A Strange Disappearance by Anna Katharine Green (best adventure books to read TXT) π
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- Author: Anna Katharine Green
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βThere was something in her manner that awakened a chill in my veins almost as if she had pointed out some dreadful doom which I had unwittingly escaped.
ββThis is, then, a dangerous road,β I murmured.
ββVery,β was her hurried and almost incoherent reply.
βHow far we travelled through the mud and tangled grasses of that horrible road I do not know. It seemed a long distance; it was probably not more than three quarters of a mile. At last she paused with a short βHere we are;β and looking up, I saw that we were in front of a small unlighted cottage.
βNo refuge ever appeared more welcome to a pair of sinking wanderers I am sure. Wet to the skin, bedrabbled with mud, exhausted with breasting the gale, we stood for a moment under the porch to regain our breath, then with her characteristic energy she lifted the knocker and struck a smart blow on the door.
ββWe will find shelter here,β said she.
βShe was not mistaken. In a few moments we were standing once more before a comfortable fire hastily built by the worthy couple whose slumbers we had thus interrupted. As I began to realize the sweetness of conscious safety, all that this young, heroic creature had done for me swept warmly across my mind. Looking up from the fire that was beginning to infuse its heat through my grateful system, I surveyed her as she slowly undid her long braids and shook them dry over the blaze, and almost started to see how young she was. Not more than sixteen I should say, and yet what an invincible will shone from her dark eyes and dignified her slender form; a will gentle as it was strong, elevated as it was unbending. I bowed my head as I watched her, in grateful thankfulness which I presently put into words.
βAt once she drew herself erect. βI did but my duty,β said she quietly. βI am glad I was prospered in it.β Then slowly. βIf you are grateful, sir, will you promise to say nothing ofβof what took place at the inn?β
βInstantly I remembered a suspicion which had crossed my mind while there, and my hand went involuntarily to my vest pocket. The roll of bills was gone.
βShe did not falter. βI would be relieved if you would,β continued she.
βI drew out my empty hand, looked at it, but said nothing.
ββHave you lost anything?β asked she. βSearch in your overcoat pockets.β
βI plunged my hand into the one nearest her and drew it out with satisfaction; the roll of bills was there. βI give you my promise,β said I.
ββYou will find a bill missing,β she murmured; βfor what amount I do not know; the sacrifice of something was inevitable.β
ββI can only wonder over the ingenuity you displayed, as well as express my appreciation for your bravery,β returned I with enthusiasm. βYou are a noble girl.β
βShe put out her hand as if compliments hurt her. βIt is the first time they have ever attempted anything like that,β cried she in a quick low tone full of shame and suffering. βThey have shown a disposition toβto take money sometimes, but they never threatened life before. And they did threaten yours. They saw you take out your money, through a hole pierced in the wall of the room you occupied, and the sight made them mad. They were going to kill you and then tumble you and your horse over the precipice below there. But I overheard them talking and when they went out to saddle the horse, I hurried up to your room to wake you. I had to take possession of the bills; you were not safe while you held them. I took them quietly because I hoped to save you without betraying them. But I failed in that. You must remember they are my father and my brother.β
ββI will not betray them,β said I.
βShe smiled. It was a wintry gleam but it ineffably softened her face. I became conscious of a movement of pity towards her.
ββYou have a hard lot,β remarked I. βYour life must be a sad one.β
βShe flashed upon me one glance of her dark eye. βI was born for hardship,β said she, βbutββ and a sudden wild shudder seized her, βbut not for crime.β
βThe word fell like a drop of blood wrung from her heart.
ββGood heavens!β cried I, βand must youββ
ββNo,β rang from her lips in a clarion-like peal; βsome things cut the very bonds of nature. I am not called upon to cleave to what will drag me into infamy.β Then calmly, as if speaking of the most ordinary matter in the world, βI shall never go back to that house we have left behind us, sir.β
ββBut,β cried I, glancing at her scanty garments, βwhere will you go? What will you do? You are youngββ
ββAnd very strong,β she interrupted. βDo not fear for me.β And her smile was like a burst of sudden sunshine.
βI said no more that night.
βBut when in the morning I stumbled upon her sitting in the kitchen reading a book not only above her position but beyond her years, a sudden impulse seized me and I asked her if she would like to be educated. The instantaneous illumining of her whole face was sufficient reply without her low emphatic words,
ββI would be content to study on my knees to know what some women do, whom I have seen.β
βIt is not necessary for me to relate with what pleasure I caught at the idea that here was a chance to repay in some slight measure the inestimable favor she had done me; nor by what arguments I finally won her to accept an education at my hands as some sort of recompense for the life she had saved. The advantage which it would give her in her struggle with the world she seemed duly to appreciate, but that so great a favor could be shown her without causing me much trouble and an unwarrantable expense, she could not at once be brought to comprehend, and till she could, she held out with that gentle but inflexible will of hers. The battle, however, was won at last and I left her in that little cottage, with the understanding that as soon as the matter could be arranged, she was to enter a certain boarding-school in Troy with the mistress of which I was acquainted. Meanwhile she was to go out to service at Melville and earn enough money to provide herself with clothes.
βI was a careless fellow in those days but I kept my promise to that girl. I not only entered her into that school for a course of three years, but acting through its mistress who had taken a great fancy to her, supplied her with the necessities her position required. It was so easy; merely the signing of a check from time to time, and it was done. I say this because I really think if it had involved any personal sacrifice
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