the man from glengarry-第47章

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sensitive　lips　trembled；　the　beautiful　gray…brown　eyes　filled　with
sudden　tears。　　For　a　few　moments　there　was　silence；　then；　with　a
wavering　smile；　and　a　gentle；　apologetic　air；　she　said：　　〃But　I
must　not　make　Harry　think　he　is　in　church。〃

〃Dear　Aunt　Murray；〃　cried　Harry；　〃do　lecture　me。　　I'd　enjoy　it；　and
you　can't　make　it　too　strong。　　You　are　just　an　angel。〃　　He　left　his
seat；　and　going　over　to　her　chair；　knelt　down　and　put　his　arms
about　her。

〃Don't　you　all　wish　she　was　your　aunt？〃　he　said；　kissing　her。

〃She　IS　mine；〃　cried　Kate；　smiling　at　her　through　shining　tears。

〃She's　more；〃　said　Ranald；　and　his　voice　was　husky　with　emotion。

But　with　the　bright；　joyous　little　laugh　Ranald　knew　so　well；　she
smoothed　back　Harry's　hair；　and　kissing　him　on　the　forehead；　said：
〃I　am　sure　you　will　do　good　work　some　day。　　But　I　shall　be　quite
spoiled　here；　I　must　really　get　home。〃

As　Ranald　left　the　Raymond　house　he　knew　well　what　he　should　say　to
Mr。　St。　Clair　next　morning。　　He　wondered　at　himself　that　he　had
ever　been　in　doubt。　　He　had　been　for　an　hour　in　another　world　where
the　atmosphere　was　pure　and　the　light　clear。　　Never　till　that　night
had　he　realized　the　full　value　of　that　life　of　patient　self…
sacrifice；　so　unconscious　of　its　heroism。　　He　understood　then；　as
never　before；　the　mysterious　influence　of　that　gentle；　sweet…faced
lady　over　every　one　who　came　to　know　her；　from　the　simple；
uncultured　girls　of　the　Indian　Lands　to　the　young　men　about　town　of
Harry's　type。　　Hers　was　the　power　of　one　who　sees　with　open　eyes
the　unseen；　and　who　loves　to　the　forgetting　of　self　those　for　whom
the　Infinite　love　poured　Itself　out　in　death。

〃Going　home；　Harry？〃　inquired　Ranald。

〃Yes；　right　home；　don't　want　to　go　anywhere　else　to…night。　　I　say；
old　chap；　you're　a　better　and　cleaner　man　than　I　am；　but　it　ain't
your　fault。　　That　woman　ought　to　make　a　saint　out　of　any　man。〃

〃Man；　you　would　say　so　if　you　knew　her；〃　said　Ranald；　with　a　touch
of　impatience；　〃but　then　no　one　does　know　her。　　They　certainly
don't　down　in　the　Indian　Lands；　for　they　don't　know　what　she's
given　up。〃

〃That's　the　beauty　of　it；〃　replied　Harry；　〃she　doesn't　feel　it　that
way。　　Given　up？　not　she！　　She　thinks　she's　got　everything　that's
good！〃

〃Well；〃　said　Ranald；　thoughtfully；　after　a　pause；　〃she　knows；　and
she's　right。〃

When　they　came　to　Harry's　door　Ranald　lingered　just　a　moment。
〃Come　in　a　minute；〃　said　Harry。

〃I　don't　know；　I'm　coming　in　to…morrow。〃

〃Oh；　come　along　just　now。　　Aunt　Frank　is　in　bed；　but　Maimie　will　be
up；〃　said　Harry；　dragging　him　along　to　the　door。

〃No；　I　think　not　to…night。〃　　While　they　were　talking　the　door
opened　and　Maimie　appeared。

〃Ranald；〃　she　cried；　in　an　eager　voice；　〃I　knew　you　would　be　at
Kate's；　and　I　was　pretty　sure　you　would　come　home　with　Harry。
Aren't　you　coming　in？〃

〃Where's　Aunt　Frank？〃　asked　Harry。

〃She's　upstairs；〃　said　Maimie。

〃Thank　the　Lord；　eh？〃　added　Harry；　pushing　in　past　her。

〃Go　away　in　and　talk　to　her；〃　said　Maimie。　　Then　turning　to　Ranald
and　looking　into　his　devouring　eyes；　she　said；　〃Well？　　You　might
say　you're　glad　to　see　me。〃　　She　stood　where　the　full　light　of　the
doorway　revealed　the　perfect　beauty　of　her　face　and　figure。

〃Glad　to　see　you！　　There　is　no　need　of　saying　that；〃　replied　Ranald；
still　gazing　at　her。

〃How　beautiful　you　are；　Maimie；〃　he　added；　bluntly。

〃Thank　you；　and　you　are　really　quite　passable。〃

〃And　I　AM　glad　to　see　you。〃

〃That's　why　you　won't　come　in。〃

〃I　am　coming　to…morrow　night。〃

〃Everybody　will　be　here　to…morrow　night。〃

〃Yes；　that's　certainly　a　drawback。〃

〃And　I　shall　be　very　busy　looking　after　my　guests。　　Still；〃　she
added；　noticing　the　disappointment　in　his　face；　〃it's　quite
possible〃

〃Exactly；〃　his　face　lighting　up　again。

〃Have　you　seen　father's　study？〃　asked　Maimie；　innocently。

〃No；〃　replied　Ranald；　wonderingly。　　〃Is　it　so　beautiful？〃

〃No；　but　it's　upstairs；　andquiet。〃

〃Well？〃　said　Ranald。

〃And　perhaps　you　might　like　to　see　it　to…morrow　night。〃

〃How　stupid　I　am。　　Will　you　show　it　to　me？〃

〃I　will　be　busy；　but　perhaps　Harry〃

〃Will　you？〃　said　Ranald；　coming　close　to　her；　with　the　old
imperative　in　his　voice。

Maimie　drew　back　a　little。

〃Do　you　know　what　you　make　me　think　of？〃　she　asked；　lowering　her
voice。

〃Yes；　I　do。　　I　have　thought　of　it　every　night　since。〃

〃You　were　very　rude；　I　remember。〃

〃You　didn't　think　so　then；〃　said　Ranald；　boldly。

〃I　ought　to　have　been　very　angry；〃　replied　Maimie；　severely。

〃But　you　weren't；　you　know　you　weren't；　and　do　you　remember　what
you　said？〃

〃What　I　said？　　How　awful　of　you；　don't　you　dare！　　How　can　I
remember？〃

〃Yes；　you　do　remember；　and　then　do　you　remember　what　_I_　said？〃

〃What　YOU　said　indeed！　　Such　assurance！〃

〃I　have　kept　my　word；〃　said　Ranald；　〃and　I　am　coming　to…morrow
night。　　Oh；　Maimie；　it　has　been　a　long；　long　time。〃　　He　came　close
to　her　and　caught　her　hand；　the　slumbering　fire　in　his　eyes　blazing
now　in　flame。

〃Don't；　don't；　I'm　sure　there's　Aunt　Frank。　　No；　no；〃　she　pleaded；
in　terror；　〃not　to…night；　Ranald！〃

〃Then　will　you　show　me　the　study　to…morrow　night？〃

〃Oh；　you　are　very　mean。　　Let　me　go！〃

〃Will　you？〃　he　demanded；　still　holding　her　hand。

〃Yes；　yes；　you　ought　to　be　ashamed　of　yourself。　　My　hand　is　quite
sore。　　There；　now；　good　night。　　No；　I　won't　shake　hands！　　Well；
then；　if　you　must　have　it；　good　night。〃



CHAPTER　XXII

FORGET　THAT　I　LOVED　YOU


〃The　night　for　dreaming；　but　the　morn　for　seeing。〃　　And　so　Ranald
found　it；　for　with　the　cold；　calm　light　of　the　morning；　he　found
himself　facing　his　battle　with　small　sense　of　victory　in　his　blood。
He　knew　he　had　to　deal　that　morning　with　the　crisis　of　his　life。
Upon　the　issue　his　whole　future　would　turn；　but　his　heart　without
haste　or　pause　preserved　its　even　beat。　　The　hour　of　indecision　had
passed。　　He　saw　his　way　and　he　meant　to　walk　it。　　What　was　beyond
the　turn　was　hid　from　his　eyes；　but　with　that　he　need　not　concern
himself　now。　　Meantime　he　would　clear　away　some　of　this　accumulated
correspondence　lying　on　his　desk。　　In　the　midst　of　his　work　Harry
came　in　and　laid　a　bundle　of　bills　before　him。

〃Here　you　are；　old　chap；〃　he　said；　quietly。　　〃That's　the　last　of
it。〃

Ranald　counted　the　money。

〃You　are　sure　you　can　spare　all　this？　　There　is　no　hurry；　you　know。〃

〃No；〃　said　Harry；　〃I　can't　spare　it；　but　it's　safer　with　you　than
with　me；　and　besides；　it's　yours。　　And　I　owe　you　more　than　money。〃
He　drew　a　deep　breath　to　steady　himself；　and　then　went　on：　　〃And　I
want　to　say；　Ranald；　that　I　have　bet　my　last　stake。〃

Ranald　pushed　back　his　chair　and　rose　to　his　feet。

〃Now　that's　the　best　thing　I've　heard　for　some　time；〃　he　said；
offering　Harry　his　hand；　〃and　that's　the　last　of　that　business。〃

He　sat　down；　drew　in　his　chair；　and　turning　over　his　papers　with　a
nervousness　that　he　rarely　showed；　he　continued：　　〃And；　Harry；　I
want　you　to　do　something　for　me。　　Before　you　go　home　this　afternoon；
will　you　come　in　here？　　I　may　want　to　send　a　note　to　Maimie　by　you。〃

〃But〃　began　Harry。

〃Wait　a　moment。　　I　want　to　prevent　all　possibility　of　mistake。
There　may　be　a　reply；　and　Harry；　old　chap；　I'd　rather　not　answer
any　questions。〃

Harry　gazed　at　him　a　moment　in　perplexity。　　〃All　right；　Ranald；〃　he
said；　quietly；　〃you　can　trust　me。　　I　haven't　the　ghost　of　an　idea
what's　up；　but　I　know　you're　square。〃

〃Thanks；　old　fellow；〃　said　Ranald；　〃I　will　never　give　you　reason　to
change　your　opinion。　　Now　get　out；　I'm　awfully　busy。〃

For　some　minutes　after　Harry　had　left　the　room　Ranald　sat　gazing
before　him　into　space。

〃Poor　chap；　he's　got　his　fight；　too；　but　I　begin　to　think　he'll
win；〃　he　said　to　himself；　and　once　more　returned　to　his　work。　　He
had　hardly　begun　his　writing　when　the　inner　door　of　his　office
opened　and　Mr。　St。　Clair　came　in。　　His　welcome　was　kindly　and
cordial；　and　Ranald's　heart；　which　had　been　under　strong　discipline
all　morning；　leaped　up　in　warm　response。

〃You　had　a　pleasant　trip；　I　hope？〃　inquired　Mr。　St。　Clair。

〃Fine　most　of　the　way。　　Through　May　and　June　the　flies　were　bad；
but　not　so　bad　as　usual；　they　said；　and　one　gets　used　to　them。〃

〃Good　sport？〃

〃Never　saw　anything　like　it。　　What　a　country　that　is！〃　cried
Ranald；　his　enthusiasm　carrying　him　away。　　〃Fishing　of　all　kinds
and　superb。　　In　those　little　lonely　lakes　you　get　the　finest　black
and　white　bass；　beauties　and　so　gamy。　　In　the　bigger　waters；
maskalonge　and；　of　course；　any　amount　of　pike　and　pickerel。　　Then
we　were　always　running　up　against　deer；　moose　and　red；　and　everywhere
we　got　the　scent　of　bear。　　Could　have　loaded　a　boat　with　furs　in
a　week。〃

〃We　must　go　up　some　day；〃　replied　Mr。　St。　Clair。　　〃Wish　I　could　get
away　this　fall；　but　the　fact　is　we　are　in　shallow　water；　Ranald；
and　we　can't　take　any　chances。〃

Ranald　knew　well　how　serious　the　situation　was。　　〃But；〃　continued
Mr。　St。　Clair；　〃this　offer　of　the　British…American　Lumber　and　Coal
Company　is　most　fortunate；　and　will　be　the　saving　of　us。　　With　one
hundred　thousand　set　free　we　are　certain　to　pull　through　this
season；　and　indeed；　the　financial　stringency　will　rather　help　than
hinder　our　operations。　　Really　it　is　most　fortunate。　　Indeed；〃　he
added；　with　a　slight　laugh；　〃as　my　sister…in…law　would　say；　quite
providential！〃

〃I　have　no　doubt　of　that；〃　said　Ranald；　gravely；　〃but；　Mr。　St。
Clair〃

〃Yes；　no　doubt；　no　doubt；〃　said　Mr。　St。　Clair；　hastening　to　recover
the　tone；　which　by　his　unfortunate　reference　to　Mrs。　Murray；　he　had
lost。　　The　thought　of　her　was　not　in　perfect　harmony　with　purely
commercial　considerations。　　〃The　fact　is；〃　he　continued；　〃that
before　this　offer　came　I　was　really　beginning　to　despair。　　I　can
tell　you　that　now。〃

Ranald　felt　his　heart　tighten。

〃One　does　not　mind　for　one's　self；　but　when　family　interests　are
involvedbut　that's　all　over　now；　thank　God！〃

Ranald　tried　to　speak；　but　his　mind　refused　to　suggest　words。　　His
silence；　however；　was　enough　for　Mr。　St。　Clair；　who；　with　nervous
haste　once　more　changed　the　theme。　　〃In　my　note　to　you　last　night
you　got　it；　I　supposeI　referred　to　some　changes　in　the　firm。　〃

Ranald　felt　that　he　was　being　crowded　against　the　ropes。　　He　must
get　to　freer　fighting　ground。　　〃I　think　before　you　go　on　to　that；
Mr。　St。　Clair；〃　he　began；　〃I　ought　to〃

〃Excuse　me；　I　was　about　to　say；〃　interrupted　Mr。　St。　Clair；
hastily；　〃Mr。　Raymond　and　I　have　felt　that　we　must　strengthen　our
executive。　　As　you　know；　he　has　left　this　department　almost
entirely　to　me；　and　he　now　realizes　what　I　have　long　felt；　that　the
burden　has　grown　too　heavy　for　one　to　carry。　　Naturally　we　think　of
you；　and　I　may　say　we　are　more　than　glad；　though　it　is　a　very
unusual　thing　in　the　business　world；　that　we　can；　with　the　fullest
confidence；　offer　you　a　partnership。〃　　Mr。　St。　Clair　paused　to
allow　the　full　weight　of　this　announcement　to　sink　into　his
manager's　mind。

Then　Ranald　pulled　himself　together。　　He　must　break　free　or　the
fight　would　be　lost　before　he　had　struck　a　blow。

〃I　need　not　say；〃　he　began　once　more；　〃how　greatly　gratified　I　am
by　this　offer；　and　I　feel　sure　you　will　believe　that　I　am　deeply
grateful。〃　　Ranald's　voice　was　low　and　even；　but　unknown