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The Ne'er-Do-Well, a novel by Rex Beach |
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Chapter 18. The Siege Of Maria Torres |
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_ CHAPTER XVIII. THE SIEGE OF MARIA TORRES The faithful Allan was not long in fulfilling his mission. Such devotion as his, it seemed, could hardly fail, and, if there had been a hundred Chiquitas, doubtless he would have corralled them all. He conveyed the impression that, if it had been necessary to journey beyond the grave and bring back the ghost of some dead- and-gone Chiquita, he would have gloriously succeeded. One morning, a few days later, he appeared to Kirk, bursting with importance and news. "Well, sar! I have discovered your female," he announced, pompously. "No? What's her name? Who is she?" "Her is named Maria Torres, sar, and resides in the small 'ouse you h'observed upon the 'ill." "Did you SEE her?" Anthony could hardly believe his ears. "Oh yes, very h'extensively." "What does she look like? Is she dark?" "Very dark, sar." "And small?" "Not too small," opined Allan. "Of course, just right. And her eyes, like--like--" "H'ink! Spots of h'ink. Oh, it is she, Master h'Auntony." "Jove! I believe it is! You're an ace, Allan. You're my ace of spades." Out of pure joy he began to pummel him playfully. "Why don't you rejoice? Lift up your voice and sing. Maria Torres! It's a heavenly name--Why don't you make a joyful noise?" Allan voiced a feeble hurrah. "It was only by chawnce that I h'encountered her, boss, for she is residing in the city. I h'ascertained all those facts--" "Good! Find the street and number, quick! I'm going a-wooing! Say! When these Spaniards court a girl they hang around her window and roll their eyes, don't they? Me for that! I'll haunt the Torres neighborhood until she shows herself, or die in the attempt. I'll play their game. I'll get a guitar, I'll--Oh, from this moment I'm a Spaniard of the Spaniards. I'm the incarnation of ten thousand fiery cavaliers. I'll stand in front of her house until she sends me a chair. Maria Tor--What the deuce are you loafing for? Get a move on; hustle those kidney feet of yours. Don't come back until you have located her; for to-night--ah, blessed night! My life's romance begins in earnest. GET OUT!" Allan fled while Kirk proceeded to dream over his breakfast of bacon and cold-storage eggs. He was beaming when he appeared at the office. He sang, he whistled, he performed his duties with a joyous uproar that interfered seriously with all around him and set the whole place in confusion. Nor did his spirits lessen when, later in the day, Allan informed him that the residence of Senor Luis Torres, whom the gods had selected as father to the delectable Maria, was at number 89 Avenida Norte. Anthony did not taste his dinner that evening. As darkness settled he planted himself conspicuously on the corner opposite No. 89 and began to study the premises. It was a trifle disappointing to note that Chiquita lived in such poor style; the place was not at all impressive. The first floor of the building was given over to a Chinese bazaar, and the upper story seemed neither extremely clean nor at all modern. But, although this clashed a bit with his preconceived ideas, he knew that many of the nicest Panamanian families lived in modest quarters. His natural impulse was to apply boldly at the door, but he had learned something of local customs, and he determined to give no possible ground for offence. After she had recognized him and seen his willingness to follow the habit of her Spanish suitors, it would be feasible, perhaps, to adopt a more Americanized method. Meanwhile, he must run no risk of antagonizing her people. In the Central American scheme of courtship patience plays a large part. It is the young man's practice to martyr himself until the sight of him becomes such a reproach that the family must perforce express its sympathy. Although this procedure struck Anthony as ludicrous in the extreme, its novelty was not without charm, and he had lived through such a period of torturing uncertainty that the mere fact of the girl's presence was compensation enough for his pains. For an hour he stood motionless, staring at the upper windows of No. 89. Then his feet began to hurt, and he paraded slowly back and forth "playing the bear," as he had heard it termed. Another hour passed, and he discovered that, if his presence had not been marked by the members of the Torres household, it was at least exciting comment elsewhere in the neighborhood. Faces appeared at near-by windows; he heard sounds of muffled merriment which made him uncomfortable; passers-by smiled at him and dropped encouraging remarks which he could not translate. The little policeman, lounging at the next corner, watched him complacently and agreed with his neighbors that the Americano was undoubtedly a fine-appearing lover. Kirk took his stand at last beneath a street light and gazed languorously upon the windows opposite until his eyes ached as well as his feet. At last a curtain parted, and he saw the flash of a white dress back of it. His heart leaped; he raised his hat; there was a titter from beyond the iron grating. Presently another figure was dimly revealed. The watcher held his position stubbornly until the last light in the Torres house winked out, then limped homeward, warmed by the glad conviction that at least he had been recognized. Promptly at seven o'clock on the following evening he returned to his post, and before he had been there five minutes knew that his presence was noticed. This was encouraging, so he focused his mental powers in an effort to communicate telepathically with the object of his desires. But she seemed unattuned, and coyly refrained from showing her face. He undertook to loiter gracefully, knowing himself to be the target of many eyes, but found it extremely hard to refrain from sitting on the curb, a manifestly unromantic attitude for a love-lorn swain. He swore grimly that, if usage required a suitor to make an exhibition of himself before the entire neighborhood, he would do the job thoroughly. It did not cheer him to reflect that the girl had a keen sense of humor and must be laughing at him, yet he determined to put in a week at this idiotic love-making before he attempted anything else. Later in the evening he was rewarded by the glimpse of a handkerchief cautiously waved, and he was delirious with joy as he hobbled homeward. Night after night he spent assiduously studying the cracks and blemishes in the stucco walls of No. 89 Avenida Norte, encouraged by the occasional flutter of a hand or a soulful sigh from behind the lace screen at the third window from the corner. But when Sunday came he was in no mood to continue this roundabout and embarrassing mode of courtship longer. He made an early start from his quarters, taking Allan with him. "I'll catch her going to mass," he explained, hopefully. "I've just got to put an end to this performance." "Will you h'accost her h'openly?" inquired Allan. "You bet! If she runs away you trip her up. Oh, it's great to be in love!" "Without doubt, sar." "She's a corker, isn't she?" "I do not know as to that," Allan demurred. "What may be a carker?" "I mean she's beautiful." "Oh, h'indeed so! And her h'eyes--like h'ink spots, as you say." "Was she wearing a denim dress when you saw her?" "Yes, yes," eagerly agreed the negro. "Oh, there is no mistake. It was a red dress." "No, it wasn't. It was blue." "H'exactly, sar--a sort of reddish blue." "And she was--petite?" "Rather more dark, I should say." "I mean she was small." "Oh, it is the same female. It is h'exciting, is it not?" Kirk acknowledged that it was exciting, for, now that he had a full day in which to besiege No. 89, he felt certain of gaining a word at least with his inamorata. He was in good time, it seemed, for hardly had he taken his customary station before the Cathedral bells awoke the slumberous echoes of the city. "Praise God, she will be coming soon!" Allan exclaimed. "I shall h'expire from fright. Look! There! THERE!" Down the wide stairs leading from the living-rooms of Senor Torres came two women, and the negro danced in excitement. As they emerged upon the sidewalk the younger one flashed a glance at the men opposite, and Kirk saw that she was a mulatto--evidently a housemaid. His eager eyes flew back to the entrance. Allan hissed at him: "Yonder goes! Quick, or you will be losing she." "Where?" "There! The young female in w'ite. It is h'indeed the Senorita Torres." "THAT!" Anthony stared at the girl amazedly as she cast him a second and more coquettish flash of her black eyes. "Why, damn it, that--why, she's a--NIGGER!" "No, no!" shrilly expostulated the Jamaican. "It is she. H'alas! They have turned the corner." Kirk wheeled upon his detective in overwhelming disgust. "You idiot!" he breathed. "That girl is a 'dinge.' So, SHE'S the one I've been--Oh, it's unspeakable! Let's get away from here." "You h'informed me in particular that she is dark," protested Allan. "Come on!" Kirk dragged his companion away as fast as he could. His thoughts were too deep for tears. As soon as his emotion permitted coherent speech, he launched into a tirade so eloquent and picturesque that Allan was reduced to a state of wondering awe. Pausing at length in his harangue, he turned smouldering eyes upon the black boy. "I ought to punch you right in the nose," he said, with mournful calmness. "Let me feel your head." Allan obediently doffed his cap, and Kirk rapped the woolly cranium with his knuckle. "Do you feel that? Is there any sensation?" "Yes, sar! Shortly I shall suffer a swelling." Allan stroked the spot tenderly. "It's all imagination; there's no feeling to solid bone. You've got an ivory 'nut,' my friend, just like a cane." "Ivory-nuts grow upon trees, sar, in the Darien region." Anthony regarded him sourly. "The Brunswick-Balke people never turned out anything half so round and half so hard. That burr of yours is a curio. I told you Chiquita was small and beautiful and dainty and--Oh, what's the use! This dame is a truck-horse. She's the color of a saddle." "Oh, she is not too dark, sar." Allan came loyally to the defence of Miss Torres. "Some of the finest people in Panama is blacker than that. There is but few who are h'all w'ite." "Well, SHE'S all white, and I want you to find her to-day--TO-DAY, understand? You gallop out to the Savannas and make some inquiries." He shook his fist in Allan's face. "If you don't learn something this trip, I'll have your lignum-vitae cranium in a bowling-alley by dark. Lord! If I only spoke Spanish!" Allan reluctantly departed, and Kirk went back to his quarters in high displeasure. It seemed as if the affair had actually left a bad taste in his mouth. He could not compose his features into anything like a decently amiable expression, but went about with a bitter smile upon his lips. Every time some new aspect of his grotesque and humiliating mistake occurred to him he suffered a nervous twinge. That afternoon a card was brought to him bearing the ornate inscription in a beautiful Spencerian hand: PROFESSOR JESUS HERARA THE HERARA COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Reconciling himself as best he could to the prospect of an interview with some importunate stranger, he grudgingly consented to have the visitor brought in. Professor Herara was not alone. He was accompanied by a very short, very fat man, whose smooth skin had the rich, dark coloring of a nice, oily Cuban cigar. "Senor Anthony, it is?" inquired the Professor, bowing ceremoniously. "That's my name." "It is my privilege to consult you upon a business of importance." "I'm afraid you have the wrong party. I don't care to learn shorthand." "Ah, no, it is not concerning my academy. Allow me to present Senor Luis Torres." Kirk felt the room begin to revolve slowly. "My friend does not possess a card at the moment, eh?" continued the Professor. The little, rotund man bowed, his hand-polished, mahogany features widening in a smile. "'Sveree hot wedder!" he exclaimed. "He begs one thousand pardons for not speaking of your language the more perfectly, and so he is request of me to be his interpreter." Something urged Kirk to flee while there was yet time, but the father of Maria Torres was between him and the door, and he could not bring himself to push the little man out of the way. So he bade them both be seated in the only two chairs which the room contained, while he rested gingerly upon the edge of the bed. The new-comers let their eyes roll curiously about the chamber, and an embarrassing silence descended. Senor Torres maintained a set smile designed to be agreeable; Professor Herara, serene in the possession of his linguistic acquirements, displayed the insouciance of an undertaker. Together they beamed benignantly, almost patronizingly, upon the young man. Plainly they meant to put him at his ease--but they failed. At length, after clearing his throat impressively, the interpreter began again: "Of course, you have been expecting this visit, senor?" "N--not exactly." "My friend is deeply disappointed that he has not the honor of before meeting you." "I am flattered, but--" "Indeed, yes! Then you are perhaps acquainted with Senor Torres by reputation? You know who he is?" Professor Jesus Herara raised his brows and inclined his head like a polite school-teacher endeavoring to encourage a diffident pupil. "I regret that I do not." "He is one of our most estimable citizens. He is possess' not only of the magnificent residence at No. 89 Avenida Norte, but also of a comfortable abode at Las Savannas, and he has a large trade in sponges and hides. His place of business you will have noticed upon the water-front, perhaps?" Kirk wiped his brow nervously and cursed Allan. "And now, as for you, senor?" The principal of the Herara College of Business awaited an answer with unctuous deference. Evidently attributing the young man's silence to modesty, he went on, helpfully: "Senor Torres has instituted inquiries, and ascertained your excellent position with the P. R. R., but he would know more, if soch is not disagreeable to you." "Well--I--there isn't much to tell. It is my first job." This was quickly put into Spanish, whereupon Mr. Torres nodded with vigor, as if this information were indeed gratifying--nay, splendid. "It is agreeable to my friend to ascertain your industry, and I may say you are most highly spoke of at the railroad office. Therefore, Senor Torres affords you an invitation to call at his residence on Thursday evening." "That's awfully--nice," gasped Anthony; "but--er--what's the idea?" "Ah!" The interpreter beamed; Mr. Torres beamed. They combined to radiate a gentle effulgence which was most disquieting. "It is indeed pleasing to encounter a gentleman so truly modest, so possessed of delicacy; but I may say that Senor Torres is look with favor upon your suit. Of course"--he checked Kirk's hasty words--"it is not completely settle, by no means; the young lady is but partly won. However"--he winked one black eye reassuringly-- "as friend of the family I bid you not to permit discouragement and despair." Anthony broke out in desperation: "Hold on! Let me explain! There's been an awful mistake." "Mistake?" The tone was blandly incredulous. "Yes. I'm not in love with Miss Torres." Professor Jesus Herara stared at the speaker as if his mastery of the English language was, after all, incomplete. Torres, seeing that he was missing something, interpolated a smiling inquiry; then, as his interpreter made the situation clear, his honeyed smile froze, his sparkling eyes opened in bewilderment. He stared about the room again, as if doubting that he had come to the right place. "There's really a mistake," Kirk persisted. "I don't even know Miss Torres." "Ah! Now I understand." The Professor was intensely relieved. "It is precisely for that purpose we arrived. Bueno! You admire from a distance, is it not so? You are struck with the lady's beauty; your heart is awakened. You are miserable. You pine away. You cannot find courage to speak. It is admirable, senor. We understand fully, and I, who know, assure you of her many virtues." "No, it's nothing like that, either. I have no doubt Miss Torres is altogether charming, but--I--there's just a mistake, that's all. I'm not the least bit in love with her." "But, senor! Is it not you who have stood beneath her window nightly? Is it not you who have laid siege to her these many days?" The speaker's eyes were glowing with anger as he turned to make his inquiry clear to the young lady's father. Mr. Torres began to swell ominously. "If you'll just let me explain. I'm in love with a young woman, true enough, but it doesn't happen to be Miss Torres. I thought it was, but it isn't." There was another vibrant exchange of words between the Spaniards. "You were making sport, then, of my friend--" "No, no! It's another person altogether." "Who?" "I don't know her name." "WHAT?" Herara was about to burst forth when his friend nudged him and he was obliged to put this amazing declaration into Spanish. Senor Torres breathed heavily and exploded an oath. "I met her in the country and made a mistake in the town houses," Kirk floundered on. "I never knew till this morning that I was on the wrong trail. It is all my fault. I thought the lady's name was Torres." "Eh? So you love one whom you do not know? Incredible!" "It does sound a little fishy." "And it is a grave affront to my friend. How will the senorita understand?--she in whose breast is awakened already an answering thrills?" "I'm mighty sorry. If you wish, I'll apologize in person to Miss Torres." At this Herara cried out in horror; then, after a brief colloquy with the father, he rose stiffly, saying: "I offer no words from my friend. For the present he does not believe, nor do I. Inquiries will be institute, of that be assured. If you have deceived--if your intentions were not of the most honorable"--the head of the Herara Business College glared in a horrible manner-- "you will have occasion to regret those foolish jokes." Kirk tried to explain that his present regrets were ample for all time, but, bowing formally, the visitors withdrew, leaving him to revile anew the name of Allan Allan. When the black boy returned, foot-sore but cheerful, his appearance was the signal for an outburst that left him disconsolate and bewildered. He apologized over and over for his little error, and tried to reinstate himself by announcing, with a confidence he was far from feeling, that this time he had identified the elusive Chiquita beyond the peradventure of a doubt. This welcome intelligence did much to make Kirk forget his wrath. "What's her name?" he inquired, eagerly. "Fermina, sar." "Are you sure?" "H'entirely. But it will not h'avail to be courting of those ladies, Master h'Auntony." "Is there more than one?" "Two of they--sisters--very rich. They h'occupy the 'ouse h'adjoining Senor Torres." Allan spoke in a hushed voice, and shook his head as if to show the hopelessness of aspiring to such aristocracy. Surely Kirk knew of the Ferminas? Arcadio Fermina was the owner of the pearl- fishery concession and a person of the highest social distinction. He was white, all white, there was no doubt on that score. Undoubtedly Chiquita would prove to be his daughter and a joint heiress to his fabulous fortune. But she was not the sort to be courted from the street, even Allan knew that much; for, after all, such a procedure was followed only by the middle classes, and in this instance would result in nothing less than disaster. It sounded reasonable, and Kirk allowed himself to be half convinced. It was no later than the following day, however, that Runnels pointed out two young ladies who were driving past and informed him that they were the Misses Fermina. "Their old man has made a fortune out of the Pearl Islands," he remarked. "They say those girls have the finest collection of pearls in Central America." Kirk gazed after them eagerly, but it took no more than a glance to show him that they were not even distantly related to the object of his search. Once more he set Allan upon the trail with instructions to find out who lived in the large house upon the hill--the one with the driveway of royal palms--and not to return without the information. But by now the Jamaican was beginning to weary of this running back and forth and to consider the quest a vain imagining. So, being wishful to dream another lottery number, he brought back with him a fanciful tale designed to quiet his employer and to assure himself ample leisure in the future. "Master h'Auntony, your female is gone," he informed him, sadly. "Gone! Where?" "Somewhere--on a ship." "Are you sure?" "There is no doubt, sar. Her name is Garavel, and she h'occupies the big 'ouse on the 'ill. I discovered those h'impartant facts from the Bajan 'ooman." "Stephanie! You saw her? By Jove! Then you are right this time. Quick! tell me all you learned." Allan lied fluently, elaborately, and, finding his hero plunged into despair, resigned himself gratefully to another period of blissful idleness. This was much the simplest way, he decided; for even should Kirk meet a Garavel or a Fermina, there was no chance of his winning her, and love, after all, is but a passing impulse which may be summoned or banished at will by such simple mediums as charms. The boy did go out of his way to ease his benefactor's malady by taking a lock of his own fuzzy wool and placing it beneath Kirk's mattress, after certain exorcisms. There followed a period of blank dejection. Kirk's first disappointment, when the girl had failed to keep her tryst, was as nothing compared to this, for now he felt that she was unattainable. He did not quite give up hope; so many strange experiences had befallen him since his involuntary departure from New York that it all seemed like a dream in which anything is possible. But he was deep in the doldrums when, with magic suddenness, the scene changed, and his long discouragement came to an end. _ |
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