--"Maybe."

"Well, that's the system I'd a-played. I wouldn't a-took to the tall

grass, me."

"On the other hand, I played a system invented by myself and Henri

L'Olonnois."

"I never heard of him. Well, anyhow, you were rich enough to afford to

do what you liked. But as to keeping it secret, you can't do that any

longer. Those newspaper fellows are the devil to get hold of things.

Since all this stuff came out about you running away with your own

boat--I can see now why you did it, and I'm glad you did--why, your

whole life history has been printed, including all that restitution

business about the Sally M. Fellows came to me and asked me about you,

asked if I knew you. Said, yes, I knew you--said you were a romantic

chap, and a good business man, too--and the best old scout in the

world--what?"

I had arisen, and stood in some doubt. "What's the matter--let's go

on up to the house. I want to see Sally," he concluded.

"And I want very much to see Helena," said I. "Only, it's going to be

rather harder now to meet her--and Mrs. Daniver."

"Well, I don't know," said Cal Davidson; "every fellow plays his own

system. There's something in what you say about women having a good

poker face so far as tellin' what they think about a man is

concerned--yes. Frinstance, how much did Helena know I knew, or know

you knew or thought you knew--well, you get me? But the trouble with

you is, you ain't romantic in your temperament like me.... But if I

was you, I wouldn't be scared to tell Mrs. Daniver I had a dollar and

a quarter or so left! It'll soften the blow some to her, maybe. And as

for Helena----"

"And as for Helena, I can look her in the face, and she can me, now.

And--will you telephone to New Iberia for a minister--at once--for

this evening train? And will you tell Edouard to have his man lay out

his best evening clothes for me--tell him I'll trade him these of my

cook's for them--and a suit of traveling clothes? Because, oh! fellow

varlet----" (I paused here; we both did; for a mocker just now broke

into an extraordinary burst of song, so sweet, so throbbingly sweet,

that we could not help but listen, both of us being lovers)....

"What were you saying, old man?" Cal Davidson asked after a while,

musingly, as one awakening.... "Some bird, what?"

... "Because, to-night," I answered, "I am going to marry my fair

captive, yon heartless jade, Helena. I've loved her always, rich or

poor, and she loves me, rich or poor. And we shall live happy ever

after. And may God bless us, and all true lovers!"




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