Out of the Storm by Grace Livingston Hill

Author:Grace Livingston Hill
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbour Publishing Inc
Published: 2015-12-28T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Benedict suddenly became aware of the mighty change that had taken place in himself. If this scene had occurred a year ago, he would have wanted to take her in his arms like a little child and comfort her. The tiny curl in the back of her neck was strongly in evidence, but it had no effect upon him. He was instead conscious of being annoyed that the business he had come for must be delayed in this way, and he stood looking down on her perplexed--and suddenly feeling his own bodily weakness, which until now had been held in abeyance by his own happy thoughts and his desire to get through and to get back to Gail.

Every instinct of manly courtesy demanded now that he do something to relieve the sufferings of the girl whom he had obviously frightened into a hysterical state, but in spite of himself he could think of nothing to do. What was there to do for a little creature like that in such a state unless you took her in your arms, and he had no right nor desire to do that. Indeed he felt a growing impatience with her foolishness and childish ways. Why couldn't she be a woman and sit up and behave now that she was actually engaged to be married? What a woman for a man to make his wife anyway! Gail would never have been so silly! Gail who drew him upon her raft and held him in her arms through the storm and wildness, knowing not yet whether he were dead or living! His heart quickened as he thought of her, and he sat down and tried to hasten matters.

"Dorothy," he said gently, "won't you listen to me? I haven't come to reproach you. I've only come to say it's all right. Don't you understand? I saw the notice of your engagement announced in the papers and came at once. I didn't want you to think I held any ill will."

"I thought you were dead!" sobbed the girl. "I did indeed. Everybody told me there wasn't any possibility of your being saved."

A cold chill crept to his heart. Was she going to claim him again in the old way and try to hold him? He frowned and drew his chair back a little, trying to think what was the best thing to say without being brutal in his frankness, but the childish voice went on:

"I was always fond of you, Clinton, you know, but nobody knew we were engaged, and you know how horrid and old I always look in black, and Arthur had been pestering me for months."

Benedict drew back with a sudden relieved laugh, so natural and happy that the girl looked up from her applied weeping in astonishment and growing chagrin.

"Well, that's all right. Of course, Dorothy, when I was drowned you had a perfect right to call our engagement off and make what other arrangements you thought best. You needn't apologize. I'm glad you did it.

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