the conflict-第31章

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Come　to　the　house　and　I'll　dust　you　offand　we'll　go　for　a　walk　in　the　woods。''

Selma　felt　that　she　owed　it　to　Jane　to　accept。　　As　they　were　climbing　the　hill　in　the　auto；　Selma　said：

‘‘My；　how　comfortable　this　is！　　No　wonder　the　people　that　have　autos　stop　exercising　and　get　fat　and　sick　and　die。　　I　couldn't　trust　myself　with　one。''

‘‘It's　a　daily　fight；''　confessed　Jane。　　‘‘If　I　were　married　and　didn't　have　to　think　about　my　looks　and　my　figure　I'm　afraid　I'd　give　up。''

‘‘Victor　says　the　only　time　one　ought　ever　to　ride　in　a　carriage　is　to　his　own　funeral。''

‘‘He's　down　on　show　and　luxury　of　every　kind　isn't　he？''　said　Jane。

‘‘No；　indeed；''　replied　Selma。　　‘‘Victor　isn't　‘down　on'　anything。　　He　thinks　show　and　luxury　are　silly。　　He　could　be　rich　if　he　wished；　for　he　has　wonderful　talent　for　managing　things　and　for　making　money。　　He　has　refused　some　of　the　most　wonderful　offerswonderful　in　that　way。　　But　he　thinks　money…making　a　waste　of　time。　　He　has　all　he　wants；　and　he　says　he'd　as　soon　think　of　eating　a　second　dinner　when　he'd　just　had　one　as　of　exchanging　time　that　could　be　LIVED　for　a　lot　of　foolish　dollars。''

‘‘And　he　meant　it；　too；''　said　Jane。　　‘‘In　some　men　that　would　sound　like　pretense。　　But　not　in　him。　　What　a　mind　he　hasand　what　a　character！''

Selma　was　abruptly　overcast　and　ominously　silent。　　She　wished　she　had　not　been　turned　so　far　by　her　impulse　of　penitencewished　she　had　held　to　the　calm　and　deliberate　part　of　her　resolve　about　Janethe　part　that　involved　keeping　aloof　from　her。　　However；　Jane；　the　tactfulhastened　to　shift　the　conversation　to　generalities　of　the　softest　kindstalked　about　her　college　lifeabout　the　inane　and　useless　education　they　had　given　herdrew　Selma　out　to　talk　about　her　own　　educationin　the　tenementin　the　public　school；　at　night　school；　in　factory　and　shop。　　Not　until　they　had　been　walking　in　the　woods　nearly　two　hours　and　Selma　was　about　to　go　home；　did　Victor；　about　whom　both　were　thinking　all　the　time；　come　into　the　conversation　again。　　It　was　Jane　who　could　no　longer　keep　away　from　the　subjectthe　one　subject　that　wholly　interested　her　nowadays。　　Said　she：

‘‘Victor　Dorn　is　REALLY　almost　well；　you　think？''

After　a　significant　pause　Selma　said　in　a　tone　that　was　certainly　not　encouraging；　‘‘Obviously。''

‘‘I　was　altogether　wrong　about　Doctor　Charlton；''　said　Jane。　　‘‘I'm　convinced　now　that　he's　the　only　really　intelligent　doctor　in　town。　　I'm　trying　to　persuade　father　to　change　to　him。''

‘‘Well；　good…by；''　said　Selma。　　She　was　eager　to　get　away；　for　she　suddenly　felt　that　Jane　was　determined　to　talk　about　Victor　before　letting　her　go。

‘‘You　altered　toward　me　when　I　made　that　confessionthe　night　of　the　riot；''　said　Jane　abruptly。　　‘‘Are　you　in　love　with　him；　too？''

‘‘No；''　said　Selma。

‘‘I　don't　see　how　you　could　help　being；''　cried　Jane。

‘‘That's　because　you　don't　know　what　it　is　to　be　busy；''　retorted　Selma。　　‘‘Lovewhat　you　call　love　is　one　of　the　pastimes　with　your　sort　of　people。　　It's　a　lazy；　easy　way　of　occupying　the　thoughts。''

‘‘You　don't　know　me　as　well　as　you　think　you　do；''　said　Jane。　　Her　expression　fascinated　Selmaand　made　her　more　afraid　than　ever。

Impulsively　Selma　took　Jane　by　the　arm。　　‘‘Keep　away　from　us；''　she　said。　　‘‘You　will　do　no　good。　　You　can　only　cause　unhappinessperhaps　most　of　all　to　yourself。''

‘‘Don't　I　know　that！''　exclaimed　Jane。　　‘‘I'm　fighting　it　as　hard　as　I　can。　　But　how　little　control　one　has　over　oneself　when　one　has　always　been　indulged　and　self…indulgent。''

‘‘The　man　for　you　is　David　Hull；''　said　Selma。

‘‘You　could　help　himcould　make　a　great　deal　of　a　person　out　of　him。''

‘‘I　know　it；''　replied　Jane。　　‘‘But　I　don't　want　him；　and　heperhaps　you　didn't　know　that　he　is　in　love　with　you？''

‘‘No　more　than　you　are　with　Victor　Dorn；''　said　Selma。　　‘‘I'm　different　from　the　women　he　has　known；　just　as　Victor　is　different　from　the　men　you　meet　in　your　class。　　But　this　is　a　waste　of　time。''

‘‘You　don't　believe　in　me　at　all；''　cried　Jane。　　‘‘In　some　ways　you　are　very　unjust　and　narrow；　Selma。''

Selma　looked　at　her　in　that　grave　way　which　seemed　to　compel　frankness。　　‘‘Do　YOU　believe　in　yourself？''　she　asked。

Jane's　glance　shifted。

‘‘You　know　you　do　not；''　proceeded　Selma。　　‘‘The　women　of　your　class　rarely　have　sincere　emotions　because　they　do　not　lead　sincere　lives。　　Part　of　your　imaginary　love　for　Victor　Dorn　is　desire　to　fill　up　idle　hours。　　The　rest　of　it　is　vanitythe　desire　to　show　your　power　over　a　man　who　seems　to　be　woman…proof。''　　She　laughed　a　little；　turned　away；　paused。　　‘‘My　mother　used　to　quote　a　French　proverb‘One　cannot　trifle　with　love。'　　Be　careful；　Janefor　your　own　sake。　　I　don't　know　whether　you　could　conquer　Victor　Dorn　or　not。　　But　I　do　know　IF　you　could　conquer　him　it　would　be　only　at　the　usual　price　of　those　conquests　to　a　woman。''

‘‘And　what　is　that？''　said　Jane。

‘‘Your　own　complete　surrender；''　said　Selma。

‘‘How　wise　you　are！''　laughed　Jane。　　‘‘Who　would　have　suspected　you　of　knowing　so　much！''

‘‘How　could　Ia　womanand　not　unattractive　to　mengrow　up　to　be　twenty…one　years　old；　in　the　free　life　of　a　working　woman；　without　learning　all　there　is　to　know　about　sex　relations？''

Jane　looked　at　her　with　a　new　interest。

‘‘And；''　she　went　on；　‘‘I've　learnednot　by　experience；　I'm　glad　to　say；　but　by　observationthat　my　mother's　proverb　is　true。　　I　shall　not　think　about　love　until　I　am　compelled　to。　　That　is　a　peril　a　sensible　person　does　not　seek。''

‘‘I　did　not　seek　it；''　cried　Janeand　then　she　halted　and　flushed。

‘‘Good…by；　Jane；''　said　Selma；　waving　her　hand　and　moving　away　rapidly。　　She　called　back‘‘On　ne　badine　pas　avec　l'amour！''

She　went　straight　to　Colman's　cottageto　Victor；　lying　very　pale　with　his　eyes　shut；　and　big　Tom　Colman　sitting　by　his　bed。　　There　was　a　stillness　in　the　room　that　Selma　felt　was　ominous。　　Victor's　handstrong；　well…shaped；　useful…looking；　used…lookingnot　ABUSED…　looking；　but　USED…looking…was　outside　the　covers　upon　the　white　counterpane。　　The　fingers　were　drumming　softly；　Selma　knew　that　gesturea　certain　sign　that　Victor　was　troubled　in　mind。

‘‘You've　told　him；''　said　Selma　to　Colman　as　she　paused　in　the　doorway。

Victor　turned　his　head　quickly；　opened　his　eyes；　gave　her　a　look　of　welcome　that　made　her　thrill　with　pride。　　‘‘Ohthere　you　are！''　he　exclaimed。　　‘‘I　was　hoping　you'd　come。''

‘‘I　saw　David　Hull　just　after　it　was　done；''　said　Selma。　　‘‘And　I　thanked　him　for　you。''

Victor's　eyes　had　a　look　of　amusement；　of　mockery。　　‘‘Thank　you；''　he　said。

She；　the　sensitive；　was　on　the　alert　at　once。　　‘‘Didn't　you　want　me　to　thank　him？''

Victor　did　not　answer。　　In　the　same　amused　way　he　went　on：　　‘‘So　they　carried　him　on　their　shoulders　him　and　that　other　defender　of　the　rights　of　the　people；　Hugo　Galland？　　I　should　like　to　have　seen。　　It　was　a　memorable　spectacle。''

‘‘You　are　laughing　at　it；''　exclaimed　the　girl。　　‘‘Why？''

‘‘You　certainly　are　taking　the　news　very　queer；　Victor；''　said　Colman。　　Then　to　Selma；　‘‘When　I　told　him　he　got　white　and　I　thought　I'd　have　to　send　for　Doctor　Charlton。''

‘‘Welljoy　never　kills；''　said　Victor　mockingly。　　‘‘I　don't　want　to　keep　you；　TomSelma'll　sit　with　me。''

When　they　were　alone；　Victor　again　closed　his　eyes　and　resumed　that　silent　drumming　upon　the　counterpane。　　Selma　watched　the　restless　fingers　as　if　she　hoped　they　would　disclose　to　her　the　puzzling　secret　of　Victor's　thoughts。　　But　she　did　not　interrupt。

That　was　one　lesson　in　restraint　that　Victor　had　succeeded　in　teaching　hernever　to　interrupt。　　At　last　he　heaved　a　great　sigh　and　said：

‘‘Well；　Selma；　old　girlwe've　probably　lost　again。　I　was　glad　you　came　because　I　wanted　to　talkand　I　can't　say　what's　in　my　mind　before　dear　old　Tomor　any　of　them　but　my　sister　and　you。''

‘‘You　didn't　want　those　injunctions　and　indictments　out　of　the　way？''　said　Selma。

‘‘If　they　had　stood；　we'd　have　wonin　a　walk；''　replied　Victor。　　‘‘As　the　cards　lie　now；　David　Hull　will　win。　　And　he'll　make　a　pretty　good　show　mayor；　probably　good　enough　to　fool　a　large　majority　of　our　fellow　citizens；　who　are　politically　as　shallow　and　credulous　as　nursery　children。　　And　soour　work　of　educating　them　will　be　the　harder　and　slower。　　Oh；　these　David　Hulls！these　good　men　who　keep　their　mantles　spotless　in　order　to　make　them　the　more　useful　as　covers　for　the　dirty　work　of　others！''　Suddenly　his　merry　smile　burst　out。　　‘‘And　they　carried　Hugo　Galland　on　their　shoulders？''

‘‘Then　you　don't　think　Hull's　motives　were　honorable？''　inquired　Selma；　perplexed　and　anxious。

‘‘How　could　I　know　his　motives？any　man's　motives？''　replied　Victor。　　‘‘No　one　can　read　men's　hearts。　　All　I　ever　consider　is　actions。　　And　the　result　of　his　actions　is　probably　the　defeat　of　the　League　and　the　election　of　Dick　Kelly。''

‘‘I　begin　to　understand；''　said　Selma　thoughtfully。　　‘‘ButI　do　believe　his　motive　was　altogether　good。''

‘‘My　dear　girl；''　said　Victor；　‘‘the　primer　lesson　in　the　life　of　action　is：　　‘NeverNEVER　look　at　motives。　　Actiononly　actionsalways　actions。'　　The　chief　reason　the　human　race　is　led　patiently　round　by　the　nose　is　its　fondness　for　fussing　about　motives。　　We　are　interested　only　in　men's　actions　and　the　results　to　our　cause。　　Davy　Hull's　motives　concern　only　himself　and　those　who　care　for　him。''　　Victor's　eyes；　twinkling　mischievously；　shot　a　shrewd　glance　at　Selma。　　‘‘You're　not　by　any　chance　in　love　with　Davy？''

Selma　colored　high。　　‘‘Certainly　not！''　she　exclaimed　indignantly。

‘‘Why　not？　　Why　not？''　teased　Victor。　　‘‘He's　tall　and　handsomeand　superbly　solemnand　women　always　fancy　a　solemn　man　has　intellect　and　character。　　Not　that　Davy　is　a　foolby　no　means。　　I'd　be　the　last　man　to　say　thatI　whom　he　has　just　cleverly　checkmated　in　one　move。''

‘‘You　intended　not　to　give　bail！　　You　intended　to　go　to　jail！''　exclaimed　Selma　abruptly。　　‘‘I　see　it　all！　　How　stupid　I　was！　　Oh；　I　could　cry；　Victor！　　What　a　chance。''

‘‘Spilt　milk；''　said　Victor。　　‘‘We　must　forget　it；　and　plan　to　meet　the　new　conditions。　　We'll　start　the　paper　at　once。　　We　can't　attack　him。　　Very　clever　of　him　very　clever！　　If　he　were　as　brave　as　he　is　shrewd；　I'd　almost　give　up　hope　of　winning　this　town　while　he　was　in　politics　here。　　But　he　lacks　courage。　　And　he　daren't　think　and　speak　honestly。　　How　that　does　cripple　a　man！''

‘‘He'll　be　one　of　us　before　very　long；''　said　Selma。　　‘‘You　misjudge　him；　Victor。''

Dorn　smiled。　　‘‘Not　so　long　as　his　own　class　gratifies　his　ambitions；''　replied　Victor。　　‘‘If　he　came　with　us　it'd　be　because　his　own　class　had　failed　him　and　he　hoped　to　rise　through　and　uponours。''

Selma　did　not　agree　with　him。　　But　as　she　always　felt　presumptuous　and　even　foolish　in　disagreeing　with　Victor；　she　kept　silent。　　And　presently　Victor　began　to　lay　out　her　share　in　the　task　of　starting　up　the　New　Day。　　‘‘I　shall　be　all　right　within　a　week；''　said　he；　‘‘and　we　must　get　the　first　number　out　the　week　following。''　　She　was　realizing　now　that　Hull's　move　had　completely　upset　an　elaborate　plan　of　campaign　into　which　Victor　had　put　all　his　intelligence　and　upon　which　he　had　staked　all　his　hopes。　　She　marvelled　as　he　talked；　unfolding　rapidly　an　entirely　new　campaign；　different　in　every　respect　from　what　the　other　would　have　been。　　How　swiftly　his　mind　h