Lister's Great Adventure

by Harold Bindloss

  CHAPTER II

  BARBARA'S RETURN

  When Lister had gone Cartwright returned to the tea-table and looked atHyslop, who got up and went off. Hyslop did not altogether want to gobut he had cultivated discretion, and it was plain his step-father meantto get rid of him. Then Cartwright gave his wife a sympathetic glance.Mrs. Cartwright was calm, but when she put some cups together her handshook.

  "Leave the things alone," said Cartwright in a soothing voice. "Vernon'splot was clever."

  "Do you think Harry planned that Lister should tell us?"

  "It looks like that," said Cartwright dryly. "He was keen about bringinghis friend over, but was cautious enough to wait until the fellow beganto know us. When he talked about Lister's adventures I wondered where hewas leading. The other was puzzled, and didn't see until near the end."

  "But why didn't Harry, himself, tell us all he knew?"

  "Vernon's a good sort and more fastidious than one thinks; he saw he'dbe forced to venture on rather awkward ground, and there was some doubt.He wanted us to weigh the story and judge if the clew he gave us oughtto be followed. This was not Vernon's job, although I think he wassatisfied."

  "But you are satisfied?"

  "Yes," said Cartwright "Lister's portrait of Barbara was lifelike andhis own was pretty good. I think he drew himself and her better than heknew, and perhaps it's lucky we have to deal with fellows like these. Agood Canadian is a fine type. However, we must bring Barbara back."

  "Ah!" said Mrs. Cartwright, "I want her back! One must hide one's hurt,but to hide it is hard--" She pulled herself up and added: "Will yousend a cablegram?"

  "I think not. The girl is proud and as wild as a hawk. She thinks shehas humiliated us, and if she's startled, she'll probably run away."

  "You don't think she has humiliated us?" Mrs. Cartwright said in ahesitating voice.

  Cartwright smiled. "It's plain that her escapade must not be talkedabout but we can trust these Canadians and I know Barbara. In a sense,Lister's narrative wasn't necessary. The girl is headstrong, but I waspersuaded she would find the rascal out. Looks as if she did so soonafter they got on board the cars, and I imagine Shillito had an awkwardfew moments; Barbara's temper is not mild. Then it's important that shewas desperately anxious to escape from him. There's no more to be said."

  Mrs. Cartwright gave him a grateful look. Her husband had never failedher and he had justified her trust again.

  "If you don't send a cablegram, how shall we get Barbara back?"

  "I'll go myself," said Cartwright "If she can't be persuaded, I'll bringher by force. It's lucky I can charge the cost to the office. The newwheat is coming down to Montreal, and the _Conference_ people have aplan to get it all, but I expect to beat them and engage some cargo forour boats before the St. Lawrence freezes. However, since I'm going, Imust get to work."

  He started for the house and met his step-son at the porch. Mortimerlooked thoughtful, and held an unlighted cigarette. Cartwright studiedhim with scornful amusement.

  "Have you been speculating about the proper way of handling an awkwardsituation?"

  "I have been talking to Grace," Hyslop replied in an even voice.

  "I rather think Grace has been talking to you, but expect you agreed.You have, no doubt, decided the best plan is to leave your headstrongsister alone?"

  "We did agree about something like that," said Hyslop coolly, althoughwhen Cartwright fixed his eyes on his he turned his head. "We thought ifBarbara were given an allowance, she might, for example, stay with theVernons. Grace's notion--"

  Cartwright's mouth got hard and his mustache bristled. When he was movedhis urbanity vanished and his talk was very blunt.

  "We'll let Grace's notion go. My form is not my step-children's, but Itry to moderate my remarks about women. We'll admit Grace is a woman,although I sometimes doubt. Anyhow, you are not a man; you haven't adrop of warm blood in your veins! You're a curled and scented finelady's lap-dog pup!"

  "I don't see much use in talking about my qualities, sir."

  "You don't see," Cartwright agreed. "That's your drawback! You seenothing that's rude and human; you're afraid to look. All that's obviousis, Barbara must not come home to throw an awkward reflection on Grace'sPuritanical virtue. People might find out something and talk? If anybodytalks while I'm about, I'll ram the implication down his throat! Youdon't see, or perhaps you don't mind, the drawbacks to separatingBarbara from her mother and banishing her from home? She's trustful,rash, and fiery, and not a statue like Grace. Anyhow, Barbara is comingback, and if you don't approve, I'll expect you to be resigned. Now getoff before I let myself go!"

  Hyslop went. One gained nothing by arguing with a brute like Cartwright,and since Mrs. Cartwright's infatuation for her husband could not bedisturbed Hyslop knew he must acquiesce. Cartwright, rather braced bythe encounter, went to the library and wrote some letters to Liverpool.A few days afterwards, he packed his trunk and was driven to the stationin Mrs. Cartwright's car. Grace got up an hour earlier than usual inorder to see him off, and when she brought his scarf and glovesCartwright accepted her ministrations with politeness. Although he knewshe disapproved of him, she thought her duty was to do things like this,and he played up.

  When the throb of the car was getting faint she met Mortimer going tothe lake. He stopped and looked up at the valley, which was streaked bya thin line of dust.

  "For three or four weeks we'll be undisturbed," he said. "I admit I likeCarrock better when my step-father is away."

  "Barbara's coming back with him," Grace remarked. "In some ways, herreturn will be awkward, but perhaps she ought to come."

  Mortimer gave her a surprised glance. "This was not your view!"

  "Oh, well, I have been thinking. Barbara is rash and very young. InCanada, she would be free from all control, and one must not weighdrawbacks against one's duty. Perhaps Cartwright takes the proper line,although of course it costs him nothing. You didn't tell me what he saidthe other evening."

  Mortimer shrugged. "As a rule, my step-father's remarks won't bearre-stating. He was a little franker than usual."

  "He _is_ coarse," said Grace. "One feels he gets coarser, as if histhoughts had begun to react on his body. There is a link, and, ofcourse, with his habits--"

  "I rather think you mean with his appetites. Cartwright does not oftenlet himself go when he's at home, but when he is away he's another man."

  Grace looked thoughtful. "One likes restraint. All the same, I sometimesthink rude, primitive people have a vigor we have not. It's strange, butindulgence seems to go with force. One feels our friends are rather_bloodless_--I'm using Cartwright's phrase."

  "Our Canadian friends are not bloodless. I expect you have remarked thatBarbara's the type they like."

  "She has an appeal for men like that," Grace agreed, and mused.

  It was hard to own, but she began to see that when she thought Barbaraought to stop in Canada she was inspired by jealousy. Barbara's charmfor men was strong and when she was about they left Grace alone. Stillshe had a vague perception that her sister's charm was not altogetherphysical. She herself had a classical beauty that did not mark theyounger girl; it looked as if Barbara had attractive qualities that werenot hers. Lister, for example, was not a brute like Cartwright, but itwas plain that Barbara had attracted him. Grace approved his sobernessand frank gravity; and then she pulled herself up. She must not bejealous about her sister.

  "Cartwright's power is stronger because he does not use our money,"Mortimer resumed. "I don't know if it was cleverness or scruples thaturged him to refuse. All the same, if he were forced to ask mother'shelp, his influence would be less."

  "But his needing help is not probable. He's managing owner of the line."

  Mortimer smiled. "He gets a commission on the boat's earnings, but doesnot hold many shares. Then the fleet is small and the boats don't earnvery much. Things are not going smoothly and some shareholders wouldlike to put Cartwright off the Board. At the last meeting, one fe
llowtalked about the need for fresh blood. However, I expect Cartwright'sclever enough, to keep off the rocks, and when one can't get rid of adrawback one must submit."

  Lighting a cigarette, he started for the lake and Grace returnedthoughtfully to the house. Mortimer hated Cartwright and Grace admittedhe had some grounds. Although her brother was indolent andphilosophical, he did not forget. Rude disputes jarred him, but if bysome chance he was able to injure the other, Grace thought he would doso. Grace, herself, strongly disapproved of Cartwright. All the same, hewas her step-father and she had tried to cultivate her sense of duty.She was prejudiced, cold, and censorious, but she meant to be just anddid not like Mortimer's bitterness.

  Cartwright was occupied for some time at Montreal, and the birch leaveshad fallen when he returned. The evening was dark, and chilly mistrolled down the dale, but a big fire burned in the hall at Carrock andtall lamps threw a cheerful light on the oak paneling. A flooded beckroared in the hollow of a ghyll across the lawn and its turmoil echoedabout the hall. Mrs. Cartwright stood by the fire, Grace movedrestlessly about, and Mortimer appeared to be absorbed by the morning'snews.

  "I wish you would sit down, mother," he said presently. "You can hearthe car, you know, and the train is often late."

  For a few minutes Mrs. Cartwright did not move, and then she started andfixed her eyes on the door. She heard an engine throb, there was a noisein the porch, and a cold wind blew into the room. Then the door openedand Cartwright entered, shaking the damp from his fur coat. He turned,beckoning somebody behind, and Barbara came out from the arch. Her facewas flushed, her eyes were hard, and she stopped irresolutely. Mortimeradvanced to take the coat she carried and Grace crossed the floor, butBarbara waited, as if she did not see them. Then her strained lookvanished, for Mrs. Cartwright went forward with awkward speed and tookher in her arms.

  Cartwright saw his wife had forgotten him, and turning to the otherswith a commanding gesture, drove them and the servants from the hall.When they had gone he gave Mrs. Cartwright a smile.

  "I've brought her back," he said. "Not altogether an easy job. Barbara'sridiculous, but she can fight."

  He went off and Barbara clung to her mother. She was shaking and herbreath came hard.

  "You were ridiculous," said Mrs. Cartwright in a gentle voice. "I expectyou were very obstinate. But he was kind?"

  "He's a dear; I love him!" Barbara replied. "He understands everything.I think he ought to have stopped at Liverpool; the secretary met us andtalked about some business, but if he hadn't come with me, I could nothave borne--"

  She stopped, and resting her head on Mrs. Cartwright's shoulder, beganto cry. Mrs. Cartwright said nothing, but kissed and soothed her withloving gentleness.

  When, some time afterwards, Barbara came down the stairs that occupiedone side of the hall she was composed, but tea by the fire was somethingof a strain. It was plain that Grace's careless talk was forced andMortimer's efforts to keep on safe ground were marked. Now and thenCartwright's eyes twinkled and Barbara thought she knew why he sometimesmade a joke that jarred the others. When the meal was over he took themaway.

  "I imagine your sister understands Grace and you are willing to take herback and forget the pain she gave you," he said to Hyslop. "Yourhandling of the situation was tactful and correct, but you can leave herto her mother."

  Mrs. Cartwright stopped with Barbara, who brought a footstool to thehearthrug, and sitting down leaned against her knee.

  "I have been an obstinate, selfish, romantic fool!" she broke out.

  Mrs. Cartwright touched her hair and smiled, for she felt comforted.This was the tempestuous Barbara she thought she had lost.

  "My dear!" she said. "It's not important since you have come back.''

  "I oughtn't to have come back. If you had not sent father, I would nothave come. He's determined, but he's gentle. You know he sympathizes."

  "Although I wanted him to go, I did not send him," Mrs. Cartwrightreplied. "He went because he loves you, but we can talk about thisagain." She hesitated for a moment and went on: "It was not long, Ithink, before you found Shillito was a thief? Mr. Lister's storyindicated this."

  A wave of color came to Barbara's skin, but she looked up and her eyesflashed.

  "At the beginning, I did not know he was a thief; I found out he was acunning brute. Afterwards, when I read about his escape in thenewspapers, I rather wished the trooper who shot at him had notmissed--" She shook with horror and anger and it was a moment or twobefore she resumed: "I can't tell you all, mother. I was frightened, butanger gave me pluck. He said I must stick to him because I could not goback. I think I struck him, and then I ran away. People were going totheir berths in the Pullman and he durst not use force. When I got tothe car platform and was going to jump off I saw Mr. Lister--but he hastold you--"

  Mrs. Cartwright nodded, for she was satisfied.

  "My dear," she said, "it's done with. Still I wonder why you werewilling to leave us."

  "Sometimes I wonder. To begin with, I have owned I was a fool; butthings were dreary and I wanted a thrill. Then I had begun to feelnobody at home wanted me. Father and you were kind, but he seemed tothink me an amusing, willful child. Grace always disapproved, andMortimer sneered. They knew I was not their sort and very proper peopleare cruel if you won't obey their rules. I hated rules; Grace'scorrectness made me rebel. Then Louis came and declared I was all tohim. He was handsome and romantic, and I was tired of restraint. Ithought I loved him, but it was ridiculous, because I hate him now.Mortimer's a prig, but Louis is a brute!"

  Mrs. Cartwright sighed. She liked tranquillity and the girl's passionjarred. She tried to soothe her, and presently Barbara asked in a levelvoice: "Where is Harry Vernon?"

  "He went to town a few days since."

  "When he knew I would soon arrive? His going is significant. I shallhate Harry next!"

  "You must not be unjust. I imagine he thought to meet him wouldembarrass you."

  "It would have embarrassed me, but Harry would not have known," Barbaradeclared. "If I have been a fool, I can pay. Still I ought to havestayed in Canada. Father's obstinate and I wanted to come home, butthings will be harder than at Montreal."

  Mrs. Cartwright kissed her. "My poor child, the hurt is not as deep asyou think. We will try to help you to forget."