Nedra

  CHAPTER XIV

  ONE LOVE AGAINST ANOTHER

  Ridgeway passed another sleepless night. Had not Veath said he could winher love, even though it were pledged to another? The thought gave birthto a fear that he was not perfectly sure of her love, and that it mightturn to Henry Veath, after all. In the early morning hours, betweensnatches of sleep, he decided to ask Lady Huntingford's advice, afterexplaining to her the dilemma in full. He would also tell Grace ofVeath's declaration, putting her on guard. Breakfast time found the seaheavy and the ship rolling considerably, but at least three people gaveslight notice to the weather. Hugh was sober and morose; Veath waspreoccupied and unnatural; Grace was restless and uneasy. LadyHuntingford, who came in while they were eating, observed this conditionalmost immediately, and smiled knowingly, yet sadly. Later Hugh Ridgewaydrew her to a secluded corner and exploded his bomb. Her cool littlehead readily devised a plan which met his approval, and he hurried offto warn Grace before it was too late. Lady Huntingford advised him totell Veath nothing of the elopement, allowing him to believe as he hadall along, but suggested a radical change in their future plans. It washer advice that they go on to Japan and be married.

  At first Grace demurred to this plan, which he necessarily proposed ashis own, holding that it would be absolutely cruel to desert Veath atthe last minute. Finally she agreed to the compromise and kissed himwith tears in her eyes.

  Days passed and the strain grew more tense than ever. The _TempestQueen_ was nearing the Archipelago, after the stops at Penang andSingapore. At Hong Kong the Manila-bound passengers were to betransferred to one of the small China Sea steamers. The weather had beenrough and ugly for many days. Lady Huntingford had not left herstateroom in two days. Grace was with her a greater portion of the time,ministering to her wants gently and untiringly. Ridgeway and Veath,anxious and troubled, wandered aimlessly about the ship, smoking cigarafter cigar, praying for a cessation of the ugly weather. Finally, allpassengers were peremptorily forbidden the deck. The skilled sailorswere in constant danger of being washed overboard. Captain Shadburnadmitted that they were being driven from their course by the fury ofthe typhoon. Secretly he feared that the _Queen_ might rush upon areef at night.

  Dinner on the second violent evening was a sombre affair. LadyHuntingford, pale, sweet and wan, made her appearance with Grace,occupying Veath's seat, that gentleman moving to the next chair, itsoriginal occupant being confined to his berth. Lord Huntingford,austere and imperturbable, entered some time before his wife andpurposely ignored her when she came in.

  As the party arose from the table, a heavy lurch of the boat threw Graceheadlong into Veath's arms. By a superhuman effort he managed to keephis feet. He smiled down at her; but there was something so insistent inthe smile that it troubled her.

  "It's an ill wind that blows no good," said Veath softly.

  "What blows well for one may blow ill for another," she responded alittle coldly, though she did not refuse the proffered arm; and theystaggered toward the doorway.

  As they passed into the main saloon he suddenly asked her if she wouldlet him speak to her of a matter that long had been on his mind. She didnot look him in the face, but she knew it was white and determined. Thetime had come when he was to tell her that he loved her. He begged for amoment's time and gained her unspoken permission. They sank to a couchnear the stairway, Grace giving a last helpless, hopeless glance at Hughas he and his companion passed from the apartment.

  "I can see by the manner in which you act that you know what I want tosay to you. It is also plain to me that you would rather not hear me,"he said, after a moment.

  "Please do not say it," she entreated, and he saw the little hope thathe had been nourishing dashed away.

  "I did not dream until a few moments ago that you had discerned my lovefor you, Miss Ridge, but I am not sorry that I have been so transparent.How you have guessed my secret I cannot imagine. I tried to keep it fromyou," he said, as if he had wounded her. "Perhaps your brothertold you."

  She was on the point of telling him that Hugh was not her brother, butsomething checked the impulse and she could only answer by shakingher head.

  "You told me that you expect to marry another man, but that has not keptme from telling you that I love you, nor will it prevent me from tryingto win your love. Pride, if nothing else, has kept my lips sealed, forwhat right have I to ask any woman to share my lot? In sheer humiliationI must tell you that my life looks like a failure to me. I have a hardstruggle ahead of me. You may say that I am young and strong, but Icannot, for my soul, see anything bright ahead." His voice trembled andshe glanced up at his face. He was looking at the diamond that sparkledon her left hand.

  "You have no right to say that life is a failure; you have no right tolie down on your arms and give, up the fight. That is the act of acoward. After all, it is not the way to win a woman's love."

  "You don't mean--is it possible that you could--" he began.

  "No, no! You must not hope. I love another as dearly as you love me. ButI will not have you say that you cannot succeed in life. I know you arestrong, and I know you are determined. There is nothing impossible toyou," she said hurriedly, seeking feverishly to draw him from hispurpose. "When first we met you were cheerful and hopeful, strong andfull of life. Then some one came into your life and you saw a blackcloud of despair arise. It came up easily and you can drive it away justas easily. It is not of your nature to give up, I know. You can win fameand fortune and the love of some one much worthier than I."

  "If I live to be a thousand I shall love none as I love you," he saidsimply. "If you loved me I could win against all the world. Your wealthis a natural barrier between poor love and rich pride, both truepossessions of mine. But for the latter the former would win. Can youunderstand?" he asked almost vehemently.

  "I--I--no, I do not understand you," she said panic-stricken. His eyeswere flashing again in the same old way and his voice, low pitched, hada gallant ring.

  "I mean I'd win your love and I'd make you my wife."

  "Mr. Veath! How can you--how dare you--" she began, arising indignantly,yet a trifle carried away by his impetuous manner. Her heart wasthumping tumultuously and she dared not look into his eyes.

  "Dare!" he cried. "You urge me to fight it out and die in the trenches,as it were, and now you ask me why I dare tell you what I'd do undercertain conditions. I merely tell you what I could and would do if Icould change the conditions."

  "You are a trifle over-confident, Mr. Veath," she said coldly."Good-night."

  "Don't be angry, please," he cried in humility. "You have spoken to mein a way that has awakened a new spirit--the spirit that men call 'do ordie.' To-night the storm rages and we are all in danger. I feel that inan hour like this and in a place like this I am worth more than I haveever been or could be in any other position. The fierceness of the nightand the sting of your advice combine to give life and nerve to my weakheart. I am not the man who begged you a moment ago to listen to theweakness of a despairing lover; it is another man, another Henry Veathwho talks to you now. From this instant I shall begin the battle againstold conditions and you shall be the spoils of battle. Grace, look at me!I am going to show you what real determination means. I want you andI'll win you." His tall figure straightened, his blue eyes gleamed andflashed with the fire of enthusiasm. The timid, fearful Veath was gone,and in his stead stood the valiant, aggressive, inspired contestant.

  The rolling of the ship sent her staggering toward him, and he caughther by the arms. Steadying himself against the staircase, he cried inher bewildered ear:

  "I love you better than all else in the world. You are a part of mylife, all of my joy. Do you think I can give you up now that I havefound the courage to begin the struggle? I'll win my way and I'll winyour love. Nothing but death can stop me now. Come! Don't look as thoughyou hate me for it."

  "I do not hate you," she said humbly, almost glaring into his brighteyes, unable to turn from the love which governed them so complete
ly."But you must not talk like this. I cannot listen to you. Mr. Veath,there is no possible hope."

  "The hope to win and the will to win are two different propositions, andit is the latter under which I am enlisted. To me it is worth fightingfor to the end of time."

  "Oh, you must not say these things to me," she cried fiercely, trying toescape from his eyes.

  "I shall not say another word to you after to-night until I am sure Ihave won the victory. Then I shall ask you to be my wife. To-morrow I'lltell your brother I am bound to win. He must know my honest intentions."

  "My brother!" she gasped. Her knees grew weak and a faintness assailedher heart, almost to overpowering. "You--you must not--shall not say aword to Hugh. I forbid you--I--"

  "Why are you so agitated? Why am I not to speak to him? He isfair-minded, and I know he likes me."

  "You don't know what it would mean to me. There is something you do notknow. No, no! You shall not speak to Hugh." It was her turn to command,and he wavered.

  "Your will is the law which I obey. He shall not know--not now, atleast," he said. "There are to be but two factions in the struggle,then, your love against mine."

  "You forget the--the other man," she said, sudden tears springing to hereyes.

  "I think only of one woman," he said softly, lovingly.

  She leaned wearily against the staircase, her hands clasping therailing. There was a piteous, hopeless entreaty in the dimming eyes asshe turned them to his and tried to speak calmly.

  "I have something to say to you--to-morrow. Let us say good-night."

  "Nothing you can say will alter my love. When the storm to-night is atits worst remember that I will give my life for your sake."

  She did not answer, but her hand clasped his arm impulsively. In thedoorway they met Hamilton and Gregory, just from the captain, theirfaces white and fear-stricken. Hugh and Lady Huntingford were hurryingtoward them.