第126章

They left me soon after this.I tried to make them tell who the mysterious friend might be, but they refused.The kind things they said and the gratitude they both expressed I shall never forget.

They did not strenuously urge me to return to the bank, and that seemed strange to me.

"The job's yours if you want it, Ros," said Captain Jed."We'd be only too happy to have you if you'd come--any time, sooner or later.But I don't think you will.""No," I answered, "I shall not.I have made other plans.I am going to leave Denboro."That did not seem to surprise them and I was still more puzzled.

They shook hands and went away, promising to call at the house that evening and bring Nellie.

"She wants to thank you, too, Ros," said George.

After they had gone I sat by the big door, looking out at the bay, smooth and beautiful in the afternoon sunlight, and thinking of what they had told me.For Mother's sake I was very glad.It would be easier for her, after I had gone; the townspeople would be friendly, instead of disagreeable.For her sake, I was glad.For myself nothing seemed to make any difference.George Taylor's words--those he had spoken to me that fateful evening when I found him with the revolver beside him--came back to me over and over.

"Wait until your time comes.Wait until the girl comes along that you care for more than the whole world.And then see what you'd do.See what it would mean to give her up!"I was seeing.I knew now what it meant.

I rose and went out of the boathouse.I did not care to meet anyone or speak with anyone.I strolled along the path by the bluff, my old walk, that which I had taken so many times and with such varied feelings, never with such miserable ones as now.

The golden-rod, always late blooming on the Cape, bordered the path with gorgeous yellow.The leaves of the scrub oaks were beginning to turn, though not to fall.I walked on and entered the grove where she and I had met after our adventure with Carver and the stranded skiff.I turned the bend and saw her coming toward me.

I stood still and she came on, came straight to me and held out her hand.

"I was waiting for you," she said."I was on my way to your house and I saw you coming--so I waited.""You waited," I stammered."Why?"

"Because I wished to speak to you and I did not want that--that Mr.

Rogers of yours to interrupt me.Why did you go away yesterday without even letting me thank you for what you had done? Why did you do it?""Because--because you were very busy and--and I was tired.I went home and to bed.""You were tired.You must have been.But that is no excuse, no good one.I came down and found you were gone without a word to me.And you had done so much for me--for my father!""Your father thanked me this morning, Miss Colton.I saw him in his room and he thanked me.I did not deserve thanks.I was lucky, that was all.""Father does not call it luck.He told me what you said to him.""He told you! Did he tell you all I told him?""I--I think so.He told me who you were; what your real name was.""He did! And you were still willing to meet me!""Yes.Why not? Does it make any difference that you are Mr.

Bennett--instead of Mr.Paine?"

"But my father was Carleton Bennett--the--the-- You must have heard of him.""I never knew your father.I do know his son.And I am very proud to know him.""But--but, Miss Colton."

"Tell me," she interrupted, quickly, "have you seen Mr.Taylor? He is here in Denboro.""Yes.I have seen him."

"And he told you about the Lane? That he has bought it?""Yes."

"And you will not be," with a smile, "driven from Denboro by that cross old Captain Dean?""I shall not be driven--no."

"Then Mr.Taylor did help you.He promised me he would.""He promised you? When? When did you see George Taylor?"She appeared confused."I--I-- Of course I saw him at the house this noon, when he came to see Father.""But he could not have promised you then.He had helped me already.Did you see him before that?""Why, how could I? I--"

"Miss Colton, answer me.Was it you that met him at the Ostable station this morning? Was it?"She was as red as the reddest of the autumn leaves.She laughed, confusedly.

"I did meet him there," she confessed."That queer Mr.Cahoon, the station agent, told me that Captain Dean had telegraphed him to come.I knew he would probably be on that train.And Mr.Cahoon told me about his being interested in stocks and very much troubled.You had told me, or as much as told me, that you sold the land to get money to help some one.I put two and two together and I guessed the rest.I met him and Nellie and we rode to Denboro together in our auto.He promised me that he would make everything right for you.I am so glad he did!"I caught my breath with a gasp.

"You did that!" I exclaimed."You did that, for me!""Why not? Surely you had done enough for--us.I could not let you be 'driven from town', you know."I did not speak.I knew that I must not attempt a reply.I should say too much.She looked up at me, and then down again at the pine-needles beneath our feet.

"Father says he intends to do great things for you," she went on.

"He says you are to come with him.He is enthusiastic about it.