CHAPTER 22
But when your arms are full of girl and fluff You hide your nerve behind a yard of grin; You'd spit into a bulldog's face, or bluff A flock of dragons with a safety pin. Life's a slow skate, but love's the dopey glim That puts a brewery horse in racing trim. --Wallace Irwin.
CANARIES SING FOR THE HERO
Part 1
James Farnum had been back in Verden twenty-four hours. A few littlescars still decorated his handsome visage, but he explained them awaywith the story of a motor car accident. Just now he was walking to thebank, and he had spoken his piece five times in a distance of threeblocks. From experience he was getting letter perfect as to the details.Even the idiotic joke about the clutch seemed now a necessary part ofthe recital.
It was just as he was crossing Powers that a motor car whirled aroundthe corner and down upon a man descending from a street car. Thechauffeur honked wildly and rammed the brakes home. Simultaneously Jamesleaped, flinging his weight upon the man standing dazed in the path ofthe automobile. The two went down together, and for a moment Farnum knewonly a crash of the senses.
He was helped to his feet. Voices, distant and detached, asked whetherhe was hurt. Blood trickled into his eyes from a cut in the head. Itcame to him oddly enough that his story about the motor car accidentwould now be true.
A slender figure in gray slipped swiftly past him and knelt beside thestill shape lying on the asphalt.
"Bring water, Roberts!"
James knew that clear, sweet voice. It could belong only to Alice Frome.
"Are you much hurt, Mr. Farnum?"
"No, I think not--a cut over my eye and a few bruises."
"I'm so glad. But this poor old man--I'm afraid he's badly hurt."
"Was he run over?"
"No. You saved him from that. You don't know him, do you?"
The lawyer looked at the unconscious man and could not repress a start.It was his father. For just an eyebeat he hesitated before he said,"I've seen him before somewhere."
"We must take him to the hospital. Isn't there a doctor here? Someonerun for a doctor." The young woman's glance swept the crowd in appeal.
"I'll take care of him. Better get away before the crowd is too large,Miss Frome."
"No. It was our machine did it. Oh, here's a doctor."
A pair of lean, muscular shoulders pushed through the press after thedoctor. "Much hurt, James?" inquired their owner.
"No. For heaven's sake, get Miss Frome away, Jeff," implored his cousin.
"Miss Frome!" Jeff stepped forward with an exclamation.
The young woman looked up. She was kneeling in the street and supportingthe head of the wounded man. Her face was almost as bloodless as his.
"We almost ran him down. Your cousin jumped to save him. He isn't dead,doctor, is he?"
Jeff turned swiftly to his cousin and spoke in a low voice. "It's yourfather."
The lawyer pushed forward with a manner of authority.
"This won't do, doctor. The crowd's growing and we're delaying thetraffic. Let us lift him into the machine and take him to the hospital."
"Very good, Mr. Farnum."
"Doctor, will you go with him to the hospital? And Jeff... you, too, ifyou please."
A minute later the car pushed its way slowly through the crush of peopleand disappeared. James was left standing on the curb with Alice.
He spoke brusquely. "Someone call a cab, please....I'll send you home,Miss Frome."
"No, to the hospital," she corrected. "I couldn't go home now withoutknowing how he is."
"Very well. Anything to get away from here."
"And you can have your cut attended to there."
"Oh, that's nothing. A basin of cold water is all I need. Here's thecab, thank heaven."
The girl's gaze followed the automobile up the hill as she waited forthe taxicab to stop. "I do hope he isn't hurt badly," she murmuredpiteously.
"Probably he isn't. Just stunned, the doctor seemed to think. Anyhow itwas an unavoidable accident."
The eyes of the young woman kindled. "I'll never forget the way youjumped to save him. It was splendid."
James flushed with pleasure. "Nonsense. I merely pushed him aside."
"You merely risked your life for his. A bagatelle--don't mention it,"the girl mocked.
Farnum nodded, the old warmth for her in his eyes. "All right, I'll takeall the praise you want to give me. It's been a good while since youhave thought I deserved any."
Alice looked out of the window in a silence that appeared to accuse him.
"Yet once"--She felt in his fine voice the vibration of feeling--"oncewe were friends. We met on the common ground of--of the spirit," herisked.
Her eyes came round to meet his. "Is it my fault that we are not stillfriends?"
"I don't know. Something has come between us. What is it?"
"If you don't know I can't tell you."
"I think I know." He folded his handkerchief again to find a spotunstained. "You wanted me to fit into some ideal of me you hadformed. Am I to blame because I can't do it? Isn't the fault with yourausterity? I've got to follow my own convictions--not Jeff's, not evenyours. Life's a fight, and it's every man for himself. He has to workout his own salvation in his own way. Nobody can do it for him. Thefinal test is his success or failure. I'm going to succeed."
"Are you?" The compassion of her look he could not understand. "But howshall we define success?"
"It's getting power and wielding it."
"But doesn't it depend on how one wields it?"
"Yes. It must be made to produce big results. Now my idea of asuccessful man is your uncle, Joe Powers."
"And my idea of one is your cousin, Jefferson Farnum."
The young man sat up. "You're not seriously telling me that you thinkJeff is successful as compared with Joe Powers?"
"Yes. In my opinion he is the most successful man I ever met."
James was annoyed. "I expect you have a monopoly in that opinion, MissFrome--unless Jeff shares it."
"He doesn't."
The lawyer laughed irritably. "No, I shouldn't think he would." He addeda moment later: "I don't suppose Jeff is worth a hundred dollars."
"Probably not."
"And Joe Powers is worth a hundred millions."
"That settles it. I must have been wrong." Alice looked at him with aflash of demure daring. "Valencia said something to me the other day Ididn't quite understand. Ought I to congratulate you?"
"What did she say?" he asked eagerly.
"Oh, I'll not tell you what she said. My question was in first."
"You may as well, though it's still a secret. Nobody knows it but youand me."
"And Valencia."
"I didn't know she knew it yet."
Alice stared. "Not know that she is going to marry you? Then it isn'treally arranged?"
"It is and it isn't."
"Oh!"
"I know it and she suspects it."
"Is this a riddle?"
"Riddle is a good word when we speak of your cousin," he admittedjudicially.
"Perhaps I asked a question I ought not to have."
"Not at all. I'm trying to answer you as well as I can. Last time Imentioned the subject she laughed at me."
"So you've asked her?"
"No, I told her."
"And she said?"
"Regretted that other plans would not permit her to fall in with mine."
"Then I don't quite see how you are so sure."
"That's just what she says, but I've a notion she is planning thetrousseau."
Alice flashed a sidelong look at him. Was he playing with her? Or did hemean it?
"You'll let me know when I may safely congratulate you," she retortedironically.
"Now is the best time. I may not see you this evening."
"Oh, it's to be this evening, is it?"
"To the best of my belief and hope."
His complacency struck a spark
from her. "You needn't be so cock sure. Idaresay she won't have you."
His smile took her into his confidence. "That's what I'm afraid ofmyself, but I daren't let her see it."
"That sounds better."
"I think she wants to eat her cake and have it, too."
"Meaning, please?"
"That she likes me, but would rather hold me off a while."
Alice nodded. "Yes, that would be like Val."
"Meanwhile I don't know whether I'm to be a happy man or not."
Her fine eyes looked in their direct fashion right into his. "I must sayyou appear greatly worried."
"Yes," he smiled.
"You must be tremendously in love with her."
"Ye-es, thank you."
"Why are you going to marry her then--if she'll let you?"
"Now I'm having Joe Powers' railroads and his steamboats and his minesthrown at me, am I not?" he asked lightly.
"No, I don't think that meanly of you. I know you're a victim ofambition, but I don't suppose it would take you that far."
He gave her an ironical bow. "Thanks for this testimonial of respect.You're right. It wouldn't. I'm going to marry Joe Power's daughter, _Deovolente_ because she is the most interesting woman I know and the mostbeautiful one."
"Oh! That's the reason."
"These, plus a sentimental one which I can't uncover to the cynical eyesof my young cousin that is to be, are my motives; though, mind you, I'mnot fool enough to be impervious to the railroads and the ocean linersand the mines you didn't mention. I hope my reasons satisfy you," headded coolly.
"If they satisfy Val they do me, but very likely you'll find theywon't."
"The doubt adds a fillip to the situation."
Her eyes had gone from time to time out of the window. Now she gave asigh of relief. "Here we are at the hospital. Oh, I do hope that poorman is all right!"
"I'm sure he is. He was recovering consciousness when they left.James helped her out of the cab and they went together up the steps. Inthe hall they met Jeff. He had just come down stairs.
"Everything's all right. His head must have struck the asphalt, butthere seems to be no danger."
Alice noticed that the newspaper man spoke to his cousin and not to her.
Part 2
Though Valencia Van Tyle had not made up her mind to get married, Jameshit the mark when he guessed that she was interesting herself in theaccessories that would go with such an event. The position she took inthe matter was characteristic. She had gone the length of taking expertcounsel with her New York modiste concerning gowns for the occasion,without having at all decided that she would exchange her presentindependence for another venture into stormy matrimonial seas.
"Perhaps I shatn't have to make up my mind at all," she found amusementin chuckling to herself. "What a saving of trouble it would be if hewould abduct me in his car. I could always blame him then if it did notturn out well."
Something of this she expressed to James the evening of the day of theaccident, watching him through half-shuttered eyes to see how he wouldtake her first concession that she was considering him.
He took without external disturbance her gay, embarrassed suggestion,the manner of which might mean either shyness or the highest expressionof her art.
"I'd kidnap you fast enough except that I don't want to rob you of thefun of getting ready. How long will it take you? Would my birthday betoo soon? It's on the fourth of June."
"Too soon for what?" she asked innocently.
"For my birthday present--Valencia Powers."
She liked it that he used her maiden surname instead of her married one.It seemed to imply that he loved her in the swift, ardent way of youth.
"Are you sure you want it?"
The lawyer appreciated her soft, warm allurement, the appeal of sex withwhich she was so prodigally endowed. His breath came a little faster.
"He won't be happy till he gets it."
Her faint laughter rippled out. "That's just the point, my friend. Willhe be happy then? And, which is more important to her, will she?"
"That's what I'm here to see. I'm going to make you happy."
She laced her fingers behind her tawny head, not quite unaware perhapsthat the attitude set off the perfect modeling of her soft, supple body.
"I don't doubt your good intentions, but it takes more than that to makemarriage happy when the contracting parties are not Heaven-sent."
"But we are--we are."
Valencia shook her head. "Oh, no! There will be no rapturous song ofbirds for us, none of that fine wantonness that doesn't stop to countthe cost. If we marry no doubt we'll have good reasons, but not the verybest one--that we can't help it."
He would not consent to that. "You're not speaking for me. The birdssing, Valencia."
"Canaries in a cage," she mocked.
"You've forgotten two things."
"Yes?"
"That you are the most beautiful woman on earth, and that I'm a man,with red blood in my veins."
Under lowered lids she studied him. This very confident, alert American,modern from head to heel, attracted her more than any other man. Therewas a dynamic quality in him that stirred her blood. He was efficient,selfish enough to win, and yet considerate in the small things that goto make up the sum of existence. Why not then? She must marry some timeand she was as nearly in love as she would ever be.
"What ARE your reasons for wanting me?"
"We smoke the same Egyptians," he mocked.
"That's a good reason, so far as it goes."
"And you're such a charming puzzle that I would like to domesticate itand study the eternal mystery at my leisure."
"Then it's as a diversion that you want me."
"A thing of beauty and a joy forever, the poet puts it. But diversionif you like. What greater test of charming versatility for a womanthan that she remain a diversion to her husband, unstaled by custom andundulled by familiarity?"
After all her father would be pleased to have her marry an Americanbusiness man. The Powers' millions could easily buy for her a fine olddukedom if she wanted one. At present there was more than one availabletitle-holder on her horizon. But Valencia did not care to take up theresponsibilities that go with such a position. She was too indolentto adapt her life to the standards of others--and perhaps too proud.Moreover, it happened that she had had enough of the club man type inthe late lamented Van Tyle. This man was a worker. He would not annoyher or interfere with her careless pleasures. Again she asked herself,Why not?
"I suppose you really do like me." Her face was tilted in gay littleappeal.
"I'm not going to tell you how much. It wouldn't be good for disciplinein the house."
Her soft little laugh bubbled over. "We seem to have quite settled it.And I hadn't the slightest notion of agreeing to anything so ridiculouswhen I ventured that indiscreet remark about an abduction." She lookedup at him with smiling insolence. "You're only an adventurer, you know.I daresay you haven't even paid for the car in which you were going tokidnap me."
"No," he admitted cheerfully.
"I wonder what Dad will think of it."
"He'll thank Heaven you didn't present him with a French or Italiancount to support."
"I believe he will. His objection to Gus was that he looked like aforeigner and never had done a day's work in his life. Poor Gus! Hedidn't measure up to Dad's idea of a man. Now I suppose you could earn aliving for us."
"I'm not expecting you to take in sewing."
"Are you going to do the independent if Dad cuts up rough?" she askedsaucily.
"Independent is the word." He smiled with a sudden appreciation of thesituation. "And I take it he means to cut up rough. I wired him to-day Iwas going to ask you to marry me."
"You didn't."
"Yes."
"But wasn't that a little premature? Perhaps it wouldn't have beennecessary. Or did you take me for granted?"
"There was always the car for a kidnapping in case of necess
ity," hejoked.
"Why did you do it?"
"I wanted to be above board about it even if I am an adventurer."
"What did he say? How could you put it in a telegram?"
"Red consoles marooned sweet post delayed."
"Dear me! What gibberish is that?"
"It's from our private code. It means, 'Going to marry your daughter ifshe is willing. With your consent, I hope.'"
"And he answered? I'll take the English version, please."
"'Consent refused. No fortune hunters need apply.' That is not a directquotation, but it conveys his meaning accurately enough."
"So I'm to be cut off with a shilling." Her eyes bubbled with delight.
"I reckon so. Of course I had to come back at him."
"How, may I ask?" She was vastly amused at this novel correspondence.
"Oh, I merely said in substance that I was glad to hear it because youcouldn't think now I wanted to marry you for your money. I added thatif things came my way we would send him cards later. One doesn't like toslang one's wife's father, so I drew it mild."
"I don't believe a word of it. You wouldn't dare."
That she admired and at the same time distrusted was so apparent that hedrew a yellow envelope from his pocket and handed it to her.
"This is his latest contribution to the literature of frankness. Yousee his feelings overflowed so promptly he had to turn loose in goodAmerican talk right off the bat. Couldn't wait for the code."
She read aloud. "Your resignation as General Counsel Transcontinentalwill be accepted immediately. Turn over papers to Walker and go to thedevil." It was signed "Powers."
"That's all, is it? No further exchange of compliments," she wanted toknow.
"That's all, except that he is reading my resignation by this time. Isent it two hours ago. In it I tried to convey to him my sense of regretat being obliged to sever business relations owing to the fact thatI was about to contract family ties with him. I hoped that he wouldcommand me in any way he saw fit and was sorry we couldn't come to anagreement in the present instance."
"I don't believe you're a bit sorry. Don't you realize what an expensiveluxury you're getting in me and how serious a thing it is to cast offheaven knows how many millions?"
"Oh, I realize it!"
"But you expect him to come round when he has had time to think itover?"
"It's hard for me to conceive of anybody not wanting me for ason-in-law," he admitted cheerfully.
Valencia nodded. "He'll like you all the better for standing up to him.He's fond of Alice because she's impudent to him."
"I didn't mean to be impudent, but I couldn't lie down and let him proveme what he called me."
"If you're that kind of a man I'm almost glad you're going to make memarry you," she confided.
He leaned over her chair, his eyes shining. "I'll make you more thanalmost glad, Valencia. You're going to learn what it is to--oh, damnit!"
He was impersonally admiring her Whistler when the maid brushed asidethe portieres. She had come to bring Mrs. Van Tyle a telegram.
"No answer, Pratt."
After the maid had retired her mistress called James to her side. Overher shoulder he read it.
"Glad he is an American and not living on his father. Didn't think youhad so much sense. Tell that young man I want to see him in New Yorkimmediately."
The message was signed with the name of her father.
"What do you suppose he wants with you in New York?"
James was radiant. He kissed the perfect lips turned toward him beforehe answered. "Oh, to make me president of the Transcontinental maybe.How should I know? It's an olive branch. Isn't that enough?"
"When shall you go?"
He looked at his watch. "The limited leaves at nine-thirty. That givesme nearly an hour."
"You're not going to-night?"
"I'm going to-night. I must, dear. Those are the orders and I've got toobey them."
"But suppose I give you different orders. Surely I have some rights,to-night of all nights. Why, we haven't been engaged ten minutes.Business doesn't always come first."
James hesitated. "It's the last thing I want to do, but when Joe Powerssays 'Come!' I know enough to jump."
"But when I say stay?" she pleaded.
"Then I stop the prettiest mouth in the world with kisses and run awaybefore I hear the order." Gaily he suited the action to the word.
But, for once swift, she reached the door before him.
"Wait. Don't go, dear."
The last word came faintly, unexpectedly. The enticement of the appealwent to his head. He had shaken her out of the indifference that was herpride. One arm slipped round her waist. His other hand tilted back herhead until he could look into the eyes in which a new fire had beenkindled.
"What about that almost glad? If I stay will you forget all qualifyingwords and be just glad?"
She nodded quickly, laughing ever so softly. "Yes, I'll help you listento the birds sing. Do you know I can almost hear them?"
James drew a deep breath and caught her swiftly to him. "New York willhave to wait till to-morrow. The birds will sing to-night and we willnot count the cost."
"Yes, my lord," she answered demurely.
For to-night she wanted to forget that their birds were only cagedcanaries.
CHAPTER 23
"And what are the names of the Fortunate Isles, Lo! duty and love and a large content; And these are the Isles of the watery miles That God let down from the firmament.
Lo! duty and love and a true man's trust, Your forehead to God and your feet in the dust: Lo! duty and love and a sweet babe's smiles, And these, O friends, are the Fortunate Isles."
AND LARKS FOR THE REBEL
Beneath a sky faintly pink with the warning of the coming sunrise Jeffwalked an old logging trail that would take him back to camp from hismorning dip. Ferns and blackberry bushes, heavy with dew, reached acrossthe road and grappled with each other. At every step, as he pushedthrough the tangle, a shower of drops went flying.
His was the incomparable buoyant humor of a lover treading a newbornworld. A smile was in his eyes, tender, luminous, cheerful. He thoughtof the woman whom he had not seen for many months, and he was buoyed upby the fine spiritual edge which does not know defeat. Win or lose, itwas clear gain to have loved her.
With him he carried a vision of her, young, ardent, all fire and flame.One spoke of things beautiful and her face lit from within. Her words,motions, came from the depths, half revealed and half concealed dearhidden secrets. He recalled the grace of the delicate throat curve,little tricks of expression, the sweetness of her energy.
The forest broke, opening into a clearing. He stood to drink in itsbeauty, for the sun, peeping over a saddle in the hills, had painted theplace a valley of gold and russet. And while he waited there came out ofthe woods beyond, into that splendid setting, the vision that was in hismind.
He was not surprised that his eyes were playing him tricks. This wasafter all the proper frame for the picture of his golden sweetheart.Lance-straight and slender, his wood nymph waded knee deep through theferns. Straight toward him she came, and his temples began to throb. Asylph of the woods should be diaphanous. The one he saw was a creatureof color and warmth and definiteness. Life, sweet and mocking, flowedthrough her radiantly. His heart sang within him, for the woman he lovedout of a world of beautiful women was coming to him, light-footed asDaphne, the rhythm of the morning in her step.
She spoke, commonplace words enough. "Last night I heard you were here."
"And I didn't know you were within a thousand miles."
"We came back to Verden Thursday and are up over Sunday," she explained.
He was lost in the witchery of the spell she cast over him. Not thedrooping maidenhair ferns through which she trailed were moredelicate or graceful than she. But some instinct in him played surfacecommonplaces against the insurgent emotion of his heart.
&nb
sp; "You like Washington?"
"I like home better."
"But you were popular at the capital. I read a great deal in the papersabout your triumphs."
The dye in her cheeks ran a little stronger. There had been much gossipabout a certain Italian nobleman who had wooed her openly and madly."They told a lot of nonsense."
"And some that wasn't nonsense."
"Not much." She changed the subject lightly. "You read all about thewedding, of course."
He quoted. "Miss Alice Frome as maid of honor preceded the bride,appearing in a handsome gown of very delicate old rose satin with anoverdress of--"
"Very good. You may go to the head of the class, sir. Valencia wasbeautiful and your cousin never looked more handsome."
"Which is saying a good deal."
"And we're all hoping they will live happy ever after."
"You know he is being talked of for United States Senator already."
"You will oppose him?" she asked quickly.
"I shall have to."
"Still an irreconcilable." Her smile could be vivid, and just now itwas.
"Still a demagogue and a trouble maker," he admitted.
"You've won the recall and the direct primary since I left."
"Yes. We've been busy."
"And our friends--how are they?"
"You should see Jefferson Davis Farnum Miller. He's two months old andas fat as a dumpling."
"I've seen him. He's a credit to his godfather."
"Isn't he? That's one happy family."
"I wonder who's to blame for that," she said, the star flash in hereyes.
"Nellie told you?"
"She told me."
"They exaggerate. Nobody could have done less than I."
"Or more." She did not dwell upon the subject. "Tell me about Mr.Marchant."
He went over for her the story of the little poet's gentle death. Shelistened till he made an end.
"Then it was not hard for him?"
"No. He had one of his good, eager days, then guietly fell asleep."
"And passed to where, beyond these voices, there is rest and peace," shequoted, ever so softly.
"Yes."
"Perhaps he knows now all about his Perfect State." Her wistful smilewas very tender.
"Perhaps."
They walked together slowly across the valley.
"It is nearly six months since I have seen you."
"Five months and twenty-seven days." The words had slipped out almostwithout her volition. She hurried on, ashamed, the color flying in hercheeks, "I remember because it was the day we ran down your cousin andthat old gentleman. It has always been a great comfort to me to knowthat he was not seriously injured."
"No. It was only the shock of his fall."
"What was his name? I don't think I heard it."
There was just an instant's silence before he pronounced, "Farnum--Mr.Robert Farnum."
"A relative of yours?"
"Yes."
Across her brain there flashed a fugitive memory of three words Jeff hadspoken to his cousin the day of the accident. "It's your father."
But how could that be? She had always understood that both the parentsof James were dead. The lawyer had denied knowing the man whose lifehe had saved. And yet she had been sure of the words and of a furtive,frightened look on the face of James. According to the story of the_Herald_ the father of Jefferson, a former convict, was named Robert.But once, when she had made some allusion to it Captain Chunn hadexploded into vigorous denial. It was a puzzle the meaning of which shecould not guess.
"He has several times mentioned his wish to thank you for yourkindness," Jeff mentioned.
"I'll be glad to meet him." Swiftly she flashed a question at him. "Ishe James Farnum's father?"
"Haven't you read the papers? He is said to be mine."
"But he isn't. He isn't. I see it now. James was ashamed to acknowledgea father who had been in prison. Your enemies made a mistake and you letit go."
"It's all long since past. I wouldn't say anything about it to anybody."
"Of course you wouldn't," she scoffed. Her eyes were very bright. Shewanted to laugh and to weep at her discovery.
"You see it didn't matter with my friends. And my reputation was beyondhope anyhow. It was different with James."
She nodded. "Yes. It wouldn't have improved his chances with Valencia,"her cousin admitted.
Jeff permitted himself a smile. "My impression was that he did not haveMrs. Van Tyle in mind at the time."
They had waded through the wet ferns to the edge of the woods. As hereyes swept the russet valley through which they had passed Alice drew adeep breath of pleasure. How good it was to be alive in such a worldof beauty! A meadow lark throbbed its three notes at her joyfully toemphasize their kinship. An English pheasant strutted across the pathand disappeared into the ferns. Neither the man nor the woman spoke. Allthe glad day called them to the emotional climax toward which they wereracing.
Womanlike, Alice attempted to evade what she most desired. He was to beher mate. She knew it now. But the fear of him was in her heart.
"Were you so fond of him? Is that why you did it for him?" she asked.
"I didn't do it for him."
"For whom then?"
He did not answer. Nor did his eyes meet hers. They were fixed on themoving ferns where the pheasant had disappeared.
Alice guessed. He had done it for the girl because he thought her inlove with his cousin. A warm glow suffused her. No man made such asacrifice for a woman unless he cared for her.
The meadow lark flung out another carefree ecstasy. The theme of it wasthe triumphant certainty that love is the greatest thing in the world.Jeff felt that it was now or never.
"I love you. It's been hidden in my heart more than eight years, butI find I must tell you. All the arguments against it I've rehearsed athousand times. The world is at your feet. You could never love a manlike me. To your friends I'm a bad lot. They never would consider me amoment."
Gently she interrupted. "Is it my friends you want to marry?"
The surprise of it took him by the throat. His astonished eyesquestioned for a denial. In that moment a wonderful secret was born intothe world. She held out both hands with a divine frankness, a sweetnessof surrender beyond words.
"But your father--your people!"
"'Where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people."' Shemurmured it with a broken little laugh that was a sob.
Even then he did not take her in his arms. The habit of reverence forher was of many years' growth and not to be broken in an instant.
"You are sure, dear--quite sure?"
"I've been sure ever since the day of our first talk on the_Bellingham._"
Still he fought the joy that flooded him. "I must tell you the truth sothat you won't idealize me... and the situation. I am enlisted in thisfight for life. Where it will lead me I don't know. But I must followthe road I see. You will lose your friends. They will think me a crank,an enemy to society; and they will think you demented. But even for youI can't turn back."
A tender glow was in her deep eyes. "If I did not know that do you thinkI would marry you?"
"But you've always had the best things. You've never known what it is tobe poor."
"No, I've never had the best things, never till I knew you, dear. I'vestarved for them and did not know how to escape the prison I was in.Then you came... and you showed me. The world is at my feet now. Not theworld you meant, of idleness and luxury and ennui... but that better oneof the spirit where you and I shall walk together as comrades of all whowork and laugh and weep."
"If I could be sure!"
"Of me, Jeff?"
"That I can make you happy. After all it's a chance."
"We all live on a chance. I'll take mine beside the man I love. There isone way under heaven by which men may be saved. I'm going to walk thatway with you, dear."
Jeff threw away the reins of a worldly wise prudence.
"For ever and ever, Alice," he cried softly, shaken to his soul.
As their lips met the lark throbbed a betrothal song.
...............
They went slowly through the wet ferns, hand in hand. It was amazinglytrue that he had won her, but Jeff could scarce believe the miracle.More than once he recurred to it.
"You saw what no other young woman of your set in Verden did, the humanin me through my vagabondage. But why? There's nothing in my appearanceto attract."
"Valiant in velvet, light in ragged luck," she laughed. "And I won'thave you questioning my taste, sir. I've always thought you verygood-looking, if you must have it."
"If you're as far gone as that!" His low laughter rang out to meet hers,for no reason except the best of reasons--that they walked alone withlove through a world wonderful.
The Vision Splendid Page 23