a millionaire of rough-and-ready-第13章

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excesses　and　indulgencesI；　that　never　knew　wine　or　woman！　　I
heard　a　preacher　speak　of　the　finger　of　God；　and　point　to　me。　　May
God　curse　him！〃

〃Go　slow；　old　man；　go　slow；〃　said　Mulrady；　gently。

〃I　heard　them　speak　of　me　as　a　friendless　man；　an　outcast；　a
criminala　being　whom　no　one　would　claim。　　They　were　right；　no　one
claimed　me。　　The　friends　of　others　visited　them；　relations　came　and
took　away　their　kindred；　a　few　lucky　ones　got　well；　a　few；　equally
lucky；　died！　　I　alone　lived　on；　uncared　for；　deserted。

〃The　first　year；〃　he　went　on　more　rapidly；　〃I　prayed　for　their
coming。　　I　looked　for　them　every　day。　　I　never　lost　hope。　　I　said
to　myself；　'She　has　not　got　my　letter；　but　when　the　time　passes　she
will　be　alarmed　by　my　silence；　and　then　she　will　come　or　send　some
one　to　seek　me。'　　A　young　student　got　interested　in　my　case；　and；
by　studying　my　eyes；　thought　that　I　was　not　entirely　imbecile　and
unconscious。　　With　the　aid　of　an　alphabet；　he　got　me　to　spell　my
name　and　town　in　Illinois；　and　promised　by　signs　to　write　to　my
family。　　But　in　an　evil　moment　I　told　him　of　my　cursed　fortune；　and
in　that　moment　I　saw　that　he　thought　me　a　fool　and　an　idiot。　　He
went　away；　and　I　saw　him　no　more。　　Yet　I　still　hoped。　　I　dreamed　of
their　joy　at　finding　me；　and　the　reward　that　my　wealth　would　give
them。　　Perhaps　I　was　a　little　weak　still；　perhaps　a　little　flighty；
too；　at　times；　but　I　was　quite　happy　that　year；　even　in　my
disappointment；　for　I　had　still　hope！〃

He　paused；　and　again　composed　his　face　with　his　paralyzed　hand；　but
his　manner　had　become　less　excited；　and　his　voice　was　stronger。

〃A　change　must　have　come　over　me　the　second　year；　for　I　only
dreaded　their　coming　now　and　finding　me　so　altered。　　A　horrible
idea　that　they　might；　like　the　student；　believe　me　crazy　if　I　spoke
of　my　fortune　made　me　pray　to　God　that　they　might　not　reach　me
until　after　I　had　regained　my　health　and　strengthand　found　my
fortune。　　When　the　third　year　found　me　still　thereI　no　longer
prayed　for　themI　cursed　them！　　I　swore　to　myself　that　they　should
never　enjoy　my　wealth；　but　I　wanted　to　live；　and　let　them　know　I
had　it。　　I　found　myself　getting　stronger；　but　as　I　had　no　money；　no
friends；　and　nowhere　to　go；　I　concealed　my　real　condition　from　the
doctors；　except　to　give　them　my　name；　and　to　try　to　get　some　little
work　to　do　to　enable　me　to　leave　the　hospital　and　seek　my　lost
treasure。　　One　day　I　found　out　by　accident　that　it　had　been
discovered！　　You　understandmy　treasure！that　had　cost　me　years
of　labor　and　my　reason；　had　left　me　a　helpless；　forgotten　pauper。
That　gold　I　had　never　enjoyed　had　been　found　and　taken　possession
of　by　another！〃

He　checked　an　exclamation　from　Mulrady　with　his　hand。　　〃They　say
they　picked　me　up　senseless　from　the　floor；　where　I　must　have
fallen　when　I　heard　the　newsI　don't　rememberI　recall　nothing
until　I　was　confronted；　nearly　three　weeks　after；　by　my　son；　who
had　called　at　the　hospital；　as　a　reporter　for　a　paper；　and　had
accidentally　discovered　me　through　my　name　and　appearance。　　He
thought　me　crazy；　or　a　fool。　　I　didn't　undeceive　him。　　I　did　not
tell　him　the　story　of　the　mine　to　excite　his　doubts　and　derision；
or；　worse　（if　I　could　bring　proof　to　claim　it）；　have　it　perhaps
pass　into　his　ungrateful　hands。　　No；　I　said　nothing。　　I　let　him
bring　me　here。　　He　could　do　no　less；　and　common　decency　obliged　him
to　do　that。〃

〃And　what　proof　could　you　show　of　your　claim？〃　asked　Mulrady；
gravely。

〃If　I　had　that　letterif　I　could　find　Masters；〃　began　Slinn；
vaguely。

〃Have　you　any　idea　where　the　letter　is；　or　what　has　become　of
Masters？〃　continued　Mulrady；　with　a　matter…of…fact　gravity；　that
seemed　to　increase　Slinn's　vagueness　and　excite　his　irritability。

〃I　don't　knowI　sometimes　think〃　　He　stopped；　sat　down　again；
and　passed　his　hands　across　his　forehead。　　〃I　have　seen　the　letter
somewhere　since。　　Yes；〃　he　went　on；　with　sudden　vehemence；　〃I　know
it；　I　have　seen　it！　　I〃　　His　brows　knitted；　his　features　began　to
work　convulsively；　he　suddenly　brought　his　paralyzed　hand　down；
partly　opened；　upon　the　table。　　〃I　WILL　remember　where。〃

〃Go　slow；　old　man；　go　slow。〃

〃You　asked　me　once　about　my　visions。　　Well；　that　is　one　of　them。　　I
remember　a　man　somewhere　showing　me　that　letter。　　I　have　taken　it
from　his　hands　and　opened　it；　and　knew　it　was　mine　by　the　specimens
of　gold　that　were　in　it。　　But　whereor　whenor　what　became　of　it；
I　cannot　tell。　　It　will　come　to　meit　MUST　come　to　me　soon。〃

He　turned　his　eyes　upon　Mulrady；　who　was　regarding　him　with　an
expression　of　grave　curiosity；　and　said　bitterly；　〃You　think　me
crazy。　　I　know　it。　　It　needed　only　this。〃

〃Where　is　this　mine；〃　asked　Mulrady；　without　heeding　him。

The　old　man's　eyes　swiftly　sought　the　ground。

〃It　is　a　secret；　then？〃

〃No。〃

〃You　have　spoken　of　it　to　any　one？〃

〃No。〃

〃Not　to　the　man　who　possesses　it？〃

〃No。〃

〃Why？〃

〃Because　I　wouldn't　take　it　from　him。〃

〃Why　wouldn't　you？〃

〃Because　that　man　is　yourself！〃

In　the　instant　of　complete　silence　that　followed　they　could　hear
that　the　monotonous　patter　of　rain　on　the　roof　had　ceased。

〃Then　all　this　was　in　MY　shaft；　and　the　vein　I　thought　I　struck
there　was　YOUR　lead；　found　three　years　ago　in　YOUR　tunnel。　　Is　that
your　idea？〃

〃Yes。〃

〃Then　I　don't　sabe　why　you　don't　want　to　claim　it。〃

〃I　have　told　you　why　I　don't　want　it　for　my　children。　　I　go
further；　now；　and　I　tell　you；　Alvin　Mulrady；　that　I　was　willing
that　your　children　should　squander　it；　as　they　were　doing。　　It　has
only　been　a　curse　to　me；　it　could　only　be　a　curse　to　them；　but　I
thought　you　were　happy　in　seeing　it　feed　selfishness　and　vanity。
You　think　me　bitter　and　hard。　　Well；　I　should　have　left　you　in　your
fool's　paradise；　but　that　I　saw　to…night；　when　you　came　here；　that
your　eyes　had　been　opened　like　mine。　　You；　the　possessor　of　my
wealth；　my　treasure；　could　not　buy　your　children's　loving　care　and
company　with　your　millions；　any　more　than　I　could　keep　mine　in　my
poverty。　　You　were　to…night　lonely　and　forsaken；　as　I　was。　　We　were
equal；　for　the　first　time　in　our　lives。　　If　that　cursed　gold　had
dropped　down　the　shaft　between　us　into　the　hell　from　which　it
sprang；　we　might　have　clasped　hands　like　brothers　across　the
chasm。〃

Mulrady；　who　in　a　friendly　show　of　being　at　his　ease　had　not　yet
resumed　his　coat；　rose　in　his　shirt…sleeves；　and；　standing　before
the　hearth；　straightened　his　square　figure　by　drawing　down　his
waistcoat　on　each　side　with　two　powerful　thumbs。　　After　a　moment's
contemplative　survey　of　the　floor　between　him　and　the　speaker；　he
raised　his　eyes　to　Slinn。　　They　were　small　and　colorless；　the
forehead　above　them　was　low；　and　crowned　with　a　shock　of　tawny
reddish　hair；　even　the　rude　strength　of　his　lower　features　was
enfeebled　by　a　long；　straggling；　goat…like　beard；　but　for　the　first
time　in　his　life　the　whole　face　was　impressed　and　transformed　with
a　strong　and　simple　dignity。

〃Ez　far　ez　I　kin　see；　Slinn；〃　he　said；　gravely；　〃the　pint　between
you　and　me　ain't　to　be　settled　by　our　children；　or　wot　we　allow　is
doo　and　right　from　them　to　us。　　Afore　we　preach　at　them　for　playing
in　the　slumgullion；　and　gettin'　themselves　splashed；　perhaps　we
mout　ez　well　remember　that　that　thar　slumgullion　comes　from　our　own
sluice…boxes；　where　we　wash　our　gold。　　So　we'll　just　put　THEM
behind　us；　so；〃　he　continued；　with　a　backward　sweep　of　his　powerful
hand　towards　the　chimney；　〃and　goes　on。　　The　next　thing　that　crops
up　ahead　of　us　is　your　three　years　in　the　hospital；　and　wot　you
went　through　at　that　time。　　I　ain't　sayin'　it　wasn't　rough　on　you；
and　that　you　didn't　have　it　about　as　big　as　it's　made；　but　ez
you'll　allow　that　you'd　hev　had　that　for　three　years；　whether　I'd
found　your　mine　or　whether　I　hadn't；　I　think　we　can　put　THAT　behind
us；　too。　　There's　nothin'　now　left　to　prospect　but　your　story　of
your　strike。　　Well；　take　your　own　proofs。　　Masters　is　not　here；　and
if　he　was；　accordin'　to　your　own　story；　he　knows　nothin'　of　your
strike　that　day；　and　could　only　prove　you　were　a　disappointed
prospector　in　a　tunnel；　your　letterthat　the　person　you　wrote　to
never　gotYOU　can't　produce；　and　if　you　did；　would　be　only　your
own　story　without　proof！　　There　is　not　a　business　man　ez　would　look
at　your　claim；　there　isn't　a　friend　of　yours　that　wouldn't　believe
you　were　crazy；　and　dreamed　it　all；　there　isn't　a　rival　of　yours　ez
wouldn't　say　ez　you'd　invented　it。　　Slinn；　I'm　a　business　manI　am
your　friendI　am　your　rivalbut　I　don't　think　you're　lyin'I
don't　think　you're　crazyand　I'm　not　sure　your　claim　ain't　a　good
one！

〃Ef　you　reckon　from　that　that　I'm　goin'　to　hand　you　over　the　mine
to…morrow；〃　he　went　on；　after　a　pause；　raising　his　hand　with　a
deprecating　gesture；　〃you're　mistaken。　　For　your　own　sake；　and　the
sake　of　my　wife　and　children；　you've　got　to　prove　it　more　clearly
than　you　hev；　but　I　promise　you　that　from　this　night　forward　I　will
spare　neither　time　nor　money　to　help　you　to　do　it。　　I　have　more
than　doubled　the　amount　that　you　would　have　had；　had　you　taken　the
mine　the　day　you　came　from　the　hospital。　　When　you　prove　to　me　that
your　story　is　trueand　we　will　find　some　way　to　prove　it；　if　it　IS
truethat　amount　will　be　yours　at　once；　without　the　need　of　a　word
from　law　or　lawyers。　　If　you　want　my　name　to　that　in　black　and
white；　come　to　the　office　to…morrow；　and　you　shall　have　it。〃

〃And　you　think　I'll　take　it　now？〃　said　the　old　man　passionately。
〃Do　you　think　that　your　charity　will　bring　back　my　dead　wife；　the
three　years　of　my　lost　life；　the　love　and　respect　of　my　children？
Or　do　you　think　that　your　own　wife　and　children；　who　deserted　you
in　your　wealth；　will　come　back　to　you　in　your　poverty？　　No！　　Let
the　mine　stay；　with　its　curse；　where　it　isI'll　have　none　of　it！〃

〃Go　slow；　old　man；　go　slow；〃　said　Mulrady；　quietly；　putting　on　his
coat。　　〃You　will　take　the　mine　if　it　is　yours；　if　it　isn't；　I'll
keep　it。　　If　it　is　yours；　you　will　give　your　children　a　chance　to
sho　what　they　can　do　for　you　in　your　sudden　prosperity；　as　I　shall
give　mine　a　chance　to　show　how　they　can　stand　reverse　and
disappointment。　　If　my　head　is　leveland　I　reckon　it　isthey'll
both　pan　out　all　right。〃

He　turned　and　opened　the　door。　　With　a　quick　revulsion　of　feeling；
Slinn　suddenly　seized　Mulrady's　hand　between　both　of　his　own；　and
raised　it　to　his　lips。　　Mulrady　smiled；　disengaged　his　hand　gently；
and　saying　soothingly；　〃Go　slow；　old　man；　go　slow；〃　closed　the　door
behind　him；　and　passed　out　into　the　clear　Christmas　dawn。

For　the　stars；　with　the　exception　of　one　that　seemed　to　sparkle
brightly　over　the　shaft　of　his　former　fortunes；　were　slowly　paling。
A　burden　seemed　to　have　fallen　from　his　square　shoulders　as　he
stepped　out　sturdily　into　the　morning　air。　　He　had　already
forgotten　the　lonely　man　behind　him；　for　he　was　thinking　only　of
his　wife　and　daughter。　　And　at　the　same　moment　they　were　thinking
of　him；　and　in　their　elaborate　villa　overlooking　the　blue
Mediterranean　at　Cannes　were　discussing；　in　the　event　of　Mamie's
marriage　with　Prince　Rosso　e　Negro；　the　possibility　of　Mr。
Mulrady's　paying　two　hundred　and　fifty　thousand　dollars；　the
gambling　debts　of　that　unfortunate　but　deeply　conscientious
nobleman。