what diantha did-第27章

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Not　only　so；　but　she　supplied　the　Orchardina　library　with　a　special
bibliography　on　the　subject；　and　induced　the　new　Woman's　Club　to　take　up
a　course　of　reading　in　it；　so　that　there　gradually　filtered　into　the
Orchardina　mind　a　faint　perception　that　this　was　not　the　freak　of　an
eccentric　individual；　but　part　of　an　inevitable　business　development；
going　on　in　various　ways　in　many　nations。

As　the　winter　drew　on；　Mrs。　Weatherstone　whisked　away　again；　but　kept　a
warm　current　of　interest　in　Diantha's　life　by　many　letters。

Mr。　Bell　came　down　from　Jopalez　with　outer　reluctance　but　inner
satisfaction。　　He　had　rented　his　place；　and　Susie　had　three　babies　now。　
Henderson；　Jr。；　had　no　place　for　him；　and　to　do　housework　for　himself
was　no　part　of　Mr。　Bell's　plan。

In　Diantha's　hotel　he　had　a　comfortable　room　next　his　wife's；　and　a
capacious　chair　in　the　firelit　hall　in　wet　weather；　or　on　the　shaded
piazza　in　dry。　　The　excellent　library　was　a　resource　to　him；　he　found
some　congenial　souls　to　talk　with；　and　under　the　new　stimulus　succeeded
at　last　in　patenting　a　small　device　that　really　worked。　　With　this；　and
his　rent；　he　felt　inclined　to　establish　a　〃home　of　his　own；〃　and　the
soul　of　Mrs。　Bell　sank　within　her。　　Without　allowing　it　to　come　to　an
issue　between　them；　she　kept　the　question　open　for　endless　discussion；
and　Mr。　Bell　lived　on　in　great　contentment　under　the　impression　that　he
was　about　to　move　at　almost　any　time。　　To　his　friends　and　cronies　he
dilated　with　pride　on　his　daughter's　wonderful　achievements。

〃She's　as　good　as　a　boy！〃　he　would　declare。　　〃Women　nowadays　seem　to　do
anything　they　want　to！〃　　And　he　rigidly　paid　his　board　bill　with　a
flourish。

Meanwhile　the　impressive　gatherings　at　Mrs。　Thaddler's；　and　the　humbler
tea　and　card　parties　of　Diantha's　friends；　had　a　new　topic　as　a
shuttlecock。

A　New　York　company　had　bought　one　of　the　largest　and　finest　blocks　in
townthe　old　Para　placeand　was　developing　it　in　a　manner　hitherto
unseen。　　The　big；　shabby；　neglected　estate　began　to　turn　into　such　a
fairyland　as　only　southern　lands　can　know。　　The　old　live…oaks　were
untouched；　the　towering　eucalyptus　trees　remained　in　ragged　majesty；　but
an　army　of　workmen　was　busy　under　guidance　of　a　master　of　beauty。

One　large　and　lovely　building　rose；　promptly　dubbed　a　hotel　by　the
unwilling　neighbors；　others；　smaller；　showed　here　and　there　among　the
trees；　and　then　a　rose…gray　wall　of　concrete　ran　around　the　whole；　high；
tantalizing；　with　green　boughs　and　sweet　odors　coming　over　it。　　Those
who　went　in　reported　many　buildings；　and　much　activity。　　But；　when　the
wall　was　done；　and　each　gate　said　〃No　admittance　except　on　business；〃
then　the　work　of　genii　was　imagined；　and　there　was　none　to　contradict。

It　was　a　School　of　Theosophy；　it　was　a　Christian　Science　College；　it　was
a　Free…Love　Colony；　it　was　a　Secret　Society；　it　was　a　thousand　wonders。

〃Lot　of　little　houses　and　one　big　one；〃　the　employees　said　when
questioned。

〃Hotel　and　cottages；〃　the　employers　said　when　questioned。

They　made　no　secret　of　it；　they　were　too　busy；　but　the　town　was
unsatisfied。　　Why　a　wall？　　What　did　any　honest　person　want　of　a　wall？　
Yet　the　wall　cast　a　pleasant　shadow；　there　were　seats　here　and　there
between　buttresses；　and；　as　the　swift　California　season　advanced；　roses
and　oleanders　nodded　over　the　top；　and　gave　hints　of　beauty　and　richness
more　subtly　stimulating　than　all　the　open　glory　of　the　low…hedged
gardens　near。

Diantha's　soul　was　stirred　with　secret　envy。　　Some　big　concern　was　about
to　carry　out　her　dream；　or　part　of　itperhaps　to　be　a　huge　and
overflowing　rival。　　Her　own　work　grew　meantime；　and　flourished　as　well
as　she　could　wish。

The　food…delivery　service　was　running　to　its　full　capacity；　the　girls
got　on　very　well　under　Mrs。　Jessup；　and　were　delighted　to　have　a　house
of　their　own　with　the　parlors　and　piazzas　all　to　themselves；　and　a
garden　to　sit　in　as　well。　　If　this　depleted　their　ranks　by　marriage；　it
did　not　matter　now；　for　there　was　a　waiting　list　in　training　all　the
time。

Union　House　kept　on　evenly　and　profitably；　and　Diantha　was　beginning　to
feel　safe　and　successful；　but　the　years　looked　long　before　her。

She　was　always　cheered　by　Mrs。　Weatherstone's　letters；　and　Mrs。　Porne
came　to　see　her；　and　to　compare　notes　over　their　friend's　success。　　For
Mrs。　Weatherstone　had　been　presented　at　Courtat　more　than　one　court；
in　fact；　and　Mrs。　Weatherstone　had　been　proposed　to　by　a　Dukeand　had
refused　him！　　Orchardina　well…nigh　swooned　when　this　was　known。

She　had　been　studying；　investigating；　had　become　known　in　scientific　as
well　as　social　circles；　and　on　her　way　back　the　strenuous　upper　layer　of
New　York　Society　had　also　made　much　of　her。　　Rumors　grew　of　her
exquisite　costumes；　of　her　unusual　jewels；　of　her　unique　entertainments；
of　her　popularity　everywhere　she　went。

Other　proposals；　of　a　magnificent　nature；　were　reported；　with　more
magnificent　refusals；　and　Orchardina　began　to　be　very　proud　of　young
Mrs。　Weatherstone　and　to　wish　she　would　come　back。

She　did　at　last；　bringing　an　Italian　Prince　with　her；　and　a　Hoch
Geborene　German　Count　also；　who　alleged　they　were　travelling　to　study
the　country；　but　who　were　reputed　to　have　had　a　duel　already　on　the
beautiful　widow's　account。

All　this　was　long…drawn　gossip　but　bore　some　faint　resemblance　to　the
facts。　　Viva　Weatherstone　at　thirty　was　a　very　different　woman　front　the
pale；　sad…eyed　girl　of　four　years　earlier。　　And　when　the　great　house　on
the　avenue　was　arrayed　in　new　magnificence；　and　all　Orchardinathat
daredhad　paid　its　respects　to　her；　she　opened　the　season；　as　it　were；
with　a　brilliant　dinner；　followed　by　a　reception　and　ball。

All　Orchardina　cameso　far　as　it　had　been　invited。　　There　was　the
Prince；　sure　enougha　pleasant；　blue…eyed　young　man。　　And　there　was　the
Count；　bearing　visible　evidence　of　duels　a…plenty　in　earlier　days。　　And
there　was　Diantha　Bellreceiving；　with　Mrs。　Porne　and　Mrs。
Weatherstone。　　All　Orchardina　stared。　　Diantha　had　been　at　the
dinnerthat　was　clear。　　And　now　she　stood　there　in　her　soft；　dark
evening　dress；　the　knot　of　golden　acacias　nestling　against　the　black
lace　at　her　bosom；　looking　as　fair　and　sweet　as　if　she　had　never　had　a
care　in　her　life。

Her　mother　thought　her　the　most　beautiful　thing　she　had　ever　seen；　and
her　father；　though　somewhat　critical；　secretly　thought　so；　too。

Mrs。　Weatherstone　cast　many　a　loving　look　at　the　tall　girl　beside　her　in
the　intervals　of　〃Delighted　to　see　you's；〃　and　saw　that　her　double
burden　had　had　no　worse　effect　than　to　soften　the　lines　of　the　mouth　and
give　a　hint　of　pathos　to　the　clear　depths　of　her　eyes。

The　foreign　visitors　were　much　interested　in　the　young　Amazon　of
Industry；　as　the　Prince　insisted　on　calling　her；　and　even　the　German
Count　for　a　moment　forgot　his　ancestors　in　her　pleasant　practical　talk。

Mrs。　Weatherstone　had　taken　pains　to　call　upon　the　Wardensclaiming　a
connection；　if　not　a　relationship；　and　to　invite　them　all。　　And　as　the
crowd　grew　bigger　and　bigger；　Diantha　saw　Mrs。　Warden　at　last
approaching　with　her　four　daughtersand　no　one　else。　　She　greeted　them
politely　and　warmly；　but　Mrs。　Weatherstone　did　more。

Holding　them　all　in　a　little　group　beside　her；　she　introduced　her　noble
visitors　to　them；　imparted　the　further　information　that　their　brother
was　_fiance_　to　Miss　Bell。　　〃I　don't　see　him；〃　she　said；　looking　about。　
〃He　will　come　later；　of　course。　　Ah；　Miss　Madeline！　　How　proud　you　all
must　feel　of　your　sister…in…law　to　be！〃

Madeline　blushed　and　tried　to　say　she　was。

〃Such　a　remarkable　young　lady！〃　said　the　Count　to　Adeline。　　〃You　will
admire；　envy；　and　imitate！　　Is　it　not　so？〃

〃Your　ladies　of　America　have　all　things　in　your　hands；〃　said　the　Prince
to　Miss　Cora。　　〃To　think　that　she　has　done　so　much；　and　is　yet　so
youngand　so　beautiful！〃

〃I　know　you're　all　as　proud　as　you　can　be；〃　Mrs。　Weatherstone　continued
to　Dora。　　〃You　see；　Diantha　has　been　heard　of　abroad。〃

They　all　passed　on　presently；　as　others　came；　but　Mrs。　Warden's　head　was
reeling。　　She　wished　she　could　by　any　means　get　at　Ross；　and　_make_　him
come；　which　he　had　refused　to　do。

〃I　can't；　mother；〃　he　had　said。　　〃You　goall　of　you。　　Take　the　girls。　
I'll　call　for　you　at　twelvebut　I　won't　go　in。〃

Mr。　and　Mrs。　Thaddler　were　therebut　not　happy。　　She　was　not；　at　least；
and　showed　it；　he　was　not　until　an　idea　struck　him。　　He　dodged　softly
out；　and　was　soon　flying　off；　at　dangerous　speed　over　the　moon…white
country　roads。

He　found　Ross；　dressed　and　ready；　sulking　blackly　on　his　shadowy　porch。

〃Come　and　take　a　spin　while　you　wait；〃　said　Mr。　Thaddler。

〃Thanks；　I　have　to　go　in　town　later。〃

〃I'll　take　you　in　town。〃

〃Thank　you；　but　I　have　to　take　the　horses　in　and　bring　out　my　mother　and
the　girls。〃

〃I'll　bring　you　all　out　in　the　car。　　Come　onit's　a　great　night。〃

So　Ross　rather　reluctantly　came。

He　sat　back　on　the　luxurious　cushions；　his　arms　folded　sternly；　his
brows　knit；　and　the　stout　gentleman　at　his　side　watched　him　shrewdly。

〃How　does　the　ranch　go？〃　he　asked。

〃Very　well；　thank　you；　Mr。　Thaddler。〃

〃Them　Chinks　pay　up　promptly？〃

〃As　prompt　as　the　month　comes　round。　　Their　rent　is　a　very　valuable　part
of　the　estate。〃

〃Yes；〃　Mr。　Thaddler　pursued。　　〃They　have　a　good　steady　market　for　their
stuff。　　And　the　chicken　man；　too。　　Do　you　know　who　buys　'em？〃

Ross　did　not。　　Did　not　greatly　care；　he　intimated。

〃I　should　think　you'd　be　interestedyou　ought　toit's　Diantha　Bell。〃

Ross　started；　but　said　nothing。

〃You　see；　I've　taken　a　great　interest　in　her　proposition　ever　since　she
sprung　it　on　us；〃　Mr。　Thaddler　confided。　　〃She's　got　the　goods　all
right。　　But　there　was　plenty　against　her　hereyou　know　what　women　are！　
And　I　made　up　my　mind　the　supplies　should　be　good　and　steady；　anyhow。　
She　had　no　trouble　with　her　grocery　orders；　that　was　easy。　　Meat　I
couldn't　handleexcept　indirectlya　little　pressure；　maybe；　here　and
there。〃　　And　he　chuckled　softly。　　〃But　this　ranch　I　bought　on　purpose。〃

Ross　turned　as　if　he　had　been　stung。

〃You！〃　he　said。

〃Yes；　me。　　Why　not？　　It's　a　good　property。　　I　got　it　all　fixed　right；
and　then　I　bought　your　little　upstate　shoplock；　stock　and　barreland
gave　you　this　for　it。　　A　fair　exchange　is　no　robbery。　　Though　it　would
be　nice　to　have　it　all　in　the　family；　eh？〃

Ross　was　silent　for　a　few　turbulent　moments；　revolving　this　far　from
pleasing　information。

〃What'd　I　do　it　for？〃　continued　the　unasked　benefactor。　　〃What　do　you
_think_　I　did　it　for？　　So　that　brave；　sweet　little　girl　down　here　could
have　her　heart's　desire。　　She's　established　her　businessshe's　proved
her　pointshe's　won　the　townmost　of　it；　and　there's　nothing　on　earth
to　make　her　unhappy　now　but　your　pigheadedness！　　Young　man；　I　tell　you
you're　a　plumb　fool！〃

One　cannot　throw　one's　host　out　of　his　own　swift…flying　car；　nor　is　it
wise　to　jump　out　one's　self。

〃Nothing　on　earth　between　you　but　your　cussed　pride！〃　Mr。　Thaddler
remorselessly　went　on。　　〃This　ranch　is　honestly　yoursby　a　square　deal。
　Your　Jopalez　business　was　worth　the　moneyyou　ran　it　honestly　and
extended　the　trade。　　You'd　have　made　a　heap　by　it　if　you　could　have
unbent　a　little。　　Gosh！　　I　limb