lavender and old lace-第13章

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ched　Ruth's　eyes　with　his　finger　tips；　he　had　trembled　like　a　schoolboy；　and　he　wondered　if　she　knew　it。

If　she　did；　she　made　no　sign。　Her　cheeks　were　flushed；　the　lids　of　her　downcast　eyes　were　pink；　and　her　voice　had　lost　its　crisp；　incisive　tones；　but　she　read　rapidly；　without　comment　or　pause；　until　the　supply　of　news　gave　out。　Then　she　began　on　the　advertisements；　dreading　the　end　of　her　task　and　vainly　wishing　for　more　papers；　though　in　her　heart　there　was　something　sweet；　which；　even　to　herself；　she　dared　not　name。

〃That'll　do；〃　he　said；　abruptly；　〃I'm　not　interested　in　the　'midsummer　glove　clearing。'　I　meant　to　tell　you　something　when　I　first　cameI've　got　to　go　away。〃

Ruth's　heart　throbbed　painfully；　as　if　some　cold　hand　held　it　fast。　〃Yes；〃　she　said；　politely；　not　recognising　her　own　voice。

〃It's　only　for　a　weekI've　got　to　go　to　the　oculist　and　see　about　some　other　things。　I'll　be　back　before　long。〃

〃I　shall　miss　you；〃　she　said；　conventionally。　Then　she　saw　that　he　was　going　away　to　relieve　her　from　the　embarrassment　of　his　presence；　and　blessed　him　accordingly。

〃When　are　you　going？〃　she　asked。

〃This　afternoon。　I　don't　want　to　go；　but　it's　just　as　well　to　have　it　over　with。　Can　I　do　anything　for　you　in　the　city？〃

〃No；　thank　you。　My　wants　are　few　and；　at　present；　well　supplied。〃

〃Don't　you　want　me　to　match　something　for　you？　I　thought　women　always　had　pieces　of　stuff　that　had　to　be　matched　immediately。〃

〃They　made　you　edit　the　funny　column；　didn't　they？〃　she　asked；　irrelevantly。

〃They　did；　Miss　Thorne；　and；　moreover；　I　expect　I'll　have　to　do　it　again。〃

After　a　little；　they　were　back　on　the　old　footing；　yet　everything　was　different；　for　there　was　an　obtruding　self　consciousness　on　either　side。　〃What　time　do　you　go？〃　she　asked；　with　assumed　indifference。

〃Three…fifteen；　I　think；　and　it's　after　one　now。〃

He　walked　back　to　the　house　with　her；　and；　for　the　second　time　that　day；　Hepsey　came　out　to　sweep　the　piazza。

〃Good　bye；　Miss　Thorne；〃　he　said。

〃Good　bye；　Mr。　Winfield。〃

That　was　all；　but　Ruth　looked　up　with　an　unspoken　question　and　his　eyes　met　hers　clearly；　with　no　turning　aside。　She　knew　he　would　come　back　very　soon　and　she　understood　his　answerthat　he　had　the　right。

As　she　entered　the　house；　Hepsey　said；　pleasantly：　〃Has　he　gone　away；　Miss　Thorne？〃

〃Yes；〃　she　answered；　without　emotion。　She　was　about　to　say　that　she　did　not　care　for　luncheon；　then　decided　that　she　must　seem　to　care。

Still；　it　was　impossible　to　escape　that　keen…eyed　observer。　〃You　ain't　eatin'　much；〃　she　suggested。

〃I'm　not　very　hungry。〃

〃Be　you　sick；　Miss　Thorne？〃

〃Nonot　exactly。　I've　been　out　in　the　sun　and　my　head　aches；〃　she　replied；　clutching　at　the　straw。

〃Do　you　want　a　wet　rag？〃

Ruth　laughed；　remembering　an　earlier　suggestion　of　Winfield's。　〃No；　I　don't　want　any　wet　rag；　Hepsey；　but　I'll　go　up　to　my　room　for　a　little　while；　I　think。　Please　don't　disturb　me。〃

She　locked　her　door；　shutting　out　all　the　world　from　the　nameless　joy　that　surged　in　her　heart。　The　mirror　disclosed　flushed；　feverish　cheeks　and　dark　eyes　that　shone　like　stars。　〃Ruth　Thorne；〃　she　said　to　herself；　〃I'm　ashamed　of　you！　First　you　act　like　a　fool　and　then　like　a　girl　of　sixteen！〃

Then　her　senses　became　confused　and　the　objects　in　the　room　circled　around　her　unsteadily。　〃I'm　tired；〃　she　murmured。　Her　head　sank　drowsily　into　the　lavender　scented　pillow　and　she　slept　too　soundly　to　take　note　of　the　three　o'clock　train　leaving　the　station。　It　was　almost　sunset　when　she　was　aroused　by　voices　under　her　window。

〃That　feller's　gone　home；〃　said　Joe。

〃Do　tell！〃　exclaimed　Hepsey。　〃Did　he　pay　his　board？〃

〃Yep；　every　cent。　He's　a…comin'　back。〃

〃When？〃

〃D'know。　Don't　she　know？〃　The　emphasis　indicated　Miss　Thorne。

〃I　guess　not；〃　answered　Hepsey。　〃They　said　good　bye　right　in　front　of　me；　and　there　wa'n't　nothin'　said　about　it。〃

〃They　ain't　courtin'；　then；〃　said　Joe；　after　a　few　moments　of　painful　thought；　and　Ruth；　in　her　chamber　above；　laughed　happily　to　herself。

〃Mebbe　not；〃　rejoined　Hepsey。　〃It　ain't　fer　sech　as　me　to　say　when　there's　courtin'　and　when　there　ain't；　after　havin'　gone　well　nigh　onto　five　year　with　a　country　loafer　what　ain't　never　said　nothin'。〃　She　stalked　into　the　house；　closed　the　door；　and　noisily　bolted　it。　Joe　stood　there　for　a　moment；　as　one　struck　dumb；　then　gave　a　long；　low　whistle　of　astonishment　and　walked　slowly　down　the　hill。



X。　Love　Letters

〃A　week！〃　Ruth　said　to　herself　the　next　morning。　〃Seven　long　days！　No　letter；　because　he　mustn't　write；　no　telegram；　because　there's　no　office　within　ten　milesnothing　to　do　but　wait！〃

When　she　went　down　to　breakfast；　Hepsey　did　not　seem　to　hear　her　cheery　greeting；　but　was　twisting　her　apron　and　walking　about　restlessly。　〃Miss　Thorne；〃　she　said；　at　length；　〃did　you　ever　get　a　love　letter？〃

〃Why；　yes；　of　course；〃　laughed　Ruth。　〃Every　girl　gets　love　letters。〃

Hepsey　brightened　visibly；　then　inquired；　with　great　seriousness：　〃Can　you　read　writin'；　Miss　Thorne？〃

〃That　depends　on　the　writing。〃

〃Yes'm；　it　does　so。　I　can　read　some　writin'I　can　read　Miss　Hathaway's　writin'；　and　some　of　the　furrin　letters　she's　had；　but　I　got　some　this　mornin'　I　can't　make　out；　nohow。〃

〃Where　did　you　find　'writing'　this　morning？　It's　too　early　for　the　mail；　isn't　it？〃

〃Yes'm。　It　was　stuck　under　the　kitchen　winder。〃　Hepsey　looked　up　at　the　ceiling　in　an　effort　to　appear　careless；　and　sighed。　Then　she　clutched　violently　at　the　front　of　her　blue　gingham　dress；　immediately　repenting　of　her　rashness。　Ruth　was　inwardly　amused　but　asked　no　helpful　questions。

Finally；　Hepsey　took　the　plunge。　〃Would　you　mind　tryin'　to　make　out　some　writin'　I've　got；　Miss　Thorne？〃

〃Of　course　notlet　me　see　it。〃

Hepsey　extracted　a　letter　from　the　inmost　recesses　of　her　attire　and　stood　expectantly；　with　her　hands　on　her　hips。

〃Why；　it's　a　love　letter！〃　Ruth　exclaimed。

〃Yes'm。　When　you　get　through　readin'　it　to　yourself；　will　you　read　it　out　loud？〃

The　letter；　which　was　written　on　ruled　note　paper；　bore　every　evidence　of　care　and　thought。　〃Hepsey；〃　it　began；　and；　on　the　line　below；　with　a　great　flourish　under　it；　〃Respected　Miss〃　stood；　in　large　capitals。

〃Although　it　is　now　but　a　short　interval；〃　Ruth　read；　〃since　my　delighted　eyes　first　rested　on　your　beautiful　form〃

〃Five　year！〃　interjected　Hepsey。

〃yet　I　dare　to　hope　that　you　will　receive　graciously　what　I　am　about　to　say；　as　I　am　assured　you　will；　if　you　reciprocate　the　sentiments　which　you　have　aroused　in　my　bosom。

〃In　this　short　time；　dear　Miss；　brief　though　it　is；　yet　it　has　proved　amply　sufficient　for　my　heart　to　go　out　to　you　in　a　yearning　love　which　I　have　never　before　felt　for　one　of　your　sex。　Day　by　day　and　night　by　night　your　glorious　image　has　followed　me。〃

〃That's　a　lie；〃　interrupted　Hepsey；　〃he　knows　I　never　chased　him　nowheres；　not　even　when　he　took　that　red…headed　Smith　girl　to　the　Sunday…school　picnic　over　to　the　Ridge；　a　year　ago　come　August。〃

〃Those　dark　tresses　have　entwined　my　soul　in　their　silken　meshes；　those　deep　eyes；　that　have　borrowed　their　colour　from　Heaven's　cerulean　blue；　and　those　soft　white　hands；　that　have　never　been　roughened　by　uncongenial　toil；　have　been　ever　present　in　my　dreams。〃

Ruth　paused　for　a　moment；　overcome　by　her　task；　but　Hepsey's　face　was　radiant。　〃Hurry　up；　Miss　Thorne；〃　she　said；　impatiently。

〃In　short；　Dear　Miss；　I　consider　you　the　most　surpassingly　lovely　of　your　kind；　and　it　is　with　pride　swelling　in　my　manly　bosom　that　I　dare　to　ask　so　peerless　a　jewel　for　her　heart　and　hand。

〃My　parentage；　birth；　and　breeding　are　probably　known　to　you；　but　should　any　points　remain　doubtful；　I　will　be　pleased　to　present　references　as　to　my　character　and　standing　in　the　community。

〃I　await　with　impatience；　Madam；　your　favourable　answer　to　my　plea。　Rest　assured　that　if　you　should　so　honour　me　as　to　accept　my　proposal；　I　will　endeavour　to　stand　always　between　you　and　the　hard；　cruel　world；　as　your　faithful　shield。　I　will　also　endeavour　constantly　to　give　you　a　happiness　as　great　as　that　which　will　immediately　flood　my　bing　upon　receipt　of　your　blushing　acceptance。

〃I　remain；　Dear　Miss；　your　devoted　lover　and　humble　servant；

〃JOSEPH　PENDLETON；　ESQ。〃

〃My！　My！〃　ejaculated　Hepsey。　〃Ain't　that　fine　writin'！〃

〃It　certainly　is；〃　responded　Miss　Thorne；　keeping　her　face　straight　with　difficulty。

〃Would　you　mind　readin'　it　again？〃

She　found　the　second　recital　much　easier；　since　she　was　partially　accustomed　to　the　heavy　punctuation　marks　and　shaded　flourishes。　At　first；　she　had　connected　Winfield　with　the　effusion；　but　second　thought　placed　the　blame　where　it　belongedat　the　door　of　a　〃Complete　Letter　Writer。〃

〃Miss　Thorne；〃　said　Hepsey；　hesitating。

〃Yes？〃

〃Of　course；　I'd　like　my　answer　to　be　as　good　writin'　as　his'n。〃

〃Naturally。〃

〃Where　d'you　s'pose　he　got　all　that　lovely　grammar？〃

〃Grammar　is　a　rare　gift；　Hepsey。〃

〃Yes'm；'t　is　so。　Miss　Thorne；　do　you　guess　you　could　write　as　good　as　that？〃

〃I'd　be　willing　to　try；〃　returned　Ruth；　with　due　humility。

Hepsey　thought　painfully　for　a　few　moments。　〃I'd　know　jest　what　I'd　better　say。　Now；　last　night；　I　give　Joe　a　hint；　as　you　may　say；　but　I　wouldn't　want　him　to　think　I'd　jest　been　a…waitin'　for　him。〃

〃No；　of　course　not。〃

〃Ain't　it　better　to　keep　him　in　suspense；　as　you　may　say？〃

〃Far　better；　Hepsey；　he'll　think　more　of　you。〃

〃Then　I'll　jest　write　that　I'm　willin'　to　think　it　over；　and　if　you'll　put　it　on　a　piece　of　paper　fer　me；　I'll　write　it　out　with　ink。　I've　got　two　sheets　of　paper　jest　like　this；　with　nice　blue　lines　onto　it；that　I've　been　a…savin'　fer　a　letter；　and　Miss　Hathaway；　she's　got　ink。〃

Ruth　sat　down　to　compose　an　answer　which　should　cast　a　shadow　over　the　〃Complete　Letter　Writer。〃　Her　pencil　flew　over　the　rough　copy　paper　with　lightning　speed；　while　Hepsey　stood　by　in　amazement。

〃Listen；〃　she　said；　at　length；　〃how　do　you　like　this？〃

〃MR。　JOSEPH　PENDLETON

〃Respected　Sir：　Although　your　communication　of　recent　date　was　a　great　surprise　to　me；　candour　compels　me　to　confess　that　it　was　not　entirely　disagreeable。　I　have　observed；　though　with　true　feminine　delicacy；　that　your　affections　were　inclined　to　settle　in　my　direction；　and　have　not　repelled　your　advances。

〃Still；　I　do　not　feel　that　as　yet　we　are　sufficiently　acquainted　to　render　immediate　matrimony　either　wise　or　desirable；　and　since　the　suddenness　of　your　proposal　has　in　a　measure　taken　my　breath　away；　I　must　beg　that　you　will　allow　me　a　proper　interval　in　which　to　consider　the　matter；　and；　in　the　meantime；　think　of　me　simply　as　your　dearest　friend。

〃I　may　add；　in　conclusion；　that　your　character　and　standing　in　the　community　are　entirely　satisfactory　to　me。　Thanking　you　for　the　honour　you　have　conferred　upon　me；　believe　me；　Dear　Sir；

〃Your　sincere　friend；

〃HEPSEY。〃

〃My！〃　exclaimed　Hepsey；　with　overmastering　pride；　〃ain't　that　beautiful！　It's　better　than　his'n；　ain't　it？〃

〃I　wouldn't　say　that；〃　Ruth　replied；　with　proper　modesty；　〃but　I　think　it　will　do。〃

〃Yes'm。　'Twill　so。　Your　writin'　ain't　nothin'　like　Joe's；〃　she　continued；　scanning　it　closely；　〃but　it's　real　pretty。〃　Then　a　bright　idea　illuminated　her　countenance。　〃Miss　Thorne；　if　you'll　wri