what diantha did-第26章

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take　you　to　get　out　of　this？〃

〃Get　out　ofwhat？〃　she　faltered。

〃Why；　the　whole　abominable　business　you're　so　deep　in　here。　　Thank　God；
there's　no　shadow　of　need　for　it　any　more！〃

The　girl's　face　went　white；　but　he　could　not　see　it。　　She　would　not
believe　him。

〃Why；　dear；〃　she　said；　〃if　your　ranch　is　as　near　as　that　it　would　be
perfectly　easy　for　me　to　come　in　to　the　businesswith　a　car。　　I　can
afford　a　car　soon。〃

〃But　I　tell　you　there's　no　need　any　more；〃　said　he。　　〃Don't　you
understand？　　This　is　a　paying　fruit　ranch；　with　land　rented　to
advantage；　and　a　competent　manager　right　there　running　it。　　It's　simply
changed　owners。　　I'm　the　owner　now！　　There's　two　or　three　thousand　a
year　to　be　made　on　ithas　been　made　on　it！　　There　is　a　home　for　my
peoplea　home　for　us！　　Oh；　my　beloved　girl！　　My　darling！　　My　own
sweetheart！　　Surely　you　won't　refuse　me　now！〃

Diantha's　head　swam　dizzily。

〃Ross；〃　she　urged；　〃you　don't　understand！　　I've　built　up　a　good　business
herea　real　successful　business。　　Mother　is　in　it；　father's　to　come
down；　there　is　a　big　patronage；　it　grows。　　I　can't　give　it　up！〃

〃Not　for　me？　　Not　when　I　can　offer　you　a　home　at　last？　　Not　when　I　show
you　that　there　is　no　longer　any　need　of　your　earning　money？〃　he　said
hotly。

〃But；　deardear！〃　she　protested。　　〃It　isn't　for　the　money；　it　is　the
work　I　want　to　doit　is　my　work！　　You　are　so　happy　now　that　you　can　do
your　workat　last！　　This　is　mine！〃

When　he　spoke　again　his　voice　was　low　and　stern。

〃Do　you　mean　that　you　loveyour　workbetter　than　you　love　me？〃

〃No！　　It　isn't　that！　　That's　not　fair！〃　cried　the　girl。　　〃Do　you　love
your　work　better　than　you　love　me？　　Of　course　not！　　You　love　both。　　So
do　I。　　Can't　you　see？　　Why　should　I　have　to　give　up　anything？〃

〃You　do　not　have　to；〃　he　said　patiently。　　〃I　cannot　compel　you　to　marry
me。　　But　now；　when　at　lastafter　these　awful　yearsI　can　really　offer
you　a　homeyou　refuse！〃

〃I　have　not　refused；〃　she　said　slowly。

His　voice　lightened　again。

〃Ah；　dearest！　　And　you　will　not！　　You　will　marry　me？〃

〃I　will　marry　you；　Ross！〃

〃And　when？　　When；　dearest？〃

〃As　soon　as　you　are　ready。〃

〃Butcan　you　drop　this　at　once？〃

〃I　shall　not　drop　it。〃

Her　voice　was　low；　very　low；　but　clear　and　steady。

He　rose　to　his　feet　with　a　muffled　exclamation；　and　walked　the　length　of
the　piazza　and　back。

〃Do　you　realize　that　you　are　saying　no　to　me；　Diantha？〃

〃You　are　mistaken；　dear。　　I　have　said　that　I　will　marry　you　whenever　you
choose。　　But　it　is　you　who　are　saying；　'I　will　not　marry　a　woman　with　a
business。'〃

〃This　is　foolishness！〃　he　said　sharply。　　〃No　manthat　is　a　manwould
marry　a　woman　and　let　her　run　a　business。〃

〃You　are　mistaken；〃　she　answered。　　〃One　of　the　finest　men　I　ever　knew
has　asked　me　to　marry　himand　keep　on　with　my　work！〃

〃Why　didn't　you　take　him　up？〃

〃Because　I　didn't　love　him。〃　　She　stopped；　a　sob　in　her　voice；　and　he
caught　her　in　his　arms　again。

It　was　late　indeed　when　he　went　away；　walking　swiftly；　with　a　black
rebellion　in　his　heart；　and　Diantha　dragged　herself　to　bed。

She　was　stunned；　deadened；　exhausted；　torn　with　a　desire　to　run　after
him　and　give　upgive　up　anything　to　hold　his　love。　　But　something；
partly　reason　and　partly　pride；　kept　saying　within　her：　〃I　have　not
refused　him；　he　has　refused　me！〃



WHAT　DIANTHA　DID


CHAPTER　XIII。

ALL　THIS。


They　laid　before　her　conquering　feet
　The　spoils　of　many　lands；
Their　crowns　shone　red　upon　her　head
　Their　scepters　in　her　hands。

She　heard　two　murmuring　at　night；
　Where　rose…sweet　shadows　rest；
And　coveted　the　blossom　red
　He　laid　upon　her　breast。


When　Madam　Weatherstone　shook　the　plentiful　dust　of　Orchardina　from　her
expensive　shoes；　and　returned　to　adorn　the　more　classic　groves　of
Philadelphia；　Mrs。　Thaddler　assumed　to　hold　undisputed　sway　as　a　social
leader。

The　Social　Leader　she　meant　to　be；　and　marshalled　her　forces　to　that
end。　　She　Patronized　here；　and　Donated　there；　revised　her　visiting　list
with　rigid　exclusiveness；　secured　an　Eminent　Professor　and　a　Noted
Writer　as　visitors；　and　gave　entertainments　of　almost　Roman
magnificence。

Her　husband　grew　more　and　more　restive　under　the　rising　tide　of　social
exactions　in　dress　and　deportment；　and　spent　more　and　more　time　behind
his　fast　horses；　or　on　the　stock…ranch　where　he　raised　them。　　As　a
neighbor　and　fellow　ranchman；　he　scraped　acquaintance　with　Ross　Warden；
and　was　able　to　render　him　many　small　services　in　the　process　of
settling。

Mrs。　Warden　remembered　his　visit　to　Jopalez；　and　it　took　her　some　time
to　rearrange　him　in　her　mind　as　a　person　of　wealth　and　standing。　　Having
so　rearranged　him；　on　sufficient　evidence；　she　and　her　daughters　became
most　friendly；　and　had　hopes　of　establishing　valuable　acquaintance　in
the　town。　　〃It's　not　for　myself　I　care；〃　she　would　explain　to　Ross；
every　day　in　the　week　and　more　on　Sundays；　〃but　for　the　girls。　　In　that
dreadful　Jopalez　there　was　absolutely　_no_　opportunity　for　them；　but
here；　with　horses；　there　is　no　reason　we　should　not　have　friends。　　You
must　consider　your　sisters；　Ross！　　Do　be　more　cordial　to　Mr。　Thaddler。〃

But　Ross　could　not　at　present　be　cordial　to　anybody。　　His　unexpected
good　fortune；　the　freedom　from　hated　cares；　and　chance　to　work　out　his
mighty　theories　on　the　faithful　guinea…pig；　ought　to　have　filled　his
soul　with　joy；　but　Diantha's　cruel　obstinacy　had　embittered　his　cup　of
joy。　　He　could　not　break　with　her；　she　had　not　refused　him；　and　it　was
difficult　in　cold　blood　to　refuse　her。

He　had　stayed　away　for　two　whole　weeks；　in　which　time　the　guinea…pigs
nibbled　at　ease　and　Diantha's　work　would　have　suffered　except　for　her
mother's　extra　efforts。　　Then　he　went　to　see　her　again；　miserable　but
stubborn；　finding　her　also　miserable　and　also　stubborn。　　They　argued
till　there　was　grave　danger　of　an　absolute　break　between　them；　then
dropped　the　subject　by　mutual　agreement；　and　spent　evenings　of
unsatisfying　effort　to　talk　about　other　things。

Diantha　and　her　mother　called　on　Mrs。　Warden；　of　course；　admiring　the
glorious　view；　the　sweet　high　air；　and　the　embowered　loveliness　of　the
two　ranch　houses。　　Ross　drew　Diantha　aside　and　showed　her　〃theirs〃a
lovely　little　wide…porched　concrete　cottage；　with　a　red…tiled　roof；　and
heavy　masses　of　Gold　of　Ophir　and　Banksia　roses。

He　held　her　hand　and　drew　her　close　to　him。

He　kissed　her　when　they　were　safe　inside；　and　murmured：　〃Come；
darlingwon't　you　come　and　be　my　wife？〃

〃I　will；　Rosswhenever　you　saybut！〃　　She　would　not　agree　to　give　up
her　work；　and　he　flung　away　from　her　in　reckless　despair。　　Mrs。　Warden
and　the　girls　returned　the　call　as　a　matter　of　duty；　but　came　no　more；
the　mother　saying　that　she　could　not　take　her　daughters　to　a　Servant
Girls'　Club。

And　though　the　Servant　Girls'　Club　was　soon　removed　to　its　new　quarters
and　Union　House　became　a　quiet；　well…conducted　hotel；　still　the　two
families　saw　but　little　of　each　other。

Mrs。　Warden　naturally　took　her　son's　side；　and　considered　Diantha　an
unnatural　monster　of　hard…heartedness。

The　matter　sifted　through　to　the　ears　of　Mrs。　Thaddler；　who　rejoiced　in
it；　and　called　upon　Mrs。　Warden　in　her　largest　automobile。　　As　a　mother
with　four　marriageable　daughters；　Mrs。　Warden　was　delighted　to　accept
and　improve　the　acquaintance；　but　her　aristocratic　Southern　soul　was
inwardly　rebellious　at　the　ancestorlessness　and　uncultured　moneyed　pride
of　her　new　friend。

〃If　only　Madam　Weatherstone　had　stayed！〃　she　would　complain　to　her
daughters。　　〃She　had　Family　as　well　as　Wealth。〃

〃There's　young　Mrs。　Weatherstone；　mother〃　suggested　Dora。

〃A　nobody！〃　her　mother　replied。　　〃She　has　the　Weatherstone　money；　of
course；　but　no　Position；　and　what　little　she　has　she　is　losing　by　her
low　tastes。　　She　goes　about　freely　with　Diantha　Bellher　own
housekeeper！〃

〃She's　not　her　housekeeper　now；　mother〃

〃Well；　it's　all　the　same！　　She　_was！_　　And　a　mere　general　servant　before
that！　　And　now　to　think　that　when　Ross　is　willing　to　overlook　it　all　and
marry　her；　she　won't　give　it　up！〃

They　were　all　agreed　on　this　point；　unless　perhaps　that　the　youngest　had
her　inward　reservations。　　Dora　had　always　liked　Diantha　better　than　had
the　others。

Young　Mrs。　Weatherstone　stayed　in　her　big　empty　house　for　a　while；　and
as　Mrs。　Warden　said；　went　about　frequently　with　Diantha　Bell。　　She　liked
Mrs。　Bell；　tootook　her　for　long　stimulating　rides　in　her　comfortable
car；　and　insisted　that　first　one　and　then　the　other　of　them　should　have
a　bit　of　vacation　at　her　seashore　home　before　the　winter's　work　grew　too
heavy。

With　Mrs。　Bell　she　talked　much　of　how　Diantha　had　helped　the　town。

〃She　has　no　idea　of　the　psychic　effects；　Mrs。　Bell；〃　said　she。　　〃She
sees　the　business；　and　she　has　a　great　view　of　all　it　is　going　to　do　for
women　to　come；　but　I　don't　think　she　realizes　how　much　she　is　doing
right　now　for　women　hereand　men；　too。　　There　were　my　friends　the
Pornes；　they　were　'drifting　apart；'　as　the　novels　have　itand　no
wonder。　　Isabel　was　absolutely　no　good　as　a　housekeeper；　he　naturally
didn't　like　itand　the　baby　made　it　all　the　worse；　she　pined　for　her
work；　you　see；　and　couldn't　get　any　time　for　it。　　Now　they　are　as　happy
as　can　beand　it's　just　Diantha　Bell's　doings。　　The　housework　is　off
Isabel's　shoulders。

〃Then　there　are　the　Wagrams；　and　the　Sheldons；　and　the　Brinksand　ever
so　many　morewho　have　told　me　themselves　that　they　are　far　happier　than
they　ever　were　beforeand　can　live　more　cheaply。　　She　ought　to　be　the
happiest　girl　alive！〃

Mrs。　Bell　would　agree　to　this；　and　quite　swelled　with　happiness　and
pride；　but　Mrs。　Weatherstone；　watching　narrowly；　was　not　satisfied。

When　she　had　Diantha　with　her　she　opened　fire　direct。　　〃You　ought　to　be
the　happiest；　proudest；　most　triumphant　woman　in　the　world！〃　she　said。　
〃You're　making　oodles　of　money；　your　whole　thing's　going　well；　and　look
at　your　mothershe's　made　over！〃

Diantha　smiled　and　said　she　was　happy；　but　her　eyes　would　stray　off　to
the　very　rim　of　the　ocean；　her　mouth　set　in　patient　lines　that　were　not
in　the　least　triumphant。

〃Tell　me　about　it；　my　friend；〃　said　her　hostess。　　〃Is　it　that　he　won't
let　you　keep　on　with　the　business？〃

Diantha　nodded。

〃And　you　won't　give　it　up　to　marry　him？〃

〃No；〃　said　Diantha。　　〃No。　　Why　should　I？　　I'd　marry　himto…morrow！〃　
She　held　one　hand　with　the　other；　tight；　but　they　both　shook　a　little。　
〃I'd　be　glad　to。　　But　I　will　not　give　up　my　work！〃

〃You　look　thin；〃　said　Mrs。　Weatherstone。

〃Yes〃

〃Do　you　sleep　well？〃

〃Nonot　very。〃

〃And　I　can　see　that　you　don't　eat　as　you　ought　to。　　Hm！　　Are　you　going
to　break　down？〃

〃No；〃　said　Diantha；　〃I　am　not　going　to　break　down。　　I　am　doing　what　is
right；　and　I　shall　go　on。　　It's　a　little　hard　at　firsthaving　him　so
near。　　But　I　am　young　and　strong　and　have　a　great　deal　to　doI　shall　do
it。〃

And　then　Mrs。　Weatherstone　would　tell　her　all　she　knew　of　the　intense
satisfaction　of　the　people　she　served；　and　pleasant　stories　about　the
girls。　　She　bought　her　books　to　read　and　such　gleanings　as　she　found　in
foreign　magazines　on　the　subject　of　organized　house…service。

Not　only　so；　but　she　supplied　the　Orchardina　library　with　a　special
bibliography　on