THE DOUBLE ENGAGEMENT.
Ruth and Ralph were alone on the cosy little veranda of the Cornwallis
cottage. It was a beautiful evening in June--full of moonlight, star-light
and rose-fragrance and so heavenly still that they could have heard the
beatings of each other's hearts; and very likely they did, for they were
sitting side by side in lover-like proximity. There was an indefinable but
easily understood something about their movements and attitude that said
as plainly as words could have told it: "We are engaged and are going to
be married before many a day goes by."
"O, these perfect June evenings!" exclaimed Ruth in a voice of soft
rapture. "But how swiftly they are flying! Only think of it, Ralph! a week
from next Tuesday will be the Fourth of July! The dreadful, horrible
Fourth! I heard the first shot today. It went straight through my heart.
O, the fright and agony! How I wish it were all over with and yet I dread
its coming as I would that of a monstrous bloodthirsty army."
"Where shall we go to be rid of it, Ruth, and celebrate our own
independence? To Star Lake, Moon Island or Canada?"
"Never again to Canada, Ralph! I haven't told you our experience there
last year--that is, not all of it."
"You told me about the Bearington boys and the fireworks that were not
funny."
"Yes, but I did not tell you the talk at the breakfast table before the
fracas began. Papa begged me not to talk about it, but I feel as though I
_can_ tell you now, and will."
"Of course you can, and you will tell me everything," laughed Ralph. "We
are all one now, that makes a delightful difference." But she had no
sooner told him of Jordan's joke at their expense than he exclaimed
angrily:
"Ridiculous defeat! O the brute! How I wish I had been there to answer
him. He insulted you and the country at the same time."
"But you were not there, Ralph, and I don't know but I'm glad of it; for
there is something ridiculous about it. Only think of it, Ralph! Fighting
for freedom--and then deliberately turning the day that commemorates it
over to careless children and irresponsible criminals, and flying away
from it as though a legion of devils were let loose! You see, Ralph, it
hurt me more to think that it really was ridiculous, than because Colonel
Jordon said it was; but I had to keep it to myself."
"You could have talked to me, if I had been there, to your heart's
content, you know you could, Ruth, and I would have talked to the insolent
Colonel to _my_ heart's content. He must have had the epidermis of a
rhinocerous or he would have known better."
"Papa had a long talk with him after the Bearingtons left. I don't know
what was said, but his manner changed entirely and for the worse--that is,
I mean, he was more disagreeable to me than before--in a way--"
"I understand," said Ralph in a passion. "He pitied you and made love to
you! The impudent rascal!"
"Yes, Ralph; but I will say this to his credit. He had the good sense to
retreat when he saw that his attentions were disagreeable."
"Humph!" said Ralph.
Ruth knew that "_humph_" was a sign that his jealous wrath was
effervescing and that she might continue to pour out the feelings which
had been shut away from him for three distressful years. She had a whole
heart full of them now.
"Do you know, Ralph, I begin to think there's no use of going away any
more to get rid of the horrible Fourth. It goes with me or comes to me,
wherever I go--this terrible monster to which my little brother was
sacrificed. Every year counts thousands of victims and every year more
and more! O, how many homes will be made desolate on the day that is fast
coming! How many beautiful and precious mothers' sons will be defaced or
disfigured for life? Between three and four thousand was the death and
accident roll last year. How many will it count this year and who and how
many of our little circle will be among the hurt or slain?"
"The Lord only knows, Ruth; but I mean to know something about the why and
wherefore of the increase of the Independence Day death roll in _this_
town. I have been looking it up and it is something appalling."
"O Ralph! Ralph! let us stay right here then and see if we can't do
something to prevent it--something to stay this cruel, cruel slaughter. It
seems to me we might talk to the boys and watch over them and save now and
then one at least."
"You are right, dear. We _could_ do it if we could go to work hand in
hand, with nobody to hold us back. It _would_ be better and braver to stay
here and wrestle with the monster than to try to hide away from it; and
please God we _will_ do it--after, you know when. We can't hope to
accomplish much if we go to work single-handed, eh? We will be doubly
armed for it before another year comes around."
The hand that lay in his gave a quick pressure in response and he went on
manfully:
"We have been fools and blind in this matter long enough. Something is
going to be done about it before long. I have talked with a great many
with regard to it since Lutie had his fingers shot off, and I have
gathered some astonishing statistics--statistics that ought to set us to
thinking and acting too."
"O Ralph! Ralph! Tell me all about it! Tell me everything! I will work for
it night and day. Bless you, Ralph. O, how good it is to hear you say that
we _can_ do something and _will_."
Ruth was fairly wild with joy. She kissed his hand and cheek and brow,
over and over again with a fervor that was new to him and very, very
delightful. The betrothal kiss was nothing in comparison. Compliments on
her grace and beauty had failed to call forth any such expressions of
love.
"To begin with," he said at last, "I have found out that we have more
Independence Day accidents in this town than in any other town of its size
in the state. What do you think the reason is?"
"O! I know, Ralph. It's because Millionaire Schwarmer comes every Fourth
and distributes a carload of fireworks. I know it is; and I believe he
gave Laurens the package that cost him his life, though he tried to make
it appear that he did not. How does he know who he gives to when he is
distributing his death-dealers right and left!" sobbed Ruth.
"He doesn't know," said Ralph, "and he doesn't care or think about it; but
he ought to be made to think. We know he gave Lutie the box of cartridges
that tore off his finger. He ought to have been prosecuted for it and I am
going to tell him so some day. I am not afraid of his millions. The
trouble with people here is that they have got in the habit of bowing down
to him and worshipping him--the golden calf! and being a calf instead of a
wise man he fancies that he owns us all--body and soul--and may do
anything he chooses with us."
"I believe it, Ralph. He has taken it into his stupid head to pat my
shoulder and call me Miss Pretty when he sees me of late."
Ralph was furious again and threatened dire things. After he was
sufficiently molified Ruth continued seriously: "O Ralph! Ralph! How can a
man of mature years--a man like Mr. Schwarmer--put such dangerous things
into a boy's hands? If he were young and thoughtless and dazed by custom;
but a man of his age and experience! How is it that this Independence Day
saturnalia has been let to grow into such enormous proportions? If all the
fiends of the lower regions had been employed to make a plan for the
destruction of the youth of our land, they could not have done worse. Only
think of it, Ralph, taking powder and dynamite, the most dangerous of all
substances and making them into attractive forms for children to play
with--play with as freely as though they were carts or doll babies! O! O!
what are we coming to? What idiocy--worse than idiocy--how Satanic!"
"Yes, Ruth, and it does seem to be growing worse and worse every year--as
though we were sinking down to the level of the brute. As though Satan had
gotten a lease of a thousand years and was trying to see how many children
he can destroy--yes, and young men, too; for there are the deadly games
for the finish. Another century of such brutal sports and celebrations and
there would not be a sound man left in the community. We would be as
hideous as the brutal, battle-scarred Saracens. But I cannot think we
shall have another century of it. The climax will come before that and
there will be a turn in the right direction."
"What makes you think so, Ralph? As I see it we shall have no homes--sweet
homes with happy healthy families. We shall have hospitals
instead--hospitals and hospitals, full of the crazed, crippled, idiotic
and beastly. If anything can be done to prevent this dire calamity, why
don't we begin at once."
There was silence for a few moments. The full moon sent its searching rays
through the veranda vines. The stars twinkled brightly and a pair of eyes
brighter than stars were looking into Ralph's face appealingly.
"Let us begin now, Ralph--this very Fourth and see if we can't do
something to save our boys from this terrible King Schwarmer. He's a worse
king for us than old King Herod was for Israel. Let's dethrone him."
"We will," said Ralph in a voice of quiet determination. "You have given
me an inspiration. The time is ripe for action. Our new President is a
Golden Rule man. A professed follower of the original Golden Rule Mayor.
He comes of the same good old Quaker stock. He sings the same songs. He
has the Golden Rule in a frame of silver, ornamented with apples of gold,
hung up in his office, and he practices that rule as nearly as any man
can."
"Let us go and see him, Ralph; he will help us if he believes in that
rule."
"Yes, Ruth, and if we can manage to steer our own Fourth of July craft so
no one is hurt this year, we shall have done something that will make you
happier than you have ever been since Lauren's death; shall we not?"
"Yes! A thousand times, yes, Ralph."
"One thing more, Ruth--one more sacrifice for the cause. Can you guess
what it is?"
"Tell me, Ralph! Tell me quickly."
"We must be married before that frightful Independence Day monster comes.
We must be married at once."
"Go ask papa and mamma, Ralph. They are in the west room with Dr.
Muelenberg. I know what they are talking about and I want you to promise
me one thing."
"A thousand if you like, Ruth."
"No, Ralph, only this one. Promise _me_ that you will not promise _them_
to take me abroad for a wedding trip."
"Remember," she added, as she turned laughingly away, "if you do I will
break the engagement."