Lost Pueblo (1992) Read Online Free PDF Page B

nature," replied Randolph, with agitation. Janey could hear him pacing the room, and she felt sorry for him. It pleased her that he had refused. But she knew her father, his relentless ways, and she held her breath.
    "Certainly I am," agreed Endicott, growing warmer. "Phil, look at it this way. Consent for Janey's sake!"
    "But man, I can't believe that wonderful girl is going to hell. I can't."
    "Naturally. You're in love with her. To you she's an angel. All right. Think of it this way then. You admitted she was adorable. You just said she was wonderful. You know how beautiful she is. Well, here's your chance to make her yours. Maybe it's a thousand-to-one shot. Remember, you'll do her good in any case. And you've that one chance in a thousand. Her mother was the most loving of women. Why, Phil, if Janey loved you, you would be entering the kingdom of heaven. She might."
    "My--God!" gasped the young man. "I am her father. I worship her. And I am begging you to do this thing."
    "All--right. I--I'll do it," replied Randolph, in a queer strangled voice. "It will be my ruin. But I can't resist... Only, understand--I couldn't accept money."
    "Fact is, I didn't think you would," replied Endicott, quickly. "And your refusal makes me sure you are the right man. Come, shake on it, Phil. I'll be forever grateful to you whether we win or lose."
    Janey heard him rise and cross the room. Taking advantage of this she slipped out of the hammock and ran round to the back of the house, and entering the long corridor she arrived at her room in a more excited and breathless state than she had ever been in all her life. Closing the door she locked it and then relaxed against it, with a hand over her throbbing breast.
    "If that wasn't the limit!" she exclaimed, and succumbed to conflicting emotions, among which such rage as she had never felt assumed dominance.
    Not long afterward her father knocked on the door. Janey did not answer. He knocked again, and called anxiously.
    "Janey?"
    "Yes."
    "Dinner is ready. We're waiting."
    "I don't want any," she replied.
    "Why, what is the matter?"
    "I've a headache."
    "Headache!... You? Never heard of the like before."
    "Maybe it's a toothache."
    "Oh!" he returned, and discreetly retired.
    When Janey's anger had finally subsided so that she could think, she found she was deeply wounded. Things for her had come to a very sad pass indeed, if her father could go to such extremes. But were they so bad for her? How perfectly absurd! There was not anything wrong with her. Yet all the same an awakened consciousness refused to accept her indignant assurance. She knew she was the pride and joy of her father's life. He was a trying parent indeed; nevertheless she could not seriously say he had neglected her or given her a bad example. He was just thick-headed, and too much concerned about her affairs. Janey, however, dodged for the present any serious thought concerning her friends and acquaintances at home. They were as good as any other crowd.
    Randolph! She could overcome her shame and resentment enough to feel sorry for him. What chance had he against her father, especially if he was genuinely attracted to her? Janey blushed in the loneliness of her room. Randolph had saved his character, in her estimation, by scorning her father's opinions, by resisting his subtle attack, by refusing any consideration of a material gain in his outrageous proposals.
    Then Janey happened to remember what Randolph had said about spanking her. In a sudden fury she leaped up and began to pace the little room. There was not very much in the way of disgust, contempt, amazement, pride, wrath, that did not pass through her mind. What an atrocious insult! He had been in earnest. He talked as if she were a nine-year-old child. Her cheeks burned. She refused in the heat of the moment to answer a query that knocked at her ears.
    "Oh, I won't do a thing to Phillip Randolph!" she said, under her breath, and as she said it she caught sight of her