THE FACE AT THE DOOR
It was after nine before the dance in the hall at the Corner began.
Douglas was there early, and he watched with much interest the arrival
of the various young couples. He did not know any of them, and as he
sat back in one corner he mused upon their lives, and wondered how many
of them would be members of his flock in the years to come. They gave
the stranger who was to play for them that night but passing glances,
though all had heard of his prowess as a wrestler. But if they had
only known who he really was, how curiously they would have observed
his every movement.
Douglas was much pleased at the quiet way in which the young men and
women conducted themselves. There was no loud talking, and when the
dance began, they took their places upon the floor without any undue
commotion. They danced well and it was a real pleasure for him to
play. He was quite familiar with the dances, and he recalled just such
events in his own home village years before, when he himself had taken
a leading part. He smiled grimly to himself as he thought of what his
Bishop and certain of his brother clergymen would say if they could see
him playing the fiddle at a country dance.
Among those upon the floor there was one couple which attracted his
special attention. They danced well, and seemed greatly devoted to
each other. The man was good-looking, and a fine specimen of physical
strength. His partner was of medium height, neatly dressed, and
remarkably pretty. Her eyes danced with pleasure, and her whole body
moved in a graceful rhythm to the music, and occasionally she cast a
grateful glance toward the player. She evidently enjoyed good music
when she heard it. Everywhere there seemed to be perfect peace and
harmony, and to Douglas the dancers appeared like one big family. They
all knew one another, and were happy together.
During the intermission which followed the first dance, Ben Stubbles
and his sisters, Miss Annabel and Miss Maria, arrived. They were
accompanied by Nell, who looked, Douglas thought, prettier than ever.
She had no right to come with the Stubbles, so thought he, and she
seemed to be out of place with them.
A new atmosphere now pervaded the room. The feeling of harmony had
vanished, and it was easy for Douglas to tell that this was due to the
presence of Ben and his sisters. Their pride and haughtiness were most
apparent, and Ben dominated the gathering.
He and Nell were partners in the first dance. Douglas' eyes followed
them as they moved around the room, and in and out among the others.
Nell fascinated him, though it was quite evident that she was not
happy. There was no light of pleasure in her eyes, and her face was
unusually pale. Though she danced well, yet she had the appearance of
one who was moving almost mechanically. This appealed to Douglas more
than if she had shown a great vivacity of spirit. There was something
tragic about her face and manner, which, in fact was almost akin to
despair. What could it be? the player wondered. How he longed to know
the mystery surrounding her young life, and why she was acting a part
for which she evidently had no liking.
When the dance was finished, Nell came to where Douglas was sitting and
took a chair by his side. A slight sigh of relief escaped her lips,
which Douglas was not slow to notice.
"Are you tired?" he asked.
"Very," was the low reply. "I have been working hard all day, and this
dance is too much for me."
"You dance well. It was a great pleasure to watch you."
"Was it?" and she looked at him with large, grateful eyes. "No one
could help dancing well with such music. This is something new for
you, is it not?"
"What makes you think so?"
"It is merely a notion of mine. We have never had such playing here
before."
"I suppose you know every one here?" Douglas queried, wishing to change
the subject of conversation.
"Oh, yes. I know them quite well."
"Who, then, is that fine-looking young man just across from me with the
pretty girl by his side?"
"That is Tom Morrison, who, next to Jake Jukes, is the best wrestler in
the parish. The girl is Susie Stephenson. They are to be married in
September, so it is reported."
"They seem to be very happy in each other's company."
"They are now," was all the information Nell vouchsafed in reply, and
then became suddenly silent.
This was the only conversation Douglas had with Nell that evening. She
was too much in demand to remain long off the floor, tired though she
was. Douglas noticed that Ben did not miss a dance, and that whenever
he came near Tom Morrison there was some trouble. Ben seemed to make a
special effort either to crowd him off the floor or to interfere with
his movements. Tom endeavoured to keep out of his way and not to make
any trouble. It was plain that he was very angry, for his face had
lost its bright, sunny expression and was dark and lowering. His habit
of always retreating puzzled Douglas. "Why doesn't he give the
impudent fellow warning to leave him alone?" he asked himself. "I know
what I should do. That cad deserves a thrashing, if ever any one did,
and I believe Tom could do it without any trouble."
During the fifth dance Ben again claimed Nell as his partner. They had
not been long on the floor when Ben became suddenly agitated. His face
went white as death, and his staring eyes were turned toward the door.
Douglas, too, looked, and the surprise he received caused him to stop
playing. There, looking in at the open door, was the face of a woman.
He remembered it at once, for it was the face of the same woman he had
rescued from the harbour at Long Wharf. He glanced toward Ben, and saw
that he had left Nell and was moving slowly toward the door.
There was a breathless hush, now, in the hall, as all watched to see
what would happen next. The face at the door had been withdrawn, and
as Ben passed out into the night Douglas again struck up the music, and
the dance was continued. Nell sat apart by herself. Her face was very
pale, and her hands lying in her lap were clenched hard together. Many
curious glances were cast upon her, though she did not appear to notice
them.
Douglas felt very sorry for Nell. He realised that she must be
suffering greatly. He himself was more excited than was his wont,
though outwardly he remained calm and went on with his playing. Who
could the woman be? he wondered. She must have followed her false
lover to Rixton, and had awaited the moment when he was dancing with
Nell Strong. From Ben's excitement, he surmised that the villain
believed that she was dead and would trouble him no longer.
The dance had just finished as Ben came back into the hall. He was
still pale, and his face was somewhat haggard. Crossing the floor, he
chose a partner and called out for the music. As Douglas was in no
hurry to obey, Ben ripped forth an angry oath and demanded what was the
matter. Douglas was tempted to play no more, but being anxious to see
how far Ben would carry his reckless spirit which now possessed him, he
did as he was bidden.
Soon the dancers were in full swing, among whom were Tom Morrison and
Susie Stephenson. Ben now began to interfere with every one on the
floor, choosing out Tom and Susie for special attention. It was quite
evident to Douglas that all tried to keep out of his way, but the more
they tried the more Ben was determined to produce a quarrel. The
climax was reached when, coming near a young couple, he deliberately
surged against them and sent the girl reeling against the nearby wall.
At that instant the music ceased. Douglas waited for a few seconds
while all eyes were turned in his direction.
"I shall not play another note," he calmly began, "unless Mr. Stubbles
decides to behave in a proper manner."
"What's that?" Ben demanded, somewhat surprised that any one should
dare to rebuke him.
"Didn't you hear what I said?" Douglas asked, as he laid aside his
violin and rose to his feet. "I said that I would not play another
note unless you decide to behave in a proper manner."
"Do you mean to insinuate that I have not been behaving myself?" Ben
retorted.
"I did more than insinuate. And I say further that you have been
behaving disgracefully and not at all like a gentleman."
"You impudent cur," Ben roared as he stepped forward. "How dare you
speak to me like that? Take back those words at once or I'll make an
example of you."
"Come and do it, then. I will meet you half way," and Douglas advanced
toward him as he spoke.
But Ben hesitated. He found himself in a fix, and did not know how to
get out of the tangle. His bluffs had always been effective in the
past, and no one had dared to oppose him simply because he was Simon
Stubbles' son. But here was a man, a stranger, who looked very big to
him, just then, standing before him and challenging his right to rule.
Ben was no fighter, and no one knew it better than himself. He was a
coward at heart, and his present embarrassing position unnerved him.
He glanced quickly around and seeing the eyes of all riveted upon him
made him angry. If he should back down, he well knew that he would be
the laughing-stock of the whole parish.
"Are you going to take back those words?" he at length found voice to
ask.
"Not unless you make me," Douglas calmly replied. "Now is your chance."
"Do you realise who I am?" Ben roared, thinking to intimidate his
opponent.
"I have a fairly good idea. But that doesn't make any difference.
It's you I am dealing with now, and not your father."
"But I can drive you out of this parish. I can make it so hot for you
that you won't dare to stay here another day."
"H'm," and Douglas gave a slight sarcastic laugh. "Why don't you do
it, then? Here is your chance. Make it hot for me, and let me feel
some of your great driving power."
These deliberate and tantalising words stirred Ben to the highest pitch
of anger. He threw all discretion to the winds, and raved, cursed and
stamped in his fury.
"Stop that," Douglas sternly ordered, stepping forward and laying his
right hand firmly upon his shoulder. "If you have no respect for
yourself, have it for the ladies who are present."
Ben's only reply was to throw aside the warning hand and hit his
opponent a blow in the face. Like lightning Douglas suddenly reached
out, seized Ben in his arms, lifted him bodily from the floor, and
hurried with him toward the door. Ben tore and scratched like a
wildcat in his efforts to free himself. But he was helpless in the
powerful grip, and soon he found himself tumbling down the steps
leading to the hall.
Douglas stood for a few seconds at the door looking out into the night.
Then he turned and walked slowly back across the room, picked up his
violin and put it into its case.
"I think it best to discontinue the dance," he told the people who were
watching him with keenest interest. "I am in no mood for playing any
more to-night."
As he spoke his eyes happened to rest upon the Stubbles sisters, who
were standing together on the opposite side of the hall. Scorn and
anger were depicted upon their faces as they glared upon him. It was
the elder, Miss Annabel, who gave the parting thrust. She stepped
quickly forward into the middle of the room, and looked about over the
gathering.
"When you have another dance," she began, "see to it that you get some
one to play who has the instincts of a gentleman. Pa will be greatly
annoyed when he hears how our pleasant evening has been spoiled, and by
an unknown farm-hand at that." She emphasised "farm-hand" and cast a
look of withering scorn upon Douglas.
The latter bowed slightly before this outburst, and picked up his
violin.
"I feel that all the reasonable ones here to-night know quite well who
spoiled the dance," he replied. "They can judge for themselves who has
shown the want of the instincts of a true gentleman."
Having said this, he moved swiftly toward the door and disappeared into
the night.