Joan of Arc of the North Woods Part 24

"Don't you value your reputation among men?"

"I do!"

"They'll say you're a quitter." She spoke boldly and sharply.

"Let me tell _you_ something! When you told me that you wouldn't marry me I came nigh quitting where you're concerned. But I am back in my right senses, as you say! You're mine! I have told you so. I tell you again this morning. It's something of a fix you've got yourself into, eh?"

She grew pale and her wide eyes were filled with startled protest; he was placid enough, but his calmness made the thing more grim and threatening when she reflected on the suggestiveness of that word "fix."

She was unable to endure his scrutiny. He did not try to restrain her when she turned away, hastening into the tavern.

Brophy came into the dining room when he heard her setting the tables.

"Well, by swanny! You're up without being called! You ain't much like the others I've had here!"

He was silent for some time, and when she turned she found him surveying her with curious intentness. "It ain't none of my business, of course, but I hope you ain't of a marrying notion, just yet awhile."

"That remark seems a little uncalled for, Mr. Brophy."

"I'm speaking out because Ward Latisan doesn't seem to be the flirting kind, miss. You can't fool with him."

"I thank you. I shall avoid Mr. Latisan from now on. I have thoughtlessly taken walks with him."

"If it's such a thing as you're intending to get married I'd rather lose you to Latisan than to anybody else in this region. He's solid goods, miss! Solid!"

She was seeking confirmation to strengthen her resolves. "I hear that his employer is an invalid. I suppose that makes Mr. Latisan pretty nigh indispensable, doesn't it?"

"There'll be no Flagg drive down this spring without Ward on the job--I'll say that much," declared Brophy, with vigor. "I can't afford to make any loud talk about the Three C's, miss," he went on, lowering his voice cautiously, "because I cater to all comers. But I don't know another boss driver who couldn't be scared off or bought off at the present time, considering the hold the big corporation has got on things up this way. They're bound to monopolize the river--the Three C's gang.

But they can't freeze out the independents this year if Ward Latisan stays on the job for Eck Flagg. The death clinch comes this season!"

"Where's your law up this way, Mr. Brophy?" she demanded.

"I guess neither side dares to call on the law right now. Law might tie up everything. Logs have got to come along with the spring driving pitch, and high water won't wait till lawyers get done arguing."

He took down a gong and pounded on it with a padded mallet while he marched through the office to the porch and back again. It was the breakfast call.

"I'll say about Eck Flagg," he stated, when he hung the gong back on its hook, "that he ain't so much to blame for his sour temper as some folks are bound to have it. Old Job of the Bible had nothing on Eck for troubles. No matter what he has done, Eck has been a square fighter.

Probably you ain't interested, even to the extent of a hoot, in gossip about the neighbors. But Eck had a bad one put over on him years ago. He hasn't been right since that time. Square dealing is his religion. But to get his worst tr.i.m.m.i.n.g right in his own family, it was awful.

Son-in-law done it. But I reckon I'd better hang up on that subject, miss. Here comes Latisan for breakfast."

The landlord plodded out.

This man who seated himself, waiting to be served by her, who was determined to possess her, had been unwittingly alienated by her from the duty which was owed to that helpless grandfather in his extremity.

The reminder which Brophy had tossed at her carelessly had served to rouse her to desperation. She clung to a service table to keep from falling. She staggered when she started to cross the room to Latisan; her hands and feet were p.r.i.c.kling as the blood resumed its course in her veins.

"You're sick," he suggested, solicitously.

She shook her head. She turned her face from him, afraid of his questioning gaze. "Give your order, please!"

"Bring anything."

She started away, but turned and hurried back to his table, her face hard with resolution. She feared that the resolution would be weakened by delay; in a few moments others would come into the room.

"I have changed my mind about that offer of marriage. This morning I say, 'Yes!'"

He gaped at her and started to rise.

"Don't leave that chair!" she commanded, her low tones tense. "There are men in the office looking this way. I'll marry you when the Flagg drive is down, with you at the head of it, doing your duty. You may think that over while I'm in the kitchen."

When she returned with food, Latisan, flushed, eager, only partially a.s.sured, looked her in the eye, challenging her candor. "That's straight talk, is it?"

"It is!"

"I thank G.o.d! But why--right here in the open--where I can't----"

"I'll answer no questions."

"I'd like to know why you picked out this place to tell me. I can't be shut away from all the glory in the grandest moment of my life! I want to get up and yell for joy. I want to take you in my arms."

"I'll not allow that. Furthermore, you are to leave for the drive immediately after you have eaten your breakfast." Her manner cowed him.

"Very well!" he returned, meekly. "When I looked into your eyes I knew that your word to me was good!"

She was finding the fixity of his gaze disconcerting and leaned above the table, arranging the dishes which contained his food. She was grateful for the protection the public room was affording; she would not have been able to declare herself in the privacy which love, in most circ.u.mstances, demands.

"Who are you?" he asked, in a half whisper, taking advantage of her nearness. "You are more than you seem to be. You are, I say! You are not silly and selfish like most girls in a time like this. You are able to make me do anything you ask. I'll go north and fight because you want me to. But an ordinary girl wouldn't take a big view of things, as you do."

"Yes--for the sake of having a man be what he ought to be."

He wagged his head doubtfully. "But if you'll tell me the honest truth about----"

"Hus.h.!.+ Here comes a man."

It was Crowley. He had looked from his chamber window and had seen the two in conversation in front of the tavern. He was strictly on the job that day; he had dressed in such a hurry that he was tying his necktie as he entered the room. He sat down at a table and glared grimly at Latisan and the girl; provided with ammunition that fortified his courage, Crowley had resolved to make his bigness in the matter, unafraid.

His appearance at that moment and the manner of his espionage and the memory of what had been said concerning his pursuit of the girl stirred Latisan to the depths. His emotions had been in a tumult ever since the girl had declared her promise. He was in no mood to reason calmly. He could not control himself. He purposed to go to what he thought was his duty as her accepted champion. Therefore, he leaped from his chair, put his arm about her waist, and pulled her across the room, in spite of her resistance.

"Listen to me, you sneak!" he adjured Crowley. "This young lady and I are engaged to be married."

"Hus.h.!.+" she cried, in mingled fright and fury. "You promised----It isn't----"

"I made no promise except to go north because you have asked me to go.

I'm going back to my job, and I'll have the Flagg logs down if I have to smash the bottom out of the river," he boasted, in his new pride.

"Crowley--as I believe your name is--you have heard me announce the engagement. If you give this young lady another twisted look or crooked word while I'm away, may G.o.d have mercy on your soul!"

He was talking to the one man who ought to hear that news, so the lover felt, but his voice was raised in his emotion and Brophy and the loungers in the office heard, too.

Latisan kissed her once, swiftly and rapturously.

According to the code of social procedure in Adonia, as the office onlookers viewed the matter of congratulation, the occasion called for three cheers; they were proposed and given and even Brophy joined, but with sour grace.