第21章

Peabody himself, on the telephone, informed Sam Forbes that a conference of the leaders would prevent his being present with them that evening.The enthusiasm for Reform perceptibly increased.

An hour later Winthrop came over to Beatrice and held out his hand.I'm going to slip away," he said."Good-night.""Going away!" exclaimed Beatrice.Her voice showed such apparently acute concern that Winthrop wondered how the best of women could be so deceitful, even to be polite.

"I promised some men," he stammered, "to drive them down-town to see the crowds."Beatrice shook her head.

"It's far too late for that," she said."Tell me the real reason."Winthrop turned away his eyes.

"Oh! the real reason," he said gravely, "is the same old reason, the one I'm not allowed to talk about.It's cruelly hard when I don't see you," he went on, slowly dragging out the words, "but it's harder when I do; so I'm going to say `good-night' and run into town."He stood for a moment staring moodily at the floor, and then dropped into a chair beside her.

"And, I believe, I've not told you," he went on, "that on Wednesday I'm running away for good, that is, for a year or two.I've made all the fight I can and I lose, and there is no use in my staying on here to--well--to suffer, that is the plain English of it.So," he continued briskly, "I won't be here for the ceremony, and this is `good-by' as well as `good-night.'""Where are you going for a year?" asked Miss Forbes.

Her voice now showed no concern.It even sounded as though she did not take his news seriously, as though as to his movements she was possessed of a knowledge superior to his own.He tried to speak in matter-of-fact tones.

"To Uganda!" he said.

"To Uganda?" repeated Miss Forbes."Where is Uganda?""It is in East Africa; I had bad luck there last trip, but now I know the country better, and I ought to get some good shooting."Miss Forbes appeared indifferently incredulous.In her eyes there was a look of radiant happiness.It rendered them bewilderingly beautiful.

"On Wednesday," she said."Won't you come and see us again before you sail for Uganda?"Winthrop hesitated.

"I'll stop in and say `good-by' to your mother if she's in town, and to thank her.She's been awfully good to me.But you--I really would rather not see you again.You understand, or rather, you don't understand, and," he added vehemently, "you never will understand." He stood looking down at her miserably.

On the driveway outside there was a crunching on the gravel of heavy wheels and an aurora-borealis of lights.

"There's your car," said Miss Forbes."I'll go out and see you off.""You're very good," muttered Winthrop.He could not understand.This parting from her was the great moment in his life, and although she must know that, she seemed to be making it unnecessarily hard for him.He had told her he was going to a place very far away, to be gone a long time, and she spoke of saying "good-by" to him as pleasantly as though it was his intention to return from Uganda for breakfast.

Instead of walking through the hall where the others were gathered, she led him out through one of the French windows upon the terrace, and along it to the steps.When she saw the chauffeur standing by the car, she stopped.

"I thought you were going alone," she said.

"I am," answered Winthrop."It's not Fred; that's Sam's chauffeur; he only brought the car around."The man handed Winthrop his coat and cap, and left them, and Winthrop seated himself at the wheel.She stood above him on the top step.In the evening gown of lace and silver she looked a part of the moonlight night.For each of them the moment had arrived.Like a swimmer standing on the bank gathering courage for the plunge, Miss Forbes gave a trembling, shivering sigh.

"You're cold," said Winthrop, gently."You must go in.

Good-by."

"It isn't that," said the girl."Have you an extra coat?""It isn't cold enough for----"

"I meant for me," stammered the girl in a frightened voice.

"I thought perhaps you would take me a little way, and bring me back."At first the young man did not answer, but sat staring in front of him, then, he said simply:

"It's awfully good of you, Beatrice.I won't forget it."It was a wonderful autumn night, moonlight, cold, clear and brilliant.She stepped in beside him and wrapped herself in one of his great-coats.They started swiftly down the avenue of trees.

"No, not fast," begged the girl, "I want to talk to you."The car checked and rolled forward smoothly, sometimes in deep shadow, sometimes in the soft silver glamour of the moon;beneath them the fallen leaves crackled and rustled under the slow moving wheels.At the highway Winthrop hesitated.It lay before them arched with great and ancient elms; below, the Hudson glittered and rippled in the moonlight.

"Which way do you want to go?" said Winthrop.

His voice was very grateful, very humble.

The girl did not answer.

There was a long, long pause.

Then he turned and looked at her and saw her smiling at him with that light in her eyes that never was on land or sea.

"To Uganda," said the girl.

End