merton of the movies-第2章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


Our　Prices　Always　Right。

Merton　Gillso　for　a　little　time　he　must　still　be　knownmoodily　seized　the　late　Estelle　St。　Clair　under　his　arm　and　〃withdrew　from　the　dingy　back　storeroom。　Down　between　the　counters　of　the　emporium　he　went　with　his　fair　burden　and　left　her　outside　its　portals；　staring　from　her　very　definitely　lashed　eyes　across　the　slumbering　street　at　the　Simsbury　post　office。　She　was　tastefully　arrayed　in　one　of　those　new　checked　gingham　house　frocks　so　heatedly　mentioned　a　moment　since　by　her　lawful　owner；　and　across　her　chest　Merton　Gill　now　imposed；　with　no　tenderness　of　manner；　the　appealing　legend；　〃Our　Latest　for　Milady；　only　6。98。〃　He　returned　for　Snake　le　Vasquez。　That　outlaw's　face；　even　out　of　the　picture；　was　evil。　He　had　been　picked　for　the　part　because　of　this　faceplump；　pinkly　tinted　cheeks；　lustrous；　curling　hair　of　some　repellent　composition；　eyes　with　a　hard　glitter；　each　lash　distinct　in　blue…black　lines；　and　a　small；　tip…curled　black　mustache　that　lent　the　whole　an　offensive　smirk。　Garbed　now　in　a　raincoat；　he；　too；　was　posed　before　the　emporium　front；　labelled　〃Rainproof　or　You　Get　Back　Your　Money。〃　So　frankly　evil　was　his　mien　that　Merton　Gill；　pausing　to　regard　him；　suffered　a　brief　relapse　into　artistry。

〃You　fiend！〃　he　muttered；　and　contemptuously　smote　the　cynical　face　with　an　open　hand。

Snake　le　Vasquez　remained　indifferent　to　the　affront；　smirking　insufferably　across　the　slumbering　street　at　the　wooden　Indian　proffering　cigars　before　the　establishment　of　Selby　Brothers；　Confectionery　and　Tobaccos。

Within　the　emporium　the　proprietor　now　purveyed　hooks　and　eyes　to　an　impatient　Mrs。　Leffingwell。　Merton　Gill；　behind　the　opposite　counter；　waited　upon　a　little　girl　sent　for　two　and　a　quarter　yards　of　stuff　to　match　the　sample　crumpled　in　her　damp　hand。　Over　the　suave　amenities　of　this　merchandising　Amos　Gashwiler　glared　suspiciously　across　the　store　at　his　employee。　Their　relations　were　still　strained。　Merton　also　glared　at　Amos；　but　discreetly；　at　moments　when　the　other's　back　was　turned　or　when　he　was　blandly　wishing　to　know　of　Mrs。　Leffingwell　if　there　would　be　something　else　to…day。　Other　customers　entered。　Trade　was　on。

Both　Merton　and　Amos　wore　airs　of　cheerful　briskness　that　deceived　the　public。　No　one　could　have　thought　that　Amos　was　fearing　his　undoubtedly　crazed　clerk　might　become　uncontrollable　at　any　moment；　or　that　the　clerk　was　mentally　parting　from　Amos　forever　in　a　scene　of　tense　dramatic　value　in　which　his　few　dignified　but　scathing　words　would　burn　themselves　unforgettably　into　the　old　man's　brain。　Merton；　to　himself；　had　often　told　Amos　these　things。　Some　day　he'd　say　them　right　out；　leaving　his　victim　not　only　in　the　utmost　confusion　but　in　black　despair　of　ever　finding　another　clerk　one　half　as　efficient　as　Merton　Gill。

The　afternoon　wore　to　closing　time　in　a　flurry　of　trade；　during　which；　as　Merton　continued　to　behave　sanely；　the　apprehension　of　his　employer　in　a　measure　subsided。　The　last　customer　had　departed　from　the　emporium。　The　dummies　were　brought　inside。　The　dust　curtains　were　hung　along　the　shelves　of　dry　goods。　There　remained　for　Merton　only　the　task　of　delivering　a　few　groceries。　He　gathered　these　and　took　them　out　to　the　wagon　in　front。　Then　he　changed　from　his　store　coat　to　his　street　coat　and　donned　a　rakish　plush　hat。

Amos　was　also　changing　from　his　store　coat　to　his　street　coat　and　donning　his　frayed　straw　hat。

〃See　if　you　can't　keep　from　actin'　crazy　while　you　make　them　deliveries；〃　said　Amos；　not　uncordially；　as　he　lighted　a　choice　cigar　from　the　box　which　he　kept　hidden　under　a　counter。

Merton　wished　to　reply：　〃See　here；　Mr。　Gashwiler；　I've　stood　this　abuse　long　enough！　The　time　has　come　to　say　a　few　words　to　you〃　But　aloud　he　merely　responded；　〃Yes；　sir！〃

The　circumstance　that　he　also　had　a　cigar　from　the　same　box；　hidden　not　so　well　as　Amos　thought；　may　have　subdued　his　resentment。　He　would　light　the　cigar　after　the　first　turn　in　the　road　had　carried　him　beyond　the　eagle　eye　of　its　owner。

The　delivery　wagon　outside　was　drawn　by　an　elderly　horse　devoid　of　ambition　or　ideals。　His　head　was　sunk　in　dejection。　He　was　gray　at　the　temples；　and　slouched　in　the　shafts　in　a　loafing　attitude；　one　forefoot　negligently　crossed　in　front　of　the　other。　He　aroused　himself　reluctantly　and　with　apparent　difficulty　when　Merton　Gill　seized　the　reins　and　called　in　commanding　tones；　〃Get　on　there；　you　old　skate！〃　The　equipage　moved　off　under　the　gaze　of　Amos；　who　was　locking　the　doors　of　his　establishment。

Turning　the　first　corner　into　a　dusty　side　street；　Merton　dropped　the　reins　and　lighted　the　filched　cigar。　Other　Gashwiler　property　was　sacred　to　him。　From　all　the　emporium's　choice　stock　he　would　have　abstracted　not　so　much　as　a　pin；　but　the　Gashwiler　cigars；　said　to　be　〃The　World's　Best　10c　Smoke；〃　with　the　picture　of　a　dissipated　clubman　in　evening　dress　on　the　box　cover；　were　different；　in　that　they　were　pointedly　hidden　from　Merton。　He　cared　little　for　cigars；　but　this　was　a　challenge；　the　old　boy　couldn't　get　away　with　anything　like　that。　If　he　didn't　want　his　cigars　touched　let　him　leave　the　box　out　in　the　open　like　a　man。　Merton　drew　upon　the　lighted　trophy；　moistened　and　pasted　back　the　wrapper　that　had　broken　when　the　end　was　bitten　off；　and　took　from　the　bottom　of　the　delivery　wagon　the　remains　of　a　buggy　whip　that　had　been　worn　to　half　its　length。　With　this　he　now　tickled　the　bony　ridges　of　the　horse。　Blows　meant　nothing　to　Dexter；　but　he　could　still　be　tickled　into　brief　spurts　of　activity。　He　trotted　with　swaying　head；　sending　up　an　effective　dust　screen　between　the　wagon　and　a　still　possibly　observing　Gashwiler。

His　deliveries　made；　Merton　again　tickled　the　horse　to　a　frantic　pace　which　continued　until　they　neared　the　alley　on　which　fronted　the　Gashwiler　barn；　there　the　speed　was　moderated　to　a　mild　amble；　for　Gashwiler　believed　his　horse　should　be　driven　with　tenderness；　and　his　equally　watchful　wife　believed　it　would　run　away　if　given　the　chance。

Merton　drove　into　the　barnyard；　unhitched　the　horse；　watered　it　at　the　half　of　a　barrel　before　the　iron　pump；　and　led　it　into　the　barn；　where　he　removed　the　harness。　The　old　horse　sighed　noisily　and　shook　himself　with　relief　as　the　bridle　was　removed　and　a　halter　slipped　over　his　venerable　brow。

Ascertaining　that　the　barnyard　was　vacant；　Merton　immediately　became　attentive　to　his　charge。　Throughout　the　late　drive　his　attitude　had　been　one　of　mild　but　contemptuous　abuse。　More　than　once　he　had　uttered　the　words　〃old　skate〃　in　tones　of　earnest　conviction；　and　with　the　worn　end　of　the　whip　he　had　cruelly　tickled　the　still　absurdly　sensitive　sides。　Had　beating　availed　he　would　with　no　compunction　have　beaten　the　drooping　wreck。　But　now；　all　at　once；　he　was　curiously　tender。　He　patted　the　shoulder　softly；　put　both　arms　around　the　bony　neck；　and　pressed　his　face　against　the　face　of　Dexter。　A　moment　he　stood　thus；　then　spoke　in　a　tear…choked　voice：

〃Good…by；　old　palthe　best；　the　truest　pal　a　man　ever　had。　You　and　me　has　seen　some　tough　times；　old　pard；　but　you've　allus　brought　me　through　without　a　scratch；　allus　brought　me　through。〃　There　was　a　sob　in　the　speaker's　voice；　but　he　manfully　recovered　a　clear　tone　of　pathos。　〃And　now；　old　pal；　they're　a…takin'　ye　from　meyes；　we　got　to　part；　you　an'　me。　I'm　never　goin'　to　set　eyes　on　ye　agin。　But　we　got　to　be　brave；　old　pal；　we　got　to　keep　a　stiff　upper　lipno　cryin'　now；　no　bustin'　down。〃

The　speaker　unclasped　his　arms　and　stood　with　head　bowed；　his　face　working　curiously；　striving　to　hold　back　the　sobs。

For　Merton　Gill　was　once　more　Clifford　Armytage；　popular　idol　of　the　screen；　in　his　great　role　of　Buck　Benson　bidding　the　accustomed　farewell　to　his　four…footed　pal　that　had　brought　him　safely　through　countless　dangers。　How　are　we　to　know　that　in　another　couple　of　hundred　feet　of　the　reel　Buck　will　escape　the　officers　of　the　law　who　have　him　for　that　hold…up　of　the　Wallahoola　stageof　which　he　was　innocentleap　from　a　second…story　window　of　the　sheriff's　office　onto　the　back　of　his　old　pal；　and　be　carried　safely　over　the　border　where　the　hellhounds　can't　touch　him　until　his　innocence　is　proved　by　Estelle　St。　Clair；　the　New　York　society　girl；　whose　culture　demanded　a　gentleman　but　whose　heart　demanded　a　man。　How　are　we　to　know　this？　We　only　know　that　Buck　Benson　always　has　to　kiss　his　horse　good…by　at　this　spot　in　the　drama。

Merton　Gill　is　impressively　Buck　Benson。　His　sobs　are　choking　him。　And　though　Gashwiler's　delivery　horse　is　not　a　pinto；　and　could　hardly　get　over　the　border　ahead　of　a　sheriff's　posse；　the　scene　is　affecting。

〃Good…by；　again；　old　pal；　and　God　bless　ye！〃　sobs　Merton。




CHAPTER　II

THAT　NIGHTTHE　APARTMENTS　OF　CLIFFORD　ARMYTAGE


Merton　Gill　mealed　at　the　Gashwiler　home。　He　ate　his　supper　in　moody　silence；　holding　himself　above　the　small　gossip　of　the　day　that　engaged　Amos　and　his　wife。　What　to　him　meant　the　announcement　that　Amos　expected　a　new　line　of　white　goods　on　the　morrow；　or　Mrs。　Gashwiler's　version　of　a　regrettable　incident　occurring　at　that　afternoon's　meeting　of　the　Entre　Nous　Five　Hundred　Club；　in　which　the　score　had　been　juggled　adversely　to　Mrs。　Gashwiler；　resulting　in　the　loss　of　the　first　prize；　a　handsome　fern　dish；　and　concerning　which　Mrs。　Gashwiler　had　thought　it　best　to　speak　her　mind？　What　importance　could　he　attach　to　the　disclosure　of　Metta　Judson；　the　Gashwiler　hired　girl；　who　chatted　freely　during　her　appearances　with　food；　that　Doc　Cummins　had　said　old　Grandma　Foutz　couldn't　last　out　another　day；　that　the　Peter　Swansons　were　sending　clear　to　Chicago　for　Tilda's　trousseau；　and　that　Jeff　Murdock　had　arrested　one　of　the　Giddings　boys；　but　she　couldn't　learn　if　it　was　Ferd　or　Gus；　for　being　drunk　as　a　fool　and　busting　up　a　bazaar　out　at　the　Oak　Grove　schoolhouse；　and　the　fighting　was　something　terrible。

Scarcely　did　he　listen　to　these　petty　recitals。　He　ate　in　silence；　and　when　he　had　finished　the　simple　meal　he　begged　to　be　excused。　He　begged　this　in　a　lofty；　detached；　somewhat　weary　manner；　as　a　man　of　the　world；　excessively　bored　at　the　dull　chatter　but　still　the　fastidious　gentleman；　might　have　begged　it；　breaking　into　one　of　the　many　repetitions　by　his　hostess　of　just　what　she　had　said　to　Mrs。　Judge　Ellis。　He　was　again　Clifford　Armytage；　enacting　a　polished　society　man　among　yokels。　He　was　so　impressive；　after　rising；　in　his　bow　to　Mrs。　Gashwiler　that　Amos　regarded　him　with　a　kindling　suspicion。

〃Say！〃　he　called；　as　Merton　in　the　hallway　plucked　his　rakish　plush　hat　from　the　mirrored　rack。　〃You　remember；　now；　no　more　o'　that　skylarkin'　with　them　dummies！　Them　things　cost　money。〃

Merton　paused。　He　wished　to　laugh　sarcastically；　a　laugh　of　withering　scorn。　He　wished　to　reply　in　polished　tones；　〃Skylarkin'！　You　poor；　dull　clod；　what　do　you　know　of　my　ambitions；　my　ideals？　You；　with　your　petty　life　devoted　to　gaining　a　few　paltry　dollars！〃　But　he　did　not　say　this；　or　even　register　the　emotion　that　would　justly　accompany　such　a　subtitle。　He　merely　rejoined；　〃All　right；　sir；　I'm　not　going　to　touch　them；〃　and　went　quickly　out。　〃Darned　old　grouch！〃　he　muttered　as　he　went　down　the　concrete　walk　to　the　Gashwiler　front　gate。

Here　he　turned　to　regard　the　two…story　brick　house　and　the