Beth Norvell: A Romance of the West Read online

  CHAPTER V

  IN OPEN REBELLION

  "It wus about the durndest fight as ever I see," explained Bill Hicksconfidentially to a group of his cronies in the bar-room of thePoodle-Dog, while he tossed down a glass of red liquor, and shook thepowdered snowflakes from his bearskin coat. "He wus a sorter slim,long-legged chap, thet young actor feller I showed the trail down terBolton ter, an' he scurcely spoke a word all durin' thet whol' blameride. Search me, gents, if I c'd git either head er tail outer jistwhut he wus up to, only thet he proposed ter knock ther block off somefeller if he had the good luck ter ketch 'im. Somehow, I reckoned he'd be mighty likely ter perform the job, the way his jaw set an' hiseyes flared. Leastwise, I didn't possess no rip-roarin' ambition ferter be thet other feller. Still, I didn't suppose he was no whirlwind."

  Bill mechanically held out his drained glass, and, warming up somewhat,flung his discarded overcoat across a vacant bench, his eyes beginningto glow with reawakened enthusiasm.

  "But, by gory, he wus! He wus simply chain lightnin', thet kid, an'the way he handed out his dukes wus a sight fer sore eyes. I got ontothe facts sorter slow like, neither of us bein' much on the converse,but afore we hed reached Bolton I managed to savvy the most of it. Itseems thet feller Albrecht--the big, cock-eyed cuss who played Damon,ye recollect, gents--wus the boss of the show. He wus the Grand Moke,an' held the spuds. Well, he an' thet one they call Lane jumped theore train last night, carryin' with 'em 'bout all the specie they'dbeen corrallin' fer a week past, and started hot-foot fer Denver,intendin' ter leave all them other actor people in the soup. This yerelad hed got onter the racket somehow, an' say, he wus plumb mad; he wustoo damn mad ter talk, an' when they git thet fur gone it's 'bout timefer the innocent spectator ter move back outen range. So he lassoed medown at Gary's barn fer ter show him the ol' trail, an' we had one hellof a night's ride of it. But, gents, I would n't o' missed bein' tharfer a heap. It was a great scrape let me tell you. We never see hidener hair of thet Albrecht or his partner till jist afore the main-linetrain pulled in goin' north. The choo-choo wus mighty nigh two hourslate, so it wus fair daylight by then, an' we got a good sight o' themtwo fellers a-leggin' it toward the station from out the crick bottom,whar they 'd been layin' low. They wus both husky-lookin' bucks, an' Iwas sufficient interested by then ter offer ter sorter hold one of 'emwhile the kid polished off the other. But Lord! that wan't his style,no how, and he just politely told me ter go plumb ter hell, an' thenwaltzed out alone without nary a gun in his fist. He wus purty whiteround the lips, but I reckon it wus only mad, fur thar wus n't nothin'weak about his voice, an' the way he lambasted thet thief wus a cautionter snakes. Say, I 've heerd some considerable ornate language in mytime, but thet kid had a cinch on the dictionary all right, an' he readthem two ducks the riot act good an' plenty. Thet long-legged Lane, hedid n't have no sand, an' hung back and did n't say much, but the otherfeller tried every sneakin' trick a thief knows, only he bucked up agina stone wall every time. Thet young feller just simply slathered him;he called him every name I ever heerd, an' some considerable others,an' finally, when the train was a-pullin' in, the cuss unlimbered hiswad, an' began peelin' off the tens an' twenties till I thought thewhole show wus over fer sure. But Lord! I didn't know thet kid--nomore did thet Albrecht."

  Hicks wet his lips with his tongue, pausing, after the manner of a good_raconteur_, to gaze calmly about upon the faces of his auditors.

  "I could n't see jist how much the feller disgorged, but he wusalmighty reluctant an' nifty about it; an' then I heerd him say,sneerin'-like, 'Now, damn yer, how much more do _you_ want?' An',gents, what do yer think thet actor kid did? Cop ther whole blamepile? Not on yer whiskers, he didn't. He jist shoved them scadswhat hed been given him careless-like down inter his coat pocket, an'faced Mister Manager. 'Not a dirty penny, Albrecht,' he said, sortersoft-like; 'I 'm a-goin' to take whut yer owe me out of yer right now.'An', by gory, gents, he sure did. I can't say as how I see much o' thefracas, 'ceptin' the dust, but when thet long-legged Lane jerked out apearl-handled pop-gun I jist naturally rapped him over the knuckleswith my '45.' an' then tossed him over inter the bunch. Say, thet beatany three-ringed circus ever I see. The kid he pounded Albrecht's headon the platform, occasionally interestin' Lane by kickin' him in thestomick, while I jist waltzed 'round promiscous-like without seein' nospecial occasion to take holt anywhar. I reckon they 'd a been tharyit, if the train hands had n't pried 'em apart, an' loaded the remainsonter a keer. An' then thet actor kid he stood thar lookin' fust atme, an' then after them keers. 'Hicks,' he panted, 'did I git fiftydollars' worth?' 'I rather reckon ye did,' I said, thoughtfully, 'enmaybe it mought be a hundred.' An' then he laughed, an' brushed thedust off his clothes. 'All right, then,' says he; 'let's eat.' An' Inever see no nicer feller after he got thet load offen his mind."

  Winston, totally unconscious that he had thus achieved an enviablereputation in certain rather exclusive social circles of San Juan,proceeded straight to the hotel, pausing merely a moment in thewash-room to make himself a trifle more presentable, tramped up thestairs, and rapped briskly at Miss Norvell's door. He was stillflushed with victory, while the natural confidence felt in herappreciation of his efforts yielded him a sense of exhilaration noteasily concealed. The door was promptly opened, and, with her firstglance, she read the success of his mission pictured within his face.As instantly her eyes smiled, and her hand was extended in thecordiality of welcome.

  "I can perceive without a word being spoken that you discovered yourman," she exclaimed, "and I am so glad!"

  "Yes," he returned, stepping past, and emptying his pockets on thewhite coverlet of the bed. "There is the money."

  She glanced at the pile doubtfully.

  "What money?"

  "Why, yours, of course. The money you told me Albrecht owed you."

  She turned, somewhat embarrassed, her eyes upon his surprised face.

  "Do you mean that was all you got?" she questioned finally. "Did hesend nothing for the others? Did n't you know he was equally in debtto every member of the company?"

  With these words the entire situation dawned upon him for the firsttime. He had been thinking only about Miss Norvell, and had permittedthe rascally manager to escape with the greater portion of his stolengoods. The realization of how easily he had been tricked angered him,his face darkening. She read the truth as quickly, and, before hefound speech in explanation, had swept the little pile of loose billsinto her lap.

  "Wait here a moment, please," she exclaimed quickly; "I shall be rightback."

  He remained as bidden, wondering dimly as to her purpose, yet her briefabsence yielded but little opportunity for thought. He met her at thedoor with an indignantly suspicious question:

  "What have you been doing? Surely, you have n't given all that moneyaway?"

  The girl smiled, a gleam of defiance visible in the uplifted eyes.

  "Every cent of it. Why, what else could I do? They actually havenothing, and must get back to Denver or starve."

  For an instant he completely lost his self-control.

  "Why did n't you tell me first?" he asked sharply. "Did you suppose Icollected my own money, and could therefore meet your expenses?"

  He never forgot the expression which swept instantly into her face--thequick indignation that leaped from the depths of those dark eyes.

  "I was not aware I had ever requested any help from Mr. Winston," shereturned clearly, her slight form held erect. "Your following afterAlbrecht was entirely voluntary, but I naturally presumed the money youbrought back belonged to me. You said it did, and hence I supposed itcould be disposed of at my own discretion."

  "You have exhibited none."

  "That would seem to depend entirely upon the point of view. Until Irequest your aid, however, your criticism is not desired."

  Both voice and manner were so cold that they were equivalent todismissal, but Winston hesitated, already beginning to regret thebi
tter harshness of his speech. Beneath his steady gaze her cheeksflamed hotly.

  "We have been friends," he began more humbly. "Would you mind tellingme something regarding your plans? Just now I feel unable to offer youeither aid or advice."

  Her face perceptibly brightened, as if this new mood quickly appealedto her.

  "That sounds ever so much better," she admitted, glancing up into hisface. "I have never enjoyed being scolded, as though I were a childwho had done wrong. Besides, I am quite convinced in this case I havedone precisely right. I think you would admit it also if you only hadpatience to hear my story. I know exactly what I intend doing, or Ishould never have given all that money away. I have an engagement."

  "An engagement? Where? Is there another troupe playing here?"

  She shrugged her shoulders, her hands clasped.

  "No, not in the sense you mean; not the legitimate. I am going toappear at the Gayety."

  Winston stood grasping the back of the chair, staring straight at her,his body motionless. For an instant he was conscious of a suddenrevulsion of feeling, a vague distrust of her true character, a doubtof the real nature of this perverse personality. Such a resolution onher part shocked him with its recklessness. Either she did not in theleast appreciate what such action meant, or else she woefully lacked inmoral judgment. Slowly, those shadowed dark eyes were uplifted to hisface, as if his very silence had awakened alarm. Yet she merely smiledat the gravity of his look, shaking her dark hair in coquettish disdain.

  "Again you apparently disapprove," she said with pretence ofcarelessness. "How easily I succeed in shocking you to-day! Really, astranger might imagine I was under particular obligations to ask yourpermission for the mere privilege of living. We have known each otherby sight for all of two weeks, and yet your face already speaks ofdictation. Evidently you do not like the Gayety."

  "No; do you?"

  "I?" she replied doubtfully, with a slight movement of the body moreexpressive than words. "There are times when necessity, rather thantaste, must control the choice. But truly, since you ask the question,I do not like the Gayety. It is far too noisy, too dirty, too gaudy,and too decidedly primitive. But then, beggars may not always bechoosers, you know. I am no bright, scintillating 'star'; I am noteven a mining engineer possessing a bank account in Denver; I am merelyan unknown professional actress, temporarily stranded, and the goodangel of the Gayety offers me twenty dollars a week. That is myanswer."

  The young man flushed to the roots of his fair hair, his teeth meetingfirmly.

  "There is no 'good angel' of the Gayety--the very atmosphere of thatplace would soil an angel's wing," he exclaimed hotly. "Besides, youare not driven by necessity to any such choice. There is another wayout. As you gently suggested, I am a mining engineer possessing a bankaccount at Denver. I will most gladly draw a sight draft to-morrow,and pay your expenses back to that city, if you will only accept myoffer. Is this fair?"

  "Perfectly so; yet supposing I refuse?"

  "And deliberately choose the Gayety instead?"

  "Yes, and deliberately choose the Gayety instead--what then?"

  She asked the momentous question calmly enough, her mouth rigid, hereyes challenging him to speak the whole truth. He moistened his drylips, realizing that he was being forced into an apparently brutalbluntness he had sincerely hoped to avoid.

  "Then," he replied, with quiet impressiveness, "I fear such deliberateaction would forfeit my respect."

  She went instantly white before the blow of these unexpected words, herfingers clasping the door, her eyes as full of physical pain as if hehad struck her with clinched hand.

  "Forfeit your respect!" she echoed, the slender figure quivering, thevoice tremulous. "Rather should I forever forfeit my own, were I toaccept your proffer of money." Her form straightened, a slight tingeof color rising to the cheeks. "You totally mistake my character. Ihave never been accustomed to listening to such words, Mr. Winston, nordo I now believe I merit them. I choose to earn my own living, and Iretain my own self-respect, even although while doing this I amunfortunate enough to forfeit yours."

  "But, Miss Norvell, do you realize what the Gayety is?"

  "Not being deprived of all my natural powers of observation, I mostcertainly believe I do--we were there together last evening."

  She puzzled, confused him, outwardly appearing to trifle with thosematters which seemed to his mind most gravely serious. Yet, his was adogged resolution that would not easily confess defeat.

  "Miss Norvell," he began firmly, and in the depth of his earnestness hetouched her hand where it yet clung to the door, "I may, indeed, bepresuming upon an exceedingly brief friendship, but my sole excuse mustbe the very serious interest I feel in you, especially in yourundoubted ability and future as an actress. It is always a greatmisfortune for any man to repose trust and confidence in the characterof a woman, and then suddenly awaken to discover himself deceived.Under these circumstances I should be unworthy of friendship did I failin plain speaking. To me, your reckless acceptance of this chanceengagement at the Gayety seems inexpressibly degrading; it is alowering of every ideal with which my imagination has heretoforeinvested your character. I am not puritanical, but I confess havingheld you to a higher plane than others of my acquaintance, and I findit hard to realize my evident mistake. Yet, surely, you cannot fullycomprehend what it is you are choosing, I was with you last night,true, but I considered it no honor to appear upon _that_ stage, evenwith the 'Heart of the World,' and it hurt me even then to behold youin the midst of such surroundings. But deliberately to take part inthe regular variety bill is a vastly more serious matter. It is almosta total surrender to evil, and involves a daily and nightly associationwith vice which cannot but prove most repugnant to true womanhood.Surely, you do not know the true nature of this place?"

  "Then tell it to me."

  "I will, and without any mincing of words. The Gayety is a mereadjunct to the Poodle-Dog saloon and the gambling hell up-stairs. Theyare so closely connected that on the stage last evening I could easilyhear the click of ivory chips and the clatter of drinking glasses. Oneman owns and controls the entire outfit, and employs for his varietystage any kind of talent which will please the vicious class to whichhe caters. All questioning as to morality is thoroughly eliminated.Did you comprehend this?"

  The young girl bowed slightly, her face as grave as his own, and againcolorless, the whiteness of her cheeks a marked contrast to her darkhair.

  "I understood those conditions fully."

  "And yet consented to appear there?"

  She shook back her slightly disarranged hair, and looked him directlyin the eyes, every line of her face stamped with resolve.

  "Mr. Winston, in the first place, I deny your slightest right toquestion me in this manner, or to pass moral judgment upon my motives.I chance to possess a conscience of my own, and your presumption isalmost insulting. While you were absent in pursuit of Albrecht, themanager of the Gayety, having chanced to learn the straits we were in,called upon me here with his proposal. It appeared an honorable one,and the offer was made in a gentlemanly manner. However, I did notaccept at the time, for the plain reason that I had no desire whateverto appear upon that stage, and in the midst of that unpleasantenvironment. I decided to await your return, and learn whether such apersonal sacrifice of pride would be necessary. Now, I believe Irecognize my duty, and am not afraid to perform it, even in the face ofyour displeasure. I am going to deliver the parting scene from the'Heart of the World,' and I do not imagine my auditors will be any theworse for hearing it. I certainly regret that the Gayety is an adjunctto a saloon; I should greatly prefer not to appear there, but,unfortunately, it is the only place offering me work. I may becompelled to sink a certain false pride in order to accept, but I shallcertainly not sacrifice one iota of my womanhood. You had no causeeven to intimate such a thing."

  "Possibly not; yet had you been my sister I should have said the same."
r />   "Undoubtedly, for you view this matter entirely from the standpoint ofthe polite world, from the outlook of social respectability, where selfrules every action with the question, 'What will others say?' Soshould I two years ago, but conditions have somewhat changed my views.Professional necessity can never afford to be quite so punctilious,cannot always choose the nature of its environments: the nurse mustcare for the injured, however disagreeable the task; the newspaperwoman must cover her assignment, although it takes her amid filth; andthe actress must thoroughly assume her character, in spite of earlierprejudices. The woman who deliberately chooses this life must, sooneror later, adjust herself to its unpleasant requirements; and if herwomanhood remain true, the shallow criticism of others cannot greatlyharm her. I had three alternatives in this case--I could selfishlyaccept my handful of money, go to Denver, and leave these otherhelpless people here to suffer; I could accept assistance from you, acomparative stranger; or I could aid them and earn my own way byassuming an unpleasant task. I chose the last, and my sense of rightupholds me."

  Winston watched her earnestly as she spoke, his gray eyes brighteningwith unconscious appreciation, his face gradually losing its harshnessof disapproval. A spirit of independence always made quick appeal tohis favor, and this girl's outspoken defiance of his good opinion sethis heart throbbing. Back of her outward quietness of demeanor therewas an untamed spirit flashing into life.

  "We may never exactly agree as to this question of proprieties," heacknowledged slowly. "Yet I can partially comprehend your position asviewed professionally. Am I, then, to understand that your future isdefinitely decided upon? You really purpose dedicating your life todramatic art?"

  She hesitated, her quickly lowered eyes betraying a moment ofembarrassment.

  "Yes," she answered finally. "I am beginning to find myself, tobelieve in myself."

  "You expect to find complete satisfaction in this way?"

  "Complete? Oh, no; one never does that, you know, unless, possibly,the ideals are very low; but more than I can hope to find elsewhere.Even now I am certainly happier in the work than I have been foryears." She looked up at him quickly, her eyes pleading. "It is notthe glitter, the sham, the applause," she hastened to explain, "but thereal work itself, that attracts and rewards me--the hidden labor offitly interpreting character--the hard, secret study after details.This has become a positive passion, an inspiration. I may never becomethe perfected artist of which I sometimes dream, yet it must be that Ihave within me a glimmering of that art. I feel it, and cannot remainfalse to it."

  "Possibly love may enter to change your plans," he ventured to suggest,influenced by the constantly changing expression of her face.

  She flushed to the roots of her hair, yet her lips laughed lightly.

  "I imagine such an unexpected occurrence would merely serve tostrengthen them," she replied quickly. "I cannot conceive of any loveso supremely selfish as to retard the development of a worthy ideal.But really, there is small need yet of discussing such a possibility."

  She stood aside as he made a movement toward the open door, yet, whenhe had stepped forth into the hall, she halted him with a suddenquestion:

  "Do you intend returning at once to Denver?"

  "No, I shall remain here."

  She said nothing, but he clearly read a farther unasked question in herface.

  "I remain here, Miss Norvell, while you do. I shall be among youraudiences at the Gayety. I do not altogether agree that your choicehas been a correct one, but I do sincerely believe in you,--in yourmotives,--and, whether you desire it or not, I propose to constitutemyself your special guardian. There is likely to be trouble at theGayety, if any drunken fool becomes too gay."

  With flushed cheeks she watched him go slowly down the stairway, andthere were tears glistening within those dark eyes as she drew backinto the room and locked the door. A moment she remained looking ather reflected face in the little mirror, her fingers clinched as if inpain.

  "Oh, why does n't he go away without my having to tell him?" she cried,unconsciously aloud. "I--I thought he surely would, this time."