Harte, Bret, 1836-1902 / 2008-09-28 00:00:00
I heard there was a young lady in the case over there in Tasajara--
but the old people didn't see it on account of your position.
They'd jump at it now. Eh? No? Well," continued Jack, with a
decent attempt to conceal his cynical relief, "perhaps those boys
have been so eager to find out all they could do for you that
they've been sold. Perhaps we're making equal fools of ourselves
now in asking you to stay. But don't say no just yet--take a day
or a week to think of it."
Gideon still pale but calm, cast his eyes around the elegant room,
at the magic organ, then upon the slight handsome figure before
him. "I WILL think of it," he said, in a low voice, as he pressed
Jack's hand. "And if I accept you will find me here to-morrow
afternoon at this time; if I do not you will know that I keep with
me wherever I go the kindness, the brotherly love, and the grace of
God that prompts your offer, even though He withholds from me His
blessed light, which alone can make me know His wish." He stopped
and hesitated. "If you love me, Jack, don't ask me to stay, but
pray for that light which alone can guide my feet back to you, or
take me hence for ever."
He once more tightly pressed the hand of the embarrassed man before
him and was gone.
Passers-by on the Martinez road that night remembered a mute and
ghostly rider who, heedless of hail or greeting, moved by them as
in a trance or vision.
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