登陆注册
5392600000040

第40章

My years of outdoor life in Denboro had had one good effect at least; they had made me strong.I carried her with little effort to the bridge.And there I stopped.The bridge was blocked, covered with a mass of wet leafy branches and splintered wood.The lightning bolt had missed us by just that much.It had overthrown and demolished the big willow tree by the brook and to get through or over the tangle was impossible.

So again history repeated itself.I descended the bank at the side of the bridge and waded through the waters with Mabel Colton in my arms.I staggered up the opposite bank and hurried on.She lay quiet, her head against my shoulder.Her hat had fallen off and a wet, fragrant strand of her hair brushed my cheek.Once I stopped and bent my head to listen, to make sure that she was breathing.

She was, I felt her breath upon my face.Afterwards I remembered all this; just then I was merely thankful that she was alive.

I had gone but a little way further when she stirred in my arms and spoke.

"What is it?" she asked."What is the matter?""Nothing," I answered, with a sigh of relief."It is all right.

We shall be there soon."

"But what is the matter? Why are you--let me walk, please.""You had better stay as you are.You are almost home.""But why are you carrying me? What is the matter?""You--you fainted, I think.The lightning--""Oh yes, I remember.Did I faint? How ridiculous! Please let me walk now.I am all right.Really I am.""But I think--"

"Please.I insist."

I set her gently on her feet.She staggered a little, but she was plucky and, after a moment, was able to stand and walk, though slowly.

"You are sure you can manage it?" I asked.

"Of course! But why did I faint? I never did such a thing before in my life.""That flash was close to us.It struck the big willow by the brook.""Did it! As near as that?"

"Yes.Don't try to talk."

"But I am all right...I am not hurt at all.Are we almost home?""Yes.Those are the lights of your house ahead there."We moved on more rapidly.As we turned in at the Colton walk she said, "Why; it has stopped raining."It had, though I had not noticed it.The flash which smashed the willow had been the accompaniment of what Lute would call the "clearing-up shower." The storm was really over.

We stepped up on the portico of the big house and I rang the bell.

The butler opened the door.His face, as he saw the pair of dripping, bedraggled outcasts before him, was worth looking at.He was shocked out of his dignity.

"Why! Why, Miss Mabel!" he stammered, with almost human agitation.

"What--"

A voice, a petulant female voice, called from the head of the stairs.

"Johnson," it quavered, "who is it? Mabel, is that you?"The library door flew open and Mr.Colton himself appeared.

"Eh? What?" he exclaimed."By George! Mabel, where have you been? I have been raising heaven and earth to locate you.The 'phone seems to be out of order and-- Great Scott, girl! you're wet through.Jenkins, what--? Hey? Why, it isn't Jenkins!"The fact that his daughter's escort was not the coachman had just dawned upon him.He stared at me in irate bewilderment.Before he could ask a question or his daughter could speak or explain there came a little shriek from the stairs, a rustle of silken skirts, and a plump, white-faced woman in an elaborate house gown rushed across the hall with both white arms outstretched.

"Mabel!" she cried, "where HAVE you been.You poor child! I have been almost beside myself, and--"Miss Colton laughingly avoided the rush."Take care, Mother," she warned."I am very wet.""Wet? Why! you're absolutely drenched! Jenkins-- Mabel, where is Jenkins? And who is this--er--person?"I thought it quite time for me to withdraw.

"Good night, Miss Colton," I said, and stepped toward the door.

But "Big Jim" roared my name.

"It's that--it's Paine!" he exclaimed."Here! what does this mean, anyway?"I think his daughter was about to explain, when there came another interruption.From the driveway sounded the blare of an auto horn.

Johnson threw open the door just as the big car whirled up to the porch.

"Here we are!" laughed Carver, emerging from behind the drawn curtains of the machine."Home again from a foreign shore.Come in, fellows, and have a drink.We've had water enough for one night.Come in."He stumbled as he crossed the sill, recovered his balance, laughed, and then all at once seemed to become aware of the group in the hall.He looked about him, swaying a little as he did so.

"Ah, Mabel!" he exclaimed, genially."Got here first, didn't you?

Sorry I was late, but it was all old Parker's fault.Wouldn't let us say goodby.But we came some when we did come.The bridge is down and we made Oscar run her right through the water.Great ex-experience.Hello! Why, what's matter? Who's this? What? it's Reuben, isn't it! Mabel, what on earth--"She paid no attention to him.I was at the door when she overtook me.

"Mr.Paine," she said, "I am very grateful for your kindness.Both for what you have done tonight and for your help the other afternoon.Thank you."She held out her hand.I took it, scarcely knowing that I did so.

"Thank you," she said, again.I murmured something or other and went out.As I stepped from the porch I heard Victor's voice.

"Well, by Jove!" he exclaimed."Mabel!"

I looked back.He was standing by the door.She went past him without replying or even looking at him.From the automobile Iheard smothered chuckles and exclamations.The butler closed the door.

I walked home as fast as I could.Dorinda was waiting up for me.

What she said when she saw the ruin of my Sunday suit had better not be repeated.She was still saying it when I took my lamp and went up to bed.

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 穿梭位面掠夺之旅

    穿梭位面掠夺之旅

    本书的主人公萧羽在19岁时意外获得掠夺系统,穿梭到动漫和电视世界,历经千辛万苦修成正果只为守护心爱的人是命运的安排,还是上天的玩笑?
  • 人意决定生意

    人意决定生意

    从传统的观念来看,做人与做生意是两回事儿,做人要诚实,做生意则多变,甚至有“奸商”之说。这是对生意的误解。其实,大商不奸,他们做生意的信条是:诚实中不妨有些灵活,多变中不可丢失本分。一个不讲信誉、无德无义的人,充其量只能满足一点小私欲,非真商人所为。“祸福无门,惟人自召。善恶之报,如影随形。”只有能够满足人需要的行为才能赚钱,能满足人的需要,而不害人,就是行善,行善就有善报,赚钱就是善报之一。读好这本关于做好一个生意人的书,定能给你带来滚滚财源,生意得以大成。
  • 拜水问道 都江堰与青城山(文化之美)

    拜水问道 都江堰与青城山(文化之美)

    关于都江堰与青城山有一种说法叫做“拜水都江堰,问道青城山”,不仅仅是因为都江堰是世界保留下来的最为古老宏大的水利工程,或者青城山是有“第五洞天”之城的道教名山。也因为都江堰两千年来对巴蜀大地农耕的重要作用,或者青城山对宣扬道教文化及青城武功的巨大贡献。
  • 诚斋挥麈录

    诚斋挥麈录

    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。
  • 白华录

    白华录

    灵媒裁缝白华,引百家线,裁百家布,渡万家妖鬼亡魂。汉服从没被遗弃,它正以一种精神的载体世代传承。汉人的灵魂为其裁线织布,不死不休。
  • 随隐漫录

    随隐漫录

    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。
  • 漫漫何其修

    漫漫何其修

    一个平淡的爱情故事旁人说你有酒我有肉,陌生人,一起聊会天吧我:我有故事你有时间,我们一起看会书吧
  • 蜜蜜宠婚,总裁老公药不停

    蜜蜜宠婚,总裁老公药不停

    和毫无人情,只手遮天的冷面厉少闪婚是什么感受?叶沁宝表示,传言什么的都是骗人的!说好的一年婚期互不干涉,一年后桥归桥路归路,某厉狐狸却一次两次招惹她?“厉晏川,你违约了,我要离婚!”可怜兮兮的叶沁宝选择爆发。却被厉狐狸压回去,“老婆,别离婚了,我赔你违约金吧。”唔好吧,有花不完的钱,还被人宠上天的感觉好像还不错?
  • 混元剑帝

    混元剑帝

    “地球华国,我一人一剑,败国内十位武道大师,人称剑圣青墟!”“神荒大地,我持三尺青锋,纵剑天下,剑锋所向,有我无敌,被称为青墟剑尊。”“混沌神域,我剑道大成,剑气十万里,万剑朝宗,登封混元剑帝……”……大道争锋,有死无生!回归无路,青墟唯有杀出一条血路!
  • Kaffe Fassett: Dreaming in Color