a girl of the limberlost-第59部分
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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