, because--I must," he stammered. "You +understand that, don't you, sweetheart?" + +"Sure," agreed Tess, puzzled. + +"And nothing will ever be changed between you and me--" + +"Nothin' can ever hurt us, Frederick," she interrupted quickly. + +And Tess believed this to be the eternal truth. Faith the size of a +grain of mustard seed had piloted her through severe storms. Since Daddy +Skinner had been restored to her, that faith had grown to the size of +the mountain itself. + +"I won't let it," went on the student, swiftly. "Neither must you. You +must trust me--you must believe! No, don't put your arms around my neck +till I've finished!... And then, oh, my little girl, I shan't let you +out of my arms, ever! ever!" + +Greatly moved, he suddenly reached forth and drew her unresistingly to +him, smothering her hair, her eyes with kisses, clinging to her, as if +he would never, never let her go. + +Her heart beat wildly against his.... And she loved him more than all +the world, and loved God more because of him. + +But he released her almost immediately, and Tessibel sank back, sighing. +She was no longer nervously eager to divulge her secret. She waited +almost mechanically, as one waits for an advancing joy--as a hungry man +watches abundant preparation for the appeasing of his hunger. Hearing +him groan, she turned troubled eyes up to his. + +"Daddy always says for to tell bad things quick!" + +But this only served to call forth another deep breath of misery. After +a lapse of what seemed ages to the waiting girl, Frederick gathered +courage, and began, + +"Tess, I've told you how very ill my mother is, haven't I?" + +"Yes, an' I air awful sorry, dearie," she murmured. + +The compassion he aroused subdued her voice to a whisper. + +"And she's asked me to do something for her and I've--got to do it, +Tessibel," faltered Frederick. + +"Sure ye have," Tess agreed. + +"I didn't decide to do it, honey,"--Frederick was avoiding the vital +part--"until I saw how I could not let it make any difference to us. It +won't make any difference, dear heart!" + +And Tess, already living in some distant day with full heart and full +arms, breathed. + +"No, darlin', no difference to us.... 'Course not!" + +"Oh, I'm glad, so glad to hear you say that!" said Frederick, relief in +his voice. "It won't be so dreadful, my sweet, if you trust me. And it +won't be long--perhaps a year, perhaps two years--" + +Tessibel's muscles grew suddenly rigid. + +"Years, ye say?" she repeated, stupefied. "What years? Why years?" + +The resigned and submissive Tess changed instantly to an intense, +resolute woman, with compelling, fear-clouded eyes. Frederick, alarmed, +hastened to explain. + +"You remember Madelene Waldstricker, don't you?" + +Did she remember Madelene Waldstricker? Would she ever forget that one +night when he had treated her, his own wife, as though she were a +stranger? + +"Sure, I remember 'er," she admitted, flushing. "What about 'er?" + +Before replying, Frederick snatched her hand and kissed it. + +"My mother.... Oh, Tessibel, it'll be all right--" He paused, then +finished despairingly, "My mother wants me to marry her!" + +Tess caught the picture his words suggested; then recoiled as if death +in monstrous guise had appeared before her, open-armed. Incredulous +horror leapt alive in her eyes. He had said, "My mother wants me to +marry Madelene Waldstricker." But even though his mother had demanded +it, he couldn't! He wouldn't.... But he'd said he must! + +Tess clenched her hands until the nails pressed into the flesh of her +palms. Her throat refused to yield a speaking voice, but something +screamed aloud within her as if a giant hand had clutched and torn her +soul. + +"But ye air married to me," she got out at last, piteously. + +Frederick put his arms about her. + +"I know it, girlie dear!... I'm not denying that, but no one knows it +but us, just you and me, and I'm afraid ... I've got to do ... this ... +Mother ..." + +"Oh, God, no!" shuddered Tess. + +Oh, he couldn't mean to desert her now when she needed him so--needed +him more than she had even in those days when the shadow of the hateful +rope hung over her beloved father; even when Teola's child had been +thrust upon her, and Ben Letts had daily menaced her desolate life. + +She was still for so long a time Frederick feared she'd fainted. + +"Tess!" he spoke sharply. + +"What?" + +But it didn't sound like Tessibel's voice answering. + +"Will you hear me out, dearest?" he pleaded. "Oh, won't you listen to +me?" + +Surely she was listening intently. He had never spoken when she had not +given loving heed, if she were within the sound of his voice. Frederick +attempted to raise her face to his, but with a pathetic little word of +protest, she slipped from his arms, and fell face downward to the rocks. +The tortured boy would rather have had her scream, strike at him, +anything, than sink into that accusing, forlorn prostration! + +"Tessibel! Tess!" he cried. "Whatever I do can't separate you and me. It +can't! I swear not to let it!" + +He stooped and drew her gently to a sitting posture. + +"No, I won't let it!" he reiterated excitedly. "I won't! No other woman +_could_ ever take your place. Can't you see, Tessibel? Can't you +understand what I'm telling you?" + +"Nope," whispered Tess. "I ain't able to understand. Oh--" She lifted a +white, twitching face. "Oh, don't go 'way an' leave me! Not now--not +just yet!" + +"But you said," he entreated, "you've always said, honey, you'd stand by +me, and you will, won't you? This is the only way you can help. You +will, dear, please!" + +"I 'spose I air got to," she stammered, shivering. "Course I do +everything ye want me to. But--but--tell me ... why." + +"It's just like this," Frederick explained reluctantly. "My mother +needs--money. She's got to have it. She's already borrowed a lot of +Waldstricker and ... even our lake place is mortgaged to him. His sister +loves me--" + +The speaker felt the slender body recoil as from a blow. + +"Tess!" he cried, "I don't love her. Oh, can't I get you to understand +anything? If you tremble that way, you'll drive me mad. I'm only going +to marry her.... Well, to pay the money, that's all." + +He cut and clipped the words as though he hated them, yet finished his +explanation determinedly. As keenly as a darting flame, it burned into +Tessibel's soul. + +"Tell me ... more," she breathed dizzily. + +"It'll only mean you and I will be apart for a little while, Tess," +stated Frederick. "When I get back home, I'm coming straight to you, +and--" + +"She air lovin' ye, ye said?" interrupted Tess, huskily. + +"But I don't love _her_, Tess!... I love only you!... You know that, +sweetheart!... You hear me, darling?" + +"Yep, I hear," whispered the girl. + +Frederick settled back against the rocks, drawing her into his arms. + +"My father," he proceeded more calmly, "left us without any money. I +suppose I didn't realize how hard it's been for mother. She's only just +told me she'd mortgaged the lake place to Waldstricker and had borrowed +money from him. In a way I've been awfully selfish.... I've only thought +of you, dear." + +Of course, now she couldn't tell him that intimate secret! If he knew, +he couldn't, he just couldn't do the thing his mother demanded; and she +had promised to help him. He had said it was the only way she could be +of any service, and her great love rose up and demanded the sacrifice. +Tess scarcely recognized her own voice when she next spoke. + +"Did ye tell Madelene--I mean Miss Waldstricker--ye'd marry her?" she +asked. + +"Well ... yes," stammered Frederick. + +"And ye--ye--ye kissed 'er?... Oh, say ye didn't kiss 'er!... Ye didn't, +did ye?" + +It was a plea to which Frederick would have given worlds to truthfuly +answer, "No." But his conscience, evidently sensitive in small matters, +compelled an almost inaudible, "Yes." + +Raging jealousy, unendurable pain, arose within her. + +"But ye couldn't--be married--to 'er, Frederick. It ain't possible, it +ain't!" + +"I know I'm married to you," the boy assured her, swiftly. "I'd only be +married to her in the eyes of the world!" + +The eyes of the world, the world through which she had so far walked +with proudly lifted head! Her dearly cherished love seemed to be +tumbling in ignominious ruins, and that very love had left her +defenseless. No one would ever know he belonged to her; that she +belonged to him. She would have to creep with bowed head in assumed +shame and disgrace even among the squatters. + +"I'll die," she shivered, thinking of the coming spring. + +His burning kisses stung her lips, through which his words tumbled one +over the other. + +"You can't!... You shan't die!... Tess, you shan't! I'm only going away +for a little while.... You're mine, Tess, do you hear?... You've got to +live and love me always! You're mine! Oh, my love! Don't cry like +that!..." + +The crushing strength of his arms hurt her. Suddenly another picture +shot across her brain, like a searing rocket. She clung to his arm as if +she feared that minute would snatch him from her. Then suppliantly she +lifted not only her face, but also her hands. + +"Oh, she won't be like I air been to ye--like--like--" + +Frederick heard the anguish in the agonized, girlish voice. + +"Not like--not like I air been to ye, darlin'. Oh, God, not that!" she +cried again. + +She waited in panting suspense for a fierce denial. Then she struggled +frantically in his embrace. All that was alive within her--all the +super-vitalized part of her soul--seemed scorched by the picture his +significant silence had painted. + +"Let me go!" she demanded. + +Frederick tightened his arms about her. + +"Not yet, not yet! Stay here, rest here, my sweet." + +But again seeing that image of the small woman in her place, Tess +struggled and freed herself. + +"I air goin' to Daddy now," she whispered. "An' you can go home too, +please." + +But he caught her again to his breast. + +"You belong to me!" he cried intensely. "I won't go!--I'm going to stay, +Tessibel! I will--I will stay!" + +Tess wrenched herself free. + +"Ye c'n come again," she promised. "Some other time afore--" + +Frederick caught her broken sentence and finished it. + +"Yes, yes, Tessibel," he exclaimed. "I'll come back soon, very soon!" + +"Sure, soon," quivered Tess, swaying, "go on, please!" + +She flung up her hands, crying low in suppressed agony, as Frederick +whirled from her and walked rapidly away. He had not taken ten steps +before he was moved to go back, to take her again in his arms, but +thinking over all that had happened, of how hard it had been to flounder +through his explanation, he shut his teeth and went on. + +With super-hearing, Tess listened until the sound of his footsteps died +in the lane. + +He had gone--Frederick--her husband! Gone to another woman! No, that +couldn't be! He was hers always and forever. She sank down on the +rocks--on the dear, ragged rocks, where she had watched for him and +prayed for him, where life had been at its highest and best. + +She tried to recall all he had said. Oh, yes, he was coming back. What +did he mean by coming back? When? She dully wondered if it would be +tomorrow, or the day after, or the day after that. Three days, perhaps, +three long, interminable days to think of him and to long for him. Could +she live three days? She sprang to her feet. She must see him +again--now--this minute; hear him unsay that awful thing. Why, he +couldn't belong to Madelene Waldstricker! Like a deer, Tess sped along +the rocks in the direction of the lane. A night bird brushed a slender +wing against her curls as he shot by her. To him she paid no heed save +to swerve a little. + +Wildly, twice, three times she cried, "Frederick!" + +An owl hooted a mocking response from the willow tree nearby. + +"Frederick! Frederick!" rang through the night, out over the lake, +unanswered. He was gone! The realization of this brought the girl +crouching, shivering to the shore, where her feet were lapped by the +incoming waves. And there she lay, until as in a dream, a bewildered +dream, she heard Daddy Skinner's voice calling her. By a supreme effort +she gathered her senses together. + +"I air comin', Daddy." + +She stumbled through the night back to the shanty, her secret locked in +her breast. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +TESSIBEL'S PRAYER + + +For four lingering days, hour after hour, Tess of the Storm Country +waited for Frederick. He had promised to return, and so each day when +her household duties were completed, she hastened to the ragged rocks at +the edge of the forest. But her eager hope passed into sick apprehension +as the lingering twilights of successive evenings deepened into the +darkness of night and he did not come. Tess grew paler and more +dejected, so that even Daddy Skinner's fading sight remarked it. + +"Ain't feelin' quite pert, be ye, brat?" he inquired. + +Tessibel started nervously.... It was habitual now if any one spoke to +her quickly. + +"I ain't sick, daddy," she assured him. "I guess it air the hot day +makin' me tired." + +"Nuff to bake the hair off a cast iron pup," observed Andy, from the +garret hole. + +"I'll bet it air some warm up there, pal," sympathized Orn. + +"Ye bet yer neck," agreed Andy cheerfully. + +Then Tessibel hopefully started for the rocks in search of the sunshine +which had left her life with Frederick four days before. + + * * * * * + +Deforrest Young, too, had noticed the change in his little friend ... +had observed her extreme nervousness and unusual shyness when she +recited her lessons. Today, moreover, she had not appeared at all. Late +that afternoon he called at the Skinner home to find the reason. + +Daddy Skinner occupied his customary seat on the bench in front of the +shack, watching with listless, dull eyes the restless waves. He greeted +the professor with his twisted smile, as the latter called to him from +the lane. + +"Where's Tessibel?" asked Young, after they had remarked upon the +weather and the health of themselves and their friends. + +"Well, I don't know just where she air gone," replied Orn, "but seems to +me's if she went off toward the rocks. Shall I call her, eh?" + +"No, no! I'll go look for her," answered the professor. + +He found her sitting pensively on the rocks, her hand resting on the +head of Kennedy's brindle bulldog, and in the moment he stood there +gazing at the girl, he felt unaccountably saddened. + +When Tess became conscious of his presence, she gave him a shadowy, +fleeting smile, which vanished almost before it had fully appeared. Her +eyes were heavy and dim with unshed tears, and she was as pale as the +mist clouds that drifted slowly across the sky and away over the eastern +hills. Perhaps it was the melancholy of that smile appealing to his deep +love that made Professor Young hurry toward her, holding out his hands. + +Pete greeted him with a welcoming whine, wagging his whole body, in +default of the tail he had lost. + +"Your father said you were here, child," Young said in a low voice. "May +I sit down?" + +Tess acquiesced by a nod of her head, and he settled himself comfortably +on the rock. Crouching down on the other side of her, Pete put his head +in the girl's lap. Her hands rested upon his broad back, while the man +played with him, pulling and poking his heavy jowls and hanging lips, +and the dog uttered delighted growls at the attention. + +"I'm afraid my little girl hasn't been quite well of late," Young began +presently. + +The red-brown eyes fell and a flushed, lovely face bent beneath a shower +of bronze curls. + +"Has she?" he queried again, with tender sympathy. + +Lower and lower bent the auburn head until the man could no longer see +the troubled face. + +"I knew there was something wrong with my little pupil," said he softly. +"Now tell me about it." + +"I can't," whispered Tessibel. "I ain't able." + +Oh, if she only could! At that moment it seemed that all of her +troubles would take wing if this thoughtful, solemn-eyed friend shared +the burden of her heart. When she lifted her face again and repeated, "I +can't tell," Deforrest Young placed his fingers under her chin and kept +his eyes steadily upon her until the transparent lids drooped and the +long lashes rested on her cheeks. + +"Is it something you'll tell me some time?" he asked. + +Tessibel shuddered, and made no reply, although there was a slight +negative shake of her head. + +"Then I'll ask you another question, Tess dear," insisted Young. "Isn't +there something I can do to help you?" + +Tessibel shook her head, a violent blush suffusing her face. Tears +gathered thickly in the brown eyes. To see her thus was agony.... His +great love sought to share and bear her suffering, yet he could not +force her confidence. + +"I'm going to exact one promise from you," he continued, much moved. + +"I'll be awful glad to promise what I can," she murmured humbly. + +"Then it's this." Compassion for her abject misery was expressed in the +very tones of his deep voice. "If at any time in the future you need +me ... for anything, no matter what, will you--will you come to me and +tell me? Will you let me help you?" + +Impetuous appreciation of his sincerity caused Tess to touch his arm. + +"Nobody were ever so good to me in all the world," she said brokenly. + +Never had Deforrest Young so keenly desired the right to care for her as +he did then. The impulse to take her in his arms, to tell her, as he had +once, that he loved her, almost unnerved him; but he could not. Tess +seemed of late to have grown away from him, to be no longer the +light-hearted child she had been, even in that dark time when her father +was in prison. + +"You haven't promised me yet, Tessibel," he insisted seriously. + +"I promise ... sure!" said Tess, swallowing hard. + +In the silence that followed, Pete, as though conscious that all was +not well with his adored mistress, rose on his haunches, and tried to +kiss her face. The dog's sympathy was sweet. She wanted Frederick so +badly! Oh, she thought, if she dared ask Deforrest. She would! She could +not bear another night of this uncertainty, this suspense. + +"I air wishin' to ask ye somethin'," she stammered. "Don't tell anybody, +will ye?" + +"Certainly not," declared Young, quickly. + +"Do ye--do ye happen to know where--the student Graves air--today?" + +Young considered the long curls falling over each shoulder and the +anxious eyes. She was staring fixedly at him. Was the student somehow +connected with her present distress? Frederick's marked attention of +late to Madelene Waldstricker was, he supposed, generally known. He had +not seen him with Tess for a long time. He had concluded the young man's +interest in the squatter girl had passed. Was it possible that Tess +still cared for him? + +"Well, that's hard to tell," he told her presently, looking out over the +lake. "But if they've had good luck, I suppose the young people are +quite well on their way to Paris by now. The ceremony, one of those +hasty affairs, was performed yesterday. They took the night train to New +York." + +Tessibel's breath caught in her throat.... The heavens seemed to tumble +into the lake.... An awful booming sounded in her ears. She grew limp, +sick at heart, ... dizzy, but she made no outcry, only, unconscious of +its pain, bit her lip until it bled. The hope she had nursed, that he +would not do this awful thing was lost. + +Pete stirred uneasily. Restrained by Tessibel's hand on his head, he +laid down again making whining noises in his throat, inarticulate +expressions of his love for the suffering girl. + +"Didn't you know he was going to marry Miss Waldstricker?" asked Young. + +"Yep,--I knew," whispered Tess, when she could breathe, "but--tell +me--about it." + +"There's not much to tell," explained the Professor, reluctant to +distress her. "It seems the young lady didn't want a large wedding and +did want to start abroad immediately, so they had a private affair--no +one present but the relatives." + +Tess made an effort to control herself. + +"Graves won't go back to college any more," went on Young. "He's going +into business with his brother-in-law, Mr. Waldstricker. I understand +when they return from abroad they will live with my sister the rest of +the winter." + +There was no response from the drooping little figure at his side. + +Tess was thinking of the winter without Frederick. She sickened as she +pictured him away off in that foreign land. It seemed he must be at the +very end of the world. It bewildered her to think of his being with +another woman than herself. She could not think of them as married--He +was her husband. She was silent so long that Young spoke to her softly. +"Shall I take you home, my dear?" + +Numb and dazed, she sat dumbly enduring the hurt. + +"Nope, I air goin' to stay here awhile." 'Twas only a trembling breath +that wafted the man his answer. + +Young hesitated. Then rising he walked away along the rocks, leaving +Tess and the brindle dog amid the falling shadows. + +Spent with emotion, the squatter girl heard the retreating footsteps of +her friend die away in the twilight. Then she pushed the dog gently from +her lap and laid herself down upon the rocks and pillowed her aching +head upon his body. + +Gradually the tender melancholy of the dying day touched her mood with +subtle sympathy and soothed her troubled spirit. Rapt in rueful revery, +she followed mechanically the flight of a flock of birds. Like swift +shadows flitting over the water, they dipped and winged upward and away, +out of her vision. + +Frederick had gone from her life almost as completely and as suddenly as +those birds had disappeared from her sight. How mercilessly short had +been her days of happiness, those days threaded and inter-threaded with +her husband's love. + +The sun had set and the purples and reds were fading from the fleecy +clouds in the eastern sky. The gloaming grew in caressing cadences up +from the limpid lake to the ragged rocks. The night winds blew gently +down the hill side, the swaying leaves were whispering "hush, hush," and +the surface of the lake, shimmering in the mellow light of the rising +moon, was flecked here and there into silvery sparkles. The airs of +evening fluttered the ringlets upon her forehead and enveloped her hot +body in cooling comfort. Responsive to the quiet beauty about her, the +turmoil of her thoughts subsided. The sharp anguish which had at first +stunned her was becoming but a dull ache, permitting her to think +connectedly. + +This place and this hour held the most vital associations of her young +life. Here in the gathering gloom, Frederick had wooed and won her, and +had spent with her many of the too few hours of her wedded bliss. Upon +such another evening, she had made him the promises that had led to her +only deceptions of Daddy Skinner, and here, four short days ago, her +husband had murdered her joy. + +Reflecting upon her plight, its hopelessness well nigh overwhelmed her. +Through the utter desolution of her life rang the haunting, words of the +Cantata she'd heard sung last Eastertide in the Big Ithaca Church. + +"Oh, was there ever loneliness like this?" + +Over and over the melody repeated itself, insistently recalling the +Master's agony in the garden, and lifting her thoughts slowly upward +away from herself to His ultimate triumph and glory. + +Betrayed and deserted by the man that loved her, she fixed her attention +instinctively upon the Divine Love "with whom is no variableness, +neither shadow of turning" and sought courage from the words of Him "who +spake as never man spake." His command, "Love your enemies, do good to +them that hate you and pray for them which despitefully use you," came +to her tortured heart, a healing inspiration. + +Immediately she got to her feet. The dog, tired of the enforced +inactivity, jumped up and ran to and fro on the rocks, barking. She had +given her husband up to another woman--he had said it was all she could +do for him. But she loved him and her love rejoiced in giving. Pete, +puzzled that the girl did not join him in his play as usual, came back +and stood in front of her and looked up into her face. She turned to the +old pine tree, her familiar friend, and extended her arms to the God of +her exalted faith. + +"Goddy, dear, goodest Goddy," she prayed, "bless my Frederick wherever +he air--an'--help Tessibel to die--in--in the spring." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +A LETTER + + +A great deal had happened during the three weeks Frederick had been +gone. Helen Young had married Ebenezer Waldstricker, and they had been +away now nearly two weeks on their honeymoon. Deforrest Young, too, had +spent most of the time out of Ithaca. Tessibel Skinner heard from him +frequently, and through his good letters, she had been able to keep up +her studies. + +One Monday morning while Tess was doing the simple chores around the +shack, she had the door open to admit the vagrant breezes of the summer +day. Andy, as his custom was on such occasions, lay quietly upon the +attic floor, secure from the observation of any chance passer-by. +Stepping to the door to shake her dust rag, Tess saw Jake Brewer coming +up the path. + +"Hello, Jake," she called, a little loudly to warn Andy, "how air ye?" + +"Pretty tol'able, thank ye, Tess," Brewer answered politely, "how air +you, and how's yer pa?" + +"Daddy's pretty bad this mornin'," she told him, a reluctant smile +appearing for a moment at the corners of her mouth. + +"Pshaw! Tessie, ye don't tell me. It air the heat, ain't it? But Tess, I +air got somethin' for you," he sniggered. "Bet ye can't guess what it +air." + +"Sure, I can't, Jake." The girl tried to match his cheerful manner. + +She wished she might greet her squatter friends as of yore, but her +heart was sad and lay stonelike in her breast. Of late, Jake had been +very kind, running many errands for her. Daddy Skinner was a favorite +with the inhabitants of the Silent City, and now that he was so ill, all +the other squatters did what they could for his sorrowing daughter. + +"Come in, Jake," invited Tess. "Mebbe Daddy'd like to see ye.... He +ain't up yet.... Wait a minute.... I'll ask 'im!" + +Jake stayed her with a chuckle and a beckoning motion of his forefinger. + +"First I'll give ye what I brung ye, Tess," he said, while he fumbled in +his pocket. "Here! Look! It air a letter with a big ship up in the +corner of it.... Ain't it cute?" + +Tessibel held out a trembling hand for the square envelope Brewer +proffered her. How many times within the past weeks had she visualized a +ship as it took its rapid way to the other side of the world! How many +times had she seen her husband with Madelene Waldstricker on that +pictured steamer! Now here it was before her very eyes, more stately +even than her mind had portrayed it. She stared at the letter, her face +going very white. + +"Ye don't seem to be tickled, brat," said the squatter, grinning. + +"I air, though, Jake," she replied, "awful tickled.... Come on in an' +see Daddy!" + +She slipped the letter into her pocket and led the way to the back room. + +She bent over the bed and roused her father. + +"Jake air here to see ye, Daddy," she said. "Sit down, Jake! He can't +talk very loud, but ye can see he air awful glad to have ye here.... +Daddy dear, Jake Brewer air tryin' to shake hands with ye." + +Orn's great hand lifted slowly. + +"Glad to see ye, Jake," he mumbled. "I ain't the best this mornin'!" + +"Ye'll get better with the goin' of the warm weather," consoled Jake. +"These days be hot now for the wellest of us." + +"Yep," murmured Daddy Skinner, drowsily. + +Tessibel left the two men alone, and went back to the kitchen. Her +throat was filled with longing, her lips drawn a little closer together. +She sat down near the door, looking out upon the lake. She dared not +open the letter then, not until Jake had gone and Daddy was asleep. + +Brewer came out quietly, his cheerful manner subdued somewhat. + +Tess got to her feet. She tried to smile, but the serious expression on +the squatter's face brought her quickly to his side. + +"Jake," she murmured, quick-breathed, "ye think he air awful sick, eh?" + +Brewer shifted his gaze out through the door. The sight of the girl's +pleading face hurt him. + +"He ain't real pert; that air a fact," was his reply. + +"We air doin' everythin' we can think of," Tess told him. "Mr. Young's +doctor comes awful often, an' he says Daddy air got heart trouble." + +"He do seem to have a hard time breathin'," answered Jake, trying to be +cheerful; "but if I was you, Tessie, I wouldn't worry. He'll be gettin' +well. He air stronger'n a horse." + +Tess wanted to believe her father was better. She couldn't allow her +mind to take any other view of it. + +"He air always been right rugged," she said, nodding, "an' if his +heart'd only stop beatin' so hard--" She hesitated and touched Brewer's +arm. "Thank ye fer bringin' my letter," she interrupted herself +irrelevantly. + +"That air all right, Tess," smiled Brewer. "Ye see when I go to the +Postoffice fer our mail, I ask fer your'n an' fer Longman's, an' I most +allers get some fer one or t'other.... Nice day, eh, ain't it?" + +"Yep," affirmed Tess, dully. She bade the fisherman good-bye and stood +watching him take his way along the lakeside until he had disappeared. + +When she turned she caught sight of Andy's glistening eyes looking at +her. + +"Jake air a good feller, ain't he, brat?" he asked. + +Tess came directly under the ceiling hole. + +"Yep, he sure air," she answered. "Andy, I air a feelin' so bad today. +Will ye listen for Daddy if I go out a spell?" + +"Course I will, go long," he urged. "Close the door when ye go out. I'll +keep my ears open." + +Tess walked slowly along the lake shore path, her head drooping wearily. +She knew the letter in her pocket was from Frederick. To have opened it +even before Andy's loving eyes, or in the presence of any other person, +would have been, in her opinion, a desecration. + +Against the high gray shoulder of a ragged rock, she sat down pensively. +It was here she and Frederick had spent so many happy hours and, now, +alone, she had come to read his letter. She took it slowly from her +pocket, studied the picture of the ship in the corner, and whispered +over and over the name under it. It seemed almost impossible to tear it +open. What had he told her? She pressed the envelope to her lips. Her +darling's hands had touched it, his fingers had written her name upon +it. Ripping it slowly along the edge, she took out the contents, and +there fluttered to the rock a yellow backed bill. Tess picked it up and +examined it carefully. Frederick had sent her some money. Tess laid it +down again and placed a small stone upon it. Then she took up the +letter. + +For a few seconds her eyes misted so profusely she could not read. She +dashed the back of her hand across her lids, choking down hard sobs that +rose insistently. When she could control her emotions enough to read, +she fixed her eyes upon the first words: "My own darling:" + +Crunching the paper between her fingers, she dropped her head and wept +wildly for several minutes. She wanted Frederick then as she had never +wanted a soul in all the living world. + +"I am here alone in the writing room," Tess read on, wiping her eyes. +"Oh, Tessibel, when I think of you there without me, I go almost mad! +What I've done seems the very worst thing in the world, and it grows +worse as the hours go by. Forgive me, my darling. I dared not come back +after that night; I was afraid some one would see me and tell my mother +or some of the Waldstrickers. Tessibel, if I could only jump into the +sea and get back to you, I should be the happiest fellow in the world. I +love you more and more, and I'm perfectly miserable without you." + +Her fingers on her lips, and her eyes on the letter, Tess wept softly. +Oh, how she loved him, too, her husband. + +"I won't stay away very long, my dearest," the letter continued. "I'm +coming back to you and shall never leave you again. I'm sending you some +money which I want you to use, and I'll send more very soon. This will +make you comfortable for a little while." + +Tess picked up the bill and looked at it once more. Then she put it down +again and went on reading the letter. + +"I shall always love you better than any one else in the world, +Tessibel ... when I return we shall be together most of the time. I shall, +I hope, get over my fear of Ebenezer Waldstricker. I'm studying in my mind +a way to make it possible for us to have a home together, of which no +one shall know. Believe that I love you ... always and always, my +darling. + Your + Frederick." + +Tess lifted her head with a long-drawn sigh. But there was something +more to read, a line or two tacked on the end of the letter. + +"P. S. My darling, I want you to burn this! I fear some one might get +hold of it. + F." + +After reading over and over the letter, until she had almost learned it +by heart, she went back to the shanty, to do as Frederick had bidden +her. Kissing the pages again and again and weeping softly so as not to +disturb Andy, Tess burned the letter. + +That night when Daddy Skinner was sleeping, his laboring breath heard +plainly through the shanty, a red-brown head bent over the kitchen +table. Around the flickering light fluttered the summer moths, and once +in a while one of Tessibel's beloved night things dashed in at the +window, took a zig-zag course about the lamp, and flew out again into the +shadowy weeping willows. A long, sobbing sigh from the girl brought the +dwarf's eager face to the hole in the ceiling. + +"Air ye sick, brat?" he whispered. + +Tess lifted her eyes from the table. + +"Nope, Andy, I were thinkin', that's all," she answered, low-toned. + +And perhaps fifteen minutes later, when she had written a name on +several envelopes and had torn them up in seeming disapproval, Andy +ventured again. + +"Ye act awful sad, brat dear. Can't ye tell me about it?" + +Tessibel rose to her feet, the gleam of the night light radiating upon +the red-brown of her eyes. She swallowed the lump in her throat before +she could speak. + +"I air a little sad, Andy dear," she murmured. + +"What were ye doin', honey?" asked the dwarf. + +Without answering at that moment, Tess took up the envelope she'd +sealed. Two steps took her to the mantel, where she placed the letter +against the clock, standing a minute to gaze at it. The next instant she +explained to the little man leaning above her. + +"I were writin' a little, Andy, darlin'." + +Then she went softly into Daddy Skinner's room and closed the door. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +ITS ANSWER + + +While Tessibel Skinner, lonely and despondent, was grieving in the +squatter country, Frederick Graves arrived in Paris with his young wife. +There had been for him but few hours since that last evening upon the +ragged rocks, during which Tessibel's face had not haunted him, the +brown eyes, sometimes smiling, more frequently shadowed with tears. +Impotent remorse possessed his days and filled his wakeful nights with +anguish. At such times when life seemed intolerable, the thought of the +comfort he had supplied for his mother and sister was balm to his +troubled soul. + +He regretted, too, that he had not gone to the squatter settlement to +see Tess again before his marriage to Madelene. He had thought, then, +that the sight of her pleading pain would be more than he could bear. He +had already vowed to himself over and over with clenched teeth that he +would stay but a short time away from America. He must see Tess. He did +not worry over her keeping the secret of their clandestine marriage ... +he had implicit confidence in her promise. + +Madelene's keen enjoyment in displaying the many sights, already +familiar to her, bored him to distraction, and they had been in France +but a few days before she discovered his indifference to the wonders +which seemed of such importance to her. On the way over she had noticed +his spells of abstraction. She had seen how quickly the shadows +descended upon her husband's face when it was in repose. With an +intuition characteristically feminine, she concluded rightly that +Frederick's interest was not in her, that his attention was really +concentrated upon something quite apart from his wife and their +honeymoon. She determined to find out the reason. + +One morning, breakfasting in their charming room, Madelene started a +bright conversation, which Frederick met with but a chilly response. + +"What's the matter with you, Fred?" she demanded curiously. "You haven't +spoken a pleasant word for two days." + +A faint smile sketched itself about the corners of Frederick's lips. + +"Aren't you stretching that a little, my dear?" he evaded +half-playfully. + +"Well, perhaps a wee bit," laughed Madelene, ruefully. "But honestly, +dear, you look as if you'd lost your last friend instead of being on +your--honeymoon." + +She sprang up, rounded the table and perched daintily on the arm of his +chair. + +"I do want to make you happy, darling," she urged. "What's the trouble?" + +Frederick made a slightly impatient gesture with one shoulder. + +"I'm happy enough, Madelene! But it's this beastly weather! I suppose +that's the reason I feel so lackadaisical. If you don't mind, I don't +believe I'll go out today." + +Madelene uttered a little cry of disappointment. + +"Now, I _am_ vexed!" she pouted prettily. + +"Oh, then I'll go with you, of course," Frederick hastily cut in. "It +doesn't make any difference to me." + +The young wife felt an impulse to anger. + +"But it ought to make a difference, Fred dear," she pointed out to him. +"Why, you make me feel so small ... so insignificant.... I don't want to +drag you about if you don't want to go." + +Absorbed in his self-centered meditations his wife's sightseeing +excursions seemed to him a perfect nuisance. + +"I didn't mean to hurt you, dear," he apologized hurriedly. + +Madelene got up and went to the window and gazed down upon the street. + +"I know what we'll do," she stated, dancing back to the table. "Let's go +to some quiet, cool place for a week or two. I hate Paris in the hot +weather, anyway. And it'll be fun to be by ourselves ... and we'll have +long walks.... Would you like that?" + +The dark wave of blood surging into Frederick's temples made her look +curiously at him. Why should he be embarrassed at such a suggestion? + +"As you please, my dear," he interrupted her thought. + +Madelene sighed. He did look ill. It might be the hot weather, but he +had such a strange, detached manner most of the time ... as if he were +far away ... or she was. Her mind was busy with the problem. She could +not eat. + +Frederick, too, was but toying with his breakfast. He was wondering just +what Madelene was planning to do in the country. It would be even harder +for him there than in the city. With Tessibel's face always between +them, he could not make a lover's love to her anywhere. + +An hour or so later, while Frederick had gone to smoke under the trees, +his wife stood critically studying her reflection in the glass ... with +but few misgivings. She was pretty, surely so, and very rich! What more +could a man want? In the coolness of the country, Frederick would be +better. He would lose his moroseness and give his undivided attention to +her. She would make all the arrangements for the change without +disturbing him. He should not be bothered a little bit; and Madelene +grew quite happy again with the thought of having Frederick all to +herself in some romantic country spot. + +She summoned her maid, and for a while with the aid of the hotel +officials, she sought for a place near Paris, yet far enough away to +escape its harassing heat and noises. By night Madelene had decided upon +a farm near the village of Epernon. + +"We can get in to the city to shop, Marie," she told her maid. "But Mr. +Graves simply can't stand the hot weather in town." + +"He does look sick and worried, ma'am, doesn't he?" agreed the maid. + +Twenty-four hours later Frederick and Madelene were settled in a pretty +villa nestled at the edge of the forest. Nature in its noblest +expression surrounded them. At the going down of the sun, Madelene stood +beside her husband on the porch, and pressed her cheek fondly against +his shoulder. + +"It's so beautiful, isn't it, dear?" she whispered coaxingly. + +Out of his wife's words and the gentle gloaming, came a deadly sense of +loneliness. A shiver shook Frederick from head to foot. His only answer +was an ejaculated affirmative in a hoarse voice. The weird sighing of +the trees took him back to Ithaca, back to the ragged rocks ... to +Tessibel. For a moment he was so agonized that tears stung his lids to a +deep hurt. + +If in noisy Paris he had been carried in spirit to the squatter country, +where a girl stood and gazed at him with red-brown eyes, how much more +did she haunt him in the quiet spot where the leaves sang the same old +tunes they sang in her world, where the wind played among them as it did +in the Silent City! Now and then from yonder clump of trees a bird +twittered; an owl screeched from the tall tree at the right, and farther +on a brook chanted its purling song like Tessibel's brook under the +mudcellar. Oh, his dear little girl! His Tess of the Storm Country! If +in those olden days he had desired her, now that desire was a hundred +times more poignant. In all his willful life he had never suffered like +this. Tess with her clinging arms, her sweet, winning ways! He sighed a +deep, long sigh. Yet soon he would hear something from her. He had +written her, ... had sent her money for the necessities of her simple +life ... his heart throbbed at the thought of a letter from her. + +Madelene's conversation he had not heard, and it was not until she spoke +directly to him that he remembered her presence. + +"Don't you think so, Fred?" she was asking. + +He heaved another sigh as he left Ithaca and came back to France after +that flight of fancy. + +"Don't I think what? I really didn't hear what you said, Madelene," he +admitted guiltily. + +Madelene experienced a hot flash of indignation. + +"Do you mean to say you've allowed me to talk all this time and you +haven't heard a word I've said?" she demanded in a thin, rasping voice. + +"I'm sorry," murmured Frederick. "Pardon." + +Then the girl lapsed into a sulky silence, and Frederick, too sick at +heart, too indifferent to her likes and dislikes to care, did not +encourage her to repeat what she had said. + +It was perhaps a week later when young Mrs. Graves felt her first real +jealousy. In the happiness of her hasty marriage, she had almost +forgotten the story told her by the gossips of Ithaca. It was only when +her husband's eyes were encircled and darkened by a far-away expression +that Tess entered her mind. But even then, after a glance in the mirror, +she dismissed the little singer contemptuously. + +One morning just before breakfast, they were standing under the trees. +On Frederick's face was that dreary look of discontent. Madelene +contemplated him steadily. She had watched and studied, but had not yet +solved the problem that occupied her mind. Was the squatter girl the +obstacle? she wondered. It didn't seem possible. Frederick was so +fastidious. Why, the girl could scarcely speak a word of good English! +But it would do no harm to make sure. She decided to speak to her +husband of Tessibel Skinner. But how? + +Frederick owed her some consideration, and Madelene deeply desired he +should be more attentive to her. Suddenly she laughed aloud. Frederick +turned, the cloud partially lifting from his eyes. + +"A happy thought, I dare say?" he inquired. + +"Not very," answered Madelene flippantly. "I was wondering how long it +would take that Skinner girl to earn enough money to pay for a trip like +this." + +Had a bomb gone off in his face, Frederick couldn't have been more +appalled. His brows drew together in a dark frown; his face grew livid +and tensely lined. Madelene noted the effect of her words. Her suspicion +was confirmed,--the problem solved! It was the squatter girl who stood +between her and her husband! + +"I forbid you," said Frederick in a low, angry voice, "ever to mention +that name again." + +Then he whirled about and walked away through the trees. In alarm, +Madelene sped after him. + +"Frederick!" she implored. "I'm awfully sorry I said that.... I didn't +mean to hurt you." + +He shook her from his arm. + +"Very well," he replied savagely, "but just please don't speak of her +again." + +Tears blinded the girl's vision.... An enraged feeling rose in her +heart. Never in all her spoiled life had any one spoken to her in such a +way. If Ebenezer had been there, Frederick would never have dared! + +By this time, having stood mute for several seconds, she was thoroughly +indignant. This was her first real conflict with Frederick, and she +began to feel ill as well as incensed. + +"It's dreadfully disagreeable of you to get angry over a little thing +like that," she said impetuously. "One would think you loved that girl +and not me. I was told lots of times you were crazy about her, but of +course,--" + +She hesitated now. She wanted to say cruel things about the squatter +girl back in Ithaca, but she dared not. She was overwrought with anger, +but her husband's threatening face forced her to silence. + +"Are you determined to keep harping on a subject I wish to forget?" His +words carried an ominous meaning, which quickened her already awakened +jealousy. Determined to probe the matter to the bottom she demanded. + +"Why should you wish to forget her? Does she disturb your memory as much +as that?" + +"Perhaps," replied Frederick gloomily. + +He saw the danger involved in the discussion and curbed his tongue. Then +he left her and walked quickly into the house. Madelene followed, angry +and rebellious, and found him seated at the table, white-faced, with the +morning mail unnoticed before him. Still enraged, she glanced over the +letters indifferently. + +"They're all for me with the exception of one," she said sulkily, "and +it's an Ithaca letter.... May I open it?" + +Frederick took it from her and looked at the envelope. His name was +staring back at him as if every cramped letter were an accusing eye, and +the writing was in the hand of Tessibel Skinner! He studied it a +minute.... + +"You have mail of your own to read, my dear," he said quite kindly. +"Let's have breakfast." + +When during the morning Frederick found a moment to himself, he took +from his pocket the letter that had been searing through his clothing to +his heart. Gazing upon it, he shook as if he had the ague. Trembling +hands held it up to the light. Several times he turned it over. What had +Tess written to him? Had she told him, as he had her, that she loved him +better than all the rest of the world? He uttered a desperate +ejaculation and stretched out his arms. If he could have spanned the +world that separated them, he would have dragged her to him by the +terrible force of his desire. Again he turned the letter over. + +Something kept him from ripping it open. He longed to delay the +happiness of reading it, and while he waited, he lifted it to his lips +and passionately kissed the crude writing. It ran up hill a little, but +that only made him smile and love it the more. It brought memories of +past joys, memories of Tessibel's endeavor to learn. Poor little child! +Suddenly he slipped the paper knife into the envelope and slowly dragged +it across the top.... Then he inserted his fingers and pulled out--the +bill he had sent her. In a sudden passion he looked frantically into the +empty envelope.... Nothing!... Absolute emptiness! + +The money fluttered from his hand to the floor, where it lay like a +sentient thing, staring back as if mocking him. He stood half-blindly +gazing upon it. When he looked more closely, he stooped and picked it +up. There written across its yellow back was the one little line, + +"Darlin', I air a prayin' for you every day. Tessibel." + +In a storm of remorse, he collapsed to the floor with his face in his +hands. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +MADELENE COMPLAINS TO EBENEZER + + +"Read that letter; then you'll see why I'm angry," said Ebenezer +Waldstricker to Helen one morning after he had frowningly perused a +letter from Madelene. "Her last two have had a touch of this thing in +them, too. If I find--" + +He stopped because his wife had dropped her eyes and begun to read. + +"Dear Eb:-- + +"Your letters have come along one after another, but they haven't made +me feel happier. I do dislike to act as if I were telling tales; but I'm +so miserable, and you're the only one in the world I can call on in my +distress. You will forgive me, I know, dear Ebenezer. We've been here +now such a long time, that I really feel as if we ought to come home, +but I simply dread it more and more I think of it. + +"You can't imagine how doleful Fred is, and I know it's the Skinner girl +who's causing it." + +Helen uttered an anxious exclamation. She knew her husband's dislike of +the squatters. Her quick glance at his face called from his stern lips +the cold question. + +"Have you finished?" + +"No." + +"Then do!" he snarled, opening and closing his hands impatiently. + +"You may ask me what proof I have," Helen read on, a slight pucker +between her brows, "and I will say this: Fred has two or three times +called me by her name, nearly dying of embarrassment when I asked him to +account for it. Then once in his sleep he called out quite sharply, +'Tessibel!' He flies into all kinds of rages when I ask him questions +about her. He won't admit he's ever cared anything for her--" + +Helen looked up again and paused momentarily. + +"Well, Ebenezer, he used to like Tessibel!" + +Waldstricker waved his hand angrily. + +"What's past is past!" he roared. "And now he's got to treat my sister +decently, or I'll know the reason why.... The young pup! Why, here I've +given him the chance of his life!... But finish the letter!" + +Helen sighed as she again allowed her eyes to rest on the page in her +hand. + +"But I feel sure his interest in her isn't because of what she did for +his sister," Madelene's letter continued. "Will you take some pains to +find out all you can for me, Eb dear? It might be well for you to see +her yourself, and perhaps you could make her admit something. I don't +want you to worry about me, though. If I can make Fred act like a human +being, I'll be happy enough. Tell Helen I shall bring her a lot of +pretties from Paris, and will be awfully glad to see you both. Love to +all. + Madelene." + +"P. S. Perhaps you can make that girl tell you whether she's had a +letter from Fred or not, and make her give it to you if you can. I think +he's written her, but he says not." + +"I'm very sorry about it," Helen murmured. She laid the letter on the +table and looked across at the dark-faced man opposite, "but really I +don't think Tess cares for him at all now. Deforrest has repeatedly said +she never speaks of him, and that as far as he can make out, she has +quite forgotten him." + +"I'll make it my business to find out," muttered Waldstricker. "If I +discover she has any hold on that young--" + +"They may just've been romantic," excused Helen. "Why don't you ask +Deforrest to find out for you?" + +Ebenezer shook his head. + +"I'm going down first myself," said he. + +Helen rose and went to her husband's side. Her eyes were misty with +unshed tears. She so desired Ebenezer to be himself again. She felt a +little rebellious when she considered Madelene's turning her peaceful +home into such a turmoil. + +"You won't be stern with her, dear?" she pleaded. + +"I'll treat her as she deserves," snapped Waldstricker.... "If Deforrest +weren't so stubborn and hadn't rented Graves' place for the next four +years, I'd do my best to oust the Skinners from that property.... One +thing is certain, the old witch has got to go." + +Helen sighed, exasperated. Her husband's face was crimson and the cords +in his neck as rigid as taut ropes. + +"Ebenezer dear, why will you get yourself into such a state of +excitement over a set of people who'll never come into your life at +all?" she begged of him. + +There was gentle reproof in her tones. Ebenezer glanced at her sharply. + +"Never come into my life at all!" he repeated. "Does this look as if +they never came into my life, eh?" He leaned over and tapped Madelene's +letter. "Am I going to see my sister--" + +"Madelene is probably mistaken," interjected Helen, hopefully. + +"It'll be better for the squatter girl if she is," answered Ebenezer, +whirling and going out. + +Now it happened that Tessibel was standing outside the cottage clipping +her hedge when she heard the sound of horses' hoofs coming down the +lane. She stepped to the shanty door, gave the sound which warned Andy +of a stranger's approach, and was back again when Waldstricker's great +black horse came in sight. Opposite her, he drew his steed to a +standstill and bowed curtly. Tess had never seen his lips so sternly +set, not even when he had dragged her from Mother Moll's hut. She made +no move to go to him. + +"I came to speak to you, Miss Skinner," he called. "Come here?" + +Then Tessibel went a few steps nearer, without laying down her shears. +Looking up into his face, she asked, + +"What do ye want, Mr. Waldstricker?" + +It was hard for Waldstricker to tell just what he did want when that +pair of red-brown eyes were gazing at him. + +"I think I'll dismount," he said suddenly. + +Throwing one leg over the broad back of the horse, he slipped to the +ground. The bridle over his arm, he walked toward the girl until she +was standing but a step away. + +"You haven't any news of Bishop for me, I suppose?" he asked. + +Tess grew suddenly intuitive. Immediately she knew he had not come to +ask her about Andy. She shook her head, her tongue cleaving to the roof +of her mouth. + +"Have you done anything to locate him?" persisted Waldstricker. + +He was feeling his way to bring in the other matter, and looking more +closely at the girl, he reluctantly admitted to himself she was +beautiful. + +"My daddy's been awful sick," said Tess quickly. "I ain't much time to +do anything but take care of 'im an' sing in the church." + +Waldstricker was not interested in the sick squatter, so he gave no sign +of sympathy. Rather, he wanted to come to the crucial point immediately, +but Tess was so unapproachable that he remained quiet a few embarrassing +moments to think of the right thing to say. + +"You must be a little lonely now Mr. Graves is married," he stated +presently. + +Tessibel grew deathly pale, and took one backward step. Had he come to +talk of Frederick? Had he found out the secret she had kept religiously +so many weeks? + +"Mr. Graves?" she repeated, and then again in almost a whisper, "Mr. +Graves?" + +It was the first time in ever so long she'd pronounced that loved name +aloud. + +"Yes," said Waldstricker, darkly, "and I came down today to see the +letters you've received from him." + +Tess lifted her head and looked him straight in the eyes. Did he know +she had had that one precious letter? Who'd told him about it? But she +couldn't give it to him,--it was burned. Neither would she admit +receiving it. + +"What letters?" she asked, when she could speak. + +"Those Mr. Graves sent you from France!" responded Waldstricker, in very +decided tones. + +Tess thought quickly. Frederick had told her he was afraid of +Waldstricker. So was she! He was the man who had been instrumental in +taking her husband away from her. She felt a cold rage growing into +active life within her. How dared he come here. + +She was looking at him so steadily that the powerful churchman lowered +his eyes, and for a moment pretended to be arranging the horse's bridle. +Then, he centered his bold, black eyes upon her until her nerves +tingled. + +"I wish to see what he's written you," he repeated, this time rather +lamely. + +"I ain't got any letters," Tess told him. + +"Haven't you received any from him?" demanded Waldstricker. + +The girl shook her head so decidedly that her curls vibrated to the very +ends. It was as though every bit of her loving body would shield the +dear one way off in France from this compelling, mesmeric man. + +Waldstricker felt she was not telling the truth. He grew enraged, the +blood flying purple to his face. + +"I said I wanted you to give them to me," he repeated emphatically, +going nearer her. + +"An' I says as how I didn't have none," evaded Tess, growing angrier by +the minute. "An' if I did, I wouldn't give 'em to you. 'Tain't none of +yer business if I get letters, I'll have ye know!" She took several +backward steps toward the shanty. Her rising temper stirred up the +impudence she used in her conflicts with the rude fishermen. "Jump on +yer horse an' trot home," she finished tauntingly. + +Waldstricker's mingled surprise and anger showed in his exclamation. +What an impertinent little huzzy she was! In his heart he believed +Madelene was right, but the defiant squatter girl baffled him. He would +go home more than ever satisfied Tess Skinner was keeping from him +something about his young brother-in-law. He mounted his horse, his +muscles working with rage. + +"I'll make you confess sooner or later," he muttered ominously, "or I'll +know the reason why." + +"Scoot!" was all Tess said, and she waved her hand and snapped the +pruning shears together derisively. + +Waldstricker whirled his horse up the lane, and striking the animal with +a spur, bounded away. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +THE END OF THE HONEYMOON + + +Helen Waldstricker walked nervously up and down the library. Many times +during the past hour she had gone to the window and stared out into the +night. It was almost impossible to read or work with her mind in such a +state of perturbation. Every sound caused her to lay aside her book. She +was waiting for Ebenezer to return from the station with Madelene and +Frederick. + +Helen dreaded the home-coming of the newly married pair. Ebenezer was +all upset over the letters his sister had written him from abroad, and +as Deforrest was obliged to be away so much, she had spent many hours of +mental worry by herself. + +The sound of a carriage took her into the hall, where she stood until +Ebenezer threw open the door. + +The first sight of her young sister-in-law showed Mrs. Waldstricker that +the girl was not at all contented and happy. Madelene's face was pale, +but not more so than Frederick's. Ebenezer looked like a thunder cloud. +Helen, with her usual tact and sweetness greeted the young people in a +sisterly manner. + +"I'm so glad to have you both back," she purred, kissing first one, then +the other. "Now, dear,"--to Madelene, "come along up with me and get off +your wraps and then we'll have dinner." + +The two women went upstairs together in silence, and it was not until +Helen had closed the door and Madelene had removed her wraps that Mrs. +Graves turned upon her brother's wife. + +"I suppose you noticed from Ebbie's letters that I've been awfully +unhappy?" + +"Yes," admitted Helen, "but I was in hopes it had passed over." + +"It's worse now than it was before," answered Madelene, "I'm perfectly +certain he doesn't care for me--" + +"Then why did he marry you?" interrupted Helen. + +"For my money! That's why!" + +Helen's answering ejaculation brought a short, bitter laugh from the +girl. + +"Oh, no, dear," protested Mrs. Waldstricker. "You must be mistaken. I'm +positive, he's an honorable young man." + +Madelene flung herself impatiently into a chair. + +"Sit down," she said. "Don't stand up!... Oh, I'm so tired! It seems +years since we left France. And Fred's been like a death's house all the +time. I can't for the life of me see why he should act the way he does. +Why, Helen, he goes days without as much as ever starting to speak to +me. If he talks at all, I simply have to drag the words from him." + +"That's dreadful," sympathized Helen, "but perhaps he isn't well, dear. +Why don't you get him to see a doctor?" + +Madelene shrugged her shoulders disdainfully. + +"It's not a doctor he wants, it's that Skinner girl, I can see that +plainly enough." + +Helen dropped on the arm of the girl's chair and slipped her arm around +her neck. + +"Well, now you're home," she soothed. "Ebenezer'll help you if he can, +and I know Deforrest will. I'm perfectly certain though, Tessibel +Skinner would do nothing to make Frederick swerve from his loyalty to +you." + +"Do you know whether Eb went down there to see her?" asked the girl, +wearily. + +"I think he did. He asked Tess for Frederick's letters, but she said she +hadn't received any from him. And really, I don't believe she did, for +she tells everything to Deforrest and she'd tell him that, I'm sure." + +Madelene shook her head incredulously. + +"I feel perfectly positive he wrote her," she asserted. + +"Well, perhaps!--" said Helen. + +Then they were silent a few moments. + +"I suppose you haven't guessed something I have to tell you," stammered +Helen, presently. + +Madelene turned her eyes upon her sister-in-law. Then she smiled. + +"Helen, dearest, aren't you glad about it?" + +Helen blushed and radiated a smile. + +"Yes, very, and so is Ebenezer! We both feel as if we have much to be +thankful for--and now if you were only happy--" + +"Oh, Helen, I know I've upset Ebbie a whole lot,--but who else could I +go to?... Do tell me when--" + +"In May, dear," whispered Helen. "I wish you were as happy as I.... But +there's the dinner bell. Let's go down." + +When they entered the dining room, Ebenezer was standing alone, his back +to the grate. + +"Did you say anything to him, Eb?" demanded Madelene. + +"Certainly, child, but he insists he scarcely knows her. He rehearsed +the trouble his sister had before she died--" + +"Oh, he's told me that, too," interjected Madelene, tartly, "but that +wouldn't make him mix her name up with mine, would it, and make him get +mad every time I mention her?" + +"He seems to be very much incensed that any one should accuse him of +caring for her," observed Ebenezer. "And Madelene--" + +Helen went quickly to her sister-in-law. + +"Dear," she interrupted her husband, "if I were you, I wouldn't say +anything more about it to Frederick until you're certain.... Here he +comes, now. Do be pleasant to him, both of you." + +But in spite of Helen's good offices, the first dinner at home was +anything but a happy one for the young couple. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +THE REPUDIATION + + +A week after the arrival of Frederick and Madelene Graves in Ithaca, +Tessibel Skinner sat sewing near the kitchen stove and talking to Andy +Bishop in the shanty garret. Outside the wind gusted over the lake, the +snow birds making shrill, protesting twitters against the coming +blizzard. + +"You ain't mournin' 'bout somethin', kiddie, be ye?" whispered the dwarf +from the hole in the ceiling. + +"A little," she confessed, glancing up at the dwarf, while she knotted +the thread. "I air jest thinking how awful it air fer Daddy to sleep so +hard. That medicine he takes must be awful strong." + +"So it air, brat, but he don't suffer," comforted Andy. + +"Get back, Andy," warned Tess, getting up. "Some one air walkin' in the +lane." + +She could hear the steps plainly, now. Whoever it was paused in front of +the shack. When the knock came, she placed her sewing on the chair. With +a glance at the attic, she walked forward and took down the bar. The +opening door revealed Frederick Graves standing in the falling snow. + +"I've come back, Tess," he breathed brokenly. + +The girl staggered back speechless to the middle of the room. Dismayed +eyes sought Frederick's, eloquently demanding a reason for his coming. +The boy followed her swiftly in and closed the door. How ill she looked! +God, could it have been his own conduct that had made Tessibel so +fragile! He had promised to love and cherish her forever. The thought +that he could revivify her by the very strength of his overflowing love +took him forward a step. Tess looked helplessly about and retreated a +little. + +"Daddy's sick," she murmured. + +"I'm sorry. I'm very sorry, dear.... I had to see you, Tessibel," cried +Frederick, passionately. "I hurried back from abroad because of you, my +darling.... Oh, Tess dear--" + +Tessibel made a dissenting gesture. + +"Please go away," said she, in agitation. "Go away, please." + +Instead of obeying her, the boy came nearer. + +"I can't go!" he answered hoarsely, running his fingers through his +thick hair. "I've suffered horribly for what I've done.... Tess, don't +make me suffer any more--Oh, darling, please understand--" + +"I air understandin'," interrupted Tess, steadying herself. "Ye can't do +nothin' now.... Won't ye please go?" + +"No," replied Frederick, setting his teeth sharply. "No, I won't! I came +to tell you what I want you to do." + +Tessibel sank into the chair, her legs refusing to hold her up any +longer. Frederick was looking down at her sorrowfully. How could he ever +have left her? His excuse about his mother's needing money now seemed +small and unimportant. How like a glorious golden mantle her curls +encompassed her! A spasmodic desire to twine them again around his +fingers gripped him. He wanted to take her in his arms, to love her, to +be loved in return, as she had loved him on the ragged rocks. How +beautiful she was--yet how frail and worn! It seemed as if the ice that +had warped and frozen his heart to a hard, unresponsive mass, during the +months with Madelene, was melting in the presence of the girl he loved. +His soul had thirsted for the sight of her, his arms yearned to hold and +press her close. He stood a moment undecided, then suddenly bent forward +and drew her forcibly to him. Groaning deeply, he dropped his hot lips +upon her neck, and Tessibel started back as if he'd stung her. + +"If you look at me so cold and white, Tess," he moaned, "I +shall--I'll--" + +Then he sought for her lips and found them, kissing her stormily until +she felt a keen sense of terror and physical pain. His passionate +insistence carried her completely out of herself for the instant. + +"Tess, Tess!" he murmured, "nothing matters now! Don't send me away from +you again, sweet." + +Tess lay in his arms, mute and unresponsive. + +"Say one little kind word to me, Tess," he implored again, brokenly. + +But Tess couldn't speak. She felt her tongue burn as if infinitesimal +sparks had touched each groove upon it. She could not stay in his arms! +Before the world he belonged to another woman. She pushed him away, drew +herself from his embrace, and sat down again. Her action brought a +fierce ejaculation from the boy's lips. + +When Frederick ordered his horse that morning, Madelene had slipped her +hand into his. + +"May I go with you, dear?" she begged. "Do order my horse, too, won't +you?" + +He colored to the roots of his hair and shrugged his shoulders +impatiently. + +"I'd rather go by myself," he returned so curtly that Madelene bit her +lips to keep back the tears. + +Stung with jealousy, the young wife watched her husband ride out under +the bare trees to the road beyond. Then she ordered her own horse, and +dressed herself quickly. + +Affairs between the young couple had reached a crucial point. Madelene's +suspicions of Frederick were unusually active. She had it clearly in +mind that he had gone to the Skinner hut. All the distance to the lake +her face burned. She knew well enough she was doing something +unpardonable, but how could she stay calmly at home when stinging +jealousy goaded her to action? + +She cantered past Kennedy's farm and on down the hill, her thoughts in a +turmoil. If Frederick were not with the squatter girl, how happy she'd +be! She hadn't formulated an excuse for Tessibel if she found her +suspicions incorrect. She'd have to tell her something reasonable. Ah, +she would pretend she'd come about the church singing. + +Beyond and below the lake lay grey and somber, shadowed by the winter +sky. The wind stung her face and tweaked her fingers through her warm +gloves. Directly in front of the Young house, she reined in her horse +and contemplated it. How much had happened since she had married +Frederick, and Ebenezer had married Helen Young--how much to her and to +him! + +Frederick's conduct had destroyed her illusions about marriage. She +could be supremely happy if he would treat her a little more as if she +were his wife, more as the husbands of her friends treated them. She +rode on again slowly until through the willow trees she saw the smoke +curling upward from the chimney of the Skinner shanty. Her heart beat +furiously when she slipped from her horse and tied him to a fence post. +Intuitively, she felt she'd find her husband with Tessibel Skinner. She +walked the rest of the way down the hill, stopped before the hut and +looked it over. All without lay dressed in its winter garb, and the +small house, save for the smoke, appeared uninhabited. + +Then as a human sound from a tomb, came Frederick's voice. Madelene +staggered back. She realized that not for one single instant had she +doubted she would find her husband there. And he was there! She'd heard +his voice passionately insisting something. Red fire flashed in front of +her eyes. + +Without thought of consequences, she flung open the door and stood on +the threshold, breathless and crimson, in all her indignant wifehood. +Frederick stood near the chair in which sat Tessibel. In one single +moment Madelene sent an appraising glance over the girl huddled in the +wooden rocker--a woman's glance, mercilessly discovering her condition. +Then her blazing eyes came back to Frederick. He had not spoken at her +appearance--he had only reeled backward a few steps. + +"You see I followed you," said Madelene in cold, metallic tones. "I knew +you were coming here when you left home." + +Tessibel got up slowly, went forward, and closed the door. Once more the +man she loved had brought humiliation upon her. + +"He were just a goin' to go!" she whispered, and she went back and +dropped into her chair. + +"Oh, he was, eh?" Madelene laughed harshly. "It's very good of you to +let him go. I'll give you to understand my husband--" + +She made a rapid step toward Tess, whose head went up instantly. The +red-brown eyes battled an instant with the blue, stopping Madelene's +progress. Frederick, stung to action, reached forth and grasped his +wife's arm. + +"Madelene!" he exclaimed. His tone brought flashing eyes upon him. + +"You think I'm going to stand tamely by and watch you come here to see +her?... You both think I'm a fool, I suppose. Well, I'm not such a fool +as I look!" + +Defiantly, the speaker surveyed her husband up and down. "I knew very +well you intended coming here. That's why I asked--you to take me today +and why I--followed you. I've had hard work to make myself believe you'd +leave me for--" + +Her scintillating look swept again over Tess from head to foot. Her eyes +drew down at the corners; so did her lips. It dawned dazedly on Tess how +much Madelene looked like her brother. Then, suddenly Mrs. Graves +laughed, a note of triumph riding in her tones. She faced Frederick and +throwing out both hands, disdainfully, at the squatter girl huddled in +the chair, cried, + +"My God, look at her! If you've any eyes, you'll see ..." and turning +upon Tessibel, "Were you trying to pass off on my husband a spurious--" +The scorn in the contemptuous tones of the shrill voice stung like a +whip lash. + +The appeal gathering slowly in Tess' eyes was but a dumb response to the +other woman's taunting, bitter words. She could not have spoken had her +life been at stake. She crouched down in terrified shame. + +Then like a flash the meaning of his wife's words rushed over the almost +stupefied man! God! and he had not known! Tessibel, her new light of +coming motherhood, cowered before him like a stricken thing. He sprang +forward during Madelene's hesitation and grasped his wife's arm again. +He was so furiously angry his tightening fingers brought a cry of pain +from her. + +"Hush!" he cried peremptorily. "Hush!... You're crazy!... Haven't you +any heart?... You've gone mad!" + +Madelene shook off his hand. + +"Yes, I'm mad half crazy. And you've made me so. Ever since I married +you, you've had this girl in your mind morning, noon and night.... Now I +know it! Oh, what a fool I was! I--I suppose possibly the next thing +we'll know you'll be claiming the--" + +Frederick shook her roughly. + +"I said to stop it," he gritted. "Come away this minute." + +Madelene, crying now, was struggling to pull herself from Frederick's +grasp. + +"I want to talk to that woman before I go," she screamed in desperation. +"Let me go, Fred! I _will_ speak to her." + +"You'll not if I can help it," answered Frederick. "Come out of here, I +say!" + +By main strength he was drawing his wife toward the door. Tess was +staring at them as if they were creatures from another world. + +"I'm sorry," Frederick said directly over Madelene's head to her. +"Dreadfully sorry." + +"Sorry!" shrieked Madelene. "Sorry for such a woman! Look what you've +done to me, both of you!" She wrenched herself from the strong fingers +and flung back to the squatter girl. "I want to know if my husband is +the father--" + +Frederick had hold of her once more. The anger in his white face was +terrible to see. + +"If you speak to her again," he said murderously, "I'll--I'll--" + +"I suppose you'll kill me," shrilled his wife. "Well, go ahead! The only +way you'll ever get her will be when I'm dead!" Then she thrust her +white working face close to his. "If she won't speak, will you? You're +my husband, and I find you here with this--this--.... Are you the father +of her baby?" + +"No," said Frederick, dropping his eyes. "No, of course not!" + +Tessibel bent her head to receive the last brutal stroke he had to give. +She moved but uttered no sound. + +"Well, do you love her then?" demanded Madelene. + +And Frederick, not daring to look at Tess, repeated, "No, of course +not.... Don't be a fool!" + +"Then, what do you want of him, girl?" Madelene cried hoarsely to +Tessibel. "You've heard what he said." + +Tess thought she was going to die. All the awful hurt which had lain +dormant for so many weeks rose up with ten thousand times the vigor. It +was as if Heaven had belched out flames to consume her, and she knew +there was no escape from this thing that had come upon her. Frederick +had not only repudiated his love for her, but his baby too. She threw +back her curls with a proud gesture. + +"I don't want 'im," she said straight to Madelene. "Take 'im away an' +don't let 'im come here any more." + +When Madelene started to speak again, Frederick shoved her from the hut +into the gray day. He turned once and looked at Tess. She was just where +he'd left her, her eyes brimmed with sorrow and her teeth locked tightly +together. + +Then the door banged shut and she was alone in the kitchen. A little +later she heard as in a dream the sound of horses' hoofs retreating far +up the lane. Then all the powers of darkness closed in about her, and +malicious elfin voices chattered her shame in her ears. Frederick had +repudiated her and his child and had gone! Tess staggered forward, and a +few minutes afterward, when Andy slipped down the ladder, he found her +curled up on the cot insensible, her face shrouded in red curls. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE QUARREL + + +When Frederick Graves closed the door of the Skinner hut, he wheeled +furiously upon his young wife. + +"Come home," he said gruffly. "You've done enough harm for today." + +"If I've done more than you have," retorted Madelene, tartly, "then I'm +some little harm maker!" Suffering intensely from jealousy, she whirled +about, crying, "That's what's been the matter with you all the time +we've been abroad! And I know very well Tessibel Skinner sent for you to +come home." + +"That's a lie," interrupted Frederick, fiercely. + +Madelene paused in her ascent of the hill lane. + +"What made you come down here today, then, if you didn't want to see her +yourself?" + +Frederick was silent. He hated scenes like this. If he spoke his real +mind, he'd plunge himself into hot water at once. And he was always +careful not to do that. Silence at the present moment was better than +speech. Besides, his late contact with Tessibel Skinner had left him +aquiver. Oh, how he loved her! Every nerve in his body called out for +sight of his beloved. He would have gone back to the shack if he'd +dared. + +"Where did you leave your horse?" snapped Madelene, when they'd nearly +reached her own. + +"In the lower stable at my father's old place,--over there." + +"I'll help you mount and then get my horse," said he. "Do you wish to +ride on without me?" + +Mrs. Graves made a dissenting gesture. + +"No, of course, I don't. I want you to come with me directly. I won't +let you out of my sight so near that girl. I think it's perfectly +outrageous! I somehow believe you lied to me about--" + +"Keep your opinions to yourself," growled Frederick. "I've no wish to +hear them." + +Madelene was about to put her foot into the stirrup. Instead, she stood +while fresh tears gathered under her lids. + +"Frederick, you're cruel and awfully ugly to me," she said plaintively. +"How can you do such things after _all_ the money I've given you?" + +Frederick expressed his feeling by a cynical little laugh. + +"Perhaps if you didn't throw up your confounded benevolence so often, I +might show more gratitude," he snapped back. + +Then he lifted her to the saddle, gave her the bridle, and walked beside +her to the barn. + +His thoughts were busy until, when they reached home, the silence +between them was appalling. Thankful to be a few minutes by himself, the +young man went away to stable the horses and his wife entered the house. +Madelene found her brother sitting before the grate fire. Helen looked +up and smiled at her sweetly. + +"Come and get warm, dear," she said. "You've had a long ride, haven't +you?... Why, what's the matter, Madelene?" + +Mrs. Graves dropped into a chair. + +"I'm so awfully unhappy," she cried, "and Frederick's as mean as he can +be.... I hate that Skinner girl!" + +Mrs. Waldstricker dropped her work into her lap. + +Ebenezer looked at his sister critically. + +"What's she done to you now?" he asked, without waiting for his wife to +speak. + +Madelene flung up an angry, flushed face. + +"She's done enough! I hate her and always shall. She sent for Frederick +to come down there--and he went--" + +"Are you sure?" asked Mrs. Waldstricker, in a shocked voice. + +"Of course I'm sure! I'm not in the habit of saying things I'm not sure +of, Helen. I might have known when people told me he was in love with +that squatter it was true." + +[Illustration: "HUSH!" HE CRIED, "HAVEN'T YOU ANY HEART?"] + +Her loud, angry voice reached Frederick as he entered the room. The +frown deepened on his brow. He looked at his brother-in-law for a +minute. He never remembered being so angry before. + +"Madelene has told a direct falsehood when she says Tessibel Skinner +sent for me," he said. "She did not!" + +"But I found him in her shanty, Ebenezer dear," thrust in Madelene, "and +she's a wicked, little huzzy." + +"Hush!" cried Frederick, white-lipped. + +"I won't hush, so there!" screamed his wife. "I won't! I won't!... And, +Ebenezer, she's bad, she is! She's going to have a--" + +Frederick wheeled around desperately. Madelene was placing him at the +extreme of his endurance. Human nature could bear no more. + +"Oh, my God, such a woman!" he exclaimed. + +"There, you see!" gasped Madelene. "He won't listen to a thing against +her, and he's been acting as guilty as he could all the way home.... No +wonder I don't believe a word he says!" + +Mrs. Waldstricker picked up her work, folded it, and laid it on the +table. + +"But, Madelene, it's so bewildering," she exclaimed. "Tell us, dear, +just what happened." + +Between sobs and tears Madelene went over the trial she had passed +through, and continued, "While we were abroad, I thought there was +something the matter with him, and I know one day he got a letter. He +wouldn't let me see it, though I begged him to. Now, I know it was from +her!" The speaker flung about upon her sister-in-law. "If you could have +seen her today, Helen, the shameless thing! She didn't even have the +grace to say she was sorry for anything she'd done." + +"She probably wasn't," monotoned Waldstricker. Then he looked directly +at his wife. "I've often argued with your brother about those squatters. +They're a pest to the county. Deforrest--" + +"Oh, don't blame Deforrest, Ebenezer," Helen interjected agitatedly. +"He's so good at heart, and he did all he could for the little Skinner +girl. I know there's some mistake. I'll go down and see her tomorrow." + +Waldstricker got up heavily. + +"You'll do no such thing," he retorted. "_Don't dare_ go near--her!" + +Helen flushed at her husband's tone. + +"But Deforrest is away," she argued timidly. "I feel I ought to do +something." + +Madelene went hastily to her brother's side. + +"Don't let her go, Ebbie," she gasped. "It's an awful place; a little +bit of a hut--" + +"I've been in it many times," interrupted Helen, with dignity, "and I do +feel, Ebenezer--" + +"I want no argument about the matter," said Waldstricker, sternly. "If +she's in the condition Madelene says she is, then her home is no place +for my wife.... It's shameful, absolutely shameful!" + +"But, Ebenezer, she's probably been unfortunate. Poor little child! I +wish you'd--" + +Waldstricker cut her plea in two with an angry gesture. + +"I command you not to go there," said he, sharply. + +"Very well," sighed Helen. "Of course, I'll do as you wish." + +Then she got up quietly and went upstairs. Indeed, had she her way, +she'd have gone to Tessibel Skinner without hesitation. She knew her +brother would be grieved to his heart's core, if this awful thing had +happened to the little red-headed squatter girl. But she had no choice +in the matter. + +Frightened, too, she wondered what Ebenezer's plans were. He was so +relentless in his desire to punish sinners. Bye and bye, when she was +less nervous, she'd ask him to wait until Deforrest returned before +doing anything. + +Her head was throbbing with excitement. Her heart, too, ached for +Tessibel. She lay down on the bed and closed her eyes. Presently, she +heard Ebenezer's slow tread coming upstairs. When he entered the room, +she raised her lids and smiled. + +"Come here, dear," she murmured. + +He came directly to her side. + +"What is it, my darling?" he asked tenderly. + +"I feel so unhappy about the little Skinner girl," sobbed Helen. + +"I'm sorry, dear, but you must not go against my wishes. As a good and +obedient wife, you should realize I know best. I can't allow you to go +down into that cabin." + +"I won't go, dearest, but will you please promise me one thing--" + +Ebenezer bent upon her a look so stern she dared not finish. "Oh, I do +wish Deforrest were here!" she ended irrelevantly. + +"I do, too; but as long as he is not, you must trust me to do what I +think best." + +He went out abruptly, and Helen Waldstricker cried herself to sleep. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +WALDSTRICKER INTERFERES + + +That evening Frederick Graves shook in his shoes when he returned home +and received Waldstricker's message to meet him in the library at nine +o'clock. If there was one person in the world he didn't want to see just +then, it was his dictatorial brother-in-law. He stood in his room +considering the situation, when he heard the grandfather's clock on the +stairs slowly strike the hour of nine. + +"Well, it won't help any to keep him waiting," he muttered. + +Unwillingly, he walked down the stairs to the library door. Pausing, he +saw Ebenezer seated at the table reading the Bible. + +"Come in and sit down," greeted the latter, curtly. + +"Thanks," said Frederick, taking a chair. "Mind if I smoke?" + +The man thus addressed made no answer. He read a verse or two partly +aloud as if to himself, then closed the book and laid it on the table. + +"What's the matter between you and Madelene?" he inquired presently, +fixing Frederick with a steady gaze. + +"Nothing.... Nothing, that I'm to blame for. Madelene followed me to the +lake and found me in Skinner's shack. That's all the row was about." + +"Why were you there?" Waldstricker did not change his tone. + +Frederick threw his cigarette into the smoldering grate and shrugged his +shoulders impatiently. + +"Can't a fellow stop in a shanty without the whole town gossiping about +it?" he demanded peevishly. + +"That's just it, Frederick. I don't want people talking about my +sister's husband and a squatter girl," the older man explained. "I must +know why you were there." + +"Look at here, Eb," exclaimed the boy, "why don't you let Madelene and +me fight out our own quarrels? I don't interfere with you and Helen." + +"Huh! I should hope not!" growled Waldstricker. "But quarrels are not +what we're talking about.... Why were you in the Skinner hut?... Are you +in love with that girl?" + +"God! No! Are you mad? What's the matter with everybody?" + +"There's nothing the matter, my boy, only I want to warn you I won't +have my sister unhappy." + +"She makes herself unhappy," growled Frederick, selecting another +cigarette from his case. + +"I can't see any use of your going down there at all," Ebenezer went on, +turning to poke the fire. "It doesn't look well after the things that +happened in your family." + +"That's just it," said Frederick, using the elder's words as an excuse; +"our trouble makes it quite proper some one of my family should go +there. The girl did enough for us, God knows." + +Waldstricker gave a decided negative shake of his head. + +"It's your mother's place to go, not yours. You don't want a scandal, do +you?... Let her go there if any one does." + +Again Frederick found an excuse. + +"She can't go when she's out of Ithaca, and I took Miss Skinner a +message from my mother today. If Madelene hadn't acted so abominably, +I'd have told her about it." + +Waldstricker looked keenly at the other man. + +"I didn't notice you tried very hard to explain matters this afternoon! +Now, did you?" + +"I was mad," retorted Frederick, sulkily. + +"May I see the message your mother sent?" came quickly from +Waldstricker. + +Frederick started. Evidently his brother-in-law didn't believe his +story. + +"If Miss Skinner'll give it to you, you can!" said he. "... I say, Eb, +let Madelene and me get out of this the best way we can, won't you? Tell +Maddie to behave herself and leave the Skinner girl's name out of her +rages at me.... That's all I ask." + +"No," thundered Ebenezer, wrathfully. "I won't have my sister in tears +all the time over a squatter girl. Madelene says you received letters +from her abroad." + +"Well, I didn't," snapped back Frederick. + +"That's past, anyhow! Now, then, I'm going to tell you something. I need +a man to go to San Francisco to our office there, and as Madelene wants +a change, I'm going to send you." + +Frederick shuddered. Had he dared, he would have rebelled at this +wholesale delivering him over, tied hand and foot, to his tempestuous +young wife. If he were sent away, what would become of Tessibel? His +heart turned sick with apprehension. He had had no time to explain his +plans to her. + +"You have no objections to going, I suppose?" Ebenezer broke in on his +harassing thoughts. + +"No! If Madelene's satisfied, I am," replied Frederick, flipping the ash +from his cigarette. + +"Then be ready to get away by, let me see, early in March," his +brother-in-law announced. + +Early in March, and this was but December! He had that much grace then. +He could do something for Tess if the family relaxed its vigilance upon +him a little. + +"And there's something else," proceeded Waldstricker. "It's--it's this!" + +Then he deliberately made a statement that brought a red fire into +Frederick's eyes. He staggered to his feet. + +"You wouldn't, you couldn't do that, Ebenezer," he groaned. + +"Oh, ho!... That gets you on the raw, does it, young man?" sneered the +elder, one lip-corner rising to an unusual height. "So you do care that +much, eh?... A while ago you made the statement she was nothing to you." + +"I want to be human," Frederick managed to get out. + +"Human, eh? No, that's not it! What you want is a few other women on +your staff besides your wife. But you won't as long as you're married to +my sister, and I'm running things. I'll see that none of the members of +my family disobey my law or God's law either." + +The big man got to his feet, slipped his hands into his pocket, and +stared at his white-faced, young brother-in-law. + +"How does my little scheme suit you?" he demanded grimly. + +"I think it perfectly devilish, by God, I do," cried Frederick. + +"Oh, you do, eh? So you swear with your other faults?... Does my sister +approve of that?" + +"I've never asked her," snapped Frederick, "and if you're through with +me, I'd like to go." + +"Have a little talk with Madelene before you go to bed--and, oh, Fred--" +he called after the young man hurrying up the stairs. + +Frederick paused, his hand on the banister. + +"By the way, I shall want your assistance in the little matter I spoke +of." + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +THE SUMMONS + + +Jake Brewer paused in the lane opposite Skinner's home. The shanty was +almost snowed in. A thin curl of smoke trailed up from the chimney and +drifted among the leafless branches of the willow trees. + +Brewer dropped a pair of dead rabbits to the deep snow at his side, and +shifted the gun he held in his right hand to his left. Then, he fumbled +in his overcoat pockets. Discovering what he wanted, he picked up the +rabbits and walked through the path to the hut. + +Tess took down the bar at his rap. + +"Lot o' snow, Tessie," smiled Brewer. "Here, I brought ye some letters." + +Tessibel took the two letters the fisherman handed her. + +"They got yer name writ on 'em, brat," said he, knocking the snow from +his boots against the clap boards. "That's how I knowed they was +your'n." + +A shadowy smile flitted over the squatter girl's face. + +"Sure, they be fer me," she replied. She turned the letters over in her +hands. "Thank ye, Jake, fer bringin' 'em.... Come in a minute, won't +ye?" + +"Sure, an' I air always glad to do somethin' fer ye, kid.... How's yer +pa this mornin'?" + +Brewer stepped into the hut, placed his gun and the rabbits in the +corner, and spread his hands over the stove. + +"He ain't so well today, Jake! Poor Daddy, he suffers somethin' awful +with his heart, Daddy does.... It air rheumatism." + +"Ever try eel skins, brat?" asked Brewer, sitting down. "My grandma wore +a eel skin for rheumatiz for twenty-five years, an' Holy Moses, the +sufferin' that woman had durin' 'em times my tongue ain't able to +tell!" + +Tess glanced at the letters in her hand half-heartedly. + +"We've tried 'em, too, Jake," she answered. "Daddy's been wrapped in 'em +night after night. But they don't seem to do no good." + +"D'ye ever have Ma Moll incant over him, Tessie?" + +Tessibel nodded her head. + +"Yep, I give 'er three dollars for ten incants an' they didn't do no +good uther." She went a step nearer Brewer. "But I air prayin' hard, +Jake, every day for 'im," she confided softly. + +Brewer nodded his head. + +"I guess that air better'n incants any time if ye can do it, kid," he +smiled. + +"I guess so, too," agreed the girl. "Tell Miss Brewer I'll be to see her +soon as the weather gits better." + +Jake got up, scratched his head, and thought a moment. + +"I might leave ye a rabbit, seein' yer daddy ain't well 'nough to do no +gunnin'," said he. + +"Ye're awful good, Jake," murmured Tessibel, following the man to the +door. "Stop in any day." + +"All right," and Jake struck out toward the rock path. + +Tess closed the door and put up the bar. Andy was eyeing her from the +ceiling. + +"What ye got, kid?" he whispered. + +Tess held up the letters. + +"Two of 'em, an' this one air from Mr. Young. Shall I read it to ye, +Andy?" she asked, looking up. + +The little man chuckled with joy. + +"I'd like to hear it," said he. + +Tess drew a chair under the boyish face peering upon her, and sat down. + +"Dear Tessibel," she read. + +"I hoped to be home this week, but find my work won't be finished. +Please keep at your books and study hard. Get the doctor any time you +need him for your father. I know you're trying to be a brave little +girl, and may God bless you. + Affectionately, + Deforrest Young." + +Tessibel choked on the last word. + +"It air awful hard to be brave, Andy," she faltered, brushing away a +tear. + +The dwarf made a dash at his own eyes. + +"Ye got another letter," he cut in irrelevantly. + +"Yep," said Tess. + +After pulling forth the second sheet, she spread it out and read it +through without looking up. + +"Miss Tessibel Skinner: + +"It is necessary for you to attend a church meeting next Wednesday +afternoon at three o'clock in the chapel. Please oblige, + + "SILANDER GRIGGS, _Pastor_." + +"Anything much?" demanded the dwarf, interestedly. + +"Nope, Andy, only a note askin' me to come to church tomorrow afternoon, +but I jest can't go, Andy!... I can't! I ain't been fer two Sundays, +now, 'cause I been feelin' so bad." + +She raised her eyes full of misery to meet Andy's sympathetic gaze. How +could she go after that awful scene nearly three weeks before with +Madelene and Frederick? She never could face the Waldstricker family +again. + +"I won't never go to church, ever any more," she mourned presently. + +"Mebbe not, dear," returned the dwarf, smothered in his throat. "An' the +church'll be worser off'n you!" + +Troubled in spirit, Tess considered the letter a few minutes. + +"I s'pose they be gittin' up somethin' fer Christmas, an' I ought to go +an' tell 'em I can't sing. I said as how I would over three months ago +if Miss Waldstricker'd help me; but I can't.... Will ye look after Daddy +while I air gone, Andy?" + +"Sure," agreed the dwarf. "I'll slide under his bed an' talk the pains +right out o' 'im." + +"I wish the meetin' was in the mornin'," Tess sighed. "It gits dark so +early, an' Mr. Young ain't home! He'd come an' git me an' bring me back +if he were. It air a long walk," and she sighed again. + +"Mebbe 'twon't be so cold tomorrow as it air today," cheered Andy and +they lapsed into silence. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +THE CHURCHING + + +The dawning of Wednesday brought one of those drab days so frequent in +the lake-country. The daylight, dim even at high noon, hardly suggested +a possible sun shining anywhere. Misty sheets of stinging ice-particles +drove from the northern skyline to the hill south of Ithaca. + +The snow crunched sharply under Tessibel's feet as she picked her way +from the shanty to the lane. Kennedy's brindle bull, leaping and +barking, invited her to a frolic. The girl called the dog to her, and +petted him. + +"No, no, Pete, Tess ain't able to run an' play with ye any more," she +told him, sadly, "but ye can go with me to Hayt's." + +Nuzzling her hand, the great dog walked soberly by her side, as though +he understood. Tess shivered a little as the frost-laden air bit +nippingly at her ears. The winter birds between her and the lake lifted +their wings and mounted against the wind, some driving in flocks, others +now and then by twos and threes. Tess followed their flight through the +storm.... How strong and happy they seemed! + +For an instant she paused at the gate in front of Deforrest Young's +empty house. The snow had drifted until the path could no longer be +discerned. A little twinge of loneliness touched Tessibel's heart. Her +friend would not be at the church that day. + +When she came within sight of the chapel, she bent and petted Pete. She +took his head between her gloved hands and looked into the lovely eyes +shining out of his ugly face. + +"Go home, Petey dearie," she said. "Tessibel air goin' to church. They +don't let dogs in God's house, honey." + +Obediently the dog turned and trotted off. + +Tess opened the chapel door and stepped in. Buffeted, as she had been by +the storm, she met the warmth within with a grateful little sigh. + +Half-way to the stove in the middle of the room, she stopped, arrested +by the unusual group beyond. Ebenezer Waldstricker stood there, +surrounded by the elders of the church. In all she counted five men: the +minister, Silander Griggs, and three elders. At one side sat Frederick +Graves. + +Puzzled and embarrassed by Frederick's presence and appearance, +half-conscious of something menacing in the stern faces turned toward +her, she was tempted, weary as she was, to turn back into the blizzard +raging without. As she awkwardly scraped the snow from her shoes, Pastor +Griggs came to her and led her to a seat near the fire. + +Waldstricker gazed at her critically, but didn't bow his head. Tessibel +didn't mind if people failed to speak to her, and she didn't like +Waldstricker anyway. She did not look at Frederick after that first +fleeting glance, but bowed her head on the pew-back in front from sheer +weariness. The memory of that scene in the cabin three weeks previous +recurred with renewed clearness. Madelene's insulting words, re-echoing +in her ears, made her grow faint from stinging humiliation. Oh, how +sorry she was she'd come to church! She could have asked Jake Brewer to +bring up a note explaining that she could not take part in the Christmas +doings. + +The sound of moving feet told her the time had arrived for opening the +meeting. If she thought at all of the absence of the female members of +the church, she sought for no other reason than the steadily increasing +blizzard. + +One by one she heard the men take their places. Then, the pastor cleared +his throat loudly and began to pray. Perfect silence save for his +droning voice filled the small chapel. Tess heard him praying for the +members of the congregation, for the mothers at home with their +children, and as usual for all earthly sinners. + +"And particularly, dear Lord," continued the deep voice, "may thy tender +mercy and loving kindness visit the heart of our sinning sister here +present and soften it, making her obedient to these thy servants, to +whom Thou hast committed the government of thy church." + +Why! What had he said? "Sinning sister ... here present." Why, they were +all men but her! The pastor finished his prayer with a resounding +"Amen," in which the elders joined reverently. Confused, Tessibel sat +back in the pew, puzzled and frightened. + +"I have before me here on my desk," Griggs announced, "a letter from +Deforrest Young. In answer to a letter from the church, asking him to be +with us this afternoon, he has requested that Brother Ebenezer +Waldstricker be instructed to vote in his name.... I do so instruct you, +Brother Waldstricker." + +Ebenezer moved in his seat as if in consent. + +"It's a delicate matter which we have to consider," observed the +minister, looking from pale face to pale face. + +Tessibel glanced at the speaker. He, too, was ashen in the dim afternoon +light. + +"Come to the point, please," commanded Waldstricker, curtly. + +The minister bowed his head in silent prayer. + +"Tessibel Skinner," he said, "I ask you to stand up." + +The girl got up obediently, but sank down again, her trembling legs +refused to support her. She did not, however, turn her startled brown +eyes from her pastor's face. + +"It is charged against you, Tessibel Skinner," he read from a paper +before him, "that you have broken the laws of God and violated the +discipline of this church; that you, an unmarried woman, are now +pregnant. Are you guilty or not guilty?" + +As the accusing voice ceased, the stern eyes of the dark-faced men, who +had watched her closely during the reading, seemed to pierce her through +and through, ... to lay bare her most intimate secrets. + +What should she say? She wasn't unmarried, as the pastor had charged, +but the rest was true. Without Frederick's consent, she couldn't +explain; she couldn't deny the charge. Surely, Frederick would stand +forth and defend her now. She listened intently for a sound from him. +She dared not turn toward him, for fear she might break her promise by +some look or word. But nothing except the storm-sounds disturbed the +silence of the little church. Frederick had failed her again! + +Unable alike to plead guilty or not guilty, she sat head bowed and eyes +downcast before her judges. + +Waldstricker broke the appalling hush. + +"Speak up, girl," he ordered harshly. "You're guilty, aren't you?" + +The forlorn child struggled to her feet and raised her eyes to the +speaker's face. + +"Oh, sirs, don't ask me 'bout it," she begged with outstretched hands. +"I can't tell ye nothing 'bout it 'cept ... I air goin' to have a baby +in the spring." + +Waldstricker glanced significantly at the other elders who nodded in +acquiescence. Then he turned to the minister, still in the pulpit. + +"It is enough," he decided sternly. "She has confessed her sin." + +Dropping again into the pew, Tessibel cast a quick glance toward +Frederick, who stared set-faced out into the storm. + +"We find, Tessibel Skinner," continued the minister, as though reciting +a carefully rehearsed speech, "you have sinned grievously. Your silence +convicts you. You are no longer worthy of membership in this church, of +communion with Christian people. But it is not right that you should +suffer alone. For your soul's welfare and in the interest of justice, I +ask you the name of the man--" + +Tess got up again and faced them ... disgraced and outcast might be, but +she must be loyal to her promise. + +"Don't ask me that, sir," she pleaded, bewildered, flinging a terrified +glance toward the door. "I air goin' now, an'll never come no more, but +don't ask me to say nothin', please." + +She turned into the aisle as Griggs stepped from the platform. She +directed an appealing glance toward him that cut the man's heart through +like a knife. + +"I want to go," she repeated. "Please!" + +"Not yet," broke in Waldstricker, grim-jawed. "It's the duty of this +church to teach you a lesson if it can." + +Tess looked helplessly at the row of stern men. What did they intend to +do to her? Oh, if they'd but let her go back to Daddy Skinner! + +"Please let me go home to my daddy," she pleaded faintly. "I'll never +come no more, but I can't--I can't talk." + +Waldstricker walked toward her menacingly. + +"You've got to talk," he gritted, grasping her arm. "You've simply got +to answer what the pastor just asked you." + +Tess flashed him a look of abhorrence. Oh, how she hated this man!... It +seemed to her that he killed for the sake of killing ... tortured for +the pure joy of it. She set her teeth hard on her under lip, shaking his +hand from her arm. + +"I won't talk!" she cried. "You let go of me! See? You touch me again +an'--an'--I'll--I'll--" + +She paused for some fitting threat. Would no one help her? No, not a +friendly face met her searching gaze. If she could get to the door--out +into the snow, under God's grey sky! But as if divining her intention, +the elders gathered in an accusing squad in front of her. Frederick +remained in his chair by the window, apparently oblivious to the tragedy +being enacted in his presence. + +"I wish ye'd let me go home to my Daddy Skinner," she prayed again. + +Her curls fell in a cluster over either shoulder as she sank to her +knees in the aisle. + +Waldstricker whirled upon Griggs. + +"_Make_ her tell us what we must know," he insisted, "or by the God that +rules this house, I'll have her sent to some place where incorrigible +girls go!" + +Incorrigible girls! He had said incorrigible girls of her, Tessibel +Skinner, who obeyed even a glance from any one she loved. Desperately, +she made a direct appeal to him. + +"My daddy's near dead, Mr. Waldstricker. Please don't send me away from +him, not yet--not just yet." + +"Then answer what we ask of you, child," interjected the minister. "I +think Brother Waldstricker has some questions to ask you." + +Waldstricker drew a paper from his pocket. + +"How old are you, Tessibel Skinner?" he demanded. + +"Over half past sixteen," whispered the girl's white lips. + +She _was_ over half past sixteen. There was no harm in telling that. It +wouldn't hurt Frederick for the church people to know her age. + +"Are you a member of this church?" + +Tessibel lifted her head. "Ye all know I air." + +"Then answer this," shouted Eb. "Who is the man that made you unfit for +decent people to speak to?" + +The wobegone face hid its crimson tide in two quivering hands. The end +of the shining red curls swept the floor. Frederick made no sound. + +"Who is he?" insisted Waldstricker once more. + +"I can't tell," moaned the girl. + +"I'll make you tell," he threatened, infuriated. + +"I won't!" reiterated Tess, raising her head. "I can't." + +Madelene's sad, tearful face flashed through Waldstricker's mind with +the suspicions she had aroused against Frederick. Like an angry horse, +his nostrils lifted and sniffed the air. Fury against this girl rode in +his heart. + +"You needn't tell us the man's name," he taunted triumphantly. "We +already know it." + +Up struggled Tess to her feet and thrust back the tawny curls +feverishly. If they knew, then Frederick had told them. + +"And you've got to marry him," Waldstricker's hoarse voice came to her +ears. + +Why, she was married to him!... that long ago night. If he had told them +anything, why had he not told them all? She dared not look around, but +waited breathlessly. + +"We've decided," Ebenezer proceeded, "that if you consent to our plans, +you will suffer no further disgrace. You can go away with your husband +and have your home--" + +Tess grew dizzy ... this time with joy. She had been given back her +husband, her Frederick! Waldstricker had used the word "home." A home +with--with--His voice broke in upon her dreams brusquely, creating +grotesque figures in her brain. What was he saying? She turned dilating +eyes toward him. + +"Lysander Letts! Lysander Letts!" Waldstricker shouted again. + +The door at the side of the pulpit swung open and Sandy slouched in and +came forward. + +"Here's your woman," the elder continued, looking from Tess to the +squatter. "Take her, and may God forgive you both for the sin you've +committed." + +Tess stood rigidly waiting. She didn't turn her head toward the oncoming +man; rather she centered a prolonged gaze upon her persecutor. When she +felt some one pause at her side, she moved away, still without speaking. + +"Parson Griggs, marry the man and woman," roared Waldstricker. + +Excitedly he tossed the damp hair from his forehead, his cheek muscles +working involuntarily. His scheme was near its fruition. Tessibel +Skinner was almost married. Already Ebenezer could see, in his mind's +eye, how happy Madelene would be when he brought her the news. + +The big, dark-faced squatter was standing beside the red-headed girl, +and Silander Griggs was hurriedly hunting through a book for the +marriage ceremony. + +"Make it short," gritted Waldstricker to the minister. + +Tess stood as if she had died standing, her face devoid of blood even to +the lips. Misery, deep and unutterable, rested upon the white face. When +she raised her eyes and saw Letts at her side, and Griggs with an open +book in front of her, she wheeled away without a word. + +"Marry him!" cried Waldstricker. + +"No," said Tess. + +"Letts, take hold of her hand," commanded the elder. + +Sandy, rage working alive in his eyes, tried to obey the churchman. But +the girl took another step away. + +"Gimme yer hand," growled Sandy. + +All he wanted was to get the squatter girl into his possession. He had +not forgotten the threats he had made in other days, and in another +hour, he would wring from her the name he wanted. + +"No," said Tess again. + +"You mean you're not going to marry Mr. Letts?" asked Griggs. + +Tessibel caught her breath, swayed, but shook her head. + +"No, I ain't goin' to marry 'im," she answered. + +Marry Sandy Letts, a man she hated! Of course she couldn't!... She was +already married. She couldn't commit such a sin as that, not even +if--if--She turned a little and glanced in the direction of Frederick, +but dropped her eyes before they found him. + +Waldstricker grew intense with suspense, and a sudden determination to +test his and Madelene's suspicions came over him. + +"Frederick," he cried, "come here and help us force this huzzy to marry +the man who betrayed her!" + +Frederick rose from his chair as though to obey, and in turning, looked +squarely into the girl's eyes. + +"My God, Eb, I can't!" he protested, his voice thick with horror. "Let +her go, Eb! For God's sake, man, you can't marry her against her will! +Let her go!" + +He sank down, and rested his head on his arms upon the chair back, his +shoulders shaking violently. + +The minister came to Tessibel's side. He placed a pitying hand on her +head, facing his elders. + +"Let her go home, brethren," he entreated. "You can't make her do this +thing if she refuses, and the ... business can go on without her." + +"She's a wicked girl," snorted Ebenezer, with a bitter twist of his +lips. + +"I say to let her go," repeated Griggs. + +"And I say she shall be punished," Waldstricker glared from the minister +to the elders and then rested his gaze on Frederick, who was by this +time sobbing in great gulps. + +Pastor Griggs considered his parishioner's angry face. Griggs was young +and stood in awe of some members of his flock--Waldstricker most of all, +but the sight of the girl in such anguish overcame his timidity, and he +cried: + +"Let him that is without sin among you first cast a stone at her." + +Tessibel sank sobbing to the floor, and her pastor stood by her side, +hand uplifted, waiting. + +Then over Ebenezer's countenance flashed a look of self-righteous +fanaticism, which made large the pupils of his dark eyes and inflamed +his swarthy skin deepest crimson. He strode to the stove, picked from +the scuttle a ragged chunk of coal, and when he turned again, he had +changed from red to white. Crazed, he took two steps toward the kneeling +girl. + +"I can cast the first stone," he said swiftly. + +He lifted his arm and before any man could stay his hand, something +whirled through the intervening space and struck the kneeling squatter +girl. High pandemonium broke loose. Voices, some censorious, some +approving, contended. + +"I have first cast a stone at her," cried Waldstricker, above the din. +"Let others follow if they dare!" + +Tessibel crouched lower to the floor, a bleeding wound in her neck. She +had made no outcry when the missile met and lacerated her flesh. Dully, +she wondered if they intended to kill her, and for a moment a sickening +dread took possession of her when she thought of Daddy and Andy. She was +growing faint and dizzy, but struggled to her feet as Griggs took her +arm. He led her through the Chapel aisle, pushing aside the other men. +At the door, Tess caught one glimpse of Sandy Letts' dark, passionate +face. + +"Go home," the minister said hoarsely; "and may God forgive us all." + + * * * * * + +How Tessibel found her way home, she could never afterwards tell. Spent +by the struggle with the storm, she staggered into the shanty. It took +almost the last atom of her strength to close the door against the +howling blizzard. Leaning against the wall, she looked up and saw Andy +staring at her from the hole in ceiling, his fingers on his lips. + +"It were awful cold under the bed," he told her. "Yer Daddy air asleep, +so I came up here to keep warm!" + +When he noticed the girl's unusual appearance, he scurried down the +ladder, waddled across the kitchen, and stood in front of his friend. + +"What air the matter, brat?" he quivered. + +Solicitous, he helped her into a chair near the fire and took off her +hat and coat. The blood from the neck wound had made crimson blotches on +her white waist. + +"Ye're hurt, honey," he cried, alarmed. "How'd it happen?" + +"I air hurt a little," said she, faintly. "Fetch me some water, dear, +an' don't--don't tell Daddy!" + +"Get on the cot, kid," said he, "an' I'll put up the bar." + +In another moment he was leaning over her. He brushed back the tousled +hair from the girl's forehead, and pulled away the long curls seeped +with blood. + +"I air yer friend, brat," he whispered. "Tell me 'bout it." + +Tessibel had to confide in somebody. + +"I'll get a rag first an' wipe ye off," said the dwarf. "My, but ye did +get a cut, didn't ye?... What did it?" + +Gently he began to wash away the crimson stain from her face and neck. + +"Somebody hit ye?" he demanded presently. + +"Yep." + +"Who?... Who dared do it?" The dwarf's face darkened with rage. "Where +were the brute that done it?" + +"Andy," sobbed Tess, "I air goin' to tell ye somethin'; ye may think I +air awful wicked, but--but--Andy, don't tell Daddy, but in the spring I +air goin' to--" + +"Yep, I know, Tess," he murmured. "I heard the woman yellin' at ye the +uther day way through my blankets. But 'tain't nothin' to cry over. +God'll bless ye, brat, and God'll bless--it!" + +Her sobbing slowly subsided, and in halting words Tess told the dwarf +the story of the afternoon's dreadful experience. + +"And, Andy, it were awful. Mr. Griggs wanted to let me go home, but the +uther men wouldn't, an' then the minister says like Jesus did to the men +who were goin' to stone the poor woman, 'Let him that ain't a sinner +throw the first stone,' an' Waldstricker picked up a great hunk o' coal +and hit me with it. Do ye suppose he air so awful good an' I air so +awful wicked he had a right to strike me?" + +"Sure he didn't, Tess," Andy comforted. "Course not!" + +The willows moaned their weird song to the night, the wind shrieked in +battling anger over the tin on the roof, while the snowflakes came +against the window like pale eyes looking in upon the squatter girl and +the dwarf on his knees beside the cot bed. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +DADDY SKINNER'S DEATH + + +It was Saturday evening, three days after Tessibel Skinner had been +churched from Hayt's Chapel. The night wind called forth moaning +complaints from the willow trees. The rasping of their bare limbs +against the tin roof of the cottage did not disturb Daddy Skinner +struggling for breath in the room below. All the familiar night-noises +kept a death vigil with the squatter girl. + +A sound outside made her lift her head. Kennedy's brindle bull was +scratching to come in. She rose, went to the door and opened it. Pete +ambled over the threshold and curled down by the stove. + +"Anythin' the matter, brat?" whispered Andy. + +"No, I were lettin' in the dog," explained Tess, resuming her seat +beside Daddy Skinner who was stretched, dying, on her cot. She had moved +him from the back room into the warm kitchen, and at that moment he was +sleeping restlessly. The sight of his working face brought a quick hand +to Tessibel's lips, and her white teeth set deeply into the upraised +knuckles to help stifle the groans. Every trouble of her own sank into +insignificance before the calamity facing her. Many times Tess had +viewed death afar off, but not until the past three days had it +threatened her own loved ones. In that hour she was experiencing the +extremity of sorrow, and each aching nerve in her body seemed to possess +a stabbing volition of its own, for again and again the torturing points +stung her flesh like whips. + +For three long days she had managed somehow to uphold the dear, dying +father. No word had come from Deforrest Young, and Tess felt sure he had +returned twenty-four hours before. Perhaps Waldstricker had robbed her +of her dearest friend. Bitterly pained, the girl realized what the loss +would mean to her. Yet she had no censure in her heart for Deforrest +Young; indeed no bitterness for Frederick Graves; only a deep, deep +gratitude to the one, and a great, overwhelming love for the other. And +while thinking of what an empty void her life was becoming, Tess saw her +father's head turn and his lids lift heavily. + +"Daddy!" she murmured, but if he heard, he did not heed. He was gazing +steadily at something over and beyond her head, and then he smiled at +it. In superstitious dread, the squatter girl glanced where the faded +eyes were directed. What had he seen? A face, perhaps, or the passing +shade that always haunted a squatter shanty when some one was dying, but +then, many times she, too, had seen faces in the rafters up there among +the dry nets. + +"My pretty brat," were the words that brought her startled eyes back to +her father. Her throat filling with heavy sobs, she went over and kissed +him stormily. The horny, stiff fingers gathered a few of her red curls +and drew them slowly upward until parched lips touched them, while tears +stole from under withered lids, and Tess cried out in sharp anguish. + +"Daddy Skinner, I can't live without ye!" she moaned, cupping his face +with her hands. "Take Tessibel with ye; take 'er, please!" + +She cuddled at his side, lifted one of his heavy arms and put it around +her in pleading anguish. Just then it seemed as if it would put off the +approach of death if she insisted on staying within the broad grasp of +Daddy Skinner's arms. + +She was wiping away his tears, tenderly touching the dying face with +faltering fingers. + +"I saw yer ma," choked Skinner thickly, and he smiled again. + +Tess turned her head, a dreadful sinking in her soul. Her mother's face, +then, was what Daddy had seen away off up there among the rafters. The +mother who had died so long ago had come after her dear one. Drawing one +tense set of fingers backward across her cheek, Tess stood up quickly. +Perhaps--perhaps-- + +She threw a glance at the ceiling. Daddy Skinner had seen her mother. +They were going away together. If they would but take her with them! +She turned unsteadily to go she knew not where, but the sound of her +father's voice brought her quickly back. + +"Brat," he faltered, "lean down--I want to tell ye somethin'." + +Tess bent her ear close to the thick blue lips. + +"I air here, Daddy! Tess air here," she mourned. + +Long, laboring breaths moved the red curls hanging about the girl's +rigid face. + +"I said as how I air here, Daddy," she murmured again, touching him. + +But Daddy Skinner was once more gazing into the dark rafters, his jaws +apart, the greyness of death settling about his mouth. + +"Daddy! Daddy!" screamed Tess. "Don't look like that! Don't go away--oh, +Daddy, please!... Andy! Andy!" + +The dwarf slipped down the ladder, and dropped at the side of the bed. +The dog roused from his nap by the stove was already there, nuzzling his +tawny head against his distressed friend, while he made inarticulate +sounds of sympathy in his deep throat. + +"Pal Skinner!" Andy cried, white with apprehension. "Give us a word, old +horse." + +Placing his hand upon Pete's collar, the dwarf drew him, with a word of +command, to the floor beside him. + +The dying fisherman looked from his prison friend to his daughter. He +lifted a limp hand, and it rested upon the girl's bowed head. The other +he dropped heavily on Andy Bishop's shoulder. It was as if he were +giving to them both his parting benediction. In mechanical sequence the +dwarf counted the dying man's mouth open and shut five times before the +struggling voice came forth. + +"I were goin' to say somethin' to ye, Tess," he then gasped, moistening +his lips. "Gimme a--drink--of water." + +Andy held the cup while Orn drank. He struggled to swallow, belching +forth hot breath. + +"When I air gone, brat dear," he articulated huskily, "stay in the +shanty an' take care of Andy till there ain't no more danger fer 'im. +Ye'll promise me, Tess?" + +She enclosed his hand in hers and held it to her lips. + +"I were a wantin' to go with you and Mummy, Daddy," she sobbed. "I air +always lonely in the shanty without ye--but if ye say, 'Stay with Andy,' +then I stays." + +"That air what I says, brat, darlin'," panted Skinner. + +Then for many minutes he was lost in the terrible struggle of strong +life against the grip of death. Tess wound her arms about his neck and +lifted the great head to her breast. She stared at his changing face as +at an advancing ghost. + +He seemed to be slipping slowly into the great beyond, and she was +powerless to hold him back. + +How many times had Daddy Skinner spoken of dying! How many times had she +heard him agree with Andy that death was better than life any day! But +at those times she had beaten back the muttered words of her father and +the dwarf. Ah, in those days, death had been far away, kept off by +happiness unsurpassed! + +"It air hard fer some folks to die," wailed the fisherman. "An' so easy +fer uthers. Me--now me--Oh, God, oh, brat-love, let me go! I hurt so! I +hurt awful--let me go!" + +The heart of the tortured, sobbing girl seemed to be bursting from its +pain and suspense. Her beloved father wanted to go away--to follow the +wraith mother beckoning from the rafters. How could she open her arms +and allow him to leave her alone in the shanty! + +"Help me, brat-love," sighed Daddy Skinner once more. "Help yer old sick +daddy!" + +Help him! How could she? Hitherto Tessibel's faith had loyally responded +to every demand upon her. But she couldn't help her daddy die! She knew +not how! Then, as if drawn by some invisible power, her eyes lifted, +piercing the shadows among the time-dried nets. And there, for one small +moment, she saw--she saw a face, a young, girlish face, infinitely +sweet, smiling down upon her. + +"It air the Mummy!" she cried, her voice vibrant with love. "I air goin' +to help 'im, darlin'." + +Buoyantly her mind gripped the old-time faith, the redoubtable faith +that had opened wide Auburn Prison, that had restored to her arms this +same adored father. She had helped him then--and oh, to help him now! +His great cry, "God, Tessibel, let me be goin'!" rang in her ears. Her +gaze was glued to his face. Terror and pain were strangling his throat +until his eyes grew death-dark in the struggle. Tessibel lifted her +ashen face, wildly working in entreaty. Oh, for a little faith! Faith +the size of a grain of mustard seed! And Daddy Skinner would be gone to +that place beyond the clouds and the blue, where suffering is not. Did +he, could he, believe? Did she, could she, believe, too? Then in a +blinding flash, she remembered the mysterious dawning of her own faith. +Enduring sublime suffering, she bent once more and drew her father's +heavy head to her breast. + +"Daddy! Darlin' old, good Daddy, look at yer dear brat, an' listen to +'er." + +"I air a listenin', my girl," he said between set teeth. She put her +head directly in line with her father's vision. + +"Look at me, Daddy," she craved tremulously, "an' listen to me. Can't ye +remember how ye came back from Auburn like the innercent man ye were?" + +"Yep," whispered Skinner. + +"'Twere the Christ on the cross helped ye, Daddy. Ye air wishin' to go +away now with my mummy, huh?" + +"Yep," groaned Skinner. "God, aw kind, merciful God, let me go!" + +Tess laid him gently back on the pillow. A bright light flashed into her +soul. The red in her eyes turning almost to black. + +"Then go, my darlin'! Go, Daddy," she moaned, rising and looking upward. +"Take 'im, Mummy, little love-mummy, take 'im back to Heaven with ye." + +Inspired by that smiling face in the rafters, Tessibel opened her lips +and began to sing, + + "Rescue the Perishin'; + Care for the Dyin'." + +It was a glorious strain that echoed and reechoed around and around the +shanty kitchen. It gathered within its heavenly power the moaning of the +wind and the haunting noises of the tin-rusted roof. Even the weeping +willows, bowing their mournful heads in sympathy, could no longer be +heard in their endless chant. + +Strangely stirred, Pete struggled up, disregarding the dwarf's desire to +detain him. He placed his forefeet on the edge of the bed, lifting his +head to the girl's shoulder. Responsive to the pressure of his body, she +threw her arm around him. Gravely the golden eyes of the great dog +regarded his suffering master on the cot as the tender melody of the +song continued to fill the shanty. + +Tessibel ever afterwards remembered Daddy Skinner's eyes as for those +last few moments he lay looking at her. They were kindly, tender, +smiling, as he watched her lips moving in the song he'd always loved to +hear her sing. + +He seemed to realize that she was singing him into the very presence of +the Savior of the world--into the presence of Him who was leading +Tessibel Skinner and her squatter father through their garden of +Gethsemane. + + "Rescue the Perishin'; + Care for the Dyin'." + +On and on she sang, and on and on the dying man gropingly felt his way +to Eternity. Sometimes he smiled at her; sometimes at the wraith in the +rafters. But not for one moment did the voice of the little singer cease +its insistent cry for a complete rescue. + +The dwarf was silent, his shining face reflecting the peace and security +of which the squatter girl sang. + + "Rescue the Perishin'; + Care for the Dyin'." + +The beautiful voice did not falter. Suddenly the powerful lungs of the +fisherman gathered in one long, last breath, and when it came forth to +meet Tessibel's song, the broad shoulders dropped back, the chest +receded, the smile faded from the gray eyes--and Daddy Skinner was dead. + +He had died listening to those appealing, melodious words, "Rescue the +Perishin'; Care for the Dyin'." That sudden collapsing change in the +gaunt figure seemed to freeze the very song on Tessibel's lips. Her +voice trailed to a limp wail, as if an icy hand had caught her throat. +Silence succeeded silence. Even the storm seemed for an instant to still +its raging roar, then Pete threw back his head and howled his grief. As +his resonant cries filled the shack and mingled with the turmoil of the +elements, Tess clung to the dog, staring with horrified eyes at the huge +beloved form crushed and crumpled upon the cot. Death had come and gone. +The mystery in the shadowy rafters had taken Daddy Skinner away. + +The dwarf raised his head and looked at Tess. Slowly he leaned over and +pressed his lips to Orn Skinner's brow, and as he rose, he lifted the +girl's rigid arm from the tawny back and seized the dog by the collar to +quiet him. + +Then came one of those unthinkable, weird cries, a nightmarish cry from +the girl's throat, and--as God tempereth the wind to the shorn lamb, so +in Divine pity he covered Tess of the Storm Country with mental +oblivion. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +YOUNG DISCOVERS ANDY + + +During the minutes Daddy Skinner lay grappling with death, Ebenezer +Waldstricker sat in his handsome drawing room with an open Bible on his +knee, talking to his wife. + +"I've explained to you time and time again, Helen," said he impatiently, +"why I struck her and I'm not sorry I did it." + +"It seems awful, though," replied his wife, reflectively. + +Waldstricker frowned into the wistful face. + +"Why awful when the Bible ordered me to do it? I've given you the +Master's own words to verify it. Didn't he say, 'Let the man without sin +first cast a stone?'" + +Mrs. Waldstricker raised her eyes to her husband's face. + +"But Ebenezer--" + +"There's no argument, my dear," the man interrupted. "I tell you I know +whereof I speak. It came to me like a flash on Wednesday in the +church ... I had to show the world a man--a man without sin." + +Helen stared back at him in amazement. Her husband had never before +expressed himself in quite such bombastic terms, and, oh, dear, she knew +he was good; but for any human being to claim to be without sin! She'd +never heard of such a thing. + +"But, dearest," she argued pleadingly and partly rising, "are you sure?" + +"I have no doubt about it," interpolated Ebenezer, striking his chest +emphatically. "As I said, I know whereof I speak." + +Helen sank down again. + +"I'm glad you can explain it, dear," she murmured dubiously. "It'll be +easier for you to make Deforrest understand about it when he comes. He's +so wrapped up in that girl.... He'll be here in a few minutes, I think, +if the train's on time." + +"I'll make him understand all right," answered Ebenezer. + +The words had scarcely left his lips before both husband and wife heard +the approach of sleigh-bells. + +"He's coming now," said Mrs. Waldstricker, and she rose and started to +the window. + +"Sit down and don't look as if you were going to die," her husband +commanded. "But perhaps you'd better go to your room while I'm +explaining the thing to him." + +When Deforrest Young opened the door and walked in, his face was +wreathed in smiles. + +"Well, hello, everybody," he cried heartily. "It's an awful night." + +Ebenezer rose and extended his hand. + +"So 'tis," he agreed. + +Helen went forward quickly and helped slip the snow-covered coat from +Deforrest's shoulders. At the same time she lifted her lips for a kiss. +How she adored this brother of hers, and how anxiously she desired he +should be satisfied with Ebenezer's account of the church proceedings. + +"I'm lucky to be home for Sunday," remarked Deforrest. "I was afraid the +case wouldn't close before day after tomorrow. But the jury came in last +night, and everything was quickly closed up." + +"We read about it in the paper," said his sister sympathetically. "It +must have been a harrowing thing to go through." + +"It certainly was! But the acquittal helped. The woman is very young and +without friends, and I was glad to get it for her." + +"But she's bad!" cut in Waldstricker. "Every paper said she was guilty." + +"But the jury pronounced her innocent," exclaimed the lawyer, "so that +puts an end to the argument!" + +Ebenezer fingered the leaves of the book he held. + +"I've the happenings of a week to tell you, Deforrest," he stated +deliberately, as if dismissing the former subject. + +Professor Young bent down and slipped off his overshoes. + +"I'm awfully tired, old chap," said he. "Won't they keep till morning? +I'd like a bite to eat, and then--then bed." He smiled at his sister. +"How about something to eat, sis, dear?" + +"Helen, go see about supper for your brother," ordered Ebenezer. + +Mrs. Waldstricker, seemingly glad to escape, left the room quickly. + +"Fire ahead, Eb," said Young. "I suppose I might as well hear it now as +any time." + +"You sent Parson Griggs a letter for me to vote in your name?" + +"Of course," responded Young. "I knew Helen was interested in the +Christmas festival, and I thought you'd do as well as I." + +"And so I did, brother," replied Ebenezer, pompously, "and your vote +turned the tide into the channel God wanted it. Some members allowed +their human feelings to run away with 'em." + +Ebenezer's mysterious words suddenly awakened Deforrest's interest. + +"Has something out of the ordinary occurred?" he queried. + +"Yes," assured Eb, "but I've attended to it all right!" + +Professor Young sighed. + +"That's good! There, now, I'll sit by the grate and warm up while you +tell me about it." + +He dropped into a large chair, and extended his feet to the cheerful +blaze. Waldstricker paused before making his explanation. At length: + +"We put a member out of the church last Wednesday," said he, steadily. + +Deforrest Young turned completely around and stared at his +brother-in-law. + +"Put a member out of the church!" he repeated, thunder-struck. "Why +church a member?... That _is_ out of the ordinary, I should say. What'd +he do?" + +"It wasn't a man, 'twas a woman." + +"Well, for God's sake!" Deforrest's voice was low, deep, and filled +with disgust. "I hope you men didn't make a mess of yourselves.... What +happened?... Some girl kissed her sweetheart under the pine trees?" + +The elder glanced over the top of his brother-in-law's head. + +"Worse than that!" said he. "Much worse than that!... We churched a +Magdalene!" + +It took an appreciable length of time for Young's tall figure to rise +from the chair. He turned around and stood with his back to the fire. + +"I didn't know we had a Magdalene in the church," he commented drily, +and then more impetuously, "Oh, Lord, why don't you spit it out and not +beat all around the bush telling me?" + +There was something about Ebenezer's slow manner of approaching the +point that made Young impatient. In the meantime his mind was rapidly +running over the women in the Hayt's congregation. + +Waldstricker got up, too, drawing his big frame to its full height. + +"We churched--Well, the fact is,--We churched Tessibel Skinner." + +When the name fell upon Deforrest Young's ears, every muscle in his body +became rigid, making him taller by inches. + +"Tessibel Skinner?" he repeated mechanically, as if he'd heard awry. +"Did you say Tessibel Skinner?" + +Waldstricker took a long breath. Deforrest was receiving the action of +the church with better grace than he had anticipated. + +"Yes, Tessibel Skinner!" he repeated. "She's with child." + +In the awful minute after the torturing words had fallen from the other +man's lips, Deforrest Young felt as if he must tear the lie from the +speaker's throat. For it was a lie! God! What a lie! A lie told against +Heaven's best--the best girl in all the world. Without a word, he +reached for his overcoat. + +"What're you going to do?" demanded Ebenezer, a little perturbed. "You +needn't see her.... She's been justly dealt with." + +There was no answer from the tall lawyer. Only one thing was in +Deforrest Young's mind--to go to Tessibel Skinner. He gave no thought to +the wild night, no care for his own fatigue and hunger. Disdaining +another glance at Ebenezer, he whirled to go. Helen's pale face +appearing in the doorway made him pause. + +"Deforrest," she quivered. "Deforrest, dear, oh, don't go out tonight! +Stay and let Ebenezer tell you about it, do please! The church has done +all it could--it must be all right if the church did it, Forrie." + +Then Young's wrath broke loose.... + +"All right? All right?" he thundered. "The church has done all it can, +eh? Well, by God!" He turned a livid face from one to the other. "What a +cursed outrage!" + +Waldstricker cried out, horrified. + +"Man, man, what are you saying!... How _dare_ you provoke the wrath of +God!... How dare you question the decision of the church! Besides, I +tell you she's a Magdalene. She's been justly punished. I attended to it +myself." + +Then Young saw clearly that the church action had but expressed his +brother-in-law's will. He knew his implacable hatred of the squatters +and particularly of Tessibel. He recognized that revenge had prompted +him. Pushing the protesting elder aside, he ejaculated: + +"You pious hypocrite! Get out of my way," and was gone. + +The bitter winter wind nipped at Young as he strode down the steps and +battled his way to the stables. Waldstricker's words were pounding at +his brain like a hammer. What had they done to Tess? He remembered +Ebenezer had said that his vote--his own delegated vote--had turned the +tide against his pretty child! + +He had no mercy for the stumbling horse as he spurred down the long +drive, into the public thoroughfare, and thence to the shore road. When +he came opposite to his own closed, uninhabited house, he could see by +straining his eyes the dusky shadow of the willow trees shrouding the +Skinner home. + +A glimmer of light struggled from the curtained window of the hut. With +desperate haste he tied his horse to the fence post. He could scarcely +stop to spread over the animal the blanket he'd brought for the purpose. + +Then as he waded through the snow and rounded the mud cellar a dog's +mournful howling, pierced and punctuated by a girl's shrill, +heart-broken cry, fell upon his startled ears. In another minute he had +flung himself against the shanty door and forced it open. Kennedy's +bulldog greeted him, growling, and beyond him, stretched out upon the +body of her dead father, lay Tess. Hovering over her, chattering, was +Andy Bishop, the dwarf, the condemned murderer of Ebenezer Waldstricker, +Sr. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +THE VIGIL + + +During Professor Young's instant of hesitation on the threshold, the +wind gusted sheets of snow into the Skinner shanty. Quieting the dog by +a low-spoken word, Deforrest stepped in and closed the door against the +storm. The acrid smoke drawn from the stove by the back-draft, filled +the room,--a choking cloud. + +Andy stared at the intruder for an instant, and then turned again to the +girl lying unconscious upon the body of her father. + +Young's vision comprehended the whole tragedy. He pulled off his cap and +gloves and shook the snow from his shoulders. Advanced to the bedside, a +glance satisfied him that the squatter was dead and that Tess had +fainted. He had recognized the dwarf the minute he saw him, and +heartsick with apprehension, he wondered what he was doing there. + +"Get up," said he. "Let me look at her." + +The dwarf moved aside hesitatingly. + +"Air she dead, too?" he whimpered. + +"Bring me some water," commanded Young. + +Andy went to the pail, dipped a portion of water into a small basin, and +waddled back with it. + +"Her daddy air dead," he offered. "Ye can see he air dead." + +"Yes!" nodded Young, taking the dish. + +He did not speak again until Tess groaned, and opened her eyes. She made +a half struggle to sit up, and Young lifted her to her feet. + +"Lean on me," he said gently. + +Tess stared at him, incredulously. He had come after all! Relief +crumpled her up in his arms. + +"Daddy air dead," she whispered. + +"Yes, dear," soothed Young. "There, lean your head on my shoulder, poor +little broken baby." + +His tones were so tender, so soft! They went to the heart of the +stricken dwarf, and like a hurt child he burst into tears. Professor +Young turned and looked at him. + +"Don't do that," he said huskily. "Sit down--don't cry!" + +Without moving from her position, Tess said, "Andy, Andy, dear, git on +up in the garret a few minutes, will ye?" + +The dwarf crept to the ladder, and Deforrest let him go. A dozen +questions leapt to the lawyer's lips at the same time, but the girl +against his breast looked so desperately ill he had no heart to ply +them. Tess lifted her lids heavily. + +"Ye won't tell nobody he air here?" she gulped. + +"How long has he been here?" asked Young, instead of answering her +question. + +"Ever since spring," sighed Tessibel. + +"Was he here that day when Mr. Waldstricker and my sister--" + +"Yep." The girl's whisper was very low. + +"And when Burnett came too, I suppose?" + +"Yep, I hid 'im ... Daddy loved 'im, Daddy did." + +She began to cry softly. Her confession had taken her mind back to the +huge figure on the bed. + +"I wanted to go with Daddy," she sobbed. "I didn't know--I thought I +couldn't live without 'im." + +Stooping, Deforrest gathered the mourning little one into his arms, and +seating himself in the big rocker, pressed his cheek against her hair in +sympathy. Patiently he waited, holding her thus while the mercy of her +flowing tears dulled the first sharp edge of her grief. + +Bye and bye the sobs ceased, and a faint, catchy little voice struggled +up through the red curls to the man's ears. + +"Ye air awful good to me, you air. Oh, I needed ye so, and I feared--I +feared mebbe ye wasn't never comin' again!" + +"My dear, my dear," Young soothed, much moved. Then he rose and placed +her in the chair. "You sit here and tell me about it." + +Bravely she looked into the friendly face, a doleful smile quivering on +her lips. + +"The first thing I want to know," she asked, "what air ye goin' to do +'bout Andy?" + +Professor Young had anticipated this question. + +"Until I've had more time to think about it, and until after the funeral +anyway, I'll keep your secret," he reassured her kindly. + +"An' ye won't say anythin' to nobody 'bout 'im till ye talk with me +again?" she queried, fearfully. + +"That's what I mean, Tess," Young answered. + +"Ye air so good to me, ye air," sighed Tess, satisfied. + +"Child," began Young a moment later, "can you bear to tell me about it, +now?" + +"About Daddy?" asked Tess, "or about the other--" + +The lawyer's nod, responsive to the latter half of her question, +reawakened the suffering girl's memory of the horror of the church +meeting. + +"It were so awful," she said after a pregnant pause. "I mean--Mr. +Waldstricker--" + +"What about it? Tell me," Young interrupted, as the gentle voice +hesitated. + +"See ... this!" she murmured, turning her head. + +Young's eyes caught the red of the wound on her neck. + +"He did that!... How?" he ejaculated fiercely. + +"He hit me with a piece of--coal!" answered Tess, sinking back, very +white. + +"No, no; God, no!" he cried desperately. "He couldn't have done that!" + +"He said I were ... bad," interrupted Tess, very low. She bowed her +head, and the man, stunned, made no move toward her. His muscles seemed +powerless, and he had no volition to comfort her. He could not erase +from his mind that horrid picture her few direct words had brought +before him. "But ... _you_ air trustin' me!" was the way Tess brought +him back to himself. + +"Then it's true what--what--" + +His tongue grew parched. + +"Yep, but trust me, please!" cried Tess. + +Trust her! Believe in her with her confession ringing in his ears. God, +if he did not love her, it wouldn't be so hard to believe, to trust, to +help. But with this fierce jealousy stabbing at his heart, he felt he +must know more--all. His mind went back to that time when she had come +to him with a child in a basket, and her plea had been the same, "Oh, +trust me! Please trust me!" + +"If you could only ... tell me ... something," he groaned. + +"It air true what Mr. Waldstricker hit me fer," bowed Tess, swallowing +hard, "but I can't say nothin' 'bout it, I can't! I ain't able to tell +nothin' more'n that!" + +Young still stood several feet from her. + +"I must do something to help you," he implored. "Won't you even tell me +when it--it will be, Tessibel?" + +Through her tense fingers the girl murmured a stifled "March." + +March--scarce three months away! He would have given five years of his +life to have had her tell him the truth about this thing that had +crushed her. He made a nervous movement with his fingers to his hair. + +"You are bound by a promise?" he demanded sharply. + +A white, uplifted, pained face was his answer. + +"You'll tell me some day, if you can," he said, going swiftly to her. + +"Yes," whispered Tess. + +And then for a long time nothing was heard in the hut but the winter +without, the growls and mutterings of the bulldog in his sleep by the +stove, and a sob now and then from the dwarf in the garret. + +The healing silence of a common love in the presence of a common grief +settled upon the strangely matched couple. The little squatter girl, +with her shameful secret, and the great lawyer and teacher, kept solemn +vigil over the body of Daddy Skinner. + + * * * * * + +Daddy Skinner was buried. All the arrangement in connection with the +obsequies devolved upon Professor Young. It was he who brought the girl +back to the shanty in her simple, clinging, black gown, and after the +carriage had delivered them at the hut door, carried her, almost +unconscious, into the house and laid her gently upon her bed. Then he +closed the door and sat down beside her. It was perhaps an hour later +when she lifted her eyes appealingly. + +"I air awful glad ye stayed with me," she choked. + +"Tess,"--Young's voice shook.... "Will you let me talk to you a little +and not feel I'm intruding upon your sorrows or your secrets?" + +"Ye wouldn't do anythin' what wasn't right," murmured the girl, under +her breath. + +For some moments he smoothed her burning forehead. Then he lifted her +hand and held it in his. + +"Tessibel," he began. + +"What?" + +"First, tell me about the little man in the garret." + +"There ain't nothin' much to tell," she responded, shaking her head. +"When he got out of Auburn, he come here and asked me an' Daddy to take +care of 'im, an' we done it, that air all." + +"I see, dear--and--and you didn't think the law required you to give him +up?" + +Tess moved her head negatively on the pillow. + +"Sure not, or I'd a done it long ago. The law--what do I care 'bout the +law?... It air always puttin' innercent men in jail. That air all the +law air fer." + +"But this man is a murderer," Young tried to explain to her. + +But Tessibel's gesture, both hands raised, palms outward, expressed her +dissent. + +"They said as how Daddy were a murderer, too," she retorted, "but you +found out he weren't, didn't ye?" + +Young, not able to gainsay this, nodded his head. + +"How long are you going to keep him here?" he asked presently. + +Tess sent him a glance pathetically sad and discouraged. + +"I don't know. The poor little duffer hain't no friends. He ain't no +other place to go where old Eb won't git 'im." + +Young thought of his brother-in-law. He realized immediately with what +joy that stern disciplinarian would snatch the little man back into +Auburn prison. Doubtless, too, he would visit his rage on the girl +who'd shielded him. + +"Ye helped Daddy git out o' jail," Tess whispered. "Couldn't ye keep +Andy out?" + +Deforrest Young turned his face to the ceiling. A pair of gleaming eyes +were staring down upon him from the square hole. + +"Come down here, you," he said peremptorily. + +Andy slid down the ladder and squatted himself beside the cot. Young +considered the boyish face some time in silence. + +"What made you kill Waldstricker?" he demanded. + +Andy shook his head. + +"I never done it, mister," he denied positively. + +"Tell me how it happened! If I'm going to help you, you must tell me the +truth." + +This wasn't what Young had intended to say at all. + +"Andy ain't a liar," came from Tess. + +"Tell me every word," urged Young. + +The dwarf curled himself into a little ball and began. + +"Well, us was all in a saloon at the Inlet, an' old Waldstricker, he +come in with a nuther man, an' they both got a drink an' t'uther man +went out. Me an' Owen Bennet were settin' at the table, ... Waldstricker +he says somethin' nasty 'bout squatters an' ... Owen went fer 'im. +Waldstricker pulled 'is gun. I knocked it out o' his hand an' Owen +grabbed it up offen the floor an' sent a bullet right through +Waldstricker's heart. Then us uns beat it, I mean me an' Owen, an' when +they caught us ... he put the shootin' on me. I didn't do it, an' Owen +knows I didn't." + +Young was very quiet during this recital. He was considering the eager, +boyish, upraised face. + +"I hope ye believe me, mister--sir--please do," Andy pleaded. + +Deforrest Young crossed his legs, smoothed his hair with one hand, and +sat back in his chair. + +"I think I do," he nodded presently. "Only I am placed in a very +peculiar position. By rights I ought to send you back--then help you +afterward if I can." + +Tessibel sat up, her eyes wildly frightened. + +"Ye couldn't do that!" she cried. "Ye couldn't do that! Don't ye +remember a day on the rocks, when I was awful sad, an' you said, 'Tess, +if ye ever want me to do anything for ye, come and tell me.' Didn't ye +say it?" + +Young bowed his head. + +"I air askin' it now," said Tess, throwing out her hand. "I air beggin' +ye not to send Andy back. Let 'im stay with me. I promised Daddy I'd +take care of 'im." + +"Lie down again and be quiet, child," urged Deforrest, sadly. "You don't +want to make yourself sick.... Hush, you mustn't cry!... Oh, child dear, +will you please stop shaking that way?" + +He had forgotten that when Tess loved any one, she would battle until +her death before she gave him up. + +"Then don't send little Andy back, an' I'll be awful good," she pleaded. + +Young sat for some time, one hand on Tessibel's, the other beating a +tatoo on the arm of Daddy's wooden rocker. + +"I suppose," he said at length, as if speaking to himself, "I'll be +highly criticized if any one finds out about this irregular proceeding. +Nevertheless--" He turned to Tess. "I'll go quietly to work and see what +I can do. In the meantime, dear child, you can't stay here in this +house." + +"But I promised Daddy I'd take care of Andy here, an' I air goin' to. +Him and me can live here all right." + +Young sighed. There was the same stubborn tone in her voice she had used +in those days when her father was away in prison, and he had argued with +her to leave the settlement. + +"Well, at any rate," he said after a while, "I'll take time to consider +it, and then we'll decide something." + +Ten minutes later he was riding slowly up the hill, and as the past +panoramied across his mind ... and evolved itself into the present, he +shook his head. Tessibel had separated him from his family, had made him +a stranger to his best friends. Would she now, by holding to +Waldstricker's convicted murderer, deprive him of his honor? + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +SANDY COMES TO GRIEF + + +The Skinner home was resting in its winter calm. Daddy Skinner was gone. +Andy still crept about the dark garret, and Tessibel passed her days in +study, performing the few duties the small shack required. + +When Deforrest Young had gone away a few days after Daddy's funeral, +he'd smiled into her eyes and had bidden her to be of good courage. +Henceforth, he said, she was to be his charge. She felt a little lighter +hearted. It made her happier, too, to think he knew about Andy Bishop +and was going to help him. + +The only person she feared was Sandy Letts. She'd not seen him since +that day in the church when he had tried to draw her nearer the +minister. Bitterly angry, she knew he must be. That he had delayed his +revenge so long seemed to her rather menacing than comforting. + +Her mind was drifting back over all the events of the past few months, +when a shadow passed over the curtain at the window. She stole to the +door and placed her ear to the latch. From that position she could +plainly hear creeping footsteps crawling closer. + +With her ear glued to the crack, she listened. There was no sound now of +walking. The outsider was listening, too. Suddenly, he knocked heavily. +Tess glanced to the garret. The dwarf's face was not in sight. Then the +knock came again. + +"Who air there?" Tess called, her breath catching. + +There was no answer, save another knock. + +Tessibel spoke once more. After a pause, Sandy Letts' voice came gruffly +to her. + +"Open the door, Tess. It air me, Sandy." + +"What do ye want?" demanded Tess. + +Sandy growled inarticulately, gave a kick to the floor, and rattled the +latch. + +"I want to come in, I said. I air goin' to talk to ye!" + +Tessibel thought of Ben Letts and of how he, too, had demanded entrance +to her home in just such a manner as his cousin was doing now. She +glanced about for something with which to protect herself if needed. She +wished with all her soul the brindle bull were with her then in the +shanty. + +Sandy gave another rough pull at the latch-string. + +"Open the door, Tess," he growled again, "or I'll bust it down." + +Tess knew Sandy would carry out his threat, and, if he broke down the +door, his temper would be worse than now. She muttered a prayer to quiet +the terror in her heart, and slipped up the bar. Sandy, gun in hand, +stepped into the kitchen, and Tess closed the door. + +"What do ye want, Sandy?" she questioned. + +"I want to talk to ye, what do ye 'spose I want?" he flung out, +swaggering his shoulders. + +"Well, sit down," invited Tess, seeking to propitiate. "Ye knowed Daddy +was dead, didn't ye, Sandy?" + +"I can set down without bein' asked," grunted the squatter, dropping +into a chair. "Sure I knowed yer pa's flew the coop." + +"What'd ye want?" Tess asked again after a moment. + +"I've come to settle with ye for somethin'," said Letts. + +"I ain't done nothin'," replied Tess. + +Sandy threw out an angry hand. + +"Ye have, too, ye have, too! Didn't I want ye for my woman, and didn't +ye go an'--" + +"I said ye couldn't have me," interrupted the girl. "Folks ain't havin' +everythin' they want in this world, Sandy." + +"Then ye turned me down in the church afore Waldstricker," went on +Sandy. "Ye might've been glad to marry a decent man after what ye'd +done. But ye ups and says, 'I won't!' An' I've come to ask the reason +why." + +Tess walked across the shanty kitchen and sat on the edge of the cot. +Sandy followed her with his eyes, his face growing crimson as he gazed +at her. + +"I air here for two things," he continued. "To find out the name of that +man Waldstricker asked ye 'bout--" + +Tessibel's low voice stopped his impudent speech. + +"I couldn't tell ye that, Sandy, not even if ye killed me," she +murmured. "What was t'uther thing?" + +"I air goin' to take ye away with me fer my woman. But ye needn't think +I air goin' to marry ye decent like I would in the church t'uther day, +fer I won't." + +Tessibel, weary and aching, grew cold with fear. She knew the squatter +would keep his word, if he could. He would abuse her as Ben had tried to +when her father was in Auburn unless help came. Then remembering all the +days she had lived and suffered and still'd been saved from Sandy and +his like, she breathed a deep sigh. + +"I couldn't go with ye, Sandy," she explained. + +A cruel expression set Sandy's large, sensuous mouth. + +"Ye'll be glad to go with me when I git done with ye." He placed his gun +against the chair and stood up. "First, I want to know what made ye act +like that in the church fer. Don't ye know me well 'nough to think I'd +get ye sooner or later. Ye knowed yer Daddy couldn't always live in the +shack. Ye might better took me while ye could. I would jest have beat ye +a bit fer yer cussedness, then mebbe after a while I'd fergive ye. But +now--" + +Tessibel's struggling to her feet broke off the man's volubility. She +was so frightened that almost without thought she circled toward the +door. Sandy got up and placed himself directly in front of her. + +"No, ye don't git out o' here," he sneered, "not till I git through with +ye. Jest make up yer mind to that." + +Sandy was moving toward her, his eyes gleaming with rage. What could she +do? She threw a hasty glance about the shanty. She knew Andy was under +the straw tick in the garret and could not hear the low conversation +going on in the kitchen. + +As if in answer to her agonized prayer, another shadow passed the +curtained window. Sandy had not seen it or he would not have thrust +forth his great arms and snatched her to him. Tess uttered a scream. In +another moment Jake Brewer sprang into the kitchen and was looking from +Tessibel to the angry squatter. + +Sandy pushed the girl roughly on to the cot--took two steps toward +Brewer, his manner threatening. + +"What ye sneakin' 'bout here fer?" he growled out. + +Jake grinned slowly. + +"I allers come in to see Tess," he replied. "What were ye doin', Sandy?" + +"I air goin' to take Tessibel to be my woman," muttered Letts. + +Jake glanced at the pallid girl. + +"Oh, well, I swan! So that air it, eh?" + +"Nope," Tess got out through her chattering teeth. Then all the pent-up +rage in her body broke loose. "I ain't wantin' to be his woman. I want +to be let alone in my shack! Oh, Jake, won't ye make Sandy go away and +let me be?" + +Sandy laughed evilly. + +"It'd take a bigger man'n Jake," he remarked. + +Brewer, unruffled, seated himself with the slow manner of a squatter. + +"I don't say as how I air very big," replied Jake, crossing his legs, +"but I guess no man'll take Tess long's she don't want to go, when I air +here, Sandy." + +Letts shook a threatening fist. + +"Get out o' here, Jake," he growled, going toward the other man. "If ye +don't, I'll make it worse fer ye! Git out, I say!" + +"Shan't do it. Now, Sandy, I ain't no woman to be 'fraid of you, so just +hold yer horses till us uns talk this out. Ye say ye want Tess fer +your'n, an' Tess, she don't want ye, now what ye goin' to do?" + +"I air a goin' to take her jest the same," snarled Letts. + +But thinking better of placing his hands on the other man, he went to +his chair and sat down. Tess, too, drew a little sigh of relief. Then +the three sat for several quiet seconds looking from one to the other. +At length, Tess broke out. + +"Sandy said he'd keep away an' wait till he caught Andy Bishop afore he +come to git me." + +Sandy glared at her. + +"But I told ye if ye had a nuther man hangin' round I'd fix both of ye, +an' I'm goin' to keep my word," he snapped back. + +"Ye can't fix any one but me, Sandy, 'cause ye don't know nobody else +to hurt, do ye," she interrupted him. + +"It air easy fer a man like me to choke the name out of ye, brat," +replied Letts, blinking his eyes at her. "I'd be likin' nothin' better." + +Jake moved his big boots back and forth several times. + +"I wouldn't try it if I was you, Sandy," he cautioned, "'cause ye know +uther folks might be interferin' with ye." + +Sandy's throat emitted a deep, doglike growl as he clambered to his +feet. + +"I'll do it now, dam ye both," he barked back in ugly defiance. + +Jake was on his feet before Letts could take a forward step and had +placed himself between the big squatter and the girl. + + * * * * * + +That afternoon when Jake came back to see Tessibel, she threw a quick +question at him. + +"Air he dead, Jake?" + +"Lordy, no, Tess, 'course not! He's tougher'n cow's tripe.... Sit down, +brat, an' I'll tell ye about it.... Don't be shakin' so. It were like +this! I was stoppin' Sandy from tryin' to git ye an' when I pushed 'im +back, he kicked his own gun an' got a bullet in his big, fat leg, that +air all." + +"It was awful," cried Tess, wiping away her tears. + +A slight smile played around Jake's lips, and showed a few of his dark +teeth. + +"Brat," he chuckled, "Sandy ain't done to his death by no means, an' you +didn't have nothin' to do with it, nuther did I. 'Twere his own +cussedness that put that bullet in his leg. There air one blessed thing, +he won't be comin' round here for a long time yet botherin' you; so +cheer up, an' be glad ye air a livin'." + +Then Jake went away, leaving the girl and the little man in the garret, +comforted and happier than they had been in many a day. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +WALDSTRICKER'S THREAT + + +Something had happened in the house of Waldstricker. Since the churching +of Tessibel Skinner, everything had been topsy turvy. The criticism +heaped on Ebenezer for his part in it had only served to make him more +arrogant at home and abroad. + +One morning at breakfast, Frederick being absent, Madelene was alone +with Ebenezer and his wife. + +"Put down your paper a minute, Eb," said Madelene, "will you?" + +Scowling, Waldstricker let the paper rattle to the floor. + +"What do you want now?... I can't have a minute's peace. What is it?... +More money?" + +"_No_, nor nothing to do with it, Ebenezer. I want to ask you something, +and do be quite frank with me. Does Fred ever go to see that Skinner +girl?" + +The man's heavy brows drew into a straight dark line above his eyes. + +"He'd better not," he gritted between his teeth. + +"That isn't the point," answered Madelene. "Does he?" + +"I don't believe I'd give myself much concern about that if I were you," +he said presently. "I understand that man Letts, Sandy Letts, who is +working for me on the Bishop matter, still wants to marry her." + +"Of course she won't as long as Frederick--" + +Waldstricker interrupted her. + +"If Frederick does go there, he won't long when Letts finds it out." + +Madelene's eager glance brought the unmatched lips aslant of each other. + +"I don't think he'll go often," he repeated. "I'll see to it myself. She +can marry Lysander Letts or--" + +"Or what?" Madelene's elbows came to the table, a hand on each cheek. +"Oh, Ebbie, do tell me! I'm so miserable about her. I wish she was +dead!" + +"But, Ebenezer," said Helen, "it seems awful for such a refined girl to +marry such a man!" + +The elder's uplifted hand came down on the table with a bang, and higher +mounted his proud lip. He ignored his wife's pleading speech, but +answered his sister's. + +"So will Miss Skinner wish she were dead before I'm done with her," said +he. + +"Why?" + +Waldstricker leaned over the table, looking first at his wife, then at +Madelene. Helen shuddered. How relentless he looked when his mouth +turned down at both corners! She had grown so afraid of him of late. + +"I've an effective way to keep him from her," said he. + +"Goody!" exclaimed Madelene, and "How, dear?" asked Helen. + +The man spoke only two words in a low, husky voice, but each woman heard +them. + +"Good!" gasped Madelene, standing quickly. "How perfectly glorious!" + +"How perfectly awful!" groaned Helen. "Ebenezer, don't do anything so +dreadful." + +Waldstricker looked across the table with that strange glitter in his +eyes. + +"Helen, must we go over again the same painful ground that women should +not interfere!" + +Mrs. Waldstricker rose to her feet. + +"No, Ebenezer, no, no! Only I was thinking of Deforrest!" + +"Deforrest will not know of it until it's too late," said Waldstricker, +rising too. + +"Does he know of Letts' trying to force her to marry him?" asked Helen. + +"I've never told him. Possibly the girl has." + +"I think not," answered Helen, gravely. "He'd have mentioned it to me, I +think!" + +As her brother passed Madelene, he tweaked her ear. + +"Just clear your pretty head of further worry, little kitten ... See?" + +Madelene caught his hand affectionately in hers. + +"Kiss me, best of good brothers," she smiled. "You've made me perfectly +happy! Isn't it dreadful to have to keep tabs on one's husband?" + +"You won't have to long," Waldstricker assured her. + +Then he kissed her and followed his wife into the library. Mrs. +Waldstricker walked to the window and looked out, her eyes full of +tears. + +"Helen," said Ebenezer, gravely, taking her by the shoulders and turning +her face toward him. "You displease me very much." + +The drops hanging on the long lashes fell suddenly. + +"I'm sorry, dear, but I can't see why you always antagonize Deforrest. +You remember how angry he was after that church affair." + +"Your brother's anger doesn't affect me in the slightest," returned +Ebenezer coldly. "When I see my duty to God, I do it, that's all." + +"And you're really determined--Oh, Eb dear, for my sake, please--" + +The husband made an impatient movement. + +"Helen, how many times have I got to forbid your crying this way. You're +always in tears. You'll make yourself sick." + +"Lately you've been so cross to me," sobbed Helen, burying her face in +her handkerchief. + +Waldstricker put his arm about her. + +"I don't want to be cross.... There!... Now lie down here on the +divan.... I'm going out for an hour or two." + +Then he put on his cap, took up his riding whip, and went away to the +stables. + +A few minutes later Helen Waldstricker sat up straight, and rang the +bell. To the servant who appeared, she said, + +"Find Mr. Graves and send him to me immediately." + +When Frederick received the message, cold chills chased each other up +and down his back. Dismayed, he desired to disobey but dared not, +besides Helen was the least dangerous of the three. What could she want, +he considered queruously. He hadn't had a minute's peace since he came +home. Madelene was in a state of tears nearly all the time; his +brother-in-law, dictatorial, difficult even in his milder moods, seemed +secretive and suspicious. As far as he was concerned, he kept from the +house as much as possible, but this only provoked to a greater degree +his young wife's tears and complaints. Only this morning, he had been +treated to a spell of hysterics the like of which Madelene had never +before equalled. + +His wife would not believe his oft-repeated assertions that he had not +been to the Skinner cabin since the day she had surprised him there. +Frederick had spoken truly. His fear of his powerful brother-in-law and +his own lack of moral courage allowed the days to drift along until now +he felt he could not go into the presence of the girl he had thus +neglected. + +He watched until his brother-in-law drove from the stables and +disappeared. Then he turned and went into the library. Helen beckoned to +him to come near her. + +"I must tell you something," she breathed. + +She pointed to a chair near the divan. For a time she talked in an +undertone, telling him something which sent the blood flying from the +young man's face, and left him faint and sick at heart. + +And later by an hour, Frederick Graves was walking the railroad tracks +toward the Skinner shanty. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +HELEN'S MESSAGE + + +Tessibel Skinner was sitting in the shanty kitchen. She had a book in +her lap but her mind was far from her surroundings. Andy had been quiet +so long she'd almost forgotten him. Suddenly, his slight cough brought +her back to the present. + +"Ye look awful peeked, brat, dear," he said. "I think ye'd ought to see +Young's doctor, hadn't ye?" + +A vague smile crossed the girl's face, and she shook her head. + +"No, Andy," she answered, "I don't need no doctor, yet." + +"I wish ye felt better," sighed the dwarf. "An' the days is gettin' +awful blizzardy for ye to go outdoors." + +"But I got to go out, dear, fer wood an' other things. Hark!" She got up +swiftly. "There air some one comin'." + +In another instant the little man had crawled away from the ceiling hole +and was under the tick. The garret was as silent as the frozen lake and +the kitchen below, where Tess stood in anxious expectation. Tessibel, +knowing it couldn't be Sandy, put aside her first impulse not to heed +the rap. An instant later, she opened the door. That it might be +Frederick was farthest from her mind, until she saw him standing there +so thin and tired. Surprised and shocked at seeing him, the stress of +her feeling found her faint. She would have fallen if he had not +suddenly seized her. + +"Tessibel!... Tess, darling!" he cried, sharply. Lifting her up, he +carried her into the room. She clung to him, crying, her confusion +calmed by his caresses. He placed her in a chair and sat down beside +her. Suddenly, she sat back in her seat, roused from her revery by +mocking memories of her wrongs. + +"Couldn't ye let me alone?" she breathed hoarsely, covering her face +with her hands. "Ye might a let me be." + +"I had to come, dear," Frederick told her. "I want you to do something +for both our sakes.... Oh, Tess, what terrible days have passed since I +saw you last!" + +After a short pause, she dropped both hands and glanced up at him. Then +knitting her fingers together, she pressed them hard until they looked +like the veined stems of a pale flower. He had come to make another +demand of her--and she was so tired--so sick! + +"I want you to make me a promise, Tessibel," urged Frederick. + +"I said as how I'd help ye all I could," murmured Tess. "Ye're wantin' +me to do somethin' awful hard, huh?" + +Her soul in her eyes, she looked at him, but his gaze was on the gloves +he was twisting back and forth between his fingers. + +"Ain't ye goin' to tell me?" groaned Tess. + +She dropped her chin into her hands with a touching gesture of pathos. +Frederick bent nearer. + +"Tess, Mrs. Waldstricker sent me with a message--and you've got to do +what I want you to." + +His strangely persistent reiteration that she should do his will served +only to produce another, "Why don't ye tell me, then?" from Tess. + +"You must do something to save yourself!" he cried. + +To save herself? What did he mean by saving herself? What did any one +intend to do? She'd stayed so alone no one could intrude upon her now. +And then, there was Andy, poor forlorn little man! + +"Is anyone goin' to hurt me?" she faltered, faint and frightened. + +"Yes, dearest, yes, and you must--" + +He was on his feet and Tess struggled up, too. + +"What've I got to do?" she breathed miserably. + +"Tess," he groaned, "can't you understand how much I love you; that I +would save you if I could?" + +With uplifted hand, he tried to raise her face to his. + +"Don't!" she cried, pushing him away. "_Tell_ me what Mrs. Waldstricker +said!" + +"You've got to do it, dear," urged Frederick, "or they'll take you +away." + +"What do ye mean by takin' me away?" she implored, moving a frightened +step backward. "Who's goin' to try to take me any place?" + +"Why--why--Mrs. Waldstricker says--" + +He paused so long Tess could not bear the suspense. + +"Oh, tell me!" she gasped. "Can't ye see ye air killin' me?" + +Frederick began again. + +"Mr. Ebenezer Waldstricker--" + +Tess swayed on her feet. + +"What air he goin' to do?" she panted. + +Had her enemy discovered she was protecting Andy? + +"He's going to take you to a--a--" stammered Frederick. + +Tessibel grew faint and dizzy. She uttered a sharp scream. + +"A reform school!" she cried. + +"Yes." + +The blow had fallen at last! She would be dragged from her home, up +before the eyes of the world in all her illness and shame. Then she sank +to the floor in abandoned misery. + +"Oh, Frederick, save me!" she wailed. "Don't let him take me away, and +I'll promise never to go outside the shanty. Oh, make him let me stay! +Why can't I stay, oh, why can't I?" + +"Waldstricker says you've got to go," said Frederick, sadly. + +Tess sat up and flung back her curls. + +"Well, he don't own the hull world, does he.... Couldn't you, well +couldn't _you_ say somethin' to make him let me be?" + +"I don't know what to say," the boy mumbled. + +"Couldn't ye tell 'em?" entreated Tess. "Please listen. Couldn't +ye--couldn't ye tell Mr. Waldstricker 'bout our little baby--our baby, +Frederick?" + +He refused by a negative gesture of head and hand. + +"Oh, don't shake your head, Frederick!" cried Tess, frantically. +"Please!... Please!... Me an' the baby won't be any bother to you!... +We'll jest love ye always an' forever, me an' the baby will.... + +"Ye could save us that way! Ye needn't tell 'em anythin' but that!" + +Suddenly another thought took possession of her. + +"What else did Mrs. Waldstricker say?" she demanded. "What were ye both +wantin' me to do?" + +"Mr. Waldstricker told his wife and my--I mean Madelene--that you'll +either be sent away or must marry--marry Lysander Letts." + +Tess stared at him wildly as though he were going mad. Or _was_ she +losing her reason! What awful thing had he said. Lysander Letts--surely +she had not heard straight. + +"Ye weren't tellin' me what were true, Frederick," she whimpered +overwhelmed. "Oh, ye scared me so!" + +"But I am telling you the truth!" he exclaimed miserably. His voice +broke. "I can't save you, Tessibel. Waldstricker can do anything he +wants. Why--why--Waldstricker's hands're stronger--are stronger than +God's." + +She heard his words as if in a dream. "Stronger'n God's," echoed through +the recesses of her brain in fearful mockery. She was lost, engulfed in +the hatred of Waldstricker. She saw through the mist over her eyes, +Lysander Letts leering menacingly at her. She sat very still and held +her breath. If she let it go, her heart would break. + +"Stronger'n God's," were the only words she remembered. Then, if that +were true, and Frederick had said it--then--then, nothing--nobody--could +take from her this brimming cup of disgrace and destruction. She +struggled to her feet, walked to the door and opened it. Her eyes sought +the dejected looking man. + +"I air askin' ye to go now, please, right now," she said quietly. "Tell +Mrs. Waldstricker, I air much obliged." + +"And haven't you something to say to me, Tess?... Oh, God, don't send me +away like this!" + +She laid one hand on her heart. "Only go," she whispered, "an' never, +never come again!" + +Frederick stepped over the threshold, and Tess shut the door behind +him. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII + +HANDS STRONGER THAN WALDSTRICKER'S + + +Tess stood with swift-coming breath, her back to the door, waiting. +Frederick must leave before she dared speak to Andy. It seemed an +eternity ere the sound of the retreating footsteps died away, and she +knew he was gone. + +Then she started across the room, haltingly. Strange, how difficult it +was to walk, and how giddy her head felt! What was it that had happened? +What was going to happen a thousand times worse? Frederick's brutality +left her bruised and broken. His threats twisted themselves through the +tangled tumult of her thoughts and his sinister suggestions stunned and +stupefied her. + +Frederick had come and gone! She remembered that. Her skin still burned +where his hot lips had touched her. He had told her he loved her, had +begged her to say she loved him! Love? Yes, she had loved him--she did +love him, but her love lay low, its structure, like a squatter's hut, +she had seen, shattered on the sand by a storm. + +Tess put a stick of wood in the stove, and a second later forgot she'd +done it. + +Ebenezer Waldstricker came into her mind vaguely ... vindictive and +violent. Her hand went suddenly to her face. He was going to send her to +a reform school, going to take her from the shanty for years! How +powerful he was! Frederick had said Waldstricker's hands were stronger +than God's. What strong hands he must have--those hands descending upon +her defenseless, desolate life. + +Andy was peering through the hole. Tessibel collapsed into Daddy +Skinner's chair. + +"Brat," he said in a whisper, "I'm comin' down!" + +Tess mechanically got up and barred the door.... Then she returned to +her seat. The dwarf was already squatted beside it, his eyes fastened on +the girl in eloquent silence. His chin sank between his knees. Then the +two of them sat.... The crackling of the freshly burning wood and the +ticking of the clock were the only sounds in the room. + +"I heard what the man said 'bout Waldstricker's hands bein' stronger'n +God's," reflected Andy, aloud, presently. Then he raised his body a +little from the floor that he might look into the girl's face. "Say, +brat, has old Eb got any marks on his hands?" + +Tess shook her head, brown eyes sombrous with suffering. + +"No," she denied. "His hands are big an' white an' long an' soft." + +Andy pondered a minute. + +"They ain't no marks of nails on 'em, air there, kid?" he demanded, +solemnly. + +The pursed, hurt lines around Tessibel's mouth softened a little. + +"No," she murmured wearily, again. "No, Andy." + +The dwarf reached and took one of the girl's hands. It lay on his own +quite limply. + +"Look at me, brat, dear." + +The red-brown eyes moved toward the upturned face. + +"Tessibel, will ye think of this one little thing? + +"The Christ's holdin' his hands over the hull world, givin' everybody +peace; you an' me, too, brat-kid. Waldstricker's hands ain't dragged me +back to Auburn, an' God's hands has kept me here.... You showed me that +from the beginnin', eh, brat?... It's sure, ain't it?" + +He hunched himself nearer her, his face beautiful with faith. + +"Ain't it true, kid?" + +"Sure! Sure, it air true!" faltered Tessibel. + +"Then if God's hands kept me here in the shanty 'gainst all Waldstricker +could do, can't they keep you here, huh?" + +Tessibel's head lifted suddenly. What was Andy saying about +hands--Waldstricker's and--and--With her free fingers she brushed the +dampened curls from her forehead. Waldstricker's hands! Oh, +incomparable memory! How could she have forgotten the hands of the +Christ! They had brought Daddy Skinner from the shadow of the rope. She +had forgotten the power of those hands.... Hands of peace--hands of +love! As shadows fade before the majestic advance of the sun, so under +the inrush of divine light did the agonized expression fade from +Tessibel's eyes. The menacing figure of Waldstricker slipped away like a +gliding night-serpent, and Tess got to her feet. + +"Andy," she breathed, bending over him. "Oh, Andy, darling! Ye're +telling me Jesus can keep me from bein' sent to that awful place? Ain't +that what ye're tryin' to show me?" + +The dwarf scrambled up, reaching forth his hands. + +"And he sure can, brat," he made answer. "Waldstricker can't pull ye out +of this hut when God's holdin' ye in." + +Andy was smiling his rare, boyish smile. A large lump rose in Tessibel's +throat. + +"I air goin' to ask God to hold me here, Andy," she choked brokenly. + +So when night closed the grey eyes of the winter day, and darkness +descended on the Skinner shanty, a red-haired squatter girl and a wee +dwarf knelt in the glow of the hut lamp and petitioning lips framed in +whispers a simple prayer for their protection. + + * * * * * + +The next day passed, quiet in the shanty and over the shining span of +frozen water. Waldstricker had not come. Tess crept into bed sighing +with relief. Andy rolled himself in his blankets and slept. + +The morning arrived crisply cold, bleakly grey. Tess shivered as she +broke the ice for water. Would this day bring Waldstricker? Then, as +that harrowing thought flitted through her mind, another exultant, +smiling flash took its place. Tessibel's head reared with a proud +uplift. No human power could set aside the majestic promise of Heaven +that she might stay in the hut. Smilingly, she opened the shanty door +and cheerfully answered the dwarf's, "How d'y' do, brat dear?" + +But the next few hours were laden with a sense of approaching calamity, +that sense which ties the tongue in apprehension. Andy was perched on +the ladder while Tess sat just below in the wooden rocker. + +Suddenly, from far up the lane, the sound of wheels grating on the snow, +could be heard plainly. Both man and girl stared white-faced at each +other for perhaps thirty seconds. + +"They're comin', but they can't take ye, Brat," muttered Andy. "You'll +stay in this shanty the same 's if you was nailed to the floor." + +Then, he sought his place under the straw tick, and as nearer and louder +came the clatter of the horses hoofs, the more quiet grew the Skinner +hut. + +Tessibel stood in the middle of the kitchen, her hand pressing down the +beatings of her heart. Somebody was approaching! There were footsteps on +the dry snow! + +Directly the crunching sound ceased, a loud knock fell on the door. +Tessibel lifted the bar, and at her faint, "Come in," the door flung +back on its hinges and Ebenezer Waldstricker stepped over the threshold. +Another man, seemingly by common consent, waited outside. Waldstricker +came to a halt at the sight of the squatter girl. Even in her mourning, +and ashen pale, she looked glorious. Her burnished, unmanageable hair +clung like a golden mantle about her. She had lifted heavy lashes and +was looking him straight in the face. + +Ebenezer, suddenly, felt a wild desire to strike, but he dared not touch +her, nor dared he go forward one step. Her advancing motherhood crowned +her with unapproachable dignity, and the man muttered an imprecation +under his breath. To have her appear in court so austerely lovely would +be to lose his case. He had expected she would plead, cry, perhaps +scream. What should he say to break that steady calm? He did not know +what a day and night of communion with the Infinite had done for the +squatter girl. He did not understand that beneath her were everlasting +arms, that her life was held in the hollow of a hand more powerful than +his own. + +"I believe, my girl," said he, without preliminaries, "I told you when +the church took action against you, you'd be sent to some place where +girls of your class go, didn't I?" + +Tess didn't move by so much as a wink. She seemed simply to have grown +deaf and dumb. How could she answer when she had not heard? She was +staring back into the man's bold, dark eyes. Her silence was like a +spark to his inflammatory temper. + +"Aren't you going to answer me, Miss?" His rasping voice aroused Tess +from her trance. + +"I didn't hear what you said," she told him, still very calm. + +"I said," replied Ebenezer, arrogantly, "you're going to be sent to a +reform school." + +"Today?" asked Tess, breathing deeply, now fully possessed of her +senses. + +"Yes, today." Then he remembered Madelene.... he had made her a promise. +"But I'll help you to get out after a while, if you tell me who--who +brought you to this condition." He threw out both hands disdainfully +toward her. Waldstricker's white hands, hands stronger than God's! Who +had dared say it? + +The girl cast her eyes to the rafters. There, the nets hung in strings +and mingled their tassled ends with the dry herbs. There, somewhere, +were that other pair of hands upholding her. She lowered her eyes again +to the man. + +"Don't you hear me talkin' to you?" he grated. "I said you were going +today--but if you tell me--" + +He bit off his words, her apparent helplessness shaming him to silence. +Then the import of what he had said flashed over Tessibel and she swayed +backward. This small break in that superb calm brought Waldstricker +forward the step the girl had yielded. + +"Are you going to tell me?" he demanded again. + +"Nope," said Tess rigidly, "Air I to go with ye now, this minute?" + +He inclined his head with a bitter nod. "Yes," he snarled. He strode to +the door, and addressed the officer. "Come in! Come in! She's a hardened +huzzy.... Serve the warrant on her." + +Tessibel took the paper but dropped it to the floor without glancing at +it. She didn't care what it contained, for minute by minute came the +sweet assurance from up there among the nets that God had heard and +would answer. + +The officer was staring at her, askance. He remembered distinctly when +she had climbed up the ivy on the county jail to see her father. Then +she had been a child. Now she was a woman. Being a good-hearted man, he +hated his task, and a moment later hated it worse than ever. She sent +him one pleading, heart-rending glance, then dropped her lids. + +"Ye couldn't let me stay till after March?" she whispered. "If ye only +would--" + +It had been an effort to say it; an effort to both inclination and +voice. It was as if her throat were filled with ashes ... nor could she +finish the appeal. + +"You can't stay even one day," thrust in Waldstricker, "I told you long +ago what to expect.... Get your things together." + +Tess made no move to obey. She was waiting for an answer from out of the +dry nets, even from far behind the snow clouds where the blue slept. + +"Get your things on," commanded the man, once more. + +Oh, yes, she could do that! Putting on her things didn't say she was +going. She turned mechanically, took down her coat and scarf. These she +put on and went for her rubbers. She stood very near the wall as she +bent dizzily to slip them on. All the time her soul was looking upward +for the eternal answer, an answer from a power stronger than +Waldstricker's. + +Then she went slowly to the little box where she kept her hat. After +brushing her hair back, she pinned it on in front of the mirror. +Today--well, now she was dressed, ready to go. She turned and came +forward. The constable stared from Waldstricker back to her. Was this +the girl who had stamped and screamed when Daddy Skinner had been taken +to Auburn? + +"Are you goin' without any fuss, miss?" he asked dully. + +"If I go at all," was all Tess said. + +At the door she flung back her head, her eyes searching the rafters. +Straight as knife cuts hung the broken strings of the unused nets, +threaded here and there with wheels of silken cobwebs. Up through these +Tessibel stared. Up and up, above the curling of the chimney smoke, up +among the stars, up where the hands of love--God's hands, were ever +spread in benediction over her own wild, beautiful world. She smiled as +if responding to a smile. Waldstricker touching her made her turn +suddenly. + +The cold wind from the door just opened by the officer, swept her hot +face. She flashed her eyes past him to the vast open stretches of +winter, and there, standing in the lane, smiling directly back at her, +was Deforrest Young. God in his own good time had sent her hands +stronger than Waldstricker's. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV + +LOVE AIR EVERYWHERE THE HULL TIME + + +The moment the red-brown eyes fell upon Professor Young, the pale face +of the girl lit with a radiant smile. + +"Oh, ye've come!... God sent ye, didn't He?" + +At the sight of the tall, commanding lawyer, the officer and his +powerful principal stepped each to one side of the path in front of the +house and left Tess standing in the doorway, with trembling arms +outstretched to her approaching friend. Young came directly to her, +ignoring his brother-in-law. + +"My dear," he murmured, snatching her hands, "you needed me! Poor child, +you certainly did!" + +"Are you coming in," pausing on the threshold, he spoke to Waldstricker, +"or are you going on to Ithaca, Ebenezer?" + +A smile passed over the elder's lips. He was secretly much amused at the +professor's assumption of authority. + +"I'm coming in," said he. "I've something to show you." + +Evidently not impressed by his brother-in-law's statement, Deforrest led +the passive girl back from the threshold of the shanty into the kitchen. + +"Let me take off your wraps, dear child," he said tenderly. + +Waldstricker's growing amusement found audible expression in a +condescending laugh. + +"Wait a minute, Forrie," he commanded, spreading his feet pompously. +"She can't take 'em off. She's coming with us." + +"And why with you?" Young asked, in simulated surprise. + +Waldstricker fairly gloated with joy. Never had he felt so righteous and +uplifted. By his brother-in-law's actions, he was assured he did not +know of the warrant for Tessibel Skinner. But the girl's attitude +amazed him. To the quiet dignity with which she had submitted to arrest, +there had succeeded an air of complete detachment as though her +responsibility, even her interest in the matter, had wholly ceased. +Mutely watching the two strong men, she seemed like some small prey over +which fierce forces fought. Young began to remove the hat from her +bronze curls. + +"We're going to take her away," cut in Waldstricker, putting one hand in +his pocket. + +"Where to?" demanded Young, laying the hat on the table. + +"To a--to a--" Waldstricker hesitated. + +The frown on Young's brow deepened. He had paused for the other's +explanation, his under lip gathered between his teeth. Then, he laid his +hand protectingly on that of the silent, white-faced girl. Tessibel's +fingers turned upward and closed over his, and they stood thus a moment, +Waldstricker contemplating them through half-closed lids, one corner of +his mouth superciliously curled. + +"You haven't told me where you were going to take her," Deforrest +insisted. + +Bitter anger rose in Eb's throat. He had been balked at every turn he'd +taken against this red-headed girl, and instead of helping him, +Deforrest was aiding her. He did not intend that Madelene should suffer +any more, and he imagined his own home life would be more peaceful when +Tessibel Skinner was wiped from its horizon. + +"If you'll have it plain," he cried triumphantly, "she's going to be +sent to a reform school! If ever a girl needed correcting, she does. +She's already been served with the warrant." + +Young muttered under his breath. Holding out his hand, he said, + +"Let me see the warrant." + +Ebenezer pointed to the paper on the floor where Tess had dropped it. +Stooping, he picked it up. + +"Look that over!" he said and handed it to the lawyer. + +Professor Young took the paper, and before reading it, looked +reassuringly at Tess with that wide, white-toothed smile of his that +always cheered her heart. + +"Sit down," he told her. "You do look tired, child." + +With one swift glance at Waldstricker's face, she obeyed him. + +Deforrest merely glanced at the paper in his hand. + +"Oh, is that all you have?" he asked the constable. + +"Yes, sir," the officer replied obsequiously. + +"You're sure you haven't anything else?" + +"Quite sure, sir," was the answer. + +"That being the case," said Deforrest, quietly, "I'll match it +with--with this." + +He drew from his pocket another paper which he tendered the officer. +After the man scanned it, he handed it without a word to Waldstricker. +The elder in his turn read it through. It was an order from the court +recalling the warrant obtained by Ebenezer Waldstricker for Tessibel +Skinner's arrest. The constable grinned sheepishly at Waldstricker. + +"I guess that ends my usefulness here," he said, smiling admiringly at +Professor Young. "Good afternoon, miss! Goodday, gentlemen!" + +Waldstricker, murder in his heart, took one stride toward Young, as the +door closed behind the departing man. + +"How'd you find out this was to happen today?" he gritted through his +teeth. "I insist upon knowing." + +"A little bird told me," grinned Professor Young. Then, glancing at +Tess, and seeing how white she was, there rose within him a righteous +indignation, and he went on, "You might employ your time to better +advantage than torturing--" + +For a moment he didn't know what to call Tessibel. She was no longer a +child, no longer a little girl, although she looked deplorably young and +sick as she sat huddled in the chair. + +"Tormenting women," he finished, sharply. "And, Ebenezer, unless you +want to make an enemy of me, you better let Tess alone. You can't do +anything to harm her, for I won't let you. I may as well tell you, too, +that the day after her father's death I constituted myself her guardian, +and I'll move Heaven and earth to prevent any one harming her. Just +remember that when you plot against her next time.... Now go home and +forget there are such people as squatters.... You'll be happier, and so +will I." + +"Deforrest," Waldstricker appealed, changing his belligerent tactics, +"if you keep this thing up, you'll rue it! You know very well Bishop is +hidden somewhere in this squatter settlement. I can only get him by +rooting his people out one by one; if you'll have that court order +rescinded and let me send the girl away, I'll make it possible for you +to run for Governor next fall." + +For one minute, the lawyer surveyed Waldstricker critically. He reached +one hand toward Tess. She got to her feet, grasping his fingers with +hers. + +"Ebenezer," Young said with great deliberation, "if I crawled across +this girl's body into the Governor's chair, I'd be the basest cur alive. +And furthermore, you promise too much! You can't deliver the goods! +What! _You_ name the next Governor! Why you can't even remove this +little squatter girl from her lonely hut!" + +Waldstricker shrank from the scorn in his brother-in-law's voice, opened +the door and strode out. + +"Tess," Deforrest said, putting an arm around her, "when are you going +to let me take you away from such things as this? I shudder to think +what might have happened if I hadn't come today, and I've got to go away +again." + +Tess smiled up at the big man. Drawing herself erect and lifting her +head proudly, she looked into his face, exultantly, full of buoyant joy +at the tremendous proof of Love's protecting power in the hour of her +great need. + +"I jest knowed old Eb couldn't get me," she asserted. "Jesus sent ye +jest in the nick of time, didn't he, huh?" + +"But, my dear, listen," Young argued, his love making him apprehensive. +"It's awful for you to be here alone and unprotected. Let me take you +away somewhere." + +"I ain't alone," Tess insisted confidently, serene courage resounded in +the sweet voice. "Jesus air here an' He keeps me safe all the time. He +got Daddy out of Auburn an' kept Andy an' me in the shanty. Why, He sent +you today. I know He won't let nothin' bad happen to me." + +Untroubled, the brave eyes looked into his, conveying a message of +courage and perfect peace that somehow uplifted the man's anxious +thought to catch a glimpse of her exalted faith. + +"But you know, Tess," he continued, "you are not so well this winter and +you ought to have some one here to look after you." + +Tess shook her head, the bronze curls twisting and falling over her +shoulders and upon the arms embracing her. + +"No, siree," she answered. "I can't have any one here, on 'count of +Andy. Oh, ye mustn't worry 'bout me. I air all right an' will be every +minute." + +"At least, dear," Deforrest insisted, "let me get a doctor and nurse +when--when--" + +The brilliant head suddenly bowed itself forward against Young's rough +coat. For a moment, her high courage faltered, but not for long. Surely, +the same power that had cared for her today would see her through this +other trial. + +"Nope, not any doctor or nurse," she refused. "I'll have Mother Moll. +She knows what to do an' she air safe." + +Withdrawing herself from Young's arms, she took his hand and kissed it. + +"God sure air good to Tessibel," she murmured. + +A moment they stood there. Then the lawyer took up his hat and turned to +the door. + +"You know, Tess, I love you and want to help you always." + +In the doorway, he paused and with bared head heard the girl's parting +speech. + +"Sure, ye're lovin' me an' I air lovin' you, too. I know Mr. Young, love +air here an' everywhere the hull time." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV + +BOY SKINNER + + +A pale winter moon nestled among the snow clouds in the storm country. +The shacks of the squatter settlement were dark and silent, save for a +slender little light glimmering from the side of the curtains of the +Skinner shanty. Inside, all was quiet. The squatter girl had been in the +valley of shadows, and had struggled back from its depths, bringing with +her that miracle of miracles, a son, a little son not much bigger than +the hand of a man; and, now, pillowed on her arm, very near her heart, +lay a small head, a baby's head, covered with soft, damp curls. + +Mother Moll had come and gone. When the old, old woman had looked down +upon the girl, she'd smiled that senile smile of age that split her lips +like a knife cut. + +"Ha! So it air another brat comin' to the shanty," she shrilled. "Holy +Mary! It air the way of the world, the way of woman." + +And now she'd gone, leaving the boy baby under the coverlet with +Tessibel. + +A weary apathy had settled over the young mother. Strange dreams filled +the small room with haunting, tangible things which she could reach out +and touch if she dared. The rafters, too, were peopled with faces partly +hidden in the dry nets. But she seemed to be staring at something out +and beyond--as Daddy Skinner, too, had stared that never-to-be-forgotten +night. + +The past months, where the grey days and sun days had all been the same, +moved vaguely in silent procession before her. She had lived through +them like a pale ghost indifferent alike to sunshine or shadow, and this +night she had drained to the last drop the bitter cup Frederick Graves +had given her to drink. Frederick, her husband, her beloved! She thought +of him indifferently. Even his babe at her breast seemed unimportant. +She considered them without emotion. But the ghostly faces, hovering +among the nets, interested her. + +Then, distinctly from among them advanced a figure, a dear, familiar +figure. Daddy Skinner ... the same old adorable daddy--his shaggy, +thready beard hanging over his chest. For one single instant he bent +over her, lovingly laid his hand upon the bronze curls and smiled in the +way he had of doing before he had gone away with mummy. Tess flung up +her hands. + +"Daddy! Daddy Skinner!" she cried. + +The movement startled the babe from his sleep. The dwarf, roused by the +cries scrambled to the open hole. + +"Tessibel--Tess," he called brokenly. + +The girl lifted heavy lids. + +"Daddy was here, Andy," she wailed in misery. "My own Daddy Skinner. I +want to go with him.... I can't live any longer without him." + +"Can I come down, brat?" begged the dwarf, huskily. + +"Yep," whispered Tess. "Mother Moll air gone." + +"I heard 'er when she went," said Andy, and he slipped down the ladder. + +The babe's shrill cry continued as the dwarf went to the bed. + +"Yer daddy don't need ye as much as me an' the little feller. Let me +take 'im--I ain't seen 'im yet, ye know." + +Andy bent over the cot. Gently he lifted the infant and carried him +nearer the lamp's dim rays. He stood gazing intently into the rosy face. +Then, he raised a tiny hand and spread first one finger, then each baby +fellow out in his own palm. + +"Why he's real handsome," he decided at last. "Brat, he air the most +beautifulest in the world!" + +At the last words he turned shining eyes toward Tessibel. She lay +gazing, not at Andy or the babe in his arms, but up into and beyond the +nets in the rafters, seeking another glimpse of her father's dear face. +Alarmed by her strange silence, the little man bore his precious burden +back to the cot and knelt beside the passive figure. Holding the baby +close, he breathed, + +"Don't, brat, dear! Look at me. I been feelin' yer daddy round all day, +too. He'll always be near to help you an' the little kid." + +A pathetic trembling of her lips hushed the flow of his words. + +"It seems's if I couldn't live, Andy. I dunno how I can, I dunno how!" + +Her voice trailed away into a plaintive moan. + +"Let me take hold of yer hand, brat," murmured Andy. "I want to tell ye +somethin'." + +He clasped one of her hands in his, while her free fingers shaded her +eyes. + +"You got three folks standin' by you, kid," continued Andy, earnestly. +"Me, Young an' Jesus. While I been alone in the garret, all this time, I +been readin' an' a reasonin' out things. Don't ye remember when Mr. +Young come that night how he said he didn't blame ye fer nothin' ye'd +done?" + +Beneath the tense fingers, she breathed a simple, "Yes." + +"An' me--why me--I know yer heart's if I'd made it, honey, an' +Jesus--Air ye listening Tess?" + +"Sure," assented Tess. + +"Then I'll tell ye a story. Once a woman loved a man awful much, an' she +loved 'im like all women love men folks. An' a hull lot of righteous +ones dragged 'er right up to Jesus an' says, 'She air a sinner, sir, +what'll we do with 'er?' An' he says, 'Go away an' leave 'er with me.'" + +Tessibel's hand clutched at the fingers holding hers. + +"An' when he were alone with 'er," went on the dwarf, "an' she were a +kneelin' at 'is feet, he jest touched her lovin' like, an' says--" + +"Don't, Andy, you--you hurt me ..." moaned Tess. "Don't!" + +"An' I wanted to help ye, sweet," insisted Andy. "But still, I air +askin' ye to listen to the rest. Will ye?" + +Tess acquiesced silently, her hand falling away from her white, drawn +face. + +"An' Jesus says to the woman in baby trouble like yours, he says, 'Poor +soul, I ain't blamin' ye this day, I ain't!'" + +The little man's eyes shone with the sublimity of the truth he was +imparting, and an uplifted expression of faith settled on his features. +The baby whimpered in his arms, and loosening his hold upon the girl's +hand, he rose to his feet carefully. Tessibel was crying now, in low +caught breaths that wrenched and tore at Andy's heart cruelly. + +To soothe the child, he pattered to and fro upon the shanty floor; and +when he began to chant in a low, sweet voice that old, old precious +hymn, "Rescue the Perishin';" Tess cried out again. Andy Bishop, the +dwarf, was impressing upon Tessibel Skinner's heart that mysterious +faith she'd known so long, that same sense of God's love which she'd +taught him in those days when the dark doors of Auburn Prison yawned +wide for him. + +The state had branded him a murderer, but here, with glistening eyes, he +preached the Christ and Him crucified. In the solitude of the garret, he +had learned his lesson well ... by the dim attic light, he had studied +the story of the forgiveness of sin. Suddenly, he ceased his song, and +as he trotted back and forth, swaying the little child in his arms, +Tessibel caught murmured words, "'Nuther do I condemn thee," said Jesus. +"Nuther do I condemn thee," said he. + +And in that next pulsing minute through the eyes of her soul, the +watching girl saw above the squat dwarf the shadowy image of the smiling +Christ, and unspeakable peace descended upon her like a benediction. The +lines of suffering vanished from about her pursed mouth. The hurt within +her heart gave way to the "still waters." + +"'Nuther do I condemn thee,' said Jesus Christ," whispered Andy over the +boy's face, and "neither do I condemn thee" sank into the very being of +the squatter girl as warm rain sinks to the heart of a parched flower. + +She followed the waddling figure, a gleam of gratitude beaming in her +eyes. Surely, the bread Tessibel Skinner had cast upon the waters of +Andy Bishop's stormy life was returning after many weary days! + +"Andy," she called. "Andy, dear, bring me my baby." + +The dwarf laid the sleeping child within its mother's arms. + +"The man on the cross, your man an' mine, brat," he whispered, "said, +'If ye have burdens, come an' I'll rest ye.' Didn't he say it, kid?" + +"Yes, yes, Andy," whispered Tessibel. "Everything'll be all right +fer--you an' me an' the baby," and she ended, ... "Get back in the +garret an' pray for my brat's daddy, too, Andy. He air needin' it +worser'n me an' you." + +Then the squatter girl turned her face to the wall, drew the baby under +the coverlet, and the dwarf scuttled up the ladder. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI + +DEFORREST DECIDES + + +Deforrest Young sat alone in his bachelor apartments, which he'd +obtained after the quarrel with Waldstricker over the churching of +Tessibel Skinner. He was in Ithaca in response to a letter from Mrs. +Waldstricker, stating that she would meet him in his rooms this +afternoon. + +His mind was busily at work with many problems. For the past week he had +had no word from Tessibel Skinner. Her silence was significant. +Mischief-making anxiety, which always pictures the worst side of a +situation, tormented him cruelly. He hoped Helen might have news from +the shanty by the lakeside. + +When Mrs. Waldstricker finally appeared, his first impulse was to ask +about the squatter girl, but the troubled expression of his sister's +face checked the question on his lips. He drew her tenderly into his +arms, and attempted to comfort her with reassuring pats and caresses. + +"You shouldn't have ventured out, dear," he chided. "Sit down here!... +There! Now tell me what's the matter." + +"I'm so miserable, Forrie," she wept. "I can't do a thing with +Ebenezer.... He's in such a state of temper all the time!" + +"Don't try to talk for a moment, dearest," soothed the lawyer, much +moved. + +"But I must--I want to! It seems as if my whole life has been upset in +some unaccountable manner. And it isn't any better since Frederick and +Madelene went away. I was in hopes after they'd gone, I might have some +peace." + +"Is it still--" Young's inquiry was broken off by his auditor's +exclamation. + +"Yes, it's Tessibel Skinner! He seems perfectly possessed about her. I +can't understand why, either. I always tell him she's nothing to us. He +has even gone so far--Oh, Forrie, dear, tell me it isn't so!" + +"What isn't so?" asked Deforrest, puzzled. + +"Ebenezer says--he says you'd marry--" The inquisitor's courage oozed +away before she finished her sentence. Her brother turned and strode up +and down the room, while Mrs. Waldstricker's eyes, full of questioning +anguish, followed his tall figure. + +"I suppose he said I'd marry Tessibel Skinner. Is that it?" His voice +was low, deep and intense. Wheeling about he looked across at his +sister. + +She got up from her chair and went to him. Her desire to placate her +brother supported her determination to know his precise attitude toward +her husband. She placed her hand on his arm and replied hurriedly, + +"Yes, that's what he said. I told him it was no such thing; that you did +what you could for the lonely child without a thought--" + +Deforrest's hand closed over the speaker's. + +"You were mistaken, then," he asserted quietly. "I'd have married +Tessibel Skinner long ago, if she'd consented." + +"Forrie, dear, you wouldn't! You couldn't! Especially now! Oh, darling, +you're all I've got in the world.... Can't you see it would break my +heart?" + +"You needn't worry about it, sister mine." A sad shake of his head +emphasized his reply. "Tess won't marry me. She knows I love her and +want to care for her, but she won't let me. She sticks there in that +wretched shanty, alone with her trouble and refuses every offer I make. +Her courage is splendid. I love her for it, although I'm torn to pieces +with anxiety." + +"And I never knew," Helen mused. "I thought--I thought it was--just you +were charitable and kind." + +"No, it wasn't that. I've loved her since the first, but she couldn't +love me, that's all. Then this awful thing happened." The deepening +lines in his face and his twitching lips revealed the intensity of his +solicitude. "Have you heard anything about her?" + +"Yes. A man by the name of Brewer, one of the squatters, brought me a +message." + +"Yes, yes!" interrupted the man, very impatiently. + +Helen pressed her face against his arm. She divined the pain he was +suffering. How was she to soften the hurt her answer would inflict, even +her loving heart couldn't imagine. + +"She has a baby boy," she whispered. + +"God!" groaned Deforrest. + +"The baby was born a few days ago, and every day the squatter's been at +our house, ostensibly to sell something, but really to tell me about +her.... I saw him this morning, and he says they are both doing nicely. +Forrie, don't you think--" There was something in her brother's stricken +face that broke off her question. + +"Don't I think what, dear?" He got up and resumed his restless pacing up +and down. + +"Oh, I want you to be happy. Couldn't you possibly--forget you've loved +her?" + +"No, I can't," and he came to a standstill in front of her. "I might as +well be truthful, dear, as long as you know this much.... If Tessibel +will marry me, I'll take her and the boy--" he choked, paused a few +seconds and went on. "I'll take them both away from Ithaca. It's the +only happiness in store for me, and I believe I could make her happy, +too." + +"I can't bear the thought of it," cried Helen, desperately. "Please +don't think I'm meddling, but has she told you anything?" + +"No. Some one has mistreated the child shamefully, but she won't tell +anything about it." + +"Poor little girl!" sighed Mrs. Waldstricker. "How I wish now I'd done +more for her! I might have, you know." + +The lawyer raised his hand deprecatingly. + +"What's past, is done with," he answered gloomily. "I don't know how +much she'll let me do, but I am going to help her in spite of herself. +That shack by the lake is an awful place. I swear I'll give her decent +surroundings and a chance to live.... I'm going down today." + +"But, Forrie," his sister objected, "I want you to come home with me to +dinner. You haven't been to our house in a long time, not since the +night you came from Binghamton and went off to Skinner's in the storm." + +"Helen, dear," Young explained, apologetically, "I can't come to your +house as long as Ebenezer feels toward me the way he does. You see, +don't you?" + +"Oh, I suppose I do, but I just can't stand it. Eb has acted badly and +tried to shoulder it all off on you. But can't you overlook it, honey?" + +"Why, Helen, how can I? I don't feel any too pleasant toward him, and he +doesn't want to be friends, either. He pays no attention to my wishes +but tries to ride rough shod over me. He regards my interest in Tess as +a personal affront. He persecutes her because he thinks he's annoying +me. But there, don't cry any more. You'll only make yourself ill! I +think you ought to go home and lie down. You've some one else besides +yourself and Eb to think of, dear girl." + +"I know it," she sobbed, "and I've tried to show Ebenezer how happy we'd +be if he'd forget those people down the lake and let you do what you +want to. Sometimes I think he's lost his mind. I really don't know what +to do." + +Helen rose from her chair. + +"Nor do I," replied Young. + +"But, Deforrest, don't you think if you talked to Ebenezer, he'd see +things differently?" + +"I'm afraid not," said he, adjusting Mrs. Waldstricker's furs. "You see, +Eb's always had his own way in most things, and I can't take any other +position about Tess, and I won't." + +"I wish you would come home with me," sighed Mrs. Waldstricker, when her +brother was tucking the sleigh robe about her. + +"I'm sorry I can't, Helen. You'll hear from me soon," he promised, as +the sleigh moved away. + +Half an hour later found the lawyer astride his horse, his fine face +clouded in sorrowful thought. + +He cantered along the hard packed road. Here he noted the shimmering +veil of ice over some brooklet waterfall in a cleft of the hill side. +There the precise punctures of a rabbit track dotted the level snow of +the woods. Beyond a herd of cattle standing placidly around a +straw-stack blew clouds of vapor from their steaming nostrils. The +silent beauty of the hills, glistening in their frosty covering, set off +to advantage the silvery sheen of the ice-laden lake. Through the trees, +he caught occasional glimpses of East Hill winter-wrapped in its white +mantle. Just north of the city shone the resplendence of the ice-cloaked +rocks and waterfalls of Fall Creek Gorge, like a massive garniture +emblazoned on the mantle's skirt. The unbroken calm of the quiet winter +afternoon touched the rider's overwrought heart and awoke in him a sense +of the peace and the dignity of the visible creation. The untroubled +serenity and repose which all nature presented, soothed his troubled +spirit. Something of the unruffled confidence expressed by Tessibel, +when he'd last left her, penetrated his revery. Her words, "I know +Love's everywhere the hull time," had comforted him many times, and now +they came again upon their healing mission. + + * * * * * + +Tessibel's baby was one week old. This afternoon she lay partially +dressed on the cot while Andy was plying his noiseless way about the +kitchen. He stopped a moment on the journey to the stove and smiled at +the young mother. + +"I bet he comes today," said he. "You'd better be gettin' that sorrow +offen yer face, brat." + +"I ain't right sorryful, Andy," she answered. "I was jest thinkin' of +all the good things Mr. Young air done for me, an' hopin' he'd get you +free, too. Mebbe when Spring comes, Andy, you can run in the woods with +me!" + +"I air prayin' for it every day, kid." + +"When you ain't afeered of Auburn any more," said the girl, after a +moment's silence, "we'll go away from this shanty, an' mebbe we can both +work. That'd be nice, eh, Andy?" + +"Anything'd be nice if I air with you, an' the baby, brat," he choked. + +"Oh, you'll stay with us all right," smiled Tessibel. "Daddy left me to +take care of you an' I air goin' to do it!" + +Conversation lagged for a time. The dwarf poured out a cup of tea, and +placed a large slice of bread on a plate with some potatoes and meat. +These he took to the bedside. + +"I don't know what we'd a done without Jake," he observed, drawing his +chair to the table. + +Tess was beginning to eat a late dinner. Between bites she smilingly +assented. + +"Jake air a awful good man.... Andy, ain't the baby stirrin' on the +chair?" + +The dwarf went to the improvised cradle and carefully drew away the +blanket. + +"He wants turnin' on 'is other side, that air all." With deft fingers he +rolled the baby boy over, placed the sugar rag between the twisting +lips, and went back to his dinner. + +"Jake was tellin' me this morning," she continued, "Sandy Letts got +three years and a half in Auburn." + +"That'll be dreadful for him," the little man responded, thinking of his +lonely years in prison. "But body-snatchin' air an awful thing. Reckon +he won't try it again when he gets out.... Eh, kid?" + +"At any rate, he won't be after us for a while," she replied, sighing +contentedly. + +"Well, I must slick up a bit," Andy announced presently. "I want to get +the shanty fixed. Young'd think I weren't doin' right by ye, if 'tain't +red up, brat." + +"When I tell him all ye've done," she smiled affectionately, "I bet +he'll be praisin' ye." + +Then they were silent until the little man'd gathered and washed the few +dishes. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII + +THE NEW HOME + + +WHEN Professor Young arrived at the end of the lane near the Skinner's +shack, he dismounted, blanketed the horse and hitched him to the fence. +The approach to the hut had been shovelled recently and the snow was +banked high on either side. He hurried along the path and knocked at the +door. + +A stir in the shanty told the lawyer the dwarf was seeking the attic. +After an instant of quiet, he heard Tessibel's voice. + +"Who air there?" + +The man's nerves throbbed quick response to the clear young tones that +came sure and strong through the shack boards. + +"It's I, Tessibel," he answered. + +And at his answer the bar raised from its holder and Young opened the +door and stepped in. The change from the brilliant glare of the almost +horizontal beams of the declining sun on the sparkling snow to the +half-light of the closely curtained room, obscured his vision for a +moment. But by the time he'd removed his cap and rebarred the door, he +could discern the familiar outlines of the shanty kitchen. He saw Tess, +half-risen on the cot. She rested on one elbow and stretched the other +arm out to him. Her face, wreathed in smiles, shone a cordial welcome. +When he'd gone to her and snatched the extended hand in both his own, +she bent moist lips and touched the back of the fingers. + +Her spontaneous joy brought him a sudden hope that tingled through his +blood and warmed it. To see her so well, so sparkling and joyous, lifted +his burden of anxiety and warmed in him a glow of profound thanksgiving. + +"Tessibel!" he greeted her, relief and yearning compressed into the one +word. + +It was some time before either spoke. In Tessibel's heart swelled an +affection such as she held for no other person. In Young's, in spite of +his self-communion on the way, surged the insistent call of the man for +his mate, a hopeless longing which might never be satisfied. + +"I'm glad it's over, child," he said softly. "My sister told me--" + +"I got my baby!" she broke in. "He air over there. Take a peep at 'im." + +There was no embarrassment in the bright smile she sent him, no sense of +shame in showing her friend the dear little being who had come to her +out of the Infinite to be worked for and loved. Young smothered a groan +but he turned obediently and went to the chair in which the baby was +cradled. + +Folding back the blanket, he gazed at the sleeping infant. Manlike, he +was experiencing the passionate wish that this small boy were his own. +Jealousy, sudden and violent, assailed him. Hardly could he restrain the +words of interrogation and denunciation that demanded utterance. + +The mother's question brought him back to the cot. + +"He air beautiful, ain't he?" she breathed, a misty gleam on her lashes. + +"Yes," said Young, and he sat down in Daddy Skinner's big rocker. + +"Wouldn't ye like to hold him?" Tess hoped he would. + +"Not yet," replied the lawyer. "I want to know more about him. You must +tell me now whose son he is, and let me help you decide what to do about +it.... Won't you trust me a little, Tess, dear?" + +He hitched his chair nearer the cot and looked earnestly into the dear, +brown eyes she turned fearlessly and unashamed up to his own. + +"He air mine," Tessibel told him, and a tender smile played about her +lips, "but I can't tell ye any more.... There ain't nothin' to do about +it. It air all right--huh?" + +"Oh, my dear," sighed the man. "I hoped you'd relieve my mind a little. +But--but I'll not speak about it again till you come of your own accord +and tell me.... I've been thinking about something else, though--" + +"Air it about Andy?" interrupted Tessibel. + +Young looked up and discovered a boyish face smiling down upon him from +the attic. + +"Come down," he said to the dwarf. + +Andy descended the ladder and trudged across the floor. + +The lawyer stood up and extended his hand. "How are you, Andy?" he +enquired pleasantly. "Pretty well, I hope?" + +Andy shook hands gravely. + +"Yep, thank ye, professor, I air that," he assented. "Hope ye're the +same." + +"Andy's been more'n good to me," Tess confided. "Please sit down again, +Mr. Young.... Set on the floor, Andy!" + +Obediently the dwarf curled up on the floor and turned eagerly to Young +who had resumed his chair. + +"Ain't Tess got the fine baby?" he queried, and as though not expecting +an answer, added, "And she air awful happy." + +A fugitive smile trembled on Young's face. + +Awful happy! Awful happy! Was it possible? He looked into Tessibel's +joyous eyes and pondered. Yes, she was happy. He could see that! Happy +in a squatter's hut! Happy in the companionship of a condemned murderer, +and happy with a nameless child! His eyes went to the little one on the +chair. Yes, the three of them were happy. Tessibel's love was bound up +in Andy and the baby, and the dwarf had forgotten his own danger to +serve the other two. To help in the same loyal and unselfish way would +be his future work. At that moment Deforrest Young buried deep in his +heart the passion which hurt like nothing else hurts on earth, and +something very like happiness took its place. + +He leaned back and crossed his legs. Then he reached into his coat +pocket and produced his cigar case. He bent forward and offered it to +Andy. + +"Smoke, Andy?" he queried. + +"Nope, thank ye, sir. Hain't smoked since Pal Skinner got sick. Couldn't +smell up the shanty with a pipe, ye see, eh?" + +When the cigar was glowing and the fragrant smoke drifted in eddying +clouds through the kitchen, the smoker rocked a few minutes +contemplatively. + +"I've seen Owen Bennet," he began presently. "He sticks to the story +that you did the shooting, Bishop, but I knew all the time he was +lying." + +"Yep, he lied," interpolated Andy, bobbing his head. + +"But as long as he won't tell the truth," Young stated "you're liable to +be taken back to Auburn." + +The dwarf cringed as from a blow. Fear of going back to prison killed +the joy in his face instantly, but the speaker's quick assurance +straightened the bent shoulders. + +"But no one knows where you are, and perhaps something can be done to +bring a confession from Bennet. Just at this time, though," looking from +the little man to the girl on the cot, "I'm more concerned about your +futures." + +Tess didn't speak. She knew wherein her confidence lay and was willing +to await her friend's suggestion. She sat up, punched the pillow, turned +it over, and lay down again. + +"It's perfectly evident you can't stay here, either one of you," said +Young, after a pause, "and if you'll be guided by me--" + +"We'll do what ye want," murmured Tess, "if ye'll let us stay together +an' keep the baby." + +"Yes, that is my plan," he replied. + +Andy folded his short legs under him nervously. + +"We want to stay together, me an' Tess does," he echoed, "an' the baby's +awful glad to live with us." + +Young's lips curled an instant into a smile responsive to the quaint +statement. + +"You remember, Tess," he resumed, "I have a lease of the house where +Graves used to live." + +She answered only by a little forward bend of her head. + +"My idea is this: I'll open the house, and you, Tess, can come there +with the baby. You can keep house in a little way for us all." + +"Ye said Andy could live with--" + +"Wait," interrupted the lawyer. "There're two nice rooms on the top +floor. You can arrange them for Bishop and he will be as snug as a bug +in a rug." + +A sharp cry of joy broke from the young mother. She sat up straight. She +threw back the tangled curls, and leaning forward grasped the hand the +speaker thrust out to support her. + +"Oh, what a good, good man!" she rejoiced. "An' me an' the baby'll love +ye forever, me an' the baby will." + +Tessibel didn't remember she'd made the same promise to another man when +she'd begged him in vain to help her. She only knew that Deforrest Young +was offering herself and her little child a home, and a safe refuge for +Andy Bishop. + +"It won't be all for you, you understand, child," said Deforrest. +"Think! I'll have a home, too, and you can study and work." + +"An' some day when I'm earnin' money, and Andy's free, we'll pay you all +back," the girl interjected. + +"Well, we won't worry about that now!... As soon as you're well enough, +I'll move you all up to the house. Tomorrow I'll see that coal and +things're sent down from town!" + +The reply to his offer was a tighter squeeze from the squatter girl's +hand, and a sob from the dwarf. Unable to restrain his joy, the wee man +bounded from the floor and fled up the ladder into the garret. For a +time the man and girl in the room below sat silent, and all was quiet in +the shanty save the voice of Andy Bishop giving forth a thanksgiving +such as he had never expressed before. + + * * * * * + +Two weeks later a light filtered through the closed shutters of Young's +residence on the hill. The old Graves house creaked in the blustery +March gale. The hurtling snow-particles rattled upon the blinds and +against the clapboards like small shot. Deforrest Young came out of the +house and fought his way against the blizzard's buffeting down the hill +to the Skinner shack. + +Stumbling, he fell against the door. + +"It's I, Tess," he shouted. + +The girl lifted the bar and admitted him. Dressed in her outer wraps, +she stood in the kitchen, anxious and expectant. This minute to Tess was +the changing point of her life. Young as she was, she understood what it +would mean to the three of them to leave the shanty, to take up their +abode in a real home. + +"Ye said we was to take the baby first," she greeted him, reaching for +the shawl on a peg in the door post. + +"Yes, but it's so bad I'll have to take you first, child," the lawyer +replied. "Come down, Andy, and after we're gone, bar the door and stand +by the boy.... I'll come back after you in a few minutes." + +Then he flung an arm about Tess and drew her into the winter night. +Wind-blown and snow-covered, Young almost carried the shivering girl up +the steps into her new home. How luxurious the comfortable furnishings +seemed compared to the poverty of the shack! Young helped her off with +her coat and rubbers. + +"Get the baby and Andy, quick," she panted. + +Left alone her imagination followed her champion out under the +frost-laden trees into the drifted lane. She knew his call would raise +the bar and let him into the shanty. She could see the dwarf's beautiful +face smiling his welcome. The thought that Deforrest would wrap up her +baby, protect him from the keen blasts, thrilled her. + +She went to the window in the north room and pressed her face to the +pane. Ah, yes, there in the little path were two figures, one little and +one big, struggling through the drifts. Her two friends! Presently, in +the arms of the tall figure, she could discern a bundle, a small bundle. +She watched them until she heard their steps on the porch. When +Deforrest placed the baby in her arms, and she noted Andy's happy face, +Tessibel's joy was complete. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII + +DINNER AT WALDSTRICKER'S + + +Three years and a half had passed since the birth of Tessibel's baby, a +period of growth and security for the squatter girl and Andy Bishop. + +Just before Boy Skinner's birth, Frederick and Madelene had gone to San +Francisco. A place had been made for him in Waldstricker's office there +and Madelene felt the continent none too wide to put between her husband +and the Skinner girl, but her efforts to win his affection had been a +complete failure. + +Lysander Letts, convicted of grave robbing, had been sentenced to prison +and was still confined at Auburn. + +During the weeks after Frederick's departure, Ebenezer Waldstricker had +been unusually busy. In May, just as the tardy promises of the Storm +Country spring, were beginning to be fulfilled by the full leaved +glories of early summer, little Elsie Waldstricker was born. A few weeks +later, the three of them had left Ithaca for a long period of travel. +Mr. Waldstricker had visited all his business friends and correspondents +and established many new connections. Proceeding leisurely around the +world, they'd returned to Ithaca not long after Elsie's third birthday. + +During their absence abroad, except for the caretaker, the great house +above Hayt's had been closed. Affairs at the lake side had run along in +their usual way. Tessibel had been able to ameliorate the conditions of +her squatter neighbors and was regarded by the inhabitants of that end +of the Silent City, as their lady bountiful. They put her in a niche by +herself. None prouder than they of the evidences of culture and +refinement she showed, while with characteristic independence, they +called her "Brat" just as in the days, when she ran bare-legged and +dirty on the lake side. + +Andy Bishop had occupied the room on the top floor of Young's home. He'd +devoted himself to the same studies Tess pursued and by greater +application had been able to overcome the handicap of the girl's +quickness and greater natural ability. Not so readily had he learned to +speak correctly. The idioms of his boyhood days still slipped out of his +mouth. But no suspicion of uncouth English marred the girl's speech. + +Forlorn and abandoned, the Skinner shanty lay moldering under the +weeping willows. Summer heat and winter storms had worked their will +upon it. Thick grasses and tall weeds had driven out the squatter girl's +flowers and the hedge had grown into a tangled thicket. + +The brilliant sun of a hot June morning found no more home-like place +than the old Graves house, where Deforrest Young lived with his squatter +friends. On the porch stood Tessibel Skinner. The girl's ruddy curls +fell in the same profusion as of old and shrouded a smiling, happy face. +Professor Young had caught her one day doing up the red hair in a great +ball on her head. + +"Tess, it's a sacrilege," he protested sharply, "like wadding up the +petals of a rose or the leaves of a fern. Keep the curls, won't you?" + +Below, from the pear orchard, came a joyous shout, the free, careless, +laughing response to the girl's call. + +"I'm coming mummy," cried a child's voice. + +Tess leaned forward, the better to watch the small boy lightly climb the +terrace. Her face evinced the joy which she found in her baby, and in +the quiet, happy life under Professor Young's care. She held out her +hand to the little one. He danced to her side and she bent and kissed +him. + +"Mummy's boy, oh, mummy's little boy! Didn't I tell you, darling, not to +soil your blouse? Uncle Deforrest'll be here soon." + +"Boy rolled down the hill," pouted the child. "Boy loves to roll down +the hill, mummy." + +His mother kissed him again, diverted by his words, which recalled her +own girlhood frolics. Hadn't she many times tumbled the length of the +lane, while Daddy Skinner had stood and watched her indulgently? Her +arms about the boy, she allowed her eyes to rest for a moment on the hut +at the lake side. Tessibel loved the shanty and always would love it, +but more did she love the home in which she now lived. Her fingers +played idly with the child's dark curls. All that Deforrest Young had +done for her in the past years swept before her mind like a panorama. + +How safe he'd made it for Andy! How the little man had improved! How +delightful their studies together! They constantly looked forward to +that day when they should be able to return to their friend some of the +generosity he had shown them. + +Now he was coming home after an absence of many weeks, and the three +were awaiting his arrival. + +"Run up to Andy, darling," Tess said to the child, "and let him wash +your face and hands, and put on another blouse, my pet. Oh, there 're +grass stains on this one, too." + +A trembling, rosy mouth turned up to the speaker. She kissed it quickly +and passionately. + +"Never mind, honey, just run along. Mummy doesn't care.... There, kiss +me again." + +Two loving arms went quickly around the mother's neck. + +"Boy loves his pretty mummy," was whispered in her ear. + +"And mummy loves her pretty boy. There! Run along to Andy. I want to +gather some flowers for Uncle Forrie." + +Andy was studying at a table, when the door opened and the dark-faced +boy popped into the room. + +"Mummy says wash Boy's face and put on clean blouse," said he. "Please, +Andy. I forgot to say 'please'!" + +Andy pushed back his chair and waddled to the child. The dwarf was the +same ungainly figure that had moved about the hut four years before. His +face had lost all its tightly strung misery and his expression was more +thoughtful and he seemed more manly. + +Boy was a continual joy to him. The little fellow supplied an outlet for +his overflowing love. True, he adored Tessibel, but his care of the +little one had drawn them together so intimately that he and the baby +boy thoroughly understood each other. + +He'd have liked to romp with the child under the trees and to row him up +and down the quiet span of blue water, but grateful for the love and +protection he'd found in Young's home, he seldom permitted his mind to +dwell upon the hardships necessarily incident to his secluded life. Just +now a little sense of discouragement touched his thought and clouded his +face. While he was washing Boy's chubby fingers, the little one observed +him closely. + +"There's tears in your eyes," he burst out suddenly. "What for, Andy?" + +"I was just thinkin,' pet." + +The child thrust his feet apart and flung up an entreating face. + +"I don't want you to think if it makes you cry." + +"All right, sir!" Andy replied promptly, tickling the youngster till he +laughed and shouted, "I won't think any more if you don't like it." + +When Deforrest Young came around the corner of the house, Tessibel was +standing on the lower step of the porch, her hands full of flowers. To +his adoring eyes, the girl typified the unfolding life of the spring. +Strong was she, like the sturdy trees, dainty as the flowers she held in +her hands. To his passionate desire as unresponsive as the sullen lake +on dark days, yet grateful for his kindness as the field flowers to the +sun after a hard rain. She was a child with a woman's heart, but the +woman's heart closed to him by the secret of Boy's paternity. Her +smiling lips greeted him. She dropped the flowers and two arms stole +around his neck. Young drew her very close. How dear, how very dear, she +had grown in these last studious years! + +"It seems ages since you went away," she said, and pointing to the +flowers, "I hoped to get these all on the table." + +"My dear," interjected Young, "you're the rarest blossom of them all." + +Tess was used to his compliments, and she loved them, as she loved the +birds and the friendly sunshine. + +"For that, sir," she laughed, "you'll have to help me pick 'em up." + +While they were gathering together the scattered bouquet, they heard a +stamping down the stairs. + +"Boy couldn't hardly stand it till you came," smiled Tess, opening the +hall door. + +A small avalanche of concentrated eagerness piled out of the house. + +"Uncle Forrie! Uncle Forrie!" cried Boy, swarming upon him. "I'm awful +glad you're home." + + * * * * * + +"Now, then," said the lawyer after dinner, "I think our little mister +here ought to crawl into bed.... Well, one more romp, then bye-bye. Eh?" + +"One more romp!" screamed the child. + +His mother carried him away half an hour later, and when she went to +Andy's room, she found Young there talking to the dwarf. + +"I've such a lot to tell you two," said he. "Now we're all comfy, I'll +begin." + +"Will it please Andy?" asked Tess. + +Deforrest shook his head. + +"I'm afraid not!... Bennet won't have to stay long in prison and he +still insists he didn't do the shooting and that Andy did." + +The latter groaned, and a shadow fell over Tessibel's face. + +"I wish something could be done," said she. + +The lawyer considered the end of his cigar. + +"Well, I can't think of anything right now," he sighed.... "I suppose +you've heard Lysander Letts is out of prison?" + +Young asked the question as though it amounted to little, but he knew by +the sharp cry from the girl and the upward lift of the dwarf's head that +they both dreaded Sandy's return to Ithaca. + +"But I don't want you to worry. I'll send him back if he comes around +here." + +Tess shook her head despondently. + +"Oh, I hope he'll let me alone!" + +"I'll see that he does," said the professor, rising and straightening +up. "Well, I'm going down to write some letters. Cheer up, Andy! Maybe +something'll turn up." + +"Kid," began Andy, when the lawyer had gone. "I been thinking, we don't +have to worry 'bout Sandy Letts. Ye know the lots of times when we +didn't have Boy's Uncle Forrie to do things for us, how we prayed for a +helpin' hand and got it?" + +"Yes, Andy dear," Tess answered, thoughtfully. + +"Then let's do it now. Let's get busy prayin' so Sandy can't hurt ye an' +I get out of my pickle.... Huh?" + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIX + +FATHER AND SON + + +After an absence from his native city of three years and a half, +Frederick Graves was returning to Ithaca, a very sick man. He had +learned from Helen's letters to Madelene that Tessibel Skinner had a +small son. His brother-in-law's exasperation at Young for giving the +squatter girl and her little son a home at the lake had also been +reflected in the correspondence. He had been able to glean but the bare +outlines of the story, because Ebenezer and Helen had been abroad most +of the time, and his impatient spirit chafed to know the intimate +particulars of Tessibel's life. Jealousy of Young tormented him. +Hopeless brooding over his situation, and Madelene's continual nagging +had made him a neurasthenic wreck. Worn by insomnia and almost starved +by a nervous dyspepsia, he could no longer maintain even a pretense of +usefulness in the business. Madelene, thoroughly disillusioned, herself +worn out by his sullen and savage temper, had brought him back to +Ithaca, hoping the familiar sights and sounds of the home-land might +help him. + +They arrived one rainy night at the station, where Ebenezer met them +with the carriage. He greeted both effusively, and his manner perhaps +was more cordial because of his brother-in-law's death-stricken face. + +"You'll buck up now you're home, Fred," he said, after he had kissed his +sister and helped them into the carriage. + +"Maybe, but I doubt it," the invalid replied wearily. + +"Nonsense, Fred," his wife broke out. "You make me tired. You're always +whining. Of course, you're going to get well." + +Too fatigued to argue, Frederick leaned back upon the cushions. Except +for an occasional word, they were silent during the long drive through +the rain. + +Home at last, they found Helen waiting in the great hall. To Madelene, +who preceded the men into the house, she looked much older, more +dignified. Lines of worry around her eyes and mouth told the girl that +her sister-in-law's life with Ebenezer had not been entirely easy. + +After kissing Madelene, Helen extended her hand to Frederick. + +"I hope you'll be better soon, Fred," she encouraged. "Our country +fare'll put some flesh on your bones.... You look after the invalid, +Ebenezer, and I'll take Madelene upstairs." + +The two women walked upstairs together. Waldstricker gazed after them, +pride and joy in his eyes. His wife and his sister reunited brought him +a feeling of content. Frederick, fussing with his coat and rubbers, +seemed hardly aware of their going. + +"I'm glad to have you back, Fred," began Waldstricker, anxious to +express the gratification he felt. + +"We're glad to get back, of course," Frederick responded coldly. He +followed the elder into the library and threw himself on a lounge to +rest until dinner. + +In the room above, Helen helped Madelene off with her things and +listened to her chatter about the journey. She could detect a sullen +dissatisfaction with Frederick running like a dark thread through the +current of her talk. It was clear to Helen that Madelene had lost her +regard for her husband. Apparently, she cared so little that she didn't +feel it necessary to hide or explain her feelings. + +"And, now I want to see little Elsie," gushed Madelene. "I've been crazy +to see her ever since she was born." + +"She's such a darling," smiled Helen, "and is the very joy of her +father's heart.... Come on in the nursery." + +For a few seconds Madelene leaned over the sleeping child, a rosy child +with thick blonde curls. A keen sense of the emptiness of her own arms +stirred in her an envy of the complacent young matron standing at the +foot of the little white bed. Perhaps Fred would've been different if +they'd had a little one. + +"I'd love to have a baby," she breathed discontentedly. "But--" + +During the significant pause, Helen linked her arm through the +speaker's. + +"Let's go down to dinner," she suggested. "You must be famished after +your long ride." + +At the table, the conversation touched many matters relating to the +happenings in the lives of the long separated families. Madelene plied +her knife and fork industriously, and jumped from topic to topic, +expressing a lively interest in all the events in Ithaca. + +"And your brother, dear?" she asked her hostess. "Is he still at the +lake place?" + +Helen threw a quick glance at her husband, whose lips sank at the +corners, his face coloring to a deep red. + +When his sister asked the question, the glass from which the elder had +been drinking struck the table sharply, as though he wished to emphasize +his displeasure. + +"Yes, he lives there," he broke in. "In your father's old place, Fred. +His lease is not up for almost a year." + +"Helen wrote me he had the Skinner girl and her baby with him," said +Mrs. Graves. "Wasn't that a funny thing for him to do, Ebbie?" + +Waldstricker pushed back angrily. + +"Funny! Funny!" he ejaculated. "It isn't decent, and I've told him so, +too." + +Frederick's face flushed, and he toyed nervously with the silver at the +side of his plate. + +"But, Ebenezer, you don't mean she's living with him, do you?" he +faltered, leaning forward. + +"They live there together, Young and the girl and her--" Ebenezer's +anger almost made him forget the conventional respect he owed his wife +and sister, "--her son," he concluded lamely. "That's all I know, and +it's enough. He's had the best houses in Ithaca closed to him on her +account." + +Indignation at her husband's injustice burnt a red spot in Helen's +cheeks and kindled a flame of unusual animation in her placid blue eyes. + +"You know better, Ebenezer," she retorted. "Forrie's given her a +father's care, and every one worth while honors him for it." + +Frederick, kept in his attitude of tense attention by a sudden revival +of his jealousy of Young, sighed audibly and settled back in his chair. + +"I'm glad to hear you say that, Helen," he said earnestly. + +"Oh, are you, Fred?" cried Madelene. "So your old interest in that girl +isn't dead, yet? Well, all I can say is, I am sorry she didn't get you, +but I'll bet she's glad, now, she didn't." + +Waldstricker looked keenly from the speaker to her husband. But +Frederick had again put on his mask of apathetic indifference and +answered his wife's gibe only by a shrug of his shoulders. Noting her +brother's scowling face, she went on maliciously. + +"You'd better keep away from the lake place, my dear husband, or you'll +have both Ebbie and Forrie after you." + +"Will you have your tea now, Madelene?" Helen was alarmed at the +threatened tempest, and hoped to change the subject. + +"Yes, thanks, dear," and to her brother, "After all, Ebbie, Forrie +probably knows his own business best. You know he's quite partial to the +squatters and always did things for 'em." + +Mrs. Waldstricker summoned the servant, and while the dishes were being +removed, Ebenezer sat and glowered from Frederick, white and distrait, +to his wife, who was explaining to Madelene the way she'd made the salad +dressing. When the servant had gone, Waldstricker began again. + +"I'm out of patience with Deforrest! If he'd let me alone, I'd had all +the squatters off the lake side before this and probably would have +located Bishop." + +"You've heard nothing of him, Ebbie, I suppose?" asked Madelene. "It +does seem queer a dwarf could disappear like that and not a word about +him from any part of the world." + +Waldstricker's powerful hand clenched the teaspoon in his fingers so +violently as to bend the handle. + +"No, I haven't," he growled. "I've a notion he's being harbored by some +of the squatters. But I want Deforrest to understand this--" + +"Oh, let's talk of something else besides squatters," cried Madelene. +"Helen, your salad was divine.... Tell me, Ebbie, how you enjoy little +Elsie. I think she's lovely." + +"Lovely!" he repeated in a very different tone. "Lovely is no word for +that child. She's an angel, isn't she, Helen?" + +Helen smiled dubiously. + +"An angel, very much spoiled, I fear." + +"No such thing," argued Waldstricker, glad of an opportunity to air his +favorite theory. "Now Helen thinks the child's spoiled because she drops +on the floor and kicks and cries until she gets what she wants. I tell +her it's human nature, and perfectly right for my child to have her own +way. Thank God, there's nothing in the world she can't have." + +Then looking from Frederick to his sister, he made a heavy attempt to be +humorous. + +"What's the matter of you two? You've been married longer than Helen and +I. When are you going to start your family?" + +Frederick maintained his pose of bored unconcern and an angry flush +mounted to Madelene's face. + +"You think you're smart, Eb," she retorted. "Fred's all the baby I can +look after, and goodness knows he's trouble enough!" + +"But, now, you're here, dear," Mrs. Waldstricker extended the olive +branch again, "we'll help you look after him.... I do hope the +weather'll clear so we can get out. The lake's been simply beautiful +this summer." + +"Just after I returned from Europe, I tried to dispossess Deforrest," +Ebenezer told Fred, "but he beat me in court. I wanted to clean up the +scandalous mess. I felt he was breaking God's law in harboring a woman +of that kind. But I'm only biding my time." His voice sank as he cast +his eyes slowly from one to another, at last, fixing them ominously upon +his wife. "Biding my time," he growled deeply, laying his napkin on the +table. + +The gloom of his manner spread over the diners like a cloud. Helen's +face expressed consternation; Frederick's discouragement, and Madelene's +impatience. + +"I must say this is pleasant," snapped Mrs. Graves. "Ebbie, I forbid you +to speak of those people again tonight." + +Helen made a little move as though to rise. In her capacity as +peacemaker, it seemed advisable to change the scene of hostilities. + +"Let's go to the drawing room," she invited.... "Fred, don't you think +you'd better go to bed?" + +"Yes, I'm all tired out. I think I will." + +At the drawing room door, he turned to the stairs. + +"Good-night, all," he added, and went slowly up to his room. + +Reclining in a big chair, Frederick recalled the talk at the supper +table and let his fancy rove in dreams of Tessibel and his son. + +What a cruel persecutor Ebenezer was! How Helen had suffered during his +outrageous harangue! The young man ground his teeth. So Ebenezer was but +biding his time to do some terrible harm to Tessibel and her little boy, +his boy! Frederick breathed deeply, and pressed his hand upon his heart. +Would the thing never stop beating that way! Would it never in this +world quit that awful hurt when he thought of the squatter country! He +undressed hastily and went to bed, nor did he speak when Madelene crept +softly in beside him. + + + + +CHAPTER XL + +HUSBAND AND WIFE + + +The next morning found Frederick Graves more nervous than ever. The +weather had cleared. The air, washed by yesterday's downpour, came +through the open window sweet to his nostrils. The countryside sparkled +in the morning sun and the greens of the woods and fields were deeper +and richer; but the beauty of the landscape touched him not. He'd +scarcely slept, and when weariness had at last overcome him, his dreams +had been filled with visions of a red haired girl, and a sturdy, +handsome boy playing about upon the ragged rocks. When he came down to +breakfast, Ebenezer told him he'd better see the doctor that day. + +"You might go while Madelene and I are out this morning," suggested +Helen. "Ah," hearing a child's voice in the hall, "here comes my baby!" + +When the door opened, a little girl of three bounded in. Ebenezer held +out his arms and Elsie sprang into them. + +"Listen to Mrs. Waldstricker," he laughed. "She said, 'my baby,' and I +say, she's mine.... Aren't you my baby, pet?" + +Helen smiled indulgently. This wee bit of femininity was the one +creature who could keep her father amiable from one end of the day to +the other. + +"My girlie wants to eat with daddy?" Ebenezer went on, his face buried +in the flaxen hair. "Then she shall." + +"Elsie wants to eat with daddy," parroted the child. + +"That's why I say she's spoiled," offered Helen, shrugging her +shoulders. "Now her place is in the nursery, but what can I do?" + +"Her place is right here on her father's knee," replied Waldstricker, +"where I always want her, bless her." + +During the discussion about the child, Frederick got up from the table +and went out of doors. + +As he left the dining room, he had no definite plan; but no sooner had +he walked across the front lawn and taken a view of the long road--the +way that led to Tessibel and his boy--than his feet, seemingly of their +own volition, led him along the grassy path up the hill. If he could +only see the two of them without his family knowing! One kiss from his +boy, one loving look from Tess, and he felt he could start again to +live! + +To the sick man the distance was considerable, but minute by minute he +grew stronger, restored by revivifying hope. An hour, only a short hour, +only a little distance further and he would be at the lake; in sight of +the willow trees around the shack. He went down the hill to the top of +the lane. Here Tess had come to him that long ago night he'd married +her. Every familiar spot stung him with bitter memories of the squatter +girl. + +He went slowly down and stopped under a great tree opposite the house +where he'd formerly lived. Young had the place now, and Tess lived there +and his boy. Ebenezer's insinuations hurt him. His jealousy of Deforrest +revived. Remorse for his criminal selfishness burned him, an +unquenchable fire. + +Shaken by conflicting emotions, he went on by the deserted hut under the +willows to the lake shore. He'd go out to the ragged rocks and rest, and +then he'd try to see Tessibel and the boy. + +He came to the great gray slab where he'd left Tess the night he told +her of Madelene, and sank down in the shade of the overhanging rocks. +Screened from the blazing sun, his hot skin rejoiced in the coolness of +the damp grotto. With unseeing eyes, he glanced out over the glassy +mirror of the placid water. Unheeding, he heard none of the bird-calls, +and paid no attention to the intimate little sounds of the lake side. + +What should he do when at last he saw Tess and the boy? Would he dare +claim them? + +Suddenly, something made him sit up straight and listen. It was a +child's laugh. He got up and stepped behind the hanging shoulder of the +rock and waited. He looked cautiously around the jutting-rock, and +there, racing toward him through the brilliant sunshine, was a little +boy, a handsome, sturdy boy, and bounding along beside him, Kennedy's +bulldog. + +Then, instinctively, Frederick knew this was his son. He would speak, he +must speak! He stepped from his hiding place and came face to face with +the little fellow and his companion. The dog, uttering a great growl, +crouched on his hind quarters in rage. A stranger had ventured upon +ground belonging to his dear ones, and Pete was demanding, in his +doglike way, the reason thereof. + +"Pete, Pete," called Frederick, soothingly, and Pete dropped his head +and came forward, as if to a friend. The boy stood, feet wide-spread, +staring fixedly at this man whom Pete knew and he had never seen before. + +Frederick patted the dog and smiled ingratiatingly at the boy. He was +looking down into a pair of dark eyes, eyes like his own, into the grave +face of a child asking why he was there. + +The dog nuzzled the man's hand and fawned upon him, making in his throat +little noises of welcome. + +Frederick held out his other hand. + +"Won't you come, too, little boy?" + +"I can't!... Mummy wouldn't like it. I don't know you." + +"She won't mind, I'm sure," replied Frederick, his heart beating so hard +he could hear it. "Pete knows me, and I know your mother. Her name +is--is Tessibel.... Isn't it?" + +The man could scarcely get that beloved name from between his lips. + +"Yes, Tessibel is my mummy," said the boy. "You know my mummy, and my +Uncle Forrie?" + +"Yes," assented Frederick, sitting down. "Come here and let me tell you +all about your mother's beautiful curls." + +Boy hitched nearer the tall stranger. He was drawn in some unknown way +toward this man whose arms were out-held to him. Then, suddenly, he +walked straight into them, his eyes still very grave, still very +questioning. + +The moment Frederick touched the little one he felt the world was his. +He forgot Waldstricker, forgot Madelene, forgot everything, but his +elf-like son within his cuddling grasp. He touched his lips to the +little face. + +"Oh, I've wanted to see you so," he murmured. + +"Why didn't you come, then?" demanded Boy. + +"I was away," said Frederick. + +"My Uncle Forrie goes away, too. When he came home yesterday, he brought +me a beautiful engine--it goes on wheels. I love my Uncle Forrie." + +"Could you love me, dear?" breathed Frederick. + +"Yes, oh, yes. I love everybody. God, too. So does Mummy. And Deacon, +he's my owl, and An--" + +Boy's lips closed on the nearly spoken word. He suddenly remembered the +daily lessons he'd had from his mother never to mention Andy's name to +any one; that, if he did, a big man would come and take his darling Andy +away. No, Boy couldn't stand that. He wouldn't say anything about Andy, +not even to this strangely attractive man. + +"What were you going to say, boy?" petitioned Frederick. + +"Nothin'. Just nothin'." + +And the father was satisfied, satisfied not to talk, glad to have his +son so heavenly close. The long years of his exile were slipping away. +The nerve-racking yearning of tedious days and yet more tedious, +sleepless nights was partially quieted. His son, so long, merely, the +pulseless image of his dreams, had become a breathing reality, and the +child was the living link between its mother and himself. The longer he +held the little one, the more intense grew his desire for Tess. At +length this demand urged him to ask, + +"Where's your mother?" + +"She's home, just up there in that house. She's working." + +"You haven't any father?" the man queried at last. A lump rose in his +throat and choked him. What had the child been told about him, he +wondered. + +"Oh, yes, I have somewhere's, but I got another up in the sky, away back +in the clouds, Mummy says. And he's awful glad when I'm good, and he +cries like anything, when I'm bad. So I try to be good, and sometimes +I'm gooder'n gold." + +To hear a name from the child's lips, the name he had dreamed of, was +the one thought filling his mind. + +"Let me be your father?" he said, his voice breaking. + +"Sure I will," he answered. "There's my mummy, now!" + +Around the jutting rocks came Tess. The red curls hung about her +shoulders like a vivid velvet mantle, just as Frederick always dreamed +of them. But her figure, in her simple morning dress, was fuller and +more womanly. Upon her face was an expression of serenity and peace. Ah! +The woman was even more lovely than the girl he'd married, and to the +love-hungry man, on the great, gray slab of rock, she was infinitely +desirable. + +"Mummy," shouted the child, joyfully, "I've found a daddy for us. Petey +and me found him." + +Tess stared at the man, undisguised horror and dismay written in her +eyes. She'd not seen Frederick since that day he'd urged her to marry +Sandy Letts to escape Waldstricker, whose hands, he'd described, as +stronger'n God's. She'd hardly heard of him after he and Madelene had +gone West. She had long ago ceased to feel any desire for him. Indeed, +she scarcely thought of him. During the full happy years since she left +the shanty, under the loving tuition of Deforrest Young, the disgrace +this man on the rocks had heaped upon her had covered its claws and +lacerated her no more. But, at the sight of him, visions of the past +reared themselves in her imaginative mind. Memory, suddenly, flung all +the cruelties of his treatment of her into a kaleidoscopic jumble, and +meddlesome fear presented numerous suggestions of calamity. A moment she +stood as if turned to stone. + +"Come on, come," Boy cried, tugging at her dress. + +Frederick struggled to his feet, and held out his arms. + +"Tessibel, oh, my Tess, be kind," he supplicated. + +But she'd taken the child's hand and without answering, was making her +way swiftly backward to the rock-path. + + + + +CHAPTER XLI + +TESSIBEL'S DISCOVERY + + +Frederick stood for one tense minute watching Tessibel hurry over the +rocks. Many times he had pictured this interview, ... even framed the +sentences in which he would express his remorse and win her forgiveness. +It had never occurred to his brooding thought that the years of absence +which had increased his own ardor, might have lessened the squatter +girl's regard for him. But the meeting wasn't working out as he'd +planned. He'd been almost paralyzed at her coming, speechless except for +the few halting words of entreaty. Now, it dawned upon him that she was +going away without a word, that she was taking the child with her, and +that he might never see either of them again. + +"Tessibel," he called hoarsely. "Stop, or ... I'll tell Waldstricker." + +His words brought Tess to a standstill. The threat filled her with fear, +for well she knew the elder's power. Still keeping hold of Boy's hand, +she retraced her steps. + +"Why did you come here?" she asked, fear and distaste making her voice +cold and hard. + +"To see you and ... him." Frederick pointed to the child, who was now +hiding behind his mother's skirts. + +"Well, now you've seen us." + +Frederick stared at the speaker, his lips pursed with surprise. Was this +Tess Skinner, the squatter girl? The voice was hers, but its tones were +resonant with contempt! Face and form he recognized, but not the new +poise, the dignity of her motherhood. The brown eyes he remembered as +lighted by love, now expressed unutterable abhorrence. + +"Tess, dear Tess," he pleaded, "let me talk to you." + +Tess stooped over the child, rearranged his little waist, and pushed +back the curly hair. + +"Boy go home now, and mother'll come directly." + +She kissed the bewildered upturned face. The baby couldn't understand +what was going on.... Mummy seemed sad, and the nice man, who was so +white and sick looking, had spoken angrily to his beautiful mother. + +"I'd rather stay wif you," he lisped. + +"But Mummy asks Boy to go," said Tess, and to the dog, "Here, Petey, go +home with Boy." + +Placing his hand on the dog's collar, the child turned slowly and +unwillingly toward the house. He'd taken but a few halting steps along +the rocks before Frederick's voice rang out. + +"Tess, Tessibel, let me hold him ... kiss him once more. Don't shake +your head! Don't say no! I've wanted him so all these years. Oh, +Tessibel!" + +His pitiful pleading touched the listening girl. At last, face to face +with the man whose cowardice and selfishness had brought her so much +trouble, her one desire was to escape ... to run away. But he was +begging for her to be kind, to allow him to hold her baby!... What right +had he to kiss him?... To be sure, the child was his, too, but--but-- + +"Oh, No! No! I don't want you to!" she cried, protesting. "You can never +be anything in his life. Why don't you let us alone?" + +Frederick had walked very close to her side by this time, his white face +twitching. + +"I must kiss him once more," he persisted. + +Tess turned to the loitering child. She could see that at a word of +assent from her, Boy would rush into the outstretched arms Frederick +held toward him. The mother, with a twist at her heart, recognized the +tie which drew together this man and her son. A dreadful fear clutched +her. Would Frederick do as he had threatened, hoping that he might thus +come in contact with his son? Her mind flew to Deforrest Young.... He +must never know the name of Boy's father. She could feel the blood +coursing madly through her temples, and her head ached dully. + +Nevertheless, she went back and took hold of the child's hand. + +"You may kiss the gentleman ... good-bye," she said in a constrained +voice. + +"The pretty man was goin' to be my faver," said the child, pleadingly. +"I want a daddy awful bad." + +"Yes, yes, I know," Tess returned tremulously. "Now hurry, dear, and +then run home." + +Only too gladly did the child jump away and bound into his father's +extended arms. + +"Mummy says I has to go home," he whispered. + +While the tall man silently caressed the dark curls of her boy, Tess of +the Storm Country endured such pain as she'd never known before. The +mutual attraction between the two, so differently related to her, seemed +anomalous and impossible. + +Frederick unwillingly allowed the child to slip to the rocks and after +Tess'd started Boy and the dog on their homeward way, she stood before +him, her lips quivering. She knew he, too, suffered, and she waited +quietly as he dried his eyes and recovered his choking breath. + +She was sorry he'd come. She'd hoped never to see him again. But, now, +she must be assured that he would continue the deception in regard to +the past. As anxious as she had once been to have him claim her as his +own, to tell the world she belonged to him, she, now, wanted to keep +silent. + +"It was useless for you to come," she chided presently. + +Frederick made an impetuous movement with his hand. + +"Oh, no, it wasn't.... Won't you let me atone, let me make up for all +the things I've done ... and haven't done? I want--oh, how I want--" + +"It's too late," interrupted the girl. "Much too late." + +"But, Tessibel, I know you love me. You can't have forgotten. And I'll +make the boy love me. He does now! Didn't you hear him call me father?" + +"He has no father," she responded coldly. "And I--I haven't any love +left for you." + +The words were low but distinctly spoken. + +"I don't believe it!... I won't!... You shall love me!... I won't have +you with Young. ... He can see my boy every day ... be with you hour +after hour.... I hate him!" + +"You hate him!" Tessibel's eyes burned and flashed with indignation. +"When you should be grateful, because he's done everything you should've +done.... You've said all you can. You can't make up to us ... the baby +and me.... Won't you please go?" + +Frederick felt he was losing his reason. The love he'd nursed in secret, +the passion that had wasted him away, shook his frail frame. He wouldn't +be denied! + +"God help me, I won't go!" he gritted, the words carrying on his +thought. + +With one sweep of his arms, he encircled Tess in a close embrace. She +made frantic efforts to free herself, but Frederick, strong under the +emotion consuming him, only hugged her closer. + +"Let me go!" Tess almost screamed the words. Then, her voice changed to +a tense whisper, hoarse with loathing. "How can ... oh, how dare you!" + +But she could not protect her face from the searching mouth. Violently, +Frederick twisted her around and for one moment his lips fell upon hers. +Deep groans came between the kisses he thrust upon her. + +A moment later the sound of advancing steps lifted Frederick's face from +hers. Muttering an oath, he threw Tess forcibly from him, for there in +the path was Ebenezer Waldstricker, about whose sagging lips played a +supercilious smile. + +"So I was not mistaken," he sneered, looking his brother-in-law full in +the face. "If Madelene doesn't care, I do." + +"Well?" growled Frederick. "You've found me here, now do what you cursed +want to, I don't care." + +"Perhaps you'll care before I finish," said the elder grimly, and he +included the girl in his baleful glare. "I think you both will." + +Tessibel's mind flew to Boy. What could these two men do to her darling? + +She went forward toward Waldstricker, her eyes raised appealingly to +his. + +"Won't you make Mr.... Mr. Graves keep away?" she petitioned. "I don't +want him here." + +"Yes, it looked, when I came around the corner, as if you didn't want +him, miss," scoffed the elder. Then he laughed, and the laugh cut the +throbbing girl to the quick. "Very much as if you wanted him to go.... +Now, then, sir, what's this girl to you?" + +"I'm nothing to him, Mr. Waldstricker," she asserted, without giving +Frederick a chance to speak. + +Graves still felt that maddening passion, that demand for his own. + +"She lies," he said in low tones. + +Tess turned to him passionately. + +"You know what I say is true. You came here without my desiring it! I +don't want anything to do with you.... Haven't you both harmed me +enough?... Do I ever come around and hurt you?... Why don't you tell the +truth?" + +"All right," he shouted, his irritation at her resistance overcoming his +fear of the elder. "If you want the truth, here it is. I'm----" + +"Don't! Don't!" screamed Tess. + +"Ah!" hissed Waldstricker's lips like a jet of steam. + +He'd caught within his powerful net the girl he wanted. He'd bring to +light the secret that'd preyed upon his sister's spirits so long. For +the squatter girl he felt no pity, for Frederick only contempt. They +were both weaklings that he'd sweep away in his pursuit of Young and the +squatters. + +"He's sick," said Tessibel, trying to discount Frederick's confession. +"Your brother-in-law's sick. You can see that!... He thinks ... why, +he's mad!" + +"I'm not mad!" Frederick turned upon her fiercely, then back to the big +man whose eagerness bent him forward. "I'm the father of her boy." + +The blood left Waldstricker's face, so that it looked like carved +marble. + +"So 'tis so," he got out, "and you admit it, you cur, and you dared to +marry my sister? Now, as God lets me live, you'll both suffer for this, +and as for you, Tessibel Skinner, look out for that bastard of yours!" + +The squatter girl uttered a heart-broken cry, and turning, fled around +the rocks into the lane and up the hill. + + + + +CHAPTER XLII + +A MAN'S ARM AT THE WINDOW + + +It seemed to Tess that her feet were leaden, as if she could never +traverse the distance between the ragged rocks and the house. The +interview with Frederick had been a terrible ordeal, and she was sick +with disgust from his odious kisses. Waldstricker's untimely appearance +and his stinging taunts hurt and frightened her. She knew he would do +his worst and that Frederick wouldn't or couldn't help it. The desire to +get Boy into her arms, to keep him from the men below urged her on. +Wildly, she fled through the orchard, crying as she went. + +"Boy! Mummy's Boy! Where's Mummy's Boy?" + +Gasping for breath, her voice ejected the words explosively. Exhausted, +she sank upon the top step of the porch. The long run up the hill had +been almost too much, but in a moment, she lifted herself, still calling +and panting, and stumbled into the house. + +"He's upstairs with Andy," said Young, looking up from his book. Then, +alarmed by her appearance, he jumped up and hurried to her. "What's the +matter, Tess? Tell me." + +"Where's the baby?" she demanded hysterically, clinging to him.... "Tell +me where my baby is." + +Drawing her into an easy chair, Deforrest attempted to quiet her. + +"Boy's upstairs with Andy. Hush, hush, child! Don't cry like that!... +Oh, my little girl!... What is it?... What's happened? Tell me ... +quick!" + +But Tess couldn't speak. She only clung to his arms, trying to stifle +her gasping cries. + +Just then Boy's clear laugh came pealing down the stairway, a conclusive +comfort to his mother's heart. When her extreme agitation had subsided. +Professor Young sat down and called her to him. As of old, when first +he had heard her lessons in his home, she dropped at his feet, resting +her curly head against his knee. + +"Now I want to know what's frightened you," said he, softly. + +The girl made a gesture of refusal. "I can't tell it," she replied, +under her breath. "It's too terrible! It's too awful!" + +"There's nothing too terrible for me to know," answered Young. "What +happened while you were out?" + +"Don't ask me to tell you, Uncle Forrie," pleaded Tess. "I can't! I +can't!" + +"Tessibel," demanded the lawyer, "was it Sandy Letts?" + +"Oh, no, no, not him!" + +The man pondered a moment. + +"Was it--" + +"Please don't ask me any more questions." She lifted a crimson face. "I +was foolish, I suppose, but I thought, I thought the baby--" + +"Some one threatened Boy! Was that it, Tessibel?" he cross-questioned. + +"Yes." The murmured answer was scarcely audible. + +"One of the squatters, then?" + +The red head sank again. This time a decided shake of the shining curls +made the denial. + +Hoping to avoid further examination, the girl tried to rise to her feet, +but the questioner's hand pressed her back. + +"Don't ask me," she entreated. "I'm better now." + +She tried to smile, but the sweet lips trembled. Young hadn't seen her +so stirred in all the years of her residence in his house. He'd been +able to hold his love in check while he saw her happy and content, but +her present pitiful state broke down the barriers he'd erected and +hardly conscious of the change in his attitude, he kissed her. + +Tess drew away sharply. The strange new quality in his caress aroused an +answering thrill the length of her body. In that moment she discovered +how deeply she loved Deforrest Young. + +"Don't ... don't kiss me! Never, never kiss me again." + +What was it she had said? The man felt his heart contract with a +shooting pain. + +"Why, child, I've kissed you since you were a little girl.... Why +shouldn't I?" + +"I don't know, I don't know," she faltered. "Somehow it's different, +now." + +Something in her tones, some dejection in the bowed head brought the +man's hand from the shrouding curls. His heart began to live again, to +come forth from beneath his stern will and make known its own desire. + +"Tess," his voice tense with emotion, "will you marry me?... Will you, +Tess?" + +The girl got to her feet, swaying. Marry him? Her fingers twisted +together as her eyes dropped before the expression of his. He, too, was +on his feet, holding out his arms. + +"I'd ... marry you," she confessed haltingly, "but I can't." + +"Is it Boy?" demanded Young. "Why, child, don't you know I love him +almost as if he were my own?" + +"I can't," wailed Tess, again. "How I wish I could!" + +"You saw some one today, didn't you, Tessibel?" + +She nodded affirmatively, but volunteered nothing further. + +"I must know," cried the man. "Don't you see, child, you've just told +me--Tess, look at me." + +The drooping lids raised slowly. + +"Tess, when you said you desired to marry me, did you mean--oh, you +meant you love me, child dear, didn't you?" + +"Yes," she breathed. + +"Then, can't you see your love for me and mine for you makes it +necessary I should know everything? Some one today--tell me, dear." + +"Waldstricker came down--" Tess paused, but trembled on. "I was talking +to--" + +"Who?" ejaculated Young, fiercely. "Who?" + +"The baby's father." + +Shocked by her unexpected answer, he dropped into his chair and covered +his face with his hands. + +"Don't feel that way," she whispered. "Listen, I'll tell you about +it.... Boy ran to the rocks with Pete, and I went after him. I found him +there with--with--" + +"Oh, Tess," groaned Young. + +"His father's been away a long time," the girl went on, "and now he's +back, and he wanted to see the baby, and then I sent Boy home and +Waldstricker came--" + +"My God! won't you ever tell me who was there with you?" + +Boy's mother bowed her head, and through the red hair came two trembling +words, just one whispered name that seared the man's heart like flames. + +"Frederick Graves." + +Only one long shudder showed the listener's agony. Tess, too, remained +quiet, her veins bursting with pulsing blood. She could not tell him the +rest, Frederick hadn't told, neither could she. Her promise on the +rocks, so many years ago, still bound her. + +The lawyer lowered his hands, and the whiteness of his face drew +Tessibel to her knees beside him. + +"I've always made you sad," she murmured. "I'm sorry, forgive me." + +"Just tell me ... all," he insisted. + +Then she began at the beginning and told him over again how Boy had gone +to the rocks with Pete and she went after him. At the part where +Frederick had taken her in his arms, she faltered. In the light of the +wonderful, new love for Deforrest, she couldn't go on! + +"Won't you let me ... keep the rest?" she implored. + +"No, I will not!" groaned the man. "I will not!" + +"Then, let me stand up." + +She got up slowly and stood looking out of the window. + +"He kissed and kissed me," she said, choking, "and just then +Waldstricker came and ... saw." + +"Oh, God help me!" the heavy voice pleaded. + +Tess knelt again. His supplicating cry aroused her faith to vivid +activity. Deforrest had prayed, "God help me!" and, oh, so differently +than the same words used by Frederick a short time previous. He was +bearing pain for her. Hadn't she suffered, too, and time and again +called into the heart of the Infinite for help? And always at the times +needed, it had come. God would surely help her friend. Tess forgot +herself in her ardent desire to comfort him. + +"He will help you, dear," she whispered. "He'll always help when you ask +Him. Didn't He get Daddy Skinner out of Auburn and He kept Andy with me +in the shanty till we came to you? Oh, I know He'll help you and me, +Uncle Forrie." + +The loving appellation, taught Boy when first he could lisp, roused the +man as perhaps nothing else would have done. The three of them still +needed him, needed him more than ever. He was there at their sides like +a wall of stone, to defend, to love and protect. And whatever happened, +Tess loved him! + +He drew her to her feet and smiled a twisted smile into the lovely face. +This day had started another epoch in their lives. She had said God +would help, and he had learned many lessons from the squatter girl. For +the first time in his life he understood something of the overwhelming +faith of Tessibel Skinner. Yes, he would be helped! + +The girl's next words cut off his thought. + +"Waldstricker said he'd hurt Boy," she said, flushing, "but, but--" + +"But you have faith he can't, haven't you, Tess?" + +"Of course!" she nodded. "I know he can't! You remember the day +Waldstricker tried to get me and you came and stopped him, how I told +you I knew he couldn't," and more softly, "do you remember what I said +when you went away that day?" + +"Yes, indeed, I do, dear! I've often thought of it. 'Love is everywhere, +the hull time,'" and, he smiled. + +Radiantly she told him, "And, now, somehow, I know that Love will let me +be all yours some day." + +Young turned swiftly, and going to the door, swung out without another +word, and Tess hurried upstairs to Boy. + + + + +CHAPTER XLIII + +SANDY'S JOB + + +Tessibel Skinner's flight left Ebenezer Waldstricker and Graves together +on the ragged rocks. The bigger man turned and surveyed the other, +scorn, anger and disgust struggling for expression in his face. The +latter, paying no apparent attention to the enraged elder, leaned +against an outcropping gray rock and fixed his gaze on the lake, noting +mechanically the play of sunshine and shadow upon its dazzling bosom. + +Through the elder's seething mind thoughts tumbled tumultuously. Could +this moody, pale-faced man be the same nice young fellow that had +married Madelene? How had he dared to marry her, and having done so, +what had compelled him, after all this time, to acknowledge the Skinner +brat? + +He walked forward a step or two, coughed and began to speak. Frederick +seemed not to hear him. + +"I said," repeated Waldstricker, "I've discovered what I've suspected +for four years." + +Frederick allowed his eyes to rest an instant on his brother-in-law's +dark, passionate face. Then, again, he turned his attention to the lake. + +"And I don't intend to allow my sister to suffer by this," went on the +elder. + +"I suppose you'll tell her, won't you?" questioned the other, foreseeing +unpleasant complications and already regretting the rashness that'd +betrayed him. + +"She won't learn it from me," promised Ebenezer. + +"Nor from me," agreed Frederick. "I've no wish to have a whining woman +hanging to my neck." + +Waldstricker muttered an oath under his breath. + +"Well, of all the contemptible pups in the world!" he snorted. "Talk of +ingratitude! Here's a girl, a good girl, too, and Madelene's that--" + +"No one said she wasn't," snapped Graves. "But her goodness doesn't keep +her from nagging, my dear Ebenezer." + +"Shut up!" snarled his opponent, the last atom of his patience exhausted +by the speaker's flippant criticism. "You cur, you deserve a good +thrashing, and I'm going to give it to you, now!" + +Jumping for him, he lifted his arm to strike, but before the mighty fist +descended, Frederick, outworn by his long walk and the excitement of the +morning, slumped upon the rocks, a limp form at his assailant's feet. +Stunned, the tall man gazed down at the crumpled figure, and +mechanically lowered his arm. Then, he stooped, examined his fallen foe +and stretched him out upon the rocks. Leaving him there, Waldstricker +hurried to the lake and filled his hat with water, and returning, bathed +the stricken man's face and neck. In a few moments, the faintness +passed, and Frederick drew himself to a sitting posture against the +rocks. + +"You great brute! It's like you to strike a sick man," the white lips +taunted, as soon as their owner could speak. + +The slurring words brought a hot blush of shame to Ebenezer's face. + +"I'm sorry, Fred," he stammered at length. "I was so angry I must've +forgotten you're not well. I'm glad I didn't strike you. But what are we +going to do, now?... If we don't tell Madelene, how about the Skinner +girl?... Won't she make trouble for us?" + +"No, she won't say anything, I'm sure!" Frederick's voice was low, but +positive. "She doesn't want to have anything more to do with me. What +she said about not wanting me was true. She wouldn't stop to speak to +me, even, until I threatened to tell you.... I suppose Young's made her +so happy she's glad to forget me." + +"What gets me is how you and Young, decent fellows, got mixed up with +such a girl," Ebenezer growled meditatively. + +"If you knew Tess as I do, ... you'd understand," wailed Frederick. +"She's the dearest, bravest, sweetest girl in the world." + +"Bosh!... Now, the question is about getting you home. My buggy's up in +the road. Do you think you can walk there?" + +"I guess so." + +With his brother-in-law's help, Frederick got to his feet. Slowly, +leaning on the big man's supporting arm, he made his way, with many +pauses for rest, to the waiting vehicle. + +Waldstricker put his companion into the carriage and unhitched the +horse. Instead of getting in beside him, he handed him the reins, saying +as he did so, + +"You can drive all right, can't you? Old Ned knows the way back and will +go home if you let him alone. I want to see Young." + +Before turning away, the speaker chirruped to the horse, which started +obediently up the hill toward Ithaca, drawing after him what cowardly +selfishness had left of Frederick Graves. + +The elder walked slowly up the path to Young's house, turning over in +his mind to what advantage he could best use his newly acquired +knowledge. + +Coming out of the door hurriedly, Deforrest Young met his brother-in-law +face to face as the latter rounded the corner of the house. At the sight +of this pompous person, whose meddling threatened so much trouble to his +dear ones, the indignation which Tessibel's words had in a measure +quieted, flared up anew. He wanted to fight, to pound, and if possible +to kill with his hands the man in front of him. + +"You'd better come no farther," he said between set teeth. "Just stay +where you are!... I shan't be responsible for my acts if you don't." + +"So she's told you," said Waldstricker, laughing loudly. "And it hurts, +eh? Now, you know what you're keeping?" + +Trembling with suppressed passion, the lawyer walked deliberately to the +steps, his face waxen-white. + +"I told you to come no nearer. I'd advise you to go away," said he. His +low voice, contrasting sharply with his flushed cheeks and blazing eyes, +testified eloquently of the tremendous curb imposed upon his temper. + +"Yes, she told me, ..." he continued in the same tone, "and the more she +told me, the more heartily I pitied her. She told me of your threats, +too, but I want you to understand, the moment you turn your hands +against her, I'll fix you." + +"Don't forget my wife's your sister. I'll see our family's honor upheld +even if you've forgotten it." Waldstricker simulated a confidence he +didn't quite feel. + +Young's fists knotted. + +"You mind your business, Ebenezer, and let my house alone." + +Waldstricker, kicking uneasily at a stone in his path, thought a moment. +At last he looked up. + +"I'll let your house alone all right, if you'll get rid of that girl, +and that--" + +He didn't use the word he'd intended. Deforrest didn't give him time. + +"My house is my own," he interjected. "If you watch yours, you'll have +all you can 'tend to." + +"I'll go," said the big man, hoarsely, "but I don't say I won't come +again, and I warn you, as I warned that squatter girl, when the time +comes--" + +"Get out!" snarled Deforrest, starting down the steps, "and get quick." + +And the elder, not daring to stay, turned and went toward the pear +orchard. It was then, that he glanced up and saw Tessibel and her little +one at an upper window, watching with startled eyes for his departure. +The baby turned from the window and raised his arms to some one within, +and a hand below a man's rough coat sleeve clasped the boy and lifted +him up out of Waldstricker's sight. + +Walking along the road to Ithaca, he reviewed the exciting events of the +morning and tried to consider and determine the complications they +involved. He was unable to find a motive for Frederick's dramatic +announcement, although he did not for a moment doubt its truth. It was +queer though that, after having kept still so long, he should blurt out +his secret in that fashion. He considered his promise not to tell +Madelene and concluded he'd been wise. Probably Frederick wouldn't live +long anyway, and in the natural course of things, Madelene would soon be +free and the Graves chapter ended. He wondered what had kept Tess silent +all these years. How had she withstood his persecution even in her +betrayer's presence and made no sign? He was glad she had, but he +couldn't understand why. Evidently the girl's disclosure to Young wasn't +going to make any difference in his brother-in-law's conduct. Suddenly, +like a bolt shot into the midst of his revery, rose the question. Whose +arm was that? Young was on the porch, the girl and the baby in plain +sight at the window. But there was some one else, a man. He had seen his +arm and coat sleeve. + +"That's certainly peculiar," he ruminated. "I didn't know Young had any +one else there. It may be all right, of course, but it seems mighty +suspicious." + +All the way home and all the evening, the thing bothered him. In every +way imaginable he tried to account for that other man in Young's house. +He canvassed the neighborhood. A chance visitor wouldn't be upstairs, +and anyhow he'd have looked out to see the row with Young. But this man +kept away from the window. He'd only shown his hand and arm. Whoever he +was, he was hiding in Young's home. + +Was his brother-in-law a party to it? A man couldn't be kept for any +length of time in the house without his knowing it. Young and Tess were +hiding someone! At bed time he decided that the next day he would find +out who was the other man in Young's house. It might give him a hold on +his obstreperous brother-in-law and the hateful squatter girl. + + + + +CHAPTER XLIV + +SANDY'S VISIT + + +The next day, Ebenezer Waldstricker met Lysander Letts, just back from +Auburn, loitering along Buffalo Street near the Lehigh Valley station. +The prison-pallor of the squatter's face and hands and the ill-fitting, +cheap prison clothes on his big body made him conspicuous among the men +on the street. Waldstricker pulled up his team. + +"Sandy," he called, "come to the office when you're uptown. I want to +see you." + +An hour or so later, the squatter slouched into Waldstricker's private +room. + +The elder rose and greeted him. + +"So you're out again?" The question was really a statement. + +"Yes," assented Letts, sitting down on the edge of the chair, "an' I +wouldn't a been if I hadn't been let out on good behavior. I made up my +mind I wouldn't stay a minute longer'n I had to." + +"I guess after this you won't be stealing dead bodies, will you?" asked +the rich man. + +"Nope, you bet I won't! I've enough of Auburn. It ain't like the Ithaca +jail!... Heard anythin' of Tess Skinner?" + +"Yes, she's got a boy over three years old." + +Lysander nodded his head slowly, as if he'd received confirmation of a +conclusion previously formed. + +"Thought likely," he muttered. "Where air she livin'? I met Jake Brewer +on the street an' he says she air left the shack." + +"So she has, but not very far away.... Letts, I want you to do something +for me. Are--or I might put it--do you still want to make up to the +Skinner girl?" + +Sandy's face grew dark with uncontrollable anger. + +"I want to rip the skin offen her inch by inch," he snarled. + +The other man gave a low, mirthless laugh. The picture of the girl he +disliked so intensely, writhing in the great hands of the brute opposite +him, appealed to the elder's sardonic humor. + +"That wouldn't be a bad idea," he averred. "But she's got some one who +won't see her hurt." + +Letts jumped up and stepped close to the desk where the other was +sitting. Here was a complication he hadn't anticipated. He moistened his +dry lips with a tobacco stained tongue and demanded, + +"Who air he?... Air she married?" + +"No, she's living in Graves' old place, the house I, now, own, with +Deforrest Young." + +"Ye mean, your wife's brother, the lawyer?" + +Waldstricker nodded. + +"An' ye say she air livin' with him?" + +"Well not exactly that, I suppose, but she's keeping house for him. +She's got her child there, too." + +"Has, eh?" said Sandy, dryly. + +A wicked look came over his face and he slouched back into his chair. +Ebenezer went to his office window and looked into the street. + +"Want to earn some money, Letts?" he demanded, without turning around. + +"You bet! Ye bet I do!" + +Ebenezer returned to his desk and sat down again facing his visitor. + +"You'll have to go about this business carefully." + +"Trust me," promised the squatter. + +"I am. There's a mystery about Young's house--I mean, there's some one +in it beside my brother-in-law, the Skinner girl, and the boy." + +"Who air it?" The question was no perfunctory expression of interest. +Anything relating to Tess was vitally important. + +"That's what I want you to find out. It's a man!" + +"Mebbe it's the brat's pa," offered the other. + +"No, it isn't, and by the way, you let up trying to find out about +that." + +"What do ye mean?" interjected Sandy, sullenly. + +"I mean I want that matter dropped." + +Letts merely grunted, for to acquire that information was one of the +first things he intended to do, but there was no use telling the elder +so. + +"What ye want?" he muttered. + +"I'll give you a hundred dollars to find out the name of the other man +living at Young's." + +"Done!" cried the squatter. "Do I get any of the dough, now?" + +"Part of it, if you like," replied Waldstricker, slipping his hand into +his pocket. "But listen to me. You're to come directly back here and +tell me, when you find out. Discover his name, if you don't know the +man. Do you understand?" + +"I does that. You leave it to me. Then, I'll settle with Tess Skinner." + +"As you please about her," consented Waldstricker. "Go along now. I'm +busy." + + + + +CHAPTER XLV + +ANDY VINDICATED + + +Lysander Letts left Waldstricker's office highly pleased. He was going +to see Tess, and he had twenty-five dollars in his pocket. In the long +hours of silent meditation in prison, he'd tried to outline that +meeting, and to figure out how he could work Waldstricker. His errand +provided for both contingencies. + +He swaggered along the street, bumped into people roughly, and for his +rudeness gave them oaths instead of apologies. At an inlet saloon, he +displayed his money ostentatiously, and bought many drinks for himself +and the "setters." The squatter's capacity for the Rhine whiskey had +been impaired by his imprisonment, and it was not long before he began +to feel the effects of his liquor. A full pint in his hip pocket, Sandy, +finally, broke away from his companions and started up the railroad +tracks for the Silent City. Staggering a little, he meditated with +drunken seriousness what he had done and was going to do. + +Famished by his detention in prison, he hungered for the sight of Tess. +All the fierce passion of his undisciplined nature clamored for her. And +when he had her, he'd carry out all the brutalities conceived in the +long nights in his cell. He'd find out the father of her boy. If that +duffer, Waldstricker, could discover it, he could. He'd make Tess tell. +He'd show Young, too. He'd get even with the lawyer for helping send him +to Auburn. His grievance grew more active every step he carried his load +of liquor through the broiling sun, the long four miles from Ithaca. + +"Wait till I get 'em," he muttered over and over, "I'll show 'em what's +what." + +Before he reached the lane leading past Young's place to the Skinner +shack, he left the tracks and climbed the fence. Throwing his legs over +the top, he sat down to enjoy the breeze which blew from the green +lake, and, vibrating the leaves and bowing the shrubs and grasses, swept +up and over the hill into the illimitable space beyond. Sandy wanted +another drink, and reached back to his hip for it. The bottle stuck in +the pocket and he jerked at it savagely. He pulled it out, but he, also, +lost his balance, and in his efforts to save himself from falling, +smashed the bottle on the top rail of the fence. The whiskey ran down to +the ground and the thirsty moss drank it up. + +Letts gazed at the jagged-edged glass in his hand, stupefied by the +magnitude of his calamity. Then he drew a long breath and cursed his +luck. He cursed the bottle, the fence, the whiskey, Waldstricker, who'd +sent him, and Tess and the unknown man, on whose account he'd been sent. +His maledictions included everything except his own drunken clumsiness. + +Bye and bye, he got down from the fence, muttering and grumbling to +himself. Cautiously, in spite of his inflamed temper, he worked his way +through the trees. There was no sign of life about the house, but large +hammocks swung in the breeze on the porch. The squatter walked around +and around, keeping far enough away so his movements could not be +noticed. He stopped under a large tree to look up at the windows +Waldstricker had described. + +Attracted by a sound to his right, he wheeled about and saw Tessibel +coming down the hill. His breath came sharply through his dark teeth. +Never had the girl been so desirable, and for the instant, he felt +possessed to rush upon her, to take her in his arms, to hold her close. +Then, Waldstricker came into his mind. Before he worked his will on the +squatter girl, he must find out the name of the unknown man. He had to +please the elder to get the rest of the money. But to speak to her would +be all right. He might discover something. He walked stealthily through +the trees and placed himself so that when the girl turned toward the +house, she would meet him face to face. + +Tess was humming happily. When her eyes rested upon Lysander Letts, she +stopped. + +"Hello, brat!" grinned Sandy. + +The girl didn't answer. His prison pallor fascinated her. It contrasted +so sharply with the wind-tanned brown of the swarthy skin she +remembered. All the accumulated horror of him, which had been forgotten +while he was safely restrained at Auburn, swept over her. + +"I said hello!" sniggered the other, once more. "Ain't ye glad to see +me?" + +Ignoring his question, the frightened girl assumed a haughtiness quite +unusual, and in her turn questioned coldly, + +"What do you want?" + +"What do I want?" mocked Letts, not a whit disturbed by her manner. "I +want you!" + +Tessibel stepped to one side, but the squatter put himself in front of +her, again. + +"Now none of yer foolin'," he growled, and he added to his remarks a +collection of sulphurous epithets. + +"Sandy," commanded the young woman, still in her grand manner, "step out +of my way! Right now! Do you hear?" + +Unmoved, her drunken tormentor flung up his arms, hands open in assumed +disgust. + +"Well, hark to the way the squatter girl's talkin', will ye?" he +sneered. "I'll take that outten ye, kid, afore I've had ye long. Where +air yer brat?" + +The brown eyes, responsive to his suggestion, glanced toward the house. +There was Boy coming slowly up the little path toward her. He dearly +enjoyed the rare occasions when visitors came, and his face lighted up +when he saw the man talking to his mother. + +"Boy, run back home," she called. + +Sandy made a dash down the hill toward the child, shouting curses and +commands to him. + +"Wait, kid! Don't ye move! I want ye." + +The young mother instantly flew after him. Her swift feet took her on +and on, up to and past the squatter whose speed was impaired by his +years of confinement and the whiskey he'd swallowed. Then, she flung +herself in front of the child and held out her arms. + +"Stop, Sandy! Wait!" she panted. "I'll talk to you. Let the baby go +home." + +The race which had flushed the girl's cheeks and deepened her breathing, +left the fat squatter wind-broken and exhausted. + +"Let 'im go, then," gasped Sandy. + +"Go back, Boy dear," urged Tess. + +Boy didn't move. He seemed mesmerized by the strangely white face of the +drunken man. + +"Mummy, come home, too," he hesitated. + +"Yer mummy can't. Git out, ye beggar, afore I kick ye!" threatened +Sandy. + +His breathing was easier but the discomfort he felt aggravated his ugly +mood. He reached forth one of his great arms and, seizing the child by +the shoulder, threw him roughly to the ground. The little one, more +frightened than hurt, cried loudly. His shrill shriek of terror reached +the ears of the dwarf. Alarmed, Andy sprang to the window and looked +out. + +The scene on the lawn below petrified him. Tess was picking up the +child, and standing over her, fists doubled menacingly, was--Lysander +Letts. Andy thought the enraged squatter was going to kill her and Boy. +Wholly forgetful of his own danger, he continued to watch. + +His small boyish face was still at the pane, when Lysander looked up. +Andy saw the upturned glance and flung himself back out of sight. Had +Letts seen him? Impelled to look out again, he drew a long breath of +relief. Tess and the child were slowly coming, hand in hand, toward the +house, and the man they feared was making his way through the orchard. + +"I saw Sandy," was the dwarf's greeting. "What was he a botherin' you +about, honey?" + +"I thought he was going to kill Boy. But suddenly he said good-bye and +went away. Were you at the window, Andy?" + +"For just a minute, kid. I don't think he saw me. I heard Boy cry, an' +that's why I went." + +A frightened feeling took possession of the girl. + +"I hope he didn't see you. Did he, Andy?" + +"Sure not. I was watching him all the time. I dodged back before he +looked up." + +Tess considered the little man a minute. + +"If you saw him look up," she argued, "maybe he saw you looking down. +Oh, I hope he didn't, but I'm afraid he did," and she sighed. + + * * * * * + +Sandy Letts had recognized the dwarf. The shock of the discovery sobered +him. He couldn't bother with Tess and her brat any longer. He had +business in Ithaca! Waldstricker's five thousand dollars, so long sought +and so eagerly desired, summoned him. All the way to town, he built +castles in Spain with the money. Through every dream, like a thread of +hate, ran the purpose to get Tess, and when he had the girl, to torture +her through her child. + +When he arrived at Waldstricker's office, he found the elder absent. An +evil leer on his face, he swaggered up and down the street, his hands +thrust deep into his pockets. + +He had made the great discovery of his life. He had lined his pockets +with gold, and more than that, he had made a lifelong friend of one of +the powerful men in Ithaca. + +He saw Waldstricker when he turned the corner from State and made his +way down Tioga. The squatter turned into the large building, slunk in an +alcove, and waited. He heard the heavy tread of the elder on the stairs, +heard him pass and go higher up. A few minutes later, he followed. + +When he opened the door, Waldstricker greeted him. + +"Back again?" + +"Yep," chuckled Letts. + +"With news, I hope," stated the other. + +"Sure," replied Sandy. + +"Then tell me," answered Waldstricker, peremptorily. "I'm busy today." + +"Did ye ever hear anything of Bishop?" asked the squatter. + +"No, I never did." + +"Want to?" + +"Yes." + +"Air that reward up, yet?" + +"Certainly. But why all this talk? If you know anything speak out!" + +Sandy walked very near the rich man, lowered his voice, and said, + +"I found 'im, mister." + +Ebenezer's nose was offended by the rank odor of liquor Sandy exuded. + +"You're not telling me the truth," he asserted. "You've been drinking. +You're drunk now." + +"Yep, I air drunk some, but I air tellin' ye what's so," insisted Letts. +"Andy Bishop air the man ye saw t'other day." + +"In my brother-in-law's house!" gasped Waldstricker, beginning to +comprehend all that Sandy's discovery meant. + +"Yep, that air it," replied Sandy. + +"My God, oh, I thank thee!" ejaculated the elder, falling into his +chair. + +"How long he air been there, I don't know," continued Sandy. + +"And that doesn't matter.... Now, then, to get him back to Auburn. I +want it fixed to hustle him there quick, so Young can't put a stay on +the proceedings." + +Breathing hard, he took out his watch. + +"It's half past four. Do those people have the least idea you saw +Bishop?" + +"Nope, but I saw 'im all right," said Letts, an expression of satisfied +malice animating his ugly white face. "Maybe we can't make it hot for +that dum lawyer who air got my girl, now." + +Towering over Waldstricker's desire to lock up his father's murderer, +was the wish to get even with Deforrest Young and Tessibel Skinner. If +they'd had the dwarf all this time, they were all in his power. Now, he +would wring their hearts! He'd show them no mercy. + +"We'll even up some old scores, eh, Sandy?" he agreed.... "You get sober +and be here tomorrow morning at nine o'clock, sober--cold sober, +understand?" + +"Sure, Mr. Waldstricker, sure, I get ye. I ain't tight now, not real +soused." + +Moving to the door, he stopped. "But I air not goin' to swig any more +booze till we gets Andy Bishop an' I finger that reward." + +More intoxicated by his dreams of affluence than by the liquor he'd had, +the pale-faced graduate of Auburn swung out of the room and clattered +down the stairs. + +After Waldstricker'd written and despatched a letter and a telegram, he +closed the office and went home. + +Helen met him smilingly. + +"Elsie's asleep," she announced, taking his hat. + +He snatched it from her slender fingers, and his wife moved back. She +looked more closely into his face and the exaltation shining in his eyes +frightened her. + +She followed him into the drawing room and closed the door. Patiently, +she waited until her husband had thrown himself into a chair and was +looking at her. + +"What is it, dear?" she murmured. + +"I have your brother just where I want him," fell from his lips. + +"Now, what's Deforrest done to displease you?" + +"I've found Andy Bishop in his house!" + +The woman couldn't believe her ears. It could not be! She mustn't take +him seriously. + +"Oh, how perfectly ridiculous!" she said, relieved. + +"It's true enough," replied Ebenezer, getting up. "There's no doubt +about it, and the prison yawns for him and for that Skinner girl, +too.... No! no!... You needn't beg for 'em. I won't hear it!... They've +done enough to me.... Now, it's my turn!" + +"Ebenezer," gasped Helen, "don't do anything you'll be sorry for. If +Forrie has had the dwarf there, let him tell you why. If you put him in +prison for it, I couldn't--I couldn't live with you!... Can't you +understand that?" + +"As you please, madam. I shall do my duty, even if the criminal is your +brother." + +"But you couldn't get along without Elsie and me." + +She was very near him now, having taken little steps while she was +speaking. + +"Without Elsie!" he mocked. "I don't have to live without Elsie. You can +do as you please, but my daughter stays with me, and your brother, my +dear, and the woman he's living with--go to jail." + + + + +CHAPTER XLVI + +SANDY'S COURTING + + +Sitting on the porch late that afternoon, Professor Young heard from +Tess of the coming of Sandy Letts. + +"And, Uncle Forrie," she continued. "I can't understand why he went away +so quickly." + +"Perhaps he thought I was around somewhere." + +"Perhaps," meditated Tess. "But I don't think so. You see, Andy was +looking out of the window. Oh, dear, I've told him not to, but he's +always trying to see what Boy's doing. You don't think Sandy saw him, do +you?" + +The unpleasant consequences of Andy's discovery rushed through the +lawyer's mind. To be sure, he'd lived with this possibility ever since +he'd brought the squatters from the shack, but the lapse of time had +developed a sense of security which the girl's question rudely +shattered. + +"I hope not. What time did you say that Letts was here?" + +"About dinner time," said Tess. + +"Well, now it's after five. If he'd seen him, they'd have been back +before this. What does Bishop think about it?" + +"Oh, Andy's quite sure Sandy didn't see him, ..." Tess explained, +shaking her head. + +"Anyhow, it's no use to worry, honey," smiled Young. + + * * * * * + +The next morning three men in a wagon passed the Kennedy farm. Ebenezer +Waldstricker was driving and beside him sat Lysander Letts. Alone on the +back seat sprawled the big sheriff, a half-smoked cigar between his +teeth. + +When they reached Young's barn, they left their rig and walked quietly +toward the house. + +"You don't want to give 'em any chance to get the dwarf out of the way, +sir," said the sheriff. "We'd better get in without their knowing we're +here." + +"Yes," agreed Waldstricker. + +They'd rounded the porch and were in the living room before Deforrest +Young and Tessibel Skinner were aware of their coming. The officer held +a revolver in his hand. Leering triumphantly, Waldstricker spoke to +Young. + +"We want Andy Bishop." + +The lawyer turned to the sheriff. + +"Put up your gun, Brown, you won't need it," he ejaculated. "Here, +child," to Tessibel, who had risen from her chair and started for the +stairs. "Wait a minute. Sit down." + +Tess sank into a chair, white-lipped and silent. + +"I suppose there's no use trying to hide him any longer?" continued +Deforrest, turning back to the officer. + +"No, I reckon not, Mr. Young.... Where's the dwarf, Professor?" + +"Upstairs. I'll call him," replied the lawyer.... Then glancing at the +girl, "You go and get him, Tess." + +"Let me git 'im, sheriff," Sandy thrust in. "I'd like the job, sir. Eh?" + +"Mebbe I better myself. It's my duty to take him." + +Tess smiled at the speaker and getting up moved a step toward him. + +"Let me bring 'im, sir," she entreated. "I'll get 'im. Please let me!" + +Charmed by her beauty and the sweetness of her voice, the sheriff +glanced doubtfully from the frowning elder to the lawyer. + +"Mebbe it isn't quite regular, but if Mr. Young says it'll be alright, +I'm willing," he decided finally. + +Young nodded, and Tess rose and started toward the stairs. Passing Sandy +and Waldstricker, she had to draw aside her skirts to avoid touching +them. + +The dwarf, seated on the floor beside Boy, was mending a train of cars +when Tessibel's white face appeared at the door. + +"Andy," she said, trying to speak calmly. "Remember about the hands +stronger'n Waldstricker's? Nobody can hurt you. But--but--" + +At her hesitation the little man scrambled to his feet. He'd heard men's +voices from the room below but had paid no particular attention. Now, he +knew the long-dreaded calamity'd happened. He looked pitifully up at the +speaker. + +"They've come for me?" he gasped. + +"Yes, dear, and you must go. But remember all the time, God's hands're +stronger'n Waldstricker's," repeated Tess. "Nothing can hurt you.... +Come, dear." + +A few moments later, the three of them entered the living room, but +stopped short at the sound of the elder's angry voice. + +"I'll send you and your squatter woman to Auburn with him, if you don't +look out," he said. + +"Do what you please," snapped the lawyer. + +Holding the dwarf's hand, Tess went directly to the sheriff. + +"Here's Andy, sir," she faltered. "Be awful kind to him, please, sir. +He's so little!" + +Still dry-eyed and showing a quiet dignity, she stepped to Young's side +while the sheriff adjusted the handcuffs to himself and to Andy and led +him out into the sunshine. + +At the door, Waldstricker allowed Letts to precede him, then turned. + +Shaking his fist, he threatened, "I'll get you two, next." + +"Very well," Young answered. "Do anything you like, only get out ... +now." + +The sound of retreating footsteps had hardly died away when Tess dropped +into a chair and began to cry, the baby wailing in sympathy. Deforrest +put his hands on her shoulders. + +"There, there, Tess, you musn't do that! Dress yourself and Boy quickly. +We're going to Auburn, too." + + * * * * * + +The gates of Auburn Prison swung slowly back and admitted a party of +six people and, clanging, closed together again. Large-eyed with wonder, +Boy clung to Professor Young's right hand, at whose other side walked +Tessibel Skinner. In front of them between two officers was little Andy. +Once, Tess caught his eyes and smiled at him. Both were certain that +somewhere up and beyond were the hands stronger'n Waldstricker's, but +they'd hoped those pitying hands would have lifted them up before this. +Still they clung to their faith and all the long ride from Ithaca had +bolstered each other up with wan smiles and comforting promises. + +The business in the warden's office was simple and quickly dispatched. +Once in the room, Andy was permitted to stand with his friends. The +officers made their report and the clerk wrote some entries in his books +and gave them a receipt. Then, he rang a bell. + +Professor Young was talking to the warden when a guard came through the +iron door from the interior of the prison. + +"Take Bishop in," the clerk directed briefly, without looking up from +his books. + +Andy turned to Professor Young, took his hand and tried to stammer out +some words of gratitude. + +"There, there, old man, brace up!" said the lawyer, patting him on the +shoulder. "Hope it won't be for long!... Here, Boy, say good-bye to +Andy." + +Troubled, the baby clung to his friend. + +"I don't want Andy to go. I want 'im to come home," insisted the child. + +Kissing the little fellow passionately, the dwarf gave him to Deforrest +and turned to Tessibel. She took his hands firmly in her strong ones and +looked earnestly into his face. + +"Remember the hands stronger'n Waldstricker's," she whispered. "They'll +bring you right back home, dear. They did Daddy Skinner, Andy, darling." + +Shaken by suppressed emotion, the little man sank to the floor. + +"Oh, God help me to come back to ye!" he moaned dully.... "God help me!" + +A moment, Tess fought the uprushing tears. + +"You are coming back, Andy, remember that," she said quickly. Then, she +lifted her friend to his feet and kissed him. + +"Here, sir," she said to the officer, "take him!" + +Infected by Tessibel's faith, Andy ceased to weep. He flashed a last +loving glance at her and the boy, and preceded the guard through the +iron door into the prison. + + * * * * * + +Some time later, after what seemed an eternity of waiting, the warden +came to Professor Young. + +"The lady can see Bennet now," he said. + +Silently, an attendant conducted Tessibel through the long stone +corridors to the prison hospital. + +As she passed, eager eyes watched her from the rows of cots against the +wall. She was piloted to a bed near the end of the room. + +"Here's your company, Bennet," said the officer. + +The figure on the bed turned and pain-ridden eyes peered up. Tess felt +her throat throb with sympathy. + +"What do ye want, miss?" growled a weak voice. + +Tess smiled and bent over the bed. "I want to talk to you," she said. +"May I?" + +Bennet's face softened immediately. He thought a beautiful angel had +dropped from Heaven to the side of his prison bed. + +"Yep," he whispered, blinking at her. "There air somethin' under the bed +to set on, ma'am." + +Drawing forth a stool, Tess raised the lowered back and sat down. + +In the presence of such misery, she had almost forgotten her little +friend in the cell outside. Just then, she wanted to comfort Owen +Bennet, to say something which would take away that writhing expression +of suffering. + +"You're very sick," she murmured. "Poor man, I'm sorry!" + +Bennet kept his watery eyes on the pleading young face. + +"Yep, I'm sick enough," he muttered. + +"What can I do for you?" asked Tess. "Can't I do anything to make you +feel easier?" + +"Nope," was the answer. "I'll be dead, soon. Mebbe, I'll get out time +nuff to die." + +Then, Tessibel _did_ forget Andy. And, even, Deforrest and the baby left +her mind. She stretched forth her hand and touched the man's arm. + +"Would you like me to sing to you, a little?" + +Bennet bobbed his head. + +"I like singin'," he mumbled. + +In a low voice, Tessibel began to sing; nor did she take her hand from +the thin arm lying inertly on the sheet. + + "Rescue the Perishin'; + Care for the Dyin'." + +came forth like the chanting of the chimes. + +When the words, "Jesus is merciful," followed, Bennet put up his hand +and touched the girl's fingers. Tessibel closed her own over his. There +was no thought then of her errand, no remembrance that the man before +her was a murderer and had sworn his crime on little Andy. + +"Jesus is merciful, Jesus is kind," sang Tess, and Bennet began to cry +in low sobs that made the singer finish her song in tears. + +"Oh, He _is_ kind," she whispered. "He is merciful. Won't you believe +that?" + +"Sing it again," entreated Bennet, huskily.... "Sing it again, will ye?" + +Tess scarcely heard the words they were so low, so sobbingly spoken. She +cleared the tears from her voice, and "Rescue the Perishin'," and "Jesus +is kind," echoed once more through the long room. From here and there, +suppressed weeping came to the girl's ear; but she did not turn to look +at the weepers. Here, before her, was a man who was watching as Daddy +Skinner had watched the slowly opening gates of eternal life, through +which he must pass, alone and afraid. Ah, if she could make him less so! +If she could give him a little faith to grope on and on and up and up +into the freedom of the life beyond. + +Bennet's hand was clasped in Tessibel's; the other covered his eyes. + +Suddenly, he dropped his fingers. + +"Ye say he's kind?" he gasped. "Jesus air kind, ye say?" + +"Yes, yes," breathed Tess. + +"But I air such a wicked man, awful wicked. I've done things God'll +never forgive." + +"But he will," murmured Tess. "Don't you remember what I sang?" and +again, + +"Jesus is merciful," brought a fresh rush of tears from the dying +squatter. + +A hoarse rattle sounded, suddenly, in his throat. + +"Be ye knowin' Andy Bishop, missy?" he muttered, when he could speak. + +"Yes," said Tessibel, aghast. She'd forgotten Andy! + +"Yes!" she said again, almost in a query. + +"He were up here five years ... innercent," wailed Bennet, "an' they +just telled me he air been brought back again for shootin' Waldstricker. +I were glad at first, but, now, I--" + +He coughed spasmodically, and Tessibel closed her fingers more tightly +over the thin hand. + +"Tell me about it," she implored. "Don't you want to?" + +"Yep, an' I air wantin' to write it.... Bring a paper." Bennet gave the +last order to the silent attendant. The latter left the room but almost +immediately returned with the warden. Tess relinquished the stool and +stood near the head of the bed. In silence the officer wrote the story +Bennet told them. + +"It were like this," he stumbled. "Andy didn't have nothin' to do with +shootin' Waldstricker. He were a tryin' to stop me from doin' it.... I +done it!... Let Andy go!... Don't keep him in the coop." + +The sunken eyes closed wearily. + +"Sing about Him bein' kind, miss," he whispered. + +Low, solemn and beautiful, the sweet soprano brought him back from the +brink of the grave. + +Leaning over him, Tess whispered, "Jesus is always kind." + +"I done the murder," repeated Bennet. "Let Andy go, and tell 'im I'm +sorry.... Here, let me write my name to the paper." + +It took many efforts for the cramped fingers to scrawl the words, but +"Owen Bennet" was legibly written when the man dropped back, exhausted. + +The warden folded the paper and, smiling, put it into his pocket. + +"I've always believed he did it, Miss Skinner," he confided to Tess. +"Now, come away." + +Bennet's ears caught the last words. In dying effort, he lifted an +imploring hand. + +"Don't go, lady!" he mourned. "Stay a minute!... I air a needin' ye.... +I air afraid, so awful alone!" + +Tess spoke to the warden. + +"Tell Mr. Young I'm staying for a while," said she, "and will you please +let Andy know about it?" And she sat down again. + +Through the rest of the afternoon, until the long shadows of Auburn +Prison were lost in the gathering gloom, Tessibel sat beside the dying +man. Sometimes, she whispered to him, sometimes, she sang very softly, +and, when Deforrest Young and the warden came through the hospital ward +to her side, Tessibel had piloted Owen Bennet through the darkness into +a marvelous light. + + + + +CHAPTER XLVII. + +WALDSTRICKER'S ANGER + + +Lysander Letts wanted to get married and settle down in a home of his +own. He had received and banked the five thousand dollars for +discovering the dwarf, and was, now, looking forward confidently to his +marriage with Tessibel Skinner. He was quite sure his wealth would +overcome the objections the squatter girl had hitherto opposed to his +suit. + +He grew quite sentimental thinking of her. He'd buy a real house, and +put some fancy furniture in it, plush sofas in the parlor and lace +curtains at the windows,--not any squatter's shack or pecking-box hut on +the Rhine for him. His face darkened at a disturbing thought. He'd make +the girl give up that kid! He wouldn't tolerate another man's brat in +his home. But Lysander had a wholesome fear of Deforrest Young, and he +didn't venture down the lake until the second day after he'd heard Tess +had returned from Auburn. + +On his way along the railroad tracks, he concluded he'd better go to +Brewer's and find out just how the land lay. The talk in the Rhine +saloons, the night before, had been that the dwarf'd returned from +Auburn, pardoned. He wanted to know the details, and was sure Jake +Brewer would be able to tell him. He passed through the woods and +scrambled down the steps the fisherman had cut roughly in the cliff +side. Mrs. Brewer answered his knock and invited him into the house. +Recognizing Sandy's voice, Jake shouted from the back room: + +"Heard about Andy Bishop gettin' free?" + +When Brewer came into the kitchen a moment later, Letts had taken a +seat. Beside him on the floor lay a large tissue-wrapped package and in +his hands he held a shiny new hat. + +"Sure, I've heard he's back," he grinned, brushing a little +flower-pollen from a very loud trouser leg. "How'd it happen?" + +Sandy handed Brewer a cigar and stuck one, jauntily, in his own mouth. + +"Smoke that, while ye're tellin' me 'bout Andy," he suggested. "It air +the best money'd buy." + +When the cigars were burning satisfactorily, Brewer sat down on the +doorstep and cleared his throat loudly. His news was the biggest thing +that'd happened in the Silent City since Orn Skinner escaped the rope. +Glad of another opportunity to recount the story of the dwarf's +liberation, he began: + +"Well, ye see, Sandy, in the first place, yer tellin' old Eb, an' +gettin' the little feller sent back to Auburn air the best thing ever +happened to the kid. Tess and the Professor went with 'im. When they got +to the prison, Owen Bennet were dyin' in the horspitle. The brat seen +'im, an' sung to 'im an' talked to 'im, an' he confessed; said Andy +didn't do the shootin' but was tryin' to stop it, just as the kid allers +claimed." + +"Yep," interrupted Letts, earnestly. "That air the way it were." + +Jake nodded and continued: + +"Sure, Sandy, us-uns all knowed ye swore false on the trial.... Well, +next day, Young an' the brat went to Albany to see the guvener." + +The ex-convict's eyes widened at the thought of the squatter girl in +such august company. + +"He were fine to Tess. Seemed kind a stuck on her, the Professor says. +The brat told 'im all about how she'd looked after Andy, an' how he were +in prison five years innercent, an' then, he give 'er a free pardon for +'im. Day before yesterday, they brought 'im home. Some happy they air, I +tell ye!" + +"Well," commented Sandy, "I air glad he's out. I never did feel jest +right 'bout his bein' shet up, but I were needin' the money." + +Jake rose, and coming into the room, took up a broken fishing tackle and +sat down again. + +"That ain't all the news, nuther, Sandy. While the Professor was to +Auburn, some skunks tore down old Moll's shack. She come down here in +the rain madder'n a settin' hen. The old woman's going to stay with +us-uns." + +"It air a fine thing fer old Moll," added Mrs. Brewer. "I been thinkin' +fer a long time as how she were too far 'long in years to be alone in +the shanty." + +"Well," said Sandy. "I'm glad to hear it." + +"What air ye doin' down here, Sandy?" inquired Mrs. Brewer. + +"Me? oh, me!" He paused to choose his words. "I got some news for you +folks. I air goin' to get married." + +"Air that why ye're all togged up?" Jake queried. "Gosh, but ye air some +beau, Sandy.... Ain't he, ma?" + +"Yep, I air on my way to get my girl. I been waitin' over three years +for this here day, an' now--I air got flowers in this bundle." + +"Who ye goin' to marry, Sandy?" demanded Mrs. Brewer. + +Letts grinned again, straightened his shoulders pompously, and lined his +feet together on a crack in the floor. + +"Tess Skinner," he answered, looking from the man to the woman. + +Mrs. Brewer dropped on a stool, and her husband's jaws fell apart in +astonishment. + +"Tess Skinner?" he repeated dully. "Pretty little Tess Skinner?" + +"Well, I swan!" gasped the squatter woman. "Did she say she'd have ye, +Sandy?" + +"Well, it air like this. I been askin' 'er to marry me ever since she +were sixteen year old, but she wouldn't while her daddy were alive. Then +once she says to me, 'Sandy, you go git Andy Bishop an' git that five +thousand, an' come back here.' Now I got the cash. I air a goin' to git +the girl." + +"Mebbe she's foolin' ye," suggested Brewer. "Ye see, she had the dwarf +the hull time! Looks to me as if she'd put one over on ye." + +"She'd better not try anythin' on me," returned Letts, snapping his +teeth. + +"I heard 'er tell ye once," put in Brewer, "she wouldn't marry ye ... +the day ye shot yer leg up." + +Sandy cocked the new hat on the side of his head, picked up his bundle, +and went to the open door. + +"I'd a had 'er afore now if ye'd kept yer hands to hum, Jake," he +stated. "But I ain't holdin' up anythin' against ye for what ye done. +Now I got money, Tess'll be all the gladder. I air goin' to take 'er +over to Seneca Lake. I got a job on there. Good-bye, folks. Mebbe me an' +my woman'll drop in an' see ye some day." + +The husband and wife watched the big squatter going down the rock path, +the tissue-wrapped flowers in his hand, then looked at each other and +laughed in perfect comprehension. + +"I wonder if he gets 'er," chuckled Mrs. Brewer. + +"I'll bet a bullhead he don't," grinned Jake. + + * * * * * + +Sandy Letts wasn't anxious to meet Deforrest Young, but just how to +avoid it he hadn't figured out. It took him a long time to consider just +what was best to do. Perhaps the lawyer had gone to Ithaca. He hoped so. +At any rate, he could go to the house and if the professor were there +he'd give the flowers to Tess, and if he had to, come another day when +she was alone. + +Strutting along, supported by his fine clothes, and the consciousness of +doing the right thing in the right way, the newly-rich man walked up the +path to Young's house and ascended the steps quietly. The door stood +open. Without knocking, he stepped across the threshold into the sitting +room. + +Tessibel was working at a little table, cutting out a blouse for Boy. +She looked up, and recognizing her visitor, got quickly to her feet. + +"Hello, Tess," said Sandy, coming forward a little. "Nice day, ain't +it?" + +Tessibel's fear of him since his roughness to Boy was very active. She +had suffered in anticipation, for he'd threatened to come again, and she +knew he would. Now he was here she didn't know what to do. Deforrest +wasn't home and Andy was out with Boy. + +"Yes, it's a nice day," she assented. + +"Ain't ye goin' to ask me to set down?" demanded Sandy, at the same time +helping himself to a rocking chair. "I brought ye somethin', brat." He +unwrapped the bundle and took out a huge bunch of flowers. + +"Ye want to nurse 'em a long time, 'cause they cost money, them flowers +did. They ain't no wild posies!" + +"They're awful pretty," she thanked him. "I'll put them in water right +away." + +While she was arranging the flowers, Sandy got up. + +"How do ye like my new togs, kid?" he asked, pivoting around and around +on one heel. + +"You look very nice," replied Tessibel, gathering courage from his good +nature. + +"Ye bet I do," grinned Letts. "I air some guy when I air all flashed out +in new things. Got all this with Waldstricker's money. Lord, brat--" +Here the man reseated himself. "Ye ought to hear that bloke bluster when +he found out ye'd got Andy back. Now for me--I were glad, for I knowed +all along the dwarf didn't kill Eb's daddy. But in this world I find ye +got to look out for yerself first. That air how I got the five +thousand." + +"I see!" flared Tess, her disapproval of his spying getting the better +of her fear. "But your blood money won't do you any good." + +"Won't do me no good? My five thousand won't do me no good? What do ye +mean, brat? 'Course it'll do me lots of good. I air a rich man, I air. +It's goin' to buy us a real home, kid, frame house with plastered walls +an' shingled roof, painted red an' yeller. All what I want now air my +woman, an' I've come fer ye, Tess." + +The girl's heart sank. She glanced about helplessly. What could she say +or do? There was no other human being within call. In hasty +retrospection, her mind swept back to Ben Letts. She shuddered as she +remembered the many times he'd made the same demand upon her. And then, +she as suddenly remembered how, during those days, she had been saved +from men like Ben and Sandy, and courage came again in response to her +silent call for help. + +"Ye heard what I said, brat, didn't ye?" demanded Sandy, leaning back +and throwing one leg over the other. "I air here fer ye." + +"Yes, I heard." + +"An' ye're comin', ain't ye, kid?" ... His voice was deep and persuasive +by reason of the passion that surged through him.... "I air a little +sorry fer bein' mean to ye afore, brat, an' now I air rich ye can +forgive it, can't ye?" + +He bent forward and held out his heavy hands, palms up, ingratiatingly. + +"Yes, I forgive you, Sandy, certainly. But--but--" + +"Now, there ain't no 'buts' in this matter, kid! Ye said as how ye'd +marry me when I got Andy's reward money. Now I got it ye got to keep yer +word." + +Tessibel shook her head. + +"I didn't say I'd marry you," she answered. "I said, away back there, +when I was only a little kid, you could come back and ask me again. But +I'm a woman, now, and I'm never going to marry anyone." + +The squatter leaned his elbows on his knees, cupped his white face in +his hands, and glared at the girl steadily. + +"Ye're goin' to git married to me today," he growled. "Ye can't play +fast and loose with me, kid, an' don't ye think ye can, uther. Get on +yer togs. I air goin' to give ye the time of yer life." + +Tessibel stood very still. She could hear plainly, through the silence, +the lap of the waves on the shore below, and the soft chug-chug of a +lake steamer. A bee flew in at the door, lighted on the lace curtain and +clung there, making sprawly motions with his thread-like legs. She +remembered without effort the day the squatter alluded to--remembered +also Daddy Skinner's telling him to go. Perhaps he _had_ thought she +meant to marry him if he were rich. + +"Sandy," she said, dragging her eyes to the man's face. "When I tell you +I can't marry you, I mean it. Please don't ask me any more.... Would you +like a piece of cake?" + +"Cake?..." snarled Letts. "Hell! What do I want with cake? No, ma'am, I +don't want no cake nor nothin' but you, an' I air goin' to have ye, +too!" + +He got up slowly, as if to make more effective his menacing words. + +"If ye put on yer things like I says," he continued, "there won't be no +trouble, brat. But if ye don't--" he moved toward her, "ye'll wish ye +had." + +To this Tessibel couldn't reply. Insistent, in her panting heart, was a +constant call for rescue. She looked steadily at Lysander and he glared +back at her. + +"Tess," he threatened, "ye know me well 'nough not to come any monkey +shines on me. I says again, get yer hat, fer I'm goin' to take ye one +way or t'other." + +"I told you I couldn't," she answered. "I'm not any longer a little +girl. I've got to work. I want to learn things and take care of my +baby." + +She couldn't have said anything that would have fired the squatter's +rage any quicker. Her baby! What did he care about the brat? + +"Ye don't have to work no more fer Young," he retorted. "I ain't goin' +to have my woman keepin' house fer no professor, an' ye can make up yer +mind to it 'out no further clack." In one bound, Sandy rounded the +table. "If ye won't do what I tell ye, then, I'll make ye wish ye had. +Ye throwed up at me once, ye brat, ye, I never had no kisses from ye! +After today ye won't be able to say that." + +A strong hand shot out, guided by a powerful arm. Fingers clutched for +her, but Tess, eluding them, slipped to the window. + +"Sandy!" she implored. "Sandy, don't touch me, don't! Wait!" + +"I won't wait," snarled Letts. "I air waited years an' years, an' I +won't wait no longer." + +At that moment there seemed no escape for the girl, who was holding out +her hands to keep off the brute facing her. The very quiet of the day, +the singing of the birds, and the shrill chirping of the crickets, only +added to her sense of isolation. She glanced hopelessly from the huge +squatter out into the summer air. + +"Ye can't get no help," said Sandy. "Ye might's well give up!... God, +ye're all the sweeter fer havin' to fight like I been doin'!" + +By a motion, extraordinarily quick for so big a man, he clutched her +bodily, and dragged her to him. She lowered her face against his chest +and buried it under her curls. + +"I air goin' to kiss ye, my pretty wench," muttered Letts. "Gimme yer +lips, gimme--" + +In the scuffle neither heard the step on the porch and neither saw the +tall form loom in the doorway. Sandy wrenched at the red hair, drawing +Tessibel's face upward. Then Deforrest Young grappled with him, and in +the one blow he landed under the squatter's chin, the angry lawyer +concentrated the vim of years of exasperated waiting. Sandy slumped to +the floor. Kneeling beside him, Young's leg pressed against something +round and hard in Letts' pocket. + +A quick investigation brought forth a small revolver. + +"Are you hurt, child?" he inquired, getting up. "Did he hurt you?" + +"Not a bit, Uncle Forrie, but he scared me awful." + +The prostrate man groaned, moved his limbs and sat up, slowly. He +glanced around as though trying to figure out what'd happened. The sight +of Young, holding the gun Waldstricker's money bought, told Sandy the +whole story of his downfall. + +"Get up, Letts, and get out of here quick!" Young ordered, prodding him +with his foot. + +Sandy scrambled to his feet unsteadily. + +"Now, take your hat and get out," said Young, "and don't stay in Ithaca, +or I'll have you locked up again." + +Sandy didn't wait for any further advice. He grabbed his hat and flung +out of the door. Deforrest followed him down through the pear orchard to +the lane, and there he stood for a long time watching the ex-convict +struggle up the hill to the railroad tracks. + +When he returned to Tess he found her leaning on the table, her face +buried in her hands. She did not lift her head, nor make a move at +Deforrest's entrance. + +"Child," he said, taking a chair at her side, "Letts won't bother you +any more. If he doesn't go away, I shall have him arrested tomorrow.... +I won't have you insulted like this.... And, dear, I believe I'd better +send you and the boy away for a spell. A change will do you both good." + +"Yes, yes, do!" pleaded Tess. She snatched his hand and pressed it to +her cheek hysterically. "Let me go somewhere, please!" + + + + +CHAPTER XLVIII. + +THE SINS OF THE PARENTS + + +A few days after Sandy's tempestuous courting, Tessibel Skinner and her +son left Ithaca to spend the remaining part of the summer in the North +Woods. In September Young joined them for a few days and then brought +them back to the hillside above Cayuga Lake. + +Later in the fall, when the cold winds and driving rains of the lake +began to find out the cracks in the shanties, Tessibel asked, and the +lawyer consented, that old Mother Moll come from Brewer's to them. Tess +gave her one of Andy's rooms. The dwarf had entered a school on College +Hill and lived in the city most of the time, but was home now for the +Christmas vacation. + +The day after his return dawned bright and cold--one of those beautiful +winter days occasionally seen in the Storm Country. Heavy snows had +already fallen and made certain a white Christmas. Andy was helping +Tessibel in order that she might have time to complete her Yuletide +preparations. She'd filled her son's heart with delightful anticipations +of the holiday, now but a few days distant, and he was eagerly looking +forward to the Santa Claus who came to visit good little boys and fill +their stockings with goodies. + +At the north of the house Deforrest had made a little snow-hill for Boy. +Many a happy hour the little fellow spent upon it with his sled. Oftimes +his mother joined him in the sport, and the joyous laughter of the two +children of nature rose high and clear in the winter air. + +The morning's work finished, Tessibel wrapped up Boy and sent him out to +play. She stood for some moments on the porch watching the sturdy little +figure arrange the sled at the top of the hill. + +How she loved him, and how good he was! Never since the day of his birth +had he given her one sorrowful moment. She turned her eyes from Boy to +the lake, and allowed them to rest upon the shanty near the shore. A +disturbing thought pressed into her mind. They would not be long there +now. + +Deforrest had told her that his lease of the house expired the first of +January, and Waldstricker had refused to renew it. If they moved away, +she'd be lonely for the sight of her old friends and all the dear, +familiar things that had met her eyes every day since she could +remember. + +She hoped her new home might be in the Storm Country. She loved the lake +in its every mood. Dark and sullen, visitors had called it. But she'd +seen it on summer days, a band of burnished blue cementing the harmonies +of greens and browns into a picture of perfect beauty. She knew its +deep, brooding peace when the light was fading and the evening breeze +gently ruffled its surface. She'd skated over its shining bosom in the +blinding glare of the unclouded sun and in the soft radiance of the +shadow-filled moonlight. She knew the soft spots in the ice caused by +flowing springs in the lake-bottom and had drunk their pure, cold water. +Her lifelong intimacy had wooed from rockbound lake its inmost secrets. +Today the water lay a gleaming jewel, huge by contrast to the myriad +sparkles the sunbeams pricked out of the snow. She looked across to East +Hill at the frosty veil of a ravine waterfall and sighed. + +At a shout from Boy, she went to the far edge of the porch to watch him +slide swiftly through the pear orchard toward the lane. Glancing along +the line of his flight, she saw Waldstricker on his horse directly in +Boy's path. Fear and horror held her dumb and motionless. Evidently the +rider hadn't seen the swift-coming sled--but the horse had. + +He reared and attempted to turn. At that point the ditches were deep and +the rounded crown of the road covered with ice. The animal slipped and +fell. At the proper moment the horseman jumped off and pulled the bridle +rein over his mount's head. + +Her muscles taut with fright, Tess jumped from the porch and ran down +the hill to the scene of the accident. When she arrived Waldstricker was +jerking his steed savagely. + +"Get out of the way you little imp," he shouted, in the midst of his +struggles with the animal. "What do you mean by riding in a public road +scaring horses this way?" + +"Mummy said Boy could ride down hill," answered the child, holding his +ground staunchly. + +"I'll mummy you!" The man's exasperation was increased by the child's +resistance. "Get out of the way!" + +"Boy, come straight here to me," Tess called, trying to pass the excited +animal. + +The child picked up the rope fastened to his sled, gave it a jerk and +started toward his mother. Frightened by the flash of the sled in the +snow, the horse reared and plunged anew. + +"Drop that sled and get out of here!" Ebenezer thundered. "How many +times must I tell you? Get out!" + +Tess called again, but Boy flung up a red, angry face to the elder. + +"Mummy said I could slide," he repeated stubbornly. + +"I'll teach you to argue with me," snapped Waldstricker, and before Tess +could reach him, he'd raised his arm and given the child a sharp cut +with his riding whip. "Get out, I tell you!" + +"Mover!" screamed Boy, jumping back and falling over the sled. "Oh, +Mover! Mover!" + +Like an enraged tigress, Tess threw herself upon Waldstricker, and tore +at the upraised whip in his hand. The frantic horse, fairly beside +himself with fear and excitement, pulled them both down the hill through +the snow. By a strenuous effort Ebenezer threw off the girl's grip, and +when he finally conquered the steed he was below the top of the lane +near the Skinner hut. + +Before Waldstricker could mount and ride back up the lane, Tess had +picked up the boy from the snow where he had fallen. Without waiting an +instant, she fled frantically toward the house. + +"Andy! Andy!" she screamed. + +Andy came downstairs as fast as his little legs could carry him. + +"Waldstricker's killed Boy!" gasped Tess. "Andy, get something.... Tell +Mother Moll.... Some water!" + +She laid the baby on the divan in the sitting room and stood over him +until old Moll came. + +"He air got a spasm," croaked the old woman. "Poor little brat! Get some +hot water." + +For hours the child passed from one convulsion into another. When +Deforrest came home, Tess was in a state of frantic despair. + +"Waldstricker struck him," she explained. "He's going to die." + +In response to his questions, the girl gave him the details, and hotter +and hotter grew the listener's anger. He attempted to quiet Tessibel's +fears while he got ready to go for the doctor, but she persisted in her +claim that Boy wouldn't recover. + + * * * * * + +On his way home, the elder tried to make peace with himself. He was +rather sorry he'd struck the boy; that he'd hurt the little imp, he +poofed at. Anyway, he had taught Tess Skinner to keep her brat out of +his way. His efforts to discipline her had resulted in an open breach +with his brother-in-law and caused discord between himself and his wife. +His disputes with Deforrest about the squatters had not turned out to +his satisfaction. His efforts to drive the old witch off his lake-land +by tearing down her shack had opened to her the house that he himself +owned. He had had to pay Sandy Letts the $5,000 reward for the capture +of Andy Bishop, and the whole city had laughed at the price paid for the +little man's short imprisonment. He'd tried every way he knew to put an +end to the situation. Helen ought to be able to do something with her +brother. She should have saved her husband from the gossip Forrie was +causing. + +When he entered his home, Helen perceived that he'd acquired a new +grievance and discreetly remained silent while he was preparing himself +for dinner. + +After a quiet meal, when they had seated themselves by the log fire in +the library, Mrs. Waldstricker took up a doll's dress she was finishing +for Elsie's Christmas. Her husband, stretched in an easy chair, glowered +sullenly into the grate flames. The meditations of husband and wife were +quite different. Helen wondered what was bothering Ebenezer now. She +wished they were more companionable; that things were pleasanter, more +as it used to be when they were abroad. Since their return, he'd sit for +hours in gloomy meditation. His fits of complete abstraction filled her +with dread. + +She brought back in sequenced retrospection the happy years of +travel--how proud she'd always been of her handsome husband and of his +courtly deference to her. She had never ceased to be grateful that +Heaven had given her this man to love and cherish her. She couldn't tell +how or when the change had come, but somehow they weren't happy together +any more. He was so moody and quarrelsome lately. She missed her +brother, too. Why those two men should get by the ears over the +inhabitants of the Silent City she couldn't understand. But her thoughts +were soon concentrated upon the work at hand and contemplating the joy +she would have in Elsie's pleasure, she began to hum to herself. + +Two or three times she peered at Ebenezer through her lashes. How +moodily quiet he was! She wished Elsie were awake--the little girl +always succeeded in dissipating the frown from her father's brows. + +Suddenly, she held up the doll in all its newly-adjusted festive attire. + +"There, now, dear, isn't the doll baby pretty?" she smiled. + +Ebenezer didn't take his gaze from the burning logs. + +"I'm not interested in dolls tonight." His tone was harsh and his manner +studiously rude. Then, as though he'd finally determined to say +something else, he looked around at her. + +"I taught Tess Skinner a lesson today I don't believe she'll forget," he +burst forth savagely. + +The doll dropped from Helen's hands, its head striking sharply against +the arm of her chair. + +"What do you mean?" she gasped. + +"You needn't get that expression on your face, my lady--" + +"Oh, Ebenezer!" interjected Helen, drearily. "What makes you act so? One +would think you spent your whole time trying to get even with +somebody." + +"I got even with my lady Skinner," smiled Waldstricker. "I gave her brat +a whipping." The words came slowly, and the man watched their effect. + +Helen was not able to sense the full meaning of his statement at first. +Mechanically, she rescued the doll and laid it on the table. Beginning +to see the picture he'd suggested, she opened her mouth, closed it again +and at the next attempt spoke. + +"Why, Ebenezer, Tessibel's baby is only a month or so older than Elsie!" + +"Well, what of it! He's an impudent little whelp. Takes after his +mother, I suppose." + +"But you don't really mean you whipped him!" Helen exclaimed, still +incredulous. + +"That's just what I do. With my riding whip. What do you think of that?" + +His words brought to Helen's recollection that other time he'd used his +riding whip. Then it had been upon Mother Moll, and the old woman had +screamed at him, "It air like ye to hit the awful young and the awful +old." She recalled, too, the other mysterious words the witch woman had +uttered. "Curls'll bring yer to yer knees--the little man air a settin' +on yer chest!" The prophecy addressed to herself, that he'd make her +life unhappy and that she'd leave him, she'd never before taken +seriously. But the question hammered at her consciousness. Could it be +that Moll had a second sight or something of the sort? Ebenezer's +trouble about the squatters centered about Andy Bishop and the Skinner +girl; the dwarf was certainly a little man and Tessibel had wonderful +red curls. Her husband had made her life unhappy and his mood tonight +was unusually ugly. She was touched with a superstitious half-conviction +that the old woman's words would be fulfilled. + +"I asked you a question, Mrs. Waldstricker," the wrathful voice +interrupted her meditations. "Answer me, if you please." + +Perhaps it was the recollection of Mother Moll's sibylline utterance; +perhaps merely that her husband's hostile attitude aroused a +corresponding feeling of animosity. At any rate, she sat erect in her +chair and fixed her eyes upon his scowling face. Never had he seen her +rounded chin so squarely set; never the red lips drawn into such +determined lines. + +"I think you're a brute, that's what I think!" she responded +deliberately, as though stating a conclusion arrived at after due +consideration. "Yes, worse than a brute!" The answer was as unexpected +to the elder as though a lump of ice had suddenly boiled over. A quick +fury took possession of him. + +"Think I'm a brute, do you?... What's the matter with you? Are you +getting soft on the squatters, too?" + +Helen made a hasty gesture, indicative of denial. + +"Well, you better not!" warned Ebenezer, angrily. "Your brother's +conduct is disgraceful enough. I'm sick and tired of having my own +townsfolk winking at each other every time his name's mentioned. Lawyer +Young and his squatter women! Sounds nice, doesn't it?" + +To be loyal to herself and Deforrest, she could not help but disagree +with him. + +"Now, Ebenezer, you oughtn't to say such a thing," she expostulated. + +A flame of anger shot into the elder's steady stare. + +"Don't you 'Now Ebenezer' me!" he snorted. "Young's making my lake +property a disorderly house. It's positively indecent! I won't stand it +any longer. I won't have those squatters there, and your brother can +make up his mind to that!" + +Helen tried to interrupt but her husband waved her to silence. + +"Mother Moll and Andy Bishop!" he mocked. "An old witch and a jail-bird! +Wouldn't it make a man tired?" + +Helen leaned forward. An angry red spot burned on either cheek and her +eyes flashed. Her gentle temper didn't take fire easily, but even to her +endurance there were limits. + +"You seem to forget, Mr. Waldstricker," she retorted sharply, "that your +men tore down the old woman's home and your money procured the perjury +that sent the dwarf to Auburn. It strikes me you'd better not throw +stones at Forrie." + +Waldstricker jumped to his feet and rushed to his wife's side. + +"What!" he roared. "You dare that to my face! Some more of Deforrest's +influence, I suppose. Nice family I married into, I must say." + +Helen got up from her chair. The one thing that stirred her quickest was +an attack upon her brother. + +"Ebenezer Waldstricker, you ought to be ashamed of yourself. Forrie +minds his own business and you should mind yours." An hysterical sob +brought her to a pause, but she struggled on. "I don't know how I've +stood your temper so long. You must have lost your mind." + +In view of the grievances he'd been nursing, his wife's sudden rebellion +seemed almost too unreasonable to be credited. She'd joined his enemies! +She was making common cause with her notorious brother and the +squatters! Very well, he'd use her the same as he would them. + +"You think rather well of me, don't you Mrs. Waldstricker?" he rasped. +"Nice names you call me. Brute! Home destroyer! Procurer of perjury! +Liar! Crazy!" His voice grew louder as he hurled the epithets at her and +broke into a shriek upon the last one. "Get out of here before I teach +you the same lesson I taught Tess Skinner!" He lifted his arm above his +head; the great fist was clenched, and the cruel mouth was drawn at both +corners. "Get out of here before I hit you!" + +Helen stood petrified. The blow had fallen. Mother Moll was right! She +retreated before his menacing gestures, but stopped near the door and +held up her hand in entreaty. She'd make one more effort. + +"But, Ebenezer," she began, "where shall I go?" + +Advancing toward her, he fairly shouted: + +"I don't know and I don't care. Go down and help your brother take care +of his squatter baggage!" + +He seemed fairly beside himself. Helen realized the hopelessness of +further resistance. + +"Then I'll go and take my baby," she cried. "Perhaps when we're gone--" + +Her words only added fuel to the flame of his wrath. + +"You'll not touch my daughter," he interrupted. "She'll stay with me." + +He rushed at her, pushed her rudely aside, and hurried up the stairs to +the nursery. + +His wife followed as quickly as possible. At the nursery door Ebenezer +met her and blocked her way. + +"You needn't wake her up," he hissed. "Go on! Get out of here! You're +worse than the Skinner woman!" + +She could not go into the nursery. The angry man on the threshold +effectually prevented her. Mrs. Waldstricker turned down the hall and +went to her own room. She could hardly comprehend the untoward disaster +that had destroyed the whole fabric of her life at one stroke. The blood +was throbbing at her temples and pounding through her body. Her ears +rang; her face burned and she was trembling all over. Mechanically, she +fumbled for the matches on a nearby table, found one and struck it. She +attempted to light the lamp but dropped the chimney and it rolled away +under the bed. + +Drearily, she tried to consider her course. Ebenezer had ordered her to +go. Then she must go. She'd always done as he directed. But where? Her +cheeks burned more fiercely as she recalled the brutal answer he'd given +that question. No, she wouldn't go to Forrie! It would only make +Ebenezer more angry and make more trouble for her brother. It didn't +make much difference where she went anyway. Life without her husband and +her baby wouldn't be life at all. She couldn't visualize her days +without Elsie, the little one they'd both longed for and prayed over. +Slowly, because each little act required a separate effort of volition, +she dressed herself. Prepared at last to depart, she took a long look +through the rooms. Past events went in giddy rapidity across her vision. +How she'd loved and still loved Ebenezer! They'd been so happy together. +She sighed and went through the hall to the nursery. Her movements had +evidently been heard. When she approached the door, her husband stepped +out and pulled the door to behind him. For a moment their eyes met. In +his she saw the dull smoldering coals of hate. She bowed her head and +silently went through the baleful glare he cast upon her down the stairs +and out of the mansion to which she had been brought a happy bride. + + + + +CHAPTER XLIX + +TESSIBEL AND ELSIE + + +Gloom lay over the Silent City. Bitter hatred burned in the simple heart +of every squatter. Waldstricker's open enmity had expressed itself in a +series of injuries, calculated to enrage them. The shanty folk resented +his cruelty to Mother Moll. The destruction of her shack promised a +similar fate to their homes. When the story of Waldstricker's attack +upon Boy Skinner spread among them, fierce threats were muttered at the +fishing holes and by the firesides. The wintry winds of the Storm +Country, shrieking over the desolate masses of ice and snow, were not +more fierce and cruel than the squatters' demand for vengeance. The +daily bulletins of the little one's illness kept the interest alive and +added to the growing excitement and indignation. + +Day after day, the doctor had come to the Young home, each time shaking +his head more gravely. To Deforrest, the helpless witness of the +unfolding tragedy, the days and nights were but a continuing torture. +Andy Bishop stole about the house like a small white ghost, waiting upon +Tessibel and Mother Moll. One morning, a few days before Christmas, the +doctor told Deforrest Young he considered Boy beyond earthly help. And +now it devolved upon the lawyer to tell Tessibel she must lose her baby. + +He went softly to the sick room. Whiter than the pillow upon which his +cheek rested, Boy lay relaxed, breathing rapidly. Tess stood at the foot +of the bed, her hands clasped loosely in front of her. Anxious eyes +turned to greet Young. At the bedside the man stopped a moment and +looked down upon the little figure. Shocked by the imminent signs of +approaching dissolution, he went over and placed an arm around the girl. + +"He's awful sick," Tess whispered. "What'd the doctor say?" + +"I'm afraid, Tess--I'm afraid," he answered, unable to frame the medical +man's decision. + +Dawning comprehension and dismay struggled in the young mother's eyes, +for the agonized tones of the well-loved voice and the tender solicitude +of the supporting arms had put into Young's halting words the dread +import of his message. + +"You mean--you mean--?" she questioned. + +"Tess, darling; my pretty child," Young murmured helplessly. + +The red head dropped upon his chest and for a moment Tess clung to him +as though to find protection from the menacing horror. Then she freed +herself, dropped on her knees by the bedside, and rested her head on +Boy's little hand. During the hours of watching she had striven to steel +herself against this possibility. But she couldn't understand. Boy, her +cherished bit of living joy and sunshine! What would become of him? +Separation? Yes, but where was he going? She didn't know. She couldn't +think. A sudden shudder, a kind of voiceless sob shook her. + +Young stood quietly by the bedside, watching and waiting. His love for +mother and son centered all his thoughts in them. He shared his +darling's grief and desired above everything to console her; but the +very depth of his sympathy prevented him. Hopeless himself, in this grim +crisis, every human effort seemed futile. + +Placing a tender hand on her shaking shoulder, he bent down. + +"My poor little girl!" he breathed. "I wish I could help you some way." + +"Nobody ... can." The hopeless despair of her voice made vocal the utter +desolation she felt. + +A gentle movement of the little hand against her face commanded +Tessibel's immediate attention. She smoothed the pillow the while she +whispered softly little words of love to Boy. Then she looked around at +Young. + +"Please tell Andy to fix the kitchen fire," she said, even at this time +mindful of her domestic duties. + +"I'll see to it myself," and he went out softly and down the stairs. + +He found Andy in the sitting room. + +"The doctor--what'd the doctor say?" the dwarf demanded. + +"Go to 'er," trembled Young. "Brace her up all you can." + +The little man went slowly upstairs and entered the sick chamber. +Through the tears in his eyes, he saw the dying babe in the white bed +and the young mother kneeling on the floor, the flaming red of the +clustering curls an incongruous note of brilliant color. + +Andy waddled across the room and knelt down beside Tessibel. Lifting his +arm he let it fall across the girl's shoulders. His silent sympathy, +always unselfish, never intruded. Tess stared at Andy a moment, and then +buried her face in her hands upon the coverlet. + +"He's going away," she got out through her fingers. "Andy, I can't let +'im go!" + +"I've been prayin' for 'im, Tess," choked the dwarf. + +The girl made no response, but to show her friend she'd heard, one of +her hands sought and held his. + +"If it air right for 'im to stay, dear," murmured Andy, "the good God'll +help 'im.... Don't ye think so, Tess?" + +"I don't know, Andy.... I'm afraid!... It's too awful!" + +"Kid, ye know it air true. You've only to ask him," Andy insisted. + +A hopeless shake of the bowed head accompanied the whispered answer. + +"I can't, Andy! I can't!... I'm so afraid!" + +"What you 'fraid of, brat, dear? Jesus air loving you same's He did in +the shack. He got Daddy Skinner out of prison, an' he took care of me, +didn't he, huh?" + +Maddened by suffering, she drew herself impatiently, away from the +dwarf. + +"Don't, Andy! I don't want to hear! He let Waldstricker whip my baby." + +Although the young mother could hear the muttered prayers of the dwarf, +no answering faith came into her soul. Hot hatred of the man who'd +struck her son surged through her. Never again would she think of him +without the raging cry within her for revenge. Her anger barbed the +shafts of his rancor and dulled her own understanding of Life and Love. +Resentment inhibited every constructive effort. The courage, even the +desire to fight against death's coming, was wanting. + +"I hate 'im worse than anything in the world," she muttered. + +"Yes, darlin'," soothed the dwarf. + +"I'd like to kill him. Oh, I must do something--" She tried to get to +her feet, but Andy held her tightly. + +"Stay here!" was all he said, and Tess ceased to resist. + +At midnight Boy died. He went away very quietly, without a cry or +struggle. At the very last, he turned upon his side, looked into his +mother's face, his eyes unshadowed and joyous. He smiled a little, +sighed with the passing breath, "Mummy," and sank to sleep. So dazed was +Tessibel that without protest she allowed Deforrest to pick her from her +knees and carry her out of the room. + +Mother Moll and Andy performed the necessary services to the mortal clay +that'd been their darling. Loving fingers, tenderly touching the +delicate body, made Boy ready for the grave. Through the stillness of +the night, the sighing of the ceaseless wind of the Storm Country, +soughing of death and desolation, called to their minds the weird +superstitions of squatter lore. The old witch mumbled of signs, portends +and warnings, and uttered dire prophecies in which her wrath at +Waldstricker found expression. + + * * * * * + +While Tess and her squatter friends were carrying Boy through the sullen +cold to God's wind-swept half-acre, Ebenezer Waldstricker sat before the +glowing hickory logs in his sumptuous library. Several letters in his +morning mail required his presence in the city. On the table before him +lay a list of things he intended to buy for little Elsie's Christmas. + +Since the day he'd whipped Tessibel's son and forced his wife from his +home he'd devoted himself to the little girl. In spite of his best +efforts, the child's grief for her mother had driven him almost to his +wits' end. He'd made up his mind to spare no expense to bring joy back +to his darling. + +Whenever his mind reverted to the scene at the lake he tried to justify +his act in striking the little fellow, but the news of Boy's death had, +for a moment, given him an uncomfortable turn. He hadn't intended +anything like that. He wasn't to blame! Probably the little imp would +have died anyway! + +Helen had sent every day to ask after Elsie, and the thought of his +wife's anxiety pleased the elder. Perhaps, after a while, the squatters, +as well as the members of his own household, would learn his word was +law; that he would not allow any of them to go against his will. Again +and again the corner curl of his lips showed his satisfaction. + +Hearing the jingle of sleigh bells at the door, he rose from his chair +and slipped on his great coat and cap. + +"Daddy, bring mover back," quivered Elsie, when he kissed her good-bye. + +Waldstricker stooped and gathered her into his arms. + +"Daddy'll bring Elsie lots of pretty things, and so will Santa Claus. +He's coming down the chimney tonight--" + +"Elsie wants mover," sobbed the little one. + +Ebenezer surrendered her to the nurse. + +"Get her mind off crying," he said morosely. "Give her everything she +asks for." + +"I can't," muttered the woman, and when the door had closed, "There, +there, child, don't cry! Your mother'll be comin' back some of these +days." + + * * * * * + +In the early afternoon Waldstricker bought and packed into the sleigh +all kinds of presents for his daughter. His spirits rose when he thought +that her demands for her mother would be quieted on Christmas Day. + +It was quite dark when his powerful team fought their way through the +storm up to the porch of the house. While the man was coming for the +horses he took the bundles from the sleigh. At the door he met several +white-faced servants. + +"What's the matter?" he queried, relieving his arms of their load. + +"The baby!... We can't find her.... She's gone," said a voice. + +"Gone! Gone where?" roared Waldstricker. + +"Nobody knows, sir," gasped the nurse. "She was in the library looking +at the pictures--" + +Waldstricker brushed past the speaker. He rushed through the house +calling his child frantically. In his wife's sitting room he stopped, +arrested by an illuminating thought. + +Helen had stolen the baby! He drew a long breath that hissed through his +teeth. Of course, that was what had happened. Instant anger filled his +mind. He'd show her. He wouldn't stand it. He went below and called the +servants into his presence. + +"Who was here this morning?" he questioned. + +"Nobody." Not one of them had seen a person. + +"Mrs. Waldstricker was here, wasn't she?" he insisted. + +"No, Mrs. Waldstricker hasn't been home today." + +The elder set his grim lips and went out again. Elsie was with her +mother! That Helen hadn't been to the house didn't prove anything. She'd +sent some one. Elsie wouldn't have gone away of her own accord. + +When Ebenezer appeared at Madelene's home he was fuming with fury. His +sister greeted him cordially and ushered him into the drawing room. + +"I'm glad you've come, Ebenezer. Helen's been crying ever since she's +been here." + +"I'll make her cry more before I'm done with her," gritted Waldstricker. + +"But, Ebenezer, she's sick. And you were so cruel to send her away like +that." + +Waldstricker turned savagely upon the speaker, hands working +convulsively and face and eyes ugly from fear and anger. + +"Never mind about that now--Where's Elsie?" he demanded. "I want her and +I want her right away." + +Madelene fell back a step, wax-white. + +"Elsie!" she echoed. "Isn't she home?" + +"Madelene," Ebenezer began in a deadening voice, "you know me well +enough not to play with me like this. Where's my daughter?" + +Madelene's hands came together. + +"She's not here!... She's home, Ebbie, dear, she must be!" + +"She's not!" fell from Waldstricker. "Call Helen!" + +"Helen can't come down, Ebbie, she's in bed!" + +"I'll see her." Low thunder rolled in his tones. His sister grasped his +arm. + +"Be kind to her, Ebbie, dear--" + +"I'll see her," repeated Ebenezer, not changing the tone of his voice. + +Without another word, Madelene whirled and went toward the stairs, the +church elder following his sister with slow tread. + +Helen turned her tired, white face to the visitors. At the sight of her +husband she sat up straight. + +"Where's Elsie?" the man shouted harshly from the door. + +Something had happened to her little girl! Her husband was asking for +the child! Mrs. Waldstricker jumped out of bed quickly. + +"I haven't seen her," she answered. "Isn't she home?" + +Then Waldstricker believed. Elsie had disappeared. She was not with her +mother! + +"She's gone," was all he said, and, wheeling, went out. + + * * * * * + +Not one of the servants could tell Madelene or the distracted mother any +more than they had told the father. + +The search began without the slightest clue of the child's whereabouts. +Elsie had disappeared, as if she had been snatched into the sky. The +storm, already very severe, had thickened the early twilight into dense +darkness. The light snow that had fallen earlier in the day to the +depth of several inches drove in swirling clouds before the wind and +piled in deep drifts, while the congealed air pelted icy particles of +frozen moisture into the confused uproar upon forest and field. Fear +that the child had started out to find her mother and had been overtaken +by the blizzard obsessed Waldstricker. He sent messengers in all +directions, and himself rode furiously through the snow inquiring +everywhere. Finding no trace of her at the neighboring houses, he +instituted a systematic search of the locality. + + * * * * * + +All the afternoon Young had sat with Tessibel, most of the time in +silence. She showed no desire to talk, and he knew not what to say. +Watching from the sitting room window, Tess seemed to find diversion in +the wind-driven snow, as though the blizzard's riot met and matched the +aching bewilderment in her own breast. + +Nor did she pay any attention to a knock which resounded above the +beating of the storm. Deforrest went to the door and carried on an +undertoned conversation with some one outside. Then after dispatching +the caller, he went back to the girl. + +"Tess," he hesitated, but his voice broke and he was unable to complete +his sentence. In responsive inquiry, she turned from the window and +looked up at him. The deep dejection of her attitude depicted her +despondency and despair. The brown eyes, dull and lustreless, staring +out of the drawn white face, expressed the hopeless wonderment the man +had seen in the glazing orbs of a stricken deer. A great wave of pity +welled up in him. How could he break this frozen composure and bring to +the overwrought heart the healing blessing of flowing tears? + +"Tessibel," he continued, sitting down, "what were you thinking about?" + +"I was wondering what I could do to ... hurt Waldstricker," she replied, +gripping the arms of her chair. Then she rose suddenly, throwing up her +head. The intensity of her emotion fanned the dull coals of hate in her +eyes to a hard brilliance and touched her white cheeks with vermilion. +Vivid, active, her beautiful face, passion-drawn and cruel, red curls +writhing and twisting upon her shoulders, Tess seemed a veritable fury +crying for vengeance. She lifted clenched hands. + +"I'll hurt Waldstricker," she vowed. "God help me to do it!" + +Springing to his feet, Young ejaculated: + +"Don't, Tess! You mustn't!" + +Turning away, she paced up and down the room, muttering imprecations. +Her companion stood silent, unable to assuage her agony or rebuke her +vindictive words. + +At length Tess stopped directly in front of him. + +"I know you don't like me to feel that way about Waldstricker, but I +can't help it. I hate him so!" + +Then she went to the window and stared out into the storm again. + +After a moment's hesitation, Young touched her. Drawing her back, he +held her in his arms, attempting to soothe and quiet her by murmured +endearments. + +"I'm awfully sorry, dear," he explained. "I must go to town. Helen's +sent for me." + +Tess nodded indifferently. It was all one to her now. She'd lost Boy, +and she was willing to be alone to plan how she could punish his +murderer. + +"I'll send Andy to you," said Young, leading her to a chair. + +He went in search of the dwarf and found the little man in his room +huddled on the bed. + +"Andy," said Deforrest, "come here." + +Without a word the dwarf went to the lawyer. + +"I'm going to Ithaca. Go down and stay with Tess until I get back." + +He turned and went out, and Andy, silent and sick at heart, followed him +down the stairs. + + * * * * * + +Andy was not able to persuade Tess to talk with him, but obeying +Professor Young, he stayed very near her. The blizzard howled and banged +outside, adding by its noisy commotion an element of dread to the grief +within. + +About nine in the evening footsteps sounded on the porch; the dwarf got +up and went to the door. Jake Brewer entered and closed the door against +the storm. The squatter took off his hat and shook the snow from the top +of it. He looked, alternately, from the girl in the chair near the +window to the little man staring up at him. + +"I come to speak to the brat," he said. + +"She ain't very well," answered Andy. + +Tessibel looked around. + +"Sit down, Jake," she invited. "The night's dreadful, isn't it?" + +Brewer coughed and remained silent. + +"Can I do anything, Jake?" inquired the dwarf, softly. + +"Nope, it air only Tess can do it," replied the squatter. + +Tessibel heard but remained in the same position. + +"Tess air the only one can help," repeated Brewer. + +The girl sank back in her chair, allowing her hands to drop in her lap. + +"What is it?" she asked listlessly. + +"Ma Brewer air sick," said the squatter. "She air knowin' ye air in +trouble, but--but--" + +It seemed to the girl as if this Christmas-tide had brought sorrow to +everyone. + +She rose to her feet, stiff from sitting in the same position for so +long a time. + +"I'll get her something, Jake," she said quickly. + +"Ma an' me know ye got a lot of sorrow, brat," choked the man, "but Ma +were a wonderin' if ye'd run to the shack fer a minute." Noticing the +girl's hesitation, "She's awful sick an' mebbe if ye'd come, she'd feel +better.'" + +"I'll get your wraps, brat," Andy offered. + +Both men helped Tessibel into her things. She stood very quiet until +Andy held out her mittens. + +"I'll only be gone a few minutes," she promised the dwarf. "Come on, +Jake!" + +And together they went out into the storm. + + + + +CHAPTER L + +TESSIBEL'S VISION + + +Tessibel and Jake Brewer made their way through the bleak, dark, pear +orchard to the lane. The night held no terrors for the girl. All her +winters, she'd battled with the cold and winds of the Storm Country. +Now, through the lane to the lake, they struggled, heads bent against +the blinding blizzard. Under the weeping willow trees stood the empty +shanty which had housed her childhood days, and, mechanically, she +turned her eyes toward it. She recalled, dully, the strange sequence of +events that had transformed her from a squatter's brat and lifted her +out of the bleak barrenness of life in the shack. She'd escaped the +squalor, the horrid cold and the hardships, common to the women of the +Silent City. She lived more comfortably and decently than the +fishermen's wives. She'd learned many things, but all her efforts to +improve herself had been centered in her ambitions for Boy. Now it was +all wasted! She'd won for him nothing but Waldstricker's enmity. Her +aspirations for him and for herself were buried in the little grave on +the storm-swept hillside by Daddy Skinner. Like a borrowed mantle, the +culture she'd gained under Professor Young's loving tuition slipped from +her and the elemental passions of the primitive people that produced her +assumed their sway. Subconsciously, the squatter's standards +re-established themselves, and she hugged to her heart the hate she'd +been cherishing. + +On the ice-covered rocks, where they were sheltered from the wind, Jake +began to talk. + +"I wouldn't have asked ye to come, Tess," he apologized, "if we hadn't +needed ye bad." + +"I wasn't doing anything at home," the girl answered tonelessly. + +"Mr. Young weren't there, were he?" asked Brewer. + +"No," replied Tess. "His sister's sick and sent for him." + +"I guess she air sick, all right," commented Jake, ominously. + +If Tess heard, she didn't heed the sinister suggestion in the squatter's +speech. She was busy, her whole attention devoted to plans for revenge +upon Waldstricker. + +The light from Brewer's hut, which was set back a little from the lake +shore, in a frost-riven and water-worn niche in the precipitous cliff, +shone mistily through the storm. Cut by slanting lines of driving +snow-crystals, its milky radiance obscured rather than defined the +drifted path. Breathless, from the blizzard's buffeting, they gained, at +last, the hut door. + +The fisherman lifted the latch and they stepped into the hut. Seated in +chairs around the bare little room were several men, squatter friends of +the neighborhood. Near the stove stood Ma Brewer, white-faced and +anxious. As soon as she recognized the girl, she began to weep and +gesticulate hysterically. Tess went to her and seized her hands. + +"Why! Ma Brewer, what's the matter? What'd you want of me?" + +Before she could answer, a rough voice broke the silence. + +"We all wanted ye, Tess." + +She wheeled about and looked from one to the other. + +Jake was still standing near the door. The triumphant leer on his face +was reflected in the several expressions of the other men. + +"Then, Ma Brewer wasn't sick?" Tess demanded slowly. + +"Nope," said Jake, "but I'll bet someone else air." + +Tessibel allowed her eyes to rove about the shack. A slight movement in +the corner attracted her attention. There, like a forlorn little lamb, a +tight rag about her mouth, her curls matted and damp, crouched Elsie +Waldstricker. Instantly, Tess recognized her and her heart pumped with +joy. Surely, her prayer had been answered! Here was her opportunity! The +child was suffering, she could see that, but the very extremity of +torture could hardly repay for the pain Boy'd endured. While Tess was +pondering the penalties she'd inflict, a smile touched her lips. The +frightened blue eyes searched the hard brown ones, but the child found +no comfort or encouragement in the frowning face of the squatter girl. + +"It's Waldstricker's brat," declared Jake, exultantly. "I were a +snoopin' 'round Eb's place an' run on 'er down near the road by that +there bunch of tamaracks. I says, 'What air the matter, Kid,' an' she +says, 'I want my ma.' I says, 'Come along an' I'll git 'er fer ye,' an' +the kid come jest like a lamb goes to the slaughterhouse." And Jake +threw back his head and roared. + +The other men joined in the grim laughter. After a minute, another voice +sounded above the last ugly chuckles. + +"Now, we got 'er, Tess, ye air to do anythin' ye want to with 'er." + +Still, the blue eyes looked into the brown, and, still, Tessibel's heart +raged its satisfaction. What were the squatters going to do with +Waldstricker's daughter? The girl turned her head slowly and glanced at +the row of dark men in their chairs against the wall. She cared nothing +for the child on the floor, except that she was the one thing that +Waldstricker loved best. Surely, to injure her would injure him! The +little feet were tied and so were the small hands. This pleased Tess, +too, for she remembered how they'd held Boy when he was imploring them +to keep the big man away. + +Waldstricker! Ungodly, wicked Waldstricker! His time had come! She'd go +and leave the little girl with the squatters. Well she knew that a word +from her and the baby would be seen no more. + +"I guess when old Eb found out his kid were gone," grated Jake Brewer, +"he got a wrench or two hisself." + +The heavy voice brought Tess about. + +"What'll we do with her?" She flung her hand toward the child in the +corner. + +"Yer say'll go, brat," put in Longman. "That rich duffer air had his way +too long. Us squatters're a goin' to show 'im 'tain't so safe to ride +rough shod over everybody." + +"You're going to kill her?" asked Tessibel, dully. + +"Yep," flung in Brewer, "if ye say so." + +Mrs. Brewer was crying softly. Her husband turned fiercely upon her. + +"Ma, here," said he, "air makin' some awful fuss over nothin'. She wants +the kid took out of the state an' put some'ers. Us men says it air got +to die." + +"It air too awful, Tessie," sobbed Mrs. Brewer. "The baby ain't done +nothin'." + +Tessibel refrained from looking at the speaker. Her heart bled afresh at +the woman's words. Boy hadn't done anything, either, but Waldstricker'd +killed him. It was just, he should give his daughter for her son. It +wouldn't bring Boy back, but surely he'd rest easier if Elsie joined +him. The thought that her enemy would know the ache that tore her heart, +was balm to her own heart. Yet something within her tugged her eyes to +the baby on the floor. How Boy'd cried when the convulsive pain had tied +his little limbs into cruel knots! She wanted to hear Elsie cry, too. +The wails of her enemy's child might drive the shrieks of her own little +one from memory. + +"Take the rag off her mouth," said she, quickly. + +"She'll cry like a sick cat, if ye do," warned a man. + +Tess crossed the room to the corner where Elsie lay and kneeling by her, +unfastened the cloth about her mouth. The baby held up her bound hands, +blue and swollen from the tight ligature, and whimpered, + +"Elsie's hands hurt." + +The squatter girl had never voluntarily hurt a living thing. All her +life quick sympathy had responded instinctively to helplessness and +misery. Even the toads and bats knew her tender care. Waldstricker's +child was to her, then, the most loathsome of breathing creatures. She +might let the squatters kill her; she might even do it herself. But this +was another thing! Face to face with the concrete case of pinching a +baby's wrists, her instinct sent her fingers to the tight cords about +the uplifted hands. Without conscious purpose, she, also, loosened the +plump ankles. Elsie rolled in a whimpering, little heap on the floor. + +"I want my Daddy," she whined. + +"You can't have your Daddy," answered Tess. Lifting the child to her +feet, she noted how like to Deforrest Young's were the little one's +eyes. + +"Your daddy air a dirty duffer," said Jake. "Give 'er a whack in the +face, Tess." + +He came forward from his place by the door and stopped near the two +girls. The fisherman raised his own fist, and Tessibel moved a little +aside. She regretted, now, that she'd loosened the little one's bonds or +had done anything to relieve her suffering. She didn't care what they +did to Waldstricker's girl. If they wanted to strike her, what affair +was it of hers? + +She turned her eyes upward, and, there, from among the rafters, she +seemed to see Boy's face smiling down upon her. Love, shining from the +dear eyes, radiated bliss and joy. How very sweet and peaceful he +appeared! Then, Brewer's voice penetrated her consciousness. He was +leaning over the rigid little girl. + +"Brat," he was saying, "you air goin' to get the lickin' of yer life, +an' don't ye ferget it." + +"Pretty lady, help baby," mourned Elsie. + +Tessibel shoved the squatter aside. + +"Don't touch 'er yet," she said in low, distinct tones. + +Jake took something from his pockets and thrust it into the girl's +hands. It was a small, wiry, riding whip. + +"It air the one her pa used on Boy," he muttered. "I stole it from 'is +stable." + +Tessibel uttered a cry and dropped the whip. The terrible scene in the +lane, invoked by the speaker's words and the sight of the whip, poured +into her mind a new flood of hate. + +Yes! Elsie should be treated as her father had treated Boy! She stooped +and picked up the whip. The men leaned forward, watching intently. Their +heavy breathing and Ma Brewer's sobs mingled with the ticking of the +clock and the storm's racket against the hut sides. + +She studied the whip and tested its hissing pliability. That tip had +stung Boy beyond endurance. The length of it had put him in his grave. +Waldstricker's hands had tortured her son. She would make his daughter +pay the reckoning. She drew a deep breath and raised her arm. + +Elsie had crept unnoticed to her side, and as Tess glanced down, the +child touched her hand with little fingers, marble-cold. The girl drew +away from the suppliant touch, then, lowered the whip and stood +considering the baby face. + +"I hate you worse'n anyone in the whole world," she spat out. + +"Then, lick 'er," growled Longman, and the other squatters muttered +their approval. + +Elsie dropped her head against Tessibel, and clung to her skirt. + +"I want my--mover," she burst out, crying. + +"Get even with Waldstricker, brat," said another voice. + +Tess raised her arm and glancing along the uplifted whip, again, she +looked into Boy's eyes, and, as she gazed, the little face in the +rafters receded, grew dimmer. + +She dropped the whip, and unmindful of the squatters, lifted her hands. + +"Mummy's baby boy!" she called. The happy eyes faded last from her sight +and it seemed to her they summoned her thence. A moment more, she stood +shivering, staring into the shadows, and, then, she turned upon the +dark-browed men. + +"You said I could do anything I wanted to with 'er, eh?" + +"Yep," Brewer assented. "Beat 'er, kill 'er, the more the better for +us-uns." + +"Then give me a blanket to wrap her in. I'll take her home +where--where--Boy--died." + +Brewer's lips fell apart and he laughed evilly. + +"Good idee, brat," he said. "Ye can make it a thousand times worser for +the kid if ye do.... Get a blanket, Ma." + +Carefully, the girl wrapped the blanket around and around the little +one. Elsie whimpered disconsolately but made no objection. Anything was +better than being left with the men who tied her up. Lifting the bulky +bundle, Tess started for the door, Jake picked up the whip from the +floor, handed it to her. + +"Ye're forgettin' somethin' ain't ye, brat? Ye'll be wantin' this, I'm +thinkin'," he chuckled. + +"I can't ever thank you all enough," she flung back hoarsely, tucking +the whip into her coat pocket, "for giving me this chance at +Waldstricker." + +Longman got up and opened the door and Tess stepped out into the storm, +carrying Waldstricker's daughter. + + * * * * * + +Deforrest Young was trying to calm his sister. Her frantic cries for her +baby contrasted strangely with the icy despair of the other mother he'd +tried to comfort. His heart, still sore from Boy's loss, bled in ready +sympathy to his sister's mourning. He grasped Helen's hands which were +tearing her hair. + +"Don't!" he said. "We'll find her soon. By morning she'll be back home +again. Ebenezer has nearly every man around looking for her, ... +searching every barn and asking at every house.... Darling, do you think +you could stay here with Madelene and let me go out, too?" + +"Yes, yes, go, but Oh, God, I shall die if you don't find her!" + +Hour after hour men on horseback and men on foot hunted through the +hills and gullies for little Elsie Waldstricker. + +It was almost twelve, when one by one Ebenezer's friends rode +sorrowfully home after a useless search. + + + + +CHAPTER LI + +THE CHRISTMAS GUEST + + +When Tessibel carried Elsie into the living room, she looked furtively +about to assure herself that Professor Young had not returned during her +absence. Only Andy should know! He would help her--he, too, loved Boy +with all his soul. The little girl still in her arms, she hurried up the +stairs to her own room, and after removing the blanket, placed her in a +chair. Elsie stared about, too frightened and tired even to whimper. The +whip fell to the floor and Tess picked it up. For a long time, she held +it in her hand, meditatively trying its strength and suppleness while +she glared at the child. Then she slipped quietly into the hall, still +carrying the riding crop at her side. + +"Andy," she called softly. "Is Mother Moll asleep?" + +Andy came out of his own room. + +"Yes, she's asleep. I been singin' to her most ever since you been gone. +The old woman sure does like my singin', Tess." He waddled toward the +girl and when he noticed the expression on her face, + +"Somethin's happened," he ejaculated, "Anything the matter with Ma +Brewer?" + +Tessibel backed into her room and beckoned the dwarf onward by a +movement of her head. After she'd shut the door, she pointed to the +child with a hissing swish of the whip. + +"Waldstricker's," she announced briefly. "The squatters stole her and +gave her to me." + +The sight of the little girl stopped Andy near the door. Instantly his +alert mind pictured Waldstricker's present anxiety and the awful +retribution he'd exact when he learned of her abduction. He had no idea +as yet what Tess intended to do and her attitude revealed no hint. +Personally, he was powerless because, to his physical weakness, the +storm presented an unsurmountable obstacle. Except for Mother Moll, he +was alone in the house with Tess and the Waldstricker child. Here was a +terrible predicament. He'd already lost many years of his life, because +he was present when Waldstricker's father was killed. He'd done what he +could to avert that crime and paid a heavy penalty, for his +interference. What to do, now, he didn't know. How to save the little +one and protect Tess he couldn't guess. Casting frightened eyes first on +the girl, then on the silent child, he crouched against the wall. + +"What ye goin' to do with 'er?" he mumbled at last.... "What's the whip +for?" + +"I don't know yet," replied Tess, and she balanced the raw-hide in her +hand. "This is the whip Waldstricker used.... Jake says to beat 'er like +he beat Boy." + +The cruel look on her face and the fire in her eyes frightened the +dwarf. To him, she seemed almost insane. + +"What'd ye tell 'em you'd do, Tess? Air you goin' to lick 'er?" + +"I guess so. I didn't tell 'em for sure what I'd do." + +She dropped the whip on a table and walked across the room to the window +where she stood looking out into the night with unseeing eyes. Then, +whirling on Andy, she clenched her fists and burst forth. + +"She's the only thing Waldstricker loves! If I hurt her, don't I hurt +him?" + +"Sure, dear," the little man acquiesced. "Sure, it'd make 'im ... think +a bit ... mebbe." + +Elsie stirred uneasily, making the chair rock back and forth. + +"Baby's hungry," she whimpered. + +Tess threw off her wraps and flung out of the room. In the kitchen she +stirred the fire and heated some milk and broke bread into it. + +While she was gone, the dwarf made up his mind that now, if ever, he +must prove the power of the faith Tess'd taught him. Motionless, but +watching the baby, he reviewed the proofs he'd had in the shack and +during his years with Tessibel on the hill. Surely, the hands stronger'n +Waldstricker's had lost none of their protective power! So absorbed did +he become, he hardly noticed when the girl came back, but he heard her +say to Elsie, + +"Here, cat! I hate you so, I could strangle you with it!" + +Tess was kneeling beside the chair and he noted that her fingers fed the +child carefully, and when a few warm drops of milk ran down the shaking +baby chin, Tess took out her handkerchief and wiped the little face +gently. + +"Uncle Forrie won't be back tonight," he observed, after a while. + +"Don't talk about him," gasped Tess. "I don't want to think of 'im." + +"I don't see what we're goin' to do, brat," returned Andy miserably. + +"I'll never give her back to Waldstricker, that's certain," Tess +gritted. "I'll throw her out in the snow first. Let 'im find her, then, +if he can." + +Hunger satisfied, warm and snug, the tired baby smiled her thanks and +fell asleep. After placing the bowl on the table, Tess drew the blankets +about the little figure and stood up. + +"Don't tell me not to do it," she said fiercely. + +"I weren't going to, brat, dear," sighed the little man. + +Then, the girl went to the window again. For what seemed hours to the +dwarf, she stared silently into the winter night. + +In her mind's eye she could see the high waves of the lake rolling and +tumbling from hill to hill, and could outline the forest opposing its +rugged weight to the tempest. Under the successive attacks of the gale, +the loosened old joints of the house creaked their protests at the +blizzard's roughness. The shrieking of the wind, the sharp rattle of the +storm-driven snow against the glass, everything in the wild night +without, responded to the conflict in her own breast. + +She felt sorry, now, she hadn't left Elsie to the mercy of the +squatters; but the thought of what they would have done to the child +made her shudder. + +"No, not that!" she groaned aloud. + +"What'd ye say, brat?" asked Andy, without moving. + +"Nothing," muttered the girl, and she maintained her position at the +window. It was as though she were waiting for something she knew not +what. In a sudden hush of the storm, she heard, faintly, the chimes in +the library tower on College Hill. + +Ah, yes, it was Christmas Eve! How Boy had looked forward to Santa +Claus! How many little things she'd made for his stocking! She drew a +long, sobbing breath. Boy wouldn't want any of her love-things any more. + +She knew the chimes were playing, + +"Peace on earth, good will to men." + +Every Christmas Eve, at midnight, the bells rang out the sacred chorus. +For many years, the music had completed her Christmas preparations. The +annual message had always brought her inspiration and spiritual uplift. +A brick, torn from its place in the chimney, tumbled down the roof. Its +clatter rudely broke in upon the joyous refrain. So had Waldstricker +destroyed her peace. No peace for her, no peace for him! She tried to +fit the words to the chiming notes but without success. + +"Peace on earth, good will to men." + +Straining her eyes into the darkness, while the angels' message tugged +at her heart strings, the overwrought girl saw another vision. Boy +smiled upon her out of the storm. Ineffable happiness shone in the +lovely face and steady eyes. Freed from mortal chance and change, she +beheld him safe and secure in the everlasting now of eternity. The +apprehension of Life's unalterable continuity--unfolding to her uplifted +thought--destroyed the hopeless sense of separation and banished hate +and anger from her heart. The compelling light of reawakened Love +penetrated the inmost recesses of her spirit, and dissipated the shadows +of discord and resentment. Peace possessed her. While the wonder of her +healing held her motionless a little longer, the song she'd often sung +to Boy at twilight came bubbling to her lips. + + "In heavenly love abiding, + No change my heart shall fear." + +Amazed, Andy stepped to her side. Gratitude for his darling's +deliverance filled his heart. Turning to him, she put one arm around his +shoulders. His throaty tenor joined the caroling soprano. + + "The storm may roar without me, + My heart may low be laid," + +Above the raging of the wind, they lifted the triumphant refrain, + + "But God is round about me, + How can I be dismayed?" + +Moving into the brighter light of the shaded lamp, she seemed +transfigured. All the strained hurt look was gone. The brown eyes +expressed a deep brooding content and the bright face glowed with love. + +"Tess, dear Tess," cried Andy, "you found 'im, didn't ye, Tess? It air +wonderful." + +"Boy lives forever!" the smiling lips ejaculated. + +A tiny snore directed their attention to the little girl in the big +rocking chair. + +"Wrap her up, Andy," Tess directed. "I'm going to take her home." + +Andy's shaking hands could hardly do the girl's bidding. + +"It's an awful night, brat. Can you do it?" + +"I'll get her back, all right," promised Tess, and she went out and down +the stairs. + +When she came back, Andy viewed her with amazement. She stood tall and +slender before him, dressed like a stripling youth in one of Deforrest +Young's riding suits, boots on her feet and a cap in her hand. + +"I couldn't walk in a dress," she explained simply. "Help me wrap up my +hair. I've got to go cross-lots." + +Quickly, Andy fastened the shining curls under the big cap. Elsie was +still asleep in the blankets. Tess picked her up and went out into the +hall and down the stairs. When the dwarf opened the outside door, the +stinging gale slashed at the open portal. + +"God help my brat!" prayed Andy. Tess looked into his face a moment, and +then strode away with her burden. + +The lane was even harder to reach than it had been when she came from +Brewer's. She labored to the tracks, and struck off across the fields. +The wind stung her face with particles of ice, that cut like needles. A +snow owl dropped from the gloom of a tree, poised a moment on wing, and +stared at her with glittering, hungry eyes. Then, he fluttered upward +and was gone. To force her way along took all her skill and experience +with snow and storm. Unable to wade through the deep drifts by the +fences, she had to roll over and over the tops of them. At such times, +she put down the warmly wrapped baby and as she rolled, jerked her along +through the snow. The bitter gale contested every inch of the way. The +wind blew with such tremendous power in the cleared spaces that she +could not face the biting blast, but again and again was compelled to +creep over the icy crust, and pull the blanketed baby behind her. + +When she reached the Trumansburg road, she could hardly breathe. The icy +winds froze the sweat upon her toiling body and chilled the very marrow +of her aching bones. The little one lay a dead weight in her arms. The +ceaseless attacks of the cruel wind sapped her strength. She wanted to +rest, but she remembered it wouldn't do to stop. Every step was a +nightmare of impossible effort. + +Suddenly down the road but a little way, a white light spread before her +like a beckoning hand. Gathering her remaining strength for a final +effort, she staggered toward it. + + + + +CHAPTER LII + +THE STORM + + +The blizzard that raged in the Storm Country, the day before Christmas, +was general through the East. Frederick Graves, on his way home for the +Yuletide festivities, had been hampered and delayed by the storm. +Indeed, the Lehigh train almost lost its way among the drifts, and +instead of arriving about supper time, it came limping in late in the +evening. When the much married man stepped off the train at the Ithaca +depot, he moved slowly down the long platform toward the carriage stand. +Waldstricker's coachman met him near the end of the station and relieved +him of his suit case. One glance at the newcomer's emaciated face, +bearing the tell-tale spots of hectic red, told the man why Graves had +been in the mountains. + +"Mr. Waldstricker sent me down to meet you, sir," the servant told +Frederick. "Your wife is up to our house and I'm to take you there. It's +a bad night, but I'll get you through all right." + +Frederick hesitated a moment before getting into the covered sleigh. He +hadn't calculated to go to Waldstricker's. But the servant's next words +decided him. + +"You see, sir, Miss Elsie's lost. She went out this afternoon and hasn't +been seen since; at least, hadn't been found when I left there about +seven o'clock. Mr. Waldstricker's tearing around through the snow like a +wild man and every one at Hayt's is out hunting for her." + +Warmly wrapped, Frederick leaned back in the sleigh. While the horses +plodded slowly against the storm up the long hill, he renewed his +meditations and reviewed the course of action he'd determined to follow. +His unsatisfied passion for Tess had grown more insistent during the +months spent alone in the mountains. He'd written her many letters +which had not been answered or returned to him. Indeed, he hadn't heard +of or from her, directly or indirectly, for many weeks. Her failure to +reply to his letters, as well as her hostile attitude, the last time +he'd seen her, he ascribed to Young's influence. That Tessibel had +become actually indifferent to him, he couldn't comprehend at all. +Surely, the love she'd shown him couldn't die! The separation had only +made his passion the greater. It might be that, through his neglect, her +love had grown dormant, but nothing could destroy it. Freed from the +lawyer's control, and in new surroundings, the well remembered sweetness +of their short honeymoon would become a present experience. + +He'd been able to secrete, when he'd been in charge of the California +office, considerable sums of money. By careful management, he had +increased his takings to an amount that would be a comfortable fortune +for himself and the squatter girl. There had been no break between him +and Madelene, but he had persuaded himself she would be glad to separate +from him. It was too late to do anything about it tonight, though. +Tomorrow, or the next day, he'd take his dear ones away. + +As soon as they were settled in some distant city and were secure from +the elder's wrath, he'd write Madelene. He chuckled grimly to himself at +the thought of their rage when they learned of her anomalous position as +his unmarried wife. + +Then, his fancy played about the home he'd have. He pictured Tess moving +through the rooms in the intimacies of domestic life. Almost, so vivid +the picture his passion painted, he held her in his arms. He'd do +wonderful things for the boy. He should have the best education +possible! Lost in his dreams, the time slipped rapidly away, and he +found himself, all at once, in front of his brother-in-law's brilliantly +lighted home. + +When he came into the great hall, Madelene hurried out of the library to +meet him. She presented a cool cheek for the customary kiss of greeting +and helped him out of his extra wraps. + +"Take off your coat, dear, and come into the library," she urged. "The +man told you about Elsie? But Eb's sure to find her. I'll see about +something to eat while you're getting thawed out." + +She bustled off to the kitchen and her husband went into the library and +dropped into a chair before the grate. + +When Madelene came back, she stopped by the table impressed, suddenly, +by the pathetic weariness of his appearance. The change in him startled +her and reawakened all the love she'd ever felt for him. In addition, +there was, in her affection for the sick man, an element of maternal +devotion, as though the unsatisfied desires of her empty arms demanded +him. She crossed the room and seated herself on the arm of his chair. + +"Fred, dear," she said, "you must have had an awful trip. Now, that I +have you home again, I'm going to look after you, myself." + +One after another, she noted the symptoms of decay and dissolution +presented. His clothes no longer fitted but hung, bag-like, upon his +emaciated frame. His shoulders were stooped and his chest sunken. The +high linen collar he'd always been so particular about, no longer set +close to a shapely neck, but sagged away from the taut cords below his +bony jaw and chin. She lifted one of his hands and stared, through the +tears that welled into her eyes, at the claw-like fingers resting in +hers. Her husband's pitiful plight completely softened her heart and +wiped away the memory of her jealousy and dissatisfaction with him. He +needed her, now, and everything that love could do for him, she'd give +him. + +Lifting his fingers to her lips, they sat, thus, in silence, before the +log fire until Frederick withdrew his hand and let it fall into his lap. +Madelene shifted her position a little and slipped one arm around his +neck. Although somewhat amazed at the demonstration, Frederick submitted +to the caresses and found in them something of peace. + +"I'm awfully sorry, Fred," she whispered, after the lapse of a few +moments. "Let's begin again and do better. I do love you, so. Put your +arms around me and tell me you'll forgive and forget." + +Convinced that it was easier to humor his wife's soft mood than to risk +the strain of repulsing her, Frederick slipped his arms around her and +held her close. + +"There's nothing to forgive, Madie," he muttered. "I've been awful +selfish and I'm paying the penalty, that's all. You better let me go and +forget me." + +Supposing he referred to his approaching death, Madelene cried out +sharply, in protest. + +"No, no, Fred, you mustn't say such things. You make me feel like a +murderess." + +She wound her arms tightly around him and kissed him stormily. + +"I love you and you love me," she continued. "That's all there is to it. +We'll be happy, yet!" + +For a few moments, she rested in his embrace, happier than she'd been in +many a long day. Then, she disengaged herself and stood up. + +"Come, dear," she smiled, "your supper is ready." + +After he was seated at the table, she told him of the quarrel between +her brother and his wife, of the loss of Elsie and the search then going +on. + +"Helen's most crazy," she concluded. "She's lying down, now. I gave her +a powder and I think she's sleeping." + +Frederick toyed with the food before him. He made occasional +monosyllabic comments that kept the running fire of his wife's chatter +going. Unable to pretend to eat more, he leaned back in his chair. + +"I'm not much of an eater," he smiled, "but I've enjoyed your lunch very +much." + +The sound of steps on the stairs interrupted him. + +"Hark, Fred!" his wife exclaimed. "That's Helen, now." + +Together they left the dining room and went to the library, where Mrs. +Waldstricker had preceded them. + +Helen's distraught manner prevented anything like a conventional welcome +to her brother-in-law. After Frederick had expressed his sympathy for +her anxiety about Elsie and tried to quiet her fears, Madelene carried +him off to his room. When she had seen to the details for his comfort, +she returned to the library to share Mrs. Waldstricker's vigil. + +Frederick found, when he was left alone, that he was in no mood for bed. +He was too tired to sleep, too nervous to be quiet anywhere. It seemed +to him as though there were some unusual quality in the air, some +mysterious whispering to his inner consciousness. He felt vaguely +excited. He tried to read but the words conveyed to him no meaning. To +an extent never before experienced, possibly because he was again in the +Storm Country, he wanted Tess. After a time, he heard the banging of the +front door downstairs and confused cries in the hall, but paid little +attention to them. In the silence that succeeded, the narrow walls of +the bedroom became unbearably close. He'd go downstairs to the library. +It might be he'd be able to rest in a chair before the log fire. + + + + +CHAPTER LIII + +THE HAPPY DAY + + +Like the kindly eyes of a welcoming friend, the two great lights upon +the posts of Waldstricker's gateway met Tessibel Skinner as she +struggled between the tall stone pillars to the private driveway. In +sheer fatigue, she allowed Elsie to slip to the snow and sank down +beside her. Her heart sang with joy and thanksgiving. She was going to +give Helen her dear, golden-haired baby. There was no thought, now, of +her hatred for Ebenezer, only wondrous anticipation of his joy at +receiving his little girl out of the storm. Through the white light, +Tess could outline the rounded figure in the snow. Rhythmical breathing +assured her the little one slept in security. Once more, Tess got to her +feet and, once more, she gathered up the living bundle. She was almost +at the end of her journey. The short rest had given her new strength, +and when she got to the stone porch she was able to mount the steps, and +move laboriously, almost breathlessly, to the door. Memories keenly +bitter-sweet rushed over her. The last time she was on that spot she was +going to sing for the master's friends. What numberless happenings +loomed before her mental vision, happenings to her and to Waldstricker. +She was too dazed, too cold, to consider them in sequence. In the +confusion of her soul, only two things stood out distinctly. Her +marriage to Frederick Graves and Boy's shining face when the assurance +had come to her that he lived and would ever live. Then Deforrest +Young--Ah, yes, she had forgotten him! In a little while she would see +him, and he would take her back to Mother Moll and Andy. + +She was directly in front of the heavy portal, now, and with one stiff +set of fingers she laid hold of the handle and twisted the knob. The +door opened under her pressure and displayed the long reception hall. A +rush of warm air welcomed her, and she uttered one little cry and +staggered across the threshold. + + * * * * * + +Helen Waldstricker and Madelene Graves were waiting wearily for some +message from the searching party. Hours had passed that seemed like +centuries strung into eternities, hours that had brought no word of the +lost baby. Suddenly, Helen sat up as an unusual sound came to her ear. + +"Did I hear something?" she asked. "I thought it was a voice." + +"Only the wind," answered Madelene, drowsily. + +The girl was thinking of Frederick and dreaming what their life might +be, now that they were beginning again. Of course, he was ill--very ill, +but she'd take him away and nurse him back to health again. + +Then, another hoarse little sound forced its way through the closed +door, and Helen got up and opened it. In that moment, when she looked +the length of her spacious hall, the whole world took on a gladness +unsurpassed. True, the door was open and the blizzard battled in and +flung its snowflakes to her very feet; but across the doorway was a +human body--Tessibel Skinner, and at her side, a rosebud face from which +the blanket had fallen. Mrs. Waldstricker gave a glad cry and sprang +forward. Tess tried to get up but failed. All she could do was to +whisper, + +"I've brought you back your baby." Then, she crumpled forward over Elsie +Waldstricker in a forlorn, snow-covered heap. + +By that time, Madelene was in the hall. She recognized Tessibel, and +felt a keen thrill of biting pain. She had suffered much from this +beautiful squatter girl, but she, also, realized that Tess had brought +the child back to her distracted parents. Between them, the two women +managed to carry the girl and baby into the library. Both were crying, +and Elsie, too, now awake, was insisting that her mother "Rock baby." + +To answer their hysterical questions, when her throat was so hoarse, was +impossible for Tessibel. + +"Let her rest right here, then," said Helen. "Mercy me! If the child +hasn't some of Deforrest's clothes on. Let's take the baby upstairs, +and, Madelene, you bring down some dry things for Tess.... Here, Tess, +dear, let me wrap you in this for a few minutes." + +Tessibel sank into the warm woolen robe Mrs. Waldstricker placed about +her. Then, the two women went upstairs with wee Elsie. Tessibel felt the +warmth from the fire permeate her whole being. She had suddenly grown so +sleepy! It was delightful to be able to close her eyes and watch in +perfect peace the figures of her dreams! Memories, deep and entrancing, +engulfed her. Many forms passed to and fro across her vision. There were +the dark faces of her squatter friends, then Ebenezer Waldstricker. Her +lids lifted heavily, her eyes centering upon another face--a face which +made her cry out and struggle to her feet with trembling desire to get +away. Frederick Graves closed the door behind him softly and the girl +noted how thin and sick he looked and that his twitching lips tried to +smile her a welcome. + +"Tessibel," was all he said. She sank back into the great chair, white +and weak, her face strung with terror. + +Frederick didn't pause to ask why she was there. It was enough to know +she was near him, and he forgot all else; his recent promises to +Madelene,--Ebenezer and his mother. Only, did he remember that his young +squatter wife, the mother of his baby son, was near enough for him to +take her in his arms. Ah, yes, he'd take her away, right then, just as +he had planned to do so many, many times. He bent over her, his breath +coming in labored, explosive gusts. + +"Tess, darling," he murmured, much moved. "How wonderful you should be +here tonight. Say something to me, sweetheart." + +Tess attempted to push him from her. The touch of her hand thrilled him +to his toes. How he would care for her--take her away from her squatter +world, that stormy world filled with sorrow and pain! His world should +know of her goodness, her loyalty and strength. + +"I'll tell Ebenezer I'm your husband, Tessibel," he breathed in her ear. +"Oh, my darling, what joy there is in store for us, what wonderful +happiness--" + +"No, no," cried Tess. + +Then, again, he seized her hand, murmuring, + +"Yes, yes, my love! I know it's hard to forgive me, but I've never loved +any one but you. I didn't even try to care for Madelene. I couldn't. +And, now, my precious--" + +"Please, don't say such things," cried Tess. "I only came--" + +She wrenched her fingers loose from his and through her own +interruption, he went on quickly. + +"Oh, my dearest, be a little kind to me. Forgive all I've done. No, I +shan't let you go until you promise me something--you must listen!" + +Driven on by the passion dominating his weak body, Frederick dragged her +to him. Deforrest Young came into the girl's mind. How she loved him! +She would not tolerate Graves' hateful embrace. She made a frantic +struggle against the arms holding her. + +"Frederick, Frederick!" she gasped. + +"No, I won't listen, Tess," he cried. "I'm sorry enough for all I've +done and I won't go away from you any more." + +He crushed his mouth against her cheek. She should not baffle him thus. +Now, that she was in his arms, his hot breath mingling with the warmth +of hers, he was sure she could not resist him. Suddenly, she ceased to +struggle--Limply, she lay against his breast. How he loved her! +Frederick remembered with a thrilling, cutting desire that in those +dear, olden days, she had been the sweeter and better part of himself. +He had come back to fight for her, to take her and the boy away. Between +passionate kisses, new resolves raced through his fevered mind. He told +himself no barrier was strong enough to keep him from her. But he had +forgotten Ebenezer Waldstricker. It was not until he heard a short, +sharp ejaculation that he turned partly around. His brother-in-law was +standing in the open door, clad in a long fur garment, his handsome face +dark with terrible anger. Frederick dropped one arm, but tightened the +other about the squatter girl. + +Waldstricker could feel himself growing hot to the edge of his collar. +At the sight of the girl he hated, a sudden fury took possession of him. + +Tess became aware that the crimson churchman was looking her over from +head to foot. She flushed painfully as she realized her masculine attire +and thrust one hand behind her to loosen Frederick's arm, while with the +other she steadied herself against a chair. She could not force herself +to speak. + +Waldstricker cleared his throat. + +"How long has it been considered good taste, Mr. Graves," he demanded +icily, "for a man to bring his mistress into his wife's home?" + +Every word was perfectly articulated. Frederick grew deathly sick and +sat down quickly, making a violent gesture with his hand. He wanted to +deny Waldstricker's deadly insult, but he, suddenly, had no strength. +How Tess came into the house he did not know. But he did know she was +not there at his instigation. He could see that Waldstricker had hurt +her beyond expression, too. She was staring at his brother-in-law, +silent, as if frozen by his cold contempt. + +Looking from one to the other, Ebenezer went on. + +"It is my painful duty to ask Miss Skinner to leave this house ... now," +said he. + +Frederick managed to stand up and fling one protecting arm about the +pale girl. + +"Not in this terrible storm, Ebbie," he got out hoarsely. + +"She came in the storm," returned the elder, "and I see no reason why +she can't go back in it. She seems nicely dressed for such weather." + +He went forward and seized her arm and quickly swung the slender form +from Frederick's embrace. The girl was so dazed and weary she made no +resistance. The powerful elder snatched up her coat and cap and roughly +put them on her. Then, he pushed her ahead of him through the long +reception hall. Tessibel had not spoken a word, nor did she speak when +Waldstricker pulled open the door and, with a low growl, shoved her out +into the darkness. When he returned to the library, he found Frederick +stretched out upon the divan. A look of death had spread over his face, +and the appeal in his eyes brought the elder forward quickly. + +"Fred, what possessed you to bring that girl here?" + +"I didn't. I found her here," murmured Frederick. "She'll die in the +storm. Call her back, Eb, she'll die--" + +"No, she won't," replied Waldstricker, gruffly, "and what's more I won't +have her here. How she had a nerve to come at all, I can't see.... +Where's Helen?" + +"Upstairs with Madie, I guess," sighed Frederick. + +"Poor Helen," groaned Ebenezer, moodily. "If I could only give her some +news of Elsie. But I feel sure we'll have her home by morning." + +"I hope so!" answered Frederick. Then, he raised on one elbow and spoke +with difficulty. "Eb,--Ebenezer, I've something to tell you." The effort +made him gasp for breath, and fall back. + +"I guess I'm done for," he muttered. + +"I'll call Madelene," said Waldstricker, turning quickly. + +"No, no, Ebenezer. Come here. There, now, let me tell it. I--I--married +Tessibel Skinner before I married Madelene." + +Waldstricker staggered back. He was appalled at the death-stricken face +opposite. He knew Frederick was dying, and had no doubt he was telling +the simple truth. The world seemed turned upside down. Now, in the light +of this new knowledge, he could see many things. He shuddered when he +thought of Tessibel. He and his were in the squatter girl's power. What +mercy could he or Madelene expect at her hands? The shame and disgrace +would kill his sister. Had the Skinner girl come to his house to claim +her husband? + +At that moment, he heard Mrs. Graves' step on the stairs. He turned, +intending to ask Frederick not to tell Madelene of his secret marriage, +but quickly changed his mind. Frederick was too ill; the first thing was +to relieve his suffering. + +"Get some water," the elder commanded when she appeared in the doorway. +"Fred's sick." + +Madelene dropped the armful of clothes she held and fled to obey. When +she came back, the young wife tenderly ministered to the dying man. +Never before had he seemed so dear! + +"I think we'd better call a doctor," said Ebenezer, and he went out. + +For a moment, he felt impelled to go to his wife, to tell her how sorry +he was for all his ugly moods. He blamed himself bitterly for Elsie's +disappearance. If her mother had been home, the little girl would not +have gone away. + +In the servant's quarters, he gave orders that a doctor should be sent +for. As he came back to the reception hall, he saw Helen looking down up +him,--and she was smiling. How could she smile when the world was no +longer glad, no longer beautiful? But a few hours before he had left her +in tears, almost insane. Now she stood quietly, happily, as if joy +unlimited were hers. + +Mrs. Waldstricker placed her fingers on her lips. + +"Come up, dear heart," she whispered. + +Ebenezer mounted the stairs. + +"I'm so miserable, Helen," he said. "I don't know what to say." + +Helen stood on tiptoe and put one arm around his neck. She drew the +massive head down and pressed her face to her husband's cheek. + +"I don't think there's anything much to say," she said softly, "but to +thank her for bringing her back." + +Waldstricker straightened himself impatiently. + +"Brought who back?" he demanded. "What do you mean? My God, Helen, the +whole house has gone mad." + +"Didn't you see Tessibel in the library?" Helen asked. "She--" + +"Well, I should say I did," Ebenezer snorted, "and I cleared her out of +there. How dare the impudent huzzy come to my house?" + +"Great Heavens! Ebenezer!" exclaimed Helen. "She carried Elsie all the +way from the lake!" + +When these words fell upon Waldstricker's ears, he couldn't comprehend +their import entirely. Elsie was found! But--Then, the full horror of +his impetuous action burst upon him. The squatter girl had brought her +back! Oh! Brute and fool that he was! He groaned and started to speak +but his wife's voice interrupted him. + +"Elsie's in here. Come see her! Won't you come, dear?" + +The husband followed his wife through the nursery door, and as he +centered his eyes upon the little bed in which his baby lay, life turned +over for Ebenezer Waldstricker. He bent down and placed a reverent kiss +upon the flushed, sleeping face. Then, he turned to Helen. + +"I'm going to find Tessibel Skinner," he said, and, abruptly turning, +went out. + + * * * * * + +Deforrest Young forced his foaming horse into Waldstricker's gateway and +galloped up to the porch. It took him but one brief moment to fling +himself to the ground, and up the steps into the house. Andy had told +him Tess had gone to Ebenezer's with little Elsie. To know his darling +was out in such a night nearly drove him mad. It hadn't taken him long +to decide to go after her. + +Meeting Ebenezer coming down the stairs, the lawyer's first demand was, + +"Where's Tessibel--" and Waldstricker's reply came low and +self-accusing. + +"I sent her home, but, Deforrest, I didn't know about her bringing +Elsie, then." + +The lawyer didn't wait to ask anything more. Sick at heart and +apprehensive, he went from the mansion and into his saddle and once more +out between the great stone gate posts. + + * * * * * + +When the church elder pushed her through the doorway, into the winter +night, Tessibel stood one moment swaying, back and forth, in an effort +to steady her mind enough to plan her next action. She knew the long, +wintry road to the lake must again be traversed before she could lie +down and rest. A sob came to her lips. She was so tired, so wearily +unable to think. She had wanted to stay where it was warm, to wait +until Deforrest came after her; but Mr. Waldstricker had almost thrown +her into the snow. He had told her she couldn't stay, so, of course, she +couldn't go back. How cruel he had looked and how strong his hands were! +Once, some one had said Waldstricker's hands were stronger than God's. +But, no, that wasn't true! She and Andy had proved it false. It was just +that Waldstricker didn't like her; he didn't like any of the squatters, +that's why he made her go away. Probably, he wasn't as glad as she +thought he'd be to get his baby back. She drew her coat closer about her +shoulders and stepped from the porch. The snow had ceased to fall, and +the wind had quieted its turbulent raging. Very cold and quiet, the +whole white night-world seemed. Of a sudden, the solitude was pierced by +a hoarse sound from a sleepy fowl in the great barn below in the +meadows. A night bird uttered a shrill, belligerent cry and sank to +silence in his tree top. Tess turned her head sharply. These life-sounds +out of the dusky beyond came from her friends. She wasn't afraid, only +cold and chilled to her body's depths. Slowly, she went down the drifted +driveway to the Trumansburg road and turned lakeward. She wondered if it +was safe to return home cross-lots when she was so tired. It was shorter +through the fields, but her legs seemed almost unable to bear up her +weight in the deep snow. + +At the top of the hill, opposite the Stebbins' homestead, she crouched +down to rest a moment. Once, she thought she heard a horse. It might +have been, but if so, the animal had passed, for no longer could she +hear the thud of hoofs upon the snow road. Then, something touched her, +and she turned her eyes upward. There, in the sky, was a moon--Was it +her moon, that pale riding thing, taking its way through the white +clouds? How cold it looked, and how cold it was! She shivered, settled a +little in her coat and closed her eyes. A moment later, something +brushed her hand. Slowly, the long red-brown lashes lifted and the +red-brown eyes settled upon a figure bending over her, a figure, white +like one of Mother Moll's conjured ghosts. Tessibel wanted to go to +sleep. Why had the night stranger touched her, just then? Oh, she was +out in the snow. A person ought never to lie down in the snow. Daddy +Skinner had told her so many times. She mustn't sleep. She must get up +instantly--but--her legs were too stiff, too difficult to move. Then, +the figure faded slowly from her vision. How heavy her chest felt. A +moonbeam lay slant-wise across it. That couldn't be so heavy, just a bit +of the moonlight. Why, of course, something else was cradled in the +white beam. Tess looked closer. A babe, as fair as an unblemished rose +leaf, lay straight across her breast and considered her with +unfathomable, interested eyes.... It was Boy--her Boy--she had him back +again. Then, he hadn't been put in a little box in the ground beside +Daddy Skinner. She managed to raise one arm and drop it across the small +body. How lovely he was, this moonbeam babe, so white, so gentle and +dark-haired. + +Tessibel was warmer since he had come to her; her arms no longer +trembled, but her legs seemed to have lost their desire to walk. She +felt glad of that, too, because she was too tired to walk, anyway, and +the baby was very sweet. Then, once more, a long shadow came between her +and the moon and someone bent over her. Ah, 'twas Daddy Skinner, the +same beloved, heavy humped-shoulders--the same precious face, and he was +fondling the moon baby, and twice kissed _her_ with tender, twitching +lips. She smiled happily and moved a little in the snow. She tried to +catch Daddy's hand, tried to call his dear name, but only a little sound +came from her tightened, frozen throat. Then, smiling, Daddy Skinner +went back to the moon, and Tess, drowsily, cuddled the white babbling +closer, and went to sleep. + + * * * * * + +Deforrest Young brought his horse to an abrupt standstill. Had he heard +a faint sound off there in the path? With a sudden spring, he +dismounted. Over near the fence, he thought he had seen through the +streak of light a human hand move upward and then sink into the snow. He +paused a moment and shuddered. Had he lost his senses through the +suffering the week had brought him? He shook himself and turned to his +horse again. No silly vision should drag him across a snowdrift on such +a night. He was going home to Tessibel. In hesitant quandary, he still +stood staring west to the rail fence. Then, something impelled him to do +the very thing he had decided would be fruitless. + +One bound took him through the piles of snow at the side of the road. +The lawyer bent down, his heart tightening with fear. A human being lay +close to the fence. Young quickly pulled the face into the moonlight. +The quiet, death-like form was Tessibel Skinner. + +A huge sob tore its way from the lawyer's throat, and burst fiercely +through his teeth. Was she dead, his dearest who had received evil, +perhaps death, for the good she had done? + +Above his head the limbs of a great tree sang their song of winter to +the night. Deforrest remembered Tess had always loved the whispering of +the wind. A low cry followed by words fell from his lips. + +"Love air everywhere the hull time," he sobbed. "Oh, Love, Divine, +merciful Love, protect my pretty child!" + +In another sixty seconds he was pounding through the snow road toward +the lake with a sleeping red-haired girl in his arms. + + * * * * * + +It was broad day when Tessibel opened her eyes. She lay for some time +looking at the ceiling, then around her. She was alone in the room, yes, +in her own room at the lake. Something had hurt her dreadfully, for even +her arms ached so she couldn't move them. She wondered where Andy was, +and Mother Moll, and if Deforrest were home. + +She tried to sit up, but the pains shooting through her body made her +content to be quiet. + +Later, by a few moments, when Deforrest Young opened the door and stole +in, she smiled wanly at him. + +"My little girl's had a good sleep," he said softly, coming forward. +Then, he took her hand and stood looking down upon her, his whole soul +in his eyes. + +"Tessibel," he hesitated, "do you remember what happened last night?" + +Tess stared at him, a little pucker between her eyes. Last night? What +about last night? + +Oh, yes, she did remember. Elsie Waldstricker at the squatters; her own +struggle through the snow to the mansion on the hill; how Waldstricker +had turned her away. + +"Yes, I remember," she whispered. "Did you find me, Uncle Forrie?" + +Sudden tears swept away Young's vision. He nodded his head. + +"And my brother-in-law's downstairs and wants to speak to you, +Tessibel," said he. + +Tess made a negative shake with her head, and a look of fear crept into +her eyes. + +Through Waldstricker's baby she had measured the height of God's love +and forgiveness, and through his own unrighteous arrogancy she had +plumbed the depths of human woe. She thrilled at the thought of little +Elsie, of Helen's joy this birthday of Jesus, the tender teacher of her +youth. She would have welcomed them, but she didn't want to see +Waldstricker. By the crack of his whip, he had destroyed her love-life, +as a bubble from a child's pipe is broken by a gust of wind. But before +she could frame her refusal, Ebenezer Waldstricker appeared in the +doorway. He came forward to the bed and held out his hand. + +"Tessibel," he said huskily, "I'm bowed with shame before you. Child, I +cannot tell you how sorry I am." + +Tess took his hand without the slightest show of hesitation. + +"I'm glad you've got your baby home," she murmured brokenly, and that +was all. + +A great emotion shook Ebenezer's soul as a giant oak is shaken in a +mighty wind. + +"Last night when I sent you away," he explained tensely, "I didn't know +about your bringing her back. I appreciate, child, that's no excuse for +me. Nor did I know, then, that you were married--" + +He stopped, the bitter pain in his throat aching his voice into silence. + +"Mr. Graves is dead," he whispered, "and my sister--" + +"Oh, I'm so sorry for her, Mr. Waldstricker," cried Tess, struggling up. + +Deforrest stepped forward to Ebenezer's side and supported her. + +"Yes, you would be," the elder asserted. "Your heart is so tender.... My +poor little Madelene--I fear the shock will kill her. She doesn't know +yet that she really had no husband." + +Tessibel's eyes grew large with astonishment. Then, Frederick had +exonerated her to Waldstricker. Her eyes sought Deforrest Young's. + +"Mr. Waldstricker told me downstairs about it, my darling," he said +tenderly. "My brave little girl!" + +Tess flashed a sudden look at Ebenezer. + +"Mr. Waldstricker, I never want your sister to know she wasn't Fred--I +mean Mr. Graves' wife," she told him. "It won't do any good and I'd +rather you wouldn't tell her." + +Then, surely, did Tess win from her proud enemy all the respect and +reverence he could bestow on any human being. Ebenezer Waldstricker +lowered his lips and pressed them to the slender hand he held. + +"My dear, my dear," he moaned. "If I could only undo some of it." + +Oh, how Tessibel wanted some of it undone, too. Her red head bowed +slowly over his strong white hand. + +"Oh, Mr. Waldstricker," she burst forth with sobs, "I want my little +baby so bad, so awful bad." + +Ebenezer uttered a groan and wheeling quickly went from the room. + + * * * * * + +Later in the day, when they were alone together, Deforrest sat down +beside Tessibel. + +"Now, you can tell me all about it, child," he said. + +"Yes," whispered Tess; and she did. It was difficult to go back to those +long, terrible years through which she had stumbled in shame and +disgrace, but Deforrest Young upheld her by sympathy and encouragement. +When the pitiful tale was finished, he bent forward and drew her into +his arms. + +"This Christmas is the happiest of my life," he murmured. + +Hearing Andy on the stairs, they'd just taken more conventional +attitudes when he burst into the room. + +"Mother Moll's been havin' a seance all to herself," he grinned, "an' +she says, there's a wedding ring hanging over the brat's head, an' she +said to tell you, Uncle Forrie--" He paused, giggled a little and +ended--"Red curls'll twist around your heart so close ye won't ever get +away." + +Then the dwarf toddled back upstairs, chuckling to himself. + +"Mother Moll's right," whispered Deforrest into the small ear. "I'm the +happiest man in all the world, Tessibel." + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Secret of the Storm Country, by +Grace Miller White + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SECRET OF THE STORM COUNTRY *** + +***** This file should be named 20548.txt or 20548.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/0/5/4/20548/ + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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