登陆注册
5382600000112

第112章 CHAPTER XXIV(2)

Henderson gathered both her hands in one of his and stretched an arm across her shoulders to the post to support her.

She dragged her hands from him and twisted them together.

"Oh,Hart!"she cried."It isn't fair!There is a limit!I have suffered my share.Can't you see?

Can't you understand?"

"Yes,"he panted."Yes,my girl!Tell me just this one thing yet,and I'll cheerfully kill any one who annoys you further.Tell me,Edith!"Then she lifted her big,dull,pain-filled eyes to his and cried:"No!I do not believe it now!I know it is not true!

I killed his love for me.It is dead and gone forever.

Nothing will revive it!Nothing in all this world.

And that is not all.I did not know how to touch the depths of his nature.I never developed in him those things he was made to enjoy.He admired me.He was proud to be with me.He thought,and I thought,that he worshipped me;but I know now that he never did care for me as he cares for her.Never!I can see it!I planned to lead society,to make his home a place sought for my beauty and popularity.She plans to advance his political ambitions,to make him comfortable physically,to stimulate his intellect,to bear him a brood of red-faced children.

He likes her and her plans as he never did me and mine.

Oh,my soul!Now,are you satisfied?"

She dropped back against his arm exhausted.

Henderson held her and learned what suffering truly means.He fanned her with his hat,rubbed her cold hands and murmured broken,incoherent things.

By and by slow tears slipped from under her closed lids,but when she opened them her eyes were dull and hard.

"What a rag one is when the last secret of the soul is torn out and laid bare!"she cried.

Henderson thrust his handkerchief into her fingers and whispered,"Edith,the boat has been creeping up.

It's very close.Maybe some of our crowd are on it.

Hadn't we better slip away from here before it lands?""If I can walk,"she said."Oh,I am so dead tired,Hart!

"Yes,dear,"said Henderson soothingly."Just try to pass the landing before the boat anchors.If I only dared carry you!"They struggled through the waiting masses,but directly opposite the landing there was a backward movement in the happy,laughing crowd,the gang-plank came down with a slam,and people began hurrying from the boat.

Crowded against the fish house on the dock,Henderson could only advance a few steps at a time.He was straining every nerve to protect and assist Edith.He saw no one he recognized near them,so he slipped his arm across her back to help support her.He felt her stiffen against him and catch her breath.At the same instant,the clearest,sweetest male voice he ever had heard called:

"Be careful there,little men!"

Henderson sent a swift glance toward the boat.Terence O'More had stepped from the gang-plank,leading a little daughter,so like him,it was comical.There followed a picture not easy to describe.The Angel in the full flower of her beauty,richly dressed,a laugh on her cameo face,the setting sun glinting on her gold hair,escorted by her eldest son,who held her hand tightly and carefully watched her steps.Next came Elnora,dressed with equal richness,a trifle taller and slenderer,almost the same type of colouring,but with different eyes and hair,facial lines and expression.She was led by the second O'More boy who convulsed the crowd by saying:"Tareful,Elnora!

Don't 'oo be 'teppin'in de water!"

People surged around them,purposely closing them in.

"What lovely women!Who are they?It's the O'Mores.

The lightest one is his wife.Is that her sister?

No,it is his!They say he has a title in England."Whispers ran fast and audible.As the crowd pressed around the party an opening was left beside the fish sheds.

Edith ran down the dock.Henderson sprang after her,catching her arm and assisting her to the street.

"Up the shore!This way!"she panted."Every one will go to dinner the first thing they do."They left the street and started around the beach,but Edith was breathless from running,while the yielding sand made difficult walking.

"Help me!"she cried,clinging to Henderson.He put his arm around her,almost carrying her from sight into a little cove walled by high rocks at the back,while there was a clean floor of white sand,and logs washed from the lake for seats.He found one of these with a back rest,and hurrying down to the water he soaked his handkerchief and carried it to her.She passed it across her lips,over her eyes,and then pressed the palms of her hands upon it.Henderson removed the heavy hat,fanned her with his,and wet the handkerchief again.

"Hart,what makes you?"she said wearily."My mother doesn't care.She says this is good for me.Do you think this is good for me,Hart?""Edith,you know I would give my life if I could save you this,"he said,and could not speak further.

She leaned against him,closed her eyes and lay silent so long the man fell into panic.

"Edith,you are not unconscious?"he whispered,touching her.

"No.just resting.Please don't leave me."He held her carefully,gently fanning her.She was suffering almost more than either of them could endure.

"I wish you had your boat,"she said at last."I want to sail with the wind in my face.""There is no wind.I can bring my motor around in a few minutes.""Then get it."

"Lie on the sand.I can 'phone from the first booth.

It won't take but a little while."

Edith lay on the white sand,and Henderson covered her face with her hat.Then he ran to the nearest booth and talked imperatively.Presently he was back bringing a hot drink that was stimulating.Shortly the motor ran close to the beach and stopped.Henderson's servant brought a row-boat ashore and took them to the launch.

It was filled with cushions and wraps.Henderson made a couch and soon,warmly covered,Edith sped out over the water in search of peace.

Hour after hour the boat ran up and down the shore.

The moon arose and the night air grew very chilly.

Henderson put on an overcoat and piled more covers on Edith.

同类推荐
  • 东瀛识略

    东瀛识略

    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。
  • 鹃音白社

    鹃音白社

    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。
  • 华严经明法品内立三宝章

    华严经明法品内立三宝章

    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。
  • 寒松操禅师语录

    寒松操禅师语录

    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。
  • 佛说圣多罗菩萨经

    佛说圣多罗菩萨经

    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。
热门推荐
  • 我家徒儿萌萌哒

    我家徒儿萌萌哒

    一朝穿越在乱葬岗,却被一身白衣的‘某鬼’吓晕,钱馍馍表示好忧伤。生活所迫当了妖孽美男的贴身丫鬟。可是,为甚美男这么暴力?好不容易拜得一良家男子为师,可是,这个师父……以前的以前,钱馍馍总想着如何把自家师父拐到手,后来的后来,钱馍馍总是目含热泪,仰天长啸:“师父,你为老不尊。”
  • 兽神·半神游戏

    兽神·半神游戏

    道格拉斯被水元素半神带到了一个被称为“半神草原”的位面,在这里,一场半神争夺神力之花的战争即将开始。道格拉斯作为被选中者加入到一个橡人土著村庄,他要做的是配合橡人土著们保护自己神庙中的神力之花,并且尽可能地抢夺别的村庄和部落的神力之花。为了能回到主位面的兽人帝国,道格拉斯不得不竭尽全力帮助橡人土著们保护他们自己的神力之花。同时,他也得到水元素半神的承诺,可以用更多的神力之花从他的手中换取宝贵的稀有的物品……
  • 谁人不识宁高宁

    谁人不识宁高宁

    他是中国最具影响力的商界领袖之一,也是正在影响中国管理的商界领袖之一。战略主导与使命之旅、经理人与领导力、管理模式与评价体系、企业文化与品牌重塑、总部问题与流程建设……本书通过对宁高宁如何操刀华润与中粮两家“恐龙级”企业转型与再造的全面深度解读,首次向读者揭开中国极有价值的职业经理人和中国极具魅力的商界领袖之一宁高宁先生的经营管理智慧。
  • 重生之幸好遇见你

    重生之幸好遇见你

    重生前她是个随性的女汉子,男友惨变妹夫。重生后她是精明能干的职场御姐,虐渣男渣女毫不手软。本以为只是渣男劈腿了亲妹,然而事情远没有这么简单。一切似乎都在偏离轨道,只有他不曾离开。
  • 农家俏医女:猎户相公来种田

    农家俏医女:猎户相公来种田

    (1v1极度深宠)一朝穿越,叶七七成了一穷二白、家徒四壁的农家女。不过幸好有空间,才不至于真的那么惨。为了养家糊口,叶七七接受了空间给的任务:穿梭各个平行世界,完成相对的任务需求,比如说成功攻略任务对象?以此来赚取积分兑换金元宝。嚣张不羁洛大少:“做我的女人,房子车子要多少有多少!”温文尔雅许哥哥:“丫头,我还缺个夫人,有兴趣当当吗?”真穷爱吹牛逼顾公子:“我要开着我家祖传坦克向你求婚!”叶七七:“……”咦咦咦?等等,这怎么跟她想象的种田生活不一样?还有这攻略对象,换来换去不都是一个人吗?
  • 坠落的心痕

    坠落的心痕

    难不成还真的是老天对我的告诫不成吗……慕容炮灰的思绪中那所说的如今这个时候所亲眼目睹的这所有的一切种种的不尽相同的那些发生以前的那边的那么多时间里面直到到了如今这个时候所亲眼目睹的这所有的一切时候,才发生了一下如今这个时候所亲眼目睹的这所有的一切词,便非常神速的给毙掉了。
  • 农女厨妃香满园

    农女厨妃香满园

    现代美食评论家魂穿乡村十岁丑颜小农女。奶奶嫌弃,爷爷偏心。伯母恶毒,堂妹嫉妒。甚至要被卖到地主家去冥婚!可姐的拳头可不是吃素的!揍得你们满地找牙!顺利分家,卖美食开作坊酿美酒开酒楼,小日子美滋滋!只是那个温润如玉的少年怎么老对自己动手动脚?某一日,少年突然说,“我喜欢你。”“我还没及笄呢!”某女皱着眉头说道,“再说了,我长得丑!”“在我心里你最美!我要等你长大,娶你给我生包子!”叶安然想要逃跑却被那人一把抓进了怀里,强吻然后……几年后,某男指着她圆滚滚的肚皮,眼角眉梢皆是笑意,“看,包子种成了。”“滚!今晚休想上塌,老娘要休了你!”“那可不成!”某男死皮赖脸的再次缠了上去,又是一波强吻……
  • 管控力:通向目标的执行方法

    管控力:通向目标的执行方法

    在这本书中,邵雨通过对企业经营问题的高度提炼,将原本复杂多变的经营简化成目标实现的过程。尽管德鲁克、韦尔奇、戈恩等人都将目标实施视为企业经营的重要任务之一,但这仍然是一个非常微妙的概括。事实上,任何一个企业经营者都知道,经营的核心正是确保目标的实现。本书的目的很明确:打造企业管控力。也就是协助中国企业在内部建立经营新秩序。大多数中国企业面临着一个转型时期:凭借胆识和运气成功的岁月一去不返,同时随着企业规模的不断扩大,继续依靠以往的人管人方式很难持续发展下去。诸多经营问题开始不断出现:目标无法实现、运营失去控制、人心涣散……在这个时候提倡管控力可谓击中中国企业管理的要害。
  • 穿成端妃这杯具

    穿成端妃这杯具

    方皇后:端妃那个小贱人,居然又是一脸疲惫的样子来请安,她这是想向我示威吗?王宁嫔:端妃当这后宫之中只有她受宠吗,哼,做什么成天被陛下疼爱的样子!曹洛莹:冤枉啊,你们每天晚上瞪大眼睛一宿一宿的不睡觉试试,王宁嫔我也是在救你的命好吗!简而言之,就是一个穿越女凭借自己的王八之气刷嘉靖boss宠爱结果把自己给坑惨了的故事。【情节虚构,请勿模仿】
  • 低碳经济时代的四川产业发展战略

    低碳经济时代的四川产业发展战略

    本书借助低碳转型的强大压力和动力,探讨了新形势下四川的产业发展战略。本书共分8章,其中第一章低碳经济的时代背景,第二章四川产业实现低碳发展的战略思考,第三章四川能源的低碳发展战略,第四章四川农业的低碳发展战略,第五章四川制造业的低碳发展战略,第六章四川建筑业的低碳发展战略,第七章四川服务业的低碳发展战略,第八章四川交通的低碳发展战略。