the foreigner-第42章

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〃Behold；〃　he　cried；　〃Michael　Kalmar！〃

〃Ah…h…h…h！〃　　Rosenblatt's　voice　was　prolonged　into　a　wail　of　despair　as　from　a　damned　soul。

〃My　father！〃　cried　Kalman　from　across　the　ravine。　　〃My　father！　Don't　commit　this　crime！　　For　my　sake；　for　Christ's　dear　sake！〃

He　rushed　across　the　ravine　and　up　the　other　slope。　　His　father　ran　to　meet　him　and　grappled　with　him。　　Upon　the　slope　they　struggled；　Kalman　fighting　fiercely　to　free　himself　from　those　encircling　arms；　while　like　a　fiery　serpent　the　flame　crept　slowly　toward　the　cabin。

With　a　heavy　iron　poker　which　he　found　in　the　cabin；　Rosenblatt　had　battered　off　the　sash　and　the　frame　of　the　window；　enlarging　the　hole　till　he　could　get　his　head　and　one　arm　free；　but　there　he　stuck　fast；　watching　the　creeping　flames；　shrieking　prayers；　entreaties；　curses；　while　down　upon　the　slope　swayed　the　two　men　in　deadly　struggle。

〃Let　me　go！　　Let　me　go；　my　father！〃　entreated　Kalman；　tearing　at　his　father's　arms。　　〃How　can　I　strike　you！〃

〃Never；　boy。　　Rather　would　I　die！〃　cried　the　old　man；　his　arms　wreathed　about　his　son's　neck。

At　length；　with　his　hand　raised　high　above　his　head；　Kalman　cried；　〃Now　God　pardon　me　this！〃　and　striking　his　father　a　heavy　blow；　he　flung　him　off　and　leaped　free。　　Before　he　could　take　a　single　step；　another　figure；　that　of　a　woman；　glided　from　the　trees；　and　with　a　cry　as　of　a　wild　cat；　threw　herself　upon　him。　　At　the　same　instant　there　was　a　dull；　thick　roar；　they　were　hurled　stunned　to　the　ground；　and　in　the　silence　that　followed；　through　the　trees　came　hurtling　a　rain　of　broken　rock　and　splintered　timbers。

Slowly　recovering　from　the　shock；　the　Sergeant　staggered　down　the　ravine；　crying；　〃Come　on！〃　to　the　others　who　followed　him　one　by　one　as　they　recovered　their　senses。　　On　the　other　side　of　the　slope　lay　Kalman　and　the　woman。　　It　was　Paulina。　　At　a　little　distance　was　Malkarski；　or　Kalmar；　as　he　must　be　called；　and　where　the　cabin　had　been　a　great　hole；　and　at　some　distance　from　it　a　charred　and　blackened　shape　of　a　man　writhing　in　agony；　the　clothes　still　burning　upon　him。

Brown　rushed　down　to　the　Creek；　and　with　a　hatful　of　water　extinguished　the　burning　clothes。

〃Water！　water！〃　gasped　the　wretch　faintly。

〃Bring　him　some　water；　some　one；〃　said　Brown　who　was　now　giving　his　attention　to　Kalman。　　But　no　one　heeded　him。

Old　Portnoff　found　a　can；　and　filling　it　at　the　stream；　brought　it　to　the　group　on　the　slope。　　In　a　short　time　they　began　to　revive；　and　before　long　were　able　to　stand。　　Meantime；　the　wretched　Rosenblatt　was　piteously　crying　for　water。

〃Oh；　give　him　some　water；〃　said　Kalman　to　Brown；　who　was　anxiously　taking　his　pulse。

Brown　took　the　can　over；　gave　the　unhappy　wretch　a　drink；　pouring　the　rest　over　his　burned　and　mangled　limbs。　　The　explosion　had　shattered　the　lower　part　and　one　side　of　Rosenblatt's　body；　leaving　untouched　his　face　and　his　right　arm。

The　Sergeant　took　charge　of　the　situation。

〃You　I　arrest；〃　he　said；　taking　old　Kalmar　by　the　shoulder。

〃Very　well；　it　matters　not；〃　said　the　old　man；　holding　up　his　hands　for　the　handcuffs。

〃Can　anything　be　done　for　this　man？〃　asked　the　Sergeant；　pointing　to　Rosenblatt。

〃Nothing。　　He　can　only　live　a　few　minutes。〃

Rosenblatt　looked　up　and　beckoned　the　Sergeant　toward　him。

〃I　would　speak　with　you；〃　he　said　faintly。

The　Sergeant　approached；　bringing　Kalmar　along　with　him。

〃You　need　not　fear；　I　shall　not　try　to　escape；〃　said　Kalmar。　　〃I　give　you　my　honour。〃

〃Very　well；〃　said　the　Sergeant；　turning　from　him　to　Rosenblatt。　〃What　do　you　wish？〃

〃Come　nearer；〃　said　the　dying　man。

The　Sergeant　kneeled　down　and　leaned　over　him　to　listen。　　With　a　quick　movement　Rosenblatt　jerked　the　pistol　from　the　Sergeant's　belt　and　fired　straight　at　old　Kalmar；　turned　the　pistol　toward　Kalman　and　fired　again。　　But　as　he　levelled　his　gun　for　the　second　time；　Paulina；　with　a　cry；　flung　herself　upon　Kalman；　received　the　bullet；　and　fell　to　the　ground。　　With　a　wild　laugh；　Rosenblatt　turned　the　pistol　on　himself；　but　before　he　could　fire　the　Sergeant　had　wrested　it　from　his　hand。

〃Aha；〃　he　gasped；　〃I　have　my　revenge！〃

〃Fool！〃　said　old　Kalmar；　who　was　being　supported　by　his　son。　〃Fool！　　You　have　only　done　for　me　what　I　would　have　done　for　myself。〃

With　a　snarl　as　of　a　dog；　Rosenblatt　sank　back　upon　the　ground；　and　with　a　shudder　lay　still。

〃He　is　dead；〃　said　Brown。　　〃God's　mercy　meet　him！〃

〃Ah；〃　said　old　Kalmar；　〃I　breathe　freer　now　that　his　breath　no　longer　taints　the　air。　　My　work　is　done。〃

〃Oh；　my　father；〃　cried　Kalman　brokenly；　〃may　God　forgive　you！〃

〃Boy；〃　said　the　old　man　sternly；　〃mean　you　for　the　death　of　yon　dog？　　You　hang　the　murderer。　　He　is　many　times　a　murderer。　　This　very　night　he　had　willed　to　murder　you　and　your　friend。　　He　was　condemned　to　death　by　a　righteous　tribunal。　　He　has　met　his　just　doom。　　God　is　just。　　I　meet　Him　without　fear　for　this。　　For　my　sins；　which　are　many；　I　trust　His　mercy。〃

〃My　father；〃　said　Kalman；　〃you　are　right。　　I　believe　you。　　And　God　is　merciful。　　Christ　is　merciful。〃

As　he　spoke；　he　leaned　over；　and　wiping　from　his　father's　face　the　tears　that　fell　upon　it；　he　kissed　him　on　the　forehead。　　The　old　man's　breath　was　growing　short。　　He　looked　towards　Brown。　　At　once　Brown　came　near。

〃You　are　a　good　man。　　Your　religion　is　good。　　It　makes　men　just　and　kind。　　Ah；　religion　is　a　beautiful　thing　when　it　makes　men　just　and　kind。〃

He　turned　his　eyes　upon　Jack　French；　who　stood　looking　down　sadly　upon　him。

〃You　have　been　friend　to　my　son；〃　he　said。　　〃You　will　guide　him　still？〃

French　dropped　quickly　on　his　knee；　took　him　by　the　hand　and　said；　〃I　will　be　to　him　a　brother。〃

The　old　man　turned　his　face　and　said；　〃Paulina。〃

〃She　is　here；〃　said　old　Portnoff；　〃but　she　can't　move。〃

At　the　sound　of　his　voice；　the　woman　struggled　up　to　her　knees；　crawled　over　to　his　side；　the　blood　flowing　from　her　wound；　and　taking　his　hand；　held　it　to　her　lips。

〃Paulina；〃　he　said；　〃you　have　done　wellyou　aremy　wife　again　come　near　me。〃

The　woman　made　an　inarticulate　moan　like　some　dumb　beast；　and　lifted　her　face　toward　him。

〃Kiss　me；〃　he　said。

〃Ah；　my　lord；〃　she　cried；　sobbing　wildly；　〃my　dear　lord；　I　dare　not。〃

〃Kiss　me；〃　he　said　again。

〃Now　let　me　die；〃　she　cried；　kissing　him　on　the　lips；　and　falling　down　in　a　faint　beside　him。

Brown　lifted　her　and　laid　her　in　Portnoff's　arms。　　The　dying　man　lay　silent；　gathering　his　strength。　　He　was　breathing　now　with　great　difficulty。

〃My　son！　　I　cannot　see　you〃

Brown　came　and　took　Kalman's　place。

〃Here　I　am；　father；〃　said　Kalman；　kneeling　beside　him　and　holding　his　two　hands。

〃Bidmy　daughter　Irmafarewell！　　She　will　be　safe　with　you。〃　Then　after　a　pause　he　whispered；　〃In　my　pocket。〃

Kalman　understood；　found　a　packet；　and　from　it　drew　the　miniature　of　his　mother。

〃I　give　you　this；〃　said　the　father；　lifting　it　with　difficulty　to　his　lips。　　〃No　curse　with　it　nowonly　blessingfarewellyou　have　brought　me　joylet　me　see　her　faceah；　dear　heart〃　he　said；　fastening　his　glazing　eyes　upon　the　beautiful　face；　〃I　come　to　you　ah！　freedom！sweet　freedom　at　last！and　loveall　love！　　My　son　farewell！my　love！〃

〃Dear　God！〃　cried　Kalman；　〃Jesu；　have　pity　and　save！〃

A　smile　as　of　an　infant　falling　asleep　played　over　the　rugged　face；　while　the　poor　lips　whispered；　〃At　lastfreedom！andlove！〃

He　breathed　once；　deep　and　long；　and　then　no　more。　　The　long；　long　fight　was　done；　the　fight　for　freedom　and　for　love。



CHAPTER　XIX

MY　FOREIGNER


The　Night　Hawk　Mining　Company；　after　a　period　of　doubt　and　struggle；　was　solidly　on　its　feet　at　last。　　True；　its　dividends　were　not　large；　but　at　least　it　was　paying　its　way；　and　it　stood　well　among　the　financial　institutions　of　the　country。　　Its　satisfactory　condition　was　accounted　for　by　its　President；　Sir　Robert　Menzies；　at　the　last　Annual　Meeting　of　the　Company；　in　the　following　words：　　〃It　is　to　the　fidelity；　diligence；　good　judgment；　and　ability　to　handle　men；　shown　by　our　young　Manager；　Mr。　Kalmar；　during　the　past　five　years；　that　the　Company　owes　its　present　excellent　standing。〃

The　Foreign　Colony　and　the　mine　reacted　upon　each　other；　to　their　mutual　advantage；　the　one　furnishing　labourers；　the　other　work　and　cash。　　The　colony　had　greatly　prospered　on　this　account；　but　perhaps　more　on　account　of　the　influence　of　Dr。　Brown　and　his　mission。　　The　establishment　of　a　Government　school　had　relieved　the　missionary　of　an　exacting　and　laborious　department　of　his　work；　and　allowed　him　to　devote　himself　to　his　Hospital　and　his　Training　Home。　　The　changes　apparent　in　the　colony；　largely　as　the　result　of　Dr。　Brown's　labours；　were　truly　remarkable。　　The　creating　of　a　market　for　their　produce　by　the　advent　of　the　railway；　and　for　their　labour　by　the　development　of　the　mine；　brought　the　Galician　people　wealth；　but　the　influence　of　Dr。　Brown　himself；　and　of　his　Home；　and　of　his　Hospital；　was　apparent　in　the　life　and　character　of　the　people；　and　especially　of　the　younger　generation。　　The　old　mud…plastered　cabins　were　giving　place　to　neat　frame　houses；　each　surrounded　by　its　garden　of　vegetables　and　flowers。　　In　dress；　the　sheep　skin　and　the　shawl　were　being　exchanged　for　the　ready…made　suit　and　the　hat　of　latest　style。　　The　Hospital；　with　its　staff　of　trained　nurses　under　the　direction　of　the　young　matron；　the　charming　Miss　Irma；　by　its　ministrations　to　the　sick；　and　more　by　the　spirit　that　breathed　through　its　whole　service；　wrought　in　the　Galician　mind　a　new　temper　and　a　new　ideal。　　In　the　Training　Home　fifty　Galician　girls　were　being　indoctrinated　into　that　most　noble　of　all　sciences；　the　science　of　home…making；　and　were　gaining　practical　experience　in　all　the　cognate　sciences　and　arts。

At　the　Night　Hawk　ranch　too　were　all　the　signs　of　the　new　order　of　things。　　Fenced　fields　and　imported　stock；　a　new　ranch　house　with　stables　and　granaries；　were　some　of　the　indications　that　the　coming　of　the　market　for　the　produce　of　the　ranch　had　synchronized　with　the　making　of　the　man　for　its　administration。　　The　call　of　the　New　Time；　and　the　appeal　of　the　New　Ideal；　that　came　through　the　railroad；　the　mine；　but；　more　than　both；　through　the　Mission　and　its　founder；　found　a　response　in　the　heart　of　Jack　French。　　The　old　laissez　faire　of　the　pioneer　days　gave　place　to　a　sense　of　responsibility　for　opportunity；　and　to　habits　of　decisive　and　prompt　attention　to　the　business　of　the　hour。　　Five　years　of　intelligent　study　of　conditions；　of　steady　application　to　duty；　had　brought　success　not　in　wealth　alone；　but　in　character　and　in　influence。

But　upon　Kalman；　more　than　upon　any　other；　these　five　years　had　left　their　mark。　　The　hard　grind　of　daily　work；　the　daily　burden　of　administration；　had　toughened　the　fibre　of　his　character　and　hardened　the　temper　of　his　spirit；　and　this　hardening　and　toughening　could　be　seen　in　every　line　of　his　face　and　in　every　motion　of　his　body。　　Twice　during　the　five　years　he　had　been　sent　by　Jack　French　to　the　city　for　a　three　months'　term　in　a　Business　College；　where　he　learned　to　know；　not　only　the　books　of　his　College　curriculum；　but；　through　Jack's　introductions；　the　men　who　were　doing　big　things　for　the　country。　　He　had　returned　to　his　place　and　to　his　work　in　the　mine　with　vision　enlarged；　ideal　exalted；　and　with　the