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第59部分

a girl of the limberlost-第59部分

小说: a girl of the limberlost 字数: 每页4000字

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Philip a few hours; and urged that Polly and Tom accompany them。 

Mrs。 Ammon knew that her husband would disapprove of the trip;

but it was easy to see that Edith Carr had determined on going。 

So the mother thought it better to have Polly along to support

Philip than to allow him to confront Edith unexpectedly and alone。 

Polly was full of spirit。  She did not relish the thought of

Edith as a sister。  Always they had been in the same set;

always Edith; because of greater beauty and wealth;

had patronized Polly。  Although it had rankled; she had borne

it sweetly。  But two days before; her father had extracted

a promise of secrecy; given her Philip's address and told her

to send him the finest emerald ring she could select。 

Polly knew how that ring would be used。  What she did not know

was that the girl who accompanied her went back to the store

afterward; made an excuse to the clerk that she had been sent

to be absolutely sure that the address was right; and so secured

it for Edith Carr。



Two days later Edith had induced Hart Henderson to take

her to Onabasha。  By the aid of maps they located the

Comstock land and passed it; merely to see the place。 

Henderson hated that trip; and implored Edith not to take

it; but she made no effort to conceal from him what she

suffered; and it was more than he could endure。  He pointed

out that Philip had gone away without leaving an address;

because he did not wish to see her; or any of them。 

But Edith was so sure of her power; she felt certain Philip

needed only to see her to succumb to her beauty as he always

had done; while now she was ready to plead for forgiveness。 

So they came down the Brushwood road; and Henderson had just

said to Edith beside him:  〃This should be the Comstock land

on our left。〃



A minute later the wood ended; while the sunlight;

as always pitiless; etched with distinctness the scene at

the west end of the cabin。  Instinctively; to save Edith;

Henderson set the horn blowing。  He had thought to drive to

the city; but Polly Ammon arose crying:  〃Phil!  Phil!〃

Tom Levering was on his feet shouting and waving; while

Edith in her most imperial manner ordered him to turn

into the lane leading through the woods beside the cabin。



〃Find some way for me to have a minute alone with her;〃

she commanded as he stopped the car。



〃That is my sister Polly; her fiance Tom Levering; a

friend of mine named Henderson; and〃 began Philip;



〃and Edith Carr;〃 volunteered Elnora。



〃And Edith Carr;〃 repeated Philip Ammon。  〃Elnora; be

brave; for my sake。  Their coming can make no difference

in any way。  I won't let them stay but a few minutes。 

Come with me!〃



〃Do I seem scared?〃 inquired Elnora serenely。  〃This is

why you haven't had your answer。  I have been waiting

just six weeks for that motor。  You may bring them to me

at the arbour。〃



Philip glanced at her and broke into a laugh。  She had

not lost colour。  Her self…possession was perfect。 

She deliberately turned and walked toward the grape arbour;

while he sprang over the west fence and ran to the car。



Elnora standing in the arbour entrance made a perfect

picture; framed in green leaves and tendrils。  No matter

how her heart ached; it was good to her; for it pumped

steadily; and kept her cheeks and lips suffused with colour。 

She saw Philip reach the car and gather his sister into

his arms。  Past her he reached a hand to Levering;

then to Edith Carr and Henderson。  He lifted his sister

to the ground; and assisted Edith to alight。  Instantly; she

stepped beside him; and Elnora's heart played its first trick。



She could see that Miss Carr was splendidly beautiful;

while she moved with the hauteur and grace supposed to

be the prerogatives of royalty。  And she had instantly

taken possession of Philip。  But he also had a brain which

was working with rapidity。  He knew Elnora was watching;

so he turned to the others。



〃Give her up; Tom!〃 he cried。  〃I didn't know I wanted

to see the little nuisance so badly; but I do。  How are

father and mother?  Polly; didn't the mater send me something?〃



〃She did!〃 said Polly Ammon; stopping on the path and

lifting her chin as a little child; while she drew away

her veil。



Philip caught her in his arms and stooped for his

mother's kiss。



〃Be good to Elnora!〃 he whispered。



〃Umhu!〃 assented Polly。  And aloud〃Look at that ripping

green and gold symphony!  I never saw such a beauty! 

Thomas Asquith Levering; you come straight here and take

my hand!〃



Edith's move to compel Philip to approach Elnora beside her

had been easy to see; also its failure。  Henderson stepped

into Philip's place as he turned to his sister。  Instead of

taking Polly's hand Levering ran to open the gate。 

Edith passed through first; but Polly darted in front

of her on the run; with Phil holding her arm; and swept up

to Elnora。  Polly looked for the ring and saw it。  That settled

matters with her。



〃You lovely; lovely; darling girl!〃 she cried; throwing

her arms around Elnora and kissing her。  With her lips close

Elnora's ear; Polly whispered; 〃Sister!  Dear; dear sister!〃



Elnora drew back; staring at Polly in confused amazement。 

She was a beautiful girl; her eyes were sparkling and

dancing; and as she turned to make way for the others;

she kept one of Elnora's hands in hers。  Polly would have

dropped dead in that instant if Edith Carr could have

killed with a look; for not until then did she realize that

Polly would even many a slight; and that it had been a

great mistake to bring her。



Edith bowed low; muttered something and touched

Elnora's fingers。  Tom took his cue from Polly。



〃I always follow a good example;〃 he said; and before

any one could divine his intention he kissed Elnora as he


gripped her hand and cried:  〃Mighty glad to meet you! 

Like to meet you a dozen times a day; you know!〃



Elnora laughed and her heart pumped smoothly。  They had

accomplished their purpose。  They had let her know they

were there through compulsion; but on her side。  In that

instant only pity was in Elnora's breast for the flashing

dark beauty; standing with smiling face while her heart

must have been filled with exceeding bitterness。 

Elnora stepped back from the entrance。



〃Come into the shade;〃 she urged。  〃You must have

found it warm on these country roads。  Won't you lay

aside your dust…coats and have a cool drink?  Philip; would

you ask mother to come; and bring that pitcher from the

spring house?〃



They entered the arbour exclaiming at the dim; green coolness。 

There was plenty of room and wide seats around the sides;

a table in the centre; on which lay a piece of embroidery;

magazines; books; the moth apparatus; and the cyanide jar

containing several specimens。  Polly rejoiced in the

cooling shade; slipped off her duster; removed her hat;

rumpled her pretty hair and seated herself to indulge in

the delightful occupation of paying off old scores。 

Tom Levering followed her example。  Edith took a seat

but refused to remove her hat and coat; while Henderson

stood in the entrance。



〃There goes something with wings!  Should you have

that?〃 cried Levering。



He seized a net from the table and raced across the garden

after a butterfly。  He caught it and came back mightily

pleased with himself。  As the creature struggled in the net;

Elnora noted a repulsed look on Edith Carr's face。 

Levering helped the situation beautifully。



〃Now what have I got?〃 he demanded。  〃Is it just a

common one that every one knows and you don't keep; or

is it the rarest bird off the perch?〃



〃You must have had practice; you took that so perfectly;〃

said Elnora。  〃I am sorry; but it is quite common and not

of a kind I keep。  Suppose all of you see how beautiful

it is and then it may go nectar hunting again。〃



She held the butterfly where all of them could see;

showed its upper and under wing colours; answered Polly's

questions as to what it ate; how long it lived; and how

it died。  Then she put it into Polly's hand saying:  〃Stand

there in the light and loosen your hold slowly and easily。〃



Elnora caught a brush from the table and began softly

stroking the creature's sides and wings。  Delighted with

the sensation the butterfly opened and closed its wings;

clinging to Polly's soft little fingers; while every one cried

out in surprise。  Elnora laid aside the brush; and the

butterfly sailed away。



〃Why; you are a wizard!  You charm them!〃 marvelled Levering。



〃I learned that from the Bird Woman;〃 said Elnora。 

〃She takes soft brushes and coaxes butterflies and moths

into the positions she wants for the illustrations of a book

she is writing。  I have helped her often。  Most of the rare

ones I find go to her。〃



〃Then you don't keep all you take?〃 questioned Levering。



〃Oh; dear; no!〃 cried Elnora。  〃Not a tenth!  For myself;

a pair of each kind to use in illustrating the lectures I

give in the city schools in the winter; and one pair for each

collection I make。  One might as well keep the big night

moths of June; for they only live four or five days anyway。 

For the Bird Woman; I only save rare ones she has not yet secured。 

Sometimes I think it is cruel to take such creatures from

freedom; even for an hour; but it is the only way to teach

the masses of people how to distinguish the pests they

should destroy; from the harmless ones of great beauty。 

Here comes mother with something cool to drink。〃



Mrs。 Comstock came deliberately; talking to Philip as

she approached。  Elnora gave her one searching look; but

could discover only an extreme brightness of eye to denote

any unusual feeling。  She wore one of her lavender dresses;

while her snowy hair was high piled。  She had taken care


of her complexion; and her face had grown fuller during

the winter。  Sh

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