back," said Tannis.
Carey groaned and shut his eyes. If Father Gabriel was
away, there was indeed no one to go. Old Auguste and
the doctor could not leave Paul and he knew well that
no breed of them all at the Flats would turn out on
such a night, even if they were not, one and all,
mortally scared of being mixed up in the law and
justice that would be sure to follow the affair. He
must die without seeing Elinor.
Tannis looked inscrutably down on the pale face on Mrs.
Joe Esquint's dirty pillows. Her immobile features gave
no sign of the conflict raging within her. After a
short space she turned and went out, shutting the door
softly on the wounded man and Mrs. Joe, whose howls had
now simmered down to whines. In the next room, Paul was
crying out with pain as the doctor worked on his arm,
but Tannis did not go to him. Instead, she slipped out
and hurried down the stormy street to old Auguste's
stable. Five minutes later she was galloping down the
black, wind-lashed river trail, on her way to town, to
bring Elinor Blair to her lover's deathbed.
I hold that no woman ever did anything more unselfish
than this deed of Tannis! For the sake of love she put
under her feet the jealousy and hatred that had
clamored at her heart. She held, not only revenge, but
the dearer joy of watching by Carey to the last, in the
hollow of her hand, and she cast both away that the man
she loved might draw his dying breath somewhat easier.
In a white woman the deed would have been merely
commendable. In Tannis of the Flats, with her ancestry
and tradition, it was lofty self-sacrifice.
It was eight o'clock when Tannis left the Flats; it was
ten when she drew bridle before the house on the bluff.
Elinor was regaling Tom and his wife with Avonlea
gossip when the maid came to the door.
"Pleas'm, there's a breed girl out on the verandah and
she's asking for Miss Blair."
Elinor went out wonderingly, followed by Tom. Tannis,
whip in hand, stood by the open door, with the stormy
night behind her, and the warm ruby light of the hall
lamp showering over her white face and the long rope of
drenched hair that fell from her bare head. She looked
wild enough.
"Jerome Carey was shot in a quarrel at Joe Esquint's
to-night," she said. "He is dying - he wants you - I
have come for you."
Elinor gave a little cry, and steadied herself on Tom's
shoulder. Tom said he knew he made some exclamation of
horror. He had never approved of Carey's attentions to
Elinor, but such news was enough to shock anybody. He
was determined, however, that Elinor should not go out
in such a night and to such a scene, and told Tannis so
in no uncertain terms.
"I came through the storm," said Tannis,
contemptuously. "Cannot she do as much for him as I can?"
The good, old Island blood in Elinor's veins showed to
some purpose. "Yes," she answered firmly. "No, Tom,
don't object - I must go. Get my horse - and your own."
Ten minutes later three riders galloped down the bluff
road and took the river trail. Fortunately the wind was
at their backs and the worst of the storm was over.
Still, it was a wild, black ride enough. Tom rode,
cursing softly under his breath. He did not like the
whole thing - Carey done to death in some low half-
breed shack, this handsome, sullen girl coming as his
messenger, this nightmare ride, through wind and rain.
It all savored too much of melodrama, even for the
Northland, where people still did things in a primitive
way. He heartily wished Elinor had never left Avonlea.
It was past twelve when they reached the Flats. Tannis
was the only one who seemed to be able to think
coherently. It was she who told Tom where to take the
horses and then led Elinor to the room where Carey was
dying. The doctor was sitting by the bedside and Mrs.
Joe was curled up in a corner, sniffling to herself.
Tannis took her by the shoulder and turned her, none
too gently, out of the room. The doctor, understanding,
left at once. As Tannis shut the door she saw Elinor
sink on her knees by the bed, and Carey's trembling
hand go out to her head.
Tannis sat down on the floor outside of the door and
wrapped herself up in a shawl Marie Esquint had
dropped. In that attitude she looked exactly like a
squaw, and all comers and goers, even old Auguste, who
was hunting for her, thought she was one, and left her
undisturbed. She watched there until dawn came whitely
up over the prairies and Jerome Carey died. She knew
when it happened by Elinor's cry.
Tannis sprang up and rushed in. She was too late for
even a parting look.
The girl took Carey's hand in hers, and turned to the
weeping Elinor with a cold dignity.
"Now go," she said. "You had him in life to the very
last. He is mine now."
"There must be some arrangements made," faltered
Elinor.
"My father and brother will make all arrangements, as
you call them," said Tannis steadily. "He had no near
relatives in the world - none at all in Canada - he
told me so. You may send out a Protestant minister from
town, if you like; but he will be buried here at the
Flats and his grave with be mine - all mine! Go!"
And Elinor, reluctant, sorrowful, yet swayed by a will
and an emotion stronger than her own, went slowly out,
leaving Tannis of the Flats alone with her dead.
-The END-
Public domain etext of the
Further Chronicles of Avonlea
from Young People's Zone
www.youngpeopleszone.cjb.net.
L. M. Montgomery, Further Chronicles of Avonlea
(Series: # )
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