CONTENTS
THEROSEOFTUOLUMNE
APASSAGEINTHELIFEOFMR。JOHNOAKHURST
WANLEE,THEPAGAN
HOWOLDMANPLUNKETTWENTHOME
THEFOOLOFFIVEFORKS
BABYSYLVESTER
ANEPISODEOFFIDDLETOWN
AJERSEYCENTENARIAN
THEROSEOFTUOLUMNE
CHAPTERI
Itwasnearlytwoo’clockinthemorning。ThelightswereoutinRobinson’sHall,wheretherehadbeendancingandrevelry;andthemoon,ridinghigh,paintedtheblackwindowswithsilver。Thecavalcade,thatanhouragohadshockedthesedatepineswithsongandlaughter,werealldispersed。Oneenamouredswainhadriddeneast,anotherwest,anothernorth,anothersouth;andtheobjectoftheiradoration,leftwithinherboweratChemisalRidge,wascalmlygoingtobed。
IregretthatIamnotabletoindicatetheexactstageofthatprocess。Twochairswerealreadyfilledwithdelicateinwrappingsandwhiteconfusion;andtheyoungladyherself,half-hiddeninthesilkythreadsofheryellowhair,hadatonetimeborneafaintresemblancetoapartly-huskedearofIndiancorn。Butshewasnowclothedinthatonelong,formlessgarmentthatmakesallwomenequal;andtheroundshouldersandneatwaist,thatanhouragohadbeensofataltothepeaceofmindofFourForks,hadutterlydisappeared。Thefaceaboveitwasverypretty:thefootbelow,albeitshapely,wasnotsmall。\"Theflowers,asageneralthing,don’traisetheirheadsMUCHtolookafterme,\"shehadsaidwithsuperbfranknesstooneofherlovers。
Theexpressionofthe\"Rose\"to-nightwascontentedlyplacid。Shewalkedslowlytothewindow,and,makingthesmallestpossiblepeepholethroughthecurtain,lookedout。Themotionlessfigureofahorsemanstilllingeredontheroad,withanexcessofdevotionthatonlyacoquette,orawomanverymuchinlove,couldtolerate。
The\"Rose,\"atthatmoment,wasneither,and,afterareasonablepause,turnedaway,sayingquiteaudiblythatitwas\"tooridiculousforanything。\"Asshecamebacktoherdressing-table,itwasnoticeablethatshewalkedsteadilyanderect,withoutthatslightaffectationoflamenesscommontopeoplewithwhombarefeetareonlyanepisode。Indeed,itwasonlyfouryearsago,thatwithoutshoesorstockings,along-limbed,coltygirl,inawaistlesscalicogown,shehadleapedfromthetailboardofherfather’semigrant-wagonwhenitfirstdrewupatChemisalRidge。
Certainwildhabitsofthe\"Rose\"hadoutlivedtransplantingandcultivation。
Aknockatthedoorsurprisedher。Inanothermomentshehadleapedintobed,andwithdarkly-frowningeyes,fromitssecurerecessesdemanded\"Who’sthere?\"
Anapologeticmurmurontheothersideofthedoorwastheresponse。
\"Why,father!——isthatyou?\"
Therewerefurthermurmurs,affirmative,deprecatory,andpersistent。
\"Wait,\"saidthe\"Rose。\"Shegotup,unlockedthedoor,leapednimblyintobedagain,andsaid,\"Come。\"
Thedooropenedtimidly。Thebroad,stoopingshoulders,andgrizzledhead,ofamanpastthemiddleage,appeared:afteramoment’shesitation,apairoflarge,diffidentfeet,shodwithcanvasslippers,concludedtofollow。Whentheapparitionwascomplete,itclosedthedoorsoftly,andstoodthere,——averyshyghostindeed,——withapparentlymorethantheusualspiritualindispositiontobeginaconversation。The\"Rose\"resentedthisimpatiently,though,Ifear,notaltogetherintelligibly。
\"Do,father,Ideclare!\"
\"Youwasabed,Jinny,\"saidMr。McCloskyslowly,glancing,withasingularmixtureofmasculineaweandpaternalpride,uponthetwochairsandtheircontents,——\"youwasabedandondressed。\"
\"Iwas。\"
\"Surely,\"saidMr。McClosky,seatinghimselfontheextremeedgeofthebed,andpainfullytuckinghisfeetawayunderit,——\"surely。\"
Afterapause,herubbedashort,thick,stumpybeard,thatboreageneralresemblancetoabadly-wornblacking-brush,withthepalmofhishand,andwenton,\"Youhadagoodtime,Jinny?\"
\"Yes,father。\"
\"Theywasallthere?\"
\"Yes,RanceandYorkandRyderandJack。\"
\"AndJack!\"Mr。McCloskyendeavoredtothrowanexpressionofarchinquiryintohissmall,tremulouseyes;butmeetingtheunabashed,widely-openedlidofhisdaughter,hewinkedrapidly,andblushedtotherootsofhishair。
\"Yes,Jackwasthere,\"saidJenny,withoutchangeofcolor,ortheleastself-consciousnessinhergreatgrayeyes;\"andhecamehomewithme。\"Shepausedamoment,lockinghertwohandsunderherhead,andassumingamorecomfortablepositiononthepillow。\"Heaskedmethatsamequestionagain,father,andIsaid,’Yes。’It’stobe——soon。We’regoingtoliveatFourForks,inhisownhouse;
andnextwinterwe’regoingtoSacramento。Isupposeit’sallright,father,eh?\"Sheemphasizedthequestionwithaslightkickthroughthebed-clothes,astheparentalMcCloskyhadfallenintoanabstractrevery。
\"Yes,surely,\"saidMr。McClosky,recoveringhimselfwithsomeconfusion。Afterapause,helookeddownatthebed-clothes,and,pattingthemtenderly,continued,\"Youcouldn’thavedonebetter,Jinny。Theyisn’tagirlinTuolumneezcouldstrikeitezrichasyouhev——eveniftheygotthechance。\"Hepausedagain,andthensaid,\"Jinny?\"
\"Yes,father。\"
\"You’seinbed,andondressed?\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Youcouldn’t,\"saidMr。McClosky,glancinghopelesslyatthetwochairs,andslowlyrubbinghischin,——\"youcouldn’tdressyourselfagaincouldyer?\"
\"Why,father!\"
\"Kindergetyourselfintothemthingsagain?\"headdedhastily。
\"Notallof’em,youknow,butsomeof’em。NotifIhelpedyou——
sorterstoodby,andlentahandnowandthenwithastrap,orabuckle,oranecktie,orashoestring?\"hecontinued,stilllookingatthechairs,andevidentlytryingtoboldlyfamiliarizehimselfwiththeircontents。
\"Areyoucrazy,father?\"demandedJennysuddenlysittingupwithaportentousswitchofheryellowmane。Mr。McCloskyrubbedonesideofhisbeard,whichalreadyhadtheappearanceofhavingbeenquitewornawaybythatprocess,andfaintlydodgedthequestion。
\"Jinny,\"hesaid,tenderlystrokingthebedclothesashespoke,\"thisyer’swhat’sthematter。Tharisastrangerdownstairs,——astrangertoyou,lovey,butamanezI’veknowedalongtime。He’sbeenhereaboutanhour;andhe’llbehereontilfowero’clock,whentheup-stagepasses。NowIwantsye,Jinnydear,togetupandcomedownstairs,andkinderhelpmepassthetimewithhim。
It’snouse,Jinny,\"hewenton,gentlyraisinghishandtodeprecateanyinterruption,\"it’snouse!Hewon’tgotobed;hewon’tplaykeerds;whiskeydon’ttakenoeffectonhim。EversinceIknowedhim,hewasthemostonsatisfactorycrittertohevround\"——
\"Whatdoyouhavehimroundfor,then?\"interruptedMissJinnysharply。
Mr。McClosky’seyesfell。\"Efhehedn’tkemoutofhiswayto-
nighttodomeagoodturn,Iwouldn’taskye,Jinny。Iwouldn’t,sohelpme!ButIthought,ezIcouldn’tdoanythingwithhim,youmightcomedown,andsorterfetchhim,Jinny,asyoudidtheothers。\"
MissJennyshruggedherprettyshoulders。
\"Isheold,oryoung?\"
\"He’syoungenough,Jinny;butheknowsapowerofthings。\"
\"Whatdoeshedo?\"
\"Notmuch,Ireckon。He’sgotmoneyinthemillatFourForks。Hetravelsroundagooddeal。I’veheard,Jinnythathe’sapoet——
writesthemrhymes,youknow。\"Mr。McCloskyhereappealedsubmissivelybutdirectlytohisdaughter。Herememberedthatshehadfrequentlybeeninreceiptofprintedelegaiccoupletsknownas\"mottoes,\"containingenclosuresequallysaccharine。
MissJennyslightlycurledherprettylip。Shehadthatfinecontemptfortheillusionsoffancywhichbelongstotheperfectlyhealthyyounganimal。
\"Not,\"continuedMr。McClosky,rubbinghisheadreflectively,\"notezI’dadviseye,Jinny,tosayanythingtohimaboutpoetry。Itain’ttwentyminutesagoezIdid。Isetthewhiskeyaforehimintheparlor。Iwoundupthemusic-box,andsetitgoin’。ThenI
seztohim,sociable-likeandfree,’Jestconsideryourselfinyourownhouse,andrepeatwhatyouallowtobeyourfinestproduction,’
andheraged。Thatman,Jinny,jestraged!Thar’snoendofthenameshecalledme。Yousee,Jinny,\"continuedMr。McCloskyapologetically,\"he’sknownmealongtime。\"
Buthisdaughterhadalreadydismissedthequestionwithherusualdirectness。\"I’llbedowninafewmoments,father,\"shesaidafterapause,\"butdon’tsayanythingtohimaboutit——don’tsayIwasabed。\"
Mr。McClosky’sfacebeamed。\"Youwasallersagoodgirl,Jinny,\"
hesaid,droppingononekneethebettertoimprintarespectfulkissonherforehead。ButJennycaughthimbythewrists,andforamomentheldhimcaptive。\"Father,\"saidshe,tryingtofixhisshyeyeswiththeclear,steadyglanceofherown,\"allthegirlsthatwerethereto-nighthadsomeonewiththem。MameRobinsonhadheraunt;LucyRancehadhermother;KatePiersonhadhersister——
all,exceptme,hadsomeotherwoman。Fatherdear,\"herliptrembledjustalittle,\"Iwishmotherhadn’tdiedwhenIwassosmall。Iwishtherewassomeotherwomaninthefamilybesidesme。
Iain’tlonelywithyou,fatherdear;butiftherewasonlysomeone,youknow,whenthetimecomesforJohnandme\"——
Hervoiceheresuddenlygaveout,butnotherbraveeyes,thatwerestillfixedearnestlyuponhisface。Mr。McClosky,apparentlytracingoutapatternonthebedquilt,essayedwordsofcomfort。
\"Tharain’toneofthemgalsezyou’venamed,Jinny,ezcoulddowhatyou’vedonewithawholeNoah’sarkofrelations,attheirbacks!Tharain’t’oneezwouldn’tsacrificehernearestrelationtomakethestrikethatyouhev。Eztomothers,maybe,mydearyou’redoin’betterwithoutone。\"Herosesuddenly,andwalkedtowardthedoor。Whenhereachedit,heturned,and,inhisolddeprecatingmanner,said,\"Don’tbelong,Jinny,\"smiled,andvanishedfromtheheaddownward,hiscanvasslippersassertingthemselvesresolutelytothelast。
WhenMr。McCloskyreachedhisparloragain,histroublesomeguestwasnotthere。Thedecanterstoodonthetableuntouched;threeorfourbookslayuponthefloor;anumberofphotographicviewsoftheSierraswerescatteredoverthesofa;twosofa-pillows,anewspaper,andaMexicanblanket,layonthecarpet,asifthelateoccupantoftheroomhadtriedtoreadinarecumbentposition。A
Frenchwindowopeninguponaveranda,whichneverbeforeinthehistoryofthehousehadbeenunfastened,nowbetrayedbyitswavinglacecurtainthewaythatthefugitivehadescaped。Mr。
McCloskyheavedasighofdespair。HelookedatthegorgeouscarpetpurchasedinSacramentoatafabulousprice,atthecrimsonsatinandrosewoodfurnitureunparalleledinthehistoryofTuolumne,atthemassively-framedpicturesonthewalls,andlookedbeyondit,throughtheopenwindow,totherecklessman,who,fleeingthesesybariticallurements,wassmokingacigaruponthemoonlitroad。Thisroom,whichhadsooftenawedtheyouthofTuolumneintofilialrespect,wasevidentlyafailure。Itremainedtobeseenifthe\"Rose\"herselfhadlostherfragrance。\"IreckonJinnywillfetchhimyet,\"saidMr。McCloskywithparentalfaith。
Hesteppedfromthewindowupontheveranda;buthehadscarcelydonethis,beforehisfigurewasdetectedbythestranger,whoatoncecrossedtheroad。WhenwithinafewfeetofMcClosky,hestopped。\"Youpersistentoldplantigrade!\"hesaidinalowvoice,audibleonlytothepersonaddressed,andafacefullofaffectedanxiety,\"whydon’tyougotobed?Didn’tItellyoutogoandleavemeherealone?Inthenameofallthat’sidioticandimbecile,whydoyoucontinuetoshuffleabouthere?Orareyoutryingtodrivemecrazywithyourpresence,asyouhavewiththatwretchedmusic-boxthatI’vejustdroppedunderyondertree?It’sanhourandahalfyetbeforethestagepasses:doyouthink,doyouimagineforasinglemoment,thatIcantolerateyouuntilthen,eh?Whydon’tyouspeak?Areyouasleep?Youdon’tmeantosaythatyouhavetheaudacitytoaddsomnambulismtoyourotherweaknesses?you’renotlowenoughtorepeatyourselfunderanysuchweakpretextasthat,eh?\"
Afitofnervouscoughingendedthisextraordinaryexordium;andhalfsitting,halfleaningagainsttheveranda,Mr。McClosky’sguestturnedhisface,andpartofaslightelegantfigure,towardhishost。Thelowerportionofthisupturnedfaceworeanhabitualexpressionoffastidiousdiscontent,withanoccasionallineofphysicalsuffering。Butthebrowabovewasfrankandcritical;andapairofdark,mirthfuleyes,satinplayfuljudgmentoverthesuper-sensitivemouthanditssuggestion。
\"Iallowedtogotobed,Ridgeway,\"saidMr。McCloskymeekly;\"butmygirlJinny’sjistgotbackfromalittletearupatRobinson’s,andain’tinclinedtoturninyet。Youknowwhatgirlsis。SoI
thoughtwethreewouldjisthaveasocialchattogethertopassawaythetime。\"
\"Youmendaciousoldhypocrite!Shegotbackanhourago,\"saidRidgeway,\"asthatsavage-lookingescortofhers,whohasbeenhauntingthehouseeversince,cantestify。Mybeliefis,that,likeanenterprisingidiotasyouare,you’vedraggedthatgirloutofherbed,thatwemightmutuallyboreeachother。\"
Mr。McCloskywastoomuchstunnedbythisevidenceofRidgeway’sapparentlysuperhumanpenetrationtoreply。Afterenjoyinghishost’sconfusionforamomentwithhiseyes,Ridgeway’smouthaskedgrimly,——
\"Andwhoisthisgirl,anyway?\"
\"Nancy’s。\"
\"Yourwife’s?\"
\"Yes。Butlookyar,Ridgeway,\"saidMcClosky,layingonehandimploringlyonRidgeway’ssleeve,\"notawordabouthertoJinny。
Shethinkshermother’sdead——diedinMissouri。Eh!\"
Ridgewaynearlyrolledfromtheverandainanexcessofrage。
\"GoodGod!Doyoumeantosaythatyouhavebeenconcealingfromherafactthatanyday,anymoment,maycometoherears?Thatyou’vebeenlettinghergrowupinignoranceofsomethingthatbythistimeshemighthaveoutgrownandforgotten?Thatyouhavebeen,likeabesottedoldass,alltheseyearsslowlyforgingathunderboltthatanyonemaycrushherwith?That\"——buthereRidgeway’scoughtookpossessionofhisvoice,andevenputamoistureintohisdarkeyes,ashelookedatMcClosky’saimlesshandfeeblyemployeduponhisbeard。
\"But,\"saidMcClosky,\"lookhowshe’sdone!She’sheldherheadashighasanyof’em。She’stobemarriedinamonthtotherichestmaninthecounty;and,\"headdedcunningly,\"JackAsheain’tthekindo’mantositbyandhearanythingsaidofhiswifeorherrelations,youbet!Buthush——that’sherfootonthestairs。
She’scummin’。\"
Shecame。Idon’tthinktheFrenchwindoweverheldafinerviewthanwhensheputasidethecurtains,andsteppedout。Shehaddressedherselfsimplyandhurriedly,butwithawoman’sknowledgeofherbestpoints;sothatyougotthelongcurvesofhershapelylimbs,theshortercurvesofherroundwaistandshoulders,thelongsweepofheryellowbraids,thelightofhergrayeyes,andeventhedelicateroseofhercomplexion,withoutknowinghowitwasdeliveredtoyou。
TheintroductionbyMr。McCloskywasbrief。WhenRidgewayhadgotoverthefactthatitwastwoo’clockinthemorning,andthatthecheekofthisTuolumnegoddessnearesthimwasasdewyandfreshasaninfant’s,thatshelookedlikeMarguerite,without,probably,everhavingheardofGoethe’sheroine,hetalked,Idaresay,verysensibly。WhenMissJenny——whofromherchildhoodhadbeenbroughtupamongthesonsofAnak,andwhowasaccustomedtohavethesupremacyofournoblesexpresentedtoherasaphysicalfact——
foundherselfinthepresenceofanewandstrangepowerintheslightandelegantfigurebesideher,shewasatfirstfrightenedandcold。Butfindingthatthispower,againstwhichtheweaponsofherownphysicalcharmswereofnoavail,wasakindlyone,albeitgeneral,shefelltoworshippingit,afterthefashionofwoman,andcastingbeforeitthefetishesandotheridolsofheryouth。Sheevenconfessedtoit。Sothat,inhalfanhour,Ridgewaywasinpossessionofallthefactsconnectedwithherlife,andagreatmany,Ifear,ofherfancies——exceptone。WhenMr。McCloskyfoundtheyoungpeoplethusamicablydisposed,hecalmlywenttosleep。
Itwasapleasanttimetoeach。ToMissJennyithadthecharmofnovelty;andsheabandonedherselftoit,forthatreason,muchmorefreelyandinnocentlythanhercompanion,whoknewsomethingmoreoftheinevitablelogicoftheposition。Idonotthink,however,hehadanyintentionoflove-making。Idonotthinkhewasatallconsciousofbeingintheattitude。Iamquitepositivehewouldhaveshrunkfromthesuggestionofdisloyaltytotheonewomanwhomheadmittedtohimselfheloved。But,likemostpoets,hewasmuchmoretruetoanideathanafact,andhavingaveryloftyconceptionofwomanhood,withaverysanguinenature,hesawineachnewfacethepossibilitiesofarealizationofhisideal。
Itwas,perhaps,anunfortunatethingforthewomen,particularlyashebroughttoeachtrialasurprisingfreshness,whichwasverydeceptive,andquitedistinctfromthe’blase’familiarityofthemanofgallantry。Itwasthisperennialvirginityoftheaffectionsthatmostendearedhimtothebestwomen,whowerepronetoexercisetowardhimachivalrousprotection,——asofonelikelytogoastray,unlesslookedafter,——andindulgedinthedangerouscombinationofsentimentwiththehighestmaternalinstincts。ItwasthisqualitywhichcausedJennytorecognizeinhimacertainboyishnessthatrequiredherwomanlycare,andeveninducedhertooffertoaccompanyhimtothecross-roadswhenthetimeforhisdeparturearrived。Withhersuperiorknowledgeofwoodcraftandthelocality,shewouldhavekepthimfrombeinglost。Iwotnotbutthatshewouldhaveprotectedhimfrombearsorwolves,butchiefly,Ithink,fromthefelinefascinationsofMameRobinsonandLucyRance,whomightbelyinginwaitforthistenderyoungpoet。
NordidsheceasetobethankfulthatProvidencehad,sotospeak,deliveredhimasatrustintoherhands。
Itwasalovelynight。Themoonswunglow,andlanguishedsoftlyonthesnowyridgebeyond。Therewerequaintodorsinthestillair;andastrangeincensefromthewoodsperfumedtheiryoungblood,andseemedtoswoonintheirpulses。Smallwonderthattheylingeredonthewhiteroad,thattheirfeetclimbed,unwillinglythelittlehillwheretheyweretopart,andthat,whentheyatlastreachedit,eventhesavinggraceofspeechseemedtohaveforsakenthem。
Fortheretheystoodalone。Therewasnosoundnormotioninearth,orwoods,orheaven。Theymighthavebeentheonemanandwomanforwhomthisgoodlyearththatlayattheirfeet,rimmedwiththedeepestazure,wascreated。And,seeingthis,theyturnedtowardeachotherwithasuddeninstinct,andtheirhandsmet,andthentheirlipsinonelongkiss。
Andthenoutofthemysteriousdistancecamethesoundofvoices,andthesharpclatterofhoofsandwheels,andJennyslidaway——awhitemoonbeam——fromthehill。Foramomentsheglimmeredthroughthetrees,andthen,reachingthehouse,passedhersleepingfatherontheveranda,and,dartingintoherbedroom,lockedthedoor,threwopenthewindow,and,fallingonherkneesbesideit,leanedherhotcheeksuponherhands,andlistened。Inafewmomentsshewasrewardedbythesharpclatterofhoofsonthestonyroad;butitwasonlyahorseman,whosedarkfigurewasswiftlylostintheshadowsofthelowerroad。Atanothertimeshemighthaverecognizedtheman;buthereyesandearswerenowallintentonsomethingelse。Itcamepresentlywithdancinglights,amusicalrattleofharness,acadenceofhoof-beats,thatsetherhearttobeatinginunison——andwasgone。Asuddensenseoflonelinesscameoverher;andtearsgatheredinhersweeteyes。
Shearose,andlookedaroundher。Therewasthelittlebed,thedressing-table,therosesthatshehadwornlastnight,stillfreshandbloominginthelittlevase。Everythingwasthere;buteverythinglookedstrange。Therosesshouldhavebeenwithered,forthepartyseemedsolongago。Shecouldhardlyrememberwhenshehadwornthisdressthatlayuponthechair。Soshecamebacktothewindow,andsankdownbesideit,withhercheekatriflepaler,leaningonherhand,andherlongbraidsreachingtothefloor。
Thestarspaledslowly,likehercheek;yetwitheyesthatsawnot,shestilllookedfromherwindowforthecomingdawn。
Itcame,withvioletdeepeningintopurple,withpurpleflushingintorose,withroseshiningintosilver,andglowingintogold。
Thestragglinglineofblackpicket-fencebelow,thathadfadedawaywiththestars,camebackwiththesun。Whatwasthatobjectmovingbythefence?Jennyraisedherhead,andlookedintently。
Itwasamanendeavoringtoclimbthepickets,andfallingbackwardwitheachattempt。Suddenlyshestartedtoherfeet,asiftherosyflushesofthedawnhadcrimsonedherfromforeheadtoshoulders;thenshestood,whiteasthewall,withherhandsclaspeduponherbosom;then,withasinglebound,shereachedthedoor,and,withflyingbraidsandflutteringskirt,sprangdownthestairs,andouttothegardenwalk。Whenwithinafewfeetofthefence,sheutteredacry,thefirstshehadgiven,——thecryofamotheroverherstrickenbabe,ofatigressoverhermangledcub;
andinanothermomentshehadleapedthefence,andkneltbesideRidgeway,withhisfaintingheaduponherbreast。
\"Myboy,mypoor,poorboy!whohasdonethis?\"
Who,indeed?Hisclotheswerecoveredwithdust;hiswaistcoatwastornopen;andhishandkerchief,wetwiththeblooditcouldnotstanch,fellfromacruelstabbeneathhisshoulder。
\"Ridgeway,mypoorboy!tellmewhathashappened。\"
Ridgewayslowlyopenedhisheavyblue-veinedlids,andgazeduponher。Presentlyagleamofmischiefcameintohisdarkeyes,asmilestoleoverhislipsashewhisperedslowly,——
\"It——was——yourkiss——didit,Jennydear。Ihadforgotten——howhigh-pricedthearticlewashere。Nevermind,Jenny!\"——hefeeblyraisedherhandtohiswhitelips,——\"itwas——worthit,\"andfaintedaway。
Jennystartedtoherfeet,andlookedwildlyaroundher。Then,withasuddenresolution,shestoopedovertheinsensibleman,andwithonestrongeffortliftedhiminherarmsasifhehadbeenachild。Whenherfather,amomentlater,rubbedhiseyes,andawokefromhissleepupontheveranda,itwastoseeagoddess,erectandtriumphant,stridingtowardthehousewiththehelplessbodyofamanlyingacrossthatbreastwheremanhadneverlainbefore,——agoddess,atwhoseimperiousmandatehearose,andcastopenthedoorsbeforeher。Andthen,whenshehadlaidherunconsciousburdenonthesofa,thegoddessfled;andawoman,helplessandtrembling,stoodbeforehim,——awomanthatcriedoutthatshehad\"killedhim,\"thatshewas\"wicked,wicked!\"andthat,evensayingso,staggered,andfellbesideherlateburden。AndallthatMr。
McCloskycoulddowastofeeblyrubhisbeard,andsaytohimselfvaguelyandincoherently,that\"Jinnyhadfetchedhim。\"
CHAPTERII
Beforenoonthenextday,itwasgenerallybelievedthroughoutFourForksthatRidgewayDenthadbeenattackedandwoundedatChemisalRidgebyahighwayman,whofledontheapproachoftheWingdamcoach。ItistobepresumedthatthisstatementmetwithRidgeway’sapproval,ashedidnotcontradictit,norsupplementitwithanydetails。Hiswoundwassevere,butnotdangerous。Afterthefirstexcitementhadsubsided,therewas,Ithink,aprevailingimpressioncommontotheprovincialmind,thathismisfortunewastheresultofthedefectivemoralqualityofhisbeingastranger,andwas,inavaguesortofaway,awarningtoothers,andalessontohim。\"DidyouhearhowthatSanFranciscofellerwastookdowntheothernight?\"wastheaveragetoneofintroductoryremark。Indeed,therewasageneralsuggestionthatRidgeway’spresencewasonethatnoself-respecting,high-mindedhighwayman,honorablyconservativeofthebestinterestsofTuolumneCounty,couldforamomenttolerate。
Exceptforthefewwordsspokenonthateventfulmorning,Ridgewaywasreticentofthepast。WhenJennystrovetogathersomedetailsoftheaffraythatmightofferaclewtohisunknownassailant,asubtletwinkleinhisbrowneyeswastheonlyresponse。WhenMr。
McCloskyattemptedthesameprocess,theyounggentlemanthrewabusiveepithets,and,eventuallyslippers,teaspoons,andotherlighterarticleswithinthereachofaninvalid,attheheadofhisquestioner。\"Ithinkhe’scominground,Jinny,\"saidMr。McClosky:
\"helaidformethismorningwithacandlestick。\"
ItwasaboutthistimethatMissJenny,havingswornherfathertosecrecyregardingthemannerinwhichRidgewayhadbeencarriedintothehouse,conceivedtheideaofaddressingtheyoungmanas\"Mr。Dent,\"andofapologizingforintrudingwheneversheenteredtheroominthedischargeofherhouseholdduties。Itwasaboutthistimethatshebecamemorerigidlyconscientioustothoseduties,andlessgeneralinherattentions。Itwasatthistimethatthequalityoftheinvalid’sdietimproved,andthatsheconsultedhimlessfrequentlyaboutit。Itwasaboutthistimethatshebegantoseemorecompany,thatthehousewasgreatlyfrequentedbyherformeradmirers,withwhomsherode,walked,anddanced。Itwasataboutthistimealso,andwhenRidgewaywasabletobebroughtoutontheverandainachair,that,withgreatarchnessofmanner,sheintroducedtohimMissLucyAshe,thesisterofherbetrothed,aflashingbrunette,andterribleheart-
breakerofFourForks。And,inthemidstofthisgayety,sheconcludedthatshewouldspendaweekwiththeRobinsons,towhomsheowedavisit。Sheenjoyedherselfgreatlythere,somuch,indeed,thatshebecamequitehollow-eyed,theresult,assheexplainedtoherfather,ofatoofrequentindulgenceinfestivity。
\"Yousee,father,Iwon’thavemanychancesafterJohnandIaremarried:youknowhowqueerheis,andImustmakethemostofmytime;\"andshelaughedanoddlittlelaugh,whichhadlatelybecomehabitualtoher。\"AndhowisMr。Dentgettingon?\"Herfatherrepliedthathewasgettingonverywellindeed,——sowell,infact,thathewasabletoleaveforSanFranciscotwodaysago。\"Hewantedtoberememberedtoyou,Jinny,——’rememberedkindly,’——yes,theyistheverywordsheused,\"saidMr。McClosky,lookingdown,andconsultingoneofhislargeshoesforcorroboration。MissJennywasgladtohearthathewassomuchbetter。MissJennycouldnotimagineanythingthatpleasedhermorethantoknowthathewassostrongastobeabletorejoinhisfriendsagain,whomustlovehimsomuch,andbesoanxiousabouthim。Herfatherthoughtshewouldbepleased,and,nowthathewasgone,therewasreallynonecessityforhertohurryback。MissJenny,inahighmetallicvoice,didnotknowthatshehadexpressedanydesiretostay,stillifherpresencehadbecomedistastefulathome,ifherownfatherwasdesirousofgettingridofher,if,whenshewassosoontoleavehisroofforever,hestillbegrudgedherthosefewdaysremaining,if——\"MyGod,Jinny,sohelpme!\"saidMr。
McClosky,clutchingdespairinglyathisbeard,\"Ididn’tgofortosayanythingofthekind。Ithoughtthatyou\"——\"Nevermind,father,\"interruptedJennymagnanimously,\"youmisunderstoodme:ofcourseyoudid,youcouldn’thelpit——you’reaMAN!\"Mr。McClosky,sorelycrushed,wouldhavevaguelyprotested;buthisdaughter,havingrelievedherself,afterthemannerofhersex,withamentalpersonalapplicationofanabstractstatement,forgavehimwithakiss。
Nevertheless,fortwoorthreedaysafterherreturn,Mr。McCloskyfollowedhisdaughteraboutthehousewithyearningeyes,andoccasionallywithtimid,diffidentfeet。Sometimeshecameuponhersuddenlyatherhouseholdtasks,withanexcusesopalpablyfalse,andacarelessmannersooutrageouslystudied,thatshewasfaintobeembarrassedforhim。Later,hetooktoramblingaboutthehouseatnight,andwasoftenseennoiselesslypassingandrepassingthroughthehallaftershehadretired。Ononeoccasion,hewassurprised,firstbysleep,andthenbytheearly-risingJenny,ashelayontherugoutsideherchamber-door。\"Youtreatmelikeachild,father,\"saidJenny。\"Ithought,Jinny,\"saidthefatherapologetically,——\"IthoughtIheardsoundsasifyouwastakin’oninside,and,listenin’Ifellasleep。\"——\"Youdear,oldsimple-mindedbaby!\"saidJenny,lookingpastherfather’seyes,andliftinghisgrizzledlocksonebyonewithmeditativefingers:
\"whatshouldIbetakin’onfor?LookhowmuchtallerIamthanyou!\"shesaid,suddenlyliftingherselfuptotheextremeofhersuperbfigure。Thenrubbinghisheadrapidlywithbothhands,asifshewereanointinghishairwithsomerareunguent,shepattedhimontheback,andreturnedtoherroom。TheresultofthisandoneortwootherequallysympatheticinterviewswastoproduceachangeinMr。McClosky’smanner,whichwas,ifpossible,stillmorediscomposing。Hegrewunjustifiablyhilarious,crackedjokeswiththeservants,andrepeatedtoJennyhumorousstories,withtheattitudeoffacetiousnesscarefullypreservedthroughouttheentirenarration,andthepointutterlyignoredandforgotten。Certainincidentsremindedhimoffunnythings,whichinvariablyturnedouttohavenottheslightestrelevancyorapplication。Heoccasionallybroughthomewithhimpracticalhumorists,withasanguinehopeofsettingthemgoing,likethemusic-box,forhisdaughter’sedification。Heessayedthesingingofmelodieswithgreatfreedomofstyle,andsingularlimitationofnote。Hesang\"ComehastetotheWedding,YeLassesandMaidens,\"ofwhichheknewasingleline,andthatincorrectly,asbeingpeculiarlyaptandappropriate。Yetawayfromthehouseandhisdaughter’spresence,hewassilentanddistraught。HisabsenceofmindwasparticularlynotedbyhisworkmenattheEmpireQuartzMill。\"Eftheoldmandon’tlookoutandwakeup,\"saidhisforeman,\"he’llhevthemfeetofhisyetunderthestamps。Whenheain’tgivin’hismindto’em,theyisaltogethertoopromiskuss。\"
Afewnightslater,MissJennyrecognizedherfather’shandinatimidtapatthedoor。Sheopenedit,andhestoodbeforeher,withavaliseinhishand,equippedasforajourney。\"Itakesthestageto-night,Jinnydear,fromFourForksto’Frisco。MaybeI
maydropinonJackaforeIgo。I’llbebackinaweek。Good-by。\"
\"Good-by。\"Hestillheldherhand。Presentlyhedrewherbackintotheroom,closingthedoorcarefully,andglancingaround。
Therewasalookofprofoundcunninginhiseyeashesaidslowly,——
\"Bearup,andkeepdark,Jinnydear,andtrusttotheoldman。
Variousmenhasvariousways。Thariswaysasiscommon,andwaysasisuncommon;waysasiseasy,andwaysasisoneasy。Bearup,andkeepdark。\"WiththisDelphicutteranceheputhisfingertohislips,andvanished。
Itwasteno’clockwhenhereachedFourForks。Afewminuteslater,hestoodonthethresholdofthatdwellingdescribedbytheFourForks\"Sentinel\"as\"thepalatialresidenceofJohnAshe,\"andknowntothelocalsatiristasthe\"ash-box。\"\"Hevin’tolaybytwohours,John,\"hesaidtohisprospectiveson-in-law,ashetookhishandatthedoor,\"afewwordsofsocialconverse,notonbusiness,butstrictlyprivate,seemstobeaboutasnat’ralathingasamancando。\"Thisintroduction,evidentlytheresultofsomestudy,andplainlycommittedtomemory,seemedsosatisfactorytoMr。McClosky,thatherepeateditagain,afterJohnAshehadledhimintohisprivateoffice,where,depositinghisvaliseinthemiddleofthefloor,andsittingdownbeforeit,hebegancarefullytoavoidtheeyeofhishost。JohnAshe,atall,dark,handsomeKentuckian,withwhomeventhetriflesoflifewereevidentlyfullofseriousimport,waitedwithakindofchivalrousrespectthefurtherspeechofhisguest。Beingutterlydevoidofanysenseoftheridiculous,healwaysacceptedMr。McCloskyasagravefact,singularonlyfromhisownwantofexperienceoftheclass。
\"Oresisrunninglightnow,\"saidMr。McCloskywitheasyindifference。
JohnAshereturnedthathehadnoticedthesamefactinthereceiptsofthemillatFourForks。
Mr。McCloskyrubbedhisbeard,andlookedathisvalise,asifforsympathyandsuggestion。
\"Youdon’treckononhavinganytroublewithanyofthemchapsasyoucutoutwithJinny?\"
JohnAshe,ratherhaughtily,hadneverthoughtofthat。\"IsawRancehangingroundyourhousetheothernight,whenItookyourdaughterhome;buthegavemeawideberth,\"headdedcarelessly。
\"Surely,\"saidMr。McClosky,withapeculiarwinkingoftheeye。
Afterapause,hetookafreshdeparturefromhisvalise。
\"Afewwords,John,ezbetweenmanandman,ezbetweenmydaughter’sfatherandherhusbandwhoexpectstobe,isaboutthething,Itakeit,asisfairandsquare。Ikemheretosaythem。
They’reaboutJinny,mygal。\"
Ashe’sgravefacebrightened,toMr。McClosky’sevidentdiscomposure。
\"MaybeIshouldhavesaidabouthermother;but,thesamebein’astrangertoyou,Isaysnaterally,’Jinny。’\"
Ashenoddedcourteously。Mr。McClosky,withhiseyesonhisvalise,wenton,——
\"ItissixteenyearagoasImarriedMrs。McCloskyintheStateofMissouri。Sheleton,atthetime,tobeawidder,——awidderwithonechild。WhenIsayleton,ImeantoimplythatIsubsekentlyfoundoutthatshewasnotawidder,norawife;andthefatherofthechildwas,sotospeak,onbeknowst。ThetchildwasJinny——mygal。\"
Withhiseyesonhisvalise,andquietlyignoringthewholly-
crimsonedfaceandswiftly-darkeningbrowofhishost,hecontinued,——
\"ManylittlethingssortertendedtomakeourhomeinMissourionpleasant。Adispositiontosmashfurniture,andheaveknivesaround;aninclinationtohowlwhendrunk,andthatfrequent;ahabitooaluseofvulgarlanguage,andatendencytocussthecasooalvisitor,——seemedtopint,\"addedMr。McCloskywithsubmissivehesitation\"that——she——was——sotospeak——quiteonsuitedtothemarriagerelationinitsholiestaspeck。\"
\"Damnation!Whydidn’t\"——burstoutJohnAshe,erectandfurious。
\"Attheendoftwoyear,\"continuedMr。McClosky,stillintentonthevalise,\"IallowedI’dgetadiworce。Etaboutthettime,however,Providencesendsacircusintothettown,andafellerezrodethreehorsestoonct。Hevin’allezatasteforathleticsports,shelefttownwiththisfeller,leavin’meandJinnybehind。Isentwordtoher,thet,ifshewouldgiveJinnytome,we’dcallitquits。Andshedid。\"
\"Tellme,\"gaspedAshe,\"didyouaskyourdaughtertokeepthisfromme?ordidshedoitofherownaccord?\"
\"Shedoesn’tknowit,\"saidMr。McClosky。\"ShethinksI’mherfather,andthathermother’sdead。\"
\"Then,sir,thisisyour\"——
\"Idon’tknow,\"saidMr。McCloskyslowly,\"ezI’veaskedanyonetomarrymyJinny。Idon’tknowezI’vepersoodthatezabiziness,oreventakenitupasahealthfulrecreation。\"
JohnAshepacedtheroomfuriously。Mr。McClosky’seyesleftthevalise,andfollowedhimcuriously。\"Whereisthiswoman?\"
demandedAshesuddenly。McClosky’seyessoughtthevaliseagain。
\"ShewenttoKansas;fromKansasshewentintoTexas;fromTexassheeventooallycametoCaliforny。Beinghere,I’vepurvidedherwithmoney,whenherbusinesswasslack,throughafriend。\"
JohnAshegroaned。\"She’sgettin’ratheroldandshakyforhosses,andnowdoesthetight-ropebusinessandflyingtrapeze。Neverhevin’seenherperform,\"continuedMr。McCloskywithconscientiouscaution,\"Ican’tsayhowshegetson。Onthebillsshelookswell。Tharisaposter,\"saidMr。McCloskyglancingatAshe,andopeninghisvalise,——\"tharisapostergivin’herperformanceatMarysvillenextmonth。\"Mr。McCloskyslowlyunfoldedalargeyellow-and-blueprintedposter,profuselyillustrated。\"Shecallsherself’Mams’elleJ。Miglawski,thegreatRussianTrapeziste。’\"
JohnAshetoreitfromhishand。\"Ofcourse,\"hesaid,suddenlyfacingMr。McClosky,\"youdon’texpectmetogoonwiththis?\"
Mr。McCloskytookuptheposter,carefullyrefoldedit,andreturnedittohisvalise。\"WhenyoubreakoffwithJinny,\"hesaidquietly,\"Idon’twantanythingsaid’boutthis。Shedoesn’tknowit。She’sawoman,andIreckonyou’reawhiteman。\"
\"ButwhatamItosay?HowamItogobackofmyword?\"
\"Writeheranote。Saysomethinghezcometoyourknowledge(don’tsaywhat)thatmakesyoubreakitoff。Youneedn’tbeafeardJinny’lleveraskyouwhat。\"
JohnAshehesitated。Hefelthehadbeencruellywronged。Nogentleman,noAshe,couldgoonfurtherinthisaffair。Itwaspreposteroustothinkofit。Butsomehowhefeltatthemomentveryunlikeagentleman,oranAshe,andwasquitesureheshouldbreakdownunderJenny’ssteadyeyes。Butthen——hecouldwritetoher。
\"SooresisaboutaslighthereasontheRidge。Well,Ireckonthey’llcomeupbeforetherains。Good-night。\"Mr。McCloskytookthehandthathishostmechanicallyextended,shookitgravely,andwasgone。
WhenMr。McClosky,aweeklater,steppedagainuponhisownveranda,hesawthroughtheFrenchwindowthefigureofamaninhisparlor。Underhishospitableroof,thesightwasnotunusual;
but,foraninstant,asubtlesenseofdisappointmentthrilledhim。
WhenhesawitwasnotthefaceofAsheturnedtowardhim,hewasrelieved;butwhenhesawthetawnybeard,andquick,passionateeyesofHenryRance,hefeltanewsenseofapprehension,sothathefelltorubbinghisbeardalmostuponhisverythreshold。
Jennyranintothehall,andseizedherfatherwithalittlecryofjoy。\"Father,\"saidJennyinahurriedwhisper,\"don’tmindHIM,\"
indicatingRancewithatossofheryellowbraids:\"he’sgoingsoon。AndIthink,father,I’vedonehimwrong。Butit’salloverwithJohnandmenow。Readthatnote,andseehowhe’sinsultedme。\"Herlipquivered;butshewenton,\"It’sRidgewaythathemeans,father;andIbelieveitwasHIShandstruckRidgewaydown,orthatheknowswhodid。Buthushnow!notaword。\"
Shegavehimafeverishkiss,andglidedbackintotheparlor,leavingMr。McClosky,perplexedandirresolute,withthenoteinhishand。Heglancedatithurriedly,andsawthatitwascouchedinalmosttheverywordshehadsuggested。Butasudden,apprehensiverecollectioncameoverhim。Helistened;and,withanexclamationofdismay,heseizedhishat,andranoutofthehouse,buttoolate。Atthesamemomentaquick,nervousfootstepwasheardupontheveranda;theFrenchwindowflewopen,and,withalightlaughofgreeting,Ridgewaysteppedintotheroom。
Jenny’sfinerearfirstcaughtthestep。Jenny’sswifterfeelingshadsoundedthedepthsofhope,ofjoy,ofdespair,beforeheenteredtheroom。Jenny’spalefacewastheonlyonethatmethis,self-possessedandself-reliant,whenhestoodbeforethem。AnangryflushsuffusedeventhepinkrootsofRance’sbeardasherosetohisfeet。AnominousfiresprangintoRidgeway’seyes,andaspasmofhateandscornpassedoverthelowerpartofhisface,andleftthemouthandjawimmobileandrigid。
Yethewasthefirsttospeak。\"Ioweyouanapology,\"hesaidtoJenny,withasuavescornthatbroughttheindignantbloodbacktohercheek,\"forthisintrusion;butIasknopardonforwithdrawingfromtheonlyspotwherethatmandareconfrontmewithsafety。\"
Withanexclamationofrage,Rancesprangtowardhim。ButasquicklyJennystoodbetweenthem,erectandmenacing。\"Theremustbenoquarrelhere,\"shesaidtoRance。\"WhileIprotectyourrightasmyguest,don’tobligemetoremindyouofmineasyourhostess。\"Sheturnedwithahalf-deprecatoryairtoRidgeway;buthewasgone。Sowasherfather。OnlyRanceremainedwithalookofill-concealedtriumphonhisface。
Withoutlookingathim,shepassedtowardthedoor。Whenshereachedit,sheturned。\"Youaskedmeaquestionanhourago。
Cometomeinthegarden,atnineo’clocktonight,andIwillansweryou。Butpromiseme,first,tokeepawayfromMr。Dent。
Givemeyourwordnottoseekhim——toavoidhim,ifheseeksyou。
Doyoupromise?Itiswell。\"
Hewouldhavetakenherhand;butshewavedhimaway。Inanothermomentheheardtheswiftrustleofherdressinthehall,thesoundofherfeetuponthestair,thesharpclosingofherbedroomdoor,andallwasquiet。
Andeventhusquietlythedayworeaway;andthenightroseslowlyfromthevalley,andovershadowedthemountainswithpurplewingsthatfannedthestillairintoabreeze,untilthemoonfollowedit,andlulledeverythingtorestaswiththelaying-onofwhiteandbenedictoryhands。Itwasalovelynight;butHenryRance,waitingimpatientlybeneathasycamoreatthefootofthegarden,sawnobeautyinearthorairorsky。Athousandsuspicionscommontoajealousnature,avaguesuperstitionofthespot,filledhismindwithdistrustanddoubt。\"Ifthisshouldbeatricktokeepmyhandsoffthatinsolentpup!\"hemuttered。But,evenasthethoughtpassedhistongue,awhitefigureslidfromtheshrubberynearthehouse,glidedalongthelineofpicket-fence,andthenstopped,midway,motionlessinthemoonlight。
Itwasshe。Buthescarcelyrecognizedherinthewhitedraperythatcoveredherheadandshouldersandbreast。Heapproachedherwithahurriedwhisper。\"Letuswithdrawfromthemoonlight。
Everybodycanseeushere。\"
\"Wehavenothingtosaythatcannotbesaidinthemoonlight,HenryRance,\"shereplied,coldlyrecedingfromhisprofferedhand。Shetrembledforamoment,asifwithachill,andthensuddenlyturneduponhim。\"Holdupyourhead,andletmelookatyou!I’veknownonlywhatmenare:letmeseewhatatraitorlookslike!\"
Herecoiledmorefromherwildfacethanherwords。Hesawfromthefirstthatherhollowcheeksandholloweyeswereblazingwithfever。Hewasnocoward;buthewouldhavefled。
\"Youareill,Jenny,\"hesaid:\"youhadbestreturntothehouse。
Anothertime\"——
\"Stop!\"shecriedhoarsely。\"Movefromthisspot,andI’llcallforhelp!Attempttoleavemenow,andI’llproclaimyoutheassassinthatyouare!\"
\"Itwasafairfight,\"hesaiddoggedly。
\"Wasitafairfighttocreepbehindanunarmedandunsuspectingman?Wasitafairfighttotrytothrowsuspiciononsomeoneelse?Wasitafairfighttodeceiveme?Liarandcowardthatyouare!\"
Hemadeastealthysteptowardherwithevileyes,andawickederhandthatcreptwithinhisbreast。Shesawthemotion;butitonlystunghertonewerfury。
\"Strike!\"shesaidwithblazingeyes,throwingherhandsopenbeforehim。\"Strike!Areyouafraidofthewomanwhodaresyou?
Ordoyoukeepyourknifeforthebacksofunsuspectingmen?
Strike,Itellyou!No?Look,then!\"Withasuddenmovement,shetorefromherheadandshouldersthethicklaceshawlthathadconcealedherfigure,andstoodbeforehim。\"Look!\"shecriedpassionately,pointingtothebosomandshouldersofherwhitedress,darklystreakedwithfadedstainsandominousdiscoloration,——
\"look!ThisisthedressIworethatmorningwhenIfoundhimlyinghere,——HERE,——bleedingfromyourcowardlyknife。Look!Doyousee?
Thisishisblood,——mydarlingboy’sblood!——onedropofwhich,deadandfadedasitis,ismoreprecioustomethanthewholelivingpulseofanyotherman。Look!Icometoyouto-night,christenedwithhisblood,anddareyoutostrike,——dareyoutostrikehimagainthroughme,andminglemybloodwithhis。Strike,Iimploreyou!Strike!ifyouhaveanypityonme,forGod’ssake!
Strike!ifyouareaman!Look!Herelayhisheadonmyshoulder;
hereIheldhimtomybreast,wherenever——sohelpmemyGod!——
anotherman——Ah!\"——
Shereeledagainstthefence,andsomethingthathadflashedinRance’shanddroppedatherfeet;foranotherflashandreportrolledhimoverinthedust;andacrosshiswrithingbodytwomenstrode,andcaughtherereshefell。