the man from glengarry-第43章

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red　that　she　knew　was　flaming　in　her　cheeks；　and　for　a　few　moments
gave　herself　up　to　the　joy　that　was　flooding　her　whole　heart　and
soul　and　all　her　tingling　veins。　　Oh；　how　happy　she　was。　　For　long
she　had　heard　of　the　Glengarry　lad　from　Maimie　and　more　from　Harry
till　there　had　grown　up　in　her　heart　a　warm；　admiring　interest。
And　now　she　had　come　to　know　him　for　herself！　　How　little　after　all
had　they　told　her　of　him。　　What　a　man　he　was！　　How　strong　and　how
fearless！　　How　true…hearted　and　how　his　eyes　could　fill　with　love！
She　started　up。　　Love？　　Love？　　Ah；　where　was　her　joy！　　How　chill
the　day　had　grown　and　how　hateful　the　sunlight　on　the　river。　　She
drew　down　the　blind　and　threw　herself　once　more　upon　the　bed；
shivering　and　sick　with　painthe　bitterest　that　heart　can　know。
Once　more　she　started　up。

〃She　is　not　worthy　of　him！〃　she　exclaimed；　aloud；　〃her　heart　is　not
deep　enough；　she　does　not；　cannot　love　him；　and　oh；　if　some　one
would　only　let　him　know！〃

She　would　tell　him　herself。　　No！　　No！　　Maimie's　sharp　arrow　was
quivering　still　in　her　heart。　　Once　more　she　threw　herself　upon　the
bed。　　How　could　she　bear　this　that　had　stricken　her？　　She　would　go
home。　　She　would　go　to　her　mother　to…morrow。　　Go　away　forever　from
ahcould　she？　　No；　anything　but　that！　　She　could　not　go　away。

Over　the　broad　river　the　warm　sunlight　lay　with　kindly　glow；　and
the　world　was　full　of　the　soft；　sweet　air　of　spring；　and　the　songs
of　mating　birds；　but　the　hours　passed；　and　over　the　river　the
shadows　began　to　creep；　and　the　whole　world　grew　dark；　and　the
songs　of　the　birds　were　hushed　to　silence。　　Then；　from　her　room；
Kate　came　down　with　face　serene；　and　but　for　the　eyes　that　somehow
made　one　think　of　tears；　without　a　sign　of　the　storm　that　had　swept
her　soul。　　She　did　not　go　home。　　She　was　too　brave　for　that。　　She
would　stay　and　fight　her　battle　to　the　end。

That　was　a　dreary　week　for　Ranald。　　He　was　lonely　and　heartsick　for
the　woods　and　for　his　home　and　friends；　but　chiefly　was　he　oppressed
with　the　sense　of　having　played　the　fool　in　his　quarrel　with　De
Lacy；　whom　he　was　beginning　to　admire　and　like。　　He　surely　might
have　avoided　that；　and　yet　whenever　he　thought　of　the　game　that　had
swept　away　from　Rouleau　all　his　winter's　earnings；　and　of　the　cruel
blow　that　had　followed；　he　felt　his　muscles　stiffen　and　his　teeth
set　tight　in　rage。　　No；　he　would　do　it　all　again；　nor　would　he
retreat　one　single　step　from　the　position　he　had　taken；　but　would
see　his　quarrel　through　to　the　end。　　But　worst　of　all　he　had　not
seen　Maimie　all　the　week。　　His　experience　with　Harry　in　the　ordering
of　his　suit　had　taught　him　the　importance　of　clothes；　and　he　now
understood　as　he　could　not　before；　Maimie's　manner　to　him。　　〃That
would　be　it；〃　he　said　to　himself；　〃and　no　wonder。　　What　would　she
do　with　a　great；　coarse　tyke　like　me！〃　　Then；　in　spite　of　all　his
loyalty；　he　could　not　help　contrasting　with　Maimie's　uncertain　and
doubtful　treatment　of　him；　the　warm；　frank　friendliness　of　Kate。
〃SHE　did　not　mind　my　clothes；〃　he　thought；　with　a　glow　of　gratitude；
but　sharply　checking　himself；　he　added；　〃but　why　should　she　care？〃
It　rather　pleased　him　to　think　that　Maimie　cared　enough　to　feel
embarrassed　at　his　rough　dress。　　So　he　kept　away　from　the　Hotel　de
Cheval　Blanc　till　his　new　suit　should　be　ready。　　It　was　not　because
of　his　dress；　however；　that　he　steadily　refused　Harry's　invitation
to　the　picnic。

〃No；　I　will　not　go；〃　he　said；　with　blunt　decision；　after　listening
to　Harry's　pleading。　　〃It　is　Lieutenant　De　Lacy's　picnic；　and　I
will　have　nothing　to　do　with　him；　and　indeed　he　will　not　be　wanting
me！〃

〃Oh；　he's　forgotten　all　about　that　little　affair；〃　cried　Harry。

〃Has　he？　　Indeed　then　if　he　is　a　man　he　has　not！〃

〃I　guess　he　hasn't　remembered　much　of　anything　for　the　last　week；〃
said　Harry；　with　a　slight　laugh。

〃Why　not？〃

〃Oh；　pshaw；　he's　been　on　a　big　tear。　　He　only　sobered　up　yesterday。〃

〃Huh！〃　grunted　Ranald；　contemptuously。　　He　had　little　respect　for　a
man　who　did　not　know　when　he　had　had　enough。　　〃What　about　his　job？〃
he　asked。

〃His　job？　　Oh；　I　see。　　His　job　doesn't　worry　him　much。　　He's　absent
on　sick…leave。　　But　he's　all　fit　again　and　I　know　he　will　be
disappointed　if　you　do　not　come　to…morrow。〃

〃I　will　not　go；〃　said　Ranald；　with　final　decision；　〃and　you　can
tell　him　so；　and　you　can　tell　him　why。〃

And　Harry　did　tell　him　with　considerable　fullness　and　emphasis　not
only　of　Ranald's　decision；　but　also　Ranald's　opinion　of　him；　for　he
felt　that　it　would　do　that　lordly　young　man　no　harm　to　know　that　a
man　whom　he　was　inclined　to　patronize　held　him　in　contempt　and　for
cause。　　The　lieutenant　listened　for　a　time　to　all　Harry　had　to　say
with　apparent　indifference；　then　suddenly　interrupting　him；　he
said：　　〃Oh；　I　say；　old　chap；　I　wouldn't　rub　it　in　if　I　were　you。　　I
have　a　more　or　less　vague　remembrance　of　having　rather　indulged　in
heroics。　　One　can't　keep　his　head　with　poker　and　unlimited　brandy…
and…sodas；　they　don't　go　together。　　It's　a　thing　I　almost　never　do；
never　in　a　big　game；　but　the　thing　got　interesting　before　I　knew。
But　I　say；　that　Glengarry　chap　plays　a　mighty　good　game。　　Must　get
him　on　again。　　Feels　hot；　eh？　　I　will　make　that　all　right；　and
what's　the　French　chap's　nameBoileau；　Rondeau；　eh？　　Rouleau。
Yes；　and　where　could　one　see　him？〃

〃I　can　find　out　from　LeNoir；　who　will　be　somewhere　near　Ranald。
You　can't　get　him　away　from　him。〃

〃Well；　do；〃　said　the　lieutenant；　lazily。　　〃Bring　LeNoir　to　see　me。
I　owe　that　Rouleau　chap　an　apology。　　Beastly　business！　　And　I'll
fix　it　up　with　Macdonald。　　He　has　the　right　of　it；　by　Jove！　　Rather
lucky；　I　fancy；　he　didn't　yield　to　my　solicitations　for　a　try　at
the　other　gamefrom　what　I　remember　of　the　street　riot；　eh？　　Would
not　mind　having　a　go　with　him　with　the　gloves；　though。　　I　will　see
him　to…morrow　morning。　　Keep　your　mind　at　rest。〃

Next　morning　when　LeNoir　came　to　his　work　he　was　full　of　the
lieutenant's　praises　to　Ranald。

〃Das　fine　feller　le　Capitaine；　eh？　　Das　de　Grand　Seigneur　for　sure！
He's　mak　eet　all　right　wit　Rouleau！　　He's　pay　de　cash　money　and
he's　mak　eet　de　good　posish　for　him；　an'　set　him　up　the　champagne；
too；　by　gar！〃

〃Huh；〃　grunted　Ranald。　　〃Run　that　crib　around　the　boom　there
LeNoir；　break　it　up　and　keep　your　gang　moving　to…day！〃

〃Bon！〃　said　LeNoir；　with　alacrity。　　〃I　give　'em　de　big　move；　me！〃

But　however　unwilling　Ranald　was　to　listen　to　LeNoir　singing　the
lieutenant's　praises；　when　he　met　Harry　at　noon　in　the　office　he
was　even　more　enthusiastic　than　LeNoir　in　his　admiration　of　De
Lacy。

〃I　never　saw　the　likes　of　him；〃　he　said。　　〃He　could　bring　the　birds
out　of　the　trees　with　that　tongue　of　his。　　Indeed；　I　could　not　have
done　what　he　did　whatever。　　Man；　but　he　is　a　gentleman！〃

〃And　are　you　going　this　evening？〃

〃That　I　am；〃　said　Ranald。　　〃What　else　could　I　do？　　I　could　not　help
myself；　he　made　me　feel　that　mean　that　I　was　ready　to　do　anything。〃

〃All　right；〃　said　Harry；　delighted；　〃I　will　take　my　canoe　around
for　you　after　six。〃

〃And；〃　continued　Ranald；　with　a　little　hesitation；　〃he　told　me　he
would　be　wearing　a　jersey　and　duck　trousers；　and　I　think　that　was
very　fine　of　him。〃

〃Why；　of　course；〃　said　Harry；　quite　mystified；　〃what　else　would　he
wear？〃

Ranald　looked　at　him　curiously　for　a　moment；　and　said：　　〃A　swallow…
tail；　perhaps；　or　a　blanket；　maybe；〃　and　he　turned　away　leaving
Harry　more　mystified　than　ever。

Soon　after　six；　Harry　paddled　around　in　his　canoe；　and　gave　the
stern　to　Ranald。　　What　a　joy　it　was　to　him　to　be　in　a　canoe　stern
again；　to　feel　the　rush　of　the　water　under　his　knees；　to　have　her
glide　swiftly　on　her　soundless　way　down　the　full…bosomed；　sunbathed
river；　to　see　her　put　her　nose　into　the　little　waves　and　gently；
smoothly　push　them　asunder　with　never　a　splash　or　swerve；　to　send
her　along　straight　and　true　as　an　arrow　in　its　flight；　and　then
flip！　flip　to　swing　her　off　a　floating　log　or　around　an　awkward
boat　lumbering　with　clumsy　oars。　　That　was　to　be　alive　again。　　Oh；
the　joy　of　it！　　Of　all　things　that　move　to　the　will　of　man　there　is
none　like　the　canoe。　　It　alone　has　the　sweet；　smooth　glide；　the
swift；　silent　dart　answering　the　paddle　sweep；　the　quick　swerve　in
response　to　the　turn　of　the　wrist。　　Ranald　felt　as　if　he　could　have
gladly　paddled　on　right　out　to　the　open　sea；　but　sweeping　around　a
bend　a　long；　clear　call　hailed　them；　and　there；　far　down　at　the
bottom　of　a　little　bay；　at　the　foot　of　the　big；　scarred；　and
wrinkled　rock　the　smoke　and　glimmer　of　the　camp…fire　could　be　seen。
A　flip　of　the　stern　paddle；　and　the　canoe　pointed　for　the　waving
figure；　and　under　the　rhythmic　sweep　of　the　paddles；　sped　like　an
arrow　down　the　waters；　sloping　to　the　shore。　　There；　on　a　great
rock；　stood　Kate；　directing　their　course。

〃Here's　a　good　landing；〃　she　cried。　　Right　at　the　rock　dashed　the
canoe　at　full　speed。　　A　moment　more　and　her　dainty　nose　would　be
battered　out　of　all　shape　on　the　cruel　rock；　but　a　strong　back
stroke；　a　turn　of　the　wrist；　flip；　and　she　lay　floating　quietly
beside　the　rock。

〃Splendid！〃　cried　Kate。

〃Well　done；　by　Jove！〃　exclaimed　the　lieutenant；　who　was　himself　an
expert　with　the　paddle。

〃I　suppose　you　have　no　idea　how　fine　you　look；〃　cried　Kate。

〃And　I　am　quite　sure；〃　answered　Harry；　〃you　have　no　suspicion　of
what　a　beautiful　picture　you　all　make。〃　　And　a　beautiful　picture　it
was：　the　great　rocky　cliff　in　the　background；　tricked　out　in　its
new　spring　green　of　moss　and　shrub　and　tree；　the　grassy　plot　at　its
foot　where　a　little　stream　gurgled　out　from　the　rock；　the　blazing
camp…fire　with　the　little　group　about　it；　and　in　front　the　sunlit
river。　　How　happy　they　all　were！　　And　how　ready　to　please　and　to　be
pleased。　　Even　little　Mr。　Sims　had　his　charm。　　And　at　the　making　of
the　tea；　which　Kate　had　taken　in　charge　with　Ranald　superintending；
what　fun　there　was　with　burning　of　fingers　and　upsetting　of
kettles！　　And　then；　the　talk　and　the　laughter　at　the　lieutenant's
brilliant　jokes；　and　the　chaffing　of　the　〃lumbermen〃　over　their
voracious　appetites！　　It　was　an　hour　of　never…to…be…forgotten
pleasure。　　They　were　all　children　again；　and　with　children's　hearts
were　happy　in　childhood's　simple　joys。　　And　why　not？　　There　are　no
joys　purer　than　those　of　the　open　air；　of　grass　and　trees　flooded
with　the　warm　light　and　sweet　scents　of　the　soft　springtime。　　Too
soon　it　all　came　to　an　end；　and　then　they　set　off　to　convoy　the
stately　old　lady　to　her　carriage　at　the　top　of　the　cliff。　　Far　in
front　went　Kate；　disdaining　the　assistance　of　Harry　and　Mr。　Sims；
who　escorted　her。　　Near　at　hand　the　lieutenant　was　in　attendance
upon　Maimie；　who　seemed　to　need　his　constant　assistance；　for　the
way　was　rough；　and　there　were　so　many　jutting　points　of　rock　for
wonderful　views；　and　often　the　very　prettiest　plants　were　just　out
of　reach。　　Last　of　all　came　Madame　De　Lacy；　climbing　the　steep　path
with　difficulty　and　holding　fast　to　Ranald's　arm。　　With　charming
grace　she　discoursed　of　the　brave　days　of　old　in　which　her
ancestors　had　played　a　worthy　part。　　An　interesting　tale　it　was；
but　in　spite　of　all　her　charm　of　speech；　and　grace　of　manner；
Ranald　could　not　keep　his　mind　from　following　his　h