The Heart of Rachael

that a longer stay down on the bleak coast might be unwise. The old house, for all its purring furnace and double windows, was draughty enough to admit icy little fingers of the outside air, here a

confidence in her--for Rachael neither extracted a promise from Alice as to any possible encounter with Warren, nor reminded her friend that she placed herself entirely at Alice's mercy--rather disconcerted Alice, she had a simple woman's strong faith in coincidence, and she felt, she told George, that the Lord would not let this opportunity for a reconciliation go by. Mrs. Valentine had seen Warren Gregory now, more than

fright. "I didn't know human beings could change that way.

boys were at the house, Warren must be warned to keep away; so that Alice had f

m, for the first time in his life, would stay away from his mother overnight with Aunt Alice, Rachael returning to Clark's Hills to bring Mary and Derry up the next day in the car. Jim was to go to the dentist, and to get shoes; there were several excellent

the trip. The children, snuggled in between them, chattered of their own affairs, and Rachael i

orrow, Kane," she explained. "I have never been at th

win' every step of the

een with me this sum

rs. Gregory. The whole place is plasthered wid posts. But the thing of it is, ma'am," he added, after a moment, turning back towa

-day?" Rachael said unea

ds will be in a grand mess if we have anny mor

until Wednesday,"

I'll be so frant

ghed, too, and took several surreptitious kisses from the back

e, and to go about her day's business anticipating the long trip back to Home Dunes without him. However

eon, and felt tired and dizzy. She turned toward a downtown lunchroom, and was held at the crossing of Fifth

eyes, alone in the back seat. He was staring steadily, yet with unseeing eyes, before him, and Rachael felt a sense of almost sickening shock at the sight of his alter

Furred old ladies, furred little girls, messenger boys and club men, jostling, gossiping, planning. Only she stood still. And after a w

o her course that she presently looked bewilderedly about to find that she was in Eighth Avenue and that, standing absolutely

ut of my way," she stammered

her way. But her heart was tearing like a living thing in her breast, a

sat beside him, arrested by the traffic, content to placidly watch the shifting crowd, to wait for the shrill little whistle that gave them the right of way! If she were there now, where might they be going? Perhaps to a concert, perhaps to look at a picture in some gallery, but first of all cert

away, To her horror she felt herself beginning to cry. She quickened her pace, and reckless of the waiter's concern, entered the station restaurant and ordered herself a lunch. But when it came she could n

, and at last the storm broke; not violently, but with a stern and steady persistence. The windows ran rain, and were blurred with steam, the darkening landscape swept by under a deluge. When the train stopped at a s

ce had advised her against it. But it had not sounded so formidable. To start at seven, be in town at ten, after the brisk run, and take the afternoon train home--this was no such strain, as they had planned it

"He loves me, and I--I've always loved him. Other people may misjudge him, but I know! He's horr

hin a few minutes of Clark's Hills--she stopped crying, and be

beginning to shift the seats briskly on their iron pivots, as o

said, noticing that she

get over the Bar," t

th only slightly decreased speed. And a moment later she began to gather her possessions together, and the conductor remarked amiably: "Here we a

ey, smelling strongly of leather and horses, and asked the driver pleasantly how early the rain had

happy through the house. "Mary--Mary!" she added,

ered afterward, never tried to remember. The moment remained the blackest of all her life. It was not the subtly changed atmosphere of the house, not Mary's tear-swollen face, as she appeared, sil

where she stood, her hat was gone, she had flown upstairs as swiftly as light. She

these few hours to this crushed and moaning little being, this cruelly crumpled an

own little limp hand upon which a rusty stain was drying, and she could have wailed aloud in the bitter rebellion of her soul. Not Derry, not Derry, so sm

ere. His little face was black from a great bruise that spread from temple to chin, his mouth cut and swollen, his eyes half shut. His body was doubled where it lay, a great bubble of blood moved with his breath. He breathed lightly and faintly,

hing like as high as Jimmie went. And Millie came out to say that their dinner was ready, and all of a sudden he called out that he could swing without holding on, and put both his hands up in the

be back until seven, and the girls had dared do no more than wash off his face a little and try to make him comfortabl

with me. We all know what you have been to the boys, Mary. But you

this storm?" e

l know. It's nearly seven now. We must start as fast as we can. You'll have to pin something all about the back seat, Mary, and line it with comforters. We'll put his mattress on t

t sob, and immediately, to Rachael's gr

gry, but if you have something ready, I'll eat what I can. Did R

Millie, eager

igure on the bed. Her heart contracted with a freezing spas

best she could, shifting the little body as gently as was possible to the smaller mattress, covering it warmly but lightly. As she did

at the car. The rear seat was lined with pillows, the curtain drawn. She had

s were finally adjusted. The car had been m

tern-light. The rain splashed and spattered incessantly outside; a black sky s

mattress came out, and the muffled shape that was Mary got in beside it. Then there was buttoning of storm curtains by willing hands, and many a w

d hand racing the accelerator, "they say the tide's making fast in all this rain! I don't know how you'll do at

id, not hearing him. "G

seven. Rain beat against the heavy cloth of the curtains, water swished and splashed under the wheels, and above the purring o

e was praying beside her. Her own heart rose on a wild and desperate prayer. If they could cross this narrow strip between the bay and the ocean, th

effort to find the little belt of safety in this trackless spread of merciless seas it would be hard to imagine. At an ordinary high tide the Bar was but a few inches above the sea; now, with a wind blowing, a heavy rain falling, and the tide

it, moving as slowly as the engine permitted, and sending

an back out of this

said, suppressing frighte

g boards; to an onlooker the car would have had

el touched her starter, touched it again and again. No use. The car had stopped. The rain struck

t worst, she could not go back. What now? Should they stand here on the shifting sand of the Bar until the tide f

t of the calamity. With the confidence of those who do not unde

night, in the next second saw, with a great rush of relief, that it was Ruddy Simms. He was a mighty fellow, devoted to the Gregorys. He procee

" Rachael said. "Perhaps you can go b

nconcernedly about the car as if

I can feel the road under us giving

delibe

start

imply

t a crank

el st

. But is there a chance that she might

Ruddy said n

adjusting, the cranking was attempted. Failure. Ruddy went b

said with a

elicious sound that Rachael's ears had ever heard--there was the sucking and plunging that meant success. The car panted like a giant revived,

nd there, s'deep in my

ing to put his face in close to hers, and shouting over the noise of wind and water, "is this: if I wa

can make it, then?" Rachae

up his wet trousers, the better to feel every inch of rise or fall in the grou

r almost blinded Rachael sometimes, and sometimes it seemed as if any way but the way that Ruddy's waving arms indicated was the right one; as if to follow him were utter madness. The water spouted up through the clutch, and once again

unning water covering it, but firm, hard roadway discernible nevertheless. Rachael sto

, and I hope to the good Lord you'll have

nds tight. "I'll never forget this! If he has a chance to live at all, this

lad we done it! Good-night!" Then Ruddy had turned back for the walk home in the streaming blackness, a

chan

the

f water from under the rushing wheels. Rachael watched her speedometer; twenty-five--twenty-eight

dripping porches of crossroad stores to marvel as the long scream of Rachael's horn cut through the night a

as plodding along on the wet mirror-like asphalt, Rachael might make her own speed. The road lay straight, and was an exceptional

s he,

that he gives a little groan n

?" "Oh, no, Mrs. Gregory.

oud she said: "Millie, couldn't you lean over, and

o, or ninety-eight? What a difference two or three miles would make to-night! She fell into a nervous shiver; suppose they reached the bridge, and then Mary should touch

inheritance of the love and tenderness that had been between his father and mother. Robbed

d one. She must lose her way, too, perhaps. Had Kane gone over this road yesterday? It was much farther on that she had spoken to Kane. Perhaps he had, but she could not remember, doubt made

, slowed down--stopped and leaned into the half darkness in the back of the car

ling!"

me so, Mother?" the

el, wild with terror, looked to Mary

h--it h

t, my d

d back to her wheel. They must

chael's face was dripping with rain, rain had trickled under her clothing at neck and wrists. Through her raincoat the breast of her gown was soaking, and her feet ached with the strain of controlling the heavy car. Water came in long runnels through the wind-shield, and struck her knees; she had turned her dress

as they had been farther down the Island. The rain was thinning, but the wind was rising every second, and as she rushed

k--Jamaica--like a woman in a dream she reached the bridge and a moment later

nd knowing that at any second the exhausted little body might succumb to the strain. Blindly, as with a long, choked cry he sank back again, Rachael went back to her wheel. Third Avenue--Fifth Avenue--Forty-second

fired by a passion that made her feel curiously light and sure, Rachael put her arms about her child, and carri

m, but Rachael only caught a glimpse of the old familiar attitude: he was sitting in a straight-backed chair, hi

their lives. "It's Derry! He's hurt--he's dying, I think! Can you--ca

autiful face colorless, and dripping with rain, her husband staring at her as if he could not credit his senses, the child's limp body in his arms, yet not q

him up from Clark's

ark's Hi

look of solicitude and con

ing else to do!

drove up

ce s

felt the look sink into her so

voice sank. "Rachael," he said, "

rs of suspense for just the wild rush and hurry, watched her husband as if she had never seen him before. Presently lights blazed from cellar to attic, maids flew in

s, she had been able to get it, Doctor Gregory. Yes, Doctor, she had that. Here was the man from the drug store--that was all right, Doctor, that was what he expected, being waked up in the night; thank you, Doctor. And here was Ge

rather have him h

g was speeding the arrangements for the improvised operating-room with such desperate hurry. She knew why one of these assisting doctors was delegate

him what she could, she was warm and dry now. She sat in Derry's room, and presently, when they came to stand beside hi

flicker of change in his impassive look; George bit his lip, and almost imperceptib

s so exhausted that the strain of trying to touch it may--may be too much for him. There's no time for an X-ray. Some of these fellows think

ing at the little boy with eyes that w

watch Jim, through the bars of his crib, when he was about eight m

odded with brimming eye

room, and sat there, her hands locked in her lap, her head resting against the wall. Alice dared not join h

could! She had done her share. Instantly, unflinchingly, she had torn through blackness and storm; a battered ship beating somehow toward the familiar harbor. Now he must be saved. Rachael knew that madness would come upon her if these hideous hours were only working toward the moment when she would know that she had been too late. For the rest of her life she would only review them: the Bar, the wet roads, the detour, and the frightful seconds on the b

er, in a flash, that Warren had said there might be no merciful chloroform. Cold water broke ou

h, no, Daddy! Oh,

ael said half aloud. "Oh, take him, t

er own. For perhaps five horrible moments t

rald Fairfax Gregory--five years old. One sees it in the papers almost every day. But who thinks what it means? Just the mother, who remembers the first cry, and the little crumpled flannel wrappers, a

ng had recommenced, and t

resently Alice, white-faced, was kneeling on the

why do you

o cruel! He's only a baby, he doesn't understand! Better a thousand

they must think there is a chance, dear. We couldn't interrupt the

ves as the merciless work went on. Once George came out of the room for a few minutes, with a face flaked with white, and his surgeon's gown crumpled, wet wi

eet, was close to him in a second. The sight of him, his gown, his hands

t is

ell yet--nobody can. But I must finish it. Do you think yo

agony said. "Yes, I could do th

if he could see you. It is the very end of our work," he an

eady,"

ave place, and Rachael stood beside him. His beautiful baby eyes, wild with terror and agony, found her; she bent over him, and laid her fingers on his we

ven smile. Did he remember the swing--yes, but he didn't remember M

to remember, trying to answer her smile, trying t

little screams began again. H

E--will you ma

own forehead was wet. She knew

e said, white lipped; eyes full o

er hand on his pulse, said soft

em both. But Warren Gregory did not falter,

nd surely, needing no instructions. George lifted Derry's little hand from Rachael's, and put one arm about her. Warren put down his instrument, and b

for you, Rachael! No--no--leave him where he is, Miss Moore. Get a flat

achael's shaken voice asked in a low tone. She

fraction of energy that he is hanging on. Brave litt

d before her eyes. She had strength to reach the hall, saw Alice standi

ess in her own old room, on her own bed. Her idly moving eyes found the shaded lamp, found

ticks, the exquisite crayon portrait of Jim at three, and Derry a delicious eighteen-months-old. There was the white bowl that had always been filled with violets, emp

resolute self, if Warren and she were reunited, then what an ideal of fine and simple and unselfish living would be hers! How she would cling to honor and truth and goodness, how she would fortify herself against the pitfalls dug by her own impulsiveness. She and Warren had everything i

s she laid one tired arm about his neck, in the dear familiar fashion of the past, and as th

eping, and we have moved him," Warren said. "In

mmed Rach

him," she

chance. Our only hope was to relieve that pressure on his heart, and take the risk of it being too much for him.

ld not speak. She clung to her husband

t. "I have nothing to say in excuse. I know--I shall kno

wife looked full at each other, both brea

happy. Never anything but troubled and excited and confused. But for the last few months, in this empty house, seeing other men with their

ver caused you one moment of pain! Don't leave me alone. Don't let me feel that between you and me, as the years go by, there is going to be a widening gulf. You don't know what the loneliness means to me! You don't know how I miss my wife every time I sit down to dinner, every time I climb into the car. I think of the years to come--of what they might have been, of what they will be without you! And I can't bear it.

rms about his neck, pre

e now, "if there is anything to forgive, I am so glad to forgive it! Y

e forever. What Warren felt, Rachael could only know from his tears, and his passionate kisses, and the grip of his arms. For herself, she felt that she might g

for I see it myself. I can see now what my mother meant, years a

ars--there have been tears enough! But somehow--somehow I am confident, Warren, as I never was before, that happiness is ahead. Somehow I feel sure that you and I have won to happine

drew his fac

ater on. It was after six, and Doctor Gregory said Mrs. Gregory was to drink this, and try to get some sleep. But first Mary and Rachael must

ed down on the bare trees in the square and women in furs and

smiling and refreshed, in a radiant world. Afternoon sunshine was stream

e old way; this in itself was delight. But when she tiptoed into Derry's room, and found hope and confidence there, found the blue eyes wide op

er, and Dad had hurted him, and Jimmy added

ning," Miss Moore smiled, "and we managed to hold up one arm to welcom

ctful aside, and Rachael, not daring to laugh for fear of beginning to cry, cou

st of all. The afternoon light in the breakfast-room, the maids so poorly concealing their delight in this turn of events, little Jim so pleased at finding a meal served at this unusual hour, and his parents se

fee, and such happiness!" said Rachael, her eyes reflecting something of the placid winter day; soul and body wrapped in p

band said, "my life is going to be one long effort to keep yo

selves, now. Say that I will never demand utter perfection of you,

lt night, and he seemed to her strangely broken, strangely her own. Rachael felt that he had never been so infinitely dear, so much hers to protect and save. The wonder of marriage

e said, smiling through tears, her

ooking at each other. But when she released him, with one of her