Jessica Trent: Her Life On A Ranch Part 30

"Hush, captain. Don't you go to grieving over that scamp. A man don't get good nor bad all in a minute. It was hard enough, I 'low, for a fellow to be s.n.a.t.c.hed out of the world that sudden. Yet, if he could speak for himself, he'd say a thousand times better that than what the law would have given him. Let him be. His part is done. He's pa.s.sed in his checks and don't you hear that Heaven won't pay out on all the good ones. Now--what next?"

Both knew, yet both disliked to mention that which each felt. Till Ephraim swallowed something like a sob and remarked:

"The longer I lie here, like a log, the madder I get at myself and the weaker minded. I'm just about as ready to cry as a whipped baby. I know 'twas the best thing could have happened, my getting hurt, though why a plain, everyday break wouldn't have answered the purpose just as well as this 'compound fracture,' the doctors make such a fuss over and takes so long to heal, I don't see. Nor never shall. If it had been just ordinary bone-crackin' I'd been lively as a hop-toad by now, and ready to start right home with you this minute. As it is----"

"Oh, Ephraim! I hate to leave you--but I must get quickly to my mother!

Don't you see I must? To smooth all those sad lines out of her dear face and make her happy again, as this news surely will. They'll be good to you here, and you can come the first minute they'll let you."

"Why not telegraph her? The boys go every day to Marion for the letters you and all send, and the postmaster is the operator, too. Why not that, and wait just a day or two. Likely I'll be cavortin' round, supple as a lizard on a fence, by then."

Jessica did not answer and Ephraim asked:

"How could you go, anyway, without me or some protector? Though I made a bad job of it once I wouldn't the second time."

"I don't know how, dear old fellow, and I do know how bitter disappointed you are that you can't be there to see my mother's face and get her thanks right away. But----"

Fortunately for both of these perplexed people, Ninian Sharp came along the pa.s.sage just then, and one glimpse of his bright, helpful face cleared away Jessica's anxieties.

"You'll know what's best and how to do it, won't you, dear Mr.

Sharp?"

"Certainly. That's my business. Straightening out the tangled affairs of the silly rest of the world! Fetch on your trouble!"

He was in the gayest of moods, elated over the successful termination of his tedious labors, though in his heart not unmindful of the tragedy which had brought his share in them to an end. What was left, the law's dealings with Antonio and the division and disposition of the recovered funds, belonged to Mr. Hale, and he very thankfully resigned these matters to that gentleman's capable hand.

"I want to go home. And I don't want to leave Ephraim."

"I want to go with you. And I'm going to leave Ephraim--because he'd have to stay awhile, whether or not. He will be an important witness for the prosecution, providing that New York Company bothers any further after having recovered all that belongs to them, with some that doesn't.

I've a 'loose foot,' as I've heard that your 'Aunt Sally' also has betimes, and I mean to shake it out Sobrante way. If you'd like to travel in my company I can't prevent it, as I see!"

"Oh! you darling man! You mean--I know it, for it's just like all the rest of your great kindness--that you're going wholly on purpose to take me home!"

"Beg pardon, but indeed, I'm not. At this present moment I have no stronger desire than to see that wonderful ranch of yours and those 'boys' who've spoiled you so. Why, I couldn't stay away, after putting my finger so deeply into your family pie. I propose to start on the nine o'clock train to-morrow morning. Think you can be ready by then?"

"I'm ready this minute! No, I mean, as soon as I bid everybody good-by, and--and----"

"Do a little shopping, eh? That's what most young ladies delay for, I believe."

"But I'm neither a young lady nor have I any shopping to do. I couldn't have because I haven't any money, you see, even if I knew how to shop."

"Why?" demanded "Forty-niner," impatiently. "No money? I don't believe all ours is gone yet."

"Why, I forgot that. I really did. And I would love, if Mr. Sharp thinks it would be all right to use it when there is all this hospital board for both of us to pay, to take a tiny bit of a present to--to----"

"Everybody you ever knew, I'll be bound!" cried Ninian.

"I--believe I would. But of course I can't. So I'd best treat all alike and take nothing but our glorious goods news."

"I'm going to take that myself, part of the way. At the finish I'll let you carry the heavy burden and deliver it yourself into your mother's hands. Now, come sit down a minute. Ephraim, put on your own thinking cap, and if she forgets anybody you let me know. We are going to take something to everybody, just as you'd like. Now, begin.

The mother--but she's settled, already. For her I've made a finished picture from a sketch I have, of a little yellow-haired girl asleep upon a piebald burro's shoulder. Ned? A train of cars. Luis, ditto.

Samson--what for Samson?"

"Would it cost too much to take them each, all the 'boys' the same thing, and that would be a bright red necktie?"

"Cost not a bit too much and be a deal easier than thinking of separate things for so many. Next? Aunt Sally?"

"Oh! she's no trouble. A few bits of new calico 'print' for her patchwork would make her very happy."

They forgot n.o.body, not even Ferd whom Jessica so disliked; and at the end of the list she rather timidly suggested: "Antonio."

To that, however, both her friends cried a vehement "No!" Not a cent of their money should ever go to please such a man as the Senor Bernal.

"But, that reminds me. This Antonio himself wishes to have an interview with you before you leave Los Angeles. I want you, though, to feel at liberty to refuse this request if you so desire. He deserves no kindness at your hands."

"No. Don't you go near him, captain. He's a snake and snakes are unpleasant critters even after their fangs are drawn. Leave Antonio to me. When I get well I'll have a little score to settle with him on my own behalf," urged Ephraim.

"Why doesn't he come to me, himself? Instead of sending for me to him.

Then I shouldn't have to trouble you to take me."

Mr. Sharp looked at Ephraim and smiled, significantly.

"I suppose because he cannot. Else so polished a gentleman would surely do so."

"Why cannot he? Is he ill, too?"

"Rather ill in his mind, but not in body. Simply, he isn't allowed."

"Won't the hospital folks have him?"

"Not at present."

"I believe you are teasing me. Where is Antonio?"

"At police headquarters."

"Oh! with Matron Wood?"

"Not with that good woman, I fear."

"Mr. Sharp, please, _don't_ tease me any more. What do you mean?"

"Antonio is under restraint of the law. He is a prisoner, for the present. Detained until Mr. Hale can consult with his New York people and find out their disposition toward the fellow. He has done criminal things without, apparently, any benefit to himself. He says there is something on his mind that he must tell you. We'll call to see him on our way to the shopping district and get him over and done with.

I've no desire to continue his acquaintance, myself."

Jessica's face grew serious.

"Oh! poor Antonio!"

"Quit that!" commanded "Forty-niner," with more sharpness than he often used toward his beloved lady.