Part 17 (1/2)

Haldane looked at his daughter, and then across at me, and, while slightly ironical good-humor was stamped on his face, it was a mask.

There was more than one side to his character, and, when it pleased him to be so, there was n.o.body more inscrutable. ”It is a rather extensive order, and men of that stamp are generally hard to crush,” he said.

”Still, if those mistaken doctors should conspire to forbid me more profitable employment, I might, perhaps, make the attempt some day.”

This was vague enough, but I felt that Haldane had intended the hint for me. There was no further reference to anything financial, for henceforward both my host and his daughter laid themselves out to help me to forget my troubles, and were so successful in this that I even wondered at myself. The troubles were certainly not far away, but the financier's anecdotes and his daughter's comments proved so entertaining that they diminished and melted into a somber background.

When Lucille left us Haldane sat chatting with me over his cigar, and at last he said abruptly: ”I dare say you wondered at my half-hearted action to-day?”

”I did, sir,” I answered; and the financier nodded good-humoredly.

”There is nothing to equal plain speaking, Ormesby. When a man knows just what he wants and asks for it he stands the best chance of obtaining it, though I don't always act in accordance with the maxim myself. Well, I made a few bids somewhat against my better judgment because I had promised to, and then ceased because it seemed best to me that, since you could not hold it, Lane should acquire the property.”

”I don't quite see the reason, sir. On the other hand, a stiff advance in prices would have meant a good deal to me,” I said.

Haldane answered oracularly: ”That gentleman's funds are not inexhaustible, and he already holds what one might call foreclosure options on a good deal of property. I should not be sorry to see him take hold of further land so long as it did not lie west of Gaspard's Trail. It is possible that he has, as we say in the vernacular, bitten off more than he can chew--considering the present scarcity of money. I should take heart if I were you, and hold on to Crane Valley whatever it costs you.”

”Can't you speak a little more directly?” I asked.

Haldane shook his head. ”I am not in a position to do so yet; but, if surmises turn into certainties, I will some day. Meanwhile, are you open to train some of the Bonaventure colts, and look after my surplus stock on a profit-division basis? I have more than my staff can handle.”

”I should be very glad to do so,” I answered, seeing that while the offer was prompted by kindness it had also its commercial aspect. ”But, if there is anything going on, say, some plan for the exploitation of this district in opposition to Lane, can I not take my part in it?”

”I have heard of no such scheme; and, if I had, you could help it most by driving new straight furrows and raising further cattle,” said Haldane, with an enigmatical smile. ”There are games which require a lifelong experience from the men who would succeed in them; and, because Rome was not built in a day, perhaps you were wiser to stick to your plowing, Ormesby. One gets used to the excitement of the other life, but the strain remains, and that is one reason why you see me at Bonaventure again.”

My host's words encouraged me. It was true he had said very little, but that was always Haldane's way; and, seeing that he now desired to change the subject, I followed his lead. ”I hope your health is not failing you again, sir?” I said.

”Save for one weakness, my general health is good enough,” was the quiet answer. ”Still, the weakness is there, and for the second time this year physicians have ordered an interval of quietness and leisure. One has to pay the penalty for even partial success, you know, and I am not so young or vigorous as I used to be.”

”Then, if I may ask the question, why not abandon altogether an occupation which tries you, sir?”

Haldane smiled over his cigar, but a shadow crossed his face. ”We are what the Almighty made us, Ormesby, and I suppose the restless gaming instinct was born in me. Even in my enforced leisure down here it is almost too strong for me, and I indulge in it on a minor scale by way of recreation. I can't sit down and quietly rust into useless inactivity.

Further, while handling a good deal of money, my private share is smaller than many folks suppose it, and I have my daughters' future to ensure. Both have been brought up to consider a certain amount of luxury as necessary.”

I do not think the last words were intended as a hint, for had Haldane considered the latter necessary it is hardly likely I should have been welcomed so often at Bonaventure. In any case it would have been superfluous, for I had already faced the worst, and decided that Beatrice Haldane must remain what she had always been to me--an ideal to be wors.h.i.+ped in the abstract and at a distance. Strangest of all, once the knowledge was forced on me, I found it possible to accept the position with some degree of resignation. All this flashed through my mind as I looked into the wreaths of smoke, and then Haldane spoke:

”Have you come across that photographer fellow lately?”

”Not for some time. Do you wish to see him?” I answered, with a slightly puzzled air.

”I think I should like to”--and Haldane's voice changed from its reflective tone. ”Do you know who he is, Ormesby?”

”I should hardly care to say without consulting him, sir,” I answered; and Haldane laughed.

”You need not trouble, because I do. If you chance upon him tell him what I said. Getting late, isn't it? Good-night to you!”

He left me equally relieved and mystified, and that I should feel any relief at all formed part of the mystery. Whatever was the cause of it, I was neither utterly cast down nor desperate when I sought my couch, and I managed to sleep soundly.

That was the first of several visits to Bonaventure. The acreage of Crane Valley was ample, but the house a mere elongated sod hovel, of which Miss Steel monopolized the greater portion, although I reflected grimly that in existing circ.u.mstances it was quite good enough for me.