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myself. My future and happiness are Nell's to make. No one else shall count
with me."
"Then, Dick--you may have her. God--bless--you--both."
Mrs. Belding's strained face underwent a swift and mobile relaxation, and
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suddenly she was weeping in strangely mingled
happiness and bitterness.
"Why, mother!" Gale could say no more. He did not comprehend a mood
seemingly so utterly at variance with Mrs. Belding's habitual temperament.
But he put his arm around her. In another moment she had gained command over
herself, and, kissing him, she pushed him out of the door.
"There! Go tell her, Dick...And have some spunk about it!"
Gale went thoughtfully back to his room. He vowed that he would answer for
Nell's happiness, if he had the wonderful good fortune to win her. Then
remembering the hope Mrs. Belding had given him, Dick lost his gravity in a
flash, and something began to dance and ring within him. He simply could not
keep his steps turned from the patio. Every path led there. His blood was
throbbing, his hopes mounting, his spirit soaring. He knew he had never
before entered the patio with that inspirited presence.
"Now for some spunk!" he said, under his breath.
Plainly he meant his merry whistle and his buoyant step to interrupt this
first languorous stage of the siesta which the girls always took during the
hot hours. Nell had acquired the habit long before Mercedes came to show how
fixed a thing it was in the life of the tropics. But neither girl heard him.
Mercedes lay under the palo verde, her beautiful head dark and still upon a
cushion. Nell was asleep in the hammock. There was an abandonment in her
deep repose, and a faint smile upon her face. Her sweet, red lips, with the
soft, perfect curve, had always fascinated Dick, and now drew him
irresistibly. He had always been consumed with a desire to kiss her, and now
he was overwhelmed with his opportunity.
It would be a terrible thing to do, but if she did not awaken at once-- No,
he would fight the temptation. That would be more than spunk. It would--
Suddenly an ugly green fly sailed low over Nell, appeared about to alight on
her. Noiselessly Dick stepped close to the hammock bent under the tree, and
with a sweep of his hand chased the intruding fly away. But he found himself
powerless to straighten up. He was close to her--bending over her face--near
the sweet lips. The insolent, dreaming smile just parted them. Then he
thought he was lost. But she stirred--he feared she would awaken.
He had stepped back erect when she opened her eyes. They were sleepy, yet
surprised until she saw him. Then she was wide awake in a second, bewildered,
uncertain.
"Why--you here?" she asked, slowly.
"Large as life!" replied Dick, with unusual gayety.
"How long have you been here?"
"Just got here this fraction of a second," he replied, lying shamelessly.
It was evident that she did not know whether or not to believe him, and as she
studied him a slow blush dyed her cheek.
"You are absolutely truthful when you say you just stepped there?"
"Why, of course," answered Dick, right glad he did not have to lie about that.
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"I thought--I was--dreaming," she said, and evidently the sound of her voice
reassured her.
"Yes, you looked as if you were having pleasant dreams," replied
Dick. "So sorry to wake you. I can't see how I came to do it, I
was so quiet. Mercedes didn't wake. Well, I'll go and let you have your
siesta and dreams."
But he did not move to go. Nell regarded him with curious, speculative eyes.
"Isn't it a lovely day?" queried Dick.
"I think it's hot."
"Only ninety in the shade. And you've told me the mercury goes to one hundred
and thirty in midsummer. This is just a glorious golden day."
"Yesterday was finer, but you didn't notice it."
"Oh, yesterday was somewhere back in the past--the inconsequential past."
Nell's sleepy blue eyes opened a little wider. She did not know what to make
of this changed young man. Dick felt gleeful and tried hard to keep the fact
from becoming manifest.
"What's the inconsequential past? You seem remarkably happy to-day."
"I certainly am happy. Adios. Pleasant dreams."
Dick turned away then and left the patio by the opening into the yard. Nell
was really sleepy, and when she had fallen asleep again he would return. He
walked around for a while. Belding and the rangers were shoeing a broncho.
Yaqui was in the field with the horses. Blanco Sol grazed contently, and now
and then lifted his head to watch. His long ears went up at sight of his
master, and he whistled. Presently Dick, as if magnet-drawn, retraced his
steps to the patio and entered noiselessly.
Nell was now deep in her siesta. She was inert, relaxed, untroubled by
dreams. Her hair was damp on her brow.
Again Nell stirred, and gradually awakened. Her eyes unclosed, humid,
shadowy, unconscious. They rested upon Dick for a moment before they became
clear and comprehensive. He stood back fully ten feet from her, and to all
outside appearances regarded her calmly.
"I've interrupted your siesta again," he said. "Please forgive me.
I'll take myself off."
He wandered away, and when it became impossible for him to stay away any
longer he returned to the patio.
The instant his glance rested upon Nell's face he divined she was feigning [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]