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diff --git a/old/7008-h.htm.2021-01-26 b/old/7008-h.htm.2021-01-26 new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a436030 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/7008-h.htm.2021-01-26 @@ -0,0 +1,13213 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!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" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The City of Fire, by Grace Livingston Hill + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + 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%;} + 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 {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + .side { float: right; font-size: 75%; width: 25%; padding-left: 0.8em; + border-left: dashed thin; margin-left: 0.8em; text-align: left; + text-indent: 0; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; + font-weight: bold; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: solid 1px;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The City of Fire, by Grace Livingston Hill + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The City of Fire + +Author: Grace Livingston Hill + + +Release Date: December, 2004 [EBook #7008] +This file was first posted on February 21, 2003 +Last Updated: March 15, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CITY OF FIRE *** + + + + +Text file produced by Anne Folland, Tiffany Vergon, 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> + THE CITY OF FIRE + </h1> + <h2> + By Grace Livingston Hill + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <div class="middle"> + <p> + [<b>DP Postprocessor's Note</b>: + </p> + <p> + *renumbered chapters beginning with chapter 24: original text had two + chapters numbered 23 + </p> + <p> + *changed Fenning to Fenner 3 times (11 instances of Fenner) on pages + 120, 122, and 133 of the original.] + </p> + </div> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + <b>CONTENTS</b> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> <b>THE CITY OF FIRE</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> I </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> II </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> III </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> IV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> V </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> VI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> VII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0009"> VIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> IX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0011"> X </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0012"> XI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0013"> XII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0014"> XIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0015"> XIV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0016"> XV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0017"> XVI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0018"> XVII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0019"> XVIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0020"> XIX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0021"> XX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0022"> XXI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0023"> XXII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0024"> XXIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0025"> XXIV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0026"> XXV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0027"> XXVI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0028"> XXVII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0029"> XXVIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0030"> XXIX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0031"> XXX </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE CITY OF FIRE + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + I + </h2> + <p> + Sabbath Valley lay like a green jewel cupped in the hand of the + surrounding mountains with the morning sun serene upon it picking out the + clean smooth streets, the white houses with their green blinds, the maples + with their clear cut leaves, the cosy brick school house wide winged and + friendly, the vine clad stone church, and the little stone bungalow with + low spreading roof that was the parsonage. The word manse had not yet + reached the atmosphere. There were no affectations in Sabbath Valley. + </p> + <p> + Billy Gaston, two miles away and a few degrees up the mountain side, + standing on the little station platform at Pleasant View, waiting for the + morning train looked down upon the beauty at his feet and felt its + loveliness blindly. A passing thrill of wonder and devotion fled through + his fourteen-year-old soul as he regarded it idly. Down there was home and + all his interests and loyalty. His eyes dwelt affectionately on the + pointing spire and bell tower. He loved those bells, and the one who + played them, and under their swelling tones had been awakened new thoughts + and lofty purposes. He knew they were lofty. He was not yet altogether + sure that they were his, but they were there in his mind for him to think + about, and there was a strange awesome lure about their contemplation. + </p> + <p> + Down the platform was the new freight agent, a thickset, rubber-shod + individual with a projecting lower jaw and a lowering countenance. He had + lately arrived to assist the regular station agent, who lived in a bit of + a shack up the mountain and was a thin sallow creature with sad eyes and + no muscles. Pleasant View was absolutely what it stated, a pleasant view + and nothing else. The station was a well weathered box that blended into + the mountain side unnoticeably, and did not spoil the view. The agent's + cabin was hidden by the trees and did not count. But Pleasant View was + important as a station because it stood at the intersection of two lines + of thread like tracks that slipped among the mountains in different + directions; one winding among the trees and about a clear mountain lake, + carried guests for the summer to and fro, and great quantities of baggage + and freight from afar; the other travelled through long tunnels to the + world beyond and linked great cities like jewels on a chain. There were + heavy bales and boxes and many trunks to be shifted and it was obvious + that the sallow station agent could not do it all. The heavy one had been + sent to help him through the rush season. + </p> + <p> + In five minutes more the train would come from around the mountain and + bring a swarm of ladies and children for the Hotel at the Lake. They would + have to be helped off with all their luggage, and on again to the Lake + train, which would back up two minutes later. This was Billy's harvest + time. He could sometimes make as much as fifty cents or even seventy-five + if he struck a generous party, just being generally useful, carrying bags + and marshalling babies. It was important that Billy should earn something + for it was Saturday and the biggest ball game of the season came off at + Monopoly that afternoon. Billy could manage the getting there, it was only + ten miles away, but money to spend when he arrived was more than a + necessity. Saturday was always a good day at the station. + </p> + <p> + Billy had slipped into the landscape unseen. His rusty, trusty old bicycle + was parked in a thick huckleberry growth just below the grade of the + tracks, and Billy himself stood in the shelter of several immense packing + boxes piled close to the station. It was a niche just big enough for his + wiry young length with the open station window close at his ear. From + either end of the platform he was hidden, which was as it should be until + he got ready to arrive with the incoming train. + </p> + <p> + The regular station agent was busy checking a high pile of trunks that had + come down on the early Lake train from the Hotel and had to be transferred + to the New York train. He was on the other side of the station and some + distance down the platform. + </p> + <p> + Beyond the packing boxes the heavy one worked with brush and paint marking + some barrels. If Billy applied an eye to a crack in his hiding place he + could watch every stroke of the fat black brush, and see the muscles in + the swarthy cheeks move as the man mouthed a big black cigar. But Billy + was not interested in the new freight agent, and remained in his retreat, + watching the brilliant sunshine shimmer over the blue-green haze of spruce + and pine that furred the way down to the valley. He basked in it like a + cat blinking its content. The rails were beginning to hum softly, and it + would not be long till the train arrived. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly Billy was aware of a shadow looming. + </p> + <p> + The heavy one had laid down his brush and was stealing swiftly, furtively + to the door of the station with a weather eye to the agent on his knees + beside a big trunk writing something on a check. Billy drew back like a + turtle to his shell and listened. The rail was beginning to sing decidedly + now and the telephone inside the grated window suddenly sat up a furious + ringing. Billy's eye came round the corner of the window, scanned the + empty platform, glimpsed the office desk inside and the weighty figure + holding the receiver, then vanished enough to be out of sight, leaving + only a wide curious ear to listen: + </p> + <p> + “That you Sam? Yep. Nobody about. Train's coming. Hustle up. Anything + doing? You <i>don't say</i>! Some big guy? <i>Say</i>, that's good news at + last! Get on the other wire and hold it. I'll come as quick as the train's + gone. S'long!” + </p> + <p> + Billy cocked a curious eye like a flash into the window and back again, + ducking behind the boxes just in time to miss the heavy one coming out + with an excited air, and a feverish eye up the track where the train was + coming into view around the curve. + </p> + <p> + In a moment all was stir and confusion, seven women wanting attention at + once, and imperious men of the world crying out against railroad + regulations. Billy hustled everywhere, transferring bags and suit cases + with incredible rapidity to the other train, which arrived promptly, + securing a double seat for the fat woman with the canary, and the poodle + in a big basket, depositing the baggage of a pretty lady on the shady + side, making himself generally useful to the opulent looking man with the + jewelled rings; and back again for another lot. A whole dollar and fifteen + cents jingled in his grimy pocket as the trains finally moved off in their + separate directions and the peace of Pleasant View settled down + monotonously once more. + </p> + <p> + Billy gave a hurried glance about him. The station agent was busy with + another batch of trunks, but the heavy one was nowhere to be seen. He gave + a quick glance through the grated window where the telegraph instrument + was clicking away sleepily, but no one was there. Then a stir among the + pines below the track attracted his attention, and stepping to the edge of + the bank he caught a glimpse of a broad dusty back lumbering hurriedly + down among the branches. + </p> + <p> + With a flirt of his eye back to the absorbed station agent Billy was off + down the mountain after the heavy one, walking stealthily as any cat, + pausing in alert attention, listening, peering out eerily whenever he came + to a break in the undergrowth. Like a young mole burrowing he wove his way + under branches the larger man must have turned aside, and so his going was + as silent as the air. Now and then he could hear the crash of a broken + branch or the crackle of a twig, or the rolling of a stone set free by a + heavy foot, but he went on like a cat, like a little wood shadow, till + suddenly he felt he was almost upon his prey. Then he paused and listened. + </p> + <p> + The man was kneeling just below him. He could hear the labored breathing. + There was a curious sound of metal and wood, of a key turning in a lock. + Billy drew himself softly into a group of cypress and held his breath. + Softly he parted the foliage and peered. The man was down upon his knees + before a rough box, holding something in his hand which he put to his ear. + Billy could not quite see what it was. And now the man began to talk into + the box. Billy ducked and listened: + </p> + <p> + “Hello, Sam! You there! Couldn't come any quicker, lots of passengers. + Lots of freight. What's doing, anyhow?” + </p> + <p> + Billy could hear a faint murmur of words, now and then one gutteral burst + out and became distinct, and gradually enough words pieced themselves + together to become intelligible. + </p> + <p> + “... Rich guy! High power machine ... Great catch ... Tonight!... Got a + bet on to get there by sunrise.... Can't miss him!” + </p> + <p> + Billy lay there puzzled. It sounded shady, but what was the line anyway? + Then the man spoke. + </p> + <p> + “Sounds easy Sammy, but how we goin' to kidnap a man in a high power + machine? Wreck it of course, but he might get killed and where would be + the reward? Besides, he's likely to be a good shot—” + </p> + <p> + The voice from the ground again growing clearer: + </p> + <p> + “Put something across the road that he'll have to get out and move, like a + fallen tree, or one of you lie in the road beside a car as if you was + hurt. I'm sending Shorty and Link. They'll get there about eight o'clock. + Beat him to it by an hour anyway, maybe more. Now it's up to you to look + after details. Get anyone you want to help till Shorty and Link get there, + and pay 'em so in case anything gets them, or they're late. I'll keep you + wise from time to time how the guy gets on. I've got my men on the watch + along the line.” + </p> + <p> + “I'd like t' know who I'd get in this God forsaken place!” growled the + heavy one, “Not a soul in miles except the agent, and <i>he'd</i> run + right out and telegraph for the State constab. Say, Sammy, who is this guy + anyway? Is there enough in it to pay for the risk? You know kidnapping + ain't any juvenile demeanor. I didn't promise no such stuff as this when I + said I'd take a hand over here. Now just a common little hold-up ain't so + bad. That could happen on any lonely mountain road. But this here + kidnapping, you never can tell how its going to turn out. Might be murder + before you got through, especially if Link is along. <i>You know Link!</i>” + </p> + <p> + “That's all right, Pat, you needn't worry, this'll go through slick as a + whistle, and a million in it if we work it right. The house is all ready—you + know where—and never a soul in all the world would suspect. It's far + enough away and yet not too far—. You'll make enough out of this to + retire for life if you want to Pat, and no mistake. All you've got to do + is to handle it right, and you know your business.” + </p> + <p> + “Who'd you say he was?” + </p> + <p> + “Shafton, Laurence Shafton, son of the big Shafton, you know Shafton and + Gates.” + </p> + <p> + A heavy whistle blended with the whispering pines. + </p> + <p> + “You don't say? How much family?” + </p> + <p> + “Mother living, got separate fortune in her own right. Father just dotes + on him. Uncle has a big estate on Long Island, plenty more millions there. + I think a million is real modest in us to ask, don't you?” + </p> + <p> + “Where's he goin' to? What makes you think he'll come this way 'stead of + the valley road?” + </p> + <p> + “'Cause he's just started, got all the directions for the way, went over + it carefully with his valet. Valet gave me the tip you understand, and has + to be in on the rake-off. It's his part to keep close to the family, see? + Guy's goin' down to Beechwood to a house party, got a bet on that he'll + make it before daylight. He's bound to pass your mountain soon after + midnight, see? Are you goin' to do your part, or ain't you? Or have I got + to get a new agent down there? And say! I want a message on this wire as + soon as the job is completed. Now, you understand? Can you pull it off?” + </p> + <p> + It was some time after the key clicked in the lock and the bulky form of + the freight agent lumbered up through the pines again before Billy + stirred. Then he wriggled around through the undergrowth until he found + himself in front of the innocent looking little box covered over with + dried grass and branches. He examined it all very carefully, pried + underneath with his jack knife, discovered the spot where the wire + connected, speculated as to where it tapped the main line, prospected a + bit about the place and then on hands and knees wormed himself through the + thick growth of the mountain till he came out to the huckleberry clump, + and recovering his bicycle walked innocently up to the station as if it + were the first time that day and enquired of the surly freight man whether + a box had come for his mother. + </p> + <p> + In the first place Billy hadn't any mother, only an aunt who went out + washing and had hard times to keep a decent place for Billy to sleep and + eat, and she never had a box come by freight in her life. But the burly + one did not know that. Just what Billy Gaston did it for, perhaps he did + not quite know himself, save that the lure of hanging round a mystery was + always great. Moreover it gave him deep joy to know that he knew something + about this man that the man did not know he knew. It was always good to + know things. It was always wise to keep your mouth shut about them when + you knew them. Those were the two most prominent planks in Billy Gaston's + present platform and he stood upon them firmly. + </p> + <p> + The burly one gave Billy a brief and gruff negative to his query and went + on painting barrel labels. He was thinking of other matters, but Billy + still hung around. He had a hunch that he might be going to make + merchandise in some way of the knowledge that he had gained, so he hung + around, silently, observantly, leaning on old rusty-trusty. + </p> + <p> + The man looked up and frowned suspiciously: + </p> + <p> + “I told you NO!” he snapped threateningly, “What you standin' there for?” + </p> + <p> + Billy regarded him amusedly as from a superior height. + </p> + <p> + “Don't happen to know of any odd jobs I could get,” he finally + condescended. + </p> + <p> + “Where would you expect a job around this dump?” sneered the man with an + eloquent wave toward the majestic mountain, “Busy little hive right here + now, ain't it?” + </p> + <p> + He subsided and Billy, slowly, thoughtfully, mounted his wheel and rode + around the station, with the air of one who enjoys the scenery. The third + time he rounded the curve by the freight agent the man looked up with a + speculative squint and eyed the boy. The fourth time he called out, + straightening up and laying down his brush. + </p> + <p> + “Say, Kid, do you know how to keep yer mouth shut?” + </p> + <p> + The boy regarded him with infinite contempt. + </p> + <p> + “Well, that depends!” he said at last. “If anybody'd make it worth my + while.” + </p> + <p> + The man looked at him narrowly, the tone was at once so casual and yet so + full of possible meaning. The keenest searching revealed nothing in the + immobile face of the boy. A cunning grew in the eyes of the man. + </p> + <p> + “How would a five look to you?” + </p> + <p> + “Not enough,” said the boy promptly, “I need twenty-five.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, ten then.” + </p> + <p> + “The boy rode off down the platform and circled the station again while + the man stood puzzled, half troubled, and watched him: + </p> + <p> + “I'll make it fifteen. What you want, the earth with a gold fence around + it?” + </p> + <p> + “I said I needed twenty-five,” said Billy doggedly, lowering his eyes to + cover the glitter of coming triumph. + </p> + <p> + The thick one stood squinting off at the distant mountain thoughtfully, + then he turned and eyed Billy again. + </p> + <p> + “How'm I gonta know you're efficient?” he challenged. + </p> + <p> + “Guess you'c'n take me er leave me,” came back the boy quickly. “Course if + you've got plenty help—” + </p> + <p> + The man gave him a quick bitter glance. The kid was sharp. He knew there + was no one else. Besides, how much had he overheard? Had he been around + when the station telephone rang? Kids like that were deep. You could + always count on them to do a thing well if they undertook it. + </p> + <p> + “Well, mebbe I'll try you. You gotta be on hand t'night at eight o'clock + sharp. It's mebbe an all night job, but you may be through by midnight.” + </p> + <p> + “What doing?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing much. Just lay in the road with your wheel by your side and act + like you had a fall an' was hurt. I wanta stop a man who's in a hurry, + see?” + </p> + <p> + Billy regarded him coolly. + </p> + <p> + “Any shooting?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no!” said the other, “Just a little evening up of cash. You see that + man's got some money that oughtta be mine by good rights, and I wantta get + it.” + </p> + <p> + “<i>I</i> see!” said Billy nonchalantly, “An' whatcha gonta do if he don't + come across?” + </p> + <p> + The man gave him a scared look. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, nothin' sinful son; just give him a rest fer a few days where he + won't see his friends, until he gets ready to see it the way I do.” + </p> + <p> + “H'm!” said Billy narrowing his gray eyes to two slits. “An' how much did + ya say ya paid down?” + </p> + <p> + The man looked up angrily. + </p> + <p> + “I don't say I pay nothing down. If you do the work right you get the cash + t'night, a round twenty-five, and it's twenty bucks more'n you deserve. + Why off in this deserted place you ought ta be glad to get twenty-five + cents fer doin' nothin' but lay in the road.” + </p> + <p> + The boy with one foot on the pedal mounted sideways and slid along the + platform slowly, indifferently. + </p> + <p> + “Guess I gotta date t'night,” he called over his shoulder as he swung the + other leg over the cross bar. + </p> + <p> + The heavy man made a dive after him and caught him by the arm. + </p> + <p> + “Look here, Kid, I ain't in no mood to be toyed with,” he said gruffly, + “You said you wanted a job an' I'm being square with you. Just to show I'm + being square here's five down.” + </p> + <p> + Billy looked at the ragged green bill with a slight lift of his shoulders. + </p> + <p> + “Make it ten down and it's a go,” he said at last with a + take-it-or-leave-it air. “I hadn't oughtta let you off'n less'n half, such + a shady job as this looks, but make it a ten an' I'll close with ya. If ya + don't like it ask the station agent to help ya. I guess he wouldn't + object. He's right here handy, too. I live off quite a piece.” + </p> + <p> + But the man had pulled out another five and was crowding the bills upon + him. He had seen a light in that boy's eye that was dangerous. What was + five in a case of a million anyway? + </p> + <p> + Billy received the boodle as if it had been chewing gum or a soiled + handkerchief, and stuffed it indifferently into his already bulging pocket + in a crumple as if it were not worth the effort. + </p> + <p> + “A'rright. I'll be here!” he declared, and mounting his wheel with an air + of finality, sailed away down the platform, curved off the high step with + a bump into the road and coasted down the road below the tunnel toward + Monopoly, leaving Sabbath Valley glistening in the sunshine off to the + right. With all that money in his pocket what was the use of going back to + Sabbath Valley for his lunch and making his trip a good two miles farther? + He would beat the baseball team to it. + </p> + <p> + The thick one stood disconsolately, his grimy cap in his hand and + scratched his dusty head of curls in a troubled way. + </p> + <p> + “Gosh!” he said wrathfully, “The little devil! Now I don't know what he'll + do. I wonder—! But what else could I do?” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + II + </h2> + <p> + Over in Sabbath Valley quiet sweetness brooded, broken now and again by + the bell-like sound of childish laughter here and there. The birds were + holding high carnival in the trees, and the bees humming drowsy little + tunes to pretend they were not working. + </p> + <p> + Most of the men were away at work, some in Monopoly or Economy, whither + they went in the early morning in their tin Lizzies to a little store or a + country bank, or a dusty law office; some in the fields of the fertile + valley; and others off behind the thick willow fringe where lurked the + home industries of tanning and canning and knitting, with a plush mill + higher up the slope behind a group of alders and beeches, its ugly stone + chimneys picturesque against the mountain, but doing its best to spoil the + little stream at its feet with all colors of the rainbow, at intervals + dyeing its bright waters. + </p> + <p> + The minister sat in his study with his window open across the lawn between + the parsonage and the church, a lovely velvet view with the old graveyard + beyond and the wooded hill behind. He was faintly aware of the shouting of + the birds in glad carnival in the trees, and the busy droning of the bees, + as he wrote an article on Modern Atheism for a magazine in the distant + world; but more keenly alive to the song on the lips of his child, but + lately returned from college life in one of the great universities for + women. He smiled as he wrote, and a light came in his deep thoughtful + eyes. She had gone and come, and she was still unspoiled, mentally, + physically, or spiritually. That was a great deal to have kept out of life + in these days of unbelief. He had been almost afraid to hope that she + would come back the same. + </p> + <p> + In the cool sitting-room his wife was moving about, putting the house in + order for the day, and he knew that on her lips also was the smile of the + same content as well as if he were looking at her beloved face. + </p> + <p> + On the front veranda Marilyn Severn swept the rugs and sang her happy + song. She was glad, glad to be home again, and her soul bubbled over with + the joy of it. There was happiness in the curve of her red lips, in the + softly rounded freshness of her cheek and brow, in the eyes that held + dancing lights like stars, and in every gleaming tendril of her wonderful + bright hair that burst forth from under the naive little sweeping cap that + sat on her head like a crown. She was small, lithe, graceful, and she + vibrated joy, health, eagerness in every glance of her eye, every motion + of her lovely hands. + </p> + <p> + Down the street suddenly sounded a car. Not the rattling, cheap affairs + that were commonly used in those parts for hard work and dress affairs, + with a tramp snuffle and bark as they bounced along beneath the maples + like house dogs that knew their business and made as much noise about it + as they could; but a car with a purr like a soft petted cat by the fire, + yet a power behind the purr that might have belonged to a lion if the need + for power arose. It stole down the street like a thing of the world, well + oiled and perfect in its way, and not needing to make any clatter about + its going. The very quietness of it made the minister look up, sent the + minister's wife to raise the shade of the sitting-room window, and caused + the girl to look up from her task. + </p> + <p> + The morning flooded her face, the song was stayed, a great light came into + her eyes. + </p> + <p> + The man who was driving the car had the air of not expecting to stop at + the parsonage. Even when he saw the girl on the porch he held to his way, + and something hard and cold and infinitely sad settled down over his face. + It even looked as though he did not intend to recognize her, or perhaps + wasn't sure whether she would recognize him. There was a moment's + breathless suspense and the car slid just the fraction past the gate in + the hedge, without a sign of stopping, only a lifting of a correct looking + straw hat that somehow seemed a bit out of place in Sabbath Valley. But + Lynn left no doubt in his mind whether she would recognize him. She + dropped her broom and sped down the path, and the car came to an abrupt + halt, only a hair's breadth past the gate,—but still—that + hair's breadth. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Mark, I'm so glad to see you!” she cried genuinely with her hand out + in welcome, “They said you were not at home.” + </p> + <p> + The boy's voice—he had been a boy when she left him, though now he + looked strangely hard and old like a man of the world—was husky as + he answered gravely, swinging himself down on the walk beside her: + </p> + <p> + “I just got in late last night. How are you Lynn? You're looking fine.” + </p> + <p> + He took her offered hand, and clasped it for a brief instant in a warm + strong pressure, but dropped it again and there was a quick cold + withdrawing of his eyes that she did not understand. The old Mark Carter + would never have looked at her coolly, impersonally like that. What was + it, was he shy of her after the long separation? Four years was a long + time, of course, but there had been occasional letters. He had always been + away when she was at home, and she had been home very little between her + school years. There had been summer sessions twice and once father and + mother had come to her and they had taken a wonderful trip together. But + always there had seemed to be Mark Carter, her old friend and playmate, in + the background. Now, suddenly he seemed to be removed to indefinite + distances. It was as if she were looking at a picture that purported to be + her friend, yet seemed a travesty, like one wearing a mask. She stood in + the sunlight looking at him, in her quaint little cap and a long white + enveloping house apron, and she seemed to him like a haloed saint. + Something like worship shone in his eyes, but he kept the mask down, and + looked at her with the eyes of a stranger while he talked, and smiled a + stiff conventional smile. But a look of anguish grew in his young face, + like the sorrow of something primeval, such as a great rock in a desert. + </p> + <p> + The minister had forgotten his article and was watching them through the + window, the tall handsome youth, his head bared with the glint of the sun + on his short cropped gold curls making one think of a young prince, yet a + prince bound under a spell and frozen in a block of ice. He was handsome + as Adonis, every feature perfect, and striking in its manly beauty, yet + there was nothing feminine about him. The minister was conscious of all + this as he watched—this boy whom he had seen grow up, and this girl + of his heart. A great still question came into the father's look as he + watched. + </p> + <p> + The minister was conscious of Lynn's mother standing in the doorway just + behind him, although she had made no noise in entering. And at once she + knew he was aware of her presence. + </p> + <p> + “Isn't that Mark Carter?” she asked just above a breath. + </p> + <p> + He nodded. + </p> + <p> + “And she doesn't know! You haven't told her?” + </p> + <p> + The minister shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “He will tell her. See, he is telling her now!” + </p> + <p> + The mother drew a shade nearer. + </p> + <p> + “But how do you know? See, she is doing the talking. You think he will + tell her? <i>What</i> will he tell her, Graham?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, he will not tell her in words, but every atom of his being is telling + her now. Can't you see? He is telling her that he is no longer worthy to + be her equal. He is telling her that something has gone wrong.” + </p> + <p> + “Graham, what do you <i>think</i> is the matter with him? Do you think he + is—BAD?” She lifted frightened eyes to his as she dropped into her + low chair that always stood conveniently near his desk. + </p> + <p> + A wordless sorrow overspread the minister's face, yet there was something + valiant in his eyes. + </p> + <p> + “No, I can't think that. I must believe in him in spite of everything. It + looks to me somehow as if he was trying to be bad and couldn't.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, but—Graham, isn't that the same thing? If he wants to be?” + </p> + <p> + The minister shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “He doesn't want to be. But he has some purpose in it. He is doing it—perhaps—well—it + might be for <i>her</i> sake you know.” + </p> + <p> + The mother looked perplexed, and hesitated, then shook her head. + </p> + <p> + “That would be—preposterous! How could he hurt her so—if he + cared. It must be—he does not care—!” + </p> + <p> + “He cares!” said the man. + </p> + <p> + “Then how do you explain it?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't explain it.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you going to let it go on?” + </p> + <p> + “What can be done?” + </p> + <p> + “I'd do something.” + </p> + <p> + “No, Mary. That's something he's got to work out himself. If he isn't big + enough to get over his pride. His self-consciousness. His—whatever + he calls it—If he isn't big enough—Then he isn't <i>big</i> + enough—!” The man sighed with a faraway patient look. The woman + stirred uneasily. + </p> + <p> + “Graham,” she said suddenly lifting her eyes in troubled question, “When + your cousin Eugenie was here, you remember, she talked about it one day. + She said we had no right to let Lynn become so attached to a mere country + boy who would grow up a boor. She said he had no education, no breeding, + no family, and that Lynn had the right to the best social advantages to be + had in the world. She said Lynn was a natural born aristocrat, and that we + had a great responsibility bringing up a child with a face like hers, and + a mind like hers, and an inheritance like hers, in this little antiquated + country place. She said it was one thing for you with your culture and + your fine education, and your years of travel and experience, to hide + yourself here if you choose for a few years, pleasing yourself at playing + with souls and uplifting a little corner of the universe while you were + writing a great book; but it was quite another for us to allow our gifted + young daughter to know no other life. And especially she harped on Lynn's + friendship with Mark. She called him a hobbledehoy, said his mother was + 'common', and that coming from a home like that, he would never amount to + anything or have an education. He would always be common and loaferish, + and it wouldn't make any difference if he did, he would never be cultured + no matter how much education he had. He was not in her <i>class</i>. She + kept saying that over. She said a lot of things and always ended up with + that. And finally she said that we were perfectly crazy, both of us. That + she supposed Lynn thought she was christianizing the boy or something, but + it was dangerous business, and we ought to be warned. And Graham, <i>I'm + afraid Mark heard it!</i> He was just coming up on the porch as she + finished and I'm almost sure he heard it!” + </p> + <p> + The eyes of the minister gave a startled flicker and then grew + comprehending. “I wondered why he gave up college after he had worked so + hard to get in.” + </p> + <p> + “But Graham! Surely, if he had heard he would have wanted to show her that + she was wrong.” + </p> + <p> + “No, Mary. He is not built that way. It's his one big fault. Always to be + what he thinks people have labeled him, or to seem to be. To be that in + defiance, knowing in his heart he really isn't that at all. It's a curious + psychological study. It makes me think of nothing else but when the Prince + of the Power of the Air wanted to be God. Mark wants to be a young God. + When he finds he's not taken that way he makes himself look like the devil + in defiance. Don't you remember, Mary, how when Bob Bliss broke that + memorial window in the church and said it was Mark did it, how Mark stood + looking, defiantly from one to another of us to see if we would believe + it, and when he found the elders were all against him and had begun to get + ready for punishment, he lifted his fine young shoulders, and folded his + arms, and just bowed in acquiescence, as if to say yes, he had done it? + Don't you remember, Mary? He nearly broke my heart that day, the hurt look + in his eyes; the game, mistaken, little devil! He was only ten, and yet + for four long months he bore the blame in the eyes of the whole village + for breaking that window, till Bob told the truth and cleared him. Not + because he wanted to save Bob Bliss, for everybody knew he was a little + scamp, and needed punishment, but because he was <i>hurt</i>—hurt + way down into the soul of him to think anybody had <i>thought</i> he would + want to break the window we had all worked so hard to buy. And he actually + broke three cellar windows in that vacant store by the post office, yes, + and paid for them, just to keep up his character and give us some reason + for our belief against him.” + </p> + <p> + The wife with a cloud of anxiety in her eyes, and disapproval in her + voice, answered slowly: + </p> + <p> + “That's a bad trait, Graham. I can't understand it. It is something wrong + in his nature.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Mary, it is sin, original sin, but it comes at him from a different + direction from most of us, that's all. It comes through sensitiveness. It + is his reaction to a deep and mortal hurt. Some men would be stimulated to + finer action by criticism, he is stimulated to defy, and he does not know + that he is trying to defy God and all the laws of the universe. Some day + he will find it out, and know that only through humility can he make + good.” + </p> + <p> + “But he is letting all his opportunities go by.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm not so sure. You can't tell what he may be doing out in the world + where he is gone.” + </p> + <p> + “But they say he is very wild.” + </p> + <p> + “They were always saying things about him when he was here, and most of + them were not true. You and I knew him, Mary. Was there ever a finer young + soul on earth than he with his clear true eyes, his eager tender heart, + his brave fearlessness and strength. I can not think he has sold his soul + to sin—not yet. It may be. It may be that only in the Far Country + will he realize it is God he wants and be ready to say, 'I have sinned' + and 'I will arise.'” + </p> + <p> + “But Graham, I should think that just because you believe in him you could + talk to him.” + </p> + <p> + “No, Mary. I can't probe into the depths of that sensitive soul and dig + out his confidence. He would never give it that way. It is a matter + between himself and God.” + </p> + <p> + “But Lynn—” + </p> + <p> + “Lynn has God too, my dear. We must not forget that. Life is not all for + this world, either. Thank God Lynn believes that!” + </p> + <p> + The mother sighed with troubled eyes, and rose. The purring of the engine + was heard. Lynn would be coming in. They watched the young man swing his + car out into the road and glide away like a comet with a wild + sophisticated snort of his engine that sent him so far away in a flash. + They watched the girl standing where he had left her, a stricken look upon + her face, and saw her turn slowly back to the house with eyes down—troubled. + The mother moved away. The father bent his head upon his hand with closed + eyes. The girl came back to her work, but the song on her lips had died. + She worked silently with a far look in her eyes, trying to fathom it. + </p> + <p> + The eyes of her father and mother followed her tenderly all that day, and + it was as if the souls of the three had clasped hands, and understood, so + mistily they smiled at one another. + </p> + <p> + Billy Gaston, refreshed by a couple of chocolate fudge sundaes, a banana + whip, and a lemon ice-cream soda, was seated on the bench with the heroes + of the day at the Monopoly baseball grounds. He wore his most nonchalant + air, chewed gum with his usual vigor, shouted himself hoarse at the proper + places, and made casual grown-up responses to the condescension of the + team, wrapping them tenderly in ancient sweaters when they were disabled, + and watching every move of the game with a practised eye and an immobile + countenance. But though to the eyes of the small fry on the grass at his + feet he was as self-sufficient as ever, somehow he kept having strange + qualms, and his mind kept reverting to the swart fat face of Pat at the + Junction, as it ducked behind the cypress and talked into the crude + telephone on the mountain. Somehow he couldn't forget the gloat in his eye + as he spoke of the “rich guy.” More and more uneasy he grew, more sure + that the expedition to which he was pledged was not strictly “on the + square.” + </p> + <p> + Not that Billy Gaston was afraid. The thrill of excitement burned along + his veins and filled him with a fine elation whenever he thought of the + great adventure, and he gave his pocket a protective slap where the “ten + bones” still reposed intact. He felt well pleased with himself to have + made sure of those. Whatever happened he had that, and if the man wasn't + on the square Pat deserved to lose that much. Not that Billy Gaston meant + to turn “yellow” after promising, but there was no telling whether the + rest of the twenty-five would be forthcoming or not. He fell to + calculating its worth in terms of new sweaters and baseball bats. If worst + came to worst he could threaten to expose Pat and his scheme. + </p> + <p> + During the first and second innings these reflections soothed his soul and + made him sit immovable with jaws grinding in rythmic harmony with the day. + But at the beginning of the third inning one of the boys from his + Sunday-school class strolled by and flung himself full length on the grass + at his feet where he could see his profile just as he had seen it on + Sunday while he was listening to the story that the teacher always told to + introduce the lesson. He could see the blue of Lynn Severn's eyes as she + told it, and strangely enough portions of the tale came floating back in + trailing mist across the dusty baseball diamond and obscured the sight of + Sloppy Hedrick sliding to his base. It was a tale of one, Judas, who + betrayed his best Friend with a kiss. It came with strange illogical + persistence, and seemed curiously incongruous with the sweet air of summer + blowing over the hard young faces and dusty diamond. What had Judas to do + with a baseball game, or with Billy Gaston and what he meant to do on the + mountain that night?—and earn good money—! Ah! That was it. + Make good money! But who was he betraying he would like to know? Well if + it wasn't on the square perhaps he was betraying that same <i>One</i>—Aw—Rats! + He wasn't under anybody's thumb and Judas lived centuries ago. He wasn't + doing any harm helping a man do something he wasn't supposed to know what. + Hang it all! Where was Mark Carter anyway? Somehow Cart always seemed to + set a fella straight. He was like Miss Lynn. He saw through things you + hadn't even told him about. But this was a man's affair, not a woman's. + </p> + <p> + Of course there was another side to it. He <i>could</i> give some of the + money to Aunt Saxon to buy coal—instead of the sweater—well, + maybe it would do both. And he <i>could</i> give some to that fund for the + Chinese Mission, Miss Lynn was getting up in the class. He would stop on + the way back and give her a whole dollar. He sat, chin in hand, gazing out + on the field, quite satisfied with himself, and suddenly some one back by + the plate struck a fine clean ball with a click and threw the bat with a + resounding ring on the hard ground as he made for a home run. Billy + started and looked keenly at the bat, for somehow the ring of it as it + fell sounded curiously like the tinkle of silver. Who said thirty pieces + of silver? Billy threw a furtive look about and a cold perspiration broke + out on his forehead. Queer that old Bible story had to stick itself in. He + could see the grieving in the Master's eyes as Judas gave Him that kiss. + She had made the story real. She could do that, and made the boy long + somehow to make it up to that betrayed Master, and he couldn't get away + from the feeling that he was falling short. Of course old Pat had <i>said</i> + the man had money <i>belonging</i> to <i>him</i>, and you had to go mostly + by what folks <i>said</i>, but it did look shady. + </p> + <p> + The game seemed slow after that. The two captains were wrangling over some + point of rule, and the umpire was trying to pacify them both. Billy arose + with well feigned languor and remarked, “Well, I gotta beat it. Guess + we're gonta win all right. So long!” and lounged away to his wheel. + </p> + <p> + He purchased another soda at the drug store to get one of his fives + changed into ones, one of which he stowed away in his breast pocket, while + the remainder was stuffed in his trousers after the manner of a man. He + bent low over his handle bars, chewing rythmically and pedaled away + rapidly in the direction of Sabbath Valley. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + III + </h2> + <p> + The bells of the little stone church were playing tender melodies as he + shot briskly down the maple lined street at a break neck pace, and the sun + was just hovering on the rim of the mountain. The bells often played at + sunset, especially Saturday evenings, when Marilyn Severn was at home, and + the village loved to hear them. Billy wouldn't have owned it, but he loved + to hear those bells play better than anything else in his young life, and + he generally managed to be around when they were being played. He loved to + watch the slim young fingers manipulating the glad sounds. A genius who + had come to the quiet hill village to die of an incurable disease had + trained her and had left the wonderful little pipe organ with its fine + chime of bells attached as his memorial to the peace the village had given + him in his last days. Something of his skill and yearning had fallen upon + the young girl whom he had taught. Billy always felt as if an angel had + come and was ringing the bells of heaven when Marilyn sat at the organ + playing the bells. + </p> + <p> + This night a ray of the setting sun slanting through the memorial window + on her bronze gold hair gave her the look of Saint Cecilia sitting there + in the dimness of the church. Billy sidled into a back seat still chewing + and watched her. He could almost see a halo in yellow gold sun dust + circling above her hair. Then a sudden revulsion came with the thought of + “that guy Judas” and the possibility that he and the old fellow had much + in common. But Bah! He would go to the mountain just to prove to himself + that there was nothing crooked in it. + </p> + <p> + The music was tender that night and Billy felt a strange constriction in + his throat. But you never would have guessed, as Lynn Severn turned at the + end of her melody to search the dimness for the presence she felt had + entered, that he had been under any stress of emotion, the way he grinned + at her and sidled up the aisle. + </p> + <p> + “Yeah, we won awright,” in answer to her question, “Red Rodge and Sloppy + had 'em beat from the start. Those other guys can't play ball anyway.” + </p> + <p> + Then quite casually he brought forth the dollar from his breast pocket. + </p> + <p> + “Fer the Chinese Fund,” he stated indifferently. + </p> + <p> + The look in her face was beautiful to see, almost as if there were tears + behind the sapphire lights in her eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Billy! All this?” + </p> + <p> + He felt as if she had knighted him. He turned red and hot with shame and + pleasure. + </p> + <p> + “Aw, that ain't much. I earned sommore too, fer m'yant.” He twisted his + cap around on his other hand roughly and then blurted out the last thing + he had meant to say: + </p> + <p> + “Miss Lynn, it ain't wrong to do a thing you don't know ain't wrong, is + it?” + </p> + <p> + Marilyn looked at him keenly and laughed. + </p> + <p> + “It generally is, Billy, if you think it <i>might</i> be. Don't ever try + to fool your conscience, Billy, it's too smart for that.” + </p> + <p> + He grinned sheepishly and then quite irrelevantly remarked: + </p> + <p> + “I saw Cart last night.” + </p> + <p> + But she seemed to understand the connection and nodded gravely: + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I saw him a moment this morning. He said he might come back again + this evening.” + </p> + <p> + The boy grunted contentedly and watched the warm color of her cheek under + the glow of the ruddy sunset. She always seemed to him a little bit + unearthly in the starriness of her beauty. Of course he never put it to + himself that way. In fact he never put it at all. It was just a fact in + his life. He had two idols whom he worshipped from afar, two idols who + understood him equally well and were understood by him, and for whom he + would have gladly laid down his young life. This girl was one, and Mark + Carter was the other. It was the sorrow of his young life that Mark Carter + had left Sabbath Valley indefinitely. The stories that floated back of his + career made no difference to Billy. He adored him but the more in his + fierce young soul, and gloried in his hero's need of faithful friends. He + would not have owned it to himself, perhaps, but he had spoken of Mark + just to find out if this other idol believed those tales and was affected + by them. He drew a sigh of deep content as he heard the steady voice and + knew that she was still the young man's friend. + </p> + <p> + They passed out of the church silently together and parted in the glow of + red that seemed flooding the quiet village like a painting. She went + across the stretch of lawn to the low spreading veranda where her mother + sat talking with her father. Some crude idea of her beauty and grace stole + through his soul, but he only said to himself: + </p> + <p> + “How,—kind of—<i>little</i> she is!” and then made a dash for + his rusty old wheel lying flat at the side of the church step. He gathered + it up and wheeled it around the side of the church to the old graveyard, + threading his way among the graves and sitting down on a broad flat stone + where he had often thought out his problems of life. The shadow of the + church cut off the glow of sunset, and made it seem silent and dark. Ahead + of him the Valley lay. Across at the right it stretched toward the + Junction, and he could see the evening train just puffing in with a wee + wisp of white misty smoke trailing against the mountain green. The people + for the hotels would be swarming off, for it was Saturday night. The fat + one would be there rolling trunks across and the station agent would + presently close up. It would be dark over there at eight o'clock. The + mountains loomed silently, purpling and steep and hazy already with sleep. + </p> + <p> + To the left lay the road that curved up to the forks where one went across + to the Highway and at right angles the Highway went straight across the + ridge in front of him and sloped down to the spot where the fat one + expected him to play his part at eight o'clock to-night. The Highway was + the way down which the “rich guy” was expected to come speeding in a high + power car from New York, and had to be stopped and relieved of money that + “did not belong to him.” + </p> + <p> + Billy thought it all over. Somehow things seemed different now. He had by + some queer psychological process of his own, brought Lynn Severn's mind + and Mark Carter's mind together to bear upon the matter and gained a new + perspective. He was pretty well satisfied in his own soul that the thing + he had set out to do was not “on the level.” It began to be pretty plain + to him that that “rich guy” might be in the way of getting hurt or perhaps + still worse, and he had no wish to be tangled up in a mess like that. At + the same time he did not often get a chance to make twenty-five dollars, + and he had no mind to give it up. It was not in his unyellow soul to go + back on his word without refunding the money, and a dollar of it was + already spent to the “Chinese Fund,” to say nothing of sundaes and sodas + and whips. So he sat and studied the mountain ahead of him. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly, as the sun, which had been for a long time slipping down behind + the mountains at his back, finally disappeared, his face cleared. He had + found a solution. + </p> + <p> + He sprang up from the cold stone, where his fingers had been mechanically + feeling out the familiar letters of the inscription: “Blessed are the dead—” + and catching up the prone wheel, strode upon it and dashed down the + darkening street toward the little cottage near the willows belonging to + his Aunt Saxon. He was whistling as he went, for he was happy. He had + found a way to keep his cake and eat it too. It would not have been Billy + if he had not found a way out. + </p> + <p> + Aunt Saxon turned a drawn and anxious face away from the window at his + approach and drew a sigh of momentary relief. This bringing up boys was a + terrible ordeal. But thanks be this immediate terror was past and her + sister's orphaned child still lived! She hurried to the stove where the + waiting supper gave forth a pleasant odor. + </p> + <p> + “Been down to the game at M'nop'ly,” he explained happily as he flung + breezily into the kitchen and dashed his cap on a chair, “Gee! That ham + smells good! Say, Saxy, whad-ya do with that can of black paint I left on + the door step last Saturday?” + </p> + <p> + “It's in a wooden box in the corner of the shed, Willie,” answered his + Aunt, “Come to supper now. It'll all get cold. I've been waiting most an + hour.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, hang it! I don't s'pose you know where the brush is—Yes, I'm + coming. Oh, here 'tis!” + </p> + <p> + He ate ravenously and briefly. His aunt watched him with a kind of + breathless terror waiting for the inevitable remark at the close: “Well, I + gotta beat it! I gotta date with the fellas!” + </p> + <p> + She had ceased to argue. She merely looked distressed. It seemed a part of + his masculinity that was inevitable. + </p> + <p> + At the door he was visited with an unusual thoughtfulness. He stuck his + head back in the room to say: + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes, Saxy, I <i>might</i> not be home till morning. I <i>might</i> + stay all night some place.” + </p> + <p> + He was going without further explanation, but her dismay as she murmured + pathetically: + </p> + <p> + “But to-morrow is the Sabbath, Willie—!” halted him once more. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I'll be home time fer Sunday-school,” he promised gaily, and was off + down the road in the darkness, his old wheel squeaking rheumatically with + each revolution growing fainter and fainter in the night. + </p> + <p> + But Billy did not take the road to the Junction in his rapid flight. + Instead he climbed the left hand mountain road that met the Forks and led + to the great Highway. Slower and slower the old wheel went, Billy puffing + and bending low, till finally he had to dismount and put a drop of oil in + a well known spot which his finger found in the dark, from the little can + he carried in his pocket for such a time of need. He did not care to + proclaim his coming as he crept up the rough steep way. And once when a + tin Lizzie swept down upon him, he ducked and dropped into the fringe of + alders at the wayside until it was past. Was that, could it have been + Cart? It didn't look like Cart's car, but it was very dark, and the man + had not dimmed his lights. It was blinding. He hoped it was Cart, and that + he had gone to the parsonage. Somehow he liked to think of those two + together. It made his own view of life seem stronger. So he slunk quietly + up to the fork where the Highway swept down round a curve, and turned to + go down across the ridge. Here was the spot where the rich guy would + presently come. He looked the ground over, with his bike safely hidden + below road level. With a sturdy set of satisfaction to his shoulders, and + a twinkle of fun in his eye, he began to burrow into the undergrowth and + find branches, a fallen log, stones, anything, and drag them up across the + great state highway till he had a complete barricade. + </p> + <p> + There had come a silverness in the sky over the next eastern mountain, and + he could see the better what he was doing. Now and again he stopped + cautiously and listened, his heart beating high with fear lest after all + the rich guy might arrive before he was ready for him. When the + obstruction was finished he got out a large piece of card board which had + been fastened to the handle bars of his wheel, and from a box also + fastened on behind his saddle he produced his can of paint and a brush. + The moon was beginning to show off at his right, and gave a faint luminus + gleam, as he daubed his letters in crudely. + </p> + <p> + “DETOUR to SABBATH VALLEY. Rode flooded. Brige down.” + </p> + <p> + His card was large, but so were his letters. Nevertheless in spite of + their irregularity he got them all on, and fastened the card firmly to the + most obvious spot in the barricade. Then with a wicked gleam of mischief + in his eye he looked off down the Highway across the ridge to where some + two miles away one Pat must be awaiting his coming, and gave a single + mocking gesture common to boys of his age. Springing on his wheel he + coasted down the humps and into the darkness again. + </p> + <p> + He reflected as he rode that no harm could possibly be done. The road + inspector would not be along for a couple of days. It would simply mean + that a number of cars would go around by the way of Sabbath Valley for a + day or so. It might break up a little of the quiet of the Sabbath day at + home, but Billy did not feel that that would permanently injure Sabbath + Valley for home purposes, and he felt sure that no one could possibly ever + detect his hand in the matter. + </p> + <p> + The road at the forks led four ways, Highway, coming from New York and the + Great North East, running North and South, and the Cross road coming from + Economy and running through Sabbath Valley to Monopoly. He had made the + Detour below the Cross Road, so that people coming from Economy would find + no hindrance to their progress. He felt great satisfaction in the whole + matter. + </p> + <p> + And now there remained but to do his part and get his money. He thought he + saw a way to make sure of that money, and his conscience had no qualms for + extracting it from so crooked a thief as Pat. + </p> + <p> + The clock on the church tower at Sabbath Valley was finishing the last + stroke of eleven when Billy came slickly up the slope of the road from + Sabbath Valley, and arrived on the station platform nonchalantly. + </p> + <p> + By the light of the moon he could dimly see Pat standing uneasily off by + the tracks, and the heads of two men down below in the bushes near the + lower end of the Highway where it crossed the tracks and swept on South + between two mountains. + </p> + <p> + Pat held his watch in his hand and looked very ugly, but nothing fazed + Billy. He didn't have to carry this thing out if he didn't want to, and + the man knew he knew too much to be ugly to him. + </p> + <p> + “There you are, you young Pill you!” was Pat's greeting, “What kinduva + time is this 'ere to be coming along to your expensive job? I said <i>eight!</i>” + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” said Billy with a shrug and jumped to his wheel again, “Then I guess + I'll be going back. Good night!” + </p> + <p> + “Here! Wait up there, you young devil! You come mighty nigh dishing the + whole outfit, but now you're here, you'll earn your ten bucks I was fool + enough to give you, but nothing more, do you hear that?” and the man + leered into his freckled young face with an ugly gun in his hand. + </p> + <p> + Billy eyed the gun calmly. He had seen guns before. Moreover he didn't + believe the man had the nerve to shoot. He wasn't quite so sure of the two + dark shadows in the bushes below, but it was well to be on the safe side. + </p> + <p> + “Keep yer shirt on,” said Billy impertinently, “and save yer powder. You + don't want the whole nation to know about this little affair of ours do + you <i>Pat?</i>” + </p> + <p> + The wide one glared. + </p> + <p> + “Well, you better not have anything like shooting going on, fer I've got + some friends back here a little way waiting to joy ride back with me when + my work's over. They might get funny if they heard a gun and come too + soon.” + </p> + <p> + “You little devil, you! I mighta known you'd give it away—!” he + began, but he lowered the gun perceptibly. “Every little skunk like you is + yella—yella as the devil—” + </p> + <p> + But Pat did not finish his sentence, for Billy, with a blaze in his eyes + like the lamps of a tiger, and a fierce young cat-like leap flew at the + flabby creature, wrenched the gun out of his astonished hand, and before + he could make any outcry held it tantalizingly in his face. Billy had + never had any experience before with bullies and bandits except in his + dreams; but he had played football, and tackled every team in the Valley, + and he had no fear of anything. Moreover he had spent long hours boxing + and wrestling with Mark Carter, and he was hard as nails and wiry as a + cat. The fat one was completely in his hands. Of course those other two + down across the tracks might have made trouble if Pat had cried out, but + they were too far away to see or hear the silent scuffle on the platform. + But Billy was taking no chances. + </p> + <p> + “Now, keep on yer shirt, Pat, and don't make no outcry. My friends can get + here's easy as yours, so just take it quiet. All you gotta do is take that + remark back you just uttered. I ain't yella, and you gotta say so. Then + you hand over those fifteen bones, and I'm yer man.” + </p> + <p> + It was incredible that Pat should have succumbed, but he did. Perhaps he + was none too sure of his friends in the bushes. Certainly the time was + getting short and he was in a hurry to get to his job on the Highway. Also + he had no mind for being discovered or interrupted. At any rate with a + hoarse little laugh of pretended courage he put his hand in his baggy + pocket and pulled out the bills. + </p> + <p> + “You win, Kid,” he admitted, “I guess you're all white. Anything to please + the baby and get down to biz. Now, sonny, put that gun away, it don't look + well. Besides, I—got another.” He put his hand insinuatingly to his + hip pocket with a grin, but Billy's grin answered back: + </p> + <p> + “That's all right, pard. I'll just keep this one awhile then. You don't + need two. Now, what's wanted?” + </p> + <p> + Pat edged away from the boy and measured him with his eye. The moon was + coming up and Billy loomed large in the darkness. There was a determined + set to his firm young shoulders, a lithe alertness about his build, and a + fine glint in his eye. Pat was really a coward. Besides, Pat was getting + nervous. The hidden telephone had called him several times already. He + could hear even now in imagination its faint click in the moss. The last + message had said that the car had passed the state line and would soon be + coming to the last point of communication. After that it was the mountain + highway straight to Pleasant View, nothing to hinder. It was not a time to + waste in discussion. Pat dropped to an ingratiating whine. + </p> + <p> + “Come along then, Kid. Yes, bring your wheel. We'll want it. Down this + way, just over the tracks, so, see? We want you to fall off that there + wheel an' sprawl in the road like you had caught yer wheel on the track + an' it had skidded, see? Try her now, and just lay there like you was off + your feed.” + </p> + <p> + Billy slung himself across his wheel, gave a cursory glance at the + landscape, took a running slide over the tracks with a swift pedal or two + and slumped in a heap, lying motionless as the dead. He couldn't have done + it more effectively if he had practised for a week. Pat caught his breath + and stooped over anxiously. He didn't want a death at the start. He + wouldn't care to be responsible for a concussion of the brain or anything + like that. Besides, he couldn't waste time fooling with a fool kid when + the real thing might be along any minute. He glanced anxiously up the + broad white ribbon of a road that gleamed now in the moonlight, and then + pulling out his pocket flash, flooded it swiftly over Billy's upturned + freckled face that lay there still as death without the flicker of an + eyelash. The man was panic-stricken. He stooped lower, put out a tentative + finger, turned his flash full in the boy's face again, and was just about + to call to his helpers for aid when Billy opened a large eye and solemnly + winked. + </p> + <p> + Pat shut off his flash quickly, stuck it in his pocket backed off with a + low relieved, “All right Kid, you'll do. I guess you're all right after + all, now you jest lay—!” and slid away down the slope into the + cypress clump. + </p> + <p> + Billy with upturned face eyed the moon and winked; again, as if to a + friend up there in the sky. He was thinking of the detour two miles up the + road. + </p> + <p> + It was very pleasant lying there in the cool moonlight with the evening + breeze blowing his rough hair and playing over his freckles, and with the + knowledge of those twenty-four bucks safely buttoned inside his sweater, + and that neat little gun in his pocket where he could easily close his + fingers about it. The only thing he regretted was that for conscience sake + he had had to put up that detour. It would have been so much more exciting + than to have put up this all-night camouflage and wait here till dawn for + a guy that wasn't coming at all. He began to think about the “guy” and + wonder if he would take the detour to Sabbath Valley, or turn back, or + perhaps try Economy. That would be disappointing. He would stand no chance + of even hearing what he was like. Now if he went through Sabbath Valley, + Red or Sloppy or Rube would be sure to sight a strange car, particularly + if it was a <i>high power</i> racer or something of that sort, and they + could discuss it, and he might be able to find out a few points about this + unknown, whom he was so nobly delivering for conscience sake—or Lynn + Severn's—from an unknown fate. Of course he wouldn't let the fellows + know he knew anything about the guy. + </p> + <p> + He had lain there fifteen minutes and was beginning to grow drowsy after + his full day in the open air. If it were not for the joke of the thing he + couldn't keep awake. + </p> + <p> + Pat stole out from the weeds at the slope of the road and whispered + sepulchraly: + </p> + <p> + “That's all right, Kid, jest you lay there and hold that pose. You + couldn't do better. Yer wheel finishes the blockade. Nobody couldn't get + by if he tried. That's the Kid! 'Clare if I don't give you another five + bucks t'morrer if you carry this thing through. Don't you get cold feet + now—!” + </p> + <p> + Billy uttered a guttural of contempt in his throat and Pat slid away to + hiding once more. The distant bells struck the midnight hour. Billy + thrilled with their sweetness, with the fact that they belonged to him, + that he had sat that very evening watching those white fingers among the + keys, manipulating them. He thought of the glint on her hair,—the + halo of dusty gold in the sunshine above—the light in her eyes—the + glow of her cheek—her delicate profile against the memorial window—the + glint of her hair—it came back, not in those words, but the vision + of it—what was it like? Oh—of course. Cart's hair. The same + color. They were alike, those two, and yet very different. When he had + grown a man he would like to be like Cart. Cart was kind and always + understood when you were not feeling right. Cart smoothed the way for + people in trouble—old women and animals, and well—girls + sometimes. He had seen him do it. Other people didn't always understand, + but he did. Cart always had a reason. It took men to understand men. That + thought had a good sound to the boy on his back in the moonlight. Although + he felt somewhat a fool lying there waiting in the road when all the time + there was that Detour. It would have been more a man's job if there hadn't + had to be that Detour, but he couldn't run risks with strange guys, and + men who carried guns, not even for—well, thirty pieces of silver—! + But hark! What was that? + </p> + <p> + There seemed to be a singing along the ground. Was he losing his nerve + lying here so long? No, there it was again! It couldn't be possible that + he could hear so far as two miles up that road. It was hard and smooth + macadam of course, that highway, but it couldn't be that—what was it + they called it?—vibrations?—would reach so far! It must be. He + would ask Cart about that. + </p> + <p> + The humming continued and grew more distinct, followed by a sort of + throbbing roar that seemed coming toward him, and yet was still very far + away. It must be a car at the Detour. In a moment it would turn down the + bumpy road toward Sabbath Valley, and very likely some of those old broken + whiskey bottles along the way would puncture a tire and the guy would take + till morning getting anywhere. Perhaps he could even get away in time to + come up innocently enough and help him out. A guy like that might not know + how to patch a puncture. + </p> + <p> + But the sound was distinctly coming on. Billy opened one eye, then the + other, and hastily scanned the sky in either direction for an aeroplane, + but the sky was as clear as crystal without a speck, and the sound was + distinctly drawing nearer. + </p> + <p> + A voice from the roadside hurtled sharply across: + </p> + <p> + “Hist! There! He's coming! Lay still! Remember you get five more bucks if + you pull this off!” + </p> + <p> + A cold chill crept down Billy's back on tiny needle-pointed fringe of feet + like a centipede. There was a sudden constriction in his throat and a + leaden weight on each eye. He could not have opened them if he had tried, + for a great white light stabbed across them and seemed to be holding them + down for inspection. The thing he had wanted to have happen had come, and + he was frightened; frightened cold clear to the soul of him—not at + the thing that was about to come, but at the fact that he had broken faith + with himself after all; broken faith with the haloed girl at the organ in + the golden light; broken faith—for thirty pieces of silver! In that + awful moment he was keenly conscious of the fact that when he got the + other five there would be just thirty dollars for the whole! Thirty pieces + of silver and the judgment day already coming on! + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + IV + </h2> + <p> + Lynn Severn was restless as she sat on the porch in the cool dark evening + and heard unheeding the small village sounds that stole to her ears. The + laughter of two children playing hide and seek behind the bushes across + the way; the call of their mother summoning them to bed. The tinkle of a + piano down the street; the whine of a Victrola in another home; the cry of + a baby in pain; the murmur of talk on the porch next door; the slamming of + a door; the creak of a gate; footsteps going down the brick pavement; the + swinging to and fro of a hammock holding happy lovers under the rose + pergola at Joneses. She could identify them all, and found her heart was + listening for another sound, a smooth running car that purred, coming down + the street. But it did not come! + </p> + <p> + By and by she slipped out and into the church, opening one window to let + in the moonlight, and unlocking the organ by the sense of feeling. Her + fingers strayed along the keys in tender wandering melodies, but she did + not pull the stop that controlled the bells. She would have liked to play + those bells and call through them to Mark across the mountains where he + might be riding, call to tell him that she was waiting, call to ask him + why he was so strangely aloof, so silent, and pale in his dignity; what + had come between them, old friends of the years? She felt she could say + with the bells what her lips could never speak. But the bells would cry + her trouble to the villagers also, and she could not let <i>them</i> hear. + So she played soft melodies of trust and hope and patience, until her + father came to find her, and linking his arm in hers walked back with her + through the moonlight, not asking anything, only seeming to understand her + mood. He was that way always. He could understand without being told. + Somehow she felt it and was comforted. He was that way with everybody. It + was what made him so beloved in his parish, which comprised the whole + Valley, that and his great sincerity and courage. But always his sense of + understanding seemed keenest with this flower-faced girl of his. He seemed + to have gone ahead of her way always to see that all was right—or + wrong—and then walked with her to be sure she did not stumble or + miss her way. He never attempted to reason her out of herself, nor to + minimize her trials, but was just there, a strong hold when she needed it. + She looked up with a smile and slipped her hand in his. She understood his + perfect sympathy, as if his own past youth were touching hers and making + her know that whatever it was she had to face she would come through. He + was like a symbol of God's strength to her. Somehow the weight was lifted + from her heart. They lingered on the piazza together in the moonlight a + few minutes, speaking quietly of the morrow and its duties, then they went + into the wide pleasant living room, and sat down, mother and daughter near + together, while the father read a portion: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High + shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. + “I will say of the Lord, he is my refuge and my fortress: + my God; in him will I trust. + “Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the + fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. + “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his + wings shalt thou trust.” + </pre> + <p> + The words seemed to fill the room with a sweet peace, and to draw the + hearts of the listeners as a Voice that is dear draws and soothes after a + day of separation and turmoil and distress. + </p> + <p> + They knelt and the minister's voice spoke familiarly to the Unseen + Presence, giving thanks for mercies received, mentioning little throbbing + personalities that belonged to them as a family and as individuals, + reminding one of what it must have been in the days before Sin had come + and Adam walked and talked with God in the cool of the evening, and + received instruction and strengthening straight from the Source. One + listening would instinctively have felt that here was the secret of the + great strength of Lynn Severn's life; the reason why neither college nor + the world had been able to lure her one iota from her great and simple + faith which she had brought with her from her Valley home and taken back + again unsullied. This family altar was the heart of her home, and had + brought her so near to God that she <i>knew</i> what she had believed and + could not be shaken from it by any flippant words from lovely or wise lips + that only knew the theory of her belief and nothing of its spirit and + tried to argue it away with a fine phrase and a laugh. + </p> + <p> + So Lynn went up to her little white chamber that looked out upon the quiet + hills, knelt awhile beside the white bed in the moonlight, then lay down + and slept. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + Out among the hills on the long smooth road in the white moonlight there + shot a car like a living thing gone crazy, blaring a whiter light than the + moonlight down the way, roaring and thundering as only a costly and well + groomed beast of a machine can roar and thunder when it is driven by hot + blood and a mad desire, stimulated by frequent applications from a handy + flask, and a will that has never known a curb. + </p> + <p> + He knew it was a mad thing he was doing, rushing across space through the + dark at the beck of a woman's smile, a woman who was another man's wife, + but a woman who had set on fire a whole circle of men of which he was a + part. He was riding against all caution to win a bet, riding against time + to get there before two other men who were riding as hard from other + directions to win the woman who belonged to an absent husband, win her and + run away with her if he could. It was the culmination of a year of + extravagances, the last cry in sensations, and the telephone wires had + been hot with daring, wild allurement, and mad threat in several + directions since late the night before. + </p> + <p> + The woman was in a great summer hotel where extravagances of all sorts are + in vogue, and it had been her latest game to call with her lute-like voice + over the phone to three of her men friends who had wooed her the + strongest, daring them all to come to her at once, promising to fly with + the one who reached her first, but if none reached her before morning + dawned she remained as she was and laughed at them all. + </p> + <p> + Laurence Shafton had closed with the challenge at once and given orders + for his car to be ready to start in ten minutes. From a southern city + about an equal distance from the lady, one Percy Emerson, of the + Wellington-Emersons, started about the same time, leaving a trail of + telegrams and phone messages to be sent after his departure. The third + man, Mortimer McMarter, a hot-headed, hot-blooded scot, had started with + the rest, for the lady knew her lovers well, and not one would refuse; but + he was lying dead at a wayside inn with his car a heap of litter outside + from having collided with a truck that was minding its own business and + giving plenty of room to any sane man. This one was not sane. But of this + happening not even the lady knew as yet, for Mortimer McMarter was not one + to leave tales behind him when he went out of life, and the servants who + had sent his messages were far away. + </p> + <p> + The clock in the car showed nearly twelve and the way was long ahead. But + he would make it before the dawn. He must. He stepped on the accelerator + and shot round a curve. A dizzy precipice yawned at his side. He took + another pull at the flask he carried and shot on wildly through the night. + Then suddenly he ground on his brakes, the machine twisted and snarled + like an angry beast and came to a stand almost into the arms of a + barricade across the road. The young man hurled out an oath, and leaned + forward to look, his eyes almost too blood-shot and blurred to read: + </p> + <p> + “DETOUR to Sabbath Valley!” + </p> + <p> + He laughed aloud. “Sabbath Valley!” He swore and laughed again, then + looked down the way the rude arrow pointed, “Well, I like that! Sabbath + Valley. That'll be a good joke to tell, but I'll make it yet or land in + hell—!” He started his car and twisted it round to the rougher road, + feeling the grind of the broken glass that strewed the way. Billy had done + his work thoroughly, and anticipated well what would happen. But those + tires were costly affairs. They did not yield to the first cut that came, + and the expensive car built for racing on roads as smooth as glass bumped + and jogged down into the ruts and started toward Sabbath Valley, with the + driver pulling again at his almost empty flask, and swaying giddily in his + seat. Half a mile farther down the mountain, the car gave a gasp, like the + flitting soul of a dying lion, and came with sudden grinding breaks to a + dead stop in the heart of a deep wood. + </p> + <p> + Five minutes later another car, with a soft purring engine came up to the + Crossroads from Economy, slowed just a fraction as it crossed the Highway, + the driver looking keenly at the barricade, then stopping his car with a + sudden jerk and swinging out. He turned a pocket flash on the big card + board Billy had erected, its daubed letters still wet and blurring into + the pasteboard. He looked a bit quizzical over the statement, “RODE + FLOODED, BRIGE DOWN,” because he happened to know there was no bridge and + nothing to flood the road for several miles ahead. He examined the + barricade carefully, even down to the broken glass in the road, then + deliberately, swiftly, with his foot kicked away the glass, cleared a + width for his car, and jumping in backed up, turned and started slowly + down the condemned road to investigate. Something was wrong down the + highway, and the sooner it was set right the better. There was one thing, + he wished he had his gun with him, but then—! And he swung on down + for two miles, going faster and faster, seeing nothing but white still + road, and quiet sleeping trees, with looming mountains against the sky + everywhere. Then, suddenly, across the way in the blare of his lights a + white face flashed into view, and a body, lying full across the road, with + a bicycle flung to one side completing the block. He brought his car to a + quick stand and jumped out, but before he could take one step or even + stoop, someone caught him from behind, and something big and dark and + smothering was flung over his head. A heavy blow seemed to send him + whirling, whirling down into infinite space, with a long tongue of living + fire leaping up to greet him. + </p> + <p> + “Beat it, Kid, and keep yer face shut!” hissed Pat into Billy's ear, at + the same time stuffing a bill into his hand. + </p> + <p> + Billy had just sense enough left to follow the assisting kick and roll + himself out of the road, with a snatch at his machine which pulled it down + out of sight. He had a secret feeling that he was “yellow” after all in + spite of his efforts, letting a guy get taken this way without even a + chance to put up a fight. Where was that gun? He reached his hand into his + pocket and was steadied by the feeling of the cold steel. Then he knew + that the men were in the car and were about to start. They had dumped the + owner into the back seat and were going to carry him off somewhere. What + were they going to do? He must find out. He was responsible. He hadn't + meant to let anything like this happen. If everything wasn't going to be + on the square he might have to get into it yet. He must stick around and + see. + </p> + <p> + The men were having a whispered consultation over the car. They were not + used to that kind, but a car was a car. They tried to start it with + nervous glances down the road. It jerked and hissed and complained but + began to obey. The wheels were beginning to move. In a flash it would be + gone! + </p> + <p> + Billy scrambled noiselessly up the bank behind the car, his move well + covered by the noise of the engine. With a quick survey of the situation + he tucked himself hastily into the spare tire on the back, just as the car + gave a lurch and shot forward down across the tracks. He had all he could + do to maintain his position and worm himself into a firmer holding for the + first minute or two, and when he began to realize what he was doing he + found his heart beating like a young trip hammer. He slid a groping hand + into his pocket once more for reassurance. If anything really happened he + had the gun. + </p> + <p> + But his heart was heavy. Things had not gone right. He had planned to + carry this thing through as a large joke, and here he was mixed up in a + crooked deal if ever there was one. The worst of it was he wasn't out of + it yet. He wished he knew whose car this was and where they were bound + for. How about the license tag? Gripping his unstable seat he swayed + forward and tried to see it just below him. In the dim light it looked + like a New York license. It must be the guy they were after all right,—they + had telephoned about a New York man—yet—<i>Cart</i> had a New + York license on his car! He was living in New York now,—and there + must be lots of other guys—! + </p> + <p> + A kind of sickening thud seemed to drop through his mind down to the pit + of his stomach as he tried to think it out. His eyes peered into the night + watching every familiar landmark—there was the old pine where they + always turned off to go fishing: and yes, they were turning <i>away</i> + from Economy road. Yes, they were going through Hackett's Pass. A chill + crept through his thin old sweater as the damp breath of ferns and rocks + struck against his face. His eyes shone grim and hard in the night, + suddenly grown old and stern. This was the kind of thing you read about in + novels. In spite of pricks of conscience his spirits rose. It was great to + be in it if it had to be. The consciousness of Sabbath Valley bathed in + peaceful moonlight, all asleep, of the minister and his daughter, and Aunt + Saxon, fell away; even the memory of bells that called to righteousness—he + was out in the night on a wild ride and his soul thrilled to the measure + of it. He fairly exulted as he reflected that he might be called upon to + do some great deed of valor—in fact he felt he <i>must</i> do a + great deed of valor to retrieve his self respect after having made that + balk about the detour. How did that guy get around the detour anyway? <i>Some + guy!</i> + </p> + <p> + Hackett's Pass was far behind and the moon was going low when the car + stopped for a moment and a hurried consultation took place inside. Billy + couldn't hear all that was said, but he gathered that time was short and + the conspirators must be back at a certain place before morning. They + seemed somehow to have missed a trail that was to have cut the distance + greatly. Billy clung breathlessly to his cramped position and waited. He + hoped they wouldn't get out and try to find the way, for then some of them + might see him, and he was so stiff he was sure he would bungle getting out + of the way. But after a breathless moment the car started on more slowly, + and finally turned down a steep rough place, scarcely a trail, into the + deeper woods. For a long time they went along, slower and slower, into the + blackness of night it seemed. There was no moon, and the men had turned + off the lights. There was nothing but a pocket flash which one of them + carried, and turned on now and again to show them the way. The engine too + was muffled and went snuffing along through the night like a blind thing + that had been gagged. Billy began to wonder if he would ever find his legs + useful again. Sharp pains shot through his joints, and he became aware of + sleep dropping upon his straining eyes like a sickening cloud. Yet he must + keep awake. + </p> + <p> + He squirmed about and changed his position, staring into the darkness and + wondering if this journey was ever to end. Now they were bumping down a + bank, and slopping through water, not very deep, a small mountain stream + on one of the levels. He tried to think where it must be, but was puzzled. + They seemed to have traveled part of the way in curves. Twice they stopped + and backed up and seemed to be returning on their tracks. They crossed and + recrossed the little stream, and the driver was cursing, and insisting on + more light. At last they began climbing again and the boy drew a breath of + relief. He could tell better where he was on the heights. He began to + think of morning and Sabbath Valley bathed in its Sabbath peace, with the + bells chiming a call to worship—and <i>he not there!</i> Aunt Saxon + would be <i>crazy!</i> She would bawl him out! <i>He should worry!</i> and + she would weep, pink weak tears from her old thin eyes, that seemed to + have never done much else but weep. The thought turned and twisted in his + soul like an ugly curved knife and made him angry. Tears always made him + angry. And Miss Lynn—she would watch for him—! He had promised + to be there! And she would not understand—and there would come that + grieved look in her eyes. She would think—Oh, she would think he did + not <i>want</i> to come, and did not <i>mean</i> to keep his promise, and + things like that—and she would have to think them! He couldn't help + it, could he? He <i>had</i> to come along, didn't he? + </p> + <p> + In the midst of his miserable reflections the car stopped dead on a level + place and with a cold perspiration on his forehead Billy peered around + him. They must have reached the top of a ridge, for the sky was visible + with the morning star pinned against a luminous black. Against it a + blacker shape was visible, half hid in trees, a building of some sort, + solid, substantial, but deserted. + </p> + <p> + The men were getting out of the car. Billy gripped the gun and dropped + silently to the ground, sliding as stealthily into the shadows of the + trees as if he had been a snake. + </p> + <p> + Pat, stepped heavily to the ground and began to give directions in a low + growl. Billy crouched and listened. + </p> + <p> + “Let's get him shifted quick! We gotta beat it outta here! Link, it's up + to you an' Shorty to get this car over the state line before light, an' + you'll have to run me back to the Crossing first, so I can be at the + station in time for the early train. That'll be <i>going some!</i>” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I guess <i>anyhow not</i>,” said Link sullenly, “Whadda ya think we + are? Fools? Run you back to the Crossing in a pig's eye. You'll foot it + back if you get there, er come with us. We ain't gonta get caught with + this car on our hands. What we gonta do with it anyhow, when we get crost + the state line?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, you run it into the field off behind that row of alders. Sam's got a + man on the lookout. They'll have that little old car so she won't + recognize her best friend before you can count three, so you should worry. + And you'll run me back or you won't get the dough. See? <i>I'll</i> see to + that. Pat said I wasn't to run no risks fer not bein' back in time. Now, + shift that guy's feet out on my shoulder. Handle him quick. Nope, he won't + wake up fer two hours yet. I give him plenty of dope. Got them bracelets + tight on his feet? All right now. He's some hefty bird, ain't he?” + </p> + <p> + They moved away in the direction of the building, carrying a long dark + shape between them, and Billy breathless in the bushes, watched, turning + rapid plans in his mind. Here he was in the midst of an automobile + getaway! Many the time he had gone with Mark and the Chief of Police on a + still hunt for car thieves, but this time he was of the party. His loyal + young heart boiled hot with rage, and he determined to do what he could + single-handed to stem the tide of crime. Just what he was going to do he + was undetermined. One, thing was certain, he must get the number of that + license tag. He looked toward the house. + </p> + <p> + The group had paused with their burden at the door and Pat had turned on + his pocket flash light for just an instant as they fumbled with an ancient + lock. In that instant the whole front of the old stone house was lit up + clearly, and Billy gasped. The <i>haunted house!</i> The house on the far + mountain where a man had murdered his brother and then hanged himself. It + had stood empty and closed for years, ever since Billy could remember, and + was shunned and regarded with awe, and pointed out by hunters as a local + point of interest. + </p> + <p> + Billy regarded with contempt the superstition that hung around the place, + but he gasped when he saw where he was, for they must have come twenty + miles round about and it was at least ten across the mountains by the + short cut. Ten miles from home, and he had to foot it! If he had only + brought old trusty! No telling now whether he would ever see it again. But + what were bicycles at such a time as this! + </p> + <p> + The flash had gone out and the house was in darkness again, but he could + hear the grating of a rusty hinge as the door opened, and faint footfalls + of rubbered feet shuffled on a dusty floor. Now was his time! He darted + out to the back of the car, and stooping down with his face close to the + license, holding his old cap in one hand to shelter it drew out his own + pocket flash and turned it on the sign, registering the number clearly on + his alert young mind. The flash light was on its last breath of battery, + and blinked asthmatically, winking out into a thread of red as the boy + pressed it eagerly for one more look. He had been so intent that he had + not heard the rubbered feet till they were almost upon him, and he had + barely time to spring back into the bushes. + </p> + <p> + “Hist! What was that?” whispered Pat, and the three stopped motionless in + their tracks. Billy held his breath and touched the cold steel in his + pocket. Of course there was always the gun, but what was one gun against + three? + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + V + </h2> + <p> + The whistle of the Cannery at Sabbath Valley blew a relief blast five + minutes ahead of midnight in deference to the church chimes, and the night + shift which had been working overtime on account of a consignment of + tomatoes that would not keep till Monday, poured joyously out into the + road and scattered to their various homes. + </p> + <p> + The outmost of these homegoers, Tom McMertrie and Jim Rafferty, who lived + at the other extreme of the village, came upon a crippled car, coughing + and crawling toward them in front of the Graveyard. Its driver, much + sobered by lack of stimulant, and frequent necessity for getting out and + pushing his car over hard bits of road, called to them noisily. + </p> + <p> + The two workmen, pleasant of mood, ready for a joke, not altogether averse + to helping if this proved to be “the right guy,” halted and stepped into + the road just to look the poor noble car over. It was the lure of the fine + machine. + </p> + <p> + “Met with an accident?” Jim remarked affably, as if it were something to + enjoy. + </p> + <p> + “Had toire thrubble?” added Tom, punching the collapsed tires. + </p> + <p> + The questions seemed to anger the driver, who demanded loftily: + </p> + <p> + “Where's your garage?” + </p> + <p> + “Garage? Oh, we haven't any garage,” said Jim pleasantly, with a mute + twinkle in his Irish eye. + </p> + <p> + “No garage? Haven't any garage! What town is this,—if you call it a + town?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, mon, this is Sawbeth Volley! Shorely ye've heard of Sawbeth Volley!” + </p> + <p> + “No, I never heard of it!” said the stranger contemptuously, “but from + what I've seen of it so far I should say it ought to be called Hell's Pit! + Well, what do you do when you want your car fixed?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, we don't hoppen to hove a cyar,” said Tom with a meditative air, + stooping to examine the spokes of a wheel, “Boot, ef we hod mon, I'm + thenkin' we'd <i>fix</i> it!” + </p> + <p> + Jim gave a flicker of a chuckle in his throat, but kept his outward + gravity. The stranger eyed the two malevolently, helplessly, and began + once more, holding his rage with a cold voice. + </p> + <p> + “Well, how much do you want to fix my car?” he asked, thrusting his hand + into his pocket and bringing out an affluent wallet. + </p> + <p> + The men straightened up and eyed him coldly. Jim turned indifferently away + and stepped back to the sidewalk. Tom lifted his chin and replied kindly: + </p> + <p> + “Why, Mon, it's the <i>Sawbeth,</i> didn't ye know? I'm s'proised at ye! + It's the Sawbeth, an' this is Sawbeth Volley! We don't wurruk on the + Sawbeth day in Sawbeth Volley. Whist! Hear thot, mon?” + </p> + <p> + He lifted his hand and from the stone belfry near-by came the solemn tone + of the chime, pealing out a full round of melody, and then tolling + solemnly twelve slow strokes. There was something almost uncanny about it + that held the stranger still, as if an unseen presence with a convincing + voice had been invoked. The young man sat under the spell till the full + complement of the ringing was finished, the workman with his hand up + holding attention, and Jim Rafferty quietly enjoying it all from the curb + stone. + </p> + <p> + When the last sweet resonance had died out, the Scotchman's hand went + slowly down, and the stranger burst forth with an oath: + </p> + <p> + “Well, can you tell me where I can go to get fixed up? I've wasted enough + time already.” + </p> + <p> + “I should say from whut I've seen of ye, mon, that yer roight in thot + statement, and if I was to advoise I'd say go right up to the parson, His + loight's still burnin' in the windo next beyant the tchurtch, so ye'll not + be disturbin' him. Not that he'd moind. He'll fix ye up ef anybody cun; + though I'm doubtin' yer in a bad wy, only wy ye tak it. Good-night to ye, + the winda wi' the leight, mon, roight next beyant the tchurtch!” + </p> + <p> + The car began its coughing and spluttering, and slowly jerked itself into + motion, its driver going angrily on his unthankful way. The two workmen + watching him with amused expressions, waited in the shadow of a tree till + the car came to a stop again in front of the parsonage, and a tall young + fellow got out and looked toward the lighted window. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, boy! He's going in!” gasped Jim, slapping his companion silently on + the back. “Whatt'll Mr. Severn think, Tommy?” + </p> + <p> + “It'll do the fresh laddie gude,” quoth Tom, a trifle abashed but ready to + stand by his guns, “I'm thenkin' he's one of them what feels they owns the + airth, an' is bound to step on all worms of the dust whut comes in thur + wy. But Jim, mon, we better be steppin' on, fer tomorra's the Sawbeth ya + ken, an' it wuddent be gude for our souls if the parson shud cum out to + investigate.” Chuckling away into the silent street they disappeared, + while Laurence Shafton stalked angrily up the little path and pounded + loudly on the quaint knocker of the parsonage. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + The minister was on his knees beside his desk, praying for the soul of the + wandering lad who had been dear to him for years. He had finished his + preparation for the coming day, and his heart was full of a great longing. + As he poured out his desire he forgot the hour and his need for rest. It + was often in such companionship he forgot all else. He was that kind of a + man. + </p> + <p> + But he came to his feet on the instant with the knock, and was ready to go + out on any errand of mercy that was needing him. It was not an unusual + thing for a knock to come interrupting his midnight devotions. Sometimes + the call would be to go far out on the mountain to some one who was in + distress, or dying. + </p> + <p> + The minister swung the door wide and peered into the night pleasantly + almost as if to welcome an unexpected guest. In the sudden flood of the + porch light his face was illumined, and behind him the pretty living room + gave a sweet homely setting. The stranger stood for an instant blinking, + half astonished; then the memory of his rendezvous at break of day brought + back his irritation at the delay. + </p> + <p> + “Are you Parsons?” he demanded, just as if “Parsons” were at fault that he + had not been on hand before. + </p> + <p> + “Parsons?” said Mr. Severn reflectively. “I don't recall anyone of that + name hereabouts. Perhaps you are on the wrong road. There is a Parsons at + Monopoly.” + </p> + <p> + “Parsons is the name. Aren't you Parsons? A couple of men down the road + said you were, and that you could fix me up. They said right next the + church and that your light was still burning.” The visitor's tone was + belligerent. + </p> + <p> + Severn's face cleared with a smile. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, they must have said 'Parson,' they often call me that. Come in. What + can I do for you?” + </p> + <p> + The young man eyed him coldly and made no move to enter. + </p> + <p> + “Parson or Parsons, it makes no difference does it? Mr. Parson, if you're + so particular then, come out and look at my car. It seems to be in bad + shape, and be quick about it. I've got over two hundred miles to make + before daybreak, so get a hustle on. I'll pay you well if you don't waste + any time.” + </p> + <p> + A queer look descended upon the minister in twinkles of amusement around + his eyes and lips much like the smile that Tom MacMertrie had worn, only + there was not a rag of hurt pride about it. With entire pleasantness he + said: + </p> + <p> + “Just wait a moment till I get a light.” + </p> + <p> + As he turned to go Shafton called after him: + </p> + <p> + “Oh, by the way, got anything to drink? I'm thirsty as the devil.” + </p> + <p> + Severn turned, instant hospitality in his face. + </p> + <p> + “What will you have? Water or milk? Plenty of both.” + </p> + <p> + He smiled and Shafton looked at him in haughty amazement. + </p> + <p> + “Man! I said I wanted something to <i>drink!</i>” he thundered, “but don't + stand there all night doddering. I've got to get started!” + </p> + <p> + A slight lifting of the chin, a trifle of steel in the kind eyes, a shade + of coolness in the voice, as the clear comprehension of heaven had sifted + the visitor, and the minister said, almost sternly: + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I see,” and disappeared through a swinging door into the pantry. + </p> + <p> + It was about this time that Lynn Severn awoke to near consciousness and + wondered what kind of a queer noisy guest her father had now. + </p> + <p> + The minister was gone sometime and the guest grew impatient, stamping up + and down the piazza and kicking a porch rocker out of his path. He looked + at his watch and frowned, wondering how near he was to the end of his + detour, and then he started in pursuit of his man, tramping through the + Severn house as if it were a public garage, and almost running into the + minister as he swung the door open. Severn was approaching with a lighted + lantern in one hand and a plate of brown bread and butter, with a cup of + steaming coffee in his other hand. + </p> + <p> + Laurence Shafton stopped abruptly, a curse on his lips, but something, + either the genial face of the minister, or the aroma of the coffee, + silenced him. And indeed there was something about Graham Severn that was + worth looking at. Tall and well built, with a face at once strong and + sweet, and with a certain luminousness about it that almost seemed like + transparency to let the spirit shine through, although there was nothing + frail about his well cut features. + </p> + <p> + Laurence Shafton, looking into the frank kind eyes of the minister + suddenly became aware that this man had taken a great deal of trouble for + him. He hadn't brought any liquor, probably because he did not know enough + of the world to understand what it was he wanted, or because he was + playing a joke. As he looked into those eyes and noted with his half + befuddled senses the twinkle playing at the corners he was not quite sure + but the joke was on himself. But however it was the coffee smelled good + and he took it and blundered out a brief “Thanks.” + </p> + <p> + Eating his brown bread and butter, the like of which had never entered his + pampered lips before, and taking great swoops of the hot strong coffee he + followed this strange new kind of a man out to the car in the moonlight, + paying little heed to the careful examination that ensued, being so + accustomed to ordering all his needs supplied and finding them forthcoming + without delay. + </p> + <p> + Finally the minister straightened up: + </p> + <p> + “I'm afraid you won't go many miles to-night. You've burned out your + bearings!” + </p> + <p> + “Hell!” remarked the young gentleman pausing before the last swallow of + coffee. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you won't find it so bad as that, I imagine,” answered the steady + voice of the minister. “I can give you a bed and take care of you over + to-morrow, and perhaps Sandy McPherson can fix you up Monday, although I + doubt it. He'd have to make new bearings, or you'd have to send for some + to the factory.” + </p> + <p> + But Lawrence Shafton did not wait to hear the suggestions. He stormed up + and down the sidewalk in front of the parsonage and let forth such a + stream of choice language as had not been heard in that locality in many a + long year. The minister's voice, cool, stern, commanding, broke in upon + his ravings. + </p> + <p> + “I think that will be about all, sir!” + </p> + <p> + Laurence Shafton stopped and stared at the minister's lifted hand, not + because he was overawed, simply because never before in the whole of his + twenty-four years had any one dared lift voice to him in a tone of command + or reproof. He could not believe his ears, and his anger rose hotly. He + opened his mouth to tell this insignificant person who he was and where to + get off, and a few other common arguments of gentlemen of his class, but + the minister had a surprising height as he stood in the moonlight, and + there was that something strange and spiritual about him that seemed to + meet the intention and disarm it. His jaw dropped, and he could not utter + the words he had been about to speak. This was insufferable—! But + there was that raised hand. It seemed like some one not of this world + quite. He wasn't afraid, because it wasn't in him to be afraid. That was + his pose, not afraid of those he considered his inferiors, and he did not + consider that anyone was his superior. But somehow this was something new + in his experience. A man like this! It was almost as if his mere being + there demanded a certain homage. It was queer. The young man passed a hand + over his hot forehead and tried to think. Then the minister's voice went + calmly on. It was almost as if he had not said that other at all. Perhaps + he had not. Perhaps he dreamed it or imagined it. Perhaps he had been + taking too much liquor and this was one of the symptoms—! Yet there + still ringing in his ears—well his soul anyway,—were those + quiet words, “That will be about all, sir!” Sternly. As if he had a <i>right</i> + to speak that way <i>to him</i>! To Laurence Shafton, son of the great + Wilson J. Shafton, of New York! He looked up at the man again and found a + sort of respect for him dawning in himself. It was queer, but the man was—well, + interesting. What was this he was saying? + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry”—just as if he had never rebuked him at all, “I am sorry + that there seems to be no other way. If I had a car I would take you to + the nearest railway station, but there are no trains to-night, not even + twenty miles away until six in the morning. There are only four cars owned + in the village. Two are gone off on a summer trip, the third is out of + commission being repaired, and the fourth belongs to the doctor, who + happens to be away on the mountain to-night attending a dying man. You see + how it is.” + </p> + <p> + The young man opened his mouth to curse once more, and strangely enough + closed it again: Somehow cursing seemed to have lost its force. + </p> + <p> + “There is just one chance,” went on the minister thoughtfully, “that a + young man who was visiting his mother to-day may still be here. I can call + up and find out. He would take you I know.” + </p> + <p> + Almost humbly the great man's son followed the minister back to the house + and listened anxiously while he called a number on the telephone. + </p> + <p> + “Is that you Mrs. Carter? I'm sorry if I have disturbed you. What? You + hadn't gone to bed yet? Oh, waiting for Mark? Then he isn't there? That's + what I called up for. There is some one here in trouble, needing to be + taken to Monopoly. I was sure Mark would help him out if possible. Yes, + please, if he comes soon, ask him to call me. Just leave a note for him, + can't you? I wouldn't sit up. Mark will take good care of himself. Yes, of + course, that's the mother of it. Well, good-night, Mrs. Carter.” + </p> + <p> + The young man strode angrily out to the door, muttering—but no words + were distinct. He wanted to be away from the compelling calmness of those + eyes that seemed to search him through. He dashed out the screen door, + letting it slam behind him, and down the steps, intending to <i>make</i> + his car go on at all odds until he reached another town somewhere. It had + gone so far, it could go on a little farther perhaps. This country parson + did not know about cars, how should he? + </p> + <p> + And then somewhere right on the top step he made a false step and slipped, + or was it his blindness of rage? He caught at the vines with frantic + hands, but as if they laughed at him they slipped from his grasp. His feet + clattered against the step trying for footing, but he was too near the + edge, and he went down straight into a little rocky nook where ferns and + violets were growing, and a sharp jagged rock stuck up and bit him + viciously as he slid and struggled for a firm footing again. Then an ugly + twist of his ankle, and he lay in a humiliating heap in the shadow of the + vines on the lawn, crying out and beginning to curse with the pain that + gripped him in sharp teeth, and stung through his whole excitable inflamed + being. + </p> + <p> + The minister was there almost at once, bending over him. Somehow he felt + as if he were in the power of somebody greater than he had ever met + before. It was almost like meeting God out on the road somewhere. The + minister stooped and picked him up, lightly, as if he had been a feather, + and carried him like a baby, thrown partly over his shoulder; up the + steps, and into that blasted house again. Into the bright light that + sickened him and made the pain leap up and bring a mighty faintness. + </p> + <p> + He laid him almost tenderly upon a soft couch, and straightened the + pillows about him, seeming to know just how every bone felt, and how every + nerve quivered, and then he asked a few questions in a quiet voice. “What + happened? Was it your ankle? Here? Or <i>here?</i> All right. Just be + patient a minute, I'll have you all fixed up. This was my job over in + France you know. No, don't move. It won't hurt long. It was right here you + said. Now, wait till I get my bottle of lotion.” + </p> + <p> + He was back in an instant with bandages, and bottle, and seemed to know + just how to get off a shoe with the least trouble. + </p> + <p> + An hour later the scion of a great New York family lay sleeping in the + minister's study, the old couch made up with cool sheets, and the swollen + ankle comfortably bandaged with cool wet cloths. Outside in the moonlight + the crippled car stood alone, and Sabbath Valley slept, while the bells + chimed out a single solemn stroke. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VI + </h2> + <p> + Billy was doing some rapid thinking while he stood motionless in the + bushes. It seemed a half hour, but in reality it was but a few seconds + before he heard a low whistle. The men piled rapidly into the car with + furtive looks on either side into the dark. + </p> + <p> + Billy gave a wavering glance toward the looming house in the darkness + where the motionless figure had been left. Was it a dead man lying there + alone, or was he only doped. But what could he do in the dark without + tools or flash? He decided to stick with the machine, for he had no desire + to foot it home, and anyway, with his bicycle he would be far more + independent. Besides, there was the perfectly good automobile to think + about. If the man was dead he couldn't be any deader. If he was only doped + it would be some time before he came to, and before these keepers could + get back he would have time to do something. Billy never doubted his + responsibility in the matter. It was only a question of expediency. If he + could just “get these guys with the goods on them,” he would be perfectly + satisfied. + </p> + <p> + He made a dash for his seat at the back while the car was turning, and + they were off at a brisk pace down the mountain, not waiting this time to + double on their tracks, but splashing through the Creek only once and on + up to the road again. + </p> + <p> + Like an uneasy fever in his veins meantime, went and came a vision of that + limp inert figure of the man being carried into the haunted house as it + stood out in the flare of the flash light, one arm hanging heavily. What + did that hand and arm remind him of? Oh—h! The time when Mark was + knocked cold at the Thanksgiving Day Football game last year. Mark's hand + and arm had looked like that—he had held his fingers like that—when + they picked him up. Mark had the base-ball hand! Of course that rich guy + might have been an athlete too, they were sometimes. And of course Mark + was right now at home and in bed, where Billy wished he was also, but + somehow the memory of that still dark “knocked cold” attitude, and that + hanging hand and arm would not leave him. He frowned in the dark and + wished this business was over. Mark was the only living soul Billy felt he + could ever tell about this night's escapade, and he wasn't sure he could + tell him, but he knew if he did that Mark would understand. + </p> + <p> + Billy watched anxiously for a streak of light in the East, but none had + come as yet. The moon had left the earth darker than darkness when it + went. + </p> + <p> + He tried to think what he should do. His bicycle was lying in the bushes + and he ought to get it before daylight. If they went near the station he + would drop off and pick it up. Then he would scuttle through the woods and + get to the Crossroads, and beat it down to the Blue Duck Tavern. That was + the only place open all night where he could telephone. He didn't like to + go to the Blue Duck Tavern on account of his aunt. She had once made him + promise most solemnly, bringing in something about his dead mother, that + he would never go to the Blue Duck Tavern. But this was a case of + necessity, and dead mothers, if they cared at all, ought to understand. He + had a deep underlying faith in the principle of what a mother—at any + rate a dead mother—would be like. And anyhow, this wasn't the kind + of “going” to the Tavern his aunt had meant. He was keeping the spirit of + the promise if not the letter. In his code the spirit meant much more than + the letter—at least on this occasion. There were often times when he + rigidly adhered to the letter and let the spirit take care of itself, but + this was not one. + </p> + <p> + But if, on the other hand they did not take Pat all the way back to the + crossing by the station it would be even better for him, for the road on + which they now were passed within a quarter of a mile of the Blue Duck + Tavern, and he could easily beat the car to the state line, by dropping + off and running. + </p> + <p> + But suddenly and without warning it became apparent that Pat was to be let + out to walk to the station crossing, and Billy had only a second to decide + what to do, while Pat lumbered swearing down from the car. If he got off + now he would have to wait till Pat was far ahead before he dared go after + his wheel, and he would lose so much time there would be no use in trying + to save the car. On the other hand if he stayed on the car he was liable + to be seen by Pat, and perhaps caught. However, this seemed the only + possible way to keep the car from destruction and loss, so he wriggled + himself into his seat more firmly, tucked his legs painfully up under him, + covered his face with his cap, and hid his hands in his pockets. + </p> + <p> + “You've plenty of time,” raged Pat, “You've only a little five miles run + left. It's a good half hour before light. You're a pair of cowards, that's + whut ye are, and so I'll tell Sam. If I get fired fer not being there fer + the early milk train, there'll be no more fat jobs fer youse. Now be sure + ye do as you're told. Leave the car in the first field beyond the woods + after ye cross the state line, lift yer flash light and wink three times, + count three slow, and wink three times more. <i>Then beat it!</i> And + doncha ferget to go feed that guy! We don't want he should die on us.” + </p> + <p> + The engine began to mutter. Pat with a farewell string of oaths rolled off + down the road, too sleepy to look behind, and Billy held his breath and + ducked low till the rolling Pat was one with the deep gray of the morning. + </p> + <p> + The first streak of light was beginning to show in the East, and the + all-night revellers at the Blue Duck were in the last stages of going home + after a more than usually exciting season, when Billy like the hardened + promise-breaker he felt himself to be, boldly slid in at the door and + disappeared inside the telephone booth behind the last row of tables in + the corner. For leave it to a boy, even though he be not a frequenter of a + place, to know where everything needful is to be found! + </p> + <p> + He had to wait several minutes to get the Chief of Police in Economy, and + while he waited two gaunt habitues of the Tavern slid into seats at the + table to the left of the booth, ordered drinks and began to discuss + something in a low tone. Billy paid no heed till he happened to hear his + friend's name: + </p> + <p> + “Yep, I seen Mark come in with Cherry early in the evening. He set right + over there and gotter some drink. The girl was mad because he wouldn't get + her what she wanted to drink. I happened to be settin' direckly in front + and I heard her gassin' about it. She tossed her head and made her eyes + look little and ugly like a pig, and once she got up to go, and he grabbed + her hands and made her set down; and just set there fer sometime alookin' + at her hard an' holdin' her han's and chewin' the rag at her. I don't know + what all they was sayin,' fer he talked mighty low, an' Ike called me to + take a hand in the game over tother side the room, so I didn't know no + more till I see him an' Cherry beatin' it out the side door, an' Dolphin + standin' over acrost by the desk lampin' 'em with his ugly look, an' + pretty quick, Dolph he slid out the other door an' was gone quite some + time. When he come back Cherry was with him, laughin' and makin' eyes, and + vampin' away like she always does, an' him an' her danced a lot after that—” + </p> + <p> + A voice on the end of the wire broke in upon this amazing conversation, + and Billy with difficulty adjusted his jaded mind, to the matter in hand: + </p> + <p> + “'Z'is the Chief? Say, Chief, a coupla guys stole a machine—Holes-Mowbrays—license + number 6362656-W—Got that? New York tag. They're on their way over + to the State Line beyond the Cross Roads. They're gonta run her in the + field just beyond the woods, you know. They're gonta give a flash light + signal to their pal, three winks, count three slow, and three winks more, + and then beat it. Then some guy is gonta wreck the machine. It's up to you + and your men to hold the machine till I get the owner there. He don't know + it's pinched yet, but I know where to find him, an' he'll have the license + and can identify it. Where'll I find you? Station House? 'Conomy? Sure! + I'll be there soon's I get'im. What's that? I? Oh, I'm just a kid that + happened to get wise. My name? Oh rats! That don't cut any ice now! You + get on yer job! They must be almost there by now. I gotta beat it! + Gub-bye!” + </p> + <p> + Billy was all there even if he had been up all night. He hung up with a + click, for he was anxious to hear what the men were saying. They had + finished their glasses and were preparing to leave. The old one was + gabbling on in a querrilous gossipy tone: + </p> + <p> + “Well, it'll go hard with Mark Carter if the man dies. Everybody knows he + was here, and unless he can prove an alibi—!” + </p> + <p> + They were crawling reluctantly out of their haunts now, and Billy could + catch but one more sentence: + </p> + <p> + “Well, I'm sorry fer his ma. I used to go to school with Mrs. Carter when + we were kids.” + </p> + <p> + They were gone out and the room suddenly showed empty. The waiter was + fastening the shutters. In a moment more he would be locked in. Billy made + a silent dash among the tables and slid out the door while the waiter's + back was turned. The two men were ambling slowly down the road toward + Economy. Billy started on a dead run. His rubber soled shoes made no echo + and he was too light on his feet to make a thud. He disappeared into the + grayness like a spirit. He had more cause than ever now for hurry. Mark! + Mark! His beloved Mark Carter! What must he do about it? Must he tell + Mark? Or did Mark perhaps know? What had happened anyway? There had + evidently been a shooting. That Cherry Fenner was mixed up in it. Billy + knew her only by sight. She always grinned at him and said: “Hello, + Billee!” in her pretty dimpled way. He didn't care for her himself. He had + accepted her as a part of life, a necessary evil. She wore her hair queer, + and had very short tight skirts, and high heels. She painted her face and + vamped, but that was her affair. He had heretofore tolerated her because + she seemed in some way to be under Mark Carter's recent protection. + Therefore he had growled “Ello!” grimly whenever she accosted him and let + it go at that. If it had come to a show down he would have stood up for + her because he knew that Mark would, that was all. Mark knew his own + business. Far be it from Billy to criticize his hero's reasons. Perhaps it + was one of Mark's weaknesses. It was up to him. That was the code of a + “white man” as Billy had learned it from “the fellas.” + </p> + <p> + But this was a different matter. This involved Mark's honor. It was up to + him to find Mark! + </p> + <p> + Billy did not take the High road down from his detour. He cut across below + the Crossroads, over rough ground, among the underbrush, and parting the + low growing trees was lost in the gloom of the woods. But he knew every + inch of ground within twenty miles around, and darkness did not take away + his sense of direction. He crashed along among the branches, making steady + headway toward the spot where he had left his bicycle, puffing and + panting, his face streaked with dirt, his eyes bleared and haggard, his + whole lithe young body straining forward and fighting against the dire + weariness that was upon him, for it was not often that he stayed up all + night. Aunt Saxon saw to that much at least. + </p> + <p> + The sky was growing rosy now, and he could hear the rumbling of the milk + train. It was late. Pat would not lose his job this time, for he must have + had plenty of time to get back to the station. Billy wormed himself under + cover as the train approached, and bided his time. Cautiously, peering + from behind the huckleberry growth, he watched Pat slamming the milk cans + around. He could see his bicycle lying like a dark skeleton of a thing + against the gravel bank. It was lucky he got there before day, for Pat + would have been sure to see it, and it might have given him an idea that + Billy had gone with the automobile. + </p> + <p> + The milk train came suddenly in sight through the tunnel, like a lighted + thread going through a needle. It rumbled up to the station. There was a + rattling of milk cans, empty ones being put on, full cans being put off, + grumbling of Pat at the train hands, loud retorts of the train hands, the + engine puffed and wheezed like a fat old lady going upstairs and stopping + on every landing to rest. Then slamming of car doors, a whistle, the snort + of the engine as it took up its way again out toward the rosy sky, its + headlight weird like a sick candle against the dawn, its tail light + winking with a leer and mocking at the mountains as it clattered away like + a row of gray ducks lifting webbed feet and flinging back space to the + station. + </p> + <p> + Pat rolled the loaded truck to the other platform ready for the Lake train + at seven, and went in to a much needed rest. He slammed the door with a + finality that gave Billy relief. The boy waited a moment more in the + gathering dawn, and then made a dash for the open, salvaging his bicycle, + and diving back into the undergrowth. + </p> + <p> + For a quarter of a mile he and the wheel like two comrades raced under + branches, and threaded their way between trees. Then he came out into the + Highroad and mounting his wheel rode into the world just as the sun shot + up and touched the day with wonder. + </p> + <p> + He rode into the silent sleeping village of Sabbath Valley just as the + bells from the church chimed out gently, as bells should do on a Sabbath + morning when people are at rest, “One! Two! Three! Four! Five!” + </p> + <p> + Sabbath Valley looked great as he pedalled silently down the street. Even + the old squeak of the back wheel seemed to be holding its breath for the + occasion. + </p> + <p> + He coasted past the church and down the gentle incline in front of the + parsonage and Joneses, and the Littles and Browns and Gibsons. Like a + shadow of the night passing he slid past the Fowlers and Tiptons and + Duncannons, and fastened his eyes on the little white fence with the white + pillared gate where Mrs. Carter lived. Was that a light in the kitchen + window? And the barn that Mark used for his garage when he was at home, + was the door open? He couldn't quite see for the cyringa bush hid it from + the road. With a furtive glance up and down the street he wheeled in at + the driveway, and rode up under the shadow of the green shuttered white + house. + </p> + <p> + He dismounted silently, stealthily, rested his wheel against the trunk of + a cherry tree, and with keen eyes for every window, glanced up to the open + one above which he knew belonged to Mark's room. Strong grimy fingers went + to his lips and a low cautious whistle, more like a bird call issued + forth, musical as any wild note. + </p> + <p> + The white muslin curtains wavered back and forth in the summer breeze, and + for a moment he thought a head was about to appear for a soft stirring + noise had seemed to move within the house somewhere, but the curtains + swayed on and no Mark appeared. Then he suddenly was aware of a white face + confronting him at the downstairs window directly opposite to him, white + and scared and—was it accusing? And suddenly he began to tremble. + Not all the events of the night had made him tremble, but now he trembled, + it was Mark's mother, and she had pink rims to her eyes, and little damp + crimples around her mouth and eyes for all the world like Aunt Saxon's. + She looked—she looked exactly as though she had not slept all night. + Her nose was thin and red, and her eyes had that awful blue that eyes get + that have been much washed with tears. The soft waves of her hair drooped + thinly, and the coil behind showed more threads of silver than of brown in + the morning sun that shot through the branches of the cherry tree. She had + a frightened look, as if Billy had brought some awful news, or as if it + was his fault, he could not tell which, and he began to feel that choking + sensation and that goneness in the pit of his stomach that Aunt Saxon + always gave him when she looked frightened at something he had done or was + going to do. Added to this was that sudden premonition, and a memory of + that drooping still figure in the dark up on the mountain. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Carter sat down the candle on a shelf and raised the window: + </p> + <p> + “Is that you Billy?” she asked, and there were tears in her voice. + </p> + <p> + Billy had a brief appalling revelation of Mothers the world over. Did all + Mothers—women—act like that when they were <i>fools</i>? Fools + is what he called them in his mind. Yet in spite of himself and his rage + and trembling he felt a sudden tenderness for this crumply, tired, ghastly + little pink rimmed mother, apprehensive of the worst as was plain to see. + Billy recalled like a flash the old man at the Blue Duck saying, “I'm + sorry for his ma. I used to go to school with her.” He looked at the faded + face with the pink rims and trembling lips and had a vision of a brown + haired little girl at a desk, and old Si Appleby a teasing boy in the desk + opposite. It came over him that some day he would be an old man somewhere + telling how he went to school—! And then he asked: + </p> + <p> + “Where's Mark? Up yet?” + </p> + <p> + She shook her head apprehensively, withholdingly. + </p> + <p> + Billy had a thought that perhaps some one had beat him to it with news + from the Blue Duck, but he put it from him. There were tears in her eyes + and one was straggling down between the crimples of her cheeks where it + looked as if she had lain on the folds of her handkerchief all night. + There came a new tenderness in his voice. This was <i>Mark's</i> mother, + and this was the way she felt. Well, of course it was silly, but she was + Mark's <i>mother</i>. + </p> + <p> + “Man up the mountain had n'accident. I thought Mark ud he'p. He always + does,” explained Billy awkwardly with a feeling that he ought to account + for his early visit. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, of course, Mark would like to help!” purred his mother comforted at + the very thought of every day life and Mark going about as usual, “But—” + and the apprehension flew into her eyes again, “He isn't home. Billy, he + hasn't come home at all last night! I'm frightened to death! I've sat up + all night! I can't think what's happened—! There's so many hold-ups + and Mark will carry his money loose in his trousers pocket—!” + </p> + <p> + Billy blanched but lied beautifully up to the occasion even as he would + have liked to have somebody lie for him to Aunt Saxon: + </p> + <p> + “Aw! That's nothing! Doncha worry. He tol' me he might have t'stay down + t'Unity all night. There's a fella down there that likes him a lot, an' + they had somekinduva blowout in their church last night. He mightuv had ta + take some girl home out of town ya know, and stayed over with the fella.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Carter's face relaxed a shade: + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I've tried to think that—!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, doncha worry, Mizz Carter, I'll lookim up fer ya, I know 'bout + where he might be.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, thank you Billy,” her face wreathed in wavering smiles brought + another thought of school days and life and how queer it was that grown + folks had been children sometime and children had to be grown folks. + </p> + <p> + “Billy, Mark likes you very much. I'm sure he won't mind your knowing that + I'm worried, but you know how boys don't like to have their mothers worry, + so you needn't say anything to Mark that I said I was worried, need you? + You understand Billy. I'm not <i>really</i> worried you know. Mark was + always a good boy.” + </p> + <p> + “Aw sure!” said Billy with a knowing wink. “He's a prince! You leave it + t'me, Mizz Carter!” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, Billy. I'll do something for you sometime. But how's it come + you're up so early? You haven't had your breakfast yet have you?” + </p> + <p> + She eyed his weary young face with a motherly anxiety: + </p> + <p> + “Naw, I didn't have no time to stop fer breakfast,” Billy spoke + importantly, “Got this call about the sick guy and had to beat it. Say, + you don't happen to know Mark's license number do you? It might help a + lot, savin' time 'f'I could tell his car at sight. Save stoppin' to ast.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, now, I don't really—” said the woman ruminatively, “let me + see. There was six and six, there were a lot of sixes if I remember—” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, well, it don't matter—” Billy grasped his wheel and prepared to + leave. + </p> + <p> + “Wait, Billy, you must have something to eat—” + </p> + <p> + “Aw, naw, I can't wait! Gotta beat it! Might miss 'im!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, just a bite. Here, I'll get you some cookies!” + </p> + <p> + She vanished, and he realized for the first time that he was hungry. + Cookies sounded good. + </p> + <p> + She returned with a brimming glass of milk and a plate of cookies. She + stuffed the cookies in his pockets, while he drank the milk. + </p> + <p> + “Say,—” said he after a long sweet draught of the foaming milk, “Ya, + aint got enny more you cud spare fer that sick guy, have ya? Wait, I'll + save this. Got a bottle?” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed you won't, Billy Gaston. You just drink that every drop. I'll get + you another bottle to take with you. I got extra last night 'count of Mark + being home, and then he didn't drink it. He always likes a drink of milk + last thing before he goes to bed.” + </p> + <p> + She vanished and returned with a quart of milk cold off the ice. She + wrapped it well with newspapers, and Billy packed it safely into the + little basket on his wheel. Then he bethought him of another need. + </p> + <p> + “Say, m'y I go inta the g'rage an' get a screw driver? Screw loose on + m'wheel.” + </p> + <p> + She nodded and he vanished into the open barn door. Well he knew where + Mark kept his tools. He picked out a small pointed saw, a neat little + auger and a file and stowed them hurriedly under the milk bottle. Thus + reinforced without and within, he mounted his faithful steed and sped away + to the hills. + </p> + <p> + The morning sun had shot up several degrees during his delay, and Sabbath + Valley lay like a thing new born in its glory. On the belfry a purple dove + sat glistening, green and gold ripples on her neck, turning her head + proudly from side to side as Billy rode by, and when he topped the first + hill across the valley the bells rang out six sweet strokes as if to + remind him that Sunday School was not far off and he must hurry back. But + Billy was trying to think how he should get into that locked house, and + wondering whether the kidnappers would have returned to feed their captive + yet. He realized that he must be wary, although his instinct told him that + they would wait for dark, besides, he had hopes that they might have been + “pinched.” + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless he approached the old house cautiously, skirting the mountain + to avoid Pleasant Valley, and walking a mile or two through thick + undergrowth, sometimes with difficulty propelling the faithful machine. + </p> + <p> + Arrived in sight he studied the surroundings carefully, harbored his wheel + where it would not be discovered and was yet easily available, and after + reconnoitering stole out of covert. + </p> + <p> + The house stood gaunt and grim against the smiling morning. Its shuttered + windows giving an expression of blindness or the repellant mask of death. + A dead house, that was what it was. Its doors and windows closed on the + tragedy that had been enacted within its massive stone walls. It seemed + more like a fortress than a house where warm human faces had once looked + forth, and where laughter and pleasant words had once sounded out. To pass + it had always stirred a sense of mystery and weirdness. To approach it + thus with the intention of entering to find that still limp figure of a + man gave a most overpowering sense of awe. Billy looked up with wide eyes, + the deep shadows under them standing out in the clear light of the morning + and giving him a strangely old aspect as if he had jumped over at least + ten years during the night. Warily he circled the house, keeping close to + the shrubbery at first and listening as a squirrel might have done, then + gradually drawing nearer. He noticed that the down stairs shutters were + solid iron with a little half moon peep hole at the top. Those upstairs + were solid below and fitted with slats above, but the slats were closed of + all the front windows, and all but two of the back ones, which were turned + upward so that one could not see the glass. The doors, both back and + front, were locked, and unshakable, of solid oak and very thick. A Yale + lock with a new look gave all entrance at the front an impossible look. + The back door was equally impregnable unless he set to work with his auger + and saw and took out a heavy oak panel. + </p> + <p> + He got down to the ground and began to examine the cellar windows. They + seemed to be fitted with iron bars set into the solid masonry. He went all + around the house and found each one unshakable, until he reached the last + at the back. There he found a bit of stone cracked and loosened and it + gave him an idea. He set to work with his few tools, and finally succeeded + in loosening one rusted bar. He was much hindered in his work by the + necessity of keeping a constant watch out, and by his attempts to be + quiet. There was no telling when Link and Shorty might come to feed their + captive and he must not be discovered. + </p> + <p> + It was slow work picking away at the stone, filing away at the rusty iron, + but the bars were so close together that three must be removed before he + could hope to crawl through, and even then he might be able to get no + further than the cellar. The guy that fixed this house up for a prison + knew what he was about. + </p> + <p> + Faintly across the mountains came the echo of bells, or were they in the + boy's own soul? He worked away in the hot sun, the perspiration rolling + down his weary dirty face, and sometimes his soul fainted within him. + Bells, and the sweet quiet church with the pleasant daily faces about and + the hum of Sunday School beginning! How far away that all seemed to him + now as he filed and picked, and sweated, and kept up a strange something + in his soul half yearning, half fierce dread, that might have been like + praying only the burden of its yearning seemed to be expressed in but a + single word, “Mark! Mark!” + </p> + <p> + At last the third bar came loose and with a great sigh that was almost + like a sob, the boy tore it out, and cleared the way. Then carefully + gathering his effects, tools, milk bottle and cap together, he let them + down into the dungeon-like blackness of the cellar, and crept in after + them, taking the precaution to set up in place the iron bars once more and + leave no trace of his entrance. + </p> + <p> + Pausing cautiously to listen he ventured to strike a match, mentally + belaboring himself at the wasteful way in which he had always used his + flash light which was now so much needed and out of commission. The cellar + was large, running under the whole house, with heavy rafters and looming + coal pits. A scurrying rat started a few lumps of coal in the slide, and a + cobwebby rope hung ominously from one cross beam, giving him a passing + shudder. It seemed as if the spirit of the past had arisen to challenge + his entrance thus. He took a few steps forward toward a dim staircase he + sighted at the farther end, and then a sudden noise sent his heart beating + fast. He extinguished the match and stood in the darkness listening with + straining ears. That was surely a step he heard on the floor above! + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VII + </h2> + <p> + Laurence Shafton awoke late to the sound of church bells come alive and + singing hymn tunes. There was something strangely unreal in the sound, in + the utter stillness of the background of Sabbath Valley atmosphere that + made him think, almost, just for an instant, that he had stumbled somehow + into the wrong end of the other world, and come into the fields of the + blessed. Not that he had any very definite idea about what the fields of + the blessed would look like or what would be going on there, but there was + something still and holy between the voices of the bells that fairly + compelled his jaded young soul to sit up and listen. + </p> + <p> + But at the first attempt to sit up a very sharp very decided twinge of + pain caught him, and brought an assorted list of words which he kept for + such occasions to his lips. Then he looked around and tried to take in the + situation. It was almost as if he had been caught out of his own world and + dropped into another universe, so different was everything here, and so + little did he remember the happenings of the night before. He had had + trouble with his car, something infernal that had prevented his going + farther—he recalled having to get out and push the thing along the + road, and then two loutish men who made game of him and sent him here to + get his car fixed. There had been a man, a queer man who gave him bread + and butter instead of wine—he remembered that—and he had + failed to get his car fixed, but how the deuce did he get landed on this + couch with a world of books about him and a thin muslin curtain blowing + into the room, and fanning the cheeks of a lovely rose in a long stemmed + clear glass vase? Did he try to start and have a smash up? No, he + remembered going down the steps with the intention of starting, but stay! + Now it was coming to him. He fell off the porch! He must have had a jag on + or he never would have fallen. He did things to his ankle in falling. He + remembered the gentle giant picking him up as if he had been a baby and + putting him here, but where was <i>here</i>? Ah! Now he remembered! He was + on his way to Opal Verrons. A bet. An elopement for the prize! Great + stakes. He had lost of course. What a fool! If it hadn't been for his + ankle he might have got to a trolley car or train somehow and made a + garage. Money would have taken him there in time. He was vexed that he had + lost. It would have been great fun, and he had the name of always winning + when he set out to do so. But then, perhaps it was just as well—Verrons + was a good fellow as men went—he liked him, and he was plain out and + out fond of Opal just at present. It would have been a dirty shame to play + the trick behind his back. Still, if Opal wanted to run away with him it + was up to him to run of course. Opal was rare sport and he couldn't stand + the idea of Smart-Aleck McMarter, or that conceited Percy Emerson getting + there first. He wondered which had won. It made his fury rise to think of + either, and he had promised the lady neither of them should. What was she + thinking of him by now that he had sent her no word of his delay? That was + inexcusable. He must attend to it at once. + </p> + <p> + He glanced around the pleasant room. Yes, there on the desk was a + telephone! Could he get to it? He sat up and painfully edged his way over + to the desk. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Safely through another week, + God has brought us on our way—” + </pre> + <p> + chimed the bells, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Let us now a blessing seek, + Waiting in His courts to-day—” + </pre> + <p> + But Laurie Shafton had never sung those words in his life and had no idea + what the bells were seeking to get across to him. He took down the + receiver and called for Long Distance. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Oh day of rest and gladness!” + </pre> + <p> + pealed out the bells joyously, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Oh day of joy and light! + Oh balm for care and sadness, + Most beautiful, most bright—” + </pre> + <p> + But it meant nothing to Laurie Shafton seeking a hotel in a fashionable + resort. And when he finally got his number it was only Opal's maid who + answered. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Mrs. Verrons was up. She was out walking on the beach with a + gentleman. No, it was not Mr. Emerson, nor yet Mr. McMarter. Neither of + those gentlemen had arrived. No, it was not Mr. Verrons. He had just + telegraphed that he would not be at the hotel until tomorrow night. Yes, + she would tell Mrs. Verrons that he had met with an accident. Mrs. Verrons + would be very sorry. Number one-W Sabbath Valley. Yes, she would write it + down. What? Oh! The gentleman Mrs. Verrons was walking with? No, it was + not anybody that had been stopping at the hotel for long, it was a new + gentleman who had just come the night before. She hadn't heard his name + yet. Yes, she would be sure to tell Mrs. Verrons at once when she came in, + and Mrs. Verrons would be likely to call him up!” + </p> + <p> + He hung up the receiver and looked around the room discontentedly. A + stinging twinge of his ankle added to his discomfort. He gave an angry + snarl and pushed the wavering curtain aside, wishing those everlasting + bells would stop their banging. + </p> + <p> + Across the velvet stretch of lawn the stone church nestled among the + trees, with a background of mountains, and a studding of white gravestones + beyond its wide front steps. It was astonishingly beautiful, and + startlingly close for a church. He had not been so near to a church except + for a wedding in all his young life. Dandy place for a wedding that would + be, canopy over the broad walk from the street, charming architecture, he + liked the line of the arched belfry and the slender spire above. The rough + stone fitted well into the scenery. The church seemed to be a thing of the + ages placed there by Nature. His mind trained to detect a sense of beauty + in garments, rugs, pictures, and women, appreciated the picture on which + he was gazing. Where was this anyway? Surely not the place with the absurd + name that he remembered now on the mountain Detour. Sabbath Valley! How + ridiculous! It must be the home of some wealthy estate, and yet there + seemed a rustic loveliness about it that scarcely established that theory. + </p> + <p> + The bells had ceased. He heard the roll of a deep throated organ + skillfully played. + </p> + <p> + And now, his attention was suddenly attracted to the open window of the + church where framed in English ivy a lovely girl sat at the organ. She was + dressed in white with hair of gold, and a golden window somewhere back of + her across the church, made a background of beaten gold against which her + delicate profile was set like some young saint. Her white fingers moving + among the keys, and gradually he came to realize that it was she who had + been playing the bells. + </p> + <p> + He stared and stared, filled with admiration, thrilled with this new + experience in his blase existence. Who would have expected to find a + beauty like that in a little out of the way place like this? His theory of + a great estate and a rich man's daughter with a fad for music instantly + came to the front. What a lucky happening that he should have broken down + close to this church. He would find out who the girl was and work it to + get invited up to her house. Perhaps he was a fortunate loser of his bet + after all. + </p> + <p> + As he watched the girl playing gradually the music entered his + consciousness. He was fond of music, and had heard the best of the world + of course. This was meltingly lovely. The girl had fine appreciation and + much expression, even when the medium of her melody was clumsy things like + bells. She had seemed to make them glad as they pealed out their melodies. + He had not known bells could sound like happy children, or like birds. + </p> + <p> + His meditations were interrupted by a tap on the door, followed by the + entrance of his host bearing a tray: + </p> + <p> + “Good-morning,” he said pleasantly, “I see you're up. How is the sprain? + Better? Would you like me to dress it again?” + </p> + <p> + He came over to the desk and set down the tray on which was beautifully + brown buttered toast, eggs and coffee: + </p> + <p> + “I've brought you just a bite. It's so late you won't want much, for we + have dinner immediately after church. I suppose you wouldn't feel like + going over to the service?” + </p> + <p> + “Service?” the young man drawled almost insolently. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, service is at eleven. Would you care to go over? I could assist + you.” + </p> + <p> + “Naw, I shouldn't care to go,” he answered rudely, “I'm pulling out of + here as soon as I can get that machine of mine running. By the way, I've + been doing some telephoning”—he slung a ten dollar note on the desk. + “I didn't ask how much it was, guess that'll cover it. Now, help me to the + big chair and I'll sample your breakfast.” + </p> + <p> + The minister picked up the young man easily and placed him in the big + chair before the guest realized what was doing, and then turned and took + the ten dollar bill between his thumb and finger and flipped it down in + the young man's lap. + </p> + <p> + “Keep it,” he said briefly, “It's of no consequence.” + </p> + <p> + “But it was long distance,” explained the guest loftily, “It'll be quite a + sum. I talked overtime.” + </p> + <p> + “No matter,” said the minister pulling out a drawer of the desk and + gathering a few papers and his Bible. “Now, would you like me to look at + that ankle before I go, or will you wait for the doctor? He's likely to be + back before long, and I've left a call for him.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll wait for the doctor,” the young man's tone approached the insolent + note again, “and by the way, I wish you'd send for a mechanician. I've got + to get that car running.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm sorry,” said Severn, “I'm afraid you'll have to wait. The only one in + this region that would be at all likely to help you out with those + bearings is Carter. He has a car, or had one, of that make. He might + happen to have some bearings, but it is not at all likely. Or, he could + tow you ten miles to Monopoly. But Carter is not at home yet.” + </p> + <p> + The young man fairly frothed at the mouth: “Do you mean to tell me that + there is no one can mend a broken machine around this forsaken dump? + Where's your nearest garage? Send for a man to come at once. I'm willing + to pay anything,” he flourished a handful of bills. + </p> + <p> + The minister looked at his watch anxiously: “I'm sorry,” he said again, + “I've got to go to the service now. There is a garage at Monopoly and + their number is 97-M. You can phone them if you are not satisfied. I tried + them quite early this morning while you were still sleeping, but there was + nothing doing. The truth is the people around this region are a little + prejudiced against working seven days out of the week, although they will + help a man out in a case like yours when they can, but it seems the repair + man, the only one who knows about bearings, has gone fifty miles in + another direction to a funeral and won't be back till to-morrow morning. + Now, if you're quite comfortable I'll have to leave you for a little + while. It is time for my service to begin.” + </p> + <p> + The young man looked at his host with astonishment. He was not used to + being treated in this off-hand way. He could hardly believe his ears. + Throw back his money and lay down the law that way! + </p> + <p> + “Wait!” he thundered as the door was about to close upon the departing + minister. + </p> + <p> + Severn turned and regarded his guest quietly, questioningly: + </p> + <p> + “Who's that girl over there in the window playing the organ?” He pulled + the curtain aside and revealed a glimpse of the white and gold saint + framed in the ivy. Severn gave a swift cold glance at the insolent youth + and then answered with a slightly haughty note in his courteous voice, + albeit a quiver of amusement on his lip: + </p> + <p> + “That is my daughter.” + </p> + <p> + Laurence Shafton dropped the curtain and turned to stare at his host, but + the minister had closed the door and was already on his way to church. + Then the youth pulled back the curtain again and regarded the lady. The + man's daughter! And playing like that! + </p> + <p> + The rich notes of the organ were rolling out into the summer day, a + wonderful theme from an old master, grandly played. Yes, she could play. + She had been well taught. And the looks of her! She was wonderful at this + distance. Were these then wealthy people perhaps summering in this quiet + resort? He glanced about at the simple furnishings. That was a good rug at + his feet, worn in places, but soft in tone and unmistakably of the Orient. + The desk was of fumed oak, somewhat massive and dignified with a touch of + hand carving. The chairs were of the same dark oak with leather cushions, + and the couch so covered by his bed drapery that he could not see it, but + he remembered its comfort. There was nothing showy or expensive looking + but everything simple and good. One or two fine old pictures on the wall + gave evidence of good taste. The only luxury seemed books, rows and rows + of them behind glass doors in cases built into the wall. They lined each + space between windows and doors, and in several spots reached to the + ceiling. He decided that these people must have had money and lost it. + These things were old and had perhaps been inherited. But the girl! She + teased his curiosity. She seemed of a type entirely new, and most + attractive. Well, here was good luck again! He would stay till church was + out and see what she might be like at nearer view. It might amuse him to + play the invalid for a day or two and investigate her. Meantime, he must + call up that garage and see what could be done for the car. If he could + get it patched up by noon he might take the girl out for a spin in the + afternoon. One could judge a girl much better getting her off by herself + that way. He didn't seem to relish the memory of that father's smile and + haughty tone as he said “My daughter.” Probably was all kinds of fussy + about her. But if the girl had any pep at all she surely would enjoy + getting away from oversight for a few hours. He hoped Opal would call + before they got back from their service. It might be awkward talking with + them all around. + </p> + <p> + But the organ was suddenly drowned in a burst of song: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the + Holy Ghost, As it was in the beginning, is now and + ever shall be—world without end, Amen!” + </pre> + <p> + Somehow the words struck him with a strange awe, they were so distinct, + and almost in the room with him. He looked about half feeling that the + room was filled with people, and felt curiously alone. There was an + atmosphere in the little house of everybody being gone to church. They had + all gone and left him alone. It amused him. He wondered about this odd + family who seemed to be under the domination of a church service. They had + left him a stranger alone in their house. The doors and windows were all + open. How did they know but he was a burglar? + </p> + <p> + Some one was talking now. It sounded like the voice of his host. It might + be a prayer. How peculiar! He must be a preacher. Yet he had been sent to + him to fix his car. He did not look like a laboring man. He looked as if + he might be,—well almost anything—even a gentleman. But if he + was a clergyman, why, that of course explained the ascetic type, the + nun-like profile of the girl, the skilled musician. Clergymen were apt to + educate their children, even without much money. The girl would probably + be a prude and bore, but there was a chance that she might be a princess + in disguise and need a prince to show her a good time. He would take the + chance at least until after dinner. + </p> + <p> + So he ate his delicate toast, and drank his delicious coffee, and wished + he had asked that queer man to have his flask filled at the drug store + before he went to his old service, but consoled himself with numerous + cigarettes, while he watched the face of the musician, and listened idly + to the music. + </p> + <p> + It was plain that the young organist was also the choir leader, for her + expressive face was turned toward the singers, and her lovely head kept + time. Now and then a motion of the hand seemed to give a direction or + warning. And the choir too sang with great sweetness and expression. They + were well trained. But what a bore such a life must be to a girl. Still, + if she had never known anything else—! Well, he would like to see + her at closer range. He lit another cigarette and studied her profile as + she slipped out of the organ bench and settled herself nearer the window. + He could hear the man's voice reading now. Some of the words drew his idle + attention: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but + the Lord weigheth the spirits.” + </pre> + <p> + Curious sentence that! It caught in his brain. It seemed rather true. From + the Bible probably of course, though he was not very familiar with that + volume, never having been obliged to go to Sunday School in his childhood + days? But was it true? Were all a man's ways clean in his own eyes? Take, + for instance, his own ways? He always did about as he pleased, and he had + never asked himself whether his ways were clean or not. He hadn't + particularly cared. He supposed some people would think they were not—but + in his own eyes, well—was he clean? Take for instance this + expedition of his? Running a race to get another man's wife,—an + alleged friend's wife, too? It did seem rather despicable when one thought + of it after the jag was off. But then one was not quite responsible for + what one did with a jag on, and what the deuce did the Lord have to do + with it anyway? How could the Lord weigh the spirit? That meant of course + that he saw through all subterfuges. Well, what of it? + </p> + <p> + Another sentence caught his ear: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his + enemies to be at peace with him.” + </pre> + <p> + How odd, the Lord,—if there was a Lord, he had never thought much + about it—but how odd, if there was a Lord for Him to care about a + man's ways. If he were Lord he wouldn't care, he'd only want them to keep + out of his way. He would probably crush them like ants, if he were Lord. + But the Lord—taking any notice of men's ways, and being pleased by + them and looking out to protect him from enemies! It certainly was quaint—a + quaint idea! He glanced again at the reverent face of the girl, the down + drooped eyes, the lovely sensitive mouth. Quaint, that was the word for + her, quaint and unusual. He certainly was going to enjoy meeting her. + </p> + <p> + “Ting-aling-ling-ling!” burst out the telephone bell on the desk. He + frowned and dropped the curtain. Was that Opal? He hobbled to the desk + painfully, half annoyed that she had called him from the contemplation of + this novel scene, not so sure that he would bother to call up that garage + yet. Let it go till he had sampled the girl. + </p> + <p> + He took down the receiver and Opal's voice greeted him, mockingly, + tauntingly from his own world. The little ivy leaved church with its Saint + Cecilia at the organ, and its strange weird message about a God that cared + for man's ways, dropped away like a dream that was past. + </p> + <p> + When he hung up the receiver and turned back to his couch again the girl + had closed the window. It annoyed him. He did not know how his giddy + badinage had clashed in upon the last words of the sermon. + </p> + <p> + It seemed a long time after the closing hymn before the little throng + melted away down the maple lined street. The young man watched them + curiously from behind his curtain, finding only food for amusement in most + of them. And then came the minister, lingering to talk to one here and + there, and his wife—it was undoubtedly his wife, even the + hare-brained Laurie knew her, in the gray organdie, with the white at her + neck, and the soft white hat. She had a pleasant light in her eyes, and + one saw at once that she was a lady. There was a grace about her that made + the girl seem possible. And lastly, came the girl. + </p> + <p> + She stepped from the church door in her white dress and simple white hat, + white even to her little shoes, and correct in every way, he could see + that. She was no country gawk! She came forth lightly into the sunshine + which caught her hair in golden tendrils around her face as if it loved to + hide therein, and she was immediately surrounded by half a dozen urchins. + One had brought her some lilies, great white starry things with golden + hearts, and she gathered them into her arms as if she loved them, and + smiled at the boys. One could see how they adored her. She lingered + talking to them, and laid her hand on one boy's shoulder, he walking like + a knight beside her trying to act as if he did not know her hand was + there. His head was drooped, but he lifted it with a grin at last and gave + her a nod which seemed to make her glad, for her face broke forth in + another smile: + </p> + <p> + “Well, don't forget, to-night,” she called as they turned to go, “and + remember to tell Billy!” + </p> + <p> + Then she came trippingly across the grass, a song on her lips. Some girl! + Say! She certainly was a stunner! + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VIII + </h2> + <p> + Opal Verrons was small and slight with large childlike eyes that could + look like a baby's, but that could hold the very devil on occasions. The + eyes were dark and lustrous with long curling black lashes framing them in + a face that might have been modeled for an angel, so round the curves, so + enchanting the lips, so lofty the white brow. Angelé Potocka had no + lovelier set to her head, no more limpal fire in her eye, than had Opal + Verrons. Indeed her lovers often called her the Fire Opal. The only + difference was that Angelé Potocka developed her brains, of which she had + plenty, while Opal Verrons had placed her entire care upon developing her + lovely little body, though she too had plenty of brains on occasion. + </p> + <p> + And she knew how to dress! So simply, so slightly sometimes, so perfectly + to give a setting—the right setting—to her little self. She + wore her heavy dark hair bobbed, and it curled about her small head + exquisitely, giving her the look of a Raphael Cherub or a boy page in the + court of King Arthur. With a flat band of silver olive leaves about her + brow, and the soft hair waving out below, nothing more was necessary for a + costume save a brief drapery of silver spangled cloth with a strap of + jewels and a wisp of black malines for a scarf. She was always startling + and lovely even in her simplest costume. Many people turned to watch her + in a simple dark blue serge made like a child's girded with a delicate + arrangement of medallions and chains of white metal, her dark rough + woollen stockings rolled girlishly below white dimpled knees, and her feet + shod in flat soled white buckskin shoes. She was young enough to “get away + with it,” the older women said cattishly as they watched her stroll away + to the beach with a new man each day, and noted her artless grace and + indifferent pose. That she had a burly millionaire husband who still was + under her spell and watched her jealously only made her more interesting, + and they pitied her for being tied to a man twice her age and bulky as a + bale of cotton. She who could dance like a sylph and was light on her + little feet as a thistle down. Though wise ones sometimes said that Opal + had her young eyes wide open when she married Ed Verrons, and she had him + right under her little pink well manicured thumb. And some said she was + not nearly so young as she looked. + </p> + <p> + Her hands were the weakest point in Opal Verron's whole outfit. Not that + they were unlovely in form or ungraceful. They were so small they hardly + seemed like hands, so undeveloped, so useless, with the dimpling of a + baby's, yet the sharp nails of a little beast. They were so plump and well + cared for they were fairly sleek, and had an old wise air about them as + she patted her puffy curls daintily with a motion all her own that showed + her lovely rounded arm, and every needle-pointed shell-tinted finger nail, + sleek and puffy, and never used, not even for a bit of embroidery or + knitting. She couldn't, you know, with those sharp transparent little + nails, they might break. They were like her little sharp teeth that always + reminded one of a mouse's teeth, and made one shudder at how sharp they + would be should she ever decide to bite. + </p> + <p> + But her smile was like the mixing of all smiles, a baby's, a + woman-of-the-world, a grieved child's, and a spirit who had put aside all + moral purpose. Perhaps, like mixed drinks it was for that reason but the + more intoxicating. And because she did not hide her charms and was lavish + with her smiles, there were more poor victims about her little feet than + about any other woman at the shore that summer. Men talked about her in + the smoking rooms and billiard rooms and compared her to vamps of other + seasons, and decided she had left them all in the shade. She was a perfect + production of the modern age, more perfect than others because she knew + how to do the boldest things with that cherubic air that bereft sin of its + natural ugliness and made it beautiful and delicious, as if degradation + had suddenly become an exalted thing, like some of the old rites in a + Pagan Temple, and she a lovely priestess. And when each new folly was over + there was she with her innocent baby air, and her pure childlike face that + looked dreamily out from its frame of little girl hair, and seemed not to + have been soiled at all. And so men who played her games lost their sense + of sin and fell that much lower than those who sin and know it and are + afraid to look themselves in the face. When a man loses his sense of + shame, of being among the pigs, he is in a far country indeed. + </p> + <p> + But Opal Verrons sauntering forth to the Hotel piazza in company with + three of her quondam admirers suddenly lost her luxurious air of nestling + content. The hotel clerk handed her two telegrams as she passed the desk. + She tore them open carelessly, but her eyes grew wide with horror as she + read. + </p> + <p> + Percy Emerson had been arrested. He had run over a woman and a baby and + both were in a hospital in a critical condition. He would be held without + bail until it was seen whether they lived. + </p> + <p> + She drew in her breath with a frightened gasp and bit at her red lip with + her little sharp teeth. A pretty child with floating curls and dainty + apparel ran laughing across her way, its hand outstretched to a tiny white + dog that was dancing after her, and Opal gave a sharp cry and tore the + telegram into small bits. But when she opened the second message her face + paled under its delicate rouge as she read: “Mortimer McMarter killed in + an accident when his car collided with a truck. His body lies at Saybrook + Inn. We find your address on his person, with a request to let you know if + anything happens to him. What do you wish done with the body?” + </p> + <p> + Those who watched her face as she read say that it took on an ashen color + and she looked years older. Her real spirit seemed to be looking forth + from those wide limpid eyes for an instant, the spirit of a coward who had + been fooling the world; the spirit of a lost soul who had grown old in + sin; the spirit of a soul who had stepped over the bounds and sinned + beyond her depth. + </p> + <p> + She looked about upon them all, stricken, appalled,—not sorry but + just afraid,—and not for her friends, but for herself! And then she + gave a horrid little lost laugh and dropping the telegram as if it had + burned her, she flung out her voice upon them with a blaze in her big eyes + and a snarl in her lute-voice: + </p> + <p> + “Well, I wasn't to blame was I? They all were grown men, weren't they? It + was up to them. <i>I'm</i> going to get out of here! This is an <i>awful</i> + place!” + </p> + <p> + She gave a shudder and turning swiftly fled to the elevator, catching it + just as the door was being shut, and they saw her rising behind the black + and gold grating and waving a mocking little white hand at them as they + watched her amazed. Then one of them stooped and picked up the telegram. + And while they still stood at the doorway wondering some one pointed to a + brilliant blue car that was sliding down the avenue across the beach road. + </p> + <p> + “She has gone!” they said looking at one another strangely. Did she really + care then? + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + The dinner at Sabbath Valley parsonage was a good one. It was quite + different from any dinner Laurie Shafton had ever eaten before. It had a + taste that he hadn't imagined just plain chicken and mashed potatoes and + bread and butter and coffee and cherry pie could have. + </p> + <p> + Those were things he seldom picked out from a menu, and he met them as + something new and delicious, prepared in this wonderful country way. + </p> + <p> + Also the atmosphere was queer and interesting. + </p> + <p> + The minister had helped him into the dining-room, a cheery room with a bay + window looking toward the church and a window box of nasturtiums in which + the bees hummed and buzzed. + </p> + <p> + The girl came in and acknowledged the casual introduction of her father + with a quite sophisticated nod and sat down across from him. And there was + a <i>prayer</i> at the beginning of the meal! Just as he was about to say + something graceful to the girl, there was a <i>prayer</i>. It was almost + embarrassing. He had never seen one before like this. At a boarding school + once he had experienced a thing they called “grace” which consisted in + standing behind their chairs while the entire assembled hungry multitude + repeated a poem of a religious nature. He remembered they used to spend + their time making up parodies on it—one ran something about “this + same old fish upon my plate,” and rhymed with “hate.” He stared at the + lovely bowed hair of the girl across the table while it was going on, and + got ready a remark calculated to draw her smiles, but the girl lifted eyes + that seemed so far away he felt as though she did not see him, and he + contented himself with replying to his host's question something about the + part of the chicken he liked best. It was a queer home to him, it seemed + so intimate. Even the chicken seemed to be a detail of their life + together, perhaps because there was only one chicken, and one breast. + Where he dwelt there were countless breasts, and everybody had a whole + breast if he wanted it, or a whole chicken for the matter of that. Here + they had to stop and ask what others liked before they chose for + themselves. This analysis went queerly on in his mind while he sat waiting + for his plate and wondering over the little things they were talking + about. Mrs. Severn said Miss Saxon had been crying all through church, and + she told her Billy had been away all night. She was awfully worried about + his going with that baseball team. + </p> + <p> + A fleeting shadow passed over the girl's face: + </p> + <p> + “Billy promised me he would be there to-day,” she said thoughtfully, + “something must have happened. I don't think Billy was with the baseball + team—” then her eyes travelled away out the window to the distant + hills, she didn't seem to see Laurence Shafton at all. It was a new + experience for him. He was fairly good looking and knew it. + </p> + <p> + Who the deuce was this Billy? And what did she care about Miss Saxon + crying? Did she care so much for Billy already? Would it be worth his + while to make her uncare? + </p> + <p> + “Mrs. Carter wasn't out,” said Mrs. Severn as she poured coffee, “I hope + she's not having more trouble with her neuralgia.” + </p> + <p> + The minister suddenly looked up from his carving: + </p> + <p> + “Did Mark come back yesterday, Marilyn?” + </p> + <p> + The girl drew a quick breath and brought back her eyes from the hills, but + she did not look at the young man: “No, father he didn't come.” + </p> + <p> + Who the deuce was <i>Mark</i>? Of course there would be several, but there + was always <i>one</i>. Billy and Mark! It was growing interesting. + </p> + <p> + But Billy and Mark were not mentioned again, though a deep gravity seemed + to have settled into the eyes of the family since their names had come up. + Laurie decided to speak of the weather and the roads: + </p> + <p> + “Glorious weather we're having,” he chirped out condescendingly, “But you + certainly have the limit for roads. What's the matter with the highway? + Had a Detour right in the best part of the road. Bridge down, it said, + road flooded! Made the deuce of a time for me—!” + </p> + <p> + “Bridge?” remarked Marilyn looking up thoughtfully. + </p> + <p> + “Flood?” echoed the minister sharply. + </p> + <p> + “Yes. About two miles back where the highway crosses this valley. Put me + in some fix. Had a bet on you know. Date with a lady. Staked a lot of + money on winning, too. Hard luck,” Then he looked across at Marilyn's + attentive face. Ah! He was getting her at last! More on that line. + </p> + <p> + “But it'll not be all loss,” he added gallantly with a gesture of + admiration toward her, “You see I didn't have any idea I was going to meet + <i>you</i>.” + </p> + <p> + But Marilyn's eyes were regarding him soberly, steadily, analytically, + without an answering smile. It was as if she did not like what he had said—if + indeed she had heard it at all—as if she were offended at it. Then + the eyes look on an impersonal look and wandered thoughtfully to the + mountains in the distance. Laurie felt his cheeks burn. He felt almost + embarrassed again, like during the prayer. Didn't the girl know he was + paying her a compliment? Or was she such a prude that she thought him + presuming on so slight an acquaintance? Her father was speaking: + </p> + <p> + “I don't quite understand,” 'he said thoughtfully. “There is no bridge + within ten miles, and nothing to flood the road but the Creek, which never + was known to overflow its banks more than a few feet at most. The highway + is far above the valley. You must have been a bit turned around.” + </p> + <p> + The young man laughed lightly: + </p> + <p> + “Well, perhaps I had a jag on. I'm not surprised. I'd been driving for + hours and had to drink to keep my nerve till morning. There were some + dandy spilling places around those mountain curves. One doesn't care to + look out and see when one is driving at top speed.” + </p> + <p> + Heavens! What had he said now? The girl's eyes came round to look him over + again and went through to his soul like a lightning flash and away again, + and there was actually scorn on her lips. He must take another line. He + couldn't understand this haughty country beauty in the least. + </p> + <p> + “I certainly did enjoy your music,” he flashed forth with a little of his + own natural gaiety in his voice that made him so universal a favorite. + </p> + <p> + The girl turned gravely toward him and surveyed him once more as if she + were surprised and perhaps had not done him justice. She looked like one + who would always be willing to do one justice. He felt encouraged: + </p> + <p> + “If it hadn't been for this blamed foot of mine I'd have hobbled over to + the—service. I was sorry not to hear the music closer.” + </p> + <p> + “There is another service this evening,” she said pleasantly, “Perhaps + father can help you over. It is a rather good organ for so small a one.” + She was trying to be polite to him. It put him on his metal. It made him + remember how rude he had been to her father the night before. + </p> + <p> + “Delightful organ I'm sure,” he returned, “but it was the organist that I + noticed. One doesn't often hear such playing even on a good organ.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I've been well taught,” said the girl without self-consciousness. + “But the children are to sing this evening. You'll like to hear the + children I'm sure. They are doing fairly well now.” + </p> + <p> + “Charmed, I'm sure,” he said with added flattery of his eyes which she did + not take at all because she was passing her mother's plate for more gravy. + How odd not to have a servant pass it! + </p> + <p> + “You come from New York?” the host hazarded. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” drawled the youth, “Shafton's my name, Laurence Shafton, son of + William J., of Shafton and Gates you know,” he added impressively. + </p> + <p> + The host was polite but unimpressed. It was almost as though he had never + heard of William J. Shafton the multi-millionaire. Or was it? Dash the + man, he had such a way with him of acting as though he knew everything and + <i>nothing</i> impressed him; as though he was just as good as the next + one! As though his father was something even greater than a millionaire! + He didn't seem to be in the least like Laurie's idea of a clergyman. He + couldn't seem to get anywhere with him. + </p> + <p> + The talk drifted on at the table, ebbing and flowing about the two ladies + as the tide touches a rising strand and runs away. The girl and her mother + answered his questions with direct steady gaze, and polite phrases, but + they did not gush nor have the attitude of taking him eagerly into their + circle as he was accustomed to being taken in wherever he went. Nothing he + said seemed to reach further than kindly hospitality. When that was + fulfilled they were done and went back to their own interests. + </p> + <p> + Marilyn did not seem to consider the young man a guest of hers in any + sense personally. After the dinner she moved quietly out to the porch and + seated herself in a far chair with a leather bound book, perhaps a Bible, + or prayer book. He wasn't very familiar with such things. She took a + little gold pencil from a chain about her neck and made notes on a bit of + paper from what she read, and she joined not at all in the conversation + unless she was spoken to, and then her thoughts seemed to be elsewhere. It + was maddening. + </p> + <p> + Once when a tough looking little urchin went by with a grin she flew down + off the porch to the gate to talk with him; she stood there some time in + earnest converse. What could a girl like that find to say to a mere kid? + When she came back there was a look of trouble in her eyes, and by and by + her father asked if Harry had seen <i>Billy,</i> and she shook her head + with a cloud on her brow. It must be <i>Billy</i> then. Billy was the one! + Well, dash him! If he couldn't go one better than Billy he would see! + Anyhow Billy didn't have a sprained ankle, and a place in the family! A + girl like that was worth a few days' invalidism. His ankle didn't hurt + much since the minister had dressed it again. He believed he could get up + and walk if he liked, but he did not mean to. He meant to stay here a few + days and conquer this young beauty. It was likely only her way of vamping + a man, anyway, and a mighty tantalizing one at that. Well, he would show + her! And he would show Billy, too, whoever Billy was! A girl like that! + Why,—A girl like that with a face like that would grace any + gathering, any home! He had the fineness of taste to realize that after he + got done playing around with Opal and women like her, this would be a lady + any one would be proud to settle down to. And why not? If he chose to fall + in love with a country nobody, why could'nt he? What was the use of being + Laurie Shafton, son of the great William J. Shafton, if he couldn't marry + whom he would? Shafton would be enough to bring any girl up to par in any + society in the universe. So Laurie Shafton set himself busily to be + agreeable. + </p> + <p> + And presently his opportunity arrived. Mrs. Severn had gone in the house + to take a nap, and the minister had been called away to see a sick man. + The girl continued to study her little book: + </p> + <p> + “I wish you would come and amuse me,” he said in the voice of an + interesting invalid. + </p> + <p> + The girl looked up and smiled absently: + </p> + <p> + “I'm sorry,” she said, “but I have to go to my Sunday-school class in a + few minutes, and I was just getting my lesson ready. Would you like me to + get you something to read?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” he answered crossly. He was not used to being crossed in any desire + by a lady, “I want you to talk to me. Bother the Sunday-school! Give them + a vacation to-day and let them go fishing. They'll be delighted, I'm sure. + You have a wonderful foot. Do you know it? You must be a good dancer. + Haven't you a victrola here? We might dance if only my foot weren't out of + commission.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't dance, Mr. Shafton, and it is the Sabbath,” she smiled + indulgently with her eyes on her book. + </p> + <p> + “Why don't you dance? I could teach you easily. And what has the Sabbath + got to do with it?” + </p> + <p> + “But I don't care to dance. It doesn't appeal to me in the least. And the + Sabbath has everything to do with it. If I did dance I would not do it + to-day.” + </p> + <p> + “But why?” he asked in genuine wonder. + </p> + <p> + “Because this is the day set apart for enjoying God and not enjoying + ourselves.” + </p> + <p> + He stared. + </p> + <p> + “You certainly are the most extraordinary young woman I ever met,” he said + admiringly, “Did no one ever tell you that you are very beautiful.” + </p> + <p> + She gave him the benefit of her beautiful eyes then in a cold amused + glance: + </p> + <p> + “Among my friends, Mr. Shafton, it is not considered good form to say such + things to a lady of slight acquaintance.” She rose and gathered up her + book and hat that lay on the floor beside her chair, and drew herself up + till she seemed almost regal. + </p> + <p> + Laurie Shafton stumbled to his feet. He was ashamed. He felt almost as he + had felt once when he was caught with a jag on being rude to a friend of + his mother's: + </p> + <p> + “I beg your pardon,” he said gracefully, “I hope you will believe me, I + meant no harm.” + </p> + <p> + “It is no matter,” said the girl graciously, “only I do not like it. Now + you must excuse me. I see my class are gathering.” + </p> + <p> + She put the hat on carelessly, with a push and a pat and slipped past him + down the steps and across the lawn. Her dress brushed against his foot as + she went and it seemed like the touch of something ethereal. He never had + felt such an experience before. + </p> + <p> + She walked swiftly to a group of boys, ugly, uncomely, overgrown kids, the + same who had followed her after church, and met them with eagerness. He + felt a jealous chagrin as he watched them follow her into the church, an + anger that she dared to trample upon him that way, a fierce desire to get + away and quaff the cup of admiration at the hand of some of his own + friends, or to quaff some cup, <i>any</i> cup, for he was thirsty, + thirsty, <i>thirsty</i>, and this was a dry and barren land. If he did + stay and try to win this haughty country beauty he would have to find a + secret source of supply somewhere or he never would be able to live + through it. + </p> + <p> + The Sunday-school hour wore away while he was planning how to revenge + himself, but she did not return. She lingered for a long time on the + church steps talking with those everlasting kids again, and after they + were gone she went back into the church and began to play low, sweet + music. + </p> + <p> + It was growing late. Long red beams slanted down the village street across + the lawn, lingered and went out. A single ruby burned on one of the + memorial windows like a lamp, and went purple and then gray. It was + growing dusk, and that girl played on! Dash it all! Why didn't she quit? + It was wonderful music, but he wanted to talk to her. If he hobbled slowly + could he get across that lawn? He decided to try. And then, just as he + rose and steadied himself by the porch pillar, down the street in a whirl + of dust and noisy claxon there came a great blue car and drew up sharp in + front of the door, while a lute-like voice shouted gaily: “Laurie, Laurie + Shafton, is that you?” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + IX + </h2> + <p> + After Billy had listened a long time he took a single step to relieve his + cramped toes, which were numb with the tensity of his strained position. + Stealthily as he could he moved his shoe, but it seemed to grind loudly + upon the cement floor of the cellar, and he stopped frozen in tensity + again to listen. After a second he heard a low growl as if someone outside + the house were speaking. Then all was still. After a time he heard the + steps again, cautiously, walking over his head, and his spine seemed to + rise right up and lift him, as he stood trembling. He wasn't a bit + superstitious, Billy wasn't. He knew there was no such thing as a ghost, + and he wasn't going to be fooled by any noises whatsoever, but anybody + would admit it was an unpleasant position to be in, pinned in a dark + unfamiliar cellar without a flash light, and steps coming overhead, where + only a dead man or a doped man was supposed to be. He cast one swift + glance back at the cobwebby window through which he had so recently + arrived, and longed to be back again, out in the open with the bells, the + good bells sounding a call in his ears. If he were out wouldn't he run? + Wouldn't he even leave his old bicycle to any fate and <i>run</i>? But no! + He couldn't! He would have to come back inevitably. Whoever was upstairs + in that house alone and in peril he must save. Suppose—!—His + heart gave a great dry sob within him and he turned away from the dusty + exit that looked so little now and so inadequate for sudden flight. + </p> + <p> + The steps went on overhead shuffling a little louder, as they seemed + further off. They were climbing the stair he believed. They wore rubber + heels! <i>Link</i> had worn rubber heels! And Shorty's shoes were covered + with old overshoes! Had they come back, perhaps to hide from their + pursuers? His heart sank. If that were so he must get out somehow and go + after the police, but that should be his last resort. He didn't want to + get any one else in this scrape until he knew exactly what sort of a + scrape it was. It wasn't square to anybody—not square to the doped + man, not square to himself, not even square to Pat and the other two, and—yes, + he must own it,—not square to <i>Cart</i>. That was his first + consideration, Cart! He must find Cart. But first he must find out somehow + who that man was that had been kidnapped. + </p> + <p> + It seemed an age that he waited there in the cellar and everything so + still. Once he heard a door far up open, and little shuffling noises, and + by and by he could not stand it any longer. Getting down softly on all + fours, he crept slowly, noiselessly over to the cellar stairs, and began + climbing, stopping at every step to listen. His efforts were much hampered + by the milk bottle which kept dragging down to one side and threatening to + hit against the steps. But he felt that milk was essential to his mission. + He dared not go without it. The tools were in his other pocket. They too + kept catching in his sleeve as he moved cautiously. At last he drew + himself to the top step. There was a crack of light under the door. + Suppose it should be locked? He could saw out a panel, but that would make + a noise, and he still had the feeling that someone was in that house. A + cellar was not a nice place in which to be trapped. One bottle of milk + wouldn't keep him alive very long. The haunted house was a great way from + anywhere. Even the bells couldn't call him from there, once anybody chose + to fasten him in the cellar, and find the loose window and fasten it up—! + </p> + <p> + Such thoughts poured a torrent of hot fire through his brain while his + cold fingers gripped the door knob, and slowly, fiercely, compellingly, + made it turn in its socket till its rusty old spring whined in complaint, + and then he held his breath to listen again. It seemed an age before he + dared put any weight upon that unlatched door to see if it would move, and + then he did it so cautiously that he was not sure it was opening till a + ray of light from a high little window shot into his eyes and blinded him. + He held the knob like a vise, and it was another age before he dared + slowly release the spring and relax his hand. Then he looked around. He + found himself in a kind of narrow butler's pantry with a swinging door + opposite him into the room at the back, and a narrow passage leading + around the corner next the door. He peeked cautiously, blinkingly round + the door jamb and saw the lower step of what must be back stairs. There + were no back stairs in Aunt Saxon's house, but before his mother died + Billy Gaston had lived in the city where they always had back stairs. That + door before him likely led to the dining-room. He took a careful step, + pushed the swing door half an inch and satisfied himself that was the + kitchen at the back. No one there. Another step or two gave him the same + assurance about the dining-room and no one there. He surveyed the distance + to the foot of the back stairs. It seemed long. What he was afraid of was + that light space at the foot of those stairs. He was almost sure there was + a hall straight through to the front door, and he had a hunch that that + front door was open. If he passed the steps and anyone was there they + would see him, and yet he wanted to get up those stairs now, right away, + before anything more happened. It was too still up there to suit him. With + trembling fingers he untied his shoe strings, and slipped off his shoes, + knotting the strings together and slinging the shoes around his neck. He + was taking no chances. He gripped the revolver with one hand and stole out + cautiously. When he reached the end of the dining-room wall he applied an + eye toward the opening of light, and behold it was as he had suspected, a + hall leading straight through to the front door, and Shorty, with his full + length profile cut clear against the morning, standing on the upper step + keeping lookout! He dodged back and caught his breath, then made a + noiseless dart toward those stairs. If Shorty heard, or if he turned and + saw anything he must have thought it was the reported ghost walking, so + silently and like a breath passed Billy up the stair. But when he was come + to the top, he held his breath again, for now he could distinctly hear + steps walking about in the room close at hand, and peering up he saw the + door was open part way. He paused again to reconnoitre and his heart set + up an intolerable pounding in his breast. + </p> + <p> + He could dimly make out the back of a chair, and further against a patch + of light where the back window must be he could see the foot board of a + bed, the head of which must be against the opposite wall The door was open + about a third of the way. There was a key in the lock. Did that mean that + they locked the man in? It would be a great thing to get hold of that key! + </p> + <p> + A moan in the direction of the bed startled him, and prodded his weary + mind. He gave a quick silent spring across in front of the door and + flattened himself against the wall. He knew he had made a slight noise in + his going, and he felt the stillness in the room behind the half open + door. Link had heard him. It was a long time before he dared stir again. + </p> + <p> + Link seemed to lay down something on the floor that sounded like a dish + and start toward the door. Billy felt the blood fly to the top of his + head. If Link came out he was caught. Where could he fly? Not down stairs. + Shorty was there, with a gun of course. Would it do to snap that door shut + and lock Link in with the prisoner? No telling what he might do, and + Shorty would come if there was an outcry. He waited in an agony of + suspense, but Link did not come out yet. Instead he tiptoed back to the + bed again, and seemed to be arranging some things out of a basket on a + little stand by the bed. Billy applied an eye to the crack of the door and + got a brief glimpse. Then cautiously he put out his stubby fingers and + grasped that key, firmly, gently; turning, slipping, little by little, + till he had it safe in his possession. Several times he thought Link + turned and looked toward the door. Once he almost dropped the key as he + was about to set it free from the lock, but his anxious fingers were true + to their trust, and the key was at last drawn back and safely slid into + Billy's pocket. Then he looked around for a place to hide. There were + rooms on the front, and a door was open. He could slide in there and hide. + It was dark, and there might be a closet. He cast one eye through the door + crack and beheld in the dim light Link bending over the inert figure on + the bed with a cup and spoon in his hand. Perhaps they were giving him + more dope! If he only could stop it somehow! The man was doped enough, + sleeping all that time! But now was the time for him and the key to make + an exit. + </p> + <p> + Slowly, cautiously he backed away from the door, down the hall and into + the next open door, groping his silent way toward a little half moon in + the shutter. He made a quick calculation, glanced about, did some sleight + of hand with the door till it swung noiselessly shut, and then slipping + back to the window he examined the catches. There was a pane of glass + gone, but it was not in the right place. If he only could manage to slide + the sash down. He turned the catch and applied a pressure to the upper + sash, but like most upper sashes it would not budge. If he strained harder + he might be able to move it but that would make a noise and spoil his + purpose. He looked wildly round the room, with a feeling that something + must help him, and suddenly he discovered that the upper sash of the other + window was pulled all the way down, and a sweet breath of wild grape + blossoms was being wafted to his heated forehead. With a quick move he + placed himself under this window, which he realized must be almost over + Shorty's head. It was but the work of an instant to grasp Pat's gun and + stick its nose well through the little half moon of an opening in the + shutter, pointed straight over Shorty's head into the woods, and pull the + trigger. + </p> + <p> + The report went rolling, reverberating down the valley from hill to hill + like a whole barrage it seemed to Billy; and perhaps to Shorty waiting for + his pard below, but at any rate before the echoes had ceased to roll + Shorty was no longer on the door step. He had vanished and was far away, + breaking through the underbrush, stumbling, and cutting himself, getting + up to stumble again, he hurled himself away from that haunted spot. Ghosts + were nothing to Shorty. He could match himself against a spirit any day, + but ghosts that could shoot were another matter, and he made good his + going without hesitation or needless waiting for his partner in crime. He + was never quite sure where that shot came from, whether from high heaven + or down beneath the earth. + </p> + <p> + As for Link, if he was giving more dope, he did not finish. He dropped a + cup in his hurry and darted like a winged thing to the head of the stairs, + where he took the flight at a slide and disappeared into the woods without + waiting for locks or keys or any such things. + </p> + <p> + “He seems a little nervous,” grinned Billy, who had climbed to the window + seat with one eye applied to the half moon, watching his victims take + their hurried leave. And lest they should dare to watch and return before + he was ready for them he sent another shot into the blue sky, ricochetting + along the hills; and still another, grimly, after an interval. + </p> + <p> + Then swiftly turning he stole down the front stairs and took the key from + the lock, shut the door, pushing a big bolt on the inside. With a hasty + examination of the lower floor that satisfied him that he was safely + ensconced in his stronghold and would not be open to immediate + interruption he hurried upstairs again. + </p> + <p> + His first act was to open a window and throw back the shutters. The + morning sunlight leaped in like a friend, and a bird in a tree carolled + out gladly. Something in Billy's heart burst into a tear. A tear! Bah! He + brushed it away with his grimy hand and went over to the bed, rolling the + inert figure toward him till the face was in plain view. A sudden fit of + trembling took possession of him and he dropped nervelessly beside the bed + with his hands outstretched and uttered a sob ending in a single syllable, + </p> + <p> + <i>“Cart!”</i> + </p> + <p> + For there on the bed still as the dead lay Mark Carter, his beloved idol, + and <i>he had helped to put him there!</i> + </p> + <p> + Thirty pieces of silver! And his dearest friend dead, perhaps! A Judas! + All his life he would be a Judas. He knew now why Judas hanged himself. If + Cart was dead he would have to hang himself! Here in this house of death + he must hang himself, like Judas, poor fool. And he would fling that blood + money back. Only, <i>Cart must not be dead!</i> It would be hell forever + for Billy if Cart was dead. He <i>could not stand it!</i> + </p> + <p> + Billy sprang to his feet with tears raining down his cheeks, but his tired + dirty face looked beautiful in its anxiety. He tore open Mark Carter's + coat and vest, wrenched away collar, necktie and shirt, and laid his face + against the breast. It was warm! He struggled closer and put his ear to + the heart. It was beating! + </p> + <p> + He shook him gently and called, + </p> + <p> + “Cart! Cart! Oh, <i>Boy!”</i> with sobs choking in his throat. And all the + while the little bird was singing in a tree enough to split his feathered + throat, and the sweet air full of wild grape was rushing into the long + closed room and driving out the musty air. + </p> + <p> + Billy laid Mark down gently on the dusty pillow and opened another window. + He stumbled over the cup and spoon, and a bottle fell from the table and + broke sending out a pungent odor. But Billy crept close to his friend once + more and began rubbing his hands and forehead and crooning to him as he + had once done to his dog when he suffered from a broken leg. Nobody would + have known Billy just then, as he stood crooning over Mark. + </p> + <p> + Water! He looked around. A broken pitcher stood on the table half filled. + He tasted it dubiously. It was water, luke warm, but water! He soused a + towel he found on the washstand into it and slopped it over Mark's face. + He went through all the manoeuvres they use on the football field when a + man is knocked out, and then he bethought him of the milk. Milk was an + antidote for poisons. If he could get some down him! + </p> + <p> + Carefully he rinsed out a glass he found on the bureau and poured some + milk in it, crept on the bed and lifted Mark's head in his arms, put the + glass to his lips, and begged and pled, and finally succeeded in prying + the lips and getting a few drops down. Such joy as thrilled him when Mark + finally swallowed. But it was a long time, and Billy began to think he + must go for the doctor, leave his friend here at the mercy of who would + come and go after all. He had hoped he might keep his shame, and Mark's + capture from everybody, but what was that verse the teacher had taught + them once awhile ago? “Be sure your sin will find you out.” That was true. + He couldn't let Mark die. He must go for the doctor. Doc would come, and + he would keep his mouth shut, but Doc would <i>know</i>, and Billy liked + Doc. Well, he would have to get him! Mark would hate it so, too, but Billy + would have to! + </p> + <p> + It was just then that Mark drew a long deep breath of the sweet air, + sighed and drew another. Billy pressed the glass to his lips and Mark + opened his eyes, saw the boy, smiled, and said in a weak voice: + </p> + <p> + “Hullo, Billy, old boy, got knocked out, didn't I?” Then he closed his + eyes and seemed to go away again. But Billy, with wildly beating heart + poured some more milk and came closer: + </p> + <p> + “Drink this, Cart. It's good. Drink it. We gotta get them dirty bums, + Cart! Hurry up an' drink it!” + </p> + <p> + Billy understood his friend. Mark opened his eyes and roused a little. + Presently he drank some more, nearly a whole glass full and Billy took + heart of hope. + </p> + <p> + “Do ya think ya could get up now, Cart, ef I he'ped ya?” he asked + anxiously, “We gotta get after those guys ur they'll make a getaway.” + </p> + <p> + “Sure!” said Mark rousing again. “Go to it, Kid. I'm with you,” and he + tried to sit up. But his head reeled and he fell back. Billy's heart sank. + He must get him out of this house before the two keepers returned, perhaps + with Pat or some other partner in their crime. Patiently he began again, + and gradually by degrees he propped Mark up, fed him more milk, and urged + him to rise; fairly lifted him with his loving strength, across the room, + and finally, inch by inch down the stairs and out the back door. + </p> + <p> + Billy felt a great thrill when he heard that door shut behind him and knew + his friend was out in the open again under God's sky. Nothing ever quite + discouraged Billy when he was out of doors. But it was a work of time to + get Mark across the clearing and down in the undergrowth out of sight of + the house, where the old bicycle lay. Once there Billy felt like holding a + Thanksgiving service. But Mark was very white and lay back on the grass + looking wholly unlike himself. + </p> + <p> + “Say, Cart,” said Billy after a brief silence of thought, “I gotta get you + on my machine. We gotta get down to Unity an' phone.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, old man, just as you say,” murmured Mark too dizzy to care. + </p> + <p> + So Billy with infinite tenderness, and much straining of his young muscles + got Mark up and managed to put him astride the wheel; but it was tough + going and slow, over rough places, among undergrowth, and sometimes Billy + had to stop for breath as he walked and pushed and held his friend. + </p> + <p> + But Mark was coming to his own again, and by the time they reached a road + he was able to keep his balance, and know what he was doing. It was high + noon before they reached Unity and betook themselves to the drug store. + While Mark asked for medicine Billy hied him to a telephone booth. His + heart was beating wildly. He feared him much that Mark's car was gone. + </p> + <p> + But the chief's voice answered him after a little waiting, and he + explained: + </p> + <p> + “Say, I'm the kid that phoned you early this morning. Didya get that car + aw'right?” Billy held his breath, his jaded eyes dropped shut with anxiety + and weariness. But the chief's voice answered promptly, “yes, we got yer + car all right, but didn't get the men. They beat it when they heard us + coming. What sort of men were they, do you know?” + </p> + <p> + “Aw, that's aw'right, Chief, I'll tell ya when I gi'down there. Can't tell + ya over the phone. Say, I'm Billy, Billy Gaston. You know me. Over to + Sab'th Valley. Yes. You seen me play on the team. Sure. Well, say Chief, + I'm here in Unity with the guy that owns the car. Mark Carter. You know + him. Sure! Mark! Well, he's all in, an' he wants his car to get home. He's + been up all night and he ain't fit to walk. He wants me to come over and + bring his car back to Unity fer him. I got my bike here, See? Now, I ain't + got a license of course, but I c'd bring his along. That be aw'right + Chief, just over to Unity? Aw'right, Chief? Thank ya, Chief. Yas, I'm + comin' right away. S'long!” + </p> + <p> + Billy saw Mark comfortably resting on a couch in the back room of the drug + store, where an old pal of his was clerk, and then stopping only for an + invigorating gulp or two of a chocolate ice cream soda, he climbed on his + old wheel and pedalled on his happy way to Economy. The winds touched him + pleasantly as he passed, the sunshine had a queer reddish look to his + feverish eyes, and the birds seemed to be singing in the top of his head, + but he was happy. He might go to sleep on the way and roll off his wheel, + but he should worry! Mark was safe. He had almost sold him for thirty + pieces of silver, but God had somehow been good to him and Mark was alive. + Now he would serve him all the rest of his life,—Mark or God,—it + seemed all one to him now somehow, so long had he idealized his friend, so + mixed were his ideas of theology. + </p> + <p> + But Billy did not go to sleep nor fall off his wheel, and in due time he + arrived in Economy and satisfied the Chief's curiosity with vague answers, + a vivid description of Link and Shorty, and the suggestion that they might + be found somewhere near the Haunted House on Stark's mountain. He had + heard them talking about going there, he said. He got away without a + mention of the real happening at Pleasant View or a hint that he had had + anything to do with the stealing of the car. Billy somehow was gifted that + way. He could shut his mouth always just in time, and grin and give a turn + to the subject that entirely changed the current of thought, so he kept + his own counsel. Not for his own protection would he have kept back any + necessary information, but for Mark's sake. Yes—for Mark's sake—! + Mark would not want it to be known. + </p> + <p> + It was in the early evening, and the sky was still touched by the after + glow of sunset, beneath the evening star, as Mark and Billy in the + reclaimed car, finally started from Unity for home. + </p> + <p> + In both their hearts was the thought of the bells that would be ringing + now in Sabbath Valley for the evening service, and of the one who would be + playing them, and each was trying to frame some excuse that would explain + his absence to her without really explaining <i>anything</i>. + </p> + <p> + And about this time the minister came forth from the parsonage, much vexed + in spirit by the appearance of the outlandish lady in her outlandish car. + She seemed to be insisting on remaining at the parsonage as if it were a + common hostelry, and he and his wife had much perplexity to know just what + to do. And now as he issued quietly forth from a side door he could hear + her lute-like voice laughing from his front porch, and looking back + furtively he saw to his horror that the lady, as well as the gentleman, + was smoking a cigarette! + </p> + <p> + He paused and tried to think just what would be the best way to meet this + situation, and while he hesitated his senior elder, a man of narrow + vision, hard judgments, yet staunch sincerity, approached him. The + minister had grown to expect something unpleasant whenever this man sought + him out, and to-night he shrank from the ordeal; but anything was better + than to have him see the visitor upon his front steps, so Severn turned + and hurried toward him cordially: + </p> + <p> + “Good evening, Harricutt. It's been a good day, hasn't it?” he said + grasping the wiry old hand: + </p> + <p> + “Not so pleasant as you'd think, Mr. Severn,” responded the hard old voice + harshly, “I've come on very unpleasant business. Very unpleasant indeed; + but the standard of the church must be kept up, and we must act at once in + this matter! It is most serious, most serious! I've just called a meeting + of the session to be held after church, and I've sent out for this <i>Mark + Carter</i> to be present. He must answer for himself the things that are + being said about him, or his name must be stricken from our church roll. + Do you know what they are saying about him, Brother Severn? Do you know + what he's done?” + </p> + <p> + But the arrow had entered the soul of the minister and his voice was too + unsteady to respond, so the senior elder proceeded: + </p> + <p> + “He has been keeping company with a young woman of dissolute character, + and he has been to a place of public amusement with her and been seen + drinking with her. He affects dance halls, and is known to live a worldly + life. It is time he was cast out from our midst and become anathema. And + now, it is quite possible he may be tried for murder! Have you heard what + happened last night, Mr. Severn? Did you know that Mark Carter, a member + of <i>our church</i>, tried to <i>kill a man</i> down at the Blue Duck + Tavern, and for jealousy about a girl of loose character? And now, Brother + Severn, what are we going to do about it?” + </p> + <p> + Said the minister, answering quietly, calmly: + </p> + <p> + “Brother Harricutt, we are not going to do anything about it just now. We + are going into the church to worship God. We will wait at least until Mark + Carter comes back and see what he has to say for himself.” + </p> + <p> + And about that minute, Mark, now thoroughly restored and driving steadily + along the road, turned to Billy and said quietly with a twinkle in his + eye: + </p> + <p> + “Kid, what made you put up that Detour?” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0011" id="link2H_4_0011"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + X + </h2> + <p> + The service that evening had been one of peculiar tenderness. The minister + prayed so earnestly for the graces of forgiveness, loving kindness and + tender mercy, that several in the congregation began to wonder who had + been hard on his neighbor now. It was almost uncanny sometimes how that + minister spotted out the faults and petty differences in his flock. Many + examined their own hearts fearfully during the prayer, but at its close + the face of the senior Elder was stern and severe as ever as he lifted his + hymn book and began to turn the leaves to the place. + </p> + <p> + Then the organ mellowed forth joyously: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Give to the winds thy fears, + Trust and be undismayed, + God hears thy prayers and counts thy tears + God shall lift up thy head.” + </pre> + <p> + Elder Harricutt would much rather it had been “God the All Terrible.” His + lips were pursed for battle. He knew the minister was going to be soft + hearted again, and it would fall to his lot to uphold the spotless + righteousness of the church. That had been his attitude ever since he + became a Christian. He had always been trying to find a flaw in Mr. + Severn's theology, but much to his astonishment and perhaps + disappointment, he had never yet been able to find a point on which they + disagreed theologically, when it came right down to old fashioned + religion, but he was always expecting that the next sermon would be the + one wherein the minister had broken loose from the old dyed-in-the-wool + creeds and joined himself to the new and advanced thinkers, than whom, in + his opinion, there were no lower on the face of God's earth. And yet in + spite of it all he loved the minister, and was his strong admirer and + loyal adherent, self-appointed mentor though he felt himself to be. + </p> + <p> + Over on the other side of the church Elder Duncannon, tall, gaunt, hairy, + with kind gray eyes and a large mouth, reminding slightly of Abraham + Lincoln, sang earnestly, through steel bowed spectacles adjusted far out + on the end of his nose. Behind him Lemuel Tipton, also an elder, sandy, + with cherry lips, apple cheeks and a fringe of grizzled red hair under his + chin, sang with his head thrown back, looking like a big robin. The + minister knew he could depend on those two. He scanned his audience. The + elders were all present. Gibson. He had a narrow forehead, near-sighted + eyes, and an inclination to take the opposite side from the minister. His + lips were thin, and he pursed them often, and believed in efficiency and + discipline. He would undoubtedly go with Harricutt. Jones, the short fat + one who owned the plush mills and hated boys. He had taken sides against + Mark about the memorial window. No hope from him! Fowler, small, thin, + gray, with a retreating chin, had once lived next to Mrs. Carter and had a + difference about some hens that strayed away to lay. Harricutt likely had + him all primed. Jones, Gibson, Harricutt—three against three. + Joyce's vote would decide it. Joyce was a new man, owner of the canneries. + He was a great stickler for proprieties, yet he seemed to feel that a + minister's word was law—Well—! <i>God</i> was still above—! + </p> + <p> + The benediction held a tenderness that fairly compelled the waiting + congregation to attend with their hearts. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + “Let's go over there and hear that girl play,” suggested Laurie suddenly, + “Church is out and we'll make her play the bells. They're simply <i>great</i>. + She's some <i>player!”</i> + </p> + <p> + Opal leaned back in her chair and regarded him through the fringes of her + eyelashes, laughing a silvery peal that shivered into the reverence of the + benediction like a shower of icicles going down the back. Marilyn heard + and blended the Amen into the full organ to break the shock as the + startled congregation moved restlessly, with half unclosed eyes. Elder + Harricutt heard, shut his eyes tighter, and pressed severe lips together + with resistance. This doubtless was that woman they called Cherry. That + irreverent Mark Carter must be close at hand. And on the rose-vined porch + Laurence Shafton felt the sting of the laugh and drew himself together: + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Laurie, Laurie!” she mocked, “You might as well be dead at Saybrook + Inn or imprisoned for killing a family as fall in love with that girl. She + isn't at all your kind. How would you look singing psalms? But come on, + I'm game! I can see how she'll hate me. Can you walk?” + </p> + <p> + They sauntered slowly over to the church in the fragrant darkness, he + leaning on a cane he had found by the door. The kindly, curious people + coming out eyed them interestedly, looking toward the two cars in front of + the parsonage, and wondered. It was a neighborhood where everybody took a + kindly interest in everybody else, and the minister belonged to them all. + Nothing went on at his house that they did not just love and dote on. + </p> + <p> + “Seems to me that girl has an awful low-necked dress for Sunday night,” + said Mrs. Little to Mrs. Jones as they walked slowly down the street, “Did + you catch the flash of those diamonds on her neck and fingers?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Mrs. Jones contemptuously, “paint on her face too, thick as + pie crust. I saw her come. She drove her own car and her dresses were up + to her knees, and such stockings! With stripes like lace in them! And + little slippers with heels like knitting needles! I declare, I don't know + what this generation is coming to! I'm glad my Nancy never wanted to go + away to boarding school. They say it's terrible, the boldness of young + girls nowadays.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if you'd ask me, <i>I'd</i> say she wasn't so very <i>young!”</i> + declared Mrs. Little. “The light from the church door was full in her face + when I was coming down the steps, and she looked as if she'd cut her eye + teeth sometime past.” + </p> + <p> + “She had short hair,” said Mrs. Jones, “for she pulled off her hat and ran + her fingers through it just like a boy. I was cutting bread at the pantry + window when she drove up and I couldn't help seeing her.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, when my sister was up in New York this spring she said she saw + several old gray-haired women with bobbed hair. She said it was something + terrible to see how the world had run to foolishness.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I don'no as it's wicked to bob your hair,” said Mrs. Jones. “I + suppose it does save some time taking care of it if you have curly hair, + and it looks good on you, but mercy! It attracts so much attention. Well, + I'm glad we don't live in New York! I declare, every time I come to church + and hear Mr. Severn preach I just want to thank God that my lines are cast + in Sabbath Valley. But speaking of going to boarding school, it didn't + hurt Marilyn Severn to go. She's just as sweet and unspoiled as when she + went away.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, <i>her!</i> You <i>couldn't</i> spoil her. She's all <i>spirit</i>. + She's got both her father's and mother's souls mixed up in her and you + couldn't get a better combination. I declare I often wonder the devil lets + two such good people live. I suppose he doesn't mind as long's he can + confine 'em to a little place among the hills. But my soul! If those two + visitors didn't need a sermon to-night I never saw folks that did. Do you + know, when that man came last night in a broken down car he swore so he + woke us all up, all around the neighborhood. If it had been anybody else + in town but Mr. Severn he'd been driven out or tarred and feathered. Well, + good-night. I guess you aren't afraid to walk the rest of the way alone.” + </p> + <p> + Back in the church Marilyn had lingered at the organ, partly because she + dreaded going back to the house while the two strangers were there, partly + because it was only at the organ that she could seem to let her soul give + voice to the cry of its longing. All day she had prayed while going + quietly about her Sabbath duties. All day she steadily held herself to the + tasks that were usually her joy and delight, though sometimes it seemed + that she could not go on with them. Billy and Mark! Where were they? What + had their absence to do with one another? Somehow it comforted her a + little to think of them <i>both</i> away, and then again it disquieted + her. Perhaps, oh, perhaps Mark had really changed as people said he had. + Perhaps he had taken Billy to a baseball game somewhere. In New York or + many other places that would not seem an unusual thing, she knew, not so + much out of the way. Even church members were lenient about these things + in the great world. It would not be strange if Mark had grown lax. But + here in Sabbath Valley public opinion on the keeping of the Sabbath day + was so strong that it meant a great deal. It amounted to public disgrace + to disregard the ordinary rules of Sabbath; for in Sabbath Valley working + and playing were alike laid aside for the entire twenty-four hours, the + housewives prepared their dinner the day before, an unusually good one + always, with some delectable dessert that would keep on ice, and + everything as in the olden time was prepared in the home for a real + keeping of a day of rest and enjoyment of the Lord. Even the children had + special pasttimes that belonged to that day only, and Marilyn Severn still + cherished a box of wonderful stone blocks that had been her most precious + possessions as a child, and had been used for Sabbath amusement. With + these blocks she built temples, laid out cities, went through mimic + battles of the Bible until every story lived as real as if she had been + there. There were three tiny blocks, one a quarter of a cube which she + always called Saul, and two half the size that were David and Jonathan. So + vivid and so happy were those Sunday afternoons with mother and father and + the blocks. Sabbath devoted to the pursuance of heavenly things had meant + real joy to Marilyn. The calm and quiet of it were delight. It had been + the hardest thing about her years in the world that there seemed to be so + little Sabbath there. Only by going to her own room and fencing herself + away from her friends, could she get any semblance of what had been so + dear to her, that feeling of leisure to talk and think about Christ, her + dearest friend. I grant she was an unusual girl. There is now and then an + unusual girl. We do not always hear about them. They are not always + beautiful nor gifted. It chanced that Marilyn was all three. + </p> + <p> + So she sat and played at her dear organ, played sweet and tender hymns. + Played gentle, pleading, throbbing themes that almost spoke their words + out, as she saw Elder Harricutt leading his file of elders into the + session room which was just behind the organ. She knew that in all + probability there was to be a time of trial for her father, and that some + poor soul would be mauled over and ground up in the mill of criticism, or + else some of her father's dearest plans were to be held up for an + unsympathetic discussion. She thanked God for the strong homely face of + Elder Duncannon as he stalked behind the rest with a look of uplift on his + worn countenance, and she played on softly through another hymn, until + suddenly somehow, she became aware that the two strangers on the parsonage + porch had left their rockers and were coming slowly across the lawn. The + woman's hard silvery laugh rang out and jabbed into the tender hymn she + was playing, and she stopped short in the middle of a phrase, as if the + poor thing had been killed instantly. The organ seemed to hold its breath, + and the sudden silence almost made the little church tremble. + </p> + <p> + She sat tense, listening, her fingers spread toward the stops to push them + in and close the organ and be gone before they arrived if they + contemplated coming in, for she had no mind to talk to them just now. Then + coldly, harshly out from the cessation of great sound came Elder + Harricutt's voice: + </p> + <p> + “But Brother Severn, supposing that it turns out that Mark Carter is a + murderer! You surely would not approve of keeping his name on the church + roll then, would you? It seems to me that in order to keep the garments of + the bride of Christ clean from soil we should anticipate such a happening + and show the world that we recognize the character of this young man, and + that we do not countenance such doings as she has been guilty of. Now, + last night, it is positively stated that he and this person they call + Cherry Penning were at the Blue Duck—!” + </p> + <p> + <i>Crash!</i> The bells! + </p> + <p> + Lynn had heard so much through the open session-room door, had turned a + quick frightened glance and caught the glimpse of two people coming slowly + in at the open door of the church peering at her, had made one quick + motion which released the bells, and dashed into the first notes that came + to her mind, the old hymn, “Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me, Let Me Hide Myself + in Thee!” But instead of playing it tenderly, grandly, as she usually did, + with all the sweetness of the years in which saints and sinners have sung + it and found refuge and comfort in its noble lines, she plunged into it + with a mad rush as if a soul in mortal peril were rushing to the Refuge + before the gates should be forever closed, or before the enemy should + snatch it from the haven. The first note boomed forth so sharply, so + suddenly, that Elder Harricutt jumped visibly from his chair, and his + gossipy little details were drowned in the great tone that struck. Behind + his hand, the troubled minister smiled in spite of his worries, to think + of the brave young soul behind those bells defending her own. + </p> + <p> + Down the aisle just under the tower Opal Verrons paused for an instant + startled, thinking of prison walls, and of the dead man lying at Saybrook + Inn that night. Suddenly the words of the telegram flashed across her: + “What disposition do you want made of the body?” The body! The <i>body!</i> + Oh! Her eyes grew wide with horror. She ought to answer that telegram and + give them his home address. But why should she? What had she to do with + him now? Dead. He was <i>Dead</i>. He had passed to another world. She + shuddered. She looked around and shrank back toward Shafton, but Laurie + was wrapt in the vision of Saint Cecilia seated at the organ under the + single electric light that the janitor had left burning over her head. She + resembled a saint with a halo more than ever, and his easily excited + senses were off chasing this new flower of fancy. + </p> + <p> + Behind the organ pipes the session sat with the reputation of a man in + their ruthless fingers, tossing it back and forth, and deliberating upon + their own damning phrases, while the minister sat with stern white face, + and sought to hold them from taking an action that might brand a human + soul forever. Marilyn needed no more than those harsh words to know that + her friend of the years was being weighed in the balance. + </p> + <p> + Many a Sabbath afternoon in his childhood had Mark Carter spent with her + playing the stone block play of David and Jonathan, and then eaten bread + and milk and apple sauce and sponge cake with her and heard the evening + prayers and songs and said good-night with a sweet look of the Heavenly + Father's child on his handsome little face. Many a time as an older boy + had he sung hymns with her and listened to her read the Bible, and talked + it over with her afterward. He had not been like that when she went away. + Could he so have changed? And Cherry Fenner! The little girl who had been + but ten years old when she went away to college, Cherry a precocious + little daughter of a tailor in Economy, who came over to take music + lessons from her. Cherry at the Blue Duck! And with Mark! Could it be + true? It could not be true! Not in the sense that Mr. Harricutt was trying + to make out. Mark might have been there, but never to do wrong. The Blue + Duck was a dance hall where liquor was sold on the quiet, and where + unspeakable things happened every little while. Oh, it was outrageous! Her + fingers made the bells crash out her horror and disgust, and her appeal to + a higher power to right this dreadful wrong. And then a hopeless sick + feeling came over her, a whirling dizzy sensation as if she were going to + faint, although she never fainted. She longed to drop down upon the keys + and wail her heart out, but she might not. Those awful words or more like + them were going on behind the organ there, and the door was open—or + even if the door was not open they could be heard, for the room behind the + organ was only screened by a heavy curtain! Those two strangers must not + hear! At all costs they must not hear a thing like this! They did not know + Mark Carter of course, but at any rate they must not hear! It was like + having him exposed in the public square for insult. So she played on, + growing steadier, and more controlled. If only she could know the rest! Or + if only she might steal away then, and lie down and bear it alone for a + little! So this was what had given her father such a white drawn look + during his sermon! She had seen that hard old man go across the lawn to + meet him, and this was what he was bringing her father to bear! + </p> + <p> + But the music itself and the words of the grand old hymns she was playing + gradually crept into her soul and helped her, so that when the lame + stranger made at last his slow progress up to the choir loft and stood + beside her she was able to be coolly polite and explain briefly to him how + the organ controlled the action of the bells. + </p> + <p> + He listened to her, standing in open admiration, his handsome careless + face with its unmistakable look of self indulgence was lighted up with + genuine admiration for the beautiful girl who could play so well, and + could talk equally well about her instrument, quite as if it were nothing + at all out of the ordinary run of things that she were doing. + </p> + <p> + Opal, sitting in the front pew, where she had dropped to wait till her + escort should be satisfied, watched him at first discontentedly, turning + her eyes to the girl, half wondering, half sneering, till all at once she + perceived that the girl was not hearing the hot words of admiration poured + upon her, was not impressed in the least by the man, did not even seem to + know who he was—or care. How strange. What a very strange girl! And + really a beautiful girl, too, she saw, now that her natural jealousy was + for the moment averted. How extremely amusing. Laurie Shafton interested + in a girl who didn't care a row of pins about him. What a shouting joke! + She must take it back to his friends at the shore, who would kid him + unmercifully about it. The thing had never been known in his life before. + Perhaps, too, she would amuse herself a little, just as a pastime, by + opening the eyes of this village maiden to the opportunity she was + missing? Why not? Just on the verge of his departure perhaps. + </p> + <p> + And now, with tender touch, the music grew softer and dropped into the + sorrowful melody: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “The mistakes of my life have been many, + The sins of my heart have been more, + But I come as He has bidden. + And enter the open door. + I know I am weak and sinful, + It comes to me more and more + But since the dear Saviour has bid me come in + I'll enter the open door.” + </pre> + <p> + It was one of the songs they used to sing together, Mark and she, on + Sunday afternoons just as the sun was dropping behind the western + mountain, and Marilyn played it till the bells seemed to echo out a + heart's repentance, and a great forgiveness to one far, far away. + </p> + <p> + At its first note the song was recognized by Mark Carter as he drove along + through the night and it thrilled him to his sad sick soul. It was as if + she had spoken to him, had swept his heart strings with her white fingers, + had given him her sweet wistful smile, and was calling to him through the + dark. As they came in sight of the church Billy pulled his cap a little + lower and tried to keep the choke out of his throat. Somehow the long + hours without sleep or food, the toil, the anxiety, the reaction, had + suddenly culminated in a great desire to cry. Yes, <i>cry</i> just like a + baby! Why, even when he was a baby he didn't cry, and now here was this + sickening gag in his throat, this smarting in his eyelids, this sinking + feeling. He cast an eye at Cart. Why, Cart looked that way too. Cart was + feeling it also. Then he wasn't ashamed. He gulped and smudged his dirty + hand across his smarting eyes, and got a long streak of wet on the back of + his hand which he hastily dried on the side of his sweater, and so they + sat, two still dark figures travelling along quietly through the night, + for Carter had shut off the engine and let the natural incline of the road + carry them down almost in front of the church. + </p> + <p> + When they reached the church they saw a figure standing with a lifted + hand. The janitor, ordered by Harricutt to keep a watch. + </p> + <p> + The car stopped at once. + </p> + <p> + “Mark, they're wantin' ye in there,” he said with a flirt of his thumb + over his shoulder and a furtive glance behind, “Keep yer eyes peeled, fer + old Cutter-up is bossin' the job, an' <i>you know him!”</i> + </p> + <p> + Billy sat up and took notice. + </p> + <p> + Mark got out with a grave old look upon his face, and started up the walk. + Billy made a move to follow, hesitated, drew back, held himself in + readiness and watched, all his boy instincts and prejudices keen on the + trail again. + </p> + <p> + And so to the old sad song of his mistakes and sins Mark entered the door + of the sessions room where once he and Marilyn had gone one happy summer + morning to meet the session and confess their faith in Christ. + </p> + <p> + As he had passed the window by the organ loft he gave one look up where + Lynn's face was framed in the ivy of the window under the light. He drank + in the sight hungrily. But the next instant he caught the vision of the + young stranger standing with admiring eyes, saw Marilyn turn and look up + and answer him, but could not see how far away and sad her eyes. + </p> + <p> + And with this shadow upon his heart he passed in to that waiting group of + hard critical men, with the white faced minister in their midst, and stood + to meet their challenge. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0012" id="link2H_4_0012"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XI + </h2> + <p> + The janitor had gone in to put the church in order for the night and hover + about to find out what was going on in the session room. He never told but + he liked to know. The moon had gone under a cloud. Billy slipped out of + the car, and slid up the side path like a wraith, his tired legs seeming + to gather new vigor with the need. He gave a glance of content up to the + window. He was glad the bells were ringing, and that <i>she</i> was there. + He wished she knew what peril their friend had been in last night, and how + he was rescued and safe. + </p> + <p> + And then <i>he</i> sighted the stranger! + </p> + <p> + <i>Who</i> was that guy! Some sissy, that was sure! Aw <i>gee!</i> + </p> + <p> + He slid into the shadow out of sight and flattened himself against the + wall with an attentive ear to the door of the session room. He raised + himself by chinning up to the window ledge and got a bird's eye view of + the situation at a glance. Aw Gee! That old Hair-cut! He wished the bells + would stop. That sissy in there with <i>her</i>, and all these here with + Cart, and no telling what's up next? Aw <i>gee!</i> Life was jest one—! + He slumped his back to the wall and faced the parsonage. Say, what were + those two cars over there in front of the parsonage? <i>Say!</i> That must + be the guy, the rich guy! Aw gee! In there with <i>her!</i> If he only + hadn't put up that detour! Pat knew what he was about after all, a little + sissy guy like that—! <i>Aw, gee!</i> But <i>two</i> cars! What did + two cars mean? + </p> + <p> + And over on the parsonage piazza, at the far end in the shelter of the + vines sat Aunt Saxon in the dark crying. Beside her was Mrs. Severn with + her hand on the woman's shoulder talking in her gentle steady voice. + Everybody loved the minister's wife just as much as they loved the + minister: + </p> + <p> + “Yes, he went away on his wheel last night just after dark,” she sobbed. + “Yes! he came home after the baseball game, and he made a great fuss + gettin' some paint and brushes and contrapshions fixed on his old bicycle, + and then he went off. Oh, he usually goes off awhile every night. I can't + seem to stop him. I've tried everything short of lockin' him out. I reckon + if I did he'd never come back, an' I can't seem to bring myself to lock + out my sister's baby—!” + </p> + <p> + “Of course not!” said Mrs. Severn tenderly. + </p> + <p> + “Well, he stuck his head back in the door this time, an' he said mebbe he + wouldn't be back till mornin', but he'd be back all right for Sunday + School. That's one thing, Mrs. Severn,” she lifted her tear stained face, + “That's one thing he does like—his Sunday School, Billy does, and + I'm that glad! Sometimes I just sit down an' cry about it I'm so glad. You + know awhile back when Miss Lynn was off to college that Mr. Harricutt had + the boys' class, an' I couldn't get him to go anyhow. Why, once I offered + to pay him so he could save fer a baseball bat if he'd go, but do you know + he said he'd rather go without baseball bats fer ever than go listen to + that old—Well, Mrs. Severn, I won't repeat what he said. It wasn't + respectful, not to an elder you know. But Miss Lynn, why he just worships, + an' anything she says he does. But that's one thing worries me, Mrs. + Severn, he <i>didn't come back for her even!</i> He said he'd be back fer + Sunday School, an' he hasn't come back yet!” + </p> + <p> + “Who does he go with most, Miss Saxon? Let's try to think where he might + be. Perhaps we could call up some one and find out where he is.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I tell you,” wailed the Aunt, “That's just it. There's just one + person he likes as well, or mebbe better'n Miss Mary Lynn, an' that's Mark + Carter! Mrs. Severn I'm just afraid he's gone off with Mark Carter!” she + lowered her voice to a sepulchral whisper, “And Mrs. Severn, they do say + that Mark is real <i>wild!”</i> + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Severn sat up a little straighter and put a trifle of assurance into + her voice, or was it aloofness? + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Miss Saxon!” she said earnestly, “I don't think you ought to feel + that way about Mark. I've known him since he was a mere baby, and I've + always loved him. I don't believe Mark will ever do Billy any harm. He's a + boy with a strong character. He may do things that people don't + understand, but I'd trust him to the limit!” + </p> + <p> + She was speaking eagerly, earnestly, in the words that her husband had + used to her a few days before, and she knew as she said it that she + believed it was all true. It gave her a great comfort to know that she + believed it was true. She loved Mark almost as though he were her own. + </p> + <p> + Miss Saxon looked up with a sigh and mopped her pink wet face. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I certainly am relieved to hear you say that! Billy thinks the sun + rises and sets in 'Cart,' as he calls him. I guess if Cart should call him + he'd go to the ends of the earth with him. I know <i>I</i> couldn't stop + him. But you see Mrs. Severn, I oughtn't to have to bring up children, + especially boys? Billy always was headstrong, and he's getting worse every + day.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm sure you do your best, Miss Saxon, and I'm sure Billy will turn out a + fine man some day. My Lynn thinks a great deal of him. She feels he's + growing very thoughtful and manly.” + </p> + <p> + “Does she now?” the tired pink face was lifted damply with a ray of cheer. + </p> + <p> + Then the telephone bell rang. Mrs. Severn rose and excused herself to + answer it. + </p> + <p> + “Yes? Yes, Mrs. Carter. Mrs. Severn is speaking. Is anything the matter? + Your voice sounds troubled. Oh, Mrs. Carter! I'm so sorry, but I'm sure + you can trust Mark. He's a man you know and he's always been an unusually + dependable boy, especially to us who know him well. He'll come back all + right. What? Oh, Mrs. <i>Carter!</i> No, I haven't heard any such reports, + but I'm sure they're just gossip. You know how people will talk. What do + you say? They phoned you from Economy? Who? The police? They asked for + Mark? Well, I wouldn't let that worry you. Mark always was helpful to the + police in finding people, or going with them after a lost car, you know. I + wouldn't worry. Who? Billy? Billy Gaston? Oh, you saw Billy this, morning? + Well, that's good. His aunt has worried all day about him. I'll tell her. + Who? A sick man on the mountain? Well, now Mrs. Carter, don't you know + Mark always was doing things for people in trouble? He'll come home + safely, but of course we'll just turn the earth upside down to find him + for we are not going to let you and Miss Saxon worry any longer. Just you + wait till Mr. Severn gets back. He's in a session meeting and it oughtn't + to last long, it was just a special meeting called hurriedly. He'll come + right over as soon as it's out and see what he can do to help. Yes, of + course he will. No don't bother to thank me. He would want to of course. + Good-bye!” + </p> + <p> + She came hopefully out to the piazza, to Miss Saxon. But just at that + instant Billy's aunt jumped to her feet, her eyes large with excitement, + and pointed toward the open session door, where framed against the light + stood Mark Carter, straight and tall facing the circle of men, and behind + him, out in the dark, with only his swaggy old sweater shoulder and the + visor of his floppy old cap showing around the door jamb lurked Billy. + </p> + <p> + “There! There!” Whispered Mrs. Severn, patting her shoulder. “I told you + he'd come back all right. Now, don't you worry about it, and don't you + scold him. Just go home and get him some supper. He'll be likely very + hungry, and then get him to go right to bed. Wait till to-morrow to settle + up. Miss Saxon, it's always better, then we have clearer judgment and are + not nearly so likely to lose our tempers and say the wrong thing.” + </p> + <p> + The bells had stopped ringing, and Marilyn had closed the organ and drawn + the window shut. The two strangers were trailing slowly across the lawn, + the lady laughing loudly. Miss Saxon eyed them with the kind of + fascination a wild rabbit has for a strange dog, pressed the hand of the + minister's wife with a fervent little squeeze, and scurried away into the + dark street. Marilyn lingered silently on the front steps after the + janitor had locked the door inside and gone back to the session room. + </p> + <p> + In the session room Mark Carter, white with the experiences of the night + and day, yet alert, stern, questioning, stood looking from one man to + another, keenly, uncompromisingly. This was a man whom any would notice in + a crowd. Character, physical perfection, strength of will all combined to + make him stand out from other men. And over it all, like a fire from + within there played an overwhelming sadness that had a transparent kind of + refining effect, as if a spirit dwelt there who by sheer force of will + went on in the face of utter hopelessness. + </p> + <p> + The stillness in the session room was tense as the self appointed jury + faced their victim and tried to look him down; then slowly recognized + something that made them uneasy, and one by one each pair of eyes save + two, were vanquished and turned embarrassedly away, or sought the pattern + of the mossy carpet. + </p> + <p> + Those two pairs of eyes that were friendly Mark found out at once, and it + was as if he embraced them with his own. His friends—Duncannon and + the minister! He shot a grateful glance at them and faced the others down, + but opened not his lips. + </p> + <p> + At last Harricutt, his chief accuser, mustered up his sharp little eyes + again from under the overhanging eaves of rough gray brow, and shot out a + disagreeable under lip: + </p> + <p> + “We have sent for you, here, to-night, Mark Carter,” he began slowly, + impressively, raising a loose jointed long forefinger accusingly, as he + gained courage, “to inquire concerning the incriminating reports that are + in circulation with regard to your character.” + </p> + <p> + Mark turned his hard eyes toward the elder, and seemed to congeal into + something inflexible, impenetrable, as if he had suddenly let down a cold + sheet iron door between his soul and them, against which the words, like + shot or pebbles, rattled sharp and unharming and fell in a shower at the + feet of the speaker. There was something about his bearing that became a + prince or president, and always made a fault finder feel small and + inadequate. The minister felt his heart throb with a thrill of pride in + the boy as he stood there just with his presence hurling back the + suspicions that had met to undo him. His stern young face was like a mask + of something that had once been beautiful with life, whose utter sorrow + and hopelessness pierced one at the sight. And so he stood and looked at + Elder Harricutt, who shot him one glance and then looking down began to + fiddle with his watch chain, halting in his speech: + </p> + <p> + “They say—” he began again with a hiss, as he lifted his eyes, + strong in the consciousness that he was not alone in his accusation,—“They + <i>say</i>—!” + </p> + <p> + “Please leave what they say out of the question, Mr. Harricutt. What do <i>you</i> + say?” Mark's voice was cold, incisive, there was nothing quailing in his + tone. + </p> + <p> + “Young man, we can't leave what they say out of the question! It plays a + very important part in the reputation of the Church of Christ of which you + are an unworthy part,” shot back the hard old man, “We are here to know + what you have to say concerning the things that are being said openly + about you.” + </p> + <p> + “A man does not always know what is being said about him, Mr. Harricutt.” + Still that hard cold voice, still indifferent to the main issue, and ready + to fight it. + </p> + <p> + “A man ought to!” snapped Harricutt impatiently. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly, without warning, the mask lifted, the curve of the lips drew up + at the left corner revealing the row of even white teeth, and a twinkle at + the corners of the gray, thoughtful eyes, giving in a flash a vision of + the merry mischief-loving boy he had been, and his whole countenance was + lit. Mark was never so attractive as when smiling. It brought out the + lovingness of his eyes, and took away the hard oldness of his finely cut + features. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Harricutt, I have often wondered if <i>you</i> knew all that people + say about <i>you?”</i> + </p> + <p> + <i>“WHAT?”</i> + </p> + <p> + There was sudden stir in the session room. The elders moved their chairs + with a swishing sound, cleared their throats hastily, and put sudden hands + up to hide furtive smiles. Elder Duncannon grinned broadly, there was a + twinkle in even the minister's eyes, and outside the door Billy manfully + stifled a snicker. Elder Harricutt shot his angry little eyes around in + the mirthful atmosphere, starting at Mark's quizzical smile, and going + around the uneasy group of men, back to Mark again. But the smile was + gone! One could hardly be sure it had been there at all. Mark was hard + cold steel again, a blank wall, impenetrable. There was no sign that the + young man intended to repeat the mocking offense. + </p> + <p> + “Young man! This is no time for levity!” he roared forth menacingly. “You + are on the verge of being arrested for murder. Did you know it?” + </p> + <p> + The minister watching, thought he saw a quiver go through the steady eyes, + a slight contracting of the pupil, a hardening of the sensitive mouth, + that was all. The boy stood unflinching, and spoke with steady lips: + </p> + <p> + “I did not.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you are!” reiterated the elder, “And even if the man doesn't die, + there is plenty else. Answer me this question. It's no use beating around + the bush. Where were you at three o'clock this morning?” + </p> + <p> + The answer came without hesitation, steadily, frankly: + </p> + <p> + “On Stark's Mountain, as nearly as I can make out.” + </p> + <p> + Billy held his breath and wondered what was coming next. He caught his + hands on the window ledge and chinned himself again, his eyes and the + fringe of his dishevelled brown hair appearing above the window sill, but + the startled session was not looking out the window just then. Mr. + Harricutt looked slightly put out. Stark's Mountain had nothing to do with + this matter, and the young man was probably trying to prove an alibi. He + sat up jerkily and placed his elbows on the chair arms, touching the tips + of his long bony fingers, fitting them together carefully and speaking in + aggravated detached syllables in rhythm with the movement of his fingers. + </p> + <p> + “Young—man! An—swer me!—<i>Ware</i>—you—or + ware you—<i>not</i>—at—the—Blue—Duck—Tavern—last—evening?” + </p> + <p> + Blue and red lights seemed to flicker in the cold steel eyes of the young + man. + </p> + <p> + “I <i>was!</i>” + </p> + <p> + “A—hemmm!” The elder glanced around triumphantly, and went on with + the examination: + </p> + <p> + “Well,—young <i>man!</i>—Ware you—or—ware you <i>not</i>—accompanied—by + a young wumman—of—notorious—I may say—infamous + character? In other words—a young girl—commonly called—Cherry? + Cherry Fenner I believe is her whole name. Ware you with her?” + </p> + <p> + Mark's face was set, his eyes were glaring. The minister felt that if + Harricutt had dared look up he would almost be afraid, now. + </p> + <p> + But after an instant's hesitation when it almost looked as if Mark were + struggling with desire to administer corporal punishment to the little old + bigot, he lifted his head defiantly and replied in hard tones as before: + </p> + <p> + “I <i>was!”</i> + </p> + <p> + “There!” said Elder Harricutt, wetting his lips and smiling fiendishly + around the group, “There! Didn't I tell you?” + </p> + <p> + “May I inquire,” asked Mark startlingly, “What business of yours it is?” + </p> + <p> + Harricutt bristled. + </p> + <p> + “What business? What <i>business?”</i> he repeated severely, “Why, this + business, young man. Your name is on our church roll as a member in good + and regular standing! For sometime past you have been dragging the name of + our Lord and Saviour in the dust of dishonor by your goings on. It is our + responsibility as elders of this church to see that this goes on no + longer.” + </p> + <p> + “I see!” said Mark, “I haven't heard from any of the other elders on the + subject, but assuming that you are all of one mind—” he swept the + room with his glance, omitting the stricken faces of the minister and Mr. + Duncannon, “I will relieve you of further responsibility in the matter by + asking you to strike my name from the roll at once.” + </p> + <p> + He was turning, his look of white still scorn fell upon them like fire + that scorches. Outside the door Billy, forgetful that he might be seen, + was peering in, his brows down in deep scawls, his lower jaw protruded, + his grimy fists clenched. A fraction of a second longer and Billy would + butt into the session like some mad young goat. Respect for the session? + Not he! They were bullying his idol, Cart, who had already gone through + death and still lived! They should see! Aw Gee! + </p> + <p> + But a diversion occurred just in the nick of time. It was Joyce, the new + member, the owner of the canneries, who had just built a new house with + electric appliances, and owned the best car in town. He was a stickler for + proprieties, but he was a great admirer of the minister, and he had been + watching Mr. Severn's face. Also, he had watched Mark's. + </p> + <p> + “Now, now, <i>now,</i> young brother!” he said soothingly, rising in his + nice pleasant gentlemanly way, “don't be hasty! This can all be adjusted I + am sure if we fully understand one another. I am a comparative stranger + here I know, but I would suggest taking this thing quietly and giving Mr. + Carter a chance to explain himself. You must own, Brother Carter, that we + had some reason to be anxious. You know, the Bible tells us to avoid even + the appearance of evil.” + </p> + <p> + Mark turned with perfect courtesy to this new voice: + </p> + <p> + “The Bible also tells us not to judge one another!” he replied quickly. + “Mr. Joyce, you are a stranger here, but I am not. They have known me + since childhood. Also there are some items that might be of interest to + you. Cherry Fenner five years ago was a little girl in this Sunday School. + She stood up in that pulpit out there one Children's Sunday and sang in a + sweet little voice, 'Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me + so.' She was an innocent little child then, and everybody praised her. + Now, because she has been talked about you are all ready to condemn her. + And who is going to help her? I tell you if that is the kind of Christ you + have, and the kind of Bible you are following I want no more of it and I + am ready to have my name taken off the roll at once.” + </p> + <p> + Harricutt rose in his excitement pointing his long-flapping forefinger: + </p> + <p> + “You see, gentlemen, you see! He defies us! He goes farther! He defies his + God!” + </p> + <p> + Suddenly the minister rose with uplifted hand, and the voice that never + failed to command attention, spoke: + </p> + <p> + “Let us pray!” + </p> + <p> + With sudden startled indrawing of breath, and half obedient bowing of the + heads, the elders paused, standing or sitting as they were, and Mark with + high defiant head stood looking straight at his old friend. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, God, our Father, O Jesus Christ our Saviour,” prayed the minister in + a voice that showed he felt the Presence near, “Save us in this trying + moment from committing further sin. Give us Thy wisdom, and Thy + loving-kindness. Show us that only he that is without sin among us may + cast the first stone. Put thy love about us all. We are all Thy children. + Amen.” + </p> + <p> + Into the silence that followed this prayer his voice continued quietly: + </p> + <p> + “I will ask Mr. Harricutt to take the chair for a moment. I would like to + make a motion.” + </p> + <p> + The elders looked abashed. + </p> + <p> + “Why,—I,—” began Harricutt, and then saw there was nothing + else for him to do, and stepped excitedly over to the minister's seat + behind the table, and sank reluctantly down, trying to think how he could + best make use of his present position to further his side of the question. + </p> + <p> + The minister was still standing, seeming to hold within his gaze the eyes + of every one in the room including Mark. + </p> + <p> + “I wish to make a motion,” said the minister, “I move that we have a + rising vote, expressing our utmost confidence in Mr. Carter, and leaving + it to his discretion to explain his conduct or not as he pleases! I have + known this dear young brother since he was a boy, and I would trust him + always, anywhere, with anything!” + </p> + <p> + A wonderful shiny look of startled wonder, and deep joy came into the eyes + of the young man, followed by a stabbing cloud of anguish, and then the + hard controlled face once more, with the exception of a certain tenderness + as he looked toward the minister. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Duncannon, will you second my motion?” finished Severn. + </p> + <p> + The long gaunt dark elder was on his feet instantly: + </p> + <p> + “Sure, Brother Severn, I second that motion. If you hadn't got ahead of me + I'd have firsted it myself. I know Mark. He's <i>all right!</i>” and he + put out a hairy hand and grasped Mark's young strong fingers, that gripped + his warmly. + </p> + <p> + Harricutt was on his feet, tapping on the table with his pencil: + </p> + <p> + “I think this motion is out of order,” he cried excitedly—but no one + listened, and the minister said calmly, “Will the chair put the question?” + </p> + <p> + Baffled, angry, bitter, the old stickler went through the hated words: “It + is moved and seconded that we express our confidence—” + </p> + <p> + “Utmost confidence, Brother Harricutt—” broke in the minister's + voice. The red came up in the elder's face, but he choked out the words + “utmost confidence,” on through the whole motion, and by the time it was + out four elders were on their feet, Duncannon and Joyce first, thank God, + Gibson, more slowly, Fowler pulled up by the strong wiry hand of Duncannon + who sat next him. + </p> + <p> + “Stop!” suddenly spoke Mark's clear incisive voice, “I cannot let you do + this. I deeply appreciate the confidence of Mr. Severn and Mr. Duncannon,” + he paused looking straight into the eyes of the new elder and added—“and + Mr. Joyce, who does not know me. But I am not worthy of so deep a trust. I + ask you to remove my name from your church roll that in future my actions + shall not be your responsibility!” With that he gave one lingering tender + look toward the minister, pressed hard the hairy hand of the old Scotch + elder, and went out of the room before anyone realized he was going. + </p> + <p> + Billy, with a gasp, and a look after his beloved idol, hesitated, then + pulled himself together and made a dash into the session room, like a + catapult landing straight in the spot where Mark had stood, but ignoring + all the rest he looked up at the minister and spoke rapidly: + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Severn, please sir. Mark was with me last night from twelve o'clock + on. Me an' him passed the Pleasant View Station in a car going over to + Stark's Mountain, just as the bells was ringing over here fer midnight, + cause I counted 'em, and Mark was over to Stark's Mountain till most noon + to-day, and I come home with him!” + </p> + <p> + The minister's face was blazing with glory, and old Duncannon patted Billy + on the shoulder, and beamed, but Harricutt arose with menace in his eye + and advanced on the young intruder. However, before anyone could do + anything about it a strong firm hand reached out from the doorway and + plucked Billy by the collar: + </p> + <p> + “That'll do, Kid, Keep your mouth shut and don't say another word!” It was + Mark and he promptly removed Billy from the picture. + </p> + <p> + “I move we adjourn,” said Elder Duncannon, but the minister did not even + wait for the motion to be seconded. He followed Mark out into the + moonlight, and drew him, Billy and all, across the lawn toward the + parsonage, one arm thrown lovingly across Mark's shoulder. He had + forgotten entirely the two guests parked on the piazza smoking cigarettes! + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XII + </h2> + <p> + As the shades of evening had drawn down two figures that had been lurking + all day in the fastnesses of Lone Valley over beyond the state Highway, + stole forth and crept stealthily under cover to Stark Mountain. + </p> + <p> + A long time they lingered in the edge of the woods till the dark was + velvet black around them, before the moon arose. Then slowly, cautiously + they drew near the haunted house, observing it long and silently from + every possible angle, till satisfied that no enemy was about. Yet taking + no chances even then, the taller one crept forth from shelter while the + other watched. So stealthily he went that even his companion heard no + stir. + </p> + <p> + It was some ten minutes that Shorty waited there in the bushes scarcely + daring to breathe, while Link painfully quiet, inch by inch encircled the + house, and listened, trying the front door first and finding it fast; + softly testing the cellar windows one by one, beginning from the eastern + end, going toward the front first, and so missing the window by which + Billy had entered. A hundred times his operation was halted by the sound + of a rat scuttling across the floor, or racketing in the wall, but the + hollow echoes assured him over and over again that the house was not + occupied, at least not by anyone awake and in his senses. Link had been in + the business so long that he “felt” when there was an enemy near. That was + what vexed him now. He had “felt” that morning that someone was near, but + he had laid it to nerves and the reported ghost, and had not heeded his + trained faculties. He was back now doubly alert to discover the cause and + make good his failure in the morning. He had undertaken to look after this + guy and see this job through and there was big money in it. He was heavily + armed and prepared for any reasonable surprise. He meant to get this + matter straight before morning. So, feeling his way along in the + blackness, listening, halting at every moment with bated breath, he came + at last to the back door, and drawing himself up to the steps, took the + knob in his hand and turned it. To his surprise it yielded to his touch, + and the door came open. And yet it was some seconds of tense listening + before he let himself down to the ground again, and with his hand in the + grass let out a tiny winking flashlight, no more than a firefly would + flicker, and out again. + </p> + <p> + This was answered by a wink from the bushes, as if the same firefly or its + mate might be glowing, and after an instant another wink from the ground + near the house. Slowly Shorty arrived without noise, his big bulk muffling + in fat the muscles of velvet. It was incredible how light his step could + be—<i>professionally.</i> It was as if he had been wafted there like + down. Silently still and without communication the two drifted into the + open door, sent a searching glowworm ahead into the crannies of the dusty, + musty kitchen, surprising a mouse that had stolen forth domestically. The + door being shut and fastened cautiously, the key in Link's pocket, they + drifted through the swing door, as air might have circulated, identifying + the mouse's scuttle, the rattle of a rat among the loose coal in the + cellar bin, the throaty chirp of a cricket outside in the grass, and + drifting on. + </p> + <p> + Thus they searched the lower floor, even as Billy had done, though more + thoroughly, and mounted to the landing above, here they divided, Shorty at + watch in the hall, while Link went to the front rooms first and searched + each hastily, not omitting closets, ending at the back room where the + prisoner had been. + </p> + <p> + “He's gone!” said Link in a hoarse whisper, speaking for the first time + after a hasty scanning of the shadowy place. + </p> + <p> + Shorty took the precaution to turn the key of the door leading to the + third story before he entered to investigate. + </p> + <p> + “Do you think it was him fired that shot?” + </p> + <p> + Link shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “Couldn't! I had him lifted up in my arms and was just handing him some + more dope when the sound come. It seemed it was out front. It must a been + somebody in the front room. Sure! That guy never coulda got them bracelets + off hisself. Looka here! Them was filed off!” They stood with the flash + light between them examining the handcuffs, and then turned their + attention to the rest of the room, studying the bed and floors carefully + for any traces of the possible assistant to the runaway but finding none. + Then they went in the front room again, and this time discovered the + lowered window and the little half moon aperture in the shutter. + </p> + <p> + “How do you figger it?” asked Shorty turning a ghastly face toward Link in + the plaided darkness of the flash light. + </p> + <p> + “Pat!” said Link laconically. + </p> + <p> + “Pat?” + </p> + <p> + “Pat. He's yella! I told Sam, but he would have him! I ain't sure but + Sam's yella! I think I'm about done with this outfit!” + </p> + <p> + “But Pat? What would he do it for?” + </p> + <p> + “Goin to run the whole game hisself, perhaps, or then again he might be in + with Sam, so they won't have to divvy up. He could say we hadn't kept out + contrac' you know, runnin' away like that.” + </p> + <p> + “We ain't to blame. How'd we know it want the police? We had a mighty + close shave over that state line this A.M.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, that's what he could say, an' refuse to divvy up. But b'lieve me, + Shorty! Nobody's goin' to do me dirty like that! Somebody's been doing us + dirty, you and me, and it's good and right we beat 'em to it.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but how ya goin' to do it?” + </p> + <p> + “I ain't sure yet, but I'm goin' to do it. The first thing, Shorty, is fer + us to get outta here mighty good an' quick. Ef anybody's watchin' round, + we better not be here. We'll fade away. See?” + </p> + <p> + Without flash or noise they faded, going cautiously out by the front door + this time and disappearing into the dark of the woods just as the horizon + over Lone Valley began to show luminous in the path of the oncoming moon. + </p> + <p> + They walked several miles, stealthily, and a mile or two more naturally, + before they ventured on a word, and then Shorty impatiently: + </p> + <p> + “I don't see what you can do. Whattirya goin' ta do?” + </p> + <p> + “Don't get excited, Shorty, I see my way out,” said Link affably, “I + didn't come off here half cocked. I investigated before I took on the + job.” + </p> + <p> + “Whaddaya mean?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I just looked up the parties in the blue book before I come off. + Didn't have much time, but I just looked 'em up. Great thing that blue + book. Gives ya lots of information. Then I got another thing, a magazine I + always buy and keep on hand. It's called The House Lovely, an' it has all + these grand gentlemen's places put down in pictures, with plans and + everything. It's real handy when you wantta find out how to visit 'em sort + of intimate like, and it kind of broadens yer mind. It's a real pity you + never learned to read, Shorty. There's nothing like it fer getting + valuable information. I read a lot and I always remember anything that's + worth while.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't see how that's doin' us any good now,” growled Shorty. + </p> + <p> + “Don't get hasty, Shorty, I'm comin' to it. You see these here Shaftons + have been on my mind fer some while back. I make it a point to know about + guys like that. I read the society columns and keep posted about little + details. It pays, Shorty. Now see! I happen to know that these here + Shaftons have several summer homes, one in the mountains, one at the + seashore, one up at an island out in the ocean, and a farm down in Jersey, + where they go at Christmas fer the holidays sometimes. Well, just now I + happen to know Mrs. Shafton—that's this guy's mother, is down at the + Jersey house all alone with the servants. Real handy fer our purposes, + ain't it? Not so far we can't get there by mornin' if we half try, and the + old man is off out West on a business trip.” + </p> + <p> + “What you gonta do?” asked Shorty. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I haven't exactly got it all doped out yet, but I reckon our + business is with the old lady. Let's beat it as fast as we can to a + trolley and dope it out as we go. You see this here old woman is nuts on + her son, and she's lousy with money and don't care how she spends it, so + her baby boy is pleased. Now, I figger if we could come off with five + thousand apiece, you'n I we'd be doin' a good night's work and no mistake. + Whaddayou say?” + </p> + <p> + “Sure thing,” grumped Shorty unbelievingly. + </p> + <p> + “You see,” continued Link, “We're in bad, this guy escaping and all, and + like as not Pat swiping all the boodle and layin' the blame onto us. You + can't tell what might happen with Pat an' Sam, the dirty devils. They + might even let it come to a trial and testify against us. Sam has it in + fer me an' you this long time, 'count of that last pretty little safe + blow-out that didn't materialize. See?” + </p> + <p> + Shorty growled gloomily. + </p> + <p> + “Now on the other hand if we can step in before it is too late, or before + the news of his havin' escaped gets to his fond parents, and get in our + little work, we might at least make expenses out of it and beat it out of + the country fer a while. I been thinkin' of South America fer my health + fer some time past. How 'bout you?” + </p> + <p> + “Suits me. But how you gonta work it?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you see I know a little bit about wimmen. An' I seen this woman + oncet. If she was one of these here newfangled political kind you couldn't + do nothin' with her, she'd be onta you in no time an' have you up before + the supreme court 'fore she goddone, but this here woman is one o' them + old fashioned, useless kind that's afraid of everything and cries easy, + and gets scairt at her shadder. I seen her on the board walk once with her + husband, took notice to her, thought I might need it sometime. She has + gray hair but she ain't never growed up. She was ridin' in a wheeled + chair, an' him walkin' beside her an' a man behind pushin' her, an' a maid + comin' along with a fur coat. She never done a thing fer herself, not even + think, an' that's the kind you can put anything over on from a teaparty to + a blizzard without her suspectin' a thing. Shorty, I'm gonta make up to + Mrs. Shafton an' see what I can get out of her. But we gotta get a trolley + line down to Unity an' catch that evenin' train. See?” + </p> + <p> + About half-past ten that night, with the moon at full sail, Shorty and + Link, keeping the shady side of the street, slunk into a little obscure, + and as yet unsuppressed saloon in a back street in a dirty little + manufacturing city not many miles from Unity. Just off the side entrance + was a back hall in which lurked a dark smelly little telephone booth under + a staircase, too far removed from the noisy crowd that frequented the + place to be heard. Here Link took instant refuge with Shorty bulking + largely in front of the door, smoking a thin black twisted cigar, and + looking anything but happy. He had figured greatly on getting his share of + a million, and now at a single shot he had let it go through his fingers. + There were reasons why he needed that part of a million at once. Link had + all sorts of nerve. He called up the Shafton home in New Jersey and + jollied the maid, calling her girlie, and saying he was in the employ of + young Laurie Shafton and had a special private message from the young man + to his mother. It was not long before a peevish elderly voice in his ear + said: + </p> + <p> + “Well? Mrs. Shafton at the phone.” + </p> + <p> + And Link sailed in: + </p> + <p> + “Mrs. Shafton, I got a message from your son, a very private message. He + said, would you please send your maid out of the room first before I told + you?” + </p> + <p> + She seemed annoyed and hesitant at this, but finally complied: + </p> + <p> + “Now, Mrs. Shafton, you don't need to get worried at what I'm tellin' you. + Your son ain't dead, nor nothing like that you know, but he's just met + with a little accident. No, now, wait a minute till I tell you. You don't + need to get excited ner nothing. If you just keep calm an' do as I tell + you it'll all come out right in the end—” + </p> + <p> + He could tell by her voice that she was much excited and that so far his + scheme was working well. If he could only pull the rest off! He winked one + eye jauntily at Shorty who was standing wide-mouthed, bulging-eyed + listening, and went on: + </p> + <p> + “No, he didn't have no collision, ma'am, he just got kidnapped you see. + And not wanting to get found out, natchelly the kidnappers give him a + little dope to keep his mouth shut fer a while. What's that? Who'm I? + Well, now, Mrs. Shafton, that's tellin,' ain't it? I wouldn't want to go + so far as that 'thout I was sure of your cooperation. What's that? You'll + reward me? Oh, thanks, that's what I was figgering about. You see I'm in + rather of a hole myself. That's what. You see, much against my will I was + one of the kidnappers myself ma'am. Yes ma'am, much against my will! You + see I'm a farmer's son myself, good an' honest and respectable. Never had + nothin' to do with such doin's in my life, my word of honor, lady. But I + come to town just to look around an' have a bit of fun an' I got in with a + bad lot, an' they pract'cally <i>compelled</i> me to assist 'em in this + here kidnappin.' Oh, I didn't do nothin', jest helped to carry him—Oh, + ma'am, it ain't that bad. He's still livin' an' he'll be awwright if you + just he'p me to get him away 'thout their knowin'. Yes ma'am. I'm honest. + I'm offerin' to help you. You see, when I see him layin' there on the bed—Oh, + yes, he's on a bed, I ain't sayin' how comfortable it is, but it's a bed, + an' he ain't sufferin' now,—but of course if they don't get what + they want they may put him to the torture jest to get more outta you all—No, + ma'am don't scream that way ur I'll have to hang up. This is on the q.t. + you know. What? You don't understand? Why, I was sayin' you mustn't let a + soul know what's happened. Not a <i>soul.</i> If it should get out an' his + kidnappers should find it out they'd kill him easy as a fly an' no + mistake. You gotta go slow on this. Yes, lady, they're desperate + characters, <i>I'm sayin' it!</i> an' the sooner you get your son outta + their han's the better fer his future, lady, fer even if he should escape + after they'd been found out they'd probably lame him fer life or put out + his eyes or some little old thing like that, so you see, lady, you gotta + talk low an' take care you don't let on to no one. If you should turn + yella it ud be all up with little Laurie an' no mistake, so keep yer mouth + shet an' do as I tell ye, and I'll help ye out. Yes, as I was sayin' when + I seen little Laurie layin' there so still an' white, my conscience—There, + there, lady, don't you take on—as I was sayin' my conscience + troubled me, an' I says, I'm agonta get this fella free! So I figgered out + a way. You see lady, there's two of us, me'n another feller set to watch + 'im, an' feed him dope if he tries to wake up, an' when I get feelin' + worried about it I says to the other fella I was agonta tell his folks, + an' he says he'll shoot me, but I keeps on tellin' him how sinful 'twas to + make a poor mother suffer—I gotta mother myself ma'am! Yes ma'am a + good old mother, an' she taught me to be honest, so I says to thother + fella, I says what'll you take an' git out, an' he says ten thousand + dollars, an' I says, awwright, I'll get it fer ya, an' so now lady, 'f I + was you I'd pay it right down quick 'fore he changes his mind. Cause the + other fellas they was goin' to ast a million, an' kill 'im if you didn't + fall fer it right to oncet. No ma'am I don't want nothin' fer myself. I + just want to go back to the old farm with a clean conscience. What? Oh, + yes, I want the money right away, that is before mornin'. If we can't get + him out before mornin' it ain't no use, fer the other fellas is comin' + back an' move him an' we can't do nothin'? What? Where is he? I couldn't' + really say, lady, it wouldn't be allowed, an' my mate he's outside the + telephone booth with a loaded revolver holdin' it up to my head, and he's + listenin' an' ef I give anythin' away he'd shoot me on the spot. So where + would your nice lookin' son be then? Mrs. Shafton hadn't you better—? + That's right lady, I knew you'd thank me, an' yes, now I'll tell you what + to do. First place, how much money ya got in the house? No, that's not + 'nough. That wouldn't do a mite of good, it wouldn't be a drop in the + bucket. Ain't ya got any bonds, ur jewels or papers? Yes, that's the talk! + Now yer shoutin'—Yes, lady, that would do. No,—not that. You + gotta have something that he can't get caught with. I know you're loosin' + a lot lady, but you got lots left, and what's money an' jewels compared to + your only son, ma'am? Why, think how he used to look when he wore little + white dresses an' used to come to have his head kissed when he fell down! + Wasn't he sweet, lady, and he had a pair of little blue shoes didn't he? I + thought so. Say, lady, you'r the right sort! I knowed you must be to be a + mother of such a handsome son. Now, lady, could you hustle those things + together you spoke of an' any more you may happen to come on, and just put + 'em in a little box or basket, and tie a string on 'em an' let 'em down + outta yer winda? It's all I'll ask. Let 'em down outta yer winda. Then you + turn out the lights and turn 'em on again three times real quick, out an' + in, an' that'll be the signal. An' after ten minutes you look out yer + front winda an' off as fur as ye can see an' I'll flash a signal light to + ya jest to let ya know it's all right. An' I'll promise you on my word of + honor that you'll hear your own son's voice over the telephone good an' + early tomorrow mornin' an' no mistake. But lady, ye mustn't turn yella an' + holler ner nothin or we'll fling yer jewels an' paper back in yer yard an' + let yer son die. We ain't goin' to run no chances ye know. You ain't got + no dogs, have ye? And which side is yer room on? The front? Yes, an' which + is the easiest way to get to the house without comin' near the servants' + quarters? To the right? Yes, I see. An' you'll play straight? All right + lady. Your son's as good as home now. I'll give you just one hour by the + clock to get yer stuff together, but mind ya, if ya weaken an' try to put + the p'lice onto me, I got a way to signal my pal, an' he'll have that boy + o' yours shot within five minutes after you call fer help? Understand? Oh, + yes, I know lady, you wouldn't do no such a thing, but my pal he made me + say that. He's a desperate man lady, an' there ain't no use toyin' with + him. All right. One hour. It's just quarter to 'leven. Good-bye!” + </p> + <p> + Link came lounging out of the booth mopping his wet forehead: + </p> + <p> + “She fell fer it all right,” he said jerking a wan smile, but he looked as + though the last of his own nerve had gone into the telephone receiver. + “She wanted to put in an extra check, but I told her we'd be generous and + let it go at what she could find without her name on it. Gosh, what fools + some wommen are! I thought I got her number all right, a whimperin' fool! + A whimperin' little old fool! Now, Shorty, all we gotta do is collect the + boodle. It's up to you to watch outside the hedge. I'm takin' all the + risks this time m'self, an' I'm goin' to ferret my way under that there + madam's winder. You stay outside and gimme the signal. Ef you get cold + feet an' leave me in the lurch you don't get no dividends, See?” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0014" id="link2H_4_0014"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XIII + </h2> + <p> + Billy, with that fine inner sense that some boys have, perceived that + there was deep emotion of a silent sort between the minister and Mark, and + he drifted away from them unnoticed, back toward the car. + </p> + <p> + “Billy!” whispered Lynn, rising from the upper step in the shadow of the + church. + </p> + <p> + The boy turned with a quick silent stride and was beside her: + </p> + <p> + “I couldn't help it, Miss Lynn, I really couldn't—There was + something very important—Cart—That is—Cart needed me! I + knew you'd understand.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Billy, I understand. Somehow I knew you were with Mark. It's good to + have a friend like you, Billy!” She smiled wanly. + </p> + <p> + Billy looked up half proud, half ashamed: + </p> + <p> + “It's nothin'!” said Billy, “I just had to. Cart—well, I had to.” + </p> + <p> + “I know, Billy—Mark needed you. And Billy,—if there's any + trouble—any—any—that is if Mark ever needs you, you'll + stick by him I know?” + </p> + <p> + “Sure!” said Billy looking up with a sudden searching glance, “Sure, I'll + stick by him!” + </p> + <p> + “And if there's anything—anything that ought to be done—why—I + mean anything <i>we</i> could do—Billy,—you'll let us know?” + </p> + <p> + “Sure, I will!” There was utmost comprehension in the firm young voice. + Billy kicked his heel softly into the grass by the walk, looking down + embarrassedly. He half started on toward the car and then turning back he + said suddenly, “Why doncha go see Cherry, Miss Lynn?” + </p> + <p> + “Cherry?” she said startled, her face growing white in the darkness. + </p> + <p> + The boy nodded, stuffing his hands deep into his pockets and regarding her + with sudden boldness. He opened his lips as if he would speak further, + then thought better of it and closed them again firmly, dropping his eyes + as if he were done with the topic. There was a bit of silence, then Lynn + said gravely: + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps I will,” and “Thank you, Billy.” + </p> + <p> + Billy felt as though the balm of Gilead had suddenly been poured over his + tired heart. + </p> + <p> + “G'night!” he murmured, feeling that he had put his troubles into capable + hands that would care for them, as he would himself. + </p> + <p> + There had been no word spoken between the minister and Mark as they went + together toward the parsonage, but there had seemed to each to be a great + clearing of the clouds between them, and a tender love springing anew, + with warm understanding and sympathy. Mark felt himself a boy again, with + the minister's arm across his shoulder, and a strong yearning to confide + in this understanding friend, swept over him. If there had been a quiet + place with no one about just then there is no telling what might have + happened to change the story from that point on, but their silent + intercourse was rudely interrupted by the voice of Laurie Shafton breaking + in: + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I say, Mr. Severn, who did you say that man was that could fix cars? + I'd like to call him up and see if he doesn't happen to have some bearings + now. He surely must have returned by this time hasn't he? I'd like to take + these girls a spin. The moon is perfectly gorgeous. We could go in the + lady's car, only it is smaller and I thought I'd ask your daughter to go + along.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” said the minister suddenly brought back into the world of trivial + things? “Why, <i>this</i> is Mr. Carter, Mr. Shafton. He can speak for + himself.” + </p> + <p> + Mark stood with lifted head and his princely look regarding the interloper + with cold eyes. He acknowledged the introduction almost haughtily, and + listened to the story of the burnt out bearings without a change of + countenance, then said gravely: + </p> + <p> + “I think I can fix you up in the morning.” + </p> + <p> + “Not to-night?” asked the spoiled Laurie with a frown of displeasure. + </p> + <p> + “Not to-night,” said Mark with a finality that somehow forbade even a + Shafton from further parley. + </p> + <p> + Opal had regarded Mark from the vine covered porch as he stood with bared + head in the moonlight and clattered down on her tiny patent leather pumps + to be introduced. She came and stood hanging pertly on Laurie Shafton's + arm as if he were her private property, with her large limpid eyes fixed + upon the stranger, this prince of a man that had suddenly turned up in + this funny little country dump. + </p> + <p> + She put her giddy little tongue into the conversation, something about how + delicious it would be to take a little ride to-night, implying that Mark + might go along if he would fix up the car. She was dressed in a slim, + clinging frock of some rich Persian gauzy silk stuff, heavy with beads in + dull barbaric patterns, and girt with a rope of jet and jade. Her slim + white neck rose like a stem from the transparent neck line, and a beaded + band about her forehead held the fluffy hair in place about her pretty + dark little head. She wore long jade earrings which nearly touched the + white shoulders, and gave her the air of an Egyptian princess. She was + very gorgeous, and unusual even in the moonlight, and she knew it, yet + this strange young man gave her one cold scrutinizing glance and turned + away. + </p> + <p> + “I'll see you again in the morning, Mr. Severn,” he said, and wringing the + minister's hand silently, he went back across the lawn. The spell was + broken and the minister knew it would be of no use to follow. Mark would + say no more of his trouble tonight. + </p> + <p> + It was so that Lynn, coming swiftly from her shadow, with troubled + thoughts, came face to face with Mark: + </p> + <p> + He stopped suddenly as if something had struck him. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Mark!” she breathed softly, and put out her hand. + </p> + <p> + He made a swift motion away from her, and said quickly: + </p> + <p> + “Don't touch me, Marilyn,—I-am—not—<i>worthy</i>!” + </p> + <p> + Then quickly turning he sprang into his car and started the engine. + </p> + <p> + The minister stood in the moonlight looking sadly after the wayward boy + whom he had loved for years. + </p> + <p> + Lynn came swiftly toward her father, scarcely seeing the two strangers. + She had a feeling that he needed comforting. But the minister, not + noticing her approach, had turned and was hurrying into the house by the + side entrance. + </p> + <p> + “Come on girls, let's have a little excitement,” cried Laurie Shafton + gaily, “How about some music? There's a piano in the house I see, let's + boom her up!” + </p> + <p> + He made a sudden dive and swooped an arm intimately about each girl's + waist, starting them violently toward the steps, forgetting the lame ankle + that was supposed to make him somewhat helpless. + </p> + <p> + The sudden unexpected action took Marilyn unaware, and before she could + get her footing or do anything about it she caught a swift vision of a + white face in the passing car. Mark had seen the whole thing! She drew + back quickly, indignantly flinging the offending arm from her waist, and + hurried after her father; but it was too late to undo the impression that + Mark must have had. He had passed by. + </p> + <p> + Inside the door she stopped short, stamping her white shod foot with quick + anger, her face white with fury, her eyes fairly blazing. If Laurie had + seen her now he would scarcely have compared her to a saint. To think that + on this day of trouble and perplexity this gay insolent stranger should + dare to intrude and presume! And before Mark! + </p> + <p> + But a low spoken word of her mother's reached her from the dining-room, + turning aside her anger: + </p> + <p> + “I hate to ask Lynn to take her into her room. Such a queer girl! It seems + like a desecration! Lynn's lovely room!” + </p> + <p> + “She had no right to put herself upon us!” said the father in troubled + tones. “She is as far from our daughter as heaven is from the pit. Who is + she, anyway?” + </p> + <p> + “He merely introduced her as his friend Opal.” + </p> + <p> + “Is there nothing else we can do?” + </p> + <p> + “We might give her our room, but it would take some time to put it in + order for a guest. There would be a good many things to move—and it + would be rather awkward in the morning, cots in the living-room. I suppose + Lynn could come in with me and you sleep on a cot—!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, that's exactly it! Do that. I don't mind.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose we'll have to,” sighed the mother, “for I know Lynn would hate + it having a stranger among her pretty intimate things—!” + </p> + <p> + Marilyn sprang up and burst into the dining-room: + </p> + <p> + “Mother! Did you think I was such a spoiled baby that I couldn't be + courteous to a stranger even if she was a detestable little vamp? You're + not to bother about it any more. She'll come into my room with me of + course. You didn't expect me to sail through life without any sacrifices + at all did you, Motherie? Suppose I had gone to Africa as I almost did + last year? Don't you fancy there'd have been some things harder than + sharing my twin beds with a disagreeable stranger? Besides, remember those + angels unaware that the Bible talks about. I guess this is up to me, so + put away your frets and come on in. It's time we had worship and ended + this day. But I guess those two self-imposed boarders of ours need a + little religion first. Come on!” + </p> + <p> + She dropped a kiss on each forehead lightly and fled into the other room. + </p> + <p> + “What a girl she is!” said her father tenderly putting his hand gently on + the spot she had kissed, “A great blessing in our home! Dear child!” + </p> + <p> + The mother said nothing, but her eyes were filled with a great content. + </p> + <p> + Marilyn, throwing aside her hat and appearing in the front door called + pleasantly to the two outside: + </p> + <p> + “Well, I'm ready for the music. You can come in when you wish.” + </p> + <p> + They sauntered in presently, but Marilyn was already at the piano playing + softly a bit from the Angel Chorus, a snatch of Handel's Largo, a Chopin + Nocturne, one of Mendelssohn's songs without words. The two came in + hilariously, the young man pretending to lean heavily on the girl, and + finding much occasion to hold her hands, a performance to which she seemed + to be not at all averse. They came and stood beside the piano. + </p> + <p> + “Now,” said Opal gaily, when Marilyn came to the end of another Nocturne: + “That's enough gloom. Give us a little jazz and Laurie and I'll dance + awhile.” + </p> + <p> + Marilyn let her hands fall with a soft crash on the keys and looked up. + Then her face broke up into a smile, as if she had put aside an unpleasant + thought and determined to be friendly: + </p> + <p> + “I'm sorry,” she said firmly, “We don't play jazz, my piano and I. I never + learned to love it, and besides I'm tired. I've been playing all day you + know. You will excuse anything more I'm sure. And it's getting late for + Sabbath Valley. Did you have any plans for to-night?” + </p> + <p> + Opal stared, but Marilyn stared back pleasantly, and Laurie watched them + both. + </p> + <p> + “Why, no, not exactly,” drawled Opal, “I thought Laurie would be + hospitable enough to look me up a place. Where is your best hotel? Is it + possible at all?” + </p> + <p> + “We haven't a sign of a hotel,” said Marilyn smiling. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, horrors, nothing but a boarding house I suppose. Is it far away?” + </p> + <p> + “Not even a boarding house.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, heavens! Well, where do you stop then?” + </p> + <p> + “We don't stop, we live,” said Marilyn smiling. “I'm afraid the only thing + you can do unless you decide to go back home tonight is to share my room + with me,—I have twin beds you know and can make you quite + comfortable. I often have a college friend to stay with me for a few + weeks.” + </p> + <p> + Opal stared round eyed. This was a college girl then, hidden away in a + hole like this. Not even an extra spare room in the house! + </p> + <p> + “Oh my gracious!” she responded bluntly, “I'm not used to rooming with + some one, but it's very kind of you I'm sure.” + </p> + <p> + Marilyn's cheeks grew red and her eyes flashed but she whirled back to her + keyboard and began to play, this time a sweet old hymn, and while she was + playing and before the two strangers had thought of anything to say, Mr. + Severn came in with the Book in his hand, followed by his wife, who drew a + small rocker and sat down beside him. + </p> + <p> + Marilyn paused and the minister opened his Bible and looked around on + them: + </p> + <p> + “I hope you'll join us in our evening worship,” he said pleasantly to the + two guests, and then while they still stared he began to read: “Let not + your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me,” on through + the beautiful chapter. + </p> + <p> + It was as Greek to the strangers, who heard and did not comprehend, and + they looked about amazed on this little family with dreamy eyes all + listening as if it meant great treasures to them. It was as if they saw + the Severns for the first time and realized them as individuals, as a + force in the world, something complete in itself, a family that was not + doing the things they did, not having the things considered essential to + life, nor trying to go after any of the things that life had to offer, but + living their own beautiful lives in their own way without regard to the + world, and actually enjoying it! That was the queer part about it. They + were not dull nor bored! They were happy! They could get out from an + environment like this if they choose, and <i>they did not</i>. They <i>wanted</i> + to stay here. It was incredible! + </p> + <p> + Laurie got out his cigarette case, selected a cigarette, got out his match + box, selected a match, and all but lit it. Then somehow there seemed to be + something incongruous about the action and he looked around. No one was + seeing him but Opal, and she was laughing at him. He flushed, put back the + match and the cigarette, and folded his arms, trying to look at home in + this strange new environment. But the girl Marilyn's eyes were far away as + if she were drinking strange knowledge at a secret invisible source, and + she seemed to have forgotten their presence. + </p> + <p> + Then the family knelt. How odd! Knelt down, each where he had been + sitting, and the minister began to talk to God. It did not impress the + visitors as prayer. They involuntarily looked around to see to whom he was + talking. Laurie reddened again and dropped his face into his hands. He had + met Opal's eyes and she was shaking with mirth, but somehow it affected + him rawly. Suddenly he felt impelled to get to his knees. He seemed + conspicuous reared up in a chair, and he slid noiselessly to the floor + with a wrench of the hurt ankle that caused him to draw his brows in a + frown. Opal, left alone in this room full of devout backs, grew suddenly + grave. She felt almost afraid. She began to think of Saybrook Inn and the + man lying there stark and dead! The man she had danced with but a week + before! Dead! And for her! She cringed, and crouched down in her chair, + till her beaded frock swept the polished floor in a little tinkley sound + that seemed to echo all over the room, and before she knew it her fear of + being alone had brought her to her knees. To be like the rest of the world—to + be even more alike than anybody else in the world, that had always been + her ambition. The motive of her life now brought her on her knees because + others were there and she was afraid to sit above lest their God should + come walking by and she should see Him and die! She did not know she put + it that way to her soul, but she did, in the secret recesses of her inner + dwelling. + </p> + <p> + Before they had scarcely got to their knees and while that awkward hush + was yet upon them the room was filled with the soft sound of singing, + started by the minister, perhaps, or was it his wife? It was + unaccompanied, “Abide with me, Fast falls the eventide, the darkness + deepens, Lord with me abide!” Even Laurie joined an erratic high tenor + humming in on the last verse, and Opal shuddered as the words were sung, + “Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes, Shine through the dark and + point me to the skies.” Death was a horrible thing to her. She never + wanted to be reminded of death. It was a long, long way off to her. She + always drowned the thought in whatever amusement was at hand. + </p> + <p> + The song died away just in time or Opal might have screamed. She was + easily wrought up. And then this strange anomoly of a girl, her young + hostess, turned to her with a natural smile just as if nothing + extraordinary had been going on and said: + </p> + <p> + “Now, shall we say good-night and go upstairs? I know you must be tired + after your long ride, and I know father has had a hard day and would like + to get the house settled for the night.” + </p> + <p> + Opal arose with a wild idea of screaming and running away, but she caught + the twinkle of Laurie's eyes and knew he was laughing at her. So she + relaxed into her habitual languor, and turning haughtily requested: + </p> + <p> + “Would you send your maid to the cyar for my bag, please?” + </p> + <p> + Before anyone could respond the minister stepped to the door with a + courteous “Certainly,” and presently returned with a great blue leather + affair with silver mountings, and himself carried it up the stairs. + </p> + <p> + At the head of the stairs Marilyn met him, and put her head on his + shoulder hiding her face in his coat, and murmured, “Oh, Daddy!” + </p> + <p> + Severn smoothed her soft hair and murmured gently: “There, there little + girl! Pray! Pray! Our Father knows what's best!” but neither of them were + referring to the matter of the unwelcome guests. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Severn was solicitous about asking if there was anything the guest + would like, a glass of milk, or some fruit? And Opal declined curtly, made + a little moue at Shafton and followed up the stairs. + </p> + <p> + “Well!” she said rudely, as she entered the lovely room and stared around, + “so this is your room!” Then she walked straight to the wall on the other + side of the room where hung a framed photograph of Mark at twelve years + old; Mark, with all the promise of his princely bearing already upon him. + </p> + <p> + “So this is the perfect icicle of a stunning young prince that was down on + the lawn, is it? I thought there was some reason for your frantic + indifference to men. Is his name Billy or Mark? Laurie said it was either + Billy or Mark, he wasn't sure which.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0015" id="link2H_4_0015"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XIV + </h2> + <p> + Mark Carter and Billy as they rode silently down the little street toward + Aunt Saxon's cottage did not speak. They did not need to speak, these two. + They had utmost confidence in one another, they were both troubled, and + had no solution to offer for the difficulty. That was enough to seal any + wise mouth. Only at the door as Billy climbed out Mark leaned toward him + and said in a low growl: + </p> + <p> + “You're all right, Kid! You're the best friend a man ever had! I + appreciate what you did!” + </p> + <p> + “Aw!” squirmed Billy, pulling down his cap, “That's awright! See you + t'morra' Cart! S'long!” And Billy stalked slowly down the street + remembering for the first time that he had his aunt yet to reckon with. + </p> + <p> + With the man's way of taking the bull by the horns he stormed in: + </p> + <p> + “Aw, Gee! I'm tired! Now, I'spose you'll bawl me out fer a nour, an' I + couldn't help it! You always jump on me worst when I ain't to blame!” + </p> + <p> + Aunt Saxon turned her pink damp face toward the prodigal and broke into a + plaintive little smile: + </p> + <p> + “Why, Willie, is that you? I'm real glad you've come. I've kept supper + waiting. We've got cold pressed chicken, and I stirred up some waffles. I + thought you'd like something hot.” + </p> + <p> + Billy stared, but the reaction was too much. In order to keep the sudden + tears back he roared out crossly: + </p> + <p> + “Well, I ain't hungry. You hadn't oughtta have waited. Pressed chicken, + did ya say? Aw <i>Gee</i>! Just when I ain't hungry! Ef that ain't <i>luck</i>! + An' waffles! You oughtta known better! But bring 'em on. I'll try what I + can do,” and he flung himself down in his chair at the table and rested a + torn elbow on the clean cloth, and his weary head on a grimy hand. And + then when she put the food before him, without even suggesting that he go + first and wash, he became suddenly conscious of his dishevelled condition + and went and washed his hands and face <i>without being sent</i>! Then he + returned and did large justice to the meal, his aunt eyeing furtively with + watery smiles, and a sigh of relief now and then. At last she ventured a + word by way of conversation: + </p> + <p> + “How is the man on the mountain?” Billy looked up sharply, startled out of + his usual stolidity with which he had learned from early youth to mask all + interest or emotion from an officious and curious world. + </p> + <p> + Miss Saxon smiled: + </p> + <p> + “Mrs. Carter told me how you and Mark went to help a man on the mountain. + It was nice of you Billy.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! <i>that</i>!” said Billy scornfully, rallying to screen his + agitation, “Oh, he's better. He got up and went home. Oh, it wasn't + nothing. I just went and helped Cart. Sorry not to get back to Sunday + School Saxy, but I didn't think 'twould take so long.” + </p> + <p> + After that most unusual explanation, conversation languished, while Billy + consumed the final waffle, after which he remarked gravely that if she + didn't mind he'd go to bed. He paused at the foot of the stair with a new + thoughtfulness to ask if she wanted any wood brought in for morning, and + she cried all the time she was washing up the few dishes at his + consideration of her. Perhaps, as Mrs. Severn had told her, there was + going to come a change and Billy was really growing more manly. + </p> + <p> + Billy, as he made his brief preparation for bed told himself that he + couldn't sleep, he had too much to worry about and dope out, but his head + had no more than touched the pillow till he was dead to the world. + Whatever came on the morrow, whatever had happened the day before, Billy + had to sleep it out before he was fit to think. And Billy slept. + </p> + <p> + But up the street in the Carter house a light burned late in Mark's + window, and Mark himself, his mother soothed and comforted and sent to + sleep, sat up in his big leather chair that his mother had given him on + the last birthday before he left home, and stared at the wall opposite + where hung the picture of a little girl in a white dress with floating + hair and starry eyes. In his face there grew a yearning and a hopelessness + that was beyond anything to describe. It was like a face that is suffering + pain of fire and studying to be brave, yet burns and suffers and is not + consumed. That was the look in Mark Carter's eyes and around his finely + chiseled lips. Once, when he was in that mood travelling on a railway + carriage, a woman across the aisle had called her husband's attention to + him. “Look at that man!” she said, “He looks like a lost soul!” + </p> + <p> + For a long time he sat and stared at the picture, without a motion of his + body, or without even the flicker of an eyelash, as if he were set there + to see the panorama of his thoughts pass before him and see them through + to the bitter end. His eyes were deep and gray. In boyhood they had held a + wistful expectation of enchanting things and doing great deeds of valor. + They were eyes that dream, and believe, and are happy even suffering, so + faith remain and love be not denied. But faith had been struck a deadly + blow in these eyes now, and love had been cast away. The eyes looked old + and tired and unbelieving, yet still searching, searching, though seeing + dimly, and yet more dim every day, searching for the dreams of childhood + and knowing they would never come again. Feeling sure that they might not + come again because he had shut the door against them with his own hand, + and by his own act cut the bridge on which they might have crossed from + heaven to him. + </p> + <p> + A chastened face, humbled by suffering when alone, but proud and + unyielding still before others. Mark Carter looking over his past knew + just where he had started down this road of pain, just where he had made + the first mistake, sinned the first sin, chosen pride instead of humility, + the devil instead of God. And to-night Mark Carter sat and faced the + immediate future and saw what was before him. As if a painted map lay out + there on the wall before him, he saw the fire through which he must pass, + and the way it would scorch the faces of those he loved, and his soul + cried out in anguish at the sight. Back, back over his past life he + tramped again and again. Days when he and Lynn and her father and mother + had gone off on little excursions, with a lunch and a dog and a book, and + all the world of nature as their playground. A little thought, a trifling + word that had been spoken, some bit of beauty at which they looked, an ant + they watched struggling with a crumb too heavy for it, a cluster of golden + leaves or the scarlet berries of the squaw vine among the moss. How the + memories made his heart ache as he thought them out of the past. + </p> + <p> + And the books they had read aloud, sometimes the minister, sometimes his + wife doing the reading, but always he was counted into the little circle + as if they were a family. He had come to look upon them as his second + father and mother. His own father he had never known. + </p> + <p> + His eyes sought the bookcase near at hand. There they were, some of them + birthday gifts and Christmases, and he had liked nothing better than a new + book which he always carried over to be read in the company. Oh, those + years! How the books marked their going! Even way back in his little + boyhood! “Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates.” He touched its worn blue + back and silver letters scarcely discernible. “The Call of the Wild.” How + he had thrilled to the sorrows of that dog! And how many life lessons had + been wrapped up in the creature's experience! How had he drifted so far + away from it all? How could he have done it? No one had pushed him, he had + gone himself. He knew the very moment when after days of agony he had made + the awful decision, scarcely believing himself that he meant to stick by + it; hoping against hope that some great miracle would come to pass that + should change it all and put him back where he longed to be! How he had + prayed and prayed in his childish faith and agony for the miracle, and—<i>it + had not come!</i> God had gone back on him. He had not kept His promises! + And then he had deliberately given up his faith. He could think back over + all the days and weeks that led up to this. Just after the time when he + had been so happy; had felt that he was growing up, and understanding so + many of the great problems of life. The future looked rosy before him, + because he felt that he was beginning to grasp wisdom and the sweetness of + things. How little he had known of his own foolishness and sinfulness! + </p> + <p> + It was just after they had finished reading and discussing Dante's Vision. + What a wonderful man Mr. Severn was that he had taken two children and + guided them through that beautiful, fearful, wonderful story! How it had + impressed him then, and stayed with him all these awful months and days + since he had trodden the same fiery way—! + </p> + <p> + He reached his hand out for the book, bound in dull blue cloth, the symbol + of its serious import. He had not opened the book since they finished it + and Mr. Severn had handed it over to him and told him to keep it, as he + had another copy. He opened the book as if it had been the coffin of his + beloved, and there between the dusty pages lay a bit of blue ribbon, + creased with the pages, and jagged on the edges because it had been cut + with a jack knife. And lying smooth upon it in a golden curve a wisp of a + yellow curl, just a section of one of Marilyn's, the day she put her hair + up, and did away with the curls! He had cut the ribbon from the end of a + great bow that held the curls at the back of her head, and then he had + laughingly insisted on a piece of the curl, and they had made a great time + collecting the right amount of hair, for Marilyn insisted it must not make + a rough spot for her to brush. Then he had laid it in the book, the + finished book, and shut it away carefully, and gone home, and the next + day,—the very next day, the thing had happened! + </p> + <p> + He turned the leaves sadly: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “In midway of this our mortal life, + I found me in a gloomy wood, astray + Gone from the path direct:—” + </pre> + <p> + It startled him, so well it fitted with his mood. It was himself, and yet + he could remember well how he had felt for the writer when he heard it + first. Terrible to sit here to-night and know it was himself all the time + the tale had been about! He turned a page or two and out from the text + there stood a line: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “All hope abandon ye who enter here.” + </pre> + <p> + That was the matter with himself. He had abandoned all hope. Over the leaf + his eye ran down the page: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “This miserable fate + Suffer the wretched souls of those who lived + Without praise or blame, with that ill band + Of angels mixed, who nor rebellious proved + Nor yet were true to God, but for themselves + Were only.” + </pre> + <p> + How well he remembered the minister's little comments as he read, how the + sermons had impressed themselves upon his heart as he listened, and yet + here he was, himself, in hell! He turned over the pages again quickly + unable to get away from the picture that grew in his mind, the vermilion + towers and minarets, the crags and peaks, the “little brook, whose + crimson'd wave, yet lifts my hair with horror,” he could see it all as if + he had lived there many years. Strange he had not thought before of the + likeness of his life to this. He read again: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “O Tuscan! thou who through the city of fire + Alive art passing,—” + </pre> + <p> + Yes, that was it. A City of Fire. He dwelt in a City of Fire! Hell! There + was a hell on earth to-day and mortals entered it and dwelt there. He + lived in that City of Fire continually now. He expected to live there + forever. He had sinned against God and his better self, and had begun his + eternal life on earth. It was too late ever to turn back. “All Hope + abandon, ye who enter here.” He had read it and defied it. He had entered + knowing what he was about, and thinking, poor fool that he was, that he + was doing a wise and noble thing for the sake of another. + </p> + <p> + Over in the little parsonage, the white souled girl was walking in an + earthly heaven. Ah! There was nothing, <i>nothing</i> they had in common + now any more. She lived in the City of Hope and he in the City of Fire. + </p> + <p> + He flung out the book from him and dropped his face into his hands crying + softly under his breath, “Oh, Lynn, Lynn—Marilyn!” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0016" id="link2H_4_0016"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XV + </h2> + <p> + For one instant Lynn stood against the closed door, flaming with anger, + her eyes flashing fire as they well knew how to flash at times. Then + suddenly her lips set close in a fine control the fire died out of her + eyes, she drew a deep breath, and a quick whimsical smile lighted up her + face, which nevertheless did not look in the least like one subdued: + </p> + <p> + “You know I could get very angry at that if I chose and we'd have all + kinds of a disagreeable time, but I think it would be a little pleasanter + for us both if you would cut that out, don't you?” She said it in a cool + little voice that sounded like one in entire command of the situation, and + Opal turned around and stared at her admiringly. Then she laughed one of + her wild silvery laughs that made them say she had a lute-like voice, and + sauntered over toward her hostess: + </p> + <p> + “You certainly are a queer girl!” she commented, “I suppose it would be + better to be friends, inasmuch as we're to be roommates. Will you smoke + with me?” and out from the depths of a beaded affair that was a part of + her frock and yet looked more like a bag than a pocket, she drew forth a + gold cigarette case and held it out. + </p> + <p> + Marilyn controlled the growing contempt in her face and answered with + spirit: + </p> + <p> + “No, I don't smoke. And you won't smoke either—<i>not in here!</i> + I'm sorry to seem inhospitable, but we don't do things like that around + here, and if you have to smoke you'll have to go out doors.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, really?” Opal arched her already permanently arched, plucked brows + and laughed again. “Well, you certainly have lots of pep. I believe I'm + going to like you. Let's sit down and you tell me about yourself?” + </p> + <p> + “Why don't <i>you</i> tell me about <i>yourself</i>?” hedged Marilyn + relaxing into a chair and leaving the deep leather one for her guest, “I'm + really a very simple affair, just a country girl very glad to get home + after four years at college. There's nothing complex and nothing to tell I + assure you.” + </p> + <p> + “You're entirely too sophisticated for all that simplicity,” declared + Opal, “I suppose it's college that has given you so much poise. But why + aren't you impressed with Laurie? Simply <i>everybody</i> is impressed + with Laurie! I don't believe you even know who he is!” + </p> + <p> + Lynn laughed: + </p> + <p> + “How should I? And what difference would it make any way? As for being + impressed, he gave me the impression of a very badly spoiled boy out + trying to have his own way, and making a great fuss because he couldn't + get it.” + </p> + <p> + “And you didn't know that his father is William J. Shafton, the + multi-millionaire?” Opal brought the words out like little sharp points + that seemed to glitter affluently as she spoke them. + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Marilyn, “I didn't know. But it doesn't matter. We hadn't + anything better to offer him than we've given, and I don't know why I + should have been impressed by that. A man is what he is, isn't he? Not + what his father is. He isn't your—<i>brother</i>—is he? I was + over at the church when you arrived and didn't hear the introductions. I + didn't even get your name.” + </p> + <p> + Opal laughed uproariously as if the subject were overwhelmingly amusing: + </p> + <p> + “No,” she said recovering, “I'm just Opal. Fire Opal they call me + sometimes, and Opalescence. That's Laurie's name for me, although lately + he's taken to calling me Effervescence. No, he's not my brother little + Simple Lady, he's just one of my friends. Now don't look shocked. I'm a + naughty married lady run off on a spree for a little fun.” Marilyn + regarded her thoughtfully: + </p> + <p> + “Now stop looking at me with those solemn eyes! Tell me what you were + thinking about me! I'd lots rather hear it. It would be something + original, I'm sure. You're nothing if not original!” + </p> + <p> + “I was just wondering why,” said Marilyn still thoughtfully. + </p> + <p> + “Why what?” + </p> + <p> + “<i>Why.</i> Why you did it. Why you wanted to be that kind of a married + woman when the real kind is so much more beautiful and satisfactory.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you know about it?” blazed Opal, “You've never been married, have + you?” + </p> + <p> + “My mother has had such a wonderful life with my father—and my + father with my mother!” + </p> + <p> + Opal stared at her amazed for an instant, then shrugged her shoulders + lightly: + </p> + <p> + “Oh, <i>that!</i>” she said and laughed disagreeably, “If one wants to be + a saint, perhaps, but there aren't many <i>men</i>-saints I can tell you! + You haven't seen my husband or you wouldn't talk like that! Imagine living + a saintly life with Ed Verrons! But my dear, wait till you're married! You + won't talk that rubbish any more!” + </p> + <p> + “I shall never marry unless I can,” said Lynn decidedly, “It would be + terrible to marry some one I could not love and trust!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, love!” said Opal contemptuously, “You can love any one you want to + for a little while. Love doesn't last. It's just a play you soon get tired + to death of. But if that's the way you feel don't pin your trust and your + love as you call it to that princely icicle we saw down on the lawn. He's + seen more of the world than you know. I saw it in his eyes. There! Now + don't set your eyes to blazing again. I won't mention him any more + to-night. And don't worry about me, I'm going to be good and run back + to-morrow morning in time to meet my dear old hubby in the evening when he + gets back from a week's fishing in the Adirondacks, and he'll never guess + what a frolic I've had. But you certainly do amuse me with your + indifference. Wait till Laurie gets in some of his work on you. I can see + he's crazy already about you, and if I don't decide to carry him off with + me in the morning I'll miss my guess if he doesn't show you how altogether + charming the son of William J. Shafton can be. He never failed to have a + girl fall for him yet, not one that he <i>went</i> after, and he's been + after a good many girls I can tell you.” + </p> + <p> + Lynn arose suddenly, her chin a bit high, a light of determination in her + eyes. She felt herself growing angry again: + </p> + <p> + “Come and look at my view of the moon on the valley,” she said suddenly, + pulling aside the soft scrim curtain and letting in a flood of moonlight. + “Here, I'll turn out the light so you can see better. Isn't that + beautiful?” + </p> + <p> + She switched off the lights and the stranger drew near apathetically, + gazing out into the beauty of the moonlight as it touched the houses half + hidden in the trees and vines, and flooded the Valley stretching far away + to the feet of the tall dark mountains. + </p> + <p> + “I hate mountains!” shuddered Opal, “They make me afraid! I almost ran + over a precipice when I was coming here yesterday. If I have to go back + that same way I shall take Laurie, or if he won't go I'll cajole that + stunning prince of yours if you don't mind. I loathe being alone. That's + why I ran down here to see Laurie!” + </p> + <p> + But Lynn had switched on the lights and turned from the window. Her face + was cold and her voice hard: + </p> + <p> + “Suppose we go to bed,” she said, “will you have the bed next the window + or the door? And what shall I get for you? Have you everything? See, here + is the bathroom. Father and mother had it built for me for my birthday. + And the furniture is some of mother's grandmother's. They had it done over + for me.” + </p> + <p> + “It's really a dandy room!” said Opal admiringly, “I hadn't expected to + find anything like this,” she added without seeming to know she was + patronizing. “You are the only child, aren't you? Your father and mother + just dote on you too. That must be nice. We had a whole houseful at home, + three girls and two boys, and after father lost his money and had to go to + a sanitarium we had frightful times, never any money to buy anything, the + girls always fighting over who should have silk stockings, and mother + crying every night when we learned to smoke. Of course mother was old + fashioned. I hated to have her weeping around all the time, but all our + set smoked and what could I do? So I just took the first good chance to + get married and got out of it all. And Ed isn't so bad. Lots of men are + worse. And he gives me all the money I want. One thing the girls don't + have to fight over silk stockings and silk petticoats any more. I send + them all they want. And I manage to get my good times in now and then too. + But tell me, what in the world do you do in this sleepy little town? Don't + you get bored to death? I should think you'd get your father to move to + the city. There must be plenty of churches where a good looking minister + like your father could get a much bigger salary than out in the country + like this. When I get back to New York I'll send for you to visit me and + show you a real good time. I suppose you've never been to cabarets and + eaten theatre suppers, and seen a real New York good time. Why, last + winter I had an affair that was talked of in the papers for days. I had + the whole lower floor decorated as a wood you know, with real trees set + up, and mossy banks, and a brook running through it all. It took days for + the plumbers to get the fittings in, and then they put stones in the + bottom, and gold fish, and planted violets on the banks and all kinds of + ferns and lilies of the valley, everywhere there were flowers blossoming + so the guests could pick as many as they wanted. The stream was deep + enough to float little canoes, and they stopped in grottoes for champagne, + and when they came to a shallow place they had to get out and take off + their shoes and stockings and wade in the brook. On the opposite bank a + maid was waiting with towels. The ladies sat down on the bank and their + escorts had to wipe their feet and help them on with their shoes and + stockings again, and you ought to have heard the shouts of laughter! It + certainly was a great time! Upstairs in the ball room we had garden walks + all about, with all kinds of flowers growing, and real birds flying + around, and the walls were simply covered with American beauty roses and + wonderful climbers, in such bowers that the air was heavy with perfume. + The flowers alone cost thousands—What's the matter? Did you hear + something fall? You startled me, jumping up like that! You're nervous + aren't you? Don't you think music makes people nervous?” + </p> + <p> + Marilyn smiled pathetically, and dropped back to the edge of her bed: + </p> + <p> + “Pardon me,” she said, “I was just in one of my tempers again. I get them + a lot but I'm trying to control them. I happened to think of the little + babies I saw in the tenement districts when I was in New York last. Did + you ever go there? They wear one little garment, and totter around in the + cold street trying to play, with no stockings, and shoes out at the toes. + Sometimes they haven't enough to eat, and their mothers are so wretchedly + poor and sorrowful—!” + </p> + <p> + “Mercy!” shuddered Opal, “How morbid you are! What ever did you go to a + place like that for? I always keep as far away from unpleasant things as I + can. I cross the street if I see a blind beggar ahead. I just loathe + misery! But however did you happen to think of them when I was telling you + about my beautiful ball room decorations?” + </p> + <p> + Lynn twinkled: + </p> + <p> + “I guess you wouldn't understand me,” she said slowly, “but I was thinking + of all the good those thousands of dollars would have done if they had + been spent on babies and not on flowers.” + </p> + <p> + “Gracious!” said Opal. “I <i>hate</i> babies! Ed is crazy about them, and + would like to have the house full, but I gave him to understand what I + thought about that before we were married.” + </p> + <p> + “I <i>love</i> babies,” said Marilyn. “They want me to go this Fall and do + some work in that settlement, and I'm considering it. If it only weren't + for leaving father and mother again—but I do love the babies and the + little children. I want to gather them all and do so many things for them. + You know they are all God's babies, and it seems pitiful for them to have + to be in such a dreadful world as some of them have!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, <i>God</i>!” shuddered Opal quite openly now, “Don't talk about God! + I <i>hate</i> God! He's just killed one of my best men friends! I wish you + wouldn't talk about God!” + </p> + <p> + Marilyn looked at her sadly, contemplatively, and then twitched her mouth + into a little smile: + </p> + <p> + “We're not getting on very well, are we? I don't like your costly + entertainments, and you don't like my best Friend! I'm sorry. I must seem + a little prude to you I'm afraid, but really, God is not what you think. + You wouldn't hate Him, you would love Him,—if you <i>knew</i> Him.” + </p> + <p> + “Fancy knowing God—as you would your other friends! How <i>dreadful</i>! + Let's go to bed!” + </p> + <p> + Opal began to get out her lovely brushes and toilet paraphernalia and Lynn + let down her wonderful golden mane and began to brush it, looking + exquisite in a little blue dimity kimona delicately edged with' + valenciennes. Opal made herself radiant in a rose-chiffon and old-point + negligee and went through numerous gyrations relating to the complexion, + complaining meanwhile of the lack of a maid. + </p> + <p> + But after the lights were out, and Lynn kneeling silently by her bed in + the moonlight, Opal lay on the other bed and watched her wonderingly, and + when a few minutes later, Marilyn rose softly and crept into bed as + quietly as possible lest she disturb her guest, Opal spoke: + </p> + <p> + “I wonder what you would do if a man—the man you liked best in all + the world,—had got killed doing something to please you. It makes + you go <i>crazy</i> when you think of it—someone you've danced with + lying dead that way all alone. I wonder what <i>you'd do</i>!” + </p> + <p> + Lynn brought her mind back from her own sorrows and prayers with a jerk to + the problem of this strange guest. She did not answer for a moment, then + she said very slowly: + </p> + <p> + “I think—I don't know—but I <i>think</i> I should go right to + God and ask Him what to do. I think nobody else could show what ought to + be done. There wouldn't be anything else to do!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, <i>murder</i>!” said Opal turning over in bed quickly, and hiding her + face in the pillow, and there was in the end of her breath just the + suggestion of a shriek of fear. + </p> + <p> + But far, far into the night Marilyn lay on her sleepless pillow, her heart + crying out to God: “Oh, save Mark! Take care of Mark! Show him the way + back again!” + </p> + <p> + Afar in the great city a message stole on a wire through the night, and + presently the great presses were hot with its import, printing thousands + and thousands of extras for early morning consumption, with headlines in + enormous letters across the front page: + </p> + <p> + “LAURENCE SHAFTON, SON OF WILLIAM J. SHAFTON, KIDNAPPED!” + </p> + <p> + “Mrs. Shafton is lying in nervous collapse as the result of threats from + kidnappers who boldly called her up on the phone and demanded a king's + ransom, threatening death to the son if the plot was revealed before ten + o'clock this morning. The faithful mother gathered her treasures which + included the famous Shafton Emeralds, and a string of pearls worth a + hundred thousand dollars, and let them down from her window as directed, + and then fainted, knowing nothing more till her maid hearing her fall, + rushed into the room and found her unconscious. When roused she became + hysterical and told what had happened. Then remembering the threat of + death for telling ahead of time she became crazy with grief, and it was + almost impossible to soothe her. The maid called her family physician, + explaining all she knew, and the matter was at once put into the hands of + capable detectives who are doing all they know how to locate the missing + son, who has been gone only since Saturday evening; and also to find the + missing jewels and other property, and it is hoped that before evening the + young man will be found.” + </p> + <p> + Meantime, Laurence Shafton slept soundly and late in the minister's study, + and knew nothing of the turmoil and sorrow of his doting family. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0017" id="link2H_4_0017"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XVI + </h2> + <p> + Though Mark had scarcely slept at all the night before he was on hand long + before the city-bred youth was awake, taking apart the big machine that + stood in front of the parsonage. Like a skillful physician he tested its + various valves and compartments, went over its engine carefully, and came + at last to the seat of the trouble which the minister had diagnosed the + night before. + </p> + <p> + Lynn with dark circles under her eyes had wakened early and slipped down + to the kitchen to help her mother and the little maid of all work who + lived down the street and was a member of the Sunday School and an + important part of the family. It was Naomi who discovered the young + mechanic at the front door. There was not much that Naomi did not see. She + announced his presence to Marilyn as she was filling the salt cellars for + breakfast. Marilyn looked up startled, and met her mother's eyes full of + comfort and reassurance. Somehow when Mark came quietly about in that + helpful way of his it was impossible not to have the old confidence in + him, the old assurance that all would soon be right, the old explanation + that Mark was always doing something quietly for others and never taking + care for himself. Marilyn let her lips relax into a smile and went about + less heavy of heart. Surely, surely, somehow, Mark would clear himself of + these awful things that were being said about him. Surely the day would + bring forth a revelation. And Mark's action last night when he refused to + speak with her, refused to let her touch his arm, and called himself + unworthy was all for her sake; all because he did not want her name + sullied with a breath of the scandal that belonged to him. Mark would be + that way. He would protect her always, even though he did not belong to + her, even though he were not her friend. + </p> + <p> + She was almost cheerful again, when at last the dallying guests appeared + for a late breakfast. Mark was still working at the car, filing something + with long steady grinding noises. She had seen him twice from the window, + but she did not venture out. Mark had not wished her to speak to him, she + would not go against his wish,—at least not now—not until the + guests were out of the way. That awful girl should have no further + opportunity to say things to her about Mark. She would keep out of his way + until they were gone. Oh, pray that the car would be fixed and they pass + on their way at once! Later, if there were opportunity, she would find a + way to tell Mark that he should not refuse her friendship. What was + friendship if it could not stand the strain of falsehood and gossip, and + even scandal if necessary. She was not ashamed to let Mark know she would + be his friend forever. There was nothing unmaidenly in that. Mark would + understand her. Mark had always understood her. And so she cheered her + heavy heart through the breakfast hour, and the foolish jesting of the two + that sounded to her anxious ears, in the language of scripture, like the + “crackling of thorns under a pot.” + </p> + <p> + But at last they finished the breakfast and shoved their chairs back to go + and look at the car. Mr. Severn and his wife had eaten long ago and gone + about their early morning duties, and it had been Marilyn's duty to do the + honors for the guests, so she drew a sigh of relief, and, evading Laurie's + proffered arm slid into the pantry and let them go alone. + </p> + <p> + But when she glanced through the dining-room window a few minutes later as + she passed removing the dishes from the table, she saw Mark upon his knees + beside the car, looking up with his winning smile and talking to Opal, who + stood close beside him all attention, with her little boy attitude, and a + wide childlike look in her big effective eyes. Something big and terrible + seemed to seize Marilyn's heart with a vise-like grip, and be choking her + breath in her throat. She turned quickly, gathered up her pile of dishes + and hurried into the pantry, her face white and set, and her eyes stinging + with proud unshed tears. + </p> + <p> + A few minutes later, dressed in brown riding clothes exquisitely tailored, + and a soft brown felt hat, she might have been seen hurrying through the + back fence, if anybody had been looking that way, across the Joneses' lot + to the little green stable that housed a riding horse that was hers to + ride whenever she chose. She had left word with Naomi that she was going + to Economy and would be back in time for lunch, and she hoped in her heart + that when she returned both of their guests would have departed. It was + perhaps a bit shabby of her to leave it all on her mother this way, but + mother would understand, and very likely be glad. + </p> + <p> + So Lynn mounted her little brown horse and rode by a circuitous way, + across the creek, and out around the town to avoid passing her own home, + and was presently on her way up to the crossroads down which Laurie + Shafton had come in the dark midnight. + </p> + <p> + As she crossed the Highway, she noticed the Detour, and paused an instant + to study the peculiar sign, and the partly cleared way around. And while + she stood wondering a car came swiftly up from the Economy way past the + Blue Duck Tavern. The driver bowed and smiled and she perceived it was the + Chief of Police from Economy, a former resident of Sabbath Valley, and + very much respected in the community, and with him in the front seat, was + another uniformed policeman! + </p> + <p> + With a sudden constriction at her heart Marilyn bowed and rode on. Was he + going to Sabbath Valley? Was there truth in the rumor that Mark was in + trouble? She looked back to see if he had turned down the Highway, but he + halted the car with its nose pointed Sabbath Valleyward and got out to + examine the Detour on the Highway. She rode slowly and turned around + several times, but as long as she was in sight his car remained standing + pointed toward the Valley. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0018" id="link2H_4_0018"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XVII + </h2> + <p> + Billy awoke to the light of day with the sound of a strange car going by. + The road through Sabbath Valley was not much frequented, and Billy knew + every car that usually travelled that way. They were mostly Economy and + Monopoly people, and as there happened to be a mountain trolley between + the two towns higher up making a circuit to touch at Brooktown, people + seldom came this way. Therefore at the unusual sound Billy was on the + alert at once. One movement brought him upright with his feet upon the + floor blinking toward his window, a second carried him to shelter behind + the curtain where he could see the stranger go by. + </p> + <p> + Billy had reduced the science of dressing to a fine degree. He could climb + into the limited number of summer garments in less time than any boy in + the community, and when he saw that the car had halted just above the + house and that the driver was interviewing Jim Rafferty, he reached for a + handful of garments, and began to climb, keeping one eye out the window + for developments. Was that or was it not the Chief's car out there? If it + was what did it want? + </p> + <p> + Billy was in socks, trousers and shirt by the time the car began to puff + again for starting, and he stove his feet into his old shoes and dove down + stairs three steps at a stride and out the door where he suddenly became a + casual observer of the day. + </p> + <p> + “Hullo, Billy! That you?” accosted the Chief driving slowly down the + street, “Say, Billy, you haven't seen Mark Carter, have you? They said he + had gone down to the blacksmith's to get something fixed for a car. I + thought perhaps you'd seen him go by.” + </p> + <p> + Billy shook his head lazily: + </p> + <p> + “Nope,” he said, “I've been busy this morning. He mighta gone by.” + </p> + <p> + “Well I'll just drive down and see!” The car started on and turned into + the Lane that led to the blacksmith shop. + </p> + <p> + Billy dove into the house, made short work of his ablutions, gave his hair + a brief lick with the brush, collected his cap and sweater, bolted the + plate of breakfast Aunt Saxon had left on the back of the stove when she + went away for her regular Monday's wash, and was ready behind the lilac + bush with old trusty, down on his knees oiling her a bit, when the Chief + drove back with Mark Carter in the back seat looking strangely white and + haughty, but talking affably with the Chief. + </p> + <p> + His heart sank. Somehow he knew something was wrong with Mark. Mark was in + his old clothes with several pieces of iron in his hand as if he hadn't + taken time to lay them down. Billy remained in hiding and watched while + the Chief's car stopped at Carter's and Mark got out. The car waited + several minutes, and then Mark came out with his good clothes on and his + best hat, and got into the car and they drove off, Mark looking stern and + white. Billy shot out from his hiding and mounting his steed flew down the + road, keeping well behind the maples and hedges, and when the Chief's car + stopped in front of the parsonage he dismounted and stepped inside + Joneses' drive to listen. Mark got out, sprang up the steps, touched the + bell, and said to someone who appeared at the door, “Mr. Shafton, I'm + sorry, but I'll not be able to get those bearings fixed up to-day. The + blacksmith doesn't seem to have anything that will do. I find I have to go + over to Economy on business, and I'll look around there and see if anybody + has any. I expect to be back by twelve o'clock, and will you tell the lady + that I will be ready to start at half-past if that will suit her. I am + sure we shall have plenty of time to get her to Beechwood by five or + sooner. If anything occurs to keep me from going I'll telephone you in an + hour, so that she can make other arrangements. Thank you, Mr. Shafton. + Sorry I couldn't fix you up right away, but I'll look after the lady for + you.” Mark hurried back to the car again and they drove off. + </p> + <p> + Billy escorted the Department of Justice distantly, as far as the Crossing + at the Highway, from which eminence he watched until he saw that they + stopped at the Blue Duck Tavern for a few minutes, after which they went + on toward Economy; then he inspected the recent clearing of his detour, + obviously by the Chief, and hurried down the Highway toward the railroad + Crossing at Pleasant View. It was almost train time, and he had a hunch + that there might be something interesting around that hidden telephone. If + he only had had more time he might have arranged to tap the wire and + listen in without having to go so near, but he must do the best he could. + </p> + <p> + When he reached a point on the Highway where Pleasant View station was + easily discernible he dismounted, parked his wheel among the + huckleberries, and slid into the green of the Valley. Stealing cautiously + to the scene of the Saturday night hold-up he finally succeeded in + locating the hidden telephone, and creeping into a well screened spot not + far away arranged himself comfortably to wait till the trains came. He + argued that Pat would likely come down to report or get orders about the + same time as before, and so in the stillness of the morning he lay on the + ground and waited. He could hear a song sparrow high up on the telegraph + wire, sing out its wild sweet lonely strain: Sweet—sweetsweetsweet—sweetsweet—sweetsweet—! + and a hum of bees in the wild grape that trailed over the sassafras trees. + Beside him a little wood spider stole noiselessly on her busy way. But his + heart was heavy with new burdens and he could not take his usual rhapsodic + joy in the things of Nature. What was happening to Mark and what could he + do about it? Perhaps Mark would have been better off if he had left him in + the old house on Stark's mountain. The chief couldn't have found him then + and the kidnappers would have kept him safe for a good many days till they + got some money. But there wouldn't have <i>been</i> any money! For Mark + wasn't the right man! And the kidnappers would have found it out pretty + soon and <i>what</i> would they have done to Mark? Killed him perhaps so + they wouldn't get into any more trouble! There was no telling! And time + would have gone on and nobody would have known what had become of Mark. + And the murder trial—if it was really a murder—would come off + and they couldn't find Mark, and of course they would think Mark had + killed the man and then run away. And Mark would never be able to come + home again! No, he was glad Mark was out and safe and free from dope. At + least Mark would know what to do to save himself. Or would he? Billy + suddenly had his doubts. Would Mark take care of himself, just himself, or + not? Mark was always looking after other people, but he had somehow always + let people say and do what they would with him. Aw gee! Now Mark wouldn't + let them locate a thing like a murder on him, would he? And there was Miss + Lynn! And Mark's mother! Mark oughtta think of them. Well, maybe he + wouldn't realize how much they did care. Billy had a sudden revelation + that maybe that was half the matter, Mark didn't know how much any of them + cared. Back in his mind there was an uncomfortable memory of Aunt Saxon's + pink damp features and anxious eyes and a possible application of the same + principle to his own life, as in the case of Judas. But he wasn't + considering himself now. There might come a time when he would have to + change his tactics with regard to Aunt Saxon somewhat. She certainly had + been a good sport last night. But this wasn't the time to consider that. + He had a great deal more important matters to think of now. He had to find + out how he could make it perfectly plain to the world that Mark Carter had + not shot a man after twelve o'clock Saturday night at the Blue Duck + Tavern. And as yet he didn't see any way without incriminating himself as + a kidnapper. This cut deep because in the strict sense of the word he was + not a kidnapper, because he hadn't meant to be a kidnapper. He had only + meant to play a joke on the kidnappers, and at worst his only really + intended fault had been the putting up of that detour on the Highway. But + he had an uncomfortable conviction that he wouldn't be able to make the + Chief and the Constable, and some of those people over at Economy Court + House see it that way. As matters stood he was safe if he kept his mouth + shut. Nobody knew but Mark, and he didn't know the details. Besides, Mark + would never tell. Mark would even go to trial for murder before he would + let himself out by telling on Billy, Billy knew that as well as he knew + that the old mountain on whose feet he lay stretched now would stand up + there for ages and always keep his secret for him. Mark was that way. That + was why it made it worse for Billy. Judas again! Billy was surprised to + find how much Judas-blood there seemed to be in him. He lay there and + despised himself without being able to help himself out or think of + anything he could do. And then quite suddenly as he was going over the + whole circumstance from the time he first listened to Pat's message into + the moss of the mountain, until now, the name Shafton came to him. + Laurence Shafton. Shafton, son of William J., of Gates and Shafton. Those + were the words the telephone had squeaked out quite plainly. And Shafton. + Mr. Shafton. That was the name Mark had called the guy with the car at the + parsonage. Mr. Shafton. The same guy, of course. Bah! What a mess he had + made of it all. Got Mark kidnapped, landed that sissy-guy on the Severns + for no knowing how long, and perhaps helped to tangle Mark up in a murder + case. Aw Gee! There's the train! What could he do? That rich guy! Well, + there wasn't anything to that. He would get out as soon as Mark got his + car fixed up and never know he had been kidnapped. And what was he, Billy, + waiting here for anyway? Just a chance! Just to see whether Pat and Sam + had found out yet that their quarry had vanished. Just to wonder what had + become of Link and Shorty. + </p> + <p> + The trains came and went, and the hush settled down once more at the + station. From where he lay, hidden under a ledge, with a thick growth of + laurel and sumac between him and the world, Billy could not see the + station platform, and had no means of telling whether Pat was about or + not. + </p> + <p> + He had lain still a long time and was beginning to think that his trip had + been in vain, when he heard a soft crackling of the twigs above him, a + heavy tread crashing through the bushes, a puffing snorting breath from + the porpoise-like Pat, and he held his own breath and lay very still. + Suppose Pat should take a new trail and discover his hiding place? His + heart pounded with great dull thuds. But Pat slid heavily down to the + little clearing below him, fumbled a moment with his key, and then in a + gruff guarded voice called: + </p> + <p> + “Hullo! Hullo! Sam? That you? Yes, aw'right! Yes, aw'right! How's things? + What? Hell's to pay? Whaddaya mean hell? Ain't you gonta put it over? + After all my trouble you ain't a gonta let that million slip through? + What? Oh! Who? The Valet? He's beat it, has he? Whaddaya mean? <i>He</i> + took 'em? <i>He</i> took the pearls an' diamonds? Well, Em'ruls then! + What's tha diffrunce? <i>We</i> ain't gottum have we? Oh, bonds too! Well, + whattya gonta do about it? Move him? What, the rich guy? Move him where? + <i>Why?</i> We ain'ta gonta run no more risks. Link an' Shorty are sore + 'za pup when they come. I don't think they'll stan' for it. Well, where'll + ya move him? Who? Shorty? Oh, Link? Both? Well, I ain't seen 'em. I tol' + 'em to keep good an' far away from me. I don't build on loosin' this job + just now, See? What? It's in the papers a'ready? You don't say! Well, who + you figger done that? That Valet? Well, where's the harm? Can't you work + it all the better? We got the guy, ain't we? <i>He</i> ain't gottim that's + certain. We c'n deliver the goods, so we get the reward. How much reward + they offerin? You don't say! Well, I should say, get in yer work soon + 'fore we get caught. Aw'right! I'm with ya. Well, s'long! I'll be down + here at nine sharp. Take a trip to China with ya next week ef ya pull it + off. Aw'right! Goobby!” and Pat hung up and puffed his way up the hill + again, leaving Billy drenched with perspiration and filled with vague + plans, and deep anxiety. He had got a clue but what good was it? How could + he work it to the salvation of Mark? He could easily put the sissy over at + the parsonage wise, do him a good turn, save his dad some money, but what + good would that do Mark? Mark needed to establish an alibi, he could see + that with half an eye, but how would anything Billy knew help that along + unless—unless he told on himself? For a moment a long trail of + circumstances that would surely follow such a sacrificial ordinance + appeared before him and burned into his soul, most prominent among them + being Aunt Saxon, hard worked and damp-pink-eyed, crying her heart out for + the boy she had tried faithfully to bring up. And Miss Lynn. How sad her + eyes would grow if Billy had to be tried and sentenced to prison. Not that + Billy was afraid to go to prison, in fact the thought of it as an + experience was rather exhilirating than not, but he was afraid to have + those two know he had gone, afraid of their eyes, their sad eyes! Yes, and + he was afraid of the thought of his own ingratitude, for down deep in his + heart he could see a long line of things Aunt Saxon had done for him that + she hadn't been obliged to do. Going without a new winter coat to get him + an overcoat. His old one was warm, but his arms were out of it too far and + he wouldn't wear it. Sitting up nights the time he drank swamp water and + had the fever! That was fierce! How he did rag her! And how patiently she + bore it! The scare she had when the dog bit him! As if a little dog bite + was anything! Doggone it, why were women such fools! + </p> + <p> + And now this! Billy sat up with a jerk and shook himself free from the + dead moss and leaves, wending his way sulkily across to where he had left + his wheel, and pondering—pondering. “Shafton!” There ought to be + something there to work on, but there wasn't! + </p> + <p> + Meantime Marilyn rode hard down the way to Economy, not slowing her pony + till they reached the outskirts of Economy. Her mind was in such a tumult + that she felt as if she were being whirled on with circumstances without + having a will to choose one thing from another. Mark! The unwelcome + guests! Mark and Opal! Mark and Cherry! <i>Cherry!</i> The Chief of + Police! Mark! And yes, Cherry! She was on her way to see <i>Cherry!</i> + But what was she going to do when she got there, and how was she to excuse + her strange visit after almost five years since she had seen the child? If + there was truth in the rumor that she was connected with a shooting affair + at the Blue Duck, and especially if there was truth in the charge that + Mark had been going with her, would it not seem strange—perhaps be + misconstrued by Cherry? By her family? They had all known of her own + intimacy with Mark in the past. She shrank from the idea. Yet Marilyn + Severn had not been brought up to regard public opinion when it was a + question of doing something that ought to be done. The only question was, + was it really something that ought to be done or was she letting Billy + influence her unduly? Billy was shrewd. He knew Mark. He knew a lot more + than he ever told. What did Billy know? How she wished she had asked her + father's advise before coming, and yet, if she had, he might have been + unduly influenced by dreading to have her put herself in the position of + prying into the matter. + </p> + <p> + As she rode and pondered she came near to the little house on the village + street where Cherry lived, a house set out plumb with the sidewalk, and a + little gate at the side to go round to the back door where the family + lived, the front room being the tailor shop. As she drew near she looked + up and was sure she saw Cherry in a short narrow skirt and an old middy + blouse scurrying through the gate to the back door, and her heart thumped + so hard she was almost tempted to ride on to the store first before making + her call. But something in her that always held her to a task until it was + completed forced her to dismount and knock at the door. + </p> + <p> + It seemed long to wait with her heart thumping so, and why did it thump? + She found herself praying, “O God, show me what to say!” and then the door + was open a crack and a sharp wizened face with a striking resemblance to + Cherry's bold little beauty, was thrust at her. It must be Cherry's + mother. Of course it was! + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Fenner ain't in the shop!” said the woman, “He can't do nothin + to-day. He's sick!” + </p> + <p> + Marilyn smiled: “But I wanted to see Cherry,” she said, “Aren't you her + mother? Don't you remember me? I'm Marilyn Severn, her old music teacher. + Is Cherry in?” + </p> + <p> + A frightened look passed over the woman's face as she scanned the sweet + face before her, and then a wily expression darted into her eyes: + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” she said with a forced smirk, “Yes, Miss Marilyn. Excuse me fer not + recognizing you. You've grown a lot. Why no, Cherry ain't at home this + morning. She'll be awful sorry not to see you. She thought a lot of you, + she did. She got on so well with you in her music too. I says to her the + other day, I says Cherry, I hear Miss Marilyn is home again, you'll have + to take up yer music again, and she says yes, she guessed she would. + She'll be round some day to see you. Sorry I can't ask you in, but Mr. + Fenner's pretty sick. Oh, just the grip I guess. He'll soon be all right.” + </p> + <p> + She began to realize that the woman was in a hurry to get rid of her and + she hastened away, relieved yet puzzled at the whole affair. She rode down + into the village mechanically and bought a spool of silk and the coffee + strainer which had been her legitimate errand to the village, and turning + back had scarcely passed the last house before she saw the Chief's car + coming toward her, and Mark, his face white and haggard, looking out from + the back seat. He drew back as he recognized her, and tried to hide, and + she rode on with only a passing bow which comprehended the whole car; but + she was aware of Mark's eyes upon her, steadily, watching her. She would + have known he was watching her from the darkness of the back seat if her + own eyes had been shut. What was it all about and what were they doing to + Mark? + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0019" id="link2H_4_0019"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XVIII + </h2> + <p> + The last house in the village on the road to Economy was the Harricutt's. + It was built of gray cement blocks that the elder had taken for a bad + debt, and had neither vine nor blossom to soften its grimness. Its windows + were supplied with green holland shades, and its front door-yard was + efficiently manned with plum trees and a peach, while the back yard was + given over to vegetables. Elder Harricutt walked to Economy every day to + his office in the Economy bank. He said it kept him in good condition + physically. His wife was small and prim with little quick prying eyes and + a false front that had a tendency to go askew. She wore bonnets with + strings and her false teeth didn't quite fit; they clicked as she talked. + She kept a watch over the road at all times and very little ever got by + her unnoticed. + </p> + <p> + In wholesome contrast next door was the trim little white cottage where + Tom McMertrie and his mother Christie lived, smothered in vines and ablaze + with geraniums all down the front walk. And below that, almost facing the + graveyard was a little green shingled bungalow. Mary Rafferty kept her + yard aglow with phlox, verbenas and pansies, and revelled in vines and + flowering shrubs. + </p> + <p> + These two women were wonderful friends, though forty years marched between + them. Mary's hair was black as a crow's wing above her great pansy-blue + eyes with their long curling lashes, while Christie's hair was sandy + silver and her tongue full of brrrs. They had opposite pantry windows on + the neighboring sides of their houses, where they often talked of a + morning while Christie moulded her sweet loaves of bread or mixed scones + and Mary made tarts and pies and cake for Jim's supper. Somehow without + much being said about it they had formed a combination against their hard + little knot of a neighbor behind the holland shades. + </p> + <p> + The first house on the side street that ran at right angles to the main + thoroughfare, just below Rafferty's, was Duncannon's. A picket fence at + the side let into the vegetable gardens of the three, and the quiet little + Mrs. Duncannon with the rippley brown hair and soft brown eyes often + slipped through and made a morning call under cover of the kindly pole + beans that hid her entrances and exits perfectly from any green holland + shaded windows that might be open that way. Jane Duncannon formed a third + in this little combination. + </p> + <p> + On the Monday morning following the session meeting Mary Rafferty and + Christie McMertrie were at their respective pantry windows flinging + together some toothsome delicacies for the evening meal, that all might + move smoothly during the busy day. + </p> + <p> + A neat line of flopping clothes glimmered in each back yard over the trim + “green” that stretched across in front of the back door, and the irons + were on in both kitchens preparing for a finish as soon as a “piece” + should show signs of dry. + </p> + <p> + “Hev ye haird whut the extra session meetin' was called for, Mary?” asked + the older woman looking up from her mixing bowl. “Tom went to the mill to + tak the place of the noight watchman. His feyther's dyin' ye ken, and + Tom's not come by yet. I thot ye might hev haird.” + </p> + <p> + Mary lifted her eyes with troubled glance: + </p> + <p> + “Not yet,” she said, “but I'm thinkin of running over to Duncannons as + soon as I get these pies in the oven. The clothes won't be dry for a + while, an' I'll take my pan of peas to shell. She'll know of course. Maybe + it's nothing much,—but Jim said they held up Mark Carter and made + him come in. It was ten minutes of ten before he got away—! You + don't suppose anybody's taken the gossip to the session do you?” + </p> + <p> + “There's one we know well would be full cawpable of the same,” affirmed + Christie patting her biscuits into place and tucking the bread cloth + deftly over them, “But I'd be sorry to see a meenister an' a session as + wud be held up by one poor whimperin' little elder of the like of him.” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Severn won't, I'm sure o' that!” said Mary trustingly, “but there + comes Mrs. Duncannon now, I'll run over and see what's in the wind.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Duncannon had grown a smile on her gentle face that was like as two + peas to her husband's wide kindly grin, but there was no smile on her face + this morning as she greeted her two friends, and dropped into a chair by + the door of Christie's immaculate kitchen, and her soft brown eyes were + snapping: She had an air of carrying kindly mysterious explosives: + </p> + <p> + “Did ye hear that the old ferret held up Mark Carter last night and as + good as called him a murderer in the face of the whole session?” she asked + breathlessly. + </p> + <p> + “And whut said our meenister to thot?” inquired Christie. + </p> + <p> + Jane Duncannon flashed her a twinkle of appreciation: + </p> + <p> + “He just clapped the senior elder in the chair as neat as a pin in a + pincushion an' moved an expression of confidence, <i>utmost</i> confidence + was the word—!” + </p> + <p> + “Mmmmmmmm! I thot as much!” commented Christie, “The blessed mon!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I'm so glad!” sighed Mary Rafferty sinking into a chair, “Jim thinks + the sun rises and sets in Mark Carter. They were kids together you know. + He says people don't know Mark. And he said if they turned Mark down at + the church now, if they didn't stand by him in his trouble, he had no more + use for their religion!” + </p> + <p> + “Don't you believe it, Mary Rafferty! Jim Rafferty loves the very ground + the meenister walks on!” + </p> + <p> + “What was that?” exclaimed Jane Duncannon running to the side window. “A + strange car! Mary, come here! Is that the Chief of Police from Economy?” + </p> + <p> + Mary darted to the window followed by the elder woman: + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it is!” she exclaimed drawing back aghast, “You <i>don't</i> suppose + he's going to Carter's? He <i>wouldn't</i> do that would he?” + </p> + <p> + “He huz to do his dooty, doesn't he?” mused Christie, “But thot's not + sayin' he <i>loikes</i> it, child!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, he might find a way not to frighten his mother—!” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Duncannon stretched her neck to see if he was really stopping at the + parsonage, and Christie murmured: “Perhaps he will.” + </p> + <p> + The little group lingered a moment, till Mary bethought her of her pies in + the oven and the three drifted thriftily back to their morning tasks, + albeit with mind and heart down in the village. + </p> + <p> + Presently on the glad morning air sounded again the chug chug of the + motor, bringing them sharply back to their windows. Yes, there was the + Chief's car again. And Mark Carter with white haggard face sat in the back + seat! Apprehension flew to the soul of each loyal woman. + </p> + <p> + But before the sound of the Chief's motor bearing Mark Carter Economyward + had passed out of hearing, Jane Duncannon in a neat brown dress with a + little round brown ribboned hat set trimly on her rippley hair, and a + little round basket on her arm covered daintily with a white napkin, was + nipping out her tidy front gate between the sunflowers and asters and + tripping down Maple street as if it had been on her mind to go ever since + Saturday night. + </p> + <p> + Even before Mary Rafferty had turned from her Nottingham laced parlor + window and gone with swift steps to her kitchen door Christie McMertrie + stood on her back step with her sunbonnet on and a glass of jelly wrapped + in tissue paper in her hand: + </p> + <p> + “She's glimpsed 'em,” she whispered briefly, with a nod toward the holland + shades, “an' she's up in her side bedroom puttin' on her Sunday bunnit. + She'll be oot the door in another two meenits, the little black crow! If + we bide in the fields we can mak Carters' back stoop afore she gets much + past the tchurch!” + </p> + <p> + Mary Rafferty caught up her pan of peas, dashed them into a basket that + hung on the wall by the door, and bareheaded as she was hastened out + through the garden after her friend for all the world as if she were going + to pick more peas. Down the green lane between the bean poles they hurried + through the picket gate, pushing aside the big gray Duncannon cat who + basked in the sun under a pink hollyhock with a Duncannon smile on its + gray whiskers like the rest of the family. + </p> + <p> + “Jane! Jane Duncannon!” called Christie McMertrie. But the hollow echoes + in the tidy kitchen flung back emptily, and the plate of steaming cinnamon + buns on the white scrubbed table spoke as plainly as words could have done + that no one was at home. + </p> + <p> + “She's gone!” + </p> + <p> + The two hurried around the house, through the front gate, across the + street with a quick glance up and down to be sure that the Petrie babies + playing horse in the next yard were their only observers, and then ducking + under the bars of the fence they scuttled down a slope, crossed a trickle + of a brook that hurried creekward, and up the opposite bank. Behind + Little's barn they paused to glance back. Some one was coming out the + Harricutt door, some one wearing a bonnet and a black veil. They hurried + on. There were two more fences separating the meadows. + </p> + <p> + Mary went over and Christie between. They made quick work of the rest of + the way and crept panting through the hedge at the back of Carter's just + as Jane Duncannon swung open the little gate in front with a glimpse back + up the street in triumph and a breath of relief that she had won. By only + so much as a lift of her lashes and a lighting of her soft brown eyes did + she recognize and incorporate the other two in her errand, and together + the three entered the Carter house by the side entrance, with a neighborly + tap and a call: “Miz Carter, you home?” + </p> + <p> + Quick nervous steps overhead, a muffled voice calling catchily, “Yes, I'm + coming, just set down, won't you?” and they dropped into three dining-room + chairs and drew 'breath, mopping their warm faces with their handkerchiefs + and trying to adjust their minds to the next move. + </p> + <p> + Their hostess gave them no time to prepare a program. She came hurriedly + down stairs, obviously anxious, openly with every nerve on the qui vive, + and they saw at once that she had been crying. Her hair was damp about her + forehead as if from hasty ablution. She looked from one to another of her + callers with a frightened glance that went beyond them as if looking for + others to come, as she paused in the doorway puzzled. + </p> + <p> + “This is a s'prise party, Miz Carter,” began Jane Duncannon laughing, “We + all brought our work along and can't stay but a minute, but we got an idea + an' couldn't keep it till Ladies' Aid. You got a minute to spare? Go get + your knitting and set down. <i>Now</i>! It's Miz'Severn's birthday next + Sat'day an' we thought 'twould be nice to get her a present. What do you + think about it?” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Carter who had stood tensely in the doorway, her fingers whitely + gripping the woodwork, her face growing whiter every minute, suddenly + relaxed with relief in every line of her body, and bloomed into a smile: + </p> + <p> + “Oh, why, <i>is</i> it? Of course! What'll it be? Why, couldn't we finish + that sunburst bed quilt we started last year while she was away? If we all + get at it I think we could finish. There's some real fast quilters in the + Aid. Wait, till I get my apples to pare. I promised Mark I'd have apple + sauce for lunch!” + </p> + <p> + A quick glance went from eye to eye and a look of relief settled down on + the little company. She <i>expected Mark home for lunch</i> then! + </p> + <p> + They were in full tide of talk about the quilting pattern when a knock + came on the front door, and Mary Rafferty jumped up and ran to open it. + They heard the Harricutt voice, clear, sharp, incisive: + </p> + <p> + “I came to sympathize—!” and then as Mary swung her face into the + sunlight the voice came suddenly up as against a stone wall with a gasp + and “Oh, it's <i>you</i>! Where's Mrs. Carter? I wish to see Mrs. Carter.” + </p> + <p> + “She's right back in the dining-room, Mrs. Harricutt. Come on back. We're + talking over how to celebrate Miz Severn's birthday. Do you like a + straight quilting or diamond, Miz Harricutt: It's for the sunburst + coverlet you know!” + </p> + <p> + “The sunburst coverlet!” exclaimed Mrs. Harricutt irately, as though + somehow it were an indecent subject at such a time as this, but she + followed Mary back to the dining-room with a sniff of curiosity. She + fairly gasped when she saw Mrs. Carter with her small sensitive face + bright with smiles: + </p> + <p> + “Just take that chair by the window, Mrs. Harricutt,” she said affably, + “and <i>excuse me</i> fer not getting up. I've got to get these apples on + the fire, for I promised Mark some apple sauce for lunch, and he likes it + stone cold.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Harricutt pricked up her ears: + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Mark is coming home for <i>lunch</i> then!” Her voice was cold, + sharp, like a steel knife dipped in lemon juice. There was a bit of a curl + on the tip of it that made one wince as it went through the soul. Little + Mrs. Carter flushed painfully under her sensitive skin, up to the roots of + her light hair. She had been pretty in her girlhood, and Mark had her + coloring in a stronger way. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes, he's coming home for lunch,” she answered brightly, glad of this + much assurance. “And he has to have it early because he has to drive that + strange young woman from the parsonage back somewhere down in New Jersey. + She came alone by herself yesterday, but the mountain passes sort of + scairt her, and she asked Mark to drive back with her.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” There was a challenge in the tone that called the red to Mrs. + Carter's cheek again, But Christie McMertrie's soft burring tongue slid in + smoothly: + </p> + <p> + “What wad ye think o' the briar pattern around the edge? I know it's some + worruk, but it's a bonnie border to lie under, an' it's not so tedious + whan there's plenty o' folks to tak a hand.” + </p> + <p> + They carried the topic along with a whirl then and Mrs. Harricutt had no + more chance to harry her hostess. Then suddenly Mary arose in a panic: + </p> + <p> + “I left my pies in the oven!” she cried, “They'll be burned to a crisp. I + must go. Miz Harricutt, are you going along now? I'll walk with you. I + want to ask you how you made that plum jam you gave me a taste of the + other day. Jim thinks it is something rare, and I'll have to be making + some or he'll never be satisfied, that is if you don't mind—!” and + before Mrs. Carter realized what was happening Mary had marshalled the + Harricutt vulture down the street, and was questioning eagerly about + measures of sugar and plums and lemon peel and nuts: + </p> + <p> + “Now,” said Christie setting down her jelly glass that she had been + holding all this time, “We'll be ganging awa. There's a bit jar of + raspberry jam for the laddie with the bright smile, an' you think it over + and run up and say which pattern you think is bonniest.” + </p> + <p> + “It was just beautiful of you all to come—” said little Mrs. Carter + looking from one to another in painful gratitude—“why it's been just + <i>dear</i> for you to run in this way—” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, a regular party!” said Jane Duncannon squeezing her hand with + understanding. “See, Mary has left her peas. You'd best put them on to + boil for Mark. He'll be coming back pretty soon. Come, Christie, wumman, + it's time we was back at our worruk!” and they hurried through the hedge + and across the meadows to their home once more, but as they entered the + Duncannon gate they marked Billy Gaston, head down, pedalling along over + on Maple Street, his jaws keeping rhythmic time with his feet. + </p> + <p> + One hour later the smooth chug of a car that was not altogether unfamiliar + to their ears brought those four women eagerly to their respective + windows, and as the old clock chimed the hour of noon they beheld Mark + Carter driving calmly down the street toward his own home in his own car. + <i>His own car!</i> and Billy Gaston lounging lazily by his side still + chewing rhythmically. + </p> + <p> + Mark's Car! Mark! Billy! <i>Ah Billy!</i> Three of them mused with a note + of triumph in their eyes. + </p> + <p> + And Mrs. Harricutt as she rolled her Sunday bonnet strings mused: + </p> + <p> + “Now, how in the world did that Mark Carter get his own car down to + Economy when he went up with the Chief? He had it down here this morning, + I know, for I saw him riding round. And that little imp of a Billy! I + wonder why he always tags him round! Miss Saxon ought to be warned about + that! I'll have to do it! But how in the world did Mark get his car?” + </p> + <p> + Billy enjoyed his lunch that day, a bit of cold chicken and bread, two + juicy red cheeked apples, and an unknown quantity of sugary doughnuts from + the stone crock in the pantry. He sat on the side step munching the last + doughnut he felt he could possibly swallow. Mark was home and all was + well. Himself had seen the impressive glance that passed between Mark and + the Chief at parting. The Chief trusted Mark that was plain. Billy felt + reassured. He reflected that that guy Judas had been precipitate about + hanging himself. If he had only waited and <i>done</i> a little something + about it there might have been a different ending to the story. It was + sort of up to Judas anyway, having been the cause of the trouble. + </p> + <p> + With this virtuous conclusion Billy wiped the sugar from his mouth, + mounted his wheel and went forth to browse in familiar and much neglected + pastures. + </p> + <p> + He eyed the Carter house as he slid by. Mrs. Carter was placidly shaking + out the table cloth on the side porch. Mark had eaten his apple sauce and + gone. He passed Browns, Todds, Bateses, chasing a white hen that had + somehow escaped her confines, but in front of Joneses he suddenly became + aware of the blue car that stood in front of the parsonage. It had come to + life and was throbbing. It was backing toward him and going to turn + around. On the sidewalk leaning on a cane stood the obnoxious stranger for + whose presence in Sabbath Valley he, Billy Gaston, was responsible. He + lounged at ease with a smile on his ugly mug and acted as if he lived + there! There was nothing about his appearance to suggest <i>his</i> near + departure. His disabled car still stood silent and helpless beside the + curb. Aw <i>Gee</i>! + </p> + <p> + Billy swerved to the other side of the road to avoid the blue car at a + hair's breadth, but as it turned he looked up impudently to behold the + strange girl with the flour on her face and the green baseball bats in her + ears smiling up into the face of Mark Carter, who was driving. Billy + nearly fell off his wheel and under the car, but recovered his balance in + time to swerve out of the way without apparently having been observed by + either Mark or the lady, and shot like a streak down the road. Beyond the + church he drew a wide curve and turned in at the graveyard, casting a + quick furtive eye toward the parsonage, where he was glad not to discover + even the flutter of a garment to show that Lynn Severn was about. That guy + was there, but Miss Lynn was not chasing him. That was as it should be. He + breathed a sigh from his heavy heart and stole sadly, back to the old + mossy stone where so many of his life problems had been thought out. + Still, that guy <i>was there! He</i> had the advantage! And Mark and that + lady! Bah! He sat down to meditate on Judas and his sins. It seemed that + life was just about as disappointing as it could be! His rough young hand + leaned hard against the grimy old stone till the half worn lettering hurt + his flesh and he shifted his position and lifted his hand. There on the + palm were the quaint old letters, imprinted in the flesh, “Blessed are the + dead—” Gosh yes! <i>Weren't</i> they? Judas had been right after + all. “Aw Gee!” he said aloud, “Whatta fool I bin!” He glanced down at the + stone as he rubbed the imprint from the fleshy part of his hand. The rest + of the text caught his eye. “Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord!” + There was a catch in that of course. It wasn't blessed if you didn't <i>die + in the Lord</i>. “In the Lord” meant that you didn't do anything + Judas-like. He understood. The people who didn't die in the Lord weren't + blessed. They didn't go to heaven, whatever heaven was. They went to <i>hell</i>. + Heaven had never seemed very attractive to Billy when he thought of it + casually, and he had taken it generally for granted that he being a boy + was naturally destined for the other place. In fact until he knew Lynn + Severn he had always told himself calmly that he <i>expected</i> to go to + hell sometime, it had seemed the manly thing to do. Most men to his mind + were preparing for hell. It seemed the masculine place of final destiny, + Heaven was for women. He had ventured some of this philosophy on his aunt + once in a particularly strenuous time when she had told him that he + couldn't expect the reward of the righteous if he continued in his present + ways, but she had been so horrified, and wept so long and bitterly that he + hadn't ever had the nerve to try it again. And since Marilyn Severn had + been his teacher he had known days when he would almost be willing to go + to heaven—for her sake. He had also suspected, at times, that Mr. + Severn was fully as much of a man as Mark Carter, although Mark was <i>his + own</i>, and if Mark decided to go to hell Billy felt there could be no + other destiny for himself. + </p> + <p> + But now, face to face with realities, Billy suddenly began to realize what + hell was going to be like. Billy felt hell surrounding him. Flames could + not beat the reproach that now flared him in the face and stung him to the + quick with his own sinfulness. He, Billy Gaston, Captain of the Sabbath + Valley Base Ball team, prospective Captain of the Sabbath Valley Foot Ball + team, champion runner, and high jumper, champion swimmer and boxer of the + boy's league of Monopoly County, friend and often tolerated companion of + Mark Carter the great, trusted favorite of his beloved and saintly Sunday + School teacher, was <i>in hell</i>! He could never more hold up his head + and walk proud of himself. He was in hell at fourteen for life, and by his + own act! And Gosh hang it! Hell didn't look so attractive in the near + vision stretching out that way through life, and <i>then some</i>, as it + had before he faced it. He'd rather walk through fire somewhere and stand + some chance of getting done with it sometime. “Aw Gee! Gosh! Whatta fool I + bin!” + </p> + <p> + And then he set himself to see just what he had done, while the high walls + of sin seemed to rise closer about him, and his face burned with the heat + of the pit into which he had put himself. + </p> + <p> + There was that guy Shafton—sissyman!—He had put him in the + parsonage along with his beloved teacher! If he only hadn't taken that ten + dollars or listened to that devil of a Pat, he wouldn't have put up that + detour and Shafton would have gone on his way. What difference if he had + got kidnapped? His folks wouldda bailed him out with their old jewels and + things. Whaddid anybody want of jewels for anyway? Just nasty little bits + of stone and glass! Mark had seen the guy there in church. Mark didn't + like it. He knew by the set of Mark's mouth. Of course Mark went with + Cherry sometimes, but then that was different! Lynn was—well, Lynn + was Miss Marilyn! That was all there was about it. + </p> + <p> + And if he hadn't put up that detour Mark would have gone home that night + before twelve and his mother would have known he was home, and likely + other people would have seen him, and been able to prove he wasn't out + shooting anybody, and then they wouldn't have told all those awful things + about him. Of course now Mark was safe, <i>of course,</i> but then it + wasn't good to have things like that said about Mark. It was fierce to + have a thing like that session meeting to remember! He wanted to kill that + old ferret of a Harricutt whenever he thought about it. Then he would be a + murderer, and be hanged, and he wouldn't care if he did mebbe. <i>Aw Gee!</i> + </p> + <p> + A meadow lark suddenly pierced the sky with its wild sweet note high in + the air somewhere, and Billy wondered with a sick thud of his soul how + larks dared to sing in a world like this where one could upset a whole + circle of friends by a single little turn of finance that he hadn't meant + anything wrong by at all? The bees droned around the honeysuckle that + billowed over the little iron fence about a family burying lot, and once + Lynn Severn's laugh—not her regular laugh, but a kind of a company + polite one—echoed lightly across to his ears and his face dropped + into his hands. He almost groaned. Billy Gaston was at the lowest ebb he + had ever been in his young life, and his conscience, a thing he hadn't + suspected he had, and wouldn't have owned if he had, had risen up within + him to accuse him, and there seemed no way on earth to get rid of it. A + conscience wasn't a <i>manly</i> thing according to his code, yet here he + was, he Billy Gaston, with a conscience! + </p> + <p> + It was ghastly! + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0020" id="link2H_4_0020"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XIX + </h2> + <p> + Laurie Shafton had caught Lynn as she came down the stairs with a bit of + sewing in her hand to give Naomi a direction from her mother, and had + begged her to come out on the porch and talk to him. He pleaded that he + was lonesome, and that it was her duty as hostess to amuse him for a + while. + </p> + <p> + Lynn had no relish for talking with the guest. Her heart was too sore to + care to talk with any one. But her innate courtesy, and natural gentleness + finally yielded to his pleading, for Laurie had put on a humility that was + almost becoming, and made her seem really rude to refuse. + </p> + <p> + She made him sit down in the hammock at the far end, however, and insisted + on herself taking the little rocker quite near the front door. She knew + her father would soon be returning from some parish calls and would + relieve her, so she settled herself with the bit of linen she was + hemstitching and prepared to make the best of it. + </p> + <p> + “It's a shame my car is out of commission yet,” began Laurie settling back + in the hammock and by some strange miracle refraining from lighting a + cigarette. It wouldn't have entered his head that Lynn would have minded. + He didn't know any girls objected to smoking. But this girl interested him + strangely. He wasn't at all sure but it was a case of love at first sight. + He had always been looking for that to happen to him. He hoped it had. It + would be such a delightful experience. He had tried most of the other + kinds. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it is too bad for you to be held up in your journey this way,” + sympathized Lynn heartily, “but father says the blacksmith is going to fix + you up by to-morrow he hopes. Those bearings will likely come to-night.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, but it has been a dandy experience. I'm certainly glad it happened. + Think what I should have missed all my life, not knowing <i>you</i>!” + </p> + <p> + He paused and looked soulfully at Lynn waiting for an appreciative glance + from her fully occupied eyes, but Lynn seemed to have missed the point + entirely: + </p> + <p> + “I should think you might have well afforded to lose the experience of + being held up in a dull little town that couldn't possibly be of the + slightest interest to you,” she said dryly, with the obvious idea of + making talk. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, but I think it is charming,” he said lightly! “I hadn't an idea there + was such a place in the world as this. It's ideal, don't you know, so + secluded and absolutely restful. I'm having a dandy time, and you people + have been just wonderful to me. I think I shall come back often if you'll + let me.” + </p> + <p> + “I can't imagine your enjoying it,” said Lynn looking at him keenly, “It + must be so utterly apart from your customary life. It must seem quite + crude and almost uncivilized to you.” + </p> + <p> + “That's just it, it's so charmingly quaint. I'm bored to death with life + as I'm used to it. I'm always seeking for a new sensation, and I seem to + have lighted on it here all unexpectedly. I certainly hope my car will be + fixed by morning. If it isn't I'll telegraph for my man and have him bring + down some bearings in one of the other cars and fix me up. I'm determined + to take you around a bit and have you show me the country. I know it would + be great under your guidance.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you,” said Lynn coolly, “But I haven't much time for pleasuring + just now, and you will be wanting to go on your way—” + </p> + <p> + He flushed with annoyance. He was not accustomed to being baffled in this + way by any girl, but he had sense enough to know that only by patience and + humility could he win any notice from her. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I shall want to linger a bit and let this doctor finish up this ankle + of mine. It isn't fair to go away to another doctor before I'm on my feet + again.” + </p> + <p> + He thought she looked annoyed, but she did not answer. + </p> + <p> + “Did you ever ride in a racer?” he asked suddenly, “I'll teach you to + drive. Would you like that?” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you,” she said pleasantly, “but that wouldn't be necessary, I know + how to drive.” + </p> + <p> + He almost thought there was a twinkle of mischief in her eye: + </p> + <p> + “You know how to drive! But you haven't a car? Oh, I suppose that young + Carter taught you to drive his,” he said with chagrin. He was growing + angry. He began to suspect her of playing with him. After all, even if she + was engaged to that chap, he had gone off with Opal quite willingly it + would appear. Why should he and she not have a little fling? + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Marilyn, “Mr. Carter did not have a car until he went away from + Sabbath Valley. I learned while I was in college.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you've been to college!” the young man sat up with interest, “I + thought there was something too sophisticated about you to have come out + of a place like this. You had a car while you were in college I suppose.”. + </p> + <p> + Lynn's eyes were dancing: + </p> + <p> + “Why didn't you say 'dump' like this? That's what your tone said,” she + laughed, “and only a minute ago you were saying how charming it was. No, I + had no car in college, I was—” But he interrupted her eagerly: + </p> + <p> + “Now, you are misunderstanding me on purpose,” he declared in a hurt tone. + “I think this is an ideal spot off in the hills this way, the quaintest + little Utopia in the world, but of course you know you haven't the air of + one who had never been out of the hills, and the sweet sheltered + atmosphere of this village. Tell me, when and where did you drive a car, + and I'll see if I can't give you one better for a joy ride.” + </p> + <p> + Lynn looked up placidly and smiled: + </p> + <p> + “In New York,” she said quietly, “at the beginning of the war, and + afterward in France.” + </p> + <p> + Laurie Shafton sat up excitedly, the color flushing into his handsome + face: + </p> + <p> + “Were you in France?” he said admiringly, “Well, I might have known. I saw + there was something different about you. Y. M., I suppose?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Lynn, “Salvation Army. My father has been a friend of the + Commander's all his life. She knew, that we believed in all their + principles. There were only a very few outsiders, those whom they knew + well, allowed to go with them. I was one.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Laurie, eyeing her almost embarrassedly, “You girls made a + great name for yourselves with your doughnuts and your pies. The only + thing I had against you was that you didn't treat us officers always the + way we ought to have been treated. But I suppose there were individual + exceptions. I went into a hut one night and tried to get some cigarettes + and they wouldn't let me have any.” + </p> + <p> + “No, we didn't sell cigarettes,” said Lynn with satisfaction, “That wasn't + what we were there for. We had a few for the wounded and dying who were + used to them and needed them of course, but we didn't sell them.” + </p> + <p> + “And then I tried to get some doughnuts and coffee, but would you believe + it, they wouldn't let me have any till all the fellows in line had been + served. They said I had to take my turn! They were quite insulting about + it! Of course they did good, but they ought to have been made to + understand that they couldn't treat United States Officers that way!” + </p> + <p> + “Why not? Were you any better than any of the soldiers?” she asked eyeing + him calmly, and somehow he seemed to feel smaller than his normal estimate + of himself. + </p> + <p> + “An <i>officer?</i>” he said with a contemptuous haughty light in his eye. + </p> + <p> + “What is an officer but the servant of his men?” asked Lynn. “Would you <i>want</i> + to eat before them when they had stood hours in line waiting? They who had + all the hard work and none of the honors?” + </p> + <p> + Laurie's cheeks were flushed and his eyes angry: + </p> + <p> + “That's rot!” he said rudely, “Where did you get it? The officers were + picked from the cream of the land. They represent the great Nation. An + insult to them is an insult to the Nation—!” + </p> + <p> + Lynn began to smile impudently—and her eyes were dancing again. + </p> + <p> + “I beg your pardon, Mr. Shafton, you must not forget I was there. I knew + both officers and men. I admit that some of the officers were princely, + fit men to represent a great Christian Nation, but some of them again were + well—the scum of the earth, rather than the cream. Mr. Shafton it + does not make a man better than his fellows to be an officer, and it does + not make him fit to be an officer just because his father is able to buy + him a commission.” + </p> + <p> + Laurie flushed angrily again: + </p> + <p> + “My father did not buy me a commission!” he said indignantly, “I went to a + training camp and won it.” + </p> + <p> + “I beg your pardon, Mr. Shafton, I meant nothing personal, but I certainly + had no use for an officer who came bustling in on those long lines of + weary soul-sick boys just back from the front, and perhaps off again that + night, and tried to get ahead of them in line. However, let's talk of + something else. Were you ever up around Dead Man's Curve? What division + were you in?” + </p> + <p> + Laurie let his anger die out and answered her questions. For a few minutes + they held quite an animated conversation about France and the various + phases of the war. Laurie had been in air service. One could see just how + handsome he must have looked in his uniform. One would know also that he + would be brave and reckless. It was written all over his face and in his + very attitude. He showed her his “croix de guerre.” + </p> + <p> + “Mark was taken prisoner by the Germans,” she said sadly as she handed it + back, her eyes dreamy and faraway, then suddenly seeming to realize that + she had spoken her thoughts aloud she flushed and hurried on to other + experiences during the war, but she talked abstractedly, as one whose + thoughts had suddenly been diverted. The young man watched her baffled: + </p> + <p> + “You seem so aloof,” he said all at once watching her as she sewed away on + the bit of linen, “You seem almost as if you—well—<i>despised + me</i>. Excuse me if I say that it's a rather new experience. People in my + world don't act that way to me, really they don't. And you don't even know + who I am nor anything about me. Do you think that's quite fair?” + </p> + <p> + Lynn looked at him with suddenly arrested attention: + </p> + <p> + “I'm sorry,” she said, “I didn't mean to be rude. But possibly you've come + to the heart of the matter. I am not of your world. You know there's a + great deal in not being able to get another's point of view. I hope I + haven't done you an injustice. I haven't meant to. But you're wrong in + saying I don't know who you are or anything about you. You are the son of + William J. Shafton—the only son, isn't that so? Then you are the one + I mean. There can't be any mistake. And I do know something about you. In + fact I've been very angry at you, and wished I might meet you and tell you + what I thought of you.” + </p> + <p> + “You don't say!” said Laurie getting up excitedly and moving over to a + chair next to hers regardless of his lame ankle, “This certainly is + interesting! What the deuce have I been doing to get myself in your bad + graces? I better repent at once before I hear what it is?” + </p> + <p> + “You are the one who owns the block of warehouses down on —— + street and won't sell at any price to give the little children in all that + region a place to get a bit of fresh air, the grass and a view of the sky. + You are the one who won't pull down your old buildings and try new and + improved ways of housing the poor around there so that they can grow up + decently clean and healthy and have a little chance in this world. Just + because you can't have as many apartments and get as much money from your + investment you let the little children crowd together in rooms that aren't + fit for the pigs to live in, they are so dark and airless, and crowded + already. Oh, I know you keep within the law! You just skin through without + breaking it, but you won't help a little bit, you won't even let your + property help if someone else is willing to take the bother! Oh, I've been + so boiling at you ever since I heard your name that I couldn't hardly keep + my tongue still, to think of that great beautiful car out there and how + much it must have cost, and to hear you speak of one of your other cars as + if you had millions of them, and to think of little Carmela living down in + the basement room of Number 18 in your block, growing whiter and whiter + every day, with her great blue eyes and her soft fine wavy hair, and that + hungry eager look in her face. And her mother, sewing, sewing, all day + long at the little cellar window, and going blind because you won't put in + a bigger one; sewing on coarse dark vests, putting in pockets and + buttonholes for a living for her and Carmela, and you grinding her down + and running around in cars like that and taking it out of little Carmela, + and little Carmela's mother! Oh! How can I help feeling aloof from a + person like that?” + </p> + <p> + Laurie sat up astonished watching her: + </p> + <p> + “Why, my dear girl!” he exclaimed, “Do you know what you're talking about? + Do you realize that it would take a mint of money to do all the fool + things that these silly reformers are always putting up to you? My lawyer + looks after all those matters. Of course I know nothing about it—!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you <i>ought</i> to know,” said Lynn excitedly, “Does the money + belong to your lawyer? Isn't it yours to be responsible for? Well, then if + you are stealing some of it out of little Carmela and a lot of other + little children and their mothers and fathers oughtn't you to know? Is + your lawyer going to take the responsibility about it in the kingdom of + heaven I should like to know? Can he stand up in the judgment day and + exempt you by saying that he had to do the best he could for your property + because you required it of him? Excuse me for getting so excited, but I + love little Carmela. I went to see her a great deal last winter when I was + in New York taking my senior year at the University. And I can't help + telling you the truth about it. I don't suppose you'll do anything about + it, but at least you ought to know! And <i>I'm not your dear girl, either!</i>” + </p> + <p> + Marilyn rose suddenly from her chair, and stood facing him with blazing + eyes and cheeks that were aflame. It was a revelation to the worldly wise + young man that a saint so sweet could blossom suddenly into a beautiful + and furious woman. It seemed unreal to find this wonderful, unique, + excitable young woman with ideas in such a quiet secluded spot of the + earth. Decidedly she had ideas. + </p> + <p> + “Excuse me,” he said, and rose also, an almost deprecatory air upon him, + “I assure you I meant nothing out of the way, Miss Severn. I certainly + respect and honor you—And really, I had no idea of all this about my + property. I've never paid much heed to my property except to spend the + income of course. It wasn't required of me. I must look into this matter. + If I find it as you think—that is if there is no mistake, I will see + what I can do to remedy it. In any case we will look after little Carmela. + I'll settle some money on her mother, wouldn't that be the best way? I + can't think things are as bad as you say—” + </p> + <p> + “Will you really do something about it?” asked Lynn earnestly, “Will you + go up to New York and see for yourself? Will you go around in <i>every + room</i> of your buildings and get acquainted with those people and find + out just what the conditions are?” + </p> + <p> + “Why—I—!” he began uncertainly. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I thought you couldn't stand that test! That would be too much bother—You + would rather—!” + </p> + <p> + “No, Wait! I didn't say I wouldn't. Here! I'll go if you'll go with me and + show me what you mean and what you want done. Come. I'll take you at your + word. If you really want all those things come on and show me just what to + do. I'm game. I'll do it. I'll do it whether it needs doing or not, <i>just + for you</i>. Will you take me up?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course” said Lynn quickly, “I'll go with you and show you. I expect to + be in New York next month helping at the Salvation Home while one of their + workers is away on her vacation. I'll show you all over the district as + many times as you need to go, if it's not too hot for you to come back to + the city so early.” + </p> + <p> + He looked at her sharply. There was a covert sneer in her last words that + angered him, and he was half inclined to refuse the whole thing, but + somehow there was something in this strange new type of girl that + fascinated him. Now that she had the university, and the war, and the + world, for a background she puzzled and fascinated him more than ever. + Half surprised at his own interest he bowed with a new kind of dignity + over his habitual light manner: + </p> + <p> + “I shall be delighted, Miss Severn. It will not be too hot for me if it is + not too hot for you. I shall be at your service, and I hope you will + discover that there is one officer who knows how to obey.” + </p> + <p> + She looked at him half surprised, half troubled and then answered simply: + </p> + <p> + “Thank you. I'm afraid I've done you an injustice. I'm afraid I didn't + think you would be game enough to do it. I hope I haven't been too rude. + But you see I feel deeply about it and sometimes I forget myself?” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure I deserve all you have said,” said Laurie as gravely as his + light nature could manage, “but there is one thing that puzzles me deeply. + I wish you would enlighten me. All this won't do <i>you</i> any good. It + isn't for <i>you</i> at all. <i>Why</i> do you care?” + </p> + <p> + Marilyn brought her lovely eyes to dwell on his face for a moment + thoughtfully, a shy beautiful tenderness softening every line of her eager + young face: + </p> + <p> + “It's because—” she began diffidently, “It's because they all are + God's children—and I love <i>Him</i> better than anything else in + life!” + </p> + <p> + The swift color made her face lovely as she spoke, and with the words she + turned away and went quickly into the house. The young man looked after + her and dared not follow. He had never had a shock like that in his life. + Girls had talked about everything under heaven to him at one time or + another, but they had never mentioned God except profanely. + </p> + <p> + Marilyn went swiftly up to her room and knelt down by her bed, burying her + hot cheeks in the cool pillow and trying to pray. She was glad, glad that + she had spoken for her poor city children, glad that there was a prospect + or help perhaps; but beside and beyond it all her heart was crying out for + another matter that was namelessly tugging away at the very foundations of + her soul. Why, Oh <i>Why</i> had Mark gone away with that queer girl? He + must have seen what she was! He must have known that it was unnecessary! + He must have known how it would hurt his friends, and that the man she + came to see could have gone as well as he and better. Why did he go? She + would not, she could not believe anything wrong of Mark. Yet <i>why did he + go</i>? + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0021" id="link2H_4_0021"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XX + </h2> + <p> + Billy had no appetite for the nice supper that Aunt Saxon had ready when + he came dejectedly home that night. He had passed the parsonage and seen + through the dining-room window that the rich guy was sitting at the supper + table opposite Marilyn laughing and talking with her and his soul was sick + within him. That was his doing! Nobody else but himself to blame! + </p> + <p> + Aunt Saxon had apple dumplings with plenty of “goo,” black with cinnamon + just the way he loved it, but he only minced at the first helping and + scarcely tasted the second. He chopped a great many kindling after supper, + and filled the woodbox, and thoughtfully wound the clock. Then instead of + going out with his usual “I gotta beat it!” he sat languidly on the + doorstep in the dusk, and when she anxiously questioned if he were sick he + said crossly: + </p> + <p> + “Aw, Gee! Can't ya let a fella <i>alone</i>! I'm all in, can't ya <i>see</i> + it? I'm gonta <i>bed</i>!” and knowing he had said the most alarming thing + in the whole category he slammed upstairs to his own room and flung + himself across his bed. + </p> + <p> + Aunt Saxon filled with vague fears crept softly up after him, tapping at + his locked door: + </p> + <p> + “Willie, what is the matter? Just tell auntie where the pain is and I'll + get you some medicine that will fix you all up by morning. I'll get you a + hot water bag—!” + </p> + <p> + “DON'T WANT NO HOT WATER BAGS!” roared the sore hearted Billy. “Can't ya + lemme <i>alone</i>?” + </p> + <p> + Silence a moment while Aunt Saxon pondered tearfully and sighfully, then: + </p> + <p> + “Willie, is it the tooth ache?” + </p> + <p> + “NoooOH!” roared Billy. + </p> + <p> + A pause, then: + </p> + <p> + “Billy, you've had a fall off that wheel and hurt yer head or cut yer + knee, I know, I've always thought you'd do that, that old wheel! You + oughtta have a new one. But I'll bring the arnica and bathe it. And we'll + paint it with iodine—where was it Willie? Yer knee?” + </p> + <p> + Billy's shoes came to the floor with a bang: + </p> + <p> + “Aw gee! Can't ya keep yer mouth shut an' let a fella have a little sleep. + It ain't <i>Nowhere</i>! It ain't <i>Nothin''</i> an' I didn't have no fall + an' I don't want no new bicycle. D'ye hear? I don't want nothin' 'cept + just to be let alone. I wantta go ta sleep. Ain't I ben tellin' ya fer the + last half hour? It ain't <i>sinful</i> fer a fella to wantta take a little + sleep is it when he's been up half the night before taking care of a fella + on the mountain?—But if I ain't allowed, why then I'll get up an' go + out somewheres. I know plenty of places where they'll lemme sleep—” + </p> + <p> + “Oh <i>Wil-lee</i>!” sobbed Aunt Saxon. “That's all right dear! Just you + lie right down in your bed and take a good sleep. I didn't understand. + Auntie didn't understand. All right Willie. I'll keep it real still. Now + you lie down won't you? You will won't you? You'll really lie down and + sleep won't you Willie?” + </p> + <p> + “Didn't I say I would?” snapped Willie shamedly, and subsided on his bed + again while Aunt Saxon stole painfully, noiselessly over the creak in the + stair, closed the house for the night and crept tearfully to her own bed, + where she lay for hours silently wiping the steady trickle of hopeless + tears. Oh, Willie, Willie! And she had had such hopes! + </p> + <p> + But Billy lay staring wide eyed at the open square of his window that + showed the little village nestling among the trees dotted here and there + with friendly winking lights, the great looming mountains in the distance, + and Stark mountain, farthest and blackest of them all. He shut his eyes + and tried to blot it out, but it seemed to loom through his very eyelids + and mock him. He seemed to see Mark, his idol, carried between those other + three dark figures into the blackness of that haunted house. He seemed to + see him lying helpless, bound, on the musty bed in the deserted room, + Mark, his beloved Mark. Mark who had carried him on his shoulder as a tiny + child, who had ridden him on his back, and taught him to swim and pitch + ball and box, Mark who let him go where even the big boys were not allowed + to accompany him, and who never told on him nor treated him mean nor went + back on him in any way! Mark! <i>He</i> had been the means of putting Mark + in that helpless position, while circumstances which he was now quite sure + the devil had been specially preparing, wove a tangled maze about the + young man's feet from which there seemed no way of extrication. + </p> + <p> + Billy shut his eyes and tried to sleep but sleep would not come. He began + to doubt if he would ever sleep again. He lay listening to the evening + noises of the village. He heard Jim Rafferty's voice going by to the night + shift, and Tom McMertrie. They were laughing softly and once he thought he + heard the name “Old Hair-Cut.” The Tully baby across the street had colic + and cried like murder. Murder! <i>Murder!</i> Now why did he have to think + of that word of all words? Murder? Well, it was crying like it wanted to + murder somebody. He wished he was a baby himself so he could cry. He'd cry + harder'n that. Little's dog was barking again. He'd been barking all day + long. It was probably at that strange guy at the parsonage. Little's dog + never did like strangers. That creak was Barneses gate with the iron + weight hitched on the chain to make it shut, and somebody laughed away up + the street! There went the clock, nine o'clock! Gee! Was that all? He + thought it must be about three in the morning! And then he must have dozed + off for a little, for when he woke with a start it was very still and + dark, as if the moon had gone away, had been and gone again, and he heard + a cautious little mouse gnawing at the baseboard in his room, gnawing and + stopping and gnawing again, then whisking over the lath like fingers + running a scale on the piano. He had watched Miss Lynn do it once on the + organ. + </p> + <p> + He opened his eyes and looked hard at the window. The dim outline of Stark + mountain off in the distance began to grow into form, and what was that? A + speck of light? It must be his eyes. He rubbed them sleepily and looked + again. Yes, a light. Alert at once with the alertness that comes to all + boys at the sound of a fire bell or some such alarm, he slid from his bed + noiselessly and stole to the window. It was gone! Aw, Gee! He had been + asleep and dreamed it. No, there it was again, or was it? + </p> + <p> + Blackness all before his eyes, with a luminous sky dimly about the + irregular mountain top fringed with trees. This was foolish. He felt + chilly and crept back to bed, but could not keep his eyes from the dark + spot against the sky. He tried to close the lids and go to sleep, but they + insisted on flying open and watching. And then came what he had been + watching for. Three winks, and stop, three winks, stop, and one long + flash. Then all was dark. And though he watched till the church clock + struck three he saw no more. + </p> + <p> + But the old torment came back. Mark and Cherry and Lynn. The guy at the + parsonage and the girl with the floured face and base ball bats in her + ears! Aw Gee! He must have a fever! It was hours since the clock had + struck three. It must be nearly four, and then it would soon be light and + he could get up. There seemed to be a light somewhere down the street + through the trees. Not the street lamp either. Somebody sick likely. Hark! + What was that? He wished he hadn't undressed. He sat up in bed and + listened. The purr of a car! Someone was stealing Mark's car! Mark was + away and everybody knew it. Nobody in Sabbath Valley would steal, except, + perhaps over at the plush mill. There were new people there—Was that + Mark's car? <i>Some car</i>! + </p> + <p> + With a motion like a cat he sprang into the necessary garment which + nestled limply on the floor by the bed, and was at the window in a trice. + A drop like a cat to the shed roof, down the rainwater spout to the + ground, a stealthy step to the back shed where old trusty leaned, and he + was away down the road a speck in the dark, and just in time to see the + dim black vision of a car speeding with muffled engine down the road + toward the church. It was too dark to say it was Mark's car. He had no way + but to follow. + </p> + <p> + Panting and puffing, pedalling with all his might, straining his eyes to + see through the dark the car that was flying along without lights, his + hair sticking endwise, his sleepy hungry face peering wanly through the + dark, he plodded after. Over the Highway! He slowed down and wasn't quite + sure till he heard the chug of the engine ahead, and a few seconds later a + red light bloomed out behind and he drew a new breath and pedalled on + again, his heart throbbing wildly, the collar of his pajamas sticking up + wildly like his hair, and one pajama leg showing whitely below his trouser + like a tattered banner. The pedals cut his bare feet, and he shivered + though he was drenched with perspiration, but he leaned far over his + handle bars and pedalled on. + </p> + <p> + Down past the Blue Duck Tavern, and on into the village of Economy the car + went, not rapidly now as though it were running away, but slower, and + steadier like a car on legitimate business and gravely with a necessary + object in view. Billy's heart began to quake. Not for nothing had he + learned to read by signs and actions at the feet of the master Mark. An + inner well-developed sense began to tell him the truth. + </p> + <p> + The car stopped in front of the Chief's house, and a horn sounded softly + once. Billy dismounted hastily and vanished into the shadows. A light + appeared in the upper window of the house and all was still. Presently the + light upstairs went out, the front door opened showing a dimmer light + farther in, and showing the outline of the Chief in flannel shirt and + trousers. He came down the walk and spoke with the man in the car, and the + car started again and turned in at the Chief's drive way, going back to + the garage. + </p> + <p> + Billy left his wheel against a hedge and hiked noiselessly after, slinking + behind the garage door till the driver came out. <i>It was Mark!</i> + </p> + <p> + He went down the drive, met the Chief at the gate and they went silently + down the dark street, their rubber heels making no noise on the pavement. + Economy was asleep and no wiser, but Billy's heart was breaking. He + watched the two and followed afar till they turned down the side street + which he feared. He stole after and saw them enter the brick building that + harbored the County Jail. He waited with shaking limbs and bleeding heart, + waited, hoping, fearing, dreading, but not for long. The Chief came out + alone! It was as he had feared. + </p> + <p> + Then as if the very devil himself pursued him, Billy turned and fled, + retrieving his bicycle and whirled away noiselessly down the road, caring + not where he was going, ready to hang himself, wild with despair and + self-condemnation. + </p> + <p> + The dark lay over the valley like a velvet mantel black and soft with + white wreaths of mist like a lady's veil flung aside and blown to the + breeze, but Billy saw naught but red winking lights and a jail, grim and + red in the midnight, and his friend's white face passing in beneath the + arched door. The bang of that door as it shut was echoing in his soul. + </p> + <p> + He passed the Fenner cottage. There were lights and moving about, but he + paid no heed. He passed the Blue Duck Tavern, and saw the light in the + kitchen where the cook was beginning the day's work just as the rest of + the house had been given over to sleep. There was the smell of bacon on + the air. Some one was going away on the milk train likely. He thought it + out dully as he passed with the sick reeling motion of a rider whose life + has suddenly grown worthless to him. Over bottles and nails, and bumping + over humps old trusty carried him, down the hill to Sabbath Valley, past + the grave yard where the old stones peered eerily up from the dark mounds + like wakened curious sleepers, past the church in the gray of the morning + with a pinkness in the sky behind. Lynn lying in a sleepless bed listening + to every sound for Mark's car to return, and recognizing Billy's back + wheel squeak. On down the familiar street, glad of the thick maples to + hide him, hunching up the pajama leg that would wave below in the rapidly + increasing light, not looking toward the Carters', plodding on, old trusty + on the back porch; shinning up the water spout, tiptoeing over the shed + roof, a quick spring in his own window and he was safe on his bed again + staring at the red morning light shining weirdly, cheerily on his wall and + the rooster crowing lustily below his window. Drat that rooster! What did + it want to make that noise for? Wasn't there a rooster in that Bible + story? Oh, no, that was Peter perhaps. He turned hastily from the subject + and gave his attention to his toilet. Aunt Saxon was squeaking past his + door, stopping to listen: + </p> + <p> + “Willie?” + </p> + <p> + “Well.” In a low growl, not encouragingly. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Willie, you up? You better?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothin' the matter with me.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh—” + </p> + <p> + “Breakfast ready?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes, Willie! I'm so glad you're feeling better.” She squeaked on down + the stairs sniffing as if from recent tears! Doggone those tears! Those + everlasting tears! Why didn't a woman know—! Now, what did he have + to do next? Do! Yes, he must do something. He couldn't just sit here, + could he? What about Stark's mountain and the winking light? What about + that sissy-guy making up to Miss Lynn? If only Mark were here now he would + tell him everything. Yes, he would. Mark would understand. But Mark was in + that unspeakable place! Would Mark find a way to get out? He felt + convinced he could, but would he? From the set of his shoulders Billy had + a strong conviction that Mark would not. Mark seemed to be going there for + a purpose. Would the purpose be complete during the day sometime and would + Mark return? Billy must do something before night. He wished it might be + to smash the face of that guy Shafton. Assuredly he must do something. But + first he must eat his breakfast. He didn't want to, but he had to. Aunt + Saxon would raise a riot if he didn't. Well, there was ham. He could smell + it. Ham for breakfast. Aw gee! Saxy was getting extravagant. Somehow + pretty soon if he didn't hang himself he must find a way to brighten up + Saxy and pay her back for all those pink tears. + </p> + <p> + And over on Stark's mountain as the morning dawned a heavy foot climbed + the haunted stairs and a blood shot eye framed itself at the little half + moon in the front window that looked out over Lone Valley toward Economy, + and down over Sabbath Valley toward Monopoly commanding a strategic + position in the whole wild lovely region. + </p> + <p> + Down in the cellar where the rats had hitherto held sway a soft chip, + chip, chipping sound went steadily forward hour by hour, with spaces + between and chip, chip, shipping again, a new kind of rat burrowing into + the earth, over close to the edge of the long deserted scanty coal pile. + While up under the dusty beams in a dark corner various old parcels were + stowed away awaiting a later burial. From the peep hole where the eye + commanded the situation a small black speck went whirling along the road + to Monopoly which might be a boy on a bicycle, but no one came toward + Stark's mountain on that bright sunny morning to disturb the quiet worker + in the dark cellar. + </p> + <p> + Billy was on his way to Monopoly, his aunt appeased for the time being, + with the distinct purpose of buying the morning paper. Not that he was + given to literature, or perused the dairy news as a habit, but an idea had + struck him. There might be a way of finding out about Mark without letting + any one know how he was finding out. It might be in the paper. Down at + Monopoly no one would notice if he bought a County paper, and he could + stop in the woods and read it. + </p> + <p> + But when he reached the news stand he saw a pile of New York papers lying + right in front, and the great black headlines caught his eye: + </p> + <p> + “FATE OF LAURENCE SHAFTON STILL UNKNOWN.” + </p> + <p> + “Son of multimillionaire of New York City who was kidnapped on Saturday + night on his way from New York to a week-end house party at Beechwood, N. + J., not yet heard from. No clew to his whereabouts. Detectives out with + bloodhounds searching country. Mother in a state of collapse. It is feared + the bandits have fulfilled their threats and killed him. Father + frantically offering any reward for news of son!” + </p> + <p> + Billy read no further. He clapped down a nickel and stuffed the paper + indifferently into his pocket, almost forgetting in his disgust to + purchase the county news. “Aw Gee!” he said to himself. “More o' that + Judas stuff. I gotta get rid o' them thirty pieces!” + </p> + <p> + He stepped back and bought a County paper, stood idly looking over its + pages a moment with the letters swimming before his eyes, at last + discovering the column where the Economy “murder” was discussed, and + without reading it stuffed it in the pocket on the other side and rode + away into the sunlight. Murder! It was called murder! Then Dolph must be + dead! The plot thickened! Dead! Murder! Who killed him? Surely he wasn't + responsible for that at least! He was out on the road with Mark when it + happened. He hadn't done anything which in the remotest way had to do with + the killing, he thanked his lucky stars for that. And Mark. But who did + it? Cherry? She might be a reason for what Mark did last night. + </p> + <p> + At a turn in the road where a little grove began he got off his wheel and + seeking a sheltered spot dropped down under a tree to read his papers. His + quick eye searched through the County paper first for the sensational + account of the murder, and a gray look settled over his pug countenance as + he read. So might a mother have regarded her child in deep trouble, or a + lover his beloved. Billy's spirit was bowed to the depths. When he had + devoured every word he flung the paper aside wrathfully, and sat up with a + kind of hopeless gesture of his hard young hands. “Aw Gee!” he said aloud, + and suddenly he felt a great wet blob rolling down his freckled cheek. He + smashed it across into his hair with a quick slash of his dirty hand as if + it had been a mosquito annoying him, and lest the other eye might be + meditating a like trick he gave that a vicious dab and hauled out the + other paper, more as a matter of form than because he had a deep interest + in it. All through the description of those wonderful Shafton jewels, and + the mystery that surrounded the disappearance of the popular young man, + Billy could see the word “murder” dancing like little black devils in and + out among the letters. The paragraph about Mrs. Shafton's collapse held + him briefly: + </p> + <p> + “Aw, gee!” he could see pink tears everywhere. He supposed he ought to do + something about that. For all the world like Aunt Saxon! He seemed to + sense her youth through the printed words as he had once sensed Mrs. + Carter's. He saw her back in school, pretty and little. Rich women were + always pretty and little to his mind, pretty and little and helpless and + always crying. It was then that the thought was born that made him look + off to the hills and ponder with drawn brows and anxious mien. He took it + back to his home with him and sat moodily staring at the lilac bushes, and + gave Aunt Saxon another bad day wondering what had come to Willie. She + would actually have been glad to hear him say: “I gotta beat it! I gotta + date with tha fellas!” + </p> + <p> + That evening the rumor crept back to Sabbath Valley from who knows where + that Dolph was dead and Mark Carter had run away! + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0022" id="link2H_4_0022"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXI + </h2> + <p> + Tuesday morning Lynn slipped down to Carters with a little cake she had + made all white frosting and sprinkles of nuts. Her face was white but + brave with a smile, and she said her mother wanted to know how Mrs. + Carter's neuralgia was getting on. + </p> + <p> + But Mrs. Carter was the only one in the village perhaps who had not heard + the rumor, and she was gracious and pleased and said she wished Mark was + home, he loved nut cake so much. + </p> + <p> + “You know he was called back to New York suddenly last night didn't you?” + she said. “He felt real sorry to leave so soon, but his partner wired him + there was something he must see to himself, and he just took his car and + went right away as soon as he got back from taking that girl home. He + hoped he'd get back again soon though. Say, who was that girl? Wasn't she + kind of queer to ask Mark to take her home? Seems somehow girls are + getting a little forward these days. I know you'd never do a thing like + that with a perfect stranger, Marilyn.” + </p> + <p> + The girl only stayed a few minutes, and went home with a braver heart. At + least Mark was protecting his mother. He had not changed entirely. He + wouldn't let her suffer! But what was he doing? Oughtn't he to be told + what rumors were going around about him? But how could it be done? Her + father? Perhaps. She shrank from that, Mark had so withdrawn from them, he + might take it as an interference. Billy? Ah, yes, Billy! + </p> + <p> + But Billy did not appear anywhere, and when she got back she found that + Shafton's car had been finished and was ready to drive, and he wanted her + to take a little spin with him to try it, he said. He warily invited her + mother to go along, for he saw by her face that she was going to decline, + and the mother watching her daughter's white face said: “Yes, Marilyn we + will go. It will do you good. You have been housed up here ever since you + came home.” And there was nothing for the girl to do but succumb or seem + exceedingly rude. She was not by nature rude, so she went. + </p> + <p> + As they drove by the Saxon cottage Billy was just coming out, and he + stared glumly at the three and hardly acknowledged Marilyn's greeting. He + stared after them scowling. + </p> + <p> + “Hell!” said Billy aloud, regardless of Aunt Saxon at the front window, + “Yes <i>Hell</i>!” and he realized the meaning of his epithet far better + than the young man he was staring after had the first night he had used it + in Sabbath Valley. + </p> + <p> + “What was that you said Willie?” called Aunt Saxon's anxious voice. + </p> + <p> + “Aw, nothing!” said Billy, and slammed out the gate, his wheel by his + side. <i>Now</i>! Something had to be done. He couldn't have <i>that</i> + going on. He was hurt at Mrs. Severn. She ought to take better care of her + daughter! In sullen despair he mounted and rode away to work out his + problem. It was certain he couldn't do anything with Saxy snivelling + round. And <i>something had to be done!</i> + </p> + <p> + Billy managed to get around the country quite a little that morning. He + rode up to Economy and learned that Mr. Fenner, the tailor, was sick, had + been taken two nights ago, was delirious and had to have two men to hold + him down. He thought everybody was an enemy and tried to choke them all. + He rode past the jail but saw nothing though he circled the block three + times. The Chief stood out in front talking with three strange men. Billy + sized them up for detectives. When there was nothing further to be gained + in Economy he turned his steed toward Pleasant Valley and took in a little + underground telephone communication between a very badly scared Pat and a + very angry Sam at some unknown point at the end of the wire. It was then, + lying hidden in the thick undergrowth, that a possible solution of his + difficulties occurred to him, a form of noble self sacrifice that might in + part do penance for his guilt. Folded safely in his inner pocket was the + thirty pieces of silver, the blood money, the price of Mark Carter's + freedom and good name. If he had not taken that he might have fixd this + Pat so he would be a witness to Mark's alibi. But according to the code he + had been taught it would not be honorable to squeal on somebody whose + money he had taken. It wasn't square. It wasn't honorable. It was yella, + and yella, he would not be if the sky fell. It was all the religion he had + as yet, not to be “yella.” It stood for all the fineness of his soul. But + he had reasoned within himself that if in some way he could get that money + back to Pat, then he would be free from obligation. Then he could somehow + manage to put Pat where he would have to tell the right thing to save + Mark. Just how it could be done he wasn't sure, but that was another + question. + </p> + <p> + When Pat had trundled away to the train he rolled himself out from ambush + and went on his way across Lone Valley by a little tree-shaded path he + knew that cut straight over to Stark mountain. + </p> + <p> + Not a ripple of a leaf showed above him as he passed straight up the + mountain to the old house, for the watchful eye looking out to see. Billy + was a great deal like an Indian in his goings and comings, and Billy was + wary. Had he not seen the winking light? Billy was taking no chances. + Smoothly folded in his hip pocket he carried a leaf of the New York paper + wherein was offered a large reward for information concerning jewels and + bonds and other property taken from the Shafton country home on pretense + of setting free the son. Also there was a stupendous reward offered for + information concerning the son, and Billy's big thought as he crept along + under the trees with all the stealth of a wild thing, was that here was + another thirty pieces of silver multiplied many times, and <i>he wasn't + going to take it!</i> He <i>could, but he wouldn't!</i> He was going to + give these folks the information they wanted, but he wasn't going to get + the benefit of it. That was going to be his punishment. He had been in + hell long enough, and he was going to try to pull himself out of it by his + good works. And he would do it in such a way that there wouldn't be any + chance of the reward being pressed upon him. He would just fix it so that + nobody would particularly know he had anything to do with the clews. That + was Billy all over. He never did a thing half way. But first he must find + out if there was anybody about the old house. He couldn't get away from + those three winks he had seen. + </p> + <p> + So, feeling almost relieved for a moment Billy left his wheel on guard and + crept around to his usual approach at the back before he came out in the + open. And then he crept cautiously to the cellar window where he had first + entered the house. He gripped Pat's old gun with one hand in his pocket, + and slid along like a young snake, taking precaution not to appear before + the cellar window lest his shadow should fall inside. He flattened himself + at last upon the grass a noticeless heap of gray khaki trousers and brown + flannel shirt close against the house. One would have to lean far out of a + window to see him, and there he lay and listened awhile. And presently + from the depths beyond that grated window he heard a little scratch, + scratch, scratch, tap, tap, tap, scratch, tap, scratch, tap, steadily, on + for sometime like his heart beats, till he wasn't sure he was hearing it + at all, and thought it might be the blood pounding through his ears, so + strange and uncanny it seemed. Then, all at once there came a puff, as if + a long breath had been drawn, like one lifting a heavy weight, and then a + dull thud. A brief silence and more scratching in soft earth now. + </p> + <p> + He listened for perhaps an hour, and once a footstep grated on the cement + floor, and coals rattled down as if they were disturbed. Once too a soft + chirrup from up above like the call of a wood bird, only strangely human + and the sounds in the cellar ceased altogether, till another weird note + sounded and they began again. + </p> + <p> + When he was satisfied with his investigations he began slowly to back away + from his position, lifting each atom of muscle slowly one at a time till + his going must have been something like the motion picture of a bud + unfolding, and yet as silent as the flower grows he faded away from that + cellar window back into the green and no one was the wiser. An hour later + the watchful eye at the little half moon opening in the shutter might have + seen a little black speck like a spider whizzing along on the Highroad and + turning down toward Sabbath Valley, but it never would have looked as if + it came from Stark mountain, for it was headed straight from Lone Valley. + Billy was going home to get cleaned up and make a visit to the parsonage. + If that guy was still there he'd see how quick he would leave! If there + wasn't one way to make him go there was another, and Billy felt that he + held the trick. + </p> + <p> + But as fate would have it Billy did not have to get cleaned up, for Miss + Severn stood on the front porch looking off toward the mountains with that + wistful expression of hers that made him want to laugh and cry and run + errands for her anywhere just to serve her and make her smile, and she + waved her hand at Billy, and ran down to the gate to speak to him. + </p> + <p> + “Billy, I want to ask you,—If you were to see Mark Carter—of + course you mightn't, but then you might—you'll let him know that we + are of course his friends, and that anything he wants done, if he'll just + let us know—” + </p> + <p> + “Sure!” said Billy lighting off his wheel with a downward glance at his + dirty self, all leaves and dust and grime, “Sure, he'd know that anyhow.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Billy, I know he would, but I mean, I thought perhaps you might + find something we <i>could do</i>,—something maybe without letting + him know. He's very proud about asking any help you, know, and he wouldn't + want to bother us. You may discover something he—needs—or + wants done—while—he is away—and maybe we could help him + out, Father or Mother or I. You'll remember, won't you Billy?” + </p> + <p> + “Sure!” said Billy again feeling the warm glow of her friendliness and + loyalty to Mark, and digging his toes into the turf embarrassedly. Then he + looked up casually as he was about to leave: + </p> + <p> + “Say is there a guy here named Shafton? Man from n'Yark?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, yes,” said Lynn looking at him curiously, “Did you want to see him?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if he's round I might. I got a message for him.” + </p> + <p> + She looked at him keenly: + </p> + <p> + “You haven't <i>seen</i> Mark to-day, have you, Billy?” + </p> + <p> + “Aw, naw, 'taint from him,” he grinned reassuringly, “He's away just now. + But I might see him soon ya know, ur hear from him.” + </p> + <p> + Lynn's face cleared. “Yes, of course. His mother told me he was suddenly + called back to New York.” + </p> + <p> + “Yep. That's right!” said Billy as if he knew all about it, and pulled off + his old cap with a glorious wave as she turned to call the stranger. + </p> + <p> + Billy dropped his wheel at the curb and approached the steps as he saw + Shafton coming slowly out leaning on a cane. He rustled the folded + newspaper out from his pocket with one hand and shook it open as only a + boy's sleight of hand can do, wafting it in front of the astonished + Laurie, and saying with an impudent swag, + </p> + <p> + “Say, z'your name Shafton? Well, <i>see that?</i> Why don't you beat it + home? Your ma is about t'croke, an' yer dad has put up about all his + dough, an' you better rustle back to where you come from an' tell 'em not + to b'leeve all the bunk that's handed out to 'em! Good night! They must + need a nurse!” + </p> + <p> + Laurie paused in the act of lighting one of his interminable cigarettes + with which he supplied the lack of a stronger stimulant, and stared at the + boy curiously, then stared at the paper he held in his hand with the + flaring headlines, and reaching out his hand for it began to laugh: + </p> + <p> + “Well, upon my word, Kid, where'd you get this? If that isn't a joke! I + wonder if Opal's seen it. Miss Severn, come here! See what a joke! I'm + kidnapped! Did you ever hear the like? Look at the flowery sentences. It's + almost like reading one's own obituary, isn't it?” + </p> + <p> + Marilyn, glancing over his shoulder at the headlines, took in the import + of it instantly. “I should think you'd want to telephone your mother at + once. How she must have suffered!” she said. + </p> + <p> + Laurie somewhat sobered agreed that it would be a good idea: + </p> + <p> + “The mater's a good old scout,” he said lightly, “She's always helping me + out of scrapes, but this is one too many to give up her emeralds, the + Shafton Emeralds! Gosh but dad will be mad about them! And Oh, say, call + that boy back will you? I want to give him a dollar!” + </p> + <p> + But Billy had faded down the road with mortal indignation in his breast. + To think of giving up a ten thousand dollar reward and having a dollar + flung at you! It seemed to measure the very depth of the shame to which he + had descended. + </p> + <p> + The Severns came a few paces out of their indifference to this + self-imposed guest and gathered around the sheet of newspaper while Laurie + held an intensive conversation with his family beginning with several + servants who were too excited at first to identify his voice. + </p> + <p> + But at last he hung up the receiver and turned toward them: + </p> + <p> + “Well, I guess there's nothing for it but for me to pull out. The mater + doesn't think she'll be satisfied till she has her hands on me. Besides + I've got to get things started about those jewels. Dad and mother are too + excited to know what they're about. I declare, it's like being dead and + seeing how they feel about it.” + </p> + <p> + There was a boyish eager look about the young man's face that made him for + the first time seem rather loveable, Mrs. Severn thought. The mother in + her rose to appreciation. Lynn was so glad that he was going away that she + was almost friendly during lunch. And when the young man was about to + depart he went to Mr. Severn's study and wrote a check for five hundred + dollars: + </p> + <p> + “Just in appreciation of your kindness,” he said as he held it out to the + minister. + </p> + <p> + The minister looked amused but did not offer to take it: + </p> + <p> + “That's all right,” he said pleasantly, “We don't keep boarders you know. + You were welcome to what we could give you.” + </p> + <p> + “But, my dear sir, I couldn't think of not remunerating you,” declared + Laurie. + </p> + <p> + “And I couldn't think of taking it,” smiled the minister. + </p> + <p> + “Well, then take it for your poor people,” he insisted. + </p> + <p> + “From what Lynn tells me you have more of those than we have,” answered + the minister. + </p> + <p> + The young man looked annoyed: + </p> + <p> + “Well, then take it for something for your church, another bell or + something, anything you're interested in.” + </p> + <p> + “I can give you an address of a young missionary out West who is having a + hard time of it, and has a very needy parish,” said the minister taking + out his fountain pen and writing the address on a card, “but I should + prefer that you would send it to him yourself. He wouldn't take it from + me, but if you'd send it he'll write and tell you what he does with it, + and he'll tell me too, so it will give pleasure all around. He's a game + young chap, and he's given his life. You couldn't help but like him.” + </p> + <p> + Laurie had to be content with this, though he felt annoyed at having to + write a letter to a missionary. He felt he shouldn't know how to address + him. + </p> + <p> + “I'll send it to-night when I get home,” he declared, “or no, I'll send it + now,” and he sat down at the minister's desk, and scribbled a note. It + read: “Your friend Severn won't take anything himself for kindness to me, + so he's letting me send you this for your work. Here's wishing you good + luck.” This he signed and handed to the minister with a relieved air as if + to say: “There! That's that!” + </p> + <p> + “You see,” said Laurie getting up and taking his hat again, “I want to + come back here again and see your daughter. I may as well tell you I'm + crazy about your daughter.” + </p> + <p> + “I see,” said the minister gravely, albeit with a twinkle in his eye, “The + fact is I'm somewhat crazy about her myself. But in all kindness I may as + well tell you that you'll be wasting your time. She isn't your kind you + know.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, well,” said Laurie with an assured shrug, “That's all right if I + don't mind, isn't it?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, no,” said the minister smiling broadly now, “You forget that she + might mind, you know.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't get you,” said Laurie looking puzzled as he fitted on his + immaculate driving glove, “She might mind, what do you mean?” + </p> + <p> + “I mean that my daughter minds very much indeed whether her men friends + ask in a certain tone of voice for something to <i>drink</i> at midnight, + and use language such as you used when you first arrived here, smoke + continual cigarettes, and have friends like the young woman who visited + you last Sunday.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! I see!” laughed Laurie thoroughly amused, “Well, after all, one + doesn't have to keep on doing all those things you know—if it were + worth one's while to change them.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm afraid,” said the minister still amused, “that it would have to be + worth your while to change before she would even consider you as a + possibility. She happens to have a few ideas about what it takes to make a + man, her ideal man, you know.” + </p> + <p> + Laurie smiled gaily: + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps I can change those ideas.” + </p> + <p> + “Help yourself young man. You'll find it a task, I assure you.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I'm coming back, anyway.” + </p> + <p> + “We shall welcome you,” said the minister politely, but not at all gladly, + and Laurie departed without his usual complacency, assuring the minister + that he had found Sabbath Valley the garden spot of the world and meant to + return soon and often. + </p> + <p> + Billy watched him from the graveyard enclosure whither he had retired to + write a letter, and he made a face and wasted a gesture of defiance after + his departing car. So much Billy felt he had accomplished toward + reparation. He was now attempting a third act. + </p> + <p> + On the smooth end of the old stone he had a newspaper spread, and upon + that a sheet of letter paper which he had extracted from Aunt Saxon's + ancient box in the old secretary in the corner of the kitchen. Kneeling + beside the stone he carefully inscribed the following words: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Yoors to cummand, + B. Gaston.” + </pre> + <p> + He folded the paper with his smudgy fingers, and stuffed it into a soiled + envelope on which he wrote Mark's name, and as he had seen Lynn write down + in the corner of a note that he had taken to Monopoly for her, “Kindness + of Billy,” so he wrote “Kindnus of Cheef.” Then he mounted his wheel and + rode to Economy. After some apparently aimless riding he brought up at the + back of the Chief's garage where he applied a canny eye to a crack and + ascertained just how many and what cars were inside. He then rode straight + to the bank where he was pretty sure the Chief would be standing near the + steps at this hour. Waiting a time of leisure he handed him the envelope: + </p> + <p> + “Say, Chief, c'n I trouble you to d'liver that?” + </p> + <p> + The Chief looked at the envelope and then at Billy and opened his lips to + speak, but Billy forestalled him: + </p> + <p> + “I know you don't know where he is at all now, Chief, o' course, but I + just thought you might happen to meet up with him sometime soon. That's + all right, Chief. Thank ya.” Billy ended with a knowing wink. + </p> + <p> + The Chief turned the envelope over, noted that it was unsealed, grinned + back and put it in his pocket. They had been good friends, these two, for + several years, ever since Billy had been caught bearing the penalty for + another boy's misdemeanor. + </p> + <p> + “That's all right Billy,” said the Chief affably, “I won't forget it—if + I see him! Seen anything more of those automobile thieves?” + </p> + <p> + “Nope,” said Billy sadly, “but I gotta line on 'em. 'f'I find anythin' + more I'll callyaup!” + </p> + <p> + “Do!” said the Chief cordially, and the interview was closed. + </p> + <p> + Billy bought some cakes at the bakery with ten cents he had earned running + an errand from the grocery that morning, and departed on important + business. He had definitely decided to give up his thirty pieces of + silver. No more blood money for him. His world was upside down and all he + loved were suffering, and all because he had been mercenary. The only way + to put things right was to get rid of any gain that might accrue to + himself. Then he would be in a position to do something. And Pat was his + first object now. He meant to give back the money to Pat! He had thought + it all out, and he meant to waste no time in getting things straight. + </p> + <p> + He went to the Economy post office and on the back of a circular that he + found in the waste basket he wrote another note: + </p> + <p> + “Pat. This is blood money an' I can't kep it. I didunt no when I undertuk + the job wot kind of a job it was. Thers only one way fur yoo to kep yur + hid saf, an that is to tel the trooth abot wot hapuned. If yoo ar wiling + to tel the trooth put a leter heer sayin so. If yoo don't I am havin' you + watshed an you will los yoor job an likely be hanged. We are arumd so be + keerful. This aint yella. This is rite. + </p> + <p> + “THE KID.” + </p> + <p> + It was a long job and he was tired when it was finished, for his days at + school had been full of so many other things besides lessons that literary + efforts were always strenuous for him. When he had finished he went out + and carried three parcels for the meat market, receiving in return thirty + cents, which exactly made up the sum he had spent from his tainted money. + With this wrapped bunglingly in his note he proceeded to ambush near + Pleasant Valley. He had other fish to fry, but not till dark. Meantime, if + that underground telephone was being used at other times in the day he + wanted to know it. + </p> + <p> + He placed the note and money obviously before the little hidden telephone + from which he had cleared the leaves and rubbish that hid it, and then + retired to cover where he settled himself comfortably. He knew Pat would + be busy till the two evening trains had arrived, after that if he did not + come there would likely be no calls before morning again, and he could go + on his way. With a pleasant snack of sugar cookies and cream puffs he lay + back and closed his eyes, glad of this brief respite from his life of care + and perplexity. Of course he couldn't get away from his thoughts, but what + a pleasant place this was, with the scent of sassafras and winter green + all around him, and the meadow lark high in the air somewhere. There were + bees in the wild honeysuckle not far away. He could hear their lazy drone. + It would be nice to be a bee and fly, fly away from everything. Did bees + care about things? Did they have troubles, and love folks and lose 'em? + When a bee died did the other bees care? Aw Gee! Mark in—j—<i>No</i>! + He wouldn't say it! Mark was in New York! Yes, of course he was. It would + all come right some day. He would catch those crooks and put 'em in jail—no, + first he'd use 'em to clear Mark. When he got done here he was going up to + watch the old house and find out about that noise, and he'd see whether + Link and Shorty would put anything more over! Link and Shorty and Pat, and + that sissy Shafton and Sam, whoever Sam was! They were all his enemies! If + Mark were only here how they would go to that old haunted house together + and work this thing out. He ought to have told Mark everything. Fool! Just + to save his own hide! Just to keep Mark from blaming him! Well, he was + done saving himself or getting ill gotten gains. Him for honesty for the + rest of his life. + </p> + <p> + The bees droned on and the lark grew fainter and fainter. Billy's eyes + drooped closer shut, his long curling lashes lay on his freckled cheeks + the way they lay sometimes when Aunt Saxon came to watch him. That + adorable sweep of lash that all mothers of boys know, that air of dignity + and innocence that makes you forget the day and its doings and undoings + and think only, this is a man child, a wonderful creature of God, beloved + and strong, a gift of heaven, a wonder in daytime, a creature to be afraid + of sometimes, but weak in sleep, <i>adorable!</i> + </p> + <p> + Billy slept. + </p> + <p> + The afternoon train lumbered in with two freight cars behind, and a lot of + crates and boxes to manipulate, but Billy slept. The five o'clock train + slid in and the evening express with its toll of guests for the Lake Hotel + who hustled off wearily, cheerily, and on to the little Lake train that + stood with an expectant insolent air like a necessary evil waiting for a + tip. The two trains champed and puffed and finally scampered away, leaving + echoes all along the valley, and a red stream of sun down the track behind + them from a sky aflame in the west preparing for a brilliant sunset. The + red fingers of the sun touched the freckles on Billy's cheek lightly as if + to warn him that the time had come. The shutters slammed on at the little + station. The agent climbed the hill to his shack among the pines. Pat came + out the door and stood on the platform looking down the valley, waiting + for the agent to get out of sight. + </p> + <p> + And Billy slept on! + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0023" id="link2H_4_0023"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXII + </h2> + <p> + Three days later a pall hung over Sabbath Valley. The coroner's inquest + had brought in a verdict of murder, and the day of the hearing had been + set. Mark Carter was to be tried for murder—was <i>wanted</i> for + murder as Elder Harricutt put it. It was out now and everybody knew it but + Mrs. Carter, who went serenely on her way getting her regular letters from + Mark postmarked New York and telling of little happenings that were vague + but pleasant and sounded so like Mark, so comforting and son like. So + strangely tender and comforting and more in detail than Mark's letters had + been wont to be. She thought to herself that he was growing up at last. He + spoke of a time when he and she would have a nice home together somewhere, + some new place where he would get into business and make a lot of money. + Would she like that? And once he told her he was afraid he hadn't been a + very good son to her, but sometime he would try to make it up to her, and + she cried over that letter for sheer joy. But all the rest of the town + knew that Mark was suspected of murder, and most of them thought he had + run away and nobody could find him. The county papers hinted that there + were to be strange revelations when the time of the trial came, but + nothing definite seemed to come out from day to day more than had been + said at first, and there was a strange lack of any mention of Mark in + connection with it after the first day. + </p> + <p> + Lynn Severn went about the house quiet and white, her face looking like an + angel's prayer, one continual petition, but she was sweet and patient, and + ready to do anything for anybody. Work seemed to be her only respite from + the gnawing horror of her thoughts. To know that the whole village + believed that Mark, her life long playmate, had been guilty of a crime so + heinous was so appalling that sometimes she just stood at the window and + laughed out into the sunshine at the crazy idea of it. It simply could not + be. Mark, who had always been so gentle and tender for every living thing, + so chivalrous, so ready to help! To think of Mark killing anyone! And yet, + they might have needed killing. At least, of course she didn't mean that, + but there were circumstances under which she could imagine almost anyone + doing a deed—well what was the use, there was no way to excuse or + explain a thing she didn't understand, and she could just do nothing but + not believe any of it until she knew. She would trust in God, and yes, she + would trust in Mark as she always had done, at least until she had his own + word that he was not trustable. That haughty withdrawing of himself on + Sunday night and his “I am not worthy” meant nothing to her now when it + came trailing across her consciousness. It only seemed one more proof of + his tender conscience, his care for her reputation. He had known then what + they were saying about him, he must have known the day before that there + was something that put him in a position so that he felt it was not good + for her reputation to be his friend. He had withdrawn to protect her. That + was the way she explained it to her heart, while yet beneath it all was + the deep down hurt that he had not trusted her, and let her be his friend + in trouble as well as when all was well. + </p> + <p> + She had written him a little note, not too intimate, just as a sister + might have written, expressing her deep trust, and her sincere desire to + stand by and help in any time of need. In it she begged him to think her + worthy of sharing his trouble as he used to share his happiness, and to + know always that she was his friend whatever came. She had read it over + and over to be sure she was not overstepping her womanly right to say + these things, and had prayed about it a great deal. But when it came to + sending it she did not know his New York address. He had been strangely + silent during the last few months and had not written her. She did not + want to ask his mother. So she planned to find it out through Billy. But + Billy did not come. It had been two days since Billy had been around, or + was it three? She was standing at the window looking down the road toward + the Saxon cottage and wondering if she wanted to go down and hunt for + Billy when she saw Miss Saxon coming up the street and turning in at the + gate, and her face looked wan and crumpled like an old rose that had been + crushed and left on the parlor floor all night. + </p> + <p> + She turned from the window and hurried down: + </p> + <p> + “Miss Marilyn,” Aunt Saxon greeted her with a gush of tears, “I don't know + what to do. Billy's away! He hasn't been home for three days and three + nights! His bed ain't been touched. He never did that before except that + last time when he stayed out to help Mark Carter that time on the mountain + with that sick man, and I can't think what's the matter. I went to Miz + Carter's, but she ain't seen him, and she says Mark's up to his business + in New York, so Billy can't be with him, and I just know he's kilt, Miss + Marilyn. I just know he's kilt. I dreamt of a shroud night before last and + I can't help thinkin' he's <i>kilt!</i>” and the tears poured down the + tired little face pitifully. + </p> + <p> + Marilyn drew her tenderly into the house and made her sit down by the cool + window, brought a palm leaf fan and a footstool, and told Naomi to make + some iced orangeade. Then she called her mother and went and sat down by + the poor little creature who now that somebody else was going to do + something about it had subsided into her chair with relief born of + exhaustion. She had not slept for three nights and two of those days she + had washed all day. + </p> + <p> + “Now, Miss Saxon, dear, you're not to worry,” said the girl taking the fan + and waving it gently back and forth, touching the work-worn hand tenderly + with her other hand, “Billy is not dead, I'm sure! Oh, I'm quite sure! I + think somehow it would be hard to kill Billy. He has ways of keeping alive + that most of us don't enjoy. He is strong and young and sharp as a needle. + No one can put anything over on Billy, and I have somehow a feeling, Miss + Saxon that Billy is off somewhere doing something very important for + somebody. He is that way you know. He does nice unusual things that nobody + else would think of doing, and I just expect you'll find out some day that + Billy has been doing one of those. There's that man on the mountain, for + instance. He might be still very sick, and it would be just like Billy to + stay and see to him. Maybe there isn't anybody else around to do it, and + now that Mark has gone he would feel responsible about it. Of course he + ought to have told you before he went, but he wouldn't likely have + expected to stay long, and then boys don't think. They don't realize how + hard it is not to understand—!” + </p> + <p> + “Thas'so, Miss Marilyn,” sniffed Miss Saxon, “He don't hardly ever think. + But he mighta phomed.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, it isn't likely they have phones on the mountain, and you haven't + any, have you? How could he?” + </p> + <p> + “He mighta phomed to you.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, he might, but you know how boys are, he wouldn't want to bother + anybody. And if the man was in a lonely cabin somewhere he couldn't get to + a phone.” + </p> + <p> + “Thas'so too. Oh, Miss Marilyn, you always do think up comfort. You're + just like your ma and pa. But Billy, he's been so kinda peaked lately, so + sorta gentle, and then again sorta crazy like, just like his mother useta + be 'fore her husband left her. I couldn't help worryin'.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, now, Miss Saxon, I'll inquire around all I can without rousing any + suspicion. You know Billy would hate that.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I know he would,” flushed the little woman nervously. + </p> + <p> + “So I'll just ask the boys if they know where he is and where they saw him + last, and don't you worry. I'll tell them I have a message for him you + know, and you just stop crying and rest easy and don't tell a soul yet + till I look around. Here comes mother. She'll help you better than I can.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Severn in a cool white dimity came quietly into the room, bringing a + restful calm with her, and while Lynn was out on her errand of mercy she + slipped a strong arm around the other woman's waist and had her down on + her knees in the alcove behind the curtains, and had committed the whole + matter to a loving Heavenly Father, Billy and the tired little Aunt, and + all the little details of life that harrow so on a burdened soul; and + somehow when they rose the day was cooler, and life looked more possible + to poor Aunt Saxon. + </p> + <p> + Presently came Lynn, brightly. She had seen the boys. They had met Billy + in Economy day before yesterday. He had said he had a job, he didn't know + how long it would last, and he might not be able to come to base ball + practice. He told them who to put in his place till he got back. + </p> + <p> + “There, now, Miss Saxon, you go home and lie down and take a good sleep. + You've put this whole thing in the hands of the Lord, now don't take it + out again. Just trust Him. Billy'll come back safe and sound, and there'll + be some good reason for it,” said Mrs. Severn. And Aunt Saxon, smiling + wistfully, shyly apologetic for her foolishness, greatly cheered and + comforted, went. But Lynn went up to her little white room and prayed + earnestly, adding Billy to her prayer for Mark. Where was Billy Gaston? + </p> + <p> + When Miss Saxon went home she found a letter in the letter box out by the + gate addressed to Billy. This set her heart to palpitating again and she + almost lost her faith in prayer and took to her own worries once more. But + she carried the letter in and held it up to the window, trying her best to + make out anything written therein. She justified this to her conscience by + saying that it might give a clue to Billy's whereabouts. Billy never got + letters. Maybe, it might be from his long lost father, though they had all + reason to believe him dead. Or maybe—Oh, what if Albert Gaston had + come back and kidnapped Billy! The thought was too awful. She dropped + right down in the kitchen where she stood by the old patchwork rocking + chair that always stood handy in the window when she wanted to peel + potatoes, and prayed: “Oh, God, don't let it be! Don't bring that bad man + back to this world again! Take care of my Billy and bring him back to me, + Amen!” Over and over again she prayed, and it seemed to comfort her. Then + she rose, and put the tea kettle on and carefully steamed open the letter. + She had not lost all hope when she took time to steam it open in place of + tearing it, for she was still worse afraid that Billy might return and + scold her for meddling with his precious letter, then she was afraid he + would not return. While the steam was gathering she tried to justify + herself in Billy's eyes for opening it at all. After her prayer it seemed + a sort of desecration. So the kettle had almost boiled away before she + mustered courage to hold the envelope over the steam, and while she did + this she noticed for the first time significantly that the postmark was + New York. Perhaps it was from Mark. Then Billy was not with Mark! But + perhaps the letter would tell. + </p> + <p> + So she opened the flap very carefully, and pulled out the single sheet of + paper, stepping nearer the window to read it in the late afternoon light. + It read: “Dear Kid, shut your mouth and saw wood. Buddy.” That was all. + </p> + <p> + Aunt Saxon lifted frightened eyes and stared at the lilac bush outside the + window, the water spout where Billy often shinned up and down, the old + apple tree that he would climb before he was large enough to be trusted, + and then she read the letter again. But it meant nothing to her. It seemed + a horrible riddle. She took a pencil and a scrap of paper and quickly + transcribed the mysterious words, omitting not even the punctuation, and + then hurriedly returned the letter to its envelope, clapped the flap down + and held it tight. When it was dry she put the letter up in plain sight on + the top of the old secretary where Billy could find it at once when he + came in. She was taking no chances on Billy finding her opening his mail. + It never had happened before, because Billy never had had a letter before, + except notices about base ball and athletic association, but she meant it + never should happen. She knew instinctively that if it ever did she would + lose Billy, if not immediately, then surely eventually, for Billy resented + above all things interference. Then Aunt Saxon sat down to study the + transcription. But after a long and thorough perusal she folded it + carefully and pinned it in her bosom. But she went more cheerily down to + the market to get something for supper. Billy might come any time now. His + letter was here, and he would surely come home to get his letter. + </p> + <p> + Down at the store she met Marilyn, who told her she looked better already, + and the poor soul, never able to hold her tongue, had to tell the girl + about the letter. + </p> + <p> + “He's had a letter,” she said brightening, “about a job I guess. It was + there when I got back. It's sawing wood. The letter doesn't have any head. + It just says about sawing wood. I 'spose that's where he is, but he ought + to have let me know. He was afraid I'd make a fuss about it, I always do. + I'm afraid of those big saws they use. He's so careless. But he was set on + a grown-up job. I couldn't get him to paste labels on cans at the factory, + he said it was too much of a kid game.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” said Marilyn, wondering, “Sawing wood. Well, that's where he is of + course, and it's good healthy work. I wouldn't worry. Billy is pretty + careful I think. He'll take care of himself.” + </p> + <p> + But to herself on the way home she said: “How queer for Billy to go off + sawing wood just now! It doesn't seem like him. They can't be so hard up. + There must be something behind it all. I hope I didn't start anything + asking him to stick by Mark! Oh, <i>where</i> is Mark?” + </p> + <p> + That afternoon Marilyn took a horseback ride, and touched all the points + she knew where there might be likely to be woodsawing going on, but no + Billy was on the job anywhere. + </p> + <p> + As she rode home through Economy she saw Mrs. Fenner scuttling down a side + street from the jail, and hurrying into her own side gate like a little + frightened lizard. + </p> + <p> + Marilyn came back home heart sick and sad, and took refuge in the church + and her bells. At least she could call to Billy across the hills somewhere + by playing the songs he loved the best. And perhaps their echoes would + somehow cross the miles to Mark too, by that strange mysterious power that + spirit can reach to spirit across space or years or even estrangement, and + draw the thoughts irresistibly. So she sat at the organ and played her + heart out, ringing all the old sweet songs that Mark used to love when the + bells first were new and she was learning to play them; Highland Laddie, + Bonnie Bonnie Warld, Mavourneen, Kentucky Home, songs that she had kept + fresh in her heart and sometimes played for Billy now and then. And then + the old hymns. Did they echo far enough to reach him where he had gone, + Mark sitting alone in his inferno? Billy holding his breath and trying to + find a way out of his? Did they hear those bells calling? + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Oh, God our help in ages past, + Our hope for years to come! + Our refuge from the stormy blast, + And our eternal home!” + </pre> + <p> + The soul of the girl in the little dusky church went up in a prayer with + the bells. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Before the hills in order stood, + Or earth received her frame, + From everlasting Thou art God! + A thousand years the same!” + </pre> + <p> + Every mortal in the village knew the words, and in kitchens now, preparing + savory suppers, or down in the mills and factories, or out on the street + coming home, they were humming them, or repeating them over in their + hearts. The bells did not ring the melody alone. The message was well + known and came to every heart. Mark and Billy knew them too. Perhaps by + telepathy the tune would travel to their minds and bring their words + along: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Under the shadow of Thy wings + Thy saints have dwelt secure, + Sufficient is Thine arm alone, + And Thy defense is sure!” + </pre> + <p> + The bells ceased ringing and the vibration slowly died away, hill + answering to hill, in waves of softly fading sound, while the people went + to their suppers with a light of blessing and uplift on their faces. But + in the darkened church, Marilyn, with her fingers on the keys and her face + down upon her hands was praying, praying that God would shelter Mark and + Billy. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0024" id="link2H_4_0024"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXIII + </h2> + <p> + High in the tree over Billy's head a little chipmunk whisked with a nut in + his mouth. He selected a comfortable rocking branch, unfurled his tail for + a wind shield at his back, and sat up to his supper table as it were with + the nut in his two hands. Something unusual caught his attention as he was + about to attack the nutshell, and he cocked his little striped head + around, up, and down, and took in Billy. Then a squirrel smile overspread + his furry face and a twinkle seemed to come in his eye. With a wink down + toward Billy he went to work. Crack, crack, crack! The shell was open. + Crack! And a large section fell, whirling spinning down, straight down. + The squirrel paused in his nibbling and cocked an eye again with that + mischievous twinkle as if he enjoyed the joke, watching the light bit of + shell in its swift descent, plump on the end of Billy's nose. It couldn't + have hit straighter if Chippie had been pitcher for the Sabbath Valley + base ball team. + </p> + <p> + Billy opened his eyes with a start and a scowl, and there before him, + glaring like a wild beast, thick lips agap showing gnarled yellow teeth, + wicked eyes, red glittering and murderous, was Pat, ugly, formidable and + threatening! + </p> + <p> + “Come outta there you little varmint you!” roared Pat. “Come out and I'll + skin the nasty yella hide off'n ya. I gotcha good and hard now right where + I wantcha an' ye won't—” + </p> + <p> + Bang! Click!—BANG! + </p> + <p> + Billy had been lying among the thick undergrowth, flat on his back, his + left arm flung above his head, but his right arm was thrust out from his + body under a thick clump of laurel, and his right hand held the gun ready + for any emergency when he inadvertently went to sleep. The gun was pointed + down the Valley along the ground and his fingers wrapped knowingly, loving + around the weapon,—he had so long wanted to own one of his own. That + gun was not included in the blood money and was not to be returned. It was + a perquisite of war. + </p> + <p> + Billy was all there always, and even awakening suddenly from much needed + sleep he was on the job. One glance at Pat's devilish face and his fingers + automatically pulled the trigger. The report roared out along the Valley + like a volley from a regiment. + </p> + <p> + Billy hardly felt the rebound of the weapon before he realized that + Patrick was no more between his vision and the sun's last rays. Patrick + was legging it down the Valley with all the strength he had left, and + taking no time to look back. Billy had presence of mind to let off another + volley before he rose to investigate; but there was nothing left of Pat + but a ruffled path in the undergrowth and a waving branch or two he had + turned aside in his going. So that was that! Doggone it, why did he have + to go to sleep? If he had only been ready he could have managed this + affair so much better for his own ends. He wanted a heart to heart talk + with Pat while he had him good and frightened, and now it was too late. He + must get back to the other job. He shinned up a tree and observed the + broad shoulders of Pat wallowing up the bank over by the railroad. He was + going back to the station. It was as well. He might see him again tomorrow + perhaps, for Pat he must have as evidence. And besides, Pat might read the + note and conclude to come back and answer it. + </p> + <p> + Billy parted the bushes to see if Pat had taken the money and note with + him, and lo, here was the rude mountain telephone box wide open with the + bunch of keys in the lock just as Pat must have left it when he discovered + the paper and money, or perhaps Pat had been going to report to Sam what + had happened, who knew? You see Billy knew nothing of his little red and + brown striped partner up in the tree who had dropped a nut to warn him of + danger, and did not realize that Chippie had also startled Pat, and set + him looking among the bushes for the sources of the sound. + </p> + <p> + But Billy knew how to take advantage of a situation if he didn't know what + made it, and in a trice he was down on his knees with the crude receiver + in his hands. It was too late to ride down to the Blue Duck and telephone, + but here was a telephone come to him, and now was a chance to try if it + was a telephone at all, or only a private wire run secretly. He waited + breathless with the long hum of wires in his ears, and then a quick click + and “Number please.” Billy could hardly command his voice but he murmured + “Economy 13” in a low growl, his hard young hands shaking with excitement. + “Your letter please!” Billy looked wildly at the rough box but could see + no sign of number. “Why, it's the station, doncha know? What's + thamatterwithya?” His spirits were rising. “J” stated the operator + patiently. “Well, jay then,” said Billy, “WhaddoIcare?” + “Just-a-minute-please,” and suddenly the Chief's voice boomed out + reassuringly. Billy cast a furtive eye back of him in the dusk and fell to + his business with relief. + </p> + <p> + “Say, Chief, that you? This's Bill! Say, Chief, I wantcha he'p right away + pretty quick! Got a line on those guys! You bring three men an' ge'down on + the Lone Valley Road below Stark mountain an' keep yer eye peeled t'ward + the hanted house. Savvy? Yes, old hanted house, you know. You wait there + till I signal. Yes, flash! Listen, one wink if you go to right, two come + up straight, and three to the left. If it's only one repeated several + times, you spread all round. Yep. I'm goin' up there right now. No, Chief, + I wouldn't call ye f'I didn't think t'was pretty sure. Yep! I think + they'll come out soon's it gets real dark. Yep, I think they ben there all + day. I ain't sure, but I think. You won't fail me, will you Chief. No, + sure! I'll stick by. Be sure to bring three men, there's two of 'em, I + ain't rightly sure but three. I jus' stirred another up. Whatssay? No, I'm + 'lone! Aw, I'm awright! Sure. I'll be careful. Whatssay? Where? Oh' I'm at + a hole in the ground. Yes, down below Pleasant Valley station. Some + telephone! I'll show it to you t'morra! S'long, Chief, I gotta go! It's + gettin' dark, goobbye!” + </p> + <p> + Billy gave hurried glances about and rustled under the branches like a + snake over to where old trusty lay. In ten minutes more he was worming his + way up the side of Stark mountain, while Pat was fortifying himself well + within the little station, behind tables and desks for the night, and + scanning the Valley from the dusty window panes. + </p> + <p> + Billy parked his wheel in its usual place and continued up the hill to the + opening at the back, then stood long listening. Once he thought he heard + something drop inside the kitchen door, but no sound followed it and he + concluded it had been a rat. Half way between himself and the back door + something gleamed faintly in the starlight. He didn't remember to have + seen anything there before. He stole cautiously over, moving so slowly + that he could not even hear himself. He paused beside the gleam and + examined. It was an empty flask still redolent. Ummm! Booze! Billy wasn't + surprised. Of course they would try to get something to while away their + seclusion until they dared venture forth with their booty. He continued + his cautious passage toward the house and then began to encircle it, + keeping close to the wall and feeling his way along, for the moon would be + late and small that night and he must work entirely by starlight. It was + his intention after going around the house to enter and reconnoitre in his + stocking feet. As he neared the front of the house he dropped both hands + to his sweater pockets, the revolver in his right hand with its two + precious cartridges, the flash light which he had taken care to renew in + Economy in his left hand, fingers ready to use either instantly. He turned + the corner and stole on toward the front door, still noiseless as a mouse + would go, his rubber sneakers touching like velvet in the grass. + </p> + <p> + He was only two feet from the front stoop when he become aware of danger, + something, a familiar scent, a breathlessness, and then a sudden stir. A + dark thing ahead and the feeling of something coming behind. Billy as if a + football signal had been given, grew calm and alert. Instantly both arms + flashed up, and down the mountain shot two long yellow winks of light, and + simultaneously two sharp reports of a gun, followed almost instantly by + another shot, more sinister in sound, and Billy's right arm dropped limply + by his side, while a sick wave of pain passed over him. + </p> + <p> + But he could not stop for that. He remembered the day when Mark had been + coaching the football team and had told them that they must not stop for + <i>anything</i> when they were in action. If they thought their legs were + broken, or they were mortally wounded and dying, they must not even think + of it. Football was the one thing, and they were to forget they were dead + and go ahead with every whiff of punch there was in them, blind or lame, + or dead even, because when they were playing, football was the only thing + that counted. And if they were sick or wounded or bleeding let the wound + or the sickness take care of itself. <i>They</i> were <i>playing football!</i> + So Billy felt now. + </p> + <p> + He hurled himself viciously at the dark shadow ahead, which he mentally + registered as Link because he seemed long to tackle, and then kicked + behind at the thing that came after, and struggled manfully with a + throttling hand on his throat till a wad of vile cloth was forced into his + mouth—and just as he had a half Nelson on Shorty, too! If he could + have got Shorty down and stood on him he might have beaten off Link until + Chief got there. Where was Chief? Where was the gun? Where was he? His + head was swimming. Was it his head he had hit against the wall, or did he + bang Shorty's? How it resounded! There were winding stairs in his head and + he seemed to be climbing them, up, up, up, till he dropped in a heap on + the floor, a hard floor all dust, and the dust came into his nostrils. He + was choking with that rag! Why couldn't he pull it out? What was cutting + his wrists when he tried to raise his hand? And what was that queer pain + in his shoulder? + </p> + <p> + There were shouts outside. How did he get inside? Was that more shooting? + Perhaps he had found his gun after all. Perhaps he was shooting the men + before the Chief got there, and that was bad, because he didn't feel + competent to judge about a thing as serious as shooting with that dirty + rag in his mouth. He must get rid of it somehow. Doggone it! He had + somehow got his hands all tangled up in cords, and he must get them out no + matter if they did cut. He had to give the Chief a signal. + </p> + <p> + He struggled again with all his might, and something somewhere gave way. + He wasn't sure what, but he seemed to be sinking down, perhaps down stairs + or down the mountain, somehow so it was down where the Chief—! where + Mark! The light in his brain went out and he lay as one dead in the great + dusty front bedroom where a man who had sinned, hanged himself once + because he couldn't bear his conscience any longer. + </p> + <p> + And outside in the front door yard five men struggled in the dark, with + curses, and shots, and twice one almost escaped, for Link was desperate, + having a record behind him that would be enough for ten men to run away + from. + </p> + <p> + But after the two were bound and secured in the car down at the foot of + the mountain, the Chief lingered, and looking up said in a low tone to one + of his men: “I wonder where that boy is!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, he's all right,” said his assistant easily, “he's off on another + piece of business by this time, Chief. He likes to seem mysterious. It's + just his way. Say, Chief, we gotta get back if we wantta meet that train + down at Unity t'night.” + </p> + <p> + That was true too, and most important, so the Chief with a worried glance + toward the dark mountain turned his car and hurried his captives away. Now + that they were where he could get a glance at them in the dim light of the + car, he felt pretty sure they were a couple of “birds” he had been looking + for for quite a while. If that was so he must reward Billy somehow. That + boy was a little wonder. He would make a detective some day. It wouldn't + be a bad idea to take him on in a quiet sort of way and train him. He + might be a great help. He mustn't forget this night's work. And what was + that the kid had said about a secret underground wire? He must look into + it as soon as this murder trial was off the docket. That murder trial + worried him. He didn't like the turn things were taking. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0025" id="link2H_4_0025"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXIV + </h2> + <p> + In the gray of the morning Billy came to himself and stared around in the + stuffy grimness everywhere. The gag was still in his mouth. He put up his + hand involuntarily and pulled it out, and then remembered that his hands + had been tied. Then he must have succeeded in breaking the cord! The other + hand was still encumbered and his feet were tied together, but it happened + that the well hand was the freed one, and so after a hard struggle he + succeeded in getting out of the tangle of knots and upon his feet. He + worked cautiously because he wasn't sure how much of what he remembered + was dream and how much was reality. The two men might be in the house yet, + very likely were, asleep somewhere. He must steal down and get away before + they awoke. + </p> + <p> + There was something warm and sticky on the floor and it had got on his + clothes, but he took no notice of it at first. He wondered what that sick + pain in his shoulder was, but he had not time to stop and see now or even + to think about it. He must call the Chief before the men were awake. So he + managed to get upon his feet land steady himself against the wall, for he + felt dizzy and faint when he tried to walk. But he managed to get into the + hall, and peer into each room, and more and more as he went he felt he was + alone in the house. Then he had failed and the men were gone! Aw Gee! Pat + too! What a fool he had been, thinking he could manage the affair! He + ought to have taken the Chief into his confidence and let him come along, + Aw Gee! + </p> + <p> + Down in the kitchen he found a pail of water and a cup. He drank + thirstily. His head felt hot and the veins in his neck throbbed. There + seemed to be a lump on his forehead. He bathed his face and head. How good + it felt! Then he found a whiskey bottle on the table half full. This after + carefully smelling he poured over his bruised wrists, sopping it on his + head and forehead, and finally pouring some down his shoulder that pained + so, and all that he did was done blindly, like one in a dream; just an + involuntary searching for means to go on and fulfill his purpose. + </p> + <p> + After another drink of water he seemed to be able to think more clearly. + That tapping in the cellar yesterday! What had that been? He must look and + see. Yes, that was really what he had come about. Perhaps the men were + down there yet hidden away. He opened the cellar door and listened. + Doggone it where was that gun of his? But the flash light! Yes, the flash + light! + </p> + <p> + He shot the light ahead of him as he went down, moving as in a dream, but + keeping true to type, cautious, careful, stealthy. At last he was down. No + one there! He turned the little flash into every nook and cranny, not + excepting the ledges above the cellar wall whereon the floor beams rested. + Once he came on a tin box long and flat and new looking. It seemed strange + to meet it here. There was no dust upon it. He poked it down with his + torch and it sprawled open at his feet. Papers, long folded papers printed + with writing in between, like bonds or deeds or something. He stooped and + waved the flash above them and caught the name Shafton in one. It was an + insurance paper, house and furniture. He felt too stupid to quite + understand, but it grew into his consciousness that these were the things + he was looking for. He gathered them up, stuffing them carefully inside + his blouse. They would be safe there. Then he turned to go upstairs, but + stumbled over a pile of coal out in the floor and fell. It gave him a sick + sensation to fall. It almost seemed that he couldn't get up again, but now + he had found the papers he must. He, crawled to his knees, and felt + around, then turned his light on. This was strange! A heap of coal out in + the middle of the floor, almost a foot from the rest! A rusty shovel lay + beside it, a chisel and a big stone. Ah! The tapping! He got up forgetting + his pain and began to kick away the coal, turning the flash light down. + Yes, there was a crack in the cement, a loose piece. He could almost lift + it with his foot. He pried at it with the toe of his shoe, and then lifted + it with much effort out of the way. It was quite a big piece, more than a + foot in diameter! The ground was soft underneath as if it had been + recently worked over. He stooped and plunged the fingers of his good hand + in and felt around, laying the light on the floor so it would shed a glare + over the spot where he worked. He could feel down several inches. There + seemed to be something soft like cloth or leather. He pulled at it and + finally brought it up. A leather bag girt about with a thong of leather. + He picked the knot and turned the flash in. It sent forth a million green + lights. There seemed also to be a rope of white glistening things that + reminded him of Saxy's tears. That brought a pang. Saxy would be crying! + He must remember that and do something about it. He must have been away a + long time and perhaps those men would be coming back. But it wouldn't do + to leave these things here. They were the Shafton jewels. What anybody + wanted of a lot of shiny little stones like that and a rope of tears! But + then if they did they did, and they were theirs and they oughtta have 'em. + This was the thing he had come to do. Get those jewels and papers back! + Make up as far as he could for what he had done! And he must do it now + quick before he got sick. He felt he was getting sick and he mustn't think + about it or he would turn into Aunt Saxon. That was the queerest thing, + back in his mind he felt this <i>was</i> Aunt Saxon down here in the + haunted cellar playing with green stones and ropes of tears, and he must + hurry quick before she found him and told him he couldn't finish what he + had to do. + </p> + <p> + He did the work thoroughly, feeling down in the hole again, but found + nothing more. Then he stuffed the bag inside his blouse and buttoned up + his sweater with his well hand and somehow got up the stairs. That arm + pained him a lot, and he found his sweater was wet. So he took his + handkerchief and tied it tight around the place that hurt the most, + holding one end in his teeth to make the knot firm. + </p> + <p> + The sun blinded him as he stumbled down the back steps and went to get his + wheel, but somehow he managed it, plunging through the brakes and tangles, + and back to the road. + </p> + <p> + It ran in his brain where the Shaftons lived out in the country on the + Jersey shore. He had a mental picture in the back of his mind how to get + there. He knew that when he struck the Highroad there was nothing to do + but keep straight on till he crossed the State Line and then he would find + it somehow, although it was miles away. If he had been himself he would + have known it was an impossible journey in his present condition, but he + wasn't thinking of impossibilities. He had to do it, didn't he? He, Billy, + had set out to make reparation for the confusion he had wrought in his + small world, and he meant to do so, though all hell should rise against + him. Hell! That was it. He could see the flames in hot little spots where + the morning sun struck. He could hear the bells striking the hour in the + world he used to know that was not for him any more. He zigzagged along + the road in a crazy way, and strange to say he met nobody he knew, for it + was early. Ten minutes after he passed the Crossroads Elder Harricutt went + across the Highway toward Economy to his day's work, and he would have + loved to have seen Billy, and his rusty old wheel, staggering along in + that crazy way and smelling of whiskey like a whole moonshiner, fairly + reeking with whiskey as he joggled down the road, and a queer little + tinkle now and then just inside his blouse as if he carried loaded dice. + Oh, he would have loved to have caught Billy shooting crap! + </p> + <p> + But he was too late, and Billy swam on, the sun growing hotter on his + aching head, the light more blinding to his blood shot eyes, the lump + bigger and bluer on his grimy forehead. + </p> + <p> + About ten o'clock a car came by, slowed down, the driver watching Billy, + though Billy took no note of him. Billy was looking on the ground dreaming + he was searching for the state line. He had a crazy notion it oughtta be + there somewhere. + </p> + <p> + The man in the car stopped and called to him: + </p> + <p> + “How about putting your wheel in the back seat and letting me give you a + lift? You look pretty tired.” + </p> + <p> + Billy lifted bleared eyes and stopped pedalling, almost falling off his + wheel, but recovering himself with a wrench of pain and sliding off. + </p> + <p> + “Awwright!” said Billy, “Thanks!” + </p> + <p> + “You look all in, son,” said the man kindly. + </p> + <p> + “Yep,” said Billy laconically, “'yam! Been up all night. Care f'I sleep?” + </p> + <p> + “Help yourself,” said the man, giving a lift with the wheel, and putting + it in behind. + </p> + <p> + Billy curled down in the back seat without further ceremony. + </p> + <p> + “Where are you going son?” + </p> + <p> + Billy named the country seat of the Shaftons, having no idea how far away + it was. The man gave a whistle. + </p> + <p> + “What! On that wheel? Well, go to sleep son. I'm going there myself, so + don't worry. I'll wake you up when you get there.” + </p> + <p> + So Billy slept through the first long journey he had taken since he came + to live with Aunt Saxon, slept profoundly with an oblivion that almost + amounted to coma. Sometimes the man, looking back, was tempted to stop and + see if the boy was yet alive, but a light touch on the hot forehead showed + him that life was not extinct, and they whirled on. + </p> + <p> + Three hours later Billy was awakened by a sharp shake of his sore shoulder + and a stinging pain that shot through him like fire. Fire! Fire! He was on + fire! That was how he felt as he opened his eyes and glared at the + stranger: + </p> + <p> + “Aw, lookout there, whatterya doin'?” he blazed, “Whadda ya think I am? A + football? Don't touch me. I'll get out. This the place? Thanks fer tha + ride, I was all in. Say, d'ya know a guy by the name of Shafton?” + </p> + <p> + “Shafton?” asked the man astonished, “are you going to Shafton's?” + </p> + <p> + “Sure,” said Billy, “anything wrong about that? Where does he hang out?” + The look of Billy, and more than all the smell of him made it quite + apparent to the casual observer that he had been drinking, and the man + eyed him compassionately. “Poor little fool! He's beginning young. What on + earth does he want at Shaftons?” + </p> + <p> + “I'spose you've come down after the reward,” grinned the man, “I could + have saved you the trouble if you'd told me. The kidnapped son has got + home. They are not in need of further information.” + </p> + <p> + Billy gave him a superior leer with one eye closed: + </p> + <p> + “You may not know all there is to know about that,” he said impudently, + “where did you say he lived?” + </p> + <p> + The man shrugged his shoulders indifferently. + </p> + <p> + “Suit yourself,” he said, “I doubt if they'll see you. They have had + nothing but a stream of vagrants for two days and they're about sick of + it. They live on the next estate and the gateway is right around that + corner.” + </p> + <p> + “I ain't no vagrant,” glared Billy, and limped away with old trusty under + his left arm. + </p> + <p> + No one molested him as he walked in the arched and ivied gateway, for the + gate keeper was off on a little private errand of his own at a place where + prohibition had not yet penetrated. Billy felt too heavy and dizzy to + mount his wheel, but he leaned on the saddle as he walked and tried to get + things straight in his head. He oughtn't to have gone to sleep, that's + what he oughtn't. But this job would soon be over and then he would hike + it for home. Gee! Wouldn't home feel good! And Aunt Saxon would bathe his + head with wych hazel and make cold things for him to drink! Aw, Gee! + </p> + <p> + The pedigreed dogs of which the place boasted a number came suddenly down + upon him in a great flare of noise, but dogs were always his friends, why + should he worry? A pity he couldn't stop to make friends with them just + now. Some dogs! Here pup! Gee! What a dog to own! The dogs whined and + fawned upon him. Pedigree or no pedigree, rags and whiskey and dirt + notwithstanding, they knew a man when they saw one, and Billy hadn't + batted an eyelid when they tried their worst tramp barks on him. They + wagged their silky tails and tumbled over each other to get first place to + him, and so escorted proudly he dropped old trusty by a clump of imported + rhododendrons and limped up the marble steps to the wide vistas of + circular piazzas that stretched to seemingly infinite distances, and + wondered if he should ever find the front door. + </p> + <p> + An imposing butler appeared with a silver tray, and stood aghast. + </p> + <p> + “Shafton live here?” inquired Billy trying to look business like. “Like to + see him er the missus a minute,” he added as the frowning vision bowed. + The butler politely but firmly told him that the master and mistress had + other business and no desire to see him. The young gentleman had come + home, and the reward had been withdrawn. If it was about the reward he had + come he could go down to the village and find the detective. The house + people didn't want to interview any more callers. + </p> + <p> + “Well, say,” said Billy disgusted, “after I've come all this way too! You + go tell 'er I've brought her jewels! You go tell 'er I've <i>gottum here!</i>” + </p> + <p> + The butler opened the door a little wider: he suggested that seeing was + believing. + </p> + <p> + “Not on yer tin type!” snapped Billy, “I show 'em to nobody an' I give 'em + to nobody but the owner! Where's the young fella? He knows me. Tell 'im I + brang his ma's string o' beads an' things.” + </p> + <p> + Billy was weary. His head was spinning round. His temper was rising. + </p> + <p> + “Aw,—you make me tired! Get out of my way!” He lowered his head and + made a football dive with his head in the region of the dignified butler's + stomach, and before that dignitary had recovered his poise Billy with two + collies joyously escorting him, stood blinking in wonder over the great + beautiful living room, for all the world as pretty as the church at home, + only stranger, with things around that he couldn't make out the use of. + </p> + <p> + “Where'ur they at? Where are the folks?” he shouted back to the butler who + was coming after him with menace in his eye. + </p> + <p> + “What is the matter, Morris? What is all this noise about?” came a lady's + voice in pettish tones from up above somewhere. “Didn't I tell you that I + wouldn't see another one of those dreadful people to-day?” + </p> + <p> + Billy located her smooth old childish face at once and strode to the foot + of the stairs peering up at the lady, white with pain from his contact + with the butler, but alert now to the task before him: + </p> + <p> + “Say, Miz Shaf't'n, I got yer jools, would ya mind takin' 'em right now? + 'Cause I'm all in an' I wantta get home.” + </p> + <p> + His head was going around now like a merry-go-round, but he steadied + himself by the bannister: + </p> + <p> + “Why, what do you mean?” asked the lady descending a step or two, a vision + of marcelled white hair, violet and lace negligee, and well preserved + features, “You've got them <i>there</i>? Let me see them.” + </p> + <p> + “He's been drinking, Sarah, can't you smell it?” said a man's voice higher + up, “Come away and let Morris deal with him. Really Sarah, we'll have to + go away if this keeps up.” + </p> + <p> + “Say, you guy up there, just shut yer trap a minute won't ya! Here, Miz + Shaf't'n, are these here yours?” + </p> + <p> + Billy struggled with the neck of his blouse and brought forth the leather + bag, gripped the knot fiercely in his teeth, ran his fingers in the bag as + he held it in his mouth, his lamed arm hanging at his side, and drew forth + the magnificent pearls. + </p> + <p> + “William! My pearls!” shrieked the lady. + </p> + <p> + The gentleman came down incredulous, and looked over her shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “I believe they are, Sarah,” he said. + </p> + <p> + Billy leered feverishly up at him, and produced a sheaf of papers, + seemingly burrowing somewhere in his internal regions to bring them forth. + </p> + <p> + “And here, d'these b'long?” + </p> + <p> + The master of the house gripped them. + </p> + <p> + “Sarah! The bonds! And the South American Shares!” They were too busy to + notice Billy who stood swaying by the newel post, his duty done now, the + dogs grouped about him. + </p> + <p> + “Say, c'n I get me a drink?” he asked of the butler, who hovered near + uncertain what to be doing now that the tide was turned. + </p> + <p> + The lady looked up. + </p> + <p> + “Morris!” + </p> + <p> + He scarcely heard the lady's words but almost immediately a tall slim + glass of frosty drink, that smelled of wild grapes, tasted of oranges, and + cooled him down to the soul again, was put into his hand and he gulped it + greedily. + </p> + <p> + “Where did you say you found these, young man?” The gentleman eyed him + sternly, and Billy's old spirit flamed up: + </p> + <p> + “I didn't say,” said Billy. + </p> + <p> + “But you know we've got to have all the evidence before we can give the + reward—!” + </p> + <p> + “Aw, cut it out! I don't want no reward. Wouldn't take it if you give it + to me! I just wantta get home. Say, you gotta telephone?” + </p> + <p> + “Why certainly.” This was the most astonishing burglar! + </p> + <p> + “Well, where is't? Lemme call long distance on it? I ain't got the tin + now, but I'll pay ya when I git back home!” + </p> + <p> + “Why, the idea! Take him to the telephone Morris. Right there! This one—!” + </p> + <p> + But Billy had sighted one on a mahogany desk near at hand and he toppled + to the edge of the chair that stood before it. He took down the receiver + in a shaky hand, calling Long Distance. + </p> + <p> + “This Long Distance? Well, gimme Economy 13.” + </p> + <p> + The Shaftons for the instant were busy looking over the papers, + identifying each jewel, wondering if any were missing. They did not notice + Billy till a gruff young voice rang out with a pathetic tremble in it: + “That you Chief? This is Billy. Say, c'n I bother you to phone to Miss + Severn an' ast her to tell m'yant I'm aw'wright? Yes, tell her I'll be + home soon now, an' I'll explain. And Chief, I'm mighty sorry those two + guys got away, but I couldn't help it. We'll get 'em yet. Hope you didn't + wait long. Tell you more when I see ya, S'long—!” + </p> + <p> + The boyish voice trailed off into silence as the receiver fell with a + crash to the polished desk, and Billy slipped off the chair and lay in a + huddled heap on the costly rug. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, mercy!” cried the lady, “Is he drunk or what?” + </p> + <p> + “Come away Sarah, let Morris deal—” + </p> + <p> + “But he's sick, I believe, William. Look how white he is. I believe he is + dead! William, he may have come a long way in the heat! He may have had a + sunstroke! Morris, send for a doctor quick! And—call the ambulance + too! You better telephone the hospital. We can't have him here! William, + look here, what's this on his sleeve? Blood? Oh, William! And we didn't + give him any reward—!” + </p> + <p> + And so, while the days hastened on Billy lay between clean white sheets on + a bed of pain in a private ward of a wonderful Memorial Hospital put up by + the Shaftons in honor of a child that died. Tossing and moaning, and + dreaming of unquenchable fire, always trying to climb out of the hot + crater that held him, and never getting quite to the top, always knowing + there was something he must do, yet never quite finding out what it was. + And back in Sabbath Valley Aunt Saxon prayed and cried and waited and took + heart of cheer from the message the Chief had sent to Lynn. And quietly + the day approached for the trial of Mark Carter, but his mother did not + yet know. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0026" id="link2H_4_0026"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXV + </h2> + <p> + Mrs. Gibson, the wife of the comparatively new elder of the Sabbath Valley + church was a semi-invalid. That is she wasn't able to do her own work and + kept “help.” The help was a lady of ample proportions whose husband had + died and whose fortunes were depleted. She consented to assist Mrs. Gibson + provided she were considered one of the family, and she presented a + continual front of offense so that the favored family must walk most + circumspectly if they would not have her retire to her room with hurt + feelings and leave them to shift for themselves. + </p> + <p> + On the morning of the trial she settled herself at her side of the + breakfast table, after a number of excursions to the kitchen for things + she had forgotten, the cream, the coffee, and the brown bread, of which + Mr. Gibson was very fond. She was prepared to enjoy her own breakfast. Mr. + Gibson generally managed to bolt his while these excursions of memory were + being carried on and escape the morning news, but Mrs. Gibson, well + knowing which side her bread was buttered, and not knowing where she could + get another housekeeper, usually managed to sit it out. + </p> + <p> + “Well, this is a great day for Sabbath Valley,” said Mrs. Frost + mournfully, spreading an ample slice of bread deep with butter, and + balancing it on the uplifted fingers of one hand while she stirred the + remainder of the cream into her coffee with one of the best silver spoons. + She was wide and bulgy and her chair always seemed inadequate when she + settled thus for nourishment. + </p> + <p> + “A great day,” she repeated sadly, taking an audible sip of her coffee. + </p> + <p> + “A great day?” repeated little Mrs. Gibson with a puzzled air, quickly + recalling her abstracted thoughts. + </p> + <p> + “Yes. Nobody ever thought anybody in Sabbath Valley would ever be tried + for murder!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” said Mrs. Gibson sharply, drawing back her chair as if she were in a + hurry and rolling up her napkin quickly. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, poor Mark Carter! I remember his sweet little face and his long + yellow curls and his baby smile as if it were yesterday!” narrowing her + eyes and harrowing her voice, “I wonder if his poor mother knows yet.” + </p> + <p> + “I should hope not!” said Mrs. Gibson rising precipitately and wandering + over to the window where hung a gilded canary cage. “Mrs. Frost, did you + remember to give the canary some seed and fresh water?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I b'lieve so,” responded the fat lady, “But you can't keep her from + knowing it always. Whatt'll you do when he's <i>hung?</i> Don't you think + it would be easier for; her to get used to it little by little?” + </p> + <p> + “Mrs. Frost, if you were a dog would you rather have your tail cut off all + at once, or little by little?” said Mrs. Gibson mischievously. + </p> + <p> + “I shouldn't like to have it cut off at all I'm quite sure,” said Mrs. + Frost frostily. + </p> + <p> + “Well, perhaps Mrs. Carter might feel that way too,” said the lady bending + over a rose geranium and pinching a leaf to smell. + </p> + <p> + “I don't understand you,” said Mrs. Frost from her coffee cup, “Oh, you + mean that perhaps Mark may not be convicted? Why, my dear lady, there + isn't a chance at all, not a chance in the world for Mark, and while I'm + real sorry I can't say I'd approve. Think of how he's carried on, going + with that little huzzy of a Cherry. Mrs. Harricutt says she saw him have + her out riding in his automobile one day—!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh,—<i>Mrs. Harricutt!”</i> said Mrs. Gibson impatiently, “Mrs. + Frost, let's find something pleasanter to talk about. It's a wonderful + morning. The air's like wine. I wonder If I couldn't take a little walk. I + mean to ask the doctor.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear woman,” said Frost patronizingly, “You can't get away from the + unpleasant things in this world by just not talking about them!” + </p> + <p> + “It seems not,” said the Gibson lady patiently, and wandered out on the + porch. + </p> + <p> + Down the street Marilyn lingered by her mother's chair: + </p> + <p> + “Are you—going to Economy to-day, mother?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, dear, your father and I are both going. Did you—think you + ought—wanted to—go dear?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I should <i>hate it!”</i> cried Lynn flinging out her hands with a + terrible little gesture of despair, “But I wanted to go just to stand by + Mark. I shall be there anyway, wherever I am, I shall see everything and + feel everything in my heart I know. But in the night it came to me that + some one ought to stay with Mrs. Carter!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, dear! I had hoped you would think of that. I didn't want to mention + it because I wanted you to follow your own heart's leading, but I think + she needs you. If you could keep her from finding out until it was over—” + </p> + <p> + “But suppose—!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, dear, it is possible. I've thought of that, and if it comes there + will be a way I'm sure, but until it does—<i>then</i> suppose—” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, mother, I'll go and make her have one happy day first anyway. If any + of those old vultures come around I'll play the piano or scream all the + while they are there and keep them from telling her a thing!” + </p> + <p> + “I think, dear, the vultures will all be in Economy to-day.” + </p> + <p> + “All except Mrs. Frost, mother dear. She can't get away. But she can + always run across the street to borrow a cup of soda.” + </p> + <p> + So Lynn knelt for a moment in her quiet room, then came down, kissed her + mother and father with a face of brave serenity, and went down the maple + shaded street with her silk work bag in her hand. And none too soon. As + she tapped at the door of the Carter house she saw Mrs. Frost ambling + purposefully out of the Gibson gate with a tea cup in her hand. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, hurry upstairs and stay there a minute till I get rid of Mrs. Frost,” + Lynn whispered smiling as her hostess let her in. “I've come to spend the + day with you, and she'll stay till she's told you all the news and there + won't be any left for me.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Carter, greatly delighted with Lynn's company, hurried obediently up + the stairs and Lynn met the interloper, supplied her with the cup of salt + she had come for this time, said Mrs. Carter was upstairs making the beds + and she wouldn't bother her to come down,—<i>beds,</i> mind you, as + if Mark was at home of course—and Mrs. Frost went back across the + street puzzled and baffled and resolved to come back later for an egg + after that forward young daughter of the minister was gone. + </p> + <p> + Lynn locked the front door and ran up stairs. She tolled her hostess up to + the attic to show her some ancient gowns and poke bonnets that she hadn't + seen since she was a little girl in which she and Mark used to dress up + and play history stories. + </p> + <p> + Half the morning she kept her up there looking at garments long folded + away, whose wearers had slept in the church yard many years; trinkets of + other days, quaint old pictures, photographs and daguerreotypes, and a + beautiful curl of Mark's—: + </p> + <p> + “Marilyn, I'm going to give that to you,” the mother said as she saw the + shining thing lying in the girl's hand, “There's no one living to care for + it after I'm gone, and you will keep it I know till you're sure there's no + one would want it I—mean—!” + </p> + <p> + “I understand what you mean,” said Marilyn, “I will keep it and love it—for + you—and for him. And if there is ever anybody else that—deserves + it—why I'll give it to them—!” Then they both laughed to hide + the tears behind the unspoken thoughts, and the mother added a little + stubbed shoe and a sheer muslin cap, all delicate embroidery and + hemstitching: + </p> + <p> + “They go together,” she said simply, and Lynn wrapped them all carefully + in a bit of tissue paper and laid them in her silk bag. As she turned away + she held it close to her heart while the mother closed the shutters. She + shuddered to think of the place where Mark was sitting now, being tried + for his life. Her heart flew over the road, entered the court and stood + close by his side, with her hand on his shoulder, and then slipped it in + his. She wondered if he knew that she was praying, praying, praying for + him and standing by him, taking the burden of what would have been his + mother's grief if she had known, as well as the heavy burden of her own + sorrow. + </p> + <p> + The air of the court room was heavy for the place was crowded. Almost + everybody from Sabbath Valley that could come was there, for a great many + people loved Mark Carter, and this seemed a time when somehow they must + stand by him. People came that liked him and some that did not like him, + but more that liked him and kept hoping against hope that he would not be + indicted. + </p> + <p> + The hum of voices suddenly ceased as the prisoner was led in and a breath + of awe passed over the place. For until that minute no one was quite sure + that Mark Carter would appear. It had been rumored again and again that he + had run away. Yet here he was, walking tall and straight, his fine head + held high as had been his wont. “For all the world like he walked when he + was usher at Mary Anne's wedding, whispered Mrs. Hulse, from Unity.” + </p> + <p> + The minister and his wife kept their eyes down after the first glimpse of + the white face. It seemed a desecration to look at a face that had + suffered as that one had. Yet the expression upon it now was more as if it + had been set for a certain purpose for this day, and did not mean to + change whatever came. A hopeless, sad, persist look, yet strong withal and + with a hint of something fine and high behind it. + </p> + <p> + He did not look around as he sat down, merely nodded to a few close to him + whom he recognized. A number, pressed close as he passed, and touched him, + as if they would impress upon him their loyalty, and it was noticeable + that these were mostly of a humble class, working men, boys, and a few old + women, people to whom he had been kind. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Severn wrote a little note and sent it up to him, with the message, + “Lynn is with your mother.” Just that. No name signed. But his eyes sought + hers at once and seemed to light, and soon, without any apparent movement + on his part a card came back to her bearing the words: “I thank you,” But + he did not look that way again all day it seemed. His bearing was quiet, + sad, aloof, one might almost have said disinterested. + </p> + <p> + Mark's lawyer was one whom he had picked out of the gutter and literally + forced to stop drinking and get back on his job. He was a man of fine mind + and deep gratitude, and was having a frantic time with his client, for + Mark simply wouldn't talk: + </p> + <p> + “I wasn't there, I was on Stark mountain, I am, not guilty,” he persisted, + “and that is all I have to say.” + </p> + <p> + “But my dear friend, don't you realize that mere statements unadorned and + uncorroborated won't get you anywhere in court?” + </p> + <p> + “All right, don't try to defend me then. Let the thing go as it will. That + is all I have to say.” And from this decision no one had been able to + shake him. His lawyer was nearly crazy. He had raked the county for + witnesses. He had dug into the annals of that night in every possible + direction. He had unearthed things that it seemed no living being would + have thought of, and yet he had not found the one thing of which he was in + search, positive evidence that Mark Carter had been elsewhere and + otherwise employed at the time of the shooting. + </p> + <p> + “Don't bother so much about it Tony,” said Mark once when they were + talking it over, or the lawyer was talking it over and Mark was listening. + “It doesn't matter. Nothing matters any more!” and his voice was weary as + if all hope had vanished from him. + </p> + <p> + Anthony Drew looked at him in despair: + </p> + <p> + “Sometimes I almost think you <i>want</i> to die,” he said. “Do you think + I shall let you go when you pulled me back from worse than death? No, + Mark, old man, we're going to pull you through somehow, though I don't + know how. If I were a praying man I'd say that this was the time to pray. + Mark, what's become of that kid you used to think so much of, that was + always tagging after you? Billy,—was that his name?” + </p> + <p> + A wan smile flitted across Mark's face, and a stiff little drawing of the + old twinkle about eyes and lips: + </p> + <p> + “I think he'll turn up some time.” + </p> + <p> + The lawyer eyed him keenly: + </p> + <p> + “Mark, I believe you've got something up your sleeve. I believe that kid + knows something and you won't let him tell. Where is he?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know, Tony” and Mark looked at him straight with clear eyes, and + the lawyer knew he was telling the truth. + </p> + <p> + Just at the last day Anthony Drew found out about the session meeting. But + from Mark he got no further statement than the first one. Mark would not + talk. An ordinary lawyer, one that had not been saved himself, would have + given up the defense as hopeless. Anthony simply wouldn't let Mark go + undefended. If there were no evidence he would make some somehow, and so + he worked hoping against hope up to the very last minute. He stood now, + tall, anxious, a fine face, though showing the marks of wreck behind him, + dark hair silvered at the edges, fine deep lines about his eyes and brows, + looking over the assembled throng with nervous hurrying eyes. At last he + seemed to find what he wanted and came quickly down to where the minister + sat in an obscure corner, whispering a few words with him. They went out + together for a few minutes and when they came back the minister was grave + and thoughtful. He himself had scoured the country round about quietly for + Billy, and he was deeply puzzled. He had promised to tell what he knew. + </p> + <p> + The business of the day went forward in the usual way with all the red + tape, the cool formalities, as if some trifling matter were at stake, and + those who loved Mark sat with aching hearts and waited. The Severns in + their corner sat for the most part with bended heads and praying hearts. + The witnesses for the prosecution were most of them companions of the dead + man, those who had drank and caroused with him, frequenters of the Blue + Duck, and they were herded together, an evil looking crowd, but with erect + heads and defiant attitude, the air of having donned unaccustomed garments + of righteousness for the occasion, and making a great deal of it because + for once every one must see that they were in the right. They were fairly + loud mouthed in their boasting about it. + </p> + <p> + There was the little old wizened up fellow that had been sitting with the + drinks outside the booth the night Billy telephoned. There were the + serving men who had waited on Mark and Cherry. There was the proprietor of + the Blue Duck himself, who testified that Mark had often been there with + Cherry, though always early in the evening. Once he had caught him outside + the window looking in at the dancers as late as two o'clock at night, the + same window from which the shot was fired that brought Dolph to his death. + They testified that Mark had been seen with Cherry much of late driving in + his car, and that she had often been in deep converse as if having a hot + argument about something. + </p> + <p> + The feeling was tense in the court room. Tears were in many eyes, hopeless + tears in the eyes of those who had loved the boy for years. + </p> + <p> + But the grilling order marched on, and witness after witness came, adding + another and another little touch to the gradually rising structure that + would shut Mark Carter away from the world that loved him and that he + loved forever. + </p> + <p> + Cherry was called, a flaunting bit of a child with bobbed golden hair and + the air of a bold young seraph, her white face bravely painted, her cherry + lips cherrier even than the cherry for which she had been named. She wore + a silk coat reaching to the bottom of her frock, which was shorter than + the shortest, and daring little high-heeled many strapped shoes with a + myriad of bright buckles. Her hat was an insolent affair of cherry red. + She made a blinding bit of color in the dreary court room. She appeared + half frightened, half defiant. Her sharp little face seemed to have lost + its round curves and childlike sweetness. She testified that she had been + with Mark on the night of the shooting, but that he had taken her home + early and she had seen no more of him that night. She admitted that she + had returned later to the Blue Duck Tavern with Dolph and had danced late + and eaten supper with him afterwards, and that it was while they were + eating that the shot was fired and Dolph fell over on the table. No, she + didn't see any face at the window. She had covered her face with her hands + and screamed. She guessed she fainted. Questioned further she admitted + that she had had an argument with Mark earlier in the evening, but she + “didn't remember what it was about.” They often argued. Yes, Dolph was + jealous of Mark and tried to stop her going with him. Yes, Mark had tried + to stop her going with Dolph too, but he never acted jealous—On and + on through the sorry little details of Cherry's career. The court room + vultures receiving it avidly, the more refined part of the company with + distaste and disgust. Mark sat with stern white face looking straight at + Cherry all the time she was on the stand as if he dared her to say other + than the truth. When she happened to look that way she gave a giggling + little shudder and half turned her shoulder away, avoiding his eyes. But + when she was done she had said nothing against Mark, and nothing to clear + him either. + </p> + <p> + The sharp unscrupulous lawyer who acted for the prosecution had secured + some fellows “of the baser sort” who testified that they had seen Mark + Carter buying a gun, that they had seen him creep softly to the window, + peer into the room, and take aim. They had been on their way home, had + seen Mark steal along in a very suspicious manner and had followed him to + find out what it meant. There were three of them; fellows whom Mark had + refused to play against on a County team because they were what is called + “dirty” players. There had been hot words between Mark and them once when + one of them had kicked a man in the face with spiked shoes who was just + about to make a goal. Mark had succeeded in winning the umpire to his + point of view and the others had lost their game and incidentally some + money, and they had a grudge against him. Moreover there was money in this + testimony for The Blue Duck Tavern could not afford to have its habitues + in the public eye, and preferred to place the blame on a man who belonged + more to the conservative crowd. The Blue Duck had never quite approved of + Mark, because though he came and went he never drank, and he sometimes + prevented others from doing so. This was unprofitable to them. So matters + stood when the noon-hour came and court adjourned for lunch. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0027" id="link2H_4_0027"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXVI + </h2> + <p> + And while the long morning dragged itself away in Economy listening to a + tale of shame, over on the bright Jersey coast the waves washed lazily on + a silver strand reflecting the blueness of the September sky, and soft + breezes hovered around the classic little hospital building that stood in + a grove of imported palms, and lifted its white columns picturesquely like + some old Greek temple. + </p> + <p> + There was nothing in the life he was living now to remind Billy of either + hell or Sabbath Valley, yet for long days and weeks he had struggled + through flames in a deep dark pit lighted only by lurid glare and his soul + had well nigh gone out under the torture. Once the doctors and nurses had + stood around and waited for his last breath. This was a marked case. The + Shaftons were deeply interested in it. The boy had mysteriously brought + back all their valuable papers and jewels that had been stolen from them, + and they were anxious to put him on his feet again. It went sadly against + the comfortable self-complacent grain of a Shafton to feel himself under + such mortal obligation to any one. + </p> + <p> + But Billy was tougher than anyone knew, and one night after he had made + the usual climb through the hot coals on his bare knees to the top of the + pit, and come to the place where he always fell back, he held on a little + tighter and set his teeth a little harder, and suddenly, with a long hard + pull that took every atom of strength in his wasted young body, he went + over the top. Over the top and out into the clean open country where he + could feel the sea breeze on his hot forehead and know that it was good. + He was out of hell and he was cooling off. The first step in the awful + fight that began that night in the old haunted house on the mountain had + been won. + </p> + <p> + For three days he lay thus, cooling off and resting. He was fed and cared + for but he took no cognizance of it except to smile weakly. Swallowing + things was like breathing. You had to do it and you didn't think about it. + The fourth day he began to know the nurses apart, and to realize he was + feeling better. As yet the past lay like a blurr of pain on his mind, and + he hadn't a care about anything save just to lie and know that it was good + to smell the salt, and see the shimmer of blue from the window. At times + when he slept the sound of bells in old hymns came to him like a dream and + he smiled. But on the fifth morning he lifted his light head uncertainly + and looked out of the window. Gee! That was pretty! And he dropped back + and slept again. When he awoke there was a real meal for him. No more + slops. Soup, and potato and a bit of bread and butter. Gee! It tasted + good! He slept again and it was morning, or was it the same morning? He + didn't know. He tried to figure back and decided he had been in that + hospital about three days, but when the next morning dawned and he felt + the life creeping back into his veins he began to be uncertain. He asked + the nurse how soon he could get up and get dressed. She smiled in a + superior way and said the doctor hadn't said. It would likely be sometime + yet, he had been pretty sick. He told her sharply he couldn't spare much + more time, and asked her where his clothes were. + </p> + <p> + She laughed and said: + </p> + <p> + “Oh, put away. You'll have some new clothes when you get well. I heard + Mrs. Shafton talking about it this morning when she was in the office. + She's coming to see you pretty soon, and they mean to do a lot for you. + You brought back her jewels didn't you? Well, I guess you'll get your + reward all right.” + </p> + <p> + Billy looked at her blankly. Reward! Gosh! Was that reward going to meet + him again? + </p> + <p> + “Say,” said he frowning, “I want my own clothes. I don't want any new + ones. I want my own! Say, I got some stuff in my pockets I don't wantta + have monkeyed with!” + </p> + <p> + “All right,” she said cheerily, “They're put away safe. You can have them + when you're well.” But when he asked her suddenly what day it was she said + vaguely “Tuesday,” and went away. He was so tired then he went to sleep + again and slept till they brought his dinner, a big one, chicken and + fixings and jelly, and a dish of ice cream! Oh, Gee! And then he went to + sleep again. But in the morning—how many days was it then? He woke + to sudden consciousness of what he had to do and to sudden suspicion of + the time. Billy was coming back to his own. His wilyness had returned. He + smiled at the nurse ravishingly and asked for a newspaper, but when she + brought it he pretended to be asleep, so she laid it down and went away + softly. But he nabbed that paper with a weak hand as soon as her back was + turned and read the date! His heart fell down with a dull thud. The third! + This was the day of the trial! It couldn't be! He read again. Was it + really the day of the trial? The paper that had the court program had been + in his trousers pocket. He must have it at once. Perhaps he had made a + mistake. Oh, gee! What it was to be helpless! Why, he was weaker than Aunt + Saxon! + </p> + <p> + He called the nurse crossly. She bustled in and told him the doctor had + just said he might sit up to-morrow if he kept on without a temperature + for twenty-four hours longer. But he paid no heed to her. He demanded his + clothes with a young roar of a voice that made her open her eyes. Billy + had heretofore been the meekest of meek patients. She was getting the + voice and manner now that he generally retained for family use. He told + her there was something in the pocket he must see right away, and he made + such a fuss about it that she was afraid he would bring up his temperature + again and finally agreed to get the clothes if he would lie real still and + rest afterward. Billy dropped his head back on the pillow and solemnly + said: “Aw'wright!” He had visions of going to court in blue and white + striped pajamas. It could be done, but he didn't relish it. Still, if he + had to—! + </p> + <p> + The nurse brought his jacket and trousers. The sweater was awfully dirty + she said, but she was finally prevailed upon to bring that too, and Billy + obediently lay down with closed eyes and his arm stretched out + comfortingly over the bundles. The nurse hovered round till he seemed to + be asleep and then slipped out for a moment, and the instant her white + skirt had vanished from the doorway Billy was alert. He fumbled the + bundles open with nervous fingers and searched eagerly for the bit of + paper. Yes, there it was and the date the third of September. Aw Gee! + </p> + <p> + He flung back the neatly tucked sheets, poked a slim white foot that + didn't look like his at all into a trouser leg, paused for breath and dove + the other in, struggled into his jacket and lay down again quickly under + the sheet. Was that the nurse? + </p> + <p> + He had to admit that he felt queer, but it would soon pass off, and anyhow + if it killed him he had to go. Aw bah! What was a little sickness anyhow? + If he stayed in the hospital any longer they'd make a baby out of him! + </p> + <p> + The nurse had not returned. He could hear the soft plunk, plunk of her + rubber heels on the marble steps. She was going down stairs. Now was his + time! Of course he had no shoes and stockings, but what was a little thing + like that? He grasped the bundle of sweater tightly and slid out of bed. + His feet felt quite inadequate. In fact he began to doubt their identity. + They didn't seem to be there at all when he stood on them, but he was not + to be foiled by feet. If they meant to stick by him they'd gotta obey him. + </p> + <p> + Slowly, cautiously, with his head swimming lightly on ahead of him and a + queer gasp of emptiness in the region of his chest that seemed to need a + great deal of breath, he managed a passage to the door, looked down the + long white corridor with its open doors and cheerful voices, saw a pair of + stairs to the right quite near by, and with his steadying hands on the + cool white wall slid along the short space to the top step. It seemed an + undertaking to get down that first step, but when that was accomplished he + was out of sight and he sat down and slid slowly the rest of the way, + wondering why he felt so rotten. + </p> + <p> + At the foot of the long stairs there was a door, and strange it was made + so heavy! He wondered a nurse could swing it open, just a mere girl! But + he managed it at last, almost winded, and stumbled out on the portico that + gave to the sea, a wide blue stretch before him. He stopped, startled, as + if he had unexpectedly sighted the heavenly strand, and gazed blinking at + the stretch of blue with the wide white shore and the boom of an organ + following the lapping of each white crested wave. Those palm trees + certainly made it look queer like Saxy's Pilgrim's Progress picture book. + Then the panic for home and his business came upon him and he slid weakly + down the shallow white steps, and crunched his white feet on the gravel + wincing. He had just taken to the grass at the edge and was managing + better than he had hoped when a neat little coupe rounded the curve of the + drive, and his favorite doctor came swinging up to the steps, eyeing him + keenly. Billy started to run, and fell in a crumpled heap, white and + scared and crying real tears, weak, pink tears! + </p> + <p> + “Why Billy! What are you doing here?” The stern loving voice of his + favorite doctor hung over him like a knife that was going to cut him off + forever from life and light and forgiveness and all that he counted dear. + </p> + <p> + But Billy stopped crying. + </p> + <p> + “Nothin,” he said, “I just come out fer a walk!” + </p> + <p> + The doctor smiled. + </p> + <p> + “But I didn't tell you you might, Billy boy!” + </p> + <p> + “Had to,” said Billy. + </p> + <p> + “Well, you'll find you'll have to go back again, Billy. Come!” and the + doctor stooped his broad strong shoulders to pick up the boy. But Billy + beat him off weakly: + </p> + <p> + “Say, now, Doc, wait a minute,” he pleaded, “It's jus' this way. I simply + <i>gotta</i> get back home t'day. I'm a very 'mportant witness in a murder + case, See? My bes' friend in the world is bein' tried fer life, an' he + ain't guilty, an' I'm the only one that knows it fer sure, an' can prove + it, an' I gotta be there. Why, Doc, the trial's <i>going on now</i> an' I + ain't there! It ud drive me crazy to go back an' lay in that soft bed like + a reg'lar sissy, an' know he's going to be condemned. I put it to you, + Doc, as man to man, would you stand fer a thing like that?” + </p> + <p> + “But Billy, suppose it should be the end of you!” + </p> + <p> + “I sh'd worry, Doc! Ef I c'n get there in time an' say what I want I ain't + carin' fer anythin' more in life I tell ye. Say, Doc, you wouldn't stop + me, would ya? Ef you did I'd get thar anyhow <i>someway!</i>” + </p> + <p> + The earnestness of the eager young face, wan in its illness, the light of + love in the big gray eyes, went to the doctor's heart. He gave the boy a + troubled look. + </p> + <p> + “Where is it you want to go, Billy?” + </p> + <p> + “Economy, Doc. It ain't far, only two or three hours' ride. I c'n get a + jitney somewheres I guess ta take me. I'll pay up ez soon as I get home. I + got thirty dollars in the bank my own self.” + </p> + <p> + “Economy!” said the Doctor. “Impossible, Billy, it would kill you—!” + </p> + <p> + “Then I'm goin' anyhow. Good-by Doc!” and he darted away from the + astonished doctor and ran a rod or so before the doctor caught up with him + and seized him firmly by his well shoulder: + </p> + <p> + “Billy, look here!” said the Doctor, “If it's as bad as that I'll take + you!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, would ya, Doc? Would ya? I'll never forget it Doc—!” + </p> + <p> + “There now, Billy, never mind, son, you save your strength and let me + manage this thing the right way. Couldn't I telephone and have them hold + up things a few days? That can be done you know.” + </p> + <p> + “Nothin' doing Doc, there's them that would hurry it up all the more if + they thought I was comin' back. You get in Doc and start her up. I c'n + drive myself if you'll lend me the m'chine. P'raps you ain't got time to + go off 'ith me like this.” + </p> + <p> + “That's all right, Billy. You and I are going on a little excursion. 'But + first I've got to tell the nurse, or there'll be all kinds of a time. + Here, you sit in the machine.” The doctor picked him up and put him in and + ran up the steps. Billy sat dizzily watching and wondering if he hadn't + better make his escape. Perhaps the Doc was just fooling him, but in a + moment back he came again, with a nurse trailing behind with blankets and + a bottle. + </p> + <p> + “We're going to get another car, son, this one's no good for such a trip. + We'll fix it so you can lie down and save your strength for when you get + there. No,—son—I don't mean the ambulance,” as he saw the + alarm in Billy's face, “just a nice big car. That's all right, here she + comes!” + </p> + <p> + The big touring car came round from the back almost immediately, and the + back seat was heaped with pillows and blankets and Billy tenderly placed + among them where he was glad enough to lie down—and close his eyes. + It had been rather strenuous. The nurse went back for his shoes, bringing + a bottle of milk and his medicine. The Doctor got in the front seat and + started. + </p> + <p> + “Now, son,” he said, “You rest. You'll need every bit of strength when you + get there if we're going to carry this thing through. You just leave this + thing to me and I'll get you there in plenty of time. Don't you worry.” + </p> + <p> + Billy with a smile of heavenly bliss over his newly bleached freckles + settled back with dreamy eyes and watched the sea as they were passing + swiftly by it, his lashes drooping lower and lower over his thin young + cheeks. The doctor glancing back anxiously caught that look the mothers + see in the young imps when they are asleep, and a tenderness came into his + heart for the staunch loyal little sinner. + </p> + <p> + Doctor Norris was a good scout. If he had got a soft snap of a job in that + Shafton hospital, it was good practice of course, and a step to really big + things where he wouldn't be dependent upon rich people's whims, but still + he was a good scout. He had not forgotten the days of the grasshopper, and + Billy had made a great appeal to his heart. He looked at his watch, chose + his roads, and put his machine at high speed. The sea receded, the Jersey + pines whirled monotonously by, and by and by the hills began to crop up. + Off against the horizon Stark mountain loomed, veiled, with a purple haze, + and around another curve Economy appeared, startlingly out of place with + its smug red brick walks and its gingerbread porches and plastered tile + bungalows. Then without warning Billy sat up. How long had that young + scamp been awake? Had he slept at all? He was like a man, grave and stern + with business before him. The doctor almost felt shy about giving him his + medicine. + </p> + <p> + “Son, you must drink that milk,” he said firmly. “Nothing doing unless you + drink that!” Billy drank it. + </p> + <p> + “Now where?” asked the doctor as they entered the straggling dirty little + town. + </p> + <p> + “That red brick building down the next block,” pointed Billy, his face + white with excitement, his eyes burning like two dark blue coals. + </p> + <p> + The big car drew up at the curb, and no one there to notice, for every + body was inside. The place was jammed to the door. + </p> + <p> + Cherry had come back late after lunch, her hat awry and signs of tears on + her painted face. Her eyes were more obviously frightened and she + whispered a message which was taken up to Mark. Mark lifted a haggard face + to hear it, asked a question, bowed his head, and continued listening to + the cross-examination of a man who said he had heard him threaten to kill + Dolph the week before the murder down at Hagg's Mills. When the witness + was dismissed Mark whispered a word to his lawyer, the lawyer spoke to the + judge and the judge announced that the prisoner wished to speak. Every eye + was turned toward Mark as he rose and gave a sweeping glance around the + room, his eyes lingering for just a shadow of an instant wistfully on the + faces of the minister and his wife, then on again as if they had seen no + one, and round to the judge's face. + </p> + <p> + It was just at this instant that Billy burst into the room and wedged his + way fiercely between elbows, using his old football methods, head down and + elbows out, and stood a moment breathless, taking it all in. + </p> + <p> + Then Mark spoke: + </p> + <p> + “Your Honor, I wish to plead guilty to the charge!” + </p> + <p> + A great sigh like a sob broke over the hush in the court room and many + people half rose to their feet as if in protest, but Billy made a dive up + the aisle, self and sickness forgotten, regardless of courts or law or + anything, and stood between the Judge and Mark: + </p> + <p> + “It ain't so, an' I can prove it!” he shouted at the top of his lungs. + </p> + <p> + The prosecuting attorney rose to a point of order like a bull dog snapping + at his prey, the sergeant-at-arms rushed around like corn popping off in a + corn popper, but Anthony Drew whispered a word to the Judge, and after + order was restored Billy was called to the witness stand to tell his + story. + </p> + <p> + Doctor Norris standing squeezed at the back of the room looking for his + quondam patient, recognized with a thrill the new Billy standing unafraid + before all these people and speaking out his story in a clear direct way. + Billy had etherealized during his illness. If Aunt Saxon had been there—she + was washing for Gibsons that day and having her troubles with Mrs. Frost—she + would scarcely have known him. His features had grown delicate and there + was something strong and sweet about his mouth that surely never had been + there before. But the same old forceful boy speech wherewith he had + subdued enemies on the athletic fields, bullied Aunt Saxon, and put one + over on Pat at the station, was still his own. He told the truth briefly + and to the point, not omitting his own wrong doing in every particular, + and he swayed that crowd as a great orator might have been proud to sway a + congregation. They laughed till they cried and cried till they laughed + again at Billy's quaint phrases, and they enjoyed the detour—Oh how + they enjoyed that detour! Even the Judge had twinkles in his eyes. + </p> + <p> + For the first time since the trial began Mark was sitting up proudly, a + warm look of vivid interest in his face, the cold mask gone. His eyes + dwelt upon Billy with a look almost fatherly, at least brotherly. It was a + startling contrast to what he had been all day. This was a different man. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly from the corner of the prosecution the low growl which had been + gradually rising like a young storm, broke, and the prosecuting attorney + arose and lifted his voice above all others: + </p> + <p> + “I protest your Honor, against this witness. He has mentioned no less than + five different lies which he has told, and has narrated a number of + episodes in which he deliberately broke the law. Is it or is it not a + misdemeanor for anyone to meddle with our Highroads in the manner that has + just been described? By his own confession this young man is disqualified + for a witness! By his own confession he is a law breaker and a liar!” + </p> + <p> + “Aw Gee!” broke forth Billy furiously, “Didn't I tell ya I come here to + tell the truth n' get it off'n my chest?” + </p> + <p> + Someone put a strong hand on Billy and silenced him, and some one else + rose to protest against the protestor, and the air grew tense with + excitement once more. + </p> + <p> + The prosecution declared that Billy was in league with Mark, that + everybody knew he trailed him everywhere, therefore his testimony was + worthless. He was probably bribed; there was nothing, absolutely nothing + in the story the boy had told to prove anything. + </p> + <p> + Billy was growing whiter and angrier, his eyes flashing, his fists + clenched. His testimony was not going to be accepted after all! It had + been vain to bear the shame himself. Nothing, <i>nothing</i> that he could + do would blot out the trouble because he had unfitted himself to blot it + out. It had to be a witness who told the truth who would be believed. It + had to be one with a good record to take away the shame! That was + something like what Miss Marilyn said in Sunday School once, that only + Jesus Christ could take the place of a sinner and make it right about our + sinning because He had never sinned. It had sounded like rot when she said + it, but he began to understand what she meant now. Yes, that was it. Only + God's Son could do that and he, Billy Gaston, had tried to do it himself! + </p> + <p> + The court room seemed to be very dark now. His head was whirling away and + getting beyond his control. When he looked up he seemed to see it on the + other side of the room. He did not recognize the two men in handcuffs that + the Chief was bringing into the room. He did not hear what the Judge was + saying. He had slumped in a little heap on the witness stand with his eyes + closed, and his hands groping together. He thought that he was praying to + God's Son to come and help Mark because he had failed. <i>He</i> wasn't + good enough and he <i>had failed!</i> + </p> + <p> + The doctor had come with a bound up the aisle and was kneeling with Billy + in his arms. Mark was leaning over the rail with a white anxious face. The + minister was trying to make a way through the crowd, and the + sergeant-at-arms was pushing the crowd back, and making a space about the + unconscious boy. Some-one opened a window. The Chief and one of his men + brought a cot. There was a pillow from the car, and there was that + medicine again—bringing him back—just as he thought he had + made God hear—! Oh, <i>why</i> did they bother him? + </p> + <p> + Suddenly down by the door a diversion occurred. Someone had entered with + wild burning eyes dressed in a curious assortment of garments. They were + trying to put him out, but he persisted. + </p> + <p> + The word was brought up: “Someone has a very important piece of evidence + which he wishes to present.” + </p> + <p> + Billy's gray eyes opened as the man mounted to the witness stand. He was + lying on the cot at one side and his gaze rested on the new witness, + dazedly at first, and then with growing comprehension. Old Ike Fenner, the + tailor, Cherry Fenner's father! + </p> + <p> + Mark was looking at Billy and had not noticed: + </p> + <p> + But the man began to speak in a high shrill voice: + </p> + <p> + “I came to say that I'm the man that killed Dolph Haskins! Mark Carter had + nothin' to do with it. I done it! I <i>meant</i> to kill him because he + ruined the life of my little girl! <i>My baby!</i>” + </p> + <p> + There was a sudden catch in his voice like a great sob, and he clutched at + the rail as if he were going to fall, but he went on, his eyes burning + like coals: + </p> + <p> + “I shot him with Tom Petrie's gun that I found atop o' the door, an' I put + it back where I found it. You take my finger prints and compare 'em with + the marks on the gun an' the winder sill. You ask Sandy Robison! He seen + me do it. You ask Cherry! She seen me too. She was facin' the winder + eatin' her supper with that devil, and I shot him and she seen me! <i>I</i> + did it—” + </p> + <p> + His voice trailed off. He swayed and got down from the stand, groping his + way as if he could not see. The crowd gave way with a curious shudder + looking into his wild burning eyes as he passed. A girl's scream back by + the door rang through the court. The man moaned, put out his hands and + fell forward. Kindly hands reached to catch him. The doctor left Billy and + came to help. + </p> + <p> + They carried him outside and laid him on the grass in front of the court + house. The doctor used every restorative he had with him. Men hurried to + the drug store. They tried everything, but all to no avail. Ike Fenner the + tailor was dead! He had gone to stand before a higher court! + </p> + <p> + When it was all over, the finger prints and the red tape, and the case had + been dismissed, Mark came to Billy where he was lying in the big car + waiting, with his eyes closed to keep back weak tears that would slip out + now and then. He knelt beside the boy and touched his hand, the hand that + looked so thin and weak and so little like Billy's: + </p> + <p> + “Kid,” he said gently, “Kid, you've been a wonder! It was really you that + saved me, Buddy! <i>My Buddy!”</i> + </p> + <p> + Billy's tears welled over at the tone, the words, the proud intimate name, + but he shook his head slowly, sadly. + </p> + <p> + “No,” he said, “No, it wasn't me. I tried, but I wasn't fit! It had to be + <i>Him</i>. I didn't understand! They wouldn't believe me. But <i>He</i> + came as soon as I ast!” + </p> + <p> + Mark looked at the doctor. + </p> + <p> + “Is he wandering a little?” he asked in a low tone: + </p> + <p> + “I shouldn't wonder. He's been through enough to make anyone wander. Here, + son, take this.” + </p> + <p> + Billy smiled and obediently accepted his medicine. Mark held his hand all + the way home. He knew that Mark didn't understand but he was too tired to + tell him now. Sometime he would explain. Or perhaps Miss Lynn would + explain it for him. He was going home, home to Saxy and Sabbath Valley and + the bells, and Mark was free! He hadn't saved him, but Mark was free! + </p> + <p> + It was like a royal passage through the village as they came into Sabbath + Valley, for everybody came out to wave at Mark and Billy. Even Mrs. + Harricutt watched grimly from behind her Holland shades. But Billy was too + weak to notice much, except to sense it distantly, and Mark would only + lift his hat and bow, gravely, quietly as if it didn't matter, just as he + used to do when they carried him round on their shoulders after a football + game, and he tried to get down and hide. Why did Mark still have that sad + look in his eyes? Billy was too tired to think it out. He was glad when + they reached Aunt Saxon's door and Mark picked him up as he used to do + when he was just a little kid, and carried him up to his room. Carried him + up and undressed him, while Saxy heard the story from the doctor's lips, + and laughed and cried and laughed again. The nervy little kid! He would + always be a “little kid” to Saxy, no matter what he did. + </p> + <p> + He turned over in his own bed, <i>his bed</i>, and smelt the sweet breath + of the honeysuckle coming in at the window, heard the thrushes singing + their evening song up the street. The sea had been great, but Oh, you + Sabbath Valley! Out there was the water spout, and some day he would be + strong enough to shin down it, and up it again. He would play football + this Fall, and run Mark's car! Mark, grave, gentle, quiet, sitting beside + him till he got asleep, and his mother not knowing, down the street, and + Miss Lynn—! + </p> + <p> + “Mark—you'll tell Miss Marilyn about it all?” He opened his eyes to + murmur lazily, and Mark promised still gravely. + </p> + <p> + He shut his eyes and drifted away. What was that the Chief had told him + down at Economy in the car? Something about three strange detectives + stepping off the train one day and nabbing Pat? And Pat was up at Sing + Sing finishing his term after A.W.O.L. Was that straight or only a dream? + And anyhow he didn't care. He was home again, Home—<i>and forgiven!</i> + </p> + <p> + Night settled sweetly down upon Sabbath Valley, hiding the brilliant + autumn tinting of the street. Lynn had made a maple nut cake and set the + table for two before she left the Carters, for her mother had slipped out + of the court room and telephoned her, and a fire was blazing in the little + parlor with the lace curtains and asters in every vase all gala for the + returning son. The mother and son sat long before the fire, talking, + pleasant converse, about the time when Mark would send for her to come and + live with him, but not a word was said about the day. He saw that his + friends had helped to save his mother this one great sorrow that she could + not have borne, and he was grateful. + </p> + <p> + Marilyn, up at the parsonage, with a great thankfulness upon her, went + about with smiling face. The burden seemed to have lifted and she was + glad. + </p> + <p> + But that night at midnight there came the doctor from Economy driving hard + and stopping at the parsonage. Cherry Fenner was dying and wanted to see + Miss Marilyn. Would she come? + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0028" id="link2H_4_0028"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXVII + </h2> + <p> + Cherry's little bedroom under the roof was bright with the confusion of + cheap finery scattered everywhere and swept aside at the sudden entrance + of the death angel. A neighbor had done her best to push away the crude + implements of complexion that were littering the cheap oak bureau top, and + the doctor's case and bottles and glasses crowded out the giddy little + accessories of beauty that Cherry had collected. Two chairs piled high + with draggled finery, soiled work aprons and dresses made a forlorn and + miscellaneous disorder in one corner, and the closet door sagged open with + visions of more clothing hung many deep upon the few hooks. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Fenner stood at the head of the bed wringing her hands and moaning + uncontrolledly, and Cherry, little Cherry, lay whitely against the pillow, + the color all gone from her ghastly pretty little face, that had lately + hid its ravished health and beauty behind a camouflage of paint. There + were deep dark circles under the limpid eyes that now were full of mortal + pain, and pitiful lines around the cherry mouth that had been wont to + laugh so saucily. + </p> + <p> + The doctor stood by the window with the attitude of grave waiting. The + helpful neighbor lingered in the doorway, holding her elbows and taking + minute note of Marilyn's dress. This might be a sad time, but one had to + live afterward, and it wasn't every day you got to see a simple little + frock with an air like the one the minister's daughter wore. She studied + it from neck to hem and couldn't see what in the world there was about it + anyway to make her look so dressed up. Not a scratch of trimming, not even + a collar, and yet she could look like that! + </p> + <p> + Mercy! Was that what education and going to college did for folks? + </p> + <p> + The light of a single unshaded electric bulb shone startlingly down to the + bed, making plain the shadow of death even to an inexperienced eye. + </p> + <p> + Marilyn knelt beside the bed and took Cherry's cold little hand in her own + warm one. The waxen eyelids fluttered open, and a dart of something + between fright and pain went over her weird little face. + </p> + <p> + “Can I do anything for you Cherry?” Marilyn's voice was tender, pitiful. + </p> + <p> + “It's <i>too late</i>,” whispered the girl in a fierce little whisper, + “Send 'em out—I—wantta—tell—you—someth—!” + The voice trailed away weakly. The doctor stepped over and gave her a + spoonful of something, motioned her mother and the neighbor away, + tiptoeing out himself and closing the door. The mother was sobbing wildly. + The doctor's voice could be heard quieting her coldly: + </p> + <p> + The girl on the bed frowned and gathered effort to speak: + </p> + <p> + “Mark Carter—didn't mean no harm—goin'—with me—!” + she broke out, her breath coming in gasps, “He was tryin'—to stop me—goin'—with—<i>Dolph—!</i>” + The eyes closed wearily. The lips were white as chalk. She seemed to have + stopped breathing! + </p> + <p> + “It's all right—Cherry—” Marilyn breathed softly, “It's all + right—I understand! Don't think any more about it!” + </p> + <p> + The eyes opened fiercely again, a faint determination shadowed round the + little mouth: + </p> + <p> + “You gotta know—!” she broke forth again with effort. “He was good + to me—when I was a little kid, and when he found I was in trouble—” + the breath came pitifully in gasps—“he—offered—to—<i>marry + me!</i>” + </p> + <p> + Marilyn's fingers trembled but she held the little cold hand warmly and + tried to keep back the tears that trembled in her eyes. + </p> + <p> + “He—didn't—<i>want to</i>—! He—just—<i>done + it to be kind!</i> But I—couldn't—see—it—! That's—what—we—<i>argued—!</i>” + Her voice grew fainter again. Marilyn with gentle controlled voice pressed + the little cold hand again: + </p> + <p> + “Never mind, Cherry dear—it's all right!” + </p> + <p> + Cherry's eyes opened with renewed effort, anxiously: + </p> + <p> + “You won't—blame—Mark—? He never—did—nothin'—wrong—! + He's—<i>your</i>—friend!” + </p> + <p> + “No, Cherry! It's all right!” + </p> + <p> + The girl seemed to have lost consciousness again, and Marilyn wondered if + she ought not to call the doctor, but suddenly Cherry screamed out: + </p> + <p> + “There he is again! He's <i>come for me!</i> Oh—I'm—a—gon' + ta—<i>die!</i> An' I'm <i>afrrrr-aid!”</i> + </p> + <p> + Cherry clutched at Marilyn's arm, and looked up with far off gaze in which + terror seemed frozen. + </p> + <p> + The minister's daughter leaned farther over and gathered the fragile form + of the sick girl in her arms tenderly, speaking in a soothing voice: + </p> + <p> + “Listen Cherry. Don't be afraid. Jesus is here. He'll go with you!” + </p> + <p> + “But I'm afraid of Jesus!” the sharp little voice pierced out with a + shudder, “I haven't been—<i>good!”</i> + </p> + <p> + “Then tell Him you are sorry. You <i>are</i> sorry, aren't you?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, <i>yes!”</i> the weak voice moaned. “I—never—<i>meant</i>—no—harm! + I only—wanted—a little—good time—!” + </p> + <p> + The eyes had closed again and she was almost gone. The doctor had come in + and he now gave her another spoonful of medicine. Marilyn knew the time + was short. + </p> + <p> + “Listen, Cherry, say these words after me!” Cherry's eyes opened again and + fastened on her face, eagerly: + </p> + <p> + “Jesus, I'm sorry—!” + </p> + <p> + “Jesus—I'm—sor-ry—!” repeated the weak voice in almost a + whisper. + </p> + <p> + “Please forgive me,” said Marilyn slowly, distinctly. + </p> + <p> + “Please—for—give—!” the slow voice repeated. + </p> + <p> + “And save me—save—!” the voice was scarcely audible. + </p> + <p> + The doctor came and stood close by the bed, looking down keenly, but + Cherry roused once more and looked at them, her sharp little voice + stabbing out into the silence piercingly, + </p> + <p> + “Is that—<i>all?</i>” + </p> + <p> + “That is all,” said Marilyn with a ring in her voice, “Jesus died to take + care of all the rest! You can just rest on Him!” + </p> + <p> + “<i>Oh-h!</i>” The agony went out of the pinched little face, a half smile + dawned and she sank into rest. + </p> + <p> + As Marilyn went home in the dawn with the morning star beginning to pale, + and the birds at their early worship, something in her own heart was + singing too. Above the feeling of awe over standing at the brink of the + river and seeing a little soul go wavering out, above even the wonder that + she had been called to point the way, there sang in her soul a song of + jubilation that Mark was exonerated from shame and disgrace. Whatever + others thought, whatever she personally would always have believed, it + still was great that God had given her this to make her know that her + inner vision about it had been right. Perhaps, sometime, in the days that + were to come, Mark would tell her about it, but there was time enough for + that. Mark would perhaps come to see her this morning. She somehow felt + sure that at least he would come to say he was glad she had stayed with + his mother. It was like Mark to do that. He never let any little thing + that was done for him or his pass unnoticed. + </p> + <p> + But the morning passed and Mark did not come. The only place that Mark + went was to see Billy. + </p> + <p> + “Billy, old man,” he said, sitting down by the edge of the bed where Billy + was drowsing the early morning away, just feeling the bed, and sensing + Saxy down there making chicken broth, and knowing that the young robins in + the apple tree under the window were grown up and flown away. “Billy, I + can't keep my promise to you after all. I've got to go away. Sorry, kid, + but she'll come to see you and I want you to tell her for me all about it. + I'm not forgetting it, Kid, either, and you'll know, all the rest of my + life, <i>you and I are buddies!</i> Savvy, Kid?” + </p> + <p> + Billy looked at Mark with big understanding eyes. There was sadness and + hunger and great self control in that still white face that he worshipped + so devotedly. All was not well with his hero yet. It came to him vaguely + that perhaps Mark too had even yet something to learn, the kind of thing + that was only learned by going through fire. He struggled for words to + express himself, but all he could find were: + </p> + <p> + “I say, Mark, why'n't'tya get it off'n yer chest? It's <i>great!</i>” + </p> + <p> + Perhaps there wouldn't have been another human in Sabbath Valley, except + perhaps it might have been Marilyn who would have understood that by this + low growled suggestion Billy was offering confession of sin as a remedy + for his friend's ailment of soul, but Mark looked at him keenly, almost + tenderly for a long minute, and shook his head, his face taking on a + grayer, more hopeless look as he said: + </p> + <p> + “I can't, Kid. It's <i>too late!</i>” + </p> + <p> + Billy closed his eyes for a moment. He felt it wasn't quite square to see + into his friend's soul that way when he was off his guard, but he + understood. He had passed that way himself. It came to him that nothing he + could say would make any difference. He would have liked to tell of his + own experience in the court room and how he had suddenly known that all + his efforts to right his wrong had been failures, that there was only One + who could do it, but there were no words in a boy's vocabulary to say a + thing like that. It sounded unreal. It had to be <i>felt</i>, and he found + his heart kept saying over and over as he lay there waiting with closed + eyes for Mark to speak: “Oh, God! Why'n'tchoo show him Yerself? + Why'n'tchoo show him Yerself?” He wondered if Miss Lynn couldn't have + shown Mark if he had only gone and talked it over with her. But Mark said + it was too late, “Well, Why'n'tchoo show him Yerself, then? Why'n'tchoo + show him Yerself, God,—<i>please!</i>” + </p> + <p> + Mark got up with a long sigh: + </p> + <p> + “Well, s'long, Kid, till I see you again. And I won't forget Kid, you know + I won't forget! And Kid, I'm leaving my gun with you. I know you'll take + good care of it and not let it do any damage. You might need it you know + to take care of your Aunt, or—or—Miss Severn—or!” + </p> + <p> + “Sure!” said Billy with shining eyes clasping the weapon that had been + Mark's proud possession for several years. “Aw Gee! Ya hadn't oughtta give + me this! You might need it yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “No, Kid, I'd rather feel that you have it. I want to leave someone here + to kind of take my place—watching—you know. There'll be times—!” + </p> + <p> + “Sure!” said Billy, a kind of glory overspreading his thin eager face. “<i>Aw + Gee!</i> Mark!” + </p> + <p> + And long after Mark had gone, and the sound of his purring engine had died + away in the distance, Billy lay back with the weapon clasped to his heart, + and a weird kind of rhythm repeating itself over and over somewhere in his + spirit: “Why'n'tchoo show him Yerself, God? Why'n'tchoo show him Yerself? + You will! I'll bet You <i>will</i>! yet!” + </p> + <p> + And was that anything like the prayer of faith translated into theological + language? + </p> + <p> + Aunt Saxon went up tiptoe with the broth and thought he was asleep and + tiptoed down again to keep it warm awhile. But Billy lay there and felt + like Elisha after the mantle of the prophet Elijah had fallen upon him. It + gave him a grand solemn feeling, God and he were somehow taking Mark's + place till Mark got ready to come back and do it himself. He was to take + care of Sabbath Valley as far as in him lay, but more particularly of Miss + Marilyn Severn. + </p> + <p> + And then suddenly, without warning, Miss Marilyn herself went away, to New + York she said, for a few weeks, she wasn't sure just how long. But there + was something sad in her voice as she said it, and something white about + the look she wore that made him sure she was not going to the part of New + York where Mark Carter lived. + </p> + <p> + Billy accepted it with a sigh. Things were getting pretty dry around + Sabbath Valley for him. He didn't seem to get his pep back as fast as he + had expected. For one thing he worried a good deal, and for another the + doctor wouldn't let him play baseball nor ride a bicycle yet for quite a + while. He had to go around and act just like a “gurrull!” Aw Gee! + Sometimes he was even glad to have Mary Little come across the street with + her picture puzzles and stay with him awhile. She was real good company. + He hadn't ever dreamed before that girls could be as interesting. Of + course, Miss Marilyn had to be a girl once, but then she was Miss Marilyn. + That was different. + </p> + <p> + Then too, Billy hadn't quite forgotten that first morning that Saxy got + her arms around him and cried over him glad tears, bright sweet tears that + wet his face and made him feel like crying happy tears too. And the sudden + surprising desire he felt to hug her with his well arm, and how she fell + over on the bed and got to laughing because he pulled her hair down in his + awkwardness, and pulled her collar crooked. Aw Gee! She was just Aunt Saxy + and he had been rotten to her a lot of times. But now it was different. + Somehow Saxy and he were more pals, or was it that he was the man now + taking care of Saxy and not the little boy being taken care of himself? + Somehow during those weeks he had been gone Saxy had cried out the pink + tears, and was growing smiles, and home was “kinda nice” after all. But he + missed the bells. And nights before he got into bed he got to kneeling + down regularly, and saying softly inside his heart: “Aw Gee, God, please + why'n'tcha make Mark understand, an' why'n'tcha bring 'em both home?” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0029" id="link2H_4_0029"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXVIII + </h2> + <p> + Marilyn had not been in New York but a week before she met Opal. She was + waiting to cross Fifth Avenue, and someone leaned out of a big limousine + that paused for the congestion in traffic and cried: + </p> + <p> + “Why, if that isn't Miss Severn from Sabbath Valley. Get in please, I want + to see you.” + </p> + <p> + And Lynn, much against her will, was persuaded to get in, more because she + was holding up traffic than because the woman in the limousine insisted: + </p> + <p> + “I'll take you where you want to go,” she said in answer to Lynn's + protests, and they rolled away up the great avenue with the moving throng. + </p> + <p> + “I'm dying to know what it is you're making Laurie Shafton do,” said Opal + eagerly, “I never saw him so much interested in anything in my life. Or is + it you he's interested in. Why, he can't talk of anything else, and he's + almost stopped going to the Club or any of the house parties. Everybody + thinks he's perfectly crazy. He won't drink any more either. He's made + himself quite <i>notorious</i>. I believe I heard some one say the other + day they hadn't even seen him smoking for a whole week. You certainly are + a wonder.” + </p> + <p> + “You're quite mistaken,” said Lynn, much amused, “I had nothing to do with + Mr. Shafton's present interest, except as I happened to be the one to + introduce him to it. I haven't seen him but twice since I came to New + York, and then only to take him around among my babies at the Settlement + and once over to the Orphans' Home, where I've been helping out while an + old friend of mine with whom I worked in France is away with her sick + sister.” + </p> + <p> + “For mercy's sake! You don't mean that Laurie consented to go among the + poor? I heard he'd given a lot of money to fix up some buildings, but then + all the best men are doing things like that now. It's quite the fad. But + to go himself and see the wretched little things, Ugh! I don't see how he + could. He must be quite crazy about you I'm sure if he did all that for + you.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, he seemed to want to see them,” said Lynn lightly, “and he suggested + many of the improvements that he is making himself. They tell me he has + proved a great helper, he is on hand at all hours superintending the + building himself, and everybody is delighted with him—!” + </p> + <p> + “Mmmm!” commented Opal looking at Marilyn through the fringes of her eyes. + “You really are a wonder. And now that you are in New York I'm going to + introduce you to our crowd. When can you come? Let's see. To-morrow is + Sunday. Will you spend the evening with me to-morrow? I'll certainly show + you a good time. We're going to motor to—” + </p> + <p> + But Lynn was shaking her head decidedly: + </p> + <p> + “I couldn't possibly spare a minute, thank you. I'm only out on an errand + now. I'm needed every instant at the Home!” + </p> + <p> + “For mercy sake! Hire someone to take your place then. I want you. You'll + be quite a sensation I assure you. Don't worry about clothes, if you + haven't anything along. You can wear one of my evening dresses. We're + almost of a size.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Lynn smiling, “It simply isn't possible. And anyway, don't you + remember Sabbath Valley? I don't go out to play Sunday nights you know.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, but this is New York! You can't bring Sabbath Valley notions into New + York.” + </p> + <p> + Lynn smiled again: + </p> + <p> + “You can if they are a part of you,” she said, “Come in and see how nicely + I'm fixed.” + </p> + <p> + Opal looked up at the beautiful building before which they were stopping. + </p> + <p> + “Why, where is this?” she asked astonished, “I thought you were down in + the slums somewhere.” + </p> + <p> + “This is a Home for little orphan children kept up by the Salvation Army. + Come in a minute and see it.” + </p> + <p> + Following a whim of curiosity Opal came in, and was led down a long hall + to a great room where were a hundred tiny children sitting on little + chairs in a big circle playing kindergarten games. The children were + dressed in neat pretty frocks such as any beloved children would wear, + with bright hair ribbons and neckties, and each with an individuality of + its own. The room was sunny and bright, with a great playhouse at one end, + with real windows and furniture in it and all sorts of toboggan slides and + swings and kiddy cars and everything to delight the soul of a child. On a + wide space between two windows painted on the plaster in soft wonderful + coloring blended into the gray tint of the wall, there glowed a life size + painting of the Christ surrounded by little children, climbing upon His + knees and listening to Him as He smiled and talked to them. + </p> + <p> + Opal paused in the doorway and looked at the picture first, shyly, + shamedly, as though it were no place for her to enter, then curiously at + the little children, with a kind of wistful yearning, as if here were + something she had missed of her own fault. Lynn called out a charming baby + and made her shake hands and bow and say a few listing smiling words. Opal + turned to Lynn with a strangely subdued look and spoke in a moved tone: + </p> + <p> + “I guess you're right,” she said, “You wouldn't fit at my company. You're + different! But some day I'm coming after you and bring you home all by + yourself for a little while. I want to find out what it is you have that I + need.” + </p> + <p> + Then she turned with swift steps and went down the hall and out the door + to her waiting limousine, and Lynn smiled wonderingly as she saw her + whirled away into the world again. + </p> + <p> + Lynn had not seen Mark. + </p> + <p> + Laurie Shafton had called upon her many times since those two trips they + had taken around the settlements and looking over his condemned property, + but she had been busy, or out somewhere on her errands of mercy, so that + Laurie had got very little satisfaction for his trouble. + </p> + <p> + But Mark had seen Lynn once, just once, and that the first time she had + gone with Laurie Shafton, as they were getting out of his car in front of + one of his buildings. Mark had slipped into a doorway out of sight and + watched them, and after they passed into the building had gone on, his + face whiter and sadder than before. That was all. + </p> + <p> + Marilyn was to spend only a month in New York, as at first planned, but + the month lengthened into six weeks before the friend whose place she was + taking was able to return, and two days before Marilyn was expecting to + start home there came a telephone message from her mother: + </p> + <p> + “Lynn, dear, Mrs. Carter is very low, dying, we think, and we must find + Mark at once! There is not a minute to lose if he wants to see her alive. + It is a serious condition brought on by excitement. Mrs. Harricutt went + there to call yesterday while everybody else was at Ladies' Aid. And Lynn, + <i>she told her about Mark!</i> Now, Lynn, can you get somebody to go with + you and find Mark right away? Get him to come home at once? Here is the + last address he gave, but they have no telephone and we dare not wait for + a telegram. See what you can do quickly!” + </p> + <p> + It was four o'clock in the afternoon when this message came. Lynn put on a + uniform of dark blue serge and a poke bonnet that was at her disposal + whenever she had need of protection, and hurried out. + </p> + <p> + She found the address after some trouble, but was told that the young + gentleman was out. No one seemed to know when he would return. + </p> + <p> + Two or three other lodgers gathered curiously, one suggesting a restaurant + where he might be found, another a club where he sometimes went and a + third laughed and called out from half way up the stairs: + </p> + <p> + “You'll find him at the cabaret around the corner by ten o'clock to-night + if you don't find him sooner. He's always there when he's in town.” + </p> + <p> + Sick at heart Lynn went on her way, trying carefully each place that had + been suggested but finding no trace of him. She met with only deference + for her uniform wherever she went, and without the slightest fear she + travelled through streets at night that she would scarcely have liked to + pass alone in the daytime in her ordinary garb. But all the time her heart + was praying that she might find Mark before it was too late. She tried + every little clue that was given her, hoping against hope that she would + not have to search for her old friend in a cabaret such as she knew that + place around the corner must be. But it was almost ten o'clock and she had + not found Mark. She went back to the first address once more, but he had + not come, and so she finally turned her steps toward the cabaret. + </p> + <p> + Sadly, with her heart beating wildly, hoping, yet fearing to find him, she + paused just inside the doors and looked around, trying to get used to the + glare and blare, the jazz and the smoke, and the strange lax garb, and to + differentiate the individuals from the crowd. + </p> + <p> + Food and drink, smoke and song, wine and dance, flesh and odd perfumes! + Her soul sank within her, and she turned bewildered to a servitor at the + door. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder, is there any way to find a special person here? I have a very + important message.” + </p> + <p> + The man bent his head deferentially as though to one from another world, + “Who did you want, Miss?” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Mark Carter,” said Marilyn, feeling the color rise in her cheeks at + letting even this waiter see that she expected to find Mark Carter here. + </p> + <p> + The man looked up puzzled. He was rather new at the place. He summoned + another passing one of his kind: + </p> + <p> + “Carter, Carter?” the man said thoughtfully, “Oh, yes, he's the guy that + never drinks! He's over there at the table in the far corner with the + little dancer lady—” The waiter pointed and Lynn looked, “Would you + like me to call him, Miss?” Lynn reflected quickly. Perhaps he might try + to evade her. She must run no risks. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, I will go to him,” she said, and straight through the maze of + candle lighted tables, and whirling dancers, in her quiet holy garb, she + threaded her way hastily, as one might have walked over quicksands, with + her eye fixed upon Mark. + </p> + <p> + She came and stood beside him before he looked up and saw her, and then he + lifted his eyes from the face of the girl with whom he was talking, and + rose suddenly to his feet, his face gone white as death, his eyes dark + with disapproval and humiliation. + </p> + <p> + “Marilyn!” His voice was shaking. He knew her instantly in spite of poke + bonnet and uniform. She was the one thought present with him all the + while, perhaps for years wherever he had been. But he did not look glad to + see her. Instead it was as if his soul shrank shamedly from her clear eyes + as she looked at him: + </p> + <p> + Marilyn had not known what she was going to say to him when she found him. + She did not stop to think now. + </p> + <p> + “Mark, your mother wants you. She is dying! You must come quick or she + will be gone!” + </p> + <p> + Afterwards she repeated over the words to herself again and again as one + might do penance, blaming herself that she had not softened it, made it + more easy for him to bear. Yet at the time it seemed the only thing there + was to say, at such a time, in such a place. But at the stricken look upon + his face her heart grew tender. “Come,” she said compassionately, “We will + go!” + </p> + <p> + They went out into the night and it was as if they had suddenly changed + places, as if she were the protector and he the led. She guided him the + quickest way. There was only a chance that they might catch the midnight + train, but there was that chance. Into the subway she dived, he following, + and breathless, they brought up at the Pennsylvania station at their train + gate as it was being closed, and hurried through. + </p> + <p> + All through that agonized night they spoke but few words, those two who + had been so much to one another through long happy years. + </p> + <p> + “But you are not going too?” he spoke suddenly roused from his daze as the + train started. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I am going too, of course, Mark,” she said. + </p> + <p> + He bowed his head and almost groaned: + </p> + <p> + “I am not worthy,—Marilyn!” + </p> + <p> + “That—has nothing to do with it!” said Marilyn sadly, “It never will + have anything to do with it! It never did!” + </p> + <p> + Mark looked at her, with harrowed eyes, and dropped his gaze. So he sat, + hour after hour, as the train rushed along through the night. And Marilyn, + with head slightly bent and meek face, beneath the poke bonnet with its + crimson band, was praying as she rode. Praying in other words the prayer + that Billy murmured beside his bed every night. + </p> + <p> + But Billy was not lying in his bed that night, sleeping the sleep of the + just. He was up and on the job. He was sitting in the Carter kitchen + keeping up the fires, making a cup of tea for the nurse and the doctor, + running the endless little errands, up to the parsonage for another hot + water bag, down to the drug store for more aromatic spirits of ammonia, + fixing a newspaper shade to dull the light in the hall, and praying, all + the time praying: “Oh, God, ain'tcha gonta leave her stay till Mark gets + here? Ain'tcha gonta send Mark quick? You know best I 'spose, but ain'tcha + <i>gonta?</i>” and then “Aw Gee! I wisht Miss Lynn was here!” + </p> + <p> + In the chill before the dawning the two stepped down from the train at a + little flag station three miles from Sabbath Valley on the upper road that + ran along the Ridge. They had prevailed upon the conductor to let them off + there. Mark had roused enough for that. And now that they were out in the + open country he seemed to come to himself. He took care of Lynn, making + her take his arm, guiding her into the smooth places, helping her over + rough places. He asked a few questions too. How did she know of his + mother's condition? How long had she been this way? Had she any idea that + his mother's heart was affected? Did she have a shock? + </p> + <p> + Lynn did not tell all she knew. It was hard enough without that. He need + not know that it was the knowledge of his disgrace that had brought her to + the brink of death. + </p> + <p> + So, walking and talking almost as in the old days, they passed into + Sabbath Valley and down the street, and Christie McMertrie listening + perhaps for this very thing, crept from her bed in her long flannel night + gown, and big ruffled night cap, and looked out the window to see them go + by. “Bless them!” she breathed and crept back to her bed again. She had + nursed all day, and all the night before, and would have been there too + to-night, only Mary Rafferty took things in her own hands and had her go + to bed, herself taking charge. Mrs. Duncannon was there too. There really + was no need of her, but Christie could not sleep, and after they passed + she rose and dressed and slipped down the street with a hot porridge that + had been cooking on the stove all night, and the makings of a good + breakfast in her basket on her arm. + </p> + <p> + Mark Carter reached home in time to take his mother in his arms and bid + her good-bye. That was all She roused at his voice and touch, and reached + out her little pretty hands toward him. He took her in his big strong arms + and held her, kissed her with tender lips and she drew a beautiful smile + of perfect content, and slipped away, with the graying golden hair + straying out over Mark's sleeve to the pillow in a long curl, and a quiver + of her last smile on the pretty curve of her lips, as if this was all that + she had waited for, the little pretty girl that had gone to school so long + ago with golden hair and a smile. Billy, standing awed in the doorway + whither he had come to say there was more hot water ready, caught the + vision of her face, remembered those school days, and felt a strange + constriction in his throat. Some day Saxy would have to go like that, and + would show the little girl in her face too, and he maybe would have to + hold her so and think of how cross he had been. Aw Gee! Whattaqueer thing + life was anyhow! Well, hadn't his prayer been answered? Didn't Mark get + here in time? Well, anyhow it was likely better for Mrs. Carter to go. But + it was rotten for Mark. Aw Gee! <i>Mark</i>! Was <i>this</i> the way he + had to learn it? Aw Gee! Well, God would have to show him. <i>He</i> + couldn't dope it out anyhow. + </p> + <p> + During the days that followed Mark hardly stirred from the side of the + pretty little clay that had been his mother except when they forced him + for a little while. An hour before the service he knelt alone beside the + casket, and the door opened and Marilyn came softly in, closing it behind + her. She walked over to Mark and laid her hand on his hand that rested + over his mother's among the flowers, and she knelt beside him and spoke + softly: + </p> + <p> + “Oh, God, help Mark to find the light!” + </p> + <p> + Then the soul of Mark Carter was shaken to the depths and suddenly his + self control which had been so great was broken. His strong shoulders + began to shake with sobs, silent, hard sobs of a man who knows he has + sinned, and tears, scalding tears from the depths of his self-contained + nature. + </p> + <p> + Marilyn reached her arm out across his shoulders as a mother would try to + protect a child, and lifted her face against his, wet with tears and + kissed him on his forehead. Then she left him and went quietly out. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Mrs. Harricutt with satisfaction as she walked home after the + funeral with Christie McMertrie, “I'm glad to see that Mark Carter has a + little proper feeling at last. If he'd showed it sooner his Ma mighta ben + in the land of the living yet.” + </p> + <p> + Christie's stern face grew sterner as she set her teeth and bit her tongue + before replying. Then she said with more brrrr than usual in her speech: + </p> + <p> + “Martha Harricutt, there's na land that's sa livin' as tha land where Mark + Carter's mither has ganged tae, but there's them that has mair blame to + bear fer her gaein' than her bonny big son, I'm thinkin', an' there's them + in this town that agrees with me too, I know full well.” + </p> + <p> + Down in front of the parsonage the minister had his arm around Mark + Carter's shoulders and was urging him: + </p> + <p> + “Son, come in. We want you. Mother wants you, I want you. Marilyn wants + you. Come son, come!” + </p> + <p> + But Mark steadily refused, his eyes downcast, his face sad, withdrawn: + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Severn, I'll come to-morrow. I can't come tonight. I must go home and + think!” + </p> + <p> + “And you will promise me you will not leave without coming, Mark?” asked + the minister sadly when he saw that it was no use. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I will promise!” Mark wrung the minister's hand in a warm grip that + said many things he could not speak, and then he passed on to his lonely + home. But it was not entirely empty. Billy was there, humbly, silently, + with dog-true eyes, and a grown up patient look on his tired young face. + He had the coffee pot on the stove and hot sausages cooking on the stove, + and a lot of Saxy's doughnuts and a pie on the table. Billy stayed all + night with Mark. He knew Saxy would understand. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0030" id="link2H_4_0030"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXIX + </h2> + <p> + In the middle of the night the fire bell rang out wildly. Three minutes + later Mark and Billy were flying down the street, with Tom McMertrie and + Jim Rafferty close after and a host of other tried and true, with the + minister on the other side of the street. The Fire Company of Sabbath + Valley held a proud record, and the minister was an active member of it. + </p> + <p> + The fire was up in the plush mill and had already spread to a row of + shackley tenements that the owners of the mills had put up to house the + foreign labor that they had put in. They called them “apartment” houses, + but they were so much on the order of the city tenements of several years + back that it made Lynn's heart ache when she went there to see a little + sick child one day. Right in the midst of God's trees and mountains, a man + <i>for money</i> had built a death trap, tall, and grim and dark, with + small rooms and tiny windows, built it with timbers too small for safety, + and windows too few for ventilation, and here an increasing number of + families were herded, in spite of the complaints of the town. + </p> + <p> + “I ben thenkin' it would coom,” said Tom as he took long strides. “It's + the apartmints fer sure, Jimmy. We better beat it. There'll be only a + meenit er so to get the childer oot, before the whole thing's smoke!” + </p> + <p> + They were all there, the doctor, the blacksmith, the postmaster, the men + from the mills, and the banks, and the stores. Economy heard the bells for + Marilyn had hurried to the church and added the fire chime to the call and + came over with their little chemical engine. Monopoly heard and hurried + their brand new hook and ladder up the valley road, but the fire had been + eating long in the heart of the plush mill and laughed at their puny + streams of water forced up from the creek below, laughed at the chemicals + flung in its face like drops of rain on a sizzling red hot stove. It + licked its lips over the edge of the cliff on which it was built, and + cracked its jaws as it devoured the mill, window by window, section by + section, leaping across with an angry red tongue to the first tall + building by its side. + </p> + <p> + The fire had worked cunningly, for it had crept out of sight to the lower + floors all along the row, and unseen, unknown, had bitten a hold on each + of those doomed buildings till when the men arrived it went roaring + ghoulishly up the high narrow stairs cutting off all escape from above, + and making entrance below impossible. Up at the windows the doomed people + stood, crying, praying, wringing their hands, and some losing their heads + and trying to jump out. + </p> + <p> + The firemen were brave, and worked wonders. They flung up ladders in the + face of the flames. They risked their lives every step they took, and + brought out one after another, working steadily, grimly, rapidly. And none + were braver among them all than Mark Carter and the minister, each working + on the very top of a tall treacherous ladder, in the face of constant + danger, bringing out one after another until the last. + </p> + <p> + The next house to the mill had caved in, and Mark had come down just in + time with an old woman who was bedridden and had been forgotten. The + workers had paused an instant as the horrible sound of falling timbers + rent through the other noises of that horrible night, and then hurried to + increase their vigilance. There were people in the top floor of the next + house and it would go next. Then the word went forth that no more must go + up the ladder. The roof was about to fall in, and a young mother shrieked, + “My baby! My baby! She's up in the bed. I thought Bob had her, but he + couldn't get up!” Mark Carter looked at her sharply. “Which window?” he + asked, and was up the ladder before detaining hands could reach him, and + Billy, sliding under the arm of the Fire Chief, swung up just behind. + </p> + <p> + The crowd watched breathless as they mounted round after round, Aunt Saxon + standing with a shawl over her head and gasping aloud, “Oh <i>Willie!</i>” + and then standing still in fear and pride, the tears streaming down a + smiling countenance on which the red glare of the fire shone. The ladder + was set crazily against the flaming window and swayed with their weight. + Every step seemed as if it would topple the building, yet the ladder held, + and Mark sprang through the blazing window out of sight. It seemed an + eternity till he returned bringing a tiny bundle with him, and handing it + out to Billy waiting below. + </p> + <p> + The boy received as it had been a holy honor, that little bundle of + humanity handed through the fire, and came solemnly down amid the + breathless gaze of the crowd, but when they looked to the top again Mark + had disappeared! + </p> + <p> + A murmur of horror went round the throng, for the flames were licking and + snapping, and the roof seemed to vibrate and quiver like a human thing. + Then before any one could stop him or even saw what he was going to do, + the minister sprang forward up the ladder like a cat, two rounds at a + time,—three! He dashed through the fire and was gone! + </p> + <p> + For an instant it seemed that the people would go mad with the horror of + it. <i>Those two!</i> Even the Fire Chief paused and seemed petrified. It + was Billy who sensed the thing to do. + </p> + <p> + “Getcher canvas man? Are ya' asleep?” + </p> + <p> + And instantly a great piece of canvas was spread and lifted. But the + building tottered, the flames ate on, and the window seemed entirely + enveloped. The moment lasted too long for the hearts that waited. A groan + rent the air. Then suddenly a breath seemed to part the flames and they + saw the minister coming forward with Mark in his arms! + </p> + <p> + It was just at this instant that Lynn came flying down the street. She had + kept the bells going till she knew all the help had come from a distance, + and now she was coming to see if there was anything else for her to do. + There before her she saw her father standing in that awful setting of + fire, with Mark limp and lifeless in his arms! Then the flames licked up + and covered the opening once more. <i>Oh, God!</i> Were they <i>both gone</i>? + </p> + <p> + Only for an instant more the suspense lasted, and then the cateclysm of + fire came. The roof fell carrying with it the floors as it went, down, + down, down, shuddering like a human thing as it went, the rain of fire + pouring up and around in great blistering flakes and scorching the + onlookers and lighting their livid faces as they stood transfixed with + horror at the sight. + </p> + <p> + The canvas fluttered uselessly down and fire showered thick upon it. + Timbers and beams crumbled like paper things and were no more. The whole + flimsy structure had caved in! + </p> + <p> + Paralyzed with terror and sorrow the firemen stood gazing, and suddenly a + boy's voice rang out: “Aw Gee! Git to work there! Whatterya doin'? Playin' + dominoes? Turn that hose over there! That's where they fell. Say, you Jim, + get that fire hook and lift that beam—! <i>Aw Gee</i>! Ya ain't + gonta let 'em <i>die,</i> are ya,—? <i>Them two!”</i> + </p> + <p> + Billy had seized a heavy hose and was turning it on a central spot and Jim + Rafferty caught the idea and turned his stream that way, and into the fire + went the brave men, one and another, instantly, cheerfully, devotedly, the + men who loved the two men in there. Dead or alive they should be got out + if it killed them all. They would all die together. The Fire Chief stood + close to Billy, and shouted his directions, and Billy worked with the + tallest of them, black, hoarse and weary. + </p> + <p> + It seemed ages. It was hours. It was a miracle! But they got those two men + out alive! Blackened and bruised and broken, burned almost beyond + recognition, but they were alive. They found them lying close to the front + wall, their faces together, Mark's body covered by the minister's. + </p> + <p> + Tender hands brought them forth and carried them gently on stretchers out + from the circle of danger and noise and smoke. Eagerly they were + ministered to, with oil and old linen and stimulants. There were doctors + from Economy and one from Monopoly besides the Sabbath Valley doctor, who + was like a brother to the minister and had known Mark since he was born. + They worked as if their lives depended upon it, till all that loving skill + could do was done. + </p> + <p> + Billy, his eyelashes and brows gone, half his hair singed off, one eye + swollen shut and great blisters on his hands and arms, sat huddled and + shivering on the ground between the two stretchers. The fire was still + going on but he was “all in.” The only thing left he could do was to bow + his bruised face on his trembling knees and pray: + </p> + <p> + <i>“Oh God</i>, Ain't You gonta let 'em live—<i>please!”</i> + </p> + <p> + They carried Mark to the Saxon cottage and laid him on Billy's bed. There + was no lack of nurses. Aunt Saxon and Christie McMertrie, the Duncannons + and Mary Rafferty, Jim too, and Tom. It seemed that everybody claimed the + honors. The minister was across the street in the Little House. They dared + not move him farther. Of the two the case of the minister was the most + hopeless. He had borne the burden of the fall. He had been struck by the + falling timbers, his body had been a cover for the younger man. In every + way the minister had not saved himself. + </p> + <p> + The days that followed were full of anxiety. There were a few others more + or less injured in the fire, for there had been fearless work, and no one + had spared himself. But the two who hung at the point of death for so long + were laid on the hearts of the people, because they were dear to almost + every one. + </p> + <p> + Little neighborhood prayer meetings sprang up quietly here and there, + beginning at Duncannons. The neighbor on either side would come in and + they would just drop down and pray for the minister, and for “that other + dear brave brother.” Then the Littles heard of it and called in a few + friends. One night when both sufferers were at the crisis and there seemed + little hope for the minister, Christie McMertrie called in the Raffertys + and they were just on the point of kneeling down when Mrs. Harricutt came + to the door. She had been crying. She said she and her husband hadn't + slept a wink the night before, they were so anxious for the minister. + Christie looked at her severely, but remembering the commands about loving + and forgiving, relented: + </p> + <p> + “Wull then, come on ben an' pray. Tom, you go call her husband! This is na + time fer holdin' grudges. But mind, wumman, if ye coom heer to pray ye + must pray with as <i>mooch fervor</i> for the healin' o' <i>Mark Carter</i> + as ye do fer the meenister! He's beloved of the Lord too, an' the + meenister nigh give his life for him.” + </p> + <p> + And Mrs. Harricutt put up her apron to her eyes and entered the little + haircloth parlor, while Tom, with a wry face went after the elder. The + elder proved that underneath all his narrowness and prejudice he had a + grain of the real truth, for he prayed with fervor that the Lord would + cleanse their hearts from all prejudice and open their minds to see with + heavenly vision that they might have power in prayer for the healing of + the two men. + </p> + <p> + So, through the whole little village breaches were healed, and a more + loving feeling prevailed because the bond of anxiety and love held them + all together and drew them nearer to their God. + </p> + <p> + At last the day came when Mark, struggling up out of the fiery pit of + pain, was able to remember. + </p> + <p> + Pain, fire, flame, choking gases, smoke, remorse, despair! It was all + vague at first, but out of it came the memory slowly. There had been a + fire. He had gone back up the ladder after Mrs. Blimm's baby. He + remembered groping for the child in the smoke filled room, and bringing it + blindly through the hall and back to the window where the ladder was, but + that room had all been in flames. He had wished for a wet cloth across his + face. He could feel again the licking of the fire as he passed the + doorway. A great weight had been on his chest. His heart seemed bursting. + His head had reeled, and he had come to the window just in time. Some one + had taken the child—was it Billy?—or he would have fallen. He + <i>did</i> fall. The memory pieced itself out bit by bit. He remembered + thinking that he had entered the City of Fire literally at last, “the + minarets” already he seemed to descry “gleaming vermilion as if they from + the fire had issued.” It was curious how those old words from Dante had + clung in his memory. “Eternal fire that inward burns.” He thought he was + feeling now in his body what his soul had experienced for long months + past. It was the natural ending, the thing he had known he was coming to + all along, the road of remorse and despair. A fire that goes no more out! + And this would last forever now! Then, someone, some strong arm had lifted + him—God's air swept in—and for an instant there seemed hope. + But only that little breath of respite and there came a cry like myriads + of lost souls. They were falling, falling, down through fire, with fire + above, below, around, everywhere. Down, down,—an abysmal eternity of + fire, till his seared soul writhed from his tortured body, and stood aside + looking on at himself. + </p> + <p> + There, there he lay, the Mark Carter that had started with life so fair, + friends, prospects, so proud that he was a man, that he could conquer and + be brave—so blest with opening life, and heaven's high call! And + then—in one day—he had sinned and lost it all, and there he + lay, a white upturned face. That was himself, lying there with face + illumined by the fire, and men would call him dead! But he would not be + dead! He would be living on with that inward fire, gnawing at his vitals, + telling him continually what he might have been, and showing him what high + heaven was that he had had, and lost. He saw it now. He had deliberately + thrown away that heaven that had been his. He saw that hell was hell + because he made it so, it was not God that put him there, but he had + chosen there to go. And still the fire burned on and scorched his poor + soul back into the body to be tortured more. The long weeks upon that bed + seemed like an infinite space of burning rosy, oily flames poured upward + from a lake of fire, down through which he had been falling in constant + and increasing agony. + </p> + <p> + And now at last he seemed to be flung upon this peaceful shore where + things were cool and soothing for a brief respite, that he might look off + at where he had been floating on that molten lake of fire, and understand + it all before he was flung back. And it was all so very real. With his + eyes still closed he could hear the rushing of the flames that still + seemed ascending in columns out a little way from shore, he could see + through his eyelids the rosy hue of livid waters—of course it was + all a hallucination, and he was coming to himself, but he had a feeling + that when he was fully awake it would be even more terrible than now. Two + grim figures, Remorse and Despair, seemed waiting at either hand above his + bed to companion him again when he could get more strength to recognize + them. And so he lay thus between life and death, and faced what he had + done. Hours and hours he faced it, when they knew not if he was conscious + yet, going over and over again those sins which he knew had been the + beginning of all his walk away from Hope. On through the night and into + the next morning he lay thus, sometimes drowsing, but most of the time + alert and silent. + </p> + <p> + It was a bright and sparkling morning. There was a tang of winter in the + air. The leaves were gone from the apple trees at the window and the bare + branches tapped against the water spout like children playing with a + rattle. A dog barked joyously, and a boy on the street shouted out to + another—<i>Oh, to be a boy once more!</i> And suddenly Mark knew + Billy was sitting there. He opened his eyes and smiled: There were + bandages around his face, but he smiled stiffly, and Billy knew he was + smiling. + </p> + <p> + “Kid,” he said hoarsely from out the bandages, “This is God's world.” It + seemed to be a great thought that he had been all this time grasping, and + had to utter. + </p> + <p> + “Sure!” said Billy in a low happy growl. + </p> + <p> + A long time after this, it might have been the next day, he wasn't sure, + or perhaps only a few minutes, he came at another truth: + </p> + <p> + “Kid, you can't get away from God—even when you try.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll say not,” said Billy. + </p> + <p> + “But—when you've sinned—!” speculatively. + </p> + <p> + “You gotta get it off yer chest.” + </p> + <p> + “You mean—confess?” + </p> + <p> + “Sure thing. Miss Lynn tells us in Sunday School about a fella in the + Bible got downta eatin' with the pigs in a far country, an' when he come + to himself he thought about his father's servants, an' he said 'I'll get + up and beat it home an' say I'm sorry!'” + </p> + <p> + “I know,” said Mark, and was still the rest of the day. But the next + morning he asked the doctor how soon he might get up. This was the first + real indication that Mark was on the mend, and the doctor smiled with + satisfaction. He meant to take off some of the bandages that morning. + </p> + <p> + That afternoon with his head unswathed, Mark began to ask questions. + Before that he had seemed to take everything for granted: + </p> + <p> + “Billy, where's the minister?” For Billy have never left his idol's side + except when Aunt Saxon needed him to help. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, he's up to tha parsonage,” responded Billy carelessly. + </p> + <p> + “But why hasn't he been to see me, Kid?” + </p> + <p> + “Why—he—hasn't been feelin' very good.” Billy's voice was + brisk as if it wasn't a matter of much moment. + </p> + <p> + Mark turned his thoughtful gray eyes steadily on Billy: + </p> + <p> + “Now, look here, Kid, I'm well, and there's no further need to camouflage. + Billy, is the minister dead?” + </p> + <p> + “Not on yer tin type, he ain't dead!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, is he hurt?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, <i>some</i>,” Billy admitted cheerfully. + </p> + <p> + “Kid, look me in the eye.” + </p> + <p> + Billy raised a saucy eye as well masked as Mark's own could be on + occasion. + </p> + <p> + “Kid, how much is he hurt! <i>Tell me the truth!</i> If you don't I'll get + right up and go and see.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll tell the world, you won't!” said Billy rising lazily and taking a + gentle menacing step toward the bed. + </p> + <p> + “Kid!” + </p> + <p> + “Well—he's some hurt—but he's getting along fine now. He'll be + aw'wright.” + </p> + <p> + “How'd he get hurt?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, the fire, same's you.” + </p> + <p> + “How?” insisted Mark. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, he went up again after a fella when it was too late—” + </p> + <p> + “Billy, was it me?” + </p> + <p> + “Ugh huh!” nodded Billy. + </p> + <p> + Mark was so still that Billy was frightened. When he looked up worried he + saw that a great tear had escaped out from under the lashes which were + growing nicely now, and had rolled down Mark's cheek. <i>Mark crying!</i> + </p> + <p> + In consternation Billy knelt beside the bed: + </p> + <p> + “Aw Gee! Mark, now don't you feel like that. He's gettin' all right now + they hope, an' Gee! He was <i>great!</i> You oughtta seen him!” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me about it,” said Mark huskily. + </p> + <p> + “He just ran up that there ladder when it was shaking like a leaf, an' the + wall beginning to buckle under it, an' he picked you up. Fer a minute + there the flames kinda blew back, and we seen ya both, and then the roof + caved, an' you all went down. But when we gotcha out he was layin' right + atop of ya, 'ith his arms spread out, trying t'cover ya! Gee, it was <i>great!</i> + Everybody was just as still, like he was preachin'!” + </p> + <p> + After a long time Mark said: + </p> + <p> + “Billy, did you ever hear the words, 'Greater love hath no man than this, + that a man lay down his life for his friend?'” + </p> + <p> + “Yep,” said Billy, “That's in the Bible I think, if 'taint in Shakespeare. + Miss Lynn said it over last Sunday. She says a lot of things from + Shakespeare sometimes, and I kinda get'em mixed.” + </p> + <p> + But Mark did not talk any more that day. He had a great deal to think + about. + </p> + <p> + But so did Billy, for looking out the window in the direction of the + parsonage he had sighted the big Shafton car stopping before the door that + morning. “Aw Gee!” he said. “That sissy-guy again? Now, how'm I gonta get + rid of him this time? Gee! Just when Mark's gettin' well too! If life + ain't just <i>one thing after another!”</i> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0031" id="link2H_4_0031"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXX + </h2> + <p> + It was a bright frosty morning in the edge of winter when at last they let + Mark go to see the minister, and Billy took care that no hint of the + Shafton car should reach his knowledge. Slowly, gravely he escorted Mark + down the street and up the parsonage steps. + </p> + <p> + The minister was lying on a couch in the living room and there was a low + chair drawn up near by with a book open at the place, and a bit of fluffy + sewing on the low table beside it. Mark looked hungrily about for the + owner of the gold thimble, but there was no sign of either Mrs. Severn or + Marilyn about. + </p> + <p> + There was a bandage over the minister's eyes. They hadn't told Mark about + that yet. + </p> + <p> + The minister held out a groping hand with his old sweet smile and hearty + welcoming voice: + </p> + <p> + “Well, son, you've come at last! Beat me to it, didn't you? I'm glad. That + was fair. Young blood you know.” + </p> + <p> + Mark knelt down by the couch with his old friend's hand held fast: Billy + had faded into the landscape out on the front steps somewhere, and was + even now settling down for an extended wait. If this interview went well + he might hope to get a little rest and catch up on sports sometime soon. + It all depended on this. + </p> + <p> + Mark put up his other hand and touched the bandage: + </p> + <p> + “Father!” he said, “Father!” and broke down “Father, I have sinned—” + he said brokenly. + </p> + <p> + The minister's arm went lovingly up across the young man's shoulders: + </p> + <p> + “Son, have you told your heavenly Father that?” he asked gently. + </p> + <p> + “I've tried,” said Mark, “I'm not sure that He heard.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, He <i>heard</i>,” said the minister with a ring of joy in his voice, + “While you were a great way off He came to meet you, son.” + </p> + <p> + “You don't know yet,” said Mark lifting a white sad face— + </p> + <p> + “If you've told Him I'll trust you son. It's up to you whether you tell me + or not.” + </p> + <p> + “It is your right to know, sir. I want you to know. I cannot rest again + until you do.” + </p> + <p> + “Then tell.” The minister's hand folded down tenderly over the boy's, and + so kneeling beside the couch Mark told his story: + </p> + <p> + “I must begin by telling you that I have always loved Marilyn.” + </p> + <p> + “I know,” said the minister, with a pressure on the hand he covered. + </p> + <p> + “One day I heard someone telling Mrs. Severn that I was not good enough + for her.” + </p> + <p> + “I know,” said the minister again. + </p> + <p> + “You know?” said Mark in surprise. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, go on.” + </p> + <p> + “I went away and thought it over. I felt as if I would die. I was mad and + hurt clear through, but after I thought it over I saw that all she had + said was true. I wasn't good enough. There was a great deal of pride mixed + with it all of course, I've seen that since, but I wasn't good enough. + Nobody was. Lynn is,—<i>wonderful—!</i> But I was just a + common, insignificant nobody, not fit to be her mate. I knew it! I could + see just how things were going too. I saw you didn't realize it, you nor + Mrs. Severn. I knew Marilyn cared, but I thought she didn't realize it + either, and I saw it was up to me. If she wasn't to have to suffer by + being parted from me when she grew older, I must teach her not to care + before she knew she cared. For days I turned it over in my mind. Many + nights I lay awake all night or walked out on the hills, threshing it all + over again. And I saw another thing. I saw that if it was so hard for me + then when I was not much more than a kid it would be harder for her if I + let her grow up caring, and then we had to be parted, so I decided to make + the break. The day I made the decision I went off in the hills and stayed + all day thinking it out. And then I looked up in the sky and told God I + was done with Him. I had prayed and prayed that He would make a way out of + this trouble for me, and He hadn't done anything about it, and I felt that + He was against me too. So when I had done that I felt utterly reckless. I + didn't care what happened to me, and I decided to go to the bad as fast as + I could. I felt it would be the best way too to make Marilyn get over + being fond of me. So I went down to Monopoly that night and looked up a + fellow that had been coaching the teams for a while and was put out by the + association because he was rotten. He had always made a fuss over me, + wanted to make a big player out of me, and I knew he would be glad to see + me. + </p> + <p> + “He was. He took me out to supper that night and gave me liquor to drink. + You know I had never touched a drop. Never had intended to as long as I + lived. But when he offered it to me I took it down as if I had been used + to it. I didn't care. I wanted to do all the wrong I could. + </p> + <p> + “I drank again and again, and I must have got pretty drunk. I remember the + crowd laughed at me a great deal. And they brought some girls around. It + makes me sick to think of it now. We went to a place and danced. I didn't + know how, but I danced anyway. And there was more drinking. I don't + remember things very distinctly. I did whatever the coach said, and he had + been going a pretty good pace himself.—That night—!” His voice + choked with shame and it seemed as though he could not go on—but the + minister's clasp was steady and the boy gathered courage and went on—“That + night—we—went—to a house of shame—!” + </p> + <p> + He dropped his head and groaned. The minister did not attempt to break the + pause that followed. He knew the struggle that was going on in the + bitterness of the young man's soul. He maintained that steady hand clasp: + </p> + <p> + “In the morning—when I came to myself—” he went on “I knew + what I had done. I had cut myself off forever from all that made life + worth while. I would never be worthy again to even speak to you all whom I + loved so much. I would never be able to look myself in the face again + even. I was ashamed. I had given up God and love, and everything worth + while. + </p> + <p> + “That was when I went away to New York. Mother tried to stop me, but I + would go. I tried when I got to New York to plunge into a wild life, but + it didn't attract me. I had to force myself. Besides, I had resolved that + whatever came, wherever I went I would not drink and I would <i>keep clean</i>. + I thought that by so doing I might in time at least win back my self + respect. Later I conceived the idea of trying to save others from a life + of shame. I did succeed in helping some to better ways I think, both men + and girls. But I only won a worse reputation at home for it, and I'm not + sure I did much good. I only know I walked in hell from morning to night, + and in time I came to dwell among lost souls. It seemed the only place + that I belonged. + </p> + <p> + “You remember when you read us Dante 'Thou who through the City of Fire + alive art passing'? You used to preach in church about beginning the + eternal life now, and making a little heaven below, I'm sure that is as + true of hell. I began my eternal life five years ago, but it was in hell, + and I shall go on living in that fire of torture forever, apart from all I + love. I tried to get out by doing good to others, but it was of no avail. + I thought never to tell you this, but something made me, after you—you + gave your life for me—!” + </p> + <p> + “And had you forgotten,” said the minister tenderly, “That the blood of + Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin? And that he said, 'Come + now and let us reason together, Though your sins be as scarlet they shall + be as white as snow?'” + </p> + <p> + “I gave up all right to that when I gave up God on the mountain.” + </p> + <p> + “But God did not give up you,” said the minister. “Do you think a true + father would cast out a child because it got angry and shook its fist in + his face? You will find Him again when you search for Him with all your + heart. You have told Him you were sorry, and He has promised to forgive. + You can't save yourself, but He can save you. Now, son, go and tell + Marilyn everything.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean it,—<i>Father?”</i> + </p> + <p> + “I mean it—<i>Son</i>. The doctor is coming by and by to take off + these bandages, and I want the first thing that my eyes rest upon after my + dear wife's face, to be the faces of you two. My beloved children.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + Sabbath Valley lay tucked warm and white beneath a blanket of snow. All + the week it had been coming down, down, in great white flakes of + especially sorted sizes, filling the air mightily with winter clean and + deep. Here in the fastnesses of the hills it seemed that the treasure + troves of the sky had been opened to make all beautiful and quiet while + winter passed that way. Lone Valley was almost obliterated, pierced with + sharp pine trees in bunches here and there, like a flock of pins in a + pincushion, and the hills rose gently on either side like a vast + amphitheatre done in white and peopled thick with trees in heavy white + furs. + </p> + <p> + The Highway was almost impassable for a day or two, but the state snow + plow passed over as soon as the snow stopped falling, and left a white + pavement with white walls either side. The tunnel through the mountains + was only a black dot in the vast whiteness, and Pleasant View Station wore + a heavy cap of snow dripping down in lavish fringes edged with icicles. + The agent's little shanty up the mountain was buried out of sight behind a + snow drift and had to be dug out from the back, and no Lake Train ran any + more. The express was five hours late. Stark Mountain loomed white against + the sky. And over in Sabbath Valley the night it stopped snowing all the + villagers were out shovelling their walks and calling glad nothings back + and forth as they flung the white star dust from their shovels, and little + children came out with rubber boots and warm leggings and wallowed in the + beauty. The milkman got out an old sleigh and strung a line of bells + around his horse. The boys and girls hurried up the mountain to their + slide with home made sleds and laughing voices, and the moon came up + looking sweetly from a sudden clearing sky. + </p> + <p> + Over in the church the windows shone with light, and the bells were + ringing out the old sweet songs the villagers loved. Marilyn was at the + organ and Mark by her side. In the body of the church willing hands were + working, setting up the tall hemlocks that Tom and Jim had brought in from + the mountain, till the little church was fragrant and literally lined with + lacey beauty, reminding one of ancient worship in the woods. Holly wreaths + were hanging in the windows everywhere, and ropes of ground pine and + laurel festooned from every pillar and corner and peak of roof. + </p> + <p> + Laurie Shafton had sent a great coffer of wonderful roses, and the country + girls were handling them with awe, banking them round the pulpit, and + trailing them over the rail of the little choir loft, wonderful roses from + another world, the world that Marilyn Severn might have married into if + she had chosen. And there sat Marilyn as indifferent as if they were + dandelions, praising the <i>trees</i> that had been set up, delighting in + their slender tops that rose like miniature spires all round the wall, + drawing in the sweetness of their winter spicy breath, and never saying a + word about the roses. “Roses? Oh, yes, they look all right, Girls, just + put them wherever you fancy. I'll be suited. But aren't those trees too + beautiful for words?” + </p> + <p> + When the work was done they trooped out noisily into the moonlight, bright + like day only with a beauty that was almost unearthly in its radiance. The + others went on down the street calling gay words back and forth, but Mark + and Marilyn lingered, bearing a wreath of laurel, and stepping deep into + the whiteness went over to the white piled mound where they had laid Mrs. + Carter's body to rest and Mark stooped down and pressed the wreath down + into the snow upon the top: + </p> + <p> + “Dear little mother,” he said brokenly, “She loved pretty things and I + meant to give her so many of them sometime to make up—” + </p> + <p> + “But she'll be glad—” said Marilyn softly, “We loved each other very + much—!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, she'll be glad!” he answered. “She often tried to find out why I + never went to the parsonage any more. Poor little mother! That was her + deepest disappointment—! Yes, she'll be glad—!” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + When morning came it seemed as though the very glory of God was spread + forth on Sabbath Valley for display. There it lay, a shining gem of a + little white town, in the white velvet cup of the Valley, dazzling and + resplendent, the hills rising round about reflecting more brightness and + etched with fringes of fine branches each burdened with a line of heavy + furry white. Against the clear blue sky the bell tower rose, and from its + arches the bells rang forth a wedding song. Marilyn in her white robes, + with a long white veil of rare old lace handed down through the + generations, falling down the back and fastened about her forehead, and + with a slim little rope of pearls, also an heirloom, was ringing her own + wedding bells, with Mark by her side, while the villagers gathered outside + the door waiting for the wedding march to begin before they came in. + </p> + <p> + The minister and his wife stood back in his little study behind the + pulpit, watching their two with loving eyes, and down by the front door + stood Billy in a new suit with his hair very wet and licked back from an + almost crimson countenance, waiting the word to fling open the door and + let the congregation in. + </p> + <p> + “<i>Tum</i>, diddy<i>dum</i>—Diddy<i>dum</i>—diddy<i>dum</i>—Diddy<i>dum</i>—diddy<i>dum</i>— + Diddydum—<i>dum</i>—<i>dum</i>—Dum—Dum—Dum!” + began the organ and Billy flung the portals wide and stood aside on the + steps to let the throng pass in, his eyes shining as if they would say, + “Aw Gee! Ain't this great?” + </p> + <p> + And just at that moment, wallowing through the snow, with the air of + having come from the North Pole there arrived a great car and drew up to + the door, and Laurie Shafton jumped anxiously out and flung open the door + for his passengers. + </p> + <p> + “Aw Gee! That Fish! Whadde wantta come here for? The great <i>chump</i>! + Don't he know he ain't <i>in it?</i>” + </p> + <p> + Billy watched in lofty scorn from his high step and decided to hurry in + and not have to show any honors to that sissy-guy. + </p> + <p> + Then out from the car issued Opal, done in furs from brow to shoe and + looking eagerly about her, and following her a big handsome sporty man + almost twice her age, looking curiously interested, as if he had come to a + shrine to worship, Opal's husband. Billy stared, and then remembering that + the wedding march was almost over and that he might be missing something: + </p> + <p> + “Aw, Gee! Whadduw I care? He ain't little apples now, anyhow. He couldn'ta + bought her with <i>barrels</i> of roses, an' he knows it too, the poor + stiff. He must be a pretty good scout after all, takin' his medicine + straight!” + </p> + <p> + Then Billy slid in and the quiet little ceremony began. + </p> + <p> + The organ hushed into nothing. Marilyn arose, took Mark's arm, and + together they stepped down and stood in front of the minister, who had + come down the steps of the pulpit and was awaiting them, with Marilyn's + mother sitting only a step away on the front seat. + </p> + <p> + It was all so quiet and homey, without fuss or marching or any such thing, + and when the ceremony was over the bride and groom turned about in front + of the bank of hemlock and roses and their friends swarmed up to + congratulate them. Then everybody went into the parsonage, where the + ladies of the church had prepared a real country wedding breakfast with + Christmas turkey and fixings for a foundation and going on from that. It + wasn't every day in the year that Sabbath Valley got its minister's + daughter married, and what if the parsonage <i>was</i> small and only + fifty could sit down at once, everybody was patient, and it was all the + more fun! + </p> + <p> + The three guests from out of town, self imposed, looked on with wonder and + interest. It was a revelation. Marilyn looked up and found big Ed Verrons + frankly staring at her, a puzzled pleased expression on his large coarse + face. She was half annoyed and wondered why they had come to spoil this + perfect day. Then suddenly the big man stepped across the little living + room and spoke: + </p> + <p> + “Mrs. Carter, we came over to-day because Opal said you had something that + would help us begin over again and make life more of a success. I want to + thank you for having this chance to see a little bit of heaven on earth + before I die.” + </p> + <p> + Later, when the city guests were fed and comforted perhaps, and had + climbed back into the big car, Billy stood on the front porch with a third + helping of ice cream and watched them back, and turn, and wallow away into + the deep white world, and his heart was touched with pity: + </p> + <p> + “Aw, Gee! The poor fish! I'spose it is hard lines! And then it was sorta + my faultchu know,” and he turned with a joyful sigh that they were gone, + and went in to look again at Mary Louise Little, and see what it was about + her in that new blue challis that made her look so sorta nice to-day. + </p> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The City of Fire, by Grace Livingston Hill + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CITY OF FIRE *** + +***** This file should be named 7008-h.htm or 7008-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/7/0/0/7008/ + + +Text file produced by Anne Folland, Tiffany Vergon, 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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