By that time, Madelene was in the hall. She recognized Tessibel, and felt a keen thrill of biting pain. She had suffered much from this beautiful squatter girl, but she, also, realized that Tess had brought the child back to her distracted parents. Between them, the two women managed to carry the girl and baby into the library. Both were crying, and Elsie, too, now awake, was insisting that her mother "Rock baby."
To answer their hysterical questions, when her throat was so hoarse, was impossible for Tessibel.
"Let her rest right here, then," said Helen. "Mercy me! If the child hasn't some of Deforrest's clothes on. Let's take the baby upstairs, and, Madelene, you bring down some dry things for Tess.... Here, Tess, dear, let me wrap you in this for a few minutes."
Tessibel sank into the warm woolen robe Mrs. Waldstricker placed about her. Then, the two women went upstairs with wee Elsie. Tessibel felt the warmth from the fire permeate her whole being. She had suddenly grown so sleepy! It was delightful to be able to close her eyes and watch in perfect peace the figures of her dreams! Memories, deep and entrancing, engulfed her. Many forms passed to and fro across her vision. There were the dark faces of her squatter friends, then Ebenezer Waldstricker. Her lids lifted heavily, her eyes centering upon another face--a face which made her cry out and struggle to her feet with trembling desire to get away. Frederick Graves closed the door behind him softly and the girl noted how thin and sick he looked and that his twitching lips tried to smile her a welcome.
"Tessibel," was all he said. She sank back into the great chair, white and weak, her face strung with terror.
Frederick didn't pause to ask why she was there. It was enough to know she was near him, and he forgot all else; his recent promises to Madelene,--Ebenezer and his mother. Only, did he remember that his young squatter wife, the mother of his baby son, was near enough for him to take her in his arms. Ah, yes, he'd take her away, right then, just as he had planned to do so many, many times. He bent over her, his breath coming in labored, explosive gusts.
"Tess, darling," he murmured, much moved. "How wonderful you should be here tonight. Say something to me, sweetheart."
Tess attempted to push him from her. The touch of her hand thrilled him to his toes. How he would care for her--take her away from her squatter world, that stormy world filled with sorrow and pain! His world should know of her goodness, her loyalty and strength.
"I'll tell Ebenezer I'm your husband, Tessibel," he breathed in her ear.
"Oh, my darling, what joy there is in store for us, what wonderful happiness--"
"No, no," cried Tess.
Then, again, he seized her hand, murmuring,
"Yes, yes, my love! I know it's hard to forgive me, but I've never loved any one but you. I didn't even try to care for Madelene. I couldn't.
And, now, my precious--"
"Please, don't say such things," cried Tess. "I only came--"
She wrenched her fingers loose from his and through her own interruption, he went on quickly.
"Oh, my dearest, be a little kind to me. Forgive all I've done. No, I shan't let you go until you promise me something--you must listen!"
Driven on by the passion dominating his weak body, Frederick dragged her to him. Deforrest Young came into the girl's mind. How she loved him!
She would not tolerate Graves' hateful embrace. She made a frantic struggle against the arms holding her.
"Frederick, Frederick!" she gasped.
"No, I won't listen, Tess," he cried. "I'm sorry enough for all I've done and I won't go away from you any more."
He crushed his mouth against her cheek. She should not baffle him thus.
Now, that she was in his arms, his hot breath mingling with the warmth of hers, he was sure she could not resist him. Suddenly, she ceased to struggle--Limply, she lay against his breast. How he loved her!
Frederick remembered with a thrilling, cutting desire that in those dear, olden days, she had been the sweeter and better part of himself.
He had come back to fight for her, to take her and the boy away. Between passionate kisses, new resolves raced through his fevered mind. He told himself no barrier was strong enough to keep him from her. But he had forgotten Ebenezer Waldstricker. It was not until he heard a short, sharp ejaculation that he turned partly around. His brother-in-law was standing in the open door, clad in a long fur garment, his handsome face dark with terrible anger. Frederick dropped one arm, but tightened the other about the squatter girl.
Waldstricker could feel himself growing hot to the edge of his collar.
At the sight of the girl he hated, a sudden fury took possession of him.
Tess became aware that the crimson churchman was looking her over from head to foot. She flushed painfully as she realized her masculine attire and thrust one hand behind her to loosen Frederick's arm, while with the other she steadied herself against a chair. She could not force herself to speak.
Waldstricker cleared his throat.
"How long has it been considered good taste, Mr. Graves," he demanded icily, "for a man to bring his mistress into his wife's home?"
Every word was perfectly articulated. Frederick grew deathly sick and sat down quickly, making a violent gesture with his hand. He wanted to deny Waldstricker's deadly insult, but he, suddenly, had no strength.
How Tess came into the house he did not know. But he did know she was not there at his instigation. He could see that Waldstricker had hurt her beyond expression, too. She was staring at his brother-in-law, silent, as if frozen by his cold contempt.
Looking from one to the other, Ebenezer went on.
"It is my painful duty to ask Miss Skinner to leave this house ... now,"
said he.
Frederick managed to stand up and fling one protecting arm about the pale girl.
"Not in this terrible storm, Ebbie," he got out hoarsely.
"She came in the storm," returned the elder, "and I see no reason why she can't go back in it. She seems nicely dressed for such weather."
He went forward and seized her arm and quickly swung the slender form from Frederick's embrace. The girl was so dazed and weary she made no resistance. The powerful elder snatched up her coat and cap and roughly put them on her. Then, he pushed her ahead of him through the long reception hall. Tessibel had not spoken a word, nor did she speak when Waldstricker pulled open the door and, with a low growl, shoved her out into the darkness. When he returned to the library, he found Frederick stretched out upon the divan. A look of death had spread over his face, and the appeal in his eyes brought the elder forward quickly.
"Fred, what possessed you to bring that girl here?"
"I didn't. I found her here," murmured Frederick. "She'll die in the storm. Call her back, Eb, she'll die--"
"No, she won't," replied Waldstricker, gruffly, "and what's more I won't have her here. How she had a nerve to come at all, I can't see....
Where's Helen?"
"Upstairs with Madie, I guess," sighed Frederick.
"Poor Helen," groaned Ebenezer, moodily. "If I could only give her some news of Elsie. But I feel sure we'll have her home by morning."
"I hope so!" answered Frederick. Then, he raised on one elbow and spoke with difficulty. "Eb,--Ebenezer, I've something to tell you." The effort made him gasp for breath, and fall back.
"I guess I'm done for," he muttered.
"I'll call Madelene," said Waldstricker, turning quickly.
"No, no, Ebenezer. Come here. There, now, let me tell it. I--I--married Tessibel Skinner before I married Madelene."
Waldstricker staggered back. He was appalled at the death-stricken face opposite. He knew Frederick was dying, and had no doubt he was telling the simple truth. The world seemed turned upside down. Now, in the light of this new knowledge, he could see many things. He shuddered when he thought of Tessibel. He and his were in the squatter girl's power. What mercy could he or Madelene expect at her hands? The shame and disgrace would kill his sister. Had the Skinner girl come to his house to claim her husband?
At that moment, he heard Mrs. Graves' step on the stairs. He turned, intending to ask Frederick not to tell Madelene of his secret marriage, but quickly changed his mind. Frederick was too ill; the first thing was to relieve his suffering.
"Get some water," the elder commanded when she appeared in the doorway.
"Fred's sick."
Madelene dropped the armful of clothes she held and fled to obey. When she came back, the young wife tenderly ministered to the dying man.
Never before had he seemed so dear!
"I think we'd better call a doctor," said Ebenezer, and he went out.