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第13章

the three partners-第13章

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loving trust and confidence that was supreme; from the fact that he

had never known any other。



At last he reached his hotel。  It was a new one; the latest

creation of a feverish progress in hotel…building which had covered

five years and as many squares with large showy erections; utterly

beyond the needs of the community; yet each superior in size and

adornment to its predecessor。  It struck him as being the one

evidence of an abiding faith in the future of the metropolis that

he had seen in nothing else。  As he entered its frescoed hall that

afternoon he was suddenly reminded; by its challenging opulency; of

the bank he had just quitted; without knowing that the bank had

really furnished its capital and its original design。  The gilded

bar…rooms; flashing with mirrors and cut glass; the saloons; with

their desert expanse of Turkey carpet and oasis of clustered divans

and gilded tables; the great dining…room; with porphyry columns;

and walls and ceilings shining with allegoryall these things

which had attracted his youthful wonder without distracting his

correct simplicity of taste he now began to comprehend。  It was the

bank's money 〃at work。〃  In the clatter of dishes in the dining…

room he even seemed to hear again the chinking of coin。



It was a short cut to his apartments to pass through a smaller

public sitting…room popularly known as 〃Flirtation Camp;〃 where

eight or ten couples generally found refuge on chairs and settees

by the windows; half concealed by heavy curtains。  But the

occupants were by no means youthful spinsters or bachelors; they

were generally married women; guests of the hotel; receiving other

people's husbands whose wives were 〃in the States;〃 or responsible

middle…aged leaders of the town。  In the elaborate toilettes of the

women; as compared with the less formal business suits of the men;

there was an odd mingling of the social attitude with perhaps more

mysterious confidences。  The idle gossip about them had never

affected Barker; rather he had that innate respect for the secrets

of others which is as inseparable from simplicity as it is from

high breeding; and he scarcely glanced at the different couples in

his progress through the room。  He did not even notice a rather

striking and handsome woman; who; surrounded by two or three

admirers; yet looked up at Barker as he passed with self…conscious

lids as if seeking a return of her glance。  But he moved on

abstractedly; and only stopped when he suddenly saw the familiar

skirt of his wife at a further window; and halted before it。



〃Oh; it's YOU;〃 said Mrs。 Barker; with a half…nervous; half…

impatient laugh。  〃Why; I thought you'd certainly stay half the

afternoon with your old partner; considering that you haven't met

for three years。〃



There was no doubt she HAD thought so; there was equally no doubt

that the conversation she was carrying on with her companiona

good…looking; portly business manwas effectually interrupted。

But Barker did not notice it。  〃Captain Heath; my husband;〃 she

went on; carelessly rising and smoothing her skirts。  The captain;

who had risen too; bowed vaguely at the introduction; but Barker

extended his hand frankly。  〃I found Stacy busy;〃 he said in answer

to his wife; 〃but he is coming to dine with us to…night。〃



〃If you mean Jim Stacy; the banker;〃 said Captain Heath; brightening

into greater ease; 〃he's the busiest man in California。  I've seen

men standing in a queue outside his door as in the old days at the

post…office。  And he only gives you five minutes and no extension。

So you and he were partners once?〃 he said; looking curiously at the

still youthful Barker。



But it was Mrs。 Barker who answered; 〃Oh yes! and always such good

friends。  I was awfully jealous of him。〃  Nevertheless; she did not

respond to the affectionate protest in Barker's eyes nor to the

laugh of Captain Heath; but glanced indifferently around the room

as if to leave further conversation to the two men。  It was

possible that she was beginning to feel that Captain Heath was as

de trop now as her husband had been a moment before。  Standing

there; however; between them both; idly tracing a pattern on the

carpet with the toe of her slipper; she looked prettier than she

had ever looked as Kitty Carter。  Her slight figure was more fully

developed。  That artificial severity covering a natural virgin

coyness with which she used to wait at table in her father's hotel

at Boomville had gone; and was replaced by a satisfied consciousness

of her power to please。  Her glance was freer; but not as frank as

in those days。  Her dress was undoubtedly richer and more stylish;

yet Barker's loyal heart often reverted fondly to the chintz gown;

coquettishly frilled apron; and spotless cuffs and collar in which

she had handed him his coffee with a faint color that left his own

face crimson。



Captain Heath's tact being equal to her indifference; he had

excused himself; although he was becoming interested in this

youthful husband。  But Mrs。 Barker; after having asserted her

husband's distinction as the equal friend of the millionaire; was

by no means willing that the captain should be further interested

in Barker for himself alone; and did not urge him to stay。  As he

departed she turned to her husband; and; indicating the group he

had passed the moment before; said:



〃That horrid woman has been staring at us all the time。  I don't

see what you see in her to admire。〃



Poor Barker's admiration had been limited to a few words of

civility in the enforced contact of that huge caravansary and in

his quiet; youthful recognition of her striking personality。  But

he was just then too preoccupied with his interview with Stacy to

reply; and perhaps he did not quite understand his wife。  It was

odd how many things he did not quite understand now about Kitty;

but that he knew must be HIS fault。  But Mrs。 Barker apparently did

not require; after the fashion of her sex; a reply。  For the next

moment; as they moved towards their rooms; she said impatiently;

〃Well; you don't tell what Stacy said。  Did you get the money?〃



I grieve to say that this soul of truth and frankness liedonly to

his wife。  Perhaps he considered it only lying to HIMSELF; a thing

of which he was at times miserably conscious。  〃It wasn't

necessary; dear;〃 he said; 〃he advised me to sell my securities in

the bank; and if you only knew how dreadfully busy he is。〃



Mrs。 Barker curled her pretty lip。  〃It doesn't take very long to

lend ten thousand dollars!〃 she said。  〃But that's what I always

tell you。  You have about made me sick by singing the praises of

those wonderful partners of yours; and here you ask a favor of one

of them and he tells you to sell your securities!  And you know;

and he knows; they're worth next to nothing。〃



〃You don't understand; dear〃began Barker。



〃I understand that you've given your word to poor Harry;〃 said Mrs。

Barker in pretty indignation; 〃who's responsible for the Ditch

purchase。〃



〃And I shall keep it。  I always do;〃 said Barker very quietly; but

with that same singular expression of face that had puzzled Stacy。

But Mrs。 Barker; who; perhaps; knew her husband better; said in an

altered voice:



〃But HOW can you; dear?〃



〃If I'm short a thousand or two I'll ask your father。〃



Mrs。 Barker was silent。  〃Father's so very much harried now; George。

Why don't you simply throw the whole thing up?〃



〃But I've given my word to your cousin Henry。〃



〃Yes; but only your WORD。  There was no written agreement。  And you

couldn't even hold him to it。〃



Barker opened his frank eyes in astonishment。  Her own cousin; too!

And they were Stacy's very words!



〃Besides;〃 added Mrs。 Barker audaciously; 〃he could get rid of it

elsewhere。  He had another offer; but he thought yours the best。

So don't be silly。〃



By this time they had reached their rooms。  Barker; apparently

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