Rose O'Paradise Part 37

"I'm goin' to marry her," he said, surlily.

"He isn't," cried Jinnie. "Oh, don't believe him, Mr. King! He says Uncle Lafe said he can marry me, but he can't."

Once more Theodore turned on Maudlin, threateningly, his anger riding down his gentleness to Jinnie.

"Now get out of here," he exclaimed, "and don't ever let me hear of your even speaking to this child again."

The shortwood gatherer stood his ground until Theodore, with raised fist, was almost upon him.

"I said to get out!" thundered Mr. King.

With a baffled cry, Bates turned, rushed back into the marsh, and for several seconds they heard him beating down the brushwood as he ran.

Theodore tenderly drew the girl into Paradise Road.

"I wanted to see your uncle to-day," he explained, without waiting for the question which he read in Jinnie's eyes, "so I came over myself instead of sending Bennett.... There, child! Don't tremble so! Never mind the wood."

Jinnie hung back.

"I've got to sell it to you this afternoon," she murmured brokenly.

"Peg's got to have the money."

"We've enough at home until to-morrow.... Wait until to-morrow."

Jinnie looked longingly at the wood.

"Somebody'll take it," she objected, "and it's awful hard to gather."

A grip of pain stabbed Theodore's heart. This slender, beautiful girl, rosy with health and genius, should gather wood no more for any one in the world.... To soothe her, he said:

"I'll come by and pick it up on my way back.... Come along."

He lifted her into the car, and they moved slowly through Paradise Road, and drew up before the cobbler's shop.

Lafe put down his hammer as they entered, and bade King take a chair.

Jinnie sat weakly on the bench beside Mr. Grandoken. He took her hand, and the loving pressure brought forth a storm of outraged tears.

"'Twas Maudlin, Lafe," she wept.

Then her arms stole around the cobbler. "The angels sent Mr. King!...

Lafe, Lafe, save me from Maudlin! He--he----"

Theodore King rose to his feet, his face paling. Lafe, smoothing Jinnie's head now buried in his breast, lifted misty eyes to the young man.

"My poor baby! My poor little girl!" he stammered. "She has much to stand, sir."

The other man took several nervous turns around the shop. Presently he paused near the cobbler and coughed in embarra.s.sment.

"I'm interested in doing something for your niece, Mr. Grandoken,"

said he lamely.

On hearing this, Jinnie lifted her head, and Lafe bowed.

"Thank you, sir," said he.

"I don't approve of her going into the marshes alone to gather wood,"

continued Mr. King. "She's too young, too----"

"I don't uther, sir," interrupted Lafe sadly, "but we've got to live."

Not heeding the cobbler's explanation, Theodore proceeded deliberately.

"She plays too well on the violin not to have all the training that can be given her. Now let me be of some service until she is self-supporting."

Again Lafe repeated, "Thank you, sir, but I don't think Jinnie could accept money from any one."

"I don't see why not! It's quite customary when a young person is ambitious to receive----"

"Is it, sir?" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Lafe.

"Indeed yes, and I've been making inquiries, and I find there's a very good teacher on the hill who'll give her the rudiments.... After that, we'll see."

Jinnie was breathing very fast.

"Lessons cost lots of money," objected Lafe feebly, drawing the girl closer.

"I know that," interposed Mr. King, "but I want to pay for them. She ought to take one every day, the teacher says, commencing to-morrow."

Jinnie stood up. "I couldn't let you pay for 'em," she said quickly.

"I----"

She sat down again at a motion from Theodore.

"Please don't object until I have finished," he smiled at her. "It's like this: If you study, you'll be able to earn a lot of money. Then you can return every dollar to me."

Suddenly it came to her mind to tell him she would have all the money she needed when she should be eighteen.

"I'll have----" she began, but Lafe, feeling what she was going to say, stopped her. It wasn't time to confide in any one about the danger hanging over her. He took the matter in his own hands with his usual melancholy dignity.

"Jinnie'll be glad to let you help her, sir, providin' you keep track of the money you spend," he agreed.

The girl could scarcely believe her ears. Suddenly her indignant sense of Maudlin's abuse faded away, leaving her encouraged and warm with ambition.

Theodore took one more stride around the little room.

"Now that's sensible, Mr. Grandoken," he said contentedly. "And before I go, I want you to promise me your niece won't go into the marshes even once more. I must have your word before I can be satisfied. As it is now, she earns three dollars a week bringing me wood. That I must add to the lesson money----"

Lafe's dissenting gesture broke off Mr. King's statement, but he resumed immediately.