the twins of table mountain-第7章

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don't　mind　my　sayin'；a　'mere　boy；'　to　take　what　oughter　be　HIS
place；　why；　she　just　wheeled　round　agin'　him。　　I　suppose　he　got
flustered；　and　couldn't　face　the　music。　　Never　left　a　word　of
explanation？　　Well；　it　wasn't　exactly　square；　though　I　tell　the　old
woman　it's　human　nature。　　He　might　have　dropped　a　hint　where　he　was
goin'。　　Well；　there；　I　won't　say　a　word　more　agin'　him。　　I　know　how
you　feel。　　Hush　it　is。〃

It　was　the　firm　conviction　of　the　simple…minded　Sol　that　no　one
knew　the　various　natural　indications　of　human　passion　better　than
himself。　　Perhaps　it　was　one　of　the　fallacies　of　his　profession
that　the　expression　of　all　human　passion　was　limited　to　certain
conventional　signs　and　sounds。　　Consequently；　when　Rand　colored
violently；　became　confused；　stammered；　and　at　last　turned　hastily
away；　the　good…hearted　fellow　instantly　recognized　the　unfailing
evidence　of　modesty　and　innocence　embarrassed　by　recognition。　　As
for　Rand；　I　fear　his　shame　was　only　momentary。　　Confirmed　in　the
belief　of　his　ulterior　wisdom　and　virtue；　his　first　embarrassment
over；　he　was　not　displeased　with　this　halfway　tribute；　and　really
believed　that　the　time　would　come　when　Mr。　Sol　should　eventually
praise　his　sagacity　and　reservation；　and　acknowledge　that　he　was
something　more　than　a　mere　boy。　　He；　nevertheless；　shrank　from
meeting　Mornie　that　morning；　and　was　glad　that　the　presence　of　Mrs。
Sol　relieved　him　from　that　duty。

The　day　passed　uneventfully。　　Rand　busied　himself　in　his　usual
avocations；　and　constructed　a　temporary　shelter　for　himself　and　Sol
beside　the　shaft；　besides　rudely　shaping　a　few　necessary　articles
of　furniture　for　Mrs。　Sol。

〃It　will　be　a　little　spell　yet　afore　Mornie's　able　to　be　moved；〃
suggested　Sol；　〃and　you　might　as　well　be　comfortable。〃

Rand　sighed　at　this　prospect；　yet　presently　forgot　himself　in　the
good　humor　of　his　companion；　whose　admiration　for　himself　he　began
to　patronizingly　admit。　　There　was　no　sense　of　degradation　in
accepting　the　friendship　of　this　man　who　had　traveled　so　far；　seen
so　much；　and　yet；　as　a　practical　man　of　the　world；　Rand　felt　was　so
inferior　to　himself。　　The　absence　of　Miss　Euphemia；　who　had　early
left　the　mountain；　was　a　source　of　odd；　half…definite　relief。
Indeed；　when　he　closed　his　eyes　to　rest　that　night；　it　was　with　a
sense　that　the　reality　of　his　situation　was　not　as　bad　as　he　had
feared。　　Once　only；　the　figure　of　his　brotherhaggard；　weary；　and
footsore；　on　his　hopeless　quest；　wandering　in　lonely　trails　and
lonelier　settlementscame　across　his　fancy；　but　with　it　came　the
greater　fear　of　his　return；　and　the　pathetic　figure　was　banished。
〃And；　besides；　he's　in　Sacramento　by　this　time；　and　like　as　not
forgotten　us　all；〃　he　muttered；　and；　twining　this　poppy　and
mandragora　around　his　pillow；　he　fell　asleep。

His　spirits　had　quite　returned　the　next　morning；　and　once　or　twice
he　found　himself　singing　while　at　work　in　the　shaft。　　The　fear　that
Ruth　might　return　to　the　mountain　before　he　could　get　rid　of
Mornie；　and　the　slight　anxiety　that　had　grown　upon　him　to　know
something　of　his　brother's　movements；　and　to　be　able　to　govern　them
as　he　wished；　caused　him　to　hit　upon　the　plan　of　constructing　an
ingenious　advertisement　to　be　published　in　the　San　Francisco
journals；　wherein　the　missing　Ruth　should　be　advised　that　news　of
his　quest　should　be　communicated　to　him　by　〃a　friend；〃　through　the
same　medium；　after　an　interval　of　two　weeks。　　Full　of　this　amiable
intention；　he　returned　to　the　surface　to　dinner。　　Here；　to　his
momentary　confusion；　he　met　Miss　Euphemia；　who；　in　absence　of　Sol；
was　assisting　Mrs。　Sol　in　the　details　of　the　household。

If　the　honest　frankness　with　which　that　young　lady　greeted　him　was
not　enough　to　relieve　his　embarrassment；　he　would　have　forgotten
it　in　the　utterly　new　and　changed　aspect　she　presented。　　Her
extravagant　walking…costume　of　the　previous　day　was　replaced　by
some　bright　calico；　a　little　white　apron；　and　a　broad…brimmed
straw…hat；　which　seemed　to　Rand；　in　some　odd　fashion；　to　restore
her　original　girlish　simplicity。　　The　change　was　certainly　not
unbecoming　to　her。　　If　her　waist　was　not　as　tightly　pinched；　a　la
mode；　there　still　was　an　honest；　youthful　plumpness　about　it；　her
step　was　freer　for　the　absence　of　her　high…heel　boots；　and　even　the
hand　she　extended　to　Rand；　if　not　quite　so　small　as　in　her　tight
gloves；　and　a　little　brown　from　exposure；　was　magnetic　in　its
strong；　kindly　grasp。　　There　was　perhaps　a　slight　suggestion　of　the
practical　Mr。　Sol　in　her　wholesome　presence；　and　Rand　could　not
help　wondering　if　Mrs。　Sol　had　ever　been　a　Gold　Hill　〃Pet〃　before
her　marriage　with　Mr。　Sol。　　The　young　girl　noticed　his　curious
glance。

〃You　never　saw　me　in　my　rehearsal　dress　before；〃　she　said；　with　a
laugh。　　〃But　I'm　not　'company'　to…day；　and　didn't　put　on　my　best
harness　to　knock　round　in。　　I　suppose　I　look　dreadful。〃

〃I　don't　think　you　look　bad；〃　said　Rand　simply。

〃Thank　you；〃　said　Euphemia；　with　a　laugh　and　a　courtesy。　　〃But　this
isn't　getting　the　dinner。〃

As　part　of　that　operation　evidently　was　the　taking…off　of　her　hat；
the　putting…up　of　some　thick　blond　locks　that　had　escaped；　and　the
rolling…up　of　her　sleeves　over　a　pair　of　strong；　rounded　arms；　Rand
lingered　near　her。　　All　trace　of　the　〃Pet's〃　previous　professional
coquetry　was　gone；perhaps　it　was　only　replaced　by　a　more　natural
one；　but　as　she　looked　up；　and　caught　sight　of　Rand's　interested
face；　she　laughed　again；　and　colored　a　little。　　Slight　as　was　the
blush；　it　was　sufficient　to　kindle　a　sympathetic　fire　in　Rand's　own
cheeks；　which　was　so　utterly　unexpected　to　him　that　he　turned　on
his　heel　in　confusion。　　〃I　reckon　she　thinks　I'm　soft　and　silly；
like　Ruth；〃　he　soliloquized；　and；　determining　not　to　look　at　her
again；　betook　himself　to　a　distant　and　contemplative　pipe。　　In　vain
did　Miss　Euphemia　address　herself　to　the　ostentatious　getting　of
the　dinner　in　full　view　of　him；　in　vain　did　she　bring　the　coffee…
pot　away　from　the　fire；　and　nearer　Rand；　with　the　apparent
intention　of　examining　its　contents　in　a　better　light；　in　vain；
while　wiping　a　plate；　did　she；　absorbed　in　the　distant　prospect；
walk　to　the　verge　of　the　mountain；　and　become　statuesque　and
forgetful。　　The　sulky　young　gentleman　took　no　outward　notice　of
her。

Mrs。　Sol's　attendance　upon　Mornie　prevented　her　leaving　the　cabin；
and　Rand　and　Miss　Euphemia　dined　in　the　open　air　alone。　　The
ridiculousness　of　keeping　up　a　formal　attitude　to　his　solitary
companion　caused　Rand　to　relax；　but；　to　his　astonishment；　the　〃Pet〃
seemed　to　have　become　correspondingly　distant　and　formal。　　After　a
few　moments　of　discomfort；　Rand；　who　had　eaten　little；　arose；　and
〃believed　he　would　go　back　to　work。〃

〃Ah；　yes！〃　said　the　〃Pet；〃　with　an　indifferent　air；　〃I　suppose　you
must。　　Well；　good…by；　Mr。　Pinkney。〃

Rand　turned。　　〃YOU　are　not　going？〃　he　asked；　in　some　uneasiness。

〃I'VE　got　some　work　to　do　too；〃　returned　Miss　Euphemia　a　little
curtly。

〃But；〃　said　the　practical　Rand；　〃I　thought　you　allowed　that　you
were　fixed　to　stay　until　to…morrow？〃

But　here　Miss　Euphemia；　with　rising　color　and　slight　acerbity　of
voice；　was　not　aware　that　she　was　〃fixed　to　stay〃　anywhere；　least
of　all　when　she　was　in　the　way。　　More　than　that；　she　MUST　say
although　perhaps　it　made　no　difference；　and　she　ought　not　to　say
itthat　she　was　not　in　the　habit　of　intruding　upon　gentlemen　who
plainly　gave　her　to　understand　that　her　company　was　not　desirable。
She　did　not　know　why　she　said　thisof　course　it　could　make　no
difference　to　anybody　who　didn't；　of　course；　carebut　she　only
wanted　to　say　that　she　only　came　here　because　her　dear　friend；　her
adopted　mother；and　a　better　woman　never　breathed；had　come；　and
had　asked　her　to　stay。　　Of　course；　Mrs。　Sol　was　an　intruder
herselfMr。　Sol　was　an　intruderthey　were　all　intruders：　she　only
wondered　that　Mr。　Pinkney　had　borne　with　them　so　long。　　She　knew　it
was　an　awful　thing　to　be　here；　taking　care　of　a　poorpoor；
helpless　woman；　but　perhaps　Mr。　Rand's　BROTHER　might　forgive　them；
if　he　couldn't。　　But　no　matter；　she　would　goMr。　Sol　would　goALL
would　go；　and　then；　perhaps；　Mr；　Rand

She　stopped　breathless；　she　stopped　with　the　corner　of　her　apron
against　her　tearful　hazel　eyes；　she　stopped　withwhat　was　more
remarkable　than　allRand's　arm　actually　around　her　waist；　and　his
astonished；　alarmed　face　within　a　few　inches　of　her　own。

〃Why；　Miss　Euphemia；　Phemie；　my　dear　girl！　　I　never　meant　anything
like　THAT；〃　said　Rand　earnestly。　　〃I　really　didn't　now！　　Come　now！〃

〃You　never　once　spoke　to　me　when　I　sat　down；〃　said　Miss　Euphemia；
feebly　endeavoring　to　withdraw　from　Rand's　grasp。

〃I　really　didn't！　　Oh；　come　now；　look　here！　　I　didn't！　　Don't！
There's　a　dearTHERE！〃

This　last　conclusive　exposition　was　a　kiss。　　Miss　Euphemia　was　not
quick　enough　to　release　herself　from　his　arms。　　He　anticipated　that
act　a　full　half…second；　and　had　dropped　his　own；　pale　and　breathless。

The　girl　recovered　herself　first。　　〃There；　I　declare；　I'm　forgetting
Mrs。　Sol's　coffee！〃　she　exclaimed　hastily；　and；　snatching　up　the
coffee…pot；　disappeared。　　When　she　returned；　Rand　was　gone。　　Miss
Euphemia　busied　herself　demurely　in　clearing　up　the　dishes；　with　the
tail　of　her　eye　sweeping　the　horizon　of　the　summit　level　around　her。
But　no　Rand　appeared。　　Presently　she　began　to　laugh　quietly　to
herself。　　This　occurred　several　times　during　her　occupation；　which
was　somewhat　prolonged。　　The　result　of　this　meditative　hilarity　was
summed　up　in　a　somewhat　grave　and　thoughtful　deduction　as　she　walked
slowly　back　to　the　cabin：　〃I　do　believe　I'm　the　first　woman　that
that　boy　ever　kissed。〃

Miss　Euphemia　staid　that　day　and　the　next；　and　Rand　forgot　his
embarrassment。　　By　what　means　I　know　not；　Miss　Euphemia　managed　to
restore　Rand's　confidence　in　himself　and　in　her；　and　in　a　little
ramble　on　the　mountain…side　got　him　to　relate；　albeit　somewhat
reluctantly；　the　particulars　of　his　rescue　of　Mornie　from　her
dangerous　position　on　the　broken　trail。

〃And；　if　you　hadn't　got　there　as　soon　as　you　did；　she'd　have
fallen？〃　asked　the　〃Pet。〃

〃I　reckon；〃　returned　Rand　gloomily：　〃she　was　sorter　dazed　and
crazed　like。〃

〃And　you　saved　her　life？〃

〃I　suppose　so；　if　you　put　it　that　way；〃　said　Rand　sulkily。

〃But　how　did　you　get　her　up　the　mountain　again？〃

〃Oh！　I　got　her　up；〃　returned　Rand　moodily。

〃But　how？　　Really；　Mr。　Rand；　you　don't　know　how　interesting　this
is。　　It's　as　good　as　a　play；〃　said　the　〃Pet；〃　with　a　little　excited
laugh。

〃Oh；　I　carried　her　up！〃

〃In　your　arms？〃

〃Y…e…e…s。〃

Miss　Euphemia　paused；　and　bit　off　the　stalk　of　a　flower；　made　a　wry
face；　and　threw　it　away　from　her　in　disgust。

Then　she　dug　a　few　tiny　holes　in　the　earth　with　her　parasol；　and
buried　bits　of　the　flower…stalk　in　them；　as　if　they　had　been　tender
memories。　　〃I　suppose　you　knew　Mornie　very　well？〃　she　asked。

〃I　used　to　run　across　her　in　the　woods；〃　responded　Rand　shortly；　〃a
year　ago。　　I　didn't　know　her　so　well　then　as〃　　He　stopped。

〃As　what？　　As　NOW？〃　asked　the　〃Pet〃　abruptly。　　Rand；　who　was
coloring　over　his　narrow　escape　from　a　topic　which　a　delicate
kindness　of　Sol　had　excluded　from　their　intercourse　on　the
mountain；　stammered；　〃as　YOU　do；　I　me