the man between-第25章

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〃He　has　no　home　now；　poor　fellow。〃

〃Whose　fault　was　it？　God　only　knows。　Where　is　his　wife？〃

〃She　has　gone　to　Paris。〃

〃She　has　gone　to　the　right　place　if　she　wants　to　play　the　fool。　But　there；　now；　God　forbid　I　should　judge　her　in　the　dark。　Women　should　stand　by　womenconsidering。〃

〃Considering？〃

〃What　they　may　have　to　put　up　with。　It　is　easy　to　see　faults　in　others。　I　have　sometimes　met　with　people　who　should　see　faults　in　themselves。　They　are　rather　uncommon；　though。〃

〃I　am　sure　Basil　Stanhope　will　be　miserable　all　his　life。　He　will　break　his　heart；　I　do　believe。〃

〃Not　so。　A　good　heart　is　hard　to　break；　it　grows　strong　in　trouble。　Basil　Stanhope's　body　will　fail　long　before　his　heart　does；　and　even　so　an　end　must　come　to　life；　and　after　that　peace　or　what　God　wills。〃

This　scant　sympathy　Ethel　found　to　be　the　usual　tone　among　her　acquaintances。　St。　Jude's　got　a　new　rector　and　a　new　idol；　and　the　Stanhope　affair　was　relegated　to　the　limbo　of　things　〃it　was　proper　to　forget。〃

So　the　weeks　of　the　long　winter　went　by；　and　Ethel　in　the　joy　and　hope　of　her　own　love…life　naturally　put　out　of　her　mind　the　sorrow　of　lives　she　could　no　longer　help　or　influence。　Indeed；　as　to　Dora；　there　were　frequent　reports　of　her　marvelous　social　success　in　Paris；　and　Ethel　did　not　doubt　Stanhope　had　found　some　everlasting　gospel　of　holy　work　to　comfort　his　desolation。　And　then　also

　　〃Each　day　brings　its　petty　dust；　　　　　　Our　soon…choked　souls　to　fill；　　　And　we　forget　because　we　must；　　　　　　And　not　because　we　will。〃


One　evening　when　May　with　heavy　clouds　and　slant　rains　was　making　the　city　as　miserable　as　possible；　Ethel　had　a　caller。　His　card　bore　a　name　quite　unknown；　and　his　appearance　gave　no　clew　to　his　identity。

〃Mr。　Edmonds？〃　she　said　interrogatively。

〃Are　you　Miss　Ethel　Rawdon？〃　he　asked。

〃Yes。〃

〃Mr。　Basil　Stanhope　told　me　to　put　this　parcel　in　your　hands。〃

〃Oh；　Mr。　Stanhope！　I　am　glad　to　hear　from　him。　Where　is　he　now？〃

〃We　buried　him　yesterday。　He　died　last　Sunday　as　the　bells　were　ringing　for　church　pneumonia；　miss。　While　reading　the　ser…　vice　over　a　poor　young　man　he　had　nursed　many　weeks　he　took　cold。　The　poor　will　miss　him　sorely。〃

〃DEAD！〃　She　looked　aghast　at　the　speaker；　and　again　ejaculated　the　pitiful；　astounding　word。

〃Good　evening；　miss。　I　promised　him　to　return　at　once　to　the　work　he　left　me　to　do。〃　And　he　quietly　departed；　leaving　Ethel　standing　with　the　parcel　in　her　hands。　She　ran　upstairs　and　locked　it　away。　Just　then　she　could　not　bear　to　open　it。

〃And　it　is　hardly　twelve　months　since　he　was　married；〃　she　sobbed。　〃Oh；　Ruth；　Ruth；　it　is　too　cruel！〃

〃Dear；〃　answered　Ruth；　〃there　is　no　death　to　such　a　man　as　Basil　Stanhope。〃

〃He　was　so　young；　Ruth。〃

〃I　know。　‘His　high…born　brothers　called　him　hence'　at　the　age　of　twenty…nine；　but

　　〃‘It　is　not　growing　like　a　tree；　　　　　　　　In　bulk；　doth　make　men　better　be；　　　Or　standing　like　an　oak　three　hundred　year；　　　To　fall　at　last；　dry；　bald　and　sear：　　　　　　　　A　lily　of　a　day　　　　　　　　Is　fairer　far　in　May；　　　Although　it　fall　and　die　that　night；　　　It　was　the　plant　and　flower　of　light。'〃


At　these　words　the　Judge　put　down　his　Review　to　listen　to　Ethel's　story；　and　when　she　ceased　speaking　he　had　gone　far　further　back　than　any　antique　classic　for　compensation　and　satisfaction：

〃He　being　made　perfect　in　a　short　time　fulfilled　a　long　time。　For　his　soul　pleased　the　Lord；　therefore　hasted　He　to　take　him　away　from　among　the　wicked。〃＇2＇　And　that　evening　there　was　little　conversation。　Every　heart　was　busy　with　its　own　thoughts。


＇2＇　Wisdom　of　Solomon；　IV。；　13；　14。


CHAPTER　XI


TRADE　and　commerce　have　their　heroes　as　well　as　arms；　and　the　struggle　in　which　Tyrrel　Rawdon　at　last　plucked　victory　from　apparent　failure　was　as　arduous　a　campaign　as　any　military　operations　could　have　afforded。　It　had　entailed　on　him　a　ceaseless；　undaunted　watch　over　antagonists　rich　and　powerful；　and　a　fight　for　rights　which　contained　not　only　his　own　fortune；　but　the　honor　of　his　father；　so　that　to　give　up　a　fraction　of　them　was　to　turn　traitor　to　the　memory　of　a　parent　whom　he　believed　to　be　beyond　all　doubt　or　reproach。　Money；　political　power；　civic　influence；　treachery；　bribery；　the　law's　delay　and　many　other　hindrances　met　him　on　every　side；　but　his　heart　was　encouraged　daily　to　perseverance　by　love's　tenderest　sympathy。　For　he　told　Ethel　everything；　and　received　both　from　her　fine　intuitions　and　her　father's　legal　skill　priceless　comfort　and　advice。　But　at　last　the　long　trial　was　over；　the　marriage　day　was　set；　and　Tyrrel；　with　all　his　rights　conceded；　was　honorably　free　to　seek　the　happiness　he　had　safeguarded　on　every　side。

It　was　a　lovely　day　in　the　beginning　of　May；　nearly　two　years　after　their　first　meeting；　when　Tyrrel　reached　New　York。　Ethel　knew　at　what　hour　his　train　would　arrive；　she　was　watching　and　listening　for　his　step。　They　met　in　each　other's　arms；　and　the　blessed　hours　of　that　happy　evening　were　an　over…　payment　of　delight　for　the　long　months　of　their　separation。

In　the　morning　Ethel　was　to　introduce　her　lover　to　Madam　Rawdon；　and　side　by　side；　almost　hand　in　hand；　they　walked　down　the　avenue　together。　Walked？　They　were　so　happy　they　hardly　knew　whether　their　feet　touched　earth　or　not。　They　had　a　constant　inclination　to　clasp　hands；　to　run　as　little　children　run；　They　wished　to　smile　at　everyone；　to　bid　all　the　world　good　morning。　Madam　had　resolved　to　be　cool　and　careful　in　her　advances；　but　she　quickly　found　herself　unable　to　resist　the　sight　of　so　much　love　and　hope　and　happiness。　The　young　people　together　took　her　heart　by　storm；　and　she　felt　herself　compelled　to　express　an　interest　in　their　future；　and　to　question　Tyrrel　about　it。

〃What　are　you　going　to　do　with　yourself　or　make　of　yourself？〃　she　asked　Tyrrel　one　evening　when　they　were　sitting　together。　〃I　do　hope　you'll　find　some　kind　of　work。　Anything　is　better　than　loafing　about　clubs　and　such　like　places。〃

〃I　am　going　to　study　law　with　Judge　Rawdon。　My　late　experience　has　taught　me　its　value。　I　do　not　think　I　shall　loaf　in　his　office。〃

〃Not　if　he　is　anywhere　around。　He　works　and　makes　others　work。　Lawyering　is　a　queer　business；　but　men　can　be　honest　in　it　if　they　want　to。〃

〃And；　grandmother；〃　said　Ethel；　〃my　father　says　Tyrrel　has　a　wonderful　gift　for　public　speaking。　He　made　a　fine　speech　at　father's　club　last　night。　Tyrrel　will　go　into　politics。〃

〃Will　he；　indeed？　Tyrrel　is　a　wonder。　If　he　manages　to　walk　his　shoes　straight　in　the　zigzaggery　ways　of　the　law；　he　will　be　one　of　that　grand　breed　called　‘exceptions。'　As　for　politics；　I　don't　like　them；　far　from　it。　Your　grandfather　used　to　say　they　either　found　a　man　a　rascal　or　made　him　one。　However；　I'm　ready　to　compromise　on　law　and　politics。　I　was　afraid　with　his　grand　voice　he　would　set　up　for　a　tenor。〃

Tyrrel　laughed。　〃I　did　once　think　of　that　role；〃　he　said。

〃I　fancied　that。　Whoever　taught　you　to　use　your　voice　knew　a　thing　or　two　about　singing。　I'll　say　that　much。〃

〃My　mother　taught　me。〃

〃Never！　I　wonder　now！〃

〃She　was　a　famous　singer。　She　was　a　great　and　a　good　woman。　I　owe　her　for　every　excellent　quality　there　is　in　me。〃

〃No；　you　don't。　You　have　got　your　black　eyes　and　hair　her　way；　I'll　warrant　that；　but　your　solid　make…up；　your　pluck　and　grit　and　perseverance　is　the　Rawdon　in　you。　Without　Rawdon　you　would　very　likely　now　be　strutting　about　some　opera　stage；　playing　at　kings　and　lovemaking。〃

〃As　it　is〃

〃As　it　is；　you　will　be　lord　consort　of　Rawdon　Manor；　with　a　silver　mine　to　back　you。〃

〃I　am　sorry　about　the　Manor；〃　said　Tyrrel。　〃I　wish　the　dear　old　Squire　were　alive　to　meet　Ethel　and　myself。〃

〃To　be　sure　you　do。　But　I　dare　say　that　he　is　glad　now　to　have　passed　out　of　it。　Death　is　a　mystery　to　those　left；　but　I　have　no　doubt　it　is　satisfying　to　those　who　have　gone　away。　He　died　as　he　lived；　very　prop…　erly；　walked　in　the　garden　that　morning　as　far　as　the　strawberry　beds；　and　the　gardener　gave　him　the　first　ripe　half…dozen　in　a　young　cabbage　leaf；　and　he　ate　them　like　a　boy；　and　said　they　tasted　as　if　grown　in　Paradise；　then　strolled　home　and　asked　Joel　to　shake　the　pillows　on　the　sofa　in　the　hall；　laid　himself　down；　shuffled　his　head　easy　among　them；　and　fell　on　sleep。　So　Death　the　Deliverer　found　him。　A　good　going　home！　Nothing　to　fear　in　it。〃

〃Ethel　tells　me　that　Mr。　Mostyn　is　now　living　at　Mostyn　Hall。〃

〃Yes；　he　married　that　girl　he　would　have　sold　his　soul　for　and　took　her　there；　four　months　only　after　her　husband's　death。　When　I　was　young　he　durst　not　have　done　it；　the　Yorkshire　gentry　would　have　cut　them　both。〃

〃I　think；〃　said　Tyrrel；　〃American　gentlemen　of　to…day　felt　much　the　same。　Will　Madison　told　me　that　the　club　cut　him　as　soon　as　Mrs。　Stanhope　left　her　husband。　He　went　there　one　day　after　it　was　known；　and　no　one　saw　him；　finally　he　walked　up　to　McLean；　and　would　have　sat　down；　but　McLean　said；　‘Your　company　is　not　desired；　Mr。　Mostyn。'　Mostyn　said　something　in　re…　ply；　and　McLean　answered　sternly；　‘True；　we　are　none　of　us　saints；　but　there　are　lines　the　worst　of　us　will　not　pass；　and　if　there　is　any　member　of　this　club　willing　to　interfere　between　a　bridegroom　and　his　bride；　I　would　like　to　kick　him　out　of　it。'　Mostyn　struck　the　table　with　some　exclamation；　and　McLean　continued；　‘Especially　when　the　wronged　husband　is　a　gentleman　of　such　stainless　character　and　unsuspecting　nature　as　Basil　Stanhopea　clergyman　also！　Oh；　the　thing　is　beyond　palliation　entirely！'　And　he　walked　away　and　left　Mostyn。〃

〃Well；〃　said　Madam；　〃if　it　came　to　kicking；　two　could　play　that　game。　Fred　is　no　coward。　I　don't　want　to　hear　another　word　about　them。　They　will　punish　each　other　without　our　help。　Let　them　alone。　I　hope　you　are　not　going　to　have　a　crowd　at　your　wedding。　The　quietest　weddings　are　the　luckiest　ones。〃

〃About　twenty　of　our　most　intimate　friends　are　invited　to　the　church；〃　said　Ethel。　〃There　will　be　no　reception　until　we　return　to　New　York　in　the　fall。〃

〃No　need　of　fuss　here；　there　will　be　enough　when　you　reach　Monk…Rawdon。　The　village　will　be　garlanded　and　flagged；　the　bells　ring…　ing；　and　all　your　tenants　and　retainers　out　to　meet　you。〃

〃We　intend　to　get　into　our　own　home　without　anyone　being　aware　of　it。　Come；　Tyrrel；　my　dressmaker　is　waiting；　I　know。　It　is　my　wedding　gown；　dear　Granny；　and　oh；　so　lovely！〃

〃You　will　not　be　any　smarter　than　I　intend　to　be；　miss。　You　are　shut　off　from　color。　I　can　outdo　you。〃

〃I　am　sure　you　canand　will。　Here　comes　father。　What　can　he　want？〃　They　met　him　at　the　door；　and　with　a　few　laughing　words　left　him　with　Madam。　She　looked　curiously　into　his　face　and　asked；　〃What　is　it；　Edward？〃

〃I　suppose　they　have　told　you　all　the　arrangements。　They　are　very　simple。　Did　they　say　anything　about　Ruth？〃

〃They　never　named　her。　They　said　they　were　going　to　Washington　for　a　week；　and　then　to　Rawdon　Court。　Ruth　seems　out　of　it　all。　Are　you　going　to　turn　her　adrift；　or　present　her　with　a　few　thousand　dollars？　She　has　been　a　mother　to　Ethel。　Something　ought　to　be　done　for　Ruth　Bayard。〃

〃I　intend　to　marry　her。〃

〃I　thought　so。〃

〃She　will　go　to　her　sister's　in　Philadelphia　for　a　month　's　preparation。　I　shall　marry　her　there；　and　bring　her　home　as　my　wife。　She　is　a　sweet；　gentle；　docile　woman。　She　will　make　me　hap