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The Spirit of the Border-Part15_Zane Gray(1872-1939)_English Literature(文学名著)-第2页

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speechless.



If Kate shared in the merriment of the others--Heckewelder could not conceal

his, and Nell did not try very hard to hide hers--she never allowed a



suspicion of it to escape. She kept the easy, even tenor of her life, always

kind and gracious in her quaint way, and precisely the same to both her



lovers. No doubt she well knew that each possessed, under all his rough

exterior, a heart of gold.



One day the genial Heckewelder lost, or pretended to lose, his patience.

"Say, you worthy gentlemen are becoming ornamental instead of useful. All this



changing of coats, trimming of mustaches, and eloquent sighing doesn't seem to

have affected the young lady. I've a notion to send you both to Maumee town,



one hundred miles away. This young lady is charming, I admit, but if she is to

keep on seriously hindering the work of the Moravian Mission I must object. As



for that matter, I might try conclusions myself. I'm as young as either of

you, and, I flatter myself, much handsomer. You'll have a dangerous rival



presently. Settle it! You can't both have her; settle it!"

This outburst from their usually kind leader placed the earnest but awkward



gentlemen in a terrible plight.

On the afternoon following the crisis Heckewelder took Mr. Wells to one of the



Indian shops, and Jim and Nell went canoeing. Young and Edwards, after

conferring for one long, trying hour, determined on settling the question.



Young was a pale, slight man, very homely except when he smiled. His smile not

only broke up the plainness of his face, but seemed to chase away a serious



shadow, allowing his kindly, gentle spirit to shine through. He was nervous,

and had a timid manner. Edwards was his opposite, being a man of robust frame,



with a heavy face, and a manner that would have suggested self-confidence in

another man.



They were true and tried friends.

"Dave, I couldn't ask her," said Young, trembling at the very thought.



"Besides, there's no hope for me. I know it. That's why I'm afraid, why I

don't want to ask her. What'd such a glorious creature see in a poor, puny



little thing like me?"

"George, you're not over-handsome," admitted Dave, shaking his head. "But you



can never tell about women. Sometimes they like even little, insignificant

fellows. Don't be too scared about asking her. Besides, it will make it easier



for me. You might tell her about me--you know, sort of feel her out, so

I'd---"



Dave's voice failed him here; but he had said enough, and that was most

discouraging to poor George. Dave was so busy screwing up his courage that he



forgot all about his friend.

"No; I couldn't," gasped George, falling into a chair. He was ghastly pale. "I



couldn't ask her to accept me, let alone do another man's wooing. She thinks

more of you. She'll accept you."



"You really think so?" whispered Dave, nervously.

"I know she will. You're such a fine, big figure of a man. She'll take you,



and I'll be glad. This fever and fretting has about finished me. When she's

yours I'll not be so bad. I'll be happy in your happiness. But, Dave, you'll



let me see her occasionally, won't you? Go! Hurry--get it over!"

"Yes; we must have it over," replied Dave, getting up with a brave, effort.



Truly, if he carried that determined front to his lady-love he would look like

a masterful lover. But when he got to the door he did not at all resemble a



conqueror.

"You're sure she--cares for me?" asked Dave, for the hundredth time. This



time, as always, his friend was faithful and convincing.

"I know she does. Go--hurry. I tell you I can't stand this any longer," cried



George, pushing Dave out of the door.

"You won't go--first?" whispered Dave, clinging to the door.



"I won't go at all. I couldn't ask her--I don't want her--go! Get out!"

Dave started reluctantly toward the adjoining cabin, from the open window of



which came the song of the young woman who was responsible for all this

trouble. George flung himself on his bed. What a relief to feel it was all



over! He lay there with eves shut for hours, as it seemed. After a time Dave

came in. George leaped to his feet and saw his friend stumbling over a chair.



Somehow, Dave did not look as usual. He seemed changed, or shrunken, and his

face wore a discomfited, miserable expression.



"Well?" cried George, sharply. Even to his highly excited imagination this did

not seem the proper condition for a victorious lover.






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