登陆注册
5169000000081

第81章

So often it is with a beautiful character.Analyze it carefully, and you will reduce it generally to absolute simplicity and absolute purity--two elements common enough in adulteration; but place it face to face with a more complex personality, and mirror-like it will take on a hundred delicate shades of ethical beauty, while at the same time preserving its own lofty spirituality.

Thus Hilda Farrand reflected Thorpe.In the clear mirror of her heart his image rested transfigured.It was as though the glass were magic, so that the gross and material was absorbed and lost, while the more spiritual qualities reflected back.So the image was retained in its entirety, but etherealized, refined.It is necessary to attempt, even thus faintly and inadequately, a sketch of Hilda's love, for a partial understanding of it is necessary to the comprehension of what followed the moon of delight.

That moon saw a variety of changes.

The bed of French Creek was cleared.Three of the roads were finished, and the last begun.So much for the work of it.

Morton and Cary shot four deer between them, which was unpardonably against the law, caught fish in plenty, smoked two and a half pounds of tobacco, and read half of one novel.Mrs.Cary and Miss Carpenter walked a total of over a hundred miles, bought twelve pounds of Indian work of all sorts, embroidered the circle of two embroidery frames, learned to paddle a birch-bark canoe, picked fifteen quarts of berries, and gained six pounds in weight.All the party together accomplished five picnics, four explorations, and thirty excellent campfires in the evening.So much for the fun of it.

Little Phil disappeared utterly, taking with him his violin, but leaving his broken bow.Thorpe has it even to this day.The lumberman caused search and inquiry on all sides.The cripple was never heard of again.He had lived his brief hour, taken his subtle artist's vengeance of misplayed notes on the crude appreciation of men too coarse-fibered to recognize it, brought together by the might of sacrifice and consummate genius two hearts on the brink of misunderstanding;--now there was no further need for him, he had gone.So much for the tragedy of it.

"I saw you long ago," said Hilda to Thorpe."Long, long ago, when I was quite a young girl.I had been visiting in Detroit, and was on my way all alone to catch an early train.You stood on the corner thinking, tall and straight and brown, with a weather-beaten old hat and a weather-beaten old coat and weather-beaten old moccasins, and such a proud, clear, undaunted look on your face.I have remembered you ever since."And then he told her of the race to the Land Office, while her eyes grew brighter and brighter with the epic splendor of the story.She told him that she had loved him from that moment--and believed her telling; while he, the unsentimental leader of men, persuaded himself and her that he had always in some mysterious manner carried her image prophetically in his heart.So much for the love of it.

In the last days of the month of delight Thorpe received a second letter from his partner, which to some extent awakened him to the realities.

"My dear Harry," it ran."I have made a startling discovery.

The other fellow is Morrison.I have been a blind, stupid dolt, and am caught nicely.You can't call me any more names than Ihave already called myself.Morrison has been in it from the start.

By an accident I learned he was behind the fellow who induced me to invest, and it is he who has been hammering the stock down ever since.They couldn't lick you at your game, so they tackled me at mine.I'm not the man you are, Harry, and I've made a mess of it.Of course their scheme is plain enough on the face of it.

They're going to involve me so deeply that I will drag the firm down with me.

"If you can fix it to meet those notes, they can't do it.I have ample margin to cover any more declines they may be able to bring about.Don't fret about that.Just as sure as you can pay that sixty thousand, just so sure we'll be ahead of the game at this time next year.For God's sake get a move on you, old man.If you don't--good Lord! The firm'll bust because she can't pay; I'll bust because I'll have to let my stock go on margins--it'll be an awful smash.But you'll get there, so we needn't worry.I've been an awful fool, and I've no right to do the getting into trouble and leave you to the hard work of getting out again.But as partner I'm going to insist on your having a salary--etc."The news aroused all Thorpe's martial spirit.Now at last the mystery surrounding Morrison & Daly's unnatural complaisance was riven.It had come to grapples again.He was glad of it.Meet those notes? Well I guess so! He'd show them what sort of a proposition they had tackled.Sneaking, underhanded scoundrels!

taking advantage of a mere boy.Meet those notes? You bet he would; and then he'd go down there and boost those stocks until M.

& D.looked like a last year's bird's nest.He thrust the letter in his pocket and walked buoyantly to the pines.

The two lovers sat there all the afternoon drinking in half sadly the joy of the forest and of being near each other, for the moon of delight was almost done.In a week the camping party would be breaking up, and Hilda must return to the city.It was uncertain when they would be able to see each other again, though there was talk of getting up a winter party to visit Camp One in January.

The affair would be unique.

Suddenly the girl broke off and put her fingers to her lips.For some time, dimly, an intermittent and faint sound had been felt, rather than actually heard, like the irregular muffled beating of a heart.Gradually it had insisted on the attention.Now at last it broke through the film of consciousness.

"What is it?" she asked.

Thorpe listened.Then his face lit mightily with the joy of battle.

"My axmen," he cried."They are cutting the road."A faint call echoed.Then without warning, nearer at hand the sharp ring of an ax sounded through the forest.

同类推荐
  • 无畏三藏禅要

    无畏三藏禅要

    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。
  • 送裴相公赴镇太原

    送裴相公赴镇太原

    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。
  • 茶神传

    茶神传

    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。
  • 砚北杂志

    砚北杂志

    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。
  • A Cumberland Vendetta

    A Cumberland Vendetta

    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
  • 超兽进化:在人间

    超兽进化:在人间

    当文明新建,智能初显,世界进入改革时代,一种新的生命也随之诞生——病毒!一种盗用了智能的网络生命!他们吸收资料、破坏网络,开始不断侵入我们世代生存的世界!这时,神明降临了,神明创造了抵御病毒的斗士——斗兽!这里有身披黑甲的巨力独角仙,有速度绝伦的死亡蜂女,有烈火咆哮的地狱犬,有诞生于森林的古力树人,更有凌驾于碧空之上的圣龙王!!他们,到底会选择谁?又会听令于谁?是你吗?还会是我?【压抑黑暗流,接近纯黑的那种,你懂的!】
  • 反人类觉醒

    反人类觉醒

    末世危机,穿越回来的千望觉得这和说好的剧本不一样。【为了爽而苏,戳雷点自退,逻辑已死,纠结党不打扰了。金手指有,苏爽有,蛇精病有,脑残有。总之,就是个大杂烩,】
  • 海贼王之剑豪之心

    海贼王之剑豪之心

    雷与剑正义与邪恶战斗与杀戮当释放出内心的恶魔后,一切皆有可能。但在某一天,维尔发现,自己追求的只是热血沸腾的战斗,并不是去杀死那些弱者。(桃之助,必须死!!!!!)-------------------------------------------------------------(新书,轮回乐园)普群:534789565vip群:204920420(加群时请附带粉丝值截图,我会每天不定时发红包)前期作者菌萌新,请看过三十章。
  • 绝色锋芒之僵尸雪颜

    绝色锋芒之僵尸雪颜

    商雪颜,穿越到一个奇特的种族,本来只想做一个米虫的她,却不料,即将要面对更加严酷的角逐……
  • Gracious Leadership
  • 考古:没完没了的考古

    考古:没完没了的考古

    烧毁秦始皇陵事件深埋地下的秦始皇陵真的是保存得非常完好吗?在秦朝灭亡之时被项羽烧毁了的史籍记载是真的吗?这些都是史学界一直探究,而又不得其解的谜。许多史籍中都曾记载:秦末的农民起义推翻秦朝后,西楚霸王项羽占据着秦都。他命人掘开了秦始皇的陵墓,盗运陵中的财宝。据说他调集了30万人从地宫中向外运了30天也没运完。后来,一个寻找羊只的牧羊人用火点燃了皇陵地宫,秦始皇陵毁于大火。这种说法历来为史学家所接受。
  • 以后只准给我打辅助

    以后只准给我打辅助

    作为手残的小白银要怎么上分呢,那就把全服第一的辅助撩成男朋友吧!
  • 太上老君太素经

    太上老君太素经

    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。
  • 绝世骨尊

    绝世骨尊

    一个从十万大山走出的弃儿,一个被豪门大族所抛弃的伪骨修炼者。我怒,欲焚天!我喜,动山河!
  • 欠你一个吻

    欠你一个吻

    在刘晓青的目光注视下,钟成山觉出了温暖,这种温暖是从骨髓里发出的,他情不自禁地伸手去握刘晓青的手。两个老人的手握在了一块,钟成山感慨万端:“刘晓青,如果没有你那次鼎力相救,我也许就埋葬在这座山上了。”刘晓青的鼻子一酸,问:“钟成山,你知道我为什么要救你吗?”钟成山茫然地摇了摇头。刘晓青又问:“在乌江山上,你还记得欠了我什么吗?”钟成山不好意思地搔了搔头:“欠你一个吻。”