On the day of the big mass-meeting of Socialists4, who had gathered from every state of the Golden West, Elena found her guardian6 seated alone on the broad veranda7 overlooking the Bay of San Francisco. A look of deep trouble clouded his strong face.
"You are worried?" she said, seating herself by his side.
"Yes, dearie," was the moody8 answer.
"Over Norman's meeting?"
"Yes. The boy's set his heart on this big foolish enterprise. His failure is a certainty. I don't know what may follow."
"You are sure he can't raise the money?"
"Absolutely. The disappointment will be a stunning9 blow to his pride."
"You know that if he did succeed in raising the [106]money, and establishing his brotherhood10 of man, the scheme would end in failure?"
"As clearly as I know I am living."
"Would you be sorry if the dream should be realized?"
"On the other hand, I'd shout for joy to find the human race capable of such a miracle."
Elena gently touched his hand. "Then, Guardie, there's but one thing to do," she said, with a deep, spiritual look in her blue eyes.
"What?"
"Give Norman a round million dollars to make the experiment."
The Colonel looked at her in amazement11, and suddenly sprang to his feet, pacing the floor with feverish12 steps. He stopped at last before the girl and studied her.
"Don't let Norman know who gave the money," she continued. "It will be a big, noble, beautiful thing to do—and—it will save him."
"What a wonderful woman you are, Elena!"
He paused and looked at her steadily13. "I'm going to do it!"
When Norman returned at midnight from the mass-meeting his face was flushed and his eyes sparkled.
[107]"It's done, Governor! It's done!" he fairly shouted.
"You mean the half million was subscribed14?" the Colonel asked.
"Yes, and more!" he went on, excitedly. "We have succeeded beyond my wildest hopes. We had subscriptions15 for a hundred thousand. Fifty thousand more was subscribed at the meeting by the delegates, and just as we were about to adjourn16 Judge Clark, a famous lawyer, rose and announced the gift of a round million to the cause by a group of friends whose names he refused to make known."
"And what happened?" Elena asked.
"It's hard to tell exactly. The first thing I did was to jump over three rows of seats, grab the lawyer, and yell like a maniac17. We carried him around the room, and shouted and screamed until we were hoarse18. The scene was indescribable. Strong men fell into each other's arms and cried like children."
"And you could get no hint of the identity of the men who gave the money?" Elena inquired.
"Not the slightest. The deed of gift was made to me through the lawyer as trustee. I don't like one or two conditions, exactly, but it was no time to haggle19 over details."
"What were the conditions?" Elena interrupted, with a glance at the Colonel.
[108]"That the title to the island of Ventura should be vested in me personally for two years. And five hundred thousand dollars should remain a fund in my hands as trustee to administer its income for the same period. At the end of one year, or of two, I may transfer the whole to the Brotherhood, or reconvey it to the original donors20. I think it gives too much power into one man's hands—but I'll hold it a sacred trust."
The young enthusiast's face glowed with thrilling purpose, and his eyes were shining with unshed tears, as he laid his hand on his father's shoulder and exclaimed:
"Ah! Governor, you didn't have faith enough in your fellow man! You said it couldn't be done!"
"I congratulate you, my son," the Colonel gravely said, "and I wish for you the noblest success."
"There's no such word as fail." Norman cried. "No sleep for me to-night! I return to the Socialist5 Club for a celebration. I just came to tell you personally of our triumph. The deed is done, and the Brotherhood of Man is a thrilling fact!"
With swift, joyous21 stride he threw himself into the hall and bounded down the steps.
"Suppose after all, Guardie, he should succeed?" Elena exclaimed.
[109]"They'll start with many things in their favour," the Colonel responded. "The island of Ventura is said to be the most fertile and beautiful spot of earth in the West. No adverse22 influences can reach them from without. Five thousand men and women, inspired by a sublime23 faith in themselves, may under such conditions surprise us. If Socialism is possible on an island of a hundred thousand acres, it's possible on a hundred thousand square miles, and its faith will conquer the world. We'll give them two years before we visit them, and see what happens."
"Suppose they do succeed!" Elena repeated, musingly24.
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1
systematic
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| adj.有系统的，有计划的，有方法的 | |
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persistent
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| adj.坚持不懈的，执意的；持续的 | |
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commonwealth
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| n.共和国，联邦，共同体 | |
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socialists
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| 社会主义者( socialist的名词复数 ) | |
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socialist
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| n.社会主义者；adj.社会主义的 | |
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guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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veranda
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| n.走廊；阳台 | |
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moody
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| adj.心情不稳的，易怒的，喜怒无常的 | |
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stunning
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| adj.极好的；使人晕倒的 | |
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brotherhood
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| n.兄弟般的关系，手中情谊 | |
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amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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feverish
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| adj.发烧的，狂热的，兴奋的 | |
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steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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subscribed
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| v.捐助( subscribe的过去式和过去分词 )；签署，题词；订阅；同意 | |
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subscriptions
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| n.（报刊等的）订阅费( subscription的名词复数 )；捐款；（俱乐部的）会员费；捐助 | |
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adjourn
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| v.（使）休会，（使）休庭 | |
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maniac
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| n.精神癫狂的人；疯子 | |
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hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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haggle
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| vi.讨价还价，争论不休 | |
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donors
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| n.捐赠者( donor的名词复数 )；献血者；捐血者；器官捐献者 | |
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joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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adverse
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| adj.不利的；有害的；敌对的，不友好的 | |
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sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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musingly
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| adv.沉思地，冥想地 | |
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