Part 16 (1/2)
”Give Norman a round million dollars to make the experiment.”
The Colonel looked at her in amazement, and suddenly sprang to his feet, pacing the floor with feverish steps. He stopped at last before the girl and studied her.
”Don't let Norman know who gave the money,” she continued. ”It will be a big, n.o.ble, beautiful thing to do--and--it will save him.”
”What a wonderful woman you are, Elena!”
He paused and looked at her steadily. ”I'm going to do it!”
When Norman returned at midnight from the ma.s.s-meeting his face was flushed and his eyes sparkled.
”It's done, Governor! It's done!” he fairly shouted.
”You mean the half million was subscribed?” the Colonel asked.
”Yes, and more!” he went on, excitedly. ”We have succeeded beyond my wildest hopes. We had subscriptions for a hundred thousand. Fifty thousand more was subscribed at the meeting by the delegates, and just as we were about to adjourn Judge Clark, a famous lawyer, rose and announced the gift of a round million to the cause by a group of friends whose names he refused to make known.”
”And what happened?” Elena asked.
”It's hard to tell exactly. The first thing I did was to jump over three rows of seats, grab the lawyer, and yell like a maniac. We carried him around the room, and shouted and screamed until we were hoa.r.s.e. The scene was indescribable. Strong men fell into each other's arms and cried like children.”
”And you could get no hint of the ident.i.ty of the men who gave the money?” Elena inquired.
”Not the slightest. The deed of gift was made to me through the lawyer as trustee. I don't like one or two conditions, exactly, but it was no time to haggle over details.”
”What were the conditions?” Elena interrupted, with a glance at the Colonel.
”That the t.i.tle to the island of Ventura should be vested in me personally for two years. And five hundred thousand dollars should remain a fund in my hands as trustee to administer its income for the same period. At the end of one year, or of two, I may transfer the whole to the Brotherhood, or reconvey it to the original donors. I think it gives too much power into one man's hands--but I'll hold it a sacred trust.”
The young enthusiast's face glowed with thrilling purpose, and his eyes were s.h.i.+ning with unshed tears, as he laid his hand on his father's shoulder and exclaimed:
”Ah! Governor, you didn't have faith enough in your fellow man! You said it couldn't be done!”
”I congratulate you, my son,” the Colonel gravely said, ”and I wish for you the n.o.blest success.”
”There's no such word as fail.” Norman cried. ”No sleep for me to-night! I return to the Socialist Club for a celebration. I just came to tell you personally of our triumph. The deed is done, and the Brotherhood of Man is a thrilling fact!”
With swift, joyous stride he threw himself into the hall and bounded down the steps.
”Suppose after all, Guardie, he should succeed?” Elena exclaimed.
”They'll start with many things in their favour,” the Colonel responded. ”The island of Ventura is said to be the most fertile and beautiful spot of earth in the West. No adverse influences can reach them from without. Five thousand men and women, inspired by a sublime faith in themselves, may under such conditions surprise us. If Socialism is possible on an island of a hundred thousand acres, it's possible on a hundred thousand square miles, and its faith will conquer the world. We'll give them two years before we visit them, and see what happens.”
”Suppose they do succeed!” Elena repeated, musingly.
CHAPTER XIII