It may have been the effect of warm human sympathy, or the rich, sweet cadences of Reuben’s voice that soothed and quieted Hernando; but is it not reasonable to believe that Reuben, in his absolute self-abnegation, at-one-ment with his Maker, “transmitted a wireless message” direct to the Source of all being, and became a perfect “receiver” for the “wireless current of God’s dynamics,”—received a direct answer to that prayer? He arose from his knees and returned to complete the preparations for Hernando’s departure.
How the weary hours dragged on no one could tell. Sounds of merriment about the house were hushed and a blight seemed to have fallen on everything; but like everything else, the day had an end,—sunset, twilight, darkness; ten o’clock and Dr. Herschel; and the door closed on Hernando, as all but Dr. Herschel and Reuben believed—forever.
All thought of the wedding had been abandoned by Elisha and Celeste; but, on the morning after Hernando’s departure, Mr. De Vere received a note from Dr. Herschel telling that Hernando hoped his absence would make no difference in their arrangements for the wedding, and that they would accept his congratulations. So the simple ceremony that made Elisha Vedder and Celeste De Vere husband and wife was performed at the appointed time and Celeste did not feel disappointed in deferring her trip to Vicksburg, as Elisha filled the vacancy left by Hernando.
Though the miners marvelled, not one dared question the grave new superintendent. It was generally supposed that Hernando and Mr. De Vere had had some difference which resulted in the former’s dismissal and the fact of his having gone to live at Shushan made the odds against him. As he was no more seen, gradually he became in a measure forgotten, and work at the mine went as usual.
CHAPTER X
JACK started for Texas as planned. He proposed going first to Fredericksburgh and thence to Squaw Creek where resided George Nelson, a Texas cattle king, to whom Jack carried a letter of introduction from Andrew Genung.
Nothing of special interest occurred to break the monotony of his journey until reaching Austin, where he intended to remain and rest a few days before continuing on by stage for Fredericksburgh.
Mentally and physically tired, he sought his hotel. What was life worth? Only too well did he know the meaning of this hectic flush. The events that had happened at his home had fallen like a pall over his hopeful nature, and though convinced that this change could do no more than prolong his life, he had undertaken it to please his mother.