eben holden-第24章

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'There's　going　to　be　a　dance　at　our　house　tonight；'　said　one　of　them；　'and　you　must　come。'

'I　cannot；　I　must　go　home；'　I　said。

'Of　course！'　said　a　red…cheeked　saucy　miss。　'The　stuck…up　thing！　He　wouldn't　go　anywhere　unless　he　could　have　his　sister　with　him。'

Then　they　went　away　laughing。

I　found　Ab　Thomas　at　the　rifle　range。　He　was　whittling　as　he　considered　a　challenge　from　Tip　Taylor　to　shoot　a　match。　He　turned　and　'hefted'　the　rifle；　silently；　and　then　he　squinted　over　the　barrel　two　or　three　times。

'Dunno　but　what　I'll　try　ye　once；'　he　said　presently；　'jes　t'　see。'　

Once　started　they　grew　red　in　their　faces　and　shot　themselves　weary　in　a　reckless　contest　of　skiIl　and　endurance。　A　great　hulking　fellow；　half　drunk　and　a　bit　quarrelsome；　came　up；　presently；　and　endeavoured　to　help　Ab　hold　his　rifle。　The　latter　brushed　him　away　and　said　nothing　for　a　moment。　But　every　time　he　tried　to　take　aim　the　man　jostled　him。

An　looked　up　slowly　and　calmly；　his　eyebrows　tilted　for　his　aim；　and　said；　'Go　off　I　tell　ye。'　Then　he　set　himself　and　took　aim　again。

'Le'me　hold　it；'　said　the　man；　reaching　for　the　barrel。　'Shoot　better　if　I　do　the　ainin'。'　A　laugh　greeted　this　remark。　Ab　looked　up　again。　There　was　a　quick　start　in　his　great　slouching　figure。

'Take　yer　hand　off　o'　thet；'　he　said　a　little　louder　than　before。　

The　man；　aching　for　more　applause；　grew　more　impertinent　Ab　quietly　handed　the　rifle　to　its　owner。　Then　something　happened　suddenly。　It　was　so　quickly　over　I　am　not　quite　sure　of　the　order　of　business；　but　anyhow　he　seized　the　intruder　by　the　shoulders　flinging　him　down　so　heavily　it　knocked　the　dust　out　of　the　grass。

'A　fight！'　somebody　shouted　and　men　and　boys　came　runing　from　all　sides。　We　were　locked　in　a　pushing　crowd　before　I　could　turn。　The　intruder　lay　stunned　a　moment。　Then　he　rose；　bare　headed；　his　back　covered　with　dust；　pushed　his　way　out　and　ran。

Ab　turned　quietly　to　the　range。

'Hedn't　orter　t'　come　an'　try　t'　dew　my　aimin'；'　he　said　mildly；　by　way　of　protest；　'I　won't　hev　it。'

Then　he　enquired　about　the　score　and　calmly　took　aim　again。　The　stallion　show　came　on　that　afternoon。

'They　can't　never　beat　thet　hoss；'　Uncle　Eb　had　said　to　me。

''Fraid　they　will；'　I　answered。　'They're　better　hitched　for　one　thing。'

'But　they　hain't　got　the　ginger　in　'em；'　said　he；　'er　the　git　up　'n　git。　If　we　can　show　what's　in　him　the　Hawk'll　beat　'em　easy。'

If　we　won　I　was　to　get　the　prize　but　I　had　small　hope　of　winning。　When　I　saw　one　after　another　prance　out；　in　sparkling　silver　harness　adorned　with　rosettes　of　ribbon　…　light　stepping；　beautiful　creatures　all　of　them　…　I　could　see　nothing　but　defeat　for　us。　Indeed　I　could　see　we　had　been　too　confident。　I　dreaded　the　moment　when　Uncle　Eb　should　drive　down　with　Black　Hawk　in　a　plain　leather　harness；　drawing　a　plainer　buggy。　I　had　planned　to　spend　the　prize　money　taking　Hope　to　the　harvest　ball　at　Rickard's；　and　I　had　worked　hard　to　put　the　Hawk　in　good　fettle。　I　began　to　feel　the　bitterness　of　failure。

'Black　Hawk！　Where　is　Black　Hawk？'　said　one　of　the　judges　loudly。

'Owned　by　David　Brower　o'　Faraway；'　said　another　looking　at　his　card。

Where　indeed　was　Uncle　Eb？　I　got　up　on　the　fence　and　looked　all　about　me　anxiously。　Then　I　heard　a　great　cheering　up　the　track。　Somebody　was　coming　down；　at　a　rapid　pace；　riding　a　splendid　moving　animal；　a　knee　rising　to　the　nose　at　each　powerful　stride。　His　head　and　flying　mane　obscured　the　rider　but　I　could　see　the　end　of　a　rope　swinging　in　his　hand。　There　was　something　familiar　in　the　easy　high　stride　of　the　horse。　The　cheers　came　on　ahead　of　him　like　foam　before　a　breaker。　Upon　my　eyes！　it　was　Black　Hawk；　with　nothing　but　a　plain　rope　halter　on　his　head；　and　Uncle　Eb　riding　him。

'G'lang　there！'　he　shouted；　swinging　the　halter　stale　to　the　shining　flank。　'G'lang　there！'　and　he　went　by；　like　a　flash；　the　tail　of　Black　Hawk　straight　out　behind　him；　its　end　feathering　in　the　wind。　It　was　a　splendid　thing　to　see　…　that　white…haired　man；　sitting　erect　on　the　flying　animal；　with　only　a　rope　halter　in　his　hand。　Every　man　about　me　was　yelling。　I　swung　my　hat；　shouting　myself　hoarse。　When　Uncle　Eb　came　back　the　Hawk　was　walking　quietly　in　a　crowd　of　men　and　boys　eager　to　feel　his　silken　sides。　I　crowded　through　and　held　the　horse's　nose　while　Uncle　Eb　got　down。

'Thought　I　wouldn't　put　no　luther　on　him；'　said　Uncle　Eb；　'God's　gin'　'im　a　good　'nuff　harness。'

The　judges　came　and　looked　him　over。

'Guess　he'll　win　the　prize　all　right；'　said　one　of　them。

And　he　did。　When　we　came　home　that　evening　every　horse　on　the　road　thought　himself　a　trotter　and　went　speeding　to　try　his　pace　with　everything　that　came　up　beside　him。　And　many　a　man　of　Faraway；　that　we　passed；　sent　up　a　shout　of　praise　for　the　Black　Hawk。

But　I　was　thinking　of　Hope　and　the　dance　at　Rickard's。　I　had　plenty　of　money　now　and　my　next　letter　urged　her　to　come　home　at　once。

Chapter　24

Hope　returned　for　a　few　days　late　in　August。　Invitations　were　just　issued　for　the　harvest　dance　at　Rickard's。

'You　mus'　take　'er；'　said　Uncle　Eb；　the　day　she　came。　'She's　a　purty　dancer　as　a　man　ever　see。　Prance　right　up　an'　tell　'er　she　mus'　go。　Don'　want　'O　let　anyone　git　ahead　O'　ye。'

'Of　course　I　will　go；'　she　said　in　answer　to　my　invitation；　'I　shouldn't　think　you　were　a　beau　worth　having　if　you　did　not　ask　me。'

The　yellow　moon　was　peering　over　Woody　Ledge　when　we　went　away　that　evening。　I　knew　it　was　our　last　pleasure　seeking　in　Faraway；　and　the　crickets　in　the　stubble　filled　the　silence　with　a　kind　of　mourning。

She　looked　so　fine　in　her　big　hat　and　new　gown　with　its　many　dainty　accessories　of　lace　and　ribbon；　adjusted　with　so　much　patting　and　pulling；　that　as　she　sat　beside　me；　I　hardly　dared　touch　her　for　fear　of　spoiling　something。　When　she　shivered　a　little　and　said　it　was　growing　cool　I　put　my　arm　about　her；　and；　as　I　drew　her　closer　to　my　side；　she　turned　her　hat；　obligingly；　and　said　it　was　a　great　nuisance。

I　tried　to　kiss　her　then；　but　she　put　her　hand　over　my　mouth　and　said；　sweetly；　that　I　would　spoil　everything　if　I　did　that

'I　must　not　let　you　kiss　me；　William；'　she　said；　'not　…　not　for　all　in　the　world。　I'm　sure　you　wouldn't　have　me　do　what　I　think　is　wrong　…would　you？'

There　was　but　one　answer　to　such　an　appeal；　and　I　made　myself　as　happy　as　possible　feeling　her　head　upon　my　shoulder　and　her　soft　hair　touching　my　cheek。　As　I　think　of　it　now　the　trust　she　put　in　me　was　something　sublime　and　holy。

'Then　I　shall　talk　about　…　about　our　love；'　I　said；　'I　must　do　something。'

'Promised　I　wouldn't　let　you；'　she　said。　Then　she　added　after　a　moment　of　silence；　'I'll　tell　you　what　you　may　do　…　tell　me　what　is　your　ideal　in　a　woman　…　the　one　you　would　love　best　of　all。　I　don't　think　that　would　be　wicked　…　do　you？'

'I　think　God　would　forgive　that；'　I　said。　'She　must　be　tall　and　slim；　with　dainty　feet　and　hands；　and　a　pair　of　big　eyes；　blue　as　a　violet；　shaded　with　long　dark　lashes。　And　her　hair　must　be　wavy　and　light　with　a　little　tinge　of　gold　in　it。　And　her　cheek　must　have　the　pink　of　the　rose　and　dimples　that　show　in　laughter。　And　her　voice　…　that　must　have　music　in　it　and　the　ring　of　kindness　and　good…natare。　And　her　lips　…　let　them　show　the　crimson　of　her　blood　and　be　ready　to　give　and　receive　a　kiss　when　I　meet　her。'

She　sighed　and　nestled　closer　to　me。

'If　I　let　you　kiss　me　just　once；'　she　whispered；　'you　will　not　ask　me　again　…　will　you？'

'No；　sweetheart；　I　will　not；'　I　answered。　Then　we　gave　each　other　such　a　kiss　as　may　be　known　once　and　only　once　in　a　lifetime。

'What　would　you　do　for　the　love　of　a　girl　like　that？'　she　whispered。

I　thought　a　moment；　sounding　depths　of　undiscovered　woe　to　see　if　there　were　anything　I　should　hesitate　to　suffer　and　there　was　nothing。

'I'd　lay　me　doun　an'　dee；'　I　said。

And　I　well　remember　how；　when　I　lay　dying；　as　I　believed；　in　rain　and　darkness　on　the　bloody　field　of　Bull　Run；　I　thought　of　that　moment　and　of　those　words。

'I　cannot　say　such　beautiful　things　as　you；'　she　answered；　when　I　asked　her　to　describe　her　ideal。　'He　must　be　good　and　he　must　be　tall　and　handsome　and　strong　and　brave。'

Then　she　sang　a　tender　love　ballad。　I　have　often　shared　the　pleasure　of　thousands　under　the　spell　of　her　voice；　but　I　have　never　heard　her　sing　as　to　that　small　audience　on　Faraway　turnpike。

As　we　came　near　Rickard's　Hall　we　could　hear　the　fiddles　and　the　calling　off。

The　windows　on　the　long　sides　of　the　big　house　were　open。　Long　shafts　of　light　shot　out　upon　the　gloom。　It　had　always　reminded　me　of　a　picture　of　Noah's　ark　that　hung　in　my　bedroom　and　now　it　seemed　to　be　floating；　with　resting　oars　of　gold；　in　a　deluge　of　darkness。　We　were　greeted　with　a　noisy　welcome；　at　the　door。　Many　of　the　boys　and　girls　came；　from　all　sides　of　the　big　hall；　and　shook　hands　with　us。　Enos　Brown；　whose　long　forelocks　had　been　oiled　for　the　occasion　and　combed　down　so　they　touched　his　right　eyebrow；　was　panting　in　a　jig　that　jarred　the　house。　His　trouser　legs　were　caught　on　the　tops　of　his　fine　boots。　He　nodded　to　me　as　I　came　in；　snapped　his　fingers　and　doubled　his　energy。　It　was　an　exhibition　both　of　power　and　endurance。　He　was　damp　and　apologetic　when；　at　length；　he　stopped　with　a　mighty　bang　of　his　foot　and　sat　down　beside　me。　He　said　he　was　badly　out　of　practice　when　I　offered　congratulations。　The　first　fiddler　was　a　small　man；　with　a　short　leg；　and　a　character　that　was　minus　one　dimension。　It　had　length　and　breadth　but　no　thickness。　He　sat　with　his　fellow　player　on　a　little　platform　at　one　end　of　the　room。　He　was　an　odd　man　who　wandered　all　over　the　township　with　his　fiddle。　He　played　by　ear；　and　I　have　seen　babies　smile　and　old　men　dance　when　his　bow　was　swaying。　I　remember　that　when　I　heard　it　for　the　first　time；　I　determined　that　I　should　be　a　fiddler　if　I　ever　grew　to　be　a　man。　But　David　told　me　that　fiddlers　were　a　worthless　lot；　and　that　no　wise　man　should　ever　fool　with　a　fiddle。　One　is　lucky；　I　have　since　leamed；　if　any　dream　of　yesterday　shall　stand　the　better　light　of　today　or　the　more　searching　rays　of　tomorrow。

'Choose　yer　partners　fer　Money　Musk！'　the　caller　shouted。

Hope　and　I　got　into　line；　the　music　started；　the　circles　began　to　sway。　Darwin　Powers；　an　old　but　frisky　man；　stood　up　beside　the　fiddlers；　whistling；　with　sobriety　and　vigour；　as　they　played。　It　was　a　pleasure　to　see　some　of　the　older　men　of　the　neighbourhood　join　the　dizzy　riot　by　skipping　playfully　in　the　corners。　They　tried　to　rally　their　unwilling　wives；　and　generally　a　number　of　them　were　dancing　before　the　night　was　over。　The　life　and　colour　of　the　scene；　the　fresh；　young　faces　of　the　girls　some　of　them　models　of　rustic　beauty　…　the　playful　antics　of　the　young　men；　the　merrymaking　of　their　fathers；　the　laughter；　the　airs　of　gallantry；　the　glances　of　affection　…　there　is　a　magic　in　the　thought　of　it　all　that　makes　me　young　again。

There　were　teams　before　and　behind　us　when　we　came　home；　late　at　night；　so　sleepy　that　the　stars　went　reeling　as　we　looked　at　them。

'This　night　is　the　end　of　many　things；'　I　remarked。

'And　the　beginning　of　better　ones；　I　hope；'　was　her　answer。

'Yes；　but　they　are　so　far　away；'　I　said；　'you　leave　home　to　study　and　I　am　to　be　four　years　in　college…p