飘-第164章

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　“That　can’t　be　Ashley！”　thought　Scarlett　wildly。　“He　never　gets　drunk！　And　Rhett—why；　when　Rhett’s　drunk　he　gets　quieter　and　quieter—never　loud　like　that！”
　Melanie　rose　and；　with　her；　Archie　rose。　They　heard　the　captain’s　sharp　voice：　“These　two　men　are　under　arrest。”　And　Archie’s　hand　closed　over　his　pistol　butt。
　“No；”　whispered　Melanie　firmly。　“No。　Leave　it　to　me。”
　There　was　in　her　face　the　same　look　Scarlett　had　seen　that　day　at　Tara　when　Melanie　had　stood　at　the　top　of　the　steps　looking　down　at　the　dead　Yankee；　her　weak　wrist　weighed　down　by　the　heavy　saber—a　gentle　and　timid　soul　nerved　by　circumstances　to　the　caution　and　fury　of　a　tigress。　She　threw　the　front　door　open。
　“Bring　him　in；　Captain　Butler；”　she　called　in　a　clear　tone　that　bit　with　venom。　“I　suppose　you’ve　gotten　him　intoxicated　again。　Bring　him　in。”
　From　the　dark　windy　walk；　the　Yankee　captain　spoke：　“I’m　sorry；　Mrs。　Wilkes；　but　your　husband　and　Mr。　Elsing　are　under　arrest。”
　“Arrest？　For　what？　For　drunkenness？　If　everyone　in　Atlanta　was　arrested　for　drunkenness；　the　whole　Yankee　garrison　would　be　in　jail　continually。　Well；　bring　him　in；　Captain　Butler—that　is；　if　you　can　walk　yourself。”
　Scarlett’s　mind　was　not　working　quickly　and　for　a　brief　moment　nothing　made　sense。　She　knew　neither　Rhett　nor　Ashley　was　drunk　and　she　knew　Melanie　knew　they　were　not　drunk。　Yet　here　was　Melanie；　usually　so　gentle　and　refined；　screaming　like　a　shrew　and　in　front　of　Yankees　too；　that　both　of　them　were　too　drunk　to　walk。
　There　was　a　short　mumbled　argument；　punctuated　with　curses；　and　uncertain　feet　ascended　the　stairs。　In　the　doorway　appeared　Ashley；　white　faced；　his　head　lolling；　his　bright　hair　tousled；　his　long　body　wrapped　from　neck　to　knees　in　Rhett’s　black　cape。　Hugh　Elsing　and　Rhett；　none　too　steady　on　their　feet；　supported　him　on　either　side　and　it　was　obvious　he　would　have　fallen　to　the　floor　but　for　their　aid。　Behind　them　came　the　Yankee　captain；　his　face　a　study　of　mingled　suspicion　and　amusement。　He　stood　in　the　open　doorway　with　his　men　peering　curiously　over　his　shoulders　and　the　cold　wind　swept　the　house。
　Scarlett；　frightened；　puzzled；　glanced　at　Melanie　and　back　to　the　sagging　Ashley　and　then　half…comprehension　came　to　her。　She　started　to　cry　out：　“But　he　can’t　be　drunk！”　and　bit　back　the　words。　She　realized　she　was　witnessing　a　play；　a　desperate　play　on　which　lives　hinged。　She　knew　she　was　not　part　of　it　nor　was　Aunt　Pitty　but　the　others　were　and　they　were　tossing　cues　to　one　another　like　actors　in　an　oft…rehearsed　drama。　She　understood　only　half　but　she　understood　enough　to　keep　silent。
　“Put　him　in　the　chair；”　cried　Melanie　indignantly。　“And　you；　Captain　Butler；　leave　this　house　immediately！　How　dare　you　show　your　face　here　after　getting　him　in　this　condition　again！”
　The　two　men　eased　Ashley　into　a　rocker　and　Rhett；　swaying；　caught　hold　of　the　back　of　the　chair　to　steady　himself　and　addressed　the　captain　with　pain　in　his　voice。
　“That’s　fine　thanks　I　get；　isn’t　it？　For　keeping　the　police　from　getting　him　and　bringing　him　home　and　him　yelling　and　trying　to　claw　me！”
　“And　you；　Hugh　Elsing；　I’m　ashamed　of　you！　What　will　your　poor　mother　say？　Drunk　and　out　with　a—a　Yankee…loving　Scalawag　like　Captain　Butler！　And；　oh；　Mr。　Wilkes；　how　could　you　do　such　a　thing？”
　“Melly；　I　ain’t　so　very　drunk；”　mumbled　Ashley；　and　with　the　words　fell　forward　and　lay　face　down　on　the　table；　his　head　buried　in　his　arms。
　“Archie；　take　him　to　his　room　and　put　him　to　bed—as　usual；”　ordered　Melanie。　“Aunt　Pitty；　please　run　and　fix　the　bed　and　oo…oh；”　she　suddenly　burst　into　tears。　“Oh；　how　could　he？　After　he　promised！”
　Archie　already　had　his　arm　under　Ashley’s　shoulder　and　Pitty；　frightened　and　uncertain；　was　on　her　feet　when　the　captain　interposed。
　“Don’t　touch　him。　He’s　under　arrest。　Sergeant！”
　As　the　sergeant　stepped　into　the　room；　his　rifle　at　trail；　Rhett；　evidently　trying　to　steady　himself；　put　a　hand　on　the　captain’s　arm　and；　with　difficulty；　focused　his　eyes。
　“Tom；　what　you　arresting　him　for？　He　ain’t　so　very　drunk。　I’ve　seen　him　drunker。”
　“Drunk　be　damned；”　cried　the　captain。　“He　can　lie　in　the　gutter　for　all　I　care。　I’m　no　policeman。　He　and　Mr。　Elsing　are　under　arrest　for　complicity　in　a　Klan　raid　at　Shantytown　tonight。　A　nigger　and　a　white　man　were　killed。　Mr。　Wilkes　was　the　ringleader　in　it。”
　“Tonight？”　Rhett　began　to　laugh。　He　laughed　so　hard　that　he　sat　down　on　the　sofa　and　put　his　head　in　his　hands。　“Not　tonight；　Tom；”　he　said　when　he　could　speak。　“These　two　have　been　with　me　tonight—ever　since　eight　o’clock　when　they　were　supposed　to　be　at　the　meeting。”
　“With　you；　Rhett？　But—”　A　frown　came　over　the　captain’s　forehead　and　he　looked　uncertainly　at　the　snoring　Ashley　and　his　weeping　wife。　“But—where　were　you？”
　“I　don’t　like　to　say；”　and　Rhett　shot　a　look　of　drunken　cunning　at　Melanie。
　“You’d　better　say！”
　“Le’s　go　out　on　the　porch　and　I’ll　tell　you　where　we　were。”
　“You’ll　tell　me　now。”
　“Hate　to　say　it　in　front　of　ladies。　If　you　ladies’ll　step　out　of　the　room—”
　“I　won’t　go；”　cried　Melanie；　dabbing　angrily　at　her　eyes　with　her　handkerchief。　“I　have　a　right　to　know。　Where　was　my　husband？”
　“At　Belle　Watling’s　sporting　house；”　said　Rhett；　looking　abashed。　“He　was　there　and　Hugh　and　Frank　Kennedy　and　Dr。　Meade　and—and　a　whole　lot　of　them。　Had　a　party。　Big　party。　Champagne。　Girls—”
　“At—at　Belle　Watling’s？”
　Melanie’s　voice　rose　until　it　cracked　with　such　pain　that　all　eyes　turned　frightenedly　to　her。　Her　hand　went　clutching　at　her　bosom　and；　before　Archie　could　catch　her；　she　had　fainted。　Then　a　hubbub　ensued；　Archie　picking　her　up；　India　running　to　the　kitchen　for　water；　Pitty　and　Scarlett　fanning　her　and　slapping　her　wrists；　while　Hugh　Elsing　shouted　over　and　over：　“Now　you’ve　done　it！　Now　you’ve　done　it！”
　“Now　it’ll　be　all　over　town；”　said　Rhett　savagely。　“I　hope　you’re　satisfied；　Tom。　There　won’t　be　a　wife　in　Atlanta　who’ll　speak　to　her　husband　tomorrow。”
　“Rhett；　I　had　no　idea—”　Though　the　chill　wind　was　blowing　through　the　open　door　on　his　back；　the　captain　was　perspiring。　“Look　here！　You　take　an　oath　they　were　at—er—at　Belle’s？”
　“Hell；　yes；”　growled　Rhett　“Go　ask　Belle　herself　if　you　don’t　believe　me。　Now；　let　me　carry　Mrs。　Wilkes　to　her　room。　Give　her　to　me；　Archie。　Yes；　I　can　carry　her。　Miss　Pitty；　go　ahead　with　a　lamp。”
　He　took　Melanie’s　limp　body　from　Archie’s　arms　with　ease。
　“You　get　Mr。　Wilkes　to　bed；　Archie。　I　don’t　want　to　ever　lay　eyes　or　hands　on　him　again　after　this　night。”
　Pitty’s　hand　trembled　so　that　the　lamp　was　a　menace　to　the　safety　of　the　house　but　she　held　it　and　trotted　ahead　toward　the　dark　bedroom。　Archie；　with　a　grunt；　got　an　arm　under　Ashley　and　raised　him。
　“But—I’ve　got　to　arrest　these　men！”
　Rhett　turned　in　the　dim　hallway。
　“Arrest　them　in　the　morning　then。　They　can’t　run　away　in　this　condition—and　I　never　knew　before　that　it　was　illegal　to　get　drunk　in　a　sporting　house。　Good　God；　Tom；　there　are　fifty　witnesses　to　prove　they　were　at　Belle’s。”
　“There　are　always　fifty　witnesses　to　prove　a　Southerner　was　somewhere　he　wasn’t；”　said　the　captain　morosely。　“You　come　with　me；　Mr。　Elsing。　I’ll　parole　Mr。　Wilkes　on　the　word　of—”
　“I　am　Mr。　Wilkes’　sister。　I　will　answer　for　his　appearance；”　said　India　coldly。　“Now；　will　you　please　go？　You’ve　caused　enough　trouble　for　one　night。”
　“I　regret　it　exceedingly。”　The　captain　bowed　awkwardly。　“I　only　hope　they　can　prove　their　presence　at　the—er—Miss—Mrs。　Watling’s　house。　Will　you　tell　your　brother　that　he　must　appear　before　the　provost　marshal　tomorrow　morning　for　questioning？”
　India　bowed　coldly　and；　putting　her　hand　upon　the　door　knob；　intimated　silently　that　his　speedy　retirement　would　be　welcome。　The　captain　and　the　sergeant　backed　out；　Hugh　Elsing　with　them；　and　she　slammed　the　door　behind　them。　Without　even　looking　at　Scarlett；　she　went　swiftly　to　each　window　and　drew　down　the　shade。　Scarlett；　her　knees　shaking；　caught　hold　of　the　chair　in　which　Ashley　had　been　sitting　to　steady　herself。　Looking　down　at　it；　she　saw　that　there　was　a　dark　moist　spot；　larger　than　her　hand；　on　the　cushion　in　the　back　of　the　chair。　Puzzled；　her　hand　went　over　it　and；　to　her　horror；　a　sticky　red　wetness　appeared　on　her　palm。
　“India；”　she　whispered；　“India；　Ashley’s—he’s　hurt。”
　“You　fool！　Did　you　think　he　was　really　drunk？”　India　snapped　down　the　last　shade　and　started　on　flying　feet　for　the　bedroom；　with　Scarlett　close　behind　her；　her　heart　in　her　throat。　Rhett’s　big　body　barred　the　doorway　but；　past　his　shoulder；　Scarlett　saw　Ashley　lying　white　and　still　on　the　bed。　Melanie；　strangely　quick　for　one　so　recently　in　a　faint；　was　rapidly　cutting　off　his　blood…soaked　shirt　with　embroidery　scissors。　Archie　held　the　lamp　low　over　the　bed　to　give　light　and　one　of　his　gnarled　fingers　was　on　Ashley’s　wrist。
　“Is　he　dead？”　cried　both　girls　together。
　“No；　just　fainted　from　loss　of　blood。　It’s　through　his　shoulder；”　said　Rhett。
　“Why　did　you　bring　him　here；　you　fool？”　cried　India；　“Let　me　get　to　him！　Let　me　pass！　Why　did　you　bring　him　here　to　be　arrested？”
　“He　was　too　weak　to　travel。　There　was　nowhere　else　to　bring　him；　Miss　Wilkes。　Besides—do　you　want　him　to　be　an　exile　like　Tony　Fontaine？　Do　you　want　a　dozen　of　your　neighbors　to　live　in　Texas　under　assumed　names　for　the　rest　of　their　lives？　There’s　a　chance　that　we　may　get　them　all　off　if　Belle—”
　“Let　me　pass！”
　“No；　Miss　Wilkes。　There’s　work　for　you。　You　must　go　for　a　doctor—　Not　Dr。　Meade。　He’s　implicated　in　this　and　is　probably　explaining　to　the　Yankees　at　this　very　minute。　Get　some　other　doctor。　Are　you　afraid　to　go　out　alone　at　night？”
　“No；”　said　India；　her　pale　eyes　glittering。　“I’m　not　afraid。”　She　caught　up　Melanie’s　hooded　cape　which　was　hanging　on　a　book　in　the　hall。　“I’ll　go　for　old　Dr。　Dean。”　The　excitement　went　out　of　her　voice　as；　with　an　effort；　she　forced　calmness。　“I’m　sorry　I　called　you　a　spy　and　a　fool。　I　did　not　understand。　I’m　deeply　grateful　for　what　you’ve　done　for　Ashley—but　I　despise　you　just　the　same。”
　“I　appreciate　frankness—and　I　thank　you　for　it。”　Rhett　bowed　and　his　lip　curled　down　in　an　amused　smile。　“Now；　go　quickly　and　by　back　ways　and　when　you　return　do　not　come　in　this　house　if　you　see　signs　of　soldiers　about。”
　India　shot　one　more　quick　anguished　look　at　Ashley；　and；　wrapping　her　cape　about　her；　ran　lightly　down　the　hall　to　the　back　door　and　let　herself　out　quietly　into　the　night。
　Scarlett；　straining　her　eyes　past　Rhett；　felt　her　heart　beat　again　as　she　saw　Ashley’s　eyes　open。　Melanie　snatched　a　folded　towel　from　the　washstand　rack　and　pressed　it　against　his　streaming　shoulder　and　he　smiled　up　weakly；　reassuringly　into　her　face。　Scarlett　felt　Rhett’s　hard　penetrating　eyes　upon　her；　knew　that　her　heart　was　plain　upon　her　face；　but　she　did　not　care。　Ashley　was　bleeding；　perhaps　dying　and　she　who　loved　him　had　torn　that　hole　through　his　shoulder。　She　wanted　to　run　to　the　bed；　sink　down　beside　it　and　clasp　him　to　her　but　her　knees　trembled　so　that　she　could　not　enter　the　room。　Hand　at　her　mouth；　she　s