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Page 74
"And you don't know why? There had been no quarrel?"
"Not the slightest. I have not the faintest idea what the trouble is or
was, and why she wishes to break the engagement. All I know is that as
suddenly as a weather vane turns from west to north, she turned, and
seemed to have no more use for me."
"Queer," Gordon said reflectively. He eyed James keenly. "You absolutely
know of no reason?"
"I absolutely know of none. Clemency is the very first girl about whom I
have ever thought in this way. There is nothing in my whole life, past
or present, which I could not spread before her like an open book, so
far as any fear lest it should turn her against me."
"I questioned her," Gordon said, "and she absolutely refused to give me
any reason for breaking her engagement. She simply repeated over and
over, 'I have changed my mind, Uncle Tom.' I asked her if she had seen
anybody else."
James flushed hotly. "What did she say to that?"
"She said, 'Whom could I have seen, Uncle Tom? You yourself know how
many men I have seen here, and you know I never see men at Annie's.'
There is no one else. You may be sure of that, and also sure that she
still cares for you. I know that from her whole manner. She has simply
taken one of those unaccountable freaks which the best of girls will
take. Just let her alone, and the whole will right itself. She may have
got a sudden scare at the idea of marriage itself, for all I know. I
still cling to the idea that Annie Lipton has been putting ideas into
her head, in spite of what you say of her coldness before she went
there. She may have started herself in the path, but Annie helped her
further on."
"Of course I must leave here," James said gloomily.
Gordon started. "Leave here?"
"Yes, of course. Clemency will naturally not wish to have me a member of
the household in the existing state of things."
"Clemency will wish it. Of course you are going to stay, Elliot."
"I don't feel as if I could, Doctor Gordon."
"Nonsense!"
"It will naturally not be very pleasant for me," James said, coloring.
"Why not?" asked Gordon irritably. "You are not a love-sick girl."
"No, I am not," James returned with spirit. "I know I am jilted, but I
mean to take, and I think I am taking it, like a man. If Clemency does
not want me, I am sure I do not want her to have me. And I can stand
seeing her daily under the altered condition of things. I am no
milk-sop. Generally speaking, living under a roof when you are an object
of aversion to a member of the household, is not exactly pleasant."
"You are not an object of aversion."
"I might as well be."
Gordon looked at the young man pitifully. "For God's sake, then don't
leave _me_, Elliot," he said.
James stared at him. There was so much emotion in his face.
"What do you think my life would be without you?" said Gordon. "Aside
from your assistance, which I cannot do without, you are my only solace,
especially since Clemency is in this mood. Stay for my sake, if it is
unpleasant, Elliot."
"Well, I will stay, if you feel so about it, doctor," James replied.
"Clemency is treating you shamefully," Gordon said.
"A girl has a right to her own mind in such a matter, if she has in
anything."
"The worst of it is, it is not her mind. I tell you I know that."
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