She turned to Elithe, who began at the miners’ camp and the night spent with Jack, dwelling at some length upon what he said in his delirium of Mignon. At this point Clarice put both hands to her face and the tears trickled through her fingers, while Elithe went on with her narrative of Jack’s life in Samona, his efforts to reform and the pledge which he drew up himself and carried in his pocket.
“He spoke of that in his letter, and said he tore it up after what happened in Chicago,” Clarice said, interrupting her.
Elithe bowed and went on to tell of his intimacy in her father’s family, his interest in her, and his giving her the ring when he left the car in Helena. She did not speak of his note; that was not necessary. She only added: “I never saw him again; never knew he was not Mr. Pennington till he was dying. You think he was bad. Everybody thinks so. In some respects he was, but he was trying to do better; he was doing better. He was susceptible to good influences and kind treatment, and tried to come up to one’s standard of him. Treat him like a dog, and he was a dog; treat him like a man, and he was a man. He was respected in Samona and among the miners. There will be mourning in Deep Gulch when they hear he is dead, and in Samona, too. Why he fell the last time and came here in the condition he did I do not know. Some influence he could not withstand was brought to bear upon him.”
Elithe had not read Jack’s letter, but Clarice had. She knew what had caused Jack’s downfall, and Elithe’s words were like sharp lashes to her conscience. Paul, too, knew, but kept silent and admired Elithe for her defense of Jack. Clarice had read to him a part of Jack’s letter, and the message to him had removed all his animosity and sense of injury. Jack was the friend of his boyhood, and he would have given much to bring him to life again. Clarice was also greatly softened, partly because of her money refunded and the present bought for her. This appealed to her baser nature, while something told her she had in one sense been her brother’s keeper and failed. Elithe’s words struck home, and she sobbed aloud as she listened.
“Thank you for telling me what you have,” she said. “It makes me think better of my brother. I wish I had done differently.” Then, removing the ring from her finger and offering it to Elithe, she continued: “Take it, please. It is yours. He gave it to you. He would like you to have it.”
Paul drew a breath of suspense, and Miss Hansford straightened her shoulders as they waited for Elithe’s reply.
“No,” she said, “I never wore it; never can wear it. I only cared for him as a friend. If it is mine I give it to you.”
Miss Hansford’s shoulders dropped and Paul breathed more freely.
“Thanks. I’ll accept it for Jack’s sake,” Clarice said.
She was very gracious now, and as Elithe arose to go said to her: “Come and see Jack. He looks so peaceful and happy, as if he were asleep.”