The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-07-04
CHAPTER VII
The Compact


Bendigo lit his pipe and turned to
his only book. 1t was "Moby Dick.
Herman Melville's masterpiece had
long ago become for the oil sailor
the one piece of literature in the
world
well" he said to Doria, get you
gone. Look round as usual to see
that alrs snug aloft and below; then
turn in. Leave only the light in the
hall and the front door on the latch.
Did you mark if he had watch to
know the >hour7"
He had no watch, but Mrs Pen
dean thought upon that and lent him
hers"
Bendigo nodded and picked up
clay pipe, while Doria spoke again.
May I speak of your niece mo-
ment before I go?"
Bendigo shrugged his round should
ers and pushed his hand through his
red hair.
Its nc good speaking of her till
you've spoken to her." he said. l
know what you are after very well.
But it's up to her, I reckon, not me.
She's gone her own way since she
was a nipper-got her fathers Will
hid under her woman's shape"
"Our italian way is to approach the
parents of the loved one" explained
Doria. ITO win you is to be far on
my way, for you stand to her in the
place Of parent. Is it not so? She
cannot live alone. She was not meant
bv God to be a single woman, or a
widow woman"
But what about your ambitions
to wed an heiress and claim the title
and the territory of your vanished
forebears?7
Doria swept his hands to right and
left with a great gesture, as though
casting away his former hopes.
"It is fate he said. II planned
my life without love. had never
loved and never wanted to. Now 4
do not want the rich woman but only
she who. wakens my passion, adora-
ton, worship. Life has nothing in it
but Madonna-English Jenny"
I'VE can stow the subject for six
months anyhow" replied Bendigo,
lighting his long clay. Il suppose in
your country as well as mine. there's
right and a wrong way to approach
woman; and seeing my girls a
widow-made so under peculiarly sad
circumstances-you1 understand that
love talk is out of the question for a
good bit yet a while"
at is too true" answered the other
Trust me. I will hide my soul and
be exquisitely cautious. Her sorrow
shall be respected-from no selfish
motive only, but because I am a
gentleman, as you remind me-"
He was gone and for a moment only
the hurtle of rain on the ground win
dows Of the tower room broke the
silence; then Brendon emerged from
his hiding place and stretched his
limbs. Bendigo regarded him with an
expression half humorous and half
grim.
That's how the land lies." he said.
Now you've got it,
Mark bent his head.
AS a clock in the hall below beat
the hour of one he returned to the
cupboard and drew the door behind
him. Bendigo had just lighted an
| other pipe when there came the sound
of feet ascending the stair; but 1t was
no doubtful or cautious football that
they heard. The ascending man
neither hesitated nor made any effort
to approach without noise. He came
swiftly and as the sailor stood up
calm and collected to meet his brother
not Robert Redmayne, but Giuseppe
Doria appeared.
He was very agitated and his eyes
shone. He breathed hard and wiped
the hair away from his forehead. He
had evidently been out in the rain, for
water glistened on his shoulders and
face.
Doria explained.
II was going the rounds and just
about to turn out the oil lamp over
the front gate as usual when I re-
membered Mr.. Redmayne. That is
half an hour ago and 1 thought. 1t
would be better to leave the lamp, to
guide him, for the night is dark and
fore, but I had already been seen. He
was waiting under the shelter of the
rocks on the other side of the road
He would not come within the gate,
but sent a message that you are to
come to him instead, if you still will
to save him."
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