eben holden-第38章

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'Which　is　Brower？'he　enquired　presently。

I　came　forward　more　scared　than　ever　I　had　been　before。

'My　son；'he　said；　taking　my　hand　in　his；　'why　didn　t　you　run？'

'Didn't　dare；'I　answered。　'I　knew　it　was　more　dangerous　to　run　away　than　to　go　forward。'

'Reminds　me　of　a　story；'said　he　smiling。　'Years　ago　there　was　a　bully　in　Sangamon　County；　Illinois；　that　had　the　reputation　of　running　faster　and　fighting　harder　than　any　man　there。　Everybody　thought　he　was　a　terrible　fighter。　He　d　always　get　a　man　on　the　run；　then　he　d　ketch　up　and　give　him　a　licking。　One　day　he　tadded　a　lame　man。　The　lame　man　licked　him　in　a　minute。

'〃Why　didn't　ye　run？〃　somebody　asked　the　victor。

'〃Didn't　dast；〃　said　he。　〃Run　once　when　he　tackled　me　an　I've　been　lame　ever　since。〃

〃How　did　ye　manage　to　lick　him？〃　said　the　other。

'〃Wall；〃　said　he；　〃I　hed　to；　an'I　done　it　easy。〃

'That's　the　way　it　goes；'said　the　immortal　president；　'ye　do　it　easy　if　ye　have　to。　

He　reminded　me　in　and　out　of　Horace　Greeley；　although　they　looked　no　more　alike　than　a　hawk　and　a　handsaw。　But　they　had　a　like　habit　of　forgetting　themselves　and　of　saying　neither　more　nor　less　than　they　meant。　They　both　had　the　strength　of　an　ox　and　as　little　vanity。　Mr　Greeley　used　to　say　that　no　man　could　amount　to　anything　who　worried　much　about　the　fit　of　his　trousers；　neither　of　them　ever　encountered　that　obstacle。

Early　next　morning　I　took　a　train　for　home。　I　was　in　soldier　clothes　　　I　had　with　me　no　others　…　and　all　in　my　car　came　to　talk　with　me　about　the　now　famous　battle　of　Bull　Run。

The　big　platform　atjersey　City　was　crowded　with　many　people　as　we　got　off　the　train。　There　were　other　returning　soldiers　…　some　with　crutches；　some　with　empty　sleeves。

A　band　at　the　further　end　of　the　platform　was　playing　and　those　near　me　were　singing　the　familiar　music；

'John　Brown's　body　lies　a　mouldering　in　the　grave。　

Somebody　shouted　my　name。　Then　there　rose　a　cry　of　three　cheers　for　Brower。　It's　some　of　the　boys　of　the　Tribune；　I　thought　…　I　could　see　a　number　of　them　in　the　crowd。　One　brought　me　a　basket　of　flowers。　I　thought　they　were　trying　to　have　fun　with　me。

'Thank　you！'said　I；　'but　what　is　the　joke？'　

'No　joke；'he　said。　'It's　to　honour　a　hero。'　

'Oh；　you　wish　me　to　give　it　to　somebody。'

I　was　warming　with　embarrassment

'We　wish　you　to　keep　it；'he　answered。

In　accounts　of　the　battle　I　had　seen　some　notice　of　my　leading　a　charge　but　my　fame　had　gone　farther　…　much　farther　indeed　…　than　I　knew。　I　stood　a　moment　laughing　…　an　odd　sort　of　laugh　it　was　that　had　in　it　the　salt　of　tears　…　and　waving　my　hand　to　the　many　who　were　now　calling　my　name。

In　the　uproar　of　cheers　and　waving　of　handkerchiefs　I　could　not　find　Uncle　Eb　for　a　moment。　When　I　saw　him　in　the　breaking　crowd　he　was　cheering　lustily　and　waving　his　hat　above　his　head。　His　enthusiasm　increased　when　I　stood　before　him。　As　1　was　greeting　him　I　heard　a　lively　rustle　of　skirts。　Two　dainty；　gloved　hands　laid　hold　of　mine；　a　sweet　voice　spoke　my　name。　There；　beside　me；　stood　the　tall；　erect　figure　of　Hope。　Our　eyes　met　and；　before　there　was　any　thinking　of　propriety；　I　had　her　in　my　arms　and　was　kissing　her　and　she　was　kissing　me。

It　thrilled　me　to　see　the　splendour　of　her　beauty　that　day；　her　eyes　wet　with　feeling　as　they　looked　up　at　me；　to　feel　again　the　trembling　touch　of　her　lips。　In　a　moment　I　turned　to　Uncle　Eb。

'Boy；'he　said；　'I　thought　you''　and　then　he　stopped　and　began　brushing　his　coat　sleeve。

'Come　on　now；'he　added　as　he　took　my　grip　away　from　me。　'We　re　goin't'hey　a　gran'good　time。　I　ll　take　ye　all　to　a　splendid　tavern　somewheres。　An'I　ain't　goin'if　count　the　cost　nuther。　

He　was　determined　to　carry　my　grip　for　me。　Hope　had　a　friend　with　her　who　was　going　north　in　the　morning　on　our　boat。　We　crossed　the　ferry　and　took　a　Broadway　omnibus；　while　query　followed　query。

'Makes　me　feel　like　a　flapjack　t'ride　'n　them　things；'said　Unde　Eb　as　we　got　out。

He　hired　a　parlour　and　two　bedrooms　for　us　all　at　the　St　Nicholas。

'Purty　middlin'steep！'he　said　to　me　as　we　left　the　office。　'It　is；　sartin！　but　I　don't　care　…　not　a　bit。　When　folks　has　if　hey　a　good　time　they　ve　got　t'hey　it。　

We　were　soon　seated　in　our　little　parlour。　There　was　a　great　glow　of　health　and　beauty　in　Hope's　face。　It　was　a　bit　fuller　but　had　nobler　outlines　and　a　colouring　as　delicate　as　ever。　She　wore　a　plain　grey　gown　admirably　fitted　to　her　plump　figure。　There　was　a　new　and　splendid　'dignity　in　her　carriage；　her　big　blue　eyes；　her　nose　with　its　little　upward　slant。　She　was　now　the　well　groomed　young　woman　of　society　in　the　full　glory　of　her　youth。

Uncle　Eb　who　sat　between　us　pinched　her　cheek　playfully。　A　little　spot　of　white　showed　a　moment　where　his　fingers　had　been。　Then　the　pink　flooded　over　it。

'Never　see　a　girl　git　such　a　smack　as　you　did；'he　said　laughing。

'Well；'said　she；　sn乴ing；　'I　guess　I　gave　as　good　as　I　got。　

'Served　him　right；'he　said。　'You　kissed　back　good　'n　hard。　Gran　　sport！'he　added　turning　to　me。

'Best　I　ever　had；'was　my　humble　acknowledgement。

'Seldom　ever　see　a　girl　kissed　so　powerful；'he　said　as　he　took　Hope　hand　in　his。　'Now　if　the　Bible　said　when　a　body　kissed　ye　on　one　cheek　ye　mus'turn　if　other　I　wouldn　t　find　no　fault。　But　ther's　a　heap　o　differ　nce　'tween　a　whack　an'a　smack。　

When　we　had　come　back　from　dinner　Uncle　Lb　drew　off　his　boots　and　sat　comfortably　in　his　stocking　feet　while　Hope　told　of　her　travels　and　I　of　my　soldiering。　She　had　been　at　the　Conservatory；　nearly　the　whole　period　of　her　absence；　and　hastened　home　when　she　learned　of　the　battle　and　of　my　wound。　She　had　landed　two　days　before。

Hope's　friend　and　Unde　Lb　went　away　to　their　rooms　in　good　season。　Then　I　came　and　sat　beside　Hope　on　the　sofa。

'Let's　have　a　good　talk；'I　said。

There　was　an　awkward　bit　of　silence。

'Well；'said　she；　her　fan　upon　her　lips；　'tell　me　more　about　the　war。　

'Tired　of　war；'I　answered；　'love　is　a　better　subject。　

She　rose　and　walked　up　and　down　the　room；　a　troubled　look　in　her　face。　I　thought　I　had　never　seen　a　woman　who　could　carry　her　head　so　proudly。

'I　don't　thinkyou　are　very　familiar　with　it；'said　she　presently。

'I　ought　to　be；'I　answered；　'having　loved　you　all　these　years。　

'But　you　told　me　that　…　that　you　loved　another　girl；'she　said；　her　elbow　leaning　on　the　mantel；　her　eyes　looking　down　soberly。

'When？　Where？'I　asked。

'In　Mrs　Fuller's　parlour。'

'Hope；'I　said；　'you　misunderstood　me；　I　meant　you。　

She　came　toward　me；　then；　looking　up　into　my　eyes。　I　started　to　embrace　her　but　she　caught　my　hands　and　held　them　apart　and　came　close　to　me。

'Did　you　say　that　you　meant　me？'she　asked　in　a　whisper。

'I　did。'

'Why　did　you　not　tell　me　that　night？　

'Because　you　would　not　listen　to　me　and　we　were　interrupted。　

'Well　if　I　loved　a　girl；'she　said；　'I　d　make　her　listen。'　

'I　would　have　done　that　but　Mrs　Fuller　saved　you。'

'You　might　have　written；'she　suggested　in　a　tone　of　injury。

'I　did。'

'And　the　letter　never　came　…　just　as　I　feared。'

She　looked　very　sober　and　thoughtful　then。

'You　know　our　understanding　that　day　in　the　garden；'she　added。　'If　you　did　not　ask　me　again　I　was　to　know　you　…　you　did　not　love　me　any　longer。　That　was　long；　long　ago。　

'I　never　loved　any　girl　but　you；'I　said。　'I　love　you　now；　Hope；　and　that　is　enough　…　I　love　you　so　there　is　nothing　else　for　me。　You　are　dearer　than　my　life。　It　was　the　thought　of　you　that　made　me　brave　in　battle。　I　wish　I　could　be　as　brave　here。　But　I　demand　your　surrender　…　I　shall　give　you　no　quarter　now。　

'I　wish　I　knew；'she　said；　'whether　…　whether　you　really　love　me　or　not？　

'Don't　you　believe　me；　Hope？　

'Yes；　I　believe　you；'she　said；　'but　…　but　you　might　not　know　your　own　heart。　

'It　longs　for　you；'I　said；　'it　keeps　me　thinking　of　you　always。　Once　it　was　so　easy　to　be　happy；　since　you　have　been　away　it　has　seemed　as　if　there　were　no　longer　any　light　in　the　world　or　any　pleasure。　It　has　made　me　a　slave。　I　did　not　know　that　love　was　such　a　mighty　thing。　

'Love　is　no　Cupid　…　he　is　a　giant；'she　said；　her　voice　trembling　with　emotion　as　mine　had　trembled。　'I　tried　to　forget　and　he　crushed　me　under　his　feet　as　if　to　punish　me。　

She　was　near　to　crying　now；　but　she　shut　her　lips　firmly　and　kept　back　the　tears。　God　grant　me　I　may　never　forget　the　look　in　her　eyes　that　moment。　She　came　closer　to　me。　Our　lips　touched；　my　arms　held　her　tightly。

'I　have　waited　long　for　this；'I　said　…　'the　happiest　moment　of　my　lif&　I　thought！　had　lost　you。　

'What　a　foolish　man；'she　whispered。　'I　have　loved　you　for　years　and　years　and　you　…　you　could　not　see　it。　I　believe　now''

She　hesitated　a　moment；　her　eyes　so　close　to　my　cheek　I　could　feel　the　beat　of　their　long　lashes。

'That　God　made　you　for　me；'she　added。

'Love　is　God's　helper；'I　said。　'He　made　us　for　each　other。　

'I　thank　Him　for　it　…　I　do　love　you　so；'she　whispered。

The　rest　is　the　old；　old　story。　They　that　have　not　lived　it　are　to　be　pitied。

When　we　sat　down　at　length　she　told　me　what　I　had　long　suspected；　that　Mrs　Fuller　wished　her　to　marry　young　Livingstone。

'But　for　Unde　Eb；'she　added；　'I　think　I　should　have　done　so　…　for　I　had　given　up　all　hope　of　you。　

'Good　old　Uncle　Eb！'I　said。　'Let's　go　and　tell　him。　

He　was　sound　asleep　when　we　entered　his　room　but　woke　as　I　lit　the　gas。

'What's　the　matter？'he　whispered；　lifting　his　head。

'Congratulate　us；'I　said。　'We　re　engaged。　

'Hey　ye　conquered　her？'he　enquired　smiling。

'Love　has　conquered　us　both；'I　said。

'Wall；　I　swan！　is　thet　so？'he　answered。　'Guess　I　won't　fool　away　any　more　time　here　n　bed。　If　you　childem　ll　go　in　t'other　room　I　ll　slip　into　my　trousers　an'then　ye　ll　hear　me　talk　some　conversation。　

'Beats　the　world！'he　continued；　coming　in　presently；　buttoning　his　suspenders。　'I　thought　mos'likely　ye　d　hitch　up　t　gether　sometime。　'Tain't　often　ye　can　find　a　pair　s'well　matched。　The　same　style　an　　gaited　jest　about　alike。　When　ye　goin't'git　married？　

'She　hasn　t　named　the　day；'I　said。

'Sooner　the　better；'said　JJncle　Eb　as　he　drew　on　his　coat　and　sat　down。　'Used　if　be　so　t'when　a　young　couple　hed　set　up　n　held　each　other's　han's　a　few　nights　they　was　ready　fer　the　minister。　Wish　t　ye　could　lix　it　fer　'bout　Crissmus　time；　by　jingo！　They's　other　things　goin'if　happen　then。's　pose　yer　s'happy　now　ye　can　stan'a　little　bad　news。　I've　got　if　tell　ye　…　David's　been　losin'money。　Hain　t　never　wrote　ye　'bout　it　…　not　a　word　…　'cause　I　didn　t　know　how　'twas　comin'out。　

'How　did　he　lose　it？'I　enquired。

'Wall　ye　know　that　Ow　Barker　…　runs　a　hardware　store　in　Migleyville　…　he　sold　him　a　patent　right。　Figgered　an'argued　night　an'day　fer　more　n　three　weeks。　It　was　a　new　fangled　wash　biler。　David　he　thought　he　see　a　chance　if　put　out　agents　an'make　a　great　deal　o'money。　It　did　look　jest　as　easy　as　slidin'downhill　but　when　we　come　slide　…　wall；　we　found　out　we　was　at　the　bottom　o　　the　hill　'stid　o'the　top　an'it　wan　t　reel　good　slidin　。　He　paid　five　thousan'dollars　fer　the　right　o'ten　counties。　Then　bym　bye　Barker　he　wanted　him　t'go　security　fer　fifteen　hunderd　bilers　thet　he　was　hevin'made。　I　to！'David　he　hedn　t　better　go　in　no　deeper　but　Barker；　he　promised　big　things　an'seemed　if　be　sech　a　nice　man　'at　fln　ly　David　he