CHAPTER XXIV.--_The Brewers of Mischief._
Eight delicious weeks passed--the most delightful that Clarence andMercedes had ever lived. The first of September had dawned, and on the16th they would be married. With the first rays of the coming morn,Clarence arose and went to the west window of his chamber, which lookedtowards the Alamar House. As he peeped through the closed shutters,thinking it would seem foolish to open them so early, he saw theshutters of one window--in that well known row where Mercedes' room waslocated, and which looked to the east--pushed open, and a white hand andpart of a white arm came out and fastened it back. His heart told himwhose white arm that was, and of course he could not think of going backto bed. He began to dress himself, deliberating whether he should or notgo to town that day and telegraph to Hubert to do as he thought bestabout selling another cargo of ores, or say to wait for him, that hewould be at San Francisco on the 20th. When he was dressed, he sat bythe west window and tried to read, but that white arm would come acrossthe page and that white hand would cover the letters, so that he threwthe book down and began to walk, trying to think about that business ofselling the ore to the Austrian house, of which Hubert had been writingto him. Yes, he thought, the best thing would be to go to town that sameday and ask Hubert couldn't the matter wait until the 20th. But shouldHubert be coming, or should it be necessary to wait for telegrams, hemight not be back until the following day in the evening. He would goimmediately after breakfast to tell Mercedes that he could not see herthat evening.
Mercedes and Dona Josefa were on the front piazza when he arrived, andGabriel was talking to George in quite an excited manner, for him, as hewas always so calm and self-contained. As soon as Clarence came up thepiazza steps, George began to tell him that some of the last lot ofcattle which had been sent off to the mountains, had got away from theherders and returned to the rancho on the previous day, and that morninga couple of cows of a very choice breed were found shot through thebody, in a dying condition. The poor brutes had to be shot dead byGabriel himself, to save them from further suffering. No one knew whohad fired on the poor dumb animals, but circumstantial evidence clearlypointed to Old Mathews.
Clarence was very angry, of course. He reflected in silence for a fewmoments, then said to Gabriel:
"I think if Don Mariano would make now, to-day, a deed of sale of _all_his cattle and horses to me, they would have a better chance of beingspared. Not that Mathews, or Gasbang, or Miller like me any better, butthey are not so anxious to annoy me."
"I think Clarence's idea is a good one," George said.
"I think so, too, and have thought so for some time," Gabriel replied."We are going to drive off the last lot to-day. Father and Tano are downin the valley. I'll tell him what you say as soon as I go down. I thinkwe will return by to-morrow night, and he can draw up the deed then."
"Tell him that I shall consider that the cattle are mine _now_, and willlet our friends, the settlers, know it, so that they can have thesatisfaction of killing _my cattle_."
"Do you really mean it?" Dona Josefa asked.
"Certainly. Don Mariano can buy all the cattle he wants to restock hisrancho after he gets rid of the two-legged animals," Clarence replied.
"That is, if he wants to restock it. He was talking with George and melast night, and he said if the Texas Pacific is built, he will have allhis land surveyed to sell it in farming lots, and will not put cattle init. But if the railroad is not built, then the best use he can make ofthe rancho will be to make it a cattle rancho again, after the squattersgo away," Gabriel said, adding that he must be going to join his father.He then went into the hall to go to the court-yard, where his saddledhorse and his _vaquero_ waited for him. Clarence and George followed tobid him good-by. Clarence said:
"I wrote to Hubert about procuring for you a place at a bank, to getbroken into the banking business, and he replied that he can, and willget you a place. Would you like to try it, now that you will have lessto do here, when there will be no cattle at the rancho? I am going towrite and telegraph to Hubert to-day--or he might be down in to-morrow'ssteamer--so that I can tell him about what time you might go up."
"I think you had better go about the time Clarence and Mercedes getmarried, as they will immediately go to their house in San Francisco,"George suggested.
"Yes, I think that will be the best time," Gabriel said.
"Very well; I'll write to Hubert that we will be up by the 20th of thismonth," Clarence said.
"Gabriel can take his place on the 1st of October. That will dosplendidly, as Lizzie and Mercedes will be together," George said.
"But we must live in the hope that we will all come down to make ourhomes here," Gabriel added.
"Of course. That is understood," Clarence replied.
"Though at times I feel discouraged, still, I can't well see how theTexas Pacific is to be defeated permanently. That would be toooutrageous. Let us hope that by next year our banking scheme will becarried out," George said.
"I hope so, and as I have made more money than I had when we firsttalked about it we can put in more capital. We can, if you advise it,put in a whole million now," Clarence said.
"So much the better," George said, and both shook hands with Gabriel,who quickly jumped on his horse and was off at a gallop, followed by his_vaquero_.
It was the hour when the babies got their morning bath. George had greatpleasure in seeing his boy enjoy the sensation of floating in the water;so he let Clarence return to the porch where Mercedes was now alone, andhe went to watch the bathing of his boy.
Clarence sat close to Mercedes and said: "Does the sweetest thing thatGod created realize that this day is the first day of September?"
"If you mean me, though you make me feel very foolish with yourexaggerated praise, I must say that I do realize that to-day is thefirst of September," she replied, smiling.
"And does the loveliest rosebud and the prettiest hummingbird rememberthat in two weeks more she is to be mine, mine forever?"
"Hush, Clarence, some one might hear you," she said, putting her handover his lips, blushing and looking around, alarmed. He took that handand kissed the palm of it, then turned it over and kissed the back of itmost ardently, and held it in his own, saying:
"I have a piece of information that is going to make your dear heartglad. What will you give for it?"
"What is it? Do tell me. Is it about papa?"
"No, but it is about Gabriel and Lizzie."
"What?"
"That Gabriel will get a place at a San Francisco bank to learn thebanking business, and they will live with us, so you and Lizzie will betogether."
"Oh! Clarence, is that so? Oh! you make me so glad! How can I ever thankyou?"
"Haven't you said that you love me? Haven't you promised to marry me,and thus make me the happiest man upon the entire face of all thisearth? That is enough for thanks. But for telling you the news I want tobe paid _extra_."
Mercedes blushed crimson.
"I am going to town now, to be away a long time; won't you give me onesingle kiss to say good-by?"
"Must you go? Why don't you write your letters or telegrams and sendthem from here?"
"Because I may have to answer some dispatches immediately. Or it ispossible that Hubert might have run down to see me for a few hours.To-morrow is steamer day."
"Then this will be a good chance to send up your photograph I want tohave enlarged and painted."
"Yes; give it to me; I'll send it up."
"I'll bring it," she said, going to the parlor. He followed her. Heclosed the door, saying:
"Now, one sweet kiss to give me good luck and bring me back all safe.P-l-e-a-s-e don't refuse it."
"Oh, Clarence! Mamma don't approve of such things, and I don't either.You are not my husband yet," she pleaded, but in vain, for he had puthis arm around her and was holding her close to his heart.
"I am not your husband yet? Yes I am. In intention I have been eversince January, 1872. More than two years, and,
in fact, I shall be intwo weeks. So you see how cruel it is to be so distant."
"Do you call this distant, holding me so close?" For sole answer helooked into her eyes, kissed her forehead and blushing cheeks, then hekissed the heavily fringed eyelids, kept partly closed, afraid to meetthe radiant gaze of his expressive eyes. Then he put his lips to hersand held them there in a long kiss of the purest, truest love. "Mydarling! My wife! My own for ever! The sweetest, loveliest angel of mysoul!"
No doubt he would have been willing to hold her thus close to his heartfor hours, but she disengaged herself from his embrace with gentlefirmness. Such warm caresses she intuitively felt must be improper inthe highest degree, even on the eve of marriage. No lady could allowthem without surrendering her dignity. That was the effect of DonaJosefa's doctrines, which she had carefully inculcated into the minds ofher daughters.
"Well, I hope that at last you have kissed me enough," said Mercedes,rather resentfully.
"Never enough, but I hope sufficiently to give me good luck," answeredthe happy Clarence.
"Oh, Clarence, that reminds me of my horrible dream of last night. Idreamed that papa went to look for you in the midst of a snow storm andnever came back. You returned, but he never did."
"You must not believe in dreams, dearest."
"I do not, but this seemed prophetic to me."
"Prophetic of a snow storm in San Diego?"
"The snow was symbolic of bereavement, perhaps."
She rested her head on his shoulder and seemed lost in thought, and heheld the little hand, so soft and white and well shaped, and thought ofher beauty and lovely qualities and his coming happiness. He wasthinking that he would have been content to pass the day thus, when sheraised her eyes to his, saying:
"I must not keep you if you must go. Remember how superstitious my dreamhas made me. I wish you could wait until to-morrow."
"I would, but Hubert might come to-morrow."
"I had forgotten that." One more long kiss and they parted, her heartsinking under a load of undefined terrors.
From the seventh heaven Clarence had to come down again to prosaicearth; and after bidding adieu to Mercedes, he drove back home to speakto his father. The old man was sitting in his easy chair on the porch,smoking his pipe, alone, behind the curtain of honeysuckle, whitejasmine and roses, so carefully trained over the porch by Mrs. Darrelland Alice. Seeing his son driving back towards the front steps, hewalked down to meet him. Clarence was glad that he seemed in a betterhumor. He at once said:
"Father, I came back to ask a favor of you."
"A favor? You alarm me. You never did that in all your life," he said,smiling.
"You mean I never did anything else. I know it. But this is a veryespecial one, and a business favor."
"Let us hear it. Of course I'll do anything I can for you or any otherof my children."
"Thanks, father. The favor is this. That in talking with thesettlers--especially those who have been most ready to shoot the Don'scattle--that you tell them I have bought all his stock and all will bedriven to the Colorado river just as soon as cold weather sets in. Idon't think many of the settlers like me any better than they like theDon, but if they think they might displease _you_ by killing your son'scattle they might spare the poor animals."
"I'll do it. I expect Mathews and Miller now. They sent me word they arecoming to bring me some special news as soon as Gasbang returns fromtown. But have you really and truly bought the stock? or is it onlyto--"
"I have made a bona fide purchase; five hundred head are already at themine, and as soon as the hot weather is over, the others will follow. Imust buy cattle somewhere, for we have to feed five hundred men now atwork, and as the Don is losing his all the time, I proposed to him tosell all to me."
"But what is he to do with his land? Queer that he should sell hiscattle when he gets his land. Doesn't he believe he'll get rid ofus--the _squatters_?"
"O yes, but he figures thus: If the Texas Pacific is built, it will paybetter to sell his land in farming lots; if not, he can restock it whenhe gets rid of his troublesome neighbors."
"He has more sense than I gave him credit for. I guess you put him up tothat dodge."
"No indeed. He thought it himself, but it seems that Gabriel and Georgethought the same thing at the same time, and as I was thinking where Icould get cattle for my mines, it struck me I might buy his and suit usboth."
"All right. I'll speak to the settlers, but of course I cannot promisethat they will do what I ask."
"I understand that. Many thanks. Good-by."
"When will you return?"
"To-morrow," and he was off at a tearing speed for his horses were tiredof waiting, and longed to be on the road.
There was a little _arroyo_ which passed about 500 yards on the west ofDon Mariano's house and marked the west line of Darrell's land; asClarence approached this dried brook, he saw Gasbang and Roper comingdown from the opposite hill, evidently unable to check their horses.Roper was so intoxicated that he could with difficulty keep his seat,and as Gasbang seemed much frightened, Clarence took his phaeton welloff the road and waited so as to lend his assistance, if it should berequired. But "the kind Providence which takes care of drunken sailors,children and the United States," was watchful of Roper, and though heswayed and swung beyond possible equilibrium, he stuck to his seat withdrunken gravity.
"Going to invest in more real estate?" Gasbang shouted as soon as hefelt reassured by passing the great danger of sand and pebbles which hiscowardice had magnified to him into a precipice. Roper laughed heartily,but Clarence, not understanding the allusion, made no answer and droveon without looking at them. If a kind fairy could have whispered to himwhat was the errand of these two men, he most assuredly would haveturned back. There being no fairy but the blue-eyed one who had alreadytold her dreams and fears, which he had not believed, he went on totown, and Gasbang took Roper to his house, carefully putting him to bedto take a nap that would sober him before he spoke with Darrell; for itwas to speak with Darrell that he came.
While Roper slept, Gasbang went to see Mathews, Miller and Hughes, andtogether they held a consultation, at the end of which it was decidedthat, as Roper was too intoxicated yet, and Darrell disliked drunkards,they would go and have a preliminary talk with him themselves, and Roperwould be pressed into service, if advisable, in the morning, when hewould be sober.
Darrell had got tired of waiting for Mathews; so, after thinking of whatClarence had said, he decided that it would be better to have a talkwith Hancock and Pitikin, who were about the most reliable of all thesettlers. They perhaps knew what it was that Mathews had to say. He toldWebster to saddle a horse and bring it around; he would go on horseback,as the wagon road to Hancock's was very long, around the fields.
But now when Webster had brought the saddled horse to the front steps,Darrell saw Mathews, Gasbang, Miller and Hughes coming in a two-seatedwagon, and all seemed to be talking very excitedly.
"Tie the horse there. I'll wait for those men," said Darrell, sittingdown again. Webster did as he was told, and then walked straightup-stairs to his mother's room. Everett and Alice were with her.
"Mother, if I were you, I would go and sit in the parlor and do mysewing there by the windows on the piazza, while those bad men aretalking to father," Webster said.
"Why, Webster, go and listen unseen!" Mrs. Darrell exclaimed.
"Certainly, and do it quickly, for those old imps mean mischief toClarence."
"To Clarence!" exclaimed Alice and her mother at the same time.
"Yes, mother, Web. might be right. You might just be in time to unmasksome lie against Clary," Everett suggested.
"One thing is sure, that those men already have too much influence overfather, and we have done nothing to oppose it," Alice said. Mrs. Darrellwas silent, then, looking at her children, said:
"You might be right, my children, but that would not justify mylistening at the keyhole." Everett shrugged his shoulders, saying:
"All right, mother. Come on, Web." And both boys left the room. Whenthey were out, Everett said: "Web, get a horse saddled and tie him atthe back porch for me. I am going to listen from Jane's room; one of herwindows is right over those men. If what I hear makes it necessary forme to see Clarence, I shall go to town. Get a horse saddled immediatelyand come to me."