第48章 IN WHICH CAPTAIN EBEN RECEIVES A CALLER(1)

At the edge of the bluff,just where the pines and the bayberry bushes were thickest,where the narrow,crooked little footpath dipped over the rise and down to the pasture land and the salt meadow,John Ellery and Grace had halted in their walk.It was full tide and the miniature breakers plashed amid the seaweed on the beach.The mist was drifting in over the bay and the gulls were calling sleepily from their perch along the breakwater.Anight hawk swooped and circled above the tall feather grassby the margin of the creek.The minister's face was pale,but set and determined,and he was speaking rapidly.

I can't help it,he said.I can't help it.I have made up my mind and nothing can change it,nothing but you.It rests with you.If you say yes,then nothing else matters.Will you say it?He was holding both her hands now,and though she tried to withdraw them,he would not let her.

Will you?he pleaded.

I can't,she answered brokenly.I can't.Think of your church and of your people.What would they say if--I don't care what they say.

Oh!yes,you do.Not now,perhaps,but later you will.You don't know Trumet as I know it.No,it's impossible.I tell you there is only one impossible thing.That is that Igive you up.I won't do it.I CAN'T do it!Grace,this is life and death for me.My church--He paused in spite of himself.His church,his first church!He had accepted the call with pride and a determination to do his best,the very best that was in him,for the society and for the people whom he was to lead.Some of those people he had learned to love;many of them,he felt sure,loved him.His success,his popularity,the growth of the organization and the praise which had come to him because of it,all these had meant,and still meant,very much to him.No wonder he paused,but the pause was momentary.

My church,he went on,is my work and I like it.I believe I've done some good here and I hope to do more.But no church shall say whom I shall marry.If you care for me,Grace,as I think and hope you do,we'll face the church and the town together.and they will respect us for it.She shook her head.

Some of them might respect you,she said.They would say you had been led into this by me and were not so much to blame.But I--They shall respect my wife,he interrupted,snapping his teeth together,or I'll know the reason why.She smiled mournfully.

I think they'll tell you the reason,she answered.No,John,no!we mustn't think of it.You can see we mustn't.This has all been a mistake,a dreadful mistake,and I am to blame for it.The only mistake has been our meeting in this way.We should have met openly;I realize it,and have felt it for sometime.It was my fault,not yours.I was afraid,I guess.But I'll not be a coward any longer.Come,dear,let's not be afraid another day.Only say you'll marry me and I'll proclaim it openly,to-night--Yes,from the pulpit,if you say so.She hesitated and he took courage from her hesitation.

Say it,he pleaded.You WILL say it?

I can't!I can't!My uncle--

Your uncle shall hear it from me.We'll go to him together.I'll tell him myself.He worships you.Yes,I know.He does worship me.That's why I am sure he had rather see me dead than married to you,a Regular,and a Regular minister.I don't believe it.He can't be so unreasonable.If he is,then you shouldn't humor such bigotry.He has been my father for years,and a dear,kind father.I know.That's why I'm so certain we can make him understand.

Come,dear!come!Why should you consider everyone else?Consider your own happiness.Consider mine.She looked at him.

I am considering yours,she said.That is what I consider most of all.And,as for uncle,I know--I KNOW he would never consent.

His heart is set on something else.Nat--

Nat?Are you considering him,too?Is HE to stand between us?

What right has he to say--

Hush!hush!He hasn't said anything.But--but he and uncle have quarreled,just a little.I didn't tell you,but they have.And Ithink I know the reason.Nat is Uncle Eben's idol.If the quarrel should grow more serious,I believe it would break his heart.Icouldn't bear to be the cause of that;I should never forgive myself.You the cause?How could you be the cause of a quarrel between those two?Grace,think of me.Here was the selfishness of man and the unselfishness of woman answered.

John,she said,it is of you I am thinking.Everything else could--might be overcome,perhaps.But I must think of your future and your life.I MUST.That is why--He did not wait to hear more.He seized her in his arms and kissed her.

Then you DO care!he cried joyfully.You will marry me?For an instant she lay quiet in his embrace,receiving,if not responding to his caresses.Then she gently but firmly freed herself.He saw that there were tears in her eyes.

Grace,he urged,don't--don't hesitate any longer.You were meant to be my wife.We were brought together for just that.Iknow it.Come.

She was crying softly.

Won't you?he begged.

I don't know,she sobbed.Oh,I don't know!I must think--IMUST!Wait,please wait,John.Perhaps by to-morrow I can answer.

I'll try--I'll try.Don't ask me again,now.Let me think.Oh,do!Doubtless he would have asked her again.He looked as if he meant to.But just then,drifting through the twilight and the mist,came the sound of a bell,the bell of the Regular church,ringing for the Sunday evening meeting.They both heard it.

Oh!exclaimed Grace,that is your bell.You will be late.You must go,and so must I.Good night.She started down the path.He hesitated,then ran after her.

To-morrow?he questioned eagerly.Tomorrow,then,you'll say that you will?Oh,perhaps,perhaps!I mustn't promise.Good night.It was after seven when Grace reached the old tavern.The housekeeper,Mrs.Poundberry,was anxiously awaiting her.She wore her bonnet and Sunday gown and was evidently ready to go out.