  Esther woke from a troubled sleep that night, to find June standing beside her. Pale moonlight shone into the room from half-drawn blinds, filling it with an eerie light, as Esther started up trembling and frightened. “What is it? is anything the matter? Oh, I thought you were a ghost!” She clutched at June with both hands. “Oh, is anything the matter?” she asked again. June laughed nervously; she found matches and lit a candle, then she came back to Esther and thrust something into her hands. “You’ll never forgive me,” she said. “But I’ve had it in my coat pocket for two days....” She pushed her dark hair back from her forehead tragically. “Lydia gave it to me for you the day I went out in my best hat to meet George, and I was such a selfish, conceited pig that he put everything else out of my head, and I forgot all about it till just now, when I was lying awake thinking ... and then ... oh, Esther, it’s from Micky!” Esther looked down at the crumpled envelope–– “From––Micky?...” she said. She was only half awake; she made a very fair picture there with her long hair tumbling about her shoulders, and her face a little flushed and startled. June turned to the door. “I’ll go away––you don’t want me.... I’ll go–––” but Esther caught her hand. “No––no.... Wait! please wait!” “Very well––but I’m half frozen....” June looked plaintively at Esther, but Esther had forgotten her, and There was a long silence, then Esther raised her eyes to June’s anxious face. Her own was quite colourless, and her grey eyes looked dazed. “Will you––will you––read it?” she said faintly. “Please––I want you to––I ... somehow I feel as if I’m dreaming.” But June at any rate was wide awake. It only took her two minutes to read Micky’s passionate appeal; the next she was laughing and crying together, and hugging Esther boisterously. “Oh, isn’t he the most wonderful man? Don’t you love him? Don’t you just adore him? Oh, if you’re going to break his heart after all this, I’ll never forgive you!... Why, my George isn’t in it with Micky, poor darling!”––she shook Esther in her excitement––“What are you made of, that you can’t see what a king he is? I don’t believe there’s any blood in your veins at all,” she declared indignantly. “You haven’t got a heart.... Oh, Esther darling! I didn’t mean it––I––oh, I’m such an idiot!...” And the two girls clasped each other and cried together. “And now if this ridiculous midnight scene is ended,” June said presently, sniffing her tears away, “let’s talk sense. I’ll go and see Micky in the morning and explain everything. He knows what I am––he won’t be at all surprised––oh, I’m so glad––so more than glad.... Oh, Esther, why do you hide your face?” “Because I’m so ashamed,” Esther said in a stifled voice. “I’m not worth loving––I’ve ... oh, you don’t know how I’ve treated him!” June was silent for a minute, then she said gently–– “But Micky will forget all that––Micky never remembered a mean thing against anybody in his life.” She forced Esther to look at her. “Tell me one thing, and But in this instance, at least, a verbal answer was not necessary. June kissed her rapturously. “Oh, you darling,” she said. She blew out the candle, and sped down to her own room again like a ghost in the moonlight. “Was there anything else you was wanting, sir?” Driver inquired stolidly. He stood on the platform looking in at the first-class compartment where Micky sat alone in durance vile, waiting for the train to start. He frowned, and pulled his soft hat further down over his eyes as he answered–– “No, nothing.... I’ll see you at Dover.” There were many people on the platform; in the next carriage a pretty girl was seeing a man off––looking up at him as he stood on the footboard with eyes that told their story eloquently. Micky looked at her enviously. He would have given his right hand if there had been some one there to see him off with just that expression in her eyes––the right some one, of course. He turned away from the window with an uncomfortable lump in his throat. He had nothing in the world but his confounded money, and a lot of good that was to him! It could not buy happiness. The guard came down the platform–– “Take your seats––take your seats....” A girl and a man pushed past him. The girl was staring eagerly in at all the windows as she passed. When she saw Micky she gave a little cry of relief. “Here he is––Micky! Micky!” Micky started to his feet. “June!” he said. For a moment he thought something must have happened––something was wrong––Esther!... “We thought we’d come and see you off––George told me you were going, and I guessed you’d be on this train.... I’m so glad we found you––it’s rotten seeing oneself off, isn’t it?...” Rochester came up laughing and red in the face; he took off his hat and mopped his hot forehead. “I can’t keep pace with her, she’s like a whirlwind,” he said whimsically. “She raced me off here before I could say a word.” “It’s kind of you to come,” Micky said. He was pleased to see them; he felt decidedly less ill-tempered than he had done a moment ago. He looked down at June’s radiant face, and a little doubt went through his heart. He was in that dangerous state through which so many men have to pass when the woman they love will have none of them. If Marie Deland had happened to turn up then, he would have asked for forgiveness and have married her offhand and regretted it the next day; and now, as he looked at June, he wondered if he had been a fool not to properly appreciate her. He felt a vague twinge of jealousy, realising that the days were gone for ever when he had been the most wonderful man in all the world to her. He had never loved her save in a brotherly way, and he did not love her now, but at heart men are all dogs in the manger, and it was some such feeling that filled Micky’s heart as he leaned out of the window and looked at this girl. “I hope you’ll have a good time,” she said cheerily. “Have you got anything to read?” “I shan’t want anything––I’m not in a reading mood.” Micky was longing to ask about Esther, but pride prevented him. The guard was blowing his whistle; doors were slamming; June gripped Micky’s hand. “Be a good boy, and have a good time,” she said. There was a furious excitement in her eyes. He made a grimace. “I’m not expecting to have a good time,” he answered. The train was slowly moving; June ran a few steps to keep up with it. Micky blurted out his question at last–– “Miss Shepstone ... Esther ... is she all right, June?” June smiled. “Oh, she’s first rate,” she said airily. “She’s gone away for a holiday.... Good-bye.” She fell back laughing and waving her hand. Micky kept his head out of the window till a cloud of smoke from the engine blown backwards shut out all sight of her, then he drew in, dragging the window up with a slam. Gone away for a holiday, had she?––well––it was nothing to him. He turned round to go back to his seat in the corner then stopping dead, staring as if he had seen a ghost; for Esther was sitting there just behind him, looking up at him with scared eyes. For a moment Micky did not move; he was like a man turned to stone. Then the blood rushed to his face in a crimson tide; he broke out into stammering speech–– “You ... you ... what ... what ... I thought....” He swayed forward a little and caught her hands. “You are real––I thought ... I thought I was just imagining it all; I thought.... Oh, wait a moment....” He sat down and leaned his head in his hands. He felt sure that he must be mad or dreaming––the world had turned upside down and pitched his thoughts into chaos; he was sure that when next he looked Esther would no longer be there––he dreaded having to raise his eyes. Esther stretched a timid hand to him; her voice shook as she said–– “Oh, I thought ... I thought perhaps you’d be “Glad!” Micky echoed the word with almost a shout. He got up and went over to her; he looked down at her with an agony of doubt and fear in his eyes. “Why have you come?” he asked hoarsely. “If this is only a joke––if it’s any nonsense of June’s ... by God, it’s the cruellest joke you could have played on me.... I––I....” Esther covered her face with her hands. “If that’s all you’ve got to say to me,” she began tremblingly. “Esther....” He drew her hands down; he forced her to look at him; for a long moment his eyes searched her face disbelievingly, not daring to hope.... Her cheeks flamed, but she met his eyes bravely. Micky drew a long breath; he passed a hand across his eyes as if to waken himself. Then all at once he seemed to realise that this was in very truth the woman he wanted sitting beside him; that she was here and for his sake; that he was alone and unhappy no longer; and that after all the weeks of hunger and restlessness he had got his heart’s desire. He looked down at her tremulous face with eyes of passionate tenderness. “Is this my wife?” he asked hoarsely, and Esther answered–– “If you still want me.” “Want you!” Micky caught her to him. “Haven’t I always wanted you?...” Fortunately the train was not very full, and the corridor immediately outside their carriage was deserted, or somebody might have had a very interesting demonstration of how to kiss a woman who had refused for months to be kissed. Micky was like a boy in his happiness. He looked years younger than the gloomy man who had dismissed Driver ten minutes since. He could not take his eyes “What have you done with ... that other ring you used to wear?” he asked jealously. She turned her face away. “I threw it out of the window when we came back from Paris,” she told him. “I’ll give you another. I’m going to give you everything you want now.” “You’ve been too good to me already,” she said. “I can never repay you.” “You’ve given me yourself. There is nothing else in the world that I want.” He laughed happily. He bent his head towards her. “Esther ... when did you ... when did you first ... think that you liked me ... just a little?” Her head dropped; he could not see her face. “I don’t know,” she said in a whisper. “In Paris,” he urged, “or before? Tell me.” “I think it was in Paris––after ... after I saw ... Raymond! You were so kind ... so different.” He laughed ruefully. “I was nearer hating you then than ever in my life.” He saw the colour creep into her face. “You’ve told me ever so many times that you hated me,” he went on quickly, “but you never told me that you ... loved me, Esther!” He waited, but she did not look at him. Then suddenly she took his hand in both of hers; she bent her head and kissed it with a sort of passionate gratitude that brought a mist to Micky’s eyes. He seemed to see her all at once as he had first seen her that New “You’re so much, much too good for me,” she said brokenly. “You’ve done everything for me, and I’ve done nothing for you––I haven’t even been ... nice! I can’t tell you what I feel about it all––I only know that––just lately––you’ve––you’ve made everything seem so different––since you wrote me that letter––it makes me feel in my heart that it’s always really been you––always you, and never ... never any one else.” “Darling,” said Micky huskily. “And perhaps––some day––do you ... do you ... think ... you could ever care for me more than ... than you cared for ... that other fellow, confound him!” he added fiercely. She looked up at him and smiled. “I think,” she said slowly, “that I only ... only really began to care for––him––when he went away––and when those letters began to come; and so you see––it was always you, because it was you who wrote them.” “It was a rotten thing to do, but I wanted to help you.” “You did help me ... and––Micky....” “Darling....” “My fur coat ... can I––will you give it back to me?” “I’ll give you everything in the world if you’ll say you love me....” “I do––I....” “Say it then,” he urged gently. For a moment she did not answer; she was still a little afraid of him; she still felt something of pride and constraint between them; though she knew it was for her to sweep away the last barrier. She looked up at him, the sensitive colour rushing to her face. “I love you,” she said softly. “Oh, Micky, some one will see–––” But Micky only laughed. The train was running on to Dover Harbour before Micky realised it; he looked at Esther with pretended dismay in his happy eyes. “And pray, what am I to do with you, madame? Do you realise that I’m going to Paris?” “I know–––” She laughed. “I’m going there too––of course, if you’d like to travel in a different train to me....” She was a very different Esther from the pale, frightened-looking girl who had said good-bye to June at Victoria. Her eyes were dancing now, and her face was radiant. Micky regarded her with proud satisfaction. “You look years younger and prettier already,” he said. “And that’s after only an hour or two of my wonderful society; so what you’ll look like when we’ve been married for years and years....” He stopped, and a sudden emotion filled his face. “What shall we do, love of mine?” he asked tenderly, “Shall we go on, or shall we go back?” She shook her head. “I don’t mind––either way, I’m afraid you’ll have to pay for me,” she told him saucily. “June rushed me off so, I forgot my purse––Mr. Rochester got me a ticket, but....” “We’ll go on,” said Micky hurriedly. The train was almost at a standstill. “You said you hated Paris––but you won’t hate it with me. We’ll get married as soon as we get there––I’ll take you everywhere.” Her eyes fell. “I haven’t any nice clothes––I only brought a small case; I never thought you ... you....” She stopped, stammering. “Paris is full of clothes,” he told her. “We’ll stay just long enough to buy what you want, and then we’ll She drew back a little. “But, Micky––there’s June––what will she say––what will she think?” “She’ll think that you’ve behaved sensibly––at last!” he answered audaciously. “June knew she wouldn’t see either of us again for some time when we left her at Victoria––June is a most discerning woman.” “She’s a dear,” said Esther warmly. “I owe all my happiness to her.” Micky pretended to look offended. “I was under the delusion that you owed it to me,” he said with dignity. “To you!” Her face changed wonderfully; she bent her head and kissed the sleeve of his coat. “I can’t talk about what I owe you––it’s just––everything!” Micky drew himself up a dignified inch. “I’m beginning to think I’m a very wonderful man, do you know?” he said, addressing some imaginary person. Driver appeared at the door. He hesitated for just the faintest possible moment when he saw Esther, but his face was as stolid as ever. Micky rose to the occasion, though he turned rather red. “Driver,” he said, “let me introduce you to my wife–––” Driver touched a respectful forelock; if he felt surprise he did not show it. He took Esther’s suit-case down from the rack. “Was you––was you wanting to send a wire, sir?” he asked stolidly. Micky looked at the girl beside him. “Send June one from Paris,” she said. “I don’t know what she’ll say–––” But June might have been expecting the wire, judging from the calm way in which she received it; she showed it to Rochester as if it were nothing out of the way; she looked over his shoulder as he read it.
She laughed and met Rochester’s eyes; there seemed to be an inquiry in his. June hesitated a moment, then she nodded. And forty-eight hours later Micky and Esther read her reply just as they were leaving for the flower-fields of France––
“Some people have no originality,” Micky complained in pretended disgust. “But if they’re half as happy as we are,” Esther said shyly. Micky looked scornfully sceptical. “Oh well! if you’re going to expect the impossible....” he submitted. The End “The Books You Like to Read ––including the wrapper which covers every Grosset & Dunlap book. When you feel in the mood for a good romance, refer to the carefully selected list of modern fiction comprising most of the successes by prominent writers of the day which is printed on the back of every Grosset & Dunlap book wrapper. You will find more than five hundred titles to choose from––books for every mood and every taste and every pocket-book. Don’t forget the other side, but in case the wrapper is lost, write to the publishers for a complete catalog. There is a Grosset & Dunlap Book B. M. 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Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York “STORM COUNTRY” BOOKS BY JUDY OF ROGUES’ HARBOR Judy’s untutored ideas of God, her love of wild things, her faith in life are quite as inspiring as those of Tess. Her faith and sincerity catch at your heart strings. This book has all of the mystery and tense action of the other Storm Country books. TESS OF THE STORM COUNTRY It was as Tess, beautiful, wild, impetuous, that Mary Pickford made her reputation as a motion picture actress. How love acts upon a temperament such as hers––a temperament that makes a woman an angel or an outcast, according to the character of the man she loves––is the theme of the story. THE SECRET OF THE STORM COUNTRY The sequel to “Tess of the Storm Country,” with the same wild background, with its half-gypsy life of the squatters––tempestuous, passionate, brooding. Tess learns the “secret” of her birth and finds happiness and love through her boundless faith in life. FROM THE VALLEY OF THE MISSING A haunting story with its scene laid near the country familiar to readers of “Tess of the Storm Country.” ROSE O’ PARADISE “Jinny” Singleton, wild, lovely, lonely, but with a passionate yearning for music, grows up in the house of Lafe Grandoken, a crippled cobbler of the Storm Country. Her romance is full of power and glory and tenderness. Ask for Complete free list of G. & D. Popular Copyrighted Fiction THE NOVELS OF DANGEROUS DAYS. A brilliant story of married life. A romance of fine purpose and stirring appeal. THE AMAZING INTERLUDE. Illustrations by The Kinneys. The story of a great love which cannot be pictured––an interlude––amazing, romantic. LOVE STORIES. This book is exactly what its title indicates, a collection of love affairs––sparkling with humor, tenderness and sweetness. “K.” Illustrated. K. LeMoyne, famous surgeon, goes to live in a little town where beautiful Sidney Page lives. She is in training to become a nurse. The joys and troubles of their young love are told with keen and sympathetic appreciation. THE MAN IN LOWER TEN. Illustrated by Howard Chandler Christy. An absorbing detective story woven around the mysterious death of the “Man in Lower Ten.” WHEN A MAN MARRIES. Illustrated by Harrison Fisher and Mayo Bunker. A young artist, whose wife had recently divorced him, finds that his aunt is soon to visit him. The aunt, who contributes to the family income, knows nothing of the domestic upheaval. How the young man met the situation is entertainingly told. THE CIRCULAR STAIRCASE. Illustrated by Lester Ralph. The occupants of “Sunnyside” find the dead body of Arnold Armstrong on the circular staircase. Following the murder a bank failure is announced. Around these two events is woven a plot of absorbing interest. THE STREET OF SEVEN STARS. (Photoplay Edition.) Harmony Wells, studying in Vienna to be a great violinist, suddenly realizes that her money is almost gone. 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Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York JACKSON GREGORY’S NOVELS THE EVERLASTING WHISPER The story of a strong man’s struggle against savage nature and humanity, and of a beautiful girl’s regeneration from a spoiled child of wealth into a courageous strong-willed woman. DESERT VALLEY A college professor sets out with his daughter to find gold. They meet a rancher who loses his heart, and become involved in a feud. An intensely exciting story. MAN TO MAN Encircled with enemies, distrusted, Steve defends his rights. How he won his game and the girl he loved is the story filled with breathless situations. THE BELLS OF SAN JUAN Dr. Virginia Page is forced to go with the sheriff on a night journey into the strongholds of a lawless band. Thrills and excitement sweep the reader along to the end. JUDITH OF BLUE LAKE RANCH Judith Sanford part owner of a cattle ranch realizes she is being robbed by her foreman. How, with the help of Bud Lee, she checkmates Trevor’s scheme makes fascinating reading. THE SHORT CUT Wayne is suspected of killing his brother after a violent quarrel. Financial complications, villains, a horse-race and beautiful Wanda, all go to make up a thrilling romance. THE JOYOUS TROUBLE MAKER A reporter sets up housekeeping close to Beatrice’s Ranch much to her chagrin. There is “another man” who complicates matters, but all turns out as it should in this tale of romance and adventure. SIX FEET FOUR Beatrice Waverly is robbed of $5,000 and suspicion fastens upon Buck Thornton, but she soon realizes he is not guilty. Intensely exciting, here is a real story of the Great Far West. WOLF BREED No Luck Drennan had grown hard through loss of faith in men he had trusted. A woman hater and sharp of tongue, he finds a match in Ygerne whose clever fencing wins the admiration and love of the “Lone Wolf.” Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York |
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