登陆注册
4708200000096

第96章

"You see--there was mother and Nell," began Belding, as if apologizing.

He dropped his head a little and made marks in the sand with the toe of his boot. "Mr. Gale, I've been sort of half hitched, as Laddy used to say. I'm planning to have a little more elbow room round this ranch. I'm going to send Nell East to her mother. Then I'll-- See here, Mr. Gale, would you mind having Nell with you part way when you go home?"

"We'd all be delighted to have her go all the way and make us a visit," replied Mr. Gale.

"That's fine. And you'll be going soon? Don't take that as if I wanted to--" Belding paused, for the truth was that he did want to hurry them off.

"We would have been gone before this, but for you," said Mr. Gale.

"Long ago we gave up hope of--of Richard ever returning. And I believe, now we're sure he was lost, that we'd do well to go home at once. You wished us to remain until the heat was broken--till the rains came to make traveling easier for us. Now I see no need for further delay. My stay here has greatly benefited my health. I shall never forget your hospitality. This Western trip would have made me a new man if--only--Richard--"

"Sure. I understand," said Belding, gruffly. "Let's go in and tell the women to pack up."

Nell was busy with the servants preparing breakfast. Belding took her into the sitting-room while Mr. Gale called his wife and daughter.

"My girl, I've some news for you," began Belding. "Mr. Gale is leaving to-day with his family. I'm going to send you with them--part way, anyhow. You're invited to visit them. I think that 'd be great for you--help you to forget. But the main thing is--you're going East to join mother."

Nell gazed at him, white-faced, without uttering a word.

"You see, Nell, I'm about done in Forlorn River," went on Belding.

"That blast this morning sank my spring. There's no water now.

It was the last straw. So we'll shake the dust of Forlorn River.

I'll come on a little later--that's all."

"Dad, you're packing your gun!" exclaimed Nell, suddenly pointing with a trembling finger. She ran to him, and for the first time in his life Belding put her away from him. His movements had lost the old slow gentleness.

"Why, so I am," replied Belding, coolly, as his hand moved down to the sheath swinging at his hip. "Nell, I'm that absent-minded these days!"

"Dad!" she cried.

"That'll do from you," he replied, in a voice he had never used to her. "Get breakfast now, then pack to leave Forlorn River."

"Leave Forlorn River!" whispered Nell, with a thin white hand stealing up to her breast. How changed the girl was! Belding reproached himself for his hardness, but did not speak his thought aloud. Nell was fading here, just as Mercedes had faded before the coming of Thorne.

Nell turned away to the west window and looked out across the desert toward the dim blue peaks in the distance.

Belding watched her; likewise the Gales; and no one spoke.

There ensued a long silence. Belding felt a lump rise in his throat. Nell laid her arm against the window frame, but gradually it dropped, and she was leaning with her face against the wood.

A low sob broke from her. Elsie Gale went to her, embraced her, took the drooping head on her shoulder.

"We've come to be such friends," she said. "I believe it'll be good for you to visit me in the city. Here--all day you look out across that awful lonely desert....Come, Nell."

Heavy steps sounded outside on the flagstones, then the door rattled under a strong knock. Belding opened it. The Chases, father and son, stood beyond the threshold.

"Good morning, Belding," said the elder Chase. "We were routed out early by that big blast and came up to see what was wrong. All a blunder. The Greaser foreman was drunk yesterday, and his ignorant men made a mistake. Sorry if the blast bothered you."

"Chase, I reckon that's the first of your blasts I was ever glad to hear," replied Belding, in a way that made Chase look blank.

"So? Well, I'm glad you're glad," he went on, evidently puzzled.

"I was a little worried--you've always been so touchy--we never could get together. I hurried over, fearing maybe you might think the blast--you see, Belding--"

"I see this, Mr. Ben Chase," interrupted Belding, in curt and ringing voice. "That blast was a mistake, the biggest you ever made in your life."

"What do you mean?" demanded Chase.

"You'll have to excuse me for a while, unless you're dead set on having it out right now. Mr. Gale and his family are leaving, and my daughter is going with them. I'd rather you'd wait a little."

"Nell going away!" exclaimed Radford Chase. He reminded Belding of an overgrown boy in disappointment.

"Yes. But--Miss Burton to you, young man--"

"Mr. Belding, I certainly would prefer a conference with you right now," interposed the elder Chase, cutting short Belding's strange speech. "There are other matters--important matters to discuss.

They've got to be settled. May we step in, sir?"

"No, you may not," replied Belding, bluntly. "I'm sure particular who I invite into my house. But I'll go with you."

Belding stepped out and closed the door. "Come away from the house so the women won't hear the--the talk."

The elder Chase was purple with rage, yet seemed to be controlling it. The younger man looked black, sullen, impatient. He appeared not to have a thought of Belding. He was absolutely blind to the situation, as considered from Belding's point of view. Ben Chase found his voice about the time Belding halted under the trees out of earshot from the house.

"Sir, you've insulted me--my son. How dare you? I want you to understand that you're--"

"Chop that kind of talk with me, you ------- ------- ------- -------!" interrupted Belding. He had always been profane, and now he certainly did not choose his language. Chase turned livid, gasped, and seemed about to give way to fury. But something about Belding evidently exerted a powerful quieting influence. "If you talk sense I'll listen," went on Belding.

同类推荐
  • 真仙秘传火候法

    真仙秘传火候法

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 狐狸缘全传

    狐狸缘全传

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 张聿青医案

    张聿青医案

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 清代台湾职官印录

    清代台湾职官印录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • Novel Notes

    Novel Notes

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 媒介经营管理的理念与实践

    媒介经营管理的理念与实践

    研究本土媒介的产业化,推介国际媒介经营与管理的先进理念,见证中国传媒经济学科建设的历程。本土化:走符合中国传媒学术与传媒实践要求的本土化道路,古为今用,洋为中用。国际化:在广阔的国际视野中,确立自己的历史与时代方位,关注国际潮流,关注世界大事。人文化:将文、史、哲、经、法、教等多学科的理论成果进行充分的吸纳,以此丰富和深化传媒学术的内蕴。专业化:在研究内容、研究方法、表达方式上,不断在专业领域达到新的高度和水平。
  • 斧凿世界(下)

    斧凿世界(下)

    小说以湘赣及萍乡地区为故事场景,生动地记叙了从一九二七年到全国解放初这个动荡历史年代人们的生活和斗争。以饱满完整向上的笔墨,写出那个苦难年代人们在生存路上所经历的苦难,以及其间的亲情、友情、爱情的戏剧变化。作品通过刻画李尚明、喻雪香、王丝婷、谭淑云等人物所历经的战争、逃亡、毁灭、解放的曲折故事。讲述几个家庭以及所串起的近两百多个人物的生活场景,犹如一幅地域历史风景画,展示南方一定地域风貌、生活习俗,人与社会变革的场景及历程。通过形形色色人物的爱恨情仇,赞美善良、鞭挞邪恶。小说时间跨度长,情节曲折、埸面宏大、人物众多,描写细腻。深刻揭示不同的人生追求导致不同的人生结果,是一部记述普通人历程的作品。全书分三部,本书为“下部”。
  • The Battle of Beijing 北京保卫战

    The Battle of Beijing 北京保卫战

    2003年春的中国北京,如同一座恐怖之城、瘟疫之城和面临死亡之城。于是出现了许许多多“奇怪而可笑”的事:在与北京接壤的地方——河北廊坊某地段的公路上,有人竟然用挖土机挖了一个深二十多米、宽三十多米的巨型大坑,说是“为了防止北京城里开过来的汽车”,所有北京方向来的汽车在这个地方只能往回走……本书通过2003年非典肆虐时期作者深入北京各个“抗非”的现场所获取的第一手采访资料以及亲身经历,真实地记录了首都北京在非典爆发时所经历的惊心动魄的一段生死记忆,向人们揭开了“抗非”一线的真实情况。
  • 迷失的坟茔

    迷失的坟茔

    毛驴脖子上的铃铛声、车轮轧雪的吱哑声,伴随着西北风的哨音,汇成一曲生离死别的哀乐。黑丫咬着头巾的一角,眼里含着泪水,一鞭一鞭地抽在毛驴身上。她想一步赶到车站,又多么想叫毛驴慢慢走,能跟于了尘多呆一会。随着火车一声长鸣,黑丫使劲把于了尘推上火车。于了尘打开车窗,把手中的两只玉镯送给黑丫一个。黑丫双手捧着,按在胸口上,跟着开动的列车跑,恩情绵绵,怨离惜别,哀苦万般,言以难表。淮海战役结束后不久,村里来了民兵队,四处清乡,剿匪除霸,大面积扫荡国民党残渣余孽,于仁信是重点专政对象。恶人告状,于家的家丁郎三反咬一口,告于仁信欺男霸女,剥削穷人,害死人命。民兵把于仁信拉出去暴打一顿,关了起来,放出来没几天,就一命呜呼。
  • 朝阳警事

    朝阳警事

    天眼,地眼,不如人眼。社区民警,扎根基层,依靠群众之眼屡破奇案。朝阳群众表示:别犯事,否则你就完蛋了!PS:新书《韩四当官》上传,求支持!
  • 做更幸福的自己

    做更幸福的自己

    幸福的人生不会从天而降,不要埋怨先天的不足,也不要懊恼先天的缺陷,因为这一切都不能改变。走过的已是历史,走进的将是明天,尊重现实,改变自己。不管未来如何,抓紧现在是我们的选择,把握明天是我们的补救措施。这样,我们的生活才不会失去光泽。刘萍编著的《做更幸福的自己》从塑造个性、生活技巧、生活态度、生活方式、生活细节、人生规划、心态调整、人生交际等方面,运用积极健康的生活方式和心态思维全面传达了新的幸福理念,告诉我们如何用新的生活方式去生活以及走向成功。通过阅读《做更幸福的自己》,你会变得更坚定,更有信心,使自己更幸福。
  • 末世之搜查官系统

    末世之搜查官系统

    一夜之间,世界崩坏半数人类突兀化作丧尸,城市之中,尽是烈火废墟仅存的人类以当权者军队为中心迅速集结,建立根据地,以清除丧尸收复城市为目的然而却因为丧尸不定期的攻击而应接不暇有灾难就必然有机遇,随着人类与丧尸的战斗,一些特殊的能力逐渐被人类所发掘人们称这种人为“能力者”……………这是一个平凡的高中生成长为末世“最强搜查官”的故事
  • 红颜杀手成长记

    红颜杀手成长记

    水婷香是个听妈妈话的乖乖女,在她五岁的那一年里,发生了件大事,青天帮的人杀害了她的父母,从此仇恨的种子在她心里种下,她的理想是,长大了把青天帮的人全部杀掉!她流浪街头,被好心人收养。她的理想能否实现?请看书。
  • 帝尊请三思呆萌帝后又跑了

    帝尊请三思呆萌帝后又跑了

    整个天地分为四类,仙界,魔界,妖族,人族,传说中,妖王娶后三万年无儿无女,却在一个雪天捡到一名女童,取名“郁雯汐”,此女单纯可爱,聪明机智,深受妖王和妖后的喜爱,因疼爱她,妖王把她禁锢在一个地方,不许她出去。若不是一次意外碰到了恰巧下界的他,怕是她永远也只会是那个什么都不懂,集宠爱于一身单纯的“妖族公主”吧。待身份一点点被解开,身边的人一个一个离她而去,她堕落了,入了魔道,杀红了眼,却突然被某个曾疼她入骨的人抱住“我不管你是谁,都是吾的至爱,永远都是!”
  • 傲妃天成

    傲妃天成

    穿越异世成为冷家流放在外的废材大小姐冷秋翎,被世人笑,被亲人辱,她含笑答曰,不被嫉妒的是庸才,好不容易改头换面想要离开是非之地,阴谋却逼着她一步步回到冷府,冷秋翎仰天大笑,既然上天都不让她放弃,那她就倾尽全力拿回一切属于自己的东西。斗庶妹,夺政权,她杀伐果断,毫不留情,世人皆称,冷家大小姐冷血无情,不通情爱,冷秋翎露出不屑的眼神,男人,看上了抢就是。天黑风高夜,冷秋翎带走皇朝第一美男,多年后,冷秋翎暗悔,错把老虎当猫咪,赔上了自己的一生。