Part 59 (2/2)
When Robert had enough evidence that he was almost ready to start to England, his man got a cable from an old friend of his father's, who always had believed in him, and it said that the bad man was dying--to come quick. So Robert went all of a sudden, like the Dead Letters told about. Now, he described how he reached there, took the old friend of the father of his friend with him, and other witnesses, and all the evidence he had, and went to see the sick man. When Robert showed him what he could prove, the bad man said it was no use, he had to die in a few days, so he might as well go with a clean conscience, and he told about everything he had done. Robert had it all written out, signed and sworn to. He told about all of it, and then he said to father: ”Have I made it clear to you?”
Leon was so excited he forgot all the manners he ever had, for he popped up before father could open his head, and cried: ”Clear as mud!
I got that son business so plain in my mind, I'd know the party of the first part, from the party of the second part, if I met him promenading on the Stone Wall of China!”
Father and Laddie knew so much law they asked dozens of questions; but that Robert man wasn't a smidgin behind, for every clip he had the answer ready, and then he could go on and tell much more than he had been asked. He said as a Case, it was a pretty thing to work on; but it was much more than a case to him, because he always had known that his friend was not guilty; that he was separated from his family, suffering terribly under the disgrace, and they must be also. He had worked for life for his friend, because the whole thing meant so much to both of them. He said he must go back soon and finish up a little more that he should have done while he was there, if it hadn't been that he received no word from Sh.e.l.ley.
”When I didn't heah from heh for so long, and wrote so many letters, and had no reply, I thought possibly some gay 'young Lochinvah had come out from the west,' and taken my sweet 'eart,” he said, ”and while I had my armour on, I made up my mind that I'd give him a fight too. I didn't propose to lose Sh.e.l.ley, if it were in my powah to win heh. I hadn't been able to say to heh exactly what I desiahed, on account of getting a start alone in this country; but if I won this case, I would have ample means. When I secuahed the requiahed evidence, I couldn't wait to finish, so I came straight ovah, to make sure of heh.”
He arose and handed the satchel to father.
”I notice you have a very good looking gun convenient,” he said.
”Would you put these papahs where you consider them safe until I'm ready to return? Our home, our living, and the honah of a man are there, and we are mighty particular about that bag, are we not, Sh.e.l.ley?”
”Well I should think we are!” cried Sh.e.l.ley. ”For goodness sake, father, hang to it! Is the man still living? Could you get that evidence over again?”
”He was alive when I left, but the doctors said ten days would be his limit, so he may be gone befowr this.”
Father picked up the satchel, set it on his knees, and stroked it as if it were alive.
”Well! Well!” he said. ”Now would any one think such a little thing could contain so much?”
Sh.e.l.ley leaned toward Robert.
”Your friend!” she cried, ”Your friend! What DID he say to you? What did he DO?”
”Well, for a time he was wildly happy ovah having the stain removed from his honah, and knowing that he would have his family and faw'tn back; but there is an extremely sad feature to his case that is not yet settled, so he must keep his head level until we work that out. Now about that hoss you wanted to show me----” he turned to Leon.
Mother gave the signal, and we left the table. Father carried the satchel to his chest, made room for it, locked it in and put the key in his pocket. Then our men started to the barn to show the Arab-Kentucky horse. Mr. Paget went to Sh.e.l.ley and took her in his arms exactly like Peter did Sally before the parlour door that time when I got into trouble, and he looked at mother and laughed as he said: ”I hope you will excuse me, but I've been having a very nawsty, anxious time, and I cawn't conform to the rules for a few days, until I become accustomed to the fawct that Sh.e.l.ley is not lost to me. It was beastly when I reached Chicago, had back all my letters, and found she had gone home ill. I've much suffering to recompense. I'll atone for a small portion immediately.”
He lifted Sh.e.l.ley right off the floor--that's how big and strong he was--he hugged her tight, and kissed her forehead, cheeks, and eyes.
”When I've gone through the fahmality of asking your parents for you, and they have said a gracious 'yes,' I'll put the fust one on your lips,” he said, setting her down carefully. ”In the meantime, you be fixing your mouth to say, 'yes,' also, when I propose to you, because it's coming befowr you sleep.”
Sh.e.l.ley was like a peach blossom. She reached up and touched his cheek, while she looked at mother all smiling, and sparkling, as she said: ”You see!”
Mother smiled back.
”I do, indeed!” she answered.
Leon pulled Mr. Paget's sleeve.
”Aw quit lally-gaggin' and come see a real horse,” he said.
Robert put his other arm around Leon, drew him to his side and hugged him as if he were a girl. ”I'm so glad Sh.e.l.ley has a lawge family,” he said. ”Big families are jolly. I'm so proud of all the brothers I'm going to have. I was the only boy at home.”
”You haven't told us about your family,” said mother.
”No,” said Robert, ”but I intend to. I have a family! One of the finest on uth. We'll talk about them after this hoss is inspected.”
He let Sh.e.l.ley go and walked away, his arm still around Leon. Sh.e.l.ley ran to mother and both of them sobbed out loud.
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