Part 13 (1/2)

Applause and a whispering followed, and another man said, ”Our sentiments exactly! Guess you've seen _The Freespeaker's_ article!”

”I have,” Savine acknowledged coolly. ”It suggested that I have no intention of carrying out my agreement, that I am hoodwinking the authorities for some indefinite purpose mysteriously connected with maintaining our present provincial rulers in power. The thing's absurd on the face of it, when I'm spending my money like water, and you ought to know me better. I won't even get the comparatively insignificant bonus until the work is finished.”

Several of the listeners rapped upon the table, one or two growled suspiciously, and a big sunburnt Englishman stood up. ”We'll let the article in question pa.s.s,” he said. ”It is clearly written with personal animus. As you say, we know you better; but see here, Savine, this is going to be a serious business for us if you fail. We've helped you with free labor, hauled your timber in, lent you oxen, and, in fact, done almost everything, besides giving you our bonds for a good many dollars and signing full approval of your scheme. By doing this we have barred ourselves from encouraging the other fellows'

plans.”

After similar but less complimentary speeches had been made, Thurston, who had been whispering to Savine, claimed attention. He cast a searching glance round the a.s.sembly. ”Any sensible man could see that the opposition scheme is impracticable,” he declared. ”I am afraid some of you have been sent here well primed.”

His last remark was perhaps combatant rashness, or possibly a premeditated attempt to force the listeners to reveal their actual sentiments. If he wished to get at the truth, he was successful, for several men began to speak at once, and while disjointed words interloped his remarks, the loudest of them said:

”You can't fool us, Savine. We're poor men with a living to earn, but we're mighty tough, and n.o.body walks over us with nails in their boots.

If you can't hold up that river, where are we going to be? I'd sooner shove in the giant powder to blow them up, than stand by and see my crops and cattle washed out when your big d.y.k.es bust.”

”So would I,” cried several voices, and there was a rapid cross-fire of question and comment. ”Not the men to be fooled with.” ”Stand by our rights; appeal to legislation, and choke this thing right up!” ”Can you make your d.y.k.es stand water at all?” ”Give the man--a fair show.”

”How many years do you figure on keeping us waiting?”

Savine rose somewhat stiffly from his chair, and Thurston noted an ominous grayness in either cheek.

”There are just two things you can do,” Savine said; ”appeal to your legislators to get my grants canceled, or sit tight and trust me. For thirty-five years I've done my share in the development of the Dominion, and I never took a contract I didn't put through. This has proved a tough one, but if it costs me my last dollar----”

The honest persons among the malcontents were mostly struggling men, who, having expected the operations would bring them swift prosperity, had been the more disappointed. Still, the speaker's sincerity inspired returning confidence, and, when he paused, there was a measure of sympathy for him, for he seemed haggard and ill, and was one against many. His guests began to wonder whether they had not been too impatient and suspicious, and one broke in apologetically, ”That's good! We're not unreasonable. But we like straight talking--what if the d.y.k.es keep on bursting?”

Then there was consternation, for Savine collapsed into his chair, after he had said, ”Mr. Thurston will tell you. Remember he acts for me.” To Geoffrey he whispered, ”I don't feel well. Help me out, and then go back to them.”

”Sit still. Stand back! You have done rather too much already,”

Geoffrey declared, turning fiercely upon the men, who hurried forward, one with a water decanter, and another with a wine gla.s.s.

The guests fell back before Thurston, as he led Savine, who leaned heavily upon him, from the banquet room. As they entered a broad hall Helen and her aunt pa.s.sed along the veranda upon which it opened.

”They must not know; keep them out!” gasped the contractor. ”Get me some brandy and ring for the steward--quick. You have got to go back and convince those fellows, Thurston. Good Lord!--this is agony.”

Savine sank into a chair. His twitching face was livid, and great beads of moisture gathered upon his forehead. Thurston pressed a b.u.t.ton, then strode swiftly towards the door hoping that Helen, who pa.s.sed outside with a laugh upon her lips, might be spared the sight of her father's suffering. But Mrs. Savine, gazing in through a long window, started as she exclaimed, ”Helen, your father's very sick! Run along and bring me the elixir out of my valise.”

Helen turned towards the window, and Geoffrey, who groaned inwardly, placed himself so that she could not see. There was a rustle of skirts, and swift, light footsteps approached.

”What is the matter? Why do you stand there? Let me pa.s.s at once!”

cried Helen in a voice trembling with fear.

”Please wait a few moments,” answered Geoffrey, standing between the suffering man and his daughter. ”Your father will be better directly, and you must not excite him.”

There was no mistaking the color in Helen's face now. If her eyes were anxious the crimson in her cheeks and on her forehead was that of anger. Geoffrey felt compa.s.sionate, but he was still determined to spare her.

”For your father's sake and your own, don't go to him just yet, Miss Savine,” he pleaded, but, with little fingers whose grip felt steely, the girl wrenched away his detaining arm.

”Is there no limit to your interference or presumption?” she asked, sweeping past him to fall with a low cry beside the big chair upon which her father was reclining. The cry pierced to Thurston's heart.

Helen had seen little of either sickness or tragedy. Savine sat still as if he did not see her, his face contracted into a ghastly grin of pain. The attendant who came to them deftly aided Geoffrey to force a little cordial between the sufferer's teeth. Savine made no sign.

Forgetting her indignation in her terror Helen glanced at Geoffrey in vague question, but he merely raised his hand with a restraining gesture.

”We had better get him onto a sofa, sir,” whispered the attendant, presently. ”Not very heavy. Perhaps you and I could manage.” It was when he was being lifted that Savine first showed signs of intelligence. He glanced at Geoffrey and attempted to beckon towards the room they had left. When he seemed slightly better, Thurston said: