Part 69 (2/2)
”No, she won't say anything, I'm sure!” Frederick's voice was low, but positive. ”She doesn't want to have anything more to do with me. What she said about not wanting me was true. She wouldn't stop to speak to me, even, until I threatened to tell you.... I suppose Young's made her so happy she's glad to forget me.”
”What gets me is how you and Young, decent fellows, got mixed up with such a girl,” Ebenezer growled meditatively.
”If you knew Tess as I do, ... you'd understand,” wailed Frederick.
”She's the dearest, bravest, sweetest girl in the world.”
”Bos.h.!.+... Now, the question is about getting you home. My buggy's up in the road. Do you think you can walk there?”
”I guess so.”
With his brother-in-law's help, Frederick got to his feet. Slowly, leaning on the big man's supporting arm, he made his way, with many pauses for rest, to the waiting vehicle.
Waldstricker put his companion into the carriage and unhitched the horse. Instead of getting in beside him, he handed him the reins, saying as he did so,
”You can drive all right, can't you? Old Ned knows the way back and will go home if you let him alone. I want to see Young.”
Before turning away, the speaker chirruped to the horse, which started obediently up the hill toward Ithaca, drawing after him what cowardly selfishness had left of Frederick Graves.
The elder walked slowly up the path to Young's house, turning over in his mind to what advantage he could best use his newly acquired knowledge.
Coming out of the door hurriedly, Deforrest Young met his brother-in-law face to face as the latter rounded the corner of the house. At the sight of this pompous person, whose meddling threatened so much trouble to his dear ones, the indignation which Tessibel's words had in a measure quieted, flared up anew. He wanted to fight, to pound, and if possible to kill with his hands the man in front of him.
”You'd better come no farther,” he said between set teeth. ”Just stay where you are!... I shan't be responsible for my acts if you don't.”
”So she's told you,” said Waldstricker, laughing loudly. ”And it hurts, eh? Now, you know what you're keeping?”
Trembling with suppressed pa.s.sion, the lawyer walked deliberately to the steps, his face waxen-white.
”I told you to come no nearer. I'd advise you to go away,” said he. His low voice, contrasting sharply with his flushed cheeks and blazing eyes, testified eloquently of the tremendous curb imposed upon his temper.
”Yes, she told me, ...” he continued in the same tone, ”and the more she told me, the more heartily I pitied her. She told me of your threats, too, but I want you to understand, the moment you turn your hands against her, I'll fix you.”
”Don't forget my wife's your sister. I'll see our family's honor upheld even if you've forgotten it.” Waldstricker simulated a confidence he didn't quite feel.
Young's fists knotted.
”You mind your business, Ebenezer, and let my house alone.”
Waldstricker, kicking uneasily at a stone in his path, thought a moment.
At last he looked up.
”I'll let your house alone all right, if you'll get rid of that girl, and that--”
He didn't use the word he'd intended. Deforrest didn't give him time.
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