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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/15078-8.txt b/15078-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c4af4f6 --- /dev/null +++ b/15078-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6497 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Idle Hour Stories, by Eugenia Dunlap Potts + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Idle Hour Stories + +Author: Eugenia Dunlap Potts + +Release Date: February 16, 2005 [EBook #15078] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IDLE HOUR STORIES *** + + + + +Produced by Kentuckiana Digital Library, David Garcia and the PG +Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + + + + IDLE HOUR STORIES + + * * * * * + + + BY + EUGENIA DUNLAP POTTS + + + Author of + "The Song of Lancaster," + "A Kentucky Girl in Dixie," + "Short Mountain Trail," + "Stories for Children," + "The Housekeepers' Olio," + and "Home Talks." + + * * * * * + + PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR + + + * * * * * + + PRESS OF + J.L. RICHARDSON & CO. + LEXINGTON, KY. + 1909 + + * * * * * + + + + + DEDICATED + + To the memory of my beloved and only son, + George Dunlap Potts, whose young + eyes watched with affectionate + interest the weaving of + these fancies. + + + + * * * * * + + + + +TABLE OF CONTENTS. + + + A THRILLING EXPERIENCE + A CLUSTER OF RIPE FRUIT + THE GHOST AT CRESTDALE + HER CHRISTMAS GIFT + IN A PULLMAN CAR + IN OLD KENTUCKY + HIS GRATITUDE + THE SINGER'S CHRISTMAS + TURNING THE TABLES + HOW SHE HELPED HIM + THE IRON BOX + THE GIRL FARMERS + PROVING A HEART + HEZEKIAH'S WOOING + A SUMMER DAISY + TREESA + MY FIRST JURY CASE + THREE VISITS + IN EASTER DAWN + IN THE MAMMOTH CAVE + + POEMS + + REVERIE + THE MISER AND THE ANGEL + REST + THE CHANGED CROSS + + * * * * * + + + + +A Thrilling Experience + +MIGHT vs. RIGHT + + +It is some years since I was station-master, telegraph-operator, +baggage-agent and ticket seller at a little village near some valuable +oil wells. + +The station-house was a little distance from the unpretentious +thoroughfare that had grown up in a day, and my duties were so arduous +that I had scarcely leisure for a weekly flitting to a certain mansion +on the hill where dwelt Ellen Morris, my promised wife. In fact, it was +with the hope of lessening the distance between us that I had under +taken these quadruple duties. + +The day was gloomy, and towards the afternoon ominous rolls of thunder +portended a storm. + +Colonel Holloway, the well-known treasurer of the oil company, had been +in the village several days. About one o'clock he came hurriedly into +the office with a package, which he laid upon my desk, saying: + +"Take care of that, Bowen, till to-morrow. I am going up the road." + +The commission was not an unusual one, and my safe was one of Marvin's +best. I counted the money, which footed up into the thousands, placed +it in the official envelope, affixed the seals, and deposited it in the +safe. As I turned away from the lock, a voice at the door said: + +"Say, mister, can you tell me the way to the post office?" + +A sort of shock went through me at the unexpected presence that seemed +to have dropped down from nowhere, and I replied irritably: + +"You could not miss it if you tried. Keep straight ahead." + +Soon large drops of rain came down, then faster and more furiously, till +the air was one vast sheet of water, and little rivers leaped madly +along the gullies and culverts. Forked lightning kept pace with the +pealing thunder, and heaven's own artillery seemed let loose. + +Anything more dismal or dreary could not well be imagined, and gradually +the loneliness grew very oppressive. Every straggler had fled to +shelter, and the usual idlers had deserted the platform. + +But I resolutely set to work at the dry statistics of the station-books, +with an occasional call to the wires, which were ticking like mad, so +fierce was the electric current. + +It was near five o'clock when a long freight train came lumbering by, +switched off a car or two, then dragged its slow length onward. This +created a brief diversion, then once more I was deserted. + +The next passenger train was not due till ten o'clock. I lit the lamps +and resigned myself with questionable patience to the intervening hours. +An agreeable interruption came in the form of my supper, which was +brought in a water-proof basket by a sort of jack-at-all-trades whom we +called Jake. Shaking himself like a great dog, he "lowed there wa'n't +much more water up yonder nohow." + +"I hope not, indeed," I said, glad of the sound of a human voice. +"Jake!" I called, as he left the office, "come back as soon as you +can--I may need you." + +I had a vague idea of despatching some sort of report to Ellen that I +had not been entirely washed away, and obtaining a similar comfort as +to her own fate. I little thought how I should need him. + +I think I am not by nature more timid than other men, but as the dismal +evening closed in I took from my desk two revolvers kept ready for +possible emergencies, and laid one upon the desk where I was making +freight entries and the other on the table where the electric battery +stood. At intervals a fresh package for the night express was brought +by some dripping carrier, who deposited it, got his receipt, hung about +for a few minutes, then hastened away to more comfortable quarters. + +Still the rain poured in torrents. It must have been nearly nine o'clock +when a wagon, hurriedly driven, pulled up suddenly at the platform. In a +moment the door was flung open, and I saw a small ambulance well known +about the village. Two men sprang out, and with the help of the driver +and his assistant, proceeded to lift out a box which from its dimensions +could contain only one kind of freight, to wit, the remains of a human +being. + +Carefully placing this box in a remote corner of the room, near other +boxes awaiting transportation, the driver and his man returned to their +wagon, while the two strangers approached the desk to enter their +ghastly freight. They wore slouched hats and were very wet. They +produced a death certificate of one John Slate, who had died at a farm +house several miles away, of a non-contagious complaint, and was to be +shipped to his friends down the road. This was all. There was nothing +singular about it, and yet when the door closed upon the strangers and +I was again alone, or worse than alone a feeling of awe came over me. +Clearly the storm had somewhat unstrung me. + +Only one hour till the train was due, after which I could turn in for +the night. + +A louder peal of thunder shook the house, and fiercer flashed the +lightning. Minute after minute went by, and each seemed an age. The +roar and din of the elements only deepened the gloom inside, where the +uncertain kerosene lamp darkened the shadows. + +Suddenly to my overstrained nerves the ceaseless clicking of the +instrument seemed to say, "Watch the box--watch the box--watch the box." +As a particular strain of melody will at times repeat itself in the +mind, and obstinately keep time to every movement, till one is well-nigh +distracted, so this refrain began to enchain every sense: "Watch the +box--watch the box--watch the box." Till now my depressed spirits were +due only to the solitude and the storm. No suspicion of evil or danger +had tormented me. + +Peering more closely into the dingy corner, I saw only the ordinary pine +box, with what seemed to be a square paper, or placard, on the side +facing me. Probably the address, bunglingly adjusted on the side instead +of the top, or else a stain of mud from the late rough drive. At all +events I was not curious enough to approach more nearly the ghostly +visitant. + +Ten minutes had crept by, when a muffled noise in the dark corner +distinctly sounded above the pelting raindrops, while as if to mock at +my quickened fears, the wires continued their monotonous warning, +"Watch the box--watch the box--watch the box." I did watch the box, and +now as if by inspiration I grasped the situation. There was indeed a man +in the box, but not a dead one. A living man who had boldly lent himself +to a plot to rob or murder me, or perhaps both. + +I remembered the straggler who had surprised me while at the safe, +several hours before. He had doubtless followed Col. Holloway and +witnessed the money transaction. Quick and fast flew my thoughts in the +startled endeavor to grasp some plan of action. Single-handed I was no +match for any man, having recently recovered from an attack of malarial +fever. This one in the box (if indeed there was one) must mean to secure +the prize before the train was due, and escape the consequences. He must +have accomplices, and these were doubtless on watch, either to give or +receive a signal. At least it was not probable that he would undertake +the job alone, and the fact that he had confederates had already +appeared. + +Perhaps the sight of my pistol had delayed the attack. Perhaps some part +of their plan had miscarried and caused delay. At all events I must be +cool. I fancied I saw his eyes through the dark patch on the box. I was +almost sure he was slowly lifting the lid. There was no help near, and +much might be done in the time still to elapse before the train was due. + +Quietly walking to the battery, I feigned to take a message. In reality +I sent one to the conductor of the on-coming express, as the only device +whereby I could secure assistance, and this would doubtless come too +late. Yet it was all I could do just now. + +With every sense on the alert I arose to secrete my key if possible, +when the door burst open, and Frank Morris, my future brother-in-law, +rushed in, followed by a huge dog that was Ellen's special pet and +attendant. + +"Confound you!" said Frank, spluttering about and shaking himself as +vigorously as the dog. "I'll be blowed if I ever go on such a fool's +errand as this." + +"Why you are pretty well 'blowed'" I said, with a poor attempt to be +funny, but immensely relieved. + +"I never was so glad to see anybody in my life!" and I meant it. + +"There it is," he said; "make much of it" as he cleverly flipped a +little white missive over to me. "Such billing and cooing I never want +to see again. Regular spoons, by jove! Can't go to sleep till she knows +you have not been melted, or washed away, or something. And Cato must +come along to see that her precious brother doesn't get lost. Ugh! Lie +down over there, old fellow!" Then to me he said; "Here help me out of +this wet thing." + +But I was engrossed just then, so ridding him of the offending garment, +the broad-shouldered young athlete strode about the room in mock +impatience. + +"Heavens! what a night!" he exclaimed. "What time does your train pass? +Ten? Just three minutes. I guess I'll stay; but we will have that young +damsel floating down here if she doesn't hear pretty soon." + +"Hello, Cato, what's the matter?" as the dog gave a low growl, "what's +that in the corner, Bowen?" + +The dog continued to growl and look suspiciously as the young fellow +rattled on. "That," I said, "is a dead man." + +"Humph!" he laughed. "Jolly good company for such a night. I say, Bowen, +you've got a nice toy there," and he took up the pistol that lay on the +table. In the meanwhile I had scrawled on piece of paper, which I had +quietly placed near the pistol: "The man in the box is a burglar. Be +ready for an attack." + +"Oh that's the game!" he said aloud, and instantly strode across the +room, as Cato sprang up and barked furiously at the box. Simultaneously +the top of the box flew up, and uttering a shrill whistle, the man +sprang to a sitting posture, while through the wide-flung door the +other two ruffians appeared with pistols cocked, At once there began a +deadly struggle. The dog had leaped upon the box and knocked the "dead" +man's pistol out of his hand, as Frank shouted, "Toho Cato!" unwilling +that the dog should tear him to pieces, but wishing to keep him at bay. + +"Your keys!" yelled the other men; "or by heavens, you'll drop!" + +Instantly closing in, man to man, the fierce struggle went on amid +shouts, oaths and pistol shots. + +"Call off your cursed dog!" screamed the "dead" man continually. + +The encounter, which had occupied scarcely a minute, was at its +deadliest, both Frank and I endeavoring to disarm rather than kill, when +the whistle of the train sounded, and in another moment the conductor +and his men were among us, "Seize that scoundrel!" shouted Frank +breathlessly, indicating the man in the box. "Here Cato!" and the +obedient animal unwillingly retired, but continued his savage growl. + +At this juncture my man fell to the floor, badly wounded in the leg, and +uttering groans and imprecations. It was quick work to secure the men, +and Jake, who opportunely reappeared, was sent to summon the village +police. Some of the passengers, impatient at the delay, had got wind of +the adventure, and now crowded into the station in no little excitement. +The box was found to have a false side-piece next to the wall, which was +easily pushed down by the man inside, for greater comfort in his cramped +position; and there were besides a number of air holes. It was the +moving of the side-panel that caused the muffled noise I had heard. + +I was questioned in all possible ways, and the curiosity of the +passengers was fully gratified amid the clamor of the prisoners, who +continually swore at each other. "What did you wait so infernal long +for?" said one of them, glaring at the "dead" man. + +"What was your infernal hurry?" retorted the other, sarcastically. + +It was plain from the quarrel that ensued that the sight of my pistols +and my evident uneasiness, together with effect of the fearful storm, +which confused all signals, had unsettled the fellow's plan, and had +robbed him of his presence of mind. While puzzling as to the safest +course, the sudden entrance of Frank and the dog had precipitated the +catastrophe. + +The men were conducted to the County Jail, and I was the hero of the +hour, although I could not claim much credit for personal valor in the +matter. + +Was it Fate or Providence that befriended me? But for my presentiment, +or what ever it might be, I should have urged Frank's immediate return +to my anxious betrothed. But for her loving anxiety he never would have +come down on such a night. But for the dog one of us must have been +killed. And first of all, but for the instinctive sense of danger the +telegraph wires would never have spoken a warning to my excited fancy; +and this manifest feeling of apprehension, though I strove hard to +conceal it, held the man in the box at bay. + +The practical result of the episode was a more commodious station-house, +and more men on duty. My salary was raised; but eventually I gave up the +situation because my wife could never feel satisfied to have me perform +night work after the fearful experience I have related. + +As to Frank, he is not backward with explosive English whenever the +subject is mentioned, and no amount of persuasion could ever reconcile +Cato to the station-room. + + + + +A Cluster of Ripe Fruit + +CHARACTER STUDY + + +They were five sisters, all unmarried; they lived in the old Dutch town +that was made memorable by Barbara Frietchie's exploits. They never +hoisted a Union flag, or did any grand thing; but they deserve a place +in story just the same. Their name was Peyre, and the young people +called them "The Pears", not in derision, for the regard they inspired +was little short of veneration. Their ages ranged from sixty-five to +eighty years when I first knew them. Unlike the Hannah More quintette, +they were not literary. But no hive of busy bees was ever more +industrious than they in the line of purely feminine accomplishments. + +"The Pears" were not poor, but they were frugal. They owned a +comfortable two-story brick house on a quiet street, and let their +ground floor to a small tradesman. The way to the sisters led along +a smoothly-paved side alley, all fenced in, through a little kitchen +with spotless floor and shining tins, up a narrow, crooked, snow-white +stairway, and finally through funny little chambers, up two steps, or +down three, till the workshop was reached. There they sat, clean and +fresh and busy, each in her own nook; and just there they might have +been found every day these sixty years. + +The workshop had the appearance of tidy fullness. An everlasting quilt +was stretched across the end window, and here Miss Becky had laid her +chalk-lines and pricked her fingers through several generations. The +faithful fingers were brown and crooked, she said, from rheumatism; but +how could they be straight when eternally bent over the patchwork? +Surely the quilt was not always the same; yet the frames were never +empty, and the chair was never vacant. + +Miss Polly was housekeeper and cook, with Miss Phoebe to run errands, do +the marketing, visit the needy, and supervise generally. Some one must +have done the mending and darning and laundry work, but I never saw any +of that. + +Miss Sophie (the sisters said Suffy) was the knitter and her needles +were never still. Always a gray yarn stocking, and never any appearance +of the finished pair. Go when you would,--and the dear ladies were not +alone many hours,--the knitting was on and going on. + +Miss Chrissy was the beauty. Ages ago there had been a tradition of a +lover, but nothing came of it. Perhaps they had all five lived out their +little romances--who could tell? A certain homage was paid to the +beauty. Her once brilliant auburn hair had paled to grayish sandy bands +that lay smooth under a cap which was always a little pretentious. Her +dark eyes and smiling lips made the soft white old face passing fair. +Miss Chrissy was the embroiderer and needle-work artist. Her treasures +of scallops and points and eyelets and wheels, all traced in ink upon +bits of letter-paper, were kept in a big square yellow box that was +bristling and bursting at all points. + +This box was marvellous. There could never have been but one other in +the world; and that I had seen under my great-grandmother's bed, the bed +that had its dainty white frill, and its glazed calico curtains of gay +paradise birds. They were all of a piece and not easily forgotten. The +box had seen hard service among the "Pears." It was cross-stitched up +and down the corner's along the bottom and the top, and all around. It +never occurred to them to get a new one. Like their old Bible, its +places could be found. + +I went, one frosty autumn day, to get a pattern for silk embroidery. +Stamping-blocks and tracing-wheels were unknown quantities to Miss +Chrissy. Her stumpy little pencil--and that, too, seemed always the +same--had to do the transfering. She liked a bit of harmless gossip, +dear soul; and the young girls of the town made a point of supplying the +lack of a newspaper with their busy tongues. So she knew at once who +I was. + +"Oh," she said, with her kindly smile, "you are young Mrs. John: I +remember when your husband was a babe. I think I can find it;--yes, it +is down in this corner,"--rummaging in the yellow box; "here it is--the +pattern your aunt,--Mrs. John, selected for your husband's first short +dress. All the Hunt family were customers of ours. Mrs. John, she +they called Aunt Lou, was a great favorite. She was rich, and had no +children. Well, she came one day all in a flurry to get a pattern--a +nice wide one she said, for little John's dress. He was the first baby, +and they fairly idolized him. This is it. I recollect the wheel and the +overcasting. It was--let me see--forty years ago, come this December. +Now, this little scallop is as popular as any" and she fished up +another, all full of needle-pricks. "Some ladies don't like much +embroidery, but they want a little finish. This one trimmed a set of +linen for Mrs. Senator Jones. It took me a good while to draw it. She +don't like this turn in the corner, so I made up something else. You +know I design my own patterns." + +Then resisting the temptation to give the history of the rest of her +favorites, she put the box aside and turned her attention to the quart +bottle in hand, with its strip of muslin stretched tight around it, +over a bewildering collection of grapes and leaves. This was her method, +and the admiring sisters thought it perfect. + +That night I teased John's mother into hunting up the dress, and there +was the identical pattern, edging the fine white cambric now yellow with +age. She was amused at my report of Miss Chrissy. + +In my annual journeyings to the old town I never neglected "The Pears." +They always looked as if I had just stepped out for an hour, and come +back. The carpet did not wear out; the stove never lacked luster; the +tiny window-panes were always just washed, and the diligent fingers went +on just the same. They had a quaint way not easy to describe. When one +talked all the rest chimed in with little whispering echoes, to support +the assertion; and yet they did not seem to interrupt. They were to me +living wonders, so perfectly unspotted from the world, so earnest in +their pigmy money-making, and so thoroughly united, I felt consumed with +curiosity as to their inner life. They must sometimes put by the +quilting and the knitting and the patterns. + +"How do you interest yourselves evenings, Miss Chrissy?" I asked, half +ashamed of the question. + +"Oh, we read," she said, smiling her ready smile. "Yes, read," echoed +Miss Suffy and the rest. "We read Sunday-School books, and our Bible, +of course. Sometimes we don't go to bed till ten o'clock." + +"Ten o'clock--o'clock--o'clock," assented the gentle voices. It was not +silly; the smiling faces all wore the sweet, simple look of guileless +childhood. + +Miss Suffy's window overlooked a time honored graveyard, where gray +slabs were tottering. Next to her beloved patterns and their varied +experiences, Miss Chrissy liked to tell of scenes and memories suggested +by these somber reminders. + +"It was a very cold day, Mrs. John," (so she always called me), "when +they buried your husband's uncle out there. Poor fellow! He was shot +at Buena Vista. A cannon-ball took off both his legs, and went right +through the horse he rode. He was a gallant officer. They thought at +first he would rally. The surgeons did their work quickly, and he +suffered little or no pain, but there was no chloroform in that day, and +he died from the shock. The snow was deep on the ground, but it was a +grand funeral. They've got a fine new cemetery out on the hill, but we +never go there. Our dead are all here where we can see their graves." + +"Graves," came the echo, they had all along nodded, or murmured, assent. + +"One of the saddest funerals we have ever seen." Miss Chrissy went on, +"was a double funeral. Two young men, both only sons, were drowned in +the river while bathing. Their mothers were widows. It was terrible. Two +hearses and two long lines of mourners. There they lie--over there in +that enclosure. They were cousins, and were buried side by side." + +"The mothers, Chrissy!" mildly prompted the whisper, when the narrator +paused. + +"Yes, the mothers! one died of a broken heart, and the other lost her +mind outright. She is living yet, an old woman, who regularly goes to +the front door of the asylum every morning and takes her seat. If it is +cold weather, she sits inside. She asks every one who enters if Luther +is coming--that was her boy's name." + +"Did you know the first Mrs. John Hunt, Miss Chrissy--my husband's +grandmother?" I asked, willing to change the gloomy subject. + +"Just as well as I know you, Mrs. John. She was a beautiful little +woman, I was very young at the time I am thinking of. She sent at night +for an embroidered flannel I was doing. It was my first wide pattern, +and it went slow. At 10 o'clock it was finished, and my father went with +me to take it home. They were all going to Washington to the President's +ball--President Monroe, it was--and the trunk was packing. It was to go +on the big traveling-coach. When I ran up stairs and knocked,--I had +often been there before--she opened the door herself. 'Oh, it's you +Chrissy,' she said in her pleasant way; 'come in child; don't you want +to see something pretty?' And she showed me two elegant brocaded silk +gowns, very narrow and very short-waisted, but stiff enough to stand +alone.' + +"She praised my work and said I was a good girl. Then she paid me the +money and tied a little blue silk handkerchief around my neck for a +keepsake. 'There,' she said, in her quick voice, 'you may go.' I did +many other patterns for the family, but poor lady! she never saw me +again. She had an illness and lost her eyesight. She was stone blind for +many years. I have the keepsake yet. It is put away in the hair-trunk." + +The sisters were all in full sympathy, as usual. Thus I sat and listened +scores of times, making a pretence of wanting a pattern,--anything to +get Miss Chrissy story-telling. + +In the centennial year I found "The Pears" much shaken from their even +tenor. The relic-hunters had penetrated their omnium gatherum and +offered fabulous sums for the quaint old bits they found there. One of +them declared he must and would have these wonders for the New England +Kitchen. But the sisters were outraged. Adroitly I managed to hint a +desire to see those treasures inestimable, and then for the first time I +moved from my accustomed seat, and they moved from theirs. The magnitude +of their wrongs would admit of nothing like routine or monotony. The +chairs were pushed back, and I saw five tall, slim figures standing +erect, in straight black gowns, white kerchiefs and spotless caps. They +were devout Lutherans, and their pew at the Sunday service was never +vacant; but I had never seen them outside the workshop. + +We filed into the funny little chambers where were the high beds, with +their steps to be climbed. What a wilderness of feathers and patchwork! +Some of Miss Becky's work was there. The bureaus nearly to ceilings, +ornamented with round glass knobs, had their little mirrors perched +up above my head. The candle stands, with spindle legs, wore an +antediluvian look, and the chairs were just as queer. The more aspiring +ones were prim in starched antimaccassars. Even the footstools belonged +to a prehistoric age. There was nothing costly or elegant, but so very +ancient and even comical, I had never seen anything like it, anywhere. +A few oil-paintings, hung in the very border of the huge-figured paper, +were small, but evidently fine. + +"These things were brought from Alsace," explained Miss Chrissy, as I +commented freely. "Elsace is the way to call it--and we can't bear to +have strangers meddling with what is sacred to us." + +"Sacred to us," came from the procession behind. + +At last, pausing before a huge hair trunk, they all gathered nearer, and +when the lid was raised, they vied with one another in displaying the +contents. It would take a great while to tell all that I saw, or their +curious little speeches and words and assents. There were samplers in +every style of lettering and color. The inevitable tombstone, with the +weeping-willow and mourning female, was among them. Bits of painted +velvet, huge reticules, bead purses; gay shawls, and curious lace +caps--all showed patient handiwork. Gifts and souvenirs were plentiful, +even to the blue silk keepsake of the first Mrs. John. Then came +old-fashioned silver spoons and knives and tea-pots, heir-looms, they +said, from the old country. A bit of coarse paper bore an order for +supplies for soldiers upon the Commissaire at Nice, and was signed with +the genuine autograph of the great Napoleon. Every article had its +history, and rarely, if ever, was the little work-shop so long neglected +as on that occasion. When the procession filed back, I took leave with +somewhat the feeling of having been buried in wonderland, and suddenly +resurrected. + +Perhaps the shock of the dreaded vandalism was too much. Perhaps the +excitement of the hair trunk struck too deep. At all events. Miss Becky +grew to muttering over her quilt, and making long pauses. One day her +needle stuck fast in the patchwork, and her head quietly sank to rest on +the rolled frame. When I paid my next visit, they said, "You will find +it very odd at The Pears's. Miss Becky is gone." + +I did find it odd. The quilt was rolled forever, and the end window was +empty. There was only the chair. Still Miss Suffy sat with her stocking, +and Miss Chrissy with her patterns, placid and patient,--they were only +waiting; yet working as they waited. Miss Polly sighed once in a while +over her pans. Miss Phoebe still went to market and distributed small +alms to the poor. Ripe in good works and in holy resignation were The +Pears. + +"Our quilter is gone," said Miss Chrissy. This time there was no +whispered echo; only a gentle sighing all around. But some of the +scallops in the yellow box were not without fresh adventures; and these +I heard. + +That winter, Miss Phoebe fell on the slippery little side alley. There +were no bones broken, but she, too, sank to rest in the old gray +churchyard. + +It was three years before I went back. Then they said, "Miss Chrissy is +alone." Alone I found her. She was little changed. The brightness had +merely gone from her smile. I noticed that her talk was less of her +patterns, and more of the gray slabs. She no longer clung to the proud +little boast, "I design my own patterns." She was apt to tell what Suffy +said, or Polly, or Phoebe, not forgetting Becky, our quilter. + +"No," she said, when I asked: "Polly was not sick. She said in the +morning, 'Chrissy, do you ever feel strange in your head?' Next morning +she did not wake up. Suffy was never as strong as the rest--her back was +bad; so when she had a sort of fit one day, it was soon over." + +"You don't--you can't--stay here all alone?" + +"No, Mrs. John, Henrietta is with me. You know Henrietta? She belongs to +the people down stairs. I shan't forget her kindness." + +"Are you very lonely, Miss Chrissy?" I asked, choking down the tears. + +"No, not lonely. The dear Lord is with me; He will stay to the end. No, +Mrs. John, not lonely." + +She had always refrained, in diffidence, or humility, from religious +talk. I know it was from no lack of deep spiritual conviction. If ever +the world contained a purer, sweeter sisterhood, I have not known it. +Their work was homely, as their lives were secluded, but no one ever +saw them idle or impatient. In one straight and narrow path they walked +through earth's temptations to heaven's reward. + +One of the last things she said to me was that I should take some of the +choicest patterns to my western home, notably "little John's first short +dress edge." + +"You have been a helper to us in more ways than one. God will bless you, +Mrs. John." + +"Is there nothing you would have me do now? Dear Miss Chrissy, do not +hesitate to speak." + +She did hesitate. "I don't think of anything. My papers have long been +drawn up. Lawyer Thomas will attend to them. You know our little savings +are to go to the Home for Aged Women." + +I never saw her again. Sitting one day, placid and patient, she fell +asleep over the yellow box; and when they lifted the soft white old +face, all was still. + + + + +The Ghost at Crestdale + +AN ADVENTURE + + +"Here we are, safe and sound," cheerily said the driver of the huge +black ambulance, as he pulled up before the piazza of Crestdale, the +beautiful villa whose tower had been tantalizing the travelers for +several miles. + +A party of five descended from the wagon as the wide doors were flung +open by the housekeeper, and a kindly welcome greeted them, as well as +comfortable fires. + +"My! how cold it is," exclaimed a fresh young voice, as the speaker +hurried close to the generous heater. + +"Be careful, dear, or you will burn your coat," warned an older lady, +while a stalwart young fellow tenderly loosed the seal wrap in question. + +Placing the fair wearer in a great arm-chair, he said: "There, +Mademoiselle Jessie, be a good girl--if you can. Now, sister ours, what +can I do for you?" turning gallantly to the other lady. + +"Thanks, you foolish boy," was the pleasant rejoinder; "look after +those parcels and those live commodities shivering there." + +The live commodities were a maltese cat, a canary bird, and two raw +recruits from Erin; and the "foolish boy" at once set about assigning +places for people and things. + +"There's a kitchen somewhere back here; come along, Michael. All right, +Katie, follow me, and fetch the menagerie with you." + +Duly installing them in their domain, the young man made his way back +through the wide, chilly rooms that intervened, and joined the ladies +who were fast making themselves at home. + +"A trifle bleak this, isn't it?" he said, rubbing his hands before the +blazing logs. "But just take note of that fragrant beefsteak. Say, +girls, I don't see any table set anywhere;" and he looked ruefully +around. + +"Give us time, sir," remonstrated the elderly lady. "Here is a move in +the right direction already," she added, as the housekeeper entered with +the tea tray. + +"Mabel, can't we have muffins?" pleaded the young voice. + +"Muffins! Not on such short notice; but you may have toast and eggs." + +"You'll disenchant me with your enormous appetite," chaffed the young +fellow, and got a saucy slap for his pains. + +"Riding hours and hours on that horrid train is enough to starve any +one," was the ready defense; "you only came from New York. Come on, +everybody, while the steak is hot." And they gathered round to do +justice to the repast. + +Mabel and Jessie Winthrop were orphan sisters, the one fifteen years the +elder, and was mother as well as sister to her idolized charge. Her own +life romance was a buried chapter, and now she was chiefly concerned for +the happiness of the two young persons seated there. + +George Randolph was a distant cousin, and was to be married to Jessie +Winthrop in two weeks' time. They had come down to make ready the +seaside villa, which was their favorite home. It stood upon a winding +river close to shore, and commanded a view of the surrounding country +for many miles. + +It was an immense house, containing some twenty-five rooms, and +full of unexpected niches, nooks, and crannies. It was kept furnished +throughout, but was locked up in the winter months. An unlooked-for cold +wave, speeding from the northwest, had made the coming of the +prospective bridal party a somewhat dreary affair. + +A few happy touches here and there transformed the gloom into cheer, and +it was with renewed animation that they arose from their repast an hour +later. + +George was to return to the city next day, but would run down frequently +before the wedding day. Meanwhile this, their first evening, passed +quickly and agreeably for all. + +The ensuing week was a busy one. A whole army of sweepers, dusters and +renovators were turned loose in and about the villa, and the good work +went on with a will. + +Michael took charge of a pony phaeton, and the sisters often drove in to +the village shops, two miles away, where the nearest railroad station +was. It was necessary, however, that Mabel should make a final trip to +the city to purchase some articles, and she arranged her time so that +George could return with her on the evening train. + +"You won't be afraid, darling?" was Mabel's fond question, as she made +out her list. + +"Afraid?" echoed the other. "Why, no; what is there to be afraid of? It +is perfectly safe here." + +"Yes, I know; otherwise, I would not leave you even for the day." + +"The house is big," said Jessie, "but we have near neighbors. Besides, +there's Mike and Katie, and Mrs. Lawrence. Oh, I'm all right, Mabel +dear." + +"See that the house is securely fastened;" was Mabel's parting +injunction as she kissed her sister goodbye. "Look for us at the sound +of the whistle to-night." + +"Indade, Miss Jessie," said Katie a little later, her face in a pucker, +"indade it's not right for the loikes af yees to be here all alone." + +"Why, Katie, what's the matter," laughed the girl; "you don't call this +being alone, do you?" + +"Ah, but haven't yees heard the quare noises in the tower, Miss Jessie? +An' shure there's a ghost in this house--Holy Mother defind us!" and +Katie piously crossed herself in real terror. + +"A ghost, Katie! I'm ashamed of you. It is only the wind. It blows here +fearfully. You might turn a regiment loose in the house, and they could +scarcely make more noise than these big, rattling windows." + +"Arrah, me jewel," protested Katie; "there's a turrible walkin' about in +the tower ivery night these two noights. An' didn't yees hear about the +awful murther in the town over beyant us an' the murtherer iscapin'? +Sich a quare murther, too, with the finger rings all left on, and the +money purse in the pocket. Ah, Miss Jessie, a murtherin' ghost won't +niver be laid." + +"You silly Kate!" said Jessie merrily. "Don't be afraid, I'll take care +of the ghosts. We are all right." + +After a cup of tea and a bit of toast, Jessie repaired to her chamber +on the second floor and picked up some trifle she was embroidering, to +beguile the time of waiting. Mabel and George would get in about nine, +when they were to relate the day's doings around a good warm supper. + +Katie was to follow and sit with her mistress, after she had done some +righting up down stairs. Mike was bent upon routing an army of rats in +the barn. Mrs. Lawrence had retired to her room with a nervous headache. + +The high winds from the sea had lulled, and for once the house was +utterly quiet--so quiet that the stillness became oppressive. Meanwhile +the young girl sat in her bower of luxury, softly humming a favorite +air, and very happy in thoughts of her approaching marriage. While deep +in her smiling reverie, a stealthy footstep distinctly sounded outside +her door. + +Raising her head, she had not time to feel a sensation of real fear, +when cautiously her doorknob was turned and a head intruded itself which +struck her as dumb as though Medusa had appeared, and drove the +life-blood in a frozen current to her head. + +The face was ghastly, the hair black and curling upon high, narrow +shoulders, the figure slight and spare, and a pair of restless black +eyes were glittering swiftly and cunningly around the room. + +"Hist!" he said to the horror-stricken girl, softly closing the door +and turning the key; and if Jessie had a distinct thought in that awful +moment, it was of thankfulness that the winter dampness had so warped +the door that the key would not fairly catch in the lock,--a bit of +repairing thus far overlooked in the wedding preparations. + +"Don't be frightened," he continued, in his sibilant whisper; "you will +take care of me, won't you?" + +But the girl's eyes only riveted themselves in more hopeless, helpless +terror upon the apparition. Every muscle seemed paralyzed. + +He drew a chair to the open grate as if the fire were most welcome. + +"You see," he said in his quaint, soft voice, "if they track me here +they may hang me, and they would be wrong--all wrong. I did not intend +to kill her, but she would not hold still." + +At this he gave a blood-curdling laugh, and the horrible truth burst +upon the listener's dazed senses. She was alone with a maniac. All the +stories she had ever read rushed to her memory, and the only clear +idea she had was the conviction that she must, if possible, humor his +vagaries till help came. She was a petted, spoiled darling, but she +had great strength of will, and she now called it into requisition. + +She hurriedly glanced at the clock, and calculated how long it would be +before the train whistle could signal the coming of her dear ones. Alas! +it was just eight. What, oh, what must she do? Of whom did he speak? +Kill her? Kill whom? Then the mystery of the murdered girl darted into +her mind. Katie had been right then. There was in truth a murdered girl. +Was this awful creature her slayer? + +Suddenly, with a confidential gesture he bade her sit down with him. + +"I'll tell you about it," he said; "if she had only kept still! But she +screamed and tried to run away, I can't stand noise!" He clapped his +hands over his ears as if to shut out the echo of it. "I must have this +blood--this pure, young, life-giving stream. But she would not listen to +me. Poor thing! It was too bad, wasn't it? Hey? Speak!" and he grasped +her delicate wrist with a grip of steel. + +Trembling at the sound of her own voice, the girl commanded herself to +say: + +"Yes; who was she?" + +"I don't know," he replied, seriously. "She was beautiful and fresh; she +was almost as fair as you," letting his wild eyes roam over her. "I was +getting away from that cursed place. Think of confining a man of my +learning in a madhouse! But that was just it. I had mastered the new +theory--the transfusion of blood. They wanted to steal my glory, so they +locked me in. But I outwitted them; I captured these and ran away." + +Laughing wildly but still under his breath, he took from his jacket a +black case of bright, new surgical instruments. + +"These were what I needed," he continued, with a low chuckle; "I could +not attain the goal without these beauties." Caressingly he went over +them. "Lancet, probe, trocar, bistoury, tourniquet,"--mentioning the +collection, while he passed his fingers affectionately along the small +sharp knives. + +"For years and years," he went on, "I have studied this theory. The only +thing is to find a young, strong, healthy subject; I found her. I was +hiding in the bushes; she was on the highway; but she would not listen +to me." + +"You did not kill her?" the girl forced her dry lips to ask. + +"Nay, nay; that is an ugly word. I had to sacrifice her--I did not kill. +Then the foolish mob came and I fled hither. But I had a bit of bread +and meat; she dropped her basket of lunch. I've been hiding in yonder +tower," pointing upward. "I thought I might find what I want; and now, +my dear, you will help me, won't you?" This he said coaxingly. + +"Help you? What can I do?" + +"Such a simple thing. Hold very still while I draw the rich red blood +from your pretty white throat." + +"You would not spoil my throat?" pleaded Jessie in winning tones, with +the courage born of despair; "such a very little throat," clasping her +soft fingers about it in unconscious paraphrase of King Hal's hapless +queen. + +"But where else can I find the glorious stream so rich and red?" he +argued, with a perplexed frown. "It must be transfused into my own +veins, that I, too, may be young again." + +"But not the throat! I could not sing any more then." + +"Ah, so--I heard you singing; it was not loud; it pleased me. Yes, +'twould be a pity. Well, I'll tell you what I will do. I'll open a vein +in your arm--just here," laying his finger on the round white member. +"This will quicken the nervous centers. Then I will cut my own arm and +insert your blood at the opening till the two life-currents mingle in +one stream." + +He paused and reflected a moment. The generous warmth of the fire, +together with the terrified girl's enforced quiet manner, were evidently +soothing to him. + +"Listen now, very closely: Here is my greatest scientific discovery. I +do not mean to impart the secret to another. It is the _transfusion of +brain!_ Some other man's head got on to my shoulders, and my brain is +all wrong. Now with your red blood charged in my veins, and your young +active brain absorbed into my own uncertain head, I shall find the +elixir of life, and you will not have lived in vain." + +Gracious Heaven! Did she hear aright? She had submitted to blood-letting +once to gratify an old family physician, who insisted upon the remedy; +and she felt almost brave enough to endure the operation again, if it +would only kill time and satisfy her tormentor. But to cut into her +brain! Merciful God! What should she do? She could not escape, for he +watched her with cat-like vigilance. Scream she dare not, for so did the +other frightened victim. She _must_ try to gain time. + +With a rapt expression he continued: "Since the days of Esculapius there +has been no such transcendent theory as this which is to make me famous. +All my weary nights of thought and days of study are to be rewarded at +last. Come child, are you ready? It will not hurt you. Only a little +pin-prick, and no pain. I would not pain you my dear." + +What if he should let her bleed to death! Oh sister, oh lover, come, or +she would die of horror, if not the knife! And Katie--why didn't she +come! At this moment the sound of the train whistle in the distance +broke on the stillness of the night. How could she gain ten minutes +more? The man had not noticed the sound. + +"What do you wish?" she asked sweetly, "What shall I get for you?" + +"Only a handkerchief and a basin," he replied coolly, still fingering +a sharp lancet. "You are not afraid? Good girl; now for my crowning +victory!" + +As a sleep-walker she procured the articles and bared her arm. Tenderly +he was binding it above the blue veins, when she said in winning tones: + +"Let me tell you how I think would be the best way to do this--may I?" +and she fixed her large eyes upon him in entreaty. He paused, and she +continued: + +"Now let me tie your arm in the same way. You open your own vein with +the lancet, then open mine, and quickly after mix the two while the +blood is warm. Do you see? You can't fail if you do it that way." + +He looked at her. She did not flinch. + +"Perhaps you are right; very well." + +She arose as deliberately as she dared and went to her dresser for +another handkerchief. At the moment she opened the linen case her ears, +strained to the utmost, caught a murmur from below stairs. Turning +quickly to see if the man also had heard, the door was pushed open and +Katie's neat cap filled the aperture. + + * * * * * + +"Get on as fast as you can, driver," said George Randolph, as he and +Mabel took seats in the village stage. Then turning to his companion, he +said in reassuring tones: "Don't be frightened, dear; she is all right." + +"I know it is foolish," said Mabel, half crying; "but those wretched +placards made me nervous, and all that talk about escaped murderers and +lunatics. I am fairly beside myself; do hurry!" + +As the wide portals of Crestdale appeared, Mabel cried, in sudden +terror: + +"Something is wrong, George; see how dim the lights are! She would never +welcome us like this. Don't wait to ring; open the doors!" + +As George fitted his key in the lock and swung wide the door, a shrill +scream from above made their blood curdle. Shriek upon shriek followed, +as Katie came bounding down the stairs, almost knocking backward the +two who ran past her to Jessie's room. White and lifeless they found +her, prostrate, her arm still bound with the handkerchief. She had risen +nobly to the awful emergency, but succumbed when relief came. + +In vain Katie continued a shriek that a murtherer was in the room. The +anxious watchers bent over their stricken darling, who was now lying on +her own bed and beginning to show signs of life. + +Before they could ascertain what had happened, for Katie was crazed and +incoherent from fright, a furious ringing of the bell sounded long and +loud. Michael opened the door to a party of men who were in pursuit of +a strange-looking person whose face had been seen at the tower window; +whether an escaped lunatic from the state asylum, or an escaped murderer +for whom a large reward was offered, remained to be proved. + +The search was instituted with George Randolph at the head. The victim +was soon unearthed, but in a moment, laughing wildly in the frenzy of +madness, he darted out upon the roof and, rather than be captured, +dashed himself to the pavement below. + +All night they sat beside the brave girl, and bit by bit heard her +story. For days she was ill from the shock of her fearful experience. +The wedding was very quiet, but George refused to have it deferred. + +It was months before the bride could summon courage to live at +Crestdale, and she was a much older woman before she could refer with +composure to Katie's murtherin' ghost. + + + + +Her Christmas Gift + +A WHITE RIBBON STORY + + +She was born on Christmas Day, and so came, with her little white +face and solemn eyes, into her pale mother's life. She was worse than +fatherless. The beast of a man she might have come to call by that +sacred name, would now be beside the snowy cot, weeping in maudlin +rejoicing over his new treasure, if the mother had not resolutely put +him away some six months before. + +The world knew him as Judge Barrett, a man of fine family, superb +talents, and a magnetic orator. He might be, perhaps, too convivial on +occasions, but was not this a common frailty among Kentucky's great +men? The wife knew him as besotted and disgusting. What mattered his +learning, his eloquence, his aristocratic blood, or ample income? To her +alone he brought his degraded mass of humanity day after day; and though +never personally unkind to her, or to the little boy that died, she was +enabled by the might of her tearless agony beside that tiny bier, to cut +the last tie that bound her to the blear-eyed creature sobbing on the +other side. The last tie? Ah, woe was she! The coming time brought into +her desolate life the frail link she must now take up; and in the first +bitter realization of her wronged womanhood, the mother-love lay +dormant. + +As the months went by the little Ruth twined herself in every fiber +about that lonely mother's heart, till she was loved with a love that +was pain. So jealously guarded, too, that never once had the father's +eyes fallen upon her, not even by chance. In vain he sent appeals just +to look on his little daughter; he would ask no more. He was refused, +and the baby's nurse did not dare transgress. + +By-and-by Ruth was old enough to understand; and then she wanted to know +who her papa was, and why he never came home as Masie Morrow's did. At +this her mother would be terrified, and clasping her treasure close, +would tell her she must never ask about her papa; he was a dreadful man. + +"Like Jack, the Giant-killer, mumzie?" + +"Oh, my dearie, he is a great deal worse." + +Again Ruth said; "I know, mumzie, my papa is a great black thing like +the pictures on the circus papers!" + +So it came to pass that Miss Ruth fell to thinking about her father till +it got to be a sort of mania with her--wondering and wondering what it +all meant. Her life was secluded, but she was fondly attached to her +grandparents and to a number of friends who were received at the house, +while her mother was most tenderly enshrined in the faithful little +heart. + +The mother had a comfortable income, and provided her little girl with +the best masters. She was a quaint, white-faced, solemn-eyed creature, +as she had been from the first. She said "old" things, her black nurse +declared, and she knew her little "missy" was under a spell. If so, the +spell was tempered by an almost idolatrous love on the mother's part. + +When she was getting to be a romping big girl, she had just as queer +ways; too old for a child, though the sober, owl-like look began to +soften to an earnest expression, which on occasions verged upon a +twinkle in the deep blue eyes. Distant friends were now writing letters +of inquiry, and her father's relatives persistently urged Mrs. Barrett +to send the child to them for a visit. At last she took Ruth and went; +she would not trust her out of her sight. She was a pale, pretty, +gentle-looking woman, with a will of iron. It was to Judge Barrett's +sister, Mrs. Stanton, in a neighboring town, that they came. They were +afraid to mention his name, or hint at a possible reconciliation; but +they managed to make the young Ruth very much in love with her new +aunt, and merry, pretty cousins. + +Meanwhile her father had gone from bad to worse, a confirmed drunkard, +though rarely too far gone to make an eloquent stump-speech when +occasion required. So popular was he that he had the sympathy of the +community in his domestic estrangement. Some said his wife was too hard +and unforgiving; all agreed that he should have been permitted to see +his child. + +Ruth was seventeen years old and had long since exerted her filial +influence to the extent of going to her aunt, Mrs. Stanton, whenever +she wished. She had come to be quite a sensation in her father's native +village, his hosts of friends readily tracing a likeness to himself. She +was a sweet, rather wilful maiden, not exactly pretty, but very refined +and attractive. + +Judge Barrett had always found a bed at his sister's, no matter at +what hour of day or night he chose to stagger in; but the large family +combined efforts to prevent the contretemps of a meeting between him and +Ruth. Their promise to her mother was too sacred for trifling, and they +loved the girl too well to risk being deprived of her society. Destiny, +or chance, was too strong for them. It was on a bright, sunlit day, when +Ruth was in an animated discussion with her cousin Roger upon the merits +of Vassar College, recently thrown open to young women, which he +declared was only a place where they transformed a girl into a boy. + +"Never go there, Coz, if you wish to retain an iota of your womanhood." + +"Prejudice, prejudice;" she retorted. "I do believe in the higher +education of women and I am certainly going to Vassar, if I can persuade +my mother to part from me so long." + +"Why not take her with you?" Mrs. Stanton was saying, when horror of +horrors, there appeared at the side door of the large sitting-room +a flushed and tangled-looking creature, tottering and righting up +alternately. All eyes were turned upon him, and every voice was dumb. +Steadying himself within the door, he slowly surveyed the young faces +grouped there, till his bloodshot gaze fell upon Ruth's white, wondering +countenance. Perhaps she reminded him of the wife who had repudiated +him. Perhaps some dawning instinct was at work. He staggered up to the +girl, who never once turned her eyes, and placing a hand upon her head, +said in the words of Childe Harold: "Is thy face like thy mother's, my +fair child?" + +Tears sprang to every eye; but Ruth, first gasping as with a revelation +from some long-dormant recess of her brain, arose, and catching his hand +as it fell powerless, burst out: + +"_Who_ are you? Are you my--father? Oh, tell me!" she appealed to +the group about her--"my father?" and stood breathless before him. + +The word seemed to sober him with a mighty shock. He sank upon his +knees, her hands still clasping his, and burying his hot face in her +cool palms, murmured in choking accents: + +"Her father--my child--my God, I thank thee!" + +But the strain was too much. In a moment more he sank all in a heap upon +the floor, limp and lifeless. + +Passionately the girl knelt beside him, and looked searchingly into his +now colorless face, while the others hastened with restoratives. Nor did +she leave him during the days of illness that followed, except when +obliged to rest. Little by little they had told her the story. + +She only said: "Oh, I never dreamed he was like this. I used to think +he must be something inhuman, horrible. Then I found myself staring at +every stranger, especially if he was monstrous, or in the least hideous. +But I had given up all hope, and was afraid to ask." + +"No, my dear child;" soothingly said her aunt, "your father is not +horrible, or hideous except that he is the slave of drink. He is not +inhuman, but a tender, loving creature. He is a gentleman, cultured and +learned. There is nothing fine in the language he cannot repeat, so +wonderful is his gift of memory. Oh, my child, can you not--will you not +help him? You can win him, I feel sure." + +Ruth learned to love her father by reason of his idolatrous devotion +to her, as well as the powerful influence of his brilliant talents. In +those first days of convalescence he followed her feebly from room to +room, drinking in the joy of having her after the privation of years; +and one day folding her to his breast said: + +"My precious child--my beautiful daughter--hear your father's vow! Come +what will, nevermore shall a drop of the accursed fire pass my lips. I +will redeem our name--I can and I will." + +He kept his word. Ruth went to Vassar. She wrote long, loving letters to +her mother and father every week of her school life. Once she said to +her mother: + +"You know what I wish, my darling mamma. You know that I long to unite +my two beloveds; but never shall I ask it. You must follow your own +heart. I believe my father will be worthy of us; I shall be guided by +you alone." + +At first the mother was stricken down by the fierce throes of jealousy +and pain that rent her soul; but as time went on and she knew that she +was not supplanted, she grew quiescent. But she owned to herself that +she never could have sent Ruth away if it had not been to separate +her from her father as well. + +On every side his praises were sung in her ears. He was rising higher +and higher in his profession, and one enormous fee in a contested will +case, had suddenly made him rich. Both were getting on toward middle +life, and he was slightly gray; but her brown hair lay in the same soft, +glossy bands, and her pure white face was placid as of yore. + +Four years had passed, and Ruth's birthday was at hand. Her mind had +long been made up; and now Christmas light and gladness reigned supreme. +It was just at the close of the day when entering the fire-lit room upon +the arm of her tall, distinguished-looking father, she threw her arms +about her mother and whispered three words,--"For our sake!" + +Then kneeling with courtly grace before her, he kissed the fair hand he +had won in his youth and in tones whose music had thrilled her girlish +heart, he spoke: + +"My beloved, will you not trust me again? See--our darling has saved us +for each other." + +And the last ray of the roseate sun lingered lovingly on the three as +the evening sank into blessed night. + + + + +In a Pullman Car + +A LOVE STORY + + +It was rather late when Hervey Leslie threw the remains of a cigar from +the car window, and staggered through the jumping, jerking Pullman to +his berth. + +The curtains were all drawn, giving to the car a funereal aspect, and +lights were turned down for the night. + +Jerk, jerk, jolt and jump went the train around the mountain curves, +till the various hats and wraps suspended from the hooks seemed about to +tumble together. Suddenly something dropped through the curtains of the +upper berth opposite and lodged there. Involuntarily extending his arm +to catch it if it fell, our young traveler's eyes were riveted upon an +object which he now felt inclined to catch, whether it fell or not. +It was a small white shapely hand--a woman's hand; and the midnight +tresspasser would have been less than human if he had not risen to a +better view. There it was, just peeping between the heavy curtains, +white and blue-veined, with tapering fingers and shell-like nails. How +he longed to touch it! How tempting the rounded curve of the small wrist. + +A prolonged lunge threw him violently forward, when grasping the rod to +save himself, his lips went plump against the coveted object. It was +only momentary, but it thrilled him as with an electric shock. When he +recovered his equilibrium the fair sleeper had withdrawn entirely out of +sight, and her involuntary assailant addressed himself to the duty of +disrobing. Long he pondered upon the "touch of a vanished hand," and at +last fell into uneasy dreams wherein the world had come to an end, and +he found himself at the gates of heaven, with five soft white fingers +turning the key on the other side. + +"Last call for breakfast," shouted the porter next morning, and the +confusion of voices mingled with the noisy folding of vacated berths. + +Parting his curtains, Hervey Leslie peered out, possibly to catch a +morning view of the pretty hand. + +"By Jove! better still!" was his smothered comment, as he hastily turned +away. + +What he had seen was the perfection of a French boot, buttoned high, and +protruding modestly below the curtains. Then a soft voice called--"Porter, +I should like to get down." + +The steps were adjusted, and as she gently fluttered down, the listener +thought-- + +"What a shame I didn't have a chance to exchange berths with her! To +think of her being perched up there!" + +An hour later Leslie returned from his cigar to find the Pullman in +order, and the refreshed occupants enjoying the books and papers +scattered about. It was not possible to mistake the owner of the hand +and foot, whom a glance revealed in her corner, looking quietly upon the +hurrying villages and farms. A coquettish hat rested lightly upon a +fluffy mass of golden brown hair, a dainty tailored suit fitted closely +the rounded figure, and the face that looked out of the window was sweet +and bright even in repose. The coveted hand, in spotless kid, shielded +the earnest eyes from the glare of the morning sun, and all in all, the +picture was one to tempt any looker-on. + +Just as Hervey Leslie was puzzling his brain for a pretext, however +flimsy, to introduce himself, a lady came from the dressing-room and sat +down beside the beautiful unknown--a lady still young and handsome, and +so closely resembling the girl as to leave no doubt that they were +mother and daughter. + +"What has Charlie done with himself?" was the pleasant question, met +with a smile so bewitching that the watcher was hopelessly ensnared. + +"So, there's a party of them," he mused. "And who the deuce is Charlie?" + +But when that youth appeared he proved to be only a brother, and not a +very big brother, at that. + +Settling himself back in a corner from whence he could use his eyes and +ears as he dared, young Leslie drew forth a letter which he perused with +interest; in fact, he already knew it by heart. It ran thus: + + "MY DEAR SON, + + "Congratulate me. The all-important day is fixed for the 24th inst. + Come at once. Mrs. Dana is anxious to cultivate you, and my own + impatience is an old story. + + "Your affectionate father, + + "H.J. LESLIE." + + +"Confound Mrs, Dana!" was the son's comment, for upon the subject of his +father's second marriage he was distinctly undutiful. + +For a while he lost himself in pictures of the new home, and mentally +resolved to absent himself as much as possible. He knew how his +opposition was grieving his father, who thought him most unreasonable: +but he persisted in refusing to see the lady until after the ceremony. + +Suddenly with a terrific lurch the train was derailed and plunged down +an embankment, not steep but rocky. The heavy Pullman toppled over, then +planted itself firmly in a bed of fresh earth, and was still. There were +wild cries of fear and pain, a loud crashing of glass lamps, and some +wrenching of seats. Leslie fell into a pile of great-coats, and flung +out his right arm just as the two ladies were dashed against him, and +a sudden sharp twinge made him oblivious of everything. + +When he recovered consciousness he found himself being pulled out of +his corner, and realized by the agony of the motion, that something +was broken somewhere. With one mighty protest against such vigorous +handling, he relapsed into a dead faint. When he next opened his eyes he +was lying between cool sheets in a pleasant room, and bending over him +was the elder lady of the Pullman. The first bewildered look was rapidly +merged into a frown of pain, as a sense of discomfort made itself felt. + +"He is coming round, doctor;" said the lady. + +Then to him she said;--"you must be very quiet. Your shoulder has been +set. It is all right now. Heaven be praised that we did not kill you as +we fell!" she added aside, and her sweet motherly face showed the +sympathy he was in need of. + +Then a voice at the door said timidly, yet eagerly,--"Mamma, +come--Charlie wants you." + +The ladies vanished, leaving the doctor in charge. + +Hervey soon gathered that they were at a farm-house near Columbus, Ohio; +that Charlie had a broken leg, that his mother and sister, along with +the others who had escaped injury, were stopping over to render service +to the wounded. + +"Who are they?" he asked, curiosity getting the better of his pain. + +"I think the name is Raynor," said the doctor; "Mrs. Raynor, Miss +Eloise, and the youth, whose leg we set this morning. But say, young +man, where are your people? Don't you want some telegrams sent? You are +not likely to get away from here very soon." + +Young Leslie groaned as he gave his father's address at Cincinnati, then +exclamed;--"See here, doctor, can't you stop this confounded pain? What +the deuce is the matter, anyway? Do get me out of this." + +The doctor gave him a soothing potion and bade him be quiet. He promised +to send a nurse, then went to look after the more slightly injured +patients. + +Three weeks later found Hervey Leslie in dressing-gown and slippers, +setting beside Miss Eloise Raynor under a large shade tree, the young +lady reading aloud from Tennyson's tender rhymes. At an open window in +full view lay Charlie, still a prisoner, with his mother in close +attendance. + +Mr. Leslie had paid several visits, and assured his son that the only +way in which he could repay him for postponing the wedding till he +should be well enough to witness it, was by becoming reconciled to his +new mother. At which the son smiled, for something had of late come over +the spirit of his dream that predisposed him singularly in favor of +weddings. A sort of low fever hung about him, which made it prudent +for him to remain in the country; and he rather fixed the time of his +departure when Charlie's leg should justify the whole party's leaving. + +The young girl and her mother blamed themselves for his hurt and had +paid him every kindly attention. He had gathered the story of the petted +daughter, and in his enfeebled state their acquaintance made rapid +progress. Even now it required no acute observer to surmise the ravages +of the little god. No one interfered, and for once the course of true +love seemed to glide smoothly on. + +He had confessed his aversion to to the prospective mother, and +endeavored to elicit sympathy by picturing to young Eloise what it would +be to have another fill her dear father's place. At such times her face +was impenetrable, and he intuitively grew to avoid the topic. + +Ere Charlie was able to get about, young Leslie had fallen in love with +the whole family; and when he had sought and obtained the dimpled hand +he had so coveted in the Pullman car, laughingly told the mother he was +not so sure but that after all she was the one he loved best. A smile +passed over the regular features as she said meaningly: + +"Only love me as a son, my boy, and I think we can be happy in each +other. But remember, a mother-in-law is a dangerous animal!" + +Mr. Leslie was so happy in his son's good fortune,--for so he evidently +considered it--that he declared there must be a double wedding. + +"You shall have your way," he added, with some pique; "and not see Mrs. +Dana till we meet at the church. Afterward, I'll risk the meeting!" + +Some two months after the accident the programme was carried out. But +the Raynors had remained at the farm-house till the appointed day, the +young people growing all the while so distractingly fond of each other, +that the really short time seemed to drag with leaden wings. + +Quietly one morning, in the presence of intimate friends, and quite in +the old-fashioned way, the two pairs of lovers walked up the church +aisle to the minister in waiting. The ladies wore rich traveling-suits, +and carriages waited to convey the immediate members of the family +to the wedding breakfast. The younger bridegroom saw nothing but the +sweet face at his side, though he started perceptibly when the service +revealed that his father's bride and his own bore the same musical name +of Eloise. + +When the first carriage closed with a snap, there was a relaxing of +ceremony, and an interchange of congratulations, earnest, though +somewhat amusing. For when Hervey raised his eyes to the despised +mother's face, he saw there the soft features of Mrs. Raynor, while his +father smiled in contented expectancy. His own face was a study! + +"Raynor?" he stammered. "Why I thought--I understood--" + +"You said Raynor," was the teasing reply; "we never did." + +"And whom have I married?" was his next question, with a grotesque +grimace at the demure young person beside him. + +"Eloise Dana, an' it please your lordship. Do you mean to get a +divorce?" + +"It's all right, my boy;" cheerily said his father, while all three +heartily enjoyed the denouement. "It was only a little harmless plot, +you know, to bring you to your senses! Besides, you were in too delicate +a state of health to bear the truth!" This with decided relish. + +"Bring me to my senses!" echoed the other. "You have about run me crazy! +Here I've gone and married my wife's brother to his sister, and the +fathers and mothers are all fathers-in-law and mothers-in-law. But, my +dear mamma," he added, with an 'Et-tu-Brute' look at the amused lady, +"I did not think you would play me false!" + +"The temptation was too great," she confessed, "after I saw your name on +the tell-tale suit case; own the truth now, that as Mrs. Dana, you would +never have fallen in love with me!" + +"Ah, well," he gave in, "let's kiss and make friends. As for you, young +lady," he exclaimed with mock fierceness, "I shall exact the most +implicit obedience. I must get even somehow." + +"No--no--I did not promise to obey--brides never do nowadays," and the +little gloved hand went up to his lips in protest. + +Catching it fast, he threatened to proclaim the first time her hand had +ever touched his lips, all unconscious though she was, and amid blushes +and happiness all around, they arrived at the house, where the whole +story had to be rehearsed to delighted friends, beginning with midnight +vision in a Pullman car. + + + + +In Old Kentucky + +A PRIZE STORY + + +Everybody was at Crab Orchard springs, that favorite resort in the +ante-bellum days. What though the main rooms were cramped and stuffy, or +that the straggling cottages across the grassy lawn were mere shells. +It was a place thoroughly rural, thoroughly enjoyable. Merely to ramble +along the winding saw-dust walks to the deep embowered springs, was a +sufficient augury of improved health. It was the one daily excitement to +crowd up to the long platform and see the stage come in, bringing high +and low, the rich and moderate liver. The luggage was light, Saratoga +trunks being unknown quantities, and no gowns were brought except those +of the crushable kind that did duty at ten-pins, fishing, walking, +dancing, and not least, driving, for the gravel turnpikes were fine. + +Across the wide street was Bachelors' Row, where were installed hunters +and hounds from the Southland, rich cotton and sugar planters, sporting +men and their sable attendants. Here the candles burned all night, and +there were loud whispers of games in vogue not as innocent as those +listed on the tempting advertising circulars of the Springs. This sunny, +summer life was of the _dolce far niente_ sort, given up to idle +pleasure, and quite out of the way of the tragic happenings of romance. +Yet a mystery had managed to creep into this Arcadian realm, a thing not +at first tangible, but getting to be an acknowledged first-class secret +as the days went by. + +Egbert Mason had been nearer the carriage than the rest of the sunset +crowd when the stage rolled up, followed by the close, luxurious-looking +vehicle so rarely seen in those parts. He declared he caught a glimpse +of a being, exquisitely beautiful among the two or three closely wrapped +and veiled women who descended from the carriage; and the young men were +on the _qui vive_ some hours later to see the new comers enter the +ball room. But they did not appear either that night, or any other +night. They kept their cottage rooms closely, sitting out only in the +rear, and were waited upon by the two black servants they had brought. +Various were the conjectures about them, and vague stories soon took +shape. The hotel register told only their names: Mrs. Glencarron, Mrs. +Hamilton and daughter, from Mississippi. The daughter was an invalid, +and this was all that could be drawn from the faithful blacks. The +girls pouted, and mamas looked unutterables when their curiosity found +no relief; while the men were wisely silent, though equally diligent in +fruitless investigation. + +It was past midnight, and the lights were out, when the ominous cry of +"fire!" sounded through the grounds, striking terror to the visitors +thus suddenly startled from their sleep, and emptying the cottages of +their half-clad occupants by one accord. A glance at the crackling +flames showed that Bachelors' Row was on fire and doomed. Men from the +distant village were soon on the spot with buckets, and amid frightened +cries, confused questions, and a general hurrying, scurrying of feet, a +few had presence of mind to cover the main building with wet blankets, +lest the trees now snapping and hissing might drop a blazing brand and +the whole place go down. + +After the first panic had subsided there was nothing to do but stand +and watch the graphic scene; and while thus engaged the attention of +some was attracted by a face white and drawn as with pain among the +by-standers. It was that of one of the mysterious ladies of the southern +cottages. But even as they noted the faded beauty and aristocratic +bearing of the stranger she was hurried away by another figure closely +wrapped and hooded. Not before she had ejaculated: "Oh, what is it? +Is she----?" and there the words were lost. + +It was somewhere near the early morning when Egbert Mason who had been +foremost in fighting the fire, was aroused by a voice just outside his +window, which was left open for the faint breeze of the summer night. + +"Come quick iz you kin, young marster, fur de lub o'heb'n." + +Between sleeping and waking the young man jumped up and peered out of +the window. He could just discern the prim red and yellow turban of the +black keeper of the strange ladies. + +"Iz you a doctor, Marster? Dey says you iz." + +"Yes--a very young one--what is wanted?" + +The negress spoke a few very hurried words in a lower tone. + +"All right. In one moment--stay--never mind--I have it--I'm coming." And +catching up something from the shelf of his closet the young doctor sped +away to the mysterious door of the southern guests. + +He was met on the threshold by an anxious, grief-stricken face, and the +words half sobbed out: + +"Was there no one else? None older? You--why, you are a boy." + +"True, madam, but I am not without experience. I hope--I think, you may +trust me, unless----" + +But she drew him hurriedly within the door, and on to an inner chamber, +where lay his patient, so guarded that he never once saw her face. +Before the earliest risers were called to the long breakfast hall there +echoed the cry of a little child in the southern cottages--a girl baby +that opened its eyes first in an atmosphere of secrecy and mystery. + + * * * * * + +Sixteen years had gone by. It was the eighth of January, and the Capitol +Hotel at Frankfort was a blaze of military glory. It was the annual +commemorative ball, and Strauss' band was pouring forth inspiring +strains, as the dancers, in fancy costumes of every age and clime, +flitted to and fro. The beauty, wealth and chivalry of Kentucky were +there. The stars and stripes were draped about the speaking portraits +of dead heroes, and munitions of war glittered on every side. + +Among those wearing the neat broadcloth evening dress of the plain +American citizen was Dr. Egbert Mason, the famous surgeon, now a +distinguished looking man of thirty-five. It was rather late in the +evening when he appeared, and he was soon captured by his friend, +the Hon. Leslie Walcott, who bore the distinction of being the youngest +member of the House, and presented to Miss Eleanor Carleton, the most +popular of all the belles and beauties on the floor. Her dress was an +exquisite personation of the stars and stripes, from the crown of stars +on her golden brown hair, to the gaily ribboned white satin slipper. Her +white muslin skirts showed the red stripes at intervals; a soft blue +sarcanet sash across her breast was stamped with the outstretched wings +of the American eagle, and in every detail this unique costume was +alluring to a degree. + +Dr. Mason was more than impressed by her extreme youth, in its setting +of precocious womanly grace and charm. She was so happy and bright, a +_sans souci_ maiden whom he lost no time in winning to his own +colors, by the magic of a well-stored mind and an eloquent tongue. A +sonsie, sweet-sixteen lassie, not yet out of school, but wonderfully +developed, like the southern girls of the period, whose parents were +possessed of ample means. He sounded her fresh, rich stores of mind and +found she had indeed been carefully taught, wisely trained. Not at once +did he learn it all, but soon enough to resolve to win and wear this +jewel, if only Providence were kind. Providence? Ah, there swept across +his face the shade of one bitter memory--one foul wrong that had +darkened his earlier manhood. A woman's fatal wiles, a man's trust +betrayed. He forgot that she had vowed vengeance if it took a lifetime. +He thrust it all aside, and turned to the purity and innocence of this +fair young womanhood, with the infinite longing of a starved nature. + +The evening of the ball did not close without another surprise for +Egbert Mason. Eleanor Carleton was challenging him in a spirited +quotation contest when her mother approached leaning upon the arm of the +Governor of the State. She was a handsome, dark-eyed woman, young enough +to seem the elder sister of the lovely girl who called her mother. + +"Eleanor, my child," she said, barely glancing at her daughter's +companion. "I've been looking everywhere for you. Have you been in the +draughts of those halls? Supper is ready." + +"Oh, I've been in very good hands," was the merry reply, as the girl +introduced Dr. Mason, and shook hands with the Governor, who was looking +down at her with his kindliest smile. + +"Madam," he said gallantly, "I must compliment you upon this exceedingly +pretty and patriotic dress. I have been watching it from afar all +evening. How could you conceive such a marked hit for the occasion." + +"I hope it in order for me to say she never fails," proudly answered +Senator Carleton, an imposing looking man, who had come up in time to +hear the last remark. "The march is playing for supper--" + +"Oh, mother--what is it?" cried the girl, suddenly directing attention +to Mrs. Carleton's face, which was colorless, almost ghastly, while her +eyes seemed gazing afar off into space. + +"Allow me," said Dr. Mason, with concern, advancing quickly, and amid +the excited gathering of the little circle about him, he gently bore her +to one of the large windows, as the Senator in visible alarm threw up +the sash. + +"To my room," she murmured, as she revived a little, and thither they +conducted her as quietly as possible. + +At the door the startled young girl turned and impulsively clasping the +doctor's hand, exclaimed: + +"Oh, Dr. Mason--what is the matter? I never saw my mother like this--is +she going to be ill?" + +He tried to reassure her, though the touch of her soft, clinging fingers +set his blood dancing like wild fire in his veins. + +That night old Ailsie knelt beside her mistress and soothed her with the +crooning tones of her childhood days. + +"Don't you fret, Missie; he doan know nuffin' 'bout it now. An' if he +do he ain' gwine ter tell nobody." + +That night, too, Egbert Mason, in dreams climbed a mountain height to +reach an eagle's nest. As he grasped the last wavering support a figure +glittering with stars dropped from the nest, suspended by a tattered +flag. Down, down it fell. Frantically he clutched at the frail colors. +They lengthened more, and more, till the starry, shimmering form was +swaying above a yawning abyss. Could he save her? Her--his young love +with the appealing eyes? With one mighty effort he nerved himself for +the desperate descent, when lo! from yon black depth appears the +vindictive face of Isabella Drury. Older, careworn, faded--but still +Isabella, and wearing the head of a Medusa. + + * * * * * + +"You shall never marry that girl, Egbert Mason! I have sworn it! If you +attempt it I will kill one or both of you!" and the face of the speaker +was like a mad woman. "Oh, I know all you would say," she went on, +striding about the rooms she had entered by strategy. "But she shall not +have you if I can not. Pshaw! What fools men are! Do you know who and +what she is? Where is your boasted pride, that shrank from a thing like +me! Let me tell you, then, you scornful, high mightiness! Eleanor Carleton +is----" and she hissed the hateful word in his ears. + +"Woman! You lie!" shouted Egbert Mason, stung to frenzy by her taunts, +and sick unto death of her persecution. His was not a quiet nature, and +she had touched him in his sorest point. "You lie, and you know it! Out +of my sight! Tell all you will. I, too, can threaten. Your vile secret +is still safe with me, but I shall find means to be rid of you--Go!" + +"Stop!" she commanded, coming nearer and dropping her voice to a +sibillant whisper. "Go back seventeen years to a summer night at Crab +Orchard Springs! Aha! you start, I see you have not forgotten. Do you +recollect the part you played that night? _She is that child!_" and +with a malicious laugh she swiftly passed from the room. + +The man sat stunned where she had left him. Could it be true? And what +was the mystery of that far-away night of his youth? The more he +pondered the more complete grew the chain. Senator Carleton had married +a Kentucky girl, it was true; but her youth had been passed on a +Mississippi plantation. He had years ago heard more or less idle gossip +about the hard, miserly nature of the old planter, Hamilton, and of his +bitter opposition to his daughter's match with penniless young Carleton. +There had been an elopement, or something. It came back to him like some +hideous nightmare. His pure, spotless darling--his promised wife! Could +there be sin or shame enveloping such a being? He must know. He wrote to +Mrs. Carleton. In earnest words of manly truth and honor he besought her +to explain to him the past. Eleanor was visiting a friend in a distant +city. No answer came. He went to the house and was denied admittance. He +followed Eleanor only to learn that she had been hastily summoned home. +That was not the day of rapid transit. He returned at last to find a +letter of farewell forever--his beloved had been spirited away to other +scenes. Then Egbert Mason left his native land, baffled, broken-hearted, +and devoted the next three years to the study of special lines in his +profession. + + * * * * * + +In a stately drawing room of an ideal Kentucky home are Eleanor Carleton +and Egbert Mason, once more face to face. + +"Oh, my love," he moaned, bending almost reverently before her, "what a +mistake, I knew it all when too late. The letters were all found when +that unhappy woman was sent to the asylum. Did you think I could change? +'Forget thee dear?'" he quoted unconsciously--he had said the lines so +often; + + "God knows I would not if I could: + For sweeter far has been to me the pain + Of love unsatisfied, than all the vain + And ill spent years I lived before we met." + + +Still she stood, gravely looking at him, her maturing beauty made the +fairer by the sable gown she wore. + +"Forgive me," then she spoke. "I thought you knew. I have been Leslie +Walcott's wife these four months." + +As he sat beside his solitary hearth there was a fumbling outside the +door. He opened to admit old Ailsie, now crippled with rheumatic pains. + +"I know'd dat was you. Marse Doctor, 'n I follered yer, I want to tell +yer:--Mistress 'splained all 'bout dat 'fore she died. Dey wan't nothin' +wrong. Her an' her ma was 'feared to let old Master know she hed run +'way an' married Marse Henry. He said he wan't gwine ter will her nary +cent. So mistess and her sister, Miss Ellen, arter while, dey fotch her +up to de springs. Den ole master he died sudden like, an' Marse Henry, +he had done ben 'way off to New Auleens--never know'd dey had fooled old +Master 'bout de chile an' all dat. Po' Mistress! she nebber could tell +him no better, and she was always skeerd-like arter she seed you agin. +But she sot right down dat day and writ all about it to you an' I goes +and gives de letter to dat purty white lady what was sich a good frien', +and den she gimme yourn, ain----" + +"Yes, yes, Auntie, I know--I have the letters here----at last," he added +in low, husky tones. + + * * * * * + +The _Louisville Journal_ of the next New Year, under date of +January 9, contained the following notice, with lengthy editorial +comment: + + + "Died suddenly last night, of heart disease, at the close of the + Military Ball, at the Capitol Hotel, Frankfort, the Hon. Leslie + Walcott, age thirty-two years." + + +Did hope stretch out an alluring hand to one lonely reader? + + + + +His Gratitude + +VENGEANCE IS MINE + + +"But surely you do not realize, Robert Garrett, that when you foreclose +this mortgage you leave us virtually penniless;" and the large dark eyes +of the suppliant were blinded by an agony of tears. + +"Really, madam, I regret to seem hard;" and the polished courtesy of the +cold, harsh voice fell with heavy weight upon her strained senses. "Your +husband has had more time now than any law allows, human or divine." + +"Oh, how gladly he would have paid the debt;" she moaned; "it was his +kindness and forbearance to others--kindness that seemed imperative. He +could not take the law against his crippled brother, his mother's dying +legacy to him. You know all this--you know, too, that if you will only +grant a little longer respite he can settle the claim, or the greater +part of it. How then can you be so cruel as to drive us out of doors! +You who need nothing of this world's goods!" + +The man of business stirred a little, crossed his well-clad legs in +still greater comfort, and audibly repressed a yawn. Then as if +unwillingly forced to say something he did it as ungraciously as +possible. + +"Again I say I grieve to proceed to harsh measures, but"--then as she +was about to interpose he broke out irritably, "God bless my soul, Mrs. +Blaine, how can you expect anything else! I am obliged to be accurate in +my matters, otherwise there would be no end to imposition from shiftless +men who are always going to pay but----never do." + +"This, then, is your ultimatum, sir? You will turn me and my children +out wanderers from the old home where I was born--where I had hoped to +die? Can you do this? Even you, whom the world calls rich and prosperous +and----charitable!" As she spoke she bent upon him in fine scorn her +brilliant eyes dark and piercing. + +"Painful things occur every day, my dear madam, in this transitory +life. And once in a while the tables turn. I think I remember a time +when I pleaded with perhaps not so much eloquence, but quite as much +earnestness, for a boon at the hands of pretty Mildred Deering. +I didn't get it, and I have survived, you see. We are apt to magnify +our misfortunes;" and a mocking smile told wherein lay the animus that +was her undoing. + +Then she drew her graceful figure to its full height, and with the +contempt of an outraged wife and mother, her words came in tones of +concentrated vehemence: + +"So! Robert Garrett, this is your vaunted Christianity! You, the +immaculate pillar of the church--the friend of the outcast--the chief +among philanthropists! Grant _your_ boon? Was there was ever a +moment in her sheltered life when Mildred Deering would have consorted +with the hypocrite you are? Never! Better a thousand times poverty with +nobility and truth in the man she loves. Better an age of privation with +Herbert Blaine than a single instant in the presence of such as you. Do +your worst! And may God mete out to you and yours the mercy you have +shown us!" + +Clasping the hand of her little girl who had clung to her mother's +skirts, gazing with wide-open, awestruck eyes at the great man, she was +gone in a moment. + +"Ah!" uttered Robert Garrett in a long-drawn-out syllable, reaching for +the evening paper. + +There had been another silent witness of this scene in the person of +a lad who stood within the door he had entered just as Mrs. Blaine had +appeared in the opposite way. He was a rather ill-favored schoolboy, +but his thoughts as he came forward with the lanky awkwardness of youth +and took a chair in chimney corner, were not of himself or his looks. + +"Father," he said after some minutes had passed, the rattle of the +newspaper and the measured ticking of the clock being the only +disturbing sounds, "Father," he repeated, this time with a falling +inflection. + +Startled uncomfortably at the unexpected address the father peered +frowningly at the boy with a gruff, "What!" + +"Do you think it is just the fair and square thing to turn 'em out?" + +"What do _you_ know about it, you young meddler. Keep quiet about +what does not concern you. You have enough to eat and wear--attend to +your own business." + +There was no encouragement to go on, so young Robert sat and pondered +till his father, chafing under the silent rebuke personified in every +line of the son's uncomely face, sent him to his room. + +In the other house there was little sleep; and for many succeeding days +the devoted Blaines, with heavy hearts, put by their idols one by one, +till at last the time-honored oaken doors closed upon them in relentless +banishment. It mattered not that amid new scenes prosperity once more +opened her sheltering arms and kept the wolf from the door. The new +owner of Deering Castle, as the villagers had admiringly christened the +grand old place, refused to sell it. Robert Garrett, with the littleness +born of a mean, cramped nature, clung to this coveted possession as the +one thing to be held, though all else were taken. He had money but knew +not how to enjoy it. His household, for the most part, reflected the +coarseness of his nature, and as time passed his retribution was meted +out in rebellious sons and daughters, who wasted his substance and +dragged down his name still further in the mire. + +Twenty years had gone by. Herbert Blaine and his bright-eyed wife slept +in the city of the dead. With their latest breath they had, one by one, +adjured their beloved daughter, the only surviving child since the civil +war had laid low their three manly boys, to regain possession of the old +homestead. Time, they assured her, would make all things even, and long +before they laid down the burden of life, they had seen how the wife's +curse beat upon the head of the man who had so oppressed them. They had +learned to feel pity for him whom they had once despised. Not so Jessie +Blaine. She was a woman now, and had been, for a few brief years, till +death robbed her, a happy wife. But never could she forget that dismal +twilight hour when her innocent eyes had photographed the hateful, +sneering face of her mother's enemy; when her ears had phonographed his +mocking words. The scene had haunted her waking and sleeping, for many +days; and still after all these years she could and did remember. + +She rejoiced when she heard that wild Ben Garrett had broken nearly +every law of the decalogue, and was wrecking the peace of all who cared +for him. "They richly deserve it all;" she said, when some fresh +escapade or misdemeanor would come to light. He had squandered his +father's thousands aimlessly, recklessly, and was fast bringing his +white hairs in sorrow to the grave. Jessie Forrester only smiled as she +read these items from the local press. Riches and honors were hers. +There was nothing lacking but the dear old home of her people, and this +could not be bought. She climbed to heights undreamed-of in her earlier +days, and became a shining light in the world of letters. Her books were +read in two continents. Statesmen and distinguished circles sought her +till her name became a power in the land. Her influence was widespread. +In an eastern city she at last came to revel in her books and +manuscripts, or in her sweet, healthful, domestic loves, renouncing all +thoughts of revenge, for the time being, and abandoning the hope of +recovering the sacred pile where she first saw the light. + +One day there came a letter bearing the postmark of her native town. +With difficulty deciphering the straggling, tremulous address, she +broke the seal and read as follows:-- + + "Madam: + + "A heart-broken father appeals to you in his hour of extremity, to + save his son from the gallows. My boy--my wayward, reckless boy, + who was once as innocent and pure as yourself, has fallen into the + hands of treacherous natives and half-breeds in Arkansas, and they + accuse him of murdering a traveller for his money. He is guiltless + of this crime--God knows he is; but the weight of evidence is fearful, + and I am powerless to refute it. The proceedings have been hurried + over and the verdict is against him. + + "I am unable to go to him--I bring the case to you. Go, I beg of you, + to Washington and plead with the congressman from this, your native + district, and the Arkansas representative, who is your kinsman. Urge + them to see the President and prevail upon him to sift the evidence. + I realize most bitterly that I have no claim upon you, but oh, for + God's sake, Madam, do what you can for a distracted father. Hanging! + Oh, save him from that--and act quickly, for he has only five days + to live. I am crazed with anxiety and sleeplessness. + + "Your obedient servant, + + "Robert Garrett." + + +Jessie Forrester's hour had come. The revenge so ardently longed-for +since the hour her mother had invoked the curse of heaven upon this man, +was here. What though his boy did perish, by an ignominous death. A more +worthless cumberer of the earth did not exist. Ah! that cold, sneering +voice on the winter's eve so long ago; her mother's tears! As he had +sown so should he reap, and her hands would help to gather in the +harvest. Through him they had been exiled all these years from the home +that was their birthright. The husband of her early womanhood might +have been spared if only they could have nursed him back to health under +the cool shade of those grand old trees instead of languishing in the +hot city. Help this man? This incarnation of cruel selfishness? Not +she;--his boy should suffer the extreme penalty of the law. How could +_she_ lift a voice to save him! "His boy?" Ah, through her tender +mother's heart there darted a pain all unwonted. Her own noble, gifted +boy--her all--what if untoward fate should have in store for him some +doom of shame--him, her idol and her pride. + +She sat buried in thought till suddenly starting up she consulted +a time table, then rang hurriedly for her maid. She was ready in thirty +minutes, and summoning her young son, was soon enroute for the capital. +Arriving at ten o'clock she called a carriage and sped away to new +northwest quarter of the city. By midnight she had seen both +representatives and thoroughly enlisted their services. She gave no +reason for her intercession, nor was it necessary. It was enough that +she deemed it a case for intervention. Next morning the two statesmen +had an interview with the President, and by the hardest, for the mass +of evidence against young Garrett was overwhelming, got a stay of +proceedings till the case could be further investigated. + +Well-nigh exhausted from the mental and bodily strain, Jessie arrived +at her home unfit for anything but rest. Then she answered her enemy's +letter. Did she reproach him with his life-long injustice? Did she +demand the old home in exchange for the service she had rendered? Or +at least the privilege of buying it? She merely wrote;-- + +"I have been to Washington and secured a reprieve pending further +sifting of evidence." + +Ben Garrett was saved and the close view of the gallows sobered him at +last. He married the daughter of a Texas ranchman and Jessie heard of +him no more. + + * * * * * + +Five years passed away when on a gloomy afternoon in the autumn, Jessie +Forrester, now a woman of thirty, and wearing her years and honors well, +was sitting at her desk in an elegant sanctum, absorbed in the fate of +two lovers whose history she was creating. + +Her door opened and a grave, handsome man with a bearded face stood +before her. + +"Madam," he said briefly "you once did my brother a great favor. I am +here to thank you for it." + +His brother? A favor? Ah, she had been doing favors for many in all +these years. She did not remember any particular one; it was an every +day matter. Every mail brought petitions and she never turned a deaf +ear. The doing of favors brought its own reward. + +She looked steadily at the stranger, and he felt again in his inmost +soul the gaze of those large brown eyes seen once before dilated with +childish terror. + +"My name is Garrett," he explained, as briefly as before. + +Garrett--that hated name. Involuntarily her eyes fell upon the work +before her, while a warm flush mantled her cheeks. + +"May I sit down for five minutes?" + +She again raised her eyes without speaking, and he seated himself, not +looking at but beyond her as if her steady gaze unmanned him. + +"Madam, my parents are dead. I have come to offer you Deering Castle +at your own price. I should not presume to suggest it as a gift. It is +yours if you wish it. I have heard so often," and here his voice fell +for very shame, "that you wanted it. It was not then mine to dispose +of; now there is no barrier; it is yours. I will send my attorney to +you." + +Rising he lingered a moment with a certain wistfulness suffusing his +features, then made his way out ere Jessie could recover sufficiently +to bid him stay. + +Her faculties were in a tumult. Deering Castle hers--the estate of her +fathers--the venerated old home hers at last. It almost took her breath +away. A Garrett was offering it. That name hated all her life. But did +she hate it now? + +There was no more work that day for the author. Nor ever again did her +genius shine out in rapturing periods till she drew inspiration from the +grand environment of the old homestead. Here Robert Garrett is not an +unwelcome guest. Young Herbert is in fact quite devoted to the grave, +sedate man with the tender heart. Will his benign influence one day +still further cement the new friendship? + + + + +The Singer's Christmas + +A HOLIDAY STORY + + +The air of the December day was soft and mild. All the world was in the +streets, glad of a respite from the late cold "snap," which had brought +out furs and heavy wraps. + +Signora Cavada was taking her accustomed drive, chaperoned by a +comfortable looking American woman; for this was an American city, and +the famous prima donna was winning nightly laurels at the Louisville +Opera House. + +To-day, the carriage with its high-stepping bays sought a new +neighborhood, that the great singer might not be bored with repeated +views of the same places. As it bowled along an old man in tattered +garments approached, hat in hand, and held it toward the open window for +alms. The driver cracked his whip peremptorily above the straggling gray +locks of the suppliant, and drove on toward the suburbs. + +"Who was that poor old man?" asked the singer in excellent English. + +"Oh, only a beggar; the streets are full of them just before Christmas," +replied her companion. + +"Is he very poor?" persisted the signora. "In my own country we have +beggars--they make a business of begging. But that was a grand face. +I shall go back again to look for him; tell the driver." + +Accustomed to obey the caprices of her mistress, the duenna gave the +order and the carriage turned back. There stood the old man as before, +but this time he did not approach the equipage. + +"Come here," said the signora, holding out a neatly gloved hand. + +Fixing his faded eyes, now kindling with something like hope, upon her +lovely face, he came nearer, and at her bidding told his story. It was a +common one: Ill-health, a vagabond son, his earnings all gone, no work, +and finally beggary. + +"And have you no one to take care of you? Where do you live?" + +"In that old shed, madam," he answered, pointing to a tumbled down cabin +once used as a cobbler's shop. "And I have with me my little girl, my +grandchild." + +"A little girl in that place? Where is she? How do you keep her?" + +"Ah, madam, she makes flowers--her mother taught her--and earns a few +pennies now and then. She sings, too, madam," he added with pride. + +"Sings?" eagerly echoed the signora. "Fetch her here; I want to see +her." + +"She has gone away to the woods to gather evergreens. To-morrow is +Christmas Day." + +"Yes, yes, I remember! And how do you celebrate the day?" added the +lady. + +"In feasting and rejoicing," said the duenna, before the old man could +answer. + +"And the poor? I have read some very pretty stories about the poor in +your cities on Christmas Day." + +"Oh, the poor get along well enough," she said, with an accent of +indifference or contempt. "They have more than they deserve." + +But the singer was again leaning toward the waiting figure outside, +seeing which the old man said as if in apology: + +"That is why I was asking for help, madam; people are generous at +Christmas. But I have known better times; I do not like to beg." + +The prima donna was not rich. She supported her own old father and +mother, and was educating her brother for a grand tenor. With one of +those quick impulses born of heaven, she ordered the driver to descend +from his box and throw open the carriage. When the roof parted and the +sunshine came flooding down upon her, the singer faced the crowd that +had been steadily gathering for ten minutes, eager to see the Signora +Cavada, whose voice was the most jealously guarded jewel of her store. +For she had been recognized by a chance passer-by. + +Suddenly there stole on the air a divine strain that caused a hush as +by magic to fall upon the restless groups. Louder, sweeter, stronger, +more entrancing it rose, then sunk to the whispering cadence of a sigh. +The old man's hands were crossed before him, and tears poured down his +withered cheeks. Ere the charmed listeners realized that the voice had +ceased, the singer gave the poor supplicant a coin, and waving him +toward the crowd, which was increasing every moment, said,-- + +"Tell them I will sing again." + +The old man went from one to another till the worn hat grew so heavy +that he had to carry it in his arms. Money for his needs, money for his +dear little girl. Then the signora sang again; when about to depart she +scribbled an address which she handed the bewildered man, and drove on +to her hotel. + +What a Christmas was that! And what a feeling of happiness filled her +heart! And the duenna said nothing. + +A day or two later the beggar and his grandchild appeared at the private +entrance of the hotel where the signora was sojourning. The paper he +carried in his hand was a passport, and he soon stood in her parlor. +He was dressed in a neat new suit, and the child was as sweet as a wild +rose. + +"Come and kiss me, little one," said the beautiful lady. "I want to hear +you sing." + +Unappalled by the richness of the apartment, and conscious only the +kindness shown her, the child, who was about twelve years old, sang one +of the popular street ballads of the day. + +"Santa Maria!" exclaimed the signora, who always ejaculated in her own +tongue. "But you have a treasure here, my friend! The child is a wonder. +This voice must be trained--we will see--we will see." + +Touching an electric bell, she summoned a messenger and hastily wrote +a line which she gave him. During the boy's absence she questioned the +strange pair in whom she felt so absorbing an interest, and gathered +what there was to tell of their daily life. Their neighbors were kind, +and the women exercised a sort of motherly care over the little girl; +but the very best there was to know seemed bad enough, and the singer +shuddered as she imagined the dreariness of such poverty as their's. + +In answer to the call a young man stood before her. + +"Beppo," she said, "your fortune is made; look at that old man." She +spoke in Italian, and the face of the artist, for such he was, lit up +with enthusiasm, as he marked the striking head and face of the person +indicated. "Your model for the Beggar of San Carlo," continued the lady. + +Beppo Cellini, at the bidding of his countrywoman, at once made terms +with the old man to sit to him for his great Academy picture. + +The little girl, whose voice now commands thousands of dollars on the +operatic stage, was placed under training at the joint expense of her +benefactress and two other artist friends. + +The old man, Signor Beppo's model, is at rest now, but he still lives +in the "Beggar of San Carlo." And the Signora Cavada, among all the +good deeds of her charitable career, has never known a truer thrill +of happiness than she experienced on her American Christmas Day. + + + + +Turning the Tables + +A PRACTICAL STORY + + +There was great commotion in the kitchen of a large seaside hotel not +many miles from Long Branch. A commotion in fact, that struck dismay to +the heart of the proprietor, who, upon visiting the store-room near by, +was caught and detained, an invisible listener to the uproar. + +"I 'clar ter gracious!" screamed the fat, colored cook, "I aint a-gwine +ter stan' it no longer! Po' white trash a-layin' up in bed all mornin,' +an' den it's eggs! Eggs biled, eggs scrabbled, an' homilies (omelettes) +tell yer can't res' nohow! I'se mazin' tired of it all, I tell yer! I'se +gwine ter quit--I is!" + +"You'se gwine ter quit--you is! I speck! I'm done heerd dat talk eber +day dis month," jeered cook number two. "Ef you quits you kin jest bet +yer bottom dollar I aint a-gwine to stay. Got more'n I kin do now--I is." + +"An' what yer reckon dis chile's goin' ter do den?" pertly chimed in the +mulatto kitchen maid. "I'm got all de runnin' roun' ter do, an' yer kin +jist bet I don't have no easy time. Quit as quick as yer please--all +of yer--I'll go 'long wid de crowd!" and with a toss of her woolly +bangs, she dumped a pan of potato peelings out at the door. + +"Dry up! dry up!" broke in the head waiter, appearing on the scene in +true autocrat fashion. He boasted of "right smart book learnin'," and +was a recognised power in the land. "You don't have no trouble at all to +what I do. It's run here, there and everywhere, all in a minute, with a +dozen blockheads to look after. And it's precious few tips I get here, +I promise you! I never see as stingy a lot o' people in all my born +days. Say! you there, Jim! fetch that tray along! What are you gapin' +at, nigger?" + +"Don't you nigger me, you black dude!" retorted the darkey, and as +he spoke a smart chambermaid pranced along, flirting back at another +waiter, and ran plump against the boy, tray and all. Down went the +dishes with a clatter which brought a bevy of waiters and maids on the +scene, while the laundress rushed in, all dripping with soapsuds. This +so irritated the head waiter that he seized a teacup and threw it at +the unlucky tray man. Then followed a fusillade of broken crockery and +promiscuous dodging of giggling maids and explosive men-servants. + +The fat cook interposed a threatening, hissing tea-kettle to stop the +war, and the perplexed housekeeper appeared among the belligerents as +the overwhelmed proprietor beat a hasty retreat. Stealing unperceived +along the corridors, an idea struck him. This state of things was simply +dreadful; something must be done. He quickly decided. He despatched his +little son to the rooms and all about the premises to request the guests +to assemble to an affair of state in the imposing chamber known as the +main parlor. His wife was an invalid, and the poor man was beside +himself in his perplexity. + +With wondering, smiling faces they came--a pleasing array of city +boarders--ease and comfort written upon every face. + +His audience assembled, the distressed gentleman proceeded to pour forth +his grievances. He asked what he should do in such a dilemma. His help +had been engaged from the swarms of colored persons who infest the +stations and public resorts along the coast. They had given trouble ever +since the hotel was opened. They complained and annoyed him first about +one thing, then about another, till he was well on to the verge of +lunacy. + +"Now, ladies and gentlemen," he pathetically continued, "if I try to +soothe and satisfy, and raise wages and make promises, what guarantee +have I that the same thing will not occur to-morrow, and next day, and +next week? I engaged them fairly and squarely, and have held strictly +to my contract. They are so spoiled and unmanageable that there is no +satisfaction in their service. Even now, while I am talking they are no +doubt still in an uproar. Why, it is a wholesale mutiny. Something must +be done at once. I have come to you for advice. If, as I say, they could +be persuaded to remain, I cannot promise you any comfort. If I discharge +the whole crew, it will be a day, perhaps two days, before I can supply +their places; for I shall have to go to New York for white help. Can you +solve the problem?" + +For a moment there was silence. Then Miss May Delano, a handsome, +wealthy city girl, said, with a challenging glance all around: "I'll +wait upon the table for my part, if somebody will get me something to +serve!" + +This was received with an outburst, and instantly all was chatter and +confusion as they caught up the spirit of the thing. + +"I'll fill the orders as fast as you can take them," boasted a Wall St. +exquisite, who would have unbent his dignity to any degree to please the +bewitching heiress. + +"I'll help anywhere--wherever I'm needed," exclaimed another city belle. + +"And I!" came in chorus. "We'll be chambermaids," said a party who had +just donned bathing suits of blue flannel. + +"All right! Get to work!" commanded the crowd. "You have on just the +dress for the business." + +"Well, Mrs. Ingalls," smilingly encouraged a plump matron, "I suppose +we might do as good cooking here as we have done at home in times of +emergency. Shall we try?" + +"I'm agreeable," laughed the lady. "That is, if we can manage the +range." + +"Oh, leave that to me," said her husband. "I guess I've handled ranges +before." Which caused more merriment, since that gentleman's business +was in the hardware line. + +Fresh came another bevy of rosy faces, whose owners declared that they +had been to a cooking school and knew all about it. + +"Nothing like practical demonstration," bantered the young men. + +"Hurrah!" cried one Hamilton, the pet of the house. "Give me the girl +who can don a white apron, roll up her sleeves, and plunge her pretty +arms into the flour barrel! That's what I'm looking for!" and he +cleverly balanced a chair on his chin, amid a clamor of repartee and +good-natured defiance. + +"Go in, the whole ship's crew!" fervently urged a family man. "It will +be the best fun of the season." + +"All right!" promptly agreed the ladies. "We are ready. Now, hurry up +and get on your porter's apron in time for the next wagon of trunks. +Pray, call us when you are about to shoulder one!" which turned the +laugh on the muscular member of the group. + +"I think I'd rather be parlor maid," sweetly chimed in a little blonde +beauty, with fluffy bangs. + +"Suits you to a T," was the gallant response from the younger men. + +"And I'll have to stand guard to keep you from flirting," put in an +adorer. + +"Pot calling the kettle black!" was the saucy fling from a chorus of +school-girls who were enjoying their first seaside vacation. + +"Now, grandma," exclaimed the parlor maid to a beautiful old lady with +silver hair, "you shall have a big chair right in the middle of the +dining hall, and be manager-in-chief." + +Meanwhile the landlord had been overcome. + +"Ladies," he now managed to articulate, and certainly he meant it, "I +don't know what to say; I don't know how to thank you. But I know what +I'll do; I'll turn away the last one of those quarrelsome blacks; root +and branch they shall go. I'm tired of living in bedlam. I shall go down +at once and start them; then I'll telegraph to New York and take the +first train out. Rest assured I shall be back to your relief as soon as +possible." + +The proprietor had made himself heard in the confusion, and as he left +the parlor hearty cheers followed him, when immediately the groups of +talkers broke out again into plans and promises. + +"Organize! Organize!" thundered a big man who had been jostled from his +morning paper. "There can be no success without system." + +"Hear! Hear!" roared the fun-loving fellows. "Down with the crowd to the +lower regions! Come on with your constitution and by-laws! Hold fast to +law and order! Give us liberty, or death--pumpkin pies and lily-white +hands! Hurrah! On to the kitchen!" + +With mock circumspection they were forcing couples to pair off; but +the level-headed matrons soon arranged matters more to the purpose. +The various branches of work were assigned to willing hands that only +awaited the signal for action. + +Great was the consternation of the mutineers when the "boss" appeared +in the dismantled kitchen and ordered them all off the premises. In vain +they protested, laying the blame on first one and then another. Their +day of grace was ended and no quarter shown. Wilfully and from sheer +love of bickering, they had offended all sense of justice and propriety, +and in unbroken ranks they must go. + +When the fiat had irretrievably gone forth, they showed again the claws +and the cloven foot. The "cook-lady" said she "didn't hafter work +nohow;" she reckoned she could "git along." The maids and the waiters +took the cue and were equally independent. But though paid their wages +in full, they were discharged without "a recommend"; and this, in the +height of the season, was no small privation. + +"Teach them a lesson!" muttered the proprietor with satisfaction. +"Serves them right! I'm rather glad of the row." + +Cheerily the guests fell to work in their several departments, and if +more than one match for life was not made among the young people, it +was from no lack of genuine admiration in their new roles. The lads +and lassies were happy and rosy and busy at their self-appointed tasks. +The white-coated waiters were dubbed "No. 47," "No. 50," and so on, and +right nobly they served the well-spread tables, which lacked nothing, +not even the boon of contentment, which so helps digestion. + +The flushed matrons behind big kitchen aprons, with diamonds locked away +in the hotel safe, took turns to perfection. Many guests took their +ease, and were mere lookers-on at the frolic; but a right goodly company +put their shoulders to the wheel. + +When the new corps of "help" were installed, they found the hotel clean +and tidy from attic to cellar, and everything in its proper place. + +The episode was one to be remembered by the malcontents, who had had a +severe lesson; by the host, who had seen a genuinely good side of human +nature; and the ladies who had so nobly stepped into the breach, learned +during their brief period of servitude to be more patient and +considerate to those who serve. + + + + +How She Helped Him + +STORY OF A WIFE + + +"Well, tell me about Henry Woodruff. How did that match turn out?" + +"Bad enough thus far. He is the same delightful, good-hearted fellow as +of old; always ready to do a kind, or courteous act. But this woman will +be the ruin of him." + +"How? What is the trouble?" + +"The trouble is she is spoiled to death! She fancies herself an invalid, +lies around, does nothing but read Charlotte Braeme and Bertha M. +Clay--has every foolish whim gratified, and, in fact, I don't see how he +stands it." + +"Did she have any property?" + +"Not a cent. It was an out-and-out love match. She has expensive tastes; +she is indolent and extravagant. Why, his carriage hire is a big item of +itself. She couldn't walk a block, you know." + +"Perhaps she really is a sufferer." + +"Nonsense; nobody believes it. She had that fall, you recollect at the +skating rink. At first her spine was thought to be seriously injured. +Woodruff paid out several hundred dollars to have her cured, and the +doctors discharged her, well, they said. But it has pleased her to drag +around, a load on his hands, ever since. It is thought that he is much +crippled financially. I know positively that he has lately mortgaged his +interest in the firm. If he can't manage to make, or save five thousand +dollars by the end of this year, it is all up with him. And he will +never do it at his present rate of living," + +"Why doesn't he tell her? Has she no sense, or feeling at all?" + +"None, except for herself; and he is so fond of her that he will indulge +her to his very last cent." + +"I thought he looked a little down as he passed us this morning." + +"Yes, he is beginning to realize that he has gone too far, and, poor +fellow, it is tugging at him hard." + +Did she hear aright? Was it of her, Eleanor Woodruff, that they were +talking? Swiftly she sped out of the dark, heavily-curtained back parlor +of the stylish boarding-house, and into her room, a gorgeous alcove +apartment on the first floor. She could not mount the stairs on account +of her weak spine. Weak spine? She forgot all about it as she paced the +floor, angry tears gushing from her large brown eyes. It was shameful--it +was wicked--to be so abused. She had never in her whole petted life been +found fault with. As to money, what did she know about it? Her father, +before his failure and death, had always gratified her. Her husband had +never made any difference. These men were friends of his. + +Her bitter sobs ceased, and her wounded vanity gradually lost itself +in better thoughts. Did all her world think of her like the scathing +criticisms of those two chance callers, who thus killed the time of +waiting for someone to come down to them? She began to feel glad that +she had overheard it. The merest accident had sent her into the back +parlor. Was it true? What ought she to do? What could she do? Her dear, +kind husband in trouble, and she the cause. Long she sat buried in +thought, and when the well-known step sounded at the door her face was +radiant with a new resolve. + +He came to her large easy-chair with a step somewhat weary, but his kiss +was as usual. + +"All right, Nellie? Had a good day? Why, you look--let me see--how do +you look?" he satd, his kind eyes noting the brightness that shone in +hers. + +"I look as if I love my big boy very much, don't I?" she responded +merrily. + +His answer was another kiss, and as he turned toward his dressing +closet, her heart ached with unspoken tenderness. Her dinner was brought +in. She was not considered strong enough to sit at table. For this +service an extra charge was made. + +Later, when he opened the evening paper, she sat and watched him. Surely +those lines of care were new, now that he was not smiling fondly upon +her. Oh, foolish, selfish wife! Rising gently, her long silken tea-gown +trailing behind her, she stood beside him, one slender white hand upon +his shoulder. + +"Well, dear, what now? Another new gown?" he asked, with his old, sweet +smile. + +She pressed her lips in a slow, reverential fashion, upon the broad +white brow, another pang at her heart. Then she spoke: + +"Not this time. Harry, dear, let's go to Mrs. Wickham's to board." + +"Mrs. Wickham's!" he echoed. "Why, you wouldn't stay in her dull little +place a week." + +But even as he spoke there flashed through his mind in rapid +calculation, "Twenty dollars a week there, forty here; eighty dollars +a month saved; nearly a thousand dollars a year." + +"Don't you like it here?" were his next words, as he glanced around the +luxurious suite. + +"Yes," she said, "except there are too many people. It is so noisy." + +"Very well, then, we will try it; anything to please my darling," and he +drew her close, wrapped in his arms as one might lull a restless child. + +The move was made, and Eleanor found that she was not as much fatigued +as she had often felt after a day's lounging with a novel. Her husband +thought it only a new whim; but as it was not expensive one, he could +not remonstrate. When he wanted to take her driving, she playfully told +him she was learning to walk--horses made her nervous. + +The first step, she thought; now for the next. It came to her almost by +magic. In a little rear hall-room sat Margaret Dewees, clicking away at +her typewriter. A strong, clear-headed girl who had maintained herself +these ten years, and had put by her savings. She was soon to be married +to a stalwart young farmer, the lover of her early youth. They had been +working and waiting. From the first she took an interest in the young +wife, and it was given to her energy and common sense to help a +suffering sister. Together they plotted and planned. Eleanor's lassitude +gradually passed away under vigorous rubbing and brisk walks. + +Margaret's trousseau was a thing to be considered. From Mrs. Woodruff's +surplus stock of stylish gowns and garments the country girl's outfit +was deftly concocted. The young wife could sew neatly and rapidly. When +all was ready the sum of two hundred dollars lay in her writing desk. +Her grand piano, too large for the new quarters, was removed from +storage to a dealer's, and was sold for three hundred more. She wrote at +once to an uncle in a Western city; told him of her little efforts, and +asked what she might do with her mite. He was a real estate man and +promptly invested it in a lot in the rising town of Duluth. + +In exchange for her services as seamstress, Margaret taught Eleanor the +use of the typewriter. When she was married she left the instrument, for +the summer months, in Eleanor's care. A nominal rent was agreed upon, +and this was easy to pay, as Margaret's engagements were transferred to +the new operator, while she, herself, attended to chickens and cows, and +her six feet of husband. + +Eleanor's spirit of enterprise did not stop here. She obtained pupils on +the type-writer machine at five dollars each. She shipped a lot of old +party dresses, crushed and out of style, to the costumer's on B---- +street, and saved the proceeds. Every time her husband handed over her +allowance of pin money, she put at least half of it in her "strong box." + +It was hard to hide all this activity and cheerfulness from him, but +she did. With her woman's enjoyment of a little mystery, and her high +resolve to show herself worthy of him, she kept in the old rut as nearly +as possible when he was at home. He saw only that she was stronger, and +it lightened his labors. + +"My little woman does not ride, or read, any more," he said one evening, +in the indulgent tone he used towards her. + +"Why, yes, I do read. Don't you see my little library there?" + +"Yes, but it seems to me I miss something." + +He missed the litter of trashy novels he had been wont to see. + +"I told you I was learning to walk;" she added, with a smile, "I really +do walk somewhere every day." + +"That pleases me most of all," he said in his cheery way, "but what will +Dr. Bull think. You know he prescribes rest and quiet." + +"I don't care one bit; I have long since cut his acquaintance." + + * * * * * + +The end of the year rolled round. Eleanor watched her husband's face +with ever increasing anxiety. One evening he sat buried in thought from +which all her endeavors could not rouse him. He did not feel well, he +said. All night he tossed and muttered. Calculations and figures were +uppermost. + +He was up early, as usual, and away. Eleanor hastened her preparations, +and carefully counted her little hoard--the earnings of months. Early +in the afternoon she came home with the proceeds of her last batch of +type-writing, glowing with exercise, and the happiness of contributing +at least some hundreds to meet her husband's creditors. He was there, +lying on the sofa, pale and hopeless. Forgetting all else, she flung +herself beside him with a sob. + +"Oh! Harry, my dearest! Tell me what it is that is killing you--I have a +right to know." + +"It is ruin, Eleanor. I have brought you to poverty--you whom I would +have given my very life to make happy." + +"You are talking in riddles, Harry," she exclaimed, rallying from her +alarm. "Am I not the happiest woman in the world? And don't you see how +well and strong I am?" + +She coaxed the whole story from his lips. Then with affected lightness, +she said: "Is that all? Why, you frightened me terribly; I thought you +were ill--had caught some horrible disease or other. See here!" + +As she spoke she ran to her desk, took out her treasure, and poured it +into his hands in her impulsive fashion. + +"Eleanor! What is this?" staring like one dazed, from her radiant face +to the notes in his hands. + +"This? Why, this is only your silly wife's laziness and selfishness in +another form." + +Then her story had to be told. Their combined efforts still fell short +of the required sum, but she triumphantly produced the deed to the +Western land. For a season there were caresses and even tears, of mutual +love and thankfulness. + +"My precious wife!" he exclaimed, as he clasped her close. "What a +treasure in you, if all the money in the world should fail!" + +"But your piano!" he said, with regret overreaching his appreciation of +her sacrifice. + +"Let it go," she merrily replied. "I could not play worth listening +to--this you must admit. It was just an expensive, cumbersome +toy--that's all." + +Next day the balance of the debt was borrowed upon the security of the +western deed, and Henry Woodruff was a free man once more. When the five +hundred dollars jumped to thousands in a sudden boom, he bought a neat +home. Here, Margaret, the valued friend, supplied produce from her farm. + +Eleanor was never quite content till Harry had looked up her two +maligners, and brought them to the pleasant domain where she presided, +and which her painfully awakened energy had helped to buy. In time she +told her secret, and thanked them for that ten minutes' gossip. In time, +too, sons and daughters came and found a mother prepared by self-denial +for the exigencies of life. + + + + +The Iron Box + +A MYSTERY + + +Twilight dropped its soft, somber curtain upon a handsome southern +home. Sadly out of keeping with the peaceful landscape and cheerful +hearthstone, were the feelings of a man who crept close to the window +shutter, and peered cautiously within the cosy apartment. And brighter +grew the twinkle in his rapacious eyes as the brilliant objects upon +which he glared shone in the lamplight. + +Upon a table in the center of the room was a mosaic casket, the raised +lid disclosing a collection of jewels rarely to be found in the +possession of a single individual. + +With glowing cheeks and radiant eyes Netta Lee surveyed her treasures; +but the glow and sparkle were for the tall figure beside her, however +her feminine pride might be gratified at this splendid array. So long as +Richard Temple honored her among women with his heart's devotion, there +needed not the glitter of gems to complete her happiness. + +"Our friends are most kind with their wedding gifts," said the +prospective bridegroom, "these are royal!--" + +"Yes, and oh, Richard! just see these pearls. Exquisite, aren't they! +One hundred years old, and a present from my grandmother." + +"What a queer, old-fashioned case," said Mary, a younger sister taking +up the flat, square box of red morocco, where nestled in its white satin +lining lay the milky brooch and ear-rings. + +"So much the more valuable; in this love-of-the-antique age," remarked +Bertha Lee. "Netta, who sent these gorgeous corals?" + +"Aunt Winifred;--wasn't it good of her?" + +"Pooh! No more than she might do for each of us," replied the saucy +girl. "Heigho! I wish my fate, if I have one, might appear. Couldn't +you innocently suggest to the old lady that I have no jewels for the +all-important occasion--a bridesmaid, too?" + +"Why not select from these?" said Richard. "There is enough here, and to +spare, for all. Let's see--pearl, diamond, amethyst, coral, emerald, +turquoise, filagree--I declare it is a veritable jeweler's display." + +"You must recollect, though, Richard, I had some of these before." + +"Her friends seem to have discovered her weakness," observed Mrs. Lee, +entering the room. + +"Now, mother, you shall not say that. You forget the carloads of things +that have come--nice, useful, domestic articles----" + +"Richard, what is it? What is the matter?" suddenly exclaimed Mrs. Lee, +looking at him. + +In alarm Netta glanced at his face, which she saw was clouded from +anxiety, or pain. At once she closed the casket and went to his side in +great concern. + +"What is it, dear? Are you ill?" + +"Not ill in body, my love; hardly comfortable in mind," was his reply, +as he sat down upon the davenport close by. "Sit here beside me, and +I will tell you what is troubling me. No, don't go," he added, as the +others started to leave the room, "it concerns us all." + +"Don't look so alarmed," he said, reassuringly, to his betrothed. "It +is only this. News reached Columbus to-day that Baywater's gang is near +Villula, and as usual their progress is marked by bloodshed and outrage. +The feature that concerns me most is that if I am detailed for duty, it +will of necessity postpone our marriage." + +Various expressions broke from the ladies, and Netta exclaimed in +terror: + +"But you will be in danger, Richard. Can no one else go?" and she clung +to him as though her frail clasp could keep him in safety at her side. + +"I fear not. The state militia must do its duty. You would not have +me skulk in the hour of danger. But there really is no danger for me, +Netta. The sole trouble is in the change of our plans." + +But they remembered too distinctly Baywater's last visit to derive the +comfort conveyed in his words. + +"And where must you go? What must you do?" tearfully asked Netta. + +"I can scarcely tell. We shall be required to watch the premises of the +citizens, and to convey all valuables to places of safety. The policy is +not to provoke a battle, but to entrap them nearer and nearer the city +by holding out baits till they can be apprehended in a body. To do this, +we shall be divided into small squads, perhaps only two persons allotted +to a station." + +It was apparent to the elder lady that the plans had already been +arranged, and Temple's duties mapped out. + +The man at the window strained his ears to catch the topic which +evidently excited profound interest. A word or two reached him, and he +saw Temple point to the box of jewels. Then, as the door opened, he +heard him say: + +"Remember--the first thing to-morrow--Dry Thicket." + +Ere the departing visitor could come upon him, the straggler bounded +over the fence and hurried away. But he had learned enough. + +A sound, real or fancied, caused Richard Temple to glance down the +starlit highway, in time to see the fleeing human figure. In newborn +apprehension he returned to the parlor door, and was admitted in some +wonder by the ladies, who were still discussing the situation. + +"Is Lawrence at home?" he asked. + +"Yes--why?" + +"I think I'll turn in with him to-night, if he will give me half a bed. +I fear you are not safe with those jewels in the house." + +"Certainly," responded Mrs. Lee with ready hospitality. "You may have a +whole bed and room, too, if you like." + +"Thanks, madam, I prefer to concentrate forces. Give me the box, and you +ladies go to rest. We'll protect you;" he valiantly added, as the young +son of the house now appeared. + +Richard Temple was not mistaken. A little after midnight the watchers +heard a noise as of sawing, or filing. Peering from an upper window they +located the sound at the parlor shutter, and soon discerned the figure +of a man in a crouching attitude. Swiftly and noiselessly the young men +stole down and out by a back door, and were creeping upon the burglar to +capture him, when a short, quick bark from the house dog startled the +man, who fled precipitately. The pursuers fired, but it was too dark to +see beyond a few yards. + +The ladies, aroused and alarmed, were soon reassured, but persisted in +sharing the remainder of the vigil. + +Early next morning, leaving the servants to infer that they were bound +upon a berry excursion, the little party set out, Richard bearing the +mosaic box, the girls carrying other valuables, and Lawrence armed with +a larger wooden box and a pick. Their destination was Dry Thicket, +so called from the exceeding dryness of the earth beneath the almost +impenetrable trees of native growth. These trees were so closely +interlaced by a tough vine peculiar to the soil, that it was necessary +to cut one's way, or force it by dint of strength. + +In order to accomplish this feat the ladies had donned homespun dresses +kept for such excursions, and the gentlemen were suitably provided. +Winding through an arable field they descended the narrow path that led +into the thicket, and were soon pushing and cutting their way against +the stout lattice of vines. When far into the interior they found +themselves in a natural arbor free from undergrowth and utterly +secluded. A fallen log afforded a seat for the ladies, and the +custodians of the box at once proceeded to bury their treasures of gold +and plate, silver and jewels. An hour sufficed for the task. When +scattering, dry leaves over the fresh earth the party returned to Lee +Villa somewhat the worse for wear. + +"Until these dangerous invaders shall have left the community, or are +arrested, I think we should arm the negro men on the plantation and be +prepared for possible surprises," were Richard Temple's parting words, +as he took leave for Columbus, twenty miles distant. + +Villula was altogether inland, and hence an easy prey to outlaws. The +nearest railway station was at Silver Run, two miles away. The first +down train brought a hasty letter from Temple, stating that he and +Lawrence Lee were detailed to convey four fine horses belonging to Major +Lester, to a place of safety, and that the threatened section had been +well picketed. + +There was at once a general hiding out of valuables, live stock and +provisions, the numerous swamps and thickets affording secure harbors +all over the section. A reign of terror existed during the next two +weeks. The dreaded marauders were at work, and stories were rife of +insult to women, and outrages upon men whom they hung by the neck till +almost dead unless they revealed the whereabouts of their treasures. +Thus far they had baffled the vigilance of the authorities. The country +was thinly settled, and the peculiar features of the landscape afforded +facilities both for concealment and escape. + +One evening the ladies of Lee Villa sat watching the resplendent sunset +from the front piazza, when a ragged, barefoot urchin came up the road +turning somersaults with surprising agility. He righted himself up at +the gate, then entered and sidled rather doubtfully toward the group. + +"Here's somethin' fur Miss Lee. Be you her?" + +"Yes," said Netta, receiving a dirty note from the boy's dusty fingers. +"Where did you get this?" + +"He gave it to me--he did," nodding his head down the road, "an' he +gimme this, too!" he added triumphantly, holding up a shining coin, +as he darted away again at his evolutions. + +Netta deciphered the following lines from Richard: + + "We are encamped in Dry Thicket with the horses, all safe thus far. + Do not attempt to come; you could not find us. Keep a brave heart. + We will soon entrap the rascals. (Messenger best I can find). + + "Faithfully, + + "R.T." + + +About nine o'clock one morning a party of ten men, headed by the +notorious Baywater, rode up the single street of Villula, sending terror +to the hearts of unprotected women. Not apprehending an attack in +daytime, the two young men were on duty elsewhere, and the negroes were +in the cotton fields. + +Passing through the town amid a great dust and clatter, they drew rein +at the villa. The ladies came to the door in response to the captain's +imperious halloo. + +"We've come to find out where the Lester horses are, madam--and what's +more," he added with a brutal oath, "we intend to know!" + +"I have no information to give you," calmly returned Mrs. Lee. + +"Perhaps you won't tell us where that box of diamonds is, either," +he sneered. + +To this there was no reply. The three girls were pallid from +apprehension of the next move. Apparently a proposition was made. The +leader shook his head. After a brief parley he dismounted, and with five +of his men, strode across the lawn to the negro quarters. An old negress +sat at the door, smoking her pipe, and knitting a coarse yarn sock. +A bright mulatto boy was crossing the back yard with a water bucket. + +In vain the outlaws sought to extract from the old woman the whereabouts +of her master with the horses and jewels. She was in reality as ignorant +as they. + +"Come now, Auntie," said the captain in wheedling tones, "tell us and we +will make you free. You won't have to work any more." + +"Oh, go 'long!" was her contemptuous rejoinder, "I'se free as I want +to be." + +"Why, you old fool!" he roughly retorted, "you don't know what freedom +means. You shall wear a silk dress and ride in a carriage and have a +gold chain." + +"I speaks gold chain!" echoed the woman tossing her grey head, "you po' +white trash can't come it ober dis chile wid yer crick-cracks. Jes you +go 'long. I'se got my bacon and greens, an' a good cotton coat. Yer +can't fool dis chile wid yer fine talk!" + +"Curse the old hag! Let's try the boy. You! Sirrah! Come here." + +With ashen cheeks the boy followed them into an outhouse, while the +Captain flourished a stout whip. + +"Oh! mother," cried Netta, "don't let them whip him! He never was +whipped in his life!" + +Mrs. Lee advanced a few paces from the back gallery whence they had been +watching the proceedings and called, "Charlie!" + +The boy sprang towards his mistress, his captors not venturing to be too +rash at the outset. + +"I want this boy for a moment," explained the lady. In sullen silence +they waited. + +"Going to buy him up to secrecy," derided the Captain, "but I guess +we'll work it out of him when he comes back. We've got him, sure, and +can afford to wait." + +But Charlie did not come back. Thrusting a bill into his hand his +mistress said: "Fly for your life, to Columbus and tell Col. Scale that +we must have protection. There is no train. Take the old country road +and lose no time!" + +Nor did the terrified boy let the grass grow under his steps. Ere the +next sun rose he was in Columbus, footsore, but safe. + +Again baffled, the desperadoes took horse, and held a consultation. + +"If I thought they knew," muttered the Captain, "by ---- they would be +made to tell. There's no other way--we must search that d---- thicket. +You know what Jem heard at the window the other night." + +With this they galloped down the road, taking a more circuitous route to +Dry Thicket than the little path hidden from view behind Lee Villa. In +an agony of foreboding Netta exclaimed: "Oh, mother, we must save them. +Let's get ready and go at once. I know every part of Dry Thicket!" + +Hurriedly donning the homespun dresses, the mother and daughters +set out, leaving a maid in the house, and the old cabin "Granny" +still smoking serenely over her knitting. They were soon on the spot +where the jewels had been buried. The shock of the moment may be +better conceived than described, when they saw an open pit, a pile +of freshly-turned earth, and no trace of their carefully-concealed +treasures! The blood receded from every face. Gone--all gone! The +exquisite bridal presents--the diamonds from her betrothed, the ancient +pearls, Aunt Winifred's family jewels, the heirlooms of plate--all +vanished as utterly as if they had never been. + +In sheer feebleness the stunned party sank down upon the prostrate log. +They now observed the charred remains of a camp fire, and shreds of grey +blanket adhering to the tenacious Tie-Vine. + +"What _shall_ we do?" broke from Netta in despair. The loss of her +superb ornaments for the time took the place of every other sentiment. +Even the safety of her loved ones was forgotten. + +"Well," said Mary, recovering herself, "it is no use grieving. We had +better be looking for Lawrence and Richard. You know those villains +hung Colonel Harris by the neck till he was nearly dead, because he +would not tell where his money was." + +"Hush, Mary," said her mother, "don't suggest such horrible things." + +But their search was unavailing. That night was one of agonizing +suspense. Next day the noon train brought Charlie with a note from +Colonel Scale, saying that Lawrence would return home as soon as orders +could reach him. + +The story of the missing jewels was freely discussed, and friends came +in numbers to condole with the bride-elect, and rehearse similar +depredations that had come to their ears. + +At last flashed the news that the State Militia had surrounded the +daring invaders, by a well-executed maneuver, and had disarmed them. The +leader fought desperately and was mortally wounded. The prisoners were +forced to reveal the place where their ill-gotten gains were stored, and +the owners were publicly summoned to identify their property. But the +Lee jewels were not found, and the gang obstinately disclaimed all +knowledge of them. + +Suspense in regard to them was, however, soon to be relieved. Two more +days of waiting, and the close of a lovely afternoon was made memorable +by the return of the wanderers to Lee Villa. A torrent of questions and +incidents so assailed them that they could not intelligibly answer the +one, or comment on the other. + +"And, oh! Richard," faltered Netta, "they have stolen our box--all my +beautiful presents!" + +"And the spoons," chimed in Mary, loyal to the family heirlooms. + +"You'd better say the money," said Bertha with conviction. "I would +rather have lost anything else than all that gold and silver." + +"Only give us a chance," said her brother appealingly, "and we will +relieve your anxiety on this point." + +"You have it! You have it!" cried the girls excitedly crowding upon him. + +"No," said Richard laughing heartily, while the brother endeavored to +extricate himself. "He hasn't it but if I can have a hearing I will tell +you of its fate. We hoped you would not miss it. Nor would you," he +added, looking archly at Netta, "if you had obeyed my injunction not to +try to find us." + +All anxiety, his auditors were profoundly attentive while Richard +narrated the adventures that had befallen them in the thicket. They were +hotly pursued and closely surrounded several times, so determined were +the raiders upon capturing the horses, but friendly arbors screened them +from view, and the sagacious animals were as quiet as their preservers. +On the night of their arrival at the thicket with the horses, Richard +suggested that it might be wise to remove the box, since in case the +ladies were surprised they might be forced to disclose the secret. +Accordingly he and his companion dismounted, secured the horses, and +penetrated on foot to the place. What was their amazement to see the +smouldering light of a fire and a man stretched upon the ground in a +deep sleep. A grey blanket served him for a pillow. Ere they could reach +him he stirred uneasily, started up, seized his blanket, and sprang away +among the trees. But they were too quick for him, especially as the +clinging vine impeded his progress. They captured him, and he confessed +that he was one of Baywater's scouts, and that he had spent two days +in the thicket searching for the box of jewels he had seen through the +window of the villa. + +The young men secured their prisoner, whom one guarded at the pistol's +point, while the other pushed on, buried the box in another place, and +then they conveyed the ruffian to Columbus. + +"Three nights ago," concluded Richard, "we were so closely cornered that +there was no help but in flight. We rode continuously till our horses +were safe on the Lester plantation, but my Bonnie Bess is done for, I +fear," and he glanced compassionately at the reeking animal, his own +especial property. + +Poor Bess! Ere another twenty-four hours had gone by, her sorrowful +master was called away from the villa to see her die of lockjaw. He had +ridden her to her death in the performance of his duty. + +After his interesting recital the ladies refused to wait till morning +to regain the buried treasures. They would go at once, and a number +of friends who had gathered to welcome the returned wanderers, and +congratulate their prowess, volunteered to accompany the party. So they +started, quite a procession, relying upon the lately frequented path to +save their garments from rents. + +The new spot chosen for the little pit was only a few yards from the +original place, and seemed sunken for several feet in all directions--a +significant fact as it proved. + +This time Charlie wielded the pick, and with such exaggerated force that +the earth was loosened for quite a space around the box. Some excitement +attended the rescue of the precious casket from fancied peril, and the +dense bower resounded with an animated discussion of late events. + +Warned by the lengthening shadows they turned to depart when a bystander +suddenly peering forward, said: "Look there, Lee. What is that? There, +close to the tree. Temple, do you see?" + +"The root of a tree, I think," replied Lawrence, stooping down to +examine a dark object that jutted out of the newly opened pit. + +Clearing the earth away with his hands he discovered, not a root, but +what seemed to be the corner of an iron box. Richard, who was beside +him, fell to work, and a further exploration revealed a band of some +metal, probably brass. Intense curiosity now prevailed. + +"Charlie, go to the house and bring some torches," said his master. Then +to Richard: "We must get at the bottom of this. The ladies had better +go--it is nearly night." + +But the ladies would do nothing of the kind. Here was something that +promised to be a mystery indeed. They remained till an iron, brass-bound +box, not large but heavy, had been disinterred and with difficulty +lifted to the surface. With still more difficulty it was conveyed to the +villa, where the expectant group waited for a smith to come and open it. + +When the rusty lock was made to unclasp, the top was raised, and there, +in numerous rouleaux, was gold coin to the amount of thousands of +dollars. Excitement was now but a faint term for the sensation. + +The young men were congratulated upon their find till their hands were +sore from pressure, and the ladies were embraced in proportion by +enthusiastic friends. + +How came it there? Who had buried it and when? There was a legend in +those parts that four wealthy Spaniards had been pursued and butchered +by the Indians in the early days, and that they had, while fleeing away, +buried the gold in an Alabama wild. Another tradition was, that during +the siege of New Orleans, some French settlers had run the blockade and +penetrated far into the country with vast wealth that was never traced +afterwards. Some of the older citizens had also heard of a miserly +ancestor of the Lawrences (Mrs. Lee had been a Lawrence) who lived +a hermit life in the villa when it was only a log cabin; who denied +himself the simplest comforts, and who died in want; but he had been +seen by the curious counting his gold at night. + +Whatever the mystery it was never solved. The facts as known were widely +published, but no rival claimant ever appeared. + +The wedding was a brilliant social affair. The Lee family were +recognized leaders, and their ancestral home was noted for its elegant +appointments and generous hospitality. + +"And where will you and Dick live, Netta?" asked a Columbus belle. + +"We think of building in the thicket." + +"What! Bury yourself in Dry Thicket? That horrible place?" + +"Soyez tranquille, ma chere," playfully answered the young bride. "Dry +Thicket has proved too great a blessing to us to be dreaded. However, +come and see us one day and judge for yourself." + +And when, as the "one days" had lengthened into many, enticed by the +rumors she heard, the girl, now a married woman, did go, she found a +magnificent residence, with lovely terraced lawns, shell-road drives, +and luxuries unknown in city homes. All on the site of the despised Dry +Thicket. White cottages dotted the landscape, and there was no trace +of the gloomy thicket save one natural bower overhung with trees and +interlaced by vines. Within its cool recesses was a rustic chair, and +sheltered by a miniature Gothic temple, stood the brightly-burnished +iron box which chance had made the foundation of so much happiness +and prosperity. + + + + +The Girl Farmers + +A PRACTICAL STORY + + +"I see no way out of this, girls, but for you to go to work and support +yourselves with your accomplishments. At least I suppose you've got +some. Your schooling cost a fortune, and maybe it was well enough, for +now there's a chance for you to make it count." + +And thus delivering himself, gruff Uncle Abner took a fresh chew of +tobacco, and let his eyes wander aimlessly among those dead-and-gone +relatives hanging on the walls. Anywhere indeed but at the two rosy, +eager faces before him; for the sisters, Margaret and Elizabeth, sat +watching and listening to this, the first hint of difficulty in the +easy-going of their pampered lives. + +Margaret spoke. "What is the amount of the mortgage, Uncle?" + +"Tut, tut," he grunted, with a show of impatience, "you can't +understand; girls aint expected to know about business; they h'aint any +heads for it. You'd better just shut up the place and come over to my +house till you can look around you a bit." + +"You are very kind, uncle, but we will consider that after you have +answered my question," continued Margaret with quiet insistence. "How +are we to understand unless we are told? And why keep us in ignorance? +We have a right to know just how our father's affairs were left, and I, +for my part, _intend_ to know;--" and the earnest young voice +stopped short of the sob that caught and held it quivering. + +There was silence while the tall clock ticked a few moments away. The +large grey eyes had no release in their steady depths. Thus driven Uncle +Abner proceeded to explain that it was when their brother James got into +that trouble over his wife's property. Their father had been obliged to +borrow, and he (Uncle Abner), accommodated him, taking as security a +mortage on the farm. + +"It was for five thousand dollars," he concluded, "and of course if he +had lived--," he paused, and walking to the window, his hands plunged +deep into his homespun pockets, gazed uncomfortably upon the broad +stretch of field and pasture so dear to the orphan nieces he was +unwittingly torturing. + +The Milfords were a proud race. Proud in the sturdy yeoman spirit of +honest independence. Margaret was not long in making up her mind. + +"You are right, uncle," she said with marked deliberation. "Libbie +and I have indeed had every advantage that the best schools afford. +We ought to go to work and we will. But--" and her wistful gaze swept +their beloved possessions indoor and out--"it shall be here; not +anywhere else." + +"What upon earth are you driving at?" spluttered Uncle Abner, while +Elizabeth smiled acquiescence in the decision of the beloved older +sister whose word had been law since their pinafore days. Whatever the +outlook she would stand by her. "I'd like to know what you can do here!" +went on their sage adviser, muttering audibly something about the +"infernal nonsense of women folks." + +"I mean it, uncle. I never was further from talking nonsense. We will +work here, on the old farm, and save our home from strangers, if you +will only be patient and give us time. I can take charge of the hands +and the crops. Elizabeth will manage the house and garden. In fact +I find myself longing every minute to begin. It will be something to +occupy us and divert us from gloomy thoughts;" and she glanced at the +somber garments that told of recent bereavement. + +"But you can't stay here without a protector," objected her uncle, +getting downright wrathful as he felt inwardly conscious that he would +be obliged to yield. He had seen his niece Margaret have her own way +more than once. Still he must fight for it. + +"You just take my advice and do what I said at first. Let somebody take +the place and work off the debt--in a way, you understand. You can look +about for a music class, and Lizzie here can get a position in the +public schools. Of course you know you are welcome at my house as long +as you need--" + +"Now, listen, uncle, do," broke in Margaret, catching his arm with +clasped hands, as a persuasive cadence crept into her resolute tones. "I +know I can learn to do what other women are doing all over the land. Not +so many Southern women, I grant you; we are a spoiled lot as ever lived, +and are foolishly ashamed to work. But we are no better than our sisters +of the north and west, and I, for one, do not care a whit what people +may think about it. As to being afraid to stay here, that would be +silly. Why, I am not so very many years from thirty and Elizabeth is +every bit of twenty-three. Quite old maids, you see;--bachelor maids, if +you please. The neighborhood is thickly settled; Rock and Don are the +best watch dogs ever seen, and the men in the cabins with their families +are faithful, you know. The village is in sight, and the big farm bell +can be heard a mile away. Nobody will molest us. I assure you we shall +not be afraid; and last of all, I can handle a pistol as well as a man, +if need be; and Libby is a terror with a hat pin! Now do be good and let +us try it." + +The brave girl had her way, no matter if Davis did want to add the four +hundred acres of the Milford farm to his own fine estate. + +The first year was not a bed of roses for the inexperienced young +farmers, but they were not daunted. A music class and a dozen pupils in +belles-lettres helped out the income, and there was no inconsiderable +revenue from the sale of milk, butter, eggs, fruit and vegetables. + +They had "the orchard, the meadow, and deep-tangled wildwood," full of +sacred memories. They fairly gloried in their dairy, the poultry yard, +and garden. They were up at daylight, and with the help of a small boy +from the cabins, gathered the marketing which Margaret, in her high +cart, took to the hotels at the thriving village of the railroad +junction. + +Richard Davis undertook the live-stock raising for the sisters on +the shares. This was a great help, though Uncle Abner, who had been +bulldozed into complacency, he said, hinted on occasions that the "young +fellow would be sharing himself with one of 'em before long." However, +the energetic maidens gave no heed, save to the grand purpose of their +lives. + +They learned to "gar old clo'es amaist as weel as new." Carpets were +darned and scoured and turned; the time-honored furniture was patched +and polished; and their fair hands did not shrink from putting on a +fresh coat of paint, or paper, now and then. Under severe pressure of +temptation they parted with several pieces of old mahogany during the +craze for antiques, at prices almost fabulous. This they invested in +some shares of bank stock. + +The second year's profits footed up enough to make a payment to Uncle +Abner, and then their joy knew no bounds. In vain their anxious friends +urged them to sell out and live in a small cottage. Their sympathy was +thrown away. + +"Every blade of grass is dear to me," persisted Margaret. "Perhaps I +have more sentiment than sense, but this should be my life work. And +when free from debt, think how easy to see the end of every year from +the beginning. Meanwhile everything is getting more simple for us. At +first, we had to be content with just the old rut, for we knew nothing +else. Now we study the best methods. We take a farmer's journal, which +has proved a noble education. The continual improvements in machinery +and necessary implements are of inestimable value. The best costs a +little more at first, but in the end it pays." + +"I always detested farming," exclaimed an old schoolmate who had married +a rich banker. + +"Come and see us," said Margaret, with her hopeful smile. "Let us show +you our work." + +She came, partly from curiosity, and together the friends went over +the premises. First, the kitchen garden where grew in hills or rows +vegetables after the most approved latter-day culture; next, the glowing +garden of flowers whose gorgeous bloom found ready sale; then the +poultry yard, pig-sties, bee-hives and stables, Margaret all the while +discoursing upon remedies for this or that drawback, and how to manage +the diverse brands and breeds, till her dainty friend held up her hands +in honest wonder. + +"How on earth and where did you learn all this?" she found voice to ask. + +"From the journals, I read about farming and gardening, about +housekeeping, and raising all those barn-yard creatures. We are thinking +of adding a small family of canaries to our stock; they are much sought +after and readily sell. Oh, I could not get on at all without my papers. +They are everything to me. Why, just listen to what I know about corn," +she went on, with a proud light in her handsome eyes. "Kentucky was +once a leading state in raising corn, and she will be again," and here +followed facts and statistics singularly incongruous from rosy lips to +the listening ears of the city girl. "There is nothing, Amelia, that +pays like doing a thing well. For instance, our own Kentucky is not +famous for well-kept farms, but I could not afford to have my fences +down, my fields choked with weeds, and my stock depredating elsewhere." + +"But how do you manage your servants? They are the great bugbear +nowadays." + +"By making them respect me and by paying good wages. They should not +be expected to give their time and strength at starvation prices. +I do have trouble sometimes. In fact I think, first and last, I have +done everything but plow. But in the main I get along. The farm is +prospering, and a few years hence I mean to have it called a model, +not a mortgaged farm." + +"It is all right, of course, my dear, if you like it," said her city +friend, with somewhat unwilling admiration, "but I should think you +would get dreadfully tanned and coarse." + +"Do I look so?" asked the country girl, with a happy little challenging +laugh. "I was certainly never in better health." + +And the visitor had to admit that there was no lack of womanly beauty +in the rich coloring of the young farmer's rounded cheeks, albeit a few +tiny freckles bridged the straight nose. + +"But think how utterly you are lost to society! What a sacrifice for a +Milford!" lamented the rich man's wife, to whom life's hard lessons had +not come. "I can never forget the gorgeous entertainment at this old +house when we were first home from school. Such flowers! Such music! +Such a supper! And, oh, the lovely gowns! I declare, Maggie, you were a +beauty that night, and Libbie never looked prettier. It seems a crying +shame!" + +"Not converted yet?" playfully asked the other, though the quick tears +sprang to her eyes at the sudden stab of memory. + +"Remember, dear," she added gently, "we could not have gone out even +if we had not decided to give up all idle pleasures. But we are not +hermits, I assure you. Our old friends are most kind. Perhaps one day +we may live again those happy times." + +"But surely you will marry. A girl like you could never be an old maid." + +At which sally Margaret laughed outright, adding gaily that there would +be time enough and to spare for matrimony. + +"I am too busy now to even think of it. By and by I shall have the +finest of bees and fancy poultry. Already my grape arbor is thriving. +I sell quantities of fruit and berries. But my stronghold is farm +literature; I devour it at night, while Libbie reads society bits in the +village weekly, or cons the city daily. Poor Lib! It goes right hard +with her to draggle her skirts in the dewy strawberry beds; but she +feels consoled when I fetch up the till! What misers we be, hoarding our +strong box!" + +So these heroic girls are going on, the respected of all observers. +Their example has encouraged others to throw off the shackles of +"Southern caste" and be independent of unwilling relatives more favored +by fortune. The mortgage is not yet entirely lifted, but it will be. The +bluegrass pastures of the fine old estate have been given over to the +grazing of blooded horses and cattle, at so much per head, thereby +counting in a greatly increased revenue. + +Margaret's latest venture is a fine young thoroughbred, which the +knowing ones predict will prove a gold mine. So mote it be. + +Uncle Abner is patient and helpful. He has long ago felt like hiding +"his diminished head," and is proud of his young nieces. They have saved +the old homestead where three generations of the family were born. Alone +they have struggled, protected by the God of the orphan, whose glorious +sunshine and rain so abundantly bless their labors! + + + + +Proving a Heart + +A LOVE STORY + + +"Hold fast! don't be frightened! I can save you if you will only be +strong!" were the exclamations that burst hurriedly from young Dr. +Gardner's lips as, with horror-struck face he sprang from his +window-seat and bounded downstairs. + +And well might he hasten, for she who awaited his succor, hung +perilously between heaven and earth, expecting every moment to be dashed +to the ground. + +For some minutes previous to his excited words, Weldon Gardner's gaze +had been riveted in awful fascination upon an immense balloon that was +fast descending toward the high roofs that clustered on all sides about +his comfortable rooms on ---- St., New York. + +Something was wrong. He could readily detect this in the unsteady +wavering of the gaily-striped air-ship. And so, too, thought the crowd +that he now saw had gathered in the street below. + +Evidently the aeronaut had lost control of his craft. Lower still it +tottered, and now were visible several arms outstretched in the vain +appeal for aid. + +Not a sound escaped the spell-bound multitude in the streets, for in a +moment more the fate of the doomed adventurers must be decided. Suddenly +two human forms dropped from the loosened basket and struck with a +fearful thud against the elevated railway, then rebounded to the street +below a mass of mangled flesh. Death was instantaneous. With one impulse +the throng surged about the bodies; but Dr. Gardner's eyes were still +fixed upon the balloon, for as if relieved by the rapid lightening of +its burden it gave a spirited sweep upward, then passed over his own +roof. + +Hastening to his back windows, which overlooked a paved court, he threw +himself into a chair, and strained his gaze in search of the wrecked +pleasure-craft, to which one other figure clung with the might of +desperation. + +One large tree, spared by the pruning axe of the city architect, shaded +the court; and into the wide-spreading boughs of this tree, did the +powerless balloon now descend, its ropes becoming hopelessly entangled. +Clinging fast to whatever offered support, a young girl with dark, +terror-stricken eyes, met his look of horror, as with the reassuring +words already quoted, Weldon Gardner rushed down to the rescue. + +Even as he gained the spot, shouting to the men in service to bring a +ladder, a number of persons had penetrated to the court, and were now +collected around the tree, uttering excited comments upon the disaster. + +With all possible speed the young physician reached the sufferer, but +unconsciousness had already closed her eyes to all danger. Bearing the +light form from the entangling meshes, the doctor ascended to his +consulting-room, and deposited his burden upon a couch. Summoning his +housekeeper, he dismissed the gaping followers, and proceeded to examine +the death-like form he had preserved from mutilation. + +The patient seemed to be about eighteen years old, and bore unmistakable +evidences of the lady in her attire. + +Mercifully forebearing to restore her senses till after his skillfull +examination, the doctor could discover no broken limbs, and nothing now +remained but to enable her to speak for herself as to her condition. +After a persistent use of restoratives, the anxious attendants were +rewarded by seeing the color flutter back into the pallid cheeks, and +the long eyelashes quiver with returning life. + +Her first words were: "Lucien! Maggie! we are lost!" Then a strong +shudder convulsed her slight frame, and with a startled cry she +attempted to spring up. + +"Be careful," gently remonstrated the doctor, laying a detaining hand +upon her. "Tell me--are you hurt anywhere?" + +"I don't know--I think not--oh! who are you? Where am I? Where are the +others? Were they killed? Oh! it was too horrible!" and the agitated +speaker burst into a passion of tears so violent as to alarm her +watchers. + +Leaving her to the housekeeper, Dr. Gardner quickly prepared and +administered a soothing potion. Then, enjoining absolute quiet, he +drew the blinds, and proceeded downstairs to learn of the ill-fated +companions of his patient. The crowd still lingered about the spot, +although the bodies had been removed to await a claimant. Nothing was +known except that the balloon had ascended that morning from one of the +city squares, and that, as frequently happened, a party of young people +had gone up to get a bird's eye view of the metropolis. Who they were +did not yet appear. + +Several hours passed, and still the rescued girl slept the dreamless +sleep induced by the nervous shock and the narcotic draught of the +doctor. Patiently the housekeeper sat and watched. + +As twilight fell, she gave a sigh and opened her large eyes in surprise +upon the strange face beside her. Taking advantage of the opportune +moment, Mrs. Buford removed the pongee walking suit from the drowsy +girl, and then gently enfolding her in a soft white wrapper, the kind +matron assisted her to the bed which had been prepared, the girl +submitting with a bewildered look of questioning wonder, and finally +sinking back gratefully into slumber. + +And here Weldon Gardner came before retiring for the night. + +Softly touching the delicate wrist in its dainty frill, he noted the +somewhat fitful pulsations of the disturbed life-centers. Bending above +the tell-tale heart-beats, his practiced ear assured him that ere long +the deep repose of his charge would effectually restore her to health. + +How like chiseled marble she looked, lying there in her absolute +helplessness beneath his stranger gaze! How pure the white brow, with +its clustering rings of glossy hair! How exquisitely fine the white hand +to which the dimples of babyhood yet clung! How classic the contour of +her face, into which already the warm hue of health was creeping! A +heavy sigh escaped him as he noted each perfection of outline. Who was +this lovely stranger? And what could she be to him? + +"Why was I ever such a dupe?" he said in his heart. "Fettered--fettered +for life!" + +But suddenly realizing that except in his professional capacity he had +no right thus to intrude upon her slumbers, the young physician turned +from the enchanting picture. + +"How is she now, sir?" respectfully inquired the housekeeper. + +"Fairly well," he replied cheerfully; "I do not think she is hurt, +except a few bruises, which we must look after. She was thrown pretty +hard against that tree. To-morrow she will be able to give an account of +herself. We can do nothing toward finding her friends before that time. +Call, if she should become restless," and the young man retired to his +own apartment, there to ponder deeply, as he had never before pondered +in his life. + +Some days later the following letter was posted by Weldon Gardner: + + NEW YORK, September 20, 1879. + + "My Dear Aunt:-- + + "Your kind letter reminds me that never, in all these years of boyhood + grown ripe, has duty come to me in as repulsive a form as now, I tell + you, shocked as you may feel when you read the words, that I would + rather put a bullet through my head than meet Evelyn Howard at this + time! Why couldn't she stay in England? And what cursed folly induced + my parents to thus bind me for life to one I had never seen? True, I + submitted. But you know with what an appeal my dying mother besought + my compliance, and what could I do? I cared for no one else. How was + I to foresee that the tie would ever be so intensely galling? + + "I know all that you would say about honor, manhood, and all the + category of virtues. I know them all. Nor am I willing to act the + scoundrel just yet. But I must have time; I can _not_ marry that + girl now. Nor will I consent to meet her yet. Let her think I am out + of town, sick, busy, _dead_; anything, till I can screw my courage + to the sticking point. + + "About the balloon tragedy--yes, you heard correctly of my figuring + in the matter. The girl is Miss Lina Dent, of Brooklyn, and I am + happy to report that she is entirely recovered, though deeply afflicted + at the fearful death of her friends. It seems that they had, in a + spirit of fun, gone up in the balloon, feeling confident that their + adventure was, to say the least, of somewhat doubtful propriety. + They did not think of danger. The cowardly desertion of the æronaut, + as soon as he could leap to a roof in safety, precipitated their fall. + + "The young victims, Lucien and Maggie Taylor, were too much frightened + to hold to their frail support. Their tragic fate has plunged an + excellent household into mourning. Bitterly my new acquaintance + lamented her folly in consenting to the excursion; but how can a man + in his senses add to her condemnation when she looks through such + eyes, and speaks with such lips? Not I, I assure you. + + "Miss Dent is visiting a relative in Brooklyn, and in my character of + physician, I have been kindly received. The strangest part of it all + is the odd way that girl looked at me when she knew enough to look + rationally at anybody; and her obstinate persistence in leaving my + house before she was fit to go. And it was all I could do to induce + her to see me again. But her cousin was quite cordial, and now I may + claim to have established an easy footing at the house. But about + Evelyn Howard--don't, my dear aunt, if you have a spark of mercy, + require me to see her now." + + + * * * * * + +A month passed by, and October, in glorious tints of autumnal beauty, +shed its light over the city. In a handsome drawing-room on Brooklyn +Heights sat Weldon Gardner and Lina Dent. The young girl wore a soft +white dress, and her figure was replete with roseate health and beauty. + +The young physician was pleading strongly and earnestly, gazing into the +eloquent eyes before him as if his very life hung upon their favor. + +"But I know so little of you, Dr. Gardner," was her remonstrance in +answer to his ardent suit, "true you have earned my life-long +gratitude--" + +"Don't mention that, if you have any regard for me," he interrupted, in +a sort of disdain. + +"Yes," she urged, "I must mention it. To you I owe my life, and perhaps, +my reason. Of course I know you in all points of family, position, and +professional success; but your own true self--how can I know that you +will secure my happiness? Is there nothing you can tell me of yourself +which will reassure me?" + +And the bright, honest look of her eyes robbed her plain words all +possible sting. + +"First, tell me that you love me," he argued, "let me know that it would +be sweet to you to place your happiness in my keeping. At least you can +do this. You know if you love me." + +She listened with averted look. + +"And if I confess that I love you," she said at length, in a low voice; +"if I do this, would it not be mockery to learn, when too late, that I +had made a mistake?" + +"But, in heaven's name, Lina, what can you mean? Why do you doubt me? +What is there to tell? I could have no secrets--" + +Then there rushed to his memory with a force that sent the blood to his +brow and almost took his breath, the conviction that he _had_ a +secret from her--that he _was_ deceiving her--that it was unmanly +to seek her love with a lie on his lips. For a brief season his +engagement had been forgotten, or ignored. He had hugged to his breast +with unreasoning apathy the theory that the present was enough to +consider--that the future must care for itself--that once his promised +wife, Lina Dent should be his if all the world conspired against it. But +now came the hated thought that Evelyn Howard stood between him and the +precious one who had been his day-star since the night when he had +nursed her back to life. + +Starting up, he strode back and forth, not noting the pale cheeks and +startled eyes of the girl who watched him in ill-repressed anxiety. + +At length, sitting down beside her, he seized her soft fingers with a +grasp of which he was hardly aware. Then instantly relaxing the rigor +of his clasp, he pleaded: + +"Let me hold this pure little hand while I confess to you, my only love, +that your clear eyes have read my soul--that I have deceived you--that +I love you beyond all else this world contains; but that the most cruel +fate man ever before suffered, keeps me from you, unless, indeed, your +love will help me to remove the barrier." + +And while the young girl listened, with drooping head, he told her of +his hated engagement--of the painful circumstances that had betrayed him +into compliance. + +"But I never dreamed of this sort of Nemesis! I could not have been in +my senses to thus barter my freedom forever." + +Slowly withdrawing her hand, the girl said, still in the same low tones: + +"And you do not love your betrothed?" + +"Love her?" he echoed. "I tell you, Lina, I have never even seen her. +Her people have been abroad for an age. She was in New York a few weeks +ago and, I understand, took offense at my continued absence from her +side, and went back to England. This is what she left for me;" and +plunging his hand into his breast pocket he selected from his note-case +a fragrant little billet-doux, formally desiring Dr. Gardner to explain +his strange conduct at his leisure--that the next opportunity granted +him of seeing Evelyn Howard must be of his own seeking. + +There was a pause after the reading of this aggrieved, dignified little +message. + +"And can you, as a gentleman of honor, reconcile your neglect of the +writer?" asked Lina Dent, in a voice in which a cadence of scorn +involuntarily sounded. + +"Honor! Can't you see that honor was what kept me from her? Such honor +as a man feels when he knows that he is poised between a Scylla and a +Charybdis of desperate fatality?" + +"There can be but one answer to all this, Dr. Gardner," the girl replied +with proud dignity. "It would ill become me to sit in judgment on you +after what I have received at your hands; but you will acknowledge that +it was cruelly inconsiderate to seek my love while a barrier such as +this existed. How do I know that you will not love your betrothed after +you have seen her?" + +"Love her--love any other than you, my beautiful, peerless one? Do not +torture me with such a supposition. I care nothing for Evelyn Howard; +I do not know her; I do not care to know her; nor is she in the least +dependent upon me for happiness. She has vast wealth, and can command +whatever fate she chooses." + +"But wealth cannot buy happiness," she sadly replied, "and our course +is clear. I can see you no more till you have met your betrothed and +received your dismissal--or,"--and her clear cheek paled again--"made up +your mind to fulfill your promise to her. Farewell! I thank you for your +unwise devotion to me, but I can see you no more." + +"Oh, Lina, do not doom me to this total separation. Why it seems an +eternity. Where and when can I see you again? Why didn't I go to that +girl when she was here? Fool, coward that I was! And now I cannot leave +New York. Grant me some respite, my love--I cannot live without you!" + +But much as she sympathized with him she was firm; and when Weldon +Gardner left the house, with despair tugging at his heart, the only ray +of sunshine that pierced the gloom was the conviction that she did love +him--that should anything occur to separate them forever, her heart +would plead strongly for him, and her love would strive with his to +overcome the barrier. + + * * * * * + +Months went by, and still Evelyn Howard eluded Weldon Gardner's pursuit. +Bitterly was he punished for his culpable neglect of her. In vain he +wrote letters urging her to come to New York. She was traveling with +friends and declined to change her course. He followed her to London, +to Paris. In vain! She was ever just before him on his journey: always +missing, never meeting him. Then he wrote to Lina Dent, beseeching her +to relent, since he had done all in his power to carry out her wishes. +She did not reply. Then in sullen despair he gave up the pursuit. He +carefully avoided going out except to see patients, declined all +invitations, and took solitary refuge in the stern exactions of duty. + +As the year drew to a close he noticed in the list of arrivals from +Europe, Miss Evelyn Howard and her party; and among the personals he saw +that the beautiful Miss Howard would appear at Governor B's reception on +the next evening. He had received cards to this party, and now, with the +fierce desire to end his torture reawakened, he prepared to accept the +invitation. As he entered the brilliant rooms his eye fell upon the form +and face of Lina Dent, attired in an exquisite costume, and looking far +more radiant than in his wildest dreams he had ever pictured her. + +Feasting upon her loveliness, with eyes hungry in their wistfulness, he +was about to approach her when she suddenly looked toward him and their +eyes met. He caught the quick flash of feeling; he knew that he was +still beloved! But even as he drank in the delicious confirmation of his +hopes, she passed him without recognition, and he knew that she would +not break her vow--that she would not meet him till he had fulfilled her +conditions. Too miserable to seek Miss Howard in the throng, the young +physician pleaded an urgent call to a patient, and left his host almost +before he had fairly entered upon the festivities. + +One evening, soon after the last fearful disappointment, Dr. Gardner +received a note asking him to come to a certain number on Fifth Avenue, +and there he should meet Evelyn Howard. She inferred that he had had +ample time to learn if he really desired to form her acquaintance, and +she was ready now to see him. + +Tearing the paper to atoms in sudden irritation and setting his teeth, +the young physician was soon at the appointed place, an elegant +brown-stone mansion, quite familiar to his eyes in his drives about +the city. + +He was not left long in suspense. There was a sound of rapid steps +descending the stairs, with a frou-frou of silken skirts, and in a +moment Lina Dent stood before him, her face aglow with a proud light +he had never seen there, and her hands extended in glad welcome. + +"You, Lina! You here? You have relented? This is too much happiness!" + +Catching both soft white hands in his, he bent his lips to them, full of +the rapture he could not speak. He forgot to wonder why she was there. +He forgot everything but the love in her eyes and the joyous ring of her +voice. + +Ere they could be seated the door again opened and admitted an elderly +lady, who approached smiling. + +"My dear aunt!" exclaimed the young lover. "You, too? This _is_ a +surprise! What does it all mean? How did you get here, and when?" + +The ladies stood smiling at each other and gazing upon him with a +significance that indeed clamored for explanation. + +"Weldon, is it possible you do not guess?" asked his aunt. + +"What? Why, what do you mean? I am all bewildered!" he exclaimed, +looking from one to the other till a faint glimmer of the truth began +to appear through the mists. + +"Stupid boy!" again emphasized the lady, "whom did you come here to +see?" + +Quickly glancing at the beautiful, radiant, still-smiling face of the +young girl, and then at the impressive features of the elder lady, +Weldon Gardner, with bated breath and a dazed expression in his startled +eyes, exclaimed: + +"You--are--Evelyn Howard--you?" + +"Exactly so. Doctor Gardner--Evelina Dent Howard--at your service!" + +As she spoke, she placed her hand in his, and asked, in the liquid tones +whose cadences he so well remembered, "Have you been punished enough for +your unknightly scorn of the girl you condemned without trial?" + +"Oh, forgive!" he pleaded, drawing her to a seat beside him. "I see it +all now. What a dolt you must have thought me! How could you ever have +tolerated me?" + +"There is the conspirator," archly said Evelyn, pointing to Mrs. Duke. +"She it was who enabled me to deceive you. I wrote to her immediately +upon leaving your house for my cousin's, in Brooklyn, and she at once +devised the scheme that I have found so hard to carry out. Meanwhile, +she never lost sight of you." + +It was long before the necessary explanations were exhausted, and when +the new day dawned no happier man proudly entered upon his duties than +did Weldon Gardner. + + * * * * * + +It is upon a soft September afternoon that we last see Dr. Gardner and +his lovely wife. Within a snug little arbor beside the lake in Central +Park the two sit side by side, watching the idly-floating pleasure +crafts, and noting the lazy ripples of the green wavelets. Their hearts +grow tender with a mighty love that finds no language in which to clothe +itself. + +Every blessing of life is theirs; every cadence that affection knows +makes harmony in their words. Gayly-dressed children pass by, some with +toy balloons, bounding into air. Evelyn shuddered at even this tiny +reminder of her reckless adventure, and clinging to her husband's arm, +blesses him and the day that confided her to his keeping. Accident had +tested his noble nature as the ordinary course of events never could +have done; and now was fulfilled the last wish of his parents, that in +Evelyn Howard should Weldon Gardner find the glory of heaven's last, +best gift to man. + + + + +Hezekiah's Wooing + +A FIRESIDE SKETCH + + +"Walk right in, Mr. Lightus, do," said the cheery voice of the Widow +Partridge, as the portly figure of Mr. Hezekiah Lighthouse appeared in +her hospitable doorway. + +"Thankee, thankee, I don't care if I do, Mis' Patridge," responded the +visitor, heavily bringing himself within the family circle. + +"How's all?" he asked, comfortably establishing himself in the +arm-chair. + +"Middlin', thankee," said the widow. "I've been enjoyin' very poor +health till lately. Now I seem to be pickin' up a little," as brushing +the seat of a rocker with her gingham apron, she sat down at the +opposite end of the hearth. + +"An' Cicely Ann--how's she?" + +"Oh, she--why she's allers the picture o' health. Here she comes now." + +As she spoke, a fair, rosy-cheeked girl entered the cheerful room, with +her arms full of painting materials. These she deposited upon the table, +then dutifully greeted the visitor. + +"An' how do you like them new fol-de-rols, Cicely Ann?" inquired +Hezekiah, eyeing askance the collection. + +The fol-de-rols consisted of some wooden plaques of different sizes, +which the new art craze had brought to the widow's cottage. + +"She's gettin' along right nice, I think," replied the widow, looking +proudly at her one chick. "You see, she's a lot o' darnin' an' one thing +another to do, but she finds time for her landskips and things." + +"Well, mebbe so," assented Hezekiah grudgingly. "For my part there's +nothing set's a gal off like spinnin' an' weavin', an' it puts more +money in her pocket, besides." + +"La, Mr. Lightus," said the widow deprecatingly, "spinnin' an' weavin's +gone out o' fashion. Gals will be gals, and they mostly go in for +fashion, you know." + +Cicely's red lip curled in scorn as she applied herself vigorously +to her plaque, where the inevitable girl with muff and umbrella was +stumbling into a snowdrift. + +Hezekiah picked up the widow's daily paper which, by the way, he largely +depended on for the news. Silence reigned for a while, save for the +rustle of the sheet. The click-clack of the widow's knitting needles, +and the rapid plying of Cicely's brush, were varied at last by the girl +surreptitiously pulling a note out of her jaunty apron pocket. + +As she read it a smile broke over the dimpled features, and in a moment +more she pushed the table from her and left the room. Swiftly she sped +to the big apple tree where her trystings were held with Rufus, her +playmate and lover. + +Hezekiah slowly raised his head, and laying down the paper, said +thoughtfully: "'Pears like the gal gits skittisher every day. Do you +reckon she'll ever come to like me?" + +"Why, I dunno why she wouldn't," ventured the widow with an encouraging +smirk. + +"Well, she don't seem to, no way." Then looking suspiciously through the +window. "Where's she gone to?" + +"Oh, nowheres I reckon," said the mother soothingly, "nowheres in +partic'ler. She's allers around." + +Another silence, during which the visitor carefully noted the land, +stock and crop items in the paper, then took his leave. But not till he +had cast a lingering look behind and said: "This is about the +comfortablest place a feller could drop into, in my opinion." + +It was some minutes after when the truant Cicely re-entered the little +keeping-room, her cheeks and eyes bright with happiness. + +"Oh, mother, wish me joy! Rufus has asked me to be his wife." + +"Mercy on us, Cicely!" exclaimed the widow in a sort of terror, "and you +want to marry him?" + +"Of course I do," proudly said the girl; "and I mean to marry him." + +"Oh, Cicely, my child! and what will Mr. Lightus do--him that's been +comin' here so patient, off an' on?" + +"Mr. Lighthouse!" disdainfully echoed the girl. "Do you suppose I would +have that old goose--old enough to be my grandfather!" + +"Old goose! Fie, Cicely, to talk so disrespectful of your pa's best +friend. He's well-to-do an' has got the finest place in the county. +Think how nice we'd be fixed, child. We'd never have to work no more," +and the widow sighed as the girl looked into her face for the +congratulations she expected in vain. + +"Well, mother, I can't help it. I am willing to work and so is Rufus. He +is as industrious and steady as the day is long. I shouldn't mind having +Mr. Lighthouse for an uncle, but husband--pshaw!" and the pretty +features screwed themselves into a comical grimace. + +"Child, child, I'm disappointed and no mistake. Here's that man's been +a comin' here all these weeks, an' while he ain't asked for you, it's +clear he wants you. An' now I've got to tell him you won't have him. +There's that moggidge on the house, too. But that's allers the +way--troubles don't never come single," and the sigh became a whimper. + +"Now, don't you worry, mother," said Cicely, clasping her arms about the +still fair neck, "don't worry; we will come out all right, mortgage and +all." + +Taking fresh courage, the widow again pressed the claims of the portly +wooer, but what chance had she against the combined powers of young love +and the daughter's stronger nature. + +Time passed. Almost every evening found Hezekiah at the cottage, but +though persistent, things did not apparently make much progress. At last +the stiffness of the customary interviews seemed to break. + +"Mis' Patridge," he said, getting very red in the face and awkward as to +hands and feet, "Cicely Ann gits worse every day. Ain't there no chance +of her puttin' up with me at all?" + +"Why, yes, I reckon so," bashfully said the widow. "She's young and +foolish, you know. You can't expect gals to be sensible and sober down +like they will when they get holt of some wise person tha'll train 'em." + +"Well," sighed the wooer, "I guess I might as well stop comin'. 'Taint +no use to be forever worritin' after anything. I did think, howsomever, +it 'ud be sorter nice to have us four live together. Young folks makes a +house kinder lively. But I don't git on, somehow; so I guess I might as +well hang up my fiddle an' quit." And the ancient wooer slowly rose to +his full height. + +"Us four!" repeated the petrified widow, mouth and eyes open to their +widest extent. + +"Yes--us four," continued Hezekiah. "I was thinkin', you know, that +bein' as this young feller Rufus what's-his-name 'peared to be sweet on +the gal, mebbe you'd take to me an' we'd all git spliced together. But +she don't like me and wouldn't treat me right. I couldn't stand fusses +an' the like." + +"La, Mr. Lightus, how you do astonish me," faintly ejaculated the +flushed widow, her comely face crimson to the roots of her soft brown +hair. + +"You don't say!" exclaimed the rapidly enlightened Hezekiah, rousing +to something like animation. "Did you think--didn't you know--well, +I declare, I don't actually believe you did. Now ain't it a puzzle, +begad!" + +While he jerked out his amazed sentences, his companion, fairly overcome +with the revelation that dawned upon her for the first time, buried her +face in her hands. + +"Mis' Patridge," timidly said the agitated wooer, approaching nearer, +"you don't say--that is, do you mean to say that if Cicely Ann could +like me well enough to not be sassy around the house, an' keepin' you +oncomfortable about it, you an' me could hitch on an' be pardners? You +don't mean it now, do you?" + +"Mean it!" murmured the widow, her fair cheeks aglow with +suddenly-stirred enthusiasm. "I'm only too happy, Mr. Lightus, I never +thought--" + +But at this juncture the rejuvenated wooer ventured to clasp his rough +but honest arms about the blushing prize he had won. + +At this juncture, also, Cicely and Rufus happened in, but beat a hasty +and giggling retreat, as they rapidly took in the situation. + +All's well that ends well. Hezekiah Lighthouse married the Widow +Partridge, and set young Rufus up in business. As a father the spirited +Cicely yielded him the respect and affection he deserved. + +She made but one stipulation. On the marriage morn she whispered the +earnest entreaty: "Mother, _don't_ let him call me Cicely _Ann_!" + + + + +A Summer Daisy + +A PASTORAL + + +"Heighho!" yawned Carroll Hamilton, picking up his long legs from the +grass, "this is not making hay while the sun shines," and he proceeded +leisurely to place a camp stool in position, erect an easel, and spread +out sketching materials. + +A few bold, rapid strokes transferred a pretty bit of rural landscape to +the canvas, and this much gained, the amateur artist lit a fine Havana +and lazily drifted off again into reverie. His thoughts were not of +a pleasant nature. Why couldn't a man do as he liked in this world? +Here the particular man in his mind--to-wit his own agreeable self, +had devoted his twenty-four years to acquiring sundry dazzling +accomplishments, zonly to have his interest in life dampened by a +matrimonial scheme, hatched long ago in the fertile brains of his own +parents and the parents of his prospective dulcinea in conspiracy. + +Yes, a regular wet blanket had awaited his return from Italia's classic +shores. What an insufferable bore to be pledged, promised, all but tied +to an unknown female whose only merit, he wilfully wagered, lay in her +invincible ground rents. + +"Why, my son," his doting mother said, "think of it--two hundred thousand +dollars in her own right, and all yours for the asking." + +He did think of it; and he vowed in his own mind to do +something--anything; run away, commit suicide, before he would join +himself for life to any girl he had never seen, especially old +Thornton's daughter, who seemed so willing to jump at him. Not he. In +vain they urged him to cultivate the fair damsel. Not till he had braced +his nerves with country air, he said. This tonic secured, he graciously +consented to be introduced, but would reserve the ratification of the +wedding treaty till later. + +What's the use in having fathers and mothers, anyhow? They only plague +the life out of one. They don't ever think of letting a fellow alone +once in a while. They-- + +What other heinousness they would be guilty of would never be shaped +into thought, for at this moment down came a dainty little slipper, with +a dainty little rosette, from the tree above, plump on to his sketch, +and a violent start and a glance upward revealed a bewildering little +pink-stockinged foot, which was the daintiest of all. + +The abrupt spring to his feet brought down the camp stool, cigar, easel +and all, but not the foot, for the rest of the apparition was caught and +hidden by the clustering young shoots of the apple tree. + +A whistle--quite involuntary, if not polite--was shaping itself a brief +distance below his staring eyes, when, recovering himself and tiptoeing +to his full height, he peered into the branches and said, a little +irrelevantly: + +"I beg pardon!" + +Two milk-white hands parted the leaves, and a flushed pink-and-white +face appeared at the opening. + +"It's only me," cooed a musical voice, and as if the sound had unlocked +the pent-up silence, two rows of pearls shone between two red lips, two +large blue eyes twinkled with fun, and as charming a peal of laughter as +was ever vouchsafed to mortal ears rippled merrily on the air. + +"And who is me, may I ask?" rather saucily asked the routed artist. + +"Why, Daisy--Daisy Merrifield; don't you know?" + +"Why, no, I don't know; that is, I didn't know, but of course I know +now; and I'm delighted to know." + +At all these "knows", the maiden laughed her merry laugh again. + +"May I ask what you are doing up there?" + +"Doing nothing--just what you are doing down here." + +"Ah, but I was doing something very nice down here, only you have nearly +spoiled it," and with mock regret the young man picked up the slipper +and comically surveyed its Cinderella proportions. + +"So I did," was the regretful reply, "you see it was awfully poky, +having to sit so still. I must have grown desperate at last and kicked +it off--I am sorry." + +"Well, I am not one bit sorry," he said. "I'll do another picture, and +next time I'll sketch the tree," he added, his brown eyes twinkling with +amusement. + +"But how did you get up there, and how will you get down?" were his next +queries, putting the little slipper into the pocket of his jacket. + +"Well, I climbed up," she admitted. "I suppose I'll have to jump down. +Reach out your hands," she cried, and a sudden rustle showed she was +preparing to spring. "Good gracious me!" was her next exclamation, as +the willing hands were extended, "my hair is all caught." + +"Hold perfectly still till I get up there," he said with concern, and +replacing the stool, he was soon on a level with the fair prisoner. + +Patiently he disentangled the long golden locks from the infringing +boughs, and gathering them all in her little hands, she gave them a +vigorous twist forward over her face out of further mischief. + +"Now, my slipper, please," as the young fellow retreated. Obediently +restoring the truant article, she deftly adjusted it, and cried, +"All ready!" + +It is hardly to be wondered at that her descent was arrested, and her +rounded form tenderly lowered to terra firma. + +"I like this out here, don't you?" was her next remark, shaking out her +fairy muslin skirts and placidly surveying the scene. "I've been out +every day these--let me see--yes, three days. Aunt Hepsy says I'll get +tanned, but I don't mind. You know Aunt Hepsy, don't you? Everybody +does." + +"No, but I'd like to," he said, and he meant it. + +"She lives at the farm-house yonder--she and Uncle Reuben. They are the +best old souls! So this is what you were doing," she abruptly added, +picking up the sketch. "You wouldn't think I could draw, but I can," +with a proud little toss of the hair. + +"I would think you could do anything," he gallantly replied. + +But she was intent upon the picture, with its bold, true outlines. + +"This isn't bad," was her sage critcism. + +"Didn't you wear a hat, or something?" he asked, looking around and up +into the tree. + +"No--yes--I wore this," and pulling from her pocket a large blue square +of cotton, she tied it under her chin with the utmost naivete. + +"It's Aunt Hepsy's," she explained. "There, do you hear that bell? +That's for dinner," and taking a tiny watch from an elf-like pocket, she +added, "Only half-past eleven. But, to be sure, we ate breakfast with +the chickens. It's horrible." + +"Don't you live here?" + +"Live here?" she echoed. "No, I'm only visiting. Good-bye, I must go. I +am much obliged, though," and as if the recollection were overpowering, +she again burst out into her ringing laugh. + +"It was too funny you didn't see me; and I so scared I was afraid to +breathe. Good-bye, I hope you will have a good time with your picture." + +"But you are not going to dismiss me, are you? Mayn't I take you home?" + +"Yes, if you like; only you musn't stay long. I've got to do Rollin and +Plutarch while I'm out here, and can't be bothered." + +With difficulty repressing an explosion, the young man walked beside +the woodland sprite, with his goods and chattels thrown across his +shoulders, and found himself falling--yes, tumbling--headlong in love. +Such an airy, fairy, exquisite piece of humanity it had never been his +fortune to behold. + +"You are too young to worry your brain with dry old fossils like Rollin +and Plutarch," he said, with what gravity he could. + +"I am a person of twenty," she affirmed with demure satisfaction, as she +tripped along in a manner quite enchanting. + +At the door of the farm-house a fair, motherly face smiled a welcome +from the border of a spotless cap, then sobered a little at the sight +of a stranger. + +"This is Aunt Hepsy," simply said Daisy, "and you are--?" hesitating. + +A flush not born of the sunshine mounted to his brow as with swift +thought he saw the shoals ahead, and did not dare reveal his identity. + +"John Smith," he said, with his natural ease. + +"Oh!" half exclaimed Daisy, upon hearing such a very common name from +such very uncommon lips; but checking it, and softly humming a tune, she +retired to an inner room to prepare for dinner. + +This episode was the beginning of elysium for John Smith. Every day saw +him at the farm-house. Every day revealed some new charm in the Daisy +he had found. She was as industrious and sensible as she was petite and +pretty. Rollin and Plutarch were discarded for modern authors, or for +simple chit-chat about mamma, papa, and little ones at home. + +But when the day came for John Smith to tell his love, he met with a +shock that quite paralyzed his senses. + +Looking up with her big blue eyes, she said: + +"You mustn't talk like that; I'm engaged." + +"Engaged?" he stammered, "engaged?" + +"Yes, I'm engaged." + +"And to whom? May I ask?" + +"Oh, I can't tell you his name; it's a secret yet. He is a person I +never saw." + +"Sheer madness!" was his horrified ejaculation. "Never saw him, and +going to marry him?" + +"I promised, you know; I must, if he wants me," she said in her +unconcerned way. + +"But don't you love _me_, Daisy?" + +"Yes, I suppose I do, but that can't be helped; a promise is a promise." + +"Who is to prevent it?" he exclaimed impatiently. "I say it shall be +helped." + +There was not time for further rhapsodies. Aunt Hepsy appeared with a +telegram, calling Daisy home; and home she went next day, leaving Mr. +John Smith in despair. In vain he laid siege to Aunt Hepzibah and +Uncle Reuben; they could not help him. + +Then, in a mighty wrath, he too went home, and desperately resolved to +have it out with the Thornton girl, one way or the other; but not "the +other" if Daisy could be brought to terms. + +It was easy travelling where the way was all prepared. So a lovely +moonlight evening found him in Squire Thornton's parlor. In a few +moments there floated down to him from the invisible upper regions a +cloud of blue muslin, and the laughing face of Daisy Merrifield was +before him. + +"Oh, Daisy, what a surprise! and how sweet you are!" as impulsively he +strained her to his heart. "What joy to find you here!" + +"Don't crush my dress," she said, righting up the ruffles; "it's new. +Yes, I am here. Didn't you come to see me?" + +"No--that is--I came to see Miss Thornton," and his face fell. + +"There is no Miss Thornton," she said, her dimples playing +mischievously. "It is only _I_--_now_ don't you know?" + +"But how is it? I was told--I understood--" + +"Pshaw! you stupid!" she said, with a bewitching pout, "if you had been +a little more civil, you would have known that I am Mrs. Thornton's +daughter--not Mr. Thornton's; that mamma is mamma, but papa isn't papa, +and--" + +But in an ecstacy of surprise and joy the rest of her sentence was +entirely smothered. + +"And you knew from the first?" he asked, reproachfully. + +"Not from the first, but almost. They were all in the plot. I meant to +snub you outright, only--well, somehow you didn't look as horrid as you +really were! The 'John Smith' was almost too much for me, but I stood +it. Then when the letter came--it was well for you I had seen you under +the tree. So you wouldn't marry the heiress," she said, archly. "I did +my very best to teach you a lesson, young man. Have you learned it?" + +The answer was fervently though silently given the merry, rosy, smiling +lips. + + + + +Treesa + +A CHARACTER SKETCH + + +They called her Treesa. She was not young. That she had ever been was +hard to realize. Whatever her childhood, and however the years had +brought her up to woman's estate, there was no footprint upon the worn +face of the gladsome time we call youth. No light in the eye of other +and happier days. No echo in the quiet heart, of bounding pulses, or +ever a sweet enthusiasm. The treadmill of duty in life's most trivial +task, enthralled her every faculty. Her daily round was in a large +hotel--an arena of toil circumscribed by four brick walls. Her domain +was the parlor floor; that sacred area of rosy vistas and costly suites, +where she was as proud to tread as a king in his royal glory. Where +beauty and fashion made for her a panorama of short glimpses amid pauses +of broom and duster. + +The maids on the other floors might earn the wage just as honorably; +Treesa permitted no trespass upon her exalted territory. The bridal +chambers, the private sitting rooms, the luxurious sleeping +apartments--these were her pride and her joy. The Excelsior had a +reputation, national and international. Princes and potentates had +slumbered in Treesa's chambers. The "nobility and the gentry" had been +feted there. Year after year her pale eyes had watched over the welfare +of distinguished visitors, American and foreign. They had seen the help +come and go; she was still the "girl of the parlor floor." Discreet, +silent, honest, they might well allow her a share of caprice. "Cranky" +they called her, yet no one found fault. She neglected no duty. The lady +manager of the interior was not always the same. She changed from time +to time; Treesa was always the same, and always there. At length there +came a dainty little woman, full of native pluck, who was born to rule, +and rule she did, to the limit of her jurisdiction. Though so far apart, +a kindred chord was struck between mistress and maid. The high spirit +that smouldered in these two never crossed; but with the smallest +tangible demonstration they were fast friends. The girl's horizon now +bordered a triune interest;--the church, the mistress, and the parlor +floor. Gaunt and spare, she trod her beat. Shy of manner, with eyes +looking nowhere, she seemed a human machine of the broom. A woman +without kith or kin, without a history, and apparently without a memory. +Never sick, never absent, never a letter from friends, never a visit +away. The old habitues of the house liked her. She gave no sign of favor +or disfavor, till at last it was their way to respect her and leave her +alone. But whenever a mission of trust was needed Treesa was the one +called upon. + +But as the calmest stream is ruffled at some time on its course, so +there comes to every human life a shock that upturns hidden forces. And +this came to Treesa. It was when she was one day summoned to the private +office downstairs: that dread tribunal for the wrongdoers of the large +household--a locality as little heeded by the girl as any other foreign +place, albeit there had been new and strange proprietors as the years +went by. Without so much as a ripple of excitement upon her homely +features, she came down and stood within the door, respectfully awaiting +orders. The two arbiters of her destiny were in close conference upon +ways and means. Expense must be cut down. There must be a weeding out. +Raising his head and looking in some curiosity at the queer apparition, +the new partner said: "Are you Teresa O'Toole?" + +"Me name is that same, sir," she said, meeting the eyes. "An' what thin, +sir?" she added, as for a moment he was silent. + +"Yes--ah--" he went on, this time not exactly confronting the expectant +face--"We've been thinking, Teresa--we were just saying--that you are +getting along in years now, and--ah--the fact is, we think you ought to +have a rest. Some one younger, and stronger, ought to relieve you, and +give you a chance to pick up. You are a good girl," with encouraging +justice, "a very good girl, and have been faithful and honest. But we--" +he hesitated, as Treesa's lean face suddenly darkened with an unwonted +flush. Then she broke out: + +"An' is it me dischairge ye'd be afther givin' me, sir?" + +"Well, yes, about that, it amounts to that, I suppose," admitted the +great man. "You see, my good woman," he ventured softly, noting the +breakers ahead, "the fact is--" + +"Well, thin," she burst forth in righteous wrath, placing her hard, red +arms akimbo, and struggling to loose her tongue, "I'll be afther tellin' +yees, I'll not take a dischairge from yees, sir! It's here I've been +this fifty year, an' more. I was the first gurll in the house, for sure +I come before the likes of yees was born an' before yees iver darkened +the doors. It's no fault can be found with me. I'll stay right here!" +and turning, she went out. + +There was silence in the office. Then the senior partner, his eye +twinkling, spoke: + +"What are we going to do about it?" + +"Why, nothing", drily said the other, "nothing, I suppose; you heard +what she said, I presume she will stay on." + +And stay on she did, her one dominant idea as fixed as the polar star. +As the years rolled by she might have rested from her labors, but for +this sense of devotion to duty. Even a monthly pittance will count +through the ages; so Treesa's savings came at last to foot up into the +thousands. Not even good Father Clement could have told the amount, or +where she kept it. Like herself, it was a mystery. She continued to +hoard and to hide, with no misgiving of loss by thief, or by accident; +with no forewarning of danger. Yet dire calamity was impending. + +It was past midnight when the veteran chambermaid was awakened by the +sound of crackling wood and the smell of stifling smoke. To spring out +of bed was the work of a moment, the aged limbs obedient to her call; +then all her faculties alert, she thrust her hand into a hidden recess +of the mattress, and clutching a bulky package from its depths, made her +way out into the corridor, where the smoke was still thicker, on down +the stairs from the servants' dormitory to the floor below. Staggering +to the manager's door she pounded with all her strength till those +within were aroused; and dizzy from fright and half-suffocation, she +ran to the fire alarm, banging the gong till doors flew open right and +left, and the halls were alive with people. The cry of "Fire!" on all +sides now added to the din. More alarms were turned in till ample help +was at hand. While the hotel manager's orders were being obeyed, and the +guests were deserting their rooms for greater safety in the lobby below, +Treesa was struggling to get back to the servant's floor, whence now +issued screams of terror, as, for the first time, the flames were seen +creeping in close proximity to the maid's quarters. In vain the firemen, +who were now cutting holes in the floor to insert the hose, tried to +intercept her. Bent upon serving her fellow-servants, she disappeared +through the blinding smoke Crawling flat upon her face up the stairs +to avoid the onset of the fumes, the girl reached the glass door that +imprisoned the terrified creatures, burst it through with one powerful +blow, and forced them out upon the fire escape, where now, too, the +firemen's ladders were seen manned by the helmeted brigade. All bruised +and bleeding from the splintered glass, and still clutching fast the +rescued package, Treesa turned to retrace her steps, her only thought +now being to save the parlor floor and its treasures. Again she eluded +those who would have guarded her from danger, and made a hurried dash +for the stairway, when a sudden rush of flame, now fanned by the air, +blinded her, and she fell to the landing, dropping the bulk of her +holdings, where the fire greedily licked it to destruction. + +Tender hands lifted her and conveyed her, crushed and unconscious, to +a temporary couch, where it was found, when the surgeon came, that her +hip was dislocated. To the mistress alone would she unloose what her +bleeding hand still held, as she whispered, "Put it away, safe--Masses +for me soul--Father Clement." + +But Treesa did not die. The morning papers rang with her heroism, but +none then knew that she had lost the hoarded earnings of a life-time; +that the one package saved represented but a small proportion of her +treasure. She was taken to a hospital, and, fortunately for her peace +of mind, the house was closed for repairs. During the weeks of building, +the old bones were mending. The sufferer counted the days with jealous +watching. When an agony of fear seized upon her lest she might never go +back, only the mistress or the kindly priest had power to quiet her, She +was promised over and over again that she should not be supplanted. + +When the hotel opened anew, the daily press blazoned to the world the +fact, giving a personal paragraph to the officials, and including a +list of well-known names, among them the humble one of Teresa O'Toole, +who had been a chambermaid there during sixty years. This scrap of paper +was held fast in the horny fingers, and seemed to the fevered senses to +keep alive the link between her and the only home she knew. + +Hither she was borne at last to a small room that was to be her +portion and her pension forevermore. Her old quarters, austere and clean +and bare, had been effaced by the carpenter's hammer, and this corner +retreat had been partitioned from a domestic recess in the rear. But +it was on the parlor floor, that fetich of a devoted life. Crippled +and useless, Treesa was an object of unobtrusive care. She kept her +shrunken savings about her person, more unwilling than ever to trust +the unexplored fields of finance. She grew querulous. She must be +getting to her work again. Would the mistress be after letting her earn +something--on the parlor floor, she tremulously added. Smiling sadly, +permission was granted. Fondly the old creature took up her broom and +duster--bought anew for her--and limped painfully toward the beloved +rooms--the bridal chambers--the choicest suites where beauty and fashion +came. What a journey now! The grand parlors and long corridors were +interminable vistas of elegance and luxury. And--ah! what was that +clinging to the velvet carpet pile? A bit of paper carelessly let fall? +And--yes, was there dust on the polished marble of yon table? Alas! that +her dim eyes should live to behold the desecration. What shiftless +wretch was doing the parlor floor, and she a useless block in her room! + +The shock told. She staggered to a gorgeous sofa near the offending bit +of rubbish, and sunk down in the act of reaching for it. This was the +beginning of the end. Lying on her bed sleep deserted the fading eyes. +An attendant was provided, who grew accustomed to mutterings she could +not understand. She ceased to listen. In pity the mistress came often +and sat beside the couch. She listened and understood. She gathered the +last wishes of the dying, and received as a sacred charge all that the +sufferer had to leave. Still the angel of death tarried, until sweet +peace shed a radiance over the departing soul, whose faith was steadfast +to church and heaven. + +At the first faint ray of dawn the mistress arose and went to her. The +bed was empty, the nurse asleep. Following the instinct of the moment, +the lady hastened along the quiet corridors to where the night taper +showed the still form of the devoted veteran stretched out on the thick, +soft carpet, her cold fingers clasping the new broom and duster. + + + + +My First Jury Case + +THE DOG WITNESS + + +The court-house was crowded to its utmost capacity. Women as well as men +were there to hear the arguments in the case of the Commonwealth against +William Grant for the alleged murder of John Belt. + +Grant was a young man of handsome exterior and pleasing manners. He sat +in the prisoner's box, and near him, closely veiled, was his beautiful +girlish wife, with her arm around a fine, manly boy, and her head bowed +upon his sunny curls. + +Near the group were the surviving relatives of the dead man, consisting +of the wife, mother and daughter. Their faces were heavy and stolid, and +their whole appearance indicated not only the lower walks of life, but +the existence of evil passions and aggressive natures. + +Belt had owned a small grocery some fifteen miles from town, in a wild +glen at the mouth of a shallow stream that flowed into the Kentucky +river. The region was for a long time sparsely settled; but the +establishing of a government distillery and a railroad station had led +to an increase of population, so that young Grant was induced to locate +there and open a shop for provisions and other supplies, that line of +business having been the one chosen from his boyhood. + +From the first Belt, who was one of the few German settlers in that part +of the country, resented what he was pleased to call an encroachment +upon his trade, and lost no opportunity of showing his ill-feeling. He +was a heavy-set, sullen man of about forty-five years of age, and showed +a dogged spirit even to his customers. In vain Grant strove, first to +pay no attention to his enmity, and afterward to conciliate him. He +continued obstinate, and his family were not behind him in giving +insults and slights. + +Time passed, and Grant prospered. He was obliging and agreeable, and +people naturally patronized his store, which he rendered as attractive +as his means and good taste would allow. His wife, too, charmed the +community by her simple, sweet ways; and motherly old ladies took +special interest in her and her babe. + +Grant built a neat cottage, and this gave fresh offense. At last Belt, +who was a drinking man as well as surly, swore that he would take +Grant's life if the latter persisted in remaining there. His trade was +falling off, and Grant was the cause. Matters reached a climax then, +and Grant armed himself in case of a surprise. + +One morning Belt was missing, and his family raised a hue and cry that +speedily brought a crowd about the house, just as Grant approached and +made the startling announcement that he had shot at a man the night +before, and was ready for such investigation as would be proper under +the circumstances. He stated that he had been aroused by a filing, +grating sound at his bedroom window, which was on the ground floor, and +that he sprang from his bed, threw open the front door, and fired upon +a figure that retreated rapidly and was soon lost in the darkness. + +Upon this Grant was held in custody, while a party of men went in search +of Belt. Hours were spent in vain, when it was suggested that Belt's +dog, a vicious mongrel-cur, should be put upon the trail. Accordingly +the dog, which was usually seen at Belt's heels, was given the scent of +his master's coat, and started rapidly down the road, his nose to the +ground. The testimony as elicited at the trial showed that the brute had +bounded along to the Grant cottage, leaped upon the window sill, sniffed +eagerly about the spot, then ran down the path to a clump of bushes on +the river cliff. Here the creature stopped and set up a piteous howl. +The pursuing party hastened to the spot, and there lay the body of Belt, +who had fallen and died, as the autopsy revealed, of internal hemorrhage +produced by a pistol shot. As if to corroborate Grant's statement, a +chisel and a pistol were found in the grass under the window of his +bedroom. + +Such was the history of the case. The absence of any testimony in behalf +of the prisoner beyond his own assertion, was painfully evident. His +wife supported him in the facts, but the law did not permit a wife to +testify in the husband's case, so this evidence was unavailable. + +The natural sympathy which death awakens in the human breast, +especially a tragic one, had done its work even in the case of so +unpopular a man as Belt, and already he was considered a martyr. +The desperate lamentations and impoverished condition of his family +asserted their claims, and the time of trial found public opinion +greatly divided. The spark of envy in every community which had lain +dormant as long as the Grants were novelties, sprung into life at their +unwonted prosperity, and the gaily painted store and fanciful cottage +became eyesores to more than one. Various rumors, like uncanny spirits +of air, floated about till the prisoner felt himself sinking into an +abyss. Once down, there seemed no power ready to lift him up. + +He employed several distinguished attorneys as counsel, and I, a +struggling young lawyer, whose ambition was to be worthy the mantle of +an illustrious father, was also retained. There was something about the +case that inspired me to the utmost of which I was capable. There was no +circumstantial evidence against the prisoner. He had frankly owned to +shooting the man. The issue rested upon his motive for the deed. What +was the provocation? True, Belt may have threatened his life; but Belt +was a drunkard, and who attached any importance to his words? + +The prosecution endeavored to show that Grant, wearied with the enmity +of Belt, and wishing to be rid of him, had enticed him away on the night +of the killing, and shot him in cold blood. True, a chisel and pistol +had been found, but how easy for the prisoner to have placed them +there to carry out his plans! The dead man was proved to be a harmless +character, though of intemperate habits and rough ways. His antipathy to +Grant was only natural, since the latter had, by ingratiating manners, +flashy advertising dodges, and a few modern tricks of trade, ruined the +business of the old-fashioned, plain-sailing German. + +In the hands of such skillful manipulators the case grew blacker and +blacker, and the face of my client reflected the anguish he saw his +wife enduring, and he powerless to comfort. He saw his beautiful, +idolized boy the son of a convict, and all that had made life worth the +living shattered to the dust. Closer and closer the meshes were weaving +about him. The jurors sat with fixed gaze as one by one the speeches +were ended. At length the honorable counsel for the prosecution +concluded a powerful argument, and I saw in the faces of the twelve +men that it had told. + +There was but one point left for me to make, and I wondered that my +distinguished brethren had passed it by. They had dwelt upon the youth +and good standing of the prisoner, and the uncalled-for persecution he +had suffered. They pictured in graphic words the midnight attempt upon +his life at his own house. A man's house is his castle, and he has the +supreme right to defend both it and himself. They appealed to the +sympathies of the jurors in behalf of the young, helpless wife and +innocent child. Still there was wanting the one link in the chain of +positive evidence. Sympathy was well enough. The twelve sworn men +required proof. How was it to be shown them? + +I was young, and I felt all the nervousness attendant upon a maiden +effort, but my heart was in the work and I launched forth. Nature had +given me a good voice, and I felt a certain power as I spoke. But +I had not the egotism to suppose that I could compete with the learned +gentlemen who had preceded me unless I could make a decided hit in +summing up the testimony. This I did. When I came to the hitherto +unnoticed dog, I dwelt there with a tenacity that was determined to +convince. I portrayed the well-known fidelity of the dog. No matter what +the master, whether fortune's pampered darling, or a beastly denizen of +the gutter, his dog was always his friend. Be he kind and gentle, or +cruel and pitiless, still his dog crouches in loving submission. And the +animal, whether a high-bred, glossy-coated favorite, with golden collar +and silken leash, for whom hundreds had been paid, or an ill-favored, +ungainly brute picked up from nowhere and as thankful for a kick as for +a crust, was loyal with a fidelity that puts to shame man's boasted +friendship. + +This man's dog had loved him. Drunk or sober, kind or cruel, his dog was +not content out of his presence. Why was he not with the man on this +fatal night? Because Belt had chained him in order to follow out his +vengeance untraced. The master knew the sagacity of his dog. He wanted +no companion on his midnight stroll. And when, restless and uneasy, the +dog was let loose and shown the garment of his master, what did he do? +He dashed away, nose to earth, in eager, loving pursuit, along the +road to Grant's cottage. There he sniffs the ground, where undoubtedly +the familiar scent lay, jumps upon the window-ledge with his fore paws, +whimpers, starts away, and follows the trail down the path to the +beloved body now cold in death. + +What proof more convincing than that Belt had been there? How improbable +the trumped-up story that Grant could decoy from his home his bitterest +enemy, especially at the midnight hour! A loaded pistol and a chisel +were found under the window. It had been alleged that Grant placed them +there for his own base purposes. But admitting that man could deceive, +the dog would not. Canine instinct could not lie. Every man who knew the +nature of the animal must feel convinced that Belt's dog would never +have gone to that window except in honest pursuit of his master. + +I felt that my speech had told, and as I sat down there was a stir in +the vast crowd. My client's face was flushed, and the wife's somber veil +was thrown back, revealing her large eyes lustrous with hope. + +The Commonwealth's attorney occupied the floor for an hour, during which +he ridiculed what he termed the schoolboy tales from his youthful +opponent. But when the jury retired I felt that my influence was still +uppermost. The suspense was trying, but it did not last long. They +reported in a very short time, and the verdict, announced in a clear +ringing voice, was "Not guilty!" + +Grant sprang forward as his friends pressed near and seized my hand in +a vise-like grip. Loud cheers rent the air, for again the fickle public +had veered around, the crowd surged to and fro, women wept, and the +fervent "Thank God!" that broke from the pallid lips of the young wife +rang in my ears for many a day. + +The foreman of the jury, a plain, intelligent farmer, drew me aside and +said, "That dog done the business! There was no gittin' around that! +I've got a dog myself." + +Grant was forced to begin life anew, for his counsels' fees about +consumed his little savings, but he remained at his post honest and +industrious, and is one of the leading men in the now populous section. + + + + +Three Visits + +A ROMANTIC SKETCH + + +The day was warm and sunny. A few industrious and enterprising pioneers +were seated on a log near the Wallace Cross Roads, in what is now +Garrard county, Ky. They were enjoying their noonday luncheon and +discussing the object of their woodland caucus. Suddenly the sound of an +advancing horse arrested their attention. Pausing and looking toward a +primitive opening in the deep-tangled wildwood, they soon saw both horse +and rider approaching, the latter looking about him as if a stranger to +the country. He was among them in another moment, receiving their rough +but hearty greetings, and manifesting genuine pleasure in his frank, +youthful countenance. Though not yet attained to full manhood, the +traveller's figure was tall and graceful, and his face, by no means +handsome, wore a genial glow that intensified the wonderful magnetism +of his manner. + +"You seem to be a stranger in these parts," said one of the men, mopping +his forehead with his red bandana. + +"Yes," answered the traveller. "I am a few days out from home across the +mountains yonder. Can you direct me to Lexington?" + +"Easy, easy, sir," said the other, "It's a good spell from this, but +there's a pretty fair road after you get out of these thickets. Sit +down, sir; sit down and have a snack with us. You must be hungry, and +you won't find a tavern soon." + +Nothing loth, the young stranger addressed himself to the cold corn +bread and bacon with a will, while the talk veered around to the +business of the day. + +"You, see, sir, we are about to build a courthouse hereabouts, and have +our lawing to ourselves," said the first speaker. "We've about decided +to plant the corner stone at the Cross Roads a little way from this." + +"It's a first rate location," said another. "There's good water all +around and plenty of trees for lumber." + +"Nothing like making the right start," added a third voice. + +They continued to discuss plans for their future township, the stranger +entering with courteous interest into all their projects. + +"I have often tried," said he, "to look into the future of this grand +section of country. To the day when the spirit of internal improvement +shall have levelled the roads and converted the hidden wealth of the +soil into a glorious medium of happiness and prosperity. Then the mental +stores of our hardy settlers will rapidly develop, and civilization will +prune down the rugged points of character, as the implements of the +husbandman break up the clods." + +Rapt visions illumined the young speaker's features with a glow of +national pride, and he saw not the looks of intelligent curiosity that +passed among his companions. + +Then starting up, he said, "I must really be going. I have a long ride, +and the day is waning. I thank you heartily for your hospitality. +I assure you it is as refreshing as it was unexpected." + +They shook hands, and the stranger mounted his horse which was quietly +grazing near by. Catching up the bridle, he said: "One of these days I +hope to visit your section again, and see the great results of which you +are now making the small beginning. Farewell." + +"One moment," said the man who had first greeted him; "might I ask your +name, if it's not going too far?" + +"Not at all, sir, not at all. My name is Henry Clay." + +For a few minutes after the departure of the young stranger, the small +knot of pioneers commented with admiring wonder upon his singularly +fascinating address, and saying, "That man will make his mark in the +world," they proceeded to refresh themselves at a cool spring, and then +prepared to finish the survey. + + * * * * * + +Years after, the little town of Lancaster, which had grown from the +humble courthouse of the Cross Roads, was in a state of excitement such +as only villages are liable to experience. It was the occasion of a +school examination, and the citizens were all more or less interested. +At the appointed hour the house was full, and the classes were +marshalled in due order to the front. Four o'clock struck, and the +programme was drawing to a close, when one of the dignitaries of the +town entered the hall, accompanied by a tall, distinguished-looking +stranger, whose presence inspired the children with a certain sense of +awe. It was at once whispered about that the great statesman, Henry +Clay, was among them. Upon presenting him to the teacher, the school +rose, and chairs being provided, the exercises went on. When the time +came for making recitations, the young people exhibited marked signs +of embarrassment; but one by one they acquitted themselves creditably. +At length a little blue-eyed, sunny-haired child ascended the platform +and recited "The Old Oaken Bucket," with wonderful pathos, so accurate +was her enunciation, so impressive the varying cadences of her sweet +voice. + +"Who is she?" I inquired the great man when the storm of applause had +somewhat subsided. + +"We call her 'Daisy of the Glen,'" was the reply. "She is a prodigy for +her age. Her history is a little singular. She was found not far from +here in a wild glen, or ravine, when about three years old, and has +never been able to tell who or where her parents are. But I will relate +the circumstances to you at another time. At present the trustees are +pressing in their invitation to you to say something to the children." + +Whereupon the grandest orator of his day arose and addressed a few +remarks in simple language to his youthful audience. He told them of the +day, when on the highway from Virginia into the Blue Grass region, he +rode into their woodland council on the rugged spot where their pretty +little village now stood. And as their forefathers had cultivated the +then dense wilderness, so he admonished them to study and improve their +minds in school. Great men and noted women had already sprung into fame +from their young city, and many a glorious achievement of word, of pen, +and of sword, had given renown to the place whose birth he had +incidentally witnessed in the long ago. + +When he ceased speaking he had implanted the germ of honest ambition in +the hearts of many of the little men and women whose future influence +was to wield power for good or ill. That night, seated among friends +in the best room the little tavern afforded, Henry Clay learned further +particulars concerning wee, winsome Daisy of the Glen, whose appearance +and address had so charmed his fancy. She was evidently a stolen child. +Her dress, when she was discovered by a hunter, was fine, and her whole +appearance indicative of an easy sphere of life. It was supposed that a +band of gypsies had decoyed her away while carelessly straying too far +from her home, but nothing definite was known. Mrs. Templeton, a kind, +motherly woman, without children, had cheerfully given the little +stranger shelter, and had in time grown so fond of her that she could +not bear the thought of parting. Hence, after the first unsuccessful +effort, no further attempt had been made to discover the parentage of +the little waif. She called herself Daisy, in her lisping fashion, and +her lovely disposition had won for her the poetical title of "Daisy of +the Glen." + +Mr. Clay listened earnestly, and when about to leave, he deposited +a sum of money for the benefit of the little girl's education. + + * * * * * + +Ten years after, two figures sat in earnest conversation on the verdant +cliff of a romantic ravine leading from the banks of Dix river. The one, +a young girl of remarkably fair exterior, turned in an animated manner +to impress some assertion upon her companion. The other, a youth so +exceedingly handsome in face and figure, so lithe of person and eloquent +of speech, that no girl of eighteen could long resist his attractions. + +"Indeed, Roye, I knew it must be he and no other. He made an impression +upon my memory when a little child of eight years, that can never be +effaced. Who else would be so likely to interest himself in my fate?" + +"Indeed, Daisy," he echoed, "who is disposed to doubt the truth of your +surmises? You are probably correct, yet on the other hand, what proof +have you that Mr. Clay is your unknown benefactor?" + +"None at all except the fact that he honored me so far on that memorable +visit to the school, as to inquire all about me. More than that he came +to the house and asked me a number of questions about my infancy. +Without his help I could never have gone away to complete my education +or possessed any accomplishments. Poor mamma always thought the money +came from him, and almost her last injunction to me, was to hold him in +profound veneration as long as I live." + +"And it was here they found my little wanderer," fondly exclaimed Roye +Howard. "I should never, probably, have known true happiness but for the +vagabond who stole my Daisy!" + +The girl's face clouded for a moment. + +"Are you willing, Roye, to take me with this mystery hanging over me? If +there is nothing hid that shall not be revealed, how do we know at what +moment some revelation may come upon us that will dash our hopes to the +earth?" + +"Never, never!" impetuously replied the youth. "Nature cannot so belie +herself as to make a blot or stain possible to her fairest creation." + +Blushing beneath his admiring gaze, and thrilling with pleasure at his +words, Daisy proceeded to repeat all that she had ever remembered of her +home and parents. A large house, a doll as big as herself, and a tender +face bending above her, comprised her store of reminiscences. Since the +death of her foster mother she had remained with friends, and was soon +to be united in marriage to Roye Howard, a rising young lawyer, reared +in Lexington, and established at Lancaster only a few months. + +Talking confidingly of their promised happiness, the pair lingered among +the sylvan shades of the romantic spot till the waning sunlight bent +their steps homeward. + +Next day was the regular County Court day in the village. The public +square was crowded with vehicles, live stock, and countrymen whose chief +pleasure was to mix in motley crowds, and to whose fancy an uproar of +some kind was ever welcome. On such occasions, in the somewhat lax +administering of justice of those early times, the killing of a fellow +creature seemed indeed a trifle light as air. + +At a conspicuous corner of Danville street stood the house where +Daisy Templeton had found a temporary home. A number of ladies, wives +of the Judge and various lawyers, had assembled here to dine, a custom +prevalent upon public occasions. The group were deeply engrossed in +needle-work and cheerful conversation, when suddenly the crowds on the +square began surging and clamoring as though the turbulence of an angry +sea had been turned loose upon a peaceful plain, Shouts rose higher and +higher, till at last a pistol shot resounded, and the ladies that had +crowded to the front windows plainly distinguished the cry, "The Judge +is killed! Jim Burns has shot Judge Pierce!" and the mob rushed toward +the mouth of Danville street in pursuit of the desperado, a noted +character of the county. + +Quickly passing out the back door of the parlor and closing it behind +her, Daisy reached the side door, opening on Danville street and heavily +shaded with trees, and flung the door to just as a man, pale and +terrified, darted in, almost throwing her to the floor. + +"Save me!" was all he had breath to ejaculate. + +"Up there!" she hurriedly exclaimed, pointing up the stairway toward the +attic; then slamming the door against the mob who were pressing upon the +steps, she turned the key in the lock and stood, awaiting she knew not +what. All this was the work of a moment, while the ladies in the parlor +were too intent upon watching the square for a glimpse of the Judge to +know that so important a scene was being enacted just behind them. Mrs. +Pierce had run down the front steps inquiring of every one if the report +was true. + +Meanwhile, as Daisy stood silent and alone in the little passage, her +heart throbbing fast, the crowd outside beat upon the door and clamored +for Jim Burns. At this moment Stanley Livingstone, the young man of +the house, appeared from a bed-room in the rear where he had been +administering a dose of sleep to a severe headache, and asked with more +emphasis than grace. + +"What the devil's broke loose?" + +She dared not tell him the truth. + +"Oh, Stanley," exclaimed she, much relieved, "they are after Jim Burns. +They think he is here and are determined to force their way in. They say +he has killed Judge Pierce!" + +"Let me settle them," said Stanley, and throwing wide the door, he +assured them that Burns was not there--that he would certainly have seen +the man if he had entered the house. + +Incredulous, but irresistibly impressed by his earnest words, they +retired to the opposite side of the street to watch for their prey, who, +they convinced themselves, had darted through the house and concealed +himself about the premises too quickly to be detected by the inmates. +That the fugitive had disappeared at that side door, some of them knew +beyond question. + +As Stanley stepped out to learn exactly what the excitement meant, Daisy +again turned the key, and observing a stain of blood on her white dress, +she dared not re-enter the parlor with the tell-tale sign. + +Hurrying up the stairs, she filled a basin with water, and with a roll +of linen, proceeded quickly to the attic, where the man stood, leaning +against a packing-box, tightly clasping his hand. + +"You are wounded somewhere?" she asked. + +"Yes, in the hand," he faintly answered. "He shot me." + +"Who?" asked the girl. + +"The Judge," sullenly said Burns. + +"Then you didn't kill him?" + +"Kill him! I wish I had!" + +Going to a back window, Daisy signed to a servant to come up, but when +there, the frightened creature refused to touch the bloody hand. So +Daisy proceeded to bathe and dress the lacerated flesh, all the while +talking kindly and warningly to the man, who stared at the lovely vision +with something like shame in his face. + +As she started to leave him, a stone sped its way swiftly through the +window and fell at her feet. + +"You see," said she, "your life is not safe a moment where you are. +They believe that you are here. Some one saw you enter the door. +Remain perfectly quiet till nightfall and then go home a wiser and +a better man." + +"God bless you, miss!" said the man brokenly. "I have been very wicked +all my life. I have wronged many, and you more than all; but if my life +is spared, I'll make some things right." + +Wondering at his words, Daisy left him and rejoined her friends, after +the brief absence which was destined to bear rich fruits to her orphaned +heart. + +That night, under cover of the darkness, the man went away. But at ten +o'clock, in defiance of prudence, he came back, knocked boldly, and +asked to see Miss Templeton--he had a package for her. She came, and +placing something in her hand, abruptly left, mounted his horse, and +rode away in a fierce gallop, ere she could speak, and again Daisy +closed the door upon this thread of her romantic destiny. + +On opening the package she found a coral necklace and armlets, with +clasps engraved, and a soiled, miserably-scrawled letter. The initials +on the jewels were R.M. The letter told her that he, the desperate and +outlawed writer, had been leagued with a band of reckless men some years +ago, and had stolen her away from her beautiful home in Louisville, +thinking to obtain a heavy ransom. While passing through Garrard county, +he, the man to whose care the gang had confided her, because he was +sort o' womanish, they said, had lagged behind intent upon a bottle of +whisky, and when he recovered his senses, the child was gone. Fearing +that she had met her death, and knowing nothing then of the picnic party +that had rescued her, he fled the country for some years, and after his +return he had never had courage to confess his crime. Her parents were +wealthy, and their name was Mentelle. He could tell her nothing of their +present whereabouts. + + * * * * * + +New Year's Eve comes in cold, and a deep snow envelops the earth. +A wedding party at the corner house on Danville street is the event +of the evening. Roye Howard and Daisy Mentelle have just taken their +marriage vows, and the house is crowded with guests. Just before supper +a new arrival startles and astonishes the brilliant company. Henry Clay, +grown grey with years and honors, is among them, never having lost sight +of his protege. After congratulating the pair and kissing the bride, +he bade her come with him to another apartment; and when she had +wonderingly obeyed, he proudly presented to her a handsome lady richly +dressed in mourning. + +"This, my dear, is your mother. I have not rested till I found her." + +"It is she--it is she, indeed," exclaimed the noble-looking woman--"my +own little Ray--my Daisy!" and the mother clasped her newfound darling +to her breast in a passion of thankfulness and joy. + +"This is my bridal present, my dear," said the statesman, after much had +been told, and Roye admitted to the circle. + +"Since your letter of inquiry to me, my search has been constant. Your +father is no more, but this boon is the greatest of all. Receive her +with my blessing. Three times have I passed through your town. Always +has it held a warm place in my heart. May every succeeding twelve months +bring to you as happy a New Year!" + + + + +An Easter Dawn + +"AND THERE WAS LIGHT" + + +"Are you inflexible, Doris? Can nothing alter your decision?" + +"Spare us both further pain, Warner. I cannot leave my blind mother. It +is useless to ask it." + +"And do I ask it? You can still care for your mother. I do not ask you +to leave her." + +The girl shook her head sadly. + +"As a wife I must go with my husband. In the conflict of duties the +mother must yield. No, no, it would be cruel." + +"Even admitting this, is there not a way out of it? Will she not try to +have her sight restored? Once relieved she might depend upon others, and +be content without you. Then you could come to me." + +"I dare not urge this. Think what she endured before--the operation, the +mismanagement, the suffering, and the final loss of the eye itself. Oh, +Warner, the recollection of that terrible time makes me shudder. I pray +that she may forget it. I dare not urge another trial. Spare me that." + +There was silence in the room, broken only by the ticking of the little +mantle clock, till in a low suppressed voice she continued: + +"And you know the awful blow that came so soon after, that has broken +her down. She clings to me in so many ways. No, Warner, she might yield +to my persuasions, but I should never forgive myself if things went +wrong." + +"Wrong?" echoed the man, bitter pain tugging at his heart. "How much +more wrong could things go? But it is nothing to you that my life is +made desolate, that loving you through all its best years I must quietly +give you up, and that, too, when I am in condition to take care of you. +Have I shown no consideration by waiting? Have I ever pressed my claim +till I knew I could make you comfortable and happy? But why do I cringe +and beg like this?" he added, setting his teeth hard with the pain of +disappointment. "If you really loved me you could not quibble about the +thing you call duty." And he strode back and forth, refusing to take in +the situation. + +Then the girl's forced composure gave way. This was not her first tilt +with the man she loved, but he had never been so hard, so desperate, so +unjust. Heroically she had tried to do her duty. Ignominously she now +felt herself faltering in the way. + +He could not bear her tears. The sight of her grief drove him from +himself. Pausing before her, he said: + +"Doris, I yield. Let it be as you say." + +And he lifted her hand to his lips in adieu; though in his powerfully +imposed self-restraint he could not be all tenderness. His tones were +gentle, and in the look he cast upon her bowed figure there was no +reproach. + +He was gone; and Doris went back to the mother who was unconscious that +she was wrecking the happiness of this devoted child; the only one left +to her. One by one they had married and gone, and now in her darkened +world she was enduring a more fearful weight of woe than blindness. +Ralph, her youngest, and her darling, the Benjamin of her old age, had +fled the country under the awful ban of murder. His employer, a hard +man, had been found dead in his private office from a blow on the back +of the head. Suspicion pointed to Ralph, who, poor, hot-headed fellow, +had been heard to vow vengeance against the dead man for his harshness. +A fellow clerk warned him in time to flee from the officers of the law. +He could not go without seeing his mother. In the silence of the night +he had clasped her trembling form in his stalwart young arms, and in +broken, quivering tones, bade her trust in his innocence. "Mother, +believe me, only believe me; I did not do it," and sped on in the +darkness, an exile. She did believe in him. She would almost as soon +have doubted her Savior's love. But her stern, unbending pride of race +was wounded. Her loving heart was pierced in its tenderest spot, and in +a few short weeks she was a fretful, peevish invalid, making wholesale +but unconscious draughts upon her noble daughter's patience. + +Five years had gone by since these household fetters had been forged for +Doris. Young and lovely, she adorned every circle. Offers of marriage +were unheeded, and her heart was untouched till Warner Douglas, the +young physician, came. They had met when she was a school girl and he +a student in the same town; and now it was revealed to her why he had +chosen her place of residence as the starting point in his career. So +they had loved and hoped on only to be crushed at last. + +The day after her final rejection of his suit, the post brought a note +that ran thus: + + "Doris, good-bye; not for a day, or a week, but as long as may + require to perfect my plans. I have spent a sleepless night, and this + is my conclusion. There is one way out of this. Maddening as is your + decision, I am forced to yield. But I shall not give you up without + a struggle. I have determined to study the human eye as a specialty. + The savings I had meant to devote to our united lives shall go to this + end. If I do not write often and in lover-like fashion, it will be + because I must be firm in my undertaking. When I have mastered the + science, I hope to come back to you with healing in my hand for the + mother for whose infirmities you sacrifice me. Do not think me bitter; + I am trying to be kind. In any case, be my probation long or short, + I shall be + + "Ever yours, + + "WARNER DOUGLAS." + + +Long Doris wept heart-breaking tears over this letter. Had she decided +aright? She mused far into the night, and at last her tired spirit found +comfort in the hope that her lover might one day unlock the prison doors +of both her mother and herself. Next day and for many days she went +about her duties mechanically, but her blind mother missed nothing, knew +nothing. Wearisome vigils were those! Not for a moment could she trust +her charge alone. With the perverseness of age she would try to grope +her way about, and more than once had she wandered into danger. Besides +this active, bodily vigilance, there were papers and books to read to +her, and the post-office was fairly haunted by fruitless messages for +tidings of the wandering boy. "How long, O Lord, how long?" was the +burden of the mother's heart, and upon Doris fell the hopeless task +of comforting. + +Two years dragged their slow lengths. Time and sorrow made little change +in Doris Hadyn. The fair, round cheeks had lost none of their bloom, for +duty well performed brings its own reward. She was the moving spirit in +all good works, and several of her young friends had gradually come to +share her time in amusing and interesting her invalid mother. + +Her lover's departure, leaving his patients to a brother physician, had +been a nine-days' wonder, but now all were rejoicing in his success at +the city hospitals. Several wonderful operations had made a great noise, +and he awoke one morning to find himself famous. No more anxious care +for the savings he had intended for himself and his bride. They were +returning upon him tenfold. At last he wrote to Doris: + + "Are you waiting for me? I am coming, not for an hour, or for a day, + but to cast my lot once more near you. But first I shall come as the + physician, since till that mission is ended, I am forbidden to come + as a lover. + + "WARNER." + + +Not even the reproach in this laconic letter could tinge her joy. He +was coming; that was uppermost. He came, and Doris met him as she had +parted--loving and faithful; so proud of him, too, but unalterable in +her duty as before. She found his whole nature widened and broadened, +just as in appearance he was more manly. He was then a clever +practitioner: he was now the renowned oculist. From the first day his +office swarmed with patients. Old, chronic cases seemed to spring up +everywhere, and he found himself in a fair way of being taxed beyond +the limit. + +Gently he began his ministrations to the mother of his beloved. When he +had won her confidence, he felt that the battle was half fought. She +soon expressed a willingness to submit to anything, to undergo any pain, +if only her sight might be restored. This he could not promise, but his +experienced eye could detect nothing worse than a cataract obstructing +the vision, and he convinced her that it was worth the trial. + +One mild winter day she was taken to his office now fitted up with +all the belongings of his service. With bated breath he adjusted his +instrument. Heavy portieres shut out the daylight. Steadily the electric +ray was thrown into the darkened eye. Shrinking with a thousand fears, +and tortured with suspense, Doris sank upon a sofa. In silence he +applied his tests. She could hear the beatings of her heart. Softly he +questioned his patient, who hung upon his words for her life sentence. + +At last, lying a hand almost caressingly upon each shoulder, he said: + +"My dear Mrs. Hadyn, I think I can give you sight." + +An involuntary cry broke from her lips, and Doris burst into convulsive +tears. Then relaxing the tension of these many weary years, the bearer +of good tidings folded his arms about the slight form for a moment as +he led her to her mother. Not yet, even, would he give full rein to +his hopes. He might fail. There was inflammation lurking behind the +eye-ball, caused by contagion from its fellow, which, when carelessly +bandaged too closely, had burst from its socket, irretrievably lost. +He could but try; and now his humanity as well as his love nerved him +to the task. + +A preliminary course of treatment was ordered, and the Lenten season was +nearly over when the eye was declared ready for the knife. The day was +appointed, and the patient's own room was selected as the place. The +night before, the doctor came in all worn and tired out from a hurried +call to a neighboring city hospital. Doris knew his step and met him at +the door. + +"Come with me, Doris, into the library," he said. + +Nervous with undefined apprehension, she followed him. + +"Can you bear good news?" he asked, bending upon her eyes which held for +her the light of loving sympathy. "Will you be as brave as you have been +all these years? I was called away yesterday----" + +"Ralph!" she gasped, catching his arm in the excitement of hope. + +"Yes--Ralph," he said, placing his arm about her; "he is cleared at +last. The man I was called to see was James Green, Ralph's fellow-clerk. +He was run down by a heavy furniture van and badly crushed. I could not +save him, but he knew me, and gave me this paper, which is a confession +of his guilt. It completely exonerates your brother." + +"Thank God!" she fervently exclaimed, clasping the paper to her heart. + +"Shall we tell Mrs. Haydn?" he asked, still gravely supporting her. + +"By all means," was her happy answer through shining tears; "now--this +moment," leading him away. "Joy does not kill." + +It did not kill; it only braced the grateful sufferer for the ordeal set +for the next day. + +"Find my boy as soon as you can and bring him to me," was her prayer; +and with a sense of comfort long a stranger, the mother slept peacefully +on this, her last night perhaps, of blindness. + +The next day she was made ready for her couch, where she was to lie in +perfect quiet after the operation. At two o'clock, Dr. Douglas, with two +young assistants, entered easily and cheerfully upon his task. + +"Are you strong enough to witness it?" he asked in alow voice, as Doris +took her stand. + +She bowed her head, and the work began. It was neither long nor +difficult. A little cocaine in the eye, a quick, perpendicular incision, +the deft scooping from the orifice of a hard, pearly ball like an opal +setting, a cleansing of film by one skillful sweep, and all was over. + +"Close the eye for a moment," was his order, as incomplete silence the +trio hung upon the result. + +"Now open it and look." + +As the lids parted, he held his hand before them, moving his fingers in +quick succession. + +"What is it?" she asked. + +"Well," he spoke playfully, as to a child; "what is it? I want you to +tell me. Do you see anything?" + +"Yes, I see--a hand, but--it looks blue." + +At this the surgeon clasped his hands in thanksgiving, and exclaimed: +"Victory! If you did not see the blue coloring at first, madam, I should +be in despair." + +Yes, victory was his, for his skill and for his love. He continued his +tests, first by resting the eye, then by bringing objects within the +range of vision. At last he gently led Doris in full view. + +"It is Doris, my faithful, patient child, whose dear face I have not +seen for so long," she said with emotion that threatened tears, but +this the doctor forbade, and proceeded at once to carefully seal the +patient's eyelids. + +"Keep the room light, and watch her day and night. She must not touch +the eye even in sleep," was his parting injunction. + +"But, doctor, don't you bandage the eye? And my room was kept dark after +the other operation was performed." + +"No, madam, the room must be light, and I do not bandage the eye." + +The days went by, each new one revealing some half-forgotten picture +to the patient. She already loved Dr. Douglas as a son, and her bodily +infirmities, real or fancied, were fast vanishing away. Ralph had been +found, and a telegram said he was coming. Easter eve was here, and as +the doctor took leave his grateful patient bade him good-night with +unusual feeling, + +"Through you," she said, "I am made to realize the precious promise, 'At +evening time it shall be light.' Think what this anniversary must be to +me! The morning will celebrate the resurrection of Him who was the Light +of the world. Light, light, everywhere! How can I be thankful enough!" + +"To-morrow I will set you free, my dear madam, and if you feel that I +have done you a service, perhaps I may show you how to repay me." And +with a warm pressure of her hand, and an unspoken good-night to Doris, +he went away. + +At the dawn of the morning Doris stood beside her mother when she awoke, +and said lightly: "Whom do you want to see besides your grumpy old +Doris, this bright morning?" + +"Is he here? Ralph--my boy--has he come?" And his fond arms enwrapped +her in joy too deep for words. She could not look at him enough--her +bronzed and bearded baby boy. + +Later on the doctor called, but he did not at once interrupt the mother +and son. When at last he walked into the cheerful family room it was +with Doris by his side. + +"My dear Mrs. Hadyn," he began, "do you want to make me as grateful as +you say you are? If so, only look!" + +With the uncertain timidity she had not yet learned to overcome, she +directed her once sightless eyes toward him. He stood with Doris clasped +in his arms. The mother had not heeded his words of the previous +evening, for they bore no hidden meaning to her. A light now broke over +her features, while Ralph smilingly watched her. + +"Doris, my child, how long have you loved this man?" were the only words +she found to say. + +"So long, mother, that I shall not try to remember." + + + + +In the Mammoth Cave + +WHERE THERE'S A WILL THERE'S A WAY + +NOTE--This story is built upon a legend of Mammoth Cave. + + +The open mouth of Kentucky's far-famed cavern yawned huge and black. On +the brow of the hill, ready to descend the winding rock stairway, stood +a group of young people picturesquely attired in the bloomer costume of +cave-explorers. They were disputing as to whether to take the long or +short route first, unmindful of the guide, who ventured to hint that +time was slipping away. + +"If we take the long route first we will be too tired for the short +one," said one. + +"Oh, that will never do!" exclaimed another, "I must see the Chapel and +the Star Chamber. That is about all I came for." + +Apart from the wranglers a pair stood in earnest conversation, hardly in +keeping with the frivolity of the hour. + +She was small, lovely, and winning in gypsy dress of red and black, +relieved here and there with soft white ruffles. Upon her golden curls +rested a dainty little padded cap, and strong boots protected the tender +feet. From her gloved fingers swung a torch not yet lighted. + +The youth beside her showed his hardy pioneer lineage in a well-knit +frame and a countenance full of chivalry, and at present glowing with +eloquent love for his fair companion. + +Neither of the absorbed pair noticed the angry light in the cruel eyes +of a man standing near the guide. He was fully thirty-five years of age, +quite tall, and as a merry girl expressed it, brigandish-looking. But +for the restless passions that marred his bearded face he might have +been called handsome. He glared at Minnie Dare as a tiger might watch +his prey, for she was indeed the destined prey of this fierce-looking +man. + +By what mysterious power Jason Hammond had won the gentle girl from her +devoted father no one knew, but with haggard face and heart-wrung pain, +Colonel Dare had bidden his one ewe lamb prepare for the sacrifice. + +This long-planned excursion was to be the last of freedom for Minnie +Dare. + +Striding up to the unconscious lovers, the man said rudely,-- + +"Miss Dare, do you mean to hang about here all day? They are waiting +for you." + +"I presume, sir, Miss Dare has the right to stay where she pleases," +retorted Eldon Brand, a quick, angry flash leaping to his eyes. + +"Hardly," returned the other superciliously, "at all events she knows +better, whatever your view of the matter." + +With a look of appeal from her blue eyes that arrested the sharp +rejoinder from the lips of the man she loved, the girl turned away, +her face suddenly paling from fear. + +"Here comes the pirate chief with his captive," exclaimed a laughing +girl. + +"Hush, Cornelia; he may hear you--horrid man! He wouldn't be here if he +wasn't so rich." + +"Why, where is Eldon Brand?" said another. + +"Over there, cutting a staff from the cane-brake," replied the first +speaker. + +"Ladies and gentlemen," here interposed the guide, striking a stage +attitude, "if you want my services you must come right along. It is +already too late for the long route; you will have to take the short +one." + +"All right," agreed the party, rallying their forces, "we'll take the +short one, then. Forward, march!" + +Down, down they went in pairs along the circuitous stairway to the +entrance, where the thick darkness might be felt. With lighted torches +they turned from the sunshine and entered upon the pioneer wagon tracks +imbedded in the soil for two miles. Hither the early settlers were wont +to convey their salt barrels and other stores for safe keeping from the +natives. + +Laughing, talking, jesting, the merry party went in. + +"Jerusalem! What's that?" ejaculated a young fellow, with more vigor +than polish, as he fought right and left an unknown foe. + +"That? Oh, that's only bats flying around. They don't stay in much +further. They'll hit you in the face if you don't look out," explained +the guide. + +"Yes, I think they will," said the victim, still spluttering and +flourishing his handkerchief. "A little more of that sort of thing and +I'll turn back now." + +They soon reached the avenue that leads to the Side Saddle, where more +than one merry lass took a seat for effect. They heard how an explorer +named Goren had once stood idly talking and pecking against the wall +with a sharp stone when, lo! it broke through. He continued to widen +the opening till, upon throwing down a blue light, there stood revealed +a perfect dome, exquisitely filagreed. It has been known ever since as +Goren's Dome, and a good-sized window, jagging the wall, admits one or +two lookers at a time. On their knees they crawled through the Valley of +Humility, and out into almost endless space, so varied are the landmarks +of this underground miracle. Here is a chamber too vast to be lighted +by the torches; there, a defile so narrow as to be passed only in single +file. Now they traverse a level valley to emerge at the foot of a +mountainous region that must be attacked with alpenstocks and helping +hands. + +"Oh, look at that awfully dark place! It might be Pluto's hallway," said +a girl. + +"Don't go that way," called the guide; "you must just follow me. There +is where that stranger strayed off and was never heard of again. He was +in bad health and came in here to breathe the pure air for a few hours. +He never came out." + +"Goodness!" thundered a dozen voices; "let's move on before his ghost +appears. I hear the rattle of dry bones now." + +"The Star Chamber!" shouted the guide, who, being in front, had often +much ado to send his voice to the rear of the party. "Ladies and +gentlemen, walk in, take your seats, and let me have your torches." + +He was obeyed with much fluttering and chattering. He extinguished all +the lights but his own, and disappeared behind a ledge of shelving rock. +They were in total darkness. Gradually a ray of blue, then of red, then +of white light, flashed upon the vast concave roof, showing myriads of +star-like points resembling the Milky Way, a crescent moon, and finally +a comet appearing in full sail. The effect was magical. + +"It is usual to have a song here, if you would like it," suggested the +guide. + +"By all means," was the universal response. "A chorus! a chorus!" + +Then the voices swelled upon the air in a thousand reverberating echoes. +At the close the guide reappeared and lit the torches. Once more they +sallied forth. + +"Where is Minnie Dare?" suddenly asked a tall girl, whose tongue was too +voluble for the guide's equanimity. + +"Here!" sounded the stentorian voice of Jason Hammond. + +Upon turning back, however, he found not Minnie, but another small +maiden near him. He darted again into the Star Chamber just as the fleet +steps of Minnie Dare ran toward him. Not, however, in time to prevent +his discerning among the shadows Eldon Brand hurrying to her side. + +Catching the girl's tender arm in a vise-like grip, the man hissed in +her ear,-- + +"By Heaven, my girl, if you don't stop philandering in the dark with +that young scoundrel, I'll pitch him into the first pit I see! You +belong to me, and I'll kill you before another shall have you!" + +With a cry of mingled pain and terror the girl broke from him. Eldon +Brand, who had seen the gesture without hearing the words, sprung with +uplifted arm toward the man. Ere he could strike he was seized from +behind by strong arms, and a voice urged,-- + +"Don't, Brand! For Heaven's sake, let that ruffian alone till we get out +of this. You will frighten the ladies, get yourself into the newspapers, +and play the deuce generally. Come on--they are calling in front." + +Hammond had seen this little by-play, and would not soon forget it; but +at present he strode on after the girl. + +"Why don't you fellows keep up?" grumbled a voice as the delinquents +entered the Chapel. + +"Did anybody fall? I thought I heard a cry back there," said the tall +young lady peering suspiciously into the group; but all seemed serene +in the fitful torchlight. + +In the Chapel huge stalactites and stalagmites meet each other to form +arm-chairs, thrones, alcoves, pulpits, and a double niche conspicuous +among its surroundings. Standing within this niche a restless pair +exclaimed: + +"What a capital place to be married! Who will pronounce the ceremony?" + +"Bless you, my children!" invoked a sober-looking fellow, extending +his arms in mock solemnity. + +An earnest, significant look flashed from Eldon Brand's eyes into the +still blanched face of Minnie Dare. As they met the glance it bore but +one meaning to her, and the rosy color again mantled her cheek. + +"Time's up," said the guide; "come along." + +It was late ere the party completed the tour of the Short Route wonders, +and there was barely time to dress for the ball-room at Cave Hotel, a +dance being an attractive interlude between journeyings. + +Indoor etiquette forbade the hateful espionage to which Hammond had +subjected the girl he claimed as his own during the informal jaunt of +the day. So at ten o'clock, despite the scowl on his dark face, she +stood up in the dance with Eldon Brand. + +Perhaps her persecutor might have attuned his wooing to something less +ferocious, but soft words having proved futile, he sought to frighten +her into compliance. Love's dallying might come later on. He deemed his +prize secure. She could not escape him. He held her father's honor--aye, +his very life--in his relentless grasp; for Colonel Dare was not a man +who could survive disgrace. Let her rebel, and the world should hear +an ugly story of rash speculation, involving a ward's trust money; of +financial ruin and despair. Oh, yes--she was his, fast and sure. + +It required all her persuasive power to withhold her lover from a +personal attack upon her betrothed husband. + +"It can do no good, Eldon," she urged; "my father has promised my hand +to this man. He is somehow in his power. There seems no escape. Oh, that +I might die and be free! It is like a horrible nightmare." + +Then his words came in passionate pleading. Eloquently the tones fell +upon her ears. At length the hopeless apathy in her eyes gave place +to interest, then animation, and finally to a degree of agitation but +ill-concealed from the suspicious watcher. They were standing on a low +balcony just outside the ballroom. + +"Will you, dearest? Will you be brave for my sake--for our sakes?" were +Eldon's parting words. + +"I will try," she murmured softly, as with a fond pressure of the hand +he resigned her to a new partner. + +Early next morning Eldon Brand might have been seen returning from +a little wayside shop with a bundle, whose contents--a ball of heavy +twine, a can of oil, and a box of matches--would have surprised his +fellow tourists. He conversed earnestly for some minutes with Stephen, +the favorite guide of Mammoth Cave, to whom he also conveyed some +bank notes; and at eight o'clock he joined the party en route for the +nine-mile tramp into the cave. For two miles the way was the same as +that of the short route, bats and all. Then came the immense hall where +rude plank seats still attest the worship of pioneer settlers in the +land of Indians and wild beasts. Here they sat and sang hymns, while +countless echoes repeated the sounds. + +They paused in the Ball Room; squeezed through Fat Man's Misery, that +zig-zag passage so narrow and winding that the one behind cannot see +his neighbor a yard ahead; and then out into the ample comfort of Great +Relief. Merrily they filled the little boats and sailed down Echo River, +where abound the eyeless fish; crossed Lake Lethe, where all care is +said to be left behind; passed the huge Granite Coffin; stood wondering +before the Great Eastern; shuddered beside the Dead Sea and the +Bottomless Pit; climbed Martha's Vineyard, where huge bunches of grapes +in stone looked as natural as life; took lunch in Washington Hall; +revelled in the snow-white crystals of Siliman's Avenue; crossed the +Rocky Mountains to Traveller's Rest, and there wrote their names upon +the extreme wall, that perpetual register of hundreds of sightseers. + +Here some moments were given to recapitulating the marvels of the long +route; the rivers, lakes, hills, ravines and valleys; and above all, +another black, yawning chasm similar to that which had startled them on +the short route. + +"Stephen, where does that lead?" was the query. + +"That leads into the one we saw yesterday. We call this end Beersheba, +and the other Dan, because it is so much nearer the mouth of the cave. +I have explored the whole passage, but it has nothing worth showing +visitors. But I have no doubt there's miles that nobody has ever been +over. It's a big place, I tell you." + +"Didn't you find the dead stranger?" asked the tall girl, who always had +something to say. + +"Can't say as I looked for him, miss." + +In high spirits the party retraced their steps as far as the Bottomless +Pit on the right, and the black chasm Beersheba, on the left, a distance +of about five miles from the entrance to the cave. + +"Take care!" warned the guide; "it is wet and slippery here, and the +path is very narrow." + +They were creeping on in single file when Stephen called back,-- + +"Mr. Hammond, you look pretty strong--would you help steady this +railing? It seems a little shaky." + +Hammond came on ahead and stood bracing the bridge, which was one of the +very few man-made structures in the cavern, while the other escorts led +the girls, one at a time, around the abrupt and slippery ledge. In +consequence of this stringing out of torches, the light was dim along +the narrow way, so that even these few steps of advance had left the +Bottomless Pit in darkness. + +Suddenly there was a rapid, rushing sound in the rear; a whirring echo; +a suppressed cry, and a heavy splash far below. The ladies screamed, and +the faces of the men grew pallid with horror. + +"My God! What was it? Who was it?" burst from their lips. + +"Don't go back, gentlemen!" shouted the guide. "It's no use! Come on +this side here--I'll go back. First, see who is missing. If anybody is +down there, the Lord have mercy on him, for man can't help him." + +Soon the trembling, awe-struck party were safe on a platform, and the +lights were bunched to their full radiance. Some one cried: + +"Minnie Dare is not here!" "And, by Jove, Eldon Brand is not here, +either!" said the chorus. Then in a low tone, "Could it have been +suicide? How horrible!" + +And this thought was the prevailing one, for the trials of the lovers +were well known. + +Jason Hammond ran back precipitately with the guide, and in a sort of +frenzy peered far into the awful chasm. Words of blasphemy were on his +lips as he began to realize to what end his persecution had driven the +fair young creature he had sworn to win. As for Brand, he rejoiced in +his fate. Could it have been an accident? He thought not. + +"No use," repeated the guide, "I can come back here and bring somebody +who will go down on a rope. But I tell you the bottom of that place has +never been found yet. We let a young fellow down by a rope last summer +in a frolic--his name was Mr. Clarence Prentice--and he pretty soon +called out to haul him up. Learned folks say a river runs down there, +and there ain't any bottom at all. Everything gets swept away with the +current. I don't know how it is, I am sure," + +Slowly the terror-stricken company wended their way back to earth, the +light of enjoyment driven from their hearts. The girls gave themselves +up to sobs and tears, and all dreaded to convey the tidings to the +bereaved families. + +The men went back with ropes and grappling hooks, but nothing came of +their labors. The bodies of the hapless lovers were not found, and none +knew how they had gone over the treacherous crag into the abyss below. +Surmises were rife, but prudence chose the better part of silent +sympathy. The newspapers fairly gloated over the tragedy, and summer +visitors were divided between curiosity to look upon the spot and fear +lest they, too, might miss their footing; hence the profits of Cave +Hotel were not noticeably on the decrease. + +Colonel Dare refused to be comforted, unless, indeed, he could rejoice +at the escape of the dove from the eagle's clutches. Now that the girl +was lost to him, Hammond was willing to accept terms before declined; +and the Dare ancestral home was at once put upon the market for sale. + +Eldon Brand had no near relatives, but there were many to mourn his +untimely fate. + + * * * * * + +Some hours after the disappearance of the lovers, Stephen, the guide, +re-entered the cave with a large bundle in his arms, and accompanied by +a single tourist, a sedate man who was a stranger to the region. They +proceeded along the short route to the chapel. Adjusting the torches, +Stephen gave a low whistle, when from behind a mammoth stalagmite came +forth a young man and a fair maiden, who took their stand in the Double +Niche. + +Eldon Brand had left nothing undone during his hours of preparation; and +when the man of God stood before the youthful pair, he held in his hands +the properly authenticated document which was to cement the marriage +tie in the civil courts. He had never before officiated at so unique +a bridal, and when once more on terra firma proper, he bore the secret +away to his Northern home. + +Days passed and still the tragic fate of the hapless lovers held a place +in fireside chats. + +Night had fallen. All was quiet in the sparsely settled neighborhood of +Cave Hotel. Stephen, the guide, with basket and torch, swiftly descended +the winding stairs and entered the grand colonnade, where the bats +still held high carnival. He pushed on, sometimes a little cramped for +space, till he reached the black avenue he had called Dan. Stooping +he possessed himself of a string that was fastened to a stake in the +ground, and followed its course through intricate windings till a light +glimmered in the distance. Whistling softly, he advanced more rapidly. +A shadow was flung upon the curtains of a doorway, and parting the folds, +a figure appeared at the opening. + +"Ah, old fellow, you never forget us," was the cheery greeting. + +"Not I," said the man, "I think you will find your list all made out +here," depositing his basket inside. + +The room was small and irregular in shape, but good taste and +moderate expenditure had converted it into a rustic boudoir of no +mean pretensions. Cretonne hangings concealed the rough walls, and +a few small pictures served to confine their bright folds to the uneven +surface of earth and rock. The earthen floor was covered by a mat. +A couch of the light, portable kind was daintily spread. A shelving rock, +covered with a mat of Japanese print, held a never-failing lamp, and two +camp-chairs completed the furniture, which had been conveyed into the +cave with the utmost care and secrecy. A few books and a number of +papers lay scattered about. The presiding deity of the fairy bower +looked a radiant welcome for the trusty ally upon whom they were +dependent. + +"You dear old Stephen! Don't you think it is time we ventured out into +the world again?" + +"Why, I think this looks like Heaven!" he said, with the freedom of his +office, "I don't know what you'd leave it for." + +"Yes, but you know that if it were not for your basket we should be +forced to appear. But I am learning to manage the ovens and pans. See +here," and opening an inner curtain she revealed an alcove, where a few +primitive cooking utensils were collected beside a small gasoline stove. + +"I reckon your cooking don't come to much more than warming over my bill +of fare," said Stephen, with an involuntary glance at the soft white +hands, and an indulgent smile for the young housekeeper. + +"Oh, but I do cook, really," she protested. "Eldon, did you ever taste +nicer eggs? And the water down there carries off all the shells and +scraps. Hear it rush along now!" and busily the stream did run to flow +into Green river, so the knowing ones said. "But," she added; "if my +father only knew. The moment we hear that that hateful man has gone +abroad we will defy all the rest. Do you know, Stephen," in a lower +tone, "we were very near being caught on the hill to-day. I was all bent +over as usual in my old woman's dress, and Eldon was limping along on +his crutch stick when--hark! what was that?" + +"Did you hear anything?" asked Eldon, coming to her side, "don't be +frightened, love. It could not have been any one. You are nervous." + +The young wife's cheek paled a little as she reminded him of a frightful +dream she had before mentioned. + +"Nonsense, dear, we are safe as long as my bank holds out. In a short +while we will brave the world and be at least a nine days' wonder." + +Hoping to persuade Minnie Dare to elope with him, after their colloquy +on the balcony the night of the ball, and thereby escape her persecutor, +the young man had not followed the cave party on the long route without +first amply supplying his purse. Stephen had suggested the strategem +they impulsively employed of temporarily disappearing into the black +corridor opposite the Bottomless Pit, after throwing a heavy rock down +the abyss to simulate a fall; and Stephen had mapped out for them the +whole situation succeeding the supposed catastrophe. Thus far they had +not lacked for comforts; and stolen visits in disguise to the upper +regions had varied their solitude and given refreshing glimpses of +sunlight. + +"Eldon, I am sure I heard a noise!" again exclaimed the girl, clinging +in terror to his arm. + +To appease her, the two men went out and made search. All was as +usual--unless, indeed, a shred of cloth adhering to a jagged rock had +not been there before. Stephen soon after left the pair, unconscious +that a dark shadow was following him into the upper world, there to +vanish among the shadows. + +For there is nothing hidden that shall not be revealed; and this +well-guarded secret, known to only four persons, was trembling at its +foundation. For her beloved father's sake the young wife was willing to +endure privation; for she reasoned that Hammond would have no motive for +vengeance if she were supposed to be lost; that her death would end the +mysterious power that threatened disgrace to Colonel Dare. Stephen was +paid well to be on guard, and his report that he had more than once seen +Hammond in the vicinity, made them exercise extreme caution and +vigilance in going outside. + +At first the spirit of unrest had drawn the baffled suitor to the scene, +where he had driven the unwilling maiden to her death, for he had loved +her as well as a selfish nature can love. Gradually there dawned upon +his mind a suspicion somewhat akin to the truth. Rumors were afloat that +Stephen made nightly visits to the cave, not with exploring parties, but +alone. A young couple had been seen wandering over the hills in the +moonlight. Superstition said it was the ghosts of the ill-fated lovers. +But when Jason Hammond heard these things they startled him as if struck +with an electric shock. He did not believe in ghosts. He resolved to +watch. He, too, saw the figures at night. He saw them disappear behind +the steep ledge that leads downward into the bowels of the earth. He +drew his own conclusions. + +If true, what should stay his vengeance against those who had thus +duped him? He sought his opportunity, and cautiously followed the guide +unto the very portals of the lovers' retreat. He heard the voices he +remembered but too well. He knew now where to strike. He knew, too, that +fear of him kept Minnie Dare thus hidden, as in a grave. Aye, she feared +disgrace for her father, and more than all, she feared his vengeance +against her husband--for he did not doubt that they were married. +Husband? As the word forced itself, the man ground his teeth in baffled +rage and hate. He would take care that the dreaded vengeance should be +swift and sure. + +The path to the subterranean retreat was perilous to a stranger; but +having gone once, he was sure he could go again. The way was even now +familiar enough as far as the black avenue of Dan. Here the string, +placed for the convenience of the lovers, would guide him, and if his +plans should be upset, he could retreat into the other black opening +leading to the Bottomless Pit, where he now knew the lost pair had +plunged into Beersheba instead of into the chasm, the two landmarks +being exactly opposite. He had not forgotten the guide's account of +these two unexplored regions where there was "nothing of interest to +show tourists." He began to see through the plot from the hour of the +so-called tragedy. How easy, with the artful guide's connivance, to cast +a stone down the echoing ravine, then conceal themselves in the corridor +close by, extinguish their torches, and await in silence the next coming +of their assistant! He himself had been adroitly decoyed out of the way +to steady the railing of the rickety bridge. The abrupt and narrow ledge +had hidden them from view. The escape was easy. All was clear now, and +the life of the man who had cheated him should pay the penalty. Should +she continue to refuse his suit, she, too, must die. The should find +their grave in the spot they loved so well. There would be none to tell +the tale. + +Armed with a revolver, he groped on, using a torch as far as he dared. +The absence of crystal formations, so thick and shining elsewhere, left +large, roomy passages easy to traverse, though there were frequent turns +puzzling to the uninitiated. As he approached the cosy bower he heard, +to his chagrin, the voice of the guide. What should he do? The odds were +too many for him. Wait till next day when his victims would probably be +alone? Risk going in upon them before nightfall? How had Stephen eluded +his vigilance? In this dilemma he crept near enough to get a view of the +interior. The sight of Minnie Brand seated at her husband's knee, his +hand caressing her flowing curls, so inflamed his wrath that an oath +burst from his lips. The sound penetrated the boudoir. It was this time +unmistakable. Minnie uttered a faint cry. The two men started up, and +snatching a torch, quickly lit it, and dashed out. + +"To the inner chamber, my darling!" Eldon called back, as he threw down +the folds of the portiere and rushed headlong with Stephen. + +They scoured the Short Route avenue to its full length, while Hammond, +his soul raging with murderous intent, traversed as rapidly as he dared, +the Beersheba avenue toward the Long Route opening. + +"By the eternal! He's gone the other way! But he can't get out! Right +about!" + +Retracing their steps they had to proceed more cautiously, but they soon +caught sight of the figure ahead, now lost, now reappearing. + +"It is that blackhearted villain, who has hounded us!" cried Eldon. +"On! on!" + +But the guide, true to his calling, shouted: + +"Surrender, or you are a dead man! The Bottomless Pit is right ahead +of you." + +The fugitive halted a moment, glanced back, then dashed on again in +defiance. At a sudden projection he tripped and fell, discharging the +pistol into his own body. The sound reverberated in a thousand echoes. +The wounded man staggered to his feet, and managed to gain the frail +bridge. Here he fell across the railing, swayed there an instant; then +as his pursuers came up with helping hands, he plunged into the abyss +below. + + * * * * * + +The denizens of Cave City never tire of telling how Eldon Brand and +his wife came back to the world, and how they fared in their romantic +retreat. But there was a part of the story as strange as it was +tragic. Upon dismantling the boudoir a leathern girdle was found, +which contained several hundred dollars in gold, and a letter which +ran thus:-- + + "I am a dying man. I cannot find my way out. I have not strength to + call, I must perish here of disease and want. I will make one more + effort, but feel that I shall fail. I have made my peace with God. + In leaving this world I leave only one enemy behind. This is Jason + Hammond, who has wronged me foully. Living or dead, I shall haunt + him. To whomsoever shall give this poor body Christian burial, + I bequeath my estate." (Here followed the location and description + of the property). + + "Signed: + + "DAVID HAMMOND." + + +The paper was almost illegible. It had been written in pencil. An +extended search was made and the skeleton of a man was found in one of +the most inaccessible recesses of the cave's many turnings. Beside the +body lay a torch and an exhausted lunch basket. Eldon Brand had the +remains reverently committed to earth. + +The village gossips love to dwell upon the happiness of the brave young +lovers, of the restoration of the gray-haired father to his old home in +honor and in plenty, and of the blooming lads and lassies that sprang up +as time passed tenderly over the heads of the reunited household. + + + + +A REVERIE + + + The twilight falls in gloom; + All day the fitful sun and sparkling show'r + Have played at hide-and-seek amid the bloom-- + The varied tints of Spring's fresh bow'r. + Oh, sure each bud and blossom knows the spell + Their subtle fragrance weaves about my brow; + Oh, sure a mystic tale their echoes tell-- + Love's soft, low-whispered vow. + + The deep'ning sky o'ercast, + The shadows slowly length' ning 'neath the trees, + The tender leaves, swift in the vernal blast, + To catch the music of the breeze; + The young lush grass a-peep above the earth, + The trailing vines that to the lattice cling, + Ah, these to fancies warm and true give birth, + And o'er my senses fling. + + On landscape charms I glance; + The city's distant hum is lull'd to rest, + Athwart the sunset dark'ning clouds advance. + And shut from sight the rosy west; + A dreamy orison enshrines my heart. + Deep shelter'd in the sacred haunts of home, + Where elfin sprites among the eeries dart, + Irradiate in the gloam. + + Shine out, sweet love, unveil + Thy ecstasy erst wrought in accents wild; + Within my soul there breathes an anguish'd wail, + Unsoothed by resignation mild. + I would not, if I might, give back the joy + That sweeps my pulses with enraptured thrill; + In transports pure the moments cannot cloy-- + My craving lingers still. + + Nor time may rend the tie; + The fealty that holds the captive will + In potent thrall, if sever'd soon, + Poor human faith a-blight and chill must die. + O birdlings, blossoms, leaflets, flow'rs, + Give forth chaste spirits to enchant the air; + Let silver'd mem'ries glad the lonely hours, + And crown my picture fair. + + * * * * * + + The night comes on apace; + The cricket's chirp, the woodland murmur's swell, + Bid nature's changeling melodies efface + The glamour of yon phantom spell. + The flashing morn adown the glist'ning aisles, + A dew-embowered hill and grove and lea, + With ruthless light will scatter fairy wiles, + Nor leave my love to me. + + +--E.D.P. + + + + +THE MISER AND THE ANGEL + + + 'Twas cold and bleak that winter's night, + When hover'd o'er the dying light, + The miser hugg'd his shrunken form, + And grudged the fire that made him warm. + + The old worn latch arose and felt, + He started up with threat'ning yell-- + 'Begone!"--as in the open door + A woman stood, faint and foot-sore. + + "Just this," she begged, "this rotten board-- + 'Twill not be missed from out your hoard." + "Take it and go!" he thundered out-- + "Oh, thanks," she moaned, and turned about. + + Another shivering night he sat; + A lad came in--"Please, Mister,"--"What?" + "This piece of rope." He said not nay, + But curs'd him as he went his way. + + And once again there ventured nigh + A child, who fled with frightened cry, + As at her head a rusty key-- + The gift she craved--he flung with glee. + + * * * * * + + The sands of life were nearly run; + "What good to others have you done?" + The angel ask'd. The miser sighed. + "Not one kind act," he sadly cried. + + "Not one? Did you ne'er give, nor lend + Relief to neighbor, suppliant, friend?" + The dying eyes were closed--he thought + On all the misery he had wrought. + + A ray of light! "I gave a board." + "'Tis well--'twill span death's river ford." + "A mouldy rope." "'Twill reach from earth + To Heaven. What more of feeble worth?" + "A rusty key." "Unlocks the gate. + Is this the sum? No--not too late; + The sinner's Friend has room for all,-- + The least you do is not too small." + + +--E.D.P. + + + + +REST + + For so He giveth His beloved sleep. + +IN MEMORY OF MY MOTHER + + + A soul is gather'd home; + At morn, at eve, on mission kind intent, + Her footsteps evermore were wont to roam, + Till years their ceaseless labor spent. + Each day its olive leaf of grace brought in-- + garner'd leaf from charity's broad field; + Each day's good deeds redeem'd a life from sin, + And gray'd anew her shield. + + The lowly suppliant bless'd, + When to the hovel came her welcome smile; + The cold, the hungry, friendless and distress'd, + With gen'rous aid she cheer'd the while; + And not alone the desolate and poor + Sought counsel of her wisdom and her love; + The high-born and the cultured cross'd her door + To share her treasure-trove. + + A nature great and high, + No puny thought could dwell within her breast; + How sad to see her worth untimely die! + Yet who may wail the needful rest? + Her willing hand, her tireless step, her active brain, + Rear'd lofty landmarks on the busy way; + The haunts that knew her long'd with yearning vain, + The reaper's scythe to stay. + + The strife at last is o'er; + The strife that all great souls must needs endure; + And anchor'd fast on Eden's peaceful shore, + Her roving bark is strong and sure. + The world is full of workers for the right; + "They also serve who only stand and wait." + No waiting servant she; with armor bright + She pass'd the pearly gate. + + +--E.D.P. + + + + +THE CHANGED CROSS + + + A little gilt-edge volume, + Its covers reddish brown, + It glossy leaves one burden bore, + Without the cross, no crown. + + I turned the pages slowly, + The fly-leaf wore a name; + With eyes suffused in quick response, + I noted whence it came. + + A tender message bade me + Take up the lowly cross, + For love and mercy's joint decree + Apportions every loss. + + "No cross--no crown"--the mandate, + With cruel meaning falls; + The heavy-laden soul shrinks back, + The lonely way appals. + + Ah, me! sweet friend, I thank thee; + This little ray of light + Steals o'er the darken'd firmament, + Illuming sorrow's night. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Idle Hour Stories, by Eugenia Dunlap Potts + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IDLE HOUR STORIES *** + +***** This file should be named 15078-8.txt or 15078-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/0/7/15078/ + +Produced by Kentuckiana Digital Library, David Garcia and the PG +Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Idle Hour Stories + +Author: Eugenia Dunlap Potts + +Release Date: February 16, 2005 [EBook #15078] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IDLE HOUR STORIES *** + + + + +Produced by Kentuckiana Digital Library, David Garcia and the PG +Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div style="height: 6em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h1> + IDLE HOUR STORIES +</h1> +<hr /> +<h2> +BY <br /> +EUGENIA DUNLAP POTTS +</h2> + +<p style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0em;"> + Author of <br /> + "The Song of Lancaster," <br /> + "A Kentucky Girl in Dixie," <br /> + "Short Mountain Trail," <br /> + "Stories for Children," <br /> + "The Housekeepers' Olio," <br /> + and "Home Talks." +</p> + +<hr /> + +<h4> +PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR +</h4> + +<hr /> + +<p style="text-align: center; font-size: 65%; text-indent: 0em;"> +PRESS OF <br /> +J.L. RICHARDSON & CO. <br /> +LEXINGTON, KY. <br /> +1909 +</p> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<hr class="full" /> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h3> + DEDICATED +</h3> +<p style="text-align: center;"> + To the memory of my beloved and only son,<br /> + George Dunlap Potts, whose young<br /> + eyes watched with affectionate<br /> + interest the weaving of<br /> + these fancies. +</p> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<hr class="full" /> + +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="pagei" name="pagei"></a>[pg i]</span> +</p> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + + +<h2>TABLE OF CONTENTS</h2> + +<span style="text-align:right; float: right;"> Page </span> <br /> +<span style="float: left;"> <a href="#h2H_4_0001"> A Thrilling Experience</a> </span> <span style="text-align:right; float: right;"> 1 </span> <br /> +<span style="float: left;"> <a href="#h2H_4_0002"> A Cluster of Ripe Fruit</a> </span> <span style="text-align:right; float: right;"> 12 </span> <br /> +<span style="float: left;"> <a href="#h2H_4_0003"> The Ghost at Crestdale</a> </span> <span style="text-align:right; float: right;"> 25 </span> <br /> +<span style="float: left;"> <a href="#h2H_4_0004"> Her Christmas Gift</a> </span> <span style="text-align:right; float: right;"> 40 </span> <br /> +<span style="float: left;"> <a href="#h2H_4_0005"> In a Pullman Car</a> </span> <span style="text-align:right; float: right;"> 48 </span> <br /> +<span style="float: left;"> <a href="#h2H_4_0006"> In Old Kentucky</a> </span> <span style="text-align:right; float: right;"> 58 </span> <br /> +<span style="float: left;"> <a href="#h2H_4_0007"> His Gratitude</a> </span> <span style="text-align:right; float: right;"> 71 </span> <br /> +<span style="float: left;"> <a href="#h2H_4_0008"> The Singer's Christmas</a> </span> <span style="text-align:right; float: right;"> 82 </span> <br /> +<span style="float: left;"> <a href="#h2H_4_0009"> Turning the Tables</a> </span> <span style="text-align:right; float: right;"> 88 </span> <br /> +<span style="float: left;"> <a href="#h2H_4_0010"> How She Helped Him</a> </span> <span style="text-align:right; float: right;"> 97 </span> <br /> +<span style="float: left;"> <a href="#h2H_4_0011"> The Iron Box</a> </span> <span style="text-align:right; float: right;"> 106 </span> <br /> +<span style="float: left;"> <a href="#h2H_4_0012"> The Girl Farmers</a> </span> <span style="text-align:right; float: right;"> 125 </span> <br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="pageii" name="pageii"></a>[pg ii]</span> +<span style="float: left;"> <a href="#h2H_4_0013"> Proving a Heart</a> </span> <span style="text-align:right; float: right;"> 135 </span> <br /> +<span style="float: left;"> <a href="#h2H_4_0014"> Hezekiah's Wooing</a> </span> <span style="text-align:right; float: right;"> 152 </span> <br /> +<span style="float: left;"> <a href="#h2H_4_0015"> A Summer Daisy</a> </span> <span style="text-align:right; float: right;"> 159 </span> <br /> +<span style="float: left;"> <a href="#h2H_4_0016"> Treesa</a> </span> <span style="text-align:right; float: right;"> 169 </span> <br /> +<span style="float: left;"> <a href="#h2H_4_0017"> My First Jury Case</a> </span> <span style="text-align:right; float: right;"> 178 </span> <br /> +<span style="float: left;"> <a href="#h2H_4_0018"> Three Visits</a> </span> <span style="text-align:right; float: right;"> 187 </span> <br /> +<span style="float: left;"> <a href="#h2H_4_0019"> An Easter Dawn</a> </span> <span style="text-align:right; float: right;"> 202 </span> <br /> +<span style="float: left;"> <a href="#h2H_4_0020"> In the Mammoth Cave</a> </span> <span style="text-align:right; float: right;"> 215 </span> <br /> +<p style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0em;"> POEMS </p> +<span style="float: left;"> <a href="#h2H_4_0021"> A REVERIE</a> </span> <span style="text-align:right; float: right;"> 239 </span> <br /> +<span style="float: left;"> <a href="#h2H_4_0022"> THE MISER AND THE ANGEL</a> </span> <span style="text-align:right; float: right;"> 241 </span> <br /> +<span style="float: left;"> <a href="#h2H_4_0023"> REST</a> </span> <span style="text-align:right; float: right;"> 243 </span> <br /> +<span style="float: left;"> <a href="#h2H_4_0024"> THE CHANGED CROSS</a> </span> <span style="text-align:right; float: right;"> 244 </span> <br /> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<hr class="full" /> + +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page1" name="page1"></a>[pg 1]</span> +</p> + +<a name="h2H_4_0001" id="h2H_4_0001"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + A Thrilling Experience +</h2> +<h3> + MIGHT vs. RIGHT +</h3> +<p> +It is some years since I was station-master, telegraph-operator, +baggage-agent and ticket seller at a little village near some valuable +oil wells. +</p> +<p> +The station-house was a little distance from the unpretentious +thoroughfare that had grown up in a day, and my duties were so arduous +that I had scarcely leisure for a weekly flitting to a certain mansion +on the hill where dwelt Ellen Morris, my promised wife. In fact, it was +with the hope of lessening the distance between us that I had under +taken these quadruple duties. +</p> +<p> +The day was gloomy, and towards the afternoon ominous rolls of thunder +portended a storm. +</p> +<p> +Colonel Holloway, the well-known treasurer of the oil company, had been +in the village several days. About one o'clock he came hurriedly into +the office with a package, which he laid upon my desk, saying: +</p> +<p> +"Take care of that, Bowen, till to-morrow. I am going up the road." +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page2" name="page2"></a>[pg 2]</span> +</p> +<p> +The commission was not an unusual one, and my safe was one of Marvin's +best. I counted the money, which footed up into the thousands, placed +it in the official envelope, affixed the seals, and deposited it in the +safe. As I turned away from the lock, a voice at the door said: +</p> +<p> +"Say, mister, can you tell me the way to the post office?" +</p> +<p> +A sort of shock went through me at the unexpected presence that seemed +to have dropped down from nowhere, and I replied irritably: +</p> +<p> +"You could not miss it if you tried. Keep straight ahead." +</p> +<p> +Soon large drops of rain came down, then faster and more furiously, till +the air was one vast sheet of water, and little rivers leaped madly +along the gullies and culverts. Forked lightning kept pace with the +pealing thunder, and heaven's own artillery seemed let loose. +</p> +<p> +Anything more dismal or dreary could not well be imagined, and gradually +the loneliness grew very oppressive. Every straggler had fled to +shelter, and the usual idlers had deserted the platform. +</p> +<p> +But I resolutely set to work at the dry statistics of the station-books, +with an occasional call to the wires, which were ticking like mad, so +fierce was the electric current. +</p> +<p> +It was near five o'clock when a long freight train came lumbering by, +switched off a car or + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page3" name="page3"></a>[pg 3]</span> + + two, then dragged its slow length onward. This +created a brief diversion, then once more I was deserted. +</p> +<p> +The next passenger train was not due till ten o'clock. I lit the lamps +and resigned myself with questionable patience to the intervening hours. +An agreeable interruption came in the form of my supper, which was +brought in a water-proof basket by a sort of jack-at-all-trades whom we +called Jake. Shaking himself like a great dog, he "lowed there wa'n't +much more water up yonder nohow." +</p> +<p> +"I hope not, indeed," I said, glad of the sound of a human voice. +"Jake!" I called, as he left the office, "come back as soon as you +can—I may need you." +</p> +<p> +I had a vague idea of despatching some sort of report to Ellen that I +had not been entirely washed away, and obtaining a similar comfort as +to her own fate. I little thought how I should need him. +</p> +<p> +I think I am not by nature more timid than other men, but as the dismal +evening closed in I took from my desk two revolvers kept ready for +possible emergencies, and laid one upon the desk where I was making +freight entries and the other on the table where the electric battery +stood. At intervals a fresh package for the night express was brought +by some dripping carrier, who deposited it, got his + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page4" name="page4"></a>[pg 4]</span> + + receipt, hung about +for a few minutes, then hastened away to more comfortable quarters. +</p> +<p> +Still the rain poured in torrents. It must have been nearly nine o'clock +when a wagon, hurriedly driven, pulled up suddenly at the platform. In a +moment the door was flung open, and I saw a small ambulance well known +about the village. Two men sprang out, and with the help of the driver +and his assistant, proceeded to lift out a box which from its dimensions +could contain only one kind of freight, to wit, the remains of a human +being. +</p> +<p> +Carefully placing this box in a remote corner of the room, near other +boxes awaiting transportation, the driver and his man returned to their +wagon, while the two strangers approached the desk to enter their +ghastly freight. They wore slouched hats and were very wet. They +produced a death certificate of one John Slate, who had died at a farm +house several miles away, of a non-contagious complaint, and was to be +shipped to his friends down the road. This was all. There was nothing +singular about it, and yet when the door closed upon the strangers and +I was again alone, or worse than alone a feeling of awe came over me. +Clearly the storm had somewhat unstrung me. +</p> +<p> +Only one hour till the train was due, after which I could turn in for +the night. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page5" name="page5"></a>[pg 5]</span> +</p> +<p> +A louder peal of thunder shook the house, and fiercer flashed the +lightning. Minute after minute went by, and each seemed an age. The roar +and din of the elements only deepened the gloom inside, where the +uncertain kerosene lamp darkened the shadows. +</p> +<p> +Suddenly to my overstrained nerves the ceaseless clicking of the +instrument seemed to say, "Watch the box—watch the box—watch the box." +As a particular strain of melody will at times repeat itself in the +mind, and obstinately keep time to every movement, till one is well-nigh +distracted, so this refrain began to enchain every sense: "Watch the +box—watch the box—watch the box." Till now my depressed spirits were +due only to the solitude and the storm. No suspicion of evil or danger +had tormented me. +</p> +<p> +Peering more closely into the dingy corner, I saw only the ordinary pine +box, with what seemed to be a square paper, or placard, on the side +facing me. Probably the address, bunglingly adjusted on the side instead +of the top, or else a stain of mud from the late rough drive. At all +events I was not curious enough to approach more nearly the ghostly +visitant. +</p> +<p> +Ten minutes had crept by, when a muffled noise in the dark corner +distinctly sounded above the pelting raindrops, while as if to mock at +my quickened fears, the wires continued their + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page6" name="page6"></a>[pg 6]</span> + + monotonous warning, +"Watch the box—watch the box—watch the box." I did watch the box, and +now as if by inspiration I grasped the situation. There was indeed a man +in the box, but not a dead one. A living man who had boldly lent himself +to a plot to rob or murder me, or perhaps both. +</p> +<p> +I remembered the straggler who had surprised me while at the safe, +several hours before. He had doubtless followed Col. Holloway and +witnessed the money transaction. Quick and fast flew my thoughts in the +startled endeavor to grasp some plan of action. Single-handed I was no +match for any man, having recently recovered from an attack of malarial +fever. This one in the box (if indeed there was one) must mean to secure +the prize before the train was due, and escape the consequences. He must +have accomplices, and these were doubtless on watch, either to give or +receive a signal. At least it was not probable that he would undertake +the job alone, and the fact that he had confederates had already +appeared. +</p> +<p> +Perhaps the sight of my pistol had delayed the attack. Perhaps some part +of their plan had miscarried and caused delay. At all events I must be +cool. I fancied I saw his eyes through the dark patch on the box. I was +almost sure he was slowly lifting the lid. There was no help near, and +much might be done in + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page7" name="page7"></a>[pg 7]</span> + + the time still to elapse before the train was due. +</p> +<p> +Quietly walking to the battery, I feigned to take a message. In reality +I sent one to the conductor of the on-coming express, as the only device +whereby I could secure assistance, and this would doubtless come too +late. Yet it was all I could do just now. +</p> +<p> +With every sense on the alert I arose to secrete my key if possible, +when the door burst open, and Frank Morris, my future brother-in-law, +rushed in, followed by a huge dog that was Ellen's special pet and +attendant. +</p> +<p> +"Confound you!" said Frank, spluttering about and shaking himself as +vigorously as the dog. "I'll be blowed if I ever go on such a fool's +errand as this." +</p> +<p> +"Why you are pretty well 'blowed'" I said, with a poor attempt to be +funny, but immensely relieved. +</p> +<p> +"I never was so glad to see anybody in my life!" and I meant it. +</p> +<p> +"There it is," he said; "make much of it" as he cleverly flipped a +little white missive over to me. "Such billing and cooing I never want +to see again. Regular spoons, by jove! Can't go to sleep till she knows +you have not been melted, or washed away, or something. And Cato must +come along to see that her precious brother doesn't get lost. Ugh! Lie +down over + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page8" name="page8"></a>[pg 8]</span> + + there, old fellow!" Then to me he said; "Here help me out of +this wet thing." +</p> +<p> +But I was engrossed just then, so ridding him of the offending garment, +the broad-shouldered young athlete strode about the room in mock +impatience. +</p> +<p> +"Heavens! what a night!" he exclaimed. "What time does your train pass? +Ten? Just three minutes. I guess I'll stay; but we will have that young +damsel floating down here if she doesn't hear pretty soon." +</p> +<p> +"Hello, Cato, what's the matter?" as the dog gave a low growl, "what's +that in the corner, Bowen?" +</p> +<p> +The dog continued to growl and look suspiciously as the young fellow +rattled on. "That," I said, "is a dead man." +</p> +<p> +"Humph!" he laughed. "Jolly good company for such a night. I say, Bowen, +you've got a nice toy there," and he took up the pistol that lay on the +table. In the meanwhile I had scrawled on piece of paper, which I had +quietly placed near the pistol: "The man in the box is a burglar. Be +ready for an attack." +</p> +<p> +"Oh that's the game!" he said aloud, and instantly strode across the +room, as Cato sprang up and barked furiously at the box. Simultaneously +the top of the box flew up, and uttering a shrill whistle, the man +sprang to a sitting posture, while through the wide-flung door the + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page9" name="page9"></a>[pg 9]</span> + +other two ruffians appeared with pistols cocked, At once there began a +deadly struggle. The dog had leaped upon the box and knocked the "dead" +man's pistol out of his hand, as Frank shouted, "Toho Cato!" unwilling +that the dog should tear him to pieces, but wishing to keep him at bay. +</p> +<p> +"Your keys!" yelled the other men; "or by heavens, you'll drop!" +</p> +<p> +Instantly closing in, man to man, the fierce struggle went on amid +shouts, oaths and pistol shots. +</p> +<p> +"Call off your cursed dog!" screamed the "dead" man continually. +</p> +<p> +The encounter, which had occupied scarcely a minute, was at its +deadliest, both Frank and I endeavoring to disarm rather than kill, when +the whistle of the train sounded, and in another moment the conductor +and his men were among us, "Seize that scoundrel!" shouted Frank +breathlessly, indicating the man in the box. "Here Cato!" and the +obedient animal unwillingly retired, but continued his savage growl. +</p> +<p> +At this juncture my man fell to the floor, badly wounded in the leg, and +uttering groans and imprecations. It was quick work to secure the men, +and Jake, who opportunely reappeared, was sent to summon the village +police. Some of the passengers, impatient at the delay, had got wind of +the adventure, and now crowded + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page10" name="page10"></a>[pg 10]</span> + + into the station in no little excitement. +The box was found to have a false side-piece next to the wall, which was +easily pushed down by the man inside, for greater comfort in his cramped +position; and there were besides a number of air holes. It was the +moving of the side-panel that caused the muffled noise I had heard. +</p> +<p> +I was questioned in all possible ways, and the curiosity of the +passengers was fully gratified amid the clamor of the prisoners, who +continually swore at each other. "What did you wait so infernal long +for?" said one of them, glaring at the "dead" man. +</p> +<p> +"What was your infernal hurry?" retorted the other, sarcastically. +</p> +<p> +It was plain from the quarrel that ensued that the sight of my pistols +and my evident uneasiness, together with effect of the fearful storm, +which confused all signals, had unsettled the fellow's plan, and had +robbed him of his presence of mind. While puzzling as to the safest +course, the sudden entrance of Frank and the dog had precipitated the +catastrophe. +</p> +<p> +The men were conducted to the County Jail, and I was the hero of the +hour, although I could not claim much credit for personal valor in the +matter. +</p> +<p> +Was it Fate or Providence that befriended me? But for my presentiment, +or what ever it + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page11" name="page11"></a>[pg 11]</span> + + might be, I should have urged Frank's immediate return +to my anxious betrothed. But for her loving anxiety he never would have +come down on such a night. But for the dog one of us must have been +killed. And first of all, but for the instinctive sense of danger the +telegraph wires would never have spoken a warning to my excited fancy; +and this manifest feeling of apprehension, though I strove hard to +conceal it, held the man in the box at bay. +</p> +<p> +The practical result of the episode was a more commodious station-house, +and more men on duty. My salary was raised; but eventually I gave up the +situation because my wife could never feel satisfied to have me perform +night work after the fearful experience I have related. +</p> +<p> +As to Frank, he is not backward with explosive English whenever the +subject is mentioned, and no amount of persuasion could ever reconcile +Cato to the station-room. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page12" name="page12"></a>[pg 12]</span> +</p> +<a name="h2H_4_0002" id="h2H_4_0002"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + A Cluster of Ripe Fruit +</h2> +<h3> + CHARACTER STUDY +</h3> +<p> +They were five sisters, all unmarried; they lived in the old Dutch town +that was made memorable by Barbara Frietchie's exploits. They never +hoisted a Union flag, or did any grand thing; but they deserve a place +in story just the same. Their name was Peyre, and the young people +called them "The Pears", not in derision, for the regard they inspired +was little short of veneration. Their ages ranged from sixty-five to +eighty years when I first knew them. Unlike the Hannah More quintette, +they were not literary. But no hive of busy bees was ever more +industrious than they in the line of purely feminine accomplishments. +</p> +<p> +"The Pears" were not poor, but they were frugal. They owned a +comfortable two-story brick house on a quiet street, and let their +ground floor to a small tradesman. The way to the sisters led along +a smoothly-paved side alley, all fenced in, through a little kitchen +with spotless floor and shining tins, up a narrow, crooked, snow-white +stairway, and finally through funny little chambers, up two steps, or + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page13" name="page13"></a>[pg 13]</span> + +down three, till the workshop was reached. There they sat, clean and +fresh and busy, each in her own nook; and just there they might have +been found every day these sixty years. +</p> +<p> +The workshop had the appearance of tidy fullness. An everlasting quilt +was stretched across the end window, and here Miss Becky had laid her +chalk-lines and pricked her fingers through several generations. The +faithful fingers were brown and crooked, she said, from rheumatism; but +how could they be straight when eternally bent over the patchwork? +Surely the quilt was not always the same; yet the frames were never +empty, and the chair was never vacant. +</p> +<p> +Miss Polly was housekeeper and cook, with Miss Phoebe to run errands, do +the marketing, visit the needy, and supervise generally. Some one must +have done the mending and darning and laundry work, but I never saw any +of that. +</p> +<p> +Miss Sophie (the sisters said Suffy) was the knitter and her needles +were never still. Always a gray yarn stocking, and never any appearance +of the finished pair. Go when you would,—and the dear ladies were not +alone many hours,—the knitting was on and going on. +</p> +<p> +Miss Chrissy was the beauty. Ages ago there had been a tradition of a +lover, but nothing came of it. Perhaps they had all five lived out their +little romances—who could tell? A certain homage was paid to the +beauty. Her + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page14" name="page14"></a>[pg 14]</span> + + once brilliant auburn hair had paled to grayish sandy bands +that lay smooth under a cap which was always a little pretentious. Her +dark eyes and smiling lips made the soft white old face passing fair. +Miss Chrissy was the embroiderer and needle-work artist. Her treasures +of scallops and points and eyelets and wheels, all traced in ink upon +bits of letter-paper, were kept in a big square yellow box that was +bristling and bursting at all points. +</p> +<p> +This box was marvellous. There could never have been but one other in +the world; and that I had seen under my great-grandmother's bed, the bed +that had its dainty white frill, and its glazed calico curtains of gay +paradise birds. They were all of a piece and not easily forgotten. The +box had seen hard service among the "Pears." It was cross-stitched up +and down the corner's along the bottom and the top, and all around. It +never occurred to them to get a new one. Like their old Bible, its +places could be found. +</p> +<p> +I went, one frosty autumn day, to get a pattern for silk embroidery. +Stamping-blocks and tracing-wheels were unknown quantities to Miss +Chrissy. Her stumpy little pencil—and that, too, seemed always the +same—had to do the transfering. She liked a bit of harmless gossip, +dear soul; and the young girls of the town made a point of supplying the +lack of a newspaper + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page15" name="page15"></a>[pg 15]</span> + + with their busy tongues. So she knew at once who +I was. +</p> +<p> +"Oh," she said, with her kindly smile, "you are young Mrs. John: I +remember when your husband was a babe. I think I can find it;—yes, it +is down in this corner,"—rummaging in the yellow box; "here it is—the +pattern your aunt,—Mrs. John, selected for your husband's first short +dress. All the Hunt family were customers of ours. Mrs. John, she +they called Aunt Lou, was a great favorite. She was rich, and had no +children. Well, she came one day all in a flurry to get a pattern—a +nice wide one she said, for little John's dress. He was the first baby, +and they fairly idolized him. This is it. I recollect the wheel and the +overcasting. It was—let me see—forty years ago, come this December. +Now, this little scallop is as popular as any" and she fished up +another, all full of needle-pricks. "Some ladies don't like much +embroidery, but they want a little finish. This one trimmed a set of +linen for Mrs. Senator Jones. It took me a good while to draw it. She +don't like this turn in the corner, so I made up something else. You +know I design my own patterns." +</p> +<p> +Then resisting the temptation to give the history of the rest of her +favorites, she put the box aside and turned her attention to the quart +bottle in hand, with its strip of muslin stretched + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page16" name="page16"></a>[pg 16]</span> + + tight around it, +over a bewildering collection of grapes and leaves. This was her method, +and the admiring sisters thought it perfect. +</p> +<p> +That night I teased John's mother into hunting up the dress, and there +was the identical pattern, edging the fine white cambric now yellow with +age. She was amused at my report of Miss Chrissy. +</p> +<p> +In my annual journeyings to the old town I never neglected "The Pears." +They always looked as if I had just stepped out for an hour, and come +back. The carpet did not wear out; the stove never lacked luster; the +tiny window-panes were always just washed, and the diligent fingers went +on just the same. They had a quaint way not easy to describe. When one +talked all the rest chimed in with little whispering echoes, to support +the assertion; and yet they did not seem to interrupt. They were to me +living wonders, so perfectly unspotted from the world, so earnest in +their pigmy money-making, and so thoroughly united, I felt consumed with +curiosity as to their inner life. They must sometimes put by the +quilting and the knitting and the patterns. +</p> +<p> +"How do you interest yourselves evenings, Miss Chrissy?" I asked, half +ashamed of the question. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, we read," she said, smiling her ready smile. "Yes, read," echoed +Miss Suffy and + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page17" name="page17"></a>[pg 17]</span> + + the rest. "We read Sunday-School books, and our Bible, +of course. Sometimes we don't go to bed till ten o'clock." +</p> +<p> +"Ten o'clock—o'clock—o'clock," assented the gentle voices. It was not +silly; the smiling faces all wore the sweet, simple look of guileless +childhood. +</p> +<p> +Miss Suffy's window overlooked a time honored graveyard, where gray +slabs were tottering. Next to her beloved patterns and their varied +experiences, Miss Chrissy liked to tell of scenes and memories suggested +by these somber reminders. +</p> +<p> +"It was a very cold day, Mrs. John," (so she always called me), "when +they buried your husband's uncle out there. Poor fellow! He was shot +at Buena Vista. A cannon-ball took off both his legs, and went right +through the horse he rode. He was a gallant officer. They thought at +first he would rally. The surgeons did their work quickly, and he +suffered little or no pain, but there was no chloroform in that day, and +he died from the shock. The snow was deep on the ground, but it was a +grand funeral. They've got a fine new cemetery out on the hill, but we +never go there. Our dead are all here where we can see their graves." +</p> +<p> +"Graves," came the echo, they had all along nodded, or murmured, assent. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page18" name="page18"></a>[pg 18]</span> +</p> +<p> +"One of the saddest funerals we have ever seen." Miss Chrissy went on, +"was a double funeral. Two young men, both only sons, were drowned in +the river while bathing. Their mothers were widows. It was terrible. Two +hearses and two long lines of mourners. There they lie—over there in +that enclosure. They were cousins, and were buried side by side." +</p> +<p> +"The mothers, Chrissy!" mildly prompted the whisper, when the narrator +paused. +</p> +<p> +"Yes, the mothers! one died of a broken heart, and the other lost her +mind outright. She is living yet, an old woman, who regularly goes to +the front door of the asylum every morning and takes her seat. If it is +cold weather, she sits inside. She asks every one who enters if Luther +is coming—that was her boy's name." +</p> +<p> +"Did you know the first Mrs. John Hunt, Miss Chrissy—my husband's +grandmother?" I asked, willing to change the gloomy subject. +</p> +<p> +"Just as well as I know you, Mrs. John. She was a beautiful little +woman, I was very young at the time I am thinking of. She sent at night +for an embroidered flannel I was doing. It was my first wide pattern, +and it went slow. At 10 o'clock it was finished, and my father went with +me to take it home. They were all going to Washington to the President's +ball—President Monroe, it was—and the trunk was + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page19" name="page19"></a>[pg 19]</span> + + packing. It was to go +on the big traveling-coach. When I ran up stairs and knocked,—I had +often been there before—she opened the door herself. 'Oh, it's you +Chrissy,' she said in her pleasant way; 'come in child; don't you want +to see something pretty?' And she showed me two elegant brocaded silk +gowns, very narrow and very short-waisted, but stiff enough to stand +alone.' +</p> +<p> +"She praised my work and said I was a good girl. Then she paid me the +money and tied a little blue silk handkerchief around my neck for a +keepsake. 'There,' she said, in her quick voice, 'you may go.' I did +many other patterns for the family, but poor lady! she never saw me +again. She had an illness and lost her eyesight. She was stone blind for +many years. I have the keepsake yet. It is put away in the hair-trunk." +</p> +<p> +The sisters were all in full sympathy, as usual. Thus I sat and listened +scores of times, making a pretence of wanting a pattern,—anything to +get Miss Chrissy story-telling. +</p> +<p> +In the centennial year I found "The Pears" much shaken from their even +tenor. The relic-hunters had penetrated their omnium gatherum and +offered fabulous sums for the quaint old bits they found there. One of +them declared he must and would have these wonders for the New England +Kitchen. But the sisters were + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page20" name="page20"></a>[pg 20]</span> + + outraged. Adroitly I managed to hint a +desire to see those treasures inestimable, and then for the first time I +moved from my accustomed seat, and they moved from theirs. The magnitude +of their wrongs would admit of nothing like routine or monotony. The +chairs were pushed back, and I saw five tall, slim figures standing +erect, in straight black gowns, white kerchiefs and spotless caps. They +were devout Lutherans, and their pew at the Sunday service was never +vacant; but I had never seen them outside the workshop. +</p> +<p> +We filed into the funny little chambers where were the high beds, with +their steps to be climbed. What a wilderness of feathers and patchwork! +Some of Miss Becky's work was there. The bureaus nearly to ceilings, +ornamented with round glass knobs, had their little mirrors perched +up above my head. The candle stands, with spindle legs, wore an +antediluvian look, and the chairs were just as queer. The more aspiring +ones were prim in starched antimaccassars. Even the footstools belonged +to a prehistoric age. There was nothing costly or elegant, but so very +ancient and even comical, I had never seen anything like it, anywhere. +A few oil-paintings, hung in the very border of the huge-figured paper, +were small, but evidently fine. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page21" name="page21"></a>[pg 21]</span> +</p> +<p> +"These things were brought from Alsace," explained Miss Chrissy, as I +commented freely. "Elsace is the way to call it—and we can't bear to +have strangers meddling with what is sacred to us." +</p> +<p> +"Sacred to us," came from the procession behind. +</p> +<p> +At last, pausing before a huge hair trunk, they all gathered nearer, and +when the lid was raised, they vied with one another in displaying the +contents. It would take a great while to tell all that I saw, or their +curious little speeches and words and assents. There were samplers in +every style of lettering and color. The inevitable tombstone, with the +weeping-willow and mourning female, was among them. Bits of painted +velvet, huge reticules, bead purses; gay shawls, and curious lace +caps—all showed patient handiwork. Gifts and souvenirs were plentiful, +even to the blue silk keepsake of the first Mrs. John. Then came +old-fashioned silver spoons and knives and tea-pots, heir-looms, they +said, from the old country. A bit of coarse paper bore an order for +supplies for soldiers upon the Commissaire at Nice, and was signed with +the genuine autograph of the great Napoleon. Every article had its +history, and rarely, if ever, was the little work-shop so long neglected +as on that occasion. When the procession filed back, I took leave with +somewhat + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page22" name="page22"></a>[pg 22]</span> + + the feeling of having been buried in wonderland, and suddenly +resurrected. +</p> +<p> +Perhaps the shock of the dreaded vandalism was too much. Perhaps the +excitement of the hair trunk struck too deep. At all events. Miss Becky +grew to muttering over her quilt, and making long pauses. One day her +needle stuck fast in the patchwork, and her head quietly sank to rest on +the rolled frame. When I paid my next visit, they said, "You will find +it very odd at The Pears's. Miss Becky is gone." +</p> +<p> +I did find it odd. The quilt was rolled forever, and the end window was +empty. There was only the chair. Still Miss Suffy sat with her stocking, +and Miss Chrissy with her patterns, placid and patient,—they were only +waiting; yet working as they waited. Miss Polly sighed once in a while +over her pans. Miss Phoebe still went to market and distributed small +alms to the poor. Ripe in good works and in holy resignation were The +Pears. +</p> +<p> +"Our quilter is gone," said Miss Chrissy. This time there was no +whispered echo; only a gentle sighing all around. But some of the +scallops in the yellow box were not without fresh adventures; and these +I heard. +</p> +<p> +That winter, Miss Phoebe fell on the slippery little side alley. There +were no bones broken, but she, too, sank to rest in the old gray +churchyard. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page23" name="page23"></a>[pg 23]</span> +</p> +<p> +It was three years before I went back. Then they said, "Miss Chrissy is +alone." Alone I found her. She was little changed. The brightness had +merely gone from her smile. I noticed that her talk was less of her +patterns, and more of the gray slabs. She no longer clung to the proud +little boast, "I design my own patterns." She was apt to tell what Suffy +said, or Polly, or Phoebe, not forgetting Becky, our quilter. +</p> +<p> +"No," she said, when I asked: "Polly was not sick. She said in the +morning, 'Chrissy, do you ever feel strange in your head?' Next morning +she did not wake up. Suffy was never as strong as the rest—her back was +bad; so when she had a sort of fit one day, it was soon over." +</p> +<p> +"You don't—you can't—stay here all alone?" +</p> +<p> +"No, Mrs. John, Henrietta is with me. You know Henrietta? She belongs to +the people down stairs. I shan't forget her kindness." +</p> +<p> +"Are you very lonely, Miss Chrissy?" I asked, choking down the tears. +</p> +<p> +"No, not lonely. The dear Lord is with me; He will stay to the end. No, +Mrs. John, not lonely." +</p> +<p> +She had always refrained, in diffidence, or humility, from religious +talk. I know it was from no lack of deep spiritual conviction. If ever +the world contained a purer, sweeter sisterhood, I have not known it. +Their work + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page24" name="page24"></a>[pg 24]</span> + + was homely, as their lives were secluded, but no one ever +saw them idle or impatient. In one straight and narrow path they walked +through earth's temptations to heaven's reward. +</p> +<p> +One of the last things she said to me was that I should take some of the +choicest patterns to my western home, notably "little John's first short +dress edge." +</p> +<p> +"You have been a helper to us in more ways than one. God will bless you, +Mrs. John." +</p> +<p> +"Is there nothing you would have me do now? Dear Miss Chrissy, do not +hesitate to speak." +</p> +<p> +She did hesitate. "I don't think of anything. My papers have long been +drawn up. Lawyer Thomas will attend to them. You know our little savings +are to go to the Home for Aged Women." +</p> +<p> +I never saw her again. Sitting one day, placid and patient, she fell +asleep over the yellow box; and when they lifted the soft white old +face, all was still. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page25" name="page25"></a>[pg 25]</span> +</p> +<a name="h2H_4_0003" id="h2H_4_0003"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + The Ghost at Crestdale +</h2> +<h3> + AN ADVENTURE +</h3> +<p> +"Here we are, safe and sound," cheerily said the driver of the huge +black ambulance, as he pulled up before the piazza of Crestdale, the +beautiful villa whose tower had been tantalizing the travelers for +several miles. +</p> +<p> +A party of five descended from the wagon as the wide doors were flung +open by the housekeeper, and a kindly welcome greeted them, as well as +comfortable fires. +</p> +<p> +"My! how cold it is," exclaimed a fresh young voice, as the speaker +hurried close to the generous heater. +</p> +<p> +"Be careful, dear, or you will burn your coat," warned an older lady, +while a stalwart young fellow tenderly loosed the seal wrap in question. +</p> +<p> +Placing the fair wearer in a great arm-chair, he said: "There, +Mademoiselle Jessie, be a good girl—if you can. Now, sister ours, what +can I do for you?" turning gallantly to the other lady. +</p> +<p> +"Thanks, you foolish boy," was the pleasant + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page26" name="page26"></a>[pg 26]</span> + + rejoinder; "look after +those parcels and those live commodities shivering there." +</p> +<p> +The live commodities were a maltese cat, a canary bird, and two raw +recruits from Erin; and the "foolish boy" at once set about assigning +places for people and things. +</p> +<p> +"There's a kitchen somewhere back here; come along, Michael. All right, +Katie, follow me, and fetch the menagerie with you." +</p> +<p> +Duly installing them in their domain, the young man made his way back +through the wide, chilly rooms that intervened, and joined the ladies +who were fast making themselves at home. +</p> +<p> +"A trifle bleak this, isn't it?" he said, rubbing his hands before the +blazing logs. "But just take note of that fragrant beefsteak. Say, +girls, I don't see any table set anywhere;" and he looked ruefully +around. +</p> +<p> +"Give us time, sir," remonstrated the elderly lady. "Here is a move in +the right direction already," she added, as the housekeeper entered with +the tea tray. +</p> +<p> +"Mabel, can't we have muffins?" pleaded the young voice. +</p> +<p> +"Muffins! Not on such short notice; but you may have toast and eggs." +</p> +<p> +"You'll disenchant me with your enormous appetite," chaffed the young +fellow, and got a saucy slap for his pains. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page27" name="page27"></a>[pg 27]</span> +</p> +<p> +"Riding hours and hours on that horrid train is enough to starve any +one," was the ready defense; "you only came from New York. Come on, +everybody, while the steak is hot." And they gathered round to do +justice to the repast. +</p> +<p> +Mabel and Jessie Winthrop were orphan sisters, the one fifteen years the +elder, and was mother as well as sister to her idolized charge. Her own +life romance was a buried chapter, and now she was chiefly concerned for +the happiness of the two young persons seated there. +</p> +<p> +George Randolph was a distant cousin, and was to be married to Jessie +Winthrop in two weeks' time. They had come down to make ready the +seaside villa, which was their favorite home. It stood upon a winding +river close to shore, and commanded a view of the surrounding country +for many miles. +</p> +<p> +It was an immense house, containing some twenty-five rooms, and +full of unexpected niches, nooks, and crannies. It was kept furnished +throughout, but was locked up in the winter months. An unlooked-for cold +wave, speeding from the northwest, had made the coming of the +prospective bridal party a somewhat dreary affair. +</p> +<p> +A few happy touches here and there transformed the gloom into cheer, and +it was with + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page28" name="page28"></a>[pg 28]</span> + + renewed animation that they arose from their repast an hour +later. +</p> +<p> +George was to return to the city next day, but would run down frequently +before the wedding day. Meanwhile this, their first evening, passed +quickly and agreeably for all. +</p> +<p> +The ensuing week was a busy one. A whole army of sweepers, dusters and +renovators were turned loose in and about the villa, and the good work +went on with a will. +</p> +<p> +Michael took charge of a pony phaeton, and the sisters often drove in to +the village shops, two miles away, where the nearest railroad station +was. It was necessary, however, that Mabel should make a final trip to +the city to purchase some articles, and she arranged her time so that +George could return with her on the evening train. +</p> +<p> +"You won't be afraid, darling?" was Mabel's fond question, as she made +out her list. +</p> +<p> +"Afraid?" echoed the other. "Why, no; what is there to be afraid of? It +is perfectly safe here." +</p> +<p> +"Yes, I know; otherwise, I would not leave you even for the day." +</p> +<p> +"The house is big," said Jessie, "but we have near neighbors. Besides, +there's Mike and Katie, and Mrs. Lawrence. Oh, I'm all right, Mabel +dear." +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page29" name="page29"></a>[pg 29]</span> +</p> +<p> +"See that the house is securely fastened;" was Mabel's parting +injunction as she kissed her sister goodbye. "Look for us at the sound +of the whistle to-night." +</p> +<p> +"Indade, Miss Jessie," said Katie a little later, her face in a pucker, +"indade it's not right for the loikes af yees to be here all alone." +</p> +<p> +"Why, Katie, what's the matter," laughed the girl; "you don't call this +being alone, do you?" +</p> +<p> +"Ah, but haven't yees heard the quare noises in the tower, Miss Jessie? +An' shure there's a ghost in this house—Holy Mother defind us!" and +Katie piously crossed herself in real terror. +</p> +<p> +"A ghost, Katie! I'm ashamed of you. It is only the wind. It blows here +fearfully. You might turn a regiment loose in the house, and they could +scarcely make more noise than these big, rattling windows." +</p> +<p> +"Arrah, me jewel," protested Katie; "there's a turrible walkin' about in +the tower ivery night these two noights. An' didn't yees hear about the +awful murther in the town over beyant us an' the murtherer iscapin'? +Sich a quare murther, too, with the finger rings all left on, and the +money purse in the pocket. Ah, Miss Jessie, a murtherin' ghost won't +niver be laid." +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page30" name="page30"></a>[pg 30]</span> +</p> +<p> +"You silly Kate!" said Jessie merrily. "Don't be afraid, I'll take care +of the ghosts. We are all right." +</p> +<p> +After a cup of tea and a bit of toast, Jessie repaired to her chamber +on the second floor and picked up some trifle she was embroidering, to +beguile the time of waiting. Mabel and George would get in about nine, +when they were to relate the day's doings around a good warm supper. +</p> +<p> +Katie was to follow and sit with her mistress, after she had done some +righting up down stairs. Mike was bent upon routing an army of rats in +the barn. Mrs. Lawrence had retired to her room with a nervous headache. +</p> +<p> +The high winds from the sea had lulled, and for once the house was +utterly quiet—so quiet that the stillness became oppressive. Meanwhile +the young girl sat in her bower of luxury, softly humming a favorite +air, and very happy in thoughts of her approaching marriage. While deep +in her smiling reverie, a stealthy footstep distinctly sounded outside +her door. +</p> +<p> +Raising her head, she had not time to feel a sensation of real fear, +when cautiously her doorknob was turned and a head intruded itself which +struck her as dumb as though Medusa had appeared, and drove the +life-blood in a frozen current to her head. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page31" name="page31"></a>[pg 31]</span> +</p> +<p> +The face was ghastly, the hair black and curling upon high, narrow +shoulders, the figure slight and spare, and a pair of restless black +eyes were glittering swiftly and cunningly around the room. +</p> +<p> +"Hist!" he said to the horror-stricken girl, softly closing the door +and turning the key; and if Jessie had a distinct thought in that awful +moment, it was of thankfulness that the winter dampness had so warped +the door that the key would not fairly catch in the lock,—a bit of +repairing thus far overlooked in the wedding preparations. +</p> +<p> +"Don't be frightened," he continued, in his sibilant whisper; "you will +take care of me, won't you?" +</p> +<p> +But the girl's eyes only riveted themselves in more hopeless, helpless +terror upon the apparition. Every muscle seemed paralyzed. +</p> +<p> +He drew a chair to the open grate as if the fire were most welcome. +</p> +<p> +"You see," he said in his quaint, soft voice, "if they track me here +they may hang me, and they would be wrong—all wrong. I did not intend +to kill her, but she would not hold still." +</p> +<p> +At this he gave a blood-curdling laugh, and the horrible truth burst +upon the listener's dazed senses. She was alone with a maniac. All the +stories she had ever read rushed to her memory, and the only clear idea +she had was + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page32" name="page32"></a>[pg 32]</span> + +the conviction that she must, if possible, humor his vagaries till help +came. She was a petted, spoiled darling, but she had great strength of +will, and she now called it into requisition. +</p> +<p> +She hurriedly glanced at the clock, and calculated how long it would be +before the train whistle could signal the coming of her dear ones. Alas! +it was just eight. What, oh, what must she do? Of whom did he speak? +Kill her? Kill whom? Then the mystery of the murdered girl darted into +her mind. Katie had been right then. There was in truth a murdered girl. +Was this awful creature her slayer? +</p> +<p> +Suddenly, with a confidential gesture he bade her sit down with him. +</p> +<p> +"I'll tell you about it," he said; "if she had only kept still! But she +screamed and tried to run away, I can't stand noise!" He clapped his +hands over his ears as if to shut out the echo of it. "I must have this +blood—this pure, young, life-giving stream. But she would not listen to +me. Poor thing! It was too bad, wasn't it? Hey? Speak!" and he grasped +her delicate wrist with a grip of steel. +</p> +<p> +Trembling at the sound of her own voice, the girl commanded herself to +say: +</p> +<p> +"Yes; who was she?" +</p> +<p> +"I don't know," he replied, seriously. "She was beautiful and fresh; she +was almost as fair as you," letting his wild eyes roam over + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page33" name="page33"></a>[pg 33]</span> + + her. "I was +getting away from that cursed place. Think of confining a man of my +learning in a madhouse! But that was just it. I had mastered the new +theory—the transfusion of blood. They wanted to steal my glory, so they +locked me in. But I outwitted them; I captured these and ran away." +</p> +<p> +Laughing wildly but still under his breath, he took from his jacket a +black case of bright, new surgical instruments. +</p> +<p> +"These were what I needed," he continued, with a low chuckle; "I could +not attain the goal without these beauties." Caressingly he went over +them. "Lancet, probe, trocar, bistoury, tourniquet,"—mentioning the +collection, while he passed his fingers affectionately along the small +sharp knives. +</p> +<p> +"For years and years," he went on, "I have studied this theory. The only +thing is to find a young, strong, healthy subject; I found her. I was +hiding in the bushes; she was on the highway; but she would not listen +to me." +</p> +<p> +"You did not kill her?" the girl forced her dry lips to ask. +</p> +<p> +"Nay, nay; that is an ugly word. I had to sacrifice her—I did not kill. +Then the foolish mob came and I fled hither. But I had a bit of bread +and meat; she dropped her basket of lunch. I've been hiding in yonder +tower," pointing upward. "I thought I might find + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page34" name="page34"></a>[pg 34]</span> + +what I want; and now, my dear, you will help me, won't you?" This he +said coaxingly. +</p> +<p> +"Help you? What can I do?" +</p> +<p> +"Such a simple thing. Hold very still while I draw the rich red blood +from your pretty white throat." +</p> +<p> +"You would not spoil my throat?" pleaded Jessie in winning tones, with +the courage born of despair; "such a very little throat," clasping her +soft fingers about it in unconscious paraphrase of King Hal's hapless +queen. +</p> +<p> +"But where else can I find the glorious stream so rich and red?" he +argued, with a perplexed frown. "It must be transfused into my own +veins, that I, too, may be young again." +</p> +<p> +"But not the throat! I could not sing any more then." +</p> +<p> +"Ah, so—I heard you singing; it was not loud; it pleased me. Yes, +'twould be a pity. Well, I'll tell you what I will do. I'll open a vein +in your arm—just here," laying his finger on the round white member. +"This will quicken the nervous centers. Then I will cut my own arm and +insert your blood at the opening till the two life-currents mingle in +one stream." +</p> +<p> +He paused and reflected a moment. The generous warmth of the fire, +together with the terrified girl's enforced quiet manner, were evidently +soothing to him. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page35" name="page35"></a>[pg 35]</span> +</p> +<p> +"Listen now, very closely: Here is my greatest scientific discovery. I +do not mean to impart the secret to another. It is the <i>transfusion of +brain!</i> Some other man's head got on to my shoulders, and my brain is +all wrong. Now with your red blood charged in my veins, and your young +active brain absorbed into my own uncertain head, I shall find the +elixir of life, and you will not have lived in vain." +</p> +<p> +Gracious Heaven! Did she hear aright? She had submitted to blood-letting +once to gratify an old family physician, who insisted upon the remedy; +and she felt almost brave enough to endure the operation again, if it +would only kill time and satisfy her tormentor. But to cut into her +brain! Merciful God! What should she do? She could not escape, for he +watched her with cat-like vigilance. Scream she dare not, for so did the +other frightened victim. She <i>must</i> try to gain time. +</p> +<p> +With a rapt expression he continued: "Since the days of Esculapius there +has been no such transcendent theory as this which is to make me famous. +All my weary nights of thought and days of study are to be rewarded at +last. Come child, are you ready? It will not hurt you. Only a little +pin-prick, and no pain. I would not pain you my dear." +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page36" name="page36"></a>[pg 36]</span> +</p> +<p> +What if he should let her bleed to death! Oh sister, oh lover, come, or +she would die of horror, if not the knife! And Katie—why didn't she +come! At this moment the sound of the train whistle in the distance +broke on the stillness of the night. How could she gain ten minutes +more? The man had not noticed the sound. +</p> +<p> +"What do you wish?" she asked sweetly, "What shall I get for you?" +</p> +<p> +"Only a handkerchief and a basin," he replied coolly, still fingering +a sharp lancet. "You are not afraid? Good girl; now for my crowning +victory!" +</p> +<p> +As a sleep-walker she procured the articles and bared her arm. Tenderly +he was binding it above the blue veins, when she said in winning tones: +</p> +<p> +"Let me tell you how I think would be the best way to do this—may I?" +and she fixed her large eyes upon him in entreaty. He paused, and she +continued: +</p> +<p> +"Now let me tie your arm in the same way. You open your own vein with +the lancet, then open mine, and quickly after mix the two while the +blood is warm. Do you see? You can't fail if you do it that way." +</p> +<p> +He looked at her. She did not flinch. +</p> +<p> +"Perhaps you are right; very well." +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page37" name="page37"></a>[pg 37]</span> +</p> +<p> +She arose as deliberately as she dared and went to her dresser for +another handkerchief. At the moment she opened the linen case her ears, +strained to the utmost, caught a murmur from below stairs. Turning +quickly to see if the man also had heard, the door was pushed open and +Katie's neat cap filled the aperture. +</p> +<hr /> +<p> +"Get on as fast as you can, driver," said George Randolph, as he and +Mabel took seats in the village stage. Then turning to his companion, he +said in reassuring tones: "Don't be frightened, dear; she is all right." +</p> +<p> +"I know it is foolish," said Mabel, half crying; "but those wretched +placards made me nervous, and all that talk about escaped murderers and +lunatics. I am fairly beside myself; do hurry!" +</p> +<p> +As the wide portals of Crestdale appeared, Mabel cried, in sudden +terror: +</p> +<p> +"Something is wrong, George; see how dim the lights are! She would never +welcome us like this. Don't wait to ring; open the doors!" +</p> +<p> +As George fitted his key in the lock and swung wide the door, a shrill +scream from above made their blood curdle. Shriek upon shriek followed, +as Katie came bounding down + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page38" name="page38"></a>[pg 38]</span> + + the stairs, almost knocking backward the +two who ran past her to Jessie's room. White and lifeless they found +her, prostrate, her arm still bound with the handkerchief. She had risen +nobly to the awful emergency, but succumbed when relief came. +</p> +<p> +In vain Katie continued a shriek that a murtherer was in the room. The +anxious watchers bent over their stricken darling, who was now lying on +her own bed and beginning to show signs of life. +</p> +<p> +Before they could ascertain what had happened, for Katie was crazed and +incoherent from fright, a furious ringing of the bell sounded long and +loud. Michael opened the door to a party of men who were in pursuit of +a strange-looking person whose face had been seen at the tower window; +whether an escaped lunatic from the state asylum, or an escaped murderer +for whom a large reward was offered, remained to be proved. +</p> +<p> +The search was instituted with George Randolph at the head. The victim +was soon unearthed, but in a moment, laughing wildly in the frenzy of +madness, he darted out upon the roof and, rather than be captured, +dashed himself to the pavement below. +</p> +<p> +All night they sat beside the brave girl, and bit by bit heard her +story. For days she was ill from the shock of her fearful experience. + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page39" name="page39"></a>[pg 39]</span> + +The wedding was very quiet, but George refused to have it deferred. +</p> +<p> +It was months before the bride could summon courage to live at +Crestdale, and she was a much older woman before she could refer with +composure to Katie's murtherin' ghost. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page40" name="page40"></a>[pg 40]</span> +</p> +<a name="h2H_4_0004" id="h2H_4_0004"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + Her Christmas Gift +</h2> +<h3> + A WHITE RIBBON STORY +</h3> +<p> +She was born on Christmas Day, and so came, with her little white +face and solemn eyes, into her pale mother's life. She was worse than +fatherless. The beast of a man she might have come to call by that +sacred name, would now be beside the snowy cot, weeping in maudlin +rejoicing over his new treasure, if the mother had not resolutely put +him away some six months before. +</p> +<p> +The world knew him as Judge Barrett, a man of fine family, superb +talents, and a magnetic orator. He might be, perhaps, too convivial on +occasions, but was not this a common frailty among Kentucky's great +men? The wife knew him as besotted and disgusting. What mattered his +learning, his eloquence, his aristocratic blood, or ample income? To her +alone he brought his degraded mass of humanity day after day; and though +never personally unkind to her, or to the little boy that died, she was +enabled by the might of her tearless agony beside that tiny bier, to cut +the last tie that bound her to the blear-eyed creature sobbing + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page41" name="page41"></a>[pg 41]</span> + + on the +other side. The last tie? Ah, woe was she! The coming time brought into +her desolate life the frail link she must now take up; and in the first +bitter realization of her wronged womanhood, the mother-love lay +dormant. +</p> +<p> +As the months went by the little Ruth twined herself in every fiber +about that lonely mother's heart, till she was loved with a love that +was pain. So jealously guarded, too, that never once had the father's +eyes fallen upon her, not even by chance. In vain he sent appeals just +to look on his little daughter; he would ask no more. He was refused, +and the baby's nurse did not dare transgress. +</p> +<p> +By-and-by Ruth was old enough to understand; and then she wanted to know +who her papa was, and why he never came home as Masie Morrow's did. At +this her mother would be terrified, and clasping her treasure close, +would tell her she must never ask about her papa; he was a dreadful man. +</p> +<p> +"Like Jack, the Giant-killer, mumzie?" +</p> +<p> +"Oh, my dearie, he is a great deal worse." +</p> +<p> +Again Ruth said; "I know, mumzie, my papa is a great black thing like +the pictures on the circus papers!" +</p> +<p> +So it came to pass that Miss Ruth fell to thinking about her father till +it got to be a sort of mania with her—wondering and wondering what it +all meant. Her life was secluded, + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page42" name="page42"></a>[pg 42]</span> + + but she was fondly attached to her +grandparents and to a number of friends who were received at the house, +while her mother was most tenderly enshrined in the faithful little +heart. +</p> +<p> +The mother had a comfortable income, and provided her little girl with +the best masters. She was a quaint, white-faced, solemn-eyed creature, +as she had been from the first. She said "old" things, her black nurse +declared, and she knew her little "missy" was under a spell. If so, the +spell was tempered by an almost idolatrous love on the mother's part. +</p> +<p> +When she was getting to be a romping big girl, she had just as queer +ways; too old for a child, though the sober, owl-like look began to +soften to an earnest expression, which on occasions verged upon a +twinkle in the deep blue eyes. Distant friends were now writing letters +of inquiry, and her father's relatives persistently urged Mrs. Barrett +to send the child to them for a visit. At last she took Ruth and went; +she would not trust her out of her sight. She was a pale, pretty, +gentle-looking woman, with a will of iron. It was to Judge Barrett's +sister, Mrs. Stanton, in a neighboring town, that they came. They were +afraid to mention his name, or hint at a possible reconciliation; but +they managed to + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page43" name="page43"></a>[pg 43]</span> + + make the young Ruth very much in love with her new +aunt, and merry, pretty cousins. +</p> +<p> +Meanwhile her father had gone from bad to worse, a confirmed drunkard, +though rarely too far gone to make an eloquent stump-speech when +occasion required. So popular was he that he had the sympathy of the +community in his domestic estrangement. Some said his wife was too hard +and unforgiving; all agreed that he should have been permitted to see +his child. +</p> +<p> +Ruth was seventeen years old and had long since exerted her filial +influence to the extent of going to her aunt, Mrs. Stanton, whenever +she wished. She had come to be quite a sensation in her father's native +village, his hosts of friends readily tracing a likeness to himself. She +was a sweet, rather wilful maiden, not exactly pretty, but very refined +and attractive. +</p> +<p> +Judge Barrett had always found a bed at his sister's, no matter at +what hour of day or night he chose to stagger in; but the large family +combined efforts to prevent the contretemps of a meeting between him and +Ruth. Their promise to her mother was too sacred for trifling, and they +loved the girl too well to risk being deprived of her society. Destiny, +or chance, was too strong for them. It was on a bright, sunlit day, when +Ruth was in an animated discussion with her cousin Roger + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page44" name="page44"></a>[pg 44]</span> + + upon the merits +of Vassar College, recently thrown open to young women, which he +declared was only a place where they transformed a girl into a boy. +</p> +<p> +"Never go there, Coz, if you wish to retain an iota of your womanhood." +</p> +<p> +"Prejudice, prejudice;" she retorted. "I do believe in the higher +education of women and I am certainly going to Vassar, if I can persuade +my mother to part from me so long." +</p> +<p> +"Why not take her with you?" Mrs. Stanton was saying, when horror of +horrors, there appeared at the side door of the large sitting-room +a flushed and tangled-looking creature, tottering and righting up +alternately. All eyes were turned upon him, and every voice was dumb. +Steadying himself within the door, he slowly surveyed the young faces +grouped there, till his bloodshot gaze fell upon Ruth's white, wondering +countenance. Perhaps she reminded him of the wife who had repudiated +him. Perhaps some dawning instinct was at work. He staggered up to the +girl, who never once turned her eyes, and placing a hand upon her head, +said in the words of Childe Harold: "Is thy face like thy mother's, my +fair child?" +</p> +<p> +Tears sprang to every eye; but Ruth, first gasping as with a revelation +from some long-dormant recess of her brain, arose, and catching his hand +as it fell powerless, burst out: +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page45" name="page45"></a>[pg 45]</span> +</p> +<p> +"<i>Who</i> are you? Are you my—father? Oh, tell me!" she appealed to +the group about her—"my father?" and stood breathless before him. +</p> +<p> +The word seemed to sober him with a mighty shock. He sank upon his +knees, her hands still clasping his, and burying his hot face in her +cool palms, murmured in choking accents: +</p> +<p> +"Her father—my child—my God, I thank thee!" +</p> +<p> +But the strain was too much. In a moment more he sank all in a heap upon +the floor, limp and lifeless. +</p> +<p> +Passionately the girl knelt beside him, and looked searchingly into his +now colorless face, while the others hastened with restoratives. Nor did +she leave him during the days of illness that followed, except when +obliged to rest. Little by little they had told her the story. +</p> +<p> +She only said: "Oh, I never dreamed he was like this. I used to think +he must be something inhuman, horrible. Then I found myself staring at +every stranger, especially if he was monstrous, or in the least hideous. +But I had given up all hope, and was afraid to ask." +</p> +<p> +"No, my dear child;" soothingly said her aunt, "your father is not +horrible, or hideous except that he is the slave of drink. He is not +inhuman, but a tender, loving creature. He is a gentleman, cultured and +learned. There + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page46" name="page46"></a>[pg 46]</span> + + is nothing fine in the language he cannot repeat, so +wonderful is his gift of memory. Oh, my child, can you not—will you not +help him? You can win him, I feel sure." +</p> +<p> +Ruth learned to love her father by reason of his idolatrous devotion +to her, as well as the powerful influence of his brilliant talents. In +those first days of convalescence he followed her feebly from room to +room, drinking in the joy of having her after the privation of years; +and one day folding her to his breast said: +</p> +<p> +"My precious child—my beautiful daughter—hear your father's vow! Come +what will, nevermore shall a drop of the accursed fire pass my lips. I +will redeem our name—I can and I will." +</p> +<p> +He kept his word. Ruth went to Vassar. She wrote long, loving letters to +her mother and father every week of her school life. Once she said to +her mother: +</p> +<p> +"You know what I wish, my darling mamma. You know that I long to unite +my two beloveds; but never shall I ask it. You must follow your own +heart. I believe my father will be worthy of us; I shall be guided by +you alone." +</p> +<p> +At first the mother was stricken down by the fierce throes of jealousy +and pain that rent her soul; but as time went on and she knew that she +was not supplanted, she grew quiescent. But she owned to herself that +she never could + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page47" name="page47"></a>[pg 47]</span> + + have sent Ruth away if it had not been to separate +her from her father as well. +</p> +<p> +On every side his praises were sung in her ears. He was rising higher +and higher in his profession, and one enormous fee in a contested will +case, had suddenly made him rich. Both were getting on toward middle +life, and he was slightly gray; but her brown hair lay in the same soft, +glossy bands, and her pure white face was placid as of yore. +</p> +<p> +Four years had passed, and Ruth's birthday was at hand. Her mind had +long been made up; and now Christmas light and gladness reigned supreme. +It was just at the close of the day when entering the fire-lit room upon +the arm of her tall, distinguished-looking father, she threw her arms +about her mother and whispered three words,—"For our sake!" +</p> +<p> +Then kneeling with courtly grace before her, he kissed the fair hand he +had won in his youth and in tones whose music had thrilled her girlish +heart, he spoke: +</p> +<p> +"My beloved, will you not trust me again? See—our darling has saved us +for each other." +</p> +<p> +And the last ray of the roseate sun lingered lovingly on the three as +the evening sank into blessed night. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page48" name="page48"></a>[pg 48]</span> +</p> +<a name="h2H_4_0005" id="h2H_4_0005"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + In a Pullman Car +</h2> +<h3> + A LOVE STORY +</h3> +<p> +It was rather late when Hervey Leslie threw the remains of a cigar from +the car window, and staggered through the jumping, jerking Pullman to +his berth. +</p> +<p> +The curtains were all drawn, giving to the car a funereal aspect, and +lights were turned down for the night. +</p> +<p> +Jerk, jerk, jolt and jump went the train around the mountain curves, +till the various hats and wraps suspended from the hooks seemed about to +tumble together. Suddenly something dropped through the curtains of the +upper berth opposite and lodged there. Involuntarily extending his arm +to catch it if it fell, our young traveler's eyes were riveted upon an +object which he now felt inclined to catch, whether it fell or not. +It was a small white shapely hand—a woman's hand; and the midnight +tresspasser would have been less than human if he had not risen to a +better view. There it was, just peeping between the heavy curtains, +white and blue-veined, with tapering fingers and shell-like nails. How +he longed to + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page49" name="page49"></a>[pg 49]</span> + + touch it! How tempting the rounded curve of the small wrist. +</p> +<p> +A prolonged lunge threw him violently forward, when grasping the rod to +save himself, his lips went plump against the coveted object. It was +only momentary, but it thrilled him as with an electric shock. When he +recovered his equilibrium the fair sleeper had withdrawn entirely out of +sight, and her involuntary assailant addressed himself to the duty of +disrobing. Long he pondered upon the "touch of a vanished hand," and at +last fell into uneasy dreams wherein the world had come to an end, and +he found himself at the gates of heaven, with five soft white fingers +turning the key on the other side. +</p> +<p> +"Last call for breakfast," shouted the porter next morning, and the +confusion of voices mingled with the noisy folding of vacated berths. +</p> +<p> +Parting his curtains, Hervey Leslie peered out, possibly to catch a +morning view of the pretty hand. +</p> +<p> +"By Jove! better still!" was his smothered comment, as he hastily turned +away. +</p> +<p> +What he had seen was the perfection of a French boot, buttoned high, and +protruding modestly below the curtains. Then a soft voice called—"Porter, +I should like to get down." +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page50" name="page50"></a>[pg 50]</span> +</p> +<p> +The steps were adjusted, and as she gently fluttered down, the listener +thought— +</p> +<p> +"What a shame I didn't have a chance to exchange berths with her! To +think of her being perched up there!" +</p> +<p> +An hour later Leslie returned from his cigar to find the Pullman in +order, and the refreshed occupants enjoying the books and papers +scattered about. It was not possible to mistake the owner of the hand +and foot, whom a glance revealed in her corner, looking quietly upon the +hurrying villages and farms. A coquettish hat rested lightly upon a +fluffy mass of golden brown hair, a dainty tailored suit fitted closely +the rounded figure, and the face that looked out of the window was sweet +and bright even in repose. The coveted hand, in spotless kid, shielded +the earnest eyes from the glare of the morning sun, and all in all, the +picture was one to tempt any looker-on. +</p> +<p> +Just as Hervey Leslie was puzzling his brain for a pretext, however +flimsy, to introduce himself, a lady came from the dressing-room and sat +down beside the beautiful unknown—a lady still young and handsome, and +so closely resembling the girl as to leave no doubt that they were +mother and daughter. +</p> +<p> +"What has Charlie done with himself?" was the pleasant question, met +with a smile so + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page51" name="page51"></a>[pg 51]</span> + + bewitching that the watcher was hopelessly ensnared. +</p> +<p> +"So, there's a party of them," he mused. "And who the deuce is Charlie?" +</p> +<p> +But when that youth appeared he proved to be only a brother, and not a +very big brother, at that. +</p> +<p> +Settling himself back in a corner from whence he could use his eyes and +ears as he dared, young Leslie drew forth a letter which he perused with +interest; in fact, he already knew it by heart. It ran thus: +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "MY DEAR SON, +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "Congratulate me. The all-important day is fixed for the 24th inst. + Come at once. Mrs. Dana is anxious to cultivate you, and my own + impatience is an old story. +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "Your affectionate father, +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "H.J. LESLIE." +</p> +<p> +"Confound Mrs, Dana!" was the son's comment, for upon the subject of his +father's second marriage he was distinctly undutiful. +</p> +<p> +For a while he lost himself in pictures of the new home, and mentally +resolved to absent himself as much as possible. He knew how his +opposition was grieving his father, who thought him most unreasonable: +but he persisted in refusing to see the lady until after the ceremony. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page52" name="page52"></a>[pg 52]</span> +</p> +<p> +Suddenly with a terrific lurch the train was derailed and plunged down +an embankment, not steep but rocky. The heavy Pullman toppled over, then +planted itself firmly in a bed of fresh earth, and was still. There were +wild cries of fear and pain, a loud crashing of glass lamps, and some +wrenching of seats. Leslie fell into a pile of great-coats, and flung +out his right arm just as the two ladies were dashed against him, and +a sudden sharp twinge made him oblivious of everything. +</p> +<p> +When he recovered consciousness he found himself being pulled out of +his corner, and realized by the agony of the motion, that something +was broken somewhere. With one mighty protest against such vigorous +handling, he relapsed into a dead faint. When he next opened his eyes he +was lying between cool sheets in a pleasant room, and bending over him +was the elder lady of the Pullman. The first bewildered look was rapidly +merged into a frown of pain, as a sense of discomfort made itself felt. +</p> +<p> +"He is coming round, doctor;" said the lady. +</p> +<p> +Then to him she said;—"you must be very quiet. Your shoulder has been +set. It is all right now. Heaven be praised that we did not kill you as +we fell!" she added aside, and her sweet motherly face showed the +sympathy he was in need of. +</p> +<p> +Then a voice at the door said timidly, yet + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page53" name="page53"></a>[pg 53]</span> + + eagerly,—"Mamma, +come—Charlie wants you." +</p> +<p> +The ladies vanished, leaving the doctor in charge. +</p> +<p> +Hervey soon gathered that they were at a farm-house near Columbus, Ohio; +that Charlie had a broken leg, that his mother and sister, along with +the others who had escaped injury, were stopping over to render service +to the wounded. +</p> +<p> +"Who are they?" he asked, curiosity getting the better of his pain. +</p> +<p> +"I think the name is Raynor," said the doctor; "Mrs. Raynor, Miss +Eloise, and the youth, whose leg we set this morning. But say, young +man, where are your people? Don't you want some telegrams sent? You are +not likely to get away from here very soon." +</p> +<p> +Young Leslie groaned as he gave his father's address at Cincinnati, then +exclamed;—"See here, doctor, can't you stop this confounded pain? What +the deuce is the matter, anyway? Do get me out of this." +</p> +<p> +The doctor gave him a soothing potion and bade him be quiet. He promised +to send a nurse, then went to look after the more slightly injured +patients. +</p> +<p> +Three weeks later found Hervey Leslie in dressing-gown and slippers, +setting beside Miss Eloise Raynor under a large shade tree, the + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page54" name="page54"></a>[pg 54]</span> + + young +lady reading aloud from Tennyson's tender rhymes. At an open window in +full view lay Charlie, still a prisoner, with his mother in close +attendance. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Leslie had paid several visits, and assured his son that the only +way in which he could repay him for postponing the wedding till he +should be well enough to witness it, was by becoming reconciled to his +new mother. At which the son smiled, for something had of late come over +the spirit of his dream that predisposed him singularly in favor of +weddings. A sort of low fever hung about him, which made it prudent +for him to remain in the country; and he rather fixed the time of his +departure when Charlie's leg should justify the whole party's leaving. +</p> +<p> +The young girl and her mother blamed themselves for his hurt and had +paid him every kindly attention. He had gathered the story of the petted +daughter, and in his enfeebled state their acquaintance made rapid +progress. Even now it required no acute observer to surmise the ravages +of the little god. No one interfered, and for once the course of true +love seemed to glide smoothly on. +</p> +<p> +He had confessed his aversion to to the prospective mother, and +endeavored to elicit sympathy by picturing to young Eloise what it would +be to have another fill her dear father's + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page55" name="page55"></a>[pg 55]</span> + + place. At such times her face +was impenetrable, and he intuitively grew to avoid the topic. +</p> +<p> +Ere Charlie was able to get about, young Leslie had fallen in love with +the whole family; and when he had sought and obtained the dimpled hand +he had so coveted in the Pullman car, laughingly told the mother he was +not so sure but that after all she was the one he loved best. A smile +passed over the regular features as she said meaningly: +</p> +<p> +"Only love me as a son, my boy, and I think we can be happy in each +other. But remember, a mother-in-law is a dangerous animal!" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Leslie was so happy in his son's good fortune,—for so he evidently +considered it—that he declared there must be a double wedding. +</p> +<p> +"You shall have your way," he added, with some pique; "and not see Mrs. +Dana till we meet at the church. Afterward, I'll risk the meeting!" +</p> +<p> +Some two months after the accident the programme was carried out. But +the Raynors had remained at the farm-house till the appointed day, the +young people growing all the while so distractingly fond of each other, +that the really short time seemed to drag with leaden wings. +</p> +<p> +Quietly one morning, in the presence of intimate friends, and quite in +the old-fashioned + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page56" name="page56"></a>[pg 56]</span> + + way, the two pairs of lovers walked up the church +aisle to the minister in waiting. The ladies wore rich traveling-suits, +and carriages waited to convey the immediate members of the family +to the wedding breakfast. The younger bridegroom saw nothing but the +sweet face at his side, though he started perceptibly when the service +revealed that his father's bride and his own bore the same musical name +of Eloise. +</p> +<p> +When the first carriage closed with a snap, there was a relaxing of +ceremony, and an interchange of congratulations, earnest, though +somewhat amusing. For when Hervey raised his eyes to the despised +mother's face, he saw there the soft features of Mrs. Raynor, while his +father smiled in contented expectancy. His own face was a study! +</p> +<p> +"Raynor?" he stammered. "Why I thought—I understood—" +</p> +<p> +"You said Raynor," was the teasing reply; "we never did." +</p> +<p> +"And whom have I married?" was his next question, with a grotesque +grimace at the demure young person beside him. +</p> +<p> +"Eloise Dana, an' it please your lordship. Do you mean to get a +divorce?" +</p> +<p> +"It's all right, my boy;" cheerily said his father, while all three +heartily enjoyed the denouement. "It was only a little harmless plot, + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page57" name="page57"></a>[pg 57]</span> + +you know, to bring you to your senses! Besides, you were in too delicate +a state of health to bear the truth!" This with decided relish. +</p> +<p> +"Bring me to my senses!" echoed the other. "You have about run me crazy! +Here I've gone and married my wife's brother to his sister, and the +fathers and mothers are all fathers-in-law and mothers-in-law. But, my +dear mamma," he added, with an 'Et-tu-Brute' look at the amused lady, +"I did not think you would play me false!" +</p> +<p> +"The temptation was too great," she confessed, "after I saw your name on +the tell-tale suit case; own the truth now, that as Mrs. Dana, you would +never have fallen in love with me!" +</p> +<p> +"Ah, well," he gave in, "let's kiss and make friends. As for you, young +lady," he exclaimed with mock fierceness, "I shall exact the most +implicit obedience. I must get even somehow." +</p> +<p> +"No—no—I did not promise to obey—brides never do nowadays," and the +little gloved hand went up to his lips in protest. +</p> +<p> +Catching it fast, he threatened to proclaim the first time her hand had +ever touched his lips, all unconscious though she was, and amid blushes +and happiness all around, they arrived at the house, where the whole +story had to be rehearsed to delighted friends, beginning with midnight +vision in a Pullman car. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page58" name="page58"></a>[pg 58]</span> +</p> +<a name="h2H_4_0006" id="h2H_4_0006"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + In Old Kentucky +</h2> +<h3> + A PRIZE STORY +</h3> +<p> +Everybody was at Crab Orchard springs, that favorite resort in the +ante-bellum days. What though the main rooms were cramped and stuffy, or +that the straggling cottages across the grassy lawn were mere shells. +It was a place thoroughly rural, thoroughly enjoyable. Merely to ramble +along the winding saw-dust walks to the deep embowered springs, was a +sufficient augury of improved health. It was the one daily excitement to +crowd up to the long platform and see the stage come in, bringing high +and low, the rich and moderate liver. The luggage was light, Saratoga +trunks being unknown quantities, and no gowns were brought except those +of the crushable kind that did duty at ten-pins, fishing, walking, +dancing, and not least, driving, for the gravel turnpikes were fine. +</p> +<p> +Across the wide street was Bachelors' Row, where were installed hunters +and hounds from the Southland, rich cotton and sugar planters, sporting +men and their sable attendants. Here the candles burned all night, and +there were + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page59" name="page59"></a>[pg 59]</span> + + loud whispers of games in vogue not as innocent as those +listed on the tempting advertising circulars of the Springs. This sunny, +summer life was of the <i>dolce far niente</i> sort, given up to idle +pleasure, and quite out of the way of the tragic happenings of romance. +Yet a mystery had managed to creep into this Arcadian realm, a thing not +at first tangible, but getting to be an acknowledged first-class secret +as the days went by. +</p> +<p> +Egbert Mason had been nearer the carriage than the rest of the sunset +crowd when the stage rolled up, followed by the close, luxurious-looking +vehicle so rarely seen in those parts. He declared he caught a glimpse +of a being, exquisitely beautiful among the two or three closely wrapped +and veiled women who descended from the carriage; and the young men were +on the <i>qui vive</i> some hours later to see the new comers enter the +ball room. But they did not appear either that night, or any other +night. They kept their cottage rooms closely, sitting out only in the +rear, and were waited upon by the two black servants they had brought. +Various were the conjectures about them, and vague stories soon took +shape. The hotel register told only their names: Mrs. Glencarron, Mrs. +Hamilton and daughter, from Mississippi. The daughter was an invalid, +and this was all that could be drawn from the faithful blacks. + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page60" name="page60"></a>[pg 60]</span> + + The +girls pouted, and mamas looked unutterables when their curiosity found +no relief; while the men were wisely silent, though equally diligent in +fruitless investigation. +</p> +<p> +It was past midnight, and the lights were out, when the ominous cry of +"fire!" sounded through the grounds, striking terror to the visitors +thus suddenly startled from their sleep, and emptying the cottages of +their half-clad occupants by one accord. A glance at the crackling +flames showed that Bachelors' Row was on fire and doomed. Men from the +distant village were soon on the spot with buckets, and amid frightened +cries, confused questions, and a general hurrying, scurrying of feet, a +few had presence of mind to cover the main building with wet blankets, +lest the trees now snapping and hissing might drop a blazing brand and +the whole place go down. +</p> +<p> +After the first panic had subsided there was nothing to do but stand +and watch the graphic scene; and while thus engaged the attention of +some was attracted by a face white and drawn as with pain among the +by-standers. It was that of one of the mysterious ladies of the southern +cottages. But even as they noted the faded beauty and aristocratic +bearing of the stranger she was hurried away by another figure closely +wrapped and hooded. Not before + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page61" name="page61"></a>[pg 61]</span> + + she had ejaculated: "Oh, what is it? +Is she——?" and there the words were lost. +</p> +<p> +It was somewhere near the early morning when Egbert Mason who had been +foremost in fighting the fire, was aroused by a voice just outside his +window, which was left open for the faint breeze of the summer night. +</p> +<p> +"Come quick iz you kin, young marster, fur de lub o'heb'n." +</p> +<p> +Between sleeping and waking the young man jumped up and peered out of +the window. He could just discern the prim red and yellow turban of the +black keeper of the strange ladies. +</p> +<p> +"Iz you a doctor, Marster? Dey says you iz." +</p> +<p> +"Yes—a very young one—what is wanted?" +</p> +<p> +The negress spoke a few very hurried words in a lower tone. +</p> +<p> +"All right. In one moment—stay—never mind—I have it—I'm coming." And +catching up something from the shelf of his closet the young doctor sped +away to the mysterious door of the southern guests. +</p> +<p> +He was met on the threshold by an anxious, grief-stricken face, and the +words half sobbed out: +</p> +<p> +"Was there no one else? None older? You—why, you are a boy." +</p> +<p> +"True, madam, but I am not without experience. + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page62" name="page62"></a>[pg 62]</span> + + I hope—I think, you may +trust me, unless——" +</p> +<p> +But she drew him hurriedly within the door, and on to an inner chamber, +where lay his patient, so guarded that he never once saw her face. +Before the earliest risers were called to the long breakfast hall there +echoed the cry of a little child in the southern cottages—a girl baby +that opened its eyes first in an atmosphere of secrecy and mystery. +</p> +<hr /> +<p> +Sixteen years had gone by. It was the eighth of January, and the Capitol +Hotel at Frankfort was a blaze of military glory. It was the annual +commemorative ball, and Strauss' band was pouring forth inspiring +strains, as the dancers, in fancy costumes of every age and clime, +flitted to and fro. The beauty, wealth and chivalry of Kentucky were +there. The stars and stripes were draped about the speaking portraits +of dead heroes, and munitions of war glittered on every side. +</p> +<p> +Among those wearing the neat broadcloth evening dress of the plain +American citizen was Dr. Egbert Mason, the famous surgeon, now a +distinguished looking man of thirty-five. It was rather late in the +evening when he appeared, and he was soon captured by his friend, + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page63" name="page63"></a>[pg 63]</span> + +the Hon. Leslie Walcott, who bore the distinction of being the youngest +member of the House, and presented to Miss Eleanor Carleton, the most +popular of all the belles and beauties on the floor. Her dress was an +exquisite personation of the stars and stripes, from the crown of stars +on her golden brown hair, to the gaily ribboned white satin slipper. Her +white muslin skirts showed the red stripes at intervals; a soft blue +sarcanet sash across her breast was stamped with the outstretched wings +of the American eagle, and in every detail this unique costume was +alluring to a degree. +</p> +<p> +Dr. Mason was more than impressed by her extreme youth, in its setting +of precocious womanly grace and charm. She was so happy and bright, a +<i>sans souci</i> maiden whom he lost no time in winning to his own +colors, by the magic of a well-stored mind and an eloquent tongue. A +sonsie, sweet-sixteen lassie, not yet out of school, but wonderfully +developed, like the southern girls of the period, whose parents were +possessed of ample means. He sounded her fresh, rich stores of mind and +found she had indeed been carefully taught, wisely trained. Not at once +did he learn it all, but soon enough to resolve to win and wear this +jewel, if only Providence were kind. Providence? Ah, there swept across +his face the shade of one bitter memory—one foul wrong + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page64" name="page64"></a>[pg 64]</span> + + that had +darkened his earlier manhood. A woman's fatal wiles, a man's trust +betrayed. He forgot that she had vowed vengeance if it took a lifetime. +He thrust it all aside, and turned to the purity and innocence of this +fair young womanhood, with the infinite longing of a starved nature. +</p> +<p> +The evening of the ball did not close without another surprise for +Egbert Mason. Eleanor Carleton was challenging him in a spirited +quotation contest when her mother approached leaning upon the arm of the +Governor of the State. She was a handsome, dark-eyed woman, young enough +to seem the elder sister of the lovely girl who called her mother. +</p> +<p> +"Eleanor, my child," she said, barely glancing at her daughter's +companion. "I've been looking everywhere for you. Have you been in the +draughts of those halls? Supper is ready." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, I've been in very good hands," was the merry reply, as the girl +introduced Dr. Mason, and shook hands with the Governor, who was looking +down at her with his kindliest smile. +</p> +<p> +"Madam," he said gallantly, "I must compliment you upon this exceedingly +pretty and patriotic dress. I have been watching it from afar all +evening. How could you conceive such a marked hit for the occasion." +</p> +<p> +"I hope it in order for me to say she never fails," proudly answered +Senator Carleton, an + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page65" name="page65"></a>[pg 65]</span> + + imposing looking man, who had come up in time to +hear the last remark. "The march is playing for supper—" +</p> +<p> +"Oh, mother—what is it?" cried the girl, suddenly directing attention +to Mrs. Carleton's face, which was colorless, almost ghastly, while her +eyes seemed gazing afar off into space. +</p> +<p> +"Allow me," said Dr. Mason, with concern, advancing quickly, and amid +the excited gathering of the little circle about him, he gently bore her +to one of the large windows, as the Senator in visible alarm threw up +the sash. +</p> +<p> +"To my room," she murmured, as she revived a little, and thither they +conducted her as quietly as possible. +</p> +<p> +At the door the startled young girl turned and impulsively clasping the +doctor's hand, exclaimed: +</p> +<p> +"Oh, Dr. Mason—what is the matter? I never saw my mother like this—is +she going to be ill?" +</p> +<p> +He tried to reassure her, though the touch of her soft, clinging fingers +set his blood dancing like wild fire in his veins. +</p> +<p> +That night old Ailsie knelt beside her mistress and soothed her with the +crooning tones of her childhood days. +</p> +<p> +"Don't you fret, Missie; he doan know + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page66" name="page66"></a>[pg 66]</span> + + nuffin' 'bout it now. An' if he +do he ain' gwine ter tell nobody." +</p> +<p> +That night, too, Egbert Mason, in dreams climbed a mountain height to +reach an eagle's nest. As he grasped the last wavering support a figure +glittering with stars dropped from the nest, suspended by a tattered +flag. Down, down it fell. Frantically he clutched at the frail colors. +They lengthened more, and more, till the starry, shimmering form was +swaying above a yawning abyss. Could he save her? Her—his young love +with the appealing eyes? With one mighty effort he nerved himself for +the desperate descent, when lo! from yon black depth appears the +vindictive face of Isabella Drury. Older, careworn, faded—but still +Isabella, and wearing the head of a Medusa. +</p> +<hr /> +<p> +"You shall never marry that girl, Egbert Mason! I have sworn it! If you +attempt it I will kill one or both of you!" and the face of the speaker +was like a mad woman. "Oh, I know all you would say," she went on, +striding about the rooms she had entered by strategy. "But she shall not +have you if I can not. Pshaw! What fools men are! Do you know who and +what she is? Where is your boasted pride, that shrank from a thing like +me! Let me tell you, + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page67" name="page67"></a>[pg 67]</span> + + then, you scornful, high mightiness! Eleanor Carleton +is——" and she hissed the hateful word in his ears. +</p> +<p> +"Woman! You lie!" shouted Egbert Mason, stung to frenzy by her taunts, +and sick unto death of her persecution. His was not a quiet nature, and +she had touched him in his sorest point. "You lie, and you know it! Out +of my sight! Tell all you will. I, too, can threaten. Your vile secret +is still safe with me, but I shall find means to be rid of you—Go!" +</p> +<p> +"Stop!" she commanded, coming nearer and dropping her voice to a +sibillant whisper. "Go back seventeen years to a summer night at Crab +Orchard Springs! Aha! you start, I see you have not forgotten. Do you +recollect the part you played that night? <i>She is that child!</i>" and +with a malicious laugh she swiftly passed from the room. +</p> +<p> +The man sat stunned where she had left him. Could it be true? And what +was the mystery of that far-away night of his youth? The more he +pondered the more complete grew the chain. Senator Carleton had married +a Kentucky girl, it was true; but her youth had been passed on a +Mississippi plantation. He had years ago heard more or less idle gossip +about the hard, miserly nature of the old planter, Hamilton, and of his +bitter opposition to his daughter's match with penniless young Carleton. +There + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page68" name="page68"></a>[pg 68]</span> + + had been an elopement, or something. It came back to him like some +</p> +<p> +hideous nightmare. His pure, spotless darling—his promised wife! Could +there be sin or shame enveloping such a being? He must know. He wrote to +Mrs. Carleton. In earnest words of manly truth and honor he besought her +to explain to him the past. Eleanor was visiting a friend in a distant +city. No answer came. He went to the house and was denied admittance. He +followed Eleanor only to learn that she had been hastily summoned home. +That was not the day of rapid transit. He returned at last to find a +letter of farewell forever—his beloved had been spirited away to other +scenes. Then Egbert Mason left his native land, baffled, broken-hearted, +and devoted the next three years to the study of special lines in his +profession. +</p> +<hr /> +<p> +In a stately drawing room of an ideal Kentucky home are Eleanor Carleton +and Egbert Mason, once more face to face. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, my love," he moaned, bending almost reverently before her, "what a +mistake, I knew it all when too late. The letters were all found when +that unhappy woman was sent to the asylum. Did you think I could change? +'Forget thee dear?'" he quoted unconsciously—he had said the lines so +often; +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page69" name="page69"></a>[pg 69]</span> +</p> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i2"> "God knows I would not if I could: </p> +<p class="i2"> For sweeter far has been to me the pain </p> +<p class="i2"> Of love unsatisfied, than all the vain </p> +<p class="i2"> And ill spent years I lived before we met." </p> +</div> +</div> + +<p> +Still she stood, gravely looking at him, her maturing beauty made the +fairer by the sable gown she wore. +</p> +<p> +"Forgive me," then she spoke. "I thought you knew. I have been Leslie +Walcott's wife these four months." +</p> +<p> +As he sat beside his solitary hearth there was a fumbling outside the +door. He opened to admit old Ailsie, now crippled with rheumatic pains. +</p> +<p> +"I know'd dat was you. Marse Doctor, 'n I follered yer, I want to tell +yer:—Mistress 'splained all 'bout dat 'fore she died. Dey wan't nothin' +wrong. Her an' her ma was 'feared to let old Master know she hed run +'way an' married Marse Henry. He said he wan't gwine ter will her nary +cent. So mistess and her sister, Miss Ellen, arter while, dey fotch her +up to de springs. Den ole master he died sudden like, an' Marse Henry, +he had done ben 'way off to New Auleens—never know'd dey had fooled old +Master 'bout de chile an' all dat. Po' Mistress! she nebber could tell +him no better, and she was always skeerd-like arter she seed you agin. +But she sot right down dat day and writ all about it + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page70" name="page70"></a>[pg 70]</span> + + to you an' I goes +and gives de letter to dat purty white lady what was sich a good frien', +and den she gimme yourn, ain——" +</p> +<p> +"Yes, yes, Auntie, I know—I have the letters here——at last," he added +in low, husky tones. +</p> +<hr /> +<p> +The <i>Louisville Journal</i> of the next New Year, under date of +January 9, contained the following notice, with lengthy editorial +comment: +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "Died suddenly last night, of heart disease, at the close of the + Military Ball, at the Capitol Hotel, Frankfort, the Hon. Leslie + Walcott, age thirty-two years." +</p> +<p> +Did hope stretch out an alluring hand to one lonely reader? +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page71" name="page71"></a>[pg 71]</span> +</p> +<a name="h2H_4_0007" id="h2H_4_0007"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + His Gratitude +</h2> +<h3> + VENGEANCE IS MINE +</h3> +<p> +"But surely you do not realize, Robert Garrett, that when you foreclose +this mortgage you leave us virtually penniless;" and the large dark eyes +of the suppliant were blinded by an agony of tears. +</p> +<p> +"Really, madam, I regret to seem hard;" and the polished courtesy of the +cold, harsh voice fell with heavy weight upon her strained senses. "Your +husband has had more time now than any law allows, human or divine." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, how gladly he would have paid the debt;" she moaned; "it was his +kindness and forbearance to others—kindness that seemed imperative. He +could not take the law against his crippled brother, his mother's dying +legacy to him. You know all this—you know, too, that if you will only +grant a little longer respite he can settle the claim, or the greater +part of it. How then can you be so cruel as to drive us out of doors! +You who need nothing of this world's goods!" +</p> +<p> +The man of business stirred a little, crossed his well-clad legs in +still greater comfort, and + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page72" name="page72"></a>[pg 72]</span> + + audibly repressed a yawn. Then as if +unwillingly forced to say something he did it as ungraciously as +possible. +</p> +<p> +"Again I say I grieve to proceed to harsh measures, but"—then as she +was about to interpose he broke out irritably, "God bless my soul, Mrs. +Blaine, how can you expect anything else! I am obliged to be accurate in +my matters, otherwise there would be no end to imposition from shiftless +men who are always going to pay but——never do." +</p> +<p> +"This, then, is your ultimatum, sir? You will turn me and my children +out wanderers from the old home where I was born—where I had hoped to +die? Can you do this? Even you, whom the world calls rich and prosperous +and——charitable!" As she spoke she bent upon him in fine scorn her +brilliant eyes dark and piercing. +</p> +<p> +"Painful things occur every day, my dear madam, in this transitory +life. And once in a while the tables turn. I think I remember a time +when I pleaded with perhaps not so much eloquence, but quite as much +earnestness, for a boon at the hands of pretty Mildred Deering. +I didn't get it, and I have survived, you see. We are apt to magnify +our misfortunes;" and a mocking smile told wherein lay the animus that +was her undoing. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page73" name="page73"></a>[pg 73]</span> +</p> +<p> +Then she drew her graceful figure to its full height, and with the +contempt of an outraged wife and mother, her words came in tones of +concentrated vehemence: +</p> +<p> +"So! Robert Garrett, this is your vaunted Christianity! You, the +immaculate pillar of the church—the friend of the outcast—the chief +among philanthropists! Grant <i>your</i> boon? Was there was ever a +moment in her sheltered life when Mildred Deering would have consorted +with the hypocrite you are? Never! Better a thousand times poverty with +nobility and truth in the man she loves. Better an age of privation with +Herbert Blaine than a single instant in the presence of such as you. Do +your worst! And may God mete out to you and yours the mercy you have +shown us!" +</p> +<p> +Clasping the hand of her little girl who had clung to her mother's +skirts, gazing with wide-open, awestruck eyes at the great man, she was +gone in a moment. +</p> +<p> +"Ah!" uttered Robert Garrett in a long-drawn-out syllable, reaching for +the evening paper. +</p> +<p> +There had been another silent witness of this scene in the person of +a lad who stood within the door he had entered just as Mrs. Blaine had +appeared in the opposite way. He was a rather ill-favored schoolboy, +but his thoughts as he came forward with the lanky awkwardness of + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page74" name="page74"></a>[pg 74]</span> + + youth +and took a chair in chimney corner, were not of himself or his looks. +</p> +<p> +"Father," he said after some minutes had passed, the rattle of the +newspaper and the measured ticking of the clock being the only +disturbing sounds, "Father," he repeated, this time with a falling +inflection. +</p> +<p> +Startled uncomfortably at the unexpected address the father peered +frowningly at the boy with a gruff, "What!" +</p> +<p> +"Do you think it is just the fair and square thing to turn 'em out?" +</p> +<p> +"What do <i>you</i> know about it, you young meddler. Keep quiet about +what does not concern you. You have enough to eat and wear—attend to +your own business." +</p> +<p> +There was no encouragement to go on, so young Robert sat and pondered +till his father, chafing under the silent rebuke personified in every +line of the son's uncomely face, sent him to his room. +</p> +<p> +In the other house there was little sleep; and for many succeeding days +the devoted Blaines, with heavy hearts, put by their idols one by one, +till at last the time-honored oaken doors closed upon them in relentless +banishment. It mattered not that amid new scenes prosperity once more +opened her sheltering arms and kept the wolf from the door. The new +owner of Deering Castle, as the villagers had admiringly + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page75" name="page75"></a>[pg 75]</span> + + christened the +grand old place, refused to sell it. Robert Garrett, with the littleness +born of a mean, cramped nature, clung to this coveted possession as the +one thing to be held, though all else were taken. He had money but knew +not how to enjoy it. His household, for the most part, reflected the +coarseness of his nature, and as time passed his retribution was meted +out in rebellious sons and daughters, who wasted his substance and +dragged down his name still further in the mire. +</p> +<p> +Twenty years had gone by. Herbert Blaine and his bright-eyed wife slept +in the city of the dead. With their latest breath they had, one by one, +adjured their beloved daughter, the only surviving child since the civil +war had laid low their three manly boys, to regain possession of the old +homestead. Time, they assured her, would make all things even, and long +before they laid down the burden of life, they had seen how the wife's +curse beat upon the head of the man who had so oppressed them. They had +learned to feel pity for him whom they had once despised. Not so Jessie +Blaine. She was a woman now, and had been, for a few brief years, till +death robbed her, a happy wife. But never could she forget that dismal +twilight hour when her innocent eyes had photographed the hateful, +sneering face of her mother's enemy; when her ears had phonographed his + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page76" name="page76"></a>[pg 76]</span> + +mocking words. The scene had haunted her waking and sleeping, for many +days; and still after all these years she could and did remember. +</p> +<p> +She rejoiced when she heard that wild Ben Garrett had broken nearly +every law of the decalogue, and was wrecking the peace of all who cared +for him. "They richly deserve it all;" she said, when some fresh +escapade or misdemeanor would come to light. He had squandered his +father's thousands aimlessly, recklessly, and was fast bringing his +white hairs in sorrow to the grave. Jessie Forrester only smiled as she +read these items from the local press. Riches and honors were hers. +There was nothing lacking but the dear old home of her people, and this +could not be bought. She climbed to heights undreamed-of in her earlier +days, and became a shining light in the world of letters. Her books were +read in two continents. Statesmen and distinguished circles sought her +till her name became a power in the land. Her influence was widespread. +In an eastern city she at last came to revel in her books and +manuscripts, or in her sweet, healthful, domestic loves, renouncing all +thoughts of revenge, for the time being, and abandoning the hope of +recovering the sacred pile where she first saw the light. +</p> +<p> +One day there came a letter bearing the postmark + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page77" name="page77"></a>[pg 77]</span> + + of her native town. +With difficulty deciphering the straggling, tremulous address, she +broke the seal and read as follows:— +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "Madam: +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "A heart-broken father appeals to you in his hour of extremity, to + save his son from the gallows. My boy—my wayward, reckless boy, + who was once as innocent and pure as yourself, has fallen into the + hands of treacherous natives and half-breeds in Arkansas, and they + accuse him of murdering a traveller for his money. He is guiltless + of this crime—God knows he is; but the weight of evidence is fearful, + and I am powerless to refute it. The proceedings have been hurried + over and the verdict is against him. +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "I am unable to go to him—I bring the case to you. Go, I beg of you, + to Washington and plead with the congressman from this, your native + district, and the Arkansas representative, who is your kinsman. Urge + them to see the President and prevail upon him to sift the evidence. + I realize most bitterly that I have no claim upon you, but oh, for + God's sake, Madam, do what you can for a distracted father. Hanging! + Oh, save him from that—and act quickly, for he has only five days + to live. I am crazed with anxiety and sleeplessness. +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "Your obedient servant, +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "Robert Garrett." +</p> +<p> +Jessie Forrester's hour had come. The revenge so ardently longed-for +since the hour her mother had invoked the curse of heaven upon + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page78" name="page78"></a>[pg 78]</span> + + this man, +was here. What though his boy did perish, by an ignominous death. A more +worthless cumberer of the earth did not exist. Ah! that cold, sneering +voice on the winter's eve so long ago; her mother's tears! As he had +sown so should he reap, and her hands would help to gather in the +harvest. Through him they had been exiled all these years from the home +that was their birthright. The husband of her early womanhood might +have been spared if only they could have nursed him back to health under +the cool shade of those grand old trees instead of languishing in the +hot city. Help this man? This incarnation of cruel selfishness? Not +she;—his boy should suffer the extreme penalty of the law. How could +<i>she</i> lift a voice to save him! "His boy?" Ah, through her tender +mother's heart there darted a pain all unwonted. Her own noble, gifted +boy—her all—what if untoward fate should have in store for him some +doom of shame—him, her idol and her pride. +</p> +<p> +She sat buried in thought till suddenly starting up she consulted +a time table, then rang hurriedly for her maid. She was ready in thirty +minutes, and summoning her young son, was soon enroute for the capital. +Arriving at ten o'clock she called a carriage and sped away to new +northwest quarter of the city. By midnight she had seen both +representatives and + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page79" name="page79"></a>[pg 79]</span> + + thoroughly enlisted their services. She gave no +reason for her intercession, nor was it necessary. It was enough that +she deemed it a case for intervention. Next morning the two statesmen +had an interview with the President, and by the hardest, for the mass +of evidence against young Garrett was overwhelming, got a stay of +proceedings till the case could be further investigated. +</p> +<p> +Well-nigh exhausted from the mental and bodily strain, Jessie arrived +at her home unfit for anything but rest. Then she answered her enemy's +letter. Did she reproach him with his life-long injustice? Did she +demand the old home in exchange for the service she had rendered? Or +at least the privilege of buying it? She merely wrote;— +</p> +<p> +"I have been to Washington and secured a reprieve pending further +sifting of evidence." +</p> +<p> +Ben Garrett was saved and the close view of the gallows sobered him at +last. He married the daughter of a Texas ranchman and Jessie heard of +him no more. +</p> +<hr /> +<p> +Five years passed away when on a gloomy afternoon in the autumn, Jessie +Forrester, now a woman of thirty, and wearing her years and honors well, +was sitting at her desk in an elegant + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page80" name="page80"></a>[pg 80]</span> + + sanctum, absorbed in the fate of +two lovers whose history she was creating. +</p> +<p> +Her door opened and a grave, handsome man with a bearded face stood +before her. +</p> +<p> +"Madam," he said briefly "you once did my brother a great favor. I am +here to thank you for it." +</p> +<p> +His brother? A favor? Ah, she had been doing favors for many in all +these years. She did not remember any particular one; it was an every +day matter. Every mail brought petitions and she never turned a deaf +ear. The doing of favors brought its own reward. +</p> +<p> +She looked steadily at the stranger, and he felt again in his inmost +soul the gaze of those large brown eyes seen once before dilated with +childish terror. +</p> +<p> +"My name is Garrett," he explained, as briefly as before. +</p> +<p> +Garrett—that hated name. Involuntarily her eyes fell upon the work +before her, while a warm flush mantled her cheeks. +</p> +<p> +"May I sit down for five minutes?" +</p> +<p> +She again raised her eyes without speaking, and he seated himself, not +looking at but beyond her as if her steady gaze unmanned him. +</p> +<p> +"Madam, my parents are dead. I have come to offer you Deering Castle +at your own price. I should not presume to suggest it as a gift. It is +yours if you wish it. I have heard so + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page81" name="page81"></a>[pg 81]</span> + + often," and here his voice fell +for very shame, "that you wanted it. It was not then mine to dispose +of; now there is no barrier; it is yours. I will send my attorney to +you." +</p> +<p> +Rising he lingered a moment with a certain wistfulness suffusing his +features, then made his way out ere Jessie could recover sufficiently +to bid him stay. +</p> +<p> +Her faculties were in a tumult. Deering Castle hers—the estate of her +fathers—the venerated old home hers at last. It almost took her breath +away. A Garrett was offering it. That name hated all her life. But did +she hate it now? +</p> +<p> +There was no more work that day for the author. Nor ever again did her +genius shine out in rapturing periods till she drew inspiration from the +grand environment of the old homestead. Here Robert Garrett is not an +unwelcome guest. Young Herbert is in fact quite devoted to the grave, +sedate man with the tender heart. Will his benign influence one day +still further cement the new friendship? +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page82" name="page82"></a>[pg 82]</span> +</p> +<a name="h2H_4_0008" id="h2H_4_0008"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + The Singer's Christmas +</h2> +<h3> + A HOLIDAY STORY +</h3> +<p> +The air of the December day was soft and mild. All the world was in the +streets, glad of a respite from the late cold "snap," which had brought +out furs and heavy wraps. +</p> +<p> +Signora Cavada was taking her accustomed drive, chaperoned by a +comfortable looking American woman; for this was an American city, and +the famous prima donna was winning nightly laurels at the Louisville +Opera House. +</p> +<p> +To-day, the carriage with its high-stepping bays sought a new +neighborhood, that the great singer might not be bored with repeated +views of the same places. As it bowled along an old man in tattered +garments approached, hat in hand, and held it toward the open window for +alms. The driver cracked his whip peremptorily above the straggling gray +locks of the suppliant, and drove on toward the suburbs. +</p> +<p> +"Who was that poor old man?" asked the singer in excellent English. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, only a beggar; the streets are full of + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page83" name="page83"></a>[pg 83]</span> + + them just before Christmas," +replied her companion. +</p> +<p> +"Is he very poor?" persisted the signora. "In my own country we have +beggars—they make a business of begging. But that was a grand face. +I shall go back again to look for him; tell the driver." +</p> +<p> +Accustomed to obey the caprices of her mistress, the duenna gave the +order and the carriage turned back. There stood the old man as before, +but this time he did not approach the equipage. +</p> +<p> +"Come here," said the signora, holding out a neatly gloved hand. +</p> +<p> +Fixing his faded eyes, now kindling with something like hope, upon her +lovely face, he came nearer, and at her bidding told his story. It was a +common one: Ill-health, a vagabond son, his earnings all gone, no work, +and finally beggary. +</p> +<p> +"And have you no one to take care of you? Where do you live?" +</p> +<p> +"In that old shed, madam," he answered, pointing to a tumbled down cabin +once used as a cobbler's shop. "And I have with me my little girl, my +grandchild." +</p> +<p> +"A little girl in that place? Where is she? How do you keep her?" +</p> +<p> +"Ah, madam, she makes flowers—her mother taught her—and earns a few +pennies now and + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page84" name="page84"></a>[pg 84]</span> + + then. She sings, too, madam," he added with pride. +</p> +<p> +"Sings?" eagerly echoed the signora. "Fetch her here; I want to see +her." +</p> +<p> +"She has gone away to the woods to gather evergreens. To-morrow is +Christmas Day." +</p> +<p> +"Yes, yes, I remember! And how do you celebrate the day?" added the +lady. +</p> +<p> +"In feasting and rejoicing," said the duenna, before the old man could +answer. +</p> +<p> +"And the poor? I have read some very pretty stories about the poor in +your cities on Christmas Day." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, the poor get along well enough," she said, with an accent of +indifference or contempt. "They have more than they deserve." +</p> +<p> +But the singer was again leaning toward the waiting figure outside, +seeing which the old man said as if in apology: +</p> +<p> +"That is why I was asking for help, madam; people are generous at +Christmas. But I have known better times; I do not like to beg." +</p> +<p> +The prima donna was not rich. She supported her own old father and +mother, and was educating her brother for a grand tenor. With one of +those quick impulses born of heaven, she ordered the driver to descend +from his box and throw open the carriage. When the roof parted and the +sunshine came flooding down upon her, the singer faced the crowd that +had + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page85" name="page85"></a>[pg 85]</span> + + been steadily gathering for ten minutes, eager to see the Signora +Cavada, whose voice was the most jealously guarded jewel of her store, +For she had been recognized by a chance passer-by. +</p> +<p> +Suddenly there stole on the air a divine strain that caused a hush as +by magic to fall upon the restless groups. Louder, sweeter, stronger, +more entrancing it rose, then sunk to the whispering cadence of a sigh. +The old man's hands were crossed before him, and tears poured down his +withered cheeks. Ere the charmed listeners realized that the voice had +ceased, the singer gave the poor supplicant a coin, and waving him +toward the crowd, which was increasing every moment, said,— +</p> +<p> +"Tell them I will sing again." +</p> +<p> +The old man went from one to another till the worn hat grew so heavy +that he had to carry it in his arms. Money for his needs, money for his +dear little girl. Then the signora sang again; when about to depart she +scribbled an address which she handed the bewildered man, and drove on +to her hotel. +</p> +<p> +What a Christmas was that! And what a feeling of happiness filled her +heart! And the duenna said nothing. +</p> +<p> +A day or two later the beggar and his grandchild appeared at the private +entrance of the hotel where the signora was sojourning. The + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page86" name="page86"></a>[pg 86]</span> + + paper he +carried in his hand was a passport, and he soon stood in her parlor. +He was dressed in a neat new suit, and the child was as sweet as a wild +rose. +</p> +<p> +"Come and kiss me, little one," said the beautiful lady. "I want to hear +you sing." +</p> +<p> +Unappalled by the richness of the apartment, and conscious only the +kindness shown her, the child, who was about twelve years old, sang one +of the popular street ballads of the day. +</p> +<p> +"Santa Maria!" exclaimed the signora, who always ejaculated in her own +tongue. "But you have a treasure here, my friend! The child is a wonder. +This voice must be trained—we will see—we will see." +</p> +<p> +Touching an electric bell, she summoned a messenger and hastily wrote +a line which she gave him. During the boy's absence she questioned the +strange pair in whom she felt so absorbing an interest, and gathered +what there was to tell of their daily life. Their neighbors were kind, +and the women exercised a sort of motherly care over the little girl; +but the very best there was to know seemed bad enough, and the singer +shuddered as she imagined the dreariness of such poverty as their's. +</p> +<p> +In answer to the call a young man stood before her. +</p> +<p> +"Beppo," she said, "your fortune is made; look at that old man." She +spoke in Italian, + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page87" name="page87"></a>[pg 87]</span> + + and the face of the artist, for such he was, lit up +with enthusiasm, as he marked the striking head and face of the person +indicated. "Your model for the Beggar of San Carlo," continued the lady. +</p> +<p> +Beppo Cellini, at the bidding of his countrywoman, at once made terms +with the old man to sit to him for his great Academy picture. +</p> +<p> +The little girl, whose voice now commands thousands of dollars on the +operatic stage, was placed under training at the joint expense of her +benefactress and two other artist friends. +</p> +<p> +The old man, Signor Beppo's model, is at rest now, but he still lives +in the "Beggar of San Carlo." And the Signora Cavada, among all the +good deeds of her charitable career, has never known a truer thrill +of happiness than she experienced on her American Christmas Day. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page88" name="page88"></a>[pg 88]</span> +</p> +<a name="h2H_4_0009" id="h2H_4_0009"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + Turning the Tables +</h2> +<h3> + A PRACTICAL STORY +</h3> +<p> +There was great commotion in the kitchen of a large seaside hotel not +many miles from Long Branch. A commotion in fact, that struck dismay to +the heart of the proprietor, who, upon visiting the store-room near by, +was caught and detained, an invisible listener to the uproar. +</p> +<p> +"I 'clar ter gracious!" screamed the fat, colored cook, "I aint a-gwine +ter stan' it no longer! Po' white trash a-layin' up in bed all mornin,' +an' den it's eggs! Eggs biled, eggs scrabbled, an' homilies (omelettes) +tell yer can't res' nohow! I'se mazin' tired of it all, I tell yer! I'se +gwine ter quit—I is!" +</p> +<p> +"You'se gwine ter quit—you is! I speck! I'm done heerd dat talk eber +day dis month," jeered cook number two. "Ef you quits you kin jest bet +yer bottom dollar I aint a-gwine to stay. Got more'n I kin do now—I is." +</p> +<p> +"An' what yer reckon dis chile's goin' ter do den?" pertly chimed in the +mulatto kitchen maid. "I'm got all de runnin' roun' ter do, an' yer kin +jist bet I don't have no easy time. + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page89" name="page89"></a>[pg 89]</span> + + Quit as quick as yer please—all +of yer—I'll go 'long wid de crowd!" and with a toss of her woolly +bangs, she dumped a pan of potato peelings out at the door. +</p> +<p> +"Dry up! dry up!" broke in the head waiter, appearing on the scene in +true autocrat fashion. He boasted of "right smart book learnin'," and +was a recognised power in the land. "You don't have no trouble at all to +what I do. It's run here, there and everywhere, all in a minute, with a +dozen blockheads to look after. And it's precious few tips I get here, +I promise you! I never see as stingy a lot o' people in all my born +days. Say! you there, Jim! fetch that tray along! What are you gapin' +at, nigger?" +</p> +<p> +"Don't you nigger me, you black dude!" retorted the darkey, and as +he spoke a smart chambermaid pranced along, flirting back at another +waiter, and ran plump against the boy, tray and all. Down went the +dishes with a clatter which brought a bevy of waiters and maids on the +scene, while the laundress rushed in, all dripping with soapsuds. This +so irritated the head waiter that he seized a teacup and threw it at +the unlucky tray man. Then followed a fusillade of broken crockery and +promiscuous dodging of giggling maids and explosive men-servants. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page90" name="page90"></a>[pg 90]</span> +</p> +<p> +The fat cook interposed a threatening, hissing tea-kettle to stop the +war, and the perplexed housekeeper appeared among the belligerents as +the overwhelmed proprietor beat a hasty retreat. Stealing unperceived +along the corridors, an idea struck him. This state of things was simply +dreadful; something must be done. He quickly decided. He despatched his +little son to the rooms and all about the premises to request the guests +to assemble to an affair of state in the imposing chamber known as the +main parlor. His wife was an invalid, and the poor man was beside +himself in his perplexity. +</p> +<p> +With wondering, smiling faces they came—a pleasing array of city +boarders—ease and comfort written upon every face. +</p> +<p> +His audience assembled, the distressed gentleman proceeded to pour forth +his grievances. He asked what he should do in such a dilemma. His help +had been engaged from the swarms of colored persons who infest the +stations and public resorts along the coast. They had given trouble ever +since the hotel was opened. They complained and annoyed him first about +one thing, then about another, till he was well on to the verge of +lunacy. +</p> +<p> +"Now, ladies and gentlemen," he pathetically continued, "if I try to +soothe and satisfy, and raise wages and make promises, what guarantee +have I that the same thing will not + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page91" name="page91"></a>[pg 91]</span> + + occur to-morrow, and next day, and +next week? I engaged them fairly and squarely, and have held strictly +to my contract. They are so spoiled and unmanageable that there is no +satisfaction in their service. Even now, while I am talking they are no +doubt still in an uproar. Why, it is a wholesale mutiny. Something must +be done at once. I have come to you for advice. If, as I say, they could +be persuaded to remain, I cannot promise you any comfort. If I discharge +the whole crew, it will be a day, perhaps two days, before I can supply +their places; for I shall have to go to New York for white help. Can you +solve the problem?" +</p> +<p> +For a moment there was silence. Then Miss May Delano, a handsome, +wealthy city girl, said, with a challenging glance all around: "I'll +wait upon the table for my part, if somebody will get me something to +serve!" +</p> +<p> +This was received with an outburst, and instantly all was chatter and +confusion as they caught up the spirit of the thing. +</p> +<p> +"I'll fill the orders as fast as you can take them," boasted a Wall St. +exquisite, who would have unbent his dignity to any degree to please the +bewitching heiress. +</p> +<p> +"I'll help anywhere—wherever I'm needed," exclaimed another city belle. +</p> +<p> +"And I!" came in chorus. "We'll be chambermaids," + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page92" name="page92"></a>[pg 92]</span> + + said a party who had +just donned bathing suits of blue flannel. +</p> +<p> +"All right! Get to work!" commanded the crowd. "You have on just the +dress for the business." +</p> +<p> +"Well, Mrs. Ingalls," smilingly encouraged a plump matron, "I suppose +we might do as good cooking here as we have done at home in times of +emergency. Shall we try?" +</p> +<p> +"I'm agreeable," laughed the lady. "That is, if we can manage the +range." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, leave that to me," said her husband. "I guess I've handled ranges +before." Which caused more merriment, since that gentleman's business +was in the hardware line. +</p> +<p> +Fresh came another bevy of rosy faces, whose owners declared that they +had been to a cooking school and knew all about it. +</p> +<p> +"Nothing like practical demonstration," bantered the young men. +</p> +<p> +"Hurrah!" cried one Hamilton, the pet of the house. "Give me the girl +who can don a white apron, roll up her sleeves, and plunge her pretty +arms into the flour barrel! That's what I'm looking for!" and he +cleverly balanced a chair on his chin, amid a clamor of repartee and +good-natured defiance. +</p> +<p> +"Go in, the whole ship's crew!" fervently urged a family man. "It will +be the best fun of the season." +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page93" name="page93"></a>[pg 93]</span> +</p> +<p> +"All right!" promptly agreed the ladies. "We are ready. Now, hurry up +and get on your porter's apron in time for the next wagon of trunks. +Pray, call us when you are about to shoulder one!" which turned the +laugh on the muscular member of the group. +</p> +<p> +"I think I'd rather be parlor maid," sweetly chimed in a little blonde +beauty, with fluffy bangs. +</p> +<p> +"Suits you to a T," was the gallant response from the younger men. +</p> +<p> +"And I'll have to stand guard to keep you from flirting," put in an +adorer. +</p> +<p> +"Pot calling the kettle black!" was the saucy fling from a chorus of +school-girls who were enjoying their first seaside vacation. +</p> +<p> +"Now, grandma," exclaimed the parlor maid to a beautiful old lady with +silver hair, "you shall have a big chair right in the middle of the +dining hall, and be manager-in-chief." +</p> +<p> +Meanwhile the landlord had been overcome. +</p> +<p> +"Ladies," he now managed to articulate, and certainly he meant it, "I +don't know what to say; I don't know how to thank you. But I know what +I'll do; I'll turn away the last one of those quarrelsome blacks; root +and branch they shall go. I'm tired of living in bedlam. I shall go down +at once and start them; then I'll telegraph to New York and + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page94" name="page94"></a>[pg 94]</span> + + take the +first train out. Rest assured I shall be back to your relief as soon as +possible." +</p> +<p> +The proprietor had made himself heard in the confusion, and as he left +the parlor hearty cheers followed him, when immediately the groups of +talkers broke out again into plans and promises. +</p> +<p> +"Organize! Organize!" thundered a big man who had been jostled from his +morning paper. "There can be no success without system." +</p> +<p> +"Hear! Hear!" roared the fun-loving fellows. "Down with the crowd to the +lower regions! Come on with your constitution and by-laws! Hold fast to +law and order! Give us liberty, or death—pumpkin pies and lily-white +hands! Hurrah! On to the kitchen!" +</p> +<p> +With mock circumspection they were forcing couples to pair off; but +the level-headed matrons soon arranged matters more to the purpose. +The various branches of work were assigned to willing hands that only +awaited the signal for action. +</p> +<p> +Great was the consternation of the mutineers when the "boss" appeared +in the dismantled kitchen and ordered them all off the premises. In vain +they protested, laying the blame on first one and then another. Their +day of grace was ended and no quarter shown. Wilfully and from sheer +love of bickering, they had + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page95" name="page95"></a>[pg 95]</span> + + offended all sense of justice and propriety, +and in unbroken ranks they must go. +</p> +<p> +When the fiat had irretrievably gone forth, they showed again the claws +and the cloven foot. The "cook-lady" said she "didn't hafter work +nohow;" she reckoned she could "git along." The maids and the waiters +took the cue and were equally independent. But though paid their wages +in full, they were discharged without "a recommend"; and this, in the +height of the season, was no small privation. +</p> +<p> +"Teach them a lesson!" muttered the proprietor with satisfaction. +"Serves them right! I'm rather glad of the row." +</p> +<p> +Cheerily the guests fell to work in their several departments, and if +more than one match for life was not made among the young people, it +was from no lack of genuine admiration in their new roles. The lads +and lassies were happy and rosy and busy at their self-appointed tasks. +The white-coated waiters were dubbed "No. 47," "No. 50," and so on, and +right nobly they served the well-spread tables, which lacked nothing, +not even the boon of contentment, which so helps digestion. +</p> +<p> +The flushed matrons behind big kitchen aprons, with diamonds locked away +in the hotel safe, took turns to perfection. Many guests + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page96" name="page96"></a>[pg 96]</span> + + took their +ease, and were mere lookers-on at the frolic; but a right goodly company +put their shoulders to the wheel. +</p> +<p> +When the new corps of "help" were installed, they found the hotel clean +and tidy from attic to cellar, and everything in its proper place. +</p> +<p> +The episode was one to be remembered by the malcontents, who had had a +severe lesson; by the host, who had seen a genuinely good side of human +nature; and the ladies who had so nobly stepped into the breach, learned +during their brief period of servitude to be more patient and +considerate to those who serve. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page97" name="page97"></a>[pg 97]</span> +</p> +<a name="h2H_4_0010" id="h2H_4_0010"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + How She Helped Him +</h2> +<h3> + STORY OF A WIFE +</h3> +<p> +"Well, tell me about Henry Woodruff. How did that match turn out?" +</p> +<p> +"Bad enough thus far. He is the same delightful, good-hearted fellow as +of old; always ready to do a kind, or courteous act. But this woman will +be the ruin of him." +</p> +<p> +"How? What is the trouble?" +</p> +<p> +"The trouble is she is spoiled to death! She fancies herself an invalid, +lies around, does nothing but read Charlotte Braeme and Bertha M. +Clay—has every foolish whim gratified, and, in fact, I don't see how he +stands it." +</p> +<p> +"Did she have any property?" +</p> +<p> +"Not a cent. It was an out-and-out love match. She has expensive tastes; +she is indolent and extravagant. Why, his carriage hire is a big item of +itself. She couldn't walk a block, you know." +</p> +<p> +"Perhaps she really is a sufferer." +</p> +<p> +"Nonsense; nobody believes it. She had that fall, you recollect at the +skating rink. At first her spine was thought to be seriously injured. +Woodruff paid out several hundred dollars + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page98" name="page98"></a>[pg 98]</span> + + to have her cured, and the +doctors discharged her, well, they said. But it has pleased her to drag +around, a load on his hands, ever since. It is thought that he is much +crippled financially. I know positively that he has lately mortgaged his +interest in the firm. If he can't manage to make, or save five thousand +dollars by the end of this year, it is all up with him. And he will +never do it at his present rate of living," +</p> +<p> +"Why doesn't he tell her? Has she no sense, or feeling at all?" +</p> +<p> +"None, except for herself; and he is so fond of her that he will indulge +her to his very last cent." +</p> +<p> +"I thought he looked a little down as he passed us this morning." +</p> +<p> +"Yes, he is beginning to realize that he has gone too far, and, poor +fellow, it is tugging at him hard." +</p> +<p> +Did she hear aright? Was it of her, Eleanor Woodruff, that they were +talking? Swiftly she sped out of the dark, heavily-curtained back parlor +of the stylish boarding-house, and into her room, a gorgeous alcove +apartment on the first floor. She could not mount the stairs on account +of her weak spine. Weak spine? She forgot all about it as she paced the +floor, angry tears gushing from her large brown eyes. It was shameful—it +was wicked—to be so abused. + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page99" name="page99"></a>[pg 99]</span> + + She had never in her whole petted life been +found fault with. As to money, what did she know about it? Her father, +before his failure and death, had always gratified her. Her husband had +never made any difference. These men were friends of his. +</p> +<p> +Her bitter sobs ceased, and her wounded vanity gradually lost itself +in better thoughts. Did all her world think of her like the scathing +criticisms of those two chance callers, who thus killed the time of +waiting for someone to come down to them? She began to feel glad that +she had overheard it. The merest accident had sent her into the back +parlor. Was it true? What ought she to do? What could she do? Her dear, +kind husband in trouble, and she the cause. Long she sat buried in +thought, and when the well-known step sounded at the door her face was +radiant with a new resolve. +</p> +<p> +He came to her large easy-chair with a step somewhat weary, but his kiss +was as usual. +</p> +<p> +"All right, Nellie? Had a good day? Why, you look—let me see—how do +you look?" he satd, his kind eyes noting the brightness that shone in +hers. +</p> +<p> +"I look as if I love my big boy very much, don't I?" she responded +merrily. +</p> +<p> +His answer was another kiss, and as he turned toward his dressing +closet, her heart ached with unspoken tenderness. Her dinner was brought + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page100" name="page100"></a>[pg 100]</span> + +in. She was not considered strong enough to sit at table. For this +service an extra charge was made. +</p> +<p> +Later, when he opened the evening paper, she sat and watched him. Surely +those lines of care were new, now that he was not smiling fondly upon +her. Oh, foolish, selfish wife! Rising gently, her long silken tea-gown +trailing behind her, she stood beside him, one slender white hand upon +his shoulder. +</p> +<p> +"Well, dear, what now? Another new gown?" he asked, with his old, sweet +smile. +</p> +<p> +She pressed her lips in a slow, reverential fashion, upon the broad +white brow, another pang at her heart. Then she spoke: +</p> +<p> +"Not this time. Harry, dear, let's go to Mrs. Wickham's to board." +</p> +<p> +"Mrs. Wickham's!" he echoed. "Why, you wouldn't stay in her dull little +place a week." +</p> +<p> +But even as he spoke there flashed through his mind in rapid +calculation, "Twenty dollars a week there, forty here; eighty dollars +a month saved; nearly a thousand dollars a year." +</p> +<p> +"Don't you like it here?" were his next words, as he glanced around the +luxurious suite. +</p> +<p> +"Yes," she said, "except there are too many people. It is so noisy." +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page101" name="page101"></a>[pg 101]</span> +</p> +<p> +"Very well, then, we will try it; anything to please my darling," and he +drew her close, wrapped in his arms as one might lull a restless child. +</p> +<p> +The move was made, and Eleanor found that she was not as much fatigued +as she had often felt after a day's lounging with a novel. Her husband +thought it only a new whim; but as it was not expensive one, he could +not remonstrate. When he wanted to take her driving, she playfully told +him she was learning to walk—horses made her nervous. +</p> +<p> +The first step, she thought; now for the next. It came to her almost by +magic. In a little rear hall-room sat Margaret Dewees, clicking away at +her typewriter. A strong, clear-headed girl who had maintained herself +these ten years, and had put by her savings. She was soon to be married +to a stalwart young farmer, the lover of her early youth. They had been +working and waiting. From the first she took an interest in the young +wife, and it was given to her energy and common sense to help a +suffering sister. Together they plotted and planned. Eleanor's lassitude +gradually passed away under vigorous rubbing and brisk walks. +</p> +<p> +Margaret's trousseau was a thing to be considered. From Mrs. Woodruff's +surplus stock of stylish gowns and garments the country + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page102" name="page102"></a>[pg 102]</span> + + girl's outfit +was deftly concocted. The young wife could sew neatly and rapidly. When +all was ready the sum of two hundred dollars lay in her writing desk. +Her grand piano, too large for the new quarters, was removed from +storage to a dealer's, and was sold for three hundred more. She wrote at +once to an uncle in a Western city; told him of her little efforts, and +asked what she might do with her mite. He was a real estate man and +promptly invested it in a lot in the rising town of Duluth. +</p> +<p> +In exchange for her services as seamstress, Margaret taught Eleanor the +use of the typewriter. When she was married she left the instrument, for +the summer months, in Eleanor's care. A nominal rent was agreed upon, +and this was easy to pay, as Margaret's engagements were transferred to +the new operator, while she, herself, attended to chickens and cows, and +her six feet of husband. +</p> +<p> +Eleanor's spirit of enterprise did not stop here. She obtained pupils on +the type-writer machine at five dollars each. She shipped a lot of old +party dresses, crushed and out of style, to the costumer's on B—— +street, and saved the proceeds. Every time her husband handed over her +allowance of pin money, she put at least half of it in her "strong box." +</p> +<p> +It was hard to hide all this activity and cheerfulness from him, but she +did. With her + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page103" name="page103"></a>[pg 103]</span> + + woman's enjoyment of a little mystery, and her high +resolve to show herself worthy of him, she kept in the old rut as nearly +as possible when he was at home. He saw only that she was stronger, and +it lightened his labors. +</p> +<p> +"My little woman does not ride, or read, any more," he said one evening, +in the indulgent tone he used towards her. +</p> +<p> +"Why, yes, I do read. Don't you see my little library there?" +</p> +<p> +"Yes, but it seems to me I miss something." +</p> +<p> +He missed the litter of trashy novels he had been wont to see. +</p> +<p> +"I told you I was learning to walk;" she added, with a smile, "I really +do walk somewhere every day." +</p> +<p> +"That pleases me most of all," he said in his cheery way, "but what will +Dr. Bull think. You know he prescribes rest and quiet." +</p> +<p> +"I don't care one bit; I have long since cut his acquaintance." +</p> +<hr /> +<p> +The end of the year rolled round. Eleanor watched her husband's face +with ever increasing anxiety. One evening he sat buried in thought from +which all her endeavors could not rouse him. He did not feel well, he +said. All night he tossed and muttered. Calculations and figures were +uppermost. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page104" name="page104"></a>[pg 104]</span> +</p> +<p> +He was up early, as usual, and away. Eleanor hastened her preparations, +and carefully counted her little hoard—the earnings of months. Early +in the afternoon she came home with the proceeds of her last batch of +type-writing, glowing with exercise, and the happiness of contributing +at least some hundreds to meet her husband's creditors. He was there, +lying on the sofa, pale and hopeless. Forgetting all else, she flung +herself beside him with a sob. +</p> +<p> +"Oh! Harry, my dearest! Tell me what it is that is killing you—I have a +right to know." +</p> +<p> +"It is ruin, Eleanor. I have brought you to poverty—you whom I would +have given my very life to make happy." +</p> +<p> +"You are talking in riddles, Harry," she exclaimed, rallying from her +alarm. "Am I not the happiest woman in the world? And don't you see how +well and strong I am?" +</p> +<p> +She coaxed the whole story from his lips. Then with affected lightness, +she said: "Is that all? Why, you frightened me terribly; I thought you +were ill—had caught some horrible disease or other. See here!" +</p> +<p> +As she spoke she ran to her desk, took out her treasure, and poured it +into his hands in her impulsive fashion. +</p> +<p> +"Eleanor! What is this?" staring like one dazed, from her radiant face +to the notes in his hands. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page105" name="page105"></a>[pg 105]</span> +</p> +<p> +"This? Why, this is only your silly wife's laziness and selfishness in +another form." +</p> +<p> +Then her story had to be told. Their combined efforts still fell short +of the required sum, but she triumphantly produced the deed to the +Western land. For a season there were caresses and even tears, of mutual +love and thankfulness. +</p> +<p> +"My precious wife!" he exclaimed, as he clasped her close. "What a +treasure in you, if all the money in the world should fail!" +</p> +<p> +"But your piano!" he said, with regret overreaching his appreciation of +her sacrifice. +</p> +<p> +"Let it go," she merrily replied. "I could not play worth listening +to—this you must admit. It was just an expensive, cumbersome +toy—that's all." +</p> +<p> +Next day the balance of the debt was borrowed upon the security of the +western deed, and Henry Woodruff was a free man once more. When the five +hundred dollars jumped to thousands in a sudden boom, he bought a neat +home. Here, Margaret, the valued friend, supplied produce from her farm. +</p> +<p> +Eleanor was never quite content till Harry had looked up her two +maligners, and brought them to the pleasant domain where she presided, +and which her painfully awakened energy had helped to buy. In time she +told her secret, and thanked them for that ten minutes' gossip. In time, +too, sons and daughters came and found a mother prepared by self-denial +for the exigencies of life. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page106" name="page106"></a>[pg 106]</span> +</p> +<a name="h2H_4_0011" id="h2H_4_0011"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + The Iron Box +</h2> +<h3> + A MYSTERY +</h3> +<p> +Twilight dropped its soft, somber curtain upon a handsome southern +home. Sadly out of keeping with the peaceful landscape and cheerful +hearthstone, were the feelings of a man who crept close to the window +shutter, and peered cautiously within the cosy apartment. And brighter +grew the twinkle in his rapacious eyes as the brilliant objects upon +which he glared shone in the lamplight. +</p> +<p> +Upon a table in the center of the room was a mosaic casket, the raised +lid disclosing a collection of jewels rarely to be found in the +possession of a single individual. +</p> +<p> +With glowing cheeks and radiant eyes Netta Lee surveyed her treasures; +but the glow and sparkle were for the tall figure beside her, however +her feminine pride might be gratified at this splendid array. So long as +Richard Temple honored her among women with his heart's devotion, there +needed not the glitter of gems to complete her happiness. +</p> +<p> +"Our friends are most kind with their wedding + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page107" name="page107"></a>[pg 107]</span> + + gifts," said the +prospective bridegroom, "these are royal!—" +</p> +<p> +"Yes, and oh, Richard! just see these pearls. Exquisite, aren't they! +One hundred years old, and a present from my grandmother." +</p> +<p> +"What a queer, old-fashioned case," said Mary, a younger sister taking +up the flat, square box of red morocco, where nestled in its white satin +lining lay the milky brooch and ear-rings. +</p> +<p> +"So much the more valuable; in this love-of-the-antique age," remarked +Bertha Lee. "Netta, who sent these gorgeous corals?" +</p> +<p> +"Aunt Winifred;—wasn't it good of her?" +</p> +<p> +"Pooh! No more than she might do for each of us," replied the saucy +girl. "Heigho! I wish my fate, if I have one, might appear. Couldn't +you innocently suggest to the old lady that I have no jewels for the +all-important occasion—a bridesmaid, too?" +</p> +<p> +"Why not select from these?" said Richard. "There is enough here, and to +spare, for all. Let's see—pearl, diamond, amethyst, coral, emerald, +turquoise, filagree—I declare it is a veritable jeweler's display." +</p> +<p> +"You must recollect, though, Richard, I had some of these before." +</p> +<p> +"Her friends seem to have discovered her weakness," observed Mrs. Lee, +entering the room. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page108" name="page108"></a>[pg 108]</span> +</p> +<p> +"Now, mother, you shall not say that. You forget the carloads of things +that have come—nice, useful, domestic articles——" +</p> +<p> +"Richard, what is it? What is the matter?" suddenly exclaimed Mrs. Lee, +looking at him. +</p> +<p> +In alarm Netta glanced at his face, which she saw was clouded from +anxiety, or pain. At once she closed the casket and went to his side in +great concern. +</p> +<p> +"What is it, dear? Are you ill?" +</p> +<p> +"Not ill in body, my love; hardly comfortable in mind," was his reply, +as he sat down upon the davenport close by. "Sit here beside me, and +I will tell you what is troubling me. No, don't go," he added, as the +others started to leave the room, "it concerns us all." +</p> +<p> +"Don't look so alarmed," he said, reassuringly, to his betrothed. "It +is only this. News reached Columbus to-day that Baywater's gang is near +Villula, and as usual their progress is marked by bloodshed and outrage. +The feature that concerns me most is that if I am detailed for duty, it +will of necessity postpone our marriage." +</p> +<p> +Various expressions broke from the ladies, and Netta exclaimed in +terror: +</p> +<p> +"But you will be in danger, Richard. Can no one else go?" and she clung +to him as though her frail clasp could keep him in safety at her side. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page109" name="page109"></a>[pg 109]</span> +</p> +<p> +"I fear not. The state militia must do its duty. You would not have +me skulk in the hour of danger. But there really is no danger for me, +Netta. The sole trouble is in the change of our plans." +</p> +<p> +But they remembered too distinctly Baywater's last visit to derive the +comfort conveyed in his words. +</p> +<p> +"And where must you go? What must you do?" tearfully asked Netta. +</p> +<p> +"I can scarcely tell. We shall be required to watch the premises of the +citizens, and to convey all valuables to places of safety. The policy is +not to provoke a battle, but to entrap them nearer and nearer the city +by holding out baits till they can be apprehended in a body. To do this, +we shall be divided into small squads, perhaps only two persons allotted +to a station." +</p> +<p> +It was apparent to the elder lady that the plans had already been +arranged, and Temple's duties mapped out. +</p> +<p> +The man at the window strained his ears to catch the topic which +evidently excited profound interest. A word or two reached him, and he +saw Temple point to the box of jewels. Then, as the door opened, he +heard him say: +</p> +<p> +"Remember—the first thing to-morrow—Dry Thicket." +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page110" name="page110"></a>[pg 110]</span> +</p> +<p> +Ere the departing visitor could come upon him, the straggler bounded +over the fence and hurried away. But he had learned enough. +</p> +<p> +A sound, real or fancied, caused Richard Temple to glance down the +starlit highway, in time to see the fleeing human figure. In newborn +apprehension he returned to the parlor door, and was admitted in some +wonder by the ladies, who were still discussing the situation. +</p> +<p> +"Is Lawrence at home?" he asked. +</p> +<p> +"Yes—why?" +</p> +<p> +"I think I'll turn in with him to-night, if he will give me half a bed. +I fear you are not safe with those jewels in the house." +</p> +<p> +"Certainly," responded Mrs. Lee with ready hospitality. "You may have a +whole bed and room, too, if you like." +</p> +<p> +"Thanks, madam, I prefer to concentrate forces. Give me the box, and you +ladies go to rest. We'll protect you;" he valiantly added, as the young +son of the house now appeared. +</p> +<p> +Richard Temple was not mistaken. A little after midnight the watchers +heard a noise as of sawing, or filing. Peering from an upper window they +located the sound at the parlor shutter, and soon discerned the figure +of a man in a crouching attitude. Swiftly and noiselessly the young men +stole down and out by a back door, and were creeping upon the burglar to +capture him, when a short, quick bark from the + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page111" name="page111"></a>[pg 111]</span> + + house dog startled the +man, who fled precipitately. The pursuers fired, but it was too dark to +see beyond a few yards. +</p> +<p> +The ladies, aroused and alarmed, were soon reassured, but persisted in +sharing the remainder of the vigil. +</p> +<p> +Early next morning, leaving the servants to infer that they were bound +upon a berry excursion, the little party set out, Richard bearing the +mosaic box, the girls carrying other valuables, and Lawrence armed with +a larger wooden box and a pick. Their destination was Dry Thicket, +so called from the exceeding dryness of the earth beneath the almost +impenetrable trees of native growth. These trees were so closely +interlaced by a tough vine peculiar to the soil, that it was necessary +to cut one's way, or force it by dint of strength. +</p> +<p> +In order to accomplish this feat the ladies had donned homespun dresses +kept for such excursions, and the gentlemen were suitably provided. +Winding through an arable field they descended the narrow path that led +into the thicket, and were soon pushing and cutting their way against +the stout lattice of vines. When far into the interior they found +themselves in a natural arbor free from undergrowth and utterly +secluded. A fallen log afforded a seat for the ladies, and the +custodians of the box at once proceeded to bury their treasures + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page112" name="page112"></a>[pg 112]</span> + + of gold +and plate, silver and jewels. An hour sufficed for the task. When +scattering, dry leaves over the fresh earth the party returned to Lee +Villa somewhat the worse for wear. +</p> +<p> +"Until these dangerous invaders shall have left the community, or are +arrested, I think we should arm the negro men on the plantation and be +prepared for possible surprises," were Richard Temple's parting words, +as he took leave for Columbus, twenty miles distant. +</p> +<p> +Villula was altogether inland, and hence an easy prey to outlaws. The +nearest railway station was at Silver Run, two miles away. The first +down train brought a hasty letter from Temple, stating that he and +Lawrence Lee were detailed to convey four fine horses belonging to Major +Lester, to a place of safety, and that the threatened section had been +well picketed. +</p> +<p> +There was at once a general hiding out of valuables, live stock and +provisions, the numerous swamps and thickets affording secure harbors +all over the section. A reign of terror existed during the next two +weeks. The dreaded marauders were at work, and stories were rife of +insult to women, and outrages upon men whom they hung by the neck till +almost dead unless they revealed the whereabouts of their treasures. +Thus far they had baffled the vigilance of the authorities. The country +was + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page113" name="page113"></a>[pg 113]</span> + + thinly settled, and the peculiar features of the landscape afforded +facilities both for concealment and escape. +</p> +<p> +One evening the ladies of Lee Villa sat watching the resplendent sunset +from the front piazza, when a ragged, barefoot urchin came up the road +turning somersaults with surprising agility. He righted himself up at +the gate, then entered and sidled rather doubtfully toward the group. +</p> +<p> +"Here's somethin' fur Miss Lee. Be you her?" +</p> +<p> +"Yes," said Netta, receiving a dirty note from the boy's dusty fingers. +"Where did you get this?" +</p> +<p> +"He gave it to me—he did," nodding his head down the road, "an' he +gimme this, too!" he added triumphantly, holding up a shining coin, +as he darted away again at his evolutions. +</p> +<p> +Netta deciphered the following lines from Richard: +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "We are encamped in Dry Thicket with the horses, all safe thus far. + Do not attempt to come; you could not find us. Keep a brave heart. + We will soon entrap the rascals. (Messenger best I can find). +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "Faithfully, +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "R.T." +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page114" name="page114"></a>[pg 114]</span> +</p> +<p> +About nine o'clock one morning a party of ten men, headed by the +notorious Baywater, rode up the single street of Villula, sending terror +to the hearts of unprotected women. Not apprehending an attack in +daytime, the two young men were on duty elsewhere, and the negroes were +in the cotton fields. +</p> +<p> +Passing through the town amid a great dust and clatter, they drew rein +at the villa. The ladies came to the door in response to the captain's +imperious halloo. +</p> +<p> +"We've come to find out where the Lester horses are, madam—and what's +more," he added with a brutal oath, "we intend to know!" +</p> +<p> +"I have no information to give you," calmly returned Mrs. Lee. +</p> +<p> +"Perhaps you won't tell us where that box of diamonds is, either," +he sneered. +</p> +<p> +To this there was no reply. The three girls were pallid from +apprehension of the next move. Apparently a proposition was made. The +leader shook his head. After a brief parley he dismounted, and with five +of his men, strode across the lawn to the negro quarters. An old negress +sat at the door, smoking her pipe, and knitting a coarse yarn sock. +A bright mulatto boy was crossing the back yard with a water bucket. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page115" name="page115"></a>[pg 115]</span> +</p> +<p> +In vain the outlaws sought to extract from the old woman the whereabouts +of her master with the horses and jewels. She was in reality as ignorant +as they. +</p> +<p> +"Come now, Auntie," said the captain in wheedling tones, "tell us and we +will make you free. You won't have to work any more." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, go 'long!" was her contemptuous rejoinder, "I'se free as I want +to be." +</p> +<p> +"Why, you old fool!" he roughly retorted, "you don't know what freedom +means. You shall wear a silk dress and ride in a carriage and have a +gold chain." +</p> +<p> +"I speaks gold chain!" echoed the woman tossing her grey head, "you po' +white trash can't come it ober dis chile wid yer crick-cracks. Jes you +go 'long. I'se got my bacon and greens, an' a good cotton coat. Yer +can't fool dis chile wid yer fine talk!" +</p> +<p> +"Curse the old hag! Let's try the boy. You! Sirrah! Come here." +</p> +<p> +With ashen cheeks the boy followed them into an outhouse, while the +Captain flourished a stout whip. +</p> +<p> +"Oh! mother," cried Netta, "don't let them whip him! He never was +whipped in his life!" +</p> +<p> +Mrs. Lee advanced a few paces from the back gallery whence they had been +watching the proceedings and called, "Charlie!" +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page116" name="page116"></a>[pg 116]</span> +</p> +<p> +The boy sprang towards his mistress, his captors not venturing to be too +rash at the outset. +</p> +<p> +"I want this boy for a moment," explained the lady. In sullen silence +they waited. +</p> +<p> +"Going to buy him up to secrecy," derided the Captain, "but I guess +we'll work it out of him when he comes back. We've got him, sure, and +can afford to wait." +</p> +<p> +But Charlie did not come back. Thrusting a bill into his hand his +mistress said: "Fly for your life, to Columbus and tell Col. Scale that +we must have protection. There is no train. Take the old country road +and lose no time!" +</p> +<p> +Nor did the terrified boy let the grass grow under his steps. Ere the +next sun rose he was in Columbus, footsore, but safe. +</p> +<p> +Again baffled, the desperadoes took horse, and held a consultation. +</p> +<p> +"If I thought they knew," muttered the Captain, "by —— they would be +made to tell. There's no other way—we must search that d—— thicket. +You know what Jem heard at the window the other night." +</p> +<p> +With this they galloped down the road, taking a more circuitous route to +Dry Thicket than the little path hidden from view behind Lee Villa. In +an agony of foreboding Netta exclaimed: "Oh, mother, we must save them. + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page117" name="page117"></a>[pg 117]</span> + + Let's get ready and go at once. I know every part of Dry Thicket!" +</p> +<p> +Hurriedly donning the homespun dresses, the mother and daughters +set out, leaving a maid in the house, and the old cabin "Granny" +still smoking serenely over her knitting. They were soon on the spot +where the jewels had been buried. The shock of the moment may be +better conceived than described, when they saw an open pit, a pile +of freshly-turned earth, and no trace of their carefully-concealed +treasures! The blood receded from every face. Gone—all gone! The +exquisite bridal presents—the diamonds from her betrothed, the ancient +pearls, Aunt Winifred's family jewels, the heirlooms of plate—all +vanished as utterly as if they had never been. +</p> +<p> +In sheer feebleness the stunned party sank down upon the prostrate log. +They now observed the charred remains of a camp fire, and shreds of grey +blanket adhering to the tenacious Tie-Vine. +</p> +<p> +"What <i>shall</i> we do?" broke from Netta in despair. The loss of her +superb ornaments for the time took the place of every other sentiment. +Even the safety of her loved ones was forgotten. +</p> +<p> +"Well," said Mary, recovering herself, "it is no use grieving. We had +better be looking for Lawrence and Richard. You know those + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page118" name="page118"></a>[pg 118]</span> + + villains +hung Colonel Harris by the neck till he was nearly dead, because he +would not tell where his money was." +</p> +<p> +"Hush, Mary," said her mother, "don't suggest such horrible things." +</p> +<p> +But their search was unavailing. That night was one of agonizing +suspense. Next day the noon train brought Charlie with a note from +Colonel Scale, saying that Lawrence would return home as soon as orders +could reach him. +</p> +<p> +The story of the missing jewels was freely discussed, and friends came +in numbers to condole with the bride-elect, and rehearse similar +depredations that had come to their ears. +</p> +<p> +At last flashed the news that the State Militia had surrounded the +daring invaders, by a well-executed maneuver, and had disarmed them. The +leader fought desperately and was mortally wounded. The prisoners were +forced to reveal the place where their ill-gotten gains were stored, and +the owners were publicly summoned to identify their property. But the +Lee jewels were not found, and the gang obstinately disclaimed all +knowledge of them. +</p> +<p> +Suspense in regard to them was, however, soon to be relieved. Two more +days of waiting, and the close of a lovely afternoon was made memorable +by the return of the wanderers to Lee Villa. A torrent of questions and +incidents so assailed them that they could + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page119" name="page119"></a>[pg 119]</span> + + not intelligibly answer the +one, or comment on the other. +</p> +<p> +"And, oh! Richard," faltered Netta, "they have stolen our box—all my +beautiful presents!" +</p> +<p> +"And the spoons," chimed in Mary, loyal to the family heirlooms. +</p> +<p> +"You'd better say the money," said Bertha with conviction. "I would +rather have lost anything else than all that gold and silver." +</p> +<p> +"Only give us a chance," said her brother appealingly, "and we will +relieve your anxiety on this point." +</p> +<p> +"You have it! You have it!" cried the girls excitedly crowding upon him. +</p> +<p> +"No," said Richard laughing heartily, while the brother endeavored to +extricate himself. "He hasn't it but if I can have a hearing I will tell +you of its fate. We hoped you would not miss it. Nor would you," he +added, looking archly at Netta, "if you had obeyed my injunction not to +try to find us." +</p> +<p> +All anxiety, his auditors were profoundly attentive while Richard +narrated the adventures that had befallen them in the thicket. They were +hotly pursued and closely surrounded several times, so determined were +the raiders upon capturing the horses, but friendly arbors screened them +from view, and the sagacious animals were as quiet as their preservers. +On + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page120" name="page120"></a>[pg 120]</span> + + the night of their arrival at the thicket with the horses, Richard +suggested that it might be wise to remove the box, since in case the +ladies were surprised they might be forced to disclose the secret. +Accordingly he and his companion dismounted, secured the horses, and +penetrated on foot to the place. What was their amazement to see the +smouldering light of a fire and a man stretched upon the ground in a +deep sleep. A grey blanket served him for a pillow. Ere they could reach +him he stirred uneasily, started up, seized his blanket, and sprang away +among the trees. But they were too quick for him, especially as the +clinging vine impeded his progress. They captured him, and he confessed +that he was one of Baywater's scouts, and that he had spent two days +in the thicket searching for the box of jewels he had seen through the +window of the villa. +</p> +<p> +The young men secured their prisoner, whom one guarded at the pistol's +point, while the other pushed on, buried the box in another place, and +then they conveyed the ruffian to Columbus. +</p> +<p> +"Three nights ago," concluded Richard, "we were so closely cornered that +there was no help but in flight. We rode continuously till our horses +were safe on the Lester plantation, but my Bonnie Bess is done for, I +fear," and + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page121" name="page121"></a>[pg 121]</span> + + he glanced compassionately at the reeking animal, his own +especial property. +</p> +<p> +Poor Bess! Ere another twenty-four hours had gone by, her sorrowful +master was called away from the villa to see her die of lockjaw. He had +ridden her to her death in the performance of his duty. +</p> +<p> +After his interesting recital the ladies refused to wait till morning +to regain the buried treasures. They would go at once, and a number +of friends who had gathered to welcome the returned wanderers, and +congratulate their prowess, volunteered to accompany the party. So they +started, quite a procession, relying upon the lately frequented path to +save their garments from rents. +</p> +<p> +The new spot chosen for the little pit was only a few yards from the +original place, and seemed sunken for several feet in all directions—a +significant fact as it proved. +</p> +<p> +This time Charlie wielded the pick, and with such exaggerated force that +the earth was loosened for quite a space around the box. Some excitement +attended the rescue of the precious casket from fancied peril, and the +dense bower resounded with an animated discussion of late events. +</p> +<p> +Warned by the lengthening shadows they turned to depart when a bystander +suddenly peering forward, said: "Look there, Lee. What + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page122" name="page122"></a>[pg 122]</span> + + is that? There, +close to the tree. Temple, do you see?" +</p> +<p> +"The root of a tree, I think," replied Lawrence, stooping down to +examine a dark object that jutted out of the newly opened pit. +</p> +<p> +Clearing the earth away with his hands he discovered, not a root, but +what seemed to be the corner of an iron box. Richard, who was beside +him, fell to work, and a further exploration revealed a band of some +metal, probably brass. Intense curiosity now prevailed. +</p> +<p> +"Charlie, go to the house and bring some torches," said his master. Then +to Richard: "We must get at the bottom of this. The ladies had better +go—it is nearly night." +</p> +<p> +But the ladies would do nothing of the kind. Here was something that +promised to be a mystery indeed. They remained till an iron, brass-bound +box, not large but heavy, had been disinterred and with difficulty +lifted to the surface. With still more difficulty it was conveyed to the +villa, where the expectant group waited for a smith to come and open it. +</p> +<p> +When the rusty lock was made to unclasp, the top was raised, and there, +in numerous rouleaux, was gold coin to the amount of thousands of +dollars. Excitement was now but a faint term for the sensation. +</p> +<p> +The young men were congratulated upon their find till their hands were +sore from pressure, + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page123" name="page123"></a>[pg 123]</span> + + and the ladies were embraced in proportion by +enthusiastic friends. +</p> +<p> +How came it there? Who had buried it and when? There was a legend in +those parts that four wealthy Spaniards had been pursued and butchered +by the Indians in the early days, and that they had, while fleeing away, +buried the gold in an Alabama wild. Another tradition was, that during +the siege of New Orleans, some French settlers had run the blockade and +penetrated far into the country with vast wealth that was never traced +afterwards. Some of the older citizens had also heard of a miserly +ancestor of the Lawrences (Mrs. Lee had been a Lawrence) who lived +a hermit life in the villa when it was only a log cabin; who denied +himself the simplest comforts, and who died in want; but he had been +seen by the curious counting his gold at night. +</p> +<p> +Whatever the mystery it was never solved. The facts as known were widely +published, but no rival claimant ever appeared. +</p> +<p> +The wedding was a brilliant social affair. The Lee family were +recognized leaders, and their ancestral home was noted for its elegant +appointments and generous hospitality. +</p> +<p> +"And where will you and Dick live, Netta?" asked a Columbus belle. +</p> +<p> +"We think of building in the thicket." +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page124" name="page124"></a>[pg 124]</span> +</p> +<p> +"What! Bury yourself in Dry Thicket? That horrible place?" +</p> +<p> +"Soyez tranquille, ma chere," playfully answered the young bride. "Dry +Thicket has proved too great a blessing to us to be dreaded. However, +come and see us one day and judge for yourself." +</p> +<p> +And when, as the "one days" had lengthened into many, enticed by the +rumors she heard, the girl, now a married woman, did go, she found a +magnificent residence, with lovely terraced lawns, shell-road drives, +and luxuries unknown in city homes. All on the site of the despised Dry +Thicket. White cottages dotted the landscape, and there was no trace +of the gloomy thicket save one natural bower overhung with trees and +interlaced by vines. Within its cool recesses was a rustic chair, and +sheltered by a miniature Gothic temple, stood the brightly-burnished +iron box which chance had made the foundation of so much happiness +and prosperity. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page125" name="page125"></a>[pg 125]</span> +</p> +<a name="h2H_4_0012" id="h2H_4_0012"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + The Girl Farmers +</h2> +<h3> + A PRACTICAL STORY +</h3> +<p> +"I see no way out of this, girls, but for you to go to work and support +yourselves with your accomplishments. At least I suppose you've got +some. Your schooling cost a fortune, and maybe it was well enough, for +now there's a chance for you to make it count." +</p> +<p> +And thus delivering himself, gruff Uncle Abner took a fresh chew of +tobacco, and let his eyes wander aimlessly among those dead-and-gone +relatives hanging on the walls. Anywhere indeed but at the two rosy, +eager faces before him; for the sisters, Margaret and Elizabeth, sat +watching and listening to this, the first hint of difficulty in the +easy-going of their pampered lives. +</p> +<p> +Margaret spoke. "What is the amount of the mortgage, Uncle?" +</p> +<p> +"Tut, tut," he grunted, with a show of impatience, "you can't +understand; girls aint expected to know about business; they h'aint any +heads for it. You'd better just shut up the + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page126" name="page126"></a>[pg 126]</span> + + place and come over to my +house till you can look around you a bit." +</p> +<p> +"You are very kind, uncle, but we will consider that after you have +answered my question," continued Margaret with quiet insistence. "How +are we to understand unless we are told? And why keep us in ignorance? +We have a right to know just how our father's affairs were left, and I, +for my part, <i>intend</i> to know;—" and the earnest young voice +stopped short of the sob that caught and held it quivering. +</p> +<p> +There was silence while the tall clock ticked a few moments away. The +large grey eyes had no release in their steady depths. Thus driven Uncle +Abner proceeded to explain that it was when their brother James got into +that trouble over his wife's property. Their father had been obliged to +borrow, and he (Uncle Abner), accommodated him, taking as security a +mortage on the farm. +</p> +<p> +"It was for five thousand dollars," he concluded, "and of course if he +had lived—," he paused, and walking to the window, his hands plunged +deep into his homespun pockets, gazed uncomfortably upon the broad +stretch of field and pasture so dear to the orphan nieces he was +unwittingly torturing. +</p> +<p> +The Milfords were a proud race. Proud in the sturdy yeoman spirit of +honest independence. + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page127" name="page127"></a>[pg 127]</span> + Margaret was not long in making up her mind. +</p> +<p> +"You are right, uncle," she said with marked deliberation. "Libbie +and I have indeed had every advantage that the best schools afford. +We ought to go to work and we will. But—" and her wistful gaze swept +their beloved possessions indoor and out—"it shall be here; not +anywhere else." +</p> +<p> +"What upon earth are you driving at?" spluttered Uncle Abner, while +Elizabeth smiled acquiescence in the decision of the beloved older +sister whose word had been law since their pinafore days. Whatever the +outlook she would stand by her. "I'd like to know what you can do here!" +went on their sage adviser, muttering audibly something about the +"infernal nonsense of women folks." +</p> +<p> +"I mean it, uncle. I never was further from talking nonsense. We will +work here, on the old farm, and save our home from strangers, if you +will only be patient and give us time. I can take charge of the hands +and the crops. Elizabeth will manage the house and garden. In fact +I find myself longing every minute to begin. It will be something to +occupy us and divert us from gloomy thoughts;" and she glanced at the +somber garments that told of recent bereavement. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page128" name="page128"></a>[pg 128]</span> +</p> +<p> +"But you can't stay here without a protector," objected her uncle, +getting downright wrathful as he felt inwardly conscious that he would +be obliged to yield. He had seen his niece Margaret have her own way +more than once. Still he must fight for it. +</p> +<p> +"You just take my advice and do what I said at first. Let somebody take +the place and work off the debt—in a way, you understand. You can look +about for a music class, and Lizzie here can get a position in the +public schools. Of course you know you are welcome at my house as long +as you need—" +</p> +<p> +"Now, listen, uncle, do," broke in Margaret, catching his arm with +clasped hands, as a persuasive cadence crept into her resolute tones. "I +know I can learn to do what other women are doing all over the land. Not +so many Southern women, I grant you; we are a spoiled lot as ever lived, +and are foolishly ashamed to work. But we are no better than our sisters +of the north and west, and I, for one, do not care a whit what people +may think about it. As to being afraid to stay here, that would be +silly. Why, I am not so very many years from thirty and Elizabeth is +every bit of twenty-three. Quite old maids, you see;—bachelor maids, if +you please. The neighborhood is thickly settled; Rock and Don are the +best watch dogs ever seen, and the men in the cabins with their + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page129" name="page129"></a>[pg 129]</span> + + families +are faithful, you know. The village is in sight, and the big farm bell +can be heard a mile away. Nobody will molest us. I assure you we shall +not be afraid; and last of all, I can handle a pistol as well as a man, +if need be; and Libby is a terror with a hat pin! Now do be good and let +us try it." +</p> +<p> +The brave girl had her way, no matter if Davis did want to add the four +hundred acres of the Milford farm to his own fine estate. +</p> +<p> +The first year was not a bed of roses for the inexperienced young +farmers, but they were not daunted. A music class and a dozen pupils in +belles-lettres helped out the income, and there was no inconsiderable +revenue from the sale of milk, butter, eggs, fruit and vegetables. +</p> +<p> +They had "the orchard, the meadow, and deep-tangled wildwood," full of +sacred memories. They fairly gloried in their dairy, the poultry yard, +and garden. They were up at daylight, and with the help of a small boy +from the cabins, gathered the marketing which Margaret, in her high +cart, took to the hotels at the thriving village of the railroad +junction. +</p> +<p> +Richard Davis undertook the live-stock raising for the sisters on +the shares. This was a great help, though Uncle Abner, who had been +bulldozed into complacency, he said, hinted on occasions that the "young +fellow would be sharing himself with one of 'em before long." + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page130" name="page130"></a>[pg 130]</span> + + However, +the energetic maidens gave no heed, save to the grand purpose of their +lives. +</p> +<p> +They learned to "gar old clo'es amaist as weel as new." Carpets were +darned and scoured and turned; the time-honored furniture was patched +and polished; and their fair hands did not shrink from putting on a +fresh coat of paint, or paper, now and then. Under severe pressure of +temptation they parted with several pieces of old mahogany during the +craze for antiques, at prices almost fabulous. This they invested in +some shares of bank stock. +</p> +<p> +The second year's profits footed up enough to make a payment to Uncle +Abner, and then their joy knew no bounds. In vain their anxious friends +urged them to sell out and live in a small cottage. Their sympathy was +thrown away. +</p> +<p> +"Every blade of grass is dear to me," persisted Margaret. "Perhaps I +have more sentiment than sense, but this should be my life work. And +when free from debt, think how easy to see the end of every year from +the beginning. Meanwhile everything is getting more simple for us. At +first, we had to be content with just the old rut, for we knew nothing +else. Now we study the best methods. We take a farmer's journal, which +has proved a noble education. The continual + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page131" name="page131"></a>[pg 131]</span> + + improvements in machinery +and necessary implements are of inestimable value. The best costs a +little more at first, but in the end it pays." +</p> +<p> +"I always detested farming," exclaimed an old schoolmate who had married +a rich banker. +</p> +<p> +"Come and see us," said Margaret, with her hopeful smile. "Let us show +you our work." +</p> +<p> +She came, partly from curiosity, and together the friends went over +the premises. First, the kitchen garden where grew in hills or rows +vegetables after the most approved latter-day culture; next, the glowing +garden of flowers whose gorgeous bloom found ready sale; then the +poultry yard, pig-sties, bee-hives and stables, Margaret all the while +discoursing upon remedies for this or that drawback, and how to manage +the diverse brands and breeds, till her dainty friend held up her hands +in honest wonder. +</p> +<p> +"How on earth and where did you learn all this?" she found voice to ask. +</p> +<p> +"From the journals, I read about farming and gardening, about +housekeeping, and raising all those barn-yard creatures. We are thinking +of adding a small family of canaries to our stock; they are much sought +after and readily sell. Oh, I could not get on at all without my papers. +They are everything to me. Why, just listen to what I know about corn," +she went on, with a proud light in her handsome + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page132" name="page132"></a>[pg 132]</span> + + eyes. "Kentucky was once +a leading state in raising corn, and she will be again," and here +followed facts and statistics singularly incongruous from rosy lips to +the listening ears of the city girl. "There is nothing, Amelia, that +pays like doing a thing well. For instance, our own Kentucky is not +famous for well-kept farms, but I could not afford to have my fences +down, my fields choked with weeds, and my stock depredating elsewhere." +</p> +<p> +"But how do you manage your servants? They are the great bugbear +nowadays." +</p> +<p> +"By making them respect me and by paying good wages. They should not +be expected to give their time and strength at starvation prices. +I do have trouble sometimes. In fact I think, first and last, I have +done everything but plow. But in the main I get along. The farm is +prospering, and a few years hence I mean to have it called a model, +not a mortgaged farm." +</p> +<p> +"It is all right, of course, my dear, if you like it," said her city +friend, with somewhat unwilling admiration, "but I should think you +would get dreadfully tanned and coarse." +</p> +<p> +"Do I look so?" asked the country girl, with a happy little challenging +laugh. "I was certainly never in better health." +</p> +<p> +And the visitor had to admit that there was no lack of womanly beauty in +the rich coloring + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page133" name="page133"></a>[pg 133]</span> + + of the young farmer's rounded cheeks, albeit a few +tiny freckles bridged the straight nose. +</p> +<p> +"But think how utterly you are lost to society! What a sacrifice for a +Milford!" lamented the rich man's wife, to whom life's hard lessons had +not come. "I can never forget the gorgeous entertainment at this old +house when we were first home from school. Such flowers! Such music! +Such a supper! And, oh, the lovely gowns! I declare, Maggie, you were a +beauty that night, and Libbie never looked prettier. It seems a crying +shame!" +</p> +<p> +"Not converted yet?" playfully asked the other, though the quick tears +sprang to her eyes at the sudden stab of memory. +</p> +<p> +"Remember, dear," she added gently, "we could not have gone out even +if we had not decided to give up all idle pleasures. But we are not +hermits, I assure you. Our old friends are most kind. Perhaps one day +we may live again those happy times." +</p> +<p> +"But surely you will marry. A girl like you could never be an old maid." +</p> +<p> +At which sally Margaret laughed outright, adding gaily that there would +be time enough and to spare for matrimony. +</p> +<p> +"I am too busy now to even think of it. By and by I shall have the +finest of bees and + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page134" name="page134"></a>[pg 134]</span> + + fancy poultry. Already my grape arbor is thriving. +I sell quantities of fruit and berries. But my stronghold is farm +literature; I devour it at night, while Libbie reads society bits in the +village weekly, or cons the city daily. Poor Lib! It goes right hard +with her to draggle her skirts in the dewy strawberry beds; but she +feels consoled when I fetch up the till! What misers we be, hoarding our +strong box!" +</p> +<p> +So these heroic girls are going on, the respected of all observers. +Their example has encouraged others to throw off the shackles of +"Southern caste" and be independent of unwilling relatives more favored +by fortune. The mortgage is not yet entirely lifted, but it will be. The +bluegrass pastures of the fine old estate have been given over to the +grazing of blooded horses and cattle, at so much per head, thereby +counting in a greatly increased revenue. +</p> +<p> +Margaret's latest venture is a fine young thoroughbred, which the +knowing ones predict will prove a gold mine. So mote it be. +</p> +<p> +Uncle Abner is patient and helpful. He has long ago felt like hiding +"his diminished head," and is proud of his young nieces. They have saved +the old homestead where three generations of the family were born. Alone +they have struggled, protected by the God of the orphan, whose glorious +sunshine and rain so abundantly bless their labors! +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page135" name="page135"></a>[pg 135]</span> +</p> +<a name="h2H_4_0013" id="h2H_4_0013"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + Proving a Heart +</h2> +<h3> + A LOVE STORY +</h3> +<p> +"Hold fast! don't be frightened! I can save you if you will only be +strong!" were the exclamations that burst hurriedly from young Dr. +Gardner's lips as, with horror-struck face he sprang from his +window-seat and bounded downstairs. +</p> +<p> +And well might he hasten, for she who awaited his succor, hung +perilously between heaven and earth, expecting every moment to be dashed +to the ground. +</p> +<p> +For some minutes previous to his excited words, Weldon Gardner's gaze +had been riveted in awful fascination upon an immense balloon that was +fast descending toward the high roofs that clustered on all sides about +his comfortable rooms on —— St., New York. +</p> +<p> +Something was wrong. He could readily detect this in the unsteady +wavering of the gaily-striped air-ship. And so, too, thought the crowd +that he now saw had gathered in the street below. +</p> +<p> +Evidently the aeronaut had lost control of his craft. Lower still it +tottered, and now + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page136" name="page136"></a>[pg 136]</span> + + were visible several arms outstretched in the vain +appeal for aid. +</p> +<p> +Not a sound escaped the spell-bound multitude in the streets, for in a +moment more the fate of the doomed adventurers must be decided. Suddenly +two human forms dropped from the loosened basket and struck with a +fearful thud against the elevated railway, then rebounded to the street +below a mass of mangled flesh. Death was instantaneous. With one impulse +the throng surged about the bodies; but Dr. Gardner's eyes were still +fixed upon the balloon, for as if relieved by the rapid lightening of +its burden it gave a spirited sweep upward, then passed over his own +roof. +</p> +<p> +Hastening to his back windows, which overlooked a paved court, he threw +himself into a chair, and strained his gaze in search of the wrecked +pleasure-craft, to which one other figure clung with the might of +desperation. +</p> +<p> +One large tree, spared by the pruning axe of the city architect, shaded +the court; and into the wide-spreading boughs of this tree, did the +powerless balloon now descend, its ropes becoming hopelessly entangled. +Clinging fast to whatever offered support, a young girl with dark, +terror-stricken eyes, met his look of horror, as with the reassuring +words already quoted, Weldon Gardner rushed down to the rescue. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page137" name="page137"></a>[pg 137]</span> +</p> +<p> +Even as he gained the spot, shouting to the men in service to bring a +ladder, a number of persons had penetrated to the court, and were now +collected around the tree, uttering excited comments upon the disaster. +</p> +<p> +With all possible speed the young physician reached the sufferer, but +unconsciousness had already closed her eyes to all danger. Bearing the +light form from the entangling meshes, the doctor ascended to his +consulting-room, and deposited his burden upon a couch. Summoning his +housekeeper, he dismissed the gaping followers, and proceeded to examine +the death-like form he had preserved from mutilation. +</p> +<p> +The patient seemed to be about eighteen years old, and bore unmistakable +evidences of the lady in her attire. +</p> +<p> +Mercifully forebearing to restore her senses till after his skillfull +examination, the doctor could discover no broken limbs, and nothing now +remained but to enable her to speak for herself as to her condition. +After a persistent use of restoratives, the anxious attendants were +rewarded by seeing the color flutter back into the pallid cheeks, and +the long eyelashes quiver with returning life. +</p> +<p> +Her first words were: "Lucien! Maggie! we are lost!" Then a strong +shudder convulsed + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page138" name="page138"></a>[pg 138]</span> + + her slight frame, and with a startled cry she +attempted to spring up. +</p> +<p> +"Be careful," gently remonstrated the doctor, laying a detaining hand +upon her. "Tell me—are you hurt anywhere?" +</p> +<p> +"I don't know—I think not—oh! who are you? Where am I? Where are the +others? Were they killed? Oh! it was too horrible!" and the agitated +speaker burst into a passion of tears so violent as to alarm her +watchers. +</p> +<p> +Leaving her to the housekeeper, Dr. Gardner quickly prepared and +administered a soothing potion. Then, enjoining absolute quiet, he +drew the blinds, and proceeded downstairs to learn of the ill-fated +companions of his patient. The crowd still lingered about the spot, +although the bodies had been removed to await a claimant. Nothing was +known except that the balloon had ascended that morning from one of the +city squares, and that, as frequently happened, a party of young people +had gone up to get a bird's eye view of the metropolis. Who they were +did not yet appear. +</p> +<p> +Several hours passed, and still the rescued girl slept the dreamless +sleep induced by the nervous shock and the narcotic draught of the +doctor. Patiently the housekeeper sat and watched. +</p> +<p> +As twilight fell, she gave a sigh and opened her large eyes in surprise +upon the strange face + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page139" name="page139"></a>[pg 139]</span> + + beside her. Taking advantage of the opportune +moment, Mrs. Buford removed the pongee walking suit from the drowsy +girl, and then gently enfolding her in a soft white wrapper, the kind +matron assisted her to the bed which had been prepared, the girl +submitting with a bewildered look of questioning wonder, and finally +sinking back gratefully into slumber. +</p> +<p> +And here Weldon Gardner came before retiring for the night. +</p> +<p> +Softly touching the delicate wrist in its dainty frill, he noted the +somewhat fitful pulsations of the disturbed life-centers. Bending above +the tell-tale heart-beats, his practiced ear assured him that ere long +the deep repose of his charge would effectually restore her to health. +</p> +<p> +How like chiseled marble she looked, lying there in her absolute +helplessness beneath his stranger gaze! How pure the white brow, with +its clustering rings of glossy hair! How exquisitely fine the white hand +to which the dimples of babyhood yet clung! How classic the contour of +her face, into which already the warm hue of health was creeping! A +heavy sigh escaped him as he noted each perfection of outline. Who was +this lovely stranger? And what could she be to him? +</p> +<p> +"Why was I ever such a dupe?" he said in his heart. "Fettered—fettered +for life!" +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page140" name="page140"></a>[pg 140]</span> +</p> +<p> +But suddenly realizing that except in his professional capacity he had +no right thus to intrude upon her slumbers, the young physician turned +from the enchanting picture. +</p> +<p> +"How is she now, sir?" respectfully inquired the housekeeper. +</p> +<p> +"Fairly well," he replied cheerfully; "I do not think she is hurt, +except a few bruises, which we must look after. She was thrown pretty +hard against that tree. To-morrow she will be able to give an account of +herself. We can do nothing toward finding her friends before that time. +Call, if she should become restless," and the young man retired to his +own apartment, there to ponder deeply, as he had never before pondered +in his life. +</p> +<p> +Some days later the following letter was posted by Weldon Gardner: +</p> +<p class="quote"> + NEW YORK, September 20, 1879. +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "My Dear Aunt:— +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "Your kind letter reminds me that never, in all these years of boyhood + grown ripe, has duty come to me in as repulsive a form as now, I tell + you, shocked as you may feel when you read the words, that I would + rather put a bullet through my head than meet Evelyn Howard at this + time! Why couldn't she stay in England? And what cursed folly induced + my parents to thus bind me for life to one I had never seen? True, I + submitted. But you know with what an appeal my dying mother besought + my compliance, + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page141" name="page141"></a>[pg 141]</span> + + and what could I do? I cared for no one else. How was I to foresee + that the tie would ever be so intensely galling? +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "I know all that you would say about honor, manhood, and all the + category of virtues. I know them all. Nor am I willing to act the + scoundrel just yet. But I must have time; I can <i>not</i> marry that + girl now. Nor will I consent to meet her yet. Let her think I am out + of town, sick, busy, <i>dead</i>; anything, till I can screw my courage + to the sticking point. +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "About the balloon tragedy—yes, you heard correctly of my figuring + in the matter. The girl is Miss Lina Dent, of Brooklyn, and I am + happy to report that she is entirely recovered, though deeply afflicted + at the fearful death of her friends. It seems that they had, in a + spirit of fun, gone up in the balloon, feeling confident that their + adventure was, to say the least, of somewhat doubtful propriety. + They did not think of danger. The cowardly desertion of the æronaut, + as soon as he could leap to a roof in safety, precipitated their fall. +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "The young victims, Lucien and Maggie Taylor, were too much frightened + to hold to their frail support. Their tragic fate has plunged an + excellent household into mourning. Bitterly my new acquaintance + lamented her folly in consenting to the excursion; but how can a man + in his senses add to her condemnation when she looks through such + eyes, and speaks with such lips? Not I, I assure you. +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "Miss Dent is visiting a relative in Brooklyn, and in my character of + physician, I have been kindly received. The strangest part of it all + is the odd way that girl looked at me when she + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page142" name="page142"></a>[pg 142]</span> + + knew enough to look + rationally at anybody; and her obstinate persistence in leaving my + house before she was fit to go. And it was all I could do to induce + her to see me again. But her cousin was quite cordial, and now I may + claim to have established an easy footing at the house. But about + Evelyn Howard—don't, my dear aunt, if you have a spark of mercy, + require me to see her now." +</p> +<hr /> +<p> +A month passed by, and October, in glorious tints of autumnal beauty, +shed its light over the city. In a handsome drawing-room on Brooklyn +Heights sat Weldon Gardner and Lina Dent. The young girl wore a soft +white dress, and her figure was replete with roseate health and beauty. +</p> +<p> +The young physician was pleading strongly and earnestly, gazing into the +eloquent eyes before him as if his very life hung upon their favor. +</p> +<p> +"But I know so little of you, Dr. Gardner," was her remonstrance in +answer to his ardent suit, "true you have earned my life-long +gratitude—" +</p> +<p> +"Don't mention that, if you have any regard for me," he interrupted, in +a sort of disdain. +</p> +<p> +"Yes," she urged, "I must mention it. To you I owe my life, and perhaps, +my reason. Of course I know you in all points of family, + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page143" name="page143"></a>[pg 143]</span> + + position, and +professional success; but your own true self—how can I know that you +will secure my happiness? Is there nothing you can tell me of yourself +which will reassure me?" +</p> +<p> +And the bright, honest look of her eyes robbed her plain words all +possible sting. +</p> +<p> +"First, tell me that you love me," he argued, "let me know that it would +be sweet to you to place your happiness in my keeping. At least you can +do this. You know if you love me." +</p> +<p> +She listened with averted look. +</p> +<p> +"And if I confess that I love you," she said at length, in a low voice; +"if I do this, would it not be mockery to learn, when too late, that I +had made a mistake?" +</p> +<p> +"But, in heaven's name, Lina, what can you mean? Why do you doubt me? +What is there to tell? I could have no secrets—" +</p> +<p> +Then there rushed to his memory with a force that sent the blood to his +brow and almost took his breath, the conviction that he <i>had</i> a +secret from her—that he <i>was</i> deceiving her—that it was unmanly +to seek her love with a lie on his lips. For a brief season his +engagement had been forgotten, or ignored. He had hugged to his breast +with unreasoning apathy the theory that the present was enough to +consider—that the future must care for itself—that + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page144" name="page144"></a>[pg 144]</span> + + once his promised +wife, Lina Dent should be his if all the world conspired against it. But +now came the hated thought that Evelyn Howard stood between him and the +precious one who had been his day-star since the night when he had +nursed her back to life. +</p> +<p> +Starting up, he strode back and forth, not noting the pale cheeks and +startled eyes of the girl who watched him in ill-repressed anxiety. +</p> +<p> +At length, sitting down beside her, he seized her soft fingers with a +grasp of which he was hardly aware. Then instantly relaxing the rigor +of his clasp, he pleaded: +</p> +<p> +"Let me hold this pure little hand while I confess to you, my only love, +that your clear eyes have read my soul—that I have deceived you—that +I love you beyond all else this world contains; but that the most cruel +fate man ever before suffered, keeps me from you, unless, indeed, your +love will help me to remove the barrier." +</p> +<p> +And while the young girl listened, with drooping head, he told her of +his hated engagement—of the painful circumstances that had betrayed him +into compliance. +</p> +<p> +"But I never dreamed of this sort of Nemesis! I could not have been in +my senses to thus barter my freedom forever." +</p> +<p> +Slowly withdrawing her hand, the girl said, still in the same low tones: +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page145" name="page145"></a>[pg 145]</span> +</p> +<p> +"And you do not love your betrothed?" +</p> +<p> +"Love her?" he echoed. "I tell you, Lina, I have never even seen her. +Her people have been abroad for an age. She was in New York a few weeks +ago and, I understand, took offense at my continued absence from her +side, and went back to England. This is what she left for me;" and +plunging his hand into his breast pocket he selected from his note-case +a fragrant little billet-doux, formally desiring Dr. Gardner to explain +his strange conduct at his leisure—that the next opportunity granted +him of seeing Evelyn Howard must be of his own seeking. +</p> +<p> +There was a pause after the reading of this aggrieved, dignified little +message. +</p> +<p> +"And can you, as a gentleman of honor, reconcile your neglect of the +writer?" asked Lina Dent, in a voice in which a cadence of scorn +involuntarily sounded. +</p> +<p> +"Honor! Can't you see that honor was what kept me from her? Such honor +as a man feels when he knows that he is poised between a Scylla and a +Charybdis of desperate fatality?" +</p> +<p> +"There can be but one answer to all this, Dr. Gardner," the girl replied +with proud dignity. "It would ill become me to sit in judgment on you +after what I have received at your hands; but you will acknowledge that +it was + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page146" name="page146"></a>[pg 146]</span> + + cruelly inconsiderate to seek my love while a barrier such as +this existed. How do I know that you will not love your betrothed after +you have seen her?" +</p> +<p> +"Love her—love any other than you, my beautiful, peerless one? Do not +torture me with such a supposition. I care nothing for Evelyn Howard; +I do not know her; I do not care to know her; nor is she in the least +dependent upon me for happiness. She has vast wealth, and can command +whatever fate she chooses." +</p> +<p> +"But wealth cannot buy happiness," she sadly replied, "and our course +is clear. I can see you no more till you have met your betrothed and +received your dismissal—or,"—and her clear cheek paled again—"made up +your mind to fulfill your promise to her. Farewell! I thank you for your +unwise devotion to me, but I can see you no more." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, Lina, do not doom me to this total separation. Why it seems an +eternity. Where and when can I see you again? Why didn't I go to that +girl when she was here? Fool, coward that I was! And now I cannot leave +New York. Grant me some respite, my love—I cannot live without you!" +</p> +<p> +But much as she sympathized with him she was firm; and when Weldon +Gardner left the house, with despair tugging at his heart, the + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page147" name="page147"></a>[pg 147]</span> + + only ray +of sunshine that pierced the gloom was the conviction that she did love +him—that should anything occur to separate them forever, her heart +would plead strongly for him, and her love would strive with his to +overcome the barrier. +</p> +<hr /> +<p> +Months went by, and still Evelyn Howard eluded Weldon Gardner's pursuit. +Bitterly was he punished for his culpable neglect of her. In vain he +wrote letters urging her to come to New York. She was traveling with +friends and declined to change her course. He followed her to London, +to Paris. In vain! She was ever just before him on his journey: always +missing, never meeting him. Then he wrote to Lina Dent, beseeching her +to relent, since he had done all in his power to carry out her wishes. +She did not reply. Then in sullen despair he gave up the pursuit. He +carefully avoided going out except to see patients, declined all +invitations, and took solitary refuge in the stern exactions of duty. +</p> +<p> +As the year drew to a close he noticed in the list of arrivals from +Europe, Miss Evelyn Howard and her party; and among the personals he saw +that the beautiful Miss Howard would appear at Governor B's reception on +the + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page148" name="page148"></a>[pg 148]</span> + + next evening. He had received cards to this party, and now, with the +fierce desire to end his torture reawakened, he prepared to accept the +invitation. As he entered the brilliant rooms his eye fell upon the form +and face of Lina Dent, attired in an exquisite costume, and looking far +more radiant than in his wildest dreams he had ever pictured her. +</p> +<p> +Feasting upon her loveliness, with eyes hungry in their wistfulness, he +was about to approach her when she suddenly looked toward him and their +eyes met. He caught the quick flash of feeling; he knew that he was +still beloved! But even as he drank in the delicious confirmation of his +hopes, she passed him without recognition, and he knew that she would +not break her vow—that she would not meet him till he had fulfilled her +conditions. Too miserable to seek Miss Howard in the throng, the young +physician pleaded an urgent call to a patient, and left his host almost +before he had fairly entered upon the festivities. +</p> +<p> +One evening, soon after the last fearful disappointment, Dr. Gardner +received a note asking him to come to a certain number on Fifth Avenue, +and there he should meet Evelyn Howard. She inferred that he had had +ample time to learn if he really desired to form her acquaintance, and +she was ready now to see him. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page149" name="page149"></a>[pg 149]</span> +</p> +<p> +Tearing the paper to atoms in sudden irritation and setting his teeth, +the young physician was soon at the appointed place, an elegant +brown-stone mansion, quite familiar to his eyes in his drives about +the city. +</p> +<p> +He was not left long in suspense. There was a sound of rapid steps +descending the stairs, with a frou-frou of silken skirts, and in a +moment Lina Dent stood before him, her face aglow with a proud light +he had never seen there, and her hands extended in glad welcome. +</p> +<p> +"You, Lina! You here? You have relented? This is too much happiness!" +</p> +<p> +Catching both soft white hands in his, he bent his lips to them, full of +the rapture he could not speak. He forgot to wonder why she was there. +He forgot everything but the love in her eyes and the joyous ring of her +voice. +</p> +<p> +Ere they could be seated the door again opened and admitted an elderly +lady, who approached smiling. +</p> +<p> +"My dear aunt!" exclaimed the young lover. "You, too? This <i>is</i> a +surprise! What does it all mean? How did you get here, and when?" +</p> +<p> +The ladies stood smiling at each other and gazing upon him with a +significance that indeed clamored for explanation. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page150" name="page150"></a>[pg 150]</span> +</p> +<p> +"Weldon, is it possible you do not guess?" asked his aunt. +</p> +<p> +"What? Why, what do you mean? I am all bewildered!" he exclaimed, +looking from one to the other till a faint glimmer of the truth began +to appear through the mists. +</p> +<p> +"Stupid boy!" again emphasized the lady, "whom did you come here to +see?" +</p> +<p> +Quickly glancing at the beautiful, radiant, still-smiling face of the +young girl, and then at the impressive features of the elder lady, +Weldon Gardner, with bated breath and a dazed expression in his startled +eyes, exclaimed: +</p> +<p> +"You—are—Evelyn Howard—you?" +</p> +<p> +"Exactly so. Doctor Gardner—Evelina Dent Howard—at your service!" +</p> +<p> +As she spoke, she placed her hand in his, and asked, in the liquid tones +whose cadences he so well remembered, "Have you been punished enough for +your unknightly scorn of the girl you condemned without trial?" +</p> +<p> +"Oh, forgive!" he pleaded, drawing her to a seat beside him. "I see it +all now. What a dolt you must have thought me! How could you ever have +tolerated me?" +</p> +<p> +"There is the conspirator," archly said Evelyn, pointing to Mrs. Duke. +"She it was who enabled me to deceive you. I wrote to her immediately +upon leaving your house for my + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page151" name="page151"></a>[pg 151]</span> + + cousin's, in Brooklyn, and she at once +devised the scheme that I have found so hard to carry out. Meanwhile, +she never lost sight of you." +</p> +<p> +It was long before the necessary explanations were exhausted, and when +the new day dawned no happier man proudly entered upon his duties than +did Weldon Gardner. +</p> +<hr /> +<p> +It is upon a soft September afternoon that we last see Dr. Gardner and +his lovely wife. Within a snug little arbor beside the lake in Central +Park the two sit side by side, watching the idly-floating pleasure +crafts, and noting the lazy ripples of the green wavelets. Their hearts +grow tender with a mighty love that finds no language in which to clothe +itself. +</p> +<p> +Every blessing of life is theirs; every cadence that affection knows +makes harmony in their words. Gayly-dressed children pass by, some with +toy balloons, bounding into air. Evelyn shuddered at even this tiny +reminder of her reckless adventure, and clinging to her husband's arm, +blesses him and the day that confided her to his keeping. Accident had +tested his noble nature as the ordinary course of events never could +have done; and now was fulfilled the last wish of his parents, that in +Evelyn Howard should Weldon Gardner find the glory of heaven's last, +best gift to man. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page152" name="page152"></a>[pg 152]</span> +</p> +<a name="h2H_4_0014" id="h2H_4_0014"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + Hezekiah's Wooing +</h2> +<h3> + A FIRESIDE SKETCH +</h3> +<p> +"Walk right in, Mr. Lightus, do," said the cheery voice of the Widow +Partridge, as the portly figure of Mr. Hezekiah Lighthouse appeared in +her hospitable doorway. +</p> +<p> +"Thankee, thankee, I don't care if I do, Mis' Patridge," responded the +visitor, heavily bringing himself within the family circle. +</p> +<p> +"How's all?" he asked, comfortably establishing himself in the +arm-chair. +</p> +<p> +"Middlin', thankee," said the widow. "I've been enjoyin' very poor +health till lately. Now I seem to be pickin' up a little," as brushing +the seat of a rocker with her gingham apron, she sat down at the +opposite end of the hearth. +</p> +<p> +"An' Cicely Ann—how's she?" +</p> +<p> +"Oh, she—why she's allers the picture o' health. Here she comes now." +</p> +<p> +As she spoke, a fair, rosy-cheeked girl entered the cheerful room, with +her arms full of painting materials. These she deposited upon the table, +then dutifully greeted the visitor. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page153" name="page153"></a>[pg 153]</span> +</p> +<p> +"An' how do you like them new fol-de-rols, Cicely Ann?" inquired +Hezekiah, eyeing askance the collection. +</p> +<p> +The fol-de-rols consisted of some wooden plaques of different sizes, +which the new art craze had brought to the widow's cottage. +</p> +<p> +"She's gettin' along right nice, I think," replied the widow, looking +proudly at her one chick. "You see, she's a lot o' darnin' an' one thing +another to do, but she finds time for her landskips and things." +</p> +<p> +"Well, mebbe so," assented Hezekiah grudgingly. "For my part there's +nothing set's a gal off like spinnin' an' weavin', an' it puts more +money in her pocket, besides." +</p> +<p> +"La, Mr. Lightus," said the widow deprecatingly, "spinnin' an' weavin's +gone out o' fashion. Gals will be gals, and they mostly go in for +fashion, you know." +</p> +<p> +Cicely's red lip curled in scorn as she applied herself vigorously +to her plaque, where the inevitable girl with muff and umbrella was +stumbling into a snowdrift. +</p> +<p> +Hezekiah picked up the widow's daily paper which, by the way, he largely +depended on for the news. Silence reigned for a while, save for the +rustle of the sheet. The click-clack of the widow's knitting needles, +and the rapid plying of Cicely's brush, were varied at last by + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page154" name="page154"></a>[pg 154]</span> + + the girl +surreptitiously pulling a note out of her jaunty apron pocket. +</p> +<p> +As she read it a smile broke over the dimpled features, and in a moment +more she pushed the table from her and left the room. Swiftly she sped +to the big apple tree where her trystings were held with Rufus, her +playmate and lover. +</p> +<p> +Hezekiah slowly raised his head, and laying down the paper, said +thoughtfully: "'Pears like the gal gits skittisher every day. Do you +reckon she'll ever come to like me?" +</p> +<p> +"Why, I dunno why she wouldn't," ventured the widow with an encouraging +smirk. +</p> +<p> +"Well, she don't seem to, no way." Then looking suspiciously through the +window. "Where's she gone to?" +</p> +<p> +"Oh, nowheres I reckon," said the mother soothingly, "nowheres in +partic'ler. She's allers around." +</p> +<p> +Another silence, during which the visitor carefully noted the land, +stock and crop items in the paper, then took his leave. But not till he +had cast a lingering look behind and said: "This is about the +comfortablest place a feller could drop into, in my opinion." +</p> +<p> +It was some minutes after when the truant Cicely re-entered the little +keeping-room, her cheeks and eyes bright with happiness. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page155" name="page155"></a>[pg 155]</span> +</p> +<p> +"Oh, mother, wish me joy! Rufus has asked me to be his wife." +</p> +<p> +"Mercy on us, Cicely!" exclaimed the widow in a sort of terror, "and you +want to marry him?" +</p> +<p> +"Of course I do," proudly said the girl; "and I mean to marry him." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, Cicely, my child! and what will Mr. Lightus do—him that's been +comin' here so patient, off an' on?" +</p> +<p> +"Mr. Lighthouse!" disdainfully echoed the girl. "Do you suppose I would +have that old goose—old enough to be my grandfather!" +</p> +<p> +"Old goose! Fie, Cicely, to talk so disrespectful of your pa's best +friend. He's well-to-do an' has got the finest place in the county. +Think how nice we'd be fixed, child. We'd never have to work no more," +and the widow sighed as the girl looked into her face for the +congratulations she expected in vain. +</p> +<p> +"Well, mother, I can't help it. I am willing to work and so is Rufus. He +is as industrious and steady as the day is long. I shouldn't mind having +Mr. Lighthouse for an uncle, but husband—pshaw!" and the pretty +features screwed themselves into a comical grimace. +</p> +<p> +"Child, child, I'm disappointed and no mistake. Here's that man's been a +comin' here all these weeks, an' while he ain't asked for you, it's +clear he wants you. An' now I've + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page156" name="page156"></a>[pg 156]</span> + + got to tell him you won't have him. +There's that moggidge on the house, too. But that's allers the +way—troubles don't never come single," and the sigh became a whimper. +</p> +<p> +"Now, don't you worry, mother," said Cicely, clasping her arms about the +still fair neck, "don't worry; we will come out all right, mortgage and +all." +</p> +<p> +Taking fresh courage, the widow again pressed the claims of the portly +wooer, but what chance had she against the combined powers of young love +and the daughter's stronger nature. +</p> +<p> +Time passed. Almost every evening found Hezekiah at the cottage, but +though persistent, things did not apparently make much progress. At last +the stiffness of the customary interviews seemed to break. +</p> +<p> +"Mis' Patridge," he said, getting very red in the face and awkward as to +hands and feet, "Cicely Ann gits worse every day. Ain't there no chance +of her puttin' up with me at all?" +</p> +<p> +"Why, yes, I reckon so," bashfully said the widow. "She's young and +foolish, you know. You can't expect gals to be sensible and sober down +like they will when they get holt of some wise person tha'll train 'em." +</p> +<p> +"Well," sighed the wooer, "I guess I might as well stop comin'. 'Taint +no use to be forever worritin' after anything. I did think, + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page157" name="page157"></a>[pg 157]</span> + + howsomever, +it 'ud be sorter nice to have us four live together. Young folks makes a +house kinder lively. But I don't git on, somehow; so I guess I might as +well hang up my fiddle an' quit." And the ancient wooer slowly rose to +his full height. +</p> +<p> +"Us four!" repeated the petrified widow, mouth and eyes open to their +widest extent. +</p> +<p> +"Yes—us four," continued Hezekiah. "I was thinkin', you know, that +bein' as this young feller Rufus what's-his-name 'peared to be sweet on +the gal, mebbe you'd take to me an' we'd all git spliced together. But +she don't like me and wouldn't treat me right. I couldn't stand fusses +an' the like." +</p> +<p> +"La, Mr. Lightus, how you do astonish me," faintly ejaculated the +flushed widow, her comely face crimson to the roots of her soft brown +hair. +</p> +<p> +"You don't say!" exclaimed the rapidly enlightened Hezekiah, rousing +to something like animation. "Did you think—didn't you know—well, +I declare, I don't actually believe you did. Now ain't it a puzzle, +begad!" +</p> +<p> +While he jerked out his amazed sentences, his companion, fairly overcome +with the revelation that dawned upon her for the first time, buried her +face in her hands. +</p> +<p> +"Mis' Patridge," timidly said the agitated wooer, approaching nearer, +"you don't say—that + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page158" name="page158"></a>[pg 158]</span> + + is, do you mean to say that if Cicely Ann could +like me well enough to not be sassy around the house, an' keepin' you +oncomfortable about it, you an' me could hitch on an' be pardners? You +don't mean it now, do you?" +</p> +<p> +"Mean it!" murmured the widow, her fair cheeks aglow with +suddenly-stirred enthusiasm. "I'm only too happy, Mr. Lightus, I never +thought—" +</p> +<p> +But at this juncture the rejuvenated wooer ventured to clasp his rough +but honest arms about the blushing prize he had won. +</p> +<p> +At this juncture, also, Cicely and Rufus happened in, but beat a hasty +and giggling retreat, as they rapidly took in the situation. +</p> +<p> +All's well that ends well. Hezekiah Lighthouse married the Widow +Partridge, and set young Rufus up in business. As a father the spirited +Cicely yielded him the respect and affection he deserved. +</p> +<p> +She made but one stipulation. On the marriage morn she whispered the +earnest entreaty: "Mother, <i>don't</i> let him call me Cicely <i>Ann</i>!" +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page159" name="page159"></a>[pg 159]</span> +</p> +<a name="h2H_4_0015" id="h2H_4_0015"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + A Summer Daisy +</h2> +<h3> + A PASTORAL +</h3> +<p> +"Heighho!" yawned Carroll Hamilton, picking up his long legs from the +grass, "this is not making hay while the sun shines," and he proceeded +leisurely to place a camp stool in position, erect an easel, and spread +out sketching materials. +</p> +<p> +A few bold, rapid strokes transferred a pretty bit of rural landscape to +the canvas, and this much gained, the amateur artist lit a fine Havana +and lazily drifted off again into reverie. His thoughts were not of +a pleasant nature. Why couldn't a man do as he liked in this world? +Here the particular man in his mind—to-wit his own agreeable self, +had devoted his twenty-four years to acquiring sundry dazzling +accomplishments, zonly to have his interest in life dampened by a +matrimonial scheme, hatched long ago in the fertile brains of his own +parents and the parents of his prospective dulcinea in conspiracy. +</p> +<p> +Yes, a regular wet blanket had awaited his return from Italia's classic +shores. What an insufferable bore to be pledged, promised, all + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page160" name="page160"></a>[pg 160]</span> + + but tied +to an unknown female whose only merit, he wilfully wagered, lay in her +invincible ground rents. +</p> +<p> +"Why, my son," his doting mother said, "think of it—two hundred thousand +dollars in her own right, and all yours for the asking." +</p> +<p> +He did think of it; and he vowed in his own mind to do +something—anything; run away, commit suicide, before he would join +himself for life to any girl he had never seen, especially old +Thornton's daughter, who seemed so willing to jump at him. Not he. In +vain they urged him to cultivate the fair damsel. Not till he had braced +his nerves with country air, he said. This tonic secured, he graciously +consented to be introduced, but would reserve the ratification of the +wedding treaty till later. +</p> +<p> +What's the use in having fathers and mothers, anyhow? They only plague +the life out of one. They don't ever think of letting a fellow alone +once in a while. They— +</p> +<p> +What other heinousness they would be guilty of would never be shaped +into thought, for at this moment down came a dainty little slipper, with +a dainty little rosette, from the tree above, plump on to his sketch, +and a violent start and a glance upward revealed a bewildering little +pink-stockinged foot, which was the daintiest of all. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page161" name="page161"></a>[pg 161]</span> +</p> +<p> +The abrupt spring to his feet brought down the camp stool, cigar, easel +and all, but not the foot, for the rest of the apparition was caught and +hidden by the clustering young shoots of the apple tree. +</p> +<p> +A whistle—quite involuntary, if not polite—was shaping itself a brief +distance below his staring eyes, when, recovering himself and tiptoeing +to his full height, he peered into the branches and said, a little +irrelevantly: +</p> +<p> +"I beg pardon!" +</p> +<p> +Two milk-white hands parted the leaves, and a flushed pink-and-white +face appeared at the opening. +</p> +<p> +"It's only me," cooed a musical voice, and as if the sound had unlocked +the pent-up silence, two rows of pearls shone between two red lips, two +large blue eyes twinkled with fun, and as charming a peal of laughter as +was ever vouchsafed to mortal ears rippled merrily on the air. +</p> +<p> +"And who is me, may I ask?" rather saucily asked the routed artist. +</p> +<p> +"Why, Daisy—Daisy Merrifield; don't you know?" +</p> +<p> +"Why, no, I don't know; that is, I didn't know, but of course I know +now; and I'm delighted to know." +</p> +<p> +At all these "knows", the maiden laughed her merry laugh again. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page162" name="page162"></a>[pg 162]</span> +</p> +<p> +"May I ask what you are doing up there?" +</p> +<p> +"Doing nothing—just what you are doing down here." +</p> +<p> +"Ah, but I was doing something very nice down here, only you have nearly +spoiled it," and with mock regret the young man picked up the slipper +and comically surveyed its Cinderella proportions. +</p> +<p> +"So I did," was the regretful reply, "you see it was awfully poky, +having to sit so still. I must have grown desperate at last and kicked +it off—I am sorry." +</p> +<p> +"Well, I am not one bit sorry," he said. "I'll do another picture, and +next time I'll sketch the tree," he added, his brown eyes twinkling with +amusement. +</p> +<p> +"But how did you get up there, and how will you get down?" were his next +queries, putting the little slipper into the pocket of his jacket. +</p> +<p> +"Well, I climbed up," she admitted. "I suppose I'll have to jump down. +Reach out your hands," she cried, and a sudden rustle showed she was +preparing to spring. "Good gracious me!" was her next exclamation, as +the willing hands were extended, "my hair is all caught." +</p> +<p> +"Hold perfectly still till I get up there," he said with concern, and +replacing the stool, he was soon on a level with the fair prisoner. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page163" name="page163"></a>[pg 163]</span> +</p> +<p> +Patiently he disentangled the long golden locks from the infringing +boughs, and gathering them all in her little hands, she gave them a +vigorous twist forward over her face out of further mischief. +</p> +<p> +"Now, my slipper, please," as the young fellow retreated. Obediently +restoring the truant article, she deftly adjusted it, and cried, +"All ready!" +</p> +<p> +It is hardly to be wondered at that her descent was arrested, and her +rounded form tenderly lowered to terra firma. +</p> +<p> +"I like this out here, don't you?" was her next remark, shaking out her +fairy muslin skirts and placidly surveying the scene. "I've been out +every day these—let me see—yes, three days. Aunt Hepsy says I'll get +tanned, but I don't mind. You know Aunt Hepsy, don't you? Everybody +does." +</p> +<p> +"No, but I'd like to," he said, and he meant it. +</p> +<p> +"She lives at the farm-house yonder—she and Uncle Reuben. They are the +best old souls! So this is what you were doing," she abruptly added, +picking up the sketch. "You wouldn't think I could draw, but I can," +with a proud little toss of the hair. +</p> +<p> +"I would think you could do anything," he gallantly replied. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page164" name="page164"></a>[pg 164]</span> +</p> +<p> +But she was intent upon the picture, with its bold, true outlines. +</p> +<p> +"This isn't bad," was her sage critcism. +</p> +<p> +"Didn't you wear a hat, or something?" he asked, looking around and up +into the tree. +</p> +<p> +"No—yes—I wore this," and pulling from her pocket a large blue square +of cotton, she tied it under her chin with the utmost naivete. +</p> +<p> +"It's Aunt Hepsy's," she explained. "There, do you hear that bell? +That's for dinner," and taking a tiny watch from an elf-like pocket, she +added, "Only half-past eleven. But, to be sure, we ate breakfast with +the chickens. It's horrible." +</p> +<p> +"Don't you live here?" +</p> +<p> +"Live here?" she echoed. "No, I'm only visiting. Good-bye, I must go. I +am much obliged, though," and as if the recollection were overpowering, +she again burst out into her ringing laugh. +</p> +<p> +"It was too funny you didn't see me; and I so scared I was afraid to +breathe. Good-bye, I hope you will have a good time with your picture." +</p> +<p> +"But you are not going to dismiss me, are you? Mayn't I take you home?" +</p> +<p> +"Yes, if you like; only you musn't stay long. I've got to do Rollin and +Plutarch while I'm out here, and can't be bothered." +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page165" name="page165"></a>[pg 165]</span> +</p> +<p> +With difficulty repressing an explosion, the young man walked beside +the woodland sprite, with his goods and chattels thrown across his +shoulders, and found himself falling—yes, tumbling—headlong in love. +Such an airy, fairy, exquisite piece of humanity it had never been his +fortune to behold. +</p> +<p> +"You are too young to worry your brain with dry old fossils like Rollin +and Plutarch," he said, with what gravity he could. +</p> +<p> +"I am a person of twenty," she affirmed with demure satisfaction, as she +tripped along in a manner quite enchanting. +</p> +<p> +At the door of the farm-house a fair, motherly face smiled a welcome +from the border of a spotless cap, then sobered a little at the sight +of a stranger. +</p> +<p> +"This is Aunt Hepsy," simply said Daisy, "and you are—?" hesitating. +</p> +<p> +A flush not born of the sunshine mounted to his brow as with swift +thought he saw the shoals ahead, and did not dare reveal his identity. +</p> +<p> +"John Smith," he said, with his natural ease. +</p> +<p> +"Oh!" half exclaimed Daisy, upon hearing such a very common name from +such very uncommon lips; but checking it, and softly humming a tune, she +retired to an inner room to prepare for dinner. +</p> +<p> +This episode was the beginning of elysium for John Smith. Every day saw +him at the + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page166" name="page166"></a>[pg 166]</span> + + farm-house. Every day revealed some new charm in the Daisy +he had found. She was as industrious and sensible as she was petite and +pretty. Rollin and Plutarch were discarded for modern authors, or for +simple chit-chat about mamma, papa, and little ones at home. +</p> +<p> +But when the day came for John Smith to tell his love, he met with a +shock that quite paralyzed his senses. +</p> +<p> +Looking up with her big blue eyes, she said: +</p> +<p> +"You mustn't talk like that; I'm engaged." +</p> +<p> +"Engaged?" he stammered, "engaged?" +</p> +<p> +"Yes, I'm engaged." +</p> +<p> +"And to whom? May I ask?" +</p> +<p> +"Oh, I can't tell you his name; it's a secret yet. He is a person I +never saw." +</p> +<p> +"Sheer madness!" was his horrified ejaculation. "Never saw him, and +going to marry him?" +</p> +<p> +"I promised, you know; I must, if he wants me," she said in her +unconcerned way. +</p> +<p> +"But don't you love <i>me</i>, Daisy?" +</p> +<p> +"Yes, I suppose I do, but that can't be helped; a promise is a promise." +</p> +<p> +"Who is to prevent it?" he exclaimed impatiently. "I say it shall be +helped." +</p> +<p> +There was not time for further rhapsodies. Aunt Hepsy appeared with a +telegram, calling Daisy home; and home she went next day, leaving Mr. +John Smith in despair. In vain + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page167" name="page167"></a>[pg 167]</span> + + he laid siege to Aunt Hepzibah and +Uncle Reuben; they could not help him. +</p> +<p> +Then, in a mighty wrath, he too went home, and desperately resolved to +have it out with the Thornton girl, one way or the other; but not "the +other" if Daisy could be brought to terms. +</p> +<p> +It was easy travelling where the way was all prepared. So a lovely +moonlight evening found him in Squire Thornton's parlor. In a few +moments there floated down to him from the invisible upper regions a +cloud of blue muslin, and the laughing face of Daisy Merrifield was +before him. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, Daisy, what a surprise! and how sweet you are!" as impulsively he +strained her to his heart. "What joy to find you here!" +</p> +<p> +"Don't crush my dress," she said, righting up the ruffles; "it's new. +Yes, I am here. Didn't you come to see me?" +</p> +<p> +"No—that is—I came to see Miss Thornton," and his face fell. +</p> +<p> +"There is no Miss Thornton," she said, her dimples playing +mischievously. "It is only <i>I</i>—<i>now</i> don't you know?" +</p> +<p> +"But how is it? I was told—I understood—" +</p> +<p> +"Pshaw! you stupid!" she said, with a bewitching pout, "if you had been +a little more civil, you would have known that I am + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page168" name="page168"></a>[pg 168]</span> + + Mrs. Thornton's +daughter—not Mr. Thornton's; that mamma is mamma, but papa isn't papa, +and—" +</p> +<p> +But in an ecstacy of surprise and joy the rest of her sentence was +entirely smothered. +</p> +<p> +"And you knew from the first?" he asked, reproachfully. +</p> +<p> +"Not from the first, but almost. They were all in the plot. I meant to +snub you outright, only—well, somehow you didn't look as horrid as you +really were! The 'John Smith' was almost too much for me, but I stood +it. Then when the letter came—it was well for you I had seen you under +the tree. So you wouldn't marry the heiress," she said, archly. "I did +my very best to teach you a lesson, young man. Have you learned it?" +</p> +<p> +The answer was fervently though silently given the merry, rosy, smiling +lips. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page169" name="page169"></a>[pg 169]</span> +</p> +<a name="h2H_4_0016" id="h2H_4_0016"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + Treesa +</h2> +<h3> + A CHARACTER SKETCH +</h3> +<p> +They called her Treesa. She was not young. That she had ever been was +hard to realize. Whatever her childhood, and however the years had +brought her up to woman's estate, there was no footprint upon the worn +face of the gladsome time we call youth. No light in the eye of other +and happier days. No echo in the quiet heart, of bounding pulses, or +ever a sweet enthusiasm. The treadmill of duty in life's most trivial +task, enthralled her every faculty. Her daily round was in a large +hotel—an arena of toil circumscribed by four brick walls. Her domain +was the parlor floor; that sacred area of rosy vistas and costly suites, +where she was as proud to tread as a king in his royal glory. Where +beauty and fashion made for her a panorama of short glimpses amid pauses +of broom and duster. +</p> +<p> +The maids on the other floors might earn the wage just as honorably; +Treesa permitted no trespass upon her exalted territory. The bridal +chambers, the private sitting rooms, the + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page170" name="page170"></a>[pg 170]</span> + + luxurious sleeping +apartments—these were her pride and her joy. The Excelsior had a +reputation, national and international. Princes and potentates had +slumbered in Treesa's chambers. The "nobility and the gentry" had been +feted there. Year after year her pale eyes had watched over the welfare +of distinguished visitors, American and foreign. They had seen the help +come and go; she was still the "girl of the parlor floor." Discreet, +silent, honest, they might well allow her a share of caprice. "Cranky" +they called her, yet no one found fault. She neglected no duty. The lady +manager of the interior was not always the same. She changed from time +to time; Treesa was always the same, and always there. At length there +came a dainty little woman, full of native pluck, who was born to rule, +and rule she did, to the limit of her jurisdiction. Though so far apart, +a kindred chord was struck between mistress and maid. The high spirit +that smouldered in these two never crossed; but with the smallest +tangible demonstration they were fast friends. The girl's horizon now +bordered a triune interest;—the church, the mistress, and the parlor +floor. Gaunt and spare, she trod her beat. Shy of manner, with eyes +looking nowhere, she seemed a human machine of the broom. A woman +without kith or kin, without a history, and apparently without a memory. + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page171" name="page171"></a>[pg 171]</span> + + Never sick, never absent, never a letter from friends, never a visit +away. The old habitues of the house liked her. She gave no sign of favor +or disfavor, till at last it was their way to respect her and leave her +alone. But whenever a mission of trust was needed Treesa was the one +called upon. +</p> +<p> +But as the calmest stream is ruffled at some time on its course, so +there comes to every human life a shock that upturns hidden forces. And +this came to Treesa. It was when she was one day summoned to the private +office downstairs: that dread tribunal for the wrongdoers of the large +household—a locality as little heeded by the girl as any other foreign +place, albeit there had been new and strange proprietors as the years +went by. Without so much as a ripple of excitement upon her homely +features, she came down and stood within the door, respectfully awaiting +orders. The two arbiters of her destiny were in close conference upon +ways and means. Expense must be cut down. There must be a weeding out. +Raising his head and looking in some curiosity at the queer apparition, +the new partner said: "Are you Teresa O'Toole?" +</p> +<p> +"Me name is that same, sir," she said, meeting the eyes. "An' what thin, +sir?" she added, as for a moment he was silent. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page172" name="page172"></a>[pg 172]</span> +</p> +<p> +"Yes—ah—" he went on, this time not exactly confronting the expectant +face—"We've been thinking, Teresa—we were just saying—that you are +getting along in years now, and—ah—the fact is, we think you ought to +have a rest. Some one younger, and stronger, ought to relieve you, and +give you a chance to pick up. You are a good girl," with encouraging +justice, "a very good girl, and have been faithful and honest. But we—" +he hesitated, as Treesa's lean face suddenly darkened with an unwonted +flush. Then she broke out: +</p> +<p> +"An' is it me dischairge ye'd be afther givin' me, sir?" +</p> +<p> +"Well, yes, about that, it amounts to that, I suppose," admitted the +great man. "You see, my good woman," he ventured softly, noting the +breakers ahead, "the fact is—" +</p> +<p> +"Well, thin," she burst forth in righteous wrath, placing her hard, red +arms akimbo, and struggling to loose her tongue, "I'll be afther tellin' +yees, I'll not take a dischairge from yees, sir! It's here I've been +this fifty year, an' more. I was the first gurll in the house, for sure +I come before the likes of yees was born an' before yees iver darkened +the doors. It's no fault can be found with me. I'll stay right here!" +and turning, she went out. +</p> +<p> +There was silence in the office. Then the senior partner, his eye +twinkling, spoke: +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page173" name="page173"></a>[pg 173]</span> +</p> +<p> +"What are we going to do about it?" +</p> +<p> +"Why, nothing", drily said the other, "nothing, I suppose; you heard +what she said, I presume she will stay on." +</p> +<p> +And stay on she did, her one dominant idea as fixed as the polar star. +As the years rolled by she might have rested from her labors, but for +this sense of devotion to duty. Even a monthly pittance will count +through the ages; so Treesa's savings came at last to foot up into the +thousands. Not even good Father Clement could have told the amount, or +where she kept it. Like herself, it was a mystery. She continued to +hoard and to hide, with no misgiving of loss by thief, or by accident; +with no forewarning of danger. Yet dire calamity was impending. +</p> +<p> +It was past midnight when the veteran chambermaid was awakened by the +sound of crackling wood and the smell of stifling smoke. To spring out +of bed was the work of a moment, the aged limbs obedient to her call; +then all her faculties alert, she thrust her hand into a hidden recess +of the mattress, and clutching a bulky package from its depths, made her +way out into the corridor, where the smoke was still thicker, on down +the stairs from the servants' dormitory to the floor below. Staggering +to the manager's door she pounded with all her strength till those +within were aroused; + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page174" name="page174"></a>[pg 174]</span> + + and dizzy from fright and half-suffocation, she +ran to the fire alarm, banging the gong till doors flew open right and +left, and the halls were alive with people. The cry of "Fire!" on all +sides now added to the din. More alarms were turned in till ample help +was at hand. While the hotel manager's orders were being obeyed, and the +guests were deserting their rooms for greater safety in the lobby below, +Treesa was struggling to get back to the servant's floor, whence now +issued screams of terror, as, for the first time, the flames were seen +creeping in close proximity to the maid's quarters. In vain the firemen, +who were now cutting holes in the floor to insert the hose, tried to +intercept her. Bent upon serving her fellow-servants, she disappeared +through the blinding smoke Crawling flat upon her face up the stairs +to avoid the onset of the fumes, the girl reached the glass door that +imprisoned the terrified creatures, burst it through with one powerful +blow, and forced them out upon the fire escape, where now, too, the +firemen's ladders were seen manned by the helmeted brigade. All bruised +and bleeding from the splintered glass, and still clutching fast the +rescued package, Treesa turned to retrace her steps, her only thought +now being to save the parlor floor and its treasures. Again she eluded +those who would have guarded her from danger, + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page175" name="page175"></a>[pg 175]</span> + + and made a hurried dash +for the stairway, when a sudden rush of flame, now fanned by the air, +blinded her, and she fell to the landing, dropping the bulk of her +holdings, where the fire greedily licked it to destruction. +</p> +<p> +Tender hands lifted her and conveyed her, crushed and unconscious, to +a temporary couch, where it was found, when the surgeon came, that her +hip was dislocated. To the mistress alone would she unloose what her +bleeding hand still held, as she whispered, "Put it away, safe—Masses +for me soul—Father Clement." +</p> +<p> +But Treesa did not die. The morning papers rang with her heroism, but +none then knew that she had lost the hoarded earnings of a life-time; +that the one package saved represented but a small proportion of her +treasure. She was taken to a hospital, and, fortunately for her peace +of mind, the house was closed for repairs. During the weeks of building, +the old bones were mending. The sufferer counted the days with jealous +watching. When an agony of fear seized upon her lest she might never go +back, only the mistress or the kindly priest had power to quiet her, She +was promised over and over again that she should not be supplanted. +</p> +<p> +When the hotel opened anew, the daily press blazoned to the world the +fact, giving a personal + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page176" name="page176"></a>[pg 176]</span> + + paragraph to the officials, and including a +list of well-known names, among them the humble one of Teresa O'Toole, +who had been a chambermaid there during sixty years. This scrap of paper +was held fast in the horny fingers, and seemed to the fevered senses to +keep alive the link between her and the only home she knew. +</p> +<p> +Hither she was borne at last to a small room that was to be her +portion and her pension forevermore. Her old quarters, austere and clean +and bare, had been effaced by the carpenter's hammer, and this corner +retreat had been partitioned from a domestic recess in the rear. But +it was on the parlor floor, that fetich of a devoted life. Crippled +and useless, Treesa was an object of unobtrusive care. She kept her +shrunken savings about her person, more unwilling than ever to trust +the unexplored fields of finance. She grew querulous. She must be +getting to her work again. Would the mistress be after letting her earn +something—on the parlor floor, she tremulously added. Smiling sadly, +permission was granted. Fondly the old creature took up her broom and +duster—bought anew for her—and limped painfully toward the beloved +rooms—the bridal chambers—the choicest suites where beauty and fashion +came. What a journey now! The grand parlors and long corridors were +interminable + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page177" name="page177"></a>[pg 177]</span> + + vistas of elegance and luxury. And—ah! what was that +clinging to the velvet carpet pile? A bit of paper carelessly let fall? +And—yes, was there dust on the polished marble of yon table? Alas! that +her dim eyes should live to behold the desecration. What shiftless +wretch was doing the parlor floor, and she a useless block in her room! +</p> +<p> +The shock told. She staggered to a gorgeous sofa near the offending bit +of rubbish, and sunk down in the act of reaching for it. This was the +beginning of the end. Lying on her bed sleep deserted the fading eyes. +An attendant was provided, who grew accustomed to mutterings she could +not understand. She ceased to listen. In pity the mistress came often +and sat beside the couch. She listened and understood. She gathered the +last wishes of the dying, and received as a sacred charge all that the +sufferer had to leave. Still the angel of death tarried, until sweet +peace shed a radiance over the departing soul, whose faith was steadfast +to church and heaven. +</p> +<p> +At the first faint ray of dawn the mistress arose and went to her. The +bed was empty, the nurse asleep. Following the instinct of the moment, +the lady hastened along the quiet corridors to where the night taper +showed the still form of the devoted veteran stretched out on the thick, +soft carpet, her cold fingers clasping the new broom and duster. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page178" name="page178"></a>[pg 178]</span> +</p> +<a name="h2H_4_0017" id="h2H_4_0017"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + My First Jury Case +</h2> +<h3> + THE DOG WITNESS +</h3> +<p> +The court-house was crowded to its utmost capacity. Women as well as men +were there to hear the arguments in the case of the Commonwealth against +William Grant for the alleged murder of John Belt. +</p> +<p> +Grant was a young man of handsome exterior and pleasing manners. He sat +in the prisoner's box, and near him, closely veiled, was his beautiful +girlish wife, with her arm around a fine, manly boy, and her head bowed +upon his sunny curls. +</p> +<p> +Near the group were the surviving relatives of the dead man, consisting +of the wife, mother and daughter. Their faces were heavy and stolid, and +their whole appearance indicated not only the lower walks of life, but +the existence of evil passions and aggressive natures. +</p> +<p> +Belt had owned a small grocery some fifteen miles from town, in a wild +glen at the mouth of a shallow stream that flowed into the Kentucky +river. The region was for a long time sparsely settled; but the +establishing of a government distillery and a railroad station had led +to an + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page179" name="page179"></a>[pg 179]</span> + + increase of population, so that young Grant was induced to locate +there and open a shop for provisions and other supplies, that line of +business having been the one chosen from his boyhood. +</p> +<p> +From the first Belt, who was one of the few German settlers in that part +of the country, resented what he was pleased to call an encroachment +upon his trade, and lost no opportunity of showing his ill-feeling. He +was a heavy-set, sullen man of about forty-five years of age, and showed +a dogged spirit even to his customers. In vain Grant strove, first to +pay no attention to his enmity, and afterward to conciliate him. He +continued obstinate, and his family were not behind him in giving +insults and slights. +</p> +<p> +Time passed, and Grant prospered. He was obliging and agreeable, and +people naturally patronized his store, which he rendered as attractive +as his means and good taste would allow. His wife, too, charmed the +community by her simple, sweet ways; and motherly old ladies took +special interest in her and her babe. +</p> +<p> +Grant built a neat cottage, and this gave fresh offense. At last Belt, +who was a drinking man as well as surly, swore that he would take +Grant's life if the latter persisted in remaining there. His trade was +falling off, and Grant was the cause. Matters reached a climax + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page180" name="page180"></a>[pg 180]</span> + + then, +and Grant armed himself in case of a surprise. +</p> +<p> +One morning Belt was missing, and his family raised a hue and cry that +speedily brought a crowd about the house, just as Grant approached and +made the startling announcement that he had shot at a man the night +before, and was ready for such investigation as would be proper under +the circumstances. He stated that he had been aroused by a filing, +grating sound at his bedroom window, which was on the ground floor, and +that he sprang from his bed, threw open the front door, and fired upon +a figure that retreated rapidly and was soon lost in the darkness. +</p> +<p> +Upon this Grant was held in custody, while a party of men went in search +of Belt. Hours were spent in vain, when it was suggested that Belt's +dog, a vicious mongrel-cur, should be put upon the trail. Accordingly +the dog, which was usually seen at Belt's heels, was given the scent of +his master's coat, and started rapidly down the road, his nose to the +ground. The testimony as elicited at the trial showed that the brute had +bounded along to the Grant cottage, leaped upon the window sill, sniffed +eagerly about the spot, then ran down the path to a clump of bushes on +the river cliff. Here the creature stopped and set up a piteous howl. +The pursuing party hastened to the spot, and + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page181" name="page181"></a>[pg 181]</span> + + there lay the body of Belt, +who had fallen and died, as the autopsy revealed, of internal hemorrhage +produced by a pistol shot. As if to corroborate Grant's statement, a +chisel and a pistol were found in the grass under the window of his +bedroom. +</p> +<p> +Such was the history of the case. The absence of any testimony in behalf +of the prisoner beyond his own assertion, was painfully evident. His +wife supported him in the facts, but the law did not permit a wife to +testify in the husband's case, so this evidence was unavailable. +</p> +<p> +The natural sympathy which death awakens in the human breast, +especially a tragic one, had done its work even in the case of so +unpopular a man as Belt, and already he was considered a martyr. +The desperate lamentations and impoverished condition of his family +asserted their claims, and the time of trial found public opinion +greatly divided. The spark of envy in every community which had lain +dormant as long as the Grants were novelties, sprung into life at their +unwonted prosperity, and the gaily painted store and fanciful cottage +became eyesores to more than one. Various rumors, like uncanny spirits +of air, floated about till the prisoner felt himself sinking into an +abyss. Once down, there seemed no power ready to lift him up. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page182" name="page182"></a>[pg 182]</span> +</p> +<p> +He employed several distinguished attorneys as counsel, and I, a +struggling young lawyer, whose ambition was to be worthy the mantle of +an illustrious father, was also retained. There was something about the +case that inspired me to the utmost of which I was capable. There was no +circumstantial evidence against the prisoner. He had frankly owned to +shooting the man. The issue rested upon his motive for the deed. What +was the provocation? True, Belt may have threatened his life; but Belt +was a drunkard, and who attached any importance to his words? +</p> +<p> +The prosecution endeavored to show that Grant, wearied with the enmity +of Belt, and wishing to be rid of him, had enticed him away on the night +of the killing, and shot him in cold blood. True, a chisel and pistol +had been found, but how easy for the prisoner to have placed them +there to carry out his plans! The dead man was proved to be a harmless +character, though of intemperate habits and rough ways. His antipathy to +Grant was only natural, since the latter had, by ingratiating manners, +flashy advertising dodges, and a few modern tricks of trade, ruined the +business of the old-fashioned, plain-sailing German. +</p> +<p> +In the hands of such skillful manipulators the case grew blacker and +blacker, and the face of my client reflected the anguish he saw his + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page183" name="page183"></a>[pg 183]</span> + +wife enduring, and he powerless to comfort. He saw his beautiful, +idolized boy the son of a convict, and all that had made life worth the +living shattered to the dust. Closer and closer the meshes were weaving +about him. The jurors sat with fixed gaze as one by one the speeches +were ended. At length the honorable counsel for the prosecution +concluded a powerful argument, and I saw in the faces of the twelve +men that it had told. +</p> +<p> +There was but one point left for me to make, and I wondered that my +distinguished brethren had passed it by. They had dwelt upon the youth +and good standing of the prisoner, and the uncalled-for persecution he +had suffered. They pictured in graphic words the midnight attempt upon +his life at his own house. A man's house is his castle, and he has the +supreme right to defend both it and himself. They appealed to the +sympathies of the jurors in behalf of the young, helpless wife and +innocent child. Still there was wanting the one link in the chain of +positive evidence. Sympathy was well enough. The twelve sworn men +required proof. How was it to be shown them? +</p> +<p> +I was young, and I felt all the nervousness attendant upon a maiden +effort, but my heart was in the work and I launched forth. Nature had +given me a good voice, and I felt a certain + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page184" name="page184"></a>[pg 184]</span> + + power as I spoke. But +I had not the egotism to suppose that I could compete with the learned +gentlemen who had preceded me unless I could make a decided hit in +summing up the testimony. This I did. When I came to the hitherto +unnoticed dog, I dwelt there with a tenacity that was determined to +convince. I portrayed the well-known fidelity of the dog. No matter what +the master, whether fortune's pampered darling, or a beastly denizen of +the gutter, his dog was always his friend. Be he kind and gentle, or +cruel and pitiless, still his dog crouches in loving submission. And the +animal, whether a high-bred, glossy-coated favorite, with golden collar +and silken leash, for whom hundreds had been paid, or an ill-favored, +ungainly brute picked up from nowhere and as thankful for a kick as for +a crust, was loyal with a fidelity that puts to shame man's boasted +friendship. +</p> +<p> +This man's dog had loved him. Drunk or sober, kind or cruel, his dog was +not content out of his presence. Why was he not with the man on this +fatal night? Because Belt had chained him in order to follow out his +vengeance untraced. The master knew the sagacity of his dog. He wanted +no companion on his midnight stroll. And when, restless and uneasy, the +dog was let loose and shown the garment of his master, what did he do? + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page185" name="page185"></a>[pg 185]</span> + + He dashed away, nose to earth, in eager, loving pursuit, along the +road to Grant's cottage. There he sniffs the ground, where undoubtedly +the familiar scent lay, jumps upon the window-ledge with his fore paws, +whimpers, starts away, and follows the trail down the path to the +beloved body now cold in death. +</p> +<p> +What proof more convincing than that Belt had been there? How improbable +the trumped-up story that Grant could decoy from his home his bitterest +enemy, especially at the midnight hour! A loaded pistol and a chisel +were found under the window. It had been alleged that Grant placed them +there for his own base purposes. But admitting that man could deceive, +the dog would not. Canine instinct could not lie. Every man who knew the +nature of the animal must feel convinced that Belt's dog would never +have gone to that window except in honest pursuit of his master. +</p> +<p> +I felt that my speech had told, and as I sat down there was a stir in +the vast crowd. My client's face was flushed, and the wife's somber veil +was thrown back, revealing her large eyes lustrous with hope. +</p> +<p> +The Commonwealth's attorney occupied the floor for an hour, during which +he ridiculed what he termed the schoolboy tales from his youthful +opponent. But when the jury retired I felt that my influence was still +uppermost. The + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page186" name="page186"></a>[pg 186]</span> + + suspense was trying, but it did not last long. They +reported in a very short time, and the verdict, announced in a clear +ringing voice, was "Not guilty!" +</p> +<p> +Grant sprang forward as his friends pressed near and seized my hand in +a vise-like grip. Loud cheers rent the air, for again the fickle public +had veered around, the crowd surged to and fro, women wept, and the +fervent "Thank God!" that broke from the pallid lips of the young wife +rang in my ears for many a day. +</p> +<p> +The foreman of the jury, a plain, intelligent farmer, drew me aside and +said, "That dog done the business! There was no gittin' around that! +I've got a dog myself." +</p> +<p> +Grant was forced to begin life anew, for his counsels' fees about +consumed his little savings, but he remained at his post honest and +industrious, and is one of the leading men in the now populous section. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page187" name="page187"></a>[pg 187]</span> +</p> +<a name="h2H_4_0018" id="h2H_4_0018"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + Three Visits +</h2> +<h3> + A ROMANTIC SKETCH +</h3> +<p> +The day was warm and sunny. A few industrious and enterprising pioneers +were seated on a log near the Wallace Cross Roads, in what is now +Garrard county, Ky. They were enjoying their noonday luncheon and +discussing the object of their woodland caucus. Suddenly the sound of an +advancing horse arrested their attention. Pausing and looking toward a +primitive opening in the deep-tangled wildwood, they soon saw both horse +and rider approaching, the latter looking about him as if a stranger to +the country. He was among them in another moment, receiving their rough +but hearty greetings, and manifesting genuine pleasure in his frank, +youthful countenance. Though not yet attained to full manhood, the +traveller's figure was tall and graceful, and his face, by no means +handsome, wore a genial glow that intensified the wonderful magnetism +of his manner. +</p> +<p> +"You seem to be a stranger in these parts," said one of the men, mopping +his forehead with his red bandana. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page188" name="page188"></a>[pg 188]</span> +</p> +<p> +"Yes," answered the traveller. "I am a few days out from home across the +mountains yonder. Can you direct me to Lexington?" +</p> +<p> +"Easy, easy, sir," said the other, "It's a good spell from this, but +there's a pretty fair road after you get out of these thickets. Sit +down, sir; sit down and have a snack with us. You must be hungry, and +you won't find a tavern soon." +</p> +<p> +Nothing loth, the young stranger addressed himself to the cold corn +bread and bacon with a will, while the talk veered around to the +business of the day. +</p> +<p> +"You, see, sir, we are about to build a courthouse hereabouts, and have +our lawing to ourselves," said the first speaker. "We've about decided +to plant the corner stone at the Cross Roads a little way from this." +</p> +<p> +"It's a first rate location," said another. "There's good water all +around and plenty of trees for lumber." +</p> +<p> +"Nothing like making the right start," added a third voice. +</p> +<p> +They continued to discuss plans for their future township, the stranger +entering with courteous interest into all their projects. +</p> +<p> +"I have often tried," said he, "to look into the future of this grand +section of country. To the day when the spirit of internal improvement +shall have levelled the roads and converted + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page189" name="page189"></a>[pg 189]</span> + + the hidden wealth of the +soil into a glorious medium of happiness and prosperity. Then the mental +stores of our hardy settlers will rapidly develop, and civilization will +prune down the rugged points of character, as the implements of the +husbandman break up the clods." +</p> +<p> +Rapt visions illumined the young speaker's features with a glow of +national pride, and he saw not the looks of intelligent curiosity that +passed among his companions. +</p> +<p> +Then starting up, he said, "I must really be going. I have a long ride, +and the day is waning. I thank you heartily for your hospitality. +I assure you it is as refreshing as it was unexpected." +</p> +<p> +They shook hands, and the stranger mounted his horse which was quietly +grazing near by. Catching up the bridle, he said: "One of these days I +hope to visit your section again, and see the great results of which you +are now making the small beginning. Farewell." +</p> +<p> +"One moment," said the man who had first greeted him; "might I ask your +name, if it's not going too far?" +</p> +<p> +"Not at all, sir, not at all. My name is Henry Clay." +</p> +<p> +For a few minutes after the departure of the young stranger, the small +knot of pioneers commented with admiring wonder upon his singularly + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page190" name="page190"></a>[pg 190]</span> + + fascinating address, and saying, "That man will make his mark in the +world," they proceeded to refresh themselves at a cool spring, and then +prepared to finish the survey. +</p> +<hr /> +<p> +Years after, the little town of Lancaster, which had grown from the +humble courthouse of the Cross Roads, was in a state of excitement such +as only villages are liable to experience. It was the occasion of a +school examination, and the citizens were all more or less interested. +At the appointed hour the house was full, and the classes were +marshalled in due order to the front. Four o'clock struck, and the +programme was drawing to a close, when one of the dignitaries of the +town entered the hall, accompanied by a tall, distinguished-looking +stranger, whose presence inspired the children with a certain sense of +awe. It was at once whispered about that the great statesman, Henry +Clay, was among them. Upon presenting him to the teacher, the school +rose, and chairs being provided, the exercises went on. When the time +came for making recitations, the young people exhibited marked signs +of embarrassment; but one by one they acquitted themselves creditably. +At length a little blue-eyed, sunny-haired child ascended + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page191" name="page191"></a>[pg 191]</span> + + the platform +and recited "The Old Oaken Bucket," with wonderful pathos, so accurate +was her enunciation, so impressive the varying cadences of her sweet +voice. +</p> +<p> +"Who is she?" I inquired the great man when the storm of applause had +somewhat subsided. +</p> +<p> +"We call her 'Daisy of the Glen,'" was the reply. "She is a prodigy for +her age. Her history is a little singular. She was found not far from +here in a wild glen, or ravine, when about three years old, and has +never been able to tell who or where her parents are. But I will relate +the circumstances to you at another time. At present the trustees are +pressing in their invitation to you to say something to the children." +</p> +<p> +Whereupon the grandest orator of his day arose and addressed a few +remarks in simple language to his youthful audience. He told them of the +day, when on the highway from Virginia into the Blue Grass region, he +rode into their woodland council on the rugged spot where their pretty +little village now stood. And as their forefathers had cultivated the +then dense wilderness, so he admonished them to study and improve their +minds in school. Great men and noted women had already sprung into fame +from their young city, and many a glorious achievement of word, of pen, +and of sword, had given renown to the place + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page192" name="page192"></a>[pg 192]</span> + + whose birth he had +incidentally witnessed in the long ago. +</p> +<p> +When he ceased speaking he had implanted the germ of honest ambition in +the hearts of many of the little men and women whose future influence +was to wield power for good or ill. That night, seated among friends +in the best room the little tavern afforded, Henry Clay learned further +particulars concerning wee, winsome Daisy of the Glen, whose appearance +and address had so charmed his fancy. She was evidently a stolen child. +Her dress, when she was discovered by a hunter, was fine, and her whole +appearance indicative of an easy sphere of life. It was supposed that a +band of gypsies had decoyed her away while carelessly straying too far +from her home, but nothing definite was known. Mrs. Templeton, a kind, +motherly woman, without children, had cheerfully given the little +stranger shelter, and had in time grown so fond of her that she could +not bear the thought of parting. Hence, after the first unsuccessful +effort, no further attempt had been made to discover the parentage of +the little waif. She called herself Daisy, in her lisping fashion, and +her lovely disposition had won for her the poetical title of "Daisy of +the Glen." +</p> +<p> +Mr. Clay listened earnestly, and when about + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page193" name="page193"></a>[pg 193]</span> + + to leave, he deposited +a sum of money for the benefit of the little girl's education. +</p> +<hr /> +<p> +Ten years after, two figures sat in earnest conversation on the verdant +cliff of a romantic ravine leading from the banks of Dix river. The one, +a young girl of remarkably fair exterior, turned in an animated manner +to impress some assertion upon her companion. The other, a youth so +exceedingly handsome in face and figure, so lithe of person and eloquent +of speech, that no girl of eighteen could long resist his attractions. +</p> +<p> +"Indeed, Roye, I knew it must be he and no other. He made an impression +upon my memory when a little child of eight years, that can never be +effaced. Who else would be so likely to interest himself in my fate?" +</p> +<p> +"Indeed, Daisy," he echoed, "who is disposed to doubt the truth of your +surmises? You are probably correct, yet on the other hand, what proof +have you that Mr. Clay is your unknown benefactor?" +</p> +<p> +"None at all except the fact that he honored me so far on that memorable +visit to the school, as to inquire all about me. More than that he came +to the house and asked me a number of questions about my infancy. +Without his help + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page194" name="page194"></a>[pg 194]</span> + + I could never have gone away to complete my education +or possessed any accomplishments. Poor mamma always thought the money +came from him, and almost her last injunction to me, was to hold him in +profound veneration as long as I live." +</p> +<p> +"And it was here they found my little wanderer," fondly exclaimed Roye +Howard. "I should never, probably, have known true happiness but for the +vagabond who stole my Daisy!" +</p> +<p> +The girl's face clouded for a moment. +</p> +<p> +"Are you willing, Roye, to take me with this mystery hanging over me? If +there is nothing hid that shall not be revealed, how do we know at what +moment some revelation may come upon us that will dash our hopes to the +earth?" +</p> +<p> +"Never, never!" impetuously replied the youth. "Nature cannot so belie +herself as to make a blot or stain possible to her fairest creation." +</p> +<p> +Blushing beneath his admiring gaze, and thrilling with pleasure at his +words, Daisy proceeded to repeat all that she had ever remembered of her +home and parents. A large house, a doll as big as herself, and a tender +face bending above her, comprised her store of reminiscences. Since the +death of her foster mother she had remained with friends, and was soon + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page195" name="page195"></a>[pg 195]</span> + + to be united in marriage to Roye Howard, a rising young lawyer, reared +in Lexington, and established at Lancaster only a few months. +</p> +<p> +Talking confidingly of their promised happiness, the pair lingered among +the sylvan shades of the romantic spot till the waning sunlight bent +their steps homeward. +</p> +<p> +Next day was the regular County Court day in the village. The public +square was crowded with vehicles, live stock, and countrymen whose chief +pleasure was to mix in motley crowds, and to whose fancy an uproar of +some kind was ever welcome. On such occasions, in the somewhat lax +administering of justice of those early times, the killing of a fellow +creature seemed indeed a trifle light as air. +</p> +<p> +At a conspicuous corner of Danville street stood the house where +Daisy Templeton had found a temporary home. A number of ladies, wives +of the Judge and various lawyers, had assembled here to dine, a custom +prevalent upon public occasions. The group were deeply engrossed in +needle-work and cheerful conversation, when suddenly the crowds on the +square began surging and clamoring as though the turbulence of an angry +sea had been turned loose upon a peaceful plain, Shouts rose higher and +higher, till at last a pistol shot resounded, and the ladies that had +crowded to the front windows plainly distinguished + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page196" name="page196"></a>[pg 196]</span> + + the cry, "The Judge +is killed! Jim Burns has shot Judge Pierce!" and the mob rushed toward +the mouth of Danville street in pursuit of the desperado, a noted +character of the county. +</p> +<p> +Quickly passing out the back door of the parlor and closing it behind +her, Daisy reached the side door, opening on Danville street and heavily +shaded with trees, and flung the door to just as a man, pale and +terrified, darted in, almost throwing her to the floor. +</p> +<p> +"Save me!" was all he had breath to ejaculate. +</p> +<p> +"Up there!" she hurriedly exclaimed, pointing up the stairway toward the +attic; then slamming the door against the mob who were pressing upon the +steps, she turned the key in the lock and stood, awaiting she knew not +what. All this was the work of a moment, while the ladies in the parlor +were too intent upon watching the square for a glimpse of the Judge to +know that so important a scene was being enacted just behind them. Mrs. +Pierce had run down the front steps inquiring of every one if the report +was true. +</p> +<p> +Meanwhile, as Daisy stood silent and alone in the little passage, her +heart throbbing fast, the crowd outside beat upon the door and clamored +for Jim Burns. At this moment Stanley Livingstone, the young man of the + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page197" name="page197"></a>[pg 197]</span> + + house, appeared from a bed-room in the rear where he had been +administering a dose of sleep to a severe headache, and asked with more +emphasis than grace. +</p> +<p> +"What the devil's broke loose?" +</p> +<p> +She dared not tell him the truth. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, Stanley," exclaimed she, much relieved, "they are after Jim Burns. +They think he is here and are determined to force their way in. They say +he has killed Judge Pierce!" +</p> +<p> +"Let me settle them," said Stanley, and throwing wide the door, he +assured them that Burns was not there—that he would certainly have seen +the man if he had entered the house. +</p> +<p> +Incredulous, but irresistibly impressed by his earnest words, they +retired to the opposite side of the street to watch for their prey, who, +they convinced themselves, had darted through the house and concealed +himself about the premises too quickly to be detected by the inmates. +That the fugitive had disappeared at that side door, some of them knew +beyond question. +</p> +<p> +As Stanley stepped out to learn exactly what the excitement meant, Daisy +again turned the key, and observing a stain of blood on her white dress, +she dared not re-enter the parlor with the tell-tale sign. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page198" name="page198"></a>[pg 198]</span> +</p> +<p> +Hurrying up the stairs, she filled a basin with water, and with a roll +of linen, proceeded quickly to the attic, where the man stood, leaning +against a packing-box, tightly clasping his hand. +</p> +<p> +"You are wounded somewhere?" she asked. +</p> +<p> +"Yes, in the hand," he faintly answered. "He shot me." +</p> +<p> +"Who?" asked the girl. +</p> +<p> +"The Judge," sullenly said Burns. +</p> +<p> +"Then you didn't kill him?" +</p> +<p> +"Kill him! I wish I had!" +</p> +<p> +Going to a back window, Daisy signed to a servant to come up, but when +there, the frightened creature refused to touch the bloody hand. So +Daisy proceeded to bathe and dress the lacerated flesh, all the while +talking kindly and warningly to the man, who stared at the lovely vision +with something like shame in his face. +</p> +<p> +As she started to leave him, a stone sped its way swiftly through the +window and fell at her feet. +</p> +<p> +"You see," said she, "your life is not safe a moment where you are. +They believe that you are here. Some one saw you enter the door. +Remain perfectly quiet till nightfall and then go home a wiser and +a better man." +</p> +<p> +"God bless you, miss!" said the man brokenly. "I have been very wicked +all my + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page199" name="page199"></a>[pg 199]</span> + + life. I have wronged many, and you more than all; but if my life +is spared, I'll make some things right." +</p> +<p> +Wondering at his words, Daisy left him and rejoined her friends, after +the brief absence which was destined to bear rich fruits to her orphaned +heart. +</p> +<p> +That night, under cover of the darkness, the man went away. But at ten +o'clock, in defiance of prudence, he came back, knocked boldly, and +asked to see Miss Templeton—he had a package for her. She came, and +placing something in her hand, abruptly left, mounted his horse, and +rode away in a fierce gallop, ere she could speak, and again Daisy +closed the door upon this thread of her romantic destiny. +</p> +<p> +On opening the package she found a coral necklace and armlets, with +clasps engraved, and a soiled, miserably-scrawled letter. The initials +on the jewels were R.M. The letter told her that he, the desperate and +outlawed writer, had been leagued with a band of reckless men some years +ago, and had stolen her away from her beautiful home in Louisville, +thinking to obtain a heavy ransom. While passing through Garrard county, +he, the man to whose care the gang had confided her, because he was +sort o' womanish, they said, had lagged behind intent upon a bottle of +whisky, and when he recovered his senses, the child + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page200" name="page200"></a>[pg 200]</span> + + was gone. Fearing +that she had met her death, and knowing nothing then of the picnic party +that had rescued her, he fled the country for some years, and after his +return he had never had courage to confess his crime. Her parents were +wealthy, and their name was Mentelle. He could tell her nothing of their +present whereabouts. +</p> +<hr /> +<p> +New Year's Eve comes in cold, and a deep snow envelops the earth. +A wedding party at the corner house on Danville street is the event +of the evening. Roye Howard and Daisy Mentelle have just taken their +marriage vows, and the house is crowded with guests. Just before supper +a new arrival startles and astonishes the brilliant company. Henry Clay, +grown grey with years and honors, is among them, never having lost sight +of his protege. After congratulating the pair and kissing the bride, +he bade her come with him to another apartment; and when she had +wonderingly obeyed, he proudly presented to her a handsome lady richly +dressed in mourning. +</p> +<p> +"This, my dear, is your mother. I have not rested till I found her." +</p> +<p> +"It is she—it is she, indeed," exclaimed the noble-looking woman—"my +own little Ray—my + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page201" name="page201"></a>[pg 201]</span> + + Daisy!" and the mother clasped her newfound darling +to her breast in a passion of thankfulness and joy. +</p> +<p> +"This is my bridal present, my dear," said the statesman, after much had +been told, and Roye admitted to the circle. +</p> +<p> +"Since your letter of inquiry to me, my search has been constant. Your +father is no more, but this boon is the greatest of all. Receive her +with my blessing. Three times have I passed through your town. Always +has it held a warm place in my heart. May every succeeding twelve months +bring to you as happy a New Year!" +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page202" name="page202"></a>[pg 202]</span> +</p> +<a name="h2H_4_0019" id="h2H_4_0019"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + An Easter Dawn +</h2> +<h3> + "AND THERE WAS LIGHT" +</h3> +<p> +"Are you inflexible, Doris? Can nothing alter your decision?" +</p> +<p> +"Spare us both further pain, Warner. I cannot leave my blind mother. It +is useless to ask it." +</p> +<p> +"And do I ask it? You can still care for your mother. I do not ask you +to leave her." +</p> +<p> +The girl shook her head sadly. +</p> +<p> +"As a wife I must go with my husband. In the conflict of duties the +mother must yield. No, no, it would be cruel." +</p> +<p> +"Even admitting this, is there not a way out of it? Will she not try to +have her sight restored? Once relieved she might depend upon others, and +be content without you. Then you could come to me." +</p> +<p> +"I dare not urge this. Think what she endured before—the operation, the +mismanagement, the suffering, and the final loss of the eye itself. Oh, +Warner, the recollection of that terrible time makes me shudder. I pray +that she may forget it. I dare not urge another trial. Spare me that." +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page203" name="page203"></a>[pg 203]</span> +</p> +<p> +There was silence in the room, broken only by the ticking of the little +mantle clock, till in a low suppressed voice she continued: +</p> +<p> +"And you know the awful blow that came so soon after, that has broken +her down. She clings to me in so many ways. No, Warner, she might yield +to my persuasions, but I should never forgive myself if things went +wrong." +</p> +<p> +"Wrong?" echoed the man, bitter pain tugging at his heart. "How much +more wrong could things go? But it is nothing to you that my life is +made desolate, that loving you through all its best years I must quietly +give you up, and that, too, when I am in condition to take care of you. +Have I shown no consideration by waiting? Have I ever pressed my claim +till I knew I could make you comfortable and happy? But why do I cringe +and beg like this?" he added, setting his teeth hard with the pain of +disappointment. "If you really loved me you could not quibble about the +thing you call duty." And he strode back and forth, refusing to take in +the situation. +</p> +<p> +Then the girl's forced composure gave way. This was not her first tilt +with the man she loved, but he had never been so hard, so desperate, so +unjust. Heroically she had tried to do her duty. Ignominously she now +felt herself faltering in the way. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page204" name="page204"></a>[pg 204]</span> +</p> +<p> +He could not bear her tears. The sight of her grief drove him from +himself. Pausing before her, he said: +</p> +<p> +"Doris, I yield. Let it be as you say." +</p> +<p> +And he lifted her hand to his lips in adieu; though in his powerfully +imposed self-restraint he could not be all tenderness. His tones were +gentle, and in the look he cast upon her bowed figure there was no +reproach. +</p> +<p> +He was gone; and Doris went back to the mother who was unconscious that +she was wrecking the happiness of this devoted child; the only one left +to her. One by one they had married and gone, and now in her darkened +world she was enduring a more fearful weight of woe than blindness. +Ralph, her youngest, and her darling, the Benjamin of her old age, had +fled the country under the awful ban of murder. His employer, a hard +man, had been found dead in his private office from a blow on the back +of the head. Suspicion pointed to Ralph, who, poor, hot-headed fellow, +had been heard to vow vengeance against the dead man for his harshness. +A fellow clerk warned him in time to flee from the officers of the law. +He could not go without seeing his mother. In the silence of the night +he had clasped her trembling form in his stalwart young arms, and in +broken, quivering tones, bade her trust in his innocence. "Mother, + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page205" name="page205"></a>[pg 205]</span> + + believe me, only believe me; I did not do it," and sped on in the +darkness, an exile. She did believe in him. She would almost as soon +have doubted her Savior's love. But her stern, unbending pride of race +was wounded. Her loving heart was pierced in its tenderest spot, and in +a few short weeks she was a fretful, peevish invalid, making wholesale +but unconscious draughts upon her noble daughter's patience. +</p> +<p> +Five years had gone by since these household fetters had been forged for +Doris. Young and lovely, she adorned every circle. Offers of marriage +were unheeded, and her heart was untouched till Warner Douglas, the +young physician, came. They had met when she was a school girl and he +a student in the same town; and now it was revealed to her why he had +chosen her place of residence as the starting point in his career. So +they had loved and hoped on only to be crushed at last. +</p> +<p> +The day after her final rejection of his suit, the post brought a note +that ran thus: +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "Doris, good-bye; not for a day, or a week, but as long as may + require to perfect my plans. I have spent a sleepless night, and this + is my conclusion. There is one way out of this. Maddening as is your + decision, I am forced to yield. But I shall not give you up without + a struggle. I have determined to + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page206" name="page206"></a>[pg 206]</span> + + study the human eye as a specialty. + The savings I had meant to devote to our united lives shall go to this + end. If I do not write often and in lover-like fashion, it will be + because I must be firm in my undertaking. When I have mastered the + science, I hope to come back to you with healing in my hand for the + mother for whose infirmities you sacrifice me. Do not think me bitter; + I am trying to be kind. In any case, be my probation long or short, + I shall be +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "Ever yours, +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "WARNER DOUGLAS." +</p> +<p> +Long Doris wept heart-breaking tears over this letter. Had she decided +aright? She mused far into the night, and at last her tired spirit found +comfort in the hope that her lover might one day unlock the prison doors +of both her mother and herself. Next day and for many days she went +about her duties mechanically, but her blind mother missed nothing, knew +nothing. Wearisome vigils were those! Not for a moment could she trust +her charge alone. With the perverseness of age she would try to grope +her way about, and more than once had she wandered into danger. Besides +this active, bodily vigilance, there were papers and books to read to +her, and the post-office was fairly haunted by fruitless messages for +tidings of the wandering boy. "How long, O Lord, how long?" was the +burden of the + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page207" name="page207"></a>[pg 207]</span> + + mother's heart, and upon Doris fell the hopeless task +of comforting. +</p> +<p> +Two years dragged their slow lengths. Time and sorrow made little change +in Doris Hadyn. The fair, round cheeks had lost none of their bloom, for +duty well performed brings its own reward. She was the moving spirit in +all good works, and several of her young friends had gradually come to +share her time in amusing and interesting her invalid mother. +</p> +<p> +Her lover's departure, leaving his patients to a brother physician, had +been a nine-days' wonder, but now all were rejoicing in his success at +the city hospitals. Several wonderful operations had made a great noise, +and he awoke one morning to find himself famous. No more anxious care +for the savings he had intended for himself and his bride. They were +returning upon him tenfold. At last he wrote to Doris: +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "Are you waiting for me? I am coming, not for an hour, or for a day, + but to cast my lot once more near you. But first I shall come as the + physician, since till that mission is ended, I am forbidden to come + as a lover. +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "WARNER." +</p> +<p> +Not even the reproach in this laconic letter could tinge her joy. He was +coming; that was uppermost. He came, and Doris met him + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page208" name="page208"></a>[pg 208]</span> + + as she had +parted—loving and faithful; so proud of him, too, but unalterable in +her duty as before. She found his whole nature widened and broadened, +just as in appearance he was more manly. He was then a clever +practitioner: he was now the renowned oculist. From the first day his +office swarmed with patients. Old, chronic cases seemed to spring up +everywhere, and he found himself in a fair way of being taxed beyond +the limit. +</p> +<p> +Gently he began his ministrations to the mother of his beloved. When he +had won her confidence, he felt that the battle was half fought. She +soon expressed a willingness to submit to anything, to undergo any pain, +if only her sight might be restored. This he could not promise, but his +experienced eye could detect nothing worse than a cataract obstructing +the vision, and he convinced her that it was worth the trial. +</p> +<p> +One mild winter day she was taken to his office now fitted up with +all the belongings of his service. With bated breath he adjusted his +instrument. Heavy portieres shut out the daylight. Steadily the electric +ray was thrown into the darkened eye. Shrinking with a thousand fears, +and tortured with suspense, Doris sank upon a sofa. In silence he +applied his tests. She could hear the beatings of her + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page209" name="page209"></a>[pg 209]</span> + + heart. Softly he +questioned his patient, who hung upon his words for her life sentence. +</p> +<p> +At last, lying a hand almost caressingly upon each shoulder, he said: +</p> +<p> +"My dear Mrs. Hadyn, I think I can give you sight." +</p> +<p> +An involuntary cry broke from her lips, and Doris burst into convulsive +tears. Then relaxing the tension of these many weary years, the bearer +of good tidings folded his arms about the slight form for a moment as +he led her to her mother. Not yet, even, would he give full rein to +his hopes. He might fail. There was inflammation lurking behind the +eye-ball, caused by contagion from its fellow, which, when carelessly +bandaged too closely, had burst from its socket, irretrievably lost. +He could but try; and now his humanity as well as his love nerved him +to the task. +</p> +<p> +A preliminary course of treatment was ordered, and the Lenten season was +nearly over when the eye was declared ready for the knife. The day was +appointed, and the patient's own room was selected as the place. The +night before, the doctor came in all worn and tired out from a hurried +call to a neighboring city hospital. Doris knew his step and met him at +the door. +</p> +<p> +"Come with me, Doris, into the library," he said. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page210" name="page210"></a>[pg 210]</span> +</p> +<p> +Nervous with undefined apprehension, she followed him. +</p> +<p> +"Can you bear good news?" he asked, bending upon her eyes which held for +her the light of loving sympathy. "Will you be as brave as you have been +all these years? I was called away yesterday——" +</p> +<p> +"Ralph!" she gasped, catching his arm in the excitement of hope. +</p> +<p> +"Yes—Ralph," he said, placing his arm about her; "he is cleared at +last. The man I was called to see was James Green, Ralph's fellow-clerk. +He was run down by a heavy furniture van and badly crushed. I could not +save him, but he knew me, and gave me this paper, which is a confession +of his guilt. It completely exonerates your brother." +</p> +<p> +"Thank God!" she fervently exclaimed, clasping the paper to her heart. +</p> +<p> +"Shall we tell Mrs. Haydn?" he asked, still gravely supporting her. +</p> +<p> +"By all means," was her happy answer through shining tears; "now—this +moment," leading him away. "Joy does not kill." +</p> +<p> +It did not kill; it only braced the grateful sufferer for the ordeal set +for the next day. +</p> +<p> +"Find my boy as soon as you can and bring him to me," was her prayer; +and with a sense of comfort long a stranger, the mother slept + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page211" name="page211"></a>[pg 211]</span> + + peacefully +on this, her last night perhaps, of blindness. +</p> +<p> +The next day she was made ready for her couch, where she was to lie in +perfect quiet after the operation. At two o'clock, Dr. Douglas, with two +young assistants, entered easily and cheerfully upon his task. +</p> +<p> +"Are you strong enough to witness it?" he asked in alow voice, as Doris +took her stand. +</p> +<p> +She bowed her head, and the work began. It was neither long nor +difficult. A little cocaine in the eye, a quick, perpendicular incision, +the deft scooping from the orifice of a hard, pearly ball like an opal +setting, a cleansing of film by one skillful sweep, and all was over. +</p> +<p> +"Close the eye for a moment," was his order, as incomplete silence the +trio hung upon the result. +</p> +<p> +"Now open it and look." +</p> +<p> +As the lids parted, he held his hand before them, moving his fingers in +quick succession. +</p> +<p> +"What is it?" she asked. +</p> +<p> +"Well," he spoke playfully, as to a child; "what is it? I want you to +tell me. Do you see anything?" +</p> +<p> +"Yes, I see—a hand, but—it looks blue." +</p> +<p> +At this the surgeon clasped his hands in thanksgiving, and exclaimed: +"Victory! If you did not see the blue coloring at first, madam, I should +be in despair." +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page212" name="page212"></a>[pg 212]</span> +</p> +<p> +Yes, victory was his, for his skill and for his love. He continued his +tests, first by resting the eye, then by bringing objects within the +range of vision. At last he gently led Doris in full view. +</p> +<p> +"It is Doris, my faithful, patient child, whose dear face I have not +seen for so long," she said with emotion that threatened tears, but +this the doctor forbade, and proceeded at once to carefully seal the +patient's eyelids. +</p> +<p> +"Keep the room light, and watch her day and night. She must not touch +the eye even in sleep," was his parting injunction. +</p> +<p> +"But, doctor, don't you bandage the eye? And my room was kept dark after +the other operation was performed." +</p> +<p> +"No, madam, the room must be light, and I do not bandage the eye." +</p> +<p> +The days went by, each new one revealing some half-forgotten picture +to the patient. She already loved Dr. Douglas as a son, and her bodily +infirmities, real or fancied, were fast vanishing away. Ralph had been +found, and a telegram said he was coming. Easter eve was here, and as +the doctor took leave his grateful patient bade him good-night with +unusual feeling, +</p> +<p> +"Through you," she said, "I am made to realize the precious promise, 'At +evening time it shall be light.' Think what this anniversary + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page213" name="page213"></a>[pg 213]</span> + + must be to +me! The morning will celebrate the resurrection of Him who was the Light +of the world. Light, light, everywhere! How can I be thankful enough!" +</p> +<p> +"To-morrow I will set you free, my dear madam, and if you feel that I +have done you a service, perhaps I may show you how to repay me." And +with a warm pressure of her hand, and an unspoken good-night to Doris, +he went away. +</p> +<p> +At the dawn of the morning Doris stood beside her mother when she awoke, +and said lightly: "Whom do you want to see besides your grumpy old +Doris, this bright morning?" +</p> +<p> +"Is he here? Ralph—my boy—has he come?" And his fond arms enwrapped +her in joy too deep for words. She could not look at him enough—her +bronzed and bearded baby boy. +</p> +<p> +Later on the doctor called, but he did not at once interrupt the mother +and son. When at last he walked into the cheerful family room it was +with Doris by his side. +</p> +<p> +"My dear Mrs. Hadyn," he began, "do you want to make me as grateful as +you say you are? If so, only look!" +</p> +<p> +With the uncertain timidity she had not yet learned to overcome, she +directed her once sightless eyes toward him. He stood with Doris clasped +in his arms. The mother had + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page214" name="page214"></a>[pg 214]</span> + + not heeded his words of the previous +evening, for they bore no hidden meaning to her. A light now broke over +her features, while Ralph smilingly watched her. +</p> +<p> +"Doris, my child, how long have you loved this man?" were the only words +she found to say. +</p> +<p> +"So long, mother, that I shall not try to remember." +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page215" name="page215"></a>[pg 215]</span> +</p> +<a name="h2H_4_0020" id="h2H_4_0020"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + In the Mammoth Cave +</h2> +<h3> + WHERE THERE'S A WILL THERE'S A WAY +</h3> +<p style="text-indent: 0em; text-align: center; font-size: 70%; padding-bottom: 1em;"> +NOTE—This story is built upon a legend of Mammoth Cave. +</p> +<p> +The open mouth of Kentucky's far-famed cavern yawned huge and black. On +the brow of the hill, ready to descend the winding rock stairway, stood +a group of young people picturesquely attired in the bloomer costume of +cave-explorers. They were disputing as to whether to take the long or +short route first, unmindful of the guide, who ventured to hint that +time was slipping away. +</p> +<p> +"If we take the long route first we will be too tired for the short +one," said one. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, that will never do!" exclaimed another, "I must see the Chapel and +the Star Chamber. That is about all I came for." +</p> +<p> +Apart from the wranglers a pair stood in earnest conversation, hardly in +keeping with the frivolity of the hour. +</p> +<p> +She was small, lovely, and winning in gypsy dress of red and black, +relieved here and there with soft white ruffles. Upon her golden curls +rested a dainty little padded cap, and strong boots protected the tender +feet. From her + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page216" name="page216"></a>[pg 216]</span> + + gloved fingers swung a torch not yet lighted. +</p> +<p> +The youth beside her showed his hardy pioneer lineage in a well-knit +frame and a countenance full of chivalry, and at present glowing with +eloquent love for his fair companion. +</p> +<p> +Neither of the absorbed pair noticed the angry light in the cruel eyes +of a man standing near the guide. He was fully thirty-five years of age, +quite tall, and as a merry girl expressed it, brigandish-looking. But +for the restless passions that marred his bearded face he might have +been called handsome. He glared at Minnie Dare as a tiger might watch +his prey, for she was indeed the destined prey of this fierce-looking +man. +</p> +<p> +By what mysterious power Jason Hammond had won the gentle girl from her +devoted father no one knew, but with haggard face and heart-wrung pain, +Colonel Dare had bidden his one ewe lamb prepare for the sacrifice. +</p> +<p> +This long-planned excursion was to be the last of freedom for Minnie +Dare. +</p> +<p> +Striding up to the unconscious lovers, the man said rudely,— +</p> +<p> +"Miss Dare, do you mean to hang about here all day? They are waiting +for you." +</p> +<p> +"I presume, sir, Miss Dare has the right to stay where she pleases," +retorted Eldon Brand, a quick, angry flash leaping to his eyes. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page217" name="page217"></a>[pg 217]</span> +</p> +<p> +"Hardly," returned the other superciliously, "at all events she knows +better, whatever your view of the matter." +</p> +<p> +With a look of appeal from her blue eyes that arrested the sharp +rejoinder from the lips of the man she loved, the girl turned away, +her face suddenly paling from fear. +</p> +<p> +"Here comes the pirate chief with his captive," exclaimed a laughing +girl. +</p> +<p> +"Hush, Cornelia; he may hear you—horrid man! He wouldn't be here if he +wasn't so rich." +</p> +<p> +"Why, where is Eldon Brand?" said another. +</p> +<p> +"Over there, cutting a staff from the cane-brake," replied the first +speaker. +</p> +<p> +"Ladies and gentlemen," here interposed the guide, striking a stage +attitude, "if you want my services you must come right along. It is +already too late for the long route; you will have to take the short +one." +</p> +<p> +"All right," agreed the party, rallying their forces, "we'll take the +short one, then. Forward, march!" +</p> +<p> +Down, down they went in pairs along the circuitous stairway to the +entrance, where the thick darkness might be felt. With lighted torches +they turned from the sunshine and entered upon the pioneer wagon tracks +imbedded in the soil for two miles. Hither the early settlers + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page218" name="page218"></a>[pg 218]</span> + + were wont +to convey their salt barrels and other stores for safe keeping from the +natives. +</p> +<p> +Laughing, talking, jesting, the merry party went in. +</p> +<p> +"Jerusalem! What's that?" ejaculated a young fellow, with more vigor +than polish, as he fought right and left an unknown foe. +</p> +<p> +"That? Oh, that's only bats flying around. They don't stay in much +further. They'll hit you in the face if you don't look out," explained +the guide. +</p> +<p> +"Yes, I think they will," said the victim, still spluttering and +flourishing his handkerchief. "A little more of that sort of thing and +I'll turn back now." +</p> +<p> +They soon reached the avenue that leads to the Side Saddle, where more +than one merry lass took a seat for effect. They heard how an explorer +named Goren had once stood idly talking and pecking against the wall +with a sharp stone when, lo! it broke through. He continued to widen +the opening till, upon throwing down a blue light, there stood revealed +a perfect dome, exquisitely filagreed. It has been known ever since as +Goren's Dome, and a good-sized window, jagging the wall, admits one or +two lookers at a time. On their knees they crawled through the Valley of +Humility, and out into almost endless space, so varied are the landmarks +of this underground + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page219" name="page219"></a>[pg 219]</span> + + miracle. Here is a chamber too vast to be lighted +by the torches; there, a defile so narrow as to be passed only in single +file. Now they traverse a level valley to emerge at the foot of a +mountainous region that must be attacked with alpenstocks and helping +hands. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, look at that awfully dark place! It might be Pluto's hallway," said +a girl. +</p> +<p> +"Don't go that way," called the guide; "you must just follow me. There +is where that stranger strayed off and was never heard of again. He was +in bad health and came in here to breathe the pure air for a few hours. +He never came out." +</p> +<p> +"Goodness!" thundered a dozen voices; "let's move on before his ghost +appears. I hear the rattle of dry bones now." +</p> +<p> +"The Star Chamber!" shouted the guide, who, being in front, had often +much ado to send his voice to the rear of the party. "Ladies and +gentlemen, walk in, take your seats, and let me have your torches." +</p> +<p> +He was obeyed with much fluttering and chattering. He extinguished all +the lights but his own, and disappeared behind a ledge of shelving rock. +They were in total darkness. Gradually a ray of blue, then of red, then +of white light, flashed upon the vast concave roof, showing myriads of +star-like points resembling the Milky Way, a crescent moon, + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page220" name="page220"></a>[pg 220]</span> + + and finally +a comet appearing in full sail. The effect was magical. +</p> +<p> +"It is usual to have a song here, if you would like it," suggested the +guide. +</p> +<p> +"By all means," was the universal response. "A chorus! a chorus!" +</p> +<p> +Then the voices swelled upon the air in a thousand reverberating echoes. +At the close the guide reappeared and lit the torches. Once more they +sallied forth. +</p> +<p> +"Where is Minnie Dare?" suddenly asked a tall girl, whose tongue was too +voluble for the guide's equanimity. +</p> +<p> +"Here!" sounded the stentorian voice of Jason Hammond. +</p> +<p> +Upon turning back, however, he found not Minnie, but another small +maiden near him. He darted again into the Star Chamber just as the fleet +steps of Minnie Dare ran toward him. Not, however, in time to prevent +his discerning among the shadows Eldon Brand hurrying to her side. +</p> +<p> +Catching the girl's tender arm in a vise-like grip, the man hissed in +her ear,— +</p> +<p> +"By Heaven, my girl, if you don't stop philandering in the dark with +that young scoundrel, I'll pitch him into the first pit I see! You +belong to me, and I'll kill you before another shall have you!" +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page221" name="page221"></a>[pg 221]</span> +</p> +<p> +With a cry of mingled pain and terror the girl broke from him. Eldon +Brand, who had seen the gesture without hearing the words, sprung with +uplifted arm toward the man. Ere he could strike he was seized from +behind by strong arms, and a voice urged,— +</p> +<p> +"Don't, Brand! For Heaven's sake, let that ruffian alone till we get out +of this. You will frighten the ladies, get yourself into the newspapers, +and play the deuce generally. Come on—they are calling in front." +</p> +<p> +Hammond had seen this little by-play, and would not soon forget it; but +at present he strode on after the girl. +</p> +<p> +"Why don't you fellows keep up?" grumbled a voice as the delinquents +entered the Chapel. +</p> +<p> +"Did anybody fall? I thought I heard a cry back there," said the tall +young lady peering suspiciously into the group; but all seemed serene +in the fitful torchlight. +</p> +<p> +In the Chapel huge stalactites and stalagmites meet each other to form +arm-chairs, thrones, alcoves, pulpits, and a double niche conspicuous +among its surroundings. Standing within this niche a restless pair +exclaimed: +</p> +<p> +"What a capital place to be married! Who will pronounce the ceremony?" +</p> +<p> +"Bless you, my children!" invoked a sober-looking + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page222" name="page222"></a>[pg 222]</span> + + fellow, extending +his arms in mock solemnity. +</p> +<p> +An earnest, significant look flashed from Eldon Brand's eyes into the +still blanched face of Minnie Dare. As they met the glance it bore but +one meaning to her, and the rosy color again mantled her cheek. +</p> +<p> +"Time's up," said the guide; "come along." +</p> +<p> +It was late ere the party completed the tour of the Short Route wonders, +and there was barely time to dress for the ball-room at Cave Hotel, a +dance being an attractive interlude between journeyings. +</p> +<p> +Indoor etiquette forbade the hateful espionage to which Hammond had +subjected the girl he claimed as his own during the informal jaunt of +the day. So at ten o'clock, despite the scowl on his dark face, she +stood up in the dance with Eldon Brand. +</p> +<p> +Perhaps her persecutor might have attuned his wooing to something less +ferocious, but soft words having proved futile, he sought to frighten +her into compliance. Love's dallying might come later on. He deemed his +prize secure. She could not escape him. He held her father's honor—aye, +his very life—in his relentless grasp; for Colonel Dare was not a man +who could survive disgrace. Let her rebel, and the world should hear an +ugly story of rash speculation, involving a ward's + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page223" name="page223"></a>[pg 223]</span> + + trust money; of +financial ruin and despair. Oh, yes—she was his, fast and sure. +</p> +<p> +It required all her persuasive power to withhold her lover from a +personal attack upon her betrothed husband. +</p> +<p> +"It can do no good, Eldon," she urged; "my father has promised my hand +to this man. He is somehow in his power. There seems no escape. Oh, that +I might die and be free! It is like a horrible nightmare." +</p> +<p> +Then his words came in passionate pleading. Eloquently the tones fell +upon her ears. At length the hopeless apathy in her eyes gave place +to interest, then animation, and finally to a degree of agitation but +ill-concealed from the suspicious watcher. They were standing on a low +balcony just outside the ballroom. +</p> +<p> +"Will you, dearest? Will you be brave for my sake—for our sakes?" were +Eldon's parting words. +</p> +<p> +"I will try," she murmured softly, as with a fond pressure of the hand +he resigned her to a new partner. +</p> +<p> +Early next morning Eldon Brand might have been seen returning from +a little wayside shop with a bundle, whose contents—a ball of heavy +twine, a can of oil, and a box of matches—would have surprised his +fellow tourists. He conversed earnestly for some minutes with Stephen, +the favorite guide of Mammoth Cave, + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page224" name="page224"></a>[pg 224]</span> + + to whom he also conveyed some +bank notes; and at eight o'clock he joined the party en route for the +nine-mile tramp into the cave. For two miles the way was the same as +that of the short route, bats and all. Then came the immense hall where +rude plank seats still attest the worship of pioneer settlers in the +land of Indians and wild beasts. Here they sat and sang hymns, while +countless echoes repeated the sounds. +</p> +<p> +They paused in the Ball Room; squeezed through Fat Man's Misery, that +zig-zag passage so narrow and winding that the one behind cannot see +his neighbor a yard ahead; and then out into the ample comfort of Great +Relief. Merrily they filled the little boats and sailed down Echo River, +where abound the eyeless fish; crossed Lake Lethe, where all care is +said to be left behind; passed the huge Granite Coffin; stood wondering +before the Great Eastern; shuddered beside the Dead Sea and the +Bottomless Pit; climbed Martha's Vineyard, where huge bunches of grapes +in stone looked as natural as life; took lunch in Washington Hall; +revelled in the snow-white crystals of Siliman's Avenue; crossed the +Rocky Mountains to Traveller's Rest, and there wrote their names upon +the extreme wall, that perpetual register of hundreds of sightseers. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page225" name="page225"></a>[pg 225]</span> +</p> +<p> +Here some moments were given to recapitulating the marvels of the long +route; the rivers, lakes, hills, ravines and valleys; and above all, +another black, yawning chasm similar to that which had startled them on +the short route. +</p> +<p> +"Stephen, where does that lead?" was the query. +</p> +<p> +"That leads into the one we saw yesterday. We call this end Beersheba, +and the other Dan, because it is so much nearer the mouth of the cave. +I have explored the whole passage, but it has nothing worth showing +visitors. But I have no doubt there's miles that nobody has ever been +over. It's a big place, I tell you." +</p> +<p> +"Didn't you find the dead stranger?" asked the tall girl, who always had +something to say. +</p> +<p> +"Can't say as I looked for him, miss." +</p> +<p> +In high spirits the party retraced their steps as far as the Bottomless +Pit on the right, and the black chasm Beersheba, on the left, a distance +of about five miles from the entrance to the cave. +</p> +<p> +"Take care!" warned the guide; "it is wet and slippery here, and the +path is very narrow." +</p> +<p> +They were creeping on in single file when Stephen called back,— +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page226" name="page226"></a>[pg 226]</span> +</p> +<p> +"Mr. Hammond, you look pretty strong—would you help steady this +railing? It seems a little shaky." +</p> +<p> +Hammond came on ahead and stood bracing the bridge, which was one of the +very few man-made structures in the cavern, while the other escorts led +the girls, one at a time, around the abrupt and slippery ledge. In +consequence of this stringing out of torches, the light was dim along +the narrow way, so that even these few steps of advance had left the +Bottomless Pit in darkness. +</p> +<p> +Suddenly there was a rapid, rushing sound in the rear; a whirring echo; +a suppressed cry, and a heavy splash far below. The ladies screamed, and +the faces of the men grew pallid with horror. +</p> +<p> +"My God! What was it? Who was it?" burst from their lips. +</p> +<p> +"Don't go back, gentlemen!" shouted the guide. "It's no use! Come on +this side here—I'll go back. First, see who is missing. If anybody is +down there, the Lord have mercy on him, for man can't help him." +</p> +<p> +Soon the trembling, awe-struck party were safe on a platform, and the +lights were bunched to their full radiance. Some one cried: +</p> +<p> +"Minnie Dare is not here!" "And, by Jove, Eldon Brand is not here, +either!" said the chorus. + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page227" name="page227"></a>[pg 227]</span> + + Then in a low tone, "Could it have been +suicide? How horrible!" +</p> +<p> +And this thought was the prevailing one, for the trials of the lovers +were well known. +</p> +<p> +Jason Hammond ran back precipitately with the guide, and in a sort of +frenzy peered far into the awful chasm. Words of blasphemy were on his +lips as he began to realize to what end his persecution had driven the +fair young creature he had sworn to win. As for Brand, he rejoiced in +his fate. Could it have been an accident? He thought not. +</p> +<p> +"No use," repeated the guide, "I can come back here and bring somebody +who will go down on a rope. But I tell you the bottom of that place has +never been found yet. We let a young fellow down by a rope last summer +in a frolic—his name was Mr. Clarence Prentice—and he pretty soon +called out to haul him up. Learned folks say a river runs down there, +and there ain't any bottom at all. Everything gets swept away with the +current. I don't know how it is, I am sure," +</p> +<p> +Slowly the terror-stricken company wended their way back to earth, the +light of enjoyment driven from their hearts. The girls gave themselves +up to sobs and tears, and all dreaded to convey the tidings to the +bereaved families. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page228" name="page228"></a>[pg 228]</span> +</p> +<p> +The men went back with ropes and grappling hooks, but nothing came of +their labors. The bodies of the hapless lovers were not found, and none +knew how they had gone over the treacherous crag into the abyss below. +Surmises were rife, but prudence chose the better part of silent +sympathy. The newspapers fairly gloated over the tragedy, and summer +visitors were divided between curiosity to look upon the spot and fear +lest they, too, might miss their footing; hence the profits of Cave +Hotel were not noticeably on the decrease. +</p> +<p> +Colonel Dare refused to be comforted, unless, indeed, he could rejoice +at the escape of the dove from the eagle's clutches. Now that the girl +was lost to him, Hammond was willing to accept terms before declined; +and the Dare ancestral home was at once put upon the market for sale. +</p> +<p> +Eldon Brand had no near relatives, but there were many to mourn his +untimely fate. +</p> +<hr /> +<p> +Some hours after the disappearance of the lovers, Stephen, the guide, +re-entered the cave with a large bundle in his arms, and accompanied by +a single tourist, a sedate man who was a stranger to the region. They +proceeded + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page229" name="page229"></a>[pg 229]</span> + + along the short route to the chapel. Adjusting the torches, +Stephen gave a low whistle, when from behind a mammoth stalagmite came +forth a young man and a fair maiden, who took their stand in the Double +Niche. +</p> +<p> +Eldon Brand had left nothing undone during his hours of preparation; and +when the man of God stood before the youthful pair, he held in his hands +the properly authenticated document which was to cement the marriage +tie in the civil courts. He had never before officiated at so unique +a bridal, and when once more on terra firma proper, he bore the secret +away to his Northern home. +</p> +<p> +Days passed and still the tragic fate of the hapless lovers held a place +in fireside chats. +</p> +<p> +Night had fallen. All was quiet in the sparsely settled neighborhood of +Cave Hotel. Stephen, the guide, with basket and torch, swiftly descended +the winding stairs and entered the grand colonnade, where the bats +still held high carnival. He pushed on, sometimes a little cramped for +space, till he reached the black avenue he had called Dan. Stooping +he possessed himself of a string that was fastened to a stake in the +ground, and followed its course through intricate windings till a light +glimmered in the distance. Whistling softly, he advanced more rapidly. +A shadow was flung upon the curtains of a doorway, and + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page230" name="page230"></a>[pg 230]</span> + + parting the folds, +a figure appeared at the opening. +</p> +<p> +"Ah, old fellow, you never forget us," was the cheery greeting. +</p> +<p> +"Not I," said the man, "I think you will find your list all made out +here," depositing his basket inside. +</p> +<p> +The room was small and irregular in shape, but good taste and +moderate expenditure had converted it into a rustic boudoir of no +mean pretensions. Cretonne hangings concealed the rough walls, and +a few small pictures served to confine their bright folds to the uneven +surface of earth and rock. The earthen floor was covered by a mat. +A couch of the light, portable kind was daintily spread. A shelving rock, +covered with a mat of Japanese print, held a never-failing lamp, and two +camp-chairs completed the furniture, which had been conveyed into the +cave with the utmost care and secrecy. A few books and a number of +papers lay scattered about. The presiding deity of the fairy bower +looked a radiant welcome for the trusty ally upon whom they were +dependent. +</p> +<p> +"You dear old Stephen! Don't you think it is time we ventured out into +the world again?" +</p> +<p> +"Why, I think this looks like Heaven!" he said, with the freedom of his +office, "I don't know what you'd leave it for." +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page231" name="page231"></a>[pg 231]</span> +</p> +<p> +"Yes, but you know that if it were not for your basket we should be +forced to appear. But I am learning to manage the ovens and pans. See +here," and opening an inner curtain she revealed an alcove, where a few +primitive cooking utensils were collected beside a small gasoline stove. +</p> +<p> +"I reckon your cooking don't come to much more than warming over my bill +of fare," said Stephen, with an involuntary glance at the soft white +hands, and an indulgent smile for the young housekeeper. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, but I do cook, really," she protested. "Eldon, did you ever taste +nicer eggs? And the water down there carries off all the shells and +scraps. Hear it rush along now!" and busily the stream did run to flow +into Green river, so the knowing ones said. "But," she added; "if my +father only knew. The moment we hear that that hateful man has gone +abroad we will defy all the rest. Do you know, Stephen," in a lower +tone, "we were very near being caught on the hill to-day. I was all bent +over as usual in my old woman's dress, and Eldon was limping along on +his crutch stick when—hark! what was that?" +</p> +<p> +"Did you hear anything?" asked Eldon, coming to her side, "don't be +frightened, love. It could not have been any one. You are nervous." +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page232" name="page232"></a>[pg 232]</span> +</p> +<p> +The young wife's cheek paled a little as she reminded him of a frightful +dream she had before mentioned. +</p> +<p> +"Nonsense, dear, we are safe as long as my bank holds out. In a short +while we will brave the world and be at least a nine days' wonder." +</p> +<p> +Hoping to persuade Minnie Dare to elope with him, after their colloquy +on the balcony the night of the ball, and thereby escape her persecutor, +the young man had not followed the cave party on the long route without +first amply supplying his purse. Stephen had suggested the strategem +they impulsively employed of temporarily disappearing into the black +corridor opposite the Bottomless Pit, after throwing a heavy rock down +the abyss to simulate a fall; and Stephen had mapped out for them the +whole situation succeeding the supposed catastrophe. Thus far they had +not lacked for comforts; and stolen visits in disguise to the upper +regions had varied their solitude and given refreshing glimpses of +sunlight. +</p> +<p> +"Eldon, I am sure I heard a noise!" again exclaimed the girl, clinging +in terror to his arm. +</p> +<p> +To appease her, the two men went out and made search. All was as +usual—unless, indeed, a shred of cloth adhering to a jagged rock had +not been there before. Stephen soon + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page233" name="page233"></a>[pg 233]</span> + + after left the pair, unconscious +that a dark shadow was following him into the upper world, there to +vanish among the shadows. +</p> +<p> +For there is nothing hidden that shall not be revealed; and this +well-guarded secret, known to only four persons, was trembling at its +foundation. For her beloved father's sake the young wife was willing to +endure privation; for she reasoned that Hammond would have no motive for +vengeance if she were supposed to be lost; that her death would end the +mysterious power that threatened disgrace to Colonel Dare. Stephen was +paid well to be on guard, and his report that he had more than once seen +Hammond in the vicinity, made them exercise extreme caution and +vigilance in going outside. +</p> +<p> +At first the spirit of unrest had drawn the baffled suitor to the scene, +where he had driven the unwilling maiden to her death, for he had loved +her as well as a selfish nature can love. Gradually there dawned upon +his mind a suspicion somewhat akin to the truth. Rumors were afloat that +Stephen made nightly visits to the cave, not with exploring parties, but +alone. A young couple had been seen wandering over the hills in the +moonlight. Superstition said it was the ghosts of the ill-fated lovers. +But when Jason Hammond heard these things they startled him as if struck +with an electric shock. He did not believe in ghosts. He resolved to + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page234" name="page234"></a>[pg 234]</span> + + watch. He, too, saw the figures at night. He saw them disappear behind +the steep ledge that leads downward into the bowels of the earth. He +drew his own conclusions. +</p> +<p> +If true, what should stay his vengeance against those who had thus +duped him? He sought his opportunity, and cautiously followed the guide +unto the very portals of the lovers' retreat. He heard the voices he +remembered but too well. He knew now where to strike. He knew, too, that +fear of him kept Minnie Dare thus hidden, as in a grave. Aye, she feared +disgrace for her father, and more than all, she feared his vengeance +against her husband—for he did not doubt that they were married. +Husband? As the word forced itself, the man ground his teeth in baffled +rage and hate. He would take care that the dreaded vengeance should be +swift and sure. +</p> +<p> +The path to the subterranean retreat was perilous to a stranger; but +having gone once, he was sure he could go again. The way was even now +familiar enough as far as the black avenue of Dan. Here the string, +placed for the convenience of the lovers, would guide him, and if his +plans should be upset, he could retreat into the other black opening +leading to the Bottomless Pit, where he now knew the lost pair had +plunged into Beersheba instead of into the chasm, the two landmarks + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page235" name="page235"></a>[pg 235]</span> + + being exactly opposite. He had not forgotten the guide's account of +these two unexplored regions where there was "nothing of interest to +show tourists." He began to see through the plot from the hour of the +so-called tragedy. How easy, with the artful guide's connivance, to cast +a stone down the echoing ravine, then conceal themselves in the corridor +close by, extinguish their torches, and await in silence the next coming +of their assistant! He himself had been adroitly decoyed out of the way +to steady the railing of the rickety bridge. The abrupt and narrow ledge +had hidden them from view. The escape was easy. All was clear now, and +the life of the man who had cheated him should pay the penalty. Should +she continue to refuse his suit, she, too, must die. The should find +their grave in the spot they loved so well. There would be none to tell +the tale. +</p> +<p> +Armed with a revolver, he groped on, using a torch as far as he dared. +The absence of crystal formations, so thick and shining elsewhere, left +large, roomy passages easy to traverse, though there were frequent turns +puzzling to the uninitiated. As he approached the cosy bower he heard, +to his chagrin, the voice of the guide. What should he do? The odds were +too many for him. Wait till next day when his victims would probably be +alone? + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page236" name="page236"></a>[pg 236]</span> + + Risk going in upon them before nightfall? How had Stephen eluded +his vigilance? In this dilemma he crept near enough to get a view of the +interior. The sight of Minnie Brand seated at her husband's knee, his +hand caressing her flowing curls, so inflamed his wrath that an oath +burst from his lips. The sound penetrated the boudoir. It was this time +unmistakable. Minnie uttered a faint cry. The two men started up, and +snatching a torch, quickly lit it, and dashed out. +</p> +<p> +"To the inner chamber, my darling!" Eldon called back, as he threw down +the folds of the portiere and rushed headlong with Stephen. +</p> +<p> +They scoured the Short Route avenue to its full length, while Hammond, +his soul raging with murderous intent, traversed as rapidly as he dared, +the Beersheba avenue toward the Long Route opening. +</p> +<p> +"By the eternal! He's gone the other way! But he can't get out! Right +about!" +</p> +<p> +Retracing their steps they had to proceed more cautiously, but they soon +caught sight of the figure ahead, now lost, now reappearing. +</p> +<p> +"It is that blackhearted villain, who has hounded us!" cried Eldon. +"On! on!" +</p> +<p> +But the guide, true to his calling, shouted: +</p> +<p> +"Surrender, or you are a dead man! The Bottomless Pit is right ahead +of you." +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page237" name="page237"></a>[pg 237]</span> +</p> +<p> +The fugitive halted a moment, glanced back, then dashed on again in +defiance. At a sudden projection he tripped and fell, discharging the +pistol into his own body. The sound reverberated in a thousand echoes. +The wounded man staggered to his feet, and managed to gain the frail +bridge. Here he fell across the railing, swayed there an instant; then +as his pursuers came up with helping hands, he plunged into the abyss +below. +</p> +<hr /> +<p> +The denizens of Cave City never tire of telling how Eldon Brand and +his wife came back to the world, and how they fared in their romantic +retreat. But there was a part of the story as strange as it was +tragic. Upon dismantling the boudoir a leathern girdle was found, +which contained several hundred dollars in gold, and a letter which +ran thus:— +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "I am a dying man. I cannot find my way out. I have not strength to + call, I must perish here of disease and want. I will make one more + effort, but feel that I shall fail. I have made my peace with God. + In leaving this world I leave only one enemy behind. This is Jason + Hammond, who has wronged me foully. Living or dead, I shall haunt + him. To whomsoever shall give this poor body Christian burial, + I bequeath my estate." (Here followed + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page238" name="page238"></a>[pg 238]</span> + + the location and description of the property). +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "Signed: +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "DAVID HAMMOND." +</p> +<p> +The paper was almost illegible. It had been written in pencil. An +extended search was made and the skeleton of a man was found in one of +the most inaccessible recesses of the cave's many turnings. Beside the +body lay a torch and an exhausted lunch basket. Eldon Brand had the +remains reverently committed to earth. +</p> +<p> +The village gossips love to dwell upon the happiness of the brave young +lovers, of the restoration of the gray-haired father to his old home in +honor and in plenty, and of the blooming lads and lassies that sprang up +as time passed tenderly over the heads of the reunited household. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page239" name="page239"></a>[pg 239]</span> +</p> +<a name="h2H_4_0021" id="h2H_4_0021"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + A REVERIE +</h2> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i4"> The twilight falls in gloom; </p> +<p class="i2"> All day the fitful sun and sparkling show'r </p> +<p class="i2"> Have played at hide-and-seek amid the bloom— </p> +<p class="i4"> The varied tints of Spring's fresh bow'r. </p> +<p class="i2"> Oh, sure each bud and blossom knows the spell </p> +<p class="i2"> Their subtle fragrance weaves about my brow; </p> +<p class="i2"> Oh, sure a mystic tale their echoes tell— </p> +<p class="i4"> Love's soft, low-whispered vow. </p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i4"> The deep'ning sky o'ercast, </p> +<p class="i2"> The shadows slowly length' ning 'neath the trees, </p> +<p class="i2"> The tender leaves, swift in the vernal blast, </p> +<p class="i4"> To catch the music of the breeze; </p> +<p class="i2"> The young lush grass a-peep above the earth, </p> +<p class="i2"> The trailing vines that to the lattice cling, </p> +<p class="i2"> Ah, these to fancies warm and true give birth, </p> +<p class="i4"> And o'er my senses fling. </p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i4"> On landscape charms I glance; </p> +<p class="i2"> The city's distant hum is lull'd to rest, </p> +<p class="i2"> Athwart the sunset dark'ning clouds advance. </p> +<p class="i4"> And shut from sight the rosy west; </p> +<p class="i2"> A dreamy orison enshrines my heart. </p> +<p class="i2"> Deep shelter'd in the sacred haunts of home, </p> +<p class="i2"> Where elfin sprites among the eeries dart, </p> +<p class="i4"> Irradiate in the gloam. </p> +</div> +</div> + +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page240" name="page240"></a>[pg 240]</span> +</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i4"> Shine out, sweet love, unveil </p> +<p class="i2"> Thy ecstasy erst wrought in accents wild; </p> +<p class="i2"> Within my soul there breathes an anguish'd wail, </p> +<p class="i4"> Unsoothed by resignation mild. </p> +<p class="i2"> I would not, if I might, give back the joy </p> +<p class="i2"> That sweeps my pulses with enraptured thrill; </p> +<p class="i2"> In transports pure the moments cannot cloy— </p> +<p class="i4"> My craving lingers still. </p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i4"> Nor time may rend the tie; </p> +<p class="i2"> The fealty that holds the captive will </p> +<p class="i2"> In potent thrall, if sever'd soon, </p> +<p class="i4"> Poor human faith a-blight and chill must die. </p> +<p class="i2"> O birdlings, blossoms, leaflets, flow'rs, </p> +<p class="i2"> Give forth chaste spirits to enchant the air; </p> +<p class="i2"> Let silver'd mem'ries glad the lonely hours, </p> +<p class="i4"> And crown my picture fair. </p> +</div> +<hr /> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i4"> The night comes on apace; </p> +<p class="i2"> The cricket's chirp, the woodland murmur's swell, </p> +<p class="i2"> Bid nature's changeling melodies efface </p> +<p class="i4"> The glamour of yon phantom spell. </p> +<p class="i2"> The flashing morn adown the glist'ning aisles, </p> +<p class="i2"> A dew-embowered hill and grove and lea, </p> +<p class="i2"> With ruthless light will scatter fairy wiles, </p> +<p class="i4"> Nor leave my love to me. </p> +</div> +</div> + +<p> +—E.D.P. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page241" name="page241"></a>[pg 241]</span> +</p> +<a name="h2H_4_0022" id="h2H_4_0022"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + THE MISER AND THE ANGEL +</h2> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i2"> 'Twas cold and bleak that winter's night, </p> +<p class="i2"> When hover'd o'er the dying light, </p> +<p class="i2"> The miser hugg'd his shrunken form, </p> +<p class="i2"> And grudged the fire that made him warm. </p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i2"> The old worn latch arose and felt, </p> +<p class="i2"> He started up with threat'ning yell— </p> +<p class="i2"> 'Begone!"—as in the open door </p> +<p class="i2"> A woman stood, faint and foot-sore. </p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i2"> "Just this," she begged, "this rotten board— </p> +<p class="i2"> 'Twill not be missed from out your hoard." </p> +<p class="i2"> "Take it and go!" he thundered out— </p> +<p class="i2"> "Oh, thanks," she moaned, and turned about. </p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i2"> Another shivering night he sat; </p> +<p class="i2"> A lad came in—"Please, Mister,"—"What?" </p> +<p class="i2"> "This piece of rope." He said not nay, </p> +<p class="i2"> But curs'd him as he went his way. </p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i2"> And once again there ventured nigh </p> +<p class="i2"> A child, who fled with frightened cry, </p> +<p class="i2"> As at her head a rusty key— </p> +<p class="i2"> The gift she craved—he flung with glee. </p> +</div> +<hr /> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i2"> The sands of life were nearly run; </p> +<p class="i2"> "What good to others have you done?" </p> +<p class="i2"> The angel ask'd. The miser sighed. </p> +<p class="i2"> "Not one kind act," he sadly cried. </p> +</div> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page242" name="page242"></a>[pg 242]</span> +</p> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i2"> "Not one? Did you ne'er give, nor lend </p> +<p class="i2"> Relief to neighbor, suppliant, friend?" </p> +<p class="i2"> The dying eyes were closed—he thought </p> +<p class="i2"> On all the misery he had wrought. </p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i2"> A ray of light! "I gave a board." </p> +<p class="i2"> "'Tis well—'twill span death's river ford." </p> +<p class="i2"> "A mouldy rope." "'Twill reach from earth </p> +<p class="i2"> To Heaven. What more of feeble worth?" </p> +<p class="i2"> "A rusty key." "Unlocks the gate. </p> +<p class="i2"> Is this the sum? No—not too late; </p> +<p class="i2"> The sinner's Friend has room for all,— </p> +<p class="i2"> The least you do is not too small." </p> +</div> +</div> + +<p> +—E.D.P. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page243" name="page243"></a>[pg 243]</span> +</p> +<a name="h2H_4_0023" id="h2H_4_0023"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + REST +</h2> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i2"> For so He giveth His beloved sleep. </p> +</div> +</div> + +<h3> +IN MEMORY OF MY MOTHER +</h3> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i10"> A soul is gather'd home; </p> +<p class="i2"> At morn, at eve, on mission kind intent, </p> +<p class="i2"> Her footsteps evermore were wont to roam, </p> +<p class="i2"> Till years their ceaseless labor spent. </p> +<p class="i2"> Each day its olive leaf of grace brought in— </p> +<p class="i2"> garner'd leaf from charity's broad field; </p> +<p class="i2"> Each day's good deeds redeem'd a life from sin, </p> +<p class="i2"> And gray'd anew her shield. </p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i10"> The lowly suppliant bless'd, </p> +<p class="i2"> When to the hovel came her welcome smile; </p> +<p class="i2"> The cold, the hungry, friendless and distress'd, </p> +<p class="i2"> With gen'rous aid she cheer'd the while; </p> +<p class="i2"> And not alone the desolate and poor </p> +<p class="i2"> Sought counsel of her wisdom and her love; </p> +<p class="i2"> The high-born and the cultured cross'd her door </p> +<p class="i2"> To share her treasure-trove. </p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i10"> A nature great and high, </p> +<p class="i2"> No puny thought could dwell within her breast; </p> +<p class="i2"> How sad to see her worth untimely die! </p> +<p class="i2"> Yet who may wail the needful rest? </p> +<p class="i2"> Her willing hand, her tireless step, her active brain, </p> +<p class="i2"> Rear'd lofty landmarks on the busy way; </p> +<p class="i2"> The haunts that knew her long'd with yearning vain, </p> +<p class="i2"> The reaper's scythe to stay. </p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i10"> The strife at last is o'er; </p> +<p class="i2"> The strife that all great souls must needs endure; </p> +<p class="i2"> And anchor'd fast on Eden's peaceful shore, </p> +<p class="i2"> Her roving bark is strong and sure. </p> +<p class="i2"> The world is full of workers for the right; </p> +<p class="i2"> "They also serve who only stand and wait." </p> +<p class="i2"> No waiting servant she; with armor bright </p> +<p class="i2"> She pass'd the pearly gate. </p> +</div> +</div> + +<p> +—E.D.P. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page244" name="page244"></a>[pg 244]</span> +</p> +<a name="h2H_4_0024" id="h2H_4_0024"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + THE CHANGED CROSS +</h2> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i2"> A little gilt-edge volume, </p> +<p class="i4"> Its covers reddish brown, </p> +<p class="i2"> It glossy leaves one burden bore, </p> +<p class="i4"> Without the cross, no crown. </p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i2"> I turned the pages slowly, </p> +<p class="i4"> The fly-leaf wore a name; </p> +<p class="i2"> With eyes suffused in quick response, </p> +<p class="i4"> I noted whence it came. </p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i2"> A tender message bade me </p> +<p class="i4"> Take up the lowly cross, </p> +<p class="i2"> For love and mercy's joint decree </p> +<p class="i4"> Apportions every loss. </p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i2"> "No cross—no crown"—the mandate, </p> +<p class="i4"> With cruel meaning falls; </p> +<p class="i2"> The heavy-laden soul shrinks back, </p> +<p class="i4"> The lonely way appals. </p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i2"> Ah, me! sweet friend, I thank thee; </p> +<p class="i4"> This little ray of light </p> +<p class="i2"> Steals o'er the darken'd firmament, </p> +<p class="i4"> Illuming sorrow's night. </p> +</div> +</div> + + + +<div style="height: 6em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Idle Hour Stories, by Eugenia Dunlap Potts + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IDLE HOUR STORIES *** + +***** This file should be named 15078-h.htm or 15078-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/0/7/15078/ + +Produced by Kentuckiana Digital Library, David Garcia and the PG +Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Idle Hour Stories + +Author: Eugenia Dunlap Potts + +Release Date: February 16, 2005 [EBook #15078] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IDLE HOUR STORIES *** + + + + +Produced by Kentuckiana Digital Library, David Garcia and the PG +Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + + + + IDLE HOUR STORIES + + * * * * * + + + BY + EUGENIA DUNLAP POTTS + + + Author of + "The Song of Lancaster," + "A Kentucky Girl in Dixie," + "Short Mountain Trail," + "Stories for Children," + "The Housekeepers' Olio," + and "Home Talks." + + * * * * * + + PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR + + + * * * * * + + PRESS OF + J.L. RICHARDSON & CO. + LEXINGTON, KY. + 1909 + + * * * * * + + + + + DEDICATED + + To the memory of my beloved and only son, + George Dunlap Potts, whose young + eyes watched with affectionate + interest the weaving of + these fancies. + + + + * * * * * + + + + +TABLE OF CONTENTS. + + + A THRILLING EXPERIENCE + A CLUSTER OF RIPE FRUIT + THE GHOST AT CRESTDALE + HER CHRISTMAS GIFT + IN A PULLMAN CAR + IN OLD KENTUCKY + HIS GRATITUDE + THE SINGER'S CHRISTMAS + TURNING THE TABLES + HOW SHE HELPED HIM + THE IRON BOX + THE GIRL FARMERS + PROVING A HEART + HEZEKIAH'S WOOING + A SUMMER DAISY + TREESA + MY FIRST JURY CASE + THREE VISITS + IN EASTER DAWN + IN THE MAMMOTH CAVE + + POEMS + + REVERIE + THE MISER AND THE ANGEL + REST + THE CHANGED CROSS + + * * * * * + + + + +A Thrilling Experience + +MIGHT vs. RIGHT + + +It is some years since I was station-master, telegraph-operator, +baggage-agent and ticket seller at a little village near some valuable +oil wells. + +The station-house was a little distance from the unpretentious +thoroughfare that had grown up in a day, and my duties were so arduous +that I had scarcely leisure for a weekly flitting to a certain mansion +on the hill where dwelt Ellen Morris, my promised wife. In fact, it was +with the hope of lessening the distance between us that I had under +taken these quadruple duties. + +The day was gloomy, and towards the afternoon ominous rolls of thunder +portended a storm. + +Colonel Holloway, the well-known treasurer of the oil company, had been +in the village several days. About one o'clock he came hurriedly into +the office with a package, which he laid upon my desk, saying: + +"Take care of that, Bowen, till to-morrow. I am going up the road." + +The commission was not an unusual one, and my safe was one of Marvin's +best. I counted the money, which footed up into the thousands, placed +it in the official envelope, affixed the seals, and deposited it in the +safe. As I turned away from the lock, a voice at the door said: + +"Say, mister, can you tell me the way to the post office?" + +A sort of shock went through me at the unexpected presence that seemed +to have dropped down from nowhere, and I replied irritably: + +"You could not miss it if you tried. Keep straight ahead." + +Soon large drops of rain came down, then faster and more furiously, till +the air was one vast sheet of water, and little rivers leaped madly +along the gullies and culverts. Forked lightning kept pace with the +pealing thunder, and heaven's own artillery seemed let loose. + +Anything more dismal or dreary could not well be imagined, and gradually +the loneliness grew very oppressive. Every straggler had fled to +shelter, and the usual idlers had deserted the platform. + +But I resolutely set to work at the dry statistics of the station-books, +with an occasional call to the wires, which were ticking like mad, so +fierce was the electric current. + +It was near five o'clock when a long freight train came lumbering by, +switched off a car or two, then dragged its slow length onward. This +created a brief diversion, then once more I was deserted. + +The next passenger train was not due till ten o'clock. I lit the lamps +and resigned myself with questionable patience to the intervening hours. +An agreeable interruption came in the form of my supper, which was +brought in a water-proof basket by a sort of jack-at-all-trades whom we +called Jake. Shaking himself like a great dog, he "lowed there wa'n't +much more water up yonder nohow." + +"I hope not, indeed," I said, glad of the sound of a human voice. +"Jake!" I called, as he left the office, "come back as soon as you +can--I may need you." + +I had a vague idea of despatching some sort of report to Ellen that I +had not been entirely washed away, and obtaining a similar comfort as +to her own fate. I little thought how I should need him. + +I think I am not by nature more timid than other men, but as the dismal +evening closed in I took from my desk two revolvers kept ready for +possible emergencies, and laid one upon the desk where I was making +freight entries and the other on the table where the electric battery +stood. At intervals a fresh package for the night express was brought +by some dripping carrier, who deposited it, got his receipt, hung about +for a few minutes, then hastened away to more comfortable quarters. + +Still the rain poured in torrents. It must have been nearly nine o'clock +when a wagon, hurriedly driven, pulled up suddenly at the platform. In a +moment the door was flung open, and I saw a small ambulance well known +about the village. Two men sprang out, and with the help of the driver +and his assistant, proceeded to lift out a box which from its dimensions +could contain only one kind of freight, to wit, the remains of a human +being. + +Carefully placing this box in a remote corner of the room, near other +boxes awaiting transportation, the driver and his man returned to their +wagon, while the two strangers approached the desk to enter their +ghastly freight. They wore slouched hats and were very wet. They +produced a death certificate of one John Slate, who had died at a farm +house several miles away, of a non-contagious complaint, and was to be +shipped to his friends down the road. This was all. There was nothing +singular about it, and yet when the door closed upon the strangers and +I was again alone, or worse than alone a feeling of awe came over me. +Clearly the storm had somewhat unstrung me. + +Only one hour till the train was due, after which I could turn in for +the night. + +A louder peal of thunder shook the house, and fiercer flashed the +lightning. Minute after minute went by, and each seemed an age. The +roar and din of the elements only deepened the gloom inside, where the +uncertain kerosene lamp darkened the shadows. + +Suddenly to my overstrained nerves the ceaseless clicking of the +instrument seemed to say, "Watch the box--watch the box--watch the box." +As a particular strain of melody will at times repeat itself in the +mind, and obstinately keep time to every movement, till one is well-nigh +distracted, so this refrain began to enchain every sense: "Watch the +box--watch the box--watch the box." Till now my depressed spirits were +due only to the solitude and the storm. No suspicion of evil or danger +had tormented me. + +Peering more closely into the dingy corner, I saw only the ordinary pine +box, with what seemed to be a square paper, or placard, on the side +facing me. Probably the address, bunglingly adjusted on the side instead +of the top, or else a stain of mud from the late rough drive. At all +events I was not curious enough to approach more nearly the ghostly +visitant. + +Ten minutes had crept by, when a muffled noise in the dark corner +distinctly sounded above the pelting raindrops, while as if to mock at +my quickened fears, the wires continued their monotonous warning, +"Watch the box--watch the box--watch the box." I did watch the box, and +now as if by inspiration I grasped the situation. There was indeed a man +in the box, but not a dead one. A living man who had boldly lent himself +to a plot to rob or murder me, or perhaps both. + +I remembered the straggler who had surprised me while at the safe, +several hours before. He had doubtless followed Col. Holloway and +witnessed the money transaction. Quick and fast flew my thoughts in the +startled endeavor to grasp some plan of action. Single-handed I was no +match for any man, having recently recovered from an attack of malarial +fever. This one in the box (if indeed there was one) must mean to secure +the prize before the train was due, and escape the consequences. He must +have accomplices, and these were doubtless on watch, either to give or +receive a signal. At least it was not probable that he would undertake +the job alone, and the fact that he had confederates had already +appeared. + +Perhaps the sight of my pistol had delayed the attack. Perhaps some part +of their plan had miscarried and caused delay. At all events I must be +cool. I fancied I saw his eyes through the dark patch on the box. I was +almost sure he was slowly lifting the lid. There was no help near, and +much might be done in the time still to elapse before the train was due. + +Quietly walking to the battery, I feigned to take a message. In reality +I sent one to the conductor of the on-coming express, as the only device +whereby I could secure assistance, and this would doubtless come too +late. Yet it was all I could do just now. + +With every sense on the alert I arose to secrete my key if possible, +when the door burst open, and Frank Morris, my future brother-in-law, +rushed in, followed by a huge dog that was Ellen's special pet and +attendant. + +"Confound you!" said Frank, spluttering about and shaking himself as +vigorously as the dog. "I'll be blowed if I ever go on such a fool's +errand as this." + +"Why you are pretty well 'blowed'" I said, with a poor attempt to be +funny, but immensely relieved. + +"I never was so glad to see anybody in my life!" and I meant it. + +"There it is," he said; "make much of it" as he cleverly flipped a +little white missive over to me. "Such billing and cooing I never want +to see again. Regular spoons, by jove! Can't go to sleep till she knows +you have not been melted, or washed away, or something. And Cato must +come along to see that her precious brother doesn't get lost. Ugh! Lie +down over there, old fellow!" Then to me he said; "Here help me out of +this wet thing." + +But I was engrossed just then, so ridding him of the offending garment, +the broad-shouldered young athlete strode about the room in mock +impatience. + +"Heavens! what a night!" he exclaimed. "What time does your train pass? +Ten? Just three minutes. I guess I'll stay; but we will have that young +damsel floating down here if she doesn't hear pretty soon." + +"Hello, Cato, what's the matter?" as the dog gave a low growl, "what's +that in the corner, Bowen?" + +The dog continued to growl and look suspiciously as the young fellow +rattled on. "That," I said, "is a dead man." + +"Humph!" he laughed. "Jolly good company for such a night. I say, Bowen, +you've got a nice toy there," and he took up the pistol that lay on the +table. In the meanwhile I had scrawled on piece of paper, which I had +quietly placed near the pistol: "The man in the box is a burglar. Be +ready for an attack." + +"Oh that's the game!" he said aloud, and instantly strode across the +room, as Cato sprang up and barked furiously at the box. Simultaneously +the top of the box flew up, and uttering a shrill whistle, the man +sprang to a sitting posture, while through the wide-flung door the +other two ruffians appeared with pistols cocked, At once there began a +deadly struggle. The dog had leaped upon the box and knocked the "dead" +man's pistol out of his hand, as Frank shouted, "Toho Cato!" unwilling +that the dog should tear him to pieces, but wishing to keep him at bay. + +"Your keys!" yelled the other men; "or by heavens, you'll drop!" + +Instantly closing in, man to man, the fierce struggle went on amid +shouts, oaths and pistol shots. + +"Call off your cursed dog!" screamed the "dead" man continually. + +The encounter, which had occupied scarcely a minute, was at its +deadliest, both Frank and I endeavoring to disarm rather than kill, when +the whistle of the train sounded, and in another moment the conductor +and his men were among us, "Seize that scoundrel!" shouted Frank +breathlessly, indicating the man in the box. "Here Cato!" and the +obedient animal unwillingly retired, but continued his savage growl. + +At this juncture my man fell to the floor, badly wounded in the leg, and +uttering groans and imprecations. It was quick work to secure the men, +and Jake, who opportunely reappeared, was sent to summon the village +police. Some of the passengers, impatient at the delay, had got wind of +the adventure, and now crowded into the station in no little excitement. +The box was found to have a false side-piece next to the wall, which was +easily pushed down by the man inside, for greater comfort in his cramped +position; and there were besides a number of air holes. It was the +moving of the side-panel that caused the muffled noise I had heard. + +I was questioned in all possible ways, and the curiosity of the +passengers was fully gratified amid the clamor of the prisoners, who +continually swore at each other. "What did you wait so infernal long +for?" said one of them, glaring at the "dead" man. + +"What was your infernal hurry?" retorted the other, sarcastically. + +It was plain from the quarrel that ensued that the sight of my pistols +and my evident uneasiness, together with effect of the fearful storm, +which confused all signals, had unsettled the fellow's plan, and had +robbed him of his presence of mind. While puzzling as to the safest +course, the sudden entrance of Frank and the dog had precipitated the +catastrophe. + +The men were conducted to the County Jail, and I was the hero of the +hour, although I could not claim much credit for personal valor in the +matter. + +Was it Fate or Providence that befriended me? But for my presentiment, +or what ever it might be, I should have urged Frank's immediate return +to my anxious betrothed. But for her loving anxiety he never would have +come down on such a night. But for the dog one of us must have been +killed. And first of all, but for the instinctive sense of danger the +telegraph wires would never have spoken a warning to my excited fancy; +and this manifest feeling of apprehension, though I strove hard to +conceal it, held the man in the box at bay. + +The practical result of the episode was a more commodious station-house, +and more men on duty. My salary was raised; but eventually I gave up the +situation because my wife could never feel satisfied to have me perform +night work after the fearful experience I have related. + +As to Frank, he is not backward with explosive English whenever the +subject is mentioned, and no amount of persuasion could ever reconcile +Cato to the station-room. + + + + +A Cluster of Ripe Fruit + +CHARACTER STUDY + + +They were five sisters, all unmarried; they lived in the old Dutch town +that was made memorable by Barbara Frietchie's exploits. They never +hoisted a Union flag, or did any grand thing; but they deserve a place +in story just the same. Their name was Peyre, and the young people +called them "The Pears", not in derision, for the regard they inspired +was little short of veneration. Their ages ranged from sixty-five to +eighty years when I first knew them. Unlike the Hannah More quintette, +they were not literary. But no hive of busy bees was ever more +industrious than they in the line of purely feminine accomplishments. + +"The Pears" were not poor, but they were frugal. They owned a +comfortable two-story brick house on a quiet street, and let their +ground floor to a small tradesman. The way to the sisters led along +a smoothly-paved side alley, all fenced in, through a little kitchen +with spotless floor and shining tins, up a narrow, crooked, snow-white +stairway, and finally through funny little chambers, up two steps, or +down three, till the workshop was reached. There they sat, clean and +fresh and busy, each in her own nook; and just there they might have +been found every day these sixty years. + +The workshop had the appearance of tidy fullness. An everlasting quilt +was stretched across the end window, and here Miss Becky had laid her +chalk-lines and pricked her fingers through several generations. The +faithful fingers were brown and crooked, she said, from rheumatism; but +how could they be straight when eternally bent over the patchwork? +Surely the quilt was not always the same; yet the frames were never +empty, and the chair was never vacant. + +Miss Polly was housekeeper and cook, with Miss Phoebe to run errands, do +the marketing, visit the needy, and supervise generally. Some one must +have done the mending and darning and laundry work, but I never saw any +of that. + +Miss Sophie (the sisters said Suffy) was the knitter and her needles +were never still. Always a gray yarn stocking, and never any appearance +of the finished pair. Go when you would,--and the dear ladies were not +alone many hours,--the knitting was on and going on. + +Miss Chrissy was the beauty. Ages ago there had been a tradition of a +lover, but nothing came of it. Perhaps they had all five lived out their +little romances--who could tell? A certain homage was paid to the +beauty. Her once brilliant auburn hair had paled to grayish sandy bands +that lay smooth under a cap which was always a little pretentious. Her +dark eyes and smiling lips made the soft white old face passing fair. +Miss Chrissy was the embroiderer and needle-work artist. Her treasures +of scallops and points and eyelets and wheels, all traced in ink upon +bits of letter-paper, were kept in a big square yellow box that was +bristling and bursting at all points. + +This box was marvellous. There could never have been but one other in +the world; and that I had seen under my great-grandmother's bed, the bed +that had its dainty white frill, and its glazed calico curtains of gay +paradise birds. They were all of a piece and not easily forgotten. The +box had seen hard service among the "Pears." It was cross-stitched up +and down the corner's along the bottom and the top, and all around. It +never occurred to them to get a new one. Like their old Bible, its +places could be found. + +I went, one frosty autumn day, to get a pattern for silk embroidery. +Stamping-blocks and tracing-wheels were unknown quantities to Miss +Chrissy. Her stumpy little pencil--and that, too, seemed always the +same--had to do the transfering. She liked a bit of harmless gossip, +dear soul; and the young girls of the town made a point of supplying the +lack of a newspaper with their busy tongues. So she knew at once who +I was. + +"Oh," she said, with her kindly smile, "you are young Mrs. John: I +remember when your husband was a babe. I think I can find it;--yes, it +is down in this corner,"--rummaging in the yellow box; "here it is--the +pattern your aunt,--Mrs. John, selected for your husband's first short +dress. All the Hunt family were customers of ours. Mrs. John, she +they called Aunt Lou, was a great favorite. She was rich, and had no +children. Well, she came one day all in a flurry to get a pattern--a +nice wide one she said, for little John's dress. He was the first baby, +and they fairly idolized him. This is it. I recollect the wheel and the +overcasting. It was--let me see--forty years ago, come this December. +Now, this little scallop is as popular as any" and she fished up +another, all full of needle-pricks. "Some ladies don't like much +embroidery, but they want a little finish. This one trimmed a set of +linen for Mrs. Senator Jones. It took me a good while to draw it. She +don't like this turn in the corner, so I made up something else. You +know I design my own patterns." + +Then resisting the temptation to give the history of the rest of her +favorites, she put the box aside and turned her attention to the quart +bottle in hand, with its strip of muslin stretched tight around it, +over a bewildering collection of grapes and leaves. This was her method, +and the admiring sisters thought it perfect. + +That night I teased John's mother into hunting up the dress, and there +was the identical pattern, edging the fine white cambric now yellow with +age. She was amused at my report of Miss Chrissy. + +In my annual journeyings to the old town I never neglected "The Pears." +They always looked as if I had just stepped out for an hour, and come +back. The carpet did not wear out; the stove never lacked luster; the +tiny window-panes were always just washed, and the diligent fingers went +on just the same. They had a quaint way not easy to describe. When one +talked all the rest chimed in with little whispering echoes, to support +the assertion; and yet they did not seem to interrupt. They were to me +living wonders, so perfectly unspotted from the world, so earnest in +their pigmy money-making, and so thoroughly united, I felt consumed with +curiosity as to their inner life. They must sometimes put by the +quilting and the knitting and the patterns. + +"How do you interest yourselves evenings, Miss Chrissy?" I asked, half +ashamed of the question. + +"Oh, we read," she said, smiling her ready smile. "Yes, read," echoed +Miss Suffy and the rest. "We read Sunday-School books, and our Bible, +of course. Sometimes we don't go to bed till ten o'clock." + +"Ten o'clock--o'clock--o'clock," assented the gentle voices. It was not +silly; the smiling faces all wore the sweet, simple look of guileless +childhood. + +Miss Suffy's window overlooked a time honored graveyard, where gray +slabs were tottering. Next to her beloved patterns and their varied +experiences, Miss Chrissy liked to tell of scenes and memories suggested +by these somber reminders. + +"It was a very cold day, Mrs. John," (so she always called me), "when +they buried your husband's uncle out there. Poor fellow! He was shot +at Buena Vista. A cannon-ball took off both his legs, and went right +through the horse he rode. He was a gallant officer. They thought at +first he would rally. The surgeons did their work quickly, and he +suffered little or no pain, but there was no chloroform in that day, and +he died from the shock. The snow was deep on the ground, but it was a +grand funeral. They've got a fine new cemetery out on the hill, but we +never go there. Our dead are all here where we can see their graves." + +"Graves," came the echo, they had all along nodded, or murmured, assent. + +"One of the saddest funerals we have ever seen." Miss Chrissy went on, +"was a double funeral. Two young men, both only sons, were drowned in +the river while bathing. Their mothers were widows. It was terrible. Two +hearses and two long lines of mourners. There they lie--over there in +that enclosure. They were cousins, and were buried side by side." + +"The mothers, Chrissy!" mildly prompted the whisper, when the narrator +paused. + +"Yes, the mothers! one died of a broken heart, and the other lost her +mind outright. She is living yet, an old woman, who regularly goes to +the front door of the asylum every morning and takes her seat. If it is +cold weather, she sits inside. She asks every one who enters if Luther +is coming--that was her boy's name." + +"Did you know the first Mrs. John Hunt, Miss Chrissy--my husband's +grandmother?" I asked, willing to change the gloomy subject. + +"Just as well as I know you, Mrs. John. She was a beautiful little +woman, I was very young at the time I am thinking of. She sent at night +for an embroidered flannel I was doing. It was my first wide pattern, +and it went slow. At 10 o'clock it was finished, and my father went with +me to take it home. They were all going to Washington to the President's +ball--President Monroe, it was--and the trunk was packing. It was to go +on the big traveling-coach. When I ran up stairs and knocked,--I had +often been there before--she opened the door herself. 'Oh, it's you +Chrissy,' she said in her pleasant way; 'come in child; don't you want +to see something pretty?' And she showed me two elegant brocaded silk +gowns, very narrow and very short-waisted, but stiff enough to stand +alone.' + +"She praised my work and said I was a good girl. Then she paid me the +money and tied a little blue silk handkerchief around my neck for a +keepsake. 'There,' she said, in her quick voice, 'you may go.' I did +many other patterns for the family, but poor lady! she never saw me +again. She had an illness and lost her eyesight. She was stone blind for +many years. I have the keepsake yet. It is put away in the hair-trunk." + +The sisters were all in full sympathy, as usual. Thus I sat and listened +scores of times, making a pretence of wanting a pattern,--anything to +get Miss Chrissy story-telling. + +In the centennial year I found "The Pears" much shaken from their even +tenor. The relic-hunters had penetrated their omnium gatherum and +offered fabulous sums for the quaint old bits they found there. One of +them declared he must and would have these wonders for the New England +Kitchen. But the sisters were outraged. Adroitly I managed to hint a +desire to see those treasures inestimable, and then for the first time I +moved from my accustomed seat, and they moved from theirs. The magnitude +of their wrongs would admit of nothing like routine or monotony. The +chairs were pushed back, and I saw five tall, slim figures standing +erect, in straight black gowns, white kerchiefs and spotless caps. They +were devout Lutherans, and their pew at the Sunday service was never +vacant; but I had never seen them outside the workshop. + +We filed into the funny little chambers where were the high beds, with +their steps to be climbed. What a wilderness of feathers and patchwork! +Some of Miss Becky's work was there. The bureaus nearly to ceilings, +ornamented with round glass knobs, had their little mirrors perched +up above my head. The candle stands, with spindle legs, wore an +antediluvian look, and the chairs were just as queer. The more aspiring +ones were prim in starched antimaccassars. Even the footstools belonged +to a prehistoric age. There was nothing costly or elegant, but so very +ancient and even comical, I had never seen anything like it, anywhere. +A few oil-paintings, hung in the very border of the huge-figured paper, +were small, but evidently fine. + +"These things were brought from Alsace," explained Miss Chrissy, as I +commented freely. "Elsace is the way to call it--and we can't bear to +have strangers meddling with what is sacred to us." + +"Sacred to us," came from the procession behind. + +At last, pausing before a huge hair trunk, they all gathered nearer, and +when the lid was raised, they vied with one another in displaying the +contents. It would take a great while to tell all that I saw, or their +curious little speeches and words and assents. There were samplers in +every style of lettering and color. The inevitable tombstone, with the +weeping-willow and mourning female, was among them. Bits of painted +velvet, huge reticules, bead purses; gay shawls, and curious lace +caps--all showed patient handiwork. Gifts and souvenirs were plentiful, +even to the blue silk keepsake of the first Mrs. John. Then came +old-fashioned silver spoons and knives and tea-pots, heir-looms, they +said, from the old country. A bit of coarse paper bore an order for +supplies for soldiers upon the Commissaire at Nice, and was signed with +the genuine autograph of the great Napoleon. Every article had its +history, and rarely, if ever, was the little work-shop so long neglected +as on that occasion. When the procession filed back, I took leave with +somewhat the feeling of having been buried in wonderland, and suddenly +resurrected. + +Perhaps the shock of the dreaded vandalism was too much. Perhaps the +excitement of the hair trunk struck too deep. At all events. Miss Becky +grew to muttering over her quilt, and making long pauses. One day her +needle stuck fast in the patchwork, and her head quietly sank to rest on +the rolled frame. When I paid my next visit, they said, "You will find +it very odd at The Pears's. Miss Becky is gone." + +I did find it odd. The quilt was rolled forever, and the end window was +empty. There was only the chair. Still Miss Suffy sat with her stocking, +and Miss Chrissy with her patterns, placid and patient,--they were only +waiting; yet working as they waited. Miss Polly sighed once in a while +over her pans. Miss Phoebe still went to market and distributed small +alms to the poor. Ripe in good works and in holy resignation were The +Pears. + +"Our quilter is gone," said Miss Chrissy. This time there was no +whispered echo; only a gentle sighing all around. But some of the +scallops in the yellow box were not without fresh adventures; and these +I heard. + +That winter, Miss Phoebe fell on the slippery little side alley. There +were no bones broken, but she, too, sank to rest in the old gray +churchyard. + +It was three years before I went back. Then they said, "Miss Chrissy is +alone." Alone I found her. She was little changed. The brightness had +merely gone from her smile. I noticed that her talk was less of her +patterns, and more of the gray slabs. She no longer clung to the proud +little boast, "I design my own patterns." She was apt to tell what Suffy +said, or Polly, or Phoebe, not forgetting Becky, our quilter. + +"No," she said, when I asked: "Polly was not sick. She said in the +morning, 'Chrissy, do you ever feel strange in your head?' Next morning +she did not wake up. Suffy was never as strong as the rest--her back was +bad; so when she had a sort of fit one day, it was soon over." + +"You don't--you can't--stay here all alone?" + +"No, Mrs. John, Henrietta is with me. You know Henrietta? She belongs to +the people down stairs. I shan't forget her kindness." + +"Are you very lonely, Miss Chrissy?" I asked, choking down the tears. + +"No, not lonely. The dear Lord is with me; He will stay to the end. No, +Mrs. John, not lonely." + +She had always refrained, in diffidence, or humility, from religious +talk. I know it was from no lack of deep spiritual conviction. If ever +the world contained a purer, sweeter sisterhood, I have not known it. +Their work was homely, as their lives were secluded, but no one ever +saw them idle or impatient. In one straight and narrow path they walked +through earth's temptations to heaven's reward. + +One of the last things she said to me was that I should take some of the +choicest patterns to my western home, notably "little John's first short +dress edge." + +"You have been a helper to us in more ways than one. God will bless you, +Mrs. John." + +"Is there nothing you would have me do now? Dear Miss Chrissy, do not +hesitate to speak." + +She did hesitate. "I don't think of anything. My papers have long been +drawn up. Lawyer Thomas will attend to them. You know our little savings +are to go to the Home for Aged Women." + +I never saw her again. Sitting one day, placid and patient, she fell +asleep over the yellow box; and when they lifted the soft white old +face, all was still. + + + + +The Ghost at Crestdale + +AN ADVENTURE + + +"Here we are, safe and sound," cheerily said the driver of the huge +black ambulance, as he pulled up before the piazza of Crestdale, the +beautiful villa whose tower had been tantalizing the travelers for +several miles. + +A party of five descended from the wagon as the wide doors were flung +open by the housekeeper, and a kindly welcome greeted them, as well as +comfortable fires. + +"My! how cold it is," exclaimed a fresh young voice, as the speaker +hurried close to the generous heater. + +"Be careful, dear, or you will burn your coat," warned an older lady, +while a stalwart young fellow tenderly loosed the seal wrap in question. + +Placing the fair wearer in a great arm-chair, he said: "There, +Mademoiselle Jessie, be a good girl--if you can. Now, sister ours, what +can I do for you?" turning gallantly to the other lady. + +"Thanks, you foolish boy," was the pleasant rejoinder; "look after +those parcels and those live commodities shivering there." + +The live commodities were a maltese cat, a canary bird, and two raw +recruits from Erin; and the "foolish boy" at once set about assigning +places for people and things. + +"There's a kitchen somewhere back here; come along, Michael. All right, +Katie, follow me, and fetch the menagerie with you." + +Duly installing them in their domain, the young man made his way back +through the wide, chilly rooms that intervened, and joined the ladies +who were fast making themselves at home. + +"A trifle bleak this, isn't it?" he said, rubbing his hands before the +blazing logs. "But just take note of that fragrant beefsteak. Say, +girls, I don't see any table set anywhere;" and he looked ruefully +around. + +"Give us time, sir," remonstrated the elderly lady. "Here is a move in +the right direction already," she added, as the housekeeper entered with +the tea tray. + +"Mabel, can't we have muffins?" pleaded the young voice. + +"Muffins! Not on such short notice; but you may have toast and eggs." + +"You'll disenchant me with your enormous appetite," chaffed the young +fellow, and got a saucy slap for his pains. + +"Riding hours and hours on that horrid train is enough to starve any +one," was the ready defense; "you only came from New York. Come on, +everybody, while the steak is hot." And they gathered round to do +justice to the repast. + +Mabel and Jessie Winthrop were orphan sisters, the one fifteen years the +elder, and was mother as well as sister to her idolized charge. Her own +life romance was a buried chapter, and now she was chiefly concerned for +the happiness of the two young persons seated there. + +George Randolph was a distant cousin, and was to be married to Jessie +Winthrop in two weeks' time. They had come down to make ready the +seaside villa, which was their favorite home. It stood upon a winding +river close to shore, and commanded a view of the surrounding country +for many miles. + +It was an immense house, containing some twenty-five rooms, and +full of unexpected niches, nooks, and crannies. It was kept furnished +throughout, but was locked up in the winter months. An unlooked-for cold +wave, speeding from the northwest, had made the coming of the +prospective bridal party a somewhat dreary affair. + +A few happy touches here and there transformed the gloom into cheer, and +it was with renewed animation that they arose from their repast an hour +later. + +George was to return to the city next day, but would run down frequently +before the wedding day. Meanwhile this, their first evening, passed +quickly and agreeably for all. + +The ensuing week was a busy one. A whole army of sweepers, dusters and +renovators were turned loose in and about the villa, and the good work +went on with a will. + +Michael took charge of a pony phaeton, and the sisters often drove in to +the village shops, two miles away, where the nearest railroad station +was. It was necessary, however, that Mabel should make a final trip to +the city to purchase some articles, and she arranged her time so that +George could return with her on the evening train. + +"You won't be afraid, darling?" was Mabel's fond question, as she made +out her list. + +"Afraid?" echoed the other. "Why, no; what is there to be afraid of? It +is perfectly safe here." + +"Yes, I know; otherwise, I would not leave you even for the day." + +"The house is big," said Jessie, "but we have near neighbors. Besides, +there's Mike and Katie, and Mrs. Lawrence. Oh, I'm all right, Mabel +dear." + +"See that the house is securely fastened;" was Mabel's parting +injunction as she kissed her sister goodbye. "Look for us at the sound +of the whistle to-night." + +"Indade, Miss Jessie," said Katie a little later, her face in a pucker, +"indade it's not right for the loikes af yees to be here all alone." + +"Why, Katie, what's the matter," laughed the girl; "you don't call this +being alone, do you?" + +"Ah, but haven't yees heard the quare noises in the tower, Miss Jessie? +An' shure there's a ghost in this house--Holy Mother defind us!" and +Katie piously crossed herself in real terror. + +"A ghost, Katie! I'm ashamed of you. It is only the wind. It blows here +fearfully. You might turn a regiment loose in the house, and they could +scarcely make more noise than these big, rattling windows." + +"Arrah, me jewel," protested Katie; "there's a turrible walkin' about in +the tower ivery night these two noights. An' didn't yees hear about the +awful murther in the town over beyant us an' the murtherer iscapin'? +Sich a quare murther, too, with the finger rings all left on, and the +money purse in the pocket. Ah, Miss Jessie, a murtherin' ghost won't +niver be laid." + +"You silly Kate!" said Jessie merrily. "Don't be afraid, I'll take care +of the ghosts. We are all right." + +After a cup of tea and a bit of toast, Jessie repaired to her chamber +on the second floor and picked up some trifle she was embroidering, to +beguile the time of waiting. Mabel and George would get in about nine, +when they were to relate the day's doings around a good warm supper. + +Katie was to follow and sit with her mistress, after she had done some +righting up down stairs. Mike was bent upon routing an army of rats in +the barn. Mrs. Lawrence had retired to her room with a nervous headache. + +The high winds from the sea had lulled, and for once the house was +utterly quiet--so quiet that the stillness became oppressive. Meanwhile +the young girl sat in her bower of luxury, softly humming a favorite +air, and very happy in thoughts of her approaching marriage. While deep +in her smiling reverie, a stealthy footstep distinctly sounded outside +her door. + +Raising her head, she had not time to feel a sensation of real fear, +when cautiously her doorknob was turned and a head intruded itself which +struck her as dumb as though Medusa had appeared, and drove the +life-blood in a frozen current to her head. + +The face was ghastly, the hair black and curling upon high, narrow +shoulders, the figure slight and spare, and a pair of restless black +eyes were glittering swiftly and cunningly around the room. + +"Hist!" he said to the horror-stricken girl, softly closing the door +and turning the key; and if Jessie had a distinct thought in that awful +moment, it was of thankfulness that the winter dampness had so warped +the door that the key would not fairly catch in the lock,--a bit of +repairing thus far overlooked in the wedding preparations. + +"Don't be frightened," he continued, in his sibilant whisper; "you will +take care of me, won't you?" + +But the girl's eyes only riveted themselves in more hopeless, helpless +terror upon the apparition. Every muscle seemed paralyzed. + +He drew a chair to the open grate as if the fire were most welcome. + +"You see," he said in his quaint, soft voice, "if they track me here +they may hang me, and they would be wrong--all wrong. I did not intend +to kill her, but she would not hold still." + +At this he gave a blood-curdling laugh, and the horrible truth burst +upon the listener's dazed senses. She was alone with a maniac. All the +stories she had ever read rushed to her memory, and the only clear +idea she had was the conviction that she must, if possible, humor his +vagaries till help came. She was a petted, spoiled darling, but she +had great strength of will, and she now called it into requisition. + +She hurriedly glanced at the clock, and calculated how long it would be +before the train whistle could signal the coming of her dear ones. Alas! +it was just eight. What, oh, what must she do? Of whom did he speak? +Kill her? Kill whom? Then the mystery of the murdered girl darted into +her mind. Katie had been right then. There was in truth a murdered girl. +Was this awful creature her slayer? + +Suddenly, with a confidential gesture he bade her sit down with him. + +"I'll tell you about it," he said; "if she had only kept still! But she +screamed and tried to run away, I can't stand noise!" He clapped his +hands over his ears as if to shut out the echo of it. "I must have this +blood--this pure, young, life-giving stream. But she would not listen to +me. Poor thing! It was too bad, wasn't it? Hey? Speak!" and he grasped +her delicate wrist with a grip of steel. + +Trembling at the sound of her own voice, the girl commanded herself to +say: + +"Yes; who was she?" + +"I don't know," he replied, seriously. "She was beautiful and fresh; she +was almost as fair as you," letting his wild eyes roam over her. "I was +getting away from that cursed place. Think of confining a man of my +learning in a madhouse! But that was just it. I had mastered the new +theory--the transfusion of blood. They wanted to steal my glory, so they +locked me in. But I outwitted them; I captured these and ran away." + +Laughing wildly but still under his breath, he took from his jacket a +black case of bright, new surgical instruments. + +"These were what I needed," he continued, with a low chuckle; "I could +not attain the goal without these beauties." Caressingly he went over +them. "Lancet, probe, trocar, bistoury, tourniquet,"--mentioning the +collection, while he passed his fingers affectionately along the small +sharp knives. + +"For years and years," he went on, "I have studied this theory. The only +thing is to find a young, strong, healthy subject; I found her. I was +hiding in the bushes; she was on the highway; but she would not listen +to me." + +"You did not kill her?" the girl forced her dry lips to ask. + +"Nay, nay; that is an ugly word. I had to sacrifice her--I did not kill. +Then the foolish mob came and I fled hither. But I had a bit of bread +and meat; she dropped her basket of lunch. I've been hiding in yonder +tower," pointing upward. "I thought I might find what I want; and now, +my dear, you will help me, won't you?" This he said coaxingly. + +"Help you? What can I do?" + +"Such a simple thing. Hold very still while I draw the rich red blood +from your pretty white throat." + +"You would not spoil my throat?" pleaded Jessie in winning tones, with +the courage born of despair; "such a very little throat," clasping her +soft fingers about it in unconscious paraphrase of King Hal's hapless +queen. + +"But where else can I find the glorious stream so rich and red?" he +argued, with a perplexed frown. "It must be transfused into my own +veins, that I, too, may be young again." + +"But not the throat! I could not sing any more then." + +"Ah, so--I heard you singing; it was not loud; it pleased me. Yes, +'twould be a pity. Well, I'll tell you what I will do. I'll open a vein +in your arm--just here," laying his finger on the round white member. +"This will quicken the nervous centers. Then I will cut my own arm and +insert your blood at the opening till the two life-currents mingle in +one stream." + +He paused and reflected a moment. The generous warmth of the fire, +together with the terrified girl's enforced quiet manner, were evidently +soothing to him. + +"Listen now, very closely: Here is my greatest scientific discovery. I +do not mean to impart the secret to another. It is the _transfusion of +brain!_ Some other man's head got on to my shoulders, and my brain is +all wrong. Now with your red blood charged in my veins, and your young +active brain absorbed into my own uncertain head, I shall find the +elixir of life, and you will not have lived in vain." + +Gracious Heaven! Did she hear aright? She had submitted to blood-letting +once to gratify an old family physician, who insisted upon the remedy; +and she felt almost brave enough to endure the operation again, if it +would only kill time and satisfy her tormentor. But to cut into her +brain! Merciful God! What should she do? She could not escape, for he +watched her with cat-like vigilance. Scream she dare not, for so did the +other frightened victim. She _must_ try to gain time. + +With a rapt expression he continued: "Since the days of Esculapius there +has been no such transcendent theory as this which is to make me famous. +All my weary nights of thought and days of study are to be rewarded at +last. Come child, are you ready? It will not hurt you. Only a little +pin-prick, and no pain. I would not pain you my dear." + +What if he should let her bleed to death! Oh sister, oh lover, come, or +she would die of horror, if not the knife! And Katie--why didn't she +come! At this moment the sound of the train whistle in the distance +broke on the stillness of the night. How could she gain ten minutes +more? The man had not noticed the sound. + +"What do you wish?" she asked sweetly, "What shall I get for you?" + +"Only a handkerchief and a basin," he replied coolly, still fingering +a sharp lancet. "You are not afraid? Good girl; now for my crowning +victory!" + +As a sleep-walker she procured the articles and bared her arm. Tenderly +he was binding it above the blue veins, when she said in winning tones: + +"Let me tell you how I think would be the best way to do this--may I?" +and she fixed her large eyes upon him in entreaty. He paused, and she +continued: + +"Now let me tie your arm in the same way. You open your own vein with +the lancet, then open mine, and quickly after mix the two while the +blood is warm. Do you see? You can't fail if you do it that way." + +He looked at her. She did not flinch. + +"Perhaps you are right; very well." + +She arose as deliberately as she dared and went to her dresser for +another handkerchief. At the moment she opened the linen case her ears, +strained to the utmost, caught a murmur from below stairs. Turning +quickly to see if the man also had heard, the door was pushed open and +Katie's neat cap filled the aperture. + + * * * * * + +"Get on as fast as you can, driver," said George Randolph, as he and +Mabel took seats in the village stage. Then turning to his companion, he +said in reassuring tones: "Don't be frightened, dear; she is all right." + +"I know it is foolish," said Mabel, half crying; "but those wretched +placards made me nervous, and all that talk about escaped murderers and +lunatics. I am fairly beside myself; do hurry!" + +As the wide portals of Crestdale appeared, Mabel cried, in sudden +terror: + +"Something is wrong, George; see how dim the lights are! She would never +welcome us like this. Don't wait to ring; open the doors!" + +As George fitted his key in the lock and swung wide the door, a shrill +scream from above made their blood curdle. Shriek upon shriek followed, +as Katie came bounding down the stairs, almost knocking backward the +two who ran past her to Jessie's room. White and lifeless they found +her, prostrate, her arm still bound with the handkerchief. She had risen +nobly to the awful emergency, but succumbed when relief came. + +In vain Katie continued a shriek that a murtherer was in the room. The +anxious watchers bent over their stricken darling, who was now lying on +her own bed and beginning to show signs of life. + +Before they could ascertain what had happened, for Katie was crazed and +incoherent from fright, a furious ringing of the bell sounded long and +loud. Michael opened the door to a party of men who were in pursuit of +a strange-looking person whose face had been seen at the tower window; +whether an escaped lunatic from the state asylum, or an escaped murderer +for whom a large reward was offered, remained to be proved. + +The search was instituted with George Randolph at the head. The victim +was soon unearthed, but in a moment, laughing wildly in the frenzy of +madness, he darted out upon the roof and, rather than be captured, +dashed himself to the pavement below. + +All night they sat beside the brave girl, and bit by bit heard her +story. For days she was ill from the shock of her fearful experience. +The wedding was very quiet, but George refused to have it deferred. + +It was months before the bride could summon courage to live at +Crestdale, and she was a much older woman before she could refer with +composure to Katie's murtherin' ghost. + + + + +Her Christmas Gift + +A WHITE RIBBON STORY + + +She was born on Christmas Day, and so came, with her little white +face and solemn eyes, into her pale mother's life. She was worse than +fatherless. The beast of a man she might have come to call by that +sacred name, would now be beside the snowy cot, weeping in maudlin +rejoicing over his new treasure, if the mother had not resolutely put +him away some six months before. + +The world knew him as Judge Barrett, a man of fine family, superb +talents, and a magnetic orator. He might be, perhaps, too convivial on +occasions, but was not this a common frailty among Kentucky's great +men? The wife knew him as besotted and disgusting. What mattered his +learning, his eloquence, his aristocratic blood, or ample income? To her +alone he brought his degraded mass of humanity day after day; and though +never personally unkind to her, or to the little boy that died, she was +enabled by the might of her tearless agony beside that tiny bier, to cut +the last tie that bound her to the blear-eyed creature sobbing on the +other side. The last tie? Ah, woe was she! The coming time brought into +her desolate life the frail link she must now take up; and in the first +bitter realization of her wronged womanhood, the mother-love lay +dormant. + +As the months went by the little Ruth twined herself in every fiber +about that lonely mother's heart, till she was loved with a love that +was pain. So jealously guarded, too, that never once had the father's +eyes fallen upon her, not even by chance. In vain he sent appeals just +to look on his little daughter; he would ask no more. He was refused, +and the baby's nurse did not dare transgress. + +By-and-by Ruth was old enough to understand; and then she wanted to know +who her papa was, and why he never came home as Masie Morrow's did. At +this her mother would be terrified, and clasping her treasure close, +would tell her she must never ask about her papa; he was a dreadful man. + +"Like Jack, the Giant-killer, mumzie?" + +"Oh, my dearie, he is a great deal worse." + +Again Ruth said; "I know, mumzie, my papa is a great black thing like +the pictures on the circus papers!" + +So it came to pass that Miss Ruth fell to thinking about her father till +it got to be a sort of mania with her--wondering and wondering what it +all meant. Her life was secluded, but she was fondly attached to her +grandparents and to a number of friends who were received at the house, +while her mother was most tenderly enshrined in the faithful little +heart. + +The mother had a comfortable income, and provided her little girl with +the best masters. She was a quaint, white-faced, solemn-eyed creature, +as she had been from the first. She said "old" things, her black nurse +declared, and she knew her little "missy" was under a spell. If so, the +spell was tempered by an almost idolatrous love on the mother's part. + +When she was getting to be a romping big girl, she had just as queer +ways; too old for a child, though the sober, owl-like look began to +soften to an earnest expression, which on occasions verged upon a +twinkle in the deep blue eyes. Distant friends were now writing letters +of inquiry, and her father's relatives persistently urged Mrs. Barrett +to send the child to them for a visit. At last she took Ruth and went; +she would not trust her out of her sight. She was a pale, pretty, +gentle-looking woman, with a will of iron. It was to Judge Barrett's +sister, Mrs. Stanton, in a neighboring town, that they came. They were +afraid to mention his name, or hint at a possible reconciliation; but +they managed to make the young Ruth very much in love with her new +aunt, and merry, pretty cousins. + +Meanwhile her father had gone from bad to worse, a confirmed drunkard, +though rarely too far gone to make an eloquent stump-speech when +occasion required. So popular was he that he had the sympathy of the +community in his domestic estrangement. Some said his wife was too hard +and unforgiving; all agreed that he should have been permitted to see +his child. + +Ruth was seventeen years old and had long since exerted her filial +influence to the extent of going to her aunt, Mrs. Stanton, whenever +she wished. She had come to be quite a sensation in her father's native +village, his hosts of friends readily tracing a likeness to himself. She +was a sweet, rather wilful maiden, not exactly pretty, but very refined +and attractive. + +Judge Barrett had always found a bed at his sister's, no matter at +what hour of day or night he chose to stagger in; but the large family +combined efforts to prevent the contretemps of a meeting between him and +Ruth. Their promise to her mother was too sacred for trifling, and they +loved the girl too well to risk being deprived of her society. Destiny, +or chance, was too strong for them. It was on a bright, sunlit day, when +Ruth was in an animated discussion with her cousin Roger upon the merits +of Vassar College, recently thrown open to young women, which he +declared was only a place where they transformed a girl into a boy. + +"Never go there, Coz, if you wish to retain an iota of your womanhood." + +"Prejudice, prejudice;" she retorted. "I do believe in the higher +education of women and I am certainly going to Vassar, if I can persuade +my mother to part from me so long." + +"Why not take her with you?" Mrs. Stanton was saying, when horror of +horrors, there appeared at the side door of the large sitting-room +a flushed and tangled-looking creature, tottering and righting up +alternately. All eyes were turned upon him, and every voice was dumb. +Steadying himself within the door, he slowly surveyed the young faces +grouped there, till his bloodshot gaze fell upon Ruth's white, wondering +countenance. Perhaps she reminded him of the wife who had repudiated +him. Perhaps some dawning instinct was at work. He staggered up to the +girl, who never once turned her eyes, and placing a hand upon her head, +said in the words of Childe Harold: "Is thy face like thy mother's, my +fair child?" + +Tears sprang to every eye; but Ruth, first gasping as with a revelation +from some long-dormant recess of her brain, arose, and catching his hand +as it fell powerless, burst out: + +"_Who_ are you? Are you my--father? Oh, tell me!" she appealed to +the group about her--"my father?" and stood breathless before him. + +The word seemed to sober him with a mighty shock. He sank upon his +knees, her hands still clasping his, and burying his hot face in her +cool palms, murmured in choking accents: + +"Her father--my child--my God, I thank thee!" + +But the strain was too much. In a moment more he sank all in a heap upon +the floor, limp and lifeless. + +Passionately the girl knelt beside him, and looked searchingly into his +now colorless face, while the others hastened with restoratives. Nor did +she leave him during the days of illness that followed, except when +obliged to rest. Little by little they had told her the story. + +She only said: "Oh, I never dreamed he was like this. I used to think +he must be something inhuman, horrible. Then I found myself staring at +every stranger, especially if he was monstrous, or in the least hideous. +But I had given up all hope, and was afraid to ask." + +"No, my dear child;" soothingly said her aunt, "your father is not +horrible, or hideous except that he is the slave of drink. He is not +inhuman, but a tender, loving creature. He is a gentleman, cultured and +learned. There is nothing fine in the language he cannot repeat, so +wonderful is his gift of memory. Oh, my child, can you not--will you not +help him? You can win him, I feel sure." + +Ruth learned to love her father by reason of his idolatrous devotion +to her, as well as the powerful influence of his brilliant talents. In +those first days of convalescence he followed her feebly from room to +room, drinking in the joy of having her after the privation of years; +and one day folding her to his breast said: + +"My precious child--my beautiful daughter--hear your father's vow! Come +what will, nevermore shall a drop of the accursed fire pass my lips. I +will redeem our name--I can and I will." + +He kept his word. Ruth went to Vassar. She wrote long, loving letters to +her mother and father every week of her school life. Once she said to +her mother: + +"You know what I wish, my darling mamma. You know that I long to unite +my two beloveds; but never shall I ask it. You must follow your own +heart. I believe my father will be worthy of us; I shall be guided by +you alone." + +At first the mother was stricken down by the fierce throes of jealousy +and pain that rent her soul; but as time went on and she knew that she +was not supplanted, she grew quiescent. But she owned to herself that +she never could have sent Ruth away if it had not been to separate +her from her father as well. + +On every side his praises were sung in her ears. He was rising higher +and higher in his profession, and one enormous fee in a contested will +case, had suddenly made him rich. Both were getting on toward middle +life, and he was slightly gray; but her brown hair lay in the same soft, +glossy bands, and her pure white face was placid as of yore. + +Four years had passed, and Ruth's birthday was at hand. Her mind had +long been made up; and now Christmas light and gladness reigned supreme. +It was just at the close of the day when entering the fire-lit room upon +the arm of her tall, distinguished-looking father, she threw her arms +about her mother and whispered three words,--"For our sake!" + +Then kneeling with courtly grace before her, he kissed the fair hand he +had won in his youth and in tones whose music had thrilled her girlish +heart, he spoke: + +"My beloved, will you not trust me again? See--our darling has saved us +for each other." + +And the last ray of the roseate sun lingered lovingly on the three as +the evening sank into blessed night. + + + + +In a Pullman Car + +A LOVE STORY + + +It was rather late when Hervey Leslie threw the remains of a cigar from +the car window, and staggered through the jumping, jerking Pullman to +his berth. + +The curtains were all drawn, giving to the car a funereal aspect, and +lights were turned down for the night. + +Jerk, jerk, jolt and jump went the train around the mountain curves, +till the various hats and wraps suspended from the hooks seemed about to +tumble together. Suddenly something dropped through the curtains of the +upper berth opposite and lodged there. Involuntarily extending his arm +to catch it if it fell, our young traveler's eyes were riveted upon an +object which he now felt inclined to catch, whether it fell or not. +It was a small white shapely hand--a woman's hand; and the midnight +tresspasser would have been less than human if he had not risen to a +better view. There it was, just peeping between the heavy curtains, +white and blue-veined, with tapering fingers and shell-like nails. How +he longed to touch it! How tempting the rounded curve of the small wrist. + +A prolonged lunge threw him violently forward, when grasping the rod to +save himself, his lips went plump against the coveted object. It was +only momentary, but it thrilled him as with an electric shock. When he +recovered his equilibrium the fair sleeper had withdrawn entirely out of +sight, and her involuntary assailant addressed himself to the duty of +disrobing. Long he pondered upon the "touch of a vanished hand," and at +last fell into uneasy dreams wherein the world had come to an end, and +he found himself at the gates of heaven, with five soft white fingers +turning the key on the other side. + +"Last call for breakfast," shouted the porter next morning, and the +confusion of voices mingled with the noisy folding of vacated berths. + +Parting his curtains, Hervey Leslie peered out, possibly to catch a +morning view of the pretty hand. + +"By Jove! better still!" was his smothered comment, as he hastily turned +away. + +What he had seen was the perfection of a French boot, buttoned high, and +protruding modestly below the curtains. Then a soft voice called--"Porter, +I should like to get down." + +The steps were adjusted, and as she gently fluttered down, the listener +thought-- + +"What a shame I didn't have a chance to exchange berths with her! To +think of her being perched up there!" + +An hour later Leslie returned from his cigar to find the Pullman in +order, and the refreshed occupants enjoying the books and papers +scattered about. It was not possible to mistake the owner of the hand +and foot, whom a glance revealed in her corner, looking quietly upon the +hurrying villages and farms. A coquettish hat rested lightly upon a +fluffy mass of golden brown hair, a dainty tailored suit fitted closely +the rounded figure, and the face that looked out of the window was sweet +and bright even in repose. The coveted hand, in spotless kid, shielded +the earnest eyes from the glare of the morning sun, and all in all, the +picture was one to tempt any looker-on. + +Just as Hervey Leslie was puzzling his brain for a pretext, however +flimsy, to introduce himself, a lady came from the dressing-room and sat +down beside the beautiful unknown--a lady still young and handsome, and +so closely resembling the girl as to leave no doubt that they were +mother and daughter. + +"What has Charlie done with himself?" was the pleasant question, met +with a smile so bewitching that the watcher was hopelessly ensnared. + +"So, there's a party of them," he mused. "And who the deuce is Charlie?" + +But when that youth appeared he proved to be only a brother, and not a +very big brother, at that. + +Settling himself back in a corner from whence he could use his eyes and +ears as he dared, young Leslie drew forth a letter which he perused with +interest; in fact, he already knew it by heart. It ran thus: + + "MY DEAR SON, + + "Congratulate me. The all-important day is fixed for the 24th inst. + Come at once. Mrs. Dana is anxious to cultivate you, and my own + impatience is an old story. + + "Your affectionate father, + + "H.J. LESLIE." + + +"Confound Mrs, Dana!" was the son's comment, for upon the subject of his +father's second marriage he was distinctly undutiful. + +For a while he lost himself in pictures of the new home, and mentally +resolved to absent himself as much as possible. He knew how his +opposition was grieving his father, who thought him most unreasonable: +but he persisted in refusing to see the lady until after the ceremony. + +Suddenly with a terrific lurch the train was derailed and plunged down +an embankment, not steep but rocky. The heavy Pullman toppled over, then +planted itself firmly in a bed of fresh earth, and was still. There were +wild cries of fear and pain, a loud crashing of glass lamps, and some +wrenching of seats. Leslie fell into a pile of great-coats, and flung +out his right arm just as the two ladies were dashed against him, and +a sudden sharp twinge made him oblivious of everything. + +When he recovered consciousness he found himself being pulled out of +his corner, and realized by the agony of the motion, that something +was broken somewhere. With one mighty protest against such vigorous +handling, he relapsed into a dead faint. When he next opened his eyes he +was lying between cool sheets in a pleasant room, and bending over him +was the elder lady of the Pullman. The first bewildered look was rapidly +merged into a frown of pain, as a sense of discomfort made itself felt. + +"He is coming round, doctor;" said the lady. + +Then to him she said;--"you must be very quiet. Your shoulder has been +set. It is all right now. Heaven be praised that we did not kill you as +we fell!" she added aside, and her sweet motherly face showed the +sympathy he was in need of. + +Then a voice at the door said timidly, yet eagerly,--"Mamma, +come--Charlie wants you." + +The ladies vanished, leaving the doctor in charge. + +Hervey soon gathered that they were at a farm-house near Columbus, Ohio; +that Charlie had a broken leg, that his mother and sister, along with +the others who had escaped injury, were stopping over to render service +to the wounded. + +"Who are they?" he asked, curiosity getting the better of his pain. + +"I think the name is Raynor," said the doctor; "Mrs. Raynor, Miss +Eloise, and the youth, whose leg we set this morning. But say, young +man, where are your people? Don't you want some telegrams sent? You are +not likely to get away from here very soon." + +Young Leslie groaned as he gave his father's address at Cincinnati, then +exclamed;--"See here, doctor, can't you stop this confounded pain? What +the deuce is the matter, anyway? Do get me out of this." + +The doctor gave him a soothing potion and bade him be quiet. He promised +to send a nurse, then went to look after the more slightly injured +patients. + +Three weeks later found Hervey Leslie in dressing-gown and slippers, +setting beside Miss Eloise Raynor under a large shade tree, the young +lady reading aloud from Tennyson's tender rhymes. At an open window in +full view lay Charlie, still a prisoner, with his mother in close +attendance. + +Mr. Leslie had paid several visits, and assured his son that the only +way in which he could repay him for postponing the wedding till he +should be well enough to witness it, was by becoming reconciled to his +new mother. At which the son smiled, for something had of late come over +the spirit of his dream that predisposed him singularly in favor of +weddings. A sort of low fever hung about him, which made it prudent +for him to remain in the country; and he rather fixed the time of his +departure when Charlie's leg should justify the whole party's leaving. + +The young girl and her mother blamed themselves for his hurt and had +paid him every kindly attention. He had gathered the story of the petted +daughter, and in his enfeebled state their acquaintance made rapid +progress. Even now it required no acute observer to surmise the ravages +of the little god. No one interfered, and for once the course of true +love seemed to glide smoothly on. + +He had confessed his aversion to to the prospective mother, and +endeavored to elicit sympathy by picturing to young Eloise what it would +be to have another fill her dear father's place. At such times her face +was impenetrable, and he intuitively grew to avoid the topic. + +Ere Charlie was able to get about, young Leslie had fallen in love with +the whole family; and when he had sought and obtained the dimpled hand +he had so coveted in the Pullman car, laughingly told the mother he was +not so sure but that after all she was the one he loved best. A smile +passed over the regular features as she said meaningly: + +"Only love me as a son, my boy, and I think we can be happy in each +other. But remember, a mother-in-law is a dangerous animal!" + +Mr. Leslie was so happy in his son's good fortune,--for so he evidently +considered it--that he declared there must be a double wedding. + +"You shall have your way," he added, with some pique; "and not see Mrs. +Dana till we meet at the church. Afterward, I'll risk the meeting!" + +Some two months after the accident the programme was carried out. But +the Raynors had remained at the farm-house till the appointed day, the +young people growing all the while so distractingly fond of each other, +that the really short time seemed to drag with leaden wings. + +Quietly one morning, in the presence of intimate friends, and quite in +the old-fashioned way, the two pairs of lovers walked up the church +aisle to the minister in waiting. The ladies wore rich traveling-suits, +and carriages waited to convey the immediate members of the family +to the wedding breakfast. The younger bridegroom saw nothing but the +sweet face at his side, though he started perceptibly when the service +revealed that his father's bride and his own bore the same musical name +of Eloise. + +When the first carriage closed with a snap, there was a relaxing of +ceremony, and an interchange of congratulations, earnest, though +somewhat amusing. For when Hervey raised his eyes to the despised +mother's face, he saw there the soft features of Mrs. Raynor, while his +father smiled in contented expectancy. His own face was a study! + +"Raynor?" he stammered. "Why I thought--I understood--" + +"You said Raynor," was the teasing reply; "we never did." + +"And whom have I married?" was his next question, with a grotesque +grimace at the demure young person beside him. + +"Eloise Dana, an' it please your lordship. Do you mean to get a +divorce?" + +"It's all right, my boy;" cheerily said his father, while all three +heartily enjoyed the denouement. "It was only a little harmless plot, +you know, to bring you to your senses! Besides, you were in too delicate +a state of health to bear the truth!" This with decided relish. + +"Bring me to my senses!" echoed the other. "You have about run me crazy! +Here I've gone and married my wife's brother to his sister, and the +fathers and mothers are all fathers-in-law and mothers-in-law. But, my +dear mamma," he added, with an 'Et-tu-Brute' look at the amused lady, +"I did not think you would play me false!" + +"The temptation was too great," she confessed, "after I saw your name on +the tell-tale suit case; own the truth now, that as Mrs. Dana, you would +never have fallen in love with me!" + +"Ah, well," he gave in, "let's kiss and make friends. As for you, young +lady," he exclaimed with mock fierceness, "I shall exact the most +implicit obedience. I must get even somehow." + +"No--no--I did not promise to obey--brides never do nowadays," and the +little gloved hand went up to his lips in protest. + +Catching it fast, he threatened to proclaim the first time her hand had +ever touched his lips, all unconscious though she was, and amid blushes +and happiness all around, they arrived at the house, where the whole +story had to be rehearsed to delighted friends, beginning with midnight +vision in a Pullman car. + + + + +In Old Kentucky + +A PRIZE STORY + + +Everybody was at Crab Orchard springs, that favorite resort in the +ante-bellum days. What though the main rooms were cramped and stuffy, or +that the straggling cottages across the grassy lawn were mere shells. +It was a place thoroughly rural, thoroughly enjoyable. Merely to ramble +along the winding saw-dust walks to the deep embowered springs, was a +sufficient augury of improved health. It was the one daily excitement to +crowd up to the long platform and see the stage come in, bringing high +and low, the rich and moderate liver. The luggage was light, Saratoga +trunks being unknown quantities, and no gowns were brought except those +of the crushable kind that did duty at ten-pins, fishing, walking, +dancing, and not least, driving, for the gravel turnpikes were fine. + +Across the wide street was Bachelors' Row, where were installed hunters +and hounds from the Southland, rich cotton and sugar planters, sporting +men and their sable attendants. Here the candles burned all night, and +there were loud whispers of games in vogue not as innocent as those +listed on the tempting advertising circulars of the Springs. This sunny, +summer life was of the _dolce far niente_ sort, given up to idle +pleasure, and quite out of the way of the tragic happenings of romance. +Yet a mystery had managed to creep into this Arcadian realm, a thing not +at first tangible, but getting to be an acknowledged first-class secret +as the days went by. + +Egbert Mason had been nearer the carriage than the rest of the sunset +crowd when the stage rolled up, followed by the close, luxurious-looking +vehicle so rarely seen in those parts. He declared he caught a glimpse +of a being, exquisitely beautiful among the two or three closely wrapped +and veiled women who descended from the carriage; and the young men were +on the _qui vive_ some hours later to see the new comers enter the +ball room. But they did not appear either that night, or any other +night. They kept their cottage rooms closely, sitting out only in the +rear, and were waited upon by the two black servants they had brought. +Various were the conjectures about them, and vague stories soon took +shape. The hotel register told only their names: Mrs. Glencarron, Mrs. +Hamilton and daughter, from Mississippi. The daughter was an invalid, +and this was all that could be drawn from the faithful blacks. The +girls pouted, and mamas looked unutterables when their curiosity found +no relief; while the men were wisely silent, though equally diligent in +fruitless investigation. + +It was past midnight, and the lights were out, when the ominous cry of +"fire!" sounded through the grounds, striking terror to the visitors +thus suddenly startled from their sleep, and emptying the cottages of +their half-clad occupants by one accord. A glance at the crackling +flames showed that Bachelors' Row was on fire and doomed. Men from the +distant village were soon on the spot with buckets, and amid frightened +cries, confused questions, and a general hurrying, scurrying of feet, a +few had presence of mind to cover the main building with wet blankets, +lest the trees now snapping and hissing might drop a blazing brand and +the whole place go down. + +After the first panic had subsided there was nothing to do but stand +and watch the graphic scene; and while thus engaged the attention of +some was attracted by a face white and drawn as with pain among the +by-standers. It was that of one of the mysterious ladies of the southern +cottages. But even as they noted the faded beauty and aristocratic +bearing of the stranger she was hurried away by another figure closely +wrapped and hooded. Not before she had ejaculated: "Oh, what is it? +Is she----?" and there the words were lost. + +It was somewhere near the early morning when Egbert Mason who had been +foremost in fighting the fire, was aroused by a voice just outside his +window, which was left open for the faint breeze of the summer night. + +"Come quick iz you kin, young marster, fur de lub o'heb'n." + +Between sleeping and waking the young man jumped up and peered out of +the window. He could just discern the prim red and yellow turban of the +black keeper of the strange ladies. + +"Iz you a doctor, Marster? Dey says you iz." + +"Yes--a very young one--what is wanted?" + +The negress spoke a few very hurried words in a lower tone. + +"All right. In one moment--stay--never mind--I have it--I'm coming." And +catching up something from the shelf of his closet the young doctor sped +away to the mysterious door of the southern guests. + +He was met on the threshold by an anxious, grief-stricken face, and the +words half sobbed out: + +"Was there no one else? None older? You--why, you are a boy." + +"True, madam, but I am not without experience. I hope--I think, you may +trust me, unless----" + +But she drew him hurriedly within the door, and on to an inner chamber, +where lay his patient, so guarded that he never once saw her face. +Before the earliest risers were called to the long breakfast hall there +echoed the cry of a little child in the southern cottages--a girl baby +that opened its eyes first in an atmosphere of secrecy and mystery. + + * * * * * + +Sixteen years had gone by. It was the eighth of January, and the Capitol +Hotel at Frankfort was a blaze of military glory. It was the annual +commemorative ball, and Strauss' band was pouring forth inspiring +strains, as the dancers, in fancy costumes of every age and clime, +flitted to and fro. The beauty, wealth and chivalry of Kentucky were +there. The stars and stripes were draped about the speaking portraits +of dead heroes, and munitions of war glittered on every side. + +Among those wearing the neat broadcloth evening dress of the plain +American citizen was Dr. Egbert Mason, the famous surgeon, now a +distinguished looking man of thirty-five. It was rather late in the +evening when he appeared, and he was soon captured by his friend, +the Hon. Leslie Walcott, who bore the distinction of being the youngest +member of the House, and presented to Miss Eleanor Carleton, the most +popular of all the belles and beauties on the floor. Her dress was an +exquisite personation of the stars and stripes, from the crown of stars +on her golden brown hair, to the gaily ribboned white satin slipper. Her +white muslin skirts showed the red stripes at intervals; a soft blue +sarcanet sash across her breast was stamped with the outstretched wings +of the American eagle, and in every detail this unique costume was +alluring to a degree. + +Dr. Mason was more than impressed by her extreme youth, in its setting +of precocious womanly grace and charm. She was so happy and bright, a +_sans souci_ maiden whom he lost no time in winning to his own +colors, by the magic of a well-stored mind and an eloquent tongue. A +sonsie, sweet-sixteen lassie, not yet out of school, but wonderfully +developed, like the southern girls of the period, whose parents were +possessed of ample means. He sounded her fresh, rich stores of mind and +found she had indeed been carefully taught, wisely trained. Not at once +did he learn it all, but soon enough to resolve to win and wear this +jewel, if only Providence were kind. Providence? Ah, there swept across +his face the shade of one bitter memory--one foul wrong that had +darkened his earlier manhood. A woman's fatal wiles, a man's trust +betrayed. He forgot that she had vowed vengeance if it took a lifetime. +He thrust it all aside, and turned to the purity and innocence of this +fair young womanhood, with the infinite longing of a starved nature. + +The evening of the ball did not close without another surprise for +Egbert Mason. Eleanor Carleton was challenging him in a spirited +quotation contest when her mother approached leaning upon the arm of the +Governor of the State. She was a handsome, dark-eyed woman, young enough +to seem the elder sister of the lovely girl who called her mother. + +"Eleanor, my child," she said, barely glancing at her daughter's +companion. "I've been looking everywhere for you. Have you been in the +draughts of those halls? Supper is ready." + +"Oh, I've been in very good hands," was the merry reply, as the girl +introduced Dr. Mason, and shook hands with the Governor, who was looking +down at her with his kindliest smile. + +"Madam," he said gallantly, "I must compliment you upon this exceedingly +pretty and patriotic dress. I have been watching it from afar all +evening. How could you conceive such a marked hit for the occasion." + +"I hope it in order for me to say she never fails," proudly answered +Senator Carleton, an imposing looking man, who had come up in time to +hear the last remark. "The march is playing for supper--" + +"Oh, mother--what is it?" cried the girl, suddenly directing attention +to Mrs. Carleton's face, which was colorless, almost ghastly, while her +eyes seemed gazing afar off into space. + +"Allow me," said Dr. Mason, with concern, advancing quickly, and amid +the excited gathering of the little circle about him, he gently bore her +to one of the large windows, as the Senator in visible alarm threw up +the sash. + +"To my room," she murmured, as she revived a little, and thither they +conducted her as quietly as possible. + +At the door the startled young girl turned and impulsively clasping the +doctor's hand, exclaimed: + +"Oh, Dr. Mason--what is the matter? I never saw my mother like this--is +she going to be ill?" + +He tried to reassure her, though the touch of her soft, clinging fingers +set his blood dancing like wild fire in his veins. + +That night old Ailsie knelt beside her mistress and soothed her with the +crooning tones of her childhood days. + +"Don't you fret, Missie; he doan know nuffin' 'bout it now. An' if he +do he ain' gwine ter tell nobody." + +That night, too, Egbert Mason, in dreams climbed a mountain height to +reach an eagle's nest. As he grasped the last wavering support a figure +glittering with stars dropped from the nest, suspended by a tattered +flag. Down, down it fell. Frantically he clutched at the frail colors. +They lengthened more, and more, till the starry, shimmering form was +swaying above a yawning abyss. Could he save her? Her--his young love +with the appealing eyes? With one mighty effort he nerved himself for +the desperate descent, when lo! from yon black depth appears the +vindictive face of Isabella Drury. Older, careworn, faded--but still +Isabella, and wearing the head of a Medusa. + + * * * * * + +"You shall never marry that girl, Egbert Mason! I have sworn it! If you +attempt it I will kill one or both of you!" and the face of the speaker +was like a mad woman. "Oh, I know all you would say," she went on, +striding about the rooms she had entered by strategy. "But she shall not +have you if I can not. Pshaw! What fools men are! Do you know who and +what she is? Where is your boasted pride, that shrank from a thing like +me! Let me tell you, then, you scornful, high mightiness! Eleanor Carleton +is----" and she hissed the hateful word in his ears. + +"Woman! You lie!" shouted Egbert Mason, stung to frenzy by her taunts, +and sick unto death of her persecution. His was not a quiet nature, and +she had touched him in his sorest point. "You lie, and you know it! Out +of my sight! Tell all you will. I, too, can threaten. Your vile secret +is still safe with me, but I shall find means to be rid of you--Go!" + +"Stop!" she commanded, coming nearer and dropping her voice to a +sibillant whisper. "Go back seventeen years to a summer night at Crab +Orchard Springs! Aha! you start, I see you have not forgotten. Do you +recollect the part you played that night? _She is that child!_" and +with a malicious laugh she swiftly passed from the room. + +The man sat stunned where she had left him. Could it be true? And what +was the mystery of that far-away night of his youth? The more he +pondered the more complete grew the chain. Senator Carleton had married +a Kentucky girl, it was true; but her youth had been passed on a +Mississippi plantation. He had years ago heard more or less idle gossip +about the hard, miserly nature of the old planter, Hamilton, and of his +bitter opposition to his daughter's match with penniless young Carleton. +There had been an elopement, or something. It came back to him like some +hideous nightmare. His pure, spotless darling--his promised wife! Could +there be sin or shame enveloping such a being? He must know. He wrote to +Mrs. Carleton. In earnest words of manly truth and honor he besought her +to explain to him the past. Eleanor was visiting a friend in a distant +city. No answer came. He went to the house and was denied admittance. He +followed Eleanor only to learn that she had been hastily summoned home. +That was not the day of rapid transit. He returned at last to find a +letter of farewell forever--his beloved had been spirited away to other +scenes. Then Egbert Mason left his native land, baffled, broken-hearted, +and devoted the next three years to the study of special lines in his +profession. + + * * * * * + +In a stately drawing room of an ideal Kentucky home are Eleanor Carleton +and Egbert Mason, once more face to face. + +"Oh, my love," he moaned, bending almost reverently before her, "what a +mistake, I knew it all when too late. The letters were all found when +that unhappy woman was sent to the asylum. Did you think I could change? +'Forget thee dear?'" he quoted unconsciously--he had said the lines so +often; + + "God knows I would not if I could: + For sweeter far has been to me the pain + Of love unsatisfied, than all the vain + And ill spent years I lived before we met." + + +Still she stood, gravely looking at him, her maturing beauty made the +fairer by the sable gown she wore. + +"Forgive me," then she spoke. "I thought you knew. I have been Leslie +Walcott's wife these four months." + +As he sat beside his solitary hearth there was a fumbling outside the +door. He opened to admit old Ailsie, now crippled with rheumatic pains. + +"I know'd dat was you. Marse Doctor, 'n I follered yer, I want to tell +yer:--Mistress 'splained all 'bout dat 'fore she died. Dey wan't nothin' +wrong. Her an' her ma was 'feared to let old Master know she hed run +'way an' married Marse Henry. He said he wan't gwine ter will her nary +cent. So mistess and her sister, Miss Ellen, arter while, dey fotch her +up to de springs. Den ole master he died sudden like, an' Marse Henry, +he had done ben 'way off to New Auleens--never know'd dey had fooled old +Master 'bout de chile an' all dat. Po' Mistress! she nebber could tell +him no better, and she was always skeerd-like arter she seed you agin. +But she sot right down dat day and writ all about it to you an' I goes +and gives de letter to dat purty white lady what was sich a good frien', +and den she gimme yourn, ain----" + +"Yes, yes, Auntie, I know--I have the letters here----at last," he added +in low, husky tones. + + * * * * * + +The _Louisville Journal_ of the next New Year, under date of +January 9, contained the following notice, with lengthy editorial +comment: + + + "Died suddenly last night, of heart disease, at the close of the + Military Ball, at the Capitol Hotel, Frankfort, the Hon. Leslie + Walcott, age thirty-two years." + + +Did hope stretch out an alluring hand to one lonely reader? + + + + +His Gratitude + +VENGEANCE IS MINE + + +"But surely you do not realize, Robert Garrett, that when you foreclose +this mortgage you leave us virtually penniless;" and the large dark eyes +of the suppliant were blinded by an agony of tears. + +"Really, madam, I regret to seem hard;" and the polished courtesy of the +cold, harsh voice fell with heavy weight upon her strained senses. "Your +husband has had more time now than any law allows, human or divine." + +"Oh, how gladly he would have paid the debt;" she moaned; "it was his +kindness and forbearance to others--kindness that seemed imperative. He +could not take the law against his crippled brother, his mother's dying +legacy to him. You know all this--you know, too, that if you will only +grant a little longer respite he can settle the claim, or the greater +part of it. How then can you be so cruel as to drive us out of doors! +You who need nothing of this world's goods!" + +The man of business stirred a little, crossed his well-clad legs in +still greater comfort, and audibly repressed a yawn. Then as if +unwillingly forced to say something he did it as ungraciously as +possible. + +"Again I say I grieve to proceed to harsh measures, but"--then as she +was about to interpose he broke out irritably, "God bless my soul, Mrs. +Blaine, how can you expect anything else! I am obliged to be accurate in +my matters, otherwise there would be no end to imposition from shiftless +men who are always going to pay but----never do." + +"This, then, is your ultimatum, sir? You will turn me and my children +out wanderers from the old home where I was born--where I had hoped to +die? Can you do this? Even you, whom the world calls rich and prosperous +and----charitable!" As she spoke she bent upon him in fine scorn her +brilliant eyes dark and piercing. + +"Painful things occur every day, my dear madam, in this transitory +life. And once in a while the tables turn. I think I remember a time +when I pleaded with perhaps not so much eloquence, but quite as much +earnestness, for a boon at the hands of pretty Mildred Deering. +I didn't get it, and I have survived, you see. We are apt to magnify +our misfortunes;" and a mocking smile told wherein lay the animus that +was her undoing. + +Then she drew her graceful figure to its full height, and with the +contempt of an outraged wife and mother, her words came in tones of +concentrated vehemence: + +"So! Robert Garrett, this is your vaunted Christianity! You, the +immaculate pillar of the church--the friend of the outcast--the chief +among philanthropists! Grant _your_ boon? Was there was ever a +moment in her sheltered life when Mildred Deering would have consorted +with the hypocrite you are? Never! Better a thousand times poverty with +nobility and truth in the man she loves. Better an age of privation with +Herbert Blaine than a single instant in the presence of such as you. Do +your worst! And may God mete out to you and yours the mercy you have +shown us!" + +Clasping the hand of her little girl who had clung to her mother's +skirts, gazing with wide-open, awestruck eyes at the great man, she was +gone in a moment. + +"Ah!" uttered Robert Garrett in a long-drawn-out syllable, reaching for +the evening paper. + +There had been another silent witness of this scene in the person of +a lad who stood within the door he had entered just as Mrs. Blaine had +appeared in the opposite way. He was a rather ill-favored schoolboy, +but his thoughts as he came forward with the lanky awkwardness of youth +and took a chair in chimney corner, were not of himself or his looks. + +"Father," he said after some minutes had passed, the rattle of the +newspaper and the measured ticking of the clock being the only +disturbing sounds, "Father," he repeated, this time with a falling +inflection. + +Startled uncomfortably at the unexpected address the father peered +frowningly at the boy with a gruff, "What!" + +"Do you think it is just the fair and square thing to turn 'em out?" + +"What do _you_ know about it, you young meddler. Keep quiet about +what does not concern you. You have enough to eat and wear--attend to +your own business." + +There was no encouragement to go on, so young Robert sat and pondered +till his father, chafing under the silent rebuke personified in every +line of the son's uncomely face, sent him to his room. + +In the other house there was little sleep; and for many succeeding days +the devoted Blaines, with heavy hearts, put by their idols one by one, +till at last the time-honored oaken doors closed upon them in relentless +banishment. It mattered not that amid new scenes prosperity once more +opened her sheltering arms and kept the wolf from the door. The new +owner of Deering Castle, as the villagers had admiringly christened the +grand old place, refused to sell it. Robert Garrett, with the littleness +born of a mean, cramped nature, clung to this coveted possession as the +one thing to be held, though all else were taken. He had money but knew +not how to enjoy it. His household, for the most part, reflected the +coarseness of his nature, and as time passed his retribution was meted +out in rebellious sons and daughters, who wasted his substance and +dragged down his name still further in the mire. + +Twenty years had gone by. Herbert Blaine and his bright-eyed wife slept +in the city of the dead. With their latest breath they had, one by one, +adjured their beloved daughter, the only surviving child since the civil +war had laid low their three manly boys, to regain possession of the old +homestead. Time, they assured her, would make all things even, and long +before they laid down the burden of life, they had seen how the wife's +curse beat upon the head of the man who had so oppressed them. They had +learned to feel pity for him whom they had once despised. Not so Jessie +Blaine. She was a woman now, and had been, for a few brief years, till +death robbed her, a happy wife. But never could she forget that dismal +twilight hour when her innocent eyes had photographed the hateful, +sneering face of her mother's enemy; when her ears had phonographed his +mocking words. The scene had haunted her waking and sleeping, for many +days; and still after all these years she could and did remember. + +She rejoiced when she heard that wild Ben Garrett had broken nearly +every law of the decalogue, and was wrecking the peace of all who cared +for him. "They richly deserve it all;" she said, when some fresh +escapade or misdemeanor would come to light. He had squandered his +father's thousands aimlessly, recklessly, and was fast bringing his +white hairs in sorrow to the grave. Jessie Forrester only smiled as she +read these items from the local press. Riches and honors were hers. +There was nothing lacking but the dear old home of her people, and this +could not be bought. She climbed to heights undreamed-of in her earlier +days, and became a shining light in the world of letters. Her books were +read in two continents. Statesmen and distinguished circles sought her +till her name became a power in the land. Her influence was widespread. +In an eastern city she at last came to revel in her books and +manuscripts, or in her sweet, healthful, domestic loves, renouncing all +thoughts of revenge, for the time being, and abandoning the hope of +recovering the sacred pile where she first saw the light. + +One day there came a letter bearing the postmark of her native town. +With difficulty deciphering the straggling, tremulous address, she +broke the seal and read as follows:-- + + "Madam: + + "A heart-broken father appeals to you in his hour of extremity, to + save his son from the gallows. My boy--my wayward, reckless boy, + who was once as innocent and pure as yourself, has fallen into the + hands of treacherous natives and half-breeds in Arkansas, and they + accuse him of murdering a traveller for his money. He is guiltless + of this crime--God knows he is; but the weight of evidence is fearful, + and I am powerless to refute it. The proceedings have been hurried + over and the verdict is against him. + + "I am unable to go to him--I bring the case to you. Go, I beg of you, + to Washington and plead with the congressman from this, your native + district, and the Arkansas representative, who is your kinsman. Urge + them to see the President and prevail upon him to sift the evidence. + I realize most bitterly that I have no claim upon you, but oh, for + God's sake, Madam, do what you can for a distracted father. Hanging! + Oh, save him from that--and act quickly, for he has only five days + to live. I am crazed with anxiety and sleeplessness. + + "Your obedient servant, + + "Robert Garrett." + + +Jessie Forrester's hour had come. The revenge so ardently longed-for +since the hour her mother had invoked the curse of heaven upon this man, +was here. What though his boy did perish, by an ignominous death. A more +worthless cumberer of the earth did not exist. Ah! that cold, sneering +voice on the winter's eve so long ago; her mother's tears! As he had +sown so should he reap, and her hands would help to gather in the +harvest. Through him they had been exiled all these years from the home +that was their birthright. The husband of her early womanhood might +have been spared if only they could have nursed him back to health under +the cool shade of those grand old trees instead of languishing in the +hot city. Help this man? This incarnation of cruel selfishness? Not +she;--his boy should suffer the extreme penalty of the law. How could +_she_ lift a voice to save him! "His boy?" Ah, through her tender +mother's heart there darted a pain all unwonted. Her own noble, gifted +boy--her all--what if untoward fate should have in store for him some +doom of shame--him, her idol and her pride. + +She sat buried in thought till suddenly starting up she consulted +a time table, then rang hurriedly for her maid. She was ready in thirty +minutes, and summoning her young son, was soon enroute for the capital. +Arriving at ten o'clock she called a carriage and sped away to new +northwest quarter of the city. By midnight she had seen both +representatives and thoroughly enlisted their services. She gave no +reason for her intercession, nor was it necessary. It was enough that +she deemed it a case for intervention. Next morning the two statesmen +had an interview with the President, and by the hardest, for the mass +of evidence against young Garrett was overwhelming, got a stay of +proceedings till the case could be further investigated. + +Well-nigh exhausted from the mental and bodily strain, Jessie arrived +at her home unfit for anything but rest. Then she answered her enemy's +letter. Did she reproach him with his life-long injustice? Did she +demand the old home in exchange for the service she had rendered? Or +at least the privilege of buying it? She merely wrote;-- + +"I have been to Washington and secured a reprieve pending further +sifting of evidence." + +Ben Garrett was saved and the close view of the gallows sobered him at +last. He married the daughter of a Texas ranchman and Jessie heard of +him no more. + + * * * * * + +Five years passed away when on a gloomy afternoon in the autumn, Jessie +Forrester, now a woman of thirty, and wearing her years and honors well, +was sitting at her desk in an elegant sanctum, absorbed in the fate of +two lovers whose history she was creating. + +Her door opened and a grave, handsome man with a bearded face stood +before her. + +"Madam," he said briefly "you once did my brother a great favor. I am +here to thank you for it." + +His brother? A favor? Ah, she had been doing favors for many in all +these years. She did not remember any particular one; it was an every +day matter. Every mail brought petitions and she never turned a deaf +ear. The doing of favors brought its own reward. + +She looked steadily at the stranger, and he felt again in his inmost +soul the gaze of those large brown eyes seen once before dilated with +childish terror. + +"My name is Garrett," he explained, as briefly as before. + +Garrett--that hated name. Involuntarily her eyes fell upon the work +before her, while a warm flush mantled her cheeks. + +"May I sit down for five minutes?" + +She again raised her eyes without speaking, and he seated himself, not +looking at but beyond her as if her steady gaze unmanned him. + +"Madam, my parents are dead. I have come to offer you Deering Castle +at your own price. I should not presume to suggest it as a gift. It is +yours if you wish it. I have heard so often," and here his voice fell +for very shame, "that you wanted it. It was not then mine to dispose +of; now there is no barrier; it is yours. I will send my attorney to +you." + +Rising he lingered a moment with a certain wistfulness suffusing his +features, then made his way out ere Jessie could recover sufficiently +to bid him stay. + +Her faculties were in a tumult. Deering Castle hers--the estate of her +fathers--the venerated old home hers at last. It almost took her breath +away. A Garrett was offering it. That name hated all her life. But did +she hate it now? + +There was no more work that day for the author. Nor ever again did her +genius shine out in rapturing periods till she drew inspiration from the +grand environment of the old homestead. Here Robert Garrett is not an +unwelcome guest. Young Herbert is in fact quite devoted to the grave, +sedate man with the tender heart. Will his benign influence one day +still further cement the new friendship? + + + + +The Singer's Christmas + +A HOLIDAY STORY + + +The air of the December day was soft and mild. All the world was in the +streets, glad of a respite from the late cold "snap," which had brought +out furs and heavy wraps. + +Signora Cavada was taking her accustomed drive, chaperoned by a +comfortable looking American woman; for this was an American city, and +the famous prima donna was winning nightly laurels at the Louisville +Opera House. + +To-day, the carriage with its high-stepping bays sought a new +neighborhood, that the great singer might not be bored with repeated +views of the same places. As it bowled along an old man in tattered +garments approached, hat in hand, and held it toward the open window for +alms. The driver cracked his whip peremptorily above the straggling gray +locks of the suppliant, and drove on toward the suburbs. + +"Who was that poor old man?" asked the singer in excellent English. + +"Oh, only a beggar; the streets are full of them just before Christmas," +replied her companion. + +"Is he very poor?" persisted the signora. "In my own country we have +beggars--they make a business of begging. But that was a grand face. +I shall go back again to look for him; tell the driver." + +Accustomed to obey the caprices of her mistress, the duenna gave the +order and the carriage turned back. There stood the old man as before, +but this time he did not approach the equipage. + +"Come here," said the signora, holding out a neatly gloved hand. + +Fixing his faded eyes, now kindling with something like hope, upon her +lovely face, he came nearer, and at her bidding told his story. It was a +common one: Ill-health, a vagabond son, his earnings all gone, no work, +and finally beggary. + +"And have you no one to take care of you? Where do you live?" + +"In that old shed, madam," he answered, pointing to a tumbled down cabin +once used as a cobbler's shop. "And I have with me my little girl, my +grandchild." + +"A little girl in that place? Where is she? How do you keep her?" + +"Ah, madam, she makes flowers--her mother taught her--and earns a few +pennies now and then. She sings, too, madam," he added with pride. + +"Sings?" eagerly echoed the signora. "Fetch her here; I want to see +her." + +"She has gone away to the woods to gather evergreens. To-morrow is +Christmas Day." + +"Yes, yes, I remember! And how do you celebrate the day?" added the +lady. + +"In feasting and rejoicing," said the duenna, before the old man could +answer. + +"And the poor? I have read some very pretty stories about the poor in +your cities on Christmas Day." + +"Oh, the poor get along well enough," she said, with an accent of +indifference or contempt. "They have more than they deserve." + +But the singer was again leaning toward the waiting figure outside, +seeing which the old man said as if in apology: + +"That is why I was asking for help, madam; people are generous at +Christmas. But I have known better times; I do not like to beg." + +The prima donna was not rich. She supported her own old father and +mother, and was educating her brother for a grand tenor. With one of +those quick impulses born of heaven, she ordered the driver to descend +from his box and throw open the carriage. When the roof parted and the +sunshine came flooding down upon her, the singer faced the crowd that +had been steadily gathering for ten minutes, eager to see the Signora +Cavada, whose voice was the most jealously guarded jewel of her store. +For she had been recognized by a chance passer-by. + +Suddenly there stole on the air a divine strain that caused a hush as +by magic to fall upon the restless groups. Louder, sweeter, stronger, +more entrancing it rose, then sunk to the whispering cadence of a sigh. +The old man's hands were crossed before him, and tears poured down his +withered cheeks. Ere the charmed listeners realized that the voice had +ceased, the singer gave the poor supplicant a coin, and waving him +toward the crowd, which was increasing every moment, said,-- + +"Tell them I will sing again." + +The old man went from one to another till the worn hat grew so heavy +that he had to carry it in his arms. Money for his needs, money for his +dear little girl. Then the signora sang again; when about to depart she +scribbled an address which she handed the bewildered man, and drove on +to her hotel. + +What a Christmas was that! And what a feeling of happiness filled her +heart! And the duenna said nothing. + +A day or two later the beggar and his grandchild appeared at the private +entrance of the hotel where the signora was sojourning. The paper he +carried in his hand was a passport, and he soon stood in her parlor. +He was dressed in a neat new suit, and the child was as sweet as a wild +rose. + +"Come and kiss me, little one," said the beautiful lady. "I want to hear +you sing." + +Unappalled by the richness of the apartment, and conscious only the +kindness shown her, the child, who was about twelve years old, sang one +of the popular street ballads of the day. + +"Santa Maria!" exclaimed the signora, who always ejaculated in her own +tongue. "But you have a treasure here, my friend! The child is a wonder. +This voice must be trained--we will see--we will see." + +Touching an electric bell, she summoned a messenger and hastily wrote +a line which she gave him. During the boy's absence she questioned the +strange pair in whom she felt so absorbing an interest, and gathered +what there was to tell of their daily life. Their neighbors were kind, +and the women exercised a sort of motherly care over the little girl; +but the very best there was to know seemed bad enough, and the singer +shuddered as she imagined the dreariness of such poverty as their's. + +In answer to the call a young man stood before her. + +"Beppo," she said, "your fortune is made; look at that old man." She +spoke in Italian, and the face of the artist, for such he was, lit up +with enthusiasm, as he marked the striking head and face of the person +indicated. "Your model for the Beggar of San Carlo," continued the lady. + +Beppo Cellini, at the bidding of his countrywoman, at once made terms +with the old man to sit to him for his great Academy picture. + +The little girl, whose voice now commands thousands of dollars on the +operatic stage, was placed under training at the joint expense of her +benefactress and two other artist friends. + +The old man, Signor Beppo's model, is at rest now, but he still lives +in the "Beggar of San Carlo." And the Signora Cavada, among all the +good deeds of her charitable career, has never known a truer thrill +of happiness than she experienced on her American Christmas Day. + + + + +Turning the Tables + +A PRACTICAL STORY + + +There was great commotion in the kitchen of a large seaside hotel not +many miles from Long Branch. A commotion in fact, that struck dismay to +the heart of the proprietor, who, upon visiting the store-room near by, +was caught and detained, an invisible listener to the uproar. + +"I 'clar ter gracious!" screamed the fat, colored cook, "I aint a-gwine +ter stan' it no longer! Po' white trash a-layin' up in bed all mornin,' +an' den it's eggs! Eggs biled, eggs scrabbled, an' homilies (omelettes) +tell yer can't res' nohow! I'se mazin' tired of it all, I tell yer! I'se +gwine ter quit--I is!" + +"You'se gwine ter quit--you is! I speck! I'm done heerd dat talk eber +day dis month," jeered cook number two. "Ef you quits you kin jest bet +yer bottom dollar I aint a-gwine to stay. Got more'n I kin do now--I is." + +"An' what yer reckon dis chile's goin' ter do den?" pertly chimed in the +mulatto kitchen maid. "I'm got all de runnin' roun' ter do, an' yer kin +jist bet I don't have no easy time. Quit as quick as yer please--all +of yer--I'll go 'long wid de crowd!" and with a toss of her woolly +bangs, she dumped a pan of potato peelings out at the door. + +"Dry up! dry up!" broke in the head waiter, appearing on the scene in +true autocrat fashion. He boasted of "right smart book learnin'," and +was a recognised power in the land. "You don't have no trouble at all to +what I do. It's run here, there and everywhere, all in a minute, with a +dozen blockheads to look after. And it's precious few tips I get here, +I promise you! I never see as stingy a lot o' people in all my born +days. Say! you there, Jim! fetch that tray along! What are you gapin' +at, nigger?" + +"Don't you nigger me, you black dude!" retorted the darkey, and as +he spoke a smart chambermaid pranced along, flirting back at another +waiter, and ran plump against the boy, tray and all. Down went the +dishes with a clatter which brought a bevy of waiters and maids on the +scene, while the laundress rushed in, all dripping with soapsuds. This +so irritated the head waiter that he seized a teacup and threw it at +the unlucky tray man. Then followed a fusillade of broken crockery and +promiscuous dodging of giggling maids and explosive men-servants. + +The fat cook interposed a threatening, hissing tea-kettle to stop the +war, and the perplexed housekeeper appeared among the belligerents as +the overwhelmed proprietor beat a hasty retreat. Stealing unperceived +along the corridors, an idea struck him. This state of things was simply +dreadful; something must be done. He quickly decided. He despatched his +little son to the rooms and all about the premises to request the guests +to assemble to an affair of state in the imposing chamber known as the +main parlor. His wife was an invalid, and the poor man was beside +himself in his perplexity. + +With wondering, smiling faces they came--a pleasing array of city +boarders--ease and comfort written upon every face. + +His audience assembled, the distressed gentleman proceeded to pour forth +his grievances. He asked what he should do in such a dilemma. His help +had been engaged from the swarms of colored persons who infest the +stations and public resorts along the coast. They had given trouble ever +since the hotel was opened. They complained and annoyed him first about +one thing, then about another, till he was well on to the verge of +lunacy. + +"Now, ladies and gentlemen," he pathetically continued, "if I try to +soothe and satisfy, and raise wages and make promises, what guarantee +have I that the same thing will not occur to-morrow, and next day, and +next week? I engaged them fairly and squarely, and have held strictly +to my contract. They are so spoiled and unmanageable that there is no +satisfaction in their service. Even now, while I am talking they are no +doubt still in an uproar. Why, it is a wholesale mutiny. Something must +be done at once. I have come to you for advice. If, as I say, they could +be persuaded to remain, I cannot promise you any comfort. If I discharge +the whole crew, it will be a day, perhaps two days, before I can supply +their places; for I shall have to go to New York for white help. Can you +solve the problem?" + +For a moment there was silence. Then Miss May Delano, a handsome, +wealthy city girl, said, with a challenging glance all around: "I'll +wait upon the table for my part, if somebody will get me something to +serve!" + +This was received with an outburst, and instantly all was chatter and +confusion as they caught up the spirit of the thing. + +"I'll fill the orders as fast as you can take them," boasted a Wall St. +exquisite, who would have unbent his dignity to any degree to please the +bewitching heiress. + +"I'll help anywhere--wherever I'm needed," exclaimed another city belle. + +"And I!" came in chorus. "We'll be chambermaids," said a party who had +just donned bathing suits of blue flannel. + +"All right! Get to work!" commanded the crowd. "You have on just the +dress for the business." + +"Well, Mrs. Ingalls," smilingly encouraged a plump matron, "I suppose +we might do as good cooking here as we have done at home in times of +emergency. Shall we try?" + +"I'm agreeable," laughed the lady. "That is, if we can manage the +range." + +"Oh, leave that to me," said her husband. "I guess I've handled ranges +before." Which caused more merriment, since that gentleman's business +was in the hardware line. + +Fresh came another bevy of rosy faces, whose owners declared that they +had been to a cooking school and knew all about it. + +"Nothing like practical demonstration," bantered the young men. + +"Hurrah!" cried one Hamilton, the pet of the house. "Give me the girl +who can don a white apron, roll up her sleeves, and plunge her pretty +arms into the flour barrel! That's what I'm looking for!" and he +cleverly balanced a chair on his chin, amid a clamor of repartee and +good-natured defiance. + +"Go in, the whole ship's crew!" fervently urged a family man. "It will +be the best fun of the season." + +"All right!" promptly agreed the ladies. "We are ready. Now, hurry up +and get on your porter's apron in time for the next wagon of trunks. +Pray, call us when you are about to shoulder one!" which turned the +laugh on the muscular member of the group. + +"I think I'd rather be parlor maid," sweetly chimed in a little blonde +beauty, with fluffy bangs. + +"Suits you to a T," was the gallant response from the younger men. + +"And I'll have to stand guard to keep you from flirting," put in an +adorer. + +"Pot calling the kettle black!" was the saucy fling from a chorus of +school-girls who were enjoying their first seaside vacation. + +"Now, grandma," exclaimed the parlor maid to a beautiful old lady with +silver hair, "you shall have a big chair right in the middle of the +dining hall, and be manager-in-chief." + +Meanwhile the landlord had been overcome. + +"Ladies," he now managed to articulate, and certainly he meant it, "I +don't know what to say; I don't know how to thank you. But I know what +I'll do; I'll turn away the last one of those quarrelsome blacks; root +and branch they shall go. I'm tired of living in bedlam. I shall go down +at once and start them; then I'll telegraph to New York and take the +first train out. Rest assured I shall be back to your relief as soon as +possible." + +The proprietor had made himself heard in the confusion, and as he left +the parlor hearty cheers followed him, when immediately the groups of +talkers broke out again into plans and promises. + +"Organize! Organize!" thundered a big man who had been jostled from his +morning paper. "There can be no success without system." + +"Hear! Hear!" roared the fun-loving fellows. "Down with the crowd to the +lower regions! Come on with your constitution and by-laws! Hold fast to +law and order! Give us liberty, or death--pumpkin pies and lily-white +hands! Hurrah! On to the kitchen!" + +With mock circumspection they were forcing couples to pair off; but +the level-headed matrons soon arranged matters more to the purpose. +The various branches of work were assigned to willing hands that only +awaited the signal for action. + +Great was the consternation of the mutineers when the "boss" appeared +in the dismantled kitchen and ordered them all off the premises. In vain +they protested, laying the blame on first one and then another. Their +day of grace was ended and no quarter shown. Wilfully and from sheer +love of bickering, they had offended all sense of justice and propriety, +and in unbroken ranks they must go. + +When the fiat had irretrievably gone forth, they showed again the claws +and the cloven foot. The "cook-lady" said she "didn't hafter work +nohow;" she reckoned she could "git along." The maids and the waiters +took the cue and were equally independent. But though paid their wages +in full, they were discharged without "a recommend"; and this, in the +height of the season, was no small privation. + +"Teach them a lesson!" muttered the proprietor with satisfaction. +"Serves them right! I'm rather glad of the row." + +Cheerily the guests fell to work in their several departments, and if +more than one match for life was not made among the young people, it +was from no lack of genuine admiration in their new roles. The lads +and lassies were happy and rosy and busy at their self-appointed tasks. +The white-coated waiters were dubbed "No. 47," "No. 50," and so on, and +right nobly they served the well-spread tables, which lacked nothing, +not even the boon of contentment, which so helps digestion. + +The flushed matrons behind big kitchen aprons, with diamonds locked away +in the hotel safe, took turns to perfection. Many guests took their +ease, and were mere lookers-on at the frolic; but a right goodly company +put their shoulders to the wheel. + +When the new corps of "help" were installed, they found the hotel clean +and tidy from attic to cellar, and everything in its proper place. + +The episode was one to be remembered by the malcontents, who had had a +severe lesson; by the host, who had seen a genuinely good side of human +nature; and the ladies who had so nobly stepped into the breach, learned +during their brief period of servitude to be more patient and +considerate to those who serve. + + + + +How She Helped Him + +STORY OF A WIFE + + +"Well, tell me about Henry Woodruff. How did that match turn out?" + +"Bad enough thus far. He is the same delightful, good-hearted fellow as +of old; always ready to do a kind, or courteous act. But this woman will +be the ruin of him." + +"How? What is the trouble?" + +"The trouble is she is spoiled to death! She fancies herself an invalid, +lies around, does nothing but read Charlotte Braeme and Bertha M. +Clay--has every foolish whim gratified, and, in fact, I don't see how he +stands it." + +"Did she have any property?" + +"Not a cent. It was an out-and-out love match. She has expensive tastes; +she is indolent and extravagant. Why, his carriage hire is a big item of +itself. She couldn't walk a block, you know." + +"Perhaps she really is a sufferer." + +"Nonsense; nobody believes it. She had that fall, you recollect at the +skating rink. At first her spine was thought to be seriously injured. +Woodruff paid out several hundred dollars to have her cured, and the +doctors discharged her, well, they said. But it has pleased her to drag +around, a load on his hands, ever since. It is thought that he is much +crippled financially. I know positively that he has lately mortgaged his +interest in the firm. If he can't manage to make, or save five thousand +dollars by the end of this year, it is all up with him. And he will +never do it at his present rate of living," + +"Why doesn't he tell her? Has she no sense, or feeling at all?" + +"None, except for herself; and he is so fond of her that he will indulge +her to his very last cent." + +"I thought he looked a little down as he passed us this morning." + +"Yes, he is beginning to realize that he has gone too far, and, poor +fellow, it is tugging at him hard." + +Did she hear aright? Was it of her, Eleanor Woodruff, that they were +talking? Swiftly she sped out of the dark, heavily-curtained back parlor +of the stylish boarding-house, and into her room, a gorgeous alcove +apartment on the first floor. She could not mount the stairs on account +of her weak spine. Weak spine? She forgot all about it as she paced the +floor, angry tears gushing from her large brown eyes. It was shameful--it +was wicked--to be so abused. She had never in her whole petted life been +found fault with. As to money, what did she know about it? Her father, +before his failure and death, had always gratified her. Her husband had +never made any difference. These men were friends of his. + +Her bitter sobs ceased, and her wounded vanity gradually lost itself +in better thoughts. Did all her world think of her like the scathing +criticisms of those two chance callers, who thus killed the time of +waiting for someone to come down to them? She began to feel glad that +she had overheard it. The merest accident had sent her into the back +parlor. Was it true? What ought she to do? What could she do? Her dear, +kind husband in trouble, and she the cause. Long she sat buried in +thought, and when the well-known step sounded at the door her face was +radiant with a new resolve. + +He came to her large easy-chair with a step somewhat weary, but his kiss +was as usual. + +"All right, Nellie? Had a good day? Why, you look--let me see--how do +you look?" he satd, his kind eyes noting the brightness that shone in +hers. + +"I look as if I love my big boy very much, don't I?" she responded +merrily. + +His answer was another kiss, and as he turned toward his dressing +closet, her heart ached with unspoken tenderness. Her dinner was brought +in. She was not considered strong enough to sit at table. For this +service an extra charge was made. + +Later, when he opened the evening paper, she sat and watched him. Surely +those lines of care were new, now that he was not smiling fondly upon +her. Oh, foolish, selfish wife! Rising gently, her long silken tea-gown +trailing behind her, she stood beside him, one slender white hand upon +his shoulder. + +"Well, dear, what now? Another new gown?" he asked, with his old, sweet +smile. + +She pressed her lips in a slow, reverential fashion, upon the broad +white brow, another pang at her heart. Then she spoke: + +"Not this time. Harry, dear, let's go to Mrs. Wickham's to board." + +"Mrs. Wickham's!" he echoed. "Why, you wouldn't stay in her dull little +place a week." + +But even as he spoke there flashed through his mind in rapid +calculation, "Twenty dollars a week there, forty here; eighty dollars +a month saved; nearly a thousand dollars a year." + +"Don't you like it here?" were his next words, as he glanced around the +luxurious suite. + +"Yes," she said, "except there are too many people. It is so noisy." + +"Very well, then, we will try it; anything to please my darling," and he +drew her close, wrapped in his arms as one might lull a restless child. + +The move was made, and Eleanor found that she was not as much fatigued +as she had often felt after a day's lounging with a novel. Her husband +thought it only a new whim; but as it was not expensive one, he could +not remonstrate. When he wanted to take her driving, she playfully told +him she was learning to walk--horses made her nervous. + +The first step, she thought; now for the next. It came to her almost by +magic. In a little rear hall-room sat Margaret Dewees, clicking away at +her typewriter. A strong, clear-headed girl who had maintained herself +these ten years, and had put by her savings. She was soon to be married +to a stalwart young farmer, the lover of her early youth. They had been +working and waiting. From the first she took an interest in the young +wife, and it was given to her energy and common sense to help a +suffering sister. Together they plotted and planned. Eleanor's lassitude +gradually passed away under vigorous rubbing and brisk walks. + +Margaret's trousseau was a thing to be considered. From Mrs. Woodruff's +surplus stock of stylish gowns and garments the country girl's outfit +was deftly concocted. The young wife could sew neatly and rapidly. When +all was ready the sum of two hundred dollars lay in her writing desk. +Her grand piano, too large for the new quarters, was removed from +storage to a dealer's, and was sold for three hundred more. She wrote at +once to an uncle in a Western city; told him of her little efforts, and +asked what she might do with her mite. He was a real estate man and +promptly invested it in a lot in the rising town of Duluth. + +In exchange for her services as seamstress, Margaret taught Eleanor the +use of the typewriter. When she was married she left the instrument, for +the summer months, in Eleanor's care. A nominal rent was agreed upon, +and this was easy to pay, as Margaret's engagements were transferred to +the new operator, while she, herself, attended to chickens and cows, and +her six feet of husband. + +Eleanor's spirit of enterprise did not stop here. She obtained pupils on +the type-writer machine at five dollars each. She shipped a lot of old +party dresses, crushed and out of style, to the costumer's on B---- +street, and saved the proceeds. Every time her husband handed over her +allowance of pin money, she put at least half of it in her "strong box." + +It was hard to hide all this activity and cheerfulness from him, but +she did. With her woman's enjoyment of a little mystery, and her high +resolve to show herself worthy of him, she kept in the old rut as nearly +as possible when he was at home. He saw only that she was stronger, and +it lightened his labors. + +"My little woman does not ride, or read, any more," he said one evening, +in the indulgent tone he used towards her. + +"Why, yes, I do read. Don't you see my little library there?" + +"Yes, but it seems to me I miss something." + +He missed the litter of trashy novels he had been wont to see. + +"I told you I was learning to walk;" she added, with a smile, "I really +do walk somewhere every day." + +"That pleases me most of all," he said in his cheery way, "but what will +Dr. Bull think. You know he prescribes rest and quiet." + +"I don't care one bit; I have long since cut his acquaintance." + + * * * * * + +The end of the year rolled round. Eleanor watched her husband's face +with ever increasing anxiety. One evening he sat buried in thought from +which all her endeavors could not rouse him. He did not feel well, he +said. All night he tossed and muttered. Calculations and figures were +uppermost. + +He was up early, as usual, and away. Eleanor hastened her preparations, +and carefully counted her little hoard--the earnings of months. Early +in the afternoon she came home with the proceeds of her last batch of +type-writing, glowing with exercise, and the happiness of contributing +at least some hundreds to meet her husband's creditors. He was there, +lying on the sofa, pale and hopeless. Forgetting all else, she flung +herself beside him with a sob. + +"Oh! Harry, my dearest! Tell me what it is that is killing you--I have a +right to know." + +"It is ruin, Eleanor. I have brought you to poverty--you whom I would +have given my very life to make happy." + +"You are talking in riddles, Harry," she exclaimed, rallying from her +alarm. "Am I not the happiest woman in the world? And don't you see how +well and strong I am?" + +She coaxed the whole story from his lips. Then with affected lightness, +she said: "Is that all? Why, you frightened me terribly; I thought you +were ill--had caught some horrible disease or other. See here!" + +As she spoke she ran to her desk, took out her treasure, and poured it +into his hands in her impulsive fashion. + +"Eleanor! What is this?" staring like one dazed, from her radiant face +to the notes in his hands. + +"This? Why, this is only your silly wife's laziness and selfishness in +another form." + +Then her story had to be told. Their combined efforts still fell short +of the required sum, but she triumphantly produced the deed to the +Western land. For a season there were caresses and even tears, of mutual +love and thankfulness. + +"My precious wife!" he exclaimed, as he clasped her close. "What a +treasure in you, if all the money in the world should fail!" + +"But your piano!" he said, with regret overreaching his appreciation of +her sacrifice. + +"Let it go," she merrily replied. "I could not play worth listening +to--this you must admit. It was just an expensive, cumbersome +toy--that's all." + +Next day the balance of the debt was borrowed upon the security of the +western deed, and Henry Woodruff was a free man once more. When the five +hundred dollars jumped to thousands in a sudden boom, he bought a neat +home. Here, Margaret, the valued friend, supplied produce from her farm. + +Eleanor was never quite content till Harry had looked up her two +maligners, and brought them to the pleasant domain where she presided, +and which her painfully awakened energy had helped to buy. In time she +told her secret, and thanked them for that ten minutes' gossip. In time, +too, sons and daughters came and found a mother prepared by self-denial +for the exigencies of life. + + + + +The Iron Box + +A MYSTERY + + +Twilight dropped its soft, somber curtain upon a handsome southern +home. Sadly out of keeping with the peaceful landscape and cheerful +hearthstone, were the feelings of a man who crept close to the window +shutter, and peered cautiously within the cosy apartment. And brighter +grew the twinkle in his rapacious eyes as the brilliant objects upon +which he glared shone in the lamplight. + +Upon a table in the center of the room was a mosaic casket, the raised +lid disclosing a collection of jewels rarely to be found in the +possession of a single individual. + +With glowing cheeks and radiant eyes Netta Lee surveyed her treasures; +but the glow and sparkle were for the tall figure beside her, however +her feminine pride might be gratified at this splendid array. So long as +Richard Temple honored her among women with his heart's devotion, there +needed not the glitter of gems to complete her happiness. + +"Our friends are most kind with their wedding gifts," said the +prospective bridegroom, "these are royal!--" + +"Yes, and oh, Richard! just see these pearls. Exquisite, aren't they! +One hundred years old, and a present from my grandmother." + +"What a queer, old-fashioned case," said Mary, a younger sister taking +up the flat, square box of red morocco, where nestled in its white satin +lining lay the milky brooch and ear-rings. + +"So much the more valuable; in this love-of-the-antique age," remarked +Bertha Lee. "Netta, who sent these gorgeous corals?" + +"Aunt Winifred;--wasn't it good of her?" + +"Pooh! No more than she might do for each of us," replied the saucy +girl. "Heigho! I wish my fate, if I have one, might appear. Couldn't +you innocently suggest to the old lady that I have no jewels for the +all-important occasion--a bridesmaid, too?" + +"Why not select from these?" said Richard. "There is enough here, and to +spare, for all. Let's see--pearl, diamond, amethyst, coral, emerald, +turquoise, filagree--I declare it is a veritable jeweler's display." + +"You must recollect, though, Richard, I had some of these before." + +"Her friends seem to have discovered her weakness," observed Mrs. Lee, +entering the room. + +"Now, mother, you shall not say that. You forget the carloads of things +that have come--nice, useful, domestic articles----" + +"Richard, what is it? What is the matter?" suddenly exclaimed Mrs. Lee, +looking at him. + +In alarm Netta glanced at his face, which she saw was clouded from +anxiety, or pain. At once she closed the casket and went to his side in +great concern. + +"What is it, dear? Are you ill?" + +"Not ill in body, my love; hardly comfortable in mind," was his reply, +as he sat down upon the davenport close by. "Sit here beside me, and +I will tell you what is troubling me. No, don't go," he added, as the +others started to leave the room, "it concerns us all." + +"Don't look so alarmed," he said, reassuringly, to his betrothed. "It +is only this. News reached Columbus to-day that Baywater's gang is near +Villula, and as usual their progress is marked by bloodshed and outrage. +The feature that concerns me most is that if I am detailed for duty, it +will of necessity postpone our marriage." + +Various expressions broke from the ladies, and Netta exclaimed in +terror: + +"But you will be in danger, Richard. Can no one else go?" and she clung +to him as though her frail clasp could keep him in safety at her side. + +"I fear not. The state militia must do its duty. You would not have +me skulk in the hour of danger. But there really is no danger for me, +Netta. The sole trouble is in the change of our plans." + +But they remembered too distinctly Baywater's last visit to derive the +comfort conveyed in his words. + +"And where must you go? What must you do?" tearfully asked Netta. + +"I can scarcely tell. We shall be required to watch the premises of the +citizens, and to convey all valuables to places of safety. The policy is +not to provoke a battle, but to entrap them nearer and nearer the city +by holding out baits till they can be apprehended in a body. To do this, +we shall be divided into small squads, perhaps only two persons allotted +to a station." + +It was apparent to the elder lady that the plans had already been +arranged, and Temple's duties mapped out. + +The man at the window strained his ears to catch the topic which +evidently excited profound interest. A word or two reached him, and he +saw Temple point to the box of jewels. Then, as the door opened, he +heard him say: + +"Remember--the first thing to-morrow--Dry Thicket." + +Ere the departing visitor could come upon him, the straggler bounded +over the fence and hurried away. But he had learned enough. + +A sound, real or fancied, caused Richard Temple to glance down the +starlit highway, in time to see the fleeing human figure. In newborn +apprehension he returned to the parlor door, and was admitted in some +wonder by the ladies, who were still discussing the situation. + +"Is Lawrence at home?" he asked. + +"Yes--why?" + +"I think I'll turn in with him to-night, if he will give me half a bed. +I fear you are not safe with those jewels in the house." + +"Certainly," responded Mrs. Lee with ready hospitality. "You may have a +whole bed and room, too, if you like." + +"Thanks, madam, I prefer to concentrate forces. Give me the box, and you +ladies go to rest. We'll protect you;" he valiantly added, as the young +son of the house now appeared. + +Richard Temple was not mistaken. A little after midnight the watchers +heard a noise as of sawing, or filing. Peering from an upper window they +located the sound at the parlor shutter, and soon discerned the figure +of a man in a crouching attitude. Swiftly and noiselessly the young men +stole down and out by a back door, and were creeping upon the burglar to +capture him, when a short, quick bark from the house dog startled the +man, who fled precipitately. The pursuers fired, but it was too dark to +see beyond a few yards. + +The ladies, aroused and alarmed, were soon reassured, but persisted in +sharing the remainder of the vigil. + +Early next morning, leaving the servants to infer that they were bound +upon a berry excursion, the little party set out, Richard bearing the +mosaic box, the girls carrying other valuables, and Lawrence armed with +a larger wooden box and a pick. Their destination was Dry Thicket, +so called from the exceeding dryness of the earth beneath the almost +impenetrable trees of native growth. These trees were so closely +interlaced by a tough vine peculiar to the soil, that it was necessary +to cut one's way, or force it by dint of strength. + +In order to accomplish this feat the ladies had donned homespun dresses +kept for such excursions, and the gentlemen were suitably provided. +Winding through an arable field they descended the narrow path that led +into the thicket, and were soon pushing and cutting their way against +the stout lattice of vines. When far into the interior they found +themselves in a natural arbor free from undergrowth and utterly +secluded. A fallen log afforded a seat for the ladies, and the +custodians of the box at once proceeded to bury their treasures of gold +and plate, silver and jewels. An hour sufficed for the task. When +scattering, dry leaves over the fresh earth the party returned to Lee +Villa somewhat the worse for wear. + +"Until these dangerous invaders shall have left the community, or are +arrested, I think we should arm the negro men on the plantation and be +prepared for possible surprises," were Richard Temple's parting words, +as he took leave for Columbus, twenty miles distant. + +Villula was altogether inland, and hence an easy prey to outlaws. The +nearest railway station was at Silver Run, two miles away. The first +down train brought a hasty letter from Temple, stating that he and +Lawrence Lee were detailed to convey four fine horses belonging to Major +Lester, to a place of safety, and that the threatened section had been +well picketed. + +There was at once a general hiding out of valuables, live stock and +provisions, the numerous swamps and thickets affording secure harbors +all over the section. A reign of terror existed during the next two +weeks. The dreaded marauders were at work, and stories were rife of +insult to women, and outrages upon men whom they hung by the neck till +almost dead unless they revealed the whereabouts of their treasures. +Thus far they had baffled the vigilance of the authorities. The country +was thinly settled, and the peculiar features of the landscape afforded +facilities both for concealment and escape. + +One evening the ladies of Lee Villa sat watching the resplendent sunset +from the front piazza, when a ragged, barefoot urchin came up the road +turning somersaults with surprising agility. He righted himself up at +the gate, then entered and sidled rather doubtfully toward the group. + +"Here's somethin' fur Miss Lee. Be you her?" + +"Yes," said Netta, receiving a dirty note from the boy's dusty fingers. +"Where did you get this?" + +"He gave it to me--he did," nodding his head down the road, "an' he +gimme this, too!" he added triumphantly, holding up a shining coin, +as he darted away again at his evolutions. + +Netta deciphered the following lines from Richard: + + "We are encamped in Dry Thicket with the horses, all safe thus far. + Do not attempt to come; you could not find us. Keep a brave heart. + We will soon entrap the rascals. (Messenger best I can find). + + "Faithfully, + + "R.T." + + +About nine o'clock one morning a party of ten men, headed by the +notorious Baywater, rode up the single street of Villula, sending terror +to the hearts of unprotected women. Not apprehending an attack in +daytime, the two young men were on duty elsewhere, and the negroes were +in the cotton fields. + +Passing through the town amid a great dust and clatter, they drew rein +at the villa. The ladies came to the door in response to the captain's +imperious halloo. + +"We've come to find out where the Lester horses are, madam--and what's +more," he added with a brutal oath, "we intend to know!" + +"I have no information to give you," calmly returned Mrs. Lee. + +"Perhaps you won't tell us where that box of diamonds is, either," +he sneered. + +To this there was no reply. The three girls were pallid from +apprehension of the next move. Apparently a proposition was made. The +leader shook his head. After a brief parley he dismounted, and with five +of his men, strode across the lawn to the negro quarters. An old negress +sat at the door, smoking her pipe, and knitting a coarse yarn sock. +A bright mulatto boy was crossing the back yard with a water bucket. + +In vain the outlaws sought to extract from the old woman the whereabouts +of her master with the horses and jewels. She was in reality as ignorant +as they. + +"Come now, Auntie," said the captain in wheedling tones, "tell us and we +will make you free. You won't have to work any more." + +"Oh, go 'long!" was her contemptuous rejoinder, "I'se free as I want +to be." + +"Why, you old fool!" he roughly retorted, "you don't know what freedom +means. You shall wear a silk dress and ride in a carriage and have a +gold chain." + +"I speaks gold chain!" echoed the woman tossing her grey head, "you po' +white trash can't come it ober dis chile wid yer crick-cracks. Jes you +go 'long. I'se got my bacon and greens, an' a good cotton coat. Yer +can't fool dis chile wid yer fine talk!" + +"Curse the old hag! Let's try the boy. You! Sirrah! Come here." + +With ashen cheeks the boy followed them into an outhouse, while the +Captain flourished a stout whip. + +"Oh! mother," cried Netta, "don't let them whip him! He never was +whipped in his life!" + +Mrs. Lee advanced a few paces from the back gallery whence they had been +watching the proceedings and called, "Charlie!" + +The boy sprang towards his mistress, his captors not venturing to be too +rash at the outset. + +"I want this boy for a moment," explained the lady. In sullen silence +they waited. + +"Going to buy him up to secrecy," derided the Captain, "but I guess +we'll work it out of him when he comes back. We've got him, sure, and +can afford to wait." + +But Charlie did not come back. Thrusting a bill into his hand his +mistress said: "Fly for your life, to Columbus and tell Col. Scale that +we must have protection. There is no train. Take the old country road +and lose no time!" + +Nor did the terrified boy let the grass grow under his steps. Ere the +next sun rose he was in Columbus, footsore, but safe. + +Again baffled, the desperadoes took horse, and held a consultation. + +"If I thought they knew," muttered the Captain, "by ---- they would be +made to tell. There's no other way--we must search that d---- thicket. +You know what Jem heard at the window the other night." + +With this they galloped down the road, taking a more circuitous route to +Dry Thicket than the little path hidden from view behind Lee Villa. In +an agony of foreboding Netta exclaimed: "Oh, mother, we must save them. +Let's get ready and go at once. I know every part of Dry Thicket!" + +Hurriedly donning the homespun dresses, the mother and daughters +set out, leaving a maid in the house, and the old cabin "Granny" +still smoking serenely over her knitting. They were soon on the spot +where the jewels had been buried. The shock of the moment may be +better conceived than described, when they saw an open pit, a pile +of freshly-turned earth, and no trace of their carefully-concealed +treasures! The blood receded from every face. Gone--all gone! The +exquisite bridal presents--the diamonds from her betrothed, the ancient +pearls, Aunt Winifred's family jewels, the heirlooms of plate--all +vanished as utterly as if they had never been. + +In sheer feebleness the stunned party sank down upon the prostrate log. +They now observed the charred remains of a camp fire, and shreds of grey +blanket adhering to the tenacious Tie-Vine. + +"What _shall_ we do?" broke from Netta in despair. The loss of her +superb ornaments for the time took the place of every other sentiment. +Even the safety of her loved ones was forgotten. + +"Well," said Mary, recovering herself, "it is no use grieving. We had +better be looking for Lawrence and Richard. You know those villains +hung Colonel Harris by the neck till he was nearly dead, because he +would not tell where his money was." + +"Hush, Mary," said her mother, "don't suggest such horrible things." + +But their search was unavailing. That night was one of agonizing +suspense. Next day the noon train brought Charlie with a note from +Colonel Scale, saying that Lawrence would return home as soon as orders +could reach him. + +The story of the missing jewels was freely discussed, and friends came +in numbers to condole with the bride-elect, and rehearse similar +depredations that had come to their ears. + +At last flashed the news that the State Militia had surrounded the +daring invaders, by a well-executed maneuver, and had disarmed them. The +leader fought desperately and was mortally wounded. The prisoners were +forced to reveal the place where their ill-gotten gains were stored, and +the owners were publicly summoned to identify their property. But the +Lee jewels were not found, and the gang obstinately disclaimed all +knowledge of them. + +Suspense in regard to them was, however, soon to be relieved. Two more +days of waiting, and the close of a lovely afternoon was made memorable +by the return of the wanderers to Lee Villa. A torrent of questions and +incidents so assailed them that they could not intelligibly answer the +one, or comment on the other. + +"And, oh! Richard," faltered Netta, "they have stolen our box--all my +beautiful presents!" + +"And the spoons," chimed in Mary, loyal to the family heirlooms. + +"You'd better say the money," said Bertha with conviction. "I would +rather have lost anything else than all that gold and silver." + +"Only give us a chance," said her brother appealingly, "and we will +relieve your anxiety on this point." + +"You have it! You have it!" cried the girls excitedly crowding upon him. + +"No," said Richard laughing heartily, while the brother endeavored to +extricate himself. "He hasn't it but if I can have a hearing I will tell +you of its fate. We hoped you would not miss it. Nor would you," he +added, looking archly at Netta, "if you had obeyed my injunction not to +try to find us." + +All anxiety, his auditors were profoundly attentive while Richard +narrated the adventures that had befallen them in the thicket. They were +hotly pursued and closely surrounded several times, so determined were +the raiders upon capturing the horses, but friendly arbors screened them +from view, and the sagacious animals were as quiet as their preservers. +On the night of their arrival at the thicket with the horses, Richard +suggested that it might be wise to remove the box, since in case the +ladies were surprised they might be forced to disclose the secret. +Accordingly he and his companion dismounted, secured the horses, and +penetrated on foot to the place. What was their amazement to see the +smouldering light of a fire and a man stretched upon the ground in a +deep sleep. A grey blanket served him for a pillow. Ere they could reach +him he stirred uneasily, started up, seized his blanket, and sprang away +among the trees. But they were too quick for him, especially as the +clinging vine impeded his progress. They captured him, and he confessed +that he was one of Baywater's scouts, and that he had spent two days +in the thicket searching for the box of jewels he had seen through the +window of the villa. + +The young men secured their prisoner, whom one guarded at the pistol's +point, while the other pushed on, buried the box in another place, and +then they conveyed the ruffian to Columbus. + +"Three nights ago," concluded Richard, "we were so closely cornered that +there was no help but in flight. We rode continuously till our horses +were safe on the Lester plantation, but my Bonnie Bess is done for, I +fear," and he glanced compassionately at the reeking animal, his own +especial property. + +Poor Bess! Ere another twenty-four hours had gone by, her sorrowful +master was called away from the villa to see her die of lockjaw. He had +ridden her to her death in the performance of his duty. + +After his interesting recital the ladies refused to wait till morning +to regain the buried treasures. They would go at once, and a number +of friends who had gathered to welcome the returned wanderers, and +congratulate their prowess, volunteered to accompany the party. So they +started, quite a procession, relying upon the lately frequented path to +save their garments from rents. + +The new spot chosen for the little pit was only a few yards from the +original place, and seemed sunken for several feet in all directions--a +significant fact as it proved. + +This time Charlie wielded the pick, and with such exaggerated force that +the earth was loosened for quite a space around the box. Some excitement +attended the rescue of the precious casket from fancied peril, and the +dense bower resounded with an animated discussion of late events. + +Warned by the lengthening shadows they turned to depart when a bystander +suddenly peering forward, said: "Look there, Lee. What is that? There, +close to the tree. Temple, do you see?" + +"The root of a tree, I think," replied Lawrence, stooping down to +examine a dark object that jutted out of the newly opened pit. + +Clearing the earth away with his hands he discovered, not a root, but +what seemed to be the corner of an iron box. Richard, who was beside +him, fell to work, and a further exploration revealed a band of some +metal, probably brass. Intense curiosity now prevailed. + +"Charlie, go to the house and bring some torches," said his master. Then +to Richard: "We must get at the bottom of this. The ladies had better +go--it is nearly night." + +But the ladies would do nothing of the kind. Here was something that +promised to be a mystery indeed. They remained till an iron, brass-bound +box, not large but heavy, had been disinterred and with difficulty +lifted to the surface. With still more difficulty it was conveyed to the +villa, where the expectant group waited for a smith to come and open it. + +When the rusty lock was made to unclasp, the top was raised, and there, +in numerous rouleaux, was gold coin to the amount of thousands of +dollars. Excitement was now but a faint term for the sensation. + +The young men were congratulated upon their find till their hands were +sore from pressure, and the ladies were embraced in proportion by +enthusiastic friends. + +How came it there? Who had buried it and when? There was a legend in +those parts that four wealthy Spaniards had been pursued and butchered +by the Indians in the early days, and that they had, while fleeing away, +buried the gold in an Alabama wild. Another tradition was, that during +the siege of New Orleans, some French settlers had run the blockade and +penetrated far into the country with vast wealth that was never traced +afterwards. Some of the older citizens had also heard of a miserly +ancestor of the Lawrences (Mrs. Lee had been a Lawrence) who lived +a hermit life in the villa when it was only a log cabin; who denied +himself the simplest comforts, and who died in want; but he had been +seen by the curious counting his gold at night. + +Whatever the mystery it was never solved. The facts as known were widely +published, but no rival claimant ever appeared. + +The wedding was a brilliant social affair. The Lee family were +recognized leaders, and their ancestral home was noted for its elegant +appointments and generous hospitality. + +"And where will you and Dick live, Netta?" asked a Columbus belle. + +"We think of building in the thicket." + +"What! Bury yourself in Dry Thicket? That horrible place?" + +"Soyez tranquille, ma chere," playfully answered the young bride. "Dry +Thicket has proved too great a blessing to us to be dreaded. However, +come and see us one day and judge for yourself." + +And when, as the "one days" had lengthened into many, enticed by the +rumors she heard, the girl, now a married woman, did go, she found a +magnificent residence, with lovely terraced lawns, shell-road drives, +and luxuries unknown in city homes. All on the site of the despised Dry +Thicket. White cottages dotted the landscape, and there was no trace +of the gloomy thicket save one natural bower overhung with trees and +interlaced by vines. Within its cool recesses was a rustic chair, and +sheltered by a miniature Gothic temple, stood the brightly-burnished +iron box which chance had made the foundation of so much happiness +and prosperity. + + + + +The Girl Farmers + +A PRACTICAL STORY + + +"I see no way out of this, girls, but for you to go to work and support +yourselves with your accomplishments. At least I suppose you've got +some. Your schooling cost a fortune, and maybe it was well enough, for +now there's a chance for you to make it count." + +And thus delivering himself, gruff Uncle Abner took a fresh chew of +tobacco, and let his eyes wander aimlessly among those dead-and-gone +relatives hanging on the walls. Anywhere indeed but at the two rosy, +eager faces before him; for the sisters, Margaret and Elizabeth, sat +watching and listening to this, the first hint of difficulty in the +easy-going of their pampered lives. + +Margaret spoke. "What is the amount of the mortgage, Uncle?" + +"Tut, tut," he grunted, with a show of impatience, "you can't +understand; girls aint expected to know about business; they h'aint any +heads for it. You'd better just shut up the place and come over to my +house till you can look around you a bit." + +"You are very kind, uncle, but we will consider that after you have +answered my question," continued Margaret with quiet insistence. "How +are we to understand unless we are told? And why keep us in ignorance? +We have a right to know just how our father's affairs were left, and I, +for my part, _intend_ to know;--" and the earnest young voice +stopped short of the sob that caught and held it quivering. + +There was silence while the tall clock ticked a few moments away. The +large grey eyes had no release in their steady depths. Thus driven Uncle +Abner proceeded to explain that it was when their brother James got into +that trouble over his wife's property. Their father had been obliged to +borrow, and he (Uncle Abner), accommodated him, taking as security a +mortage on the farm. + +"It was for five thousand dollars," he concluded, "and of course if he +had lived--," he paused, and walking to the window, his hands plunged +deep into his homespun pockets, gazed uncomfortably upon the broad +stretch of field and pasture so dear to the orphan nieces he was +unwittingly torturing. + +The Milfords were a proud race. Proud in the sturdy yeoman spirit of +honest independence. Margaret was not long in making up her mind. + +"You are right, uncle," she said with marked deliberation. "Libbie +and I have indeed had every advantage that the best schools afford. +We ought to go to work and we will. But--" and her wistful gaze swept +their beloved possessions indoor and out--"it shall be here; not +anywhere else." + +"What upon earth are you driving at?" spluttered Uncle Abner, while +Elizabeth smiled acquiescence in the decision of the beloved older +sister whose word had been law since their pinafore days. Whatever the +outlook she would stand by her. "I'd like to know what you can do here!" +went on their sage adviser, muttering audibly something about the +"infernal nonsense of women folks." + +"I mean it, uncle. I never was further from talking nonsense. We will +work here, on the old farm, and save our home from strangers, if you +will only be patient and give us time. I can take charge of the hands +and the crops. Elizabeth will manage the house and garden. In fact +I find myself longing every minute to begin. It will be something to +occupy us and divert us from gloomy thoughts;" and she glanced at the +somber garments that told of recent bereavement. + +"But you can't stay here without a protector," objected her uncle, +getting downright wrathful as he felt inwardly conscious that he would +be obliged to yield. He had seen his niece Margaret have her own way +more than once. Still he must fight for it. + +"You just take my advice and do what I said at first. Let somebody take +the place and work off the debt--in a way, you understand. You can look +about for a music class, and Lizzie here can get a position in the +public schools. Of course you know you are welcome at my house as long +as you need--" + +"Now, listen, uncle, do," broke in Margaret, catching his arm with +clasped hands, as a persuasive cadence crept into her resolute tones. "I +know I can learn to do what other women are doing all over the land. Not +so many Southern women, I grant you; we are a spoiled lot as ever lived, +and are foolishly ashamed to work. But we are no better than our sisters +of the north and west, and I, for one, do not care a whit what people +may think about it. As to being afraid to stay here, that would be +silly. Why, I am not so very many years from thirty and Elizabeth is +every bit of twenty-three. Quite old maids, you see;--bachelor maids, if +you please. The neighborhood is thickly settled; Rock and Don are the +best watch dogs ever seen, and the men in the cabins with their families +are faithful, you know. The village is in sight, and the big farm bell +can be heard a mile away. Nobody will molest us. I assure you we shall +not be afraid; and last of all, I can handle a pistol as well as a man, +if need be; and Libby is a terror with a hat pin! Now do be good and let +us try it." + +The brave girl had her way, no matter if Davis did want to add the four +hundred acres of the Milford farm to his own fine estate. + +The first year was not a bed of roses for the inexperienced young +farmers, but they were not daunted. A music class and a dozen pupils in +belles-lettres helped out the income, and there was no inconsiderable +revenue from the sale of milk, butter, eggs, fruit and vegetables. + +They had "the orchard, the meadow, and deep-tangled wildwood," full of +sacred memories. They fairly gloried in their dairy, the poultry yard, +and garden. They were up at daylight, and with the help of a small boy +from the cabins, gathered the marketing which Margaret, in her high +cart, took to the hotels at the thriving village of the railroad +junction. + +Richard Davis undertook the live-stock raising for the sisters on +the shares. This was a great help, though Uncle Abner, who had been +bulldozed into complacency, he said, hinted on occasions that the "young +fellow would be sharing himself with one of 'em before long." However, +the energetic maidens gave no heed, save to the grand purpose of their +lives. + +They learned to "gar old clo'es amaist as weel as new." Carpets were +darned and scoured and turned; the time-honored furniture was patched +and polished; and their fair hands did not shrink from putting on a +fresh coat of paint, or paper, now and then. Under severe pressure of +temptation they parted with several pieces of old mahogany during the +craze for antiques, at prices almost fabulous. This they invested in +some shares of bank stock. + +The second year's profits footed up enough to make a payment to Uncle +Abner, and then their joy knew no bounds. In vain their anxious friends +urged them to sell out and live in a small cottage. Their sympathy was +thrown away. + +"Every blade of grass is dear to me," persisted Margaret. "Perhaps I +have more sentiment than sense, but this should be my life work. And +when free from debt, think how easy to see the end of every year from +the beginning. Meanwhile everything is getting more simple for us. At +first, we had to be content with just the old rut, for we knew nothing +else. Now we study the best methods. We take a farmer's journal, which +has proved a noble education. The continual improvements in machinery +and necessary implements are of inestimable value. The best costs a +little more at first, but in the end it pays." + +"I always detested farming," exclaimed an old schoolmate who had married +a rich banker. + +"Come and see us," said Margaret, with her hopeful smile. "Let us show +you our work." + +She came, partly from curiosity, and together the friends went over +the premises. First, the kitchen garden where grew in hills or rows +vegetables after the most approved latter-day culture; next, the glowing +garden of flowers whose gorgeous bloom found ready sale; then the +poultry yard, pig-sties, bee-hives and stables, Margaret all the while +discoursing upon remedies for this or that drawback, and how to manage +the diverse brands and breeds, till her dainty friend held up her hands +in honest wonder. + +"How on earth and where did you learn all this?" she found voice to ask. + +"From the journals, I read about farming and gardening, about +housekeeping, and raising all those barn-yard creatures. We are thinking +of adding a small family of canaries to our stock; they are much sought +after and readily sell. Oh, I could not get on at all without my papers. +They are everything to me. Why, just listen to what I know about corn," +she went on, with a proud light in her handsome eyes. "Kentucky was +once a leading state in raising corn, and she will be again," and here +followed facts and statistics singularly incongruous from rosy lips to +the listening ears of the city girl. "There is nothing, Amelia, that +pays like doing a thing well. For instance, our own Kentucky is not +famous for well-kept farms, but I could not afford to have my fences +down, my fields choked with weeds, and my stock depredating elsewhere." + +"But how do you manage your servants? They are the great bugbear +nowadays." + +"By making them respect me and by paying good wages. They should not +be expected to give their time and strength at starvation prices. +I do have trouble sometimes. In fact I think, first and last, I have +done everything but plow. But in the main I get along. The farm is +prospering, and a few years hence I mean to have it called a model, +not a mortgaged farm." + +"It is all right, of course, my dear, if you like it," said her city +friend, with somewhat unwilling admiration, "but I should think you +would get dreadfully tanned and coarse." + +"Do I look so?" asked the country girl, with a happy little challenging +laugh. "I was certainly never in better health." + +And the visitor had to admit that there was no lack of womanly beauty +in the rich coloring of the young farmer's rounded cheeks, albeit a few +tiny freckles bridged the straight nose. + +"But think how utterly you are lost to society! What a sacrifice for a +Milford!" lamented the rich man's wife, to whom life's hard lessons had +not come. "I can never forget the gorgeous entertainment at this old +house when we were first home from school. Such flowers! Such music! +Such a supper! And, oh, the lovely gowns! I declare, Maggie, you were a +beauty that night, and Libbie never looked prettier. It seems a crying +shame!" + +"Not converted yet?" playfully asked the other, though the quick tears +sprang to her eyes at the sudden stab of memory. + +"Remember, dear," she added gently, "we could not have gone out even +if we had not decided to give up all idle pleasures. But we are not +hermits, I assure you. Our old friends are most kind. Perhaps one day +we may live again those happy times." + +"But surely you will marry. A girl like you could never be an old maid." + +At which sally Margaret laughed outright, adding gaily that there would +be time enough and to spare for matrimony. + +"I am too busy now to even think of it. By and by I shall have the +finest of bees and fancy poultry. Already my grape arbor is thriving. +I sell quantities of fruit and berries. But my stronghold is farm +literature; I devour it at night, while Libbie reads society bits in the +village weekly, or cons the city daily. Poor Lib! It goes right hard +with her to draggle her skirts in the dewy strawberry beds; but she +feels consoled when I fetch up the till! What misers we be, hoarding our +strong box!" + +So these heroic girls are going on, the respected of all observers. +Their example has encouraged others to throw off the shackles of +"Southern caste" and be independent of unwilling relatives more favored +by fortune. The mortgage is not yet entirely lifted, but it will be. The +bluegrass pastures of the fine old estate have been given over to the +grazing of blooded horses and cattle, at so much per head, thereby +counting in a greatly increased revenue. + +Margaret's latest venture is a fine young thoroughbred, which the +knowing ones predict will prove a gold mine. So mote it be. + +Uncle Abner is patient and helpful. He has long ago felt like hiding +"his diminished head," and is proud of his young nieces. They have saved +the old homestead where three generations of the family were born. Alone +they have struggled, protected by the God of the orphan, whose glorious +sunshine and rain so abundantly bless their labors! + + + + +Proving a Heart + +A LOVE STORY + + +"Hold fast! don't be frightened! I can save you if you will only be +strong!" were the exclamations that burst hurriedly from young Dr. +Gardner's lips as, with horror-struck face he sprang from his +window-seat and bounded downstairs. + +And well might he hasten, for she who awaited his succor, hung +perilously between heaven and earth, expecting every moment to be dashed +to the ground. + +For some minutes previous to his excited words, Weldon Gardner's gaze +had been riveted in awful fascination upon an immense balloon that was +fast descending toward the high roofs that clustered on all sides about +his comfortable rooms on ---- St., New York. + +Something was wrong. He could readily detect this in the unsteady +wavering of the gaily-striped air-ship. And so, too, thought the crowd +that he now saw had gathered in the street below. + +Evidently the aeronaut had lost control of his craft. Lower still it +tottered, and now were visible several arms outstretched in the vain +appeal for aid. + +Not a sound escaped the spell-bound multitude in the streets, for in a +moment more the fate of the doomed adventurers must be decided. Suddenly +two human forms dropped from the loosened basket and struck with a +fearful thud against the elevated railway, then rebounded to the street +below a mass of mangled flesh. Death was instantaneous. With one impulse +the throng surged about the bodies; but Dr. Gardner's eyes were still +fixed upon the balloon, for as if relieved by the rapid lightening of +its burden it gave a spirited sweep upward, then passed over his own +roof. + +Hastening to his back windows, which overlooked a paved court, he threw +himself into a chair, and strained his gaze in search of the wrecked +pleasure-craft, to which one other figure clung with the might of +desperation. + +One large tree, spared by the pruning axe of the city architect, shaded +the court; and into the wide-spreading boughs of this tree, did the +powerless balloon now descend, its ropes becoming hopelessly entangled. +Clinging fast to whatever offered support, a young girl with dark, +terror-stricken eyes, met his look of horror, as with the reassuring +words already quoted, Weldon Gardner rushed down to the rescue. + +Even as he gained the spot, shouting to the men in service to bring a +ladder, a number of persons had penetrated to the court, and were now +collected around the tree, uttering excited comments upon the disaster. + +With all possible speed the young physician reached the sufferer, but +unconsciousness had already closed her eyes to all danger. Bearing the +light form from the entangling meshes, the doctor ascended to his +consulting-room, and deposited his burden upon a couch. Summoning his +housekeeper, he dismissed the gaping followers, and proceeded to examine +the death-like form he had preserved from mutilation. + +The patient seemed to be about eighteen years old, and bore unmistakable +evidences of the lady in her attire. + +Mercifully forebearing to restore her senses till after his skillfull +examination, the doctor could discover no broken limbs, and nothing now +remained but to enable her to speak for herself as to her condition. +After a persistent use of restoratives, the anxious attendants were +rewarded by seeing the color flutter back into the pallid cheeks, and +the long eyelashes quiver with returning life. + +Her first words were: "Lucien! Maggie! we are lost!" Then a strong +shudder convulsed her slight frame, and with a startled cry she +attempted to spring up. + +"Be careful," gently remonstrated the doctor, laying a detaining hand +upon her. "Tell me--are you hurt anywhere?" + +"I don't know--I think not--oh! who are you? Where am I? Where are the +others? Were they killed? Oh! it was too horrible!" and the agitated +speaker burst into a passion of tears so violent as to alarm her +watchers. + +Leaving her to the housekeeper, Dr. Gardner quickly prepared and +administered a soothing potion. Then, enjoining absolute quiet, he +drew the blinds, and proceeded downstairs to learn of the ill-fated +companions of his patient. The crowd still lingered about the spot, +although the bodies had been removed to await a claimant. Nothing was +known except that the balloon had ascended that morning from one of the +city squares, and that, as frequently happened, a party of young people +had gone up to get a bird's eye view of the metropolis. Who they were +did not yet appear. + +Several hours passed, and still the rescued girl slept the dreamless +sleep induced by the nervous shock and the narcotic draught of the +doctor. Patiently the housekeeper sat and watched. + +As twilight fell, she gave a sigh and opened her large eyes in surprise +upon the strange face beside her. Taking advantage of the opportune +moment, Mrs. Buford removed the pongee walking suit from the drowsy +girl, and then gently enfolding her in a soft white wrapper, the kind +matron assisted her to the bed which had been prepared, the girl +submitting with a bewildered look of questioning wonder, and finally +sinking back gratefully into slumber. + +And here Weldon Gardner came before retiring for the night. + +Softly touching the delicate wrist in its dainty frill, he noted the +somewhat fitful pulsations of the disturbed life-centers. Bending above +the tell-tale heart-beats, his practiced ear assured him that ere long +the deep repose of his charge would effectually restore her to health. + +How like chiseled marble she looked, lying there in her absolute +helplessness beneath his stranger gaze! How pure the white brow, with +its clustering rings of glossy hair! How exquisitely fine the white hand +to which the dimples of babyhood yet clung! How classic the contour of +her face, into which already the warm hue of health was creeping! A +heavy sigh escaped him as he noted each perfection of outline. Who was +this lovely stranger? And what could she be to him? + +"Why was I ever such a dupe?" he said in his heart. "Fettered--fettered +for life!" + +But suddenly realizing that except in his professional capacity he had +no right thus to intrude upon her slumbers, the young physician turned +from the enchanting picture. + +"How is she now, sir?" respectfully inquired the housekeeper. + +"Fairly well," he replied cheerfully; "I do not think she is hurt, +except a few bruises, which we must look after. She was thrown pretty +hard against that tree. To-morrow she will be able to give an account of +herself. We can do nothing toward finding her friends before that time. +Call, if she should become restless," and the young man retired to his +own apartment, there to ponder deeply, as he had never before pondered +in his life. + +Some days later the following letter was posted by Weldon Gardner: + + NEW YORK, September 20, 1879. + + "My Dear Aunt:-- + + "Your kind letter reminds me that never, in all these years of boyhood + grown ripe, has duty come to me in as repulsive a form as now, I tell + you, shocked as you may feel when you read the words, that I would + rather put a bullet through my head than meet Evelyn Howard at this + time! Why couldn't she stay in England? And what cursed folly induced + my parents to thus bind me for life to one I had never seen? True, I + submitted. But you know with what an appeal my dying mother besought + my compliance, and what could I do? I cared for no one else. How was + I to foresee that the tie would ever be so intensely galling? + + "I know all that you would say about honor, manhood, and all the + category of virtues. I know them all. Nor am I willing to act the + scoundrel just yet. But I must have time; I can _not_ marry that + girl now. Nor will I consent to meet her yet. Let her think I am out + of town, sick, busy, _dead_; anything, till I can screw my courage + to the sticking point. + + "About the balloon tragedy--yes, you heard correctly of my figuring + in the matter. The girl is Miss Lina Dent, of Brooklyn, and I am + happy to report that she is entirely recovered, though deeply afflicted + at the fearful death of her friends. It seems that they had, in a + spirit of fun, gone up in the balloon, feeling confident that their + adventure was, to say the least, of somewhat doubtful propriety. + They did not think of danger. The cowardly desertion of the aeronaut, + as soon as he could leap to a roof in safety, precipitated their fall. + + "The young victims, Lucien and Maggie Taylor, were too much frightened + to hold to their frail support. Their tragic fate has plunged an + excellent household into mourning. Bitterly my new acquaintance + lamented her folly in consenting to the excursion; but how can a man + in his senses add to her condemnation when she looks through such + eyes, and speaks with such lips? Not I, I assure you. + + "Miss Dent is visiting a relative in Brooklyn, and in my character of + physician, I have been kindly received. The strangest part of it all + is the odd way that girl looked at me when she knew enough to look + rationally at anybody; and her obstinate persistence in leaving my + house before she was fit to go. And it was all I could do to induce + her to see me again. But her cousin was quite cordial, and now I may + claim to have established an easy footing at the house. But about + Evelyn Howard--don't, my dear aunt, if you have a spark of mercy, + require me to see her now." + + + * * * * * + +A month passed by, and October, in glorious tints of autumnal beauty, +shed its light over the city. In a handsome drawing-room on Brooklyn +Heights sat Weldon Gardner and Lina Dent. The young girl wore a soft +white dress, and her figure was replete with roseate health and beauty. + +The young physician was pleading strongly and earnestly, gazing into the +eloquent eyes before him as if his very life hung upon their favor. + +"But I know so little of you, Dr. Gardner," was her remonstrance in +answer to his ardent suit, "true you have earned my life-long +gratitude--" + +"Don't mention that, if you have any regard for me," he interrupted, in +a sort of disdain. + +"Yes," she urged, "I must mention it. To you I owe my life, and perhaps, +my reason. Of course I know you in all points of family, position, and +professional success; but your own true self--how can I know that you +will secure my happiness? Is there nothing you can tell me of yourself +which will reassure me?" + +And the bright, honest look of her eyes robbed her plain words all +possible sting. + +"First, tell me that you love me," he argued, "let me know that it would +be sweet to you to place your happiness in my keeping. At least you can +do this. You know if you love me." + +She listened with averted look. + +"And if I confess that I love you," she said at length, in a low voice; +"if I do this, would it not be mockery to learn, when too late, that I +had made a mistake?" + +"But, in heaven's name, Lina, what can you mean? Why do you doubt me? +What is there to tell? I could have no secrets--" + +Then there rushed to his memory with a force that sent the blood to his +brow and almost took his breath, the conviction that he _had_ a +secret from her--that he _was_ deceiving her--that it was unmanly +to seek her love with a lie on his lips. For a brief season his +engagement had been forgotten, or ignored. He had hugged to his breast +with unreasoning apathy the theory that the present was enough to +consider--that the future must care for itself--that once his promised +wife, Lina Dent should be his if all the world conspired against it. But +now came the hated thought that Evelyn Howard stood between him and the +precious one who had been his day-star since the night when he had +nursed her back to life. + +Starting up, he strode back and forth, not noting the pale cheeks and +startled eyes of the girl who watched him in ill-repressed anxiety. + +At length, sitting down beside her, he seized her soft fingers with a +grasp of which he was hardly aware. Then instantly relaxing the rigor +of his clasp, he pleaded: + +"Let me hold this pure little hand while I confess to you, my only love, +that your clear eyes have read my soul--that I have deceived you--that +I love you beyond all else this world contains; but that the most cruel +fate man ever before suffered, keeps me from you, unless, indeed, your +love will help me to remove the barrier." + +And while the young girl listened, with drooping head, he told her of +his hated engagement--of the painful circumstances that had betrayed him +into compliance. + +"But I never dreamed of this sort of Nemesis! I could not have been in +my senses to thus barter my freedom forever." + +Slowly withdrawing her hand, the girl said, still in the same low tones: + +"And you do not love your betrothed?" + +"Love her?" he echoed. "I tell you, Lina, I have never even seen her. +Her people have been abroad for an age. She was in New York a few weeks +ago and, I understand, took offense at my continued absence from her +side, and went back to England. This is what she left for me;" and +plunging his hand into his breast pocket he selected from his note-case +a fragrant little billet-doux, formally desiring Dr. Gardner to explain +his strange conduct at his leisure--that the next opportunity granted +him of seeing Evelyn Howard must be of his own seeking. + +There was a pause after the reading of this aggrieved, dignified little +message. + +"And can you, as a gentleman of honor, reconcile your neglect of the +writer?" asked Lina Dent, in a voice in which a cadence of scorn +involuntarily sounded. + +"Honor! Can't you see that honor was what kept me from her? Such honor +as a man feels when he knows that he is poised between a Scylla and a +Charybdis of desperate fatality?" + +"There can be but one answer to all this, Dr. Gardner," the girl replied +with proud dignity. "It would ill become me to sit in judgment on you +after what I have received at your hands; but you will acknowledge that +it was cruelly inconsiderate to seek my love while a barrier such as +this existed. How do I know that you will not love your betrothed after +you have seen her?" + +"Love her--love any other than you, my beautiful, peerless one? Do not +torture me with such a supposition. I care nothing for Evelyn Howard; +I do not know her; I do not care to know her; nor is she in the least +dependent upon me for happiness. She has vast wealth, and can command +whatever fate she chooses." + +"But wealth cannot buy happiness," she sadly replied, "and our course +is clear. I can see you no more till you have met your betrothed and +received your dismissal--or,"--and her clear cheek paled again--"made up +your mind to fulfill your promise to her. Farewell! I thank you for your +unwise devotion to me, but I can see you no more." + +"Oh, Lina, do not doom me to this total separation. Why it seems an +eternity. Where and when can I see you again? Why didn't I go to that +girl when she was here? Fool, coward that I was! And now I cannot leave +New York. Grant me some respite, my love--I cannot live without you!" + +But much as she sympathized with him she was firm; and when Weldon +Gardner left the house, with despair tugging at his heart, the only ray +of sunshine that pierced the gloom was the conviction that she did love +him--that should anything occur to separate them forever, her heart +would plead strongly for him, and her love would strive with his to +overcome the barrier. + + * * * * * + +Months went by, and still Evelyn Howard eluded Weldon Gardner's pursuit. +Bitterly was he punished for his culpable neglect of her. In vain he +wrote letters urging her to come to New York. She was traveling with +friends and declined to change her course. He followed her to London, +to Paris. In vain! She was ever just before him on his journey: always +missing, never meeting him. Then he wrote to Lina Dent, beseeching her +to relent, since he had done all in his power to carry out her wishes. +She did not reply. Then in sullen despair he gave up the pursuit. He +carefully avoided going out except to see patients, declined all +invitations, and took solitary refuge in the stern exactions of duty. + +As the year drew to a close he noticed in the list of arrivals from +Europe, Miss Evelyn Howard and her party; and among the personals he saw +that the beautiful Miss Howard would appear at Governor B's reception on +the next evening. He had received cards to this party, and now, with the +fierce desire to end his torture reawakened, he prepared to accept the +invitation. As he entered the brilliant rooms his eye fell upon the form +and face of Lina Dent, attired in an exquisite costume, and looking far +more radiant than in his wildest dreams he had ever pictured her. + +Feasting upon her loveliness, with eyes hungry in their wistfulness, he +was about to approach her when she suddenly looked toward him and their +eyes met. He caught the quick flash of feeling; he knew that he was +still beloved! But even as he drank in the delicious confirmation of his +hopes, she passed him without recognition, and he knew that she would +not break her vow--that she would not meet him till he had fulfilled her +conditions. Too miserable to seek Miss Howard in the throng, the young +physician pleaded an urgent call to a patient, and left his host almost +before he had fairly entered upon the festivities. + +One evening, soon after the last fearful disappointment, Dr. Gardner +received a note asking him to come to a certain number on Fifth Avenue, +and there he should meet Evelyn Howard. She inferred that he had had +ample time to learn if he really desired to form her acquaintance, and +she was ready now to see him. + +Tearing the paper to atoms in sudden irritation and setting his teeth, +the young physician was soon at the appointed place, an elegant +brown-stone mansion, quite familiar to his eyes in his drives about +the city. + +He was not left long in suspense. There was a sound of rapid steps +descending the stairs, with a frou-frou of silken skirts, and in a +moment Lina Dent stood before him, her face aglow with a proud light +he had never seen there, and her hands extended in glad welcome. + +"You, Lina! You here? You have relented? This is too much happiness!" + +Catching both soft white hands in his, he bent his lips to them, full of +the rapture he could not speak. He forgot to wonder why she was there. +He forgot everything but the love in her eyes and the joyous ring of her +voice. + +Ere they could be seated the door again opened and admitted an elderly +lady, who approached smiling. + +"My dear aunt!" exclaimed the young lover. "You, too? This _is_ a +surprise! What does it all mean? How did you get here, and when?" + +The ladies stood smiling at each other and gazing upon him with a +significance that indeed clamored for explanation. + +"Weldon, is it possible you do not guess?" asked his aunt. + +"What? Why, what do you mean? I am all bewildered!" he exclaimed, +looking from one to the other till a faint glimmer of the truth began +to appear through the mists. + +"Stupid boy!" again emphasized the lady, "whom did you come here to +see?" + +Quickly glancing at the beautiful, radiant, still-smiling face of the +young girl, and then at the impressive features of the elder lady, +Weldon Gardner, with bated breath and a dazed expression in his startled +eyes, exclaimed: + +"You--are--Evelyn Howard--you?" + +"Exactly so. Doctor Gardner--Evelina Dent Howard--at your service!" + +As she spoke, she placed her hand in his, and asked, in the liquid tones +whose cadences he so well remembered, "Have you been punished enough for +your unknightly scorn of the girl you condemned without trial?" + +"Oh, forgive!" he pleaded, drawing her to a seat beside him. "I see it +all now. What a dolt you must have thought me! How could you ever have +tolerated me?" + +"There is the conspirator," archly said Evelyn, pointing to Mrs. Duke. +"She it was who enabled me to deceive you. I wrote to her immediately +upon leaving your house for my cousin's, in Brooklyn, and she at once +devised the scheme that I have found so hard to carry out. Meanwhile, +she never lost sight of you." + +It was long before the necessary explanations were exhausted, and when +the new day dawned no happier man proudly entered upon his duties than +did Weldon Gardner. + + * * * * * + +It is upon a soft September afternoon that we last see Dr. Gardner and +his lovely wife. Within a snug little arbor beside the lake in Central +Park the two sit side by side, watching the idly-floating pleasure +crafts, and noting the lazy ripples of the green wavelets. Their hearts +grow tender with a mighty love that finds no language in which to clothe +itself. + +Every blessing of life is theirs; every cadence that affection knows +makes harmony in their words. Gayly-dressed children pass by, some with +toy balloons, bounding into air. Evelyn shuddered at even this tiny +reminder of her reckless adventure, and clinging to her husband's arm, +blesses him and the day that confided her to his keeping. Accident had +tested his noble nature as the ordinary course of events never could +have done; and now was fulfilled the last wish of his parents, that in +Evelyn Howard should Weldon Gardner find the glory of heaven's last, +best gift to man. + + + + +Hezekiah's Wooing + +A FIRESIDE SKETCH + + +"Walk right in, Mr. Lightus, do," said the cheery voice of the Widow +Partridge, as the portly figure of Mr. Hezekiah Lighthouse appeared in +her hospitable doorway. + +"Thankee, thankee, I don't care if I do, Mis' Patridge," responded the +visitor, heavily bringing himself within the family circle. + +"How's all?" he asked, comfortably establishing himself in the +arm-chair. + +"Middlin', thankee," said the widow. "I've been enjoyin' very poor +health till lately. Now I seem to be pickin' up a little," as brushing +the seat of a rocker with her gingham apron, she sat down at the +opposite end of the hearth. + +"An' Cicely Ann--how's she?" + +"Oh, she--why she's allers the picture o' health. Here she comes now." + +As she spoke, a fair, rosy-cheeked girl entered the cheerful room, with +her arms full of painting materials. These she deposited upon the table, +then dutifully greeted the visitor. + +"An' how do you like them new fol-de-rols, Cicely Ann?" inquired +Hezekiah, eyeing askance the collection. + +The fol-de-rols consisted of some wooden plaques of different sizes, +which the new art craze had brought to the widow's cottage. + +"She's gettin' along right nice, I think," replied the widow, looking +proudly at her one chick. "You see, she's a lot o' darnin' an' one thing +another to do, but she finds time for her landskips and things." + +"Well, mebbe so," assented Hezekiah grudgingly. "For my part there's +nothing set's a gal off like spinnin' an' weavin', an' it puts more +money in her pocket, besides." + +"La, Mr. Lightus," said the widow deprecatingly, "spinnin' an' weavin's +gone out o' fashion. Gals will be gals, and they mostly go in for +fashion, you know." + +Cicely's red lip curled in scorn as she applied herself vigorously +to her plaque, where the inevitable girl with muff and umbrella was +stumbling into a snowdrift. + +Hezekiah picked up the widow's daily paper which, by the way, he largely +depended on for the news. Silence reigned for a while, save for the +rustle of the sheet. The click-clack of the widow's knitting needles, +and the rapid plying of Cicely's brush, were varied at last by the girl +surreptitiously pulling a note out of her jaunty apron pocket. + +As she read it a smile broke over the dimpled features, and in a moment +more she pushed the table from her and left the room. Swiftly she sped +to the big apple tree where her trystings were held with Rufus, her +playmate and lover. + +Hezekiah slowly raised his head, and laying down the paper, said +thoughtfully: "'Pears like the gal gits skittisher every day. Do you +reckon she'll ever come to like me?" + +"Why, I dunno why she wouldn't," ventured the widow with an encouraging +smirk. + +"Well, she don't seem to, no way." Then looking suspiciously through the +window. "Where's she gone to?" + +"Oh, nowheres I reckon," said the mother soothingly, "nowheres in +partic'ler. She's allers around." + +Another silence, during which the visitor carefully noted the land, +stock and crop items in the paper, then took his leave. But not till he +had cast a lingering look behind and said: "This is about the +comfortablest place a feller could drop into, in my opinion." + +It was some minutes after when the truant Cicely re-entered the little +keeping-room, her cheeks and eyes bright with happiness. + +"Oh, mother, wish me joy! Rufus has asked me to be his wife." + +"Mercy on us, Cicely!" exclaimed the widow in a sort of terror, "and you +want to marry him?" + +"Of course I do," proudly said the girl; "and I mean to marry him." + +"Oh, Cicely, my child! and what will Mr. Lightus do--him that's been +comin' here so patient, off an' on?" + +"Mr. Lighthouse!" disdainfully echoed the girl. "Do you suppose I would +have that old goose--old enough to be my grandfather!" + +"Old goose! Fie, Cicely, to talk so disrespectful of your pa's best +friend. He's well-to-do an' has got the finest place in the county. +Think how nice we'd be fixed, child. We'd never have to work no more," +and the widow sighed as the girl looked into her face for the +congratulations she expected in vain. + +"Well, mother, I can't help it. I am willing to work and so is Rufus. He +is as industrious and steady as the day is long. I shouldn't mind having +Mr. Lighthouse for an uncle, but husband--pshaw!" and the pretty +features screwed themselves into a comical grimace. + +"Child, child, I'm disappointed and no mistake. Here's that man's been +a comin' here all these weeks, an' while he ain't asked for you, it's +clear he wants you. An' now I've got to tell him you won't have him. +There's that moggidge on the house, too. But that's allers the +way--troubles don't never come single," and the sigh became a whimper. + +"Now, don't you worry, mother," said Cicely, clasping her arms about the +still fair neck, "don't worry; we will come out all right, mortgage and +all." + +Taking fresh courage, the widow again pressed the claims of the portly +wooer, but what chance had she against the combined powers of young love +and the daughter's stronger nature. + +Time passed. Almost every evening found Hezekiah at the cottage, but +though persistent, things did not apparently make much progress. At last +the stiffness of the customary interviews seemed to break. + +"Mis' Patridge," he said, getting very red in the face and awkward as to +hands and feet, "Cicely Ann gits worse every day. Ain't there no chance +of her puttin' up with me at all?" + +"Why, yes, I reckon so," bashfully said the widow. "She's young and +foolish, you know. You can't expect gals to be sensible and sober down +like they will when they get holt of some wise person tha'll train 'em." + +"Well," sighed the wooer, "I guess I might as well stop comin'. 'Taint +no use to be forever worritin' after anything. I did think, howsomever, +it 'ud be sorter nice to have us four live together. Young folks makes a +house kinder lively. But I don't git on, somehow; so I guess I might as +well hang up my fiddle an' quit." And the ancient wooer slowly rose to +his full height. + +"Us four!" repeated the petrified widow, mouth and eyes open to their +widest extent. + +"Yes--us four," continued Hezekiah. "I was thinkin', you know, that +bein' as this young feller Rufus what's-his-name 'peared to be sweet on +the gal, mebbe you'd take to me an' we'd all git spliced together. But +she don't like me and wouldn't treat me right. I couldn't stand fusses +an' the like." + +"La, Mr. Lightus, how you do astonish me," faintly ejaculated the +flushed widow, her comely face crimson to the roots of her soft brown +hair. + +"You don't say!" exclaimed the rapidly enlightened Hezekiah, rousing +to something like animation. "Did you think--didn't you know--well, +I declare, I don't actually believe you did. Now ain't it a puzzle, +begad!" + +While he jerked out his amazed sentences, his companion, fairly overcome +with the revelation that dawned upon her for the first time, buried her +face in her hands. + +"Mis' Patridge," timidly said the agitated wooer, approaching nearer, +"you don't say--that is, do you mean to say that if Cicely Ann could +like me well enough to not be sassy around the house, an' keepin' you +oncomfortable about it, you an' me could hitch on an' be pardners? You +don't mean it now, do you?" + +"Mean it!" murmured the widow, her fair cheeks aglow with +suddenly-stirred enthusiasm. "I'm only too happy, Mr. Lightus, I never +thought--" + +But at this juncture the rejuvenated wooer ventured to clasp his rough +but honest arms about the blushing prize he had won. + +At this juncture, also, Cicely and Rufus happened in, but beat a hasty +and giggling retreat, as they rapidly took in the situation. + +All's well that ends well. Hezekiah Lighthouse married the Widow +Partridge, and set young Rufus up in business. As a father the spirited +Cicely yielded him the respect and affection he deserved. + +She made but one stipulation. On the marriage morn she whispered the +earnest entreaty: "Mother, _don't_ let him call me Cicely _Ann_!" + + + + +A Summer Daisy + +A PASTORAL + + +"Heighho!" yawned Carroll Hamilton, picking up his long legs from the +grass, "this is not making hay while the sun shines," and he proceeded +leisurely to place a camp stool in position, erect an easel, and spread +out sketching materials. + +A few bold, rapid strokes transferred a pretty bit of rural landscape to +the canvas, and this much gained, the amateur artist lit a fine Havana +and lazily drifted off again into reverie. His thoughts were not of +a pleasant nature. Why couldn't a man do as he liked in this world? +Here the particular man in his mind--to-wit his own agreeable self, +had devoted his twenty-four years to acquiring sundry dazzling +accomplishments, zonly to have his interest in life dampened by a +matrimonial scheme, hatched long ago in the fertile brains of his own +parents and the parents of his prospective dulcinea in conspiracy. + +Yes, a regular wet blanket had awaited his return from Italia's classic +shores. What an insufferable bore to be pledged, promised, all but tied +to an unknown female whose only merit, he wilfully wagered, lay in her +invincible ground rents. + +"Why, my son," his doting mother said, "think of it--two hundred thousand +dollars in her own right, and all yours for the asking." + +He did think of it; and he vowed in his own mind to do +something--anything; run away, commit suicide, before he would join +himself for life to any girl he had never seen, especially old +Thornton's daughter, who seemed so willing to jump at him. Not he. In +vain they urged him to cultivate the fair damsel. Not till he had braced +his nerves with country air, he said. This tonic secured, he graciously +consented to be introduced, but would reserve the ratification of the +wedding treaty till later. + +What's the use in having fathers and mothers, anyhow? They only plague +the life out of one. They don't ever think of letting a fellow alone +once in a while. They-- + +What other heinousness they would be guilty of would never be shaped +into thought, for at this moment down came a dainty little slipper, with +a dainty little rosette, from the tree above, plump on to his sketch, +and a violent start and a glance upward revealed a bewildering little +pink-stockinged foot, which was the daintiest of all. + +The abrupt spring to his feet brought down the camp stool, cigar, easel +and all, but not the foot, for the rest of the apparition was caught and +hidden by the clustering young shoots of the apple tree. + +A whistle--quite involuntary, if not polite--was shaping itself a brief +distance below his staring eyes, when, recovering himself and tiptoeing +to his full height, he peered into the branches and said, a little +irrelevantly: + +"I beg pardon!" + +Two milk-white hands parted the leaves, and a flushed pink-and-white +face appeared at the opening. + +"It's only me," cooed a musical voice, and as if the sound had unlocked +the pent-up silence, two rows of pearls shone between two red lips, two +large blue eyes twinkled with fun, and as charming a peal of laughter as +was ever vouchsafed to mortal ears rippled merrily on the air. + +"And who is me, may I ask?" rather saucily asked the routed artist. + +"Why, Daisy--Daisy Merrifield; don't you know?" + +"Why, no, I don't know; that is, I didn't know, but of course I know +now; and I'm delighted to know." + +At all these "knows", the maiden laughed her merry laugh again. + +"May I ask what you are doing up there?" + +"Doing nothing--just what you are doing down here." + +"Ah, but I was doing something very nice down here, only you have nearly +spoiled it," and with mock regret the young man picked up the slipper +and comically surveyed its Cinderella proportions. + +"So I did," was the regretful reply, "you see it was awfully poky, +having to sit so still. I must have grown desperate at last and kicked +it off--I am sorry." + +"Well, I am not one bit sorry," he said. "I'll do another picture, and +next time I'll sketch the tree," he added, his brown eyes twinkling with +amusement. + +"But how did you get up there, and how will you get down?" were his next +queries, putting the little slipper into the pocket of his jacket. + +"Well, I climbed up," she admitted. "I suppose I'll have to jump down. +Reach out your hands," she cried, and a sudden rustle showed she was +preparing to spring. "Good gracious me!" was her next exclamation, as +the willing hands were extended, "my hair is all caught." + +"Hold perfectly still till I get up there," he said with concern, and +replacing the stool, he was soon on a level with the fair prisoner. + +Patiently he disentangled the long golden locks from the infringing +boughs, and gathering them all in her little hands, she gave them a +vigorous twist forward over her face out of further mischief. + +"Now, my slipper, please," as the young fellow retreated. Obediently +restoring the truant article, she deftly adjusted it, and cried, +"All ready!" + +It is hardly to be wondered at that her descent was arrested, and her +rounded form tenderly lowered to terra firma. + +"I like this out here, don't you?" was her next remark, shaking out her +fairy muslin skirts and placidly surveying the scene. "I've been out +every day these--let me see--yes, three days. Aunt Hepsy says I'll get +tanned, but I don't mind. You know Aunt Hepsy, don't you? Everybody +does." + +"No, but I'd like to," he said, and he meant it. + +"She lives at the farm-house yonder--she and Uncle Reuben. They are the +best old souls! So this is what you were doing," she abruptly added, +picking up the sketch. "You wouldn't think I could draw, but I can," +with a proud little toss of the hair. + +"I would think you could do anything," he gallantly replied. + +But she was intent upon the picture, with its bold, true outlines. + +"This isn't bad," was her sage critcism. + +"Didn't you wear a hat, or something?" he asked, looking around and up +into the tree. + +"No--yes--I wore this," and pulling from her pocket a large blue square +of cotton, she tied it under her chin with the utmost naivete. + +"It's Aunt Hepsy's," she explained. "There, do you hear that bell? +That's for dinner," and taking a tiny watch from an elf-like pocket, she +added, "Only half-past eleven. But, to be sure, we ate breakfast with +the chickens. It's horrible." + +"Don't you live here?" + +"Live here?" she echoed. "No, I'm only visiting. Good-bye, I must go. I +am much obliged, though," and as if the recollection were overpowering, +she again burst out into her ringing laugh. + +"It was too funny you didn't see me; and I so scared I was afraid to +breathe. Good-bye, I hope you will have a good time with your picture." + +"But you are not going to dismiss me, are you? Mayn't I take you home?" + +"Yes, if you like; only you musn't stay long. I've got to do Rollin and +Plutarch while I'm out here, and can't be bothered." + +With difficulty repressing an explosion, the young man walked beside +the woodland sprite, with his goods and chattels thrown across his +shoulders, and found himself falling--yes, tumbling--headlong in love. +Such an airy, fairy, exquisite piece of humanity it had never been his +fortune to behold. + +"You are too young to worry your brain with dry old fossils like Rollin +and Plutarch," he said, with what gravity he could. + +"I am a person of twenty," she affirmed with demure satisfaction, as she +tripped along in a manner quite enchanting. + +At the door of the farm-house a fair, motherly face smiled a welcome +from the border of a spotless cap, then sobered a little at the sight +of a stranger. + +"This is Aunt Hepsy," simply said Daisy, "and you are--?" hesitating. + +A flush not born of the sunshine mounted to his brow as with swift +thought he saw the shoals ahead, and did not dare reveal his identity. + +"John Smith," he said, with his natural ease. + +"Oh!" half exclaimed Daisy, upon hearing such a very common name from +such very uncommon lips; but checking it, and softly humming a tune, she +retired to an inner room to prepare for dinner. + +This episode was the beginning of elysium for John Smith. Every day saw +him at the farm-house. Every day revealed some new charm in the Daisy +he had found. She was as industrious and sensible as she was petite and +pretty. Rollin and Plutarch were discarded for modern authors, or for +simple chit-chat about mamma, papa, and little ones at home. + +But when the day came for John Smith to tell his love, he met with a +shock that quite paralyzed his senses. + +Looking up with her big blue eyes, she said: + +"You mustn't talk like that; I'm engaged." + +"Engaged?" he stammered, "engaged?" + +"Yes, I'm engaged." + +"And to whom? May I ask?" + +"Oh, I can't tell you his name; it's a secret yet. He is a person I +never saw." + +"Sheer madness!" was his horrified ejaculation. "Never saw him, and +going to marry him?" + +"I promised, you know; I must, if he wants me," she said in her +unconcerned way. + +"But don't you love _me_, Daisy?" + +"Yes, I suppose I do, but that can't be helped; a promise is a promise." + +"Who is to prevent it?" he exclaimed impatiently. "I say it shall be +helped." + +There was not time for further rhapsodies. Aunt Hepsy appeared with a +telegram, calling Daisy home; and home she went next day, leaving Mr. +John Smith in despair. In vain he laid siege to Aunt Hepzibah and +Uncle Reuben; they could not help him. + +Then, in a mighty wrath, he too went home, and desperately resolved to +have it out with the Thornton girl, one way or the other; but not "the +other" if Daisy could be brought to terms. + +It was easy travelling where the way was all prepared. So a lovely +moonlight evening found him in Squire Thornton's parlor. In a few +moments there floated down to him from the invisible upper regions a +cloud of blue muslin, and the laughing face of Daisy Merrifield was +before him. + +"Oh, Daisy, what a surprise! and how sweet you are!" as impulsively he +strained her to his heart. "What joy to find you here!" + +"Don't crush my dress," she said, righting up the ruffles; "it's new. +Yes, I am here. Didn't you come to see me?" + +"No--that is--I came to see Miss Thornton," and his face fell. + +"There is no Miss Thornton," she said, her dimples playing +mischievously. "It is only _I_--_now_ don't you know?" + +"But how is it? I was told--I understood--" + +"Pshaw! you stupid!" she said, with a bewitching pout, "if you had been +a little more civil, you would have known that I am Mrs. Thornton's +daughter--not Mr. Thornton's; that mamma is mamma, but papa isn't papa, +and--" + +But in an ecstacy of surprise and joy the rest of her sentence was +entirely smothered. + +"And you knew from the first?" he asked, reproachfully. + +"Not from the first, but almost. They were all in the plot. I meant to +snub you outright, only--well, somehow you didn't look as horrid as you +really were! The 'John Smith' was almost too much for me, but I stood +it. Then when the letter came--it was well for you I had seen you under +the tree. So you wouldn't marry the heiress," she said, archly. "I did +my very best to teach you a lesson, young man. Have you learned it?" + +The answer was fervently though silently given the merry, rosy, smiling +lips. + + + + +Treesa + +A CHARACTER SKETCH + + +They called her Treesa. She was not young. That she had ever been was +hard to realize. Whatever her childhood, and however the years had +brought her up to woman's estate, there was no footprint upon the worn +face of the gladsome time we call youth. No light in the eye of other +and happier days. No echo in the quiet heart, of bounding pulses, or +ever a sweet enthusiasm. The treadmill of duty in life's most trivial +task, enthralled her every faculty. Her daily round was in a large +hotel--an arena of toil circumscribed by four brick walls. Her domain +was the parlor floor; that sacred area of rosy vistas and costly suites, +where she was as proud to tread as a king in his royal glory. Where +beauty and fashion made for her a panorama of short glimpses amid pauses +of broom and duster. + +The maids on the other floors might earn the wage just as honorably; +Treesa permitted no trespass upon her exalted territory. The bridal +chambers, the private sitting rooms, the luxurious sleeping +apartments--these were her pride and her joy. The Excelsior had a +reputation, national and international. Princes and potentates had +slumbered in Treesa's chambers. The "nobility and the gentry" had been +feted there. Year after year her pale eyes had watched over the welfare +of distinguished visitors, American and foreign. They had seen the help +come and go; she was still the "girl of the parlor floor." Discreet, +silent, honest, they might well allow her a share of caprice. "Cranky" +they called her, yet no one found fault. She neglected no duty. The lady +manager of the interior was not always the same. She changed from time +to time; Treesa was always the same, and always there. At length there +came a dainty little woman, full of native pluck, who was born to rule, +and rule she did, to the limit of her jurisdiction. Though so far apart, +a kindred chord was struck between mistress and maid. The high spirit +that smouldered in these two never crossed; but with the smallest +tangible demonstration they were fast friends. The girl's horizon now +bordered a triune interest;--the church, the mistress, and the parlor +floor. Gaunt and spare, she trod her beat. Shy of manner, with eyes +looking nowhere, she seemed a human machine of the broom. A woman +without kith or kin, without a history, and apparently without a memory. +Never sick, never absent, never a letter from friends, never a visit +away. The old habitues of the house liked her. She gave no sign of favor +or disfavor, till at last it was their way to respect her and leave her +alone. But whenever a mission of trust was needed Treesa was the one +called upon. + +But as the calmest stream is ruffled at some time on its course, so +there comes to every human life a shock that upturns hidden forces. And +this came to Treesa. It was when she was one day summoned to the private +office downstairs: that dread tribunal for the wrongdoers of the large +household--a locality as little heeded by the girl as any other foreign +place, albeit there had been new and strange proprietors as the years +went by. Without so much as a ripple of excitement upon her homely +features, she came down and stood within the door, respectfully awaiting +orders. The two arbiters of her destiny were in close conference upon +ways and means. Expense must be cut down. There must be a weeding out. +Raising his head and looking in some curiosity at the queer apparition, +the new partner said: "Are you Teresa O'Toole?" + +"Me name is that same, sir," she said, meeting the eyes. "An' what thin, +sir?" she added, as for a moment he was silent. + +"Yes--ah--" he went on, this time not exactly confronting the expectant +face--"We've been thinking, Teresa--we were just saying--that you are +getting along in years now, and--ah--the fact is, we think you ought to +have a rest. Some one younger, and stronger, ought to relieve you, and +give you a chance to pick up. You are a good girl," with encouraging +justice, "a very good girl, and have been faithful and honest. But we--" +he hesitated, as Treesa's lean face suddenly darkened with an unwonted +flush. Then she broke out: + +"An' is it me dischairge ye'd be afther givin' me, sir?" + +"Well, yes, about that, it amounts to that, I suppose," admitted the +great man. "You see, my good woman," he ventured softly, noting the +breakers ahead, "the fact is--" + +"Well, thin," she burst forth in righteous wrath, placing her hard, red +arms akimbo, and struggling to loose her tongue, "I'll be afther tellin' +yees, I'll not take a dischairge from yees, sir! It's here I've been +this fifty year, an' more. I was the first gurll in the house, for sure +I come before the likes of yees was born an' before yees iver darkened +the doors. It's no fault can be found with me. I'll stay right here!" +and turning, she went out. + +There was silence in the office. Then the senior partner, his eye +twinkling, spoke: + +"What are we going to do about it?" + +"Why, nothing", drily said the other, "nothing, I suppose; you heard +what she said, I presume she will stay on." + +And stay on she did, her one dominant idea as fixed as the polar star. +As the years rolled by she might have rested from her labors, but for +this sense of devotion to duty. Even a monthly pittance will count +through the ages; so Treesa's savings came at last to foot up into the +thousands. Not even good Father Clement could have told the amount, or +where she kept it. Like herself, it was a mystery. She continued to +hoard and to hide, with no misgiving of loss by thief, or by accident; +with no forewarning of danger. Yet dire calamity was impending. + +It was past midnight when the veteran chambermaid was awakened by the +sound of crackling wood and the smell of stifling smoke. To spring out +of bed was the work of a moment, the aged limbs obedient to her call; +then all her faculties alert, she thrust her hand into a hidden recess +of the mattress, and clutching a bulky package from its depths, made her +way out into the corridor, where the smoke was still thicker, on down +the stairs from the servants' dormitory to the floor below. Staggering +to the manager's door she pounded with all her strength till those +within were aroused; and dizzy from fright and half-suffocation, she +ran to the fire alarm, banging the gong till doors flew open right and +left, and the halls were alive with people. The cry of "Fire!" on all +sides now added to the din. More alarms were turned in till ample help +was at hand. While the hotel manager's orders were being obeyed, and the +guests were deserting their rooms for greater safety in the lobby below, +Treesa was struggling to get back to the servant's floor, whence now +issued screams of terror, as, for the first time, the flames were seen +creeping in close proximity to the maid's quarters. In vain the firemen, +who were now cutting holes in the floor to insert the hose, tried to +intercept her. Bent upon serving her fellow-servants, she disappeared +through the blinding smoke Crawling flat upon her face up the stairs +to avoid the onset of the fumes, the girl reached the glass door that +imprisoned the terrified creatures, burst it through with one powerful +blow, and forced them out upon the fire escape, where now, too, the +firemen's ladders were seen manned by the helmeted brigade. All bruised +and bleeding from the splintered glass, and still clutching fast the +rescued package, Treesa turned to retrace her steps, her only thought +now being to save the parlor floor and its treasures. Again she eluded +those who would have guarded her from danger, and made a hurried dash +for the stairway, when a sudden rush of flame, now fanned by the air, +blinded her, and she fell to the landing, dropping the bulk of her +holdings, where the fire greedily licked it to destruction. + +Tender hands lifted her and conveyed her, crushed and unconscious, to +a temporary couch, where it was found, when the surgeon came, that her +hip was dislocated. To the mistress alone would she unloose what her +bleeding hand still held, as she whispered, "Put it away, safe--Masses +for me soul--Father Clement." + +But Treesa did not die. The morning papers rang with her heroism, but +none then knew that she had lost the hoarded earnings of a life-time; +that the one package saved represented but a small proportion of her +treasure. She was taken to a hospital, and, fortunately for her peace +of mind, the house was closed for repairs. During the weeks of building, +the old bones were mending. The sufferer counted the days with jealous +watching. When an agony of fear seized upon her lest she might never go +back, only the mistress or the kindly priest had power to quiet her, She +was promised over and over again that she should not be supplanted. + +When the hotel opened anew, the daily press blazoned to the world the +fact, giving a personal paragraph to the officials, and including a +list of well-known names, among them the humble one of Teresa O'Toole, +who had been a chambermaid there during sixty years. This scrap of paper +was held fast in the horny fingers, and seemed to the fevered senses to +keep alive the link between her and the only home she knew. + +Hither she was borne at last to a small room that was to be her +portion and her pension forevermore. Her old quarters, austere and clean +and bare, had been effaced by the carpenter's hammer, and this corner +retreat had been partitioned from a domestic recess in the rear. But +it was on the parlor floor, that fetich of a devoted life. Crippled +and useless, Treesa was an object of unobtrusive care. She kept her +shrunken savings about her person, more unwilling than ever to trust +the unexplored fields of finance. She grew querulous. She must be +getting to her work again. Would the mistress be after letting her earn +something--on the parlor floor, she tremulously added. Smiling sadly, +permission was granted. Fondly the old creature took up her broom and +duster--bought anew for her--and limped painfully toward the beloved +rooms--the bridal chambers--the choicest suites where beauty and fashion +came. What a journey now! The grand parlors and long corridors were +interminable vistas of elegance and luxury. And--ah! what was that +clinging to the velvet carpet pile? A bit of paper carelessly let fall? +And--yes, was there dust on the polished marble of yon table? Alas! that +her dim eyes should live to behold the desecration. What shiftless +wretch was doing the parlor floor, and she a useless block in her room! + +The shock told. She staggered to a gorgeous sofa near the offending bit +of rubbish, and sunk down in the act of reaching for it. This was the +beginning of the end. Lying on her bed sleep deserted the fading eyes. +An attendant was provided, who grew accustomed to mutterings she could +not understand. She ceased to listen. In pity the mistress came often +and sat beside the couch. She listened and understood. She gathered the +last wishes of the dying, and received as a sacred charge all that the +sufferer had to leave. Still the angel of death tarried, until sweet +peace shed a radiance over the departing soul, whose faith was steadfast +to church and heaven. + +At the first faint ray of dawn the mistress arose and went to her. The +bed was empty, the nurse asleep. Following the instinct of the moment, +the lady hastened along the quiet corridors to where the night taper +showed the still form of the devoted veteran stretched out on the thick, +soft carpet, her cold fingers clasping the new broom and duster. + + + + +My First Jury Case + +THE DOG WITNESS + + +The court-house was crowded to its utmost capacity. Women as well as men +were there to hear the arguments in the case of the Commonwealth against +William Grant for the alleged murder of John Belt. + +Grant was a young man of handsome exterior and pleasing manners. He sat +in the prisoner's box, and near him, closely veiled, was his beautiful +girlish wife, with her arm around a fine, manly boy, and her head bowed +upon his sunny curls. + +Near the group were the surviving relatives of the dead man, consisting +of the wife, mother and daughter. Their faces were heavy and stolid, and +their whole appearance indicated not only the lower walks of life, but +the existence of evil passions and aggressive natures. + +Belt had owned a small grocery some fifteen miles from town, in a wild +glen at the mouth of a shallow stream that flowed into the Kentucky +river. The region was for a long time sparsely settled; but the +establishing of a government distillery and a railroad station had led +to an increase of population, so that young Grant was induced to locate +there and open a shop for provisions and other supplies, that line of +business having been the one chosen from his boyhood. + +From the first Belt, who was one of the few German settlers in that part +of the country, resented what he was pleased to call an encroachment +upon his trade, and lost no opportunity of showing his ill-feeling. He +was a heavy-set, sullen man of about forty-five years of age, and showed +a dogged spirit even to his customers. In vain Grant strove, first to +pay no attention to his enmity, and afterward to conciliate him. He +continued obstinate, and his family were not behind him in giving +insults and slights. + +Time passed, and Grant prospered. He was obliging and agreeable, and +people naturally patronized his store, which he rendered as attractive +as his means and good taste would allow. His wife, too, charmed the +community by her simple, sweet ways; and motherly old ladies took +special interest in her and her babe. + +Grant built a neat cottage, and this gave fresh offense. At last Belt, +who was a drinking man as well as surly, swore that he would take +Grant's life if the latter persisted in remaining there. His trade was +falling off, and Grant was the cause. Matters reached a climax then, +and Grant armed himself in case of a surprise. + +One morning Belt was missing, and his family raised a hue and cry that +speedily brought a crowd about the house, just as Grant approached and +made the startling announcement that he had shot at a man the night +before, and was ready for such investigation as would be proper under +the circumstances. He stated that he had been aroused by a filing, +grating sound at his bedroom window, which was on the ground floor, and +that he sprang from his bed, threw open the front door, and fired upon +a figure that retreated rapidly and was soon lost in the darkness. + +Upon this Grant was held in custody, while a party of men went in search +of Belt. Hours were spent in vain, when it was suggested that Belt's +dog, a vicious mongrel-cur, should be put upon the trail. Accordingly +the dog, which was usually seen at Belt's heels, was given the scent of +his master's coat, and started rapidly down the road, his nose to the +ground. The testimony as elicited at the trial showed that the brute had +bounded along to the Grant cottage, leaped upon the window sill, sniffed +eagerly about the spot, then ran down the path to a clump of bushes on +the river cliff. Here the creature stopped and set up a piteous howl. +The pursuing party hastened to the spot, and there lay the body of Belt, +who had fallen and died, as the autopsy revealed, of internal hemorrhage +produced by a pistol shot. As if to corroborate Grant's statement, a +chisel and a pistol were found in the grass under the window of his +bedroom. + +Such was the history of the case. The absence of any testimony in behalf +of the prisoner beyond his own assertion, was painfully evident. His +wife supported him in the facts, but the law did not permit a wife to +testify in the husband's case, so this evidence was unavailable. + +The natural sympathy which death awakens in the human breast, +especially a tragic one, had done its work even in the case of so +unpopular a man as Belt, and already he was considered a martyr. +The desperate lamentations and impoverished condition of his family +asserted their claims, and the time of trial found public opinion +greatly divided. The spark of envy in every community which had lain +dormant as long as the Grants were novelties, sprung into life at their +unwonted prosperity, and the gaily painted store and fanciful cottage +became eyesores to more than one. Various rumors, like uncanny spirits +of air, floated about till the prisoner felt himself sinking into an +abyss. Once down, there seemed no power ready to lift him up. + +He employed several distinguished attorneys as counsel, and I, a +struggling young lawyer, whose ambition was to be worthy the mantle of +an illustrious father, was also retained. There was something about the +case that inspired me to the utmost of which I was capable. There was no +circumstantial evidence against the prisoner. He had frankly owned to +shooting the man. The issue rested upon his motive for the deed. What +was the provocation? True, Belt may have threatened his life; but Belt +was a drunkard, and who attached any importance to his words? + +The prosecution endeavored to show that Grant, wearied with the enmity +of Belt, and wishing to be rid of him, had enticed him away on the night +of the killing, and shot him in cold blood. True, a chisel and pistol +had been found, but how easy for the prisoner to have placed them +there to carry out his plans! The dead man was proved to be a harmless +character, though of intemperate habits and rough ways. His antipathy to +Grant was only natural, since the latter had, by ingratiating manners, +flashy advertising dodges, and a few modern tricks of trade, ruined the +business of the old-fashioned, plain-sailing German. + +In the hands of such skillful manipulators the case grew blacker and +blacker, and the face of my client reflected the anguish he saw his +wife enduring, and he powerless to comfort. He saw his beautiful, +idolized boy the son of a convict, and all that had made life worth the +living shattered to the dust. Closer and closer the meshes were weaving +about him. The jurors sat with fixed gaze as one by one the speeches +were ended. At length the honorable counsel for the prosecution +concluded a powerful argument, and I saw in the faces of the twelve +men that it had told. + +There was but one point left for me to make, and I wondered that my +distinguished brethren had passed it by. They had dwelt upon the youth +and good standing of the prisoner, and the uncalled-for persecution he +had suffered. They pictured in graphic words the midnight attempt upon +his life at his own house. A man's house is his castle, and he has the +supreme right to defend both it and himself. They appealed to the +sympathies of the jurors in behalf of the young, helpless wife and +innocent child. Still there was wanting the one link in the chain of +positive evidence. Sympathy was well enough. The twelve sworn men +required proof. How was it to be shown them? + +I was young, and I felt all the nervousness attendant upon a maiden +effort, but my heart was in the work and I launched forth. Nature had +given me a good voice, and I felt a certain power as I spoke. But +I had not the egotism to suppose that I could compete with the learned +gentlemen who had preceded me unless I could make a decided hit in +summing up the testimony. This I did. When I came to the hitherto +unnoticed dog, I dwelt there with a tenacity that was determined to +convince. I portrayed the well-known fidelity of the dog. No matter what +the master, whether fortune's pampered darling, or a beastly denizen of +the gutter, his dog was always his friend. Be he kind and gentle, or +cruel and pitiless, still his dog crouches in loving submission. And the +animal, whether a high-bred, glossy-coated favorite, with golden collar +and silken leash, for whom hundreds had been paid, or an ill-favored, +ungainly brute picked up from nowhere and as thankful for a kick as for +a crust, was loyal with a fidelity that puts to shame man's boasted +friendship. + +This man's dog had loved him. Drunk or sober, kind or cruel, his dog was +not content out of his presence. Why was he not with the man on this +fatal night? Because Belt had chained him in order to follow out his +vengeance untraced. The master knew the sagacity of his dog. He wanted +no companion on his midnight stroll. And when, restless and uneasy, the +dog was let loose and shown the garment of his master, what did he do? +He dashed away, nose to earth, in eager, loving pursuit, along the +road to Grant's cottage. There he sniffs the ground, where undoubtedly +the familiar scent lay, jumps upon the window-ledge with his fore paws, +whimpers, starts away, and follows the trail down the path to the +beloved body now cold in death. + +What proof more convincing than that Belt had been there? How improbable +the trumped-up story that Grant could decoy from his home his bitterest +enemy, especially at the midnight hour! A loaded pistol and a chisel +were found under the window. It had been alleged that Grant placed them +there for his own base purposes. But admitting that man could deceive, +the dog would not. Canine instinct could not lie. Every man who knew the +nature of the animal must feel convinced that Belt's dog would never +have gone to that window except in honest pursuit of his master. + +I felt that my speech had told, and as I sat down there was a stir in +the vast crowd. My client's face was flushed, and the wife's somber veil +was thrown back, revealing her large eyes lustrous with hope. + +The Commonwealth's attorney occupied the floor for an hour, during which +he ridiculed what he termed the schoolboy tales from his youthful +opponent. But when the jury retired I felt that my influence was still +uppermost. The suspense was trying, but it did not last long. They +reported in a very short time, and the verdict, announced in a clear +ringing voice, was "Not guilty!" + +Grant sprang forward as his friends pressed near and seized my hand in +a vise-like grip. Loud cheers rent the air, for again the fickle public +had veered around, the crowd surged to and fro, women wept, and the +fervent "Thank God!" that broke from the pallid lips of the young wife +rang in my ears for many a day. + +The foreman of the jury, a plain, intelligent farmer, drew me aside and +said, "That dog done the business! There was no gittin' around that! +I've got a dog myself." + +Grant was forced to begin life anew, for his counsels' fees about +consumed his little savings, but he remained at his post honest and +industrious, and is one of the leading men in the now populous section. + + + + +Three Visits + +A ROMANTIC SKETCH + + +The day was warm and sunny. A few industrious and enterprising pioneers +were seated on a log near the Wallace Cross Roads, in what is now +Garrard county, Ky. They were enjoying their noonday luncheon and +discussing the object of their woodland caucus. Suddenly the sound of an +advancing horse arrested their attention. Pausing and looking toward a +primitive opening in the deep-tangled wildwood, they soon saw both horse +and rider approaching, the latter looking about him as if a stranger to +the country. He was among them in another moment, receiving their rough +but hearty greetings, and manifesting genuine pleasure in his frank, +youthful countenance. Though not yet attained to full manhood, the +traveller's figure was tall and graceful, and his face, by no means +handsome, wore a genial glow that intensified the wonderful magnetism +of his manner. + +"You seem to be a stranger in these parts," said one of the men, mopping +his forehead with his red bandana. + +"Yes," answered the traveller. "I am a few days out from home across the +mountains yonder. Can you direct me to Lexington?" + +"Easy, easy, sir," said the other, "It's a good spell from this, but +there's a pretty fair road after you get out of these thickets. Sit +down, sir; sit down and have a snack with us. You must be hungry, and +you won't find a tavern soon." + +Nothing loth, the young stranger addressed himself to the cold corn +bread and bacon with a will, while the talk veered around to the +business of the day. + +"You, see, sir, we are about to build a courthouse hereabouts, and have +our lawing to ourselves," said the first speaker. "We've about decided +to plant the corner stone at the Cross Roads a little way from this." + +"It's a first rate location," said another. "There's good water all +around and plenty of trees for lumber." + +"Nothing like making the right start," added a third voice. + +They continued to discuss plans for their future township, the stranger +entering with courteous interest into all their projects. + +"I have often tried," said he, "to look into the future of this grand +section of country. To the day when the spirit of internal improvement +shall have levelled the roads and converted the hidden wealth of the +soil into a glorious medium of happiness and prosperity. Then the mental +stores of our hardy settlers will rapidly develop, and civilization will +prune down the rugged points of character, as the implements of the +husbandman break up the clods." + +Rapt visions illumined the young speaker's features with a glow of +national pride, and he saw not the looks of intelligent curiosity that +passed among his companions. + +Then starting up, he said, "I must really be going. I have a long ride, +and the day is waning. I thank you heartily for your hospitality. +I assure you it is as refreshing as it was unexpected." + +They shook hands, and the stranger mounted his horse which was quietly +grazing near by. Catching up the bridle, he said: "One of these days I +hope to visit your section again, and see the great results of which you +are now making the small beginning. Farewell." + +"One moment," said the man who had first greeted him; "might I ask your +name, if it's not going too far?" + +"Not at all, sir, not at all. My name is Henry Clay." + +For a few minutes after the departure of the young stranger, the small +knot of pioneers commented with admiring wonder upon his singularly +fascinating address, and saying, "That man will make his mark in the +world," they proceeded to refresh themselves at a cool spring, and then +prepared to finish the survey. + + * * * * * + +Years after, the little town of Lancaster, which had grown from the +humble courthouse of the Cross Roads, was in a state of excitement such +as only villages are liable to experience. It was the occasion of a +school examination, and the citizens were all more or less interested. +At the appointed hour the house was full, and the classes were +marshalled in due order to the front. Four o'clock struck, and the +programme was drawing to a close, when one of the dignitaries of the +town entered the hall, accompanied by a tall, distinguished-looking +stranger, whose presence inspired the children with a certain sense of +awe. It was at once whispered about that the great statesman, Henry +Clay, was among them. Upon presenting him to the teacher, the school +rose, and chairs being provided, the exercises went on. When the time +came for making recitations, the young people exhibited marked signs +of embarrassment; but one by one they acquitted themselves creditably. +At length a little blue-eyed, sunny-haired child ascended the platform +and recited "The Old Oaken Bucket," with wonderful pathos, so accurate +was her enunciation, so impressive the varying cadences of her sweet +voice. + +"Who is she?" I inquired the great man when the storm of applause had +somewhat subsided. + +"We call her 'Daisy of the Glen,'" was the reply. "She is a prodigy for +her age. Her history is a little singular. She was found not far from +here in a wild glen, or ravine, when about three years old, and has +never been able to tell who or where her parents are. But I will relate +the circumstances to you at another time. At present the trustees are +pressing in their invitation to you to say something to the children." + +Whereupon the grandest orator of his day arose and addressed a few +remarks in simple language to his youthful audience. He told them of the +day, when on the highway from Virginia into the Blue Grass region, he +rode into their woodland council on the rugged spot where their pretty +little village now stood. And as their forefathers had cultivated the +then dense wilderness, so he admonished them to study and improve their +minds in school. Great men and noted women had already sprung into fame +from their young city, and many a glorious achievement of word, of pen, +and of sword, had given renown to the place whose birth he had +incidentally witnessed in the long ago. + +When he ceased speaking he had implanted the germ of honest ambition in +the hearts of many of the little men and women whose future influence +was to wield power for good or ill. That night, seated among friends +in the best room the little tavern afforded, Henry Clay learned further +particulars concerning wee, winsome Daisy of the Glen, whose appearance +and address had so charmed his fancy. She was evidently a stolen child. +Her dress, when she was discovered by a hunter, was fine, and her whole +appearance indicative of an easy sphere of life. It was supposed that a +band of gypsies had decoyed her away while carelessly straying too far +from her home, but nothing definite was known. Mrs. Templeton, a kind, +motherly woman, without children, had cheerfully given the little +stranger shelter, and had in time grown so fond of her that she could +not bear the thought of parting. Hence, after the first unsuccessful +effort, no further attempt had been made to discover the parentage of +the little waif. She called herself Daisy, in her lisping fashion, and +her lovely disposition had won for her the poetical title of "Daisy of +the Glen." + +Mr. Clay listened earnestly, and when about to leave, he deposited +a sum of money for the benefit of the little girl's education. + + * * * * * + +Ten years after, two figures sat in earnest conversation on the verdant +cliff of a romantic ravine leading from the banks of Dix river. The one, +a young girl of remarkably fair exterior, turned in an animated manner +to impress some assertion upon her companion. The other, a youth so +exceedingly handsome in face and figure, so lithe of person and eloquent +of speech, that no girl of eighteen could long resist his attractions. + +"Indeed, Roye, I knew it must be he and no other. He made an impression +upon my memory when a little child of eight years, that can never be +effaced. Who else would be so likely to interest himself in my fate?" + +"Indeed, Daisy," he echoed, "who is disposed to doubt the truth of your +surmises? You are probably correct, yet on the other hand, what proof +have you that Mr. Clay is your unknown benefactor?" + +"None at all except the fact that he honored me so far on that memorable +visit to the school, as to inquire all about me. More than that he came +to the house and asked me a number of questions about my infancy. +Without his help I could never have gone away to complete my education +or possessed any accomplishments. Poor mamma always thought the money +came from him, and almost her last injunction to me, was to hold him in +profound veneration as long as I live." + +"And it was here they found my little wanderer," fondly exclaimed Roye +Howard. "I should never, probably, have known true happiness but for the +vagabond who stole my Daisy!" + +The girl's face clouded for a moment. + +"Are you willing, Roye, to take me with this mystery hanging over me? If +there is nothing hid that shall not be revealed, how do we know at what +moment some revelation may come upon us that will dash our hopes to the +earth?" + +"Never, never!" impetuously replied the youth. "Nature cannot so belie +herself as to make a blot or stain possible to her fairest creation." + +Blushing beneath his admiring gaze, and thrilling with pleasure at his +words, Daisy proceeded to repeat all that she had ever remembered of her +home and parents. A large house, a doll as big as herself, and a tender +face bending above her, comprised her store of reminiscences. Since the +death of her foster mother she had remained with friends, and was soon +to be united in marriage to Roye Howard, a rising young lawyer, reared +in Lexington, and established at Lancaster only a few months. + +Talking confidingly of their promised happiness, the pair lingered among +the sylvan shades of the romantic spot till the waning sunlight bent +their steps homeward. + +Next day was the regular County Court day in the village. The public +square was crowded with vehicles, live stock, and countrymen whose chief +pleasure was to mix in motley crowds, and to whose fancy an uproar of +some kind was ever welcome. On such occasions, in the somewhat lax +administering of justice of those early times, the killing of a fellow +creature seemed indeed a trifle light as air. + +At a conspicuous corner of Danville street stood the house where +Daisy Templeton had found a temporary home. A number of ladies, wives +of the Judge and various lawyers, had assembled here to dine, a custom +prevalent upon public occasions. The group were deeply engrossed in +needle-work and cheerful conversation, when suddenly the crowds on the +square began surging and clamoring as though the turbulence of an angry +sea had been turned loose upon a peaceful plain, Shouts rose higher and +higher, till at last a pistol shot resounded, and the ladies that had +crowded to the front windows plainly distinguished the cry, "The Judge +is killed! Jim Burns has shot Judge Pierce!" and the mob rushed toward +the mouth of Danville street in pursuit of the desperado, a noted +character of the county. + +Quickly passing out the back door of the parlor and closing it behind +her, Daisy reached the side door, opening on Danville street and heavily +shaded with trees, and flung the door to just as a man, pale and +terrified, darted in, almost throwing her to the floor. + +"Save me!" was all he had breath to ejaculate. + +"Up there!" she hurriedly exclaimed, pointing up the stairway toward the +attic; then slamming the door against the mob who were pressing upon the +steps, she turned the key in the lock and stood, awaiting she knew not +what. All this was the work of a moment, while the ladies in the parlor +were too intent upon watching the square for a glimpse of the Judge to +know that so important a scene was being enacted just behind them. Mrs. +Pierce had run down the front steps inquiring of every one if the report +was true. + +Meanwhile, as Daisy stood silent and alone in the little passage, her +heart throbbing fast, the crowd outside beat upon the door and clamored +for Jim Burns. At this moment Stanley Livingstone, the young man of +the house, appeared from a bed-room in the rear where he had been +administering a dose of sleep to a severe headache, and asked with more +emphasis than grace. + +"What the devil's broke loose?" + +She dared not tell him the truth. + +"Oh, Stanley," exclaimed she, much relieved, "they are after Jim Burns. +They think he is here and are determined to force their way in. They say +he has killed Judge Pierce!" + +"Let me settle them," said Stanley, and throwing wide the door, he +assured them that Burns was not there--that he would certainly have seen +the man if he had entered the house. + +Incredulous, but irresistibly impressed by his earnest words, they +retired to the opposite side of the street to watch for their prey, who, +they convinced themselves, had darted through the house and concealed +himself about the premises too quickly to be detected by the inmates. +That the fugitive had disappeared at that side door, some of them knew +beyond question. + +As Stanley stepped out to learn exactly what the excitement meant, Daisy +again turned the key, and observing a stain of blood on her white dress, +she dared not re-enter the parlor with the tell-tale sign. + +Hurrying up the stairs, she filled a basin with water, and with a roll +of linen, proceeded quickly to the attic, where the man stood, leaning +against a packing-box, tightly clasping his hand. + +"You are wounded somewhere?" she asked. + +"Yes, in the hand," he faintly answered. "He shot me." + +"Who?" asked the girl. + +"The Judge," sullenly said Burns. + +"Then you didn't kill him?" + +"Kill him! I wish I had!" + +Going to a back window, Daisy signed to a servant to come up, but when +there, the frightened creature refused to touch the bloody hand. So +Daisy proceeded to bathe and dress the lacerated flesh, all the while +talking kindly and warningly to the man, who stared at the lovely vision +with something like shame in his face. + +As she started to leave him, a stone sped its way swiftly through the +window and fell at her feet. + +"You see," said she, "your life is not safe a moment where you are. +They believe that you are here. Some one saw you enter the door. +Remain perfectly quiet till nightfall and then go home a wiser and +a better man." + +"God bless you, miss!" said the man brokenly. "I have been very wicked +all my life. I have wronged many, and you more than all; but if my life +is spared, I'll make some things right." + +Wondering at his words, Daisy left him and rejoined her friends, after +the brief absence which was destined to bear rich fruits to her orphaned +heart. + +That night, under cover of the darkness, the man went away. But at ten +o'clock, in defiance of prudence, he came back, knocked boldly, and +asked to see Miss Templeton--he had a package for her. She came, and +placing something in her hand, abruptly left, mounted his horse, and +rode away in a fierce gallop, ere she could speak, and again Daisy +closed the door upon this thread of her romantic destiny. + +On opening the package she found a coral necklace and armlets, with +clasps engraved, and a soiled, miserably-scrawled letter. The initials +on the jewels were R.M. The letter told her that he, the desperate and +outlawed writer, had been leagued with a band of reckless men some years +ago, and had stolen her away from her beautiful home in Louisville, +thinking to obtain a heavy ransom. While passing through Garrard county, +he, the man to whose care the gang had confided her, because he was +sort o' womanish, they said, had lagged behind intent upon a bottle of +whisky, and when he recovered his senses, the child was gone. Fearing +that she had met her death, and knowing nothing then of the picnic party +that had rescued her, he fled the country for some years, and after his +return he had never had courage to confess his crime. Her parents were +wealthy, and their name was Mentelle. He could tell her nothing of their +present whereabouts. + + * * * * * + +New Year's Eve comes in cold, and a deep snow envelops the earth. +A wedding party at the corner house on Danville street is the event +of the evening. Roye Howard and Daisy Mentelle have just taken their +marriage vows, and the house is crowded with guests. Just before supper +a new arrival startles and astonishes the brilliant company. Henry Clay, +grown grey with years and honors, is among them, never having lost sight +of his protege. After congratulating the pair and kissing the bride, +he bade her come with him to another apartment; and when she had +wonderingly obeyed, he proudly presented to her a handsome lady richly +dressed in mourning. + +"This, my dear, is your mother. I have not rested till I found her." + +"It is she--it is she, indeed," exclaimed the noble-looking woman--"my +own little Ray--my Daisy!" and the mother clasped her newfound darling +to her breast in a passion of thankfulness and joy. + +"This is my bridal present, my dear," said the statesman, after much had +been told, and Roye admitted to the circle. + +"Since your letter of inquiry to me, my search has been constant. Your +father is no more, but this boon is the greatest of all. Receive her +with my blessing. Three times have I passed through your town. Always +has it held a warm place in my heart. May every succeeding twelve months +bring to you as happy a New Year!" + + + + +An Easter Dawn + +"AND THERE WAS LIGHT" + + +"Are you inflexible, Doris? Can nothing alter your decision?" + +"Spare us both further pain, Warner. I cannot leave my blind mother. It +is useless to ask it." + +"And do I ask it? You can still care for your mother. I do not ask you +to leave her." + +The girl shook her head sadly. + +"As a wife I must go with my husband. In the conflict of duties the +mother must yield. No, no, it would be cruel." + +"Even admitting this, is there not a way out of it? Will she not try to +have her sight restored? Once relieved she might depend upon others, and +be content without you. Then you could come to me." + +"I dare not urge this. Think what she endured before--the operation, the +mismanagement, the suffering, and the final loss of the eye itself. Oh, +Warner, the recollection of that terrible time makes me shudder. I pray +that she may forget it. I dare not urge another trial. Spare me that." + +There was silence in the room, broken only by the ticking of the little +mantle clock, till in a low suppressed voice she continued: + +"And you know the awful blow that came so soon after, that has broken +her down. She clings to me in so many ways. No, Warner, she might yield +to my persuasions, but I should never forgive myself if things went +wrong." + +"Wrong?" echoed the man, bitter pain tugging at his heart. "How much +more wrong could things go? But it is nothing to you that my life is +made desolate, that loving you through all its best years I must quietly +give you up, and that, too, when I am in condition to take care of you. +Have I shown no consideration by waiting? Have I ever pressed my claim +till I knew I could make you comfortable and happy? But why do I cringe +and beg like this?" he added, setting his teeth hard with the pain of +disappointment. "If you really loved me you could not quibble about the +thing you call duty." And he strode back and forth, refusing to take in +the situation. + +Then the girl's forced composure gave way. This was not her first tilt +with the man she loved, but he had never been so hard, so desperate, so +unjust. Heroically she had tried to do her duty. Ignominously she now +felt herself faltering in the way. + +He could not bear her tears. The sight of her grief drove him from +himself. Pausing before her, he said: + +"Doris, I yield. Let it be as you say." + +And he lifted her hand to his lips in adieu; though in his powerfully +imposed self-restraint he could not be all tenderness. His tones were +gentle, and in the look he cast upon her bowed figure there was no +reproach. + +He was gone; and Doris went back to the mother who was unconscious that +she was wrecking the happiness of this devoted child; the only one left +to her. One by one they had married and gone, and now in her darkened +world she was enduring a more fearful weight of woe than blindness. +Ralph, her youngest, and her darling, the Benjamin of her old age, had +fled the country under the awful ban of murder. His employer, a hard +man, had been found dead in his private office from a blow on the back +of the head. Suspicion pointed to Ralph, who, poor, hot-headed fellow, +had been heard to vow vengeance against the dead man for his harshness. +A fellow clerk warned him in time to flee from the officers of the law. +He could not go without seeing his mother. In the silence of the night +he had clasped her trembling form in his stalwart young arms, and in +broken, quivering tones, bade her trust in his innocence. "Mother, +believe me, only believe me; I did not do it," and sped on in the +darkness, an exile. She did believe in him. She would almost as soon +have doubted her Savior's love. But her stern, unbending pride of race +was wounded. Her loving heart was pierced in its tenderest spot, and in +a few short weeks she was a fretful, peevish invalid, making wholesale +but unconscious draughts upon her noble daughter's patience. + +Five years had gone by since these household fetters had been forged for +Doris. Young and lovely, she adorned every circle. Offers of marriage +were unheeded, and her heart was untouched till Warner Douglas, the +young physician, came. They had met when she was a school girl and he +a student in the same town; and now it was revealed to her why he had +chosen her place of residence as the starting point in his career. So +they had loved and hoped on only to be crushed at last. + +The day after her final rejection of his suit, the post brought a note +that ran thus: + + "Doris, good-bye; not for a day, or a week, but as long as may + require to perfect my plans. I have spent a sleepless night, and this + is my conclusion. There is one way out of this. Maddening as is your + decision, I am forced to yield. But I shall not give you up without + a struggle. I have determined to study the human eye as a specialty. + The savings I had meant to devote to our united lives shall go to this + end. If I do not write often and in lover-like fashion, it will be + because I must be firm in my undertaking. When I have mastered the + science, I hope to come back to you with healing in my hand for the + mother for whose infirmities you sacrifice me. Do not think me bitter; + I am trying to be kind. In any case, be my probation long or short, + I shall be + + "Ever yours, + + "WARNER DOUGLAS." + + +Long Doris wept heart-breaking tears over this letter. Had she decided +aright? She mused far into the night, and at last her tired spirit found +comfort in the hope that her lover might one day unlock the prison doors +of both her mother and herself. Next day and for many days she went +about her duties mechanically, but her blind mother missed nothing, knew +nothing. Wearisome vigils were those! Not for a moment could she trust +her charge alone. With the perverseness of age she would try to grope +her way about, and more than once had she wandered into danger. Besides +this active, bodily vigilance, there were papers and books to read to +her, and the post-office was fairly haunted by fruitless messages for +tidings of the wandering boy. "How long, O Lord, how long?" was the +burden of the mother's heart, and upon Doris fell the hopeless task +of comforting. + +Two years dragged their slow lengths. Time and sorrow made little change +in Doris Hadyn. The fair, round cheeks had lost none of their bloom, for +duty well performed brings its own reward. She was the moving spirit in +all good works, and several of her young friends had gradually come to +share her time in amusing and interesting her invalid mother. + +Her lover's departure, leaving his patients to a brother physician, had +been a nine-days' wonder, but now all were rejoicing in his success at +the city hospitals. Several wonderful operations had made a great noise, +and he awoke one morning to find himself famous. No more anxious care +for the savings he had intended for himself and his bride. They were +returning upon him tenfold. At last he wrote to Doris: + + "Are you waiting for me? I am coming, not for an hour, or for a day, + but to cast my lot once more near you. But first I shall come as the + physician, since till that mission is ended, I am forbidden to come + as a lover. + + "WARNER." + + +Not even the reproach in this laconic letter could tinge her joy. He +was coming; that was uppermost. He came, and Doris met him as she had +parted--loving and faithful; so proud of him, too, but unalterable in +her duty as before. She found his whole nature widened and broadened, +just as in appearance he was more manly. He was then a clever +practitioner: he was now the renowned oculist. From the first day his +office swarmed with patients. Old, chronic cases seemed to spring up +everywhere, and he found himself in a fair way of being taxed beyond +the limit. + +Gently he began his ministrations to the mother of his beloved. When he +had won her confidence, he felt that the battle was half fought. She +soon expressed a willingness to submit to anything, to undergo any pain, +if only her sight might be restored. This he could not promise, but his +experienced eye could detect nothing worse than a cataract obstructing +the vision, and he convinced her that it was worth the trial. + +One mild winter day she was taken to his office now fitted up with +all the belongings of his service. With bated breath he adjusted his +instrument. Heavy portieres shut out the daylight. Steadily the electric +ray was thrown into the darkened eye. Shrinking with a thousand fears, +and tortured with suspense, Doris sank upon a sofa. In silence he +applied his tests. She could hear the beatings of her heart. Softly he +questioned his patient, who hung upon his words for her life sentence. + +At last, lying a hand almost caressingly upon each shoulder, he said: + +"My dear Mrs. Hadyn, I think I can give you sight." + +An involuntary cry broke from her lips, and Doris burst into convulsive +tears. Then relaxing the tension of these many weary years, the bearer +of good tidings folded his arms about the slight form for a moment as +he led her to her mother. Not yet, even, would he give full rein to +his hopes. He might fail. There was inflammation lurking behind the +eye-ball, caused by contagion from its fellow, which, when carelessly +bandaged too closely, had burst from its socket, irretrievably lost. +He could but try; and now his humanity as well as his love nerved him +to the task. + +A preliminary course of treatment was ordered, and the Lenten season was +nearly over when the eye was declared ready for the knife. The day was +appointed, and the patient's own room was selected as the place. The +night before, the doctor came in all worn and tired out from a hurried +call to a neighboring city hospital. Doris knew his step and met him at +the door. + +"Come with me, Doris, into the library," he said. + +Nervous with undefined apprehension, she followed him. + +"Can you bear good news?" he asked, bending upon her eyes which held for +her the light of loving sympathy. "Will you be as brave as you have been +all these years? I was called away yesterday----" + +"Ralph!" she gasped, catching his arm in the excitement of hope. + +"Yes--Ralph," he said, placing his arm about her; "he is cleared at +last. The man I was called to see was James Green, Ralph's fellow-clerk. +He was run down by a heavy furniture van and badly crushed. I could not +save him, but he knew me, and gave me this paper, which is a confession +of his guilt. It completely exonerates your brother." + +"Thank God!" she fervently exclaimed, clasping the paper to her heart. + +"Shall we tell Mrs. Haydn?" he asked, still gravely supporting her. + +"By all means," was her happy answer through shining tears; "now--this +moment," leading him away. "Joy does not kill." + +It did not kill; it only braced the grateful sufferer for the ordeal set +for the next day. + +"Find my boy as soon as you can and bring him to me," was her prayer; +and with a sense of comfort long a stranger, the mother slept peacefully +on this, her last night perhaps, of blindness. + +The next day she was made ready for her couch, where she was to lie in +perfect quiet after the operation. At two o'clock, Dr. Douglas, with two +young assistants, entered easily and cheerfully upon his task. + +"Are you strong enough to witness it?" he asked in alow voice, as Doris +took her stand. + +She bowed her head, and the work began. It was neither long nor +difficult. A little cocaine in the eye, a quick, perpendicular incision, +the deft scooping from the orifice of a hard, pearly ball like an opal +setting, a cleansing of film by one skillful sweep, and all was over. + +"Close the eye for a moment," was his order, as incomplete silence the +trio hung upon the result. + +"Now open it and look." + +As the lids parted, he held his hand before them, moving his fingers in +quick succession. + +"What is it?" she asked. + +"Well," he spoke playfully, as to a child; "what is it? I want you to +tell me. Do you see anything?" + +"Yes, I see--a hand, but--it looks blue." + +At this the surgeon clasped his hands in thanksgiving, and exclaimed: +"Victory! If you did not see the blue coloring at first, madam, I should +be in despair." + +Yes, victory was his, for his skill and for his love. He continued his +tests, first by resting the eye, then by bringing objects within the +range of vision. At last he gently led Doris in full view. + +"It is Doris, my faithful, patient child, whose dear face I have not +seen for so long," she said with emotion that threatened tears, but +this the doctor forbade, and proceeded at once to carefully seal the +patient's eyelids. + +"Keep the room light, and watch her day and night. She must not touch +the eye even in sleep," was his parting injunction. + +"But, doctor, don't you bandage the eye? And my room was kept dark after +the other operation was performed." + +"No, madam, the room must be light, and I do not bandage the eye." + +The days went by, each new one revealing some half-forgotten picture +to the patient. She already loved Dr. Douglas as a son, and her bodily +infirmities, real or fancied, were fast vanishing away. Ralph had been +found, and a telegram said he was coming. Easter eve was here, and as +the doctor took leave his grateful patient bade him good-night with +unusual feeling, + +"Through you," she said, "I am made to realize the precious promise, 'At +evening time it shall be light.' Think what this anniversary must be to +me! The morning will celebrate the resurrection of Him who was the Light +of the world. Light, light, everywhere! How can I be thankful enough!" + +"To-morrow I will set you free, my dear madam, and if you feel that I +have done you a service, perhaps I may show you how to repay me." And +with a warm pressure of her hand, and an unspoken good-night to Doris, +he went away. + +At the dawn of the morning Doris stood beside her mother when she awoke, +and said lightly: "Whom do you want to see besides your grumpy old +Doris, this bright morning?" + +"Is he here? Ralph--my boy--has he come?" And his fond arms enwrapped +her in joy too deep for words. She could not look at him enough--her +bronzed and bearded baby boy. + +Later on the doctor called, but he did not at once interrupt the mother +and son. When at last he walked into the cheerful family room it was +with Doris by his side. + +"My dear Mrs. Hadyn," he began, "do you want to make me as grateful as +you say you are? If so, only look!" + +With the uncertain timidity she had not yet learned to overcome, she +directed her once sightless eyes toward him. He stood with Doris clasped +in his arms. The mother had not heeded his words of the previous +evening, for they bore no hidden meaning to her. A light now broke over +her features, while Ralph smilingly watched her. + +"Doris, my child, how long have you loved this man?" were the only words +she found to say. + +"So long, mother, that I shall not try to remember." + + + + +In the Mammoth Cave + +WHERE THERE'S A WILL THERE'S A WAY + +NOTE--This story is built upon a legend of Mammoth Cave. + + +The open mouth of Kentucky's far-famed cavern yawned huge and black. On +the brow of the hill, ready to descend the winding rock stairway, stood +a group of young people picturesquely attired in the bloomer costume of +cave-explorers. They were disputing as to whether to take the long or +short route first, unmindful of the guide, who ventured to hint that +time was slipping away. + +"If we take the long route first we will be too tired for the short +one," said one. + +"Oh, that will never do!" exclaimed another, "I must see the Chapel and +the Star Chamber. That is about all I came for." + +Apart from the wranglers a pair stood in earnest conversation, hardly in +keeping with the frivolity of the hour. + +She was small, lovely, and winning in gypsy dress of red and black, +relieved here and there with soft white ruffles. Upon her golden curls +rested a dainty little padded cap, and strong boots protected the tender +feet. From her gloved fingers swung a torch not yet lighted. + +The youth beside her showed his hardy pioneer lineage in a well-knit +frame and a countenance full of chivalry, and at present glowing with +eloquent love for his fair companion. + +Neither of the absorbed pair noticed the angry light in the cruel eyes +of a man standing near the guide. He was fully thirty-five years of age, +quite tall, and as a merry girl expressed it, brigandish-looking. But +for the restless passions that marred his bearded face he might have +been called handsome. He glared at Minnie Dare as a tiger might watch +his prey, for she was indeed the destined prey of this fierce-looking +man. + +By what mysterious power Jason Hammond had won the gentle girl from her +devoted father no one knew, but with haggard face and heart-wrung pain, +Colonel Dare had bidden his one ewe lamb prepare for the sacrifice. + +This long-planned excursion was to be the last of freedom for Minnie +Dare. + +Striding up to the unconscious lovers, the man said rudely,-- + +"Miss Dare, do you mean to hang about here all day? They are waiting +for you." + +"I presume, sir, Miss Dare has the right to stay where she pleases," +retorted Eldon Brand, a quick, angry flash leaping to his eyes. + +"Hardly," returned the other superciliously, "at all events she knows +better, whatever your view of the matter." + +With a look of appeal from her blue eyes that arrested the sharp +rejoinder from the lips of the man she loved, the girl turned away, +her face suddenly paling from fear. + +"Here comes the pirate chief with his captive," exclaimed a laughing +girl. + +"Hush, Cornelia; he may hear you--horrid man! He wouldn't be here if he +wasn't so rich." + +"Why, where is Eldon Brand?" said another. + +"Over there, cutting a staff from the cane-brake," replied the first +speaker. + +"Ladies and gentlemen," here interposed the guide, striking a stage +attitude, "if you want my services you must come right along. It is +already too late for the long route; you will have to take the short +one." + +"All right," agreed the party, rallying their forces, "we'll take the +short one, then. Forward, march!" + +Down, down they went in pairs along the circuitous stairway to the +entrance, where the thick darkness might be felt. With lighted torches +they turned from the sunshine and entered upon the pioneer wagon tracks +imbedded in the soil for two miles. Hither the early settlers were wont +to convey their salt barrels and other stores for safe keeping from the +natives. + +Laughing, talking, jesting, the merry party went in. + +"Jerusalem! What's that?" ejaculated a young fellow, with more vigor +than polish, as he fought right and left an unknown foe. + +"That? Oh, that's only bats flying around. They don't stay in much +further. They'll hit you in the face if you don't look out," explained +the guide. + +"Yes, I think they will," said the victim, still spluttering and +flourishing his handkerchief. "A little more of that sort of thing and +I'll turn back now." + +They soon reached the avenue that leads to the Side Saddle, where more +than one merry lass took a seat for effect. They heard how an explorer +named Goren had once stood idly talking and pecking against the wall +with a sharp stone when, lo! it broke through. He continued to widen +the opening till, upon throwing down a blue light, there stood revealed +a perfect dome, exquisitely filagreed. It has been known ever since as +Goren's Dome, and a good-sized window, jagging the wall, admits one or +two lookers at a time. On their knees they crawled through the Valley of +Humility, and out into almost endless space, so varied are the landmarks +of this underground miracle. Here is a chamber too vast to be lighted +by the torches; there, a defile so narrow as to be passed only in single +file. Now they traverse a level valley to emerge at the foot of a +mountainous region that must be attacked with alpenstocks and helping +hands. + +"Oh, look at that awfully dark place! It might be Pluto's hallway," said +a girl. + +"Don't go that way," called the guide; "you must just follow me. There +is where that stranger strayed off and was never heard of again. He was +in bad health and came in here to breathe the pure air for a few hours. +He never came out." + +"Goodness!" thundered a dozen voices; "let's move on before his ghost +appears. I hear the rattle of dry bones now." + +"The Star Chamber!" shouted the guide, who, being in front, had often +much ado to send his voice to the rear of the party. "Ladies and +gentlemen, walk in, take your seats, and let me have your torches." + +He was obeyed with much fluttering and chattering. He extinguished all +the lights but his own, and disappeared behind a ledge of shelving rock. +They were in total darkness. Gradually a ray of blue, then of red, then +of white light, flashed upon the vast concave roof, showing myriads of +star-like points resembling the Milky Way, a crescent moon, and finally +a comet appearing in full sail. The effect was magical. + +"It is usual to have a song here, if you would like it," suggested the +guide. + +"By all means," was the universal response. "A chorus! a chorus!" + +Then the voices swelled upon the air in a thousand reverberating echoes. +At the close the guide reappeared and lit the torches. Once more they +sallied forth. + +"Where is Minnie Dare?" suddenly asked a tall girl, whose tongue was too +voluble for the guide's equanimity. + +"Here!" sounded the stentorian voice of Jason Hammond. + +Upon turning back, however, he found not Minnie, but another small +maiden near him. He darted again into the Star Chamber just as the fleet +steps of Minnie Dare ran toward him. Not, however, in time to prevent +his discerning among the shadows Eldon Brand hurrying to her side. + +Catching the girl's tender arm in a vise-like grip, the man hissed in +her ear,-- + +"By Heaven, my girl, if you don't stop philandering in the dark with +that young scoundrel, I'll pitch him into the first pit I see! You +belong to me, and I'll kill you before another shall have you!" + +With a cry of mingled pain and terror the girl broke from him. Eldon +Brand, who had seen the gesture without hearing the words, sprung with +uplifted arm toward the man. Ere he could strike he was seized from +behind by strong arms, and a voice urged,-- + +"Don't, Brand! For Heaven's sake, let that ruffian alone till we get out +of this. You will frighten the ladies, get yourself into the newspapers, +and play the deuce generally. Come on--they are calling in front." + +Hammond had seen this little by-play, and would not soon forget it; but +at present he strode on after the girl. + +"Why don't you fellows keep up?" grumbled a voice as the delinquents +entered the Chapel. + +"Did anybody fall? I thought I heard a cry back there," said the tall +young lady peering suspiciously into the group; but all seemed serene +in the fitful torchlight. + +In the Chapel huge stalactites and stalagmites meet each other to form +arm-chairs, thrones, alcoves, pulpits, and a double niche conspicuous +among its surroundings. Standing within this niche a restless pair +exclaimed: + +"What a capital place to be married! Who will pronounce the ceremony?" + +"Bless you, my children!" invoked a sober-looking fellow, extending +his arms in mock solemnity. + +An earnest, significant look flashed from Eldon Brand's eyes into the +still blanched face of Minnie Dare. As they met the glance it bore but +one meaning to her, and the rosy color again mantled her cheek. + +"Time's up," said the guide; "come along." + +It was late ere the party completed the tour of the Short Route wonders, +and there was barely time to dress for the ball-room at Cave Hotel, a +dance being an attractive interlude between journeyings. + +Indoor etiquette forbade the hateful espionage to which Hammond had +subjected the girl he claimed as his own during the informal jaunt of +the day. So at ten o'clock, despite the scowl on his dark face, she +stood up in the dance with Eldon Brand. + +Perhaps her persecutor might have attuned his wooing to something less +ferocious, but soft words having proved futile, he sought to frighten +her into compliance. Love's dallying might come later on. He deemed his +prize secure. She could not escape him. He held her father's honor--aye, +his very life--in his relentless grasp; for Colonel Dare was not a man +who could survive disgrace. Let her rebel, and the world should hear +an ugly story of rash speculation, involving a ward's trust money; of +financial ruin and despair. Oh, yes--she was his, fast and sure. + +It required all her persuasive power to withhold her lover from a +personal attack upon her betrothed husband. + +"It can do no good, Eldon," she urged; "my father has promised my hand +to this man. He is somehow in his power. There seems no escape. Oh, that +I might die and be free! It is like a horrible nightmare." + +Then his words came in passionate pleading. Eloquently the tones fell +upon her ears. At length the hopeless apathy in her eyes gave place +to interest, then animation, and finally to a degree of agitation but +ill-concealed from the suspicious watcher. They were standing on a low +balcony just outside the ballroom. + +"Will you, dearest? Will you be brave for my sake--for our sakes?" were +Eldon's parting words. + +"I will try," she murmured softly, as with a fond pressure of the hand +he resigned her to a new partner. + +Early next morning Eldon Brand might have been seen returning from +a little wayside shop with a bundle, whose contents--a ball of heavy +twine, a can of oil, and a box of matches--would have surprised his +fellow tourists. He conversed earnestly for some minutes with Stephen, +the favorite guide of Mammoth Cave, to whom he also conveyed some +bank notes; and at eight o'clock he joined the party en route for the +nine-mile tramp into the cave. For two miles the way was the same as +that of the short route, bats and all. Then came the immense hall where +rude plank seats still attest the worship of pioneer settlers in the +land of Indians and wild beasts. Here they sat and sang hymns, while +countless echoes repeated the sounds. + +They paused in the Ball Room; squeezed through Fat Man's Misery, that +zig-zag passage so narrow and winding that the one behind cannot see +his neighbor a yard ahead; and then out into the ample comfort of Great +Relief. Merrily they filled the little boats and sailed down Echo River, +where abound the eyeless fish; crossed Lake Lethe, where all care is +said to be left behind; passed the huge Granite Coffin; stood wondering +before the Great Eastern; shuddered beside the Dead Sea and the +Bottomless Pit; climbed Martha's Vineyard, where huge bunches of grapes +in stone looked as natural as life; took lunch in Washington Hall; +revelled in the snow-white crystals of Siliman's Avenue; crossed the +Rocky Mountains to Traveller's Rest, and there wrote their names upon +the extreme wall, that perpetual register of hundreds of sightseers. + +Here some moments were given to recapitulating the marvels of the long +route; the rivers, lakes, hills, ravines and valleys; and above all, +another black, yawning chasm similar to that which had startled them on +the short route. + +"Stephen, where does that lead?" was the query. + +"That leads into the one we saw yesterday. We call this end Beersheba, +and the other Dan, because it is so much nearer the mouth of the cave. +I have explored the whole passage, but it has nothing worth showing +visitors. But I have no doubt there's miles that nobody has ever been +over. It's a big place, I tell you." + +"Didn't you find the dead stranger?" asked the tall girl, who always had +something to say. + +"Can't say as I looked for him, miss." + +In high spirits the party retraced their steps as far as the Bottomless +Pit on the right, and the black chasm Beersheba, on the left, a distance +of about five miles from the entrance to the cave. + +"Take care!" warned the guide; "it is wet and slippery here, and the +path is very narrow." + +They were creeping on in single file when Stephen called back,-- + +"Mr. Hammond, you look pretty strong--would you help steady this +railing? It seems a little shaky." + +Hammond came on ahead and stood bracing the bridge, which was one of the +very few man-made structures in the cavern, while the other escorts led +the girls, one at a time, around the abrupt and slippery ledge. In +consequence of this stringing out of torches, the light was dim along +the narrow way, so that even these few steps of advance had left the +Bottomless Pit in darkness. + +Suddenly there was a rapid, rushing sound in the rear; a whirring echo; +a suppressed cry, and a heavy splash far below. The ladies screamed, and +the faces of the men grew pallid with horror. + +"My God! What was it? Who was it?" burst from their lips. + +"Don't go back, gentlemen!" shouted the guide. "It's no use! Come on +this side here--I'll go back. First, see who is missing. If anybody is +down there, the Lord have mercy on him, for man can't help him." + +Soon the trembling, awe-struck party were safe on a platform, and the +lights were bunched to their full radiance. Some one cried: + +"Minnie Dare is not here!" "And, by Jove, Eldon Brand is not here, +either!" said the chorus. Then in a low tone, "Could it have been +suicide? How horrible!" + +And this thought was the prevailing one, for the trials of the lovers +were well known. + +Jason Hammond ran back precipitately with the guide, and in a sort of +frenzy peered far into the awful chasm. Words of blasphemy were on his +lips as he began to realize to what end his persecution had driven the +fair young creature he had sworn to win. As for Brand, he rejoiced in +his fate. Could it have been an accident? He thought not. + +"No use," repeated the guide, "I can come back here and bring somebody +who will go down on a rope. But I tell you the bottom of that place has +never been found yet. We let a young fellow down by a rope last summer +in a frolic--his name was Mr. Clarence Prentice--and he pretty soon +called out to haul him up. Learned folks say a river runs down there, +and there ain't any bottom at all. Everything gets swept away with the +current. I don't know how it is, I am sure," + +Slowly the terror-stricken company wended their way back to earth, the +light of enjoyment driven from their hearts. The girls gave themselves +up to sobs and tears, and all dreaded to convey the tidings to the +bereaved families. + +The men went back with ropes and grappling hooks, but nothing came of +their labors. The bodies of the hapless lovers were not found, and none +knew how they had gone over the treacherous crag into the abyss below. +Surmises were rife, but prudence chose the better part of silent +sympathy. The newspapers fairly gloated over the tragedy, and summer +visitors were divided between curiosity to look upon the spot and fear +lest they, too, might miss their footing; hence the profits of Cave +Hotel were not noticeably on the decrease. + +Colonel Dare refused to be comforted, unless, indeed, he could rejoice +at the escape of the dove from the eagle's clutches. Now that the girl +was lost to him, Hammond was willing to accept terms before declined; +and the Dare ancestral home was at once put upon the market for sale. + +Eldon Brand had no near relatives, but there were many to mourn his +untimely fate. + + * * * * * + +Some hours after the disappearance of the lovers, Stephen, the guide, +re-entered the cave with a large bundle in his arms, and accompanied by +a single tourist, a sedate man who was a stranger to the region. They +proceeded along the short route to the chapel. Adjusting the torches, +Stephen gave a low whistle, when from behind a mammoth stalagmite came +forth a young man and a fair maiden, who took their stand in the Double +Niche. + +Eldon Brand had left nothing undone during his hours of preparation; and +when the man of God stood before the youthful pair, he held in his hands +the properly authenticated document which was to cement the marriage +tie in the civil courts. He had never before officiated at so unique +a bridal, and when once more on terra firma proper, he bore the secret +away to his Northern home. + +Days passed and still the tragic fate of the hapless lovers held a place +in fireside chats. + +Night had fallen. All was quiet in the sparsely settled neighborhood of +Cave Hotel. Stephen, the guide, with basket and torch, swiftly descended +the winding stairs and entered the grand colonnade, where the bats +still held high carnival. He pushed on, sometimes a little cramped for +space, till he reached the black avenue he had called Dan. Stooping +he possessed himself of a string that was fastened to a stake in the +ground, and followed its course through intricate windings till a light +glimmered in the distance. Whistling softly, he advanced more rapidly. +A shadow was flung upon the curtains of a doorway, and parting the folds, +a figure appeared at the opening. + +"Ah, old fellow, you never forget us," was the cheery greeting. + +"Not I," said the man, "I think you will find your list all made out +here," depositing his basket inside. + +The room was small and irregular in shape, but good taste and +moderate expenditure had converted it into a rustic boudoir of no +mean pretensions. Cretonne hangings concealed the rough walls, and +a few small pictures served to confine their bright folds to the uneven +surface of earth and rock. The earthen floor was covered by a mat. +A couch of the light, portable kind was daintily spread. A shelving rock, +covered with a mat of Japanese print, held a never-failing lamp, and two +camp-chairs completed the furniture, which had been conveyed into the +cave with the utmost care and secrecy. A few books and a number of +papers lay scattered about. The presiding deity of the fairy bower +looked a radiant welcome for the trusty ally upon whom they were +dependent. + +"You dear old Stephen! Don't you think it is time we ventured out into +the world again?" + +"Why, I think this looks like Heaven!" he said, with the freedom of his +office, "I don't know what you'd leave it for." + +"Yes, but you know that if it were not for your basket we should be +forced to appear. But I am learning to manage the ovens and pans. See +here," and opening an inner curtain she revealed an alcove, where a few +primitive cooking utensils were collected beside a small gasoline stove. + +"I reckon your cooking don't come to much more than warming over my bill +of fare," said Stephen, with an involuntary glance at the soft white +hands, and an indulgent smile for the young housekeeper. + +"Oh, but I do cook, really," she protested. "Eldon, did you ever taste +nicer eggs? And the water down there carries off all the shells and +scraps. Hear it rush along now!" and busily the stream did run to flow +into Green river, so the knowing ones said. "But," she added; "if my +father only knew. The moment we hear that that hateful man has gone +abroad we will defy all the rest. Do you know, Stephen," in a lower +tone, "we were very near being caught on the hill to-day. I was all bent +over as usual in my old woman's dress, and Eldon was limping along on +his crutch stick when--hark! what was that?" + +"Did you hear anything?" asked Eldon, coming to her side, "don't be +frightened, love. It could not have been any one. You are nervous." + +The young wife's cheek paled a little as she reminded him of a frightful +dream she had before mentioned. + +"Nonsense, dear, we are safe as long as my bank holds out. In a short +while we will brave the world and be at least a nine days' wonder." + +Hoping to persuade Minnie Dare to elope with him, after their colloquy +on the balcony the night of the ball, and thereby escape her persecutor, +the young man had not followed the cave party on the long route without +first amply supplying his purse. Stephen had suggested the strategem +they impulsively employed of temporarily disappearing into the black +corridor opposite the Bottomless Pit, after throwing a heavy rock down +the abyss to simulate a fall; and Stephen had mapped out for them the +whole situation succeeding the supposed catastrophe. Thus far they had +not lacked for comforts; and stolen visits in disguise to the upper +regions had varied their solitude and given refreshing glimpses of +sunlight. + +"Eldon, I am sure I heard a noise!" again exclaimed the girl, clinging +in terror to his arm. + +To appease her, the two men went out and made search. All was as +usual--unless, indeed, a shred of cloth adhering to a jagged rock had +not been there before. Stephen soon after left the pair, unconscious +that a dark shadow was following him into the upper world, there to +vanish among the shadows. + +For there is nothing hidden that shall not be revealed; and this +well-guarded secret, known to only four persons, was trembling at its +foundation. For her beloved father's sake the young wife was willing to +endure privation; for she reasoned that Hammond would have no motive for +vengeance if she were supposed to be lost; that her death would end the +mysterious power that threatened disgrace to Colonel Dare. Stephen was +paid well to be on guard, and his report that he had more than once seen +Hammond in the vicinity, made them exercise extreme caution and +vigilance in going outside. + +At first the spirit of unrest had drawn the baffled suitor to the scene, +where he had driven the unwilling maiden to her death, for he had loved +her as well as a selfish nature can love. Gradually there dawned upon +his mind a suspicion somewhat akin to the truth. Rumors were afloat that +Stephen made nightly visits to the cave, not with exploring parties, but +alone. A young couple had been seen wandering over the hills in the +moonlight. Superstition said it was the ghosts of the ill-fated lovers. +But when Jason Hammond heard these things they startled him as if struck +with an electric shock. He did not believe in ghosts. He resolved to +watch. He, too, saw the figures at night. He saw them disappear behind +the steep ledge that leads downward into the bowels of the earth. He +drew his own conclusions. + +If true, what should stay his vengeance against those who had thus +duped him? He sought his opportunity, and cautiously followed the guide +unto the very portals of the lovers' retreat. He heard the voices he +remembered but too well. He knew now where to strike. He knew, too, that +fear of him kept Minnie Dare thus hidden, as in a grave. Aye, she feared +disgrace for her father, and more than all, she feared his vengeance +against her husband--for he did not doubt that they were married. +Husband? As the word forced itself, the man ground his teeth in baffled +rage and hate. He would take care that the dreaded vengeance should be +swift and sure. + +The path to the subterranean retreat was perilous to a stranger; but +having gone once, he was sure he could go again. The way was even now +familiar enough as far as the black avenue of Dan. Here the string, +placed for the convenience of the lovers, would guide him, and if his +plans should be upset, he could retreat into the other black opening +leading to the Bottomless Pit, where he now knew the lost pair had +plunged into Beersheba instead of into the chasm, the two landmarks +being exactly opposite. He had not forgotten the guide's account of +these two unexplored regions where there was "nothing of interest to +show tourists." He began to see through the plot from the hour of the +so-called tragedy. How easy, with the artful guide's connivance, to cast +a stone down the echoing ravine, then conceal themselves in the corridor +close by, extinguish their torches, and await in silence the next coming +of their assistant! He himself had been adroitly decoyed out of the way +to steady the railing of the rickety bridge. The abrupt and narrow ledge +had hidden them from view. The escape was easy. All was clear now, and +the life of the man who had cheated him should pay the penalty. Should +she continue to refuse his suit, she, too, must die. The should find +their grave in the spot they loved so well. There would be none to tell +the tale. + +Armed with a revolver, he groped on, using a torch as far as he dared. +The absence of crystal formations, so thick and shining elsewhere, left +large, roomy passages easy to traverse, though there were frequent turns +puzzling to the uninitiated. As he approached the cosy bower he heard, +to his chagrin, the voice of the guide. What should he do? The odds were +too many for him. Wait till next day when his victims would probably be +alone? Risk going in upon them before nightfall? How had Stephen eluded +his vigilance? In this dilemma he crept near enough to get a view of the +interior. The sight of Minnie Brand seated at her husband's knee, his +hand caressing her flowing curls, so inflamed his wrath that an oath +burst from his lips. The sound penetrated the boudoir. It was this time +unmistakable. Minnie uttered a faint cry. The two men started up, and +snatching a torch, quickly lit it, and dashed out. + +"To the inner chamber, my darling!" Eldon called back, as he threw down +the folds of the portiere and rushed headlong with Stephen. + +They scoured the Short Route avenue to its full length, while Hammond, +his soul raging with murderous intent, traversed as rapidly as he dared, +the Beersheba avenue toward the Long Route opening. + +"By the eternal! He's gone the other way! But he can't get out! Right +about!" + +Retracing their steps they had to proceed more cautiously, but they soon +caught sight of the figure ahead, now lost, now reappearing. + +"It is that blackhearted villain, who has hounded us!" cried Eldon. +"On! on!" + +But the guide, true to his calling, shouted: + +"Surrender, or you are a dead man! The Bottomless Pit is right ahead +of you." + +The fugitive halted a moment, glanced back, then dashed on again in +defiance. At a sudden projection he tripped and fell, discharging the +pistol into his own body. The sound reverberated in a thousand echoes. +The wounded man staggered to his feet, and managed to gain the frail +bridge. Here he fell across the railing, swayed there an instant; then +as his pursuers came up with helping hands, he plunged into the abyss +below. + + * * * * * + +The denizens of Cave City never tire of telling how Eldon Brand and +his wife came back to the world, and how they fared in their romantic +retreat. But there was a part of the story as strange as it was +tragic. Upon dismantling the boudoir a leathern girdle was found, +which contained several hundred dollars in gold, and a letter which +ran thus:-- + + "I am a dying man. I cannot find my way out. I have not strength to + call, I must perish here of disease and want. I will make one more + effort, but feel that I shall fail. I have made my peace with God. + In leaving this world I leave only one enemy behind. This is Jason + Hammond, who has wronged me foully. Living or dead, I shall haunt + him. To whomsoever shall give this poor body Christian burial, + I bequeath my estate." (Here followed the location and description + of the property). + + "Signed: + + "DAVID HAMMOND." + + +The paper was almost illegible. It had been written in pencil. An +extended search was made and the skeleton of a man was found in one of +the most inaccessible recesses of the cave's many turnings. Beside the +body lay a torch and an exhausted lunch basket. Eldon Brand had the +remains reverently committed to earth. + +The village gossips love to dwell upon the happiness of the brave young +lovers, of the restoration of the gray-haired father to his old home in +honor and in plenty, and of the blooming lads and lassies that sprang up +as time passed tenderly over the heads of the reunited household. + + + + +A REVERIE + + + The twilight falls in gloom; + All day the fitful sun and sparkling show'r + Have played at hide-and-seek amid the bloom-- + The varied tints of Spring's fresh bow'r. + Oh, sure each bud and blossom knows the spell + Their subtle fragrance weaves about my brow; + Oh, sure a mystic tale their echoes tell-- + Love's soft, low-whispered vow. + + The deep'ning sky o'ercast, + The shadows slowly length' ning 'neath the trees, + The tender leaves, swift in the vernal blast, + To catch the music of the breeze; + The young lush grass a-peep above the earth, + The trailing vines that to the lattice cling, + Ah, these to fancies warm and true give birth, + And o'er my senses fling. + + On landscape charms I glance; + The city's distant hum is lull'd to rest, + Athwart the sunset dark'ning clouds advance. + And shut from sight the rosy west; + A dreamy orison enshrines my heart. + Deep shelter'd in the sacred haunts of home, + Where elfin sprites among the eeries dart, + Irradiate in the gloam. + + Shine out, sweet love, unveil + Thy ecstasy erst wrought in accents wild; + Within my soul there breathes an anguish'd wail, + Unsoothed by resignation mild. + I would not, if I might, give back the joy + That sweeps my pulses with enraptured thrill; + In transports pure the moments cannot cloy-- + My craving lingers still. + + Nor time may rend the tie; + The fealty that holds the captive will + In potent thrall, if sever'd soon, + Poor human faith a-blight and chill must die. + O birdlings, blossoms, leaflets, flow'rs, + Give forth chaste spirits to enchant the air; + Let silver'd mem'ries glad the lonely hours, + And crown my picture fair. + + * * * * * + + The night comes on apace; + The cricket's chirp, the woodland murmur's swell, + Bid nature's changeling melodies efface + The glamour of yon phantom spell. + The flashing morn adown the glist'ning aisles, + A dew-embowered hill and grove and lea, + With ruthless light will scatter fairy wiles, + Nor leave my love to me. + + +--E.D.P. + + + + +THE MISER AND THE ANGEL + + + 'Twas cold and bleak that winter's night, + When hover'd o'er the dying light, + The miser hugg'd his shrunken form, + And grudged the fire that made him warm. + + The old worn latch arose and felt, + He started up with threat'ning yell-- + 'Begone!"--as in the open door + A woman stood, faint and foot-sore. + + "Just this," she begged, "this rotten board-- + 'Twill not be missed from out your hoard." + "Take it and go!" he thundered out-- + "Oh, thanks," she moaned, and turned about. + + Another shivering night he sat; + A lad came in--"Please, Mister,"--"What?" + "This piece of rope." He said not nay, + But curs'd him as he went his way. + + And once again there ventured nigh + A child, who fled with frightened cry, + As at her head a rusty key-- + The gift she craved--he flung with glee. + + * * * * * + + The sands of life were nearly run; + "What good to others have you done?" + The angel ask'd. The miser sighed. + "Not one kind act," he sadly cried. + + "Not one? Did you ne'er give, nor lend + Relief to neighbor, suppliant, friend?" + The dying eyes were closed--he thought + On all the misery he had wrought. + + A ray of light! "I gave a board." + "'Tis well--'twill span death's river ford." + "A mouldy rope." "'Twill reach from earth + To Heaven. What more of feeble worth?" + "A rusty key." "Unlocks the gate. + Is this the sum? No--not too late; + The sinner's Friend has room for all,-- + The least you do is not too small." + + +--E.D.P. + + + + +REST + + For so He giveth His beloved sleep. + +IN MEMORY OF MY MOTHER + + + A soul is gather'd home; + At morn, at eve, on mission kind intent, + Her footsteps evermore were wont to roam, + Till years their ceaseless labor spent. + Each day its olive leaf of grace brought in-- + garner'd leaf from charity's broad field; + Each day's good deeds redeem'd a life from sin, + And gray'd anew her shield. + + The lowly suppliant bless'd, + When to the hovel came her welcome smile; + The cold, the hungry, friendless and distress'd, + With gen'rous aid she cheer'd the while; + And not alone the desolate and poor + Sought counsel of her wisdom and her love; + The high-born and the cultured cross'd her door + To share her treasure-trove. + + A nature great and high, + No puny thought could dwell within her breast; + How sad to see her worth untimely die! + Yet who may wail the needful rest? + Her willing hand, her tireless step, her active brain, + Rear'd lofty landmarks on the busy way; + The haunts that knew her long'd with yearning vain, + The reaper's scythe to stay. + + The strife at last is o'er; + The strife that all great souls must needs endure; + And anchor'd fast on Eden's peaceful shore, + Her roving bark is strong and sure. + The world is full of workers for the right; + "They also serve who only stand and wait." + No waiting servant she; with armor bright + She pass'd the pearly gate. + + +--E.D.P. + + + + +THE CHANGED CROSS + + + A little gilt-edge volume, + Its covers reddish brown, + It glossy leaves one burden bore, + Without the cross, no crown. + + I turned the pages slowly, + The fly-leaf wore a name; + With eyes suffused in quick response, + I noted whence it came. + + A tender message bade me + Take up the lowly cross, + For love and mercy's joint decree + Apportions every loss. + + "No cross--no crown"--the mandate, + With cruel meaning falls; + The heavy-laden soul shrinks back, + The lonely way appals. + + Ah, me! sweet friend, I thank thee; + This little ray of light + Steals o'er the darken'd firmament, + Illuming sorrow's night. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Idle Hour Stories, by Eugenia Dunlap Potts + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IDLE HOUR STORIES *** + +***** This file should be named 15078.txt or 15078.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/0/7/15078/ + +Produced by Kentuckiana Digital Library, David Garcia and the PG +Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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