CHAPTER XXXI
CHECKMATE
"Well," exclaimed Mrs. Muir, when they appeared at last; "I thoughtyou and Madge had eloped!"
"We are going to to-morrow by first train," said the young girl."Henry says he must return to town for the day, and I shall accompanyhim to do some shopping."
"Now, Henry, this is too bad, and I've scarcely seen you thisevening."
"I'm truly sorry, Mary; I did look forward to a good quiet day withyou, but there is an important matter which I neglected to see toto-day, and which must be attended to. Graydon will soon be ready torelieve me a great deal."
"Well, I shall be glad when he can do something besides waiting on Mr.Arnault's convenience for the privilege of seeing Miss Wildmere. Itwill be a terribly long, fatiguing day for you, Madge--for you both,indeed!"
"Oh, I shan't mind it in the least! It won't be half so fatiguing asone of my long rides. You spoke of wanting some things, and I can shopfor you, too."
Mrs. Muir had long since given up the idea of objecting seriously toanything for which business was the alleged reason. The chance to dosome shopping by proxy soon occupied her mind, and when Miss Wildmeretook occasion to pass and repass, the only apparent topic of interestin the Muir group was the prospect of purchasing some expensive goods.
Madge retired early to prepare for her journey. Mrs. Muir soonfollowed, and her husband remarked that he would merely remain downlong enough to write a note to Graydon. This missive was brief, butwas charged with dynamite.
On the morrow, long before Miss Wildmere waked from the golden dreamswhich that day should realize, Madge and Mr. Muir were on their wayto the city. The young girl had said: "Don't let us do anything byhalves. I have read that in the crisis of a battle timid measuresare often fatal. Let me give you everything that you can use ascollateral. How much is there?"
"Sixty thousand available at once. As I have said, you shall have yourown way."
"Well, for once a woman is wiser than Solomon."
They went immediately to the trust company which had her property inkeeping, and, having complied with the forms, obtained the entire sum,then parted on Broadway, to rendezvous at the train. Mr. Muir gave theradiant girl a look which she valued more than the money. He then wentto his bank. The official whom he accosted had been rather cold andshy of late, but when he received the securities he grew perceptiblyurbane.
On reaching his office Mr. Muir found that a transaction whichhad been greatly delayed was now consummated, and that another tenthousand in cash was available. This also was sent to the bank atonce. Several business men were present when a confidential clerk fromArnault appeared, and asked for a private interview.
"Well, really you must excuse me to-day. I'm very busy, and expect toleave town in an hour or two. Please state what you have to say in fewwords, or else I will see you next week."
"Mr. Arnault," began the clerk, in a metallic tone, "says that he iscompelled to call in the loan he recently made you."
"Oh, certainly, certainly! Have you the securities I gave him ascollateral?"
"No, sir, but I can get them," said the man.
"Do so, and I will give you my check. Thank Mr. Arnault for theaccommodation, and say I have thirty or forty thousand to spare shouldhe be hard pressed. Be quick."
The Wall Street men present looked at one another significantly, andone of them remarked, "You are forehanded for these times, Muir."
"If this absurd lack of confidence would only pass," was thecareless reply, "I should have more money on hand than I could investprofitably;" and then he appeared absorbed in other matters.
Arnault received the message from his clerk with something likedismay, and turning on Mr. Wildmere, who was present, he said, almostsavagely, "You have been misleading me."
"Indeed I have not, sir--not intentionally. I can't understand it."
"Well, I can. Muir is an old fox in business. I was a fool to thinkthat a paltry thirty thousand would trouble him. Well, there isnothing to do but to close the matter up."
"What, in regard to my daughter?" said Mr. Wildmere, inadvertently.
"Oh, no; confound it! What has she got to do with this affair?"replied Arnault, with an irritation that he could not disguise. "Icertainly have made Miss Wildmere a fair offer; some would regard itas more. I shall go up to-night and receive her answer, as I promised.I am one who never fails in a promise to man or woman, and I am readyto make good all that I have authorized you to say to your daughter,and more."
"Let me add," said Mr. Wildmere, with some assumption of dignity,"that as far as I have influence it is absolutely yours. I have everprided myself on my fidelity to those who trust me."
"Thanks," replied Arnault, with a little menacing coldness in histone. "I hope I shall have proof of the fact this evening. If so, allshall go swimmingly."
Poor Wildmere bowed himself out with trepidation at heart, and Arnaultfollowed him with a dark look, muttering, "Let them both beware."
Mr. Muir met Madge at the depot, and was quietly jubilant. Bothlaughed heartily over the experiences of the day.
"You are a blessed little woman, Madge. I was never so off my balancebefore in my life as I was last night. When confused and upset, it isone of my impulses to stick to some principle of right, like a mule.Bless you, I think I have secured you twice over! I have given you alien on property worth two hundred thousand in ordinary times."
"You have taught me to lean on you once more, Henry, and that is worthmore than all your other liens."
Mr. Arnault now appeared, and came affably forward, saying, "I am gladmy enforced action did not incommode you to-day."
"Thank you. I trust you are not in trouble, Mr. Arnault;" and therewas a world of quiet satire in the remark.
"Oh, no--only a temporary need, I assure you," was the hasty reply.
"So I supposed;" and as Arnault turned away, the speaker gave Madge ahumorous glance, which made her look of demure innocence difficult tomaintain.
* * * * *
Graydon had enjoyed fair success in fishing, and yet had not beensupremely happy. He found, with the venerated Izaak Walton, that the"gentle art" was conducive to contemplation; but there were certainphases in his situation that were not agreeable to contemplate. As hefollowed the trout-stream amid the solitudes of nature, the artificialand conventional in life grew less attractive. In spite of his effortsto the contrary, Miss Wildmere seemed to represent just these phases.He recalled critically and dispassionately all the details of theirpast acquaintance, and found, with something like dismay, that she hadexhibited only the traits of a society belle--that he could recallno new ideas or inspiring thoughts received from her. The apparentself-sacrifice for her father, which he had so unequivocallycondemned, was, after all, about the best thing he knew of her. Theglamour of her beauty had been upon his eyes, and he had credited herwith corresponding graces of heart and mind. What evidence had he oftheir existence?
The more he thought of it, the more his pride, also, rebelled at theignominious position in the background that he was compelled to takewhile the Wall Street diplomacy was prolonged. At last, in anger anddisgust, he resolved that, if he found Arnault in his old position byStella's side, he would withdraw at once and forever.
After all, although he was as yet unconscious of it, the secret of hisclarified vision was the influence of Madge upon his mind. She seemedin harmony with every beautiful aspect of nature--true and satisfying,while ever changing. Madge was right: the mountains, streams, rocks,and trees became her allies, suggesting her and not Miss Wildmere.He would have returned, for the pleasure of her society, but for hispurpose not to appear again until Arnault should have time to arrivefrom the city and resume his attentions. If they were received as inthe past, he would write to Miss Wildmere his withdrawal of furtherclaims upon her thoughts.
It was with something like bitter cynicism that he saw his illusionsin regard to Miss Wildmere fade, and when he drove up to the hotelafter nig
htfall on Saturday, he was not sure that he cared much whather answer might be, so apathetic had he become. The force of his oldregard was not wholly spent; but in his thoughts of her, much that wasrepugnant to his feelings and ideals had presented itself to his mind,and he felt that the giving up of his dream of lifelong companionshipwith her would almost bring a sense of relief. Without pausing toanalyze the reason of his eagerness to see Madge and hear of herwelfare, he ran up at once to Mrs. Muir's room.
"Madge went to New York!" he echoed, in surprise at Mrs. Muir'sinformation.
"Yes; why not? She went to do some shopping for herself and me. MissWildmere's here, and, for a wonder, Mr. Arnault is not. What morecould you ask?"
"Hang Mr. Arnault--" He had come near mentioning both in hisirritation.
"When will Madge and Henry arrive?"
"Soon now--on the nine-o'clock train. Oh, by the way, Henry left anote for you!"
"Very well. I'll go to my room, dress, and meet them."
"He is asking after Madge rather often, it seems to me. She doesn'tcompare so very unfavorably with the speculator, after all, even inhis eyes."
On reaching his room he threw himself wearily into a chair, andcarelessly tore open his brother's note. Instantly he bounded to hisfeet, approached the light more closely, and saw in his brother'sunmistakable hand the following significant words:
"Read this letter carefully and thoughtfully; then destroy it. Showyour knowledge of its contents by neither word nor sign. Be on yourguard, and permit no one to suspect financial anxieties. Arnault andWildmere have struck me a heavy blow. The former has lent me money.I must raise a large sum in town, but think I can do it, even in thebrief time permitted. If I cannot we lose everything. If I don't haveto suspend to-morrow Miss Wildmere will accept you in the evening. Shehas been waiting till those two precious confederates, her father andArnault, did their worst, so that she could go over to the winningside. You are of course your own master, but permit me, as yourbrother, affectionately and solemnly to warn you. Stella Wildmerewill never bring you a day's happiness or peace. She loves herselfinfinitely more than you, her father, or any one else. Be true to me,and you shall share my fortunes. If you follow some insane notion ofbeing true to her, you will soon find you have been false to yourself.Again I warn you. Speak to no one of all this, and give no sign ofyour knowledge. HENRY."
Graydon read this twice, then crushed the paper in his hand as hemuttered, "Fool, dupe, idiot! Now at last I understand her game andallusions. She was made to fear that Henry was about to fail, andshe would not accept me until satisfied on this point. Great God! myinfatuation for her has been inciting Arnault in these critical timesto break my brother down, and her father has been aiding and abetting,in order that I might be removed out of the way. She was so falseherself that she suspected her own father, also Arnault, of deceivingher, and so kept putting me off, that she might learn the truth oftheir predictions or the result of their efforts. How clear it allbecomes, now that I have the key! Well, I should be worse than aheathen if I did not thank God for such an escape."