a mountain europa-第15章
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en Clayton had ventured to suggest； instead； that the marriage should be quiet； and that he and Easter should remain on the mountain a few days before leaving； he fumed with anger； and thereafter any suggestion from the young engineer was met with a suspicion that looked ominous。 Raines was away on his circuit； and would not return until just before the wedding； so that from him Clayton could get no help。 Very wisely； then； he interfered no more； but awaited the day with dread。
It was nearing dusk when he left the camp on his wedding…night。 Half…way up the mountain he stopped to lean against the kindly breast of a bowlder blocking the path。 It was the spot where he had seen Easter for the first time。 The mountains were green again； as they were then； but the scene seemed sadly changed。 The sun was gone； the evening…star had swung its white light like a censer above Devil's Den； the clouds were moving swiftly through the darkening air； like a frightened flock seeking a fold； and the night was closing fast over the cluster of faint camp…fires。 The spirit brooding over mountain and sky was unspeakably sad； and with a sharp pain at his heart Clayton turned from it and hurried on。 Mountain； sky； and valley were soon lost in the night。 When he reached the cabin rays of bright light were flashing from chink and crevice into the darkness； and from the kitchen came the sounds of busy preparation。 Already many guests had arrived。 A group of men who stood lazily talking in the porch became silent as he approached； but； recognizing none of them； he entered the cabin。 A dozen women were seated about the room； and instantly their eyes were glued upon him。 As the kitchen door swung open he saw Easter's mother bending over the fireplace； a table already heavily laden； and several women bustling about it。 Above his head he heard laughter； a hurried tramping of feet； and occasional cries of surprise and delight。 He paused at the threshold； hardly knowing what to do； and when he turned a titter from one corner showed that his embarrassment was seen。 On the porch he was seized by Easter's father； who drew him back into the room。 The old mountaineer's face was flushed； and he had been drinking heavily。
Oh； hyar ye air！ 〃 he exclaimed。 〃You're right on hand； hain't ye？ Hyar； Bill；〃 he called； thrusting his head out of the door； 〃you 〃n' Jim 'n' Milt come in hyar。〃 Three awkward young mountaineers entered。 〃These fellers air goin' to help ye。〃
They were to be his ushers。 Clayton shook hands with them gravely。
Oh； we air about ready fer ye； 'n' we air only waitin' fer Sherd and the folks to come；〃 continued the mountaineer； jubilantly； winking significantly at Clayton and his attendants； who stood about him at the fireplace。 Clayton shook his head firmly； but the rest followed Hicks； who turned at the door and repeated the invitation with a frowning face。 Clayton was left the focus of feminine eyes； whose unwavering directness kept his own gaze on the floor。 People began to come in rapidly； most of whom he had never seen before。 The room was filled； save for a space about him。 Every one gave him a look of curiosity that made him feel like some strange animal on exhibition。 Once more he tried to escape to the porch； and again he was met by Easter's father； who this time was accompanied by Raines。
The young circuit…rider was smoothly shaven； and dressed in dark clothes； and his calm face and simple but impressive manner seemed at once to alter the atmosphere of the room。 He grasped Clayton's hand warmly； and without a trace of self…consciousness。 The room had grown instantly quiet； and Raines began to share the curious interest that Clayton had caused； for the young mountaineer's sermon had provoked discussion far and wide； and； moreover； the peculiar relations of the two toward Easter were known and rudely appreciated。 Hicks was subdued into quiet respect； and tried to conceal his incipient intoxication。 The effort did not last long。 When the two fiddlers came； he led them in with a defiant air； and placed them in the corner； bustling about officiously but without looking at Raines； whose face began to cloud。
Well； we're all hyar； I reckon！ 〃 he exclaimed； in his terrible voice。 〃Is Easter ready？ 〃 he shouted up the steps。
A confused chorus answered him affirmatively； and he immediately arranged Clayton in one corner of the room with his serious attendants on one side； and Raines； grave to solemnity； on the other。 Easter's mother and her assistants came in from the kitchen； and the doors were filled with faces。 Above； the tramping of feet became more hurried； below； all stood with expectant faces turned to the rude staircase。 Clayton's heart began to throb； and a strange light brightened under Raines's heavy brows。
〃Hurry up； thar！〃 shouted Hicks； impatiently。
A moment later two pairs of rough shoes came down the steps； and after them two slippered feet that fixed every eye in the room； until the figure and face above them slowly descended into the light。 Midway the girl paused with a timid air。 Had an angel been lowered to mortal view； the waiting people would not have been stricken with more wonder。 Raines's face relaxed into a look almost of awe； and even Hicks for the instant was stunned into reverence。 Mountain eyes had never beheld such loveliness so arrayed。 It was simple enough…the garment…all white； and of a misty texture； yet it formed a mysterious vision to them。 About the girl's brow was a wreath of pink and white laurel。 A veil had not been used。 It would hide her face； she said； and she did not see why that should be done。 For an instant she stood poised so lightly that she seemed to sway like a vision； as the candle…lights quivered about her； with her hands clasped in front of her； and her eyes wandering about the room till they lighted upon Clayton with a look of love that seemed to make her conscious only of him。 Then； with quickening breath； lips parted slightly； cheeks slowly flushing； and shining eyes still upon him； she moved slowly across the room until she stood at his side。
Raines gathered himself together as from a dream； and stepped before the pair。 Broken and husky at first； his voice trembled in spite of himself； but thereafter there was no hint of the powerful emotions at play within him。 Only as he joined their hands； his eyes rested an instant with infinite tenderness on Easter's face…as though the look were a last farewell…and his voice deepened with solemn earnestness when he bade Clayton protect and cherish her until death。 There was a strange mixture in those last words of the office and the man…of divine authority and personal appeal…and Clay。 ton was deeply stirred。 The benediction over4 the young preacher was turning away； when some one called huskily from the rear of the cabin：
〃Whyn't ye kiss the bride？
It was Easter's father； and the voice； rough as it was； brought a sensation of relief to all。 The young mountaineer's features contracted with swift pain； and as Easter leaned toward him； with subtle delicacy； he touched； not her lips； but her forehead； as reverently as though she had been a saint。
Instantly the fiddles began； the floor was cleared； the bridal party hurried into the kitchen； and the cabin began to shake beneath dancing feet。 Hicks was fulfilling his word； and in the kitchen his wife had done her part。 Everything known to the mountaineer palate was piled in profusion on the table； but Clayton and Easter ate nothing。 To him the whole evening was a nightmare； which the solemn moments of the marriage had made the more hideous。 He was restless and eager to get away。 The dancing was becoming more furious； and above the noise rose Hicks's voice prompting the dancers。 The ruder ones still hung about the doors； regarding Clayton curiously； or with eager eyes upon the feast。 Easter was vaguely troubled； and conflicting with the innocent pride and joy in her eyes were the questioning glances she turned to Clayton's darkening face。 At last they were hurried out； and in came the crowd like hungry wolves。
Placing Clayton and Easter in a corner of the room； the attendants themselves took part in the dancing； and such dancing Cl
