Prescott of Saskatchewan Part 52

A light dawned on Muriel. She saw Gertrude's work in this and her face flushed with anger, but it was not a subject she meant to discuss with the man she loved.

"Well," she said, "it's scarcely likely that you will learn the truth.

After all, much of Jernyngham's conduct can't be explained." She smiled at Prescott. "If he'd had any reason in him, he would never have doubted you."

They turned back to the homestead presently and on reaching it Prescott found that Colston had arrived. The latter gave him an interview in the barn, which was the only place where they could be alone, and listened with a thoughtful air to what he had to say. This included an account of his meeting with Laxton and the pursuit of Wandle.

"I'm in an unfortunate position," Colston remarked when Prescott had finished. "You see, every prudential consideration urges me to oppose you--looked at from that point of view the match is most undesirable--but I must admit my sympathy with you, and I don't suppose my opposition would have much effect."

"It certainly wouldn't," Prescott replied.

"After all," Colston resumed, "I have no real authority; Muriel's of age and she has no property. Still, I'm fond of the girl and am anxious about her future. I think you ought to satisfy me that you're able to take care of her."

"I'll try."

Prescott gave him a concise account of his means, his farming operations, and his plans for the future; and Colston listened with satisfaction. The man was more prosperous than he had supposed and had carefully considered what could be done to secure the comfort of his wife; his schemes included the rebuilding of his house. It was obvious that Muriel need not suffer greatly from the change. Moreover, Colston had liked Prescott from the beginning and had found it hard to distrust him, even when appearances were blackest against him.

"All this," he said frankly, "is a relief to me. But there's another and more important point." He paused a moment before he continued: "To my mind your name is cleared, but you must agree that the mystery isn't unraveled yet. Although I have no power to interfere, Muriel is my wife's sister and I think she owes my views some deference. Neither of us can countenance an engagement or your meeting Muriel often while a doubt remains. The matter must stand over."

"I must yield to that; you have been more liberal than I could have expected." Then Prescott smiled. "There's only one thing which could really clear me--the reappearance of my victim; and I don't despair of it. The police are trying to trace him on the Pacific Slope, but it would be quite in accordance with his character if he suddenly turned up here."

They went out together, s.h.i.+vering a little, for the barn was very cold, but they were on friendly terms and were mutually satisfied.

CHAPTER x.x.x

PRESCOTT'S VINDICATION

On the day after Prescott's avowal, Muriel found Gertrude alone and sat down opposite her.

"Don't you think you ought to insist on your father's going home?" she asked. "The strain is wearing him out; he may lose his reason if he stays."

Gertrude looked up sharply. There was no sympathy in the girl's tone and her eyes were hard. Muriel might have forgiven a wrong done to herself, but she was merciless about an injury to one she loved.

"Ah!" exclaimed Gertrude. "You wish to get rid of us?"

"No; my suggestion was really generous, because I would much rather you both remained and saw Mr. Prescott proved innocent."

Not knowing what had prompted her rival, Gertrude gave her jealous anger rein.

"I'm afraid we couldn't wait. Even my father's patience would hardly hold out."

"It wouldn't be long tried; but in a way you're right. It's dangerous for him to stay here, and you're responsible for his condition."

"I'm responsible?" cried Gertrude with a start.

"Of course! You knew Mr. Prescott went away to look for your brother and you kept it secret; when he saved your father from freezing, he almost convinced him that he had nothing to do with Cyril's disappearance. You must have known how it would have eased his mind to get rid of his dreadful suspicions, but you worked upon him and brought them back."

Gertrude sank down in her chair with a s.h.i.+ver. A denial would serve no purpose and she was conscious of her guilt.

"Could you expect me to be indifferent to the loss of my brother?"

"You knew you had not lost him. You believed what Mr. Prescott told you, until we came." Muriel flushed and hesitated, for this was as far as she would go. Even in her anger, she would not taunt her beaten rival with defeat. "Now," she continued, "you must see what you have done. You have made your father suffer terribly; I think you have weakened his mind, and, if I hadn't turned the pistol, you would have made him kill an innocent man. He seems too dazed and shaken to realize what he meant to do, but the thing was horrible."

Gertrude sat silent for a few moments, her face drawn and colorless. Then she looked up.

"I couldn't see what it would lead to. Do the others know what you have told me? Does Mr. Prescott?"

She looked crushed and defenseless and Muriel's resentment softened.

"No," she said. "n.o.body knows, and Mr. Prescott will never suspect; he's not the man to think hard things of a woman. But I'm going to insist on your taking your father away."

"But how can I?" cried Gertrude. "You know how determined he is!"

"You have influenced him already; you must do so again. You will regret it all your life if you let him stay."

"Well," Gertrude promised desperately, "I will try." Then a thought struck her and her expression grew gentler. "Muriel, have you realized that if we leave here soon, the Colstons will accompany us and you will have to go with them?"

"No," Muriel replied with a resolute smile; "I will stay."

Gertrude turned her head and there was silence for a while. Then she said with an effort:

"I can't ask your forgiveness; it would be too much, and I'm not sure that I wish to have it. But I feel that you are generous."

"Take your father home," Muriel responded, and getting up went quietly out.

During the next fortnight, Gertrude exerted all her powers of persuasion, without much success. Jernyngham was apathetic, moody, and morose, and his companions found the days pa.s.s heavily. Then one evening Prescott drove over with the excuse of a message for Leslie, and Muriel, putting on her furs, slipped out to speak to him before he left. They stood near the barn, talking softly, until there was a pause and Muriel looked out across the prairie. It was a clear, cold evening; a dull red glow blazed above the great plain's rim, and the bluffs stood out in wavy ma.s.ses with sharp distinctness. The snow had lost its glitter and was fading into soft blues and grays.

The darker line of the trail caught the girl's eye and, following it, she noticed a horseman riding toward the homestead.

"n.o.body has been here for a while," she said. "I wonder who it can be?"

Prescott's team, which had been growing impatient of the cold, began to move, and he was occupied for the next minute in quieting them. Then he looked around, started violently, and stood very still, his eyes fixed on the approaching man.

"Jernyngham, by all that's wonderful!" he gasped, and sent a shout ringing across the snow: "Cyril!"

The man waved his hand, and Prescott, turning at a sound, saw Muriel lean weakly against the side of the sleigh. The color had faded from her face, but her eyes were s.h.i.+ning.

"O Jack!" she said breathlessly. "Now everything will be put straight!"

Prescott realized from the greatness of her relief what she had borne on his account; but there was something that must be done and he ran to the stable, where Leslie was at work.

"Get into my sleigh, and drive to Harper's as hard as you can!" he said.

"Curtis was there when I pa.s.sed; bring him here at once!"

Leslie came out with him and understood when he saw the newcomer. Jumping into the vehicle, he drove off, while Prescott ran to meet Cyril, who dismounted and heartily shook hands with him.