lahoma(拉霍马)-第52节
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relentless fate。 This fate would surely overcome the helpless wretch；
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should he cling to his riches。
As Red Feather skimmed the water with long sweeps of his oars； never
looking back； the voices of his passengers came to his ears without
meaning。 He was thinking of the last few days and how this morning's ride
was their fitting sequel。 The early sunbeams were full on him as he tilted
back his head； but they showed no emotion on his face； hard…set and dully
red in the clear radiance。
Crouching near the summer…house at Gledware's place； he had
overheard Red Kimball boast to bring Gledware the pearl and onyx pin。
Then had shot through his darkened mind the suspicion that Gledware
meant to escape the one condition on which his life was to be spared。 With
simple cunning he had left the pin where the outlaw must find it； his own
death would be taken for grantedwhat then？
What then？ This ride in the boat。 Gledware had made his choice； he
had clung to his possessionsand now Death held the oars。 He was
scarcely past middle age。 He might have lived so long； he who so loved to
live！ But no； he had chosen to be richand to die。
When Red Feather brought his mind back to the present； Gledware
was describing to Annabel a ranch in California for which he had traded
the house near Independence。 He would take her far away； he would build
a house thus and thusroom so； terraces here； marble pillars。。。。
Annabel listened gravely； silently； her face all the paler for the sunlight
flashing over it； for the mimic sun on the waves glancing up into her
pensive eyes。 Somehow； the sunshine； the ripple of the water； seemed to
form no part of her life； belonged rather； to Edgerton Compton rowing in
solitude against the sky。 Those naked trees； bare brown hills and ledges of
huge stones seemed her world… boundaries； kin to her； claiming her But
there was California 。。。 and the splendid house to be built。。。。
The Indian was listening now； but as he heard projected details
glowingly presented； no change came in his grim deep…lined face。 He
simply knew it was not to belet the fool plan！ He found himself
wondering dully why he no longer hated Gledware with that vindictive
fury that gloats over the death…grip； lingers in fiendish leisure over the
lifted scalp。 He scarcely remembered the wrong done his daughter； it was
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almost as if he had banished the cause of his revenge； as if vengeance
itself had become a simple stroke of destiny。 Gledware had chosen his
possession； and the Indian was Fate's answer。
〃Beautiful one；〃 he heard Gledware say； speaking in an altered tone；
〃all that is in the futurebut see what I have brought you； this is for today。
It's yours； dearlet me see it around your neck with the sun full upon it〃
Red Feather turned his head； curiously。
Gledware held outstretched a magnificent diamond necklace which
shot forth dazzling rays as it swung from his eager fingers。
Annabel uttered a smothered cry of delight as the iridescence filled her
eyes。 She looked across the water toward the pagoda…shaped club…house
where her mother stood； faintly defined as a speck of white against the
green wall…shingles of the piazza。 It seemed that it needed this glance to
steady her nerves。 Edgerton was forgotten。 She reached out her hand。 And
then； perplexed at the necklace being suddenly withdrawn； she looked up。
She caught a glimpse of Gledware's face； and her blood turned cold。
That face was frozen in horror。 At the turning of the boatman's head；
he had instantly recognized under the huge…brimmed hat； the face of his
enemy as if brought back from the grave。
There was a moment's tense silence； filled with mystery for her； with
indescribable agony for him； with simple waiting for the Indian。 Annabel
turned to discover the cause of Gledware's terror； but she saw no malice；
no threat； in the boatman's eyes。
Gledware ceased breathing； then his form quivered with a sudden
inrush of breath as of a man emerging from diving。 His eyes rolled in his
head as he turned about scanning the shore； glaring at Edgerton's distant
boat。 Why had he come unarmed？ How could he have put faith in Red
Kimball's assurances？ He tortured his brain for some gleam of hope。
〃This is all I have；〃 he shrieked； as if the Indian's foot was already
upon his neck。 〃This is all I have。〃 He flung the necklace into the water。 〃It
was a lie about the California ranchit's a lie about all my propertyI've
got nothing； Annabel！ I sold the last bit to get you the necklace； but I
shouldn't have done that。 Now it's gone。 I have nothing！〃
The Indian rose slowly。 The oars slipped down and floated away in the
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flashing stream of the sun's rays。
Annabel； realizing that the Indian； despite his impassive countenance；
threatened some horrible catastrophe； started up with a scream。 Edgerton
had already turned toward them； alarmed at sound of Gledware's terror。 He
bent to the oars； comprehending only that Annabel was in danger。
〃Edgerton！〃 she shrieked blindly。 〃Edgerton！ Edgerton！ Edgerton！〃
Gledware crouched at her feet； crying beseechingly； 〃I swear I have
nothingnothing！ I sold everythinggave it awayleft itnothing in all
the world！ I'm willing to beg； to starveI don't want to own anythingI
only want to liveto live。。。。 My God！ TO LIVE。。。〃
Red Feather did not utter a word。 But with the stealthy lightness and
litheness of a panther； he stepped over the seat and moved toward
Gledware。
Then Gledware； pushed to the last extremity； despairing of the
interposition of some miraculous chance； was forced back upon himself。
With the vision of an inherent coward he saw all chances against him； but
with the desperation of a maddened soul； he threw himself upon the
defensive。
Red Feather had not expected to see him offer resistance。 This show of
clenched teeth and doubled fists suddenly enraged him； and the old lust of
vengeance flamed from his eyes。 Hat and disguising coat were cast aside。
For a moment his form； rigid and erect； gleamed like a statue of copper cut
in stern relentless lines； and the single crimson feather in his raven locks
matched； in gold； the silver brightness of his upraised blade。
The next moment his form shot forward； his arm gripped Gledware
about the neck； despite furious resistance； and both men fell into the water。
The violent shock given to the boat sent Annabel to her knees。
Clutching the side she gazed with horrified eyes at the water in her wake。
The men had disappeared； but in the glowing white path cut across the
lake by the sun； appeared a dull red streak that thinned away to faint
purple and dim pink。 She watched the sinister discoloration with
fascinated eyes。 What was taking place beneath the smooth tide？ Or was it
all over？ Had Red Feather found a rock to which he could cling while he
drowned himself with his victim？ Or had their bodies been caught in the
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tangled branches of a submerged forest tree？ It was one of the mysteries of
the Ozarks never to be solved。
She was still kneeling； still staring with frightened eyes； still
wondering； when Edgerton Compton rowed up beside her。
〃He said he had nothing；〃 she stammered； as he helped her to rise。 〃He
said he had nothing。。。。 How true it is！〃 Edgerton gently lifted her to his
skiff； then stepped in beside her。 He； too； was watching the water for the
possible emergence of a ghastly face。
Annabel began trembling as with the ague。 〃Edgerton！。。。 He said it was
all a lieabout his propertyand so it was。 Everything is a li
