Part 21 (1/2)
”Of course you know more about it than I do,” admitted Eveley. ”We--we do not understand the situation at all. I--think perhaps they are too shrewd for us. Let's not talk of it--it excites you, dear. I want you to rest and be quiet. I did not know that any one could love--Mexico--like that.”
”Have you seen Mexico? Oh, not the dry, barren border country, but my Mexico, rich with jewels and gold, studded with magnificent cities, flowering with rare fruits and spices, a mellow, golden, matchless land, peopled by those who are skilled in arts and science, lovers of beauty, and--Ah, you do not know Mexico. You know only the half-breed savages who run the borderland, preying on Mexican and American alike. You do not know the real Mexico of beautiful women, and brave and gallant men. How could you know?”
Then her voice became soft and dreamy again. ”I visited here long years ago. I was out in your Old Town, where the Indian maid Ramona lived. I stood in the square there. Do you know the story, Eveley, of the early days when your Captain Fremont and his band of soldiers stood there, ready to lower the flag of Mexico and to raise in its place your Stars and Stripes? As your soldier stepped forward to tear down our flag, a little girl of Mexico, another Marie like me, who was watching with aching heart from the window of the 'dobe house on the other side, shocked at the outrage, leaped from the cas.e.m.e.nt forgetting her fear of the foreign soldiers, and with one tug of her sharp knife cut the rope.
As the flag of Mexico fell, she caught it in her bare hands, and pressed it against her lips, her little form shaken with sobs. 'Forgive me,' she said to the soldiers, but it is the flag of my country, I could not see it dragged in the dust.'”
Eveley leaned over and put her hand on Marie's arm. ”I have heard the story many times, but I never caught the glory of it before. It was the feeling in her that is in me now--that is in all America--only ours is for America, and hers was for Mexico--as yours is.”
”When I look at you, and know the tenderness of you, and the great heart of you, I feel that America must be the heaven of all the world, and Americans the angels.” Then Marie's face darkened, and her lips became a scarlet line. ”But who then has stood heartlessly by, and watched the writhing and anguish of my Mexico, withholding the hand of power that could bring peace? Who has stood by and smiled while Mexico lay crushed and bleeding beneath the heel of despotism and treachery?”
”We haven't understood, Marie,” begged Eveley. ”We could not understand.
We--we naturally trust people, we are like that, you know, and--”
”And whom can one trust? My faith has been as my faith in G.o.d--yet when so many falter, and then turn back in betrayal--how can one trust?
Perhaps we are all deceived--perhaps every faction in my country is seeking only to despoil and enslave.” Then her face grew bright and luminous as she said, ”But there are those who are princes of sacrifice and love, risking all their world, their lives, their honor, for my Mexico. If there be any faith, it is in them. You call them bandits--Yes?
I call them sons of G.o.d.”
Eveley changed the subject as quickly as she could. The bandits who had been driven desperately from crag to cranny, berated in the press, denounced in the pulpit, deprecated on the platform--were these the princes of Marie's Mexico, the idols of their women's hearts, the saviors of their faith, their hope of freedom? It was very confusing.
She told Marie how she worked every day down-town, and how the little Cloud Cote would be her own all day, how she had friends coming often in the evening, friends who would love Marie, but whom she never need to see except when her heart desired. And she told of the lovely lawn, with its pavilions and pergolas and crevices and vines, and of the canyon drifting away down to the bay.
And Marie sat with her chin in her hands, her eyes soft and humble, dog-like, on Eveley's face.
CHAPTER XV
SERVICE OF JOY
It was not often that Eileen Trevis, who was manifestly born for business, waxed hysterically enthusiastic. And so one morning a few days later, when an incoherent summons came from her over the telephone, Eveley was astonished almost to the point of speechlessness.
”What is it?” she gasped. ”What has happened? Is it bad news?”
”Good, good, good,” exulted Eileen. ”Wonderful, delicious, thrilling.
Please hurry. It is nearly lunch-time, isn't it? I have been trying to get you all morning,--come quickly.--Never mind about your luncheon.--Are you coming?”
”I am on the way,” shouted Eveley, cras.h.i.+ng the receiver on to its hook, and flying with scant ceremony from the office, hoping it was truly the luncheon hour, but scorning to waste the time to look.
”She is in love,” she said aloud as she ran down the stairs, spurning a tardy elevator. ”She is in love, and she is engaged, or maybe she has eloped and is already married. Eileen Trevis,--of all people in the world. Whoever would have thought it?”
Only the absence of traffic officers in that part of the city kept Eveley from arrest that day, and only the protection of Heaven itself saved her from total wreckage, for she spun around corners, and dodged traffic warts at a rate that was positively neck-breaking. The last block before she reached Eileen's home was one long coast, and she drew up sharply with a triumphant honk.
Eileen was on the steps before she had time to turn off the engine.
”Is it a husband?” cried Eveley.
”No, babies,” chortled Eileen.