CHAPTER XIII.
TWO KINDS OF SORROW.
But as June wore away, one day when Jack visited the office of hisstep-father, he found Stetson there, and was informed by him that someevil-disposed persons were 'bearing' the stock of the Wedge of GoldCompany, which was most unfortunate, as it interfered with thearrangements in progress for building the mill.
Browning did not know enough about stocks to see through the deception,but bluntly asked what could be done to stop the injury. "The true way,"said Stetson, "would be to go on the market and take all the stockoffered until the bear movement should be broken."
Browning had heard about Captain Kelly "bearing" the bonanza stocks, andhow the bonanza firm had taken all he offered, so he said: "Why do younot go out and put a stopper on the beggars?" Stetson explained that hehad not the money. "Why, we can fix that," said Jack. So he wrote a noteto the ---- Bank to honor the orders of Jenvie & Hamlin until furtherinstructions, turned the check over to Hamlin and told him to manage it.The days went by. There was an excursion of the young people to Wales,and another to Scotland, and besides Jack had gone down to Devonshire,bonded the place he liked, paid L1,000 down, and was to meet theremainder of the obligation--L9,000--when the titles were all looked upand transferred to him. Meanwhile, June and the better part of July weregone when one morning Jack went to the bank and drew a check for a fewpounds which he needed for spending money. The cashier as he paid thecheck, informed Browning that the directors would be glad to see him inthe private office of the bank. A messenger showed him the way, and hewas there informed that the house of Jenvie & Hamlin had been drawing soheavily upon his order that only some L12,000 remained to his credit. Thenews was a paralyzer, but Jack was a game man and said: "That is allright," talked pleasantly for a few minutes, then withdrew, and goingdirectly to his step-father's office, demanded an explanation.
The old men informed him that they had tried to hold up the stock of the"Wedge of Gold," but their efforts had proved of no use. The shares hadrun down to almost nothing. They had even used the reserve fund intendedfor the building of the mill, and it looked, they said, as though theycould never realize enough to get even.
"Has the stock recently bought been placed to my credit?" asked Jack. Hewas told that it had been. "And how much is it?" he demanded. Theyinformed him that it amounted to 83,000 shares, which, with the 50,000shares first bought by him, gave him 133,000 shares, or the entire stockexcept 17,000 shares.
Jack was lost in thought a few minutes, then said: "I want all the papersexcept the 17,000 shares, and I want with them your own and Stetson'sresignation as officers of the company."
The papers were given him, and taking the bundle he carried it to his ownbank and deposited it, then went home.
He repaired directly to Jim's apartment, found him, and said: "Jim, myheart is broken. You have stood by me so far, help me now to arrangethings so that I can say good-bye to Rose"--here he broke down andsobbed--"and then go back to America."
"Why, old friend," said Sedgwick, "if you and Rose are all right, whatcan so upset you?"
"Why, bless my soul, Jim, I'm ruined; my fortune is nearly all gone," heanswered.
Then Sedgwick drew from him all the dismal story.
When he had finished, Sedgwick said: "Get me that prospectus, Jack: Iwant to see it before I make up my mind." Jack complied, and Sedgwickread it carefully through. The statement of the mine, the descriptionof its development, and of the value of the ore, had been prepared by anexpert so eminent that he could not afford to sell his name to bolster upa fraud.
When Sedgwick had finished reading he sat in thought for a few minutes,and then said: "Jack, go and find the man from whom this property waspurchased, get all the facts that you can, even if you have to get himdrunk; then come to me to-morrow, and by that time we will thinksomething out. By the way, first run over to Rose, tell her you have beencalled away on business and may not be home until late, so that she willnot expect you."
Jack left his friend and met Rose in the hall. She had just come in tovisit Grace. He caught her up as men sometimes do children, kissed herand said gaily: "Don't look for me to-night, sweetheart. I'm going to beengaged until late."
She twined both her arms around one of his arms and said teasingly: "Arenot you and I engaged, and is not ours a prior engagement?"
"O, yes," he said, "but this other engagement is with a man."
"So is mine," she said.
"And sometimes I think he is not much of a man, either," said Jack.
"Don't you dare to slander him," said Rose. "I know him better than heknows himself, and I will not permit one word to be breathed againsthim."
"He ought to be most proud of so lovely a champion. He must be the mostblessed man of all the earth," said Jack, looking fondly down upon her.Then he added: "Are you very sure that nothing could ever come betweenhis love and you?"
"Why, Jack, how serious you are," the fair girl said. "Nothing, nothing,can ever come to break my admiration for him. Death itself can butsuspend life for a little while. My Jack and myself will be loving eachother when this world shall be worn out and be floating in space, as doesa dead swan upon a lake."
Browning bent and kissed her again, said softly"Amen," and went out.
The day wore away, and when dinner was announced, Browning had notreturned. Sedgwick went with Grace to the sitting room and remainedfor a few minutes. Grace chided him upon being moody, and with all hercaressing ways tried to exorcise the evil spirit that was upon him, butwith poor success. Finally he asked her to excuse him, telling her he wasabsorbed in a little matter not strictly his own, which he would tell herall about after awhile.
She listened, and when he had finished, she put her arms around his neck,and said:
"You see when confidence is withheld from me, I become violently angry,and punish the culprit by going away." Then she kissed him, arose, backedto the door, reached behind her, opened it, passed out, then kissing herhand to him, closed the door.
Sedgwick went out, and at once repaired to the hotel where Jordan stoppedwhen in the city. He had been out of town following some whim, andSedgwick had not seen him since Derby Day.
Reaching the hotel, he learned that Jordan had returned, and soon foundhim.
Jordan met him joyfully, explained why he had been away, that he wasthinking all the way home from the Derby that if he remained he might bea burden to Sedgwick and his new friends; that the best thing to do wasto take no chances, and so he had been making the tour of Ireland.
Of that country he had much to say. "Yo' oughter go thar, Jim," he said."Thar's a people wot ken look poverty in ther face 'nd laff it ter scorn;whar three squar meals a day ken be made on hope; whar wit grows on therbushes; whar ther air ez filled with songs 'nd full hearts fill thervacancy made by empty stomachs. It's ther most pathetic spot on earth,Jim. A race lives ther filled with energy and hope, a race as is generousand brave, 'nd warm-hearted, holdin' within 'em vitality enough ter founda dozen empires, but chained by poverty 'nd superstition, 'nd hate of thebruiser on this side of ther channel; nussin' impossible dreams 'ev anationality which ther kentry couldn't support ef once obtained; proud ezLucifer of a past which hez little in it 'cept wrong 'nd tyranny 'ndsufferin'; all ther exertions confined in a narrer groove, all ther workof no avail because uv indirection; clingin' ter homes which keeps 'emhelpless 'nd only accomplishin' somethin' when transplanted to otherfields, 'nd then carryin' on ther world's work, fiten' ther world'sbattles, sailin' ther world's ships, workin' ther world's mines, subduen'ther world's wildernesses, runnin' ther world's primaries, 'nd bein' therworld's perlicemen. I tell yo', Jim, it war pitiful.
"When I told 'em I war an American, they opened ther arms ter me teronce, 'nd took me in. What questions they asked! And when I told 'emabout ther broad acres in Texas, how they cud go thar and each in a fewmonths or years own his own farm half a mile squar, how ther eyes flashed'nd ther faces glowed! It teched my heart, Jim, ter see 'em, 'nd made aold fool uv
me in one place, shore.
"I stopped in a house one night whar ther war ther old man 'nd woman, agrown-up son 'nd a girl who war, maybe, eighteen year old. Thet girl,Jim, war fine. Blue eyes 'nd har that war the color which ware 'twixt abrown and a flaxen, with er blush rose shadin'; a clear-cut face likethat of a Greek stater; dainty form 'nd limbs; the roundest arms yo' everseen 'nd a hand like Aferdites. I noticed, too--axidentally in course,that ther thick brogans on her feet were little 'nd shapely ef ther warthick brogans. But, finest of all war her complexion. Ther warm air asblows over the Gulf Stream are good ter all complexions in Ireland, butit had done extra fur thet girl. It war perfect.
"Then, over all, she hed a proud, shy, dainty way 'bout her which warexquisite.
"We had a jolly evenin' together. I told 'em 'bout America; they told meall 'bout Ireland from ther time of ther Irish kings. They fired jokes ateach other that would sell for forty dollars apiece in Texas, and theywar ez thick ez though jokes growed on trees.
"At last ther boy wanted his sister to sing, but she got rosy red, 'ndtold him ter be quiet. I told her ef she'd sing I'd make her a present,'nd finally she giv in. Her brother played ther flute, 'nd she sung'Tara's Harp,' not scientific, but jest nateral 'nd sweet as iver abobolink sang.
"When she finished I gin her a new guinea. She didn't want ter take it,but I flung it inter her lap, 'nd then it war passed from hand ter handez a curiosity. Ther mother war last. She looked it over and then sed:'It's a beauty, shore, 'nd now, Nora, give it back ter ther gentleman.' Ised: 'I don't want it. I want Nora ter have it.'
"'Shore nuff?' sed ther mother.
"'Shore,' sed I.
"'Then, Nora,' sed ther mother, 'kiss the gentleman for the gift.' Wouldyer believe it, Jim, thet shy girl come and put her arms around my neckand kissed me.
"Blast me, but it took me back, but I rallied 'nd said:
"'Nora, I'd give another guinea for another kiss like thet,' 'nd then shecome back agin a-sayin': 'Yo ken hev another without any mo' guinea,' 'ndkissed me agin, 'nd ther whole family laffed.
"Next mornin' when I come outer my room I found Nora alone. Ther fatherand brother hed gone ter ther field, and ther mother war cookin' mybreakfast.
"Nora greeted me cordial like, 'nd I sed: 'Nora, ef I war young agin I'dcamp right here 'nd make love ter yo'.'
"'Out wid yer,' she answered. 'It's a cousin I hev in America, 'nd shewrites me how foine the land war, but says ivery American is a mortalliar when he talks ter ther girls.'
"'The cousin slanders us,' said I.
"'She does not,' said Nora.
"'And how can I prove it?' said I.
"'Yez might make love ter me,' she said
"'I'm too old, Nora,' I answered.
"'Couldn't yez wait and let me tell yez thet?' she asked.
"'I'd rether own it then ter hev yo' tell me,' I answered.
"'O, it's makin' fun of me yez are,' said she. 'I know how far away yezare from the loikes of me and will forgit me to-morry, but I'm glad yezcome, for it gave me a breath of the joy of the great world outside. Herehearts be breaking continually, for our lives are narrowed down to a merefight for food. It's jist slavery from the cradle ter ther grave, andslavery over which there shines no star of hope.'
"Jest then ther mother called us to breakfast. After breakfast I went termy room and put ten L10 notes in a envelope, wrote a line thet it war totake the whole family ter America; told 'em ter go ter Texas, and findthe old neighbors, given' 'em a lot 'o names; told 'em not ter stay aminit in ther cities; then went out and handin' Nora the letter ez I bidher good-bye, told her it war a real love letter, shore nuff, which shemust not read till I war out o' sight; thet she might give me ther answerwhen I cum back, and then I started straight for England.
"I kep thinkin' all thet day, it war sich a girl as thet who after awhilebecome the mother of Pat Cleburne or may be Phil Sheridan."
A moment later he looked up and said:
"But I wanted ter see yo', Jim, to tell yo' all the boys remember yo',and all allow yo' were the dol-durndest tenderfoot thet ever crossed ahoss or fired a rope or a gun."
"Where can we find a quiet place, Jordan?" Sedgwick asked.
"I know a boss ranch," said Jordan, "whar we can have a private room andtalk all we wanter, only a few steps away."
They found it a drinking house with private rooms in the rear.
When seated there, Sedgwick soon learned that Jordan had sold everythingin Texas--stock and land--and had converted all into money in bank--some$35,000--and was, to use his own words, "makin' a tower."
"But how came yo' here, Jim?" asked Jordan.
Then Sedgwick told him of his life since the day he left Texas; how heformed a friendship for Browning; how the deal in stocks originated, andhow it resulted.
The Texan went into raptures. "Yo' don't tell me?" he said: "Half amilliun! dod rot it, but thet's good; thet's immense! how it wouldtickle ther boys out thar to know it! And yo' give the ole man a cool$100,000? What did they think of yo' then? Har, waiter, give us a quartof y'r--whatyer call it? O, yes, Widder Clicko (Cliquot); durned ifwe don't sellerbrate."
They drank their wine, lighted their cigars, and settled down for a talk.
All the old times in Texas had been discussed when Sedgwick said:"Jordan, I thought you were prosperous and happy, and much loved by allwho knew you in Texas. What possessed you to sell out and leave?"
"I war prosperous," said Jordan, "doin' fust-class; war contented, and Idon't believe I hed a enemy in the hull State.
"I hed ther ranch, ther cattle, ther mustangs; didn't owe a dollar, andhed money in ther bank. I hed been doin' right pert, and the property wara-raisin' every day. Do yo' know the blamed igiots was a-talkin' o'sendin' me to ther Legislature. But after awhile something happened. Alot o' ther boys cum in one day and said: 'Jordan, it's a blasted shamethe way the childer is growin' up yere. We orter 'av a school.' 'Allright,' says I, 'school goes.' So they agreed ter build a school houseand ter hire a teacher for six months. I flung in more'n my shere, andthen ther question was whar to build ther school house. I spoke up andI says: 'Why not put it down in the angle of my best section?' Yo' knowwhar ther section lines cross thar. It leaves a corner in ther fieldwhich is a sharp pint in ther road, and broadens as it runs back. 'Well,'they said, 'but whar'll the teacher board?'
"Well, yo' know it's only six hundred yards up ter my place; so I says:'I han't chick or child, but I'm bound ter stay by ther school; send therteacher up yere. He can do chores enough for his board, if he is techy atall on that pint.'
"The school house went up in short order, and one of the Kinsley boyscame by on a Saturday, and he says, says he: 'Jordan, ther school'll beopen Monday mornin,' and the teacher'll be down for supper on Mondaynight.' 'Send him 'long,' says I. I thought he gin a queer kind o' aigiotic laugh, but he said, 'All right,' and rid along. I went inthrough ther kitchen and told Aunt Sue--yo' remember our old unbleachedcook--that ther school master war a-comin' to board on Monday night, andshe must spread herself.
"Her nose went up inter ther air, and she said: 'H'm, guess what we getsevery day's good 'nuff for one o' doze poor white trash teachurs.'
"Well, 'long 'bout five o'clock Monday evenin' I war readin' ther paper,when I hearn a knock at ther door, and same time I hearn Bolus--thet'sthe big collie, yo' remember--kinder whinin' as though he war glad,and bangin the door with his tail. I thought maybe some of ther boys iscum back; maybe it's Jim Sedgwick, and I gets up and goes and throws therdoor open, and was jest openin' my mouth to say 'Hello!' when I gotparalyzed.
"Thar war standin thar a little woman in a black frock thet fitted herlike a prayer on a nun's lips. She had on a white collar, and when shelooked up at me yo' never seen sich a majestical pair o' eyes, and I saidter myself, 'Blast my broad horns, but I never seen so takin' a face inall my life.'
"Jest pale sorter, barrin' a little flush that creeped up over her face,as yo' might expect would cum ter thet stater--whatyer call it in th
erplay?--Gal--, O, yes, Galerteer, thet's it--when weakenen' to thetfeller's pleadin', she shakes ther stone and begins ter warm up ter hisprayer. She had sorrerful eyes ter look inter, 'cept when she smiled, andthen, Jim, hed yer seen thet smile once you'd never sarched fur no morebernanzers.
"Her nose was straight ez a blood hoss's fore-arm, teeth perfect, andwhite as ther starlight; her har war between yaller and tawny, and lotsof it. Jest then ther sun shone agin it, and my thot war, 'A smoked topazez big ez a dinner bucket war fused and then spun inter threads ter makethet har.'
"And when she looked up and said, inquirin' like, 'Mr. Jordan?' her voicewar sweeter'n yo' ever hearn a turtle dove when callin' her mate terbreakfast.
"'Thet's me,' sez I.
"She held out her hand thet war soft an' white an' shapely, an' warm, andsed:
"'I am Mrs. Margaret Hazleton, ther teacher in ther school, and I wasdirected here.'
"I thot I should o' drop through ther floo', but I braced up--waiter,another bottle--ez I war sayin', I braced up and said, 'Bless me, madam,I war expectin' ther teacher'd be a man; but walk right in, we'll do therbest we ken for yer.'
"I called Aunt Sue, and told her to show ther lady whar ter dump herfixins,' and der yo' believe it, thet dog Bolus, thet war generallymighty questionin' 'bout strangers, set down 'nd thumped ther floo' likehe war tickled ter death.
"Aunt Sue had cooked prairie chickens, pertaters, hed made hot bread 'ncoffee, 'n fried bernanners, and opened can fruit, and brot out therhoney 'nd two kinds o' pickles, an' ther supper war fine.
"Ther little woman praised it, gentle like, jest enough an' not o'erdoin'it, till Aunt Sue's face war bigger'n a full mune, and filled withsatisfaction ter ther very corners.
"All ther time ther lady kep talkin' 'bout Texas, askin' questions, 'boutther sile, ther climate, and ther productions, and in course I talked anddid my best a-entertainin' o' her till nine o'clock, when she got up andsed she'd bid me good-night.
"Aunt Sue give her the best room, in course--thet one beyond ther parlor.Yo' know I hed it furnished up kinder gorgus with a carpet fromShreveport, and spring bed and wash-stand and picters from Galveston,and I felt more satisfaction thinkin' mout be she'd be comfortable, thanI ever hed before since I'd fixed it up.
"When she war gone, I sed: 'Boys, but we is in fur it,' but Aunt Suespoke up, and says she: 'Der am white folks and white folks; but disone's a born lady, sho.'
"And the cowboys said, 'Shore,' and I was shore myself.
"She war up and out d'rectly in the mornin', fixed her own lunchen,talked clever a few words to Aunt Sue, petted ther dog a little, andasked him questions as though he'd been a kid; stopped on the way out tertie up a rose bush, 'nd so she came and went ev'ry day, and though Ididn't realize it then, ther house war brighter when she war ther, anddarker when she war gone.
"Once Aunt Sue hed fever from Friday ter Sunday night, and without anyfuss thet thar woman did the cookin', and doctored Sue as tho' cookin''nd doctorin' war her regular perfession.
"We found out after a little thet she war a widder, husband dead twoyear.
"After 'bout a week Aunt Sue says ter me one day: 'Mr. Jordan, yo' jestcum har!' I followed her ter the woman's room. Der yer believe it, she'ddowned all ther flash picters that ther impenitent thief at Galvestonhed coaxed me inter buyin', and in place hed hung up some smallengravins, not gaudy-like, but jest catchin'; hed taken' off all thesassy trimmin's from ther curtains, and the hull room war changed,just ez tho' er benediction had been pernounced thar. It war all kindertoned down, ez tho' a woman hed slipped a gray ulster over a red frock.
"It made me feel kinder cheap like, and I sed ter myself, says I: 'Thet'sgood taste!' I knowed it in er minit, tho' I'd never seen it afore.
"Next Sunday in church we found out she could sing, and after thet shesung for us o' nites, playing a gitaw same time. Then arter awhile shegot ter readin' ter us. Yo' remember how yo' read, Jim? Well, yer readin'war like a grand organ, hern were like ther blendin' o' flutes and harps.
"Well, ther weeks went by, and sech a feelin' cum over me ez I'd never'sperienced afore. I thot first 'twar hay fever comin' on. I couldn'teat, couldn't sleep. I war restless when thet woman war gone. I warskeery like when she war round; and war given to havin' little hot spellsand then chills, and I said, 'I know it's ther blasted malarier.'
"So I took k'neen and juniper tea, and fancied I hed night sweats--jestthe cussedest time, Jim, thet yo' ever seen.
"One day when I war a-sittin' in ther house and a-mopin', Aunt Sue cum inand looked hard at me, and says she: 'Mr. Jordan, does yo' know what'sder matter wid ye?'
"I told her I didn't; thet I'd give a band o' cattle ter find out.
"'Laws,' says she, 'I'd tell cheaper'n dat, only yo'd think I is sassy.'
"I said: 'Aunty, yo' goahead. If yo's sassy, I's too sick to care.'
"'Why, bless yo' soul, honey,' says she, 'yo's jest ded in lub wid theschoolma'm, Mrs. Margaret. I noze. I's been dar myself.'
"'O, git out,' says I.
"She went out laffin', but at ther door she stopped a second and says:
"'Dat's it, sho, Mr. Jordan,' and after ther door closed I hearn herha-hain'.
"Then I did some thinkin' for the next half hour, and I said ter myself,'It's thet, sho nuff.'
"The school term war ter close next day, and ther teacher had made her'rangements ter leave right away for her home up No'th--Ierway, Ib'lieve. The contract war for $100 er month, but when we met ter fix upther money I told ther trustees that some o' ther neighbors hed been thetpleased with ther school thet they had put up a little extry puss o'money, enough ter pay ther teacher's board and give her $150 extry. Itwar a bald-headed pervarication, Jim, but I thot it jestifiable under thesarcumstances, inasmuch as I put up ther hull money myself.
"I war fur gone. She closed ther school next evenin'; cum up ter therhouse; wus goin' ter remain till the train cum by fur ther No'th at 11:15next day. We hed supper and breakfast as usual. After breakfast ther boysall went off ter ther wo'k, and Aunt Sue went ter a neighbor's to borrersome bakin' powder. I was sittin' on ther verandy when the schoolma'mcum out, and walkin' close up, says she: 'Mr. Jordan'--waiter, bring mea brandy smash--'Mr. Jordan,' says she, 'I want to thank you for allyour gentle and generous kindness to me. Except for your thoughtfulconsideration I should have had a much harder time here. I thank youwith all my heart.'"
Sedgwick noticed that he had repeated the exact words without a mistakein pronunciation. They had evidently been burned into his very soul.
He drank the brandy, and then with a husky voice went on:
"'Yo' break me all up, Mrs. Hazelton,' says I. 'We is such rough folksdown har. Yo' have been er providence ter ther place.'
"She blushed a little at that, and said: 'You are too kind.'
"'Not a blamed bit,' says I, and then realizin' it war my only chance, Iblurted out: 'I'll be mighty sorrerful when yo' is gone. I don't know howothers as knows how does it, but I want ter tell yer thet because of yerthe flowers is brighter, the birds sing sweeter, the sunshine is clearer,the sky more smilin', and I cud get down and crawl on the ground yo' haswalked over, that bad do I worship yer. And if yo' cud stay and marry meand civilize me, I'd try to brush up and be a decenter man than I everwar; leastways, I'd clar ev'ry rock and thorn outer yer path.'
"Do yo' b'lieve it, Jim, I wus perspirin' wus'n ther buckskin stalliondid when yo'got thro' with him that fust mornin', and was tremblin' likea sick gal.
"She looked down compassionate like, got white about ther lips, 'nd hervoice shook er little as she sed:
"'I can't do that, Mr. Jordan; there's much that I cannot tell, why Icannot, no matter; but I thank you with all my heart and soul, not onlyfor your kindness to me, but for this last most generous offer.'
"Then she went on and talked, and cud yo' 'av hearn her, it would ha'made yo' think she war the prettiest and sweetest, and most compassionatewoman as ever a-come ter bless ther world. She seemed ter me like a furoff prie
stess ministerin' to a sinner.
"After awhile I said:
"'Mrs. Hazelton, o' course yo' is pore, or yo' wouldn't a-come down yerea-teachin' school among these barbarians; thet is, pore ez fur ez moneygoes. I've been lucky. I've $4,000 in ther bank which I've no need of. Ifyou'll let me give you thet, no one'd ever know it, and the reckerlectionuv it, 'nd ther thot thet it may be doin' yo' some good'll give me heapsmore pleasure than keepin' of it would.'
"You see, Jim, I war fur gone. But she wouldn't hev it, tho' ther tearsjumped ter her eyes when I offered it, and she remarked she b'lieved Iwar the best man in ther world. I told her if she ever needed a friendand didn't send fer me, I should feel slighted.
"Then I hitched up and druv her down ter the station. She sat side o' me,Jim--waiter, more brandy--in course. Lookin' down, I cud see her smoothcheek and clear-cut profile, and thinkin' I war takin' my last looks,thar was sich a feelin' of all-goneativeness cum over me thet, do yo'know, if I cud ha' got outer one side, I b'lieve I would a-bawled like erhungry calf.
"We shook hands at ther station, and, not mindin' ther crowd, she reachedup both her arms, put 'em around my neck, drew my head down 'nd kissed mesquar on the mouth.
"It perty nigh smothered me, and I said in a low voice: 'Mrs. Hazleton,let me give yer ther money. I positively has no use in the world fur it.'
"She give me a sad smile, shook her head and jumped on ther train. As itpulled out uv ther station she nodded, wavin' her hankerchiv 'nd droppedit axidently. I picked it up. I've got it till yet. I'll allers hev it.
"Thet war ther end. Bolus wouldn't eat fur three days, then he cut medead and went off ter a neighbor's whar ther war a white woman, and wouldniver cum back.
"I stood it three months. I thot I should die uv the blues.
"One day a man from ther No'th stopped off at ther ranch fur the night.After supper he said he war a-lookin fur a stock ranch fur his son. Isaid, 'Why not buy mine?'
"Then he asked all 'er 'bout it; how many acres; how much stock; 'boutthe water, and what my price war.
"I told him $30,000. In the mornin' he gits a hoss, rode round with therboys, and when he cum back, went down inter his pocket, drew out erwallet, and counted out thirty $1,000 gold notes, saying: 'I will takether place.'
"'It's a go,' says I.
"We went ter town and hed ther papers fixed up. That war last February.Then I started out, went slow round ter New York, then over here; I'vebeen up to Scotland, over to Wales; been to France once; jest cum overfrom Ireland, and ev'ry day I ride 'bout twenty miles in this 'ere town,and I've never found any end to it yet, 'cept when I went on ther keers''nd thet day I went ter ther races. I believe it's bigger'n all Texas,and its very size worries me."
"What have you marked out for the future?" asked Sedgwick.
"Not a blamed thing," was the response.
"How would you like to take a trip with me?" asked Sedgwick.
"I'll go ter any place yo' say, Jim; I don't keer how fur," said thecandid man.
"Do not promise too quickly," said Sedgwick. "I am thinking of startingfor South Africa in two or three days."
"South Africa goes, if yo' say so," said Jordan; "I'm yours truly, blastmy broad-horned heart if I ain't."
"Well, old friend, it is growing late. If you will be here to-morrowmorning at eight I will tell you all that is on my mind," said Sedgwick,rising.
"I'll be har," said Jordan.
Sedgwick stopped to settle the bill, but Jordan pushed him aside, saying,"Not to any particular extent, if we knows ourself." He tossed a tip tothe waiter, paid the bill, and was going to add a shilling for the youngwoman who was the cashier, when, glancing up at her, he changed his mindand made it a guinea, because, as he explained, "Her hand war sunthin'like Maggie's."
The friends separated at the door.
It was eleven p.m. when Sedgwick reached the Hamlin house. He would nothave gone at that hour, except that he had been given a pass-key on thefirst day he was there, with a request never to fail to come in, nomatter how late he might be detained. Moreover, he wanted to see Jack.
Before he could open the door, it was swung back by Grace. She explainedthat she was on the watch so that she might form an idea of what hoursSedgwick was in the habit of keeping, and to tell him how very angry shestill was. Then she gave him a smile such as an angel might, and wasgone.
Sedgwick went at once to Browning's room, but he was still out. Hecrossed over to his own, threw off his coat, put on a smoking-jacket andslippers, and lighting a cigar, sat down to think.
Before very long Browning came in. "I found him," he said. "He was shyabout giving me the facts, but I ginned him up to the confessional point.He told me all the truth at last.
"He received but L2,000 for the mine, and he does not believe that ashare of it was ever sold to any one but me. He was paid the L2,000 onthe day I bought the first 50,000 shares. My money paid for the mine;then I bought it over again. I furnished the purchase money, and then Ibought it again, paying an advance of 500 per cent. And the job was putup by the old duffers; Stetson was only let in to clear the old chapswhen the truth should be known. And then Stetson wants to marry my Rose.
"But the man told me that the mine was just as described, only a nastyroad would have to be built to it that would probably cost L80,000 orL100,000, and the mill would have to be built. It looks to me like atotal loss, Jim; but the swindle is so manifest that I believe we canmake the conspirators disgorge at least the last half that they robbed meof."
The room was still for many minutes. Then Sedgwick said: "Jack, I thoughtthose old men meant mischief to you when I first saw them. It was becauseof that--at least, in part that--that I remained. But one is yourstep-father--another the step-father of your affianced bride, and theother a mere stool-pigeon. There must be no scandal if we can help it. Ibelieve the object on the part of Jenvie was to keep you from marryingRose; what your step-father means I cannot understand. But anyway, if wecan help it, there must be no scandal. We shared alike in Nevada. I haveas much money left as both of us need. We share alike still. But nomatter about that."
"But I have been a hopeless idiot to let these men rob me," said Jack,"and except for Rose, I would pull out for America to-morrow. I would, byJove!"
"Your mistake was entirely natural," said Sedgwick. "Had my father wantedall my money, he could have got it for the asking. Do not talk aboutgoing to America; that would be 'conduct unbecoming an officer and agentleman'; it would be a cowardly desertion in the face of the enemy.Then, you have never been very well since your ducking down on the Sussexcoast; and, besides, you have entered into obligations here so sacredthat you must not permit a little whim, or even a great disappointment,to lead you to think about trying to break them. Let us go to sleep now.To-morrow we will talk over this matter more fully. I want a few morehours to think and to make up my mind what is best to do." Jack returnedto his room, and the lights were put out.
The Wedge of Gold Page 13
