IX
AN INTERRUPTED SIESTA
NO man ever had a more eloquent and beautiful pleader for his causethan had Dick Gale in Mercedes Castaneda. He peeped through the green,shining twigs of the palo verde that shaded his door. The hour washigh noon, and the patio was sultry. The only sounds were the hum ofbees in the flowers and the low murmur of the Spanish girl's melodiousvoice. Nell lay in the hammock, her hands behind her head, with rosycheeks and arch eyes. Indeed, she looked rebellious. Certain it was,Dick reflected, that the young lady had fully recovered the wilfulpersonality which had lain dormant for a while. Equally certain itseemed that Mercedes's earnestness was not apparently having the effectit should have had.
Dick was inclined to be rebellious himself. Belding had kept therangers in off the line, and therefore Dick had been idle most of thetime, and, though he tried hard, he had been unable to stay far fromNell's vicinity. He believed she cared for him; but he could not catchher alone long enough to verify his tormenting hope. When alone shewas as illusive as a shadow, as quick as a flash, as mysterious as aYaqui. When he tried to catch her in the garden or fields, or cornerher in the patio, she eluded him, and left behind a memory ofdark-blue, haunting eyes. It was that look in her eyes which lent himhope. At other times, when it might have been possible for Dick tospeak, Nell clung closely to Mercedes. He had long before enlisted theloyal Mercedes in his cause; but in spite of this Nell had been morethan a match for them both.
Gale pondered over an idea he had long revolved in mind, and which nowsuddenly gave place to a decision that made his heart swell and hischeek burn. He peeped again through the green branches to see Nelllaughing at the fiery Mercedes.
"Qui'en sabe," he called, mockingly, and was delighted with Nell'squick, amazed start.
Then he went in search of Mrs. Belding, and found her busy in thekitchen. The relation between Gale and Mrs. Belding had subtly andincomprehensively changed. He understood her less than when at firsthe divined an antagonism in her. If such a thing were possible she hadretained the antagonism while seeming to yield to some influence thatmust have been fondness for him. Gale was in no wise sure of heraffection, and he had long imagined she was afraid of him, or ofsomething that he represented. He had gone on, openly and fairly,though discreetly, with his rather one-sided love affair; and as timepassed he had grown less conscious of what had seemed her unspokenopposition. Gale had come to care greatly for Nell's mother. Not onlywas she the comfort and strength of her home, but also of theinhabitants of Forlorn River. Indian, Mexican, American were all thesame to her in trouble or illness; and then she was nurse, doctor,peacemaker, helper. She was good and noble, and there was not a childor grownup in Forlorn River who did not love and bless her. But Mrs.Belding did not seem happy. She was brooding, intense, deep, strong,eager for the happiness and welfare of others; and she was dominated bya worship of her daughter that was as strange as it was pathetic. Mrs.Belding seldom smiled, and never laughed. There was always a soft, sad,hurt look in her eyes. Gale often wondered if there had been othertragedy in her life than the supposed loss of her father in the desert.Perhaps it was the very unsolved nature of that loss which made ithaunting.
Mrs. Belding heard Dick's step as he entered the kitchen, and, lookingup, greeted him.
"Mother," began Dick, earnestly. Belding called her that, and so didLadd and Lash, but it was the first time for Dick. "Mother--I want tospeak to you."
The only indication Mrs. Belding gave of being started was in her eyes,which darkened, shadowed with multiplying thought.
"I love Nell," went on Dick, simply, "and I want you to let me ask herto be my wife."
Mrs. Belding's face blanched to a deathly white. Gale, thinking withsurprise and concern that she was going to faint, moved quickly towardher, took her arm.
"Forgive me. I was blunt.... But I thought you knew."
"I've known for a long time," replied Mrs. Belding. Her voice wassteady, and there was no evidence of agitation except in her pallor."Then you--you haven't spoken to Nell?"
Dick laughed. "I've been trying to get a chance to tell her. Ihaven't had it yet. But she knows. There are other ways besidesspeech. And Mercedes has told her. I hope, I almost believe Nellcares a little for me."
"I've known that, too, for a long time," said Mrs. Belding, low almostas a whisper.
"You know!" cried Dick, with a glow and rush of feeling.
"Dick, you must be very blind not to see what has been plain to all ofus.... I guess--it couldn't have been helped. You're a splendidfellow. No wonder she loves you."
"Mother! You'll give her to me?"
She drew him to the light and looked with strange, piercing intentnessinto his face. Gale had never dreamed a woman's eyes could hold such aworld of thought and feeling. It seemed all the sweetness of life wasthere, and all the pain.
"Do you love her?" she asked.
"With all my heart."
"You want to marry her?"
"Ah, I want to! As much as I want to live and work for her."
"When would you marry her?"
"Why!... Just as soon as she will do it. To-morrow!" Dick gave a wild,exultant little laugh.
"Dick Gale, you want my Nell? You love her just as she is--hersweetness--her goodness? Just herself, body and soul?... There'snothing could change you--nothing?"
"Dear Mrs. Belding, I love Nell for herself. If she loves me I'll bethe happiest of men. There's absolutely nothing that could make anydifference in me."
"But your people? Oh, Dick, you come of a proud family. I can tell.I--I once knew a young man like you. A few months can't changepride--blood. Years can't change them. You've become a ranger. Youlove the adventure--the wild life. That won't last. Perhaps you'llsettle down to ranching. I know you love the West. But, Dick, there'syour family--"
"If you want to know anything about my family, I'll tell you,"interrupted Dick, with strong feeling. "I've not secrets about them ormyself. My future and happiness are Nell's to make. No one else shallcount with me."
"Then, Dick--you may have her. God--bless--you--both."
Mrs. Belding's strained face underwent a swift and mobile relaxation,and suddenly she was weeping in strangely mingled happiness andbitterness.
"Why, mother!" Gale could say no more. He did not comprehend a moodseemingly so utterly at variance with Mrs. Belding's habitualtemperament. But he put his arm around her. In another moment she hadgained command over herself, and, kissing him, she pushed him out ofthe door.
"There! Go tell her, Dick... And have some spunk about it!"
Gale went thoughtfully back to his room. He vowed that he would answerfor Nell's happiness, if he had the wonderful good fortune to win her.Then remembering the hope Mrs. Belding had given him, Dick lost hisgravity in a flash, and something began to dance and ring within him.He simply could not keep his steps turned from the patio. Every pathled there. His blood was throbbing, his hopes mounting, his spiritsoaring. He knew he had never before entered the patio with thatinspirited presence.
"Now for some spunk!" he said, under his breath.
Plainly he meant his merry whistle and his buoyant step to interruptthis first languorous stage of the siesta which the girls always tookduring the hot hours. Nell had acquired the habit long before Mercedescame to show how fixed a thing it was in the life of the tropics. Butneither girl heard him. Mercedes lay under the palo verde, herbeautiful head dark and still upon a cushion. Nell was asleep in thehammock. There was an abandonment in her deep repose, and a faintsmile upon her face. Her sweet, red lips, with the soft, perfectcurve, had always fascinated Dick, and now drew him irresistibly. Hehad always been consumed with a desire to kiss her, and now he wasoverwhelmed with his opportunity. It would be a terrible thing to do,but if she did not awaken at once-- No, he would fight the temptation.That would be more than spunk. It would-- Suddenly an ugly green flysailed low over Nell, appeared about to alight on her. Noisele
sslyDick stepped close to the hammock bent under the tree, and with a sweepof his hand chased the intruding fly away. But he found himselfpowerless to straighten up. He was close to her--bending over herface--near the sweet lips. The insolent, dreaming smile just partedthem. Then he thought he was lost. But she stirred--he feared shewould awaken.
He had stepped back erect when she opened her eyes. They were sleepy,yet surprised until she saw him. Then she was wide awake in a second,bewildered, uncertain.
"Why--you here?" she asked, slowly.
"Large as life!" replied Dick, with unusual gayety.
"How long have you been here?"
"Just got here this fraction of a second," he replied, lyingshamelessly.
It was evident that she did not know whether or not to believe him, andas she studied him a slow blush dyed her cheek.
"You are absolutely truthful when you say you just stepped there?"
"Why, of course," answered Dick, right glad he did not have to lieabout that.
"I thought--I was--dreaming," she said, and evidently the sound of hervoice reassured her.
"Yes, you looked as if you were having pleasant dreams," replied Dick."So sorry to wake you. I can't see how I came to do it, I was soquiet. Mercedes didn't wake. Well, I'll go and let you have yoursiesta and dreams."
But he did not move to go. Nell regarded him with curious, speculativeeyes.
"Isn't it a lovely day?" queried Dick.
"I think it's hot."
"Only ninety in the shade. And you've told me the mercury goes to onehundred and thirty in midsummer. This is just a glorious golden day."
"Yesterday was finer, but you didn't notice it."
"Oh, yesterday was somewhere back in the past--the inconsequentialpast."
Nell's sleepy blue eyes opened a little wider. She did not know whatto make of this changed young man. Dick felt gleeful and tried hard tokeep the fact from becoming manifest.
"What's the inconsequential past? You seem remarkably happy to-day."
"I certainly am happy. Adios. Pleasant dreams."
Dick turned away then and left the patio by the opening into the yard.Nell was really sleepy, and when she had fallen asleep again he wouldreturn. He walked around for a while. Belding and the rangers wereshoeing a broncho. Yaqui was in the field with the horses. Blanco Solgrazed contently, and now and then lifted his head to watch. His longears went up at sight of his master, and he whistled. Presently Dick,as if magnet-drawn, retraced his steps to the patio and enterednoiselessly.
Nell was now deep in her siesta. She was inert, relaxed, untroubled bydreams. Her hair was damp on her brow.
Again Nell stirred, and gradually awakened. Her eyes unclosed, humid,shadowy, unconscious. They rested upon Dick for a moment before theybecame clear and comprehensive. He stood back fully ten feet from her,and to all outside appearances regarded her calmly.
"I've interrupted your siesta again," he said. "Please forgive me.I'll take myself off."
He wandered away, and when it became impossible for him to stay awayany longer he returned to the patio.
The instant his glance rested upon Nell's face he divined she wasfeigning sleep. The faint rose-blush had paled. The warm, rich,golden tint of her skin had fled. Dick dropped upon his knees and bentover her. Though his blood was churning in his veins, his breastlaboring, his mind whirling with the wonder of that moment and itspromise, he made himself deliberate. He wanted more than anything hehad ever wanted in his life to see if she would keep up that pretenseof sleep and let him kiss her. She must have felt his breath, for herhair waved off her brow. Her cheeks were now white. Her breast swelledand sank. He bent down closer--closer. But he must have beenmaddeningly slow, for as he bent still closer Nell's eyes opened, andhe caught a swift purple gaze of eyes as she whirled her head. Then,with a little cry, she rose and fled.