susy, a story of the plains-第12章
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realization of welcome that far exceeded his wildest boyish vision
of the preceding night。 With that recollection came another;a
more uneasy one。 He remembered how that vision had been interrupted
by the strange voices in the road; and their vague but ominous
import to his host。 A feeling of self…reproach came over him。 The
threats had impressed him as only mere braggadocio;he knew the
characteristic exaggeration of the race;but perhaps he ought to
privately tell Peyton of the incident at once。
The opportunity came later; when the ladies had retired; and Peyton;
wrapped in a poncho in a rocking…chair; on the now chilly veranda;
looked up from his reverie and a cigar。 Clarence casually
introduced the incident; as if only for the sake of describing the
supernatural effect of the hidden voices; but he was concerned to
see that Peyton was considerably disturbed by their more material
import。 After questioning him as to the appearance of the two men;
his host said: 〃I don't mind telling you; Clarence; that as far as
that fellow's intentions go he is quite sincere; although his
threats are only borrowed thunder。 He is a man whom I have just
dismissed for carelessness and insolence;two things that run in
double harness in this country;but I should be more afraid to find
him at my back on a dark night; alone on the plains; than to
confront him in daylight; in the witness box; against me。 He was
only repeating a silly rumor that the title to this rancho and the
nine square leagues beyond would be attacked by some speculators。〃
〃But I thought your title was confirmed two years ago;〃 said
Clarence。
〃The GRANT was confirmed;〃 returned Peyton; 〃which means that the
conveyance of the Mexican government of these lands to the ancestor
of Victor Robles was held to be legally proven by the United States
Land Commission; and a patent issued to all those who held under it。
I and my neighbors hold under it by purchase from Victor Robles;
subject to the confirmation of the Land Commission。 But that
confirmation was only of Victor's GREAT…GRANDFATHER'S TITLE; and it
is now alleged that as Victor's father died without making a will;
Victor has claimed and disposed of property which he ought to have
divided with his SISTERS。 At least; some speculating rascals in San
Francisco have set up what they call 'the Sisters' title;' and are
selling it to actual settlers on the unoccupied lands beyond。 As;
by the law; it would hold possession against the mere ordinary
squatters; whose only right is based; as you know; on the
presumption that there is NO TITLE CLAIMED; it gives the possessor
immunity to enjoy the use of the property until the case is decided;
and even should the original title hold good against his; the
successful litigant would probably be willing to pay for
improvements and possession to save the expensive and tedious
process of ejectment。〃
〃But this does not affect YOU; who have already possession?〃 said
Clarence quickly。
〃No; not as far as THIS HOUSE and the lands I actually OCCUPY AND
CULTIVATE are concerned; and they know that I am safe to fight to
the last; and carry the case to the Supreme Court in that case;
until the swindle is exposed; or they drop it; but I may have to pay
them something to keep the squatters off my UNOCCUPIED land。〃
〃But you surely wouldn't recognize those rascals in any way?〃 said
the astonished Clarence。
〃As against other rascals? Why not?〃 returned Peyton grimly。 〃I
only pay for the possession which their sham title gives me to my
own land。 If by accident that title obtains; I am still on the safe
side。〃 After a pause he said; more gravely; 〃What you overheard;
Clarence; shows me that the plan is more forward than I had
imagined; and that I may have to fight traitors here。〃
〃I hope; sir;〃 said Clarence; with a quick glow in his earnest face;
〃that you'll let me help you。 You thought I did once; you
remember;with the Indians。〃
There was so much of the old Clarence in his boyish appeal and
eager; questioning face that Peyton; who had been talking to him as
a younger but equal man of affairs; was startled into a smile; 〃You
did; Clarence; though the Indians butchered your friends; after all。
I don't know; though; but that your experiences with those
Spaniardsyou must have known a lot of them when you were with Don
Juan Robinson and at the collegemight be of service in getting at
evidence; or smashing their witnesses if it comes to a fight。 But
just now; MONEY is everything。 They must be bought OFF THE LAND if
I have to mortgage it for the purpose。 That strikes you as a rather
heroic remedy; Clarence; eh?〃 he continued; in his old; half…
bantering attitude towards Clarence's inexperienced youth; 〃don't it?〃
But Clarence was not thinking of that。 Another more audacious but
equally youthful and enthusiastic idea had taken possession of his
mind; and he lay awake half that night revolving it。 It was true
that it was somewhat impractically mixed with his visions of Mrs。
Peyton and Susy; and even included his previous scheme of relief for
the improvident and incorrigible Hooker。 But it gave a wonderful
sincerity and happiness to his slumbers that night; which the wiser
and elder Peyton might have envied; and I wot not was in the long
run as correct and sagacious as Peyton's sleepless cogitations。 And
in the early morning Mr。 Clarence Brant; the young capitalist; sat
down to his traveling…desk and wrote two clear…headed; logical; and
practical business letters;one to his banker; and the other to his
former guardian; Don Juan Robinson; as his first step in a resolve
that was; nevertheless; perhaps as wildly quixotic and enthusiastic
as any dream his boyish and unselfish heart had ever indulged。
At breakfast; in the charmed freedom of the domestic circle;
Clarence forgot Susy's capricious commands of yesterday; and began
to address himself to her in his old earnest fashion; until he was
warned by a significant knitting of the young lady's brows and
monosyllabic responses。 But in his youthful loyalty to Mrs。 Peyton;
he was more pained to notice Susy's occasional unconscious
indifference to her adopted mother's affectionate expression; and a
more conscious disregard of her wishes。 So uneasy did he become; in
his sensitive concern for Mrs。 Peyton's half…concealed
mortification; that he gladly accepted Peyton's offer to go with him
to visit the farm and corral。 As the afternoon approached; with
another twinge of self…reproach; he was obliged to invent some
excuse to decline certain hospitable plans of Mrs。 Peyton's for his
entertainment; and at half past three stole somewhat guiltily; with
his horse; from the stables。 But he had to pass before the outer
wall of the garden and grille; through which he had seen Mary the
day before。 Raising his eyes mechanically; he was startled to see
Mrs。 Peyton standing behind the grating; with her abstracted gaze
fixed upon the wind…tossed; level grain beyond her。 She smiled as
she saw him; but there were traces of tears in her proud; handsome
eyes。
〃You are going to ride?〃 she said pleasantly。
〃Y…e…es;〃 stammered the shamefaced Clarence。
She glanced at him wistfully。
〃You are right。 The girls have gone away by themselves。 Mr。 Peyton
has ridden over to Santa Inez on this dreadful land business; and I
suppose you'd have found him a dull riding companion。 It is rather
stupid here。 I quite envy you; Mr。 Brant; your horse and your
freedom。〃
〃But; Mrs。 Peyton;〃 broke in Clarence; impulsively; 〃you have a
horseI saw it; a lovely lady's horseeating its head off in the
stable。 Won't you let me run back and order it; and won't you;
please; come out with me for a good; long gallop?〃
He meant what he said。 He had spoken quickly; impulsively; but with
the perfect understanding in his own mind that his proposition meant
the complete abandonm