第41章 A BRIDEGROOM SPURNED(2)

"Well," Aggie said, with another giggle, "when you do get around to tell him, break it to him gently."Garson was intently considering another phase of the situation, one suggested perhaps out of his own deeper sentiments.

"He must think a lot of you!" he said, gravely."Don't he?"For the first time, Mary was moved to the display of a slight confusion.She hesitated a little before her answer, and when she spoke it was in a lower key, a little more slowly.

"I--I suppose so."

Aggie presented the truth more subtly than could have been expected from her.

"Think a lot of you? Of course he does! Thinks enough to marry you! And believe me, kid, when a man thinks enough of you to marry you, well, that's some thinking!"Somehow, the crude expression of this professional adventuress penetrated to Mary's conscience, though it held in it the truth to which her conscience bore witness, to which she had tried to shut her ears....And now from the man came something like a draught of elixir to her conscience--like the trump of doom to her scheme of vengeance.

Garson spoke very softly, but with an intensity that left no doubt as to the honesty of his purpose.

"I'd say, throw up the whole game and go to him, if you really care."There fell a tense silence.It was broken by Mary herself.She spoke with a touch of haste, as if battling against some hindrance within.

"I married him to get even with his father," she said."That's all there is to it....By the way, I expect Dick will be here in a minute or two.When he comes, just remember not to--enlighten him."Aggie sniffed indignantly.

"Don't worry about me, not a mite.Whenever it's really wanted, I'm always there with a full line of that lady stuff."Thereupon, she sprang up, and proceeded to give her conception of the proper welcoming of the happy bridegroom.The performance was amusing enough in itself, but for some reason it moved neither of the two for whom it was rendered to more than perfunctory approval.The fact had no depressing effect on the performer, however, and it was only the coming of the maid that put her lively sallies to an end.

"Mr.Gilder," Fannie announced.

Mary put a question with so much of energy that Garson began finally to understand the depth of her vindictive feeling.

"Any one with him?"

"No, Miss Turner," the maid answered.

"Have him come in," Mary ordered.

Garson felt that he would be better away for the sake of the newly married pair at least, if not for his own.He made hasty excuses and went out on the heels of the maid.Aggie, however, consulting only her own wishes in the matter, had no thought of flight, and, if the truth be told, Mary was glad of the sustaining presence of another woman.

She got up slowly, and stood silent, while Aggie regarded her curiously.Even to the insensitive observer, there was something strange in the atmosphere....A moment later the bridegroom entered.

He was still clean-cut and wholesome.Some sons of wealthy fathers are not, after four years experience of the white lights of town.And the lines of his face were firmer, better in every way.It seemed, indeed, that here was some one of a resolute character, not to be wasted on the trivial and gross things.In an instant, he had gone to her, had caught her in his arms with, "Hello, dear!" smothered in the kiss he implanted on her lips.

Mary strove vainly to free herself.

"Don't, oh, don't!" she gasped.

Dick Gilder released his wife from his arms and smiled the beatific smile of the newly-wed.

"Why not?" he demanded, with a smile, a smile calm, triumphant, masterful.

"Agnes!"...It was the sole pretext to which Mary could turn for a momentary relief.

The bridegroom faced about, and perceived Agnes, who stood closely watching the meeting between husband and wife.He made an excellent formal bow of the sort that one learns only abroad, and spoke quietly.