AT THE CLOSE OF A DAY
High up on the bank of the brook which flows down from Break Neck Falls
Jasper sat leaning against the bole of a large tree. It was drawing
toward evening and long slanting shadows were falling athwart the
landscape. It was a hot afternoon and the shade of the old spruce was
refreshing. By his side was a rough birch fishing rod, and nearby
wrapped up in cool, moist leaves were several fair-sized trout. Jasper
had not been fishing for pleasure, but merely for food, as his scanty
supply was almost gone. The fish would serve him for supper and
breakfast. Beyond that he could not see, for he had not the least idea
what he was to do to earn a living, and at the same time assist old
David.
Though the day was exceptionally fine, Jasper did not enjoy it as at
other times. His mind was too much occupied with other matters. All
things seemed to be against him in his struggle to advance. It had
been the same for years, and now the climax had been reached. What was
he to do? he had asked himself over and over again during the
afternoon. Should he give up in despair? What was the use of trying
any longer? He had seen young men succeeding in life who had not made
any efforts. Money and influence had pushed them along. Dick Sinclair
would soon join their ranks. He had lived, a life of indolence, and
yet it would be only a short time ere he would be looked upon as a
prominent citizen. The papers would speak of his ability and write
glowing articles about whatever he did. Where was the justice of it
all? he questioned. Did not real worth and effort amount to anything
in life's struggle?
At length, tired with such thoughts, he drew forth from an inside
pocket a small book. It was well marked and showed constant usage. It
was a volume of Emerson's Essays, a number of which he knew almost by
heart. It was only natural that the book should open at the essay on
Self-reliance, for there the pages were most thumb-marked. His eyes
rested upon the words: "There is a time in every man's education when
he arrives at the conviction that envy is ignorance." He read on to
the beginning of the next paragraph, "Trust thyself: every heart
vibrates to that iron string."
The book dropped from Jasper's hand and once more he gave himself up to
thought. He knew how true were those words. He realised that envy is
ignorance, and it was his duty to rise above it. Why should he spend
his strength in envying others? He would conquer and make them envy
him. Ah, that idea brought a flush to his face. He would trust
himself, as Emerson said, and some day the very ones who looked down
upon him and spurned him would come to him. How he was to accomplish
this Jasper had no idea. But there was comfort in thinking about it,
anyway, and he felt sure that a way would be opened whereby he could
succeed.
He was aroused from his musing by the sound of voices. Looking quickly
down toward the brook, he saw three people walking along the bank. He
recognised them at once as Lois, Dick and Sammie. At first he was
tempted to withdraw farther back among the trees lest he should be
seen. He abandoned this idea, however, feeling quite certain that he
would not be noticed where he was. Lois and Sammie were walking
together, while Dick was a short distance ahead. What they were saying
he could not make out, neither did he care. He had eyes only for the
young woman, and he noted how beautiful she appeared as she walked with
such an upright graceful swing. Was she happy in Sammie's company? he
wondered. She was laughing now, and seemed to be greatly amused at
something her companion was saying. Jasper noted all this, and then
called himself a fool for imagining that she could ever think of him.
No doubt she had already given her heart to the young man by her side,
so he might as well banish her from his mind at once. He would go away
and never see her again.
Acting upon this impulse, he was about to move softly among the trees
and disappear. He had placed his book in his pocket and had reached
for his fish when a cry of terror fell upon his ears. In an instant he
was on his feet, peering keenly down to see what was the matter. In a
twinkling he grasped the whole situation. Just across the brook a wall
of rough rocks shelved upwards to the height of about twenty feet.
Below, the water swirled and dashed over jagged boulders, receiving its
impetus from the falls farther up stream. The path led along the top,
and in some unaccountable manner Lois had slipped and fallen over the
edge, and had gone swiftly down toward the rushing current below. She
grasped frantically at everything on which she could lay her hands, and
was only able to arrest her downward descent when a few feet from the
water. And there she clung with the desperation of despair, while her
two companions stood above half-paralysed with fear, and unable to
assist her.
When Jasper saw Lois go down to what seemed certain destruction, he
sprang forward and leaped down the bank as if shot from a catapult.
Into the brook he recklessly dashed and like a giant forced his way
across the current and around hidden boulders. At times it seemed as
if he could not keep his feet and that he must be swept away. But that
picture of the clinging woman nerved him to superhuman efforts, and
slowly but surely he edged his way toward her. When a few feet from
the base of the rock, he saw Lois relax and slip downward. Barely had
she touched the water ere Jasper with a mighty effort leaped forward
and caught her in his arms. Then in an instant they were both swept
away. Fortunately, Jasper was a strong swimmer, and as they shot
forward he was able to keep Lois' head above water, and work steadily
toward the shore.
By this time Dick and Sammie had so far recovered from their fright
that they were able to hurry down stream, and stand on the edge of the
stream where the bank sloped gently to the water. Here they stood for
several fearful seconds watching Jasper as he struggled toward them.
They took special care not to wet their feet, but merely reached out
and helped to pull Lois ashore and lay her upon the dry ground. More
than that they were unable to do, and naturally turned toward Jasper
for help.
"We must get her home at once," the latter remarked, kneeling by the
side of the prostrate woman. "I am afraid she has been injured by the
fall."
Fortunately, at that instant Lois opened her eyes and fixed them upon
him in a dazed manner. Then she remembered what had happened, and sat
suddenly up and looked around.
"My, I have given you a great fright," she said. "It was stupid of me
to trip over that root."
"Are you hurt, Lois?" Dick inquired.
"I am somewhat bruised, that is all. I think I must have fainted and
let go of the rock. How did I get here?"
"Oh, Spuds got hold of you and brought you out," Dick explained.
Lois at once turned her eyes upon Jasper who was now standing a few
feet away. She noticed his drenched clothes, and also that there was
blood upon his forehead.
"You are hurt," she cried. "You have struck your head."
"It's nothing, I assure you," and Jasper gave a slight laugh. "I must
have hit it against a rock when we went down, that was all. It will
soon get better. Never mind me, I am all right. But you must get home
at once."
"Yes, come, Lois," and Sammie, speaking for the first time since the
accident, stepped forward. "We must get you home at once. Never mind
this fellow; he doesn't matter."
"Indeed he does," Lois emphatically replied. "He saved my life, and I
can never thank him enough."
"But I would have saved you, Lois. I was just coming to rescue you
when this fellow, who was spying upon us from the bushes, got to you
first."
Lois never forgot the look on Jasper's face as the jealous Sammie
uttered this insinuation. He drew himself up to his full height, and
his eyes glowed with a sudden light of anger. She saw his lips move as
if about to utter words of protest. Instead, however, he quickly
turned, left them, and walking along the bank for a short distance
reached a fordable place in the brook. He plunged into the water and
after a brief struggle reached the opposite bank and disappeared among
the trees.
Lois stood and watched him until he was out of sight. She was faint
and greatly annoyed at Sammie's words. She knew now what a cad and a
coward he really was, and was not even man enough to give credit to the
one who had rescued her.
"Come, Dick," and she turned to her brother, "let's go home," was the
only remark she made, as she took his arm and walked slowly along the
path leading from the brook. She took no notice of the crestfallen
Sammie, who trudged along behind wondering what had come over the young
woman that she should act in such a strange manner.
Jasper could not fully understand the strange feeling that had come
over him at Sammie's unjust insinuation. His first lightning thought
was to knock the fellow down. Then he wanted to explain, to say that
he had not been spying. But he knew that if he spoke he might get
excited. No, it was better for him to leave at once, and let Lois
think whatever she liked. He had saved her and that was all he cared
for. But as he moved along through the woods, the few words she had
said and the expression in her eyes acted as balm to his wounded
feelings. He made up his mind, however, not to be caught in such a way
again. He would take good care to keep away from the Sinclairs after
that.
Going back to the place where he had left his fish, he picked them up
and started down along the brook. He wished to get back to his cabin
as quickly as possible that he might change his wet clothes. He was
hungry as well, and he longed for a couple of the trout he had caught.
He thought much of Lois, and wondered how she was getting along. He
hoped that she had not been seriously injured and that she would not
catch cold from her plunge into the water. He could not forget the
feeling that had come over him as he had sprung forward and caught her
as she was falling. He should remember that sensation for the rest of
his life, no matter what happened.
Having reached the end of the trail, he moved swiftly along the main
highway. He was almost to his cabin when he saw an auto by the side of
the road. Something had evidently gone wrong, for two men were
anxiously examining it. Jasper was about to pass when one of the men
accosted him.
"Excuse me," he began, "but could you tell me if there is a hotel or
any place where we can get supper? We have been stalled here for some
time, and my chauffeur can't find what is the matter with the car."
"There is no hotel," Jasper replied, "and I know of no people who serve
meals. But I have a place right near, and you are welcome to such
accommodation as I have. It is very humble, and I warn you not to
expect much. I have merely bachelor's quarters, and so am my own
housekeeper."
"Thank you kindly," the man returned, "I am very grateful to you, and
we shall be delighted to go with you, though we do not wish to trouble
you too much. The trout you have make my mouth water. You evidently
went in head-first after them," and he smiled as he observed the young
man's wet clothes.
Jasper liked this man, and this impression was increased as they walked
toward the cabin. He was well spoken, and so gentlemanly in manner
that he found it quite easy to converse with him. Everything seemed to
interest and please him, especially the cabin. He called Jasper a
lucky fellow for having such a place where he could live so quietly
away from all bustle and stress of the great outside world.
"It is quiet enough as a rule," Jasper remarked with a laugh, as he
lighted the fire in his little stove after he had changed his wet
clothes for dry ones.
"Have you lived here long?" the stranger inquired, as he stretched
himself out upon the cot.
"Since the middle of May," was the reply. "But I expect to leave
shortly. I'm out of a job now, and so must look elsewhere."
"What have you been working at?"
"Oh, anything that turns up."
The stranger was quick to note the almost hopeless tone in Jasper's
voice as he uttered these words, and he studied the young man more
closely.
"Where did you live before you came here?" he asked.
"At college. I was almost through when reverses came, and so I had to
get out. I have been trying to earn enough to finish my course, but
everything seems to be against me. I understand farming and naturally
took to the land in preference to other work."
"What were you studying at college?" the man asked.
"Electrical engineering."
"I see. But was there not something you could have obtained along that
line? Surely there must have been some opening."
Jasper made no reply. There was a reason, but he did not feel inclined
to reveal his secret to a complete stranger, upon such a brief
acquaintance.