Part 44 (1/2)

Jessy shrugged her shoulders.

”People in general are more or less charitable in the case of a successful man. Apart from that, Mr. Vane has a good many excellent qualities. As I said, one has to make allowances.”

Just then, to Evelyn's relief, Mrs. Nairn came in, and though the girl suffered during the time, it was half an hour before she could find an excuse for slipping away alone. Then, sitting in the gathering darkness in her own room, she set herself to consider, as dispa.s.sionately as possible, what she had heard. It was exceedingly difficult to believe the charge, but Jessy's a.s.sertion was definite enough, and one which, if incorrect, could readily be disproved. n.o.body would say such a thing unless it could be substantiated; and that led Evelyn to consider why Jessy had given her the information. She had obviously done so with at least a trace of malice, but it could hardly have sprung from jealousy; Evelyn could not think that a woman would vilify a man for whom she had any tenderness. Besides, she had seen Vane entering the part of the town indicated, where he could not have had any legitimate business. Hateful as the suspicion was, it could not be contemptuously dismissed. Then she recognized that she had no right to censure the man; he was not accountable to her for his conduct--but calm reasoning carried her no farther. She was once more filled with intolerable disgust and burning indignation. Somehow, she had come to believe in Vane, and he had turned out an impostor.

About an hour later Vane and Carroll entered the house with Nairn and proceeded to the latter's room where he offered them cigars.

”So ye're all ready to sail the morn?”

Vane nodded and handed him a paper.

”There's your authority to act in my name, if it's required. If we have moderately fine weather, I expect to be back before there's much change in the situation; but I'll call at Nanaimo, where you can wire me if anything turns up during the two or three days it may take us to get there. The wind's ahead at present.”

”I suppose there's no use in my saying anything more now; but I can't help pointing out that as head of the concern you have a certain duty to the shareholders which you seem inclined to disregard,” Carroll remarked.

Vane smiled.

”I've no doubt that their interests will be as safe in Nairn's hands as in mine. What I stand to risk is the not getting my personal ideas carried out, which is a different matter, though I'll own that it wouldn't please me if they were overruled.”

”I fail to see why ye could no have let the whole thing stand over until the spring,” grunted Nairn. ”The spruce will no run away.”

”I'd have done so, had it been a few years earlier, but the whole country is overrun with mineral prospectors and timber righters now. Every month's delay gives somebody else a chance for getting in ahead of me.”

”Weel,” responded Nairn resignedly, ”I can only wish ye luck; but, should ye be detained up yonder, if one of ye could sail across to Comox to see if there's any mail there it would be wise to do so.” He waved his hand.

”No more of that; we'll consider what tactics I had better adopt in case of delay.”

An hour had pa.s.sed before they went down to join the guests who were arriving for the evening meal. As a rule, the western business man, who is more or less engrossed in his occupation except when he is asleep, enjoys little privacy; and Nairn's friends sometimes compared his dwelling to the rotunda of a hotel. The point of this was that people of all descriptions who have nothing better to do are addicted to strolling into the combined bazaar and lounge which is attached to many Canadian hostelries.

Vane was placed next to Evelyn at the table; but after a quiet reply to his first observation she turned and talked to the man at her other side.

As the latter, who was elderly and dull, had only two topics--the most efficient means of desiccating fruit and the lack of railroad facilities--Vane was somewhat astonished that she appeared interested in his conversation, and by and by he tried again. He was not more successful this time, and his face grew warm as he realized that Evelyn was not inclined to talk to him. Being a very ordinary mortal and not particularly patient, he was sensible of some indignation, which was not diminished when, on looking around, Jessy Horsfield favored him with a compa.s.sionate smile. However, he took his part in the general conversation; and the meal was over and the guests were scattered about the adjoining rooms when, after impatiently waiting for the opportunity, he at last found Evelyn alone. She was standing with one hand on a table, looking rather thoughtful.

”I've come to ask what I've done?”

Evelyn was not prepared for this blunt directness and she felt a little disconcerted, but she broke into a chilly smile.

”The question's rather indefinite, isn't it? Do you expect me to be acquainted with all your recent actions?”

”Then I'll put the thing in another way--do you mind telling me how I have offended you?”

The girl almost wished that she could do so. Appearances were badly against him, but she felt that if he declared himself innocent she could take his word in the face of overwhelming testimony to the contrary.

Unfortunately, however, it was unthinkable that she should plainly state the charge.

”Do you suppose I should feel warranted in forming any opinion upon your conduct?” she retorted.

”It strikes me that you have formed one, and it isn't favorable.”

The girl hesitated a moment, but she had the courage of her convictions and she felt impelled to make some protest.

”That,” she said, looking him in the eyes, ”is perfectly true.”