WITHAM COMES TO SILVERDALE
There were warmth and brightness in the cedar-boarded general room of
Silverdale Grange, and most of the company gathered there basked in it
contentedly after their drive through the bitter night. Those who came
from the homesteads lying farthest out had risked frost-nipped hands
and feet, for when Colonel Barrington held a levee at the Grange
nobody felt equal to refusing his invitation. Neither scorching heat
nor utter cold might excuse compliance with the wishes of the founder
of Silverdale, and it was not until Dane, the big middle-aged
bachelor, had spoken very plainly, that he consented to receive his
guests in time of biting frost dressed otherwise than as they would
have appeared in England.
Dane was the one man in the settlement who dare remonstrate with its
ruler, but it was a painful astonishment to the latter when he said,
in answer to one invitation, "I have never been frost-bitten, sir, and
I stand the cold well, but one or two of the lads are weak in the
chest, and this climate was never intended for bare-shouldered women.
Hence, if I come, I shall dress myself to suit it."
Colonel Barrington stared at him for almost a minute, and then shook
his head. "Have it your own way," he said, "Understand that in itself
I care very little for dress, but it is only by holding fast to every
traditional nicety we can prevent ourselves sinking into Western
barbarism, and I am horribly afraid of the thin end of the wedge."
Dane having gained his point, said nothing further, for he was one of
the wise and silent men who know when to stop, and that evening he sat
in a corner watching his leader thoughtfully, for there was anxiety in
the Colonel's face. Barrington sat silent near the ample hearth whose
heat would scarcely have kept water from freezing but for the big
stove, and disdaining the dispensation made his guests, he was clad
conventionally, though the smooth black fabric clung about him more
tightly than it had once been intended to do. His sister stood, with
the stamp of a not wholly vanished beauty still clinging to her gentle
face, talking to one or two matrons from outlying farms, and his niece
by a little table turning over Eastern photographs with a few young
girls. She, too, wore black in deference to the Colonel's taste, which
was sombre, and the garment she had laughed at as a compromise, left
uncovered a narrow strip of ivory shoulder and enhanced the polished
whiteness of her neck. A slender string of pearls gleamed softly on
the satiny skin, but Maud Barrington wore no other adornment and did
not need it. She had inherited the Courthorne comeliness, and the
Barringtons she sprang from on her father's side had always borne the
stamp of distinction.
A young girl sat at the piano singing in a thin, reedy voice, while an
English lad waited with ill-concealed jealousy of a too officious
companion to turn over the music by her side. Other men, mostly young,
with weather-bronzed faces, picturesque in embroidered deerskin or
velvet lounge jackets, were scattered about the room, and all were
waiting for the eight-o'clock dinner, which replaced the usual prairie
supper at Silverdale. They were growers of wheat who combined a good
deal of amusement with a little not very profitable farming, and most
of them possessed a large share of insular English pride and a
somewhat depleted exchequer.
Presently Dane crossed over, and sat down by Colonel Barrington. "You
are silent, sir, and not looking very well to-night," he said.
Barrington nodded gravely, for he had a respect for the one man who
occasionally spoke plain truth to him. "The fact is, I am growing
old," he said, and then added, with what was only an apparent lack of
connexion, "Wheat is down three cents, and money tighter than ever."
Dane looked thoughtful, and noticed the older man's glance in his
niece's direction, as he said, "I am afraid there are difficult times
before us."
"I have no doubt we shall weather them as we have done before," said
the Colonel. "Still, I can't help admitting that just now I feel--a
little tired--and am commencing to think we should have been better
prepared for the struggle had we worked a trifle harder during the
recent era of prosperity. I could wish there were older heads on the
shoulders of those who will come after me."
Just then Maud Barrington glanced at them, and Dane, who could not
remember having heard his leader talk in that fashion before, and
could guess his anxieties, was a little touched as he noticed his
attempt at sprightliness. As it happened, one of the lads at the piano
commenced a song of dogs and horses that had little to recommend it
but the brave young voice.
"They have the right spirit, sir," he said.
"Of course!" said Barrington. "They are English lads, but I think a
little more is required. Thank God we have not rated the dollar too
high, but it is possible we have undervalued its utility, and I fear I
have only taught them to be gentlemen."
"That is a good deal, sir," Dane said quietly.
"It is. Still, a gentleman, in the restricted sense, is somewhat of an
anachronism on the prairie, and it is too late to begin again. In the
usual course of nature I must lay down my charge presently, and that
is why I feel the want of a more capable successor, whom they would
follow because of his connexion with mine and me."
Dane looked thoughtful. "If I am not taking a liberty--you still
consider the one apparently born to fill the place quite unsuitable?"
"Yes," said Barrington quietly. "I fear there is not a redeeming
feature in Courthorne's character."
Neither said anything further, until there was a tapping at the door,
and, though this was a most unusual spectacle on the prairie, a trim
English maid in white-banded dress stood in the opening.
"Mr. Courthorne, Miss Barrington," she said.
Now Silverdale had adopted one Western custom in that no chance guest
was ever kept waiting, and the music ceased suddenly, while the
stillness was very suggestive, when a man appeared in the doorway. He
wore one of the Scandinavian leather jackets which are not uncommon in
that country, and when his eyes had become accustomed to the light,
moved forward with a quiet deliberation that was characterized neither
by graceful ease nor the restraint of embarrassment. His face was
almost the colour of a Blackfoot's, his eyes steady and grey, but
those of the men who watched him were next moment turned upon the
Colonel's sister, who rose to receive him, slight, silver-haired, and
faded, but still stamped with a simple dignity that her ancient silks
and lace curiously enhanced. Then there was a silence that could be
felt, for all realized that a good deal depended on the stranger's
first words and the fashion of his reception.
Witham, as it happened, felt this too, and something more. It was
eight years since he had stood before an English lady, and he surmised
that there could not be many to compare with this one, while after his
grim, lonely life an intangible something that seemed to emanate from
her gracious serenity compelled his homage. Then as she smiled at him
and held out her hand, he was for a moment sensible of an almost
overwhelming confusion. It passed as suddenly, for this was a man of
quick perceptions, and remembering that Courthorne had now and then
displayed some of the grace of bygone days he yielded to a curious
impulse, and, stooping, kissed the little withered fingers.
"I have," he said, "to thank you for a welcome that does not match my
poor deserts, madam."
Then Dane, standing beside his leader, saw the grimness grow a trifle
less marked in his eyes. "It is in the blood," he said half aloud, but
Dane heard him and afterwards remembered it.
In the meanwhile Miss Barrington had turned from the stranger to her
niece. "It is a very long time since you have seen Lance, Maud, and,
though I knew his mother well, I am less fortunate, because this is
our first meeting," she said. "I wonder if you still remember my
niece."
Now, Witham had been gratified by his first success, and was about to
venture on the answer that it was impossible to forget; but when he
turned towards the very stately young woman in the long black dress,
whose eyes had a sardonic gleam, and wondered whether he had ever seen
anybody so comely or less inclined to be companionable, it was borne
in upon him that any speech of the kind would be distinctly out of
place. Accordingly, and because there was no hand held out in this
case, he contented himself with a little bend of his head. Then he was
presented to the Colonel, who was distantly cordial, and Witham was
thankful when the maid appeared in the doorway again, to announce that
dinner was ready. Miss Barrington laid her hand upon his arm.
"You will put up with an old woman's company to-night?" she said.
Witham glanced down deprecatingly at his attire. "I must explain that
I had no intention of trespassing on your hospitality," he said. "I
purposed going on to my own homestead, and only called to acquaint
Colonel Barrington with my arrival."
Miss Barrington laughed pleasantly. "That," she said, "was neither
dutiful nor friendly. I should have fancied you would also have
desired to pay your respects to my niece and me."
Witham was not quite sure what he answered, but he drew in a deep
breath, for he had made the plunge and felt that the worst was over.
His companion, evidently noticed the gasp of relief.
"It was somewhat of an ordeal?" she said.
Witham looked down upon her gravely, and Miss Barrington noticed a
steadiness in his eyes she had not expected to see. "It was, and I
feel guilty because I was horribly afraid," he said. "Now I only
wonder if you will always be equally kind to me."
Miss Barrington smiled a little, but the man fancied there was just a
perceptible tightening of the hand upon his arm. "I would like to be,
for your mother's sake," she said.
Witham understood that while Courthorne's iniquities were not to be
brought up against him, the little gentle-voiced lady had but taken
him on trial; but, perhaps because it was so long since any woman had
spoken kindly words to him, his heart went out towards her, and he
felt a curious desire to compel her good opinion. Then he found
himself seated near the head of the long table, with Maud Barrington
on his other hand, and had an uncomfortable feeling that most of the
faces were turned somewhat frequently in his direction. It is also
possible that he would have betrayed himself, had he been burdened
with self-consciousness, but the long, bitter struggle he had fought
alone had purged him of petty weaknesses and left him the closer grasp
of essential things, with the strength of character which is one and
the same in all men who possess it, whatever may be their upbringing.
During a lull in the voices, Maud Barrington, who may have felt it
incumbent on her to show him some scant civility, turned towards him
as she said, "I am afraid our conversation will not appeal to you.
Partly because there is so little else to interest us, we talk wheat
throughout the year at Silverdale."
"Well," said Witham with a curious little smile, "wheat as a topic is
not quite new to me. In fact, I know almost more about cereals than
some folks would care to do."
"In the shape of elevator warrants or Winnipeg market margins,
presumably?"
Witham's eyes twinkled, though he understood the implication. "No," he
said. "The wheat I handled was in 250-pound bags, and I occasionally
grew somewhat tired of pitching them into a wagon, while my
speculations usually consisted in committing it to the prairie soil,
in the hope of reaping forty bushels to the acre, and then
endeavouring to be content with ten. It is conceivable that operations
on the Winnipeg market are less laborious as well as more profitable,
but I have no opportunity of trying them."
Miss Barrington looked at him steadily, and Witham felt the blood
surge to his forehead as he remembered having heard of a certain
venture made by Courthorne, which brought discredit on one or two men,
connected with the affairs of a grain elevator. It was evident that
Miss Barrington had also heard of it, and no man cares to stand
convicted of falsification in the eyes of a very pretty girl. Still,
he roused himself with an effort.
"It is neither wise nor charitable to believe all one hears," he said.
The girl smiled a little, but the man still winced inwardly under her
clear brown eyes that would, he fancied, have been very scornful had
they been less indifferent.
"I do not remember mentioning having heard anything," she said. "Were
you not a trifle premature in face of the proverb?"
Witham's face was a trifle grim, though he laughed. "I'm afraid I was;
but I am warned," he said. "Excuses are, after all, not worth much,
and when I make my defence it will be before a more merciful judge."
Maud Barrington's curiosity was piqued. Lance Courthorne, outcast and
gambler, was at least a different stamp of man from the type she had
been used to, and, being a woman, the romance that was interwoven with
his somewhat iniquitous career was not without its attractions for
her.
"I did not know that you included farming among your talents, and
should have fancied you would have found it--monotonous," she said.
"I did," and the provoking smile still flickered in Witham's eyes.
"Are not all strictly virtuous occupations usually so?"
"It is probably a question of temperament. I have, of course, heard
sardonic speeches of the kind before, and felt inclined to wonder
whether those who made them were qualified to form an opinion."
Witham nodded, but there was a little ring in his voice. "Perhaps I
laid myself open to the thrust; but have you any right to assume I
have never followed a commendable profession?"
No answer was immediately forthcoming, but Witham did wisely when, in
place of waiting, he turned to Miss Barrington. He had left her niece
irritated, but the trace of anger she felt was likely to enhance her
interest. The meal, however, was a trial to him, for he had during
eight long years lived for the most part apart from all his kind, a
lonely toiler, and now was constrained to personate a man known to be
almost dangerously skilful with his tongue. At first sight the task
appeared almost insuperably difficult, but Witham was a clever man,
and felt all the thrill of one playing a risky game just then. Perhaps
it was due to excitement that a readiness he had never fancied himself
capable of came to him in his need, and, when at last the ladies rose,
he felt that he had not slipped perilously. Still, he found how dry
his lips had grown when somebody poured him a glass of wine. Then he
became sensible that Colonel Barrington, who had apparently been
delivering a lengthy monologue, was addressing him.
"The outlook is sufficient to cause us some anxiety," he said. "We are
holding large stocks, and I can see no prospect of anything but a
steady fall in wheat. It is, however, presumably a little too soon to
ask your opinion."
"Well," said Witham, "while I am prepared to act upon it, I would
recommend it to others with some diffidence. No money can be made at
present by farming, but I see no reason why we should not endeavour to
cut our losses by selling forward down. If caught by a sudden rally,
we could fall back on the grain we hold."
There was a sudden silence, until Dane said softly, "That is exactly
what one of the cleverest brokers in Winnipeg recommended."
"I think," said Colonel Barrington, "you heard my answer. I am
inclined to fancy that such a measure would not be advisable or
fitting, Mr. Courthorne. You, however, presumably know very little
about the practical aspect of the wheat question?"
Witham smiled. "On the contrary, I know a great deal."
"You do?" said Barrington sharply, and while a blunderer would have
endeavoured to qualify his statement, Witham stood by it.
"You are evidently not aware, sir, that I have tried my hand at
farming, though not very successfully."
"That, at least," said Barrington dryly, as he rose, "is quite
credible."
When they went into the smaller room, Witham crossed over to where
Maud Barrington sat alone, and looked down upon her gravely. "One
discovers that frankness is usually best," he said. "Now, I would not
like to feel that you had determined to be unfriendly with me."
Maud Barrington fixed a pair of clear brown eyes upon his face, and
the faintest trace of astonishment crept into them. She was a woman
with high principles, but neither a fool nor a prude, and she saw no
sign of dissolute living there. The man's gaze was curiously steady,
his skin clear and brown, and his sinewy form suggested a capacity
for, and she almost fancied an acquaintance with, physical toil. Yet
he had already denied the truth to her. Witham, on his part, saw a
very fair face with wholesome pride in it, and felt that the eyes
which were coldly contemptuous now could, if there was a warrant for
it, grow very gentle.
"Would it be of any moment if I were?" she said.
"Yes," said Witham quietly. "There are two people here it is desirable
for me to stand well with, and the first of them, your aunt, has, I
fancy, already decided to give me a fair trial. She told me it was for
my mother's sake. Now, I can deal with your uncle."
The girl smiled a little. "Are you quite sure? Everybody does not find
it easy to get on with Colonel Barrington. His code is somewhat
draconic."
Witham nodded. "He is a man, and I hope to convince him I have at
least a right to toleration. That leaves only you. The rest don't
count. They will come round by and by, you see."
The little forceful gesture with which he concluded pleased Maud
Barrington. It was free from vanity, but conveyed an assurance that he
knew his own value.
"No friendship that is lightly given is worth very much," she said. "I
could decide better in another six months. Now it is perhaps fortunate
that Colonel Barrington is waiting for us to make up his four at
whist."
Witham allowed a faint gesture of dismay to escape him. "Must I play?"
"Yes," said the girl, smiling. "Whist is my uncle's hobby, and he is
enthusiastic over a clever game."
Witham groaned inwardly. "And I am a fool at whist."
"Then it was poker you played?" and again a faint trace of anger crept
into the girl's eyes.
Witham shook his head. "No," he said. "I had few opportunities of
indulging in expensive luxuries."
"I think we had better take our places," said Maud Barrington, with
unveiled contempt.
Witham's forehead grew a trifle hot, and when he sat down Barrington
glanced at him. "I should explain that we never allow stakes of any
kind at Silverdale," he said. "Some of the lads sent out to me have
been a trifle extravagant in the old country."
He dealt out the cards, but a trace of bewildered irritation crept
into his eyes as the game proceeded, and once or twice he appeared to
check an exclamation of astonishment, while at last he glanced
reproachfully at Witham.
"My dear sir! Still, you have ridden a long way," he said, laying his
finger on a king.
Witham laughed to hide his dismay. "I am sorry, sir. It was scarcely
fair to my partner. You would, however, have beaten us, anyway."
Barrington gravely gathered up the cards. "We will," he said, "have
some music. I do not play poker."
Then, for the first time, Witham lost his head in his anger. "Nor do
I, sir."
Barrington only looked at him, but the farmer felt as though somebody
had struck him in the face, and as soon as he conveniently could, bade
Miss Barrington good night.
"But we expected you would stay here a day or two. Your place is not
ready," she said.
Witham smiled at her. "I think I am wise. I must feel my way."
Miss Barrington was won, and, making no further protest, signed to
Dane. "You will take Mr. Courthorne home with you," she said. "I would
have kept him here, but he is evidently anxious to talk over affairs
with some one more of his age than my brother is."
Dane appeared quite willing, and an hour later, Witham sat, cigar in
hand, in a room of his outlying farm. It was furnished simply, but
there were signs of taste, and the farmer who occupied it had already
formed a good opinion of the man whose knowledge of his own profession
astonished him.
"So you are actually going to sell wheat in face of the Colonel's
views?" he said.
"Of course," said Witham simply. "I don't like unpleasantness, but I
can allow no man to dictate my affairs to me."
Dane grinned. "Well," he said, "the Colonel can be nasty, and he has
no great reason for being fond of you already."
"No?" said Witham. "Now, of course, my accession will make a
difference at Silverdale, but I would consider it a friendly act if
you will let me know the views of the colony."
Dane looked thoughtful. "The trouble is that your taking up the land
leaves less for Maud Barrington than there would have been.
Barrington, who is fond of the girl, was trustee for the property, and
after your--estrangement--from your father everybody expected she
would get it all."
"So I have deprived Miss Barrington of part of her income?"
"Of course," said Dane. "Didn't you know?"
Witham found it difficult to answer. "I never quite realized it
before. Are there more accounts against me?"
"That," said Dane slowly, "is rather a facer. We are all more or less
friends of the dominant family, you see."
Witham laid down his cigar and stood up, "Now," he said, "I generally
talk straight, and you have held out a hand to me. Can you believe in
the apparent improbability of such a man as I am in the opinion of the
folks at Silverdale getting tired of a wasted life and trying to walk
straight again? I want your answer, yes or no, before I head across
the prairie for my own place."
"Sit down," said Dane with a little smile. "Do you think I would have
brought you here if I hadn't believed it? And, if I have my way, the
first man who flings a stone will be sorry for it. Still, I don't
think any of them will--or could afford it. If we had all been saints,
some of us would never have come out from the old country."
He stopped and poured out two glasses of wine. "It's a long while
since I've talked so much," he said. "Here's to our better
acquaintance, Courthorne."
After that they talked wheat-growing and horses, and when his guest
retired Dane still sat smoking thoughtfully beside the stove. "We want
a man with nerve and brains," he said. "I fancy the one who has been
sent us will make a difference at Silverdale."
It was about the same time when Colonel Barrington stood talking with
his niece and sister in Silverdale Grange. "And the man threw that
trick away when it was absolutely clear who had the ace--and wished me
to believe that he forgot!" he said.
His face was flushed with indignation, but Miss Barrington smiled at
her niece. "What is your opinion, Maud?"
The girl moved one white shoulder with a gesture of disdain. "Can you
ask--after that! Besides, he twice wilfully perverted facts while he
talked to me, though it was not in the least necessary."
Miss Barrington looked thoughtful. "And yet, because I was watching
him, I do not think he plays cards well."
"But he was a professional gambler," said the girl.
The elder lady shook her head. "So we--heard," she said. "My dear,
give him a little time. I have seen many men and women--and can't help
a fancy that there is good in him."
"Can the leopard change his spots?" asked Colonel Barrington, with a
grim smile.
The little white-haired lady glanced at him as she said quietly, "When
the wicked man----"