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〃I think I had better go with you； sir。 I shall have to see Judge
Straight。〃
〃Very well。 But you must come back to supper； and we'll have a few
friends in to meet you。 You must see some of the best people。〃
The doctor's buggy was waiting at the gate。 As they were passing the
hotel on their drive down town； the clerk came out to the curbstone and
called to the doctor。
〃There's a man here； doctor； who's been taken suddenly ill。 Can you
come in a minute？〃
〃I suppose I'll have to。 Will you wait for me here； George； or will
you drive down to the office？ I can walk the rest of the way。〃
〃I think I'll wait here； doctor；〃 answered Tryon。 〃I'll step up to my
room a moment。 I'll be back by the time you're ready。〃
It was while they were standing before the hotel； before alighting from
the buggy； that Frank Fowler； passing on his cart； saw Tryon and set out as
fast as he could to warn Mis' Molly and her daughter of his presence in the
town。
Tryon went up to his room； returned after a while； and resumed his
seat in the buggy； where he waited fifteen minutes longer before the doctor
was ready。 When they drew up in front of the office； the doctor's man
Dave was standing in the doorway； looking up the street with an anxious
expression； as though struggling hard to keep something upon his mind。
〃Anything wanted； Dave？〃 asked the doctor。
〃Dat young 'oman's be'n heah ag'in； suh； an' wants ter see you bad。
She's in de drugstore dere now； suh。 Bless Gawd！〃 he added to himself
fervently； 〃I 'membered dat。 Dis yer recommemb'ance er mine is gwine
ter git me inter trouble ef I don' look out； an' dat's a fac'； sho'。〃
The doctor sprang from the buggy with an agility remarkable in a man
of sixty。 〃Just keep your seat； George；〃 he said to Tryon； 〃until I have
spoken to the young woman； and then we'll go across to Straight's。 Or； if
you'll drive along a little farther； you can see the girl through the window。
She's worth the trouble； if you like a pretty face。〃
Tryon liked one pretty face； moreover； tinted beauty had never
appealed to him。 More to show a proper regard for what interested the
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THE HOUSE BEHIND THE CEDARS
doctor than from any curiosity of his own； he drove forward a few feet；
until the side of the buggy was opposite the drugstore window； and then
looked in。
Between the colored glass bottles in the window he could see a young
woman； a tall and slender girl； like a lily on its stem。 She stood talking
with the doctor； who held his hat in his hand with as much deference as
though she were the proudest dame in town。 Her face was partly turned
away from the window； but as Tryon's eye fell upon her； he gave a great
start。 Surely； no two women could be so much alike。 The height； the
graceful droop of the shoulders； the swan…like poise of the head； the well…
turned little ear；surely； no two women could have them all identical！
But； pshaw！ the notion was absurd； it was merely the reflex influence of
his morning's dream。
She moved slightly； it was Rena's movement。 Surely he knew the
gown； and the style of hair… dressing！ She rested her hand lightly on the
back of a chair。 The ring that glittered on her finger could be none other
than his own。
The doctor bowed。 The girl nodded in response； and； turning； left the
store。 Tryon leaned forward from the buggy…seat and kept his eye fixed
on the figure that moved across the floor of the drugstore。 As she came
out； she turned her face casually toward the buggy； and there could no
longer be any doubt as to her identity。
When Rena's eyes fell upon the young man in the buggy； she saw a
face as pale as death； with starting eyes； in which love； which once had
reigned there； had now given place to astonishment and horror。 She
stood a moment as if turned to stone。 One appealing glance she gave；a
look that might have softened adamant。 When she saw that it brought no
answering sign of love or sorrow or regret； the color faded from her cheek；
the light from her eye； and she fell fainting to the ground。
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THE HOUSE BEHIND THE CEDARS
XVI
THE BOTTOM FALLS OUT
The first effect of Tryon's discovery was； figuratively speaking； to
knock the bottom out of things for him。 It was much as if a boat on
which he had been floating smoothly down the stream of pleasure had
sunk suddenly and left him struggling in deep waters。 The full
realization of the truth； which followed speedily； had for the moment
reversed his mental attitude toward her； and love and yearning had given
place to anger and disgust。 His agitation could hardly have escaped
notice had not the doctor's attention； and that of the crowd that quickly
gathered； been absorbed by the young woman who had fallen。 During
the time occupied in carrying her into the drugstore； restoring her to
consciousness； and sending her home in a carriage； Tryon had time to
recover in some degree his self…possession。 When Rena had been taken
home； he slipped away for a long walk； after which he called at Judge
Straight's office and received the judge's report upon the matter presented。
Judge Straight had found the claim； in his opinion； a good one； he had
discovered property from which； in case the claim were allowed； the
amount might be realized。 The judge； who had already been informed of
the incident at the drugstore； observed Tryon's preoccupation and guessed
shrewdly at its cause； but gave no sign。 Tryon left the matter of the note
unreservedly in the lawyer's hands； with instructions to communicate to
him any further developments。
Returning to the doctor's office； Tryon listened to that genial