首页 >出版文学> Soldiers of Fortune>第3章
  DuringtheirshortvisitMadameAlvareztalkedagreaterpartof,thetimeherself,addressingwhatshesaidtoMissLangham,but,lookingatHope。ItwasunusualforHopetobesingledoutin,thiswaywhenhersisterwaspresent,andboththesisters,noticeditandspokeofitafterwards。TheythoughtMadame,Alvarezverybeautifulanddistinguished-looking,andshe,impressedthem,evenafterthatshortknowledgeofher,asa,womanofgreatforceofcharacter。
  ``ShewasverywelldressedforaSpanishwoman,’’wasMiss,Langham’scomment,laterintheafternoon。``Buteverythingshe,hadonwasjustayearbehindthefashions,ortwelvesteamer,daysbehind,asMr。MacWilliamsputsit。’’
  ``Sheremindedme,’’saidHope,``ofablackpantherIsawonce,inacircus。’’
  ``Dearme!’’exclaimedthesister,``Idon’tseethatatall。
  Why?’’
  Hopesaidshedidnotknowwhy;shewasnotgiventoanalyzing,herimpressionsorofferingreasonsforthem。``Becausethe,pantherlookedsounhappy,’’sheexplained,doubtfully,``and,restless;andhekeptpacingupanddownallthetime,and,hittinghisheadagainstthebarsashewalkedasthoughheliked,thepain。MadameAlvarezseemedtometobejustlikethat——as,thoughshewereshutupsomewhereandwantedtobefree。’’
  WhenMadameAlvarezandthetwosistershadjoinedthemen,they,allwalkedtogethertotheterrace,andthevisitorswaiteduntil,thePresidentandhiswifeshouldtaketheirdeparture。Hope,noticed,inadvanceoftheescortofnativecavalry,anauburn-
  haired,fair-skinnedyoungmanwhowassittinganEnglishsaddle。
  Theofficer’seyeswereblueandfrankandattractive-looking,evenastheythenwerefixedaheadofhimwithamilitarylackof,expression;buthecametolifeverysuddenlywhenthePresident,calledtohim,andproddedhishorseuptothestepsand,dismounted。HewasintroducedbyAlvarezas``CaptainStuartof,myhouseholdtroops,lateoftheGordonHighlanders。Captain,Stuart,’’saidthePresident,layinghishandaffectionatelyon,theyoungerman’sepaulette,``takescareofmylifeandthe,safetyofmyhomeandfamily。Hecouldhavethecommandofthe,armyifhewished;butno,heisfondofus,andhetellsmewe,areinmoreneedofprotectionfromourfriendsathomethanfrom,ourenemiesonthefrontier。Perhapsheknowsbest。Itrust,him,Mr。Langham,’’addedthePresident,solemnly,``asItrust,noothermaninallthiscountry。’’
  ``IamverygladtomeetCaptainStuart,Iamsure,’’saidMr。
  Langham,smiling,andappreciatinghowtheshynessofthe,EnglishmanmustbesufferingunderthepraisesoftheSpaniard。
  AndStuartwasindeedsoembarrassedthatheflushedunderhis,tan,andassuredClay,whileshakinghandswiththemall,thathe,wasdelightedtomakehisacquaintance;atwhichtheothers,laughed,andStuartcametohimselfsufficientlytolaughwith,them,andtoacceptClay’sinvitationtodinewiththemlater。
  Theyfoundthetwoboyswaitinginthecafe’oftherestaurant,wheretheyhadarrangedtomeet,andtheyascendedthesteps,togethertothetableonthebalconythatClayhadreservedfor,them。
  Theyoungengineerappearedathisbestashost。The,responsibilityofseeingthatahalf-dozenotherswereamusedand,contentsatwelluponhim;andascoursefollowedcourse,and,thewineschanged,andthecandleslefttherestoftheroom,indarknessandshowedonlythetableandthefacesaroundit,theyallbecamerapidlymoremerryandtheconversation,intimatelyfamiliar。
  Clayknewthekindoftable-talktowhichtheLanghamswere,accustomed,andusedthematerialaroundhistableinsuchaway,thatthetalktherewasvastlydifferent。FromKinghedrew,forthtalesoftheburiedcitieshehadfirstexplored,andthen,robbedoftheirugliestidols。HeurgedMacWilliamstotell,carefullyeditedstoriesoflifealongtheChagresbeforethe,Scandalcame,andofthefastnessesoftheAndes;andevenStuart,grewbraverandremembered``somethingofthesamesort’’hehad,seenatFortNilt,inUpperBurma。
  ``Ofcourse,’’wasClay’scommentattheconclusionofoneof,thesenarratives,``beinganEnglishman,Stuartleftoutthe,pointofthestory,whichwasthatheblewinthegatesofthe,fortwithachargeofdynamite。HegotaD。S。O。fordoing,it。’’
  ``BeinganEnglishman,’’saidHope,smilingencouraginglyonthe,consciousStuart,``henaturallywouldleavethatout。’’
  Mr。Langhamandhisdaughtersformedaneageraudience。Theyhad,neverbeforemetatonetablethreemenwhohadknownsuch,experiences,andwhospokeofthemasthoughtheymustbeas,familiarinthelivesoftheothersasintheirown——menwho,spoiledinthetellingstoriesthatwouldhavefurnished,incidentsformelodramas,andwhoimpressedtheirhearersmore,withwhattheyleftunsaid,andwhatwasonlysuggested,than,whatintheirviewwasthemostimportantpoint。
  Thedinnercametoanendatlast,andMr。Langhamproposedthat,theyshouldgodownandwalkwiththepeopleintheplaza;but,histwodaughterspreferredtoremainasspectatorsonthe,balcony,andClayandStuartstayedwiththem。
  ``Atlast!’’sighedClay,underhisbreath,seatinghimselfat,MissLangham’ssideasshesatleaningforwardwithherarmsupon,therailingandlookingdownintotheplazabelow。Shemadeno,signatfirstthatshehadheardhim,butasthevoicesofStuart,andHoperosefromtheotherendofthebalconysheturnedher,headandasked,``Whyatlast?’’
  ``Oh,youcouldn’tunderstand,’’laughedClay。``Youhavenot,beenlookingforwardtojustonethingandthenhaditcometrue。
  Itistheonlythingthateverdidcometruetome,andIthought,itneverwould。’’
  ``Youdon’ttrytomakemeunderstand,’’saidthegirl,smiling,butwithoutturninghereyesfromthemovingspectacle,belowher。Clayconsideredherchallengesilently。Hedidnot,knowjusthowmuchitmightmeanfromher,andthesmilerobbed,itofallseriousintent;sohe,too,turnedandlookeddowninto,thegreatsquarebelowthem,content,nowthatshewasalonewith,him,totakehistime。
  AtoneendoftheplazathePresident’sbandwasplayingnative,waltzesthatcamethrobbingthroughthetreesandbeatingsoftly,abovetherustlingskirtsandclinkingspursofthesenoritas,andofficers,sweepingbyintwooppositecirclesaroundthe,edgesofthetessellatedpavements。Abovethepalmsaroundthe,squarearosethedim,whitefacadeofthecathedral,withthe,bronzestatueofAnduella,theliberatorofOlancho,whoanswered,withhisupraisedarmandcockedhatthecheersofanimaginary,populace。Clay’shadbeenanunobtrusivepartintheevening’s,entertainment,buthesawthattheothershadbeenpleased,and,feltacertainsatisfactioninthinkingthatKinghimselfcould,nothaveplannedandcarriedoutadinnermoreadmirableinevery,way。Hewasgratifiedthattheyshouldknowhimtobenot,altogetherabarbarian。Butwhathebestlikedtorememberwas,thatwheneverhehadspokenshehadlistened,evenwhenhereyes,wereturnedawayandshewaspretendingtolistentosome,oneelse。Hetormentedhimselfbywonderingwhetherthiswas,becauseheinterestedheronlyasanewandstrangecharacter,or,whethershefeltinsomewayhoweagerlyhewasseekingher,approbation。Forthefirsttimeinhislifehefoundhimself,consideringwhathewasabouttosay,andhesuiteditforher,possibleliking。Itwasatleastsomesatisfactionthatshehad,ifonlyforthetimebeing,singledhimoutasofespecial,interest,andheassuredhimselfthatthefaultwouldbehisif,herinterestfailed。Henolongerlookedonhimselfasan,outsider。
  Stuart’svoicearosefromthefartherendofthebalcony,where,thewhitefigureofHopeshoweddimlyinthedarkness。
  ``Theyaretalkingaboutyouoverthere,’’saidMissLangham,turningtowardhim。
  ``Well,Idon’tmind,’’answeredClay,``aslongastheytalk,aboutme——overthere。’’
  MissLanghamshookherhead。``Youareveryfrankand,audacious,’’shereplied,doubtfully,``butitisratherpleasant,asachange。’’
  ``Idon’tcallthataudacious,tosayIdon’twanttobe,interruptedwhenIamtalkingtoyou。Aren’tthemenyoumeet,generallyaudacious?’’heasked。``Icanseewhynot——though,’’
  hecontinued,``youawethem。’’
  ``Ican’tthinkthat’sanicewaytoaffectpeople,’’protested,MissLangham,afterapause。``Idon’taweyou,doI?’’
  ``Oh,youaffectmeinmanydifferentways,’’returnedClay,cheerfully。``SometimesIamverymuchafraidofyou,andthen,againmyfeelingsareonlythoseofunlimitedadmiration。’’
  ``There,again,whatdidItellyou?’’saidMissLangham。
  ``Well,Ican’thelpdoingthat,’’saidClay。``Thatisoneof,thefewprivilegesthatislefttoamaninmyposition——it,doesn’tmatterwhatIsay。Thatistheadvantageofbeingofno,accountandhopelesslydetrimental。Theeligiblemenofthe,world,yousee,havetobesoverycareful。APrimeMinister,forinstance,can’ttalkashewishes,andcallnamesifhewants,to,orwriteletters,even。Whateverhesaysissoimportant,becausehesaysit,thathemustbeverydiscreet。Iamso,unimportantthatnoonemindswhatIsay,andsoIsayit。It’s,theonlycomfortIhave。’’
  ``Areyouinthehabitofgoingaroundtheworldsayingwhatever,youchoosetoeverywomanyouhappento——to——’’MissLangham,hesitated。
  ``Toadmireverymuch,’’suggestedClay。
  ``Tomeet,’’correctedMissLangham。``Because,ifyouare,it,isaverydangerousandselfishpractice,andIthinkyour,theoryofnon-responsibilityisaverywickedone。’’
  ``Well,Iwouldn’tsayittoachild,’’musedClay,``buttoone,whomusthavehearditbefore——’’
  ``Andwho,youthink,wouldliketohearitagain,perhaps,’’
  interruptedMissLangham。
  ``No,notatall,’’saidClay。``Idon’tsayittogiveher,pleasure,butbecauseitgivesmepleasuretosaywhatIthink。’’
  ``Ifwearetocontinuegoodfriends,Mr。Clay,’’saidMiss,Langham,indecisivetones,``wemustkeepourrelationshipon,moreofasocialandlessofapersonalbasis。Itwasallvery,wellthatfirstnightImetyou,’’shewenton,inakindlytone。
  ``Yourushedinthenandbyasortoftourdeforcemademe,thinkagreatdealaboutmyselfandalsoaboutyou。Yourstories,ofcherishedphotographsanddistantdevotionandallthatwere,veryinteresting;butnowwearetobetogetheragreatdeal,and,ifwearetotalkaboutourselvesallthetime,Iforoneshall,growverytiredofit。Asamatteroffactyoudon’tknowwhat,yourfeelingsareconcerningme,anduntilyoudowewilltalk,lessaboutthemandmoreaboutthethingsyouarecertainof。
  Whenareyougoingtotakeustothemines,forinstance,andwho,wasAnduella,theLiberatorofOlancho,onthatpedestal,overthere?,Now,isn’tthatmuchmoreinstructive?’’
  Claysmiledgrimlyandmadenoanswer,butsatwithknittedbrows,lookingoutacrossthetreesoftheplaza。Hisfacewasso,seriousandhewasapparentlygivingsuchearnestconsideration,towhatshehadsaidthatMissLanghamfeltanuneasysenseof,remorse。And,moreover,theyoungman’sprofile,ashesat,lookingawayfromher,wasveryfine,andtheheadonhisbroad,shoulderswasaswell-modelledastheheadofanAthenianstatue。
  MissLanghamwasnotinsensibletobeautyofanysort,andshe,regardedtheprofilewithperplexityandwithasofteningspirit。
  ``Youunderstand,’’shesaid,gently,beingquitecertainthat,shedidnotunderstandthisneworderofyoungmanherself。
  ``Youarenotoffendedwithme?’’sheasked。
  Clayturnedandfrowned,andthensmiledinapuzzledwayand,stretchedouthishandtowardtheequestrianstatueintheplaza。
  ``AndullaorAnduella,theTreaty-Maker,astheycallhim,was,bornin1700,’’hesaid;``hewasamostpicturesquesortofa,chap,andfreedthiscountryfromtheyokeofSpain。Oneofthe,storiestheytellofhimgivesyouagoodideaofhis,character。’’,Andso,withoutanychangeofexpressionor,referencetowhathadjustpassedbetweenthem,Clay,continuedthroughtheremainderoftheirstayonthebalconyto,discourseinhumorous,graphicphrasesonthehistoryofOlancho,itsheroes,anditsrevolutions,thebuccaneersandpiratesof,theolddays,andtheconcession-huntersandfilibustersofthe,present。ItwassometimebeforeMissLanghamwasabletogive,himherfullattention,forshewasconsideringwhetherhecould,besofoolishastohavetakenoffenceatwhatshesaid,and,whetherhewouldspeakofitagain,andinwonderingwhethera,personalbasisforconversationwasnot,afterall,more,entertainingthananecdotesofthevictoriesandheroismofdead,andburiedSpaniards。
  ``ThatCaptainStuart,’’saidHopetohersister,astheydrove,hometogetherthroughthemoonlight,``Ilikehimverymuch。He,seemstohavesuchasimpleideaofwhatisrightandgood。It,islikeachildtalking。Why,Iamreallymucholderthanheis,ineverythingbutyears——whyisthat?’’
  ``Isupposeit’sbecausewealwaystalkbeforeyouasthoughyou,wereagrown-upperson,’’saidhersister。``ButIagreewith,youaboutCaptainStuart;only,whyishedownhere?,Ifheisa,gentleman,whyishenotinhisownarmy?,Washeforcedtoleave,it?’’
  ``Oh,heseemstohaveaverygoodpositionhere,’’saidMr。
  Langham。``InEngland,athisage,hewouldbeonlyasecond-
  lieutenant。Don’tyourememberwhatthePresidentsaid,thathe,wouldtrusthimwiththecommandofhisarmy?,That’scertainlya,responsibleposition,anditshowsgreatconfidenceinhim。’’
  ``Notsogreat,itseemstome,’’saidKing,carelessly,``ashe,isshowinghiminmakinghimtheguardianofhishearthandhome。
  Didyouhearwhathesaidto-day?,`Heguardsmyhomeandmy,family。’,Idon’tthinkaman’shomeandfamilyareamongthe,thingshecanaffordtoleavetotheprotectionofstrayEnglish,subalterns。FromallIhear,itwouldbebetterifPresident,Alvarezdidlessplottingandprotectedhisownhousehimself。’’
  ``Theyoungmandidnotstrikemeasthesortofperson,’’said,Mr。Langham,warmly,``whowouldbelikelytobreakhiswordto,themanwhoisfeedinghimandshelteringhim,andwhoseuniform,hewears。Idon’tthinkthePresident’shomeisinanydanger,fromwithin。MadameAlvarez——’’
  Clayturnedsuddenlyinhisplaceonthebox-seatofthe,carriage,wherehehadbeensitting,asilent,mistystatuein,themoonlight,andpeereddownonthoseinthecarriagebelow,him。
  ``MadameAlvarezneedsnoprotection,asyouwereaboutto,say,Mr。Langham,’’heinterrupted,quickly。``Thosewhoknow,hercouldsaynothingagainsther,andthosewhodonotknowher,wouldnotsofarforgetthemselvesastodaretodoit。Haveyou,noticedtheeffectofthemoonlightonthewallsofthe,convent?’’hecontinued,gently。``Itmakesthemquitewhite。’’
  ``No,’’exclaimedMr。LanghamandKing,hurriedly,astheyboth,turnedandgazedwithabsorbinginterestattheconventonthe,hillsabovethem。
  BeforethesisterswenttosleepthatnightHopecametothedoor,ofhersister’sroomandwatchedAliceadmiringlyasshesat,beforethemirrorbrushingoutherhair。
  ``Ithinkit’sgoingtobefinedownhere;don’tyou,Alice?’’
  sheasked。``Everythingissodifferentfromwhatitisathome,andsobeautiful,andIlikethemenwe’vemet。Isn’tthatMr。
  MacWilliamsfunny——andheissotough。AndCaptainStuart——itis,apityhe’sshy。Theonlythingheseemstobeabletotalk,aboutisMr。Clay。HeworshipsMr。Clay!’’
  ``Yes,’’assentedhersister,``Inoticedonthebalconythatyou,seemedtohavefoundsomewaytomakehimspeak。’’
  ``Well,thatwasit。HelikestotalkaboutMr。Clay,andI
  wantedtolisten。Oh!heisafineman。Hehasdonemore,excitingthings——’’
  ``Who?,CaptainStuart?’’
  ``No——Mr。Clay。He’sbeeninthreerealwarsandaboutadozen,littleones,andhe’sbuiltthousandsofmilesofrailroads,I
  don’tknowhowmanythousands,butCaptainStuartknows;andhe,builtthehighestbridgeinPeru。Itswingsintheairacrossa,chasm,anditrockswhenthewindblows。AndtheGermanEmperor,madehimaBaron。’’
  ``Why?’’
  ``Idon’tknow。Icouldn’tunderstand。Itwassomethingabout,plansforfortifications。He,Mr。Clay,putupafortinthe,harborofRioJaneiroduringarevolution,andtheofficersona,Germanman-of-warsawitandcopiedtheplans,andtheGermans,builtonejustlikeit,onlylarger,ontheBaltic,andwhenthe,Emperorfoundoutwhosedesignitwas,hesentMr。Claytheorder,ofsomething-or-other,andmadehimaBaron。’’
  ``Really,’’exclaimedtheeldersister,``isn’theafraidthat,someonewillmarryhimforhistitle?’’
  ``Oh,well,youcanlaugh,butIthinkit’sprettyfine,andso,doesTed,’’addedHope,withtheairofonewhopropoundsafinal,argument。
  ``Oh,Ibegyourpardon,’’laughedAlice。``IfTedapproveswe,mustallgodownandworship。’’
  ``Andfather,too,’’continuedHope。``HesaidhethoughtMr。
  Claywasoneofthemostremarkablemenforhisyearsthathehad,evermet。’’
  MissLangham’seyeswerehiddenbythemassesofherblackhair,thatshehadshakenoverherface,andshesaidnothing。
  ``AndIlikedthewayheshutReggieKinguptoo,’’continued,Hope,stoutly,``whenheandfatherweretalkingthatwayabout,MadameAlvarez。’’
  ``Yes,uponmyword,’’exclaimedhersister,impatientlytossing,herhairbackoverhershoulders。``Ireallycannotseethat,MadameAlvarezisinneedofanychampion。IthoughtMr。Clay,madeitverymuchworsebyrushinginthewayhedid。Whyshould,hetakeituponhimselftocorrectamanasoldasmyfather?’’
  ``IsupposebecauseMadameAlvarezisafriendofhis,’’Hope,answered。
  ``Mydearchild,abeautifulwomancanalwaysfindsomemanto,takeherpart,’’saidMissLangham。``ButI’venodoubt,’’she,added,risingandkissinghersistergood-night,``thatheisall,thatyourCaptainStuartthinkshim;butheisnotgoingtokeep,usawakeanylonger,ishe,evenifhedoesshowsuchgallant,interestinoldladies?’’
  ``Oldladies!’’exclaimedHopeinamazement。
  ``Why,Alice!’’
  Buthersisteronlylaughedandwavedheroutoftheroom,and,Hopewalkedawayfrowninginmuchperplexity。
  V
  Thevisittothecitywasimitatedonthethreesucceeding,eveningsbysimilarexcursions。Ononenighttheyreturnedto,theplaza,andtheothertwowerespentindriftingdownthe,harborandalongthecoastonKing’syacht。ThePresidentand,MadameAlvarezwereKing’sguestsononeofthesemoonlight,excursions,andweresalutedbythepropernumberofguns,and,theirnativebandplayedontheforwarddeck。Clayfeltthat,Kingheldthecentreofthestageforthetimebeing,and,obliteratedhimselfcompletely。Hethoughtofhisownpaddle-
  wheeltug-boatthathehadhadpaintedandgildedinherhonor,andsmiledgrimly。
  MacWilliamsapproachedhimashesatleaningbackontherailand,lookingup,withtheeyeofamanwhohadservedbeforethemast,atthelaceworkofsparsandriggingabovehim。MacWilliamscame,towardhimontiptoeanddroppedcarefullyintoawickerchair。
  ``Theredon’tseemtobeanydoor-matsonthisboat,’’hesaid。
  ``Ineveryotherrespectsheseemsfittedoutquite,complete;allthelatestmagazinesandenamelledbathtubs,andChinesewaiter-boyswithcock-tailsuptheirsleeves。But,thereoughttobeamatatthetopofeachofthosestairways,thathangovertheside,otherwisesomeoneissuretosoilthe,deck。Haveyoubeendownintheengine-roomyet?’’heasked。
  ``Well,don’tgo,then,’’headvised,solemnly。``Itwillonly,makeyoufeelbadly。IhaveaskedtheAdmiralifIcansend,thosehalf-breedenginedriversoverto-morrowtoshowthemwhat,acleanengine-roomlookslike。I’vejustbeentalkingtothe,chief。Hisname’sMacKenzie,andItoldhimIwasScotchmyself,andhesaidit`wasagreetpleesure’tofindagentlemansowell,acquaintedwiththemovementsofmachinery。HethoughtIwasone,ofKing’sfriends,Iguess,soIdidn’ttellhimIpulledalever,foralivingmyself。Igavehimacigarthough,andhesaid,`Thankee,sir,’andtouchedhiscaptome。’’
  MacWilliamschuckledattherecollection,andcrossedhislegs,comfortably。``OneofKing’scigars,too,’’hesaid。``Real,Havana;heleavesthemlyingaroundlooseinthecabin。Haveyou,hadone?,TedLanghamandItookaboutaboxbetweenus。’’
  Claymadenoanswer,andMacWilliamssettledhimselfcontentedly,inthegreatwickerchairandpuffedgrandlyonahugecigar。
  ``It’sdemoralizing,isn’tit?’’hesaidatlast。
  ``What?’’askedClay,absently。
  ``Oh,thisassociatingwithwhitepeopleagain,aswe’redoing,now。Itspoilsyoufortortillasandrice,doesn’tit?,It’s,goingtobegreatfunwhileitlasts,butwhenthey’veallgone,andTed’sgone,too,andtheyacht’svanished,andwefallback,totrampingaroundtheplazatwiceaweek,itwon’tbegay,will,it?,No;itwon’tbegay。We’rehavingthespreeofourlives,now,Iguess,butthere’sgoingtobeadifferenceinthe,morning。’’
  ``Oh,it’sworthaheadache,Ithink,’’saidClay,asheshrugged,hisshouldersandwalkedawaytofindMissLangham。
  Thedaysetforthevisittotheminesrosebrightandclear。
  MacWilliamshadriggedouthissinglepassenger-carwithrugsand,cushions,andflagsflewfromitscanvastopthatflappedand,billowedinthewindoftheslow-movingtrain。Their,observation-car,asMacWilliamstermedit,wasplacedinfrontof,thelocomotive,andtheywerepushedgentlyalongthenarrow,railsbetweenforestsofManacapalms,andthroughswampsand,jungles,andattimesoverthelimestoneformationalongthe,coast,wherethewavesdashedashighasthesmokestackofthe,locomotive,coveringtheexcursionistswithasprinklingofwhite,spray。Thousandsofland-crabs,paintedredandblackand,yellow,scrambledwitharattlelikedeadmen’sbonesacrossthe,railstobecrushedbythehundredsunderthewheelsofthe,Juggernaut;greatlizardsranfromsunnyrocksatthesoundof,theirapproach,andadeerboundedacrossthetracksfiftyfeet,infrontofthecow-catcher。MacWilliamsescortedHopeoutinto,thecabofthelocomotive,andtaughtherhowtoincreaseand,slackenthespeedoftheengine,untilsheshowedanunruly,desiretothrowtheleveropenaltogetherandshootthemoffthe,railsintotheoceanbeyond。
  ClaysatatthebackofthecarwithMissLangham,andtoldher,andherfatherofthedifficultieswithwhichyoungMacWilliams,hadhadtocontend。MissLanghamfoundherchiefpleasurein,notingtheattentionwhichherfathergavetoallthatClayhad,totellhim。Knowingherfatherasshedid,andbeingfamiliar,withhismannertowardothermen,sheknewthathewastreating,Claywithunusualconsideration。Andthispleasedhergreatly,foritjustifiedherowninterestinhim。SheregardedClayasa,discoveryofherown,butshewasgladtohaveheropinionofhim,sharedbyothers。
  Theircomingwasagreateventinthehistoryofthemines。
  Kirkland,theforeman,andChapman,whohandledthe,dynamite,Weimer,theConsul,andthenativedoctor,whocared,forthefever-strickenandthecasualties,wereallatthe,stationtomeettheminthewhitestofwhiteduckandwitha,bunchofponiestocarrythemontheirtourofinspection,and,thevillageofmudDcabinsandzinc-hutsthatstoodclearofthe,baresunbakedearthonwhitewashedwoodenpileswasascleanas,Clay’shundredpolicemencouldsweepit。Mr。Langhamrodein,advanceofthecavalcade,andtheheadofeachofthedifferent,departmentstookhisturninridingathisside,andexplained,whathadbeendone,andshowedhimtheproudresult。Thevillage,wasempty,exceptforthefamiliesofthenativeworkmenandthe,ownerlessdogs,thescavengersofthecolony,thatsnarledand,barkedandranleapinginfrontoftheponies’heads。
  Risingabruptlyabovethezincvillage,laythefirstofthefive,greathills,withitsopenfrontcutintogreatterraces,on,whichthemenclunglikefliesonthesideofawall,someof,themingroupsaroundanopening,orincouplespoundingasteel,barthatafellow-workmanturnedinhisbarehands,whileothers,gatheredaboutthepantingsteam-drillsthatshookthesolidrock,withfierce,shortblows,andhidthemenaboutthemina,throbbingcurtainofsteam。Self-importantlittledummy-
  engines,dragginglongtrainsofore-cars,rolledandrockedon,theunevensurfaceoftheground,andswungaroundcornerswith,warningscreechesoftheirwhistles。Theycouldsee,onpeaks,outlinedagainstthesky,thesignal-menwavingtheirredflags,andthenplungingdownthemountain-sideoutofdanger,asthe,earthrumbledandshookandvomitedoutashowerofstonesand,rubbishintothecalmhotair。Itwasaspectacleofdesperate,activityandpuzzlingtotheuninitiated,foritseemedtobe,scatteredoveranunlimitedextent,withnoheadnordirection,andwitheachman,oreachgroupofmen,workingalone,likerag-
  pickersonaheapofashes。
  Afterthefirsthalf-hourofcuriousinterestMissLangham,admittedtoherselfthatshewasdisappointed。Sheconfessedshe,hadhopedthatClaywouldexplainthemeaningoftheminesto,her,andactasherescortoverthemountainswhichhewas,blowingintopieces。
  ButitwasKing,somewhatboredbytheceaselessnoiseandheat,andherbrother,incoherentlyenthusiastic,whorodeatherside,whileClaymovedoninadvanceandseemedtohaveforgottenher,existence。Shewatchedhimpointingupattheopeningsinthe,mountainsanddownattheore-road,orstoopingtopickupa,pieceoforefromthegroundincowboyfashion,without,leavinghissaddle,andpoundingitonthepommelbeforehe,passedittotheothers。And,again,hewouldstandforminutes,atatimeuptohisboot-topsintheslidingwaste,withhis,bridlereinoverhisarmandhisthumbsinhisbelt,listeningto,whathislieutenantsweresaying,andglancingquicklyfromthem,toMr。Langhamtoseeifhewerefollowingthetechnicalitiesof,theirspeech。Allofthemenwhohadwelcomedtheappearanceof,thewomenontheirarrivalwithsuchobviousdelightandwithso,muchembarrassmentseemednowasobliviousoftheirpresenceas,Clayhimself。
  MissLanghampushedherhorseupintothegroupbesideHope,who,hadkeptherponycloseatClay’ssidefromthebeginning;but,shecouldnotmakeoutwhatitwastheyweresaying,andnoone,seemedtothinkitnecessarytoexplain。ShecaughtClay’seye,atlastandsmiledbrightlyathim;but,afterstaringatherfor,fullyaminute,untilKirklandhadfinishedspeaking,sheheard,himsay,``Yes,that’sitexactly;inopen-faceworkingsthereis,nootherway,’’andsoshowedherthathehadnotbeeneven,consciousofherpresence。Butafewminuteslatershesawhim,lookupatHope,foldinghisarmsacrosshischesttightlyand,shakinghishead。``Youseeitwastheonlythingtodo,’’she,heardhimsay,asthoughheweredefendingsomecourseof,action,andasthoughHopewereoneofthosewhomustbe,convinced。``Ifwehadcuttheopeningonthefirstlevel,there,wasthedangerofthewholethingsinkingin,sowehadtobegin,toclearawayatthetopandworkdown。That’swhyIorderedthe,bucket-trolley。Asitturnedout,wesavedmoneybyit。’’
  Hopenoddedherheadslightly。``That’swhatItoldfatherwhen,Tedwroteusaboutit,’’shesaid;``butyouhaven’tdoneitat,MountWashington。’’
  ``Oh,butit’slikethis,Miss——’’Kirklandreplied,eagerly。
  ``It’sbecauseWashingtonisasoliderfoundation。Wecancut,openingsalloveritandtheywon’tcave,butthishillismost,allrubbish;it’sthepooreststuffinthemines。’’
  Hopenoddedherheadagainandcrowdedherponyonafterthe,movinggroup,buthersisterandKingdidnotfollow。King,lookedatherandsmiled。``Hopeisveryenthusiastic,’’he,said。``Wheredidshepickitup?’’
  ``Oh,sheandfatherusedtogooveritinhisstudylastwinter,afterTedcamedownhere,’’MissLanghamanswered,withatouch,ofimpatienceinhertone。``Isn’ttheresomeplacewherewecan,gotogetoutofthisheat?’’
  Weimer,theConsul,heardherandledherbacktoKirkland’s,bungalow,thathunglikeaneagle’snestfromaprojectingcliff。
  Fromitsporchtheycouldlookdownthevalleyoverthegreater,partofthemines,andbeyondtowheretheCaribbeanSealay,flashingintheheat。
  ``IsawveryfewAmericansdownthere,Weimer,’’saidKing。``I
  thoughtClayhadimportedalotofthem。’’
  ``Aboutthreehundredaltogether,wildIrishmenandnegroes,’’
  saidtheConsul;``butweusethenativesoldierschiefly。They,canstandtheclimatebetter,and,besides,’’headded,``they,actasareserveincaseoftrouble。TheyareMendoza’smen,and,Clayistryingtowinthemawayfromhim。’’
  ``Idon’tunderstand,’’saidKing。
  WeimerlookedaroundhimandwaiteduntilKirkland’sservanthad,depositedatrayfullofbottlesandglassesonatablenear,them,andhaddeparted。``Thetalkis,’’hesaid,``thatAlvarez,meanstoproclaimadictatorshipinhisownfavorbeforethe,springelections。You’veheardofthat,haven’tyou?’’King,shookhishead。
  ``Oh,tellusaboutit,’’saidMissLangham;``Ishouldsolike,tobeinplotsandconspiracies。’’
  ``Well,they’rerathercommondownhere,’’continuedtheConsul,``butthisoneoughttointerestyouespecially,MissLangham,becauseitisawomanwhoisattheheadofit。Madame,Alvarez,youknow,wastheCountessManueletaHernandezbefore,hermarriage。Shebelongstooneoftheoldestfamiliesin,Spain。AlvarezmarriedherinMadrid,whenhewasMinister,there,andwhenhereturnedtorunforPresident,shecamewith,him。She’satremendouslyambitiouswoman,andtheydosayshe,wantstoconverttherepublicintoamonarchy,andmakeher,husbandKing,or,moreproperlyspeaking,makeherselfQueen。Of,coursethat’sabsurd,butsheissupposedtobeplottingtoturn,OlanchointoasortofdependencyofSpain,asitwaslongago,andthat’swhysheissounpopular。’’
  ``Indeed?’’interruptedMissLangham,``Ididnotknowthatshe,wasunpopular。’’
  ``Oh,rather。Why,herpartyiscalledtheRoyalistParty,already,andonlyaweekbeforeyoucametheLiberalsplastered,thecitywithdenunciatoryplacardsagainsther,callingonthe,peopletodriveheroutofthecountry。’’
  ``Whatcowards——tofightawoman!’’exclaimedMissLangham。
  ``Well,shebeganitfirst,yousee,’’saidtheConsul。
  ``Whoistheleaderofthefightagainsther?’’askedKing。
  ``GeneralMendoza;heiscommander-in-chiefandhasthe,greaterpartofthearmywithhim,buttheothercandidate,old,GeneralRojas,isthepopularchoiceandthebestofthethree。
  HeisVice-Presidentnow,andifthepeoplewereevergivena,fairchancetovoteforthemantheywant,hewould,unquestionablybethenextPresident。Themassofthepeopleare,sickofrevolutions。They’vehadenoughofthem,buttheywill,havetogothroughanotherbeforelong,andifitturnsagainst,Dr。Alvarez,I’mafraidMr。Langhamwillhavehardworktohold,thesemines。Yousee,Mendozahasalreadythreatenedtoseize,thewholeplantandturnitintoaGovernmentmonopoly。’’
  ``Andiftheotherone,GeneralRojas,getsintopower,willhe,seizethemines,too?’’
  ``No,heishonest,strangetorelate,’’laughedWeimer,``buthe,won’tgetin。Alvarezwillmakehimselfdictator,orMendoza,willmakehimselfPresident。That’swhyClaytreatsthesoldiers,heresowell。HethinkshemayneedthemagainstMendoza。You,maybeturningyoursaluting-gunonthecityyet,Commodore,’’he,added,smiling,``or,whatismorelikely,you’llneedtheyacht,totakeMissLanghamandtherestofthefamilyoutofthe,country。’’
  KingsmiledandMissLanghamregardedWeimerwithflattering,interest。``I’vegotaquickfiringgunbelowdecks,’’said,King,``thatIusedintheMalaysianPeninsulaonajunkfulof,BlackFlags,andIthinkI’llhaveitbroughtup。Andthereare,aboutthirtyofmymenontheyachtwhowouldn’taskfortheir,wagesinayearifI’dletthemgoonshoreandmixupina,fight。Whendoyousupposethis——’’
  Aheavystepandthejingleofspursonthebarefloorofthe,bungalowstartledtheconspirators,andtheyturnedandgazed,guiltilyoutatthemountain-topsabovethemasClaycame,hurryingoutupontheporch。
  ``Theytoldmeyouwerehere,’’hesaid,speakingtoMiss,Langham。``I’msosorryittiredyou。Ishouldhave,remembered——itisaroughtripwhenyou’renotusedtoit,’’he,added,remorsefully。``ButI’mgladWeimerwasheretotakecare,ofyou。’’
  ``Itwasjustatriflehotandnoisy,’’saidMissLangham,smilingsweetly。Sheputherhandtoherforeheadwithan,expressionofpatientsuffering。``Itmademyheadachea,little,butitwasmostinteresting。’’,Sheadded,``Youare,certainlytobecongratulatedonyourwork。’’
  Clayglancedatherdoubtfullywithatroubledlook,andturned,awayhiseyestothebusyscenebelowhim。Hewasgreatlyhurt,thatsheshouldhavecaredsolittle,andindignantathimself,forbeingsounjust。Whyshouldheexpectawomantofind,interestinthathiveofnoiseandsweatingenergy?,Butevenas,hestoodarguingwithhimselfhiseyesfellonaslightfigure,sittingerectandgracefulonherpony’sback,herwhitehabit,soiledandstainedredwiththeoreofthemines,andgreenwhere,ithadcrushedagainsttheleaves。Shewascomingslowlyupthe,trailwithabody-guardofhalfadozenmencrowdingclosely,aroundher,tellingherthedifficultiesofthework,and,explainingtheirsuccesses,andeagerforashareofherquick,sympathy。
  Clay’seyesfixedthemselvesonthepicture,andhesmiledatits,significance。MissLanghamnoticedthelook,andglancedbelow,toseewhatitwasthathadsointerestedhim,andthenbackat,himagain。Hewasstillwatchingtheapproachingcavalcade,intently,andsmilingtohimself。MissLanghamdrewinher,breathandraisedherheadandshouldersquickly,likeadeer,thathearsafootstepintheforest,andwhenHopepresently,steppedoutupontheporch,sheturnedquicklytowardher,and,regardedhersteadily,asthoughshewereastrangertoher,and,asthoughsheweretryingtoseeherwiththeeyesofonewho,lookedatherforthefirsttime。
  ``Hope!’’shesaid,``dolookatyourdress!’’
  Hope’sfacewasglowingwiththeunusualexercise,andher,eyeswerebrilliant。Herhairhadslippeddownbeneaththevisor,ofherhelmet。
  ``Iamsotired——andsohungry。’’,Shewaslaughingandlooking,directlyatClay。``Ithasbeenawonderfulthingtohave,seen,’’shesaid,tuggingatherheavygauntlet,``andtohave,done,’’sheadded。Shepulledoffhergloveandheldouther,handtoClay,moistandscarredwiththepressureofthereins。
  ``Thankyou,’’shesaid,simply。
  Themasteroftheminestookitwithaquickrushofgratitude,andlookingintothegirl’seyes,sawsomethingtherethat,startledhim,sothatheglancedquicklypastheratthecircle,ofbootedmengroupedinthedoorbehindher。Theywereeach,smilinginappreciationofthetableau;herfatherandTed,MacWilliamsandKirkland,andalltheotherswhohadhelpedhim。
  Theyseemedtoenvy,butnottogrudge,thewholecreditwhich,thegirlhadgiventohim。
  Claythought,``Whycoulditnothavebeentheother?’’,Buthe,saidaloud,``ThankYOU。Youhavegivenmemyreward。’’
  MissLanghamlookeddownimpatientlyintothevalleybelow,and,foundthatitseemedmorehotandnoisy,andmoregrimythan,before。
  VI
  ClaybelievedthatAliceLangham’svisittothemineshadopened,hiseyesfullytovastdifferencesbetweenthem。Helaughedand,railedathimselfforhavingdaredtoimaginethathewasina,positiontocareforher。Confidentashewasattimes,andsure,ashewasofhisabilityincertaindirections,hewasuneasyand,fearfulwhenhematchedhimselfagainstamanofgentlebirthand,gentlebreeding,andonewho,likeKing,waspartofaworldof,whichheknewlittle,andtowhich,inhisignoranceconcerning,it,heattributedmanyadvantagesthatitdidnotpossess。He,believedthathewouldalwayslackthemysterioussomethingwhich,theseothersheldbyrightofinheritance。Hewasstillyoung,andfulloftheillusionsofyouth,andsogavefalsevaluesto,hisownqualities,andvaluesequallyfalsetothequalitieshe,lacked。ForthenextweekheavoidedMissLangham,unlessthere,wereotherpeoplepresent,andwheneversheshowedhimspecial,favor,hehastilyrecalledtohismindherfailuretosympathize,inhiswork,andassuredhimselfthatifshecouldnotinterest,herselfintheengineer,hedidnotcaretohaveher,interestedintheman。Otherwomenhadfoundhimattractivein,himself;theyhadcaredforhisstrengthofwillandmind,and,becausehewasgoodtolookat。Buthedeterminedthatthisone,mustsympathizewithhisworkintheworld,nomatterhow,unpicturesqueitmightseemtoher。Hisworkwasthebestof,him,heassuredhimself,andhewouldstandorfallwithit。
  ItwasaweekafterthevisittotheminesthatPresidentAlvarez,gaveagreatballinhonoroftheLanghams,towhichallofthe,importantpeopleofOlancho,andtheForeignMinisterswere,invited。MissLanghammetClayontheafternoonofthedayset,fortheball,asshewasgoingdownthehilltojoinHopeandher,fatheratdinnerontheyacht。
  ``Areyounotcoming,too?’’sheasked。
  ``IwishIcould,’’Clayanswered。``Kingaskedme,buta,steamer-loadofnewmachineryarrivedto-day,andIhavetosee,itthroughtheCustom-House。’’
  MissLanghamgaveanimpatientlittlelaugh,andshookherhead。
  ``Youmightwaituntilweweregonebeforeyoubotherwithyour,machinery,’’shesaid。
  ``WhenyouaregoneIwon’tbeinastateofmindtoattendto,machineryoranythingelse,’’Clayanswered。
  MissLanghamseemedsofarencouragedbythisspeechthatshe,seatedherselfintheboathouseattheendofthewharf。She,pushedhermantillabackfromherfaceandlookedupathim,smilingbrightly。
  ```Thetimehascome,thewalrussaid,’’’shequoted,```to,talkofmanythings。’’’
  Claylaughedanddroppeddownbesideher。``Well?’’hesaid。
  ``Youhavebeenratherunkindtomethislastweek,’’thegirl,began,withhereyesfixedsteadilyonhis。``Andthatdayat,themineswhenIcountedonyouso,youactedabominably。’’
  Clay’sfaceshowedsoplainlyhissurpriseatthischarge,which,hethoughtheonlyhadtherighttomake,thatMissLangham,stopped。
  ``Idon’tunderstand,’’saidClay,quietly。``HowdidItreat,youabominably?’’
  HehadtakenhersoseriouslythatMissLanghamdroppedher,lightertoneandspokeinonemorekindly:
  ``Iwentouttheretoseeyourworkatitsbest。Iwasonly,interestedingoingbecauseitwasyourwork,andbecauseitwas,youwhohaddoneitall,andIexpectedthatyouwouldtryto,explainittomeandhelpmetounderstand,butyoudidn’t。You,treatedmeasthoughIhadnointerestinthematteratall,as,thoughIwasnotcapableofunderstandingit。Youdidnot,seemtocarewhetherIwasinterestedornot。Infact,you,forgotmealtogether。’’
  Clayexhibitednoevidenceofareprovingconscience。``Iam,sorryyouhadastupidtime,’’hesaid,gravely。
  ``Ididnotmeanthat,andyouknowIdidn’tmeanthat,’’the,girlanswered。``Iwantedtohearaboutitfromyou,becauseyou,didit。Iwasn’tinterestedsomuchinwhathadbeendone,asI
  wasinthemanwhohadaccomplishedit。’’
  Clayshruggedhisshouldersimpatiently,andlookedacrossat,MissLanghamwithatroubledsmile。
  ``Butthat’sjustwhatIdon’twant,’’hesaid。``Can’tyousee?
  TheseminesandothermineslikethemareallIhaveinthe,world。Theyaremyonlyexcuseforhavinglivedinitsolong。
  IwanttofeelthatI’vedonesomethingoutsideofmyself,and,whenyousaythatyoulikemepersonally,it’saslittle,satisfactiontomeasitmustbetoawomantobecongratulated,onherbeauty,oronherfinevoice。Thatisnothingshehas,doneherself。IshouldlikeyoutovaluewhatIhavedone,not,whatIhappentobe。’’
  MissLanghamturnedhereyestotheharbor,anditwassomeshort,timebeforesheanswered。
  ``Youareaverydifficultpersontoplease,’’shesaid,``andmostexacting。Asarulemenaresatisfiedtobelikedfor,anyreason。Iconfessfrankly,sinceyouinsistuponit,thatI
  donotrisetothepointofappreciatingyourworkastheothers,do。Isupposeitisafault,’’shecontinued,withanairthat,plainlysaidthatsheconsideredit,onthecontrary,something,ofavirtue。``AndifIknewmoreaboutittechnically,Imight,seemoreinittoadmire。ButIamlookingfartheronforbetter,thingsfromyou。Thefriendswhohelpusthemostarenotalways,thosewhoconsiderusperfect,arethey?’’sheasked,witha,kindlysmile。Sheraisedhereyestothegreatore-pierthat,stretchedoutacrossthewater,theoneuglyblotinthesceneof,naturalbeautyaboutthem。``Ithinkthatisallverywell,’’
  shesaid;``butIcertainlyexpectyoutodomorethanthat。I
  havemetmanyremarkablemeninallpartsoftheworld,andI
  knowwhatastrongmanis,andyouhaveoneofthestrongest,personalitiesIhaveknown。Butyoucan’tmeanthatyouare,contenttostopwiththis。Youshouldbesomethingbiggerand,morewide-reachingandmorelasting。Indeed,ithurtsmetosee,youwastingyourtimehereovermyfather’sinterests。You,shouldexertthatsameenergyonabroadermap。Youcouldmake,yourselfanythingyouchose。Athomeyouwouldbeyourparty’s,leaderinpolitics,oryoucouldbeagreatgeneral,ora,greatfinancier。IsaythisbecauseIknowtherearebetter,thingsinyou,andbecauseIwantyoutomakethemostofyour,talents。Iamanxioustoseeyouputyourpowerstosomething,worthwhile。’’
  MissLangham’svoicecarriedwithitsuchatoneofsincerity,thatshealmostsucceededindeceivingherself。Andyetshe,wouldhavehardlycaredtoexplainjustwhyshehadreproached,themanbeforeherafterthisfashion。Forsheknewthatwhen,shespokeasshehaddone,shewasbeatingabouttofindsome,reasonthatwouldjustifyherinnotcaringforhim,assheknew,shecouldcare——asshewouldnotallowherselftocare。Theman,athersidehadwonherinterestfromthefirst,andlaterhad,occupiedherthoughtssoentirely,thatittroubledherpeaceof,mind。Yetshewouldnotletherfeelingforhimwaxandgrow,stronger,butkeptitdown。Andshewastryingnowtopersuade,herselfthatshedidthisbecausetherewassomethinglackingin,himandnotinher。
  Shewasalmostangrywithhimforbeingsomuchtoherandfor,notbeingmoreacceptableinlittlethings,liketheothermen,sheknew。Soshefoundthisfaultwithhiminorderthatshe,mightjustifyherownlackoffeeling。
  ButClay,whoonlyheardthewordsandcouldnotgobackof,themtofindthemotive,couldnotknowthis。Hesatperfectly,stillwhenshehadfinishedandlookedsteadilyoutacrossthe,harbor。Hiseyesfellontheuglyore-pier,andhewincedand,utteredashortgrimlaugh。
  ``That’strue,whatyousay,’’hebegan,``Ihaven’tdonemuch。
  Youarequiteright。Only——’’helookedupathercuriouslyand,smiled——``onlyyoushouldnothavebeentheonetotellmeof,it。’’
  MissLanghamhadbeensofarcarriedawaybyherownpointof,viewthatshehadnotconsideredClay,andnowthatshesawwhat,mischiefshehaddone,shegaveaquickgaspofregret,and,leanedforwardasthoughtoaddsomeexplanationtowhatshehad,said。ButClaystoppedher。``Imeanbythat,’’hesaid,``that,thegreatpartoftheinspirationIhavehadtodowhatlittleI
  havedonecamefromyou。Youwereasortofpromiseofsomething,bettertome。Youweremoreofatypethananindividualwoman,butyourpicture,theoneIcarryinmywatch,meantallthat,partoflifethatIhaveneverknown,thesweetnessandthe,noblenessandgraceofcivilization,——somethingIhopedIwould,somedayhavetimetoenjoy。Soyousee,’’headded,withan,uncertainlaugh,``it’slesspleasanttohearthatIhavefailed,tomakethemostofmyselffromyouthanfromalmostanyone,else。’’
  ``But,Mr。Clay,’’protestedthegirl,anxiously,``Ithinkyou,havedonewonderfullywell。IonlysaidthatIwantedyoutodo,more。Youaresoyoungandyouhave——’’
  Claydidnothearher。Hewasleaningforwardlookingmoodily,outacrossthewater,withhisfoldedarmsclaspedacrosshis,knees。
  ``Ihavenotmadethemostofmyself,’’herepeated;``thatis,whatyousaid。’’,Hespokethewordsasthoughshehaddelivered,asentence。``Youdon’tthinkwellofwhatIhavedone,ofwhat,Iam。’’
  Hedrewinhisbreathandshookhisheadwithahopelesslaugh,andleanedbackagainsttherailingoftheboat-housewiththe,wearinessinhisattitudeofamanwhohasgivenupafteralong,struggle。
  ``No,’’hesaidwithabitterflippancyinhisvoice,``Idon’t,amounttomuch。But,myGod!’’helaughed,andturninghishead,away,``whenyouthinkwhatIwas!,Thisdoesn’tseemmuchto,you,anditdoesn’tseemmuchtomenowthatIhaveyourpointof,viewonit,butwhenIremember!’’,Claystoppedagainand,pressedhislipstogetherandshookhishead。Hishalf-closed,eyes,thatseemedtobelookingbackintohispast,lightedas,theyfellonKing’swhiteyacht,andheraisedhisarmand,pointedtoitwithawaveofthehand。``WhenIwassixteen,Iwasasailorbeforethemast,’’hesaid,``thesortofsailor,thatKing’screwouttherewouldn’trecognizeinthesame,profession。IwasofsolittleaccountthatI’vebeenknocked,thelengthofthemaindeckattheendofthemate’sfist,and,lefttoliebleedinginthescuppersfordead。Ihadn’tathing,tomynamethenbuttheclothesIwore,andI’vehadtogoaloft,inahurricaneandclingtoaswingingropewithmybaretoesand,pullatawetsheetuntilmyfinger-nailsbrokeandstartedin,theirsockets;andI’vebeenacowboy,withnocompanionsforsix,monthsoftheyearbuteightthousandheadofcattleandmenas,dumbanduntamedasthesteersthemselves。I’vesatinmysaddle,nightafternight,withnothingoverheadbutthestars,andno,soundbutthenoiseofthesteersbreathingintheirsleep。The,womenIknewwereIndiansquaws,andthegirlsofthesailors’
  dance-housesandthegambling-hellsofSiouxCityandAbilene,andCallaoandPortSaid。ThatwaswhatIwasandthosewere,mycompanions。``Why!’’helaughed,risingandstridingacross,theboat-housewithhishandslockedbehindhim,``I’vefoughton,themudfloorofaMexicanshack,withanakedknifeinmyhand,formylastdollar。Iwasaslowandasdesperateasthat。And,now——’’Clayliftedhisheadandsmiled。``Now,’’hesaid,inalowervoiceandaddressingMissLanghamwithareturnofhis,usualgravepoliteness,``Iamabletositbesideyouandtalkto,you。Ihaverisentothat。Iamquitecontent。’’
  HepausedandlookedatMissLanghamuncertainlyforafew,momentsasthoughindoubtastowhethershewouldunderstandhim,ifhecontinued。
  ``Andthoughitmeansnothingtoyou,’’hesaid,``andthoughas,yousayIamhereasyourfather’semployee,thereareother,places,perhaps,whereIambetterknown。InEdinburghorBerlin,orParis,ifyouweretoaskthepeopleofmyownprofession,theycouldtellyousomethingofme。IfIwishedit,Icould,dropthisactiveworktomorrowandcontinueasanadviser,asan,expert,butIliketheactivepartbetter。Ilikedoingthings,myself。Idon’tsay,`IamasalariedservantofMr。Langham’s;’
  Iputitdifferently。Isay,`Therearefivemountainsofiron。
  YouaretotakethemupandtransportthemfromSouthAmericato,NorthAmerica,wheretheywillbeturnedintorailroadsand,ironclads。’,That’smywayoflookingatit。It’sbettertobind,alaureltotheploughthantocallyourselfhardnames。It,makesyourworkeasier——almostnoble。Cannotyouseeitthat,way,too?’’
  BeforeMissLanghamcouldanswer,adeprecatorycoughfrom,onesideoftheopenboat-housestartledthem,andturningthey,sawMacWilliamscomingtowardthem。Theyhadbeensointentupon,whatClaywassayingthathehadapproachedthemoverthesoft,sandofthebeachwithouttheirknowingit。MissLangham,welcomedhisarrivalwithevidentpleasure。
  ``Thelaunchiswaitingforyouattheendofthepier,’’
  MacWilliamssaid。MissLanghamroseandthethreewalked,togetherdownthelengthofthewharf,MacWilliamsmovingbriskly,inadvanceinordertoenablethemtocontinuetheconversation,hehadinterrupted,buttheyfollowedclosebehindhim,asthough,neitherofthemweredesirousofsuchanopportunity。
  HopeandKinghadbothcomeforMissLangham,andwhilethe,latterwashelpinghertoaplaceonthecushions,andrepeating,hisregretsthatthemenwerenotcomingalso,Hopestartedthe,launch,withabriskringingofbellsandawhirlofthewheel,andasmileoverhershoulderatthefiguresonthewharf。
  ``Whydidn’tyougo?’’saidClay;``youhavenobusinessatthe,Custom-House。’’
  ``Neitherhaveyou,’’saidMacWilliams。``ButIguessweboth,understand。There’snogoodpushingyourlucktoofar。’’
  ``Whatdoyoumeanbythat——thistime?’’
  ``Why,whathavewetodowithallofthis?’’criedMacWilliams。
  ``It’swhatIkeeptellingyoueveryday。We’renotinthat,class,andyou’reonlymakingitharderforyourselfwhenthey’ve,gone。Icallitcrueltytoanimalsmyself,havingwomenlike,thataround。UpNorth,whereeverybody’swhite,youdon’tnotice,itsomuch,butdownhere——Lord!’’
  ``That’sabsurd,’’Clayanswered。``Whyshouldyouturnyour,backoncivilizationwhenitcomestoyou,justbecauseyou’re,notgoingbacktocivilizationbythenextsteamer?,Everyperson,youmeeteitherhelpsyouorhurtsyou。Thosegirlshelpus,eveniftheydomakethelifehereseembareandmean。’’
  ``Bareandmean!’’repeatedMacWilliamsincredulously。``Ithink,that’sjustwhattheydon’tdo。Ilikeitallthebetterbecause,they’remixedupinit。Inevertooksomuchinterestinyour,minesuntilshetooktoridingoverthem,andIdidn’tthink,greatshakesofmyoldore-road,either,butnowthatshe’sgot,toactingasengineer,it’ssortofnickel-platedthewhole,outfit。I’mgoingtonamethenewengineafterher——whenitgets,here——ifheroldmanwillletme。’’
  ``Whatdoyoumean?,MissLanghamhasn’tbeentotheminesbut,once,hasshe?’’
  ``MissLangham!’’exclaimedMacWilliams。``No,Imeantheother,MissHope。ShecomesoutwithTednearlyeverydaynow,and,she’slearninghowtorunalocomotive。Justforfun,you,know,’’headded,reassuringly。
  ``Ididn’tsupposeshehadanyintentionofjoiningthe,Brotherhood,’’saidClay。``Soshe’sbeenouteveryday,has,she?,Ilikethat,’’hecommented,enthusiastically。``She’sa,fine,sweetgirl。’’
  ``Fine,sweetgirl!’’growledMacWilliams。``Ishouldhopeso。
  She’sthebest。Theydon’tmakethemanybetterthanthat,and,justthink,ifshe’slikethatnow,whatwillshebewhenshe’s,grownup,whenshe’slearnedafewthings?,Nowhersister。You,canseejustwhathersisterwillbeatthirty,andatfifty,and,ateighty。She’sthoroughbredandshe’sthemostbeautifulwoman,tolookatIeversaw——but,myson——sheistoocareful。She,hasn’tanyillusions,andnosenseofhumor。Andawomanwithno,illusionsandnosenseofhumorisgoingtobemonotonous。You,can’tteachheranything。Youcan’timagineyourselftellingher,anythingshedoesn’tknow。Thethingswethinkimportantdon’t,reachheratall。They’renotinherline,andineverything,elsesheknowsmorethanwecouldeverguessat。ButthatMiss,Hope!,It’saprivilegetoshowherabout。Shewantstosee,everything,andlearneverything,andshegoespokingherhead,intoopeningsanddownshaftslikealittlefoxterrier。
  Andshe’llsitstillandlistenwithhereyeswideopenandtears,inthem,too,andshedoesn’tknowit——untilyoucan’ttalk,yourselfforjustlookingather。’’
  Clayroseandmovedontothehouseinsilence。Hewasgladthat,MacWilliamshadinterruptedhimwhenhedid。Hewonderedwhether,heunderstoodAliceLanghamafterall。Hehadseenmanyfine,ladiesbeforeduringhisbriefvisitstoLondon,andBerlin,and,Vienna,andtheyhadshownhimfavor。Hehadknownotherwomen,notsofine。Spanish-AmericansenoritasthroughCentraland,SouthAmerica,thewivesanddaughtersofEnglishmerchants,exiledalongthePacificcoast,whosefairskinandyellowhair,whitenedandbleachedunderthehottropicalsuns。Hehadknown,manywomen,andhecouldhavequoted,``Trialsandtroublesamany,Haveprovedme;
  Oneortwowomen,Godblessthem!
  Havelovedme。’’
  Butthewomanhewastomarrymusthaveallthethingshelacked。
  Shemustfilloutandcompletehimwherehewaswanting。This,womanpossessedallofthesethings。Sheappealedtoevery,ambitionandtoeverytastehecherished,andyetheknewthathe,hadhesitatedandmistrustedher,whenheshouldhave,declaredhimselfeagerlyandvehemently,andforcedhertolisten,withallthestrengthofhiswill。
  MissLanghamdroppedamongthesoftcushionsofthelaunchwitha,senseofhavingbeenrescuedfromherselfandofdelightin,findingrefugeagaininherownenvironment。ThesightofKing,standinginthebowbesideHopewithhiscigarettehangingfrom,hislips,andpeeringwithhalf-closedeyesintothefading,light,gaveherasenseofrestfulnessandcontent。Shedidnot,knowwhatshewishedfromthatotherstrangeyoungman。Hewas,sobold,sohandsome,andhelookedatlifeandspokeofitin,suchafresh,unhackneyedspirit。Hemightmakehimselfanything,hepleased。Butherewasamanwhoalreadyhadeverything,or,whocouldgetitaseasilyashecouldincreasethespeedofthe,launch,bypullingsomewirewithhisfinger。
  Sherecalledonedaywhentheywereallonboardofthissame,launch,andthemachineryhadbrokendown,andMacWilliamshad,goneforwardtolookatit。HehadcalledClaytohelphim,and,sherememberedhowtheyhadbothgonedownontheirkneesand,askedtheengineerandfiremantopassthemwrenchesandoil-
  cans,whileKingprotestedmildly,andtherestsat,helplesslyinthehotglareofthesea,astheboatroseand,fellonthewaves。SheresentedClay’sinterestintheaccident,andhispleasurewhenhehadmadethemachineryrightoncemore,andhisappearanceashecamebacktothemwithoilyhandsand,withhisfaceglowingfromtheheatofthefurnace,wipinghis,grimyfingersonapieceofpacking。Shehadresentedthe,equalitywithwhichhetreatedtheengineerinaskinghisadvice,anditrathersurprisedherthatthecrewsalutedhimwhenhe,steppedintothelaunchagainthatnightasthoughhewerethe,owner。Shehadexpectedthattheywouldpatronizehim,andshe,imaginedafterthisincidentthatshedetectedashadeof,differenceinthemannerofthesailorstowardClay,asthoughhe,hadcheapenedhimselftothem——ashehadtoher。
  VII
  Atteno’clockthatsameeveningClaybegantopreparehimself,fortheballattheGovernmentpalace,andMacWilliams,whowas,notinvited,watchedhimdresswithcriticalapprovalthatshowed,nosignofenvy。
  ThebettertodohonortothePresident,Clayhadbroughtout,severalforeignorders,andMacWilliamshelpedhimtotiearound,hisneckthecollaroftheRedEaglewhichtheGermanEmperorhad,givenhim,andtofastentheribbonandcrossoftheStarof,Olanchoacrosshisbreast,andaSpanishOrderandtheLegionof,Honortothelapelofhiscoat。MacWilliamssurveyedtheeffect,ofthetinyenamelledcrosseswithhisheadononeside,andwith,thesameairofaffectionateprideandconcernthatamother,showsoverherdaughter’sfirstball-dress。
  ``Gotanymore?’’heasked,anxiously。
  ``Ihavesomewarmedals,’’Clayanswered,smilingdoubtfully。
  ``ButI’mnotinuniform。’’
  ``Oh,that’sallright,’’declaredMacWilliams。``Put’emon,put’emallon。Givethegirlsatreat。Everybodywill,thinktheyweregivenforfeatsofswimming,anyway;butthey,willshowupwellfromthefront。Now,then,youlooklikea,drum-majororaconjuringchap。’’
  ``Idonot,’’saidClay。``IlooklikeaFrenchAmbassador,and,Ihardlyunderstandhowyoufindcouragetospeaktomeatall。’’
  Hewentupthehillinhighspirits,andfoundthecarriageat,thedoorandKing,Mr。Langham,andMissLanghamsittingwaiting,forhim。Theywerereadytodepart,andMissLanghamhadbut,justseatedherselfinthecarriagewhentheyheardhurrying,acrossthetiledflooraquick,lightstepandtherustleof,silk,andturningtheysawHopestandinginthedoorway,radiant,andsmiling。Sheworeawhitefrockthatreachedtotheground,andthatleftherarmsandshouldersbare。Herhairwasdressed,highuponherhead,andshewaspullingvigorouslyatapairof,long,tan-coloredgloves。Thetransformationwassocomplete,andthegirllookedsomucholderandsostatelyandbeautiful,thatthetwoyoungmenstaredatherinsilentadmirationand,astonishment。
  ``Why,Hope!’’exclaimedhersister。``Whatdoesthismean?’’
  Hopestoppedinsomealarm,andclaspedherhairwithbothhands。
  ``Whatisit?’’sheasked;``isanythingwrong?’’
  ``Why,mydearchild,’’saidhersister,``you’renotthinkingof,goingwithus,areyou?’’
  ``Notgoing?’’echoedtheyoungersister,indismay。``Why,Alice,whynot?Iwasasked。’’
  ``But,Hope——Father,’’saidtheeldersister,steppingoutof,thecarriageandturningtoMr。Langham,``youdidn’tintendthat,Hopeshouldgo,didyou?,She’snotoutyet。’’
  ``Oh,nonsense,’’saidHope,defiantly。Butshedrewinher,breathquicklyandblushed,asshesawthetwoyoungmenmoving,awayoutofhearingofthisfamilycrisis。Shefeltthatshewas,beingmadetolooklikeaspoiledchild。``Itdoesn’tcountdown,here,’’shesaid,``andIwanttogo。IthoughtyouknewIwas,goingallthetime。Mariemadethisfrockformeonpurpose。’’
  ``Idon’tthinkHopeisoldenough,’’theeldersistersaid,addressingherfather,``andifshegoestodanceshere,there’s,noreasonwhysheshouldnotgotothoseathome。’’
  ``ButIdon’twanttogotodancesathome,’’interruptedHope。
  Mr。Langhamlookedexceedinglyuncomfortable,andturned,apppealinglytohiselderdaughter。``Whatdoyouthink,Alice?’’hesaid,doubtfully。
  ``I’msorry,’’MissLanghamreplied,``butIknowitwould,notbeatallproper。Ihatetoseemhorridaboutit,Hope,but,indeedyouaretooyoung,andthemenherearenotthemena,younggirloughttomeet。’’
  ``Youmeetthem,Alice,’’saidHope,butpullingoffhergloves,intokenofdefeat。
  ``But,mydearchild,I’mfiftyyearsolderthanyouare。’’
  ``PerhapsAliceknowsbest,Hope,’’Mr。Langhamsaid。``I’m,sorryifyouaredisappointed。’’
  Hopeheldherheadalittlehigher,andturnedtowardthedoor。
  ``Idon’tmindifyoudon’twishit,father,’’shesaid。``Good-
  night。’’,Shemovedaway,butapparentlythoughtbetterofit,andcamebackandstoodsmilingandnoddingtothemasthey,seatedthemselvesinthecarriage。Mr。Langhamleanedforward,andsaid,inatroubledvoice,``Wewilltellyouallaboutitin,themorning。I’mverysorry。Youwon’tbelonely,willyou?
  I’llstaywithyouifyouwish。’’
  ``Nonsense!’’laughedHope。``Why,it’sgiventoyou,father;
  don’tbotheraboutme。I’llreadsomethingorotherandgoto,bed。’’
  ``Good-night,Cinderella,’’Kingcalledouttoher。
  ``Good-night,PrinceCharming,’’Hopeanswered。
  BothClayandKingfeltthatthegirlwouldnotmindmissingthe,ballsomuchasshewouldthefactofhavingbeentreatedlikea,childintheirpresence,sotheyrefrainedfromanyexpressionof,sympathyorregret,butraisedtheirhatsandbowedalittlemore,impressivelythanusualasthecarriagedroveaway。
  ThepictureHopemade,asshestooddesertedandforlornonthe,stepsoftheemptyhouseinhernewfinery,struckClayas,unnecessarilypathetic。Hefeltastrongsenseofresentment,againsthersisterandherfather,andthankedheavendevoutly,thathewasoutoftheirclass,andwhenMissLanghamcontinued,toexpresshersorrowthatshehadbeenforcedtoactasshehad,done,heremainedsilent。ItseemedtoClaysuchasimplething,togivechildrenpleasure,andtorememberthattheirwoeswere,alwaysoutofallproportiontothecause。Children,dumb,animals,andblindpeoplewerealwaysgroupedtogetherinhis,mindasobjectsdemandingthemosttenderandconstant,consideration。Sothepleasureoftheeveningwasspoiledfor,himwhileherememberedthehurtanddisappointedlookinHope’s,face,andwhenMissLanghamaskedhimwhyhewassopreoccupied,hetoldherbluntlythathethoughtshehadbeenveryunkindto,Hope,andthatherobjectionswereabsurd。
  MissLanghamheldherselfalittlemorestiffly。``Perhapsyou,donotquiteunderstand,Mr。Clay,’’shesaid。``Someofushave,toconformtocertainrulesthatthepeoplewithwhomwebest,liketoassociatehavelaiddownforthemselves。Ifwechooseto,beconventional,itisprobablybecausewefinditmakeslife,easierforthegreaternumber。Youcannotthinkitwasa,pleasanttaskforme。ButIhavegivenupthingsofmuchmore,importancethanadanceforthesakeofappearances,andHope,herselfwillseeto-morrowthatIactedforthebest。’’
  Claysaidhetrustedso,butdoubtedit,andbywayofre-
  establishinghimselfinMissLangham’sgoodfavor,askedherif,shecouldgivehimthenextdance。ButMissLanghamwasnotto,bepropitiated。
  ``I’msorry,’’shesaid,``butIbelieveIamengageduntil,supper-time。Comeandaskmethen,andI’llhaveonesavedfor,you。Butthereissomethingyoucando,’’sheadded。``Ileft,myfaninthecarriage——doyouthinkyoucouldmanagetogetit,formewithoutmuchtrouble?’’
  ``Thecarriagedidnotwait。Ibelieveitwassentback,’’said,Clay,``butIcanborrowahorsefromoneofStuart’smen,and,ridebackandgetitforyou,ifyoulike。’’
  ``Howabsurd!’’laughedMissLangham,butshelookedpleased,notwithstanding。
  ``Oh,notatall,’’Clayanswered。Hewassmilingdownatherin,someamusement,andwasapparentlymuchentertainedathisidea。
  ``Willyouconsideritanactofdevotion?’’heasked。
  Therewassolittleofdevotion,andsomuchmoreofmischiefin,hiseyes,thatMissLanghamguessedhewasonlylaughingather,andshookherhead。
  ``Youwon’tgo,’’shesaid,turningaway。Shefollowedhimwith,hereyes,however,ashecrossedtheroom,hisheadandshoulders,toweringabovethenativemenandwomen。Shehadneverseenhim,soresplendent,andshenoted,withaneyethatconsidered,trifles,theorders,andhiswell-fittingwhitegloves,andhis,mannerofbowingintheContinentalfashion,holdinghisopera-
  hatonhisthigh,asthoughhishandrestedonasword。She,noticedthatthelittleOlanchoansstoppedandlookedafterhim,ashepushedhiswayamongthem,andshecouldseethatthemen,weretellingthewomenwhohewas。SirJulianPindar,theold,BritishMinister,stoppedhim,andshewatchedthemasthey,laughedtogetherovertheEnglishwarmedalsontheAmerican’s,breast,whichSirJuliantouchedwithhisfinger。Hecalledthe,FrenchMinisterandhisprettywifetolook,too,andthey,alllaughedandtalkedtogetheringreatspirits,andMiss,LanghamwonderedifClaywasspeakinginFrenchtothem。
  MissLanghamdidnotenjoytheball;shefeltinjuredand,aggrieved,andsheassuredherselfthatshehadbeenhardlyused。
  Shehadonlydoneherduty,andyetallthesympathyhadgoneto,hersister,whohadplacedherinatryingposition。Shethought,itwasmostinconsiderate。
  Hopewalkedslowlyacrosstheverandawhentheothershadgone,andwatchedthecarriageaslongasitremainedinsight。Then,shethrewherselfintoabigarm-chair,andlookeddownuponher,prettyfrockandhernewdancing-slippers。She,too,feltbadly,used。