betty zane-第11章

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Colonel　Zane's　old　slave；　Sam；　who　furnished　the　music；　sat　on　a　raised　platform　at　the　upper　end　of　the　hall；　and　the　way　he　sawed　away　on　his　fiddle；　accompanying　the　movements　of　his　arm　with　a　swaying　of　his　body　and　a　stamping　of　his　heavy　foot；　showed　he　had　a　hearty　appreciation　of　his　own　value。

Prominent　among　the　men　and　women　standing　and　sitting　near　the　platform　could　be　distinguished　the　tall　forms　of　Jonathan　Zane；　Major　McColloch　and　Wetzel；　all；　as　usual；　dressed　in　their　hunting　costumes　and　carrying　long　rifles。　The　other　men　had　made　more　or　less　effort　to　improve　their　appearance。　Bright　homespun　shirts　and　scarfs　had　replaced　the　everyday　buckskin　garments。　Major　McColloch　was　talking　to　Colonel　Zane。　The　genial　faces　of　both　reflected　the　pleasure　they　felt　in　the　enjoyment　of　the　younger　people。　Jonathan　Zane　stood　near　the　door。　Moody　and　silent　he　watched　the　dance。　Wetzel　leaned　against　the　wall。　The　black　barrel　of　his　rifle　lay　in　the　hollow　of　his　arm。　The　hunter　was　gravely　contemplating　the　members　of　the　bridal　party　who　were　dancing　in　front　of　him。　When　the　dance　ended　Lydia　and　Betty　stopped　before　Wetzel　and　Betty　said：　〃Lew；　aren't　you　going　to　ask　us　to　dance？〃

The　hunter　looked　down　into　the　happy；　gleaming　faces；　and　smiling　in　his　half　sad　way；　answered：　〃Every　man　to　his　gifts。〃

〃But　you　can　dance。　I　want　you　to　put　aside　your　gun　long　enough　to　dance　with　me。　If　I　waited　for　you　to　ask　me；　I　fear　I　should　have　to　wait　a　long　time。　Come；　Lew；　here　I　am　asking　you；　and　I　know　the　other　men　are　dying　to　dance　with　me；〃　said　Betty；　coaxingly；　in　a　roguish　voice。

Wetzel　never　refused　a　request　of　Betty's；　and　so；　laying　aside　his　weapons；　he　danced　with　her；　to　the　wonder　and　admiration　of　all。　Colonel　Zane　clapped　his　hands；　and　everyone　stared　in　amazement　at　the　unprecedented　sight　Wetzel　danced　not　ungracefully。　He　was　wonderfully　light　on　his　feet。　His　striking　figure；　the　long　black　hair；　and　the　fancifully　embroidered　costume　he　wore　contrasted　strangely　with　Betty's　slender；　graceful　form　and　pretty　gray　dress。

〃Well；　well；　Lewis；　I　would　not　have　believed　anything　but　the　evidence　of　my　own　eyes；〃　said　Colonel　Zane；　with　a　laugh；　as　Betty　and　Wetzel　approached　him。

〃If　all　the　men　could　dance　as　well　as　Lew；　the　girls　would　be　thankful；　I　can　assure　you；〃　said　Betty。

〃Betty；　I　declare　you　grow　prettier　every　day；〃　said　old　John　Bennet；　who　was　standing　with　the　Colonel　and　the　Major。　〃If　I　were　only　a　young　man　once　more　I　should　try　my　chances　with　you；　and　I　wouldn't　give　up　very　easily。〃

〃I　do　not　know；　Uncle　John；　but　I　am　inclined　to　think　that　if　you　were　a　young　man　and　should　come　a…wooing　you　would　not　get　a　rebuff　from　me；〃　answered　Betty；　smiling　on　the　old　man；　of　whom　she　was　very　fond。

〃Miss　Zane；　will　you　dance　with　me？〃

The　voice　sounded　close　by　Betty's　side。　She　recognized　it；　and　an　unaccountable　sensation　of　shyness　suddenly　came　over　her。　She　had　firmly　made　up　her　mind；　should　Mr。　Clarke　ask　her　to　dance；　that　she　would　tell　him　she　was　tired；　or　engaged　for　that　numberanything　so　that　she　could　avoid　dancing　with　him。　But；　now　that　the　moment　had　come　she　either　forgot　her　resolution　or　lacked　the　courage　to　keep　it；　for　as　the　music　commenced；　she　turned　and　without　saying　a　word　or　looking　at　him；　she　placed　her　hand　on　his　arm。　He　whirled　her　away。　She　gave　a　start　of　surprise　and　delight　at　the　familiar　step　and　then　gave　herself　up　to　the　charm　of　the　dance。　Supported　by　his　strong　arm　she　floated　around　the　room　in　a　sort　of　dream。　Dancing　as　they　did　was　new　to　the　young　people　at　the　Fortit　was　a　style　then　in　vogue　in　the　eastand　everyone　looked　on　with　great　interest　and　curiosity。　But　all　too　soon　the　dance　ended　and　before　Betty　had　recovered　her　composure　she　found　that　her　partner　had　led　her　to　a　secluded　seat　in　the　lower　end　of　the　hall。　The　bench　was　partly　obscured　from　the　dancers　by　masses　of　autumn　leaves。　〃That　was　a　very　pleasant　dance；〃　said　Alfred。　〃Miss　Boggs　told　me　you　danced　the　round　dance。〃

〃I　was　much　surprised　and　pleased；〃　said　Betty；　who　had　indeed　enjoyed　it。

〃It　has　been　a　delightful　day；〃　went　on　Alfred；　seeing　that　Betty　was　still　confused。　〃I　almost　killed　myself　in　that　race　for　the　bottle　this　morning。　I　never　saw　such　logs　and　brush　heaps　and　ditches　in　my　life。　I　am　sure　that　if　the　fever　of　recklessness　which　seemed　in　the　air　had　not　suddenly　seized　me　I　would　never　have　put　my　horse　at　such　leaps。〃

〃I　heard　my　brother　say　your　horse　was　one　of　the　best　he　had　ever　seen；　and　that　you　rode　superbly；〃　murmured　Betty。

〃Well；　to　be　honest；　I　would　not　care　to　take　that　ride　again。　It　certainly　was　not　fair　to　the　horse。〃

〃How　do　you　like　the　fort　by　this　time？〃

〃Miss　Zane；　I　am　learning　to　love　this　free；　wild　life。　I　really　think　I　was　made　for　the　frontier。　The　odd　customs　and　manners　which　seemed　strange　at　first　have　become　very　acceptable　to　me　now。　I　find　everyone　so　honest　and　simple　and　brave。　Here　one　must　work　to　live；　which　is　right。　Do　you　know；　I　never　worked　in　my　life　until　I　came　to　Fort　Henry。　My　life　was　all　uselessness；　idleness。〃

〃I　can　hardly　believe　that；〃　answered　Betty。　〃You　have　learned　to　dance　and　ride　and〃

〃What？〃　asked　Alfred；　as　Betty　hesitated。

〃Never　mind。〃　It　was　an　accomplishment　with　which　the　girls　credited　you；〃　said　Betty；　with　a　little　laugh。

〃I　suppose　I　did　not　deserve　it。　I　heard　I　had　a　singular　aptitude　for　discovering　young　ladies　in　distress。〃

〃Have　you　become　well　acquainted　with　the　boys？〃　asked　Betty；　hastening　to　change　the　subject。

〃Oh；　yes；　particularly　with　your　Indianized　brother；　Isaac。　He　is　the　finest　fellow；　as　well　as　the　most　interesting；　I　ever　knew。　I　like　Colonel　Zane　immensely　too。　The　dark；　quiet　fellow；　Jack；　or　John；　they　call　him；　is　not　like　your　other　brothers。　The　hunter；　Wetzel；　inspires　me　with　awe。　Everyone　has　been　most　kind　to　me　and　I　have　almost　forgotten　that　I　was　a　wanderer。〃

〃I　am　glad　to　hear　that；〃　said　Betty。

〃Miss　Zane；〃　continued　Alfred；　〃doubtless　you　have　heard　that　I　came　West　because　I　was　compelled　to　leave　my　home。　Please　do　not　believe　everything　you　hear　of　me。　Some　day　I　may　tell　you　my　story　if　you　care　to　hear　it。　Suffice　it　to　say　now　that　I　left　my　home　of　my　own　free　will　and　I　could　go　back　to…morrow。〃

〃I　did　not　mean　to　imply〃　began　Betty；　coloring。

〃Of　course　not。　But　tell　me　about　yourself。　Is　it　not　rather　dull　and　lonesome　here　for　you？〃

〃It　was　last　winter。　But　I　have　been　contented　and　happy　this　summer。　Of　course；　it　is　not　Philadelphia　life；　and　I　miss　the　excitement　and　gayety　of　my　uncle's　house。　I　knew　my　place　was　with　my　brothers。　My　aunt　pleaded　with　me　to　live　with　her　and　not　go　to　the　wilderness。　I　had　everything　I　wanted　thereluxury；　society；　parties；　balls；　dances；　friendsall　that　the　heart　of　a　girl　could　desire；　but　I　preferred　to　come　to　this　little　frontier　settlement。　Strange　choice　for　a　girl；　was　it　not？〃

〃Unusual；　yes；〃　answered　Alfred；　gravely。　〃And　I　cannot　but　wonder　what　motives　actuated　our　coming　to　Fort　Henry。　I　came　to　seek　my　fortune。　You　came　to　bring　sunshine　into　the　home　of　your　brother；　and　left　your　fortune　behind　you。　Well；　your　motive　has　the　element　of　nobility。　Mine　has　nothing　but　that　of　recklessness。　I　would　like　to　read　the　future。〃

〃I　do　not　think　it　is　right　to　have　such　a　wish。　With　the　veil　rolled　away　could　you　work　as　hard；　accomplish　as　much？　I　do　not　want　to　know　the　future。　Perhaps　some　of　it　will　be　unhappy。　I　have　made　my　choice　and　will　cheerfully　abide　by　it。　I　rather　envy　your　being　a　man。　You　have　the　world　to　conquer。　A　womanwhat　can　she　do？　She　can　knead　the　dough；　ply　the　distaff；　and　sit　by　the　lattice　and　watch　and　wait。〃

〃Let　us　postpone　such　melancholy　thoughts　until　some　future　day。　I　have　not　as　yet　said　anything　that　I　intended　I　wish　to　tell　you　how　sorry　I　am　that　I　acted　in　such　a　rude　way　the　night　your　brother　came　home。　I　do　not　know　what　made　me　do　so；　but　I　know　I　have　regretted　it　ever　since。　Will　you　forgive　me　and　may　we　not　be　friends？〃

〃II　do　not　know；〃　said　Betty；　surprised　and　vaguely　troubled　by　the　earnest　light　in　his　eyes。

〃But　why？　Surely　you　will　make　some　little　allowance　for　a　naturally　quick　temper；　and　you　know　you　did　notthat　you　were〃

〃Yes；　I　remember　I　was　hasty　and　unkind。　But　I　made　amends；　or　at　least；　I　tried　to　do　so。〃

〃Try　to　overlook　my　stupidity。　I　will　not　give　up　until　you　forgive　me。　Consider　how　much　you　can　avoid　by　being　generous。〃

〃Very　well；　then；　I　will　forgive　you；〃　said　Betty；　who　had　arrived　at　the　conclusion　that　this　young　man　was　one　of　determination。

〃Thank　you。　I　promise　you　shall　never　regret　it。　And　the　sprained　ankle？　It　must　be　well；　as　I　noticed　you　danced　beautifully。〃

〃I　am　compelled　to　believe　what　the　girls　saythat　you　are　inclined　to　the　language　of　compliment。　My　ankle　is　nearly　well；　thank　you。　It　hurts　a　little　now　and　then。〃

〃Speaking　of　your　accident　reminds　me　of　the　day　it　happened；〃　said　Alfred；　watching　her　closely。　He　desired　to　tease　her　a　little；　but　he　was　not　sure　of　his　ground。　〃I　had　been　all　day　in　the　woods　with　nothing　but　my　thoughtsmostly　unhappy　onesfor　company。　When　I　met　you　I　pretended　to　be　surprised。　As　a　matter　of　fact　I　was　not；　for　I　had　followed　your　dog。　He　took　a　liking　to　me　and　I　was　extremely　pleased；　I　assure　you。　Well；　I　saw　your　face　a　moment　before　you　knew　I　was　as　near　you。　When　you　heard　my　footsteps　you　turned　with　a　relieved　and　joyous　cry。　When　you　saw　whom　it　was　your　glad　expression　changed；　and　if　I　had　been　a　hostile　Wyandot　you　could　not　have　looked　more　unfriendly。　Such　a　woeful；　tear…stained　face　I　never　saw。〃

〃Mr。　Clarke；　please　do　not　speak　any　more　of　that；〃　said　Betty　with　dignity。　〃I　desire　that　you　forget　it。〃

〃I　will　forget　all　except　that　it　was　I　who　had　the　happiness　of　finding　you　and　of　helping　you。　I　cannot　forget　that。　I　am　sure　we　should　never　have　been　friends　but　for　that　accident。〃

〃There　is　Isaac。　He　is　looking　for　me；〃　answered　Betty；　rising。

〃Wait　a　moment　longerplease。　He　will　find　you；〃　said　Alfred；　detaining　her。　〃Since　you　have　been　so　kind　I　have　grown　bolder。　May　I　come　over　to　see　you　to…morrow？〃

He　looked　straight　down　into　the　dark　eyes　which　wavered　and　fell　before　he　had　completed　his　question。

〃There　is　Isaac。　He　cannot　see　me　here。　I　must　go。〃

〃But　not　before　telling　me。　What　is　the　good　of　your　forgiving　me　if　I　may　not　see　you。　Please　say　yes。〃

〃You　may　come；〃　answered　Betty；　half　amused　and　half　provoked　at　his　persistence。　〃I　should　think　you　would　know　that　such　permission　invariably　goes　with　a　young　woman's　forgiveness。〃

〃Hello；　here　you　are。　What　a　time　I　have　had　in　finding　you；〃　said　Isaac；　coming　up　with　flushed　face　and　eyes　bright　with　excitement。　〃Alfred；　what　do　you　mean　by　hiding　the　belle　of　the　dance　away　like　this？　I　want　to　dance　with　you；　Betts。　I　am　having　a　fine　time。　I　have　not　danced　anything　but　Indian　dances　for　ages。　Sorry　to　take　her　away；　Alfred。　I　can　see　she　doesn't　want　to　go。　Ha！　Ha！〃　and　with　a　mischievous　look　at　both　of　them　he　led　Betty　away。

Alfred　kept　his　seat　awhile　lost　in　thought。　Suddenly　he　remembered　that　it　would　look　stra