第5章

Before noon the next day, it was generally believed throughout Four Forks that Ridgeway Dent had been attacked and wounded at Chemisal Ridge by a highwayman, who fled on the approach of the Wingdam coach.It is to be presumed that this statement met with Ridgeway's approval, as he did not contradict it, nor supplement it with any details.His wound was severe, but not dangerous.After the first excitement had subsided, there was, I think, a prevailing impression common to the provincial mind, that his misfortune was the result of the defective moral quality of his being a stranger, and was, in a vague sort of a way, a warning to others, and a lesson to him."Did you hear how that San Francisco feller was took down the other night?" was the average tone of introductory remark.Indeed, there was a general suggestion that Ridgeway's presence was one that no self-respecting, high-minded highwayman, honorably conservative of the best interests of Tuolumne County, could for a moment tolerate.

Except for the few words spoken on that eventful morning, Ridgeway was reticent of the past.When Jenny strove to gather some details of the affray that might offer a clew to his unknown assailant, a subtle twinkle in his brown eyes was the only response.When Mr.

McClosky attempted the same process, the young gentleman threw abusive epithets, and, eventually slippers, teaspoons, and other lighter articles within the reach of an invalid, at the head of his questioner."I think he's coming round, Jinny," said Mr.McClosky:

"he laid for me this morning with a candlestick."It was about this time that Miss Jenny, having sworn her father to secrecy regarding the manner in which Ridgeway had been carried into the house, conceived the idea of addressing the young man as "Mr.Dent," and of apologizing for intruding whenever she entered the room in the discharge of her household duties.It was about this time that she became more rigidly conscientious to those duties, and less general in her attentions.It was at this time that the quality of the invalid's diet improved, and that she consulted him less frequently about it.It was about this time that she began to see more company, that the house was greatly frequented by her former admirers, with whom she rode, walked, and danced.It was at about this time also, and when Ridgeway was able to be brought out on the veranda in a chair, that, with great archness of manner, she introduced to him Miss Lucy Ashe, the sister of her betrothed, a flashing brunette, and terrible heart-breaker of Four Forks.And, in the midst of this gayety, she concluded that she would spend a week with the Robinsons, to whom she owed a visit.She enjoyed herself greatly there, so much, indeed, that she became quite hollow-eyed, the result, as she explained to her father, of a too frequent indulgence in festivity.

"You see, father, I won't have many chances after John and I are married: you know how queer he is, and I must make the most of my time;" and she laughed an odd little laugh, which had lately become habitual to her."And how is Mr.Dent getting on?" Her father replied that he was getting on very well indeed,--so well, in fact, that he was able to leave for San Francisco two days ago."He wanted to be remembered to you, Jinny,--'remembered kindly,'--yes, they is the very words he used," said Mr.McClosky, looking down, and consulting one of his large shoes for corroboration.Miss Jenny was glad to hear that he was so much better.Miss Jenny could not imagine any thing that pleased her more than to know that he was so strong as to be able to rejoin his friends again, who must love him so much, and be so anxious about him.Her father thought she would be pleased, and, now that he was gone, there was really no necessity for her to hurry back.Miss Jenny, in a high metallic voice, did not know that she had expressed any desire to stay, still if her presence had become distasteful at home, if her own father was desirous of getting rid of her, if, when she was so soon to leave his roof forever, he still begrudged her those few days remaining, if-- "My God, Jinny, so help me!" said Mr.

McClosky, clutching despairingly at his beard, "I didn't go for to say any thing of the kind.I thought that you"-- "Never mind, father," interrupted Jenny magnanimously, "you misunderstood me: of course you did, you couldn't help it--you're a MAN!" Mr.McClosky, sorely crushed, would have vaguely protested; but his daughter, having relieved herself, after the manner of her sex, with a mental personal application of an abstract statement, forgave him with a kiss.

Nevertheless, for two or three days after her return, Mr.McClosky followed his daughter about the house with yearning eyes, and occasionally with timid, diffident feet.Sometimes he came upon her suddenly at her household tasks, with an excuse so palpably false, and a careless manner so outrageously studied, that she was fain to be embarrassed for him.Later, he took to rambling about the house at night, and was often seen noiselessly passing and repassing through the hall after she had retired.On one occasion, he was surprised, first by sleep, and then by the early-rising Jenny, as he lay on the rug outside her chamber-door."You treat me like a child, father," said Jenny."I thought, Jinny," said the father apologetically,--"I thought I heard sounds as if you was takin' on inside, and, listenin' I fell asleep."--"You dear, old simple-minded baby!" said Jenny, looking past her father's eyes, and lifting his grizzled locks one by one with meditative fingers: