CHAPTER XVI
RICHARD
I came in to breakfast with Reuben, feeling that Dapple had been moreof a gentleman than I had, for he had treated the maiden withgentleness and courtesy, while I had thought first of myself. Shelooked up at me as I entered so humbly and deprecatingly that I wishedthat I had bitten my tongue out rather than have spoken so harshly.
Straightforward Reuben went to the girl, and, holding out his hand,said:
"Emily, I want to ask thy forgiveness. I've been like a bear towardthee. Thee's the bravest girl I ever saw. No country girl would havedared to do what thee did. I didn't need to have Richard lecture me andtell me that; but I thought thee was kind of down on Richard, and I'vea way of standing by my friends."
With a face like a peony she turned and took both of the boy's hands asshe said warmly:
"Thank you, Reuben. I'd take a much greater risk to win yourfriendship, and if you'll give it to me I'll be very proud of it. Youare going to make a genuine man."
"Yes, Reuben, thee'll make a man," said his mother, with a low laugh."Thee is as blind as a man already."
I looked at her instantly, but she dropped her eyes demurely to herplate. I saw that Mr. Hearn was watching me, and so did not look atMiss Warren.
"Well," said he irritably, "I don't like such escapades; and Emily, ifanything of the kind happens again, I'll have to take you to a saferplace."
His face was flushed, but hers was very pale.
"It won't happen again," she said quietly, without looking up.
"Richard," said Mr. Yocomb, as if glad to change the subject, "I've gotto drive across the country on some business. I will have to be goneall day. Would thee like to go with me?"
"Certainly. I'll go with you to the ends of the earth."
"That would be too far away from mother. Thee always pulls me back verysoon, doesn't thee?"
"Well, I know thee comes," replied his wife. "Don't tire Richard out;he isn't strong yet."
"Richard," said Mr. Yocomb, as we were driving up a long hill, "I wantto congratulate thee on thy course toward Emily Warren. Thee's astrong-minded, sensible man. I saw that thee was greatly taken with herat first, and no wonder. Besides, I couldn't help hearing what theesaid when out of thy mind. Mother and I kept the children away then,and Doctor Bates had the wink from me to be discreet; but thee's been asensible man since thee got up, and put the whole thing away from theevery bravely."
"Mr. Yocomb, I won't play the hypocrite with you. I love her betterthan my own soul."
"Thee does?" he said, in strong surprise.
"Yes, and I ought to have gone away long ago, I fear. How could I seeher as she appeared this morning, and not almost worship her?"
The old gentleman gave a long, low whistle. "I guess mother meant mewhen she said men were blind."
I was silent, not daring, of course, to say that I hoped she meant me,but what I had heard and seen that morning had done much to confirm myhope.
"Well," said the old gentleman, "I can scarcely blame thee, since sheis what she is, and I can't help saying, too, that I think thee wouldmake her happier than that man can, with all his money. I don't thinkhe appreciates her. She will be only a part of his great possessions."
"Well, Mr. Yocomb, I've but these requests to make. Keep this toyourself, and don't interpose any obstacles to my going next Monday.Don't worry about me. I'll keep up; and a man who will have to work asI must won't have time to mope. I won't play the weak fool, for I'drather have your respect and Mrs. Yocomb's than all Mr. Hearn'smillions; and Miss Warren's respect is absolutely essential to me."
"Then thee thinks that mother and--and Emily know?"
"Who can hide anything from such women! They look through us as if wewere glass."
"Mother's sermon meant more for thee than I thought."
"Yes, I felt as if it were preached for me. I hope I may be the betterfor it some day; but I've too big a fight on my hands now to do muchelse. You will now understand why I wish to get away so soon, and why Ican't come back till I've gained a strength that is not bodily. Iwouldn't like you to misunderstand me, after your marvellous kindness,and so I'm frank. Besides, you're the kind of man that would thaw anicicle. Your nature is large and gentle, and I don't mind letting youknow."
"Richard, we're getting very frank, and I'm going to be more so. Idon't like the way Mr. Hearn sits and looks at Adah."
"Oh, you needn't worry about him. Mr. Hearn is respectability itself;but he's wonderfully fond of good things and pretty things. His greathouse on Fifth Avenue is full of them, and he looks at Miss Adah as hewould at a fine oil painting."
"Thee speaks charitably of him under the circumstances."
"I ought to try to do him justice, since I hate him so cordially."
"Well," said the old gentleman, laughing, "that's a new way of puttingit. Thee's honest, Richard."
"If I wasn't I'd have no business in your society."
"I'm worried about Emily," broke out my companion. "She was a littlethin and worn from her long season of work when she came to us lately;but the first week she picked up daily. While thee was so sick sheseemed more worried than any one, and I had much ado to get her to eatenough to keep a bird alive; but it's been worse for the last twoweeks. She has seemed much brighter lately for some reason, but theflesh just seems to drop off of her. She takes a wonderful hold of myfeelings, and I can't help troubling about her."
"Mr. Yocomb, your words torture me," I cried. "It is not my imaginationthen. Can she love that man?"
"Well, she has a queer way of showing it; but it is one of those thingsthat an outsider can't meddle with."
I was moody and silent the rest of the day, and Mr. Yocomb had the tactto leave me much to myself; but I was not under the necessity of actingmy poor farce before him.
The evening was quite well advanced when we reached the farmhouse; butMrs. Yocomb had a royal supper for us, and she said every one hadinsisted on waiting till we returned. Mr. Hearn had quite recovered hiscomplacency, and I gathered from this fact that Miss Warren had beenvery devoted. Such was his usual aspect when everything was pleasing tohim. But she who had added so much to his life had seemingly drainedher own, for she looked so pale and thin that my heart ached. Therewere dark lines under her eyes, and she appeared exceedingly wearied,as if the day had been one long effort.
"She can't love him," I thought. "It's impossible. Confound him! he'sthe blindest man of us all. Oh that I had her insight, that I mightunravel this snarl at once, for it would kill me to see her lookinglike that much longer. What's the use of my going away? I've been awayall day; she has had the light of his smiling countenanceuninterruptedly, and see how worn she is. Can it be that my hatefulwords hurt her, and that she is grieving about me only? It'simpossible. Unselfish regard for another could not go so far if her ownheart was at rest. She is doing her best to laugh and talk and to seemcheerful, but her acting now is poorer than mine ever was. She is tiredout; she seems like a soldier who is fighting mechanically afterspirit, courage, and strength are gone."
Mr. Hearn informed Mr. Yocomb that important business would require hispresence in New York for a few days. "It's an enterprise that involvesimmense interests on both sides of the ocean, and there's to be quite agathering of capitalists. Your paper will be full of it before verylong, Mr. Morton."
"I'm always glad to hear of any grist for our mill," I said. "Mrs.Yocomb, please excuse me. I'm selfish enough to prefer the cool piazza."
"But thee hasn't eaten anything."
"Oh, yes, I have, and I made a huge dinner," I replied carelessly, andsauntered out and lighted a cigar. Instead of coming out on the piazza,as I hoped, Miss Warren bade Mr. Hearn good-night in the hall, and,pleading fatigue, went to her room.
She was down to see him off in the morning, and at his requestaccompanied him to the depot. I was reading on the piazza when shereturned, and I hastened to assist her from the rockaway.
"Miss Warren," I exclaimed, in deep solicitude, "this lon
g, hot ridehas been too much for you."
"Perhaps it has," she replied briefly, without meeting my eyes. "I'llgo and rest."
She pleaded a headache, and did not come down to dinner. Mrs. Yocombreturned from her room with a troubled face.
I had resolved that I would not seek to see her alone while Mr. Hearnwas away, and so resumed my long rambles. When I returned, about suppertime, she was sitting on the piazza watching Adela and Zillah playingwith their dolls. She did not look up as I took a seat on the steps notfar away.
At last I began, "Can I tell you that I am very sorry you have been illto-day?"
"I wasn't dangerous, as country people say," she replied, a littlebrusquely.
"You look as if Dapple might run over you now."
"A kitten might run over me," she replied briefly, still keeping hereyes on the children.
By and by she asked, "Why do you look at me so intently, Mr. Morton?"
"I beg your pardon."
"That's not answering my question."
"Suppose I deny that I was looking at you. You have not condescended toglance at me yet."
"You had better not deny it."
"Well, then, to tell you the truth, as I find I always must, I waslooking for some trace of mercy. I was thinking whether I could ventureto ask forgiveness for being more of a brute than Dapple yesterday."
"Have your words troubled you very much?"
"They have indeed."
"Well, they've troubled me too. You think I'm heartless, Mr. Morton;"and she arose and went to her piano.
I followed her instantly. "Won't you forgive me?" I asked; "I'verepented."
"Oh, nonsense, Mr. Morton. You know as well as I do that I'm the one toask forgiveness."
"No, I don't," I said, in a low, passionate tone. "I fear you aregrieving about what you can't help."
"Can't help?" she repeated, flushing.
"Yes, my being here makes you unhappy. If I knew it, I'd go to-night."
"And you think that out of sight would be out of mind," she said, witha strange smile.
"Great God! I don't know what to think. I know that I would do anythingunder heaven to make you look as you did the first night I saw you."
"Do I look so badly?"
"You look as if you might take wings and leave us at any moment."
"Then I wouldn't trouble you any more."
"Then my trouble would be without remedy. Marry Mr. Hearn; marry himto-morrow, if you wish. I assure you that if you will be honestly andtruly happy, I won't mope a day--I'll become the jolliest old bachelorin New York. I'll do anything within the power of man to make you yourold joyous self."
Now at last she turned her large, glorious eyes upon me, and theirexpression was sadness itself; but she only said quietly:
"I believe you, Mr. Morton."
"Then tell me, what can I do?"
"Come to supper;" and she rose and left me.
I went to my old seat by the window, and the tumult in my heart was inwide contrast with the quiet summer evening.
"You are mistaken, Emily Warren," I thought. "You have as much as saidthat I can do nothing for you. I'll break your chain. You shall notmarry Gilbert Hearn, if I have to protest in the very church and beforethe altar. You are mine, by the best and divinest right, and with yourtruth as my ally I'll win you yet. From this hour I dedicate myself toyour happiness. Heavens, how blind I've been!"
"Come, Richard," said Mrs. Yocomb, putting her head within the door.
Miss Warren sat in her place, silent and apathetic. She had the aspectof one who had submitted to the inevitable, but would no longer pretendshe liked it. Mr. Yocomb was regarding her furtively, with a cloudedbrow, and Adah's glances were frequent and perplexed. I felt as ifwalking on air, and my heart was aglow with gladness; but I knew herfar too well to show what was in my mind. My purpose now was to beguilethe hours till I could show her what truth really required of her. Withthe utmost tact that I possessed, and with all the zest that hopeconfirmed inspired, I sought to diffuse a general cheerfulness, and Igradually drew her into the current of our talk. After supper I toldthem anecdotes of public characters and eminent people, for my callinggave me a great store of this kind of information. Ere she was aware,the despondent girl was asking questions, and my answers piqued herinterest still more; at last, quite late in the evening, Mr. Yocombexclaimed:
"Look here, Richard, what right has thee to keep me out of my bed longafter regular hours? I'm not a night editor. Good people, you must allgo to bed. I'm master of this house. Now, don't say anything, mother,to take me down."
Finding myself alone with Miss Warren a moment in the hall, I asked:
"Have I not done more than merely come to supper?"
She turned from me instantly, and went swiftly up the stairway.
But the apathetic, listless look was on her face when she came down inthe morning, and she appeared as if passively yielding to a dreadednecessity. I resumed my old tactics, and almost in spite of herselfdrew her into the genial family life. Mr. Yocomb seconded me withunflagging zeal and commendable tact, while Mrs. Yocomb surpassed usboth. Adah seemed a little bewildered, as if there were something inthe air which she could not understand. But we made the social sunshineof the house so natural and warm that she could not resist it.
"Reuben," I said, after breakfast, "Miss Warren is not well. A rideafter Dapple is the best medicine I ever took. Take Miss Warren out fora swift, short drive; don't let her say no. You have the tact to do thething in the right way."
She did decline repeatedly, but he so persisted that she at last said:
"There, Reuben, I will go with you."
"I think thee might do that much for a friend, as thee calls me."
When she returned there was a faint color in her cheeks. The rapiddrive had done her good, and I told her so as I helped her from thelight wagon.
"Yes, Mr. Morton, it has, and I thank _you_ for the drive very much.Let me suggest that Reuben is much too honest for a conspirator."
"Well, he was a very willing one; and I see by his face, as he drivesdown to the barn, that you have made him a happy one."
"It doesn't take much to make him happy."
"And would it take such an enormous amount to make you happy?"
"You are much too inclined to be personal to be an editor. The world atlarge should hold your interest;" and she went to her room.
At the dinner-table the genial spell worked on; she recognized it witha quiet smile, but yielded to its kindly power. At last she apparentlyformed the resolution to make the most of this one bright day, and shebecame the life of the party.
"Emily," said Mrs. Yocomb, as we rose from the table, "father proposesthat we all go on a family picnic to Silver Pond, and take our supperthere. It's only three miles away. Would thee feel strong enough to go?"
Mrs. Yocomb spoke with the utmost simplicity and innocence; but theyoung girl laughed outright, then fixed a penetrating glance on Mr.Yocomb, whose florid face became much more ruddy.
"Evidences of guilt clearly apparent," she said, "and Mr. Morton, too,looks very conscious. 'The best laid schemes of mice and men'--you knowthe rest. Oh, yes, I'd go if I had to be carried. When webs are spun sokindly, flies ought to be caught."
"What is the matter with you all?" cried Adah.
"Miss Adah, if you'll find me a match for my cigar you'll make mehappy," I said hastily, availing myself of the first line of retreatopen.
"Is that all thee needs to make thee happy?"
"Well, one thing at a time, Miss Adah, if you please."
As the day grew cool, Reuben came around with the family rockaway. Mrs.Yocomb and Adah had prepared a basket as large as their own generousnatures. I placed Miss Warren beside Mrs. Yocomb on the back seat,while I took my place by Adah, with Zillah between us. Little Adela andReuben had become good friends, and she insisted on sitting between himand his father.
As we rolled along the quiet country roads, chatting, laughing, andoccasionally singin
g a snatch of a song, no one would have dreamed thatany shadows rested on the party except those which slanted eastwardfrom the trees, which often hung far over our heads.
I took pains not to feign any forced gayety, nor had I occasion to, forI was genuinely happy--happier than I had ever been before. Nothing wasassured save the absolute truth of the woman that I loved, but withthis ally I was confident. I was impartial in my attentions to Adah andZillah, and so friendly to both that Adah was as pleased and happy asthe child. We chaffed the country neighbors whom we met, and evenchattered back at the barking squirrels that whisked before us alongthe fences. Mr. Yocomb seemed almost as much of a boy as Reuben, andfor some reason Miss Warren always laughed most at his pleasantries.Mrs. Yocomb looked as placid and bright as Silver Pond, as it at lastglistened beneath us in the breathless, sunny afternoon; but like theclear surface fringed with shadows that sank far beneath the water,there were traces of many thoughts in her large blue eyes.
There was a cow lying under the trees where we meant to spread ourtable. I pointed her out to Miss Warren with humorous dismay. "Shall weturn back?" I asked.
"No," she replied, looking into my eyes gratefully. "You have become sobrave that I'm not afraid to go on."
I ignored her reference to that which I intended she should forget forone day, believing that if we could make her happy she would recognizehow far her golden-haloed lover came short of this power. So I saidbanteringly, "I'll wager you my hat that you dare not get out and drivethat terrific beast away."
"The idea of Emily's being afraid of a cow, after facing Dapple!" criedReuben.
"Well, we'll see," I said. "Stop the rockaway here."
"What should I do with your hat, Mr. Morton?"
"Wear it, and suffer the penalty," laughed Adah.
"You would surely win it," retorted the girl, a little nettled.
"I'll wager you a box of candy then, or anything you please."
"Let it be anything I please," she agreed, laughing. "Mr. Morton, youare not going to let me get out alone?"
"Oh, no," and I sprang out to assist her down.
"She wants you to be on hand in case the ferocious beast switches itstail," cried Adah.
The hand she gave me trembled as I helped her out, and I saw that sheregarded the placid creature with a dread that she could not disguise.Picking up a little stick, she stepped cautiously and hesitatinglytoward the animal. While still ridiculously far away, she stopped,brandished her stick, and said, with a quaver in her threatening tone,"Get up, I tell you!"
But the cow ruminated quietly as if understanding well that there wasno occasion for alarm.
The girl took one or two more faltering steps, and exclaimed, in avoice of desperate entreaty, "Oh, please get up!"
We could scarcely contain ourselves for laughter.
"Oh, ye gods! how beautiful she is!" I murmured. "With her arm overDapple's neck she was a goddess. Now she's a shrinking woman. Heavengrant that it may be my lot to protect her from the real perils oflife!"
The cow suddenly switched her tail at a teasing gadfly, and the girlprecipitately sought my side.
Reuben sprang out of the rockaway and lay down and rolled in hisuncontrollable mirth.
"Was there anything ever so ridiculous?" cried Adah; for to the countrygirl Miss Warren's fear was affectation.
At Adah's words Miss Warren's face suddenly became white and resolute.
"You, at least, shall not despise me," she said to me in a low tone;and shutting her eyes she made a blind rush toward the cow. I hadbarely time to catch her, or she would have thrown herself on the hornsof the startled animal that, with tail in air, careered away among thetrees. The girl was so weak and faint that I had to support her; but Icould not forbear saying, in a tone that she alone heard:
"Do we ever despise that which we love supremely?"
"Hush!" she answered sternly.
Mrs. Yocomb was soon at our side with a flask of currant wine, and Adahlaughed a little bitterly as she said, "It was 'as good as a play'!"Miss Warren recovered herself speedily by the aid of the generous wine,and this was the only cloud on our simple festivity. In her response tomy ardent words she seemingly had satisfied her conscience, and sheacted like one bent on making the most of this one occasion of fleetingpleasure.
Adah was the only one who mentioned the banker. "How Mr. Hearn wouldhave enjoyed being here with us!" she exclaimed.
Miss Warren's response was a sudden pallor and a remorseful expression;but Mr. Yocomb and I speedily created a diversion of thought; I saw,however, that Adah was watching her with a perplexed brow. The hoursquickly passed, and in the deepening shadows we returned homeward, MissWarren singing some sweet old ballads, to which my heart kept time.
She seemed both to bring the evening to a close, and sat down at thepiano. Adah and I listened, well content. Having put the children tobed Mrs. Yocomb joined us, and we chatted over the pleasant trip whilewaiting for Mr. Yocomb and Reuben, who had not returned from the barn.At last Mrs. Yocomb said heartily, as if summing it all up:
"Well, Richard, thee's given us a bright, merry afternoon."
"Yes, Richard," Miss Warren began, as if her heart had spokenunawares--"I beg your pardon--Mr. Morton--" and then she stopped inpiteous confusion, for I had turned toward her with all my unspeakablelove in my face.
Adah's laugh rang out a little harshly.
I hastened to the rescue of the embarrassed girl, saying, "I don't seewhy you should beg my pardon. We're all Friends here. At least I'mtrying to be one as fast as a leopard can change his spots and theEthiopian his skin. As for you, a tailor would say you were cut fromthe same cloth as Mrs. Yocomb."
But for some reason she could not recover herself. She probablyrealized, in the tumult of her feeling, that she had revealed her hearttoo clearly, and she could not help seeing that Adah understood her.She was too confused for further pretence, and too unnerved to attemptit. After a moment of pitiful hesitation she fled with a scarlet faceto her room.
"Well," said Adah, with a slight hysterical laugh, "I understand EmilyWarren now."
"Pardon me, Miss Adah, I don't think you do," I began.
"If thee doesn't, thee's blind indeed."
"I am blind."
"Be assured I'm not any longer," and with a deep angry flush she, too,left us.
I turned to Mrs. Yocomb, and taking both of her hands I entreated, "Asyou have the heart of a woman, never let Emily Warren marry that man.Help me--help us both!"
"My poor boy," she began, "this is a serious matter--"
"It is indeed," I said, passionately; "it's a question of life anddeath to us both."
"Well," she said, thoughtfully, "I think time and truth will be on thyside in the end; but I would advise thee not to do or say anything rashor hasty. She is very resolute. Give her time."
Would to God I had taken her advice!