Part 39 (1/2)

”Thanks to you, Dolly--you, and no one else.”

”No, no, it was growing all along. I only helped a little, perhaps. But it doesn't matter who did it; it is done. They will build the schools.”

”And you and I will help with suggestions, won't we?” He looked at her, quite timidly. ”I mean, of course, that we have learned some lessons in the house we are now building. We have made mistakes here and there that may be avoided in the future.”

She said nothing, and he was sure that she purposely avoided his tentative stare. She bent over the horse's neck, ran the thick glossy mane through her fingers, and gently patted the animal's shoulder.

”Jarvis, you must tell me something about this horse,” she said, firmly. ”I'm going to know the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.”

”You want to know his pedigree?” He was staring sheepishly. ”Well--”

”No, I don't, and you know I don't. My father said that you wanted the horse kept in the stable at home in case--in case any one had to ride over here to communicate with him. But no one uses him but me, and he has to have exercise or he will be ruined. It is almost all that I can do to control him now. He breaks into a run the instant another horse pa.s.ses him. Father said yesterday that he did not understand why you wanted us to keep him at our house.”

The blood mantled the young planter's brow. ”They say an honest confession is good for the soul,” he stammered; ”and, Dolly, the truth is that I sent the horse there simply for you to ride. You love riding and need the exercise. You are so peculiar about--well, about some things--that I was afraid you would be offended, but I hope you won't refuse this. I do love to see you on a horse. You ride as if you were born in the saddle.”

She looked down on the farther side of her mount. ”It is very, very sweet and kind of you,” she said, falteringly. ”I believe you mean it, still--” She broke off and failed to finish what she had started to say.

”You must not object,” he went on, urgently. ”It suits your father and me to keep a horse there, and if you are good enough to exercise him for us, well and good. If not, we'll send one of the negroes over to take him out once a day.”

He saw her smile faintly. ”n.o.body could get around you,” she answered.

”Well, it really would break my heart to give him up now, and I shall ride him whenever I feel like it.”

There was silence for a moment, which he broke.

”I am arranging a little surprise for your father.” He nodded toward the grounds behind him. ”Won't you get down and come in a moment?”

”What is it?” She was already kicking the stirrup from her eager foot.

”Come in and see.” He held out his arms, as if she were a child willing to jump.

”You know my awful curiosity,” she laughed, putting her hands on his shoulders and leaning downward. Her face sank close to his--so close that her breath fanned his cheek. He took her slight weight on himself as he helped her down. Throwing the rein over one of the palings, he opened the gate and stood aside for her to enter.

”What is it? Why are you so awfully mysterious?” she asked.

”Because my surprise may not come up to your expectations,” he said.

”Come with me.”

He led her across the lawn to a small one-roomed brick house at the side of the main building, adjoining the white gla.s.s-roofed conservatory. Taking a key from his pocket, he unlocked the door and pushed it open and invited her to go in. She found herself in a well-lighted room comfortably furnished with easy-chairs, rugs, and a fine roll-top desk, supplied with new account-books and writing-material of all kinds.

”It is to be your father's private office,” Saunders explained. ”But he doesn't know it. It struck me that he would need a place like this to meet the hands in on pay-days and to do his writing. The furniture came yesterday. He superintended the unloading himself. He thinks the office is for me.”

Involuntarily Dolly clasped her hands in sheer delight.

”Oh, how good you are!” she cried. ”Nothing you could possibly do would please him more. You have given him his old pride back, Jarvis, and this will add to it. I have been wanting to speak to you about him, but I hardly knew how. He is absolutely a new man in every way, and it is all due to your confidence and encouragement.”

He found himself without available response. She sat down in the revolving desk-chair and picked up a pen and pretended to write. ”It is simply 'scrumptious!'” she laughed, merrily. ”Oh, I should like--” she stopped abruptly, stood up, and looked at the door. ”I must be going.

Why, you've even given him a clock. And the maps on the walls will be very useful. That's our county, isn't it?”