The Unknown Wrestler Part 17

"I suppose you know every one here?" Douglas queried, wishing to change the subject of conversation.

"Oh, yes. I know them quite well."

"Who, then, is that fine-looking young man just across from me with the pretty girl by his side?"

"That is Tom Morrison, who, next to Jake Jukes, is the best wrestler in the parish. The girl is Susie Stephenson. They are to be married in September, so it is reported."

"They seem to be very happy in each other's company."

"They are now," was all the information Nell vouchsafed in reply, and then became suddenly silent.

This was the only conversation Douglas had with Nell that evening. She was too much in demand to remain long off the floor, tired though she was. Douglas noticed that Ben did not miss a dance, and that whenever he came near Tom Morrison there was some trouble. Ben seemed to make a special effort either to crowd him off the floor or to interfere with his movements. Tom endeavoured to keep out of his way and not to make any trouble. It was plain that he was very angry, for his face had lost its bright, sunny expression and was dark and lowering. His habit of always retreating puzzled Douglas. "Why doesn't he give the impudent fellow warning to leave him alone?" he asked himself. "I know what I should do. That cad deserves a thrashing, if ever any one did, and I believe Tom could do it without any trouble."

During the fifth dance Ben again claimed Nell as his partner. They had not been long on the floor when Ben became suddenly agitated. His face went white as death, and his staring eyes were turned toward the door.

Douglas, too, looked, and the surprise he received caused him to stop playing. There, looking in at the open door, was the face of a woman.

He remembered it at once, for it was the face of the same woman he had rescued from the harbour at Long Wharf. He glanced toward Ben, and saw that he had left Nell and was moving slowly toward the door.

There was a breathless hush, now, in the hall, as all watched to see what would happen next. The face at the door had been withdrawn, and as Ben pa.s.sed out into the night Douglas again struck up the music, and the dance was continued. Nell sat apart by herself. Her face was very pale, and her hands lying in her lap were clenched hard together. Many curious glances were cast upon her, though she did not appear to notice them.

Douglas felt very sorry for Nell. He realised that she must be suffering greatly. He himself was more excited than was his wont, though outwardly he remained calm and went on with his playing. Who could the woman be? he wondered. She must have followed her false lover to Rixton, and had awaited the moment when he was dancing with Nell Strong. From Ben's excitement, he surmised that the villain believed that she was dead and would trouble him no longer.

The dance had just finished as Ben came back into the hall. He was still pale, and his face was somewhat haggard. Crossing the floor, he chose a partner and called out for the music. As Douglas was in no hurry to obey, Ben ripped forth an angry oath and demanded what was the matter. Douglas was tempted to play no more, but being anxious to see how far Ben would carry his reckless spirit which now possessed him, he did as he was bidden.

Soon the dancers were in full swing, among whom were Tom Morrison and Susie Stephenson. Ben now began to interfere with every one on the floor, choosing out Tom and Susie for special attention. It was quite evident to Douglas that all tried to keep out of his way, but the more they tried the more Ben was determined to produce a quarrel. The climax was reached when, coming near a young couple, he deliberately surged against them and sent the girl reeling against the nearby wall.

At that instant the music ceased. Douglas waited for a few seconds while all eyes were turned in his direction.

"I shall not play another note," he calmly began, "unless Mr. Stubbles decides to behave in a proper manner."

"What's that?" Ben demanded, somewhat surprised that any one should dare to rebuke him.

"Didn't you hear what I said?" Douglas asked, as he laid aside his violin and rose to his feet. "I said that I would not play another note unless you decide to behave in a proper manner."

"Do you mean to insinuate that I have not been behaving myself?" Ben retorted.

"I did more than insinuate. And I say further that you have been behaving disgracefully and not at all like a gentleman."

"You impudent cur," Ben roared as he stepped forward. "How dare you speak to me like that? Take back those words at once or I'll make an example of you."

"Come and do it, then. I will meet you half way," and Douglas advanced toward him as he spoke.

But Ben hesitated. He found himself in a fix, and did not know how to get out of the tangle. His bluffs had always been effective in the past, and no one had dared to oppose him simply because he was Simon Stubbles' son. But here was a man, a stranger, who looked very big to him, just then, standing before him and challenging his right to rule.

Ben was no fighter, and no one knew it better than himself. He was a coward at heart, and his present embarra.s.sing position unnerved him.

He glanced quickly around and seeing the eyes of all riveted upon him made him angry. If he should back down, he well knew that he would be the laughing-stock of the whole parish.

"Are you going to take back those words?" he at length found voice to ask.

"Not unless you make me," Douglas calmly replied. "Now is your chance."

"Do you realise who I am?" Ben roared, thinking to intimidate his opponent.

"I have a fairly good idea. But that doesn't make any difference.

It's you I am dealing with now, and not your father."

"But I can drive you out of this parish. I can make it so hot for you that you won't dare to stay here another day."

"H'm," and Douglas gave a slight sarcastic laugh. "Why don't you do it, then? Here is your chance. Make it hot for me, and let me feel some of your great driving power."

These deliberate and tantalising words stirred Ben to the highest pitch of anger. He threw all discretion to the winds, and raved, cursed and stamped in his fury.

"Stop that," Douglas sternly ordered, stepping forward and laying his right hand firmly upon his shoulder. "If you have no respect for yourself, have it for the ladies who are present."

Ben's only reply was to throw aside the warning hand and hit his opponent a blow in the face. Like lightning Douglas suddenly reached out, seized Ben in his arms, lifted him bodily from the floor, and hurried with him toward the door. Ben tore and scratched like a wildcat in his efforts to free himself. But he was helpless in the powerful grip, and soon he found himself tumbling down the steps leading to the hall.

Douglas stood for a few seconds at the door looking out into the night.

Then he turned and walked slowly back across the room, picked up his violin and put it into its case.

"I think it best to discontinue the dance," he told the people who were watching him with keenest interest. "I am in no mood for playing any more to-night."

As he spoke his eyes happened to rest upon the Stubbles sisters, who were standing together on the opposite side of the hall. Scorn and anger were depicted upon their faces as they glared upon him. It was the elder, Miss Annabel, who gave the parting thrust. She stepped quickly forward into the middle of the room, and looked about over the gathering.

"When you have another dance," she began, "see to it that you get some one to play who has the instincts of a gentleman. Pa will be greatly annoyed when he hears how our pleasant evening has been spoiled, and by an unknown farm-hand at that." She emphasised "farm-hand" and cast a look of withering scorn upon Douglas.

The latter bowed slightly before this outburst, and picked up his violin.

"I feel that all the reasonable ones here to-night know quite well who spoiled the dance," he replied. "They can judge for themselves who has shown the want of the instincts of a true gentleman."

Having said this, he moved swiftly toward the door and disappeared into the night.

CHAPTER XII

ASTRAY ON THE HILLS

Leaving the hall, Douglas walked slowly up the road. He had partly expected to find Ben waiting outside, but he was nowhere to be seen.

Douglas had not gone far, however, ere an auto overtook him and went by at great speed. He knew very well who was the driver, though he could not tell how many were in the car. He smiled grimly to himself as he thought of Ben's anger, and he wondered in what way he would try to wreak a suitable revenge. He realised now that the Stubbles were his princ.i.p.al opponents in the place, and he felt quite sure that they had been the chief cause of the trouble in church affairs in the past. Why did the people allow them to rule in such an autocratic way? he asked himself. Surely there was some one strong enough to oppose their pride and impudence.

It was a beautiful evening, and Douglas was in no hurry to reach home.

Several teams overtook him, and as they approached, the animated voices became stilled. All knew the silent man walking alone in the night, and they waited until they were well past before resuming their conversation.

At length he came to the brow of the hill where it dipped into the valley, and here a most glorious scene was presented to his view.

Beyond, lay the river, without a ripple disturbing its surface. Above, shone the moon, and across the water a stream of light lay like a path of burnished silver, leading to a world of enchantment beyond.

Douglas' heart was deeply stirred at the sight, and he sat down under a fir which stood on the edge of a clump of trees, and leaned back against the trunk. He feasted his soul upon the magnificent panorama before him. It was just what he needed to dispel the miasma which had been gathering around him owing to his recent contact with the Stubbles. The air, rich and fragrant with the scent of new-mown hay, stimulated him like a magic elixir. Mother Nature was in one of her most gentle moods, and with unseen fingers soothed both heart and brain of her ardent worshipper.

Ere long, the sound of voices fell upon his ears, causing him to listen attentively. Several people were walking slowly along the road discussing the incident at the hall.

"He's in for it now, all right." It was a man who spoke.