Part 31 (2/2)
”I thank you,” said he, feebly; ”you are very kind--far kinder than I deserve. No man can measure the remorse that burns within me, and yet the world would say that you have let me off too easily.”
La Salle rang the bell sharply, and a waiter hastened up from the lower landing.
”Did you ring, sir?”
”Yes. Call a cab at once. Regnar, get my coat and yours. Mr. Randall, we must see you safely home. Where do you board?”
”At the Albion; but you need not take that trouble. Ah, sir, I know your fears; but my head is clear, and you need not be afraid that I shall do anything rash. I shall not despair of the pardon of G.o.d, since I have found some merciful pity in man.”
The carriage was announced; the tall form was again erect, and the voice, though husky with emotion, came strangely sweet and clear, as he turned to go.
”I would that we might be friends, but I know it cannot be. My blessing men would shrink from, if they knew what you do; but may G.o.d bless you for your kindness to me.” And standing motionless in the dusky pa.s.sage, they heard the footsteps die away in the empty corridors, and the rattle of the wheels of the vehicle which bore him away forever.
The next day they took the steamer for Halifax, and arriving there, the party separated, Peter and Waring going to St. Jean, and La Salle to the home of his father in Baltimore, where Regnar also was bound, in search of his half-sister. The parting was not pleasant, for the mutual trials and dangers of the few days spent amid the ice had done more to cement a strong and lasting friends.h.i.+p between the four, than years of ordinary companions.h.i.+p would have done.
”Look out, Peter, when you get on board the Princess, for Lund has secured such a story to tell, that he may pitch you two overboard to keep you from spoiling it by your return.”
”All light,” answered Peter; ”Capten Lund good man; see spirit, too, sure enough. He see two men; he look 'gain, no men dere. He see you an'
me on _h_ice. Snow fall t'ick, an' he see us no more. What hurt we come back? Much better we come back for all han's; you come back soon, I s'pose, too.”
”Yes, Peter,” answered La Salle, kindly, ”we shall come back soon, and I hope next fall to be spending the moonlight nights with you on Shepherd's Creek, and the duck-haunted reed-ponds of Battery Marsh. Good by;” and going on board, the two friends went rather disconsolately to their state-room.
Regnar still seemed ill at ease, as if he wanted to inquire about something; and at last he said, abruptly,--
”Charley, what shall I say to my sister?”
”Say to her, Regnie? Why, that you are delighted to see her, of course.
You may add that you come to make her wealthy; that is not likely to hurt your reception,” said La Salle, philosophically.
”Yes, of course I know that; but--but about you, Charley. You know what Randall said about--about her--”
”About her being married, do you mean? Why, my dear boy, say nothing. I am resigned, and, I may say, almost glad that it is so. Neither was it altogether an unexpected announcement, for I felt long ago that my first impressions upon her susceptible heart had faded with lapse of time and a low state of the exchequer. No, no, boy! be kind and loving to her, for she has not your firmness of soul or depth of affection. I carry you to her as my marriage gift. Is it agreed?”
”It is, Charley; and you will not let the caprice of a girl separate me from my friend--will you, La Salle?”
”Regnie,” answered the other, not without a touch of tenderness in his tone, ”the bonds which connect us are not the ties of pa.s.sion, or the calm preferences of the selfish world. We met amid a gathering of savage and half-civilized men, and our acquaintance has ripened into friends.h.i.+p amid many dangers and strange experiences. A doubtful and dangerous quest still lies before you. I hope that you will not undertake it without me to accompany you.”
”You, of all men, are the one I should choose, and we will set out this very summer to carry out my father's wishes;” and during the rest of their journey little was talked of but their future expedition into the interior of Newfoundland.
At Baltimore La Salle and his friend went to the home of the former, and were received as men from the dead. Of course the papers were full of sketches of their strange adventure, and wood-cuts of icebergs and seals covered the paper-stands for a week; and then a horrible murder, and a delicious bit of scandal in high life, closed the brief notoriety of the friends.
Two visits were paid during the first week of their return. Both called on the day of their arrival at Mrs. Randall's, and La Salle sent up his card. After waiting a while, that lady, who was not without misgivings as to what might be said about her matchmaking proclivities, sailed into the room very richly dressed, and rather red in the face.
”I am happy to see you, Mr. La Salle, and to know that you were not really lost, after all. Do you make a long stay in the city?”
”Don't waste unnecessary effort to appear cool and freezingly polite, Mrs. Randall,” said La Salle, calmly. ”I am here on a matter of business. I want Pauline's present address, as it is highly important that I should see her at once.”
<script>