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diff --git a/6013-h/6013-h.htm b/6013-h/6013-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..775227e --- /dev/null +++ b/6013-h/6013-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,14699 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?> + +<!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"> + <head> + <meta content="pg2html (binary v0.17)" name="linkgenerator" /> + <title> + Viola Gwyn, by George Barr Mccutcheon + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .75em; margin-bottom: .75em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%; text-align: justify; font-size: 80%; font-style: italic;} + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + .xx-small {font-size: 60%;} + .x-small {font-size: 75%;} + .small {font-size: 85%;} + .large {font-size: 115%;} + .x-large {font-size: 130%;} + .indent5 { margin-left: 5%;} + .indent10 { margin-left: 10%;} + .indent15 { margin-left: 15%;} + .indent20 { margin-left: 20%;} + .indent25 { margin-left: 25%;} + .indent30 { margin-left: 30%;} + .indent35 { margin-left: 35%;} + .indent40 { margin-left: 40%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {position: absolute; right: 1%; font-size: 0.6em; + font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; + text-align: right; background-color: #FFFACD; + border: 1px solid; padding: 0.3em;text-indent: 0em;} + .side { float: left; font-size: 75%; width: 15%; padding-left: 0.8em; + border-left: dashed thin; text-align: left; + text-indent: 0; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; + font-weight: bold; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: solid 1px;} + .head { float: left; font-size: 90%; width: 98%; padding-left: 0.8em; + border-left: dashed thin; text-align: center; + text-indent: 0; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; + font-weight: bold; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: solid 1px;} + p.pfirst, p.noindent {text-indent: 0} + span.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: 0.8 } + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Viola Gwyn, by George Barr McCutcheon + +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: Viola Gwyn + +Author: George Barr McCutcheon + +Release Date: July, 2004 [EBook #6013] +First Posted: October 16, 2002 +Last Updated: May 11, 2019 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK VIOLA GWYN *** + + + + +Etext produced by Charles Aldarondo, Charles Franks and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + +HTML file produced by David Widger + + + + +</pre> + <div style="height: 8em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + VIOLA GWYN + </h1> + <h2> + By George Barr McCutcheon + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <p> + <b>CONTENTS</b> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_PROL"> PROLOGUE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I — SHELTER FOR THE NIGHT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II — THE STRANGE YOUNG WOMAN </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III — SOMETHING ABOUT CLOTHES, AND + MEN, AND CATS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV — VIOLA GWYN </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V — REFLECTIONS AND AN ENCOUNTER + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI — BARRY LAPELLE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII — THE END OF THE LONG ROAD </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII — RACHEL CARTER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX — BROTHER AND SISTER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X — MOTHER AND DAUGHTER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI — A ROADSIDE MEETING </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII — ISAAC STAIN APPEARS BY NIGHT + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII — THE GRACIOUS ENEMY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV — A MAN FROM DOWN THE RIVER + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV — THE LANDING OF THE "PAUL + REVERE" </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI — CONCERNING TEMPESTS AND + INDIANS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII — REVELATIONS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII — RACHEL DELIVERS A MESSAGE + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX — LAPELLE SHOWS HIS TEETH </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX — THE BLOW </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER XXI — THE AFFAIR AT HAWK'S CABIN + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER XXII — THE PRISONERS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER XXIII — CHALLENGE AND RETORT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER XXIV — IN AN UPSTAIRS ROOM </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0025"> CHAPTER XXV — MINDA CARTER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0026"> CHAPTER XXVI — THE FLIGHT OF MARTIN HAWK + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0027"> CHAPTER XXVII — THE TRIAL OF MOLL HAWK </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0028"> CHAPTER XXVIII — THE TRYSTING PLACE OF + THOUGHTS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0029"> CHAPTER XXIX — THE ENDING </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_PROL" id="link2H_PROL"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PROLOGUE + </h2> + <h3> + THE BEGINNING + </h3> + <p> + Kenneth Gwynne was five years old when his father ran away with Rachel + Carter, a widow. This was in the spring of 1812, and in the fall his + mother died. His grandparents brought him up to hate Rachel Carter, an + evil woman. + </p> + <p> + She was his mother's friend and she had slain her with the viper's tooth. + From the day that his questioning intelligence seized upon the truth that + had been so carefully withheld from him by his broken-hearted mother and + those who spoke behind the hand when he was near,—from that day he + hated Rachel Carter with all his hot and outraged heart. He came to think + of her as the embodiment of all that was evil,—for those were the + days when there was no middle-ground for sin and women were either white + or scarlet. + </p> + <p> + He rejoiced in the belief that in good time Rachel Carter would come to + roast in the everlasting fires of hell, grovelling and wailing at the feet + of Satan, the while his lovely mother looked down upon her in pity,—even + then he wondered if such a thing were possible,—from her seat beside + God in His Heaven. He had no doubts about this. Hell and heaven were real + to him, and all sinners went below. On the other hand, his father would be + permitted to repent and would instantly go to heaven. It was inconceivable + that his big, strong, well-beloved father should go to the bad place. But + Mrs. Carter would! Nothing could save her! God would not pay any attention + to her if she tried to repent; He would know it was only "make-believe" if + she got down on her knees and prayed for forgiveness. He was convinced + that Rachel Carter could not fool God. Besides, would not his mother be + there to remind Him in case He could not exactly remember what Rachel + Carter had done? And were there not dozens of good, honest people in the + village who would probably be in Heaven by that time and ready to stand + before the throne and bear witness that she was a bad woman? + </p> + <p> + No, Rachel Carter could never get into Heaven. He was glad. No matter if + the Scriptures did say all that about the sinner who repents, he did not + believe that God would let her in. He supported this belief by the + profoundly childish contention that if God let EVERYBODY in, then there + would be no use having a hell at all. What was the use of being good all + your life if the bad people could get into Heaven at the last minute by + telling God they were sorry and never would do anything bad again as long + as they lived? And was not God the wisest Being in all the world? He knew + EVERYTHING! He knew all about Rachel Carter. She would go to the bad place + and stay there forever, even after the "resurrection" and the end of the + world by fire in 1883, a calamity to which he looked forward with grave + concern and no little trepidation at the thoughtful age of six. + </p> + <p> + At first they told him his father had gone off as a soldier to fight + against the Indians and the British. He knew that a war was going on. Men + with guns were drilling in the pasture up beyond his grandfather's house, + and there was talk of Indian "massacrees," and Simon Girty's warriors, and + British red-coats, and the awful things that happened to little boys who + disobeyed their elders and went swimming, or berrying, or told even the + teeniest kind of fibs. He overheard his grandfather and the neighbours + discussing a battle on Lake Erie, and rejoiced with them over the report + of a great victory for "our side." Vaguely he had grasped the news of a + horrible battle on the Tippecanoe River, far away in the wilderness to the + north and west, in which millions of Indians were slain, and he wondered + how many of them his father had killed with his rifle,—a weapon so + big and long that he came less than half way up the barrel when he stood + beside it. + </p> + <p> + His father was a great shot. Everybody said so. He could kill wild turkeys + a million miles away as easy as rolling off a log, and deer, and + catamounts, and squirrels, and herons, and everything. So his father must + have killed heaps of Indians and red-coats and renegades. + </p> + <p> + He put this daily question to his mother: "How many do you s'pose Pa has + killed by this time, Ma?" + </p> + <p> + And then, in the fall, his mother went away and left him. They did not + tell him she had gone to the war. He would not have believed them if they + had, for she was too sick to go. She had been in bed for a long, long + time; the doctor came to see her every day, and finally the preacher. He + hated both of them, especially the latter, who prayed so loudly and so + vehemently that his mother must have been terribly disturbed. Why should + every one caution him to be quiet and not make a noise because it + disturbed mother, and yet say nothing when that old preacher went right + into her room and yelled same as he always did in church? He was very + bitter about it, and longed for his father to come home with his rifle and + shoot everybody, including his grandfather who had "switched" him severely + and unjustly because he threw stones at Parson Hook's saddle horse while + the good man was offering up petitions from the sick room. + </p> + <p> + He went to the "burying," and was more impressed by the fact that nearly + all of the men who rode or drove to the graveyard down in the "hollow" + carried rifles and pistols than he was by the strange solemnity of the + occasion, for, while he realized in a vague, mistrustful way that his + mother was to be put under the ground, his trust clung resolutely to God's + promise, accepted in its most literal sense, that the dead shall rise + again and that "ye shall be born again." That was what the preacher said,—and + he had cried a little when the streaming-eyed clergyman took him on his + knee and whispered that all was well with his dear mother and that he + would meet her one day in that beautiful land beyond the River. + </p> + <p> + He was very lonely after that. His "granny" tucked him in his big feather + bed every night, and listened to his little prayer, but she was not the + same as mother. She did not kiss him in the same way, nor did her hand + feel like mother's when she smoothed his rumpled hair or buttoned his + flannel nightgown about his neck or closed his eyes playfully with her + fingers before she went away with the candle. Yet he adored her. She was + sweet and gentle, she told such wonderful fairy tales to him, and she + always smiled at him. He wondered a great deal. Why was it that she did + not FEEL the same as mother? He was deeply puzzled. Was it because her + hair was grey? + </p> + <p> + His grandfather lived in the biggest house in town. It had an "upstairs,"—a + real "upstairs,"—not just an attic. And his grandfather was a very + important person. Everybody called him "Squire"; sometimes they said "your + honour"; most people touched their hats to him. When his father went off + to the war, he and his mother came to live at "grandpa's house." The cabin + in which he was born was at the other end of the street, fully half-a-mile + away, out beyond the grist mill. It had but three rooms and no "upstairs" + at all except the place under the roof where they kept the dried apples, + and the walnuts and hickory nuts, some old saddle-bags and boxes, and his + discarded cradle. You had to climb up a ladder and through a square hole + in the ceiling to get into this place, and you would have to be very + careful not to stand up straight or you would bump your head,—unless + you were exactly in the middle, where the ridge-pole was. + </p> + <p> + He remembered that it was a very long walk to "grandpa's house"; he used + to get very tired and his father would lift him up and place him on his + shoulder; from this lofty, even perilous, height he could look down upon + the top of his mother's bonnet,—a most astonishing view and one that + filled him with glee. + </p> + <p> + His father was the biggest man in all the world, there could be no doubt + about that. Why, he was bigger even than grandpa, or Doctor Flint, or the + parson, or Mr. Carter, who lived in the cabin next door and was Minda's + father. For the matter of that, he was, himself, a great deal bigger than + Minda, who was only two years old and could not say anywhere near as many + words as he could say—and did not know her ABC's, or the Golden + Rule, or who George Washington was. + </p> + <p> + And his father was ever so much taller than his mother. He was tall enough + to be her father or her grandfather; why, she did not come up to his + shoulder when she walked beside him. He was a million times bigger than + she was. He was bigger than anybody else in all the world. + </p> + <p> + The little border town in Kentucky, despite its population of less than a + thousand, was the biggest city in the world. There was no doubt about that + either in Kenneth's loyal little mind. It was bigger than Philadelphia—(he + called it Fil-LEF-ily),—where his mother used to live when she was a + little girl, or Massashooshoo, where Minda's father and mother comed from. + </p> + <p> + He was secretly distressed by the superior physical proportions of his + "Auntie" Rachel. There was no denying the fact that she was a great deal + taller than his mother. He had an abiding faith, however, that some day + his mother would grow up and be lots taller than Minda's mother. He + challenged his toddling playmate to deny that his mother would be as big + as hers some day, a lofty taunt that left Minda quite unmoved. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, he was very fond of "Auntie" Rachel. She was good to him. + She gave him cakes and crullers and spread maple sugar on many a + surreptitious piece of bread and butter, and she had a jolly way of + laughing, and she never told him to wash his hands or face, no matter how + dirty they were. In that one respect, at least, she was much nicer than + his mother. He liked Mr. Carter, too. In fact, he liked everybody except + old Boose, the tin pedlar, who took little boys out into the woods and + left them for the wolves to eat if they were not very, very good. + </p> + <p> + He was four when they brought Mr. Carter home in a wagon one day. Some men + carried him into the house, and Aunt Rachel cried, and his mother went + over and stayed a long, long time with her, and his father got on his + horse and rode off as fast as he could go for Doctor Flint, and he was not + allowed to go outside the house all day,—or old Boose would get him. + </p> + <p> + Then, one day, he saw "Auntie" Rachel all dressed in black, and he was + frightened. He ran away crying. She looked so tall and scary,—-like + the witches Biddy Shay whispered about when his grandma was not around,—the + witches and hags that flew up to the sky on broomsticks and never came out + except at night. + </p> + <p> + His father did the "chores" for '"Auntie" Rachel for a long time, because + Mr. Carter was not there to attend to them. + </p> + <p> + There came a day when the buds were fresh on the twigs, and the grass was + very green, and the birds that had been gone for a long time were singing + again in the trees, and it was not raining. So he went down the road to + play in Minda's yard. He called to her, but she did not appear. No one + appeared. The house was silent. "Auntie" Rachel was not there. Even the + dogs were gone, and Mr. Carter's horses and his wagon. He could not + understand. Only yesterday he had played in the barn with Minda. + </p> + <p> + Then his grandma came hurrying through the trees from his own home, where + she had been with grandpa and Uncle Fred and Uncle Dan since breakfast + time. She took him up in her arms and told him that Minda was gone. He had + never seen his grandma look so stern and angry. Biddy Shay had been there + all morning too, and several of the neighbours. He wondered if it could be + the Sabbath, and yet that did not seem possible, because it was only two + days since he went to Sunday school, and yesterday his mother had done the + washing. She always washed on Monday and ironed on Tuesday. This must be + Tuesday, but maybe he was wrong about that. She was not ironing, so it + could not be Tuesday. He was very much bewildered. + </p> + <p> + His mother was in the bedroom with grandpa and Aunt Hettie, and he was not + allowed to go in to see her. Uncle Fred and Uncle Dan were very solemn and + scowling so terribly that he was afraid to go near them. + </p> + <p> + He remembered that his mother had cried while she was cooking breakfast, + and sat down a great many times to rest her head on her arms. She had + cried a good deal lately, because of the headache, she always said. And + right after breakfast she had put on her bonnet and shawl, telling him to + stay in the house till she came back from grandpa's. Then she had gone + away, leaving him all alone until Biddy Shay came, all out of breath, and + began to clear the table and wash the dishes, all the while talking to + herself in a way that he was sure God would not like, and probably would + send her to the bad place for it when she died. + </p> + <p> + After a while all of the men went out to the barn-lot, where their horses + were tethered. Uncle Fred and Uncle Dan had their rifles. He stood at the + kitchen window and watched them with wide, excited eyes. Were they going + off to kill Indians, or bears, or cattymunks? They all talked at once, + especially his uncles,—and they swore, too. Then his grandpa stood + in front of them and spoke very loudly, pointing his finger at them. He + heard him say, over and over again: + </p> + <p> + "Let them go, I say! I tell you, let them go!" + </p> + <p> + He wondered why his father was not there, if there was any fighting to be + done. His father was a great fighter. He was the bestest shot in all the + world. He could kill an Injin a million miles away, or a squirrel, or a + groundhog. So he asked Biddy Shay. + </p> + <p> + "Ast me no questions and I'll tell ye no lies," was all the answer he got + from Biddy. + </p> + <p> + The next day he went up to grandpa's with his mother to stay, and Uncle + Fred told him that his pa had gone off to the war. He believed this, for + were not the rifle, the powder horn and the shot flask missing from the + pegs over the fireplace, and was not Bob, the very fastest horse in all + the world, gone from the barn? He was vastly thrilled. His father would + shoot millions and millions of Injins, and they would have a house full of + scalps and tommyhawks and bows and arrers. + </p> + <p> + But he was troubled about Minda. Uncle Fred, driven to corner by + persistent inquiry, finally confessed that Minda also had gone to the war, + and at last report had killed several extremely ferocious redskins. + Despite this very notable achievement, Kenneth was troubled. In the first + place, Minda was a baby, and always screamed when she heard a gun go off; + in the second place, she always fell down when she tried to run and + squalled like everything if he did not wait for her; in the third place, + Injins always beat little girls' heads off against a tree if they caught + 'em. + </p> + <p> + Moreover, Uncle Dan, upon being consulted, declared that a good-sized + Injin could swaller Minda in one gulp if he happened to be 'specially + hungry,—or in a hurry. Uncle Dan also appeared to be very much + surprised when he heard that she had gone off to the war. He said that + Uncle Fred ought to be ashamed of himself; and the next time he asked + Uncle Fred about Minda he was considerably relieved to hear that his + little playmate had given up fighting altogether and was living quite + peaceably in a house made of a pumpkin over yonder where the sun went down + at night. + </p> + <p> + It was not until sometime after his mother went away,—after the + long-to-be-remembered "fooneral," with its hymns, and weeping, and + praying,—that he heard the grown-ups talking about the war being + over. The redcoats were thrashed and there was much boasting and bragging + among the men of the settlement. Strange men appeared on the street, and + other men slapped their backs and shook hands with them and shouted loudly + and happily at them. In time, he came to understand that these were the + citizens who had gone off to fight in the war and were now home again, all + safe and sound. He began to watch for his father. He would know him a + million miles off, he was so big, and he had the biggest rifle in the + world. + </p> + <p> + "Do you s'pose Pa will know how to find me, grandma?" he would inquire. + "'Cause, you see, I don't live where I used to." + </p> + <p> + And his grandmother, beset with this and similar questions from one day's + end to the other, would become very busy over what she was doing at the + time and tell him not to pester her. He did not like to ask his + grandfather. He was so stern,—even when he was sitting all alone on + the porch and was not busy at all. + </p> + <p> + Then one day he saw his grandparents talking together on the porch. Aunt + Hettie was with them, but she was not talking. She was just looking at him + as he played down by the watering trough. He distinctly heard his grandma + say: + </p> + <p> + "I think he ought to be told, Richard. It's a sin to let him go on + thinking—-" The rest of the sentence was lost to him when she + suddenly lowered her voice. They were all looking at him. + </p> + <p> + Presently his grandfather called to him, and beckoned with his finger. He + marched up to the porch with his little bow and arrow. Grandma turned to + go into the house, and Aunt Hettie hurried away. + </p> + <p> + "Don't be afraid, Granny," he sang out. "I won't shoot you. 'Sides, I've + only got one arrer, Aunt Hettie." + </p> + <p> + His grandfather took him on his knee, and then and there told him the + truth about his father. He spoke very slowly and did not say any of those + great big words that he always used when he was with grown-up people, or + even with the darkies. + </p> + <p> + "Now, pay strict attention, Kenneth. You must understand everything I say + to you. Do you hear? Your father is never coming home. We told you he had + gone to the war. We thought it was best to let you think so. It is time + for you to know the truth. You are always asking questions about him. + After this, when you want to know about your father, you must come to me. + I will tell you. Do not bother your grandma. You make her unhappy when you + ask questions. You see, your Ma was once her little girl and mine. She + used to be as little as you are. Your Pa was her husband. You know what a + husband is, don't you?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, sir," said Kenneth, wide-eyed. "It's a boy's father." + </p> + <p> + "You are nearly six years old. Quite a man, my lad." He paused to look + searchingly into the child's face, his bushy eyebrows meeting in a frown. + </p> + <p> + "The devil of it is," he burst out, "you are the living image of your + father. You are going to grow up to look like him." He groaned audibly, + spat viciously over his shoulder, and went on in a strange, hard voice. + "Do you know what it is to steal? It means taking something that belongs + to somebody else." + </p> + <p> + "Yes, sir. 'Thou shalt not steal.' It's in the Bible." + </p> + <p> + "Well, you know that Indians and gipsies steal little boys, don't you? It + is the very worst kind of stealing, because it breaks the boy's mother's + heart. It sometimes kills them. Now, suppose that somebody stole a + husband. A husband is a boy's father, as you say. Your father was a + husband. He was your dear mother's husband. You loved your mother very, + very much, didn't you? Don't cry, lad,—there, there, now! Be a + little man. Now, listen. Somebody stole your mother's husband. She loved + him better than anything in the world. She loved him, I guess, even better + than she loved you, Kenneth. She just couldn't live without him. Do you + see? That is why she died and went away. She is in Heaven now. Now, let me + hear you say this after me: My mother died because somebody stole her + husband away from her." + </p> + <p> + "'My mother died because somebody stoled her husband away from her,'" + repeated the boy, slowly. + </p> + <p> + "You will never forget that, will you?" + </p> + <p> + "No,—sir." + </p> + <p> + "Say this: My mother's heart was broken and so she died." + </p> + <p> + "'My mother's heart was broken and she—and so she died.'" + </p> + <p> + "You will never forget that either, will you, Kenneth?" + </p> + <p> + "No, sir." + </p> + <p> + "Now, I am going to tell you who stole your mother's husband away from + her. You know who your mother's husband was, don't you?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, sir. My Pa." + </p> + <p> + "One night,—the night before you came up here to live—your + Auntie Rachel,—that is what you called her, isn't it? Well, she was + not your real aunt. She was your neighbour,—just as Mr. Collins over + there is my neighbour,—and she was your mother's friend. Well, that + night she stole your Pa from your Ma, and took him away with her,—far, + far away, and she never let him come back again. She took him away in the + night, away from your mother and you forever and forever. She—-" + </p> + <p> + "But Pa was bigger'n she was," interrupted Kenneth, frowning. "Why didn't + he kill her and get away?" + </p> + <p> + The old Squire was silent for a moment. "It is not fair for me to put all + the blame on Rachel Carter. Your father was willing to go. He did not kill + Rachel Carter. Together he and Rachel Carter killed your mother. But + Rachel Carter was more guilty than he was. She was a woman and she stole + what belonged in the sight of God to another woman. She was a bad woman. + If she had been a good woman she would not have stolen your father away + from your mother. So now you know that your Pa did not go to the war. He + went away with Rachel Carter and left your mother to die of a broken + heart. He went off into the wilderness with that bad, evil woman. Your + mother was unhappy. She died. She is under the ground up in the graveyard, + all alone. Rachel Carter put her there, Kenneth. I cannot ask you to hate + your father. It would not be right. He is your father in spite of + everything. You know what the Good Book says? 'Honour thy father and—' + how does the rest of it go, my lad?" + </p> + <p> + "'Honour thy father and thy mother that thou days may be long upon thou + earth,'" murmured Kenneth, bravely. + </p> + <p> + "When you are a little older you will realize that your father did not + honour his father and mother, and then you may understand more than you do + now. But you may hate Rachel Carter. You MUST hate her. She killed your + mother. She stole your father. She made an orphan of you. She destroyed + the home where you used to live. As you grow older I will try to tell you + how she did all these things. You would not understand now. There is one + of the Ten Commandments that you do not understand,—I mean one in + particular. It is enough for you to know the meaning of the one that says + 'Thou shalt not steal.' You must not be unhappy over what I have told you. + Everything will be all right with you. You will be safe here with granny + and me. But you must no longer believe that your father went to the war + like other men in the village. If he were MY son, I would—-" + </p> + <p> + "Don't say it, Richard," cried Kenneth's grandma, from the doorway behind + them. "Don't ever say that to him." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I — SHELTER FOR THE NIGHT + </h2> + <p> + Night was falling as two horsemen drew rein in front of a cabin at the + edge of a clearing in the far-reaching sombre forest. Their approach + across the stump-strewn tract had been heralded by the barking of dogs,—two + bristling beasts that came out upon the muddy, deep-rutted road to greet + them with furious inhospitality. A man stood partially revealed in the + doorway. His left arm and shoulder were screened from view by the jamb, + his head was bent forward as he peered intently through narrowed eyes at + the strangers in the road. + </p> + <p> + "Who are you, and what do you want?" he called out. + </p> + <p> + "Friends. How far is it to the tavern at Clark's Point?" + </p> + <p> + "Clark's Point is three miles back," replied the settler. "I guess you + must have passed it without seein' it," he added drily. "If it happened to + be rainin' when you come through you'd have missed seein' it fer the + raindrops. Where you bound fer?" + </p> + <p> + "Lafayette. I guess we're off the right road. We took the left turn four + or five miles back." + </p> + <p> + "You'd ought to have kept straight on. Come 'ere, Shep! You, Pete! Down + with ye!" + </p> + <p> + The two dogs, still bristling, slunk off in the direction of the squat log + barn. A woman appeared behind the man and stared out over his shoulder. + From the tall stone chimney at the back of the cabin rose the blue smoke + of the kitchen fire, to be whirled away on the wind that was guiding the + storm out of the rumbling north. There was a dull, wavering glow in the + room behind her. At one of the two small windows gleamed a candle-light. + </p> + <p> + "What's takin' you to Clark's Point? There ain't no tavern there. There + ain't nothin' there but a hitch-post and a waterin'-trough. Oh, yes, I + forgot. Right behind the hitch-post is Jake Stone's store and a couple of + ash-hoppers and a town-hall, but you wouldn't notice 'em if you happened + to be on the wrong side of the post. Mebby it's Middleton you're lookin' + fer." + </p> + <p> + "I am looking for a place to put up for the night, friend. We met a man + back yonder, half an hour ago, who said the nearest tavern was at Clark's + Point." + </p> + <p> + "What fer sort of lookin' man was he?" + </p> + <p> + "Tall fellow with red whiskers, riding a grey horse." + </p> + <p> + "That was Jake Stone hisself. Beats all how that feller tries to advertise + his town. He says it beats Crawfordsville and Lafayette all to smash, an' + it's only three or four months old. Which way was he goin'?" + </p> + <p> + "I suppose you'd call it south. I've lost my bearings, you see." + </p> + <p> + "That's it. He was on his way down to Attica to get drunk. They say + Attica's goin' to be the biggest town on the Wabash. Did I ask you what + your name was, stranger?" + </p> + <p> + "My name is Gwynne. I left Crawfordsville this morning, hoping to reach + Lafayette before night. But the road is so heavy we couldn't—-" + </p> + <p> + "Been rainin' steady for nearly two weeks," interrupted the settler. + "Hub-deep everywhere. It's a good twenty-five or thirty mile from + Crawfordsville to Lafayette. Looks like more rain, too. I think she'll be + on us in about two minutes. I guess mebby we c'n find a place fer you to + sleep to-night, and we c'n give you somethin' fer man an' beast. If you'll + jest ride around here to the barn, we'll put the hosses up an' feed 'em, + and—Eliza, set out a couple more plates, an' double the rations all + around." His left arm and hand came into view. "Set this here gun back in + the corner, Eliza. I guess I ain't goin' to need it. Gimme my hat, too, + will ye?" + </p> + <p> + As the woman drew back from the door, a third figure came up behind the + man and took her place. The horseman down at the roadside, fifty feet + away, made out the figure of a woman. She touched the man's arm and he + turned as he was in the act of stepping down from the door-log. She spoke + to him in a low voice that failed to reach the ears of the travellers. + </p> + <p> + The man shook his head slowly, and then called out: + </p> + <p> + "I didn't jist ketch your name, mister. The wind's makin' such a noise I—Say + it again, will ye?" + </p> + <p> + "My name is Kenneth Gwynne. Get it?" shouted the horseman. "And this is my + servant, Zachariah." + </p> + <p> + The man in the door bent his head, without taking his eyes from the + horseman, while the woman murmured something in his ear, something that + caused him to straighten up suddenly. + </p> + <p> + "Where do you come from?" he inquired, after a moment's hesitation. + </p> + <p> + "My home is in Kentucky. I live at—-" + </p> + <p> + "Kentucky, eh? Well, that's a good place to come from. I guess you're all + right, stranger." He turned to speak to his companion. A few words passed + between them, and then she drew back into the room. The woman called Eliza + came up with the man's hat and a lighted lantern. She closed the door + after him as he stepped out into the yard. + </p> + <p> + "'Round this way," he called out, making off toward the corner of the + cabin. "Don't mind the dogs. They won't bite, long as I'm here." + </p> + <p> + The wind was wailing through the stripped trees behind the house,—a + sombre, limitless wall of trees that seemed to close in with smothering + relentlessness about the lonely cabin and its raw field of stumps. The + angry, low-lying clouds and the hastening dusk of an early April day had + by this time cast the gloom of semi-darkness over the scene. Spasmodic + bursts of lightning laid thin dull, unearthly flares upon the desolate + land, and the rumble of apple-carts filled the ear with promise of + disaster. The chickens had gone to roost; several cows, confined in a pen + surrounded by the customary stockade of poles driven deep into the earth + and lashed together with the bark of the sturdy elm, were huddled in front + of a rude shed; a number of squealing, grunting pigs nosed the cracks in + the rail fence that formed still another pen; three or four pompous turkey + gobblers strutted unhurriedly about the barnlot, while some of their less + theatrical hens perched stiffly, watchfully on the sides of a clumsy + wagon-bed over against the barn. Martins and chimney-swallows darted above + the cabin and out-buildings, swirling in mad circles, dipping and + careening with incredible swiftness. + </p> + <p> + The gaunt settler conducted the unexpected guests to the barn, where, + after they had dismounted, he assisted in the removal of the well-filled + saddle-bags and rolls from the backs of their jaded horses. + </p> + <p> + "Water?" he inquired briefly. + </p> + <p> + "No, suh," replied Zachariah, blinking as the other held the lantern up + the better to look into his face. Zachariah was a young negro,—as + black as night, with gleaming white teeth which he revealed in a broad and + friendly grin. "Had all dey could drink, Marster, back yander at de + crick." + </p> + <p> + "You couldn't have forded the Wea this time last week," said the host, + addressing Gwynne. "She's gone down considerable the last four-five days. + Out of the banks last week an' runnin' all over creation." + </p> + <p> + "Still pretty high," remarked the other. "Came near to sweeping Zack's + mare downstream but—well, she made it and Zack has turned black + again." + </p> + <p> + The settler raised his lantern again at the stable door and looked + dubiously at the negro. + </p> + <p> + "You're from Kentucky, Mr. Gwynne," he said, frowning. "I got to tell you + right here an' now that if this here boy is a slave, you can't stop here,—an' + what's more, you can't stay in this county. We settled the slavery + question in this state quite a spell back, an' we make it purty hot for + people who try to smuggle niggers across the border. I got to ask you + plain an' straight; is this boy a slave?" + </p> + <p> + "He is not," replied Gwynne. "He is a free man. If he elects to leave my + service to-morrow, he is at liberty to go. My grandfather freed all of his + slaves shortly before he died, and that was when Zachariah here was not + more than fifteen years of age. He is as free as I am,—or you, sir. + He is my servant, not my slave. I know the laws of this state, and I + intend to abide by them. I expect to make my home here in Indiana,—in + Lafayette, as a matter of fact. This boy's name is Zachariah Button. Ten + years ago he was a slave. He has with him, sir, the proper credentials to + support my statement,—and his, if he chooses to make one. On at + least a dozen occasions, first in Ohio and then in Indiana, I have been + obliged to convince official and unofficial inquirers that my—" + </p> + <p> + "That's all right, Mr. Gwynne," cried the settler heartily. "I take your + word for it. If you say he's not a slave, why, he ain't, so that's the end + of it. And it ain't necessary for Zachariah to swear to it, neither. We + can't offer you much in the way of entertainment, Mr. Gwynne, but what + we've got you're welcome to. I came to this country from Ohio seven years + ago, an' I learned a whole lot about hospitality durin' the journey. I + learned how to treat a stranger in a strange land fer one thing, an' I + learned that even a hoss-thief ain't an ongrateful cuss if you give him a + night's lodgin' and a meal or two." + </p> + <p> + "I shall be greatly indebted to you, sir. The time will surely come when I + may repay you,—not in money, but in friendship. Pray do not let us + discommode you or your household. I will be satisfied to sleep on the + floor or in the barn, and as for Zachariah, he—" + </p> + <p> + "The barn is for the hosses to sleep in," interrupted the host, "and the + floor is for the cat. 'Tain't my idee of fairness to allow human bein's to + squat on proppety that rightfully belongs to hosses an' cats,—so I + guess you'll have to sleep in a bed, Mr. Gwynne." He spoke with a drawl. + "Zachariah c'n spread his blankets on the kitchen floor an' make out + somehow. Now, if you'll jist step over to the well yander, you'll find a + wash pan. Eliza,—I mean Mrs. Striker,—will give you a towel + when you're ready. Jest sing out to her. Here, you, Zachariah, carry this + plunder over an' put it in the kitchen. Mrs. Striker will show you. Be + careful of them rifles of your'n. They go off mighty sudden if you stub + your toe. You'll find a comb and lookin' glass in the settin' room, Mr. + Gwynne. You'll probably want to put a few extry touches on yourself when I + tell you there's an all-fired purty girl spendin' the night with us. Go + along, now. I'll put the feed down fer your hosses an' be with you in + less'n no time." + </p> + <p> + "You are very kind, Mr.—Did you say Striker?" + </p> + <p> + "Phineas Striker, sir,—Phin fer short." + </p> + <p> + "I am prepared and amply able to pay for lodging and food, Mr. Striker, so + do not hesitate to—" + </p> + <p> + "Save your breath, stranger. I'm as deef as a post. The storm's goin' to + bust in two shakes of a dead lamb's tail, so you'd better be a leetle spry + if you want to git inside afore she comes." + </p> + <p> + With that he entered the barn door, leading the horses. Gwynne and his + servant hurried through the darkness toward the light in the kitchen + window. The former rapped politely on the door. It was opened by Mrs. + Striker, a tall, comely woman well under thirty, who favoured the + good-looking stranger with a direct and smileless stare. He removed his + tall, sorry-looking beaver. + </p> + <p> + "Madam, your husband has instructed my servant to leave our belongings in + your kitchen. I fear they are not overly clean, what with mud and rain, + devil-needles and burrs. Your kitchen is as clean as a pin. Shall I + instruct him to return with them to the barn and—" + </p> + <p> + "Bring them in," she said, melting in spite of herself as she looked down + from the doorstep into his dark, smiling eyes. His strong, tanned face was + beardless, his teeth were white, his abundant brown hair tousled and + boyishly awry,—and there were mud splashes on his cheek and chin. He + was tall and straight and his figure was shapely, despite the thick blue + cape that hung from his shoulders. "I guess they ain't any dirtier than + Phin Striker's boots are this time o' the year. Put them over here, boy, + 'longside o' that cupboard. Supper'll be ready in ten or fifteen minutes, + Mr. Gwynne." + </p> + <p> + His smile broadened. He sniffed gratefully. A far more exacting woman than + Eliza Striker would have forgiven this lack of dignity on his part. + </p> + <p> + "You will find me ready for it, Mrs. Striker. The smell of side-meat goes + straight to my heart, and nothing in all this world could be more + wonderful than the coffee you are making." + </p> + <p> + "Go 'long with you!" she cried, vastly pleased, and turned to her sizzling + skillets. + </p> + <p> + Zachariah deposited the saddle-bags and rolls in the corner and then + returned to the door where he received the long blue cape, gloves and the + towering beaver from his master's hands. He also received instructions + which sent him back to open a bulging saddle-bag and remove therefrom a + pair of soft, almost satiny calf-skin boots. As he hurried past Mrs. + Striker, he held them up for her inspection, grinning from ear to ear. She + gazed in astonishment at the white and silver ornamented tops, such as + were affected by only the most fastidious dandies of the day and were so + rarely seen in this raw, new land that the beholder could scarce believe + her eyes. + </p> + <p> + "Well, I never!" she exclaimed, and then went to the sitting-room to + whisper excitedly to the solitary occupant, who, it so chanced, was at the + moment busily and hastily employed in rearranging her brown, wind-blown + hair before the round-topped little looking-glass over the fireplace. + </p> + <p> + "I thought you said you wasn't goin' to see him," observed Mrs. Striker, + after imparting her information. "If you ain't, what are you fixin' + yourself up fer?" + </p> + <p> + "I have changed my mind, Eliza," said the young lady, loftily. "In the + first place, I am hungry, and in the second place it would not be right + for me to put you to any further trouble about supper. I shall have supper + with the rest of you and not in the bedroom, after all. How does my hair + look?" + </p> + <p> + "You've got the purtiest hair in all the—" + </p> + <p> + "How does it look?" + </p> + <p> + "It would look fine if you NEVER combed it. If I had hair like your'n, I'd + be the proudest woman in—" + </p> + <p> + "Don't be silly. It's terrible, most of the time." + </p> + <p> + "Well, it's spick an' span now, if that's what you want to know," grumbled + Eliza, and vanished, fingering her straight, straw-coloured hair somewhat + resentfully. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, Kenneth Gwynne, having divested himself of his dark blue + "swallow-tail," was washing his face and hands at the well. The settler + approached with the lantern. + </p> + <p> + "She's comin'," he shouted above the howling wind. "I guess you'd better + dry yourself in the kitchen. Hear her whizzin' through the trees? Gosh all + hemlock! She's goin' to be a snorter, stranger. Hurry inside!" + </p> + <p> + They bolted for the door and dashed into the kitchen just as the deluge + came. Phineas Striker, leaning his weight against the door, closed it and + dropped the bolt. + </p> + <p> + "Whew! She's a reg'lar harricane, that's what she is. Mighty suddent, too. + Been holdin' back fer ten minutes,—an' now she lets loose with all + she's got. Gosh! Jest listen to her!" + </p> + <p> + The hiss of the torrent on the clapboard roof was deafening, the little + window panes were streaming; a dark, glistening shadow crept out from the + bottom of the door and began to spread; the howling wind shook the very + walls of the staunch cabin, while all about them roared the ear-splitting + cannonade, the crash of splintered skies, the crackling of musketry, the + rending and tearing of all the garments that clothe the universe. + </p> + <p> + Eliza Striker, hardy frontierswoman though she was, put her fingers to her + ears and shrank away from the stove,—for she had been taught that + all metal "drew lightning." Her husband busied himself stemming the stream + of water that seeped beneath the door with empty grain or coffee bags, + snatched from the top of a cupboard where they were stored, evidently for + the very purpose to which they were now being put. + </p> + <p> + Gwynne stood coatless in the centre of the kitchen, rolling down his white + shirt-sleeves. Behind him cringed Zachariah, holding his master's boots + and coat in his shaking hands, his eyes rolling with terror, his lips + mumbling an unheard appeal for mercy. + </p> + <p> + The sitting-room door opened suddenly and the other guest of the house + glided into the kitchen. Her eyes were crinkled up as if with an almost + unendurable pain, her fingers were pressed to her temples, her red lips + were parted. + </p> + <p> + "Goodness!" she gasped, with a hysterical laugh, not born of mirth, nor of + courage, but of the sheerest dismay. + </p> + <p> + "Don't be skeered," cried Phineas, looking at her over his shoulder. + "She'll soon be over. Long as the roof stays on, we're all right,—an' + I guess she'll stay." + </p> + <p> + Kenneth Gwynne bowed very low to the newcomer. The dim candle-light + afforded him a most unsatisfactory glimpse of her features. He took in at + a glance, however, her tall, trim figure, the burnished crown of hair, and + the surprisingly modish frock she wore. He had seen no other like it since + leaving the older, more advanced towns along the Ohio,—not even in + the thriving settlements of Wayne and Madison Counties or in the boastful + village of Crawfordsville. He was startled. In all his journeyings through + the land he had seen no one arrayed like this. It was with difficulty that + he overcame a quite natural impulse to stare at her as if she were some + fantastic curiosity. + </p> + <p> + The contrast between this surprising creature and the gingham aproned + Eliza was unbelievable. There was but one explanation: She was the + mistress of the house, Eliza the servant. And yet, even so, how strangely + out-of-place, out-of-keeping she was here in the wilderness. + </p> + <p> + In some confusion he strode over to lend a hand to Phineas Striker. The + rustle of silk behind him and the quick clatter of heels, evidenced the + fact that the girl had crossed swiftly to Eliza's side. + </p> + <p> + Later on he had the opportunity to take in all the details of her costume, + and he did so with a practised, sophisticated eye. It was, after all, of a + fashion two years old, evidence of the slowness with which the modes + reached these outposts of civilization. Here was a perfect fitting blue + frock of the then popular changeable gros de zane, the skirt very wide, + set on the body in large plaits, one in front, one on each side and two + behind. The sleeves also were wide from shoulder to elbow, where they were + tightly fitted to the lower arm. The ruffles around the neck, which was + open and rather low, and about the wrists were of plain bobinet quilling. + Her slippers were black, with cross-straps. He had seen such frocks as + this, he was reminded, in fashionable Richmond and New York only a year or + so before, but nowhere in the west. Add a Dunstable straw bonnet with its + strings of satin and the frilled pelerine, and this strange young woman + might have just stepped from her carriage in the most fashionable avenue + in the land. + </p> + <p> + Zachariah, lacking his master's good manners, gazed in open-mouthed wonder + at the lady, forgetting for the moment his fear of the tempest's wrath. + Only the most hair-raising crash of thunder broke the spell, causing him + to close his eyes and resume his supplication. + </p> + <p> + "Now's your chance to get at the lookin' glass, Mr. Gwynne," said Striker. + "Right there in the sittin'-room. Go ahead; I'll manage this." + </p> + <p> + Muttering a word of thanks, the young man turned to leave the room. He + shot a glance at his fellow guest. Her back was toward him, she had her + hands to her ears, and something told him that her eyes were tightly + closed. A particularly loud crash caused her to draw her pretty shoulders + up as if to receive the death-dealing bolt of lightning. He heard her + murmur again: + </p> + <p> + "Goodness—gracious!" + </p> + <p> + Eliza suddenly put an arm about her waist and drew the slender, shivering + figure close. As the girl buried her face upon the older woman's shoulder, + the latter cried out: + </p> + <p> + "Land sakes, child, you'll never get over bein' a baby, will ye?" + </p> + <p> + To which Phineas Striker added in a great voice: "Nor you, neither, Eliza. + Ef we didn't have company here you'd be crawlin' under the table or + something. She ain't afraid of wild cats or rattlesnakes or Injins or even + spiders," he went on, addressing Gwynne, "but she's skeered to death of + lightnin'. An' as fer that young lady there, she wouldn't be afeared to + walk from here to Lafayette all alone on the darkest night,—an' look + at her now! Skeered out of her boots by a triflin' little thunderstorm. + Why, I wouldn't give two—" + </p> + <p> + "My goodness, Phin Striker," broke in his wife, a new note of alarm in her + voice, "I do hope them chickens an' turkeys have got sense enough to get + under something in this downpour. If they ain't, the whole kit an' boodle + of 'em will be drownded, sure as—" + </p> + <p> + "I never yet see a hen that liked water," interrupted Phineas. "Er a + turkey either. Don't you worry about 'em. You better worry about that + side-meat you're fryin'. Ef my nose is what it ort to be, I'd say that + piece o' meat was bein' burnt to death,—an' that's a lot wuss than + bein' drownded. They say drowndin' is the easiest death—" + </p> + <p> + "You men clear out o' this kitchen," snapped Eliza. "Out with ye! You too, + Phin Striker. I'll call ye when the table's set. Now, you go an' set over + there in the corner, away from the window, deary, where the lightnin' + can't git at you, an'—You'll find a comb on the mantel-piece, Mr. + Gwynne, an' Phineas will git you a boot-jack out o' the bedroom if that + darkey is too weak to pull your boots off for you. Don't any of you go + trampin' all over the room with your muddy boots. I've got work enough to + do without scrubbin' floors after a pack of—My land! I do believe + it's scorched. An' the corn-bread must be—" + </p> + <p> + Phineas, after a doubtful look at the stopped-up door-crack, led the way + into the sitting-room. Zachariah came last with his master's boots and + coat. He was mumbling with suppressed fervour: + </p> + <p> + "Oh, Lord, jes' lemme hab one mo' chaince,—jes' one mo' chaince. + Good Lord! I been a wicked, ornery nigger,—only jes' gimme jes' one + mo' chaince. I been a wicked,—Yassuh, Marster Kenneth, I got your + boots. Yassuh. Right heah, suh. Oh, Lordy-Lordy! Yassuh, yassuh!" + </p> + <p> + Seated in a big wooden rocker before the fireplace, Gwynne stretched out + his long legs one after the other; Zachariah tugged at the heavy, + mud-caked riding-boots, grunting mightily over a task that gave him + sufficient excuse for interjecting sundry irrelevant appeals for mercy and + an occasional reference to his own unworthiness as a nigger. + </p> + <p> + The tempest continued with unabated violence. The big, raw-boned Striker, + pulling nervously at his beard, stood near a window which looked out upon + the barn and sheds, plainly revealed in the blinding, almost uninterrupted + flashes of lightning. Such sentences as these fell from his lips as he + turned his face from the bleaching flares before they ended in mighty + crashes: "That struck powerful nigh,"—or "I seen that one runnin' + along the ground like a ball of fire," or "There goes somethin' near," or + "That was a tree jest back o' the barn, you'll see in the mornin'." + </p> + <p> + "Dere won't never be any mo'nin'," gulped the unhappy Zachariah, bending + lower to his task, which now had to do with the boot-straps at the bottoms + of his master's trouser-legs. Getting to his feet, he proceeded, with a + well-trained dexterity that even his terror failed to divert, to draw on + the immaculate calf-skin boots with the gorgeous tops. Then he pulled the + trouser-legs down over the boots, obscuring their upper glory; after which + he smoothed out the wrinkles and fastened the instep straps. Whereupon, + Kenneth arose, stamped severely on the hearth several times to settle his + feet in the snug-fitting boots, and turned to the looking-glass. He was + wielding the comb with extreme care and precision when his host turned + from the window and approached. + </p> + <p> + "Seems to me you're goin' to a heap o' trouble, friend," he remarked, + surveying the tall, graceful figure with a rather disdainful eye. "We + don't dress up much in these parts, 'cept on Sunday." + </p> + <p> + "Please do not consider me vain," said the young man, flushing. He smarted + under the implied rebuke,—in fact, he was uncomfortably aware of + ridicule. "My riding-boots were filthy. I—I—Yes, I know," he + broke in upon himself as Phineas extended one of his own muddy boots for + inspection. "I know, but, you see, I am the unbidden guest of yourself and + Mrs. Striker. The least I can do in return for your hospitality is to make + myself presentable—" + </p> + <p> + "You'll have to excuse my grinnin', Mr. Gwynne," interrupted the other. "I + didn't mean any offence. It's jest that we ain't used to good clothes an' + servants to pull our boots off an' on, an'—butternut pants an' so + on. We're 'way out here on the edge of the wilderness where bluejeans is + as good as broadcloth or doe-skin, an' a chaw of tobacco is as good as the + state seal fer bindin' a bargain. Lord bless ye, I don't keer how much you + dress up. I guess I might as well tell ye the only men up at Lafayette who + wear as good clothes as you do are a couple of gamblers that work up an' + down the river, an' Barry Lapelle. I reckon you've heerd of Barry Lapelle. + He's known from one end of the state to the other, an' over in Ohio an' + Kentucky too." + </p> + <p> + "I have never heard of him." + </p> + <p> + Striker looked surprised. He glanced at the closed sitting-room door + before continuing. + </p> + <p> + "Well, he owns a couple steamboats that come up the river. Got 'em when + his father died a couple o' years ago. His home used to be in Terry Hut, + but he's been livin' at Bob Johnson's tavern for a matter of six months + now, workin' up trade fer his boats, I understand. He's as wild as a hawk + an'—but you'll run across him if you're goin' to live in Lafayette." + </p> + <p> + "By the way, what is the population of Lafayette?" + </p> + <p> + Phineas studied the board ceiling thoughtfully for a moment or two. "Well, + 'cordin' to people who live in Attica she's got about five hundred. People + who live in Crawfordsville give her seven hundred. Down at Covington an' + Williamsport they say she's got about four hundred an' twelve. When you + git to Lafayette Bob Johnson an' the rest of 'em will tell you she's over + two thousand an' growin' so fast they cain't keep track of her. There's so + much lyin' goin' on about Lafayette that it's impossible to tell jest how + big she is. Countin' in the dogs, I guess she must have a population of + between six hundred and fifty an' three thousand. You see, everybody up + there's got a dog, an' some of 'em two er three. One feller I know has got + seven. But, on the whole, I guess you'll like the place. It's the head of + navigation at high water, an' if they ever build the Wabash an' Erie Canal + they're talkin' about she'll be a regular seaport, like New York er + Boston. 'Pears to me the worst is over, don't you reckon so?" + </p> + <p> + Kenneth, having adjusted his stock and white roll-over collar to suit his + most exacting eye, slipped his arms into the coat Zachariah was holding + for him, settled the shoulders with a shrug or two and a pull at the + flaring lapels, smoothed his yellow brocaded waist-coat carefully, and + then, spreading his long, shapely legs and at the same time the tails of + his coat, took a commanding position with his back to the blazing logs. + </p> + <p> + "Are you referring to my toilet, Mr. Striker?" he inquired amiably. + </p> + <p> + "I was talkin' about the storm," explained Phineas hastily. "Take the + boots out to the kitchen, Zachariah. Eliza'll git into your wool if she + ketches you leavin' 'em in here. Yes, sir, she's certainly lettin' up. + Goin' down the river hell-bent. They'll be gettin' her at Attica 'fore + long. Are you plannin' to work the farm yourself, Mr. Gwynne, or are you + goin' to sell er rent on shares?" + </p> + <p> + Gwynne looked at him in surprise. "You appear to know who I am, after all, + Mr. Striker." + </p> + <p> + Striker grinned. "I guess everybody in this neck o' the woods has heerd + about you. Dan Bugher,—he's the county recorder,—an' Rube + Kelsey, John Bishop, Larry Stockton, an' a lot more of the folks up in + town, have been lookin' down the Crawfordsville road fer you ever since + your father died last August. You 'pear to be a very important cuss fer + one who ain't never set foot in Indianny before." + </p> + <p> + "I see," said the other reflectively. "Were you acquainted with my father, + Mr. Striker?" + </p> + <p> + "Much so as anybody could be. He wasn't much of a hand fer makin' friends. + Stuck purty close to the farm, an' made it about the best piece o' + propetty in the whole valley. I was jest wonderin' whether you was + plannin' to live on the farm er up in town." + </p> + <p> + "Well, you see, I am a lawyer by profession. I know little or nothing + about farming. My plans are not actually made, however. A great deal + depends on how I find things. Judge Wylie wishes me to enter into + partnership with him, and Providence M. Curry says there is a splendid + chance for me in his office at Crawfordsville. I shall do nothing until I + have gone thoroughly into the matter. You know the farm, Mr. Striker?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes. It's not far from here,—five or six mile, I'd say, to the + north an' east. Takes in some of the finest land on the Wea Plain,—mostly + clear, some fine timber, plenty of water, an' about the best stocked farm + anywheres around. Your father was one of the first to edge up this way ten + er twelve year ago, an' he got the pick o' the new land. He came from + some'eres down the river, 'bout Vincennes er Montezuma er some such place. + I reckon you know that he left another passel of land over this way, close + to the Wabash, an' some propetty up in Lafayette an' some more down in + Crawfordsville." + </p> + <p> + "I have been so informed," said his guest, rather shortly. + </p> + <p> + "I bought this sixty acre piece offen him two year ago. All timber when I + took hold of it, 'cept seventeen acres out thataway," jerking his thumb, + "along the Middleton road." He hesitated a moment. "You see, I worked for + your father fer a considerable time, as a hand. That's how he came to sell + to me. I got married an' wanted a place of my own. He said he'd sooner + sell to me than let some other feller cheat the eye-teeth outen me, me + bein' a good deal of fool when it comes to business an' all. Yep, I'd + saved up a few dollars, so I sez what's the sense of me workin' my gizzard + out fer somebody else an' all that, when land's so cheap an' life so + doggoned short. 'Course, there's a small mortgage on the place, but I c'n + take keer of that, I reckon." + </p> + <p> + "Ahem! The mortgage, I fancy, is held by—er—the other heirs to + his property." "You're right. His widder holds it, but she ain't the kind + to press me. She's purty comfortable, what with this land along the edge + o' the plain out here an' a whole section up in the Grand Prairie + neighbourhood, besides half a dozen buildin' lots in town an' a two story + house to live in up there. To say nothin' of—" + </p> + <p> + "Come to supper," called out Mrs. Striker from the doorway. + </p> + <p> + "That's somethin' I'm always ready fer," announced Mr. Striker. "Winter + an' summer, spring an' fall. Step right ahead, Mr.—" + </p> + <p> + "Just a moment, if you please," said the young man, laying his hand on the + settler's arm. "You will do me a great favour if you refrain from + discussing these matters in the presence of your other guest to-night. My + father, as you doubtless know, meant very little in my life. I prefer not + to discuss him in the presence of strangers,—especially + curious-minded young women." + </p> + <p> + Phineas looked at him narrowly for an instant, a queer expression lurking + in his eyes. + </p> + <p> + "Jest as you say, Mr. Gwynne. Not a word in front of strangers. I don't + know as you know it, but up to the time your father's will was perduced + there wasn't a soul in these parts as knowed such a feller as you wuz on + earth. He never spoke of a son, er havin' been married before, er bein' a + widower, er anything like—" + </p> + <p> + "I am thoroughly convinced of that, Mr. Striker," said Kenneth, a trifle + austerely, and passed on ahead of his host into the kitchen. + </p> + <p> + "Bring in them two candlesticks, Phin," ordered Mrs. Striker. "We got to + be able to see what each other looks like, an' goodness knows we cain't + with this taller dip I got out here to cook by. 'Tain't often we have + people right out o' the fashion-plates to supper, so let's have all the + light we kin." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II — THE STRANGE YOUNG WOMAN + </h2> + <p> + The tempest by now had subsided to a distant, rumbling murmur, although + the rain still beat against the window-panes in fitful gusts, the while it + gently played the long roll on the clapboards a scant two feet above the + tallest head. Far-off flashes of lightning cast ghastly reminders athwart + the windows, fighting the yellow candle glow with a sickly, livid glare. + </p> + <p> + Kenneth's fellow-guest was standing near the stove, her back toward him as + he entered the kitchen. The slant of the "ceiling" brought the crown of + her head to within a foot or so of the round, peeled beams that supported + the shed-like roof, giving her the appearance of abnormal height. As a + matter of fact, she was not as tall as the gaunt Eliza, who, like her + husband and the six-foot guest, was obliged to lower her head when passing + through the kitchen door to the yard. + </p> + <p> + The table was set for four, in the middle of the little kitchen; rude + hand-made stools, without backs, were in place. A figured red cloth + covered the board, its fringe of green hanging down over the edges. The + plates, saucers and coffee-cups were thick and clumsy and gaudily + decorated with indescribable flowers and vines done entirely in green—a + "set," no doubt, selected with great satisfaction in advance of the + Striker nuptials. There were black-handled case-knives, huge four-tined + forks, and pewter spoons. A blackened coffee-pot, a brass tea-kettle and a + couple of shallow skillets stood on the square sheet-iron stove. "Come in + and set down, Mr. Gwynne," said Mrs. Striker, pointing to a stool. With + the other hand she deftly "flopped" an odorous corn-cake in one of the + skillets. There was a far from unpleasant odor of grease. + </p> + <p> + "I can't help thanking my lucky stars, Mrs. Striker, that I got here ahead + of that storm," said he, moving over to his appointed place, where he + remained standing. "We were just in time, too. Ten minutes later and we + would have been in the thick of it. And here we are, safe and sound and + dry as toast, in the presence of a most inviting feast. I cannot tell you + how much I appreciate your kindness." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, it's—it's nothing," said she, diffidently. Then to Striker: + "Put 'em here on the table, you big lummix. Set down, everybody." + </p> + <p> + The young lady sat opposite Gwynne. She lowered her head immediately as + Phineas began to offer up his established form of grace. The unhappy host + got himself into a dire state of confusion when he attempted to vary the + habitual prayer by tacking on a few words appertaining to the recent + hurricane and God's goodness in preserving them all from destruction as + well as the hope that no serious damage had been done to other live-stock + and fowls, or to the life and property of his neighbours,—amen! + </p> + <p> + To which Zachariah, seated on a roll of blankets in the corner, appended a + heartfelt amen, and then sank back to watch his betters eat, much as a + hungry dog feasts upon anticipation. He knew that he was to have what was + left over, and he offered up a silent prayer of his own while wistfully + speculating on the prospects. + </p> + <p> + The two colonial candlesticks stood in the centre of the table, a foot or + two apart. When Gwynne lifted his head after "grace," he looked directly + between them at his vis-a-vis. For a few seconds he stared as if + spell-bound. Then, realizing his rudeness and conscious of an unmistakable + resentment in her eyes, he felt the blood rush to his face, and quickly + turned to stammer something to his host,—he knew not what it was. + </p> + <p> + Never had he looked upon a face so beautiful, never had he seen any one so + lovely as this strange young woman who shared with him the hospitality of + the humble board. He had gazed for a moment full into her deep, violet + eyes,—eyes in which there was no smile but rather a cool intentness + not far removed from unfriendliness,—and in that moment he forgot + himself, his manners and his composure. + </p> + <p> + The soft light fell upon warm, smooth cheeks; a broad, white brow; red, + sensitive lips and a perfect mouth; a round firm chin; a delicate nose,—and + the faint shadows of imperishable dimples that even her unsmiling + expression failed to disturb. + </p> + <p> + Not even in his dreams had he conjured up a face so bewilderingly + beautiful. + </p> + <p> + Her hair, which was puffed and waved over her ears, took on the shade of + brown spun silk on which the light played in changing tones of bronze. It + was worn high on her head, banded a la grecque, with a small knot on the + crown from which depended a number of ringlets ornamented with bowknots. + Her ears were completely hidden by the soft mass that came down over them + in shapely knobs. She wore no earrings,—for which he was acutely + grateful, although they were the fashion of the day and cumbersomely + hideous,—and her shapely throat was barren of ornament. He judged + her to be not more than twenty-two or -three. A second furtive glance + caught her looking down at her plate. He marvelled at the long, dark + eyelashes. + </p> + <p> + Who was she? What was she doing here in the humble cot of the Strikers? + Certainly she was out of place here. She was a tender, radiant flower set + down amongst gross, unlovely weeds. That she was a person of consequence, + to whom the Strikers paid a rude sort of deference, softened by the + familiarity of long association but in no way suggestive of relationship, + he was in no manner of doubt. + </p> + <p> + He was not slow to remark their failure to present him to her. The + omission may have been due to ignorance or uncertainty on their part, but + that was not the construction he put upon it. Striker was the + free-and-easy type who would have made these strangers known to each other + in some bluff, awkward manner,—probably by their Christian names; he + would never have overlooked this little formality, no matter how clumsily + he may have gone about performing it. It was perfectly plain to Gwynne + that it was not an oversight. It was deliberate. + </p> + <p> + His slight feeling of embarrassment, and perhaps annoyance, evidently was + not shared by the young lady; so far as she was concerned the situation + was by no means strained. She was as calm and serene and impervious as a + princess royal. + </p> + <p> + She joined in the conversation, addressed herself to him without + constraint, smiled amiably (and adorably) upon the busy Eliza and her + jovial spouse, and even laughed aloud over the latter's account of + Zachariah and the silver-top boots. Gwynne remarked that it was a soft, + musical laugh, singularly free from the shrill, boisterous qualities so + characteristic of the backwoods-woman. She possessed the poise of + refinement. He had seen her counterpart,—barring her radiant beauty,—many + a time during his years in the cultured east: in Richmond, in + Philadelphia, and in New York, where he had attended college. + </p> + <p> + He was subtly aware of the lively but carefully guarded interest she was + taking in him. He felt rather than knew that she was studying him closely, + if furtively, when his face was turned toward the talkative host. Twice he + caught her in the act of averting her gaze when he suddenly glanced in her + direction, and once he surprised her in a very intense scrutiny,—which, + he was gratified to observe, gave way to a swift flush of confusion and + the hasty lowering of her eyes. No doubt, he surmised with some + satisfaction, she was as vastly puzzled as himself, for he must have + appeared equally out-of-place in these surroundings. His thoughts went + delightedly to the old, well-beloved story of Cinderella. Was this a + Cinderella in the flesh,—and in the morning would he find her in + rags and tatters, slaving in the kitchen? + </p> + <p> + He noticed her hands. They were long and slim and, while browned by + exposure to wind and sun, bore no evidence of the grinding toil to which + the women and girls of the frontier were subjected. And they were strong, + competent hands, at that. + </p> + <p> + The food was coarse, substantial, plentiful. (Even Zachariah could see + that it was plentiful.) Solid food for sturdy people. There were potatoes + fried in grease, wide strips of side meat, apple butter, corn-cakes piping + hot, boiled turnips, coffee and dried apple pie. The smoky odor of frying + grease arose from the skillets and, with the grateful smell of coffee, + permeated the tight little kitchen. It was a savoury that consoled rather + than offended the appetite of these hardy eaters. + </p> + <p> + Striker ate largely with his knife, and smacked his lips resoundingly; + swigged coffee from his saucer through an overlapping moustache and + afterwards hissingly strained the aforesaid obstruction with his nether + lip; talked and laughed with his mouth full,—but all with such + magnificent zest that his guests overlooked the shocking exhibition. + Indeed, the girl seemed quite accustomed to Mr. Striker's table-habits, a + circumstance which created in Kenneth's questing mind the conviction that + she was not new to these parts, despite the garments and airs of the + fastidious East. + </p> + <p> + They were vastly interested in the account of his journey through the + wilderness. + </p> + <p> + "Nowadays," said Striker, "most people come up the river, 'cept them as + hail from Ohio. You must ha' come by way of Wayne an' Madison Counties." + </p> + <p> + "I did," said his guest. "We found it fairly comfortable travelling + through Wayne County. The roads are decent enough and the settlers are + numerous. It was after we left Madison County that we encountered + hardships. We travelled for a while with a party of emigrants who were + heading for the settlement at Strawtown. There were three families of + them, including a dozen children. Our progress was slow, as they travelled + by wagon. Rumours that the Indians were threatening to go on the warpath + caused me to stay close by this slow-moving caravan for many miles, not + only for my own safety but for the help I might be able to render them in + case of an attack. At Strawtown we learned that the Indians were peaceable + and that there was no truth in the stories. So Zachariah and I crossed the + White River at that point and struck off alone. We followed the wilderness + road,—the old Indian trace, you know,—and we travelled nearly + thirty miles without seeing a house. At Brown's Wonder we met a party of + men who had been out in this country looking things over. They were so + full of enthusiasm about the prairies around here,—the Wea, the Wild + Cat and Shawnee prairies,—that I was quite thrilled over the + prospect ahead, and no longer regretted the journey which had been so full + of privations and hardships and which I had been so loath to undertake in + the beginning. Have you been at Thorntown recently?" + </p> + <p> + "Nope. Not sence I came through there some years ago. It was purty well + deserted in those days. Nothin' there but Injin wigwams an' they was + mostly run to seed. At that time, Crawfordsville was the only town to + speak of between Terry Hut an' Fort Wayne, 'way up above here." + </p> + <p> + "Well, there are signs of a white settlement there now. Some of the old + French settlers are still there and other whites are coming in. I had + heard a great deal about the big Indian village at Thorntown, and was + vastly disappointed in what I found. I am quite romantic, Miss—ahem!—quite + romantic by nature, having read and listened to tales of thrilling + adventures among the redskins, as we call them down my way, until I could + scarce contain myself. I have always longed for the chance to rescue a + beautiful white captive from the clutches of the cruel redskins. My valour—" + </p> + <p> + "And I suppose you always dreamed of marrying her as they always do in + stories?" said she, smiling. + </p> + <p> + "Invariably," said he. "Alas, if I had rescued all the fair maidens my + dreams have placed in jeopardy, I should by this time have as many wives + as Solomon. Only, I must say in defence of my ambitions, I should not have + had as great a variety. Strange as it may seem, I remained through all my + adventures singularly constant to a certain idealistic captive. She + looked, I may say, precisely alike in each and every case. Poor old + Solomon could not say as much for his thousand wives. Mine, if I had them, + would be so much alike in face and form that I could not tell one from the + other,—and, now that I am older and wiser,—though not as wise + as Solomon,—I am thankful that not one of these daring rescues was + ever consummated, for I should be very much distressed now if I found + myself married to even the most beautiful of the ladies my feeble + imagination conceived." + </p> + <p> + This subtle touch of gallantry was over the heads of Mr. and Mrs. Striker. + As for the girl, she looked momentarily startled, and then as the dimples + deepened, a faint flush rose to her cheeks. An instant later, the colour + faded, and into her lovely eyes came a cold, unfriendly light. Realizing + that he had offended her with this gay compliment,—although he had + never before experienced rebuff in like circumstances,—he hastened + to resume his narrative. + </p> + <p> + "We finally came to Sugar River and followed the road along the southern + bank. You may know some of the settlers we found along the river. Wisehart + and Kinworthy and Dewey? They were among the first to come to this part of + the country, I am informed. Fine, brave men, all of them. In + Crawfordsville I stopped at the tavern conducted by Major Ristine. While + there I consulted with Mr. Elston and Mr. Wilson and others about the + advisability of selling my land up here and my building lots in Lafayette. + They earnestly advised me not to sell. In their opinion Lafayette is the + most promising town on the Wabash, while the farming land in this section + is not equalled anywhere else in the world. Of course, I realize that they + are financially interested in the town of Lafayette, owning quite a lot of + property there, so perhaps I should not be guided solely by their + enthusiasm." + </p> + <p> + "They are the men who bought most of Sam Sargeant's lots some years back," + said Striker, "when there wasn't much of anything in the way of a town,—them + and Jonathan Powers, I think it was. They paid somethin' like a hundred + an' fifty dollars for more'n half of the lots he owned, an' then they + started right in to crow about the place. I was workin' down at + Crawfordsville at the time. They had plenty of chance to talk, 'cause that + town was full of emigrants, land-grabbers, travellers an' setch like. That + was before the new county was laid out, you see. Up to that time all the + land north of Montgomery County was what was called Wabash County. It run + up as fer as Lake Michigan, with the jedges an' courts an' land offices + fer the whole district all located in Crawfordsville. Maybe you don't know + it, but Tippecanoe County is only about six years old. She was organized + by the legislature in 1826. To show you how smart Elston and them other + fellers was, they donated a lot of their property up in Lafayette to the + county on condition that the commissioners located the county seat there. + That's how she come to be the county seat, spite of the claims of Americus + up on the east bank of the Wabash. + </p> + <p> + "Maybe you've heard of Bill Digby. He's the feller that started the town + o' Lafayette. Well, a couple o' days after he laid out the town o' + Lafayette,—named after a Frenchman you've most likely heerd about,—he + up an' sold the whole place to Sam Sargeant fer a couple o' hundred + dollars, they say. He kept enough ground fer a ferry landin' an' a + twenty-acre piece up above the town fer specolatin' purposes, I + understand. He afterwards sold this twenty-acre piece to Sam fer sixty + dollars, an' thought he done mighty well. When I first come to the Wea, + Lafayette didn't have more'n half a dozen cabins. I went through her once + on my way up to the tradin' house at Longlois, couple a mile above. You + wouldn't believe a town could grow as fast as Lafayette has in the last + couple o' years. If she keeps on she'll be as big as all get-out, an' + Crawfordsville won't be nowhere. Tim Horran laid out Fairfield two-three + years back, over east o' here. Been a heap o' new towns laid out this + summer, all around here. But I guess they won't amount to much. Josiah + Halstead and Henry Ristine have jest laid out the town o' Columbia, down + near the Montgomery line. Over on Lauramie Crick is a town called + Cleveland, an' near that is Monroe, jest laid out by a feller named Major. + There's another town called Concord over east o' Columbia. There may be + more of 'em, but I ain't heerd of 'em yet. They come up like mushrooms, + an' 'fore you know it, why, there they are. + </p> + <p> + "This land o' yours, Mr. Gwynne, lays 'tween here an' this new settlement + o' Columbia, an' I c'n tell you that it ain't to be beat anywheres in the + country. I'd say it is the best land your fa—er—ahem!" The + speaker was seized with a violent and obviously unnecessary spell of + coughing. "Somethin' must ha' gone the wrong way," he explained, lamely. + "Feller ort to have more sense'n to try to swaller when he's talkin'." + </p> + <p> + "Comes of eatin' like a pig," remarked his wife, glaring at him as she + poured coffee into Gwynne's empty cup. "Mr. Gwynne'll think you don't know + any better. He never eats like this on Sunday," she explained to their + male guest. + </p> + <p> + "I got a week-day style of eatin' an' one strickly held back fer Sunday," + said Phineas. "Same as clothes er havin' my boots greased." + </p> + <p> + Kenneth was watching the face of the girl opposite. She was looking down + at her plate. He observed a little frown on her brow. When she raised her + eyes to meet his, he saw that they were sullen, almost unpleasantly so. + She did not turn away instantly, but continued to regard him with a rather + disconcerting intensity. Suddenly she smiled. The cloud vanished from her + brow, her eyes sparkled. He was bewildered. There was no mistaking the + unfriendliness that had lurked in her eyes the instant before. But in + heaven's name, what reason had she for disliking him? + </p> + <p> + "If you believe all that Phineas says, you will think you have come to + Paradise," she said. At no time had she uttered his name, in addressing + him, although it was frequently used by the Strikers. She seemed to be + deliberately avoiding it. + </p> + <p> + "It is a present comfort, at least, to believe him," he returned. "I hope + I may not see the day when I shall have to take him to task for misleading + me in so vital a matter." + </p> + <p> + "I hope not," said she, quietly. + </p> + <p> + As he turned to Striker, he caught that worthy gazing at him with a fixed, + inquisitive stare. He began to feel annoyed and uncomfortable. It was not + the first time he had surprised a similar scrutiny on the part of one or + the other of the Strikers. Phineas, on being detected, looked away + abruptly and mumbled something about "God's country." + </p> + <p> + The young man decided it was time to speak. "By the way you all look at + me, Mr. Striker, I am led to suspect that you do not believe I am all I + represent myself to be. If you have any doubts, pray do not hesitate to + express them." + </p> + <p> + Striker was boisterously reassuring. "I don't doubt you fer a second, Mr. + Gwynne. As I said before, the whole county has been expectin' you to turn + up. We heerd a few days back that you was in Crawfordsville. If me an' + Eliza seem to act queer it's because we knowed your father an'—an', + well, I can't help noticin' how much you look like him. When he was your + age he must have looked enough like you to be your twin brother. We don't + mean no disrespect, an' I hope you'll overlook our nateral curiosity." + </p> + <p> + Kenneth was relieved. The furtive looks were explained. + </p> + <p> + "I am glad to hear that you do not look upon me as an outlaw or—" + </p> + <p> + "Lord bless you," cried Striker, "there ain't nobody as would take you fer + an outlaw. You ain't cut out fer a renegade. We know 'em the minute we lay + eyes on 'em. Same as we know a Pottawatomy Injin from a Shawnee, er a + jack-knife from a Bowie. No, there ain't no doubt in my mind about you + bein' your father's son—an' heir, as the sayin' goes. If you turn + out to be a scalawag, I'll never trust my eyes ag'in." + </p> + <p> + The young man laughed. "In any case, you are very good to have taken me in + for the night, and I shall not forget your trust or your hospitality. + Wolves go about in sheep's clothing, you see, and the smartest of men are + sometimes fooled." He turned abruptly to the girl. "Did you know my + father, too?" + </p> + <p> + She started violently and for the moment was speechless, a curious + expression in her eyes. + </p> + <p> + "Yes," she said, at last, looking straight at him: "Yes, I knew your + father very well." + </p> + <p> + "Then, you must have lived in these parts longer than I have suspected," + said he. "I should have said you were a newcomer." + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Striker made a great clatter of pans and skillets at the stove. The + girl waited until this kindly noise subsided. + </p> + <p> + "I have lived in this neighbourhood since I was eight years old," she + said, quietly. + </p> + <p> + Striker hastened to add: "Somethin' like ten or 'leven years,—'leven, + I reckon, ain't it?" + </p> + <p> + "Eleven years," she replied. + </p> + <p> + Gwynne was secretly astonished and rather skeptical. He would have taken + oath that she was twenty-two or -three years old, and not nineteen as + computation made her. + </p> + <p> + "She ain't lived here all the time," volunteered Eliza, somewhat + defensively. "She was to school in St. Louis fer two or three years an'—" + </p> + <p> + The young lady interrupted the speaker coldly. "Please, Eliza!" + </p> + <p> + Eliza, looking considerably crestfallen, accepted the rebuke meekly. "I + jest thought he'd be interested," she murmured. + </p> + <p> + "She came up the Wabash when she was nothin' but a striplin'," began + Striker, not profiting by his wife's experience. He might have gone on at + considerable length if he had not met the reproving, violet eye. He + changed the subject hastily. "As I was sayin', we've had a powerful lot o' + rain lately. Why, by gosh, last week you could have went fishin' in our + pertato patch up yander an' got a mess o' sunfish in less'n no time. I + never knowed the Wabash to be on setch a rampage. An' as fer the Wild Cat + Crick and Tippecanoe River, why, they tell me there ain't been anything + like—How's that?" + </p> + <p> + "Is Wabash an Indian name?" repeated Kenneth. + </p> + <p> + "That's what they say. Named after a tribe that used to hunt an' fish up + an' down her, they say." + </p> + <p> + "There was once a tribe of Indians in this part of the country," broke in + the girl, with sudden zest, "known as the Ouabachi. We know very little + about them nowadays, however. They were absorbed by other and stronger + tribes far back in the days of the French occupation, I suppose. French + trappers and voyageurs are known to have traversed and explored the + wilderness below here at least one hundred and fifty years ago. There is + an old French fort quite near here,—Ouiatanon." + </p> + <p> + "She knows purty nigh everything," said Phineas, proudly. "Well, I guess + we're about as full as it's safe to be, so now's your chance, Zachariah." + </p> + <p> + He pushed back his stool noisily and arose. Taking up the two + candlesticks, he led the way to the sitting-room, stopping at the door for + a word of instruction to the negro. "You c'n put your blankets down here + on the kitchen floor when you're ready to go to bed. Mrs. Striker will + kick you in the mornin' if you ain't awake when she comes out to start + breakfast." + </p> + <p> + "Yassuh, yassuh," grinned the hungry darkey. "Missus won't need fo' to + kick more'n once, suh,—'cause Ise gwine to be hungry all over ag'in + 'long about breakfus time,—yas-SUH!" + </p> + <p> + "Zachariah will wash the dishes and—" began Kenneth, addressing Mrs. + Striker, who was already preparing to cleanse and dry her pots and pans. + She interrupted him. + </p> + <p> + "He won't do nothin' of the kind. I don't let nobody wash my dishes but + myself. Set down here, Zachariah, an' help yourself. When you're done, you + c'n go out an' carry me in a couple of buckets o' water from the well,—an, + that's all you CAN do." + </p> + <p> + "I guess I'll go out an' take a look around the barn an' pens," said + Phineas, depositing the candles on the mantelpiece. "See if everything's + still there after the storm. No, Mr. Gwynne,—you set down. No need + o' you goin' out there an' gettin' them boots o' your'n all muddy." + </p> + <p> + He took up the lantern and lighted the tallow wick from one of the + candles. Then he fished a corncob pipe from his coattail pocket and + stuffed it full of tobacco from a small buckskin bag hanging at the end of + the mantel. + </p> + <p> + "He'p yourself to tobaccer if you keer to smoke. There's a couple o' fresh + pipes up there,—jest made 'em yesterday,—an' it ain't ag'inst + the law to smoke in the house on rainy nights. Used to be a time when we + was first married that I had to go out an' git wet to the skin jest + because she wouldn't 'low no tobaccer smoke in the house. Many's the time + I've sot on the doorstep here enjoyin' a smoke with the rain comin' down + so hard it'd wash the tobaccer right out o' the pipe, an' twice er maybe + it was three times it biled over an'—What's that you say?" + </p> + <p> + "I did not say anything, Phineas," said the girl, shaking her head + mournfully. "I am wondering, though, where you will go when you die." + </p> + <p> + "Where I c'n smoke 'thout runnin' the risk o' takin' cold, more'n likely," + replied Phineas, winking at the young man. Then he went out into the windy + night, closing the door behind him. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III — SOMETHING ABOUT CLOTHES, AND MEN, AND CATS + </h2> + <p> + Smiling over the settler's whimsical humour, Gwynne turned to his + companion, anticipating a responsive smile. Instead he was rewarded by an + expression of acute dismay in her dark eyes. He recalled seeing just such + a look in the eyes of a cornered deer. She met his gaze for a fleeting + instant and then, turning away, walked rapidly over to the little window, + where she peered out into the darkness. He waited a few moments for her to + recover the composure so inexplicably lost, and then spoke,—not + without a trace of coldness in his voice. + </p> + <p> + "Pray have this chair." He drew the rocking-chair up to the fireplace, + setting it down rather sharply upon the strip of rag carpet that fronted + the wide rock-made hearth. "You need not be afraid to be left alone with + me. I am a most inoffensive person." + </p> + <p> + He saw her figure straighten. Then she faced him, her chin raised, a flash + of indignation in her eyes. + </p> + <p> + "I am not afraid of you," she said haughtily. "Why should you presume to + make such a remark to me?" + </p> + <p> + "I beg your pardon," he said, bowing. "I am sorry if I have offended you. + No doubt, in my stupidity, I have been misled by your manner. Now, will + you sit down—and be friendly?" + </p> + <p> + His smile was so engaging, his humility so genuine, that her manner + underwent a swift and agreeable change. She advanced slowly to the + fireplace, a shy, abashed smile playing about her lips. + </p> + <p> + "May I not stand up for a little while?" she pleaded, with mock + submissiveness. "I do so want to grow tall." + </p> + <p> + "To that I can offer no objection," he returned; "although in my humble + opinion you would do yourself a very grave injustice if you added so much + as the eighth of an inch to your present height." + </p> + <p> + "I feel quite small beside you, sir," she said, taking her stand at the + opposite end of the hearth, from which position she looked up into his + admiring eyes. + </p> + <p> + "I am an overgrown, awkward lummix," he said airily. "The boys called me + 'beanpole' at college." + </p> + <p> + "You are not an awkward lummix, as you call yourself,—though what a + lummix is I have not the slightest notion. Mayhap if you stood long enough + you might grow shorter. They say men do,—as they become older." She + ran a cool, amused eye over his long, well-proportioned figure, taking in + the butter-nut coloured trousers, the foppish waistcoat, the high-collared + blue coat, and the handsome brown-thatched head that topped the whole + creation. He was almost a head taller than she, and yet she was well above + medium height. + </p> + <p> + "How old are you?" she asked, abruptly. Again she was serious, unsmiling. + </p> + <p> + "Twenty-five," he replied, looking down into her dark, inquiring eyes with + something like eagerness in his own. He was saying over and over again to + himself that never had he seen any one so lovely as she. "I am six years + older than you. Somehow, I feel that I am younger. Rather odd, is it not?" + </p> + <p> + "Six years," she mused, looking into the fire. The glow of the blazing + logs cast changing, throbbing shadows across her face, now soft and dusky, + like velvet, under the warm caress of the firelight. "Sometimes I feel + much older than nineteen," she went on, shaking her head as if puzzled. "I + remember that I was supposed to be very large for my age when I was a + little girl. Everybody commented on my size. I used to be ashamed of my + great, gawky self. But," she continued, shrugging her pretty shoulders, + "that was ages ago." + </p> + <p> + He drew a step nearer and leaned an elbow on the mantel. + </p> + <p> + "You say you knew my father," he said, haltingly. "What was he like?" + </p> + <p> + She raised her eyes quickly and for an instant studied his face curiously, + as if searching for something that baffled her understanding. + </p> + <p> + "He was very tall," she said in a low voice. "As tall as you are." + </p> + <p> + "I have only a dim recollection of him," he said. "You see, I made my home + with my grandparents after I was five years old." He did not offer any + further information. "As a tiny lad I remember wishing that I might grow + up to be as big as my father. Did you know him well?" + </p> + <p> + If she heard, she gave no sign as she turned away again. This time she + walked over to the cabin door, which she opened wide, letting in a rush of + chill, damp air. He felt his choler rise. It was a deliberate, intentional + act on her part. She desired to terminate the conversation and took this + rude, insolent means of doing so. Never had he been so flagrantly + insulted,—and for what reason? He had been courteous, deferential, + friendly. What right had she,—this insufferable peacock,—to + consider herself his superior? Hot words rushed to his lips, but he + checked them. He contented himself with an angry contemplation of her + slender, graceful figure as she poised in the open doorway, holding the + latch in one hand while the other was pressed against her bare throat for + protection against the cold night air. Her ringlets, flouted by the wind, + threshed merrily about the crown of her head. He noted the thick coil of + hair that capped the shapely white neck. Despite his rancour and the + glowering gaze he bent upon her, he was still lamentably conscious of her + perfections. He had it in his heart to go over and shake her soundly. It + would be a relief to see her break down and whimper. It would teach her + not to be rude to gentlemen! + </p> + <p> + The two dogs came racing up to the threshold. She half-knelt and stroked + their heads. + </p> + <p> + "No, no!" she cried out to them. "You cannot come in! Back with you, Shep! + Pete! That's a good dog!" + </p> + <p> + Then she arose and quickly closed the door. + </p> + <p> + "The wind is veering to the south," she said calmly, as she advanced to + the fireplace. She was shivering. "That means fair weather and warmer. We + may even see the sun to-morrow." + </p> + <p> + She held out her hands to the blaze. + </p> + <p> + "Won't you have this chair now?" he said stiffly, formally. She was + looking down into the fire, but he saw the dimple deepen in her cheek and + an almost imperceptible twitching at the corner of her mouth. Confound + her, was she laughing at him? Was he a source of amusement to her? + </p> + <p> + She turned her head and glanced up at him over her shoulder. He caught a + strained, appealing gleam in her eyes. + </p> + <p> + "Please forgive me if I was rude," she said, quite humbly. + </p> + <p> + He melted a little. He no longer desired to shake her. "I feared I had in + some way offended you," he said. + </p> + <p> + She shook her head and was silent for a moment or two, staring + thoughtfully at the flames. A faint sigh escaped her, and then she faced + him resolutely, frankly. + </p> + <p> + "You have succeeded fairly well in concealing your astonishment at seeing + me here in this hut, dressed as I am," she said, somewhat hurriedly. "You + have been greatly puzzled. I am about to confess something to you. You + will see me again,—often perhaps,—if you remain long in this + country. It is my wish that you should not know who I am to-night. You + will gain nothing by asking questions, either of me or of the Strikers. + You will know in the near future, so let that be sufficient. At first I—" + </p> + <p> + "You have my promise not to disregard your wishes in this or any other + matter," he said, bowing gravely. "I shall ask no questions." + </p> + <p> + "Ah, but you have been asking questions all to yourself ever since you + came into this cabin and saw me—in all this finery—and you + will continue to ask them," she declared positively. "I do not blame you. + I can at least account for my incomprehensible costume. That much you + shall have, if no more. This frock is a new one. It has just come up the + river from St. Louis. I have never had it on until to-day. Another one, + equally as startling, lies in that bedroom over there, and beside it on + the bed is the dress I came here in this afternoon. It is a plain black + dress, and there is a veil and a hideous black bonnet to go with it." She + paused, a bright little gleam of mingled excitement and defiance in her + eyes. + </p> + <p> + "You—you have lost—I mean, you are in mourning for some one?" + he exclaimed. The thought rushed into his mind: Was she a widow? This + radiantly beautiful girl a widow? + </p> + <p> + "For my father," she stated succinctly. "He died almost a year ago. I was + in school at St. Louis when it happened. I had not seen him for two years. + My mother sent for me to come home. Since that time I have worn nothing + but black,—plain, horrible black. Do not misjudge me. I am not vain, + nor am I as heartless as you may be thinking. I had and still have the + greatest respect for my father. He was a good man, a fine man. But in all + the years of my life he never spoke a loving word to me, he never caressed + me, he never kissed me. He was kindness itself, but—he never looked + at me with love in his eyes. I don't suppose you can understand. I was the + flesh of his flesh, and yet he never looked at me with love in his eyes. + </p> + <p> + "As I grew older I began to think that he hated me. That is a terrible + thing to say,—and you must think it vile of me to say it to you, a + stranger. But I have said it, and I would not take it back. I have seen in + his eyes,—they were brooding, thoughtful eyes,—I have seen in + them at times a look—Oh, I cannot tell you what it seemed like to + me. I can only say that it had something like despair in it,—sadness, + unhappiness,—and I could not help feeling that I was the cause of + it. When I was a tiny girl he never carried me in his arms. My mother + always did that. When I was thirteen years old he hired me out as a + servant in a farmer's family and I worked there until I was fourteen. It + was not in this neighbourhood. I worked for my board and keep, a thing I + could not understand and bitterly resented because he was prosperous. Then + my mother fell ill. She was a strong woman, but she broke down in health. + He came and got me and took me home. I was a big girl for my age,—as + big as I am now,—and strong. I did all the work about the house + until my mother was well again. He never gave me a word of appreciation or + one of encouragement. + </p> + <p> + "He was never unkind, he never found fault with me, he never in all his + life scolded or switched me when I was bad. Then, one day,—it was + three years ago,—he told me to get ready to go down to St. Louis to + school. He put me in charge of a trader and his wife who were going down + the river by perogue. He gave them money to buy suitable clothes for me,—a + large sum of money, it must have been,—and he provided me with some + for my own personal use. All arrangements had been made in advance, + without my knowing anything about it. + </p> + <p> + "I stayed there until I was called home by his death. I expected to return + to school, but my mother refused to let me go back. She said my place was + with her. That was last fall. She is still in the deepest mourning, and I + believe will never dress otherwise. I have said all there is to say about + my father. I did not love him, I was not grieved when he passed away. It + was almost as if a stranger had died." + </p> + <p> + She paused. He took occasion to remark, sympathetically: "He must have + been a strange man." + </p> + <p> + "He was," she said. "I hope I have made you understand what kind of a man + he was, and what kind of a father he was to me. Now, I am coming to the + point. This finery you see me in now was purchased without my mother's + knowledge or consent,—with money of my own. The box was delivered to + Phineas Striker day before yesterday up in Lafayette. I came here to spend + the night, in order that I might try them on. I live in town, with my + mother. She left the farm after my father's death. She adored him. She + could not bear to live out there on the lonely—but, that is of no + interest to you. A few weeks ago I asked her if I might not take off the + black. She refused at first, but finally consented. I have her promise + that I may put on colours sometime this spring. So I wrote to the woman + who used to make my dresses in St. Louis,—my father was not stingy + with me, so I always had pretty frocks,—and now they have come. My + mother does not know about them. She will be shocked when I tell her I + have them, but she will not be angry. She loves me. Is your curiosity + satisfied? It will have to be, for this is all I care to divulge at + present." + </p> + <p> + He smiled down into her earnest eyes. "My curiosity is appeased," he said. + "I should not have slept tonight if you had not explained this tantalizing + mystery. Therefore, I thank you. May I have your permission to say that + you are very lovely in your new frock and that you are marvellously + becoming to it?" + </p> + <p> + "As you have already said it, I must decline to give you the permission," + she replied, naively. + </p> + <p> + He thought her adorable in this mood. "As a lawyer," he said, "I make a + practice of never withdrawing a statement, unless I am convinced by + incontrovertible evidence that I was wrong in the first place,—and + you will have great difficulty in producing the proof." + </p> + <p> + "Wait till you see me in my black dress and bonnet,—and mittens," + she challenged. + </p> + <p> + He bowed gallantly. "Only the addition of the veil,—it would have to + be a very thick one,—I am sure,—could make me doubt my own + eyes. They are witnesses whose testimony it will be very hard to shake." + </p> + <p> + Her manner underwent another transformation, as swift as it was + unexpected. A troubled, harassed expression came into her eyes, driving + out the sparkle that had filled them during that all too brief exchange. + The smile died on her lips, which remained drawn and slightly parted as if + frozen; she seemed for the moment to have stopped breathing. He was + acutely alive to the old searching, penetrating look,—only now there + was an added note of uneasiness. In another moment all this had vanished, + and she was smiling again,—not warmly, frankly as before, but with a + strange wistfulness that left him more deeply perplexed than ever. + </p> + <p> + "I wonder,—" she began, and then shook her head without completing + the sentence. After a moment she went on: "Phineas is a long time. I hope + all is well." + </p> + <p> + They heard the kitchen door open and close and Striker's voice loudly + proclaiming the staunchness of his outbuildings, a speech cut short by + Eliza's exasperation. + </p> + <p> + "How many times do I have to tell you, Phin Striker, not to come in this + here kitchen without wipin' your feet? Might as well be the barn, fer as + you're concerned. Go out an' scrape that mud offen your boots." + </p> + <p> + Deep mumbling and then the opening and shutting of the door again. + </p> + <p> + "Sometimes, I fear, poor Phineas finds matrimony very trying," said the + girl, her eyes twinkling. + </p> + <p> + Eliza appeared in the doorway. She was rolling down her sleeves. + </p> + <p> + "How are you two gettin' along?" she inquired, looking from one to the + other keenly. "I thought Phin was in here amusin' you the whole time with + lies about him an' Dan'l Boone. He used to hunt with old Dan'l when he was + a boy, an' if ever'thing happened to them two fellers that he sez + happened, why, Phin'd have to be nearly two hundred years old by now an' + there wouldn't be a live animal or Indian between here an' the Gulf of + Mexico." She seemed a little uneasy. "I hope you two made out all right." + </p> + <p> + The girl spoke quickly, before her companion could reply. "We have had a + most agreeable chat, Eliza. Are you through in the kitchen? If you are, + would you mind coming into the bedroom with me? I want you to see the + other dress on me, and besides I have a good many things I wish to talk + over with you. Good night," she said to Gwynne. "No doubt we shall meet + again." + </p> + <p> + He was dumbfounded. "Am I not to see you in the new dress?" he cried, + visibly disappointed. "Surely you are not going to deny me the joy of + beholding you in—" + </p> + <p> + She interrupted him almost cavalierly. "Pray save up some of your + compliments against the day when you behold me in my sombre black, for I + shall need them then. Again, good night." + </p> + <p> + "Good night," he returned, bowing stiffly and in high dudgeon. + </p> + <p> + Eliza, in hurrying past, had snatched one of the candlesticks from the + mantel, and now stood holding the bedroom door open for the queenly young + personage. A moment later the door closed behind them. + </p> + <p> + Gwynne was still scowling at the inoffensive door when Striker came + blustering into the room. + </p> + <p> + "Where are the women?" he demanded, stopping short. + </p> + <p> + A jerk of the thumb was his answer. + </p> + <p> + "Gone to bed?" with something like an accusing gleam in his eye as his + gaze returned to the young man. + </p> + <p> + "I believe so," replied Gwynne carelessly, as he sat down in the despised + rocker and stretched his long legs out to the fire. "I fancy we are safe + to smoke now, Striker. We have the parlor all to ourselves. The ladies + have deserted us." + </p> + <p> + Striker took the tobacco pouch from the peg on the mantel and handed it to + his guest. + </p> + <p> + "Fill up," he said shortly, and then walked over to the bedroom door. He + rapped timorously on one of the thick boards. "Want me fer anything?" he + inquired softly, as his wife opened the door an inch or two. + </p> + <p> + "No. Go to bed when you're ready an' don't ferget to smother that fire." + </p> + <p> + "Good night, Phineas," called out another voice merrily. + </p> + <p> + "Good night," responded Striker, with a dubious shake of his head. He + returned to the fireplace. + </p> + <p> + "Women are funny things," said he, dragging up another chair. "'Specially + about boots. I go out 'long about sun-up an' work like a dog all day, an' + then when I come in to supper what happens? First thing my wife does is to + look at my boots. Then she tells me to go out an' scrape the mud off'm + 'em. Then she looks up at my face to see if it's me. Sometimes I get so + doggoned mad I wish it wasn't me, so's I could turn out to be the preacher + er somebody like that an' learn her to be keerful who she's talkin' to. + Supposin' I do track a little mud into her kitchen? It's OUR mud, ain't + it? 'Tain't as if it was somebody else's land I'm bringin' into her + kitchen. Between us we own every danged bit of land from here to the + Middleton dirt-road an' it ain't my fault if it happens to be mud once in + awhile. You'd think, the way she acts, I'd been out stealin' somebody + else's mud just for the sake of bringin' it into her kitchen. + </p> + <p> + "An' what makes me madder'n anything else is the way she scolds them pore + dogs when they come in with a little mud. As if a dog understood he had to + scrape his feet off an' wash his paws an' everything 'fore he c'n step + inside his master's cabin. Now you take cats, they're as smart as all get + out. They're jist like women. Allus thinkin' about their pussonal + appearance. Ever notice a cat walk across a muddy strip o' ground? Why, + you'd think they was walkin' on a red hot stove, the way they step. I've + seen a cat go fifty rods out of her way to get around a mud-puddle. I + recollect seein' ole Maje,—he's our principal tom-cat,—seein' + him creepin' along a rail fence nearly half a mile from the house so's he + wouldn't have to cross a stretch o' wet ground jist outside the kitchen + door. Now, a dog would have splashed right through it an' took the + consequences. But ole Maje—NO, SIR! He goes miles out'n his way an' + then when he gits home he sets down on the doorstep an' licks his feet fer + half an hour er so before he begins to meow so's Eliza'll open the door + an' let him in. + </p> + <p> + "Ever' so often I got to tie a litter of kittens up in a meal-bag an' take + 'em over to the river an' drownd 'em, an' I want to tell you it's a + pleasure to do it. You never in all your life heerd of anybody puttin' a + litter of pups in a bag an' throwin' 'em in the river, did ye? No, sirree! + Dogs is like men. They grow up to be useful citizens, mud er no mud. Why, + if I had a dog what sat down on the doorstep an' licked his paws ever' + time he got mud on 'em I'd take him out an' shoot him, 'cause I'd know he + wasn't no kind of a dog at all. Now, Eliza's tryin' to make me act like a + cat, an' me hatin' cats wuss'n pison. There's setch a thing as bein' too + danged clean, don't you think so? Sort o' takes the self-respect away from + a man. Makes you feel as if you'd ort to have petticoats on in place o' + pants. How do you like that terbaccer?" + </p> + <p> + Throughout the foregoing dissertation, Gwynne had sat with his moody gaze + fixed upon the flaring logs, which Striker had kicked into renewed life + with the heel of one of his ponderous boots, disdaining the stout charred + poker that leaned against the chimney wall. He was pulling dreamily at the + corncob pipe; the fragrant blue smoke, drifting toward the open fireplace, + was suddenly caught by the draft and drawn stringily into the hot cavern + where it was lost in the hickory volume that swept up the chimney. + </p> + <p> + He had taken in but a portion of his host's remarks; his thoughts were not + of dogs and cats but of the perplexing girl who eagerly gave him her + confidence in one moment and shrank into the iciest reticence the next. + Her unreserved revelations concerning her own father, uttered with all the + frankness of an intimate, and the childish ingenuousness with which she + accounted for her raiment, followed so closely, so abruptly by the most + insolent display of bad manners he had ever known, gave him ample excuse + for reflection, and if he failed to obtain the full benefit of Striker's + discourse it was because he had no power to command his addled thoughts. + As a matter of fact, he was debating within himself the advisability of + asking his host a few direct and pointed questions. A fine regard for + Striker's position deterred him,—and to this regard was added the + conviction that his host would probably tell him to mind his own business + and not go prying into the affairs of others. He came out of his reverie + in good time to avoid injury to his host's feelings. + </p> + <p> + "It is admirable," he assured him promptly. "Do you cure it yourself or + does it come up the river from Kentucky?" + </p> + <p> + "Comes from Kentucky. We don't have much luck tryin' to raise terbaccer in + these parts." + </p> + <p> + Whereupon Mr. Striker went into a long and intelligent lecture upon the + products of the soil in that section of Indiana; what to avoid and what to + cultivate; how to buy and how to sell; the traders one could trust and + those who could not be trusted out of sight; the short corn crop of the + year before and the way he lost half a dozen as fine shoats as you'd see + in a lifetime on account of wild hogs coming out of the woods and enticin' + 'em off. He interrupted himself at one stage in order to get up and close + the door to the kitchen. Zachariah was snoring lustily. + </p> + <p> + "Whenever you feel like goin' to bed, jist say so," he said at last, as + his guest drew his huge old silver watch from his pocket and glanced at + it. + </p> + <p> + "I have been doing a little surmising, Mr. Striker," said the other. "You + have only this sitting-room and one bedroom. The ladies are occupying the + latter. My servant has gone to bed in the kitchen. I am wondering where + you and I are to dispose ourselves." + </p> + <p> + "I could see you was doin' some figgerin', friend. Well, fer that matter, + so was I. 'Tain't often she comes to spend the night here, an' when she + does me an' Eliza give her our room an' bed an' we pull an extry straw + tick out here in the room an' make the best of it. Now, as I figger it + out, Eliza is usin' that straw tick herself, 'cause she certainly wouldn't + ever dream of gettin' into bed with—with—er—her. Not but + what she's clean an' all that,—I mean Eliza,—but you see, she + used to be a hired girl once upon a time, an'—an'—well, that + sort of makes a—" + </p> + <p> + "My fellow-guest confided to me a little while ago that she too had been a + hired girl, Mr. Striker, so I don't see—" + </p> + <p> + "Did she tell you that?" demanded Phineas sharply. + </p> + <p> + "She did," replied Gwynne, enjoying his host's consternation. + </p> + <p> + "Well, I'll be tee-totally danged," exploded the settler. He got up + suddenly and turning his back to his guest, knocked the burnt tobacco from + his pipe against the stone arch of the fireplace. "I guess I better rake + the ashes over these here coals," said he, "'cause if I don't an' the + cabin took fire an' burnt us all alive Eliza'd never git done jawin' me + about it." Presently he stood off and critically surveyed his work. "I + guess that'll fix her so's she won't spit any sparks out here an' set fire + to the carpet. As I was sayin', I reckon I'll have to make up a bed here + in front of the fireplace fer myself, an' let you go up to the attic. We + got a—" + </p> + <p> + "I was afraid of this, Mr. Striker. You are putting yourselves out + terribly on my account. I can't allow it, sir. It is too much to ask—" + </p> + <p> + "Now, don't you worry about us. You ain't puttin' us out at all. One night + last winter,—the coldest night we had,—Eliza an' me slep' on + the kitchen floor with nary a blanket er quilt, an' I had to git up every + half hour to put wood on the fire so's we wouldn't freeze to death, all + because Joe Wadley an' his wife an' her father an' mother an' his sister + with her three children dropped in sort of unexpected on account of havin' + their two wagons git stuck in a snow drift a mile er so from here. No, + sirree, don't you worry. There's a spare tick up in the attic what we use + fer strangers when they happen along, an' Zachariah has put your blankets + right here by the door,—an' your pistols, too, I see,—so + whenever you're ready, I'll lead the way up the ladder an' show you where + you're to roost. There's a little winder at one end, so's you c'n have all + the air you want,—an', my stars, there's a lot of it to-night, ain't + there? Jist listen to her whistle. Sounds like winter. She's changed, + though, an' I wouldn't be surprised if we'd find the moon is shinin'." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV — VIOLA GWYN + </h2> + <p> + They stepped outside the cabin, into the fresh, brisk gale that was + blowing. A gibbous moon hung in the eastern star-specked sky. Scurrying + moonlit clouds off in the west sped northward on the sweep of the + inconstant wind, which had shifted within the hour. A light shone dimly + through the square little window of the bedroom. Kenneth's imagination + penetrated to sacred precincts beyond the solid logs: he pictured her in + the other frock, moving gracefully before the fascinated eyes of the + settler's wife, proud as a peacock and yet as gay as the lark. + </p> + <p> + "Women like to talk," observed Striker, with a sidelong glance at the + lighted window. He led the way to the opposite end of the cabin and + pointed off into the night. "Lafayette's off in yan direction. There's a + big stretch of open prairie in between, once you git out'n these woods, + an' further on there's more timber. The town's down in a sort of valley, + shaped somethin' like a saucer, with hills on all sides an' the river + cuttin' straight through the middle. Considerable buildin' goin' on this + spring. There's talk of the Baptists an' the Methodists puttin' up new + churches an' havin' regular preachers instead of the circuit riders. But + you'll see all this fer yourself when you git there. Plenty of licker to + be had at Sol Hamer's grocery,—mostly Mononga-Durkee whisky,—in + case you git the Wabash shakes or suddenly feel homesick." + </p> + <p> + "I drink very little," said Kenneth. + </p> + <p> + "Well, you'll soon git over that," prophesied his host. "Everybody does. A + spell of aguer like we have along the river every fall an' winter an' + spring will make you mighty thankful fer Sol Hamer's medicine, an' by the + time summer comes you'll be able to stand more'n you ever thought you + could stand. What worries me is how the women manage to git along without + it. You see big strong men goin' around shakin' their teeth out an' + docterin' day an' night at Sol's, but I'll be doggoned if you ever see a + woman takin' it. Seems as if they'd ruther shake theirselves to death than + tetch a drop o' whisky." + </p> + <p> + "You would not have them otherwise, would you?" + </p> + <p> + "Why, if I ever caught my wife takin' a swaller o' whisky, I'd—well, + by gosh, I don't know what I would do. First place, I'd think the world + was comin' to an end, and second place, I guess I'd be glad it was. No, + sirree, I don't want to see whisky goin' down a woman's gullet. But that + don't explain how they come to git along without it when they've got the + aguer. They won't even take it when a rattlesnake bites 'em. Sooner die. + An' in spite of all that, they bring he-children into the world that can't + git over a skeeter bite unless they drink a pint or two of whisky. Well, I + guess we better go to roost, Mr. Gwynne. Must be nine o'clock. + Everything's all right out at the barn an' the chicken coops. Wolves an' + foxes an' weasels visit us sometimes at night, but I got things fixed so's + they go away hungry. In the day time, Eliza's got an ole musket o' mine + standin' in the kitchen to skeer the hawks away, an' I got a rifle in the + settin' room fer whatever varmint comes along at night,—includin' + hoss-thieves an' setch-like." + </p> + <p> + "Horse-thieves?" + </p> + <p> + "Yep. Why, only last month a set of hoss-thieves from down the river went + through the Wea plains an' stole sixteen yearlin' colts, drove 'em down to + the river, loaded 'em on a flat-boat an' got away without losin' a hair. + Done it on a Sunday night, too." + </p> + <p> + It was a few minutes past nine when Kenneth followed his host up the + ladder and through the trap-door into the stuffy attic. He carried his + rough riding-boots, which Zachariah had cleaned and greased with a piece + of bacon-rind. + </p> + <p> + "I'll leave the ladder here," said Striker, depositing the candlestick on + the floor. "So's I c'n stick my head in here in the mornin' an' rouse you + up. There's your straw-tick over yander, an' I'll fotch your blankets up + in a minute or two. I reckon you'll have to crawl on your hands an' knees; + this attic wasn't built fer full-size men." + </p> + <p> + "I will be all right," his guest assured him. "Beggars cannot be choosers. + A place to lay my head, a roof to keep the rain off, and a generous host—what + more can the wayfarer ask?" + </p> + <p> + The clapboard roof was a scant three feet above the dusty floor of the + attic. Stooping, the young man made his way to the bed-tick near the + little window. He did not sniff with scorn at his humble surroundings. He + had travelled long and far and he had slept in worse places than this. He + was drawing off his boots when Striker again stuck his head and shoulders + through the opening and laid his roll of blankets on the floor. + </p> + <p> + "Eliza jist stuck her head out to tell me to shut this trap-door, so's my + snorin' won't keep you awake. I fergot all about my snorin'. Like as not + if I left this door open the whole danged roof would be lifted right off'm + the cabin 'fore I'd been asleep five minutes. Well, good night. I'll call + you in the mornin' bright an' early." + </p> + <p> + The trap-door was slowly lowered into place as the shaggy head and broad + shoulders of the settler disappeared. The young man heard the scraping of + the ladder as it was being removed to a place against the wall. + </p> + <p> + He pried open the tight little window, letting a draft of fresh air rush + into the stifling attic. Then he sat on the edge of the tick for a few + minutes, ruminating, his gaze fixed thoughtfully on the sputtering, + imperilled candle. Finally he shook his head, sighed, and began to unstrap + his roll of blankets. He had decided to remove only his coat and + waistcoat. The sharp, staccato barking of a fox up in the woods fell upon + his ears. He paused to listen. Then came the faraway, unmistakable howl of + a wolf, the solemn, familiar hoot of the wilderness owl and the raucous + call of the great night heron. But there was no sound from the farmyard. + He said his prayers—he never forgot to say the prayer his mother had + taught him—blew out the candle, pulled the blankets up to his chin, + and was soon fast asleep. + </p> + <p> + He did not know what time it was when he was aroused by the barking of + Striker's dogs, loud, furious barking and ugly growls, signifying the + presence in the immediate neighbourhood of the house of some intruder, man + or beast. Shaking off the sleep that held him, he crept to the window and + looked out. The moon was gone and the stars had almost faded from the inky + black dome. He guessed the hour with the acute instinct of one to whom the + vagaries of night have become familiar through long understanding. It + would now be about three o'clock in the morning, with the creeping dawn an + hour and a half away. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly his gaze fell upon a light moving among the trees some distance + from the cabin. It appeared and disappeared, like a jack o' lantern, but + always it moved southward, obscured every few feet by an intervening trunk + or a clump of brush. As he watched the bobbing light, he heard some one + stirring in the room below. Then the cabin door creaked on its rusty + hinges and almost immediately a jumble of subdued hoarse voices came up to + him. He felt for his pistols and realized with something of a shock that + he had left them in the kitchen with Zachariah. For the first time in his + travels he had neglected to place them beside his bed. + </p> + <p> + The dogs, admonished by a sharp word or two, ceased their barking. This + reassured him, for they would obey no one except Phineas Striker. Whoever + was at the cabin door, there was no longer any question in his mind as to + the peaceful nature of the visit. He crept over to the trap-door and + cautiously attempted to lift it an inch or so, the better to hear what was + going on, but try as he would he could not budge the covering. The murmur + of voices went on for a few minutes longer, and then he heard the soft, + light pad of feet on the floor below; sibilant, penetrating whispers; a + suppressed feminine ejaculation followed by the low laugh of a man, a + laugh that might well have been described as a chuckle. + </p> + <p> + For a long time he lay there listening to the confused sound of whispers, + the stealthy shuffling of feet, the quiet opening and closing of a door, + and then there was silence. + </p> + <p> + Several minutes passed. He stole back to the window. The light in the + forest had vanished. Just as he was on the point of crawling into bed + again, another sound struck his ear: the unmistakable rattle of wagon + wheels on their axles, the straining of harness, the rasp of tug chains,—quite + near at hand. The clack-clack of the hubs gradually diminished as the + heavy vehicle made its slow, tortuous way off through the ruts and mire of + the road. Presently the front door of the cabin squealed on its hinges, + the latch snapped and the bolt fell carefully into place. + </p> + <p> + He could not go to sleep again. His brain was awake and active, filled + with unanswered questions, beset by endless speculation. The first faint + sign of dawn, creeping through the window, found him watching eagerly, + impatiently for its appearance. The presence of a wagon, even at that + black hour of the night, while perhaps unusual, was readily to be + accounted for in more ways than one, none of them possessing a sinister + significance. A neighbouring farmer making an early start for town + stopping to carry out some friendly commission for Phineas Striker; a + settler calling for assistance in the case of illness at his home; hunters + on their way to the marshes for wild ducks and geese; or even guardians of + the law in search of malefactors. But the mysterious light in the woods,—that + was something not so easily to be explained. + </p> + <p> + The square little aperture was clearly defined against the greying sky + before he distinguished signs of activity in the room below. Striker was + up and moving about. He could hear him stacking logs in the fireplace, and + presently there came up to him the welcome crackle of kindling-wood + ablaze. A door opened and a gruff voice spoke. The settler was routing + Zachariah out of his slumbers. Far off in some unknown, remote land a + rooster crowed,—the day's champion, the first of all to greet the + rising sun. Almost instantly, a cock in Striker's barnyard awoke in + confusion and dismay, and sent up a hurried, raucous cock-a-doodle-doo,—too + late by half a minute to claim the honours of the day, but still a valiant + challenger. Then other chanticleers, big and little, sounded their clarion + call,—and the day was born. + </p> + <p> + Kenneth, despite his longing for this very hour to come, now perversely + wished to sleep. A belated but beatific drowsiness seized him. He was only + half-conscious of the noise that attended the lifting of the trap-door. + </p> + <p> + "Wake up! Time to git up," a distant voice was calling, and he suddenly + opened his eyes very wide and found himself staring at a shaggy, unkempt + head sticking up out of the floor, rendered grim and terrifying by the + fitful play of a ruddy light from the depths below. For a second he was + bewildered. + </p> + <p> + "That you, Striker?" he mumbled. + </p> + <p> + "Yep,—it's me. Time to git up. Five o'clock. Breakfass'll soon be + ready. You c'n wash up out at the well. Sleep well?" + </p> + <p> + "Passably. I was awakened some time in the night by your visitors." + </p> + <p> + He was sitting up on the edge of the tick, drawing on his boots. Striker + was silent for a moment. + </p> + <p> + "Thought maybe you'd be disturbed, spite of all we could do to be as quiet + as possible. People from a farm 'tother side of the plains." + </p> + <p> + The head disappeared, and in a very few minutes Gwynne, carrying his coat + and waistcoat, descended the ladder into the presence of a roaring fire. + He shot a glance at the closed bedroom door, and then hastily made his way + out of the cabin and around to the well. Eliza was preparing breakfast. In + the grey half-light he made out Striker and Zachariah moving about the + barnlot. A rough but clean towel hung across the board wall of the well, + while a fresh bucket of water stood on the shelf inside, its chain hanging + limply from the towering end of the "h'isting pole." + </p> + <p> + As he completed his ablutions, the darkey boy approached. + </p> + <p> + "Good morning, Zachariah," he spluttered, over the edge of the towel. "Did + you sleep well?" + </p> + <p> + "No, suh, Marse Kenneth, Ah slep' powerful porely. Ah don't reckon Ah had + mah eyes close' more'n fifteen seconds all night long, suh." + </p> + <p> + His master peered at him. Zachariah's eyes were not yet thoroughly open. + </p> + <p> + "You mean you did not have them open more than fifteen seconds, you + rascal. Why, you were asleep and snoring by nine o'clock." + </p> + <p> + "Yas, suh, yas, suh,—but Ah done got 'em wide open ag'in 'side o' no + time. Ah jes' couldn't holp worryin', Marse Kenneth, 'bout you all. Ah sez + to mahself, ef Marse Kenneth he ain' got no fitten place to lay his weary + haid—" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, then you were not kept awake by noises or—by the by, did you + hear any noises?" + </p> + <p> + "Noises? No, SUH! Dis yere cabin hit was like a grave. Thass what kep' me + awake, mos' likely. Ah reckon Ah is used to noises. Ah jes' couldn't go to + sleep widdout 'em, Marse Kenneth. Wuzzen't even a cricket er a—" + </p> + <p> + His master's hearty laugh caused him to cut his speech short. A wary + glance out of the corner of his eye satisfied him that it was now time to + change the subject. + </p> + <p> + "Done fed de hosses, suh, an' mos' ready to packen up fo' de juhney, suh. + Yas, SUH! Ev'thing all hunky-dory jes' soon as Marse Kenneth done had his + breakfuss. YAS, suh! Yas, SUH!" + </p> + <p> + They ate breakfast by candle-light, Striker and Eliza and Kenneth. There + was no sign of the beautiful and exasperating girl. Phineas was strangely + glum and preoccupied, his wife too busy with her flap-jacks to take even + the slightest interest in the desultory conversation. + </p> + <p> + "A little too early for my fellow-guest to be up and about, I see," + ventured Kenneth at last, taking the bull by the horns. His curiosity had + to be satisfied. + </p> + <p> + Striker did not look up from his plate. "She's gone. She ain't here." + </p> + <p> + "Gone?" + </p> + <p> + "Yep. Left jist a little while 'fore sun-up." + </p> + <p> + "Her ma sent for her," volunteered Eliza. + </p> + <p> + "Sent fer her to come in a hurry," added Striker, trying to be casual. + </p> + <p> + "Then it was she who went away in the wagon last night," said the young + man, a note of disappointment in his voice. + </p> + <p> + "Airly this mornin'," corrected his host. "Jist half an hour or so 'fore + sun-up." + </p> + <p> + "I trust her mother is not ill." + </p> + <p> + "No tellin'," was Striker's non-committal response. + </p> + <p> + It was quite apparent to Kenneth that they did not wish to discuss the + matter. He waited a few moments before remarking: + </p> + <p> + "I saw a light moving through the woods above here,—a lantern, I + took it to be,—just after I was awakened by the barking of the dogs. + I thought at first it was that which set the dogs off on a rampage." + </p> + <p> + Striker was looking at him intently under his bushy eyebrows, his knife + poised halfway to his lips. While he could not see Eliza, who was at the + stove behind him, he was struck by the fact that there was a brief, + significant suspension of activity on her part; the scrape of the + "turnover" in the frying-pan ceased abruptly. + </p> + <p> + "A lantern up in the woods?" said Striker slowly, looking past Gwynne at + Eliza. + </p> + <p> + "A light. It may not have been a lantern." + </p> + <p> + "Which way was it movin'?" + </p> + <p> + "In that direction," indicating the south. + </p> + <p> + The turning of the flap-jacks in the pan was resumed. Striker relaxed a + little. + </p> + <p> + "Hunters, I reckon, goin' down stream for wild duck and geese this + mornin'. There's a heap o' ducks an' geese passin' over—" + </p> + <p> + "See here, Phineas," broke in his wife suddenly, "what's the sense of + sayin' that? You know it wasn't duck hunters. Nobody's out shooting ducks + with the river as high as it is down this way, an' Mr. Gwynne knows it, if + he's got half as much sense as I think he has." + </p> + <p> + "When I heard people out in front of the cabin shortly afterward, I + naturally concluded that the lantern belonged to them," remarked the young + man. + </p> + <p> + "Well, it didn't," said Striker, laying down his knife. "I guess it won't + hurt you to know now somethin' that will be of considerable interest to + you later on. I ain't betrayin' nobody's secret, 'cause I said I was goin' + to tell you the whole story." + </p> + <p> + "Don't you think you'd better let it come from somebody else, Phin?" + interposed his wife nervously. + </p> + <p> + "No, I don't, Eliza. 'Cause why? 'Cause I think he'd ort to know. Maybe + he'll be able to put a stop to her foolishness. We didn't know until long + after you went to bed that her real reason fer comin' here yesterday was + to run off an' get married to Barry Lapelle. She didn't tell you no lies + about her clothes an' all that, 'cause her ma had put her foot down on her + takin' off black. They had it all planned out beforehand, her an' this + Lapelle. He was to come fer her some time before daybreak with a couple of + hosses an' they was to be off before the sun was up on their way to Attica + where they was to be married, an' then go on down the river to his home in + Terry Hut. Me an' Eliza set up all night in that bedroom, tryin' to coax + her out of it. I don't like this Lapelle feller. He's a handsome cuss, but + he's as wild as all get out,—drinks, gambles, an' all setch. Well, + to make a long story short, that was prob'ly him up yander on the ole + Injin trace, with his hosses, waitin' fer the time to come when they could + be off. Her ma must have found out about their plans, 'cause she come here + herself with two of her hired men an' old Cap'n Scott, a friend of the + fam'ly, an' took her daughter right out from under Barry's nose. It was + them you heared down here last night. I will say this fer the girl, she + kinder made up her mind 'long about midnight that it was a foolish thing + to do, runnin' off like this with Barry, an' like as not when the time + come she'd have backed out." + </p> + <p> + "She's a mighty headstrong girl," said Eliza. "Sot in her ways an' sp'iled + a good deal by goin' to school down to St. Louis." "Her mother don't want + her to marry Lapelle. She's dead sot ag'inst it. It's a mighty funny way + fer the girl to act, when she's so fond of her mother. I can't understand + it in her. All the more reason fer her to stick to her mother when it's a + fact that the old woman ain't got what you'd call a friend in the whole + deestrict. She's a queer sort of woman,—close an' stingy as all get + out, an' as hard as a hickory log. Never been seen at a church meetin'. + She makes her daughter go whenever there's a meetin', but as fer herself,—no, + sirree. 'Course, I understand why she's so sot ag'inst Barry. She's purty + well off an' the girl will be rich some day." + </p> + <p> + "Shucks!" exclaimed Eliza. "Barry Lapelle's after her 'cause she's the + purtiest girl him or anybody else has ever seen. He ain't the only man + that's in love with her. They ALL are,—clear from Lafayette to Terry + Hut, an' maybe beyond. Don't you tell me it's her money he's after, Phin + Striker. He's after HER. He's got plenty of money himself, so they say, so + why—" + </p> + <p> + "I ain't so sure about that," broke in her husband. "There's a lot of talk + about him gamblin' away most everything his father left him. Lost one of + his boats last winter in a poker game up at Lafayette, an' had to borrer + money on some land he's got down the river to git it back. The packet Paul + Revere it was. Used to run on the Mississippi. I guess she kinder lost her + head over him," he went on musingly. "He's an awful feller with women, so + good-lookin' an' all, an' so different from the farm boys aroun' here. + Allus got good clothes on, an' they say he has fit a couple of duels down + the river. Somehow that allus appeals to young girls. But I can't + understand it in her. She's setch a level-headed girl,—but, then, I + guess they're all alike when a good-lookin' man comes along. Look at Eliza + here. The minute she sot eyes on me she—" "I didn't marry you, Phin + Striker, because you was purty, let me tell you that," exclaimed Eliza, + witheringly. + </p> + <p> + Gwynne, who had been listening to all this with a queer sinking of the + heart, interrupted what promised to develop into an acrimonious wrangle + over pre-connubial impressions. He was decidedly upset by the revelations; + a vague dream, barely begun, came to a sharp and disagreeable end. + </p> + <p> + "She actually had planned to run away with this man Lapelle?" he + exclaimed, frowning. "It was all arranged?" + </p> + <p> + "So I take it," said Striker. "She brought some of her personal trinkets + with her, but Eliza never suspected anything queer about that." + </p> + <p> + "The fellow must be an arrant scoundrel," declared the young man angrily. + "No gentleman would subject an innocent girl to such—" + </p> + <p> + "All's well that ends well, as the feller says," interrupted Striker, + arising from the table. "At least fer the present. She seemed sort of + willin' to go home with her ma, so I guess her heart ain't everlastingly + busted. I thought it was best to tell you all this, Mr. Gwynne, 'cause I + got a sneakin' idee you're goin' to see a lot of that girl, an' maybe + you'll turn out to be a source of help in time o' trouble to her." + </p> + <p> + "I fail to understand just what you mean, Striker. She is an absolute + stranger to me." + </p> + <p> + "Well, we'll see what we shall see," said Striker, cryptically. He opened + the kitchen door and called to Zachariah to hurry in and get his + breakfast. + </p> + <p> + Half an hour later Kenneth and his servant mounted their horses in the + barnyard and prepared to depart. The sun was shining and there was a taste + and tang of spring in the breeze that flouted the faces of the horsemen. + </p> + <p> + "Follow this road back to the crossin' an' turn to your left," directed + Striker, "an' 'fore you know it you'll be in Lay-flat, as they call it + down in Crawfordsville. Remember, you're allus most welcome here. I reckon + we'll see somethin' of each other as time goes on. It ain't difficult fer + honest men to be friends as well as neighbours in this part of the world. + I'm glad you happened my way last night." + </p> + <p> + He walked alongside Gwynne's stirrup as they moved down toward the road. + </p> + <p> + "Some day," said the young man, "I should like to have a long talk with + you about my father. You knew him well and I—by the way, your + love-lorn friend knew him also." + </p> + <p> + The other was silent for half a dozen paces, looking straight ahead. + </p> + <p> + "Yes," said he, with curious deliberation. "She was sayin' as how she told + you a lot about him last night,—what sort of a man he was, an' all + that." + </p> + <p> + "She told me nothing that—" + </p> + <p> + "Jist a minute, Mr. Gwynne," said Striker, laying his hand on the rider's + knee. Kenneth drew rein. "I guess maybe you didn't know who she was + talkin' about at the time, but it was your father she was describin'. We + all three knowed somethin' that you didn't know, an' it's only fair fer me + to tell you the truth, now that she's out of the way. That girl was Viola + Gwyn, an' she's your half-sister." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V — REFLECTIONS AND AN ENCOUNTER + </h2> + <p> + The sun was barely above the eastward wall of trees when Kenneth and his + man rode away from the home of Phineas Striker. Their progress was slow + and arduous, for the black mud was well up to the fetlocks of the horses + in this new road across the boggy clearing. He rode ahead, as was the + custom, followed a short distance behind by his servant on the strong, + well-laden pack-horse. + </p> + <p> + The master was in a thoughtful, troubled mood. He paid little attention to + the glories of the fresh spring day. What he had just heard from the lips + of the settler disturbed him greatly. That beautiful girl his half-sister! + The child of his own father and the hated Rachel Carter! Rachel Carter, + the woman he had been brought up to despise, the harlot who had stolen his + father away, the scarlet wanton at whose door the death of his mother was + laid! That evil woman, Rachel Carter! + </p> + <p> + Could she, this foulest of thieves, be the mother of so lovely, so + sensitive, so perfect a creature as Viola Gwyn? + </p> + <p> + As he rode frowningly along, oblivious to the low chant of the darkey and + the song of the first spring warblers, he revisualized the woman he had + known in his earliest childhood. Strangely enough, the face of Rachel + Carter had always remained more firmly, more indelibly impressed upon his + memory than that of his own mother. + </p> + <p> + This queer, unusual circumstance may be easily, reasonably accounted for: + his grandfather's dogged, almost daily lessons in hate. He was not allowed + to forget Rachel Carter,—not for one instant. Always she was kept + before him by that bitter, vindictive old man who was his mother's father,—even + up to the day that he lay on his deathbed. Small wonder, then, that his + own mother's face had faded from his memory while that of Rachel Carter + remained clear and vivid, as he had known it now for twenty years. The + passing years might perforce bring about changes in the face and figure of + Rachel Carter, but they could not, even in the smallest detail, alter the + picture his mind's eye had carried so long and faithfully. He could think + of her only as she was when he last saw her, twenty years ago: tall and + straight, with laughing eyes and white teeth, and the colour of tan-bark + in her cheeks. + </p> + <p> + Then there had been little Minda,—tiny Minda who existed vaguely as + a name, nothing more. He had a dim recollection of hearing his elders say + that the babe with the yellow curls had been drowned when a boat turned + over far away in the big brown river. Some one had come to his + grandfather's house with the news. He recalled hearing the talk about the + accident, and his grandfather lifting his fist toward the sky and actually + blaming God for something! He never forgot that. His grandfather had + blamed God! + </p> + <p> + He had thought of asking Striker about his father's widow, after hearing + the truth about Viola, but a stubborn pride prevented. It had been on his + tongue to inquire when and where Robert Gwynne and Rachel Carter were + married,—he did not doubt that they had been legally married,—but + he realized in time that in all probability the settler, as well as every + one else in the community, was totally uninformed as to the past life of + Robert and Rachel Gwynne. Besides, the query would reveal an ignorance on + his part that he was loath to expose to speculation. + </p> + <p> + Striker had explained the somewhat distasteful scrutiny to which he had + been subjected the night before. All three of them, knowing him to be + Viola's blood relation, were studying his features with interest, seeking + for a trace of family resemblance, not alone to his father but to the girl + herself. This had set him thinking. There was not, so far as he could + determine, the slightest likeness between him and his beautiful + half-sister; there was absolutely nothing to indicate that their sire was + one and the same man. + </p> + <p> + Pondering, he now understood what Striker meant in declaring that he ought + to know the truth about the frustrated elopement. Even though the honest + settler was aware of the strained relations existing between the widow and + her husband's son by a former wife,—(the deceased in his will had + declared in so many words that he owed more than mere reparation to the + neglected but unforgotten son born to him and his beloved but long dead + wife, Laura Gwynne),—even though Striker knew all this, it was + evident that he looked upon this son as the natural protector of the + wilful girl, notwithstanding the feud between step-mother and step-son. + </p> + <p> + And Kenneth, as he rode away, felt a new weight of responsibility as + unwelcome to him as it was certain to be to Viola; for, when all was said + and done, she was her mother's daughter and as such doubtless looked upon + him through the mother's eyes, seeing a common enemy. Still, she was his + half-sister, and whether he liked it or not he was morally bound to stand + between her and disaster,—and if Striker was right, marriage with + the wild Lapelle spelled disaster of the worst kind. He had only to + recall, however, the unaccountable look of hostility with which she had + favoured him more than once during the evening to realize that he was not + likely to be called upon for either advice or protection. + </p> + <p> + He mused aloud, with the shrug of a philosopher: "Heigh-ho! I fear me I + shall have small say as to the conduct of this newly found relation. The + only tie that bound us is gone. She is not only the child of my father, + whom she feared and perhaps hated, but of mine enemy, whom she loves,—so + the case is clear. There is a wall between us, and I shall not attempt to + surmount it. What a demnition mess it has turned out to be. I came + prepared to find only the creature I have scorned and despised, and I + discover that I have a sister so beautiful that, not knowing her at all, + my eyes are dazzled and my heart goes to thumping like any silly school + boy's. Aye, 'tis a very sorry pass. Were it not so demned upsetting, it + would be amusing. Fate never played a wilder prank. What, ho, Zachariah! + Where are we now? Whose farm is that upon the ridge?" + </p> + <p> + Zachariah, urging his horse forward, consulted his memory. Striker had + mentioned the farms they were to pass en route, and the features by which + they were to be identified. Far away on a rise in the sweep of + prairie-land stood a lonely cabin, with a clump of trees behind it. + </p> + <p> + "Well, Marse Kenneth, ef hit ain' de Sherry place hit shorely am de + Sheridan place, an' ef hit ain't nuther one o' dem hit mus' belong to + Marse Dimmit er—-" + </p> + <p> + "It is neither of these, you rascal. We are to the north of them, if I + remember our directions rightly. Mr. Hollingsworth and the Kisers live + hereabouts, according to Phineas Striker. A house with a clump of trees,—it + is Mr. Huff's farm. Soon we will come to the Martin and Talbot places, and + then the land that is mine, Zachariah. It lies for the most part on this + side of the Crawfordsville road." + </p> + <p> + "Is yo' gwine to stop dere, Marse Kenneth?" + </p> + <p> + "No. I shall ride out from town some day soon to look the place over," + said his master with a pardonable lordliness of mien, becoming to a landed + gentleman. "Our affairs at present lie in the town, for there is much to + be settled before I take charge. Striker tells me the man who is farming + the place is an able, honest fellow. I shall not disturb him. From what he + says, my property is more desirable in every way than the land that fell + to my father's widow. Her farm lies off to our left, it seems, and reaches + almost to the bottomlands of the river. We, Zachariah, are out here in the + fertile prairie land. Our west line extends along the full length of her + property. So, you see, the only thing that separates the two farms is an + imaginary line no wider than your little finger, drawn by a surveyor and + established by law. You will observe, my faithful fellow,—assuming + that you are a faithful fellow,—that as we draw farther away from + the woods along the river, the road becomes firmer, the soil less soggy, + the—If you will cast your worthless eye about you, instead of at + these mud-puddles, you will also observe the vast fields of stubble, the + immense stretches of corn stalks and the signs of spring ploughing on all + sides. Truly 'tis a wonderful country. See yon pasture, Zachariah, with + the cows and calves,—a good score of them. And have you, by the way, + noticed what a glorious day it is? This is life!" + </p> + <p> + "Yas, suh, Marse Kenneth, Ah done notice dat, an' Ah done notice somefin + ailse. Ah done notice dem buzzards flyin' low over yan way. Dat means + death, Marse Kenneth. Somefin sho' am daid over yan way." + </p> + <p> + "You are a melancholy croaker, Zachariah. You see naught but the buzzards, + when all about you are the newly come birds of spring, the bluebird, the + robin, and the thrush. Soon the meadow lark will be in the fields, and the + young quail and the prairie-hen." + </p> + <p> + "Yas, suh," agreed Zachariah, brightening, "an' de yaller-hammer an' de + blue-jay an' de—an' de rattlesnake," he concluded, with a roving, + uneasy look along the roadside. + </p> + <p> + "Do not forget the saucy parroquets we saw yesterday as we came through + the forest. You went so far in your excitement over those little green and + golden birds, with their scarlet heads, that you declared they reminded + you of the Garden of Eden. Look about you, Zachariah. Here is the Garden + of Eden, right at your feet. Do you see those plum trees over yonder? + Well, sir, old Adam and Eve used to sit under those very trees during the + middle of the day, resting themselves in the shade. And right over there + behind that big rock is where the serpent had his nest. He gave Eve a plum + instead of an apple, because Eve was especially fond of plums and did not + care at all for apples. She—" + </p> + <p> + "'Scuse me, Marse Kenneth, but dem is hawthorn trees," said Zachariah, + grinning. + </p> + <p> + "So they are, so they are. Now that I come to think of it, it was the + red-haw that Eve fancied more than any other fruit in the garden." + </p> + <p> + "Yas, suh,—an' ole Adam he was powerful fond ob snappin'-turtles fo' + breakfas'," said Zachariah, pointing to a tortoise creeping slowly along + the ditch. "An' lil Cain an' Abel,—my lan', how dem chillum used to + gobble up de mud pies ole Mammy Eve used to make right out ob dish yere + road we's ridin' on." + </p> + <p> + And so, in this sportive mood, master and man, warmed by the golden sun + and cheered by the spring wind of an April morn, traversed this new-found + realm of Cerus, forded the turbulent, swollen creek that later on ran + through the heart of the Gwynne acres, and came at length to the main road + leading into the town. + </p> + <p> + They passed log cabins and here and there pretentious frame houses + standing back from the road in the shelter of oak and locust groves. Their + passing was watched by curious women and children in dooryards and + porches, while from the fields men waved greeting and farewell with the + single sweep of a hat. On every barn door the pelts of foxes and raccoons + were stretched and nailed. + </p> + <p> + Presently they drew near to a lane reaching off to the west, and + apparently ending in a wooded knoll, a quarter of a mile away. + </p> + <p> + "There," said Kenneth, with a wave of his hand, "is where I shall some day + erect a mansion, Zachariah, that will be the wonder and the envy of all + the people in the country. For unless I am mistaken, that is the grove of + oaks that Striker mentioned. Behold, Zachariah,—all that is mine. + Four hundred acres of as fine farm-land as there is in all the world, and + timber unparalleled. Yes, I am right. There is the house that Striker + described, the place where my father lived he first came to the Wea. Egad, + 'tis not a regal palace, is it, Zachariah? The most imposing thing about + it is the chimney." + </p> + <p> + They were gazing at a cabin that squatted meekly over against the wall of + oaks. Its roof was barely visible above the surrounding stockade, while + the barn and styes and sheds were hidden entirely beyond the slope. It + was, in truth, the most primitive and insignificant house they had seen + that day. + </p> + <p> + "He was one of the first to build in this virgin waste," mused the young + man aloud. "Rough and parlous were the days when he came to this land, + Zachariah. There was no town of Lafayette, no neighbours save the rude, + uncultured trappers. Now see how the times have changed. And, mark my + guess, Zachariah, there will be still greater changes before we are laid + away. There will be cities and—Ha! Look, Zachariah,—to the + right of the grove. It is all as Striker said. There is the other house,—two + miles or more to the westward. That is HER house. It is new, scarce two + years old, built of lumber instead of logs, and quite spacious. There are, + he tells me, two stories, containing four rooms, with a kitchen off the + back, a smoke-house and a granary besides the barn,—yes, I see them + all, just as he said we should see them after we rounded the grove." + </p> + <p> + He drew rein and gazed at the distant house, set on a ridge and backed by + the seemingly endless forest that stretched off to the north and south. + His face clouded, his jaw was set, and his eyes were hard. + </p> + <p> + "Yes, that would be Rachel Carter's house," he continued, harshly. "Her + land and my land lying side by side, with only a fence between. Her grain + and my grain growing out of the same soil. What an unholy trick for fate + to play. Perhaps she is over there, even now. She and Viola. It is not + likely that they would have started for town at an earlier hour than this. + And to think of the damnable situation I shall find in town. She will be + my neighbour,—just as she was twenty years ago. We shall live within + speaking distance of each other, we shall see each other perhaps a dozen + times a day, and yet we may neither speak nor see. Egad, I wonder what + I'll do if she even attempts to address me! Heigh-ho! 'Tis the mischief of + Satan himself. Come, Zachariah,—you lazy rascal! As if you had not + slept soundly all night long, you must now fall asleep sitting bolt + upright in the saddle." + </p> + <p> + And so on they rode again, at times breaking into a smart canter where the + road was solid, but for the most part proceeding with irksome slowness + through the evil slough. Ahead lay the dense wood they were to traverse + before coming to the town. Soon the broad, open prairie would be behind + them, they would be plunged into the depths of a forest primeval, wending + their way through five miles of solitude to the rim of the vale in which + the town was situated. But the forest had no terrors for them. They were + accustomed to the long silences, the sombre shades, the seemingly endless + stretches of wildwood wherein no mortal dwelt. They had come from afar and + they were young, and hardy, and fearless. Beyond that wide wall of trees + lay journey's end; a new life awaited them on the other side of the + barrier forest. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly Zachariah called his master's attention to a horseman who rode + swiftly, even recklessly across the fields to their left and well ahead of + them. They watched the rider with interest, struck by the furious pace he + was holding, regardless of consequences either to himself or his steed. + </p> + <p> + "Mus' be somebody pow'ful sick, Marse Kenneth, fo' dat man to be ridin' so + fas'," remarked Zachariah. + </p> + <p> + "Going for a doctor, I sup—Begad, he must have come from Rachel + Carter's farm! There is no other house in sight over in that direction. I + wonder if—" He did not complete the sentence, but frowned anxiously + as he looked over his shoulder at the distant house. + </p> + <p> + Judging by the manner and the direction in which he was galloping, the + rider would reach the main road a quarter of a mile ahead of them, about + at the point where it entered the wood. Kenneth now made out an unfenced + wagon-road through the field, evidently a short-cut from Rachel Carter's + farm to the highway. He permitted himself a faint, sardonic smile. This, + then, was to be her means of reaching the highway rather than to use the + lane that ran past his house and no doubt crossed a section of his farm. + </p> + <p> + Sure enough the horseman turned into the road some distance ahead of them + and rode straight for the forest. Then, for the first time, Gwynne + observed a second rider, motionless at the roadside, and in the shadow of + the towering, leafless trees that marked the portal through which they + must enter the forest. The flying horseman slowed down as he neared this + solitary figure, coming to a standstill when he reached his side. A moment + later, both riders were cantering toward the wood, apparently in excited, + earnest conversation. A few rods farther on, both turned to look over + their shoulders at the slow-moving travellers. Then they stopped, wheeled + about, and stood still, awaiting their approach. + </p> + <p> + Kenneth experienced a poignant thrill of apprehension What was he to + expect: a friendly or a sanguinary encounter? He slipped his right hand + into the saddle pocket and drew forth a pistol which he shoved hastily + inside his waistcoat, covering the stock with the folds of his cape. + </p> + <p> + "Keep a little way behind me," he said to his servant, a trace of + excitement in his voice. + </p> + <p> + "Yas, suh," said Zachariah, with more alacrity than valour, the whites of + his eyes betraying something more than a readiness to obey this + conservative order. It was a foregone conclusion that Zachariah would turn + tail and flee the instant there was a sign of danger. "Slave hunters, + Marse Kenneth, dat's what dey is," he announced with conviction. "Ah c'n + smell 'em five miles away. Yas, suh,—dey's gwine a' make trouble fo' + you, Marse Kenneth, sho' as you is—" But by this time he had dropped + so far behind that his opinions were valueless. + </p> + <p> + When not more than fifty yards separated the two parties, one of the men, + with a word and an imperative jerk of the head to his companion, advanced + slowly to meet Kenneth. This man was the one who had waited for the other + at the edge of the wood. + </p> + <p> + Gwynne beheld a tall, strongly built young man who rode his horse with the + matchless grace of an Indian. Although his companion was roughly dressed + and wore a coon-skin cap, this man was unmistakably a dandy. His high + beaver hat observed a jaunty, rakish tilt; his brass-buttoned coat was the + colour of wine and of the latest fashion, while his snug fitting + pantaloons were the shade of the mouse. He wore no cumbersome cape, but + fashioned about his neck and shoulders was a broad, sloping collar of + mink. There were silver spurs on his stout riding boots, and the wide + cuffs of his gauntlets were embroidered in silver. + </p> + <p> + He was a handsome fellow of the type described as dashing. Dark gleaming + eyes peered out beneath thick black eyebrows which met in an unbroken line + above his nose. Set in a face of unusual pallor, they were no doubt + rendered superlatively brilliant by contrast. His skin was singularly + white above the bluish, freshly shaven cheeks and chin. His hair was black + and long and curling. The thin lips, set and unsmiling, were nevertheless + drawn up slightly at one corner of the mouth in what appeared to be a + permanent stamp of superiority and disdain,—or even contempt. + Altogether, a most striking face, thought Gwynne,—and the man + himself a person of importance. The very manner in which he jerked his + head to his companion was proof enough of that. + </p> + <p> + "Good morning," said this lordly gentleman, bringing his horse to a + standstill and raising his "gad" to the brim of his hat in a graceful + salute. + </p> + <p> + Gwynne drew rein alongside. He had observed in a swift glance that the + stranger was apparently unarmed, except for the short, leather gad. + </p> + <p> + "Good morning," he returned. "I am on the right road to Lafayette, I take + it." "You are," said the other. "From Crawfordsville way?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes. I left that place yesterday. I come from afar, however. This is a + strange country to me." + </p> + <p> + "It is strange to most of us. Unless I am mistaken, sir, you are Mr. + Kenneth Gwynne." + </p> + <p> + The other smiled. "My approach appears to be fairly well heralded. Were I + a vain person I should feel highly complimented." + </p> + <p> + "Then you ARE Kenneth Gwynne?" said the stranger, rather curtly. + </p> + <p> + "Yes. That is my name." + </p> + <p> + "Permit me to make myself known to you. My name is Lapelle,—Barry + Lapelle. While mine no doubt is unfamiliar to you, yours is well known to + me. In fact, it is known to every one in these parts. You have long been + expected. You will find the town anxiously awaiting your appearance." He + smiled slightly. "If you could arrange to arrive after nightfall, I am + sure you would find bonfires and perhaps a torchlight procession in your + honour. As it is, I rather suspect our enterprising citizen, Mr. William + Smith, will fire a salute when you appear in view." + </p> + <p> + "A salute?" exclaimed Kenneth blankly. + </p> + <p> + "A joyful habit of his, but rather neglected of late. It used to be his + custom, I hear, to put a charge of powder in a stump and set it off + whenever a steamboat drew up to the landing. That was his way of letting + the farmers for miles around know that a fresh supply of goods had arrived + and they were to hurry in and do the necessary trading at the store. He + almost blew himself and his store to Hallelujah a year or two ago, and so + he isn't quite so enterprising as he was. I am on my way to town, Mr. + Gwynne, so if you do not mind, I shall give myself the pleasure of riding + along with you for a short distance. I shall have to leave you soon, + however, as I am due in the town by ten o'clock. You are too heavily + laden, I see, to travel at top speed,—and that is the way I am + obliged to ride, curse the luck. When I have set you straight at the + branch of the roads a little way ahead, I shall use the spurs,—and + see you later on." + </p> + <p> + "You are very kind. I will be pleased to have you jog along with me." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI — BARRY LAPELLE + </h2> + <p> + So this was Barry Lapelle. This was the wild rake who might yet become his + brother-in-law, and whose sprightly enterprise had been frustrated by a + woman who had, herself, stolen away in the dark of a far-off night. + </p> + <p> + As they rode slowly along, side by side, into the thick of the forest, + Kenneth found himself studying the lover's face. He looked for the signs + of the reckless dissipated life he was supposed to have led,—and + found them not. Lapelle's eyes were bright and clear, his skin + unblemished, his hand steady, his infrequent smile distinctly engaging. + The slight, disdainful twist never left the corner of his mouth, however. + It lurked there as a constant reminder to all the world that he, Barry + Lapelle, was a devil of a fellow and was proud of it. While he was + affable, there was no disguising the fact that he was also condescending. + Unquestionably he was arrogant, domineering, even pompous at times, + absolutely sure of himself. + </p> + <p> + He spoke with a slight drawl, in a mellow, agreeable voice, and with + meticulous regard for the King's English,—an educated youth who had + enjoyed advantages and associations uncommon to young men of the frontier. + His untanned face testified to a life of ease and comfort, spent in + sheltered places and not in the staining open, where sun and wind laid + bronze upon the skin. A lordly fellow, decided Kenneth, and forthwith took + a keen dislike for him. Nevertheless, it was not difficult to account for + Viola's interest in him; nor, to a certain extent, the folly which led her + to undertake the exploit of the night before. Barry Lapelle would have his + way with women. + </p> + <p> + "You come from Kentucky, Mr. Gwynne," Lapelle was saying. "I am from + Louisiana. My father came up to St. Louis a few years ago after + establishing a line of steamboats between Terre Haute and the gulf. Two of + our company's boats come as far north as Lafayette, so I spend + considerable of my time there at this season of the year. You will find, + sir, a number of Kentucky and Virginia people in this part of the state. + Splendid stock, some of them. I understand you have spent several years in + the East, at college and in pursuit of your study of the law." + </p> + <p> + "Principally in New York and Philadelphia," responded the other, subduing + a smile. "My fame seems to have preceded me, Mr. Lapelle. Even in remote + parts of the country I find my arrival anticipated. The farmer with whom I + spent the night was thoroughly familiar with my affairs." + </p> + <p> + "You are an object of interest to every one in this section," said + Lapelle, indifferently. "Where did you spend the night?" + </p> + <p> + "At the farm of a man named Striker,—Phineas Striker." + </p> + <p> + Lapelle started. His body appeared to stiffen in the saddle. + </p> + <p> + "Phineas Striker?" he exclaimed, with a swift, searching look into the + speaker's eyes. Suddenly a flush mantled his cheek. "You were at Phineas + Striker's last night?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes. We had lost our way and came to his place just before the storm," + said Kenneth, watching his companion narrowly. Lapelle's face was a study. + Doubt, indecision, even dismay, were expressed in swift succession. + </p> + <p> + "Then you must have met,—but no, it isn't likely," he said, in some + confusion. + </p> + <p> + Kenneth hesitated a moment, enjoying the other's discomfiture. Then he + said: "I met no one there except my sister, who also happened to be + spending the night with the Strikers." + </p> + <p> + The colour faded from Lapelle's face, leaving it a sickly white. "Were you + in any way responsible for—well, for her departure, Mr. Gwynne?" he + demanded, his eyes flaming with swift, sudden anger. + </p> + <p> + "I was not aware of her departure until I arose this morning, Mr. Lapelle. + Striker informed me that she went away before sunrise." + </p> + <p> + For a moment Lapelle glared at him suspiciously, and then gave vent to a + short, contemptuous laugh. + </p> + <p> + "A thousand apologies," he said, shrugging his shoulders. "I might have + known you would not be consulted." + </p> + <p> + "I never laid eyes on my half-sister until last night," said Kenneth, + determined to hold his temper. "It is not likely that she would have asked + the advice of a total stranger, is it? Especially in so simple a matter as + going home when she felt like it." + </p> + <p> + Lapelle shrugged his shoulders again. "I quite forgot that you are a + lawyer, Mr. Gwynne," he said, drily. "Is it your purpose to hang out your + shingle in the town of Lafayette?" + </p> + <p> + "My plans are indefinite." + </p> + <p> + "You could do worse, I assure you. The town is bound to grow. It will be + an important town in a very few years." And so the subject uppermost in + the minds of both was summarily dismissed. + </p> + <p> + They came at last to the point where a road branched off to the right. The + stillness was intense. There was no sign of either human or animal life in + the depths of this wide, primeval forest. + </p> + <p> + "Follow this road," said Lapelle, pointing straight ahead. "It will take + you into the town. You will find the bridge over Durkee's Run somewhat + shaky after the rain, but it is safe. I must leave you here. I shall no + doubt see you at Johnson's Inn, in case you intend to stop there. Good + morning, sir." + </p> + <p> + He lifted his hat and, touching the spirited mare with the gad, rode + swiftly away. A few hundred feet ahead he overtook his mud-spattered + friend and the two of them were soon lost to sight among the trees. + </p> + <p> + Kenneth fell into profound cogitation. Evidently Lapelle had waited at the + edge of the forest for a report of some description from the farmhouse + belonging to Rachel Carter. In all probability Viola was still at the farm + with her mother, and either she had sent a message to her lover or had + received one from him. Or, it was possible, Lapelle had despatched his man + to the farmhouse to ascertain whether the girl was there, or had been + hurried on into the town by her mother. In any case, the disgruntled lover + was not content to acknowledge himself thwarted or even discouraged by the + miscarriage of his plans of the night just ended. Kenneth found himself + wondering if the incomprehensible Viola would prove herself to be equally + determined. If so, they would triumph over opposition and be married, + whether or no. He was conscious of an astounding, almost unbelievable + desire to stand with Rachel Carter in her hour of trouble. + </p> + <p> + His thoughts went back, as they had done more than once that morning, to + Viola's artful account of his own father. He had felt sorry for her during + and after the recital and now, with the truth revealed to him, he was even + more concerned than before,—for he saw unhappiness ahead of her if + she married this fellow Lapelle. He went even farther back and recalled + his own caustic opinions of certain young rakes he had known in the East, + wherein he had invariably asseverated that if he "had a sister he would + sooner see her dead than married to that rascal." Well,—here he was + with a sister,—and what was he to do about it? + </p> + <p> + Zachariah, observing the dark frown upon his master's face, and receiving + no answer to a thrice repeated question, fell silent except for the almost + inaudible hymn with which he invited consolation. + </p> + <p> + From afar in the thick wood now came the occasional report of a gun, proof + that hunters were abroad. Many times Kenneth was roused from his reverie + by the boom and whiz of pheasants, or the ring of a woodman's axe, or the + lively scurrying of ground squirrels across his path. They forded three + creeks before emerging upon a boggy, open space, covered with a mass of + flattened, wind-broken reeds and swamp grass, in the centre of which lay a + wide, still bayou partially fringed by willows with the first sickly signs + of spring upon them in the shape of timid mole-ear leaves. Beyond the + bridge over the canal-like stream which fed the bayou was a ridge of hills + along whose base the road wound with tortuous indecision. + </p> + <p> + The first log cabin they had seen since entering the wood nestled among + the scrub oaks of the hill hard by. The front wall of the hut was + literally covered with the pegged-up skins of foxes, raccoons and what + were described to Kenneth as the hides of "linxes," but which, in reality, + were from the catamount. A tall, bewhiskered man, smoking a corncob pipe, + leaned upon the rail fence, regarding the strangers with lazy interest. + </p> + <p> + Kenneth drew rein and inquired how far it was to Lafayette. + </p> + <p> + "'Bout two mile an' a half," replied the man. "My name is Stain, Isaac + Stain. I reckon you must be Mister Kenneth Gwynne. I heerd you'd be along + this way some time this mornin'." + </p> + <p> + "I suppose Mr. Lapelle informed you that I was coming along behind," said + Kenneth, smiling. + </p> + <p> + "'Twuzn't Barry Lapelle as told me. I hain't seen him to-day." + </p> + <p> + "Didn't he pass here within the hour?" + </p> + <p> + "Nope," was the laconic response. + </p> + <p> + "I met him back along the road. He was coming this way." + </p> + <p> + "Must 'a' changed his mind." + </p> + <p> + "He probably took another road." + </p> + <p> + "There hain't no other road. I reckon he turned off into the wood an' + 'lowed you to pass," said Mr. Stain slowly. + </p> + <p> + "But he was in great haste to reach town. He may have passed when you were + not—" + </p> + <p> + "He didn't pass this place unless he was astraddle of an eagle er + somethin' like that," declared the other, grinning. "An' even then he'd + have to be flyin' purty doggone high ef I couldn't see him. Nope. I guess + he took to the woods, Mr. Gwynne, for one reason er 'nother,—an' it + must ha' been a mighty good reason, 'cause from what I know about Barry + Lapelle he allus knows which way he's goin' to leap long before he leaps. + He's sorter like a painter in that way." + </p> + <p> + Kenneth, knowing that he meant panther when he said painter, was properly + impressed. + </p> + <p> + "It is very strange," he said, frowning. It was suddenly revealed to him + that if Lapelle had tricked him it was because the messenger had brought + word from Viola, at the farmhouse, and that the baffled lovers might even + now be laying fresh plans to outwit the girl's mother. This fear was + instantly dissipated by the next remark of Isaac Stain. + </p> + <p> + "Nope. It wuzn't him that told me about you, pardner. It wuz Violy Gwyn. + She went by here with her ma, jes' as I wuz startin' off to look at my + traps,—'long about seven o'clock, I reckon,—headed for town. + She sez to me, sez she: 'Ike, there'll be a young man an' a darkey boy + come ridin' this way some time this forenoon an' I want you to give him a + message for me.' 'With pleasure,' sez I; 'anything you ask,' sez I. + 'Well,' sez she, 'it's this. Fust you ask him ef his name is Kenneth + Gwynne, an 'ef he sez it is, then you look an' see ef he is a tall feller + an' very good-lookin', without a beard, an' wearin' a blue cape, an' when + you see that he answers that description, why, you tell him to come an' + see me as soon as he gits to town. Tell him it's very important.' 'All + right,' sez I, 'I'll tell him.'" + </p> + <p> + "Where was her mother all this time?" + </p> + <p> + "Settin' right there in the buggy beside her, holdin' the reins. Where + else would she be?" + </p> + <p> + "Did she say anything about my coming to see her daughter?" + </p> + <p> + "Nope. She never said anythin' 'cept 'Good mornin', Ike,' an' I sez 'Good + mornin', Mrs. Gwyn.' She don't talk much, she don't. You see, she's in + mournin' fer her husband. I guess he wuz your pa, wuzn't he?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes," said Kenneth briefly. "Was there anything else?" + </p> + <p> + "Nothin' to amount to anything. Violy sez, 'When did you get the linx + skins, Ike?' an' I sez, 'Last Friday, Miss Violy,' an' she sez, 'Ain't + they beautiful?' an' I sez—" + </p> + <p> + "She wants me to come to her house?" broke in Kenneth, his brow darkening. + </p> + <p> + "I reckon so." + </p> + <p> + "Well, I thank you, Mr. Stain. You are very kind to have waited so long + for me to arrive. I—" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, I'd do a whole lot more'n that fer her," said the hunter quickly. + "You see, I've knowed her ever since she wuz knee-high to a duck. She + wuzn't more'n five or six when I brung her an' her folks up the Wabash in + my perogue, all the way from Vincennes, an' it wuz me that took her down + to St. Louis when she went off to school—her an' some friends of her + pa's. Skinny, gangling sort of a young 'un she wuz, but let me tell you, + as purty as a picter. I allus said she'd be the purtiest woman in all + creation when she got her growth an' filled out, an', by hokey, I wuz + right. Yes, sir, I used to run a boat on the river down below, but I give + it up quite awhile ago an' come up here to live like a gentleman." He + waved his hand proudly over his acre and a half estate. "I wuz talkin' to + Bill Digby not long ago an' he sez this is a wonderful location for a + town, right here at the fork of two o' the best fishin' cricks in the + state. An' Bill he'd ort to know, 'cause he's laid out more towns than + anybody I know of. The only trouble with Bill is that as soon as he lays + 'em out somebody comes along an' offers him a hundred dollars er so fer + 'em, er a team of hosses, er a good coon dog, an' he up an' sells. Now, + with me, I—Got to be movin' along, have you? Well, good-bye, an' be + a little keerful when you come to Durkee's Run bridge. It's kinder + wobbly." + </p> + <p> + They were fording a creek some distance beyond Stain's cabin when Kenneth + broke the silence that had followed the conversation with the hunter by + exploding violently: + </p> + <p> + "Under no circumstances,—and that's all there is to it." + </p> + <p> + Zachariah, ever ready to seize an opportunity to raise his voice, either + in expostulation or agreement, took this as a generous opening. He + exclaimed with commendable feeling: + </p> + <p> + "Yas, suh! Undeh no suckemstances! No, suh!" + </p> + <p> + "It is not even to be thought of," declared his master, frowning heavily. + </p> + <p> + "No, suh! We can't even think about it, Marse Kenneth," said Zachariah, a + trifle less decisively. + </p> + <p> + "So that is the end of it,—absolutely the end." + </p> + <p> + "Dat's what Ah say,—yas, suh, dat's what Ah say all along, suh!" + </p> + <p> + His master suddenly turned upon him. "I cannot go to that woman's house. + It is unthinkable, Zachariah." + </p> + <p> + Zachariah began to see light. "Yo' all got to be mighty car'ful 'bout dese + yere strange women, Marse Kenneth. Don' you forget what done happen in 'at + ole Garden of Eden. Dis yere old Eve, she—" + </p> + <p> + "Still I am greatly relieved to know that she is in town and not out on + the farm. It is a relief, isn't it, Zachariah?" + </p> + <p> + "Yas, suh,—hit sho'ly am." + </p> + <p> + They progressed slowly up a long hill and came to an extensive clearing, + over which perhaps half a dozen farmhouses were scattered. Beyond this + open space they entered a narrow strip of wood and, upon emerging, had + their first glimpse of the Wabash River. + </p> + <p> + Stopping at the brow of the hill, they looked long and curiously over the + valley into which they were about to descend. The panorama was + magnificent. To the left flowed the swollen, turgid river, high among the + willows and sycamores that guarded the low-lying bank. Far to the north it + could be seen, a clayish, ugly monster, crawling down through the heart of + the bowl-like depression. Mile after mile of sparsely wooded country lay + revealed to the gaze of the travellers, sunken between densely covered + ridges, one on either side of the river. Half a mile beyond where they + stood feathery blue plumes of smoke rose out of the tree tops and, + dispersing, floated away on the breeze,—and there lay the town of + Lafayette, completely hidden from view. + </p> + <p> + The road wound down the hill and across a clumsily constructed bridge + spanning the Run and thence along the flat shelf that rimmed the + bottom-land, through a maze of wild plum and hazel brush squatting, as it + were, at the feet of the towering forest giants that covered the hills. + </p> + <p> + Presently the travellers came upon widely separated cabins and gardens, + and then, after passing through a lofty grove, found themselves entering + the town itself. Signs of life and enterprise greeted them from all sides. + Here, there and everywhere houses were in process of erection,—log-cabins, + frame structures, and even an occasional brick dwelling-place. Turning + into what appeared to be a well-travelled road,—(he afterwards found + it to be Wabash Street), Kenneth came in the course of a few minutes to + the centre of the town. Here was the little brick courthouse and the jail, + standing in the middle of a square which still contained the stumps of + many of the trees that originally had flourished there. At the southwest + corner of the square was the tavern, a long story and a half log house,—and + it was a welcome sight to Gwynne and his servant, both of whom were + ravenously hungry by this time. + </p> + <p> + The former observed, with considerable satisfaction, that there were quite + a number of substantial looking buildings about the square, mostly stores, + all of them with hitching-racks along the edge of the dirt sidewalks. As + far as the eye could reach, in every direction, the muddy streets were + lined with trees. + </p> + <p> + Half a dozen men were standing in front of the tavern when the newcomers + rode up. Kenneth dismounted and threw the reins to his servant. Landlord + Johnson hurried out to greet him. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII — THE END OF THE LONG ROAD + </h2> + <p> + "We've been expecting you, Mr. Gwynne," he said in his most genial manner. + "Step right in. Dinner'll soon be ready, and I reckon you must be hungry. + Take the hosses around to the stable, nigger, and put 'em up. I allowed + you'd be delayed some by the bad roads, but I guess you must have got a + late start this mornin' from Phin Striker's. Mrs.—er—ahem! I + mean your step-mother sent word that you were on the way and to have + accommodations ready for you. Say, I'd like to make you acquainted with—" + </p> + <p> + "My step-mother sent word to you?" demanded Kenneth, incredulously. + </p> + <p> + "She did. What would you expect her to do, long as she knew you were + headed this way? I admit she isn't specially given to worryin' about other + people's comforts, but, when you get right down to it, I guess she + considers you a sort of connection of hers, spite of everything, and so + she lays herself out a little. But I want to tell you one thing, Mr. + Gwynne, you're not going to find her particularly cordial, as the sayin' + is. She's about as stand-offish and unneighbourly as a Kickapoo Indian. + But, as I was sayin', I'd like to make you acquainted with some of our + leadin' citizens. This is Daniel Bugher, the recorder, and Doctor Davis, + Matt Scudder, Tom Benbridge and John McCormick. It was moved and seconded, + soon as you heaved in sight, that we repair at once to Sol Hamer's grocery + for a little—" + </p> + <p> + "Excuse me," broke in Kenneth, laughing; "I have heard of that grocery, + and I think it would be wise for me to become a little better acquainted + with my surroundings before I begin trading there." + </p> + <p> + The landlord rubbed his chin and the other gentlemen laughed uproariously. + </p> + <p> + "Well," said the former, "I can see one thing mighty plain. You're going + to be popular with my wife and all the other women in town. They'll point + to you and say to practically nine-tenths of the married men in Lafayette: + 'There's a man that don't drink, and goodness knows HE isn't a preacher!'" + </p> + <p> + "I am hardly what you would call a teetotaler, gentlemen," said Gwynne, + still smiling. + </p> + <p> + "Wait till you get down with a spell of the Wabash shakes," said Mr. + McCormick. "That'll make a new man of him, won't it, Doc?" + </p> + <p> + "Depends somewhat on his constitution and the way he was brought up," said + the doctor, with a professional frown which slowly relaxed into an + unprofessional smile. + </p> + <p> + "I was brought up by my grandmother," explained Kenneth, vastly amused. + </p> + <p> + "That settles it," groaned Mr. Johnson. "You're not long for this world. + Before we go in I wish you'd take a look at the new courthouse. We're + mighty proud of that building. There isn't a finer courthouse in the state + of Indiana,—or maybe I'd better say there won't be if it's ever + finished." "I noticed it as I came by," said the newcomer, dismissing the + structure with a glance. "If you will conduct me to my room, Mr. Johnson, + I—" + </p> + <p> + "Just a second," broke in the landlord, his gaze fixed on a horseman who + had turned into the street some distance below. "Here comes Barry Lapelle,—down + there by that clump of sugar trees. He's the most elegant fellow we've got + in town, and you'll want to know him. Makes Lafayette his headquarters + most of the—" + </p> + <p> + "I have met Mr. Lapelle," interrupted Kenneth. "This morning, out in the + country." + </p> + <p> + "You don't say so!" exclaimed Johnson. The citizens exchanged a general + look of surprise. + </p> + <p> + "Thought you said he went down the river on yesterday's boat," said + Scudder. + </p> + <p> + "That's just what he did," said Johnson, puzzled. "Packed some of his + things and said he'd be gone a week or so. He must have got off at Attica,—but, + no, he couldn't have got here this soon by road. By glory, I hope the boat + didn't strike a snag or a rock, or run ashore somewhere. Looks kind of + serious, boys." + </p> + <p> + "Couldn't he have landed almost anywhere in a skiff?" inquired Gwynne, his + eyes on the approaching horseman. + </p> + <p> + "Certainly he could,—but why? He had business down at Covington, he + said." + </p> + <p> + "He told me this morning he had very important business here. That is why + he could not ride in with me," said Kenneth, affecting indifference. "By + the way, is he riding his own horse?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes," said Benbridge. "That's his mare Fancy,—thoroughbred filly by + King Philip out of Shawnee Belle. He sent her down to Joe Fell's to stud + yesterday and—Say, that accounts for him being on her now. You made + a good guess, Mr. Gwynne. He must have landed at La Grange, rowed across + the river, and hoofed it up to Fell's farm. But what do you suppose made + him change his mind so suddenly?" + </p> + <p> + "He'll probably tell you to go to thunder if you ask him," said the + landlord. + </p> + <p> + "I'm not going to ask him anything," retorted Benbridge. + </p> + <p> + "He's working tooth and nail against the Wabash and Erie Canal that's + projected to run from Lake Erie to the mouth of the Tippecanoe, Mr. + Gwynne," said one of the citizens. "But it's coming through in spite of + him and all the rest of the river hogs." + </p> + <p> + "I see," said the young man, a grim smile playing about his lips. + </p> + <p> + He knew that the mare Fancy had been in waiting for her master when he + clambered ashore on the river bank opposite La Grange, and he also + suspected that the little steamboat had remained tied up at the landing + all night long and well into the morning, expecting two passengers who + failed to come aboard. He could not suppress a chuckle of satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + Lapelle rode up at this instant and, throwing the bridle rein to a boy who + had come running up from the stable, dismounted quickly. He came straight + to Gwynne, smiling cordially. + </p> + <p> + "I see you beat me in. After we parted I decided to cut through the woods + to have a look at Jack Moxley's keel boat, stuck in the mud on this side + of the river. You'd think the blame fool would have sense enough to keep + well out in mid stream at a time like this. Happy to have you here with + us, and I hope you will like us well enough to stay." + </p> + <p> + "Thank you. I shall like you all better after I have had something to + eat," said Kenneth. + </p> + <p> + "And drink," added Lapelle. It was then that Kenneth noticed that his eyes + were slightly blurred and his voice a trifle thick. He had been drinking. + </p> + <p> + "What turned you back, Barry?" inquired McCormick. "Thought you were to be + gone a week or—" + </p> + <p> + "Changed my mind," said Lapelle curtly, and then, apparently on second + thought, added: "I got off the boat at La Grange and crossed over to spend + the night at Martin Hawk's, the man you saw with me this morning, Mr. + Gwynne. He is a hunter down Middleton way. I fish and hunt with him a good + deal. Well, I reckon I'd better go in and get out of these muddy boots and + pants." + </p> + <p> + Without another word, he strode up the steps, across the porch and into + the tavern, his head high, his gait noticeably unsteady. + </p> + <p> + "Martin Hawk!" growled the landlord. "The orneriest cuss this side of + hell. Plain no-good scalawag. Barry'll find it out some day, and then + maybe he'll wish he had paid some attention to what I've been tellin' + him." + </p> + <p> + "Wouldn't surprise me a bit if Mart knows a whole lot more about what + became of some mighty good yearlin' colts that used to belong to honest + men down on the Wea," said one of the group, darkly. + </p> + <p> + "I wouldn't trust Mart Hawk as far as I could throw a thousand pound + rock," observed Mr. Johnson, compressing his lips. "Well, come on in, Mr. + Gwynne, and slick up a bit. The dinner bell will be ringin' in a few + minutes, and I want you to meet the cook before you risk eatin' any of her + victuals. My wife's the cook, so you needn't look scared. Governor Noble + almost died of over-feedin' the last time he was here,—but that + wasn't her fault. And my daughters, big and little, seem anxious to get + acquainted with the celebrated Kenneth Gwynne. People have been talkin' so + much about you for the last six months that nearly everybody calls you by + your first name, and Jim Crouch's wife is so taken with it that she has + made up her mind to call her baby Kenneth,—that is, providing nature + does the right thing. Next week some time, ain't it, Doc?" + </p> + <p> + "That's what most everybody in town says, Bob," replied the doctor + solemnly, "so I guess it must be true." + </p> + <p> + "We begin counting the inhabitants of the town as far as a month ahead + sometimes," explained Mr. McCormick drily. "I don't know as we've been out + of the way more than a day or a day-and-a-half on any baby that's been + born here in the last two years. Hope to see you in my store down there, + Mr. Gwynne—any time you're passing that way. You can't miss it. It's + just across the street from that white frame building with the green + stripes running criss-cross on the front door,—Joe Hanna's store." + </p> + <p> + "Robert Gwyn's son is always welcome at my store and my home," said + another cordially. "We didn't know till last fall that he had a son, and—well, + I hope you don't mind my saying we couldn't believe it at first." + </p> + <p> + "You spell the name different from the way he spelled it," answered + Bugher, the recorder. "I noticed it in your letters, and it struck me as + queer." + </p> + <p> + "My father appears to have reverted to the original way of spelling the + name," said Kenneth, from the upper step. "My forebears were Welsh, you + see. The manner of spelling it was changed when they came to America, over + a hundred years ago." + </p> + <p> + His bedroom was in the small wing off the dining-room. Its one window + looked out upon the courthouse, the view being somewhat restricted by the + presence of a pair of low-branched oak trees in the side-yard, almost + within arm's length of the wall,—they were so close, in fact, that + their limbs stretched out over the rough shingle roof, producing in the + wind an everlasting sound of scratching and scraping. There was a huge + four-poster feather bed of mountainous proportions, leaving the occupant + scant space in which to move about the room. + </p> + <p> + "Last people to occupy this room," said Mr. Johnson, standing in the + doorway, "were George Ripley and Edna Cole, three weeks ago last night. + They came in from the Grand Prairie and only stayed the one night. Had to + get back to the farm next day on account of it bein' wash-day. I guess I + forgot to say they were on their weddin'-trip. Generally speaking, it + takes about three years for people to get over callin' a girl by her + maiden name,—so you needn't think there was anything wrong about + George and Edna stayin' here. I wish you could have been here to drive out + to the infare at her pa's house two nights after the weddin'. It was the + biggest ever held on that side of the river,—and as for the + shiveree,—my Lord, it WAS something to talk about. Tin cans, + cowbells, shot-guns, tenor-drums,—but I'm keeping you, Mr. Gwynne. + You'll find water in that jug over there, and a towel by the lookin' + glass. Come out when you're ready." + </p> + <p> + When Kenneth returned to the dining-room, he found Johnson waiting there + with his wife and two of his comely daughters. They were presented to the + new guest with due informality, and then the landlord went out upon the + front porch to ring the dinner-bell. + </p> + <p> + "I guess you won't be stayin' here long, Mr. Gwynne," said Mrs. Johnson. + "Your mother,—I should say, your step-mother,—has got your + house all ready for you to move right in. Job Turner moved out last week, + and she took some of the furniture and things over so's you could be sort + of at home right away." Observing his start, and the sudden tightening of + his lips, she went on complacently: "'Twasn't much trouble for her. Your + house isn't more than fifty yards from hers,—just across lots, you + might say. She—" + </p> + <p> + Kenneth, forgetting himself in his agitation, interrupted her with the + startling question: + </p> + <p> + "Where does Rachel Carter live?" + </p> + <p> + "Rachel who?" + </p> + <p> + He collected his wits, stammering: + </p> + <p> + "I believe that was her name before she—before she married my + father." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, I see. Her name is Rachel, of course. Well, her house is up Columbia + street,—that's the one on the other side of the square,—almost + to the hill where Isaac Edwards has his brickyard, just this side of the + swamp." + </p> + <p> + After dinner, which was eaten at a long table in company with eight or ten + "customers," to whom he was introduced by the genial host, he repaired to + the office of Recorder Bugher. + </p> + <p> + "Everything's in good shape," announced Bugher. "There ain't a claim + against the property, now that Mrs. Gwyn has given up her idea of + contesting the will. The property is in your name now, Mr. Gwynne,—and + that reminds me that your father, in his will, spells your name with a + double n and an e, while he spells hers with only one n. He took into + consideration the fact that you spelled your name in the new-fangled way, + as you say he used to spell it in Kentucky. And that also accounts for his + signing the will 'Robert Gwyn, formerly known as Robert Gwynne.' It's + legal, all right, properly witnessed and attested by two reliable men of + this county." + </p> + <p> + "I have seen a copy of the will." + </p> + <p> + "Another queer thing about it is that he bequeathed certain property to + you as 'my son, Kenneth Gwynne,'—while he fails to mention his + daughter Viola at all, except to say that he bequeaths so-and-so to + 'Rachel Gwyn, to give, bequeath and devise as she sees fit.' Of course, + Viola, by law, is entitled to a share of the estate and it should have + been so designated. Judge Wylie says she can contest the will if she so + desires, on the ground that she is entitled to as much as you, Mr. Gwynne. + But she has decided to let it stand as it is, and I guess she's sensible. + All that her mother now has will go to her when said Rachel dies, and as + it will be a full half of the estate instead of what might have been only + a third, I guess she's had pretty good advice from some one." + </p> + <p> + "The fact that my half-sister was not mentioned in the will naturally led + me to conclude that no such person existed. I did not know till this + morning, Mr. Bugher, that I had a half-sister." + </p> + <p> + "Well," began the recorder, pursing his lips, "for that matter she didn't + know she had a half-brother till the will was read, so she was almost as + ignorant as you." + </p> + <p> + "It's all very strange,—exceedingly strange." + </p> + <p> + "When did your own mother die, if it's a fair question?" + </p> + <p> + "In the year 1812. My father was away when she died." + </p> + <p> + "Off to the war, I suppose." + </p> + <p> + "Yes," said the young man steadily. "Off to the war," he lied, still + staring out of the window. "I was left with my grandparents when he went + off to make his fortune in this new country. It was not until I was fairly + well grown that we heard that he was married to a woman named Rachel + Carter." + </p> + <p> + "Well, I guess it's something you don't like to talk about," said Mr. + Bugher, and turned his attention to the records they were consulting. + </p> + <p> + Later the young man called at the office of Mr. Cornell, the lawyer who + had charge of his affairs. He had come to Lafayette prepared to denounce + Rachel Carter, to drive her in shame and disgrace from the town, if + necessary. Now he found himself confronted by a condition that distressed + and perplexed him; his bitter resolve was rudely shaken and he was in a + dire state of uncertainty. He was faced by a most unexpected and + staggering situation. + </p> + <p> + To denounce Rachel Carter would be to deliberately strike a cruel, + devastating blow at the happiness and peace of an innocent person,—Viola + Gwyn, his own half-sister. A word from him, and that lovely girl, serene + in her beliefs, would be crushed for life. The whole scheme of life had + been changed for him in the twinkling of an eye, as it were. He could not + wreak vengeance upon Rachel Carter without destroying Viola Gwyn,—and + the mere thought of that caused him to turn cold with repugnance. How + could he publish Rachel Carter's infamy to the world with that innocent + girl standing beside her to receive and sustain the worst of the shock? + Impossible! Viola must be spared,—and so with her, Rachel Carter! + </p> + <p> + Then there was the strange message he had received from Viola, through the + hunter, Stain. What was back of the earnest request for him to come and + see her at her mother's house? Was she in trouble? Was she in need of his + help? Was she depending upon him, her blood relation, for counsel in an + hour of duress? He was sadly beset by conflicting emotions. + </p> + <p> + In the course of his interview with the lawyer, from whom he had decided + to withhold much that he had meant to divulge, he took occasion to inquire + into the present attitude of Rachel Carter,—or Gwyn, as he + reluctantly spoke of her,—toward him, an open and admitted + antagonist. + </p> + <p> + "Well," said Cornell, shaking his head, "I don't believe you will catch + her asking any favours of you. She has laid down her arms, so to speak, + but that doesn't mean she intends to be friendly. As a matter of fact, she + simply accepts the situation,—with very bad grace, of course,—but + she'll never be able to alter her nature or her feelings. She considers + herself cheated, and that's all there is to it. I doubt very much whether + she will even speak to you, Mr. Gwynne. She is a strange woman, and a hard + one to understand. She fought desperately against your coming here at all. + One of her propositions was that she should be allowed to buy your share + of the estate, if such a transaction could be arranged, you will remember. + You declined to consider it. This was after she withdrew her proposed + contest of the will. Then she got certain Crawfordsville men interested in + the purchase of your land, and they made you a bona fide offer,—I + think they offered more than the property is worth, by the way. I think, + back of everything, she could not bear the thought of you, the son of a + former wife, living next door to her. Jealousy, I suppose,—but not + unnatural, after all, in a second wife, is it? They're usually pretty + cantankerous when it comes to the first wife's children. As regards her + present attitude, I think she'll let you alone if you let her alone." + </p> + <p> + "My sister has asked me to come up to the house to see her this + afternoon," said Kenneth. + </p> + <p> + The lawyer looked surprised. "Is that so? Well," with a puzzled frown, "I + don't quite understand how she came to do that. I was under the impression + that she felt about as bitterly toward you as her mother does. In fact, + she has said some rather nasty things about you. Boasted to more than one + of her friends that she would slap your face if you ever tried to speak to + her." + </p> + <p> + Kenneth smiled, a reminiscent light in his eyes. "She has done so, + figuratively speaking, Mr. Cornell. I am confident she hates me,—but + if that's the case, why should she leave word for me to come and see her?" + </p> + <p> + "Experience has taught me that women have a very definite object in view + when they let on as if they had changed their minds," was the judicial + opinion of Mr. Cornell. "Maybe they don't realize it, but they are as wily + as the devil when they think, and you think, and everybody else thinks, + they're behaving like an angel. It's not for me to say whether you should + go to see her or not, but I believe I would if I were in your place. Maybe + she has made up her mind to be friendly, on the surface at least, and as + you are bound to meet each other at people's houses, parties, and all + such, perhaps it would be better to bury the hatchet. I think you will be + quite safe in going up there to-day, so far as Mrs. Gwyn is concerned. She + will not appear on the scene, I am confident. You will not come in contact + with her. You say that she has put some of her furniture at your disposal, + but she doubtless did so on the advice of her lawyer. You must not forget + that your father, in his will, left half of his personal effects to you. + She is just smart enough to select in advance the part that she is willing + for you to have, feeling that you will not be captious about it." + </p> + <p> + "I have no desire to exact anything of—" + </p> + <p> + "Quite so, quite so," broke in the lawyer. "But she could not be expected + to know that. She is a long-headed woman, Mr. Gwynne. I suspect she is + considerably worried about Viola. Your half-sister is being rather + assiduously courted by a young man named Lapelle. Mrs. Gwyn does not + approve of him. She is strait-laced and—er—puritanical." + </p> + <p> + "Puritanical, eh?" said Kenneth, with a short laugh that Mr. Cornell + totally misinterpreted. + </p> + <p> + "Barry isn't exactly what you would call sanctimonious," admitted the + lawyer, with a dry smile. "The worst of it is, I'm afraid Viola is in love + with him." + </p> + <p> + His client was silent for a moment, reflecting. Then he arose abruptly and + announced: + </p> + <p> + "I agree with you, Mr. Cornell. I will go up to see her this afternoon. I + bear her no grudge,—and after all, she is my sister. Good day, sir. + I shall give myself the pleasure of calling in to see you to-morrow." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII — RACHEL CARTER + </h2> + <p> + Kenneth strolled about the town for awhile before returning to the tavern + to shave, change his boots, and "smarten" himself up a bit in preparation + for the ceremonious call he had dreaded to make. On all sides he + encountered the friendliest interest and civility from the townspeople. + The news of his arrival had spread over the place with incredible + swiftness. Scores of absolute strangers turned to him and tendered to him + the welcome to be found in a broad and friendly smile. + </p> + <p> + Shortly after three o'clock he set forth upon his new adventure. Assailed + by a strange and unaccustomed timidity,—he would have called it + bashfulness had Viola been other than his sister—he approached the + young lady's home by the longest and most round-about way, a course which + caused him to make the complete circuit of the three-acre pond situated a + short distance above the public square—a shallow body of water + dignified during the wet season of the year by the high-sounding title of + "Lake Stansbury," but spoken of scornfully as the "slough" after the + summer's sun had reduced its surface to a few scattered wallows, foul and + green with scum. It was now full of water and presented quite an imposing + appearance to the new citizen as he skirted its brush-covered banks; in + his ignorance he was counting the probability of one day building a + handsome home on the edge of this tiny lake. + </p> + <p> + A man working in a garden pointed out to him Mrs. Gwyn's house half-hidden + among the trees at the foot of a small slope. + </p> + <p> + "That other house, a couple of hundred foot further on,—you can just + see it from here,—well, that belonged to Robert Gwyn. I understand + his long-lost son is comin' to live in it one of these days. They say this + boy when he was a baby was stolen by the Injins and never heard of ag'in + until a few months ago. Lived with the Injins right up to the time he was + found and couldn't speak a word of English. I have heard that he—what + are ye laughin' at, mister?" + </p> + <p> + "I was laughing at the thought of how surprised you are going to be some + day, my friend. Thank you. The house with the green window blinds, you + say?" + </p> + <p> + He proceeded first to the house that was to be his home. It was a good + stone's throw from the pretentious two-story frame structure in which + Rachel Carter and her daughter lived, but nearer the centre of the town + when approached by a more direct route than he had followed. This smaller + house, an insignificant, weather-beaten story and a half frame, snuggling + among the underbrush, was where his father had lived when he first came to + Lafayette. Later on he had erected the larger house and moved into it with + his family, renting the older place to a man named Turner. + </p> + <p> + It was faced by a crudely constructed picket fence, once white but now + mottled with scales of dirty sun-blistered paint, and inside the fence + rank weeds, burdocks and wild grass flourished without hindrance. He + strode up the narrow path to the low front door. Finding it unlocked, he + opened it and stepped into the low, roughly plastered sitting-room. The + window blinds were open, permitting light and air to enter, and while the + room was comparatively bare, there was ample evidence that it had been + made ready for occupancy by a hand which, though niggardly, was well + trained in the art of making a little go a long way. The bedroom and the + kitchen were in order. There were rag carpets on the floors, and the place + was immaculately clean. A narrow, enclosed stairway ran from the end of + the sitting-room to the attic, where he discovered a bed for his servant. + Out at the back was the stable and a wagonshed. These he did not inspect. + A high rail fence stretched between the two yards. + </p> + <p> + As he walked up the path to the front door of the new house, he was + wondering how Viola Gwyn would look in her garb of black,—the hated + black she had cast aside for one night only. He was oppressed by a dull, + cold fear, assuaged to some extent by the thrill of excitement which + attended the adventure. What was he to do or say if the door was opened by + Rachel Carter? His jaw was set, the palms of his hands were moist, and + there was a strange, tight feeling about his chest, as if his lungs were + full and could not be emptied. After a moment's hesitation, he rapped + firmly on the door with his bare knuckles. + </p> + <p> + The door was opened by a young coloured woman who wore a blue sunbonnet + and carried a red shawl over her arm. + </p> + <p> + "Is Miss Viola at home?" he inquired. + </p> + <p> + "Is dis Mistah Gwynne, suh?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes." + </p> + <p> + "Come right in, suh, an' set down." + </p> + <p> + He entered a small box of a hallway, opening upon a steep set of stairs. + </p> + <p> + "Right in heah, suh," said the girl, throwing open a door at his left. + </p> + <p> + As he walked into this room, he heard the servant shuffling up the + staircase. He deposited his hat and gloves on a small marble-top table in + the centre of the room and then sent a swift look of investigation about + him. Logs were smouldering in the deep, wide fireplace at the far end of + the room, giving out little spurts of flame occasionally from their + charred, ash-grey skeletons. The floor was covered with a bright, new rag + carpet, and there was a horse-hair sofa in the corner, and two or three + stiff, round-backed little chairs, the seats also covered with black + horse-hair. A thick, gilt-decorated Holy Bible lay in the centre of the + marble-top table, shamed now by contact with the crown of his unsaintly + hat. On the mantel stood a large, flat mahogany clock with floral + decorations and a broad, white face with vivid black numerals and long + black hands. The walls were covered with a gaudy but expensive paper, in + which huge, indescribable red flowers mingled regularly with glaring green + leaves. Two "mottoes," worked in red and blue worsted and framed with + narrow cross-pieces of oak, hung suspended in the corners beside the + fireplace. One of them read "God Bless Our Home," the other a sombre line + done in black: "Faith, Hope and Charity." + </p> + <p> + Three black oval oak frames, laden with stiff leaves that glistened under + a coat of varnish, contained faded, unlovely portraits,—one of a + bewhiskered man wearing a tall beaver hat and a stiff black stock: another + of a sloping-shouldered woman with a bonnet, from which a face, vague and + indistinct, sought vainly to emerge. The third contained a mass of dry, + brown leaves, some wisps of straw, and a few colourless pressed blossoms. + On a table in front of one of the two windows stood a spindling Dutch lamp + of white and delft blue, with a long, narrow chimney. There were two + candlesticks on the mantel. + </p> + <p> + All these features of the room he took in while he stood beside the centre + table, awaiting the entrance of Viola Gwyn. He heard a door open softly + and close upstairs, and then some one descending the steps; a few words + spoken in the subdued voice of a woman and the less gentle response of the + darky servant, who mumbled "Yas'm," and an instant later went out by the + front door. Through the window he saw her go down the walk, the red shawl + drawn tightly about her shoulders. + </p> + <p> + He smiled. The clever Viola getting rid of the servant so that she could + be alone with him, he thought, as he turned toward the door. + </p> + <p> + A tall woman in black appeared in the doorway, paused there for a second + or two, and then advanced slowly into the room. He felt the blood rush to + his head, almost blinding him. His hand went out for the support of the + table, his body stiffened and suddenly turned cold. The smile with which + he intended to greet Viola froze on his lips. + </p> + <p> + "God Al—" started to ooze from his stiff lips, but the words broke + off sharply as the woman stopped a few steps away and regarded him + steadily, silently, unsmilingly. He stood there like a statue staring into + the dark, brilliant eyes, sunken deep under the straight black eyebrows. + Even in the uncertain light from the curtained windows he could see that + her face was absolutely colourless,—the pallor of death seemed to + have been laid upon it. Swiftly she lifted a hand to her throat, her eyes + closed for a second and then flew wide open again, now filled with an + expression of utter bewilderment. + </p> + <p> + "Is it—is it you, Robert? Is it really you, or am I—" she + murmured, scarcely above a whisper. Once more she closed her eyes, + tightly; as if to shut out the vision of a ghost,—an unreal thing + that would not be there when she looked again. + </p> + <p> + The sound of her voice released him from the brief spell of stupefaction. + </p> + <p> + "I know you. I remember you. You are Rachel Carter," he said hoarsely. + </p> + <p> + She was staring at him as if fascinated. Her lips moved, but no sound + issued from them. + </p> + <p> + He hesitated for an instant and then turned to pick up his hat and gloves. + "I came to see your daughter, madame,—as well you know. Permit me to + take my departure." + </p> + <p> + "You are so like your—" she began with an effort, her voice deep and + low with emotion. "So like him I—I was frightened. I thought he had—" + She broke off abruptly, lowered her head in an attempt to hide from him + the trembling lips and chin, and to regain, if possible, the composure + that had been so desperately shaken. "Wait!" she cried, stridently. "Wait! + Do not go away. Give me time to—to—" + </p> + <p> + "There is no need for us to prolong—" he began in a harsh voice. + </p> + <p> + "I will not keep you long," she interrupted, every trace of emotion + vanishing like a shadow that has passed. She was facing him now, her head + erect, her voice steady. Her dark, cavernous eyes were upon him; he + experienced an odd, indescribable sensation,—as of shrinking,—and + without being fully aware of what he was doing, replaced his hat upon the + table, an act which signified involuntary surrender on his part. + </p> + <p> + "Where is Viola?" he demanded sternly. "She left word for me to come here. + Where is she?" + </p> + <p> + "She is not here," said the woman. + </p> + <p> + He started. "You don't mean she has—has gone away with—" + </p> + <p> + "No. She has gone over to spend the afternoon with Effie Wardlow. I will + be frank with you. This is not the time for misunderstanding. She asked + Isaac Stain to give you that message at my request,—or command, if + you want the truth. I sent her away because what I have to say to you must + be said in private. There is no one in the house besides ourselves. Will + you do me the favour to be seated? Very well; we will stand." + </p> + <p> + She turned away to close the hall door. Then she walked to one of the + windows and, drawing the curtain aside, swept the yard and adjacent + roadway with a long, searching look. + </p> + <p> + The strong light fell full upon her face; its warmth seemed suddenly to + paint the glow of life upon her pallid skin. He gazed at her intently. Out + of the past there came to him with startling vividness the face of the + Rachel Carter he had known. Despite the fact that she was now an old + woman,—he knew that she must be at least forty-six or -seven,—she + was still remarkably handsome. She was very tall, deep-chested, and as + straight as an arrow. Her smoothly brushed hair was as black as the + raven's wing. Time and the toil of long, hard hours had brought deep + furrows to her cheeks, like lines chiselled in a face of marble, but they + had not broken the magnificent body of the Rachel Carter who used to toss + him joyously into the air with her strong young arms and sure hands. But + there was left no sign of the broad, rollicking smile that always attended + those gay rompings. Her lips were firm-set, straight and unyielding,—a + hard mouth flanked by what seemed to be absolutely immovable lines. Her + chin was square; her nose firm and noticeably "hawk-like" in shape; her + eyes clear, brilliant and keenly penetrating. + </p> + <p> + She faced him, standing with her back to the light. + </p> + <p> + "Sooner or later we would have had to meet," she said. "It is best for + both of us to have it over with at the very start." + </p> + <p> + "I suppose you are right," said he stiffly. "You know how I feel toward + you, Rachel Carter. There is nothing either of us can say that will make + the situation easier or harder, for that matter." + </p> + <p> + "Yes,—I understand," said she calmly. "You hate me. You have been + brought up to hate me. I do not question the verdict of those who + condemned me, but you may as well understand at once that I do not regret + what I did twenty years ago. I have not repented. I shall never repent. We + need not discuss that side of the question any farther. You know my + history, Kenneth Gwynne. You are the only person in this part of the world + who does know it. When the controversy first came up over the settlement + of your father's estate, I feared that you would reveal the story of my—" + </p> + <p> + He held up his hand, interrupting her. "Permit me to observe, Rachel + Carter, that for many months after being notified of my father's death and + the fact that he had left me a portion of his estate, I was without + positive proof as to the identity of the woman mentioned in the + correspondence as his widow. It was not until a copy of the will was + forwarded to me that I was sure. By that time I had made up my mind to + keep my own counsel. I can say to you now, Rachel Carter, that I do not + intend to rake up that ugly story. I do not make war on helpless women." + </p> + <p> + Her lips writhed slightly, and her eyes narrowed as if with pain. It was + but a fleeting exposition of vulnerability, however, for in another + instant she had recovered. + </p> + <p> + "You could not have struck harder than that if you had been warring + against a strong man," she said gently. + </p> + <p> + A hot flush stained his cheek. "It is the way I feel, nevertheless, Rachel + Carter," he said deliberately. + </p> + <p> + "You can think of me only as Rachel Carter," she said. "My name is Rachel + Gwyn. Still it doesn't matter. I am past the point where I can be hurt. + You may tell the story if it suits your purpose. I shall deny nothing. It + may even give you some satisfaction to see me wrap my soiled robes about + me and steal away, leaving the field to you. I can sell my lands to-morrow + and disappear. It will matter little whether I am forgotten or not. The + world is large and I am not without fortitude. I wanted you to come here + to-day, to see me alone, to hear what I have to say,—not about + myself,—but about another. I am a woman of quick decisions. When I + learned early this morning that you would be in Lafayette to-day, I made + up my mind to take a certain step,—and I have not changed it." + </p> + <p> + "If you are referring to your daughter—to my half-sister, if you + will—I have only to remind you that my mind is already made up. You + need have no fear that I shall do or say anything to hurt that innocent + girl. I am assuming, of course, that she knows nothing of—well, of + what happened back there in Kentucky." + </p> + <p> + "She knows nothing," said the woman, in a voice strangely low and tense. + "If she ever knew, she has forgotten." + </p> + <p> + "Forgotten?" he cried. "Good God, how could she have forgotten a thing so—" + </p> + <p> + She moved a step nearer, her burning eyes fixed on his. + </p> + <p> + "You remember Rachel Carter well enough. Have you no recollection of the + little girl you used to play with? Minda? The babe who could scarcely + toddle when you—" + </p> + <p> + "Of course I remember her," he cried impatiently. "I remember everything. + You took her away with you and—why did you not leave her behind as + my father left me? Why could you not have been as fair to your child as he + was to his?" + </p> + <p> + She was silent for a moment, pondering her answer. "I do not suppose it + has ever occurred to you that I might have loved my child too deeply to + abandon her," she said, a strange softness in her voice. + </p> + <p> + "My father loved me," he cried out, "and yet he left me behind." + </p> + <p> + "He loved you,—yes,—but he would not take you. He left you + with some one who also loved you. Don't ever forget that, Kenneth Gwynne. + I would not go without Minda. No more would your mother have gone without + you. Stop! I did not mean to offend. So you DO remember little Minda?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, I remember her. But she is dead. Why do you mention her—" + </p> + <p> + "Minda is not dead," said she slowly. + </p> + <p> + "Not—why, she was drowned in the—" + </p> + <p> + "No. Minda is alive. You saw her last night,—at Phineas Striker's + house." + </p> + <p> + He started violently. "The girl I saw last night was—Minda?" he + cried. "Why, Striker told me she was—" + </p> + <p> + "I know,—I know," she interrupted impatiently. "Striker told you + what he believed to be true. He told you she was Robert Gwyn's daughter + and your half-sister. But I tell you now that she is Minda Carter. There + is not a drop of Gwyn blood in her body." + </p> + <p> + "Then, she is not my half-sister?" he exclaimed, utterly dazed, but aware + of the exquisite sensation of relief that was taking hold of him. + </p> + <p> + "She is no blood relation of yours." + </p> + <p> + "But she is,—yes, now I understand,—she is my step-sister," he + said, with a swift fall of spirits. + </p> + <p> + "I suppose that is what you might call her," said Rachel Gwyn, + indifferently. "I have not given it much thought." + </p> + <p> + "Does she know that she is not my father's daughter?" + </p> + <p> + "No. She believes herself to be his own flesh and blood,—his own + daughter," said she with the deliberateness of one weighing her words, + that they might fall with full force upon her listener. + </p> + <p> + "Why are you telling me all this?" he demanded abruptly. "What is your + object? If she does not know the truth, why should I? Good God, woman, you—you + do not expect ME to tell her, do you? Was that your purpose in getting me + here? You want me to tell her that—" + </p> + <p> + "No!" she cried out sharply. "I do not want you or any one else to do + that. Listen to me. I sha'n't beat about the bush,—I will not waste + words. So far as Viola and the world are concerned, she is Robert Gwyn's + daughter. That is clear to you, is it not? She was less than two years old + when we came away,—too young to remember anything. We were in the + wilderness for two or three years, and she saw but one or two small + children, so that it was a very simple matter to deceive her about her + age. She is nearly twenty-two now, although she believes she is but + nineteen. She does not remember any other father than Robert Gwyn. She has + no recollection of her own father, nor does she remember you. She—" + </p> + <p> + "Last night she described her father to me," he interrupted. "Her supposed + father, I mean. She made it quite plain that he did not love her as a + father should love his own child." + </p> + <p> + "It was not that," she said. "He was afraid of her,—mortally afraid + of her. He lived in dread of the day when she would learn the truth and + turn upon him. He always meant to tell her himself, and yet he could not + find the courage. Toward the end he could not bear to have her near him. + It would not be honest in me to say that he loved her. I do not believe he + would have loved a child if one had come to him and me,—no child of + mine could take the place you had in his heart." She spoke with calm + bitterness. "You say she told you about him last night. I am not surprised + that she should have spoken of him as she did. It was not possible for her + to love him as a father. Nature took good care of that. There was a + barrier between them. She was not his child. The tie of blood was lacking. + Nature cannot be deceived. She has never told me what her true feelings + toward him were, but I have sensed them. I could understand. I think she + is and always has been bewildered. It is possible that away back in her + brain there is something too tiny to ever become a thought, and yet it + binds her to a man she does not even remember. But we are wasting time. + You are wondering why I have told you the truth about Viola. The secret + was safe, so why should I reveal it to you,—my enemy,—isn't + that what you are thinking?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes. I don't quite grasp your motive in telling me, especially as I am + still to look upon Viola as my half-sister. I have already stated that + under no circumstances will I hurt her by raking up that old, infamous + story. I find myself in a most difficult position. She believes herself to + be my sister while I know that she is not. It must strike even you, Rachel + Carter, as the ghastliest joke that fate ever played on a man,—or a + woman, either." + </p> + <p> + "I have told you the truth, because I am as certain as I am that I stand + here now that you would have found it all out some day,—some day + soon, perhaps. In the first place your father did not mention her in his + will. That alone is enough to cause you to wonder. You are not the only + one who is puzzled by his failure to provide for her as well as for you. + Before long you would have begun to doubt, then to speculate, and finally + you would have made it your business to find out why she was ignored. In + time you could have unearthed the truth. The truth will always out, as the + saying goes. I preferred to tell it to you at once. You understand I + cannot exact any promises from you. You will do as you see fit in the + matter. There is one thing that you must realize, however. Viola has not + robbed you of anything—not even a father's love. She does not profit + by his death. He did not leave her a farthing, not even a spadeful of + land. I am entitled to my share by law. The law would have given it to me + if he had left no will. I am safe. That is clear to you, of course. I + earned my share,—I worked as hard as he did to build up a fortune. + When I die my lands and my money will go to my daughter. You need not hope + to have any part of them. I do not ask you to keep silent on my account. I + only ask you to spare her. If I have sinned,—and in the sight of + man, I suppose I have,—I alone should be punished. But she has not + sinned. I have thought it all out carefully. I have lain awake till all + hours of the night, debating what was the best thing to do. To tell you or + not to tell you, that was the question I had to settle. This morning I + decided and this is the result. You know everything. There is no need for + you to speculate. There is nothing for you to unravel. You know who Viola + is, you know why she was left out of your father's will. The point is + this, when all is said,—she must never know. She must always,—do + you hear me?—she must always look upon you as her brother. She must + never know the truth about me. I put her happiness, her pride, her faith, + in your hands, Kenneth Gwynne." + </p> + <p> + He had listened with rigid attention, marvelling at the calm, + dispassionate, unflinching manner in which she stated her case and + Viola's,—indeed, she had stated his own case for him. Apparently she + had not even speculated on the outcome of her revelations; she was sure of + her ground before she took the first step. + </p> + <p> + "There is no other course open to me," he said, taking up his hat. He was + very pale. "There is nothing more to say,—now or hereafter. We have + had, I trust, our last conversation. I hate you. I could wish you all the + unhappiness that life can give, but I am not such a beast as to tell your + daughter what kind of a woman you are. So there's the end. Good-day, + Rachel Carter." + </p> + <p> + He turned away, his hand was on the door-latch, before she spoke again. + </p> + <p> + "There is something more," she said, without moving from the spot where + she had stood throughout the recital. The same calm, cold voice,—the + same compelling manner. "It was my pleading, back in those other days, + that finally persuaded Robert Gwyn to let me bring Minda up as his + daughter. He was bitterly opposed to it at first. He never quite + reconciled himself to the deception. He did not consider it being honest + with her. He was as firm as a rock on one point, however. He would bring + her up as his daughter, but he would not give her his name. It was after + he agreed to my plan that he changed the spelling of his own name. She was + not to have his name,—the name he had given his own child. That was + his real reason for changing his name, and not, as you may suspect, to + avoid being traced to this strange land." + </p> + <p> + "A belated attempt to be fair to me, I suppose," he said, ironically. + </p> + <p> + "As you like," she said, without resentment. "In the beginning, as I have + told you, he believed it to be his duty to tell her the truth about + herself. He was sincere in that. But he did not have the heart to tell her + after years had passed. Now let me tell you what he did a few weeks before + he passed away,—and you will know what a strange man he was. He came + home one day and said to me: 'I have put Viola's case in the hands of + Providence. You may call it luck or chance if you like, but I call it + Providence. I cannot go to her face to face and tell her the truth by word + of mouth, but I have told her the whole story in writing.' I was shocked, + and cried out to know if he had written to her in St. Louis. He smiled and + shook his head. 'No, I have not done that. I have written it all out and I + have hidden the paper in a place where she is not likely to ever find it,—where + I am sure she will never look. I will not even tell you where it is + hidden,—for I do not trust you,—no, not even you. You would + seek it out and destroy it.' How well he knew me! Then he went on to say, + and I shall never forget the solemn way in which he spoke: 'I leave it all + with Providence. It is out of my hands. If she ever comes across the paper + it will be a miracle,—and miracles are not the work of man. So it + will be God Himself who reveals the truth to her.' Now you can see, + Kenneth, that the secret is not entirely in our keeping. There is always + the chance that she may stumble upon that paper. I live in great dread. My + hope now is that you will find it some day and destroy it. I have searched + in every place that I can think of. I confess to that. It is hidden on + land that some day will belong to Viola,—that much he confided to + me. It is not on the land belonging to you,—nor in your house over + there." + </p> + <p> + "You are right," he said, deeply impressed. "There is always the chance + that it will come to light. There is no telling how many times a day she + may be within arm's length of that paper,—perhaps within inches of + it. It is uncanny." + </p> + <p> + He cast a swift, searching look about the room, as if in the hope that his + eyes might unexpectedly alight upon the secret hiding place. + </p> + <p> + "He could not have hidden it in this house without my knowing it," she + said, divining his thought. + </p> + <p> + He was silent for a moment, frowning reflectively. "Are you sure that no + one else knows that she is not his daughter?" + </p> + <p> + "I am sure of it," she replied with decision. + </p> + <p> + "And there is nothing more you have to tell me?" + </p> + <p> + "Nothing. You may go now." + </p> + <p> + Without another word he left her. He was not surprised by her failure to + mention the early morning episode at Striker's cabin. His concluding + question had opened the way; it was clear that she had no intention of + discussing with him the personal affairs of her daughter. Nevertheless he + was decidedly irritated. What right had she to ask him to accept Viola as + a sister unless she was also willing to grant him the privileges and + interests of a brother? Certainly if Viola was to be his sister he ought + to have something to say about the way she conducted herself,—for + the honour of the family if for no other reason. + </p> + <p> + As he walked rapidly away from the house in the direction of Main Street, + he experienced a sudden sense of exaltation. Viola was not his sister! As + suddenly came the reaction, and with it stark realization. Viola could + never be anything to him except a sister. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX — BROTHER AND SISTER + </h2> + <p> + As he turned into Main Street he espied the figure of a woman coming + toward him from the direction of the public Square. She was perhaps a + hundred yards farther down the street and was picking her way gingerly, + mincingly, along the narrow path at the roadside. His mind was so fully + occupied with thoughts of a most disturbing character that he paid no + attention to her, except to note that she was dressed in black and that in + holding her voluminous skirt well off the ground to avoid the mud-puddles, + she revealed the bottom of a white, beruffled petticoat. + </p> + <p> + His meditations were interrupted and his interest suddenly aroused when he + observed that she had stopped stock-still in the path. After a moment, she + turned and walked rapidly, with scant regard for the puddles, in the + direction from which she had come. Fifteen or twenty paces down the road, + she came to what was undoubtedly a path or "short cut" through the wood. + Into this she turned hastily and was lost to view among the trees and + hazel-brush. + </p> + <p> + He had recognized her,—or rather he had divined who she was. He + quickened his pace, bent upon overtaking her. Then, with the thrill of the + hunter, he abruptly whirled and retraced his steps. With the + backwoodsman's cunning he hastened over the ground he had already + traversed, chuckling in anticipation of her surprise when she found him + waiting for her at the other end of the "short cut." + </p> + <p> + He had noticed a path opening into the woods at a point almost opposite + his own house, and naturally assumed that it was the one she was now + pursuing in order to avoid an encounter with him. His long legs carried + him speedily to the outlet and there he posted himself. He could hear her + coming through the brush, although her figure was still obscured by the + tangle of wildwood; the snapping of dead twigs under her feet; the + scuffling of last year's leaves on the path, now wet and plastered with + mud and the slime of winter; the swish of branches as she thrust them + aside. + </p> + <p> + She emerged, breathless, into a little open spot, not twenty feet away, + and stopped to listen, looking back through the trees and underbrush to + see if she was being followed. Her skirts were drawn up almost to the + knees and pinched closely about her grey-stockinged legs. He gallantly + turned away and pretended to be studying the house across the road. + Presently he felt his ears burning; he turned to meet the onslaught of her + scornful, convicting eyes. + </p> + <p> + She had not moved. Her hands, having released the petticoat, were clenched + at her sides. Her cheeks were crimson, and her dark eyes, peering out from + the shade of the close-fitting hood of her black bonnet, smouldered with + wrath,—and, if he could have read them better, a very decided trace + of maidenly dismay. + </p> + <p> + "Ah, there you are," he cried, lifting his hat. "I was wondering whether + you would come out at this—" + </p> + <p> + "Can't you see I am trying to avoid you?" she demanded with extreme + frigidity. + </p> + <p> + "I rather fancied you were," said he easily. "So I hurried back here to + head you off. I trust you will not turn around and run the other way, now + that I have almost trapped you. Because if you do, I shall catch up with + you in ten jumps." + </p> + <p> + "I wish you would go away," she cried. "I don't want to see you,—or + talk to you." + </p> + <p> + "Then why did you leave word for me to come to your house to see you?" he + challenged. "I suspect you know by this time," she replied, significantly. + </p> + <p> + He hesitated, regarding her with some uneasiness. "What do you mean?" he + fenced. + </p> + <p> + "Well, you surely know that it was my mother who wanted to see you, and + not I," she said, almost insolently. "Are you going to keep me standing + here in the mud and slush all day?" + </p> + <p> + "No, indeed," he said. "Please come out." + </p> + <p> + "Not until you go away." + </p> + <p> + "Why don't you want to talk to me? What have I done?" + </p> + <p> + "You know very well what you have done," she cried, hotly. "In the first + place, I don't like you. You have made it very unpleasant for my mother,—who + certainly has never done you any harm. In the second place, I resent your + interference in my affairs. Wait! Do not interrupt me, please. Maybe you + have not exactly interfered as yet, but you are determined to do so,—for + the honour of the family, I suppose." She spoke scathingly. "I defy you,—and + mother, too. I am not a child to be—" + </p> + <p> + "I must interrupt you," he exclaimed. "I haven't the slightest idea what + you are talking about." + </p> + <p> + "Don't lie," she cried, stamping her foot. "Give me credit for a little + intelligence. Don't you suppose I know what mother wanted to see you + about? There! I can see the guilty look in your eyes. You two have been + putting your heads together, in spite of all the ill-will you bear each + other, and there is no use in denying it. I am a naughty little girl and + my big brother has been called in to put a stop to my foolishness. If you—What + are you laughing at, Mr. Gwynne?" she broke off to demand furiously. + </p> + <p> + "I am laughing at you," he replied, succinctly. "You ARE like a little + girl in a tantrum,—all over nothing at all. Little girls in tantrums + are always amusing, but not always naughty. Permit me to assure you that + your mother and I have not discussed your interesting affair with Mr. + Lapelle. We talked of business mat—" + </p> + <p> + "Then," she cried, "how do you happen to know anything about Mr. Lapelle + and me? Aha! You're not as clever as you think you are. That slipped out, + didn't it? Now I know you were discussing my affairs and nothing else. + Well, what is the verdict? What are you going to do to me? Lock me in my + room, or tie me hand and foot, or—Please stay where you are. It is + not necessary to come any nearer, Mr. Gwynne." + </p> + <p> + He continued his advance through the thicket, undeterred by the ominous + light in her eyes. She stood her ground. + </p> + <p> + "I think we had better talk the matter over quietly,—Viola," he + said, affecting sternness. "We can't stand here shouting at each other. It + is possible we may never have another chance to converse freely. As a + matter of fact, I do not intend to thrust myself upon you or your mother. + That is understood, I hope. We have nothing in common and I daresay we can + go our own ways without seriously inconveniencing one another. I want you + to know, however, that I went to that house over there this afternoon + because I thought you wanted to consult with me about something. I was + prepared to help you, or to advise you, or to do anything you wanted me to + do. You were not there. I felt at first that you had played me a rather + shabby trick. Your mother,—my step-mother,—got me there under + false pretences, solely for the purpose of straightening out a certain + matter in connection with the—well, the future. She doubtless + realized that I would not have come on her invitation, so she used you as + a decoy. In any event, I am now glad that I saw her and talked matters + over. It does not mean that we shall ever be friendly, but we at least + understand each other. For your information I will state that your mother + did not refer to the affair at Striker's, nor did I. I know all about it, + however. I know that you went out there to meet Lapelle. You planned to + run away with him and get married. I may add that it is a matter in which + I have not the slightest interest. If you want to marry him, all well and + good. Do so. I shall not offer any objection as a brother or as a + counsellor. If you were to ask for my honest opinion, however, I should—" + </p> + <p> + "I am not asking for it," she cried, cuttingly. + </p> + <p> + "—I should advise you to get married in a more or less regular sort + of way in your mother's home." + </p> + <p> + "Thank you for the advice," she said, curtly. "I shall get married when + and where I please,—and to whom I please, Mr. Gwynne." + </p> + <p> + "In view of the fact that I am your brother, Viola, I would suggest that + you call me Kenneth." + </p> + <p> + "I have no desire to claim you as a brother, or to recognize you as one," + said she. + </p> + <p> + He smiled. "With all my heart I deplore the evil fate that makes you a + sister of mine." + </p> + <p> + She was startled. "That—that doesn't sound very—pretty," she + said, a trifle dashed. + </p> + <p> + "The God's truth, nevertheless. At any rate, so long as you have to be my + sister, I rejoice in the fact that you are an extremely pretty one. It is + a great relief. You might have turned out to be a scarecrow. I don't mind + confessing that last night I said to myself, 'There is the most beautiful + girl in all the world,' and I can't begin to tell you how shocked I was + this morning when Striker informed me that you were my half-sister. He + knocked a romantic dream into a cocked hat,—and—But even so, + sister or no sister, Viola, you still remain beyond compare the loveliest + girl I have ever seen." + </p> + <p> + There was something in his eyes that caused her own to waver,—something + that by no account could be described as brotherly. She looked away, + suddenly timid and confused. It was something she had seen in Barry + Lapelle's eyes, and in the eyes of other ardent men. She was flustered and + a little distressed. + </p> + <p> + "I—I—if you mean that," she said, nervously, "I suppose I—ought + to feel flattered." + </p> + <p> + "Of course, I mean it,—but you need not feel flattered. Truth is no + form of flattery." + </p> + <p> + She had recovered herself. "Who told you about Barry Lapelle and me?" she + demanded. + </p> + <p> + "You mean about last night's adventure?" he countered, a trifle + maliciously. + </p> + <p> + She coloured. "I suppose some one has—Oh, well, it doesn't matter. I + sha'n't ask you to betray the sneak who—" + </p> + <p> + "Tut, tut, my dear Viola! You must not—" + </p> + <p> + "Don't call me your dear Viola!" + </p> + <p> + "Well, then, my dear sister,—surely you cannot expect me to address + you as Miss Gwyn?" in mild surprise. + </p> + <p> + "Just plain Viola, if you must have a name for me." + </p> + <p> + "That's better," said he, approvingly. + </p> + <p> + "Whoever told you was a sneak," she said, wrathfully. She turned her face + away, but not quickly enough to prevent his seeing her chin quiver + slightly. + </p> + <p> + "At any rate, it was not your mother," he said. "I have Striker's + permission to expose what you call his treachery. He thought it was his + duty to tell me under the circumstances. And while I am about it, I may as + well say that I think you conspired to take a pretty mean advantage of + those good and faithful friends. You deceived them in a most outrageous + manner. It wasn't very thoughtful or generous of you, Viola. You might + have got them into very serious trouble with your mother,—who, I + understand, holds the mortgage on their little farm and could make it + extremely unpleasant for them if she felt so inclined." + </p> + <p> + She was staring at him in wide-eyed astonishment, her red lips slightly + parted. She could not believe her ears. Why, he was actually scolding her! + She was being reprimanded! He was calmly, deliberately reproving her, as + if she were a mischievous child! Amazement deprived her momentarily of the + power of speech. + </p> + <p> + "To be sure," he went on reflectively, "I can appreciate the extremities + to which you were driven. The course of true love was not running very + smoothly. No doubt your mother was behaving abominably. Mothers frequently + do behave that way. This young man of yours may be,—and I devoutly + hope he is,—a very worthy fellow, one to whom your mother ought to + be proud and happy to see you married. In view of her stand in the matter, + I will go so far as to say that you were probably doing the right thing in + running away from home to be married. I think I mentioned to you last + night that I am of a very romantic nature. Lord bless you, I have lain + awake many a night envying the dauntless gentlemen of feudal days who bore + their sweethearts away in gallant fashion pursued by ferocious fathers and + a score or more of blood-thirsty henchmen. Ah, that was the way for me! + With my lady fair seated in front of me upon the speeding palfrey, my body + between her and the bullets and lances and bludgeons of countless + pursuers! Zounds! Odds blood! Gadzooks! and so forth! Not any of this + stealing away in the night for me! Ah, me! How different we are in these + prosaic days! But, even so, if I were you, the next time I undertake to + run away with the valiant Mr. Lapelle I should see to it that he does his + part in the good old-fashioned way. And I should not drag such loyal, + honest folk as Striker and his wife into the business and then ride + merrily off, leaving them to pay the Piper." + </p> + <p> + His heart smote him as he saw her eyes fill with tears. He did not mistake + them for tears of shame or contrition,—far from it, he knew they + were born of speechless anger. He had hurt her sorely, even deliberately, + and he was overcome by a sudden charge of compassion—and regret. He + wanted to comfort her, he wanted to say something,—anything,—to + take away the sting of chastisement. + </p> + <p> + He was not surprised when she swept by him, her head high, her cheeks + white with anger, her stormy eyes denying him even so much as a look of + scorn. He stood aside, allowing her to pass, and remained motionless, + gazing after her until she turned in at her own gate and was lost to view. + He shook his head dubiously and sighed. + </p> + <p> + "Little Minda," he mused, under his breath. "You were my playmate once + upon a time,—and now! Now what are you? A rascal's sweetheart, if + all they say is true. Gad, how beautiful you are!" He was walking slowly + through the path, his head bent, his eyes clouded with trouble. "And how + you are hating me at this moment. What a devil's mess it all is!" + </p> + <p> + His eye fell upon something white lying at the edge of the path a few feet + ahead. It was a neatly folded sheet of note paper. He stood looking down + at it for a moment. She must have dropped it as she came through. It was + clean and unsoiled. A message, perhaps, from Barry Lapelle, smuggled to + her through the connivance of a friendly go-between,—the girl she + had gone to visit, what was her name? He stooped to pick it up, but before + his fingers touched it he straightened up and deliberately moved it with + the toe of his boot to a less exposed place among the bushes, where he + would have failed to see it in passing. Then he strode resolutely away + without so much as a glance over his shoulder, and, coming to the open + road, stepped briskly off in the direction of the public Square. His + conscience would have rejoiced had he betrayed it by secreting himself + among the bushes for a matter of five minutes,—quaint paradox, + indeed!—for he would have seen her steal warily, anxiously into the + thicket in search of the lost missive,—and he would have been + further exalted by the little cry of relief that fell from her lips as she + snatched it up and sped incontinently homeward, as if pursued by all the + eyes in Christendom. + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact, it was not a letter from Barry to Viola. It was the + other way round. She had written him a long letter absolving herself from + blame in the contretemps of the night before, at the same time confessing + that she was absolutely in the dark as to how her mother had found out + about their plans. Suffice to say, she HAD found out early in the evening + and, to employ her own words, "You know the result." Then she went on to + say that, all things considered, she was now quite sure she could never, + never consent to make another attempt. + </p> + <p> + "I am positive," she wrote, ingenuously, "that mother will relent in time, + and then we can be married without going to so much trouble about it." + Farther on she admitted that, "Mother is very firm about it now, but when + she realizes that I am absolutely determined to marry you, I am sure she + will give in and all will be well." At the end she said: "For the present, + Barry dear, I think you had better not come to the house. She feels very + bitter toward you after last night. We can see each other at Effie's and + other places. After all, she has had a great sorrow and she is so very + unhappy that I ought not to hurt her in any way if I can help it. I love + you, but I also love her. Please be kind and reasonable, dear, and do not + think I am losing heart. I am just as determined as ever. Nothing can + change me. You believe that, don't you, Barry dear? I know how impulsive + you are and how set in your ways. Sometimes you really frighten me but I + know it is because you love me so much. You must not do anything rash. It + would spoil everything. I do wish you would stay away from that awful + place down by the river. Mother would feel differently toward you, I know, + if you were not there so much. She knows the men play cards there for + money and drink and swear. I believe you will keep your promise never to + touch a drop of whiskey after we are married, but when I told her that she + only laughed at me. By this time you must know that my brother has come to + Lafayette. He arrived this morning. He knows nothing about what happened + last night but I am afraid mother will tell him when she sees him to-day. + It would not surprise me if they bury the hatchet and join hands and try + to make a good little girl out of me. I think he is quite a prim young + man. He spent the night at Striker's and I saw him there. I must say he is + good-looking. He is so good-looking that nobody would ever suspect that he + is related to me." She signed herself, "Your loving and devoted and loyal + Viola." + </p> + <p> + She had been unable to get the letter to him that day, and for a very good + reason. Her messenger, Effie Wardlow's young brother, reached the tavern + just in time to see Barry emerge, quite tipsy and in a vile temper, + arguing loudly with Jack Trentman and Syd Budd, the town's most notorious + gamblers. + </p> + <p> + The three men went off toward the ferry. The lad very sensibly decided + this was no time to deliver a love letter to Mr. Lapelle, so forthwith + returned it to the sender, who, after listening bleakly to a somewhat + harrowing description of her lover's unsteady legs and the direction in + which they carried him, departed for home fully convinced that something + dreadful was going to happen to Barry and that she would be to blame for + it. + </p> + <p> + Halfway home she decided that her mother was equally if not more to blame + than she, and, upon catching sight of her lordly, self-satisfied brother, + acquitted herself of ALL responsibility and charged everything to her + meddling relatives. Her encounter with the exasperating Kenneth, however, + served to throw a new and most unwelcome light upon the situation. It WAS + a shabby trick to play upon the Strikers. She had not thought of it + before. And how she hated him for making her think of it! + </p> + <p> + The first thing she did upon returning to the house with the recovered + letter was to proceed to the kitchen, where, after reading it over again, + she consigned it to the flames. She was very glad it had not been + delivered to Barry. The part of it referring to the "place down by the + river" would have to be treated with a great deal more firmness and + decision. That was something she would have to speak very plainly about. + </p> + <p> + By this time she had reached the conclusion that Barry was to blame for + THAT, and that nothing more terrible could happen to him than a severe + headache,—an ailment to which he was accustomed and which he treated + very lightly in excusing himself when she took him to task for his jolly + lapses. "All red-blooded fellows take a little too much once in a while," + he had said, more than once. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X — MOTHER AND DAUGHTER + </h2> + <p> + Rachel Gwyn was seated at the parlor window when Viola entered the house. + She was there ten or fifteen minutes later when her daughter came + downstairs. + </p> + <p> + "May I have a word with you, mother?" said the girl, from the doorway, + after waiting a moment for her mother to take some notice of her presence. + </p> + <p> + She spoke in a very stiff and formal manner, for there had been no attempt + on the part of either to make peace since the trying experiences of early + morning. Viola had sulked all day, while her mother preserved a stony + silence that remained unbroken up to the time she expressed a desire to be + alone with Kenneth when he called. + </p> + <p> + Apparently Mrs. Gwyn did not hear Viola's question. The girl advanced a + few steps into the room and stopped again to regard the motionless, + unresponsive figure at the window. Mrs. Gwyn's elbow was on the sill, her + chin resting in the hand. Apparently she was deaf to all sound inside the + room. + </p> + <p> + A wave of pity swept over Viola. All in an instant her rancour took flight + and in its place came a longing to steal over and throw her arms about + those bent shoulders and whisper words of remorse. Desolation hung over + that silent, thinking figure. Viola's heart swelled with renewed anger + toward Kenneth Gwynne. + </p> + <p> + What had he said or done to wound this stony, indomitable mother of hers? + </p> + <p> + The room was cold. The fire had died down; only the huge backlog showed + splotches of red against the charred black; in front of it were the + faintly smoking ashes of a once sprightly blaze. She shivered, and then, + moved by a sudden impulse, strode softly over and took down from its peg + beside the fireplace the huge turkey wing used in blowing the embers to + life. She was vigorously fanning the backlog when a sound from behind + indicated that her mother had risen from the chair. She smiled as she + glanced over her shoulder. + </p> + <p> + Her mother was standing with one of her hands pressed tightly to her eyes. + Her lips were moving. + </p> + <p> + "He is Robert—Robert himself," she was murmuring. "As like as two + peas. I was afraid he might be—would be—" The words trailed + off into a mumble, for she had lowered her hand and was staring in dull + surprise at Viola. + </p> + <p> + "What is it, mother?" cried the girl, alarmed by the other's expression. + "What were you saying?" + </p> + <p> + After a moment her mother said, quite calmly: "Oh, it's you, is it? When + did you get home?" + </p> + <p> + "A few minutes ago. How cold it is! The fire is almost out. Shall I get + some kindling and start it up?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes. I don't know how I came to let it go down." + </p> + <p> + When Viola returned from the kitchen with the fagots and a bunch of + shavings, the older woman was standing in front of the fireplace staring + moodily down at the ashes. She moved to one side while her daughter laid + the kindling and placed three or four sticks of firewood upon the heap. + Not a word was spoken until after Viola had fanned a tiny flame out of the + embers and lighted the shavings with a spill. + </p> + <p> + "I met my brother out there in the grove," said she, rising and brushing + the wood dust from her hands. + </p> + <p> + "Yes?" + </p> + <p> + "I thought maybe you and he had been discussing Barry Lapelle and me and + what happened last night, so I started to give him a piece of my mind," + said Viola, crimsoning. + </p> + <p> + A faint smile played about the corners of Mrs. Gwyn's lips. "I can well + imagine his astonishment," she said, drily. + </p> + <p> + "He knew all about it, even if he did not get it from you, mother," said + the girl, darkly. "Phin Striker told him everything." + </p> + <p> + "Everybody in town will know about it before the week is out," said the + mother, a touch of bitterness in her voice. "I would have given all I + possess if it could have been kept from Kenneth Gwynne. Salt in an open + sore, that's what it is, Viola. It smarts, oh, how it smarts." + </p> + <p> + Viola, ignorant of the true cause of her mother's pain, snapped her + fingers disdainfully. + </p> + <p> + "That's how much I care for his opinion, one way or the other. I wouldn't + let him worry me if I were you, mother. Let him think what he pleases. + It's nothing to us. I guess we can get along very well without his good + opinion or his good will or anything else. And I will not allow him to + interfere in my affairs. I told him so in plain words out there awhile + ago. He comes here and the very first thing he does is to—" + </p> + <p> + "He will think what he pleases, my child," broke in her mother; "so do not + flatter yourself that he will be affected by your opinion of him. We will + not discuss him, if you please. We have come to an understanding on + certain matters, and that is all that is necessary to tell you about our + interview. He will go his own way and we will go ours. There need be no + conflict between us." + </p> + <p> + Viola frowned dubiously. "It is all very well for you to take that + attitude, mother. But I am not in the same position. He is my + half-brother. It is going to be very awkward. He is nothing to you,—and + people will understand if you ignore him,—but it—it isn't + quite the same with me. Can't you see?" + </p> + <p> + "Certainly," admitted Mrs. Gwyn without hesitation. "You and he have a + perfect right to be friendly. It would not be right for me to stand + between you if you decide to—" + </p> + <p> + "But I do not want to be friendly with him," cried the girl, adding, with + a toss of her head,—"and I guess he realizes it by this time. But + people know that we had the same father. They will think it strange if—if + we have nothing to do with each other. Oh, it's terribly upsetting, isn't + it?" + </p> + <p> + "What did he say to you out there?" + </p> + <p> + "He was abominable! Officious, sarcastic, insolent,—" + </p> + <p> + "In plain words, he gave you a good talking to," interrupted Mrs. Gwyn, + rather grimly. + </p> + <p> + "He said some things I can never forgive." + </p> + <p> + "About you and Barry?" + </p> + <p> + "Well,—not so much about me and Barry as about the way I—Oh, + you needn't smile, mother. He isn't going to make any fuss about Barry. He + told me in plain words that he did not care whether I married him or not,—or + ran away with him, for that matter. You will not get much support from + him, let me tell you. And now I have something I want to say to you. We + may as well have it out now as any other time. I am going to marry Barry + Lapelle." There was a ring of defiance in her voice. + </p> + <p> + Rachel Gwyn looked at her steadily for a moment before responding to this + out-and-out challenge. + </p> + <p> + "I think it would be only fair of you," she began, levelly, "to tell Mr. + Lapelle just what he may expect in case he marries you. Tell him for me + that you will never receive a penny or an inch of land when I die. I shall + cut you off completely. Tell him that. It may make some difference in his + calculations." + </p> + <p> + Viola flared. "You have no right to insinuate that he wants to marry me + for your money or your lands. He wants me for myself,—he wants me + because he loves me." + </p> + <p> + "I grant you that," said Mrs. Gwyn, nodding her head slowly, "He would be + a fool not to want you—now. You are young and you are very pretty. + But after he has been married a few years and you have become an old song + to him, he will feel differently about money and lands. I know Mr. Lapelle + and his stripe. He wants you now for yourself, but when you are thirty + years old he will want you for something entirely different. At any rate, + you should make it plain to him that he will get nothing but you,—absolutely + nothing but you. Men of his kind do not love long. They love violently—but + not long. Idle, improvident men, such as he is, are able to crowd a whole + lot of love into a very short space of time. That is because they have + nothing much else to do. They run through with love as they run through + with money,—quickly. The man who wastes money will also waste love. + And when he has wasted all his love, Barry Lapelle will still want money + to waste. Be good enough to make him understand that he will never have a + dollar of my money to waste,—never, my child, even though his wife + were starving to death." + </p> + <p> + Viola stared at her mother incredulously, her face paling. "You mean—you + mean you would let me starve,—your own daughter? I—why, + mother, I can't believe you would be so—" + </p> + <p> + "I mean it," said Rachel Gwyn, compressing her lips. + </p> + <p> + "Then," cried Viola, hotly, "you are the most unnatural, cruel mother that + ever—" + </p> + <p> + "Stop! You will not find me a cruel and inhuman mother when you come + creeping back to my door after Barry Lapelle has cast you off. I am only + asking you to tell him what he may expect from me. And I am trying hard to + convince you of what you may expect from him. There's the end of it. I + have nothing more to say." + </p> + <p> + "But I have something more to say," cried the girl. "I shall tell him all + you have said, and I shall marry him in spite of everything. I am not + afraid of starving. I don't want a penny of father's money. He did not + choose to give it to me; he gave half of all he possessed to his son by + another woman, he ignored me, he cut me off as if I were a—" + </p> + <p> + "Be careful, my child," warned Rachel Gwyn, her eyes narrowing. "I cannot + permit you to question his acts or his motives. He did what he thought was + best,—and we—I mean you and I—must abide by his + decision." + </p> + <p> + "I am not questioning your husband's act," said Viola, stubbornly. "I am + questioning my FATHER'S act." + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Gwyn started. For a second or two her eyes wavered and then fell. One + corner of her mouth worked curiously. Then, without a word, she turned + away from the girl and left the room. + </p> + <p> + Viola, greatly offended, heard her ascend the stairs and close a door; + then her slow, heavy tread on the boards above. Suddenly the girl's anger + melted. The tears rushed to her eyes. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, what a beast I was to hurt her like that," she murmured, forgetting + the harsh, unfeeling words that had aroused her ire, thinking only of the + wonder and pain that had lurked in her mother's eyes,—the wonder and + pain of a whipped dog. "The only person in all the world who has ever + really loved me,—poor, poor old mother." She stared through her + tears at the flames, a little pucker of uncertainty clouding her brow. "I + am sure Barry never, never can love me as she does, or be as kind and good + to me," she mused. "I wonder—I wonder if what she says is true about + men. I wish he had not gone to drinking to-day. But I suppose the poor boy + really couldn't help it. He hates so to be disappointed." + </p> + <p> + Later on, at supper, she abruptly asked: + </p> + <p> + "Mother, how old is Kenneth?" + </p> + <p> + They had spoken not more than a dozen words to each other since sitting + down to table, which was set, as usual, in the kitchen. Both were + thoughtful;—one of them was contrite. + </p> + <p> + Rachel Gwyn, started out of a profound reverie, gave her daughter a sharp, + inquiring look before answering. + </p> + <p> + "I do not know. Twenty-five or six, I suppose." + </p> + <p> + "Did you know his mother?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes," after a perceptible pause. + </p> + <p> + "How long after she died were you and father married?" + </p> + <p> + "Your father had been a widower nearly two years when we were married," + said Rachel, steadily. + </p> + <p> + "Why doesn't Kenneth spell his name as we do?" + </p> + <p> + "Gwyn is the way it was spelled a great many years ago, and it is the + correct way, according to your father. It was his father, I believe, who + added the last two letters,—I do not know why, unless it was + supposed to be more elegant." + </p> + <p> + "It seems strange that he should spell it one way and his own son + another," ventured the girl, unsatisfied. + </p> + <p> + "Kenneth was brought up to spell it in the new-fangled way, I guess," was + Rachel Gwyn's reply. "You need not ask me questions about the family, + Viola. Your father never spoke of them. I am afraid he was not on good + terms with them. He was a strange man. He kept things to himself. I do not + recollect ever hearing him mention his first wife or his son or any other + member of his family in,—well, in twenty years or more." + </p> + <p> + "I should think you would have been a little bit curious. I know I + should." + </p> + <p> + "I knew all that was necessary for me to know," said Rachel, somewhat + brusquely. + </p> + <p> + "Can't you tell me something more about father's people?" persisted the + girl. + </p> + <p> + "I only know that they lived in Baltimore. They never came west. Your + father was about twenty years old when he left home and came to Kentucky. + That is all I know, so do not ask any more questions." + </p> + <p> + "He never acted like a backwoodsman," said Viola. "He did not talk like + one or—" + </p> + <p> + "He was an educated man. He came of a good family." + </p> + <p> + "And you are different from the women we used to see down the river. + Goodness, I was proud of you and father. There isn't a woman in this town + who—" + </p> + <p> + "I was born in Salem, Massachusetts, and lived there till I was nearly + twenty," interrupted Mrs. Gwyn, calmly. "I taught school for two years + after my father died. My mother did not long survive him. After her death + I came west with my brother and his wife and a dozen other men and women. + We lived in a settlement on the Ohio River for several years. My brother + was killed by the Indians. His widow took their two small children and + went back to Salem to live. I have never heard from her. We did not like + each other. I was glad to have her go." + </p> + <p> + "Where did you first meet father?" + </p> + <p> + She regretted the question the instant the words were out of her mouth. + The look of pain,—almost of pleading,—in her mother's eyes + caused her to reproach herself. + </p> + <p> + "Forgive me, mother," she cried. "I did not stop to think. I know how it + hurts you to talk about him, and I should have—" + </p> + <p> + "Be good enough to remember in the future," said Rachel Gwyn, sternly, her + eyes now cold and forbidding. She arose and stalked to the kitchen window, + where she stood for a long time looking out into the gathering darkness. + </p> + <p> + "Clear the table, Hattie," said Viola, presently. "We are through." + </p> + <p> + Then she walked over to her mother and timidly laid an arm across her + shoulder. + </p> + <p> + "I am sorry, mother," she said. + </p> + <p> + To this Mrs. Gwyn did not reply. She merely observed: "We have had very + little sleep in the last six and thirty hours. Come to bed, child." + </p> + <p> + As was her custom, Rachel Gwyn herself saw to the locking and bolting of + the doors and window shutters at the front of the house. To-night Viola, + instead of Hattie, followed the tall black figure from door to window, + carrying the lighted candle. They stood together, side by side, in the + open front door for a few moments, peering at the fence of trees across + the road. + </p> + <p> + Off in the distance some one was whistling a doleful tune. The spring wind + blowing in their faces was fresh and moist, a soft wind laden with the + smell of earth. A clumsy hound came slouching around the corner of the + little porch and, wagging his tail, stopped below them; the light shone + down into his big, glistening eyes. Viola spoke to him softly. He wagged + his tail more briskly. + </p> + <p> + Rachel had turned her head and was looking toward the house that was to be + Kenneth's home. Its outlines could be made out among the trees to the + right, squat and lonely in a setting less black than itself. + </p> + <p> + "Before long there will be lights in the windows again," she was saying, + more to herself than to Viola. "A haunted house. Haunted by a living, + mortal ghost. Eh?" she cried out, sharply, turning to Viola. + </p> + <p> + "I did not speak, mother." + </p> + <p> + A look of awe came to Rachel's eyes. + </p> + <p> + "I was sure I heard—" she began, and then, after a short pause, + laughed throatily. "I guess it was the wind. Come in. I want to lock the + door." + </p> + <p> + Viola was a long time in going to sleep. It seemed to her as she lay + there, staring wide awake, that everything in the world was unsettled and + topsy-turvy. Nothing could ever be right again. What with the fiasco of + the night just gone, the appearance of the mysterious brother, the + counterbalancing of resolve and remorse within her troubled self, the + report of Barry's lapse from rectitude, her mother's astounding sophistry, + her tired brain was in such a whirl as never was. + </p> + <p> + There was a new pain in her breast that was not of thwarted desires nor of + rancour toward this smug, insolent brother who had come upon the scene. It + hurt her to think that up to this night she had known so little, ay, + almost nothing, about her own mother's life. For the first time, she heard + of Salem, of her mother's people and her occupation, of the journey + westward, of the uncle who was killed by the Indians and the wife who + turned back; of unknown cousins to whom she was also unknown. There was + pain in the discovery that her mother was almost a stranger to her. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI — A ROADSIDE MEETING + </h2> + <p> + Kenneth remained at the tavern for a month. He did not go near the house + of his step-mother. He saw her once walking along the main street, and + followed her with his eyes until she disappeared into a store. A friendly + citizen took occasion to inform him that it was the "fust time" he had + seen her on the street in a coon's age. + </p> + <p> + "She ain't like most women," he vouchsafed. "Never comes down town unless + she's got some reason to. Most of 'em never stay to home unless they've + got a derned good reason to, setch as sickness, or the washin' and + ironin', or it's rainin' pitchforks. She's a mighty queer woman, Rachel + Gwyn is. How air you an' her makin' out these days, Kenneth?" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, fair to middlin'," replied the young man, dropping into the + vernacular. + </p> + <p> + "I didn't know but what ye'd patched things up sorter," said the citizen, + invitingly. + </p> + <p> + "There is nothing to patch up," said Kenneth. + </p> + <p> + "Well, I guess it ain't any of my business, anyhow," remarked the other, + cheerfully. + </p> + <p> + The business of taking over the property, signing the necessary papers, + renewing an agreement with the man who farmed his land on the Wea, taking + account of all live-stock and other chattels, occupied his time for the + better part of a fortnight. He spent two days and a night at the little + farmhouse, listening with ever increasing satisfaction to the enthusiastic + prophecies of the farmer, a stout individual named Jones whose faith in + the new land was surpassed only by his ability to till it. Even out here + on his own farm Kenneth was unable to escape the unwelcome influence of + Rachel Carter. Mr. Jones magnanimously admitted that she was responsible + for all of the latest conveniences about the place and characterized her + as a "woman with a head on her shoulders, you bet." + </p> + <p> + He confessed: "Why, dodgast it, she stopped by here a couple o' weeks ago + an' jest naturally raised hell with me because my wife's goin' to have + another baby. She sez, sorter sharp-like, 'The only way to make a farm pay + is to stock it with somethin' besides children.' That made me a leetle + mad, so I up an' sez back to her: 'I wouldn't swap my seven children fer + all the hogs an' cattle in the state o' Indianny.' So she sez, kind o' + grinnin', 'Well, I'll bet your wife would jump at the chance to trade your + NEXT seven children, sight onseen, fer a new pair o' shoes er that bonnet + she's been wantin' ever sence she got married.' That sorter mixed me up. I + couldn't make out jest what she was drivin' at. Must ha' been nine o'clock + that night when it come to me all of a sudden. So I woke Sue up an' told + her what Rachel Gwyn said to me, an', by gosh, Sue saw through it + quicker'n a flash. 'You bet I would,' sez she. 'I'd swap the next + HUNDRED.' Then she kinder groaned an' said, 'I guess maybe I'd better make + it the next ninety-nine.' Well, sir, that sot me to thinkin', an' the more + I thought, the more I realized what a lot o' common sense that + mother-in-law o' your'n has got. She—" + </p> + <p> + "You mean my step-mother, Jones." + </p> + <p> + "They say it amounts to the same thing in most families," said the ready + Mr. Jones, and continued to expatiate upon the remarkable qualities of + Rachel Gwyn. + </p> + <p> + Kenneth found it difficult to think of the woman as Rachel Gwyn. To him, + she was unalterably Rachel Carter. Time and again he caught himself up + barely in time to avoid using the unknown name in the presence of others. + The possibility that he might some day inadvertently blurt it out in + conversation with Viola caused him a great deal of uneasiness and concern. + He realized that he would have to be on his guard all of the time. + </p> + <p> + There seemed to be no immediate prospect of such a calamity, however. + Since the memorable encounter in the thicket he had not had an opportunity + to speak to the girl. For reasons of her own she purposely avoided him, + there could be no doubt about that. On more than one occasion she + deliberately had crossed a street to escape meeting him face to face, and + there was the one especially irritating instance when, finding herself + hard put, she had been obliged to turn squarely in her tracks and hurry + back in the direction from which she came. This would have been laughable + to Kenneth but for the distressing fact that it was even more laughable to + others. Several men and women, witnessing the manoeuvre, had sniggered + gleefully,—one of the men going so far as to slap his leg and roar: + "Well, by gosh, did you ever see anything like that?" His ejaculation, + like that of a town-crier, being audible for a hundred feet or more, had + one gratifying result. It caused Viola to turn and transfix the offender + with a stare so haughty that he abruptly diverted his attention to the + upper north-east corner of the court-house, where, fortunately for him, a + pair of pigeons had just alighted and were engaged in the interesting + pastime of bowing to each other. + </p> + <p> + A week or so after his return from the farm Kenneth saw her riding off on + horseback with two other young women and a youth named Hayes. She passed + within ten feet of him but did not deign to notice him, although her + companions bowed somewhat eagerly. This was an occasion when he felt + justified in swearing softly under his breath—and also to make a + resolve—to write her a very polite and formal letter in which he + would ask her pardon for presuming to suggest, as a brother, that she was + making a perfect fool of herself, and that people were laughing "fit to + kill" over her actions. It goes without saying that he thought better of + it and never wrote the letter. + </p> + <p> + She was a graceful and accomplished horsewoman. He watched her out of the + corner of his eye as she cantered down the street, sitting the spirited + sorrel mare with all the ease and confidence of a practised rider. Her + habit was of very dark blue, with huge puffed sleeves and a high lace + collar. She wore a top-hat of black, a long blue veil trailing down her + back. He heartily agreed with the laconic bystander who remarked that she + was "purtier than most pictures." + </p> + <p> + Later on, urged by a spirit of restlessness, he ordered Zachariah to + saddle his horse and bring him around to the front of the tavern, where he + mounted and set out for a ride up the Wild Cat road. Two or three miles + above town he met Hayes and the two young women returning. The look of + consternation that passed among them did not escape him. He smiled a + trifle maliciously as he rode on, for now he knew what had become of the + missing member of the party. + </p> + <p> + Half a mile farther on he came upon Viola and Barry Lapelle, riding slowly + side by side through the narrow lane. He drew off to one side to allow + them to pass, doffing his beaver ceremoniously. + </p> + <p> + Lapelle's friendly greeting did not surprise him, for the two had seen a + great deal of each other, and at no time had there been anything in the + lover's manner to indicate that Viola had confided to him the story of the + meeting in the thicket. But he was profoundly astonished when the girl + favoured him with a warm, gay smile and cried out a cheery "How do you do, + Kenneth!" + </p> + <p> + More than that, she drew rein and added to his amazement by shaking her + finger reproachfully at him, saying: + </p> + <p> + "Where on earth have you been keeping yourself? I have not laid eyes on + you for more than a week." + </p> + <p> + Utterly confounded by this unexpected attack, Kenneth stammered: "Why, I—er—I + have been very busy." Not laid eyes on him, indeed! What was her game? + "Now that I come to think of it," he went on, recovering himself, "it is + fully a week since I've seen you. Don't you ever come down town, Viola?" + </p> + <p> + "Every day," she said, coolly. "We just happen never to see each other, + that's all. I am glad to have had this little glimpse of you, Kenneth, + even though it is away out here in the woods." + </p> + <p> + There was no mistaking the underlying significance of these words. They + contained the thinly veiled implication that he had followed for the + purpose of spying upon her. + </p> + <p> + "Better turn around and ride back with us, Kenny," said Barry, politely + but not graciously. + </p> + <p> + "I am on my way up to the Wild Cat to see a man on business," said + Kenneth, lamely. + </p> + <p> + "Kenny?" repeated Viola, puckering her brow. + </p> + <p> + "Where have I heard that name before? I seem to remember—oh, as if + it were a thousand years ago. Do they call you Kenny for short?" + </p> + <p> + "It grew up with me," he replied. "Ever since I can remember, my folks—" + </p> + <p> + He broke off in the middle of the sentence, confronted by a disconcerting + thought. Could it be possible that somewhere in Viola's brain,—or + rather in Minda's baby brain,—that familiar name had stamped itself? + Why not? If it had been impressed upon his own baby brain, why not in a + less degree upon hers? He made a pretence of stooping far over to adjust a + corner of his saddle blanket. Straightening up, he went on: + </p> + <p> + "Any name is better than what the boys used to call me at school. I was + known by the elegant name of Piggy, due to an appetite over which I seemed + to have no control. Well, I must be getting along. Good day to you." + </p> + <p> + He lifted his hat and rode off. He had gone not more than twenty rods when + he heard a masculine shout from behind: turning, he discovered that the + couple were still standing where he had left them. Lapelle called out: + </p> + <p> + "Your sister wants to have a word with you." + </p> + <p> + She rode swiftly up to where he was waiting. + </p> + <p> + "I just want to let you know that I intend to tell mother about meeting + Barry out here to-day," she said, unsmilingly. "I shall not tell her that + we planned it in advance, however. We did plan it, so if you want to run + and tell her yourself, you may do so. It will make no—" + </p> + <p> + "Is that all you wanted to say to me, Viola?" he interrupted. + </p> + <p> + For a moment she faced him rebelliously, hot words on her lips. Then a + surprising change came over her. Her eyes quailed under the justifiable + scorn in his. She hung her head. + </p> + <p> + "No," she said, miserably. "I thought it was all, but it isn't. I want to + say that I am sorry I said what I did." + </p> + <p> + He watched the scarlet flood sweep over her cheeks and then as swiftly + fade. It was abject surrender, and yet he had no thrill of triumph. + </p> + <p> + "It's—it's all right, Viola," he stammered, awkwardly. "Don't think + anything more about it. We will consider it unsaid." + </p> + <p> + "No, we'll not," she said, looking up. "We will just let it stand as + another black mark against me. I am getting a lot of them lately. But I AM + sorry, Kenneth. Will you try to forget it?" + </p> + <p> + He shook his head. "Never! Forgetting the bitter would mean that I would + also have to give up the sweet," said he, gallantly. "And you have given + me something very sweet to remember." + </p> + <p> + She received this with a wondering, hesitating little smile. + </p> + <p> + "I never dreamed that brothers could say such nice things to their + sisters," she said, and he was aware of a deep, questioning look in her + eyes. "They usually say them to other men's sisters." + </p> + <p> + "Ah, but no other fellow happens to have you as a sister," he returned, + fatuously. She laughed aloud at this, perhaps a little uncertainly. + </p> + <p> + "Bless me!" he exclaimed. "It sounds good to hear you laugh like that,—such + a jolly, friendly sort of laugh." + </p> + <p> + "I must be going now," she said, biting her lip. "Good-bye,—Kenny." + A faint frown clouded her brow after she had uttered the name. "I must ask + mother if she remembers hearing father speak of you as Kenny." + </p> + <p> + "Say, Viola," came an impatient shout from Barry Lapelle, "are you going + to take all day?" + </p> + <p> + It was plain to be seen that the young man was out of temper. There was a + sharp, domineering note of command in his voice. Viola straightened up in + her saddle and sent a surprised, resentful look at the speaker. Kenneth + could not repress a chuckle. + </p> + <p> + "Better hurry along," he said, grimly, "or he'll take your head off. Lord, + we are going to have a storm. I see a thundercloud gathering just below + the rim of Barry's hat. If you—" + </p> + <p> + "Please keep your precious wit to yourself," she flamed, but with all her + show of righteous indignation she could not hide from him the chagrin and + mortification that lurked in her tell-tale eyes. + </p> + <p> + She rode off in high dudgeon, and he was left to curse his ill-timed jest. + What a blundering fool he had been! Her first, timid little advance,—and + he had met it with boorish, clownish wit! A scurvy jest, indeed! She was + justified in despising him. + </p> + <p> + If Viola had turned her proud head a few moments later, she would have + beheld an amazing spectacle: her supposedly smug and impeccable brother + riding away at break-neck speed down the soggy lane, regardless of + overhanging branches and flying mud, fleeing in wrath from the scene of + his discontent. + </p> + <p> + Dusk was falling when he rode slowly into the town again. He had reached a + decision during that lonely ride. He would not remain in Lafayette. He + foresaw misery and unhappiness for himself if he stayed there,—for, + be it here declared, he was in love with Viola Gwyn. No, worse than that, + he was in love with Minda Carter,—and therein lay all the bitterness + that filled his soul. He could never have her. Even though she cast off + the ardent Lapelle, still he could not have her for his own. The bars were + up, and it was now beyond his power to lower them. And so, with this + resolve firmly fixed in his mind, he gave himself up to a strange sort of + despair. + </p> + <p> + After supper at the tavern, he set out for a solitary stroll about the + town before going to bed. He took stock of himself. No later than that + morning he had come to a decision to open an office and engage in the + practice of Law in Lafayette. He had made many friends during his brief + stay in the place, and from all sides he had been encouraged to "hang out + his shingle" and "grow up with the town." He liked the people, he had + faith in the town, he possessed all the confidence and courage of youth. + The local members of the bar, including the judge and justices, seriously + urged him to establish himself there—there was room for him,—the + town needed such men as he,—indeed, one of the leading lawyers had + offered to take him into partnership, an opportunity not to be despised, + in view of this man's state-wide reputation as a lawyer and orator, and + who was already being spoken of for high honours in the councils of state + and nation. + </p> + <p> + All this was very gratifying to the young stranger. He was flattered by + the unmistakable sincerity of these new friends. And he was in a position + to weather the customary paucity of clients for an indefinite period, a + condition resulting to but few young men starting out for themselves in + the practice of law. He was comfortably well-off in the matter of worldly + goods, not only through his recently acquired possessions, but as the + result of a substantial legacy that had come to him on the death of his + grandmother. He had received his mother's full share of the Blythe estate, + a no inconsiderable fortune in lands and money. + </p> + <p> + And now everything was changed. He would have to give up his plan to + settle in Lafayette, and so, as he strolled gloomily about the + illy-lighted town, he was casting about for the next best place to locate. + The incomprehensible and incredible had come to pass. He had fallen in + love with Viola Gwyn at first sight, that stormy night at Striker's. The + discovery that she was his own half-sister had, of course, deluded his + senses—temporarily, but now he realized that the strange, primitive + instincts of man had not been deceived and would not be denied. + </p> + <p> + His blood had known the truth from the instant he first laid eyes upon the + lovely stranger. Since that first night there had been revelations. First + of all, Viola was the flesh and blood of an evil woman, and that woman his + mortal foe. Notwithstanding her own innocence and purity, it was + inconceivable that he should ever think of taking her to himself as wife. + Secondly, he was charged with a double secret that must forever stand + between him and her: the truth about her mother and the truth about + herself. + </p> + <p> + There was but one thing left for him to do,—go away. He loved her. + He would grow to love her a thousand-fold more if he remained near her, if + he saw her day by day. These past few days had brought despair and + jealousy to him, but what would the future bring? Misery! No, he would + have to go. He would wind up his affairs at once and put longing and + temptation as far behind him as possible. There was the town of + Louisville. From all reports it was a prosperous, growing town, + advantageously situated on the River Ohio. Crawfordsville was too near. He + would have to go farther, much farther away than that,—perhaps back + to the old home town. + </p> + <p> + "What cruel foul luck!" he groaned, aloud. + </p> + <p> + His wanderings had carried him through dark, winding cow-paths and lanes + to within a stone's throw of Jack Trentman's shanty, standing alone like + the pariah it was, on the steep bank of the river near the ferry. Back in + a clump of sugar trees it seemed to hide, as if shrinking from the + accusing eye of every good and honest man. Kenneth had stopped at the edge + of the little grove and was gazing fiercely at the two lighted windows of + the "shanty." He was thinking of Barry Lapelle as he muttered the words, + thinking of the foul luck that seemed almost certain to deliver Viola into + his soiled and lawless hands. The fierceness of his gaze was due to the + knowledge that Lapelle was now inside Trentman's notorious shanty and + perhaps gambling. + </p> + <p> + This evening, as on two or three earlier occasions, he had been urged by + Barry to come down to the shanty and try his luck at poker. He had + steadfastly declined these invitations. Trentman's place was known far and + wide as a haven into which "cleaned out" river gamblers sailed in the hope + of recovering at least enough of their fortunes to enable them to return + to more productive fields down the reaches of the big river. These whilom, + undaunted rascals, like birds of passage, stayed but a short time in the + new town of Lafayette. They came up the river with sadly depleted purses, + confident of "easy pickings" among the vainglorious amateurs, and be it + said in behalf of their astuteness, they seldom if ever boarded the + south-bound boats as poor as when they came. + </p> + <p> + In due time they invariably returned again to what they called among + themselves "the happy hunting-ground." The stories of big "winnings" and + big "losings" were rife among the people of the town. More than one + adventurous citizen or farmer had been "wiped out," with no possible + chance of ever recovering from his losses. It was common talk that Barry + Lapelle was "fresh fish" for these birds of prey. He possessed the + gambling instinct but lacked the gambler's wiles. He was reckless where + they were cool. They "stripped" him far oftener than he won from them, but + it was these infrequent winnings that encouraged him. He believed that + some day he would make a big "killing"; the thought of that was ever + before him, beckoning him on like the dancing will-o'-the-wisp. He took no + note of the fact that these bland gentlemen could pocket their losings as + well as their winnings. It was part of their trade to suffer loss. They + had everything to gain and nothing to lose, so they throve on uncertainty. + </p> + <p> + Not so with Barry, or others of his kind. They could only afford to win. + It was no uncommon experience for the skilled river gambler to be + penniless; it was all in the day's work. It did not hurt him to lose, for + the morrow was ahead. But it was different with his victims. The morrow + was not and never could be the same; when they were "cleaned out" it meant + desolation. They went down under the weight and never came up, while the + real gambler, in similar case, scraped his sparse resources together and + blithely began all over again,—a smiling loser and a smiling winner. + Full purse or empty, he was always the same. Rich to-day, poor to-morrow,—all + the same to him. Philosopher, rascal, soldier, knave,—but never the + craven,—and you have the Mississippi gambler. + </p> + <p> + Barry, after coming in from his ride with Viola, had "tipped the jug" + rather liberally. He kept a demi-john of whiskey in his room at the + tavern, and to its contents all the "afflicted" were welcome. It could not + be said of him that he was the principal consumer, for, except under + unusual circumstances, he was a fairly abstemious man. As he himself + declared, he drank sparingly except when his "soul was tried." The fact + that he had taken several copious draughts of the fiery Mononga-Durkee + immediately upon his return was an indication that his soul was tried, and + what so reasonable as to assume that it had been tried by Viola. + </p> + <p> + In a different frame of mine, Kenneth might have accepted this as a most + gratifying augury. But, being without hope himself, he took no comfort in + Barry's gloom. What would he not give to be in the roisterer's boots + instead of his own? + </p> + <p> + The spoken lament had barely passed his lips when the wheel of fate took a + new and unexpected turn, bringing his dolorous meditations to a sudden + halt and subsequently upsetting all his plans. + </p> + <p> + He thought he was alone in the gloom until he was startled by the sound of + a man's voice almost at his elbow. + </p> + <p> + "Evenin', Mr. Gwynne." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII — ISAAC STAIN APPEARS BY NIGHT + </h2> + <p> + Whirling, he made out the lank shadow of a man leaning against a tree + close by. + </p> + <p> + "Good evening," he muttered in some confusion, conscious of a sense of + guilt in being caught in the act of spying. + </p> + <p> + "I've been follerin' you fer quite a ways," observed the unknown. "Guess + you don't remember me. My name is Stain, Isaac Stain." + </p> + <p> + "I remember you quite well," said Kenneth, stiffly. "May I inquire why you + have been following me, Mr. Stain?" + </p> + <p> + "Well, I jest didn't know of anybody else I could come to about a certain + matter. It has to do with that feller, Lapelle, up yander in Trentman's + place. Fust, I went up to Mrs. Gwyn's house, but it was all dark, an' + nobody to home 'cept that dog o' her'n. He knowed me er else he'd have + jumped me. I guess we'd better mosey away from this place. A good many + trees have ears, you know." + </p> + <p> + They walked off together in the direction of town. Stain was silent until + they had put a hundred paces or more between them and the grove. + </p> + <p> + "Seems that Violy is right smart taken with this Lapelle feller," he + observed. "Well, I thought I'd oughter tell her ma what I heerd about him + to-day. Course, everybody's heerd queer things about him, but this beats + anything I've come acrosst yet. Martin Hawk's daughter, Moll, come hoofin' + it up to my cabin this mornin' an' told me the derndest story you've ever + heerd. She came to me, she sez, on account of me bein' an old friend of + Rachel's, an' she claims to be a decent, honest girl in spite of what her + dodgasted father is. Everybody believes Mart is a hoss thief an' + sheep-stealer an' all that, but he hain't ever been caught at it. He's + purty thick with Barry Lapelle. Moll Hawk sez her dad'll kill her if he + ever finds out she come to me with this story. Seems that Barry an' Violy + are calculatin' on gettin' married an' the old woman objects. Some time + this past week, Violy told Barry she wouldn't marry him anywheres 'cept in + her own mother's house. Well, from what Moll sez, Barry has got other + idees about it." + </p> + <p> + He paused to bite off a fresh chew of tobacco. + </p> + <p> + "Go on, Stain. What did the girl tell you?" + </p> + <p> + "'Pears that Barry ain't willin' to take chances on gettin' married jest + that way, an' besides he's sort of got used to havin' anything he wants + without waitin' very long fer it. Now, I don't know whuther Violy's a + party to the scheme or not,—maybe she is an' maybe she ain't. But + from what Moll Hawk sez there's a scheme on foot to get the best of Rachel + Gwyn by grabbin' Violy some night an' rushin' her to a hidin' place down + the river where Barry figgers he c'n persuade her to marry him an' live + happy ever afterwards, as the sayin' is. Seems that Barry figgers that + you, bein' a sort o' brother to her, will put your foot down on them + gettin' married, so he's goin' to get her away from here before it's too + late. Moll sez it's all fixed up, 'cept the time fer doin' it. Martin Hawk + an' a half dozen fellers from some'eres down the river is to do the job. + All she knows is it's to be in the dark o' the moon, an' that's not fer + off. Moll sez she believes Violy knows about the plan an' sort of agrees + to—" + </p> + <p> + "I don't believe it, Stain," broke in Kenneth. "She would not lend herself + to a low-down trick like that." + </p> + <p> + Stain shook his head. "They say she's terrible in love with Barry, an' + gosh only knows what a woman'll stoop to in order to git the man she's set + her heart on. Why, I could tell you somethin' about a woman that was after + me some years back,—a widder down below Vincennes,—her husband + used to run a flatboat,—an', by cracky, Mr. Gwynne, you wouldn't + believe the things she done. Chased me clean down to Saint Louis an' back + ag'in, an' then trailed me nearly fifty miles through the woods to an + Injin village on the White River. I don't know what I'd have done if it + hadn't been fer an Injin I'd befriended a little while back. He shot her + in the leg an' she was laid up fer nearly six weeks, givin' me that much + of a start. That was four years ago an' to this day I never go to sleep at + night without fust lookin' under the bed. Some day I'll tell you all about + that woman, but not now. I'm jest tellin' this to show you what a woman'll + do when she once makes up her mind, an' maybe Violy ain't any different + from the rest of 'em." + </p> + <p> + "Nevertheless, Viola is not that kind," asserted Kenneth, stubbornly. "She + may be in love with Lapelle, but if she has made up her mind to be married + at her mother's house, that's the end of it. See here, Stain, I've been + thinking while you were talking. If there is really anything in this + story, I doubt the wisdom of going to Mrs. Gwyn with it, and certainly it + would be a bad plan to speak to Viola. We've got to handle this matter + ourselves. I want to catch Barry Lapelle red-handed. That is the surest + way to convince Viola that he is an unworthy scoundrel. It is my duty to + protect my—my sister—and I shall find a way to do so, whether + she likes it or not. You know, perhaps, that we are not on the friendliest + of terms." + </p> + <p> + "Yep, I know," said Stain. "You might as well know that I am on their + side, Mr. Gwynne. Whatever the trouble is between you an' them two women, + I am for them an' ag'in you. That's understood, ain't it?" + </p> + <p> + "It is," replied Kenneth, impressed by the hunter's frankness. "But all + the more reason why in a case like this you and I should work hand in + hand. I am glad you came to me with the Hawk girl's story. Hawk and his + crew will find me waiting for them when they come. They will not find + their job a simple one." + </p> + <p> + "I guess you'll need a little help, Mr. Gwynne," said Stain, drily. "What + are you goin' to do? Call in a lot o' these dodgasted canary birds to + fight the hawks? If you do, you'll get licked. What you want is a man er + two that knows how to shoot an' is in the habit o' huntin' varmints. You + c'n count on me, Mr. Gwynne, if you need me. If you feel that you don't + need me, jest say so, an' I'll go it alone. I don't like Martin Hawk; we + got a grudge to settle, him an' me. So make your choice. You an' me will + work in cahoots with each other, or we'll go at it single-hand." + </p> + <p> + "We will work together, Stain," said Kenneth, promptly. "You know your + man, you know the lay of the land, and you are smarter than I am when it + comes to handling an affair of this kind. I will be guided by you. Shake + hands." + </p> + <p> + The two men shook hands. Then the lawyer in Gwynne spoke. + </p> + <p> + "You should see this Hawk girl again and keep in touch with their plans. + We must not let them catch us napping." + </p> + <p> + "She's comin' to see me in a day er so. Mart Hawk went down to Attica + to-day, him an' a feller named Suggs who's been soberin' up at Mart's fer + the past few days. The chances are he's gone down there on this very + business." + </p> + <p> + "Will you keep in touch with me?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, sir. If you ain't got anything to do to-morrow, you might ride out + to my place, where we c'n talk a little more free-like." + </p> + <p> + "A good idea, Stain. You are sure nothing is likely to happen to-night?" + </p> + <p> + "Not till the dark o' the moon, she sez." + </p> + <p> + "By the way, why is she turning against her father like this?" + </p> + <p> + "Well, you remember what I was jest sayin' about women,—how sot they + are in their ways concarnin' a man? Well, Moll is after Barry Lapelle,—no + question about that. She's an uncommon good-lookin' girl, I might say, an' + I guess Barry ain't blind. Course, she's an unedicated girl an' purty poor + trash,—you couldn't expect much else of a daughter of Martin Hawk, I + guess,—but that don't seem to make much difference when it comes to + fallin' in love. You don't need to have much book learnin' fer that. I + could tell ye about a girl I used to know,—but we'll save it fer + some other time." + </p> + <p> + "I see," mused Kenneth, reflectively. "She wants Lapelle for herself. But + doesn't she realize that if they attempt this outrage her own father + stands a pretty good chance of being shot?" + </p> + <p> + "Lord love ye, that don't worry her none," explained the hunter. "She + don't keer much what happens to him. Why, up to this day he licks the + daylights out o' her, big as she is. You c'n hear her yell fer half a + mile. That's how she comes to be a friend o' mine, I happened to be + huntin' down nigh Mart's place last fall an' heerd her screamin',—you + could hear the blows landin' on her back, too,—so I jest stepped + sort o' spry to'ards his cabin an' ketched him layin' it on with a wilier + branch as thick as your thumb, an' her a screechin' like a wild-cat in a + trap. Well, what happened inside the next minute made a friend o' her fer + life,—an' an enemy o' him. You'd have thought any dootiful an' loyal + offspring would o' tried to pull me off'n him, but all she done was to + stand back an' egg me on, 'specially when I took to tannin' him with the + same stick he'd been usin' on her. Seems like Mart's never felt very + friendly to'ards me sence that day." + </p> + <p> + "I shouldn't think he would." + </p> + <p> + "When I got kind o' wore out with wollopin' him, I sot down to rest on the + edge o' the waterin' trough, an' she comes over to me an' sez she wished + I'd stay an' help her bury the old man. She said if I'd wait there she'd + go an' get a couple o' spades out'n the barn,—well, to make a long + story short, soon as Mart begin to realize he was dead an' wasn't goin' to + have a regular funeral, with mourners an' all that, he sot up an' begin to + whine all over ag'in. So I up an' told him if I ever heerd of him lickin' + his gal ag'in, I'd come down an' take off what little hide there was left + on him. He said he'd never lick her ag'in as long as he lived. So I sez to + Moll, sez I, 'If you ever got anything to complain of about this here + white-livered weasel, you jest come straight to me, an' I'll make him + sorry he didn't get into hell sooner.' Well, sir, after that he never + licked her without fust tyin' somethin' over her mouth so's she couldn't + yell, an' it wasn't till this afternoon that I found out he'd been at it + all along, same as ever, 'cept when Barry Lapelle was there. Seems that + Barry stopped him from lickin' her once, an' that made Moll foller him + around like a dog tryin' to lick his hand. No, sir, she won't be + heartbroke if somebody puts a rifle ball between Mart's eyes an' loses it + some'eres back inside his skull. She'd do it herself if she wasn't so + doggoned sure somebody else is goin' to do it, sooner or later." + </p> + <p> + "You say there was no one at home up at Mrs. Gwyn's?" observed Kenneth, + apprehensively. "That's queer. Where do you suppose they are?" + </p> + <p> + "That's what I'm wonderin' about. Mrs. Gwyn never goes nowhere, 'cept out + to the farm, an' I'm purty sure she didn't—Say, do you hear somebody + comin' up the road behind us?" + </p> + <p> + He laid a hand on Kenneth's arm and they both stopped to listen. + </p> + <p> + "I hear no one," said the young man. + </p> + <p> + "Well, you ain't got a hunter's ears," said the other. "Some one's + follerin' us,—a good ways back. I've got so's I c'n hear an acorn + drop forty mile away." + </p> + <p> + They drew off into the shadows at the roadside and waited. Twenty yards or + more ahead gleamed the lights in the windows of the nearest store. A few + seconds elapsed, and then Kenneth's ears caught the sound of footsteps in + the soft dirt road, and presently the subdued murmur of voices. + </p> + <p> + "Women," observed Stain, laconically, lowering his voice. "Let 'em pass. + If we show ourselves now, they'll think we're highwaymen or something, an' + begin screechin' fer dear life." + </p> + <p> + Two vague, almost indistinguishable figures took shape in the darkness + down the road and rapidly drew nearer. They passed within ten feet of the + two men,—black voiceless shadows. Stain's hand still gripped his + companion's arm. The women had almost reached the patches of light cast + upon the road from the store windows, before the hunter spoke. + </p> + <p> + "Recognize 'em?" he whispered. + </p> + <p> + "No." + </p> + <p> + "Well, I guess I know now why there wasn't nobody to home up yander. That + was Violy an' her ma." + </p> + <p> + Kenneth started. "You—you don't mean it!" + </p> + <p> + "Yep. An' if you was to ask me what they air doin' down here by the river + I'd tell you. Mrs. Gwyn jest simply took Violy down there to Trentman's + shanty an' SHOWED her Barry Lapelle playin' cards." + </p> + <p> + "Impossible! I would have seen them." + </p> + <p> + "Not from where you stood. The winders on the river side air open, an' you + c'n see into the house. On the side facin' this way, Jack's got curtains + hangin'. Well, Mrs. Gwyn took Violy 'round on t'other side where she could + look inside. Maybe you didn't hear what they was sayin' when we fust + beared 'em talkin'. Well, I did. I heared Violy say, plain as day, 'I + don't keer what you say, mother, he swore to me he never plays except fer + fun.' An' Rachel Gwyn, she sez, 'There ain't no setch thing as playin' fer + fun in that place, so don't talk foolish.' That's all I heared 'em say,—an' + they ain't spoke a word sence." + </p> + <p> + "Come along, Stain," said Kenneth, starting forward. "We must follow along + behind, to see that they reach home safely." + </p> + <p> + The hunter gave vent to a deprecating grunt. "They won't thank us if they + happen to turn around an' ketch us at it. 'Sides, I got to be startin' + to'ards home. That ole hoss o' mine ain't used to bein' out nights. Like + as not, he's sound asleep this minute, standin' over yander in front o' + Curt Cole's blacksmith shop, an' whenever that hoss makes up his mind he's + asleep there ain't nothin' that'll convince him he ain't. There they go, + turnin' off Main street, so's they won't run across any curious-minded + saints. Guess maybe we'd better trail along behind, after all." + </p> + <p> + Fifteen minutes later the two men, standing back among the trees, saw + lights appear in the windows of Mrs. Gwyn's house. Then they turned and + wended their way toward the public square. They had spoken but few words + to each other while engaged in the stealthy enterprise, and then only in + whispers. No one may know what was in the mind of the hunter, but in + Kenneth's there was a readjustment of plans. A certain determined + enthusiasm had taken the place of his previous depression. The excitement + of possible conflict, the thrill of adventure had wrought a complete + change in him. His romantic soul was aflame. + </p> + <p> + "See here, Stain," he began, when they were down the slope; "I've been + thinking this matter over and I have come to the conclusion that the best + thing for me to do is to go straight to Lapelle and tell him I am aware of + his—" + </p> + <p> + "Say, you're supposed to be a lawyer, ain't you?" drawled his companion, + sarcastically. + </p> + <p> + "Yes, I am," retorted Kenneth. + </p> + <p> + "Well, all I got to say is you'd make a better wood-chopper. Barry'd jest + tell you to go to hell, an' that'd be the end of it as fer as you're + concarned. Course, he'd give up the plan, but he'd make it his business to + find out how you got wind of it. Next thing we'd know, Moll Hawk would + have her throat slit er somethin',—an' I reckon that wouldn't be + jest what most people would call fair, Mr. Gwynne. I guess we'd better let + things slide along as they air an' ketch Mart an' his crowd in the act. + You don't reckon that Barry is goin' to take a active part in this here + kidnappin' job, do you? Not much! He won't be anywheres near when it + happens. He's too cute fer that. You won't be able to fasten anything on + him till it's too late to do anything." + </p> + <p> + Kenneth was properly humbled. "You are right, Stain. If you hear of + anybody who wants to have some wood chopped, free of charge, I wish you'd + let me know." + </p> + <p> + "Well," began the laconic Mr. Stain, "it takes considerable practice to + get to be even a fair to middlin' woodchopper." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII — THE GRACIOUS ENEMY + </h2> + <p> + Bright and early the next morning Kenneth gave orders to have his new home + put in order for immediate occupancy. Having made up his mind to remain in + Lafayette and face the consequences that had seemed insurmountable the + night before, he lost no time in committing himself to the final resolve. + Zachariah was despatched with instructions to lay in the necessary + supplies, while two women were engaged to sweep, scrub and furbish up the + long uninhabited house. He had decided to move in that very afternoon. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile he rented an "office" on the north side of the public square, a + small room at the back of a furniture store, pending the completion of the + two story brick block on the south side. With commendable enterprise he + lost no time in outfitting the temporary office from the furniture + dealer's stock. His scanty library of law books,—a half dozen + volumes in all,—Coke, Kent and Chitty, among them,—had been + packed with other things in the cumbersome saddle bags, coming all the way + from Kentucky with him. + </p> + <p> + Of necessity he had travelled light, but he had come well provided with + the means to purchase all that was required in the event that he decided + to make Lafayette his abiding place. + </p> + <p> + As he was hurrying away from the tavern shortly after breakfast, he + encountered Lapelle coming up from the stable-yard. The young Louisianian + appeared to be none the worse for his night's dissipation. In fact, he was + in a singularly amiable frame of mind. + </p> + <p> + "Hello," he called out. Kenneth stopped and waited for him to come up. + "I'm off pretty soon for my place below town. Would you care to come + along? It's only about eight miles. I want to arrange with Martin Hawk for + a duck shooting trip the end of the week. He looks after my lean-to down + there, and he is the keenest duck hunter in these parts. Better come + along." + </p> + <p> + "Sorry I can't make it," returned Kenneth. "I am moving into my house + to-day and that's going to keep me pretty busy." + </p> + <p> + "Well, how would you like to go out with us a little later on for ducks?" + </p> + <p> + "I'd like to, very much. That is, after I've got thoroughly settled in my + new office, shingles painted, and so forth. Mighty good of you to ask me." + </p> + <p> + Barry was regarding him somewhat narrowly. + </p> + <p> + "So you are moving up to your house to-day, are you? That will be news to + Viola. She's got the whim that you don't intend to live there." + </p> + <p> + "I was rather undecided about it myself,—at least for the present. I + am quite comfortable here at Mr. Johnson's." + </p> + <p> + "It isn't bad here,—and he certainly sets a good table. Say, I guess + I owe you a sort of apology, Kenny. I hope you will overlook the way I + spoke last night when you said you couldn't go to Jack Trentman's. I guess + I was a—well, a little sarcastic, wasn't I?" + </p> + <p> + There was nothing apologetic in his voice or bearing. On the contrary, he + spoke in a lofty, casual manner, quite as if this perfunctory concession + to the civilities were a matter of form, and was to be so regarded by + Gwynne. + </p> + <p> + "I make it a rule to overlook, if possible, anything a man may say when he + is drinking," said Kenneth, smiling. + </p> + <p> + Barry's pallid cheeks took on a faint red tinge; his hard eyes seemed + suddenly to become even harder than before. + </p> + <p> + "Meaning, I suppose, that you considered me a trifle tipsy, eh?" he said, + the corner of his mouth going up in mirthless simulation of a grin. + </p> + <p> + "Well, you had taken something aboard, hadn't you?" + </p> + <p> + "A drink or two, that was all," said the other, shrugging his shoulders. + "Anyhow, I have apologized for jeering at you, Gwynne, so I've done all + that a sober man should be expected to do," he went on carelessly. "You + missed it by not going down there with me last night. I cleaned 'em out." + </p> + <p> + "You did, eh?" + </p> + <p> + "A cool two thousand," said the other, with a satisfaction that bordered + on exultation. "By the way, changing the subject, I'd like to ask you a + question. Has a mother the legal right to disinherit a son in case said + son marries contrary to her wishes?" + </p> + <p> + Kenneth looked at him sharply. Could it be possible that Lapelle's mother + objected to his marriage with Viola, and was prepared to take drastic + action in case he did so? + </p> + <p> + "Different states have different laws," he answered. "I should have to + look it up in the statutes, Barry." + </p> + <p> + "Well, what is your own opinion?" insisted the other, impatiently. "You + fellows always have to look things up in a book before you can say one + thing or another." + </p> + <p> + "Well, it would depend largely on circumstances," said Kenneth, + judicially. "A parent can disinherit a child if he so desires, provided + there is satisfactory cause for doing so. I doubt whether a will would + stand in case a parent attempted to deprive a child of his or her share of + an estate descending from another parent who was deceased. For example, if + your father left his estate to his widow in its entirety, I don't believe + she would have the right to dispose of it in her will without leaving you + your full and legal share under the statutes of this or any other state. + Of course, you understand, there is nothing to prevent her making such a + will. But you could contest it and break it, I am sure." + </p> + <p> + "That's all I want to know," said the other, drawing a deep breath as of + relief. "A close friend of mine is likely to be mixed up in just that sort + of unpleasantness, and I was a little curious to find out whether such a + will would stand the test." + </p> + <p> + "Your friend should consult his own lawyer, if he has one, Lapelle. That + is to say, he should go to some one who knows all the circumstances. If + you want my advice, there it is. Don't take my word for it. It is too + serious a matter to be settled off-hand,—and my opinion in the + premises may be absolutely worthless." + </p> + <p> + "I was only asking for my own satisfaction, Gwynne. No doubt my friend has + already consulted a lawyer and has been advised. I must be off. Sorry you + can't come with me." + </p> + <p> + Kenneth would have been surprised and disturbed if he could have known all + that lay behind these casual questions. But it was not for him to know + that Viola had repeated Mrs. Gwyn's threat to her impatient, arrogant + lover, nor was it for him to connect a simple question of law with the + ugly plot that had been revealed to Isaac Stain by Moll Hawk. + </p> + <p> + After two nights of troubled thought, Barry Lapelle had hit upon an + extraordinary means to circumvent Rachel Gwyn. With Machiavellian cunning + he had devised a way to make Viola his wife without jeopardizing her or + his own prospects for the future. No mother, he argued, could be so + unreasonable as to disinherit a daughter who had been carried away by + force and was compelled to wed her captor rather than submit to a more + sinister alternative. + </p> + <p> + Shortly after the noon meal, Kenneth rode up to the old Gwyn house. He + found Zachariah beaming on the front door step. + </p> + <p> + "Yas, suh,—yas, suh!" was the servant's greeting. "Right aroun' dis + way, Marse Kenny. Watch out, suh, ailse yo' scrape yo' hat off on dem + branches." + </p> + <p> + He grasped the bit, after his master had dismounted in the weed-covered + little roadway at the side of the house, and ceremoniously waved his hand + toward the open door. + </p> + <p> + "Step right in, suh,—yas, suh,—an' make yo'self to home, suh. + Sit right down front of de fiah, Marse Kenny. Ah won't be more'n two + shakes, suh, stablin'—yas, suh! Come on hyar, yo' Brandy Boy! Ise + gwine show yo' whar yo's gwine to be de happies' hoss in—yas, suh,—yas, + suh!" + </p> + <p> + The young man looked long and searchingly through the trees before + entering the house, but saw no sign of his neighbours. He thought he + detected a slight movement of a curtain in one of the windows,—the + parlor window, if his memory served him right. + </p> + <p> + It was late in the afternoon before he saw either of his relatives. He had + had occasional glimpses of the negro servant-girl and also of a gaunt + stable-man, both of whom favoured his partially obscured abode with frank + interest and curiosity. A clumsy, silent hound came up to the intervening + fence several times during the afternoon and inspected the newcomers with + seeming indifference, an attitude which misled Zachariah into making + advances that were received with alarming ill-temper. + </p> + <p> + Kenneth was on his front doorstep, contemplating with secret despair the + jungle of weeds and shrubbery that lay before him, completely obliterating + the ancient path down to the gate. The whole place was overgrown with + long, broken weeds, battered into tangled masses by the blasts of winter; + at his feet were heaps of smitten burdocks and the dead, smothered stems + of hollyhocks, geraniums and other garden plants set out and nurtured with + tender care by Rachel Gwyn during her years of occupancy. The house needed + painting, the roof required attention, the front gate was half open and + immovably imbedded in the earth. + </p> + <p> + He was not aware of Viola's presence on the other side of the fence + dividing the two yards until her voice fell upon his ears. It was clear + and sweet and bantering. + </p> + <p> + "I suppose you are wondering why we haven't weeded the yard for you, + brother Kenny." + </p> + <p> + As he made his way through the weeds to the fence, upon which she rested + her elbows while she gazed upon him with a mocking smile in the eyes that + lay far back in the shovel-like hood of her black quaker bonnet, he + experienced a sudden riotous tumult in the region of his heart. Shaded by + the dark, extended wings of the bonnet, her face was like a dusky rose + possessed of the human power to smile. The ribbon, drawn close under her + chin, was tied in a huge bow-knot, while at the back of her head the soft, + loose cap of the bonnet fitted snugly over hair that he knew would gleam + with tints of bronze if exposed to the rays of the sinking sun. + </p> + <p> + "Not at all," he rejoined. "I am wondering just where I'd better begin." + </p> + <p> + "Did you find the house all right?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes. You have saved me a lot of trouble, Viola." + </p> + <p> + "Don't give me credit for it. Mother did everything. I suppose you know + that the furniture and other things belong to you by rights. She didn't + give them to you out of charity." + </p> + <p> + "The last thing in the world I should expect would be charity from your + mother," he said, stung by the obvious jibe. + </p> + <p> + She smiled tolerantly. "She is more charitable than you imagine. It was + only last night that she said she wished Barry Lapelle was half as good + and upright as you are." + </p> + <p> + "That was very kind of her. But if such were the case, I dare say it never + would have occurred to you to fall in love with him." + </p> + <p> + He had come up to the fence and was standing with his hand on the top + rail. She met his ironic gaze for a moment and then lowered her eyes. + </p> + <p> + "I wish it were possible for us to be friends, Kenny," she surprised him + by saying. "It doesn't seem right for us to hate each other," she went on, + looking up at him again. "It's not our fault that we are who and what we + are. I can understand mother's attitude toward you. You are the son of + another woman, and I suppose it is only natural for her to be jealous. But + you and I had the same father. It—it ought to be different with us, + oughtn't it?" + </p> + <p> + "It ought to be,—and it shall be, Viola, if you are willing. It + rests entirely with you." + </p> + <p> + "It is so hard to think of you as a brother. Somehow I wish you were not." + </p> + <p> + "It is pretty hard luck, isn't it? You may be sure of one thing. If I were + not your brother I would be Barry Lapelle's most determined rival." + </p> + <p> + She did not laugh at this. On the contrary, her eyes clouded. + </p> + <p> + "The funny part of it is, Kenny, I have been wondering what would have + happened if you had come here as a total stranger and not as my relation." + Then she smiled whimsically. "Goodness knows poor Barry is having a hard + enough time of it as it is, but what a time he would be having if you were + some one else. You see, you are very good-looking, Kenny, and I am a very + silly, frivolous, susceptible little goose." + </p> + <p> + "You are nothing of the kind," he exclaimed warmly, adding in some + embarrassment, "except when you say that I am good-looking." + </p> + <p> + "And I have also been wondering how many girls have been in love with + you," she went on archly; "and whether you have a sweetheart now,—some + one you are engaged to. You needn't be afraid to tell me. I can keep a + secret. Is there some one back in Kentucky or in the east who—" + </p> + <p> + "No such luck," whispered simple, honest Kenneth. "No one will have me." + </p> + <p> + "Have you ever asked anybody?" she persisted. + </p> + <p> + "No,—I haven't." + </p> + <p> + "Then, how do you know that no one will have you?" + </p> + <p> + "Well, of course, I—I mean to say I can't imagine any one caring for + me in that way." + </p> + <p> + "Don't you expect ever to get married?" + </p> + <p> + "Why,—er,—naturally I—" he stammered, bewildered at this + astonishing attack. + </p> + <p> + "Because if you want to remain a bachelor, I would advise you not to ask + any one of half a dozen girls in this town that I could mention. They + would take you so quick your head would swim." + </p> + <p> + By this time he had recovered himself. Affecting grave solicitude, he + inquired: + </p> + <p> + "Is there any one here that you would particularly desire as a + sister-in-law?" + </p> + <p> + She shook her head, almost pensively. "I don't want you to bring any more + trouble into the family than you've already brought, and goodness knows + THAT would be doing it. But I shouldn't have said that, Kenny. There are + lots of fine, lovely girls here. I wouldn't know which one to pick out for + you if you were to ask me to do your choosing." + </p> + <p> + "I will leave it entirely in your hands," said he, grinning boyishly. + "Pick me out a nice, amiable, rather docile young lady,—some one who + will come the nearest to being a perfect sister-in-law, and I will begin + sparking her at once. By the way, I hope matters are going more smoothly + for you and Barry." + </p> + <p> + Her face clouded. She shot a suspicious, questioning look at him. + </p> + <p> + "I—I want to talk to you about Barry some day," she said seriously. + </p> + <p> + "You seemed to resent it most bitterly the last time I attempted to talk + to you about him," said he, somewhat pointedly. + </p> + <p> + "You were horrid that day," said she. "I have a good deal to forgive. You + said some very mean, nasty things to me that day over there," indicating + the thicket with a jerk of her head. + </p> + <p> + "I am glad to see that you took them to heart and have profited," he + ventured boldly. + </p> + <p> + She hesitated, and then spoke with a frankness that shamed him. "Yes, I + did take them to heart, Kenny. I will not say that I have profited, but + I'll never make the same kind of a fool of myself again. I hated you with + all my soul that day,—and for a long time afterward,—but I + guess you took the right way with me, after all. If I was fair and square, + I would say that I am grateful to you. But, you see, I am not fair and + square. I am as stubborn as a mule." + </p> + <p> + "The best thing about a mule is that he takes his whalings without + complaining." + </p> + <p> + She sighed. "I often wonder what a mule thinks about when he stands there + without budging while some angry, infuriated man beats him until his arm + gets tired." + </p> + <p> + "That's very simple. He just goes on thinking what a fool the man is for + licking a mule." + </p> + <p> + "Good! I hope you will remember that the next time you try to reason with + me." + </p> + <p> + "What is it you want to say to me about Barry?" he asked, abruptly. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, there is plenty of time for that," she replied, frowning. "It will + keep. How are you getting along with the house?" + </p> + <p> + "Splendidly. It was in very good order. I will be settled in a day or two + and as comfortable as anything. To-night Zachariah and I are going to make + a list of everything we need and to-morrow I shall start out on a + purchasing tour. I intend to buy quite a lot of new furniture, things for + the kitchen, carpets and—" + </p> + <p> + Viola interrupted him with an exclamation. Her eyes were shining, + sparkling with eagerness. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, won't you take me along with you? Mr. Hanna has just received a + wonderful lot of things from down the river, and at Benbridge & + Foster's they have a new stock of—" + </p> + <p> + "Hurrah!" he broke in jubilantly. "It's just what I wanted, Viola. Now you + are being a real sister to me. We will start early in the morning and—and + buy out the town. Bless your heart, you've taken a great load off my mind. + I haven't the intelligence of a snipe when it comes to fitting up a—why, + say, I tell you what I'll do. I will let you choose everything I need, + just as if you were setting up housekeeping for yourself. Curtains, table + cloths, carpets, counterpanes, china, Queensware, chairs, chests—" + </p> + <p> + "Brooms, clothes-pins, rolling-pins, skillets, dough-bowls, cutlery—" + </p> + <p> + "Bureaus, looking-glasses, wardrobe, antimacassar tidies, bedspreads, + towels—" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, Kenny, what fun we'll have," she cried. "And, first of all, you must + let me come over right now and help you with your list. I know much better + than you do what you really need,—and what you don't need. We must + not spend too much money, you see." + </p> + <p> + "'Gad," he gulped, "you—you talk just as if you and I were a poor, + struggling young couple planning to get married." + </p> + <p> + "No, it only proves how mean and selfish I am. I am depriving your future + bride of the pleasure of furnishing her own house, and that's what all + brides like better than anything. But I promise to pick out things that I + know she will like. In the meantime, you will be happy in knowing that you + have something handsome to tempt her with when the time comes. As soon as + you are all fixed up, you must give a party. That will settle everything. + They'll all want to marry you,—and they'll have something to + remember me by when I'm gone. Come on, Kenny, let's go in and start making + the list." + </p> + <p> + She started off toward her own gate, but stopped as he called out to her. + </p> + <p> + "Wait! Are you sure your mother will approve of your—" + </p> + <p> + "Of course she will!" she flung back at him. "She doesn't mind our being + friendly. Only,"—and she came back a few steps, "I am afraid she + will never be friends with you, Kenny. I am sorry." + </p> + <p> + He was silent. She waited for a moment before turning away, shaking her + head slightly as if attempting to dismiss something that perplexed her + sorely. There was a yearning in his eyes as they followed her down to the + gate; then he shot a quick, accusing glance at the house in which his + enemy lived. He saw the white curtains in the north parlor window drop + into place, flutter for a second or two, and then hang perfectly still. + Rachel Gwyn had been watching them. He made no effort to hide the scowl + that darkened his brow as he continued to stare resentfully at the window. + </p> + <p> + He met Viola at his own disabled gate, which cracked and shivered + precariously on its rusty hinges as he jerked it open. + </p> + <p> + "I lived for nearly three years in this house, Kenny," she said as she + picked her way through the weeds. "I slept on a very hard straw tick up in + the attic. It was dreadfully cold in the winter time. I used to shiver all + night long curled up with my knees up to my chin. And in the summer time + it was so hot I slept with absolutely nothing,—" She broke off in + sudden confusion. "Our new house is only about a year old," she went after + a moment. Pointing, she added: "That is my bedroom window up there. You + can get a glimpse of it through the trees but when the leaves are out you + can't see it at all from here." + </p> + <p> + "I shall keep an eye on that window," said he, with mock severity, "and if + ever I catch you climbing down on a ladder to run away with—well, + I'll wake the dead for miles around with my yells. See to it, my dear + sister, that you attempt nothing rash at the dead hour of night." + </p> + <p> + She laughed. "Have you seen our dog? I pity the valiant knight who tries + to put a ladder up to my window." + </p> + <p> + They spent the better part of an hour going over the house. She was in an + adorable mood. Once she paused in the middle of a sentence to ask why he + was so solemn. + </p> + <p> + "Goodness me, Kenny, you look as if you had lost your very best friend. + Aren't you interested? Shall we stop?" + </p> + <p> + A feeling of utter desolation had stricken him. He was sick at heart. + Every drop of blood in his body was crying out for her. Small wonder that + despair filled his soul and lurked in his gloomy, disconsolate eyes. She + had removed her bonnet. If he had thought her beautiful on that memorable + night at Striker's he now realized that his first impression was + hopelessly inadequate. Her eyes, dancing with eagerness, no longer + reflected the disdain and suspicion with which she had regarded him on + that former occasion. Her smile was frank and warm and joyous. He saw her + now as she really was, incomparably sweet and charming—and so his + heart was sick. + </p> + <p> + "I wouldn't stop for the world," he exclaimed, making a determined effort + to banish the tell-tale misery from his eyes. + </p> + <p> + "I know!" she cried, after a searching look into his eyes. "You are in + love with some one, Kenny, and you are wishing that she were here in my + place, helping you to plan the—" + </p> + <p> + "Nonsense," he broke in gruffly. "Put that out of your head, Viola. I tell + you there is no—er—no such girl." + </p> + <p> + "Then," she said darkly, "it must be the dreadful extravagance I am + leading you into. Goodness, when I look at this list, I realize what a lot + of money it is going to take to—" + </p> + <p> + "We're not half through," he said, "and I am not thinking of the expense. + I am delighted with everything you have suggested. I shudder when I think + how helpless I should have been without you. Didn't I tell you in the + beginning that I wanted you to fix this house up just as if you were + planning to live in it yourself? Put down all the things you would most + like to have, Viola, and—and—well, confound the expense. Come + along! We're losing time. Did you jot down that last thing we were talking + about? That—er—that—" He paused, wrinkling his forehead. + </p> + <p> + "I don't believe you have been paying any attention to what—Now, + tell me, what WAS the last thing we were talking about?" + </p> + <p> + He squinted hard at the little blank book in her hand. She closed it with + a snap. + </p> + <p> + "Have you got it down?" he demanded severely. + </p> + <p> + "I have." + </p> + <p> + "Then, there's no use worrying about it," he said, with great + satisfaction. "Now, let me see: don't you think I ought to have a clock + for the mantelpiece?" + </p> + <p> + "I put that down half an hour ago," she said. "The big gold French clock I + was telling you about." + </p> + <p> + "That's so. The one you like so well down at Currie's." + </p> + <p> + They proceeded. He had followed about, carrying the ink pot into which she + frequently dipped the big quill pen. She overlooked nothing in the + scantily furnished house. She even went so far as to timidly suggest that + certain articles of furniture might well be replaced by more attractive + ones, and he had promptly agreed. At last she announced that she must go + home. + </p> + <p> + "If you buy all the things we have put down here, Kenny, you will have the + loveliest house in Lafayette. My, how I shall envy you!" + </p> + <p> + "I have a feeling I shall be very lonely—amidst all this splendour," + he said. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, no, you won't. I shall run in to see you every whipstitch. You will + get awfully sick of having me around." + </p> + <p> + "I am thinking of the time when you are married, Viola, and,—and + have gone away from Lafayette." + </p> + <p> + "Well," she began, her brow clouding, "you seem to have got along without + me for a good many years,—so I guess you won't miss me as much as + you think. Besides, we are supposed to be enemies, aren't we?" + </p> + <p> + "It doesn't look much like it now, does it?" + </p> + <p> + "No," she said dubiously, "but I—I must not do anything that will + make mother feel unhappy or—" + </p> + <p> + He broke in a little harshly. "Are you forgetting how unhappy it will make + her if you marry Barry Lapelle?" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, that may be a long way off," she replied calmly. "You see, Barry and + I quarrelled yesterday. We both have vile tempers,—perfectly + detestable tempers. Of course, we will make up again—we always do—but + there may come a time when he will say, 'Oh, what's the use trying to put + up with you any longer?' and then it will all be over." + </p> + <p> + She was tying her bonnet strings as she made this astonishing statement. + Her chin being tilted upward, she looked straight up into his eyes the + while her long, shapely fingers busied themselves with the ribbons. + </p> + <p> + "I guess you have found out what kind of a temper I have, haven't you?" + she added genially. As he said nothing (being unable to trust his voice): + "I know I shall lead poor Barry a dog's life. If he knew what was good for + him he would avoid me as he would the plague." + </p> + <p> + He swallowed hard. "You—you will not fail to come with me to-morrow + morning on the purchasing tour," he said, rather gruffly. "I'll be + helpless without you." + </p> + <p> + "I wouldn't miss it for anything," she cried. + </p> + <p> + As they walked down to the gate she turned to him and abruptly said: + </p> + <p> + "Barry is going down the river next week. He expects to be away for nearly + a fortnight. Has he said anything to you about it?" + </p> + <p> + Kenneth started. Next week? The dark of the moon. + </p> + <p> + "Not a word," he replied grimly. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV — A MAN FROM DOWN THE RIVER + </h2> + <p> + Kenneth's first night in the old Gwyn house was an uneasy, restless one, + filled with tormenting doubts as to his strength or even his willingness + to continue the battle against the forces of nature. + </p> + <p> + Viola's night was also disturbed. Some strange, mysterious instinct was at + work within her, although she was far from being aware of its + significance. She lay awake for a long time thinking of him. She was + puzzled. Over and over again she asked herself why she had blushed when he + looked down at her as she was tying her bonnet-strings, and why had she + felt that queer little thrill of alarm? And why did he look at her like + that? She answered this question by attributing its curious intensity to a + brotherly interest—which was quite natural—and the awakening + of a dutiful affection—but that did not in any sense account for the + blood rushing to her face, so that she must have reminded him of a "turkey + gobbler." She announced to her mother at breakfast: + </p> + <p> + "I don't believe I can ever think of Kenny as a brother." + </p> + <p> + Rachel Gwyn looked up, startled. "What was that you called him?" she + asked. + </p> + <p> + "Kenny. He has always been called that for short. And somehow, mother, it + sounds familiar to me. Have I ever heard father speak of him by that + name?" + </p> + <p> + "I—I am sure I do not know," replied her mother uneasily. "I doubt + it. It must be a fancy, Viola." + </p> + <p> + "I can't get over feeling shy and embarrassed when he looks at me," mused + the girl. "Don't you think it odd? It doesn't seem natural for a girl to + feel that way about a brother." + </p> + <p> + "It is because you are not used to each other," interrupted Rachel. "You + will get over it in time." + </p> + <p> + "I suppose so. You are sure you don't mind my going to the stores with + him, mother?" + </p> + <p> + Her mother arose from the table. There was a suggestion of fatalism in her + reply. "I think I can understand your desire to be with him." She went to + the kitchen window and looked over at the house next door. "He is out in + his back yard now, Viola," she said, after a long pause, "all dressed and + waiting for you. You had better get ready." + </p> + <p> + "It will not hurt him to wait awhile," said Viola perversely. "In fact, it + will do him good. He thinks he is a very high and mighty person, mother." + She glanced at the clock on the kitchen wall. "I shall keep him waiting + for just an hour." + </p> + <p> + Rachel's strong, firm shoulders drooped a little as she passed into the + sitting-room. She sat down abruptly in one of the stiff rocking-chairs, + and one with sharp ears might have heard her whisper to herself: + </p> + <p> + "We cannot blindfold the eyes of nature. They see through everything." + </p> + <p> + It was nine o'clock when Viola stepped out into her front yard, reticule + in hand, and sauntered slowly down the walk, stopping now and then to + inspect some Maytime shoot. He was waiting for her outside his own gate. + </p> + <p> + "What a sleepy-head you are," was her greeting as she came up to him. + </p> + <p> + "I've been up since six o'clock," he said. + </p> + <p> + "Then, for goodness' sake, why have you kept me waiting all this time?" + </p> + <p> + "My dear Viola, I was not born yesterday, nor yet the day before," he + announced, with aggravating calmness. "Long before you were out of short + frocks and pantalettes I was a wise old gentleman." + </p> + <p> + "I don't know just what you mean by that." + </p> + <p> + "I learned a great many years ago that it is always best to admit you are + in fault when a charming young lady says you are. If you had kept me + waiting till noon I should still consider it my duty to apologize. Which I + now do." + </p> + <p> + She laughed merrily. "Come along with you. We have much to do on this fine + May day. First, we will go to the hardware store, saving the queensware + store till the last,—like float at the end of a Sunday dinner." + </p> + <p> + And so they advanced upon the town, as fine a pair as you would find in a + twelvemonth's search. First she conducted him to Jimmy Munn's feed and + wagon-yard, where he contracted to spend the first half-dollar of the + expedition by engaging Jimmy to haul his purchases up to the house. + </p> + <p> + "Put the sideboards on your biggest wagon, Jimmy," was Viola's order, "and + meet us at Hinkle's." + </p> + <p> + She proved to be a very sweet and delightful autocrat. For three short and + joyous hours she led him from store to store, graciously leaving to him + the privilege of selection but in nine cases out of ten demonstrating that + he was entirely wrong in his choice, always with the naive remark after + the purchase was completed and the money paid in hand: "Of course, Kenny, + if you would rather have the other, don't for the world let me influence + you." + </p> + <p> + "You know more about it than I do," he would invariably declare. "What do + I know about carpets?"—or whatever they happened to be considering + at the time. + </p> + <p> + She was greatly dismayed, even appalled, as they wended their way + homeward, followed by the first wagonload of possessions, to find that he + had spent the stupendous, unparalleled sum of two hundred and forty-two + dollars and fifty cents. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, dear!" she sighed. "We must take a lot of it back, Kenny. Why didn't + you keep track of what you were spending? Why, that's nearly a fourth of + one thousand dollars." + </p> + <p> + He grinned cheerfully. "And we haven't begun to paint the house yet, or + paper the walls, or set out the flower beds, or—" + </p> + <p> + "Goodness me!" she cried, aghast. "You are not going to do all that now, + are you?" + </p> + <p> + "Every bit of it," he affirmed. "I am going to rebuild the barn, put in a + new well, dig a cistern, build a smoke-house, lay a brick walk down to the + front gate and put up a brand new picket fence—" + </p> + <p> + "You must be made of money," she cried, eyeing him with wonder in her big, + violet eyes. + </p> + <p> + "I am richer now than when we started out this morning," said he, + magnificently. + </p> + <p> + "When you say things like that, you almost make me wish you were not my + brother," said she, after a moment, and to her annoyance she felt the + blood mount to her face. + </p> + <p> + "And what would you do if I were not your brother?" he inquired, looking + straight ahead. + </p> + <p> + Whereupon she laughed unrestrainedly. "You would be dreadfully shocked if + I were to tell you,—but I can't help saying that Barry would be so + jealous he wouldn't know what to do." + </p> + <p> + "You might find yourself playing with fire." + </p> + <p> + "Well," she said, flippantly, "I've got over wanting to play with dolls. + Now don't scold me! I can see by your face that you'd like to shake me + good and hard. My, what a frown! I am glad it isn't January. If your face + was to freeze—There! That's better. I shouldn't mind at all if it + froze now. You look much nicer when you smile, Kenny." Her voice dropped a + little and a serious expression came into her eyes. "I don't believe I + ever saw father smile. But I've seen him when he looked exactly as you did + just then. I—I hope you don't mind my talking that way about your + father, Kenny. I wouldn't if he were not mine as well." + </p> + <p> + "You knew him far better than I," he reminded her. Then he added brightly: + "I shall try to do better from now on. I'll smile—if it kills me." + </p> + <p> + "Don't do that," she protested, with a pretty grimace. "I've been in + mourning for ages, it seems, and I'm sure I should hate you if you kept me + in black for another year or two." + </p> + <p> + As they parted at Kenneth's gate,—it seemed to be mutely understood + that he was to go no farther,—they observed a tall, black figure + cross the little front porch of the house beyond and disappear through the + door. Kenneth's eyes hardened. The girl, looking up into those eyes, shook + her head and smiled wistfully. + </p> + <p> + "Will you come over and help me put all these things where they belong?" + he asked, after a moment. + </p> + <p> + "This afternoon, Kenny?" + </p> + <p> + "If you haven't anything else you would rather—" he began. + </p> + <p> + "I can't wait to see how the house will look when we get everything in + place. I will be over right after dinner,—unless mother needs me for + something." + </p> + <h3> + . . . . . + </h3> + <p> + That evening Zachariah was noticeably perturbed. He had prepared a fine + supper, and to his distress it was scarcely touched by his preoccupied + master. Now, Zachariah was proud of his cooking. He was pleased to call + himself, without fear of contradiction, "a natteral bo'n cook, from de + bottom up." Moreover, his master was a gentleman whose appetite was known + to be absolutely reliable; it could be depended upon at almost any hour of + the day or night. Small wonder then that Zachariah was not only mystified + but grieved as well. He eyed the solemn looking young man with anxiety. + </p> + <p> + "Ain't yo' all feelin' well, Marse Kenneth?" he inquired, with a + justifiable trace of exasperation in his voice. + </p> + <p> + "What's that, Zachariah?" asked Kenneth, startled out of a profound + reverie. + </p> + <p> + "Is dey anything wrong wid dat ham er—" + </p> + <p> + "It is wonderful, Zachariah. I don't believe I have ever tasted better + ham,—and certainly none so well broiled." + </p> + <p> + "Ain't—ain't de co'n-bread fitten to eat, suh?" + </p> + <p> + "Delicious, Zachariah, delicious. You have performed wonders with the—er—new + baking pan and—" + </p> + <p> + "What's de matteh wid dem b'iled pertaters, suh?" + </p> + <p> + "Matter with them? Nothing! They are fine." + </p> + <p> + "Well, den, suh, if dere ain't nothin' de matteh wid de vittels, dere + suttinly mus' be somefin de matteh wid you, Marse Kenneth. Yo' all ain't + etten enough fo' to fill a grasshoppeh." + </p> + <p> + "I am not hungry," apologized his master, quite humbly. + </p> + <p> + "'Cause why? Yas, suh,—'cause why?" retorted Zachariah, exercising a + privilege derived from long and faithful service. "'Cause Miss Viola she + done got yo' all bewitched. Can't fool dis yere nigger. Wha' fo' is yo' + all feelin' dis yere way 'bout yo' own sister? Yas, suh,—Ah done had + my eyes open all de time, suh. Yo' all was goin' 'round lookin' like a + hongry dog, 'spectin'—Yas, suh! Yas, SUH! Take plenty, suh, Marse + Johnson he say to me, he say, 'Dis yere sap come right outen de finest + maple tree in de State ob Indianny, day befo' yesterday,' he say. A leetle + mo' coffee, suh? Yas, suh! Das right! Yo' suttinly gwine like dat ham soon + as ever yo' get a piece in yo' mouth,—yas, SUH!" + </p> + <p> + Kenneth's abstraction was due to the never-vanishing picture of Viola, the + sleeves of her work-dress rolled up to the elbows, her eyes aglow with + enthusiasm, her bonny brown hair done up in careless coils, her throat + bare, her spirits as gay as the song of a roistering gale. She had come + over prepared for toil, an ample apron of blue gingham shielding her + frock, her skirts caught up at the sides, revealing the bottom of her + white petticoat and a glimpse of trim, shapely ankles. + </p> + <p> + She directed the placing of all the furniture carried in by the grunting + Jimmy Munn and Zachariah; she put the china safe and pantry in order; she + superintended the erection of the big four poster bed, measured the + windows for the new curtains, issued irrevocable commands concerning the + hanging of several gay English hunting prints (the actual hanging to be + done by Kenneth and his servant in a less crowded hour,—after + supper, she suggested); ordered Zachariah to remove to the attic such of + the discarded articles of furniture as could be carried up the pole + ladder, the remainder to go to the barn; left instructions not to touch + the rolls of carpet until she could measure and cut them into sections, + and then went away with the promise to return early in the morning not + only with shears and needle but with Hattie as well, to sew and lay the + carpets,—a "Brussels" of bewildering design and an "ingrain" for the + bedroom. + </p> + <p> + "When you come home from the office at noon, Kenny, don't fail to bring + tacks and a hammer with you," she instructed, as she fanned her flushed + face with her apron. + </p> + <p> + "But I am not going to the office," he expostulated. "I have too much to + see to here." + </p> + <p> + "It isn't customary for the man of the house to be anywhere around at a + time like this," she informed him, firmly. "Besides you ought to be down + town looking for customers. How do you know that some one may not be in a + great hurry for a lawyer and you not there to—" + </p> + <p> + "There are plenty of other lawyers if one is needed in a hurry," he + protested. "And what's more, I can't begin to practise law in this State + without going through certain formalities. You don't understand all these + things, Viola." + </p> + <p> + "Perhaps not," she admitted calmly; "but I do understand moving and + house-cleaning, and I know that a man is generally in the way at such + times. Oh, don't look so hurt. You have been fine this afternoon. I don't + know how I should have got along without you. But to-morrow it will be + different. Hattie and I will be busy sewing carpets and—and—well, + you really will not be of any use at all, Kenny. So please stay away." + </p> + <p> + He was sorely disgruntled at the time and so disconsolate later on that it + required Zachariah's startling comment to lift him out of the slough of + despond. Spurred by the desire to convince his servant that his + speculations were groundless, he made a great to-do over the imposed task + of hanging the pictures, jesting merrily about the possibility of their + heads being snapped off by Mistress Viola if she popped in the next + morning to find that they had bungled the job. + </p> + <p> + Four or five days passed, each with its measure of bitter and sweet. By + the end of the week the carpets were down and the house in perfect order. + He invited her over for Sunday dinner. A pained, embarrassed look came + into her eyes. + </p> + <p> + "I was afraid you would ask me to come," she said gently. "I don't think + it would be right or fair for me to accept your hospitality. Wait! I know + what you are going to say. But it isn't quite the same, you see. Mother + has been very kind and generous about letting me come over to help you + with the house,—and I suppose she would not object if I were to come + as your guest at dinner,—but I have a feeling in here somewhere that + it would hurt her if I came here as your guest. So I sha'n't come. You + understand, don't you?" "Yes," he said gravely,—and reluctantly. "I + understand, Viola." + </p> + <p> + Earlier in the week he had ridden out to Isaac Stain's. The hunter had no + additional news to give him, except that Barry, after spending a day with + Martin Hawk, had gone down to Attica by flat-boat and was expected to + return to Lafayette on the packet Paul Revere, due on Monday or Tuesday. + </p> + <p> + Lapelle's extended absence from the town was full of meaning. Stain + advanced the opinion that he had gone down the river for the purpose of + seeing a Williamsport justice of the peace whose record was none too good + and who could be depended upon to perform the contemplated marriage + ceremony without compunction if his "palm was satisfactorily greased." + </p> + <p> + "If we could only obtain some clear and definite idea as to their manner + of carrying out this plan," said Kenneth, "I would be the happiest man on + earth. But we will be compelled to work in the dark,—simply waiting + for them to act." + </p> + <p> + "Well, Moll Hawk hain't been able to find out just yet when er how they're + goin' to do it," said Stain. "All she knows is that two or three men air + comin' up from Attica on the Paul Revere and air goin' to get off the boat + when it reaches her pa's place. Like as not this scalawag of a justice + will be one of 'em, but that's guesswork. That reminds me to ask, did you + ever run acrosst a feller in the town you come from named Jasper Suggs?" + </p> + <p> + "Jasper Suggs? I don't recall the name." + </p> + <p> + "Well, she says this feller Suggs that's been stayin' at Martin's cabin + fer a week er two claims to have lived there some twenty odd years ago. + Guess you must ha' been too small to recollect him. She says he sort of + brags about bein' a renegade durin' the war an' fightin' on the side of + the Injins up along the Lakes. He's a nasty customer, she says. Claims to + be a relation of old Simon Girty's,—nephew er something like that." + </p> + <p> + "Does he claim to have known any of my family down there?" inquired + Kenneth, apprehensively. + </p> + <p> + "From what Moll says he must have knowed your pa. Leastwise, he says the + name's familiar. He was sayin' only a day or two ago that he'd like to see + a picter of your pa. He'd know if it was the same feller he used to know + soon as he laid eyes on it." + </p> + <p> + Kenneth pondered a moment and then said: "Do you suppose you could get a + letter to Moll Hawk if I were to write it, Stain?" + </p> + <p> + "I could," said the other, "but it wouldn't do any good. She cain't read + er write. Besides, if I was you, I wouldn't risk anything like that. It + might fall into Hawk's hands, and the fust thing he would do would be to + turn it over to Lapelle,—'cause Martin cain't read himself." + </p> + <p> + "I was only wondering if she could find out a little more about this man + Suggs,—just when he lived there and—and all that." + </p> + <p> + "He's purty close-mouthed, she says. Got to be, I reckon. He fell in with + Martin ten er twelve years ago, an' there was a price on his head then. + Martin hid him for awhile an' helped him to git safe away. Like as not + Suggs ain't his real name anyhow." + </p> + <p> + Kenneth was a long time in deciding to speak to Rachel Gwyn about the man + Suggs. He found an opportunity to accost her on the day that the Paul + Revere came puffing up to the little log-built landing near the ferry. + Viola had left the house upon learning that the boat had turned the bend + in the river two or three miles below town, and had made no secret of her + intention to greet Lapelle when he came ashore. This was Gwynne's first + intimation that she was aware of her lover's plan to return by the Paul + Revere. He was distinctly annoyed by the discovery. + </p> + <p> + Rachel was in her back yard, feeding the chickens, when he came up to the + fence and waited for her to look in his direction. All week,—in + fact, ever since he had come up there to live,—he had been + uncomfortably conscious of peering eyes behind the curtains in the parlor + window. Time and again he had observed a slight flutter when he chanced to + glance that way, as of a sudden release of the curtains held slightly + apart by one who furtively watched from within. On the other hand, she + never so much as looked toward his house when she was out in her own yard + or while passing by on the road. Always she was the straight, stern, + unfriendly figure in black, wrapped in her own thoughts, apparently + ignorant of all that went on about her. + </p> + <p> + She turned at last and saw him standing there. + </p> + <p> + "May I have a word with you?" he said. + </p> + <p> + She did not move nor did she speak for many seconds, but stood staring + hard at him from the shade of her deep black bonnet. + </p> + <p> + "What is it you want, Kenneth Gwynne?" + </p> + <p> + "No favour, you may be sure, Rachel Carter." + </p> + <p> + She seemed to wince a little. After a moment's hesitation, she walked + slowly over to the fence and faced him. + </p> + <p> + "Well?" she said curtly. + </p> + <p> + "Do you remember a man at home named Jasper Suggs?" + </p> + <p> + "Are you speaking of my old home in Salem or of—of another place?" + </p> + <p> + "The place where I was born," he said, succinctly. + </p> + <p> + "I have never heard the name before," she said. "Why do you ask?" + </p> + <p> + "There is a man in this neighbourhood,—a rascal, I am told,—who + says he lived there twenty years ago." + </p> + <p> + She eyed him narrowly. "Well,—go on! What has he to say about me?" + </p> + <p> + "Nothing, so far as I know. I have not talked with him. It came to me in a + roundabout way. He is staying with a man named Hawk, down near the Wea." + "He keeps pretty company," was all she said in response to this. + </p> + <p> + "I have been told that he would like to see a daguerreotype of my father + some time, just to make sure whether he was the Gwynne he used to know." + </p> + <p> + "Has he ever seen you, Kenneth Gwynne?" She appeared to be absolutely + unconcerned. + </p> + <p> + "No." + </p> + <p> + "One look at you would be sufficient," she said. "If you are both so + curious, why not arrange a meeting?" + </p> + <p> + "I am in no way concerned," he retorted. "On the other hand, I should + think you would be vitally interested, Rachel Carter. If he knew my + father, he certainly must have known you." + </p> + <p> + "Very likely. What would you have me do?" she went on ironically. "Go to + him and beg him to be merciful? Or, if it comes to the worst, hire some + one to assassinate him?" + </p> + <p> + "I am not thinking of your peace of mind. I am thinking of Viola's. We + have agreed, you and I, to spare her the knowledge of—" + </p> + <p> + "Quite true," she interrupted. "You and I have agreed upon that, but there + it ends. We cannot include the rest of the world. Chance sends this man, + whoever he may be, to this country. I must likewise depend upon Chance to + escape the harm he may be in a position to do me. Is it not possible that + he may have left before I came there to live? That chance remains, doesn't + it?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes," he admitted. "It is possible. I can tell you something about him. + He is related to Simon Girty, and he was a renegade who fought with the + Indians up north during the war. Does that throw any light upon his + identity?" + </p> + <p> + "He says his name is Suggs?" she inquired. + </p> + <p> + He was rewarded by a sharp catch in her breath and a passing flicker of + her eyes. + </p> + <p> + "Jasper Suggs." + </p> + <p> + She was silent for a moment. "I know him," she said calmly. "His name is + Simon Braley. At any rate, there was a connection of Girty's who went by + that name and who lived down there on the river for a year or two. He + killed the man he was working for and escaped. That was before I—before + I left the place. I don't believe he ever dared to go back. So, you see, + Chance favours us again, Kenneth Gwynne." + </p> + <p> + "You forget that he will no doubt remember you as Rachel Carter. He will + also remember that you had a little girl." + </p> + <p> + "Let me remind you that I remember the cold-blooded murder of John + Hendricks and that nobody has been hung for it yet," she said. "My memory + is as good as his if it should come to pass that we are forced to exchange + compliments. Thank you for the information. The sheriff of this county is + a friend of mine. He will be pleased to know that Simon Braley, murderer + and renegade, is in his bailiwick. From what I know of Simon Girty's + nephew, he is not the kind of man who will be taken alive." + </p> + <p> + He started. "You mean,—that you will send the sheriff out to arrest + him?" + </p> + <p> + She shook her head. "Not exactly," she replied. "Did you not hear me say + that Simon Braley would never be taken alive?" + </p> + <p> + With that, she turned and walked away, leaving him to stare after her + until she entered the kitchen door. He was conscious of a sense of horror + that began to send a chill through his veins. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV — THE LANDING OF THE "PAUL REVERE" + </h2> + <p> + The Paul Revere tied up at the landing shortly after two o'clock. The + usual crowd of onlookers thronged the bank, attention being temporarily + diverted from an important game of "horseshoes" that was taking place in + the sugar grove below Trentman's shanty. + </p> + <p> + Pitching horseshoes was the daily fair-weather pastime of the male + population of the town. At one time or another during the course of the + day, practically every man in the place came down to the grove to shy + horseshoes at the stationary but amazingly elusive pegs. It was not an + uncommon thing for a merchant to close his place of business for an hour + or so in order to keep an engagement to pitch horseshoes with some + time-honoured adversary. + </p> + <p> + On this occasion a very notable match was in progress between "Judge" + Billings and Mr. Pennington Sawyer, the real estate agent. They were the + recognized champions. Both were accredited with the astonishing feat of + ringing eight out of ten casts at twenty paces; if either was more than + six inches away from the stake on any try the crowd mutely attributed the + miss to inhibitions of the night before. Not only was the betting lively + when these two experts met but all other matches were abandoned during the + classic clash. + </p> + <p> + The "Judge" did not owe his title to service on the bench nor even at the + bar of justice. It had been bestowed upon him by a liberal-minded + community because of his proficiency as a judge of horse races, foot + races, shooting matches, dog or rooster fights, and other activities of a + similar character. He was, above all things, a good judge of whiskey. When + not engaged in judging one thing or another, he managed to eke out a + comfortable though sometimes perilous living by trading horses,—a + profession which made him an almost infallible judge of men, + notwithstanding two or three instances where he had erred with painful + results to his person. Notably, the prodigious thrashing Jake Miller had + given him two days after a certain trade, and an almost identical + experience with Bud Shanks who had given a perfectly sound mare and + seventeen dollars to boot for a racehorse that almost blew up with the + heaves before Bud was half-way home. + </p> + <p> + But, whatever his reputation may have been as a horse-trader, "Judge" + Billings was unaffectedly noble when it came to judging a contest of any + description. Far and wide he was known to be "as honest as the day is + long," proof of which may be obtained from his publicly uttered contention + that "nobody but a derned fool would do anything crooked while a crowd was + lookin' on, with more'n half of 'em carryin' guns or some other weapon + that can't be expected to listen to argument." + </p> + <p> + He was Kenneth Gwynne's first client. In employing the young man to defend + a suit brought by Silas Kenwright, he ingenuously announced that the + plaintiff had a perfectly good case and that his only object in fighting + the claim was to see how near Silas could come to telling the truth under + oath. Mr. Kenwright was demanding twenty-five dollars damages for slander. + In the complaint Mr. Billings was charged with having held Mr. Kenwright + up to ridicule and contumely by asseverating that said plaintiff was "a + knock-kneed, cross-eyed, red-headed, white-livered liar." + </p> + <p> + "The only chance we've got," he explained to Gwynne, "is on the question + of his liver. We can prove he's a liar,—in fact, he admits that,—but, + doggone it, he's as bow-legged as a barrel hoop, he's wall-eyed, and what + little hair he's got is as black as the ace o' spades. I don't suppose the + Court would listen to a request to have him opened up to see what colour + his liver is,—and that's where he's got us. It ain't so much being + called a liar that riles him; he's used to that. It's being called + knock-kneed and cross-eyed. He don't mind the white-livered part so much, + or the way I spoke about his hair, 'cause one of 'em you can't see an' the + other could be dyed or sheared right down to the skin if the worst came to + the worst. If I'd only called him a lousy, ornery, low-lived, + sheep-stealing liar, this here suit never would have been brought. But + what did I do but up and hurt his feelings by callin' him knock-kneed and + cross-eyed. That comes of not stickin' to the truth, Mr. Gwynne,—and + it's a derned good lesson for me. Honesty is the best policy, as the + feller says. It'll probably cost me forty or fifty dollars for being so + slack with my veracity." + </p> + <p> + Kenneth's suggestion that an effort be made to settle the controversy out + of court had met with instant opposition. + </p> + <p> + "It ain't to be thought of," declared Mr. Billings firmly. "Why, dodgast + it, you don't suppose I'm going to pay that feller any money, do you? Not + much! I'm willing enough to let him get a judgment against me for any + amount he wants, just fer the fun of it, but, by gosh, when you begin to + talk about me giving him money, why, that's serious. I'm willing to pay + you your ten dollars fee and the court costs, but the only way Si + Kenwright can ever collect a penny from me will be after I'm dead and he + sneaks in when nobody's around and steals the coppers off my eyes." + </p> + <p> + This digression serves a simple purpose. It introduces a sporty gentleman + of unique integrity whose friendship for Kenneth Gwynne flowered as time + went on and ultimately bore such fruits as only the most favoured of men + may taste. In passing he may be described as a pudgy, middle-aged + individual, with mild blue eyes, an engaging smile, cherubic cheeks, sandy + hair, and a highly pitched, far-reaching voice. He also had a bulbous nose + resembling a large, ripe strawberry. + </p> + <p> + Before coming to rest alongside the wharf, the Paul Revere indulged in a + vast amount of noise. She whistled and coughed and sputtered and gasped + with all the spasmodic energy of a choking monster; her bells kept up an + incessant clangour; her wheel creaked and grovelled on the bed of the + river, churning the water into a yellowish, foaming mass; her captain + bellowed and barked, her crew yelped, her passengers shouted; the flat + boats and perogues moored along the bank, aroused from their lassitude, + began to romp gaily in the swirl of her crazy backwash; ropes whined and + rasped and groaned, the deck rattled hollowly with the tread of heavy feet + and the shifting of boxes and barrels and crates; the gangplank came down + with a crash,—and so the mighty hundred and fifty ton leviathan of + the Wabash came to the end of her voyage! + </p> + <p> + There were a score of passengers on board, among them Barry Lapelle. He + kept well in the rear of the motley throng of voyagers, an elegant, lordly + figure, approached only in sartorial distinction by the far-famed gambler, + Sylvester Hornaday, who likewise held himself sardonically aloof from the + common horde, occupying a position well forward where, it might aptly be + said, he could count his sheep as they straggled ashore. + </p> + <p> + From afar Barry had recognized Viola standing among the people at the top + of the bank, and his eager, hungry gaze had not left her. She, too, had + caught sight of him long before the boat was near the landing. She waved + her kerchief. + </p> + <p> + He lifted his hat and blew a kiss to her. A thrill of exultation ran + through him. He had not expected her to meet him at the landing. Her mere + presence there was evidence of a determination to defy not only her mother + but also to brave the storm of gossip that was bound to attend this public + demonstration of loyalty on her part, for none knew so well as he how the + townspeople looked upon their attachment. A most satisfying promise for + the future, he gloated; here was the proof that she loved him, that her + tantalizing outbursts of temper were not to be taken seriously, that his + power over her was irresistible. There were times when he felt + uncomfortably dubious as to his hold upon her affections. She was + whimsical, perverse, maddening in her sudden transitions of mood. And she + had threatened more than once to have nothing more to do with him unless + he mended his ways! Now he smiled triumphantly as he gazed upon her. All + that pother about nothing! Henceforth he would pay no attention to her + whims; let her rail and fume and lecture as much as she liked, there was + nothing for him to be worried about. She would always come round like a + lamb,—and when she was his for keeps he would take a lot of the + nonsense out of her! + </p> + <p> + With few exceptions the passengers on board the Revere were strangers,—fortune-seekers, + rovers, land-buyers and prospectors from the east and south come to this + well-heralded region of promise, perhaps to stay, perhaps to pass on. + Three or four Lafayette men, home after a trip down the river, crowded + their way ashore, to be greeted by anxious wives. The strangers were more + leisurely in their movements. They straggled ashore with their nondescript + possessions and ambled off between two batteries of frank, appraising + eyes. + </p> + <p> + Judge Billings, shrewd calculator of human values, quite audibly disclosed + his belief that at least three of the newcomers would have to be run out + of town before they were a day older, possibly astraddle of a rail. + </p> + <p> + One of these marked individuals was a tall, swart, bearded fellow with + black, shifty eyes and a scowling brow. His baggage consisted of a + buckskin sack slung across his shoulder and a small bundle which he + carried under his arm. He appeared to have no acquaintances among the + voyagers. + </p> + <p> + "You don't know how happy this makes me, Viola," exclaimed Lapelle as he + clasped the girl's hand in his. He was devouring her with a bold, + consuming gaze. + </p> + <p> + She reddened. "I told mother I was coming down to meet you," she + explained, visibly embarrassed by the stares of those nearby. "I—I + wanted to see you the instant you arrived, Barry. Shall we walk along + slowly behind the rest?" + </p> + <p> + "What's happened?" he demanded suspiciously, his brow darkening. + </p> + <p> + "Don't be impatient. Wait till they are a little ahead." + </p> + <p> + "'Gad, it sounds ominous. I thought you came down to meet me because you + love me and were—well, glad to see me." + </p> + <p> + "I am glad to see you. You didn't expect me to make an exhibition of + myself before all those people, did you?" + </p> + <p> + His face brightened. "Well, THAT sounds better." His mouth went up at the + corner in its habitual curl. "I'd give all I possess if it was dark now, + so that I could grab you and squeeze the—" + </p> + <p> + "Sh! They will hear you," she whispered, drawing away from him in + confusion. + </p> + <p> + They held back until the throng had moved on a short distance. Then she + turned upon him with a dangerous light in her eyes. + </p> + <p> + "And what's more," she said in a low voice, "I don't like to hear you say + such things. They sound so cheap and low—and vulgar, Barry. I—" + "Oh, you're always jumping on me for saying the things I really feel," he + broke in. "You're my girl, aren't you? Why shouldn't I tell you how I + feel? What's vulgar about my telling you I want to hold you in my arms and + kiss you? Why, I don't think of anything else, day or night. And what do I + get? You put me off,—yes, you do!—bringing up some silly + notion about—about—what is it?—propriety! Good Lord, + Viola, that's going back to the days of the Puritans,—whoever they + were. They just sat around and held hands,—and that's about all I've + been allowed to do with you. It's not right,—it's not natural, + Viola. People who are really in love with each other just simply can't + help kissing and—" + </p> + <p> + "I guess you were right when you said you were not expecting me down to + meet the boat, Barry," she interrupted, looking straight before her. + </p> + <p> + "Well, didn't I tell you how happy it made me?" + </p> + <p> + "If you had thought there was any chance of me coming down to meet you, + you wouldn't have taken so much to drink," she went on, a little catch in + her voice. + </p> + <p> + Whereupon he protested vigorously that he had not tasted a drop,—except + one small dram the captain had given him early that morning when he + complained of a chill. + </p> + <p> + "Why, you're drunk right now," she said miserably. "Oh, Barry, won't you + ever—" + </p> + <p> + "Drunk? I'm as sober as the day I was born," he retorted, squaring his + shoulders. "Look at me,—look me in the eye, Viola. Oh, well, if you + WON'T look you won't, that's all. And if I'm as drunk as you imagine I am + I should think you'd be ashamed to be seen in my company." She did not + respond to this, so, with a sneering laugh, he continued: "Suppose I have + had a little too much,—who's the cause of it? You! You drive me to + it, you do. The last couple of weeks you've been throwing up all my faults + to me, tormenting me till I'm nearly crazy with uncertainty. First you say + you'll have me, that you'll do anything I wish, and then, just as I begin + to feel that everything's all right, you up and say you're not sure + whether you care for me or not and you're going to obey your mother in + every—And, say, that reminds me. Unless I am very much mistaken, I + think I'll soon have a way to bring your mother to time. She won't—" + </p> + <p> + He brought himself up with a jerk, realizing that his loose tongue was + running away with his wits. She was looking at him with startled, + inquiring eyes. + </p> + <p> + "What do you mean by that, Barry Lapelle?" she asked, and he was quick to + detect the uneasiness in her manner. + </p> + <p> + He affected a grin of derision. "I'm going to put my case in the hands of + Kenny Gwynne, the rising young barrister. With him on our side, my dear, I + guess we'll bring her to time. All he has to do is to stand up to her and + say he isn't going to put up with any more nonsense, and she'll see the + light of wisdom. If he thinks it's all right for you to marry me, I guess + that will end the matter. He's the head of the family, isn't he?" + </p> + <p> + This hastily conceived explanation of his luckless remark succeeded in + deceiving her. She stared at him in distress. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, Barry, you—you surely can't be thinking of asking Kenneth to + intercede—" + </p> + <p> + "Why not? He doesn't see any reason why we shouldn't be married, my dear. + In fact, he told me so a few days ago. He—" + </p> + <p> + "I don't believe it," she cried. + </p> + <p> + "You don't?" he exclaimed sharply. + </p> + <p> + "No, I don't," she repeated. + </p> + <p> + "Has he been talking to you about me?" he demanded, an ugly gleam flashing + into his eyes. + </p> + <p> + "He has never said a word against you,—not one. But I don't believe + you when you say he told you that we ought to get married." She felt her + cheeks grow hot. She had turned her face away from him. + </p> + <p> + "I'm a liar, am I?" he snarled. + </p> + <p> + "I—I don't believe he ever said it," she said stubbornly. + </p> + <p> + "Well,—you're right," he admitted, after a moment's hesitation. "Not + in so many words. But he did say to me that he had told you he saw no + reason why you shouldn't marry me if you wanted to. Did he ever tell you + that?" + </p> + <p> + She remembered only too well the aggravating encounter in the thicket + path. + </p> + <p> + "Yes, he did," she replied, lifting her head defiantly. "And," she added, + "I hated him for it. I hate him more and more every time I think of it. He—he + was perfectly abominable." + </p> + <p> + "Well, you're—you're damned complimentary," he grated, his face + expressing the utmost bewilderment. + </p> + <p> + She walked on for eight or ten paces before speaking again. Her head was + lowered. She knew that he was glaring at the wing of the bonnet which + shielded her whitening cheek. Suddenly she turned to him. + </p> + <p> + "Barry, let's sit down on that log over there for a few minutes. There is + something I've got to say to you,—and I'm sorry. You must not be + angry with me. Won't you come over there with me,—and listen to what + I have to tell you?" + </p> + <p> + He hung back for a moment, his intuition grasping at something vague and + yet strangely definite. + </p> + <p> + "You—you are going to tell me it's all over between us, Viola?" he + ventured, going white to the lips. He was as sober now as though he had + never touched liquor in his life. + </p> + <p> + "Come and sit down," she said gently, even compassionately. + </p> + <p> + He followed her in silence to the log she had indicated, a few rods back + from the roadside at the edge of the clearing. He sat down beside her and + waited for her to speak, and as she remained speechless, evidently in + distress, his lips curled in a smile of reviving confidence. He watched + the quick rise and fall of her bosom, exulting in her difficulty. Birds + were piping among the fresh green twigs overhead. The air was redolent of + the soft fragrance of May: the smell of the soil, the subtle perfume of + unborn flowers, the tang of the journeying breeze, the spice of + sap-sweating trees. The radiance of a warm, gracious sun lay soft upon the + land. + </p> + <p> + At last she spoke, not tremulously as he had expected but with a firmness + that boded ill for his composure. + </p> + <p> + "Barry," she began, still staring straight ahead, "I don't know just how + to begin. It is awfully hard to—to say what I feel I must say. + Perhaps I should have waited till—well, till you were home for a + little while,—before doing what I have made up my mind to do. But I + thought it right to have it over with as soon as possible." + </p> + <p> + She paused for a moment and then resolutely faced him. He saw the pain in + her dark, troubled eyes, and the shadow of an appealing smile on her lips. + His face hardened. + </p> + <p> + "So," she went on unflinchingly, "I came down to the landing to meet you + in case you were on the Paul Revere. I cannot marry you, Barry. I—I + don't love you as I should. I thought I did but—but—well, + that's all. I don't know what has happened to make me see things so + differently, but whatever it is I know now that I was mistaken,—oh, + so terribly mistaken. I know I am hurting you, Barry,—and you have a + right to despise me. I—I somehow hope you will,—because I + deserve it." + </p> + <p> + He smiled indulgently. "I hope you don't think I am taking this seriously. + This isn't the first time I've heard you take on like—" + </p> + <p> + "But I mean it this time, Barry,—I do truly and honestly," she + cried. "I know I've played hot and cold with you,—and that's just + the point. It proves that I never really cared for you in—in that + way—down in my soul, I mean. I am sure of it now. I have been + dreadfully unhappy about it,—because, Barry dear, I can't bear to + hurt you. We are not suited to each other. We think differently about a + great many things. We—" + </p> + <p> + "Look here," he exclaimed roughly, no longer able to disguise his anger; + "you've got to stop this everlasting—" + </p> + <p> + "Let go of my arm, Barry Lapelle!" she cried. "Don't you dare lay your + hand on me like that!" + </p> + <p> + He loosened his grip on her arm and drew back sulkily. "Ah,—I didn't + mean to hurt you and you know it. I wouldn't hurt you for anything in the + world. I'm sorry if I was rough with—" + </p> + <p> + "I don't blame you," she broke in, contritely. "I guess it would serve me + right if you beat me black and blue." + </p> + <p> + "What I was going to say," he growled, controlling himself with + difficulty, "is this: if you think I'm going to take this as final, you're + very much mistaken. You'll get over this, just as you've gotten over your + peevishness before. I've spoiled you, that's the truth of the matter. I + always give in to you—" + </p> + <p> + "I tell you I am in earnest," she cried hotly. "This is for good and all,—and + you make me furious when you talk like that. I am doing my best to be kind + and considerate, so you'd better be careful, Barry Lapelle, not to say too + much." + </p> + <p> + He looked into her flaming eyes for a moment and then muttered slowly, + wonderingly: "By heaven, Viola, I believe you DO mean it. You—you + are actually throwing me over,—giving me the mitten?" + </p> + <p> + "I can't help it, Barry," she insisted. "Something,—I don't know + what,—has come over me. Nothing seems to be the same as it used to + be. I only know that I cannot bear the thought of—why, Barry dear, + for the past three or four nights I've lain awake for hours thinking of + the awful consequences if we had succeeded in making our escape that + night, and had been married as we planned. How terrible it would have been + if I had found out too late that I did not love you,—and we were + tied to each other for life. For your sake as well as my own, Barry. Can + you imagine anything more horrible than to be married to a woman who—who + didn't love you?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes," he snapped, "I can. It's worse a thousand times over not to be + married to the girl you love,—and to see her married to some one + else. That would be hell,—hell, do you understand?" + </p> + <p> + She drew a little away from him. "But not the hell it would be for me when + I found out—too late. Won't you understand, Barry? Can't you see how + terrible it would be?" + </p> + <p> + "Say, when did you get this idea into your head?" he demanded harshly. + "What put it there? You were loving me hard enough a while ago,—couldn't + get along without me, you claimed. Now you're singing another tune. Look + here! Is—is there some one else?" + </p> + <p> + "You know there isn't," she cried indignantly. "Who else could there be? + Don't be foolish, Barry." + </p> + <p> + "By God, if some one else has cut me out, I'll—I'll—" + </p> + <p> + "There is no one else, I tell you! I don't love anybody,—I swear + it." + </p> + <p> + He eyed her narrowly. "Has Kenny Gwynne anything to do with all this?" + </p> + <p> + She started. "Kenny? Why,—no,—of course not. What on earth + could he have to do with my loving or not loving you?" + </p> + <p> + "It would be just like him to turn you against me because he thinks I'm + not fit to—Say, if I find out that he's been sticking his nose into + my affairs, I'll make it so hot for him,—brother or no brother,—that + he'll wish he'd never been born. Wait a minute! I'll tell you what I think + of him while I'm about it—and you can run and tell him as quick as + you please. He's a G— d—— snake in the grass, that's + what he is. He's a conceited, sanctimonious, white-livered—" + </p> + <p> + "Stop that!" she cried, springing to her feet, white with fury, her eyes + blazing. "You are forgetting yourself, Barry Lapelle. Not another word! + How dare you speak like that about my brother?" + </p> + <p> + He sat staring up at her in a sort of stupefaction. + </p> + <p> + "How dare you?" she repeated furiously. + </p> + <p> + He found his voice. "You weren't sticking up for him this time last week," + he sneered. "You were hating him like poison. Has the old woman had a + change of heart, too? Is she letting him sit in her lap so's she can feed + him with a spoon when he's hungry and—" + </p> + <p> + "I wouldn't marry you if you were the only man in the world, Barry + Lapelle," said she, her voice low with passion. + </p> + <p> + She whirled and walked rapidly away from him, her head in the air, her + hands clenched. Leaping to his feet, he started after her, calling: + </p> + <p> + "Wait a minute, Viola! Can't you see I'm almost out of my head over what + you've—Oh, well, go it! I'm not going to CRAWL after you! But let me + tell you one thing, my girl. You'll be talking out of the other side of + your mouth before you're much older. You'll be down on your knees—" + </p> + <p> + "Don't you follow me another step!" she cried over her shoulder. + </p> + <p> + He was not more than two yards behind her when she uttered this withering + command. He stopped short in his tracks. + </p> + <p> + "Well, this is a hell of a way to treat a gentleman!" he shouted, hoarse + with fury. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI — CONCERNING TEMPESTS AND INDIANS + </h2> + <p> + Shortly after dark that evening, the tall, swarthy man who had come up on + the Paul Revere sauntered slowly up and down that part of Main Street + facing the Court House. Ostensibly he was inspecting store windows along + the way, but in reality he was on the lookout for a man he had agreed to + meet at a point just above the tavern,—a casual meeting, it was to + appear, and between two strangers. Barry Lapelle came out of the tavern at + the stroke of eight and walked eastward a few paces, halting at the dark + open lot between Johnson's place and Smith's store beyond. The swarthy man + approached slowly, unconcernedly. He accosted Lapelle, inquiring: + </p> + <p> + "Is that the tavern, Mister?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes," replied Barry, needlessly pointing down the street. "Well?" + </p> + <p> + "It's her," said the stranger. "I had a good look at her 'long about five + o'clock from the woods across from her house. She's a heap sight older but + I knowed her all right." + </p> + <p> + "You are sure?" + </p> + <p> + "Sure as my name is—" + </p> + <p> + "Sh!" + </p> + <p> + "Course I'm sure. She was Owen Carter's widder. He was killt by a tree + fallin' on him. Oh, I got a good memory. I can't afford to have a bad one. + I remember her as plain as if it wuz yestiday." He pointed off in a + westerly direction for the benefit of a passerby. "Thank ye, mister. You + say it's not more'n six mile out yan way?" Lowering his voice, he went on: + "A feller wouldn't be likely to fergit a woman like her. Gosh, I used to + wish—but wishin' don't count fer much in this world." + </p> + <p> + "Get on with it. We can't stand here talking all night." + </p> + <p> + "Well, she's the woman that run off with Bob Gwynne. There ain't no doubt + about it. Everybody knowed it. I wuz there at the time, workin' fer Ed + Peters. He left his wife an' a little boy. His wife was a daughter of ole + Squire Blythe,—damn his heart! He had me hoss-whipped in public fer—well, + fer some triflin' thing I done. Seems to me Mrs. Carter had a little baby + girl. Maybe not. I ain't much of a hand fer noticin' babies." + </p> + <p> + "You are sure,—absolutely positive about all this?" whispered + Lapelle intensely. + </p> + <p> + "You bet yer boots I am." + </p> + <p> + "She ran off with a married man?" + </p> + <p> + "She did. A feller by the name o' Gwynne, as I said afore,—Bob + Gwynne. An' I want to tell you, he got out o' that town jest in time or + I'd have slit his gizzard fer him. He had me arrested fer stealin' a + saddle an' bridle. He never WOULD have got away ef I hadn't been locked up + in Jim Hatcher's smokehouse with two men settin' outside with guns fer a + solid month, keepin' watch on me day an' night. I wuz—" + </p> + <p> + "That's all for to-night," snapped Barry impatiently. "You get out of town + at once. Mart will be waiting for you down below Granny Neff's cabin,—this + side of the tanyard,—as arranged." + </p> + <p> + "What about that other business? Mart'll want to know when we're to—" + </p> + <p> + "He knows. The Paul Revere goes south day after to-morrow morning. If the + plans are changed before that time, I'll get word to him. It may not be + necessary to do anything at all. You've given me information that may + bring the old woman to her senses." + </p> + <p> + "Them two fellers that come up on the boat to-day. Air you sure you c'n—" + </p> + <p> + "That's all for to-night," interrupted Barry, and strode off up the + street, leaving Jasper Suggs, sometime Simon Braley of the loathsome Girty + stock, to wend his lonely way out into a silence as black as the depths of + his own benighted soul. + </p> + <p> + The night was sultry. Up in the marshy fastnesses of Lake Stansbury all + the frogs in the universe seemed to have congregated for a grand festival + of song. The treble of baby frogs, the diapason of ancient frogs, the + lusty alto of frogs in the prime of life, were united in an unbroken, + penetrating chant to the starless sky. The melancholy hoot of the owl, the + blithesome chirp of the cricket, even the hideous yawp of the roaming + loon, were lost in the din and clatter of Lake Stansbury's mighty chorus. + </p> + <p> + There was promise of storm in the lifeless air. Zachariah, resting his + elbows on the fence, confided this prognostication to an almost invisible + Hattie on the opposite side of the barrier between two back yards. + </p> + <p> + "Ah allus covers my haid up wid de blanket—an' de bolster—an' + de piller when hit's astormin'," said Hattie, in an awed undertone. "An' + Ah squeals lak a pig ev' time hit claps." + </p> + <p> + "Shucks, gal!" scoffed Zachariah. "What yo' all so skeert o' lightnin' + fo'? Why, good lan' o' Goshen, Ah hain't no mo' askeert o' storms dan Ah + is ob—ob YOU!" He chuckled rather timorously after blurting out this + inspired and (to him) audacious remark. To his relief and astonishment, + Hattie was not offended. + </p> + <p> + "Ah bet yo' all hain't see no setch thunderstorms as we has 'round dis + yere neck o' de woods," said she, with conviction. "Ah bet yo' be skeert + ef you—" + </p> + <p> + "Don' yo' talk to me, gal," boasted Zachariah. "Wuzzin Ah in de wustest + storm dis yere valley has seed sence dat ole Noah he climb up in dat ole + ark an' sez, 'Lan' sakes, Ah wonder ef Ah done gone an' fergit anyt'ing.' + Yes, MA'AM,—dat evenin' out to Marse Striker's—dat wuz a + storm, gal. Wuz Ah skeert? No, SUH! Ah stup right out in de middle of it, + lightnin' strikin' all 'round an' de thunder so turrible Marse Kenneth an' + ever'body ailse wuz awonderin' ef de good Lord could hear 'em prayin' fo' + mercy. Yas, suh—yas, SUH! Dat's de gospel trufe. An' me right out + dere in dat ole barnyard doin' de chores fo' ole Mis' Striker. Marse + Kenneth he stick his haid out'n de winder an' yell, 'Zachariah, yo' come + right in heah dis minnit! Yo' heah me? Wha' yo' all doin' out dere in dat + hell-fire an' brimstone? Ah knows yo' is de bravest nigger in all dis + world, but fo' mah sake, Zachariah, won't yo' PLEASE come in?' Well, suh, + jes' den Ah happens to look up from what Ah wuz doin' an' sees a streak o' + lightnin' comin' straight to'ards de cabin. So Ah yells fo' him to pull + his haid in mighty quick, an' shore 'nuff he got it in jes' in de nick o' + time. Dat streak o' lightnin' went right pass de winder an' hit de groun'. + Den hit sort o' bounce up in de air an' lep right over mah haid an' hitten + a tree—" + </p> + <p> + "Wuz hit rainin' all dis time?" + </p> + <p> + "Rainin'? Mah lan', gal, course hit wuz rainin'," replied Zachariah, + somewhat testily. "Hitten a tree not more'n ten foot from where Ah wuz—" + </p> + <p> + "Hain't yo' all got no sense at all, nigger?" demanded Hattie, + witheringly. "Don' yo' know 'nough to go in out'n de rain?" + </p> + <p> + Zachariah was flabbergasted. Here was a bolt from a supposedly clear and + tranquil sky; it flattened him out as no stroke of lightning could ever + have done. For once in his life he was rendered speechless. + </p> + <p> + Hattie, who had got religion on several unforgettable occasions and was at + this very time on the point of returning to the spiritual fold which she + had more or less secretly abandoned at the behest of the flesh, regarded + this as an excellent opportunity to re-establish herself as a disciple of + salvation. + </p> + <p> + "An' what's more, nigger," she went on severely, "ef de good Lord ever + cotch setch a monst'ous liar as yo' is out in a hurricane lak what yo' all + sez it wuz, dere wouldn't be no use buryin' what wuz lef' of yo'. 'Cause + why, 'cause yo' jes' gwine to be a lil black cinder no bigger'n a + chinkapin. I knows all about how brave yo' wuz out to Marse Striker's. + Miss Violy she done tell how yo' all snuck under de table an' prayed an' + carried on somefin' scan'lous." + </p> + <p> + Zachariah, though crushed, made a noble effort to extricate himself from + the ruins. "Ah lak to know what Miss Violy knows about me on dat yere + occasion. Yas, suh,—dat's what Ah lak to know. She never lay eyes on + me dat night. 'Ca'se why? 'Ca'se I wuz out in de barnlot all de time. She + done got me contwisted wid dat other fool nigger, dat's what she done." + </p> + <p> + "What other fool nigger?" + </p> + <p> + "Didden she tell yo' all about dat nigger we fotch along up from + Craffordsville to—" + </p> + <p> + "Yas, suh, she done tole all about dat Craffordsville nigger, ef dat's de + one yo' means." + </p> + <p> + Zachariah was staggered. "She—she tole yo' about—about dat + Craffordsville nigger?" + </p> + <p> + "Yas, suh,—she did. Miss Violy she say he wuz de han'somest boy she + ever did see,—great big strappin' boy wid de grandest eyes an'—" + </p> + <p> + "Dat's enough,—dat'll do," exclaimed Zachariah in considerable heat. + "Marse Kenneth he got to change his tune, dat's all I got to say. He say + Ah am de biggest liar in dis yere land,—but, by golly, he ain' ever + heared about dis yere gal Hattie. No, SUH! When Ah lies, Ah lies about + SOMEFIN', but when yo' lies, yo' jes' lies about NUFFIN',—'ca'se + why? 'Ca'se dat Craffordsville nigger he ain' nuffin'. Yo' ought to be + 'shamed o' yo'self, nigger, makin' out Miss Violy to be a liar lak dat,—an' + her bein' de fines' lady in—" + </p> + <p> + "Go on 'way wid yo', nigger," retorted Hattie airily. "Don' yo' come + aroun' heah no mo' makin' out how brave yo' is,—'ca'se Ah knows a + brave nigger when Ah sees one, lemme tell yo' dat, Mistah Zachariah + Whatever-yo'-name is." + </p> + <p> + Silence followed this Parthian shot. Zachariah, being a true philosopher, + rested his case without further argument. He appeared to have given + himself up to reflection. Presently Hattie, tempering her voice with + honey, remarked: + </p> + <p> + "Ah suttinly is mighty glad yo' is come up yere to live, Zachariah." + </p> + <p> + "Look here, gal,—don' yo' go countin' on me too much," said he, + suspiciously. "Ah got all Ah c'n do 'tendin' to mah own wo'k 'thout comin' + over yander an' hulpin' yo'—" + </p> + <p> + "Lan's sakes, man, 'tain't mah look-out ef yo' come over yere an' tote mah + clo'se-basket an' ev'thing 'round fo' me,—no, suh! Ah ain' nev' ast + yo', has Ah? All Ah does is to hole Cato so he won't chaw yo' laig off + when yo' come botherin' me to please 'low yo' to hulp me,—das all Ah + do. An' lemme tell yo', nigger, dat ain' no easy job. 'Ca'se ef dere's one + t'ing Cato do enjoy hit's dark meat,—yas, suh, hit's come so he + won't even look at light meat no mo', he so sick o' feedin' off'n dese + yere white shin-bones." + </p> + <p> + "Well, den, why is yo' glad Ah come up yere to live?" demanded Zachariah + defensively. + </p> + <p> + "'Ca'se o' dis yere ole Black Hawk." + </p> + <p> + "Ah don' know nuffin' 'bout no ole Black Hawk." + </p> + <p> + "Yo' all gwine to know 'bout him mighty quick," said she solemnly. "He's + on de rampage. Scalpin' an' burnin' white folks at de stake an' des + wallerin' in blood. Yas, suh,—Ah suttinly ain't gwine feel so skeert + o' dat ole Black Hawk 'long as yo' is livin' right nex' do', Zachariah." + </p> + <p> + "Wha' yo' all talkin' about?" + </p> + <p> + "Marse Joe,—he de sheriff dis yere county,—he done tole ole + Mis' Gwyn dis evenin' all de news 'bout dat ole Black Hawk. Yas, suh,—ole + Black Hawk he on de warpath. All de Injuns in dis yere—" + </p> + <p> + "Injuns?" gulped Zachariah. + </p> + <p> + "Dey all got dere warpaint on an' dere tommyhawks—" + </p> + <p> + "How come Marse Kenneth he don' know nuffin' 'bout all dis?" demanded + Zachariah, taking a step or two backward and glancing anxiously over one + shoulder, then the other. "He a lawyer. How come he don' know nuffin' + 'bout—Say, how close dat ole sheriff say dem Injuns is?" + </p> + <p> + "Dat's what I can't make out, Zachariah. He talk so kind o' low an' me + lettin' de dishpan drop right in de middle—" + </p> + <p> + "Ah guess Ah better go right straight in de house an' tell Marse Kenneth + 'bout dis," hastily announced Zachariah. Then he bethought himself to add: + "'Ca'se me an' him got a lot to do ef dese here Injuns come 'roun' us + lookin' fo' trouble, Yas, suh! Ah got to git de guns an' pistols an' + huntin' knives all ready fo'—" + </p> + <p> + The words froze on his lips. A low, blood-curdling moan that seemed to end + in a gasp,—or even a death-rattle,—fell upon the ears of the + two negroes. It was close at hand,—not more than twenty feet away. + This was succeeded, after a few seconds of intense stillness—(notwithstanding + the uproarious frogs!)—by a hair-raising screech from Hattie. An + instant later she was scuttling for her own kitchen door, emitting + inarticulate cries of terror. + </p> + <p> + As for Zachariah? His course was a true one so far as direction was + concerned. Blind instinct located the back door for him and he made a + bee-line toward it regardless of all that lay between. First he + encountered a tree-stump. This he succeeded in passing without the + slightest deviation from the chosen route. Scrambling frantically to his + feet after landing with a mighty grunt some two yards beyond the obstacle, + he dashed onward, tearing his way through a patch of gooseberry bushes, + coming almost immediately into contact with the wood-pile. Here he was + momentarily retarded in his flight. There was a great scattering of + stove-wood and chips, accompanied by suppressed howls, and then he was on + his feet again. Almost simultaneously the heavy oak door received and + withstood the impact of his flying body; a desperate clawing at the latch, + the spasmodic squeak of rusty hinges, a resounding slam, the jar of a bolt + being shot into place,—and Zachariah vociferously at prayer in a + sanctuary behind the kitchen stove. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII — REVELATIONS + </h2> + <p> + That sepulchral groan had issued not from a mortal in the agony of + impending death but from the smiling red lips of Viola Gwyn. The grewsome + "death-rattle" was the result of the means she took to suppress a shriek + of laughter by frantically clapping both hands to her convulsed mouth. + </p> + <p> + For some time she had been standing at the fence, her elbows on the top + rail, gazing pensively at the light in Kenny's window. A clump of + honeysuckle bushes was between her and the unsuspecting servants. At first + she had paid little or no attention to the gabble of the darkies, her + thoughts being centred on her own serious affairs. She had been + considerably shaken and distressed by the unpleasant experience of the + early afternoon. Somehow she longed to take her troubles to Kenneth, to + rid herself of them in the comfort of his approbation, to be reassured by + his brotherly counsel. She knew he was sitting beside the table in the + cosy sitting-room, poring over one of his incomprehensible law books. How + jolly, how consoling to her own agitated mind, if she could only be there + in the same room with him, quiet as a mouse so as not to disturb his + profound studies, and reposing in that comfortable new rocker on the + opposite side of the table where she could watch the studious frown on his + brow while she waited patiently for him to lay aside the book. + </p> + <p> + Indeed, she had come out of the house animated by a sudden impulse to pay + him a brief, surreptitious visit; then to run back home before she was + missed by her mother. This impulse was attended by a singularly delightful + sensation of guilt. She had never been over to see him at night. In fact, + it had never occurred to her to do such a thing before. But even as she + started forth from the house, a strange timidity assailed her. It halted + her impetuous footsteps, turned them irresolutely aside, and led her not + to the gate but to the barrier fence. She could not explain, even to + herself, the queer, half-frightened thumping of her heart, nor the amazing + shyness, nor the ridiculous feeling that it would be improper for her to + be alone with him at night. + </p> + <p> + But why, she argued,—why should it be improper? What could be wrong + in going to see her own brother? What difference did it make whether it + was night or day? Still the doubt persisted,—a nagging yet agreeable + doubt that made her all the more eager to defy its feeble authority. First + she sought to justify her inclination by reminding herself that her mother + had never by word or look signified the slightest opposition to her + intimacy with Kenneth. This attitude of resignation on her mother's part, + however, was a constant thorn in her side, a prick to her conscience. It + caused her many a pang. + </p> + <p> + Then she called to mind certain of her girl friends who had brothers,—one + in particular who declared that she had slept in the same bed with her + brother up to the time she was fourteen years old. She felt herself turn + scarlet. That was really quite dreadful, even though the cabin in which + her friend dwelt was very tiny and there were six children in the family. + She had bitterly envied certain others, those who told of the jolly good + times they had had with their brothers, the fun they had in quarrelling + and the way they teased the boys when they first began "going out" with + the girls. + </p> + <p> + What fun to have had a brother when she was little,—a brother to + play with! Kenny was so unreal. He was not like a brother at all. He was + no different from other men,—she did not believe she could ever get + used to thinking of him as a brother,—even a half-brother. This very + thought was in her mind,—perhaps it was an ever-present thought,—as + she stood gazing shyly at his window. + </p> + <p> + She wanted to tell him about her break with Barry. Somehow,—although + she was not quite conscious of it,—she longed to have him pat her on + the shoulder, or clasp her hands in his, and tell her she had done the + right thing and he was glad. The corners of her mouth were drooping a + little. + </p> + <p> + But the pensive droop slowly disappeared as she harkened to the valiant + words of Zachariah. It was not until Kenny's servant lifted his voice in + praise of his own deeds at Phineas Striker's that she became acutely aware + of the close proximity of the speakers. Gradually she surrendered to the + spirits of mirth and mischief. The result of her awesome moan,—even + though it narrowly escaped ending in a shriek of laughter,—has + already been revealed. The manner of Zachariah's flight sobered her + instantly. Too late she regretted the experiment. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, goodness!" she murmured, blanching. "The poor fellow has hurt himself—" + </p> + <p> + The slamming of the door behind Zachariah was reassuring. At any rate he + was alive and far too sprightly to have suffered a broken leg or a cracked + skull. A few seconds later she saw Kenny's shadow flit hurriedly past the + window as he dashed toward the kitchen. For some time she stood perfectly + still, listening to the confused jumble of voices in the house across the + way, debating whether she should hurry over to explain,—and perhaps + to assist in dressing poor Zachariah's cuts and bruises. Suddenly she + decided; and, without thought of her garments, she scrambled hastily over + the fence. Just as her feet touched the ground, the front door of + Kenneth's house flew open and a figure, briefly revealed by the light from + within, rushed out into the yard and was swallowed up by the darkness. She + whirled and started to climb back over into her own yard, giggling + hysterically. She heard the rush of feet through the weeds and shrubbery. + They halted abruptly, and then: + </p> + <p> + "Stop where you are, damn you! I've got you covered and, so help me God, + I'll put a bullet through—" + </p> + <p> + "Kenny! Kenny!" she cried out. "It's I—Viola!" + </p> + <p> + There was a moment's silence. + </p> + <p> + "My God! You? Viola?" came in suppressed, horrified tones from the + darkness. "Drop down,—drop to the ground! They may begin firing at + me. You—" + </p> + <p> + "Firing at you?" she cried, shakily. "What on earth are you talking about? + There's—there's no one here. I am all alone. I did it. I'm the + ghost. It was all in fun. I didn't dream—" + </p> + <p> + "Do as I tell you!" he called out sharply. "There is a pack of ruffians—" + </p> + <p> + "Pack your granny!" she cried, with a shrill laugh. "I tell you I am all + alone. My goodness, what on earth did Zachariah think was after him? A + regiment of soldiers?" + </p> + <p> + As he came quickly toward her she shrank back, seized by a strange, + inexplicable panic. He loomed above her in the darkness as she + half-crouched against the fence. For a few seconds he stood looking down + at her, breathing sharply. She heard something drop at his feet, and then + both his hands gripped her shoulders, drawing her roughly up to him. + </p> + <p> + "Oh-h! Wh-what are you doing?" she gasped as his arm went around her. That + arm of steel drew her so close and held her so tightly to his breast that + she could feel the tremendous thumping of his heart. She felt herself + trembling—trembling all over; the light in the window up beyond + seemed to draw nearer, swelling to vast proportions as it bore down upon + her. She closed her eyes. What was happening to her,—what was + causing this strange languor, this queer sensation as of falling? + </p> + <p> + As abruptly as he had clasped her to him, he released her, springing back + with a muttered execration. She tottered dizzily, and involuntarily + reached out to clutch his arm for support. He shook her hand off. + </p> + <p> + "What is the matter, Kenny?" she murmured, hazily. + </p> + <p> + He did not answer. He leaned heavily against the fence, his head on his + arm. She did not move for many seconds. Then he heard her gasp,—a + gasp of actual terror. + </p> + <p> + "Who are you?" she whispered tensely. "You are not my brother. You are not + the real Kenneth Gwynne! Who are you?" She waited for the answer that did + not come. Then as she drew farther away from him: "You are an impostor. + You have deceived us. You have come here representing yourself to be—to + be my brother,—and you are not—you are not! I know it—oh, + I know it now. You are—" + </p> + <p> + This aroused him. "What is that you are saying?" he cried out, fighting to + pull his disordered wits together. "Not your brother? Impostor? What are + you saying, Viola?" + </p> + <p> + "I want the truth," she cried. "Are you what you claim to be?" + </p> + <p> + "Of course I am," he answered, stridently. "I am Kenneth Gwynne. Your + brother. Have you lost your senses?" + </p> + <p> + "Then, why—" she began huskily. "Why did you—Oh, Kenny, I + don't know what I am saying," she murmured piteously. "I—I don't + know what has come over me. Something—something—Oh, I don't + know what made me feel—I mean, what made me say that to you. You are + Kenneth Gwynne. You are my half-brother. You are not—" "There, + there!" he interrupted, his voice shaking a little. "You were frightened. + I came so near to shooting—Yes, that is it. And I was so happy, so + relieved that I—I almost ate you alive,—my little sister. God, + what a horrible thing it would have been if I had—fired and the + bullet had—" + </p> + <p> + She interrupted him, speaking rapidly, breathlessly in her effort to + regain command of herself. "But you didn't—you didn't, you see,—so + what is the use of worrying about it now?" She laughed jerkily. "But, my + goodness, it is a good lesson for me! I'll never try to scare anybody else + again as I did poor Zachariah." + </p> + <p> + He stooped and, feeling among the weeds, recovered not one but both of the + long duelling pistols. + </p> + <p> + "I was after bigger game than you," he muttered. "Here are my pistols,—all + primed and ready for business." + </p> + <p> + She stretched out her hand and touched one of the weapons. "Ready for what + business?" she inquired. "What did you mean by a pack of ruffians?" As he + did not answer at once, she went on to explain what had actually occurred, + ending with, "I suppose Zachariah ran in and told you that old Black Hawk + and his warriors were attacking the town." + </p> + <p> + "I couldn't get much out of him, he was so excited. But I was mortally + afraid they had stolen a march on us, and you were already in their hands. + You see, Isaac Stain was to have kept me informed and we were to have laid + a trap for them. Oh, Lord!" he exclaimed in sudden consternation. "I am + letting the cat out of the bag." + </p> + <p> + "Will you please tell me what you are talking about, Kenneth Gwynne?" she + said impatiently. + </p> + <p> + He came to a quick decision. "Yes, I will tell you everything. I guess I + was a fool not to have told you before,—you and your mother. There + is a plot afoot, Viola, to abduct you. Stain got wind of it, through—well, + he got wind of it. He came to me with the story. I don't suppose you will + believe me,—and you will probably despise me for what I am about to + say,—but the man you love and expect to marry is behind the scheme. + I mean Barry Lapelle. He—" + </p> + <p> + "When did you hear of this?" she interrupted quickly. "After the Revere + came in?" + </p> + <p> + "More than a week ago. He came home on the Revere to-day. His plan is to—" + </p> + <p> + "I know. I saw him. We quarrelled. It is all over between us, Kenny. He + was furious. I thought he may have—but you say you knew of this a + week ago? I don't—I can't understand it. A week ago there was no + heed of—of carrying me off against my will." + </p> + <p> + "It is all over between you?" he cried, and he could not disguise the joy + in his voice. "You have ended it, Viola?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes,—it is all over," she said stiffly. "I am not going to marry + him. I was coming over to tell you. But—go on. What is this + cock-and-bull story about abducting me? Goodness, I am beginning to feel + like a girl in a story-book." + </p> + <p> + "It is no laughing matter," he said, a little gruffly. "Does it look like + it when I come rushing out here with two loaded pistols and come near to + shooting you? Come up to the house. We will talk it all over, and then,—" + he hesitated for a moment,—"then I'll go over and see your mother." + </p> + <p> + He took her arm and led her up to the house. As they entered the front + door, Zachariah's groans fell upon their ears. She looked at Kenny in + alarm, and for the first time realized that he was without coat or + waistcoat. His hair was tousled in evidence of his studious application to + the open law books that lay on the floor. + </p> + <p> + "He must be quite badly hurt," she cried miserably. "Oh, I'm SO sorry." + </p> + <p> + Kenny went to the kitchen door. "Zachariah! Stop that groaning. You're not + hurt. Here! What are you doing with that rifle?" + </p> + <p> + "Ah was jes' co-comin' out, Marse Kenny, fo' to he'p yo' kill—yas, + suh! Ah was—" The remainder was lost as Kenneth deliberately closed + the door behind him and walked over to the negro, who was squatting in a + corner with a rifle in his hands. Viola, left alone, crossed to the window + and looked out. She was pale and anxious. Her wide, alarmed eyes tried to + pierce the darkness outside. Suddenly she started back, pressing her hands + to her cheeks. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, my soul!" she murmured. "They could have shot him dead. He could not + have seen them." She felt herself turn faint. Then a thrill of exaltation + swept over her and she turned quickly toward the kitchen door, her eyes + glowing. "And he was not afraid! He ran out to face them alone. He thought + they were out there,—he risked being shot to save me from—" + </p> + <p> + The door opened and Kenneth came swiftly into the room. He stopped short, + staring at her radiant face. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, Kenny, you—you really believed they were out there,—a + crowd of them,—trying to carry me off? Why,—why, that was the + bravest thing a man—" + </p> + <p> + "Shucks!" he scoffed. "My tragedy turns out to be the most uproarious + farce. I've never seen a funnier one in the theatre. But there is a + serious side to it, Viola. Sit down for a minute or two, and I'll tell + you. Zachariah is all right. Barked his shins a little, that's all." + </p> + <p> + At the conclusion of his short, unembellished recital, he said: + </p> + <p> + "There is nothing for you to be worried about. They cannot carry out the + plot. We are all forewarned now. I should have told you all this before, + but I was afraid you would think I was trying to blacken Lapelle. I wanted + to catch him red-handed, as the saying is. Isaac Stain is coming in to + sleep here to-morrow night, and Zachariah, for all his fear of ghosts and + lightning, is not afraid of men. We will be ready for them if they come,—so + don't you worry." + </p> + <p> + There was a puzzled frown in her eyes. "I don't see why he should have + planned this a week ago, Kenny. I had told him I would marry him. There + must be something back of all this." + </p> + <p> + "Do you know anything about a friend of his who is going to be married + soon? He spoke to me about it the other day, and asked if a parent could + legally deprive a daughter of a share in her deceased father's—" + </p> + <p> + "Why,—that's me, Kenny," she cried excitedly. "I told him that + mother would disinherit me entirely if I married him without her consent." + </p> + <p> + A light broke over him. "By jingo!" he cried. "I am beginning to see. Why, + it's as plain as day to me now. The beastly scoundrel!" + </p> + <p> + "What do you mean?" + </p> + <p> + "Could your mother very well carry out her threat if he made off with you + by force and compelled you to marry him, whether or no?" + </p> + <p> + She stiffened. "I would never,—never consent, Kenny. I would die + first." + </p> + <p> + "I suppose you imagine there could be no worse fate than that?" he said, + pity in his eyes. + </p> + <p> + She looked puzzled for a moment and then grasped his meaning. Her face + blanched. + </p> + <p> + "I said I would die first," she repeated in a low, steady voice. + </p> + <p> + "Well," he cried, starting up briskly from his chair, "I guess we'd better + hurry if we want to catch your mother before she goes to bed. And that + reminds me, Viola,—I would like to speak with her alone. You see," + he went on lamely, "you see, we're not friends and I don't know how she + will receive me." + </p> + <p> + She nodded her head without speaking and together they left the house. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII — RACHEL DELIVERS A MESSAGE + </h2> + <p> + Rachel was standing on her porch as they came up the walk. The light + through the open door at her back revealed her tall, motionless figure but + not her face which was in shadow. + </p> + <p> + "Kenneth wants to talk to you about something very important," said Viola + unevenly, as they drew near. + </p> + <p> + The woman on the porch did not speak until they paused at the bottom of + the steps. + </p> + <p> + "Have you been over at his house, Viola?" she asked levelly. + </p> + <p> + "Yes, mother." + </p> + <p> + After a moment's hesitation: "Come in, Kenneth." She stood aside to let + Viola pass. Kenneth, who had hastily donned his coat, followed the two + women into the house. There was a light in the parlor. "Will you sit down, + or do you prefer to remain standing in my house, Kenneth Gwynne?" + </p> + <p> + He bowed stiffly, indicating a chair with a gesture. "Will you be seated + first, madam?" + </p> + <p> + His sophomoric dignity drew a faint, ironic smile to her lips. "Thank + you," she said calmly, and seated herself on the little horsehair sofa. If + there was any uneasiness in the look she sent from one to the other of the + young people it was not noticeable. "Hattie came in a little while ago," + she said, "scared out of her wits. I suspected that you were up to one of + your pranks, Viola. I do wish you would stop frightening the girl." + </p> + <p> + "Kenneth will tell you what happened," said the girl, hurriedly. "He wants + to see you alone. I am going upstairs." + </p> + <p> + She left the room, closing the door behind her. Neither spoke until they + heard her footsteps on the floor overhead. + </p> + <p> + "Well, what have you been telling her?" asked Rachel, leaning forward, her + eyes narrowing. + </p> + <p> + He drew a chair up close to the sofa and sat down. "Nothing that she + should not know," he answered. "I will first tell you what happened a + little while ago, and then—the rest of it. There is evil afoot. I + have been wrong, I realize, in not warning you and Viola." + </p> + <p> + She listened intently to the end; not once did she interrupt him, but as + he proceeded to unfold the meagre details of the plot as presented to him + by Isaac Stain, her brow darkened and her fingers began to work nervously, + restlessly in her lap. His account of the frightening of Zachariah and its + immediate results took up but little time. He was careful to avoid any + mention of that stirring scene at the fence, its effect upon the startled + girl, or how near he was to betraying the great secret. + </p> + <p> + Rachel Gwyn's eyes never left his face during the whole of the unbroken + recital. Toward the end he had the disconcerting impression that she was + reading his turbulent thoughts, that she was successfully searching his + soul. + </p> + <p> + "That's the story as it came to me," he concluded. "I deserve your + condemnation for not preparing Viola against a trick that might have + resulted disastrously while we were marking time." + </p> + <p> + "Why did Isaac Stain go to you instead of coming to me?" was her first + question. + </p> + <p> + "Because he believes I am her brother, and this happens to be a man's + job," he said, lowering his voice. "It is only fair, however, to state + that he wanted to come to you and I, in my folly, advised him not to do + so." + </p> + <p> + She was silent for a moment. Then: "And why did you think it not advisable + to tell me?" + </p> + <p> + "I will be frank with you," he replied, colouring under her steady gaze. + "I wanted her to find out for herself just what kind of man Lapelle really + is. I was prepared to let the plot go almost to the point of consummation. + I—I wanted to be the one to save her." He lowered his eyes, afraid + that she would discover the truth in them. + </p> + <p> + Again she hesitated, apparently weighing her words. + </p> + <p> + "You are in love with her, Kenneth." + </p> + <p> + He looked up, startled, almost aghast. Involuntarily he started to rise to + his feet, his eyes still fixed on hers, vehement denial on his parted + lips, only to sink back into the chair again, convicted. There was no use + attempting to deceive this cold, clear-headed woman. She knew. No lie, no + evasion could meet that direct statement. For a long time they looked + straight into each other's eyes, and at length his fell in mute + confession. + </p> + <p> + "God help me,—I am," he groaned. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, the pity of it!" she cried out. He looked up and saw that she was + trembling, her ashen face working as in pain. + </p> + <p> + "No! The curse of it, Rachel Carter!" + </p> + <p> + She appeared not to have heard his words. "'God works in a mysterious + way,'" she muttered, almost inaudibly. "The call of the blood is + unfailing. The brain may be deceived, the heart never." With an effort, + she regained control of herself. "She has broken off with Barry Lapelle. + Do you know the reason why? Because, all unbeknownst to her, she has + fallen in love with you. Yes! It is true. I know. I have seen it coming." + </p> + <p> + She arose and crossed to the door, which she cautiously opened. For a + moment she remained there listening, then closing it gently, she came over + and stood before him. + </p> + <p> + "Love is a wonderful thing, Kenneth," she said slowly. "It is the most + powerful force in all the world. It overcomes reason, it crushes the + conscience, it makes strong men weak and weak men strong. For love a woman + will give her honour, for love a man will barter his chance for eternal + salvation. It overlooks faults, it condones crime, it rises above every + obstacle that the human mind can put before it. It knows no fear, it has + no religion, it serves no God. You love my girl, Kenneth. She is the + daughter of the woman you despise, the daughter of one you call evil. Is + your love for her great enough,—or will it ever be great enough,—to + overcome these obstacles? In plain words, would you take her unto yourself + as your wife, to love and cherish and honour,—mind you, HONOUR,—to + the end of your days on earth?" + </p> + <p> + He stood up, facing her, his face white. + </p> + <p> + "She has done nothing dishonourable," he said levelly. + </p> + <p> + "'The sins of the mother,'" she paraphrased, without taking her eyes from + his. + </p> + <p> + "Was her mother any worse than my father? Has the sin been visited upon + one of us and not upon the other?" + </p> + <p> + "Then, you WOULD be willing to take Viola as your wife?" + </p> + <p> + He seemed to wrench his gaze away. "Oh, what is the use of talking about + the impossible?" he exclaimed. "I have confessed that I love her,—yes, + in spite of everything,—and you—" + </p> + <p> + "You have not answered my question." + </p> + <p> + "No, I have not," he said deliberately,—"and I do not intend to + answer it. You know as well as I that I cannot ask her to marry me, so why + speak of it? Good God, could I ask my own sister to be my wife?" + </p> + <p> + "She is not your sister. She has not one drop of Gwynne blood in her + veins." + </p> + <p> + He gave a short, bitter laugh. "But who is going to tell her that, may I + ask, Rachel Carter?" + </p> + <p> + She turned away, took two or three turns up and down the room, her head + bent, a heavy frown between her eyes, and then sank wearily into a chair. + </p> + <p> + "I will put it this way, Kenneth," she said. "Would you ask her to be your + wife if the time should ever come when she knows the truth?" + </p> + <p> + He hesitated a long time. "Will you be kind enough to tell me what your + object is in asking me these questions?" + </p> + <p> + "I want to know whether you are truly in love with her," she replied + steadily. + </p> + <p> + "And if I say that I could not ask her to marry me, would that prove + anything to you?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes. It would prove two things. It would prove that you do not love her + with all your heart and soul, and it would prove that you are the same + kind of man that your father was before you." + </p> + <p> + He started. It was the second reason that caused him to look at her + curiously. "What do you mean?" + </p> + <p> + "When you have answered my question, I will answer yours, Kenneth." + </p> + <p> + "Well," he began, setting his jaw, "I DO love her enough to ask her to be + my wife. But I would ask her as Owen Carter's daughter. And," he added, + half closing his eyes as with pain, "she would refuse to have me. She + could not look at the matter as I do. Her love,—if she should ever + come to have such a feeling for me,—her love would revolt against—Oh, + you know what I mean! Do you suppose it would survive the shock of + realization? No! She has a clean heart. She would never marry the son of + the man who—who—" He found himself unable to finish the + sentence. A strange, sudden reluctance to hurt his enemy checked the words + even as they were being framed on his lips,—reluctance due not to + compassion nor to consideration but to a certain innate respect for an + adversary whose back is to the wall and yet faces unequal odds without a + sign of shrinking. + </p> + <p> + "Shall I say it for you?" she asked in a cold, level voice. But she had + winced, despite her iron control. + </p> + <p> + "It is not necessary," said he, embarrassed. + </p> + <p> + "In any case," she said, with a sigh, "you have answered my question. If + you could do this for my girl I am sure of your love for her. There could + be no greater test. I shall take a little more time before answering your + question. There are one or two more things I must say to you before I come + to that,—and then, if you like, we will take up this story of Isaac + Stain's. Kenneth, the time may come,—I feel that it is sure to come, + when—" She stopped. A sound from above caught her ear,—a + regular, rhythmic thumping on the floor. After a few seconds she remarked: + </p> + <p> + "It is all right. That is a rocking-chair. She is getting impatient." + Nevertheless she lowered her voice and leaned forward in her chair. "The + time is sure to come when Viola will learn the truth about herself and me,—and + you, as well. I feel it in my bones. It may not come till after I am dead. + But no matter when it comes, I want to feel sure now,—to-night, + Kenneth,—that you will never undertake to deprive her of the lands + and money I shall leave to her." + </p> + <p> + He stared at her in astonishment. "What is this you are saying?" She + slowly repeated the words. "Why, how could I dispossess her? It is yours + to bequeath as you see fit, madam. Do you think I am a mercenary + scoundrel,—that I would try to take it away from her? I know she is + not my father's daughter, but—why, good heaven, I would never dream + of fighting for what you—" + </p> + <p> + "Your love for her,—though unrequited,—aye, even though she + became embittered toward you because of what happened years ago,—you + love her enough to stand aside and allow her to hold what I shall leave to + her?" + </p> + <p> + "You are talking in riddles. What on earth are you driving at?" "You will + not fight her right, her claim to my estate?" she insisted, leaning still + closer. + </p> + <p> + "Why, of course not!" he exclaimed, angrily. + </p> + <p> + "Even though the law might say she is not entitled to it?" + </p> + <p> + "The law can take no action unless I invoke its aid," said he. "And that + is something I shall never do," he added, with finality. + </p> + <p> + "I wish I could be sure of that," she murmured, wistfully. + </p> + <p> + He came to his feet. "You may be sure of it," he said, with dignity. + "Possess your soul in peace, if that is all that is troubling it." + </p> + <p> + "Sit down," she said, a strange huskiness in her voice. He obeyed her. + "Your father left a certain part of his fortune to me. There was no + provision made for Viola. You understand that, don't you?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes. I know all about that," said he, plainly bewildered. "On the other + hand, he did not impose any restrictions upon you. You are at liberty to + dispose of your share by will, as you see fit, madam. I am not likely to + deny my step-sister what is rightfully hers. And that reminds me. She is + not my blood relation, it's true. But she is my step-sister. That settles + another point. I could not ask my step-sister to be my wife. The law would—" + </p> + <p> + "Now we have come to the point where I shall answer the question you asked + a while ago," she interrupted, straightening up in her chair and regarding + him with a fixed, steady light in her eyes that somehow seemed to forewarn + him of what was about to be revealed. "I said it would prove two things to + me. One of them was that you are the same kind of man that your father was + before you. I mean if you had said you could not ask Viola to be your + wife." She paused, and then went on slowly, deliberately. "I lived with + your father for nearly twenty years. In all that time he never asked me to + be his wife." + </p> + <p> + At first he stared blankly at her, uncomprehending. + </p> + <p> + Then a slow, dark flush spread over his face. He half-started up from his + chair. + </p> + <p> + "You—you mean—" he stammered. + </p> + <p> + "He never asked me to be his wife," she repeated without emotion. + </p> + <p> + He sank back, incredulous, dumbfounded. "My God! Am I to understand that + you—that you were never married to my father?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes. I waited twenty years for him to ask me to marry him,—but he + never did." + </p> + <p> + He was still somewhat stupefied. The disclosure was so unexpected, so + utterly at odds with all his understanding that he could not wholly grasp + its significance. Somewhat footlessly he burst out: + </p> + <p> + "But surely you must have demanded—I mean, did you never ask him to—to + marry you?" + </p> + <p> + Her eyebrows went up slightly. + </p> + <p> + "How could I?" she inquired, as if surprised by the question. "I had not + sunk so low in my own estimation as that, Kenneth Gwynne. My bed was made + the day I went away with him. Some day you may realize that even such as I + may possess the thing called pride. No! I would have died rather than ask + him to marry me. I chose my course with my eyes open. It was not for me to + demand more than I gave. He was not a free man when I went to him. He made + no promises, nor did I exact any." + </p> + <p> + She spoke in the most matter-of-fact way. He regarded her in sheer wonder. + </p> + <p> + "But he SHOULD have made you his wife," he exclaimed, his sense of + fairness rising above the bitter antipathy he felt toward her. + </p> + <p> + "That was for him to decide," said she, calmly. "I respected his feelings + in the matter,—and still do. He had no right to marry me when we + went away together. He did not take me as a wife, Kenneth Gwynne. He took + me as a woman. He had a wife. Up to the day he died he looked upon her as + his wife. I was his woman. I could never take her place. Not even after + she had been in her grave for twenty years. He never forgot her. I see the + scorn in your eyes. He does not quite deserve it, Kenneth. After all is + said and done, he was fair to me. Not one man in a thousand would have + done his part so well as he. + </p> + <p> + "I don't suppose you know what men do with their mistresses when they + begin to feel that they are through with them and there is no legal bond + to hold them. They desert them. They cast them off. And then they turn to + some honest woman and marry her. That is the way with men. But he was not + like that. I can tell what you are about to say. It is on your lips to say + that he deserted an honest woman. Well, so he did. And therein lies the + secret of his constancy to me,—even after he had ceased to love me + and the passion that was in him died. He would never desert another woman + who trusted him. He paid too dearly in his conscience for the first + offence to be guilty of a second. + </p> + <p> + "You see I am laying bare my innermost soul to you. It hurts me to say + that through all these years he loved and honoured and revered his wife,—and + the memory of her. He was never unkind to me,—he never spoke of her. + But I knew, and he knew that I knew. He loved you, his little boy. I, too, + loved you once, Kenneth. When you were a little shaver I adored you. But I + came to hate you as the years went by. It is needless to tell you the + reason why. When it came time for him to die he left you half of his + fortune. The other half,—and a little over,—he gave to me." + Her voice faltered a little as she added: "For good and faithful service, + I suppose." + </p> + <p> + During this long speech Kenneth had succeeded in collecting his thoughts. + He had been shocked by her confession, and now he was mentally examining + the possibilities that might arise from the aspect it bared. + </p> + <p> + First of all, Viola was not even his step-sister. He experienced a thrill + of joy over that,—notwithstanding the ugly truth that gave her the + new standing; to his simple, straightforward mind, Viola's mother was + nothing more than a prostitute. (In his thoughts he employed another word, + for he lived in a day when prostitutes were called by another name.) + Still, Viola was not to blame for that. That could never be held against + her. + </p> + <p> + "Why have you told me all this?" he asked bluntly. "I had no means of + learning that you were never married to my father. There was never a + question about it in my mind, nor in anybody else's, so far as I know. You + have put a very dangerous weapon in my hand in case I should choose to use + it against you." + </p> + <p> + She was silent for a long time, struggling with herself. He could almost + feel the battle that was going on within her. Somehow it appalled him. + </p> + <p> + The wind outside was rising. It moaned softly, plaintively through the + trees. A shutter creaked somewhere at the back of the house and at + intervals banged against the casement. The frogs down in the hollow had + ceased their clamour and no doubt took to themselves credit for the storm + that was on the way in answer to their exhortations. The even, steady + thump of the rocking-chair in the room overhead stopped suddenly, and + Viola's quick tread was heard crossing the floor. She closed a window. + Then, after a moment, the sound of the rocking-chair again. + </p> + <p> + Rachel left her chair and walked over to the window to peer out into the + night. + </p> + <p> + "It is coming from the west," she said, as if to test the steadiness of + her voice. + </p> + <p> + A far-off flicker of lightning cast a faint, phosphorescent glow into the + dimly lighted room, quivering for a second or two on the face of the woman + at the window, then dying away with what seemed to be a weird suggestion + of reluctance. + </p> + <p> + She stood before him, looking down. "I have at last obeyed a command + imposed by Robert Gwynne when he was on his death-bed. Almost his last + words to me were in the nature of a threat. He told me that if I failed to + carry out his request,—he did not call it a command,—he would + haunt me to my dying day. You may laugh at me if you will, but he HAS been + haunting me, Kenneth Gwynne. If I ever cherished the notion that I could + ignore his command and go on living in the security of my own secret, I + must have known from the beginning that it would be impossible. Day and + night, ever since you came, some force that was not my own has been + driving at my resistance. You will call it compunction, or conscience or + an honest sense of duty. I do not call it by any of those names. Your + father commanded me to tell you with my own lips,—not in writing or + through the mouth of an agent,—he commanded me to say to you that + your mother was the only wife he ever had. I have done this to-night. I + have humbled myself,—but it was after a long, cruel fight." + </p> + <p> + She sat down, and it seemed to him that her very soul went out in the + deep, long sigh that caused her bosom to flatten and her shoulders to + droop forward. + </p> + <p> + "He was either an ingrate or a coward," said he harshly, after a short + silence. + </p> + <p> + "It is not for you to pass judgment on my master," said she, simply. "May + I beg you to refrain from putting your own judgment of him into words? + Will you not spare me that?" + </p> + <p> + He stared at her in astonishment. He saw that she was in earnest, + desperately in earnest. Choking back the words that had rushed to his + lips, he got up from his chair and bent his head gravely. + </p> + <p> + "Yes, if it is any comfort to you, Rachel Carter," he said, acute pity in + his eyes. "I cannot resist saying, however, that you have not spared + yourself. It cost you a great deal to pay one of the debts he left for you + to settle. I shall not forget it." + </p> + <p> + She arose and all the humility fell away from her. Once more she was the + strong, indomitable,—even formidable,—figure he had come to + know so well. Her bosom swelled, her shoulders straightened, and into her + deep-set, sombre eyes came the unflinching light of determination. + </p> + <p> + "Then we are done with that," she said quietly. "I have asked no favours + save this last one for myself,—but it is a greater one than you may + think. You know everything now, Kenneth. You have called me Rachel Carter. + Was it divination or was it stubborn memory? I wonder. So far as I know, + you are the only person left in the world who knows that I was not his + wife, the only one who knows that I am still Rachel Carter. No matter what + this man Braley may know, or what he may tell, he—But we are wasting + time. Viola must be wondering. Now as to this plan of Barry Lapelle's. I + think I can safely assure you that nothing will come of it." + </p> + <p> + "Then, you knew about it before I told you?" he exclaimed. + </p> + <p> + "No. You brought me word of Jasper Suggs this morning. You said he was + staying at Martin Hawk's cabin. You may have forgotten what I said to you + at the time. Now you bring me word that Barry Lapelle's plot was hatched + at Martin Hawk's. Well, this afternoon I went to the Court House and swore + out a warrant charging Martin Hawk with stealing some of my yearling + calves and sheep. That warrant is now in the hands of the sheriff. It will + be served before another day is gone." + </p> + <p> + "That's pretty sharp work," he said, but still a little puzzled. + "Naturally it will upset Barry's plans, but Suggs is still to be accounted + for. You mentioned something about charging him with a murder back in—" + </p> + <p> + "I guess that can wait till another day," said she, with a smile that he + did not quite understand. "It would be rather stupid of me, don't you + think, to have him arrested?" + </p> + <p> + "You said he was not the kind of a man to be taken alive," he remarked, + knitting his brows. + </p> + <p> + "I think I said something of the kind. The name of Simon Braley is known + from one end of this State to the other. It is a name to conjure fear + with. Every Indian uprising in the past ten years has had Braley's name + connected with it. It was he who led the band of Chippewas twelve years + ago when they massacred some fifteen or eighteen women and children in a + settlement on White River while their men were off in the fields at work. + Isn't it rather significant that the renegade Simon Braley should turn up + in these parts at a time when Black Hawk is—But that is neither here + nor there. My warrant calls for the arrest of Martin Hawk. For more than + two years Hawk has been suspected of stealing livestock down on the Wea, + but no one has ever been willing to make a specific charge against him. He + is very cunning and he has always covered his tracks." + </p> + <p> + "Do you think he will resist the sheriff? I mean, is there likely to be + fighting?" + </p> + <p> + "It all depends on whether Martin is caught napping," she replied in a + most casual manner. "By the way, has Isaac Stain told you much about + himself?" + </p> + <p> + Kenneth could not repress a smile. "He has mentioned one or two affairs of + the heart." + </p> + <p> + "His sister was one of the women massacred by the Chippewas down on White + River that time. She was the young wife of a settler. Isaac will be + overjoyed when he finds out that Jasper Suggs and Simon Braley are one and + the same person." + </p> + <p> + He was speechless for a moment, comprehension coming slowly to him. "By + all that's holy!" he exclaimed, something like awe in his voice. "I am + beginning to understand. Stain will be one of the sheriff's party?" + </p> + <p> + "We will stop at his cabin on the way to Hawk's," she replied. "If he + chooses to join us after I have told him who I think this man Suggs really + is, no one will object." + </p> + <p> + "You say 'we.' Do you mean to tell me that you are going along with the + posse? Good God, woman, there will be shooting! You must not think of—" + </p> + <p> + She checked him with an imperious gesture. "I cannot send these men to + face a peril that I am not willing to face myself. That would be + dastardly. I will take my chances with the rest of them. You seem to + forget that I spent a good many years of my life in the wilderness. This + will not be my first experience with renegades and outlaws. When I first + came to this State, the women had to know how to shoot. Not only to shoot + birds and beasts, but men as well. Those were hard days. I was not like + the men who cut notches in their rifle stocks for every Indian they slew, + and yet there is a gun in my room upstairs that could have two notches on + it if I had cared to put them there." + </p> + <p> + "What time do you start?" he said, the fire of excitement in his eyes. "I + insist on being one of the—" + </p> + <p> + "You will not be needed," she said succinctly. "I think you had better go + now. The storm will soon be upon us. Thank you for coming here to-night, + Kenneth." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX — LAPELLE SHOWS HIS TEETH + </h2> + <p> + Kenneth went to bed that night firmly resolved to accompany the sheriff + when he set out to arrest Martin Hawk. Zachariah had instructions to call + him at daybreak and to have breakfast ready on the dot. + </p> + <p> + No doubt the posse would start about sunrise,—in any case, he would + be up and prepared to take to his saddle the instant he saw his neighbour + leaving her house. + </p> + <p> + The thunderstorm came rollicking down the valley, crashed and rolled and + roared for half an hour or so, and then stole mumbling away in the night, + leaving in its wake a sighing wind and the drip of forsaken raindrops. + </p> + <p> + He was astir at cockcrow. The first faint glow of red in the greying east + found him at breakfast, with Zachariah sleepily serving him with hot + corn-cakes, lean side-meat and coffee. + </p> + <p> + "Take plenty dis yere hot coffee, Marse Kenneth," urged Zachariah, at the + end of a prodigious yawn. "Yo' all gwine need sumpin to keep yo' 'wake, + suh, so's yo' won't fall out'n de saddle. Dis yere—" + </p> + <p> + "Speaking of saddles, have you fed Brandy Boy?" + </p> + <p> + "Yas, suh. Ah dunno as Ah evah see a hoss mo' took by 'stonishment dan he + wuz when Ah step brisk-like into his stall an' sez 'Doggone yo', Brandy + Boy, don't yo' know de sun's gwine to be up in less'n two hours? Wha' fo' + is yo' keepin' me an' Marse Kenneth waitin' lak dis? Git ep dar, yo' lazy, + good-fer-nuffin,—'" + </p> + <p> + "And what did Brandy Boy say in response to that?" broke in his master, + airily. + </p> + <p> + "How dat, suh?" + </p> + <p> + "Did he reply in courteous terms or was he testy and out of sorts? Now, + just what DID he say?" + </p> + <p> + Zachariah stared at the speaker in some uneasiness. "Ah reckon yo' all + better go on back to bed, suh, an' lemme call yo' when yo' is wide awake. + Ain' no sense in yo' startin' off on dis yere hossback ride when yo' is + still enjoyin' setch a good night's sleep. No, SUH!" + </p> + <p> + "I will take another cup of your excellent coffee, Zachariah. That will + make three, won't it?" + </p> + <p> + Zachariah shuffled over to the stove, muttering as he lifted the coffee + pot: "Fust Ah is seein' things in de evenin' an' den Ah hears all dis yere + talk 'bout a hoss SAYIN' things in de mornin',—Yas, suh,—yas, + SUH! Comin' right along, suh. Little mo' side-meat, suh?" + </p> + <p> + "Take a peep out of the window and see if any one is stirring over at Mrs. + Gwyn's." + </p> + <p> + "'Pears lak Ah c'n see a lady out in de front yard, suh," said Zachariah, + at the window. + </p> + <p> + "You don't say so! Is it Mrs. Gwyn?" cried Kenneth, hastily gulping his + coffee as he pushed his chair back from the table. + </p> + <p> + "Hit ain' light enough fo' to see—" + </p> + <p> + "Run out and saddle Brandy Boy at once, and be quick about it." + </p> + <p> + "No, suh, hit ain' Mrs. Gwyn. Hit's Miss Violy. 'Pears lak she comin' over + here, suh. Leastwise she come out'n de gate kind o' fast-like,—gotten + a shawl wrap aroun'—" + </p> + <p> + Kenneth waited for no more. He dashed from the house and down to the + fence,—where stood Viola, pulling at the swollen, water-soaked gate + peg. She was bareheaded, her brown hair hanging down her back in long, + thick braids. It was apparent at a glance that she had dressed hastily and + but partially at that. With one hand she pinched close about her throat + the voluminous scarlet shawl of embroidered crepe in which the upper part + of her body was wrapped. + </p> + <p> + Later he was to observe that her heavy shoes were unlaced and had been + drawn on over her bare feet. Her eyes were filled with alarm. + </p> + <p> + "I don't know where mother is," she said, without other greeting. "She is + not in the house, Kenny. I am worried almost sick." + </p> + <p> + He stared at her in dismay. "Oh, blast the luck! She must have—Say, + are you sure she's gone?" + </p> + <p> + "I can't find her anywhere," cried she, in distress. "I've been out to the + barn and—Why, what ails you, Kenneth?" + </p> + <p> + "She got away without my knowing it. But maybe it's not too late. I can + catch up with them if I hurry. Hey, Zachariah!" + </p> + <p> + "Then, you know where she is?" cried the girl, grasping his arm as he + turned to rush away. "For goodness' sake, tell me! Where has she gone?" + </p> + <p> + "Why, don't you—But of course you don't!" he exclaimed. "You poor + girl! You must be almost beside yourself,—and here I go making + matters worse by—" + </p> + <p> + "Where is she?" she broke in, all the colour going from her face as she + shook his arm impatiently. "Come in the house," he said gently, + consolingly. "I'll tell you all I know. There's nothing to be worried + about. She will be home, safe and sound, almost before you know it. I will + explain while Zachariah is saddling Brandy Boy." He laid his hand upon her + shoulder. "Come along,—dear." + </p> + <p> + She held back. "If anything happens to her and you could have—" she + began, a threat in her dark, harassed eyes. + </p> + <p> + "I had no idea she would start at such an unearthly hour. I had made up my + mind to go with her, whether or not. Didn't she tell you she had made an + affidavit against Martin Hawk?" + </p> + <p> + "No. The sheriff was up here last night, just after supper, but,—Oh, + Kenny, what is it all about?" + </p> + <p> + His arm stole about her shoulders. She leaned heavily, wearily against him + as they walked up the drenched path. + </p> + <p> + "Have you any idea at all what time she left the house?" he asked. + </p> + <p> + "I heard her go down the stairs. It was pitch dark, but the clock struck + one quite a long time afterward. I did not think anything about it then, + because she often gets up in the middle of the night and goes down to sit + in the kitchen. Ever since father died. I must have gone to sleep again + because I did not hear her come back upstairs. I awoke just at daybreak + and got up to see if she needed me. She—she had not gone to bed at + all, Kenny.—and I couldn't find her anywhere. Then I thought that + Martin Hawk and the others had come and taken her away by mistake, + thinking it was me in the darkness." + </p> + <p> + "Sit down, Viola. I'll light the fire. It's quite chilly and you are + shaking like a—" + </p> + <p> + "I want to know where she has gone," she insisted. + </p> + <p> + Then he told her briefly as much as he thought she ought to know. She was + vastly relieved. She even smiled. + </p> + <p> + "There's no use of your trying to catch up with her. Thank you for + lighting the fire, Kenny. If you don't mind, I will sit here awhile, and I + may go to sleep in this comfortable chair of yours. Goodness, I must look + awful. My hair—" + </p> + <p> + "Don't touch it! It is beautiful as it is. I wish girls would always wear + their hair in braids like that." + </p> + <p> + She yawned, stretched her legs out to the fire, and then suddenly + realizing that her ankles were bare, drew them back again to the shelter + of her petticoat with a quick, shy glance to see if he had observed. + </p> + <p> + "I wish I could cut it off,—like a boy's. It is miles too long. You + might as well head Zachariah off. She has been gone since one o'clock. I + am sure I heard the front door close before I dropped off to sleep. Don't + fidget, Kenny. They've probably got old Martin in the calaboose by this + time. Mother never fails when she sets out to do a thing. That + good-for-nothing sleepy-head, Hattie, never heard a sound last night. What + a conscience she must have!" + </p> + <p> + He frowned at his big silver watch. "It's after five. See here, Viola, + suppose you just curl up on the sofa there and get some sleep. You look + tired. I'll put a quilt over you and—" + </p> + <p> + She half-started up from the chair, flushing in embarrassment. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, I ought not to stay here, Kenny. Suppose somebody were to come along + and catch me here in your—" + </p> + <p> + "Shucks! You're my sister, aren't you?" + </p> + <p> + "I suppose it's all right," she said dubiously, sinking back into the + chair again. "But somehow, Kenny, I don't believe I will ever be able to + think of you as a brother; not if I live a thousand years. I'm sorry to + hurt your feelings, but—well, I just can't help being a little bit + afraid of you. I suppose it's silly of me, but I'm so ashamed to have you + see me with my hair down like this, and no stockings on, and only + half-dressed. I—I feel hot all over. I didn't think of it at first, + I was so worried, but now I—" + </p> + <p> + "It is very silly of you," he said, rather thickly. "You did right in + coming over, and I'm going to make you comfortable now that you are here. + Lie down here and get some sleep, like a good little girl, and when you + wake up Zachariah will have a nice hot breakfast for you." + </p> + <p> + "I'd rather not lie down," she stammered. "Let me just sit here awhile,—and + don't bother about breakfast for me. Hattie will—" + </p> + <p> + "But he has to get breakfast anyhow," he argued. + </p> + <p> + She looked at him suspiciously. "Haven't you had your breakfast?" + </p> + <p> + "No," he lied. Then he hurried off to give guilty instructions to + Zachariah. + </p> + <p> + "Fo' de lan's sake," the latter blurted out as he listened to his master's + orders; "is yo' all gwine to eat another breakfast?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, I am," snapped Kenneth. "I'll take care of Brandy Boy. You go in and + clear the table,—and see to it that you don't make any noise. If you + do, I'll skin you alive." + </p> + <p> + An hour later, Kenneth arose from his seat on the front doorstep and stole + over to the sitting-room window. + </p> + <p> + She was asleep in the big rocking-chair, her head twisted limply toward + her left shoulder, presenting a three-quarters view of her face to him as + he gazed long and ardently upon her. He could see the deep rise and fall + of her bosom. The shawl, unclasped at the throat, had fallen away, + revealing the white flannel nightgown over which she had hastily drawn a + petticoat before sallying forth. + </p> + <p> + He went to the kitchen door and found Zachariah sitting grumpily on the + step. + </p> + <p> + "She's still sound asleep," he announced. + </p> + <p> + "So's dat lazy Hattie over yander," lamented Zachariah, with a jerk of his + head. "Ain' no smoke comin' out'n her chimbley, lemme tell yo'." + </p> + <p> + "Fill that wash-pan and get me a clean towel," ordered his master. He + looked at his watch. "I'm going to awaken her,—in half an hour." + </p> + <p> + It was nearly seven o'clock when he stamped noisily into the sitting-room + with towel and basin. He had thrice repeated his visit to the window, and + with each succeeding visit had remained a little longer than before, + notwithstanding the no uncertain sense of guilt that accused him of spying + upon the lovely sleeper. + </p> + <p> + She awoke with a start, looked blankly about as if bewildered by her + strange surroundings, and then fixed her wide, questioning eyes upon him, + watching him in silence as he placed the basin of spring-water on a chair + and draped the coarse towel over the back. + </p> + <p> + "Breakfast will be ready in ten minutes, Miss," he announced, bowing + deeply. "If you desire to freshen yourself a bit after your profound + slumbers, you will find here some of the finest water in the universe and + a towel warranted to produce a blush upon the cheek of a graven image." + </p> + <p> + "Has mother come home?" she inquired anxiously, as she drew the shawl + close about her throat again. "No sign of her. Hurry along, and as soon as + we've had a bite to eat I'll ride down to the Court House and see if she's + there." + </p> + <p> + He left her, and presently she came out into the kitchen, her skin glowing + warmly, her braids loosely coiled on the crown of her head, her eyes like + violet stars. + </p> + <p> + Zachariah marvelled at his master's appetite. Recollection of an already + devoured meal of no small proportions caused him to doubt his senses. From + time to time he shook his head in wonder and finally took to chuckling. + The next time Marse Kenneth complained about having no appetite he would + know what to say to him. + </p> + <p> + "I must run home now," said Viola at the close of the meal. "It's been + awfully nice,—and so exciting, Kenny. I feel as if I had been doing + something I ought not to do. Isn't it queer? Having breakfast with a man I + never saw until six weeks ago!" + </p> + <p> + "It does my heart good to see you blush so prettily," said he warmly. Then + his face darkened. "And it turns my blood cold to think that if you had + succeeded in doing something you ought not to have done six weeks ago, you + might now be having breakfast with somebody else instead of with me." + </p> + <p> + "I wish you would not speak of that, Kenneth," she said severely. "You + will make me hate you if you bring it up again." Then she added with a + plaintive little smile: "The Bible says, 'Love thy neighbour as thyself.' + I am doing my best to live up to that, but sometimes you make it awfully + hard for me." + </p> + <p> + He went to the door with her. She paused for a moment on the step to look + searchingly up the road and through the trees. There was no sign of her + mother. The anxious, worried expression deepened in her eyes. + </p> + <p> + "Don't come any farther with me," she said. "Go down to the Court House as + fast as you can." + </p> + <p> + He watched her till she passed through the gate. As he was on the point of + re-entering the house he saw her come to an abrupt stop and stare straight + ahead. He shot a swift, apprehensive glance over his shoulder. + </p> + <p> + Barry Lapelle had just emerged from Rachel's yard, his gaze fixed on the + girl who stood motionless in front of Gwynne's gate, a hundred feet away. + Without taking his eyes from her, he slowly closed the gate and leaned + against it, folding his arms as he did so. + </p> + <p> + Viola, after a moment's indecision and without a glance at Kenneth, lifted + her chin and went forward to the encounter. Kenneth looked in all + directions for Lapelle's rascals. He was relieved to find that the + discarded suitor apparently had ventured alone upon this early morning + mission. What did it portend? + </p> + <p> + Filled with sharp misgivings, he left his doorstep and walked slowly down + to the gate, where he halted. It occurred to him that Barry, after a + sleepless night, had come to make peace with his tempestuous sweetheart. + If such was the case, his own sense of fairness and dignity would permit + no interference on his part unless it was solicited by the girl herself. + He was ready, however, to take instant action if she made the slightest + sign of distress or alarm. While he had no intention of spying or + eavesdropping, their voices reached him distinctly and he could not help + hearing what passed between them. + </p> + <p> + "Have you been up to the house, Barry?" were Viola's first words as she + stopped in front of the man who barred the way. + </p> + <p> + Lapelle did not change his position. His chin was lowered and he was + looking at her through narrowed, unsmiling eyes. + </p> + <p> + "Yes, I have." + </p> + <p> + "Where was the dog?" she inquired cuttingly. + </p> + <p> + "He came and licked my hand. He's the only friend I've got up here, I + reckon." + </p> + <p> + "I will have him shot to-day. What do you want?" + </p> + <p> + "I came to see your mother. Where is she?" + </p> + <p> + "She's away." + </p> + <p> + "Over night?" + </p> + <p> + "It will do you no good to see her, Barry. You might as well realize it + first as last." + </p> + <p> + Lapelle glanced past her at the man beyond and lowered his voice. Kenneth + could not hear what he said. "Well, I'm going to see her, and she will be + down on her knees before I'm through with her, let me tell you. Oh, I'm + sober, Viola! I had my lesson yesterday. I'm through with whiskey forever. + So she was away all night, eh? Out to the farm, eh? That nigger girl of + yours says she must have gone out to the farm last night, because her bed + wasn't slept in. And you weren't expecting visitors as early as this or + you would have got home a little sooner yourself, huh?" + </p> + <p> + "What are you talking about?" + </p> + <p> + "Soon as she is out of the house you scoot over to big brother Kenny's, + eh? Afraid to sleep alone, I suppose. Well, all I've got to say is you + ought to have taken a little more time to dress." + </p> + <p> + "Oh! Oh,—you—you low-lived dog!" she gasped, going white to + the roots of her hair. "How dare you say—" + </p> + <p> + "That's right! Call me all the pretty names you can think of. And say, I + didn't come up here to beg anything from you or your mother. I'm not in a + begging humour. I'm through licking your boots, Viola. What time will the + old woman be back?" + </p> + <p> + "Stand away from that gate!" she said in a voice low and hoarse with fury. + "Don't you dare speak to me again. And if you follow me to the house I'll—I'll—" + </p> + <p> + "What'll you do?" he jeered. "Call brother Kenny? Well, go ahead and call + him. There he is. I'll kick him from here to the pond,—and that + won't be half so pleasant as rocking little sister to sleep in her cradle + while mamma is out for the night." + </p> + <p> + "And I used to think I was in love with you!" she cried in sheer disgust. + "I could spit in your face, Barry Lapelle. Will you let me pass?" + </p> + <p> + "Certainly. But I'm going into the house with you, understand that. I'd + just as soon wait there for your mother as anywhere else." + </p> + <p> + "When my mother hears about this she will have you horsewhipped within an + inch of your life," cried the girl furiously. + </p> + <p> + These words, rising on a wave of anger, came distinctly to Kenneth's ears. + He left his place at the gate and walked swiftly along inside his fence + until he came to the corner of the yard, where the bushes grew thickly. + Here he stopped to await further developments. He heard Barry say, with a + harsh laugh: + </p> + <p> + "Oh, she will, will she?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, she will. She knows more about you than you think she does,—and + so do I. Let me by! Do you hear me, Bar—" + </p> + <p> + "That's funny," he interrupted, lowering his voice to a half-whisper. + "That's just what I came up to see her about. I want to tell her that I + know more about her than she thinks I do. And when I get through telling + her what I know she'll change her mind about letting us get married. And + you'll marry me, too, my girl, without so much as a whimper. Oh, you + needn't look around for big brother,—God, I bet you'd be happy if he + wasn't your brother, wouldn't you? Well, he has sneaked into the house, + just as I knew he would if it looked like a squall. He's a white-livered + coward. How do you like that?" + </p> + <p> + He was not only astonished but distinctly confounded by the swift, + incomprehensible smile that played about her disdainful lips. + </p> + <p> + "What the hellfire are you laughing at?" he exploded. + </p> + <p> + "Nothing much. I was only thinking about last night." + </p> + <p> + "Christ!" he exclaimed, the blood rushing to his face. "Why,—why, + you—" The words failed him. He could only stare at her as if stunned + by the most shocking confession. + </p> + <p> + "Please remember that you are speaking to—" + </p> + <p> + He broke in with a snarling laugh. "By thunder, I'm beginning to believe + you're no better than she was. She wasn't anything but a common———, + and I'm blessed if I think it's sensible to marry into the family, after + all." + </p> + <p> + "Oh!" she gasped, closing her eyes as she shrank away from him. The word + he had used stood for the foulest thing on earth to her. It had never + passed her clean, pure lips. For the moment she was petrified, speechless. + </p> + <p> + "It's about time you learned the truth about that damned old hypocrite,—if + you don't know it already," he continued, raising his voice at the urge of + the now reckless fury that consumed him. He stood over her shrinking + figure, glaring mercilessly down into her horror-struck eyes. "You don't + need to take my word for it. Ask Gwynne. He knows. He knows what happened + back there in Kentucky. He knows she ran off with his father twenty years + ago, taking him away from the woman he was married to. That's why he hates + her. That's why he never had anything to do with his dog of a father. And, + by God, he probably knows you were born out of wedlock,—that you're + a love-child, a bas—" + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX — THE BLOW + </h2> + <p> + He never finished the word. A whirlwind was upon him. Before he could + raise a hand to defend himself, Kenneth Gwynne's brawny fist smote him + squarely between the eyes. He went down as though struck by a + sledge-hammer, crashing to the ground full six feet from where he stood. + Behind that clumsy blow was the weight of a thirteen stone body, hurled as + from a mighty catapult. + </p> + <p> + He never knew how long afterward it was that he heard a voice speaking to + him. The words, jumbled and unintelligible, seemed to come from a great + distance. He attempted to rise, gave it up, and fell back dizzily. His + vision was slow in clearing. What he finally saw, through blurred, + uncertain eyes, was the face of Kenneth Gwynne, far above him,—and + it was a long time before it stopped whirling and became fixed in one + place. Then he realized that it was the voice of Gwynne that was speaking + to him, and he made out the words. Something warm and wet crept along the + sides of his mouth, over his chin, down his neck. His throat was full of a + hot nauseous fluid. He raised himself on one elbow and spat. + </p> + <p> + "Get up! Get up, you filthy whelp! I'm not going to hit you again. Get up, + I say!" + </p> + <p> + He struggled to his knees and then to his feet, sagging limply against the + fence, to which he clung for support. He felt for his nose, filled with a + horrid, sickening dread that it was no longer on his face. + </p> + <p> + "I ought to kill you," he heard Gwynne saying. "You black-hearted, lying + scoundrel. Get out of my sight!" + </p> + <p> + He succeeded in straightening up and looked about him through a mist of + tears. He tried to speak, but could only wheeze and sputter. He cleared + his throat raucously and spat again. + </p> + <p> + "Where—where is she?" he managed to say at last. + </p> + <p> + "Shut up! You've dealt her the foulest—" + </p> + <p> + He broke off abruptly, struck by the other's expression: Lapelle was + staring past him in the direction of the house and there was the look of a + frightened, trapped animal in his glassy eyes. + </p> + <p> + "My God!" fell from his lips, and then suddenly he sprang forward, placing + Kenneth's body between him and the object of his terror. "Stop her! For + God's sake, Gwynne,—stop her!" + </p> + <p> + For the first time since Barry went crashing to earth and lay as one dead, + Gwynne raised his eyes from the blood-smeared face. Vaguely he remembered + the swift rush of Viola's feet as she sped past him,—but that was + long ago and he had not looked to see whither she fled. + </p> + <p> + She was now coming down the steps of the porch, a half-raised rifle in her + hands. He was never to forget her white, set face, nor the menacing look + in her eyes as she advanced to the killing of Barry Lapelle,—for + there was no mistaking her purpose. + </p> + <p> + "Drop down!" he shouted to Lapelle. As Barry sank cowering behind him, he + cried out sharply to the girl: "Viola! Drop that gun! Do you hear me? Good + God, have you lost your senses?" + </p> + <p> + She came on slowly, her head a little to one side the better to see the + partially obscured figure of the crouching man. + </p> + <p> + "It won't do you any good to hide, Barry," she said, in a voice that + neither of the men recognized. + </p> + <p> + "Don't be a fool, Viola!" cried Kenneth. "Leave him to me. Go back to the + house. I will attend to him." + </p> + <p> + She stopped and lifted her eyes to stare at the speaker in sheer wonder + and astonishment. + </p> + <p> + "Why,—you heard what he said. You heard what he called my mother. + Stand away from him, Kenneth." + </p> + <p> + "I can't allow you to shoot him, Viola. You will have to shoot me first. + My God, child,—do you want to have a man's life-blood on your + hands?" + </p> + <p> + "He said she ran away with your father," she cried, a spasm of pain + crossing her face. "He said I was born before they were married. I have a + right to kill him. Do you hear? I have a right to—" + </p> + <p> + "Don't you know it would be murder? Cold-blooded murder? No! You will have + to kill me first. Do you understand? I shall not move an inch. I am not + going to let you do something you will regret to the end of your life. Put + it down! Drop that gun, I say! If there is to be any killing, I will do + it,—not you!" + </p> + <p> + She closed her eyes. Her tense body relaxed. The two men, watching her + with bated breath and vastly different emotions, could almost visualize + the struggle that was going on within her. At last the long rifle barrel + was lowered; as the muzzle touched the ground she opened her eyes. Slowly + they went from Kenneth to the man who crouched behind him. She gazed at + the bloody face as if seeing it for the first time. + </p> + <p> + The woman in her revolted at the spectacle. After a moment of indecision, + she turned with a shudder and walked toward the house, dragging the rifle + by the stock. As she was about to mount the steps she paused to send a + swift glance over her shoulder and then, obeying the appeal in Kenneth's + eyes, reluctantly, even carefully, leaned the gun against a post and + disappeared through the door. + </p> + <p> + "Stand up!" ordered Gwynne, turning to Lapelle. "I ought to kill you + myself. It's in my heart to do so. Do you know what you've done to her?" + </p> + <p> + Barry drew himself up, his fast swelling, bloodshot eyes filled with a + deadly hatred. His voice was thick and unsteady. + </p> + <p> + "You'd better kill me while you have the chance," he said. "Because, so + help me God, I'm going to kill you for this." + </p> + <p> + "Go!" thundered the other, his hands twitching. "If you don't, I'll + strangle the life out of you." + </p> + <p> + Lapelle drew back, quailing before the look in Kenneth's eyes. He saw + murder in them. + </p> + <p> + "You didn't give me a chance, damn you," he snarled. "You hit me before I + had a chance to—" + </p> + <p> + "I wish to God I had hit you sooner,—and that I had killed you," + grated Kenneth. + </p> + <p> + "You will wish that with all your soul before I am through with you," + snarled Barry. "Oh, I'm not afraid of you! I know the whole beastly story + about your father and that—" + </p> + <p> + "Stop!" cried Kenneth, taking a step forward, his arm drawn back. "Not + another word, Lapelle! You've said enough! I know where you got your + information,—and I can tell you, here and now, that the man lied to + you. I'm going to give you twenty-four hours to get out of this town for + good. And if I hear that you have repeated a word of what you said to her + I'll see to it that you are strung up by the neck and your miserable + carcass filled with bullets. Oh, you needn't sputter! It will be your word + against mine. I guess you know which of us the men of this town will + believe. And you needn't expect to be supported by your friend Jasper + Suggs or the gentle Mr. Hawk,—Aha, THAT got under your pelt, didn't + it? If either of them is still alive at this minute, it's because he + surrendered without a fight and not because God took care of him. Your + beautiful game is spoiled, Lapelle,—and you'll be lucky to get off + with a whole skin. I'm giving you a chance. Get out of this town,—and + stay out!" + </p> + <p> + Barry, recovering quickly from the shock, made a fair show of bravado. + </p> + <p> + "What are you talking about? What the devil have I got to do with—" + </p> + <p> + "That's enough! You know what I'm talking about. Take my advice. Get out + of town before you are a day older. You will save yourself a ride on a + rail and a rawhiding that you'll not forget to your dying day." + </p> + <p> + "I will leave this town when I feel like it, Gwynne," said Lapelle, + drawing himself up. "I don't take orders from you. You will hear from me + later. You've got the upper hand now,—with that nigger of yours + standing over there holding an axe in his hands, ready to kill me if I + make a move. We'll settle this in the regular way, Gwynne,—with + pistols. You may expect a friend of mine to call on you shortly." + </p> + <p> + "As you like," retorted the other, bowing stiffly. "You may name the time + and place." + </p> + <p> + Lapelle bowed and then cast an eye about in quest of his hat. It was lying + in the road some distance away. He strode over and picked it up. Quite + naturally, perhaps unconsciously, he resorted to the habit of years: he + cocked it slightly at just the right angle over his eye. Then, without a + glance behind, he crossed the road and plunged into the thicket. + </p> + <p> + Kenneth watched him till he disappeared from view. Suddenly aware of a + pain in his hand, he held it out before him and was astonished to find + that the knuckles were already beginning to puff. He winced when he tried + to clench his fist. A rueful smile twitched at the corners of his mouth. + </p> + <p> + "Mighty slim chance I'll have," he said to himself. "Won't be able to pull + a trigger to save my life." + </p> + <p> + He hurried up the path and, without knocking, opened the door and entered + the house. Hattie was coming down the stairs, her eyes as round as + saucers. + </p> + <p> + "Where is Miss Viola?" + </p> + <p> + "She done gone up stairs, suh. Lan' sakes, Mistah Gwynne, what fo' yo' do + dat to Mistah Barry? He her beau. Didn't yo'all know dat? Ah close mah + eyes when she tooken dat gun out dar. Sez Ah, she gwine to shoot Mistah + Gwynne—" + </p> + <p> + "Tell her I'm here, Hattie. I must see her at once. It's all right. She + isn't angry with me." + </p> + <p> + The girl hesitated. "She look mighty white an' sick, suh. She never say a + word. Jes' go right up stairs, she did. Ah follers, 'ca'se Ah was skeert + about de way she look. She shutten de do' an' drop de bolt,—yas, + suh, dat's what she do. Lordy, Ah wonder why her ma don't come home an' + look after—" + </p> + <p> + "See here," he broke in, "don't disturb her now. I will come back in a + little while. If she wants me for anything you will find me out at the + gate. Do you understand? Don't fail to call me. I am going out there to + wait for her mother." + </p> + <p> + It suddenly had occurred to him that he ought to intercept Rachel Carter + before she reached the house, not only to prepare her for the shock that + awaited her but to devise between them some means of undoing the harm that + already had been done. They would have to stand together in denouncing + Barry, they would have to swear to Viola that the story was false. He + realized what this would mean to him: an almost profane espousal of his + enemy's cause, involving not only the betrayal of his own conscience, but + the deliberate repudiation of the debt he owed his mother and her people. + He would have to go before Viola and proclaim the innocence of the woman + who had robbed and murdered his own mother. The unthinkable, the + unbelievable confronted him. + </p> + <p> + A cold sweat broke out all over him as he stood down by the gate, torn + between hatred for one woman and love for another: Rachel and Minda + Carter. He could not spare one without sparing the other; lying to one of + them meant lying for the other. But there was no alternative. The memory + of the look in Viola's eyes as she shrank away from Lapelle, the thought + of the cruel shock she must have suffered, the picture of her as she came + down the path to kill—no, there could be no alternative! + </p> + <p> + And so, as he leaned rigidly against the gate, sick at heart but clear of + head, waiting for Rachel Carter, he came to think that, after all, a duel + with Barry Lapelle might prove to be the easiest and noblest way out of + his difficulties. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI — THE AFFAIR AT HAWK'S CABIN + </h2> + <p> + It wanted half an hour of daybreak when a slow-riding, silent group of men + came to a halt and dismounted in the narrow lane some distance from the + ramshackle abode of Martin Hawk, squatting unseen among the trees that + lined the steep bank of the Wabash. A three hours' ride through dark, + muddy roads lay behind them. There were a dozen men in all,—and one + woman, at whose side rode the hunter, Stain. They had stopped at the + latter's cabin on the way down, and she had conversed apart with him + through a window. Then they rode off, leaving him to follow. + </p> + <p> + There were no lights, and no man spoke above a whisper. The work of + tethering the horses progressed swiftly but with infinite caution. Eyes + made sharp by long hours of darkness served their owners well in this + stealthy enterprise. + </p> + <p> + The half-hour passed and the night began to lift. Vague unusual objects + slowly took shape, like gloomy spectres emerging from impenetrable + fastnesses. Blackness gave way to a faint drab pall; then the cold, + unearthly grey of the still remote dawn came stealing across the fields. + </p> + <p> + At last it was light enough to see, and the advance upon the cabin began. + Silently through the dense, shadowy wood crept the sheriff and his men,—followed + by the tall woman in black and a lank, bearded man whose rifle-stock bore + seven tiny but significant notches,—sinister epitaphs for as many + by-gone men. + </p> + <p> + A dog barked,—the first alarm. Then another, and still a third + joined in a fierce outcry against the invaders. Suddenly the door of the + hut was thrown open and a half-dressed man stooped in the low aperture, + peering out across the dawn-shrouded clearing. The three coon-dogs, + slinking out of the shadows, crowded up to the door, their snarling + muzzles pointed toward the encircling trees. + </p> + <p> + Two men stepped out of the underbrush and advanced. Even in the dim, + uncertain light, Martin Hawk could see that they carried rifles. His eyes + were like those of the bird whose name he bore. They swept the clearing in + a flash. As if by magic, men appeared to right of him, to left of him, in + front of him. He counted them. Seven,—no, there was another,—eight. + And he knew there were more of them, back of the house, cutting off + retreat to the river. + </p> + <p> + "Don't move, Martin," called out a voice. + </p> + <p> + "What do you want?" demanded Hawk, in a sharp, querulous voice. + </p> + <p> + "I am the sheriff. Got a warrant for your arrest. No use makin' a fight + for it, Hawk. You are completely surrounded. You can't get away." + </p> + <p> + "I ain't done nothin' to be arrested fer," cried the man in the doorway. + "I'm an honest man,—I hain't ever done—" + </p> + <p> + "Well, that's not for me to decide," interrupted the sheriff, now not more + than a dozen feet away. "I've got a warrant charging you with + sheep-stealing and so on, and that's all there is to it. I'm not the judge + and jury. You come along quiet now and no foolishness." + </p> + <p> + "Who says I stole sheep?" + </p> + <p> + "Step outside here and I'll read the affidavit to you. And say, if you + don't want your dogs massacreed, you'd better call 'em off." + </p> + <p> + Martin Hawk looked over his shoulder into the dark interior of the hut, + spoke to some one under his breath, and then began cursing his dogs. + </p> + <p> + "I might have knowed you'd git me into trouble, you lop-eared, + sheep-killin' whelps!" he whined. "I'd ought to shot the hull pack of ye + when you was pups. Git out'n my sight! There's yer sheep-stealers, + sheriff,—them ornery, white-livered, blood-suckin'—" + </p> + <p> + "I don't know anything about that, Martin," snapped the sheriff. "All I + know is, you got to come along with me,—peaceable or otherwise,—and + I guess if you're half as smart as I think you are, you won't come + otherwise. Here! Don't go back in that house, Hawk." + </p> + <p> + "Well, I got to tell my daughter—" + </p> + <p> + "We'll tell her. There's another man or two in there. Just tell 'em to + step outside,—and leave their weapons behind 'em." + </p> + <p> + "There ain't a livin' soul in thar, 'cept my daughter,—so he'p me + God, sheriff," cried Hawk, his teeth beginning to chatter. The sheriff was + close enough to see the look of terror and desperation in his eyes. + </p> + <p> + "No use lyin', Hawk. You've got a man named Suggs stayin' with you. He + ain't accused of anything, so he needn't be afraid to come out. Same + applies to your daughter Moll. But I don't want anybody in there to take a + shot at us the minute we turn our backs. Shake 'em out, Hawk." + </p> + <p> + "I tell ye there ain't nobody here but me an' Moll,—an' she's sick. + She can't come out. An'—an' you can't go in,—not unless you + got a warrant to search my house. That's what the law sez,—an' you + know it. I'll go along with you peaceable,—an' stand my trial fer + sheep-stealin' like a man. Lemme get my hat an' coat, an' I'll come—" + </p> + <p> + "I guess there's something queer about all this," interrupted the sheriff. + The man beside him had just whispered something in his ear. "We'll take a + look inside that cabin, law or no law, Hawk. Move up, boys!" he called out + to the scattered men. "Keep your eyes skinned. If you ketch sight of a + rifle ball comin' to'ards you,—dodge. And you, Martin, step outside + here, where you won't be in the way. I'm going in there." + </p> + <p> + Martin Hawk looked wildly about him. On all sides were men with rifles. + There was no escape. His craven heart failed him, his knees gave way + beneath him and an instant later he was grovelling in the mud at the + sheriff's feet. + </p> + <p> + "I didn't do it! I didn't do it! I swear to God I didn't. It was her. She + done it,—Moll done it!" he squealed in abject terror. + </p> + <p> + He was grabbed by strong hands and jerked to his feet. While others held + him, the sheriff and several of the men rushed into the cabin. + </p> + <p> + Off at the edge of the clearing stood Rachel Carter and Isaac Stain, + watching the scene at the door. + </p> + <p> + "One look will be enough," the woman had said tersely. "Twenty years will + not have changed Simon Braley much. I will know him at sight." + </p> + <p> + "You got to be sure, Mrs. Gwyn," muttered the hunter. "Ef you got the + slightest doubt, say so." + </p> + <p> + "I will, Isaac." + </p> + <p> + "And ef you say it's him, fer sure an' no mistake, I'll foller him to the + end of the world but what I git him." + </p> + <p> + "If it is Simon Braley he will make a break for cover. He is not like that + whimpering coward over yonder. And the sheriff will make no attempt to + bring him down. There is no complaint against him. No one knows that he is + Simon Braley." + </p> + <p> + "Well, I'll be on his heels," was the grim promise of Isaac Stain, + thinking of the sister who had been slain by Braley's Indians down on the + River White. + </p> + <p> + One of the men rushed out of the cabin. He was vastly excited. + </p> + <p> + "Don't let go of him," he shouted to the men who were holding Martin. + "There's hell to pay in there. Where is Mrs. Gwyn?" + </p> + <p> + "I never done it!" wailed Martin, livid with terror. "I swear to God—" + </p> + <p> + "Shut up!" + </p> + <p> + "She's over there, Sam,—with Ike Stain." + </p> + <p> + Ignoring the question that followed him, the man called Sam hurried up to + the couple at the edge of the bush. + </p> + <p> + "Better clear out, Mrs. Gwyn," he said soberly. "I mean, don't stay + around. Something in there you oughtn't to see." + </p> + <p> + "What is it?" she inquired sharply. + </p> + <p> + "Well, you see,—there's a dead man in there,—knifed. Blood all + over everything and—" + </p> + <p> + "The man called Suggs?" + </p> + <p> + "I reckon so. Leastwise it must be him. 'Pears to be a stranger to all of + us. Deader'n a door nail. He's—" + </p> + <p> + "I am not chicken-hearted, Mr. Corbin," she announced. "I have seen a good + many dead men in my time. The sight of blood does not affect me. I will go + in and see him. No! Please do not stay me." + </p> + <p> + Despite his protestations, she strode resolutely across the lot. As she + passed Martin Hawk that cowering rascal stared at her, first without + comprehension, then with a suddenly awakened, acute understanding. + </p> + <p> + It was she who had brought the authorities down upon him. She had made + "affidavy" against him,—she had got him into this horrible mess by + swearing that he stole her sheep and calves. True, he had stolen from her,—there + was, no doubt about that,—but he had covered his tracks perfectly. + Any one of a half-dozen men along the river might have stolen her stock,—they + were stealing right and left. How then did she come to fix upon him as the + one to accuse? In a flash he leaped to a startling conclusion. Barry + Lapelle! The man who knew all about his thievish transactions and who for + months had profited by them. Hides, wool, fresh meats from the secret + lairs and slaughter pens back in the trackless wilds, all these had gone + down the river on Barry's boats, products of a far-reaching system of + outlawry, with Barry and his captains sharing in the proceeds. + </p> + <p> + Now he understood. Lapelle had gone back on him, had betrayed him to his + future mother-in-law. The fine gentleman had no further use for him; Mrs. + Gwyn had given her consent to the marriage and in return for that he had + betrayed a loyal friend! And now look at the position he was in, all + through Barry Lapelle. Sheep stealing was nothing to what he might have to + face. Even though Moll had done the killing, he would have a devil of a + time convincing a jury of the fact. More than likely, Moll would up and + deny that she had anything to do with it,—and then what? It would be + like the ornery slut to lie out of it and let 'em hang her own father, + just to pay him back for the lickings he had given her. + </p> + <p> + All this raced through the fast-steadying brain of Martin Hawk as he + watched his accuser pass him by without a look and stop irresolutely on + his threshold to stare aghast at what lay beyond. It became a conviction, + rather than a conjecture. Barry had set the dogs upon him! Snake! Well,—just + let him get loose from these plagued hounds for half an hour or so and, by + glory, they'd have something to hang him for or his name wasn't Martin + Hawk. + </p> + <p> + Isaac Stain did not move from the spot where she had left him, over at the + edge of the clearing. His rifle was ready, his keen eyes alert. Rachel + Carter entered the hut. Many minutes passed. Then she came to the door and + beckoned to him. + </p> + <p> + "It is Simon Braley," she said quietly. "He is dead. The girl killed him, + Isaac. Will you ride over to my farm and have Allen come over here with a + wagon? They're going to take the body up to town,—and the girl, + too." + </p> + <p> + Stain stood his rifle against the wall of the hut. "I guess I won't need + this," was all he said as he turned and strode away. + </p> + <p> + The man called Jasper Suggs lay in front of the tumble-down fireplace, his + long body twisted grotesquely by the final spasm of pain that carried him + off. The lower part of his body was covered by a filthy strip of rag + carpet which some one had hastily thrown over him as Rachel Carter was on + the point of entering the house. His coarse linsey shirt was soaked with + blood, now dry and almost black. The harsh light from the open door struck + full upon his bearded face and its staring eyes. + </p> + <p> + In a corner, at the foot of a straw pallet, ordinarily screened from the + rest of the cabin by a couple of suspended quilts, stood Moll Hawk, + leaning against the wall, her dark sullen eyes following the men as they + moved about the room. The quilts, ruthlessly torn from their fastenings on + the pole, lay scattered and trampled on the floor, sinister evidence of + the struggle that had taken place between woman and beast. At the other + end of the room were two similar pallets, unscreened, and beside one of + these lay Jasper Suggs' rawhide boots. + </p> + <p> + From her place in the shadows Moll Hawk watched the other woman stoop over + and gaze intently at the face of the slain man. She was a tall, + well-developed girl of twenty or thereabouts. Her long, straight hair, the + colour of the raven's wing, swung loose about her shoulders, an occasional + strand trailing across her face, giving her a singularly witchlike + appearance. Her body from the waist up was stripped almost bare; there + were several long streaks of blood across her breast, where the fingers of + a gory hand had slid in relaxing their grip on her shoulder. With one hand + she clutched what was left of a tattered garment, vainly seeking to hide + her naked breasts. The stout, coarse dress had been almost torn from her + body. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Gwyn left the hut but soon returned. After a few earnest words with + the sheriff, she came slowly over to the girl. Moll shrank back against + the wall, a strange glitter leaping into her sullen, lifeless eyes. + </p> + <p> + "I don't want nobody prayin' over me," she said huskily. "I jest want to + be let alone." + </p> + <p> + "I am not going to pray over you, my girl. I want you to come out in the + back yard with me, where I can wash the blood off of you and put something + around you." + </p> + <p> + "What's the use'n that? They're goin' to take me to jail, ain't they?" + </p> + <p> + "Have you another frock to put on, Moll?" + </p> + <p> + The girl looked down at her torn, disordered dress, a sneering smile on + her lips. + </p> + <p> + "This is all I got,—an' now look at it. I ain't had a new dress in + God knows how long. Pap ain't much on dressin' me up. Mr. Lapelle he + promised me a new dress but—say, who air you?" + </p> + <p> + "I am Mrs. Gwyn, Moll." + </p> + <p> + "I might ha' knowed it. You're her ma, huh? Well, I guess you'd better go + on away an' let me alone. I ain't axin' no favours off'n—" "I am not + trying to do you a favour. I am only trying to make you a little more + presentable. You are going up to town, Moll." + </p> + <p> + "Yes,—I guess that's so. Can't they hang me here an' have it over?" + A look of terror gleamed in her eyes, but there was no flinching of the + body, no tremor in her voice. + </p> + <p> + The sheriff came over. "Better let Mrs. Gwyn fix you up a little, Moll. + She's a good, kind lady and she'll—" + </p> + <p> + "I don't want to go to town," whimpered the girl, covering her face with + her hands. "I don't want to be hung. I jest had to do it,—I jest had + to. There wuz no other way,—'cept to—'cept to—an' I jest + couldn't do that. Now I wish I had,—oh, Lordy, how I wish I had! + That wuz bad enough, but hangin's wuss. He wuz goin' away in a day or two, + anyhow, so—" + </p> + <p> + "You're not going to be hung, Moll," broke in the sheriff. "Don't you + worry about that. We don't hang women for killing men like that feller + over there. Like as not you'll be set free in no time at all. All you've + got to do is to tell the truth about how it happened and that'll be all + there is to it." + </p> + <p> + "You're lyin' to me, jest to git me to go along quiet," she quavered, but + there was a new light in her eyes. + </p> + <p> + "I'm not lying. You will have to stand trial, of course,—you + understand that, don't you?—but there isn't a jury on earth that + would hang you. We don't do that kind of thing to women. Now you go along + with Mrs. Gwyn and do what she says,—and you can tell me all about + this after a while." + </p> + <p> + "I'll wash, but I hain't got no more clothes," muttered the girl. + </p> + <p> + "We will manage somehow," said Mrs. Gwyn. "One of the men will give you a + coat,—or you may have my cape to wear, Moll." + </p> + <p> + Moll looked at her in surprise. Again she said the unexpected thing. "Why, + ever'body says you air a mighty onfeelin' woman, Mis' Gwyn. I can't + believe you'd let me take your cape." + </p> + <p> + "You will see, my girl. Come! Show me where to find water and a comb and—" + </p> + <p> + "Wait a minute," said Moll abruptly. "Somehow I ain't as skeert as I wuz. + You're shore they won't hang me? 'Ca'se I'd hate to be hung,—I'd + hate to die that-away, Mister." + </p> + <p> + "They won't hang you, Moll,—take my word for it." + </p> + <p> + "Well, then," said she, bringing forward the hand she had been holding + behind her back all the time; "here's the knife I done it with. It's + his'n. He was braggin' last night about how many gullets he had slit with + it,—I mean men's gullets. I wuz jest sort o' hangin' onto it in case + I—but I don't believe I ever could a' done it. 'Tain't 'ca'se I'm + afeared to die but they say a person that takes his own life is shore to + go to hell—'ca'se he don't git no chance fer to repent. Take it, + Mister." + </p> + <p> + She handed the big sheath-knife to the sheriff. Then she followed Rachel + Carter out of the hut, apparently unconscious of the curious eyes that + followed her. She passed close by the corpse. She looked down at the + ghastly face and twisted body without the slightest trace of emotion,—neither + dread nor repugnance nor interest beyond a curious narrowing of the eyes + as of one searching for some sign of trickery on the part of a wily + adversary. On the way out she stopped to pick up a wretched, almost + toothless comb and some dishrags. + </p> + <p> + "I guess we better go down to the river," she said as they stepped out + into the open. "'Tain't very fer, Mrs. Gwyn,—an' the water's + cleaner. Hain't no danger of me tryin' to git away," she went on, with a + feeble grin as her eyes swept the little clearing, revealing armed men in + all directions. Her gaze rested for a moment on Martin Hawk, who was + staring at her from his seat on a stump hard by. + </p> + <p> + "There's my pap over yonder," she said, with a scowl. "He's the one that + ort to be strung up fer all this. He didn't do it,—but he's to + blame, just the same. They ain't got him 'rested fer doin' it, have they? + 'Ca'se he didn't. He'll tell you he's as innocent as a unborn child,—he + allus does,—an' he is as fer as the killin' goes. But ef he'd done + what wuz right hit never would 'a' happened. Thet's whut I got ag'inst + him." + </p> + <p> + Rachel Carter was looking at the strange creature with an interest not far + removed from pity. Despite the sullen, hang-dog expression she was a + rather handsome girl; wild, untutored, almost untamed she was, and yet not + without a certain diffidence that bespoke better qualities than appeared + on the surface. She was tall and strongly built, with the long, swinging + stride of the unhampered woods-woman. Her young shoulders and back were + bent with the toil and drudgery of the life she led. Her eyes, in which + lurked a never-absent gleam of pain, were dark, smouldering, deep set and + so restless that one could not think of them as ever being closed in + sleep. + </p> + <p> + The girl led the way down a narrow path to a little sand-bar. + </p> + <p> + "I go in swimmin' here every day, 'cept when it's froze over," she + volunteered dully. "Hain't you skeert at the sight o' blood, ma'am? Some + people air. We wuz figgerin' on whuther we'd dig a grave fer him or jest + pull out yonder into the current an' drop him over. Pap said we had to git + rid of him 'fore anybody come around. 'Nen the dogs begin to bark an' he + thought mebby it wuz Mr. Lapelle, so he—say, you mustn't get Mr. + Lapelle mixed up in this. He—" + </p> + <p> + "I know all about Mr. Lapelle, Moll," interrupted the older woman. + </p> + <p> + The girl gave her a sharp, almost hostile look. "Then you hain't goin' to + let him have your girl, air you?" + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Gwyn shook her head. "No, Moll,—I am not," she said. + </p> + <p> + "You set here on this log," ordered the girl as they came down to the + water's edge. "I'll do my own washin'. I'm kind o' 'shamed to have any one + see me as naked as this. There ain't much left of my dress, is they? We + fit fer I don't know how long, like a couple o' dogs. You c'n see the + black an' blue places on my arms out here in the daylight,-an' I guess his + finger marks must be on my neck, where he wuz chokin' me. I wuz tryin' to + wrassle around till I could git nigh to the table, where his knife wuz + stickin'. My eyes wuz poppin' right out'n my head when I—" + </p> + <p> + "For heaven's sake, girl!" cried Rachel Carter. "Don't! Don't tell me any + more! I can't bear to hear you talk about it." + </p> + <p> + Moll stared at her for a moment as if bewildered, and then suddenly turned + away, her chin quivering with mortification. She had been reprimanded! + </p> + <p> + For several minutes Rachel stood in silence, watching her as she washed + the blood from her naked breast and shoulders. Presently the girl turned + toward her, as if for inspection. + </p> + <p> + "I'm sorry, ma'am, if I talked too much," she mumbled awkwardly. "I'd ort + to have knowed better. Is—is it all off?" + </p> + <p> + "I think so," said Rachel, pulling herself together with an effort. "Let + me—" + </p> + <p> + "No, I'll finish it," said the girl stubbornly. She dried her brown, + muscular arms, rubbed her body vigorously with one of the rags and then + began to comb out her long, tangled hair,—not gently but with a sort + of relentless energy. Swiftly, deftly she plaited it into two long braids, + which she left hanging down in front of her shoulders, squaw fashion. + </p> + <p> + "How long had you known this man Suggs, Moll?" suddenly inquired the other + woman. + </p> + <p> + "Off an' on ever sence I kin remember," replied the girl. "Pap knowed him + down south. We hain't seed much of him fer quite a spell. Four—five + year, I guess mebby. He come here last week one day." + </p> + <p> + The eyes of the two women met. Moll broke the short silence that ensued. + She glanced over her shoulder. The nearest man was well out of earshot. + Still she lowered her voice. + </p> + <p> + "He claims he use ter know you a long time ago," she said. + </p> + <p> + "Yes?" + </p> + <p> + "Mebby you'd recollect him ef I tole you his right name." + </p> + <p> + "His name was Simon Braley," said Rachel Carter calmly. + </p> + <p> + Moll's eyes narrowed. "Then what he sez wuz true?" + </p> + <p> + "I don't know what he said to you, Moll." + </p> + <p> + "He sez you run off with some other woman's husband," replied Moll + bluntly. + </p> + <p> + "Did he tell this to any one except you and your father?" + </p> + <p> + "He didn't tell no one but me, fer as I know. He didn't tell Pap." + </p> + <p> + "When did he tell you?" + </p> + <p> + "Las' night," said Moll, suddenly dropping her eyes. "He wuz drinkin',—an' + I thought mebby he wuz lyin'." + </p> + <p> + "You are sure he did not tell your father?" + </p> + <p> + "I'm purty shore he didn't." + </p> + <p> + "Why did he tell you?" + </p> + <p> + The girl raised her eyes. There was a deeper look of pain in them now. + "I'd ruther not tell," she muttered. + </p> + <p> + "You need not be afraid." + </p> + <p> + "Well, he wuz arguin' with me. He said there wuzn't any good women in the + world. 'Why,' sez he, 'I seen a woman this very day that everybody thinks + is as good as the angels up in heaven, but when I tell you whut I know + about her you'll—'" + </p> + <p> + "You need not go on," interrupted Rachel Carter, drawing her brows + together. "Would you believe me if I told you the man lied, Moll Hawk?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, ma'am,—I would," said the girl promptly. "Fer as that goes, I + TOLE him he lied." + </p> + <p> + Rachel started to say something, then closed her lips tightly and fell to + staring out over the river. The girl eyed her for a moment and then went + on: + </p> + <p> + "You needn't be skeert of me ever tellin' anybody whut he said to me. Hit + wouldn't be right to spread a lie like thet, Mis' Gwyn. You—" + </p> + <p> + "I think they are waiting for us, Moll," interrupted Rachel, suddenly + holding out her hand to the girl. "Thank you. Come, give me your hand. We + will go back to them, hand in hand, my girl." + </p> + <p> + Moll stared at her in sheer astonishment. + </p> + <p> + "You—you don't want to hold my hand in yours, do you?" she murmured + slowly, incredulously. + </p> + <p> + "I do. You will find me a good friend,—and you will need good + friends, Moll." + </p> + <p> + Dumbly the girl held out her hand. It was clasped firmly by Rachel Carter. + They were half-way up the bank when Moll held back and tried to withdraw + her hand. + </p> + <p> + "I—I can't let you,—why, ma'am, that's the hand I—I held + the knife in," she cried, agitatedly. + </p> + <p> + Rachel gripped the hand more firmly. "I know it is, Moll," she said + calmly. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXII — THE PRISONERS + </h2> + <p> + The grewsome cavalcade wended its way townward. Moll Hawk sat between the + sheriff and Cyrus Allen on the springless board that served as a seat atop + the lofty sideboards of the wagon. The crude wooden wheels rumbled and + creaked and jarred along the deep-rutted road, jouncing the occupants of + the vehicle from side to side with unseemly playfulness. Back in the bed + of the wagon, under a gaily coloured Indian blanket, lay the outstretched + body of Jasper Suggs, seemingly alive and responsive to the jolts and + twists and turns of the road. The rear end gate had been removed and three + men sat with their heels dangling outside, their backs to the sinister, + unnoticed traveller who shared accommodations with them. The central + figure was Martin Hawk, grim, saturnine, silent, his feet and hands + secured with leather thongs. Trotting along under his heels, so to speak, + were his three dogs,—their tongues hanging out, their tails + drooping, their eyes turning neither to right nor left. They were his only + friends. + </p> + <p> + Some distance behind rode three horsemen, leading as many riderless + steeds. On ahead was another group of riders. Rachel Carter rode alongside + the wagon. + </p> + <p> + Moll had firmly refused to wear the older woman's cape. She had on a coat + belonging to one of the men and wore a flimsy, deep-hooded bonnet that + once had been azure blue. Her shoulders sagged wearily, her back was bent, + her arms lay limply upon her knees. She was staring bleakly before her + over the horses' ears, at the road ahead. The reaction had come. She had + told the story of the night, haltingly but with a graphic integrity that + left nothing to be desired. + </p> + <p> + Martin Hawk had spent a black and unhappy hour. He was obliged to listen + to his daughter's story and, much to his discontent, was not permitted to + contradict her in any particular. Two or three mournful attempts to + reproach her for lying about her own,—and, he always added, her ONLY—father, + met with increasingly violent adjurations to "shut up," the last one being + so emphatic that he gave vent to a sharp howl of pain and began feeling + with his tongue to see if all his teeth were there. + </p> + <p> + Luckily for him, he was impervious to the scorn of his fellow-man, else he + would have shrivelled under the looks he received from time to time. + Especially distressing to him was that part of her recital touching upon + his unholy greed; he could not help feeling, with deep parental + bitterness, that no man alive ever had a more heartless, undutiful + daughter than he,—a conviction that for the time being at least + caused him to lament the countless opportunities he had had to beat her to + death instead of merely raising a few perishable welts on her back. If he + had done that, say a month ago, how different everything would be now! + </p> + <p> + This part of her story may suffice: + </p> + <p> + "Pap never wanted anything so bad in all his life as that powder horn an' + shot flask. They wuz all fixed up with gold an' silver trimmin's an' I + guess there wuz rubies an' di'monds too. Fer three days Pap dickered with + him, tryin' to make some kind of a swap. Jasper he wouldn't trade 'em er + sell 'em nuther. He said they wuz wuth more'n a thousand dollars. Some big + Injun Chief made him a present of 'em, years ago,—fer savin' his + life, he said. First Pap tried to swap his hounds fer 'em, 'nen said he'd + throw in one of the hosses. Jasper he jest laughed at him. Yesterday I + heerd Pap tell him he would swap him both hosses, seven hogs, the wagon + an' two boats, but Jasper he jest laughed. They wuz still talkin' about it + when they got home from town last night, jest ahead of the storm. I could + hear 'em arguin' out in the room. They wuz drinkin' an' talkin' so loud I + couldn't sleep. + </p> + <p> + "Purty soon Pap said he'd trade him our cabin an' ever'thing else fer that + pouch an' flask. It wuz rainin' so hard by this time I couldn't hear all + they said but when it slacked up a little I cotch my own name. They wuz + talkin' about me. I heerd Jasper tell Pap he'd give him the things ef he'd + promise to go away an' leave him an' me alone in the cabin. That kind o' + surprised me. But all Pap sez wuz that he hated to go out in the rain. So + Jasper he said fer him to wait till hit stopped rainin'. Pap said all + right, he would, an' fer Jasper to hand over the pouch and flask. Jasper + cussed an' said he'd give 'em to him three hours after sunrise the nex' + morning' an' not a minute sooner, an' he wuz to stay away from the house + all that time or he wouldn't give 'em to him at all. Well, they argued fer + some time about that an' finally Pap said he'd go out to the hoss shed an' + sleep if Jasper would hand over the shot pouch then an' there an' hold + back the powder flask till mornin'. Jasper he said all right, he would. I + never guess what wuz back of all this. So when Pap went out an' shut the + door behind him, I wuz kind o' thankful, ca'se all the arguin' an' jawin' + would stop an' I could go to sleep ag'in. Jasper he let down the bolt + inside the door." + </p> + <h3> + . . . . . . . . . . . . + </h3> + <p> + It was after eight o'clock when the wagon and its escort entered the + outskirts of the town. Grim, imperturbable old dames sitting on their + porches smoking their clay or corncob pipes regarded the strange + procession with mild curiosity; toilers in gardens and barnyards merely + remarked to themselves that "some'pin must'a happened some'eres" and + called out to housewife or offspring not to let them forget to "mosey up + to the square" later in the day for particulars, if any. The presence of + the sheriff was more or less informing; it was obvious even to the least + sprightly intelligence that somebody had been arrested. But the appearance + of Mrs. Gwyn on horseback, riding slowly beside the wagon, was not so + easily accounted for. That circumstance alone made it absolutely worth + while to "mosey up to the square" a little later on. + </p> + <p> + Martin Hawk was lodged in the recently completed brick jail adjoining the + courthouse. He complained bitterly of the injustice that permitted his + daughter, a confessed murderess, to enjoy the hospitality of the sheriff's + home whilst he, accused of nothing more heinous than sheep-stealing, was + flung into jail and subjected to the further indignity of being audibly + described as a fit subject for the whipping post, an institution that + still prevailed despite a general movement to abolish it throughout the + state. + </p> + <p> + It galled him to hear the fuss that was being made over Moll. Everybody + seemed to be taking her part. Why, that Gwyn woman not only went so far as + to say she would be responsible for Moll's appearance in court, but + actually arranged to buy her a lot of new clothes. And the sheriff patted + her on the shoulder and loudly declared that the only thing any judge or + jury could possibly find her guilty of was criminal negligence in only + half-doing the job. This was supplemented by a look that left no doubt in + Martin's mind as to just what he considered to be the neglected part of + the job. He bethought himself of the one powerful friend he had in town,—Barry + Lapelle. So he sent this message by word of mouth to the suspected dandy: + </p> + <p> + "I'm in jail. I want you to come and see me right off. I mean business." + </p> + <p> + Needless to say, this message,—conveying a far from subtle threat,—was + a long time in reaching Mr. Lapelle, who had gone into temporary + retirement at Jack Trentman's shanty, having arrived at that unsavoury + retreat by a roundabout, circuitous route which allowed him to spend some + time on the bank of a sequestered brook. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Rachel Carter approached her own home, afoot and weary. As she + turned the bend she was surprised and not a little disturbed by the sight + of Kenneth Gwynne standing at her front gate. He hurried up the road to + meet her. + </p> + <p> + "The worst has come to pass," he announced, stopping in front of her. + "Before you go in I must tell you just what happened here this morning. + Come in here among the trees where we can't be seen from the house." + </p> + <p> + She listened impassively to his story. Only the expression in her steady, + unswerving eyes betrayed her inward concern and agitation. Not once did + she interrupt him. Her shoulders, he observed, drooped a little and her + arms hung limply at her side, mute evidence of a sinking heart and the + resignation that comes with defeat. + </p> + <p> + "I am ready and willing," he assured her at the end, "to do anything, to + say anything you wish. It is possible for us to convince her that there is + no truth in what he said. We can lie—" + </p> + <p> + She held up her hand, shaking her head almost angrily. "No! Not that, + Kenneth. I cannot permit you to lie for ME. That would be unspeakable. I + am not wholly without honour. There is nothing you can do for her,—for + either of us at present. Thank you for preparing me,—and for your + offer, Kenneth. Stay away from us until you have had time to think it all + over. Then you will realize that this generous impulse of yours would do + more harm than good. Let her think what she will of me, she must not lose + her faith in you, my boy." + </p> + <p> + "But—what of her?" he expostulated. "What are you going to say to + her when she asks you—" + </p> + <p> + "I don't know," she interrupted, lifelessly. "I am not a good liar, + Kenneth Gwynne. Whatever else you may say or think of me, I—I have + never wilfully lied." + </p> + <p> + She started away, but after a few steps turned back to him. "Jasper Suggs + is dead. Moll Hawk killed him last night. She has been arrested. There is + nothing you can do for Viola at present, but you may be able to help that + poor, unfortunate girl. Suggs told her about me. She will keep the secret. + Go and see the sheriff at once. He will tell you all that has happened." + </p> + <p> + Then she strode off without another word. He watched the tall, black + figure until it turned in at the gate and was lost to view, a sort of + stupefaction gripping him. Presently he aroused himself and walked slowly + homeward. As he passed through his own gate he looked over at the window + of the room in which Viola had sought seclusion. The curtains hung limp + and motionless. He wondered what was taking place inside the four walls of + that room. + </p> + <p> + Out of the maze into which his thoughts had been plunged by the swift + procession of events groped the new and disturbing turn in the affairs of + Rachel Carter. What was back of the untold story of the slaying of Jasper + Suggs? What were the circumstances? Why had Moll Hawk killed the man? Had + Rachel Carter figured directly or indirectly in the tragedy? He recalled + her significant allusion to Isaac Stain the night before and his own + rather startling inference,—and now she was asking him to help Moll + Hawk in her hour of tribulation. A cold perspiration started out all over + him. The question persisted: What was back of the slaying of Jasper Suggs? + </p> + <p> + He gave explicit and peremptory directions to Zachariah in case Mrs. Gwyn + asked for him, and then set out briskly for the courthouse. + </p> + <p> + By this time the news of the murder had spread over the town. A crowd had + gathered in front of Scudder's undertaking establishment. Knots of men and + women, disregarding traffic, stood in the streets adjoining the public + square, listening to some qualified narrator's account of the night's + expedition and the tragedy at Martin Hawk's. + </p> + <p> + Kenneth hurried past these crowds and made his way straight to the office + of the sheriff. Farther down the street a group of people stood in front + of the sheriff's house, while in the vicinity of the little jail an + ever-increasing mob was collecting. + </p> + <p> + "Judge" Billings espied him. Disengaging himself from a group of men at + the corner of the square, the defendant in the case of Kenwright vs. + Billings made a bee-line for his young attorney. + </p> + <p> + "I've been over to your office twice, young man," he announced as he came + up. "Where the devil have you been keepin' yourself? Mrs. Gwyn left word + for you to come right up to her house. She wants you to take charge of the + Hawk girl's case. Maybe you don't know it, but you've been engaged to + defend her. You better make tracks up to Mrs. Gwyn's and—" + </p> + <p> + "I have seen Mrs. Gwyn," interrupted Kenneth. "She sent me to the sheriff. + Where is he?" + </p> + <p> + "Over yonder talkin' to that crowd in front of the tavern. He's sort o' + pickin' out a jury in advance,—makin' sure that the right men get on + it. He got me for one. He don't make any bones about it. Just tells you + how it all happened an' then asks you whether you'd be such a skunk as to + even think of convictin' the girl for what she did. Then you up an' + blaspheme considerable about what you'd like to do to her dodgasted + father, an' before you git anywhere's near through, he holds up his hand + an' says, 'Now, I've only got to git three more (or whatever it is), an' + then the jury's complete!' We're figgerin' on havin' the trial to-morrow + mornin' between nine an' ten o'clock. The judge says it's all right, far + as he's concerned. We'd have it to-day, only Moll's got to have a new + dress an' bonnet an' such-like before she can appear in court. All you'll + have to do, Kenny, is jest to set back,—look wise an' let her tell + her story. 'Cordin' to law, she's got to stand trial fer murder an' she's + got to have counsel. Nobody's goin' to object to you makin' a speech to + the jury,—bringin' tears to our eyes, as the sayin' is,—only + don't make it too long. I've got to meet a man at half-past ten in regards + to a hoss trade, an' I happen to know that Tom Rank's clerk is sick an' he + don't want to keep his store locked up fer more than an hour. I'm jest + tellin' you this so's you won't have to waste time to-morrow askin' the + jurymen whether they have formed an opinion or not, or whether they feel + they can give the prisoner a fair an' impartial trial or not. The + sheriff's already asked us that an' we've all said yes,—so don't + delay matters by askin' ridiculous questions." + </p> + <p> + The "Judge" interrupted himself to look at his watch. + </p> + <p> + "Well, I've got to be movin' along. I'm on the coroner's jury too, and + we're goin' up to Matt's right away to view the remains. The verdict will + probable be: 'Come to his death on account of Moll Hawk's self-defense,' + or somethin' like that. 'Never put off till to-morrow what you can do + to-day,' as the sayin' goes. Wouldn't surprise me a bit if he was buried + before three o'clock to-day. Then we won't have him on our minds + to-morrow. Well, see you later—if not sooner." + </p> + <p> + An hour later Kenneth accompanied the sheriff to the latter's home for an + interview with his client. He had promptly consented to act as her counsel + after hearing the story of the crime from the sheriff. + </p> + <p> + "Mrs. Gwyn told my wife to go out and get some new clothes for the girl," + said the sheriff as they strode down the street, "and she'd step into the + store some time to-day and settle for them. By thunder, you could have + knocked me over with a feather, Kenneth. If your stepmother was a man we'd + describe her as a skinflint. She's as stingy and unfeeling as they make + 'em. Hard as nails and about as kind-hearted as a tombstone. What other + woman on this here earth would have gone out to Martin Hawk's last night + just for the satisfaction of seein' him arrested? We didn't want her,—not + by a long shot,—but she made up her mind to go, and, by gosh, she + went. I guess maybe she thought we'd make a botch of it, and so she took + that long ride just to make sure she'd git her money's worth. 'Cause, you + see, I had to pay each of the men a dollar and a half and mileage before + they'd run the risk of bein' shot by Hawk and his crowd. Hard as nails, I + said, but doggone it, the minute she saw that girl out there she turned as + soft as butter and there is nothin' she won't do for her. It beats me, by + gosh,—it certainly beats me." + </p> + <p> + "Women are very strange creatures," observed Kenneth. + </p> + <p> + "Yep," agreed the other. "You can most always tell what a man's goin' to + do, but I'm derned if you can even GUESS what a woman's up to. Take my + wife, for instance. Why, I've been livin' with that woman for seventeen + years and I swear to Guinea she's still got me puzzled. Course I know what + she's talking about most of the time, but, by gosh, I never know what + she's thinkin' about. Women are like cats. A cat is the thoughtfulest + animal there is. It's always thinkin'. It thinks when it's asleep,—and + most of the time when you think it's asleep it ain't asleep at all. Well, + here we are. I guess Moll's out in the kitchen with my wife. I told Ma to + roll that old dress of Moll's up and save it for the jury to see. It's the + best bit of evidence she's got. All you'll have to do is to hold it up in + front of the jury and start your speech somethin' like this: 'Gentlemen of + the jury, I ask you to gaze upon this here dress, all tattered and torn,—' + and that's as far as you'll get, 'cause this jury is goin' to be composed + of gentlemen and they'll probably stand up right then and there and say + 'Not guilty.' Come right in, Mr. Gwynne." + </p> + <p> + After considerable persuasion on the part of the sheriff and his kindly + wife, Moll repeated her story to Gwynne. She was abashed before this + elegant young man. A shyness and confusion that had been totally lacking + in her manner toward the other and older men took possession of her now, + and it was with difficulty that she was induced to give him the complete + details of all that took place in her father's cabin. + </p> + <p> + When he shook hands with her as he was about to take his departure, she + suddenly found courage to say: + </p> + <p> + "Kin I see you alone fer a couple of minutes, Mr. Gwynne?" + </p> + <p> + "Certainly, Miss Hawk," he replied, gravely courteous. "I am sure Mr. and + Mrs.—" + </p> + <p> + "Come right in the sitting-room, Mr. Gwynne," interrupted the housewife, + bustling over to open the door. + </p> + <p> + Moll stared blankly at her counsel. No one had ever called her Miss Hawk + before. She was not quite sure that she had heard aright. Could it be + possible that this grand young gentleman had called her Miss Hawk? Still + wondering, she followed him out of the kitchen, sublimely unconscious of + the ridiculous figure she cut in the garments of the older woman. + </p> + <p> + "Shut the door," she said, as her keen, wood-wary eyes swept the room. She + crossed swiftly to the window and looked out. Her lips curled a little. + "Most of them people has been standin' out yonder sence nine o'clock, + tryin' to see what sort of lookin' animile I am, Mr. Gwynne. Hain't nohody + got any work to do?" + </p> + <p> + "Vulgar curiosity, nothing more," said he, joining her at the window. + </p> + <p> + "'Tain't ever' day they get a chance to see a murderer, is it?" she said, + lowering her head suddenly and putting a hand to her quivering chin. For + the first time she seemed on the point of breaking down. + </p> + <p> + He made haste to exclaim, "You are not a murderer. You must not think or + say such things, Miss Hawk." + </p> + <p> + She kept her head down. A scarlet wave crept over her face. "I—I + wish you wouldn't call me that, Mr. Gwynne. Hit—hit makes me feel + kind o'—kind o' lonesome-like. Jest as—ef I didn't have no + friends. Call me Moll. That's all I am." + </p> + <p> + He studied for a moment the half-averted face of this girl of the forest. + He could not help contrasting it with the clear-cut, delicate, beautifully + modelled face of another girl of the dark frontier,—Viola Gwyn. And + out of this swift estimate grew a new pity for poor Moll Hawk, the pity + one feels for the vanquished. + </p> + <p> + "You will be surprised to find how many friends you have, Moll," he said + gently. + </p> + <p> + There was no indication that she was impressed one way or the other by + this remark. She drew back from the window and faced him, her eyes keen + and searching. + </p> + <p> + "Do you reckon anybody is listenin'?" she asked. + </p> + <p> + "I think not,—in fact, I am sure we are quite alone." + </p> + <p> + "Well, this is somethin' I don't keer to have the shurreff know, or + anybody else, Mr. Gwynne. Hit's about Mr. Lapelle." + </p> + <p> + "Yes?" he said, as she paused warily. + </p> + <p> + "Mrs. Gwyn she tole me this mornin' that whatever I said to my lawyer + would be sacred an' wouldn't ever be let out to anybody, no matter whut it + wuz. She said it wuz ag'inst the code er somethin'. Wuz she right?" + </p> + <p> + "In a sense, yes. Of course, you must understand, Moll, that no honest + lawyer will obligate himself to shield a criminal or a fugitive from + justice, or—I may as well say to you now that if you expect that of + me I must warn you not to tell me anything. You would force me to withdraw + as your counsel. For, you see, Moll, I am an honest lawyer." + </p> + <p> + She looked at him in a sort of mute wonder for a moment, and then + muttered: "Why, Pap,—Pap he sez there ain't no setch thing as a + honest lawyer." An embarrassed little smile twisted her lips. "I guess + that must ha' been one of Pap's lies." + </p> + <p> + "It is possible he may never have come in contact with one," he observed + drily. + </p> + <p> + "Well, I guess ef you're a honest lawyer," she said, knitting her brows, + "I'd better keep my mouth shut. I wuz only thinkin' mebby you could see + your way to do somethin' I wuz goin' to ask. I jest wanted to git some + word to Mr. Lapelle." + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Lapelle and I are not friends, Moll." + </p> + <p> + "Is it beca'se of whut I asked Ike Stain to tell ye?" + </p> + <p> + "Partly." + </p> + <p> + "I mean about stealin' Miss Violy Gwyn an' takin' her away with him?" + </p> + <p> + "I want to thank you, Moll, for sending me the warning. It was splendid of + you." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, I didn't do it beca'se—" she began, somewhat defiantly, and + then closed her lips tightly. The sullen look came back into her eyes. + </p> + <p> + "I understand. You—you like him yourself." + </p> + <p> + "Well,—whut ef I do?" she burst out. "Hit's my look-out, ain't it?" + </p> + <p> + "Certainly. I am not blaming you." + </p> + <p> + "I guess there ain't no use talkin' any more," she said flatly. "You + wouldn't do whut I want ye to do anyhow, so what's the sense of askin' + you. We better go back to the kitchen." + </p> + <p> + "It may console you to hear that I have already told Mr. Lapelle that he + must get out of this town before to-morrow morning," said he deliberately. + "And stay out!" + </p> + <p> + She leaned forward, her face brightening. "You tole him to git away + to-night?" she half-whispered, eagerly. "I thought you said you wuzn't a + friend o' his'n." + </p> + <p> + "That is what I said." + </p> + <p> + "Then, whut did you warn him to git away fer?" + </p> + <p> + He was thinking rapidly. "I did it on account of Miss Gwyn, Moll," he + replied, evasively. + </p> + <p> + "Do you think he'll go?" she asked, a fierce note of anxiety in her voice. + </p> + <p> + "That remains to be seen." Then he hazarded: "I think he will when he + finds out that your father has been arrested." + </p> + <p> + "He's been a good friend to me, Mr. Gwynne, Mr. Lapelle has," said she, a + little huskily. She waited a moment and then went on earnestly and with a + garrulousness that amazed him: "I don't keer whut he's done that ain't + right, er whut people is goin' to say about him, he's allus been nice to + me. I guess mebby you air a-wonderin' why I tole Ike Stain about him + figgerin' on carryin' Miss Gwyn away. That don't look very friendly, I + guess. Hit wuzn't beca'se I thought I might git him fer myself some time,—no, + hit wuzn't that, Mr. Gwynne. I ain't setch a fool as to think he could + ever want to be sparkin' me. I reckon Ike Stain tole ye I wuz jealous. + Well, I wuzn't, I declare to goodness I wuzn't. Hit wuz beca'se I jest + couldn't 'low her to git married to him, knowin' whut I do. I wuz tryin' + to make up my mind to go an' see her some time an' tell her not to marry + him, but I jest couldn't seem to git the spunk to do it. She used to come + to see me when I wuz sick last winter an' she wuz mighty nice to me. + </p> + <p> + "First thing I know, him an' Pap begin to fix up this plan to carry her + off. So I started up to town to tell her. I got as fer as Ike's when I + figgered I better let him do it, him bein' a man, so I drapped in at his + cabin an' tole him. I didn't know whut else to do. I had to stop 'em from + doin' it somehow. Hit wouldn't do no good fer me to beg Pap to drap it, er + to rare up on my hind-legs an' make threats ag'inst 'em,—ca'se + they'd soon put a stop to that. Course I had it all figgered out whut I + wuz goin' to do when thet pack o' rascals got caught tryin' to steal her,—some + of 'em shot, like as not,—and I didn't much keer whuther my Pap wuz + one of 'em er not. + </p> + <p> + "I knowed where Mr. Lapelle wuz to meet 'em down the river acrosst from Le + Grange, so I was figgerin' on findin' him there an' tellin' him whut had + happened an' fer him to make his escape down the river while he had setch + a good start. I wuzn't goin' to let him be ketched an' at the same time I + wuzn't goin' to let anything happen to Miss Violy Gwyn ef I could help it. + I—I sort of figgered it out as a good way to help both o' my + friends, Mr. Gwynne, an'—an' then this here thing happened. I want + Mr. Lapelle to git away safe,—ca'se I know whut Pap's goin' to do. + He's goin' to blat out a lot o' things. He says he's sure Mr. Lapelle put + Mrs. Gwyn up to havin' him arrested." + </p> + <p> + "I think you may rest easy, Moll," said he, a trifle grimly. "Mr. Lapelle + had an engagement with me for to-morrow morning, but I'll stake my life he + will not be here to keep it." + </p> + <p> + "All right," she said, satisfied. "Ef you say so, Mr. Gwynne, I'll believe + it. Whut do you think they'll do to Pap?" + </p> + <p> + "He will probably get a dose of the whipping-post, for one thing." + </p> + <p> + She grinned. "Gosh, I wish I could be some'eres about so's I could see + it," she cried. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIII — CHALLENGE AND RETORT + </h2> + <p> + Kenneth could hardly contain himself until the time came for him to go + home for his noon-day meal. Try as he would, he could not divorce his + thoughts from the trouble that had come to Viola. The sinister tragedy in + Martin Hawk's cabin was as nothing compared to the calamity that had + befallen the girl he loved, for Moll Hawk's troubles would pass like a + whiff of the wind while Viola's would endure to the end of time,—always + a shadow hanging over her brightest day, a cloud that would not vanish. + Out of the silence had come a murmur more desolating than the thunderbolt + with all its bombastic fury; out of the silence had come a voice that + would go on forever whispering into her ear an unlovely story. + </p> + <p> + A crowd still hung about the jail and small, ever-shifting groups held + sober discourse in front of business places. He hurried by them and struck + off up the road, his mind so intent upon what lay ahead of him that he + failed to notice that Jack Trentman had detached himself from the group in + front of the undertaker's and was following swiftly after him. He was + nearly half-way home when he turned, in response to a call from behind, + and beheld the gambler. + </p> + <p> + "I'd like a word with you, Mr. Gwynne," drawled Jack. + </p> + <p> + "I am in somewhat of a hurry, Mr.—" + </p> + <p> + "I'll walk along with you, if you don't mind," said the other, coming up + beside him. "I'm not in the habit of beating about the bush. When I've got + anything to do, I do it without much fiddling. Barry Lapelle is down at my + place. He has asked me to represent him in a little controversy that seems + to call for physical adjudication. How will day after to-morrow at five in + the morning suit you?" + </p> + <p> + "Perfectly," replied Kenneth stiffly. "Convey my compliments to Mr. + Lapelle and say to him that I overlook the irregularity and will be glad + to meet him at any time and any place." + </p> + <p> + "I know it's irregular," admitted Mr. Trentman, with an apologetic wave of + the hand, "but he was in some doubt as to who might have the honour to act + for you, Mr. Gwynne, so he suggested that I come to you direct. If you + will oblige me with the name of the friend who is to act as your second, I + will make a point of apologizing for having accosted you in this manner, + and also perfect the details with him." + </p> + <p> + "I haven't given the matter a moment's thought," said Kenneth, frowning. + "Day after to-morrow morning, you say?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, sir." + </p> + <p> + "Can't you arrange it for to-morrow morning?" + </p> + <p> + Mr. Trentman spread out his hands in a deprecatory manner. "In view of the + fact that you are expected to appear in court at nine to-morrow morning to + defend an unfortunate girl, Mr. Lapelle feels that he would be doing your + client a very grave injustice if he killed her lawyer—er—a + trifle prematurely, you might say. He has confided to me that he is the + young woman's friend and can't bear the thought of having her chances + jeopardized by—" + </p> + <p> + "Pardon me, Mr. Trentman," interrupted Kenneth shortly. "Both of you are + uncommonly thoughtful and considerate. Now that I am reminded of my + pleasant little encounter with Mr. Lapelle this morning, I am constrained + to remark that I have had all the satisfaction I desire. You may say to + him that I am a gentleman and not in the habit of fighting duels with + horse-thieves." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Trentman started. His vaunted aplomb sustained a sharp spasm that left + him with a slightly fallen jaw. + </p> + <p> + "Am I to understand, sir, that you are referring to my friend as a + horse-thief?" he demanded, bridling. + </p> + <p> + "I merely asked you to take that message to him," said Kenneth coolly. "I + might add cattle-thief, sheep-stealer, hog-thief or—" + </p> + <p> + "Why, good God, sir," gasped Mr. Trentman, "he'd shoot you down like a dog + if I—" + </p> + <p> + "You may also tell Mr. Lapelle that his bosom friend Martin Hawk is in + jail." + </p> + <p> + "Well, what of it?" + </p> + <p> + "Does Lapelle know that Martin is in jail?" + </p> + <p> + "Certainly,—and he says he ought to be hung. That's what he thinks + of Hawk. A man that would sell his own—" + </p> + <p> + "Hawk is in jail for stock-stealing, Mr. Trentman." + </p> + <p> + "What's that got to do with the case? What's that got to do with your + calling my friend a horse-thief?" + </p> + <p> + "A whole lot, sir. You will probably find out before the day is over that + you are harbouring and concealing a thief down there in your shanty, and + you may thank Martin Hawk for the information in case you prefer not to + accept the word of a gentleman. If you were to come to me as a client + seeking counsel, I should not hesitate to advise you,—as your + lawyer,—that there is a law against harbouring criminals and that + you are laying yourself open to prosecution." + </p> + <p> + Trentman dubiously felt of his chin. + </p> + <p> + "Being well versed in the law," he said, "I suppose you realize that Mr. + Lapelle can recover heavy damages against you in case what you have said + to me isn't true." + </p> + <p> + "Perfectly. Therefore, I repeat to you that I cannot engage in an affair + of honour with a thief. I knocked him down this morning, but that was in + the heat of righteous anger. For fear that your report to him may lead Mr. + Lapelle to construe my refusal to meet him day after to-morrow morning as + cowardice on my part, permit me to make this request of you. Please say to + him that I shall arm myself with a pistol as soon as I have reached my + house, and that I expect to be going about the streets of Lafayette as + usual." + </p> + <p> + "I see," said Mr. Trentman, after a moment. "You mean you'll be ready for + him in case he hunts you up." + </p> + <p> + "Exactly." + </p> + <p> + "By the way, Mr. Gwynne, have you ever fought a duel?" + </p> + <p> + "No." + </p> + <p> + "Would it interest you to know that Mr. Lapelle has engaged in several, + with disastrous results to his adversaries?" + </p> + <p> + "I think he has already mentioned something of the kind to me." + </p> + <p> + "I'd sooner be your friend than your enemy, Mr. Gwynne," said the gambler + earnestly. "I am a permanent citizen of this town and I have no quarrel + with you. As your friend, I am obliged to inform you that Barry Lapelle is + a dead shot and as quick as lightning with a pistol. I hope you will take + this in the same spirit that it is given." + </p> + <p> + "I thank you, sir," said Kenneth, courteously. "By the way, do you happen + to have a pistol with you at present, Mr. Trentman?" + </p> + <p> + The other looked at him keenly for a few seconds before answering. "I + have. I seldom go without one." + </p> + <p> + "If you will do me the kindness to walk with me up to the woods beyond the + lake and will grant me the loan of your weapon for half a minute, I think + I may be able to demonstrate to you that Mr. Lapelle is not the only dead + shot in the world. I was brought up with a pistol in my hand, so to speak. + Have you ever tried to shoot a ground squirrel at twenty paces? You have + to be pretty quick to do that, you know." + </p> + <p> + Trentman shook his head. "There's a lot of difference between shooting a + ground squirrel and blazing away at a man who is blazing away at you at + the same time. I'll take your word for the ground squirrel business, Mr. + Gwynne, and bid you good day." + </p> + <p> + "My regrets to your principal and my apologies to you, Mr. Trentman," said + Kenneth, lifting his hat. + </p> + <p> + The gambler raised his own hat. A close observer would have noticed a + troubled, anxious gleam in his eye as he turned to retrace his steps in + the direction of the square. It was his custom to saunter slowly when + traversing the streets of the town, as one who produces his own importance + and enjoys it leisurely. He never hurried. He loitered rather more + gracefully when walking than when standing still. But now he strode along + briskly,—in fact, with such lively decision that for once in his + life he appeared actually to be going somewhere. As he rounded the corner + and came in sight of the jail, he directed a fixed, consuming glare upon + the barred windows; a quite noticeable scowl settled upon his ordinarily + unruffled brow,—the scowl of one searching intently, even + apprehensively. + </p> + <p> + He was troubled. His composure was sadly disturbed. Kenneth Gwynne had + given him something to think about,—and the more he thought about it + the faster he walked. He was perspiring quite freely and he was a little + short of breath when he flung open the door and entered his "den of + iniquity" down by the river. He took in at a glance the three men seated + at a table in a corner of the somewhat commodious "card-room." One of them + was dealing "cold hands" to his companions. A fourth man, his dealer, was + leaning against the window frame, gazing pensively down upon the + slow-moving river. Two of the men at the table were newcomers in town. + They had come up on the <i>Revere</i> and they had already established + themselves in his estimation as "skeletons"; that is, they had been picked + pretty clean by "buzzards" in other climes before gravitating to his + "boneyard." He considered himself a good judge of men, and he did not like + the looks of this ill-favoured pair. He had made up his mind that he did + not want them hanging around the "shanty"; men of that stripe were just + the sort to give the place a bad name! One of them had recalled himself to + Barry Lapelle the night before; said he used to work for a trader down + south or somewhere. + </p> + <p> + Without the ceremony of a knock on the door, Mr. Trentman entered a room + at the end of the shanty, and there he found Lapelle reclining on a cot. + Two narrow slits in a puffed expanse of purple grading off to a greenish + yellow indicated the position of Barry's eyes. The once resplendent dandy + was now a sorry sight. + </p> + <p> + "Say," began Trentman, after he had closed the door, "I want to know just + how things stand with you and Martin Hawk. No beating about the bush, + Barry. I want the truth and nothing else." + </p> + <p> + Barry raised himself on one elbow and peered at his host. "What are you + driving at, Jack?" he demanded, throatily. + </p> + <p> + "Are you mixed up with him in this stock-running business?" + </p> + <p> + "Well, that's a hell of a question to ask a—" + </p> + <p> + "It's easy to answer. Are you?" + </p> + <p> + "Certainly not,—and I ought to put a bullet through you for asking + such an insulting question." + </p> + <p> + "He's in jail, charged with stealing sheep and calves, and he's started to + talk. Now, look here, Lapelle, I'm your friend, but if you are mixed up in + this business the sooner you get out of here the better it will suit me. + Wait a minute! I've got more to say. I know you're planning to go down on + the boat to-morrow, but I don't believe it's soon enough. I've seen + Gwynne. He says in plain English that he won't fight a duel with a + horse-thief. He must have some reason for saying that. He has been + employed as Moll Hawk's lawyer. She's probably been talking, too. I've + been thinking pretty hard the last ten minutes or so, and I'm beginning to + understand why you wanted me to arrange the duel for day after to-morrow + when you knew you were leaving town on the <i>Revere</i> in the morning. + You were trying to throw Gwynne off the track. I thought at first it was + because you were afraid to fight him, but now I see things differently. + I'll be obliged to you if you'll come straight out and tell me what's in + the air. I'm a square man and I like to know whether I'm dealing with + square men or not." + </p> + <p> + Lapelle sat up suddenly on the edge of the bed. Somehow, it seemed to + Trentman, the greenish yellow had spread lightly over the rest of his + face. + </p> + <p> + "You say Martin's in jail for stealing?" he asked, gripping the corn-husk + bedtick with tense, nervous fingers, "and not in connection with the + killing of Suggs?" + </p> + <p> + "Yep. And I sort of guess you'll be with him before you're much older, if + Gwynne knows what he's—" + </p> + <p> + "I've got to get out of this town to-night, Jack," cried the younger man, + starting to his feet. "Understand, I'm not saying I am mixed up in any way + with Hawk and his crowd, but—but I've got important business in + Attica early to-morrow morning. That's all you can get me to say. I'll + sneak up the back road to the tavern and pack my saddle-bags this + afternoon, and I'll leave money with you to settle with Johnson. I may + have to ask you to fetch my horse down here—" + </p> + <p> + "Just a minute," broke in Trentman, who had been regarding him with hard, + calculating eyes. "If it's as bad as all this, I guess you'd better not + wait till to-night. It may be too late,—and besides I don't want the + sheriff coming down here and jerking you out of my place. You don't need + to tell me anything more about your relations with Hawk. I'm no fool, + Barry. I know now that you are mixed up in this stock-stealing business + that's been going on for months. It don't take a very smart brain to grasp + the situation. You've probably been making a pretty good thing out of + moving this stuff down the river on your boats, and—Now, don't get + up on your ear, my friend! No use trying to bamboozle me. You're scared + stiff,—and that's enough for me. And you've got a right to be. This + will put an end to your company's boats coming up here for traffic,—it + will kill you deader'n a doornail so far as business is concerned. So + you'd better get out at once. I never liked you very much anyhow and now + I've got no use for you at all. Just to save my own skin and my own + reputation as a law-abiding citizen, I'll help you to get away. Now, + here's what I'll do. I'll send up and get your horse and have him down + here inside of fifteen minutes. There's so darned much excitement up in + town about this murder that nobody's going to notice you for the time + being. And besides a lot of farmers from over west are coming in, scared + half to death about Black Hawk's Indians. They'll be out looking for you + before long, your lordship, and it won't be for the purpose of inviting + you to have a drink. They'll probably bring a rail along with 'em, so's + you'll at least have the consolation of riding up to the calaboose. You'll—" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, for God's sake!" grated Barry, furiously. "Don't try to be comical, + Trentman. This is no time to joke,—or preach either. Give me a swig + of—" + </p> + <p> + "Nope! No whiskey, my friend," said the gambler firmly. "Whiskey always + puts false courage into a man, and I don't want you to be doing anything + foolish. I'll have your mare Fancy down here in fifteen minutes, saddled + and everything, and you will hop on her and ride up the street, right past + the court house, just as if you're out for an hour's canter for your + health. You will not have any saddle-bags or traps. You'll ride light, my + friend. That will throw 'em off the track. But what I want you to do as + soon as you get out the other side of the tanyard is to turn in your + saddle and wave a last farewell to the Star City. You might throw a kiss + at it, too, while you're about it. Because you've got a long journey ahead + of you and you're not coming back,—that is, unless they overtake + you. There's some pretty fast horses in this town, as you may happen to + remember. So I'd advise you to get a good long start,—and keep it." + </p> + <p> + If Lapelle heard all of this he gave no sign, for he had sidled over to + the little window and was peering obliquely through the trees toward the + road that led from the "shanty" toward the town. Suddenly he turned upon + the gambler, a savage oath on his lips. + </p> + <p> + "You bet I'll come back! And when I do, I'll give this town something to + talk about. I'll make tracks now. It's the only thing to do. But I'm not + licked—not by a long shot, Jack Trentman. I'll be back inside of—" + </p> + <p> + "I'll make you a present of a couple of pistols a fellow left with me for + a debt a month or so ago. You may need 'em," said Trentman blandly. + "Better get ready to start. I'll have the horse here in no time." + </p> + <p> + "You're damned cold-blooded," growled Barry, pettishly. + </p> + <p> + "Yep," agreed the other. "But I'm kind-hearted." + </p> + <p> + He went out, slamming the door behind him. Twenty minutes later, Barry + emerged from the "shanty" and mounted his sleek, restless thoroughbred. + Having recovered, for purposes of deception, his lordly, cock-o'-the-walk + attitude toward the world, he rode off jauntily in the direction of the + town, according Trentman the scant courtesy of a careless wave of the hand + at parting. He had counted his money, examined the borrowed pistols, and + at the last moment had hurriedly dashed off a brief letter to Kenneth + Gwynne, to be posted the following day by the avid though obliging Mr. + Trentman. + </p> + <p> + Stifling his rancour and coercing his vanity at the same time, he cantered + boldly past the Tavern, bitterly aware of the protracted look of amazement + that interrupted the conversation of some of the most influential citizens + of the place as at least a score of eyes fell upon his battered visage. + Pride and rage got the better of him. He whirled Fancy about with a savage + jerk and rode back to the group. + </p> + <p> + "Take a good look, gentlemen," he snapped out, his eyes gleaming for all + the world like two thin little slivers of red-hot iron. "The coward who + hit me before I had a chance to defend myself has just denied me the + satisfaction of a duel. I sent him a challenge to fight it out with + pistols day after to-morrow morning. He is afraid to meet me. The + challenge still stands. If you should see Mr. Gwynne, gentlemen, between + now and Friday morning, do me the favour to say to him that I will be the + happiest man on earth if he can muster up sufficient courage to change his + mind. Good day, gentlemen." + </p> + <p> + With this vainglorious though vicarious challenge to an absent enemy, he + touched the gad to Fancy's flank and rode away, his head erect, his back + as stiff as a ramrod, leaving behind him a staring group whose + astonishment did not give way to levity until he was nearing the corner of + the square. He cursed softly under his breath at the sound of the first + guffaw; he subdued with difficulty a wild, reckless impulse to turn in the + saddle and send a shot or two at them. But this was no time for folly,—no + time to lose his head. + </p> + <p> + Out of the corner of his eye he took in the jail and the group of citizens + on the court house steps. Something seemed to tell him that these men were + saying, "There he goes,—stop him! He's getting away!" They were + looking at him; of that he was subtly conscious, although he managed to + keep his eyes set straight ahead. Only the most determined effort of the + will kept him from suddenly putting spur to the mare. Afterwards he + complimented himself on his remarkable self-control, and laughed as he + likened his present alarm to that of a boy passing a graveyard at night. + Nevertheless, he was now filled with an acute, very real sense of anxiety + and apprehension; every nerve was on edge. + </p> + <p> + It was all very well for Jack Trentman to say that this was the safest, + most sensible way to go about it, but had Jack ever been through it + himself? At any moment Martin Hawk might catch a glimpse of him through + the barred window of the jail and let out a shout of warning; at any + moment the sheriff himself might dash out of the court house with a + warrant in his hand,—and then what? He had the chill, uneasy feeling + that they would be piling out after him before he could reach the corner + of the friendly thickets at the lower end of the street. + </p> + <p> + A pressing weight seemed to slide off his shoulders and neck as Fancy + swung smartly around the bend into the narrow wagon-road that stretched + its aimless way through the scrubby bottom-lands and over the ridge to the + open sweep of the plains beyond. Presently he urged the mare to a rhythmic + lope, and all the while his ears were alert for the thud of galloping + horses behind. It was not until he reached the table-land to the south + that he drove the rowels into the flanks of the swift four-year-old and + leaned forward in the saddle to meet the rush of the wind. Full well he + knew that given the start of an hour no horse in the county could catch + his darling Fancy! + </p> + <p> + And so it was that Barry Lapelle rode out of the town of Lafayette, never + to return again. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIV — IN AN UPSTAIRS ROOM + </h2> + <p> + It was characteristic of Rachel Carter that she should draw the window + curtains aside in Viola's bedroom, allowing the pitiless light of day to + fall upon her face as she seated herself to make confession. She had come + to the hour when nothing was to be hidden from her daughter, least of all + the cheek that was to be smitten. + </p> + <p> + The girl sat on the edge of the bed, her elbow on the footboard, her cheek + resting upon her hand. Not once did she take her eyes from the grey, + emotionless face of the woman who sat in the light. + </p> + <p> + In course of time, Rachel Carter came to the end of her story. She had + made no attempt to justify herself, had uttered no word of regret, no + signal of repentance, no plea for forgiveness. The cold, unfaltering + truth, without a single mitigating alloy in the shape of sentiment, had + issued from her tired but unconquered soul. She went through to the end + without being interrupted by the girl, whose silence was eloquent of a + strength and courage unsurpassed even by this woman from whom she had, + after all, inherited both. She did not flinch, she did not cringe as the + twenty-year-old truth was laid bare before her. She was made of the same + staunch fibre as her mother, she possessed the indomitable spirit that + stiffens and remains unyielding in the face of calamity. + </p> + <p> + "Now you know everything," said Rachel Carter wearily. "I have tried to + keep it from you. But the truth will out. It is God's law. I would have + spared you if I could. You are of my flesh and blood, you are a part of + me. There has never been an instant in all these hard, trying years when I + have not loved and cherished you as the gift that no woman, honest or + dishonest, can despise. You will know what that means when you have a + child of your own, and you will never know it until that has come to pass. + You may cast me out of your heart, Viola, but you cannot tear yourself out + of mine. So! I have spoken. There is no more." + </p> + <p> + She turned her head to look out of the window. Viola did not move. + Presently the older woman spoke again. "Your name is Minda Carter. You + will be twenty-two years old next September. You have no right to the name + of Gwynne. The boy who lives in that house over yonder is the only one who + has a right to it. But his birthright is no cleaner than yours. You can + look him in the face without shame to yourself, because your father was an + honest man and your mother was his loyal, faithful wife,—and Kenneth + Gwynne can say no more than that." + </p> + <p> + "Nor as much," burst from the girl's lips with a fervour that startled her + mother. "His father was not a loyal, faithful husband, nor was he an + honest man or he would have married you." + </p> + <p> + She was on her feet now, her body bent slightly, forward, her smouldering + eyes fixed intently upon her; mother's face. + </p> + <p> + Rachel Carter stared incredulously. Something in Viola's eyes, in the ring + of her voice caused her heart to leap. + </p> + <p> + "I was his wife in the eyes of God," she began, but something rushed up + into her throat and seemed to choke her. + </p> + <p> + "And you have told Kenneth all this?" cried Viola, a light as of + understanding flooding her eyes. "He knows? How long has he known?" + </p> + <p> + "I—I can't remember. Some of it for weeks, some of it only since + last night." + </p> + <p> + "Ah!" There was a world of meaning in the cry. Even as she uttered it she + seemed to feel his arms about her and the strange thrill that had charged + through her body from head to foot. She sat down again on the edge of the + bed; a dark wave of colour surging to her cheek and brow. + </p> + <p> + "I am waiting," said her mother, after a moment. Her voice was steady. "It + is your turn to speak, my child." + </p> + <p> + Viola came to her side. + </p> + <p> + "Mother," she began, a deep, full note in her voice, "I want you to let me + sit in your lap, with your arms around me. Like when I was a little girl." + </p> + <p> + Rachel lifted her eyes; and as the girl looked down into them the hardness + of years melted away and they grew wondrous soft and gentle. + </p> + <p> + "Is this your verdict?" she asked solemnly. + </p> + <p> + "Yes," was the simple response. + </p> + <p> + "You do not cast me out of your heart? Remember, in the sight of man, I am + an evil woman." + </p> + <p> + "You are my mother. You did not desert me. You would not leave me behind. + You have loved me since the day I was born. You will never be an evil + woman in my eyes. Hold me in your lap, mother dear. I shall always feel + safe then." + </p> + <p> + Rachel's lips and chin quivered.... A long time afterward the girl gently + disengaged herself from the strong, tense embrace and rose to her feet. + </p> + <p> + "You say that Kenneth hates you," she said, "and you say that you do not + blame him. Is it right and fair that he should hate you any more than I + should hate his father?" "Yes," replied Rachel Carter, "it is right and + fair. I was his mother's best friend. His father did not betray his best + friend as I did, for my husband was dead. There is a difference, my + child." + </p> + <p> + Viola shook her head stubbornly. "I don't see why the woman must always be + crucified and the man allowed to go his way—" + </p> + <p> + "It is no use, Viola," interrupted Rachel, rising. Her face had hardened + again. "We cannot change the ways of the world." She crossed the room, but + stopped with her hand on the door-latch. Turning to her daughter, she + said: "Whatever Kenneth may think of me, he has the greatest respect and + admiration for you. He bears no grudge against Minda Carter. On the + contrary, he has shown that he would lay down his life for you. You must + bear no grudge against him. You and he are children who have walked in + darkness for twenty years, but now you have come to a place where there is + light. See to it, Viola, that you are as fair to him as you would have him + be to you. You stand on common ground with the light of understanding all + about you. Do not turn your backs upon each other. Face one another. It is + the only way." + </p> + <p> + Viola's eyes flashed. She lifted her chin. + </p> + <p> + "I am not ashamed to look Kenneth Gwynne in the face," said she, a certain + crispness in her voice. Then, with a quick change to tenderness, "You are + so tired, mother. Won't you lie down and sleep awhile?" + </p> + <p> + "After I have eaten something. Come downstairs. I want to hear what + happened here this morning. Kenneth told me very little and you have done + nothing but ask questions of me." + </p> + <p> + "Did he tell you that he struck Barry Lapelle?" + </p> + <p> + "No." + </p> + <p> + "Or how near I came to shooting him?" + </p> + <p> + "Merciful heaven!" "Well, I guess Barry won't rest till he has told the + whole town what we are,—and then we'll have to face something cruel, + mother. But we will face it together." + </p> + <p> + She put her arm about her mother's shoulders and they went down the narrow + staircase together. + </p> + <p> + "It will not cost me a single friend, Viola," remarked Rachel grimly. "I + have none to lose. But with you it will be different." + </p> + <p> + "We don't have to stay in the old town," said Viola bravely. "The world is + large. We can move on. Just as we used to before we came here to live. + Always moving on, we were." + </p> + <p> + Rachel shook her head. They were at the bottom of the stairs. + </p> + <p> + "I will not move on. This is where I intend to live and die. The man I + lived for is up yonder in the graveyard. I will not go away and leave him + now,—not after all these years. But you, my child, you must move on. + You have something else to live for. I have nothing. But I can hold my + head up, even here. You will not find it so easy. You will—" + </p> + <p> + "It will be as easy for me as it will for Kenneth Gwynne," broke in the + girl. "Wait and see which one of us runs away first. It won't be me." + </p> + <p> + "He will not go away and leave you," said Rachel Carter. + </p> + <p> + Viola gave her a quick, startled look. They were in the kitchen, however, + before she spoke. Then it was to say: + </p> + <p> + "Now I understand why I have never been able to think of him as my + brother." That, and nothing more; there was an odd, almost frightened + expression in her eyes. + </p> + <p> + She got breakfast for her mother, Hattie having been sent down into the + town by her mistress immediately upon her return home, ostensibly to make + a few purchases but actually for the purpose of getting rid of her. Viola, + in relating the story of the morning's events, was careful to avoid using + the harshest of Barry's terms, but earnestly embellished the account of + Kenny's interference with some rather formidable expressions of her own, + putting them glibly into the mouth of her champion. Once her mother + interrupted her to inquire: + </p> + <p> + "Did Kenneth actually use those words, Viola? 'Pusillanimous varlet,'—and + 'mendacious scalawag'? It does not sound like Kenneth." + </p> + <p> + Viola had the grace to blush guiltily. "No, he didn't. He swore harder + than anybody I've ever—" + </p> + <p> + "That's better," said Rachel, somewhat sternly. + </p> + <p> + Later on they sat on the little front porch, where the older woman, with + scant recourse to the graphic, narrated the story of Moll Hawk. Pain and + horror dwelt in Viola's wide, lovely eyes. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, poor, poor Moll," she murmured at the end of the wretched tale. "She + has never known a mother's love, or a mother's care. She has never had a + chance." + </p> + <p> + Then Rachel Carter said a strange thing. "When all this is over and she is + free, I intend to offer her a home here with me." + </p> + <p> + The girl stared, open-mouthed. "With you? Here with us?" + </p> + <p> + "You will not always be here with me," said her mother. "How can you say + such a thing?" with honest indignation. Then quickly: "I know I planned to + run off and leave you a little while ago, but that was before I came to + know how much you need me." + </p> + <p> + Rachel experienced one of her rare smiles. "And before you came to know + Kenneth Gwynne," she said. "No, my dear, the time is not far off when you + will not need a mother. Moll Hawk needs one now. I shall try to be a + mother to that hapless girl." + </p> + <p> + Viola looked at her, the little line of perplexity deepening between her + eyes. + </p> + <p> + "Somehow it seems to me that I am just beginning to know my own mother," + she said. + </p> + <p> + A bluejay, sweeping gracefully out over the tree-tops, came to rest upon a + lofty bough in the grove across the road. They sat for a long time without + speaking, these two women, watching him preen and prink, a bit of lively + blue against the newborn green. Then he flew away. He "moved on,"—a + passing symbol. + </p> + <p> + How simple, how easy it was for this bright, gay vagabond to return to the + silence from which he had come. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXV — MINDA CARTER + </h2> + <p> + Viola was alone on the porch when Kenneth came into view at the bend in + the road. He had chuckled more than once after parting from the gambler; a + mental vision of the inwardly agitated though outwardly bland Mr. Trentman + making tracks as fast as his legs would carry him to warn Lapelle of his + peril afforded him no small amount of satisfaction. If he knew his man,—and + he thought he did,—Barry would lose no time in shaking the dust of + Lafayette from his feet. The thought of that had sent his spirits up. He + went even farther in his reflections and found himself hoping that Barry's + flight might be so precipitous that he would not have the opportunity to + disclose his newfound information concerning Rachel Carter. + </p> + <p> + He was nearing his own gate before he saw Viola, seated on the porch. + Involuntarily he slackened his pace. A sort of panic seized him. Was she + waiting there to question him? He experienced a sudden overwhelming + dismay. What was he to say to her? How was he to face the unhappy, + stricken,—but even as he contemplated a cowardly retreat, she arose + and came swiftly down the path. He groaned inwardly. There was no escape. + </p> + <p> + Now, as he hesitated uncertainly at his own gate, his heart in his boots, + she serenely beckoned to him. + </p> + <p> + "I want to see you, Kenny," she called out. + </p> + <p> + This was no stricken, unhappy creature who approached him. Her figure was + proudly erect; she walked briskly; there was no trace of shame or + humiliation in her face; if anything, she was far more at ease than he. + </p> + <p> + "I want to thank you," she said calmly, "for what you did this morning. + Not only for what you did to him but for keeping me from shooting him." + She held out her hand, but lowered it instantly when she saw that his own + was rather significantly hidden inside the breast of his coat. A look of + pain fluttered across her eyes. + </p> + <p> + "Where is your mother?" he asked lamely. + </p> + <p> + She seemed to read his thoughts. "Mother and I have talked it all over, + Kenneth. She has told me everything." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, you poor darling!" he cried. + </p> + <p> + "Don't waste any sympathy on me," she retorted, coldly. "I don't want it. + Not from Robert Gwynne's son at any rate." + </p> + <p> + He was now looking at her steadily. "I see. You don't care for the breed, + is that it?" + </p> + <p> + "Kenny," she began, a solemn note in her voice, "there is no reason why + you and I should hurt each other. If I hurt you just now I am sorry. But I + meant what I said. I do not want the pity of Robert Gwynne's son any more + than you want to be pitied by the daughter of Rachel Carter. We stand on + even terms. I just want you to know that my heart is as stout as yours and + that my pride is as strong." + </p> + <p> + He bowed his head. "All my life I have thought of my father as a Samson + who was betrayed by a Delilah. I have never allowed myself to think of him + as anything but great and strong and good. I grew to man's estate still + believing him to be the victim of an evil woman. I am not in the ordinary + sense a fool and yet I have been utterly without the power to reason. My + eyes have been opened, Viola. I am seeing with a new vision. I have more + to overlook, more to forgive in my father than you have in your mother. I + speak plainly, because I hope this is to be the last time we ever touch + upon the subject. You, at least, have grown up to know the enduring love + of a mother. She did not leave you behind. She was not altogether + heartless. That is all I can say, all I shall ever say, even to you, about + my father." + </p> + <p> + He spoke with such deep feeling and yet so simply that her heart was + touched. A wistful look came into her eyes. + </p> + <p> + "I am still bewildered by it all, Kenny," she said. "In the wink of an + eye, everything is altered. I am not Viola Gwyn. I am Minda Carter. I am + not your half-sister. You seem suddenly to have gone very far away from + me. It hurts me to feel that we can never be the same toward each other + that we were even this morning. I had come to care for you as a brother. + Now you are a stranger. I—I loved being your sister and—and + treating you as if you were my brother. Now all that is over." She sighed + deeply. + </p> + <p> + "Yes," he said gently, "all that is over for you, Viola. But I have known + for many weeks that you are not my sister." + </p> + <p> + "I bear no grudge against you," she said, meeting his gaze steadily. "My + heart is bitter toward the man I have always looked upon as my father. But + it does not contain one drop of bitterness toward you. What matters if I + have walked in darkness and you in the light? We were treading the same + path all the time. Now we meet and know each other for what we really are. + The path is not wide enough for us to walk beside each other without our + garments touching. Are we to turn back and walk the other way so that our + unclean garments may not touch?" + </p> + <p> + "For heaven's sake, Viola," he cried in pain, "what can have put such a + thought into your head? Have I ever said or done anything to cause you to + think I—" + </p> + <p> + "You must not forget that you can walk by yourself, Kenny. Your father is + dead. The world is kind enough to let the dead rest in peace. But it gives + no quarter to the living. My mother walks with me, Kenneth Gwynne. The + world, when it knows, will throw stones at her. That means it will have to + throw stones at me. She did not abandon me. I shall not abandon her. She + sinned,"—here her lip trembled,—"and she has been left to pay + the penalty alone. It may sound strange to you, but my mother was also + deserted by your father. God let him die, but I can't help feeling that it + wasn't fair, it wasn't right for him to die and leave her to face this all + alone." + </p> + <p> + "And you want to know where I stand in the matter?" + </p> + <p> + "It makes no difference, Kenny. I only want you to understand. I don't + want to lose you as a friend,—I would like to have you stand up and + take your share of the—" + </p> + <p> + "And that is just what I intend to do," he broke in. "We occupy strange + positions, Viola. We are,—shall I say birds of a feather? This had + to come. Now that it has come and you know all that I know, are we to turn + against each other because of what happened when we were babies? We have + done no wrong. I love you, Viola,—I began loving you before I found + out you were not my half-sister. I will love you all my life. Now you know + where I stand." + </p> + <p> + She looked straight into his eyes for a long time; in her own there was + something that seemed to search his soul, something of wonder, something + groping and intense as if her own soul was asking a grave, perplexing + question. A faint, slow surge of colour stole into her face. "I must go in + the house now," she said, a queer little flutter in her voice. "After + dinner I am going down with mother to see Moll Hawk. If—if you mean + all that you have just said, Kenny, why did you refuse to shake hands with + me?" + </p> + <p> + He withdrew his bruised right hand from its hiding-place. "It is an ugly + thing to look at but I am proud of it," he said. "I would give it for you + a thousand times over." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, I'm—I'm sorry I misjudged you—" she cried out. Then both + of her hands closed on the unsightly member and pressed it gently, + tenderly. There was that in the touch of her firm, strong fingers that + sent an ecstatic shock racing into every fibre in his body. "I will never + question that hand again, Kenny," she said, and then, releasing it, she + turned and walked rapidly away. + </p> + <p> + He stood watching her until she ran nimbly up the porch steps and + disappeared inside the house. Whereupon he lifted the swollen but now + blessed knuckles to his lips and sighed profoundly. + </p> + <p> + "Something tells me she still loves Barry, in spite of everything," he + muttered, suddenly immersed in gloom. "Women stick through thick and thin. + If they once love a man they never—" + </p> + <p> + "Dinner's ready, Marse Kenneth," announced Zachariah from the door-step. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0026" id="link2HCH0026"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVI — THE FLIGHT OF MARTIN HAWK + </h2> + <p> + Now, Martin Hawk was not a patient man. He waited till mid-afternoon for + some word from Barry Lapelle in response to his message, and, receiving + none,—(for the very good reason that it was never delivered),—fell + to blaspheming mightily, and before he was through with it revealed enough + to bring about an ultimate though fruitless search for the departed + "go-between." + </p> + <p> + He was, however, careful to omit any mention of the <i>Paul Revere's</i> + captain, remembering just in time that hardy riverman's promise to blow + his brains out if he even so much as breathed his name in connection with + certain nefarious transactions,—and something told him that Cephas + Redberry would put a short, sharp stop to any breathing at all on his part + the instant he laid eyes on him. He was not afraid of Barry Lapelle but he + was in deadly terror of Redberry. The more he thought of Ceph being landed + in the same jail with him, the longer the goose feathers grew on his + shrinking spine. So he left the Captain out of it altogether,—indeed, + he gave him a perfectly clean bill of health. + </p> + <p> + Along about dusk that evening a crowd began to collect in the + neighbourhood of the jail. Martin, peering from behind a barred window, + was not long in grasping the significance of this ominous gathering. He + was the only inmate of the "calaboose"; therefore, he was in no doubt as + to the identity of the person to whom so many different terms of + opprobrium were being applied by certain loud-voiced citizens in the + crowd. He also gathered from remarks coming up to the window that the + person referred to stood in grave danger of being "skinned alive," "swung + to a limb," "horsewhipped till he can't stand," "rode on a rail," + "ham-strung," "drownded," "hung up by the thumbs," "dogged out o' town," + "peppered with bird-shot," "filled with buckshot," and numerous other + unpleasant alternatives, no one of which was conducive to the peace of + mind. + </p> + <p> + As the evening wore on, Martin became more and more convinced that his + life wasn't worth a pinch of salt, and so began to pray loudly and + lustily. The crowd had increased to alarming proportions. In the light of + torches and bonfires he recognized men from far-off Grand Prairie, up to + the northwest of town. Wagons rumbled past the jail and court house and + were lost in the darkness of the streets beyond. He was astonished to see + that most of these vehicles contained women and children, and many of them + were loaded high with household goods. This, thought Martin, was the apex + of attention. People were coming from the four corners of the world to + witness his execution! Evidently it was to be an affair that every + householder thought his women-folk and the children ought to see. Some men + might have been gratified by all this interest, but not Martin. He began + to increase the fervor of his prayers by inserting, here and there, + hair-raising oaths,—not bravely or with the courage of the defiant, + but because all other words failed him in his extremity. + </p> + <p> + He had no means of knowing, of course, that he was dividing the honours, + so to speak, with another and far more imposing rascal,—the terrible + Black Hawk. How was he to know, locked up in jail, that all evening long + panic-stricken people from the distant and thinly-settled prairies were + piling into town because of the report that bands of Black Hawk's warriors + had been seen by reputable settlers along the upper edge of the Prairie? + </p> + <p> + Like reports had been filtering into town for several days, but not much + credence had been given them. Indian scares were not uncommon, and for the + most part people had scoffed at them. But now there was an actual threat + from the powerful Black Hawk, whose headquarters were up along the Rock + River, in the northern part of Illinois. The chieftain had at last thrown + down the gauntlet; he had refused to recognize the transfer of lands and + rights as laid down by the Government, and had openly announced his + intention to fight. Already troops from the forts were on the move, and + there was talk of the State militia being called out. Some of the leading + spirits in Lafayette had been moved to organize a local company. + </p> + <p> + Naturally, Martin Hawk knew nothing of all this. He knew, through Simon + Braley, that Indian troubles were bound to come, but how was he to know + that red-skins in warpaint had been seen on the Grand Prairie, or that he + was not the only subject of conversation? All he knew was that if the Lord + didn't take a hand pretty soon he would be—Well, it was useless to + fix his mind on any particular form of destruction, so many and so varied + were the kinds being disputatiously considered by the people in the + street. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly the sound of fife and drum smote upon his ear, coming from + somewhere up the street. He huddled down in a corner and began to moan. He + knew the meaning of that signal-call. They were organizing for a rush upon + the jail,—an irresistible, overwhelming charge that would sweep all + opposition before it. Then he heard the shuffling of many feet, loud + exclamations and an occasional cheer. Finally he screwed up the courage + for another cautious peep through the bars. The crowd was moving off up + the street. A small group remained undecided near a bonfire in the court + house yard. One of these men held a long rope in his hand, and seemed + argumentative. + </p> + <p> + Martin listened with all ears, trying to catch what was being said. What + an infernal noise that fife and drum were making! At last the little knot + of men moved away from the fire, coming toward the window. Martin, being a + wary rascal, promptly ducked his head, but kept his ears open. + </p> + <p> + "It's a trick, that's what it is," he heard some one growl. "A trick to + get us away from the jail. They know we'll get him, sure as God made + little apples, so they've fixed this up to—" + </p> + <p> + "Well, what if it is a trick?" broke in another. "It ain't going to work. + The crowd'll be back here again inside of ten minutes an' all the sheriffs + an' constables in the State can't stop us from taking him out an' + stringin' him up." + </p> + <p> + "We might as well go and see what's up," said another. "I guess he's where + he'll keep. He'll be here when we come back, Bill. He can't get out till + we open the door, so what's the use cussin' about ten or fifteen minutes' + delay? Come on! I don't take any stock in this talk about Indians, but, + great snakes, if they want to get up a company to go out and—" + </p> + <p> + The rest of the remark was lost to Martin when the group turned the corner + of the jail. + </p> + <p> + "Ten or fifteen minutes," he groaned. In ten or fifteen minutes the whole + town would be out there, breaking down the door—the work of a few + seconds. He remembered hearing people laugh and joke about the new jail. + No less a person than Cap' Redberry had said, after a casual inspection of + the calaboose, that if THAT was what they called a jail he'd hate to be + inside of it if a woodpecker started to peckin' at it, 'cause if such a + thing happened the whole blamed she-bang would cave in and like as not + hurt him considerable. And Cap' was not the only one who spoke derisively + of the new jail. Ed Bloker declared he had quit walkin' past it on his way + home from the grocery because he was in mortal terror of staggerin' up + against it and knockin' it all to smash. Of course, Martin knew that it + was not as bad as all that, but, even so, it could not hold out for more + than a minute if some one began pounding at the door with a sledge-hammer. + </p> + <p> + There were two rooms, or compartments, to the jail; a little ante-room and + the twelve-by-sixteen foot "cage," of which he was the sole occupant. A + single cornhusk mattress had been put in for him that afternoon. He never + seemed quite able to fix its position in his mind, a circumstance that + caused him to stumble over it time and again as he tramped restlessly + about the place in the darkness. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly he stopped as if shot. A tremendous idea struck him, and for a + moment his head spun dizzily. If it was so blamed easy to break into the + jail, why should it be so all-fired difficult to break out of it? Why, he + hadn't even tried the door, or the bars in the window; now that he thought + of it, the grate in the south window had appeared to be a little shaky. + Inspired by a wild, alluring hope, he sprang over to the window and + gripped the thin iron bars; with all his might and main he jerked, bracing + his feet against the wall. No use! It would come just so far and no + farther. He tried the other window, with even less encouraging results. In + eight or ten minutes now, the crowd would be,—he leaped to the + barred door. It, too, resisted his crazy strength. The huge padlock on the + other side clattered tauntingly against the grating, but that was all. All + the while he was grunting and whining: "If I ever get out of this, it'll + take a streak o' greased lightnin' to ketch me. Oh, Lordy! That drum's + gettin' closer! They're comin'! If I ever get out of this, nobody'll ever + see me closer'n a hundred mile o' this here town,—never as long as I + live. Gimme a half hour's start an'—Jehosophat!" + </p> + <p> + He had shoved a trembling hand between the bars and was fumbling with the + padlock. His ejaculation was due to a most incredible discovery. Some one + had forgotten to take the key out of the padlock! He laughed shrilly, + witlessly. Twenty seconds later he was out in the little anteroom or + vestibule, panting and still chortling. The outer door opened readily to + the lifting of the latch. He peeped out cautiously, warily. The square was + deserted save for a few men hurrying along the street toward the drill + ground up beyond Horton's tanyard,—where the drum and fife were + playing and men were shouting loudly. + </p> + <p> + Thereupon Martin Hawk did the incomprehensible thing. He squared his + brawny shoulders, set his hat rakishly over one ear, and sauntered out of + the jail, calmly stopping to latch the door—and even to rattle it to + make sure that it had caught! + </p> + <p> + He was far too cunning to dart around the corner and bolt for safety. That + would have been the worst kind of folly. Instead, he strode briskly off in + the direction from whence came the strains of martial music! So much for + the benefit of watchful, suspicious eyes. But as he turned the corner of + Baker's store his whole demeanour changed. He was off like a frightened + rabbit, and as soft-footedly. He ran as the huntsman or the Indian runs,—almost + soundlessly, like the wind breezing over dead leaves or through the tops + of reeds. Three men stepped out from behind a wagon on the far side of the + square. The flare of a bonfire reached dimly to the corner around which + the fugitive had scurried. One of the men gave vent to a subdued snort and + then spat hurriedly and copiously. + </p> + <p> + "We'll never see hide nor hair of him again," quoth he. "He won't stop + running till daybreak. I guess you'd better wait about ten minutes, Jake, + and then fire a few shots. That'll put new life into him. Course, a lot of + blamed fools will cuss the daylights out of me for letting him get away + right under my nose, and all that, but let 'em talk. He's gone for good, + you can bet on that,—and the county's lucky to get rid of him so + cheaply." + </p> + <p> + "I guess you're right, Sheriff," agreed one of his companions. "From all I + hear, Mrs. Gwyn would have a hard time provin' it was him as stole her—" + </p> + <p> + "Supposin' she did prove it, what then?" broke in the high sheriff of the + bailiwick. "The county would have to feed him for a couple of months or so + and then turn him loose again to go right back to stealing, same as + before. The best way to punish a thief, accordin' to my notion, is to keep + him everlastingly on the jump, scared to death to show his face anywheres + and always hatin' to go to sleep for fear he'll wake up and find somebody + pointin' a pistol at him and sayin,' 'Well, I got you at last, dang ye.' + Besides, lockin' Mart up isn't going to bring back Mrs. Gwyn's sheep, is + it?" + </p> + <p> + "When that gal of his tells her story in court to-morrow," advanced the + third member of the group, "there'll be plenty of people in this town that + won't be put off a second time by any fife and drum shinanigan." + </p> + <p> + "Anyhow," said the sheriff, "I didn't want to have the blamed skunk on my + mind while we're organizin' the company. It's bad enough havin' to go out + and fight Indians without worryin' all the time I'm away about whether + anybody back here has had sense enough to keep Martin from starvin' to + death. I guess we'd better mosey along up to the drill ground, boys. + Martin's got into the bushes by this time, and if I'm any kind of a + guesser he ain't dawdlin' along smellin' every spring flower he comes + across." + </p> + <p> + "Don't you think you'd better go over an' take a look around the jail + first?" + </p> + <p> + "What for? There ain't anybody in it." + </p> + <p> + "No, but like as not the dog-gasted whelp run off with that padlock, an' + we'd ought to know it before he gets too big a start. Padlocks cost + money," explained the other, with a dry chuckle and a dig in the sheriff's + ribs. + </p> + <p> + "So do prisoners," was the rejoinder of this remarkable sheriff. + </p> + <p> + And thus it came to pass that between the sheriff and Kenneth Gwynne and + Moll Hawk, the county got rid of three iniquitous individuals. One rode + forth in broad daylight on a matchless thoroughbred; another stole off + like a weasel in the night, and the third took passage on the Ship that + Never Returns. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0027" id="link2HCH0027"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVII — THE TRIAL OF MOLL HAWK + </h2> + <p> + The trial of Moll Hawk was a brief one. "Judge" Billings, as foreman of + the jury, asked permission of the Court to make a few remarks before the + taking of testimony began. + </p> + <p> + "Your honour, this here jury got together last night and sort of talked + things over while Mr. Benbridge and other patriotic citizens of Lafayette + were engaged in organizing a number of noble and brave-hearted gentlemen + into a company of soldiers to give battle to the bloodthirsty red man who + is about to swoop down upon us, with tommyhawk and knife and rifle, to + ravage our lands and pillage our women—er—I mean pillage our + lands and—er—so forth. As I was saying, your honour, we talked + it over and seeing as how we have all enlisted in Mr. Benbridge's troop + and he sort of thought we'd better begin drilling as soon as possible, and + also seeing as how this here trial is attractin' a good deal of attention + at a time when we ought to be thinkin' of the safety of our wives and + children,—if we have any,—we came to the conclusion to address + you, sir, with all respect, and suggest that you instruct the counsel on + both sides to be as lenient as possible with the jury. + </p> + <p> + "This here innocent girl's father broke out of jail and got away. As far + as this here jury knows he ain't likely ever to come back, so, for the + time being at least, there don't seem to be anybody we can hang for the + crime with which the prisoner at the bar is charged. This jury was picked + with a great deal of care by the sheriff and is, I am reliably informed, + entirely satisfactory to both sides of the case. + </p> + <p> + "In view of the fact that Black Hawk's warriors are reported to have been + seen within twenty miles of our beautiful little city, and also in view of + the additional fact that Mrs. Rachel Gwyn, one of our foremost citizens + and taxpayers, has recently informed me,—and your honour also, I + believe, in my presence,—that she intends to give this poor girl a + home as soon as she is lawfully discharged by the jury as not guilty, we, + the jury, implore your honour to keep an eye on the clock. As we + understand the case, there were only two witnesses to the killing of the + villain against whom this young woman fought so desperately in + self-defence. One of 'em is here in this courtroom. The other is dead and + buried. It is now ten minutes past nine. We, the jury, would like for you + to inform the counsel on both sides that at precisely ten o'clock we are + going to render a verdict, because at a quarter-past ten the majority of + us have to attend a company drill. The lawyer for the prisoner enlisted + last night as a private in our company, and so did the prosecuting + attorney." + </p> + <p> + "This is a most unusual and unprecedented action on the part of a jury," + said the Court gravely. "However, in view of the extraordinary + circumstances, I feel that we should be as expeditious as possible in + disposing of the case on trial. Gentlemen, you have heard the remarks of + the foreman of the jury. Have either of you any reason for objecting to + the suggestion he has made? Very well, then; we will proceed with the + trial of Mary Hawk, charged with murder in the first degree. Call your + first witness, Mr. Prosecutor." + </p> + <p> + The little courtroom was jammed to its capacity. Hundreds, unable to gain + admission, crowded about the entrance and filled the square. The town was + in the throes of a vast excitement, what with the trial, the Indian + uprising in the north, the escape of Martin Hawk and the flight of Barry + Lapelle, hitherto regarded as a rake but not even suspected of actual + dishonesty. The Paul Revere, with Captain Redberry in charge, had got away + at daybreak, loaded to the rails with foot-loose individuals who suddenly + had decided to try their fortunes elsewhere rather than remain in a + district likely to be overrun by savages. + </p> + <p> + Moll Hawk sat in front of the judge's table and at her side was Kenneth + Gwynne. Mrs. Gwyn and Viola occupied seats on a bench near one of the + windows, facing the jury. The prisoner was frightened. She was stiff and + uncomfortable in the new dress the sheriff's wife had selected for her. + Her black hair was neatly brushed and coiled in two thick lobs which hung + down over her ears. Her deep-set eyes darted restlessly, even warily about + her as she sat there in the midst of this throng of strange, stern-faced + men. Now and then they went appealingly to Mrs. Gwyn or Viola or to the + sheriff's wife, and always they seemed to be asking: "What are they going + to do to me?" + </p> + <p> + The prosecuting attorney, a young man of slender experience but chivalrous + instincts, solemnly announced that he had but two witnesses to examine and + then he was through. He called the undertaker to the stand. + </p> + <p> + "In as few words as possible, tell the jury who it was that you buried + yesterday afternoon." + </p> + <p> + "Jasper Suggs." + </p> + <p> + "Was he dead?" + </p> + <p> + "He was." + </p> + <p> + "That's all, your honour." + </p> + <p> + "Any questions, Mr. Gwynne?" inquired the judge. + </p> + <p> + "None, your honour." + </p> + <p> + "Call your next witness, Mr. Prosecutor." + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Sheriff, will you take the stand for a moment? Did you see the + defendant along about four o'clock yesterday morning?" + </p> + <p> + "I did." + </p> + <p> + "State where." + </p> + <p> + "At her father's cabin." + </p> + <p> + "State what had happened there prior to your arrival, if you know." + </p> + <p> + "This defendant had had a little difficulty with the corpse, and he was + dead on the floor when we got there." + </p> + <p> + "From a knife wound?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, sir." + </p> + <p> + "Who inflicted that wound, if you know?" + </p> + <p> + "Miss Mary Hawk." + </p> + <p> + "You are sure about that, Mr. Sheriff?" + </p> + <p> + "Pos-i-tively." + </p> + <p> + "How can you be sure of that, sir, if you did not witness the deed with + your own eyes?" + </p> + <p> + The Court rapped on the table. + </p> + <p> + "This is your own witness, Mr. Prosecutor. Are you trying to cross-examine + him, or to discredit his testimony?" + </p> + <p> + "I beg your honour's pardon." + </p> + <p> + Kenneth arose. "We will admit that Jasper Suggs came to his death at the + hands of the defendant." + </p> + <p> + "In that case," said his gentlemanly adversary, "the State rests." + </p> + <p> + "Judge" Billings was heard audibly to remark: "Give 'em an inch and they + take a mile." + </p> + <p> + "Order in the court! Call your first witness, Mr. Gwynne." + </p> + <p> + "Take this chair, if you please, Miss Hawk. Hold up your right hand and be + sworn. Now, be good enough to answer the questions I put to you, clearly + and distinctly, so that the jury may hear." + </p> + <p> + After a few preliminary questions he said: "Now tell the Court and the + jury exactly what happened, beginning with the return of your father and + Jasper Suggs from a trip to town. Don't be afraid, Miss—er—Moll. + Tell the jury, in your own words, just what took place between the time + you first heard Suggs and your father talking in the cabin and the arrival + of the sheriff and his men." + </p> + <p> + It lacked just three minutes of ten o'clock when she finished her story. + It had been delivered haltingly and with visible signs of embarrassment at + times, but it was a straightforward, honest recital of facts. + </p> + <p> + "Any questions, Mr. Prosecutor?" + </p> + <p> + "None, your honour. The State does not desire to present argument. It is + content to submit its case to the jury without argument, asking only that + a verdict be rendered fairly and squarely upon the evidence as introduced. + All we ask is justice." + </p> + <p> + "Any argument, Mr. Gwynne?" + </p> + <p> + "None, your honour. The defence is satisfied to leave its case entirely in + the hands of the jury." + </p> + <p> + "Gentlemen of the jury," said the Court, glancing at the clock, "the Court + will omit its instructions to you, merely advising you that if you find + the prisoner guilty as charged your verdict must be murder in the first + degree, the penalty for which is death." + </p> + <p> + "Judge" Billings leaned over and picked up his hat from the floor. Then he + arose and announced: + </p> + <p> + "We, the jury, find the defendant not guilty." + </p> + <p> + "Prisoner discharged," said the Court, arising. "The Court desires to + thank the jurors for the close attention you have paid to the evidence in + this case and for the prompt and just verdict you have returned. Court + stands adjourned." + </p> + <p> + Later on Moll Hawk walked up the hill with Mrs. Gwyn and Viola. Very few + words had passed between them since they left the curious but friendly + crowd in the public square. Finally Moll's dubious thoughts found + expression in words, breaking in upon the detached reflections of her two + companions. + </p> + <p> + "I don't see why they let me off like that, Mis' Gwyn. I killed him, + didn't I?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, Moll,—but the law does not convict a person who kills in + self-defence. Didn't you understand that?" "But supposin' I wuz starvin' + to death an' I stole a ham like Bud Gridley did last fall when his pa an' + ma wuz sick, wouldn't that be self-defence? They put him in jail fer two + months, jest fer stealin' a ham when he hadn't had nothin' to eat fer + three days,—bein' crippled an' couldn't work. Wuz that fair?" + </p> + <p> + "Don't forget, Moll," said Rachel ironically, "that Henry Butts valued his + ham at seventy-five cents." + </p> + <p> + "Anyhow, hit don't seem right an' fair," said Moll. "I didn't have to kill + Jasper to save my life. I could ha' saved it without killin' him." + </p> + <p> + "You did perfectly right in killing him, Moll," broke in Viola warmly. "I + would have done the same thing if I had been in your place." + </p> + <p> + Moll thought over this for a few seconds. "Well, maybe you might have had + to do it, Miss Violy, if them fellers had got away with you as they wuz + plannin' to do," she said. + </p> + <p> + Silence fell between them again, broken after a while by Moll. "They'll + never ketch Pap," she said. "I guess I'll never lay eyes on him ag'in. I + wuz jest wonderin' what's goin' to become of his dogs. Do you suppose + anybody'll take the trouble to feed 'em?" + </p> + <p> + Toby Moxler, Jack Trentman's dealer, accosted Kenneth Gwynne at the + conclusion of the first drill. + </p> + <p> + "Jack found this here letter down at the shanty this morning, Mr. Gwynne. + It's addressed to you, so he asked me to hand it to you when I saw you." + </p> + <p> + Kenneth knew at once who the letter was from. He stuck it into his coat + pocket, unopened. + </p> + <p> + "Tell Jack that I am very much obliged to him," he said, and walked away. + </p> + <p> + When he was safely out of hearing distance, Toby turned to the man at his + side and remarked: + </p> + <p> + "If what Barry Lapelle told me and Jack Trentman yesterday morning is + true, there'll be the doggonedest scandal this town ever heard of." + </p> + <p> + "What did he tell you?" inquired his neighbour eagerly. + </p> + <p> + "It's against my principles to talk about women," snapped Toby, glaring at + the man as if deeply insulted. Seeing the disappointment in the other's + face, he softened a little: "'Specially about widders," he went so far as + to explain. "You keep your shirt on, Elmer, and wait. And when it <i>does</i> + come out, you'll be the most surprised man in town." + </p> + <p> + Kenneth did not open Barry's letter until he reached his office. His face + darkened as he read but cleared almost instantly. He even smiled + disdainfully as he tore the sheet into small pieces and stuffed them into + his pocket against the time when he could consign them to the fire in his + kitchen stove. + </p> + <p> + "Kenneth Gwynne, Esquire. + </p> + <p> + "Sir: Upon receipt of your discurtious and cowardly reply to my challenge + I realized the futility of expecting on your part an honourable and + gentlemanly settlement of our difficulties. My natural inclination was to + seek you out and force you to fight but advice of friends prevailed. I + have decided to make it my business to verify the story which has come to + my ears regarding the Gwynne and Carter families. In pursuit of this + intention I am starting immediately for your old home town in Kentucky + where I am convinced there still remain a number of people who will be + able to give me all the facts. If I was misled into making statements that + were untrue in my last meeting with your sister I shall most humbly + apologize to her. If on the contrary I find that what I said to her was + true I will make it my business to bring all the facts to the notice of + the people of Lafayette and let them decide what to do in the matter. In + any case I shall return in about a month or six weeks at which time I + shall renew my challenge to you with the sincere hope that you may accept + it and that I may have the belated pleasure of putting a bullet through + your cowardly heart. I must however in the meantime refuse to sign myself + </p> + <p> + "Yours respectfully + </p> + <h3> + "BARRY LAPELLE." + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0028" id="link2HCH0028"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVIII — THE TRYSTING PLACE OF THOUGHTS + </h2> + <p> + The turmoil and excitement over the Indian outbreak increased during the + day. A constant stream of refugees, mostly old men, women and children, + poured into Lafayette from regions west of the Wabash. By nightfall fully + three hundred of them were being cared for by the people of the town, and + more were coming. Shortly after noon a mounted scout rode in from Warren + County with the word that the militia of his county was preparing to start + off at once to meet the advancing hordes; he brought in the report that + farther north the frontier was being abandoned by the settlers and that + massacres already had occurred. There was also a well-supported rumour + that a portion of the Illinois militia, some two hundred and fifty men in + all, had been routed on Hickory Creek by Black Hawk's invincible warriors, + with appalling losses to the whites. He bore a stirring message from his + commanding officer, urging the men of Tippecanoe to rouse themselves and + join Warren County troops in an immediate movement to repel or at least to + check the Sacs and Miamis and Pottawattomies who were swarming over the + prairies like locusts. + </p> + <p> + The appearance of this messenger, worn and spent after his long ride, + created a profound sensation. Here at last was official verification of + the stories brought in by the panic-stricken refugees; here was something + that caused the whole town suddenly to awake to the fact that a real + menace existed, and that it was not, after all, another of those + rattle-brained "scares" which were constantly cropping up. + </p> + <p> + For months there had been talk of old Black Hawk and his Sacs going on the + warpath over the occupation of their lands in Northern Illinois by the + swift-advancing, ruthless whites. The old Sac, or Sauk, chieftain had long + threatened to resist by force of arms this violation of the treaty. He had + been so long, however, in even making a start to carry out his threat that + the more enlightened pioneers had ceased to take any stock in his + spoutings. + </p> + <p> + The Free Press, Lafayette's only newspaper, had from time to time printed + news seeping out of the Northwest by means of carrier or voyageur; their + tales bore out the reports furnished by Federal and State authorities on + the more or less unsettled conditions. There was, for example, the + extremely disquieting story that Black Hawk, on his return from a hunting + trip west of the Mississippi, had travelled far eastward across Northern + Indiana to seek the advice of the British commander in Canada. Not only + was the story of this pilgrimage true, but the fact was afterward + definitely established that the British official advised the chief to make + war on the white settlers,—this being late in 1831, nearly twenty + years after the close of the War of 1812. Many of Black Hawk's warriors + had served under Tecumseh in the last war with England, and they still + were rabid British sympathizers. + </p> + <p> + Amidst the greatest enthusiasm and excitement, the men of Lafayette + organized the "Guards," a company some three hundred strong. After several + days of intensive and, for a time, ludicrous "drilling," they were ready + and eager to ride out into the terrorized Northwest. + </p> + <p> + Kenneth Gwynne was a private in "The Guards." + </p> + <p> + During the thrilling days of preparation for the expedition, he saw little + of the women next door. Doubtless for reasons of their own, Viola and her + mother maintained a strange and persistent aloofness. It was not until the + evening before the departure of the "Guards" that he took matters into his + own hands and walked over to Rachel's house. + </p> + <p> + The few glimpses he had had of Viola during these busy days and nights + served not only to increase his ardent craving for her but caused him the + most acute misery as well. Utter despond had fallen upon him. + </p> + <p> + It was significant of her new attitude toward life that she had cast aside + the sombre habiliments of mourning. She was now appearing in bright, + though not gay, colours,—unmistakable evidence of her decision to + abandon all pretence of grief for the man she had looked upon for so many + years as her father. + </p> + <p> + There was a strange, new vivacity in her manner, too,—something that + hurt rather than cheered him. He heard her singing about the house,—gay, + larksome little snatches,—and she whistled merrily as she worked in + the garden. Somehow her very light-heartedness added to his despair. What + right had she to be happy and gay and cheerful whilst he was so miserable? + Had he not told her in so many words that he loved her? Did that mean + nothing to her? Why should she sing and whistle in her own domain when she + must have known that he was suffering in his, not twenty rods away? He was + conscious at times of a sense of injury, and as the time drew near for his + departure without so much as a sign of regret or even interest on her + part, this feeling deepened into resentment. + </p> + <p> + He was very stiff and formal as he approached the porch on which Viola and + her mother were seated, enjoying the cool evening breeze that had sprung + up at the end of the hot and sultry day. A strange woman and two small + children, refugees from the Grand Prairie, had been given shelter by Mrs. + Gwyn, but they had already gone to bed. + </p> + <p> + "We are off at daybreak," he said, standing before them, his hat in his + hand. "I thought I would come over to say good-bye." + </p> + <p> + His hungry gaze swept over the figure of the girl, shadowy and indistinct + in the semi-darkness. To his amazement, he saw that she was attired in the + frock she had worn on that unforgettable night at Striker's. She leaned + forward and held out her hand to him. As he took it he looked up into her + dusky face and caught his breath. Good heaven! She was actually smiling! + Smiling when he was going away perhaps never to return alive! + </p> + <p> + She did not speak. It was Rachel Carter who said, quietly: + </p> + <p> + "Thank you for coming over, Kenneth. We would not have allowed you to go, + however, without saying good-bye and wishing you well on this hazardous + undertaking. May God protect you and all the brave men who go out with + you." + </p> + <p> + He had not released Viola's hand. Suddenly her grip tightened; her other + hand was raised quickly to her face, and he was dumbfounded to see that + she was dabbing at her eyes with her handkerchief. His heart swelled. She + had been smiling bravely all the while her eyes were filled with tears. + And now he knew why she was silent. He lifted her hand to his lips. + </p> + <p> + "I want you to know, Viola dear, before I go away," he said huskily, "that + I can and will give you back the name of Gwynne, and with my name I give + more love than ever any man had for woman before in all this world. I lay + my heart at your feet. It is yours whether you choose to pick it up or + not." + </p> + <p> + She slowly withdrew her hand. Neither of them heard the long, deep sigh in + the darkness beside them. + </p> + <p> + "I don't know what to say to you, Kenny," she murmured, almost inaudibly. + </p> + <p> + "There is nothing for you to say, Viola, unless you love me. I am sorry if + I have distressed you. I only wanted you to know before I go away that I + love you." + </p> + <p> + "I—I am glad you love me, Kenny. It makes me very happy. But it is + all so strange, so unreal. I can't seem to convince myself that it is + right for you to love me or for me to love you. Some day, perhaps, it will + all straighten itself out in my mind and then I will know whether it is + love,—the kind of love you want,—or just a dear, sweet + affection that I feel for you." + </p> + <p> + "I understand," he said gravely. "It is too soon for you to know. A + brother turned into a lover, as if by magic, and you are bewildered. I can + only pray that the time will come when your heart tells you that you love + me as I want you to, and as I love you." + </p> + <p> + They spoke thus freely before the girl's mother, for those were the days + when a man's courting was not done surreptitiously. It is doubtful, + however, if they remembered her presence. + </p> + <p> + "There have been times—" she began, a trace of eagerness in her + voice, "when something seemed to tell me that—that I ought to keep + away from you. I used to have the queerest sensations running all over—" + She did not complete the sentence; instead, as if in a sudden panic over + the nearness of unmaidenly revelations, she somewhat breathlessly began + all over again: "I guess it must have been a—a warning, or + something." + </p> + <p> + "They say there is such a thing as a magnetic current between human + beings," he said. "It was that, Viola. You felt my love laying hold upon + you, touching you, caressing you." + </p> + <p> + "The other night, when you held me so close to you, I—I couldn't + think of you as my brother." + </p> + <p> + Out of the darkness spoke Rachel Carter. + </p> + <p> + "You love each other," she said. "There is no use trying to explain or + account for your feelings. The day you came here, Kenneth Gwynne, I saw + the handwriting on the wall. I knew that this would happen. It was as + certain as the rising of the sun. It would have been as useless for me to + attempt to stop the rising sun as to try to keep you two from falling in + love with each other. It was so written long ago." + </p> + <p> + "But, mother, I am not sure,—how can you say that I am in love with + him when I don't know it myself?" cried Viola. + </p> + <p> + "When you came, Kenneth, I knew that my days were numbered," went on the + older woman, leaning forward in her chair. "The truth would have to come + out. A force I could not stand up against had entered the field. For want + of a better word we will call it Fate. It is useless to fight against + Fate. If I had never told you two the truth about yourselves, you would + have found it out anyway. You would have found it out in the touch of your + hands, in the leap of the blood, in the strange, mysterious desire of the + flesh over which the soul has no control. You began loving him, Viola,—without + knowing it,—that night at Phineas Striker's. You—" + </p> + <p> + "How can you say such a thing, mother?" cried Viola hotly. "I was in love + with Barry Lapelle at that—" + </p> + <p> + "You were never in love with Barry," broke in her mother calmly. + </p> + <p> + "I think I ought to know when I am in love and when I am not!" + </p> + <p> + "Be that as it may, you now know that you were never in love with him,—so + it comes to the same thing." + </p> + <p> + Kenneth's heart gave a joyous bound. "I—I wish I could believe that. + I wish I knew that you are not thinking of him now, Viola, and wanting him + back in spite of all he has done." + </p> + <p> + Viola arose suddenly. "I am going in the house," she said haughtily. + "Neither of you seems to think I have a grain of sense. First mother says + I am in love with you without knowing it, and now you are wondering if I + am in love with Barry without knowing it, I suppose. Don't you give me + credit for having a mind of my own? And, mother, I've just got to say it, + even if it is insolent,—I will be very much obliged to you if you + will allow me to make up my own mind about Kenny. It is not for you or + anybody else to say I am in love with him." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, don't go away angry, Viola," cried Kenneth, distressed. "Let's forget + all we've said and—" + </p> + <p> + "I don't want to forget all we've said," she exclaimed, stamping her foot. + "How dare you come over here and tell me you love me and then ask me to + forget—Oh, if that's all it amounts to with you, Kenneth, I dare say + I can make up my mind right now. I—" + </p> + <p> + "You will find, Kenneth," broke in her mother drily, "that she has a + temper." + </p> + <p> + "I guess he has found that out before this," said Viola, from the + doorstep. "He has had a taste of it. If he doesn't like—" + </p> + <p> + "I am used to tempers," said he, now lightly. "I have a devil of a temper + myself." + </p> + <p> + "I don't believe it," she cried. "You've got the kindest, sweetest, + gentlest nature I've ever—" + </p> + <p> + "Come and sit down, Viola," interrupted her mother, arising. "I am going + in the house myself." + </p> + <p> + "You needn't, mother. I am going to bed. Good night, Kenny." + </p> + <p> + "I came to say good-bye," he reminded her. + </p> + <p> + She paused with her hand on the latch. He heard the little catch in her + breath. Then she turned impulsively and came back to him. He was still + standing on the ground, several feet below her. + </p> + <p> + "What a beast I am, Kenny," she murmured contritely. "I waited out here + all evening for you to come over so that I could say good-bye and tell you + how much I shall miss you,—and to wish you a speedy and safe return. + And you paid me a great compliment,—the greatest a girl can have. I + don't deserve it. But I will miss you, Kenny,—I will miss you + terribly. Now, I MUST go in. If I stay another second longer I'll say + something mean and spiteful,—because I AM mean and spiteful, and no + one knows it better than I do. Good-bye, Kenneth Gwynne." + </p> + <p> + "Good-bye, Minda Carter," he said softly, and again raised her hand to his + lips. "My little Minda grown up to be the most beautiful queen in all the + world." + </p> + <p> + She turned and fled swiftly into the house. They heard her go racing up + the stairs,—then a door open and slam shut again. + </p> + <p> + "She would be very happy to-night, Kenneth, if it were not for one thing," + said Rachel. "I still stand in the way. She cannot give herself to you + except at a cost to me. There can be nothing between you until I stand + before the world and say there is no reason why you should not be married + to each other. Do you wonder that she does not know her own heart?" + </p> + <p> + "And I would not deserve her love and trust if I were to ask you to pay + that price, Rachel Carter," said he steadily. + </p> + <p> + "Good-bye, Kenneth," she said, after a moment. She held out her hand. + "Will you take my hand,—just this once, boy?" + </p> + <p> + He did not hesitate. He grasped the hard, toil-worn hand firmly in his. + </p> + <p> + "We can never be friends, Rachel Carter,—but, as God is my witness, + I am no longer your enemy," he said, with feeling. "Good-bye." + </p> + <p> + He was half-way down to the gate when she called to him: + </p> + <p> + "Wait, Kenneth. Moll has something for you." + </p> + <p> + He turned back and met Moll Hawk as she came swiftly toward him. + </p> + <p> + "Here's somethin' fer you to carry in your pocket, Mr. Gwynne," said the + girl in her hoarse, low-pitched voice. "No harm c'n ever come to you as + long as you got this with you,—in your pocket er anywheres. Hit's a + charm an old Injin chief give my Pap when he wuz with the tribe, long + before I wuz born. Pap lost it the day before he wuz tooken up by the + sheriff, er else he never would ha' had setch bad luck. I found it day + before yesterday when I wuz down to the cabin, seein' about movin' our + hogs an' chickens an' hosses over to Mis' Gwyn's barn. The only reason the + Injun give it to Pap wuz because he wuz over a hundred years old an' + didn't want to warn off death no longer. Hit's just a little round stone + with somethin' fer all the world like eyes an' nose an' mouth on one side + of it,—jest as if hit had been carved out, only hit wuzn't. Hit's + jest natural. Hit keeps off sickness an' death an' bad luck, Mr. Gwynne. + Pap knowed he wuz goin' to ketch the devil the minute he found out he lost + it. I tole Miss Violy I wanted fer you to have it with you while you wuz + off fightin' the Injuns, an' she said she'd love me to her dyin' day if I + would give you the loan of it. Mebby you don't believe in charms an' signs + an' all setch, but it can't hurt you to carry it an'—an' hit's best + to be on the safe side. Please keep it, Mr. Gwynne." + </p> + <p> + It was a round object no bigger than a hickory nut. He had taken it from + her and was running his thumb over its surface while she was speaking. He + could feel the tiny nose and the little indentations that produced the + effect of eyes. + </p> + <p> + "Thank you, Moll," he said, sincerely touched. "It's mighty good of you. I + will bring it back to you, never fear, and I hope that after it has served + me faithfully for a little while it may do the same for you till you, too, + have seen a hundred and don't want to live any longer. What was it Miss + Viola said to you?" + </p> + <p> + "I guess I hadn't ought to said that," she mumbled. "Anyhow, I ain't goin' + to say it over again. Good-bye, Mr. Gwynne,—and take good keer o' + yourself." + </p> + <p> + With that she hurried back to the house, and he, after a glance up at the + second story window which he knew to be Viola's, bent his steps homeward. + </p> + <p> + His saddle-bags were already packed, his pistols cleaned and oiled; the + long-barrelled rifle he had borrowed from the tavern keeper was in prime + order for the expedition. Zachariah had gotten out his oldest clothes, his + thick riding boots, a linsey shirt and the rough but serviceable buckskin + cap that old Mr. Price had hobbled over to the office to give him after + the first day of drill with the sententious remark that a "plug hat was a + perty thing to perade around in but it wasn't a very handy sort of a hat + to be buried in." + </p> + <p> + His lamp burned far into the night. He tried to read but his thoughts + would not stay fixed on the printed page. Not once but many times he took + up from the table a short, legal-looking document and re-read its + contents, which were entirely in his own cramped, scholastic hand save for + the names of two witnesses at the end. It was his last will and testament, + drawn up that very day. Minda Carter was named therein as his sole + legatee,—"Minda Carter, at present known as Viola Gwyn, the daughter + of Owen and Rachel Carter." His father had, to all intents and purposes, + cut her off without a penny, an injustice which would be righted in case + of his own death. + </p> + <p> + It was near midnight when he blew out the light and threw himself fully + dressed upon the bed. Sleep would not come. At last, in desperation, he + got up and stole guiltily, self-consciously out into the yard, treading + softly lest he should wake the vehement Zachariah in his cubbyhole off the + kitchen. Presently he was standing at the fence separating the two yards, + his elbows on the top rail, his gloomy, lovelorn gaze fixed upon Viola's + darkened window. + </p> + <p> + The stars were shining. A cool, murky mantle lay over the land. He did not + know how long he had been standing there when his ear caught the sound of + a gently-closing door. A moment later a dim, shadowy figure appeared at + the corner of the house, stood motionless for a few seconds, and then came + directly toward him. The blood rushed thunderously to his head. He could + not believe his senses. He had been wishing—aye, vainly wishing that + by some marvellous enchantment she could be transported through the dark + little window into his arms. He rubbed his eyes. + </p> + <p> + "Viola!" he whispered. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, Kenny," she faltered, and her voice was low and soft like the sighing + of the wind. "I—I am so ashamed. What will you think of me for + coming out here like this?" + </p> + <p> + The god of Love gave him wings. He was over the fence, she was in his + arms, and he was straining the warm, pliant body close to his bursting + breast. His lips were on hers. He felt her stiffen and then relax in swift + surrender. Her heart, stilled at first, began to beat tumultuously against + his breast; her free arm stole about his neck and tightened as the urge of + a sweet, overwhelming passion swept over her. + </p> + <p> + At last she released herself from his embrace and stood with bowed head, + her hands pressed to her eyes. + </p> + <p> + "I didn't mean to do it,—I didn't mean to do this," she was + murmuring. + </p> + <p> + "You love me,—you love me," he whispered, his voice trembling with + joy. He drew her hands down from her eyes and held them tight in his own. + "Say you do, Viola,—speak the words." + </p> + <p> + "It must be love," she sighed. "What else could make me feel as I do now,—as + I did when you were holding me,—and kissing me? Oh,—oh,—yes, + I DO love you, Kenny. I know it now. I love you with all my soul." She was + in his arms again. "But," she panted a little later, "I swear I didn't + know it when I came out here, Kenny,—I swear I didn't." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, yes, you did," he cried triumphantly. "You've known it all the time, + only you didn't understand." + </p> + <p> + "I wonder," she mused. Then quickly, shyly: "I had no idea it could come + like this,—that it would BE like this. I feel so queer. My knees are + all trembly,—it's the strangest feeling. Now you must let me go, + Kenny. I must not stay out here with you. It is terribly late. I—" + </p> + <p> + "I can't let you go in yet, dearest. Come! We will sit for a little while + on the steps. Don't leave me yet, Viola. It is all so wonderful, so + unbelievable. And to think I was looking up at your window only a few + minutes ago, wishing that you would fly down to me. Good heavens! It can't + be a dream, can it? All this is real, isn't it?" She laughed softly. "It + can't be a dream with me, because I haven't even been in bed. I've been + sitting up there in my window for hours, looking over at your house. When + your light went out, I was terribly lonely. Yes, and I was a little put + out with you for going to bed. Then I saw you come and lean on the fence. + I knew you were looking up at my window,—and I was sure that you + could see me in spite of the darkness. You never moved,—just stood + there with your elbows on the fence, staring up at me. It made me very + uncomfortable, because I was in my nightgown. So I made up my mind to get + into bed and pull the coverlet up over my head. But I didn't do it. I put + on my dress,—everything,—shoes and stockings and all,—and + then I went back to see if you were still there. There you were. You + hadn't moved. So I sat down again and watched you. After awhile I—I—well, + I just couldn't help creeping downstairs and coming out to—to say + good-bye to you again, Kenny. You looked so lonesome." + </p> + <p> + "I was lonesome," he said,—"terribly lonesome." + </p> + <p> + She led him to a crudely constructed bench at the foot of a towering elm + whose lower branches swept the fore-corner of the roof. + </p> + <p> + "Let us sit here, Kenny dear," she said. "It is where I shall come and sit + every night while you are gone away. I shall sit with my back against it + and close my eyes and dream that you are beside me as you are now, with + your arms around me and your cheek against mine,—and it will be the + trysting place for our thoughts." + </p> + <p> + "That's wonderful, Viola," he said, impressed. "'The trysting place for + our thoughts.' Aye, and that it shall be. Every night, no matter where my + body may be or what peril it may be in, I shall be here beside you in my + thoughts." + </p> + <p> + She rested against him, in the crook of his strong right arm, her head + against his shoulder, and they both fell silent and pensive under the + spell of a wondrous enchantment. + </p> + <p> + After a while, she spoke, and there was a note of despair in her voice: + </p> + <p> + "What is to become of us, Kenny? What are we to do?" + </p> + <p> + "No power on earth can take you away from me now, Minda," he said. + </p> + <p> + "Ah,—that's it," she said miserably. "You call me Minda,—and + still you wonder why I ask what we are to do." + </p> + <p> + "You mean—about—" + </p> + <p> + "We can be nothing more to each other than we are now. There is some one + else we must think of. I—I forgot her for a little while, Kenny,—I + was so happy that I forgot her." + </p> + <p> + "Were ever two souls so tried as ours," he groaned, and again silence fell + between them. + </p> + <p> + Kneeling at the window from which Viola had peered so short a time before, + looking down upon the figures under the tree, was Rachel Carter. She could + hear their low voices, and her ears, made sharp by pain, caught the + rapturous and the forlorn passages breathed upon the still air. + </p> + <p> + She arose stiffly and drew back into the darkness, out of the dim, starlit + path, and standing there with her head high, her arms outspread, she made + her solemn vow of self-renunciation. + </p> + <p> + "I have no right to stand between them and happiness. They have done no + wrong. They do not deserve to be punished. My mind is made up. To-morrow I + shall speak. God has brought them together. It is not for me to keep them + apart. Aye, to-morrow I shall speak." + </p> + <p> + Then Rachel Carter, at peace with herself, went back to her bed across the + hall and was soon asleep, a smile upon her lips, the creases wiped from + between her eyes as if by some magic soothing hand. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0029" id="link2HCH0029"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIX — THE ENDING + </h2> + <p> + At crack-o'-day Kenneth rode out of his stable-yard on Brandy Boy, and + went cantering away, followed on foot by the excited Zachariah, bound for + the parade ground where the "soldiers" were to concentrate. + </p> + <p> + The rider turned in his saddle to wave farewell to the little group + huddled at Rachel's gate,—three tall women who waved back to him. + Rounding the bend, he sent a swift glance over his shoulder. There was but + one figure at the gate now; she blew a kiss to him. + </p> + <p> + Nearly three hundred horsemen moved out of Lafayette that forenoon amidst + the greatest excitement and enthusiasm. Most of them swam their horses + across the river, too eager to wait for the snail-like ferry to transport + them to the opposite bank. They were fearfully and wonderfully armed and + equipped for the expedition. Guns of all descriptions and ages; pistols, + axes, knives and diligently scoured swords; pots and pans and kettles; + blankets, knapsacks and parcels of varying sizes; in all a strange and + motley assortment that would have caused a troop of regulars to die of + laughter. But the valiant spirit was there. Even the provident and + far-sighted gentlemen who strapped cumbersome and in some cases voluptuous + umbrellas (because of their extraneous contents) across their backs + alongside the guns, were no more timorous than their swashbuckling + neighbours who scorned the tempest even as they scoffed at the + bloodthirsty red-skins. Four heavily laden wagons brought up the rear. + </p> + <p> + Kenneth Gwynne rode beside the ubiquitous "Judge" Billings, who cheerfully + and persuasively sought to "swap" horses with him when not otherwise + employed in discoursing upon the vast inefficiency of certain specifically + named officers who rode in all their plump glory at or near the head of + the column. He was particularly out of sympathy with a loud-mouthed + lieutenant. + </p> + <p> + "Why," said he, "if the captain was to say 'halt' suddenly that feller'd + lose his mind tryin' to think what to do. No more head on him than a + grasshopper. And him up there givin' orders to a lot of bright fellers + like you an' me an' the rest of us! By gosh, I'd like to be hidin' around + where I could see the look on the Indian's face that scalps him. The + minute he got through scrapin' a little hide an' hair off of the top o' + that feller's head he'd be able to see clear down to the back of his + Adam's Apple." + </p> + <p> + Historians have recorded the experiences and achievements of this gallant + troop of horse. It is not the intention of the present chronicler to + digress. Suffice to say, the expedition moved sturdily westward and + northward for five or six days without encountering a single Indian. Then + they were ordered to return home. There were two casualties. One man was + accidentally shot in the arm while cleaning his own rifle, and another was + shot in the foot by a comrade who was aiming at a rattlesnake. Nine or ten + days after they rode out from Lafayette, the majority of the company rode + back again and were received with acclaim. Two score of the more + adventurous, however, separated from the main body on Sugar Creek and, + electing their own officers, proceeded to Hickory Creek and on to the + River O'Plein in Northern Illinois, without finding a hostile redskin. + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact, Black Hawk was at no time near the Indiana border. + His operations were confined to Northwestern Illinois in the region of the + Mississippi River. Subsequently a series of sanguinary battles took place + between the Indians and strong Illinois militia forces supported by + detachments of United States troops under General Brady. It was not until + the beginning of August that Black Hawk was finally defeated, his + dwindling horde almost annihilated, and the old chieftain, betrayed into + the hands of the whites by the Winnebagos, was made a prisoner of war. And + so, summarily, the present chronicler disposes of the "great Black Hawk + war," and returns to his narrative and the people related thereto. + </p> + <p> + Kenneth Gwynne did not go back to Lafayette with the main body of troops; + he decided to join Captain McGeorge and his undaunted little band of + adventurers. Gwynne's purpose in remaining with McGeorge was twofold. Not + only was he keenly eager to meet the Indians but somewhere back in his + mind was the struggling hope that, given time, Rachel Carter's reserve + would crack under the fresh strain put upon it and she would voluntarily, + openly break the silence that now stood as an absolutely insurmountable + obstacle to his marriage with Viola. Not until Rachel Carter herself + cleared the path could they find the way to happiness. + </p> + <p> + He would have been amazed, even shocked, could he have known all that + transpired in Lafayette on the day following his departure. He was not to + know for many a day, as it was nearly three weeks after the return of the + main body of troops that McGeorge and his little band rode wearily down + through the Grand Prairie and entered the town, their approach being + heralded by a scout sent on in advance. + </p> + <p> + Kenneth searched eagerly among the crowd on the river bank, seeking the + face that had haunted him throughout all the irksome days and nights; he + looked for the beloved one to whom his thoughts had sped each night for + communion at the foot of the blessed elm. She was nowhere to be seen. He + was bitterly disappointed. As soon as possible he escaped from his + comrades and hurried home. There he learned from Rachel Carter herself + that Viola had gone away, never to return to Lafayette again. + </p> + <p> + Mid-morning on the day after the troops rode away, Rachel Carter appeared + at the office of her lawyer, Andrew Holman. There, in the course of the + next hour, she calmly, unreservedly bared the whole story of her life to + the astonished and incredulous gentleman. + </p> + <p> + She did not consult with her daughter before taking this irrevocable step. + She put it beyond her daughter's power to shake the resolution she had + made on the eve of Kenneth's departure; she knew that Viola would cry out + against the sacrifice and she was sorely afraid of her own strength in the + presence of her daughter's anguish. "I shall put it all in the paper," she + said, regarding the distressed, perspiring face of the lawyer with a grim, + almost taunting smile, as if she actually relished his consternation. + "What I want you to do, first off, Andrew, is to prepare some sort of + affidavit, setting forth the facts, which I will sign and swear to. It + needn't be a long document. The shorter the better, just so it makes + everything clear." + </p> + <p> + "But, my dear Mrs. Gwyn, this—this may dispossess you of + everything," remonstrated the agitated man of law. "The fact that you were + never the wife of Robert—" + </p> + <p> + "Your memory needs refreshing," she interrupted. "If you will consult + Robert Gwyn's will you will discover that he leaves half of his estate, et + cetera, to 'my beloved and faithful companion and helpmate, Rachel, who, + with me, has assumed the name of Gwyn for the rest of her life in view of + certain circumstances which render the change in the spelling of my name + advisable, notwithstanding the fact that in signing this, my last will and + testament, I recognize the necessity of affixing my true and legal name.' + You and I know the sentence by heart, Andrew. No one can or will dispute + my claim to the property. I have thought this all out, you may be sure,—just + as he thought it all out when he drew up the paper. I imagine he must have + spent a great deal of time and thought over that sentence, and I doubt if + you or any other lawyer could have worded it better." + </p> + <p> + "Of course, if the will reads as you say,—er,—ahem! Yes, yes,—I + remember now that it was a—er—somewhat ambiguous. Ahem! But it + has just occurred to me, Mrs. Gwyn, that you are going a little farther + than is really necessary in the matter. May I suggest that you are not—er—obliged + to reveal the fact that you were never married to him? That, it seems to + me, is quite unnecessary. If, as you say, your object is merely to set + matters straight so that your daughter and Mr. Gwynne may be free to + marry, being in no sense related either by blood or by law,—such as + would have been the case if you had married Kenneth's father,—why, + it seems to me you can avoid a great deal of unpleasant notoriety by—er—leaving + out that particular admission." + </p> + <p> + "No," she said firmly. "Thank you for your kind advice,—but, if you + will reflect, it is out of the question. You forget what you have just + said. For a lawyer, my dear friend, you are surprisingly simple to-day." + </p> + <p> + "I see,—I see," mumbled the lawyer, mopping his brow. "Of course,—er,—you + are quite right. You are a very level-headed woman. Quite so. I would have + thought of it in another moment or two. You can't leave out that part of + it without—er—nullifying the whole object and intent of your—er—ahem!—I + was about to say confession, but that is a nasty word. In other words, + unless you acknowledge that you and Robert were never lawfully married, + the—er—" + </p> + <p> + "Exactly," she broke in crisply. "That is the gist of the matter. Society + does not countenance marriage between step-brother and -sister. So we will + tell the whole truth,—or nothing at all. Besides, Robert Gwyn put + the whole story in writing himself, as I have told you. The hiding-place + of that piece of paper is still a mystery, but it will be found some day. + I am trying to take the curse off of it, Andrew." + </p> + <p> + As she was leaving the office, he said to her, with deep feeling: "I + suppose you realize the consequences, Mrs. Gwyn? It means ostracism for + you. You will not have a friend in this town,—not a person who will + speak to you, aside from the storekeepers who value your custom and"—he + bowed deeply—"your humble servant." + </p> + <p> + "I fully appreciate what it means," she responded wearily. "It means that + if I continue to hold my head up or dare to look my neighbour in the face + I shall be called brazen as well as corrupt," she went on after a moment, + a sardonic little twist at the corner of her mouth. "Well, so be it. I + have thought of all that. Have no fear for me, my friend. I have never + been afraid of the dark,—so why should I fear the light?" + </p> + <p> + "You're a mighty fine woman, Rachel Gwyn," cried the lawyer warmly. + </p> + <p> + She frowned as she held out her hand. "None of that, if you please," she + remarked tersely. "Will you have the paper ready for me to sign this + afternoon?" + </p> + <p> + "I will submit it to you right after dinner." + </p> + <p> + "You may expect me here at two o'clock. We will then step over to the Free + Press and allow Mr. Semans to copy the document for his paper." She + allowed herself a faint smile. "I daresay he can make room for it, even if + he has to subtract a little from his account of the stirring events of + yesterday." + </p> + <p> + "Your story will make a great sensation," declared the lawyer, wiping his + brow once more. "He can't afford to—er—to leave it out." + </p> + <p> + At two o'clock she was in his office again. He read the carefully prepared + document to her. + </p> + <p> + "This is like signing your own death warrant, Rachel Gwyn," he said + painfully, as she affixed her signature and held up her hand to be sworn. + </p> + <p> + "No. I am signing a pardon for two guiltless people who are suffering for + the sins of others." + </p> + <p> + "That reminds me," he began, pursing his lips. "I have been reflecting + during your absence. Has it occurred to you that this act of yours is + certain to react with grave consequences upon the very people you would—er—befriend? + I am forced to remind you that the finger of scorn will not be pointed at + you alone. Your daughter will not escape the—er—ignominy of + being—ahem!—of being your daughter, in fact. Young Gwynne will + find his position here very greatly affected by the—er—" + </p> + <p> + "I quite understand all that, Andrew. I am not thinking of the present so + much as I am considering the future. The past, so far as we all are + concerned, is easily disposed of, but these two young people have a long + life ahead of them. It is not my idea that they shall spend it here in + this town,—or even in this State." + </p> + <p> + "You mean you will urge them to leave Lafayette forever?" + </p> + <p> + "Certainly." + </p> + <p> + "But if I know Viola,—and I think I do,—she will refuse to + desert you. As for Gwynne, he strikes me as a fellow who would not turn + tail under fire." + </p> + <p> + "In any case, Andrew, it will be for them to decide. Kenneth had already + established himself as a lawyer back in the old home town. I shall urge + him to return to that place with Viola as soon as they are married. His + mother was a Blythe. There is no blot upon the name of Blythe. My daughter + was born there. Her father was an honest, God-fearing, highly respected + man. His name and his memory are untarnished. No man can say aught against + the half of Kenneth that is Blythe, nor the half of Viola that is Carter. + I should like the daughter of Owen Carter to go back and live among his + people as the wife of the son of Laura Blythe, and to honourably bear the + name that was denied me by a Gwynne." + </p> + <p> + He looked at her shrewdly for a moment and then, as the full significance + of her plan grew upon him, revealing in a flash the motive behind it, he + exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + "Well, by gosh, you certainly have done an almighty lot of calculating." + </p> + <p> + "And why shouldn't I? She is my child. Is it likely that I would give + myself the worst of everything without seeing to it that she gets the best + of everything? No, my friend; you must not underrate my intelligence. I + will speak plainly to you,—but in confidence. This is between you + and me. There is no love lost between Kenneth Gwynne and me. He hates me + and always will, no matter how hard he may try to overcome it. In a + different way I hate him. We must not be where we can see each other. I am + sorely afraid that the tender love he now has for Viola would fail to + outlast the hatred he feels toward me. I leave you to imagine what that + would mean to her. He has it in his power to give her a place among his + people. He can force them to honour and respect her, and her children will + be THEIR children. Do you see? Need I say more?" + </p> + <p> + "You need say nothing more. I understand what you want, Mrs. Gwyn,—and + I must say that you are in a sense justified. What is to become of young + Gwynne's property here in this county?" + </p> + <p> + "I think I can be trusted to look after it satisfactorily," she said + quietly; "perhaps even better than he could do for himself. I am a farm + woman." + </p> + <p> + "I thought maybe you had some notion of buying him out." + </p> + <p> + "He would not sell to me. His farm is being properly handled by the + present tenant. His lots here in town cannot run away. The time will come + when they will be very valuable, or I am no prophetess. There is nothing + to keep him here, Andrew, and his interests and my daughter's will be as + carefully looked after as my own." + </p> + <p> + "We will be sorry to lose him as a citizen." + </p> + <p> + "If you are ready, we will step over to the Free Press office," she said, + without a sign that she had heard his remark. + </p> + <p> + They crossed the square and turned up the first street to the left. "This + will be a terrible shock to your daughter," said he, breaking a long + silence. + </p> + <p> + "She will survive it," replied Rachel Gwyn sententiously. + </p> + <p> + He laid his hand on her arm. "Will you accept a bit of advice from me?" + </p> + <p> + They stopped. "I am not above listening to it," she replied. + </p> + <p> + "My advice is to postpone this action until you are sure of one thing." + </p> + <p> + "And what may that be?" + </p> + <p> + "Kenneth Gwynne's safe return from this foray against the Indians. He may + not come back alive." + </p> + <p> + "He will come back alive," said she, in a cool, matter-of-fact tone. "It + is so ordained. I know. Come, we are wasting time. I have much to do + between now and nightfall. Bright and early to-morrow morning my daughter + and I are leaving town." + </p> + <p> + "Leaving town?" he cried, astonished. + </p> + <p> + "I am taking her out in the country,—to the farm. If I can prevent + it she shall never put foot in this town again. You know Phineas Striker? + An honest, loyal man, with a wife as good as gold. When Kenneth Gwynne + marches back to town again he will find me here to greet him. I will tell + him where to find Viola. Out at Striker's farm, my friend, she will be + waiting for him to come and claim his own." + </p> + <p> + A smile he did not understand and never was to understand played about her + lips as she continued drily, for such was the manner of this amazing + woman: + </p> + <p> + "He will even find that her wedding gown is quite as much to his fancy as + it was the day he met her." + </p> + <h3> + THE END + </h3> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Viola Gwyn, by George Barr McCutcheon + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK VIOLA GWYN *** + +***** This file should be named 6013-h.htm or 6013-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/6/0/1/6013/ + +Etext produced by Charles Aldarondo, Charles Franks and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + +HTML file produced by David Widger + +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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