"
"Reckon the boys won't hang about old Harcourt's Free Library to see
the girls home from lectures and singing-class much this year," said
Wingate. "Wonder if Harcourt ever thought o' this the day he opened it,
and made that rattlin' speech o' his about the new property? Clark
says everything built on that made ground has got to go after the water
falls. Rough on Harcourt after all his other losses, eh? He oughter
have closed up with that scientific chap, Grant, and married him to
Clementina while the big boom was on"--
"Hush!" said Peters, indicating Grant, who had just entered quietly.
"Don't mind me, gentlemen," said Grant, stepping towards the group
with a grave but perfectly collected face; "on the contrary, I am very
anxious to hear all the news of Harcourt's family. I left for New York
before the rainy season, and have only just got back."
His speech and manner appeared to be so much in keeping with the
prevailing grim philosophy that Billings, after a glance at the others,
went on. "Ef you left afore the first rains," said he, "you must have
left only the steamer ahead of Fletcher, when he run off with Clementina
Harcourt, and you might have come across them on their wedding trip in
New York."
Not a muscle of Grant's face changed under their eager and cruel
scrutiny. "No, I didn't," he returned quietly. "But why did she run
away? Did the father object to Fletcher? If I remember rightly he was
rich and a good match.
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