第19章
"HowIshallloveyou!"exultedPolly，givingElnoraapartinghug。
Thegirlslowlyandgravelywalkedbacktothewillow。
Shecouldnotimaginewhatwascoming，butshewaspromisingherselfthatshewouldbeverypatientandcontrolhertemper。
"Willyoubeseated?"sheaskedpolitely。
EdithCarrglancedatthebench，whileashuddershookher。
"No。Iprefertostand，"shesaid。"DidMr。Ammongiveyoutheringyouarewearing，anddoyouconsideryourselfengagedtohim?"
"Bywhatrightdoyouasksuchpersonalquestionsasthose?"inquiredElnora。
"Bytherightofabetrothedwife。IhavebeenpromisedtoPhilipAmmoneversinceIworeshortskirts。Allourliveswehaveexpectedtomarry。Anagreementofyearscannotbebrokeninoneinsanemoment。Alwayshehaslovedmedevotedly。Givemetenminuteswithhimandhewillbemineforalltime。"
"Iseriouslydoubtthat，"saidElnora。"ButIamwillingthatyoushouldmakethetest。Iwillcallhim。"
"Stop!"commandedEdithCarr。"ItoldyouthatitwasyouIcametosee。"
"Iremember，"saidElnora。
"Mr。Ammonismybetrothed，"continuedEdithCarr。
"IexpecttotakehimbacktoChicagowithme。"
"Youexpectconsiderable，"murmuredElnora。"Iwillraisenoobjectiontoyourtakinghim，ifyoucan——but，I
tellyoufrankly，Idon"tthinkitpossible。"
"Youaresosureofyourselfasthat，"scoffedEdithCarr。
"Onehourinmypresencewillbringbacktheoldspell，fullforce。Webelongtoeachother。Iwillnotgivehimup。"
"Thenitisuntruethatyoutwicerejectedhisring，repeatedlyinsultedhim，andpubliclyrenouncedhim?"
"Thatwasthroughyou!"criedEdithCarr。"PhilandIneverhadbeensonearandsohappyaswewereonthatnight。Itwasyourclingingtohimforthingsthatcausedhimtodesertmeamonghisguests，whilehetriedtomakemeawaityourpleasure。Irealizethespellofthisplace，forasummerseason。Iunderstandwhatyouandyourmotherhavedonetoinveiglehim。Iknowthatyourholdonhimisquitereal。Icanseejusthowyouhaveworkedtoensnarehim!"
"Menwouldcallthatlying，"saidElnoracalmly。
"ThesecondtimeImetPhilipAmmonhetoldmeofhisengagementtoyou，andIrespectedit。IdidbyyouasIwouldwantyoutodobyme。Hewasherepartsofeachday，almostdailylastsummer。TheAlmightyismywitnessthatneveronce，bywordorlook，didIevermaketheslightestattempttointeresthiminmypersonorpersonality。Hewroteyoufrequentlyinmypresence。
Heforgotthevioletsforwhichheaskedtosendyou。
Igatheredthemandcarriedthemtohim。Isenthimbacktoyouinunswervingdevotion，andtheAlmightyisalsomywitnessthatIcouldhavechangedhisheartlastsummer，ifIhadtried。Iwiselyleftthatworkforyou。AllmylifeIshallbegladthatIlivedandworkedonthesquare。
Thatheeverwouldcomebacktomefree，byyouract，Ineverdreamed。WhenheleftmeIdidnothopeorexpecttoseehimagain，"Elnora"svoicefellsoftandlow，"
and，behold!Yousenthim——andfree!"
"Youexultinthat!"criedEdithCarr。"Letmetellyouheisnotfree!Wehavebelongedforyears。
Wealwaysshall。Ifyouclingtohim，andholdhimtorashthingshehassaidanddone，becausehethoughtmestillangryandunforgivingwithhim，youwillruinallourlives。
Ifhemarriedyou，beforeamonthyouwouldreadheart-hungerformeinhiseyes。Hecouldnotlovemeashehasdone，andgivemeupforalittlescenelikethat!"
"Thereisagreatpoem，"saidElnora，"onelineofwhichreads，`Foreachmankillsthethingheloves。"Letmetellyouthatawomancandothatalso。Hedidloveyou——thatIconcede。Butyoukilledhisloveeverlastingly，whenyoudisgracedhiminpublic。Killeditsocompletelyhedoesnotevenfeelresentmenttowardyou。To-day，hewoulddoyouafavour，ifhecould；butloveyou，no!
Thatisover!"
EdithCarrstoodtrulyregalandfilledwithscorn。
"Youaremistaken!Nothingonearthcouldkillthat!"
shecried，andElnorasawthatthegirlreallybelievedwhatshesaid。
"Youareverysureofyourself!"saidElnora。
"Ihavereasontobesure，"answeredEdithCarr。
"Wehavelivedandlovedtoolong。Ihavehadyearswithhimtomatchagainstyourdays。Heismine!
Hiswork，hisambitions，hisfriends，hisplaceinsocietyarewithme。Youmayhaveasummercharmforasickmaninthecountry；ifhetriedplacingyouinsociety，hesoonwouldseeyouasotherswill。Ittakesbirthtoposition，schooling，andendlesspracticetomeetsocialdemandsgracefully。Youwouldputhimtoshameinaweek。"
"IscarcelythinkIshouldfollowyourexamplesofar，"
saidElnoradryly。"IhaveafeelingforPhilipthatwouldpreventmyhurtinghimpurposely，eitherinpublicorprivate。Asformanagingasocialcareerforhimhenevermentionedthathedesiredsuchathing。WhatheaskedofmewasthatIshouldbehiswife。Iunderstoodthattomeanthathedesiredmetokeephimacleanhouse，servehimdigestiblefood，motherhischildren，andgivehimlovingsympathyandtenderness。"
"Shameless!"criedEdithCarr。
"Towhichofusdoyouintendthatadjectivetoapply?"
inquiredElnora。"Ineverwaslessashamedinallmylife。
PleaserememberIaminmyownhome，andyourpresencehereisnotonmyinvitation。"
MissCarrliftedherheadandstruggledwithherveil。
Shewasverypaleandtremblingviolently，whileElnorastoodserene，afaintsmileonherlips。
"Suchvulgarity!"pantedEdithCarr。"HowcanamanlikePhilipendureit?"
"Whydon"tyouaskhim?"inquiredElnora。"Icancallhimwithonebreath；but，ifhejudgedusaswestand，Ishouldnotbetheonetotrembleathisdecision。
MissCarr，youhavebeenquiteplain。Youhavetoldmeincarefullyselectedwordswhatyouthinkofme。
Youinsultmybirth，education，appearance，andhome。
IassureyouIamlegitimate。Iwillpassatestexaminationwithyouonanyhighschoolorsupplementarybranch，orFrenchorGerman。Iwilltakeaphysicalexaminationbesideyou。Iwillfaceanysocialemergencyyoucanmentionwithyou。IamacquaintedwithawholeworldinwhichPhilipAmmoniskeenlyinterested，thatyouscarcelyknowexists。Iamnotafraidtofaceanyaudienceyoucangettogetheranywherewithmyviolin。
Iamnotrepulsivetolookat，andIhaveawholesomeregardfortheproprietiesandcivilitiesoflife。PhilipAmmonneveraskedanythingmoreofme，whyshouldyou?"
"Itisplaintosee，"criedEdithCarr，"thatyoutookhimwhenhewashurtandangryandkepthiswoundwideopen。
Oh，whathaveyounotdoneagainstme?"
"Ididnotpromisetomarryhimwhenanhouragoheaskedme，andofferedmethisring，becausetherewassomuchfeelinginmyheartforyou，thatIknewInevercouldbehappy，ifIfeltthatinanywayIhadfailedindoingjusticetoyourinterests。Ididsliponthisring，whichhehadjustbrought，becauseIneverownedone，anditisverybeautiful，butImadehimnopromise，norshallImakeany，untilIamquite，quitesure，thatyoufullyrealizeheneverwouldmarryyouifIsenthimawaythishour。"
"Youknowperfectlythatifyourpunyholdonhimwerebroken，ifhewerebackinhishome，amonghisfriends，andwherehewasmeetingme，inoneshortweekhewouldbemineagain，ashealwayshasbeen。Inyourheartyoudon"tbelievewhatyousay。Youdon"tdaretrusthiminmypresence。Youareafraidtoallowhimoutofyoursight，becauseyouknowwhattheresultswouldbe。Rightorwrong，youhavemadeupyourmindtoruinhimandme，andyouaregoingtobeselfishenoughtodoit。But——"
"Thatwilldo!"saidElnora。"SparemetheenumerationofhowIwillregretit。Ishallregretnothing。
IshallnotactuntilIknowtherewillbenothingtoregret。
Ihavedecidedonmycourse。Youmayreturntoyourfriends。"
"Whatdoyoumean?"demandedEdithCarr。
"Thatismyaffair，"repliedElnora。"Onlythis!
Whenyouropportunitycomes，seizeit!AnytimeyouareinPhilipAmmon"spresence，exertthecharmsofwhichyouboast，andtakehim。Igrantyouarejustifiedindoingitifyoucan。IwantnothingmorethanIwanttoseeyoumarryPhilipifhewantsyou。Heisjustacrossthefenceunderthatautomobile。Gospreadyourmeshesandexertyourwiles。Iwon"tstirtostopyou。TakehimtoOnabasha，andtoChicagowithyou。Useeveryartyoupossess。
IftheoldcharmcanberevivedIwillbethefirsttowishbothofyouwell。Now，Imustreturntomyvisitors。
Kindlyexcuseme。"
Elnoraturnedandwentbacktothearbour。EdithCarrfollowedthefenceandpassedthroughthegateintothewestwoodswheresheaskedHendersonaboutthecar。
Asshestoodnearhimshewhispered:"TakePhilbacktoOnabashawithus。"
"Isay，Ammon，can"tyougotothecitywithusandhelpmefindashopwhereIcangetthispinionfixed?"
askedHenderson。"Wewanttolunchandstartbackbyfive。
Thatwillgetushomeaboutmidnight。Whydon"tyoubringyourautomobilehere?"
"Iamaworkingman，"saidPhilip。"Ihavenotimetobeoutmotoring。Ican"tseeanythingthematterwithyourcar，myself；but，ofcourseyoudon"twanttobreakdowninthenight，onstrangeroads，withwomenonyourhands。
I"llsee。"
Philipwentintothearbour，wherePollytookpossessionofhislap，fingeredhishair，andkissedhisforeheadandlips。
"Whenareyoucomingtothecottage，Phil?"sheasked。
"Comesoon，andbringMissComstockforavisit。Allofuswillbesogladtohaveher。"
PhilipbeamedonPolly。"I"llseeaboutthat，"hesaid。
"Soundsprettygood。Elnora，Hendersonisintroublewithhisautomobile。HewantsmetogotoOnabashawithhimtoshowhimwherethedoctorlives，andmakerepairssohecanstartbackthisevening。Itwilltakeabouttwohours。MayIgo?"
"Ofcourse，youmustgo，"shesaid，laughinglightly。
"Youcan"tleaveyoursister。Whydon"tyoureturntoChicagowiththem?Thereisplentyofroom，andyoucouldhaveafinevisit。"
"I"llbebackinjusttwohours，"saidPhilip。"WhileI
amgone，youbethinkingoverwhatweweretalkingofwhenthefolkscame。"
"MissComstockcangowithusaswellasnot，"saidPolly。
"Thatbackseatwasmadeforthree，andIcansitonyourlap。"
"Comeon!Docome!"urgedPhilipinstantly，andTomLeveringjoinedhim，butHendersonandEdithsilentlywaitedatthegate。
"No，thankyou，"laughedElnora。"Thatwouldcrowdyou，andit"swarmanddusty。Wewillsaygood-byehere。"
Sheofferedherhandtoallofthem，andwhenshecametoPhilipshegavehimonelongsteadylookintheeyes，thenshookhandswithhimalso。
CHAPTERXXIII
WHEREINELNORAREACHESADECISION，ANDFRECKLESANDTHEANGELAPPEAR
Well，shecame，didn"tshe?"remarkedMrs。ComstocktoElnoraastheywatchedtheautomobilespeeddowntheroad。AsitturnedtheLimberlostcorner，Philiparoseandwavedtothem。
"Shehasn"tgothimyet，anyway，"saidMrs。Comstock，takingheart。"What"sthatonyourfinger，andwhatdidshesaytoyou?"
Elnoraexplainedabouttheringasshedrewitoff。
"Ihaveseveralletterstowrite，thenIamgoingtochangemydressandwalkdowntowardAuntMargaret"sforalittleexercise。Imaymeetsomeofthem，andIdon"twantthemtoseethisring。YoukeepituntilPhilipcomes，"saidElnora。"AsforwhatMissCarrsaidtome，manythings，twoofimportance:one，thatIlackedeverysocialrequirementnecessaryforthehappinessofPhilipAmmon，andthatifImarriedhimIwouldseeinsideamonththathewasashamedofme——"
"Aw，shockins!"scornedMrs。Comstock。"Goon!"
"Theotherwasthatshehasbeenengagedtohimforyears，thathebelongstoher，andsherefusestogivehimup。Shesaidthatifhewereinherpresenceonehour，shewouldhavehimunderamysteriousthingshecalls`herspell"again；ifhewerewhereshecouldseehimforoneweek，everythingwouldbemadeup。Itisheropinionthatheissufferingfromwoundedpride，andthattheslightestconcessiononherpartwillbringhimtohiskneesbeforeher。"
Mrs。Comstockgiggled。"Idohopetheboyisn"tweak-kneed，"
shesaid。"Ijusthappenedtobepassingthewestwindowthisafternoon——"
Elnoralaughed。"Nothingsaveactualknowledgeeverwouldhavemademebelievetherewasagirlinallthisworldsoinfatuatedwithherself。Shespeakscasuallyofherpowerovermen，andboastsof`bringingamantohisknees"ascomplacentlyasIwouldpickupanetandsay:
`Iamgoingtotakeabutterfly。"ShehonestlybelievesthatifPhilipwerewithherashorttimeshecouldrekindlehisloveforherandawakeninhimeveryparticleoftheolddevotion。Mother，thegirlishonest!Sheisabsolutelysincere!ShesobelievesinherselfandthestrengthofPhil"sloveforher，thatallherlifeshewillbelieveinandbroodoverthatthought，unlesssheistaughtdifferently。Solongasshethinksthat，shewillnursewrongideasandpineoverherblightedlife。ShemustbetaughtthatPhilisabsolutelyfree，andyethewillnotgotoher。"
"Buthowonearthareyouproposingtoteachherthat?"
"Thewaywillopen。"
"Lookeyhere，Elnora!"criedMrs。Comstock。"ThatCarrgirlisthehandsomestdarkwomanIeversaw。She"sgottotheplacewhereshewon"tstopatanything。Hercominghereprovesthat。Idon"tbelievetherewasathingthematterwiththatautomobile。IthinkthatwasaschemeshefixeduptogetPhilwhereshecouldseehimalone，assheworkedtoseeyou。IfyouaregoingdeliberatelytoputPhilipunderherinfluenceagain，you"vegottobraceyourselfforthepossibilitythatshemaywin。
Amanisaweakmortal，wherealovelywomanisconcerned，andheneverdeniedthathelovedheronce。Youmaymakeyourselfdownrightmiserable。"
"Butmother，ifshewon，itwouldn"tmakemehalfsomiserableastomarryPhilmyself，andthenreadhungerforherinhiseyes!Someonehasgottosufferoverthis。
Ifitprovestobeme，I"llbearit，andyou"llneverhearawhisperofcomplaintfromme。IknowtherealPhilipAmmonbetterinourmonthsofworkinthefieldsthansheknowshiminallheryearsofsocietyengagements。
Sosheshallhavethehoursheasked，many，manyofthem，enoughtomakeheracknowledgethatsheiswrong。
NowIamgoingtowritemylettersandtakemywalk。"
Elnorathrewherarmsaroundhermotherandkissedherrepeatedly。"Don"tyouworryaboutme，"shesaid。
"Iwillgetalongallright，andwhateverhappens，Ialwayswillbeyourgirlandyoumydarlingmother。"
Shelefttwosealednotesonherdesk。Thenshechangedherdress，packedasmallbundlewhichshedroppedwithherhatfromthewindowbesidethewillow，andsoftlywentdownstairs。Mrs。Comstockwasinthegarden。Elnorapickedupthehatandbundle，hurrieddowntheroadafewrods，thenclimbedthefenceandenteredthewoods。Shetookadiagonalcourse，andafteralongwalkreachedaroadtwomileswestandonesouth。
Thereshestraightenedherclothing，putonherhatandathindarkveilandwaitedthepassingofthenexttrolley。
SheleftitatthefirsttownandtookatrainforFortWayne。
Shemadethatpointjustintimetoclimbontheeveningtrainnorth，asitpulledfromthestation。ItwasaftermidnightwhensheleftthecaratGrandRapids，andwentintothedepottoawaitthecomingofday。
Tiredout，shelaidherheadonherbundleandfellasleeponaseatinthewomen"swaiting-room。Longafterlightshewasawakenedbytheroarandrattleoftrains。Shewashed，re-arrangedherhairandclothing，andwentintothegeneralwaiting-roomtofindherwaytothestreet。Shesawhimasheenteredthedoor。Therewasnomistakingthetall，lithefigure，thebrighthair，thelean，brown-splotchedface，thesteadygrayeyes。Hewasdressedfortravelling，andcarriedalightovercoatandabag。StraighttohimElnorawentspeeding。
"Oh，Iwasjuststartingtofindyou!"shecried。
"Thankyou!"hesaid。
"Youaregoingaway?"shepanted。
"NotifIamneeded。Ihaveafewminutes。Canyoubetellingmebriefly?"
"IamtheLimberlostgirltowhomyourwifegavethedressforCommencementlastspring，andbothofyousentlovelygifts。Thereisareason，averygoodreason，whyI
mustbehiddenforatime，andIcamestraighttoyou——asifIhadaright。"
"Youhave!"answeredFreckles。"AnyboyorgirlwhoeversufferedonepangintheLimberlosthasaclaimtothebestdropofbloodinmyheart。Youneedn"tbetellingmeanythingmore。TheAngelisatourcottageonMackinac。Youshalltellherandplaywiththebabieswhileyouwantshelter。Thisway!"
Theybreakfastedinaluxuriouscar，talkedovertheswamp，theworkoftheBirdWoman；Elnoratoldofhernaturelecturesintheschools，andsoontheyweregoodfriends。IntheeveningtheyleftthetrainatMackinawCityandcrossedtheStraitsbyboat。Sheetsofwhitemoonlightfloodedthewaterandpavedamoltenpathacrossthebreastofitstraighttothefaceofthemoon。
Theislandlayadarkspotonthesilversurface，itstalltreessharplyoutlinedonthesummit，andamillionlightsblinkedaroundtheshore。Thenightgunsboomedfromthewhitefortandadarksentinelpacedtherampartsabovethelittlecitytuckeddownclosetothewater。
Agreattenorsummeringinthenorthcameoutontheupperdeckofthebigboat，andbaringhishead，facedthemoonandsang:"Oh，themoonshinesbrightonmyoldKentuckyhome!"ElnorathoughtoftheLimberlost，ofPhilip，andhermother，andalmostchokedwiththesobsthatwouldariseinherthroat。OnthedockawomanofexquisitebeautysweptintothearmsofTerenceO"More。
"Oh，Freckles!"shecried。"You"vebeengoneamonth!"
"Fourdays，Angel，onlyfourdaysbytheclock，"
remonstratedFreckles。"Wherearethechildren?"
"Asleep!Thankgoodness!I"mworntoathread。Ineversawsuchinventive，activechildren。Ican"tkeeptrackofthem!"
"Ihavebroughtyouhelp，"saidFreckles。"HereistheLimberlostgirlinwhomtheBirdWomanisinterested。
MissComstockneedsarestbeforebeginningherschoolworkfornextyear，soshecametous。"
"Youdearthing!Howgoodofyou!"criedtheAngel。
"Weshallbesohappytohaveyou!"
Inherroomthatnight，inabeautifulcottagefurnishedwitheveryluxury，ElnoraliftedatiredfacetotheAngel。
"Ofcourse，youunderstandthereissomethingbackofthis?"shesaid。"Imusttellyou。"
"Yes，"agreedtheAngel。"Tellme!Ifyougetitoutofyoursystem，youwillstandabetterchanceofsleeping。"
Elnorastoodbrushingthecopper-brightmassesofherhairasshetalked。WhenshefinishedtheAngelwasalmosthysterical。
"Youinsanecreature!"shecried。"Howcrazyofyoutoleavehimtoher!Iknowbothofthem。Ihavemetthemoften。Shemaybeabletomakegoodherboast。
Butitisperfectlysplendidofyou!And，afterall，reallyitistheonlyway。Icanseethat。IthinkitiswhatI
shouldhavedonemyself，ortriedtodo。Idon"tknowthatIcouldhavedoneit!WhenIthinkofwalkingawayandleavingFreckleswithawomanheonceloved，toletherseeifshecanmakehimloveheragain，oh，itgivesmeagraveyardheart。No，Inevercouldhavedoneit!YouarebiggerthanIeverwas。Ishouldhaveturnedcoward，sure。"
"Iamacoward，"admittedElnora。"Iamsoul-sick!
IamafraidIshalllosemysensesbeforethisisover。
Ididn"twanttocome!Iwantedtostay，togostraightintohisarms，tobindmyselfwithhisring，tolovehimwithallmyheart。Itwasn"tmyfaultthatIcame。
Therewassomethinginsidethatjustpushedme。Sheisbeautiful——"
"Iquiteagreewithyou!"
"Youcanimaginehowfascinatingshecanbe。Sheusednoartsonme。Herpurposewastocowerme。Shefoundshecouldnotdothat，butshedidathingwhichhelpedhermore:sheprovedthatshewashonest，perfectlysincereinwhatshethought。ShebelievesthatifshemerelybeckonstoPhilip，hewillgotoher。SoIamgivinghertheopportunitytolearnfromhimwhathewilldo。
Sheneverwillbelieveitfromanyoneelse。Whensheissatisfied，Ishallbealso。"
"But，child!Supposeshewinshimback!"
"ThatisthesuppositionwithwhichIshalleatandsleepforthecomingfewweeks。Wouldonedareaskforapeepatthebabiesbeforegoingtobed?"
"Now，youareperfect!"announcedtheAngel。"InevershouldhavelikedyouallIcan，ifyouhadbeencontenttogotosleepinthishousewithoutaskingtoseethebabies。Comethisway。Wenamedthefirstboyforhisfather，ofcourse，andthegirlforAuntAlice。
Thenextboyisnamedformyfather，andthebabyfortheBirdWoman。Afterthiswearegoingtobranchout。"
Elnorabegantolaugh。
"Oh，Isuspecttherewillbequiteanumberofthem，"
saidtheAngelserenely。"Iamtoldthemoretherearethelesstroubletheymake。Thebigonestakecareofthelittleones。Wewantalargefamily。Thisisourstart。"
Sheenteredadarkroomandheldaloftacandle。Shewenttothesideofasmallwhiteironbedinwhichlayaboyofeightandanotherofthree。Theywereperfectlyformed，rosychildren，theelderareplicaofhismother，theotherverylike。Thentheycametoacradlewhereababygirlofalmosttwosleptsoundly，andmadeapicture。
"Butjustseehere!"saidtheAngel。Shethrewthelightonasleepinggirlofsix。Amassofredcurlssweptthepillow。LineandfeaturethefacewasthatofFreckles。
Withoutasking，Elnoraknewthecolourandexpressionoftheclosedeyes。TheAngelhandedElnorathecandle，andstooping，straightenedthechild"sbody。Sheranherfingersthroughthebrightcurls，andlightlytouchedthearistocraticlittlenose。
"Thesupplyoffrecklesholdsoutinmyfamily，yousee!"
shesaid。"Bothofthegirlswillhavethem，andthesecondboyafew。"
Shestoodaninstantlonger，thenbending，ranherhandcaressinglydownarosybareleg，whileshekissedthebabyishredmouth。Therehadbeensomereasonfortouchingallofthem，thekissfellonthelipswhichwerelikeFreckles"s。
ToElnorashesaidatendergood-night，whisperingbravewordsofencouragementandmakingplanstofillthedaystocome。Thenshewentaway。Anhourlatertherewasalighttaponthegirl"sdoor。
"Come!"shecalledasshelaystaringintothedark。
TheAngelfeltherwaytothebedside，satdownandtookElnora"shands。
"Ijusthadtocomebacktoyou，"shesaid。"IhavebeentellingFreckles，andheisalmosthurtinghimselfwithlaughing。Ididn"tthinkitwasfunny，buthedoes。
Hethinksit"sthefunniestthingthateverhappened。
HesaysthattorunawayfromMr。Ammon，whenyouhadmadehimnopromiseatall，whenhewasn"tsureofyou，won"tsendhimhometoher；itwillsethimhuntingyou!
HesaysifyouhadcombinedthewisdomofSolomon，Socrates，andalltheremainderofthewisemen，youcouldn"thavechosenanycoursethatwouldhavesealedhimtoyousosurely。HefeelsthatnowMr。Ammonwillperfectlyhateherforcomingdownthereanddrivingyouaway。Andyouwenttogiveherthechanceshewanted。
Oh，Elnora!Itisbecomingfunny!Iseeit，too!"
TheAngelrockedonthebedside。Elnorafacedthedarkinsilence。
"Forgiveme，"gulpedtheAngel。"Ididn"tmeantolaugh。
Ididn"tthinkitwasfunny，untilallatonceitcametome。Oh，dear!Elnora，it
"Maybeitis，"admittedElnora"toothers；butitisn"tveryfunnytome。Anditwon"tbetoPhilip，ortomother。"
Thatwasverytrue。Mrs。Comstockhadbeenslightlypreparedforstringentactionofsomekind，bywhatElnorahadsaid。Themotherinstantlyhadguessedwherethegirlwouldgo，butnothingwassaidtoPhilip。ThatwouldhavebeentoinvalidateElnora"stestinthebeginning，andMrs。ComstockknewherchildwellenoughtoknowthatsheneverwouldmarryPhilipunlessshefeltitrightthatsheshould。Theonlywaywastofindout，andElnorahadgonetoseektheinformation。Therewasnothingtodobutwaituntilshecameback，andhermotherwasnotintheleastuneasybutthatthegirlwouldreturnbraveandself-reliant，asalways。
PhilipAmmonhurriedbacktotheLimberlost，stronginthehopethatnowhemighttakeElnoraintohisarmsandreceiveherpromisetobecomehiswife。Hisfirstshockofdisappointmentcamewhenhefoundhergone。
IntalkingwithMrs。ComstockhelearnedthatEdithCarrhadmadeanopportunitytospeakwithElnoraalone。
Hehasteneddowntheroadtomeether，comingbackalone，anagitatedman。Thensearchrevealedthenotes。Hisread:
DEARPHILIP:
IfindthatIamnevergoingtobeabletoansweryourquestionofthisafternoonfairlytoallofus，whenyouarewithme。SoIamgoingawayafewweekstothinkovermattersalone。Ishallnottellyou，orevenmother，whereIamgoing，butIshallbesafe，wellcaredfor，andhappy。Pleasegobackhomeandliveamongyourfriends，justasyoualwayshavedone，andonorbeforethefirstofSeptember，I
willwriteyouwhereIam，andwhatIhavedecided。PleasedonotblameEdithCarrforthis，anddonotavoidher。Ihopeyouwillcallonherandbefriends。Ithinksheisverysorry，andcovetsyourfriendshipatleast。UntilSeptember，then，asever，ELNORA。
Mrs。Comstock"snotewasmuchthesame。Philipwasillwithdisappointment。Inthearbourhelaidhisheadonthetable，amongtheimplementsofElnora"slovedwork，andgulpeddowndrysobshecouldnotrestrain。Mrs。Comstockneverhadlikedhimsowell。Herhandinvoluntarilycrepttowardhisdarkhead，thenshedrewback。Elnorawouldnotwanthertodoanythingwhatevertoinfluencehim。
"WhatamIgoingtodotoconvinceEdithCarrthatI
donotloveher，andElnorathatIamhers?"hedemanded。
"Iguessyouhavetofigurethatoutyourself，"saidMrs。Comstock。"I"dbegladtohelpyouifIcould，butitseemstobeuptoyou。"
Philipsatalongtimeinsilence。"Well，Ihavedecided!"
hesaidabruptly。"AreyouperfectlysureElnorahadplentyofmoneyandasafeplacetogo?"
"Absolutely!"answeredMrs。Comstock。"Shehasbeentakingcareofherselfeversinceshewasborn，andshealwayshascomeoutallright，sofar；I"llstakeallI"mworthonit，thatshealwayswill。Idon"tknowwheresheis，butI"mnotgoingtoworryabouthersafety。"
"Ican"thelpworrying!"criedPhilip。"Icanthinkoffiftythingsthatmayhappentoherwhenshethinkssheissafe。Thisisdistracting!First，Iamgoingtorunuptoseemyfather。Then，I"llletyouknowwhatwehavedecided。IsthereanythingIcandoforyou?"
"Nothing!"saidMrs。Comstock。
Butthedesiretodosomethingforhimwassostrongwithhershescarcelycouldkeepherlipsclosedorherhandsquiet。ShelongedtotellhimwhatEdithCarrhadsaid，howithadaffectedElnora，andtocomforthimasshefeltshecould。Butloyaltytothegirlheldher。IfElnoratrulyfeltthatshecouldnotdecideuntilEdithCarrwasconvinced，thenEdithCarrwouldhavetoyieldortriumph。
ItrestedwithPhilip。SoMrs。Comstockkeptsilent，whilePhiliptookthenightlimited，abitterlydisappointedman。
Bynoonthenextdayhewasinhisfather"soffices。Theyhadalongconference，butdidnotarriveatmuchuntiltheelderAmmonsuggestedsendingforPolly。AnythingthatmighthavehappenedcouldbeexplainedafterPollyhadtoldoftheprivateconferencebetweenEdithandElnora。
"Talkaboutlovelywoman!"criedPhilipAmmon。"OnewouldthinkthataftersuchadoseasEdithgaveme，shewouldbesatisfiedtoletmegomyway，butno!Notcaringformeenoughherselftosavemefrompublicdisgrace，shemustnowpursuemetokeepanyotherwomanfromlovingme。
Icallthattoomuch!Iamgoingtoseeher，andIwantyoutogowithme，father。"
"Verywell，"saidMr。Ammon，"Iwillgo。"
WhenEdithCarrcameintoherreception-roomthatafternoon，gownedforconquest，sheexpectedonlyPhilip，andhimpenitent。Shecamehurryingtowardhim，smiling，radiant，readytouseeveryallurementshepossessed，andpausedindismaywhenshesawhiscoldfaceandhisfather。
"Why，Phil!"shecried。"Whendidyoucomehome?"
"Iamnotathome，"answeredPhilip。"Imerelyranuptoseemyfatheronbusiness，andtoinquireofyouwhatitwasyousaidtoMissComstockyesterdaythatcausedhertodisappearbeforeIcouldreturntotheLimberlost。"
"MissComstockdisappear!Impossible!"criedEdithCarr。
"Wherecouldshego?"
"Ithoughtperhapsyoucouldanswerthat，sinceitwasthroughyouthatshewent。"
"Phil，Ihaven"tthefaintestideawheresheis，"saidthegirlgently。
"Butyouknowperfectlywhyshewent!Kindlytellmethat。"
"Letmeseeyoualone，andIwill。"
"Hereandnow，ornotatall。"
"Phil!"
"WhatdidyousaytothegirlIlove?"
ThenEdithCarrstretchedoutherarms。
"Phil，Iamthegirlyoulove!"shecried。"Allyourlifeyouhavelovedme。Surelyitcannotbeallgoneinafewweeksofmisunderstanding。Iwasjealousofher!
Ididnotwantyoutoleavemeaninstantthatnightforanyothergirlliving。ThatwasthemothIwasrepresenting。
Everyoneknewit!Iwantedyoutobringittome。
Whenyoudidnot，Iknewinstantlyithadbeenforherthatyouworkedlastsummer，shewhosuggestedmydress，shewhohadpowertotakeyoufromme，whenI
wantedyoumost。Thethoughtdrovememad，andIsaidanddidthoseinsanethings。Phil，Ibegyourpardon!
Iaskyourforgiveness。Yesterdayshesaidthatyouhadtoldherofmeatonce。ShevowedbothofyouhadbeentruetomeandPhil，Icouldn"tlookintohereyesandnotseethatitwasthetruth。Oh，Phil，ifyouunderstoodhowIhavesufferedyouwouldforgiveme。Phil，IneverknewhowmuchIcaredforyou!Iwilldoanything——anything!"
"ThentellmewhatyousaidtoElnorayesterdaythatdroveher，aloneandfriendless，intothenight，heavenknowswhere!"
"Youhavenothoughtforanyonesaveher?"
"Yes，"saidPhilip。"Ihave。BecauseIoncelovedyou，andbelievedinyou，myheartachesforyou。Iwillgladlyforgiveanythingyouask。Iwilldoanythingyouwant，excepttoresumeourformerrelations。Thatisimpossible。
Itishopelessanduselesstoaskit。"
"Youtrulymeanthat!"
"Yes。"
"ThenfindoutfromherwhatIsaid!"
"Come，father，"saidPhilip，rising。
"YouweregoingtoshowMissComstock"slettertoEdith!"suggestedMr。Ammon。
"IhavenottheslightestinterestinMissComstock"sletter，"saidEdithCarr。
"Youarenoteveninterestedinthefactthatshesaysyouarenotresponsibleforhergoing，andthatIamtocallonyouandbefriendswithyou?"
"Thatisinteresting，indeed!"sneeredMissCarr。
Shetooktheletter，readandreturnedit。
"Shehasdonewhatshecouldformycause，itseems，"
shesaidcoldly。"Howverygenerousofher!DoyouproposecallingoutPinkertonsandinstitutingageneralsearch?"
"No，"repliedPhilip。"IsimplyproposetogobacktotheLimberlostandlivewithhermother，untilElnorabecomesconvincedthatIamnotcourtingyou，andnevershallbe。Then，perhaps，shewillcomehometous。
Good-bye。Goodlucktoyoualways!"
CHAPTERXXIV
WHEREINEDITHCARRWAGESABATTLE，ANDHARTHENDERSONSTANDSGUARD
Manypeoplelooked，afewfollowed，whenEdithCarrslowlycamedownthemainstreetofMackinac，pausinghereandtheretonotetheglowofcolourinonesmallboothafteranother，overflowingwithgaycurios。
Thatstreetofpackedwhitesand，windingwiththecurvesoftheshore，outlinedwithbrilliantshops，andthrongedwithlaughing，bare-headedpeopleinoutingcostumeswasapicturesqueandfascinatingsight。
Thousandsannuallymadelongjourneysandpaidexorbitantpricestotakepartinthatpageant。
AsEdithCarrpassed，shewasthemostdistinguishedfigureoftheoldstreet。Herclingingblackgownwassufficientlyelaborateforadinnerdress。Onherheadwasalarge，wide，drooping-brimmedblackhat，withimmensefloatingblackplumes，whileonthebrim，andamongthelacesonherbreastglowedvelvety，deepredroses。
Somewaythesemadeupforthelackofcolourinhercheeksandlips，andwhilehereyesseemedunnaturallybright，toacloseobservertheyappearedweary。Despitetheeffortshemadetomovelightlyshewasverytired，anddraggedherheavyfeetwithaneffort。
Sheturnedatthelittlestreetleadingtothedock，andwenttomeetthebiglakesteamerploughinguptheStraitsfromChicago。Pastthelandingplace，ontotheveryendofthepiershewent，thensatdown，leanedagainstadocksupportandclosedhertiredeyes。Whenthesteamercameverycloseshelanguidlywatchedthepeopleliningtherailing。Instantlyshemarkedoneleananxiousfaceturnedtowardhers，andwithathrobofpitysheliftedahandandwavedtoHartHenderson。Hewasthefirstmantoleavetheboat，comingtoherinstantly。Shespreadhertrailingskirtsandmotionedhimtositbesideher。
Silentlytheylookedacrossthesoftlylappingwater。
Atlastsheforcedherselftospeaktohim。
"Didyouhaveasuccessfultrip?"
"Iaccomplishedmypurpose。"
"Youdidn"tloseanytimegettingback。"
"IneverdowhenIamcomingtoyou。"
"Doyouwanttogotothecottageforanything?"
"No。"
"ThenletussithereandwaituntilthePetoskeysteamercomesin。Iliketowatchtheboats。
SometimesIstudythefaces，ifIamnottootired。"
"Haveyouseenanynewtypesto-day?"
Sheshookherhead。"Thishasnotbeenaneasyday，Hart。"
"Andit"sgoingtobeworse，"saidHendersonbitterly。
"There"snouseputtingitoff。Edith，Isawsomeoneto-day。"
"Youshouldhaveseenthousands，"shesaidlightly。
"Idid。Butofthemall，onlyonewillbeofinteresttoyou。"
"Manorwoman?"
"Man。"
"Where?"
"LakeShoreprivatehospital。"
"Anaccident?"
"No。Nervousandphysicalbreakdown。"
"PhilsaidhewasgoingbacktotheLimberlost。"
"Hewent。Hewastherethreeweeks，butthestrainbrokehim。Hehasanoldletterinhishandsthathehashandleduntilitisragged。Heheldituptomeandsaid:
"Youcanseeforyourselfthatshesaysshewillbewellandhappy，butwecan"tknowuntilweseeheragain，andthatmayneverbe。Shemayhavegonetoonearthatplaceherfatherwentdown，someofthatLimberlostgangmayhavefoundherintheforest，shemayliedeadinsomecitymorguethisinstant，waitingformetofindherbody。"
"Hart!Forpitysakestop!"
"Ican"t，"criedHendersondesperately。"Iamforcedtotellyou。Theyarefightingbrainfever。Hedidgobacktotheswampandheprowleditnightandday。
Thedaysdowntherearehotnow，andthenightswetwithdewandcold。Hepaidnoattentionandforgothisfood。
Afeverstartedandhisunclebroughthimhome。
They"veneverhadawordfromher，orfoundatraceofher。Mrs。ComstockthoughtshehadgonetoO"Mores"atGreatRapids，sowhenPhilbrokedownshetelegraphedthere。
Theyhadbeengoneallsummer，sohermotherisasanxiousasPhil。"
"TheO"Moresarehere，"saidEdith。"Ihaven"tseenanyofthem，becauseIhaven"tgoneoutmuchinthefewdayssincewecame，butthisistheirsummerhome。"
"Edith，theysayatthehospitalthatitwilltakecarefulnursingtosavePhil。Heissurroundedbystacksofmapsandrailroadguides。Heistryingtoframeupaplantosettheentiredetectiveagencyofthecountrytowork。
Hesayshewillstaytherejusttwodayslonger。Thedoctorssayhewillkillhimselfwhenhegoes。Heisasickman，Edith。Hishandsareburningandshakyandhisbreathwashotagainstmyface。"
"Whyareyoutellingme?"Itwasacryofacuteanguish。
"Hethinksyouknowwheresheis。"