第30章 CHAPTER VI(2)

"We promised each other,"he said,in a voice trembling with emotion;"never to allude to our talk of Christmas Eve again unless we had other proofs of what I told you then.We have none;I don't believe we'll ever have any more.I don't care if we ever do,and I break that promise now because I cannot bear to see you unhappy and know that this is the cause."Mulrady made a motion of deprecation,but the old man continued--"You are unhappy,Alvin Mulrady.You are unhappy because you want to give your daughter a dowry of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars,and you will not use the fortune that you think may be mine.""Who's been talking about a dowry?"asked Mulrady,with an angry flush.

"Don Caesar Alvarado told my daughter."

"Then that is why he has thrown off on me since he returned,"said Mulrady,with sudden small malevolence,"just that he might unload his gossip because Mamie wouldn't have him.The old woman was right in warnin'me agin him."The outburst was so unlike him,and so dwarfed his large though common nature with its littleness,that it was easy to detect its feminine origin,although it filled Slinn with vague alarm.

"Never mind him,"said the old man,hastily;"what I wanted to say now is that I abandon everything to you and yours.There are no proofs;there never will be any more than what we know,than what we have tested and found wanting.I swear to you that,except to show you that I have not lied and am not crazy,I would destroy them on their way to your hands.Keep the money,and spend it as you will.Make your daughter happy,and,through her,yourself.

You have made me happy through your liberality;don't make me suffer through your privation.""I tell you what,old man,"said Mulrady,rising to his feet,with an awkward mingling of frankness and shame in his manner and accent,"I should like to pay that money for Mamie,and let her be a princess,if it would make her happy.I should like to shut the lantern jaws of that Don Caesar,who'd be too glad if anything happened to break off Mamie's match.But I shouldn't touch that capital--unless you'd lend it to me.If you'll take a note from me,payable if the property ever becomes yours,I'd thank you.Amortgage on the old house and garden,and the lands I bought of Don Caesar,outside the mine,will screen you.""If that pleases you,"said the old man,with a smile,"have your way;and if I tear up the note,it does not concern you."It did please the distinguished capitalist of Rough-and-Ready;for the next few days his face wore a brightened expression,and he seemed to have recovered his old tranquillity.There was,in fact,a slight touch of consequence in his manner,the first ostentation he had ever indulged in,when he was informed one morning at his private office that Don Caesar Alvarado was in the counting-house,desiring a few moments'conference."Tell him to come in,"said Mulrady,shortly.The door opened upon Don Caesar--erect,sallow,and grave.Mulrady had not seen him since his return from Europe,and even his inexperienced eyes were struck with the undeniable ease and grace with which the young Spanish-American had assimilated the style and fashion of an older civilization.It seemed rather as if he had returned to a familiar condition than adopted a new one.

"Take a cheer,"said Mulrady.

The young man looked at Slinn with quietly persistent significance.

"You can talk all the same,"said Mulrady,accepting the significance."He's my private secretary.""It seems that for that reason we might choose another moment for our conversation,"returned Don Caesar,haughtily."Do Iunderstand you cannot see me now?"Mulrady hesitated,he had always revered and recognized a certain social superiority in Don Ramon Alvarado;somehow his son--a young man of half his age,and once a possible son-in-law--appeared to claim that recognition also.He rose,without a word,and preceded Don Caesar up-stairs into the drawing-room.The alien portrait on the wall seemed to evidently take sides with Don Caesar,as against the common intruder,Mulrady.

"I hoped the Senora Mulrady might have saved me this interview,"said the young man,stiffly;"or at least have given you some intimation of the reason why I seek it.As you just now proposed my talking to you in the presence of the unfortunate Senor Esslinn himself,it appears she has not.""I don't know what you're driving at,or what Mrs.Mulrady's got to do with Slinn or you,"said Mulrady,in angry uneasiness.