CHAPTER V
THE TRYST AT HALLOWS BRIG
It was a clear, cool evening when Carsluith Maxwell leaned on the railsof a footbridge which spanned the river, looking up at the old place ofCulmeny. It rose from the stony hillside, a straggling pile of time-wornmasonry, with all its narrow windows aflame with the evening light, andthe green of ivy softening its rugged simplicity. A square tower formedits major portion, and this had been built with no pretense at adornmentin troubled days when the Maxwells had won and held their possessionswith the mailed hand. They had been, for the most part, soldiers offortune, and their descendant recalled the traditions of his race as,turning, he looked south and east across the shining flood-tide towardthe Solway sands.
More of his forbears had, when there was scarcity at Culmeny--which wasgenerally the case--ridden that way in steel cap and dinted harness thanever rode back, and Carsluith Maxwell had hitherto fulfilled the familydestiny, chancing his life in modern ventures where the risks wereperhaps as heavy as any the old moss-troopers ran. Now, however, he hadcome to a turning-point in his career, and that night must decidewhether he applied his energies to the slow conversion of barren mossesinto arable land, or went forth again to seek his fortune over seas. Thewandering life appealed to his instincts; and fortune had not whollyevaded him; but he had recognized of late that unless he could share itwith one woman, even prosperity would have little value for him. Therewas a trace of melancholy almost akin to superstition in his nature, andit was with a curious smile that he turned toward Culmeny to put hisfate to the test. If Lilian Chatterton would not listen, it was hightime to begin his search for the African mine.
In the meantime, Hilton Dane sat in the hall of Culmeny waiting for aword with Maxwell, and also until it was time to keep his appointment atthe Hallows Brig. Three narrow, diamond-paned windows with rose lightsin the crown of their lancets pierced one end of the hall, and thefading sunlight beating through, forced up into brightness thepale-tinted dresses of his companions. They were young and comely women,and, because the rest of the dark-paneled room was wrapped in shadow,neither face nor dainty figure suffered from being silhouetted against asomber background. A cluster of late roses in a silver bowl, and thetawny skin of an African leopard on the polished floor, both touched bythe tinted gleam, formed by contrast glowing patches of color.Nevertheless, Dane's eyes most often rested upon Lilian Chatterton, whosat near an open window with a ruddy glory blazing in her hair, whilethe dark oak behind it emphasized the delicate chiseling of her face.There was a stamp of decision upon it as well as refinement.
"Is it not wonderfully peaceful to-night?" she said, glancing out acrossthe velvet lawn. A few roses still flowered along one side of it, a tallclipped hedge hemmed it in, and, beyond the lawn, fir wood, yellowstubble, and meadow rolled down to the silver shining of the sea. Thewhole lay steeped in the sunset, serenely beautiful; but the blackshadow of the firs lengthened rapidly across the grass.
"You are all very silent," the girl continued. "Why does not somebodyagree with me? Don't you think it peaceful, Margaret? This might be anenchanted garden, and yonder hedge a barrier impassable to care. It isgood to talk nonsense occasionally; and to-night one could almost fancythat no cause for trouble might enter here."
As she spoke, Dane noticed that the gloom of the firs had swallowed mostof the lawn, and the coincidence struck him as an unfortunate augury.Lilian had known little of either sorrow or care; and having learned bypainful experience that the balance of light and darkness is determinedby immutable law, the man trembled for her.
Margaret Maxwell laughed a little.
"You are distinctly fanciful. Culmeny has seen very little of eitherpeace or prosperity. The spot where this very garden stands was onceworn down by the hoofs of stolen cattle, and the feet of armed men benton exterminating the gentle Maxwells who plundered them. We also readthat the serpent entered Eden, and have the authority of Milton andothers for picturing the Prince of Darkness as a somewhat courtlygentleman; while one notices that when there is unusual harmony, troublenot infrequently follows the advent of a man. It is a coincidence, butthat ditty should herald Carsluith's coming."
A voice rose out of the adjoining meadow chanting a plaintive ditty inan unknown tongue. The air resembled nothing Lilian had heard before,and she leaned forward listening, for the refrain, pitched in amournful minor key, was equally striking.
"I did not know your brother sang so well; but I do not like that song.It strikes one as uncanny," she said.
Margaret Maxwell nodded.
"It is West African, and that, I understand, is an uncanny country. Mybrother spent some time there. He really sings--as he does most thingswhen he thinks it worth while, which is not always--tolerably well."
The song died away as Carsluith Maxwell came lightly across the lawn,and Dane noticed that the last of the sunlight faded and the shadowsshut in both himself and Lilian Chatterton when the newcomer enteredthrough the open window.
"I did not know I had such an audience, or I should have been toodiffident to play the nightingale," Maxwell laughed.
"Miss Chatterton did not like your song, though she admired itsrendering," said Margaret mischievously. "But what put that dolefulcomposition into your head to-night?"
"Association of ideas, most probably," answered Maxwell, with a smile onhis lips, but none in his eyes. "I met the post-carrier, and must decideforthwith whether I shall follow up my African scheme or not. It iscurious, but by the same token I'm standing with my heel on the neck ofthe leopard, and I feel inclined to say God send it be a true augury.You have your foot upon him, too, Miss Chatterton; and that is a veryill-omened beast."
"How so?" asked Lilian. "It cannot be very large or terrible, to judgeby its skin."
"It holds a country larger than Scotland in terror," replied Maxwell."There are whole tribes of black men who tremble at the sight of a tuftof leopard's fur."
"As an insignia, I suppose; but the beast is clearly vulnerable." Lilianstooped and pointed to the fur. "Surely that is the work of a bullet."
"You have keen eyes," said Maxwell. "The taxidermist did his best tohide it. That hole was made when I first pitted myself against theleopard by shooting one to convince my carriers the thing was mortal.For some time I suspected that was the beginning of a duel."
"And now?" interposed his sister, with a trace of anxiety.
"Now I almost hope I was mistaken," said Carsluith Maxwell. "With yourpermission, I have one or two things to see to, and should like a wordwith Hilton."
They went out together, and presently Dane returned alone to bid MissMaxwell adieu.
"You have been very patient during the last hour," said that lady. "Nowthat you have seen Carsluith, one could not, of course, expect too muchfrom you."
"I have been very self-indulgent," said Dane, who had seen the elfishchild again and promised to meet his correspondent. "Still, there is alimit to everybody's opportunities for enjoyment, and unfortunately Imust tear myself away."
Margaret Maxwell glanced at him sharply, for she fancied that he spokewith sincerity, as indeed he did; but Dane, having given his promise,intended to keep it. She also glanced at Lilian, and decided that MissChatterton was not wholly pleased.
"Carsluith proposed to drive you both home. Can you not wait until he isready?" she suggested.
"I fear I cannot," answered Dane, with a trace of confusion. "The factis, I have an appointment to keep."
He left them a trifle abruptly, and Miss Maxwell turned to Lilian.
"Whom can your guest have an appointment with? He looked positivelyguilty. I fear that he must have fallen into the toils of some rusticbeauty, which, considering his opportunities, shows a deplorablydefective taste."
If Lilian felt any resentment she showed no sign of it; but she was alittle more quiet than usual while they awaited the return of CarsluithMaxwell.
Dane, remembering Lilian's glance of interrogation, hurried toward theHallows Brig in a somewhat uncertain humor.
Though the hillside wasstill projected blackly against a pale gleam of saffron above, it wasnearly but not quite dark when he reached the bridge, and the water sangmournfully through the deepening gloom of the firs. The cool air wasfragrant with the faint sweetness of honeysuckle, and the calling ofcurlew rose from a misty meadow; and it seemed to Dane that the slight,shadowy figure which presently flitted toward him was in keeping withthe spirit of the scene. When the girl halted beside him there was stilljust sufficient light to show that her face was comely. Hilton Dane wasnot given to wandering fancies, and had long carried Lilian Chatterton'sphotograph about with him; but he felt compassionate when he saw theanxiety in the thin face, and noticed that the girl's lips werequivering.
"Miss Johnstone, I presume?" he said. "Will you please tell me why yousent for me?"
"I will try, sir," was the answer. "I have two little sisters to bringup on what I earn by my needle, and what Jim can spare; but work hasbeen ill to get at the quarries, and, now when Jim's in prison, andwinter's no far away, I'm afraid to wonder what will be the outcome ifhe is convicted."
"He should have considered such risks before he attempted to stealanother man's partridges," said Dane, with a poor attempt at severity.
"Poaching is not stealing, sir!" There was a ring in the girl's voice."Sorrow on the game that steals the farmer's corn to make a rich man'spleasure, and tempts a poor man to his ruin! May ye never learn, sir,what it is to choose between stealing and starving."
"The question is, what do you wish me to do?"
"To let Jim off, sir," was the answer; and the girl's eyes were eager totearfulness as she fixed them on the man, who frowned, perhaps becausehe felt the appeal in them almost irresistible. "It was a dark night,and maybe ye could not be quite certain. It was the others who temptedhim. He will go no more poaching if he once wins clear, and if thefiscal sends him to prison the bairns will be hungry often or thewinter's through. It's for their sakes I'm asking; and the neighbors saythere will be no conviction if ye cannot swear to Jim."
Perhaps it was Dane's duty to sternly rebuke the pleader, but sheappeared half-fed and desperately anxious; and the face of her tinysister, with its look of childish confidence, rose up before his fancy.He had once, and with little compunction, cut down with a shovel afrenzied Italian laborer who led a mutiny, but now, though he set hislips firmly for a moment, his eyes were pitiful.
"I am afraid what you suggest would not be right," he said presently."Does your father not help you at all?"
The girl's "No," expressed a good deal, and the despair in her voicecompleted the man's discomfiture.
"I'm sorry; I had no right to ask," he said. "I am sure, at least, thatit was not your brother who broke my head, because--because he was notin a position to attack anybody just then--and, for the sake of thelittle ones, if there is any doubt at all--and I dare say there will be,he shall have full benefit. But I cannot set him at liberty to continuepoaching; and the neighboring land-owners will probably see that he getsno more work at the quarries; so he must take a letter from me to acontractor who will no doubt find him employment."
Here, to the consternation of Dane, who did not know that his underfedand overworked companion had done a courageous and, in the eyes of herneighbors, a very suspicious thing, the girl broke out into half-chokedsobbing.
"You really must not cry," he pleaded awkwardly. "It is distressing tome; and it is not my fault that your brother's friends cut my head open.However, as I am the unfortunate cause of your distress, if the littleones have suffered already it would be my duty to--to see theydidn't--you understand me?"
The girl, though still tearful, drew herself up with some show of pride.
"I'm no asking ye for money. The relief was just overmuch for me; but,and it's a last favor, ye will no tell Miss Chatterton. Her good wordmeans work and bread to me."
"I am not likely to tell Miss Chatterton," the man assured her; thenadded in haste: "If I did, she would not blame you."
"Maybe! Ye will not tell her," the girl said enigmatically, and thenonce more caught her breath.
Dane, being unpleasantly uncertain what she might say or do in anhysterical attack, felt it incumbent on him to soothe her, and laid ahand reassuringly on her shoulder. It is possible that his companionfound comfort in the grasp, or instinctively recognized the touch of anhonest man, for she made no effort to evade it. As it happened, the lanewas grass-grown and sandy, and the river frothed noisily down a rapidbeyond the bridge. Thus neither of them heard the fall of hoofs until asudden glare of light beat into the face of the man. Fate had decreedthat the driver of the approaching vehicle should not only light thelamps a little earlier than usual, but choose the longest road.
The result was unfortunate, for Dane, acting on impulse, drew the girlfarther back into the shadow of the hedge, and stood before her with hishand still on her arm. The light had partly dazzled him, but herecognized in the occupants of the dog-cart Lilian Chatterton andCarsluith Maxwell, and barely choked back an expletive. Neither, if theyhad seen him, showed any sign of recognition, which, however, was hardlyto be expected under the circumstances. Then, as the vehicle jolted on,the girl, seeing the chagrin in the man's face, gazed at him curiously,and with half-coherent thanks hurried away, leaving Dane in a state ofsavage dismay.
"It is confoundedly hard on an unfortunate and innocent man! This is asituation which will require considerable explaining, and I shallprobably never have an opportunity for attempting it," he muttered.
In the meantime Lilian Chatterton felt the hot blood surge upward fromher neck, and was thankful that the darkness partly hid her face. It istrue that she had effectively, so she hoped, put an end to anyaspirations Dane might have cherished; but when he had once accepted theposition there was no longer any necessity to conceal the fact that to acertain degree she found his society congenial, or to consider how farher interest in him might carry her. His complaisance had been the moregratifying because she fancied it was not every woman who could bendsuch an individual to her will. Lilian, however, had not only set up asomewhat elevated standard of conduct for herself, but was inclined tojudge harshly those who fell beneath it; and now she was unmistakably,if illogically, angry. The knowledge that the man had gone out freshfrom her presence to keep such an assignation stung her pride to thequick, and brought the crimson to her very forehead. It was, sheconsidered, an unforgivable insult. Still, she had but seen him dimlyfor a second, and might be mistaken, and so she turned toward hercompanion.
"It is curious that I should fancy there was something familiar in thevoices we overheard," she said as lightly as she could.
Maxwell had learned discretion.
"Voices are always deceptive," he answered. "One should never trust to afanciful resemblance. The bridge is a favorite trysting-place for rusticlovers; as one result of the sudden appearance of a pair of them, thisexcitable beast managed to upset me the last time I approached it."
Carsluith Maxwell had done his best for his friend, and it was not hisfault that he had only confirmed the girl's suspicions, and set herwondering if all men were equally perfidious.
"That being so, was it not very thoughtless of you to drive me thisway?" she inquired, with some asperity.
"Guilty," laughed Maxwell. "May I plead in extenuation that it is thelongest?"
He sprang down and looped the reins round a gatepost when they reachedthe winding drive which led up to The Larches.
"Do you mind alighting here, Miss Chatterton?" he asked.
"No," said Lilian. "But may I inquire the reason?"
"A desire not to risk your safety a second time. The drive is very dark,the horse addicted to bolting on opportunity; and it would be hard to dojustice to what I must tell you if I were forced to watch him. The taskis sufficiently beyond me already; I would give a good deal for thepower of eloquence."
Lilian was startled, for the speaker had certainly not worn his heart onhis sleeve.
"Could you not wait until to-morrow?" she asked wi
th some trepidation.
"I am afraid not," said Maxwell, a trifle grimly. "I fear this must be asurprise to you, but circumstances prevent my waiting, and it is evenbetter to hear one's sentence than to remain in suspense. Won't youlisten?"
Lilian, seeing there was no escape, bent her head; and, if Maxwell hadnot the gift of eloquence, he could compress a good deal into a fewbrief sentences. There was no superfluous protestation. The man spokeabruptly, but Lilian could not doubt the earnestness in his voice, or,as he stood hat in hand under the lamplight, mistake the look in hiseyes. She saw that what he offered was the enduring love of one whocould be trusted to the utmost, and the few pointed words revealeddepths of tenderness she had hardly suspected in him.
"I am sorry, very sorry--but it is impossible," she said softly.
Maxwell moved a pace or two forward, and his face seemed to have grownsuddenly haggard.
"Think," he urged hoarsely. "This means so much to me. Will it always beimpossible? I shall not change."
Lilian fancied she could believe him. She looked him fully in the eyesas she answered.
"It can never be possible. I am sorry. If I had known, I should havetried to warn you. You must forget me."
Maxwell recognized finality in her tone. For the space of severalseconds he turned his head away. Then he faced round again, speakingvery quietly:
"You have nothing to reproach yourself with. The mistake was mine. Ishall, however, never forget you; and I want you to promise that if anyadversity overtakes you--which God forbid--you will remember me. I sailfor Africa shortly, and it may be long before we meet again. Now I willwalk with you up the drive."
He held out his arm, and Lilian wondered a little at his composure asshe laid her hand on it and they passed together into the blackness ofthe firs.
Miss Chatterton had not long joined her aunt when Dane came in, andglanced in her direction as he made some not oversapient observation toChatterton. She did not avoid his gaze, but met it coldly, and,gathering up some needlework, moved without ostentation, butdeliberately, out of the room. No speech could have been plainer, andDane grew hot, while the fingers of one hand contracted without hiswill.
"You don't look well, Hilton," remarked Thomas Chatterton. "Is your headtroubling you?"
"No," said Dane. "I must have walked tolerably fast, and I am perhaps atrifle shaky yet. With Mrs. Chatterton's permission I will go out andsmoke a cigar."
He passed out, and the iron-master smiled as he looked at his wife.
"Can you tell me what is the meaning of this?" he asked.
"Your inquiry is indefinite; and why do you ask me?"
"Because I think you ought to know," Chatterton answered dryly. "Womengenerally have a finger in it whenever there is trouble."
"Even if true, that is not strikingly original," Mrs. Chattertonretorted. "I have not noticed anything unusual."
"Then listen," and Chatterton pointed toward the window. "When a youngman goes out for a stroll he does not usually stamp in that savagefashion upon the gravel. Now, I want your candid opinion."
"You shall have it," said the lady, smiling. "I believe that no goodever resulted from a choleric elderly gentleman's interference inaffairs beyond his comprehension."
Meanwhile Carsluith Maxwell stood talking to his sister in the hall ofCulmeny.
"After what has happened, the sooner I get out on my African venture themore pleasant it will be for all concerned," he said gloomily. "It is agood country where one can forget one's troubles; in fact, there are somany peculiarly its own that I don't know a better."
"Poor Carsluith! It will be a heavy disappointment to father. He isfailing more rapidly than I care to notice, and had begun to lean onyou. I don't think I can forgive her. Yes; go out, and forget her."
"It was not Miss Chatterton's fault," Maxwell declared quickly. "Shenever, to use the inappropriate phrase, encouraged me. It was my ownfolly to hope that she could stoop to me."
"Without any wish to flatter you, I consider that Miss Chatterton mighthave stooped a good deal farther," said Margaret Maxwell. "However, weneed not go into that; and I am only sorry you are so hardly hit. Iwonder if it was because of Dane?"
"No," Maxwell answered with decision. "I can't exactly tell you why, butI am certain it was not because of Dane."
His sister said nothing further, though she was not convinced. Her heartwas heavy for her brother, because she knew the Maxwell temperament, andthat he was not the man to change.
Carsluith passed out into the darkness, and leaning against a fir, spokehalf aloud:
"No man Miss Chatterton had smiled upon could scatter his affections asDane seems to have done. Pshaw! The thing is perfectly impossible!"
This was, perhaps, a greater tribute to the speaker's loyalty than tohis knowledge of human nature, though Carsluith Maxwell was usuallyaccounted a shrewd man.