It was rather curious to see that as she grew in strength Clement lost
in assertiveness--in his feeling of command. He began to comprehend
that with returning health the girl was not altogether pitiable. She
had culture, social position and wealth.
The distinction of his readily-acquired millions grew to be a very
poor possession in his own mind--in fact, he came at last to such
self-confessed utter poverty of mind and body that he wondered at her
continued toleration. He ceased to plead any special worthiness on his
own part and began to throw himself on her mercy.
As the time came on when she no longer needed his arm for support he
found it hard to offer it as an act of gallantry. In fact, in that
small act was typified the change which he came ultimately to assume.
At first she had seemed to him like an angelic child. Death's shadows
had made him bold--but now he could not deceive himself: he was coming
to love her in a very human and definite fashion. He dared not refer
to the past in any way, and his visits grew more and more formal and
carefully accounted for.
She thought she understood all this, and was serenely untroubled by
it. She brooded over the problem with dreamful lips and half-shut
eyes. She was drifting back to life on a current of mountain air
companioned by splendid clouds, and her content was like to the
lotus-eater's languor--it held no thought of time or tide.
That she idealized him was true, but he grew richly in grace. All the
small amenities of conduct which he once possessed came back to him.
He studied to please her, and succeeded in that as in his other
ventures. He did not exactly abandon his business, but he came to
superintend his superintendents.
However, he attached a telephone to his mine in order to be able to
direct his business from the Springs. He still roomed at the hotel,
though Ellice was living in a private house farther up the cañon. His
rooms were becoming filled with books and magazines, and he was
struggling hard to "catch up" with the latest literature.
If Ellice referred to any book, even in the most casual way, he made
mental note of it, and if he had read it he re-read it, and if he had
not read it he secured it at once.
"I know something of chemistry and mineralogy, and geology and milling
processes, but of art and literature very little," he said to her
once. "But give me time."
The highest peaks were white with September snows before she felt able
to mount a horse. Each day she had been able to go a little farther
and climb a little higher. Her gain was slow, very slow, but it was
almost perceptible from day to day.
Mr. Ross had been to Chicago, and was once more at the Springs. He
had brought a couple of nieces, very lively young creatures, who
annoyed Clement exceedingly by their impertinence--at least, that is
what he called their excessive interest in his affairs. Without the
co-operation of Ellice he would have found little chance to see her
alone, but she had a quiet way of letting them know when she found
them a burden, which they respected.
One day he said to her, "Have you forgotten what I said to you about
the spring up there?"
"No, I have not forgotten. Do you think I can go now? Am I really well
enough to go?"
"The time has come."
"What would the doctor say?"
"The doctor--do you still heed what he says?"
"Must I walk?"
"Yes, to have the water heal you. But I will lead old Wisconse for you
to ride down."
"After I am healed?"
"One can be cured and yet be tired."
They set off in such spirits as children have, old Wisconse leading
soberly behind.
Clement was obliged to check the girl.
"Now don't go too fast. It is a long way up there. I warn you it is
almost at timber-line."
But she paid small heed to his warning. She felt so light, so active,
it seemed she could not tire.
For a time they followed the wide road which climbed steadily, but at
last he stopped.
"Now here we strike the trail," he said. "You must go ahead, for I am
to lead the horse."
"Not far ahead," she exclaimed, a little bit alarmed.
"Only two steps." He was a little amused at her. "Just so I will not
tread on your heels."
"You needn't laugh. I know they hunt bears up here."
They climbed for some time in comparative silence.
"Oh, how much greener it is up here!" she exclaimed at last, looking
around, her eyes bright with excitement.
He smiled indulgently. "You tourists think you know Colorado when
you've crossed it once on the railway. This is the Colorado which you
seldom see."
She was in rapture over the glory of color, the waving grasses of
smooth hillsides, and the radiant dapple of light and shadow beneath
the groves of vivid yellow aspens. The cactus and Spanish dagger, and
the ever-present sage bush of the lower levels, had disappeared,
crow's-foot and blue-joint grasses swung in the wind. The bright flame
of the painted cup and the purple of the asters still lighted up the
aisles of the pines in sheltered places.
"There are many more in August," he explained. "The frost has swept
them all away."
"Is this our stream?" she asked.
"Yes, we cross it many times."
"How small it is."
"Are you tired?"
"Not at all."
He came close to her to listen to her breathing. "You must not do too
much. If you find yourself out of breath stop and ride."
"I want to be cured."
He laughed. "By the way you lead up this trail I don't think you need
medicine. I never finish wondering whether you are the same girl I met
first----"
She flashed a glance back at him. "I'm not. I'm another person."
"That shows what three months of this climate will do."
"Climate did not do it."
"What did?"
"You did." She kept marching steadily forward, her head held very
straight indeed.
"I wish you would wait a moment," he pleaded.
"I am very thirsty--I want to reach the spring."
"But, dear girl, you can't keep this up."
"Can't I? Watch me and see."
She seemed possessed of some miraculous staff, for she mounted the
steep trail as lightly as a fawn. Clement was in an agony of
apprehension lest she should overdo and fall fainting in the path.
This ecstasy of activity was most dangerously persistent.
It was past noon when they came out of the aspens and pines into the
little smooth slope of meadow which lay between the low peaks which
were already crusted with snow. In the midst of the orange and purple
and red of the grasses lay a deep, dark pool of water--as beautiful as
her eyes, it seemed to him.
"Here is the spring," Clement called to the girl.
"I knew it," she said.
"Wait," he called again. "I must drink with you."
He hastened up and dipped a cup into the water and handed it to her.
"Now drink confusion to disease."
"Confusion!" She drank. "Oh, isn't it sweet? I never knew before how
good water was. But here, drink. You are dying of thirst, too." She
handed him the cup.
"I want to drink to some purpose also," he said, and there was no need
of further words, but he went on, his full heart giving eloquence to
his lips, "I want to pledge my life to your service--my life and all I
am."
She grew a little pale. This intensity of emotion awed her as the
majestic in Nature affects great souls. "I don't think you ought. I
don't think I am quite worthy."
"Let me be judge of that." He spoke quickly and almost sharply. "Shall
I drink?"
She had walked on while Clement was speaking, and stood leaning
against the browsing horse. After a little hesitation she answered,
"If you are thirsty."
[Illustration]
The words were light, but he understood her. He drank and then came
straight toward her.
She shrank from him in sudden timidity and said a little hurriedly,
"Help me into the saddle. I shall need to ride back."
_WESTWARD VISTA_
_The half-sunk sun
Burns through the dusty-crimson sky;
Streamers of gold and green soar
In radiating splendor, like the spokes
Of God's unmeasurable chariot-wheels
Half-hid and vanishing.
Around me is coolness, ripeness and repose;
The smell of gathered grain and fruits,
And the musky breath of melons fills the air.
The very dust is fruity, and the click
Of locusts' wings is like the close
Of gates upon great stores of wheat.
The gathered barley bleaches in shock,
The corn breathes on me from the west,
And the sky-line widens on and on
Until I see the waves of yellow-green
Break on the hills that face the snow and lilac peaks
Of Colorado's mountains._