CHAPTER XIV.
TEARS AND ORANGE FLOWERS.
In the morning Sedgwick got a cup of coffee early, and was just goingout, when Grace came running up to him in the hall.
"I believe you were running away," she said gaily, and, seizing his arm,declared that he was her prisoner.
He told her that it was true he was running away, but would be backbefore very long, and would then, he thought, explain everything.
"Then I am still very angry," said she. "I am going to my room to make acalculation how much I am being slighted, and to consult the fates as towhat penalties shall be prescribed before you can possibly hope forforgiveness." Then she smiled, stretched out her hand to be kissed byhim, then opened the door and said softly, "Do not be too long away."
Sedgwick went again to Jordan's hotel; found him and told him briefly allthat had happened; all about Browning, the love affairs of both, and howJack had been taken in on the mine; ran over the prospectus of the "Wedgeof Gold," and explained that he meant to visit the property; that if itcould be made available with the means he had, he intended to improve itand bring Jack's shares up to cost; that no one but his Grace and hermother was to know when he went away, that he was not going to America,and that he wanted some one with him who understood gold quartz.
Jordan listened with increasing interest as the story was told,interrupting only when Sedgwick spoke of his love for Grace Meredith, andwhen he explained how Jack had been swindled.
To the first he joyfully responded: "I am glad, old boy, blast mybroad-horned heart if I aint! She's a daisy; she's a real woman; and Ithank God she found yo' and tuk pity on yo'."
To the other he said: "Well, the dod-durned, Newgate, Rotten Row, Britishthieves! How I would like to 'ave 'em in Texas for one short quarter of ahour!"
His enthusiasm was at its height at the close of Sedgwick's story. Hecried out:
"It'll be glorious, Jim. Ef the mine can be worked up, we'll make it,sho'." Then after a pause, he said slowly as to himself, in a low tone:"It'll take me outer myself, maybe; that'll be wo'th mo' to me than agold mine."
"But it is a tough time of year," said Sedgwick. "The Red Sea and theocean beyond will be like furnaces at this season."
"Red Sea, ocean, furnace, everything, goes," said Jordan. "I enlist fo'ther wah."
Another meeting was arranged for that afternoon, and Sedgwick returned tothe Hamlin home.
He went direct to Browning's room, tapped on Jack's door, and then walkedin. Jack was leaning upon the table, thinking, and was so engrossed thathe did not hear the tap or the opening of the door.
He started up as Sedgwick laid his hand on his shoulder, and said: "Idon't believe, Jim, that I heard you come in."
"That's all right," said Sedgwick, "but, Jack, you must hear me now."Then sitting down close beside his friend, Sedgwick went on:
"I have thought this business all out, Jack. I believe the prime motivefor this swindle was to separate you and Rose, and prevent your marriage.The first thing to do then, is to secure that matter. You must see Rose,and if she is willing, you must be married to-morrow. I think she willconsent, and that her mother will approve it when she shall have beentold the truth. This must be, Jack; first, because those old scoundrelswill continue to plot against the marriage until they know it is of nomore use; and second, I want to go away to-morrow evening."
"It cannot be," said Browning. "They took all my money. They left me buta beggarly L12,500."
"How much did you keep thinking through so long a time would besufficient to accumulate before you could come back and 'try to stealRose Jenvie?'" asked Sedgwick.
"O yes, I know," said Browning; "but then it was different."
"What have you told Rose about your money matters?" asked Sedgwick.
"Not one word," was the reply.
"Do you think she expects a no-account boy to go off to America, and withnothing but his head and his hands to accumulate more than L12,500 inthree or four years?" asked Sedgwick. "But this is all foolishness, oldboy," he continued. "The last half of the money those old men obtainedfrom you can be recovered easily, if not all; if that, after awhile,proves to be the best thing to do. And, moreover, I tell you that we arepartners in this, and that we still have as much money as you and I canvery well handle. I must have my way about this, old friend."
"But if you are going away, why cannot I go with you?" asked Browning.
"For several reasons," replied Sedgwick. "If you remain here, or go downon your farm in Devonshire, the conclusion of Jenvie and Hamlin will be,that with your money mostly gone, all I could do was to return toAmerica.
"Again, no one knows how much more money you have. You must remain. Begenerous at the club, move among men, keep the prestige that you have wonsince you came here; be entirely independent; keep your eye on the manthe mine was bought from, even if you have to pay him a salary to insurehis remaining here, and so be in a position to help through any line ofaction we may agree upon. More, you must restrain yourself and have notrouble with young Stetson. He is as much fool as knave.
"Another reason is, that Rose has already waited years for you, and itwould be a wicked and cruel thing to disappoint her again. It would killher and unman you. No, no, you must be married to-morrow. But Jack, if Iwere you, I would never take my wife back under the Jenvie roof untilfull reparation should be made. See her, and gain her consent to animmediate marriage; then go and hire a house or make arrangements at ahotel to live, and I want you to promise that you will not, after Ishall have gone, bring any suit or make any sign that you have suffered aloss, or bother yourself much about business until I come back, or youreceive word of me. I will fix money matters before I go, so that youwill not be troubled. And now, think it over."
When Jack aroused himself, Sedgwick had disappeared. He sat in silencefor a few minutes, then rose, went out, secured a conveyance, called andasked Rose to go out for a drive.
On the road he explained to Rose all that had happened; how rich he waswhen he came home; how his confidence had been betrayed; how little hehad left, and then asked if the dear girl was still willing to be hiswife, and if she would consent to become his wife next day.
She laid her hand on his, and said: "Dear Jack! it was to be for alltime; your home to be my home; your God my God. I will be ready when youcome for me. I will go exultingly to become your wife; my joy will be thedeeper, for it will be chilled with no fear of the future, which it mighthave been had I known you possessed L100,000. What you have is enough forus. But, Jack, let me begin to influence you. Do not take a shilling ofyour friend's money unless you know that we can some time return it."
Later, Jack found a lovely furnished house, the owner of which desired tovacate for a year; hired it, paid a year's rent in advance, engaged theservants of the family, and explained that he would bring his wife on thesucceeding day.
On that same day, Sedgwick sought Grace, and made clear to her thesituation, explaining how Jack had been wronged, what he had advised todo him, and unfolded his own plan to leave the next day, so soon asBrowning and Miss Jenvie should be married--with Jordan for South Africa,to see if it was worth while to try to bring out the property, explainingthat if the mine gave no strong promise he would be back in two or threemonths. If, on the other hand, he and Jordan decided it was good, hemight be absent for a year, and asked her if she would keep the secret ofwhere he had gone, and if she were sure enough of her own heart toundertake to wait for him.
Grace had grown very white and still while Sedgwick was speaking. When heceased she continued silent for a moment, and then said:
"I agree to it all, my king, all but one thing."
"And what is that, sweet?" asked Sedgwick.
She leaned over, put her arm around her lover's neck, laid her cheekagainst his, and said: "If Jack and Rose are to be married to-morrow, weshould be married also."
"But I am going away, my child," said Sedgwick.
"I know," was her response, "but one object of my fath
er in trying tobreak off the match between Jack and Rose was to try to have Jack marryme. We should complete the work. Then, should you need me, or could yousend for me, I could go better as your wife than any other way; then,when I gave my heart to you I gave it entirely, and should we never meet,I would, while I lived, want to keep in thought that you were my husband;that I was your wife; that all glory had come to me."
By this time the tears were flowing fast down her cheeks, and with tearsin his own eyes, Sedgwick said:
"I wanted to ask you, dearest, to become my wife before I went away, butthought it a shame to so involve you, with a future so clouded as mine isto be for the coming months."
"You forget," she replied, "that it is my right in your absence to thinkof you as my husband."
So it was settled that on the next day, just before noon, they should bemarried; that they should separate at the church, she to return with hermother, Sedgwick to start with Jordan on their long journey.
Then Grace called her mother. The matter was explained to her, and shereadily consented to the marriage, saying to Sedgwick: "You know I askedyou, in case Grace returned your affection, that the matter might for thepresent be held a secret. My reason was that I felt that somethingsinister, which I could not understand, was at work. I think you andGrace have a right to belong to each other; that if you must go away.Grace is right in wishing that when you are gone she can think of you asher husband."
So arranged, Sedgwick went to find Jordan. A steamer had sailed theprevious day from Southampton for Port Natal, via the Suez Canal, andSedgwick's plan was to join that ship at Port Said.
He found Jordan, told him of the change in the arrangements; fixed withhim to have all needed baggage at the Dover depot, to meet him at thechurch at 11:30 next day, and after the ceremony to start with him fromthe church on their long journey.
"I'll be thar, old friend," said Jordan. "Thet's ther sensible business.Make ther splendid girl yo'r wife, and pervide for her so thet ifanything happens she'll be safe agin the petty cares that break women'shearts."
Then Sedgwick returned to the Hamlin house, and went straight to Jack'sroom.
Browning greeted him with a smile, and said, "Jim, old pard, it's allright. The marriage goes, even as you planned, and I have found andsecured a nest for my bird."
"Good," said Sedgwick; "but the arrangements have been changed a little;or, I might say, enlarged upon a little. As I understand it now, you,with Rose and her mother, will be at the church at 11:30 to-morrow. Iwill be there with Mrs. Hamlin and Grace. We will be the witnesses ofyour marriage, and then, Jack, old man, you and Mrs. Browning must bewitnesses for Grace and me."
Jack sprang from his chair, and cried: "Are you and Grace fond of eachother?"
"Well, somewhat, I trust," said Sedgwick.
"And you are really engaged?" cried Jack.
"For all this life, at least," said Sedgwick; then added gravely, "andheaven itself would be a cold and cheerless place to me without my savingGrace."
Then Browning wrung the hand of Sedgwick, embraced him, danced around theroom; then shook hands again, crying: "This is superb! this is glorious,by Jove! Why, of course it would be all wrong any other way. O, Jim,bless my soul, how glad I am!"
Then Sedgwick said: "Browning, we have not much time. You understand Iwill leave my wife"--his voice trembled--"at the church door. I am goingaway--where, no matter--with a thought in my mind which, please, do notask me. I may be gone two months, maybe six months.
"Here is my will. Grace will keep it. Here is a check for her, which willsecure her comfort, so far as money is concerned. Here is a check forL10,000 for you and Rose. Grace will return from the church to thishouse. If our marriage cause any friction here, she will go and live withyou and Rose. I am glad you have secured a house. If I were you, Irepeat, I would never take Rose under the roof of her step-father until Ireceived full restitution from him. Do not discuss this money part of thebusiness any more; it will do you no good. And when I am gone, do not getlow spirited. Make life happy for Rose, and"--he halted a moment--"forGrace."
The dinner was not a happy one that day. A cloud was on the Hamlin house.As soon as possible the head of the house went out. He was quicklyfollowed by Browning.
The eyes of Grace and Sedgwick met. They both rose from the table andpassed into the hall. Grace twined her arms around one of his and led himinto the parlor. She swung around an easy chair, made him sit down, thenseated herself on an ottoman at his feet, and said: "It's going to beawfully hard to bear, my love; but I have thought it all over, and I donot believe I should ever be quite satisfied if you should not performwhat you have marked out as your duty. Of course, if the property willnot bear examination, you will, if nothing wrong happens you, be back intwo or three months. If it will justify further exertion, I understand itwill be likely to keep you away for a year, and that will be fearful."
The tears filled her eyes.
"But that will be duty, and then if you conclude to remain, maybe youwill send for me. It will not matter how I live. I would go now, but Iknow I would be a trouble to you. I should interfere with your work.To-day you would want to go here; to-night, there; to-morrow you wouldwant to be off on the mountains; and while I do not imagine you wouldthink me a burden, nevertheless your very best energies could not beexerted, and this time they must be."
She seemed very resolute as she spoke, though her face was sadder thanSedgwick had ever seen it. She continued:
"I shall be brave when the hour comes, my love. I shall not vex you witha tear when we separate. You shall carry a smile as my last gift awaywith you."
Sedgwick was enchanted. He thought her the grandest, noblest woman onearth, and thanked God for his treasure.
After awhile he told her of Jordan, and all that he had learned from him.When he rehearsed Jordan's love episode, she kept exclaiming: "Poor, trueman! Poor, honest fellow!" But when it was finished, she said: "Why,love, he is a ninny; that woman would never have left him had he but hadmore faith in himself, and pressed his suit a little. I am glad he isgoing with you. You will be a comfort to him, and his mind will have anobject to work upon. Poor fellow!" she added with a sad smile. "You menare very brave and bright. You tear down mountains, exalt valleys, fightbattles, navigate great ships, tame wild horses and lasso wild oxen, butyou do not--the majority of you--know any more about a woman's heart thana Fiji islander does of Sanscrit."
To all of which Sedgwick responded by calling her an angel.
Then the matter of their marriage was talked over, and Sedgwick advisedthat in case her step-father should be angry upon learning of the event,she should take up her home with Jack and Rose.
"My father will not show much vexation," she said. "If he begins thatway, I will remind him of the fortune he has taken from your friend, hisown step-son, and explain that it was his and Jenvie's work that madenecessary what we shall have done."
But it was agreed that all letters to her should be sent to a private boxin the post-office, to which Sedgwick gave her the key. It was agreed,moreover, that even Jack should not know he had not gone to America,because, as he explained, if Jack once suspected he was going to Africa,he, too, would insist upon going, which would break Rose's heart, who hadalready waited for years; and then his going would be altogetherunnecessary, as he and Jordan could do as well as three could. Moreover,to go would be to lose what he had advanced on the Devonshire estate.
They both tried to be cheerful, but it was a sad night. When they came toseparate, Grace broke down, but through her tears promised to be bravewhen the final trial came.
Next morning, from half past nine to half past ten, Sedgwick and Gracewere saying their final good-byes. It was an hour never to be forgottenby them. Grace did not attempt to restrain her tears. In both theirhearts was the feeling that one has when the last look is being taken ofthe face of a much-loved one who has gone to the final rest. There werekisses and embraces and broken words, but there was no faltering oneither side. Both were supp
orted by the thought that a duty had beenpresented and must not be avoided.
At 10:30 they retired to their respective apartments. Sedgwick dressedhimself in a business suit of a dark texture. Grace attired herself in atraveling suit and hat. The baggage of Sedgwick was sent off at 11:15,and both were ready when the carriage came. The carriage with Mrs.Jenvie, Rose and Browning came up almost immediately, and the twovehicles proceeded to the church. Quite a little company had gathered,drawn by curiosity, when the church doors were opened.
Jordan was present, radiant in a new suit, with a flower in his coatlapel, and he answered the smile and nod that each couple gave him asthey passed up the aisle.
As stated before, Grace was in a traveling suit, but Rose was radiant inrobe and train and orange wreath, and a buzz of admiration at herexquisite beauty followed her all the way to her place before the altar.
The ceremony proceeded in the usual order. The mothers gave the bridesaway; the last prayer was finished, the kisses given, the papers dulysigned and witnessed, the certificates filled out and given to therespective brides, and the company turned to leave the church.
Then Jordan came forward. Sedgwick presented the two elder ladies to him,and all greeted him most cordially. In response he said:
"It's the whitest kind uv a day. I'm glad ter know yo' all; glad tercongratulate yo', and I wanter say ter Mrs. Sedgwick--Grace grew rosy redon hearing the appellation--that I've know'd her husband a long time, andhe's true blue, sho'; there's not a better or a braver man on either sideo' ther ocean."
With that he drew a package from his pocket, and tendered it to Grace,saying: "I wanter give yo' a little keepsake fo' yo' husband's sake."
It was a jewel case and contained a diamond cross worth L300.
At the church door the good-byes were spoken. Browning and his brideentered one carriage and were driven away to Jack's home. The two elderladies and Sedgwick's bride entered the other carriage.
True to her promise, Grace gave to her husband, who stood near, a smilinggood-bye, but when the carriage was driven away, she broke intouncontrollable sobs, wrung her hands piteously, and not until she reachedhome did the paroxysm of grief subside. She went to her room, laid by allher bright dresses and ornaments, robed herself in simple black--"inmourning," she said, "for my lost honey-moon."
Sedgwick and Jordan entered a carriage, and from it boarded the Dovertrain. Not a word was spoken until the train had passed beyond the greatcity's outermost limit, when at last Jordan said:
"Cum, Jim, brace up. It'll be all the sweeter when this accursed bittercup shall be passed."
And Sedgwick answered: "You are right, old friend, but the dear girl willsuffer. That last smile was such as is given when hearts break."