the man from glengarry-第50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！


not　be　impertinent；　and　I　will　not　hear　it。〃　　Her　tone　was　so
haughty　and　fierce　that　Aunt　Frank　thought　it　wiser　to　pursue　this
subject　no　further。

〃Well；〃　she　said；　as　she　turned　to　leave　the　room；　〃I'm　very　glad
he　has　the　grace　to　keep　away　tonight。　　He　has　always　struck　me　as
a　young　man　of　some　presumption。〃

When　the　door　closed　upon　her　Maimie　tore　the　note　from　her　bosom
and　pressed　it　again　and　again　to　her　lips：　　〃Oh；　Ranald；　Ranald；〃
she　cried；　〃I　love　you！　　I　love　you！　　Oh；　why　can　it　not　be？　　Oh；　I
cannotI　cannot　give　him　up！〃　　She　threw　herself　upon　her　knees
and　laid　her　face　in　the　bed。　　In　a　few　minutes　there　came　a　tap　at
the　door；　and　her　Aunt　Frances's　voice　was　heard；　〃Maimie；　your
father　has　gone　down；　we　must　not　delay。〃　　The　tone　was　incisive
and　matter…of…fact。　　It　said　to　Maimie；　〃Now　let's　have　no
nonsense。　　Be　a　sensible　woman　of　the　world。〃　　Maimie　rose　from　her
knees。　　Hastily　removing　all　traces　of　tears　from　her　face；　and
glancing　in　the　glass；　she　touched　the　little　ringlets　into　place
and　went　down　to　dinner。

It　was　a　depressing　meal。　　Mr。　St。　Clair　was　irritable；　Harry
perplexed　and　sullen；　Maimie　nervously　talkative。　　Mrs。　Murray　was
heroically　holding　herself　in　command；　but　the　look　of　pain　in　her
eyes　and　the　pathetic　tremor　on　her　lips　belied　the　brave　smiles
and　cheerful　words　with　which　she　seconded　Aunt　Frank。

After　dinner　the　company　separated；　for　there　were　still　preparations
to　make　for　the　evening。　　As　Mrs。　Murray　was　going　to　her　room；　she
met　Harry　in　the　hall　with　his　hat　on。

〃Where　are　you　going；　Harry？〃

〃Anywhere；〃　he　growled；　fiercely；　〃to　get　out　of　this　damnable
hypocrisy！　　Pardon　me；　Aunt　Murray；　I　can't　help　it；　it　IS　damnable；
and　a　whole　lot　of　them　are　in　it！〃

Then　Mrs。　Murray　came；　and　laying　her　hand　on　his　arm；　said：
〃Don't　go；　Harry；　don't　leave　me；　I　want　some　one；　come　upstairs。〃

Harry　stood　looking　at　the　sweet　face；　trying　to　smile　so　bravely
in　spite　of　the　tremulous　lips。

〃You　are　a　dear；　brave　little　woman；〃　he　said；　hanging　up　his　hat；
〃and　I'll　be　hanged　if　I　don't　stay　by　you。　　Come　along　upstairs。〃
He　stooped；　and　lifting　her　in　his　arms　in　spite　of　her　laughing
protests；　carried　her　upstairs　to　her　room。　　When　they　came　down　to
the　party　they　both　looked　braver　and　stronger。

The　party　was　a　great　success。　　The　appointments　were　perfect；　the
music　the　best　that　could　be　had；　and　Maimie　more　beautiful　than
ever。　　In　some　mysterious　way；　known　only　to　Aunt　Frank；　the　rumor
of　Maimie's　approaching　engagement　got　about　among　the　guests　and
produced　an　undertone　of　excitement　to　the　evenings　gayety。　　Maimie
was　too　excited　to　be　quite　natural；　but　she　had　never　appeared
more　brilliant　and　happy；　and　surely　she　had　every　cause。　　She　had
achieved　a　dizzy　summit　of　social　success　that　made　her　at　once　the
subject　of　her　friends'　congratulations　and　her　rivals'　secret
envy；　and　which　was　the　more　delightful　it　would　be　hard　to　say。
Truly；　she　was　a　fortunate　girl；　but　still　the　night　was　long；　and
she　was　tired　of　it　all　before　it　was　over。　　The　room　seemed　empty；
and　often　her　heart　gave　a　leap　as　her　eyes　fell　upon　some　form
that　appeared　more　handsome　and　striking　than　others　near；　but　only
to　sink　again　in　disappointment　when　a　second　glance　told　her　that
it　was　only　some　ordinary　man。　　Kate；　too；　kept　aloof　in　a　very
unpleasant　way；　and　Harry；　devoting　himself　to　Kate；　had　not　done
his　duty。　　But　in　spite　of　everything　the　party　had　been　a　great
success；　and　when　it　was　over　Maimie　went　straight　to　bed　to　sleep。
She　knew　that　Ranald　would　be　awaiting　the　answer　to　his　note；　but
she　could　not　bring　herself　to　face　what　she　knew　would　be　an
ordeal　that　might　murder　sleep　for　her；　and　sleep　she　must　have；
for　she　must　be　her　best　to…morrow。　　It　would　have　been　better　for
all　involved　had　she　written　her　answer　that　night；　otherwise
Ranald　would　not　have　been　standing　at　her　door　in　the　early
afternoon　asking　to　see　her。　　It　was　Aunt　Frances　who　came　down　to
the　drawing…room。　　As　Ranald　stood　up　and　bowed；　she　adjusted　her
pince…nez　upon　her　aristocratic　nose；　and　viewed　him。

〃You　are　wishing　to　see　Miss　St。　Clair；〃　she　said；　in　her　very
chilliest　tone。

〃I　asked　to　see　Maimie；〃　said　Ranald；　looking　at　her　with　cool；
steady　eyes。

〃I　must　say；　Mr。　Macdonald；　that　after　your　conduct　to　my　brother
yesterday；　I　am　surprised　you　should　have　the　assurance　to　enter
his　house。〃

〃I　would　prefer　not　discussing　office　matters　with　you；〃　said
Ranald；　politely；　and　with　a　suspicion　of　a　smile。　　〃I　have　come　to
see　Maimie。〃

〃That；　I　am　glad　to　say；　is　impossible；　for　she　is　at　present　out
with　Captain　De　Lacy　who　has　just　arrived　from　the　East　tosee
toin　short；　on　a　very　special　errand。〃

For　a　moment　Ranald　stood　without　reply。

〃She　is　out；　you　say？〃　he　answered　at　length。

〃She　is　out　with　Captain　De　Lacy。〃　　He　caught　the　touch　of　triumph
in　her　voice。

〃Will　she　be　back　soon？〃　inquired　Ranald；　looking　baffled。

〃Of　course　one　cannot　tell　in　such　a　case；〃　answered　Miss　St。　Clair；
〃but　I　should　think　not。〃　　Miss　St。　Clair　was　enjoying　herself。　　It
did　her　good　to　see　this　insolent；　square…jawed　young　man　standing
helpless　before　her。

〃It　is　important　that　I　should　see　her；〃　said　Ranald；　after　a　few
moments'　thought。　　〃I　shall　wait。〃　　Had　Miss　St。　Clair　known　him
better　she　would　have　noticed　with　some　concern　the　slow　fires
kindling　in　his　eyes。　　As　it　was　she　became　indignant。

〃That；　Mr。　Macdonald；　you　shall　not；　and　allow　me　to　say　frankly
that　your　boldnessyour　insolenceI　may　say；　is　beyond　all
bounds。〃

〃Insolence；　and　when？〃　　Ranald　was　very　quiet。

〃You　come　to　the　house　of　your　employer；　whom　you　have　insulted；
and　demand　to　see　his　daughter。〃

〃I　have　a　right　to　see　her。〃

〃Right？　　What　right　have　you；　pray？〃

Then　Ranald　stood　up　and　looked　Miss　St。　Clair　full　in　the　face
with　eyes　fairly　alight。

〃Miss　St。　Clair；　have　you　ever　known　what　it　is　to　love　with　all
your　soul　and　heart？〃　　Miss　St。　Clair　gasped。　　〃Because　if　not；　you
will　not　understand　me；　if　you　have　you　will　know　why　I　must　see
Maimie。　　It　is　seven　years　now　since　I　began　to　love　her。　　I
remember　the　spot　in　the　woods；　I　see　the　big　tree　there　behind　her
and　the　rising　ground　stretching　away　to　the　right。　　I　see　the
place　where　I　pulled　her　out　of　the　fire。　　Every　morning　since　that
time　I　have　waked　with　the　thought　of　her；　every　night　my　eyes　have
closed　with　a　vision　of　her　before　me。　　It　is　for　her　I　have　lived
and　worked。　　I　tell　you　she　is　mine！　　I　love　her！　　I　love　her；　and
she　loves　me。　　I　know　it。〃　　His　words　came　low；　fierce；　and　swift。

Miss　St。　Clair　stood　breathless。　　What　a　man　he　looked　and　how
handsome　he　was！

With　but　a　moment's　pause　Ranald　went　on；　but　his　voice　took　a
gentler　tone。　　〃Miss　St。　Clair；　do　you　understand　me？　　Yes；　I　know
you　do。〃　　The　blood　came　flowing　suddenly　to　her　thin　cheeks。　　〃You
say　she　is　out　with　Captain　De　Lacy；　and　you　mean　me　to　think　that
she　is　to　give　herself　to　him。　　He　loves　her；　I　know；　but　I　say　she
is　mine！　　Her　eyes　have　told　me　that。　　She　is　mine；　I　tell　you；　and
no　man　living　will　take　her　from　me。〃　　The　fire　that　always
slumbered　in　his　eyes　was　now　blazing　in　full　fury。　　The　great
passion　of　his　life　was　raging　through　his　soul；　vibrating　in　his
voice；　and　glowing　in　his　dark　face。　　Miss　St。　Clair　sat　silent；
and　then　motioned　him　to　a　seat。

〃Mr。　Macdonald；〃　she　said；　with　grave　courtesy；　〃you　are　too　late；
I　fear。　　I　did　not　realizeMaimie　will　never　be　yours。　　I　know　my
niece。〃　　At　the　sad　earnestness　of　her　voice；　Ranald's　face　began
to　grow　pale。

〃I　will　wait　for　her；〃　he　said；　quietly。

〃I　beg　you　will　not。〃

〃I　will　wait；〃　he　repeated；　with　lips　tight　pressed。

〃It　is　vain；　Mr。　Macdonald；　I　assure　you。　　Spare　yourself　and　her。
I　know　whatI　could　have〃　　Her　voice　grew　husky。

〃I　will　wait；〃　once　more　replied　Ranald；　the　lines　of　his　face
growing　tense。

Miss　St。　Clair　rose　and　gave　him　her　hand。　　〃I　will　send　a　friend
to　you；　and　I　beg　you　to　excuse　me；〃　Ranald　bowed　gravely；　〃and　to
forgive　me；〃　and　she　left　the　room。　　Ranald　heard　her　pass　through
the　hall　and　up　the　stairs　and　then　a　door　closed　behind　her。
Before　he　had　time　to　gather　his　thoughts　together　he　heard　a　voice
outside　that　made　his　heart　stand　still。　　Then　the　front　door
opened　quickly　and　Maimie　and　De　Lacy　stood　in　the　hall。　　She　was
gayly　talking。　　Ranald　rose　and　stood　with　his　back　to　the　door。
Before　him　was　a　large　mirror　which　reflected　the　hall　through　the
open　door。　　He　stood　waiting　for　them　to　enter。

〃Hang　up　your　hat；　Captain　De　Lacy；　then　go　in　and　find　a　chair
while　I　run　upstairs；〃　cried　Maimie；　gayly。　　〃You　must　learn　your
way　about　here　now。〃

〃No；〃　said　De　Lacy；　in　a　low；　distinct　voice。　　〃I　can　wait　no
longer；　Maimie。〃

She　looked　at　him　a　moment　as　if　in　fear。

〃Come；〃　he　said；　holding　out　his　hands　to　her。　　〃There　was　no
chance　in　the　park；　and　I　can　wait　no　longer。〃　　Slowly　she　came
near。　　〃My　darling；　my　sweetheart；〃　he　said；　in　a　low　voice　full　of
intense　passion。　　Then；　while　she　lay　in　his　arms；　he　kissed　her　on
the　lips　twice。　　Ranald　stood　gazing　in　the　mirror　as　if　fascinated。
As　their　lips　met　a　low　groan　burst　from　him。　　He　faced　about；　and
with　a　single　step；　stood　in　the　doorway。　　Shriek　after　shriek
echoed　through　the　house　as　Maimie　sprang　from　De　Lacy's　arms　and
shrank　back　to　the　wall。

〃Great　heavens；〃　cried　De　Lacy；　〃why　it's　Macdonald！　　What　the
deuce　do　you　mean　coming　in　on　people　like　that？〃

〃What　is　it；　Maimie；〃　cried　her　Aunt　Frank；　hurrying　down　stairs。

Then　she　saw　Ranald　standing　in　the　doorway；　with　face　bloodless；
ghastly；　livid。　　Quickly　she　went　up　to　him；　and　said；　in　a　voice
trembling　and　not　ungentle：　　〃Oh；　why　did　you　wait；　Mr。　Macdonald；
go　away　now；　go　away。〃

Ranald　turned　and　looked　at　her　with　a　curious　uncomprehending
gaze；　and　then　said；　〃Yes；　I　will　go　away。〃　　He　took　a　step　toward
Maimie；　his　eyes　like　lurid　flames。　　She　shrank　from　him；　while　De
Lacy　stepped　in　his　path。　　With　a　sweep　of　his　arm　he　brushed　De
Lacy　aside；　hurling　him　crashing　against　the　wall；　and　stood　before
the　shrinking　girl。

〃Good　by；　Maimie；　forget　that　I　loved　you　once。〃

The　words　came　slowly　from　his　pallid　lips。　　For　some　moments　he
stood　with　his　burning　eyes　fastened　upon　her　face。　　Then　he　turned
slowly　from　her　and　groped　blindly　for　his　hat。　　Miss　St。　Clair
hurried　toward　him；　found　his　hat；　and　putting　it　in　his　hand；
said；　in　a　broken　voice；　while　tears　poured　down　her　cheeks：　　〃Here
it　is；　good　by；　good　by。〃

He　looked　at　her　a　moment　as　if　in　surprise；　and　then；　with　a　smile
of　rare　sweetness　on　his　white　lips；　he　said；　〃I　thank　you；〃　and
passed　out；　going　feebly　like　a　man　who　has　got　a　death　wound。



CHAPTER　XXIII

A　GOOD　TRUE　FRIEND


It　was　springtime　and　the　parks　and　avenues　were　in　all　the　dainty
splendor　of　their　new　leaves。　　The　afternoon　May　sun　was　flooding
the　city　with　gold　and　silver　light；　and　all　the　air　was　tremulous
with　the　singing　of　birds。　　A　good　day　it　was　to　live　if　one　could
only　live　in　the　sunny　air　within　sight　of　the　green　leaves　and
within　soun