the red cross girl(红十字姑娘)-第29章
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morning； he could look into the face of a fellow…mortal； he now could look
into the workings of that fellow…mortal's mind。 The thought was appalling。
It was like living with one's ear to a key…hole。 In his dismay his first idea
was to seek medical advicethe best in London。 He turned instantly in the
direction of Harley Street。 There； he determined； to the most skilled
alienist in town he would explain his strange plight。 For only as a
misfortune did the miracle appear to him。 But as he made his way through
the streets his pace slackened。
Was he wise； he asked himself； in allowing others to know he
possessed this strange power？ Would they not at once treat him as a
madman？ Might they not place him under observation； or even deprive
him of his liberty？ At the thought he came to an abrupt halt His own
definition of the miracle as a 〃power〃 had opened a new line of
speculation。 If this strange gift （already he was beginning to consider it
more leniently） were concealed from others； could he not honorably put it
to some useful purpose？ For； among the blind； the man with one eye is a
god。 Was not heamong all other men the only one able to read the minds
of all other mena god？ Turning into Bruton Street； he paced its quiet
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length considering the possibilities that lay within him。
It was apparent that the gift would lead to countless embarrassments。
If it were once known that he possessed it； would not even his friends
avoid him？ For how could any one； knowing his most secret thought was
at the mercy of another； be happy in that other's presence？ His power
would lead to his social ostracism。 Indeed； he could see that his gift might
easily become a curse。 He decided not to act hastily； that for the present he
had best give no hint to others of his unique power。
As the idea of possessing this power became more familiar； he
regarded it with less aversion。 He began to consider to what advantage he
could place it。 He could see that； given the right time and the right man； he
might learn secrets leading to far…reaching results。 To a statesman； to a
financier； such a gift as he possessed would make him a ruler of men。
Philip had no desire to be a ruler of men； but he asked himself how could
he bend this gift to serve his own？ What he most wished was to marry
Helen Carey； and； to that end； to possess money。 So he must meet men
who possessed money； who were making money。 He would put questions
to them。 And with words they would give evasive answers； but their minds
would tell him the truth。
The ethics of this procedure greatly disturbed him。 Certainly it was no
better than reading other people's letters。 But； he argued； the dishonor in
knowledge so obtained would lie only in the use he made of it。 If he used
it without harm to him from whom it was obtained and with benefit to
others； was he not justified in trading on his superior equipment？ He
decided that each case must be considered separately in accordance with
the principle involved。 But； principle or no principle； he was determined to
become rich。 Did not the end justify the means？ Certainly an all…wise
Providence had not brought Helen Carey into his life only to take her
away from him。 It could not be so cruel。 But； in selecting them for one
another； the all…wise Providence had overlooked the fact that she was rich
and he was poor。 For that oversight Providence apparently was now
endeavoring to make amends。 In what certainly was a fantastic and
roundabout manner Providence had tardily equipped him with a gift that
could lead to great wealth。 And who was he to fly in the face of
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Providence？ He decided to set about building up a fortune； and building it
in a hurry。
From Bruton Street he had emerged upon Berkeley Square； and； as
Lady Woodcote had invited him to meet Helen at luncheon at the Ritz； he
turned in that direction。 He was too early for luncheon； but in the corridor
of the Ritz he knew he would find persons of position and fortune； and in
reading their minds he might pass the time before luncheon with
entertainment； possibly with profit。 For； while pacing Bruton Street trying
to discover the principles of conduct that threatened to hamper his new
power； he had found that in actual operation it was quite simple。 He
learned that his mind； in relation to other minds； was like the receiver of a
wireless station with an unlimited field。 For； while the wireless could
receive messages only from those instruments with which it was attuned；
his mind was in key with all other minds。 To read the thoughts of another；
he had only to concentrate his own upon that person； and to shut off the
thoughts of that person； he had only to turn his own thoughts elsewhere。
But also he discovered that over the thoughts of those outside the range of
his physical sight he had no control。 When he asked of what Helen Carey
was at that moment thinking； there was no result。 But when he asked； 〃Of
what is that policeman on the corner thinking？〃 he was surprised to find
that that officer of the law was formulating regulations to abolish the
hobble skirt as an impediment to traffic。
As Philip turned into Berkeley Square； the accents of a mind in great
distress smote upon his new and sixth sense。 And； in the person of a young
gentleman leaning against the park railing； he discovered the source from
which the mental sufferings emanated。 The young man was a pink…
cheeked； yellow…haired youth of extremely boyish appearance； and
dressed as if for the race…track。 But at the moment his pink and babyish
face wore an expression of complete misery。 With tear…filled eyes he was
gazing at a house of yellow stucco on the opposite side of the street。 And
his thoughts were these： 〃She is the best that ever lived； and I am the most
ungrateful of fools。 How happy were we in the house of yellow stucco！
Only now； when she has closed its doors to me； do I know how happy！ If
she would give me another chance； never again would I distress or deceive
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her。〃
So far had the young man progressed in his thoughts when an
automobile of surprising smartness swept around the corner and drew up
in front of the house of yellow stucco； and from it descended a charming
young person。 She was of the Dresden… shepherdess type； with large blue
eyes of haunting beauty and innocence。
〃My wife！〃 exclaimed the blond youth at the railings。 And instantly he
dodged behind a horse that； while still attached to a four…wheeler； was
contentedly eating from a nose…bag。
With a key the Dresden shepherdess opened the door to the yellow
house and disappeared。
The calling of the reporter trains him in audacity； and to act quickly。
He shares the troubles of so many people that to the troubles of other
people he becomes callous； and often will rush in where friends of the
family fear to tread。 Although Philip was not now acting as a reporter； he
acted quickly。 Hardly had the door closed upon the young lady than he had
mounted the steps and rung the visitor's bell。 As he did so； he could not
resist casting a triumphant glance in the direction of the outlawed husband。
And； in turn； what the outcast husband； peering from across the back of
the cab horse； thought of Philip； of his clothes； of his general appearance；
and of the manner in which he would delight to alter all of them； was
quickly communicated to the American。 They were thoughts of a nature so
violent and uncomplimentary that Philip hastily cut off all connection。
As Philip did not know the name of the Dresden…china doll； it was
fortunate that on opening the door； the butler promptly announced：
〃Her ladyship is not receiving。〃
〃Her ladyship will； I think； receive me；〃 said Philip pleasantly； 〃when
you tell her I come as the special ambassador of his lordship。〃
From a tiny reception…room on the right of the entrance…hall there
issued a feminine exclamation of surprise； not unmixed with joy； and in
the hall the noble lady instantly appeared。
When she saw herself confronted by a stranger； she halted in
embarrassment。 But as； even while she halted； her only thought had been；
〃Oh！ if he will only ask me to forgive him！〃 Philip felt no embarrassment
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whatsoever。 Outside； concealed behind a cab horse； was the erring but
bitterly repentant husband； inside； her tenderest thoughts racing
tumultuously toward him； was an unhappy child…wife begging to be
begged to pardon。
For a New York reporter； and a Harvard graduate of charm and good
manners； it was too easy。
〃I do not know you；〃 said her ladyship。 But even as she spoke she
motioned to the butler to go away。 〃You must be one of his new friends。〃
Her tone was one of envy。
〃Indeed； I am his newest friend；〃 Philip assured her； 〃but I can safely
say no one knows his thoughts as well as I。 And they are all of you！〃
The china shepherdess blushed with happiness； but instantly she shook
her head。
〃They tell me I must not believe him；〃 she announced。 〃They tell me
〃
〃Never mind what they tell you；〃 commanded Philip。 〃Listen to ME。
He loves you。 Better than ever before； he loves yo
