Jeff took the paper and fanned him, while a suspicion of something like the truth began to dawn upon him. Then, with the bluntness which characterized him, he asked: “Did you care for her, and is that what ails you?”
Twilight was coming on, but Craig could see Jeff’s sympathizing face, and, with a sudden impulse, he replied: “She had promised to be my wife.”
Jeff gave a prolonged whistle and dropped the paper with which he was fanning Craig. Then, feeling that he must give some vent to his surprise, he had recourse to his usual custom, and turned three very rapid somersaults and landed on his feet in front of Craig. Jeff’s mind had worked almost as fast as his body, and, resuming the newspaper and fanning Craig furiously, he said, “I knew Mark liked her, and I liked Mark and used to tell him where she was waitin’ for him in corners and places sly like so folks wouldn’t see her. I thought you cared for her some, but didn’t s’pose you was in so deep, and I’m sorry I’ve told you about her, but you said tell everything.”
What Jeff had told Craig, although heroic treatment, was having its effect. Still he was very sore with the suddenness of the blow, and it would take him a little time to rally. He was humiliated, too, but there was comfort in thinking that possibly no one knew of his engagement except Mrs. Tracy. “I was foolish to tell Jeff, although I believe I can trust him,” he thought.
“Jeff,” he began, “if no one knows what I have told you, will you keep it to yourself?”
“You bet!” Jeff answered, feeling that he was of more importance now that he had a secret in common with Craig than he did when he was made clerk pro tem.
It was time the clerk was getting home, if he would attend to his business, and he said to Craig at last: “Do you think you can go on now? Mr. Taylor may be wanting me.”
“Yes, I am better,” Craig answered.
He tried to walk steadily, but his knees shook under him, and it seemed as if his feet were each weighing a ton. Once in the steepest part of the hill he felt Jeff put his arm across his back to help him up the incline. The action touched him deeply, and there was a mist in his eyes as he said, “Thank you, Jeff; but I think I can walk alone. I am feeling better and shall be all right when I reach the hotel.”
With a great effort he tried to seem natural when he entered the house and was greeted by Uncle Zach, who plunged at once into the heart of his trouble, bewailing his disappointment in Mark and wondering where he could find one to fill his place. Craig consoled him as well as he could and kept himself in the shade, both in the office and at the supper table, where he ate very little and shrank from the eyes which he fancied were directed towards him by his fellow boarders. He had still a hard task before him,—that of meeting Mrs. Tracy, who, the moment she heard he had come, sent for him. Her hysterics had subsided, but, when she saw Craig, she came near giving way again. Controlling herself with an effort, she gave him her hand and said: “I know your pain is as great, or greater, than mine, and I am sorry for you. I assure you I had no suspicion. It came like a thunderbolt, and to think my daughter should take up with a hotel clerk, whose great-grandmother was hung, is terrible!”