Part 37 (1/2)

”So it air, brat, but he don't suffer,” comforted Andy.

”Get back, Andy,” warned Tess, getting up. ”Some one air walkin' in the lane.”

She could hear the steps plainly, now. Whoever it was paused in front of the shack. When the knock came, she placed her sewing on the chair. With a glance at the attic, she walked forward and took down the bar. The opening door revealed Frederick Graves standing in the falling snow.

”I've come back, Tess,” he breathed brokenly.

The girl staggered back speechless to the middle of the room. Dismayed eyes sought Frederick's, eloquently demanding a reason for his coming.

The boy followed her swiftly in and closed the door. How ill she looked!

G.o.d, could it have been his own conduct that had made Tessibel so fragile! He had promised to love and cherish her forever. The thought that he could revivify her by the very strength of his overflowing love took him forward a step. Tess looked helplessly about and retreated a little.

”Daddy's sick,” she murmured.

”I'm sorry. I'm very sorry, dear.... I had to see you, Tessibel,” cried Frederick, pa.s.sionately. ”I hurried back from abroad because of you, my darling.... Oh, Tess dear--”

Tessibel made a dissenting gesture.

”Please go away,” said she, in agitation. ”Go away, please.”

Instead of obeying her, the boy came nearer.

”I can't go!” he answered hoa.r.s.ely, running his fingers through his thick hair. ”I've suffered horribly for what I've done.... Tess, don't make me suffer any more--Oh, darling, please understand--”

”I air understandin',” interrupted Tess, steadying herself. ”Ye can't do nothin' now.... Won't ye please go?”

”No,” replied Frederick, setting his teeth sharply. ”No, I won't! I came to tell you what I want you to do.”

Tessibel sank into the chair, her legs refusing to hold her up any longer. Frederick was looking down at her sorrowfully. How could he ever have left her? His excuse about his mother's needing money now seemed small and unimportant. How like a glorious golden mantle her curls encompa.s.sed her! A spasmodic desire to twine them again around his fingers gripped him. He wanted to take her in his arms, to love her, to be loved in return, as she had loved him on the ragged rocks. How beautiful she was--yet how frail and worn! It seemed as if the ice that had warped and frozen his heart to a hard, unresponsive ma.s.s, during the months with Madelene, was melting in the presence of the girl he loved.

His soul had thirsted for the sight of her, his arms yearned to hold and press her close. He stood a moment undecided, then suddenly bent forward and drew her forcibly to him. Groaning deeply, he dropped his hot lips upon her neck, and Tessibel started back as if he'd stung her.

”If you look at me so cold and white, Tess,” he moaned, ”I shall--I'll--”

Then he sought for her lips and found them, kissing her stormily until she felt a keen sense of terror and physical pain. His pa.s.sionate insistence carried her completely out of herself for the instant.

”Tess, Tess!” he murmured, ”nothing matters now! Don't send me away from you again, sweet.”

Tess lay in his arms, mute and unresponsive.

”Say one little kind word to me, Tess,” he implored again, brokenly.

But Tess couldn't speak. She felt her tongue burn as if infinitesimal sparks had touched each groove upon it. She could not stay in his arms!

Before the world he belonged to another woman. She pushed him away, drew herself from his embrace, and sat down again. Her action brought a fierce e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.n from the boy's lips.

When Frederick ordered his horse that morning, Madelene had slipped her hand into his.

”May I go with you, dear?” she begged. ”Do order my horse, too, won't you?”

He colored to the roots of his hair and shrugged his shoulders impatiently.

”I'd rather go by myself,” he returned so curtly that Madelene bit her lips to keep back the tears.