Harvester — THE CHIME OF THE BLUE BELLS
CHAPTER X. THE CHIME OF THE BLUE BELLS
The Harvester finished his evening work and went to examine the cocoons.
Many of the moths had emerged and flown, but the luna cases remained in the bottom of the box.
As he stood looking at them one moved and he smiled.
“I'd give something if you would come out and be ready to work on by to-morrow afternoon,” he said.
“Possibly you would so interest her that she would forget her fear of me.
I'd like mighty well to take you along, because she might care for you, and I do need the pattern for my candlestick.
Believe I'll lay you in a warmer place.
” The first thing the next morning the Harvester looked and found the open cocoon and the wet moth clinging by its feet to a twig he had placed for it.
“Luck is with me!
” he exulted.
“I'll carry you to her and be mighty careful what I say, and maybe she will forget about the fear.
” All the forenoon he cut and spread boneset, saffron, and hemlock on the trays to dry.
At noon he put on a fresh outfit, ate a hasty lunch, and drove to Onabasha.
He carried the moth in a box, and as he started he picked up a rake.
He went to an art store and bought the pencils and paper she had ordered.
He wanted to purchase everything he saw for her, but he was fast learning a lesson of deep caution.
If he took more than she ordered, she would worry over paying, and if he refused to accept money, she would put that everlasting “why” at him again.
The water-colour paper and paint he could not forego.
He could make a desire to have the moth coloured explain those, he thought.
Then he went to a furniture store and bought several articles, and forgetting his law against haste, he drove Betsy full speed to the river.
He was rather heavily ladened as he went up the bank, and it was only one o'clock.
There was an hour.
He rolled away the log, raked together and removed the leaves to the ground.
He tramped the earth level and spread a large cheap porch rug.
On this he opened and placed a little folding table and chair.
On the table he spread the pencils, paper, colour box and brushes, and went to the river to fill the water cup.
Then he sat on the log he had rolled to one side and waited.
After two hours he arose and crept as close the house as he could through the woods, but he could not secure a glimpse of the Girl.
He went back and waited an hour more, and then undid his work and removed it.
When he came to the moth his face was very grim as he lifted the twig and helped the beautiful creature to climb on a limb.
“You'll be ready to fly in a few hours,” he said.
“If I keep you in a box you will ruin your wings and be no suitable subject, and put you in a cyanide jar I will not.
I
am hurt too badly myself.
I wonder if what Doc said was the right way!
It's certainly a temptation.
” Then he went home; and again Betsy veered at the hospital, and once more the Harvester explained to her that he did not want to see the doctor.
That evening and the following forenoon were difficult, but the Harvester lived through them, and in the afternoon went back to the woods, spread his rug, and set up the table.
Only one streak of luck brightened the gloom in his heart.
A yellow emperor had emerged in the night, and now occupied the place of yesterday's luna.
She never need know it was not the one he wanted, and it would make an excuse for the colour box.
He was watching intently and saw her coming a long way off.
He noticed that she looked neither right nor left, but came straight as if walking a bridge.
As she reached the place she glanced hastily around and then at him.
The Harvester forgave her everything as he saw the look of relief with which she stepped upon the carpet.
Then she turned to him.
“I won't have to ask 'why' this time,” she said.
“I know that you did it because I was baby enough to tell what a coward I am.
I'm sure you can't afford it, and I know you shouldn't have done it, but oh, what a comfort!
If you will promise never to do any such expensive, foolish, kind thing again, I'll say thank you this time.
I couldn't come yesterday, because Aunt Molly was worse and Uncle Henry was at home all day.
” “I supposed it was something like that,” said the Harvester.
She advanced and handed him the roll of bills.
“I had a feeling you would be reckless,” she said.
“I saw it in your face, so I came back as soon as I could steal away, and sure enough, there lay your money and the books and everything.
I hid them in the thicket, so they will be all right.
I've almost prayed it wouldn't rain.
I didn't dare carry them to the house.
Please take the money.
I haven't time to argue about it or strength, but of course I can't possibly use it unless I earn it.
I'm so anxious to see the pencils and paper.
” The Harvester thrust the money into his pocket.
The Girl went to the table, opened and spread the paper, and took out the pencils.
“Is my subject in here?
” she touched the colour box.
“No, the other.
” “Is it alive?
May I open it?
” “We will be very careful at first,” said the Harvester.
“It only left its case in the night and may fly.
When the weather is so warm the wings develop rapidly.
Perhaps if I remove the lid----” He took off the cover, exposing a big moth, its lovely, pale yellow wings, flecked with heliotrope, outspread as it clung to a twig in the box.
The Girl leaned forward.
“What is it?
” she asked.
“One of the big night moths that emerge and fly a few hours in June.
” “Is this what you want for your candlestick?
” “If I can't do better.
There is one other I prefer, but it may not come at a time that you can get it right.
” “What do you mean by 'right'?
” “So that you can copy it before it wants to fly.
” “Why don't you chloroform and pin it until I am ready?
” “I am not in the business of killing and impaling exquisite creatures like that.
” “Do you mean that if I can't draw it when it is just right you will let it go?
” “I do.
” “Why?
” “I told you why.
” “I know you said you were not in the business, but why wouldn't you take only one you really wanted to use?
” “I would be afraid,” replied the Harvester.
“Afraid?
You!
” “I must have a mighty good reason before I kill,” said the man.
“I cannot give life; I have no right to take it away.
I will let my statement stand.
I am afraid.
” “Of what please?
” “An indefinable something that follows me and makes me suffer if I am wantonly cruel.
” “Is there any particular pose in which you want this bird placed?
” “Allow me to present you to the yellow emperor, known in the books as eagles imperialis,” he said.
“I want him as he clings naturally and life size.
” She took up a pencil.
“If you don't mind,” said the Harvester, “would you draw on this other paper?
I very much want the colour, also, and you can use it on this.
I brought a box along, and I'll get you water.
I had it all ready yesterday.
” “Did you have this same moth?
” “No, I had another.
” “Did you have the one you wanted most?
” “Yes----but it's no difference.
” “And you let it go because I was not here?
” “No. It went on account of exquisite beauty.
If kept in confinement it would struggle and break its wings.
You see, that one was a delicate green, where this is yellow, plain pale blue green, with a lavender rib here, and long curled trailers edged with pale yellow, and eye spots rimmed with red and black.
” As the Harvester talked he indicated the points of difference with a pencil he had picked up; now he laid it down and retreated beyond the limits of the rug.
“I see,” said the Girl.
“And this is colour?
” She touched the box.
“A few colours, rather,” said the Harvester.
“I selected enough to fill the box, with the help of the clerk who sold them to me.
If they are not right, I have permission to return and exchange them for anything you want.
” With eager fingers she opened the box, and bent over it a face filled with interest.
“Oh how I've always wanted this!
I scarcely can wait to try it.
I do hope I can have it for my very own.
Was it quite expensive?
” “No. Very cheap!
” said the Harvester.
“The paper isn't worth mentioning.
The little, empty tin box was only a few cents, and the paints differ according to colour.
Some appear to be more than others.
I was surprised that the outfit was so inexpensive.
” A skeptical little smile wavered on the Girl's face as she drew her slender fingers across the trays of bright colour.
“If one dared accept your word, you really would be a comfort,” she said, as she resolutely closed the box, pushed it away, and picked up a pencil.
“If you will take the trouble to inquire at the banks, post office, express office, hospital or of any druggist in Onabasha, you will find that my word is exactly as good as my money, and taken quite as readily.
” “I didn't say I doubted you.
I have no right to do that until I feel you deceive me.
What I said was 'dared accept,' which means I must not, because I have no right.
But you make one wonder what you would do if you were coaxed and asked for things and led by insinuations.
” “I can tell you that,” said the Harvester.
“It would depend altogether on who wanted anything of me and what they asked.
If you would undertake to coax and insinuate, you never would get it done, because I'd see what you needed and have it at hand before you had time.
” The Girl looked at him wonderingly.
“Now don't spring your recurrent 'why' on me,” said the Harvester.
“I'll tell you 'why' some of these days.
Just now answer me this question: Do you want me to remain here or leave until you finish?
Which way would you be least afraid?
” “I am not at all afraid on the rug and with my work,” she said.
“If you want to hunt ginseng go by all means.
” “I don't want to hunt anything,” said the Harvester.
“But if you are more comfortable with me away, I'll be glad to go.
I'll leave the dog with you.
” He gave a short whistle and Belshazzar came bounding to him.
The Harvester stepped to the Girl's side, and dropping on one knee, he drew his hand across the rug close to her skirts.
“Right here, Belshazzar,” he said.
“Watch!
You are on guard, Bel.
” “Well of all names for a dog!
” exclaimed the Girl.
“Why did you select that?
” “My mother named my first dog Belshazzar, and taught me why; so each of the three I've owned since have been christened the same.
It means 'to protect' and that is the office all of them perform; this one especially has filled it admirably.
Once I failed him, but he never has gone back on me.
You see he is not a particle afraid of me.
Every step I take, he is at my heels.
” “So was Bill Sikes' dog, if I remember.
” The Harvester laughed.
“Bel,” he said, “if you could speak you'd say that was an ugly one, wouldn't you?
” The dog sprang up and kissed the face of the man and rubbed a loving head against his breast.
“Thank you!
” said the Harvester.
“Now lie down and protect this woman as carefully as you ever watched in your life.
And incidentally, Bel, tell her that she can't exterminate me more than once a day, and the performance is accomplished for the present.
I refuse to be a willing sacrifice.
'So was Bill Sikes' dog!'
What do you think of that, Bel?
” The Harvester arose and turned to go.
“What if this thing attempts to fly?
” she asked.
“Your pardon,” said the Harvester.
“If the emperor moves, slide the lid over the box a few seconds, until he settles and clings quietly again, and then slowly draw it away.
If you are careful not to jar the table heavily he will not go for hours yet.
” Again he turned.
“If there is no danger, why do you leave the dog?
” “For company,” said the Harvester.
“I thought you would prefer an animal you are not afraid of to a man you are.
But let me tell you there is no necessity for either.
I know a woman who goes alone and unafraid through every foot of woods in this part of the country.
She has climbed, crept, and waded, and she tells me she never saw but two venomous snakes this side of Michigan.
Nothing ever dropped on her or sprang at her.
She feels as secure in the woods as she does at home.
” “Isn't she afraid of snakes?
” “She dislikes snakes, but she is not afraid or she would not risk encountering them daily.
” “Do you ever find any?
” “Harmless little ones, often.
That is, Bel does.
He is always nosing for them, because he understands that I work in the earth.
I think I have encountered three dangerous ones in my life.
I will guarantee you will not find one in these woods.
They are too open and too much cleared.
” “Then why leave the dog?
” “I thought,” said the Harvester patiently, “that your uncle might have turned in some of his cattle, or if pigs came here the dog could chase them away.
” She looked at him with utter panic in her face.
“I am far more afraid of a cow than a snake!
” she cried.
“It is so much bigger!
” “How did you ever come into these woods alone far enough to find the ginseng?
” asked the Harvester.
“Answer me that!
” “I wore Uncle Henry's top boots and carried a rake, and I suffered tortures,” she replied.
“But you hunted until you found what you wanted, and came again to keep watch on it?
” “I was driven--simply forced.
There's no use to discuss it!
” “Well thank the Lord for one thing,” said the Harvester.
“You didn't appear half so terrified at the sight of me as you did at the mere mention of a cow.
I have risen inestimably in my own self-respect.
Belshazzar, you may pursue the elusive chipmunk.
I am going to guard this woman myself, and please, kind fates, send a ferocious cow this way, in order that I may prove my valour.
” The Girl's face flushed slightly, and she could not restrain a laugh.
That was all the Harvester hoped for and more.
He went beyond the edge of the rug and sat on the leaves under a tree.
She bent over her work and only bird and insect notes and occasionally Belshazzar's excited bark broke the silence.
The Harvester stretched on the ground, his eyes feasting on the Girl.
Intensely he watched every movement.
If a squirrel barked she gave a nervous start, so precipitate it seemed as if it must hurt.
If a windfall came rattling down she appeared ready to fly in headlong terror in any direction.
At last she dropped her pencil and looked at him helplessly.
“What is it?
” he asked.
“The silence and these awful crashes when one doesn't know what is coming,” she said.
“Will it bother you if I talk?
Perhaps the sound of my voice will help?
” “I am accustomed to working when people talk, and it will be a comfort.
I may be able to follow you, and that will prevent me from thinking.
There are dreadful things in my mind when they are not driven out.
Please talk!
Tell me about the herbs you gathered this morning.
” The Harvester gave the Girl one long look as she bent over her work.
He was vividly conscious of the graceful curves of her little figure, the coil of dark, silky hair, softly waving around her temples and neck, and when her eyes turned in his direction he knew that it was only the white, drawn face that restrained him.
He was almost forced to tell her how he loved and longed for her; about the home he had prepared; of a thousand personal interests.
Instead, he took a firm grip and said casually, “Foxglove harvest is over.
This plant has to be taken when the leaves are in second year growth and at bloom time.
I have stripped my mullein beds of both leaves and flowers.
I finished a week ago.
Beyond lies a stretch of Parnassus grass that made me think of you, it was so white and delicate.
I want you to see it.
It will be lovely in a few weeks more.
” “You never had seen me a week ago.
” “Oh hadn't I?
” said the Harvester.
“Well maybe I dreamed about you then.
I am a great dreamer.
Once I had a dream that may interest you some day, after you've overcome your fear of me.
Now this bed of which I was speaking is a picture in September.
You must arrange to drive home with me and see it then.
” “For what do you sell foxglove and mullein?
” “Foxglove for heart trouble, and mullein for catarrh.
I get ten cents a pound for foxglove leaves and five for mullein and from seventy-five to a dollar for flowers of the latter, depending on how well I preserve the colour in drying them.
They must be sealed in bottles and handled with extreme care.
” “Then if I wasn't too childish to be out picking them, I could be earning seventy-five cents a pound for mullein blooms?
” “Yes,” said the Harvester, “but until you learned the trick of stripping them rapidly you scarcely could gather what would weigh two pounds a day, when dried.
Not to mention the fact that you would have to stand and work mostly in hot sunshine, because mullein likes open roads and fields and sunny hills.
Now you can sit securely in the shade, and in two hours you can make me a pattern of that moth, for which I would pay a designer of the arts and crafts shop five dollars, so of course you shall have the same.
” “Oh no!
” she cried in swift panic.
“You were charged too much!
It isn't worth a dollar, even!
” “On the contrary the candlestick on which I shall use it will be invaluable when I finish it, and five is very little for the cream of my design.
I paid just right.
You can earn the same for all you can do.
If you can embroider linen, they pay good prices for that, too and wood carving, metal work, or leather things.
May I see how you are coming on?
” “Please do,” she said.
The Harvester sprang up and looked over the Girl's shoulder.
He could not suppress an exclamation of delight.
“Perfect!
” he cried.
“You can surpass their best drafting at the shop!
Your fortune is made.
Any time you want to go to Onabasha you can make enough to pay your board, dress you well, and save something every week.
You must leave here as soon as you can manage it.
When can you go?
” “I don't know,” she said wearily.
“I'd hate to tell you how full of aches I am.
I could not work much just now, if I had the best opportunities in the world.
I must grow stronger.
” “You should not work at anything until you are well,” he said.
“It is a crime against nature to drive yourself.
Why will you not allow----” “Do you really think, with a little practice, I can draw designs that will sell?
” The Harvester picked up the sheet.
The work was delicate and exact.
He could see no way to improve it.
“You know it will sell,” he said gently, “because you already have sold such work.
” “But not for the prices you offer.
” “The prices I name are going to be for NEW, ORIGINAL DESIGNS.
I've got a thousand in my head, that old Mother Nature shows me in the woods and on the water every day.
” “But those are yours; I can't take them.
” “You must,” said the Harvester.
“I only see and recognize studies; I can't materialize them, and until they are drawn, no one can profit by them.
In this partnership we revolutionize decorative art.
