the man from glengarry-第44章

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but　in　spite　of　all　her　charm　of　speech；　and　grace　of　manner；
Ranald　could　not　keep　his　mind　from　following　his　heart　and　eyes
that　noted　every　step　and　move　of　the　beautiful　girl；　flitting　in
and　out　among　the　trees　before　them。　　And　well　it　was　that　his　eyes
were　following　so　close；　for；　as　she　was　reaching　for　a　dainty
spray　of　golden　birch；　holding　by　the　lieutenant's　hand；　the
treacherous　moss　slipped　from　under　Maimie's　feet；　and　with　a
piercing　shriek　she　went　rolling　down　the　sloping　mountain…side；
dragging　her　escort　with　her。　　Like　a　flash　of　light　Ranald　dropped
madame's　arm；　and　seizing　the　top　of　a　tall　birch　that　grew　up　from
the　lower　ledge；　with　a　trick　learned　as　a　boy　in　the　Glengarry
woods；　he　swung　himself　clear　over　the　edge；　and　dropping　lightly
on　the　mossy　bank　below；　threw　himself　in　front　of　the　rolling
bodies；　and　seizing　them　held　fast。　　In　another　moment　leaving　the
lieutenant　to　shift　for　himself；　Ranald　was　on　his　knees　beside
Maimie；　who　lay　upon　the　moss；　white　and　still。　　〃Some　water；　for
God's　sake！〃　he　cried；　hoarsely；　to　De　Lacy；　who　stood　dazed　beside
him；　and　then；　before　the　lieutenant　could　move；　Ranald　lifted
Maimie　in　his　arms；　as　if　she　had　been　an　infant；　and　bore　her　down
to　the　river's　edge；　and　laid　her　on　the　grassy　bank。　　Then；　taking
up　a　double　handful　of　water；　he　dashed　it　in　her　face。　　With　a
little　sigh　she　opened　her　eyes；　and　letting　them　rest　upon　his
face；　said；　gently；　〃Oh；　Ranald；　I　am　so　glad　youI　am　so　sorry　I
have　been　so　bad　to　you。〃　　She　could　say　no　more；　but　from　her
closed　eyes　two　great　tears　made　their　way　down　her　pale　cheeks。

〃Oh；　Maimie；　Maimie；〃　said　Ranald；　in　a　broken　voice；　〃tell　me　you
are　not　hurt。〃

Again　she　opened　her　eyes　and　said；　〃No；　I　am　not　hurt；　but　you
will　take　me　home；　you　will　not　leave　me！〃　　Her　fingers　closed　upon
his　hand。

With　a　quick；　strong　clasp；　he　replied：　　〃I　will　not　leave　you。〃

In　a　few　minutes　she　was　able　to　sit　up；　and　soon　they　were　all
about　her；　exclaiming　and　lamenting。

〃What　a　silly　girl　I　am；〃　she　said；　with　a　little　tremulous　laugh；
〃and　what　a　fright　I　must　have　given　you　all！〃

〃Don't　rise；　my　dear；〃　said　Madame　De　Lacy；　〃until　you　feel　quite
strong。〃

〃Oh；　I　am　quite　right；〃　said　Maimie；　confidently；　〃I　am　sure　I　am
not　hurt　in　the　least。〃

〃Oh；　I　am　so　thankful！〃　cried　Kate。

〃It　is　the　Lord's　mercy；〃　said　Ranald；　in　a　voice　of　deep　emotion。

〃Are　you　quite　sure　you　are　not　hurt？〃　said　Harry；　anxiously。

〃Yes；　I　really　think　I　am　all　right；　but　what　a　fright　I　must
look！〃

〃Thank　God！〃　said　Harry　fervently；　〃I　guess　you're　improving；〃　at
which　they　all　laughed。

〃Now　I　think　we　must　get　home；〃　said　Madame　De　Lacy。　　〃Do　you　think
you　can　walk；　Maimie？〃

〃Oh；　yes；〃　cried　Maimie；　and　taking　Ranald's　hand；　she　tried　to
stand　up；　but　immediately　sank　back　with　a　groan。

〃Oh；　it　is　my　foot；〃　she　said；　〃I　am　afraid　it　is　hurt。〃

〃Let　me　see！〃　cried　Harry。　　〃I　don't　think　it　is　broken；〃　he　said；
after　feeling　it　carefully；　〃but　I　have　no　doubt　it　is　a　very　bad
sprain。　　You　can't　walk　for　certain。〃

〃Then　we　shall　have　to　carry　her；〃　said　Madame　De　Lacy；　and　she
turned　to　her　son。

〃I　fear　I　can　offer　no　assistance；〃　said　the　lieutenant；　pointing
to　his　arm　which　was　hanging　limp　at　his　side。

〃Why；　Albert；　are　you　hurt？　　What　is　the　matter？　　You　are　hurt！〃
cried　his　mother；　anxiously。

〃Not　much；　but　I　fear　my　arm　is　useless。　　You　might　feel　it；〃　he
said　to　Ranald。

Carefully　Ranald　passed　his　hand　down　the　arm。

〃Say　nothing；〃　whispered　the　lieutenant　to　him。　　〃It's　broken。　　Tie
it　up　some　way。〃　　Without　a　word　Ranald　stripped　the　bark　of　a
birch　tree；　and　making　a　case；　laid　the　arm　in　it　and　bound　it
firmly　with　his　silk　handkerchief。

〃We　ought　to　have　a　sling；〃　he　said；　turning　to　Kate；。

〃Here；〃　said　Madame　De　Lacy；　untying　a　lace　scarf　from　her　neck；
〃take　this。〃

Kate　took　the　scarf；　and　while　Ranald　held　the　arm　in　place　she
deftly　made　it　into　a　sling。

〃There；〃　said　the　lieutenant；　〃that　feels　quite　comfortable。　　Now
let's　go。〃

〃Come；　Maimie；　I'll　carry　you　up　the　hill；〃　said　Harry。

〃No；〃　said　Ranald；　decidedly；　〃she　will　go　in　the　canoe。　　That　will
be　easier。〃

〃Quite　right；〃　said　the　lieutenant。　　〃Sims；　perhaps　you　will　give
my　mother　your　arm；　and　if　Miss　Kate　will　be　kind　enough　to　escort
me；　we　can　all　four　go　in　the　carriage；　but　first　we　shall　see　the
rest　of　the　party　safely　off。〃

〃Come；　then；　Maimie；〃　said　Harry；　approaching　his　sister；　〃let　me
carry　you。〃

But　Maimie　glanced　up　at　Ranald；　who　without　a　word；　lifted　her　in
his　arms。

〃Put　your　arm　about　his　neck；　Maimie；〃　cried　Harry；　〃you　will　go
more　comfortably　that　way。　　Ranald　won't　mind；〃　he　added；　with　a
laugh。

At　the　touch　of　her　clinging　arms　the　blood　mounted　slowly　into
Ranald's　neck　and　face；　showing　red　through　the　dark　tan　of　his
skin。

〃How　strong　you　are；〃　said　Maimie；　softly；　〃and　how　easily　you
carry　me。　　But　you　would　soon　tire　of　me；〃　she　added　with　a　little
laugh。

〃I　would　not　tire　forever；〃　said　Ranald；　as　he　laid　her　gently　down
in　the　canoe。

〃I　shall　send　the　carriage　to　the　wharf　for　you；〃　said　Madame　De
Lacy；　〃and　you　will　come　right　home　to　me；　and　you；　too；　Miss
Raymond。〃

Ranald　took　his　place　in　the　stern　with　Maimie　reclining　in　the
canoe　so　as　to　face　him。

〃You　are　sure　you　are　comfortable；〃　he　said；　with　anxious　solicitude
in　his　tone。

〃Quite；〃　she　replied；　with　a　cosy　little　snuggle　down　among　the
cushions　placed　around　her。

〃Then　let　her　go；〃　cried　Ranald；　dipping　in　his　paddle。

〃Good　by；〃　cried　Kate；　waving　her　hand　at　them　from　the　rock。
〃We'll　meet　you　at　the　wharf。　　Take　good　care　of　your　invalid；
Ranald。〃

With　hardly　a　glance　at　her　Ranald　replied：　　〃You　may　be　sure　of
that；〃　and　with　a　long；　swinging　stroke　shot　the　canoe　out　into　the
river。　　For　a　moment　or　two　Kate　stood　looking　after　them；　and
then；　with　a　weary　look　in　her　face；　turned；　and　with　the
lieutenant；　followed　Madame　De　Lacy　and　Mr。　Sims。

〃You　are　tired；〃　said　the　lieutenant；　looking　into　her　face。

〃Yes；〃　she　replied；　with　a　little　sigh；　〃I　think　I　am　tired。〃

The　paddle　home　was　all　too　short　to　Ranald；　but　whether　it　took
minutes　or　hours　he　could　not　have　told。　　As　in　a　dream　he　swung
his　paddle　and　guided　his　canoe。　　He　saw　only　the　beautiful　face
and　the　warm　light　in　the　bright　eyes　before　him。　　He　woke　to　see
Kate　on　the　wharf　before　them；　and　for　a　moment　he　wondered　how　she
came　there。　　Once　more；　as　he　bore　her　from　the　canoe　to　the
carriage；　he　felt　Maimie's　arms　clinging　about　his　neck　and　heard
her　whisper；　〃You　will　not　leave　me；　Ranald；〃　and　again　he　replied；
〃No；　I　will　not　leave　you。〃

Swiftly　the　De　Lacy　carriage　bore　them　through　the　crooked；
climbing　streets　of　the　city　and　out　along　the　country　road；　then
up　a　stately　avenue　of　beeches；　and　drew　up　before　the　stone　steps；
of　a　noble　old　chateau。　　Once　more　Ranald　lifted　Maimie　in　his　arms
and　carried　her　up　the　broad　steps；　and　through　the　great　oak…
paneled　hall　into　Madame　De　Lacy's　own　cosy　sitting…room；　and　there
he　laid　her　safely　in　a　snug　nest　of　cushions　prepared　for　her。
There　was　nothing　more　to　do；　but　to　say　good　by　and　come　away；　but
it　was　Harry　that　first　brought　this　to　Ranald's　mind。

〃Good　by；　Ranald；〃　said　Maimie；　smiling　up　into　his　face。　　〃I
cannot　thank　you　for　all　you　have　done　to…day；　but　I　am　sure　Madame
De　Lacy　will　let　you　come　to　see　me　sometimes。〃

〃I　shall　be　always　glad　to　see　you；〃　said　the　little　lady；　with
gentle；　old…fashioned　courtesy；　〃for　we　both　owe　much　to　you　this
day。〃

〃Thank　you；〃　said　Ranald；　quietly；　〃I　will　come；〃　and　passed　out　of
the　room；　followed　by　Harry　and　Kate。

At　the　great　hall　door；　Kate　stood　and　watched　them　drive　away；
waving　her　hand　in　farewell。

〃Good　by；〃　cried　Harry；　〃don't　forget　us　in　your　stately　palace；〃
but　Ranald　made　no　reply。　　He　had　no　thought　for　her。　　But　still
she　stood　and　watched　the　carriage　till　the　beeches　hid　it　from　her
view；　and　then；　with　her　hand　pressed　against　her　side；　she　turned
slowly　into　the　hall。

As　the　carriage　rolled　down　the　stately　avenue；　Ranald　sat　absorbed
in　deepest　thought；　heeding　not　his　companion's　talk。

〃What's　the　matter　with　you；　Ranald？　　What　are　you　thinking　of？〃　at
last　cried　Harry；　impatiently。

〃What？〃　answered　Ranald；　in　strange　confusion；　〃I　cannot　tell　you。〃
Unconsciously　as　he　spoke　he　put　up　his　hand　to　his　neck；　for　he
was　still　feeling　the　pressure　of　those　clinging　arms；　and　all　the
way　back　the　sounds　of　the　rolling　wheels　and　noisy；　rattling
streets　wrought　themselves　into　one　sweet　refrain；　〃You　will　not
leave　me；　Ranald；〃　and　often　in　his　heart　he　answered；　〃No；　I　will
not；〃　with　such　a　look　on　his　face　as　men　wear　when　pledging　life
and　honor。



CHAPTER　XXI

I　WILL　REMEMBER


The　Albert　was　by　all　odds　the　exclusive　club　in　the　capital　city
of　upper　Canada；　for　men　were　loath　to　drop　the　old　name。　　Its
members　belonged　to　the　best　families；　and　moved　in　the　highest
circles；　and　the　entre　was　guarded　by　a　committee　of　exceeding
vigilance。　　They　had　a　very　real　appreciation　of　the　rights　and
privileges　of　their　order；　and　they　cherished　for　all　who　assayed
to　enter　the　most　lofty　ideal。　　Not　wealth　alone　could　purchase
entrance　within　those　sacred　precincts　unless；　indeed；　it　were　of
sufficient　magnitude　and　distributed　with　judicious　and　unvulgar
generosity。　　A　tinge　of　blue　in　the　common　red　blood　of　humanity
commanded　the　most　favorable　consideration；　but　when　there　was
neither　cerulean　tinge　of　blood　nor　gilding　of　station　the　candidate
for　membership　in　the　Albert　was　deemed　unutterable　in　his
presumption；　and　rejection　absolute　and　final　was　inevitable。　　A
single　black　ball　shut　him　out。　　So　it　came　as　a　surprise　to　most
outsiders；　though　not　to　Ranald　himself；　when　that　young　gentleman's
name　appeared　in　the　list　of　accepted　members　in　the　Albert。　　He　had
been　put　up　by　both　Raymond　and　St。　Clair；　but　not　even　the　powerful
influence　of　these　sponsors　would　have　availed　with　the　members　had
it　not　come　to　be　known　that　young　Macdonald　was　a　friend　of　Captain
De　Lacy's　of　Quebec；　don't　you　know！　and　a　sport；　begad；　of　the
first　water；　for　the　Alberts　favored　athletics；　and　loved　a　true
sport　almost　as　much　as　they　loved　a　lord。　　They　never　regretted
their　generous　concession　in　this　instance；　for　during　the　three
years　of　his　membership；　it　was　the　Glengarry　Macdonald　that　had
brought　glory　to　their　club　more　than　any　half　dozen　of　their　other
champions。　　In　their　finals　with　the　Montrealers　two　years　ago；　it
was　he；　the　prince　of　all　Canadian　half…backs；　as　every　one
acknowledged；　who　had　snatched　victory　from　the　exultant　enemy　in
the　last　quarter　of　an　hour。　　Then；　too；　they　had　never　ceased　to　be
grateful　for　the　way　in　which　he　had　delivered　the　name　of　their
club　from　the　reproach　cast　upon　it　by　the　challenge　long　flaunted
before　their　aristocratic　noses　by　the　cads　of　the　Athletic；　when　he
knocked　out　in　a　bout　with　the　gloves；　the　chosen　representative　of
that　ill…favored　cluba　professional；　too；　by　Jove；　as　it　leaked
out　later。

True；　there　were　those　who　thought　him　too　partic