This stranger of royal bearing, riding a rough Western pony1 as if it were decked with golden trappings, with his bright hair gleaming like Roman gold in the sun, and his blue-gray eyes looking into hers with the gladness of his youth; this one who had come to her out of the night-shadows of the wilderness2 and led her into safety! Yes, she was glad to see him.
He dismounted and greeted her, his wide hat in his hand, his eyes upon her face, and Bud stepped back, watching them in pleased surprise. This was the man who had shot all the lights out the night of the big riot in the saloon. He had also risked his life in a number of foolish ways at recent festal carouses4. Bud would not have been a boy had he not admired the young man beyond measure; and his boy worship of the teacher yielded her to a fitting rival. He stepped behind and walked beside the pony, who was following his master meekly5, as though he, too, were under the young man's charm.
"Oh, and this is my friend, William Tanner," spoke6 Margaret, turning toward the boy loyally, (Whatever good angel made her call him William? Bud's soul swelled7 with new dignity as he blushed and acknowledged the introduction by a grin.)
"Glad to know you, Will," said the new-comer, extending his hand in a hearty8 shake that warmed the boy's heart in a trice. "I'm glad Miss Earle has so good a protector. You'll have to look out for her. She's pretty plucky9 and is apt to stray around the wilderness by herself. It isn't safe, you know, boy, for such as her. Look after her, will you?"
"Right I will," said Bud, accepting the commission as if it were Heaven-sent, and thereafter walked behind the two with his head in the clouds. He felt that he understood this great hero of the plains and was one with him at heart. There could be no higher honor than to be the servitor of this man's lady. Bud did not stop to question how the new teacher became acquainted with the young rider of the plains. It was enough that both were young and handsome and seemed to belong together. He felt they were fitting friends.
The little procession walked down the road slowly, glad to prolong the way. The young man had brought her handkerchief, a filmy trifle of an excuse that she had dropped behind her chair at the bunk-house, where it had lain unnoticed till she was gone. He produced it from his inner pocket, as though it had been too precious to carry anywhere but over his heart, yet there was in his manner nothing presuming, not a hint of any intimacy10 other than their chance acquaintance of the wilderness would warrant. He did not look at her with any such look as West had given every time he spoke to her. She felt no desire to resent his glance when it rested upon her almost worshipfully, for there was respect and utmost humility11 in his look.
The men had sent gifts: some arrow-heads and a curiously12 fashioned vessel13 from the cañon of the cave-dwellers; some chips from the petrified14 forest; a fern with wonderful fronds15, root and all; and a sheaf of strange, beautiful blossoms carefully wrapped in wet paper, and all fastened to the saddle.
Margaret's face kindled16 with interest as he showed them to her one by one, and told her the history of each and a little message from the man who had sent it. Mom Wallis, too, had baked a queer little cake and sent it. The young man's face was tender as he spoke of it. The girl saw that he knew what her coming had meant to Mom Wallis. Her memory went quickly back to those few words the morning she had wakened in the bunk-house and found the withered17 old woman watching her with tears in her eyes. Poor Mom Wallis, with her pretty girlhood all behind her and such a blank, dull future ahead! Poor, tired, ill-used, worn-out Mom Wallis! Margaret's heart went out to her.
"They want to know," said the young man, half hesitatingly, "if some time, when you get settled and have time, you would come to them again and sing? I tried to make them understand, of course, that you would be busy, your time taken with other friends and your work, and you would not want to come; but they wanted me to tell you they never enjoyed anything so much in years as your singing. Why, I heard Long Jim singing 'Old Folks at Home' this morning when he was saddling his horse. And it's made a difference. The men sort of want to straighten up the bunk-room. Jasper made a new chair yesterday. He said it would do when you came again." Gardley laughed diffidently, as if he knew their hopes were all in vain.
But Margaret looked up with sympathy in her face, "I'll come! Of course I'll come some time," she said, eagerly. "I'll come as soon as I can arrange it. You tell them we'll have more than one concert yet."
The young man's face lit up with a quick appreciation18, and the flash of his eyes as he looked at her would have told any onlooker19 that he felt here was a girl in a thousand, a girl with an angel spirit, if ever such a one walked the earth.
Now it happened that Rev20. Frederick West was walking impatiently up and down in front of the Tanner residence, looking down the road about that time. He had spent the morning in looking over the small bundle of "show sermons" he had brought with him in case of emergency, and had about decided21 to accede22 to Mrs. Tanner's request and preach in Ashland before he left. This decision had put him in so self-satisfied a mood that he was eager to announce it before his fellow-boarder. Moreover, he was hungry, and he could not understand why that impudent23 boy and that coquettish young woman should remain away at Sunday-school such an interminable time.
Mrs. Tanner was frying chicken. He could smell it every time he took a turn toward the house. It really was ridiculous that they should keep dinner waiting this way. He took one more turn and began to think over the sermon he had decided to preach. He was just recalling a particularly eloquent24 passage when he happened to look down the road once more, and there they were, almost upon him! But Bud was no longer walking with the maiden25. She had acquired a new escort, a man of broad shoulders and fine height. Where had he seen that fellow before? He watched them as they came up, his small, pale eyes narrowing under their yellow lashes26 with a glint of slyness, like some mean little animal that meant to take advantage of its prey27. It was wonderful how many different things that man could look like for a person as insignificant28 as he really was!
Well, he saw the look between the man and maiden; the look of sympathy and admiration29 and a fine kind of trust that is not founded on mere30 outward show, but has found some hidden fineness of the soul. Not that the reverend gentleman understood that, however. He had no fineness of soul himself. His mind had been too thoroughly31 taken up with himself all his life for him to have cultivated any.
Simultaneous with the look came his recognition of the man or, at least, of where he had last seen him, and his little soul rejoiced at the advantage he instantly recognized.
He drew himself up importantly, flattened32 his chin upward until his lower lip protruded33 in a pink roll across his mouth, drew down his yellow brows in a frown of displeasure, and came forward mentor-like to meet the little party as it neared the house. He had the air of coming to investigate and possibly oust34 the stranger, and he looked at him keenly, critically, offensively, as if he had the right to protect the lady. They might have been a pair of naughty children come back from a forbidden frolic, from the way he surveyed them. But the beauty of it was that neither of them saw him, being occupied with each other, until they were fairly upon him. Then, there he stood offensively, as if he were a great power to be reckoned with.
"Well, well, well, Miss Margaret, you have got home at last!" he said, pompously35 and condescendingly, and then he looked into the eyes of her companion as if demanding an explanation of his presence there.
Margaret drew herself up haughtily36. His use of her Christian37 name in that familiar tone annoyed her exceedingly. Her eyes flashed indignantly, but the whole of it was lost unless Bud saw it, for Gardley had faced his would-be adversary38 with a keen, surprised scrutiny39, and was looking him over coolly. There was that in the young man's eye that made the eye of Frederick West quail40 before him. It was only an instant the two stood challenging each other, but in that short time each knew and marked the other for an enemy. Only a brief instant and then Gardley turned to Margaret, and before she had time to think what to say, he asked:
"Is this man a friend of yours, Miss Earle?" with marked emphasis on the last word.
"No," said Margaret, coolly, "not a friend—a boarder in the house." Then most formally, "Mr. West, my friend Mr. Gardley."
If the minister had not been possessed41 of the skin of a rhinoceros42 he would have understood himself to be dismissed at that; but he was not a man accustomed to accepting dismissal, as his recent church in New York State might have testified. He stood his ground, his chin flatter than ever, his little eyes mere slits43 of condemnation44. He did not acknowledge the introduction by so much as the inclination45 of his head. His hands were clasped behind his back, and his whole attitude was one of righteous belligerence46.
Gardley gazed steadily47 at him for a moment, a look of mingled48 contempt and amusement gradually growing upon his face. Then he turned away as if the man were too small to notice.
"You will come in and take dinner with me?" asked Margaret, eagerly. "I want to send a small package to Mrs. Wallis if you will be so good as to take it with you."
"I'm sorry I can't stay to dinner, but I have an errand in another direction and at some distance. I am returning this way, however, and, if I may, will call and get the package toward evening."
Margaret's eyes spoke her welcome, and with a few formal words the young man sprang on his horse, said, "So long, Will!" to Bud, and, ignoring the minister, rode away.
They watched him for an instant, for, indeed, he was a goodly sight upon a horse, riding as if he and the horse were utterly49 one in spirit; then Margaret turned quickly to go into the house.
"Um! Ah! Miss Margaret!" began the minister, with a commandatory gesture for her to stop.
Margaret was the picture of haughtiness50 as she turned and said, "Miss Earle, if you please!"
"Um! Ah! Why, certainly, Miss—ah—Earle, if you wish it. Will you kindly51 remain here for a moment? I wish to speak with you. Bud, you may go on."
"I'll go when I like, and it's none of your business!" muttered Bud, ominously52, under his breath. He looked at Margaret to see if she wished him to go. He had an idea that this might be one of the times when he was to look after her.
She smiled at him understandingly. "William may remain, Mr. West," she said, sweetly. "Anything you have to say to me can surely be said in his presence," and she laid her hand lightly on Bud's sleeve.
Bud looked down at the hand proudly and grew inches taller enjoying the minister's frown.
"Um! Ah!" said West, unabashed. "Well, I merely wished to warn you concerning the character of that person who has just left us. He is really not a proper companion for you. Indeed, I may say he is quite the contrary, and that to my personal knowledge—"
"Be quiet, boy! I wasn't speaking to you!" said West, as if he were addressing a slave. "If I hear another word from your lips I shall report it to your father!"
"Go 's far 's you like and see how much I care!" taunted54 Bud, but was stopped by Margaret's gentle pressure on his arm.
"Mr. West, I thought I made you understand that Mr. Gardley is my friend."
"Um! Ah! Miss Earle, then all I have to say is that you have formed a most unwise friendship, and should let it proceed no further. Why, my dear young lady, if you knew all there is to know about him you would not think of speaking to that young man."
"Indeed! Mr. West, I suppose that might be true of a good many people, might it not, if we knew all there is to know about them? Nobody but God could very well get along with some of us."
"But, my dear young lady, you don't understand. This young person is nothing but a common ruffian, a gambler, in fact, and an habitué at the saloons. I have seen him myself sitting in a saloon at a very late hour playing with a vile55, dirty pack of cards, and in the company of a lot of low-down creatures—"
"May I ask how you came to be in a saloon at that hour, Mr. West?" There was a gleam of mischief56 in the girl's eyes, and her mouth looked as if she were going to laugh, but she controlled it.
The minister turned very red indeed. "Well, I—ah—I had been called from my bed by shouts and the report of a pistol. There was a fight going on in the room adjoining the bar, and I didn't know but my assistance might be needed!" (At this juncture57 Bud uttered a sort of snort and, placing his hands over his heart, ducked down as if a sudden pain had seized him.) "But imagine my pain and astonishment58 when I was informed that the drunken brawl59 I was witnessing was but a nightly and common occurrence. I may say I remained for a few minutes, partly out of curiosity, as I wished to see all kinds of life in this new world for the sake of a book I am thinking of writing. I therefore took careful note of the persons present, and was thus able to identify the person who has just ridden away as one of the chief factors in that evening's entertainment. He was, in fact, the man who, when he had pocketed all the money on the gaming-table, arose and, taking out his pistol, shot out the lights in the room, a most dangerous and irregular proceeding—"
"Yes, and you came within an ace3 of being shot, pa says. The Kid's a dead shot, he is, and you were right in the way. Served you right for going where you had no business!"
"I did not remain longer in that place, as you may imagine," went on West, ignoring Bud, "for I found it was no place for a—for—a—ah—minister of the gospel; but I remained long enough to hear from the lips of this person with whom you have just been walking some of the most terrible language my ears have ever been permitted to—ah—witness!"
But Margaret had heard all that she intended to listen to on that subject. With decided tone she interrupted the voluble speaker, who was evidently enjoying his own eloquence60.
"Mr. West, I think you have said all that it is necessary to say. There are still some things about Mr. Gardley that you evidently do not know, but I think you are in a fair way to learn them if you stay in this part of the country long. William, isn't that your mother calling us to dinner? Let us go in; I'm hungry."
Bud followed her up the walk with a triumphant61 wink62 at the discomfited63 minister, and they disappeared into the house; but when Margaret went up to her room and took off her hat in front of the little warped64 looking-glass there were angry tears in her eyes. She never felt more like crying in her life. Chagrin65 and anger and disappointment were all struggling in her soul, yet she must not cry, for dinner would be ready and she must go down. Never should that mean little meddling66 man see that his words had pierced her soul.
For, angry as she was at the minister, much as she loathed67 his petty, jealous nature and saw through his tale-bearing, something yet told her that his picture of young Gardley's wildness was probably true, and her soul sank within her at the thought. It was just what had come in shadowy, instinctive68 fear to her heart when he had hinted at his being a "roughneck," yet to have it put baldly into words by an enemy hurt her deeply, and she looked at herself in the glass half frightened. "Margaret Earle, have you come out to the wilderness to lose your heart to the first handsome sower of wild oats that you meet?" her true eyes asked her face in the glass, and Margaret Earle's heart turned sad at the question and shrank back. Then she dropped upon her knees beside her gay little rocking-chair and buried her face in its flowered cushions and cried to her Father in heaven:
"Oh, my Father, let me not be weak, but with all my heart I cry to Thee to save this young, strong, courageous69 life and not let it be a failure. Help him to find Thee and serve Thee, and if his life has been all wrong—and I suppose it has—oh, make it right for Jesus' sake! If there is anything that I can do to help, show me how, and don't let me make mistakes. Oh, Jesus, Thy power is great. Let this young man feel it and yield himself to it."
She remained silently praying for a moment more, putting her whole soul into the prayer and knowing that she had been called thus to pray for him until her prayer was answered.
She came down to dinner a few minutes later with a calm, serene70 face, on which was no hint of her recent emotion, and she managed to keep the table conversation wholly in her own hands, telling Mr. Tanner about her home town and her father and mother. When the meal was finished the minister had no excuse to think that the new teacher was careless about her friends and associates, and he was well informed about the high principles of her family.
But West had retired71 into a sulky mood and uttered not a word except to ask for more chicken and coffee and a second helping72 of pie. It was, perhaps, during that dinner that he decided it would be best for him to preach in Ashland on the following Sunday. The young lady could be properly impressed with his dignity in no other way.
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1
pony
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| adj.小型的；n.小马 | |
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wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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ace
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| n.A牌；发球得分；佼佼者；adj.杰出的 | |
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carouses
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| v.痛饮，闹饮欢宴( carouse的第三人称单数 ) | |
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meekly
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| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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7
swelled
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| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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plucky
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| adj.勇敢的 | |
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intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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humility
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| n.谦逊，谦恭 | |
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12
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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13
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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14
petrified
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| adj.惊呆的；目瞪口呆的v.使吓呆，使惊呆；变僵硬；使石化(petrify的过去式和过去分词) | |
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15
fronds
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| n.蕨类或棕榈类植物的叶子( frond的名词复数 ) | |
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kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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withered
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| adj. 枯萎的，干瘪的，（人身体的部分器官）因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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appreciation
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| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
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onlooker
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| n.旁观者，观众 | |
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rev
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| v.发动机旋转，加快速度 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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accede
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| v.应允，同意 | |
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impudent
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| adj.鲁莽的，卑鄙的，厚颜无耻的 | |
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eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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lashes
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| n.鞭挞( lash的名词复数 )；鞭子；突然猛烈的一击；急速挥动v.鞭打( lash的第三人称单数 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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insignificant
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| adj.无关紧要的，可忽略的，无意义的 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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flattened
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| [医]（水）平扁的，弄平的 | |
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protruded
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| v.（使某物）伸出，（使某物）突出( protrude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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oust
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| vt.剥夺，取代，驱逐 | |
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pompously
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| adv.傲慢地，盛大壮观地；大模大样 | |
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haughtily
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| adv. 傲慢地, 高傲地 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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adversary
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| adj.敌手，对手 | |
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scrutiny
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| n.详细检查，仔细观察 | |
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quail
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| n.鹌鹑；vi.畏惧，颤抖 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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42
rhinoceros
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| n.犀牛 | |
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43
slits
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| n.狭长的口子，裂缝( slit的名词复数 )v.切开，撕开( slit的第三人称单数 )；在…上开狭长口子 | |
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44
condemnation
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| n.谴责; 定罪 | |
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45
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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46
belligerence
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| n.交战，好战性，斗争性 | |
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47
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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48
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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49
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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50
haughtiness
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| n.傲慢；傲气 | |
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51
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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52
ominously
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| adv.恶兆地，不吉利地；预示地 | |
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53
growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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54
taunted
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| 嘲讽( taunt的过去式和过去分词 )； 嘲弄； 辱骂； 奚落 | |
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55
vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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56
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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57
juncture
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| n.时刻，关键时刻，紧要关头 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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59
brawl
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| n.大声争吵，喧嚷；v.吵架，对骂 | |
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eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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61
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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62
wink
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| n.眨眼，使眼色，瞬间；v.眨眼，使眼色，闪烁 | |
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63
discomfited
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| v.使为难( discomfit的过去式和过去分词)；使狼狈；使挫折；挫败 | |
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64
warped
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| adj.反常的；乖戾的；（变）弯曲的；变形的v.弄弯，变歪( warp的过去式和过去分词 )；使（行为等）不合情理，使乖戾， | |
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65
chagrin
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| n.懊恼；气愤；委屈 | |
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66
meddling
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| v.干涉，干预（他人事务）( meddle的现在分词 ) | |
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67
loathed
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| v.憎恨，厌恶( loathe的过去式和过去分词 )；极不喜欢 | |
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68
instinctive
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| adj.(出于)本能的；直觉的；(出于)天性的 | |
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69
courageous
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| adj.勇敢的，有胆量的 | |
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70
serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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71
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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72
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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