a waif of the plains-第4章

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which　the　distant　wagons；　now　halted　and　facing　them；　looked　like
domed　huts　in　the　horizonall　these　seemed　but　a　delightful　and
fitting　climax　to　the　events　of　the　day。　　In　the　sublime
forgetfulness　of　youth；　all　they　had　gone　through　had　left　no
embarrassing　record　behind　it；　they　were　willing　to　repeat　their
experiences　on　the　morrow；　confident　of　some　equally　happy　end。
And　when　Clarence；　timidly　reaching　his　hand　towards　the　horse…hair
reins　lightly　held　by　his　companion；　had　them　playfully　yielded　up
to　him　by　that　hold　and　confident　rider；　the　boy　felt　himself
indeed　a　man。

But　a　greater　surprise　was　in　store　for　them。　　As　they　neared　the
wagons；　now　formed　into　a　circle　with　a　certain　degree　of　military
formality；　they　could　see　that　the　appointments　of　the　strange
party　were　larger　and　more　liberal　than　their　own；　or　indeed
anything　they　had　ever　known　of　the　kind。　　Forty　or　fifty　horses
were　tethered　within　the　circle；　and　the　camp　fires　were　already
blazing。　　Before　one　of　them　a　large　tent　was　erected；　and　through
the　parted　flaps　could　be　seen　a　table　actually　spread　with　a　white
cloth。　　Was　it　a　school　feast；　or　was　this　their　ordinary　household
arrangement？　　Clarence　and　Susy　thought　of　their　own　dinners；
usually　laid　on　bare　boards　beneath　the　sky；　or　under　the　low　hood
of　the　wagon　in　rainy　weather；　and　marveled。　　And　when　they　finally
halted；　and　were　lifted　from　their　horses；　and　passed　one　wagon
fitted　up　as　a　bedroom　and　another　as　a　kitchen；　they　could　only
nudge　each　other　with　silent　appreciation。　　But　here　again　the
difference　already　noted　in　the　quality　of　the　sensations　of　the
two　children　was　observable。　　Both　were　equally　and　agreeably
surprised。　　But　Susy's　wonder　was　merely　the　sense　of　novelty　and
inexperience；　and　a　slight　disbelief　in　the　actual　necessity　of
what　she　saw；　while　Clarence；　whether　from　some　previous　general
experience　or　peculiar　temperament；　had　the　conviction　that　what　he
saw　here　was　the　usual　custom；　and　what　he　had　known　with　the
Silsbees　was　the　novelty。　　The　feeling　was　attended　with　a　slight
sense　of　wounded　pride　for　Susy；　as　if　her　enthusiasm　had　exposed
her　to　ridicule。

The　man　who　had　carried　him；　and　seemed　to　be　the　head　of　the
party；　had　already　preceded　them　to　the　tent；　and　presently
reappeared　with　a　lady　with　whom　he　had　exchanged　a　dozen　hurried
words。　　They　seemed　to　refer　to　him　and　Susy；　but　Clarence　was　too
much　preoccupied　with　the　fact　that　the　lady　was　pretty；　that　her
clothes　were　neat　and　thoroughly　clean；　that　her　hair　was　tidy　and
not　rumpled；　and　that；　although　she　wore　an　apron；　it　was　as　clean
as　her　gown；　and　even　had　ribbons　on　it；　to　listen　to　what　was
said。　　And　when　she　ran　eagerly　forward；　and　with　a　fascinating
smile　lifted　the　astonished　Susy　in　her　arms；　Clarence；　in　his
delight　for　his　young　charge；　quite　forgot　that　she　had　not　noticed
him。　　The　bearded　man；　who　seemed　to　be　the　lady's　husband；
evidently　pointed　out　the　omission；　with　some　additions　that
Clarence　could　not　catch；　for　after　saying；　with　a　pretty　pout；
〃Well；　why　shouldn't　he？〃　she　came　forward　with　the　same　dazzling
smile；　and　laid　her　small　and　clean　white　hand　upon　his　shoulder。

〃And　so　you　took　good　care　of　the　dear　little　thing？　　She's　such　an
angel；　isn't　she？　and　you　must　love　her　very　much。〃

Clarence　colored　with　delight。　　It　was　true　it　had　never　occurred
to　him　to　look　at　Susy　in　the　light　of　a　celestial　visitant；　and　I
fear　he　was　just　then　more　struck　with　the　fair　complimenter　than
the　compliment　to　his　companion；　but　he　was　pleased　for　her　sake。
He　was　not　yet　old　enough　to　be　conscious　of　the　sex's　belief　in
its　irresistible　domination　over　mankind　at　all　ages；　and　that
Johnny　in　his　check　apron　would　be　always　a　hopeless　conquest　of
Jeannette　in　her　pinafore；　and　that　he　ought　to　have　been　in　love
with　Susy。

Howbeit；　the　lady　suddenly　whisked　her　away　to　the　recesses　of　her
own　wagon；　to　reappear　later；　washed；　curled；　and　beribboned　like　a
new　doll；　and　Clarence　was　left　alone　with　the　husband　and　another
of　the　party。

〃Well；　my　boy；　you　haven't　told　me　your　name　yet。〃

〃Clarence；　sir。〃

〃So　Susy　calls　you；　but　what　else？〃

〃Clarence　Brant。〃

〃Any　relation　to　Colonel　Brant？〃　asked　the　second　man　carelessly。

〃He　was　my　father；〃　said　the　boy；　brightening　under　this　faint
prospect　of　recognition　in　his　loneliness。

The　two　men　glanced　at　each　other。　　The　leader　looked　at　the　boy
curiously；　and　said；

〃Are　you　the　son　of　Colonel　Brant；　of　Louisville？〃

〃Yes；　sir；〃　said　the　boy；　with　a　dim　stirring　of　uneasiness　in　his
heart。　　〃But　he's　dead　now；〃　he　added　finally。

〃Ah；　when　did　he　die？〃　said　the　man　quickly。

〃Oh；　a　long　time　ago。　　I　don't　remember　him　much。　　I　was　very
little；〃　said　the　boy；　half　apologetically。

〃Ah；　you　don't　remember　him？〃

〃No；〃　said　Clarence　shortly。　　He　was　beginning　to　fall　back　upon
that　certain　dogged　repetition　which　in　sensitive　children　arises
from　their　hopeless　inability　to　express　their　deeper　feelings。　　He
also　had　an　instinctive　consciousness　that　this　want　of　a　knowledge
of　his　father　was　part　of　that　vague　wrong　that　had　been　done　him。
It　did　not　help　his　uneasiness　that　he　could　see　that　one　of　the
two　men；　who　turned　away　with　a　half…laugh；　misunderstood　or　did
not　believe　him。

〃How　did　you　come　with　the　Silsbees？〃　asked　the　first　man。

Clarence　repeated　mechanically；　with　a　child's　distaste　of
practical　details；　how　he　had　lived　with　an　aunt　at　St。　Jo；　and　how
his　stepmother　had　procured　his　passage　with　the　Silsbees　to
California；　where　he　was　to　meet　his　cousin。　　All　this　with　a　lack
of　interest　and　abstraction　that　he　was　miserably　conscious　told
against　him；　but　he　was　yet　helpless　to　resist。

The　first　man　remained　thoughtful；　and　then　glanced　at　Clarence's
sunburnt　hands。　　Presently　his　large；　good…humored　smile　returned。

〃Well；　I　suppose　you　are　hungry？〃

〃Yes；〃　said　Clarence　shyly。　　〃But〃

〃But　what？〃

〃I　should　like　to　wash　myself　a　little；〃　he　returned　hesitatingly；
thinking　of　the　clean　tent；　the　clean　lady；　and　Susy's　ribbons。

〃Certainly；〃　said　his　friend；　with　a　pleased　look。　　〃Come　with　me。〃
Instead　of　leading　Clarence　to　the　battered　tin　basin　and　bar　of
yellow　soap　which　had　formed　the　toilet　service　of　the　Silsbee
party；　he　brought　the　boy　into　one　of　the　wagons；　where　there　was　a
washstand；　a　china　basin；　and　a　cake　of　scented　soap。　　Standing
beside　Clarence；　he　watched　him　perform　his　ablutions　with　an
approving　air　which　rather　embarrassed　his　protege。　　Presently　he
said；　almost　abruptly；

〃Do　you　remember　your　father's　house　at　Louisville？〃

〃Yes；　sir；　but　it　was　a　long　time　ago。〃

Clarence　remembered　it　as　being　very　different　from　his　home　at　St。
Joseph's；　but　from　some　innate　feeling　of　diffidence　he　would　have
shrunk　from　describing　it　in　that　way。　　He；　however；　said　he
thought　it　was　a　large　house。　　Yet　the　modest　answer　only　made　his
new　friend　look　at　him　the　more　keenly。

〃Your　father　was　Colonel　Hamilton　Brant；　of　Louisville；　wasn't　he？〃
he　said；　half…confidentially。

〃Yes；〃　said　Clarence　hopelessly。

〃Well；〃　said　his　friend　cheerfully；　as　if　dismissing　an　abstruse
problem　from　his　mind；　〃Let's　go　to　supper。〃

When　they　reached　the　tent　again；　Clarence　noticed　that　the　supper
was　laid　only　for　his　host　and　wife　and　the　second　manwho　was
familiarly　called　〃Harry；〃　but　who　spoke　of　the　former　always　as
〃Mr。　and　Mrs。　Peyton〃while　the　remainder　of　the　party；　a　dozen
men；　were　at　a　second　camp　fire；　and　evidently　enjoying　themselves
in　a　picturesque　fashion。　　Had　the　boy　been　allowed　to　choose；　he
would　have　joined　them；　partly　because　it　seemed　more　〃manly；〃　and
partly　that　he　dreaded　a　renewal　of　the　questioning。

But　here；　Susy；　sitting　bolt　upright　on　an　extemporized　high　stool；
happily　diverted　his　attention　by　pointing　to　the　empty　chair
beside　her。

〃Kla'uns；〃　she　said　suddenly；　with　her　usual　clear　and　appalling
frankness；　〃they　is　chickens；　and　hamanaigs；　and　hot　biksquits；　and
lasses；　and　Mister　Peyton　says　I　kin　have　'em　all。〃

Clarence；　who　had　begun　suddenly　to　feel　that　he　was　responsible
for　Susy's　deportment　and　was　balefully　conscious　that　she　was
holding　her　plated　fork　in　her　chubby　fist　by　its　middle；　and；　from
his　previous　knowledge　of　her；　was　likely　at　any　moment　to　plunge
it　into　the　dish　before　her；　said　softly；

〃Hush！〃

〃Yes；　you　shall；　dear；〃　said　Mrs。　Peyton；　with　tenderly　beaming
assurance　to　Susy　and　a　half…reproachful　glance　at　the　boy。　　〃Eat
what　you　like；　darling。〃

〃It's　a　fork；〃　whispered　the　still　uneasy　Clarence；　as　Susy　now
seemed　inclined　to　stir　her　bowl　of　milk　with　it。

〃'Tain't；　now；　Kla'uns；　it's　only　a　split　spoon；〃　said　Susy。

But　Mrs。　Peyton；　in　her　rapt　admiration；　took　small　note　of　these
irregularities；　plying　the　child　with　food；　forgetting　her　own
meal；　and　only　stopping　at　times　to　lift　back　the　forward　straying
curls　on　Susy's　shoulders。　　Mr。　Peyton　looked　on　gravely　and
contentedly。　　Suddenly　the　eyes　of　husband　and　wife　met。

〃She'd　have　been　nearly　as　old　as　this；　John；〃　said　Mrs。　Peyton；　in
a　faint　voice。

John　Peyton　nodded　without　speaking；　and　turned　his　eyes　away　into
the　gathering　darkness。　　The　man　〃Harry〃　also　looked　abstractedly
at　his　plate；　as　if　he　was　saying　grace。　　Clarence　wondered　who
〃she〃　was；　and　why　two　little　tears　dropped　from　Mrs。　Peyton's
lashes　into　Susy's　milk；　and　whether　Susy　might　not　violently
object　to　it。　　He　did　not　know　until　later　that　the　Peytons　had
lost　their　only　child；　and　Susy　comfortably　drained　this　mingled
cup　of　a　mother's　grief　and　tenderness　without　suspicion。

〃I　suppose　we'll　come　up　with　their　train　early　tomorrow；　if　some
of　them　don't　find　us　to…night；〃　said　Mrs。　Peyton；　with　a　long　sigh
and　a　regretful　glance　at　Susy。　　〃Perhaps　we　might　travel　together
for　a　little　while；〃　she　added　timidly。

Harry　laughed；　and　Mr。　Peyton　replied　gravely；　〃I　am　afraid　we
wouldn't　travel　with　them；　even　for　company's　sake；　and；〃　he　added；
in　a　lower　and　graver　voice；　〃it's　rather　odd　the　search　party
hasn't　come　upon　us　yet；　though　I'm　keeping　Pete　and　Hank
patrolling　the　trail　to　meet　them。〃

〃It's　heartlessso　it　is！〃　said　Mrs。　Peyton；　with　sudden
indignation。　　〃It　would　be　all　very　well　if　it　was　only　this　boy；
who　can　take　care　of　himself；　but　to　be　so　careless　of　a　mere　baby
like　this；　it's　shameful！〃

For　the　first　time　Clarence　tasted　the　cruelty　of　discrimination。
All　the　more　keenly　that　he　was　beginning　to　worship；　after　his
boyish　fashion；　this　sweet…faced；　clean；　and　tender…hearted　woman。
Perhaps　Mr。　Peyton　noticed　it；　for　he　came　quietly　to　his　aid。

〃Maybe　they　knew　better　than　we　in　what　careful　hands　they　had　left
her；〃　he　said；　with　a　cheerful　nod　towards　Clarence。　　〃And；　again；
they　may　have　been　fooled　as　we　were　by　Injin　signs　and　left　the
straight　road。〃

This　suggestion　instantly　recalled　to　Clarence　his　vision　in　the
mesquite。　　Should　he　dare　tell　them？　　Would　they　believe　him；　or
would　they　laugh　at　him　before　her？　　He　hesitated；　and　at　last
resolved　to　tell　it　privately　to　the　husband。　　When　the　meal　was
ended；　and　he　was　made　happy　by　Mrs。　Peyton's　la